Wyndham Christian College Family Fun Day

A family fun day was held at Wyndham Christian College on Saturday 20 October. The purpose of the day was to get all of the families together who have enrolled their child/ren in Wyndham Christian College for 2019. The rain cleared away just in time for the children to enjoy the jumping castle, animal farm, and the games and activities that were organised.

A number of teaching staff have been employed for 2019 at Wyndham, and most were in attendance at the fun day. The only

Wyndham staff member missing from the event is still teaching in Western Australia, a fair excuse for not attending! Many families brought lunch to share, along with the BBQ that was provided. It was a great day, and there was a real sense of excitement about the new school.

Peter Cliffe

Executive Principal

Executive Principal Role

With the launch of Wyndham Christian College in 2019, my role has changed considerably since the middle of this year. Indeed my world has been tipped upside down (in a good way!). Phil Eastman is now the Head of Campus of Heatherton Christian College, has swapped offices with me, and is leading the operations of the College.

I am spending more and more time at Wyndham, and at other planning meetings off site, in preparation for the launch of the school.

I am conscious that I am not around Heatherton as much as I used to be (for those of you who were wondering where I had been!), but it is not possible to be in two places at the one time! I am sorry that I have not had a chance to say hi recently as often as I would have liked to students and parents.

My heart is still very much with Heatherton, and Phil does a great job of keeping me abreast of what is happening at HCC. As Wyndham launches in 2019 even more of my time will need to focus on the new school, and I will be here at HCC even less. It is reassuring though, that HCC is in great hands with Phil and the HCC leadership team.

Peter Cliffe

Executive Principal

Valedictory Graduation & Dinner

To celebrate the end of their schooling at Heatherton Christian College, we had our annual Valedictory Dinner on Thursday 25 October at Southern Golf Club.

The Valedictory Dinner is a special night to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 students. The students in the photo above are the Year 12 students who have completed 13 years at HCC (they been here from Prep).

Year 12 Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea was a great treat enjoyed by the Year 12s as they completed their last ever English Lessons! Cakes and cucumber sandwiches disappeared at a great rate amid a relaxed atmosphere before the final push of revision for the exams. Well done to all our Year 12s!

Pam Sanderson

Year 12 Home Room Teacher

2019 Secondary Student Leaders

Congratulations to the following students who will be serving as Student Leaders in 2019 in these portfolios.

College Captains

Talia Scott Hayward (Year 12)

Joshua Vilar (Year 12)

Student Representative Committee Prefects

Jessica Porteous (Year 11)

Matt Austin (Year 11)

Sustainability & Stewardship Prefects

Skyla Karis (Year 11)

Jesse Barlas (Year 11)

Chapel & Worship Prefects

Isaac Marie (Year 12)

Goumar Deb (Year 12)

Chaya Atkins (Year 11)

Lual Chuol (Year 12)

Missions Prefects

Caitlyn Childs (Year 12)

Ethan Harry (Year 12)

Student Wellbeing Prefects

Chloe Burgess (Year 12)

Nathan Raymond (Year 11)

Arts Prefects

Gabrielle Orr (Year 11)

Lachlan Hart (Year 11)

Tour of Hope Soccer Clinic

In 2016, Brazilian football players, some of whom played in the FIFA World Cup, English Premier League and the Brazilian National Team, came to our school and did a workshop with our Year 7 class. On Thursday the 25th of October 2018, they returned to lead our Year 9 class in some fun drills and games. We were split into two groups, while one group played a small match, the other group raced each other with parachutes tied around their waists.

After we finished, one of the players shared his story about how Jesus helped him reach the top of his football career, persevering even through difficult times and never giving up hope. He encouraged us to always have faith and not give up.

The players were very entertaining and all were very kind. Overall, the afternoon was very enjoyable and everyone had a lot of fun.

Emily Ryan

On a Thursday 25 October, we as Year 9s were blessed with a soccer coaching clinic by former Brazilian soccer players, some of which had played in the Brazilian national team. They ran us through some diﬀerent drills and exercises which were fun to be involved in.

One of the best parts about the whole session was the fact that one of the players shared their testimony and how soccer and God had changed his life at a very young age. I personally really enjoyed the way that the players made the session enjoyable and everyone had a really great time.

Lachlan Jensen

Year 9 Challenge 100km Bike Ride

On 25 October, the Year 9s had their Year of Challange bike ride. There was seventeen Year 9 students who managed to complete the whole 100km. What an awesome effort!

Here are some of the Year 9's accounts of the experience:

After all the training and build up of emotions, the day of the bike ride had finally come. I wasn’t too sure of what to expect but despite my confusion I knew it was going to be a great day.

As the ride kicked off and we were 1 kilometer in, it begun to feel natural yet daunting knowing we have another 99 kilometers to go. Having friends by your side the whole way through honestly made a huge difference as we were experiencing challenges yet pushed through till the very end.

On my arm during the ride I had the verse Philippians 4:13 which says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". When the times came where I had barely any energy, God gave me strength and an attitude of tenacity that allowed me to keep riding.

The week leading up to the 100km was rainy in weather but the day itself was beautiful and made the ride more enjoyable. The most satisfying part of the ride was the last segment where we rode back to the start as a class but more importantly as a team. I was privileged to complete the full 100km and learnt from my experience to never give up.

Grace Lisbon

I enjoyed the bike ride a lot. It was extremely fun and equally as challenging. There were deﬁnitely many moments along the ride when giving up would have been a lot easier than perseverance, but that only made ﬁnishing so much more satisfying. Some of my highlights are from our rest stops when we were all together and we could just talk to each other about the ride and encourage one another. I am also very thankful for the guidance that the teachers (especially Mr Bunyon and Miss Marshall) oﬀered us before and during the ride. The atmosphere around the experience was awesome in my opinion, and I would love to do it again. The 100km bike ride was a day I will never forget.

Hannes De Beer

Grade 3 & 4 Camp: Forest Edge

On 17 October, the Grade 3s and 4s went camping at Forest Edge for three days. When we reached the campsite, Mrs Rose divided us into four teams. After our first activity, we went to our cabins eagerly to unpack. There were six of us in each cabin. During the camp, each team had a turn on the trampolines, low ropes, archery, flying fox, initiative course, climbing wall, camp cooking and disc golf. We also did some whole group activities such as Aerostomp, bushwalk and scavenger hunt.

One of the camp instructors told us that seven meals were prepared for us daily! How would we be able to eat that much! This was our menu over two days:

Morning tea: a big M &M cookie, cordial and a cinnamon roll
Lunch: a wrap and a burger
Afternoon tea: a hot jam donut and a cup of cordial
Dinner: pasta, salad, garlic bread, potato bake and a chicken schnitzel
Dessert: chocolate mousse as well as a cup of jelly with a lolly in it

One of the highlights was the campfire we had on the first night. We toasted yummy marshmallows and played 'Winking Assassin' around the campfire. On the second night, we laid our sleeping bags and pillows in the pavilion and had a thrilling time watching the movie 'Champions'.

Everyone loved the Flying Fox and were amazed to see beautiful landscape that God created. The food and activities were fantastic and everyone at the campsite were helpful and kind. We had a brilliant stay at Forest Edge.

Evangeline Khoo (Grade 3)

My favourite activity was the flying fox. I liked it because I was with my friends and I just liked being in the air. All of the activities were fun. The food was great because it was served very fancy and they let us have seconds. I liked all the people I shared the cabin with and I also liked how the cabin was big and roomy.

Isaiah Andrews (Grade 4)

One of the activities there was trampolines. They were really cool because you could do fun tricks on them. At camp the food was good because we got to have dessert. In the cabins, there were two bunk beds and two single beds and we had our own bathroom with a shower and toilet. Camp was cool because I got to spend time with my friends and make new ones.

Seren Whatley (Grade 4)

Grade 5 & 6 Camp: Rumbug

On Tuesday 18 September, the Grade 5 & 6 went to Camp Rumbug. We stayed there for four nights and did lots of activities in the day.

One of my favourites was the Giant Swing. It was 18 metres high and was intense. A lot of people went the full way up but some didn’t, and I went the whole way up! We had two turns in a row. I really enjoyed that activity and I hope I can do it again some day.

Another one of my favourites was orienteering. Mr Bunyon put different letters up around the campsite and we had a map and some clues to go find them. If you find all the letters it should make a word but we didn’t finish it. This was definitely one of my favourites.

My most favourite was the canoeing. It was very fun and very enjoyable. I was in a boat with David and Nathan. I nearly fell off because we had to spin around and jump on the boat. I was very scared and I was shaking so much. It was so fun because I have never done it before and it was the best weather we had all day.

In conclusion, this campsite was very cold, muddy and wet. I really hope I can do these activities next camp and I hope the weather improves. I rate this camp 6/10. (Ed. note: A hard marker!)

Samuel Govender

On the last week of Term 3, the Grade 5s and 6s went to Camp Rumbug. We did lots of fun activities throughout the four days of being there. My favourite three activities were; the Flying Fox, canoeing and the Giant Swing.

When my group did the Flying Fox, we first learned how to put on and tighten the harnesses, then we had a demonstration before starting. I felt so scared before we started, but after my first go, I didn’t feel scared anymore. I got two goes at the Flying Fox. But the best part was watching Mr. Philander going down the Flying Fox.

I enjoyed canoeing because Hannah and I kept nearly getting stuck in the bushes. We also got stuck with the steering. Every time we tried to steer, the canoe kept going the opposite way to what we wanted. It was like the canoe was broken. As well as being fun, it was funny.

The last activity we did, which was also my favourite, was the Giant Swing. The Giant Swing was frightening as well as fun. Everyone in my group got two goes at the Giant Swing. Miss Sim promised us chocolates if we went to the top and didn’t hold on, and I did that both times, so I got two chocolates.

Overall, Camp Rumbug was fun. I thought that I wasn’t going to like it, but that changed. In the end the only annoying thing was walking up and down mountains. But everyone got used to that.

Shea Baille

Get well soon, Rob!

Our marketing and communications manager, Rob Ward, has recently had quadruple heart by-pass surgery. This was very unexpected for Rob, and for his family. This is major surgery and Rob is now at home recovering. Please keep Rob in your prayers.

Congratulations, Mrs Awad

One of our teachers, Abigail Awad, had a baby boy: Seth Robert Awad, on 23 October.

Congratulations to Abigail and family!

Grade 1 & 5 buddies

The Grade 1's and Grade 5's are working together to make posters about Spring.

2018 Presentation Night Awards Sponsorships

Parents, I am writing to ask if you would be willing to sponsor a prize for Presentation Night, which will be taking place on Wednesday 5 December. The prizes are $30 each. Your donation will be acknowledged in our Presentation Night Programme (unless you advise us otherwise).

If you are able to assist with a donation, please contact the College office at office@hcc.vic.edu.au or on 8551 6650. Your support is very much appreciated and we thank you for your generosity.

Peter Cliffe

Executive Principal

Cup Weekend

Parents, please note that on Monday 5 November the College will only be open for the VCE Examination students (for Year 12 Further Maths Exam 2 from 9:00am to 10:45am). There will be no school for all other students. The College office will also be closed on the day.

There will be no school for all students on Tuesday 6 November (Melbourne Cup Public Holiday).

‘We Care’ Toy Drive

HCC will be again partnering with a local not-for-profit organization called ‘We Care Community Services’. Our partnership involves participating in a toy drive, that would allow our students and families to donate toys (either brand new or second hand) to be collected at the College and distributed to families in need during the Christmas season.

‘We Care’ Details

‘We Care Community Services’ is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1997 to assist individuals and families in local communities who are experiencing hardship. They supply essential items such as food, clothing, toys, toiletries and bedding without charge. ‘We Care’ is based in Dandenong, however they now help individuals from across Melbourne, especially the South-Eastern suburbs. They cater to a variety of people, including low income earners, refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants.

Helping Hand Day

‘We Care’ has gained a positive reputation in the community through their annual Helping Hand Day. This year’s annual Helping Hand Day will be held in December to assist individuals and families who are doing it tough during the Christmas season. At this event, there will be food hampers, clothing, toiletries, toys and many more items distributed, free of charge, to those in need.

The toy section at Helping Hand Day provides a lot of joy and relief to parents and children. For some of these families, the toys they receive from ‘We Care’ are the only gifts they will receive at Christmas.

Donations

We have started collecting donations of either brand new or second-hand toys (clean and in good working condition) through the College office. There will be an official collection day on Wednesday 21 November right after a special whole school assembly.

We appreciate your assistance and look forward to receiving your donations to put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas!

Jeremy Richards

Senior English/History Teacher

Safe Schools?

Dear Parent,

We have a significant opportunity to do something about the so-called Safe Schools programme. A group of Christians (CAUSE) are running a letterbox drop in marginal Victorian seats which could see the Safe Schools removed from our schools.

Some changes have since been made to the programme but the underlying philosophy remains, and while our Christian School shields our children from that, there is no guarantee we can always do so. Not only that, we Christians must speak up on behalf of students in State schools. Few others are doing that. Anyway, we have this tiny window of opportunity. It may not come again. Can you help?

We are targeting the seats of Mordialloc: Aspendale, Chelsea, Chelsea Heights, Cheltenham, Edithvale, Mentone, Mordialloc and Parkdale. Fifty people are needed (so far we have eight) to distribute 500 flyers (or more if you like) each. That may sound like a lot but can be done in about five easy one hour walks. Good exercise as you join a large team fighting a very worthy cause indeed! A unique opportunity. We need to grasp it now. Please help if you are able. How? If you are able to do assist please email me at dennis@resource.com.au or phone me on 0413 265 448.

Thank you so much.

Pastor Dennis Prince

Kingston City Church

Community

HCC Parents Prayer Group