The Trinity Grammarian - April 2021

THE TRINITY

GRAMMARIAN Vol 36 No 1 | April 2021

Vol 35 No 2 | July 2020

In this edition: 3

From the Principal

16 And the Show Goes On...

4

From the School Council

6

2020 VCE Results and Tertiary Destinations

17 The 2021 House

Performing Arts Festival

8

The View from Year 12

9

Introducing Susan Hill and Lucy Cohen

24 From the Old Trinity

Grammarians’ Association 26 Reunions 28 Gold Mitre Lunch 29 News of Old Boys

10 Harambee

30 OTG Clubs

11 From the Early Learning Centre

32 In Memoriam 18 Trinity Trophies

12 From the Junior School

14 Roaming Free - Transitioning

to the Senior School

23 From the Parents’ Association

20 Professor Don Campbell a Trinity Scholarship Story

34 The Inaugural ‘Be Glorious’

Leadership Breakfast

35 Back Page Interview

22 Thank You!

Welcome to the April 2021 edition of The Trinity Grammarian!

You will see that like many of us who gained some ‘COVID kilos’, the Grammarian has expanded! These extra pages will allow us to offer a broader view of the opportunities available to students at Trinity and communicate the many wonderful things happening within the Trinity community.

In this edition, you will meet our new Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School, Susan Hill. Susan, as announced last year, takes over from Rohan Brown. Rohan is still a major presence at Trinity and is involved in projects across different areas of the school – in addition to teaching Mathematics. Susan is no stranger to Trinity, having commenced in 2008 as a teacher of Mathematics. In

2 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

the intervening years, she has held a variety of leadership positions, including Co-Head of Year 12.

Lucy Cohen steps into the role of Trinity’s Director of Community Engagement. Lucy’s warm and inclusive nature will be apparent to all who meet her and she has many ideas for initiatives to bring together the different elements of the Trinity community.

If you enjoyed reading the October 2020 edition of the Grammarian online, but forgot to cancel your printed copy, please visit our website to make the switch. Of course, if you prefer to receive a printed copy, we will continue to post it to you.

Please note that you can check more regularly on what’s happening at Trinity by visiting our online offerings: Our website: trinity.vic.edu.au (where you can also access the digital version of this magazine)

trinity.grammar @trinitygrammarkew We hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Trinity Grammarian.

Siobhan Latham Editor

From the Principal embrace positive change. He also suggested that schools themselves can leverage the opportunity for proactive change. With his provocations and many others like it becoming very common, it is an interesting time for us to be going into our Strategic Planning year.

It is also an interesting time to be thinking strategically in the context of COVID’s financial ravages, too.

It is an interesting time to consider how we can thrive in a less certain world.

Principal Adrian Farrer (seated centre) is pictured with (standing) Junior School ViceCaptain, Jonathan Moutsios; School Vice-Captain, Cinque Howells; Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School, Susan Hill; Head of the Junior School, Grant Nalder; School Vice-Captain, Tom Wenn; Junior School Vice-Captain, Noah Gurvitch and (seated) School Vice-Captain, Max Yakubowski; School Captain, Will Toner; Junior School Captain, Sidney Johns; and School Vice-Captain, Ethan Orr

Everyone who has had the Melbourne experience of COVID has shared in the challenge of being heavily governed. For most of us that is a new experience and it is undoubtedly a direct challenge to the freedom loving populace. Of course, contextually, the privations endured by most people were mild when compared with the many whose livelihoods – or lives – were taken as a direct consequence of the pandemic, yet the loss of ‘normal’ and assumed freedoms bit hard.

The sense of everyone being ‘in this together’ was probably overstated as for every family, and every person, the experience has been nuanced.

To have reverted to Distance Learning for a short while within weeks of school starting and much against the promise of a positive year ahead, became our latest challenge. It heralded a ‘new, new normal’ and one which sees the traditional calendar and its rhythm again lacking certainty.

How pleasing it was, therefore, that students, staff and parents adjusted

so swiftly to the reality and with a tangible sense of calm. I cannot comment on everyone’s experience, of course, and there are degrees of impact across our community, but the manner of movement was impressive to witness.

The lessons learned from COVID’s impositions may well serve to be useful for us as we spend part of this year imagining our future as a school community. There has been much written and analysed regarding the opportunities that exist for organisations to change their model of operation and grasp the advances that 2020 offered. We were fortunate to have Professor Jim Watterson from The University of Melbourne address all staff during the preparations days prior to school resuming in January.

He spoke to his recent paper, ‘A Catalyst for Change’, and suggested that there is sufficient momentum and will to challenge the current (heavy governance of) legislative and regulatory frameworks that exist around schooling to

In the coming months we will look to capture the voice of our community as we build our strategy for the years ahead. We will do so by various methods and we already have last year’s LEAD surveys as a solid base from which to launch. Focus groups across students, staff, parents and alumni, and data regarding the trends and challenges of the broader community will help shape our thinking. We need to ensure that Trinity evolves in a measured, purposeful way to meet the needs of our 21st century learners in the ways we help them learn, play, interact and seek to do good in the world.

We need to be able to offer facilities that provide authentic learning experiences for a modern learner.

We need to be able to run our school in a financially responsible manner.

I think we can talk about the process of strategic planning as one where we are ‘in this together’.

We will determine our direction by collaboration so that our outcomes are particularly ‘Trinity’ in their nature. Ours will be an evolution, not a revolution, and one that can reflect the values and ideals of our school in our modern context.

Adrian Farrer Principal

April 2021 | 3

From the School Council For most of us, there is a sense of Groundhog Day about the beginning of the school year – even after the 2020 that we had. The end of the long summer holidays arrives, the alarm goes off at 6.00am (Sonny and Cher sing ‘I got you, babe’) and it all starts over again as we contemplate the commencement of school and the familiar rituals, events, speeches and welcomes.

But, those who know the movie Groundhog Day will also remember that the theme goes much further than the expression has come to mean. The central character, played

by Bill Murray, is a particularly arrogant, sarcastic, narcissistic television weatherman who has to report, for the fourth year in a row, on the annual Groundhog Day ceremony in the rural Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney. For reasons never quite explained – but for which we willingly suspend disbelief – he finds himself living the same day, 2 February, over and over again. It is only when he starts to change the self-referential behaviours he consistently repeats as the day recycles itself, and becomes a more authentic self in which intimacy, creativity and compassion come naturally, when he genuinely thinks of the needs of others, that the repetitive cycle is broken. His life restarts, all is good, and he and Andie MacDowell end up together.

Groundhog Day touches on our capacity to mistakenly believe that the world and its routines need to adapt to us. If we expect this, then the same situations, the same things will continue to happen; we will never change, never develop, never

4 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

improve. As we all know, though, we can only control our own behaviours, not others’. Hence, it is how we live our lives, how we accommodate the needs and perspectives of others, that ultimately defines who we are. In one way, it is a very existential view of the world – we define ourselves by our actions. Unsurprisingly, the movie has also been championed by a range of different religions for the implied perspective that redemption comes from transcending one’s own needs and considering others, and that by living our lives well, we ensure access to a rebirth, a reincarnation, in a higher plane of existence.

Far be it for me to suggest that nirvana is achievable at the start of a school year, but perhaps it is worth considering that we all have the capacity to reflect and refocus on the year ahead, and to consider how we may rebirth old ideas and find new ways of doing, new ways of being.

Much of this simply comes about by viewing the new year through new eyes.

Nevertheless, there are constants that we should never forget. One of the things that has characterised Trinity for me has always been its grounded identity, its strong and readily identifiable values, and its clearly understood culture, all of which centre around a core precept that our fundamental obligation as humans on this fragile planet is to seek to make a difference for those less fortunate than ourselves.

As the School Council and the leadership team embark on a strategic planning process to guide Trinity into the future – as we

consider how we best to adjust and adapt to the changing world around us – I think it is beholden on all of us to acknowledge and honour that we must be firmly informed by a rich understanding of our past. Any strategic decisions must be shaped by the values that have guided the school for the past 118 years.

Further, our strategic thinking must be developed with full understanding of the perspectives of the different constituent groups in our community, in particular staff, parents, Old Trinity Grammarians and current students.

We also need to acknowledge the lessons provided by the last 12 months, not only in terms of modes of delivery for teaching and learning, but also with an understanding of what matters most. And, of course, critically, we need to look to our school leadership to guide us in looking to the horizon and beyond on future implications for schools and education as we accelerate into the 21st century.

Most importantly, as we contemplate the uncertainties of 2021 and commence our strategic thinking, we should not forget that which binds us so closely as a community: the clearly articulated values that have held Trinity together for over 118 years.

This year should not, therefore, commence with a simple sense of Groundhog Day. Instead, it is a time in which we all have an agency in imagining and designing Trinity’s future.

Simon Gipson OAM Chair of School Council

Liz Beasley (Past parent)

Wendy Cooper (Past parent)

Jeremy Duffield (Past student)

Eddie Gibbons (Past student – OTGA Nominee)

Rob Gow (Current parent – PA Nominee)

Dr Lynette Hall (Current parent)

Professor Tim Lindsey AO (Past student)

Harris Mastras (2019 School Captain)

David Mansour (Past student, past staff and past parent)

Vivienne Monteith (Past staff)

Rev Robert Newton (Vicar of Holy Trinity Kew – Archbishop’s Nominee)

Dr Shivanthan Shanthikumar (Past student)

Jack Stewart (2020 School Captain)

Jane Rodgers (Past parent)

Rick Tudor OAM (Headmaster 1999-2013)

Dr Murray Verso Linda Weatherson Neil Williams (Past student, past parent (Past parent) (Past student, past parent and former Chair of Council) and former Chair of Council)

Understanding Governance at Trinity In April 2019, the school adopted a new Constitution which established two classes of company membership being Stakeholder Members and Council Members (Directors).

This new structure aims to provide a formal and informal mechanism for transparency and accountability of the Council’s work and performance.

The Stakeholder Member group

is comprised of up to 24 members (picture above) who have made a significant contribution to the life of Trinity and have a background as either a former parent, staff member or student. Nominees from the OTGA, Parents’ Association and Archbishop are incorporated within the group and the immediate past two school captains are automatically appointed.

The School Council is currently giving consideration to additional nominee candidates and will formally announce appointments in the coming months. Further information relating to the Stakeholder Group and governance structure is available on the school website at trinity.vic.edu.au/ stakeholder-members/

April 2021 | 5

2020 VCE Results and Destinations

Trinity’s High Achievers after a special assembly to congratulate them. Pictured with Principal Adrian Farrer from left to right: (back row) Stephen Mack, Naish Farrell, Daniel Sevo, Calvin Blair, Rishov Doloi, Terry Gu, Harrison Butler, Blake Yu, Henry Brown, Oscar Pan, (front row) Lachlan Wong, Peter Karapalidis, Anthony Tascone, Jack Stewart, William Browning, Andrew Lim, Leo Li, Joe Chen, Ben Wu and Harry Osmond (Edward Spink is not pictured as he had already commenced his studies at the Australian National University in Canberra)

Duces William Browning and Andrew Lim achieved perfect ATARs of 99.95, 21 students scored ATARs of 99 and above, placing them in the top 1% of all students in the state.

Impressively, 49% of all students achieved ATARs over 90.

A total of eleven perfect scores of 50 were achieved across a range of subjects. Trinity’s median study score was 35 and the median ATAR was 88.95.

In reflecting on their achievements, Mr Farrer congratulated all students who completed their VCE during this tumultuous year, as well as the teaching and support staff who worked with them. He noted how ‘the relationships between school and families were strengthened further during a year that could have threatened them. Regardless of their ATAR number, we can all be proud of the young men who have emerged during their Trinity years and now go out into the world with opportunity to apply all of their learning.’

6 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

‘Despite disruptions, the Class of 2020 can be proud of the extraordinary results that indicate their commitment to their studies and schooling. These results are among our school’s best ever and reflect impressive work ethic and perseverance.’ Principal Adrian Farrer The following 21 boys achieved ATARs of 99 or above: William Browning

Leo Li

Joe Chen

Andrew Lim

Naish Farrell

Stephen Mack

Rishov Doloi

Edward Spink

Ben Wu

Jack Stewart

Calvin Blair

Daniel Sevo

Henry Brown

Terry Gu

Anthony Tascone

Harry Osmond

Oscar Pan

Harrison Butler

Peter Karapalidis

Lachlan Wong

Blake Yu

Eleven perfect study scores of 50 were achieved by the following students in these subjects: Accounting Henry Brown Harry Osmond Economics Edward Spink Jack Stewart

English William Browning Further Maths Dylan Andrews

Maths Methods Carlos Kosako Larry Pang Physics Peter Karapalidis

School Council Prize for Dux of the School is shared by William Browning and Andrew Lim who both achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95.

William Browning William commenced his Trinity education in 2013 in Year 5. As well as being an outstanding scholar, he is a talented young man with a broad range of interests.

These include music – during his

Andrew Lim Andrew started at Trinity in 2008 in Prep. He is an accomplished public speaker, a gifted musician, and an exceptional scholar. In Year 12, Andrew was Co-Captain of Academic Studies.

A strong advocate for student

time at the school William was involved in many bands, ensembles and choirs; debating – not only was William Trinity’s 2020 Captain of Debating and Public Speaking, he also won the Bunting Oration for Public Speaking and was a State Finalist in the Lions Youth of the Year competition; and sport – William was a keen kayaker and played basketball throughout his time at the school.

In Year 12, William was appointed a School Prefect and he received Triple School Colours in recognition of his breadth of involvement across the co-curricular program. At Presentation Night, he was awarded The R M Begg Prize for English, the Prize for Psychology and a Prize for Distinctions and Merits.

empowerment and cross-age mentoring, he helped institute a number of clubs and societies, developed a student magazine and initiated an extensive series of student-led VCE workshops.

Andrew was also a member of many orchestras, ensembles and choirs during his time at the school, and was involved in the sporting program through lawn bowls and

fencing. Andrew was appointed a School Prefect for his final year and received Triple School Colours.

At Presentation Night, Andrew received the J K Merritt Prize for the Dux of Mathematics and Science, The R M Begg Prize for English, the Prize for Latin and a Prize for Distinctions and Merits.

Other 5%

Tertiary Destinations Of the 2020 graduates who applied through VTAC, 99% received offers in the January and February rounds. Approximately 97% of offers made were for university places, with the remaining 3% spread across TAFEs and independent tertiary providers. Due to the continuing demand for double degree combinations such as Engineering/Commerce and its undergraduate Medicine and Law offerings, Monash University was, once again, the most popular destination for Trinity graduates. The University of Melbourne also featured prominently, and many students were offered places at RMIT, Deakin University, and Swinburne. Trinity students also took up offers to study interstate and overseas.

Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies

Deakin 9% RMIT 15%

University of Melbourne 28%

6% 2% 13%

Engineering and Related Technologies Information Technology

Monash University 33%

Percentage of offers by institution (Victoria)

4%

Creative Arts

Health

Swinburne 6%

1%

Architecture and Building Education

La Trobe 4%

7% 6%

Management and Commerce

26% 18%

Natural and Physical Sciences

17%

Society and Culture Percentage of offers by course type

April 2021 | 7

Introducing our 2021 School Captains The View from Year 12: Hopes and Dreams I expect I speak for the majority of students when I say the experiences of the monotony of online classes and the ennui that seemed to engulf so many of us in the weeks spent away from Trinity in 2020 are ones that I’m thankful to leave in the past.

While the frequent expeditions along the bike paths and running tracks within my five-kilometre radius were highlights each day, they were ultimately incapable of fulfilling my yearning to once again be immersed in the company of mates in the Green and Gold.

Now, looking back on the challenging experiences of last year from the perspective of a Year 12 student, I must admit that I am grateful for some of the lessons. Being held accountable for completing assignments on time and to a high standard away from the watchful eyes of teachers showed the importance of independent learning. Navigating through repeated episodes of isolation and seclusion from mates contributed to improving our mutual understandings about resilience.

I asked the 2021 School Vice-Captains about the lessons they have taken away from 2020 and their hopes for 2021. This is what they said: Max Yakubowski: Whether it’s being able to go to the cafeteria with friends, or staying to study after school in the library, we are all far more appreciative of the lives we lead. There is a sense that although our final year will be jam-packed with all sorts of activities and opportunities, we’ve made it through challenging times and can draw on that to guide us through the year.

Cinque Howells: One aspect of Trinity I came to appreciate during the months in lockdown is the classes themselves. Yes, sometimes memorising quotes for English can be a headache, and Maths chapter reviews a migraine, but the value of being in the classroom, surrounded by my mates, is underrated.

Tom Wenn: 2020 showed me that what I cherish most are relationships and experiences, things I previously took for granted. This perspective

has ultimately shaped my goals and ambitions for this year: all I truly want is for it to be a ‘normal’ one. I hope that Trinity students once again have the chance to take their relationships and lunchtimes for granted, able to enjoy them knowing that they can do it all again tomorrow.

Ethan Orr: Throughout the extended period at home last year, I realised how much I missed Roberts House assemblies; the opportunity to stop and chat with teachers as we move around the school; rowing on the Yarra with the rest of the crew; and attending Friday morning Harambee meetings. Trinity offers so many opportunities and recently, as I watched my Year 8 brother head off to camp, I just wanted the chance to do it all again!

Will Toner School Captain

This year, many of the lessons we learnt from the experiences of 2020 have translated directly into life at Trinity. No longer does having to sit a challenging assessment seem as foreboding, nor does an important sporting match seem as daunting as it did before. Yet, while in hindsight these lessons were ultimately beneficial, I am eager to learn new life lessons on campus and in person.

Tom Wenn, Cinque Howells, Will Toner, Max Yakubowski and Ethan Orr

8 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

Introducing Susan Hill and Lucy Cohen At the start of 2021, Susan Hill and Lucy Cohen stepped into their new roles at Trinity. Susan, now Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School, is an old Trinity hand, having started at the school in 2008 as a teacher of Mathematics.

Lucy, Trinity’s inaugural Director of Community Engagement, comes to us with extensive experience in Melbourne’s independent school sector. Both women are also part of the school’s Senior Leadership Team.

It is clear that both Susan and Lucy are driven by their personal values of respect, integrity, humility and inclusivity. These values align strongly with the beliefs that underpin the school’s core philosophy.

When Lucy reflected on what had attracted her to Trinity, she noted that it was partly due to her desire to work within an Anglican community once more, and also because of the reputation of our principal, Adrian Farrer. She had heard from friends and colleagues about his compassion, his integrity and his ability to relate to people. Interestingly, 14 years ago, when Susan was considering where to seek employment in Melbourne after relocating from Queensland, one of her referees suggested she look at Trinity as then-headmaster, Rick Tudor was ‘the finest gentleman in education’. This piqued Susan’s interest and when she investigated further, she was also impressed by the school’s strong pastoral focus, as well as its outdoor education and cross-age programs.

Susan notes that it is a huge honour to be in her new role. Her rise through the school has been organic: she applied for new positions only if she felt she could make a difference.

Susan Hill and Lucy Cohen at the Parent Welcome Evening in March

Seeking always to respect what is working well, she is mindful that Trinity has a fantastic staff and the most valuable thing she can do is to create a safe and supportive environment so students and staff are able to thrive. Of course, in taking on this role, Susan steps into the imposing shoes of Rohan Brown.

She is inspired by the high standard that Rohan has set through his willingness to engage and his tireless commitment to the school. To ensure a seamless transition, Susan spent the second half of 2020 ‘shadowing’ Rohan, learning as much as she could about this vital role.

During her time at the school, Susan has appreciated the support and guidance she has received. One of the highlights was her trip to Cape Town in South Africa to present at the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference in 2015, when the keynote speaker was Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She relished the opportunity to share Trinity’s wonderful programs with an international audience and to learn from others. Acknowledging her own pathway for advancement

and the mentors who guided her, Susan sets great importance on encouraging students to ‘back themselves’ and then supporting them as they pursue their own interests on their individual learning journeys.

In a similar way, Lucy’s new role has a strong service component, encompassing parents and alumni.

She is inspired by the many volunteer groups that work to nurture and promote our community.

Groups such as the TLC Community Support Group, established to provide respectful support to others at difficult times in their lives, and OTG initiatives in the areas of men’s health and career support, are some of the threads in the fabric that enfolds and strengthens us. Lucy is looking forward to learning how she can support parent and OTG groups and help them reach out to even more members of the Trinity community. Her wish is that all who engage with Trinity in a volunteer capacity are able to enjoy and be nourished by their roles.

April 2021 | 9

Harambee Trinity’s outreach program, known as Harambee, empowers our students, families, staff, and the extended Trinity community to work together to make a difference to those most in need.

For International Women’s Day, the Harambee team sold purple ribbons to increase awareness and support for victims of domestic violence. With the help of the Trinity community, we raised funds to donate to the You Matter foundation, which exists to support

victims of domestic violence. To celebrate the significance of this day, many students pledged to actively #ChooseToChallenge gender inequality and stereotypes of women, in order to build awareness and a culture of equal rights for women across the world.

Later in Term 1, Trinity supported the World’s Greatest Shave. Many students and staff gathered to watch some of the most hirsute in our community shave for the Leukaemia Foundation. The money

raised through the event has gone towards assisting those affected by blood cancer. This event was well supported by the Trinity community and helped increase awareness and support for this great cause.

This spirit of generosity and care has been abundantly evident so far this year, and we look forward with anticipation to the exciting events planned for the rest of 2020!

Archie Shaw and Matthew Clayton Co-Captains of Faith and Outreach

Before...

Matthew Clayton and Archie Shaw

And after

At the Purple Ribbon barbecue lunch with Ruyton

10 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

From the Early Learning Centre THRIVE: To grow vigorously: FLOURISH The ability of our children to thrive or to grow vigorously is of great importance to us at the ELC …

Our everyday moments capture our ability to thrive.

F – friendship L – learning O – our everyday moments U – unique R – relationships I

– inquiry through play

S

– sense of belonging

We create our Trinity ELC indoor and outdoor play spaces to be nurturing and familiar in order to encourage students to explore, experiment, discover and investigate. Diverse resources, inquiry spaces and materials are offered to captivate the students’ attention and prompt interactions with the world around them. Creating these studentcentred environments encourages our learners to thrive, take risks and engage in the opportunities presented to them as part of our dayto-day routines.

Childhood is a time to wonder and a time to make meaning of the world. Watching our students take ownership of their work and their environment shows that they feel safe and supported though their learning journey. At the Trinity ELC, we believe that the extraordinary happens when we step back and let the children flourish.

Naomi Wright Director of the ELC

‘The child has a hundred languages and a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking.’

- Loris Malaguzzi

H – happy When a child enters our ELC they develop their sense of self, an understanding of others and a connection to the world around them.

Providing a sense of community and security is an important aspect of our ELC space. As educators, we dedicate time and reflection into creating diverse, welcoming and safe spaces for our students to flourish. As our students connect to these ELC environments, their sense of agency, independence and inclusion blossoms. They begin to build resilience and confidence to try new experiences. They become open-minded learners as they support each other’s ideas, wonder and explore.

Cayden and Benji are focused on their creations

There is so much to do in a sandpit!

Natasha Albert with Justin

Reading together makes it more fun!

Jayden learns science in PE April 2021 | 11

From the Junior School The Junior School Years 3 to 6 House Swimming Carnival Despite the unusual circumstances – like the Australian Open no spectators (in our case, parents, siblings and friends) could attend this event – there was wonderful House spirit and a tangible sense of excitement on the pool deck.

Houses chanted and cheered as their teammates competed in individual and team races covering all the major strokes, as well special events such as boogie board paddling skills.

Getting ready for the relay!

The 2021 Overall Swimming Champion is Year 6 student, Sidney Johns, who is also the Junior School Captain. The winners of the House Spirit Cup this year are Henderson, and Henderson also took out the House Swimming Cup!

Henderson House leaders and the Junior School House Swimming Cup

The Owen Library

Playing Chess

Creativity in the Library

12 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

On a scavenger hunt

The Owen Library has been bustling with students having fun using the many resources available, including chess, board games, the LEGO tables (initiated by Andrew Lim, one of our 2020 Duces, during his time in the Junior School) and our amazing range of literature. The students have navigated their way around the Library to successfully solve scavenger hunt clues related to different collections.

They are also continuing to share their love of reading with their peers, recommending their favourite stories to each other.

Year 6 As leaders of the Junior School, the Year 6 students have been inquiring into what attributes make an effective leader and how leaders empower others to take action.

Some of the Year 6 leaders at Bulleen

They have been immersed in this exploration and provided with many opportunities to listen to the wisdom of great leaders within the Trinity community and beyond.

They investigated leaders from their family through to international leaders, both past and present, and are developing their understanding of effective leadership and how it impacts people.

The students made connections to their own roles within the school as leaders, and analysed their responsibilities and what impact they might have on the younger students, their peers and others in general.

They are wearing their leadership badges with pride and strive daily to uphold those attributes they have identified as being associated with successful leaders.

Learning about leadership through group activities

Principal Adrian Farrer delivered a presentation to the Year 6 leaders

Music At the start of this year, the Year 5 boys set out on the exciting adventure of learning an instrument in the Ensemble Program. For some, this could be the start of a lifelong adventure.

Max Schutze-Stafford on the double bass

Joshua Thompson is learning the flute

Arthur Nakas has taken up the French horn

April 2021 | 13

Principal Adrian Farrer welcomes Year 7 students at their Induction Service

Roaming Free Transitioning to the Senior School When we think about transition, the concept of change comes to mind. For many, heading into secondary school will conjure up feelings of excitement, opportunity, new friends, and new beginnings.

Others may experience feelings of trepidation, a sense of being overwhelmed or anxiousness about things unknown, such as ‘How will I manage the homework?’. Typically, many of our boys entering Year 7 are likely to field a mixture of emotions as they commence in the Senior School. For the Year 7 team of Form Teachers and Heads of Year, it is important to acknowledge these differences and aim to nurture and scaffold the journey for all our boys as they learn about and expand their knowledge of ‘The Trinity Way’.

14 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

Secondary school may seem like a whole new world for the boys entering Year 7. Whether from the Junior School or brand new to Trinity, the students have new structures and routines to learn, locations to explore, teachers to meet, and House activities, new clubs and wider school ventures to immerse themselves in, not to mention keeping track of belongings and attending to the daily learning experiences. Our skilled Form Teachers work tirelessly in the early weeks of the year, supporting the boys to become comfortable with the school’s expectations and the tools required to function independently in Senior School.

For many boys, the greatest worry is getting lost and ending up in the

wrong classroom with the wrong class, and the wrong teacher! To allay these initial fears, in the year prior to their commencement in the Senior School we begin the navigational trail with a tour of key locations on Orientation Day. This is followed up with a more comprehensive school tour, timetables in hand, led by our trustworthy Peer Mentors on Preliminary Day. The boys are challenged to locate classrooms and key school buildings using maps and prompts, allowing prior knowledge, initiative and independent thinking to guide them. The Year 7s are encouraged to work collaboratively, to ensure that when on their own, without the mentors, they have strategies and resources to aid their endeavours.

Sutton House working hard in the Year 7 House Tug-of-War

New Year 7 students on a tour of the school with a Year 10 Peer Mentor, Daniel Chong

Working out the all-important locker codes with some help from one of the Peer Mentors

Finding their way around the school and meeting back on the steps of the Tudor Centre

This year, after commencing with Preliminary Day, the boys began to make their ‘home’ on the blue or red levels of the CBSE. Lockers and locks were eagerly received, with one boy commenting ‘I like having somewhere to store my stuff.’ If only all the boys could manage to keep their ‘stuff’ in their lockers! Other students have been quantifiably excited by the notion of roaming free and not having to always be with a teacher. Needless to say, they are also quickly learning that with freedom comes responsibility and accountability. Impressively, the boys are beginning to step into this new space and many parents will, I’m sure, be delighted by their son’s diligence and conscientiousness.

Making friends and feeling connected are significant stepping stones towards embracing the school’s culture and developing a sense of belonging. Week One saw our newest members of the Senior School initiated into their respective Houses. Each House welcomed their 7s with a plethora of colour-

coordinated super power drinks, banners, totems, cheering and more. Our boys learnt very quickly that House spirit is to be embraced and the camaraderie is uplifting; it is by no means a coincidence that the smaller cross-age groups within each House are called families.

Later in the week, competing for the coveted title of ‘Tug-of-War Champions’ placed the Year 7s in the thick of the annual crusade for the House Shield. With House leaders supporting, encouraging and cheering on their younger prodigies, the Year 7s fought stoically. Afterall, the honour and position on the leaderboard of their House was at stake.

Six weeks in and it is heartening to observe the laughter, chatter and happy shenanigans amongst the boys, indicating that they are settling comfortably into the Senior School. When asked what has been a standout so far, the resounding response is making new friends.

One boy commented that ‘Trinity gives you a lot of opportunities

to make friends.’ Enjoying the companionship of classmates was instrumental in the success of the ‘Welcome to Trinity’ day at our Bulleen Playing Fields. Bringing the boys together in a relaxed setting was pivotal in building connections and promoting the broader culture of Trinity. Experiencing firsthand the caring and supportive nature of our school through the inspiring voices of current Year 10 mentors, OTGs and long-serving staff members brought value to the occasion. In true Trinity spirit, team building, personal awareness and establishing a positive culture exemplified the day.

Watching our youngest members roam free has been an absolute pleasure, as we have the knowledge and security that, behind the scenes, there are systems and structures in place that continue to support and promote their developing independence.

Jeanette Milburn Co-Head of Year 7

April 2021 | 15

The Zombies

James Blanch as Macbeth Re-Arisen

The cast of Clue-on stage

Whodunnit?

And the Show Goes On...

Live theatre was one of the biggest casualties of COVID – lights in theatres around the world were reduced to a single ‘ghost light’.

The cancellation of last year’s Senior School Play, Middle School Play and Trinity-Ruyton Musical were difficult decisions to make. In the end, it was impossible to replicate the feeling of live theatre via a static screen.

But here we are in 2021, feeling refreshed and renewed with newfound appreciation for live art.

The first term is always a very busy one for our budding actors and talented back-stage crew members.

The co-curricular Drama year

16 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

began with students performing in the 2021 Year 9 Play Clue-on stage, a play inspired by the popular ‘whodunnit’ boardgame. A snap, five-day lockdown that affected the rehearsal of this production did not deter the dedication and optimism of these students to stage this performance. The result was a hilarious, tight-knit performance that had the audience guessing at every moment.

Macbeth Re-Arisen, the muchanticipated Senior School Play, saw one of Shakespeare’s greatest characters emerge from the dead to take back the crown.

The performances were simply astounding: at times I had to

remind myself that I was watching a school production. The level of commitment from the cast, and the professionalism of the backstage and technical crew, was superb.

Whether a student has a dream of being a ‘leading man’, participating in a cameo role, collaborating with an ensemble, lighting down-stagecentre, designing atmospheric audio, creating character through hair and make-up or costume design, or even ushering in an audience, the co-curricular Drama program offers many opportunities for all students to thrive.

Ryan Bowler Head of Drama

The 2021 House Performing Arts Festival Roberts’ stunning performance won them the Cup

After transferring to the McIntyre Gymnasium for 2020, the House Performing Arts Festival (or HPAF as it is affectionately known) returned to the Plenary, where there was much hilarity, gentle jibes about school and lots of singing and dancing.

Roberts House took out the coveted trophy with a tightly choreographed, hilarious interpretation of Zoolander.

Kent Hughes and their version of Australian Idol

Cowen performed acrobatics for Napoleon Dynamite

Henty and their reimagining of Top Gun

Hindley reflected on 2020

Merritt were Monty Python’s merry men

Arnold were The Wiggles

Sutton got off to a strong start with The Amazing Race

April 2021 | 17

Henry Brown (OTG 2020) with the Ray Weinberg Prize for Sporting Leadership and Jack Stewart (OTG 2020) holding the Roger Kennedy Trophy of which he was the inaugural recipient

Trinity Trophies Over the school’s 118year history, there have been many trophies and awards presented.

Some are awarded annually, while others, such as the Simon Malaspina Trophy, are connected with a particular occasion or event. Some prizes have been discontinued. This may be because a Trinity family has donated a trophy for a particular activity and that activity ceases, as happened for example with lacrosse and gymnastics. At Presentation Night each year, we award the Dux Prizes and academic subject prizes, as well as prizes for an accumulation of Distinctions and Merits during the year. I would like to highlight some of these prizes.

18 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

The R M Begg Prize for English is named after our first teacher at Trinity who taught from 1903 to 1919. She was governess to the Inglis family, and after leaving Trinity she established a school in Kyneton.

There is a nursing home in Kyneton named after Miss Begg.

The J D Levick Prize for Physics is named after a former student who was tragically killed in World War Two on the final day of the Battle of Singapore on 15 February 1942. The Prize was donated by his family, with whom we have lost contact.

The Ray Weinberg Prize acknowledges both a student and staff member who demonstrate sporting leadership and

sportsmanship. Ben Ryder was the staff member to receive the Ray Weinberg Prize in 2020. Ben established cycling as a school sport at Trinity and he is also a senior coach of cross country running. Last year’s student recipient was Henry Brown (OTG 2020) for his leadership in cricket as the captain of the First XI, and his involvement in school sport as an excellent runner and footballer.

Henry has also captained a Junior State cricket team and, more recently, was selected as captain of the AGSV representative cricket team.

The Trumble Cricket Bat Last year, Henry scored a century and became the 98th Trinity student to have his name engraved on the Trumble Cricket Bat, which was donated in 2002 by the Trumble family to record a ‘Century of Centuries’.

Principal Adrian Farrer presents the House Shield to the 2020 Captain of Kent Hughes House, Lachlan Wong, at Presentation Night last year

of the First XVIII and an Economics teacher. Interestingly, the inaugural winner of the Roger Kennedy Trophy, Jack Stewart (OTG 2020), coincidentally achieved a perfect study score of 50 in VCE Economics.

House Shield

The Centuries - The Trumble Family Bat to record a century of centuries

Roger Kennedy Trophy Former staff member Roger Kennedy left a bequest to Trinity and the school recently initiated the Roger Kennedy Trophy to be awarded to the Year 12 student who best exemplifies the Spirit of Trinity. During his time at the school, Roger was Head of Year 12, coach

The House Shield dates back to 1917, with Arnold House being the first winning House. The Trophy, donated by Messrs Arnold, Henty, Merritt and Roberts, is the Holy Grail of the House competition. As was the case when the competition was introduced, points are accumulated from House Swimming, Athletics, Music (now the House Performing Arts Festival) and Cross Country, as well as from Wednesday lunchtime activities. In 2020, Kent Hughes House won the competition for the first time.

The Simon Malaspina Trophy is presented each year to the winner of the 3000m race at House Athletics. Simon was killed in a car accident in Belmore Road in November 1996, only a year after

Headmaster Phil De Young presented Tom Sellwood with the Simon Malaspina Perpetual Trophy in 2018

leaving school. He was an excellent runner and his family donated the Trophy which was awarded for the first time in 1997.

In the next issue of the Grammarian, I will explain the background of some of the Trinity’s other trophies and prizes.

Rohan Brown

April 2021 | 19

Professor Don Campbell A Trinity Scholarship Story

Don Campbell with his wife, Lisa Newton

We asked Professor Don Campbell (OTG 1972): What does it mean to get a scholarship to go to Trinity?

I got one, but I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t got one, so I can’t tell you what difference it made. I am reasonably certain I wouldn’t have been able to stay at Trinity.

20 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

At the time, I was eleven years old, and it was the beginning of Form 1 for me, now called Year 7. I had started at the school the previous year. My father was a believer in education and was convinced that Trinity was the right school for his two boys. He never expressed an opinion about the right school for his daughter, and as he is no longer around, it will be hard to ask him now.

My brother started in the St Paul’s Cathedral Choir the following year. In

those days a Choir Scholarship was a full scholarship while you were singing and a half scholarship when you finished. You didn’t have to be Einstein to work out that our family income would not support two boys on full fees attending Trinity, so I thought: what can I do about it? I had a morning paper round in Grade 5 and 6, which I was allowed to do, so long as my income went into my education fund. From the one pound thirteen shillings ($3.30) I earned, I was allowed to keep one and six (15 cents) each week. This

‘Supporting our children’s education and extending that support beyond our own immediate families helps us build a better, stronger community. In the end, investment in a strong community is our best investment.’

allowed me to get a milkshake and a Weston’s Wagon Wheel each Saturday morning, until decimal currency came in and the milkbar owner put the price of a milkshake up to 12 cents, so that the 12 pence wouldn’t be rounded down to ten cents. I refused to buy a Weston’s Wagon Wheel when he did that.

By the end of 1965, I had saved 75 pounds, which was the fee for a term at Trinity. One down and two terms to go for the year, but what after that? How would we afford for me to stay at Trinity? I decided to sit the scholarship exam.

I came out of the exam and my father asked me, ‘How was it?’

I told him, ‘I’ve got one, but I don’t know if I will get the full one or just a half.’

He laughed and said, ‘You might want to wait for the results of the exam before you make that sort of announcement.’ I got one, but it was only a half. Damn.

I asked my brother what you had to do to get in the Cathedral Choir.

He told me that you had to sing two hymns and God Save the Queen.

So my brother taught me to sing God Save the Queen in our shared bedroom, along with For all the Saints (Hymn 202 from memory in A&M) and To be a Pilgrim. I asked him when I would be good enough to pass the test, and he told me. So I went and did the test. I was pleased when I passed because it meant we would be able to afford for me to go to Trinity, and, when my voice broke I would have the half scholarship

from being in the Cathedral Choir and the academic half scholarship.

I was annoyed because it meant I would probably end up not playing footy or cricket as much. Choir meant practice in the cathedral five days a week and services Sunday morning and evening, and I knew I would miss out on training. I figured that was a price worth paying, but resented it nonetheless. I resented the pressure put on me to sing in the school choir as well, but that passed.

I benefited from being in the Cathedral Choir because it gave both my brother and I the opportunity to excel at something in a team environment, where I at least was only a very mediocre talent at best. I can also credit my brother with bringing an end to initiation in the choir, fortunately before my arrival. Being in the Cathedral Choir gave me the pleasure of a love of English choral music. In terms of my academic scholarship, there didn’t seem to be any expectations put on me. No one knew and no one cared, which I am extremely grateful for. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know about it. I would have been extremely embarrassed, as I think kids want to fit in more than anything.

I am telling you about this because it seems an appropriate time to point out to the Trinity community that there are many benefits from having a scholarship program, and that those benefits can have long lasting and profound effects. When Rick Tudor and Rohan Brown rang me and invited me to lunch, I said,

‘I’ve been waiting for this call for over 20 years, how much do you want?’ I am pleased to have the opportunity to support, in turn, the Indigenous Scholarship Program in a very small way. I wish I understood better what we should be doing to support Indigenous education.

No matter what is done, I am sure there will be many critics of any particular approach. Connection with community is of paramount importance, of this at least, I am sure.

It has been my privilege to attend Trinity and to be a member of School Council in recent years. I wanted to give something back. I encourage you as a reader to consider what you can give to our community, be it by supporting a scholarship or more broadly supporting education in whatever form appeals to you.

Supporting our children’s education and extending that support beyond our own immediate families helps us build a better, stronger community.

In the end, investment in a strong community is our best investment.

Weston’s Wagon Wheels

April 2021 | 21

Thank You!

$124,415.09

2020 Annual Giving Total

2020 was such an unusual and challenging year, and because of the difficulties many of our families faced, we chose not to run an Annual Giving Appeal. However, even without running an appeal, we received $124,415.09 in gifts.

81

2020 Total Donors

We are deeply grateful to the loyal group of donors who contributed to the funds they choose to support each year. This generous support enables us to offer a Trinity educational experience to boys who would not normally be able to attend our wonderful school.

Youngest OTG Donor

1991

Oldest OTG Donor

1944

$25,000.00 Largest Gift

In 2020, our families received a rebate due to tuition being delivered differently during the COVID restrictions. A group of more than 20 Trinity parents donated just over $52,000 of tuition fee rebates back to the school to support other families in need. That generous spirit is the strength of the Trinity community we all love and are a part of.

$1,555.19 Average Gift

$20.00 Smallest Gift

We appreciate every gift, no matter how big or small, and thank you for your ongoing support.

1 Bequest Received

37

Tunga Society Members

The Tunga Society – Save the Date!

The Tunga Society, for those in the Trinity community who have made a bequest to the school in their will, plays a significant role in helping to underpin and secure the future of Trinity Grammar School, Kew. We gratefully acknowledge the dedication and financial support of our bequestors who have so generously supported Trinity’s future in this important and thoughtful way.

We are delighted to announce the 2021 dates for the Tunga Society lunches. These gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with other

22 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

members of the Trinity community living and working in the vicinity.

This year, we are introducing a lunch which will be held at Trinity Grammar School, Kew. Our guest speaker at each event will be the Principal, Adrian Farrer.

• Bellarine Peninsula Lunch Barwon Heads Golf Club, Friday 21 May, commencing at 12.30pm • Trinity Lunch East Room, Friday 25 June • Mornington Peninsula Lunch Venue TBC, Friday 22 October

Invitations for each location will be sent prior. If you wish to join us at any of the events or would like to learn more about the Tunga Society, please contact Kathy Hines, Advancement Manager, on 9851 9498 or hinesk@trinity.vic.edu.au

From the Parents’ Association In order for us to thrive as a community, the importance of navigating safely through 2021 cannot be understated. The Parents’ Association (PA) will focus on the wellbeing of our community and, when possible, provide opportunities for person-to-person gatherings. We recognise that in 2020 virtual platforms created their own type of fatigue; however, they provided opportunity for involvement for those who could not attend in person. Therefore, this year, the PA will endeavour to provide both in person and online meeting platforms.

On 8 March, we celebrated International Women’s Day with over 70 Trinity women at an event which included a panel discussion. It was a great evening and we hope to hold it again in 2022. Key to the success of future events is to stay agile and flexible in our arrangements.

The PA connects our community and we also participate in fundraising. In 2020, we adapted to the changing situation: the Trinity Secondhand Uniform Shop offered some unique uniform swap days and we did not take a commission at the Secondhand Textbook Sale in December. The Trinity Blankets we commissioned with the wool dyed to match our school tie colours were a great success; they raised approximately $11,000 which was donated to the TGS Care Fund.

It is with gratitude that I acknowledge all the volunteers within the Trinity parent and guardian community for their work in

The Trinity Kayaking Supporters

The Cowey Club

2020, especially since so much was achieved despite our circumstances.

In particular, we thank the Trinity Secondhand Uniform Shop volunteers; the TGS Community Support Group, who provided over 200 meal items to the school for distribution to those in need of some TLC; and the volunteers at the Secondhand Textbook Sale.

If you are looking to join existing groups or create new ones, the PA’s sub-committees support special interest, co-curricular and key community events, thereby giving parents and guardians a variety of forums to volunteer in diverse ways. For example, in 2019, some parents from the Trinity Friends of F1 in Schools group accompanied the team to the 2019 World Finals in Abu Dhabi (where the Trinity team came 4th in the world!). In Term 2, this group will

Friends of F1 in Schools

hold an information night run by its convenor, David Palfreeman. The Cowey Club, which supports our rowers, does a marvellous job, and the Trinity Kayaking Supporters (TKS) volunteers are also invaluable in their help with this co-curricular activity.

All volunteers from our community, in whichever capacity, are warmly welcomed and received with immense gratitude by the PA. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to get involved pa@trinity.vic.edu.au I hope that you and your families stay safe and thrive through 2021– we look forward to meeting with you all soon.

Heidi Pfeffer President of the Parents’ Association

April 2021 | 23

GR A

M

MA S

V I R I L I T E R A G I TE

N

LD

RI A

TRI N

I

TY

From the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association

O

Andrew Kennedy (centre) at the ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast with Lachlan, Sally, Georgina and Sam Kennedy

As the memories of a challenging and disruptive 2020 begin to fade and are replaced by a greater sense of optimism that 2021 will return the world to a more normal setting, it has been interesting to see the signs of how the new normal might look. Whilst necessity may be the mother of invention, 2020 showed that it is also a very useful driver of adaption and innovation. We have heard a number of stories across our community of businesses faced with significant disruption who adapted their business model and now face into 2021 in a strong position with new opportunities to grow. OTGs who were abruptly forced to work from home have realised the benefits in terms of work/life balance and physical and mental wellbeing and look forward to a future where a balance of working from home and the office will drive superior professional and personal outcomes. OTGs at university who did not step foot on a campus in 2020 are looking forward to a more immersive experience in 2021, whilst retaining

24 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

the benefits that learning through technology can provide. And lastly but certainly not least, our newest OTGs showed their strength of character in adapting to a new way of learning whilst navigating external challenges to stay focused and achieve exceptional ATAR results and strengthened friendships. All of these benefits achieved through adversity provide confidence for a bright future and one where our Trinity community will thrive.

This sense of optimism has been felt across our OTGA Committee as we kicked off the year with great energy and enthusiasm. The composition of the Committee has been refreshed in 2021 as we farewelled Peter Casey (OTG 1973), Rish Mishra (OTG 2017) and Michael Watt (OTG 2009) and welcomed Peter Scott (OTG 1984), Dan McNab (OTG 2019) and Jack Stewart (OTG 2020). Peter, Rish and Michael, who have stepped down due to competing business, education or personal commitments, were valued members of the Committee and we thank them for

their significant contributions. The Committee now includes OTGs from across six decades, from the class of 1976 through to the class of 2020, which ensures a diverse range of views, some great discussion and means that we remain focused on supporting the ~8,000 OTG members across all age groups.

Peter, Dan and Jack have already made a positive impact with their energy, insights and ideas and will drive a number of important initiatives to support our OTG community.

The OTGA continues to focus on our four strategic pillars of Connecting, Clubs, Careers and Community.

Eddie Gibbons (OTG 1994) is progressing our men’s health initiative, Beyond the Uniform, and has received strong support and engagement from our OTG Clubs.

They will participate in mental health first aid training in the coming months to learn important skills to support people developing mental health problems.

The OTGA social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Strava) are achieving strong engagement and remain one of our most important ways of connecting with our OTG community, so make sure you Like, Follow or Join us on your preferred app!

One thing that 2020 did highlight was that virtual events are no substitute for the real thing, and this was reinforced through some fantastic events held in February and March. The Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast was a fitting tribute to a great Trinity man (Stephen Jones OTG 1996), with some impressive speakers, including our current School Captain, Will Toner, looking right at home alongside Josh Frydenberg. The crowd included Stephen’s family, OTGs, current Trinity and Ruyton students, business and sporting leaders, as well as teachers and other staff, which made for a truly engaging and entertaining morning.

Congratulations to Clint Hillas (OTG 1996), Ron Joseph (OTG 1963) and all involved in the organisation of what will hopefully become a muchanticipated annual event on the calendar. There is more about the Breakfast on Page 34.

I

N

IT

M

TR

AR

EN O F OM W

Y GRAM

The Women of Trinity Grammar membership continues to grow – and we look forward to welcoming eligible women from the 2020 year level. We also encourage women from earlier years connected to Trinity Grammar to consider joining.

Gareth Andrews and Brian Tickell chat with Alastair Clarkson at the Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast

School reunions were an unfortunate casualty of 2020 and we are pleased about their return in 2021, including one of our favourite events of the year, the Gold Mitre Lunch, which took place on 17 March – it was fantastic to see our OTGs connecting with each other again.

No doubt 2021 will throw up its own challenges and obstacles for us to navigate as the year progresses; however, the proven resilience and the traits of the Trinity man and our community mean that we are well placed to tackle any challenge head on and come out the other side stronger for the experience.

Providing opportunities for OTGs to connect with each other and the school is a key priority for the OTGA and Piers Mitchem (OTG 2002) is currently leading our plans for some exciting events later in the year so stay tuned for more details.

Please take a moment to follow us on our social media platform and we welcome members of the community who may be able to assist in practical ways getting in touch with us at otg@trinity.vic.edu.au

Please remember that WOTG is a social group for women to join, if they wish to, after their son or all of their sons have graduated from Trinity.

In the meantime, if you would like to join the WOTG, please use this link: surveymonkey.com/r/women_ of_trinity_grammar to register your contact details. Please note, there is no joining or membership fee involved. We always welcome feedback or ideas – please email us via otg@trinity.vic.edu.au

Regrettably, we have not been able to get together for the past year or so due to COVID restrictions; however, we are looking forward to an afternoon social event to celebrate Mother’s Day. Please save the date – Sunday 2 May. Further details will be emailed to members shortly.

James Brown (OTG 1992) President

Donna Cameron and Carolyn Crouch, Co-Convenors Liz Beasley and Sue McNally Patrons

April 2021 | 25

Reunions

The attendees at the Class of 2015 Five Year Reunion

The class of 2015 Five Year Reunion was finally held in February after being postponed in 2020, with just over 80 guests in attendance.

Thanks to all who attended and to Brian Williams (2015 School Vice-Captain) for assisting with the formalities on the evening. Our Principal, Adrian Farrer, welcomed these young men back to Trinity and the 2015 Heads of Year 12, Susan Hill (now Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School) and Fred Brown-Greaves reflected on some special memories of that year.

Thanks to staff members Rohan Brown, Richard Grummet, John Cavanagh and Kate Hall who were able to attend and enjoy the evening.

Alexander Hayman, James Milburn, Max Burrows, Sam Morrison and Daniel Martini

26 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

Adrian Farrer with Tom Younger, Hayden Salathiel, Edward Hiesler, Sam Grisold, Jonathan Walshe and Lachlan Date

Hugh Cosolo, Sam Liu and Sam Cook

James Pirera, Sam Rowley and Brian Williams

The attendees at the Class of 2016 Five Year Reunion

The Class of 2016 Five Year Reunion was held in March with over 90 guests in attendance. It was wonderful to see former staff members Rick Tudor, Fred Brown-Greaves and Andrew Bishop back at Trinity, along with some of our current teachers, including Blake Meadows, Kate Hall, John Cavanagh, Kate Fewster and Rohan Brown. Our Principal, Adrian Farrer, spoke to the boys before handing over to Susan Hill and Fred Brown-Greaves, who were the Heads of Year for this cohort in Year 10 and Year 12. Thanks to Jun Kim (2016 School Vice-Captain) for his kind words and reflections five years on.

Spencer Hines, Ethan Katz, Angus Thomson and Patrick Jaffe

Nic Seater, Matthew Harcourt and Patrick Kendall

Jono Lawler, Ben Hudson, Steven Payne and Eddie Dobson

April 2021 | 27

Gold Mitre Lunch

The attendees at the Gold Mitre Lunch

Peter Clements, Glen Cameron, Anthony Blake and Robert Cameron

Andrew Alexander and Christopher Hense

Darren McMenaman, Graeme Ireland and Paul Kinross

Singing the school song

At our 2021 Gold Mitre Lunch, we welcomed the 1970 and 1971 cohorts for the very first time. It was especially wonderful to see so many regulars back after the 2020 lunch was cancelled. Thank you to Brett Weinberg, 1971 School Captain, for

28 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

his reflections, and Julian Cairns (OTG 1967) and Rev’d Geoff Sprott (OTG 1964), who assisted with the formalities on the day.

The first Gold Mitre Lunch was held in 1993 and next year, we look

forward to celebrating the 30th Anniversary with our Old Trinity community. It has been wonderful to see so many support this event annually.

News of Old Boys Congratulations to Stewart Lucy (OTG 200005 and current staff member) and Monique who were married over the Christmas break.

Tom Dakis (OTG 1996-05) was best man. In March, Stewart and Monique welcomed a beautiful daughter, Matilda Violet.

Congratulations to Chris Potts (OTG 1996-03) and Deanna Mak on welcoming their second child, Leon Li Xian Potts, who was born late January. Leon is the grandchild of Colin Potts (staff member from 1992-2015) and Anne Potts (staff member from 2003-13)

Stewart Lucy and his wife Monique

Congratulations to Stephen Mansour (OTG 1992-99) and Anoria who welcomed their second child, Emily Florence. Stephen’s father David (OTG 1963-71) was a staff member at Trinity until he retired in 2015.

Since then, David has continued his involvement with the school through the Year 9 China Program and his participation in the Stakeholder Member Group.

Thank you to Michael Gould (OTG 1960-68) who donated his LP recording of the Trinity 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service for our archives. Michael has had a career in IT and recalls that in 1994 Trinity was the first school in the world to use Microsoft Office in an educational setting.

Angus Greene (OTG 1999-04) has recently commenced at Jellis Craig, in their Fitzroy office servicing Melbourne’s inner north, and welcomes any enquiries from the OTG community.

Congratulations to Anthony Scott (OTG 2006-13) who played his first AFL game with the Western Bulldogs in Round 1.

Anthony joins eight Old Trinity Grammarians currently playing in the AFL: Nick Larkey (OTG 2011-16), Dom Tyson (OTG 200611), Luke McDonald (OTG 2007-12) and Todd Goldstein (OTG 2001-06) all at North Melbourne. Todd has played over 250 games with the Kangaroos. Tom Cutler (OTG 200813) is at Essendon and Adam Tomlinson (OTG 2006-11) is at Melbourne. David MacKay (OTG 2001-06) is with the Adelaide Crows and, at time of writing, has played 230 games for them.

Gorgeous Leon Li Xian Potts born in January 2021 to Chris Potts and Deanna Mak

Whilst we are taking a cautious approach to running reunions during 2021, we look forward to welcoming the Classes of: 2010 10 Year Reunion Friday 23 April

1990-1991 30 Year Reunion Friday 6 August

2011 10 Year Reunion Friday 30 April

1980-1981 40 Year Reunion Friday 20 August

2001 20 Year Reunion Friday 14 May

2020 One Year Reunion Wednesday 6 October

2000 20 Year Reunion Friday 21 May Invitations will be sent approximately four weeks in advance so please save the date and book your place. Should there be any further announcements regarding COVID which may have implications for our reunion program, these will be communicated accordingly.

To update your address details or if you have any questions, please contact Sharon Kendall, Alumni and Community Coordinator, on 9854 3668 or kendalls@trinity.vic.edu.au

April 2021 | 29

OTG Clubs OTG Cricket After months of anxious communication with league officials, the 2020/21 MCC Club XI season officially kicked off in mid-November – about a month later than usual.

Thanks to all teams begrudgingly agreeing to forgo their cherished weeks off over the Australia and Labour Day weekends, the league was able to deliver a substantial 13game season.

Again fielding teams in both Division 1 and 2, the OTGCC has experienced a turbulent season to say the least.

At the time of writing, the First XI appear to have sewn up yet another finals berth, meaning that by the time of reading it is more than likely that we will have added to our streak of nine consecutive semi-final defeats (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity right?).

The Second XI have fared quite substantially worse – sitting at the bottom of the ladder with only a solitary victory to our name. On a more positive note, we have seen a significant number of young OTGs make their debut for the Club which has certainly provided a boost for the old codgers like me.

30 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

Let’s hope the next time we check in you are reading about the month-long celebrations following a miraculous OTGCC Division 1 premiership!

As always, if you should experience a cricket itch that you feel you need to scratch, don’t hesitate to get in contact with me at sebnicolosi15@ gmail.com Seb Nicolosi (OTG 2012) President

• To build our Football Program with a focus on whole of Club, participation, and being the best we can be for all.

• To provide the resources to become better. Constantly.

• Through the introduction of a targeted wellbeing program, enhance our Club by looking out for its people, being a place they enjoy, where they can thrive and feel valued.

• Honour our past players and those who have helped our Club grow.

OTG Football

• Strongly enhance our relationship with both Trinity and Ruyton.

As we write, there appears to be every hope and expectation 2021 will be much more normal, or at least, ‘COVID normal’. We are planning and preparing accordingly.

• Enhance our much-appreciated sponsor base through sustainable relationships and mutually valuable connections.

In 2021 we will field record numbers.

Eight teams in total will represent the Green and Gold. Women’s Firsts and Reserves, Men’s Firsts in VAFA Premier League, Men’s Reserves, Men’s Thirds (Clubbies), Men’s U23s, Men’s U19s Firsts and Seconds. This is the biggest list the Club has ever seen, fulfilling our objective of participation for as many as possible.

Despite not having a season, 2020 was still incredibly busy. Our objectives remain: • To build engagement within our Club, Trinity and the broader community.

• To continue to develop our relationship with the OTGA. • To significantly increase our membership base.

• To be a club that people want to be a part of, feel comfortable within and valued.

The 2021 VAFA competition has begun – it’s time to kick some goals again.

Go Ts! Neil Bowman President

OTG Hockey After a false start in 2020, 2021 is the year OTG Hockey is going to hit the pitch!

We are based at Bulleen and welcome anyone, regardless of ability, to come on down and join the Club. We are submitting two teams to play the Metro levels in the Eastern/Central Melbourne competition.

We were only together for a few short weeks last year, but the culture and community that was generated around the Club was extraordinary.

This is something we cannot wait to build upon this year and, hopefully, we

can generate some success on the pitch as well. Training is underway and our teams are developing nicely so if you want to come down, please don’t hesitate!

If you have any questions, please reach out or come see us at Bulleen.

In late January, we celebrated our first social event, a winery tour at the del Rios Winery and Restaurant in Mount Anakie, with both players and friends of the Club attending. This was a magnificent day, full of wine, food and good vibes, and we are grateful (as always) to the del Rios (an OTG family) for their first-class hosting. We are looking forward to our next event, the Amazing Race, which is designed to enhance the camaraderie between players and teams. With COVID restrictions easing (touch wood), the Club hopes to run many other social events this year.

Steven Payne (OTG 2016) President

OTG Soccer With last year’s lack of activity behind us, the Club is excited about the return of our playing members, who are all eager to dust off the cobwebs and get back onto the field.

Last year, the Committee put much energy into organising the 2021 season, and we are looking forward to what the year brings.

In early January, the men (Seniors/ Reserves) and women (Seniors) began their pre-season training, with a strong turn-out from all teams.

The Senior men competed in the first round of the FFA Cup; however, after a 3-0 loss to Deakin SC, they were unable to progress. Despite the loss, spirits remain high and players are now looking forward to the start of the season. We are also eagerly awaiting the return of our Sunday men’s teams.

The OTGSC currently supports five teams: Senior/Reserves Men (State League 5), Senior Women (State League 3), and Sunday Thirds/ Fourths Men (Metropolitan League).

If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please contact Jeremy Neylon on 0407 580 045 for more details.

Jeremy Neylon (OTG 2013) President

OTG Otters (Water Polo)

The Old Trinity Otters Water Polo Club has thrived since returning to action this year. A record 27 players in two teams are playing in a shortened summer social season of water polo at MSAC. The State League 2 side has won twice and lost twice, and the State League 6 side is undefeated with four wins. The Club has been bolstered by strong attendance at training, and a recent Bunnings fundraising BBQ, helped gather momentum for a successful year. We continue to foster a strong, inclusive culture that prides itself on Trinity values, while also trying to improve the skills of its members and chase an elusive first premiership.

The Club is always interested in new players and if you are interested in joining please email our Club President, Mike Azarnikow (OTG 2011), mike.azarnikow@gmail.com Edward Smith (OTG 2017) Treasurer

April 2021 | 31

In Memoriam We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of the following members of the Trinity community and we offer our condolences to their families and friends.

Graeme Caldwell (OTG 1955-67) enjoyed a career as a dentist and is survived by his wife and children. He was a member of Arnold House and enjoyed basketball, cricket, football, squash, tennis and drama during his time at Trinity. He regularly kept in contact with the school and his friends through various events including the Gold Mitre Lunch.

Graeme Caldwell (third from left) with David Mansour, Ian Friend and David Langley in 2019 at a Tunga Society lunch

Geoffrey Fookes (OTG 1963-70) worked in real estate and is survived by his wife and two daughters. The Fookes family has a four-generation relationship with Trinity, going back

32 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

to the early 1920s, that includes his father, Eric (OTG 1937), and uncle, Alan (OTG 1941), who still regularly attends Trinity functions.

Victor Grant (OTG 1942-46) passed away in 2020. At Trinity, he was involved with athletics, Cadets and was a St Paul’s Chorister. He received Colours for football and was a member of Merritt House.

William (Bill) Orford (OTG 1960-68) passed away in early-January 2021. He spent most of his life in Kew and was a member of the Habitat Uniting Church, Canterbury, where his funeral was held. At school, he was a member of Henty House and enjoyed athletics and softball. Bill’s brother David (OTG 1963) also attended Trinity and maintains a strong interest in the school. A memorial to Bill, created by his niece, Lara, is available here: youtube.com/ watch?v=L8pqrNoATYE

Bill Orford running for Trinity Grammar School

Mark Schedlich (OTG 1963-65) was a boarder at Trinity, a member of Merritt House. He lived in Benalla and was a sheep farmer and wool classer. Mark passed away in January this year after a five-year battle with cancer.

Frederick Stewart (OTG 1947-53) passed away in 2020 and is survived by his wife and three daughters.

During his time at Trinity, he was involved with the school play and was a member of Roberts House.

Bruce Whitehead (OTG 1942-50) was one of only a few students to be awarded Trinity School Colours in tennis, football, athletics, swimming and cricket. He was a Prefect, Captain of Roberts House, and has his name engraved on the Trumble Cricket Bat for scoring 100 runs in a cricket match.

Three generations of Trinity - Bruce, Craig and Finlay Whitehead in 2019

Bruce will be sadly missed at the Gold Mitre Lunch. He remained involved at Trinity and is pictured with his son Craig (OTG 1978) and his grandson Finlay (OTG 2020) at the Bulleen Playing Fields in 2019.

Past Staff Members

Marcus Ma (OTG 2019-21) The Trinity Grammar community, especially the Junior School, was deeply saddened by the death of Year 2 student, Marcus Ma, in February after a long illness. Marcus was away from school for much of 2020, but was an enthusiastic participant in the Distance Learning program. He returned to school in Term 4, to the delight of his friends and teachers and spent many happy times back in the classroom and playing with his friends. Marcus was known as a loving and much-loved classmate and student. It was a great privilege for the school to host a service celebrating Marcus’ life in the Trinity Chapel on 11 February.

David Laird (staff member 19741991) passed away early this year.

After arriving from Glasgow in Scotland in 1974, David started at Trinity as a senior Mathematics teacher and stayed for 18 years. He was also a tennis coach of great distinction and he was the Head of Arnold House for many years.

He is greatly missed and fondly remembered by the Trinity community.

It is sad to write about the passing of two of our longserving teachers.

Peter Nicholls (staff member 19661994) passed away in September 2020 at 81 years of age. Peter was the Head of Counselling, based in the Lower Robertson area. During his 29 years on staff, he provided great guidance to many hundreds of boys. Peter also coached (and played) tennis with great passion.

He was kind, considerate and always helpful when the boys needed assistance.

Kevin Ridges (staff member 19622014), who was Trinity’s longestserving staff member, passed away at the end of 2020. By the time he retired, Kevin was Head of Maintenance and had supported five headmasters, hundreds of staff members and thousands of students, all of whom could rely on his methodical approach, unflappable manner and intricate knowledge of the infrastructure of the school. Kevin was known for his loyalty and his innate generosity – he helped so many people, from staff members with flat tyres to a local resident who came to him annually seeking palm fronds for the Palm Sunday church service.

Kevin Ridges

Peter Nicholls

Marcus Ma with Cecilia Fairlie, the Junior School Chaplain

A valued member of the wider Trinity community, who left a significant imprint on the Kew campus, architect Peter Crone passed away in January this year. Peter’s design of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity won a Victorian Architecture Medal in 1993, and his practice, Crone Ross Architects, worked on the refurbishment of many areas of the school. The Peter Crone Award in Design and Architecture is awarded at Presentation Night each year. More information about Peter’s work on the Chapel can be found here: issuu.com/trinitygrammar/docs/134442_trinity_grammarian_hr/16

April 2021 | 33

Dr Murray Verso, former Headmaster Rick Tudor and Eddie Gibbons

Guest of honour the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP with some of the Year 12 students

The Inaugural ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast The inaugural Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast was held at the MCC Members Dining Room on Friday 12 February. It was attended by the Trinity Year 12 cohort; a table of Ruyton students; Stephen’s parents, Russell and Lesley Jones; Old Boys from 1996, Stephen’s year, and 1964-5, his father Russell’s year; along with many other friends, family members and work colleagues of Stephen Jones.

Trinity’s Principal, Adrian Farrer, who had a close connection with Stephen from their football-playing days, warmly welcomed the guests The Jones’ family has a longstanding connection with Trinity: Stephen was a School Vice-Captain and his father had been School Captain. Clint Hillas (OTG 1996) gave an inspirational speech about his great friend and school mate and then the current School Captain, Will Toner, had the unenviable task of introducing the guest of honour the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Federal Treasurer. The Treasurer spoke with great passion, without any notes,

34 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

explaining his connection with the Jones family and elaborating his thoughts on leadership. It was not a political speech, and it was aimed perfectly to the assembled students who are starting their final year of study. There was also inspiration for the adults in the room.

Stephen’s life was tragically cut short by a horrific boating accident in 2019 in Spain. He was a wonderful man, son, friend, husband to Fiona, and father to three beautiful children. He was in the prime of his career and family life. Sadly, the breakfast will not heal the great loss that we all feel, but it is hoped that the Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast will be a memorial to Stephen’s positivity and passion for life and will continue to provide direction and motivation to generations of students. We are grateful to Ron Joseph (OTG 1963) and Clint Hillas for proposing the event and to Russell and Lesley Jones and Fiona Jones for their support of the Breakfast.

Rohan Brown

Many of the Year 12s were keen to hear from Alastair Clarkson

Clint and Kristen Hillas with Ben Power

Back Page Interview

Daniel Kotsimbos (OTG 2015) Last year, Daniel’s artwork Peak Frequency earned him the title of joint winner of the inaugural Fivex Art Prize: Billboard Art Reimagined.

You may have seen Peak Frequency when it was displayed on an enormous billboard in the city, opposite Flinders Street Station, on the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets.

Congratulations on your recent achievement, joint winner of the Fivex Art Prize. How was it to have your work displayed on such a large scale?

Thank you. It was very special to see this project ‘break away’ from the dimensions of my computer screen and into such a large public setting, especially since I had found myself mostly working on such a small and isolated scale during the Melbourne lockdown.

Tell us about your Trinity journey, how would you describe your student experience? Are there any stand-out memories for you?

School for me was a safe place to make mistakes, in that sense it was very important.

I found a lot of comfort in the art studios up in the Centre for the Arts; there was a certain freedom

Daniel Kotsimbos’ artwork Peak Frequency

and acceptance in ‘experiencing’ rather than ‘knowing’. This was very significant because after leaving school, when I was faced with blank studio walls, an empty sketchpad, and no key curriculum other than to just ‘create’, it was all very daunting, but at the same time liberating.

At school, I learnt that there is no ‘right’ way to go about things; what’s important is the doing.

from the Yarra City region. Each air pollutant has been assigned a unique sonic frequency and ‘shape’ that reacts to the data, resulting in a sound piece that is composed entirely from our local air. Hopefully, it will give people more of an insight into how our activity impacts the quality of air that we all breathe.

From March 2021, it will be available online as a digital album.

We understand you have recently been working on a project with your twin brother, Michael, also an OTG. Can you tell us a little about this work and what it has been like working with Michael?

What does the future hold for the artist Daniel Kotsimbos?

Yes, it’s been great so far. We’ve been collaborating over the past few months and developed Anthroposphere, which is an algorithmic artwork that converts ambient air quality data into sound. With support from the Yarra City Council, we have fed the Anthroposphere algorithm air quality data sourced throughout 2020

You can learn more about Daniel at:

Hopefully many more projects and better air quality.

Finally, what advice might you give to any young, budding artists?

Artistic thinking has much to offer the world outside of the arts. In whatever context, I think it’s important to have a critical awareness of the world around you, as a lot of the time the answers are in the act of questioning itself.

@dankdv

danielkotsimbos.com/

April 2021 | 35

Front cover photograph: Roberts House took out the highly prized House Performing Arts Cup with their performance of Zoolander.

Anton Ruiz-Pedley shone in the starring role!

Back cover photograph: Book recommendations from friends are always the best ones!

Editor: Siobhan Latham e: lathams@trinity.vic.edu.au OTG News: Sharon Kendall e: kendalls@trinity.vic.edu.au Admissions: Kathy Byrne e: admissions@trinity.vic.edu.au

Many thanks to the staff, students, parents and other members of the Trinity community who provided photographs used in this publication.

TRINITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, KEW 4 0 C h a r l e s S t re e t , Ke w VI C 3 1 0 1 +61 3 9854 3600 | trinity.vic.edu.au

36 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN

This magazine has been printed on FSC (Forestry Strewardship Council) Certified paper utilising vegetable based inks. It has been produced using a Clean Green Print process which means all the processes involved with the manufacturer of this item are guaranteed to have minimum impact on the environment.