2024 Term 1 Week 1 2 Feb 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have enjoyed a positive week of learning as we commence the 2024 academic year. Students and staff are quickly settling in at both campuses, and programs are underway. We have had a week of very hot and humid weather and are grateful that our school is air-conditioned, allowing productive learning to continue despite the heat.

I’ve also greatly appreciated the leadership of staff and the support of School parents and students as we have worked through traffic movement and bus issues. Each day, there has been an improvement, and we are grateful for the support.

The traffic will settle over the next fortnight. Please use bus services whenever possible, consider carpooling for those families who drive, use the drop-and-go zone as much as possible, and if you live locally and can walk safely to school, or you can park in the local area and walk safely to school, please do so. As our regular before and after school activities kick in and our extensive sports and co-curricular programs are underway, this will further stagger the traffic flow. We continue to work with Kinetic (Surfside) on the provision of additional buses, and Kinetic staff have been on site over the last few afternoons to assist with bus loading and service provision.

Last week, we held our annual staff dinner ahead of students returning to school. An honourable tradition at the School is to recognise the service of the long-serving staff at this event. We were especially thrilled to recognise the 25 years of service of Mr Dan Robins, Ms Jan Makepeace, Mr Matt Bedford, Ms Jodie Arnold, and Mr Ray Gabb, our longest-serving Bus driver, who have all worked at Lindisfarne since 1999; they have all made a significant contribution to our School and are highly respected by our School community.

I would also like to encourage parents to attend the Principal’s and Parents and Friends Welcome Event on Friday, 16 February, with our Junior School campus at Sunshine Avenue being the host venue again this year. All parents and guardians of the School are welcome, and the invitation to the event is attached click here with an RSVP link.

Once a month, on Sunday afternoons, we have a ‘Spiritual Gym’ in the Chapel at Mahers Lane. This family orientated service is uplifting and commences with an afternoon tea available from 4.30 pm and a short service from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. All are welcome. The first monthly service for 2024 is this Sunday, 4 February.

Enjoy the weekend ahead and a chance to regroup after what is always a very rewarding but busy first week of the School year for staff, students, and families.

Kind regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

All Parents and Guardians are invited. Please use this link to confirm your attendance.

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Towards a Holistic Education

The beginning of a new school year is always an opportunity for us to reflect on what makes for a transformational educational experience. At Lindisfarne we are committed to the holistic development of our young learners; head, heart and hands; mind, body and soul; creative industries, sports, music, languages, service, and positive relationships, to name a few.

St Edith Stein, a renowned philosopher, poet, and mystic, argued that “the most urgent duty for parents and educators is to open the child’s path to God.” (Essays on Woman, p.125). By this she means that true education ought to balance the intellectual, physical, emotional and relational growth of our students with their spiritual growth since every child is a gift from God and born with God-given uniqueness and limitless potential. The vocation of all parents and educators is to assist our young people in drawing out this God-given potential and realising it magnificently in all areas of human endeavour. Furthermore, St Edith wrote that every child is in “the hands of human sculptors” both in the classroom and at home. What a joy to be called again this new year to be ‘human sculptors’ helping our amazing students to realise their potential.

Family Eucharist to Welcome and Begin the New School Year 2024

You’re warmly invited to join our School community in the Mahers Lane Chapel on Sunday, 4th February for a Family Eucharist to welcome and start the new school year. Refreshments will begin at 4.30pm, followed by Eucharist (thanksgiving prayers, hymns, songs, prayers and Bible Reading) at 5.00pm, concluding at about 6.00pm.

Students are encouraged to bring their school bags or other symbols of their educational endeavours this year to be blessed during the Service.

Please come along as we entrust our school year to God’s blessings, guidance and protection as well as pray for the flourishing of all the young people entrusted to our care.

Sharing the Light of Joy

In this “Year of Light”, let us embody and share the light of joy -the happiness that does not depend on whatever happens. In The House that Joy Built, Holly Ringland writes:

You are allowed to create for joy.
You are allowed to dress for joy.
You are allowed to write for joy.
You are allowed to cook for joy.
You are allowed to research for joy.
You are allowed to sew for joy.
You are allowed to paint for joy.
You are allowed to dance for joy.
You are allowed to sing for joy.
You are allowed to love for joy.
You are allowed to communicate for joy.
You are allowed to garden for joy.
You are allowed to compose for joy.
You are allowed to dream for joy.
You are allowed to photograph for joy.
You are allowed to gather for joy.
You are allowed to adorn yourself for joy.
You are allowed to start creating at any time in your life for joy.
Your joy is the reason.
Your joy is the reason.
Your joy is the reason.

I wish you a joy-filled and restful weekend.

The Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu
Chaplain

The Lindisfarne Parent Facebook Groups offer connection and community and are an important source of information for our Parents and Guardians. Click on the links below to join your relevant year group.

• Preschool Joeys - Class of 2038
  
• Preschool - Class of 2037
  
• Kindy - Class of 2036
  
• Year 1 - Class of 2035
  
• Year 2 - Class of 2034
  
• Year 3 - Class of 2033
  
• Year 4 - Class of 2032
  
• Year 5 - Class of 2031
  
• Year 6 - Class of 2030
  
• Year 7 - Class of 2029
  
• Year 8 - Class of 2028
  
• Year 9 - Class of 2027
  
• Year 10 - Class of 2026
  
• Year 11 - Class of 2025
  
• Year 12 - Class of 2024

Annual Fees Date Extension

Due to the volume of recent Annual Fee Calculation requests, we have had to extend the Annual Fee Payment due date to Tuesday 20 February. This will give you more time to pay your fees in full and still receive a discount.

We apologise for the delay in replying to over 150 emails. We are up to emails received on 19 January, so please be patient while we get back to everyone over the next week. There is no need to send a new email if you have already made a request.

Payment Plan Direct Debits

We are up to date with Payment Plan Calculation requests. We are waiting on Direct Debit forms to be returned, as payment plans are to start this week. If you have been sent calculations and would like to take up direct debit payments, please return your forms as soon as possible. Any late payment plan requests will be reviewed and start at a later date.

Lindisfarne Bus Requests

All bus requests were up to date as of 30th January. As it is the first week of the year, we ask families to be patient while all new requests will be reviewed and considered over a 2-3 day period. Any bus requests should be directed via email to bus@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Thank you all for your patience.

Accounts Department - email accounts@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Please note the 2024 Term Dates have been amended slightly. An additional Staff Development Day has been added to commence Term 4 in 2024. The change is listed below.

• Monday, 14 October - Staff Development Day
• Tuesday, 15 October - All students commence Term 4.

For the full term dates please click on the following links.

2024 Term Dates

2025 Term Dates

Regards,

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At the start of 2024, we will begin drawing up our lists of submitted applications from families seeking enrolment places for the 2025 school year.

Current families must ensure that siblings are enrolled for the 2025 school year as soon as possible. Sibling priority will be given to all sibling applications received prior to Friday, 23 February.

The enrolment process has never been easier. Please use the link below to make an application.

Lindisfarne Enrolment Applications

Kind regards,

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

Scholarship applications for 2025 are now open.

Lindisfarne offers Academic Scholarships for students entering Years 5, 7, 9 and 11 in 2025.

General Excellence, Music and Sports Scholarships are available for students entering Years 7, 9 and 11 in 2025.

2025 Scholarships close on Friday, 9 February 2024.

Scholarships are available for current and new students. For more information please follow this link.

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

Assessment Schedules for 2024 can be viewed by the links before.

• Year 7

• Year 8

• Year 9

• Year 10

• Year 11

• Year 12

Study Tips

If your child says they do not have homework

Reviewing material on the same day it was learned helps reinforce memory retention.

Encourage your child to write down two to three things they did in each lesson or telling you three things they learnt today.

Students in their senior years should be doing this as part of their study routine and then highlighting areas they find challenging. This would be areas they would then need focus on during their study sessions or ask their teachers for additional help..

Incorporating this reflective practice into daily study routines can significantly enhance learning outcomes.

Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies

Dates for Term 1

Please find below some Term 1 - Junior School key dates to add to your calendar:

• Friday 9 February (week 2) - Years 3-8 Lindisfarne Swimming Carnival

• Thursday 22 February (week 4) - NCIS Primary Swimming Carnival

• Friday 22 March (week 8) - Pre-school - Year 2 FUN Cross Country

• Wednesday 27 March (week 9) - CIS Primary Swimming Carnival

• Thursday 4 April (week 10) - NSW Rugby 7’s Gala Day

• Thursday 11 April (week 11) - Years 3 - 12 Lindisfarne Cross Country Carnival,

Junior and Middle Swimming Carnival

Our first major carnival for the year will be the Years 3-8 Swimming Carnival to be held on Friday 9 February in week 2. All students in year 3 and 4 will attend the Carnival along with competitive swimmers that turn 8 in year 2.

In the coming weeks, information relating to the carnival will be sent to all those students who are eligible to attend. Please read the information and if you have any questions please contact Damien Clucas Head of Sport or Nathan Croft at the Junior Campus.

Total Football Academy - After school Program

The Total Football Academy after school program will kick off in week 2 on Monday 5 February and will continue until week 11 Monday 8 April. Please note there will be NO session on Easter Monday 1 April.

This program was promoted at the end of 2023 and has some vacancies at this stage. This will be filled on a first come first basis, so if you are interested please sign up ASAP. This program will be run again in term 2, 3 and possibly term 4 this year for those who missed out. Information about the program can be found in the Flyer here : AFS Lindisfarne- Term 1 2024.pdf

Runners Club

Lindisfarne Junior School will start the Runners Club in week 3 at Sunshine Avenue. The purpose of the Runners Club is to assist in the running development of our school students and preparation for the upcoming Cross Country competitions.

Last year the Runners Club was a great success with students and parents joining in to improve their running, fitness or just to spend time with each other doing a physical activity. Students in years 1 - 4 are welcome to attend.

Runners Club Training days will be Monday and Wednesday morning. The training sessions will begin at 7.30am sharp and will conclude by 8.15am.

Students can wear any type of running clothing to the sessions, however they will be required to bring along their school uniform to change into after the completion of the session.

Students will be given time to change and have something to eat before the first bell at 8.45am. Parents and carers are more than welcome to come along and join in.

Students attending the Runners Club can gain awards by completing a cumulative total of 25 km - Half Marathon, 42 km - Marathon or 50+km - Ultra Marathon over the term. Certificates for these achievements will be awarded on assembly.

Hockey After School Program

Casuarina Hockey Club will be again holding an after school hockey program. The 6 week program will focus on the skills and development of players both new to hockey and regular players. This program will only cater to a small number of participants to give quality one-on-one coaching and small group instruction.

The Program will run on a Tuesday afternoon from 3.15pm and will begin on March 5. To register for the program please accept and make payment on Parent Lounge. As there is limited space available, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Venue: Sunshine Avenue back oval and Basketball Court.

Dates: Tuesday 5, 12, 19, and 26 March and Tuesday 2, and 9 April.

Cost: $50 per student

Maximum number of Students: 20

General Information

All information relating to Sporting programs, Gala Days and Sporting Competitions run at the Junior Campus will be advertised at assemblies and in the Newsletter. Information will then be sent home to interested students and parents. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for relevant information, events and sports meetings throughout the year.

Get ready for an exciting week ahead as we unveil our first Hero of Discovery at the Junior School – the one and only Responsible Rami!

During the week, students will dive into the positive personality traits of Rami. The focus will be on discovering similarities, identifying shared values, and figuring out practical ways to effortlessly adopt Rami's positive qualities in their day-to-day experiences at school, at home and in the wider community.

In our classrooms and on the playground, our dedicated teachers will be keeping their eye out to reward ‘Responsible Rami’ behaviors, fostering an environment where positive character traits are not only acknowledged but celebrated. By rewarding these character traits, we aim to build future heroes and further enhance the positive culture here at our Junior School campus

I look forward to updating you on our progress next week and sharing some real-life hero stories with you!

Angela Mundy
Dean of Students - Junior School

URStrong 2024 - Parent-child workshop (ONLINE)

Lindisfarne are pleased to continue our association with URStrong in 2024. URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools around the world, connecting over a million kids, parents, & teachers with a common language of friendship.

Our Junior and Middle students will be participating in a Day of Friendship during Week 4 with URStrong Founder Dana Kershaw presenting face to face workshops with children across two fun filled days.

To support your understanding of the program and the information presented to your children at the workshops, please join us for a FREE ONLINEparent-child session on Thursday 22nd February - 6:30 - 7:45pm. Register online to attend: urstrong.com/events

As a Lindisfarne family you also have access to all of the resources on the URStrong website free of charge. Check the website for details: urstrong.com/parents/

Julie Henry
Junior School Psychologist

Welcome to the 2024 academic year. I extend a particularly warm welcome to all our new families to Lindisfarne. This week has been filled with positivity as both new and returning students, along with our dedicated staff, have quickly adapted to their classes and daily routines, creating a vibrant learning atmosphere.

Thank you to all families who have adapted so quickly to our interim drop-off arrangements. Your understanding during this time has been greatly appreciated.

Uniform

We take tremendous pride in how we demonstrate our sense of belonging and uphold our standards. We are immensely grateful for the continued partnership with our Lindisfarne families in supporting our students in correctly wearing the school uniform. If your child requires any additional uniform items, please remember that you can order online from the uniform shop. The students can then collect these items during the school day. Online orders can be placed via https://www.lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au/uniform-shop/

I want to clarify the wearing of blazers.

Term 1 and Term 4

• Students are expected to bring their blazers to school for assembly

• They do not need to wear it to and from school

• This year is a transition period, and it is understood that not all students currently have a blazer

Assembly Schedule:

• Middle School assemblies are on Tuesdays of Week A

• Senior School assemblies are on Tuesdays of Week B

Term 2 and Term 3

• Students must wear the blazer to and from school each day (and they have the option to wear the blazer throughout the day)

Stage 4 Meet the Homeroom Teacher Evening

We will be holding our Meet the Homeroom Teacher evening next Tuesday. This is an important event and one we recommend all Middle School parents of Year 7 and 8 students attend. As well as meeting key staff, parents will also get an overview of the Middle School structure for Year 7 and 8 students. The Assistant Head of Middle School will share some important information about our ParentEd program for 2024 and the Dean of Students will speak in detail about the Stage 4 Pastoral experience at Lindisfarne. This evening also presents a great opportunity for parents to meet other families in the same Homerrom group and to come together as a community.

Date: Tuesday, 6 February, 6:00 pm
Venue: Chapel

Junior and Middle School Swimming Carnival

Next week we look forward to our Junior and Middle School Swimming Carnival that will be held at Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre, Murwillumbah (TRAC). As this is a normal school day, arrival and departure from school is expected and attendance at the carnival is compulsory.

Participation on the day is highly encouraged as we provide activities for all students, from non-swimmers to advanced. Points are allocated for House spirit and participation and for those who compete at a seeded level.

Students are encouraged to get into the House spirit by accessorising with their House colours.

Parents are invited to attend the carnival if they wish. Please note seating/shade is limited. As a result, parents are encouraged to bring a collapsible chair and umbrella.

Student Representative Council (SRC)

During our Middle School assembly this week, one of our School Captains, Tate Dee, shared with the Middle School students the importance of our SRC.

The Middle School SRC team will comprise of students from Years 5 to 8, serving for 1 term at a time, throughout the year. Students will undertake elections in their Houses each term to identify two people who are committed to working cooperatively with others to improve the lives of our school community. Students will need to attend SRC meetings, share ideas, and be a person others can rely upon. The Middle School prefects, Amy Cronk and Jay Cahill will be key members of this group and will support our Middle School students in running this student-led group.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact your child’s Homeroom teacher.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

As we conclude the first week of the new school year, it has been wonderful to see our students back in the Senior School, navigating through the significant changes brought about by construction and campus improvements. The adaptability and positive response from our community to these disruptions have been commendable. Our classes have transitioned into full swing, with students and staff collaboratively establishing routines and setting high expectations for growth and development.

The essence of our Senior School is rooted in continuous improvement, both in the programs we offer and in nurturing our students to reach their utmost potential. This journey of advancement begins in the classroom, where fostering good work practices and cultivating positive relationships between students and staff are paramount. It is encouraging to observe that we have embarked on this academic year determined to maintain these high standards.

This week also marked the recommencement of rehearsals for the 2024 musical, MAMMA MIA! The excitement filling the rehearsal rooms promises a terrific show that we all eagerly anticipate. Similarly, the launch of our Integrated Sport program introduced new offerings that have already captured the interest of our students, demonstrating the diverse interests and talents within our student body.

Looking ahead, we have a week brimming with significant events. This Sunday, I warmly invite our families to the Family Eucharist, an opportunity for us to unite in prayer, song, and thanksgiving, strengthening our community spirit. Details for this gathering can be found in this newsletter.

On Monday night at 6.00pm, we will hold our much-anticipated Meet the Tutor Evening. This event underscores the vital relationship between students in Years 9 to 12 and their House Tutors. It is an opportunity for parents and guardians, both new and established within our community, to foster connections with the tutors and, by extension, deepen their engagement with their child’s educational journey at Lindisfarne. Your participation is crucial, and I encourage you to indicate your attendance through the provided link.

Following this, we will introduce our current Year 9 parents to The Rite Journey program at an information session. This innovative initiative is designed to support our students as they navigate the pivotal transition from childhood to adulthood. The program reflects our strategic goal to offer a holistic approach to education, emphasising the importance of a partnership between the School and parents/carers in achieving this aim. The meeting, set to occur in the Chapel from 7.00pm, promises to be an enlightening session on the challenges of parenting teens in the 21st century and the support The Rite Journey can offer. Year 9 parents are asked to indicate their attendance via this link.

Lastly, the Senior School Swimming Carnival is on the horizon, scheduled for Thursday at TRAC. This event not only allows our students' athletic talents but also a celebration of House spirit and camaraderie. Participation is encouraged across all skill levels, making it a day of inclusive fun and competition. Please remember this is a normal school day, and attendance is compulsory.

As we look forward to these events and the year ahead, let us embrace the opportunities, challenges, and moments of joy that lie in store. Together, we will make this year memorable for every member of our Senior School.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

School is clearly back in full swing now - the Christmas holidays will soon be but a distant memory, I personally find this especially pertinent once we hit the Swimming Carnivals.

The Sports Introductory Letter for Years 5 to 12 went live on Tuesday, and is packed with information that all students, parents and teachers have been encouraged to read.

Trials have been underway this week (Netball and Football), with time frames to trial and train very skinny, for eg, the NCIS Primary Football tournament is the first team based competition to get the ball rolling.

NCIS Touch Football for our secondary students starts next Wednesday - please sign up via Clipboard and head down there.

NCIS Tennis is played on February 8 at Grafton, of which we draw selections from the 2023 results from September. Best of luck to all competitors.

Cross Country training will kick off in Week 3, with Mr Matt Osmond taking both sessions in the afternoons. Please sign up on Clipboard so we can send any further information.

Mr Osmond is very much an elite runner in his day, and any middle or distance runner is encouraged to head down to the sessions. (Detailed information in Sports intro letter).

Australian Schools Cup Volleyball

Our teams played out of their skins at the Australian Schools Volleyball Cup - with winning results very hard to accrue. We did however win quite a few games - which were all down to the wire, but none of our three teams progressed to the pointy end of the finals. All teams were absolutely outstanding with our

A great last day for the Year 10 & Under boys with two wins from two games.

Spotlight on Ava Arghyros

Congratulations to Ava Arghyros who competed in the Phillip Island Australian Junior Surfing Titles 2023 - and placed an incredible 3rd Place in the U16 Girls.

Spotlight on Lachlan Arghyros

Lachlan Arghyros finished the year ranked No. 1 in Australia on the Surfing Australian U16 boys National Rankings after a year of great competition and results.

He will now be representing Australia at the ISA World Junior Championships this year in May which will be held in El Salvador.

Best of luck Lachie - we are all enjoying your surfing journey taking shape.

Spotlight on Lyla Williams

Lyla got 2nd place in the u17 5km race walk at Australian All Schools in Perth on Friday 8th December, very windy conditions, but a pleasing result. Congratulations Lyla.

Spotlight on Riley Johnston

THE WASH-UP OF QLD STATES

Riley kicked off his campaign with his club and Regional Relays where he took home 3 Silver Medals.

From there It seemingly time for Riley to click up another gear, with 10 Individual events over the next 6 days, which saw gruelling heats throughout the days, progressing to finals. A huge haul of medals for young Riley, congratulations:

4 Gold Medals times

• 100m Freestyle 56.13 sec New PB
• 200m Individual Medley 2.16.14 sec New PB
• 50m Freestyle 25.58 sec New PB
• 50m Breaststroke 31.78 sec New PB

4 Silver Medals times

• 100m Backstroke 1.03.16 sec New PB
• 200m Breaststroke 2.33.96 sec New PB
• 50m Backstroke 29.18 sec New PB
• 100m Breaststroke 1.09.84 sec New PB

1 Bronze Medal times

• 200m Backstroke 2.18.89 sec New PB

Riley also came 4th in the 50m Butterfly with a time of 28.29 sec new PB

Spotlight on Jack Brown

Jack competed at the NSW SLS Country Championships which was held at Warilla Barrick Point - just south of Wollongong.

Jack excelled in the beach events with a gold medal in the U12s Male Beach Sprints, the U12s Male Beach Flags, the U12s Male Beach relay team and the All Age Beach relay.

Massive effort, congratulations Jack!

Equestrian

Would you and your horse like to represent Lindisfarne at Equestrian events? Are you registered with Equestrian Queensland and/or Pony Club? Expressions of interest are invited from both junior and senior students currently competing in Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing or Showing to be considered for the Lindisfarne Interschool Team. Competing under the auspices of Equestrian Queensland, we aim to foster equitation, education and equestrian sport via a range of competitions. Interschool provides a unique opportunity to compete against other schools in teams and individual events at the local, state and national level. Please contact Equestrian Co ordinator Mrs Kathryn Leary at kleary@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au for further information.

Hockey

Casuarina Hockey Club and Lindisfarne have a partnership together, which was formalised last year with a Memorandum of Understanding - but has been unofficially partnered for many years. Lindisfarne advocates Casuarina Hockey Club for any prospective new student (or existing) looking for a club to play.

News Update & How to Sign Up for 2024!

"Ignite your passion for hockey at Casuarina Hockey Club! Unleash your skills, feel the adrenaline, and join a community that lives and breathes the game. Sign up today for a season of heart-pounding action, lasting friendships, and pure, unbridled FUN on the field! Don't miss out – be part of something extraordinary!"

How To Register

Online - https://www.revolutionise.com.au/casurinahc/registration

Come Register in Person and Give it a Try!

• Sunday 4th February. 3pm-5pm + Social Hockey Games

• Thursday 8th February. 5pm-7pm

At Casuarina Hockey Field, Barclay Drive, Casuarina NSW.

These are our team options for 2024:

Monday

• New social Hockey 5’s for Primary School years 3-6, High School & Senior players. To be played at Murwillumbah.

Wednesday

• Hookin2Hockey 5-8 years at Casuarina only.

Friday

• U18 Boys & Girls Comp with Gold Coast.
• U14 Teams at Tweed but will play a few friendly games v Gold coast teams.

Saturday

• Hookin2Hockey Extra at Murwillumbah.
• U10 Boys & Girls at Murwillumbah.
• U12 Boys & Girls at Murwillumbah.
• U14 Boys & Girls at Murwillumbah.
• Senior Men & Women’s Tweed Competition teams.

Sunday

Div 1 Men & Women at Gold Coast.

There is also the Mercian Hockey Shop, situated within the Casuarina Hockey Clubhouse for all your hockey equipment needs!

Contact Matt Bartell: support@mercianhockey.com.au

Online at: https://mercianhockey.com.au/

Please volunteer some time and give back to the game and the club. Every act helps! Please support the sponsors who support us and make it possible for us to take the field each season.

Damien Clucas
Director of Sport and Activities

Proudly Supported By

Boys Rugby Union Training Camp

The 2024 Boys Rugby Union Training Camp will be held on Saturday, 10thFebruary from 0900 to 1400. The aim of this training camp is to establish the culture and standards for any students involved with the Lindisfarne rugby union program for the new season. There will be a number of team-building activities on the day, and there will be lunch and snacks provided. This camp will only be for Year 7 to 12 boys.

Can any students that have not registered please confirm attendance at the training camp ASAP on this form HERE.

2024 Rugby Union Program Season Launch

Please see the invitation below to the Lindisfarne Rugby Union Program 2024 Season Launch at Pioneer Country on the 15th February from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. This invitation is for all Year 5 to 12 students (boy or girl) who wish to play or are interested in playing for the School in Rugby Union this year, along with their parents/guardians. Dress code is smart casual for parents and full formal uniform for students.

We will have Mr Baden Kerr, who is a former Super rugby player for Auckland Blues and Fiji Drua, as our guest speaker for the evening. You can RSVP through this link HERE or through the link in the below invitation. We hope to have as many of you as possible at this event and if you have any questions, please let me know.

RSVP LINK

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

OTHER ITEMS

Stack Team APP

The Stack Team app will be our Rugby Union program’s main form of communication for all our squads, with 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 will need to download the app and join the Lindisfarne Rugby Program in the app.

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 '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).

Cricket

Lindisfarne Cricket is enjoying considerable success in both local and interstate competitions, which is a testament to the quality of our coaching programs that are underway. We will continue to offer our one-on-one cricket sessions in 2024, run by our Head Cricket Coach Anthony Kershler in our school nets.

Anthony "Kersh'' is a former NSW Sheffield Shield player and now NSW coach who guides players to improve their individual game. Students are guaranteed 3 one-on-one sessions per term (in class) time as well as access to a small group Wednesday afternoon session. The term cost is $100 per student and is available for males and females playing registered club cricket and looking to branch into the representative era.

Please contact Julie McDowell or Anthony Kershler for further details.

Welcome Back From the English Faculty

The English team is so excited to welcome back our students for Term 1 of 2024, and we are even more excited to hear what books our students have been reading.

Here are some of 7G’s favourite books:

• Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

• The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

• Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

• Demon Road by Derek Landy

• Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki

• Wonder by R. J. Palacio

• One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

• Summoner Series by Taran Matharu

• Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

• Goosebumps by RL Stine

• Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland

• A Brief History of the Earth by Andrew H. Knoll

Reading for pleasure is vital for students as it extends beyond academic success to encompass personal growth and development. It cultivates imagination, fostering creativity and opening new worlds of possibilities. When students read for enjoyment, they develop empathy by understanding diverse perspectives, enhancing emotional intelligence. It also strengthens vocabulary and language skills, boosting writing abilities. Importantly, reading for pleasure reduces stress, providing a mental escape and promoting mental well-being. It encourages lifelong learning, nurturing curiosity and a love for knowledge.

Even our Year 12 students Desiree and Daisy are still finding time to read for pleasure amidst the challenges of their HSC year.

Kylie Wharton
Director of English

Unlocking Potential: The Next Chapter in Our Swift Coding Adventure

Following an inspiring launch into the world of app development late last year, Lindisfarne has recently taken another giant leap forward in our journey towards competition in the Apple Swift Student Challenge. After an initial phase of broad engagement, we have refined our focus, channeling our resources and support into a dedicated group of students poised to represent our school in this prestigious competition, which opens on February 6th.

In our commitment to excellence, we hosted two additional days of intensive training down at the Boathouse, specifically designed to sharpen the skills and hone the ideas of some of our most promising young coders. This tailored approach ensures that our participants are not just ready but are in prime position to excel in the upcoming Swift Student Challenge.

The highlight of our recent sessions was the introduction of a new facilitator, generously provided by Apple. Mr James Dale is not just a mentor; he is a beacon of inspiration and a testament to where passion and dedication can lead. As a four-time winner of the Swift Student Challenge between 2017 and 2022, his achievements speak volumes—having not only worked for Apple but also innovated technology sold to SnapChat.

James's journey from a competitor to an entrepreneur and now a coach for our students embodies the spirit of innovation and determination. His guidance over these two days, and his commitment to continue coaching our students, is invaluable. Under his mentorship, our students are not just learning to code; they are learning to innovate, to dream big, and to see their dreams through to completion.

As we edge closer to the competition, our students' enthusiasm and dedication have been palpable. They are not just preparing for a challenge; they are embarking on a journey of personal and professional growth. With James's mentorship, the possibilities are limitless, and we are excited to see the innovative solutions they will present to the world.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have made this journey possible. Thank You to the team at Apple, particularly Glen, James and Daniel who have worked with our students over the four days of the coding camp now. Thank You to our dedicated staff, who have worked tirelessly to support our students every step of the way, particularly Mrs Brennan, Mrs McCann, Mr Temperly, Mrs Williamson and Mr Mellis.

Kane Bradford
Head - Professional Practice, Innovation and Partnerships

👹🫘 Setsubun 節分　せつぶん 🫘👹

鬼は外！福は内！“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!”おに は そと！ ふく は うち！

“Out with Evil! In with Good Fortune!”Setsubun means "seasonal division" and is a festival marking the coming of spring in Japan, according to the lunar calendar. This annual event is celebrated on the 3rd of February which provides a timely opportunity for our students to engage with Japan's traditions during their first week of Japanese lessons this year.

Historically, Setsubun was a time to cleanse away all the evil of the previous year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. As such, the highlight of Setsubun is the "mamemaki" 豆まき ceremony, where roasted soybeans, known as "fuku mame" 福豆(fortune beans), are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon) mask, while chanting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Demons out! Luck in!). This exciting ritual is believed to cleanse the home of evil spirits and bring in luck and prosperity.

Students across our Middle School, who are currently studying Japanese, enjoyed learning about the superstitions and traditions connected with Setsubun this week. They also had the rare ‘pleasure’ of hearing the unforgettable “Ogre’s Pants” song - some for the first time and others who took a vivid trip down memory lane!

Maybe you have heard this song by now? If not, this could be a great opportunity for your child to share some fun language learning with you!

Louise Godden
Japanese Teacher

New York Stage Band Tour

Reflections and perspectives - Annika Stautner

New York was truly an experience that I believe will stay with me forever, I think everyone who went on the tour can agree with that. I feel internally grateful for such an amazing opportunity to see this incredible city, especially seeing the talent and musical creativity we were all surrounded and influenced by.

This trip for me, without any pressures or expectations from the teachers to bond, became a trip where I felt we all naturally bonded and connected more, as a band, which I loved more than I thought I would and it made me appreciate the talent we have in our music department at Lindisfarne. I learnt that it’s just as important to connect with your band you’re playing with than just focusing on your own skills and talent, in order to create such beautiful, authentic music. Going from seeing each other once a week at rehearsals to sharing all our time together with inside jokes, adapting to a new culture, seeing famous places, being inspired together, with a common interest and love for music, ultimately brought everyone closer as individuals.

This trip also grew my love for travel, making me exited at the thought of moving somewhere overseas like New York, or LA, and exploring the world of music internationally. As a performer, the places, and the people we saw inspired me to have the motivation to make my dreams as a musician become a reality.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Even though everyday was a highlight, my main three highlights from this tour was Birdland, seeing snow in times square and performing at Swing 46.

BIRDLAND:

Birdland is well know Jazz club that we were all fortunate enough to go to. As well as being able to watch the several performances that night, two out of our six vocalists got the opportunity to perform a jazz standard, Lolo Laga and Isla Martin. These performances were absolutely exceptional and were certainly an amazing experience and opportunity for these two vocalists. I loved this night because I was in awe after every single performance by artists and musicians from all over. The host, Jim Caruso made the big group of australians feel very welcome and he was very entertaining himself, as he would have a small chat with each musician before they performed, making some witty remarks or having a quick joke. After watching nearly 30 performances that night, ending just before 12am, I enjoyed the lovely night walk through the freezing cold city to find the nearest subway. I felt very attracted to the atmosphere every jazz club had in New York, growing my love for not only performance, but jaz, and the appreciation of talent out there.

SNOW IN TIMES SQUARE:

We were walking through times square, in awe of all the massive screens on display and the chaos. We gathered in the centre of times square on these red stairs, then a tour guide came and started giving us all these incredible facts about New York and all the amazing things that happen in Times Square, for instance, the ball dropping on New Years. We hadn’t seen snow yet and weren’t sure we’d be lucky enough to at all, however on our first day in New York, while we were walking through Times Square, I first saw a snowflake land on my friend Lolo’s jacket, I’d seen snow before but this snow was beautiful and delicate. Most of the people in our group hadn’t seen snow before, everyone was absolutely in awe of it, and it was truly a magical experience for everyone there, as many of the students on tour counted this moment as one of their strongest and most memorable highlight.

SWING 46:

On our first day in New York, after checking in to our accommodation along Chelsea street, we got ready for our first performance of the trip, in Swing 46, a beautiful, famous, underground Jazz club. This experience of performing here was one of my highlights of the trip because I loved singing my favourite songs “All of Me” and “Creep” with the stage band for the first time since we landed in New York. I also loved the atmosphere of the place, the energy of the people in the audience was so supportive and joyful listening to us play, as well as the other musicians who performed after our set. This jazz club was really beautiful and one of my favourites, as it is also a very intimate and authentic place, I will definitely be visiting it again.

The team that took us on this trip and organised it, created an extensive, well though out, not to mention extremely fun, itinerary. The team including, Mrs Lush, Mr Hardy, Mr Uttley Mrs Phillips - Everyone’s personal nurse/carer, Mr Canning - my group leader, were all very caring, efficient, thoughtful and professional. Thanks for such a great experience!

Annika Stautner - 2024 Arts Prefect

Mamma Mia - Intensive Holiday workshops

During the second week of January, the student ensemble of Mamma Mia spent a week undertaking intensive rehearsals.

The first two days were spent with the lead cast who blocked the entire show and worked on the acting aspects of the show. During the remainder of the week the entire ensemble cast, production team and pit orchestra attended rehearsals culminating in a performance in the Chapel.

This was productive start to an amazing musical journey for our 144 students involved in our 2024 Musical production.

Keep posted for more information on Mamma Mia and our opening night in week 10.

Ava Knapp - 2024 Arts Prefect

Please enjoy the following video from our Mamma Mia holiday workshop

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ThBSAifkvLviA3D0_bTq5TpQhVvHm6RJ/view?usp=sharing

Performing Arts Ensembles commence in week 2

We’re excited to have all of our Performing Arts co-curricular rehearsals resuming next week. Please refer to the poster below for more information.

During our first rehearsals we will be undertaking auditions and streamlining students into their most suited ensemble or group. Students do not need to prepare anything ahead of their first rehearsal, just arrive at the rehearsals ready to perform.

Germinate Records and Lindisfarne Recording Studio

For those new to the school, Germinate Records and Lindisfarne Recording Studio exist to create experiences, opportunities and pathways for our talented songwriters, musicians, producers and sound engineers. All of this is underpinned by our core focus of using our gifts for the good of others.

After a spectacular end to 2023 we are looking forward to a fantastic 2024 with plenty of new student music releases, live gigs and incredible opportunities for our students.

We were pinching ourselves in December last year when a group of students took part in a recording session at the legendary Power Station recording studio in New York City. To record in the same room used by artists like Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Yebba, John Mayer and David Bowie - among many others – was an incredible experience for all involved. Studio staff and our producer, Dean Parker, were super impressed with our talented students.

Looking ahead, we have several recording projects in the works that will be ready for release early in the year, plus many opportunities for live performance. Our collaborative band project The Germinate Records Band, will continue in term two. Germinate Records Liveat The Citadel will also take place early in term two - this gig is a great opportunity for our student singer-songwriters to raise money for the crucial work of Tweed Palliative Care and Wedgetail Retreat. Our annual Sing for R U OK? Day Community Choir will also be back, along with much more.

Gig at Badlands Vinyl Record Store in Tweed Heads

On Saturday, February 17 two of our super talented student singer-songwriters, Josh Geoghegan and Jamie Mifsud, will be performing sets of their original songs at Badlands Vinyl Record Store in Tweed Heads. Joining Josh and Jamie will be local band Da Manager, featuring our very own Cruz Kill on drums. This will be a fun, informal gig and a great opportunity for the students. Please come along and support our talented students and this excellent local business.

Brett Canning
Germinate Records

Welcome back to PDHPE in 2024 at Lindisfarne. Following on from a successful year previously that saw significant uptake in Senior PDHPE and in Year 9/10 PASS elective subjects, this year is set to be another successful year for students at Lindisfarne.

This year, we welcome Ellie Cusack from WA and Steve Dunn, who has returned to Australia from the Rugby School in Thailand. Both will be amazing additions to our team. We also have our Director of Netball, Suzanne Evans, teaching Years 5 and 6, and we have no doubt our Stage 3 students will enjoy these classes.

The PDHPE team would like to extend a big thank you to the maintenance team for working hard over the summer break to ensure the two new multi-purpose tennis courts are underway. These new courts will allow for an expansion of our practical lessons and will be a great break-out space at recess and Lunch also.

This is a timely reminder about some PDHPE housekeeping as well. Families of years 5-10 students have been emailed outlining the expectations around uniforms and the importance of changing into the correct uniform at the appropriate time. We thank you in advance for supporting your child and ensuring they are prepared for the day ahead.

As always, the PDHPE Crew look forward to working closely with families to ensure the best possible educational outcomes are achieved in 2024 for all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s PDHPE teacher via email. Thanks, and we look forward to the year ahead.

Julie McDowell
Director PDHPE

Julie McDowell
Director of PDHPE

Round Square International Conference 2024

I am very excited to announce that applications are now open for this year's Round Square International Conference being held in Colombia. Five host schools: Colegio Los Nogales, Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Colegio Gran Bretaña, The English School Bogotá and Gimnasio Campestre have put together a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime program for our students to enjoy. A short trailer for the event can be found here.

RSIC23 was a huge success, with over 1500 student delegates travelling to Nairobi to take part. Colombia promises to exceed all expectations and attract a similar number of delegates. Here is what our hosts have to say -

The theme for the 56th Round Square International Conference is “Blooming from the Past.”It is an invitation to understand that, in order to build a better future, it is crucial to acknowledge history.

Colombia has worked hard to change its image to ensure that the country and its people are able to harvest a prosperous future.

It is with great enthusiasm that Colombia extends an invitation to 'Join us and embark on a journey of learning and growth'.

​By focusing on the theme, "Blooming from the Past," we aim to create an experience whereby students can reflect on their roots, learn from the past, and channel those lessons into personal and collective growth.

Colombia, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, serves as the perfect backdrop for this journey.

Each day promises a unique blend of activities that will celebrate the Round Square IDEALS, challenge students intellectually, foster camaraderie and ignite a passion for positive change.

​We will start the conference by welcoming you to Bogota, and students will stay in a homestay on the first evening, Sunday 22nd September. The opening ceremony will take place at Colegio Los Nogales on Monday.

After the opening ceremony, we leave the city and head north to spend three nights in the beautiful department of Boyacá (300 km east of Bogotá). The accommodation in these locations will be hotels.

​We will return to Bogota on Friday for the closing ceremony at Colegio Anglo Colombiano, and the students will stay the final night in a homestay again.

​Throughout the conference, insightful discussions and workshops led by distinguished speakers will delve into the theme of "Blooming from the Past." Students will explore the significance of understanding their cultural heritage, learning from history, and forging a path towards a brighter future.

​We believe that this conference will not only be a gathering of minds but also a transformative experience that will leave an indelible mark on each participant. As we come together in Bogotá, we hope to create lasting connections, share diverse perspectives, and witness the blooming of a new generation of leaders committed to positive change.

Post Conference

Flying home we will stop in Santiago, the vibrant capital of Chile. Here, we will enjoy two days of sightseeing in the city.

Details:

The conference is open to students in Years 11 and 12, 2024

Post conference - we enjoy 2 days in the amazing Chilean capital, Santiago. Accommodation will be in a hotel.

Depart Brisbane Airport on the morning of 20 September 2024

Return to Brisbane Airport on the morning of 3 October 2024

Cost - $6500

Successful applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 no later than 17 February.

Three more payments will be required.

• Friday 5 April, $2000

• Friday 21 June, $2000

• Friday 30 August, $2000

The above price includes:

● All flights and relevant other transport

● All meals throughout the conference

● All accommodation throughout the conference

● All visits and activities throughout the conference

Applications: Delegate places are strictly limited. If you would like to apply, please complete the application form and return it to Mr Lush no later than Wednesday, 7 February 2024.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Lush at mlush@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au.

Mike Lush
Round Square Coordinator

We got our recycling hubs at the start of 2021 to allow our Lindisfarne community to recycle items that cannot be recycled through kerbside collection. From our efforts over the last few years, we have now recycled over 100,000 items with our recycling hubs. This is a fantastic effort. If it wasn't for the recycling hubs all of these items would have ended up in landfill. Instead, these items have been recycled into things like playgrounds, benches, outdoor furniture and bike parts.

Our recycling hubs accept a range of items that you cannot recycle through your normal recycling bin. This includes:

• Coffee pods

• Bread tags

• Writing instruments (including pens, markers, highlighters, textas, twist crayons, mechanical pencils, writing instrument caps, correction tapes, and empty correction fluid pots)

• E-waste (electronic waste including laptops, keyboards, mice, laptop batteries, printer cartridges, cables, chargers, DVDs, CDs, hard drives, iPads, kindles, tablets, iPods, and motherboards) and mobile phone waste (including mobile phones, as well as mobile phone cables, chargers, and batteries)

• Household batteries

• Oral care waste (including toothpaste tubes, plastic toothbrushes, floss containers and electric toothbrush replaceable heads)

• Dish and air care waste (including dishwashing liquid bottles and their caps, dishwashing tablet packaging, plastic spray bottles as well as air fresheners and their refills)

• Hair, skin, and beauty product waste (including bottles, caps, droppers, tubes, glass pots, lids, pumps, and soft plastic from hair, skin, and beauty product waste as well as empty hair spray aerosols)

• Eyeglasses (no eyeglass cases)

Over the school holiday period, there has been a small change to what is accepted with oral care waste. We are no longer able to accept most types of electric toothbrush waste including electric toothbrushes and chargers. We are still able to accept the replaceable heads from electric toothbrushes as well as toothpaste tubes, floss containers and normal plastic toothbrushes. This is due to Colgate ending their funding of electric toothbrush recycling.

I encourage everyone to get involved with this project. Our recycling hubs are located near student admin at our Mahers Lane campus and in the assembly area at the Junior School.

Patrick Brabant
School Assistant - Sustainability

The 2024 school year is nearly here. At Lindisfarne, we are working towards becoming a more sustainable school. We want our students to be conscious of the part we can all play in making a more sustainable world and the actions that we can all take to help our planet. This is why we strongly encourage students to have waste-free lunches at Lindisfarne. 

Waste-free lunches use reusable items instead of single-use plastic or other disposable items. Having a waste-free lunch is fantastic for the environment as it reduces landfill and litter and saves natural resources. Waste-free lunches are also fantastic for parents too! Packing waste-free lunches for your kids will save you money as you no longer need to continually buy disposable plastic wrap and packaging for lunches.

Having a waste-free lunch is simple and easy. Plastics and disposable items can be replaced with more sustainable items that can be washed and reused again. This is great for the environment and ends up being cheaper for you. Please use the tips below to help you create great waste-free lunches.

Use What You Have: Reusable containers are fantastic for waste-free lunches and most families already have these containers at home. Make use of what you have and it may not be necessary to buy additional supplies. This will save you money and is also better for the environment.

Food Waste: Make sure only to pack as much food as your child will eat. Leftovers from dinner can also be put directly into lunch containers to save on food costs and reduce wastage.

Saving Time: Minimise the morning rush by packing lunches the night before. Get your kids to help with the packaging and making of their lunch. Studies have shown that children are much less likely to waste their food when they are involved in making it.

The table below can also be used as a helpful guide for making waste-free lunches.

Patrick Brabant
School Assistant - Sustainability