Newsletter: Edition 5, Term 3 – 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 spent the last two weeks celebrating their dads for Father’s Day as well as Grandparents and Special Friends morning. Opening our space to our special visitors and watching warm and heartfelt interactions is wonderful to be part of.
Our special visitors spent time engaging in many activities, enjoying stories, singing, and sharing their learning. It is always wonderful to see and hear the delight in the children as they share this time with their dads and special visitors. Here are some of our students’ thoughts about what they love about their dads…
I love my daddy because we both go for the same footy team. We watch it on the TV.
Daddy gives me rides on his shoulders
My dad works in the city. He has lots of work to do.
I love my dad, he cuddles me every night.
I love my dad because he takes me to the park.
My dad likes pizza and coffee.
I like playing cars with my dad.
As the term comes to a close, we reflect on the growth, learning, and discovery that has occurred within the ELC. The children have been immersed in a range of interesting and thought-provoking inquiries which have provided opportunities to develop their thinking, problem solving and research skills. They have been active and engaged participants in their learning. Through our daily experiences and interactions in the ELC, our students are gaining independence, confidence, and resilience.
As a member of our Trintiy community, our young learners develop skills to listen, negotiate, problem solve, share, and help others. Navigating the social context of our classroom communities each day requires ongoing practice in these areas. These skills are not only necessary for successful functioning in an educational context but also essential skills for life. It is wonderful to see these skills developing in the children.
We have an exciting term of learning planned for Term 4. We wish all our families a relaxing and safe holiday break. The children are very excited about their upcoming school holiday adventures and will no doubt have lots to share upon their return to the ELC next term.
Naomi Wright
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Junior School
The Junior School is enjoying an event-filled end of Term 3 and there have been some wonderful examples of community spirit Trinity is renowned for.
Father’s Day was celebrated in the Senior School quad with a breakfast and insightful interview of Boston and Brad Dowling. Boston is a Year 12 student who has had a standout year in the First football team. Whilst Boston does hope to be drafted by an AFL club, he was put under more pressure by Felix Ross and Marcus Wells-Janz, two of our Year 6 students, who put their father-son relationship under the microscope during a compelling interview. What eventuated, was a beautiful insight into the important aspects of a parent child relationship, that of love, respect and admiration.
Book Week was also celebrated recently with lots of colour, flair and enthusiasm. Students and teachers alike, dressed as their favourite characters, paraded down the pink catwalk to the delight of the crowd. Congratulations to our Library team led ably by Amy Jackson for a successful week promoting the importance of literature in our lives.
House Athletics was enjoyed by all Year 3 to Year 6 students this week. The day was a great opportunity to build House spirit and achieve personal bests. The atmosphere at Doncaster Athletic track was electric as students ran, jumped, threw and cheered their way through the day. Congratulations to Friend House for being the overall winner of the House Athletics.
A special mention and congratulations to Freddie Quilty, a Year 5 student, who was unable to attend the House athletics day because he was competing in the National Cross Country Championship in Canberra. Freddie ran the three-kilometre track in an impressive 10 minutes and 19 seconds. Freddie achieved fourth place for his age group and helped the Victorian state team to achieve second place in the team event.
Kieran McCrohan
Head of Junior School
House Athletics
Our return to the Doncaster Athletics Track for the annual Year 3 to 6 House Athletic sports was run in overcast conditions. Boys participated for their house in their age groups in a range of Track and Field events for the entire day. Continuous cheering and the singing of house chats with great gusto from the House bays for the entire day added to the overall spirit of the event.
The tug of war team event which traditionally is one of the most popular team events contested at our House sports, involved all the four age groups in front of the grandstand area. Teams varying in equal numbers on their side of the rope tried to haul the other team over to their side of the track!
Special mention to both Asher Kumar 9 Years and Miles Cerny 10 Years who both broke long-standing records set for 1500m in their respective age groups. The overall results were – 1st Friend, 2nd Summers, 3rd Inglis and 4th Henderson.
Thank you to the parents who were able to come along and support the boys, the maintenance staff who set up and packed up maquettes before and after the event and to all the Junior School staff who worked tirelessly throughout the entire day.
David Ponsford
Director of Junior School Sport and Cocurricular Activities
James Mcquillan Visit
What are the things that we are most grateful for? Who are the people in our life who stick with us through the good and bad times? These are some of the questions that Paralympian James Mcquillan was able to ask our Year 6 students during his talk to them on Wednesday 23 August.
James is a world champion Paralympian for Australia in wheelchair rugby who talked to Year 6 students about his journey of getting to where he is today. He focused on concepts such as resilience, friendships, gratitude and humility to help our students understand how he overcame really tough times after his neck and spinal injury playing high division Australian Rules Football.
James is a truly an inspiration and we wish him all the best as he competes next year in Paris at the Olympics. All the best James!
Joel Mathew
Junior School Wellbeing Coordinator
Year 1
In Year 1 we have begun our unit of inquiry, Where We Are in Place and Time. In this unit we look at our orientation, in terms of place and time. We explore our individual history, looking at our parents, grandparents, great grandparents and beyond.
We started this unit with an incursion that provided provocations of toys, spanning the last century. We discovered that some of the toys have been around for a lot longer than that i.e., spinning tops, knuckles, toy cars and blocks. We looked at how the materials have changed due to safety, cost, and materials available.
On Grandparents Day, we will further explore our personal histories, by interviewing our grandparents. We hope to discover more about the toys they used, the make up of their nuclear families, the schools they went to, the houses they lived in and the types of transport they may have used.
Charlotte & Vanessa
Year 1 Teachers
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Senior School
It certainly has been a hectic end of term with the Middle School Play, Debating, Maths Competitions, The Revue and Concerto performances and the conclusion of the Athletics and Water Polo season. We wish our staff and students safe travelling and enriching experiences, as our International Tours resume; this includes a Cricket tour to South Africa, Rugby Tour to Fiji and an Immersion Tour to the Philippines. And of course, we wish our F1 in Schools Team every success in Singapore.
I wish all families a relaxing break over the holidays and while Term 3 is officially concluding on Friday, there will be ongoing study commitments for students completing Unit 3/4 subjects. I wish these students a productive time during the holiday break as they prepare for their upcoming VCE exams.
Susan Hill
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Science Week
This year for Science Week, Alistair and Lucas, our Academic Captains developed a week of activities for the Trinity boys to experience. The week started with the science behind popcorn and fairy floss. All proceeds raised went to Deadly Science, an organisation that provides science resources to remote Australian schools. Associate Professor Urquijo presented an engaging talk in Arnold Hall about dark matter and ghost particles. During the Senior School Student Assembly Alistair and Lucas put the School Vice-Captains through their paces with some questions accompanied by demonstrations. To round out the week, the Junior School and Senior School had lunch time sessions where they could engage with demonstrations revolving around the theme of ‘Fire and Ice’: dry ice, liquid nitrogen, exploding cans, imploding cans, vortex cannons and exploding hydrogen balloons to name a few.
Thank you to Alistair and Lucas for their time and commitment to planning, trialling, and executing each of the days. Also, to the laboratory technicians that helped prepare the equipment and booking venues, and the support of the Science Faculty for bringing the week together.
Ben Elliott
Deputy Head of Science
German Poetry Competition State Final
Ben Saunders got acquainted with Johannes Wolfgang von Goethe, poster boy of the German Dichter und Denker (Poets and Philosophers), whilst representing Trinity in the 30th Secondary State Final of the annual German Poetry Competition on Saturday 26 August.
Eighty-one nervous first- and second-place winners from 16 Regional Finals (Years 7 to 9) across regional and metropolitan Victoria, together with their proud families and teachers found their way to the Austrian Club where they were welcomed by the Victorian German Teachers’ Association and veritable mountains of Apfelstrudel and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte.
Competing in the Year 8 DaF category (German as a Second Language), Ben performed his chosen poem “Freut euch, wenn ich Lehrer werde” (“Be glad when I’m a teacher”) with polish, precision and dramatic flair. Clearly, the judges were convinced of the merit of his progressive educational agenda and Ben joined the prize-winners with an impressive 5th place. Congratulations, Ben – fantastische Arbeit!
Dr Jill Reid
German Teacher
Theatresports Competition
On Sunday 27 August, Trinity brought two teams of fiercely funny competitors to the Impromelbourne Interschool Theatresports Competition. The boys competed in four rounds of hilarious comedy, against well-trained competitors from around Victoria. Our intermediate team of Stanley Raftopolous, Oscar Cranshaw, Flynn Callow-Sussex and Constantine Koutrouzas held their own, despite their elected team name Prichard’s Delinquents. The Senior division, Team Funky tied first on points and were just shy of the gold medal in the tie breaker round. Congratulations to Max Simpfendorfer, Aidan King, Stuart Koliavu, Zayd Chaudhry and Joshua Simos-Garner for their serious approach to playfulness.
Intermediate Division team Prichard’s Delinquents Oscar, Con, Flynn and Stanley.
Senior Division Team Funky with Mr. Prichard, Zayd, Stuart, Josh, Aidan, and Max.
Remy Prichard
Head of Drama and Teacher in Charge of Plays
Book Week
Book Week is an annual, national event organised by the Children’s Book Council (CBCA) to promote a love of reading and to celebrate Australian authors and illustrators within Australian schools. This year at the Senior School we ran a week’s program featuring diverse student focused activities and events including Literary based quizzes, an author visit by Tristan Bancks and the ‘Battle of the Books’ interschool competition where students from Trinity, MLC, Scotch College, Genazzano and Ruyton ‘battled’ it out in three very competitive rounds of literary questions.
Congratulations to all the schools who competed valiantly, however, there can only be one winner, and the triumphant team for 2023 was Ruyton Girls’ school. Staff were treated to a morning tea to mark the beginning of Book Week and invited to complete an online quiz to test their literary knowledge! Congratulations to Dr. Sam Koehne and Hanna Whiteside for the correct winning entries.
The inaugural Literary Dinner, presented by the Long Library was held at the Kew Golf Club on Wednesday 23 August, with authors Toni Jordan and Mark Brandi. It was a delight to welcome current and past parents, TGS and Ruyton staff and the wider Trinity Grammar School community to this event which we hope to make an annual occurrence.
Anna Antoniadis
Head of Senior School Library Services
Trinity Junior Water Polo 2023
The Water Polo season held during the AGSV Senior Athletics season has seen once again Trinity enter two teams in the AGSV Junior Year 7&8 Competition. Two morning training seasons and a weekly Saturday morning fixture saw both teams go through the season undefeated. Therefore, the final fixture played on Saturday 2 September the Grand Final playoff resulting in the final score – Trinity Mitre 10 def Trinity Gold 6. Well done to the entire squad of both teams who regularly attended training sessions, learning new skills for those introduced to the sport of Water Polo for the first time. Our more experienced players predominantly from Year 8 boys who were selected in both teams, developed some wonderful leadership skills encouraging the younger inexperienced members of the team to feel welcome and enjoy playing Water Polo. Well done to the boys coach Hugo Van Aanholt (OTG 2019) for his wonderful coaching of both teams and the encouragement and confidence he built amongst the entire squad. Thanks also should go to Ed Smith (OTG 2017) who was our school representative on the Score table at all of our matches throughout the season. Players who are missing from the photo and were unable to play today in the Grand final playoff today include the following – William Cao, Sidney Johns, Toby Soesanto and Gino Lovrich.
David Ponsford
Director of Junior School Sport and Cocurricular Activities
Cocurricular
Jazz Night
The annual Trinity Jazz Night returned on Friday 18 August and this year we welcomed inaugural guest artist, professional drummer, and percussionist Kyrie Anderson. Kyrie had workshopped with Belling Jazz, Big Band and Stage Band the week before to rehearse and prepare a chart with each group for the event. It was an amazing experience for our students to work with Kyrie and hear her insight into each of the styles played. Professional bassist Sam Anning, and pianist Adrea Keller joined Kyrie to present a set of their own charts, which allowed our students and parents to hear world-class jazz music. The atmosphere was electric, with high-standard music also from the school jazz ensembles: Junior Jazz, Trintones, Jazz Apprentices, Augmented 7s, Belling Jazz, Big Band and Stage Band. A fantastic night was had by all.
Congratulations and thank you to the students, staff, Trinity Friends of Music, and many others who worked to put this event together, which is a major highlight in the Trinity calendar. See you next year!
Jamie Ransome
Head of Brass, Woodwind & Bands
2023 String Masterclass with Rachael Beasley
Internationally renowned violinist Rachael Beasley presented at a String Masterclass on Wednesday 23 August at Trinity. VCE violin students Angus Wong, David Lu and Alexander Chieng took advantage of the opportunity to perform, benefiting from the feedback of Rachael’s insight and expertise.
Thérèse McCoppin
Head of Strings
Music Excursion to Oaklands Recording Studios
On Tuesday 29 August and Wednesday 30 August, our Trinity Symphony Orchestra and Senior Choir students were invited to record a new work that was commissioned called, A World of Mine by Melbourne composer, Tom Law. The recording will be showcased at the upcoming Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA) 2023 Conference in September.
Our talented musicians benefitted from the experience of recording audio in a professional, high-quality studio. Congratulations to all the students who prepared for and participated in this excursion.
Concerto Concert
Our Concerto Concert was held on Thursday, 31 August in the South Room. This concert provides an opportunity for our best performers to play a solo with the orchestra. Congratulations to the following soloists for their outstanding performances this year: David Lu (Year 12), Jeff Dai (Year 11), Angus Wong (Year 12), Tom Ruljancich (Year 11), and James Viero (Year 11).
It was an amazing night of music, and we are extremely proud of our soloists. Also, a huge thank you to the orchestra students who worked tirelessly to ensure an exceptional performance.
AMEB Accolades
Congratulations to our Year 10 student Michael Wu, who was awarded a ‘High Distinction’ for his AMEB Certificate of Performance piano examination. Congratulations also to Christopher Kim (Year 9) on being awarded his recent AMusA (Associate in Music, Australia) diploma in violin. An outstanding achievement for both students!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER RECITAL SERIES
Our Music Recital Series kicked off in August and continues through September and we warmly congratulate all the student performers for their focussed practice leading up to their magnificent performances.
Our talented group of Pianists with their much-loved teacher, Ms Chiah Quah.
Our gifted Suzuki Cellists, post recital!
Bigger Better Brains – How Does Music Learning Help Students to Improve Task Switching and Enhance Language Syntax?
Learn more here:
BBBX – Task Switching on Vimeo
BBBX – Language Syntax on Vimeo
Jan Blazejczak
Director of Music
Computer Gaming August 2023
Computer games are a popular way for students to play and unwind, but parents often have concerns about their sons playing games. What do the experts think about computer games?
Steven Dupon notes that children have a right to play and engage in recreational activities and is an advocate about the benefits of games; studies show that daily playing of games in moderation is beneficial in a number of ways, including developing problem-solving skills, strategic and decision-making skills as well as providing social interactions and benefits for children’s emotional well-being. However, regulation is important, with estimates showing that between 1% to 10% of children in Australia may show some signs of addiction to video games, and children should only play age-appropriate games. Parents clearly need to be well-versed on the dangers that exist in gaming. Steven’s white paper is well worth a read.
Psychologist Dr Justin Coulson describes the challenges parents face in navigating the tricky space of how to negotiate sensible rules for computer game use. He suggests that parents avoid creating conflict when negotiating the boundaries around computer game use, by considering the timing of such a conversation carefully – importantly this should not happen during or straight after gaming. Parents should also consider the context for the conversation, and notes that “side by side” with a boy is best, for example while taking a walk together. Parents must provide a clear rationale to their sons if they have concerns; they might begin by explaining why they think gaming is having a negative impact (e.g. sleep, relationships, schoolwork etc.), but then invite their son’s perspective, and, importantly listen. The final stage is to problem solve together – e.g. to invite collaboration and listen to their ideas on appropriate limits and responsibility). Finally, and importantly, his advice is that parents should minimise the use of control for teenagers, and, most importantly, always stay calmer than their child – if conflict erupts, walk away, and continue the discussion later.
My colleague described to me his experiences with his son, who recently completed his time at Trinity. He noted that computer gaming gave his son an important connection with others in his year level at a time when he was otherwise somewhat socially isolated. Through careful negotiation of robust boundaries and time limits, including agreeing that games would only be played after work had been completed, a healthy balance was eventually established. He suggested that the best form of monitoring was parental involvement, showing that he saw the value in gaming, and demonstrating an interest in it, while also providing guidance and boundaries.
In order to assess further the impact of computer games, the senior school will be trialling a policy of asking students not to play computer games at school during Tuesday lunchtimes, whilst also continuing to work with students about device use.
Ben Ryder
Director of Innovation
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Chaplain’s Chat
On Tuesdays in periods 3 and 4, we take six Year 9s to Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO), formerly known as Good Grub. BCO is turning thirty this year and for all that time has been providing practical support and essential community to people living with severe mental illness. They have a ukelele group, various craft activities, a theatre group, a rock band, and a regular Tuesday lunch. Our students attend the lunch and help with setup and service. When the work is done, our students then sit down and chat with members of the BCO community. It is always a pleasure to watch our students interact confidently and generously with people. There are often fun-filled conversations, with lots of laughter. On the walk back to school, there is always rich conversation where the students recount stories and ask questions. If you are a parent or carer of a Year 9, ask them if they have been to BCO (Good Grub) and what they thought of it!
Reverend Bryn Jones
Senior Chaplain
Community
FOUNDERS’ DAY FAIR
Saturday 11 November 2023, 2.00pm – 8.00pm
Call-out for Donations – Trash ‘n Treasure & Toys
As we prepare for this year’s Fair, it’s time to have a Spring clean out over the school holiday break and be ready to donate your GOOD quality, pre-loved household goods and toys to the Trinity Fair.
Delivery can be made during Term 4 Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm to:
TGS Maintenance Department
Cotham Road
Enter via St John’s Parade (through car park – see below)
Due to OHS requirements, we are unable to accept electrical goods, cushions, or bedding.
Call out for Donations – Second Hand Books
We will be welcoming and accepting donations of second-hand books for this popular stall at the Trinity Fair.
We accept all clean, good quality books (except encyclopaedias or textbooks)
Delivery can be made during Term 4 Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm to:
TGS Maintenance Department
Cotham Road
Enter via St John’s Parade (through car park – see diagram above)
Thank you for your support.
Linda McDougall (lindamcdougall5@gmail.com) & Domenica Lamont (domenicalamont@mac.com)
Trash ‘n Treasure, Toys Stall Convenors
Catherine Michail (catherinemichail@yahoo.com.au) & Lily Shi (llshiqd@gmail.com)
Books Stall Convenors
Fair Plant Stall – can you help?
The Plant Stall is holding a working bee 2-3:30pm, Thursday 7 September, at the rear of Hudson House (corner of Wellington and Charles Streets). We’ll be potting up seedlings for the Trinity Fair – no experience or equipment necessary. Please drop in for any length of time to help us prepare. If you can attend or would like to hear about future Plant Stall activities please email Vanessa Solomon, vanessa.s.solomon@gmail.com We’d also love to hear from you if you can contribute cuttings or plants to the stall.
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
Important Dates
Wednesday 6 September
VCE Study Night, 6:00PM
Junior School Musical Performance, Xavier College 6:30PM
Thursday 7 September
Year 3-6 After School co-curricular activities conclude
F1 in Schools World Finals 2023 commence, Singapore
Athletics Victoria – Schools Challenge, Lakeside Stadium 8:50AM
Trinity Shop, 2:00PM-4:00PM
The Leslie Oration, The Drum 6:00PM
Friday 8 September
Term 3 concludes
Year 12 (2024) Leadership interviews conclude
Year 12 Revision Program commences
Year 11 Outdoor Training Team Meeting, 3:30PM
Dadirri House Exeat, 3:30PM
Saturday 9 September
1st XI Cricket Tour commences
Snowsports – 7 & 8 Development Trip commences, Falls Creek 9:30am
Sunday 10 September
Junior School One Arm Point Tour commences, 10:00AM
Monday 11 September
Camp Trinity commences
Spring Bushwalk commences, Lake Tali Karng 12:00PM
Tuesday 12 September
Year 12 Revision Program concludes
Snowsports – 7 & 8 Development Trip concludes, Falls Creek 9:45pm
Thursday 14 September
Rugby Tour to Fiji commences
Spring Bushwalk concludes, Lake Tali Karng 4:00PM
Friday 15 September
Camp Trinity concludes
Junior School One Arm Point Tour concludes, 10:00PM
Saturday 16 September
F1 in Schools World Finals 2023 conclude, Singapore
Wednesday 27 September
VCE Unit 4 Practice Examinations commence
Year 11 Outdoor Education Training Team Rehearsal commences, Nillahcootie Camp 8:00AM
Thursday 28 September
1st XI Cricket Tour concludes
Friday 29 September
Grand Final Day Public Holiday
VCE Unit 4 Practice Examinations conclude
Year 11 Outdoor Education Training Team Rehearsal concludes, Nillahcootie Camp 6:15PM
Sunday 1 October
Dadirri House return, 5:00PM
Monday 2 October
VCE Art Exhibition commences
Term 4 commences
Instrumental Music Scholarship applications open
Performance and Languages Oral Examinations commence
Trinity Shop, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Year 10 Outdoor Leaders’ Course Briefing, Centre for the Arts 3:30PM
Wednesday 4 October
Year 11 Outdoor Training Team commences, Nillahcootie Camp 4:00PM
ELC – Year 6 Art Exhibition Opening, Centre for the Arts 6:30PM