IN FOCUS November 2012
Links to articles Music Report :. 12 Saving Face in Cyber Space :. 6 Prep Camps :. 16
undertaken by our teaching staff . The processes established for working in Professional Learning Teams and participating in Teacher Performance Management alongside their colleagues has been an integral part of this process.
Congratulations to Q’ed 1 student Chloe Chang, Year 6
from 3 ‘critical colleagues’ regarding the
• Educational Leadership. • Technical leadership. The ongoing review and audit of teaching
• Human Leadership.
and learning programs at our College
• Cultural Leadership.
Q’ed Program, the provision of General Excellence Scholarships, new Pathways programs at the Senior School and the Doorway Into Practical Literacy program in our Junior Schools to name a few.
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teaching pedagogy, matters concerning 21st Century Learning, student engagement, phasing in the Australian Curriculum.
Principal. In Term 3 I received crucial feedback
• Symbolic Leadership.
education, the introduction of the celebrated
including Teaching and Learning structures,
involved in reflecting on my performance as
Christian Worldview context.
the establishment of a strategic plan for
brief to consider all aspects of our program
subject offerings and the implications of
are each considered within a spiritual and
of new initiatives. Included in these is
This Professional Learning Team was given the
Throughout this year, I have been personally
following five leadership domains which
has seen the introduction of a number
Teaching and Learning.
The group initially identified the following 10 Objectives for Middle School Students attending Christian College. 1. Students will be encouraged to explore and experience a personal faith in Jesus Christ. 2. Students develop a strong sense of compassion for others and a desire to actively contribute to both local and global communities. 3. Students explore a variety of ideas, perspectives and learning opportunities
The feedback provided has both confirmed
through the investigation of a range of
my approach and also enabled me to
distinct yet interconnected studies.
consider different ways of providing ongoing encouragement , support and leadership.
Introducing the 100 Plus Program to our Middle Schools. An incredible amount of work and planning has finally been completed by members of
4. Students’ understanding of themselves as learners is actively facilitated and promoted. 5. Students develop as independent learners. 6. Students engage in higher order thinking and problem solving to foster deep learning.
Along with the provision of the excellent
staff as part of the audit of our Middle Schools
7. Students are immersed in a rigorous
new facilities at each of the campuses, in
program. This group, chaired by Mrs Heather
academic program to develop competence in
recent years our students are also benefitting
Faulkner consisted of Heads and Deputy Heads
the range of skills required for higher levels of
from the reflective and collaborative work
of Campus as well as a number of Directors of
education and life.
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
8. Students are challenged through a
Our desire to offer Christian Education and
program that recognises their individual
pastoral sessions, sporting, musical, artistic,
abilities, talents and interests.
camping and outdoor activities opportunities
9. Students develop intrapersonal and interpersonal confidence and competence. 10. Students will continue to develop their confidence and competence across a range of technological mediums and tools. This framework has been formed as a result of having worked with and reviewed the ‘expert’ educational research through Professional Development with Dr. David Sousa (How the Brain Learns), Prof. Steve Dinham (the benefits to student learning and teaching through Feedback) and Dr. Julia Aitkin (the impact of the National Curriculum) at recent College Staff Retreats .
100 PLUS PROGRAM The Federal Government decision to introduce
“Thank you to the 2012 Q’ed Staff”
as well as time to allow community service involvement remain important features of our
The implementation of 21st Century Learning
I am confident that the benefit of these changes
College culture that we want to see preserved.
strategies incorporates higher order thinking,
will have a positive impact on our Junior
As a result we will see the introduction of the
increased provision for differentiated learning
Schools also as they take on the timetable
including advanced or extension elective classes
structure as well as some of the learning
in some subjects, new subject offerings including
opportunities that this program presents.
100 Plus Program from the commencement of 2013 in the Christian College Middle Schools at the Highton and Bellarine Campuses. This exciting initiative provides 100 additional minutes per week of face to face teaching for students from Year 5 to Year 9. This allows Christian College to address the 10 objectives; continues to offer the broad aspects of our program and to meet the requirements of the Australian Curriculum commencing with the Phase One subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities in 2013.
Writers Workshop, Mathematics Challenge, Environmental Science, and Personal Learning (to
Further details of the program will be
assist students in managing their learning).
outlined at upcoming Information Sessions
The new structure of the timetable in 2013 will be 8 forty minute learning sessions per day. This will provide students with greater flexibility
and in communication to parents from the Heads of Campus and Directors of Teaching and Learning as the program unfolds.
enabling some subject areas to be blocked
I wish to congratulate the staff who have
together for deeper learning opportunities while
contributed to the preparation and planning
maintaining some single periods for explicit skill
of this exciting initiative and I commend
teaching (ie grammar). The increased length
them for the outstanding work that they
of time in teaching blocks prior to morning
have completed. I am personally delighted
recess enhances the opportunity for effective
that this new era of learning has begun and I
a common national curriculum that prescribes
As a result of the planning and investigations
integration of subjects. Two extended blocks of
80% of the content taught, leaving 20% for
undertaken by our College leadership team, I
teaching time (120 minutes each) are scheduled
schools to cover the specific areas that are
feel confident that Christian College has now
prior to lunchtime, which shortens after lunch
important to individual school contexts poses a
positioned itself at the forefront of teaching
class time when the potential for student
Glen McKeeman
challenge for Independent Schools such as ours.
and learning into the future.
learning is typically reduced.
Principal.
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look forward to the benefits that the 100 Plus Program presents for our students in 2013.
factor. People who are inspired and challenged to improve the lives of others.’
Included in our College philosophy are the words: ‘Students will be encouraged to recognise that they belong to a world society, and to acknowledge their responsibility to positively contribute to the relief of the less privileged in this global community’ . Early in the year our Senior students were challenged in the following way: ‘There is so much going on in the world. It can almost seem overwhelming to think that you or I can make a difference. But we can. Each of these problems has a solution. And the solution is not about money or resources. It is about people. People like you and me who have a care
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And God wants us to. The Bible has much to say about caring for others. In Proverbs it says that we are to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves’ and to ‘defend the rights of the poor and needy’. Jesus himself reminds us in the book of Matthew of our obligation to feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick. There have been a number of ways in which the students at Senior School have taken this to heart and made themselves available for such a contribution. The Year 11 subjects ‘Our World Vietnam’ and ‘Our World East Timor’, allowed those Year 11 students to study and experience at first hand some of the issues facing the people of these countries. These students returned to Geelong very touched by what they had experienced and brought back with them a real desire to make a contribution into the lives of the people they met.
The Senior Prefects travelled to Viqueque in East Timor and this group shared with Senior School staff and students how meaningful that visit had been. As a result, this group held the October Trivia night raising funds for some vital educational materials in the local school . An initiative closer to home was started by the Prefects who wanted to care for students on the Senior campus who were in need of ‘an arm around the shoulder’ or ‘a listening ear’, and so EMPOWER was born. A number of students put their hands up to be the first port of call for others who were struggling and who needed to know that there was someone willing to listen and to direct them towards help. Our College captains were a part of the group of School Captains from all Geelong schools who teamed together to find clothing and funds for Geelong’s homeless. This was a student-led initiative, which has had a real impact in our region. Our connections with our indigenous brothers and sisters goes back many years now,
and we were thrilled to be able to host some of our friends from Alcoota when they came for a Victorian experience in November. In the latter part of the year a group of students has worked towards making a connection with a refugee group in Melbourne and planned a great day for them at our farm, ‘Back Creek’. This year saw the launch of Care Factor, whereby Senior students were encouraged to invest more fully in the needs of others. It was fundraising, awareness campaigns, community service and acts of kindness as students were encouraged to actively involve themselves in working for others. I have been delighted by the ways in which our young people have shown God’s love and compassion to others. Susan Strong Head of Senior School
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
I look forward to all of these students contributing to leading the student body in 2013. The following Prefects will represent their respective Houses in 2013.
Flynn House
Maddison Riddle
Ricci Curtis
Kristina Macula
Tom Grayson
Jacob Sharp
Syd Jenkins
The provision of student leadership roles at
involvement in College wide events and also
Jayden McHenry
Oliver Overman
Christian College such as Prefects provides
in community and global projects.
Matt Gunn
Nathan Carnie
students within our community with a range of benefits.
Jasmine Yoong
Emily Rastas
Burrows House
Taylor House
Ivy O’Dwyer
Andrew Fitzgerald
Rachel Hodder
Joy Leong
Taylah Wright
Katrina Palmer
Nick Hogan
Olivia Kehoe
been selected and we congratulate the follow-
Joshua Horton
Marnie Platt
ing students on obtaining this honour. I am also
Allison Norris
Having Prefects also benefits other students in the community providing them with role
These relate directly to their involvement in
models, student representation and support
vital roles which develop leadership skills
as well as positions for younger students to
and character attributes resulting from
aspire to in coming years.
serving others. Taking responsibility for the well-being and inclusion of others is also a significant role of our Prefects.
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Penman House
The 2013 Christian College Senior Prefects have
Throughout the year, the Senior Prefects’
grateful to the other students who nominated
responsibilities have occurred mainly through
themselves for consideration. I am aware that
the College House competitions and activities
the selection process was a most difficult one
Glen McKeeman
but, in more recent times have included wider
due to the calibre of the students who applied.
Principal.
Jacob Hunniford
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
community. Further, Australian research
intended for a small audience, sometimes
clearly shows that the majority of young
find their way to a larger one, often with
people will not tell a parent if they are bullied
both the unexpected and undesirable
or harassed online, for fear of losing access to
consequences of punitive measures from
their technology.
both school and the police.
Cyberspace is not age appropriate and often
How do we as adults respond?
the behaviours emerging in our young children are not developmentally aligned; in many cases children are acting out or repeating ‘content’ they have seen or heard The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in schools and in the home, along with the addition of a multitude of
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online. It is vital that we continue to educate ourselves and our young people about the responsibilities of being wise digital citizens.
It is really important that parents embrace technology for the valuable tool that it is and engage with their children online. Susan McLean, a cyber-bullying expert, says that parents must accept responsibility, as often young people are handed a piece of technology with little or no guidance or
mobile devices, has steadily increased in
Can I get that photo back?
this country since 2005, according to the
The historic benefit of being geographically
latest research. Between 2006 and 2011 the
isolated from the rest of the world may once
A.B.S revealed that the average monthly
have provided advantages for our safety,
download volume by Australians increased
but in Cyberspace there are few boundaries.
from 2GB to 8.4GB. By 2020, it is suggested
The unprecedented amount of personal
that this figure will grow tenfold! With the
information available on these sites makes
explosion of cyber technologies and the
them a perfect place for people who would
Parent education support for safe use of online technologies
use of social networking (such as Facebook)
happily identify their victims and gain their
At the end of last term, Christian College
we push beyond the ‘borders’ for rapid
trust. This trust can then be used to lure
conducted a campus-wide parent
communication, which can bring about
young people into a false sense of security,
education session about cyber-safety, with a
positive outcomes in our personal, social and
making them vulnerable to grooming and
wonderfully engaging presentation from our
working life.
enticement to meet in person.
Senior School Chaplain, Nigel Lane. A smaller
We are, however, also seeing a dramatic rise
Other identified dangers that are emerging
in the negative impact of such technology.
include exposure to inappropriate content,
The issue of cyber bullying, harassment
cyber bullying and harassment, exchange
and stalking is emerging in Victoria as the
of inappropriate images and identity theft.
number one issue confronting the safety and
Young people are often not aware that their
Nigel spoke about the benefits of technology
wellbeing of young people and the wider
words and or photos, which may have been
and also highlighted the associated risks
supervision. Parents should know where their children go and what they do online, just as they would in their day-to-day life. McLean explains that communication is the key and rules and boundaries regarding online behaviours must be put in place.
crowd gathered than I anticipated, given the magnitude and importance of this issue for our young people and its direct impact on families and daily life.
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
UNO just hatched
and dangers with online behaviour. In
provides current information and advice
summary he offered parents the following
about cybersafety, information about how
5 tips to consider in creating a safe online
children engage with online technologies
environment at home:
and an online helpline for children who have
1. Discuss the boundaries – eg. time when
undergone negative online experiences. To
the computer is turned off at night, rules.
view this website you can go to
2. Parents should be their son’s/daughter’s Facebook friend to follow and view content. 3. Location, location, location – put the home computer in a public space, clearly visible.
www.cybersmart.gov.au. On this website you will also find here a new link to Zippep’s Astro children (Prep to Year 2) learn how to be safe online and prepare them for the risks they may face as digital users. You can also download this
a sealed envelope, for emergency access.
as a free app. or play the game online.
Facebook if you do not know who they are.
Cybersmart Website – a great resource for all ages The Australian Communications and Media Authority has a website that provides a single access point for cybersafety advice
UNO now ready to return to Melbourne Zoo
Circus, a new online game created to help
4. Passwords – put your child’s password in 5. Do NOT accept people as friends on
Melbourne Zoo on Saturday 1 December. Ms Deb Singleton will escort him carefully. He will meet many of his kindred that have hatched out at the other 24 schools around Victoria, who have been equally as fortunate as us to be part of this pilot program with the Zoo.
The rapid evolution of technologies is a challenge for us all, yet together I believe we can make a difference and better serve our next generation by equipping and supporting them to become innovative digital citizens with the knowledge and skills to navigate the ever changing online world.
for children, teens, parents, schools and
Scott Elliss
communities. The Cybersmart website
Head of Bellarine Campus
Remember Uno, the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect that hatched at Bellarine campus earlier this year? He has matured into a shiny black ‘handsome young man’(If you are into transformer-style insects…) The pink blanket in the photo was not his first choice; it was simply the warmest spare blanket around to keep him alive over winter Uno has been requested to return to the
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UNO at six weeks of age
It is not all sad goodbyes though. The Zoo are letting us keep Uno’s purpose-built enclosure with heat mats, and they are giving us some Giant Stick Insect eggs to try to hatch. We are at liberty to keep them. So the stick insect story continues, albeit in a different part of the family. The Giant Stick Insect is the closest living relative of the Lord Howe Island critically endangered species.
faculty at Christian College recently revisited and Creativity stimulation response reflected upon the capabilities that engagement in their various subjects develop in students.
growth
Visual literacy
In ATD subjects students learn to think
Responsiveness to persevere, to innovate, to understand ingenuity flexibly, critically and creatively. They learn multiple viewpoints, to adapt, to problem
Process
solve, to communicate and to navigate the engagement challenge all-pervasive visual and digital worlds of
Chess board by Jake Buttigieg Shortlisted for Product Design and Technology: Materials
today. Excellent teaching/learning in art, Knowledge Skill design and technology education requires Intuition skilful differentiation to meet the needs of
complexity
each student. Teachers in the Art, technology nurture
Kit Webster projected images on the face of ‘Villa Paloma’
visual
literacy Innovation
reflection
satisfaction
confidence
and design faculty work alongside each
possibilities
empathy
Enjoyment
student to break down the complexities of the creative process deliberately and
critical
thoughtfully, whilst facilitating progress understanding intelligence Selftowards the development of appropriate
Self-awarenessWe publicly imagination championed this focus on ATD solutions to problems posed.
logic
experimentation
Authenticity
validation
on very narrow perceptions of ‘knowledge’
diverse and comprehensive art, technology
and limited measures of human competency.
and design opportunities we provide for our
Researchers and critics argued that traditional
independence materials
sustainability
techniques
ideas
teaching\learning on the opening night of our recent by conducting a major life-long ways ofExtravaganza seeing Individuality visual collaboration with new media artist, Kit
enrichment wonderment discovery Exploration respect enthusiasm excitement Investigation passion energy kinesthetic rigour Problem solving mark making inspiration personal learning Thinking appreciation attitude hard work extension divergence Reflecting open-endedness confidence admiration research -based soul searching Celebration original expression Communication Identity Design Art Technology students across all campuses. Our programs
love ofare learning ollaboration firmly underpinned bybeauty current educational
disciplines taught in schools reinforced
Webster. Visitors to our annual K-12 Exhibition
dominant forms of ‘knowledge’ which tended to
were delighted by Kit’s vibrant, kinetic visual
research and practice and are designed to
deny the existence of other important forms of
presentation which incorporates sound and
arm students with essential knowledge, skills
‘understanding’ and ‘knowing’. This limiting view
projections of three dimensional text detailing
and capabilities to successfully understand
of education appeared to omit or diminish the
words and phrases collated by ATD staff.
and navigate the visually and technologically
importance of sophisticated forms of cognition
Viewers were bombarded with visually complex
dominated contemporary world.
and intelligence offered through engagement
renderings of educational textual content,
with art, design and technology education.
symbolic images and patterns, exemplifying
In the latter decades of the 20th century,
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understanding
perseverance Uniqueness
Christian College Geelong is proud of the
Rebecca Headlam with her installation shortlisted for Year 12 Top Arts
aesthetic awareness
educational institutions across the globe were
As committed and passionate practitioners,
increasingly criticised for basing curriculum
educators in the art, technology and design
the hybrid nature of art, technology and design related practices and communications in the 21st century.
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
excursions, performances, studio visits, competitions, parades, displays, projects and presentations. For example, this year students have exhibited or displayed art, design and technology works in The National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Centre for Australian Art, Shell House in Melbourne’s CBD, The Geelong Art Society’s Shearer’s Arms Gallery, Zart Art Gallery in Melbourne, The Rotary Art Exhibition in Drysdale, The Subjects offerings within the Faculty this year have included Visual Art, Two Dimensional Art, Three Dimensional Art, Photography, Product Design and Technology: Materials, Product Design and Technology: Textiles, Food and Technology, Systems Engineering,
Geelong Showgrounds, The Melbourne Zoo, the Carousel at the Geelong Waterfront, the Geelong Wool Museum, The Melbourne Museum, Science Works, The Australian National University, Canberra and several other presentation contexts.
Visual Communication & Design and Studio
In addition, numerous prizes and awards have
Arts. Student work in all of these areas was
been received by individual students and we
on display at the Art, Design and Technology
have recently received initial notifications
Extravaganza held recently at Villa Paloma.
that five of our Year 12 Product Design and
Challenging enrichment and enhancement possibilities extending beyond the classroom
Technology students have been shortlisted for the VCE Season of Excellence Awards in 2013.
have also provided additional opportunities for student engagement through
Merinda Kelly
participation in exhibitions, extension
Director of Teaching and Learning: Art,
tasks and research studies, workshops,
Technology and Design
Rhiannon Irving, shortlisted for VCE Season of Excellence Product Design and Technology: Textiles with Tom Hayes, who is modelling her theatrical Jester Costume Design.
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christiancollege.vic.edu.au
mark at Christian College for years to come. The College required a new set of worshipenhancing furniture ( a lectern and a set of candle stands) that would be a focal point in the recently completed Senior School Chapel, creating a mood of respect and spirituality. They needed to be unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that fitted in with the College and reflected the College motto, philosophy and values. They also wanted the products to show a high quality of workmanship. It was also specified that they needed to use natural, sustainable materials to be used in the construction. They were open to a wide variety of materials to be used including timber, glass, metal and stone. Each of the materials has a symbolic place in the design of the lectern:
• The Senior School has gratefully accepted
Designers Tom and Costa, Year 12 Product
some wonderful pieces of work, namely
design and Technology students explained
a new Chapel lectern and candle stands
the process involved:
designed especially for the Chapel at Senior School. The Year 12 students who spent many hours on their meticulous construction can be assured that Christian College will honour and treasure them for years to come.
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solid foundations that the school is built upon,
•
the main construction represent the
College as we wanted to leave something
growth of students, staff and the school
special behind that would be of benefit completed our studies. So when the
Susan Strong
opportunity arose to work with the College
Head of Senior School
as designers in our course and create some
the sustainably sourced Australian timbers of Jarrah and Victorian Ash in
‘We chose to create these pieces for the our
to Christian College, even after we had
the bluestone at the base represents the
community as a whole.
•
the glass elements embedded into the design represent the Christian spirituality that is a foundation of Christian College.
feature pieces of furniture for the school, we
Tom Hayes and Costa Karatenislis
felt that this would be a good way to leave our
Year 12, 2012
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
way of sticking with you and despite the mud, breakdowns and flies, we remember the blossoms, spectacular sun sets and cute animals.
Developments at the Farm
I was herding the cows down the lane way and my gumboots sucked down into the mud the other day. This transported me back to my youth spent on my family’s dairy farm near Cohuna. I recalled evenings after school milking cows with my father and the wet winters getting drenched by rain while feeding hay to the cows. Isn’t it amazing that experiences which once seemed tedious, in time, can be recalled with fondness. Many times when I speak to parents visiting the Year 9’s in residence at the farm, they recall times they have spent on an uncle’s, grandparent’s, or friend’s farm. I think farms have a
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This winter on the farm, students have fed replacement heifers and beef cows hay each morning. This is a vital job on the farm when fresh pasture is more scarce. Students spread out the hay which allows the cows easy access to it and prevents it spoiling from sitting uneaten for too long. With student’s assistance this job was done quickly, but I have never seen it done as part of an interpretive dance until now. On the edge of the dam in front of the homestead there has been the development of an amphitheater. Students have spent many hours cutting tiered seating into the bank and constructing gabion boxes on top. Trees have recently been planted bordering the amphitheater which will, down the track, provide shade and will also enclose the area. Students have displayed a great deal of satisfaction with the
work that has been achieved on this project and it is rewarding to see it nearing completion.
an event the students are very keen to see.
Orphan lambs have been a huge hit this year, with some students taking them home for weekends to maintain three hourly feedings. Eight orphan lambs have been successfully reared. We never have needed to worry about the lambs being forgotten to be fed as they are guaranteed to be the first to be fed with hugs lingering long after feeding has finished.
port of a cow beginning to calve has resulted
Students in the milking group have also helped with feeding the calves. There are about 130 calves on the property at the moment and students have done a fantastic job feeding them each morning and night. Maintaining a warm, dry place for the calves to be housed is important in the cold, wet environment of Scotsburn. Students have been very diligent in cleaning the calf shed of the old straw and spreading fresh straw. The current calving season on the farm has provided the opportunity for many students to witness or even help with a cow calving -
The mad dash to the calving paddock on a rein all types of exotic looking ugg boots going places they were not designed to go. New vegetable boxes have been constructed by students during the last 3 Rurals. Many of these are full of garlic plants which, when harvested, will be used in the kitchen and excess sold to the public. Amongst these and many other activities being completed each day, students have generated experiences they will share with their peers for years to come. Not only will they remember these experiences in the near future, but I’m sure, just as their parents shared farm stories, they too will recount their ‘Back Creek’ experiences to their children and even grandchildren. Earl Moore Teaching, Learning & Operations Manager ‘Back Creek’
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
of year performances. At this camp the Highton and Bellarine Middle School groups combined to form one large Concert Band, Choir and String Orchestra as well as a Guitar Ensemble. This event is not just a music camp but also a fantastic way for students to learn to work together in a concentrated program. They are challenged and encouraged to grow in many ways during the musical and other activities on these music camps. As well they make cross Campus and across year level friendships that often follow them through their music program involvement to the Senior School.
Instrumental Music
Senior rehearsal camp sees the most senior role in supporting events in the life of the
ensembles depart from their campus environs for intensive tutorials and rehearsals
This year has seen around 650 students
College including Services, Ceremonies and
electing to study instrumental music with
Celebrations. Many student soloists have
weekly lessons happening across the
completed examinations with the Australian
The classroom music program has seen a very
Campuses and 48 instrumental staff giving
Music Examinations Board from Preliminary
comprehensive offering of core and elective
specialist tutorage. This has meant a fantastic
Grade through to the Associate of Music
classes across the College curriculum. Core
level of involvement in the extra curricula
Performance Diploma. Students have also
music classes are a feature of the curriculum
ensemble program offered at Christian
competed in scholarship competitions and
for Kindergarten through to Year 8. Elective
College with over 30 regularly rehearsing
Rotary Club talent competitions with many
music has been studied by students from
ensembles making music weekly and taking
winning prizes and recognition for their
Years 8 to 12. We have had accelerated classes
part in camps, tours, competitions, and
great musicianship.
Both the Middle School and Senior Music
of VCE in Years 10 and 11 as well as a class
performances both within the College and
Music Camps
Camps see the Music Department engage
completing the Music Investigation subject
in the wider community. As well, regular solo
in Year 12. The VCE Unit 3 and 4 classes have
performance recitals have been held across
In September, the Combined Middle Schools
of professional performing musicians
had class recital nights in the new auditorium
all campuses providing the opportunity for
Music Camp involved 160 students from the
from places such as Melbourne Symphony
Bellarine and Highton Campuses in choirs,
Orchestra, Victorian Opera and various
strings and bands. Held at Camp Wilkin and
tertiary institutions to tutor and motivate
Classroom Music
at the Bellarine Campus where they have
students to perform for family and friends.
in late June. This year the Senior Wind Symphony, Strings, Choir and Stage Bands traveled to Rutherford Park near Daylesford for a six-day camp where the students played for an average of five hours a day. The students relish the opportunity to be away and immerse themselves in their chosen pieces for the upcoming competitions.
not only our regular staff but also the services
shared a small part of their examination
The Bands, Choirs, String Orchestras and
Burnside in Anglesea, the students rehearsed
the students. Both staff and students find it
programs with family and friends.
instrumentalists have played an active
new material in preparation for their end
inspiring to have the opportunity to work
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christiancollege.vic.edu.au
Advertiser Scholarships and the Highton Rotary Star Search. The Senior Choir and their Director Mrs. Barnett-Dunlop have represented the College on a number of occasions at significant events such as the Vietnam Veterans’ service and the Geelong Schools ANZAC service at the Johnstone Park Memorial. The Senior Campus has been represented by numbers of soloists and chamber ensembles thoughout the year at a huge range of events. These have provided the students with valuable performance experience but The Melbourne School Bands and Strings
Orchestra and program is rapidly growing
also allowed them to share their gifts with
from ‘outside’ our program.
festival is held at Monash University each year.
with 37 young junior string players forming
others in the community and experience the
Senior Music Tour
Bands and orchestras play for an adjudication
the Junior School Strings.
satisfaction in providing service to others,
panel and are rated against set criteria for an
Royal South Street provides our College
with people with such fantastic expertise
particularly in being able to support charity
The Senior Ensembles took part in the
award, they also take part in a tutorial and
biennial Senior Music Tour in March. The
workshop. The Christian College ensembles
Senior Choir, Strings, Wind Symphony
prestigious eisteddfod environment in
find this experience a great opportunity to
and Stage Band travelled to Sydney and
which to compete. We have had a fantastic
develop and refine their musicianship. Many
year at Royal South Street with many
performed at various prominent venues
of our groups received the highest rating
students and groups gaining places in hotly
including Manly, St Andrews Cathedral
possible from the panel as well as recordings
contested sections.
and Darling Harbour. As well as these
of their performance for review.
Community Performance
During August the Junior School Strings,
Our musicians’ involvement in the
was the initiative of our stage band and
community, from the Junior Schools right
jazz staff. It’s rationale was to provide a non
Schools’ Music and Movement Festival in
through to our most senior musicians is
competitive performance day where students
the Play House at GPAC. For many of the
a hallmark of our program with students
felt encouraged, challenged and motivated
students it was their first public performance
performing at events such as the Royal
to improve their performance. John Morrison
and was a tremendous experience being in a
Melbourne Hospital Festival, Belmont Elderly
flew down from Sydney for the day and was
professional theatre. Our Junior School String
Citizens, Poppykettle Festival, the Geelong
the guest clinician. He gave performance
public performances the groups worked with various school groups, community ensembles and the Sydney Navy Band. The tour was a great experience for students and staff providing unique opportunities for our senior musicians. College Ensemble Competitions and Festivals
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Choir and Dancers performed at the Geelong
ensembles and soloists with the most
fundraising events.
Workshop and Performance Day with John Morrison Early in August Christian College hosted the Stage Bands from Blackburn High School and Eltham High School for a day of workshops, master classes and performance. The program
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
feedback as well as an ‘on stage’ tutorial to each
with an outstanding rendition of The Cat
numbers of disciplines including dance,
As well the venue was ‘sold out’ with some
group at the conclusion of their performance.
Empire song ‘Fishies’ featuring the talents of
vocal and instrumental solos, ensembles and
families having to wait in the foyer in case
The day was a wonderful success.
Adam Di Martino, David Stephens, Harrison
encouragement awards.
families left early. The music staff would like
House Music Performances
Kennedy and Aidan Hodge all of Year 12.
The Annual Music Evening
to congratulate all students involved for their
Deakin University’s Costa Hall was the venue for this year’s Senior School House Music Competition. The Senior School became a
Kosta Karatenislis, Year 12 of Flynn House was awarded Champion House Soloists with his virtuosic clarinet solo.
An outstanding night of performances at the Costa Hall was held on Thursday October 18th
Ensemble Program in 2012.
giving over 450 Christian College student
frenzy of House choir and ensemble practices
In 2012 the Middle Schools held a House
musicians the opportunity to perform for a
leading up to the hotly contested House
Talent Quest. The focus of this event was to
large audience in a world class concert hall
Music Competition. This event sees the
encourage participation in the performing
style venue. The acoustics and stage size
entire Senior School Student body perform
arts. Over 100 students from the Highton and
of the Costa Hall allowed all bands, string
as a part of their respective House Choirs.
Bellarine Campuses auditioned at lunchtimes
groups and choral performers to show off
Each house also provided a soloist and two
and collected House points. Following the
the best of their performance pieces learnt
ensembles. Penman were victorious in 2012
audition process 30 items were chosen for
throughout the year. The concert featured
winning best House Choir with their rendition
the House Performing Arts Festival Finale
a consistently outstanding level of student
of The Lion King and as well overall House
which was held at Barrabool Hills on the final
musicianship and excellence in staff musical
Music Champions. The Penman house small
day of Term three. Students were awarded
direction. A feature of the program was the
ensemble also won the Principal’s Award
prizes and recognition in categories across
combining of our Middle School ensembles.
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contribution and commitment to the College
Fiona Gardner Director of Music – Teaching and Learning
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
packaging, time lines, ordering food, cooking, safe food storage, quantities, advertising and safe food handling. This was a fantastic display of great team projects in action at our As part of the Year 9 Food Technology program this Semester at Bellarine Campus,
The café was a great success and $679.00
the students decided it would be a good idea
was raised for their chosen charity, ‘Feed
to raise funds for a local charity as part of their
Geelong’. ‘Feed Geelong’ is a local food
assessment for this subject.
charity for Geelong, run by larger charity
The students designed a menu catering for all. It included a combination of pre-ordered lunchtime options and a variety of sweet
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school.
group ‘FareShare’, and is sponsored by the Geelong Advertiser. FareShare collect surplus food from supermarkets, wholesale
treats to purchase on the day of the café. The
markets, farmers, manufacturers, retailers and
students worked extremely hard trialling
other businesses. Volunteers cook all of this
recipes, analysing and perfecting their
excess food in a special kitchen and supply
chosen recipes in preparation for the café.
it to local food charities around Melbourne,
This assessment task also gave the students
Geelong and other parts of Victoria. They also
a real taste of what it would be like to run a
distribute large quantities of uncooked food
professional catering business. The students
around local charities working closely with
were accountable for cost, work plans,
Geelong Foodbank.
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
The camps program at Junior School Belmont is introduced in Prep. with students participating in a sleepover on campus in the Junior School Chapel. The Bellarine Prep Camp to Cottage by the Sea also allows for gradual introduction to the Christian College camping program. A priority for both camps is for the children to have fun and to feel safe and happy on their first school camp. The aim is to promote social interaction, encourage independence, and self-sufficiency. It offers a unique opportunity for students to interact and grow in their relationships with their teachers and peers in a setting vastly different from the classroom. It aims to help enhance their physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth. We also want to help build the children’s ability to co-operate and to understand and accept their uniqueness and differences. The camp allows children to experience different environmental settings and to learn new skills first hand. It also allows children the opportunity to see and discuss some of God’s amazing creation. Through our Prep camp, we strive to help the children gain an understanding that God is with us all the time, He cares for us and protects us wherever we are. ‘We are not sleepy yet’
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day, as well as Daniel Harwood who ably assisted the students in the building of the outdoor furniture. Reflecting on this new initiative, Mrs Bishop commented on how much the students had gained from these experiences in understanding the various roles of the staff at our College as well as appreciating the way others give back to the community in so many different ways as a volunteer, without expecting thanks or payment. There is no doubt that this will become a regular feature of our Year 9 program, as the benefits noted by staff, as well as the many positive comments from students, reinforced the extremely valuable educational opportunities these activities offer. At Middle School Highton we have recognised
These included working at two local primary
the benefits for our students of becoming
schools, making outdoor furniture to give to a
more involved in our community. At the end of
local school and kindergarten, a Master Chef
Term 3, Year 9 Activity Week had a major focus
‘cook off’, making mosaic tiles to be used in our
on giving something back to our community.
gardens, strategy games and craft work with a
Having a servant heart sits well with our
focus on making something for someone else.
Christian College ethos and , under the leadership of Mrs Sally Bishop an innovative programme was devised to incorporate service as a central theme of the week.
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During Activity Week a small group of the Year 9’s were already committed to attending the Middle School Music camp and 38 students were challenged in a 72 kilometre walk through rugged terrain in the Otways. Both of these activities proved to be
The program would not have been as
challenging but rewarding experiences with
successful without the assistance of our
character development a real bonus.
gardener Andrew Allen who organised garden beds at the local schools where our
Approximately eighty Year 9 students chose
students planted vegetables to be used in the
Heather Faulkner
a service activity from a number of options.
school breakfast and lunch clubs run every
Deputy Head of Middle School Highton
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
Celebrating Gustav Klimt and the Birth of Viennese Modernism in Vienna In 2012, one of Austria’s greatest painters - Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) would have celebrated his 150th birthday. His paintings, in particular The Kiss – one of the world’s best-known images – are rightly seen as epitomizing the spirit of optimism that heralded the dawn of the modernist era. Students in the Year 9 lunchtime art and textiles class at Bellarine campus drew inspiration from Klimt’s work this year to create a range of wearable artworks. The girls are to be congratulated on their commitment, persistence and positive attitudes that they have had to achieve their goal.
In preparation a number of teachers in the Art,
Homage to Gustav Klimt’. Each student created a
Design and Technology Faculty participated in
costume depicting Klimt’s unique and distinctive
an ‘In-house’ professional development day led
decorative paintings and designs. The students
by ATD Director Merinda Kelly to explore fabric
explored a wide range of Art and Textile related
painting, surface embellishment and screen
materials and techniques.
printing. These techniques and methods were
Each student invested many after school hours to
then introduced to Year 9 students.
refine and complete their costume in readiness
This year Mrs Anne Young, Mrs Merinda Kelly
for the Art, Technology & Design Extravaganza
and Mrs Gray have been working with ten
Wearable Art Fashion Parade held on Wednesday,
talented Year 9 students in a Lunchtime Textiles
31st October.
class. The students were given a design brief ‘A
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christiancollege.vic.edu.au
DREAMING
URBAN SPRAWL
Football has been such a big part of my life,
I am like a hawk, nesting upon the hills as I gaze sharply at a sea of urban sprawl below.
right back to my early days as a ‘little tacker’, and I cannot even begin to imagine what the long wintery months would be like without this great game.
The following are examples of creative and persuasive writing by Christian College students at various levels. Enjoy!
A Geelong Football Club member since I was one year old, I have grown up knowing how to do one thing. Love the Cats! Ever since I got my first football, long before I knew how to walk, I was a Cat’s fan. Sporting my tiny little Geelong jumper that read, ‘I’m a Future Cat’, I used to crawl around with a footy everywhere. My love for the footy club was always obvious; none knew this more than my Dad, who took me to my first Cat’s game, when they took on Fremantle in early 2002. He bought me fan gear, barracked hard with me and is responsible for my never-ending, unconditional love for the boys in the blue and white hoops. From the very second my little foot connected with a football for the first time, all I’ve wanted to do was to play for Geelong. I would (and still do) picture myself running around on Kardinia Park and the MCG with packed crowds and thrilling game play. It is the stuff of dreams. Harry James Year 10 English
Panning warily across a vast landscape of new houses, I see their roofs glistening in unison under the mellow sun. The urban jungle rises and falls like waves as the ocean of rolling hills distorts the terrain of the city. Treetops dance lightly in the breeze, casting themselves over the long grass that sways back and forth. Insects frolic about on the roadside, offering a temporary distraction from my surroundings.. ..I sigh, peering upwards into a sea of blue as a flock of birds gain my attention. Screeching incessantly, they cause a short-lived commotion about the sky which is dotted randomly with puffy, white clouds.. ..My ears suddenly prick up, catching the faint screech and wail of a grinder in the distance. Sound is constant in the curious environment surrounding me; a world atop the hills where the incessant noise of the vibrant city collides with the intermittent cries of birds and nature. It is where the ever-present scent of eucalyptus is diluted by the gritty industrial air.. .. As I pause momentarily, a car roars by, disrupting the subtle ambience of my surroundings. It disappears into the distance along the road, which slithers like a hungry black snake into the hills. I find myself unable to concentrate again, the disturbance caused by the passing car lingering behind. And as I begin to compose my thoughts again, another car whizzes by.. Billy Eaton Year 10 English
Page 19 :.
PLEASE ? I want a puppy because I will train it, feed it, play with it and look after it. I will make sure it doesn’t run away. I will make sure it doesn’t come inside and I will give it a good name. I can make sure it doesn’t scare any little people. I will watch out for it and I’ll make sure it doesn’t go on the trampoline. I’ll give it the right food and make sure it doesn’t mess up anything. I’ll give it left over meat. I’ll pay my own money for it. Please may I have a puppy? Georgia Odd. Year 1
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
Over the past eight years Christian College
‘The varied experiences made available to
Alcoota or the recent visit, I feel very proud
students of the Year 10 Elective ‘Our World’
the Engawala students during their time
and thrilled with how everything worked out.
have visited the Alcoota community in
in Geelong were really appreciated. I feel
My class really embraced the experiences
Central Australia. The visits have fostered
that the visit was very successful which was
offered to them. They made and cemented
understanding of different cultures and
due in no small part to the generosity and
friendships with children who come from a
willingness of staff and families to be involved
very different way of life from themselves,
with the program.
each one of them realizing that they have a
several weeks ago Elders – Margaret and
As the Principal Lisa said on several occasions, ‘The community had no worries about their
well as teach.
Kevin, the Principal – Lisa and teacher – Tim with students of the Alcoota School were
children coming down to stay with the Geelong
welcomed into our community.
mob because of the trust which has been built
ways of life and have often changed the outlooks of our students. It is particularly important that the visits are reciprocal and
Mrs Jan Strauch, who has co-ordinated the visit and been to the Alcoota community herself several times said after the visit:
Page 20 :.
up over the eight years the Geelong mob have been going up to Alcoota’. Every time I think back over the trip to
lot to offer and they were willing to learn, as
To the Christian College staff - ‘Thank you so much for your part in the Alcoota visit – whether it was showing us around your campus, cooking, feeding, teaching surfing, providing a son for teaching surfing or allowing us to be a part of your classes.’
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
the Bellarine Campus. These routes cover areas such as Anakie, Lara, Lethbridge, Bannockburn, Teesdale, Anglesea, Jan Juc, Torquay, Bellbrae, Freshwater Creek, Grovedale, Highton, Geelong West, South Geelong, Connewarre, Gherang, Moriac, Christian College operates it’s own fleet of buses to transport students to and from school each day as well as providing transportation for a wide variety of school
Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, St Leonards, Indented Heads, Portarlington, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Whittington, Leopold and other places along the way.
aspects of the school curriculum, such as those
line with standard industry practice and are
used for transportation of luggage, surfboards,
subject to regular review by Transport Safety
bikes, canoes, kayaks and camping equipment.
Victoria.
The design of the bus routes is a complicated
To safely operate 18 individual bus routes, we
process and we strive to pick up students as
require a pool of dedicated, safety conscious
close as possible to home. We endeavour to
and courteous drivers. These drivers not
provide the best service to cover all families
only have the enormous responsibility of
wishing to use our bus service either full time
driving the bus, but also need to be skilled in
or on a part time basis and we are responsive
dealing with students from Prep to Year 12.
to the changing needs of families and the
The drivers are an integral part of the College
increasing demand for bus travel. We are
staff; they are at the forefront when issues
continually looking for vehicles to upgrade our fleet to better meet this demand and also reviewing bus routes annually to provide better, safer routes.
relating to student behaviour and safety on the buses occur. To assist the drivers the College has implemented a process where selected Senior students are designated
To manage, maintain and organise the
‘Bus Captains’. The role of the bus captains
activities of the fleet we have a management
(normally 2 or 3 per bus) is an important
team consisting of a Fleet Manager, Workshop
one; they assist with the supervision of the
Managers and Bookings Officer, all of whom
students travelling on the bus and act as the
work together to ensure the safe and smooth
driver’s eyes and ears so that the driver is
activities. The uniqueness of the Christian
In addition to these regular school routes the
running of the fleet. The vehicles, management
fleet also provides transportation between
not distracted from his or her task. The bus
College bus service is that we operate a fleet
processes and reporting activities are all
campuses as well as excursions all over the
subject to the rules and regulations laid down
captains are also instructed on emergency
of 22 buses and transport nearly 700 students
region. We also provide the transportation for
by Transport Safety Victoria for a Registered
three, ten day trips to Central Australia each
Operator under the Bus Safety Act. All vehicles
year as part of the Senior School ‘Our World’
are subject to annual Roadworthy Inspections
We currently provide 18 different bus
Elective study. As part of the fleet we also
carried out by independent Transport Safety
for their children
routes, 14 servicing the three Highton\
manage the specialist trailers and support
Victoria licenced testers. The day to day routine
Peter Hayes
Waurn Ponds Campuses and 4 servicing
vehicles that are required to fulfil some
maintenance, repairs and reporting are in-
Fleet Manager
each school day. Christian College is the third largest bus operator in the Geelong region.
Page 21 :.
procedures relating to the bus and bus travel. We are committed to giving College families the best possible school bus transport service
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
year, it is so exciting, enriching and rewarding to be an ‘Explorer’ and not a ‘Settler’ with respect to learning.
Q’ed 1 Moving into their first year of the Q’ed program, 25 students from Years 5, 6 and 7 at Bellarine and HIghton campuses engaged in a journey of self-discovery and self-managed exploration of this year’s Big Question: How can we create a healthy community? From a rigorous investigation of the physiology and psychological functions of the brain and an identification of individual learning processes and research program for gifted and talented students
class with a range of abilities, that it is the
in the Middle Years. This highly successful
most able, rather than the least able, who will
three tiered program provides small groups
learn less new material than any other group
of carefully selected students with unique
in any given school year.’ (Round, P.2012.
learning environments, allocated time,
‘Catering for gifted students in the regular
informed and supportive staff, appropriate
classroom.’ Vision, p27). At Christian College
and accessible resources, stimulation,
Geelong we pride ourselves on empowering
challenge, flexibility and freedom to soar.
action research at the Senior Campus.
As students, staff and parents alike recognize
The breadth of investigation, the depth
the amazing potential of teaching differently,
of research, the maturity of focus and
the excitement and support surrounding
understanding, coupled with the genuine,
In 2011 Christian College Geelong responded
this program has and will continue to grow
passionate individual endeavor was uniquely
to this challenge and launched the first year
exponentially impacting every sector of our
remarkable, outstandingly commendable and
level of Q’ed, an innovative, research based
College. As our Q’ed 1 students realized this
truly inspirational.
students to reach their potential as a whole and individual person, and as a community member, and yet this challenge holds.
Page 22 :.
methodologies, the students were prepared
It may come as a surprise to many that ‘in a
to commence their individual journey of exploration resulting in the development of individual theories of action. The culmination of this particular stage of this journey of learning occurred on September 4th with an Exhibition of each student’s theories and
christiancollege.vic.edu.au
MOTIV ATOR 2012
Notice Board
n Colle ge Geelo
- Chris tia
digital response to their consideration of
Q’ed 2 delivery was almost entirely online exposing the students to extremely new
Motivator Yearbook 2012
challenges in learning individually and
College families are reminded that one copy of the 2012 College Yearbook MOTIVATOR will be delivered to each family between Friday 14 December and Monday 24 December.
collaboratively, in skill acquisition, problem solving, thinking and management of their own learning and goal achievement. While the program was rigorous and challenging it
Q’ed 2 In the research, based development of the
was definitely beneficial and enlightening for students and staff alike.
Q’ed program we have been guided by our
Q’ed 3
own set of essential program goals. To varying
In 2013 we will launch the third and final
degrees each goal is pursued in every year
tier of the Q’ed program. Q’ed 3 will provide
level of Q’ed however we have also established
a conceptually unique opportunity for the
definite areas of focus for each year level.
Q’ed students to invest their collective and
The Q’ed 2 Program was launched in 2012 with a group of 18 Year 6, 7 and 8 students from Bellarine and Highton campuses. Most of these students were continuing their Q’ed 1, 2011 experience. Q’ed 2 develops the capacity of students to manage their learning in an online collaborative environment. While we live and learn in a worldwide, digitally enhanced classroom this reality brings its own unique set of challenges and potentialities. The Q’ed 2 students explored and developed many new digital skills and collaborative thinking
collaborative time, intellect and passion into a contemporary and authentic local community
William s House Kinder Brough garten ton Dri ve, Tel. 03 5241 355 Belmont 321 6 6
Bellari ne Cam pus 40 Col lins Stre et, Dry Tel. 03 sdale 322 5253 299 2 8
Junior School , Belmo Brough nt ton Dri ve, Tel. 03 5241 156 Belmont 321 6 5
‘Back Cre ek’ Sco tsburn RMB 657 8 Midland Hwy, Sco Tel. 03 5341 205 tsburn 3352 1
ww w.
ch ris tia
Mid
dle Sch ool, Hig hton Burdek in Rd, Hig Tel. 03 5241 189 hton 3216 9
Senior School , Waurn Pigdon Ponds ’s Road, Waurn Tel. 03 Ponds 5241 157 3216 7
‘Villa Pal oma’ Art s/Tech Princes nology Highw Centre ay, Wa Tel. 03 urn Pon 5241 884 ds 3216 4
In the next few weeks could you please ensure that your current residential address for that time is lodged with Christian College (not just a P.O. Box number)? The Yearbooks will be delivered by Fastway Couriers to your home address and left at the front door if no-one is at home. nc oll eg
e.v ic. ed
u.a u
Additional copies for sibling students who attend Christian College will be available for collection from Campuses on Wednesday 12
December, Thursday 13 December or at the start of the 2013 school year. Gwen Prosser Vice Principal
based issue, drawing on and extending their research capabilities, digital competencies, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and self-management skills. 2013 will be an exciting year as we witness all levels of Q’ed in operation. However, we are also mindful that, as we succeed in opening up minds, fostering lateral and creative thought and encouraging authentic, informed action that Q’ed will be an evolving and ever changing ‘menu’ for the Christian College.
routines within the Q’ed 2 ‘Belonging’ blog,
Roselyn Smith
a protected blog simulation, and their own
Director of Teaching and Learning -
Q’ed 2 Blogs, before presenting an individual
Learning Support Services
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ng
‘Belonging’.
Uniform Shop Reminders Families are reminded that the Christian College Uniform Shop is open each Monday up to and including December 3, 2012. In order to avoid the January rush the Uniform Shop will be open two extra days in November – Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th from 10am to 6pm. In the summer vacation before the commencement of 2013, the shop will be open each day from Monday 21 January to Friday 25 January. It will be closed on
Monday 28 January for the Australia Day Public Holiday and then open on Tuesday 29 January and Wednesday 30 January, the first day of Term 1, 2013 Parents wishing to sell clean, good quality, second hand uniform on commission through the Uniform Shop are asked to leave items at the Middle School Reception until Wednesday 12th December. Blazers MUST be dry cleaned. Jeannette Casey Manager