HCC Features
Wyndham Christian College
A lot of work is going on behind the scenes for the launch of the first campus of Wyndham Christian College (WCC) in 2019. WCC will be a campus of HCC. I am pleased to let you know that Mrs Jennifer Trodden (pictured below) has just been appointed as our first Head of Campus of Wyndham Christian College.
Jennifer (Jen) is currently in a leadership role at Hillcrest Christian College. The interview panel had a tough job deciding between some quality applicants. We were unanimous in our decision to appoint Jen. Jen stood out as an outstanding candidate. She presented as an education leader of great passion, drive, energy and vision. Please also pray for Jen as she steps out in faith to this new role.
Peter Cliffe
Executive Principal
College Improvement
We are delighted to have finished the renovation on the tennis courts, with students getting access to them for the first time today.
This area was getting a bit tired after 19 years of use and was a bit under-utilised due to its design. So, we have updated it with an artificial grass surface, added an additional 2 basketball courts whilst retaining the central basketball and netball courts (making a total of 6 basketball rings), and added lines for volleyball courts. We are looking forward to many years of student enjoyment from these facilities.
Phil Eastman
Head of Campus
Staff Retreat 2018
Our teaching and support staff of Heatherton Christian College were recently able to have some time away together at our annual retreat. This was held last Sunday afternoon and Monday at Moonah Links resort, just past Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula.
The retreat was an opportunity to further embed the mission and values of the college, whilst developing closer relationships with God and each other. Highlights included teaching sessions by the renowned Allan Meyer, staff testimonies, worship times and time alone with God. A strong feeling from the time away was one of gratitude to God for our work as part of the one team here at Heatherton and for the privilege we have in sharing learning, life and Christs love with your children.
Phil Eastman
Head of Campus
Grandparent's Day (for Primary students)
On Friday 17 August, we celebrated Grandparents and Special Friends Day.
Each class presented an item to the Grandparents in the auditorium. My class, Grade 2C, did a TV show presentation. We acted out different TV shows that we thought our Grandparents might have watched. In my group was Reuben, Youseff, Adam, Isaiah, Joshua, Alvin and Alex. We acted out a cricket test match, Australia versus South Africa. We were then able to take our Grandparents or special friends to our classrooms and show them all the work we have done this year. My favourite part was showing my Grandparents my work. My Grandma and Grandpa liked everything, the food, the presentations and looking in my sisters' and my classroom.
Kaden Bunyon (Grade 2C)
National Science Week
HCC celebrated 2018 National Science Week from 13 to 17 August. The theme for this year was ‘Game Changers and Change Makers’. Our senior school students helped their teachers run lunchtime activities for students from Primary school and Years 7 to 9.
On the first day, Miss Claire Sim and the Year 10 apprentice scientists were more than happy and willing to add Mentos to bottles of Diet Coke to produce some amazing geysers. Fortunately, no cleaning-up was required as the activity took place outdoors!
On the second day, Mr Bevan Hung and the VCE Biology team used the microscopes to show prepared slides and gave students the opportunity to handle the Spiny Leaf stick insects. The stick insects appeared to dance as they crawled from one student’s hand to another.
The third day saw the VCE Psychology team deliver the ultimate gastronomic challenge: Can you taste the difference between a generic brand and brand-name food and drink? Participants queued and took turns to be blind-folded before tasting chips, chocolates, lolly snakes, rice crackers and orange soda.
On the fourth day, Mr Phong Le and the VCE Physics team inspired the next generation of astronauts by testing their cosmic rockets. The launch was a success and had to be repeated several times as there was no shortage of volunteers. The water rockets also proved popular.
The last day of National Science Week at HCC belonged to Mr Hung and the VCE Chemistry team. As if winter was not cold enough, students were treated to some cool, dry ice experiments, with creepy fog aplenty. They also made a carbon column rise out of a beaker with sulfuric acid and sugar, much to the delight of the spectators.
Carolyn McLean
Head of Science
Heatherton Celebrates Bookweek
We had an exciting start to Bookweek at our Tuesday morning Chapel. Mr Chris Elkington (an author, puppeteer and an ex HCC teacher) did a puppet show and read his new book to all the Primary students.
We ended off our Bookweek celebration with a book character parade. All Primary students came dressed as their favourite book character (they also brought in the book).
A gold coin donation is going to Kingston City Church Emergency Resources that gives out food boxes to families in need.
Pauline Nathaniel and Mary Morris
Library Technicians
Premiers Reading Challenge Ends Soon!
The PRC will end on Friday 7 September and the website will close on that day.
All HCC registered students need to get their books recorded on their online PRC record by today (Friday 24 August) so that we can verify all students’ reading before the PRC website closes.
The PRC will end on Friday 7 September and their website will close on that day. All HCC registered students need to get their books read recorded on their online PRC record by today (Friday 24 August) so that we can verify all students’ reading before the PRC website closes.
Pauline Nathaniel and Mary Morris
Library Technicians
TEAR Read-A-thon
We are delighted to be supporting TEAR Australia in their fantastic work overseas by participating in the TEAR Readathon. This initiative involves students from Grade 2 to Year 9 gaining sponsorships for doing something we all want them to do and love – reading books! Sponsorships can be done per book read or as a one-off donation, all done via the class link for your child (links are shown below). Children are asked to seek sponsorship and donations from now until September 19 with donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
As well as encouraging students to read regularly, this also raises our students’ awareness of how they can make a difference in the lives of children and families living in poverty overseas. All funds raised for TEAR go to education initiatives for people in poverty, who otherwise might miss out on educational opportunities we all take for granted in Australia.
Children are asked to seek sponsorship and donations from now until September 19, either per book they read or as a single donation. Sponsors are able to make their donation through the class link of that student. Please note that no money is to be brought to the school – all donations are to be made online. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
We look forward to your support as we aim to reach our school target of raising $1000 for this worthy cause.
The TEAR Read-A-Thon sponsorship links are as below:
Heatherton Christian College
https://readathon.tear.org.au/heathertonchristiancollege
Grade 2C
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-2-c
Grade 2M
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-2-m
Grade 3P
https://readathon.tear.org.au/heathertonchristiancollegegrade-3-p
Grade 4R
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-4-r
Grade 5S
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-5-s
Grade 6C
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-6-c
Grade 6P
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-6-p
Grade 7A
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-7-a
Grade 7B
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-7-b
Grade 8A
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-8-a
Grade 8B
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-8-b
Grade 9A
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-9-a
Grade 9B
https://readathon.tear.org.au/hchristiancollegegrade-9-b
Grade 2 Integrated Studies
This term in Integrated Studies, Grade 2 students are being given the opportunity to develop an appreciation of multicultural Australia, embracing different foods, games, music, and traditions from different cultures. They will learn how to show respect for those who sound, look and act differently to themselves. We are gaining an age-appropriate appreciation of social justice, because we are more likely to be fair when we understand and value the similarities and differences between cultures and generations. This term we made fresh pasta as we studied the culture of Italy!
Dayna Chu
Grade 2C Teacher
Grade 4 Prayer Cubes
Continuing with our theme of prayer from the last newsletter issue, the Grade 4 students made prayer cubes.
On each face of the cube net they collaboratively wrote a prayer starter such as 'thank you for....'. After that, they cut out the net and built the cube. They then rolled the cube and shared in a time of prayer with their partners using the prayer starters.
Megan Rose
Grade 4 Teacher
Year 9 & 10 PE Boxing Excursion
As part of the Term 3 Year 9 and 10 PE unit, students who have selected Boxing and Fitness went on an excursion to 'Fit Impact' in Cheltenham, where they were instructed in the fine arts of boxing.
They went through a series of drills which tested their hand-eye coordination as well as their fitness. The students had a fun day where they learnt a new skill as well as getting a good workout - all part of the 'Physical' foundation in our '5 foundations of a whole, healthy child' framework.
Bevan Hung
Head of Senior School
HCC Flea Market
Our annual Flea Market is happening next Friday 31 August from 3:00pm–5:30pm in the College gymnasium. The market is run by our Sustainability and Stewardship prefects, Thomas Stamp and Caitlyn Childs.
This is a great way to show good stewardship of God’s resources and promote sustainable living practices. The idea is that you rent a display table and sell recycled items of good quality that others could make use of, or other things such as those on the list below.
What items can you sell?
You can sell;
- ‘New to You’ good quality hand-me-down clothes and shoes, books and other similar items
- Products you have made, such as artwork, candles, cards, accessories, etc
- On-the-spot services such as face painting
- Your time by providing other services such as babysitting, house cleaning, car cleaning, etc
- Food items (however you will be required to follow the guidelines on the website link below).
Costs
To rent a display table:
- $10 per table (1.8m x 0.9m)
- Plus 10% of the profit made goes to HCC Sustainability projects (10% after you make your first $10).
To rent a display area the same size of a table, it is the same price as above (suitable for 2 large clothes racks, or large items, such as a book shelf or recycled baby furniture).
To book a display table please follow this link http://caitlynchilds.wixsite.com/fleamarket.
For further information or larger spaces, please email Caitlyn or Thomas to discuss your needs at cchilds@hcc.vic.edu.au or tstamp@hcc.vic.edu.au.
The Sound of Music
HCC is presenting the Secondary Musical Production of 'The Sound of Music' on 12 and 13 September. Tickets are on sale now at the following links:
https://www.trybooking.com/XEHC or https://www.trybooking.com/407136
PFA Father's Day Stall
Dads and Daughters Dinner
The HCC biennial Dads and Daughters Dinner will be on Wednesday 29 August, 6:45pm-9:00pm inthe Salt Cafe. The dinner is for dads and daughters from Grade 6 to Year 12. Ticket ($25 per person) can be purchased via Qkr or at the College office. Ticket sales close on Friday 24 August.
Do you know an excellent educator?
Nominations are now open for the 2018 National Excellence in Teaching Awards
For 24 years, the National Excellence in Teaching Awards have provided communities with the opportunity to formally recognise and thank outstanding teachers and leaders working within:
• Early Learning Centres;
• Primary Schools;
• Secondary Schools; and
• Special Schools.
The NEiTA awards recognise the importance of the profession, its professional standards and the critical role and impact teachers have on young people’s lives.
NEiTA is Australia and New Zealand’s only community centred teaching awards program. Teacher nominations must meet eligibility guidelines and criteria and are submitted by school parents, school councils, parent associations, committees of management, secondary student councils, and community organisations. They are then assessed by an expert panel of educationalists in a two-staged process. Please nominate at https://www.asg.com.au/about-asg/neita
Prizes
National recipients receive a framed certificate, the Crystal Apple award and a $5,000 grant. Winners will be flown in to attend a special awards luncheon and be presented with their prizes.
One national award recipient will be selected to receive the NEiTA Teacher Ambassador of the Year Award and will attend the International Space Camp - an international gathering of outstanding teachers, at the US Space & Rocket Center, Alabama, USA.
State, Territory and Regional award winners will receive a framed certificate signed by the CEO and NEiTA Chairman.