Welcome

A seamless transition: ELC to Prep at Tintern

Our Early Learning Centre (ELC) is located on the School campus and this unique positioning allows us to build and maintain strong connections with the Junior School. The partnership between the ELC and the Junior School is one that has been carefully developed, regularly reflected upon, and thoughtfully strengthened over time. Throughout their time in the ELC, there are many opportunities for students to visit areas of the Junior School including at special events hosted by the respective Heads of Junior School—Alison Prandolini (Girls) and Adam Kenny (Boys) —as well as other whole School community events.  We also invite executive staff to the ELC for storytime, to nurture strong connections and build familiarity.

Young children thrive on consistency. Consider the enduring popularity of shows like Bluey and Paw Patrol—each episode begins with a familiar theme song, follows a predictable structure, and ends with comforting closure. This consistency allows children to relax and engage, knowing what to expect.

Starting in the ELC and continuing to Prep at Tintern gives our youngest learners the advantage of a supported and seamless transition into formal schooling in a familiar environment that they’re used to attending—consistency.

Starting school is a significant developmental milestone, and for many children, it can be daunting simply because it is unfamiliar. They have nothing to compare it to and no clear visualisation of what lies ahead.

At Tintern, we’ve worked hard to create a ‘Bluey episode’ of sorts for our student’s transition to school. By the time they begin Prep, they’ve already explored the Prep classroom through storytime events, wandered the halls of the Junior School, used the same bathrooms, played in the playgrounds, and spent time with the Prep teachers both in their future classrooms and in the ELC. Through shared language, aligned expectations, and intentional curriculum links, we create a sense of familiarity and comfort.

This approach is deeply informed by our commitment to developing a Culture of Thinking, where learning environments are intentionally designed to make children’s thinking visible, valued, and actively supported across all stages of their journey.

As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) states, ‘Children learn best when they experience interconnectedness between different aspects of their lives.’ By fostering continuity between the ELC and Junior School, we honour this principle and help our children feel secure in their learning environment.

Furthermore, we are guided by the VEYLDF’s vision that, ‘Transitions are successful when children and families feel welcomed, valued and become familiar with new settings.’ This philosophy underpins every interaction and initiative we design to support each child’s journey from early learning into school life.

It is our intention that when the time comes to move into Prep at Tintern the children are already familiar and comfortable in the environment, that they are confident and well-prepared, and that they step into the next chapter of their educational journey ready to thrive!

Kristin De Vos

Head of Early Learning Centre

Early Learning Centre News

The power of construction play in early childhood

Construction play is far more than just stacking blocks or building towers—it’s a powerful tool for learning, exploration, and development. By offering children opportunities to build, create, and collaborate, we nurture essential skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning.

In cultivating a Culture of Thinking, we value environments where children’s ideas are respected, their questions are encouraged, and their learning is made visible. As Ron Ritchhart reminds us, ‘Learning is a consequence of thinking. And thinking is something we want all students to do.’ (1) Through construction play, we see children’s thinking unfold in tangible, meaningful ways.

Children benefit greatly from access to construction experience. These activities allow children to make their own choices, engage in collaborative play, develop negotiation skills, and strengthen both fine and gross motor skills. They learn to plan, design, and build with 3D materials.

Block construction, in particular, encourages symbolisation and representation. It supports cognitive development by allowing children to make comparisons, classify, explore directionality and sequencing, and practice divergent thinking and logical reasoning. Construction play also introduces mathematical concepts such as size, shape, space, and weight, while nurturing creativity and imagination.

During construction, children’s thinking becomes highly visible—they build, reflect, dismantle, and rebuild. These moments foster cooperation, turn-taking, and sharing, while also encouraging respect for others’ ideas.

Providing opportunities for children to plan their work, articulate their process (what worked and what did not), and enjoy the cycle of creation and deconstruction is essential.

A well-resourced construction area becomes a vibrant hub of language, social interaction, cooperation, and problem-solving, inspiring children to work together toward a shared goal.

‘Children learn through play. When children play with others, they create social groups, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings.’— Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)

Kristin De Vos

Head of Early Learning Centre

1. (Ritchhart, R. (2015). Creating Cultures of Thinking: The 8 Forces We Must Master to Truly Transform Our Schools. Jossey-Bass).

Girls’ Junior School News

Year 2 Junior School Girls—this term at Tinternwood Farm

Hands-on learning, fresh air, and the arrival of two new calves is making this term at Tinternwood Farm truly special for our Girls’ Junior School Year 2 students.

Our recent visit to Tinternwood Farm was an unforgettable experience filled with discovery, teamwork and plenty of fun. This term promises to be rich with meaningful, hands-on activities—immersing students in the dairy industry and animal care while encouraging connections between farm life and their everyday experiences.

During our Tuesday afternoon session, Dr Kate Richards guided us through two engaging activities: exploring food groups and preparing for the responsibilities of caring for the farm’s upcoming additions—our two dairy calves.

Highlights of the session included meeting the guinea pigs and ducks, sorting foods into their respective groups and embarking on an exciting scavenger hunt. With each activity, the girls grew in independence and deepened their respect for the environment.

We’re especially looking forward to returning next week!

It is shaping up to be a term full of growth, connection, and lasting memories—ones our students will carry with them for years to come.

Allison Prandolini

Head of Girls’ Junior School

A creative buzz in the Junior School Art Room

The Junior School Art Room has been full of colour, creativity, and excitement as the girls explored a variety of vibrant art projects. Each year level proudly completed their self-portraits, continuing a long-standing Tintern tradition. A highlight was the creation of the eagerly awaited Mothers’ Day gifts. Preps made mixed media portraits, Year 1s painted ceramic hearts, and Year 2s crafted clay heart dishes. Year 3 students decorated hand-painted boxes, Year 4s made mixed media keychains, and Year 5s designed ceramic wall tiles. Year 6 artists created beautiful acrylic paintings based on their own unique designs. Across all levels, the girls showed enthusiasm, creativity, and great pride in their work, making this term’s artistic journey a memorable and joyful one.

Jenny Kerr

Girls’ Junior School Art Teacher

Year 5 girls explore the business world

The Year 5 girls have jumped straight into bold learning this term, exploring business goods and services. Their focus was first understanding the difference between needs and wants in their community so as to determine what products or services to create for their Business Expo project.

Over this term, the students will conduct market research to help in the creation of a business plan, then they will make their own goods or services before designing appealing advertising.

The girls have explored this concept and other learning through the lens of being ‘ready to learn’, determining what strategies they can employ to maximise their learning.

Sarah Schmidt

Year 5 Girls’ Classroom Teacher

Boys’ Junior School News

Assembly and the election

In our recent Assembly we continued to look at the election, from a procedural point of view.

We then heard from the leaders of the five Year 6 parties, as they put forward their platforms and promises. There were some interesting promises that will be quite difficult to get past the Senate (me). Amongst their promises were a 15% reduction in canteen prices (while having bigger servings), an extra 20 minutes of lunchtime, icy poles every Friday, and free time after every 30 minutes of ‘hard work’!

We showed clips from Peter Dutton’s gracious concession speech, and the acceptance speech of Ali France, the new member for Dickson. Ali had her leg partially amputated after being pinned to a wall by a car in 2011, and since then she has lost the father of her children to cancer in 2023 and her 18-year-old son Henry lost his life to leukaemia the following year. It is such a moving story of perseverance, strength and resilience.

We then spoke about character. Now, each Years 3 to 6 boy will complete a task to reflect upon, and present, what they believe is ‘good character’.

Being able to look at others, learn from them, understand what qualities make ‘good character’ (and indeed steer away from those who aren’t of ‘good character’), is especially important for boys.

Cross country and commitment  

Our Cross Country Carnival was a terrific event, with each boy trying his best; some shone, and some found it very hard. As I said to the Prep to Year 6 boys on Wednesday afternoon when we gathered to announce the results, being able to commit to something even though it may be very challenging, rather than simply avoiding it, is a positive life skill. There was a wonderful sense of support for one another and a great amount of fun in between and during each race.

Congratulations to Dann Watt who were the 2025 House Cross Country Champions and most importantly, thank you to the many families and friends who were able to come along and support our boys.

Adam Kenny

Head of Boys’ Junior School

Middle School News

Dedicated Compass Day guides Years 7 and 8 girls

Our Years 7 and 8 girls took part in an inspiring workshop led by The Big Sister Experience, focusing on building confidence and wellbeing. Through engaging activities and open discussions, the girls explored vital topics including self-love, self-care, personal boundaries, body image, and the impact of social media.

The program also emphasised the importance of human connection, inclusion, and acceptance. It was a powerful opportunity for students to reflect, support one another, and develop lifelong tools for resilience and self-worth.

We are proud to continue to support our students in becoming strong, kind, and confident young women.

Anthea Watkins

Years 7 and 8 Girls’ Co-ordinator

How Compass Day unfolded for Years 7 and 8 boys

Year 7 Man Cave

On Tuesday 29 April, The Man Cave came to our school to work with boys in Years 7 and 8. It was a very good experience for all Year 7 boys.

We played lots of fun games while also learning a great deal about feelings, emotions and our wellbeing. All of us were offered the chance to talk about our problems or things that are worrying us, and we learnt more about each other—the good and the bad. The experience would not be the same without our facilitators Rhys, Taylor, Nav and Dylan who made it a great experience.  

It wasn’t all fun and games, though. We learnt about what some in society expect men to be (strong, handsome, fit, etc…) and what they might expect men not to be (weak, ‘girly’, etc…), and how we might change these perceptions.

Overall, this was a memorable day, and we cannot wait for next year to do this program in Year 8 with a slightly different focus. 

Harrison, Flynn and Brooklyn

Year 7 students

Year 8 Man Cave

On Tuesday 29 April, The Man Cave program came to our School, teaching us about relationships and how to maintain them, and know what to do in challenging times.

The workshop leaders gave us a mix of serious talking sessions and fun activities that made the day fun and educating. While there was a bit of lecturing, the information was extremely helpful.

One of the biggest things that was conveyed through the session was the LEAD acronym: Listen, Empathise, Act, and Do. It broke down the process of how we can be more supportive to people close to us having a tough time by making it a catchy acronym. The workshop leaders gave us examples of ways to carry out the LEAD acronym from their own lives and stories.

What made this session so unique was the fact that it challenged us to think more on the way we treat others, and especially our family and friends. It made me realise that when people are going through a hard time and look like they want to be left alone, they actually want the people closest to them to help them and care.

The activities helped us connect these lessons to our own lives in a safe environment, where we could share our story, only if we wanted to, in a safe space. Through this activity, our pastoral groups could listen to the stories, then empathise and get even closer to each other. I didn’t know about most of the things that my peers shared until today.

I’m glad Mancave came here to our School, and I’m looking forward to learning more in the sessions to come.

Minuk Jo  

Year 8 student

Life skills a focus for Year 9s on Compass Day

Our recent Middle School Compass Day was a vibrant and engaging experience for the Year 9 cohort, centred around the key themes of teamwork, empathy, and independence.

Throughout the year, as students move ever closer to the Senior College and the end of their parallel learning path, they are given opportunities, like Compass Day, to collaborate with their peers outside of their form groups to help them make connections across the cohort.

On Compass Day, the Year 9s started in their Challenge Groups, working with students from every Year 9 form in teams of twelve through a series of dynamic games designed to test their ability to collaborate and adapt. The friendly competition encouraged students to support one another and problem-solve creatively.

On Compass Day we also launched the 2025 House Showdown. Throughout Term 2 the Year 9s will be working in house groups to choreograph and perform a dance routine for house points. This student led challenge sees the Year 9s working with and leading the peers who will stay with them for the three years in Senior College form groups, and once the theme and music genres were announced the students threw themselves into working on music selection and dividing up roles.

A third highlight of the day was a powerful workshop delivered by The Intersection, focusing on building empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives. Each class engaged thoughtfully with the activities and conversations around assumptions and stereotypes. Students gained valuable insights into how empathy, for those whose life path is different to ours, can positively influence their approach, now and after school. We’re excited that this learning journey will continue later in the year with The Intersection through Year 9 Health class excursions into the CBD.

Later in the day, students ventured to Tinternwood Farm to make final preparations for the bushwalks on the Great Ocean Walk, where their adaptability, independence and resilience are really put to the test.

Compass Days provide a valuable opportunity to shut the screens and develop life skills that help our students be the best people they can be and make the best choices they can make.

Jess Fulton

Year 9 Co-ordinator

What is behind an acknowledgement of country?

The combined Year 7 and 8 boys classes researched acknowledgement of country, what it means to indigenous Australians, and what it means to them.

Following, they collaborated to develop their own Boys Middle School acknowledgement statement. In the artwork, their acknowledgement forms the centre point of the circle. Surrounding, are the traced outlines of every single boy’s hand in the Middle School in variations of indigenous artworks that resonated for them. As such, each boy is represented in their own unique way. 

The circle represents our community which will grow with the addition of more handprints of boys who enter the circle in coming years.

Naomi Baulch

Year 7 and 8 Boys’ Co-ordinator

Senior College News

Geographers trip to New Zealand

During the Easter Holiday break, a group of keen Years 10 – 12 geographers embarked on the Geography Study Tour to New Zealand’s South Island.

Starting in Christchurch, the trip climbed the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass and then followed the very active Alpine Fault line all the way to Milford Sound.

We were welcomed with a traditional Maori ceremony in Wanaka, where we embraced New Zealand’s celebrated culture.  

The standout experiences included:

• Christchurch’s Quake City Memorial–where we learnt about events during and after the 2011 earthquakes.
• The International Antarctica Centre, which included immersive experiences, such as a snow-storm and blizzard room (where we stood in 100km/h wind gusts at temperatures -18^oC), rode in Hägglunds (Swiss all-terrain vehicles designed specifically for the Antarctic geology), and learned about the vital role Antarctica plays in the world’s environment. 
• The walk along the beach at Hokitika was especially memorable as we were greeted with black sand littered with greenstone (pounamu) and feldspar jade which we could collect right off the sand; and yes, we all took rocks home!

We were lucky enough to visit both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, keenly aware that in a few years they may no longer exist. We tramped up the Franz Josef valley passing through areas which were about two kilometres from the glacier terminus, which 10 years ago were covered by ice. A sad indicator of climate change staring us in the face. 

New Zealand’s beautiful environment never failed to impress, with glow worms in The Anau Caves and boat trips on Milford Sound. The day we visited Milford Sound, we crossed the 45th line of latitude. It was, in a way, strange to see something we only think of as a line on a map to be a real thing.

Our trip finished in Queenstown, with zip lining and street luge. All the students lucky enough to be involved, experienced a trip they will never forget, taking home many fond memories and a newfound respect for our beautiful planet. 

Naomi Baulch

Head of Geography

Senior Geography Teacher

ANZAC Day commemorated locally

Tintern Grammar was well represented by our School Leaders at the Ringwood ANZAC Dawn Service on Friday 25 April.  A wreath was laid on behalf of the Tintern Community by our School Captains Elisha and Arya.

Curriculum Matters

End-of-semester reporting

Parents are reminded that Semester Reports will be published to families online via our Tintern Grammar Portal. Our Junior and Secondary School reports will go live on Thursday 3 July 2025.

Instructions for accessing these reports will be emailed to families in the last week of Term 2.

Secondary program and subject selection for 2026

As part of Tintern Grammar’s commitment to ensuring students make informed choices, we are holding two information sessions relating to the options available for our Years 10 and 11 students (2026).

The first of these sessions is the Guiding your Future event, scheduled for 7.00pm on Thursday 19 June. Designed for current Years 9 and 10 students, this event will explore how senior subject selection is best informed by an understanding of the senior qualifications on offer at the School and the potential career pathways available to students. Information will be sent to Year 9 and 10 families regarding this event in early June, with an EdSmart form requesting your expression of interest in the event and including a live link to join the online meeting.

As a follow up to this evening, a Subject Showcase Evening will be held in Term 3 on Monday 11 August 2025.  Prior to this second evening, all individual VCE and VET subjects on offer next year will be outlined on MyTintern portal and subject teachers will be available on 11 August to answer specific subject-related questions based on explorations students have made into the subject options for 2026. At this evening Year 9 (2025) students and families are invited to attend a special information session on the possibility of taking a VCE subject in Year 10.

As in previous years, the subject selection process will occur online in August. Students will be given instructions on how to follow this process during Pastoral sessions at school and details of electives and subjects available for selection will be published on MyTintern towards the end of this term.

The information sessions mentioned above will assist students to select the most suitable pathway and subject choices for 2026. Individual teachers and our careers counsellors also will be available to assist throughout this process.

Alison Bezaire

Director of Studies

Music News

Generations in Jazz at Mt Gambier 2025

This year, Generations in Jazz saw our largest group to date, travel to Mount Gambier and compete in this national competition.

The festival, which began in 1982, is a combination of clinics, performances and concerts. The Senior Stage Band performed in Division 3 of the Stage Band Awards, the Intermediate Stage Band in Division 4+ and the four Jazz Combos (Electric, Blue, Trigg and Nu) competed in the small combo division.

After a seven-hour journey, our 41 students arrived and settled into the Mil- lel Community Hall that we were to call our home for the weekend. We rugged up and headed to festival for dinner and were then treated to a fabulous concert by the Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band and performances by Darren Percival of ‘The Voice’ fame and Michelle Nicolle, who is regarded as one of Australia’s finest Jazz singers.

Saturday morning arrived and competition began for Tintern with Combo Blue up first at 8.00am followed quickly by Combo Electric and the Trigg Combo. They delivered great performances and the feedback was positive, insightful and generous.

The Senior Stage Band wowed the audience and adjudicators alike with their performance. The Nu Jazz Band was up next and again, they did not disappoint. Their performances tackled new and interesting repertoire that demonstrated a real passion for pushing the artform of Jazz into new and interesting places.

Finally at 4pm, it was Intermediate Stage Bands time to shine. Despite waiting all day, they were strong, energetic and did not let the enormity of it all get to them. Ably lead by their Music Director Ben Taylor, their performance elicited some fantastic feedback from their adjudicator.

Saturday night saw the announcements of the Super Band members and the Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Tintern Grammar’s Elisha Sze was named Lead Alto of the Division 3 Super Band (meaning she was the best alto saxophone player in the division with over 40 bands competing!). This is a wonderful national recognition of the work that Elisha has put into her music for many years and her fellow students are very excited for her and are inspired by her achievement.

What better way to celebrate her success than with a concert from arguably the greatest Big Band in the world now. These musicians did not disappoint!

Our students returned home tired, but with their cups full of inspiration, friendship and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to Ben Taylor, Karl McNamara, Dave Bathgate, Katie Howell and Ashley Honan for your tireless work over the weekend to look after our students and give them the best experience possible.

Lisa Clarke

Head of Music

First Twilight Concert for 2025

On Tuesday 29 April, Tintern’s music department held the first Twilight Concert of the year where students shared their beautiful music with an audience and gained performance experience. Twilight Concerts are an incredible way to bring together the community in a delightful night of diverse genres of music and to allow VCE musicians and students undergoing assessments to practise their pieces. There were a variety of instruments showcased on the night including violins, French horn, pianists, and guitarists. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and allowed everyone to enjoy themselves in a supportive environment.

Every student took a step outside of their comfort zone and should be proud of their performances. Many of our performers were accompanied by the talented Mr Adrian Szondy and Ms Tori Wood, without whom this evening could not have occurred. The students would like to thank them for their dedication and kindness towards the students and the school.

Other staff who contributed to the success of the evening included Mrs Bezaire, our Director of Music, Mrs Clarke, our Head of Instrumental Music, Mrs Quigley, our Music Administrator, and a number of instrumental staff who were present on the night, including Mr Bathgate, Mr Hobiger, Mr Washburn, Mr Willliams. They all work hard every day to ensure our music programs aid the students reach their fullest potentials.

Matilda Robson

Instrumental Music Captain 2025

Sport News

Baseball in April

On the first weekend of the Term 1 holidays, Reiley and Kella played in the Junior League (under 14 years) State Championships in Geelong. The team went undefeated and won the tournament in a nail-biter, come from behind, one run win!

Now, they are off to nationals from Wednesday 28 May – Sunday 1 June in Lismore (NSW). However, with recent floods, we are awaiting confirmation. 

Years 7-12 House Athletics Carnival

The annual Years 7-12 House Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday 3 April at Knox Athletics Track (after being postponed from Tuesday 11 March due to the heat).

The weather for the Carnival was a pleasant 23 degrees and allowed perfect conditions for the competition. The students competed to the best of their abilities to earn valuable points for their Houses. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the day as the students cheered each other on to do their best in track, field and novelty races.

Scores remained close throughout the Carnival and participation in all events was crucial to ensuring that each House scored maximum points. There were some excellent individual results and team results on the day.

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 for the students.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Year Level Champions on the day:

Year 7 Boys: Henry Fulton

Year 7 Girls: Ava Fitzpatrick

Year 8 Boys: Blake Brindle

Year 8 Girls: Zahlie Guskich

Year 9 Boys: Zac Byth

Year 9 Girls: Shriya Suchin

Year 10 Boys: Declan Fox

Year 10 Girls: Aria Shambrook

Year 11 Boys: Heath Elias

Year 11 Girls: Tammy Lerk

Year 12 Boys: Kristian Dass

Year 12 Girls: Elisha Sze

Congratulations to Mansfield McKie on winning the Years 7-12 House Athletics Carnival.

Overall Results:

1^st           Mansfield McKie                             2,374 points

2^nd          Gordon Grant                                   2,193.5 points

3^rd           Butterss Cross                                 2,105 points

4^th           Somner Stewart                              2,037.5 points

5^th           Dann Watt                                         1,951 points

Run The Tan

On Sunday 27 April, seven Tintern Grammar students competed in the Run The Tan event at the Pillars of Wisdom, Tan Track, Melbourne.

Taking part in the battle of the schools was Harley Cantor, Gabriella Bisignano, Amelie Grigg, Zara Brand-Starkey, Ave Lee, Maya Iser and Evelyn O’Connor. In perfect conditions for running, our students gave their all for one lap around The Tan track (3.8km).

The results were:

Harley Cantor: 14min 16 sec                    38^th in U/18 Boys

Gabriella Bisignano: 24 min 4 sec          77th in U/16 Girls

Amelie Grigg: 24 min 4 sec                        78th in U/16 Girls

Zara Brand-Starkey: 18min 56 sec         47th in U/16 Girls

Avie Lee: 15min 57 sec                                13th in U/16 Girls

Maya Iser: 20min 33 sec                             53^rd in U/14 Girls

Evelyn O’Connor: 24 min 19 sec             65^th in U/14 Girls

Congratulations to the students on their efforts.

Wheelchair Basketball

On Sunday 6 – Sunday 13 April, Year 11 student Brady Cochrane competed at the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Brisbane.

Victoria finished fifth overall this year on percentage points, which kept them just shy of the finals.

Of note, Brady has secured a Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) scholarship.

Hockey

Congratulations to Year 12 student Zara Jackson Smith for being selected in the 2025 Under 18 Girls’ Hockey Victoria State Team.

We wish Zara the best of luck in the tournament!

EISM Athletics

On Friday 2 May, Tintern Grammar competed in the EISM Division 1 Athletics at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park (promoted from Division 2 in 2024).

The weather was perfect for competing, and Tintern students gave their best effort against the best athletes in the EISM. Although our students persevered throughout the day, we found the step up in competition from Division 2 to Division 1 challenging.

Congratulations to the Under 16 girls who won their age group.

Thank you to Ms Crundall, Ms Edgley, Ms Parker, Ms Thomas and Mrs Jurey for their assistance on the day.

Overall results were:

1^st           Aquinas College                           3,612 points

2^nd          Huntingtower                               3,516 points

3^rd            Luther College                              3,477 points

4^th          Donvale Christian College     3,448 points

5^th          Emmaus College                          3,356 points

6^th          Mt Lilydale                                       3,307 points

7^th          Tintern Grammar                         3,226 points

Softball

Year 11 students Takuto Kawase and Declan Marshall competed in the National Under 18 softball tournament for Victoria, Monday 28 April to Friday 2 May. Team Victoria finished 5th (of 6). 

Takuto won the MVP for one of the games for team Victoria.

Declan ended up starting the last three games, batting in line-up and playing in the field. 

Ashley Viney

Head of Sport

Physical Education Teacher

EISM Swimming Co-ordinator

Tinternwood Farm News

Students from across the School learn through Tinternwood Farm

It was a big Term 1 at Tinterwood Farm, we saw the arrival of our Merino sheep for the Victorian Schools Merino Wether Challenge. Selected young farmer’s students from our Years 8 and 10 cohorts are working with the sheep every lunchtime to get a ‘hands on’ experience, which will end with a friendly showing competition against other schools from around Victoria to determine which sheep are grand champions.

Our Year 7 students investigate whether feed really does play a vital role in increasing the weight of chickens. They looked after 5-day old commercial chickens over four weeks, weighing them every week to see whether different started commercial feeds influence growth.

Our Year 1 students have just finished learning how food and plastic can be reused, recycled and repurposed, while seeing the importance of soil in farming.

At the start of Term 2 our dairy calves arrived for our involvement in Cows Create Careers program, so there’s more exciting times ahead for Tinterwood Farm!

Dr Kate Richards

Secondary Science

Agriculture and Sustainable Futures Curriculum Co-ordinator

Art News

VCE Art students step off campus

On the last day of Term 1, Year 10 Photography and Years 11 and 12 Art Making and Exhibiting students, along with Ms Scott, Mrs Waud and Nadia Mercuri explored the works of Yayoi Kasuma at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

This was the largest exhibition of Kusama’s work presented in Australia and one of the most comprehensive retrospectives of the artist ever presented globally. Featuring painting, sculpture, collage, fashion, film and installation, the exhibition revealed the astonishing breadth of Kusama’s artmaking, raising both questions and awe from the students as they traversed the many spaces and experiences on offer.

Years 11 and 12 students then attended Top Arts at the Ian Potter Centre, where they undertook a private viewing of the visual diaries and folios of the various works on display in the exhibition of top VCE folios.

The Year 10 students were treated to a self-guided tour of parts of the surrounding gardens and city, including Degraves Street and Hosier Lane, where their artistic and photographic skills enabled them to capture some stunning images with the guidance of Ms Scott.

Rachel Waud

Head of Visual Art and Design

Faith Matters

Easter is an opportunity to reflect on the role of hope

At the end of last term, we celebrated the most important event in the Christian calendar of Easter across our school with a Junior School and Senior School Assemblies.

Over the Assembly our school leaders beautifully recounted the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In our Junior School service, we had impressive performance of He is Risen by our Years 1 and 2 choir and Bel Canto beautifully sang Amazing graces as their gift for the service. In our senior Assembly, the Senior Girls’ Choir performed a haunting rendition of Were you there, and our impressive Trio performed Meditazione throughout the service to support our bible readings.

At the end of the service, we had a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny which was enjoyed by all. I hope that you and your family have had a wonderful time together over the Easter break.

Elizabeth Cutter

Acting Chaplain and Head of Religion

Wellbeing Matters

Study tips for your child

A distraction-free environment

Help set up a dedicated area away from devices and discuss blocking/muting notifications from messages, social media or other apps. You may consider suggesting noise-cancelling headphones or some calming, instrumental music for ‘white noise.’

Study checklist

Encourage your child to get into a routine of devising a checklist at the start of each study session with what they aim to achieve, and to tick things off as they complete them as a visual motivator.

Mini breaks

Encourage working in small chunks of time and then taking a brain break e.g. 25 minutes ‘on’, 5 minutes ‘off’ to do something rewarding.

Set aside time for fun

Even during the busiest of term times, making time for things your child enjoys is very important to maintain a healthy headspace e.g. sports, chilling out, time with family/friends.

Ewa Oaten

Director of Student Wellbeing and Counselling

Counsellor for Middle School Students (Years 7, 8 and 9)

Student Voice

The power of embracing opportunities

Girls’ Junior School Captain, Charlotte Butin and Vice-Captain, Lillian Tang talk to Aspectus about leadership and how they use the Tintern Compass.

As Junior School Captain, Charlotte acknowledges that, as a leader, her own actions and words carry weight. Recounting that at the recent Cross Country Carnival, she encouraged a student to compete in an additional race.

‘Now, she is off to district, and she is really excited!’ Charlotte said.

That’s why, as school leaders, Charlotte and Lillian embrace the opportunities that Tintern offers in the hope it inspires others to do the same.

‘I’m in a lot of different groups. There are so many things I’ve never thought of doing. I want (Junior School girls) to have the confidence to make mistakes, it’s all a part of our learning,’ Lillian explained.

Charlotte wholeheartedly believes in giving everything a go, ‘I want to support the girls to try new things,’ she said.

The girls say they often draw on the Tintern Compass values.

‘The compass guides me in my decisions as a school leader,’ Charlotte said.

‘It guides you when you are feeling troubled, or decisions feel too hard. When you see a friend injured, it helps,’ Lillian said.

What inspiring leaders!