Edition 2, Term 3 – 2019
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EDITORIAL
Last term, we conducted a survey to gain feedback on the implementation of our Mobile Device Policy. It is interesting to note that since we introduced this policy at the start of the 2019 school year, government schools in Victoria have announced they will be following our lead on this initiative from 2020.
Feedback from teachers was overwhelmingly positive, with 95% agreeing that the policy had helped students to avoid distractions during the school day. Teachers also noticed that students were socially interacting more often with friends during the school day (89% agreeing with this statement). One teacher noted, ‘A number of senior students have commented that it has assisted in alleviating the pressure and expectation to constantly be ‘live’ on their phone, and in turn this has helped them to relax and be more present at school.’
Parents were also very supportive of the implementation of the policy, with the vast majority (86%) agreeing that it has had a positive effect on the Trinity community. 78% of parents felt that the policy had helped their son to engage more fully in his learning, although some parents commented that it was hard to gauge the true impact as they are not at school, and they would be more interested to see what the teaching staff thought about engagement.
Unsurprisingly, students were somewhat less affirming of the policy. However, there were a number of interesting responses in the data, most notably from some of our oldest students. In the Year 12 cohort, half of the students agreed that the policy had helped them to avoid distractions during the school day. Although we realised that the policy would not be universally popular with students, this is a very positive sign that it is having a real impact where it is most crucial. One student noted, ‘People are more focused and more on task when they don’t have their phones. It makes them more sociable too. It has helped a lot of people even though they might not notice it.’
Some members of the community felt that the policy could reduce valuable learning opportunities by restricting access to technology. We will continue to remind teachers that they are welcome to ask students to bring their phones to class if there is a specific task that would benefit from access to a phone, such as filming a science experiment or taking a photograph in a folio subject.
Overall, we feel that the mobile device policy has had a very positive impact, both on the boys’ levels of engagement, and their meaningful social interactions at school. We are pleased to have been leaders in the introduction of this policy, recognising its implementation and continued use is in the best interests of our boys and their education at Trinity.
Phil De Young – Headmaster
Ben Ryder – Director of Innovative Learning
Rev’d Matt Campbell – Director of Wellbeing
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Incoming students are often asked what they enjoy about school. If they are primary school boys, they will usually say sport, sometimes Maths. In later years, boys may say the Outdoor Education program, Design Technology (F1 in Schools, for instance), Economics or perhaps sport. As adults, we probably do not remember much about our school days, certainly not much about the classroom. The lessons roll into one, but it is the football Grand Final or weather conditions on camp, or the friends you make that leave lasting impressions.
I remember my Year 8 Form Teacher Mr ‘Fuzz’ Morrish. He taught Science. In the middle of the end-of-year exam he stopped at my desk and started to talk to me about my placement of field positions (cricket). Apparently, I did not have the field in close enough to save a single, nor far enough out to stop boundaries. I tried to work out why he was distracting me from the examination. The result of the examination was important, but there are other things, almost as important, to think of too.
Schools are interesting places, full of highs and lows. Some days, as was the case recently, we can host the funeral of an Old Boy in the afternoon, and stage an amazing musical performance in the evening. Last week, we saw the Hockey First XI play in the AGSV Grand Final and win the Premiership after a great game; the Chamber Soirée on Friday; and there was also a Science Colloquium featuring Professor Mark Shackleton and Associate Professor Oliver Jones. Two Year 9 groups went on camp at Licola, where they had a terrific, but challenging time. Approximately 80 boys were in Beijing and arrived home Sunday morning. On the whole they had a wonderful experience, despite some boys suffering illness during the trip. The staff were outstanding in looking after the boys, but it has been difficult for the boys and staff who were not feeling well, so far away from home.
The Australian Mathematics Competition was held last Thursday and then a number of staff, including the Headmaster and me, attended Stephen Jones’ (OTG 1996) funeral at St John’s Church. Stephen had attended Trinity since Prep and was School Vice-Captain in 1996. He was a wonderful man, father to three young children, husband and son. Tragically he was killed in a boating accident in Ibiza, Spain.
Schools are about relationships. Academic results are very important, but so are the debating teams, musical ensembles, and trips away. The friends you make and, for us as teachers, the relationships with the boys, stay with you forever.
Life is not always fair. We have seen that with Hugh Blunt (OTG 2018), who passed away from Mitochondrial disease, and now Stephen Jones. As sad and devastating as their deaths are for family and friends, these are the times when close mates rally around one another, helping us to move forward and to find a positive. So, Trinity, like all schools, experiences the highs and the lows. We need to encourage our boys to be resilient, courageous and respectful when it comes to dealing with the issues that confront us.
Rohan Brown
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Senior School
Hockey Premiership
Congratulation to the Hockey First XI, who won the AGSV Hockey Premiership on Friday. The game was a real nail-biter with the final score 3:3. Trinity wins the Premiership as we finished on top of the ladder at the end of the season. Well done to Tom Carey (Captain), and Coaches Mr Eddy, Mrs Fewster and Luke Davidson (OTG 2017). The team (listed below) went undefeated for the season and will be presented with the Premiership Cup at assembly on Wednesday.
Team members: Josh Bradbury, Ben Allen, Christopher Cohen, Tom Truscott, Liam Henderson, Ryan Glasson, Sam Baldwin (VC), Sam Rusjan, Tom Carey (C), Eamon Bye, Bennett Baker, Peter Roberts, Lachlan Hodgson, Will Johnson, Joel Taylor and Ben Fox.
Geography Competition
Trinity enters most of the boys who are studying Geography into the Australian Geography Competition. In 2019, 41 boys were awarded High Distinctions. Hadyn Tang and Nicholas Fallaw (Year 10) were in the top 1% of their year level. Enda Han and Aden Wilmshurst (Year 9) were also in the top 1% of their cohort, while David Fang and Callum McAuley were in the top 2%. Michael Fan and Daniel Chong (Year 8) were in the top 1% of their year level. To cap it all off, Enda Han was the top student in Year 9 in Australia.
Chamber Soirée
The Chamber Soirée was held last Friday night in the South Room. There were 13 small groups, from Trinity Trios and Guitar Ensembles to Processional Groups. It was great to see and listen to students in Years 7 to 12 and Junior School boys. A highlight of the night was the first performance of Lloyd Forlano’s composition String Quartet No 1 by the Forlano Quartet.
Year 9 China Tour
The first of the Year 9 China tours returned last Sunday night. They were tired and looking forward to a home-cooked meal, but on the whole they had a great time. They visited the Summer Palace, Great Wall, local markets, travelled on the subway (many times) and spent a day with a host family.
Some boys were ill, however the boys and staff were magnificent in dealing with these situations. One boy is still in hospital in Beijing and we look forward to his safe return very soon.
Camp
The first two Year 9 groups have returned from their Licola camps. They had excellent weather, with good bushwalking and rafting conditions. The boys ate well and enjoyed the spectacular scenery. Thank you to Mr Cleary and the Outdoor staff for making the camp so enjoyable. The next two Year 9 groups leave in Week 5.
Congratulations
Hamish Jobling (Year 11) won the Australian U/17 Karate competition on the weekend.
Careers Newsletter
Please click here for the latest edition of the Careers Newsletter.
Respectful Relationships Forum
Seven Year 10 students represented the School at the State Department of Education’s Respectful Relationships Forum held at Scotch College at the end of July. The forum saw the boys connect and collaborate with students from a variety of schools in eastern Melbourne to discuss issues such as relationships in the 21st Century, gender stereotypes, and the meaning of consent. The boys return to Trinity with an action plan to promote greater awareness of this issue.
Thanks to Lucas Aceski, Henry Davis, Nicholas Fallaw, Ethan Orr, Archie Shaw, Mason Sweeny and Dihan Wiggett for representing the School, along with Dr Malone and Mr Weinberg.
Trinity Blue – Swimming Squad
Surrey Park Swimming Club provides an opportunity for Trinity boys in Year 4 to Year 8 to train with the Trinity Blue Squad in the school pool on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.15 to 4.45pm. An extra Saturday morning session at Aqualink Box Hill from 8.00 to 9.30am is also available.
Experienced coaches from Surrey Park Swimming Club run the Trinity Blue sessions. No coaching fees are charged for these sessions; however, swimmers who attend on Saturday mornings will be required to pay an Aqualink pool entry fee.
All Trinity Blue Squad swimmers are welcome and encouraged to participate in Surrey Park Swimming Club’s Racing Nights in Term 4 and Surrey Park’s Annual Club Championships.
Trinity Blue Squad members are required to join Surrey Park Swimming Club for insurance purposes. However, as a Competitive Swimmer so they can also participate in external competitions conducted by Surrey Park, other Clubs, Metro District East and Swimming Victoria.
If you have any questions please contact to Mr McEwin or contact Michael Goff
MUSIC NEWS
News from Japan
A team of Suzuki violinists, accompanied by their parents and Trinity Head of Suzuki Music, Mrs Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing, are currently in Matsumoto, Japan, participating and representing Trinity in a series of intense workshops and performances
Congratulations
Well done to the Mitre Band, directed by Mr Chris Brown, who performed at the VSMA Music Festival at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Tuesday 30 July.
Congratulations to the TD Contemporary Guitar Ensemble (Terry Gu, Charlie Shaw, Mr Troy Downward) who provided a highly enjoyable set of pre-event music at the recent Science Colloquium.
Term 3 Music Recitals
Students are invited to perform in the upcoming recitals to be held on Tuesday August 13 (Week 5) and Tuesday 20 August (Week 7) from 3.30pm – 4.00pm in Room CY4 of the Music Department. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their performance prior to VCE recitals or 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 or email to register their interest.
Chamber Soiree
The following 13 Music Ensembles performed in the round at the Chamber Soiree on Friday 2 August in the South Room: Awesome Oboes, Clarion Ensemble, JS String Quartet, Trinity Trio, MQ String Quartet, Bream Guitar Ensemble, Trinity Triumvirate, Forlano Quartet, Doppler Trio, Percussion Ensemble, Burritt Percussion Ensemble, Prima, Saxophone Ensemble.
2020 Music Tour to Italy
Students currently in Years 7-10 are encouraged to consider this special tour which will take place in the Term 3 holiday break of 2020. All students will sing together, and smaller instrumental groups will be formed. A second information night will be held later in the year. Please email Ms Michelle Stanic to express your interest in participating in this tour.
CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
We all know that relationships require effort if they are to be maintained. In the same way that a fire will go out if it is not stoked and fed with fuel, so too will our relationships with others suffer and fade if we neglect them. So we make time for each other and keep in contact, knowing that the greater the contact, the deeper the understanding and love. The same is surely then true for our relationship with God. So how can we prioritise and maintain this relationship? One of the most important ways to do this is through prayer.
Michael Ramsey, a former Archbishop of Canterbury had this to say on how we might approach this relationship:
‘When you have a great friend you may plan to spend a time with him and may be careful not to miss it. The use of the time is unlikely to be planned, but within the time, news may be shared, requests may be made, regrets or gratitude may be spoken, and minds may be changed sometimes by talking and listening and sometimes with a little word or gesture…May not our prayer be rather like that?’
Maybe you pray every day. Maybe you can’t remember the last time you did. Either way, God is there, and waiting; and will rejoice in our drawing close to Him.
Cecilia Fairlie
Junior School Chaplain
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
On Wednesday 31 July we hosted the Trinity Talks Breakfast with special guest speaker Josh Gibson (OTG 2001). Josh is a 3 x AFL Premiership player at Hawthorn, media personality and official MYER ambassador. Rohan Brown led the Q&A session which proved to be an enlightening and entertaining insight into Josh’s football and media career. Josh answered questions from our guests; one particularly stood out as he was asked what his ‘take away from Trinity’ was. He answered that he valued the close relationships he had formed and the wonderful opportunity that a Trinity education offered. With over 100 guests attending, it was great to see so many current students and their families present, especially on such a cold winter morning.
Our next major community event is the Harambee Outreach Dinner being held on Saturday 10 August. Should you wish to attend, please find the booking details below.
Kathy Hines
Director of Development and Community Relations
Swap Shop and Café – Call for Volunteers
If you can spare a few hours each term, we are always looking for volunteers to assist with the Café and the Swap Shop in Semester 2.
Please contact Bonnie in Hudson House to register your interest or alternatively contact Susan Lane (Trinity Shop) or Carol-Ann Wong (Café).
You can sign up to volunteer in the Café directly by clicking here.
Mitre Cookbook
The Mitre Cookbook is available to purchase from Main Reception and Hudson House. You can also purchase online by clicking here.
- $40.00 – pick-up from school
- $50.00 includes postage
Community Relations Calendar
Saturday 10 August
2019 Harambee Outreach Dinner
Time: 6.30pm
Location: South Room – Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
Cost: Adults – $55; Students – $35
RSVP: Tuesday 6 August via trybooking.com/BDPKU
The Harambee Dinner is our annual fundraiser for outreach ministries in Uganda and Kenya. It is a celebration of the local, Indigenous and international communities with which we walk. Your ticket price includes a three-course meal and soft drinks. BYO beer and wine for adults.
Friday 23 August
2019 Year 7 Mothers and Sons Breakfast
Time: 6.45am for a 7.00am start
Location: South Room – Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
Cost: Adults – $24.00; Students – $22.00
RSVP: Friday 16 August via trybooking.com/BDRCS
We invite Year 7 students and their mothers to join us for a delicious breakfast, and to hear from the School Captain and his mother about their time at Trinity. Guests will be seated with their son’s form. Breakfast will conclude at 8.00am to allow students to get to class on time.
Thursday 29 August
Junior School Father’s Day Breakfast
Time: 6.45am, for a 7.00am start
Location: South Room, Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
Cost: Adult – $35.00; Students – $25.00
RSVP: trybooking.com/BEKFM
We invite all Junior School fathers and their sons to the Junior School Father’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 29 August in the South Room. Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast and some excellent entertainment.
Friday 30 August
2019 Prep Parents’ Dinner
We are delighted to invite you to a social night out to break the winter blues.
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Hellenic Republic, Kew
Cost: $70.00 per head including canapes, served in our own private area.
RSVP: trybooking.com/BEHTP
Sunday 8 September
Year 5 Splatball Family Afternoon
You are invited to an exciting activity for Year 5 boys and their families. Parents and siblings are all welcome; however, the game is set for children eight years old and over.
Time: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Location: World Series Splatball, Oakleigh
Cost: $35.00 per person
RSVP: trybooking.com/BELNK