Edition 4, Term 2 2021
MENU: From the Principal | From the Junior School | Senior School News | Music News | Chaplain’s Chat | Community Engagement
From the Principal
In my 17 months at Trinity, COVID-addled as many of them have been, I have been struck by the various great traits of our school. Prominent among them has been resilience, of course, and innovation. I have been witness to students, staff and families deftly negotiating the trickiness of challenges that (as I mentioned to Year 11 when I said farewell for a week of lockdown) our school hasn’t had to deal with since the Spanish Flu 102 years ago. There is not a lot of institutional memory from that time!
Another highly visible trait is the value that our students and staff place on positive cross-age interaction. Through formal programming, the House system and various other vehicles, our younger students have myriad opportunities to engage with and learn from their older peers. In turn, the older students learn much through leading those coming up through the school. Last week – in the last hours before lockdown – I was delighted to join Year 5 as they continued their enquiry project work on ‘charity’ by listening to Year 12 students Archie Shaw and Matt Clayton. Archie and Matt are accomplished leaders and practised public speakers in our school, and their presentation on the work of Harambee was a great way to demonstrate our community’s commitment to serving others and to advertise for future Harambee committee members! Highlighting Harambee Sundee’s success as a community engagement event, as a way to fundraise for the various groups we support and as a day of physical challenge, they spoke with conviction about the legacy they have helped establish.
It is easy to see how the emerging social conscience of our younger students is shaped by the actions and culture of our older ones. In this instance, and in many others too, it is also easy to see how cross-age interaction at TGS provides opportunity for innovation and resilience to be fostered.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the Junior School
Sport
Round Robins
Recent weeks in the Junior School have had a sporting theme. The onset of ‘Round Robins’ have been met with great excitement by boys in Years 4 and 5. Both year levels have now had the opportunity to compete in AFL, soccer and European handball against teams from Camberwell Grammar and PEGS. The students in Years 3 and 6 are excited about their first opportunity to participate in the coming weeks. Round Robins provide a great chance for all boys to experience competition and to represent the school in a sporting context. Teams are of mixed ability and the competition is friendly. It is wonderful to watch the boys work together as teams and for boys of differing sporting abilities to support and respect each other.
In other sporting news, a large number of boys had the chance to compete in both the AGSV and SSV Cross Country competitions. Students aged 9 and 10 ran 2km races and our 11 and 12 year old boys ran 3km races. Trinity was very well represented by the boys who formed our cross country squads, and there were strong individual and team performances in both competitions. AGSV and SSV carnivals provide another wonderful forum for our boys to test their skills against students from other schools and to gain a sense of perspective.
Tom Savill
Deputy Head of Junior School
SSV District Cross Country 2021
On Monday 24 May, a team of Junior School cross country runners attended the SSV South Yarra District event held at Fawkner Park. In near perfect weather conditions, our team of boys produced some outstanding performances in all three age groups. Trinity was the overall boys’ winning school for our district, highlighting our great team performance at this event.
The following students finished in the top eight of their age group:
12 Years – 2nd Leo Innes, 3rd Max Waschl
11 Years – 2nd Alby Mahony
10 Years – 6th Jay Shi, 7th Thomas Odman
We wish them the best of luck at the SSV Divisional event to be run at Bald Hill on Tuesday 1 June.
David Ponsford
Director of Junior School Sport and Co-Curricular Activities
Grant Nalder
Head of the Junior School
Senior School News
As we continue with lockdown this week, it is encouraging to see how well students and staff have once again adapted to learning online. While learning from home is not what we envisaged occurring in Week 7 of Term 2, as a school we do have many things to celebrate.
Sport
Kayaking News
In recent weeks, both Lachlan Dal Sasso (Year 9) and Nathan Jones (Year 12) were announced as members of the Victorian Marathon Kayaking team for 2021. Both were also members of the Victorian Sprint Kayaking team earlier in the year.
Although the 2021 Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon Championships were cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, TGS Kayaking wishes to acknowledge the incredible success of these two students.
The qualification for the Victorian Marathon Kayaking team came as a result of their success in the State Marathon Championships which was open to all ages and standards. In the U16 Division (15kms), Lachlan Dal Sasso was the runner-up, while in the U18 Division (22km), Nathan Jones came first. In summer, both students trained as members of the Trinity Kayaking Squad, in addition to their external training.
Sadly, as Paddle Australia was forced to cancel the National Championships, neither student was able to compete; however, Paddle Victoria chose to officially recognise the qualifiers through a roster reveal and the distribution of uniforms. Hopefully, they will be able to compete in future years at national and international events when borders open up for Australia and the rest of the world.
F1 in Schools National Finals 2021
Trinity is proud to have produced another National Champion team. A big congratulations to Year 10/11 team Hydron (Tim Crichton 11, William Johnson 10, Alexander Liu 11, Ben Noonan 10, Andrew Yeang 10) placed 1st in the Professional Class, taking out 10 additional awards for Fastest Lap, Grand Prix Race, Knockout Champions, Best Engineered, Best Engineered CAD, Best Manufactured Car, Best Team Portfolio, Best Managed Enterprise, Best Graphic Design and Best Team Verbal Presentation.
Year 10 team Seido (Andrew Liu, Alastair Murphy, Charlie Shaw, Oliver Wilkie) placed a commendable 5th out of 17 of the best Australian teams in Professional Class. Unfortunately, a front aerofoil regulation was overlooked which inflicted a time penalty on all their car racing.
Year 9 team Sokudo (Dante Calcagno, Eric Liang, Evan Liu, Isaac Tian, Charlie White) produced a car that was 2nd fastest in the Grand Prix race. The team placed 7th overall out of 19 teams in Development Class.
With COVID uncertainty and restrictions in place, this event was run virtually with teams required to upload their submissions of project elements, such as engineering CAD/CAM and folios, while the cars were sent to NSW for judging and racing. Four verbal and multimedia judging sessions per team were held via a Microsoft Teams livestream. Thank you to Luke Dixon for his expertise in smooth technology synergy.
We are very grateful to the Teacher-in-Charge of F1 in Schools, Peter Clinton, and his team for their support of the students.
Drama News
It has been a busy time for Drama in both curriculum and co-curricular programs.
Our Year 9 Drama class has been engaging with the inaugural ‘Year 9 Inter-School Drama Program’ (an initiative designed by the TGS Drama Department). Year 9 students from Trinity, Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School, Loyola College and St Monica’s College, Epping participated in this pilot program. Students collaborated to develop a performance inspired by past and future advances in artificial intelligence. Earlier in Term 1, students attended a workshop day to begin developing their ideas and were able to show their performance to an external audience of peers from across the four schools on 4 May. Well done to our Year 9 boys who performed with courage, commitment and creativity. We look forward to seeing how this program develops in 2022.
Our VCE Theatre Studies students participated in recent excursions to inform their studies. For Unit 4 Outcome 3, students attended a production of Fangirls at Arts Centre Melbourne. This lively performance allowed our students to analyse and evaluate creative decisions in acting, direction and design. Their study of the production was further enhanced by a special in-class live Q&A with the writer of the production, Yve Blake. Blake is a contemporary trailblazer in the Australian theatre scene and it was a great opportunity for our students to connect with an industry professional of her calibre. Our VCE class also attended the immersive theatre performance of Because the Night at the Malthouse. This production, with 33 rooms, is a first of its kind in Australia. Based loosely on the Shakespeare play, Hamlet, students were invited into the world of Elsinore in a ‘choose your own adventure’ type set-up.
It has certainly been a busy time for the VCE class as they recently mounted their performance of excerpts of Cosi by Louis Nowra as part of their Unit 3 Outcome 1 studies. An entirely student-led project, students in the class applied dramaturgical analysis to consider every aspect of mounting the production, including set, lighting, atmospherics, the direction, costume, hair and make-up and, of course, the acting. The performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout Term 1 and into early Term 2.
Our Year 7 and 8 Drama CORE Program has kicked off and is now in full swing. An initiative led by our senior Drama Captains, this program is held every two weeks on a Monday at lunchtime. Recent sessions have included a focus on building confidence and everything theatre-tech. At the recent tech workshop, students operated industry-grade lighting equipment, examined the difference between theatrical haze, smoke and low fog, controlled a bubble machine and even created a snowstorm in the P&F Hall (this was by the far the most popular piece of equipment!).
Rotary’s Four Way Test Public Speaking Competition
Congratulations to Ben Zhou (Year 11) on placing 2nd in the Rotary Club of Balwyn Public Speaking Competition. This competition is open to students in Year 10 or Year 11 and Ben spoke on the topic of ‘Cancel Culture’. For his efforts, Ben won a $100 voucher and $1,000 for Trinity and its nominated charity.
Gala Concert
Congratulations to staff and students for the outstanding performance that we had the privilege of enjoying online last Tuesday evening. Please see the article below for more on this wonderful event.
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School
Music News
May Gala Concert
A combined group of over 200 musicians sang and played through the night at our annual May Gala Concert on Tuesday 25 May. The concert showcased a diverse repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary styles. The Symphony Orchestra, Senior Strings, Mitre Band, Trinity Strings, Suzuki Strings, Senior Choir, Symphonic Wind and Stage Band all performed. It was truly a night to remember!
We were privileged to welcome back two OTGs, Daniel Gu and Samuel Li, who came (as a surprise!) to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments and dedication of Michelle Stanic, our Director of Music, who was celebrating her 35th anniversary at Trinity!
You can watch the Gala Concert, and see for yourself the exceptional performances of our students, via the following livestream link: click here
Congratulations to all the performers for a magnificent concert and demonstration of the musical excellence that Trinity embodies!
Victorian Flute Guild Ensemble Competition
On Sunday 23 May, the Trinity Flute Ensemble consisting of Zac Dubow, Jeremy Fox, William Oliver, Sonny Zhang, Jacob Zhang and Saranyan Ranjith, performed in the 27th Victorian Flute Guild Ensemble Competition held at MLC. The students performed in the 18 Years and Under section and played Simple Gifts arranged by Ricky Lombardo. This piece is a beautiful and well-known Shaker folk song. They played with an excellent understanding of the lyrical nature of the melody and a great sense of fun in the faster section. They received an Honourable Mention.
Zac Dubow and Jeremy Fox also entered the 18 Years and Under Duet section and performed contrasting pieces by Richard Rodney Bennett and Anton Stamitz. They performed with excellent attention to the style required and were placed 1st.
Congratulations to all who participated! I would like to thank them for their dedication to their flute playing and, in particular, for their commitment to the Trinity Flute Ensemble.
Janine Hanrahan
Flute Teacher
New Contemporary Ensembles
Over the past two weeks the Music School has been auditioning students for a new Contemporary Ensemble stream. Congratulations to all students who presented fantastic auditions, showcasing both quality and depth in their performances. Due to the high calibre of auditions, we are pleased to announce that there will be two new contemporary ensembles formed in the Senior School.
These ensembles will include electric and bass guitarists, keyboards, drummers and vocalists. Students will have the opportunity to work with the latest music technology and perform in a variety of settings. We look forward to introducing you to these very talented musicians in the near future. Stay tuned!
Chris Brown
Assistant Director of Music – Academic Programs
Keeping in Tune
Music brings us together, while learning apart. This is why the music never stops in our department, with instrumental lessons moving online during the snap lockdown. Music staff remain committed to providing high quality lessons remotely, whilst families of music students continue to be very supportive at home.
Michelle Stanic
Director of Music
Chaplain’s Chat
Reconciliation Week
In one of our Junior School Chapel Services this term, we looked at the inspiring story of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Northern African Christian martyrs of the 3rd century. Perpetua was a noblewoman who refused to renounce her Christian faith and who died in the arena with her slave Felicity by her side, who had likewise refused to deny her faith. Their deep bond of faith transcended their worldly status as mistress and slave, transforming them instead into sisters in Christ. As St Paul reminds us, ‘There is no slave or free person…That’s because you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ That is not to say that these earthly categories will magically disappear, but that this is not the lens through which God, our creator, views us.
It was this knowledge of God’s transcendent love for all people that was the basis of some Indigenous Australians’ fight for equal rights in Australia. Wiradjuri man, journalist and broadcaster, Stan Grant, has spoken of the ‘extraordinarily important’ role that Christianity played in his family’s life. Whilst undoubtedly having negative impacts like the denial of tradition and language, he describes how his father’s fight for equal rights came directly out of Christian teaching and experience: ‘Men and women…emerged from the missions with a divine sense of their equality. My grandfather was one of them. He went away to fight a war for this country when he wasn’t even a citizen. He came back to this country where we’re segregated and his basic human rights were denied. But he believed in his divine right, the divine right of his own humanity and his equality and he fought for that. God had told him you are an equal and he demanded that equality from Australia.’
This Reconciliation Week, may we give thanks to a God who knows and sees the dignity of every individual and may we pray for the day when all in this great country enjoy its prosperity equally.
Cecilia Fairlie
Junior School Chaplain
Community Engagement
This last week was a flurry of excitement as we were in the midst of planning for various year level, parent and grandparent events to be held during the week and over the weekend. But, as we know, it was not to be. While the Trinity community has demonstrated its resilience yet again in pivoting to the familiar Distance Learning model, we hope that many of the parent events can be rescheduled in the coming weeks. Keep your eye on Trinity Connect for news of events that relate to your year level.
Although the Year 12 parent volunteers weren’t able to be there in person, we could still host a Scone Morning Tea for the students on Thursday last week. This was very well received by the boys on a cold morning. We also held our very first online Information Morning to prospective families this week, and although this is not the preferred approach, Cinque Howells, Ethan Orr and Tom Wenn all did a stellar job presenting to their invisible audience which filled the gap for these families looking to find out more about schooling options for their sons.
For those of you who might be struggling for fitness motivation while you are stuck at home, the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association is organising an event that might be just what you need. The month-long Push-Up Challenge starts on 1 June, and the Trinity Grammar School Community already has 120 people across 21 teams signed up. More information about the Challenge and how to sign up can be found HERE. Alternatively, head to https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/team/8821-otga and use team code OTGGoodMen to join the OTGA team. Or make your own team and join the TGS Community at https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/community/trinity-grammar-school
Lucy Cohen
Director of Community Engagement
Second Hand Uniform Shop
All SPRAY JACKETS – half marked price
All Jumpers – $10.00
All Vests – $5.00
All School Uniform Shirts (Summer and Winter)
• Junior School – two for $10.00
• Senior School – two for $15.00
All School Uniform Shorts (Summer and Winter)
• Junior School – two for $5.00
• Senior School – two for $15.00
Long Trousers – two for the price of one: two for $25.00
All ELC Items – two for $5.00
All Sports Tops – $20.00 or two for $25.00
House Polo Tops:
• Junior School two for $10.00
• Senior School two for $15.00
All footwear, socks, spikes, football boots, runners, school shoes are all free to a good home.
All school bags $10.00 (drawstring bags $5.00)Thursday 3 June 2.00pm-4.00pm – new venue, 62 Charles St!
*** PLEASE CHECK THEY WILL BE OPENING WITH SLT
*Important Dates
Thursday June 3
Year 11 Unit 1 Classes conclude
Senior School Assembly Online
Friday June 4
Year 11 Study Day (no classes)
National Reconciliation Week concludes
Year 4 Round Robin at Trinity, 12:00pm
Years 3, 5 &6 Sport, Bulleen
Monday June 7
Year 11 Exams commence
JS Musical Rehearsals, 3.30pm
Wednesday June 9
VCAA GAT Examination
Thursday June 10
Partnering with Parents Evening – Peggy Orenstein, 7:00pm
Friday June 11
Professional Learning Day (no Year 7 – 10 classes)
Year 9 & 10 Examinations commence
Middle School Play, First Rehearsal
Boarders Exeat, 3.30pm
Saturday June 12
Trinity Ruyton Musical Rehearsal, Royce Theatre 2:00pm
Middle School Play Saturday Rehearsal, 2:00pm
Monday June 14
Queen’s Birthday Weekend
Boarders Return 5:00pm
Tuesday June 15
Year 8A – 8D Learning Journeys commence
ELC 3 Playdate
Date: Sunday 13 June
Time: 12.00pm-2.00pm
Venue: Flip Out Box Hill | T2 249 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill
Cost: $39.50 per participating child (siblings are welcome, no cost for parents)
Food included: chicken nuggets, chips and party lollies
Please RSVP by Friday 4 June
Click here to book
Year 11 Parents’ Night Out
Date: Saturday 19 June
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
Please RSVP by Sunday 13 June
Click here to book
*subject to change due to the current lock down