Week 5, Term 2 – 2018
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FROM THE HEADMASTER
The Care We Share
Overwhelmed. It’s the word that best describes how I feel today following receipt of so much support and contact over the past 36 hours.
From all quarters of this community, people have got in touch to say thank you, replay memorable moments, tell stories and share the care we have for this great school.
I am extremely grateful for the reaction and humbled by it.
As I said in my communication yesterday, taking the decision to resign from the mantle of Headmaster didn’t come easily. It’s a lot to give up and it only came after a great deal of thought and discussion with my family.
Fundamentally though, my decision had everything to do with realising Trinity’s sole purpose, which is to develop and nurture the fine students of our fabulous school. I had also reached a level of confidence that the school has paved a strong and sensible path to move forward.
When I depart at the end of term, I will be comfortable in the knowledge that at every stage of my Trinity tenure, I have had the best interests of our boys in mind and in heart.
I will feel proud that the hard work we have done together has resulted in so many achievements but, most importantly, seen so many young men go on to contribute significantly to the outside world.
I look forward to speaking with you over the coming weeks as we continue to share our care for the School.
Having said all that, I’d ask you to take in the contents of this edition of Trinity News. It highlights events, student achievements and important moments, and reminds us why we arrive at Trinity every day.
Michael Davies
Headmaster
FROM THE ELC
Last Thursday and Friday, we welcomed all the mums to celebrate Mother’s Day with a special breakfast at the ELC. The children were very excited to be the hosts and we hope you enjoyed their lovingly-prepared cards and presents – and your family celebrations last Sunday.
We also welcomed Ms Avis Gardner, an artist-in-residence, who will be working with the Four Year Old Group throughout Term 2. Avis, whose expertise is working with clay, has a rich resume of experience with children in the early years of education. We are looking forward to learning from her and having all children involved in such a hands-on journey of discovery.
Genevieve Read
Director of the Early Learning Centre
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
NAPLAN Week
This week, students across the nation will be participating in the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). On 29 April, Trinity Grammar School, Sydney posted an article that explained NAPLAN in a way that’s easy to understand. I’ve include parts of it for our parent community.
NAPLAN is an annual school assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, and is designed to provide information to schools and parents about how students are performing against national educational benchmarks in literacy and numeracy, and how these results track over time.
NAPLAN is intended as a diagnostic tool, taking a snapshot of your son’s progress at one point in time, but it is important to realise that it does have its limitations. NAPLAN is not a panacea to your child’s education, nor should it be used in solitude to assess a school and its level of success, and importantly, it is not a measure designed to evaluate teacher performance.
Data that is used to assess students more fully can come from other assessments, teacher observations, student self-assessment and reflections, evidence of learning from workbooks, as well as essential information gained from each and every learning experience. These are used to determine a more holistic picture of how your son is progressing, not just in literacy and numeracy, but in a whole assortment of educational outcomes.
To avoid your son suffering stress at NAPLAN time, we encourage parents to support their son through this process by resisting the urge to over-emphasise the importance of the tests, as it could potentially affect deeper learning. Instead, NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another scheduled event on the school agenda.
NAPLAN is an essential tool that schools use to identify areas where their programs could be reviewed and improved, and it also helps to identify whether changes in their approach may be having the desired impact on learning outcomes. Schools are always trying to ensure that NAPLAN testing does not have a negative influence on other learning opportunities, curriculum choice and student wellbeing.
At Trinity we know that a well-rounded education produces well-rounded young men. We provide many opportunities for our boys across sport, music, drama, art and an ever-growing range of co-curricular activities designed to stimulate curiosity and adventure. The complete Trinity experience of our boys and young men is so much more than NAPLAN results alone will show.
Next Saturday is our Green and Gold Ball. I look forward to seeing many Junior School parents, past and present, there on the night.
Grant Nalder
Head of Junior School
Congratulations
Congratulations to Lachlan Craik in Year 5 for attaining the Grey Wolf award as part of the 1st North Balwyn Cub Pack.
Lachlan, through this award and through his daily interactions at school, has embodied international-mindedness by his dedication and perseverance. He showed that he is knowledgeable, balanced and open-minded, demonstrating commitment, enthusiasm and creativity.
Well done to Lachlan for this outstanding effort and achievement. We are all very proud of him as a part of the Trinity community.
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SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Music
Two recent concerts have featured some outstanding musical performances. The Music Scholars’ Concert was held last Wednesday night, and 11 boys, three of whom are in Year 12 performed solos: Zac Sumarno (Viola), George Mildred-Short (Cello) and Rocky Zhou (French Horn).
On Monday night, over 215 school musicians performed at the Music Extravaganza at the Eldon Hogan Theatre, Xavier. It was an entertaining evening and there were many highlight performances by the boys. Congratulations to all the groups and to the Music staff.
House Points
Following the recent House cross country, House points have been tallied. The current positions are as follows:
- Arnold
- Henty
- Hindley
- Kent Hughes
- Merritt
- Sutton
- Cowen
- Roberts
Only 25 points separate first and last place.
We are also pleased to announce the names of the boys who won their respective cross country races:
- Year 7 – Oliver Horan
- Year 8 – Oscar Brown
- Year 9 – Murray Lovass
- Year 10 – Ben Allen
- Year 11 – Tristan Day
- Year 12 – Tom Sellwood.
House Dinners
Two House Dinners and Chapel Services were held last week: Hindley on Tuesday and Cowen on Thursday. Organised by the Senior boys, with help from staff, both events were very enjoyable and successful. Guest speakers, video clips, quizzes and musical entertainment gave the parents an insight into House life. Thank you to all who attended.
Harambee – Thank You
Many boys were wearing colourful African ties last Thursday and Friday. The women who make these ties are most appreciative and in need of our support. Thank you to the boys, parents and staff who purchased ties, and congratulations to Mr Purcell and the Harambee boys on their initiative.
GAP Student Accommodation
We are expecting our next GAP student, a young man from the UK, to join us from the start of Term 3. We are seeking accommodation for him with one of our Trinity families for a term, a half year, or a year.
Families that have hosted GAP students in the past have thoroughly enjoyed having an ‘older brother’ in the home. This year, the GAP student is very sporty and will work in both the Junior and Senior Schools. The school meets the living expenses of all GAP students and we hope that he will add to your family dynamic. If you have a spare room, please contact Rohan Brown.
Year 12 Influenza Vaccination – Boroondara Council
Boroondara Council is providing a Flu immunisation session for our Year 12 students. This will be conducted at Kew Library (Phyllis Hore Room) on Monday 21 May between 11.30am and 1.30pm. We will that ensure that we have a Trinity staff member supervising at this time. The cost of this vaccine is $25 and, if you consent to your son having this vaccine, the cost will be added to your account. Please complete the online consent form by clicking here.
Climbing Gym and Trip
The Outdoor Education Captains are organising climbing gym visits on Friday afternoons (until 1 June) to the Nunawading Climbing Gym and to North Walls on Friday 25 May. We are halfway through these excursions and the captains invite students to sign up via the Outdoor Education page on MyTGS. Details, including what to bring, are on the page.
There will also be a rockclimbing trip to Mt Arapiles in the first week of the Term 2 holidays (1-6 July) for students in Years 9-12. Details can be found on the same page.
MUSIC NEWS
Extravaganza Concert 2018
Congratulations to the 215 students who performed at the Music Extravaganza Concert on Monday night. It was a terrific concert presenting works from the Symphony Orchestra, Senior Strings, Trinity Strings, Suzuki Strings, Intermediate Mitre Band, Senior Choir, Middle School Choir and Symphonic Wind. Many thanks to all the parents, staff, students and teachers who attended. Thank you also to the Xavier Music Department who generously supported us with regards to use of equipment.
Music Scholars’ Concert
Congratulations to the students who performed at the Music Scholars’ Concert last Wednesday night. It was a wonderful concert much appreciated by the audience. Thank you to all the accompanists who supported the students on the night.
Term 2 Music Recitals
Students are warmly invited to perform in the next music recitals to be held on Thursday 31 May or Tuesday 12 June. Siegfried Franke will be available to accompany students and rehearse with performers during lunchtime that day. Interested participants should contact Thérèse McCoppin.
Bernstein Choir Invitation
Trinity Grammar School will be commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein with a performance of the Chichester Psalms on Wednesday 12 September. The Chichester Psalms is a work in three movements for mixed choir, orchestra and boy soprano soloist, sung in Hebrew, that was originally commissioned for the 1965 Chichester Festival.
The ‘Bernstein Choir’ is open to all members of the Trinity Community. The Trinity Choirs and the St Paul’s Choir will form the core of the Bernstein Choir and we extend a warm invitation to all staff, parents and OTGs to participate in the performance of this amazing work.
There will be a final rehearsal on Sunday 9 September from 1.00pm – 4.00pm at Trinity. Preliminary rehearsals will be scheduled on varying evenings throughout Term 3.
For further information about the Bernstein Choir please contact Kevin Kelley
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SPORT NEWS
2018 Victorian Schools Association Swimming Competition
On the evening of Monday 7 May, the inaugural Victorian Schools Association Swimming Competition was held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Nicholas Torrance (Year 11) and Ryan Lobo (Year 10) were two Trinity students selected to represent the AGSV against all the other major schooling associations from Melbourne. Both boys swam extremely well, with Nicholas’ 4x50m backstroke relay team winning their event, while Ryan’s 4x50m freestyle relay also finished on the podium in second place. Ryan also recorded a lifetime personal best by swimming under 25 seconds for the 50m freestyle.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Trinity Ball – Reminder
Date: Saturday 19 May 2018
Time: 7.00pm arrival, drinks and canapés served, 7.30pm doors open to the reception
Venue: The Glasshouse, Olympic Boulevard
Dress Code: Formal
Thank you to everyone who has booked for the 2018 Trinity Ball, it will be a spectacular evening and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
If you require parking on the night this can be prebooked at Melbourne Park at a discounted rate by clicking here.
We do have a MEGA Raffle on the evening – Tickets are $50.00 per ticket to enter the draw for the MEGA $4000 EFTPOS card and there are many runner-up prizes! Whilst EFTPOS facilities will be available on the evening, you may wish to consider bringing cash for the raffle if you plan to participate.
Our Live Auction prizes include tickets to LA or San Francisco, signed and framed 2017 Richmond Premiership Guernsey and Melbourne Storm Jersey, the ever popular AFL Legends Lunch at Kokos, Dinner in the West Room prepared by Rohan Brown. We also have Babysitting for your children with Mr Nalder and for the Basketball fans we have Ben Simmons or LeBron James memorabilia. Our special thanks go to the Alysandratos, Alevras and Magoutis families, and Consolidated Travel Group, Luke Littlefield, John Gillam, Russell Taylor, Mr Nalder and Mr Brown for their generous donations.
Thanks to the many who have donated prizes for the raffle or the silent auctions : Parents’ Association, Grand Cru, Quest, eco-luxe, Mount Avoca, Che, Centonove, Trident, Dawson (of Kew), Netball Australia, Collingwood Football Club, Oliana Foods, Sheridan, Sharne Bryan, Egon Zehnder International, Nadine Cohen, Gallace and Constantinou Families, David and Megan Bortolussi, Matthew Barry, Jason and Renee McConnell, Sarah Makris and Anna Wells Jansz.
If you have any questions, please contact our Ball convenors:
- Sarah Makris and Anna Wells-Jansz (Green and Gold Committee Parent Volunteers)
- Sharon Kendall (Trinity Representative)
Trinity Cafeteria – Volunteers Needed!
Please come and meet the new Café Manager, Ida, who comes to Trinity from MLC. Please consider volunteering for the 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 24 May: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Liz Beasley, Sushil Bedi, Christina Branagan
- Sales: Kathy Pang, Fiona Griffiths, Jenny Bennett, Jane King
Thursday 7 June: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Pricing: Carolyn Crouch, Leanne Larkin, Deborah Hunt
- Sales: Libby Stobie, Elizabeth Trott, Catriona Wells
COMMUNITY EVENTS
FOUNDERS’ DAY FAIR – SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2018
Join the Committee
This year’s Fair will take place on Sunday 18 November from 10.00am-4.00pm and the Fair Committee is planning a wonderful day with some surprises and new ideas, whilst keeping the stalls and fun things we love. We always welcome anyone wishing to join the Committee. If you might be able to help out, please contact Gail Arnall or Sean Rooney.
Fine Foods Stall
With 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 or Sally James.
Parents of Prep B and C Boys
Date: Saturday 16 June 2018
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Osteria 20, 818 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 3122
RSVP: By Tuesday 12 June 2018 by clicking here
Cost: $50 per person – includes entree, main course and dessert. Drinks will be available via a cash bar on the night.
Year 5 Parents’ Morning Tea – Save the Date
Year 5 Parent Reps will be hosting the Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday 31 May from 8:30 am. More details to come.