There are two stories, separated by two millennia, my family remember each year on Easter and ANZAC Day. They’re important lest we forget the sacrifice that unites us to them.

Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey are celebrated for carrying wounded soldiers through the infamous carnage of Shrapnel Valley at Gallipoli in 1914. Despite the impossible terrain and facing certain death, selfless courage led Simpson to repeatedly risk his life on that terrible battlefield in service of his friends.

This celebrated Australian story echoes another profound narrative from ancient times: Jesus of Nazareth, who selects a humble donkey to ride into Jerusalem. This act, laden with symbolic meaning, heralded His mission: to lay down his life for mankind.

It is said that as Simpson came home from the day’s battle on May 19, with a wounded soldier on his donkey, a bullet rang out and pierced his heart. He was just 22. He died and is buried at Hells Spit, Anzac Cove.

Jesus of Nazareth was betrayed, beaten, humiliated and crucified, and later buried in a tomb. How is it that a cult inspired by the execution of this obscure criminal in a long-vanished empire comes to exercise such a transformative and enduring influence on the world today?i Why place the crucifix at the centre of our churches, at the centre of our towns and cities for two millennia?

Because something remarkable, unbelievable happened the third day after Jesus was buried.
…

He rose from this tomb, walked, ate and appeared to hundreds of people! And we’re still trying to figure out exactly what this means in all its fullness today.

I encourage you to re-member these stories each year, tell them to your children. May they inspire us, bring hope, meaning, purpose and flourishing

John 15:13

Luke Swain

Head of Campus

Dear Flinders Families,

We are excited to announce that as a Flinders Community we will be running the ALPHA program. This is an opportunity where we invite families who are interested in exploring questions of life from a Christian perspective to be a part of this program.

Why ALPHA?

If your children have been coming home from school with questions about faith or God, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other Flinders families who may have similar questions or are seeking to understand more about the Christian faith.

If you have your own questions about faith or may be seeking to know more about Jesus, this is also the perfect place to ask tough questions and discuss them in a small group and safe environment.

What is ALPHA?

ALPHA is a short course over a 12-week period, that explores the big questions of life and faith and unpacks the basics of Christian belief. It addresses questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?”, and “How does God guide us?”. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment.

The program includes watching a video together that breaks down a certain topic or question, breaking into small groups to discuss questions, and over some yummy treats and snacks.

When will this happen?

There is no cost to this program. It will commence in the middle of Term 2, at our Tyabb Campus, and include catering. Each session in the program will go for approximately 90 minutes and will be led by our chaplaincy team. Further information will be provided to interested families shortly.

Please register your interest here: https://forms.office.com/r/iJe1SyeGZZ

If you would like to know more about the ALPHA course, please visit their website HERE.

We look forward to seeing you there and embarking on this journey together!

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Dear Flinders Families,

This is a friendly reminder that students are expected to wear their full Winter Uniform starting Monday, 5 May. Please ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for the season.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hello Flinders Families

Please see the below upcoming events from facilitated by our Parents and Friends Association.

Maroon and Gold Ball, Year 11 Student - Saturday May 3rd

Mother's Day Stall - Thursday May 8th

Mother's Day Breakfast - Friday May 9th

Primary Disco - Friday May 30th

The Flinders CCC Tyabb community gathered on Thursday 24th April to commemorate Anzac Day. This day honours the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought bravely at Gallipoli and in subsequent conflicts. Anzac Day also acknowledges the contributions of all service men and women in various missions worldwide, reflecting the values of bravery, mateship, and perseverance that define our national character. Our school proudly upholds these values through trips to significant historical sites, including the Kokoda Track and the Western Front, enriching our understanding of the sacrifices made.

In a heartfelt community and God centered ANZAC service, students, staff, families and guests gathered to commemorate on the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The event was graced by Lieutenant Commander Claire Baldwin, who delivered an inspiring speech, and the Flinders Federal MP representative, Unity Paterson. Numerous students participated, contributing through speech, song, prayer, and reflection, embodying the true ANZAC spirit. The service was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those before us, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and unity within the school community. Special thanks to students who gave their time, insight, and respectful contributions: Ella M, Jackson S, Ebony P, Annie S, Connor M, Mikayla B, Jaggar E, Adalita D H, Bethany I, Bodhi R, Caleb W, Torsha M, James R, Matilda H, James B (CD), and James D.

Mr Justin Gillett

We are delighted to announce that our recent House Cross Country event was a fantastic success! Students from all secondary year levels participated with enthusiasm, showcasing their determination and team spirit.

Congratulations to all the students who competed. Your hard work and dedication were truly inspiring. Whether you finished first or simply gave it your best effort, you made the event memorable.

A big thank you to the teachers, staff, and volunteers who helped during the event. Your support ensured everything ran smoothly.

Well done to everyone for making the House Cross Country a wonderful event. Keep up the great work!

It’s been a huge week of 3x3 Cup finals for Flinders, with outstanding performances across all age divisions.

In the U20s division, our girls showed incredible determination, pushing hard to qualify for the quarter finals in a tough competition.

The U17s competition day saw Flinders represented by three teams — two in the boys' divisions and one in the girls' division. All teams gave it their all, with our Division 1 boys team finishing as champions!

In the U15s division, Flinders fielded four teams — two boys and two girls teams. Every team fought hard throughout the day, and we’re proud to share that our Division 1 girls team were crowned champions, while our Division 1 boys finished as runners-up.

We are incredibly proud of all our Flinders students for their effort, sportsmanship, and achievements. Well done to all involved!

The FDNA After School Netball season will commence from Friday, 8th May.

Any families/students involved in this program MUST check their emails regarding more information about teams, dates, uniform etc.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the Southern Independent Schools (SIS) at the upcoming VSAC competition on Monday, 12th May:

Hunter B
Lilly Mae S-E
Oscar B
Karen J
Darcy L
Harry C

This is an incredible achievement, and we wish them all the best as they compete at this prestigious event.

Congratulations to all Tyabb and Carrum Downs students who represented Flinders Christian Community College at the SIS Division A Swimming Carnival! We were incredibly impressed by your determination, effort, and positive spirit throughout the day.

Your hard work and commitment paid off, with Flinders proudly finishing as overall runners-up for the day — a fantastic achievement!

A special congratulations goes to the students who contributed to winning the U14 and Open Male flags.

Well done to everyone involved — we are so proud of you!

Congratulations to Seb, Oliver, Bodhi, and Jackson on their performance at RAWKUS LIVE on Sunday 27th April at the Balnarring Bowls & Social Club. The boy’s band, JOBS, performed a 45-minute set of cover and original songs to family, friends, local young musicians and professional musicians, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The boys performed alongside other local talent including The Rest is History, The Masons, and Kye Arnot.

RAWKUS LIVE is a series of live music shows around Melbourne featuring young emerging artists and performers aimed at developing performance skills & experience, creating musical networks, community connections and providing a positive supportive outlet for creativity and expression.

RAWKUS LIVE also delivers hands on experience for teenagers interested in the technical aspects of music such as lighting, sound and stage management through partnership with local FreeZa committees, local Councils and Shires.

The program, directed by Alan Long, is an initiative led by Rock Academy Australia which has been running it’s Mornington Peninsula based holiday programs at Flinders Christian Community College. Flinders Music are a strong supporter of Rock Academy and its valuable contributions towards supporting youth in the Music Industry.

If your child is interested in getting involved in Rock Academy or RAWKUS LIVE please visit their websites.

https://rawkuslive.com.au
https://therockacademy.com.au

On Wednesday the 23rd of April VCE Year 11 and 12 Music students attended the Top Class Regional Concert at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.

The Top Class Concert is an annual performance run by the VCAA Curriculum Manager for the Performing Arts that features incredible young students from across Victoria, who excelled in their VCE and VCE VET Music performance examinations and composition tasks. The concerts allowed students to see the performance level required to obtain high marks in their end of year Unit 4 Performance Assessment.

After the main Concert the students were offered the rare opportunity to ask the performers and VCE Curriculum expert questions in relation to the creative process and experience in preparing for and undertaking the 2024 VCE examinations. This Q&A session, only provided at the Regional Concert, provided students with a deeper understanding of key concepts such as performance anxiety, instrumental practice, stylistic conventions, developing instrumental technique, process of selecting repertoire, coordination in ensemble settings, stage presence, and how to fulfill the assessment criteria.

Students are now utilising what they have learnt to assist in extending their skills and strengthen their process in undertaking their 2025 VCE examinations.

Adam Carson
Head of Performing Arts

The Year 7 Concert Band Program is really taking shape this term and we look forward to performing at the Mornington Winter Music Festival on June 8th!

Students are showing dedication and skill during the weekly tutorial and ensemble sessions with our wonderful talented instrumental music staff.

Flinders Music strives to bring out the best in each student on their chosen instrument and highlights students success each week through the “Musician of the Week” awards.

Attributes such as listening, practice, focus, and musical progression are part of this learning process and moving forward to becoming competent musicians!

Congratulations to Stella B (trumpet) and Michael D (flute) on receiving the “Musician of the Week” awards during the first two weeks of term 2.

Yours musically,
Mrs Annette Yates
Year 7 Music Staff

Our Head of Campus, Mr Swain, joined the students from JC for a delightful play session with their favourite toys and fidgets. The students were thrilled to share their toys and enjoyed some quality time with Mr Swain, who brought a lot of joy and laughter to the session.

Our students had a wonderful time creating "Friendship Rocks" with their buddies. This activity was not only fun but also a great way for students to bond and express their creativity. Each student painted a rock with unique designs and messages of friendship, which will be displayed around the school to spread positivity and joy.

Students from JCA participated in a lively show and tell session, showcasing their favourite items and sharing interesting stories with their classmates.

One of our students proudly showed off a big smile after losing a tooth, adding an extra touch of excitement to the day.

Dear Flinders Families,
We have noticed an increasing number of vehicles using the JC parking spaces for drop-offs or general parking in the Boes Rd Carpark. These spaces are designated strictly for JC families and external therapists to ensure smooth access throughout the day.
We kindly ask that all secondary families use the designated drive-through drop-off area or unmarked parking bays rather than JC parking spots. To improve visibility, we will be updating signage and monitoring the area more closely.
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping these spaces available for our JC families who need them most.
Thank you for your support.

Our Four-year-old kindergarten children were so excited to welcome their grandparents and special visitors to kinder at the end of term 1. The children spent the term applying their developing literacy skills to create invitations for their visitors, along with VIP lanyards to be gifted on the day. The children were thrilled to show their visitors around their learning spaces, engaged them in lots of activities and shared a very delicious morning tea together. This was a fantastic day to make memories and connect with our families. Please see photos attached from this wonderful event.

The Year 12 Business Management and Food Studies classes recently participated in a joint excursion to explore real-world applications of their coursework. The day began with a visit to the CDS Dandenong Recycling Plant, where students observed how artificial intelligence is used to identify and sort recyclable materials with precision and efficiency. This was followed by a tour of the Yakult Factory, offering valuable insights into operations management and the production process of the probiotic Yakult drink. The excursion concluded at the vibrant Dandenong Market, where students engaged in a multicultural food tasting experience. Highlights included Indian falafel, Chinese fried shrimp and chicken dumplings, sugarcane juice, applewood smoked cheddar cheese, capocollo, and locally sourced honey. It was a dynamic and enriching day filled with hands-on learning and cultural exploration.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire Arts and Culture team are excited to share a fantastic opportunity with our students and school community!

The opportunity is open to students—and adults are welcome to enter too! The Awards aim to encourage and support Mornington Peninsula writers of all abilities, celebrate our diverse talent, and showcase local stories and voices.

Text to share:
📚 Do you have a story to tell? Entries are open for the 5th annual Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards!

We're calling on local writers aged 8 and up — of all abilities — to share their voices. Let’s celebrate our diverse talent and showcase the stories that make our community come alive.

🎉 Prizes up to $1,000 + book vouchers + an artist residency + your story published in Mornington Peninsula Magazine! @mornpenmag

👉 Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards 2025 - Mornington Peninsula Shire

TERM 1

- Labor Day Public Holiday: Monday 10 March

- Last Day of Term 1: Friday 4 April

TERM 2

- Easter Monday Public Holiday: Monday 21 April

- First Day of Term 2: Wednesday 23 April

- ANZAC Day: Friday 25 April

- Year 7 & 10 Immunisations: Monday 28 April

- Secondary House Cross Country: Thursday 1 May

- Parent Student Teacher Interviews: From Monday 5 May to Thursday 8 May

- Kings Birthday Public Holiday: Monday 9 June

- Secondary Exams (Yr 10 & 11): From Friday 20 June to Thursday 26 June

- Student Free Day: Friday 27 June

- Last Day if Term 2: Friday 4 July

Dear Flinders Families

Applications are now open for Year 2026, 2027, and beyond. Interviews for Year 7, 2027 will begin shortly.

We encourage families to submit their applications as soon as possible, as many year levels currently have waiting lists. While siblings are given priority, places are not guaranteed. To lodge an application, please visit our website.

Please note: current families are not required to submit a new application form for the transition from Kinder to Primary School or from Primary to Secondary School.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au—we’re happy to assist!