From the Principal

This week we have a special guest introduction from Elizabeth Cutter, Head of Girls’ Middle School. 

I recently bumped into an old school friend that I had not seen in almost 30 years. We began to reminisce about the ‘good old days’ of high school. She began to recall our many sagas with impressive detail and as I listened to her tales of our high school days, I wondered how these challenging experiences had shaped who we were today.

When I next entered our Girls’ Middle School, I looked around and pondered the myriad of challenges that currently face our girls. Every generation is shaped by the global context around them and this generation is no different. Their world appears to be more complex than ours was. Their methods of communication have certainly changed with a saturation of social media and their sense of style is much better than mine ever was.

What I realised was that the same core truths of my youth are the same core truths of today. Each girl wants to feel that they have a place in our world; that who they are and what they do matters and that someone is actually listening to their voice.

As educators and parents, it is so easy to get so lost in the problems of today that we can miss some of the truth and beauty of our Middle School girls. When we take the opportunity to listen to their voices they speak with honesty and passion. They challenge us to reflect on our world and to address the inequities within it.

Plato is famous for saying “What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?” This is a long way from what I see in our current generation.

I believe that there is a real disconnect between the perception in society that our teenagers are self-involved and lacking empathy versus the reality of our young women who I work with each day in our Middle School. In a context of bravery not perfection, I see young women who are striving to address the challenges that they are presented with.

I see young women who are realising the power in their voice and actions in addressing social justice concerns such as the global inequity in girls’ education. This was evident during our recent Days for Girls action day where our Year 8 girls worked tirelessly fundraising and creating sustainable hygiene packs for women across the globe in need. The state co-ordinator of Days for Girls, Michelle Gates, mentioned that she was blown away by the continued generosity and empathy displayed by our girls here at Tintern. In particular, she said that we (both teachers and parents) should be immensely proud of the calibre of young women we are producing here. I assured her that we were.

Our Year 7 students have recently taken on-board the issue of technology waste and organised a Mobile Muster across the school to try to reduce the negative impact it is having on our environment. They have worked across the term to promote and deliver an effective environmental campaign. We have a large number of students volunteering to be part of the Duke of Edinburgh awards where they give back to their local communities in a variety of ways. Our Social Justice co-curricular group is full of passionate young supporters who worked tirelessly to organise our ‘Comedy for a Cause’ night last term. Each one of these events gives me immense hope for our future with students that are displaying gratitude for what they have, and empathy for others.

Across our pastoral program in the Girls’ Middle School, we are constantly striving to find opportunities to connect the girls to their school, to each other and find their place as global citizens. To establish fine young women who have compassionate hearts for others and feel empowered to make a difference in this complex world of ours. Based on the evidence I see, many of our girls are already leading the way.

Music Matters

Munch was a Marvellous Mixture of Munching, Music and Merriment!

Over 400 members of the Tintern Community gathered together on Sunday morning 25 November to enjoy some wonderful end-of-year musical entertainment provided by our Junior School, Middle School and some Senior College musicians and choristers. This annual event is hosted by a volunteer committee of hard-working parents on the Friends of Music Team, who decorate the CM Wood Centre with appropriately Christmassy bling and ensure our Tintern families are well catered for. We thank them for their ongoing support of all things musical at Tintern. We welcomed the return of the Christmas sing-a-long this year and were pleasantly surprised when Santa made an unexpected visit too! Many thanks must go, also, to our ensemble and choir teachers for their ongoing tuition of our students to rehearse them to performance standard for such events. We gain much pleasure from our jobs and these events only serve as a reminder that the more you get into music, the more you’ll get out of life!

We look forward to welcoming our musicians back in 2019 for more music and merriment (and the occasional munching too!)

Sport Matters

Equitana Excursion a wonderful outing for all!

On Friday 16 November, the Equestrian Team went on an excursion to Equitana, a big horse show/event at The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Lilly Trevorrow in Year 9 had been selected to ride in the Pony Club teams show jumping display, so we all went and supported her.

The competition held was a Pony Club Zone Show jumping Competition, with 3 members from each Zone forming a team. They then competed in teams against the other zones. Lilly was representing the Northern Metropolitan Zone. There were 10 zones in the competition, so a total of 30 riders.

Only 12 riders (including Lilly) had clear rounds and faced a jump off against the clock.  Lilly’s team result saw them place 5^th. Well done, Lilly!

We all had a fantastic day, which included lots of shopping, laughs and a great day as a team! Thank you to Mrs Bezaire and Ms Infanti for organising the trip and to the Friends of Equestrian Committee for sponsoring such a wonderful experience for us all.

by Jessica Van Bremen, Year 10

Community Matters

Volunteer Thank You Evening – Register your attendance now for this Thursday!

Thursday 29 November, 7.00 – 8:30PM, Year 9 Courtyard (Visual Art space if the weather is undesirable)

Join us at this special evening on Thursday 29 November to celebrate and recognise the valuable contributions of our parent and community volunteers.  Book your ticket here!

A Fun Night for All at Munch with the Musos

Thank you to the many wonderful volunteers for their coordination and support of the 2018 Munch with the Musos, particularly the members of the Friends of Music Committee. It was a wonderful day of excitement and entertainment, showcasing the many talented and hardworking musicians at Tintern Grammar. With over 370 people in attendance the atmosphere was electric and a fantastic time had by all. We look forward to Munch with the Musos in 2019!

To read all about the event please select here.

North Queensland Mangoes

The mangoes have arrived safely and almost all have been collected. They look, smell and taste incredible.

On behalf of the Tintern Parent Group, we would like to thank everyone for their support of our 2018 Mango fundraiser. The money raised will go toward the TPG supporting projects in the Tintern Community.

High Tea Reunions 2018

Last Friday, we hosted a High Tea for past students celebrating their 50, 55 and 60 year reunions, as well as those who finished more than 56 years ago! It was a wonderful afternoon as classmates reminisced and enjoyed a performance by the Girls’ Junior School Cooper Choir. As always a highlight was the singing of the School Song! We were lucky enough to hear an energetic and impassioned rendition of the “lost verse” from one of our Alumni, as the school song has been updated over the years.

The afternoon concluded with a campus tour led by students from our Middle Schools.

Thank you to the students in the choir and those who led tours, you all did a wonderful job. Thank you also to our dedicated Volunteer Archive team, the ladies once again put together a beautiful photo display.

Here are some photos from the High Tea Reunion. Follow this link to view the full photo gallery: www.tintern.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/reunions

2019 Reunions

We are excited to share the following Reunions dates for 2019:

Chapter Reunions

Friends of Equestrian – 2019 Horse Trials – Save the Date!

Would you be willing for us to put an advertising sign in your front yard to help promote our Fair?

If so, please get in contact – 9845 7877 or fair@tintern.vic.edu.au!

Volunteers Needed

The Fair committee are looking for parent volunteers to be year level coordinators of the following remaining stalls (please note: year levels listed are 2019 year level):

• Yr 1 – Cappuccino

• Yr 9 – Plants

• Yr 11 – Sausage / Hamburger Sizzle

• Yr 12 – Devonshire Tea

Please email the Fair Committee fair@tintern.vic.edu.au to let them know you’re interested in being a stall coordinator.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who have already signed on as Stall Coordinators for 2019.

Are you Spring Cleaning?

For the 2019 School Fair our parents and students will be running ‘recycling/reusing/upcycling’ stalls featuring second-hand clothing, books and toys. Please consider donating any suitable items to the school and spreading the word amongst neighbours and friends. In the past they have been fabulous fundraisers, and an opportunity to find some rare and wonderful bargains.

We ask that all donations are in a good clean condition ready for sale. All items can be boxed or bagged up and dropped off as follows:

• Second hand books are to be dropped to the corridor running between learning enhancement and Kennedy Cottage 
• Second hand clothing and toys will need to be dropped outside the old boarding house under the cover and Tintern staff will move inside.
• New items should be dropped in the hallway in Kennedy Cottage.

Thank you for all of your donations.

Fair Sponsorship Opportunities

In 2017, our FAIR raised in excess of $50,000 towards a solar project for our redeveloped 21^st Century Science wing. Work has begun on this project and completion is anticipated early 2019. This year, with your help, we hope to continue our sustainable focus redirecting our 2019 FAIR fundraising dollars to wind power and more solar options.

The Fair is held every two years, and previous Fairs held at Tintern have attracted more than 5,000 people.  In the evening, we have an impressive fireworks display that attracts additional guests.  Many families and business owners attend the fair and come from the local and surrounding community.  This creates a unique opportunity to showcase your goods and services or your business.

For further information please read the flyer below, or contact the Community Relations on 03 9845 7877 or communityrelations@tintern.vic.edu.au. 

Community Committee Dates 

• Tintern Parent Group (TPG) –Next meeting: Early 2019 Kennedy Cottage Co-Presidents: Haidee Wallace and Leeza Crowe
• Friends of Music (FOM) – Next Meeting: Early 2019 CM Wood Common Room President: Tim Oldmeadow
• Friends of Young Farmers (FOYF) – Next Meeting: Early 2019 TBA President: Jonathan Cross
• Fair Committee – Next Meeting: Early 2019 CM Wood Common Room Fair Convenor: Amanda McKenzie
• Friends of Equestrian (FOE) – Next Meeting: TBA Kennedy Cottage President: Henrik Qvist

Community Group Fundraising

Entertainment Book – Get yours now before they are all gone!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift you can still purchase the Entertainment Book Membership! For a limited time they are offering free postage of the books.

Filled with up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for the most popular restaurants, attractions, shopping, travel and more. The book is current from purchase until the end of May 2019.

With many new offers and all the old favourites the value of this book is incredible!

Please click here to order your 2018/2019 Entertainment book from Tintern Grammar. Books can be collected from Main Reception, or instantly purchase and access a digital membership which can then be used on two separate devices.

Please contact Community Relations on 9845 7877 for further information.

All proceeds raised go towards the fundraising for the TPG for 2018.

Tintern Grammar Photo Albums – Protect your School Photos!

Protect your child’s school photos with a stunning Tintern Photo Album. The TPG is offering beautiful quality made customised ‘buckram’ binders for only $72. The albums are Navy, featuring the school crest and name printed in silver on the front cover and come complete with 10 transparent sheet inserts.

The albums are great for storing:
– The official school photos
– Certificates
– NAPLAN and ICAS results
– Sports and performer ribbons
– Artwork
– Programs from concerts, sports days and special assemblies
– Photos
– Newsletter clippings
– Your own scrapbook creations (as the pages are 30cm x 30cm standard scrapbook size)

In fact, if you think of it like a filing cabinet of memories, over the years it builds up into quite a treasure! Samples can be viewed in the uniform shop and all orders are now taken at this link through trybooking. 

Once you have placed your order, please take your confirmation to the Uniform Shop to collect your Album and/or extra pages.

Jillian Theodore YG 1977

Half-way through studying Year 12 at Tintern in 1977, Jillian received an AFS (American Field Service) scholarship to attend Year 12 at a school in Wisconsin, USA. This ignited her interest in travel and an interesting and varied career all over the world. Jillian has had the opportunity to live and work in Europe, China, Asia and the United States.

Jillian has worked in International Business, Marketing and Communications, including Event Management for many notable companies all over the world, including as a volunteer. Jillian says, “I enjoy blending lessons from my 20+ years of experience in international business, with insights into how to remain resilient in the corporate world and in your personal life, regardless of what you may encounter in your professional career.”

Recently reconnecting with Tintern, Jillian spent an afternoon reminiscing and touring the campus and enjoyed afternoon tea with Mr Bradley Fry.

To read more about Jillian’s career in Australia and abroad please visit her Meet Our Alumni profile by selecting here.

ELC News

This is such a busy time in the ELC. It is always a magical time of year made even more so by the delight and excitement that young children bring to the season.

The children are all practising their respective concerts, singing songs and practising small speaking roles. All the children in the ELC are getting very excited as they practise for their respective concerts to perform to their families.

In the classes, we have all started to complete some Christmas activities through art and craft Christmas themed experiences. The rooms are filled with tinsel, glitter and sequins as the children explore what Christmas means in a variety of ways. In fact, we have had to order more Red and Green paint!

We have been sharing stories, introducing some traditional stories alongside some modern ones which show the children the different ways that Christmas can be celebrated and shared with families.

You can also hear Christmas songs being sung with full gusto not only in preparation for the upcoming concerts but also to enjoy the festive season.

The classes have begun the very secretive work of creating their Christmas gifts for their families.

All of these things make our rooms’ busy, but joyous places to work.

As a staff, we find this is such a fun way to end the year by bringing fun and celebration into the classroom.

Team Kids Holiday Program

This Summer Team Holiday program has gotten even bigger! View these flyers to learn more. 

Tintern Grammar – ELC flyer

Tintern Grammar – Junior School flyer

Register your children asap at www.teamkids.com.au or phone #1300 035 000.

Girls’ Middle School News

Transition is in full swing in the Girls’ Middle School. Our students are enjoying the opportunity to move up in the school and take on new year level space, classrooms, subjects and classrooms.

I am delighted to see that the girls are taking on every opportunity and are keen to engage with each new subject and classroom teacher. There is a lovely sense of energy and excitement around the school as they enter this transition stage.

Adding to the excitement today was the presence of our new Year 7 students on their third Orientation Day. Over the course of today, they had two subject-based classes so that they know what Year 7 next year will be like. This hopefully reduced some of their nerves about the coming year. They also had some more get to know you activities and An Amazing Race around the school put together by our wonderful Middle School and House Leaders. Our current Year 7 students were hosts to the new Year 7s across the day and provided them with several words of advice on how to make the most of your Middle School journey. This included short films put together by our current Year 7 students that demonstrated what to if you forget your lunch, your uniform, get lost or forget what you Teacher’s name is. The final highlight was the annual fashion parade that is put on by our current Year 7s to our new Year 7’s how to wear the uniform correctly and incorrectly. This is always a very fun activity with a great opportunity for our current Year 7s is to make our new Year 7s feel welcome.

Our Year 9s have survived their first ever exam period with exams for English, Science and Maths. This invaluable experience has put them in good stead for their coming senior years.  Over these exams, students were able to identify areas of challenge such as ensuring that they came equipped with the correct material for the exam, and working to a time limit in exam conditions. Developing effective exam techniques is an essential senior year’s skill along with learning to remain calm and composed during this time. This is not always easy for all students and I was delighted to see the effort invested by students to take this opportunity seriously and make the most of it.

In the coming week, Years 7 and 8 have a host of activities, incursions and great lessons to keep them focussed and excited to learn, such as the Year 8 Medieval Day and a Year 7 Maths show incursion. I am heading off with our current Year 9 students on Monday to go sea kayaking across the Gippsland lakes. I look forward to sharing all of our adventures when we return.

Important dates for the remainder of the year:

Boys’ Middle School News

The end of the academic year for the respective year levels has arrived and the boys are now entrenched in their 2019 classes with work already beginning for their new subjects. This transition provides the boys an early taste of what awaits them next year in terms of academic expectations, as well as most of the staff that will be working alongside them next year. For our current Year 7s this includes an introduction to their first elective subjects as well as new core subjects. Our current 8s have begun discussions around Year 9 and the activities included in that year, such as the camping program that begins in Week 5 of next year. Our current Year 9s have been up in the Senior College experiencing life as it will be for the next three years for them.

In the recent weeks, we have had all boys completing end of year tests and assignments which has provided many of them with an increase in homework and revision strategies prior to these assessments. For our Year 9s boys it was their first experience of examinations (English, Science and Maths) in the CM Wood Centre and the level of effort they displayed to their assessments was really pleasing.

Our Year 8 boys have recently completed leadership applications, which for some, included a speech at our recent assembly to their peers. This was such a fulfilling experience to see the level of maturity these boys are developing and the desire to take on leadership roles in our school. The positions will be announced at our end of year assembly on Tuesday 11 December beginning at 10am.

Our Movember campaign continues with our fundraising efforts reaching more than $1500 so far. We appreciate all the support that has been provided and we are really looking forward to the 30th so we can shave! Follow this link if you wish to donate to our team. 

The Resilience Project is being introduced to our Middle Schools next year and recently our staff received a presentation by Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project. The presentation highlighted the utmost importance around how we as a community (home and school) need to be doing everything we can to help the mental health of our young people. I personally am really looking forward to the program beginning next year. Follow this link to watch a Ted Talk by Hugh.

Victoria McKenzie awarded the Girl Guides’ highest award

Congratulations to Victoria McKenzie in Year 9 who has been awarded the Girl Guides’ highest award – the BP (Baden Powell) Award.

Victoria has been a Guide for four years, and completed a number of challenges and activities in each of the following areas over that time:

• Promise and Law
• Outdoors
• Patrol System
• Service
• Guiding Traditions
• World Guiding

Victoria’ Croydon West Guide Unit held a special presentation ceremony for her last weekend, and she will be invited to attend the State Presentation at Government House early next year.

She is one of only a handful of girls to complete the BP Award since the Croydon West Guide Unit started 60 years ago, and it has been six years since the last girl who reached this achievement.

Well done, Victoria!

News from the Senior College

With transition classes for next year’s Year 11 and Year 12 students underway, we will come to the end of the 2018 academic year for current Senior College students who finish this Friday 30 November. As part of the academic transition, staff will be setting students “holiday homework” that is due to be completed by the first scheduled lesson for each subject in 2019. Transition material is available on the Portal should students have missed any of the sessions. A reminder that classes resume for next year’s Year 11 and Year 12 students on Thursday 31 January and for Year 10 students Friday 1 February.

A number of Senior College students have already departed on the World Challenge trip to Nepal and I will be following their journey with great interest through our school’s Facebook page. I wish them and the accompanying staff an enjoyable time and fulfilling trip.

Our Class of 2018 had their final official School function, their Valedictory Dinner, last Wednesday at Leonda by the Yarra. The evening was a chance for this year’s Year 12 students, their families, teachers and other invited guests to enjoy each others’ company and to celebrate the achievements of our class of 2018 – not only across this year but in the year’s leading up to their final graduation. It was a fabulous night enjoyed by all!

On Thursday Evening I joined the Year 10 Mentors and students for the Social which was held at Gardiner’s Run. Students enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate the completion of their exams. It was lovely to see the positive interactions between students as they enjoyed dancing and socialising together.

I’d like to wish all Senior College students and their families a safe and happy holiday period.

News from Year 10

Our Year 10 students thoroughly enjoyed the Social at Gardiners Run on Thursday 22 November, after a week of examinations. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Pastoral Mentors who also move with the Year 10 cohort next year. Photographs can be purchased electronically using the code ‘tintern18’ from Happy Medium Photo Co. (Outer East) at: http://www.viewyourphotos.com.au/

Staff have appreciated the manner in which the Year 10 students have responded to the Year 12 examinations being held in the Anderson Centre over the past few weeks, as well as the positive way in which they have approached transition classes that commenced this week.

A reminder that the optional METEC driving course will depart at 2.00pm on Wednesday 28 November. The parent session commences at 8.00pm and families collect their child at 9.30pm. The second day is Wednesday 5 December departing at 8.30am from the Tintern bus bay and students will be returned to school by 3.30pm. The optional Level 2 First Aid course will be held in the Senior College from Monday 3 to Tuesday 4 December and follows the usual school hours.

Thank you to families for their continued support during the year and best wishes for a safe Christmas and holiday period.

News from Year 11

This has been a truly enjoyable year for me as Year 11 Coordinator. This group of young adults has proven themselves to be a decent, considerate, intelligent, and fun group. As we all know, the student makeup of a given year level is a random and diverse collection of personalities, and your sons and daughters have all been fortunate to have such a supportive group of people to call their peers. It is because each student in Year 11 has played an important part in shaping the dynamic this year that this was possible.

It is with this perspective that I leave Tintern Grammar at the end of the year, fortunate to have spent my final year as Year 11 Coordinator working with such an enjoyable group of young people. I am proud of them and I know that this school is going to be in exceptionally good hands next year with them as the leaders.

I want to thank the students for their efforts this year in being supportive of one another, the school, and the staff. I also want to thank the parents for their continued trust in, and support, of the staff in the Senior College.

ICAS English Awards 

On Saturday 24 November, Christine Millgate-Smith represented the school at the ICAS Awards ceremony at the Convention Centre, Docklands. Oscar de Jong was the recipient of the medal for Year 11 English, as the highest scorer in Victoria. His mother and Maureen McCrane, his Literature teacher, attended as well. Congratulations Oscar!

All the best for an enjoyable holiday and year ahead.

News from Year 12

This week we have officially welcomed the 2019 Year 12 students into the upstairs space! Students have moved into their new lockers and are getting ready for the big year ahead. Plans are underway for the traditional Year 12 banner, a visible way to signify coming to together as one unified group. It has been great to see the enthusiasm for this exciting yet challenging year and I am very much looking forward to working with such a fabulous group of young people.

As we move into the holiday and Christmas period we are asking the students to reflect on what Christmas means to them and to consider those who may not be so fortunate. As a year level, we are supporting the Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal. We are encouraging all students or groups of students to either donate a toy or book. The Smith Family are most in need of toys for 6-12 year olds and they must not be bigger than a school backpack. They must be new and for this appeal clothes and costumes are not accepted. Please visit their website for more details about appropriate donations.

All the best for a safe, healthy and happy holiday break, Christmas and New Year!

Tintern Grammar 2019 Inter-School Horse Trials Championship – Save the Date

Cricket Victoria to host the 4th Girls Leadership Forum in Melbourne

Cricket Victoria is delighted to announce they will host the 4^th Girls Leadership Forum in Melbourne at our brand new state-of-the-art facility, the CitiPower Centre.

The forum is an extension of the online program and features a number of representatives from a variety of sporting codes including the keynote speaker, former Australian Netballer and recent contestant from The Block, Bianca Chatfield.

Registrations are now open so get on board via the link below where you will also find some more information on the day.

REGISTER HERE

Please Note: To be eligible to attend this forum, we require students to be registered and complete the interactive online program. More information can be found HERE.

Any interested students can email Tintern Grammar’s Sports Assistance Amy Vine via email avine@tintern.vic.edu.au.