Edition 3, Term 3 2022
MENU: From the Principal | From the ELC | From the Junior School | From the Senior School | Music | Chaplain’s Chat
From the Principal
Thank you to our school families, students and staff who have been vigilant in abiding by our COVID mitigation requests. We have had, so far this term, the least disrupted school weeks since February of 2020. Our case numbers have been comparatively low.
Our tactics in preventing the spread of COVID and other illnesses have included very few large gatherings (assemblies, for instance, have not been at our normal scale) and a range of ventilation solutions. The most impactful tactic, though, has probably been people not attending school when sick. We appreciate the vigilance our community has displayed in this way.
Another important element of keeping school as normal as possible has been our approach with Casual Relief Teachers. Since last year we have proactively employed a suite of teachers whose role it is to fill in wherever needed daily. Whereas it is not normal practice to do so, we have engaged these staff in anticipation of absences and in order to assist the loads of our staff where possible. It has been a valuable asset for us in providing continuity and as such, we have been able to undertake most student focused activities without significantly compromising them of late.
I acknowledge that there are times when families would prefer access to campus in the freer way that we previously enjoyed, but the primary goal is for us to enable our students to have as unruffled an experience of school as possible. We also know that for many, the convenience of remotely accessing meetings with staff, information nights and auxiliary group meetings has been welcomed. We will continue to seek a worthy balance of online and in person opportunities through the next part of this point of history and into the future. There is no doubt that we can enjoy some enhancements in communication that have emerged alongside the pandemic.
Thanks again to the TGS community for its patience and collaboration.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
Trinity Grammar School is fortunate to have a trained therapy dog, named Harvey Peanut. Harvey spends time across all areas of the school. The ELC is very fortunate that Harvey has started regular visits on Thursday mornings. Each fortnight Harvey will spend time in each of the ELC classrooms.
Each child will be able to spend as little or as much time with Harvey as they feel comfortable. There is no pressure or expectation for our students to engage with Harvey. He will simply be a visitor in our space. Some benefits of therapy dogs include:
- Increasing confidence
- Lowering anxiety
- Lowering instances of anger
- Reducing stress
- Improving student wellbeing
Most importantly, Harvey will allow all students to just be themselves. Dogs don’t judge and offer unconditional love and support. If you see Harvey around the school, make sure you say hello!
We will share our journey of Harvey with our families.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
From the Junior School
Music creates a sense of belonging and participation. Our boys are fortunate to be immersed in so much music at Trinity, through classroom music, instrumental lessons or co-curricular opportunities. Their creative expression has personal, social developmental and wellbeing benefits to boys ranging in age from five years old, all the way through to our oldest Junior School students.
Last week was a celebration of one such program, as all our Year 5 students performed in our Year 5 Instrumental Concert. The concert showcases skills that students have learnt throughout the year during their instrumental program. It was rewarding to see our boys strive to get the most out of themselves in such a program, and all students and their music teachers are to be congratulated for an amazing performance.
Samara Madden
Deputy Head of Junior School
From the Senior School
Reconciliation Assembly
Organised by Chris Johnson, the Head of Dadirri Boarding House and Head of Indigenous Student Program, our Reconciliation Assembly last week began with a smoking ceremony, led by Colin Hunter, followed by a Welcome to Country and presentation from two of our Indigenous students.
Hockey AGSV Premiers 2022
Congratulations to our Firsts Hockey team, who are the AGSV Premiers for 2022, defeating Camberwell Grammar. In what was a hard-fought game, Trinity dominated to again claim the premiership.
House Update
House Cross Country
After a 3 year break, it was terrific to be able to have Years 7-12 involved in the House Cross Country program. The results are as follows:
1st – Merritt
2nd – Cowen
3rd – Henty
4th – Arnold
5th – Sutton
6th – Roberts
7th – Kent Hughes
8th – Hindley
Congratulations to the following students who are recognized for their achievements in House Swimming and Athletics:
House Swimming – Year level champion
| Student | Year Level | House |
| Sidney Johns | 7 | Hindley |
| Darcy Stewart | 8 | Sutton |
| Bryan Zheng | 9 | Roberts |
| Patrick Bian | 10 | Kent Hughes |
| Mitch Stewart | 11 | Sutton |
| Noah Rindt | 12 | Arnold |
House Athletics – Year level champion
| Student | Year Level | House |
| Jake Witkowski | 7 | Roberts |
| Joe Sammartino | 8 | Henty |
| Will Katic | 9 | Merritt |
| Rowan Hunt | 10 | Arnold |
| Givash Pillay
Jamie Blackburn |
11 | Sutton
Kent Hughes |
| Oscar Brown | 12 | Merritt |
Simon Malasapina Perpetual Trophy (awarded to the winner of the 3000m race)
Jamie Blackburn (Kent Hughes)
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Music
Year 5 Ensemble Concert
The Year 5 Ensemble Concert featured every student in Year 5 alongside our special guests, the Junior School Concert Band. The Program offers students in Year 5 the opportunity to play in an instrumental ensemble. For some students, who are learning for the first time, there are many difficult skills to master – not just the technical challenges of playing a musical instrument, but also the connection between the written music and the way that the notes are played.
The more advanced skills of playing in an ensemble, blending with others, maintaining a beat, and following a conductor are just as important to master. In this concert, we demonstrated how far we have come from the very beginning to the more independent and capable stages that we have now reached. Learning to play an instrument and being a part of an ensemble can be very challenging and the Year 5 students have certainly experienced times when they have felt discouraged. They are to be applauded for their persistence and determination to overcome these challenges.
Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” I would like to congratulate the Year 5 students and their families for embracing the opportunity to be fully involved in the world of instrumental music.
Getting ready for the Year 5 Ensemble Concert
Year 5 String Students
Mrs McCoppin’s String Ensemble
Mr Ransome’s Junior School Concert Band
Susan Searle
Coordinator of Junior Music
Upcoming Trinity Jazz Night – Book your tickets now!
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Trinity Jazz Night is back in 2022 on the evening of Friday 26 August in the South Room. With the backdrop of the beautiful Melbourne city skyline, enjoy a sit-down, two-course meal whilst listening to outstanding jazz performances from several well-known jazz classics and standards by Trinity’s small jazz combos and large big bands. There will be performances by Junior Jazz, Trintones, Jazz Apprentices, Augmented 7ths, Belling Jazz, Big Band and the Stage Band. There will also be three vocal performances throughout the evening, accompanied by the amazing Stage Band.
Arrival is at 6.30pm for a 6.40pm dinner, with the concert commencing at 7pm sharp. Tickets are $50 for adults and $40 for children (17 and under), which includes a two-course dinner (please BYO own soft drinks and please note this is strictly an alcohol-free event.) Tickets are not required for student performers.
You can book your tickets and select your seats here: https://events.humanitix.com/trinity-grammar-school-jazz-night
There will also be a raffle run by our dedicated Trinity Friends of Music parents, with some amazing prizes – including a Digital Piano with an adjustable stand – retailing at over $900! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase on the night.
Tickets are limited so we suggest acting quickly! Please RSVP by 19 August.
*To ensure a Covid-safe event we recommend the wearing of masks. We will also have the windows open for ventilation so please dress accordingly.
Jamie Ransome
Head of Brass, Wind and Bands
When Laura Met Simon
The Trinity String Quartet was honoured to play at the wedding of Mr Borg’s sister, Laura, on Saturday 30 July at the Sacre Coeur Chapel. It was a glorious, unforgettable day as they welcomed the bride and groom, Laura and Simon.
Alex Chieng, Angus Wong, George Koutrouzas and Oliver Wilkie playing Pachelbel’s Canon
Mrs Thérèse McCoppin
Head of Strings
Play for Peace Fundraiser
Congratulations and thank you to all the Suzuki Violin and Suzuki Cello students who participated in the Play for Peace: Ukraine Day on Sunday 31 July. Students met to play through as much of their repertoire as they could fit in three and a half hours. It was wonderful to see the students playing and enjoying their time together. Thinking of those less fortunate is an important message to see and also to participate in a meaningful manner.
We raised $2,290 for Ukraine charities which we hope will contribute to lessening the burden on those living in the atrocious circumstances of war. Thank you to all the students, string teachers (Therese McCoppin, Toni Robson, Virginia Bonollo), parents (Kathy Lee, Yan Ting Chen, Jo Sheldrick, Alice Wong, Samantha Leung) and staff member Tina Koutrouzas (the glue that keeps the music department together!)
Suzuki Strings
Violin Tunnel
Happy Volunteers
Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing
Coordinator Suzuki Strings
Chamber Soiree
This year’s soiree was held on Thursday 28 July in the South Room and featured many of our smaller ensembles. Thank you to all the performers and their conductors for a wonderful evening of chamber music. Congratulations to the following ensembles for your outstanding performances on the night:
Awesome Oboe, Clarion Ensemble, Bonham Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Viola Duet, Burritt Percussion Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Strike Trio, Piano Trio, Sax Quintet, Trinity String Quartet.
Awesome Oboes
Burritt Percussion Ensemble
Bonham Percussion Ensemble
Brass Quintet
Bigger Better Brains – Music training could guard against mood and cognitive disorders
(Mr) Jan Blazejczak
Director of Music
Art
Kate Veall
Senior Art Teacher
Chaplain’s Chat
Voice to Parliament
There have recently been lots of conversations about a proposed change to the Australian Constitution to recognise an Indigenous voice to Parliament. Recognising Indigenous Australians in the Constitution is an idea that has gone through many iterations. Prime Ministers Howard, Rudd, Gillard and now Albanese have all had a go at the process of Constitutional recognition and a voice to Parliament.
Most significantly, in 2017 the Uluru Statement from the Heart – agreed by 250 Indigenous leaders after six months of consultation – asked for three things: a constitutional voice to Parliament; a Makarrata commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations; and truth-telling. These three things lead us to a hopeful referendum that will ask a question like, ‘Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament?’
At school this week we had an assembly which was focused on Reconciliation. For the first time in a long time there seems to be some semblance of agreement between our two major federal political parties. Even yesterday, I was at Immigration Museum with Year 9s and the guide mentioned that he came to Australia at the age of 21 and served in the Australian military. His impression was that as a multicultural and accepting society, Australia would have scored a B in the ‘90s, an A of late, and an A+ would be Constitutional recognition and an Indigenous voice to Parliament. I do hope that as the guide hoped, we at Trinity can continue to celebrate diversity within our community. My prayer is that all people are accepted and heard in our community regardless of their cultural background.
James Hale (Rev’d)
Assistant Chaplain & Head of Religious Education
IMORTANT DATES
Wednesday 10 August
2022 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) Group 2, Cotham Road Centre 8:20AM
House Debating, 12:10PM
Kent Hughes Intrahouse Activities, Cotham Road Centre 12:10PM
Hindley House Intra – fundraiser lunch, Centre for the Arts 12:20PM
Middle School Play Wednesday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Thursday 11 August
Year 8 Skills Day, 8:00AM
Year 12 Scone Morning Tea, 10:00AM
House Co-Curricular Football tournament – Junior School, 12:40PM
Year 12 School Photo, 12:40PM
Trinity Shop, 2:00PM – 4:00PM
PYP Exhibition Opening, 6:00PM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
Rowing Information Evening, 7:00PM
Friday 12 August
Model UN, Ruyton School Reception 8:30AM
Teachers versus Students Debate, Arnold Hall 11:55AM
Middle School Play Friday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Year 11 Outdoor Training Team Meeting, 3:30PM
Saturday 13 August
AGSV Athletics Trial Meeting # 2 (2022), Tom Kelly Athletics Track – Doncaster 9:00AM
Middle School Play Rehearsal, P&F Hall 2:00PM
Monday 15 August
Year 12 (2023) Leadership applications open
Junior School Science Demo, 12:00PM
Year 12 Hospitality – Term 3, William Angliss College of TAFE 4:00PM
JSP Debating Training Session run by the Debating Association of Victoria, Arnold Hall 6:00PM
Tuesday 16 August
Year 6 Trinity and Ruyton Lachie Smart Leadership Talk, Arnold Hall 8:00AM
2022 AMOC Senior Contest, 8:30AM
Student Voice Recital, Centre for the Arts 6:00PM
Enhanced Learning Information Session (2023), 6:15PM
Year 12 Piano Recital, Chapel 6:15PM
Parents’ Association Meeting, Online via Microsoft Teams 7:00PM (Click here to join the meeting)
Year 7 (2023) Information Night, 7:00PM
Wednesday 17 August
Exercise Physiology Golf Excursion, Yarra Bend Golf Course 8:20AM
The Reach Foundation – Year 8 E-H, Centre for the Arts 8:50AM
Junior School Life Education, Cotham Road Centre 9:00AM
The Reach Foundation – Year 8 A-D, Centre for the Arts 10:55AM
House Debating, 12:10PM
Middle School Play Wednesday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
Thursday 18 August
School Council Meeting, 8:00AM
Year 3 Wombat Corner Camp commences, Wombat Corner Camp – Emerald 8:15AM
Senior School Information Morning, Centre for the Arts 10:00AM
Winter Sports Photo, 12:40PM
Year 12 Piano Recital, Chapel 6:15PM
Symphonic Wind to VSMF, Hawthorn Town Hall 7:00PM
Friday 19 August
Year 12 (2023) Leadership applications close
Brainstorm Productions (Term 3 Incursion Performance), Centre for the Arts 8:00AM
Mitre Band at Victorian School Music Festival, Hawthorn Town Hall 9:10AM
Year 3 – 6 Sport Bulleen, Bulleen 1:30PM
Junior School Sport Trials, Bulleen 2:30PM
Year 3 Wombat Corner Camp concludes, 3:15PM
Middle School Play Friday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Year 10 Outdoor Leaders Land Skills Test, 3:30PM
Saturday 20 August
Trinity Shop, 10:30AM – 12:30PM
This is also a reminder, donations are welcome and greatly appreciated, please drop off at the Uniform Shop (anytime), 60 Charles Street, Kew
Middle School Play Saturday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 2:00PM
Monday 22 August
Year 12 (2023) Leadership interviews commence
Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships, Mt Buller 8:00AM
Year 12 Hospitality – Term 3, William Angliss College of TAFE 4:00PM
Trinity Founders’ Day Fair Meeting, 7:00PM
Tuesday 23 August
Years 7 & 8 Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:45PM