Newsletter Edition 4, Term 3 2022
MENU: From the Principal | From the ELC | From the Junior School | From the Senior School | Music | Chaplain’s Chat | Community Engagement
From the Principal
It is not always immediately obvious to me, as a teacher of English and History, the breadth of expression and difference in perspective that exist in a classroom. That individuality comes out over time and generally more slowly than at first sight. That’s why – apart from the quality of work itself – viewing student art is always a very enjoyable and educative thing to do. This month’s Year 7 and 8 Art Exhibition is a terrific example of this idea. The classes clearly started their projects with the same themes, intended outcomes and materials with which to work. Then, via interpretation, imagination and guidance, they constructed unique works that reflected their vision and skill. Despite working in the same setting, with the same resources and the same timeframe, our students have produced distinctly different, individual outcomes. They have expressed themselves and, most likely, had to take risks in doing so as they engaged with forming skills and the inevitable public scrutiny that making art invites.
All the different projects are great and the art staff have ensured that the students are engaging with some wonderful work. A particularly alluring one was the very industrial looking, black shapes made from various salvaged materials. Across the group, there is a wide range of responses to the prompt. There are machines, robots, flying vehicles and army tanks. There are some other constructions which are not as easy to decipher! One of my favourites is a ‘lamp fish’, which bears all the foreboding that the artist clearly wanted to portray. I love it.
The richness that the art show’s variety describes in our various perspectives is compelling. It reminds us that we are all individuals – students and staff alike – and all need a path that allows for the safe and respectful expression of individuality. It is an enduring theme of Trinity that, over the years, we have sought to treat our people as individuals. That is still our position today and will be our position into the future, supported as the idea is in the fabric of our emerging Strategic Plan. We look forward to launching our plan in the coming months, and to embarking on the various elements of it to continue to enhance TGS well into the future.
Adrian Farrer
Principal
From the ELC
One Hundred
This poem by the founder of the Reggio-Emilia approach, Loris Malaguzzi, beautifully conveys the important roles that discovery, wonder and imagination play in early childhood learning. Our ELC is a place of research, curiosity and wonder and this creates an environment of interest and surprise for both teachers and students. The process of learning is documented and displayed on the walls of classrooms, corridors and online through seesaw. Our documentation gives voice to the children’s work and our learning as an extension of natural curiosity and illustrates to the students that their work is of value and shares our learning.
The Child
is made of one hundred.
The child has
a hundred languages
a hundred hands
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
of playing, of speaking.
A hundred always a hundred
ways of listening
of marvelling, of loving
a hundred joys
for singing and understanding
a hundred worlds
to discover
a hundred worlds
to invent
a hundred worlds
to dream.
The child has
a hundred languages
(and a hundred hundred hundred more)
but they steal ninety-nine.
The school and the culture
separate the head from the body.
They tell the child:
to think without hands
to do without head
to listen and not to speak
to understand without joy
to love and to marvel
only at Easter and at Christmas.
They tell the child:
to discover the world already there
and of the hundred
they steal ninety-nine.
They tell the child:
that work and play
reality and fantasy
science and imagination
sky and earth
reason and dream
are things
that do not belong together.
And thus they tell the child
that the hundred is not there.
The child says:
No way. The hundred is there.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
From the Junior School
PYP Exhibition
On Thursday 11 August, for the first time since 2019 the Year 6 cohort was able to display their learning and share the process of their learning for the PYP Exhibition to the Trinity community, in person. This exhibition is the culmination of learning throughout their whole junior PYP journey, which began in 2018. Further credit must go to these boys and all staff as they have had to deal with the complexities that 2020 and 2021 presented.
It was wonderful to see all students inquire deeply into a global issue that demonstrated their understanding of the Learner Profile attributes and as a result their International Mindedness growth was evident. The Year 6 staff, teacher mentors and parents all contributed to the learning process, and I know all the students benefitted as a result from everyone’s care and interest in their learning.
Upon questioning, the students were able to describe what ‘action’ they have taken and will take for the future, further demonstrating their understanding. It was also evident that the PYP Exhibition will be remembered throughout their lives as a significant section of their learning journey. The five different ways the boys can ACT were also represented (Participation, Advocacy, Social Justice, Social Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle Choices) in their discussions with all staff, so let’s now look forward to seeing some of these placed into action in the years ahead.
One group’s ‘action’ was evident in the process when they wrote an email to New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. In her letter, she informed the students about the pathways she is opening for meaningful work for Kiwis and she has opened the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund that supports learners to undertake vocational education and training without fees. She then signed off saying, ‘Thank you for sharing your idea about surveying young people from 15-18 about what jobs they may like to do. I will share this with the Minister of Social Development and Employment.’
Jon Knight
PYP Coordinator
German Poetry Competition
After two years online, the AGTV German Poetry Competition went live in the Tudor Centre on 9 August when Principal Adrian Farrer welcomed 64 German students from Scotch, PLC, Camberwell Girls Grammar and Trinity Grammar to the Inner Eastern Regional Finals of this prestigious annual event.
Heli Cheung, Max Jian, Josh Sidhu, Zac Solley and Aaryan Walter progressed through the classroom heats to represent Year 5. In Year 6 Felix Cantale, Alexander Hrysomalis, James Morgan, Max Walsh and Steven Zhuang won through to the Regionals.
After the individual performances, while the students relaxed over a well-deserved afternoon tea, the 14 judges were anguished over the final scores. When the prize-winners were announced, the excitement and applause were fantastisch – in Year 5 Heli and Josh achieved first and fourth (Honourable Mention) respectively, while Steven placed second and Felix fourth (Honourable Mention) in Year 6.
We wish Heli and Steven viel Glück in the State Finals and congratulate all our Regional finalists for their outstanding commitment. Thanks also to the judges and our Super-Frau Maria Hohlweg, who organised the wonderful event.
Dr Jill Reid
Junior School German Teacher
Primary Open Semi-Final Chess Tournament
Last week on Friday 12 August some of the boys got the opportunity to play for Trinity Grammar School in a Zonal Chess Tournament. Our team consisted of Aric, Senuk, Luke, Oneth and myself (Yuvin). The results for the Primary Open Semi-Final were: Aric (High Distinction Grade 5-6 Gold), Yuvin (High Distinction Grade 5-6 Bronze), Senuk (Distinction Grade 3-4 Silver), Luke (Distinction) and Oneth (Distinction). It was a pleasure to see the Trinity boys’ team win first place. With this win the students will have the privilege to play in a state final. Here’s what they have to say: ‘It was a fun and exciting tournament. We thoroughly enjoyed it as the competition wasn’t too difficult’.
Yuvin de Silva
Junior School Vice-Captain
From the Senior School
Conversations with the Archbishop: Climate Change
Our School Environmental Captains, Reece Harrison and Justin Zhu recently attended a forum led by Archbishop Phillip Freier, regarding Climate Change. Thank you to Mr Shanahan, Geography teacher, for supporting the students when they attended the event at Melbourne Grammar School recently.
AGSV – Boys Winter Representative Teams
The following Trinity students have been acknowledged for their consistent performance in the AGSV competitions in 2022. A special mention is due for Samuel Rusjan, who was appointed Co-Captain of Hockey.
Badminton
Frederick Zhao, Alex Gao, Robinson He
Basketball
Max Lefroy
Hockey:
Samuel Rusjan (Co-Captain), Dex Kelly, Lachlan Hodgson, Zach Sparg, Joel Taylor
Football:
James Ingpen, Boston Dowling, Ben Littlefield, Sam Phillips, Luke Teal (injured)
Soccer
Kasra Karamad, Marc Petheriotis, Samuel Pollock
2022 Australian Orienteering Championships
Congratulations to Torren Arthur and Henri du Toit on being selected to represent Victoria at the 2022 Australian Orienteering Championships at Kyneton in September.
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
German Poetry Competition
The Regional Finals of the German Poetry Competition were hosted by Trinity on Tuesday 9 August. All eligible schools in the Inner Eastern Region participated in the prestigious event and were welcomed warmly by TGS Principal Adrian Farrer in the Tudor Centre.
In the Year 7 DaF category, Trinity was represented by Tim Feng, Jonathon Moutsios and Ben Saunders, with Max Waschl in the Year 7 Open. Ryan Cen, Yida Fang and Hayden Randle represented Trinity in Year 8 DaF, while Noah Bonhoefer competed in the Year 8 Open. The Year 9 DaF team comprised Oliver Schwarz, Connor Tian and Joffre White.
All the Trinity students did their best. Special congratulations go to Ben Saunders and Yida Fang who each placed second, and Max and Noah who won gold. These students have qualified for the State Finals at the Austrian Club on Saturday 27 August. We thank the 14 teachers who were judges and the Trinity catering staff for the impressive refreshments.
Maria Hohlweg
Senior School German Teacher
Science Week
Science Week was an amazing success at Trinity Grammar School. A number of events took place over the course of the week to promote science and careers in science. The following activities took place over the course of Science Week:
- ‘Explosions in Science’ conducted at the Junior School, showcasing various experiments that caused a ‘bang’ in science.
- ‘Organ Bonanza’ conducted by resident biology teacher Mr Ben Elliott, where students investigated various organisms.
- ‘Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Sale’. Our very own liquid nitrogen ice cream was made in-house with the proceeds going to Harambee. A total of $220 was made from the day’s sales.
- ‘A talk with Dr Monique Ryan’. Newly elected Kooyong representative, Dr Monique Ryan came to talk all things science and her pathway that led to being the Director of Neurology at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Monique Ryan with the Academic Captains, Tim Le and Enda Han
Skills Day
Skills Day and the cooking night with Mr Stewart was a great opportunity to connect with each other and cooperate in various activities. During Skills Day, we had an awesome talk from fellow Year 11 student, Kobe Mould, which all gave us an idea on how important mental health is. There were tough challenges throughout the day, which came with a tough cardio session from Mrs Cooper on the bikes. Mr Brown also gave us an incredible lecture in the rain on how to change a car tyre. During the cooking night we logged onto Teams and Mr Stewart ran us through how to make unbelievable cannelloni, with Mr Botha MCing. Ms Stansfield and Darcy Stewart were also there with Mr Stewart while making the cannelloni and made good assistant helpers. In conclusion, Skills Day and cooking night was an excellent experience for us to all collaborate and join each other for decent challenges.
Joe Sammartino
Year 8 Student
Music
August Recital Series
On Tuesday 9 August a selection of students from Year 1 to Year 11 performed in the after-school String Recital. Lachlan Ho (Year 1) and Ethan Ngiam (Year 1) played in their first ever recital and enjoyed watching advanced performances from older students like Oliver Wilkie (Year 11). Well done to all the musicians who took advantage of the chance to perform.
Thérèse McCoppin
Head of Strings
On Tuesday 16 August we held our first piano recital with 18 piano students and a live and enthusiastic audience! The recital showcased a variety of levels, from young beginners right through to advanced students from Prep to Year 12. The variety gave the older students an opportunity to remember their early years, and the younger students the opportunity to see what they could achieve in the future. Congratulations to all the student performers for an outstanding showcase!
Michael (Year 7)
Lachlan (Year 12)
Michael (Year 9), James (Year 9), Gabriel (Year 7) and Leo (Year 9) performing Champagne Toccata by William (for two pianos and eight hands)
Ms Quah and her students
Ms Chiah Quah
Suzuki and Traditional Piano Teacher
Life is a Song
Trinity vocal students treated their audience to a smorgasbord of songs on Tuesday 16 August in the South Room. Accompanied by Ms Sorcha Delaney, each student presented a solo item of their own choosing for the assembled audience. Students ranged in age from Year 5 to Year 12 and their song choice reflected their musical interest as well as their personal journey on the continuum of vocal development.
Students who performed were: James Blanch, Flynn Callow-Sussex, James Davies, Matthew Fallscheer, Jimmy Hilton, Constantine Koutrouzas, Ben Reynolds, Ted Richmond-Smith, Mathew Rigby, Sam Shaw, and Andrew Zhang. Mathew Rigby will be singing with the Victorian Opera in Il Mago di Oz at the Palais Theatre from 27 – 30 August. Mathew tells me he is playing a munchkin. Toi toi Mathew!
Voice Students
Kevin Kelley
Head of Choral and Vocal Music
From Little Things, Big Things Grow
Earlier this term, Patrick Xu entertained his ELC friends with a violin performance. The audience was very attentive, and Patrick answered questions at the end of the session. There are now nine boys at the ELC learning violin!
Thérèse McCoppin
Head of Strings
Bigger Better Brains
Have you ever wondered what might be happening in your child’s brain when they are playing music in a concert?
To read more Click Here
(Mr) Jan Blazejczak
Director of Music
Drama
Trinity Grammar School, Kew is proud to invite you to this year’s 2022 Middle School Play – Just Disgusting. Just Disgusting is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. The play follows Andy and his friends and family as they encounter a seemingly endless list of disgusting scenarios and things, and features students from Years 7 and 8 in acting and backstage roles.
Dates:
Friday 2 September, 7.00pm
Saturday 3 September, 7.00pm
Tickets:
Adults – $15
Students/Concession – $10
https://events.humanitix.com/just-disgusting
Rebecca Cecil (she/her)
Productions Manager, Trinity Drama Department
Chaplain’s Chat
Take the Long View
I have taught Year 12 Texts and Traditions and Economics for over 30 years. My mantra to the students has been the same in all my classes. The heart of teaching has never really been about content for me. I always teach my students to have a strong work ethic, keep perspective, live by their values, dream big, follow their passion in life, that relationships are everything, and to make an impact on others through their loving actions.
I am never sure how the seeds planted in the hearts and minds of my students will grow. My favourite Year 12 class is always my final one. It is an exciting time. Our students are well trained and prepared to take on the marathon of life. They are ready to fly on their own.
Being a father of ten children, a teacher, a footy coach and being involved in community development, I know the work I do is never complete. There is aIways more to do and I make a few mistakes along the way. However, there is a sense of liberation in me knowing that I am not perfect and can’t do everything. I just try my best and rely on God’s grace to do the rest.
The Kingdom of God, which is at the heart of Christ’s teaching, calls us all to hold onto the long view of life. Known as ‘The Romero Prayer’, this prayer has always given me inspiration and courage to take on challenges that I know I can never complete or causes that will endure long after my lifetime. I believe in the long vision. I am committed to the Kingdom of God. I hope you can draw your own inspiration from this prayer as well.
The Romero Prayer
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water the seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Tom Purcell
Director of Outreach
Community Engagement
A reminder that this Thursday we are hosting a Prep-Year 6 Father’s Day Breakfast. For those who have booked tickets, a reminder that the event will be held in the Cafeteria on the Senior School campus. If you have not booked, there may be a few remaining tickets available, please email johnsonv@trinity.vic.edu.au
After being delayed by COVID, we are pleased to be able to host the Junior School (ELC – Year 6) Grandparents Day after a 2-year hiatus. The details are as follows:
Thursday 1 September:
*ELC – for those that normally attend School on Thursdays – taking place in the ELC Verso Centre for Early Childhood Learning from 9-10am for a classroom visit including Morning Tea.
Friday 2 September:
Group 1: ELC (for those that normally attend School on Fridays), Prep to Year 3 Grandparents & Special Friends arrival at 8.20am for a classroom visit followed by morning tea from 9.15am with conclusion at 9.45am.
Group 2: Year 4, to Year 6 Grandparents & Special Friends arrival at 9.15am for morning tea followed by a classroom visit at 9.45am with conclusion at 10.30am
Additionally, planning is well underway for the Fair with more news to come in the next Trinity Newsletter. We are always grateful for new volunteers to join this exciting community event. If you are able, please sign up by emailing us at communityengagment@trinity.vic.edu.au
Lucy Cohen
Director of Community Engagement
IMORTANT DATES
Wednesday 24 August
Middle School Play Wednesday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Thursday 25 August
Prep – Year 6 Father’s Day Breakfast, 7:15AM
ELC Father’s Day Breakfast – Day 1, 8:00AM
Year 7 Immunisations, Centre for the Arts 9:30AM
Trinity Uniform Shop, 2:00PM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
Friday 26 August
ELC Father’s Day Breakfast – Day 2, 8:00AM
Middle School Play Friday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Trinity Jazz Night, Centre for the Arts 7:00PM
Saturday 27 August
AGSV Athletics Trial Meetings conclude
AGSV Athletics Trial Meeting #4, Bill Stewart Athletic Track 9:00AM
Middle School Play Saturday Rehearsal, P&F Hall 2:00PM
Monday 29 August
Early Finish – Senior School – no sport, music or co-curricular activities, 2:45PM
Years 9 & 10 Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:00PM
Middle School Play Tech Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Junior School Year Level Plays Performance (Year 3), Centre for the Arts 7:00PM
Tuesday 30 August
Years 3 – 6 House Athletics, Tom Kelly Athletics Track – Doncaster 9:00AM
Middle School Play Dress Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
2022 Cowey Club AGM, Online 7:00PM
Wednesday 31 August
Senior School Information Morning, 8:45AM
AGSV Track Eliminations, Lakeside Stadium 9:00AM
Middle School Play Dress Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
Leslie Oration, The Drum 6:00PM
Thursday 1 September
ELC Grandparents’ Day #1, 8:45AM
Trinity Grammar School Concerto, Centre for the Arts 3:30PM
Concerto/Choral Concert, Hawthorn Town Hall 7:00PM
Friday 2 September
Prep – Year 2 Class Play Rehearsals, Centre for the Arts 8:00AM
ELC – Year 6 Grandparents’ Day, 8:20AM
Year 10 Outdoor Leaders’ Course Landskills Test, 3:30PM
Somers Training Camp commences, Lord Somers Camp Powerhouse, 4:00PM
Middle School Play Performance, P&F Hall 7:00PM
Saturday 3 September
AGSV Combined Athletics Championships, Lakeside Stadium 7:45AM
Middle School Play Performance, P&F Hall 7:00PM
Sunday 4 September
Somers Training Camp concludes, 5:00PM
Monday 5 September
Junior School AGSV Athletics Sports, Bill Stewart Athletics Track 10:00AM
Trinity Revue, P&F Hall 7:00PM
Junior School Year Level Plays Performance (Prep – 2), Centre for the Arts 7:00PM
Tuesday 6 September
Junior School SSV District Athletics, Hagenauer Reserve Box Hill 9:00AM
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM