Secondary News
Final week of 2022
It’s hard to believe we have reached the final week of 2022. Coming off the last couple of years, it was certainly our hope to have an uninterrupted year at school, for which we are very grateful.
It is amazing how busy schools are, for all involved, when we are back on campus full time. The co-curricular program, academic opportunities, sporting events, camps and other school activities have all added to filling the calendar of our community and provided lots of fun and also many fantastic learning opportunities for all. Part of this learning is of course referring to the classroom curriculum where our students have demonstrated growth in their capabilities, as well as a positive attitude toward doing the best they can. This has been demonstrated in their regular classroom subjects such as English, Science or Drama, and in opportunities outside their regular timetable such as Maths Talent Quest, Davinci Decathlon, or any number of other academic challenge activity.
The learning also applies to their social and emotional development which was challenged during the years of Covid-19 due to being forced to spend significant periods of time away from their peers. Being back in the classroom and the school yard with their peers, helps to provide the interactions and connections needed (and missed for the previous years) to develop the social and emotional understanding of themselves and others. This has included the opportunity provided by our school camps and sporting programs, and our co-curricular program. Students can follow areas of interest or passion, to connect with other students with similar interests and more importantly, to have fun.
We have moved into transition for 2023 with all students now in their classes and timetable for next year. This gives the opportunity to get a head start in their course work for 2023 and to look forward to what next year will bring.
Year 10 into 11 Transition Camp
From Monday 28 – Wednesday 30 November our current Year 10s spent three days living in-residence at Deakin University in Geelong. They had the opportunity to experience university life which included tours of both the Waterfront Campus and the Waurn Ponds Campus where they were able to explore many of the different faculties available to them when at university. Throughout the three days they attended practical sessions in areas of their choice such as Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Architecture, Exercise Science and Law. They also enjoyed sessions of beach games, surfing near Torquay and a fun session at Bounce in Geelong before coming home. The idea of the transition camp was to open their eyes to what life can be like post-secondary, and to inspire them to work hard over the coming two years so as to pursue their areas of interest in 2025 and beyond.
Year 11 into 12 Transition Conference
Like our Year 10s, our current Year 11s have just completed their Transition into Year 12 Conference. This program involves them preparing for their final year of VCE and included sessions on campus such as Fit To Drive, as well as sessions at the Sage Hotel in Eastland such as Party Safe. They heard from our Principal Mr Fry around what Year 12 will be like for them, the importance of recognising their final ATAR score alone won’t define them for the future; however, working to the best of their ability at all times, working closely with staff and supporting each other will be really important as they make their way through 2023. The final day of the Conference was in the city participating in an amazing race for the morning, before moving to a restaurant for lunch. Following this they were involved in an activity of choice such as go karting, an escape room, laser tag and bowling, etc. It was a great way to finish their conference and to begin their transition timetable back at school this week.
Brett Trollope | Head of Secondary
Year 9 Camps and Alternative Program
From the 19 to 25 November, Year 9 students participated in their final outdoor education journey as Middle Years students. There was much excitement in the lead up to this journey, however spirits were a little dampened when we were thrust back into wintry conditions on departure day. This resulted in most groups modifying and adapting to the unexpected Antarctic weather conditions to ensure that students were still able to safely engage in their outdoor experience (so much for Summer expeditions!). All groups fared remarkably well with both the changes in program and weather conditions. The one blessing of wet weather is that it provided students with the understanding of why it is important to be prepared with clothing/equipment for all seasons.
From all reports, every group demonstrated solid campcraft skills, and the ability to be self-sufficient in the outdoors, with some great catering across all groups. It was great to witness that the lure of warmer weather from the Wednesday through to the end of the week, helped buoy spirits.
The chance to experience new activities with classmates was a fantastic way in which to culminate their time as Middle School students. We had students participate in a 6-day hike, departing school on the Saturday and heading for the Great South West (Portland). Students hiked a section of the Great South West Walk between Portland and the Glenelg river building up to achieve 20+Km days carrying a full pack. This was a tremendous achievement for the students who chose this journey for the challenge, and the ability to utilise this hike as their Silver Adventurous Journey. The students passed through some waterlogged (boggy) forestlands, through to the beauty of the Glenelg River along limestone clifftops.
We had two groups rafting along the Mitchell River where students packed into drybags, loaded their rafts, and let the river take them quite quickly due to the higher water levels, to their evening campsite on the riverbank. Students camped under tarps and self-catered. The higher river levels ensured many screams of delight (perhaps fear) as rafts enjoyed the wave trains of rapids, but also enabled some down time to relax and enjoy the beauty of this river gorge and admire the true wilderness-like feel. Jumping off the old dam wall was a highlight for many students.
Another two groups ventured towards Gippsland for some sailing and sea-kayaking. This program was heavily impacted with weather conditions, however students experienced life on a sailing boat; having the opportunity to sleep on board, experience group catering and have the chance to take the wheel at the helm of the boat. The sea-kayaking was a little hampered by strong winds so a boat trip to find calmer waters provided the opportunity to try Stand Up Paddle boarding and enjoy beach walks. Despite the changes to this program the students adapted extremely well and returned from the bus with great smiles.
Our final two groups participated in a canoe journey at Lake Eildon. This was probably the most affected group by program changes as it had already moved venue due to flooding of the Glenelg River. Through the worst of the weather on the Monday and Tuesday when conditions were not suitable for canoeing, students stayed in a shearer’s quarters at Mansfield and learnt about the region’s history of sheep farming, enjoying a tour through one of the oldest and biggest woolsheds in Mansfield Shire. On the Tuesday, the students headed over to Eildon to view the true scope of Lake Eildon and the Dam wall. They then enjoyed a leisurely walk around the pondage and stopped at the local op-shop to find an outfit for dinner. By Wednesday canoe groups were able to get out onto the lake and enjoy a 3-day canoe journey along the Delatite Arm. The students really enjoyed the pace of this program, the chance to fish, sleep under a tarp if you needed/wanted to and navigate their way by boat to each campsite. The views impressed and the weather improved enabling the opportunity for a swim in the afternoon and nights by a campfire. A great way to just be and enjoy what nature has to offer.
I am really proud of the way the students managed themselves on this journey – it was a tough one to begin with, and so great to see the excitement and positive chatter amongst the various groups as they all rolled back into school on the Friday. Great job Year 9, and farewell as you continue your journey into Senior College.
Ms Lowing | Head of Outdoor Education/Year 9 Co-ordinator
Amazing Christmas Race
Last Wednesday our 2022 Year 9 students enjoyed an ‘Amazing Christmas Race’ around the School. Working in teams they had to determine the best route to take to earn maximum points. Activities required them to use their skills to solve challenges. Students tested their rafting, bike riding, rock-climbing and teamwork skills whilst also having to work out challenges such as how to release a Santa hat from a frozen block of ice. This was one of the final activities for Year 9 before transition into Senior College began, it was great fun and their festive spirit was evident.
Oriana Constable | Assistant Principal
GEM Day
While Year 9 students were on Summer Expedition, Year 7 and 8 students participated in their final GEM Day for 2022. Each GEM Day has a particular focus, and for this day the focus was largely on the ‘E’ of GEM – Empathy. In the first session, students heard from The Smith Family representatives, who spoke of the challenges faced by many young Australians who live in poverty, and are unable to afford education. The Smith Family believe education is the most powerful change agent, and therefore focus on helping young Australians overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. The intention is for Middle School students to sponsor a child through The Smith Family beginning in 2023, requiring each class to come up with a fund-raising idea. Following the presentation, students spent time brainstorming ways to raise funds in 2023. Sponsoring a child is a very practical, creative, collaborative way for our students to develop and demonstrate values and to show empathy to others, while helping our society. Deeds not words.
During the second session, students attended a presentation organised by Mrs Shereen D’Souza and the 2023 Green Team Captains, who spoke of challenges in the environment, and ways Tintern is helping support sustainability. All students then participated in a poster-design competition; each class was designated a particular theme, and small groups of students worked collaboratively to plan a poster which is then judged. The winning team from each class will have their poster printed to be used around the school to advance our understanding of recycling and minimising waste.
Our third session was a mindfulness activity Ms Rebecca Infanti constructed using The Resilience Project and her own Ideas. A variety of activities were able to be selected from, including relaxation, yoga poses and meditations. The highlight was perhaps the Bubble Photography Mindfulness Activity, where students spent time in pairs blowing bubbles, photographing them on their devices then printing the photos in colour. Some amazing shots were taken.
GEM Day ended with ten pin bowling for each year level – a busy afternoon after what has been another busy term, and indeed a busy year, in the Middle School.
On behalf of the Middle School Year Level Coordinators and all Pastoral Mentors, I would like to say we have had a wonderful year with your students, and we wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and restful break.
Anthea Watkins | Middle School Co-ordinator
Ethics Olympiad
Tintern Grammar entered two teams of Eth-letes in the Online Ethics Olympiad on 23 November 2022. Each team consisted of six students, who were able to develop and hone important skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. The Olympiad is unlike a debate, as students use their own considered position in relation to an ethical question and are welcome to share the opinion of the opposing team. Rebuttal is not part of an Ethics Olympiad.
The Olympiad covered several domains including Social Science, Philosophy, Religious Education and Gifted Education. Students gained a deeper knowledge of the world of ethics and thinking skills that they can transfer into many areas of their academic studies. Students were required to be familiar with eight different ethical scenarios, which they needed to prepare for both individually and in a group prior to the day.
On the day, students received instruction about the art of an Ethics Olympiad. They participated in unscored events against their opposing school, where feedback was giving in relation to their presentation. Students also participated in scored events against the other school. Tintern purple team were informed they were very close to receiving the bronze medal – congratulations to all students who participated across both teams.
Brett Trollope | Head of Secondary
