Edition 4, Term 3 2021
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From the Principal
‘It’s a horror movie, right there on my TV
Horror movie, right there on my TV
Horror movie, and it’s blown a fuse
Horror movie, it’s the six-thirty news.’
This is my 26th year in schools as an educator, but it is my first time quoting Skyhooks!
Now that lockdown is on and I am home at the time, I find myself consciously curating the television in our main room in the evenings. I wonder if I am not alone when I say that I talk loudly over the top of a distressing story here, or change the channel in a bit of a hurry there, as the seemingly constant stream of gloom churns through the nightly news. I am not so naive to believe my teenage children are not consuming news through their own social media feeds, but nonetheless amongst our pretty frank conversations about what is happening I seem to attempt to shape their access to the world’s starkness in the living room at least. Afghanistan’s airport, our COVID restrictions and many other issues besides dominate a confronting news landscape. It is hard for many adults to manage their emotions and responses at the moment, let alone for children to filter what they are surrounded by with discernment.
The Skyhooks’ lyrics were written the year after I was born, so clearly the issue of gloomy news is definitely not new! What is new, though, is the society wide intensity that Victoria is challenged by and the real impact that the pandemic is having on people. Whereas many are okay, financially and personally, many cannot boast the same positive circumstances. It is true of families. It is true of students. It is true of staff. The pressures many are feeling are vivid. For many, emotions are high and the challenges seem difficult to conquer. My conviction is that we are all trying our best. In a situation that is not perfect, we could easily move to criticise effort, output or efficacy, as in comparison with ‘normal’ times, the offering is not the same. Doing so would ignore the fact that our students, staff and families are all working under duress, being asked to operate in unfamiliar circumstances and are still collaborating in a very intentional manner. I am impressed with my colleagues for their commitment, endurance and adaptability, and with our families for their forbearance.
Thank you to those who have reached out and expressed their gratitude for the work the school is doing amongst the maelstrom. Being kind to each other at a time when we are all experiencing the aberration of this pandemic and its reach is of great value. Perhaps doing so might help mitigate the ‘horror movie’ of information that the television news, or the very many other vehicles, presents to our young people.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
Watching the independence of all of our ELC children grow over the past few weeks has been wonderful to see. As our parents drop off the students at the gate and I watch them walking and skipping into the ELC almost without a backwards glance, carrying their own bags on their backs ready to start the day, I can’t help but think how much they have grown over the past year. This is reinforced at the end of the day when they get their belongings and walk out to greet their parents for pick up. Our view of the child as rich, capable and competent – only if we let them – is evident. This is clear not just in the outward manifestations of managing their own belongings but at an emotional and social level as well – distancing, passing on messages, and managing their own emotions in these uncertain times.
Relationships are integral to building resilience. Strong, positive relationships with family and educators help children to feel safe, secure and loved. This sense of security provides the child confidence to explore their world and recover from any setbacks they may experience. It is important that children begin to develop resilience from a young age, as it helps them to feel more prepared for the next time they encounter a challenge. Young children build resilience over time and with experience.
Resilient children are often more willing to try, even if things do not go the way they had hoped. They have the confidence and problem-solving skills to work their way through a range of different situations.
Creating strong partnerships with our families allows us to work together to best support resilience building in the children and to ensure they are well prepared for any challenges they may face in their everyday lives.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
From the Junior School
In the Junior School, our students have been demonstrating their resilience and adaptability as they have faced challenging news of further lockdowns across the metropolitan area. Throughout their journey, the boys are supported to develop the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Attributes of being: An Inquirer, Knowledgeable, A Thinker, A Communicator, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, A Risk Taker, Balanced and Reflective.
Their deep understanding of these attributes is supporting our students to make the best of this challenging situation. Because they are open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective, they are encouraging and supportive of one another. In approaching their Distance Learning program, they are challenged to inquire, to think deeply about concepts, and creatively communicate their knowledge and understandings.
When on campus, we celebrate the demonstration of these attributes by awarding a green slip. Our staff are providing positive incentives for students during Distance Learning and I would encourage families at home to recognise and celebrate these attributes as well.
Torben Vedelsby
Deputy Head of Junior School (Learning and Innovation)
From the Senior School
German Poetry Competition
The annual German Poetry Competition took place last Wednesday 11 August online, hosted by PLC. We had seven courageous boys from the Senior School participating. The Year 7 boys were Ryan Cen, Yida Fang, Neel Liu and Noah Bonhoefer. Nelson Blake, Nicholas Semmler and Julian Dowling competed in the Year 8 section. Congratulations to all these boys for having the courage to recite their poem under these stressful conditions. Congratulations to Ryan Cen and Nicholas Semmler, who received Hounourable Mentions. Yida Fang received a silver medal, a marvellous 2nd place. Noah Bonhoefer as a native speaker competed in a different more challenging category and received a gold medal for 1st place!
Given the circumstances, all these boys deserve particular praise for their efforts! In 2022 and 2023, Trinity will host this prestigious event.
International Economics Olympiad
Congratulations to Justin Zhu (Year 11) who, alongside several other senior students from schools in Sydney and Melbourne, recently represented Australia in this 44-country event hosted by the University of Latvia.
Hockey AGSV Premiers 2021
While the season may not have concluded as we would have hoped, congratulations to our First XI Hockey team, AGSV Premiers for 2021.
Mitre Photography and Design Competition and Ampersand Writing Competition
For the creative students in the Senior School, there are two Trinity events that we encourage you to be involved in:
- Mitre Photography and Design Competition: Closing date, 26 August 2021
- Ampersand Writing Competition: Closing date, 11 October 2021
Students have been emailed the details. Please send your entries to lathams@trinity.vic.edu.au
Summer Sports Photos
The group photos from the 2021 Trinity Grammar Summer Sports Group Photo Day are now available to be viewed and purchased from National Photography. You can access the photos by following the below link and entering the password TRNGS (new users will need to create an account before accessing the gallery)
Or you can go to www.nationalphotography.com.au and then follow the below steps:
- On our home page click on Order Online
- Click on Co-curricular Group Online Ordering
- New users need to create an account using an email address and password of their choice/Existing users can simply log in.
- Scroll to your school’s Logo
- Enter the password TRNGS
Orders placed within two weeks will get free shipping directly home! Order now!
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School
From the Music School
The Blessing: A Unique Collaboration in Time of Isolation
Student musicians from over 25 Anglican schools recently gathered in a virtual environment to create a performance of ‘The Blessing’ by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Steven Furtick. This heart-warming and emotive song has become a source of comfort for millions during this pandemic – a global movement of cross-denominational worship through song. Once again, music has shone like a beacon with its intrinsic power to connect us as humans.
Over 30 boys from the Senior Strings submitted a recording as part of a quarantine project, in what turned out to be a Blessing for all involved. The recording also features four singers from Trinity – Henry Smith, James Blanch, Joshua Simos-Garner and Ben Reynolds.
The virtual recording of ‘The Blessing’ can be found here:
https://vimeo.com/588660695/6ca24b321d
Kevin Kelley
Head of Choral and Vocal Music
Chaplain’s Chat
Intersection
The recent on-line Anglican Schools Conference attended by our Principal and Chaplaincy Team ran with the theme of Intersection. I am presently at a busy intersection and the traffic is heavy. These are not easy times.
At the conference, I was uplifted by an inspirational address from Major Brendan Nottle of the Uniting Church. He spoke of the importance of reflection in our lives. The human instinct, at the intersection with competing interests and uncertain horizons, is to react by protecting our own interests. To help us look beyond ourselves, Major Nottle was passionate about the values of the gospel guiding our responses at any intersection.
Our Christian faith and the values of the Kingdom of God are the foundation and cornerstone of our Trinity community. During these challenging times we are called to respond where there is a need and make sure make sure no one is left behind. We are to bring the marginalised and vulnerable into the centre of our community. We are to continue to challenge the structures that bring about injustice, discrimination, inequality and poverty.
The Christian story is one of hope. It gives us the courage to continually reset and lift up our eyes to new horizons. The intersection is never overwhelming if we recognise God is at work in our lives and we are called to join this mission. It is a beautiful invitation. Our Anglican Schools’ Chaplain, Bishop Lindsay, quoted St Augustine of Hippo at the conference. It helps me sit at my present intersection: ‘Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.’ Hope to meet you at our Trinity intersection soon.
Tom Purcell
Director of Outreach, Assistant Chaplain
Deliveroo Vouchers
Further to the support received from Deliveroo and the Parent Association, we have some additional $15 vouchers available through Trybooking. These are limited in number and so will be issued on a first in, first served basis and can be accessed HERE.
Trinity Woollen Blankets
The Parents’ Association is once again offering the beautiful Trinity Woollen Blankets for sale. The 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
Important Dates**
Wednesday 25 August
Careers Expo, 3.30pm, Online
Thursday 26 August
Junior School Class Representative Meeting, 9.00am, Online
Monday 30 August
Early Finish – Senior School – no Sport, Music or Co-Curricular Activities, 2.45pm
Year 9 and 10 Parent-Teacher Interviews, from 3:00pm, Online
Tuesday 31 August
Merritt House Breakfast and Chapel 7.30am, Online
Thursday 2 September
Senior School Assembly, 8.15am, Online
Friday 3 September
Somers Training Team Camp commences * To Be Confirmed
Sunday 5 September
Somers Training Team Camp concludes * To Be Confirmed
Tuesday 7 September
Hindley House Breakfast and Chapel 7.30am * To Be Confirmed
Wednesday 8 September
Victorian Interschool Snowsport XC Championships, Mt Buller * To Be Confirmed
**Dates are subject to change following Government announcements on COVID-19 lockdown protocols.