Learning to appreciate the gifts and blessings in our lives goes a long way to experiencing a sense of peace that bred hope into everyday existence. The time of Easter is one of those times that brings the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices and challenges that we face and celebrate the gift of new life, new beginnings, and a fresh way of viewing the world.

As Alfred Adler, the famous 20th Century Psychologist, said, “Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations.” The mindset, attitude, and goals we have for ourselves and who we understand ourselves to be play a big part in shaping our capacity to overcome challenges and celebrate the gifts that are given to our lives.

Despite the prevailing challenges that continued throughout Term 1, the Carrum Downs Campus has been blessed with many great achievements and educational outcomes worth celebrating. The launch of the new House system has been very successful through the work of our house leaders and the students who have embraced the opportunity to build community and lead from the front. With several successful carnivals already run, the points for the house cup are starting to develop, with the honour of being awarded the inaugural house champions still up for grabs.

After two years of interruptions, our camps program has started to take off for various year levels with more to come as we progress through the year. Multiple groups engaged in exciting opportunities to be exposed to new experiences and build deeper relationships with their peers and staff whilst stretching themselves beyond their comfort zone. A significant amount of gratitude needs to be extended to our team, as it is an outstanding effort and a symbol of dedication to our students.

Finally, we are grateful for our students and staff in the Joshua Centre, who have settled in well. With the playground complete, the students love their friendly and engaging environment. Students who previously feared the very concept of stepping onto a school site now couldn’t wait to get out of the car and join their friends on the learning journey. A blessing that is truly worth celebrating.

As we head into Term Two, may God’s blessing be upon you and your family as we continue to face the challenges together and celebrate the gifts given to us daily.

Cameron Pearce

Executive Principal 

Winter Uniform
Families are reminded that in Terms 2 and 3 students of all ages should be attired in winter uniform.

From Monday 9th May, we will be expecting every student to come to school according to our winter uniform regulations.

COVID Safety – Household Contacts
We are all pleased that students (and staff) who are household contacts of people who are COVID-positive no longer need to isolate at home and can continue to attend school.

However, parents of students who are household contacts still have the following obligations:
inform the school (cdreception@flinders.vic.edu.au) that your child is a household close contact;

• ensure your child wears a mask in all circumstances while at school during the 7 days after becoming a close contact;

• ensure your child takes a rapid antigen test (RAT) on at least 5 of the 7 days after becoming a close contact;

• report any positive RAT result to the school (cdreception@flinders.vic.edu.au).
  For further information, please refer to Household Contacts – Steps To Take.
  

NAPLAN Online (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9)

Between Tuesday 10th May - Friday 13th May, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be taking their NAPLAN tests online.

Students will be required to bring a basic calculator for the Numeracy test.  Note that CAS calculators are not allowed owing to their advanced features.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact @Daniel Stanley (families in Years 7 and 9) or @Gaye Franklin (families in Years 3 and 5).

Regards

Paul Manley - Deputy Principal

It is no understatement to say that Term 1 was busy. There was much to adjust to, and it is clear from both staff and student feedback that the change to the new House system has started well. To suggest that we have already accomplished all that we want to in this new structure is a bit like assuming that on a drive from Melbourne to Brisbane, once we get out of the Melbourne suburbs, we are ‘almost there’.

Much has been achieved already in the new House system; much is yet to be done. Wisdom will be needed to judge how quickly we can incorporate ongoing initiatives into our secondary school culture.

Anzac Day Service at Flinders

Last Thursday we started the day with our traditional ANZAC service in front of the Admin Building flagpole. Mr McLean gave an excellent keynote address and the students sat quietly and respectfully throughout. This was followed by a devotion in Tuesday morning’s Secondary assembly which looked at some little-known history of Australian commandos and Timorese villagers during the Second World War. We remembered in both the sacrifices of war without glorifying war itself. It is important that our students develop an appreciation for the freedoms we so often take for granted and, as such, these annual traditions are an important part of developing young men and women of faith and character at Flinders.

Blazers and Ties

Now that we are heading towards winter, we will have only the winter uniform being worn. Just some reminders regarding uniform:

• From next week winter uniform will be compulsory. This includes wearing a tie done up properly.

• PE uniform can only be work to school if you have PE in Period 1&2. Then you must get changed back into regular uniform. If you have PE in Period 3&4, you need to get changed either side of the class. If you have PE in Period 5&6 get changed at lunchtime then you may go home in your PE uniform.

Please note the reminder regarding the rules about multiple facial piercings, in particular.

This week has been focused on parent, student, teacher interviews. There have been many productive discussions aimed at giving valuable feedback as well as providing opportunity for some mid-semester adjustments where necessary.

Please note that communication between home and school is not restricted to these formal interviews. If there is an issue which needs to be addressed, make sure that the relevant staff member is made aware of it.

If it is a pastoral issue, get in touch with the relevant House Mentor in the first instance.
If it is primarily subject related, then contact the teacher in charge of the class.
When a situation cannot be resolved then it is appropriate to contact a Head of House or Head of Faculty.

We will always do our best to sort things out when they are brought to our attention.

Next week is NAPLAN week for our Year 7 and 9 students, who didn’t get the opportunity to do their Year 5 and 7 NAPLANs two years ago because of COVID. Things have also changed in the meantime with NAPLAN going online and with adaptive tests being the new norm. It will be terrific to see the students applying themselves in this online test space as educational assessment continues to wrestle with 21st technology adaptations and opportunities.

Student Leadership Training

I am currently planning an after-school training session for the Year 7-10 House Leaders. Given that there are 32 students in this group (8 in each House and year level) I am going to run the same session twice – on Wednesday May 18th and Thursday May 19th from 3.45 – 5.45pm Students will have a choice of which of the two evenings they would like to attend. More information will be coming out next week.

Student Accountability

Students have been reminded that the tally of lunchtime detentions some accumulated during Term 1 has been ‘wiped away’ so that all students start afresh in Term 2.

As communicated with students, ‘At the start of this term, the lunchtime detention returned to zero – so everyone starts the term with a clean slate. This is not an excuse to fall into bad habits but an encouragement to start each term with a fresh attitude. Just a reminder – if you do not turn up, you have to do it the next day anyway and it counts as 2 detentions in the overall tally.’

Regards

Geoff Grace
Head of Secondary

Young keen Environmental Champions were at it again… 

This time picking up rubbish in their free time.  Once a term, we scout the grounds for any lose wayward rubbish and do OUR bit to make the school litter free.  We picked up a garbage bag full of rubbish along the school field fence line boundary in less than 1/2 an hour.  Students please don’t litter. Use a bin!!!

Dear Year 10 & Year 9 Families,

You are invited to attend the SENIOR Pathways EXPO Evening – Tuesday 17 May 2022

Year 10: 6pm - 8pm

The Expo is for students and their parents currently in Year 10 who are considering pathway options for Years 11 and 12 – VCE, VET, and VCAL. 

Please note, in the formal presentation for Year 10 families at 7.00 pm, we will be describing the key features of VCE, VET and VCAL and explaining the subject selection process, so attendance at this session needs to be a priority.

Year 9: 6pm - 7pm

We also encourage Year 9 students and parents to visit our subject booths between 6 to 7pm if your child is interested in doing an acceleration VCE subject and therefore starting their VCE program a year earlier. 

Please check the attached EXPO flyer for more information

Wendy Kincses
VCE Coordinator

Congratulations to Dex in Grade 5 for making the SSV Primary State Swimming Championships.
Dex came 5th overall in the State, competing in the 50m Butterfly. Particularly impressive was getting a new PB by nearly 2 seconds.
Flinders is proud of your hard work and dedication. 

The Primary School is holding a family picnic on Friday 13th May by the Rotunda  from  4.30pm until 5.45pm                

Following the Family Picnic the Drive-In Movie night featuring Sing 2 will commence at 6pm in the front car park.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic food, drink, rug and chairs or you may choose to support our P & F and buy some food on the night

The VCAL students along with the P & F will be holding a sausage sizzle.

We ask that you pre-purchase your sausages and drink prior to the event.
Payment for the sausages and drinks is to be made via Flinders Connect.

• Please click on My Account and choose Activities 
• Select the Activity CD Primary Picnic 2022
• Click on the 'Attending Button' and follow the prompts to pay.

Alternatively follow this link: Click for Link

Coffee, popcorn, glow products and a jumping castle will also be available on the night.

Friday 13 May 6.00pm. SING 2

Following the Family Picnic, the Drive-In Movie night featuring Sing 2 will commence at 6pm in the front car park. 

Tickets for this event are $30 per car and need to be purchased on Flinders Connect App Please click on My Account and choose Activities Select the Activity: CD 2022 Drive In Movie Night Click on the 'Attending Button' and follow the prompts to pay. 

Alternatively follow this link: https://connect.flinders.vic.e... There are only 100 tickets available, so please book your ticket early to avoid disappointment.

On Friday 13 May, Prep - Grade 6 students will take part in the Primary House Cross Country competition. This will be held at the Carrum Downs Campus and the Pines Flora and Fauna Park adjacent to the school.   

Prep – 2 students will run inside the school, while grade 3-6 will venture into the reserve. A team will be selected from the Gr 3 - 6 students, for the District Cross Country Competition that will be held on Monday 23 May, once again on the same course.

If you can assist on the day with course marshalling or recording, could you please email Georgina.chamberst@flinders.vic.edu.au. You will need a current Working with Children Check and to complete our Volunteer On-boarding induction which will be emailed to you, if not already completed.  

Any time volunteered for sporting events will count towards your Flinders Community Program fees.

Students can come to school in their PE uniforms for Cross Country and parents are more than welcome to come to cheer the runners.

The Flinders values award is presented to a student each chapel that really exemplifies one or more of our Flinders values. Congratulations to Noah and Alexandra for receiving a Flinders values award during this weeks Primary Chapel Service.

Noah received his award for displaying Integrity and Humility by always putting others needs first, making sure everyone is included and speaking words of encouragement.

Alexandra exemplified the value of perseverance by

giving tasks a go even when they are challenging.

SchoolPix will be visiting Kinder to take our annual photos.

Order forms will be distributed shortly. Please ensure children have the correct school uniform including rugby jumper and any hair accessories are burgundy.

Monday 9th May – 4yo Kinder Photo Day

Thursday 12th May – 3yo Kinder Photo Day

On Tuesday 3rd May 20222, at the SIS Swimming Division Championships, Flinders won the Senior Shield, U17 Girls Pennant and Open Girls Pennant to come overall Runner’s Up.  

This is an amazing achievement and a credit to our students dedication and commitment to the College. A special mention to Tyabb Holly W for breaking the U17 SIS 50m freestyle record 29.21.

Each of our combined campus teams in the medley relays finished either 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Carrum Downs winners of their events include: Teale W, Shannon N, Maddi H, Mia F, 1st Alex K, Emma F and Harry C. 

It was truly an amazing effort by our entire squad of swimmers, congratulations to all swimmers at a very competitive level. Several swimmers have been invited to compete at VSAC on May 9th 2022.

If you missed the Great Victorian Bike Ride Information night, please contact shay.cosgrave@flinders.vic.edu.au to register your interest.

On Tuesday, the 17th May 2022 all secondary students from both campuses will be participating in our annual compulsory combined campus Cross Country event. This event will take place at Flinders College Carrum Downs and Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve and from this day, our Inter-school Sports runners will be selected for further competition. Students will attend normal classes in periods 1,2, 5 & 6.  

Medals will be awarded to first, second and third place per age group (U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 & U21). If any student is unable to participate during this event, yet would like to be considered for our Interschool Team, please contact Mrs. Shay Cosgrave on 0488713200 or shay.cosgrave@flinders.vic.edu.au . 

Have a go Performance night.

For more information please click on the button below.

All Welcome

The next P & F meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 24 May in the Staff Dining Room. All are welcome.

For further information please email Marianne.morgan@flinders.vic.edu.au

Every Mum deserves more!!!

This Mother’s Day you can make sure she gets it with an Entertainment Membership and a fantastic BONUS eGift Card.

Support Flinders Christian Community College - Carrum Downs
and purchase your Entertainment Membership from us today!! 
Here

As Flinders anticipates its 40th anniversary in 2023, the college has commissioned Mrs Valerie Mason and Mrs Jeanette Woods to write the history of the school. 

If you, or someone you know, would like to participate by responding to a questionnaire or by writing about some experiences at Flinders, please reply to the following email address with your name, contact details and your role in the school (student, staff, parent or other). Responses within a week or two would be most helpful 

Vanessa.Macdonald@flinders.vic.edu.au

Or complete our Survey below by clicking on the link:

Research Survey

We look forward to hearing from you!