Edition 5, Term 2 2020
MENU: From the Principal | From the ELC | Junior School | Senior School | Music News | Chaplain’s Chat | Community Relations
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Society’s gradual emergence from the restrictions forced on us by COVID-19 means that one of the key parts of a Trinity education, our sporting program, can get going again in earnest soon.
Whereas 2020 will be memorable for its difficulties, and our students’ experience of ‘normal’ schooling changed, we are doing what we can to ensure that there are some fond memories too. As such, a truncated AGSV season will take place at the start of next term, allowing for students from Years 7 to 12 to represent Trinity on the sporting field in some meaningful matches. For our First teams, there are some ‘traditional rivals’ fixtured via a revised draw, meaning that some of the long-anticipated battles can take place. We are grateful to the AGSV and those schools willing to play across all year levels for the opportunities this mini season will allow.
Of course, not everything has been able to be saved in 2020. Each week the Senior Leadership Team looks down the calendar and considers which parts can be honoured, which revised and which reluctantly cancelled. We have almost worn out the crystal ball already this year! I am aware of the disappointment that comes with the cancellation or revision of events. In my early weeks at Trinity we cancelled a suite of overseas and interstate trips – hardly the auspicious start I had hoped for – and HPAF took on a very different shape. The support from our students and families in the face of those disappointments was most impressive. There will be more to come, of course, as we negotiate the complexities of the re-emergence. We will continue to seek out the best outcomes for all, especially as we look to next term and the start of our ‘next normal’. See you at Bulleen…soon!
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
Building relationships takes time. Relationships need a meaning and a purpose.
The words we use to facilitate relationships, the materials we use to bring children together and the environment we create for children all play an important role in the way in which children meet and engage with the world around them.
After an extended time apart it’s important for us to reconnect as a group, to share and express our thoughts and to create joy in our community.
Our children and families have settled back into the routines of face to face learning and enjoyed reconnecting with their peers and reestablishing friendships. Here are some of their comments:
‘I love the ELC!’
’My favourite thing is the blocks.’
‘I love my friends.’
‘I love everything!’
‘I want to come every day.’
‘It’s so much fun!’
We have also reconnected with our friends from CASPA Care nursing home through a Microsoft Teams meeting, sharing songs and artwork with the residents.
We wish you all a relaxing and safe holiday break and look forward to seeing you at the start of Term 3.
Naomi Wright
Acting Director of the ELC
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
We have spent a great deal of time recently living in the moment and problem-solving on an almost daily basis. All members of our community have worked together to keep the fine ship of Trinity Grammar School, Kew sailing full steam ahead. However, I write this article looking ahead to Semester Two. It seems to be a privilege that we can look to the future somewhat and dare to plan.
I am very excited at the prospect of stepping into Mr Nalder’s shoes (large shoes in all senses of the description) and enjoying the privilege of the role of Acting Head of Junior School. Working with the community in a new and different way will be a wonderful opportunity and a journey I very much look forward to sharing with everyone, particularly the students. My last Trinity News article spoke of the importance of interpersonal connection and how the boys have learned the value of this through their recent experiences. The prospect of building deeper connections with the community through my new role is exhilarating.
As restrictions slowly ease the school is constantly analysing what opportunities may now be possible for the students. We continue to remain committed to a Junior School musical in one form or another. We are starting to hear updates from various sporting bodies regarding the potential for some competitions to be reinstated soon. The drums are beginning to beat to a more familiar rhythm; however, we will remain vigilant and assess all opportunities with the safety of our community at the heart of our decision making.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break, when it comes. I look forward to seeing you all on the other side and hitting the ground running as we bound into Semester Two with the energy and verve our boys bring each day.
Tom Savill
Deputy Head Administration
Code Camp – Virtual Holiday Camps
Code Camp is offering virtual holiday camps over the holidays with 10 hours of self-paced coding courses. For families who are interested, please click here to view the poster or go to codecamp.com.au online for more information.
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
New Cafeteria
The new cafeteria is fantastic! It is spacious, clean, comfortable and the food is sensational. There is a short queue forming at recess and lunchtime, but it moves quickly and the boys have a better, bigger and healthier choice of meals, rolls and snacks. There are student toilets and staff changerooms on the same level. The boarders were the first group to eat in the new cafeteria and they gave it the thumbs up. On Wednesday evening many Year 11 and 12 boys stayed for dinner at 6.00pm and almost 90 boys enjoyed a scrumptious meal before many headed off to the Tudor Centre for Study Night. The boys are very fortunate to have such a terrific area for recess and lunch (and so are the staff!).
Examinations
Year 11 examinations will conclude on Friday 19 June. These will be followed by Year 9 and 10 examinations from 22 to 24 June. We hope that if boys have studied well during the term and revised carefully, they should do well in these examinations that cover the first semester’s work.
Reports for Year 7 to 10 will be posted during the June/July holidays.
Information Nights
Early in Term 3, we traditionally hold our subject Information Nights for the 2021 year. This year, these will be held online using Microsoft Teams and the Heads of Year will email the log on instructions early next term. Please keep these dates free – the Information Nights will start at 7.00pm.
Year 9 (2021) Wed 22 July
Year 10 (2021) Thu 23 July
Year 11 (2021) Mon 27 July
Trinity Scarves
New scarves have arrived @ $20 each. Please contact Ms Celik. Also, more black backpacks will be here before the end of term.
MUSIC NEWS
Congratulations to Angus Wong (Year 9), who has been invited to perform on the violin at the forthcoming East Tennessee Suzuki Institute/Camp (online) from 22 to 26 June.
Students are warmly invited to perform in an After-School Recital on Tuesday 23 June at 3:30 pm. Participants will have a rehearsal with Mr Franke at lunchtime on the day if their piece is accompanied. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their performance, especially if they are preparing for an AMEB examination. Interested participants should contact Mrs Therese McCoppin at mccoppint@trinity.vic.edu.au by Friday 19 June to register their interest. Parents are welcome to join the Recital via Microsoft Teams.
Kim Beissel
Music Administration
Chaplain’s Chat
Black Lives Matter Protests
There have been a lot of conversations about the Black Lives Matter protests in America and around the world, following the death of George Floyd in custody. The wave of public outrage has reached our shores, partly because of George Floyd, but also because of the systemic racism and discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in these lands we now call Australia.
The protesters in Australia are seeking justice and an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody. Since 1991, following the Royal Commission, there have been (at least) 432 Aboriginal deaths in custody (that’s more than one person killed every month for 29 years). Despite evidence in some cases of excessive force or neglect by police or prison officers, there has never been a criminal conviction for a death in custody. Unlike the US, there is almost a total lack of media attention to our Aboriginal deaths in custody and the lack of video evidence – families have to go to court to ask for CCTV footage to be released and remember this is CCTV footage from inside Government-run facilities – often it is still denied or apparently doesn’t exist. Indigenous Australians make up 28 percent of all people in prison, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represent just three percent of the overall population of our nation.
The other significant event that has occurred in recent history was the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017, asking for three things: Voice, Treaty and Truth. This has not been enacted and the Morrison government has just delayed the vote/discussion on the referendum because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Thousands and thousands of Australians chose to protest in the peaceful Black Lives Matter rallies over the weekend. In capital cities and rural towns, they walked together in solidarity for reconciliation. The reporting from the majority of the media and politicians has been weak. They chose to only talk about whether the rallies were safe or not from a public health perspective; this has meant that the actual issue of systemic racism and injustice towards Indigenous people in Australia hasn’t been talked about. Politicians hid behind COVID-19 restrictions asking people to protest in creative ways, while not making any comment on the actual issue. The public health risks are real, as are the risks to further brokenness, movement away from reconciliation and denial of our history.
Where does this leave us? We don’t have to attend protests, but we can encourage the media and politicians to comment or talk about Indigenous issues. I have outlined some ideas of things we could be doing as a community to better serve First Nations peoples.
So, what can we do to be better?
Get Educated
Learn more about Australian history – in particular, you could learn about Aboriginal deaths in custody. Commit to learning the names and story of three Aboriginal people who have died in custody. We have plenty of resources here.
Take Action
Write a letter to the Minister for Police and Minister for Corrections in our state speaking of your concern about Aboriginal deaths in custody. If you have already written, why not write to your local member, State Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. If you have already written and haven’t received a reply, follow up by writing again or making a phone call. (Template letter and contact details here)
Prayer
Lastly, you can pray, I have attached some resources from Common Grace. These prayers to cry out to God for an end to violence are available here, for Justice to reign are available here.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please send a message through Trinity Connect or email me at halej@trinity.vic.edu.au.
Have a great week.
Rev’d James Hale
Assistant Chaplain
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
With students now returning to school in their winter uniforms, could we ask that ALL items of clothing (including sports bags) are clearly labelled with your son’s name.
If any items have been purchased from the Uniform Shop, please cross out or remove old names and then re-name.
Michelle Gregory
Student Services Coordinator
Reminder
The Parents’ Association is hosting their next meeting via Teams this evening, Tuesday 16 June, at 7pm.
If you wish to attend this online meeting, please click here.
Please note that this is a meeting only for current parents of Trinity Grammar School, no anonymous users will be admitted.
We do hope that you will be able to join us.
Trinity TLC Community Support Group
Have you heard about the Trinity TLC Community Support Group? A PA initiative, this group has been formalised to coordinate the supply of meals and lunchbox items for students, teachers and staff in our community who are faced with challenging times.
How Does It Work?
The role of the group and our volunteers is simply to fill the school freezer with delicious food. When a little TLC is needed, the TGS School Leadership Team will coordinate the distribution of meals and lunchbox items, ensuring discretion and confidentiality.
How Can I Help?
We are seeking volunteers to prepare a meal/lunchbox item on a date which suits you. Drop it off to Senior School Reception where it will be placed in a refrigerated Esky then transferred to the school freezer.
Please click here to add your name to the roster, which includes detailed guidelines.
We are also compiling a list of Urgent Meal Volunteers who we can contact on an ad hoc basis to provide meals and lunchbox items at 24/48 hours’ notice. If this is something you can help with please click here to sign up.
Donations
In addition to the rosters, the Committee has been asked by some members of our community about making a donation to the group as an alternative to cooking a meal.
These donations will be spent on items such as supermarket vouchers and a meal delivery service. The use of trybooking ensures that funds are formally accounted for and the Committee will report the total donated amount and a summary of spending at each PA meeting.
If a donation is your preference for supporting the group, please click here to make a donation, (this link is also available on the PA portal on Trinity Connect).
We would love your support and involvement to provide this extra TLC to our community. Please don’t hesitate to contact us: Alice Noonan and Angela Gill (Co-Convenors), Heidi Pfeffer and Lisa Williams (Committee) via email pa@trinity.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Thank you to those families who have supported the Trinity Care Fund to date. Your generosity and immediate action is enabling us to support families who have been particularly impacted by COVID-19. It is a wonderful example of the sense of community that is so palpable here at Trinity.
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss the Care Fund and other ways that you – or we – may be able to help.
Take care and keep well.
Kathy Hines
Director of Development and Community Relations
Important Dates
Tuesday 16 June 2020
Parents’ Association Meeting 7:00pm
Friday 19 June 2020
Year 11 Examinations conclude
Monday 22 June 2020
Senior School Early Finish
Professional Learning, 2.45pm
Year 9 and 10 Examinations commence
Wednesday 24 June 2020
Year 9 and 10 Examinations conclude
Thursday 25 June 2020
Senior School Assembly 8:15am
Friday 26 June 2020
Year 11 Towards Leadership Skills Program, Arnold Hall
Term 2 concludes
Boarders Exeat, 3.30pm