Edition 4, Term 4 2020
MENU: From the Principal | From the ELC | Junior School | Senior School | Chaplain’s Chat | Christmas Appeal 2020 | Christmas Appeal 2020 | Community Relations
From the Principal
It is somewhat cruel to think that even as we settle into a rhythm of school that we have not really enjoyed since Term 1, we are on an imminent path to the end of the year! As I have suggested before, we need to be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that 2020 has an asterisk against it. This has not been a wasted year for our students and teachers. It has been different, but neither empty nor destructive. I suspect that we will look back in years to come and remember this one as a year characterised by innovation, resilience and reflection. We are undoubtedly working and living differently in some respects, we can be proud of our school community’s ability to ‘hang in’ and trust each other, and we are already investing in reflection to guide our future practices.
The rhythm of school on site has brought with it the predictable ‘normal problems’ of day to day life. While we have been more lenient than usual on return, it is definitely time for our students to ensure that they look their best. Perhaps we have had some COVID hangovers which have compromised uniform and hair standards…
For the majority of our students, there are around three weeks to go before the end of the year. In a year when time at school has been precious, there is no doubt that we should be looking to make the most of the final opportunities to work and play in each other’s company. As a school, we are certainly doing the planning which will ensure a hectic, but worthy finish. Tests, exams, sport, Outdoor Education Day Trips for Year 7, First Aid, Work Experience, orientation events, theatre productions and end of year ceremonies are all on the menu. It has been impressive to see the school gear up so swiftly in response to the lifting restrictions around us. Please ensure that you keep abreast of information as it arrives – even veteran TGS parents will be caught out as familiar, traditional events are skewed to 2020 realities!
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
The past couple of weeks in the ELC has been a great time for the children, as we slowly transition them into the next phase of their learning journey. Visits to their new classrooms and discussions are being had as we build connections, confidence and excitement for what lies ahead. We have also been focusing on getting ready for the end of the year, celebrating the children, and all their efforts as this year they have coped with many changes and unexpected experiences. And, importantly, we will be taking time during the last weeks to enjoy being together.
The ELC has also been working on a fun little project for our friends at CaSPA Care. We are creating a wooden tree that we will present to them at the end of the term. Until then, the tree will be utilised as our ‘Giving Tree’. This year, we are hoping we can help contribute items to the Boroondara Community Outreach Christmas Hamper Appeal. Under the tree will be collection boxes for any non-perishable items you wish to donate. That can include any canned products, long-life milk, spray deodorants, and cakes or puddings. Lollies and colouring books are also most welcome. All donations will be collected at the end of November.
We look forward to making our final weeks with the children special and fun!
Marty O’Brien
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Junior School News
Some say public speaking is their biggest fear. It is certainly challenging to get up and speak in front of your peers. On Tuesday 10 November, Year 5 students spoke to their peers in Years 4, 5 and 6 to put forward their case for a 2021 leadership position. Each student did a superb job managing their speech through the 2020 ‘norm’ of Microsoft Teams. Not only did each student have to prepare, plan and rehearse their speech, but they had to speak into a screen rather than to a live audience. As there have been throughout 2020, there were some hiccups on the day. However, the resilience that the students have built this year was on full display as they adapted and pivoted along the way. Each student should be proud of their efforts and we wish all of them the best of luck as we progress through the process.
As we move towards the end of the year and the students work their way through their learning and end of year events, we hope that they continue to be enthusiastic and resilient.
Tim Naughton
Acting Junior School Deputy Head (Administration)
Game Design and Computer Science Camp
Please click here to a flyer for the Intelligent Futures Australia summer camp that will run in January 2021 during school holidays. More information can also be found at ifeducation.com.au
Senior School News
Science Awards
On Thursday, the following boys received Science Awards:
Science Olympiad winners:
- James Liu Yr. 11
- William Johnson Yr. 9
- Larry Pang Yr. 11
Science Talent Search winners:
- Kosta Dokolas Yr. 7
- Alexander Ling Yr. 7
- William McDougall Yr. 7
- Flynn McNamara Yr. 7
- Nicholas Rooney Yr. 7
- Harry Wong Yr. 7
Monash University Faculty of Engineering (Major Bursary) winners:
- Nelson Blake Yr. 7
- Thomas Chan Yr. 7
Congratulations to these boys.
Student Leadership 2021
Congratulations to the following boys who have been appointed the School Leaders for 2021. The boys will be inducted into their positions at Presentation Night.
School Captain: Will Toner
School Vice-Captains: Cinque Howells, Ethan Orr, Tom Wenn, Max Yakubowski
Top Designs
Congratulations to Jesse Ash and Simone Lin (Ruyton student studying at Trinity), who have been shortlisted for Top Designs for 2020 VCE Product Design and Technology.
Rohan Brown
Deputy Principal, Head of the Senior School
In Conversation with Lucy Durack: A Trinity Drama Event
On Wednesday evening, students in the senior years had the opportunity to participate in a special Q&A with Australian theatre and television performer, Lucy Durack.
Discussing her professional career as a performer, Durack spoke to our students about her experiences in taking on some of the largest musical theatre roles on offer.
Durack is one of the country’s most prominent performers, gracing the stage as Glinda in the two Australian seasons of Wicked, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical and most recently as Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical.
As well as talking about her experiences on stage, our students also received insights into the world of professional television, with Durack speaking about preparing for her most recent roles in Neighbours, Doctor, Doctor and Netflix’s The Let Down.
Our students appreciated her insights into the world of professional performance, how to navigate auditions and post-school pathways in the performing arts.
Victorian Drama League Online Monologue Competition
A round of applause! In 2020, the Victorian Drama League (VDL) held its inaugural online Monologue Competition. On Sunday night at the online awards ceremony, Charlie Di Stefano (Year 11) was awarded first place in the Youth section. Performing an adaptation from Animal Kingdom, Charlie evoked outstanding pathos, delivering a remarkable performance. Congratulations also go to Roy McNab (Year 9) for his submission of a self-written comedy piece that was well received by the judging panel and received an Honourable Mention. Bravo to these two students!
Ryan Bowler
Head of Drama
Chaplain’s Chat
Founders’ Day
During Chapel with the students in Years 7 and 8 last term, we were working through a talk by an Indigenous musician, mentor and speaker named Scott Darlow. He speaks about reconciliation as vital for our everyday existence in, and enjoyment of relationships with all the people we encounter. Darlow presented the acronym FLUTE: Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy, as the basis for a peaceful and reconciled life. This week at Trinity we had the Founders’ Day assembly on Thursday, a day to remember the founding of the school out of Holy Trinity Church Kew in 1902.
Three of the values of Trinity’s founders were truth, goodness and service. These are still embodied in our school’s vision and mission of ETHICS: Excellence, Truth, Humility, Integrity, Courage and Service. These values are a high calling for our staff, students, families and community to live up to; we know that when we live out these values, our whole community thrives. As Scott Darlow pointed out though, without FLUTE or ETHICS, we all experience the consequences of broken relationships.
We look to the person of Jesus, whose example of truth, goodness and service was without flaws, and we ask Him to walk with us on our daily journey, gently teaching us the way of love. We are confident to ask in prayer, as the Founders did:
May we learn to love the truth and speak it fearlessly at all times. Enable us to cultivate that goodness of character which hates all evil: evil thinking, evil speaking, and evil doing. We pray that you will give us the spirit of service that we may serve our fellows faithfully and unselfishly, to the honour and glory of your great name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a great week.
Rev’d James Hale
Assistant Chaplain
Christmas Appeal 2020
Over the next month, we are hoping you can support two of the Harambee Outreach ministries we organise every year to help Christmas be more meaningful and enjoyable for families experiencing financial hardship, and members of our local community living with a mental illness.
The Christmas Hamper Appeal
We are asking students/families to bring in a few grocery items to help us provide over 300 hampers for the most vulnerable in our Good Grub community. Items to bring include: ready-made microwaveable meals, pasta and rice meals, tinned fruit, tinned meats (chicken, tuna, ham), noodles, UHT milk, coffee, sugar, nuts, dried fruit/muesli bars, cheese and biscuit snacks, mince pies, spreads, toilet paper, toothpaste, sanitary pads, deodorant, shaving cream, shavers and hairbrushes. Click here to see the full Christmas Hamper contents list. Students should leave groceries at Reception, in Mr Purcell’s office or under the Christmas tree in the Tudor Centre.
Anglicare Christmas Gift Appeal – Final Assembly Tuesday 8 December
At Christmas time, many families enduring financial hardship find it difficult to give presents to their children. Our Trinity community has always given generously to the Anglicare Christmas Gift Appeal. We are encouraging all students to bring a gift to place under the Christmas tree at their Year Level Assemblies on 8 December. Gifts can be left at the Senior School Reception, in Mr Purcell’s office or under the Christmas tree in the Tudor Centre. To help with the variety of gifts, we are making the suggestion:
- Years 7 and 8 – soft toys and books
- Years 9 and 10 – sporting equipment
- Years 11 and 12 – clothes and shoes for children aged between 4 and 17 years of age
Thank you for your support of these appeals.
Tom Purcell
Assistant Chaplain and Director of Outreach
Community Relations
Harambee Candles – Last Chance!
The beautifully scented Kenshi Candles (poured in Melbourne by members of the Chin refugee community) would make a thoughtful and sweet-smelling present for Christmas.
The scents (and numbers) still available are:
- Caramel & Vanilla (1)
- Frangipani & Jasmine (3)
- Sandalwood & Amber (5)
- Sage & Sea Salt (6)
- Gardenia & Lily (12)
These beautiful candles are available for $33.50 each, please click here to order online.
You may collect your purchase from Senior School Reception.
Jump in quickly to support the Harambee fundraising efforts for 2020!
Kathy Hines
Director of Development and Community Relations
Important Dates
Wednesday 18 November
Year 11 Examinations commence
Thursday 19 November
Year 6 PYP Exhibition, Online
Friday 20 November
Report Writing Day (no classes Years 7-10)
Tuesday 24 November
Year 10 Examinations commence
JS Prep to Year 7 (2021) Orientation Day
Wednesday 25 November
Year 10 Examinations conclude
Thursday 26 November
Year 11 Examinations conclude
Year 6 Evening 7.00pm, Online
Rowing Information Evening 7:30pm, Online
Revised Year 10 Work Experience Program commences
Friday 27 November
Form Assembly – Years 7 -10
Tuesday 1 December
Year 12 Examinations conclude
No Senior School House Assemblies