Welcome Back, Flinders Community!

As we embark on a new school year, it is with great joy and anticipation that we welcome our students and families back to Flinders Christian Community College. The beginning of the academic year is always a time filled with excitement, new opportunities, and the promise of growth and discovery. At Flinders, we embrace this spirit wholeheartedly as we embark on another chapter of our journey together.

At Flinders, we are not just a school; we are a community bound together by our shared values and our commitment to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of each individual within our care. Central to our mission is the belief that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about fostering character, integrity, and compassion, so that students can flourish in life. It is about shaping young minds and hearts to become compassionate, empathetic, and socially responsible individuals who will make a positive difference in the world.

In pursuing this mission, we draw inspiration from the teachings of Christ and the rich tradition of Christian thought and wisdom. As C.S. Lewis once said, "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." At Flinders, we believe that true education must be rooted in a strong moral and spiritual foundation, guiding students to become not only intellectually curious but also morally upright individuals.

The Flinders Way is not just about academic excellence, although we strive for nothing less. It is about instilling in our students a love for learning, a passion for discovery, and a commitment to lifelong growth and development. It is about nurturing their talents and abilities, encouraging them to explore their interests and passions, and empowering them to reach their full potential.

As we embark on this new school year, let us remember the words of G.K. Chesterton, who said, "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." Let us embrace the opportunity we have been given to shape the future through the education of our children, instilling in them the values, principles, and beliefs that will guide them throughout their lives.

In the weeks and months ahead, let us work together as a community to support and encourage one another, to celebrate our achievements and milestones, and to face challenges with courage and resilience. Together, let us continue to uphold the values and principles that define The Flinders Way and to inspire future generations to follow in our footsteps.

May God bless each and every one of you as we embark on this new school year together. Welcome back to Flinders Christian Community College!

Our Primary children have all settled well as we complete our second week. Christmas holiday stories have been told, and students are engaging in the routine of term 1. We warmly welcome 33 new students to our Primary community.

A reminder that Prep – Grade 2 students are dismissed from their classrooms at 3.05pm and must be collected by either a parent, older sibling or a nominated adult. Grade 3 – Grade 6 students are dismissed at 3.15pm and are free to leave their classroom unaccompanied.

Friendzy
This year, our Primary students will be engaging with Friendzy, a social and emotional program where essential friendship skills are directly taught. Students will learn about Self Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Social Awareness and Relationship Skills. We are aiming for an even happier, kinder and more understanding Primary School

Fantastic Effort Sasha!
Sasha, Grade 4PB, decided a very long time ago that she wanted to donate her hair to make a wig for another child who had lost their hair to Cancer. Her reason was simple..."They need it more than I do Mum, I have lots and mine keeps growing. Maybe it will help them feel a little bit more normal while they are so sick".

In November last year Sasha started a fundraiser to go with her hair donation, and on 20th January she had her big hair cut. Her final fundraising amount was $2,760 which will also cover the cost of making a wig. Sasha's funds and gorgeous hair is going to Ella Wig Makers in NSW who make and donate their wigs to families with kids going through cancer treatment. We're very proud of you Sasha!!!

Swimming Carnival. Grade 3-6
We are pleased to run our Grade 3 – 6 swimming carnival on Friday 16 February. Parents are welcome to attend.
A notice has been sent out on the Flinders Connect App. Please ensure that you give consent for your child to attend.

Icy pole Fridays will be back on Friday 9 February
Beginning this Friday 9 February the P&F will again be selling icy poles for $1.00 for the remainder of Term 1. Primary parents are encouraged to pay on the community portal for the term in advance, but weekly orders will still be collected.

$8.00 will purchase weekly icy poles for the Term.
Payment can be made via the Flinders Connect App.

Please click on My Account and choose Activities
Select the Activity: CD 2024 Primary Icy pole orders Term 1
Click on the 'Attending Button' and follow the prompts to pay.

All Primary students that wish to purchase an icy pole and have not had their icy poles pre purchased on the portal are required to bring their money in a named envelope or bag on a Friday with the amount enclosed written on it. This will be collected from the classroom in the morning.

Icy poles will be brought down to the Primary homeroom classroom.

Primary Student Leaders
Our Grade 6 student leaders were introduced during last week’s first day assembly.
Congratulations to the following students:

Primary Captains: Jade Delos Santos and William McGregor
Primary SRC Leaders: Zoe Sissons and Thumelo Sumwanyambe
Cuthbert House: Sienna Bishop and Aarush Arun
Flynn House: Joey Wang and Imogen Lindley
Nicholls House: Jake Christie and Verity Pearce
Ten Boon House: Marley Chitimbire and Oleara Cattanach

Dear Flinders Families,

My name is Mr. Bodley, and I have the privilege of taking over from Mr. Grace as the Head of Secondary for Flinders Carrum Downs. I have spent my 17-year career in education at one school, serving as a school Chaplain, Teacher, Wellbeing Coordinator, Behaviour Systems Specialist, and Assistant Principal overseeing the portfolio of whole school Inclusion, Engagement, Wellbeing, and Year 9. I hope to use my experience to serve and lead the students, families, and staff of Flinders Christian Community College.

I have been a practicing Christian for 20 years and currently help run a small church in Langwarrin. I have a strong faith in Jesus, and I will be teaching both FLIP in year 7 and Religion and Society in year 10.

I hope this year is one of continued growth for both the students and the college, and I will seek to further implement a positive, student-focused culture, building on the fantastic processes and programs that exist in our college.

I have set myself a goal to meet as many parents/ carers and students as possible, so following our year theme of “Embracing Expectations,” myself and our new Head of Students, Shay Cosgrave, will be at the front of the school one morning a week to both welcome everyone and check for uniform standards. I encourage all students to follow our school’s policy regarding our beautiful uniform and I would welcome all students’ parents/ carers to come and say hello when you see me.

Upcoming Events. Important dates can be found HERE.

Several events are planned in Secondary during the first weeks of Term 1. You will receive additional relevant communication in the days and weeks ahead.

If you have any questions, I will do my best to assist you, and I encourage you to reach out to your child’s house mentors as a first point of contact.

I pray that this year is one of fun, learning, positive connections, and I look forward to partnering with you to see all our students achieve to their full potential.

Kind Regards,


Matthew Bodley
Head of Secondary

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr
Our Secondary School Production will take place at the Frankston Arts Centre on the 26 and 27 June this year Our Production Team have been very busy over the holidays organising sets, props, cars, and costumes to name but a few. Cast members will commence rehearsals on Monday 12 February in the Drama studio, D Block. This promises to be an amazing show.

Registration for 2024 Performing Arts Lessons
Thank you to those families that have already indicated which lessons you wish your child to receive in 2024. Due to an overwhelming response, our lessons are now fully booked. All further enquiries will now be placed on a waiting list. To express your interest please email diane.ohare@flinders.vic.edu.au

New Performing Arts Space
Our performing arts space in D Block has now been revamped to include a staged area and performance floor as well as a state-of-the-art Dance studio with a professional dance floor, tap boards, ballet barre and moveable mirror. Students will now be able to use this space during their private lessons as well as rehearsing for school productions. Once again, Dance lessons are fully booked but should you wish to join our waiting list, please email diane.ohare@flinders.viv.edu.au

April Holiday Performing Arts Workshop
To celebrate the launch of our 2024 Dance Program, we will be running a 3- day workshop showcasing varied genres of Dance. Watch this space for further details.

Diane O’Hare
Performing Arts Coordinator

Our combined campus carnivals are a time for students from both Carrum Downs and Tyabb campuses to come together to engage in healthy competition and work hard to earn points for their house! Please be reminded that the Combined Campus Secondary House Carnivals (Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country) are important and compulsory College events that all students are expected to attend. We thank you for supporting your Childs's attendance at these annual days which provide opportunities for all students to demonstrate their gifts and talents, and to support their peers, in a positive and healthy environment.

Please see below for our 2024 combined campus carnival dates.

Athletics Carnival
26 February

Cross Country
TBC

After our combined campus carnivals we are able to select our Interschool teams to represent the College at the Southern Independent School Division A carnivals for swimming, cross country and athletics. Students are selected based on their cross campus carnival results.

Please note the following dates for those students who are selected to represent the college at the Southern Independent School Division A carnivals :

Division A Swim Relay Carnival
Monday 25 March 2024 @ Pines Forest Aquatic Centre (Forest Drive, Frankston North, 3199)

Please note: students are able to register to compete at this following the School Swimming Carnival

Division A Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 23 April 2024 @ Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (30 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park, 3206)

Division A Cross Country
Tuesday 21 May 2024 @ Casey Fields (160 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne, 3977)

Division A Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 27 August 2024 @ Casey Fields (160 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne, 3977)

2024 SIS Weekly Sports
Southern Independent School (SIS) Weekly Sport is an opportunity for students to represent the college in a round robin competition of various sports. Our representative teams will play weekly in five competition rounds during the Terms 1-4 against various schools that are members of the SIS association. Age categories for SIS Weekly Sports are as follows;

Junior (Years 7 & 8)

Intermediate (Years 9 & 10)

Senior (Years 11 & 12)

Our Junior and Senior students play on a Thursday afternoon. Intermediate play on a Friday afternoon.

We are pleased to announce we will be offering the following sports for SIS Weekly Sport.

Term 1

Senior Girls Basketball

Senior Boys Soccer

Junior Girls AFL 9’s

Junior Boys AFL 9’s

Junior Mixed Triathlon

Intermediate Girls Volleyball

Intermediate Boys Netball

Intermediate Girls Handball

Intermediate Boys Handball

Term 2

Senior Girls Volleyball

Senior Boys AFL

Junior Girls Netball

Junior Boys Soccer

Junior Boys Volleyball

Intermediate Girls AFL

Term 3

Senior Boys Basketball

Senior Girls Netball

Junior Boys Netball

Junior Boys AFL

Junior Girls AFL

Intermediate Boys Soccer

Intermediate Girls Netball

Term 4

Junior Boys Basketball

Junior Girls Basketball

Junior Girls Volleyball

Intermediate Boys Basketball

Intermediate Girls Basketball

2024 T1 Swim Squad
Please find below details for our optional Swim Squad Program that runs annually in Terms 1 and 4 coached by elite swimmers. The purpose of the Flinders Swim Squad is to improve each student's competitive swimming performance at the Term 1 House Swimming Carnival in 2024 and to adequately prepare students for racing. Please note that this optional opportunity is not a learn to swim program, as students are expected to be able to swim competently for multiple laps of a 50m pool. The sessions will focus on preparing students for future competitions. There is a small cost of $60 for the sessions that is subsidised by the College.

Please RSVP your students' interest in this program via the Flinders Connect App or by emailing Emily Fellows (emily.fellows@flinders.vic.edu.au)

When: Friday mornings on the; 16/2, 23/2, 1/3, 8/3, 15/3, 22/3.

Time: 7:20am - 8:30am

Where: Pines Forest Aquatic Centre, Forest Drv, Frankston North

Transport: Families drop students off at the pool at 7:20am, College bus transports students to their respective campus.

Cost: $60.00 for the sessions.

Eligibility: Flinders Years 6-12 Students need to be capable of participating in a swim squad session (age appropriate). This is not designed for beginners, rather students to further improve their competitive swimming technique.

If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Chatfield Natalie.chatfield@flinders.vic.edu.au or Emily Fellows emily.fellows@flinders.vic.edu.au

2024 Junior Triathlon
We are excited to invite junior (Yr. 7&8) students to participate in a five session triathlon program during Periods 5&6 on Thursdays. This optional term 1 program provides students with the opportunity to develop their personal fitness, build resilience and grow in confidence. Training sessions include swimming, cycling and running. The College will provide bikes and helmets for the training sessions although students may bring their own bike and helmet if preferred. The program culminates in students choosing to participate in a triathlon, 2XU Fun Tri (300m/13km/3km) on Sunday 24th March 2024. Racing is also optional, details and cost of race can be found here. The program begins Thursday 15th February 2024 – email Mrs. Cosgrave shay.cosgrave@flinders.vic.edu.au if you would like to participate. It is a first in, first served sign up process.

Flinders After School Basketball
The after-school extracurricular Flinders Basketball Club teams across CD and TY campuses continue their summer season competition training and games until the end of Term 1. Expression of Interest to join a Winter Season team will be taken by the end of February so watch this space for more information.

Flinders Golf Academy
Flinders Golf Academy will be run at Sandhurst Golf Club on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30-6:00pm. If you would like more information or want to express your interest, please email tori.jackson@flinders.vic.edu.au

Basketball is a popular sport within Flinders College and students are encouraged to get involved in extra curriculum teams because it helps young people to be active, have fun, make friends, and learn to be part of a team.

Flinders Basketball Club is supported by an amazing group of 200+ volunteers in the role of coaches, assistant coaches and team managers - all working together to keep kids active playing basketball. All teams require a volunteer coach, assistant coach and team manager – in our u8-u14 teams these are predominantly parents.

Our Club Committee is made up of parents, staff members and School Executive. Our Club Policies and Procedures of team selection and inclusion of players are governed by the College. Flinders Basketball Club has an amazing reputation of being a club who values teamwork and sportsmanship whilst having fun in a competitive environment; to allow our players to grow in love.

Competition games are played every week after school – specific days depend on player age group and Association fixtures. Junior u8-u14 teams can also play on a Saturday. Club teams have the option to train afterschool/evenings at the Carrum Downs or Tyabb gyms.

Flinders Basketball Club Fees are paid per season. Payments are required upfront for team registration and all calendar games (including finals). All players are required to purchase a Flinders Basketball Playing Uniform (singlet & shorts).

2023/4 Summer season continues…
Summer season 2023/4 continues from Term 4, with a wonderful 83 teams representing the Flinders Basketball Club across the 4 associations of Frankston Basketball, Western Port Basketball, Chelsea Basketball and Casey Basketball. Flinders Basketball Club has teams from as young as u8 to teams playing in the u21/Senior competitions. Due to competition rules, we are unable to add players to teams midway through the competition.

There are 7-9 weeks of summer season fixtures remaining (including finals). The season ends across all Associations on Thursday, 28 March 2024.

Parents, please note that there are no games over the Labour Day long weekend (9-11 March 2024).

For new junior ballers not currently playing on a basketball team yet - we highly recommend signing up to a program like Aussie Hoops or a Domestic-Ready type program for Term 1:

Frankston Basketball: https://fdba.com.au/programs/aussie-hoops/ or https://fdba.com.au/programs/g...

Chelsea Basketball: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/b9791b

Westernport Basketball: https://wpba.com.au/aussie-hoops-2/

Casey Basketball: https://www.caseybasketball.com.au/hoopheroes/

2024 Winter season – SIGN UP opens soon
Winter season competitions start in Term 2 and run until the end of Term 3. Expression of Interest Form to sign-up to a team will follow mid-February 2024.

Looking forward to an exciting last few weeks of summer season.

Cindy Shacklock & Natalie Chatfield
Flinders Basketball Club Administrators - Carrum Downs and Tyabb teams
basketball@flinders.vic.edu.au / cindy.shacklock@flinders.vic.edu.au

For families who have a Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Card, Pensioner Concession Card or who are foster parents, you may be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like school camps or trips, swimming and school-organised sport programs, outdoor education programs, excursions, and incursions.

If applying, application forms must be returned to the Finance Office before the 26th of June to be submitted for 2024. For more information about the CSEF fund and the current application, please visit our website via this link.

If you have any queries on this fund, phone Cindy van Straaten in the Finance Office on 5973 2020.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the fund, on the first day of term one, the first day of term two or the first day of term three, a parent or legal guardian of a student must:

a) be an eligible beneficiary of one of these cards: Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, OR

b) they must be a temporary foster parent, AND

c) the parent or legal guardian must apply by the due date.

Parents who receive a carer allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with the above.

Eligibility Date
For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one, term two or term three.

Finance Office
Our Finance Office is for all financial matters regarding the College and students. You can contact us via email or phone the Finance Office directly on (03) 5973 2020.

Please spread the word to friends & family...

You are warmly invited to our first Carrum Downs Campus Open Day for 2024!

Saturday 24 February 9AM - 11AM

Meet key staff and join small group tours led by our Primary and Secondary Student Leaders, to view our beautiful Campus.

Register to attend at flinders.vic.edu.au/enrolment/open-days

For more information please go to the College Website and scroll down to the ‘Food Technology Assistant’ job. Select ‘Apply Now’ if you wish to submit an application.