There is the slightest hint that the weather is making a positive change toward a warmer Spring and it’s great to see all the new growth appearing on trees around the campus. We are blessed to have such a beautiful place to work and learn, and to enjoy the amazing colour changes that occur in our grounds over the different seasons.
Term 3 is nearing its completion and with that draws closer the end for our current Year 12 students. Their year is always a challenging one and we have been very pleased with the positive and determined approach our students have taken to their studies. With most subjects nearing the completion of content, focus will soon be moving toward exam preparation and practice. Over the coming holidays, the second week is dedicated to practice exams with a schedule emailed to all Unit 3 – 4 students (this includes many Year 11s as well). These practice exams are a great opportunity for students to reinforce study techniques, whilst also finding out important aspects of each subject that they may need to improve their understanding prior to the official examinations beginning in October.
Launch of the new School Anthem
On Thursday 25 August we were joined by songwriter Paul Jarman for the launch of our new School Anthem, “Deeds not Words”. Paul has written over 120 school anthems across Australia and other parts of the world, including our very own Southwood Boys song. He spent many days here prior to COVID interviewing staff and students, walking the grounds to get a feel for what Tintern is about. We wanted the Anthem to recognise the history of Tintern including the many years as a girls’ only school, the birth of Southwood and boys’ education, but more importantly the coming together to create Tintern Grammar and who we are today.
The launch of the song was amazing. The lyrics perfectly reflect the journey the school has taken and where it is going. The students had the opportunity to sing it for the very first time and there is no doubt that the anthem will become an integral part of Tintern Grammar. It will be launched to our community at our Annual Celebration Evening on Monday 17 October.
Year 11 and 12 Formals
On Thursday 18 August both our Year 11 and Year 12 students enjoyed their respective formals with the Year 11s celebrating it at Potter’s Reception Centre, whilst our Year 12s were at Bramleigh Estate. These events are an opportunity for our students to dress up and spend an evening enjoying a nice meal with friends, along with a lot of fun and dancing. We received comments from both venues to the impressive way in which our students conducted themselves on the night, and that they were a tribute to the school.
House Music
On Thursday 18 August we held our annual House Music competition in the CM Wood Centre. This competition runs over the first half of Term 3 and involves all Houses performing two songs at the competition. One of the songs is common across all five houses, this year the common song was Waterloo, whilst each House then chooses a second song to perform. Our House Captains work incredibly hard to bring their respective Houses along on the journey including live music (a band), as well as dance moves and props to add to their performances. There is always a lot of excitement by the final day and this year the competition was very close with Mansfield McKie taking out first place. Congratulations to all Mansfield McKie House members for a fantastic performance, as well as to all other Houses for their commitment and effort throughout this activity.
Leadership Preparation
We have begun the process of our school leadership for 2023 with our current Year 11 students. This has included an introduction to the different roles and responsibilities of each position, as well as the process that is required to apply. They have been given advice on what a good application should include, what makes a good leader and good leadership team, as well as what would make a good leadership speech. Applicants for the different positions will be putting together a video application that is then shown to both staff and students, before a vote for the different positions will occur. Our new student leadership team will be introduced at the final assembly of this term and their roles and responsibilities will begin early in Term 4 as our current leaders finish up.
Write a book in a day
Write A Book In A Day (WABIAD) is nothing short of a fabulous event for students. It is a fun, creative and collaborative writing competition for teams of 5-10 students, who write a book in a day; this alone would make it a fantastic enrichment event for students. There are several extra layers to this experience, however, which give it extra challenge. One significant addition is that each team has 5 set words which must be included in their story, and 5 set parameters which must be adhered to – such as who the main character is, the setting and the issue for the story. The stories must include illustrations, which were completed both by hand and using apps on devices. The task needed to be completed and uploaded within a set time frame, modelling real world project deadlines. Finally and very importantly, WABIAD is intended to raise funds for The Kids’ Cancer Project; in order for stories to be judged, a minimum of $240 per team must be raised or donated. Several teams fundraised for this event by organising bake sales, ‘guess the number of chocolates’ and lolly sales. In the lead up to these the teams advertised, pre-arranged notices and equipment and then dealt with the funds raised. Thank you to students, parents , relatives and staff who purchased items or donated funds to this important charity.
WABIAD was an extension opportunity offered through Tintern’s Horizon program this year. Students so obviously enjoyed the event that it is certain to be offered again in 2023. Photos, video and the completed stories can be found on the Portal in the Horizon component. All students involved will be given a printed copy of their team’s story.
Dressage success
On the weekend of August 20 and 21 was the Boneo Dressage Interschools Round 2 where we had a number of our students competing. In an amazing performance we had Olivia Park (Year 10) place overall champion after placing 4th in the first round and then 1st in the second round. Her horse is named Tullows High Jinx and we’d like to give a huge congratulations to both Olivia and her horse, along with the other Tintern competitors at the event. We are looking forward to the finals in December.
Year 9 Challenge
The Year 9 Challenge Program tests students through engaging academic, pastoral and adventure-based activities. This week, the Year 9s have continued their participation in the Life Skills component of the program following on from Term 2. In groups of 12, students have rotated through a range of activities developing their skills in coffee making, car maintenance, domestic chores or resumes and job interviews, or undertaking a service to others through assisting at the ELC or Girls’ Junior School, working with The Freedom Initiative to prepare hampers of fresh produce for families in need, or working with the Tintern maintenance team around the school grounds. Not only do these activities develop personal skills and build teamwork, but they also enhance our students’ sense of perspective, gratitude and empathy. Students who have chosen to attempt their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award may also credit the time spent on these activities to the skill or service component of the award.
Student Progress Meetings
We have recently held our Semester 2 Student Progress Meetings where there is the opportunity for students, parents and teachers to get together to discuss the ongoing progress each student is making in their subjects. It’s a really good way to share information and to affirm partnerships around the ongoing learning and development of the students. For many of them they have been able to develop some strategies and set goals relative to their performance and their effort. It is important that the communication continues beyond these interviews and we do encourage all parents to keep in touch as required.
EISM Sports Success
On Wednesday 24 August we had four of our senior sports teams in Grand Finals. Our two senior girls’ volleyball teams (A and B) both played really well to run out comfortable winners in their respective grand finals. This follows on from the wider success we have been seeing with the volleyball program that has been developed at the school. Our senior girls’ hockey team drew with their opponent, even after extra time, and therefore in doing so both schools share the premiership. Whilst our girls touch rugby team lost by one try to Luther despite having four of our girls away on an outdoor education camp. This left them with just 6 players (no substitutes), whilst Luther had over double this and were able to rotate their players regularly to conserve energy. Congratulations to all students, especially the teams that made the grand finals, as well as those that won the premiership.
Uniform changes
As we have now reached the end of August, all students now have the option of wearing the summer uniform or the school uniform. This means that the dress can return, along with shorts and the untucked (no tie) shirts. A reminder that students must be in one or the other, not a mix of both.
Celebration Evening
Our annual Celebration Evening is on Monday 17 October at the Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University Clayton. We haven’t been able to run this event over the last 2 years so we are very much looking forward to returning to Robert Blackwood Hall for the event. It is a compulsory event for all students in the secondary and parents will be invited to attend so please keep an eye out for the invitation.
