Edition 3, Term 3 2021
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From the Principal
This week’s lockdown was rushed upon us, as everyone is aware. Whilst moving to Distance Learning was once a significant exercise in terms of logistical needs, we are now, sadly, too practised. Our students and staff have moved quickly into this latest reality and there is now a rhythm established across the school. Here on site, we do have some students. ELC is operating ‘as normal’ and it has been nice to hear their cheerful sounds on campus. The children of essential workers have contributed to that, too.
The other group of students still here at the moment is the boarders. They enjoy excellent care from the Boarding House staff, whose dedication is impressive. Their lodgings are comfortable and the catering is good. All those aspects are great, but there are some tough realities for them, too. Some of our boarders have not been home, or seen their families, for 20 months. At a challenging time for everyone, there is a particular challenge in having that significant time of dislocation from their true homes. These students deserve our thorough admiration alongside our ongoing support.
As we await the next raft of lockdown news, all aspects of our community remain in our thoughts. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
Outdoor play is a big component of our day at the ELC. Our staff plan amazing structured activities, inside and outside, to create opportunities for fun, while at the same time providing a context in which to practise social skills, as well as an outlet for emotional expression.
As educators it is our responsibility to cultivate a space where children engage with, nurture and sustain the natural world around them. We aim to develop respectful and caring attitudes towards the environment. We learn about sustainable living practices such as composting, energy saving, water usage, recycling and ‘take action’ in support of these practices.
Outdoor play supports healthy child development in many ways:
- Children develop social skills and self-regulation through outdoor experiences, play, and negotiating with others.
- When playing outdoors, children engage with risk and develop risk management skills that support self-efficacy and resilience over time.
- Being outdoors in nature supports mental health and increases children’s happiness and sense of joy.
When we welcomed our students back to the ELC after quarantine, our outdoor time increased, providing the children with many opportunities to have uninterrupted, unhurried play. They are building their concentration skills and taking responsibility for their own learning while supporting and re-establishing their social connection with their peers.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
From the Junior School
The Olympics have been a fantastic distraction these past few weeks, but more than anything we have witnessed the sheer determination and perseverance shown by our Australian athletes.
Similarly, behind the gates of Trinity Junior School we have seen boys as young as 3 and 4 adapt to changes and persevere through the many challenges thrown at them as a result of rolling lockdowns.
Their determination as they approach have approached learning online tasks has been admirable and whilst there may be no medals handed out at the end of each day, there is no doubt that there has been a plenitude of gold medal performances.
Upon the conclusion of the Olympic Games this year in Tokyo what was particularly special was the camaraderie and spirit shown between nations made more poignant due to the current world circumstances. Maybe we too can take the time to reflect on just how important being part of the TGS community is for our boys. What has shone through the most as we move from one iteration of Distance Learning to the next is that the boys, whether on the school oval or in a Teams class online, have proved that school spirit and mateship is alive and well.
As we all know, behind every athlete is an entourage of support staff. This too is the case for our boys. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those, particularly the parents, that work tirelessly behind the scenes.
There is no doubt the past few weeks have been a challenge for our whole school community but at the end of day, as nine-time gold Olympic medallist Carl Lewis once said: ‘It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.’
Samara Madden
Deputy Head of Junior School (Staffing and Operations)
From the Senior School
Premier’s VCE Awards
The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the top-performing students in the state. This year, 297 students were recognised with awards for their outstanding results. It is with great pleasure, that we congratulate the following students who completed their studies at Trinity in 2020.
- Jesse Ash: Hospitality (VCE VET)
- Henry Brown: Accounting
- William Browning: English
- Andrew Lim: Latin
- Simone Lin (Ruyton student who studied at Trinity as part of the Coordinate Program): Geography and Product Design and Technology
We are proud of the way our staff and students work together to achieve excellence across a broad range of subjects.
Monash Scholars Award
Monash Scholars is a prestigious program for high-achieving secondary school students. The program is offered by Monash University to give such students a unique head start into university life. It provides opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as giving students the knowledge, skills and confidence to make the right study choices. It also enables them to expand their network of like-minded peers. We congratulate the following Year 10 students who have been accepted into the program:
Noah Dekker
William Johnson
Lucas van den Berg
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Class of 2022
Congratulations to Zhengrong (David) Yan (Year 11) who has been accepted into the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program. This program affords participants the opportunity to mix with like-minded peers and future leaders in a tailored program of university events and activities designed to support and enhance their secondary studies and inform their future career plans.
Fencing – Schools League EPEE Championships
Gordon Li (Year 10) recently represented Trinity in the Schools League EPEE Championships and was awarded the bronze medal. Well done!
Big Science Competition
During Term 2, a group of students from across Years 7 to 10 participated in the Big Science Competition, a 50-minute, multiple choice competition testing science knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Questions are set in real life, contemporary contexts, making them relatable (and interesting)! We had 82 students participate in the competition and the following students achieved High Distinctions:
Year 7
Jerry Hao
Jack Lauder
Hayden Randle
Kyan Wang
Year 8
Thomas Chan
Brandon Eng
William McDougall
Yuxiang Peng
Chris Qiu
Eason Yang
Year 9
Edward Peng
Year 10
Ronglin Hou
Andrew Yeang
Alastair Murphy
Congratulations to these boys!
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School
Debating
Round 4
The Round 4 DAV competition was once again played out online. Whilst not ideal, it did not inhibit our persuasive students claiming a well deserved victory. Trinity triumphed with seven wins and two losses and the DAV awarded the following students
Best Speaker titles: Louis Bland, Saranyan Ranjith, William Johnson, Damon Webb and Rahul Doloi.
Congratulations to all the students who participated for achieving this outstanding result.
Antonella Papaleo
Head of School Debating
From the Music School
Congratulations to 7E student, Efstathios Raftopoulos who was recently awarded an A grade for his first AMEB Harp examination.
To add to the excitement, Efstathios’ examiner was the world-famous musician and OTG, Mr Marshall McGuire!
Marshall was the Guest Musical Artist at the opening of Trinity’s Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts in 1998 (Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam declared the building open on this day).
Thank you to Deon Entwisle, our harp teacher, who has, over a period of years, established a positive and passionate culture of harp playing at Trinity.
Michelle Stanic
Director of Music
Online Learning
The Friday before last, when most Trinity families had already received their DHHS clearance to be released, the mood in the online classroom was decidedly flat. Teaching lessons that day, it was clear that, on both sides of the screen, we had all had enough of being stuck at home, and the promise of freedom at the end of the day made getting through those last online classes rather excruciating. I had to draw on all my newly learned online lesson tricks to try and get the boys to engage, but I do not blame them for the tangible disappointment I noticed.
When we first experienced lockdowns, I admired how resilient some were in looking for opportunities rather than focusing on the negatives. Take the phenomenon known as ‘burbing’ for example – when someone undertakes to walk, run, or cycle every street in their local area. This reframed what some may have seen as a dull prospect of exercising on the same route over and over into a creative challenge, bringing with it a sense of accomplishment and adventure.
As teachers, we have had to pivot very quickly to adapt our teaching practices for the online classroom. It constantly amazes me to learn how much some colleagues have adapted their delivery to suit the online space, from DIY science experiments conducted at home to rewritten online drama curricula utilising clips from movies and solo video work shared using Flipgrid. I commend every teacher for their ingenuity and every student for their resilience.
Ben Ryder
Director of Innovative Learning
Chaplain’s Chat
Isolation
I recently received an email from a friend who last year entered a religious order in Wales. Attached was a photo of her picking blueberries at the convent. However, this was picking of a different kind. As she had sprained her ankle, she was sitting in her habit, her bandaged foot elevated, with large boughs of blueberries on the table before her; the sisters had brought the outside in, so she could still participate in this summertime task of the convent garden.
What struck me was not the unusualness of the activity, but the complete joy that radiated from her face. It is not a common thing in our day and age, for a young woman in her 20s to enter a convent on the other side of the world. Some may view this vocation as restrictive, boring, or even a waste of a young life. But what is often a little known hallmark of those who live in religious orders is their great capacity for joy, joy that may be expressed in laughter and conversation but equally in mundane, everyday tasks or even deep silence.
I was prompted to reflect on this during our recent confinement, when a delivery of flowers, a well-timed phone call or even a few moments sitting in the sun brought not just a sense of gratitude, but deep joy. There has been much to distract, frustrate and disappoint us recently, and God is with us in these moments. Let us also have confidence in the deep truth that God, our heavenly father, is the source of true joy that always surpasses ‘the changes and chances of this fleeting world’. May we seek and find His joy in these days.
Cecilia Farlie
Junior School Chaplain
Community Engagement
As we emerged from one of the more difficult periods in Trinity’s history last week, it was so great to see the students back on campus if only for a short stretch. I hope you and your families are managing at home again, albeit with slightly more freedom than last time!
Given restrictions and the uncertainty of future lockdowns, we have unfortunately had to make the difficult decision to cancel a number of Term 3 events including the Junior School Grandparents’ Day and Junior School Father’s Day Breakfast. However, online meetings can still go ahead, as can Class Rep Year Level events held offsite pending the easing of restrictions and venue requirements. The relevant events are listed below.
Further to the support received from Deliveroo and the Parents’ Association, we have some additional $15 Deliveroo vouchers available through TryBooking. These are limited in number so will be issued on a ‘first in, first served’ basis. They can be accessed HERE. We have been so pleased to hear that these vouchers have brought a sense of joy and community to so many during these periods.
There is also a small number of woollen blankets available to purchase (details below). These excellent quality items are a must-have for the winter months. Thank you to Heidi Pfeffer and her team for their continued efforts with this and other initiatives.
Lucy Cohen
Director of Community Engagement
Trinity TLC Community Support Group
We have been delighted and truly humbled by the amazing response of the Trinity community to contribute to the TLC Community Support Group fund over the last couple of weeks.
Donations have been used to purchase food delivery vouchers, ready-made meal vouchers, hampers and/or gift cards for many people including:
- Members of our community with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis;
- Staff members and families facing challenging times;
- Staff who are/were isolating away from family;
- The Senior Leadership Team and those working around the clock to support the Trinity community; and
- The Boarding House leaders, tutors and students
Sincere thanks to Leaf Hawthorn (owned by a Trinity family) for their enthusiasm and initiative in assisting us to organise a variety of hampers and for providing a generous discount.
We anticipate an ongoing need to provide support and welcome further cash donations. If you would like to contribute, please click here.
Now that the majority of our community is out of quarantine, we would like to encourage donations of meals and/or lunchbox items for the school freezer. Care packages will then be distributed by the Community Engagement and Senior Leadership Teams. Please click here if you would like to add your name to the roster on a date which suits you. Tips and instructions are included in the ‘notes’ section of the link.
Please be assured that delivery of all donations and care packages is coordinated via either the Community Engagement Team or the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring complete discretion and confidentiality for recipients.
As always, we are keen to provide TLC for any staff or families in our community in need. If you are aware of anyone who would benefit from some extra kindness, please click here to get in touch with Liz Acabado, TGS Community Engagement Coordinator. Alternatively, please contact your son’s Head of School, Head of Year or Form Teacher.
As we navigate through this next chapter it is more important than ever to look after each other.
We are extremely grateful for all support and contributions. Thank you.
TLC Community Support Group Committee
Alice Noonan and Angela Gill (Co-Convenors)
Heidi Pfeffer and Lisa Williams (Committee)
Hand sanitiser
Thank you to the Trinity family who donated thousands of bottles of hand sanitiser to the School. We would like to see any Trinity families or Trinity businesses able to purchase as many bottles as they need. Take them to work or give them to friends. Do not pay excessive prices for sanitiser. These bottles will be available to purchase directly from the school when restrictions ease. More information to come.
Trinity Woollen Blankets
The Parents’ Association is once again offering the beautiful Trinity Woollen Blankets for sale.
Geelong Weaving Company has dyed the wool to match the green and gold of our ties.
100% Wool Blanket 170x140cm.
Cost: $120 each, postage extra
https://www.trybooking.com/BSADX
Year 10 Drinks Night
Save the Date!
Drinks and canapés for Year 10 parents and carers
Date: Thursday 19 August
Time: from 7.00pm
Further information to come.
Year 8 Drinks Night
New date announced, Friday 20 August
Come and enjoy our Year 8 Drinks Night with canapés – a great way to meet and catch up with other Year 8 parents and carers.
Venue: Nini’s, Level 1, 302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Date: Friday 20 August
Time: 7.00pm till late!
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Price: $39.50 per person includes canapés and one welcome drink. All other drinks at bar prices.
Year 7 Parents’ Cocktail Evening
We invite all Year 7 parents to partake in a cocktail evening (new date, 21 August).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Venue: Nini’s, Level 1, 302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Date: Saturday 21 August 2021
Time: from 7.00pm
Cost: $37 per head which includes canapés and a drink on arrival. Additional drinks at bar prices.
Junior School Class Representatives Meeting
Save the Date
Thursday 26 August 2021
9.00-10.30am, Online via Microsoft Teams – link will be emailed
Trinity Kayaking 50th Anniversary Celebration
Please join us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Kayaking at Trinity.
Date: Saturday 4 September 2021
Time: 6.00-11.00pm
Venue: Studley Park Boathouse, 1 Boathouse Road, Kew
Cost: $55 per head, including drink on arrival and substantial finger food (please don’t eat beforehand!)
Year 11 Night Out
Please join Year 11 parents and guardians for a night out at Nini’s rooftop bar, with a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu.
There will be a dance floor and a cash/card bar for the night with all your favourite tunes to dance the night away.
Date: Saturday 16 October
Time: 7.00pm until late
Venue: Nini’s, Level 1, 302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Cost: $60 per person for canapés and a drink on arrival
Dress Code: Smart Casual with dancing shoes
Year 6 Bowling Evening
Parent and Son event at ZB Forest Hill Bowling and Laser Tag
Join up for a parents vs boys competition: who will be our champions?
Date: Sunday 17 October 2021
Time: 4.00-6.00pm
Price $28.00 or $38.00 each
$28.00 for two activities (bowling + laser tag) and a hotdog, chips and a drink
$38.00 for the above, plus 30 minutes of arcade play (red/yellow swipes)