Welcome

This issue, our Welcome article is by Allison Prandolini Head of Girls’ Junior School 

As we enter the final term of 2024, it is always my favourite time of the year. A time where we look back on the journey of our Year 12 students and consider what will be for them in their next stage.  At Tintern, our mission goes far beyond simply preparing students for their Year 12 exams. Our focus is on helping them leave the School well-prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world, equipped with the character and resilience to navigate whatever comes next.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Australian Primary Principals Association transnational conference in New Zealand, an event that offered great insights into the evolving landscape of education. One session that particularly stood out to me was led by Sophie Renton from McCrindle. Her presentation explored the characteristics of highly engaged school communities, grounded in research conducted across 500 teachers, 500 parents, and 350 students. The Thriving Schools Index provides a robust measure of what truly defines an engaged school community.

The findings were both enlightening and affirming. Contrary to popular belief, the schools with the fanciest buildings, the highest enrolments, or the most cutting-edge pedagogies were not necessarily the most engaged communities. Nor was it the schools that boasted the greatest number of students with top-tier ATAR scores that demonstrated the highest levels of engagement. While these factors may contribute to individual successes, they do not create the long-term foundation required for students to lead lives of impact and purpose.

Instead, the research revealed that the most engaged school communities are those where students, parents, and teachers feel a genuine sense of connection, belonging, and shared values. Authenticity and purpose, it turns out are the key drivers of engagement. For 36% of parents in non-government schools, the focus on morals and values was the primary reason for choosing their child’s school. This resonates deeply with us at Tintern, where our core values, are encapsulated in the Tintern Compass and play a central role in everything we do.

The Tintern Compass is more than just a framework for academic or personal success, it is a guide that helps our students develop into individuals of character. As our Year 12 students prepare to leave us, they take with them not only the knowledge and skills they have gained but also the confidence that they are equipped to make sound, ethical decisions as they move into the wider world. Reflecting on this research and our own experiences at Tintern, I am convinced that our strength as a school community lies in our commitment to fostering character, integrity, and a sense of service in our students. Our goal is not just to produce high achievers, but to nurture individuals who will contribute to society in meaningful ways.

As we move forward into this final term, I encourage all of us; students, staff, and parents alike to continue embracing the values that make our community unique. Let us remain focused on the things that truly matter; connection, purpose, and character. As author William Arthur Ward once said,

 

 ‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’

 

 At Tintern, we strive to be that community of inspiration, where students leave not only with academic credentials, but with the moral compass to guide their way forward.

Together, we are building a future where each student is prepared to thrive, lead, and make a difference.

Allison Prandolini | Head of Girls’ Junior School

Student Voice – Young Farmers

It has been a busy year for our Young Farmers, looking after two calves, Farm Fun Day and helping out on Open Morning.

In Term 2, we were lucky to help raise two dairy calves named Cookie and Cream. The Young Farmers involved in this amazing experience came to School early and stayed back late to bottle feed Cookie and Cream. We took turns in making the milk, feeding the calves, washing the equipment and cleaning their pen. We all loved having calves at school that we were able to visit during the day and care for. We all learnt so much about the dairy industry and how to keep Cookie and Cream happy and healthy. I know I speak for everyone when I say we were very sad to see them go but we’re so grateful for the experience.

In May, Tintern Grammar held Open Morning and the Young Farmers volunteered to take groups of people around the Farm and explain what we do in Agriculture, Young Farmers and at lunch times. Everyone did such a great job with this busy day and made it very successful.

Another highlight of the year was our Farm Fun Day. This day was held at the end of Term 3 for the Middle School Young Farmers who had been an active part of the Farm throughout the year. This day was to get to know each other better, have some fun and give back to the Farm after a busy school term. The day was packed with fun activities such as a scavenger hunt, trivia, painting the veggie boxes, cooking our lunch on the fire, and helping move the sheep through a foot bath to prevent infection. The day was so much fun for everyone involved and the activities were a huge success especially the veggie box painting. The quality of work was absolutely amazing and we were blown away by the talent of our Young Farmers.

This year has been another year of fun for the Young Farmers and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Ella O’Meara | Young Farmers

Wellbeing Matters

Springtime hay fever and thunderstorm asthma 

A reminder from the Tintern School Nurses…

With the arrival of glorious Springtime, unfortunately comes with it grass pollen season, lasting from October to December each year.  Through this time, we will see a seasonal increase in asthma and hay fever. It also brings the chance of thunderstorm asthma. During this season, people can develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time, caused by high amounts of grass pollen and a certain type of thunderstorm, it is known as epidemic thunderstorm asthma.

We encourage students who suffer from asthma or hay fever to be aware of thunderstorm asthma and how it may affect them. Where possible, our School community will avoid being outside during thunderstorms, especially if there are windy conditions beforehand. 

All students with asthma should have an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan completed by their Doctor. Reliever medication for students with asthma should always be carried with them. 

Hay fever sufferers are encouraged to take daily anti-histamines to help combat symptoms across this period. Being aware of the daily forecast is important. Tintern First Aid monitor the forecast during the school day to alert our community of risks. 

Please see video below which explains thunderstorm asthma, useful for both parents and students to view.

Kylie MacDonald and Maree Morphett | School Nurses

World Mental Health Day 

Thursday 10 October was World Mental Health Day, a day that aims to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to consider what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

On this day, the Wellbeing Team at Tintern ran a staff professional learning session about Mindfulness, outlining the benefits for staff on a personal level as well as the benefits of mindfulness practice for students when incorporated in the classroom. This session involved providing staff with the opportunity to participate in three mindfulness activity stations whilst reflecting on their use in the classroom.

What is Mindfulness?

 Mindfulness is the practice of focusing awareness by paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement (Kabat-Zinn J, Wherever you Go, There You Are, 1994). Mindfulness is a positive coping technique used to reduce stress and improve mental health.

Benefits of Mindfulness practice

Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to:

• Decrease stress, anxiety and worrying thoughts
• Dramatically improve concentration and memory
• Improve sleep
• Calm the mind and body
• Develop self-awareness and manage emotions
• Develop self-acceptance and confidence

Formal and Informal Mindfulness

 Mindfulness can be experienced in a variety of ways including the formal practice of meditations, or in more informal ways such as being fully present in a day-to-day task. Both formal and informal mindfulness practices reduce our stress levels so embracing both practices are beneficial. 

Formal practice is mindfulness meditation where you sit, usually with the eyes closed, and focus attention on one thing (e.g. your breathing, the sensations in your body). This can be done as a guided meditation which can be accessed through many apps (e.g. Smiling Minds, Insight Timer).

Informal practice involves directing your attention to the activity you’re undertaking at a particular moment e.g. brushing your teeth, going for a walk, enjoying a hot drink or chatting with a friend.

‘The world needs mindfulness; and in this fast paced, stressed and distracted world, the children of today probably need it more than any previous generation.’

(A/Prof Craig Hassed, Department of General Practice, Coordinator of Mindfulness programs at Monash University).

Examples of Mindfulness techniques

 Mindful eating

This involves sitting down at a table and eating a meal without engaging in any other activities – no newspaper, book, TV, radio, music, or talking. Now eat your meal paying full attention to which piece of food you select to eat, how it looks, how it smells, how you cut the food, the muscles you use to raise it to your mouth, the texture and taste of the food as you chew it slowly.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Grounding activity

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can feel
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste

Mindful activities

Colouring, word searches/sudokus, knitting/crocheting, swimming, yoga/pilates, tennis – the list goes on!

Apps

Headspace

Smiling Mind

Calm

Insight Timer

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. 

 counselling@tintern.vic.edu.au, nmaguire@tintern.vic.edu.au or eoaten@tintern.vic.edu.au  

Natalie Maguire and Ewa Oaten | Counsellors 

Music Matters

Introducing Mrs Chris Quigley

We are very pleased to welcome to the Tintern Music Department our new Music Administrator, Mrs Chris Quigley. Chris has settled into her new role very quickly and is enjoying the buzz and hum in the Music Office and corridors as scores of young musicians and singers pass through, making beautiful music in our area every week. Please be sure to say a big hello to her next time you’re in the Music Department.

Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF)

In Week 7 of Term 3 both the Tintern Grammar Concert Band and Wind Symphony travelled to Hawthorn Performing Arts Centre to perform at the Victorian School Music Festival. They performed and were treated to a workshop with both Australian and US based Wind Band experts. Both ensembles performed well and came away with strong results: Concert Band – Silver Award and Wind Symphony – Gold Award. This event allows students not only to work with experts in the field but to watch schools from all around Melbourne and Victoria perform and workshop their pieces. We are very proud of the students, and it is wonderful to see all their hard work pay off with such great results. Congratulations to all who participated, and we look forward to next year’s festival.

Lisa Clarke | Head of Instrumental Music

AMEB Exams

Congratulations to all students who have recently completed or are about to sit their Music Examinations during the 5^th and final session being run by the Australian Music Examinations Board, which is a subsidiary of the University of Melbourne.

Our piano students are awaiting their results from their exams on 16 October and upcoming exam sessions this term include our string students (violin, viola, cello), brass and wind students (French horn, tuba, flute and saxophone) and voice students. We wish these exam candidates all the best for these assessments and thank their music teachers for the preparation undertaken in lessons with the students, and their ongoing support and guidance of our up-and-coming musicians.

Munch with the Musos

To round out our musical offerings for 2024, a not-to-be-missed musical and social event will be presented by our wonderful parent committee members in the Friends of Music on 1 December. Junior and Secondary School students, members of staff and families will get together to enjoy an array of delightful music and entertainment, with a touch of Christmas to add to the cheer and goodwill. Be sure to save the date, and book your seats for this wonderful celebration.

BOOK NOW 

Alison Bezaire | Director of Music 

Performing Arts News

We are thrilled to announce that Tintern Grammar has received 18 Lyrebird Awards nominations for our production of The Addams Family! This is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the immense hard work, passion, and talent of our students.

From the cast to the crew, every rehearsal and every performance contributed to this incredible success, with efforts recognised in such a significant way!

Congratulations to everyone involved! Let’s celebrate this wonderful accomplishment together!

Nominations:

• BEST PRODUCTION 
• DIRECTION
• CHOREOGRAPHY
• MUSICAL DIRECTION
• SOUND
• LIGHTING
• COSTUMES
• SETS
• BEST ENSEMBLE

Individual Nominations:

• Katie Howell – BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMER
• Adrian Bisignano – BEST CAMEO PERFORMER
• Harry Bridgford – BEST COMEDIC PERFORMER
• Kayla Paton – HIGHLY COMMENDED PERFORMANCE
• Emily Stokes – PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING FEMALE ROLE
• Harry Bridgford – PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING MALE ROLE
• Scarlett O’Connor – PERFORMER IN A LEAD FEMALE ROLE
• Liam Rosewarne – PERFORMER IN A LEAD MALE ROLE
• OUTSTANDING DANCE NUMBER – *”When You’re an Addams”* ⭐

We look forward to the awards night on Sunday 8 December. 

Karl McNamara | Director of Productions 

Arts Matters

Year 12 Visual Art and Design Exhibition

On Friday 18 October, the annual Year 12 Visual Art and Design Exhibition was opened in the Visual Art Exhibition space. The exhibition is a culmination and celebration of the final Year 12 VCE Art Making and VCE Visual Communication Design folios that the Senior students have undertaken. The exhibition opening included guest speaker Aaron Wallis, Director of Playce, an award-winning studio that designs diverse and dynamic experiential environments for all ages for play, active recreation and social connection. 

The opening event allowed friends, family, students and the wider Tintern Grammar community to view the artistic journey the students have travelled on and enjoy the opportunity to see the collection of artworks as a whole, as well as meet the artists and designers. With delicious canapes and refreshments, and a warm welcome from our 2024 Art Captains Ellie and Molly, guests enjoyed the shared experience in our contemporary art space.

A variety of media is currently on display until Thursday 21 November (8.30am –  4.00pm Monday to Friday) in the Visual Art gallery space.

Students have investigated a range of concepts and themes and are now preparing for their final examinations. Please make the time to come and visit, read the artists’ statements that detail the students’ creative journey and enjoy the works of art.

Rachel Waud | Head of Visual Art and Design

Celebrating Creativity

In the vibrant world of Junior School Art, the creativity of young students never ceases to amaze! It’s a true privilege to teach these talented girls and witness their skills develop throughout the year.

Last Term, each class explored various mediums, creating unique and inspiring artworks that expressed their creative ideas.

Prep recently completed delightful ceramic butterflies and worms on a mixed media background, showcasing their imaginative spirit.

Year 1 students embraced their enthusiasm by creating scratch art birds, incorporating shapes, lines, and patterns on painted canvas boards using foam brushes.

Year 2 focused on colour and tone, using coloured pencils to bring 3D butterflies to life.

Year 3 students explored the theme of hands, experimenting with colour and composition while exploring positive and negative space.

Year 4 mixed media still-life artworks displayed a strong grasp of design and composition, reflecting their artistic growth.

Year 5 students truly shone with unique still life pieces based on collage, using decorative patterned papers.

Year 6 explored landscape painting with water colours, creating stunning designs that expressed their individual styles.  The Year 6 class also explored written reflections in their Visual Diary tracking their progress, celebrating their success, and documenting their growth to support them to become empowered, self-directed learners.

As this Term progresses, all students look forward to creating festive Christmas artworks to share with their families, adding a joyful touch to their creative journey!

Jenny Kerr | Girls’ Junior School Art Teacher

Sport Matters

EISM Cross Country Carnival

On Wednesday 11 September, Tintern Grammar competed in the annual EISM Cross Country Carnival at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster. With good running conditions during the event our students challenged themselves on a tough and hilly course over 3km, in Division 1 against strong opposition from other schools. We had some outstanding individual results on the day and congratulate  the following students:

Girls Open

Millie Blank 5^th

Girls Under 16

Amelie Scherer 5^th

Girls Under 15

Avie Lee 1^st

Naomi De La Pierre 3^rd

Girls Under 14

Weylen Truong 3rd

Lucy Bowdern 6th

Boys Under 13

Jayden Zheng 2nd

Jasper Loch 10th

Tintern Grammar will compete in Division 2 EISM Cross Country in 2025. Thank you to the following staff who attended on the day Mrs Jurey, Ms Ord, Ms Thomas, Ms Edgley, Mr Runnalls and Asha Pongho.

EISM 5 a side Soccer Competition

On Wednesday 16 October, Tintern Grammar competed in the annual EISM 5 a side Soccer Competition. Tintern fielded three boys’ teams from Years 7-9, two girls’ teams from Years 7-9 and a senior boys’ team Years 10-11.

Against strong opposition from other schools, our students played their best and enjoyed the day. Congratulations to the Junior Girls’ Blue Team who made it to the elimination final, and despite playing strongly did not progress through. Congratulations to the following students who were named as Most Valuable Player on the day for their respective age groups:

Kayla Paton – Junior Girls Years 7-9

Iven Ren – Junior Boys Years 7-9

James Svigos – Junior Boys Years 7-9

Thank you to Ms Ord, Ms Parker, Andy Derham and Emily Baulch for their assistance on the day.

Volleyball

We congratulate Year 9 student Ethan Luo who represented Victoria in the Under 15 Boys’ Team winning a Bronze medal at the 2024 Australian Youth Volleyball Championships held in Bendigo from Sunday 15 – Friday 20 September.

Ethan’s dedication to Volleyball has been recognised as he was selected for the National Performance Program as part of the 2025 Pre-Youth National Squad. Volleyball Australia’s National Squads are designed to foster continued success at Asian and World Championship level among the most promising athletes in our country. As a member of the squad, Ethan will attend training camps, receive guidance from national coaches, and have the chance to compete nationally and internationally, including possible selection to the AVC Junior Asian Championships. Ethan was recently awarded the Most Valuable Player (MPV) award from Volleyball Victoria for the Under 15 Boys Volleyball Victoria Indoor State Team. Congratulations Ethan!

Equestrian

We delighted to hear the news of Year 8 student Jess Lowe, who was part of the Victorian Team at the Marcus Oldham Interschool Championships held at Tamworth from Wednesday 18 – Monday 23 September 2024. Riding her horse Redgum James 007, Jessica placed in the championship for both dressage and showing.

Hooptime

We are so proud of our Junior School Hooptime basketball team, who won all games in their pool in the Regional Finals recently, defeating Billanook, Yarra Valley Grammar, St Marys and St Peter, and subsequently finishing on top. They then played Eastwood in the qualifier to head to the State finals, and ultimately lost by four points having been down 19-7 earlier in the game. 

This was a terrific result and while the players were obviously disappointed, they should be so proud of their spirit and attitude and the success they have achieved that led to them being officially the second-best basketball team in the Eastern Region.

Ash Viney | Head of Sport

ELC News

Orientation and transition

A lot of planning and preparation goes into developing a successful Orientation Program where the focus is to create a smooth transition from either home to school, Three-Year-Old to Pre-Prep and from Pre-Prep to Prep.

Each of the sessions allow relationships to be built, and familiarity of a new space to be made. Establishing connections between the students and teachers is paramount to laying the foundations of teaching and learning.

Relationships with the new teachers occur before the official transition date, with the Prep teachers popping down to the ELC and the Pre-Prep educators popping into the Early Learners room. To increase familiarity with the new students we also send them a video of their teachers and write letters introducing the new space.

This year we reflected upon our Orientation Program into the Three-Year-old class. For many this is the first time these children have been in a school-like setting and it can often be the first time they have left their parents. We decided to develop a play group style orientation where there was ample opportunity to spend time in the ELC space with their most trusted adult member of their family.

For the Pre-Preps their formal transition to the school Orientation Program takes place throughout Term 4. This has already begun for many of our students, and there is so much excitement about starting the ‘big school’. They often come back after their first transition session, sharing great stories about who their new teacher is going to be, what clothing they will wear, how fast their new shoes are, and how ‘cool’ the new playground was.

You definitely get a sense of readiness for the next step in their education.

Claire Trappitt | Pre-Prep A Teacher

Girls’ Junior School

Finger Knitting Fun

After reading the book Thank You, Santa, by Margret Wild and Kerry Argent, the Year 2 girls discovered the gift of knitting, and subsequently, spent a significant amount of time exploring and mastering the art of multi-digit finger knitting. As part of our daily activities, we adopted an integrated approach, combining elements of Mathematics and English with a newfound passion for handcrafts.

In just one day, the girls collectively finger-knitted an impressive 113-metre length of wool. The resulting ball of finger knitting was so large that we decided to join everything together and measure it.

Since the weather didn’t cooperate, we laid the wool out inside the Junior School building. The girls made estimates and predictions: how long would it be? Would it stretch from the Prep classroom to the Year 2 classroom? Could it reach Year 4?

Equipped with trundle wheels, the girls worked in small groups to measure the length. They were amazed to discover that their knitting not only reached each classroom in the building but also doubled back along the corridor, stretching from the furthest Year 6 room all the way back to Year 4!

The girls’ handiwork caught the attention of other students, who were eager to learn how to finger-knit. This inspired the girls to write a procedural text on how to finger-knit. Over the next few days, the class collaboratively produced a set of Easy-Peasy Finger Knitting Instructions from Year 2.

To ensure the instructions were clear, the girls tested them with people who did not know how to finger knit, editing their instructions as they went along. The girls were thrilled to not only master finger knitting, which enhanced their hand-eye coordination, perseverance, and fine motor skills, but also to overcome challenges when writing procedural texts, learn how to measure in meters using trundle wheels, and share their knowledge by teaching other Junior School friends the same skill.

Michelle Gluskie | Year 2A Teacher

Our Year 4 girls enthusiastically began Term 4 and are eagerly working in pairs of groups of three to write and draw a narrative picture story book for a younger audience. They have planned the characters, setting, events, problems and solutions and are in the phase of creating storyboards. The girls have been inspired by our own Library technician, Mr Hilet who shared his own motivation and top tips, having recently published a picture story book. We look forward to the completion of books and reading to our intended younger audience before the end of term.

Year 4 girls are also inquiring about natural disasters and are collaborating with Dr Kate and Ms Dang. Each week they visit the Tinternwood Farm and so far have learnt that the Aboriginal seasonal calendar and the Western Seasonal Calendar are different. They will learn about the agricultural connections with the seasons, as well as the effects that floods, fires and drought have on Australia. In the STEAM Centre, Mrs Dang took the students on a virtual reality geography tour using the Wander app. Girls could view their home address, school, and well-known Australian landmarks including the Sydney Opera House and Uluru. It’s a fabulous topic, as students make many real-life connections with themselves and the world around us. In the classroom, students have looked at images of natural disasters and completed a see, think, wonder about their effects to living and non-living things. The Year 4 students have collaborated into small groups and written a shared definition of a natural disaster:

 ‘Something out of your control and can be very dangerous to citizens and force people to leave their homes’. – Tiaa, Isabella, Nina, Olivia K, Olivia Z

‘A natural disaster is something that is naturally made by mother nature which usually causes trouble’. – Olive and Anisha

‘Natural disasters are natural when the product of the disaster comes from the Earth’. – Holly, Eva, Poppy, Stacy  

‘A big tornado that forms on the ocean. It sometimes comes onto land and little droplets of water sprays around’. – Emma, Corrine, Aryana, Ruby

‘A wildfire is a big fire that kills animals and burns down trees and is uncontrolled and spreads easily’. – Nini, Violet, Hannah, Amani

‘A tornado is a wind that gets irritated, so it forms in the air’. – Scarlett, Amani, Blaire

Simone Draper | Year 4 Teacher

Boys’ Junior School News

We have had a very smooth and enjoyable start to Term 4 in the Boys’ Junior School. There is nothing like routine and calmness to keep excitement at an expected level! In our Welcome Back Assembly, I spoke with the boys about the exciting and action packed Term 4 with engaging classroom learning opportunities right up until the last day…and we also discussed that while there will be exciting and valuable events, indeed it can also be over stimulating, tiring, and emotional, when there is a lot happening. We are using the acronym FLY…have FUN, continue to LEARN (academically, and from others and ourselves…even our mistakes) and Be YOURSELF. The ‘pilots’ of the classes will be supported by those of us in ground crew…and together, we will all be journeying (FLYing) through Term 4 with a smooth, turbulence free ride!

French Day

Thursday 17 October was a fun day in our Junior School as we joined together in a very French way to celebrate our French Day, complementing the class learning that occurs in this subject.

Thank you to Madame Ley for organising this fun event and to the Compass Café for providing . French menu items for the day.

Adam Kenny |  Head of Boys’ Junior School

Secondary News

Friday 18 October was the last day of academic classes for our Year 12 Class of 2024. They have all been incredibly committed to their schooling, especially over the last two weeks with many of them taking advantage of our Thursday after school sessions, Saturday morning sessions, and their spare periods throughout the week. In the recent school holidays, Year 12 students attended the trial examinations where they were able to experience the formal exam arrangements in the rooms where many of their upcoming exams will be.

On Friday 11 October was the Valedictory Dinner for our Year 12 students and families at Bramleigh Estate. It was a lovely evening, providing the opportunity for students, families and staff to enjoy and celebrate the 2024 school year. Our School Captains spoke wonderfully, along with representatives for the Tintern Grammar Alumni (TGA) and Tintern Old Girls’ Association (TOGA) who congratulated the Class of 2024 and welcomed them into the Alumni.

As our Year 12 students  move into their study period, we wish them all the very best for the final steps in their journey. They have a been an excellent cohort throughout their years at Tintern and I have no doubt they are well placed for their future endeavours.

We wish many of our Year 11s who are also involved in the Year 12 exams all the very best, whilst also preparing for their own upcoming exams later in November. This also includes our Years 9 and 10 students who are developing their skills around this form of assessment prior to studying Unit 3-4 subjects. We wish them all the very best.

Earlier this year, our Year 8 camp was postponed due to bushfires in the Grampians National Park. It was rescheduled to Term 4 and is now just a couple of weeks away. The camp runs from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November and the students will participate in rock climbing, abseiling, bike riding, hiking and developing their outdoor education skills in preparation for their Year 9 camps program. We wish them all the best for their exciting camp.

Our Year 7 students are preparing for their Night of the Notables that is happening on Tuesday 22 October in our CM Wood. This event has our Year 7 students researching a notable person from history, then preparing information and activities to share with our community on October 22. Many of them dress up in costume, create games and activities related to their notable, and share all of this with family and the school community on the night. We look forward to seeing our Year 7 families on the night.

We are currently halfway through our first ever Tintern Master Chef competition which has proven to be a fantastic event. It started with pairs competing in an amazing race around the campus where one of the pair was completing challenges whilst collecting items of food. These food items where then taken back to their partner in the kitchen and their task was to put together a charcuterie box that was ultimately judged on quality and presentation. We look forward to the remaining days of the competition and ultimately revealing our winning pairs at Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10.

As we head toward the end of Term 4 and ultimately the end of 2024, there are some key events and activities that are still to take place.

• Our Celebration Evening at Robert Blackwood Hall on Friday 22 November. This is a compulsory school event for all Secondary students celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of our school community throughout 2024
• Year 9 camp from Monday 25 November to Friday 29 November
• Year 10 and 11 transition camp/conferences from Wednesday 27 November to Friday 29 November
• Transition for all students from Monday 2 December to Friday 6 December
• Our final day of school for all students is Friday 6 December

Chess

 We congratulate Year 7 student Jeremy Gu who recently won the Croydon 2024 Youth Club Championship in Chess. Well done!

Go Girls 100km Challenge 

On Thursday 17 October our Year 10 girls took part in the Go Girls 100km Challenge at Albert Park Athletics track. They are raising money that will help women who have experienced domestic violence, social isolation and homelessness, by assisting them to become work ready and financially independent.  We are thrilled to report the two teams have raised $9002.00 so far!

Donations will remain open until the end of the month and you can support them by donating to an individual or to a team.

Team Pink

Team Purple.

Brett Trollope | Head of Secondary 

STEAM

Robotics

There was great excitement in the STEAM Centre as the Tuesday afterschool Robotics students celebrated the exciting news from the State RoboCup Robotics Competition held on Saturday 14 September. Tintern Grammar students competed in the Mighty Maze Division and our teams placed 1st through to 5th in what was an extraordinary day of competition!

Our students showcased their skills by building and coding robots designed to navigate a hypothetical disaster scenario. The robots had to enter the scene, search for survivors and victims, all while avoiding danger zones, and complete their mission within a strict time limit. Most impressive was the teamwork, the camaraderie and the way our students showed resilience, quickly adapting, staying composed, and demonstrating their ability to bounce back under pressure responding to the unpredictability of the robots. 

We acknowledge the support and encouragement of families, especially those who joined us on the day.

1^st Place:  Alysha Veith Year 8, Hiranya Chaturvedi Year 7, Robbie Carter Year 7

2^nd Place: Alex Stewart Year 8, Charlie Cameron Year 8

3^rd Place: Lucas Jiang Year 7, Jacob Loke Year 7

4^th Alex Abdurahman Year 7, Ashton Wain Year 7

5^th Aaron Saju Year 7, Jonathan Ye Year 7

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work, dedication, and for representing Tintern Grammar with such distinction!

Special mention goes to Emma Huang Year 6 and Justin Zhu Year 7 who were also present representing themselves in other divisions at the State competition.

RoboCup National Robotics Championships 

Over the weekend three Tintern teams competed at the RoboCup National Robotics Championships, a two-day competition in Brisbane where 650 people from around Australia were in attendance.

Congratulations to Year 7 students Lucas Jiang and Jacob Loke for finishing first and to Year 8 student Alysha Veith and Year 7 students Hiranya Chaturvedi and Robbie Carter as runners up. A shout out to Year 8 student Alex Stewart and Year 7 student Aaron Saju for their strong competitive and positive spirit.

The Tintern Grammar STEAM program is a very popular with students. We are thrilled for our students achievements at the Championship and the future ready creativity and problem-solving skills they have developed. We look forward to seeing where their robotics journey takes them.

Karen Dang | Library/Technology Teacher

The Tintern Collection

The Tintern Collection: Celebrating 150 years launched in The Tintern Store on the first day of Term 4.

The holidays were a flurry of activity, with The Tintern Store undergoing renovations in time for the arrival of the new wardrobe garments.  Loads of stock has arrived and the Store is well stocked, looks amazing and is ready for students and families to come and purchase from the new Collection.  

Whilst students have until the start of 2027 to transition to the new wardrobe, there were many keen students eager to make early purchases, especially for the new hoodie!

Launch event

On Thursday 10 October the Tintern community were invited to The Tintern Collection: Celebrating 150 years launch event. It was a delightful evening with the community enjoying delicious food and drinks whilst viewing the wardrobe and meeting and chatting with the designer of the Collection Johnathan Ward and our wardrobe suppliers.

More information can be found on our website, including including a digital copy of the Look Book that includes every item available for purchase. Printed copies of the Look Book will arrive at Tintern this week for families to take home.

The Tintern Collection – Celebrating 150 Years

It is an exciting part of Tintern Grammar’s history, and to see the very first students proudly wearing items of the new wardrobe in the first few days of the Term.

Community News

If you would like to contribute to Community Matters, email your submissions to the Community Relations Office and we will incorporate your news wherever possible.

Upcoming events for Term 4

• TPG Movie Night: Saturday 26 October 2024
• Spring High Tea: Thursday 31 October 2024
• 2024 Principal Thank you: Thursday 14 November 2024
• TOGA Women of Influence: 27 November 2024
• Munch with the Musos: Sunday 1 December 2024
• Tintern Parent Group (TPG) End of Year Dinner: Thursday 7 November 2024 at 7.00pm. Thai Ute (34 Railway Ave Ringwood East)

Reunions

• Reunion Festival: Celebrate with us on this Saturday 19 October, as we reconnect with Alumni celebrating milestone reunions.
• 15 and 20 Year Reunions: Celebrate on Saturday 16 November from 3.30pm to 6.00 pm at Tintern Grammar. Class of 2004 and Class of 2009

Committee Meetings

Tintern Parents Group (TPG) Calendar of upcoming meetings MyTintern – Tintern Parent Group

Friends of Music (FOM) next meeting: Wednesday 20 November at 7.00pm CM Wood Common Room

TPG Presentation Ball 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the Presentation Ball such a success. All your hard work and dedication made the event truly memorable.

A special thank you goes to Adam Kenny, Megan Scholtz, Cathi Saisi, Derinda Whiter, and the entire Presentation Ball committee, as well as all the staff who attended and supported our Year 11 students. A special shoutout to Cathi Saisi for your creativity and vision, which transformed our students and created a truly magical atmosphere.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with students and their families sharing how wonderful the experience was. The passion and fresh ideas brought new life to the event, making it extra special, especially for those who have attended in the past. Well done everyone!

Watch the highlights.

Mangoes 

Mangoes are back for 2024 – orders open Monday 7 October and close Wednesday 23 October.

Don’t miss out on this fabulous tradition!

We will have fresh North Queensland Mangoes delivered direct from the farm to Tintern Grammar, ready for collection. Mangoes are expected to arrive at school for collection in the last week of Term 4 2024 and we’ll keep you updated on their arrival. It’s so simple! We email you and confirm delivery date and collection point. Cost is only $33 per 7kg tray, which is filled by weight and will contain somewhere between 12-20 mangoes.

Please place your order before 10.00pm, Wednesday 23 October 2024.

No late orders can be considered.

TPG Movie Night: Saturday 26 October 2024

 Come along and enjoy this year’s most heartwarming animation Inside Out 2 with your family and friends!

Join us for pre-movie games for a chance to win some fabulous Inside Out prizes.

We’ll have a snack bar serving sausages, cold drinks, popcorn, choc tops, and lollies to keep you fuelled for fun!

Feel free to bring your blankets and low chairs and wear your comfiest oodie if you’d like!

To Book: TPG Movie Night 2024

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Parent Representatives 2024

We warmly invite all of our current Parent Representatives to continue their fantastic work in 2025, and we are also extending an open invitation to any parents who may be interested in stepping into this rewarding role for the upcoming year.

Parent Representatives play a vital role in connecting parents/guardians with the School and sharing information about activities, whether organised by Tintern Grammar, our community groups, or specific year levels. These activities may include social gatherings, fundraisers, or events. Parent Representatives also organise class or year-level functions, providing parents the opportunity to meet and socialise in a relaxed setting while supporting local cafes and restaurants.

Year levels and classes can have multiple representatives, and the more hands, the lighter the work! If you’re interested in becoming a Parent Representative for 2025, please reach out to the Community Relations Office at 9845 7877 or via email at communityrelations@tintern.vic.edu.au. We’d love to have you onboard!

If you are interested in being a Parent Representative, please contact the Community Relations Office on 9845 7877 email Community Relations

Principal’s Thank you

In recognition of the generous time and support volunteers have given to Tintern Grammar this year, please join the Principal, Mr Brad Fry, for the Principal’s Thank You Evening on Thursday 14 November 2024, 7.00pm – 8.30pm at the Sage Hotel Ringwood. Please book your complimentary tickets by Friday 8 November 2024.

We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our volunteers, whose involvement in various activities helps create the vibrant atmosphere at Tintern. Your commitment makes a real difference, and we look forward to thanking you.

Friends of Music

Friends of Music Jazz Night

The FOM Committee, Allison Bezaire, and Denise Honan, for your hard work and dedication that made this year’s Jazz Night a resounding success. The event truly captured the essence of a Parisian jazz experience, with a great turnout and an unforgettable atmosphere. Special thanks to all the bands who performed; your contributions were crucial to the evening’s success. It was a wonderful night enjoyed by all, and we appreciate all your efforts in making it happen.

Save the Date – Munch with the Musos Sunday 1 December is the fabulous end of year social event. It is a fundraising brunch which brings the Tintern community together to celebrate the end of the year with a Christmas themed concert from the School’s talented ensembles. Tickets available soon!

Upcoming Reunions

Tintern Grammar Reunions

15 & 20 Years

Come and join us in the Year 9 Courtyard on Saturday 16 November from 3.30pm to 6.00pm for the Class of 2004 and Class of 2009

As they celebrate their 15 and 20 Year Reunion.

Enjoy an afternoon of nibbles and drinks while you reconnect with classmates from these years.

Partners are welcome to attend as well, please include them in your booking.

Book now:  Tintern Grammar Reunions

Past Reunion images

Class of 2014, 10 Year Reunion, Saturday 17 February. See photos

Golden High Tea, Tuesday 5 March. See photos

5 Year Reunion – Friday 9 August – See photos

Reunion Festival, Saturday 19 October

Thank you to all the attendees that came to our 2024 Reunion Festival on Saturday 19 October 2024. It was a great success and we were so pleased to see so many attendees from the Classes of: 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994 and 1999, along with some special teachers and guests! It was so lovely to see everyone coming together reconnecting and sharing memories throughout the day. We look forward in seeing you all again soon! – See photos

TOGA – Women of Influence

Yvette Zegenhagen OAM

Wednesday 27 November 7.00pm – 8.30pm

TOGA is excited to offer TOGA members another opportunity to join us for a special networking evening, where we can reconnect and celebrate together once again. This year, we are thrilled to welcome our guest speaker, Alumna Yvette Zegenhagen OAM, from the Class of 2003, an accomplished leader in humanitarian diplomacy, Executive Director of External Engagement at Australian Red Cross.

It promises to be an inspiring and engaging event, and we look forward to coming together as a community. Tickets are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. 

Book Now 

Still available for purchase. 

TPG Umbrellas

Purchase online 

Collect from the *Tintern Store, please take your order confirmation. 

 TPG wet bags 

Purchase online 

Collect from the *Tintern Store, please take your order confirmation. 

*The Tintern Store is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during term time from 8.00am to 4.15pm.