Week 4, Term 1 – 2018
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FROM THE HEADMASTER
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of leaven is:
- An agent, such as yeast, that causes batter or dough to rise, especially by fermentation.
- An element, influence, or agent that works subtly to lighten, enliven, or modify a whole.
If you pop up to the Peter Crawley Centre when the boys are baking bread you will soon see a little leaven helps the entire loaf rise.
Making bread is a spellbinding and very satisfying pastime. Notwithstanding that the product of this labour provides sensorial delight in taste and smell, I still remain enthralled by the action of the leaven in the bread. That the introduction of such a small amount of leaven can have such a huge influence on the entire loaf still amazes me. It is intensely satisfying to knead the dough to a correct consistency and let it settle before the bake, but to see the loaf rise as the fermentation process takes place remains a thing of wonder for me as a little leaven helps the entire loaf rise.
It comes as no surprise to me that another factor in helping the loaf to rise comes from the dough that surrounds the yeast. It is vital when the leaven helps release the gases within the bread that the dough holds those bubbles in; it retains those things that help it rise. In a similar way Trinity, we not only help others rise, but we also value those things that help us rise. We grow from the influence of others, the influence of our peers, the teachers and indeed our marvellous parental body. We rise as a whole and influence individually.
At Trinity, we all have our part to play: through our passions and special interests, we can and do make a difference in the lives of others. We too can be the leaven in the bread. If the leaven is not spread evenly throughout the loaf, it will become uneven and lose its shape. So too with our school. We help others rise in their interactions with other people, in the wide variety of sports we play, in the entire spectrum of academics, in music, and in drama, art and outdoor activity; with our own gifts we help others to rise. Yes, we can celebrate our top academics at the High Achievers’ Assembly, and the sports champions, elite musicians or actors, but we all have our part to play. We help the school rise as a whole with our action, not by relying on others to take the lead. If you ever feel that you have no influence on this school, your community or indeed the global community, just remember that even a very little leaven helps the entire loaf rise.
Dr Michael Davies
Headmaster
FROM THE ELC
Last Wednesday, we welcomed a very special visitor to the ELC, Mrs Jan Jensen, the creator of Trinity Bear. Jan made and donated this teddy to the ELC in 1999, the year it opened, and since then he has become part of our history – and of many students’ fond memories.
I know there will be many boys throughout the school who will remember taking him home for a weekend and all this attention over many years has now resulted in Trinity requiring some ‘surgery’ on his head and arms. Jan has kindly offered to take on this task and we anticipate a full recovery!
Then, he will be ready to resume his important role in the Three Year Old Group, providing that link between school and home, and a focus and reassurance for those who may need it.
Genevieve Read
Director of the ELC
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
International Mindedness
The International Baccalaureate mission statement is as follows:
The international Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect
All Junior School boys lived and breathed intercultural experience and understanding during their fabulous afternoon of Chinese New Year celebrations last Friday – from lion dancing and Qipao fashion, to dragon boat racing and shadow puppetry. An enormous feat of organisation and generosity from TGS parents and staff helped engage the Junior School children in a wonderful learning opportunity. Many thanks to all involved in creating such a marvellous extravaganza.
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Looking Ahead
On Wednesday 21 February at 7.00pm we have our Camp Information Evenings for parents of students in Years 4, 5 and 6.
The Year 4 and 6 sessions will be held in the Arnold Hall Lecture Theatre, CBSE (Senior School), and for Year 5 in the Year 5 classrooms.
Please put this date in your diary and come along to hear more about the trip your son will enjoy in Week 6 of this term.
Tom Savill
Junior School Deputy Head (Administration)
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
High Achievers’ Assembly
Each year, at a special Headmaster’s Assembly, the School congratulates the boys who have obtained an ATAR of greater than 99.00. This year 13 of the 14 High Achievers were presented to the Headmaster and Chairman of School Council, Rod Lyle. It was wonderful to listen to the citations about the boys’ involvement in academic and co-curricular activities during their school days. Well done to these boys and hopefully they can inspire others to aim high for their own schooling.
2017 High Achievers
- Andrew Bithavas
- Anand Bharadwaj (Dux)
- Jim Chen
- Charlie Dixon
- Nicholas Galbraith
- Luke Hill-Smith
- David Lin
- Benjamin Logan
- Rishabh Mishra
- Jack Petereit
- Jack Polis
- Zachary Tuttle
- Jonathan Vu
- David Youings
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OTG Musicians
On Thursday 25 February, three of Trinity’s finest OTG musicians, Aidan Filshie (violin), Bailey Edgley-Fletcher (violin) and Edward Wang (oboe), performed a magnificent program of music with the Australian Youth Orchestra in the Melbourne Recital Centre.
The Orchestra, conducted by Antony Hermus, performed works by Mendelssohn, Ravel and Mahler to an exceptionally high standard.
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House Activities
Today, the Senior School held the House Swimming Competition at MSAC. Hopefully, all the boys had a great afternoon and swam well. The results will be published next week.
The next major event is the House Performing Arts Festival, where all eight Houses perform an excerpt from a musical/play/show for 15 minutes. It is a great night of entertainment and fun.
Parents are most welcome (and encouraged to attend) and tickets will be available through TryBooking from Week 5.
HPAF: Monday 19 March from 7.30pm at The Plenary, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
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Victorian Canoe/Kayak Sprint Championships
Over the weekend, Nathan Jones (Year 9), Robert Burns (Year 9) Leo Lazzarotto (Year 11) and Chris Burns (Year 12) participated in the Victorian Canoe/Kayak Sprint Championships at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre.
A total of 19 medals were won on Sunday: Nathan and Leo finished with both six medals each, and Robert and Chris received four and three medals respectively.
Robert and Nathan were crowned the U16 doubles champions in Victoria, while Leo and Chris are the U18 champions in Victoria for doubles.
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Year 7 Induction Service at St Paul’s Cathedral
The annual Year 7 Induction Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday 22 February commencing at 7.30pm. We ask that parents and boys arrive around 7.00pm in order to get seats. The service usually concludes by 8.45pm.
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Parent-Form Teacher Transition Interviews
These interviews will be conducted for Year 7 on Thursday 1 March between 1.00 pm and 5.15 pm.
Parents will have received notification via Trinity Connect with details regarding the internet-based booking system and the PIN number that they require to make bookings. The system opened on Sunday 18 February and will be available for bookings until 8.00 am on the day of the interviews.
The link for the bookings can be found on Trinity Connect > My sons > Relevant Links > Parent Teacher Booking or by clicking here.
CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
There is a growing body of research investigating the connection between our use of smartphones and mental health. Teenagers in particular have demonstrated higher levels of anxiety that can be directly correlated with their mobile phone use. In the past, ‘growing up’ was a vastly different experience. For a start, Presidents never ‘tweeted’, and dining and social engagements weren’t perpetually documented in photos and uploaded to Instagram. Furthermore, opinions, no matter how well-informed weren’t instantly available to audiences of a billion people or more. Communication either happened face to face, or else, over the telephone – a device, which was invariably attached to a wall. Technology and social media has radically changed the way we connect. So, how can we help young people navigate their way through the present minefield of mass media?
One solution being offered by a young American entrepreneur is the development of a lockable pouch, designed especially for high school students to help keep their phones out of sight. After an initial adjustment, results showed that rather than being ‘glued’ to their phones, students were more inclined to engage in conversations and interact with one another. Overall productivity increased and student wellbeing appeared to improve too. Teaching young people to communicate well in a media-saturated world is increasingly difficult, and creating home environments where families take time to sit and talk with one another is a necessary part of enabling children to become healthy, functioning adults.
The author of Proverbs writes, ‘Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.’ In the end great wisdom is required, however, as is often the case the best learning starts at home. So parents, teach your children well – and teachers will merely be echoing your wisdom.
The Rev’d Geoff Everett
Assistant Chaplain and Head of Religious Education
MUSIC NEWS
Music Lessons and Ensemble Rehearsals
Any students interested in learning a musical instrument should complete an application form. Please complete the form and return to the Music Office.
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Senior Music Camp
Many thanks to the members of Symphony Orchestra, Senior Strings and Symphonic Wind Ensemble who worked hard at the Music Camp over the weekend.
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Join a Senior School Choir
Trinity has two main choirs operating in the Senior School. The Middle School Choir is for students in Years 7 – 9 with unchanged or changing voices. This choir rehearses every Tuesday at 7.30am in CY1. The Senior Choir (previously known as Chamber Choir) is for students in Years 9 – 12 with changed voices. This choir rehearses on Mondays at 7.30am in CY4 and Wednesdays at 7.30am in CY1.
These choirs are open to all students. Incoming Year 7s are encouraged to come along and give choir a try. Older students (who perhaps want to improve their performance at HPAF) are more than welcome to join us.
For further information please contact Kevin Kelley.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Year 12 Parent Volunteer Committees
Thanks to all the parents who signed up for either the Year 12 Scone Morning Teas, Valedictory Committee, After Party or the Pizza Lunch. If you missed out and still wish to put your name down or have any questions, please email Sharon Kendall in the Community Relations Office.
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Trinity Cafeteria
The rosters are now open for Term 1, we hope to see some new faces in 2018! Please click here to find out more and sign up on your preferred day.
To find out more about volunteering in the café or if you have any feedback, please contact Sue McNally, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, or Sharon Kendall, Community Liaison.
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Trinity Uniform Shop
The next dates for the Trinity Shop are Thursday 1 March and Thursday 15 March. We are always looking for more volunteers to assist during 2018 – to find out more, please contact Susan Lane (parent volunteer) for details.
Thursday 1 March: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Liz Beasley, Xi Gao, Leanne Larkin
- Sales: Christina Branagan, Meileen Tan, Diane Di Stefano
Thursday 15 March: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Carolyn Crouch, Jenny Bennett, Jane King
- Sales: Robyn Walker, Deborah Hunt, Kate Jennings