in focus - 2012 term 2

IN F

OCUS

J u n e 2 0 1 2

Links to articles

New Centre at Bellarine - 4 :.

Celebrating Q’ed - 18 :.

Quality Teaching Impact - 21 :.

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I was honoured and pleased to be asked

to participate in and speak at the Official

Opening of this magnificent facility at

our campus on the Bellarine Peninsula. In

preparing for the day my task being to share

something of the journey of this campus

since its inception in 1996, I could only

look back with thankfulness to God for His

provision and blessing.

The new facility is a wonderful place for

community activity whether this be sporting

activities, music or drama performances,

assemblies or a place to worship. It is the

sense of community and shared vision that

has built this and the other campuses over

the history of our College. Communities are

made up of people and there have been

many who have contributed to the life of the

Bellarine Campus over the past 16 years.

I know that the new facility will be of great

benefit to the students and the programs at

Bellarine. But I know it is the people, the staff,

students and families who will continue to

make this place the true blessing that it is for

those who make up this community.

I am grateful to Mr. Scott Elliss, Mr. Andrew

Dunlop and their respective teams for

providing such a fitting event to celebrate this

wonderful new College facility.

Facebook and the Christian College App.

Continuing our development of electronic

communication with our families and

the broader community the College has

introduced a Facebook page and a College

App. for iPhones. The Facebook page will

display news and events to highlight the

many efforts and achievements throughout

the College. As the page attracts friends

and people like the articles or news items

published it is hoped that these good news

stories about our College and our students will

spread throughout the digital community.

Part of this process is hoped to also promote

good modelling of digital communication

where people can support and encourage

others in a positive manner. If you are a

Facebook user I ask that you consider making

Christian College one of your friends and that

you support items published with a ‘like’ to

share these with your own Facebook friends.

The College App. can be downloaded for

free following a link on our College website.

It will provide iphone or Andriod users with

access to information regarding the College

on portable devices. Information will include

news and events, the In Focus magazine,

campus information, the Term Calendar,

Uniform Shop and Canteen information as

well as my blog. Over time, additional features

will be included to keep our families well

informed regarding our College activities.

Naplan Testing

Recently students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9

completed testing as part of the National

Assessment Program –Literacy and Numeracy

Program (NAPLAN) 2012, conducted by

the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment

Authority (VCAA).

This year the students were asked to produce

a piece of persuasive text as part of the

Writing Test. The same stimulus was given to

all year levels across Australia. The topic was

‘Everyone should learn to cook’.

Students were given five minutes at the

start of the test to plan, 30 minutes to write

and five minutes at the end of the test to

Unveiling the commemorative plaque during the Opening Ceremony at Bellarine

christ iancol lege.vic.edu.au

Bellarine Campus Music, Sport and Performing Arts Centre

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edit their work. The marking criteria was

developed and agreed to at a national level.

The ten criteria assessed are:

1. Audience – the writer’s capacity to orient,

engage and persuade the reader

2. Text structure – the organisation of the

structural components of a persuasive text

(introduction, body and conclusion) into an

appropriate and effective text structure

3. Ideas – the selection, relevance and

elaboration of ideas for a persuasive argument

4. Persuasive devices – the use of a range

of persuasive devices to enhance the writer’s

position and persuade the reader

5. Vocabulary – the range and precision of

contextually appropriate language choices

6. Cohesion – the control of multiple

threads and relationships across the text,

achieved through the use of referring words,

ellipsis, text connectives, substitutions and

word associations

7. Paragraphing – the segmenting of text

into paragraphs that assists the reader to

follow the line of argument

8. Sentence structure – the production of

grammatically correct, structurally sound and

meaningful sentences

9. Punctuation – the use of correct and

appropriate punctuation to aid the reading of

the text

10. Spelling – the accuracy of spelling and

the difficulty of the words used

Parents will receive results of this testing in

September.

It is important for parents to note that the

assessment of student learning involves a

broader process taking into account a wide

variety of indicators. Our College carries

out a range of assessment strategies which

consider many factors concerning student

performance and learning. Our detailed

reporting system and the vitally important

Parent / Teacher (and as appropriate student)

Conferences each play an important role in

providing parents and students with detailed

feedback on student learning.

Student Achievements and Performances

Throughout the year I have been delighted

to see the number of students who have

participated in a range of activities and

endeavours representing the College. These

have included sporting, music, creative and

academic pursuits. This is a very important

aspect of the culture of schools. These

students have been acknowledged on the

College website as well as at assemblies

by their peers. I add my congratulations to

those who have supported and participated

in the many opportunities offered for the

way that they have added to the rich and

diverse culture and tone of our College.

I encourage all families to make a habit

of regularly visiting the College website

www.christiancollege.vic.edu.au to see for

themselves the wonderful things that are

taking place.

Head of Junior School Change

Earlier this term the College was informed of

Mr. Stephen Riddle’s intention to step down

from his role as Head of our Junior School,

Belmont for medical reasons.

The College has benefitted greatly over

the past 19 years from Stephen’s gifts as an

educator and his love and compassion for

others. We wish him well as he takes time to

recover. Please keep him in your prayers.

The College leadership has commenced the

process of appointing a replacement Head of

the Junior School at Belmont.

Glen McKeeman, Principal.

Student musical items presented in the new auditorium at Bellarine

Mr Michael Peck speaks at the Opening Ceremony at Bellarine

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: . christ iancol lege.vic.edu.au

Students, staff and families from the Christian

College Bellarine Campus celebrated the

opening of their cutting edge performance

facilities with the Official Opening and

Service of Dedication of the Centre for Music,

Sport and Performing Arts on the 25th

May, 2012. The Centre was officially opened

by the Chairman of the College Board, Mr

James Shirley and the Principal, Mr Glen

McKeeman. The Principal, who was also

the founding Head of Campus at Bellarine

spoke of ‘The Journey‘ of the Campus from

its commencement in 1996 with 62 students

to the fine school it is today with almost 500

students enrolled from Prep to Year 9.

The new Australian Curriculum includes a

strong emphasis on the arts and sport, so this

brand new facility is timely to facilitate the

greatest learning opportunities possible for

our students. It will also be available for public

events to extend this benefit to our local

community here on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The Auditorium

With full theatre seating for 320 people, it

offers us versatility to accommodate a variety

of year level assemblies, guest speakers,

musical performances, parent evenings and

drama classes. In Term 3, the auditorium will

provide the perfect venue for our inaugural

theatre production, ‘Cinderella’. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our College community to come together to celebrate live theatre and see this amazing venue at work.

The auditorium also affords us some exciting opportunities in our delivery of teaching and learning. Year level lectures are now a reality, allowing teaching staff to present a concept to the whole group, before breaking off in to some smaller tutorial type groups for further exploration and discussion.

Physical Education, Health and Sport

The faculty staff have a spring in their step,

now having some fabulous options for indoor

sports participation. Wet weather wash outs

are a thing of the past, with the new stadium

providing an expansive space for Basketball,

Volleyball, Badminton, Netball and various

indoor sporting pursuits.

Upstairs is a fitness circuit room and across

the spans of one mezzanine floor sits 6 table

tennis tables. A health room also adjoins

this area for theory classes and teacher

guided learning. To be able to take our

students, Junior and Middle School, out of

the elements is important in the learning

of the foundational motor skills and for the

successful mastery of sporting techniques.


Already the students are enjoying a raft of

lunch time sporting activities, sports trials and

House events in the new stadium. This facility

also has the capacity to seat 800 students for

formal occasions and whole school events.

Music

The consolidation of all music facilities in this

one new Centre is already bearing fruit. The

collaboration between students, music and

instrumental staff has been a joy to witness and

I believe we will all be the beneficiaries of some

fine musical performances as the year unfolds.

Classroom music is conducted in the open

plan design, allowing plenty of room

for students to move around, play the

instruments or create small group pieces.

Teacher led music instruction can be

completed in the adjoining theory room,

which is also amply equipped with computer

technology for music making and analysis.

Further down the hall you will see the music

offices, along with numerous private tuition

rooms for the teaching of instrumental music.

Larger ensemble groups can use the rehearsal

space, which is big enough to accommodate

our Bellarine Concert Band or combined

going from strength to strength.

Serving the Community

The Centre for Music, Sport and Performing

Art has the scope to not only benefit the

students, staff and families at Christian

College. This is a community facility, with a

wider scope and purpose of ‘bringing people

together’. After all, that is the essence of

community. The Rotary Club of Drysdale were

our debut guests over the Easter weekend

this year, with some 800 people attending to

view their Annual Art Show.

The new facility played perfect host, the

main stadium being set with Art displays

and a mobile café set up in the delightful,

Cyprus lined foyer. It is shaping as a busy year,

with enquiries being made by various other

Symphony Orchestra with ease. What a

wonderful vehicle to build on our students’

confidence and performance techniques.

Performing Arts

It is vitally important for students to have the

opportunity to be able to express themselves

through theatre and performance. Whether it

is conveying an emotion, a character or telling

a story, drama and theatre are integral facets of

providing a well-rounded educational program.

The Auditorium is proving the perfect place

to be inspired for drama and auditions

will begin soon for our opening theatre

performance of Cinderella. Adjoining the

stage area to both sides are ramps declining

to the ‘green rooms’ underneath the building,

the perfect place for donning the costume or

making those last minute adjustments before

launching on to the stage to perform.

Dance will also be another ‘benefactor’ of this

facility, with ample space for both rehearsal and

performance. Drama, performance and dance

provide a great outlet for student expression,

both individually and through working together

as a group. To now have our own specialised

facility to foster this creative art form, I can see it

community groups, sporting clubs, and local

organisations across the Bellarine.

We are both humbled and blessed to be the

recipients of this fine Centre of Music, Sport

and Performing Arts here at the Bellarine

Campus. We look forward with excitement

to seeing its potential unfold and that of our

students, both now and in the future. We are

appreciative of the dedicated efforts of all

who have planned and worked to make this

such an amazing community facility.

Scott Elliss, Head of Bellarine Campus

1 . Junior Physical Education class in the new

Sports Centre

2. The expansive foyer a meeting place on Open

Day, 2012

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Each year I am constantly astounded by the

quality of our young leaders and their selfless

desire to serve their College community.

Since the beginning of the year our Year 9

Prefects have been a blessing to both fellow

students and staff through their positive and

proactive engagement in leading camps,

excursions and College events.

The Junior School “Get to Know You” beach

activity day at Point Lonsdale was a great

opportunity for the junior students to meet

and interact with the Prefect group through

various rock pool and beach activities. The

Prefects were outstanding in their enthusiasm

and willingness to engage with and encour-

age the younger students, with some strong

bonds established.

A new initiative this year was to conduct 2

days of the Year 4 camp at the Back Creek

Farm. Utilising the kit huts and sites of the

Year 8 camp, the Prefects were instrumental

in the establishment of the campsite and the

leadership of small group activities in what

was an exciting and successful bush camping

experience for our Year 4’s. Despite being very

tired, the Prefects have further developed

their positive relationships with the younger

students while at the same time enhancing

their leadership skills through the hands on

experience.

Further to the camping experience for the Year

4’s was an opportunity to explore the concept

of ‘paddock to plate’. Lead by Year 9 girls from

the Bellarine Campus, who were in residence

at Back Creek , the students explored the

processes of farming and where what we eat

comes from. An enjoyable aspect of this was

the opportunity to participate in the process-

ing and even taste some of the farm produce.

Nick Watson, Co-ordinator Years 8 and 9

Bellarine Campus

Christian College Bellarine held a most

successful Buskers Day on 7th June, with 29

different groups signing up to participate.

Buskers ranged from singers, gymnasts,

magicians, group bands, individual

musicians and we even had two students

doing Shakespeare recitals.

The students busked right through their

lunch period while students, staff, parents

and grandparents walked around putting

money in their “hats”. All money raised went

to support Open Family Australia, who have

been helping the lives of young people in

at-risk or homeless situations for the last

30 years. A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ to the buskers

who willingly shared their talents with us to

raise an amazing $850

Kristie Van Es, Project Care Co-ordinator,

Bellarine Campus

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involved in a very special, mass participation

cross curricula spectacular that will stomp

into life with fun creativity and colour. Under

the guidance of Art teacher, Mrs Beck-

Carlson our students will paint, decorate and

transform the white elephant into a beautiful

sculpture which will be on show at a number

of venues before taking part in the Gala

celebrations at Melbourne Zoo in September

and then coming back home to Junior School.

As a part of the Melbourne Zoo’s 150th

Birthday celebrations schools were invited

to submit a proposal that would see them

directly involved in promoting creativity,

citizenship and environmental awareness.

Junior School, Belmont submitted their

proposal to receive a life size fibre glass

elephant and were successful.

This now allows the Junior School to be

As Term two concludes our students are

putting the finishing touches on their own

Mini Malis.

Junior School students have created a

miniature white elephant sculpture in their

Art classes from a variety of modelling

materials. The Year 4’s have loved using Mod

Rock which sets much like the plaster used for

broken bones. The Preps to Year 4 have used

paper clay which is very soft and ideal for

little hands to manipulate.

We now commence researching the

endangered animals that wlll be used to

decorate Mali.

These include: The Helmeted and Hodded

Honey Eaters, Spotted Tree Frog, Black tailed

Rock Wallaby and Eastern Barred Bandicoot.

Our endeavour is for all the children at Junior

School to create a small piece of Art linked

with the images of the related animals. We

then use these images to cover our White

Mali. Already we have some Senior and

Middle school students who would have

expressed an interest to become involved in

the design and implementation.

This project has been a wonderful way

to encourage our students to embrace

the natural world and take on the role of

custodians. Children have been very creative

in their approach and staff have been

overwhelmed by the Art works being created

in response. Each week children bring in their

own drawings of what a decorated Mali might

look like. Others bring in their research data

including nature studies and detailed drawings

indentifying the listed endangered animals.

The Melbourne Zoo have been very generous

with resources and support. Recently

teachers leading the Project were involved

in a professional development day which

saw them engage with zoo staff to further

develop ideas and liaise with other Mali

Project workers.

On the 25th of June we will host two

Melbourne zoo staff for an incursion. Children

will have an opportunity to work alongside

the staff and further develop their ideas for

conservation.

We will be able to show how our wonderful

students have become enriched through this

fabulous experience and they can show off

their Mini Mali’s.

Everyday Mali is admired by visitors and the

children have decided they just must have

their photo taken with her.

Jennifer Beck-Carlson, Art Specialist

Junior School Belmont


The Mini Malis take shape in Art classes at Junior School

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At the end of last term Christian College

Bellarine received the exciting news that we

had been successful in applying for some

critically endangered Lord Howe Island Stick

Insect eggs to hatch and raise as part of our

conservation studies.

The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect,

Dryococelus australis, was driven to the

brink of extinction by Black Rats in the early

twentieth century. However, in 2001 it was

rediscovered on Balls Pyramid, a rat-free

volcanic outcrop 23 km off the coast of Lord

Howe Island.

The seas around Balls Pyramid are too rough

to land a boat. However, a rescue team leapt

ashore in 2003 and brought two breeding

pairs of Lord Howe Island Stick Insects back to

mainland Australia.

At the time of their rediscovery, very little

was known about Lord Howe Island Stick

Insects. Melbourne Zoo plays a important

role in the captive breeding of this Critically

Endangered species. As part of the

Melbourne Zoo program 20-25 schools from

around Victoria applied for and gained the

responsibility of raising Lord Howe insect

numbers at their schools.

Christian College Bellarine hatched the first

insect (out of 10 eggs) in the whole schools

program. Well done!

‘UNO’ (number one) is under constant

surveillance from the students and Science

teacher Ms Deb. Singleton as this species was

thought to be extinct for over 80 years.

Specifically, the Year 8 Environmental Studies

group and the Year 9 Science students are

particularly involved with the data collection

and study of these special animals. Our Year 8

Environmental Studies group is interested in

animals, especially endangered species. They

have shown a special interest in the Orange-

bellied Parrot, as these birds over-winter on

the Bellarine Peninsula. So students are tuned

in to endangered species. Welcome LHISI’s!

Year 8 students also want to be ‘bug buddies’

with Years 1 and 2 students at Bellarine, who

are studying Minibeasts, and show them one

REALLY special insect: LHISI

There is a constant stream of young students

who are keen to spot Uno our number

one stick insect amongst the foliage in his

enclosure each day. He has since moved

upstairs to the next branch of his fodder tree!

Further information can be gleaned from the

Melbourne Zoo website

http://www.zoo.org.au/lord-howe-island-

stick-insect

Deb. Singleton, Teacher of Science,

Bellarine Campus


A group of very excited Prep children from the

Bellarine Campus participated in a ‘Transport

Excursion’, as part of their Integrated Studies

unit this term.

The day began with a train trip through

tunnels and over railway bridges from South

Geelong to Lara. The students then boarded

a College bus for a ride back to the Geelong

waterfront, where they enjoyed a snack before

hopping aboard the Hygeia for a relaxing

cruise around Corio Bay. The day concluded

with a short walk to the Ford Discovery

Centre where the students toured the facility,

learning about how all forms of transport have

evolved over time.

The Preps were able to use their new found

knowledge to plan and build their own clay

model cars to take home with them. As well

as enjoying a wonderful day out and about,

the students gained much knowledge about

our transport systems, their many different

features, how we are able to use them to help

us and also how invaluable they are to the

entire community.

Melissa Smith, Prep to Year 2 Co-ordinator,

Bellarine Campus


In 2011 with the completion of the new administration building in sight, plans to identify some of our

buildings with their House areas began. Students were invited to be a part of the design process with

the final design work and construction performed by former Christian College parent Mr Mark Trinham.

Each House mural encapsulates the House mascot, colour and name. The artwork is specifically

designed for the outdoor environment and will deliberately rust over time to contrast with the wall on

which it is mounted.

Three of the four murals have been located in their House areas with Burrows to be installed once the

preparation of the wall is complete.

Dianne Martin, Deputy Head Senior School

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Character and Sportsmanship

It is lunch break at the Senior and

Intermediate Geelong Independent Schools

Sports Association (GISSA) Netball Carnival

and I am talking to some of the umpires

about how the event is progressing. Mary, an

experienced umpire who has attended many

netball carnivals in her time, says “You know

what Jonathan; I enjoy coming to umpire

GISSA carnivals. The students, including those

from your school are so polite, the game is

played in a competitive yet good spirit, the

players respect the umpires, their coaches

and each other. It is a true pleasure!” I shared

this with the players during the official

presentations at the conclusion of the day.

Louise McCarthy, a Taylor Year 7 student is

racing to the finish line in the House Cross

Country. On the sidelines are a group of Year 9

leaders who are cheering and yelling words of

support and encouragement as she drives to

the line. Louise placed 6th.

It is the Semi Final of the Year 7 and 8 Boys

Victorian Schools Netball Championships.

The game is tight, with Melbourne High

beginning to claw back from a 3 goal deficit.

The Christian College Wing Attack has been

called for stepping and slams the ball down

into the ground. The umpire imposes a

penalty of a free shot on goal to Melbourne

High – they score; 2 goals down, Melbourne

High centre pass. The Christian College

Goal Attack and Captain shoots a look of

disappointment at the Wing Attack, the

Wing Attack drops their head for a moment,

understanding the mistake they have made.

The Captain seeing this walks over and taps

the Wing Attack on the back as a way of

saying ‘let’s move on’. They do, with the Wing

and Goal Attack working together to record a

nail biting 1 goal victory.

We arrive at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club

for the Christian College Year 7 & 8 Tennis

Championships. We are greeted by Club

manager Ken Barton, who welcomes the

players and speaks to them about enjoying the

day. No mention of behavior or expectations

on students is discussed. From past experience


Year 8 Physical Education Class training in the new Circuit Room

Ken knows that Christian College students

respect each other and the places they travel

to. The kids do the right thing!

These situations are not uncommon

occurrences as we attend the many and

varied sporting events we offer at Christian

College. A culture of respect, doing the

right thing and pulling together to achieve

a common goal is evident when Christian

College students attend events. At time

mistakes are made; it is how we react after

making the mistake that shows something

about the character of the person.

Jonathon Ryan, Director of Teaching and

Learning - Sport and Physical Education

Jordan Drew, Year 12 drills a half volley

Middle Years Physical Education

Physical Education in the Middle Years

at Christian College has undergone a

transformation. The new Sport Centres at

Middle School and the Bellarine Campus have

provided the opportunity for the department

to explore new and different ways in which to

deliver the Physical Education program.

Utilising the multi-discipline areas of each

of the new centre’s - Aquatic*, Circuit

Room, Gym Floor and Multi use space, the

program offers students the opportunity to

be educated in, and to experience activities

related to aquatic fitness and water safety,

strength and conditioning and to be engaged

in sport related drills.

For example a Year 7 student attending a

Physical Education class at the Middle School

may participate in a swimming lesson that

contains lap swimming and diving practice;

rotates through activities using their own

body weight in a circuit class and participates

in drills related to Basketball.

Each student brings a different set of skills,

knowledge and enthusiasm to a session.

By using a multi-discipline approach staff

members have noted student’s interest and

engagement levels have been higher than

in the past.

Just as the students bring a specific ‘skill set’

and understanding to each discipline, staff

members too, whilst trained in all facets, have

strengths in particular disciplines. Providing

an opportunity for staff to use their strengths,

ultimately improves the program.

A component of Health and Physical

Education is lifestyle change. A multi

discipline approach assists by providing

the building blocks in a variety of physical

pursuits so that students can become and

remain healthy individuals as they grow

and develop.

*Aquatic Centre at Middle School. Bellarine

students travel to Bellarine Aquatic Centre

Dale Hemley – Sports Co-ordinator

Middle School Highton

Team Vic

Christian College congratulates the following

students on their selection in Team Vic State

teams. Team Vic are teams selected by School

Sport Victoria to compete at the National

Schools Championships. Each student has

devoted an enormous amount of time to

training and competition in the lead up

to the National Championships and we

congratulate them on this outstanding

achievement.

Andrew Medew, Year 11, Baseball; Andrew

was a member of the successful Victorian

team that defeated New South Wales in the

Final of the National School Sport Victoria

Championships in Adelaide.

Jordan Drew, Year 12, Tennis; Jordan was

a member of the Victorian team who

competed in Toowoomba, Victoria placed

3rd in the event.

Michaela Caldow, Year 9, Swimming;

Michaela has been selected to represent

Victoria at the National Swimming

Championships. This is the second year in a

row that Michaela has been selected.

George Blagojevic, Year 10, Basketball; George

has been selected to represent Country Victoria

at the National Basketball Championships to be

held in Dandenong, Victoria.

James Syddall, Year 10, AFL Football; Jamie

has been selected to represent Country

Victoria at the National Championships to be

held in Adelaide.


Year 10 Basketballer George Blagojevic in action

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This Annual House competition gives the

entire Senior Campus an opportunity to

participate and celebrate the gift of making

music together. The Costa Hall facility gives

our students an experience on a world class

concert stage in front of a large audience.

The Concert also allows each House and the

community the chance to encourage and

celebrate their outstanding musicians. The

2012 House Music Competition was a lively

event with a great vibe.

All sixteen items presented are rehearsed

and presented by the students themselves.

Through this experience the students

experience what it is to work in a team, take

responsibility for their work, and gain skills in

leadership while supporting, encouraging and

respecting their peers.

This year’s adjudicators Mr Ben Calderazzo,

a local jazz identity and teacher along with

Mr Ross Irwin, a Melbourne based performer,

writer and arranger with an international

reputation (who has worked with such groups

as ‘The Cat Empire’). They both were impressed

with the student performances.

The general student population gains a small

glimpse as to what it takes to rehearse, prepare

and present a musical performance. Each House

presented a soloist, a small and large ensemble

as well as a whole House choir (some even

including their House teachers). The musical

items ranged from classical solo works, movie

themes to modern popular works. Some items

featured students’ arrangements of works to suit

the instrumentation available to them within

their House.

Congratulations to all the performers

and prize winners. The adjudicators

awarded the Champion House Soloist to

Constantine Karatenislis (Year 12 Flynn

House) for his technically brilliant clarinet

solo. The Penman small ensemble caught

Mr McKeeman’s eye winning the Principal’s

Choice award with their version of The Cat

Empires ‘Fishies’. The Champion House Choir

was Penman House with their Lion King

Medley and the overall Champion House for

2012 is Penman House.

The Highton Rotary Star Search Competition

This is Geelong’s longest running talent

quest. The competition involves a large

number of amateur performers from the

community going through an audition

process to be selected to perform in the

final. The final was held at The Costa Hall

on Friday May 11th with Christian College

students appearing in 7 of the final items

Part of the winning Penman House Choir in performance

The Taylor House ‘Thong-a-Phone’ on stage


– the College was represented by Katelyn

Shirley, Adam Di Martino, Jamie Parker,

Rhiannon Irving, Constantine Karatenislis

all Year 12 students and the Senior String

Ensemble – comprising Year 11 students

Alice Waddell, Victoria Wright, Reshae

Armstrong, Lily Pipkorn, Emily Carpenter

and Ainsley Liley. We are very proud of

their fantastic performance work and

congratulate them on being selected

to perform in the final of such a well-

recognised community event.

Jamie Parker received third prize in the

Instrumental Section for his violin solo

with the encouragement award going to

Constantine Karatenislis of Year 12 for his

clarinet solo. Both of these performances

were accompanied by Mrs Regina Thomae

and were presented with convincing

musicality.

The vocal solo section saw Adam Di

Martino, Year 12 take out first prize

with Rhiannon Irving receiving an

encouragement award. Adam with his

friend Emily Jacker also won the ensemble

section. The Christian College Senior String

Ensemble were awarded third place in the

ensemble section.

The Australian Youth Classical Music Competition

This contest is held each year by the

Geelong Advertiser Music Scholarship Trust

and is a national and regional scholarship

competition for young classical musicians.

The regional event is known for attracting

the most outstanding young musicians

from both secondary schools and tertiary

music institutions. Events such as this allow

‘elite’ young performers to strive for their

very best. From the initial audition process

12 semi -finalists were chosen to compete

for a place in the final and a chance to win

the $3000 first prize.

The 12 semi-finalists performed for the

adjudication panel on Thursday May 31st

and 4 finalists were selected to perform in

the grand concert to be held on Thursday

August 16th at Costa Hall, Deakin University.

Christian College is proud to announce that

all 4 finalists in this regional competition

are Christian College current or graduated

musicians. Congratulations to Aidan Hodge

(Tenor Saxophone), Constantine Karatenislis

(Clarinet), Jamie Parker (Violin) all Year

12 students and as well Georgia Williams

(Flute) a 2011 Christian College graduate.

Recognition must also go to the students’

instrumental teachers - Ben Anderson,

David Gardner and Ben Castle as well as

their accompanist Regina Thomae for their

expert tutorage, guidance and support of

the students.

Fiona Gardner, Director of Teaching and

Learning -Music

The Christian College finalists in the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition Judge Ben Calderazzo presents Constantine Karatenislis with

the Champion Soloist trophy at the House Music Competition



Christian College Middle and Senior Schools

collected for the Salvation Army Red Shield

Appeal on Sunday 20 May from 3 areas in

Highton and Belmont . The combined amount

collected by both groups was $3968.

The students were dressed immaculately in

College uniform and were all keen to help the

Salvation Army. There were 50 students from

Middle School and around 30 students from

Senior School together with about 15 teach-

ers and many parents also on hand to help.

A comment made by a student at how amazed

they were that someone had given $100. It

gave us a wonderful opportunity to share how

many kind and generous people there are in

the world that we never hear about.

The feedback from both parents and staff

was how enthusiastic and courteous our

students were.

As Middle School Leaders Mr and Mrs Hines

and Mrs Friday were equally impressed with the

students when they brought their money in and

were asked to count it and record details. This

was done very cheerfully and accurately.

The South Barwon Salvation Army were very

grateful and full of praise for the fine job our

students had done on their behalf.

Thirty two students, five staff and eight parents

from the Bellarine Campus took part in the

Doorknock, giving over two and a half hours to

collect from homes in the Drysdale area. $1550

was collected by the students on the day.

The Bellarine students who participated were

extremely enthusiastic about helping those

less fortunate in our community and wore

their College uniform with pride.

The whole Senior School took part in this

fundraiser for Cancer Research on Friday 8

June at morning recess. House groups set up

colourful tables with a range of homemade

treats to tempt staff and students.

Everyone was asked to wear their most

colourful clothes to ‘Brighten up the Day’.

The Head of Campus then chose the outfit

that best reflected the occasion.

The students enjoyed the festivities whilst

contributing $1000 to Breast Cancer

Research from their donations.

: .

: .

Years of Year 11 and 12. Staff at Christian

College have been preparing for this for the

past eighteen months and are well positioned

for a successful transition.

What is the Australian Curriculum?

The Australian Curriculum sets out what all

young Australians are to be taught, and the

expected quality of that learning as they

progress through schooling. At the same time

it provides flexibility for us to provide this

education within a Christian Worldview, and

to build on student learning ensuring that

each student reaches his or her full potential.

It is a curriculum which emphasises the

importance of knowledge, understanding

and skills of learning areas, general

capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities

as the basis for a curriculum designed to

support 21st century learning.

Why have an Australian Curriculum?

Increasingly, in a world where knowledge

itself is constantly growing and evolving,

students need to develop a set of skills,

behaviours and dispositions, or general

capabilities that apply across discipline

content and equip them to be lifelong

learners able to operate with confidence in a

complex, information-rich, globalised world.

The Australian Curriculum includes a focus

on seven general capabilities (literacy,

numeracy, information and communication

In 2013 all schools in every Australian state

and territory will begin implementation of the

new Australian Curriculum initially in English,

Mathematics, Science and History from the

Prep Year to Year 10. These will be followed by

Geography, the Arts, Languages and later the

remaining subjects focusing on Economics

and Business, Civics and Citizenship, Health

and Physical Education, Design and the

Technologies. Concurrently with this, work

is being done to cover the Senior Secondary

technology competence, critical and creative

thinking, ethical behaviour, personal and social

competence and intercultural understanding).

These will equip our students to effectively

engage with and prosper in society, compete

in a globalised world and thrive in the

information-rich workplaces of the future. In

addition to the general capabilities there are

three cross-curriculum priorities (Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures,

Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia

and Sustainability). Continuation of learning

has been developed for each, to describe the

relevant knowledge, understanding and skills

at particular points of schooling.

Christian College – Ahead of the Game

Staff at Christian College have been preparing

for the Australian Curriculum since 2011.

Under the guidance of Faculty Directors and

Deputy Heads of Campus (Curriculum), staff

in the first instance became familiar with

the structure of the Australian Curriculum

documents. Particular attention was paid to

the Achievement Standards, the Content and

Skill Descriptors and the relationship between

these. Staff are also well aware of the General

Capabilities and the Cross Curriculum

Priorities - their purpose, their relevance and

where they fit into the subject and Year level

they are teaching.

This term in faculty teams audits are being

carried out comparing our current curriculum

and the Australian Curriculum looking for

areas where there is complete agreement –

and there are many – and areas where some

modifications will need to be made. Various

staff groups have met to discuss and make

recommendations on areas ranging from

timetabling to reporting to parents.

At the end of this term staff will work at our

Staff Retreat with one of Australia’s foremost

educators, Dr Julia Atkin, on the Australian

Curriculum and for the second semester this

year develop or consolidate units of work

incorporating material from the General

Capabilities and the Cross Curriculum Priorities.

Many Christian College staff members

have attended professional development

sessions both here in Geelong and in

Melbourne. Consistently, the feedback from

the educationalists has been that Christian

College staff have demonstrated a notably

high knowledge and awareness of the

Australian Curriculum compared with many

other schools.

We look forward to incorporating the

Australian Curriculum into our College, to

teaching it within a Christian Worldview,

and using it to enhance what we already do

without compromising any of our current

strengths and positive attributes.

John Rose PSM

Head of Higher Education and

Staff Development


The 2012 Christian College Debutante Balls were proudly celebrated

on Friday 1 June and Saturday 2 June. This year heralded the first time

Christian College was able to conduct these occasions on our own site

utilising the new Middle School Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The Friday night ball was attended by 28 couples and 600 guests. The Saturday

night ball had 22 couples and wonderful audience of 420. Proudly compering

the evenings were the Year 11 Co-ordinators, Mrs Strauch and Mr Moore. Each

couple was presented to the College CEO Mr Daryl Riddle OAM, The College

Principal Mr McKeeman and the Head of Senior School, Ms Strong.

On both nights we were entertained by the debutante group performing

eight different and traditional dances beautifully. The students are to be

commended for the way they prepared for the evening over 10 weeks of

training and for the way they supported each other and presented themselves.

It is a pleasure to reflect on what were amazing family occasions with many

parents, grandparents and extended family dancing the night away to the

music of Tobias.

Special mention must go to our Junior School Flower Girls and Page Boys -

Isobel McDonald and Sam Blomfield from the Bellarine Campus and Olivia

Richardson and Lachlan Moloney from Junior School Belmont. These four

young people led the formal presentations with such confidence and grace.

Finally I would like to extend my thanks to the staff who generously gave

up their time to help make these nights so successful; we are truly blessed

to have these wonderful people within our community.

Dianne Martin, Deputy Head,

Christian College Senior School

: .

The Page Boy and Flower Girl were just as excited as the Debutantes

The dance floor lighting sets a great atmosphere for the exhibition dances The Debutantes were presented to the College Principal, the College CEO and their wives

placed in teams of between two and five

members and assigned either one or two

engineering challenges for the day. The

challenges involved everything from creating

satellite dishes to receiving coded digital

messages, to developing electronically

controlled air balloons which had to be

steered through an obstacle course. The finale

was construction of the lightest, strongest

bridge. The Christian College construction

was the only one to withstand the full weight

of the ‘bridge buster’

Nick Ward, Teacher of Science,

Senior School

Congratulations to Year 10 students from

Senior School who won the regional

competition at Deakin University on 25

May. The team will now progress to the

State Championships later this year.

The Science & Engineering Challenge is a

nation-wide competition which runs for

students in Year 10. The regional competition

was held at Deakin University Waurn Ponds,

and involves 16 schools from the Geelong

area. Competition was held over two days,

with 8 schools competing each day.

On the day of competition students were


On Friday the 18th May, Mr Daryl Riddle,

CEO of Christian College and four Christian

College Highton Year 8 students attended a

function at Geelong City Hall, to mark East

Timor’s 10th year of independence.

At the ceremony, we listened to a student

forum with a number of speakers explaining

their travels in East Timor and the problems

the country is currently facing. We learnt

about the incidents surrounding the vote for

independence, made by the people of Timor

Leste ten years ago. We also had the privilege

of meeting Venencia, a Timor Leste national

who is currently teaching at Christian College

Preschool, Williams House.

After the forum, Mr Daryl Riddle OAM gave

an address and we then watched the raising

of both the Australian and East Timor flag,

which were raised at the same time, to mark

the friendship between the two countries.

The flags were raised by two members of

Australia’s Armed Forces. This was done while

singing the national anthems of each country.

After the unfurling of the flags, we

participated in the reading of a poem

written in Timor Leste, about freedom and

independence.

(This report was written by Hayley Gough

Year 8, Middle School, Highton)

Christian College representatives with Mr Riddle at City Hall after the ceremony

The successful team delighted with their trophy at Deakin University

: .

In 2011, Christian College established

the highly innovative Q’ed 1 Program for

talented and gifted students in Years 5,6

and 7. The College recently announced Q’ed

2, a comprehensive second year program

which emphasizes online and digital learning

possibilities to enhance students’ capacity to

learn and manage their own learning.

Q’ed House

This year Q’ed has made a vibrant and

stimulating home in the former Drama House

at Senior School and it has not taken long for

the space to be transformed with interactive

displays, including a giant brain and ‘Fred’,

our resident skull and brain model. Bright

displays, challenging materials, posters,

resources, models, mystery objects and online

facilities are readily available to students in our

wonderful physical and cyber Q’ed classroom

environments.

2012 Launch: Qed 1 and Qed 2:

Excitement abounded on the 22nd of March at

Senior School at the launches of Q’ed I and Q’ed

2 as staff, students and parents experienced a

small, tantalizing taste of Q’ed 2012.

Q’ED 1

Students, parents and staff engaged in a

highly charged, lively learning environment

at the Q’ed 1 launch, undertaking creative

thinking challenges and exploring interactive

displays.

Try your skill at this creative thinking exercise.

What do you see in each of these images?

Concentrate on the shape and the colour of

each.

imagination

wonder

randomness

impact

separation

confusion

Q’ed 1 will operate every Tuesday morning

at the Senior School in the Q’ed House

throughout Terms 2 and 3. Staff members,

Mrs Kelly, Mrs Smith, Ms Mocan and Mr Cody

will work with Q’ed 1 students to tackle

another ‘BIG QUESTION’. See the ’fruits’ of

their endeavours at the Q’ed Exhibition to be

held at the Senior School Chapel on Tuesday

4 September 2012.


Mr McKeeman and Q’ed 1 students wearing their thinking caps

Parents and students at the Q’ed 2 launch in the Senior Library

: .

Q’ed 1 students summed up their

impressions as follows:

“So far we have learned more about ourselves

as learners and have learned how neuroscience

is helping us to find out more about how our

brains learn”.

“We have each made a thinking cap decorating

it to show how our individual brain learns

and have also made a model of our brain out

of plasticine to remind us that we have the

ability to enhance our capacity to learn due to

neuroplasticity.’

“We learn in many different ways in Q’ed, like

games, challenges, acting, group activities, art

and maths instead of just writing and listening

to the teacher all the time. It’s fun.”

“I have never really thought about how I think

and learn and it is hard to do. Q’ed makes me

do this but I am getting better at it. I now realize

that it is really up to me to use my brain well.”

Q’ED 2 Launch

The vibrant learning environment of the

new Senior Library provided an ideal context

for the launch of Q’ed 2. Accessing various

state of the art technology options available

within this space, students and families were

introduced to some intellectually vigorous

aspects of online learning. The program

facilitators, Mrs Lean, Mr Vanderkley and Mrs

Smith, unveiled the cyber classroom, the

‘Belonging’ blog, through which much of the

new and challenging learning is to occur. A

highlight of the launch was a Skype session

with Mr Tom March, a renowned educator

and proponent of Web 2.0 technologies and

their capacity to enhance learning. Students

also completed a critical thinking routine

entitled ‘See Think Wonder’; capturing their

responses on the Q’ed 2 ‘Belonging’ Blog.

‘I see a new opportunity to find useful tools on

the web to help expand our learning.’

‘It makes me think about all the digital learning

we will be doing in Q’ed this year, like what we

will learn and how?’

‘It makes me wonder what we will do this year

with our new knowledge and what programs

we will use.’

Merinda Kelly and Roselyn Smith,

Co-ordinators of the 2012 Q’ed Programs

christ iancol lege.vic.edu.auDarcy Aylen, engrossed in creating an individual profile of how her own brain learns

: .

Early this year Mrs Jennifer Beck-Carlson,

the specialist Art teacher at Junior School in

Belmont was thrilled to have been invited

to exhibit some of her detailed Water-

colour paintings of plants, fruits and flowers

in the Sydney Botanical Gardens Exhibition,

“Botanica 2012”.

This exhibition showcased the artistic work

of 78 Australian Artists, some of which are

extremely important illustrators in the field

of natural science and their work is held in

many important museums and art galleries.

Mrs Beck-Carlson commented about the

Botanica 2012 Exhibition –

‘Of course I was very humbled to have my work

hanging alongside some of Australia’s best and

my greatest mentors. This has given me great

encouragement to continue to pursue my own

education in the field of visual art and to strive

for excellence in my chosen field. Furthermore

this experience reinforces the importance of

visual communication and creativity.

I came away from this experience even

more determined to encourage my students

at Junior School to develop a passion for

the beauty in our world. It is a joy to impart

my growing knowledge and develop my

students observation and creative skills. For

students this process helps them to better

understand their world and make the creative

journey meaningful. Especially in our rapidly

changing world of modern technology it is

lovely to see that there is still room for beauty

in nature.

I would like to add that this exhibition

experience reaffirmed the importance of

hanging our childrens’ Art up in an important

space to allow us to feel that sense of worth. Our

Annual Christian College Art Show held early in

Term 4 is just one of those events to foster this.’


Papaver sp. poppies

300 x 420 mm

Watercolour

plums/blackberries

380 x 200 mm

Watercolour


We have been blessed wonderfully by God

in recent years with great additions to our

facilities and resources at Middle School

Highton but it is the people who make

Christian College a unique school.

Professor Stephen Dinham from Melbourne

University spoke to staff at our 2011 retreat

and emphasized the difference that quality,

effective teaching can make for the learner.

He stated:

“The teacher and the quality of his or her

teaching are major influences on student

achievement, along with the individual student

and his or her prior achievement.”

This simply added to a long list of previous

presenters including Dr David Sousa and

Dr Julia Atkin who reminded us that quality

teachers can impact the students’ learning in

an incredible way. The resources and facilities

at the teacher’s disposal are simply a tool.

New Facilities and Learning

The use of the Sports and Aquatic Centre by

our staff at Highton has been just one such

example. The building on its own is simply

that, a building, but under the direction of

expert Christian College staff it becomes a

centre in which students train, swim, exercise

and play in every Physical Education session.

This is a case where not only the program

has benefitted and grown but the students

have been impacted very positively. They are

growing daily and are striving for excellence.

One could write paragraphs about each

faculty area and how the passion, love and

expertise of the teacher is the major factor

influencing our students’ learning.

Visiting Experts share Experiences

Christian College staff do not pretend that

they have the answers to help every student

excel which is why we have invited many

experts to have input into our campus life.

We have had scientists, doctors, authors,

artists, sports coaches, musicians,

psychologists and many other highly skilled

people attend our school to lecture, teach,

guide and further enhance the learning

opportunities of our students. We also take

the opportunity to involve our students on

excursions to witness such experts in the field

and share in their work and experience.

Just recently Sue Lawson, a notable

author, spent a number of days working


with students at Middle School inspiring

their writing and offering them great

encouragement and advice. This program is

offering unique opportunities for students to

be mentored, guided and extended in an area

of their passion.

The Q’ed program for gifted and talented

students continues to challenge our

students to stretch their thinking and

learning capacities and has added the online

dimension for our Second Year students.

The expert guidance of Mrs Roselyn Smith,

Mrs Merinda Kelly, Mr Steve Cody and Mrs

Chris Lean (along with a large team of staff

as mentors) continues to grow this program

not just to extend those who are able but to

further inform our classroom practice.

Mrs Alex Page-Walker is doing valuable work

to help those students who need a little more

help to gain extra confidence and skills in

literacy and numeracy. Alex has a love for our

children and a desire to see all succeed.

The author Parker Palmer advocates that

“you teach who you are” which challenges

all teachers to be lifelong learners. Christian

College teachers have taken up this

challenge which ensures that our students

are being mentored in their learning by

experienced learners (the teachers).

Growing in the Christian Faith

As a Christian College, growth in faith in

Jesus Christ is very important to us. At

Middle School we have staff accepting the

opportunities provided to study God’s Word,

share devotions and pray which allows

authentic conversation and learning in the

area of faith. The teacher again offers quality

teaching from experience, not theory. The

student learns as much about God, if not

more, from their teacher’s actions and the

love they share.

Thank you for the affirmation and positive

feedback we receive from our families. This

encourages us greatly to continue to grow as

teachers so that we might further bless our

students.

Wayne Hines, Head of Middle School,

Highton

Author Ms Sue Lawson works with students in a Middle School English class

: .

On Saturday 26th May, 16 Indonesian lan-

guage students from Bellarine, Highton and

Senior Campuses represented the Geelong

region at the State Finals of the Sayembara

Lisan Indonesian speaking contest, held at the

Sidney Myer Asia Centre Melbourne University.

Congratulations to

1 Christopher Bottrell, Senior School who

gained second place in the Year 10 Competition

2 Peyton Greiner, Christian College Geelong

(Bellarine) who gained Second Place in Year 7

Beginners Competition

3 Lydia Mackie, Christian College Geelong

(Highton) Year 8 who gained third place in

the Continuing Indonesian Competition

Earlier in the Term Christian College students

won 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the Geelong

regional competition hosted at Surfcoast

Secondary College and were awarded with

gold, silver and bronze medals featuring the

colours of the Indonesian flag.

Victorian Indonesian Teachers Association

(VILTA) members commented on the high

standard of Christian College students, who

had prepared well for the 10 minute individ-

ual interview and competed against Indone-

sian language students from metropolitan

and country schools.

Photos 1792 and 1793 are of Sue Strong in

the Indonesian classroom presenting Yr 10

Indonesian boys with their medals from the

Geelong Regional Speech Contest.

can range from organised special events such

as the Pancake Day and Games Day, to just

‘hanging out’ together on wet days.

The mentors have cooked pancakes for their

buddies and have recently enjoyed a games

rotation afternoon in the new sports centre.

Other plans for Terms 3 and 4 include a Maths

activity afternoon, Devotions prepared by

mentors to share with Year 5’s, board games one

lunchtime, mentors invited to Year 5 classrooms

during wet weather and the mentors to assist

with Year 5 Project Care fundraising. The plan

is to finish the year with shared Christmas

activities and a party.

Both the Year 5’s and the 9’s really enjoy the

opportunities to be together and there is always

plenty of fun and laughter.

Marisa Bettiol, Year 5 Homeroom Teacher

This program has become a valuable tool in the

successful transition of Year 5’s into the Middle

School at Highton. The Year 9 mentors volunteer

for the program and are recognized as part of

the Middle School student leadership team.

The program allows Year 9 students to meet their

Year 5 ‘buddies’ 2 or 3 times per term to take

part in a range of activities together designed to

link the Year 5 students with the older students,

helping them to settle in to Middle School and

feel connected to the older students.

For the Year 9s, this is a great opportunity for

leadership experience through mentoring

and guiding younger students who look up to

them as positive role models, thereby leading

by example.

Once the students get to know each other, they

take part in a range of shared activities which

Mrs Strong presents the Year 10 winners with their medallions

in focus - 2012 term 2

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