In our school community we often speak about kindness, fairness, and performing at our best. Yet the Christian understanding of grace invites us to go further: beyond fairness and into a deeper way of living shaped by generosity, mercy and love that cannot be earned.

A powerful illustration of this is found in Gospel of Matthew 20:1–16. In this parable, Jesus tells of workers hired at different times throughout the day, yet all receiving the same wage. Those who laboured from early morning expected more, and their frustration is understandable. By everyday standards, the outcome seems unfair. However, this is precisely the point Jesus is making. God’s kingdom does not operate according to human ideas of fairness or reward, but according to grace. The vineyard owner’s question “Are you envious because I am generous?” invites us to reflect on how we respond to God’s goodness toward others.

The concept of grace, from the Latin gratia meaning favour or goodwill , lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It reminds us that God’s love is given freely, not earned through effort or achievement. This truth is echoed in First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:10, where Paul writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” These words point us toward humility and gratitude, encouraging us to recognise that all we have and all we are comes from God’s generous hand.

Within a school environment, this message is especially meaningful. It is natural for young people to compare themselves with others, whether in academic results, talents or friendships. Yet the parable challenges this tendency. It calls us to move away from comparison and toward celebration, to recognise the value of each individual, and to trust that God’s generosity extends equally to all. When we embrace this perspective, we begin to reflect the heart of Christ in our relationships and our daily interactions.

Living with a “graceful perspective” means choosing kindness even when it is not expected, offering encouragement rather than competition, and remaining thankful for what we have been given. It means trusting that God is at work in every person’s life, even when the outcomes look different from our own. As the parable reminds us, “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” This is a powerful reversal that places humility and generosity at the centre of faith.

As a community, we are encouraged not only to understand grace but to live it out each day. In classrooms, on the playground, and at home, grace can be seen in patience, forgiveness, and quiet acts of compassion. It is in these small, consistent choices that the light of Christ becomes visible.

May our school continue to be a place where grace is not only taught, but truly lived – shaping hearts, guiding actions, and drawing us closer to one another.

Karen Bryant

Deputy Head of Secondary, Teaching and Learning

The Grade Five students had an unforgettable day at Moonlit Sanctuary, immersing themselves in the fascinating world of animal adaptations. From encountering the curious blue-tongue lizard to meeting the ever-popular, cuddly koala, the day was filled with excitement. The haunting howls of the dingoes added to the experience, giving students an insight into how these intelligent animals communicate and thrive in the wild.

One of the standout highlights was the Tasmanian Devil, whose powerful build and sharp teeth fascinated the students. Learning about this small but mighty marsupial and its impressive ability to survive as a skilled scavenger left a lasting impression on everyone.

Another memorable experience was the opportunity to feed the wallabies, much to the delight of the students. Getting up close to these gentle animals brought their learning to life and created many joyful moments.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Walters for their invaluable assistance throughout the day. The Grade Fives truly cherished their time at Moonlit Sanctuary and will remember it for years to come.

Helen Smith and Jade Pearson

Grade 5 Team

Year 7’s headed off to Mill Valley Ranch for Camps Week 2026. We were blessed with a truly wonderful camp experience – from perfect weather, delicious food and comfy accommodation to endless activities to keep everyone busy! Horse Riding, Canoeing and Raft Building were among the favourites, with many students rising to the challenge. We also enjoyed time attending a Trivia Night, Cowboy Chapel and going on a Night Hike.

A big thank you to all the amazing staff from both Flinders and Mill Valley who worked with our students to create some wonderful memories!

We would like to make special mention of Tiaasha M, who did an incredible job performing the National Anthem as a soloist at the recent SIS Swimming Carnival. What a special moment to see one of our talented singers represent the Campus so beautifully and showcase her gifts at such a significant sporting event. We are very proud of Tiaasha and the way she represented our community.

Our Year 8 students were given a special opportunity on Monday 27th April to have Dr Hayden Dalton from the University of Melbourne visit us. Hayden spoke to our students about all things Geoscience including; volcanoes, tectonic plates, rocks and crystals. Many students also showed great interest in hearing of Hayden's experiences and career pathway, he was blown away by the amount of questions our students posed to him!

The students were also had the opportunity to view incredibly thin slices of rock through a special microscope lens to see how crystals form inside igneous and metamorphic rocks. So much was learnt and it was great having new resources available with an expert in the field present.

Attached are some snaps of the students engaging with the samples and unique microscopes.

We had LOTE Day last week in the secondary school where our Lote team put together a wonderful day for our students full of food, music and games!

Flinders VCE Music students recently had the exciting opportunity to attend the Top Class Regional Concert, an inspiring event that showcases outstanding VCE Music Performance students from across the state. This concert features high-achieving performers who have excelled in their VCE assessments in 2025, offering current students a valuable glimpse into the level of artistry, preparation, and musical insight required to succeed.


The Top Class Regional Concert is designed to celebrate excellence while also serving as an educational experience. By watching these performances, our students gained a clearer understanding of what distinguishes a top-level Performance Assessment. They are able to observe program structure, stage presence, technical command, and expressive communication, all essential components of the VCE Music Performance assessment.

For our VCE Music students, the benefits of attending this concert are significant. Seeing real examples of high-scoring performances helps demystify assessment expectations and provides concrete benchmarks to aim for in their own practice. It also deepens their understanding of how to interpret repertoire, engage an audience, and present themselves confidently in a performance setting. Many students were inspired and motivated by the Concert, with new ideas they can apply directly to their own programs.

At Flinders, the Music program places a strong emphasis on supporting VCE students through rich and meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. Attending events like the Top Class Regional Concert is a key part of this approach, ensuring students are not only well-prepared for their assessments but also connected to the broader musical community. These experiences reinforce our commitment to nurturing confident, informed, and expressive young musicians.

Adam Carson
Head of Performing Arts

We finished Term 1 with some fantastic opportunities for our students beyond the farm.

A highlight was the Environmental Summits. Ten primary students from Years 4 to 6 attended with me, including our environmental leaders and students who applied for the role.

Our secondary group was a small team of Year 7 and 8 students who also applied and are keen to lead sustainability projects across the school. They attended with Gayle Dodge—thank you, Gayle, for your support.

Students loved the day and took part in activities run by Mornington Peninsula Shire and CERES, building ideas and skills to become sustainability leaders in their communities. We are looking forward to building on this learning back at school.

As we begin Term 2, we have been wrapping up some of our late summer crops. Students have enjoyed harvesting and sampling produce including corn, pumpkins, carrots, cucumbers, parsley and lemons—definitely a highlight!

We are now shifting our focus to the next season, with students:

• planning our winter crops
• preparing garden beds
• learning more about soil and how it supports plant growth
  
  

We have also been lucky to spot native blue banded bees in the garden. They are very shy, but it has been exciting for students to observe them and learn about their important role in pollination.

We are now getting ready for lambing season, with our expectant ewes due in the next three weeks. Students are already very excited about the arrival of new lambs and the opportunity to learn more about animal care during this special time.

It has been fantastic to see students so engaged and enthusiastic in their learning.

Whether we are caring for our animals, working in the garden or supporting one another, we are reminded of the importance of doing everything with care and compassion:

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

Siobhan Morris

South Australia Sheep Expo (SASE) brings together over 100 aspiring young participants interested in the sheep industry. Students spend several days learning from industry representatives about careers, emerging technologies, and initiatives within the sheep sector.

Eight students from Flinders Christian Community College participated in the Expo over the Easter holiday break. The following students demonstrated outstanding participation and were recognised with awards:

Logan S – Merit Award for Intermediate Judging overall, as well as Third Place in the Intermediate Group 1 Handling Class

Tillie K – Merit Award for Overall Junior Judging

Ella J – First Place in the Intermediate Group Class

Jasmine D – Second Place Overall in Junior Handling

Sophie I – Third Place in the Junior Handling Class

Harrison D – Merit Award in the Junior Handling Class, as well as Overall Junior Champion (the highest‑scoring junior, competing against 40 students over three days)

Taylor K – Jamestown Show Scholarship Recipient. Taylor will work with the Jamestown Show Committee, gaining behind‑the‑scenes experience alongside event organisers.

A special mention goes to past student Nerissa James (Graduating Class of 2023), who was awarded Overall Senior Competitor, including a trip to New Zealand.

Logan S – “Recently, I had the opportunity to attend SASE, where I competed in the intermediate age group against over 50 competitors. One of my favourite classes was junior judging, where we acted as judges and shared our opinions on the sheep. I achieved third place in junior handling and received a Merit Award in judging, which meant I placed in the top section of the class. I was extremely proud of this achievement, as it was my goal to place in one of the events.”

Sophie I – “The SASE is like being in a different world. We learn so much about the agricultural industry. This year, my dad and I drove to South Australia and stayed the night before the Expo. At the show, the sheep I handled was a Polled Dorset, and I named her Spike, she was very cute. At the Expo, the judges assess how you behave and handle your sheep rather than judging the sheep themselves. In my class, I placed third, and I am so proud of myself for that achievement. Attending SASE was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Everyone who went performed so well, and we even made a few new friends. It can be overwhelming at times, but with the right support, you get through it.”

Harrison D – “I was fortunate enough to attend the 2026 SASE, where we participated in many classes, including ram buying and selling and wool fleece judging. Overall, my favourite class was junior judging, where we were assessed on how we judged the sheep. At the conclusion of the Expo, I was awarded Overall Highest Achiever in the Junior Age Group, winning a trophy, a ticket to the Adelaide Show, and free entry to the 2027 SASE!”

Hello! I am one of your three 2026 Sports Captains, Maddy E. I have been part of the Flinders community since Year 7, and throughout this time I have proudly represented the College in a range of sports. I have been fortunate enough to have many inspiring role models at school, and now, as Sports Captain, I hope to be someone others can look up to as well.

I have been sailing since the age of six and have spent the past five years coaching and volunteering at Mornington Yacht Club. Coming up this year in August, I am off to Sweden to represent Australia in the world championships, which I am incredibly excited about and so grateful for the opportunity. I have also played basketball with my friends on a Flinders team since Year 7. This year, I encourage everyone to get involved in SIS and lunchtime sports, as they provide a fun and active break between classes and a great opportunity to connect with others.

SIS Division A Swimming

On Monday 27th April, our swimmers competed in the SIS Division A Swimming Carnival at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), and what an outstanding day it was.

We are incredibly proud of all our students who represented the school with determination, teamwork, and great sportsmanship throughout the competition. The atmosphere at MSAC was electric, and our swimmers rose to the challenge, giving their all in every race.

Their hard work and commitment paid off with some fantastic results, including Pennant wins in the following events:

• Under 15 Boys Pennant
  
• Under 16 Boys Pennant
• Open Boys Pennant
  

These exceptional performances contributed to a brilliant 2nd Place Overall finish - a tremendous achievement at such a high level of competition.

Congratulations to all swimmers involved for their effort, resilience, and team spirit. You should be extremely proud of what you achieved, and so should our entire school community.

Basketball

A massive congratulations to Ava, Ziva, Meia and Amelia our U17 representatives placing 4th overall, after a super intense day of 3v3 games held on the 29th
of April.

Congratulations to our cross campus U15 Basketball players who participated in the final’s day of the 3xCup Championships at the State Basketball Centre on Tues 28th April. This is an extremely tough competition, but this new concept allows players to manage their own sub rotations and play matches without direct coaching during game time. Well done to the Div 1 girls who are your 2026 Champions! Well done to all involved.

SIS sport starting this week:
Snr Volleyball
Jnr Netball
Jnr Soccer
Inter G AFL
Inter B Volleyball

MVPs from SIS last term
Senior Girls Soccer - Sunday M

Senior Girls Basketball - Emmerson A

Senior Boys Indoor Cricket - Henry R

Inter Girls Volleyball - Sienna H

Inter Boys Outdoor Cricket - Matthew D

After School Netball

Commencing this Friday 1st May, at Frankson and District Netball Associations. This season we will be represented by teams from both campuses from Yr 5 - 12 and extend a huge thank you to our volunteer parent coaches and team managers for your help with enabling this program to run

Over the school holidays, 12 students proudly represented the College at the Interschools State Championships, achieving outstanding success across a range of events and divisions.

We are thrilled to celebrate the following students who were crowned State Champions in their respective categories:

• Thomas H – Senior Preliminary
  
  
• Liza S – Intermediate Novice
  
  
• Stevie M – Primary Combined Training
  
  
• Louis S – All Abilities

These achievements are a wonderful reflection of the dedication, perseverance, and passion shown by our students both in and out of competition. Congratulations also to all 12 students who competed and represented Flinders so well throughout the Championships.

We are incredibly proud of each of you and look forward to celebrating your continued success.

In January this year Caitlin was selected into the U16 Girls Victorian team to compete at the National Championships in Perth, WA finishing in 5th place overall. Most recently Caitlin has been selected for her second state team for the year in 2026 where she will represent school sport Victoria at the U18 National Championships Blacktown International Sports Park, NSW, 24th-29th May. What an incredible year you are having. Congratulations Caitlin, we are
all so proud.

In the final week of Term 1, the four-year-old kindergarten children warmly welcomed their grandparents and special visitors to Kinder@Flinders for a meaningful and much-anticipated celebration. Following weeks of thoughtful preparation, designing invitations and creating special VIP lanyards, the children eagerly awaited the arrival of their guests.

The morning provided a valuable opportunity for children to proudly showcase their learning and experiences at kindergarten so far. Through shared activities, conversations, and guided play experiences, children demonstrated growing confidence, communication skills, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging within the learning environment.

The shared morning tea further supported social connection, encouraging children to engage respectfully and confidently with their visitors.

This special experience not only strengthened relationships between children, families, and the wider community, but also reinforced the importance of continuity between home and kindergarten learning. By inviting families and significant people into the program, children experienced their learning as valued and meaningful, enhancing their sense of identity and wellbeing

Our Executive Principal, Mr Cameron Pearce, visted our K3's to present each student with a drink bottle!

During the first week of Term 2, our Tyabb Campus community gathered for a meaningful and reflective ANZAC Service, taking time to honour and remember the courage, sacrifice and service of those who have served, and continue to serve, our nation.

Students and staff came together in a respectful time of remembrance, reflecting on the significance of ANZAC Day and the values of courage, sacrifice, service and unity.

We were privileged to welcome our guest speaker, Captain Ben Esler, whose address provided valuable insight into leadership, service and character. We also extend our sincere thanks to Petty Officer Cameron McAllister for his moving bugle performance, which added a powerful and reflective element to the service.

We are grateful for the opportunity to gather as a College community to pause, reflect and honour those who have served our country.

Lest we forget.