2025 Term 3 Week 3 8 Aug 2025

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

It’s been a dynamic and inspiring week at Lindisfarne as we continue to embrace the many opportunities that Term 3 presents.

A particular highlight has been seeing our senior students engaging in their Trial HSC Examinations in our long awaited Senior Centre. This purpose-built space was designed to support our students in reaching their potential, and it’s wonderful to see it already making a meaningful difference during this important time. The exams continue into next week, and I commend our students for their focus, resilience, and commitment.

On Tuesday afternoon, our staff gathered for a Strategic Planning workshop with Sophie Renton from McCrindle, helping us shape our long-term vision as we work towards our Lindisfarne 2032 strategy. It was a rich and energising session, reaffirming our shared commitment to student-centred learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.

This week, we also welcomed visitors from Aoyama Gakuin School in Japan and Take Off group Japan. It’s always a privilege to share our campus and culture with international guests and foster the global connections that enrich our school community.

Next Friday, 15 August, we look forward to hosting the inaugural Lindisfarne Sports Lunch at Twin Towns. With an incredible lineup of sporting greats including Erin Phillips, Shane Webcke, Bonnie Hancock, and Luke Hodge, this promises to be a fantastic afternoon of inspiration, connection, and celebration. Tickets can be booked via TryBooking, and businesses can request an invoice by contacting community@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au. I do hope to see many of you there.

As we prepare our Student Handbook for the 2026 school year, we are seeking feedback from families on our current uniform and appearance expectations. Thank you to the many families who have already completed the survey. Your insights are invaluable as we ensure our standards reflect our Anglican ethos, school values, and expectations of our School Community. We recognise the strong partnership between school and home in shaping our culture, and I invite you to complete our short survey here, open until this evening Friday, 8 August 2025.

On Thursday morning I had the opportunity to join our Kindergarten students, their teachers and support staff, and a large gathering of parents to celebrate the 100 days of Kindergarten milestone. This is always a highlight of the year and a time of great joy.

This week I attended the Anglican Schools Australia Conference in Brisbane, a valuable space for dialogue, reflection and collaboration among Anglican school leaders nationwide.

And tonight, we are proud to be represented as finalists at both the Australian Educator Awards in Sydney and the Tweed Business Excellence Awards. A special highlight will be the performance from our Senior School Stage Band at the Tweed Business Excellence Awards, a wonderful showcase of the talent we nurture at Lindisfarne.

Finally, I’m very much looking forward to Friday and Saturday night’s “Shakespeare Under the Stars” production. This event is a much-loved Lindisfarne tradition, and I encourage you to come along for an evening of beautiful theatre. Please note that the venue has changed to the Chapel as a result of weather conditions.

Wishing you a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

In my last two articles, we have been exploring the lives of each of the Saints that our Sports Houses are named after. So far, we have focused on Saint Cuthbert and Saint Stephen. In this article, we will turn our attention to Saint Andrew.

Saint Andrew, also known as Andrew the Apostle, was a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter.

The New Testament describes Andrew as having been born in Bethsaida by the Sea of Galilee in the early first century. Similar to his brother Peter, Andrew was a fisherman by trade. His name translates to "strong," and he was recognized for his social adeptness.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts Jesus spotting Andrew and Peter fishing along the Sea of Galilee's shore. Jesus then invited them to become his disciples and to "fish for people."

The Gospel of John narrates an episode, which indicates that Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist. Upon seeing Jesus, John the Baptist proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" This prompted Andrew and another disciple to follow Jesus instead.

While the Gospels offer limited further details about Andrew, it is clear that he was among Jesus' more intimate disciples. He identified the boy with the loaves and fishes in John 6:8 and when Philip consulted about Greeks seeking Jesus, he approached Andrew first. Andrew also attended the Last Supper.

According to Christian tradition, Andrew journeyed to share the Good News along the Black Sea's shores and throughout present-day Greece and Turkey. He was martyred by crucifixion on a diagonal cross (called a crux decussate or a saltire) at Patras in Achaea, Greece.

He requested this because he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ had been crucified. While on the cross, Andrew continued to preach the gospel of Christ right up to his death two days later.

Initially, Andrew's remains were preserved in Patras. Some accounts say Saint Regulus, a monk from Patras, had a vision instructing him to conceal some of Andrew's bones. Soon after, around 357, Emperor Constantius II ordered many of Andrew's relics to be transferred to Constantinople.

Saint Regulus purportedly received another vision directing him to take the relics "to the ends of the earth" and build a shrine where he shipwrecked, supposedly on the coast of Fife, Scotland.

Consequently, his saltire cross appears on Scotland's flag. Saint Andrew is also typically depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard and hair, often bearing a Gospel book or scroll.

He is the patron saint of fishermen and singers and is also the patron of numerous countries and cities, including Scotland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and Patras. His feast day is commemorated on 30 November.

The strong faith of Saint Andrew, who left behind possessions and his livelihood to follow Jesus into ministry, remains an inspiration to all believers.

Blessings,

Reverend Lyndon

The Lindisfarne Business Network is proud to launch the inaugural Lindisfarne Sports Lunch.

BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE VIA THIS LINK

BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE VIA THIS LINK

We were delighted to come together for a joyful celebration of culture at our annual Jarjums Day! “Jarjums” means children in the Bundjalung language, and this special day—held each August—honours the strength, culture, and connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across our community.

This year’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme, “Little Footsteps, Big Future,” reminded us of the unique journey each child takes as they grow—always grounded in culture, guided by community, and walking gently on Country.

Children from all Preschool classes joined together outside to engage in a range of rich cultural experiences:

• Weaving with natural fibres

• Natural clay work and ochre painting with Mrs Gypsy

• Creating a collaborative footprint banner in the colours of the Aboriginal flag

• Dancing to First Nations music

• Riding in the Gundal canoe and dressing in bright floral shirts

• Making animal tracks in the sand and experimenting with sand art

• Sharing lemon myrtle tea with friends

We gathered to share a seasonal story, marking the arrival of Yarrgehmbu –Windy Season. The children noticed recent changes in the weather and enjoyed learning about nature’s indicators in the changing of season, including the beginning of Binging (turtle) and Booniny (echidna) season. We also discovered that the call of the black cockatoo by the coast can be a sign that rain is in the mountains.

A warm thank you to the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Tweed Regional Museum for sharing the seasonal calendar knowledge with us, and Mrs Gypsy for supporting us to deliver culturally responsive experiences.

It was a beautiful day filled with connection, creativity, and celebration—one that honoured the past, embraced the present, and looked forward to a future led by strong, proud Jarjums.

Mrs Michelle Donohue
Preschool Joeys and Bush Preschool Teacher

See Gallery below for photos 

Welcome Home Year 6

We welcomed Year 6 home on Thursday evening, back from their Canberra trip. This is a fantastic trip that has a rich blend of learning and adventure, with visits to Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, and more.

The students engaged deeply with the Civics and Citizenship curriculum while developing their independence, resilience, and strong connections with their peers. A huge thank you to Year 6 Coordinator, Kristina Diaz, for her thorough organisation and care, to Andrew Hayes, Assistant Head of Middle School, for his leadership and to all of the staff who supported the trip, and well done to our students for representing Lindisfarne with such positivity and respect throughout the week. I’m sure they are all enjoying Camp Recovery Day!

We look forward to hearing more about the trip over the coming weeks and in Assembly.

Year 5 Camp - Information Session

A Parent Information Session for Year 5 Camp will be held on Wednesday, 13 August at 6.00pm, online using this link.

Please confirm your attendance via this link.

The presentation will be available to parents and carers upon request.

Bullying No Way! National Week of Action

Next week is Bullying. No Way! Week reminds us of the importance of creating and maintaining safe, respectful learning environments for all students. While the national campaign highlights this issue once a year, our work in Middle School to build a culture of kindness, responsibility and courage is ongoing.

Adolescence is a time of discovery, of identity, values, and relationships. It’s also a time when young people need clear guidance, strong boundaries, and safe spaces to grow. Bullying, in any form, undermines this. Whether it’s subtle exclusion, repeated teasing, or harmful behaviour online, bullying has no place at Lindisfarne.

Throughout next week, Middle School students will take part in a range of age-appropriate activities that focus on the power of inclusion, the importance of standing up (safely) for others, and how to seek help when something doesn’t feel right. These are the conversations that shape strong character and remind students that their words and actions carry weight.

Importantly, we also continue to reinforce the message that speaking up, whether for themselves or someone else, is a sign of strength, not weakness. Students can always speak with a trusted adult at school or use the Stymie platform to report concerns anonymously.

Creating a safe and supportive Middle School is not just the work of staff; it belongs to every student, parent and teacher. Together, through consistent expectations and a shared commitment to kindness and respect, we can continue to build the culture our young people deserve.

Friday – A Splash of Purple
To celebrate the positive steps our students have taken and show our united stand against bullying, students are invited to wear a splash of purple on Friday. This could be purple socks, an accessory, or a ribbon. We encourage students to show their support proudly. Please note this is not a mufti day.

Let Kids Be Kids for Longer -Wait Mate Presentation

A group of local parents from the Northern Rivers region has extended an invitation to the broader school community to attend an upcoming presentation on digital wellbeing and the benefits of delaying smartphone use for children.

Wait Mate is a not-for-profit movement that encourages families to "hit pause" on smartphones and allow kids to enjoy the freedom of childhood a little longer. The evening will explore practical ways to support children in today’s digital world and promote healthy habits around device use.

All are welcome to attend this free community event.

Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Venue: St James Church, 120 Marine Parade, Kingscliff NSW 2487

Representing Lindisfarne with Pride

As we enter a busy period of excursions, sporting events, and representative opportunities, we remind all families of the importance of students presenting themselves in accordance with the School’s uniform expectations, especially when representing Lindisfarne in the wider community.

Students are expected to wear full sports uniform when travelling to and from events unless otherwise advised by staff. This includes appropriate footwear (sports shoes only - not slides, Ugg boots, or casual sandals) and the removal of any non-uniform jewellery. These standards reflect our shared commitment to excellence and school pride.

We appreciate your support in helping your child leave home dressed appropriately for the day ahead, especially on mornings when teams are departing early. Our students are excellent ambassadors, and it’s important that we maintain high expectations around presentation as they represent Lindisfarne.

Click HERE to register

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

Year 5 had an amazing experience with the visiting Japanese students from our 'Friend school, Aoyama Gakuin Junior HS. The students organised three activities to share a small aspect of their Japanese culture, which Year 5 loved! The 3 activities were: Origami, Kenama/Games and Calligraphy. Thank you to Ms Mulley and Ms McCreery for organising these engaging experiences.

Paula Drew
Year 5 Coordinator

Year Seven has had a busy start to Term Three, coming back refreshed and ready to tackle semester two of this year. There have been some swaps with the new term into different technology/art streams and new sport options. It has been exciting to hear from our students who are enjoying art or starting to learn a different language from what they did in semester one. We have also been very proud of all of our students who have stepped up to be buddies for new students, and our international exchange students from Japan.

In pastoral care, we have engaged in lessons about kindness, and are encouraging our year 7 students to recognise the small acts of kindness others do for them. This includes looking into the scientific and known benefits of kindness and tools they can use to support their well-being. We will continue this by asking each student to engage in the kindness challenge and spread the importance of being kind.

Japanese Exchange Students:

In the first few weeks of term, many of our students have had the chance to step up and be a buddy for a variety of students from Japan. We had more volunteers than students, but we are looking forward to a chance for those who were not able to participate this time to get a buddy in the future. We have seen these students blossom as young leaders, as they introduced our school, took the students to lessons and welcomed them into their friendship groups. The Japanese students were also able to attend language lessons for Year 7 and run a variety of engaging activities, encouraging them to learn more deeply about their language and culture.

Two of our Year 7 students have spoken about their engagement with the program below:

It has been so amazing to meet all of the exchange students from Japan. It has been such an honour to meet and guide them at Lindisfarne, they have taught us so much about their culture and how two countries can be so different; however, we can still find things in common. During their visit, they experienced a tour of the school campus and class immersions with their buddies, alongside many excursion opportunities to learn about our local area. Overall, we have learnt so much from this experience and would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about joining the program in the future.

- Oscar and Alexander

Catherine Johnson-Dyson
Year 7 Coordinator

Something I speak about often with our Senior School students is the idea that through challenge comes growth. This has never been more evident than in the range of experiences our students have engaged with this week.

I had the privilege of sitting on the audition panel for the lead roles in our 2026 musical production of Beauty and the Beast. It was inspiring to see so many students step forward and audition, a process that, for many, was both challenging and nerve-wracking. I couldn’t be prouder of their courage and willingness to give it a go.

A number of students will now be invited to attend callbacks, which is a genuine accomplishment. Naturally, with only a limited number of roles available, there will be some disappointment as final decisions are made. To those students, I encourage you to take the experience in your stride and see it as part of the growth journey. There will be many valuable and rewarding ways to be involved in the production, whether through the ensemble, backstage crew, pit orchestra, or other creative and technical roles. Every contribution helps bring the show to life.

Our Year 12 students have also faced a significant challenge this week as they’ve undertaken their HSC Trial Examinations. These assessments mark an important stage in their academic journey and require resilience, focus, and a calm mind under pressure. Our students have approached the week with determination, and we are confident this experience will serve them well as they move toward their final HSC exams later this term.

Meanwhile, our Year 11 students have been focused on the future, submitting their applications for leadership roles in 2026. For many, this required stepping out of their comfort zones, articulating their values, aspirations, and ideas for how they might serve their peers. It is a vulnerable process and one that takes real self-awareness and conviction. I commend every student who had the courage to put themselves forward.

In the creative space, I am thrilled to celebrate the Senior School production of Romeo and Juliet, which opens tonight and concludes with a final performance on Saturday evening. This exciting new initiative adds another performance opportunity to our Senior School calendar and showcases the incredible talent and dedication of our students and staff. Sincere thanks to Ms Katy Otto for her outstanding leadership and direction of this project, and best wishes to the cast and crew for a fantastic run.

Finally, we wish our Year 9 students well as they prepare for The Abyss, their solo camping experience as part of The Rite Journey program. This is a significant milestone, and while it will undoubtedly be challenging for many, it also promises to be a powerful time for personal growth, reflection, and resilience.

Whether it is on stage, in exams, through leadership, or in a tent, challenge has certainly been a theme this week, and with it, the kind of growth that helps shape character and confidence.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

HSC Written Trials continue next week.

HSC Trial Timetable can be viewed here.

Next week also marks the start of the hand-in of Major Works.

Industrial Technology Projects in Timber are due for NESA hand-in next Thursday, 14 August by 3:00pm

ICAS 2025

Next week the 2025 ICAS competition in English will take place on Monday, 11 August.

If you have entered your child into ICAS this year please make sure they are aware when these tests are, students at Mahers Lane will need to ensure that they have headphones and charged devices.

Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies

It is incredibly heartening to watch our three Duke of Edinburgh groups in action - 2025 is the first time we have had Bronze, Silver and Gold running concurrently. Students are reminded about the importance of logging hours on a weekly basis on the Online Record Book or app. There have been some fantastic reports from Assessors about the excellent work being done by our young people as part of their community service and the difference they have been making. Here is an update for each level of the Award:

Bronze

Bronze have now completed their Practice Expedition and are working hard to complete their Service, Skill and Physical Recreation hours - 13/13/26 - depending on major. Their Qualifying expedition is scheduled for the Gold Coast Hinterland on November 24-25.

Silver

Fresh from their Practice Adventurous Journey on the Rail Trail, our Silver group have been reflecting on their journey and beginning preparations for their Qualifying expedition to the Snowy Mountains on November 12-15. The students will be visiting some of the stunning alpine huts, summiting Mount Kosciuszko and building their outdoor and teamwork skills. Concurrently, they are working hard to complete their Service, Skill and Physical Recreation components.

Gold

Preparations for the Gold Adventurous Journey to Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania at the end of Term 3 are in full swing. Tasked with 12 mandatory training modules, our students immersed themselves in all things outdoors for a full day of training. As well as selecting healthy and nutritious meals, students spent time completing first aid scenarios, route planning, map reading, setting up a campsite, learning how to correctly ‘pack a pack’ and understanding the intricacies of an Adventurous Journey. Similar to Bronze and Gold, they are also

Staff

Our fantastic Duke of Edinburgh staff are passionate about providing exciting and safe programs for all participants. With this in mind, Bronze, Silver and Gold leaders recently completed a Remote Area First Aid course at the school’s Boat Shed. As well as running through scenarios likely to be encountered in the field, staff were able to spend time discussing aspects of trips such as risk management and trip logistics.

If your son or daughter is in Year 9 or above in 2026, they are eligible to sign up for any level of the Award. Please speak to any of the friendly Duke of Edinburgh staff for more information.

Nathan Alterator
Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator

This week, our year 10 student organisers engaged in another exciting lunchtime debate. The topic they prepared for was “The Australian Voting Age should be Lowered to 16”. With only 20 minutes to prepare, students were delivering authentic and thought-provoking points that reflected their deep understanding of the social and political climate of Australia and the wider world.

We are still encouraging any and all students to join us for some friendly competition on Wednesday lunchtimes in B5. Our topics will change bi-weekly and will cater to the stage of students getting involved. Our student organisers are excited to deliver mini masterclasses for the younger students to get them involved and engaged with the process of formal debating. We are looking forward to stage 3 arriving back to school next week for students to deliver their prepared debates.

Happy debating!

Aliah Whitesides 
Teacher

We started Week 3 with the final Border Schools Gala of the year, with Tennis, Volleyball and Touch Football action up and down the coast.

We are hosting/running the NCIS Athletics carnival next week. The one-stop doc for ALL things NCIS Athletics is - HERE. We wish our mighty team all the best as they meet and greet other schools at Kingscliff.

Week 4 Events:

Starting Friday and during the weekend: Volleyball QLD Senior Schools Cup, Netball QLD Primary Schools Gala Day, NCIS Athletics, Netball - NSW Schools Cup Primary.

Touch Football- South Queensland Primary All Schools

On Tuesday, 5 August, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School proudly sent four talented touch football teams to represent us at the 2025 South Queensland All Schools Touch Football Competition. Competing against schools from across the region, our Years 3&4 Boys, Years 3&4 Girls, Year 5 Boys, and Year 5 Girls showcased outstanding teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the day.

All teams played with heart and hustle, proudly wearing the Lindisfarne colours and giving their all in each match. The level of competition was fierce, but our students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and skill.

A special congratulations must go to our Years 3&4 Girls team, who had an exceptional day on the field. After a tightly contested Semi-Final, the girls advanced to the Grand Final, where they fought courageously in a nail-biting match. In a game that came down to the final moments, they were narrowly defeated by just one try on the hooter, earning them an impressive runner-up finish.

We are incredibly proud of all our young touch footballers for their effort, behaviour, and sportsmanship throughout the day. Their commitment to their teams and support for one another was truly inspiring.

A huge thank you goes to Mr Croft, Mr Brown & Miss Ryan for their coaching expertise throughout the day. Another big thank you to all supporting staff & parents who made the day such a success.

We look forward to watching these young players continue to grow and shine in the next few competitions.

Coaches awards:

Years 3&4 Boys: William Manwarring

Years 3&4 Girls: Harper Kelly

Year 5 Boys: Jayden Linnemann

Year 5 Girls: Layla Buchanan

To read more Sport News please click expand article

After the Siren – Griffith Uni Excursion Recap

Last week, our Sports Academy students took part in the After the Siren event at Griffith University – and what a day it was! The experience gave students a real look into what life can look like after school as an athlete, with plenty of inspiring messages and practical advice throughout the day.

Here’s a quick look at what the day included:

• Chasing the Dream: What I’d Tell My 18-Year-Old Self – Former AFL player Tom Fields shared his journey and what he wishes he knew at the start of his sporting career.

• The Social Side of Sport – Dr. Susan Grantham spoke about the smart (and not-so-smart) ways athletes can use social media. A lot of our students related to this one.

• Athlete Panel Q&A – A definite highlight! Students heard from current athletes like Zeke Uwland (AFL), Phoebe Bentley (Swimming), and Jayda Lofipo (NRLW), who shared honest insights into balancing sport, study, and life.

• Fuel to Perform and Recovery Tips – Performance coach Dan Favier gave great advice on eating well, recovering properly, and training at your best.

• Mindset and Skill Development – Other sessions focused on mental strength and how to train smarter, not just harder.

Lunch was a hit too, with students enjoying GYG’s to refuel halfway through the day.

All up, After the Siren was a great initiative that gave our student-athletes a valuable insight into life after school, not just as athletes, but as young adults finding their path. Huge thanks to Griffith University and all the presenters for making it such a worthwhile experience.

Brad Lawton
Strength & Conditioning Coach

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RECENT GAMES

QLD RUGBY LOGAN 7s

Last Wednesday (girls) and Thursday (boys), our 7s squads travelled to Bill Norris Oval in Beenleigh to compete in the QLD Rugby Logan 7s Tournament. This was a great series of days for the boys and girls getting to play some high-level schoolboy and girl rugby 7s. We also want to say a big thank you to all parents who made the trip up to support our teams.

To read more of this article, please click expand article

The stage came alive with the talent, energy, and dedication of our students from Year 3 to Year 12 at the 2025 Dance Showcase. Families, staff, and friends gathered to witness a spectacular evening of movement and expression, celebrating the work of our dancers across all stages of their schooling.

The program featured a diverse range of performances, including classwork pieces, student-choreographed compositions, HSC major works, and items from our Dance Performance Teams. Each piece reflected hours of rehearsal, courage, and collaboration, showcasing not only technical skill but the creative voice of our young performers.

Amber Phillips
Dance Coordinator

Please see the gallery below for photos of the dancers.