Week 2, Term 2 – 2018
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FROM THE HEADMASTER
As I look across the Birrell Oval from my office, I can see the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. On the northern wall that faces back to the school grows a magnificent deciduous creeper. Verdant green in summer, in recent weeks its leaves have started to change as autumn takes hold. In a somewhat poignant indication of the month, it has taken on crimson hues during this week when we remember ANZAC.
In 1915, only 478 boys had graduated from the school and were eligible to go to war; of those nearly 300 enlisted – over 60% of the OTG population – compared with a national figure of 39%. Indeed, of the 43 members of the very first class enrolled at Trinity, 28 enlisted. It is reported that on May 4 1915, Ossie Haymen walked out of class and caught the tram to Melbourne Town Hall where he signed up. Another, Warren Crane, was rejected eight times before being accepted. Warren fought at Gallipoli where he was wounded.
During World War I, three members of staff and 42 Old Boys lost their lives in conflict. Many of these were in the prime of life. They made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we might continue to enjoy the cherished freedoms for which Australia is well known. In the midst of terrible suffering where the worst of humanity was played out, we found stories of decency, of faith and duty.
ANZAC has many meanings that go far beyond our initial feelings of loss and sorrow. One I refer to often is the sharply succinct summation by former Governor General, Sir William Deane, which now adorns the wall at the entry to our own Shrine of Remembrance:
Anzac is not merely about loss. It is about courage, and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humour and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.
After Gallipoli, we had a greater confidence in our distinct identity, and a greater pride in the international contribution we could make. This does not, however, make the loss of such young and promising lives less keen. Let us not forget the effect this had on those left at home. The mothers who lost sons, the wives and partners left to raise families on their own through the Depression year – a heavy toll was paid long after the last shots were fired.
This week we have already marched as staff and boys to the Kew Memorial on Sunday. We gather on Tuesday as a whole school, with dignity, with reverence, as a peaceful, decent community to remember the sacrifice of others at Gallipoli and those left at home. We will offer prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for their service and the peace that we now enjoy, and, if we ever need any more inspiration of how significant this week is to our past and for our future, we need only glance at the Chapel’s crimson creeper for a timely reminder.
Michael Davies
Headmaster
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
With Term 2 well underway, we look ahead to the many experiences each boy may enjoy and benefit from as they continue to develop and strengthen their own personal learner profile.
Alongside the Junior School musical auditions and rehearsals, the wide variety of school excursions and the House competitions punctuating each week, the boys also look forward to engaging in the cocurricular program.
The cocurricular program provides the opportunity for boys to participate in both sporting and non-sporting activities. Each activity is a chance to refresh the mind at the end of a busy day of learning. Research suggests that true relaxation and rest comes from activities that take your mind off the day-to-day – not just sitting on the couch watching TV. Whether playing footy, soccer, tennis or completing an origami sculpture, boys will focus on something different and allow their minds to recuperate and refresh, ready for the challenges of the next day.
We also recognise that cocurricular activities are not just an opportunity to relax. They provide a great opportunity to develop specific aspects of each boy’s personal learner profile. Sporting activities can help boys become more principled and give them a chance to take risks in a safe environment. Non-sporting activities can encourage inquiry, thinking and reflection. Moreover, engaging in additional commitments throughout the week helps teach the boys the importance of creating balance in their lives and looking after their own wellbeing.
We actively encourage boys to get involved in cocurricular activities as a great way to refresh the mind and broaden horizons.
Tom Savill
Deputy Head of the Junior School (Administration)
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Well done to Josh Lanzon (Year 12) who gave the first T-Talk for Term 2 in the Tudor Centre last week, on gun control in the USA.
Our cross country runners competed in a twilight event hosted by Marcellin and Trinity. Competition was held across three sections – Senior, Intermediate and Year 7/8 – along a course run on across both schools’ ovals. Tristan Day won the Senior event, with Josh McLeod in third place.
Congratulations to Joel Teal and George Belcher who have been selected for the Victorian U16 Football squad, and Aidan Browne who has been selected to represent Victoria in the Australian Gymnastics Championships in May.
Mitre Cup and Winter Sports
The Mitre Cup is contested annually by Camberwell and Trinity Grammar Schools. This year’s game was played last Saturday, with Trinity the victor by eight goals. Thank you to the boys (and parents) who attended the game and supported the players.
This week, the 1st XI Soccer team play their first game on Friday 27 April at 7.30pm at Marcellin.
House Cross Country
House Cross Country is being held after school on Tuesday 1 May. Boys will be able to wear their sport tracksuits/House tops on this day. There will still be six periods on the day, and normal sports training.
ANZAC March
Thank you to the boys who marched along with other schools and RSL members in the Kew ANZAC Parade last Sunday. School Captain, Nathan Savundra-Shepherd, and one of his Vice-Captains, Avisha Wijeyaratne, placed a wreath at the WWI Monument in High St/Cotham Road.
Year 7 and 8 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent-Teacher interviews for students in Years 7 and 8 will be held on Monday 30 April commencing at 3.30pm. Parents should already have access to the PTO Booking site.
Year 9 and 10 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher interviews will be conducted for Year 9 and 10 on Monday 7 May between 3.00pm and 9.00pm. This week, via Trinity Connect, parents will receive information about how to book these interviews. The online booking system will be operational from 6.00pm on Sunday 29 April.
The link for booking can be found on Trinity Connect > My Sons > Relevant Links > Parent Teacher Booking or by clicking here
Student Absences
If a student is absent from the school it is a legal requirement for a reason to be provided. Therefore we ask that Senior School parents/guardians please phone the Absence Line on 9854 8720 or send an email to absence@trinity.vic.edu.au by 9.30am on the day of the absence. These details can also easily be found on the Contact Us page of the Trinity website.
Parents/guardians or students should also make contact with the Head of Year or Form Teacher or class teachers (as appropriate) regarding missed work. In some cases the school may require a Doctor’s Certificate to cover absences. Extended periods of leave need prior approval from the Head of Year or Deputy Headmaster.
CHAPLAIN’S CHAT
This afternoon, students, staff, and special guests commemorated ANZAC Day in a special assembly in the McIntyre Gym, remembering especially those staff and past students from Trinity who served and lost their lives in the Great War. We showed love, honour and support to all who have served unselfishly in the defence of their country and in the pursuit of freedom, including members of our own families. We prayed for those men and women in active service, and for their loved ones. We are grateful to all who contribute to this special annual event – especially our boys. It is always a moving occasion and makes me especially proud to be part of the Trinity family.
We would do well to reflect upon this prolonged season of national commemoration – 100+ years after the Great War, 75+ years after World War II, 50+ years after Vietnam and 25+ years after the first Gulf War – as we lament the continued fighting in Syria, and Afghanistan, along with many other parts of our world experiencing devasting civil conflict.
Professor Tom Frame, former Bishop to the Australian Defence Forces and Director of the Centre the Study of Armed Conflict and Society at UNSW, reflected recently that if we are to insist that there can be no real peace without justice, then we might be driven to confess that human ingenuity has failed in delivering either!
Perhaps then our only hope is to embrace again the wisdom of God embodied in the words and works of Jesus who said, ‘Seek first the kingdom and then all else will be given unto you’ – a ‘kingdom’ and realm gained not by force of arms but humility of spirit, in which the love and mercy and generosity of God are unrestrained and known by all.
May our continuing quest for kindness, compassion, charity, generosity and mercy change our own lives, the lives of those to whom we are bound, and the world in which God has been pleased to place us – including our own community here at TGS.
God bless
Rev’d Matt Campbell
Senior Chaplain
MUSIC NEWS
2018 String Concert
The 2018 String Concert will be held on Friday 27 April at 7.00pm in the James Tatoulis Auditorium, Methodist Ladies’ College, 207 Barkers Road, Kew. Members of the Suzuki Ensemble, the Stringlets, the Stringers, the Double Bass Ensemble, Marles String Orchestra, Trinity Strings and Senior Strings will all perform.
Double bass students are asked to arrive at 6.00pm for a quick rehearsal in the venue. All other string students should arrive at 6.30pm to provide time to unpack instruments and tune. Students are required to wear full winter uniform.
2018 Generations in Jazz, Mt Gambier Tour
Students in the Big Band and Stage Band will participate in the 2018 Generations in Jazz competition at Mt Gambier from Friday 4 May until Sunday 6 May. Parents have been sent detailed information via Trinity Connect.
Music Scholars’ Concert
A selection of Trinity’s finest musicians will perform at the Music Scholars’ Concert on Wednesday 9 May in the South Room at 7.30pm. All TGS staff, students, families and friends are warmly invited to attend. No tickets are required.
Term 2 Music Recitals
Students are warmly invited to perform in Term 2 recitals to be held on Tuesday 1 May (Junior School students only), Thursday 10 May, Thursday 31 May, or Tuesday 12 June. This is an excellent opportunity for students to refine their performance prior to VCE recitals or Round 2 AMEB examinations. Siegfried Franke will be available to accompany students at the recital and rehearse with performers during lunchtime that day. Interested participants should contact Therese McCoppin via email to mccoppint@trinity.vic.edu.au to register their interest.
2018 European Music Tour
The first meeting of students going on the inaugural European Music Tour (Thursday 20 September – Thursday 4 October) will be held at 1.00pm on Tuesday 1 May in the Music School.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Trinity Ball
Tickets are selling fast and we have a wonderful evening planned. The line up includes:
- MC PETER ROWSTHORN (OTG 1980) – aka Brett Craig from Kath & Kim fame. Peter is an OTG who recently appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here alongside our own Josh Gibson (OTG 2001)
- ANGELA LIBRANDI – Angela and her band recently performed at Etihad Stadium to a sell-out crowd. She regularly performs at establishments such as Alumbra and Aria. Rest assured you will be off your seat and on the dancefloor!
Early Bird Raffle
We have extended our Early Bird Raffle until Friday 27 April – so please get in early and book your tickets. Congratulations to our early bird winners this week – Roger McPherson, David Charlesworth, Nichola Lefroy, Helen Gillam, Joanna Slater, Nadia Mercante, Rohan Brown, Liz Beasley, Staci Matheson and Tina Karamanos. Your prize is available from Hudson House for collection.
Date: Saturday 19 May 2018
Time: 7.00pm – 12.00am
Venue: The Glasshouse, Olympic Boulevard
Dress:Formal
Price:$195.00 per person – includes a delicious three-course meal, wine, sparkling and soft drinks.
Bookings: via trybooking.com/360035
If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer Ball convenors:
- Sarah Makris – sarahmakris@gmail.com and Anna Wells-Jansz – awellsjansz@icloud.com (Green & Gold Committee Parent Volunteers)
- Sharon Kendall – kendalls@trinity.vic.edu.au (Trinity Representative)
Trinity Cafeteria – Volunteers Needed!
Please consider volunteering for the café. Café duty runs daily from 9.30am until approximately 1.30pm. To find out more about volunteering in the café or if you have any feedback, please contact Sue McNally, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, or Sharon Kendall, Community Liaison.
Click here to view the volunteer roster for Term 2.
Trinity Shop
Thanks to all who support the Trinity Shop and to our parent volunteers who provide this service. We will be open:
Thursday 10 May : 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Carolyn Crouch, Lisa Torrance, Janice Bland
- Sales: Fiona Griffiths, Meileen Tan, Julie Limmer
Thursday 24 May: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Liz Beasley, Sushil Bedi, Christina Branagan
- Sales: Kathy Pang, Robyn Walker, Jenny Bennett, Jane King
Community Events
Founders’ Day Fair
Our Founders’ Day Fair will be held again this year on Sunday 18 November. Please mark this date in your diary. The next meeting of the Fair Committee will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 7 May in Hudson House. New members and ideas are most welcome!
With sauce tomatoes at the market and beautiful Autumn fruit in season, it is the ideal time for plum, blackberry, pear, and tomato preserves. The Fine Foods group, a fabulously welcoming and successful group of jam, chutney, marmalade and sauce producers for the Trinity Fair, would like to welcome any inquiries from new and familiar faces.
Contact
- Emma Drake on 0404 567 352 or via email to emma_drake@yahoo.com
- Sally James on 0403 025 205 or via email to sallyljames5@gmail.com
Year 7 Mothers’ Day Breakfast
Date: Thursday 3 May
Time: 7.00am – 8.00am
Venue: South Room, Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts, Charles Street Kew
Bookings: via trybooking.com/374897
ELC and Junior School Mother’s Day Breakfast
Date: Friday 4 May 2018
Time: 7.00am – 8.00am
Venue: South Room, Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts
Tickets: Mums $30; Boys $26 are available through trybooking.com/376551
Enquiries: Jane Kupsch on 0400 005 494 or via email kupschjane@gmail.com
Tables at the breakfast are organised by year level. A delicious menu of breakfast items, tea, coffee and juice will be served ‘high tea’ style. Every mum will receive a gift.
Bookings close on Monday 30 April 2018. Last year’s event was a sell-out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to a South Room full of happy Trinity mums and boys!
NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parents’ Book and Poetry Group
Tonight, the Parents’ Book Group meets in the Tudor Centre between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. Tonight’s book for discussion is Olive Ketteridge by Elizabeth Strout.
Looking ahead in Term 2:
Book Group:
- Tuesday 15 May: Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
- Tuesday 12 June: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
- Tuesday 26 June: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Poetry Group
- Tuesday 1 May: Edward Thomas
- Tuesday 22 May: Andrew Motion
- Tuesday 5 June: Robinson Jeffers
- Tuesday 19 June: Hugh MacDiarmid
For information regarding these events and other details, please contact me at bantickc@trinity.vic.edu.au.
Christopher Bantick
Senior School English Teacher