From the Principal

The effects of pornography on young people – resources for parents.

Tintern Grammar SchoolTV homepage

SchoolTV pornography specific resources

Curriculum Matters

VCE and IB examinations are well underway and we wish our Year 12 students all the best as they await the publication of their results on 14 December (VCE) and 3 January 2019 (IB). Having said that, we acknowledge that it is not only these scores which will define the future for our graduates. It also will be the choices they make and the opportunities they embrace as so many new paths open up to them. If they can’t see the way forward immediately, they may have to go hunting for some new opportunities. We never really know what’s ahead of us in life, but the enjoyment and challenge sometimes is as much in the journey as the destination. 

We are also nearing the examination period for our Year 9s, 10s and 11s. It is a busy time for our staff and students, but also an exciting time as another year of exploration and learning at Tintern reaches its culmination.

Additionally, final projects are being submitted and testing undertaken to allow our teachers across Years Prep to 8 to commence their end-of-semester reporting on the progress made by each student in their various classes. We trialled Progressive Reporting in Year 8 in 2017 and this year we have successfully expanded it across the whole Middle School. We hope that the regular updates and feedback on individual summative assessments have kept parents informed of their child’s progress and facilitated more useful reflections, regular conversations and opportunities for goal setting between parents, students and staff. The end-of-semester reports, with summative gradings and comments, will be published at the end of Term 4.

We know that the skills and attributes our students have been developing this school year will be consolidated and built upon as they move into their next year of schooling. To this end, and to encourage our students to look forward with anticipation to the year ahead, we are trialling a full transition to the 2019 timetable for students currently in Years 7 to 11, commencing the week of 26 November. Students will commence a unit of work in each of their 2019 subject areas, and there may be some assessments in some subjects. It is, therefore, imperative that students attend and continue to maintain their focus for this period immediately after the examination/testing sessions. Year 7s and 8s will continue with their transition classes the following week (3-7 December), interspersed with a few end-of-year activities. Year 9s will be heading off on their Summer Expeditions and Year 10s and 11s will have concluded their classes for 2018.

Looking back at some of our standardised testing this year, we were very pleased with our NAPLAN results for 2018, which showed a consistent trend in most disciplines and year levels above and well above state level results. Our Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator and our Heads of English and Maths have reviewed the results and pinpointed year levels and areas which will be targeted with renewed goals and action plans for implementation in 2019, with the aim of supporting our students to achieve their best in these particular disciplines.

With our STEAM Centre abuzz on a daily basis with students and exciting activities, it was timely that Tintern Grammar was selected to participate in a government- mandated NAP – Science Literacy Assessment last month, which involved eighteen of our Year 10 students. These 18 students were randomly selected by The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). This sampling process, which produces a different set of sample schools and students for each three-yearly NAP-SL Main Study, helps to ensure that a diverse range of student backgrounds and abilities is represented. Tintern was one of almost 600 schools which participated in this sample assessment program which has been conducted on a three-year rolling cycle since 2003. Until 2015, participation in NAP-SL was limited to a sample of Year 6 students. 2018 marked the first year a sample of Year 10 students also participated. Our Science staff are looking forward to receiving these results in the near future to inform our program reviews. The assessment also included a survey on attitudes towards the study of Science at school. 

It must be remembered, of course, that these standardised tests are a single snapshot in time focussing on a few key skills and they do not provide the whole picture of the capabilities of our diverse range of students. We continue to celebrate the many achievements of our students across a broad range of disciplines and interest areas, both within and beyond our school boundaries. We aim to guide and support them as they continue their life-long learning journey towards knowledge and understanding.

I wish you all a happy and safe holiday break, when we get there!

Music Matters

Remembrance Day Concert

On Sunday 11 November, various Tintern Grammar music ensembles performed at the Remembrance Day Centenary Community concert at the Uniting Church in Heathmont. The concert commemorated 100 years since the end of World War 1, and was not only a privilege to be a part of, but an unforgettable experience. This event was extremely important, as the service was a reminder of those who contributed and gave their lives to serve our country.

The significance of this event was shown through the red poppies worn by every student, participant and audience member of the concert. The poppies are a symbol of remembrance, as they were the flowers that grew on the battlefields at the end of World War 2.

As a school, we were lucky enough to have a great deal of involvement in the community event. Both our Intermediate Boys’ Choir and our Intermediate Girls’ Choir sang numerous songs, ranging from popular charts to some war-time favourites that the audience could sing along with. The Intermediate Jazz Band also featured, playing two sets of some quite challenging music! A real highlight of the afternoon was Tintern alumnae Aimee and Caitlin Spears performing. Their incredible voices impressing the audience and also all current students. At the conclusion of the concert, Year 9 student Charlie Victoria was given the privilege of performing the Last Post. This was certainly a very proud and special moment for Tintern and Charlie especially.

Every student represented Tintern commendably and enriched the audience with some top-notch performances. It was an extremely proud moment for our School to be a part of such a meaningful event and an opportunity for which we were very grateful.

by Amelia Kenny, Intermediate Jazz Band Captain

Time to Munch with the Musos

We’re 12 days away from… (wait for it ….. no, not Christmas!)… from the Mammoth Musically Momentous occasion we affectionately call “Munch with the Musos”!

Start to dust off your Christmas finery (reindeer ears, Santa hats and tinselly halos welcome) and come along to the CM Wood Centre at 10am on Sunday 25 November. Bookings can be made through TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/436459 

Performers enter free (but must book their seats). Tea, coffee, juice, buns, sandwiches and fruit supplied but you may also bring your own gourmet delights to share with friends and family too. 

Sport Matters

Victorian All Schools Track and Field Results

Congratulations to Corey Dickson in Year 10 who placed 1st in the U18 5000m Racewalk in a time of 24 minutes and 46 seconds at the Victorian All Schools Track and Field competition over Cup weekend. Corey also competed in the U18 3000m Run, placing 10^th in a time of 9 minutes and 37 seconds. Well done, Corey!

Paul Haasbroek in Year 10 also competed at the Victorian All Schools competition and won both the pole vault and javelin events.

Also, Paul competed in his first decathlon for the season and broke the Victorian decathlon record with an end score of 6912 points. Congratulations Paul!

Brinthan and Barathan Mahadeva selected in representative summer cricket teams

Congratulations to Brinthan Mahadeva in Year 8 who has been selected to represent Box Hill in the under 15 Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association (VSDCA) Craig Shield from 9-17 January. Congratulations are also in order for Barathan Mahadeva in Year 6 who has been selected to represent the under 12 Eastern cricket club during this summer.

 Good luck to both Brinthan and Barathan for their upcoming cricket series!

Mitch McGovern 3rd at Victorian Omnium Championship

Congratulations to Year 9 student Mitch McGovern who placed 3rd in the recent Victorian Omnium Championship.

Charlie excels at Barrel Racing Comp in Gippsland!

Congratulations to Charlie Johnson in Year 10 who placed well at the recent ABHA Barrel Racing Day in Nilma, Gippsland. Charlie placed 1st in the Juniors (18 and under) and 1st in the 2D (Second Division) of the Open Competition.

Equestrian Team off to Equitana this Friday

Twenty riders in our Equestrian Team are looking forward to heading off to the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds this Friday 16 November with Mrs Bezaire and Ms Infanti to enjoy the exhibition riding and showing at Equitana 2018! This excursion has been made possible through the generous support of our Friends of Equestrian Parent Committee and we thank them for sponsoring this activity for our hard-working riders.

by Alison Bezaire, Equestrian Coordinator

Community Matters

Volunteer Thank You Evening

Thursday 29 November, 7.00 – 8:30PM, Year 9 Courtyard

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!

Community Event – Oaks Day at Yarra Glen Races!

The inaugural Tintern Grammar Community Celebration Day was a great success last Thursday as current, past and future families and friends joined us for Oaks Day at the Yarra Glen Races!

As you can see everyone dressed to impress, and we even had a member of the Tintern community place second in the Eastland Fashions on the Field competition! View the full photo gallery. 

Thank you to those who attended this event. We look forward to running a Community Celebration Day in 2019!

Munch with the Musos – Book your tickets now!

Don’t miss out on your ticket to the 2018 Munch with the Musos on Sunday 25 November, 10AM – 12.30PM, in the CM Wood Centre.

Select here to buy your tickets now!

Tintern Parents Group – supporting our Community

Thank you to the incredible group of volunteers on the Tintern Parents Group Committee, and to all those who have supported their incredible events in 2018. Whether supporting as a volunteer or an attendee some of the highlights from this year include:

• Movie Under the Stars
• Trivia Night
• Spring Garden Tour
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Stalls
• Fundraising such as the Photo Albums, Mangos, Entertainment Books etc.

This year the TPG were proud to support a number of causes within Tintern and within our wider community. The Junior School boys and girls had a bush dance to farewell Term 2, enjoying the sounds of the Blackberry Jam Bush Band, which was sponsored by the TPG. The Trivia Night also raised much needed funds for the Anglicare Missions.

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 – 2019 Giant Fair

The Fair committee are busily preparing for next year’s Giant Fair on Saturday 30 March 2019 and today we are looking for parent volunteers to be year level coordinators of the following stalls (please note: year levels listed are 2019 year level):

• Year 1 – Cappuccino
• Year 2 – Craft Activities
• Year 3 – Cakes
• Year 8 – Secondhand Clothes
• Year 9 – Plants
• Year 11 – Sausage / Hamburger Sizzle
• Year 11 – Ice Creams & Roving Choc Tops
• Year 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.

The following stalls have already been allocated (thanks to our great coordinators!):

• Pre-Loved Toys & Sports Gear – ELC
• Show Bags – Prep
• Corn / Hot Dogs – Year 4
• Baked Potatoes – Year 5
• Fairy Floss – Year 6
• Hot Roast Rolls – Year 7
• Drinks & Snow Cones –Year 7
• Donuts – Year 8
• Rides Booth – Year 9
• Secondhand Books –Year 10
• Hot Chips – Year 10
• Year 12 – Chicken Skewers

If you are keen to be involved in any way, please email your expression of interest to fair@tintern.vic.edu.au, or contact Community Relations on 9845 7877.

Community Committee Dates 

• Tintern Parent Group (TPG) –Next meeting: 2019 7.30pm Kennedy Cottage Co-Presidents: Haidee Wallace and Leeza Crowe
• Friends of Music (FOM) – Next Meeting: Wednesday 14 November 7pm CM Wood Common Room President: Tim Oldmeadow
• Friends of Young Farmers (FOYF) – Next Meeting: Early 2019 TBA President: Jonathan Cross
• Fair Committee – Next Meeting: Tuesday 13 November 2018 7.30pm 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.

2018 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection notice

Please read this important notice (below or download here) from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training advising you that the department has requested that your child’s school provide a statement of addresses, in accordance with the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth).  

Please contact Tintern’s Business Manager Damien Horman via dhorman@tintern.vic.edu.au if you have any queries. 

Crystal Kimber (YG 2007) features again at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival

The Spring Racing Carnival is always a busy time of year for alumna Crystal Kimber (YG 2007) and this year was no different as Crystal had the exciting task of judging a number of fashion events at Flemington, including the Oaks Day daily competition, Victorian State Final and the National Final, as well as the Senior Girls on Stakes Day. Crystal shared with us that “It’s so special to have the opportunity to judge this year, especially the senior girls (14-18) as that is the first competition I ever entered.”

Keen followers of School news will remember Crystal won last year’s MYER Fashions on the Field National Competition at Kennedy Oaks Day. This photo is from the 2017 competition.

Dr Jo Newton (YG 2006) receives University of New England’s Young Distinguished Alumni Award

Congratulations to alumna Dr Jo Newton (YG 2006) who recently received the University of New England’s Young Distinguished Alumni Award for her contributions to agricultural research and advocacy of youth in agriculture. This is a wonderful achievement and acknowledgment of Jo’s contributions and dedication. Well done, Jo!

News from the Boys’ Junior School Art Room

During our study of Art From Other Cultures, the Years 5 and 6 boys explored the Mexican celebration – Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It is a day to celebrate life and death, and decorated sugar skulls are offered to lost loved ones. Look how creative our boys were with their sugar skulls!

The Year 1 boys enjoyed creating their Skeleton Band for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – a Mexican tradition to celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones.

by Maria Lumsden, Visual Arts Educator

Prep boys’ excursion to the Melbourne Aquarium

The Prep boys had an excursion to the Melbourne Aquarium to complement their Integrated Studies topic of Under the Sea. They were able to touch some of the sea creatures in the ‘feely tank’ and saw many of the creatures we have talked about in class first hand. The boys were very excited to see the huge eels, sharks and manta rays. The penguins were a definite favourite as they waddled around. The boys loved it when they came up close to the window to check them out!

Crossing Oceans

As part of our Crossing Oceans topic the Year 4 students have all chosen a country to study in detail. Each boy chose a country they had very little prior knowledge on and some of the countries have been very challenging to research.  We have focussed on drawing on a wide variety of sources, with visits to the Senior School Library, local regional libraries and web-based searches all contributing to the information gathering.

Another interesting information source has been the individual country consulates and embassies.  The boys all drafted then finalised emails which they sent out and have been thrilled with the replies they received.  Learning how to write a formal email requesting assistance and then following up with a polite thank you email has been a great learning experience for the boys.

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Presentations at Senior School Assembly

On Friday 9 November, 22 students received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards certificates and badges. The Bronze Award is the first level of the program and involves a 3-6 month commitment plus 4 days of an adventurous journey.

The Duke of Edinburgh program is an internationally recognised award that invites young people aged 14-25 to realise their ambitions and to change their world.

Young people challenge themselves by choosing activities that spark their interest in the three sections of the award – service, physical and skill. They set their own goals and work towards achieving them over the given time period.

Year 9 Bronze Awards:

Craig Bonnington, Freya Bryson, Kaidin Dalzotto, Jonah Fleming, Alex Higgins, Jessica Hobson, Oliver Huang, Emma Jones, Victoria McKenzie, Laura Mitcham, Kaitlyn Oldaker, Katey O’Reilly, Eden Riddell, Ashley Smith, Mitchell Snowball, Lydia Tan, Holly Whitfield, Lauren Wooller.

Year 10 Bronze Awards:

Stella Burke, Corey Dickson, Lauren Maxwell-Greenwood

Year 11 Bronze Award:

Elissa Wright

Congratulations to these students!

Laura Mitcham (Year 9) made the following comments at the assembly about her Duke of Edinburgh Award Journey this year:

I chose to do the Duke of Ed program as I had heard about it through school and, also externally from family friends who had previously completed it and loved the experience. For my Bronze Award, I chose to pursue some activities that I was already involved in, but I also chose some new activities that I had not done before. For my skill, I chose to use Intermediate and Concert Choirs. I was already a member of both of these choirs, but I challenged and extended myself by singing second soprano to learn how better to hold an internal part. For my service, I chose to use my role as a middle school leader. Although this was a commitment I had already made, I put more thought into what I did and committed a little extra time to the role to justify including it as part of by Bronze Award. My physical activity was playing in an external rugby league team and this was something that I had never done before. Playing rugby league was definitely something that pushed me outside my comfort zone, as it is not exactly a sport someone of my height and build would play. My adventurous journey was the Wilsons Promontory Hike that I did at the start of the year as part of the Year 9 Outdoor Education program. One thing I learnt about the Bronze Award is that it does not take too much extra time as you can use activities that you already pursue. The important thing is to have a clear goal for each activity that extends you from where you currently are. Through pursuing this award, I have tried new activities and thought more carefully about what I wanted to achieve in the activities I was already doing. Overall, the award was a really fun and rewarding experience and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. I plan to pursue both my Silver and Gold Awards and hope to be standing on stage again next year and in Year 12 to receive both of these awards. I look forward to taking part in the amazing adventurous journeys that are offered at these levels.

by Anne Bortolussi, Co-ordinator Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program

Boys’ Middle School News

A four day weekend is welcome at any time as it refreshes not just the boys, but the staff also. It provides our boys with the opportunity to prepare for what is the last few weeks of their current year level before transition begins for everyone. All year levels finish their current classes on Friday 23 November including English, Science and Maths exams for Year 9s, and a number of end of year assessments for other year levels. On Monday 26 November, all boys move to their new year levels and begin their 2019 timetables. This will mean new pastoral groups, new mentors, new electives, etc. This transition period runs for two full weeks for our current Year 7s and 8s, whilst our current Year 9s complete one week of transition and one week of Summer Expeditions.

Our Year 7 Night of the Notables was a huge success and showcased the fantastic work our Year 7 boys and girls put into their projects. To see the students on stage introducing themselves, then talking in detail to all the guests was a great sight and a reflection of the skills this project brings out in our Year 7s.

Our Year 8 boys are currently applying for leadership positions for 2019 with a range of possible roles from School Leaders (Captain, Vice-Captain and School Leaders), House Captains, and Co-curricular Captains. Part of this process involves a written application and interview, with those applying for School Leaders’ roles also having to make a speech at an upcoming assembly. The leadership team will be selected after considering student and staff votes, as well as the combination of boys that will form a strong team.

At a recent assembly our Term 3 Factis Non-verbis awards were presented to the following boys:

7D – Euan Forbes

7E – Lachlan Smith

8D – Blake Chrisfield

8E – Austen Humphreys

9D – Jack Dong

9E – Riley Turnbull

Congratulations to each of these boys on their recognition.

As many would be aware, this month we are supporting the cause of Movember by having a number of staff participate in both the moustache-growing component as well as the exercise component. A very big thank you to all families who have made a donation to our Movember team, but more importantly, this has provided our boys with an opportunity to recognise issues associated with men’s health, if not for now, then in the future for them. If you are interested in donating to our team please follow this link: https://moteam.co/tintern-boys-middle-school-teachers?mc=1

Year 7 Night of the Notables

Sir Donald Bradman, John Lennon, Sir John Monash. All in the same room at the same time?

Tuesday 30 October saw the 2018 version of the Year 7 ‘Night of the Notables.’ For several weeks leading up to the event, Year 7 students undertook research on a ‘notable’ person: someone who has made a significant contribution to humanity through their work or passion.

On the evening, the students took on the character of their ‘notable’, answering a range of questions from the crowd of parents, grandparents, other family and friends who attended the expo-style occasion in the CM Wood Centre. The 2018 Year 7 cohort ‘raised the bar’ in terms of their preparation and presentation, and certainly related a vast amount of information for the visitors wandering through.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening of learning, sharing and celebrating the efforts of the students in finding out so much about their ‘notable.’ Congratulations to the Year 7 cohort on putting on such a wonderful ‘show.’

by Matt O’Brien, Year 7 Boys’ Co-ordinator

Girls’ Middle School News

This week in our Principal’s assembly, I was delighted to see how many our Middle School Girls’ achieved their Bronze Award for the Duke of Edinburgh. This wonderful program uses a non-formal education framework, which helps to provide opportunities for young people to develop essential life skills, increase their employability and foster their creativity and innovation. Congratulations to Freya Bryson, Jessica Hobson, Emma Jones, Victoria McKenzie, Laura Mitcham, Kaitlyn Oldaker, Katey O’Reilly, Eden Riddell, Lydia Tan, Holly Whitfield, and Lauren Wooller for their hard work and determination shown through obtaining this award.

Last week we commenced our 2019 leadership campaign for our Year 8 students with an introductory presentation where students were shown what leadership positions were available and what the process would involve. As a result, several Year 8 students have been working hard on their applications, identifying their key skills and practicing their public speaking skills. All Year 8 students were encouraged to consider applying if they would like to, and reminded that regardless of the outcome that the process can be a valuable reflection of their skills and growth over their Middle School Years. The positions available are Middle School Captain, Middle School Vice-Captain, Middle School Leaders, House Captains, Music & Drama Captain, Community Service Captain & Sport Captain. The application process continues this coming week with presentations to the Middle School by those who are applying to be MS leaders. The 2019 MS leadership team will be announced in our Final Combined Middle School Assembly on 11 December at 10am in the CM Wood. Our Year 9 students will also be farewelled at this assembly as they leave the Middle School and join our Senior School.

I would like to congratulate our Middle School girls who gave a great performance as part of the Tintern Intermediate Choir last Sunday at the Heathmont Uniting Church for the WW1 Century Remembrance day concert. The feedback that I have already received from Mrs Bortolussi was that “they sang beautifully, looked immaculate and behaved impeccably. They were wonderful ambassadors and a credit to themselves, their parents and their school”. High praise indeed! I would encourage any student who is looking for a way to get involved in co-curricular to consider joining one of our choirs in the coming year.

On Wednesday 14 November (tomorrow) we are participating in a free dress day as a fundraiser for ‘Days for Girls’. All students are encouraged to wear something orange and bring a gold coin donation for this worthwhile cause. On the day there will also be a bake sale and ice-cream sundaes for sale from our dedicated ‘Days for Girls’ Year 8 fundraising team.

Our Year 9 students are rapidly heading into their first exam time. We are continuing to work with them on effective revision methods and time management skills in this busy time.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the recipients of our Term 3 Factis awards. These awards reflect students that consistently display the Tintern compass points based on teacher nominations. Each young woman has worked hard to display compassion, respect, commitment, fulfilment, confidence, responsibility, independence and integrity, which is wonderful to see. Congratulations to Amanda Huang, Niki Partovifar, Kiara Bakken, Miya Urquhart, Mellyn Sun, Emma Pethebridge, Emma du Blet, Olivia Dowling, Olivia Dunkley, Victoria McKenzie, Halle Hupfeld, Emma Jones, Jaimee Jalocha and Lydia Tan.

News from the Careers Department

Currently, a number of 2019 Years 10, 11 and 12  students have been making appointments to change their subject choices for next year. We ask that all forms are signed and returned to the School by Thursday 15 November to ensure their timetable is updated and ready for transition week. Students may still email Mrs Ruckert at hruckert@tintern.vic.edu.au to organise an appointment and they can access the Senior College reception area for these discussions in the Careers room during the Year 12 examinations.

Careers in the Animal Care Industry

The RSPCA has provided the following details about a program to learn more about the industry from specialists in the field and the range of career opportunities in the industry. For further information and to book please visit https://weteachme.com/rspcavictoria/1016624-animal-career-discovery-day.

Date:   Thursday 13 December 2018

Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm

Location: RSPCA Education Centre, Burwood East

Cost: $75 includes registration, morning tea, RSPCA career show bag, and all activity costs.

Career News

Career News Number 32 and 33 is now available on the Portal at http://portal.tintern.vic.edu.au/homepage/14962/ and includes the following items:

Career News Number 32

• Dates for the Diary in Term 4
• Reminder: VTAC 2019 Key Dates
• MYSci Science Program at Monash University
• What is Cybersecurity?
• Career as a Cosmetic Nurse
• Postgraduate Master Programs in the Health Sciences at Swinburne University
• YHA Fact Sheet – Useful Tips about Travelling and Working Holidays

Career News Number 33

• Dates for the Diary in Term 4
• Reminder: VTAC 2019 Key Dates
• Offer Rounds in all States
• Entry to Medicine from 2020
• News from Monash University
  • What happens if something occurs after the VTAC SEAS deadline?
  • Important Information for VCE International Students
• Careers that began in Science
• 2019 VCE Summer School Programs
• Useful Tips for Successful Interviews

News from Year 10

It is difficult to believe that we had our final level assembly this week as a Year 10 cohort and a reminder to families that the study day is Friday 16 November. Spaces in the library have been booked with a supervising staff member if any student does need to come to school. Examinations commence on Monday 19 November and conclude on Thursday 22 November. Students are not required at school unless they have a replacement examination session. A copy of the examination timetable can be found at https://portal.tintern.vic.edu.au/homepage/18865/

The Year 10 Social will be held on Thursday 22 November at Gardiners Run in Lilydale from 7.00 to 10.30pm. The school’s protocol is that families collect their child from the front of the venue at the end of the evening so that staff members can check that each student has been collected appropriately. If someone else is collecting them then a note or email must be sent to me prior to the function.

The academic transition program for Year 10 into 11 extends from Monday 26 November to Friday 30 November and this date is, in fact, the final compulsory day at school. During the week those students completing 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 on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 December and follows the usual school hours.

Students have been reminded to take all of their belongings home from their lockers at the end of the school year.

Congratulations to Corey Dickson

Corey competed in the Under 18 years 5000 metre race walk on Friday 2 November in difficult conditions that were both hot and windy. He won the event with a time of 24.46 minutes and qualified to compete in the Australian All Schools Championships that will be held in Cairns during December. Corey also ran in the Under 18 years 3000 metres and was placed in tenth position with a time of 9.38 minutes that beat his personal best by 22 seconds. He has our congratulations and best wishes for the competition later in the year.

All the Year 10s have our support as they approach their final examinations for the year and hopefully, they will implement many of the suggestions from the ‘Ace your Exams’ session presented by Elevate Education.

News From Year 11

So here we are, nearly at the end of Year 11.  The students are frantically preparing for their examinations next week and will finish the last of their regular classes for 2018.  On the Friday of exam week, students are reminded that they have their Fit 2 Drive workshop from 8:30 to 12:30. This is an excellent, and compulsory, workshop providing an overview of how to manage not only road rules, but the social expectations and consequences of their decision-making as drivers and passengers. They are allowed to wear free-dress.

The following week after exams will be their academic transition week, where they will have the first week of their classes for 2019 and receive the holiday homework that they are required to complete before returning next year.

I wish the students all the best of luck on their exams and look forward to seeing them on Friday 23 November for Fit 2 Drive.

Special Guest Visitor to the GSA

The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted a special guest at our lunchtime meeting on Friday 2 November. Sixteen students attended the special Q&A with Hemlata Ranga, who is a Tintern mother and psychiatrist. She bought along some Pride themed badges, stickers, posters, leaflets and educational books. She also provided us with some suggested links for services that support the LGBTIQA+ community, which are listed at the bottom of this article.

The GSA was started in 2018 by Kaitlyn Woodhill (11E). We meet every Day 5 lunchtime in the upstairs Year 9 area. Everyone is welcome to attend and we have members from Years 7 – 12 who identify as LGBTI+ or are allies. Our mission encompasses the following 3 goals:

1. Social/support;

2. Education; and

3. Advocacy

This year we have celebrated Pride Month and GSA representatives have spoken in assembly several times. I have run two surveys to members and non-members so that we can better cater to the needs of our students and find out how effective our message has been. We are taking into account this feedback and students will be choosing a new name for the GSA in 2019 to better reflect the identities of our members. Next year we also intend to make Pride Month even bigger and hopefully educate students so that they are more aware of the harm caused by using the word ‘gay’ in a negative context.

Student identity, wellbeing and inclusion are extremely important. Australian and international research statistics clearly show that suicide, self-harm and mental health disorders are significantly higher in the LGBTI+ community (source: https://lgbtihealth.org.au/statistics/).

I am very proud of what the GSA and Kaitlyn Woodhill have achieved so far. Congratulations also to Kaitlyn who has been selected as our 2019 leader.

Links for services that support LGBTIQA+ community:

Support for people 18 and under (best to access via Facebook and develop support network through that) and the FB posts are usually moderated) – https://www.minus18.org.au/ 

Crisis support and guidance for mental health – https://headspace.org.au/

 Drummond Street Services for counselling and support network – https://ds.org.au/our-services/queerspace/

GP clinic that has a good mix of GPs and psychologists / other allied health services that provide holistic support to LGBTIQA+ community – http://northsideclinic.net.au/

Good resources and pathways, for those under 17 years of age – https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/

Monash Health information pack – http://www.genderhelpforparents.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GDC-Info-Pack-referral-pathway-and-MH-professional-contacts-April-2016.pdf

by Julie Tillyer, GSA Coordinator

Homestay Family Hosts – Can you help?

Do you have a spare room you would like to make use of?

CETA Homestay is actively seeking families to host International students for long and short-term paid homestays.

Contact CETA to learn more:

Call: 0490 973 932

Email: admin@ceta.co.th

Website: homestayceta.com

Ringwood North Junior Football Club Girls Come and Try Day – Sunday 18 November