Newsletter: Edition 4, Term 4 – 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
Community Connections with Year 11 Design and Technology
Early in 2023 a small group of Year 11 Design and Technology students contacted the ELC to see if they could create some educational resources to support our program for their portfolio. The Year 11 boys spent time in our space, observing students play, looking at the space and talking to our students about their interests and what they would like to see at the ELC. The Year 11 students also spoke to educators about any areas of the outdoor space that needed additions or adaptations. Throughout initial brainstorm with the ELC students and staff we developed a series of ideas including:
- Melbourne landmarks to support our ELC Melbourne city project
- Marble run
- Magnets
- Update to mud kitchen
Throughout the year the Year 11 students have been in and out of our space, talking to our ELC learners, collaboratively engaging in our space, sharing thoughts and ideas with the educators. Through the design and planning process the Year 11 students would arrive with thoughts and ideas, through discussions with our learners, notes were taken, photos and drawings developed to further challenge our learners or modify plans due to current interests or abilities. A marble run was a big area of interest as well as magnetic construction.
The ELC students shared that they wanted this new marble ball run resource to be changeable and promote problem solving, communication, collaboration, creative thinking, and agency. As staff we wanted to be able to add resources we already had in the space, that students were familiar with to use the resource in a new way.
Last week some of the finished additions to the ELC were delivered, and what a success. The delight and engagement from our students as well as the Year 11 boys as they watched their creations come to life was wonderful to observe. As the Year 11 students and staff listened to their play and exploration of the new resource we observed negotiating, planning, reflecting, and a sense of teamwork as learners celebrated each other’s achievements as they navigated new and exciting ways for the marble run to work.
These authentic resources through a collaboration of Year 11 and ELC students promote a sense of community, belonging and fun. Thank you to the Year 11 boys who have extended our learning space in new and exciting ways.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Junior School
On Wednesday 8 November, the Year 5 cohort presented their Captain Speeches for 2024 to each other in Arnold Hall. All students discussed which leadership roles they felt they would be suited for and discussed what they could bring to the role for their peers, teachers and for the school. It was excellent to observe all students getting up on stage in front of 150 people and speak with such confidence, maturity and purpose. The Junior School is in great hands next year from a student leadership perspective.
The Year 4s travelled to Warrnambool in Week 5 to experience life in Australia post-colonisation. At Tower Hill, the boys were immersed in indigenous practices, making sustainable use of local resources for food and natural remedies. The native wildlife were a highlight, particularly the resident emu with a fondness for vegemite sandwiches. Flagstaff Hill was the next stop where our campers found themselves amidst a 19th century fishing village. Tales of shipwrecks and Maremma sheepdogs captured their imagination. En route back to Kew and the 12 Apostles highlighted why this stretch of coastline is home to some 700 sunken vessels.
Our Year 1s recently planted their next lot of seasonal vegetables in the garden. They thoroughly enjoyed learning about what grows at this time of the year and how long they may take before we are able to consume them. Some vegetables and herbs planted were: cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes Lebanese and continental cucumbers, chillies, pumpkin, basil and lettuce. As you can imagine they are looking forward to harvesting them at the end of the year or early next year.
Jonathan Knight
PYP Coordinator & 1st XVIII Football Coach
SSV Victorian State Athletic Championships
Some people reading this article may not be aware of the famous quote: ‘Records are made to be broken.’ This was well and truly proven most recently at the SSV Victorian State Athletic Championships held at the Lakeside Track in Albert Park when Freddie competing at this event won both the State 11 Yrs 800m & 1500m track events. Not only did Freddie win both races but in doing so he also broke the current existing records in both events. The 1500m record was recently set in 2022 however the previous state 800m record was set back in 1987 – 36 years ago!
A lot of hard work, training and dedication has gone into Freddie’s preparation and program to achieve these results. We wish him all the very best when he travels to Launceston, Tasmania in late November to compete against the country’s best primary school aged students. A truly remarkable performance. We are all very proud of what you have achieved Freddie!
David Ponsford
Director of Junior School Sport and Cocurricular Activities
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Senior School
Founders’ Day
On Friday 10 November, all students from Year 7 participated in the Founders’ Day Service at Holy Trinity Kew, commemorating the 120th year of our school. Reverend Robert Newton welcomed the students, and Charlie, our incoming School Captain, urged everyone to seize the opportunities afforded to them, opportunities stemming from a pivotal 1902 meeting that led to the establishment of Trinity Grammar School, Kew.
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Congratulations, Tom!
Trinity Grammar wishes to congratulate Year 11 student Tom Gross on his selection in the 2024 NAB AFL Academy selection. The squad consists of 30 of the most talented 17-year-old footballers across the country in Boys and Girls football.
Players will participate in high performance and personal development programs throughout the 2024 season. Program content will be delivered through a mixture of face-to-face and online modules. The academy squad will come together for an induction camp in December, before reconvening for camps and matches in April and May. This is the 27th annual intake for the AFL Academy and the seventh intake for the AFLW Academy, with both squads featuring players from every state and territory across Australia.
Tom was selected after a standout season for Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates League, where he also represented Victoria Metro at the Under 18 National Carnival. Tom had the honour of playing at the MCG on Grand Final Day as part of the U17 AFL Futures program where he kicked two early goals and was amongst the best players on the ground.
Tom also won the 1st XVIII Best and Fairest for Trinity Grammar in the AGSV competition and was one of four TGS students to be selected to represent the AGSV in the annual match vs the APS. A midfielder, Tom has explosive speed, fierce determination and intuition for finding the footy and using it well.
As part of his selection in the 2024 NAB AFL, Tom will be given the opportunity to continue to develop on and off the field under the guidance of expert coaching, high performance and wellbeing staff. He will also be given the opportunity to be part of an AFL environment by attending training sessions with AFL clubs, providing first-hand experience of the standards required to make it at the highest level.
Trinity Grammar School Director of Coaching, Tarkyn Lockyer, is the Head Coach of the AFL Academy. TGS wishes Tom all the best as he takes the next step in his footy journey with this very special opportunity.
Craig Seckold
Teacher in Charge of Football (AFL)
Cocurricular
Drama
The Year 9 Drama Team have collaborated with the Malthouse Theatre in creating an ensemble devised performance surrounding the idea of climate change. The boys spent several weeks reading through scripted works, news articles, researching global and local issues pertaining to climate change. They crafted a narrative inspired by their research and their own values and beliefs, which reflects the contemporary lens through which they view the most challenging issue of our time, climate change. Experimenting with various dramatic techniques, theatrical styles, design concepts and creative choices, the 21 brilliant gentlemen taking part in this collaborative process put together a performance with a clear social and political message. They performed this piece on the Malthouse stage with skill, panache and humility in front of a large audience. A highlight was the compliments our actors received from the casting director of the Malthouse Theatre Company, who was particularly impressed by the skilled use of ensemble dramatic devices, and the sound design within the performance. Bravo Gentlemen!
Melanie Harris
Head of Productions
Senior Drama Teacher
Breakfast Concert
Last Thursday students from Trinty Strings gathered in the music department for an informal Breakfast Concert for their parents and friends. After a hard-working Term 3 and 4, the students had a complete set of five pieces to showcase their skills to the audience. Following rapturous applause, we indulged in some generous sweet treats brought by the students and their families. A sweet and successful morning! Congratulations to our dedicated Trinity Strings players.
Ciara McCoppin
Conductor of Trinity Strings
Carol Service – Invitation to join our Community Choir
The Music faculty is pleased to invite the Trinity Grammar School Community to form the Community Choir for the 2023 Carol Service. The Community Choir is open to all members of the Trinity Community – parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends. The Community Choir will combine with the Trinity Grammar Student Choirs and the St Paul’s Cathedral Choir to perform a selection of beautiful choral works and lead the congregation in the singing of the Carols. Please note that the Community Choir is for adult members of the wider Trinity community, not students. Students participate through one of the established school choirs.
Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 November from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the Music School. There will be an optional rehearsal with orchestra on Monday 27 November at 3:30 pm in the Music School and at St Paul’s Cathedral at 9:00 am on Friday 1 December.
The Carol Service will commence at 7:00 pm on Friday 1 December. There will be a brief sound check at 6:00 pm and Choristers should be seated by 6:30pm.
Please reply to kelleyk@trinity.vic.edu.au
Mr Kevin Kelley
Head of Choral and Vocal Music
Bigger Better Brains – Singing is fundamental to our biological makeup
Learn more here: Singing is fundamental to our biological makeup — Bigger Better Brains
Jan Blazejczak
Director of Music
Chaplain’s Chat
Today, we hosted a Founders Day chapel service attended by Year 7 students, offering a reflective and wonderful service that went into the school’s history. Our school was established 120 years ago, originating from humble beginnings rooted in Holy Trinity Kew. During the service, Ms. Hill mentioned some of the school’s principals, highlighting various areas of focus such as sports and the house program. Among these, what stood out was the emphasis placed by the founding principal on values and personal character.
Ms. Hill underlined that this emphasis still holds true today. We’re not merely an institution concentrated solely on academics; rather, our core is the holistic development of an individual. Charlie White further emphasised this point by directly challenging the Year 7 students to become students focused on others and striving to become good young men. He posed questions: Who do you want to be? What kind of person do you aim to become? He urged them to have the courage to stand out, be role models for their peers, and aspire to make a difference in the world by being the best version of themselves. He stressed the importance of being focused on others, on serving those around them. This challenge mirrors the teachings of Jesus, who dedicated his life on Earth to serving others.
Reflecting on Charlie’s challenge, it sparks a question about the values and character traits we most desire for our young men. There are an abundance of values to choose from, some of which may conflict with each other. What are the core values that hold significance at Trinity at present, and which will shape the future?
The service provided a thought-provoking platform to ponder on the foundational principles and values we cherish at our school, both presently and in the years to come.
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
It was a delight to see so much of the Trinity community at the Founders’ Day Fair on Saturday. The afternoon graced us with ideal weather to celebrate the school’s 120-year anniversary, and made possible a special lightshow to cap off the evening. The event was a great success thanks to the dedication and efforts of the Fair Committee, Stall Convenors, volunteers, staff, parents, students and OTGs. In particular I would like to thank Fair Convenors Sean Rooney and Julie Coleman, as well as PA President, Heidi Pfeffer, for the immense work put into organising the Founders’ Day Fair.
More photos from the day will be shared in the coming days – keep an eye on your inbox!
Congratulations to the 2023 Founders’ Day Fair Raffle Prize Winners:
1st Prize
Paula Walker
2nd Prize
Michael Tamvakologos
3rd Prize
Marissa Forte
4th Prize
Vicky Woodman
5th Prize
Therese Morgante
6th Prize
Petrina Crocker
7th Prize
John Bischoff
With thanks to all our generous Founders’ Day Fair donors and sponsors.
We look forward to celebrating our Class Representative and Sub Committee volunteers at our annual Green and Gold Breakfast on Tuesday 12 December. More information to come!
In other news, we were thrilled to be able to distribute our commemorative 120th anniversary whole school photos this week. These were distributed in cardboard tubes to the eldest child in each family via their respective Form Teachers. If you would like to request additional copies, or return your school photo, please contact Student Services. We hope that your family enjoys this special keepsake for many years to come.
Finally, with the festive season upon us, now is the perfect time to purchase a Mitre Cookbook for friends and family in support of the Mito Foundation. To purchase a copy, pop into the Community Engagement office at 55 Wellington Street or email communityengagement@trinity.vic.edu.au
Lucy Cohen
Director of Community Engagement
Upcoming Parent Events
Year 6 Graduation Parent After Party
Date: Saturday 25 November 2023
Time: Commencing at 7.00pm
Location: The Hawthorn Hotel
Click here and purchase your ticket/s
Year 10 Graduation Parents and Carers Drinks
Date: Friday 17 November 2023
Time: Commencing at 7.00pm
Location: Motor Wines
Click here and purchase your ticket/s
End-of-School Year 11 Drinks and Canapés
Date: Thursday 23 November 2023
Time: Commencing at 6.45pm
Location: Ninis Hawthorn
Click here and purchase your ticket/s
End of Year 5 Celebration
Date: Saturday 25 November 2023
Time: 7.00pm
Location: Green Acres Golf Club
Click here and purchase your ticket/s
Important Dates
Wednesday 15 November
VCAA Written Examinations conclude
Thursday 16 November
Year 9 AAS Placement Test
Friday 17 November
Professional Practice Day (no Year 7-8 classes)
JS AGSV Year 5 -6 Water Polo, Camberwell Grammar 12:00PM
Years 1-2 Athletics Display, 1:50PM
Africa Homework Club, 3:15PM
Year 7G & 7H Outdoor Education Camp concludes, Nillahcootie Camp 4:30PM
Saturday 18 November
Melbourne Head Regatta
AGSV Final Round Boys Firsts (Basketball, Cricket & Tennis)
Tuesday 21 November
Year 7 (2024) Orientation Day, Arnold Hall 8:15AM
Prep – Year 6 (2024) Orientation Day, Arnold Hall 8:45AM
Trinity Shop, 8:30AM-10:00AM & 2:30PM-4:00PM
Thursday 23 November
Year 11 Examinations conclude
Trinity Shop, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 6:30PM
Friday 24 November
Last day of instrumental teaching
Years 9 & 10 Examinations conclude
Year 3-6 House Sport, Bulleen 1:00PM
Africa Homework Club, 3:15PM
Senior School Play (2024) Rehearsal, P&F Hall 3:30PM
Sunday 26 November
Year 12 (2024) Leadership Retreat commences
Monday 27 November
Year 12 (2024) Leadership Retreat concludes