Newsletter: Edition 3, Term 2 – 2023
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From the Principal
Early Learning Centre
Junior School
Senior School
Cocurricular
Chaplain’s Chat
Community
From the Principal
Adrian Farrer
Principal
Early Learning Centre
Our ELC students have returned to the ELC learning space refreshed and excited to share their holiday stories. Over the week, we have observed the sights and sounds of gleeful chatter and smiling faces filling our Early Learning Centre with a calm, positive and happy energy.
Our focus as educators for these first weeks of term has been on supporting the children to reconnect. This involves reconnecting with the educational program and current interests and inquiries. It also involves reconnecting with peers and educators to re-establish relationships after the break. The children have time to refamiliarise themselves with our daily routines and expectations as they adjust to being back in this group learning environment.
We have an exciting term of learning planned for our ELC children. There are many interesting ongoing inquiries happening in each classroom and many more will evolve as the children’s natural wonderings lead to further discussion and learning.
We are looking forward to connecting with our ELC families as the children host celebrations for their mothers or special guests from 2pm on Thursday (Joeys ELC32 and 35) or Friday (ALL KANGAROO families and Joeys 33 and 35).
Please speak to your classroom teachers if you are able to attend.
It is sure to be a wonderful term ahead.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Junior School
AGSV All Schools Winter Round Robin
The AGSV Round Robin program kicked off on Friday 5 May, with Year 6 students heading to the P.E.G.S. sporting grounds at Keilor Park. The purpose of the round robin competitions is to introduce inter-school sport, enable students to participate in a variety of sports as well as foster positive relationships and sportsmanship amongst cohorts who will soon be participating against each other in the Senior School AGSV weekend competitions. The boys participated in AFL, Handball and Soccer.
The Year 6 boys were fantastic ambassadors of Trinity Grammar School, playing with great sportsmanship on the field, and supporting their teammates whilst on the sidelines. Well done to all of our boys for their efforts on the day.
Competitions in Junior School.
Many students in Years 3 to 6 have experienced a ‘challenging’ start to the term. These students elected to participate in a variety of challenges to test their mathematical and computational thinking. These included the Kangourou Sans Frontières and Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competitions run by the Australian Mathematics Trust, and the BEBRAS computational thinking challenge.
In their approach to these challenges, students demonstrated a variety of the learner profile attributes such as risk taking, thinking and being open-minded. I congratulate all participants for putting themselves forward and challenging themselves in these settings.
Joseph, Ethan, Felix, Ethan and Alvin were presented with their High Distinction certificates at Junior School Assembly.
Torben Vedelsby
Deputy Head of Junior School
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SSV Primary Schools State Swimming Championships – Friday 28 April
Congratulations to our 11 Yrs and 12 Yrs 4 x 50m Freestyle relay teams who both qualified to compete at the recently run State Schools Victoria Swimming Championships at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre. Such a wonderful achievement to qualify and swim against other State Primary School students from both Metropolitan and Country schools.
Our 11 Yrs team of Daniel Ka-Hei Hsu, Evan Ngiam, Sam Bingham and Jayden Li finished second and our 12 Yrs team of Joshua Koe, Christopher Hu, Christopher Mott and Lucas Liang finished fifth.
Well done on such a fine achievement and thank you to all the parents for your support throughout all the qualifying carnivals.
David Ponsford
Director of Junior School Sport & Cocurricular Activities
Preps practical kitchen basic cooking skills
Prep students recently had a visit to the Hospitality kitchen. Preps inquired into a unit on nutritious food. It was a great opportunity for the Junior School to connect with the Senior School students. The main learning intention for the students was to understand that food fuels our minds and bodies. There was also a focus on the ideal foods we need to live and how food helps our body to function.
Brett Stewart
Hospitality
Senior School
Vernon Gordon King Essay Writing Competition 2023
This year we held the annual history essay writing competition in memory of Vernon Gordon King. King attended Trinity as a boarder and enlisted in the army at the age of 18 alongside his brother Dorian. He fought in the Great War where he survived the Gallipoli campaign. King was then sent to the Western Front to fight at Passchendaele, where he was sadly killed on 22 October 1917.
This year, the theme for the competition was, ‘How technology has changed the world’. There were many excellent essays submitted. Having judged these insightful essays with fellow history teacher, Dr Koehne, the winners were determined.
For Years 7 and 8 the winner was Ziming Xu. The winner for Years 9 and 10 was Amrish Gill. The winner for Years 11 and 12 was Jacky Zhang. The overall winner was Ziming Xu, he wrote about the seismic changes brought about by computers and robots as well as the most recent road to GPT.
Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all participants.
Alex MacCallum
Head of History
Kangourou sans Frontières Competition (KSF)
I am pleased to announce that this year we had 137 students from Years 3-10 participate in the Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF) competition, marking our third year of involvement.
The Kangourou sans Frontières competition was founded in 1991 by two French teachers who were inspired by the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). Its name, which means “Kangaroo without borders,” pays homage to their Australian colleagues. The competition has gained immense popularity worldwide, providing students with challenging maths problems curated by internationally acclaimed educators.
One of our students, Philip Liu in Year 8, achieved a perfect score in this competition – a remarkable accomplishment!
The outstanding achievements of our students who participated in the competition and received awards can be found here. Congratulations to all students who participated and received awards, and a special congratulations to Philip Liu in Year 8, for his exceptional performance in this international competition.
The Trinity Inquirer – Issue 9 is out now!
The Editors of The Trinity Inquirer and Co-captains of Academics, Alastair Murphy and Lucas van den Berg, are proud to present the ninth issue of this student-led academic magazine.
In this May issue join our students as they delve into a variety of intriguing topics. Our resident philosopher, Will Johnson, talks about what we mean by “truth.” Our pilot, Darcy Waugh, shares his experiences of flying and why he loves it. While Ren-Hao writes about artificial intelligence and what it means for the future of humanity.
Whether you’re interested in philosophy, aviation, or technology, you’ll find something to enjoy in this magazine.
The Trinity Inquirer – Issue 9 can now be viewed and downloaded here.
Angela Kotsiras
Academic Extension and Enrichment Programs Coordinator
Cocurricular
F1 in Schools National Finals 2023
F1 in Schools National Finals, Penrith, NSW 27-31 March 2023 brought together the best 20 Professional Class teams and the best 15 Development Class teams from around Australia.
Congratulations to team Aurora (Year 10s Peter Cai, Connor Strobl, Andreas Wiggett and Jay Zhao) who were crowned National Champions 2023 Professional Class, they were also awarded Best Manufactured Car, Best Graphic Design, Best Trade Display and Best Team Marketing. The National Champions were also awarded $20000 fee waiver for University NSW Canberra ($5000 each). Team Aurora have been invited to represent Australia at the World Finals in Singapore in September 2023.
Congratulations also to team Xenon (Year 9s Ryan Cen, Oliver Everingham, Christopher Kim, Kyan Wang and Leo [Yuheng] Xu) who placed third overall on the podium for Development Class. Xenon was also awarded Fastest Car and Grand Prix Race.
Other F1 in Schools news for reigning World Champions, team Hydron (OTGs Timothy Crichton and Alexander Liu, and Year 12s William Johnson, Alastair Murphy, Benjamin Noonan and Andrew Yeang) were guests of the Honourable Linda Dessau, Governor of Victoria, mixing with the Formula 1 elite at Government House. They were also presented with their World Championship Trophy on the Formula 1 podium during the Melbourne Grand Prix along with other privileged experiences.
Peter Clinton
Design and Technology Faculty
Teacher in Charge of F1 in Schools
VCE Art Creative Practice: Deakin University Art Excursion
The VCE art students were fortunate enough to visit the Deakin University Art Gallery and their current exhibition; Conflated. Conflated is a thematic group exhibition featuring the works of nine contemporary Australian artists who have been inspired by the physical and metaphorical possibilities of inflatables in contemporary art.
The Art cohort was privileged to meet one of the co-curators of the touring exhibition, Zoe Bastin, who gave us insightful knowledge into her role as both artist and curator, and the vast amount of work that goes behind planning for a group exhibition. Key installations in the exhibition involved some participation from the audience, such as walking around Zoe Bastin’s inflatable work that filled with air as you got closer to the artwork to communicate ideas of breath work associated with mental health.
To complete the morning at Deakin University, the art students were given a tour of the art facilities and spaces to see the opportunities available to Deakin students completing Visual Art courses and the tools and technology available to them to aid their creative practice.
James Egan
Art and Design Captain
Zara Mckenzie
Senior Art Teacher
Little Hands Make Big Music
Our String Recitals continued throughout Term One. The Recital on 28 March was small and exclusive, and short and sweet – just like our student performers!
Practice, Practice, Practice – that’s all it takes!
If you need some help, why not sign up for the 25 Day Practice Challenge. All you need to do is practice for 25 CONSECUTIVE days. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.
If you are interested, please contact me mccoppint@trinity.vic.edu.au
Thérèse McCoppin
Head of Strings
Combined Schools Suzuki Workshop
Junior School Suzuki string students joined with Suzuki students from four other schools at the Combined Schools Suzuki Workshop on 30 March. Students studied their common repertoire together in classes to improve their skills, enhance their musical sensitivity, and generally have fun through music. The workshop included parents and students with three classes for each level student, a parent talk, and a closing concert. Also in plentiful supply were the famous iced donuts which all the students enjoyed. It was wonderful for the children, teachers, and parents to meet again after a 3-year hiatus due to Covid. Everyone was delighted and inspired.
Suzuki Autumn Festival
Suzuki Autumn Festival students from Trinity joined those from across Victoria in attending the Autumn Festival held by Suzuki Music Victoria. This 3-day conference included tutorials, group classes, ensembles, parent talks, and five concerts. The highlight was the Gala Concert which featured the highest-level students from across Melbourne and included some performers from interstate. Trinity Suzuki violin students Aaron Chew, Alexander Chieng and Joshua Lau represented Trinity proudly in their performances at this special concert, as did all the students who performed in the daily concerts. Congratulations to the Trinity students and their parents who attended this memorable conference.
Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing
Coordinator, Suzuki Strings
Suzuki Violin Teacher
Scholars’ Concert
Last Wednesday evening we enjoyed performances by our talented Music Scholars. 17 students presented very high-level performances on a variety of instruments. Congratulations to the following students for presenting a wonderful evening:
Sean Kim, Year 10 – performed on Cello
Jacob Lai, Year 10 – performed on Violin
Jeremy Ma, Year 9 – performed on French Horn
Luke Wang, Year 9 – performed on Saxophone
Tim Feng, Year 8 – performed on Clarinet
Gabriel Guarino, Year 8 – performed on Violin
Shishun Dai, Year 11 – performed on French Horn
Alexander Chieng, Year 11 – performed on Violin
Noah Hodge, Year 10 – performed on Cello
Josh Peng, Year 8 – performed on Piano
Mike Ge, Year 10 – performed on French Horn
Christopher Kim, Year 9 – performed on Violin
Joshua Lau, Year 8 – performed on Violin
Jerry Hu, Year 8 – performed on Oboe
Aaron Chew, Year 7 – performed on Violin
Edward Peng, Year 11 – performed on Oboe
Angus Wong, Year 12 – performed on Violin
Generations in Jazz – Annual Weekend – 5 to 7 May
32 very talented Trinity musicians attended the recent Generations in Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia. This festival is held in May and brings together many young jazz musicians from all over Australia and New Zealand.
Annual Strings Concert
On Wednesday, 10 May we will be holding our Annual Strings Concert at Xavier’s Eldon Hogan Performing Arts Centre, at 6:30 pm. Stringlets, Stringers, Marles String Orchestra, Trinity Strings, Senior Strings, Suzuki Violins, Suzuki Cellos, and Suzuki Double Bass groups will all perform. This is the only Trinity event which includes boys from every year level, from Prep to Year 12. This is a free concert.
Jazz in the Chandelier Room
On Monday 15 May, the annual small jazz combos concert will be held in the beautiful Chandelier Room at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, at 7 pm. Students from Junior Jazz, Jazz Apprentices, Trintones, Augmented 7ths and Belling Jazz will perform a wide variety of pieces. This is a free concert.
2023 May Gala Concert
This year’s May Gala Concert will be held on Wednesday, 31 May at 6:30 pm at Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. This promises to be one of the highlights on our musical calendar. Tickets will go on sale this week and parents will be sent a TryBooking link shortly. We look forward to welcoming you on the night.
Bigger Better Brains – Which is better – learning one instrument or many?
Read more here: https://biggerbetterbrains.com/news-post/which-is-better-learning-one-instrument-or-many/
Jan Blazejczak
Director of Music
Chaplain’s Chat
The Journey of Faith
Life is always throwing us challenges and experiences worth reflecting on. Last week my eldest daughter was in hospital for an unexpected medical procedure. She is well now but described the week as the worst week of her life. My daughter is a tough cookie. Parenting always involves being vulnerable.
I visited Year 10 students on Work Experience. One student was working on a building site, renovating a home that cost $14m to buy. The house was costing $18m to renovate over three years and there was a buyer for $45m. There is opportunity in life…… and there is also growing inequality. Money divides us.
The famine in East Africa worsens. Children starving in 2023. Some things don’t seem to change. I receive texts and phone calls from desperate mothers and fathers not knowing how they can manage. I am privileged to work in a community that can make a difference. This motivates me to come to Trinity every day.
There are papers to mark. Reports to write. Events to organise. Parents to visit. Grandchildren to enjoy. My women’s football team and the Swans lost their footy on the weekend but the Third XVIII won. The train is always moving at a fast pace. I like a fast train.
The one constant in my life is my faith. Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, I cannot live without my spiritual life. My faith is my compass. Faith gives me direction and purpose. Faith enables all of us to keep our hands on the steering wheel and navigate through the challenges life presents. I pray all of us will continue to take the time to deepen our spirituality. Through our faith we will continue to rediscover what brings our life purpose and be given the strength to deal with the busy and turbulent times in our lives. Looking forward to what the rest of the week brings.
Tom Purcell
Chaplain
Community
As we settle into the rhythm of a new term, there are plenty of things happening across the board.
- The Term 2 Junior School Class Representatives’ meeting is coming up on Tuesday 18 May at 8:00am. This meeting will be held both in-person at The Exhibition Space on top of The Drum, and online.
- For lost property enquiries, Senior School students can visit Student Services, located behind the Senior School Reception. Junior School students can find lost property at the Junior School Reception.
- Any Class Rep or representative of a Trinity club or committee who wishes to submit content for publication in TGS News is encouraged to email their submissions to communications@trinity.vic.edu.au. Submission deadlines and newsletter publication dates can be viewed here: https://connect.trinity.vic.edu.au/info/trinity-news
Lucy Cohen
Director of Community Engagement
Parent Information Session
As part of Trinity Grammar School’s focus on wellbeing and health, we are pleased to host a special event to explore the facts and myths about vaping, with Sharon Torpey of the Drug Education Project.
Join us for an informative evening to learn more about this topic. Sharon will answer your questions, provide health advice and share strategies on how to have meaningful conversations with young people.
Date: Wednesday 10 May 2023, 6.30-7.30pm
More information and register your attendance by clicking HERE
Further resources for parents are available on myTGS HERE.
Child Safety
Trinity Grammar has an ongoing commitment to creating and maintaining an environment where all children are safe from harm. Key policies and practices aligned with legislative requirements have been developed to keep our students safe, including from abuse or other harm.
Our school-wide child safety education program features age and stage appropriate messaging to empower all students to recognise harm and to feel confident to seek help.
Trinity’s Child Safe Policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct are available on the school website.
For further information or to provide feedback please contact:
Catherine Brandon
Director of Wellbeing
brandonc@trinity.vic.edu.au
Prayer Breakfast – 9 June
Mustard and Camberwell Girls’ Grammar invite you to join students from across Melbourne, parents, staff, and supporters at a special Inter-School Prayer Breakfast.
Hear inspiring stories of students living out their faith at school and pray with them.
Please feel free to contact myself or Rev Hale if you are interested in attending.
Reverend Bryn Jones
Senior Chaplain
2023 Green and Gold Ball
We are pleased to inform you that a limited number of tickets are still available for the 2023 Trinity Ball.
To avoid missing out on tickets, we recommend that you proceed with your booking as soon as possible.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 27 May 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 12am
Venue: Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Get ready to bid on some amazing items at our Auction! We’re currently seeking contributions from local businesses, so if you own or know of one that can provide a unique experience or gift, please reach out to Hayley Galloway at gallowayh@trinity.vic.edu.au
Trinity Grammar School woollen blankets
If you would like to purchase the super durable woollen blankets, they are available to purchase online – please click on the link: https://www.trybooking.com/CFWMS
Fine Foods Group
The Trinity Fine Foods team have jams, cordials and sauces available to purchase. 5 for $15 or $5 each – or a Mystery Five (where we pick for you) for $10. Collection from Community Engagement office – 55 Wellington St.
Items can also be purchased online: https://www.trybooking.com/CFSSB
Important Dates
Wednesday 10 May
Junior School Musical Auditions, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Master Plan Workshop for Parents, Exhibition Space on top of The Drum 5:00PM
Annual Strings Concert, Xavier College 6:00PM
VCE Study Night, 6:30PM
Parent Information Session – Vaping: Get the facts, Arnold Hall 6:30PM
Thursday 11 May
ELC-Year 6 Mother’s Day Breakfast, Leonda by the Yarra 7:00AM
World’s Greatest Shave 2023, 12:40PM
ELC Joeys Mother’s Day Afternoon, 2:00PM
Trinity Shop, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Year 7 & 8 Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:45PM
Friday 12 May
Year 7 Mother’s Day Breakfast, Centre for the Arts 7:00AM
Summer Sports Photographs, 12:40PM
ELC Joeys Mother’s Day Afternoon #2, 2:00PM
ELC Kangaroos Mother’s Day Afternoon, 2:30PM
Africa Homework Club, 3:15PM
Trinity Ruyton Musical Rehearsal, Ruyton 3:30PM
Saturday 13 May
AGSV Sport
VSRU Round 2
Trinity Ruyton Musical Rehearsal, Ruyton 2:00PM
Monday 15 May
Early Finish – Senior School – no sport, music or co-curricular activities, 2:45PM
National Careers Week commences
Junior School Musical Auditions, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Jazz Combos Concert – Jazz in the Chandelier Room, Hawthorn Town Hall 7:00PM
Tuesday 16 May
VCE Study Night, 6:30PM
Parents’ Association Meeting, 7:00PM
Wednesday 17 May
Senior School House Athletics, Duncan Mackinnon Reserve
Junior School Musical Auditions, P&F Hall 3:30PM
OTG Africa Immersion Tour 2024 Expression of Interest Info Night, Arnold Hall 7:00PM
Thursday 18 May
Junior School Class Representatives’ Meeting, The Exhibition Space on top of The Drum, and online 8:00AM
Year 9 & 10 Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:45PM
VCE Study Night, 6:30PM
Friday 19 May
National Careers Week concludes
Victorian Secondary School Orienteering Championships, Westerfolds Park 9:00AM
Africa Homework Club, 3:15PM
Trinity Ruyton Musical Rehearsal, Ruyton 3:30PM
Saturday 20 May
AGSV Sport
VSRU Round 3
Trinity Ruyton Musical Rehearsal, Ruyton 2:00PM
Monday 22 May
Golf Victoria State Final, The National Golf Club – Long Island 11:30AM
Tuesday 23 May
Roberts House Breakfast & Chapel, South Room 7:15AM
VCE Study Night, 6:30PM