Edition 1, Term 2 – 2019
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EDITORIAL
Without doubt, technology has had a significant impact upon the way we live and work, and unquestionably it will continue do so at an ever-increasing rate in the future. Jobs will disappear, and new ones will emerge. Skills will become redundant and many, possibly millions, will face long-term unemployment. And, most certainly, so-called ‘digital natives’ will be better placed when it comes to employment.
God forbid if the future of our planet ultimately rests in the hands of people sitting in front of screens all day or in the hands of robots, or, indeed, is determined by Artificial Intelligence! How soul-destroying will it be if the workplace, however it may look, is devoid of people interacting face-to-face with other people?
I have enough faith in the human spirit and the humanity of mankind to be confident that, somehow, we will adjust and either slow down the impact of technology and/or invent new ways to value and reward the so-called soft skills, such as relationship building, creativity, teamwork and collaboration.
Indeed, there is evidence that this is already happening.
A recently released Deloitte Access report entitled Mobile Nation 2019 highlighted the following:
- two-thirds of Australians think they use their mobile phones too much;
- for Australians aged 18 to 24, this figure is closer to three-quarters;
- 61% of younger Australians say they are trying to limit their phone use (with only 24% saying they are successful in this pursuit);
- 40% of us find mobile phones distracting; and
- 32% claim they increase stress levels.
Dr Sam Duncan, Lecturer in Sports Media at Holmesglen, recently penned a piece in The Age under the heading ‘Sport has become such an unhappy business’, in which he wrote about a recent study of young adults in the US that found the percentage of 18 to 34-year-olds reporting they were ‘very happy’ had fallen to 25%. For young men it was just 22%. NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, claims that when he meets players (amongst the highest paid sportsmen in the world) they are, surprisingly, truly unhappy. Silver points the finger at technology, arguing it has aided in stimulating a lonely, isolated existence in an environment that should uphold notions of community.
Duncan also pointed out that the GWS Giants AFL team have recently banned mobile phone usage around meal times and on the bus in a bid to build camaraderie and, therefore, get ‘a couple of percent better here and there’. He postulates that ‘of all the intricate games plans, tactics and set plays applied by AFL football teams in today’s game, this one just might be the smartest of them all’.
All this, of course, is making our Mobile Phone Policy look good!
Term 1 was a very good one for the School, and it finished on a high with the Senior Play – The Crucible; the highly acclaimed House Performing Arts Festival; and a wonderful Strings Concert involving Junior School and Senior School musicians.
Much occurred over the holiday break, with the highlight being our annual African Immersion trip to Uganda and Rwanda, attended by 19 senior boys and led by Tom Purcell, Vanessa Lovell and Chris Amiconi. In addition, many sporting teams trained; over 60 boys participated in Run for the Kids; five boys represented the school in the Kew RSL Anzac March; a group of boys completed Duke of Edinburgh activities; and our hardworking property team completed a long list of maintenance jobs.
Last week we held our annual ANZAC Assembly. As usual, it was a moving occasion and a further reminder of how much our young people respect the past sacrifice of others and the importance of the day itself.
Term 2 will be another busy one, with Winter Sport, Debating, Music, Camps and a host of other cocurricular activities. There will also be NAPLAN Testing in May for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and a full academic program at all year levels.
I look forward to chatting with you over the next nine weeks at the many functions and on Saturdays around the sporting venues. Please introduce yourselves if you have not already done so. And remember, I welcome contact via email or phone.
Phil De Young
deyoungp@trinity.vic.edu.au
NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nominations to School Council
The School Council of Trinity Grammar School, Kew is inviting nominations for School Council Members to join a dynamic, focussed and multi-skilled School Council. The Council is seeking to appoint three new Council Members.
Nomination application process
- Provide a succinct cover letter addressed to the Nominations Committee that outlines how you will add value to the School and the School Council, including a reflection in the context of:
- the School’s current strategic plan;
- a new Headmaster commencing at the School in January 2020; and
- the material outlined at the Community Forum on 20 March (refer below link to forum handout).
- Provide a current CV including appropriate referees. Information in your CV should clearly demonstrate that you satisfy the criteria and requirements in the Council Members Selection Policy (in link below).
- Send your application via email to Mrs Maria Rocco, General Manager of Human Resources at the School at roccom@trinity.vic.edu.au
Information required for your application can be found via the following links.
- Current strategic plan
- Current Constitution
- Proposed new Constitution
- School Community Forum Information March 2019
- Council Members Selection Policy
Applications close Midnight – Friday 3 May 2019.
Any queries or questions regarding the process, please email schoolcouncil@trinity.vic.edu.au
Further information about Trinity Grammar School, Kew can be found via our website trinity.vic.edu.au
Arabunna Tour 2019
13 – 22 September 2019
The Arabunna tour is a unique opportunity to experience the Outback and the majesty of Lake Eyre while learning about the significance of the Land – it’s trees, animals, plants, spirits – to one of Australia’s Indigenous Peoples.
Trinity has a long-standing partnership with the Arabunna people, and Elder Reg Dodd is our guide and mentor who he shares his knowledge of the country, his people’s history and culture.
Limited places are available on the tour. For more details, please contact Nathan Newcastle via email to newcastlen@trinity.vic.edu.au. Costs include everything except personal spending and dinner on the last Saturday night in Adelaide.
The Mitre Cookbook – Mother’s Day Promotion!
The Mitre Cookbook is a collection of cherished recipes from the Trinity community. Full of photographs, stories and tried-and-tested recipes contributed by students, parents, staff and Old Boys, this limited edition book would make a wonderful gift.
For Mother’s Day, we are offering a special promotion: purchase two copies of The Mitre Cookbook for $60 (normally $40 each – all proceeds to the Parents’ Association and the Mito Foundation). The cookbooks are available from:
- trybooking.com/427607 (pick up from school OR pay for postage)
- Trinity Grammar School Main Reception
- Hudson House
- Junior School Reception
- The Trinity Second-hand Uniform Shop (during opening times)
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome back everyone. It’s great to have our staff and boys back on our grounds ready to kick-off another school term. I hope that the school holidays brought not only some fun and adventure, but time spent together as a family.
From time to time, we will share important topics in our communications to parents. The following is an article written by Mrs Marion Piper, our Enhanced Learning Teacher in Prep to Year 2. I’m sure you will find it interesting reading.
Grant Nalder
Head of Junior School
‘Overlearning’ and the role this plays in Enhanced Learning classes
Research tells us that ‘overlearning releases the working memory to be more strategic, to react and adapt with more fluency’ (Hattie 2019).
Our approach to enhancing learning for our students in Prep to Year 2 ensures they have the opportunity to be introduced to concepts, to revise them and to consolidate their learning through ‘overlearning’.
Hattie’s writing reminds us that, by understanding how children learn, teachers are better able to think about their own approach to teaching. In addition, this leaves us to consider how each boy problem-solves, adapts, detects and deals with decisions, errors and their attitudes to learning.
It also involves considering the following questions:
- What is the learner ready to learn?
- What evidence supports this?
- What are the possible and preferred ways to support this child’s approach to learning?
- How can we implement this and resource it?
The inclusion of games as part of the overlearning process is a critical part of each teaching session. They serve as an additional medium to assist in the introduction or revision of what has been taught within the Enhanced Learning session and at the classroom level.
Measuring student progress does not only occur through formal assessments. Understanding how each boy thinks and approaches learning is equally important in identifying how they are progressing.
When measuring student progress through overlearning, I like Hattie’s analogy of a road map of reaching your destination: it depends on where they started, the speed they go, and the bumps they experience.
‘In all cases, progressions must be based on how students actually progress not on how adults claim they should’ (Hattie 2019).
Marion Piper
Enhanced Learning Teacher
Resilience
Resilience is a skill that each of us needs in all areas of our lives. Whether we’re students, teachers or parents, the idea of resilience relates to everything that we’re doing on a day-to-day basis.
No matter who we are or what we’re doing, we all have goals that we want to achieve and sometimes these goals may not be realsied. Failure in and of itself is not a bad thing, it’s how we deal with the failure that counts the most. The idea that we need to be resilient gives us the motivation to bounce back and keep on trying in order to achieve our goals.
In order to be resilient, Deep Patel (author of A Paperboy’s Fable: The 11 Principles of Success) outlines eight ways in which successful people master resilience. It is a great article that focuses on why resilience is so important and how we can be more resilient in our lives.
Joel Mathew
Personal, Social and Physical Health Education Coordinator
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
House Performing Arts Festival
The House Performing Arts Festival was held in the final week of Term 1. It was a wonderful night of entertainment, with great Music, terrific acting and singing, and some wonderful chorography.
Congratulations to the House leaders and staff on an outstanding night
- Overall results: 1st – Roberts; 2nd – Henty ; 3rd – Hindley; 4th – Cowen; 5th – Sutton; 6th – Merritt; 7th – Arnold; 8th – Kent Hughes
- Best Musical Direction: Daniel Gu, Oliver Gow
- Best Instrumental: Casper Cameron (instrumental); Sam Gollings (vocal)
Strings Concert
The annual String Concert was held on the last Thursday of Term 1 at Eldon Hogan Performing Arts Centre. Twelve groups performed on the night, with boys from Prep up to Year 12 playing the violin together on stage on a number of occasions. It was an excellent concert.
Over the Holidays
East Africa Immersion
Three staff and 17 boys spent two weeks in Uganda and Rwanda. They visited the Home of Hope, spent time with children, hiked mountains, visited a soccer game, spent time in the Masese slums and learnt about the genocide in Rwanda. This immersion is a fantastic experience for the boys, and gives them a firsthand look at how our Harambee programs make a real difference in East Africa. Thank you, Mr Purcell, Mr Amiconi and Ms Lovell.
Duke of Edinburgh Bike Ride
Eleven boys spent four days Mountain Bike riding near Harrietville. The boys had a great time completing this adventurous activity as part of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Thanks to Mr Bence and two OTGs, Jack Hardstaff and Matt Corney.
Run for the Kids
Over 60 boys, plus a few parents and staff ran (or walked) in the Royal Children’s Hospital Run for the Kids over the Bolte Bridge. It was a perfect morning, and while some completed the journey in 15 minutes, others took an hour. Josh McLeod placed second overall, but we all enjoyed the experience of raising money for the Good Friday Appeal and running in honour of Linus Couper.
Congratulations
Jayden Spring won the National U16 Rollerski Championship over the holidays. He recorded the fastest time out of all competitors.
Sport Pre-Season Training
Over the holidays, Hockey First XI, Soccer First XI, Rugby First XV and Football First XVIII have all had practice matches and/or training camps in preparation for the AGSV Winter Season.
On Friday, Trinity played football and soccer matches at First level against Camberwell for the Mitre Cup. The footballers had a good win, while our soccer team, unfortunately, went down 0:1. Cross Country started the season well with a third place overall in the first race of the year, hosted by Marcellin and Trinity. The first full round of sport starts this weekend.
Budget Breakfast with the Federal Treasurer
A group of Year 12 economics students attended the Federal Budget breakfast with Hon Josh Frydenberg MP on the last Friday of Term 1. The boys were able to ask the Treasurer questions, and look at the budget announcements in depth.
Kew ANZAC Service
Thank you to the five boys who represented Trinity in the Kew Anzac March on Sunday 14 April. Because it was School holidays, the march was smaller than usual but Trinity, Ruyton and Carey were well represented this year.
GAP Student Accommodation
We have a Gap student arriving over the June/July school holidays. Her original accommodation has fallen through, and we are now seeking new families who may be interested in hosting her. She is from Bradfield College in Reading (UK), and will be working in the Junior / Senior School PE area.
Please contact Ebru Celik on 9851 9404 or celike@trinity.vic.edu.au if you can help.
Yellow Brick Road Seminar
Wednesday 12 June at 6.00pm with Mark Bouris in Arnold Hall
This is a great opportunity to hear from experts in the finance industry on to how to increase your wealth and support your kids’ future. Please book by clicking here.
Rohan Brown
Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School
Year 12 Flu Immunisation
Boroondara Council are providing a Flu immunisation session for our Year 12 students. This will be conducted at Kew Library (Phyliss Hoare Room) on Wednesday 1 May between 12.30pm and 2.00pm. A Trinity staff member will supervise students at this time.
The cost of this vaccine is $25.00. If you consent to your son having this vaccine, the cost will be added to your account.
Please complete the online consent form by clicking on the link below.
Susan Hill
Co-Head of Year 12
Debating
Trinity debaters have commenced a new season of inter-school debating, with the first round held at Camberwell Grammar School last term.
A number of our teams have been successful in the first few rounds, with Best Speaker awards going to Paul Lindsay, Will Browning, Kiron Pereira, James Liu, Henry Davis, Marcus Santilli, Aden Wilmshurst, Ben Fox, Arthur Bradley, Jack Stewart, Olek Beavis, Enda Han and Max Yakubowski. Some of the topics debated were ‘That we should allow pill testing at music festivals’ and ‘That we should criminally prosecute companies that use sweatshops’. Round 3 will be held on Monday 13 May. Family and friends are welcome to come along.
Please also note that the Junior Secondary Debating Registration will be held on Monday 20 May at lunchtime in CE4. This competition is open for students in Years 7 and 8 and will be hosted by Trinity Grammar School in Term 3. Further details will follow in the coming weeks.
Rima Khallouf
Head of School Debating
Careers Newsletter
Please click here to access the most recent careers newsletter.
MUSIC NEWS
Congratulations
Congratulations to Terry Gu (Year 11) who recently performed ‘Doubles No 1’ for Wind Trio (oboe, cor anglais and bassoon), written by Melbourne composer, Brendan Black for the Melbourne Composers’ League.Terry played the cor anglais in this ensemble.
Congratulations also to Lachlan Chen (Year 9) who recently attended the AYO Young Symphonists camp in Mt Eliza. Lachlan has also been accepted into the 2019 ACO Academy Program as a violinist.
2019 Generations in Jazz, Mt Gambier Tour
Students in the Big Band and Stage Band will participate in the 2019 Generations in Jazz competition at Mt Gambier from Friday 3 May until Sunday 5 May. Parents have been sent detailed information via Trinity Connect.
Term 2 Music Recitals
Students are warmly invited to perform in Term 2 recitals to be held on Tuesday 7 May, Tuesday 21 May, Thursday 30 May or Tuesday 11 June. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their performance prior to VCE recitals or Round 2 AMEB examinations. Mr Siegfried Franke will be available to accompany students at the recital and rehearse with performers during lunchtime that day. Interested participants should contact Mrs Therese McCoppin via email to mccoppint@trinity.vic.edu.au to register their interest.
Music Scholars’ Concert
A selection of Trinity’s finest musicians will perform at the Music Scholars’ Concert on Wednesday 9 May in the South Room at 7.00pm. All TGS staff, students, families and friends are warmly invited to attend. No tickets are required.
May Concert
The Trinity Grammar School May concert will be held on Tuesday 28 May at 7.00pm at the MLC Assembly Hall, MLC, Barkers Road, Kew. The Symphony Orchestra, Senior Strings, Trinity Strings, Suzuki Strings, Senior and Middle School Choirs, Mitre Band, and Symphonic Wind will all perform. Parents, siblings, family and friends are all warmly invited to attend. No tickets are required.
CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’ – Martin Luther King Jnr
Last Wednesday afternoon, we gathered as a school for our ANZAC Day services. We remembered and gave thanks for those past staff and students from Trinity who served and lost their lives in the Great War, and for all who have served in the defence of their country and in the pursuit of freedom.
As we spend time reflecting on our national identity and remembering the loss of our own, we would also do well to remember the loss of others – other nations and other groups who have experienced and are experiencing conflict and atrocity. What lessons might we learn?
April is Genocide Awareness month, and marks important anniversaries for multiple acts of genocide in the 20th century (eg. Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur and Rwanda). The term ‘genocide’ was coined by Raphael Lemkin toward the end of WW2, and it means the deliberate destruction in whole or in part of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. The atrocities committed during the Holocaust shocked and outraged the global community who together said ‘never again’ – yet we have failed to live up to that promise again and again.
Mr Purcell, Ms Lovell and Mr Amiconi were part of the Harambee East Africa Immersion over the Easter Holidays, along with 20 incredible young Trinity men in Years 10 to 12. They immersed themselves in Ugandan and Rwandan life, and spent several days learning about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, and Rwanda’s incredible journey of healing and recovery, and also hope for the future. You would think that the brutal killing of 1 million people in just 100 days would be something the country wanted to quickly move away from. The Genocide Memorial in Kigali, however, tells this story in all its horrific detail so that Rwandans and the world can be reminded of this history and can learn this powerful truth. The road to genocide, and often conflict anywhere, begins with simple acts of discrimination – the denial of opportunity or unjust treatment of a group of people based on their race, religion, gender, age etc.
Discrimination of every kind happens every day, including right here in our own backyard; in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and, of course, in the public square. If we are each to play our part in upholding the global promise of ‘never again’ then we cannot allow discrimination to go unchallenged at any level – whether it exists in our own thoughts, language and actions or in those of others around us. These famous words seem particularly poignant – ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’.
Imagine, just for a moment, that regardless of our own faith position, we tried to live out the ‘golden rule’ each day… ‘to treat others as you want to be treated / to love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Matthew 7 & Leviticus 19). The world could be a very different place!
God bless,
Rev’d Matt Campbell
Senior Chaplain
HARAMBEE NEWS
2019 Walkathon
In 2017, Trinity held the inaugural Dawn to Dusk Walkathon at Bulleen, raising over $80,000 for the Home of Hope in Jinja, Uganda. This year we’re doing it again, and we are aiming to raise over $40,000 for Hope Community High, which is helping children in Jinja get out of poverty and receive a good education.
On Saturday 4 May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, Trinity students, staff and parents will participate in a 12km walk around Lysterfield Park, coming together to ‘go the extra mile’ and raise money for those who need it most. By raising $40,000 we will be able to supply a new water pump, a new multipurpose room and accommodation for the students of Hope Community High.
Click here to register or to gotheextramile.com.au to find a walker or team to sponsor.
Harambee Fundraiser
Kenshi Candles are now available to purchase. A great gift idea for Mothers’ Day or for a special friend. To order a candle, please click here.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Trinity Shop
Donations (washed and pressed) for the Trinity Shop may be dropped off at Reception during business hours. We always appreciate new volunteers and training will be provided. Should you wish to assist, please contact our parent roster volunteer, Susan Lane.
We will next open on:
Thursday 9 May – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Thursday 23 May – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Trinity Café
Thank you to all of our parents who are taking the opportunity to sign up for Café duty. There are still many opportunities to assist so please consider helping out if you can.
To sign up for Term 2 please click here. Duty runs from 9.30am through to 1.30pm (approx.). Please contact Carol-Ann for more information.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 30 April, 7.00pm
Parent’s Association Meeting
Venue: East Room, Centre for the Arts
Wednesday May 1, 7.00 – 8.30pm
Class Representatives Term 2 Meeting
Venue: East Room, Centre for the Arts
Friday 3 May, 7.00am
Trinity Talks
Venue: South Room. Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
RSVP: trybooking.com/BBXAX
Cost: Earlybird booking prices, until April 30: $50.00 per person for a single breakfast (normal price $55.00)
$90.00 per person for both breakfasts (normal price $110.00)
$400.00 for a table of eight
Friday 10 May, 7.00am
Junior School Mother’s Day Breakfast.
Venue: South Room. Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
Cost: Mother/Friend/Staff $39.00; Student $35.00
RSVP: trybooking.com/BCBCQ by Friday 3 May
Saturday 18 May, 7.00pm
Trinity Ball
Venue: The Glasshouse, Olympic Boulevard Melbourne
Cost: $195.00 per person
RSVP: trybooking.com/BBBKH by Thursday 9 May
Saturday 1 June 7.00pm
Year 4 Parents’ Night Out.
Venue: Holla Food & Drink, 284 Victoria St Richmond
Cost: $42.00
RSVP: trybooking.com/BBZTM by Friday 24 May