Sense of community and student wellbeing unites campuses

Despite being 47 years apart in age, the same sense of community and student wellbeing unites Geelong Lutheran College’s two campuses at St John’s Newtown and Armstrong Creek.

“It was the vision of the College Council to have a shared identity,” Head of College Jill Lange-Mohr explained.

The College’s St John’s Newtown campus has operated since 1962, while its Armstrong Creek counterpart celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 2.

“We’ve got a wonderful long history of Lutheran education in the Geelong area,” Ms Lange-Mohr said.

“There are generations of people in Geelong who have been to school at St John’s.”

The Armstrong Creek campus recently lauded two further milestones, with the opening of its new technology precinct and gymnasium in March, followed by an informal, festive, birthday celebration later in the month.

“You’ve always got to be planning ahead for growth in an area like Armstrong Creek and a school like ours,” Ms Lange-Mohr
said.

“We feel so privileged to have this big, magnificent gymnasium where we can all fit in.”

The new technology area includes maker space, design and food tech rooms, along with another room the College can retrofit for its growing population.

The area also includes a dining room, where students hosted the College Council for a dinner ahead of the official opening.

Meanwhile, the students at the St John’s Newtown campus have edged a step closer to participation in a global society with the adoption of an innovative French immersion program.

The news was celebrated with a visit by the French Honorary Consul-General Ms Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, as parents enjoyed a series of musical performances in French, along with savoring coffee, croissants and cheeses.

“We’re blessed to be the recipient of some Victorian Government funding for Early Learning Language Acquisition,” St John’s Campus Principal Sue Ellis said.

“This allows a French Early Learning specialist to support the kindergarten students in their own experiences.

“In addition, Kindergarten to Year 2 students are engaged in learning French through access to the ELLA (Early Learning Languages App) initiative.”

Geelong Lutheran College’s more than 900 Kinder to Year 12 students share a common identity, in which safety and academic excellence are paramount.

“When people come to our schools they say it feels different,” Ms Lange- Mohr said.

“The wellbeing of the students is a real priority for us.

“If you’re feeling well, you’re doing well academically.”