2023 Term 3 Week 10 22 Sept 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today marks the conclusion of a rewarding term of learning and achievement at Lindisfarne. It has been a special week as we held our Junior School Twilight Concert, Basketball Presentation Evening, Rugby Captain's Dinner, and the annual Year 8 Battle of The Bands final.

Wednesday was a significant day as we held our Final Assembly for the Class of 2023. Our Parents, Staff, Students, and School Community joined as one to celebrate our Year 12 students, to share in the Final Assembly, and to gather for the walk of honour. Thank you to Parents and Friends Year 12 Parent Coordinator Peta Fahy, who organised a very well-attended Year 12 parent lunch, an event that was greatly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Later on Wednesday afternoon, I announced the Year 12 leaders for 2023-2024 to the class of 2024. I’m looking forward to working with our 2024 School Captains, Desireé Mahleka and Fergus Hogan, and Vice-Captains Mia Harris and Tate Dee, our student leadership group, and the class of 2024 in the year ahead. A full list of the 2023-2024 student leadership groups can be found here.

Today, we announced our 2024 Lindisfarne School Musical to our school community. We are excited to bring MAMMA MIA to you all in 2024. You can view the video announcement below.

Have a wonderful break, or at least a change of routine over the fortnight ahead. We look forward to seeing all students return on Tuesday, 10 October, for an exciting final term of the 2023 Academic Year.

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

As we conclude Term 3, I would like to thank each and every one of you sincerely for all the creativity, effort, love, care, diligence, kindness, skill and dedication that you have brought to bear on our work during the course of the last ten weeks. In particular, I would like to thank Year 4A students for donating the most items for those experiencing hardship and homelessness in our community. May God bless our efforts and give success to the work of our hands.

It’s been a week of mixed emotions as we celebrated the conclusion of formal secondary education for our 2023 cohort with house farewells, breakfast and a moving final assembly. I join all our community members in wishing them well for this period of study leave, and every success in their HSC exams and in their future endeavours. Thank you Graduating Class of 2023 for who you are and for all you have contributed in the life of our School community during your time at Lindisfarne.

In this Season of Creation when we are encouraged to hear and heed the cry of the earth and of the poor, may these words of William Blake inspire us:

“To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.”

Please pray for the safety and protection of all the members of our community during this holiday, and for all those affected by natural disasters in Libya, Morocco, Brazil and Hawaii, as well as those experiencing hardship and homelessness in our own community.

I wish you a relaxing and refreshing break, and God’s choicest blessings in every way.

Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu
Chaplain

Musical Announcement - MAMMA MIA!

The Lindisfarne Performing Arts team are excited to announce the Musical for 2024 will be MAMMA MIA!

The original production of MAMMA MIA! opened in London’s West End in 1999 and is still playing there, becoming the sixth longest-running show in West End history. Since first wowing audiences and critics, the production has gone on to play in over 50 countries, in over 440 major cities, to over 65 million people.

MAMMA MIA! tells the tale of Sophie, a young bride-to-be who, on the eve of her wedding, goes on a quest to discover the identity of her father. Her quest brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years before. What happens next is a magical story of love, laughter and friendship.

So come and fall in love all over again! MAMMA MIA! really is the perfect antidote for our times.

Featuring 22 of ABBA’s greatest hits including Gimme Gimme Gimme, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen, S.O.S and Take A Chance On Me this is your chance to revisit the iconic soundtrack of our lives.

Auditions Process

Auditions for lead roles will take place in mid-term 4 and will be open to students who will be in Years 7 to 12 in 2024. A Musical Theatre workshop will be held on Sunday, 15 October, which is highly recommended for students who are interested in auditioning for lead roles or being part of the broader ensemble cast.

We are also looking forward to including our Stage 3 students in ensemble roles for this Musical, this will give the entire Mahers Lane family an opportunity to be a part of this exciting journey. Our Senior musicians will also have an opportunity to be involved, with a separate audition process will be used to form the Pit Orchestra.

Audition packs including all materials will be and an online registration form will be emailed to our 2024 Years 7 to 12 students during the holidays. All students are encouraged to get involved, no previous experience is required… You can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life!

Todd Hardy
Director of Performing Arts

How to update your child’s medical information on SEQTA Engage (Parent Lounge).

Student health and dietary information is used for the planning of camps, excursions, sporting events and school activities and it is important that it is kept up to date.

1. SEQTA Engage
2. Click on the Medical Details

If you have bookmarked the Parent Loune tab, you will find the medical details item as per the image below.

  3. Update General Medical Details using Update (see picture below)
  4. Add any new medical conditions using + New
  5. If your child has a medical condition listed that is no longer relevant, click 'Details' and add a note indicating that the condition can be removed.

Our school nurse will get a notification that the medical details have been updated and will review the changes. Please feel free to contact nurse@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions about this process.

Bianca Foster
School Nurse

Nathan Wallis, New Zealand's renowned neuroscience educator is coming to Terranora, NSW for one night only!

Nathan will be doing a presentation in Ngahriyah that is also offered to the wider community. In this presentation, Nathan provides an informative narrative on how our day-to-day interactions with children and young people, significantly the early years, plays a critical role in defining later outcomes for our children. In this talk, Nathan will guide you through the stages of brain development from the first 1000 days and into adulthood. He will reveal little tricks that will hopefully make parenting easier, and help you open up communication with your child. You will walk away with a much better understanding of how both your child's brain and your own brain works.

Captivating audiences over 200 times per year to sell-out events, Nathan has a profound reputation as a lively and engaging speaker. He uses humour and plain language to make this complex topic burst into life.

Nathan Wallis is an internationally renown speaker and we know these tickets will sell fast. It is imperative to us that our school community has the opportunity to buy a ticket. Early Bird Tickets available. Get in quick as tickets will sell!

Please use the link below to purchase your tickets.

Tickets are available at www.eventfinda.com.au

BOOKING LINK

BOOKING LINK

Tsukimi　月見 means ‘moon viewing’ and Autumn in Japan is a great time to view a beautiful full-moon on a clear evening! This year in Japan, Tsukimi takes place on Friday the 29th of September. Each year the exact date varies according to the cycle of the moon, so Tsukimi could take place in September through to early October. This is a time for Japanese people to pray for future good harvests and give thanks for this year’s harvest.

How do Japanese people celebrate Otsukimi? Families will enjoy gazing at the full-moon and eating autumn seasonal foods including sweet potato and chestnuts. Eggs are also used in dishes to represent the golden ‘harvest’ moon, in tsukimi soba noodles and on promotional menu items at fast food restaurants. Mochi features too, in the form of dango balls which also represent a full moon.

Students in Middle School Japanese classes have taken a closer look at the traditions of tsukimi. There is an interesting folktale that sheds light on the Japanese folklore belief that there are “rabbits on the face of the moon” (it’s an interesting tale!) and enjoyed the traditional song of Tsukimi.

Please enjoy the beautiful full moon on Friday 29 September and while you are gazing at it, know that millions of Japanese people are doing the same!

ゴデン先生

Mrs.Godden

Lindisfarne is proud to again offer the Ad Astra program in 2024. The name “Ad Astra” is derived from the Latin phrase “Per Ardua Ad Astra” which means “through hard work to the stars”. The Ad AstraProgram provides students with opportunities to further develop and extend their academic abilities. They will work with like-minded and similarly capable students, in a challenging environment to enable them to reach their highest academic potential. This program will continue through Years 6, 7 and 8.

An email will be sent to all parents of students in years 5, 6 and 7 outlining the process to apply for this program. Students currently in the Ad Astra program will not need to reapply.

Key dates:

• Online Parent Information session on Wednesday, 11 October at 6:30pm (NSW time).

• Application submissions are due by Friday, 20 October.

• New enrolments testing date Saturday, 28 October

• Current Lindisfarne student applicants, the testing process will occur at school on Friday, 27 October 2023.

Kelly Bedford
Acting Director of Learning Enrichment - Middle School

As the school holidays commence, Year 8 students can reflect on their achievements over Term 3 with pride. From participating in the energetic Battle of the Bands competition, focussing on giving back to the community through DiscoverEd, displaying their artworks in the Art Showcase and working hard on their assessment tasks, Year 8 has demonstrated a commitment to excellence across all facets of school life. We hope that each and every student has the opportunity to rest and refresh over the break and we look forward to journeying with Year 8 students throughout the remainder of the year.

Amy Blinco and Amber Phillips
Year 8 Coordinators

Year 6 students this term have demonstrated remarkable positive growth, highlighted by their active participation in various enriching activities. These included an engaging and memorable trip to Canberra, outstanding performances at the Tournament of Minds competition both locally and at state level, an informative presentation about the Stolen Generation by our very own Narelle Urquhart promoting empathy and understanding, and lots of creative dressing up during Book Week to demonstrate their love of reading. Additionally, many students have been committed to their sporting endeavours by participating in various gala days and representing the school at district and state level competitions. The recent R U OK Day helped to promote mental health awareness through meaningful participation in various activities, reflecting their holistic development and dedication to personal and societal well-being.

Year 6 I hope you take time during these holidays to recharge, explore new adventures, and make wonderful memories. Rest up, have fun, and come back refreshed and ready to embark on the next exciting chapter of your academic journey. Happy holidays, Year 6 students!

Kylie Thompson
Year 6 Coordinator

I want to thank all of our community for your support, as we close out Term 3 of 2023. I wish all our students and families a safe and restful holiday break. It has been a very busy term for our students.

Battle of the Bands

On Monday, the Chapel was transformed as our Year 8 students competed in the annual Battle of the Bands competition. This event was the culmination of several in-class heats with every Year 8 class having a representative band. Each participating band had to perform an original tune.

The students’ commitment to rock was inspiring to see through their costuming and seamless performances. The audience was wowed and inspired as each band battled it out. We were very fortunate to have a special guest judge; George Shephard, from the band Shepard along with Mrs Carloine Jeffeirs who had the unenviable job of deciding the winning band.

Congratulations to all bands who made it through the heats but a shout-out to the winning band on the day - Firearms and Flowers (Lachlan Clear on Bass, Will Lloyd on Guitar, Tucker Groves on Drums, Jack Matkevich on violin, Sophia Wilson, Lead Voacals, Sienna Wright, Backing Vocals and Robert Jerry on Keys).

It was such a fun event and a great way to showcase the Musical learning achieved throughout the term.

Talk Money

Escstra Foundation is a charitable foundation committed to building the financial wellbeing of Australians and is committed to supporting students with financial education and learning about money as they understand this is a lifelong journey.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Years 7 and 5 students worked through a series of activities geared for their age and stage in life.

Year 5 students discussed how to save, manage and spend money; manage needs versus wants and discussed the digitisation of money and different payment options.

Year 7 students focused on spending and saving choices, understanding how decisions now can affect future finances and how conscious consumers can positively impact people and the planet.

These sessions were insightful and valuable for the students.

Japan Tour

On Tuesday evening, 29 students accompanied by 4 staff embarked on an 8-day cultural tour to Japan. This excursion offers our language learners a deep dive into Japanese culture and language, aiming to fuel their passion and inspire continued studies in the subject.

On their 8-day cultural journey, our students will delve deep into the heart of Japan. Starting in Tokyo, they will explore the Imperial Palace gardens, experience the magic of Tokyo Disneyland, and partake in guided tours showcasing the city's temples, shrines, and bustling shopping districts. A special highlight will be their visit to Aoyama Gakuen, reconnecting with students who had visited Australia earlier this year.

Their adventure will continue as they ride on the bullet train to Nara, where they'll mingle with free-roaming deer. From there, they will visit Kyoto Tower, experience Hiroshima Peace Park, and immerse themselves in the cityscape of Osaka.

The students will also be fortunate enough to participate in a traditional Japanese cooking class.

I would like to thank Mrs Louise Godden for organising this cultural tour and thank Mrs Kate Cornell, Mr Rhett McDonald and Mrs Justine Diver for accompanying the students and allowing them to undertake this fantastic opportunity.

Year 12 Final Assembly

On Wednesday, the Mahers Lane students farewelled our Year 12 leaders. It was a special assembly and an important rite of passage for our Senior students.

It was wonderful to see the Middle School students form part of the Guard of Honour for our Year 12s as they took their final walk up the school's stairs; There were many high-5s and well-wishes.

Final Reminders

While we recognise holidays as a time for relaxation and personal expression, we kindly ask that on the first day of Term 4, all students adhere to our uniform policy, including guidelines on hairstyles, nails and piercings. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The first day of Term 4, 2023 is Tuesday, 10 October.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

What a term it has been in Year 5. We have successfully ticked off Year 5 Camp, DiscoverEd and Book Week 2023, we explored Fractured Fairy Tales and worked through Maths concepts such as 3D shapes, fractions and time. In Integrated Studies the students learned all about Forces and Energy and built roller coasters and arcade games to reflect and culminate their learning and understanding.

This term we have worked well as a team and really enjoyed learning and growing. Embracing days like “R U OK” allowed us to explore our emotional health and ensure that we check in with each other with kindness and respect. Looking at our ‘happiness’ and what things in our lives were bucket fillers was insightful and important too.

Many students achieved incredibly outside of the classroom too with impressive results in the sporting arena. Our swimmers, athletics stars and team sports members made us proud at many venues around the state.

A huge thank you must be extended to the supportive family members who are always there to support, guide, help and encourage our students (and teachers) too!

From the Year 5 teaching and learning staff we would like to wish all of our Year 5 students and families a happy, healthy, relaxing and well-earned break. We look forward to seeing you all back on Tuesday, 10 October for our last term of learning for our incredible Year 5 learners.

Click 'Expand'below to see all the photos.

Kind regards,

Amber Jarvis
Year 5 Coordinator

We are excited to share that 'TalkMoney' financial literacy sessions were recently conducted for our Year 5, 7, and 9 students on the 18th and 19th of September. These government-funded workshops, designed and implemented by the Ecstra Foundation, were designed to offer students age-appropriate insights into the world of finance. The sessions conducted this week are only part one of a two part experience, with students to complete a second round of learning in this area early in Term 4.

Talking about money (Year 5):

Our Year 5 learners were introduced to the foundational aspects of money management. They learned to differentiate between needs and wants and explored the contemporary digital sphere of payment methods.

Through interactive activities, students came to understand the varied perceptions of money's value. They were taught the significance of having productive financial conversations with their peers and family and the essence of setting savings objectives.

Price tag (Year 7):

Year 7 students delved deeper into the nuances of spending and saving choices, understanding the long-term effects of their financial decisions, and realising their potential influence as informed consumers on both society and the environment.

The session equipped students with the knowledge of how external factors might influence their saving and spending habits. They were introduced to the concept of aligning expenditures with personal values and beliefs.

Credit card and phone (Year 9):

For our Year 9 students, the focus shifted towards a more advanced understanding of finances. This included discussions on establishing financial independence and a preliminary introduction to workplace rights.

Students were shown various avenues of earning money, an overview of their rights in the workforce, and the basics of addressing challenging workplace scenarios.

We are excited to inform you that Workshop B for each year group will be conducted early next term. These sessions aim to further build on the knowledge imparted and will complete this enriching financial literacy experience.

We were pleased to be able to put these sessions together for the students. We hope it’s only the beginning of conversions that will see our students well-prepared for their financial futures.

Kane Bradford
Head - Professional Practice, Innovation and Partnerships

BOOKING LINK

BOOKING LINK

Careers and VET

Year 12 University Application Support

Congratulations to our Year 12 students on the conclusion of your formal classes here at school. It was a privilege to be part of your farewell assembly.

Many of you will be planning to attend HSC Tutorials over the next two weeks, in preparation for your exams. On Thursday 28th of September I will be available from 10am - 4pm to support any students with their University applications, as these need to be set up before the 30th of September to avoid significant fee increases. I will be in S3 and will offer the following:

• From 10am - 1pm the session will be drop in/ first in first served. You will be able to write your name on the board and join the queue.

• From 1pm - 4pm you have the option to book a time if you have specific questionsthat need to be answered. You can also drop in at this time and fit in any gaps of unbooked time.

Southern Cross University early offer closes on the 30th of September so please complete this if you haven't already.

Please inform me of early offers and scholarships as you receive them, unfortunately many of the Universities don't let us know directly, so we rely on you to inform us.

Year 10 Work Experience

As a part of our compulsory Year 10 Careers program, students in Year 10 will engage in work experience from Monday the 27th of November - Thursday 30th November. It is essential that young people embrace the opportunity to engage in workplace learning to better understand what is involved in a career and the skills and attributes they need to be successful in their chosen career pathway.

Work experience provides the opportunity for students to spend time with an employer in a real workplace, as well as:

• build confidence and knowledge to enable students to make informed decisions regarding their career and transition planning

• explore different careers and experience an authentic working environment

• gain a better understanding of what education or further training they need to enter a profession or industry

• develop connections and networks

• develop and practise a range of new skills

• relate their school study to the workplace or have the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in a real-life setting

As part of the Year 10 Careers program students have been supported to create a resume and cover letter that they can use to establish contact with employers. Students will be required to identify areas of interest and a suitable list of potential employers, whom they will then contact about the possibility of completing work experience. Work experience is defined as unpaid experience in a workplace and therefore students should not complete work experience for an employer with whom they are engaged in paid work already. The term break is a great opportunity for students to finalise their work experience placement if they have not yet done so. Please see the email dated Friday 8th September for the required process and forms.

Lauren Ward
Director of Careers and VET

What a journey it has been for our Year 12 English students this year. Four modules studied, more than 10 texts deconstructed, and 5000 assignment words written not to mention the conversations and drafting!

We wish all of our students the best for their upcoming exams. We hope that after a quick celebration, that students refocus and continue the excellent work that has been happening in classrooms after Trial examinations.

As we farewell our 2023 cohort, they have some tips for the incoming Year 12 students.

Year 12 English Tips

Kylie Wharton
Director of English

Year 12 History Extension students have had their major works returned and are now celebrating the end of 2023 coursework. The Project involved the planning and composition of a very demanding research task which responded to an enquiry question of their own choosing. A wide range of topics was explored: the representation of Viking women, reflections on the American Revolutionary War, a historiography of the Falklands War, the impact of the Irish Partition on Ireland, changing views on the British Suffragettes, the role of Mao’s Red Guard, the American Business Deal of 1933 and Austria’s post-WWII reconstruction, The results achieved are a credit to all students who are now equipped with superior referencing skills for future studies.

History Extension students, part of the class of 2023. Left to Right: Olive Theobald, Amity Chaffey, Tom Ellis, Hunter Wilson, Mayan Gagliardi, Georgina Warman and Erin Koning.

Jan Makepeace
Ancient History teacher

Congratulations to the following students who won major awards at the recent Gold Coast Eisteddfod

Madeline Neumann (Year  8)
Most Outstanding Speaker of Prose ages 11-18 years.

Zoe Fox (Year 5)
Most Outstanding Speaker of Australian Verse 10 years and under.

Congratulations to these students.

The Chapel recently hosted musical talent of our Year 8 students as they took the stage for the annual Battle of the Bands event. This year, the students not only showcased their musical skills but also their songwriting abilities as they spent the Term collaborating to compose original music in class. Heats were undertaken over the passed few weeks with the finalists owning the stage!

Adding to the excitement, we were honoured to have George from the Australian pop band Sheppard as our special guest judge. He not only provided expert judgement but also shared invaluable insights into the world of music with our aspiring young artists.

After a morning filled with incredible performances, the judges eagerly announced the winner of BOTB for 2023.

Congratulations to 8E's Soul Stone who claimed the top spot with their soulful original composition and classy performance.

Congratulations to all participants, runners up, and our talented team of teachers. Your passion for music is a source of pride for our community, and we look forward to witnessing your musical journeys in the future.

Thank you for your support of the Performing Arts.

Rock on!

We’ve been working away all year on this collaboration between some of our senior music students, uni students and professional songwriters and musicians and we are excited to share some of the music that we have made.

Kicking things off is this piece for three drummers:

Written by Dave Sanders, performed by Dave, Cruz Kill and Chris Matthew Nellikkattu.

You can check out more videos on the Germinate Records YouTube Channel.

Stay tuned for more new music next term.

Brett Canning
Germinate Records

From 2024, Lindisfarne will be introducing the Round Square Exchange Program. Round Square exchanges offer a transformative educational experience that prepares students to be well-rounded, globally aware citizens who are ready to make positive contributions to the world. They provide a platform for personal growth, cultural understanding, and the development of valuable life skills.

Further information will follow regarding an information evening to be held in Term 4, but in the meantime, below is a summary of the program.

Domestic Exchanges

While international travel offers unparalleled experiences, the essence of cultural exchange is not confined to foreign borders alone. Round Square recognises the importance of local cultural immersion through domestic exchanges. These initiatives allow students to explore diverse perspectives within their own country, fostering a deeper understanding of regional nuances and strengthening connections within their national community.

Students in Year 8 will be able to apply for a two-week exchange to one of the network schools. Some of the benefits of a domestic exchange are;

Preserving Local Heritage

Domestic exchanges provide an opportunity for students to explore the rich tapestry of their own country's culture, traditions, and heritage. By venturing to different regions within their own nation, students gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity that exists right on their doorstep.

Exploring Regional Differences

Every region within a country has its own unique characteristics, be it dialects, cuisines, or customs. Participating in a domestic exchange allows students to immerse themselves in these distinct regional identities, enriching their understanding of their own country's multicultural mosaic.

Strengthening National Unity

By experiencing different regions, students develop a greater sense of national unity and shared identity. This firsthand exposure to the diversity within their own country encourages mutual respect and understanding, fostering a sense of belonging to a larger, interconnected whole.

Fostering Civic Engagement

Domestic exchanges often include opportunities for students to engage with local communities through service projects and volunteer work. This involvement instills a sense of civic responsibility and encourages students to actively contribute to the betterment of their own country.

Appreciating Environmental Diversity

From coastlines to mountains, deserts to the bush, every part of a country offers a unique environmental experience. Domestic exchanges provide a chance for students to connect with various ecosystems, fostering an appreciation for the natural beauty and environmental challenges specific to different regions.

Building Lifelong Connections

Participating in a domestic exchange enables students to form enduring friendships with peers from different parts of their own country. These relationships can evolve into powerful networks that extend far beyond graduation, creating a sense of interconnectedness within their national community.

Preparation for International Experiences

For some students, a domestic exchange may serve as a stepping stone to future international adventures. It provides an opportunity to develop cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and communication skills in a familiar setting, which can be invaluable when venturing abroad.

Round Square Domestic Exchanges offer a unique opportunity for our Year 8 students to explore the cultural, environmental, and social diversity within their own country. These exchanges not only foster a sense of national unity but also prepare students to be culturally aware and globally-minded individuals.

International Exchanges

Round Square ultimately is a global network of schools committed to holistic education and offers students the opportunity of international exchange. This initiative allows students to step beyond the confines of their familiar environment and immerse themselves in a different culture. Through living with host families, attending foreign schools, and participating in diverse activities, students gain invaluable insights, foster lifelong connections, and develop a global perspective that extends far beyond the classroom. Some of its benefits are;

One of the foremost advantages of participating in Round Square International Exchanges is the unparalleled opportunity for cultural immersion. Living in a foreign country offers a firsthand experience of customs, traditions, and daily life that goes far beyond what can be learned from textbooks or documentaries. This intimate connection with a new culture fosters a deep and enduring appreciation for global diversity.

Language Proficiency and Communication Skills

Engaging in an exchange in a country with a different primary language is an immersive language-learning experience. Participants are constantly engaged in conversations, enhancing their linguistic proficiency and communication skills. This newfound proficiency is a lifelong asset that opens doors to international opportunities and careers.

Global Awareness and Perspective

Being immersed in a foreign environment provides students with firsthand exposure to global issues. From environmental sustainability to social justice, students witness and engage with real-world challenges. This experiential learning cultivates a heightened sense of global awareness and empowers students to become informed, compassionate global citizens.

Personal Growth and Independence

Leaving behind the familiar and navigating a foreign environment encourages personal growth. Students develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills as they acclimate to their new surroundings. This newfound independence and self-confidence are invaluable assets that will serve them well throughout their academic and professional careers.

Long-lasting Cross-Cultural Connections

Round Square International Exchanges forge connections that endure long after the exchange period concludes. The friendships formed during these experiences are built on shared adventures, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. These relationships often evolve into valuable international networks, providing students with a diverse community of like-minded individuals from around the world.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Education extends beyond textbooks, and Round Square Exchanges exemplify this. Participants engage in hands-on experiences, field trips, and community service projects. These activities offer a deeper understanding of real-world issues and empower students to make a positive impact in their local and global communities.

Fostering Tolerance and Open-mindedness

Experiencing different cultures firsthand fosters tolerance and open-mindedness. Students learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and approaches to life. This cultural sensitivity is a crucial attribute in an increasingly globalized world, allowing individuals to work effectively with people from different backgrounds.

Preparation for a Global Workforce

In a world where international collaboration is the norm, the skills gained through Round Square International Exchanges are highly relevant. Employers value candidates with cross-cultural competence, adaptability, and strong communication skills. Participating in exchanges gives students a competitive edge in the job market, setting them up for success in a global workforce.

From 2024 Round Square International Exchanges are open to Year 10 students. The duration of these exchanges is typically six to eight weeks. Through cultural immersion, global awareness, personal growth, and enhanced communication skills, students emerge from these experiences as well-rounded, culturally aware, and globally-minded individuals. These exchanges serve as a cornerstone for personal development, preparing students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.

Mike Lush
Round Square Coordinator

In two weeks' time, students from Lindisfarne will be attending the Round Square International Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with over one thousand students from across the globe and explore the theme of “The New Africa”.

Brookhouse School is hosting the conference and below are details regarding what our students can expect.

Looking ahead, the host for RSIC24 will be announced at the beginning of Term 4 and expressions of interest will be called for later in the term.

The theme for the 55th Round Square International Conference "The New Africa '' will allow us to explore many ways in which the continent has evolved and is defining its position in the 21st Century.

About the Conference

Brookhouse is planning a programme of keynotes and panel discussions that will highlight an array of African innovators. The conference will be hosted jointly across Brookhouse’s two campuses in Nairobi. Brookhouse families will provide homestay accommodation and a first-hand experience of African hospitality for student delegates. Adult delegates will be staying in hotel accommodation.

The conference will come together for the Opening and Closing days, whilst the Adventure, Service and Democracy days will provide smaller group opportunities on a rotation of activities across the middle three days of the conference, hosted at the two Brookhouse campuses, in Karen and Runda. The Adventure Day will feature a night under African skies, camping in the Nairobi National Park, with wildlife game drives and an environmental conservation focus.

Adventure Day

For a real sense of the adventure that can be part of life in Africa, it is important to experience first-hand the excitement of the African bush. For Adventure Day, delegates will travel to the Nairobi National Park to spend time exploring wildlife conservation and to experience the excitement of camping in the wild under African skies. Be prepared to take in the sights and sounds of Africa.

Environmental Stewardship

The Elephant Orphanage

Since its inception in 1977 the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has played a significant role in Kenya's conservation effort by helping save the lives of orphaned elephants and rhinos who are ultimately released back into the wild. The Trust continues to provide a blueprint for the welfare of animals in captivity and, in the case of elephants, illustrates the sophistication of their communication and their social needs.

The Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre was established in order to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe that is found only in the grasslands of East Africa. The programme has had huge success, resulting in the introduction of several breeding pairs of Rothschild Giraffe into Kenyan national parks. In 1979, an education centre was established at the giraffe sanctuary to promote conservation awareness.

Service Day

The conference includes a day devoted to community-based service projects. All of the projects will be in and around Nairobi and will involve either working with children in a home, school or orphanage or an environmental project. Delegates will get physically involved in building, creating or decorating an environment and will have the opportunity to get to know the people we work with as our community partners. Each service activity will hopefully tell a story of human courage, endurance and optimism as we aim to make our Service Day involvement one that will truly extend understanding and awareness.

Guests and Speakers

The conference will examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding Africa’s role on the global stage in the 21st Century. Our guests and speakers come from all walks of life across a multitude of careers and professions; they have each made a mark in their field of endeavor and are seeking to expand the profile of African achievers.

Traditionally, Africa was seen as highly successful in quite a limited field of activities, such as athletics and long-distance running. The conference seeks to ensure delegates have a wider appreciation of the talent and achievement of young Africans across many areas, from the Arts, entertainment and the media to entrepreneurship, business and technology.

​Across the five days of the conference our guests and speakers include:-

• H E Margaret Kenyatta: former First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, whose work in women’s health, girl child empowerment, environmental and wildlife issues reflects true servant leadership.
• Nikita Kering: an award-winning singer, songwriter and actress (and Brookhouse alumni).
• Richard Turere: a TED speaker, children’s author and inventor of Lion Lights (and Brookhouse alumni).
• Larry Madowo:CNN International correspondent and host of the African Voices Change makers and Playmakers series.
• Bright Simons: Technology entrepreneur and President of the mPedigree phone-based system.
• Ambassador Amina Mohamed: A former UN diplomat and founder of Amina Leadership, Integrity, Values & Excellence Foundation (ALIVE).
• Christian Lambrechts: Environmentalist and Executive Director at Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, Kenya.
• Peggy-Mativo Ochola: Educational entrepreneur and Executive Director at PACEMaker International.
• Smriti Vidyathi: Broadcaster and news anchor, co-producer and host of NTV Wild Talk.
• Dr Paula Kahumbu: Chief Executive Officer of Kenya/USA Conservation NGO Wildlife Direct (and Brookhouse School Patron).
• Pattern Odhiambo: Technology innovator and Electrical and Electronic Engineer.
• Waihiga Mwaura: Kenyan journalist and BBC presenter of Focus on Africa.
• Jafer Abdikadir: Emerging technologies specialist and Software Engineer.
• William Kamkwamba: Environmental entrepreneur, author and TED Fellow, known as The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (a Netflix series) and co-founder of Moving Windmills.

Mike Lush
Round Square Coordinator

We are thrilled to bring you the latest news and highlights from the highly anticipated Queensland Schools Championship Regatta held in Bundaberg at the Bucca Weir Rowing course. Over the past few days, rowers from across the state have converged on the picturesque Gin Gin Creek to compete in this prestigious event. It's been a weekend of fierce competition and outstanding performances on the water.

Over 3 days, 46 schools including some of the strongest rowing schools in Queensland like The Southport School, All Hallows’ School and Rockhampton Grammar School brought 850 athletes to compete. The dedicated Lindisfarne students came in as underdogs and punched well above their weight finishing the first day with a few heat wins and a silver medal in the South Coast Regional Girls Quad in which Ruby Rhodes and Ayla Drury were crew members.

I would like to give congratulations to our students who competed over the weekend in one of the most competitive environments in school rowing.

Marcus Fox - Single Scull and Boys Double Scull

Matthew Jesperse - Single Scull and Boys Double Scull

Olivia Dunphy - Single Scull

Lily Foggo - Single Scull, Girls Double Scull and Girls Sweep Pair

Special Shout outs too.

Ayla Drury - South Coast Regional Quad Silver medalist and Queensland Single Scull Champion

Ruby Rhodes - Single Scull, Girls Double Scull, Girls Sweep Pair and South Coast Regional Quad Silver medalist

Thank you to all the parents who made the weekend special, helping with boat loading, organising competitors and going on coffee runs. Also a special thank you to Garry Annand who is the reason that all this was possible, without his dedication to the students and the program there would be a lot less to celebrate.

Aled Temperly
Head of Rowing

Thank you to our 2023 Sports Prefects - Kai Croft and Olivia Copeland. Your services and contributions in the job, and for the school within your individual sports have been invaluable.

Wishing you all a safe short holiday, then we come back and tackle the final term of 2023!

Athletics

On Tuesday this week in old Sydney town, the weather was well above average for mid-September, with a blast furnace like 35 degrees sweltering down over the Sydney Olympic Park track.

Damien Clucas and Sam Dick were helping officiate for CIS, and Dr Joseph Coyne was directly helping/analysing the Lindisfarne athletes in a coaching capacity.

Some highly commendable results that were noticed on the day/night by the aforementioned staff:

Jack Kane - winning medals for fun by the looks. A fine young athlete - especially in the power and speed-related disciplines; jumps and sprints. Jack took gold in the 200m and High Jump, silver in the 100m and High Jump.

Will Middleton - for his bold 3rd place in the 1500m - with the top 3 burning away from the rest of the field.

Thomas Ojako-Petit - was flying in the sprints, gaining a bronze medal in the 200m, and was only 0.10 away from the bronze in the 100m, but had to settle for 4th.

Henry McMillan - was airborne in the High Jump, hitting the 1:80cm mark and taking 4th place.

Chloe Clunies-Ross jumped a whopping 4.99cm in the Long Jump - and in doing so PB’ed by a massive 26cm.

Nicholas Klein - came 4th in discus. His best throw was 25.59m. He was first the whole way until the last round. Really proud of his result.

** There are other results from this event that we haven’t yet received, which we will run in the next newsletter.

Below is the list of athletes that represented NCIS at this year's CIS carnival. Thanks for your contributions.

• Lily Alford
• Timana Andrews
• Andre Bogovic
• Andie Buchan
• Daniel Challis
• Chloe Clunies-Ross
• Esther Dorr
• Cooper Dowd
• Ayla Drury
• Natasha Flahey
• Hunter Gaffney
• Miller Glenister
• Cullen Grainger
• Hugo Grainger
• Zahra Hughes
• Ayva Immisch
• Summer Immisch
• Flynn Johnston
• Finn Jones
• Jack Kane
• Amarni Kelly
• Mallee Kite
• Nicholas Klein
• Elke Knapp
• Coco Lennie
• Elijah Lobascher
• Nyah McLauchlan
• Henry McMillan
• Will Middleton
• Emily-Rose O'Brien
• Thomas Ojiako-Pettit
• Sooke Paley
• Campbell Patterson
• Liam Reardon
• Preston Robertson
• Ned Simmonds
• Tilly Snow-Wisse
• George Taylor
• Jake Tottenham
• Honey Weate-Riwhi

Some other shots from CIS below:

CIS Rugby League

Tiggi Groves (Year 10) is all geared up to represent CIS at the Australian All Schools this Saturday. Best of luck for this tournament!

Spotlight on Tyson Walk

Tyson participated in the Tennis NSW North East Junior Development Series for 9 rounds. Tyson finished by being the highest point score player in the U10 division.

He also qualified for the NSW North East Champions of Champions in Grafton last weekend. Tyson dominated with undefeated matches winning them all 6-0 not dropping one game.

The next stage will be held in Inverell in October and from there the top 8 players will progress through to Sydney in November.

Spotlight on Isaiah Mammen

Another tennis young gun - Isaiah Mammen has also qualified for 2023 Northern Foundation Champion of Champions at Inverell, and is hoping he makes state in his first year of competing at this level.

That would equate to two Lindisfarne boys representing at this level. Congratulations gents, and best of luck.

Hockey Tweed Hockey 5’s Summer Comp

Start Wednesday Oct 18 – 6 Dec

Hockey 5 a side ¼ field 25 min half’s max 8 players per team, all boards on sides.

This is in line with indoor hockey and FIH hockey 5’s style of play.

Juniors School Years 3-6 5pm-6pm
High School years 7-12 & Seniors 6pm – 8pm
Over 50’s 6pm – 8pm

Rego
New to Hockey Junior $50 + Hockey QLD fee rego https://www.hockeytweed.com.au/registration/
New to Hockey Senior $80 + Hockey QLD fee regohttps://www.hockeytweed.com.au/registration/
Played winter competition Junior $50 per person Rego link https://www.hockeytweed.com.au/events/201960/
Played winter competition Senior $80 per person Rego link https://www.hockeytweed.com.au/events/201030/

Teams can be male, female or mixed.

Enter a School Team of 8 operations@hockeytweed.com.au
Enter as a single player.

Casuarina Hockey proud partners with Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School contact info@casuarinahockey.com
Mercian Hockey Australia for your Hockey Supplies support@mercianhockey.com.au

Damien Clucas
Head of Sport

RECENT GAMES

NSW Rugby 7s State Final

After qualifying through our zone competition finals, our U18s boys squad travelled down to Sydney for the State Final on the 13th of September. This was a high quality tournament with the best 7s schools from all over the state competing. Being placed in Pool A, our U18s got off to a poor start with losses to Hunter Sports, Dorrigo HS and then drawing with Davidson HS to finish pool play. This meant we entered into the bottom half of the playoffs. However, in the bottom half of playoffs, our U18s turned things around with convincing wins over Davidson HS and St Edwards College to finish the tournament in 5th place. The standouts for our U18s were Jesse Freier, who was absolutely immense on defence and showed great speed and footwork, Jack Kerridge, whose playmaking continues to grow each game, and Kynan Jones, who had some cracking shots on defence and never stopped working when on the field. This result is another milestone for our rugby program and we hope to build on this success at the state finals in future years.

KEY DATES

Please see upcoming key dates for our boys’ and girls’ program below. You can find the full list of key dates HERE.

Boys

Girls

UPCOMING FIXTURES

QLD Rugby All Saints 7s

All our rugby 7s squads will be travelling to the QLD Rugby All Saints 7s at All Saints on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 10th October for the girls and Wednesday 11th October for the boys. Selections for these squads and run sheets will be released ASAP. If there are any conflicts with other commitments, please make sure to let us coaches know ASAP.

OTHER ITEMS

Term Four Training Schedule

Please note rugby union will not be offered for integrated (Thursday) school sport in term 4. However, in preparation for the All Saints and QLD All Schools 7s tournaments, we will have three training sessions for our U18, U15 and U13 boys squads and U18 and U15 girls squads on the following dates I would like you to mark in your calendars:

• Tuesday, 10 October 0700

• Thursday, 12 October 0700 (Girls only)

• Tuesday, 17 October 0700

• Thursday, 19 October 0700

Gear Rugby Academy

Please see the below flyer for the Gear Rugby Academy School Holiday Camp at Bond University on the 26-27th September. This camp is being organised by one of the rugby program coaches and ex-All Black, Rico Gear. It is open for boys and girls aged 7-14 years and will be a great opportunity for all our students in the Lindisfarne rugby program. Players can register their attendance HERE.

International Rugby Academy Australia (IRAA) Player Camps

The IRAA Player Courses dates for the end of 2023 and the start of 2024 have been released. IRAA Player Courses are designed to provide an independent, high-performance pathway for any ambitious rugby player who wants to maximise their potential. We highly encourage our players to attend these camps if possible and we have had a number of students go through the courses last year. You can find more information HERE.

Stack Team APP

The Stack Team app is our Rugby Union program’s main form of communication and resource house for all our squads, with the exception of U12 boys. As a reminder, both parents and Boy’s U13, U15, 1st XVs and 7’s and Girl’s 7s students who have parental permission for smartphones should download the app and join the relevant squad in the app (e.g., 1st XV, U15 XV, U13 XV, Girls 7s). To download the Stack team app, use the following links:

● iOS: https://www.teamapp.com/ios-ap...

● Android: https://www.teamapp.com/androi...

Once downloaded, please search for the 'Lindisfarne Rugby Program' and request to join.

More Information

If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Coyne (jcoyne@lindiisfarne.nsw.edu.au).