Dear Flinders Families,

As we begin this new school year, we warmly welcome you back to our beautiful community. We give thanks to God for safely bringing us through another season and for the opportunity to start fresh together in 2026.

The Bible reminds us in Lamentations 3:22–23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Each new year brings new beginnings, new opportunities, and new mercies from our faithful God.

At Flinders, we are committed to nurturing not only strong learners, but young people who grow in character, kindness, and faith. This year, we pray that our students will walk with confidence, curiosity, and courage, knowing they are deeply loved by God and supported by their school community.

To our families, thank you for partnering with us in this important journey. Your trust, encouragement, and prayers are a blessing. Together, we will continue to sow seeds of hope, wisdom, and purpose in every child.

As we step into 2026, may our classrooms be filled with joy, our playgrounds with laughter, and our hearts with gratitude. May God guide our teachers, strengthen our students, and bless every family in the year ahead.

We look forward to walking alongside you in faith, learning, and community.

With every blessing,
Flinders Christian Community College, Carrum Downs

NAPLAN 2026 is coming up for all students in years 3, 5 7 & 9.

Below is the test schedule – further information was sent in a letter via Flinders Connect on 13 February 2026.

For any queries regarding the NAPLAN tests please speak with:

Mrs. Gaye Franklin (Primary) or Mr. Daniel Stanley (Secondary) or email cdsechotl@flinders.vic.edu.au

Students will have the opportunity to have a practice login before the test window.

Practice tests are available online for those students who wish to practice at home.

You are only able to edit an order before cut-off. There are two ways of editing an order:

Editing an order after it has been placed and paid for.

Alert: Editing an order once it has been placed, will cancel your original order and you will need to reselect all your items for each break.

Some items may no longer be available, or prices may have changed.

Editing an order that has not been placed and paid for.

Editing a Canteen order, that has been placed and paid for.

Step 1: Click on the drop-down arrow on your student ordering profile. Then click on Edit Order. Step 2: Click:

Yes – This will cancel your placed order; a credit will be processed back to your account, and you

will need to replace the entire order including any adjustments you require.

No – You do not want to go ahead with editing your order.

Editing a Canteen order that has not been placed and paid for.

If your order has not been placed and paid for, you can Edit your order(s) through the Cart Icon.

Step 1: Click on the cart icon, to view your cart.

Step 2: Click on the Edit Meal against the student you would like to Edit the order for.

Step 3: Update your order. Follow Placing a Canteen Order.

Cancelling a Canteen Order

Canteen Orders can only be cancelled online through the Portal before the morning cut-off time.

Step 1: Click on the drop-down arrow on your student ordering profile. Then click on Cancel Order. A cancellation order window will appear.

Step 2: Click on:

Yes – to cancel your order

No – you do not want to go ahead with cancelling your order.

What’s new and what you’ll need to do:

Self‑registration: Please complete your registration via our Volunteer Onboarding Portal This creates your OnLocation profile and begins the onboarding process.

Annual onboarding training: You will be guided through a short training module during the registration to confirm your understanding of our child‑safe obligations and volunteer expectations. All volunteers will need to do this annually going forward.

Upload your WWCC: Please provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent. Your check will require verification by a staff member during your first visit before you begin volunteering.

Sign in/out on site: Once onboarded, please sign in and sign out at Main Reception or at the nominated sub-school. NB. Kinder volunteers must sign in at Main Reception. This supports safety management, emergency readiness, and accurate attendance records.

We are delighted to continue building strength and excellence across The Arts at Flinders CD.

Staffing News

Due to high enrolments in Performing Arts, we are pleased to welcome two new Performing Arts Tutors (PATs):

Ethan Hooper is currently training as a Secondary teacher of Drama and Musical Theatre and holds qualifications in Media and Film. His stage credits include Ren in Footloose and The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.

Tessa Armstrong is an experienced dance teacher specialising in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop and Aerobics. She is currently dancing professionally with the WNBL Southside Flyers and Street Dance Studios.

Our Head of Arts, Sarah Cossey Glaubert is busy overseeing Visual and Performing Arts (including the Secondary Production) across the campus, while remaining actively involved as a classroom teacher and Performing Arts Tutor.

Ashlene Mendolia continues as Primary Performing Arts Coordinator (Primary Musical Coordinator) and also as a classroom teacher and Performing Arts Tutor.

Performing Arts Lessons

Performing Arts lessons have commenced and we are currently at capacity.

For enquiries or adjustments, please contact Linda.harris@flinders.vic.edu.au.

Secondary Production – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Rehearsals are well underway for our Secondary production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with a cast of over 80 students.

Please check Moodle regularly for rehearsal schedules: https://our.flinders.vic.edu.au/course/view.php?id=12

Tickets for our performances on Wednesday 27 May at Frankston Arts Centre will go on sale at the end of February.

Cast members are required to pay their participation levy which includes selected show merchandise. This is due at the end of February.

Primary Production – Seussical Kids

We are excited to announce Seussical Kids as our 2026 Primary production. Inspired by Horton Hears a Who! the musical follows Horton the Elephant as he protects Whoville and cares for Mayzie’s egg.

Auditions for leading roles have seen an overwhelming response, with call-backs to follow shortly. Performances will be held at George Jenkins Theatre on 6 August 2026.

Dear Flinders families,

Applications are now open for 2028 and beyond.

We encourage families to submit their applications as early as possible, as waiting lists currently apply across many year levels. While siblings are given priority consideration, placement cannot be guaranteed.

To lodge an application, please visit our website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au we will be happy to help!

It has been a wonderful start to the year in the Primary School, marked by energy, joy and a strong sense of purpose. I have loved seeing the enthusiasm of our students, particularly at our first Chapel service where their wholehearted singing of praise songs set such a positive tone.

As classes have settled into learning routines, I have been impressed by the consistent engagement of students and the high standard of behaviour across the Primary. This year we will continue to “Lock In” to being kind and working hard, and it is encouraging to see these values already evident in classrooms and shared spaces.

I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I have received from our wonderful children and dedicated staff, and it has been a privilege to share in several significant moments already. Highlights have included the Grade 6 beach day, where students worked collaboratively and represented the College so positively, and the Student Leader Conference at Oxley College.

This day provided rich encouragement for our leaders, reminding them that they have been created for good works, to celebrate the gifts God has given them, to value differences as strengths within a team, and to understand that failure can be an important step toward growth and success.

The Primary Swimming Carnival was another standout, with students in Grades 3–6 demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, house spirit and perseverance despite the cold conditions.

I look forward to seeing our students continue to grow, lead and flourish as they shine the love of Jesus throughout the year.

Blessings

Toni Steinbergs, Head of Primary

The Primary School is holding our Grandparents Day on Friday 6 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.

On Tuesday 24 February, Prep families are warmly invited to join the Prep team from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Afternoon tea will be provided. This is a wonderful chance for families to connect and strengthen our supportive, caring community. We hope you and your family can join us, and we look forward to seeing you there!

We’re excited to announce that Sport Aerobics is returning to Flinders in 2026!

Sport Aerobics combines elements of dance, cheer, gymnastics and calisthenics, all performed to upbeat music. It’s a fun and energetic way for students to build confidence, coordination and overall fitness. No experience is required, and all students are welcome to take part in this optional lunchtime program.

Throughout the term, students will begin learning a Sport Aerobics routine, with the opportunity to perform and compete at selected FISAF Australia events later in the year.

Session Details:

Grades 3–4
Day: Every Friday
Location: G8 – Primary Multipurpose Room
Time: 12:50pm – 1:40pm (Lunchtime)

Grades 5–6
Day: Every Monday
Location: G8 – Primary Multipurpose Room
Time: 12:50pm – 1:40pm (Lunchtime)

Students can simply come along at lunchtime, no sign-up or prior experience is needed

We can’t wait to see our students getting active, having fun and giving Sport Aerobics a go in 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Emily at Emily.Fellows@Flinders.vic.edu.au.

Welcome to 2026!

As we begin another year, we look forward to continuing our focus on helping others and strengthening our community.

A huge round of applause to the Flinders community and our generous supporters for the incredible success of the 2025 Colour Run, raising an amazing $29,750. All funds raised go directly towards improving our primary schooling for students. Colour Run prizes should now have been sent home, please contact Emily Elliott, if you are missing an item.

This term, we are also excited to celebrate Harmony Day on March 18 and PJ Day on the last day of term, April 2, with more information to come soon!

As Head of Secondary, I am delighted to share that 2026 has started with well. Our students have showcased their talents at the cross-campus swimming carnival, and both the Year 12 and Year 9 camps have been a success. We dedicated our year in prayer at our Dedication Assembly, celebrating our outstanding student leaders, and all students have now had their school photos taken. It’s remarkable to see how much can be accomplished in just four weeks.

With the year now in full swing, our focus turns to our 2026 theme: “Lock in: Being Kind and Working Hard.” I want to take this opportunity to remind our community of the heart of our mission developing students through the Flinders Way:

Called to Flourish

Committed to Growth

Connected by Love

Capable of Influence

I would like to especially highlighting what it means to be Called to Flourish. We believe every student is called to become the person God has planned for them, and that by working together, we can help each child reach their full potential. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Let’s partner together to create an environment where every student can truly flourish.

Behavior Focus: Setting Up for Success
Our focus this month is on establishing strong routines for a successful year. Students have been reminded of the following expectations:

Diary:
Every student must bring their diary to each class. If a student needs to leave the classroom, the diary must be signed with the time and reason, allowing staff and parents to monitor patterns. Not bringing a diary to class will result in a 30-minute detention.

Uniform:
Students are expected to wear the correct uniform throughout the day. They may arrive or leave in PE uniform if they have PE in periods 1–2 or 5–6. Blazers must be worn from arrival until the end of homegroup at 9:05am, and again from 3:20pm until leaving school grounds. Only one set of earrings in the earlobes is permitted, long hair must be tied back, hair should be a single natural colour, and boys must be clean-shaven. For short-term uniform breaches, parents can write a note in the diary for a mentor teacher to sign. Detentions will be issued for not following the uniform policy or pass process.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated staff for their hard work in launching the year, especially those who have gone above and beyond during camps and special events.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support.

Warm regards,

Matthew Bodley
Head of Secondary School
Flinders Christian Community College, Carrum Downs Campus

We are proud to acknowledge Bailey Marshall, who recently represented Team Victoria U20 Men at the 2026 Australian Under‑20 National Basketball Championships, held in Ballarat from 27 January to 1 February.

Bailey and his team delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, finishing with an impressive bronze medal at the national event. This championship brought together elite young athletes from across Australia, showcasing some of the country’s top emerging basketball talent.

Bailey’s dedication, hard work, and determination were evident across the week, and we congratulate him on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing his continued growth both on and off the court.

Secondary students who missed an event at our House Swimming Carnival or were unable to compete on the day now have another chance to be considered for the Flinders Swim Squad.

The College will be selecting students to represent Flinders at two upcoming SIS competitions:

SIS Swim Relay Carnival – Pines Pool, Monday, 23 March

SIS Division A Swimming Carnival – MSAC, Monday 27 April

To assist with final squad selection, invited students will attend a Swim Intensive Session at Pines Pool on Friday, 27 March.

This session will focus on:

Stroke technique development with specialised coaches
Recording new swim times
Race skills, including starts and turns
Times collected during the intensive will help determine the final team list.

Students wishing to be considered for selection are encouraged to email Emily Fellows or Ms. Natalie Chatfield.

Further information will be provided to those invited to attend.

We are now accepting Expressions of Interest for students in Years 5–12 wishing to participate in our Term 2 & 3 After School Netball Program.

Competition Details

Fridays at Jubilee Park, Frankston

Game times: 4:15pm, 4:50pm or 5:25pm

Season cost: Approx. $150 (may vary slightly)

Coaches & Managers Each team requires a parent volunteer coach and team manager. Volunteers must hold a WWCC and complete College onboarding.

Tryouts & Teams Tryouts/skills assessments may occur based on interest. Teams will be formed in the following groups:

Years 5–6
Years 7–8
Years 9–12

Register Your Interest Please submit the form HERE

EOIs close Friday 20 March, 6pm.