Edition 5, Term 4 – 2018
MENU: From the Headmaster | Notices and Announcements | From the ELC | Junior School | Senior School | Chaplain’s Chat | Community Relations
FROM THE HEADMASTER
As this school year comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our Trinity community for their support and for the many contributions they have made during the year.
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year – a time of tradition for family, community and the School. I know Christmas is close when we have our ELC Christmas Chapel Service, the Prep Nativity Service, and last Friday’s Service of Lessons and Songs at St Paul’s Cathedral – three beautiful events in the life of the School. These are wonderful occasions we can enjoy with our boys and a lovely way to start the Christmas reflection. And I also know Christmas is fast approaching when Rosemary and I muse for hours on what presents to buy for our seven grandchildren.
Each year we say goodbye to a number of colleagues, some retiring and some moving onto higher positions and new endeavours.
This year we farewell the following members of our staff and wish them all the best:
SENIOR SCHOOL – Academic Staff
- Nadia Baker – Mathematics Teacher
- Guy Begley – Head of Physical Education
- Vivienne Crompton – Commerce Teacher
- Matthew Di Petta – Science Teacher
- Rev’d Geoff Everett – Religious Education and Chaplain
- Tsets Gibbons – Mathematics Teacher and Director of the Coordinate Program
- Karen Green – Mathematics Teacher
- Rose Humberstone – Deputy Head of Mathematics and Head of Roberts House
- Karyn Lehner – English Teacher
- Christian Neeson – Director of Students and Head of Rowing
- Darren Sellers – Head of Commerce
- Keith Thomson – Mathematics Teacher
- Bryan Wood – Director of Professional Learning and Assistant Director of Studies
- Emilie Canavese – French Language Assistant
JUNIOR SCHOOL – Academic Staff
- Emma Gregg – Junior School Classroom Teacher
- Vivienne Monteith – Religious Education Teacher
- Michael Pettolino – Deputy Head of Junior School (Curriculum) and PYP Coordinator
- Don Stott – Junior School Chaplain
In addition, we say farewell to a number of staff from across the School who have been with us on short-term assignments this semester. We thank them for their contributions and wish them well in their next endeavours.
…and, some are taking leave in Term 1 next year:
- Annabel Coburn – Head of Counselling (Maternity Leave)
- Ioannes Markantonatos – Physics Teacher (Long Service Leave)
- Ruth Shaw – Junior School French Teacher (Maternity leave)
- Bronwyn Arnold – Junior School Library Assistant (Long Service Leave)
- John Waller – Head of Art (Long Service Leave)
In closing, I thank everyone in the Trinity community for their support this year. In particular, I thank my colleagues for their extraordinary efforts throughout the year. It has been an honour and pleasure to have been at Trinity over the past six months and I am greatly looking forward to next year.
Have a Merry Christmas and stay safe over the holiday period.
Phil De Young
Headmaster
P.S. Thank you for your overwhelming support of our new mobile phone/device policy. Further to this recent announcement, I thought you might be interested to watch this short video on this very topic by American author and motivational speaker, Simon Sinek.
NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Holiday Office Hours
- Friday 14 December – 8.00am to 11.30am
- Monday 17 December to Thursday 20 December – 9.00am to 4.00pm
- Friday 21 December – 9.00am to 12.00pm
- Monday 14 January to Thursday 24 January – 9.00am to 4.00pm
- Friday 25 January – 8.00am to 5.00pm
- Monday 28 January – Office closed
- Tuesday 29 January – normal office hours resume 8.00am to 5.00pm
Lost Property
The Lost Property room, located opposite Student Administration, will once again be cleared out at the end of this semester.
Please collect all lost property items by 11.00am on Friday 14 December 2018. Any items left over will be donated to either the Trinity Shop or to charity.
FROM THE ELC
We trust that parents, friends and extended families enjoyed the special Christmas Chapel Services last week – the children were certainly excited and enthusiastic about showcasing their musical skills.
Over the past few weeks there has been a huge amount of activity in the rooms as the children make decorations which are either displayed or hanging from every possible surface. The many creative skills they have developed throughout the year have been put to very good use across a wide range of experiences and as a consequence, the entire centre is looking particularly festive.
We wish all our ‘graduates’ a very happy transition to Prep next year and look forward to welcoming back the children in the Three Year Old Group who will be moving next door in 2019. We also wish to thank parents for their support throughout 2018.
To all families, have a very Happy Christmas, a peaceful New Year and a safe, relaxing holiday.
Genevieve Read
Director of the Early Learning Centre
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
This morning, the class teachers shared the 2019 class allocations with the boys who then spent time in their new classrooms. Our staff has put a great deal of thought into the make-up of each class for next year. This morning you should have received a Trinity Connect message indicating the year level to which each teacher has been allocated.
Last Thursday, we held our Junior School Presentation Night for Years 3 to 6. It was a wonderful night with over 200 children involved. We were entertained by our bands, our choir, and a number of dramatic and dance performances, before prizes were awarded and our Year 6 boys were farewelled. Feedback from the boys has been great – our best measure of success for a ceremonial evening such as this. I most sincerely thank all of the staff involved in delivering this significant and special event.
The Prep to Year 2 boys had their final assembly this morning, led by Mr Lander. This was another lovely presentation as the children reflected on the year, and heard a Christmas story from Mr Stott and a presentation from Mr Lander.
We have also said goodbye to a small group of boys and staff. We celebrate their time at our school and know that their Trinity experience will stay with them for many years to come.
Staff News
Next year we will be welcoming several new staff to the Junior School.
Cecilia Fairlie will be joining us from Doncaster Secondary College to take on the Junior School Chaplaincy role, as well as the Religious Education teaching role. Cecilia has been an educator for nearly 20 years, and we look forward to her contribution to the Junior School.
Zachary Natoli will be joining Trinity as a classroom teacher in 2019. Zachary comes from the Holy Trinity Primary School where he was a classroom teacher, Year Level Leader, and a Curriculum Teaching and Learning Leader. Zachary also has an extensive basketball background, and for two years he was an assistant coach for the Australian College of Basketball.
Emma Peel joins Trinity from Mulgrave Primary School where she teaches art to all year levels and has been a general classroom teacher for the past four years. Emma also has experience as a swimming teacher, and is also a water polo and swimming coach.
Jon Knight has been successful in being appointed the PYP Coordinator and will take over from Michael Pettolino.
Please have a wonderful Christmas with your families, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.
Grant Nalder
Head of the Junior School
Chess State Championships
During Term 2, five Junior School boys participated in the State Championships and qualified for the National Chess Finals. Joshua Solomon, Lachlan Williams, Oliver Li, Yuvin de Silva and Noah Wiltshire played seven games of chess over two days. Trinity Grammar School ranked 12th out of 22 schools who participated in the competition. The boys should be very proud of the way they represented their school and their impressive achievements.
Amy Jackson
Teacher Librarian
Congratulations
Congratulations to Alexis Vardoulakis who was recently promoted to the rank of Senior Singer within the Choir Training Program for the Australian Boys Choir. This is a wonderful achievement.
Camp Trinity
Camp Trinity will begin on Monday 17 December and conclude on Friday 21 December. Camp Trinity is staffed by Junior School teachers and the activities are designed to be engaging for boys from Prep through to Year 6. Bookings can be made by clicking here. If you have any questions concerning Camp Trinity, please contact me via email. Bookings close Friday 14 December.
Rohan Watts
Camp Trinity Coordinator
SENIOR SCHOOL
REMINDER: Presentation Night
Senior School Presentation Night will be held at the Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, tomorrow night (Wednesday 12 December), commencing at 7.30pm. All boys in Years 7 to 11 are expected to attend in full winter uniform.
VCE Results
Good luck to the Year 12 boys for the release of their results on Friday 14 December. A separate communication will be sent home on Friday to share a summary of the results with our school community.
Leadership Retreat
Last week, all boys taking up senior leadership roles in 2019 attended our annual Leadership Retreat at Trinity College, Melbourne University.
The three-day program involves a busy schedule of seminars, lectures and activities – presented by Trinity staff and leadership experts Dr Ralph Pim and Dr Gary Conyers – which are designed to further develop leadership skills and insights.
A particular highlight each year is ‘The Great Race’, which sees groups of boys navigate their way through the CBD undertaking a range of tasks and challenges.
The five ‘Wells’
The father of the 2018 School Captain reminded me about the five ‘Wells’ – something I have written about before. I suggest that for all of us, whether students, teachers or parents, we can remind ourselves of the five ‘Wells’. A good citizen should be:
- WELL READ
- WELL TRAVELLED
- WELL DRESSED
- WELL SPOKEN
- WELL BALANCED
Over these holidays, some will travel, we can all read, try new and interesting activities, and continue to speak and dress well at all times.
May I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy start to 2019. I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces in the New Year.
Rohan Brown
Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School
School commencement dates for 2019
- Wednesday 30 January at 1.00pm for Year 7 boys and Peer Mentors
- Thursday 31 January for all other students (Year 11 and Year 12 Orientation Day)
Congratulations
Congratulation to Hunter Franklin and David Dodson who have been awarded the Australian Scout Medallion. This is one of the highest awards in scouting, and indicates a sustained effort over many months and years, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. Well done, boys!
Careers Newsletter
To view the latest edition of the Careers Newsletter please click here.
CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
There’s a story of a young boy who was writing a letter to God about all the Christmas presents he so badly wanted. Like most young boys he had refined his negotiating skills, so, he began by writing, ‘Dear God, I’ve been good for six months now.’ After a moment’s reflection, he crossed out where he had written ‘six months’ and wrote ‘three months’. Then, after a further pause, the boy crossed out ‘three months’ and wrote ’two weeks’. After a longer pause, he crossed that out too. He got up from the table where he was sitting and went over to the nativity scene. He picked up the figure of Mary and gently wrapped it in a cloth, then hid it in the very back of a drawer in his room. The boy went back to his writing desk and started again, ‘Dear God, If ever you want to see your mother again!’
Apparently, it’s not just Mary who gets kidnapped from Nativity scenes. According to a reliable source, the figure most often stolen from Nativity scenes is Jesus himself! And in many respects, Jesus is the one missing from Christmas. Jesus is like the missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle and until that one crucial piece is found, the puzzle remains incomplete. In short, Christmas without Jesus is meaningless. Yet, Jesus isn’t merely the missing piece in Christmas. Jesus is the missing piece in our World to comprehend that peace which passes all understanding. Jesus is the peace the world needs and desperately longs for. Jesus is God’s great gift to the World and this is at the heart of the message of Christmas.
Wishing the whole Trinity community a safe and happy Christmas marked with peace and joy.
Every blessing,
Rev’d Geoff Everett
Head of Religious Education and Chaplain
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Mitre Cookbook
Last opportunity to buy The Mitre Cookbook before Christmas!
We have a limited number of cookbooks left – so please don’t miss out! If you would like to purchase a copy of the cookbook, you can visit:
- Senior School Reception and pay cash, or complete a form to have the amount added to your fee statement
- Junior School Reception and pay cash, or complete a form to have the amount added to your fee statement
- Hudson House and pay cash, or complete a form to have the amount added to your fee statement
- The Trinity Shop (second-hand uniform shop) on the days it is open and pay with cash or via eftpos
- TryBooking
- Senior School Presentation Night (Wednesday 12 December) where we will have a table and you can pay with cash or eftpos.
The cookbook was created by staff, parents, students and OTGs, who gave their time and expertise – it is truly a community effort. All profits will be distributed to the Parents’ Association, the Mito Foundation and Canteen.
Secondhand Textbook Sale
Many thanks to our volunteer Parent Convenors, Juli Moran and Helen Moss, and to all the volunteers who assisted with the Secondhand Book Sale on Saturday 8 December. This is a terrific service for parents who can purchase the following year’s text books at heavily discounted prices. Juli and Helen will be stepping down as convenors in 2019 and would welcome anyone wanting to take up a role to contact the Parents’ Association to find out what is involved.
Trinity Shop
Our volunteers once again opened the Trinity Shop on Saturday 8 December to provide our parents with the opportunity to purchase uniforms at heavily discounted prices. At such busy time of the year, we thank Di Semmens, Kylie Oliver, Kylie Payman, Amanda Stock, Claire Harpin, Sunny Fan and Melinda Nash. Also special mention to our outgoing convenors, Di Semmens and Liz Beasley, and a big thanks to Juli Moran and Kylie Oliver, who will take on the convenors role with Carolyn Crouch in 2019.
The Trinity Shop will re-open in the New Year on Tuesday 29 January (1.00pm – 4.00pm), Wednesday 30 January (1.00pm – 4.00pm) and Saturday 2 February (10.30am – 12.30pm). If you wish to volunteer in the Trinity Shop, please contact Susan Lane. Thanks to all who support the Trinity Shop and to our parent volunteers who provide this service.
Donations can be dropped off at main reception during term time during business hours. Blazers and slickers can be resold by completing the form here
Please ensure any donations have been washed or dry-cleaned as appropriate.
Trinity Café
We have had good support from our volunteer parents assisting throughout the year in the Café but would like more parents or grandparents willing to assist. Thanks to Carol-Ann Wong, who is taking up the convenor’s role for 2019. The Term 1 rosters for the Café Volunteers are now available and you can sign up by clicking here should you wish to assist. For more details, contact Carol-Ann via email
Founders’ Day Fair 2018
Trash, Treasure and Toys – Thank You
Thank you so much to all the very hard working volunteers who supported the Trash, Treasure and Toys stall at the Fair. It takes many hands to make this undertaking work!
We would like to thank all those who assisted with the process – in particular Peter Stewart, Heather Littlefield and Helen Westerman, for their ongoing support and hard work. Thanks also to those who made it happen over the Fair weekend:
Alex Belcher, Bernadette Quinn, Christine Steel, Domenica Lamont, Fiona Griffiths, Henry Stephens, Jacqui Jenkins, Jo Brown, Juli Moran, Julie Coleman, Julie Limmer, Kylie Morarty, Lee Newcombe, Linda McDougall, Ling Wong, Maria Butler, Matt Moran, Meagan Fairbairn, Peter Moran, Peter Stewart, Ross Newcombe, Sandie Gorton, Sara Mc Call, Shane Quinn, Shilpa Sarode, Stacy Sanders, Sue Boxer, Tom de Graaff, Vicki Shumanov and Wendy Cotton.
Finally, we must acknowledge the great support offered over many weeks by Jason Grima, Andrew Fabris and the maintenance team. We can’t thank you enough.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
Cathy Naismith and Kate Curnow