You only need to take a walk through the local shopping centre to experience the impact of the subtle messages that inform us of what the good life supposedly looks like. As we walked past the shops, we are exposed to the influences that encourage us to want more, be more, and have more to experience all the joy that life has to offer.
You only have to watch the endless reality shows on TV and the movie stars on the big screen to witness the imagery and symbolism that reminds us of all the things we should have, but don't. Each day, many of us scroll through social media sites that we have embedded into our lives, only to be confronted with the falsity of the supposed perfect lives that those around us intend to portray.  The purpose of such efforts is to find some sense of worth and value in who we are.
Through all these influences, we start to form a picture for ourselves of what the good life looks like. The good life is a story that defines for us the ultimate aim of our lives and impacts our habits, actions, and beliefs on day by day basis. As people, we're more than just thinking and believing beings. We are innately created to love and, in the end, what we love shapes who we become.
Saint Augustine once said, “You have made us for yourself, O’ Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” At the centre of Augustine’s message is the recognition that the ultimate purpose of human life is to love and seek God. Yet for many of us, we allow ourselves to redirect our love towards an aim that fails to give us the satisfaction and the hope that comes from directing our love towards God.

In many ways, we are what we love, or we become what we love. When our picture of the good life consists of wealth, possessions, and fame, our life moulds itself to this aim. Something deep and visceral within us takes on the shape of this story and moves beyond simple beliefs and thoughts and instead becomes the subconscious driver for all we do in life.

The challenge for us as a Christian community and for our students who are daily exposed to the various influences of Western culture is to help our young people form a picture of the good life that is purposeful, meaningful and full of hope so that the everyday actions, rituals and patterns of life can be shaped to express and lead them towards the realisation of this genuine good life. 

Cameron Pearce
Executive Principal

Student Safety and Welfare – FCCC Duty of Care and After-School Facilities

Background

Our students are precious to us and we care for them greatly. We like to spend as much time with them as we can and take our legal duty of care for them very seriously. However, our duty of care as a school imposes a legal burden that prevents us from leaving students unsupervised in the same way that parents might, before and after the school day (i.e. before 8.00am and after 3.40pm). When your children arrive early or leave late, we need to know who and where they are, in order to make staffing arrangements for their safe supervision.

We recognise that modern family circumstances will always result in some students being dropped off early or collected late. We aim to provide them with quiet, safe places while they wait. We also wish to support older students who want to remain behind after school to continue with their schoolwork.

In this letter, we seek to set out the arrangements under which we accept duty of care for before- and after-school supervision.
Before School

Our staff do not begin supervision of students until 8.00am. From 8.00am, the Campus Principal accepts duty of care until yard duty supervision for all students commences at 8.20am. Parents are advised not to drop off students (of any age) at school prior to 8.00am, unless enrolled in Camp Australia before-school care, or notified by the College of a special event that commences earlier (e.g. an excursion).

After School

All students are expected to have left the College premises by 3.40pm, unless they are attending an after-school event organised by the College, participating in our on-site after-school care program (Junior School only), or attending the Library or Homework Club (Secondary students only).
Junior School (K- Year 6)

After-school care is operated by Camp Australia. Students in Kinder to Year 6 are welcome to enrol. This is a pay-for-service care facility that extends until 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, in term-time and school holidays. Details of Camp Australia can be provided upon request to the Junior School Office.

Middle School and Upper Primary (Years 5-9)

Students (Years 5-9) still on-site after 3.40pm must report to the Library in G Block, where they must sign in. They will then be under the duty of care of the Library staff. Students departing before 4.30pm must sign out, at which point they become their parents’ responsibility. At 4.30pm, when the Library closes, students must move to V Block and sign into Supervised after school care (details below).

 Senior School (Years 10-12)

Students (Years 10-12) are welcome to remain on-site in the Senior School building until 4.30pm. Thereafter, they must go home or sign in at Supervised after school care.

Late Collection Care

Supervised after school care operates in the main V Block Common Room (V25/V26), from 4.30pm until 5.30pm on Mondays to Fridays in term time. Students attending this service are required to sign in. Students departing before the conclusion of the service must sign out, at which point they become their parents’ responsibility. Please note that Late Collection Care is a quiet facility, conducive to study. Students not respecting this expectation will have their access reviewed. When the service concludes, students will be asked to leave the College and will become their parents’ responsibility. The College does not accept further duty of care after 5.30pm.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at the College if you have any questions about this letter.

Flinders Alumni Making History

Congratulations Molly McDonald for kicking the first ever goal for AFLW St.Kilda Team.

We are all behind you - Congratulations

Congratulations to the happy couple.

Liam Ball and and Shannon Cole are not only Flinders Alumni but they also both had parents teaching at our College when they met.

Tuesday 25th February
Chapel – 1MC Performing
Free Dress Day – Wear Red

Wednesday 26th February
Grade 5&6 Hands On Science Incursion

Friday 28th February
House Swimming Carnival: Gr 3-Gr 6

Friday 6th March
Prep Picnic

Free Dress Day Fundraiser to support Skye Fire Brigade
On Tuesday 25th February we are holding a Free Dress Day in the Junior School.
Students need to wear something red in honour of our local fire brigade.

Please bring a gold coin donation.

Our Gr 6 Students will be undertaking an education tour of the national capital on the 17th March – 20th March.

Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.
To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

During Term One, students in Grade 6 are studying natural disasters. To complement this unit of work, a group from 'Hands-On-Science' are coming in to run a workshop around the theme of natural disasters.
The Grade 5 students are studying the topic of the Earth and Space. They will attend  'Hands-On-Science' workshops around the themes of forensic science and the Earth and Space

These sessions will offer challenging, enjoyable science activities to encourage the students to think. Students will be actively involved and encouraged to observe, record, report and conclude from their observations and experiment results.

During Integrated Studies, the Grade 4 students have been learning about Early Explorers and the First Fleet. On this excursion they stepped aboard a nineteenth century tall ship and participated in engaging activities such as hauling sails, scrubbing decks and learning the fine arts of navigation.

 They also visited Captain Cook’s Cottage. Students walked through this historic landmark that was built in Yorkshire, England in1755 and observed what life was like for James Cook.

Selected students from Middle and Senior school will be helping to clean up Sweetwater Creek on the 28th February as a part of the ‘Clean up Australia Day’ community event. Students have been selected due to their involvement in environmental clubs, classes and based upon their interest to be contributing community members. They will be helping to clean up the banks of Sweetwater Creek near Oliver's Hill in Frankston. This excursion will take up the morning before they return to classes period 5 and 6.

What fun we had! We started out camp with an exciting boat trip around the island.  We then went to the Adventure resort where lots of exciting activities awaited us.  We did activities like giant swing, crate climb, laser tag, raft building and high ropes.  We even had time for a disco with a real DJ!  There were lots of smiles and lots of new friendships made.  Overall a very successful camp.

Thursday 27 February - SIS Senior Sports
Friday 28 February – SIS Intermediate Sports
Monday 2 March – Combined Campus Athletics Carnival
Monday 2 March – Senior School: Production Auditions
Tuesday 3 March – Senior  VCAL: Moving out of Home Excursion to IKEA
Wednesday 4 March -  Unit 1 Legal Studies Excursion to Dandenong Magistrates' Court
Thursday 5 March - SIS Senior Sports
Thursday 5 – Senior School: Production Auditions
Friday 6 March – SIS Intermediate Sports

2020 School Captains

Keegan Du Preez

Some are inspired by actors, peers or parents. Me? Information, pure persistence and the desire for success. After spending almost 12 entire years in school I have come to realise at this time of immense pressure and self-discipline, there is one factor that is required for you to ultimately pass your schooling career. And that is information and exposure.
My portfolio; Academic Effectiveness, aims to implement new, relevant and practical solutions to assist students to become self-disciplined so that they can obtain the drive to do well in their schooling career. Setting my objectives to engage with new, intuitive methods of educating, I hope to set a new bar for the new upcoming generations. So, I say to you, educator or student, parent or sibling, if you have any concerns about your academic performance going forward this year, speak to me. I want to hear your concerns. I am here, in this position to serve. Let your voice be known.

Eden McLean

Hi everyone! I’m Eden. I’ve been attending Flinders Christian Community College since 2007 (when I was in Prep) and have loved every moment of being part of the Flinders community. Most people probably know me best for getting involved in all the school has to offer; from productions to camps to public speaking, debating and, most notably, leadership. I’m so incredibly honoured to have been selected as one of the 2020 Prefects (my portfolio being in Events Management), and even more honoured to have the privilege of serving as a School Captain. I hope to make everyone who has invested in me proud this year as I endeavour to take on this role as seriously as I endeavoured in portraying Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’.  

2020 School Vice Captains

Isabel Carretero

My name is Isabel Carretero, I have been at the school since 2016 and have the great honour of representing the school as not only a Prefect but as one of the school vice captains. This year I really hope to give students and my fellow peers more of an understanding of why we come to school and help develop relationships with students and teachers. I have created a buddy system to fulfil these objectives and help guide students to unlock their full potential. I hope my commitment thus far has given you enough confidence to trust me. I sincerely looking forward to working with you all in the near future.

Jack Messenger

Hi, I'm Jack Messenger and as one of your Vice Captains for 2020 I'd like to give a brief introduction as well as outline my portfolio for the 2020 year. I've been attending the College since 2010 back in Grade 2 and I've loved the positive outlook all staff and students maintain towards the learning outcomes. The College highlight for me however, is the wide range and variety of opportunities that the College has to offer and over the years I've ensured to involve myself in as many activities as possible. Outside of school, I'm a keen swimmer, training with Flyers Swim Team at various pools across the Peninsula and in my downtime love playing a variety of instruments. As your Prefect heading up sporting performance for the College, throughout the year I will be working closely with the College sports team in an attempt to raise the excellence Flinders brings to all sporting competitions and events, whilst also encouraging maximum involvement of students. I hope to be a positive influence on the younger students, so that they also gain a passion for sport and the College. 

Prefects

Shelby Cropley

My name is Shelby. I wanted to join the Prefect team because since being at Flinders in Prep the teachers and their support and the community at the school has helped me throughout the years when it’s been tough. I wanted to give back to the teachers who have helped me grow as a person and to help the students have their voices heard. As a Prefect I’m in charge of community and wellbeing.

Samuel Foley

Hello my name is Samuel Foley and I am one of the Prefects for 2020. I enjoy playing basketball and can be found on the courts for almost every lunchtime. My Prefect portfolio is titled “Outreach - Local and International.” This means that I try to get Flinders involved in the community with our local club and neighbouring schools. I also am looking forward to helping out with the mission trips.
 

Kayla Hanslo

I’ve been at Flinders since having moved from Queensland in Year 7 and I have found it a very welcoming place. My hobbies include riding horses, playing music and photography. After school I am planning to study to become a singing teacher. My portfolio is Performing Arts. I believe that music is good for the soul and I hope to bring music and a little bit of heart into assemblies and devotions. 
 

Sinead Liewes

Hi, I’m Sinead Liewes and one of your Prefects for 2020. I am outgoing, fun and enthusiastic. I love spending my days going out with my friends and seeing my family, when I’m not studying. This year I have dedicated my portfolio to Student Voice. This role allows me to make changes in the school by listening to your creative ideas, to make the rest of your schooling years as best as it can be. I am very approachable so if any of you have any ideas or even if you just want to have a general chat, you can always come and find me usually in V block.
 

Wiiliam Tremain

I have been at Flinders since year 9 and have enjoyed the community aspect of the college. This year I have dedicated my portfolio to changing school policy and to Assemblies with the aim of making them engaging for all students. 

Junior Masterchef elective in action cooking up a  storm with the humble potato!!

Congratulations to our 2020 appointed House Captains:

Congratulations to all those students who participated in our combined campus House Swimming carnival recently. The 2020 Swimming House Shield Points are awarded to: Acacia 1st, Epacris 2nd, Hovea 3rd and Correa 4th. A special congratulations to the Carrum Downs age group champions: Maddison R, Shem A, Cullen H, Noah P, Lachlan C, Mia F & Dylan V. Top performing athletes will be invited to the SIS relay carnival on Friday 13t March 5-7pm or our swim intensive training session on Friday 20th March period 1&2. For any students that were unable to participate at the House Swimming Carnival due to injury or absence and would like to be consider for our swim team that will compete at SIS Div A championship on Thursday 16th April, please contact Mrs. Cosgrave. shay.cosgrave@flinders.vic.edu.au

Monday 2nd March 2020 @ Casey Fields.
We will see all of Secondary students involved in this engaging Athletics Carnival competing for House Shield Points and selection for our Combined Campus SIS Inter-School Athletics Squad. This is a compulsory event with all students in attendance at the Casey Field Regional Athletics Centre. Should your child be unable to attend for any reason, families must inform the College. If parents would like to be involved in this event, please contact Sports Coordinator Shay Cosgrave: shay.cosgrave@flinders.vic.edu.au

We are currently mid-season for our Flinders Domestic Basketball program with teams representing the College
across five associations on the Peninsula - Mornington District Basketball, Westernport Basketball, Chelsea Basketball, Southern Peninsula Basketball and Frankston District Basketball. The Basketball program is also another incredible platform for students to engage and learn a new
sport, fulfill their domestic basketball commitments as a rep player or enjoy the opportunity to play a team sport with
their friends. For our new students and interested Year 7's, there’ll be an opportunity to participate in a skills clinic in
preparation for grading our teams for the Winter season. Details to follow. Player registrations will open week on the 24th February 2020. For further information please email: cindy.shacklock@flinders.vic.edu.au

For any student wanting to be involved in our Flinders after school Netball teams on a Friday night, please email natalie.chatfield@flinders.vic.edu.au

Flinders Athletes training or competing at high levels

Is your child an elite athlete? Are they competing at a high level in their chosen sport? Or are they training many hours a week for one or numerous sports? Natalie Chatfield is the Sports Coordinator at our Tyabb Campus and the Sports High Performance Manager who assists students at both Carrum Downs and Tyabb to coordinate student’s academics and training commitments. We are so proud of Molly McDonald who graduated in 2019 and debuted for the inaugural AFWL Saints team, kicking their very first goal. The FB feature ‘Athletes in the Spotlight’ acknowledges and celebrates the incredible sporting talents of our students across both campuses. Should you wish to contact Natalie to discuss your child/s sporting involvement, please email natalie.chatfield@flinders.vic.edu.au.

Our PE 1&2 Students are studying muscle contractions and bio-mechanics  stability principles - What better way than surfing. 

They have been studying energy systems and participating in morning runs and swims.

Students are also studying types of contractions and acute responses to exercise and participating in triathlons.

1st Open Mic for the year had a great turnout with quality performances & a large audience.

Next Open Mic Monday 16th March

Open days are a great opportunity for you to visit our Campus, meet staff and view our facilities. If you have any friends or family that would be interested, please let them join us for Open Day on Saturday, 22 February from 10am to 12pm. Book online, https://www.flinders.vic.edu.au/enrolment/open-days

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to change our student free day in August.
Please note that it will NOT be on Friday 21 August as stated on your Parent Calendar.
 The new date for our Student Free Day is Friday 28 August 2020. 

The Junior School District Athletics has now been confirmed to take place on Monday 7 September 2020.

Thank you for your understanding.

Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance. SchoolTV addresses this as a new online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. On this site there are many editions that aim to equip parents in addressing those difficult issues, with special reports on events that impact the whole community. Check out the SchootTV site at this link. https://flinders.vic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter

The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Allowance (CSEF) is available to Parents/Guardians who hold a Health Care Card or Pension Card. The CSEF allowance is to assist eligible families to cover the costs of curriculum based school trips, camps and sporting activities that may occur over the year at the College. For more information and application form, please visit our website.https://www.flinders.vic.edu.au/our-col…/finance-office/csef

Student ID Cards will be arriving in 1-2 weeks.  These cards are used for book borrowing and photocopying in the Library and swiping on and off the school bus for the morning and afternoon bus runs.  Students need to keep these cards until next years’ cards are distributed (usually late February/early March 2021)
 
You will notice that the new cards have the PTV (Public Transport Victoria) logo on the card.  Students can now use this as proof of entitlement to access concession fares or to buy a student pass.  Students are no longer required to apply and pay for the PTV School Student ID card through PTV (usually $9).   Students need to carry this card with them whenever travelling on public transport.

If a student loses their card they can order and pay for a replacement card through the Business Office - $7.50

“Inspired by David Toovey, Nick’s son who has lived and worked in Rwanda for eight years, Nick is planning...... “

“Our Missions coordinator, Nick Toovey is organising an adventure/cultural trip to Rwanda, east Africa( where Nick’s son David lives and works) for former Flinders students, staff and parents during the first two weeks of January next year.
This private two-week trip will be organised through the Kigali Genocide Memorial (KGM) which runs trips like this for school, tertiary and government groups around the world. The story of Rwanda’s determination not to be defined by its tragic past is a story of forgiveness, reconciliation and recovery which they collectively call ‘kwibuka’. Nick believes this country has much to teach us all about resilience, renewal and respect for each other. The wildlife and wild lands are also special features of this beautiful, peaceful country which has the second fastest growing economy in Africa.
Nick is calling for expressions of interest from staff members, parents and former students who would like to know more about this unique opportunity. Nick can be contacted by email at nick.toovey@flinders.vic.edu.au or mobile 0447244909 for the detailed itinerary and further information about the trip. An information evening will be held early in term one when numbers need to be confirmed for flights and accommodation bookings at the Akagera National Park etc."

Trapaing Pheas

From 2020 onwards, for three years, we will be supporting Trapaing Pheas, one of the schools in the Kaun Kleng cluster (above) to rebuild. We will also be supporting the community around the school o gain access to clean water and toilets. Trapaing has around 70 students at the school and we would like to provide 70 ‘Back to School’ packs for the students in November 2020, as they will just be returning to school after their summer holidays. The students will not have basic supplies such as pens and pencils, and we would like to be able to give every student a pencil case containing essentials for their year ahead.

Can you donate a backpack and/ or a pencil case with the following inside;
5 biro pens
5 plain grey lead pencils
5 – 10 coloured pencils
An eraser
A safe pair of scissors
A sharpener
Coloured textas
A compass
A ruler
Any other geometry shapes
An old calculator
Anything else that might be useful for a new school year
Please bring donations to the school office or straight to D16 in the Senior School.

Many thanks
“Bringing Hope and Purpose to the people of Cambodia”

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
Proverbs 4:13
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 

This year we are aiming to fill another 50 Maternity Bags for new mums and bubs. The people that received the bags last year were super impressed with all of your kind donations.

With your Home Room/ Mentor group/ friends – fill a bag! Each bag should contain:

Baby Wipes
Sudocrem/ nappy rash cream New female knickers – (size 8 or 10) x 3
Facewash
New born clothes
Cot sheet
Muslin cloth
Baby toy
Maternity Pads If you would like to accept this challenge – come and get a bag or bring any donated goods along to D16.

“Bringing hope and purpose to the people of Cambodia”

Sadly and reluctantly we have decided to postpone this year’s indigenous mission trip.
In mid-January we heard from YWAM that they were no longer able to accommodate us like last year. This came as quite a blow.
We investigated several other options, but at such short notice, they were not considered appropriate did our students. Thank you to everyone for their support and prayers. We look forward to putting together a great mission trip to an indigenous community in 2021.
 
Nick Toovey/ Gaye Franklin