2025 Term 3 Week 10 26 Sept 2025

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

As Term 3 draws to a close, I want to reflect on a truly special and memorable week in our school calendar, one that encapsulates the spirit of Lindisfarne: community, celebration, leadership, and legacy.

Tuesday night saw our Senior Netball Presentation, a wonderful evening that acknowledged the incredible efforts of our staff, student-athletes, coaches, managers, and families who make up the netball community at Lindisfarne. The teamwork, growth, and achievements across the season were celebrated in style. Congratulations to all involved for a successful season.

On Wednesday morning, we gathered for the Year 12 Breakfast and Final Assembly, a poignant and heartfelt occasion as we shared in the first of many milestones for the Class of 2025. It was a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, marking the beginning of the end of their Lindisfarne journey. Watching our Year 12 students walk through the Guard of Honour, revisit memories, and be surrounded by their teachers, staff, parents, family members and peers was truly moving and inspiring.

Thursday brought a new and meaningful initiative for our Year 7 cohort (the Class of 2030) with the inaugural Leadership Day. The program was designed to inspire, empower, and challenge our 2026 Middle School leaders to think about leadership not only as a formal title but also as a mindset and way of being, something that the whole year group can contribute to. It was heartening to see our students step up with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Also on Thursday evening, we celebrated a significant milestone with our Rugby Captains Dinner and Presentation, a tradition now firmly cemented in our culture after just four years of the Rugby Program. The night was a fitting celebration of commitment, camaraderie, and the growth of a program that continues to go from strength to strength. Congratulations to all involved in shaping another great year for Lindisfarne Lions Rugby: “Once a Lion, always a Lion.”

Today, we announced our Student Leadership and Prefect team for the year ahead. We had outstanding young people step forward to be considered for the various roles available. I look forward to the Student Leadership Induction Service to be held in Ngahriyah at 9:00 am on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of joining members of our Class of 2005 for their 20-year reunion, a beautiful reminder that the Lindisfarne connection lasts long after graduation. As we build the culture that, “You never actually leave a school like Lindisfarne, you just stop attending every day.” I look forward to hearing stories, memories, and reflections from the Class of 2005 and celebrating this milestone with them.

As we turn our attention to the break ahead, I encourage all families to enjoy the change of routine, reset and reconnect with one another. Term 4 is always a dynamic, celebratory, and fast-paced time of learning and achievement, and I look forward to returning refreshed and ready for the many memorable moments still to come in our 2025 Academic year.

Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 3. Wishing you and your families a safe, restorative, and joy-filled break, and looking forward to seeing students return to school on Tuesday, 14 October, for an exciting term ahead.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Over the course of this term, we have been exploring the lives of each of the Saints that our Houses are named after. In last week’s article, Reverend Constantine wrote on the life of a recently canonised saint, Carlo Acutis. In this article, we will round out the term by focusing on the question: What is a saint?

To answer this question, we will look again at our rich Judeo-Christian Tradition, by first turning to the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, known as the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament Hebrew word for ‘saint’ is ‘kodesh’, and it means ‘holy’ or ‘set apart.’ It can refer to godly people or even holy objects. The word was also used to describe God’s relationship to his people who were set aside for his holy purposes (see Exodus 19:6).

The New Testament Greek word for ‘saint’ is ‘hagios’, which carries a similar meaning of being ‘consecrated to God,’ ‘holy,’ ‘sacred’ or ‘pious’ and is used predominantly in the plural, ‘saints.’ So, in the most basic sense, ‘saints’ are holy people, set apart for God’s special purposes.

When we turn to the stream of Christian Tradition, we see a development from the general to the particular. Increasingly so, saints were seen as holy individuals who had gone before, who lived inspirational lives of devotion to God. They were recognised as those who had so embodied Christlike living that they were seen as noteworthy examples of what it can look like to follow Jesus.

Since the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century, some Christians have objected to this development, describing it as ‘unbiblical,’ But I don’t think this is necessarily the case. In fact, I think that the Bible actually endorses the Traditional understanding.

Hebrews, Chapter 11, offers a catalogue of Old Testament Saints who exemplified faithful living. This ‘Hall Room of Saints,’ as it is commonly called, is immediately followed by these words in Chapter 12:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

The imagery that is being used here is of the Roman amphitheatres - much like the Colosseum - where the Saints of Old, who have finished their race, now cheer from the tiers, as those who come after, run theirs.

One of the major Protestant objections to the Traditional understanding is that, in elevating those considered to be ‘canonised saints,’ the focus is taken off Jesus.

This is certainly not the intention, nor what this passage is encouraging. Rather, Christians are to be encouraged by the saints who have run before, whilst keeping their eyes on Jesus, who is the origin and destination of their faith.

What is so enriching about the Traditional view is that there are now so many more in the stadium, cheering us on, as we not only have the Old and New Testament Saints to inspire us, but a plethora more, who over the past 2000 years, having demonstrated how best to run the race of faith, have since joined the heavenly cheer squad.

This is why I have taken the time to offer a sketch of the lives of each of our House Saints over this past term, that their inspirational examples may spur us on to greater heights.

Have a great break!

Blessings,

Reverend Lyndon.
Chaplain

Lindisfarne Business Network Breakfast: "The Cost of Doing Business"

Last Friday morning, the school proudly hosted our final Lindisfarne Business Network Breakfast for 2025. Held in the stunning new Senior Centre, this was the first time this event has been held onsite.

Attended by members of the Lindisfarne Business Network, school partners, staff, and Year 10 and 12 Business and Commerce students, the event focused on a timely and engaging theme: "The Cost of Doing Business."

We were honoured to welcome three insightful guest speakers:

Aymon Gow, General Manager of Tropical Fruit World; Jane Laverty, Regional Director of Business NSW and Dean Gould, Marketing and Communications Consultant.

BOOKING LINK

Date: Tuesday, 4 November | 12.00pm - 4.30pm.

Venue: Farm & Co. Cudgen - Bus transport available.

Tickets $99 - includes cocktail-style lunch and drink on arrival.

Races on the screens and sweeps and raffles available.

Enjoy a social day of friend-raising with the P&F!

Click HERE to register 

This year our theme for Wellbeing Week is “Take Notice, Pay Attention”. Our school community will be encouraged to pause, reflect, and enjoy the small everyday moments that help us feel connected and cared for.

Throughout the week, students will be taking part in activities that encourage gratitude, kindness, and awareness. We are very much looking forward to sharing this time together.

As a part of this week there are many activities that will give us an opportunity as a school community to connect. Please pop these dates in your calendars:

• Parent Education Seminar with Dr Kaylene Henderson (Online) - Wednesday, 22 October (7pm) Practical Parenting Tips to Build Confidence and Resilience (Years P–4)
  
  

• Grandparents Day – Friday, 24 October
  
  

• Junior School Colour Run – Friday, 24 October
  
  

We hope to see many of you at these events. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ddowker@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au.

Have a wonderful break and time with your family.

Warm regards,


Dana Dowker
Dean of Students – Junior School

Our Tuesday morning Market was a wonderful success, raising over $1,000 to support the care and protection of our native wildlife.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed through donations, purchases, and support on the day—your generosity truly makes a difference.

We’ll keep you updated on how the funds will be used, as well as details for our Term 4 Market. Donations and helping hands are always welcome, and every contribution is deeply appreciated.

With gratitude,

Jo Hetherington and Kathryn Leary
Market Coordinators

On Wednesday, our school was buzzing with excitement as Year 3 hosted their History Expo! Students proudly showcased weeks of research and preparation, sharing their knowledge and understanding of celebrations and commemorations from around the world. It was wonderful to see them explaining their chosen topics with such confidence - from Chinese New Year, Diwali, and the gorgeous Cherry Blossom festival in Japan, to Hanukkah, St Patrick’s Day, and many, many more. Our undercover space was alive with colour, energy and curiosity as families, students and teachers explored each booth.

Our Year 3 learners impressed everyone with their teamwork, creativity and enthusiasm. Thoughtful questions were asked, conversations were sparked and it was clear just how much effort had gone into preparing their presentations. We are so proud of the way students embraced this challenge and shared their learning with such joy - a fantastic culminating experience that brought their History unit to life!

Jessica Nixon
Teacher

Last Friday, Year 1 had the wonderful opportunity to take part in an engaging Character Builders incursion, and what a day it was! The program brought energy, laughter, and plenty of learning, all while focusing on the importance of teamwork, resilience, and positive peer connections.

Throughout the day, students were immersed in authentic, hands-on experiences that promoted collaboration, communication, and social skills, tools that will serve them well as lifelong learners. It was heartwarming to watch the children take the time to “big up” their teammates, offering genuine encouragement and celebrating each other’s successes. Their smiles and uplifting words were as inspiring as the activities themselves.

The excitement reached new heights with the invention of imaginative and spirited team war cries. Our Red, Blue, and Green teams proudly chanted their slogans, filling the playground with laughter, colour, and camaraderie. These moments of creativity highlighted not only their growing confidence but also their ability to work together towards a shared goal.

Perhaps the most memorable event of the day was the obstacle course, where students demonstrated tenacity, persistence, and teamwork. Whether running, crawling, or hoola-hooping, every child pushed themselves to succeed, cheered on by their teammates every step of the way.

The Character Builders incursion was more than just a fun day; it was an empowering experience that helped Year 1 students build resilience, strengthen friendships, and develop skills and strategies to work effectively in teams. We are so proud of the way they embraced the day.

Charlie Coe
Teacher

Year 7 Leadership Day

On Thursday, 25 September, our Year 7 students gathered at Ngahriyah for a day of activities designed to strengthen leadership skills and build confidence.

The program began with presentations on Leadership at Lindisfarne, encouraging students to reflect on the everyday actions that shape their influence and legacy. Through a series of workshops and team challenges, students explored communication, collaboration and problem-solving in a practical, hands-on setting.

Reflection sessions invited students to identify their own leadership strengths and recognise peers who demonstrated positive influence throughout the day.

This experience now leads into Year 7 leadership opportunities, where students can nominate for Middle School Captain and Vice-Captain roles, as well as House Captain positions. Nominations will open early in Term 4, preparing the way for the 2026 leadership team.

Wrapping Up Term 3

As Term 3 draws to a close, it has been a term full of learning, growth and achievement across the Middle School. Students have applied themselves in the classroom, on the sports field and in creative endeavours, and their effort and commitment have been impressive.

The upcoming two-week holiday break offers everyone a well-earned opportunity to rest and recharge before the start of Term 4.

• Daylight Saving Reminder
  Daylight saving begins in New South Wales at 2.00 am on Sunday, 5 October, when clocks move forward one hour.

• As Queensland does not observe daylight saving, families travelling between states should plan accordingly.

Looking Ahead to Term 4

• Monday 13 October – Student-Free Day (staff professional learning)
  
  

• Tuesday 14 October – Classes resume on NSW daylight saving time
  
  

Ad Astra Parent Information Evening

A reminder that this event will be online on Tuesday, 14 October (Term 4, Week 1) at 6:00pm (NSW time). If you are interested in finding out more about this, please join the session here: link

We wish all families a safe, restful holiday and look forward to welcoming everyone back for an exciting Term 4.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

The Bake Sale, run by Class 7H on Thursday, 18th September, was a lively affair that attracted students and staff from across the school community. Carefully planned over several weeks as part of the Discover Ed program, the event showcased the hard work, teamwork, and creativity of the class. With the goal of raising funds for Fred’s Place, a local charity, the students managed to turn their efforts into a remarkable success.

In the lead-up, 7H put together a strong advertising and marketing campaign. Posters were placed around the school to catch the eye of potential customers, while a student-designed website provided updates and information about the event. These strategies ensured the bake sale was very well attended, with excitement building long before the doors opened.

On the day, tables overflowed with cakes, biscuits, slices, and other sweet treats. A particular highlight was the ice cream spiders, which proved to be a big hit with the crowd. Their popularity quickly highlighted an important real-world lesson: supply and demand. Through this, students learned first-hand how quickly high-demand products can sell out and how careful planning is needed when running even a small business venture.

The atmosphere throughout the day was warm and inviting, with the 7H students enthusiastically serving their customers and engaging with the community. Demand was so strong that every product sold out, and many people commented on the quality of both the food and the organisation.

By the end of the event, the students had raised over $600 for Fred’s Place. This fantastic result reflected the generosity of the school community and the determination of the class. More than just a fundraiser, the bake sale was a valuable Discover Ed learning experience in enterprise, teamwork, and community spirit. Without doubt, it was a huge success.

Michael Hall
Teacher

This week we celebrated our Millionaire Readers as part of the Stage 3 Accelerated Reader program. Each of these students has read at least one million words this term which is a massive achievement.

To mark the occasion, the students were treated to a delicious morning tea in the library and recognised during assembly for their outstanding commitment to reading.

Congratulations to all of our Millionaire Readers and to those who are continuing to aim high. Keep reading and reaching for your next goal.

Bronte Ryan
Stage 3 Teacher

Service Learning is an important part of the Year 10 program. Throughout the year, groups have visited Fred’s Place in Tweed Heads. As well as assisting at the centre, we often hear from organisations serving our community. This week, students were fortunate to learn from Community Corrections. We gained insight into their work in justice, including the increased use of ankle monitors and what community corrections orders might entail. In particular, we learnt about the efforts being made to to minimise repeat offending along with what a regular day working in this field might look like. We are thankful for the ongoing support of Darren at Fred’s Place as our students continue to learn a range of perspectives about the world in which they live and the positive contributions they can make.

Mr Nathan Alterator
Service Learning Teacher

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming three Taiwanese students - Ryan, Ryder, and Amber - to our Sunshine Avenue and Mahers Lane campuses. During their short-term stay, they experienced the richness of school life in Australia, engaging in academic, artistic, sporting, and cultural opportunities while also exploring the beauty of our local region.

Each student embraced the Lindisfarne spirit, thriving in our supportive environment, making new friends, and sharing their own culture along the way. Their time with us not only strengthened their fondness for our school but also showcased the value of cross-cultural connections.

A heartfelt thank you to our staff and students for warmly welcoming the Chang family and ensuring their time at Lindisfarne was such a memorable and inclusive experience.

Rebecca Wilson
International Student Coordinator

Class 2025

This week, Year 12 completed their formal lessons and commenced a study break.

During the term break, there will be study sessions available at Mahers Lane; the schedule can be viewed here.

We wish Year 12 all the best for their HSC written examinations, which commence on Thursday, 16 October.

ICAS Results

Certificates are due to arrive at school, and these will be presented to students early next term.

If you cannot wait for the certificates, you can access the results via the portal.

If your child completed ICAS last year at Lindisfarne, their TAP-ID and pin will be on the back of their certificates, and you can use these to log in to the results portal via this link.

If your child has not sat ICAS before at Lindisfarne, or you cannot find the certificates from last year, you can request a TAP-ID and pin via this link.

Reports

Interim Reports for students in Years 5-10 and Year 12 Final reports are now available via SEQTA - Engage.

Please take some time to review your child’s report and contact your child's teacher if you have any concerns.

Term 4

Just a reminder that Term 4 commences on Tuesday, 14 October and is a week B.

There will be some minor timetable changes for students at Mahers Lane, so please ensure your child refreshes their SEQTA Learn site on Monday, 13 October.

Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies

Wishing everyone a cracking break, especially in this wonderful warmer weather.

We have had special presentation evenings for Rugby, Netball and Basketball over the last fortnight. Likewise, our Lindisfarne Tennis Championships also took place this Monday evening.

There is no stopping sport over the holidays. The NSW All Schools Secondary Athletics is over the next four days at SOPAC, and we have 5 teams competing at the Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships - from Tuesday, 7 October through to 12 October.

Rowing QLD School State Championships

Regatta Report

A huge congratulations to all of our rowers, parents, and staff who made the trip to the QLD School State Championships over the weekend. I received so much positive feedback about the development of our program, and it was fantastic to see Lindisfarne Rowing represented so strongly on the water.

Championship Highlight

The standout performance of the weekend came from Ayla Drury, who secured two silver medals in the Year 10 and Year 11 single scull finals. Ayla progressed through heats and semi-finals in both age groups before claiming 2nd place in each final, an incredible achievement against some of the state’s strongest competition, including current national champions.

Results Summary

In the Year 11 double, Annabelle O’Grady and Olivia Dunphy placed 8th in their heat, finishing with a determined final push. The Year 10 doubles produced some excellent racing, with Ayla Drury and Zara Wyatt reaching the final and finishing 5th, Ashlee MacKinder and Maeve Swanson rowing strongly through to the semi-final but narrowly missing the final, and Olivia Dunphy and Ivy Frost handling tough conditions well in their heat. In the singles, Ayla Drury was outstanding, securing silver medals in both the Year 10 and Year 11 events. Zara Wyatt raced well to progress through her heat into the semi-final in the Year 10 single, just missing the final, while Maeve Swanson delivered an excellent performance to make the Year 10 final – a huge achievement. Ashlee MacKinder (Year 9) also impressed, progressing through her heat and narrowly missing a place in the final. Both the Year 10 and Year 11 quads progressed to their finals, with special thanks to Willow Veldhoven, who did an outstanding job coxing all quad races.

These results highlight the depth, development, and determination within our program. From Ayla’s double silver medals to the strong team performances across all boats, the Championships were a milestone moment for Lindisfarne Rowing. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the Term 4 regattas.

To read more, please click expand article

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RECENT GAMES

QLD ALL SCHOOLS 7s

Our boys and girls U18, U16 and U14 7s squads travelled up to play in the QLD All Schools 7s tournament on Friday and Saturday of last week. The All Schools 7s is Queensland's largest schoolboy and schoolgirl rugby 7s competition and is a state-wide competition for all schools in Queensland.

To read more, please click expand article

Congratulations to our outstanding Music students who have been selected to represent Lindisfarne at the Australian and State Honours Ensemble Programs (AHEP & SHEP QLD) during the School Holidays this October at the Queensland Conservatorium.

• Mitsuki Burgener (Violin) – AHEP String Orchestra
  
  

• Clementine Ball (Soprano) – SHEP Betty Beath Vocal Ensemble
  
  

• Bethani Broad (Alto) – SHEP Malcolm Williamson Vocal Ensemble
  
  

• Nika Feldshtein (Violin) – SHEP Alfred Hill String Orchestra
  
  

These programs bring together the finest young musicians from across the state and nation, and we are proud of their achievements. We wish them every success as they represent our school, and we look forward to the students bringing their new skills and experiences back to enrich our own music community.

Mr Norton
Teacher

The Library will be open from 8.00am until 3.00 pm each day with the exception of the 6th October (public holiday). The benefits of studying @ your Library include an enhanced focus by minimising distractions, a calm environment necessary for sustained learning and a more positive learning mindset which results in deeper processing of information. Come on in!

Gail Dessmann
Library Manager

This week’s episode features highlights from Bullying No Way Week, including powerful moments from our campus-wide awareness campaign. We also explore the growing popularity of skateboarding as a school sport and what it means for students keen to try something different.

In leadership news, we introduce the 2026 School Captains and reflect on the incredible efforts of the 2025 leadership team as they officially hand over their roles.

We also mark a significant moment in the LTV journey as we farewell one of our original and most influential members, Olivia Danesi. From LTV’s humble beginnings, Olivia has been a driving force behind its growth, serving as a passionate Content Director and an inspiring mentor to younger students. Her creativity, consistency, and work ethic have shaped the culture of our team and left a lasting impression on our school community.

Many of you will know Olivia from her countless hours both in front of and behind the camera. Her leadership and legacy will no doubt continue to influence the next generation of LTV storytellers.

Ryan Murphy
Lindisfarne TV Coordinator