2025 Term 2 Week 2 9 May 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been another eventful and inspiring week at Lindisfarne as we continue celebrating the traditions, milestones, and moments shaping our vibrant school community.

This week, we gathered across our campuses to mark one of the most significant events in our school calendar — Foundation Day. Held annually, our Foundation Day services for the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools are a moment to pause and reflect on the history and values of our school. Founded in 1981 by Canon Ron Dyson, Lindisfarne has grown from humble beginnings into a flourishing school of excellence, character, and care. The Foundation Day services allowed us to honour our past, recognise how far we’ve come, and reaffirm our shared commitment to the aspirational journey ahead.

As part of the development of our next strategic plan, Lindisfarne is partnering with research agency McCrindle to gather feedback from students, staff, families, and community members.

Surveys will be distributed over the coming weeks to help us better understand the strengths, opportunities, and future priorities for our school as we look ahead to Lindisfarne 2032, the impact of the Brisbane Olympic Games, the exciting opportunities emerging in our region, and the aspirations, hopes and dreams for Lindisfarne into the future.

We thank you in advance for your time and insights as we work together to shape Lindisfarne's future.

Earlier in the week, our Preschool families gathered for a beautiful Mother’s Day Morning Tea on both Tuesday and Wednesday. These mornings were filled with warmth, joy, and heartfelt moments, and I thank all the parents and staff who made it so special for our youngest learners and their mums.

On Wednesday, there was a showcase of athletic talent and resilience across the School. At Maher's Lane, we were proud to host the NCIS Cross Country Championships, welcoming students from schools across the region. It was a spectacular day of running and inter-school competition, with outstanding results from our Lindisfarne students. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this major event.

Also on Wednesday, our Year 11 and select group of Year 12 students participated in the annual ‘Dare to Dream’ and ‘Dare’ seminars — an important opportunity for senior students to reflect on their goals, values, and the legacy they wish to leave. These workshops challenge students to look inward, set goals, think purposefully, and embrace their future with confidence and character.

Yesterday afternoon, we held one of our most spirited annual events — the Smithy Sprint. Named in honour of Peta Smith, the foundation principal of the Mahers Lane Campus, the race is a short but gruelling uphill dash from the bottom oval to the top of the school. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm, determination, and friendly competition on display, as students raced not just for time, but for tradition.

As we head into the weekend, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all of the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in our Lindisfarne community. On behalf of the School, I wish you a joyful and love-filled Mother’s Day this Sunday. Thank you for all that you do — your support, guidance, and presence are felt deeply and appreciated by our entire community.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Click HERE To Register

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Just this last week, we celebrated Lindisfarne’s 44th birthday! The celebrations began with a beautiful Eucharistic service at our founding parish of Saint Cuthbert’s at Tweed Heads last Sunday morning. It was a wonderful occasion where our Junior School Choir blessed the rest of the congregation with their beautiful singing of some classic hymns. Reverend Dway Goon-Chew shared a very pertinent message on the importance of foundations, especially the foundation we have in Christ.

Then on Tuesday, we had the Middle School and Senior School services, followed by the Junior School service on Thursday. At these special occasions, Principal Marquardt reminded us of our humble beginnings, due to the faith-filled vision of the late Reverend Canon Ron Dyson. This caused the school to start in the Parish hall, before the Sunshine campus was ready, which was only possible through the loan turned gift of $50,000 from the Tweed Heads Bowls Club (Club Tweed).

The Mahers Lane campus was established in 1996, due to the generous bequeathing of a large parcel of land by the late Bill Bedser. Today, we are the School of choice for the Southern Gold Coast, Tweed Coast and Northeastern NSW - from ‘little things big things grow.’

But what makes Lindisfarne such a great school? Well, a big part of the answer is our Anglican heritage and identity built on the foundation of Scripture, Tradition and Reason. It is also due to our school’s values of Compassion, Wisdom and Respect and our cultural drivers of Leadership, Standards and Collaboration.

I said to prospective parents of future students at our most recent Principal’s Tour that what attracted me to Lindisfarne, not only to join the Chaplaincy team, but to enrol my two boy here, was its holistic education of head, heart, hands, that is, to know, to feel and to do. Or to couch it in Ancient Greek philosophical language, logos, pathos and ethos, so as to nourish the whole person of mind, body and spirit.

As an Anglican Grammar School, our Anglican identity is important to us, but this doesn’t mean we exclude anyone - all are welcome, whether they be Anglican, or of another denomination, or religion, or none at all.

As Anglicans, we don’t make the mistake of throwing the baby out with the bath water- we retain what is good and reform the rest. In this way, we are catholic and yet reformed. We are the via media- the middle way. We live out our faith through thought, word and deed, but always by invitation, not cohesion.

The success of the school is also in a great part due to Principal Marquardt’s tremendous leadership over the past nine years and, indeed, to all our committed staff members from the Executive to the Grounds Workers. It is also due to the commitment of our students’ parents and caregivers, who give sacrificially for their children’s education, so that, in time, they may grow and flourish into well adjusted, mature, and significant contributors to our local community and the world at large.

So, thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful school and happy 44th birthday, Lindisfarne!

Blessings,

Rev Lyndon.
Chaplain

Middle and Senior School parents and guardians should have received envelopes with the School’s online order code 29R JHB 5LV to make your orders via advancedlife.com.au. Lindisfarne is only accepting online orders.

Please do not send students to school with money, as this will not be accepted.

Photo Days

• For our Middle School students, photos will be taken on Tuesday, 20 May. These will be Class/Homeroom photos and individual student photos.
• For our Senior School students, photos will be taken on Wednesday, 21 May. These will be House Tutor Groups and individual student photos.

Mahers Lane Sibling Photos

• If all siblings are in Middle School, sibling photo will be taken on Tuesday, 20 May.
• If all siblings are in Senior School, sibling photo will be taken on Wednesday, 21 May.
• If siblings are split between both Middle and Senior School, photo can be taken on either day above.

Reminder: That if your family has students at both campuses and you are ordering sibling photos please refer to the detail above in the School Photos - Junior School article.

If you are having any issues placing an order, please contact Advanced Life directly via https://www.advancedlife.com.au/contact.php. For any other queries, please email community@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

Junior School parents and guardians should have received envelopes with the School’s online order code 29R JHB 5LV to make your orders via advancedlife.com.au. Lindisfarne is only accepting online orders.

Please do not send students to school with money, as this will not be accepted.

For our Junior School students, photos will be taken on the following days.

Tuesday, 13 May:

• Preschool Joeys and Preschool Possums individual and class photos.
• All Junior School sibling photos and cross campus sibling photos. 

Families that have students at both campuses are reminded that Mahers Lane students will be transported by bus on this day to meet younger siblings. After booking photos, permission for older siblings to travel is required via SEQTA Events and Payments. There is no charge.

Wednesday, 14 May:

• Preschool Koalas, Preschool Echidnas, all Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 individual and class and photos.

If you are having any issues placing an order, please contact Advanced Life directly via https://www.advancedlife.com.au/contact.php. For any other queries, please email community@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

The Parents & Friends Association held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday night. Thank you to all members of the community who have volunteered their time over the last 12 months to support the P&F. A special thank you goes to retiring committee members Verity Bee and Laura Kleinhans, as well as assistant treasurer Nathan Jones. Your dedication to the P&F has been invaluable and will be missed.

The new P&F committee is as follows:

• President - Penny Brady
• Vice President - Kim Brown
• Secretary - Harriet O'Donnell
• Public Officer - Nicole Larsen
• General Committee - Peta Fahy, Nispa Krongkaew, Corey Lelean and Todd Franzway.

The roles of Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are vacant. If you are interested in either role or think you can help the P&F please contact pandf@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Please mark in your calendars the next P&F general meeting on Tuesday, 29th July 6.30pm at the Sunshine Ave campus. Keep an eye out for events that the P&F is running this year. We are always looking for volunteers and any help (whether big or small) is greatly appreciated.

Penny Brady
P&F President

The Lindisfarne P&F runs a number of fundraising and friendraising events each year. To be involved in sponsoring events like the annual Golf Day or Big Boys' Breakfast, then click on the link below to find out more.

2025 Sponsorship Prospectus

Thank you to Jo Croft Mortgage Choice for the on-going support at sponsor of the Athletics Carnivals.

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

on behalf of the Lindisfarne P&F

Visual Arts - Bloom Painting Experience with Brisbane artists, Kate Quinn and Emily Day. 

Use the following link to book tickets: Book Here 

Find out more about Bloom Painting Experiences: Link Here

On Wednesday, 21 May, the Junior School will share in a special reading of 'The Truck Cat' with Mr Marquardt. To celebrate, we'll be having an optional 'Flannie Day' where students from Preschool to Year 4 are invited to wear a flannelette shirt over their school uniform.

Krissy Affleck
Teacher: Information Services and Digital Pedagogy

At Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, we believe in fostering leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging across our House system. It is with great pleasure that we introduce our Junior School House Captains for Term 2 - students who have been recognised by their peers and teachers for their enthusiasm, integrity, and willingness to lead by example.

Our House Captains play an important role in encouraging House spirit, supporting school events, and modelling our school values in their daily interactions.

St Andrew

• Caleb West

• Harper Kelly

St Barnabas

• Hunter Moore

• William Manwarring

St Cuthbert

• Lucia Rohrlach

• Zachary Jacobs

St Hilda

• Madison Camer

• Louis Schmidt

St Margaret

• Sienna Colley

• Toby Fisher

St Stephen

• Rocky Crow

• Marlo Miller

We congratulate each of our House Captains and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have throughout the term.

A Special Visit from Tyson Greenwood – URSTRONG Workshops in the Junior School

This week, our Kindergarten and Year 3 students had the wonderful opportunity to meet Tyson Greenwood from URSTRONG in person. Tyson led engaging and thoughtful workshops for our youngest learners in Kindergarten through the 'Lil Ninjas' workshop, and our Year 3 students through the Heart of Friendship workshop.

There was great excitement in the air as students, and it was clear just how much they valued the opportunity to connect with someone they had previously only seen through URSTRONG’s videos and resources.

The sessions were hands-on, interactive, and full of practical strategies to help students build healthy friendships. Tyson guided them through activities that encouraged kindness, confidence, and communication skills we know are so important for both school and life.

Thank you to Tyson for bringing the heart of URSTRONG to life here at Lindisfarne.

Mrs Dana Dowker
Dean of Students, Junior School

Subject Selection Evenings

Subject Selection Evenings for Year 11 2026 (current Year 10) will take place next Monday, 12 May.

Please note that the evening commences at 6.00pm.

• Information about Year 11 subjects on offer can be viewed here.

Year 9 2026 (current Year 8) takes place on Monday, 19 May

• Information about Year 9 subjects on offer can be viewed here.
  

ICAS 2025

ICAS is developed by UNSW Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of New South Wales, with over 35 years’ experience in educational assessments.

ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student will receive a certificate, and top performers will be eligible for medals.

The ICAS assessments are not compulsory; however, we are making them available for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. There are practice papers available on the ICAS website if students would like to see the types of questions asked.

Students from Year 2 to Year 12 have the option of sitting ICAS Assessments as per the schedule below:

Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies

Focus Friday Positive Self-Talk

In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, many young people are facing increasing pressures, often from the loudest, most influential voice of all, their own inner critic. Whether in the classroom or online, negative self-talk can easily become a default mindset, particularly when students believe their challenges are permanent and unchangeable. This is why developing positive self-talk is a vital skill for students in Middle School students (and something that can benefit parents and guardians too)

Why Positive Self-Talk Matters (Years 5–6)
For students in Years 5 and 6, learning about positive self-talk is about recognising its power to turn upsetting, pessimistic thoughts into encouraging, productive ones. Instead of thinking "I can’t do this," students learn to replace those thoughts with empowering statements like “I can try” or “I will get better.” These “I can” and “I will” affirmations help challenge negative messages and help students move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Practising this skill is key. Students are encouraged to create four or five positive self-talk statements tailored to their common challenges. Saying them regularly, before they are needed, builds resilience and confidence, helping them to act with strength when negative thinking arises. Positive self-talk becomes an immediate and effective “off-ramp” from spirals of doubt, helping students focus on what they’re doing well and what they can improve.

Building on the Basics (Years 7–8)
In Years 7 and 8, students are supported to go further by preparing for specific situations they might find stressful, such as exams, friendship issues, sports performance, or presentations. By having positive self-talk statements ready, they’re better equipped to handle these challenges with optimism and composure. It’s about reinforcing the belief that they have the inner resources to grow, adapt, and succeed—even when things feel hard.

Parent Wellbeing:
While students work on building their inner voice, parents and caregivers can model another essential aspect of wellbeing—belonging. Sharing quality time with others and feeling part of a community isn’t just emotionally fulfilling; it releases powerful brain chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin, which contribute to feelings of happiness and connection. Ask yourself: What groups make you feel like you belong? Prioritising social connection helps meet our deep, evolutionary need for tribe and togetherness, and this, in turn, sets a powerful example for children.

Amber Phillips
Dean of Students - Middle School

Welcome back to Term Two!

Year 5 has begun the Term with a mature and settled manner. We have a very busy term ahead.

School Uniform

I would like to draw your attention to the girl’s uniform. Our girl’s have 2 options – the tartan culottes or the tartan skirt. I understand that the skort is worn at Sunshine Avenue Campus. As our students grow out of these items, the skort isn’t an option for Year 5 and beyond. The tartan skirt or culottes are to be at or just above knee height please. For further information around uniforms, please find the uniform handbook here.

Brainstorm Productions

Brainstorm Productions is an educational group bringing about positive social change through theatre; empowering students with practical strategies to enhance their mental health, resilience and wellbeing. Each performance is followed by a Q&A designed to support our school’s existing wellbeing, cyber safety and pastoral care programs. It is a fabulous opportunity for our Stage 3 students to explore topics that help them to develop and analyse practical skills such as self-awareness, self-management and help-seeking. Brainstorm Productions unpacks and presents stories of hope and resilience, inspiring students to draw on their strengths and values to face life’s challenges. Please have a conversation with your child about this presentation. It was fabulous! Tackling real life problems our students face in a fun and constructive manner.

Stage 3 Camps

As we begin to ramp up all things camp, please make note of the dates and begin the discussions around camp. Camp is one of my favourite weeks! Many of our students shine in the camp environment, taking on challenges they never knew they could do. There will be more information coming out about camp in the coming weeks!

Save the Dates:

Year 6: Canberra, August 4 - 7, 2025 (Week 3, Term 3)

Year 5: Lake Ainsworth, August 25 - 28 (Week 6, Term 3)

We have Judith Krause visiting Years 5 and 6 - please see details below:

• Monday, 26 May - 6:00PM - ParentED Session (Chapel)
• Tuesday, 27 May - all day - Year 5 Sessions (O Commons)
• Wednesday, 28 May - all day - Year 6 Sessions (O Commons)

The parent session is a great way for you to meet Judith and to hear first hand the information that she will be presenting to your child. Judith has been working within this space for many years and is well versed in the requirements of the curriculum and the age appropriate content. Information will be coming to you within the next few days.

Paula Drew
Year 5 Coordinator

This week, our Year 5 and 6 students took part in the powerful Friendship Fires® workshop presented by URStrong. This was a culmination of the important work we’ve been doing in Pastoral Care lessons throughout Term 1. Building on themes of emotional intelligence, empathy, and respectful relationships, this engaging session equipped students with the tools they need to navigate their friendships with confidence and care.

Throughout the workshop, students were introduced to The 4 Friendship Facts – key truths about friendship that help set realistic expectations and empower children to understand that no friendship is perfect, and that all friendships have ups and downs. With these facts in hand, students were able to reflect on their own relationships and consider how trust and respect shape healthy friendships.

Using the Friend-o-Meter, a visual tool from URStrong, students assessed the health of their friendships and considered how their actions, and the actions of others, can either build or damage trust. They explored the importance of belonging to safe and supportive Friendship Groups and recognised the signs of a friendship that may need attention.

A major highlight of the workshop was learning the difference between Friendship Fires® – the everyday misunderstandings and conflicts that can occur between friends – and Mean-on-Purpose behaviour, which is intentionally hurtful. Students practised positive strategies to resolve Friendship Fires through respectful communication and empathy, while also discussing how to seek help when faced with behaviour that crosses the line into intentional harm.

This workshop reinforced the important skills we’ve focused on all year: understanding personal boundaries, managing emotions, and resolving conflict with kindness and maturity. Our Year 5 and 6 students left feeling more empowered to be great friends – and to expect the same in return.

Amber Phillips
Dean of Students - Middle School

This week, our Senior School calendar was highlighted by two signature events for our Year 11 students: the Dare to Dream and DARE programs. These much-anticipated initiatives continue to go from strength to strength, and I am thrilled to report that the feedback received this year from students, staff and parents has been the most positive yet.

These programs play a vital role in our mission to "front load" meaningful messages that equip our young people with the tools they need for life beyond school. Thank you to the passionate staff who helped deliver such impactful experiences, and special thanks to our Year 11 students for their genuine and wholehearted engagement. Your willingness to lean into these opportunities is inspiring and sets the tone for the rest of the year.

We also held our first parent information sessions this week for the Senior School camp program. As many families know, the Lindisfarne camp experience is a defining aspect of our curriculum. It provides an opportunity for students to challenge themselves outside the classroom and to discover more about who they are and who they might become. With another exciting line-up of camp experiences planned for Week 5, we are eagerly anticipating another memorable chapter in our students’ personal development.

Looking ahead, on Monday evening, we will welcome our current Year 10 students and their parents/guardians to an important information session at 6:00pm in Ngahriyah. This evening will provide essential insight into both the Senior School camp program and the subject selection process for 2026. I encourage all students and parents to attend and begin the conversation about the transition into the first year of the HSC. If a student is unable to attend, I strongly urge parents to still come along and take part in this valuable session.

Finally, I want to commend our Senior School students for their outstanding presentation and representation during this week’s Foundation Day Service. Their attitude, engagement and pride in our school helped create a meaningful and memorable occasion for our whole community. It was a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you all for continuing to set a high standard and for embracing growth and improvement across all areas of school life.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

UCAT Booking Deadline – Friday 16th May!

A reminder to all students intending to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in 2025 – bookings close on Friday, 16th May.

If you're planning to apply for medicine, dentistry, or clinical sciences at many universities in Australia and New Zealand, the UCAT is a required part of the application process.

Booking your test is essential to secure your preferred test date and location. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

Visit the official UCAT website to register and book your test.

Griffith University

Discover Your Creative Future at Griffith University’s Creative Arts Open Day – Sunday 18 May

If you're passionate about the arts, design, music, or film, Griffith University’s Creative Arts Open Day is an event not to be missed. Taking place on Sunday, 18 May 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Brisbane City (South Bank) campus, this immersive experience offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of creative industries.

What to Expect

Explore a diverse range of disciplines through interactive workshops, exhibitions, campus tours, and demonstrations. Whether you're interested in visual arts, design, music, performance, or film and screen, there's something for everyone. Engage with passionate faculty members, connect with current students, and discover how studying at Griffith can help you unlock your creative potential.

Register Now

Secure your spot at this event and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in the creative arts.

👉 Register for Creative Arts Open Day

Griffith Film School Experience Week – For Year 11 & 12 Students

Griffith University’s Film School Experience Week is a hands-on, five-day program for Year 11 and 12 students interested in animation, film, or game design.

Held at the South Bank campus in Brisbane, the program offers practical workshops led by industry professionals, giving students a taste of university-level creative study.

Program Details:

• Dates:

  • Week 1: Monday 30 June – Friday 4 July

  • Week 2: Monday 7 July – Friday 11 July

• Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily

• Location: Griffith Film School, South Bank campus

• Cost: $450 (includes GST and lunch)

• Study Areas: Animation, Film & Screen Media Production, Game Design

Participants will work on a creative project to enhance their portfolio and get a feel for careers in the screen and media industries.

👉 Register now to secure your place.

Griffith QCAD Portfolio Workshops – For Year 10 and Above

Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD) is offering one-day Portfolio Workshops in July 2025 for students in Year 10 and above. These workshops are designed to help you develop a creative portfolio for admission into QCAD’s Design or Visual Arts programs.

Workshop Details:

• Brisbane City (South Bank) Campus:
  
  

  • Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025

  • Programs Offered: Design and Visual Arts (Painting, Photography & Sculpture)

  • Time: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
    
    

• Gold Coast Campus:
  
  

  • Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025

  • Program Offered: Design only

  • Time: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
    
    

• Cost: $65 (includes a light lunch)

What You'll Gain:

• Guidance on creating and presenting a successful portfolio

• Completion of at least one piece for your portfolio

• Insight into QCAD’s programs and facilities

👉 Register your interest here

These workshops are a great opportunity to prepare for portfolio admissions and explore your creative potential at QCAD.

UOW’s Free Subject Support Sessions for Year 11 & 12 Students

The University of Wollongong (UOW), in partnership with InspirationED, is offering free online Subject Support Sessions throughout May and June 2025 to help Year 11 and 12 students strengthen their understanding and confidence in key HSC subjects.

Online Sessions Include:

• Year 11 Webinars (12–14 May):
  
  

  • Mathematics Advanced

  • English Common Module (Advanced & Standard)
    PDHPE – Human Movement (new syllabus)
    
    

• Year 12 Webinars (23–24 June):
  
  

  • Mathematics Advanced
    English Common Module (Advanced & Standard)

Led by experienced HSC teachers and exam markers, these online webinars are a valuable opportunity to revise core content, explore exemplar responses, and learn exam strategies from the experts.

👉 Register now to book your place and get HSC-ready with UOW.

Iglu Regional Scholarship: Rental Assistance for Regional Students

Iglu Student Accommodation offers the Iglu Regional Scholarship, providing significant rental assistance to eligible students from regional Australia and New Zealand who are commencing their undergraduate or tertiary studies in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.

Key Details:

• Eligibility:
  
  

  • Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

  • Currently residing in regional Australia or New Zealand

  • Enrolled/looking to enrol in an undergraduate degree or tertiary qualification in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane
    
    

• Benefits:

  • Significant rental assistance at select Iglu properties during the first year of residency
    Access to fully furnished apartments, high-speed internet, 24/7 support, and a vibrant student community

Applications for the 2025 scholarship have closed. However, Expressions of Interest for the 2026 Iglu Regional Scholarship are opening soon. This opportunity can ease the financial burden of relocating for study and provide a supportive living environment

👉 Learn more and register your interest

Hayley McDonald
Director of Careers and Vocational Education & Training

On Wednesday evening, Lindisfarne hosted Round 2 of the Gold Coast Debating Competition. We had over 12 teams at our school going head to head over some very interesting and topical subjects. The Intermediate A teams took on the thought-provoking topic “We should all be vegetarian,” sparking some lively discussion and well-considered arguments. At the same time, the Open A Catch-Up teams debated “Australia should abolish mandatory voting,” tackling a complex and timely issue with confidence and clarity. Both topics gave students the chance to think critically, speak persuasively, and explore different perspectives in a supportive setting.

Within a short prep debate, students receive the topic and then are required to individually prepare for their debates in their own rooms as a team. The Intermediate A teams have 90 minutes, while the Open A teams have 60 minutes. The pressure is on from the moment students get into their rooms to collaborate, plan and write their speeches.

A huge thank you goes to our own Year 9 and 10 students who went above and beyond in helping us set up the venue before the arrival of visiting schools. From arranging classrooms and refreshment stations to welcoming our guests, your support helped the evening run smoothly and set a positive tone from the very beginning.

Congratulations to all participants on a fantastic event!

Aliah Whitesides
Acting Coordinator of English

Diplomacy in Action

On Saturday, 3 May, students from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School took part in the Rotary-run Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA), a dynamic simulation of the United Nations. Held annually, the event draws participants from the Northern Gold Coast to the Mid North Coast of NSW and challenges students to represent different nations in a formal debate setting.

Representing Russia, Japan, and Italy, our teams stepped into the shoes of UN delegates to debate global issues and propose solutions, while adhering to UN-style protocols and language.

Our 2025 MUNA Delegates:

• Russia: Ella McCluskey, Zoe White, Nicolas Leotta
  
  

• Japan: Lyla McDonald, Tessa Ford, Leo Lush
  
  

• Italy: Tahlia D'Amici, Ben Reeve, James Cunnah
  
  

The day began with a powerful keynote from Jane Welsh, a former UN official now working to improve the lives of women in Cambodia. Jane offered practical advice for students interested in careers in diplomacy, government, and global development.

Her key takeaways:

• Study areas like International Relations, Law, Politics, and Languages.
  
  

• Build strong communication skills—both written and verbal.
  
  

• Consider learning a second language (especially French, Arabic, or Spanish).
  
  

• Explore internships through university programs or organisations like Australian Volunteers International and Habitat for Humanity.
  
  

• Develop a clear personal “elevator pitch” and seek mentors.
  
  

• Investigate graduate programs like UNDP or DFAT, and look into fully funded Rotary World Peace Fellowships.
  
  

Although many participants were new to MUNA, our students quickly found their voice. The first resolution on Cybersecurity was passed after compelling opening speeches from Nicolas Leotta (Russia), Ben Reeve (Italy), and Tessa Ford (Japan). The second resolution focused on Climate Change. Italy and Japan voted in favour, while Russia, true to its role, voted against but successfully proposed a key amendment. James Cunnah (Italy) delivered an impressive speech advocating for greater support for developing countries transitioning to clean energy. His leadership contributed to the amendment passing narrowly, 9–8.

A surprise resolution in the afternoon saw Lindisfarne teams contribute confidently and effectively. All teams performed with enthusiasm, professionalism, and skill. Each student spoke persuasively, demonstrating deep preparation and a strong grasp of international issues. A special congratulations to Team Russia: Ella, Nicolas, and Zoe, who were awarded Runners-Up in this year’s competition! Thank you to Mrs Jones, Ms McCue and Mrs Ward for supporting students on the day.

Tarley Jones
Director of Humanities

Calling All Makers, Builders & Metalworkers! 

We are thrilled to announce that our school has been selected to participate in this year’s Swell Sculpture Festival for 2025—a vibrant outdoor exhibition that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of public art.

To bring our vision to life, we are seeking support from our incredible parent community. Specifically, we’re looking for parents or guardians with experience in metalworking, welding, powdercoating, or construction to assist in the design and build phase of our large-scale sculpture.

Whether you’re a professional tradesperson, a skilled hobbyist, or someone with tools and time to offer, we would love to hear from you! Your expertise could make a huge difference in helping our students create something truly memorable.

🗓 Project Timeline: Term 2–3 (finalised mid-August, install September 10-11)
📍 Worksite: School grounds and/or local workshop
🛠 Skills Needed:

• Welding, powdercoating, and metal fabrication
  

• Construction and structural support
  

• Assistance with transportation and installation (optional but helpful)
  
  

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something meaningful, support student creativity, and showcase the amazing talents of our community at a prestigious arts event.

Interested in helping out?
Please contact Jane Brennan at jbrennan.lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au or Kieran Davis at kieran.davis@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au by May 20.

Let’s build something extraordinary—together!

Kieran Davis
Coordinator of Creative Industries

Proudly Supported By

RECENT GAMES

NCIS RUGBY 7s

The 2025 NCIS Rugby 7s were held at The Armidale School on Wednesday 30th April. Our boys’ U18, U16 and U14 squads and girls’ U18 and U16 squads travelled down to Armidale the day before to compete in the tournament.

U18 Boys

The U18 boys played four games in the tournament, playing Emmanuel Anglican College and The Armidale School (TAS) twice each on the day. In the first game against Emmanuel, the U18s ran out convincing winners 24-0. This was followed up by a loss to TAS 12-24, where our boys struggled to hold onto the ball in contact and with several handling errors, this gave TAS too many opportunities. The next game was against TAS again, and in the rematch, the boys played with a lot more precision and commitment to contact and got their just reward with a 14-7 win. In the last game against Emmanuel, the U18s continued their form from the second TAS game and ran out convincing winners 21-10. By winning three games out of four, our boys ended up tournament champions, which was a great result for the squad. Standouts on the day were Koen Hodge, Sam Stovin, and Max Reid, while special mention also goes to Pipp Phelpoung and Finley Watson, who both brought great energy when given the opportunity and showed some nice improvements in their rugby skillset.

U18Girls

The U18 girls had a very productive day at The Armidale School, even though they only had TAS as their opposition. The girls played them 4 times throughout the day, with the first 3 matches resulting in losses but a come from behind victory in the last game, winning 14-12, highlighting the progress made throughout the day.

With a couple of injuries, it meant most of the girls were playing full games, which really tested the fitness levels.

Some strong individual performances alongside some fantastic teamwork in defence made for a satisfying day out for all. The standout player for the day was Lois Diver, who continues to make huge strides in rugby with a fantastic work rate, and she was rewarded with 2 well taken tries during the day. Also, a special mention to Ruby Lynch, who has taken to rugby like a duck to water. Her defence was outstanding, and she brings a really positive vibe to the team with her fantastic attitude. Seannah Weston also played consistently well across the day with some fine defensive work against a strong opposition.

U16 Girls

With some fantastic new additions to our U16 girls' squad, it is clear the potential this team has over the coming years. It is always satisfying to coach a group of players who listen so well and are keen to learn. The girls played some fantastic rugby over their 4 games, winning two and losing two. Their ability to score some amazing tries was backed up with some strong and dedicated defence with everyone fully committed to making their tackles.

Jazz Harrison gave her all as usual and dominated in both attack and defence, always leading from the front gaining her the player of the day award for LAGS. Sooke Paley once again displayed her great talent in rugby 7’s using her great pace in attack to score some long range tries and her defence was as strong as ever. Sienna Wright continues to go from strength to strength and her defensive work was a real standout.

A special mention to our new players, in particular Pearl Baker and Mayzie Rourke who were playing in their first tournament, who were quite outstanding.

A great team building couple of days for girls teams, lots of smiles, laughs and progress on the field.

APS RUGBY RD3

U16 v ALL SAINTS

Our combined LAGS/Somerset U16 team played a very competitive All Saints team at Somerset. Our boys came out on top after a dominant second-half performance. Some excellent team tries were scored once the combinations started to click, and they stuck to their structures rather than playing as individuals. This wore down All Saints, who were unable to hold out against the relentless domination of our forwards, particularly our strong ball carriers. Harvey Vetch and James Green in particular gave our team excellent go forward ball, and the crisp distribution from Tom O’Brien allowed our backs to have quick ball on the front foot. It’s really pleasing to see how this combined team is coming together, and the boys are already looking forward to their next challenge.

U15 v SOMERSET

On a beautiful winter afternoon, the Lindisfarne Lions U15s delivered a commanding performance against the Somerset College Spartans, running out 59-5 winners in a fast-paced and physical encounter. Despite the muddy track, the Lions adapted well, playing with tempo and intent from the outset. Solid defence and incredible ball carrying laid the foundation for a dominant first half, with Leo Wadsworth, Matty Sabey, and Jack McBride leading the charge up front. Their strong efforts created front-foot ball, which Benson Nichol and Max Esgate distributed quickly and accurately, keeping the Spartans under constant pressure. The backs capitalised on this momentum, showcasing their expansive skillset through slick backline movement that carved open the opposition repeatedly, allowing the Lions to surge to a 29-0 lead by halftime.

In the second half, the Lions continued to assert their dominance, maintaining a high pace and intensity despite the heavy conditions. Their attacking shape remained sharp, and the relentless forward pressure ensured a steady stream of possession and territory. While there were plenty of positives, including clinical finishing and strong support play, there remains room for improvement, particularly in maul defence and lineout execution, where consistency wavered at times. Nevertheless, the overall performance was a strong statement of the team’s capabilities and depth, capped off by a resounding 59-5 victory at the final whistle.

KEY DATES

Please see upcoming key dates for our rugby program below. You can find the full list of key dates HERE.

OTHER ITEMS

Lindisfarne Rugby Game Footage

We will endeavour to record as many matches as possible for the remainder of the year, with preference given to U18 boys and girls, and add to the below list:

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v Kings

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v All Saints

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v Somerset

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v Narre Warren (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v St Edmunds (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U16 v Kings

• Lindisfarne U16 v All Saints

• Lindisfarne U16 v Somerset

• Lindisfarne U16 v St Edmunds (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U16 v Kings I (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U16 v Kings II (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U15 v AB Paterson (APS)

• Lindisfarne U14 v St Patrick's Shorncliffe (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U14 v Sunshine Coast Grammar (Ballymore Cup)

• Lindisfarne U12 v Casuarina

Salt Bar Sponsorship

We are extremely proud to have the Salt Bar as sponsors of the 2024 Lindisfarne Rugby Program.

As part of this sponsorship, Salt Bar has generously provided all members of the Lindisfarne rugby community (e.g., parents, supporters, friends) with a 10% discount on food and drinks.

You can use this discount anytime you are at the Salt Bar, and to access this discount:

1. Download the Pass app via the App Store or Google Play

2. Go to More > Promo Code and enter the code LINDISFARNE

3. Make sure to use the Pass app when ordering food and drink at the Salt Bar

Physio Place Sponsorship

The Lindisfarne Rugby Program is very fortunate to have the Physio Place from Tweed Heads as a sponsor in 2025. Physio Place is one of the leading physiotherapy practices on the Gold Coast and is headed up by one of our Lindisfarne alumni, Dr Carly Jennar. Dr Jennar has an extensive background in contact sports and currently works with Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Cup squad, Brisbane Broncos NRLW team, QLD Women’s State of Origin team and has been to two Rugby League World Cups with both the Australian and Papua New Guinea Women’s National teams. You can find out more about the team of staff at Physio Place HERE.

As part of this sponsorship, Physio Place will provide Lindisfarne rugby players and families with discounted physiotherapy consultations ($30 reduction in charges) at Physio Place in Tweed Heads (next to Rebel Sport). They will also assist with:

• Physiotherapy support and first aid during home games

• Strapping at a suitable time before home and away games for players at school

• Triage for any injured players at the school on the day after match days or tournaments;

• Physiotherapy support for major tournaments (e.g., Ballymore Cup and QLD All Schools) at tournament locations.

If you need physiotherapy or have any injuries please contact Physio Place on (07) 55239994 or you can also book online at their website HERE.


Monday After School (Y7-12) and Tuesday Before School (1st XV Wider Squad) Training

PLEASE NOTE THE WEDNESDAY AM SESSION IN TERM ONE HAS BEEN MOVED TO TUESDAY AM FOR TERM 2 FOR THE 1st XV WIDER TRAINING SQUAD. There will be 6 of these training sessions in term 2, and they will be held in W2 (6/5), W3 (3/5), W4 (20/5), W6 (3/6), W7 (10/6), and W8 (17/6).

In 2025, our main training sessions outside of school time are on Monday after school (1530-1645) for all Y7-12 players and Tuesday before school until the end of P1 (0700-0940) for our 1st XV wider squad. Rugby union is a team sport and we still need as many of our players to be in attendance week in and week out to grow the Lindisfarne rugby program. If there is any way we can be of assistance to help facilitate this, please let us know.

Also, please note we will NOT be sending reminders for these training sessions (all players and families should assume our Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning training sessions will ALWAYS BE ON), however we will let you all know with as much time as possible if we need to cancel a session due to weather or other factors.


School Uniform and Training Attire

Students should be in proper training attire (NOT school sports uniform) with mouthguard, boots and any other equipment they play with for every training session. This requirement also includes integrated school sport on Thursday i.e., students should wear our rugby training top or similar and not the school sport polo at this time. Alongside this, students should have a towel and a spare school uniform to change into in case there is wet weather.

Outside of rugby training times, students should be in the correct uniform, which includes wearing the school sports polo on Thursday in P1-2 and P5-6 and in PE lessons and not rugby training tops.

Stack Team APP

The Stack Team app will be our Rugby Union program’s main form of communication for all our squads.

As a reminder, both parents and Boys’ / Girls’ 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).

Joseph Coyne
Director of High Performance Athlete & Sports Development

Head spinning volume of sport events getting wheeled out the door at the moment. We as a community hosted the NCIS Cross Country event pretty seamlessly on Wednesday, which is a genuinely very helpful contribution to the NCIS Association. Once again, our Maintenance and Facilities team had the course looking prettier than Augusta National Golf Club. A massive thankyou to the team.

On a similar note, Lindisfarne is tasked with running the Athletics carnival for NCIS this year, at Walter Peate! As much as the Coffs Harbour stadium is the best venue for this stadium, the uncertainty around belatedly cancelled bookings is a concern moving forward - hence the move.

We have over 220 futsal players heading north to Coomera over the next two weeks for the Gold Coast Regionals. Plus a stack of other sporting events heading out the door.

Week 3 Events:

Netball Vicki Wilson Cup

CIS Secondary Boys and Girls 15&U (yrs 7-10) Hockey Championships> Eva Starling, Laurie Bartell, Felix Conn

NCIS Secondary Football (yrs 7-12)

Surfing Australian Interschools Championship

CIS Secondary Boys 15&U (yrs 7-10) Rugby League Trials

Futsal Gold Coast School Titles 9 - 19 yrs

Touch Football - Asia Youth Pacific Cup (excursion for our players)

Rugby NSW FNC 10s PRIMARY (yr 5 & 6)

CIS Secondary Girls 16&U Rugby League Trials

Rugby APS

AFL QLD Schools Cup Senior High School (yrs 11&12)

NSWCIS SWIMMING

This week we had 20 of our secondary swimmers travel down to Sydney to compete in the CIS Swimming Championships. Our Lindisfarne swimmers made their mark and finished 9th overall on the school point score tally, beaten only by GPS and CAS schools with large dedicated swim teams. All swimmers should be very proud of the following individual achievements and also relay results against some of the best swimmers in the country.

Best wishes to those swimmers who have made it through the NSW All Schools later in the month, back at SOPAC in Sydney. We will be cheering you on!

· Daylan Braby – 15th and 16th place in 12yrs breaststroke

· Chloe Dinnen – 13th 12yrs 50m breaststroke

· Georgia Dunn – 2 top 10 placings and 4 top 15 placings, 17-19yrs

· Lennox Eke – 2 x 5th place, 6 top 10 placings in 14yrs boys, missing 3rd place by 0.1sec

· Hunter Gaffney – 2 x 5th placings, 3 top 10 placings in 13yrs girls, missing third by 0.4sec

· Madison Harper – 2 x top 10 placings, 7 top 15 placings in 15yrs girls

· Tully Harper – 15th and 2 x 17th placings in 13 yrs girls

· Ayva Immisch – 9th and 12th placings in 13yrs girls

· Riley Johnston – 1st 50m breaststroke, 2nd, 3rd, 4th on his 4 events. Well done, Riley CIS Champ.

· Milla Martinot – 5th relay and 5 top 10 placings in 14yrs girls

· Ivy Mison – 5th relay and 3 top 15 placings in 14yrs girls

· Scarlett Mison – 2 x 5th placings and 3 top 10 placings in 12yrs girls

· Tilly Mison – 4th place relay and 3 top 15 placings in 16yrs girls

· Abbie-Rose Procter – 5th place relay and 1 top 15 placing in 14yrs girls

· Alice Reid – 13th place in 16yrs girls

· Jack Sewell – 2nd 50m backstroke, 3 top 5 results, 6 top 15 placings. Well done Jack

· Lucy Simmonds – 2 top 10 placings, 4 top 15 placings in 14yrs girls

· Mali Stewart – 4th place (relay), 2 top 10 placings and 5 top 15 placings in 15yrs girls

· Koa Stotz – 1st 50m freestyle, 2nd and 2 x 4th placings. Well done, Koa CIS Champ.

· Lyla Wessel – 4th (relay), 2 top 10 placings and 3 top 15 placings.

· Congratulations to our 2 girls relay teams (13-14 and 15-16 yrs) who placed 5th and 4th, respectively, in their events.

Thank you to parent Andrew Eke for pulling this editorial together.

NCIS Cross Country

As most Lindisfarne Mahers Lane staff and students can attest to, on Wednesday, we hosted another NCIS Cross Country Championships - with 1000 odd qualifiers/students from as far south as Kemsey snaking their way around our lethal Cross Country circuit.

A MASSIVE shout out to our 140+ athletes in their navy/gold singlets blazing their way around their home track. Well done for contributing to Lindisfarne in the overall points, with us coming FIRST placed school on the overall point score.

Full details and CIS Advancers listings attached - HERE.

Congratulations to the following students who find themselves on the Individual Placegetters honour roll below:

2025 Far North Coast High School Regional Surf Titles – Lennox Head

On Friday of Week 1 Term 2, the Lindisfarne school’s surf team made a big splash at the Regional Surf Competition held at the iconic Lennox Head. Despite challenging weather, marked by a mix of rain showers and sunny breaks, our surfers showed incredible determination and skill in the water. The conditions were far from easy, with powerful swells making for a tough but thrilling day of competition.

Our team rose to the occasion, securing the overall champion school - in the schools division. A fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work and commitment of our surfers, and backs up last year's win.

The Open Girls team claimed a commanding victory in their division. Congratulations to Eve Daniel and Ava Arghyros. Ava went on the next day to win the individual gold as well - along with her alumni brother Lachlan Arghyros.

The Open Boys dominated the heats and semis, with all THREE starting teams locked and loaded in the final. Congratulations to young Bowie Robinson and Jackson Mater, who both hit and stuck solid scoring waves to take down first place in a tense final.

In the Junior Boys division, our two teams delivered a standout performance by securing both second and third place across multiple heats—a rare and impressive feat. Teams were Marv Freeman and Jay Whitfield (3rd) - Kyotaro Shimbutsu and Charlie Cairncross (2nd place)

The day tested not only surfing ability but also resilience, with competitors navigating shifting tides, strong sets, and variable weather. A big thank you to our staff, parents, and supporters who made the trip and cheered our athletes on.

AFLQ Schools Cup

On Tuesday, 6 May, our Year 7 and 8 boys' and girls' teams proudly represented Lindisfarne at the AFLQ Schools Cup. The girls showed great determination throughout the day, narrowly losing their first two matches and finishing with a hard-fought draw in their final game.

The boys delivered a dominant performance, winning all their games convincingly and claiming victory in the grand final against Kingscliff. Congratulations to Theodore (Ted) Houghton, who was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding effort. Their success sees them progress to the next round, where they will take on schools from the Southern Gold Coast region.

Well done to all players on a fantastic day of footy!

CIS AFL - Spotlight on Coco Loemker (Yr 8), Sienna Lobascher (Yr 9) and Evie Barker (Yr9)

Coco Loemker, Sienna Lobascher and Evie Barker all journeyed south to try their hand at making the CIS AFL team. All three girls progressed to the second round of the top 36 - an incredible effort!

Sienna Lobascher made it through the final cut and was selected for the final top 22 to represent the NSWCIS State team.

Congratulations girls!

Damien Clucas
Head of Sport & Activites

FOTA - Friends of The Arts

Term 2 Meeting

Date: Tuesday, 13 May

Time: 6.00pm

Location: Mahers Lane Library

New and existing members welcome!

We are launching Lindisfarne's very own Glee Club!

Join two time Helpmann Award winning performer,Verity Hunt-Ballard, (Mary Poppins, Jersey Boys, Sweet Charity, Dear Evan Hansen), for a weekly musical theatre class that will include vocal coaching, movement, script analysis, musical theatre production numbers, audition coaching and more.

Each week students will explore a different musical theatre discipline and experience what it's like to be directed in a professional musical theatre show.

Students will experience being part of a musical theatre ensemble and will work on production numbers leading up to various performances throughout the year.

Senior students will be able to audition for Glee Club on: Wednesday,14 May 2025 in PA11 (3:30 - 5:00pm)

Senior students auditioning will be required to sing one song of their choice (any genre), perform a short monologue of their choice and participate in a short movement audition.

Glee Club Rehearsal Day - To be advised

Glee Club will run as a weekly after-school activity throughout the term. Please note that there will be a cost involved, which will be billed to families. The date of the workshop and further details regarding fees and scheduling will be provided once a position in the Glee Club has been offered following auditions.

Use the following link to book your audition time: Audition Link

For more information please see Mrs Camer.

Mrs Amy Camer
Acting Director of Performing Arts

Germinate Records Live our annual fundraiser gig for Tweed Palliative Support & Wedgetail Retreat is taking place on Wednesday, 21 May.

This event showcases the talents of our incredible songwriters and creative musicians, all in support of an important facility in our community.

Tickets can be purchased via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DBJBH

Brett Canning
Recording Studio Producer/Manager

This week’s episode is packed with energy and talent:

🎶 Live original music performance by our very own Grade 12 student Ben Kelly – don’t miss this inspiring showcase of creativity and skill!

🏃‍♂️ Cross Country highlights – relive the action, the spirit, and the finish-line triumphs!

🥧 Pi Day celebrations – we got creative with maths and made it fun (and delicious)! Tune in now and catch all the moments that made this week special!

Ryan Murphy
Lindisfarne TV Producer