In the book The Collapse of Parenting, Leonard Sax (MD PhD) highlights a UCLA study examining popular TV shows aimed at children and teens from 1967 to 2007. These TV shows included Family Ties, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show and more. Researchers analysed how these shows emphasised 16 core values, including fame, achievement, and serving others. From 1967 to 1997, serving others consistently ranked as the top value, reflected in lessons about helping neighbours and valuing honesty. During the same period, being famous languished near the bottom, typically around 15th place. However, between 1997 and 2007, a dramatic cultural shift occurred. By 2007, fame had surged to the number one value promoted on TV, while serving others plummeted to 11. This change coincided with the rise of social media, where likes, followers, and influencers began to shape cultural priorities.

Leonard Sax argues, “A culture that prioritises serving others is fundamentally healthy for children and teens.” This echoes Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

In contrast, Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, contends that social media and modern platforms encourage materialism, judgmentalism, and the pursuit of glory — measured in likes and followers— running counter to the world’s religious and spiritual traditions. He warns that a fame-obsessed culture is inherently toxic, as most people will never achieve celebrity status, leaving them unfulfilled.

The value of serving others is a recurring biblical theme. Matthew 20:28 declares, “The Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Likewise, Philippians 2:3-4 urges us to “value others above ourselves” and to “look to the interests of others”.

At Flinders, we remain committed to cultivating a culture that places serving others at the top of the hierarchy, creating a nurturing environment where our children and teens can grow and thrive.

From Monday 3 March until late March, VicRoads will be closing the eastbound lane of Ballarto Rd between Lyrebird Drive and Flora Park Way.

During this time: All families travelling eastbound along Ballarto Rd to school will be required to display a red permit on their windscreen so that they will be able to enter the College.

All cars exiting the College will be required to turn left and will be detoured along Lyrebird Drive and Hall Road. There will be no right turn out of the College.

College Buses will also be required to turn left therefore the schedule for the following routes will be delayed and parents will be notified accordingly:

348 Lyndhurst

349 Cranbourne East

351 Langwarrin

352 Sandhurst

A more detailed explanation of the use of permits and the road closures / detours will be posted on Flinders Connect in the next few days.

For safety reasons, please avoid parking on the oval side of the ring road. Students often run across the road without looking properly, and sometimes cars are hidden behind buses. We had a close call last week when a student ran in front of a car to reach their parent’s parked vehicle.

We ask that parents drive slowly and cautiously in the car park. If using the drop-off "Kiss and Go" area, please do not leave your vehicle unattended. Always use pedestrian crossings and set a good example by demonstrating road safety to the children. Parents should not drop off or pick up students behind the Grade 5–6 classrooms (staff car park only).

Date: Week commencing Monday 17 February 2025

The Frankston City Council - School Crossing Department will review vehicle and pedestrian numbers concerning our new pedestrian crossing during the week commencing Monday 17 February.

As part of this review, a camera will be mounted on a pole near the school gates. This will be conducted by Trans Traffic Surveys which are the Council's preferred provider.

As we approach week 5, our Primary school is doing well. It has been excellent to see high attendance numbers in the Primary school. The Education Department remind us that, daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

It was nice to see many parents at the Grade 3 to 6 Primary swimming trials last week. The house swimming trophy will be presented at chapel in week 6. Parents are welcome to attend chapel from 9am on Tuesday 4 March.

A reminder that the Carrum Downs Open Day will be held Saturday 1 March from 9am. With our kinder and Primary school at full capacity, if you know any families that would like to join us in 2026 or beyond, please encourage them to attend.

The Primary School is holding our Grandparents Day on

Friday 7 March from 10:00am-12:00pm

For children that do not have Grandparents or whose Grandparents cannot attend, they are encouraged to invite another special person to come and share in this day.

The day will begin in the College Gymnasium at 10.00am and then you are welcome to visit your grandchild’s classroom followed by a small morning tea until 12.00pm.

Students in Years 3 - 6 have the opportunity to participate in a school-based Chess competition run by Mr. Edens. It is the perfect opportunity to master skills in game play. A select group of students then participate in the Christian Schools Events Network Primary Competition which is being held in early March this year.

However, Chess is not just for some students. Chess is a terrific game to introduce to children from a very early age. Chess helps to improve memory, concentration and organisation skills, builds increased self-confidence and problem-solving skills, promotes sportsmanship and increased creative thinking. To top it off, it also removes devices from children and helps to build relationships. No one is too young (or too old) for Chess.

We wish all of our Chess players the best as they strategise a Check Mate!

Colouring develops hand strength, visual perceptual skills and precision skills in grasp. It can boost confidence, develops understanding of cause and effect and increases attention spans.

The main objective of this Colouring event is to ignite the creative side of the mind of each student, help develop their fine motor skills and also encourage their interest in colouring / drawing. In addition, it’s a fun activity and of course it is a competition, so there will be House points up for grabs.

(Parents- please make sure your child completes the colouring, not others!)

Competition Guidelines for the year:

Each term, students will receive a colouring sheet in about Week 3 and it will need to be coloured in at home and returned about Week 6 (clearly named and labelled with Grade and House). Each term there will be a theme to the picture. “200” house points awarded to the best 5 colouring “efforts” in each year level.

Our Librarian, Mrs. Towan will display the colouring sheets in the library each term and classes will vote for the winners.

Winners will be announced at Chapel in Week 8.

Dear Flinders Families

We are off to a fantastic start in 2025 with several exciting events that have already taken place and more to look forward to.

Our annual Cross Campus Swimming Carnival was a huge success, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and friendly competition. Congratulations to Nicholls House for taking out the day! It was inspiring to see students cheering each other on and participating with such great spirit.

The Year 12 Camp at Camp Oasis in the Dandenong Ranges was another significant highlight. Our Year 12 students embraced the opportunity to connect, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead. The camp provided valuable time for team building, personal growth, and creating lasting memories.

Equally impressive was the Year 9 Camp, where students took on the challenge of a 5-day hiking camp in the Otways along the Great Ocean Walk. This experience pushes our students outside their comfort zones, promoting the school values of perseverance, excellence, and a deep appreciation for God’s natural environment. We are proud of the determination and positive attitudes displayed by all involved.

Positive Behaviour Support
As the Head of Secondary, I am committed to our focus on creating calm, safe, and orderly learning environments. I would like to share some highlights of the important surveys parents and carers completed. From Parent/Carer, Student, and Staff feedback, we learned that the core Positive School Behaviour Support processes are now well known by all key stakeholders. Staff and parents especially believe this is helping keep the school safe and orderly.

We have heard from you and completely agree that what we need to ensure all teaching staff are consistently implementing the processes and that we focus on our positive acknowledgements of student who are thriving at Flinders. In no way do we want our systems to be oppressive; they are in place to create clarity and consistency for students to maximise their capacity and potential. The system enables staff to quickly address any poor behaviour.

Your Parent and Carer results form a recent survey are below. The Pre-data was collected at the start of term 2 2024 before the process improvement journey. The post-data was taken in the last weeks of term 4 2024. The data reveals we have made a great start.

Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead, we have some exciting events on the calendar:

Athletics Day – Thursday 27 February 2025:

A wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their athletic talents and house spirit.

Year 7 Camp – Wednesday to Friday 5-7 March 2025:

An important time for our Year 7 students to bond, build friendships, and enjoy outdoor challenges.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to make 2025 a year filled with growth, connection, and memorable experiences for our students.

Blessings,

Matthew Bodley
Head of Secondary
Flinders Christian Community College - Carrum Downs

Please note the following expectations:

Students are now required to bring their diaries to every class as part of their resources and are encouraged to take it home each night.

The diaries are a primary means of communication between home and school regarding uniform passes. Parents and carers are asked to write a short note in the diary that their Mentor teachers will use to sign off on their uniform pass for the day.

Toilet passes will be noted in the diary for students needing to use the bathroom in class time.

Homework and important dates will be recorded in the diary for both parents and students to reference.

It’s been a busy start to the year in Waymaker. Students have risen to challenge, facing hurdles head on and supporting each other to build a space where everyone is welcome and can flourish.

In Health and Humanities, students have begun working on a Community and Belonging unit, learning how people connect, live, learn, work and play in the communities we are all a part of.

In our Passion Project unit, our young people have been exploring their personal interests such as Visual Art, Cooking, Basketball and Science, sharing their learnings with their classmates and staff alike.

As the term progresses, we look forward to sharing more updates about Waymaker with you.

Johanna, Nikki and Kelly

Our House Swimming Carnival was a fantastic day filled with competitive spirit, outstanding performances, and beautiful warm weather.

House Results – Carrum Downs

1st - Nicholls

2nd - Flynn

3rd - Ten Boom

4th - Cuthbert

A special shoutout to our Age Group Champions, who excelled across their events:

U/13 Male – Oscar B (Flynn)

U/14 Male – Dex C (Nicholls)

U/15 Female – Harper D (Ten Boom)

U/15 Male – Darcy L (Ten Boom)

U/16 Female – Stephanie A (Flynn)

U/16 Male – Brodie M (Nicholls)

U/17 Female – Teale W (Flynn)

U/17 Male – Harry C (Nicholls)

Record-Breaking Achievements
A special mention to our record-breakers:

Harry C (Nicholls) – U/17 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke

Dex C (Nicholls) – U/14 50m Breaststroke

Teale W (Flynn) – U/17 50m Butterfly

Well done to all students who participated, cheered, and contributed to the amazing house spirit on the day!

A friendly reminder that our CC House Athletics Carnival is fast approaching! Get ready for a fantastic day of competition, house spirit, and personal bests.

Date: Thursday 27 February

Time: All Day Location: Casey Fields Uniform: Flinders PE Uniform with House Colours

Events: Track: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m Field: Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump

On Monday 3 March, selected students will receive invitations to attend our Swim Intensive Session. This opportunity is extended to those who performed exceptionally well at this years or previous years House Swimming Carnivals.

The session will be led by elite swim coaches, focusing on refining technique and building endurance in preparation for the Southern Independent Schools Division A Swimming Championships in Term 2.

This is a fantastic chance for our top swimmers to train at a high level and further develop their skills. Keep an eye out for your invitation!

What Is Sport Aerobics?

Sport Aerobics combines elements of traditional aerobics with dance and fitness. High intensity routines are performed to energetic music, that include a variety of skills and movement patterns.

If you have ever done any dance, cheerleading, gymnastics or calisthenics this could be the new sport for you! However, if you have no experience at all but are keen to try something new, come down and have a go!

2025 Training

Day: Monday
Time: Lunchtime, 12:50pm - 1:35pm
Location: G8, Multipurpose Space
Year Levels: Grade 5 & 6

Day: Tuesday
Time: Lunchtime, 12:50pm - 1:35pm
Location: G8, Multipurpose Space
Year Levels: Year 7

Day: Friday
Time: Lunchtime, 12:50pm - 1:35pm
Location: G8, Multipurpose Space
Year Levels: Grade 3 & 4

If you have any further questions, please reach out to Coach Emily (Emily.Fellows@Flinders.vic.edu.au)

Applications to audition for The Flinders Gala: A Musical Celebration are open now! The gala will showcase students from grade 5 year 12 at the Red Carpeted event and performance at Frankston Arts Centre on Wednesday 25 June.

Auditions are next week during Tuesday and Friday - register HERE

Dance Extension Program for Secondary Students is now in full swing, preparing numbers for the annual SIS Performing Arts Showcase on Tuesday 1 April at The Drum Theatre Dandenong, and of course The Flinders Gala! Advanced dancers are encouraged to join us on Tuesday mornings at 8am, and intermediate dancers on Wednesday afterschool until 4.20pm.

For more information email sarah.cosseyglaubert@flinders.vic.edu.au.

To sign up visit HERE

Private Performing Arts Tuition is at capacity in the primary school, however limited availability remains for secondary school students to study with Ms. Cossey. More information can be found HERE

Winter season basketball competitions start in Term 2 and runs until the end of Term 3.

Flinders Basketball Club invites all players to fill out an Expression of Interest form. The Club accommodates individuals of varying skill levels, ranging from
beginners to those playing at representative levels.

Given the varied skill levels among our registered players for winter season competitions, we conduct skills assessments in the school gym when the number of registrations exceeds the team capacity. The dates and times for these sessions are determined based on registration numbers. These assessment sessions, designed like skills clinics, prioritize fun and equal opportunities for all players.

The selection of teams at Flinders Basketball is not done by coaches or team managers. This approach ensures fair placement in teams that suit each player's skills. While some existing teams may continue together, others might have openings for interested players.

These sessions help us determine the appropriate team placement based on individual skill levels. As players progress in age groups and divisions, the competitive nature of teams increases. Starting from U10, our Flinders Basketball teams are organized to align with skill sets wherever possible.

If you are interested in playing, coaching, or managing a team for the winter season, please complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form by

DUE DATE: Tuesday 25 February 2025 (11AM).

Forms received after this date/time will be placed on a waiting list.

Please could all summer season team managers ensure all current players/coaches are aware that an EOI form is required if they want to play/coach over winter
season.

Registration Link: FLINDERS BASKETBALL CLUB - Winter Season Sign Up

Basketball is a popular sport at Flinders College, and students are encouraged to join teams outside of regular classes. This helps young people stay active, have fun, make friends, and learn about teamwork. Any student or family at Flinders Christian Community College in Carrum Downs and Tyabb can become a member of Flinders Basketball. In some cases, students from outside the Flinders Community may also join by special arrangement.

The Flinders Basketball Club receives valuable support from an incredible group of over 200 volunteers who serve as coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers. They collaborate to keep kids actively engaged in playing basketball. Each team, especially in the U8-U14 age groups, relies on volunteers, with parents playing a significant role as coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers.

The Club Committee at Flinders Basketball is composed of parents, staff members, and School Executive. The College oversees and governs our Club Policies and Procedures for team selection and player inclusion. The Flinders Basketball Club is renowned for fostering a positive environment that values teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun within a competitive setting. Our aim is to enable players to develop and thrive while enjoying the love for the game.

Competition games take place every week after school, with specific days varying based on the player’s age group and Association fixtures. Additionally, some junior U8-U14 teams can play on Saturdays. Club teams can choose to have their training sessions after school or in the evenings, utilizing the facilities at either the Carrum Downs or Tyabb gyms.

Fees for Flinders Basketball Club are paid on a per-season basis. Upfront payments cover team registration and all scheduled games, including finals. Every player is required to buy a Flinders Basketball Playing Uniform, which includes a singlet and shorts.

By registering & playing with Flinders Basketball Club, all Players/Coaches/Spectators agree to:

• Abide
by the BV By-Laws & Participant Behaviour Policy.

• Comply
with Flinders Basketball & BV Codes of Conduct.

• Comply
with all requirements in relation to Child Safety: Working with Children
Check & Member Protection Declaration legislation.

• Ensure
that all fines incurred are promptly paid.

We look forward to seeing everyone back on court for winter season 2025!

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