Edition 3, Term 3 2020
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The 39th Battalion was essentially a militia force that found itself overseas defending Australia on the famous Kokoda Track. This week 78 years ago, it stood as part of the Australian defence at the iconic battle of Isurava. It was a group of young men, many of whom grew up in the suburbs our boys are growing up in now, which ended up achieving something quite extraordinary and that others simply were not asked to do.
I have been lucky enough to visit the Kokoda Track many times. (In fact, 15 years ago, when I was at another school, I happened to take a group of students from Trinity, and learnt much of the nature of Trinity through them; they were fine young men). When walking Kokoda you are walking in one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. Thick rainforest gives way occasionally to valleys of gardens or views of mountains into the distance, but usually the walk is characterised by the concept of taking it one step at a time, usually looking down at where your tired feet will fall! When you reach a couple of the main peaks – like Mount Bellamy or Imita Ridge – you do so as a reward after a trek difficult to navigate, filled as it is with hazards such as tree roots, rocks, mud, fallen trees to climb over, while of course carrying your pack. That is without a battle-hardened, largely invisible enemy firing on you too!
Naturally, when we look forward through difficult times we look to a better time on the other side. One of the cruelties of Kokoda’s reality is that very often when you feel like you’re reaching the top you have in fact reached a false peak. Kokoda is a physical challenge, and a great one at that, but it’s also an emotional challenge and one that has come to have a great deal more meaning recently for Australians; it has become something of a pilgrimage in memory of those of the 39th and other battalions. It’s inescapable to reflect on the fact that the track was the scene of a desperate fight in which a number of people lost their lives, many people became sick and some of the Japanese, particularly, went through extraordinary privations. We visit and pay homage, though endure a more measured and more acceptable level of deprivation.
I am sympathetic towards all our boys, and particularly our Year 12s, as they tackle their own Kokoda this year. The school is doing what we can to try and look after their interests, and there have been several tough climbs already – some false peaks and a good deal of uncertainty – however there is progress with each tired step. We are focusing on keeping our students healthy, safe and on the right track as they look to their end of year exams. We are fortunate that we can reorganise their major assessments so that we can approach the rest of the year with confidence.
We are keenly aware that this is a different year, that there are false peaks, and a physical and emotional challenge for students, but we are also aware that the pressures on them are able to be controlled and we are able to make sure they will come out well having conquered this particular track they’re on.
In this week, in particular, we can reflect on the ability to overcome adversity. Our students will be able to do so with the great sense of satisfaction at having achieved something, in their own way, quite extraordinary and that others simply haven’t been asked to do.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
Distance Learning in the Early Learning Centre has been an opportunity for us to explore digital resources and become more creative with technology, so we can take the children on a journey, remotely. We continue to embrace technology and its ability to enhance social connectedness with others during this time. This week the ELC sent a video of the children singing You are my Sunshine to our friends over at the CaSPA Care nursing home. The residents and staff were so appreciative and enjoyed receiving that little bit of sunshine to brighten up everyone’s day.
As we continue to spread some joy around the community, the children have demonstrated great interest in getting involved in the Spirit Days. They have excitedly joined their Teams meetings dressed up and have loved sharing photos on SeeSaw. The children have also been getting out and about for their one hour of exercise and spotting ‘Spoonvilles’ in their area or contributing to this initiative. Spoonville, which began in Winnersh, England, is now a global phenomenon much like the rainbows in the windows and the neighbourhood bear hunts. It is a way to give children and families something pleasant to find as they get some fresh air. The ELC hopes to see more people getting involved and taking part in anything that will make them smile and help others do the same!
Marty O’Brien
Director of the Early Learning Centre
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Last week saw the inception of a number of new opportunities for the boys to connect – with their teachers and with their peers. Mr Ponsford kicked off the week with the Up ‘n’ at ‘em sessions each morning. This was a wonderful opportunity to get the whole family together and get the blood pumping. There will be guest presenters throughout the term. We look forward to more opportunities in the coming weeks. This week we host a Science Day for the boys. It will be a day of scientific discovery and activity. A menu of missions has been created to enable choice for the boys and to keep activities within the capabilities of each unique family situation. We hope they enjoy themselves.
Tom Savill
Acting Head of the Junior School
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Student Free Day/Screen Free Day – Friday 28 August
Boys have been online every day, every lesson and then often also completing homework online or via a screen. They need a break, and so do the teachers. So, on Friday 28 August, please encourage your sons to not turn on their computers; instead, they shouldtake a break, sleep in a bit, get outside, or play a board game rather than replace online classes with online gaming! We still have just over two weeks to go and we are all looking forward to returning to school.
Spiderman
I met with Spiderman over the weekend (View Photo). He was running in St Kilda and I was walking nearby (less than 5km from home). It was remarkable to see the number of people who waved to him, and wanted to have their photograph taken with him (as I did). People felt just a bit better because he was there, not because he would spin his web to rescue us from evil, but because he distracted us from all that is going on. Long live Spiderman! PS Spiderman may just happen to be an Old Trinity Grammarian!
Talk by Rachael Robertson – Lessons from a Year in Lockdown
This talk will be livestreamed to all Trinity families at 7.00pm on Thursday 27 August. Rachael was the youngest and only the second female expedition leader at Davis Station in Antarctica. She will outline some of the simple and powerful tools she used to stay focused while in an isolated place. It is extremely relevant to our boys now.
Maths Olympics at the University of Melbourne
Trinity won the School Maths Olympics held at University of Melbourne (via Zoom). Congratulations to the team: Rishov Doloi, Calvin Blair, Hadyn Tang, Laurence Armstrong and Cinque Howells. Apparently they won by over 100 points (out of a total of 700).
Rohan Brown
Deputy Principal | Head of the Senior School
Senior School Debating Round 4 Continued…
This round has not been any less spectacular than the other three! With the Trinity boys continuing to make their mark in the debating arena, we have one C Grade team that remains undefeated. In their last debate they argued ‘that we should all be vegan’, leaving many steak dinners to go cold, I’m sure. Aden Wilmshurst, who won the title of Best Speaker once again, along with his peers James Fox, David Dodson and William Oliver, will battle it out in the next round, hoping to hold their place on the ladder and compete in the finals series.
Students clashed over a number of topics, some of them being ‘that we should ban private gun ownership’ and ‘that we should break up giants of the tech industry (for example Amazon, Facebook and Google)’. A special mention and thanks to William Oliver (Year 10) who debated for the B Grade (Year 11) team last week. He stepped up when needed and stood tall next to his ‘older’ teammates!
We open the first ever online Junior Secondary Debating Competition on August 26! This is a wonderful event which sees our experienced senior debaters mentor and coach the younger boys in Years 7 and 8. More news on their quests to come!
Rima Khallouf
Head of School Debating
Drama in Iso!
Even in these strange times, the show must go on! Well, sort of…
Our Year 12 Drama Captains, Morgan Payne, Ben Allen and Ben Robison, have organised after-school ‘Drama in Iso’ workshops for students in Years 7-9. We currently have over 30 students involved in these workshops that focus on technical (lighting, atmospherics, sound design) and practical aspects (audition preparation, improvisation and confidence-building) of theatre and performance. These sessions allow our younger students to gain valuable insight and skills from our Drama leaders and provide an opportunity for cross-year level collaboration. Please click here to view the poster.
Ryan Bowler
Head of Drama
TGS Cricket Resources for Distance Learning
To the Trinity Community,
To assist with getting back into sport and being active during the Distance Learning period, six pages have been created with skill-based and mental drills and activities to improve your cricket, across each of the major disciplines! If you would like to access them, you can find them on myTGS through the Resources>Sport>Cricket>Cricket Pre-Season 2020-21. Whether you play cricket for Trinity or for your local club, or even if you play to beat your family members on Christmas Day, there will be something there to help improve your game. Please click here to access the resources.
Additionally, this year, as we move through the pre-season, TGS Cricket is on Strava. If you would like to connect and stay active with your mates, join the TGS Cricket Strava Club here
Happy Cricketing!
James Bett
TIC Cricket
MUSIC NEWS
Harp Recital
A delightful online Harp Recital took place on Wednesday 12 August for families and invited staff. Congratulations to the students who demonstrated excellent musicianship and professional concert etiquette, and to their harp teacher, Mrs Deon Entwisle.
- Stanley Raftopoulos (6NL)
Sound the Trumpet by Skaila Kanga - Ravi Jeraj (4M)
The See-Saw by Marcel Grandjany - Michael Pannier (9B)
Gaillarde from Automates by Bernard Andres
Harp Cha-cha-cha by Alfredo Oritz
Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven arr. Brundage
Michelle Stanic
Director of Music
Chaplain’s Chat
Growing in Gratitude
My mother is very unwell. Before lockdown I would lie next to her and give her a big cuddle and sing her church hymns. My mantra is always: ‘I love you so much mum.’ My mother has always had strong faith and she has always been brave. During lockdown I still sing her the church hymns. I know she can hear them.
My students are brave and they inspire me. They have been so positive learning away from the classroom. No student has ever complained to me despite the different challenges they face. Being grateful for what we have in life and staying positive is one way we try and stay faithful to God. Growing through gratitude enables us to see the beautiful things in our lives every day and helps us work through the problems that confront us.
I think the quest for God is a search we are all called to explore in life. God is experienced at different times by us all. God always comes to us in waves. Sometimes we are patient enough to catch the wave. Most of the time we miss the wave. But the waves always keep coming.
Perhaps the key to a balanced life is prayer. My life loses direction when I get too busy to stop and reflect. This happens all too often. Try to stop and reflect on your life regularly. See if you can make it a way of life. Reflection and prayer enable us to be in touch with our Spiritual life.
During the pandemic a lot of my thoughts and prayers have been for our East African friends. They are so much like my mother, faithful and brave. I have been profoundly inspired by their faith and friendship. At Trinity we are called to see the world through the eyes of those who live in the slums like Uganda and Kenya. They speak the Gospel to us. In the next few weeks Trinity students from various year levels are raising important funds to support food programs for the most vulnerable children and families at the Village of Hope in Uganda and our Vocation Centre in Kenya. Old Trinity Grammarians and AFL footballers Adam Tomlinson and Nick Larkey have donated their signed jumpers to help the cause. The liberation of the world rests with all of us. We are all on a journey to live a life, a faith, that does justice. This is the Trinity way.
Keep going strong. Keep being brave. Keep being faithful. In these challenging times stay positive and know the light and love of God shines in each one of you forever.
Tom Purcell
Assistant Chaplain and Director of Outreach
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Trinity Woollen Blanket
Ideal gift for Christmas, OTGs and current families.
The Father’s Day order has SOLD OUT. The remainder of the order will be fulfilled by the end of October.
This beautiful Trinity-themed blanket is ideal as a throw rug or to keep in the car to have as a picnic rug. It could be a wonderful way to show our school colours while sitting on the benches or at the sidelines whilst watching Trinity sport (when we can). The joy of the weather in Melbourne is that it won’t only be useful in winter!
Please click here for further information and to order.
Important Dates
Tuesday 25 August
Year 9 and 10 Parent-Teacher Interviews 3.30pm, Online
Friday 28 August
Pupil Free Day
Monday 31 August
Early Finish – Senior School 2.45pm
Year 7 and 8 Parent-Interviews 3.30pm, Online
Friday 4 September
Form Assembly 8.30am