01 May 2024

Welcome

This issue’s Welcome article is by Kristin De Vos, Director of Early Learning 

 

Point of Challenge – Driving Deep and Powerful Learning

Early childhood is an important time in children’s lives to learn and develop concepts around resilience, persistence and giving it a go. When children feel safe, secure, and supported, they will take more risks in their learning and attempt new skills or tasks. In the Early Learning Centre, we as a group of educators have been exploring the Cultures of Thinking idea around ‘The Point of Challenge’. The Point of Challenge is what drives curiosity and this in turn drives deep, and powerful learning. Too often we step in to assist a child or provide an answer for a problem. Has learning become about achieving, rote learning and ticking off outcomes?

As teachers we are pushing ourselves to hold back, not jump in and offer support. Our new lens on learning is more of a ‘coach’ approach. This will then allow the children the opportunity to sit with a concept, deconstruct and reconstruct, allowing them to move into a space where they are reaching the point of challenge and then experiencing deeper learning. This is proving to be a ‘point of challenge’ for all of us. As educators we naturally move into the space of ‘care’ and we see support or offering advice as teaching the children: such as ‘try turning the puzzle piece’, ‘what would happen if you.’, ‘here let me help you with that’.

We are questioning, if we provide the solution or needed skill to solve the problem, are we denying the children the opportunity to learn? It is very challenging, as an educator, to allow a child to make a ‘mistake’ and a huge leap of faith to understand that a mistake is not a mistake but can be seen as providing the opportunity to experience deeper learning as the children tussle with the concept. A ‘mistake’ is an opportunity to reflect, extend and further learn. If we continue to teach as we have in the past, are we robbing the children of an opportunity to experience deep, rich, and meaningful learning?

Thomas Edison has been famously quoted as saying ‘I have not failed but found 1000 ways to not make a light bulb’ upon his attempts to develop the light bulb.

Here in the Early Learning Centre, we hope to instil in the children the ability to have another go, think about the problem, and find another way to do it. With excitement, we are giving the children the time and space to sit in the ‘uncomfortable’. We are observing them beginning to see their ‘mistakes’ not as failures but as valuable learning moments which they are more connected to, building their ability to move from the point of challenge onwards in their learning.

As educators we feel lucky to teach these young learners who are yet to know about some of the dangers in life and willingly try out new things. We hope that they take on the Thomas Edison mindset with enthusiasm and spontaneity, saying ‘let’s see what happens if I do …’ stays with them throughout their lives.

How privileged we are as educators in the Early Learning Centre to live for a few hours a day in a world of imagination, impulse and let’s do it! Our hope is that as these children grow older their world continues to be shaped by points of challenge leading to taking risks, building resilience, exploring new ideas and developing strong wellbeing.

 

Kristin De Vos | Head of Early Learning 

Student Voice – Green Team Leaders

Throughout Term 1, Green Team meetings sparked conversations about the community’s most relevant sustainability issues, and our aims for greater community engagement in Green Team events.

This Term, Green Team members have been eagerly preparing for Earth Week, which will be held in Week 3, from Monday 29 April – Friday 3 May.  Earth Week will consist of multiple activities, such as a bake sale, daily quizzes and a screening session of short yet powerful environmentally-themed films. The aim of this lunchtime screening is to extend active and thought-provoking discussion to other Middle School and Senior College students, by spending time to engage with and talk about the ideas raised in the films.

Green Team members voted for an organisation or campaign to support with the funds raised from the Bake Sale. From a multifarious range of necessary and equally important options, we have chosen to raise funds for Farmers for Climate Action.  This is an Australian non-profit organisation which represents and supports over 8000 farmers across the country, by equipping them with the tools required to be leaders of climate action and championing the interests and voices of their communities. 

Based on the theme of Earth Day 2024, ‘Planet vs Plastics’, the Green Team are organising a writing competition in collaboration with the Pegasus Committee.  This will urge students to explore this topic more deeply and align with the Green Team’s theme for Term 1 – waste. Waste management continues to be a significant topic in our meetings. Commencing in Earth Week, we are aiming to trial recycling stations in the Middle School and Senior College, allowing students and staff to easily deposit items such as batteries, plastic bottles, bread tags, and used pens and markers at School. These can then be periodically taken to larger collection points, such as those at Officeworks, preventing these items from going into landfill.

One of our broad goals for 2024 is to create positive and visible change within the community. Tackling waste disposal will be a key focus after Earth Week, with the hope of seeing visible changes in our immediate spaces. This includes seeing less rubbish in locker areas or in our beautiful grounds. In many ways, the respect demonstrated for our spaces reflects our ability to care for the planet.

Following the success of the clothing swap and clothing drive at the end of 2023, we are keen to hold a book swap later in the year, which will also include textbooks, and can appeal to students of all ages.

 

We are all looking forward to Earth Week and excited to see what we can achieve as a team this year. We are so grateful for the continued support of the Green Team. We hope that we can share positive news about our progress as the year goes on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anika Mulemane | Student Leader – Green Team  

 

 

Student Voice – Performing Arts Leaders

The Addams family

Wow! You would never expect Tintern Grammar to move toward the darkness, but we sure did, with this year’s production of The Addams Family!

The musical starts with the well-known and entertaining number When you’re an Addams, where the audience was introduced to the iconic Addams family characters. Gomez and Morticia Addams played by Liam Rosewarne and Scarlett O’ Connor led the way, along with Grandma played by Kayla Paton and Lurch played by Adrian Bisignano. This number also introduces the ensemble who play the ancestors of the Addams family, including the talented dancestors that are led by Katie Howell, Isabella Di Felice, Jaymie Ashman, Sienna Hams, Amelie Yeoman, Jacob Andrew-Smith, Tamara Lerk, Aaron Penman and Alysha Veith. 

After this smashing opening number, the audience meets Fester played by Harry Bridgford as he traps the ancestors from returning to the afterlife. But why?… Because Wednesday Addams, played by Emily Stokes, has fallen in love and the ancestors assistance is needed to ensure that love triumphs. Gomez soon finds out about Wednesday’s secret engagements and struggles to choose between keeping a secret for his daughter and telling his wife the truth, as he’s never kept anything from Morticia.

Emily performs her show stopping number Pulled as she prepares for the dinner where her strange family will need to entertain the ‘normal’ family of her fiancé Lucas Bieneke played by Brayden Mallet Pugsley, played by Coby Ashman, then performs What If, where he struggles with the reality that his chief tormentor (his sister Wednesday) may no longer have time to torture him anymore, and a plan is hatched. Then Lucas and his parents, Alice (played by Ashley Honan) and Mal (played by Xavier Kemm) arrive and both families sit down and have a hopefully ‘normal’ dinner. ‘The game’ is then played where Pugsley attempts to poison his sister’s drink with a truth-potion to scare off her new boyfriend, but Lucas’s mother Alice instead drinks the poison leading to her revealing her deep truth of her failed marriage in her flawless song Waiting. The chaos of crazy Alice leads to the secret engagement being leaked and Act 1 ends in madness. 

In Act 2, Morticia performs her hit 11 o’clock number Death is just around the corner as she tries to calm herself after finding out her husband and daughter have been lying to her. Gomez also deals with the happy/sad thoughts associated with accepting the fact that his daughter is growing up. As Morticia and Gomez still struggle to make amends, Lucas and Wednesday start to reconnect as they realise how crazy they are for each other and Wednesday finds out that Lucas is willing to die for her. To the surprise of his wife Alice, Mal also has morphed into his younger hip-self and their love is revived. 

As all the loose-ends are tied up, we are left with the estrangement of Gomez and Morticia. However, dance is the key to Morticia’s heart, so Gomez invites her into an eight-minute tango routine. The story is finally concluded with a melancholy song Move towards the darkness, that to everyone’s surprise, is led by the ‘mute’ Lurch. The truth is revealed about Pugsley trying to poison Wednesday with a truth-potion, and fester reunites with his true love – the moon. Finally, the ancestors are set free after they’ve completed their duty, and love triumphs at last. 

This incredible show of course could not have happened without our talented creative team. Tahlia Di Mitrio’s choreography cannot be beat, making our dancestors shine on stage. Tahlia also had the difficult job to choreograph an eight-minute tango routine that truly was the cherry on top of the show! Alison Bezaire and Lisa Clarke were our amazing Musical Directors who lead the live band and made the show sound so professional! Finally, this show would be nothing without our Director Karl McNamara. With the assistance of Lachlan Young, these two incredible people brought the show to life with their insane artistic vision and the show would be nothing without them. Thank you also to the band, backstage crew and technical team, the show wouldn’t have run as smoothly without you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Honan and Emily Stokes | Student Leaders – Performing Arts 

 

 

 

Wellbeing Matters

Exam preparation

Thinking about exams and tests can be pretty daunting.  However, there are many things that students can do, from managing time and stress, building healthy habits and routines and understanding their own learning needs which all lead to studying smarter, not harder.  Below are several suggestions to help students prepare for exams, how to study and most importantly, how to look after themselves during the exam period.

Ditch the distractions

Put your phone on silent mode and place it out of reach. Check it every 45 minutes or when you take a break. Notifications, calls, texts, emails and the urge to check social media will really impact on your exam preparation.

Test yourself

Practice questions, past exam papers, tests, quizzlets – the most effective way of learning is by doing. Rather than spending hours passively reading rules and textbooks, put your knowledge to the test. Regularly quizzing yourself will reinforce your memories, helping you to recall information during the exam.

Reward yourself

We all know studying can sometimes get pretty boring. Make sure you block out time for the things and people you love. A healthy balance between study and play is great for your motivation and productivity levels.

Start early

Cramming a Term or two’s worth of learnings into a night or two is no way to achieve your best result. Instead, start preparing well before the exam. Whether its daily reading, note-taking or self-quizzing, preparing in advance will stop you from feeling overwhelmed and keep those night-before freak-outs away.

Learn to prioritise

It’s often easier to study your favourite subject or topic. However, for quality revision time, begin with subjects you’re not as familiar with or you find difficult to wrap your head around. Focusing on the tricky topics first and allocating them more time will give your brain a chance to let the information sink in.

Be organised

Life can get busy, and often study can become less of a priority due to competing demands. To avoid feeling underprepared, create a study timetable and stick to it. Use time-management apps, calendars, diaries, to-do lists or virtual whiteboards to help you add structure to your days, remember exams dates and stay on schedule. Include downtime and times to socialise, as these help you rest and re-charge.

Master memory techniques

The secret to retaining and recalling information is finding memory techniques that work for you. Using associations, sketches or acronyms next to facts, figures and chapters you find difficult to remember will help spark your memory.

Take notes

With a pen and paper. The physical act of writing requires the brain to be active during the note-taking process as it focuses on producing the shapes of each letter. So, when you re-read your handwritten notes, it triggers memories of the information having been processed before. Hand writing your notes is also great practice for exams, as it’s just pen and paper come exam day.

Stay active

Our brains need oxygen to function properly, and the best way to get that oxygen-rich blood pumping to it is with exercise. Run, walk, swim, surf, dance – find your release and your brain will thank you. Allow plenty of time for outdoor activities, socialising and exercising to get those endorphins flowing. When the body releases these feel-good chemicals, it also releases stress.

Eat well

If you want to show up to exams firing on all cylinders, fuel your brain with healthy food. Nourish your insides to supercharge your energy levels and maintain focus. And don’t skip meals – that will only lead to irritability and reduced attention span.

Get sleep

Quality sleep is crucial. Get the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep each night to reset your brain.

You can find more information HERE on preparing for exams.

 

If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s Pastoral Mentor, Year Level Co-ordinator, or the Counselling Team – Natalie Maguire and Ewa Oaten.

 

Natalie Maguire and Ewa Oaten | School Counsellors

 

Faith Matters

Remembering

When we glance back to the Easter just past (and for our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters, this weekend), I’m taken back to the ‘Last Supper’, the meal Jesus had with his friends the night before his crucifixion, in the meal he takes two dinner staples, bread and wine, and says to his closest friends, ‘every time you eat bread and drink wine, remember me’. The painting by Jen Norton shows a sharing of bread and wine at the Passover meal. ‘Do this to remember me’, and now throughout the world, Christians gather and regularly share a meal of communion (common union) to remember.

Last Thursday was ANZAC Day, and our students across the School participated in various actions of remembering. The words, ‘Lest we forget’ repeated throughout the School. View our ANZAC Day services.

Why is remembering so important?

It’s important to go back to a place and time through remembering, to experience the essence of that occasion so we can more fully understand. Jesus sharing a simple meal with his friends in love, remembering Gallipoli cove and the horror that faced the ANZACS.

It’s important so that we can see how far we have come – how for Christians that simple meal spread from Jerusalem to around the world, uniting all people. To see how far we have come in our understanding of war, freedom and sacrifice.

It’s important because it provides connection to a bigger narrative of humanity.

And it’s important because it shapes our identity as a people.

So, whether we, remember Jesus each week at church, or we once a year, vow not to forget on ANZAC Day, let’s uphold and value the place of remembering in our collective lives.

Grace and Peace

Alison Andrew | School Chaplain

Music Matters

Japanese World Music Incursion raised the roof of the CM Wood Centre

On Monday 22 April in the CM Wood Centre, Years 7 and 8 students enjoyed a Japanese Taiko drum performance by Anne and Toshi. two incredible musicians who introduced us to their instruments in an engaging and interactive way. Volunteers were asked to come up on stage and play a certain beat, and they helped us to learn the names of the instruments in Japanese. They played two different types of instruments: the shakuhachi and the taiko drum. The shakuhachi is a flute made with bamboo. The musician plays the different pitches using their breath, head, and throat, as well as the holes in the bamboo. Unlike other flutes, the shakuhachi is played vertically, instead of horizontally. The taiko drum is played by hitting the surface of the drum with drumsticks, known as bachi. There are different sizes of taiko drums and bachi, known as either oki (large), or chisai (small). After this wonderful performance the Year 8 classes currently studying music enjoyed a workshop with Toshi where we learnt how to play the taiko drum, and how to play different rhythms and timbres. Toshi then taught us a group piece with multiple parts. Each part had a different rhythm that suited the tone and size of each drum and drumstick. Many agreed that this was one of the best world music concerts we have had so far! Everyone who participated had so much fun!

We are so grateful to have had this opportunity, and we can’t wait for the next incursion in Semester 2.  

Siddaley Basile and Alysha Veith | Students 8B

 

Music Festival pays respect and wows the audience

This year the Tintern Grammar Chamber Orchestra was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the biennial Richard Gill OA Memorial Festival for strings.

The festival brought together the Senior String ensembles from several schools including the host school, Camberwell Grammar as well as Methodist Ladies College, The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, and Tintern Grammar. Our students worked very hard throughout Term 1 to prepare the individual parts for Saint Saen’s famous Organ Symphony. Over the course of the weekend festival, the combined orchestra rehearsed intensively under the guidance of professional conductor, Graham Abbott.

The festival was established to honour and remember the legacy of Richard Gill OA. Richard was a musician, conductor and educator who is universally fondly remembered by generations of educators and performers for his warm heart, and passion for music and its provision in every child’s education. I was lucky enough to have worked under his baton on several occasions prior to his untimely death and these are musical memories that I will cherish for a very long time. 

The Sunday afternoon performance, which was enjoyed by family and friends, featured a speech by Richard’s widow, Maureen, followed by an item from each of the participating schools. To finish with, every participant of the festival came onto stage for the Grand Symphony. This epic work, arranged for organ and massed String Orchestra, sounded incredible with over 120 musicians on stage. Don’t just take my word for it, listen for yourself.  

I would like to congratulate each participant for their effort and commitment to this amazing event.

Tim Veldman | Head of Strings

 

 

 Twilight Concert

 On Tuesday 26 April, Tintern held the first concert in our Twilight Concert Series, where several students from Senior and Middle School performed as either soloists or in duets. The assorted pieces were performed with a wide range of instruments such as clarinets, pianos, cellos, vocalists and others. Many students who performed are preparing for their AMEB music exams or VCE performances and teachers, friends, and family alike certainly enjoyed the varied performances.  A number of items were accompanied at the piano by our music teachers, Ms Heather McKenzie and Miss Tori Wood, as well as Mr David Bathgate accompanying a piece with his acoustic guitar. For many of these students, these performances were a large step from their music lessons and work in ensembles and choirs, into the limelight as solo performers. The entire concert was an enjoyable evening of exciting musical talent and entertaining performances from a wide range of students.

 

Xavier Kemm | Choral Captain 2024

 

Congratulations to our Piano teacher, Ben Taylor

Ben Taylor has taught piano at Tintern for the past six years and is well known to the cast members of our School musicals as one of the regular rehearsal pianists at production rehearsals, alongside our Head of Keyboard Studies, Ms Heather McKenzie. Ben is currently in his final year of a Master of Teaching Degree at Deakin University and is undertaking his final pre-service placement at Tintern, so he has also become a familiar face in our music classrooms.

We are delighted to share that Ben has recently received two awards at the 2024 Deakin University School of Education Post-Graduate Awards namely the ASME and the VMTA Graduate Teacher Awards, for outstanding results and engagement in music education. Congratulations Ben on this notable achievement.

 

 

Alison Bezaire | Director of Music

 

 

Sports Matters

House Athletics Carnival

On Thursday 18 April, Tintern Grammar held the annual Years 7-12 House Athletics Carnival at Proclamation Park in Ringwood. On a cool and damp morning, the students competed to the best of their abilities to earn valuable points for their Houses. The atmosphere was fantastic as the students cheered each other on to do their best. Scores remained close throughout the carnival and participation in all events was vital. Conditions cleared and dried as the carnival went on, allowing for some excellent individual results. Thank you to Ms Crundall for all her hard work leading into the event, as well as on the day. Thank you to all the staff who assisted throughout the day to ensure that the carnival ran smoothly. Congratulations to Gordon/Grant for winning the House Athletics Carnival.

 

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded year level champions:

Year 7 Girls: Zahlie Guskich

Year 7 Boys: Kai Wood

Year 8 Girls: Weylen Troung

Year 8 Boys: Tom Robson

Year 9 Girls: Kayla Paton

Year 9 Boys: Declan Fox

Year 10 Girls: Olivia Cardamone

Year 10 Boys: Adrian Bisignano

Year 11 Girls: Elisha Sze

Year 11 Boys: Ryan O’Callaghan

Year 12 Girls: Zara Jansz

Year 12 Boys: Jack Maxwell-Greenwood

 

Overall Results:

1st                       Gordon/Grant                  2179 Points

2nd                      Mansfield/McKie           2097.5 Points

3rd                       Somner/Stewart             2080 Points

4th                        Dann/Watt                        2049 Points

5th                        Butterss/Cross               2010.5 Points

 

Run The Tan

On Sunday 21 April Tintern Grammar had 13 students compete in the Run the Tan event at the Pillars of Wisdom, Tan Track. Our students competed in the schools event which consisted of one lap around the 3.827km Tan track. Conditions were excellent as it was a cool but dry morning. Congratulations to the following students who competed in the event:

Gabriella Bisignano        U/16 Girls          20min 56 sec    45th in age group            135th Overall

Millie Blank                          U/18 Girls          14min 51 sec   5th in age group              20th Overall

Alelia Brand-Starkey     U/14 Girls          16 min 18 sec  19th in age group            55th Overall

Azariah Brand-Starkey U/16 Girls          18min 18 sec   36th in age group           109th Overall

Ava Cantor                          U/20 Girls          20min 36 sec   45th in age group           132nd Overall

Harley Cantor                   U/16 Boys         15min 16 sec   21st in age group              79th Overall

Amelie Grigg                     U/16 Girls          20min 57 sec   46th in age group            136th Overall

Avie Lee                               U/16 Girls          15 min 18 sec  10th in age group             29th Overall

Eryn Lee                               U/14 Girls          17min 53 sec   28th in age group             101st Overall

Jasper Loch                       U/14 Boys         16min 15 sec   12th in age group              107th Overall

Phoenix Maddumage   U/14 Boys         17min 14 sec   20th in age group              125th Overall

William Mitton                U/14 Boys         17min 18 sec   21st in age group               126th Overall

Kai Wood                           U/14 Boys         19min 4 sec      29th in age group               150th Overall    

 

 

EISM Division 2 Athletics Carnival 

On Tuesday 30 April, Tintern Grammar competed in the EISM Division 2 Athletics Carnival at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. On a cool and overcast day our students competed to the best of their abilities against some strong opposition. The scores remained extremely close at the top of the leaderboard with Tintern Grammar and Kingswood constantly swapping places in first and second place throughout the day. It came down to the relay races at the end of the carnival, with Tintern and Kingswood still very close on the scoreboard. There was a dramatic finish with Tintern dropping a baton in one relay and winning another before being disqualified. This ensured a nervous wait for the students and staff whilst the results were being finalised. Congratulations to the U/13 Boys and the U/15 girls who won their age groups. Congratulations to the Girls who won the trophy for the Girls competition. Congratulations to all Tintern Grammar students as we were crowned EISM Athletics Division 2 Champions for 2024 by 15 points. Thank you to Ms Edgley, Ms Crundall, Ms Thomas, Ms Ord, and Mrs Jurey for all of their assistance on the day. Thank you to our coaches from Elite Wellbeing who prepared our athletes so well for the carnival.

Overall Results:

1st          Tintern Grammar                          3498 points

2nd         Kingswood College                       3483 points

3rd          Billanook College                          3400 points

4th          Eltham College                              3299 points

5th          Plenty Valley Christian College    3205 points

6th          Rudolph Steiner                            3194 points

7th          Oakleigh Grammar                       2516 points

Equestrian

We congratulate Jess Lowe who competed for Tintern Grammar at the Interschool State Championships on her Warmblood Horse Redgum James 007 and won the Intermediate Dressage State Championship. She is now headed to Interschool Nationals in September!  Jess also placed in the Show Horse classes and is a team reserve for Nationals. Jess has worked very hard over Term 1 with her new horse to achieve her goal of winning the State Championships. See images of Jess at the event below.

More Equestrian News – Tintern Grammar Horse Trials 

 

 

Ash Viney | Head of Sport

Performing Arts Matters

Top Class

A huge congratulations to Tintern Grammar student, Emily Stokes and Alumni Lachlan Smith and Natasha Gillam Class of 2023, who performed in the Top Class Season of Excellence at the Melbourne Recital Centre last week.

For students to be selected for one of these prestigious concerts, they must have achieved an outstanding score on their 2023 VCE performance examination, then be invited to audition for an external panel represented by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Only 25 ‘exceptional’ Drama and Theatre Studies students from schools across the state were selected to perform.

Top Class represents an exciting opportunity to see the creativity and innovation of VCE Performing Arts students.

‘This is a significant achievement for Emily, Lachlan and Natasha who showcased their original performances, demonstrating their imagination and skill as emerging actors and theatre makers. Their performances are the result of dedication to their craft, incredible talent, and creative passion.

 

Min Quirillo |Head of Performing Arts, VCE Drama & Theatre Studies Teacher 

 

 

STEAM

STEAM in the Girls’ Junior School

The aim of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) is to promote deep thinking, problem solving, inquiry and collaboration. These thinking outcomes are aligned to Tintern’s educational values – being part of a culture of thinking, prioritising inquiry and promoting visible learning.

So far, in the Girls’ Junior School, students have engaged in open-ended ‘wonder’ investigations, following scientific process and documenting their thinking. As you can see in the accompanying photos, students in STEAM engage in fun, hands-on learning with many opportunities to predict, experiment and share evidence-based reasoning.

Below are some reflections from 6A:

‘I like STEAM because we get to do experiments and try new games.’ Evelyn T

‘I like STEAM because it’s good for our creativity ad finding the extent of our knowledge when it comes to technology.’ Scarlett 

‘I like STEAM because we can have fun in many different ways.’ Alex

 

Turing Tables

As a welcome back activity for Term 2, the Year 5 girls participated in a problem-solving STEAM task called Turing Tables. This activity, which focused on hands-on, screen-free coding, encouraged our students to collaborate, problem-solve, and think critically.

Inspired by Alan Turing’s work decoding encrypted messages during the World War II, Turing Tables immersed the girls in the realm of mechanical computers powered by marbles. Through trial and error, they explored patterns to successfully build several marble-runs with a range of parts to dispense patterns. It was a great way to launch back into the Term, which is looking to be filled with more great learning opportunities.

ELC News

This year in the ELC we have implemented a new social and emotional learning program. It is based around the Japanese characters the Kimochi’s. Through the program the children will learn how to recognise and manage emotions, demonstrating care, and concern for others, making positive relationships, and making respectful decisions.

This program has three units that teach different skills. Each week, we send home supporting information that outlines what the children have been learning and how our families can reinforce and extend the learning at home.

For the past five weeks we have met five of the Kimochi’s characters: Lovey Dove, Cloud, Huggtopus, Bug and Cat. Each Character has a favourite food, number, and colour. We share together their story and learn about the emotions connected to them, alongside getting to hug a plush toy of the character. Importantly all the characters have feelings that define their personalities and behaviour. The lessons are designed to teach the children emotional vocabulary, strategies to use in challenging moments, and a mantra to help them remember what they could do to support their social and emotional learning. So far, the children are enjoying the stories attached to each character and having the emotions and the plush toys in the classroom.

From here our next focus will be on the Kimochi’s Keys to Communication. These will provide the communication tools to help the children learn how to listen openly, make good choices, be willing to speak in respectful and responsible ways, and be open to negotiating social problems. These keys lie at the heart of the program.

Be on the lookout for the next instalment on how the Kimochi program is going in the ELC.

 

Claire Trappitt | Pre-Prep A Teacher

 

Girls’ Junior School News

Farm Adventures

Throughout Term 2, the Year 2 students will enjoy weekly farm visits, blending farm classroom sessions with outdoor exploration and hands-on learning. The journey of the Year 2 girls commenced in Week 1 with a discovery of food diversity. Eagerly, they sorted a variety of foods into the New Australian food groups, sparking curiosity about healthy eating. Dr Kate, during a discussion about milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice-cream, revealed that our farm would welcome some calves to join the farm. Excitement filled the air as the girls realised they would have the opportunity to work with and get to know our new friends.

In the second part of the session, the girls embarked on a scavenger hunt around the sheds and top area of the farm to find some of the resources needed to look after the calves when they join us at school.

Our first session was filled with rich and diverse learning. However, beyond the academic lessons, it was the shared excitement, the laughter, and the sense of wonder that truly defined our Week 1 farm adventure. The whole class eagerly looks forward to our visits with Dr Kate and our farm friends, where we will not only learn new and exciting things about farm life and our environment but also create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Michelle Gluskie | Year 2  Classroom Teacher 

 

 

Business Expo

One of them being the Year 5 Business and Economics Project. It’s time to think like an entrepreneur! This Term, Our Year 5 students will dive into financial concepts within their mathematics lessons and explore key aspects of business, such as market research, advertising campaigns and sales and inventory. The unit will culminate in a Business Expo where they will showcase and sell products they’ve developed through market research, fostering essential skills for success in the business world. All money raised will be donated to a charity selected by the students.

 

The Business Expo is an excellent learning opportunity that links in with our theme of developing EPIC! girls perfectly. It is powerful learning, that inspires our girls to become innovative and creative inquirers. It will be an experience that challenges them, but hopefully inspires them to think about what is possible in their future!

 

 William Fogarty | Year 5 Classroom Teacher

 

 

Exploring the art of portraiture

The Junior School Art room has been a creative hub as our girls dive into a multitude of artistic endeavours. Across all Year levels, the focus has been on exploring the art of portraiture, a cherished tradition at Tintern. Last term, our budding artists delved into a diverse array of mediums and techniques to create self-portraits. 

In the Prep class, mixed media took centre stage as the girls expressed themselves through wax crayon drawings set against vibrant painted backgrounds. Moving up to Years 1 and 2, oil pastels became the medium of choice, adding depth and richness to the self-portraits against painted backdrops.

Meanwhile, Years 3 and 4 students experimented with watercolour pencils and pastels, adding layers of colour and texture to their portraits to display some sophisticated skills. Year 5 students explored the nuances of grey-lead pencils, employing innovative tools like paper stumps to masterfully blend tonal areas and add dimensions to their work.

Not to be outdone, Year 6 students have been honing their skills with coloured pencils, focusing on seamless blending, and rendering techniques to bring their self-portraits to life.

As Term 1 ended, the completion of the highly anticipated Mothers’ Day gifts marked a poignant moment of achievement for all involved. With eager anticipation, our girls await their next creative challenge, embracing each opportunity with boundless enthusiasm and unwavering creativity.

Jenny Kerr | Girls’ Junior School Art Teacher

 

Boys’ Junior School News

ANZAC Day

We were privileged to have Mr Mike Taylor, father of Charlote and Gerry, talk to us about the role of pipers in Wars, before hearing him play a number of very moving pieces. We then spent some time talking about the battle that was also on 25 April, but this time, in 1918.

Australian soldiers had spent many months stationed in and around the French town of Villers Bretonneux during 1918. The Germans tried to take the town from the Allies during the first few days of April 1918, but were unsuccessful. They tried again in the early hours of 24 April, and this time they took it from the British. Later that day six Australian battalions were hastily moved to the area and charged with the task of retaking the town. The counter attack launched by the Australians was risky: there was no artillery barrage before the attack to soften the German defences, and it was a night manoeuvre across territory that had not been properly reconnoitred. But by dawn the Australians had possession of the town. This battle is often referred to as the turning point of the war — the counter attack at Villers Bretonneux saw the end of the successes the Germans had been enjoying during the early months of 1918.

1200 Australians died at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918.

Such was the respect and gratitude that the townsfolk of Villers Bretonneux had for the Australians, they tendered the graves of the soldiers for years after the battle.

Back in Melbourne, John Monash was elected President of the Victorian Villers Bretonneux Fund. Returned soldiers were also involved in the hands-on fundraising for Villers Bretonneux. A special ‘French Week’ of fundraising activities and events was hosted in Melbourne in September 1921. The money raised was partially used to help rebuild the School ruined in the battles at Villers Bretonneux.

In a moving story of shared kindness, when the Black Saturday Bushfires on the 7 February 2009 ravaged the Strathewen Primary School, the people of Villers Bretonneux raised funds to help repair and rebuild the School.

 

This is such an important story, that I share annually, for it highlights not just respect and kindness, but that even in the darkest of times, there are glimmers of light and hope.

 

 

Zones of Regulation 

In our most recent Year 3-6 Assembly, we wondered about Sportsmanship, with the boys being asked to define what it was. They were then asked to discuss when they would let an official know if a mistake had been made or would they just ‘accept the umpires’ decision regardless of whether they knew it was wrong. There were varying opinions and predictions that were dependent upon the standard of sport being played, but there was consensus that the following rules should be avoided when playing competitive sport.

  • Never dispute or show displeasure with a call that an official makes
  • Never do or say anything to disrespect an opponent or team member
  • When you do something amazing, act like you’ve done it before- no need to show off.

We have Introduced The Zones of Regulation in our Boys’ Junior School. This program will become a major part of our Boys’ Junior School and in the coming weeks and will complement all that we do specifically for our boys in our Parallel Model.

For boys especially, recognising their emotions and being able to regulate these, is so important. We often say that boys express their emotions through their behaviour, and especially when they are angry, or over excited, their behaviour, combined with the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex in the brain, that is responsible for making good decision, can prove challenging.

Zones of Regulation is NOT a behavioural program, its focus is to ‘…manage one’s thoughts, feelings and actions in adaptive and flexible ways across a range of contexts.’ It encompasses Self-control, Resilience, Self-management, Anger management, Impulse control and Sensory regulation. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ zone, but if in the Green Zone, learning and focus is optimal. We will be helping the boys to learn how to identify their Zone, and tools to use to move from Zones if needed. If a boy is at a party surrounded by food and activity and presents and becomes over excited and his behaviour loses control (Red Zone), he should be able to identify that he might need a break and go and do something on his own. If a boy has had an interrupted night’s sleep and is tired or unwell (Blue Zone) he may need to energise himself though physical activity or have something to eat or drink.

 

 

Adam Kenny | Head of Boys’ Junior School

Secondary News

It’s great to be back into the school term enjoying the energy and excitement that our students bring. At the beginning of Term our students were reminded of the importance to set their own learning goals, following on from their Term 1 reports and Student Progress Meetings. From their Learning Behaviours, the focus for their goals, is to reiterate the importance of effort and attitude toward learning as being very important characteristics that will help them achieve success. Not just at school, but also in life after school.

In the first week of Term, the House Athletics competition was held at Proclamation Park in Ringwood. Despite the inclement weather at the start of the the day, it turned into a perfect day for an athletics carnival. There was a lot of fun and excitement, along with many excellent athletic performances across a wide range of events. One of the most impressive aspects of the day was the ongoing commitment and effort by all students from Years 7 – 12 in their events. The House spirit was very high, and the overall competition was very close, but in the end it was Gordon Grant who came out winners on the day. This puts Gordon Grant in a strong position for the overall House Cup after winning the Swimming Sports earlier in the year and now the Athletics. On Tuesday 30 April we have our EISM Athletics team representing the School at Lakeside Stadium and we wish them all the very best. Read the Sports Report

 

Earlier this term there were two excursions for our VCE performing arts students to the city to watch three of our VCE students from last year perform in the VCE Top Class Season of Excellence 2023. This included current Year 12 student Emily Stokes, and Natasha Gillam and Lachlan Smith from the Class of 2023, who were all successful in making it through to this illustrious competition. An amazing effort and we congratulate them on their achievements. Read the Performing Arts report

Recently our Year 10 students completed the Morrisby Vocational Testing followed by an online parent information evening on Monday 22 April. This testing is part of our extensive careers focused program at Tintern, where students discover individual strengths and characteristics, along with potential career pathways. Although this is a guide, it certainly helps our students and their families to plan their pathways, especially as we near the time of selecting VCE subjects for 2025 and 2026.

On Tuesday 23 April our Middle School students were involved in a Compass Day. These days are part of the Pastoral Program and allow us to incorporate important aspects of their emotional and social development. This year, we had a number of key presenters including The Man Cave for our Years 7 and 8 boys, Go Girl for our Years 7 and 8 girls, as well as Elephant Education for our Year 9 students.

Our Year 9 students also spent time preparing for their upcoming camps (girls Monday 6 – Friday 10 May and boys Monday 13 – Friday 17 May) where they will be walking parts of the Great Ocean Walk. This is a beautiful, but also challenging walk, that will draw on experiences from both their Years 7 and 8 camps.

On Friday 26 April we held a moving  ANZAC Day Assembly, view the video .

Upcoming events:

  • Open Morning, Saturday 11 May.
  • Cathedral Service, Monday 20 May, full uniform required.
  • Full uniform required from Monday 3 June – Friday 30 August

 

ANZAC Day

Junior School

Girls’ and Boys’ Junior Schools came together on Wednesday 24 April, with staff and parents, for a moving reflection at the ANZAC service. Our students shared stories of the experiences of the times, learning about the history, the locations and the importance of reflection. We reflected together while listening to the somber tones of the ‘Last Post’. We thank our special guest, parent, Board Member and Bagpiper, Mr Mike Taylor for his performance. Lest we forget.

 

Secondary School

On Friday 26 April we held our ANZAC Day Assembly. It was an incredibly moving ceremony providing a wonderful reflection of the challenges faced by our soldiers and their families in all wars. It included an incredible performance by Mr Mike Taylor (parent in the Junior School and current Board member) performed on his bagpipes and shared a story of the ‘Scottish Pipers’ during World War I.

Community Matters

The coming months are shaping up to be an eventful Term 2 with a flurry of activities.

A heartfelt thank you to all the community groups who generously volunteer their time and effort to participate in our events, for your dedication and willingness to contribute to our School community in countless ways. Whether it’s organising fundraisers, lending a hand at events or Co-curricular activities, your involvement is truly appreciated. We recognise the selflessness and commitment it takes to prioritise our School community amidst busy schedules and we are immensely grateful for your contributions.

If you would like to contribute to Community Matters, email your submissions to the Community Relations Office .

 

Friends of Equestrian

On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, Tintern Grammar hosted the annual Tintern Grammar Horse Trials at Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre, Gladysdale. The event, sponsored by Rowville Horse Trailers, unfolded under perfect weather conditions, setting the stage for a thrilling showcase of equestrian talent. Saturday saw the culmination of the combined training events, dressage and show jumping and the cross-country event took place on Sunday.

With over 130 entrants in the competition from a wide variety of schools, it was extremely competitive throughout the weekend. Tintern Grammar had four students riding in the event:

Amelia Baines

Riding Inmotion, placed 12th in the EV 65 unofficial class.

 

Grace Baines

Riding Coral de Derrinal, in the EV 65 unofficial class, was unfortunately eliminated in the cross-country event due to a fall.

 

Aisha Heinrich

Placed 2nd in the EV65 combined training on her horse, Bertone,

 

Madeleine Jennings

Riding Sealgaire (OTT), placed 4th in the EV50 combined training.

Thank you to the Friends of Equestrian Committee, Di Lacey, Ildi Varga and the officials for their hard work and assistance to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

 

 

 

Community Group Committee Meeting dates 

Community Group Meetings are now back on-campus. Please check the information below carefully for details:

Friends of Music (FOM) next meeting: Wednesday 1 May at 7.00pm  
CM Wood Common Room

Tintern Parent Group (TPG) next meeting: Thursday 9 May 2024 at 7.00pm  
CM Wood Common Room

Friends of Equestrian (FOE) next meeting: TBC
Online via Zoom: Click here to Join Password: FOE 

Please click here to view a Tintern map of the meeting venues.

 

 

Friends of Music

We are ever so grateful for the ongoing support of the parents on our Friends of Music committee.  We welcome new members to join and support the activities of our Tintern musicians. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 1 May and we would love any interested parents/friends to take this opportunity to meet us and consider joining our committee. 

Our Committee Members for 2024 are President: Denise Honan, Vice-President: Nicole Rosewarne, Secretary: Sally Blank, Treasurer: Joy Gao

If you would like more information or would like to join the committee, please contact fom@tintern.vic.edu.au

 

Parent Representatives 2024

Feel free to reach out to your Parent Representatives who liaise between parents/guardians and the School.  They inform parents about activities planned either by Tintern Grammar, our community groups or within the class or year level, such as social gatherings, fundraisers or events. Parent Representatives also organise class or year level functions to provide parents with the opportunity of meeting and socialising in a relaxed atmosphere. It is a great opportunity for class groups to connect, while supporting our local community cafes and restaurants. Year levels and classes can have one or many representatives and many hands make light work!

If you are interested in being a Parent Representative, please contact the Community Relations Office on 9845 7877 or by email on communityrelations@tintern.vic.edu.au

 

 

Tintern Parents Group (TPG)

There are so many ways to get involved with the TPG with multiple events and opportunities to participate in throughout the year.  Even if you are not available on a Thursday night, many of our events are organised by subcommittees led by an experienced TPG member, which meet on other days. This enables flexibility for parents who may not always be available on a Thursday and/or want to get involved in specific events. Choose what suits you best. No effort is too small!

All are welcome at TPG meetings and we look forward to meeting you. If you are interested in more information, or would like a new membership form, please email us.

Please see below the Link to the TPG page and also the calendar of upcoming meetings:- 

Click here to read more about TPG and a calendar of upcoming meetings

 

Tintern Umbrellas

Rain approaching don’t forget the TPG Tintern Grammar branded umbrellas.

Purchased from an Australian owned company, and constructed with high-quality components, these beautifully branded umbrellas will withstand harsh conditions.

You can choose from a large golf-style umbrella or a compact, lightweight folding umbrella . Upon payment, please take the order confirmation to the Uniform Shop to collect your umbrella. 

Purchase an umbrella now.

The Uniform Shop is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during term time from 8.00am to 4.15pm. 

 

Tintern Wet Bags

Tintern wet bags are an initiative from the Tintern Parent Group and are versatile for a range of uses from swimming to camps. Simply roll down the top closure and close the snap lock for a waterproof seal.
Made from robust laminated nylon grid cloth, with heat-sealed waterproof seams.

Purchase a wet bag now.

Once the bags have been purchased, they can be collected from the Uniform Shop during normal Uniform Shop open hours. Upon payment, please take the order confirmation to the Uniform Shop to collect your bags. 

The Uniform Shop is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during term time from 8.00am to 4.15pm. 

 

Alumni 

Tintern Grammar has an active and vibrant Alumni community. If you would like to know more, please email the Community Relations Office or phone on (03) 9845 7877 or click on the links below to contact our Alumni groups directly.

 

2024 Reunions Dates – Booking links – Photo Galleries