Edition 2, Term 2 2020
MENU: From the Principal | From the ELC | Junior School | Senior School | Music News | Chaplain’s Chat | Community Relations
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
There are many reactions available to us when we are under pressure. It has been extraordinary, therefore, to witness the overwhelmingly positive and supportive response from our community over recent weeks. Whereas all are affected by the pandemic’s reach, the prevailing response from our community has been that of great generosity, both financially and in spirit. Education again became the political football, played out in the media and hardly edifyingly at that. Behind the public skirmishes, we have received communication from families who need assistance and families who are offering assistance. We have also had many who have affirmed our stance. I am most grateful for the families that have made contact to support our direction and to offer support to each other. It is truly impressive.
It is the same with our staff. Faced with the significant challenge of an entirely different work reality, and for many the discomfort of engaging with different duties, we have seen a great deal of goodwill and industry. Tapping into the idea that you ‘should never waste a crisis’, we have repurposed a number of Educational Support Staff into projects that are always put onto the ‘one day’ list and have, for instance, made great progress in modernising various aspects of our behind the scenes administration. Academic staff have also seized the opportunity to make progress. A prominent example has been the Junior School Reporting and Assessment Working Party, of which I enjoyed being a part. This involved a ‘Whole School’ view of our systems and seeks to streamline and align Junior and Senior School reporting. Although the moves have been afoot for a while to evolve our reporting in this way, the recent focus of online delivery and the determination to invest in cross school collaboration have certainly been rich catalysts. Grant Nalder is discussing these initiatives with groups of parents in the coming days before concreting in any changes and announcing them more broadly.
Advantageous as aspects of this time have been, of course, we want to resume business as usual as soon as possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel. In a rapidly moving landscape, we have been trying to flatten one curve and stay ahead of another at the same time! Daily life at school, though frustratingly quiet, has been marked with robust screening and hygiene protocols, developed swiftly and purposefully to be scaled up in anticipation of the full school return which seems to be drawing closer. As soon as we can do so safely, we will be welcoming back our community amidst an emphasis of care of others by our actions. As news emerges of our ability to return freely, I will communicate our planning to ensure that all can arrive back on campus, ready to learn and well groomed!
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
The ELC children have been discussing things that make them happy and exploring their emotions and feelings through the Distance Learning Program. From group conversations, the idea of Rainbows and the joy they can bring people came up, and we encouraged the children to create their own Rainbow to bring them happiness and their families. We also acknowledge the happiness that Mums and Dads bring to the children daily. This week would have been a week to celebrate Mum’s and special friends in the Early Learning Centre for Mother’s Day. It is just one of many events that we look forward to sharing with our community and creating lifelong memories for the children. Although we cannot open our doors and invite families to show our genuine appreciation, we hope to be able to share and spread joy and make all Mum’s feel special in some way. We look forward to having our ELC Mums join us on Friday morning for a lovely Teams Meeting in honour of them.
Marty O’Brien
Director of the ELC
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Navigating the New
Carol Dweck’s concept of growth mindset was seen in every corner of our school community as we transitioned to phase two of our distance learning program. Our teachers continue to work incredibly hard to upskill with new technologies and teaching strategies for remote learning and are rising to the challenge of providing our students with the best possible learning experience despite the physical separation. Our students are learning new platforms to support their learning as well as building the essential skills of resilience and independence. In many cases, our community members continue to navigate the balance of working from home with children learning and other family members working under the same roof.
We enjoyed using Microsoft Teams in ELC through to Year 6 for video conferencing with students. We saw many smiles and laughs amongst both teachers and students as we continued to build these meaningful relationships that are essential to our school life. The morning meetings, small group work and touch points with teachers provides a synchronous element to our learning that further supports our students with their students.
We also saw Seesaw, a learning journal platform, deployed to our ELC, Year 3 and Year 4 students and our Prep to Year 2 boys continued using it for a variety of learning engagements. Seesaw will also help increase communication and allow staff to provide timely feedback to students and families. Our Year 5&6 students have been using OneNote for sharing work with their teachers.
Thank you to all families for their patience with this transition and embracing the change with us. We look forward to continuing to navigate this new horizon with you.
Emily MacLean
Deputy Head of Junior School (Innovation & School Excellence)
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Premier’s Award
We have received news that three Trinity boys achieved Premier’s VCE Awards for their performance in the VCE last year. There is no presentation ceremony this year due to COVID-19, but we congratulate these boys on their awards:
- Rishov Doloi (Biology) Teacher: Mr van Herk
- Daniel Gu (English) Teacher: Mr Scholten
- Hadyn Tang (Mathematical Methods) Teacher: Mrs Nigro
- Edward Spink (Australian History) Virtual School Victoria
- Jennifer Wu (Ancient History) Teacher: Dr Koehne (Jennifer is a Ruyton student who studied this subject at Trinity)
Rishov, Hadyn and Edward are still at Trinity which is even more remarkable.
Some Senior classes return this week.
This week, some Year 12 Unit 3/4 classes have recommenced, but only for the ‘double’ classes in the more practical subjects such as Design Technology, Studio Arts, Visual Communication and Hospitality (which the boys cannot do from home). Boys have been notified by their teacher about the arrangements for their double lesson. Boys need to enter the school via main reception, use the hand sanitiser, have a temperature check and then go to class for their double lesson. At this stage, we are still unaware as to when formal school will resume. We await information from the state government.
May 11 – Screen-free Day
Mr Farrer has communicated to all families that Monday 11 May will be a screen-free day and a student-free day. The boys and staff have been very patient and understanding with Distance Learning, but it can be exhausting looking at a screen all day. The recent survey indicated that boys (and staff) need a bit of down time. So, we encourage boys to NOT log onto school on 11 May. We hope they will play a board game, ride the bike, read a book (or newspaper), walk the dog (twice!) and be a bit refreshed for the next day. Thanks for your understanding.
Rohan Brown
Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School
From the Boarding House
Boarding life has continued at Trinity albeit in a slightly surreal version! Six of our international students have returned after spending their Term 1 holiday break with their guardians and homestays. Since their return they have been studying in the library – Monday to Friday – and keeping active and embracing new challenges. Activities have included ‘Scotty’s boot camp’ on Saturday mornings, table tennis, basketball, Lego building, jigsaw puzzles, and anything to keep them away from screen time (I think most of us, staff included, have had enough screen time!). All of the boys have been compliant and understanding of the times and circumstances we are living in but wish for things to revert back to the way they were prior to Covid-19. Our domestic and interstate boarders are staying with their families and relatives until we are all given the green light for them to return to school and come back to the Boarding House.
Ian Lundie
Head of Boarding
Careers Newsletter
Please click here to find the latest edition of the Careers Newsletter.
Good Grub Support
Thank you to everyone in our Trinity Community who has supported our Good Grub community by dropping off groceries and sending items as they remain isolated from their regular help due to COVID-19. Could groceries pleased be dropped off on Thursday morning between 9.00am and 12.00pm to the Habitat Uniting Church, 23 Highbury Grove, Kew.
So far, we have supported 716 meals a week and helped 182 people, many of whom are elderly and asylum seeker mums. Best items: pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, zucchinis, carrots and fruit. Meat donations are fantastic as well.
Thanks to all the incredible Trinity mothers who have been cooking up great meals.
- Donations – fresh fruit, vegetables and non-perishables to 23 Highbury Grove, Kew
- Donations – send items for our Good Grub community to do at home.
You can go online and order these kinds of items for people to do at home. Please deliver to 4 Highbury Grove, Kew 3101. Colouring-in books, word find books, plain sketch books, coloured textas and pencils, grey lead pencils and sketching pens, jigsaws, craft activities, DVD movies are all popular.
Thanks for all your support to help those most vulnerable in our community.
Tom Purcell
Director of Outreach and Assistant Chaplain
The Tudor Centre
Click & Collect Borrowing Now Available from the Tudor Centre
- Request your book by emailing longlibrary@trinity.vic.edu.au
- Collect your book from the Tudor Centre during lunchtime on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
- Maintain hygiene and social distancing by going directly to the Tudor Centre and using hand sanitiser on entry.
- Enjoy your book!
For more information, please contact longlibrary@trinity.vic.edu.au
Erin Wamala
Teacher Librarian
MUSIC NEWS
Instrumental lessons, sectional and full ensemble rehearsals, intense home practice, listening to repertoire, recording and reflecting on our performance, performing – a normal day in the Music School continues every day throughout Term 2 – who would have thought it possible?
Students have their instruments close at hand and ready to practise, and instrumental teachers have provided a wealth of challenging teaching methods and resources, so standards will be high upon our return to normal schooling.
Playing an instrument/singing in between classes is a great way to utilise a different part of your brain, which subsequently functions at a higher level upon return to academic classes!
Congratulations to all Music students, instrumental staff and parents for making music at home the standard, and I hope that families are enjoying the experience.
After School Music Recital
Students are warmly invited to perform in Trinity’s first recital via MS Teams on Tuesday 12 May at 3:30pm. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their performance. Interested participants should contact Mrs Therese McCoppin at mccoppint@trinity.vic.edu.au by Friday 8 May to register their interest.
Michelle Stanic
Director of Music
Chaplain’s Chat
This week I ‘attended’ the online funeral of a friend (such being the times we are living through). She had lived to the ripe old age of 101, so her death was not tragic, but I will miss her. She was much loved by many people, as was demonstrated by the 70+ people who went to her 100th birthday party – quite an achievement for someone without children of their own.
I was very struck by something her niece mentioned in the eulogy: that she ‘never once heard her wish for something she didn’t have’. Reflecting on this, I realised it was true. She had never once wished any of the conditions of her life were different (or given voice to it anyway). She accepted her life’s circumstances and focused on serving others. She had a similar approach to her faith. She matter-of-factly accepted the existence of her maker and got on with the business of serving Him through many generous offerings of time and effort to her church, her community, her family and her friends.
This uncomplaining acceptance went hand-in-hand with a deep thankfulness. Every visit was peppered with expressions of gratitude towards those who cared for her or showed her kindness, though I strongly suspect that it was we who were the greater beneficiaries in this.
Her example of cheerfulness, courage and selflessness as well as her trusting faith in God is the legacy she now leaves to many.
Cecilia Fairlie
Junior School Chaplain
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Mother’s Day Message
Mother’s Day is a special day in recognition of the unconditional love and generosity that our mothers provide. It is a day when we all come together to let mum know just how much we appreciate all she does to support us.
This year will be very different to any Mother’s Day we have celebrated before as we continue to self-isolate. Our current restrictions give us an opportunity to creatively rethink how to spoil and celebrate our wonderful mothers on their special day.
Wishing our Trinity Mums all the happiness that this day will bring. Happy Mother’s Day!
Kathy Hines
Director of Development and Community Relations
Trinity Fine Foods
Dearest Makers, Makers-in-the Making and Produce Donors,
The 2020 Trinity Fair is planned for Term 4 and with these uncertain times many of us are spending more time at home and enjoying cooking. With beautiful autumn fruit in season, it is the ideal time for plum, fig, pear, quince and tomato preserves – and new season apples will be just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to join the Fine Foods makers either as a donor or maker!
Jars used for making are available on request and information on how to re-use of jars from last year’s Fair is also available.
Contact Emma Drake on 0404 567 352 or emma_drake@yahoo.com
Jars can in most instances be picked up from and dropped off to your house. Pick-up of produce will be delayed at this stage. If you have any questions regarding how it works or are new to preserving, you’re not alone! Please don’t hesitate to email me with any queries.
Emma Drake
From the Parents’ Association
If you are looking for things to do while we’re all bunkered down, here are some fun (and delicious!) recipes from Trinity’s The Mitre Cookbook:
Why not have a go at making one of these (or another recipe from The Mitre Cookbook) and send us a photo of your children cooking or enjoying the fruits of their labour! Email your photos to pa@trinity.vic.edu.au by Wednesday 6 May and the most creative photo will win a restaurant voucher (to use at a restaurant owned by a Trinity parent), a copy of the cookbook and a Trinity apron – in time for Mother’s Day!
The Mitre Cookbook is available via trybooking.com/YIOL for $40 (including packing and postage within Australia).
The Mitre Cookbook was created by students, parents, staff and OTGs, who gave their time and expertise – it is truly a community effort. All proceeds from the cookbook go to the Trinity Parents’ Association.
Heidi Pfeffer
President of the Parents’ Association