2025 Term 3 Week 4 15 Aug 2025

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

It’s been another vibrant and eventful week at Lindisfarne, rich with learning, performance, sport, and connection.

Last weekend, our Chapel was transformed for our annual Shakespeare Under the Stars production, featuring a powerful performance of Romeo and Juliet directed by our very own Katy Otto. The talent, emotion, and dedication displayed by our students was truly outstanding. Thank you to all who attended and supported this much-loved event on our school calendar.

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of cheering on our Lindisfarne teams at the Queensland Schools Volleyball Cup. Our program continues to grow in strength and depth under the leadership of Bec McLeish, and the students represented our school with exceptional commitment and skill.

This week, we bid farewell to our visiting students and staff from Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School Japan. It’s always a joy to host our international friends and strengthen our global connections. We thank them for their presence and hope they return home with fond memories of their time at Lindisfarne.

Earlier this week, I also had the pleasure of attending the Bond University Principal’s Luncheon with Vice-Chancellor Tim Brailsford. It was a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between Lindisfarne and Bond University, and to explore future opportunities that enhance tertiary pathways and partnerships for our students.

Our Science Department brought National Science Week to life with a series of engaging events and learning experiences. I particularly enjoyed the Science Fair on Wednesday afternoon and was delighted to see Olivia Sweetnam, Class of 2021, as guest speaker return to share her journey and research in ElectroChemistry. Thank you to Jo Mendoza and the entire Science team for their energy and inspiration and to our senior school science students for their inspirational presentations at our Middle and Junior Schools.

This week we also reinforced our commitment to student wellbeing through the Bullying. No Way! campaign. Students engaged in conversations and activities that reminded us all of the importance of kindness, respect, and standing up for one another. At our Middle School Assembly on Tuesday we spent considerable time exploring the theme of Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up and the need for individual and collective action and responsibility.

On Wednesday, Lindisfarne was proud to host the NCIS Athletics Carnival. It was a high-energy day filled with school spirit and exceptional competition — and we were thrilled to be named Champion School! Congratulations to all competitors and thank you Damien Clucas and to the staff and volunteers who made the event a great success.

Yesterday and today, we hosted leaders from our sister schools across the Diocese including Principals, School Council Chairs, Chaplains, Early Learning Directors, and Business Managers for a two-day gathering. Schools represented included St Columba Anglican School, Bishop Druitt College, Clarence Valley Anglican School, and Emmanuel Anglican College. These meetings offered a valuable opportunity to share ideas, collaborate, and strengthen our collective impact across the Anglican Schools network.

Our Senior Stage Band lit up Club Tweed with a sensational performance on Thursday evening. The calibre of our student musicians continues to impress, and I thank Amy Camer, Dale Norton and our dedicated Performing Arts team for nurturing this talent and creating these meaningful platforms for our students to showcase their considerable talents.

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who have now completed their Trial HSC Examinations. It has been wonderful to see them utilise our new Senior Centre throughout this important academic milestone. I commend the class of 2025 and our accelerated students for their focus, resilience, and commitment.

Today, we hosted our inaugural Lindisfarne Sportspersons’ Lunch at Twin Towns. With a packed room and a lineup of inspiring guest speakers, the event was a celebration of athletic achievement, leadership and community connection. Thank you to all who supported this exciting new initiative.

Wishing you a restful and refreshing weekend ahead.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Members of the School community,

Knowledge and Wisdom: Holding Life’s Joys and Sorrows Together

Knowledge is knowing; wisdom is doing.

In education, we often focus on the “knowing” part—facts, skills, and information. But the deeper purpose of learning is not just to fill the mind, but to shape the whole person. True education draws out the innate gifts and insights that young people already carry within them, while also teaching them how to live fully in a world where joy and sorrow are intertwined.

The English poet William Blake captured this truth in a few simple, but profound, lines:

Man was made for Joy and Woe

And when this we rightly know

Through the world we safely go

Joy and Woe are woven fine

A clothing for the soul divine

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine.

Blake reminds us that joy and sorrow are not opposites that cancel each other out. Instead, they are woven together into the fabric of our lives. Without challenges, we cannot appreciate triumphs. Without moments of loss, we might never learn to value the people and opportunities we hold dear. Without winter, we may not fully appreciate the colours of spring.

For our students, this is an important lesson. School is not just a place for academic growth—it is a place where resilience, empathy, and hope are learned. There will be times when a test does not go as planned, when a friendship hits a rough patch, or when the future feels uncertain. And yet, often hidden within those moments of challenge are opportunities for joy: a word of encouragement from a friend, a teacher’s belief in our potential, or the quiet satisfaction of persevering through difficulty.

For staff and parents, too, the reminder is timely. In our busy lives, we can be tempted to chase only after moments of happiness, avoiding discomfort at all costs. But life becomes richer when we learn to hold both joy and sorrow in the same hand, recognising that one gives depth and meaning to the other.

At Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, we are committed to fostering not just academic excellence, but the kind of wisdom that equips young people to face life with courage, compassion, and a steady heart. This means helping them see that the hard moments and tough times are not roadblocks, but threads in a larger tapestry—threads that, when woven together, create something strong, beautiful, and uniquely theirs.

As we move through this term, may we all remember Blake’s insight: “Under every grief and pine runs a joy with silken twine.” Let us keep looking for those threads of joy—sometimes small and delicate, but always present—so that we can walk through the world safely, with both knowledge and wisdom guiding our steps.

Thank you all for all your prayers and support during my recent absence to visit and support my sick mother in Nigeria. May the Lord bless and reward you all as only he can.

Let us keep in our prayers and thoughts all those who are battling with cancer and those caring for them.

Let us also pray for our Year 12 students and all Year 12 students around Australia: that they may be well, healthy and resilient during these last few months of their secondary education.

The Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu
Chaplain

The Senior Centre has provided an outstanding space for the Year 12’s to complete their Trial examinations. Normal classes for Year 12 resume next Monday, 18 August.

HSC Examinations - next week

HSC Dance Examination is next Monday, 18 August - good luck to all the HSC students and their dancers who will be performing compositions for our Year 12 Dancers.

HSC Japanese Continuers Oral Examinations are on Tuesday, 19 August. Good luck to all our Japanese Continuer Students.

Major Work hand in - next week

Next week, Textiles and Design Major Works will be handed in on Monday, 18 August and English Extension 2 Major Work is due for submission on Friday, 22 August.

ICAS 2025 - Week 3

Next week, the 2025 ICAS competition in Science will take place on Monday, 18 August.

Spelling Bee on Tuesday, 19 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

Sarah Oakley
Counsellor

Something amazing happened in Kindergarten on Thursday, 7 August. All of our cute little five and six year old boys and girls turned into 100-year-old grannies and grandads! Beryl and Betty, Cecil and Arthur, Chester and Joyce, and so many others arrived to celebrate this milestone day in Kindergarten.

The sun shone brightly through the trees, and in the dappled shade, we made fairy bread using 100s and 1000s, managed to do 100 exercises without breaking a hip and filled in a 100 chart all the way to 100 without our memories failing us! What a day!

Not only did our Kindergarten friends come dressed for the part, but parents and grandparents joined in the fun. It was a wonderful celebration of all that these little humans have achieved in their first 100 days of formal schooling. To think that just 100 days ago, they could barely hold a pencil or count to 5, to now being able to read and write and count to 100. What a phenomenal leap in learning and knowledge they have made. We Kindy teachers are so proud of each and every one of them.

We look forward to what the remaining days of Kindergarten bring for our students.

The Kindergarten Teachers

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Dates for Term 3

Please find below some Term 3 - Junior School key dates to add to your calendar:

• 28 July Total Football Academy (after school Soccer) sessions start

• 19 August NSWTA Primary All Schools Touch Football

• 12 September LAGS 6v6 Football Schools Championship

• 22 September LAGS Tennis Championships

Jump Rope for Heart

We’re skipping through the term!

Jump Rope for Heart is well underway and it’s great to see so many children out in the playground skipping with smiles on their faces.

We have already raised $4,694

And

Skipped for 97 hours as a school

We will be holding a Jump Off Day later in the term so keep on practicing those tricks! All students will get the opportunity to show off the tricks and skills they have learnt during the term.

This year the program is really focussed on the number of Hours that we skip as a community. Don’t forget to register on the Jump Rope for Heart website to track your individual skipping hours. Our goal for the term is to skip for 1000 hours.

Still need to sign up online? It’s easy just follow this link and enter your details at

www.jumprope.org.au/parents

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Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School Students at Sunshine Avenue

Last week, our Sunshine Avenue Campus Junior School warmly welcomed a very special group of visitors all the way from Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School in Japan. It was an unforgettable morning filled with learning, laughter, and connection.

Our Year 4 classes, 4J and 4H, were thrilled to meet our new friends and dive into a wonderful cultural exchange. Together, we explored the beauty of Japanese calligraphy, carefully brushing each character as we learned about the language and its graceful writing style. We folded paper into intricate origami creations, marvelling at how a single square could transform into a crane or flower, paper plane and sailor hat.

The room was filled with concentration, giggles, and the occasional triumphant cheer as we tried our hardest to master the kendama — a traditional Japanese wooden skill toy. It wasn’t easy, but the smiles on everyone’s faces showed that the joy was in the trying (and in the celebrating when we finally got it!).

More than just activities, the day was about people. Smiles, laughter, and easy conversations—sometimes in words, sometimes in gestures—bridged the gap between countries and languages. We discovered that curiosity, kindness, and friendship are truly universal.

It was a day we will treasure, not only for the new skills we learned, but for the connections we made and the warmth that filled our classrooms.

Year 4 Teachers

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Last week, our Junior School students conducted a school clean-up for Keep Australia Beautiful Week. The theme for this years Keep Australia Beautiful Week was ‘picking up the pieces’, so this fit in perfectly with our clean up. It was great to see our students so engaged and excited during our clean-up efforts. Some interesting finds included half of an old wet floor sign and a large sheet of metal. Keep Australia Beautiful Week is organised every year by Keep Australia Beautiful. You can learn more about the work they do here.

Patrick Brabant
School Assistant - Sustainability

This week, our school came together for Bullying. No Way! Week, taking part in activities, discussions, and special events to promote kindness, inclusion, and respect. From Chapel presentations to lunchtime creativity, students had many opportunities to reflect on the importance of standing up for one another.

Youth HEAR (Holocaust Education And Remembrance) visited our school to share powerful, personal stories that encouraged empathy, understanding, and action. Their workshops created a safe space for Years 7 and 8 students to explore how lessons from history can help us reduce hate and build stronger communities today. As Youth HEAR emphasised, by young people, for young people is a powerful way to inspire change.

The Bullying No Way! Homeroom activities encouraged us to build strong connections within our school community. Throughout the week, short classroom activities helped us explore the importance of inclusion, challenging stereotypes, and supporting one another. The message was clear…bullying has no place here.

Throughout the week, Middle School students engaged in meaningful activities to promote kindness and inclusion. Lunchtime events included Power of Positivity Cards, which encouraged students to share uplifting messages with their peers, “Chalking the Path” with positive words, and contributing to a Pay It Forward Wall. On Friday, “A Splash of Purple” saw students wear purple in support of the Bullying. No Way! Message. The week concluded with the “I Will Be Your Ally” photo frame, capturing our school’s united stand against bullying.

This week gave us a chance to reflect on how we treat one another and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Youth HEAR reminded us that understanding the past helps us shape a better future, while Bullying No Way! Lessons and lunch sessions across subschools showed us the power of connection in preventing unkindness. I was very proud of how our Middle School came together this week, showing that when we stand united, bullying has no place here, only kindness, courage, and friendship.

Amber Phillips
Dean of Students - Middle School

On Tuesday, our Year 7 students had the opportunity to view the brainstorm production of the performance ‘Wired’. The play followed the separate journeys of two high school students, who were both struggling in different ways. One of the characters was experiencing a high amount of academic stress, putting pressure on herself to be perfect at all times. The other character was facing bullying both online and off, and was struggling with his motivation in school. The characters discussed their struggles and showed the importance of asking for help and support from those around them.

The actors relied on audience participation to keep the students engaged, and encouraged them to give feedback on different wellbeing strategies they could use. The students gave thoughtful and kind responses, suggesting ways in which each character can reach out for support. At the end of the play, some of the key insights were summarised, and reminders about important places of support, such as headspace, family and school, were given. Year 7 were highly engaged and received compliments on their behaviour and participation from the brainstorm performers at the end of the show.

Catherine Johnson-Dyson
Year 7 Coordinator

Year 6 Canberra Trip commenced with a thrilling 5am start at the Gold Coast Airport. The members of the public were thrilled to find out when 160 students from Year 6 boarded the plane to Sydney. Luckily, it was a short flight. We landed in Canberra and hopped onto our coaches. The bus ride provided many entertaining moments from movies to Embassy tours, and always ended in a dance party. Our mornings kicked off with a loud wake up call from Miss Jacks and Miss Farmer blasting tunes such as California Girls and Cotton Eye Joe through the halls as they line-danced their way to wake us up.

From democracy in the official Parliament House of Australia, all the way to walking through halls full of memories at The Australian War Memorial, Canberra was a trip never to forget! The accommodation was awesome, with some of the best food you will ever eat! There was something for everyone in Canberra, including the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport), stacked with activities consisting of interactive sport games and witnessing athletes in action, to the National Botanical Gardens, full of beautiful scenery and plants. Questacon was a crowd favourite, consisting of burgers and fries for dinner, an earthquake room, the giant drop and a live Tesla coil! (a real Lightning Rod). The Australian War Memorial touched all of our hearts, and the tomb of the unknown soldier was something truly special, showing the true sacrifice the ANZACs made on the coast of Gallipoli during WW1. The nighttime orienteering activity was a thrilling experience as we had to navigate through the activities by torchlight. The Mount Ainslie Lookout was a fantastic way to see all Canberra had to offer.

The Royal Australian Mint, home of coin production in Australia, was so special. A low fee of 3 dollars could let you mint your very own collector coin, whilst watching the robot “Penny” print, baggage and move coins. Cycling around Canberra’s man-made lake, Lake Burley Griffin, was a great chance to explore the scenery and get our heart rate pumping on those cold mornings.

A huge thank you must go to Mrs Diaz for the amazing work she put into organising the camp, as well as her support throughout the whole week. We are truly grateful to have been given this opportunity to explore Canberra and all it has to offer. We must also thank all the teachers for their support on the trip, including Mr Lush, Miss Farmer, Mrs Thompson, Miss Jacks, Mrs McKinley, Mr Davis, Mr Jenkins, Bianca, Mrs Hayes, Miss Burdekin, Miss Warburton, Ruby and Giselle.

Jack Bennetts and Lachie Cornell
Year 6 Students

This week has been one of celebration and reflection in the Senior School. We have marked two important events in the School calendar, Science Week and Bullying No Way Week. Both provide wonderful opportunities for the Senior School community to come together, learn, and reaffirm our shared values.

Our Year 11 students are continuing on their leadership journey, and we are approaching the point where we will show our support for those who have been nominated for the role of School Captain. This is a time for them to demonstrate the qualities and commitment that will see them lead our school into the future.

Meanwhile, our Year 12s have reached a major milestone: the completion of their HSC Trial Examinations. When they return next week, we will take time to celebrate successes and acknowledge the effort they have already put in. At the same time, we will reflect on the areas that still need attention. The push is truly on now, and it is time for our Year 12 students to lock in, stay focused, and give their very best in the weeks ahead.

I often speak about positive interactions, kindness, and standing against bullying. In the Senior School, I believe we are making great progress towards building a culture that is respectful, inclusive, and supportive. However, I remain concerned about a small number of students who, despite significant guidance and support, continue to find it difficult to bring the best versions of themselves to school each day. This raises an important question about their investment in the Lindisfarne way.

In the coming weeks, some of these students will be asked to reflect honestly on the positive contributions they are making to the Senior School, and whether they have the willingness to turn antisocial behaviours around. If there is no genuine desire to change, they may face the difficult reality of exploring alternative schooling options.

Lindisfarne is a community built on respect, kindness, and the pursuit of excellence. We will continue to celebrate those who live these values, and we will always challenge ourselves and each other to rise to the standard we know we are capable of achieving.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

A Night of Self-Discovery

This week, our Year 9 students took part in a significant milestone of The Rite Journey: Abyss Solo Challenge at 100 Tents, Kunghur. The program is built on the idea that self-awareness and self-reflection are crucial skills for the transition from childhood to adulthood. For this challenge, students were asked to step outside their comfort zones, spending 24 hours alone in their tents without any communication with their peers. While teachers were on hand to ensure everyone's safety and well-being, the core of the experience was for each student to simply 'be' with their thoughts.

In an age of constant digital connection, we recognise the value of disconnecting. Stepping away from phones and social media can significantly benefit mental health and well-being, often leading to improved mood and better sleep. We were impressed that most students embraced this aspect of the challenge, arriving with a positive mindset and leaving their phones at home. Thank you to the parents who reinforced these expectations. Your support with the Rite Journey program is always appreciated.

While we anticipated this would be a difficult experience for many, we believe that pushing ourselves builds resilience and character. The students rose to the occasion, embracing the challenge with a positive attitude. Many were surprised by their strength and the valuable insights they gained from the solitude, returning with positive feedback about the experience.

As our Year 9 students progress through The Rite Journey, we hope that the honesty, trust, openness, and resilience they are developing will continue to grow and serve them throughout their time at Lindisfarne and well into the future.

Cathy Myers
Head of House - St Stephen

Driving to School? Don’t Forget This!

To ensure student safety, all Year 11 and 12 parents/guardians are required to complete the Student Driver Authority Form. This grants permission for your child to drive to and from school and provides essential vehicle details for safety and identification. This is a requirement for all student drivers and must be completed before driving to school is permitted.

Please complete the form here: Student Driver Authority

Katie Wilson
Student Administration

This week, our senior students have wholeheartedly embraced the Bullying No Way! initiative. Our Year 11 students have stepped into Middle School classrooms, working closely with our Year 5 and 6 students as part of their Middle School Program. They have shared their own experiences and perspectives on bullying dilemmas, offering younger students another trusted face they can turn to for support.

At Lindisfarne, we proudly remind our community that we are one school with three campuses. Opportunities like this, where students connect across sub-schools, are vital in building understanding, empathy, and a true sense of belonging.

In Senior tutor classes, we have been focusing on groups in our community who too often face relentless and unnecessary bullying. By deepening our understanding, we reduce fear, break down barriers, and remove the impulse to target others. Our senior tutors have been encouraged by the openness and engagement shown by their students throughout these important conversations.

Lunchtimes have been alive with colour, creativity, and kindness, beading workshops, chalk art, and today’s Pay It Forward Day. Students have also been writing heartfelt positive messages for one another, which will be shared in tutor classes next week. The week will conclude with our “ Photo Wall” on Friday, capturing moments of students supporting one another and celebrating kindness in action.

I commend our Year 11 students for their leadership, empathy, and enthusiasm in bringing these initiatives to life. Together, we will continue to nurture a climate of kindness and inclusion, striving to be the kind of school where every student feels valued, respected, and truly welcome every single day.

Julie McDowell
Dean of Students – Senior School

Reminder: Year 12 Post School Pathways Information Evening

All Year 12 students and their families are reminded to attend our upcoming ParentEd Evening - the Year 12 Post-School Pathways Information Evening, on Monday, 18 August at 6:30pm.

This important session will provide clear and practical guidance on the university application process, including:

• Key university application dates and requirements

• Understanding the ATAR and how it is calculated

• Early entry programs and application timelines

• Differences between state-based application systems

• How to interpret university admission requirements

The evening is designed to support both students and parents through what can often be a complex and overwhelming process, ensuring you feel confident and well-informed about the steps ahead.

Date: Monday, 18 August 2025
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Senior School Centre, Mahers Lane

Both students and parents are encouraged to attend.
👉 Click here to register your attendance

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There were some tearful goodbyes earlier in the week as we said farewell to our visitors from our ‘Friend School’, Aoyama Gakuin Junior High School.

We were fortunate to have 15 students and 2 staff visit for a week. The school community welcomed them while they engaged in lessons with our students and also undertook specialist lessons from our staff. A Culturally immersive experience was delivered by Traditional Owner Anthony Cora from Biren Cultural Group. The visiting students engaged in a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome song to invite them onto Bundjalung Country and to have an understanding of our unique and ancient living Australian Culture.

The success of the program is in part owed to the incredible generosity and support from our host families and student buddies. We extend our deepest gratitude as your readiness to open your homes and hearts made a significant impact on the visiting students. The array of activities and excursions organised provided our visiting students with unforgettable adventures and an authentic taste of Australian life.

We also would also like to recognise and thank our volunteer student buddies, whose involvement has been invaluable. Your dedication to building connections and helping the visiting students navigate Australian school life enriched their experience immeasurably.

This visit has not only enriched the lives of the students but also strengthened the ties between our schools with talks of future visits in place.

Jenaya Mulley
Head of Enrolments and International Development

During Week 5, we will be celebrating Book Week, a national initiative run each year by the Children’s Book Council Australia. The highlight of our celebrations will be the annual Costume Parade, which will take place on Friday, 22 August.

This year, the parade will be a whole campus event, meaning that all students from Year 5 through to 12 will have the chance to participate and to watch the parade.

On this day, students are encouraged to dress up as a Book Character of their choosing and bring along a Gold Coin Donation. The donations will go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, who do important work providing culturally relevant books to remote communities all over Australia. Thank you in advance for your support of their work.

Students in Stage 3 will need to bring their sports uniform to change into before they head to their Friday afternoon sports. Classroom teachers will ensure that students are given enough time to get changed before lunch.

All students in Stages 4, 5 and 6 must register their costumes using the Google Form that has been sent to them via email. Registration is just for our logistical planning of the parade- all students are encouraged to dress up! No registration needed for students in Stage 3 (year 5 and 6).

Students are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for other fun Book Week activities that will be happening in their classes and around the school next week.

Ms Emily Brewer
Acting Director of English

On Wednesday, 13 August, 6 year 11 students attended the Annual Great Debate at the Women of Influence conference at the Royal Pines Resort in Benowa with English teachers Katie Wainwright and Aliah Whitesides.

Bright and early, we piled into the minibus, buzzing with excited nerves as we made our way to the venue. On the drive, we predicted what might come up in the debate, which was on the topic: “Women born today are better off than women born 100 years ago.”

Guest presenters from Griffith University and Radfly Gold Coast opened the breakfast with key updates for strides being made for women and girls in the local area regarding education and safety. We were then introduced to the panels of speakers who would be debating the affirmative and negative sides of the debate.

Our students were actively engaged and fascinated with some of the points being made by both sides of the debate. As formal debaters, their minds were sparking with ideas about how they might attack this topic, considering their own modern contexts and contributing factors. Interesting points about the development of identity and autonomy for women were opposed with mention of the contemporary struggles that women face today, regardless of this increase in choice. The bus ride home was alive with discussion about ideas that were mentioned and new ideas that our students brainstormed. Safe to say, this was an enriching experience that exposed our year 11 students to thought-provoking topics of safety, autonomy and identity.

Thank you to Tessa, Grace, Kimiyo, Zoe, Grace, and Tahlia for your enthusiasm and participation in this exciting event. It was incredible to see you all engaging with the women in attendance and being genuinely interested in their lives and careers.

Aliah Whitesides
Acting Coordinator of English

Romeo and Juliet may have lost their stars behind Terranora clouds last week, but the cast shone exquisitely, nonetheless. The show was transferred from our hilltop scaffold set to the Chapel in a matter of hours as the raindrops plummeted. The cast’s spirit was undampened and the story of the Star-crossed lovers and their fateful love unfolded in front of eager audiences seated on picnic blankets, sharing the collective heartbreak.

Please enjoy these photos from our final dress rehearsal up on the hill before the weather interrupted our plans. “The Lindisfarne Players” are to be congratulated on an exceptional journey, transporting Shakespeare’s tragic love story into their context in 2025.

Katy Otto
English Teacher

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This year’s Science Week was a vibrant celebration of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning. The week began with our Year 8 Ad Astra students leading engaging science lessons at the Junior School, followed by lively lunchtime demonstrations featuring bubble stations, cornflour slime walks and dry ice experiments.

Students across all year levels took part in daily challenges, from the Tower Challenge and Anatomy Quiz to a Molecule building competition. The Middle School Assembly highlighted the excitement of STEM with our Year 10 students leading a show of cool science demonstrations and our Agriculture students were treated to an excursion to the Ekka.

A major highlight was Wednesday’s Science Fair, where projects ranged from Rube Goldberg machines and agricultural design challenges to Biology depth studies and physics activities. The event also featured a talk from past student, Olivia Sweetnam who is studying an Advance Science Degree majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry, inspiring students to explore future pathways in science. We also announced the winners of our Science Photography Competition and we will be presenting them with their prizes at the Senior School Assembly next week along with our Year 10 Student Research Projects.

The week wrapped up with a staff morning tea and a Junior School Science Show. We hope you enjoyed all that was on offer and it has gotten you thinking about how you might extend your interests in science beyond the classroom.

Ms Jo Mendoza
Director of Science

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Volleyball Queensland Indoor Schools Cup

From the 8 to 10 of August, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School proudly took part in the 2025 Senior Schools Cup — an annual volleyball competition involving 349 teams from 162 high schools. Held across several venues on the beautiful Gold Coast, the event offered a high-energy atmosphere and competitive spirit for players of all skill levels.

This year, Lindisfarne entered four teams — two boys' and two girls' — with a special twist. While traditionally a senior event, we took the opportunity to extend the experience to some of our talented Year 9 and 10 students. This decision not only gave them valuable exposure to senior-level competition but also served as excellent preparation for the upcoming Australian Schools Cup in December.

Over three action-packed days, our students demonstrated skill, resilience, and impressive teamwork. Competing against older and often more experienced players, our teams held their own and gained a wealth of experience on and off the court.

Our two boys' teams delivered exceptional performances throughout the tournament.

The Year 10 boys, competing up an age division, went undefeated in all of their pool matches — an incredible achievement that saw them progress to the Gold Medal playoff on Sunday. While they fell just short in a hard-fought final against Highlands, finishing with a silver medal, this marks the best result ever for a Lindisfarne volleyball team at the Senior Schools Cup.

The Year 11 boys also had a fantastic campaign, making it through to the playoffs for third place. Despite narrowly missing out and finishing fourth overall, their effort and determination were outstanding and deserve special recognition.

Our girls faced some very tough opposition in strong pools but showed great resilience throughout the week. While they didn’t reach the finals, they gained invaluable experience that will undoubtedly strengthen their future performances. Their commitment to learning and growing as a team was evident and commendable.

We are incredibly proud of all our athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth as we prepare for future competitions.

Spotlight on Archie Kinnaird

Over 320 boys and girls across 7 states & territories gathered on the beautiful Sunshine Coast last week for the 2025 U12 AFL National Championships.

Archie Kinnaird (Year 6) was part of the 23-man squad representing the New South Wales Blue Pups. This side consisted of players from all across our state, including Albury, Wagga Wagga, Merimbula, Sydney, the Hunter and of course the Northern Rivers.

Unlike some other states, the NSW Blue Pups hadn’t played much football together as a team; however, that being said, they were determined to put on a good show for their family and friends. Under the expert guidance of Coach Kade Stephens, the NSW team were determined, resilient and fearless in their endeavour for victory.

Despite a narrow 5-point loss to QLD in windy conditions, Archie helped the Blue Pups secure wins against ACT and the Northern Territory thanks to his ruthless attack on the contest. Unfortunately, the Blue Pups, nor any team for that matter, were strong enough to match it with the overall winners – the undefeated Victoria.

Although the Blue Pups just missed out on a Top-3 finish, they were honoured to receive the Richard G Newman fair play team award for their efforts.

Archie had a wonderful time making new friends and competing at the highest level in the country. He is excited to continue his football development with the Coolangatta Blues and Gold Coast Suns.

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Proudly Supported By

RUGBY CAPTAINS’ DINNER

For bookings, please click HERE

The 2025 Lindisfarne Rugby Captain's Dinner and Presentation Night will be held on Thursday, 25 September from 6.30pm (6.00pm arrival) at Twin Towns, Tweed Heads. This dinner will be for our year 5 - 12 students and parents who have been involved in the rugby program. There will be several awards presented on the night, including:

• Boys U12 Player of the Year

• Boys U13 Player of the Year

• Boys U14 Player of the Year

• Boys U15 Player of the Year

• Boys U16 Player of the Year

• Boys 1st XV Player of the Year

• Girls U15 Player of the Year

• Girls U16 Player of the Year

• Girls 1st 7 Player of the Year

• Most Promising

• Most Improved

• Representative Player of the Year

• Lily Dick Spirit of Rugby Award

Tickets are $40 and bookings can be made HERE. All students are required to be in formal school uniform on the night with parents in smart dress. This will be a great evening and a wonderful way to cap off the 2025 school rugby season for both XV-aside and 7-aside programs. If you have any questions, please let Dr Coyne or your respective coach know, and we hope to see you all there.


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Book Here for Opening Night

Book Here for Opening Night 

Patrick Brabant
School Assistant - Sustainability

This month, two of our Lindisfarne students – Flynn Cairncross (Year 8) and Finn Juric (Year 9) – are taking on an extraordinary challenge as part of the annual August 2025 Stop Trafficking 5K initiative. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to run and raise funds to help prevent human trafficking.

"For every $130 we raise, we will run 5 kilometres," says Flynn. This figure of $130 represents the cost to intercept the trafficking of one girl at a border station in Nepal or the Philippines, where trained staff work to identify and rescue victims before they disappear into a life of modern slavery.

Finn and Flynns goal this August is to run 200 kilometres and raise $5,000 – enough to save 39 girls from exploitation and give them the chance to live in safety and freedom. So far this August, the boys (team name "Too Fast To Traffick" has run 80kms).

“Someone's freedom is only 5km away.” said the boys. “They can't always run, but we can”.

We are so proud of Flynn and Finn for using their energy, determination, and compassion to stand up for some of the world’s most vulnerable.

If you would like to support them and help reach their goal, you can donate via their fundraising page "Too Fast To Traffick".