2025 Term 4 Week 2 24 Oct 2025

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Week 2 of Term 4, a term that is always full of energy, connection and celebration, as we culminate the 2025 school year and prepare for the year ahead.

This week, we embraced Wellbeing Week across our campuses, with the theme "Take Notice and Pay Attention." It’s a timely reminder to slow down, tune into our surroundings, and be present in the moment, whether it’s being grateful for the opportunities we enjoy or acknowledging the people around us who make a difference. I thank our Wellbeing team for sharing this message and encouraging mindfulness and reflection in all that we do.

On Monday afternoon, the annual Staff v Students Cricket Match took place at Reg Dalton Oval in Kingscliff. It was, as always, a spirited contest! The staff posted a solid 177 runs from 25 overs. The students showed grit and determination in their chase, falling just short with 166 runs, leaving the staff victorious for the third consecutive year. More than the scoreline, it was a wonderful afternoon of camaraderie, teamwork, and good fun as we celebrated our year 12 cricketers who have contributed to our program over the years.

Tuesday morning marked a milestone moment for our Year 4 students, as they gathered for the Year 4 to Year 5 Transition Service. This special ‘rite of passage’ event celebrates their journey through Junior School at Sunshine Avenue and looks ahead to the exciting next chapter at our Mahers Lane campus. It is also an opportunity to welcome those students and families who will join Lindisfarne in Year 5 next year to the School. The service was filled with warmth and gratitude, honouring the formative years that have shaped the students to date and looking forward to their continued growth in Middle School.

On Thursday morning, I had the pleasure of joining Reverend Constantine and staff at our annual Ubuntu Breakfast, a reflective and uplifting gathering. The African philosophy Ubuntu essentially means, "I am because we are." It was a powerful reminder of the strength of community, compassion, and our interconnectedness. I thank all who attended for sharing this meaningful morning.

Thursday evening, I had the privilege of attending our Chamber Music Concert, which was a wonderful celebration of our strings and classical music programs, as well as our talented staff and musicians. With over 120 students now learning a string instrument at the School, there was a range of exceptional individual and group performances that were warmly received by an appreciative audience.

Today, we celebrated our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day at our Sunshine Avenue campus. Always a highlight on our calendar, it was heartwarming to see our youngest learners proudly showing their grandparents and special friends around their classrooms, sharing performances, and enjoying morning tea together. These intergenerational connections add so much richness to the life of our school.

Wishing you some rest and renewal over the weekend ahead. Please keep our year 12 students, the class of 2025, in your thoughts and prayers as they continue preparing for and completing the 2025 HSC exams in their various subjects.

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Save the Date: Principal’s Evening of Thanks
Friday, 21 November | 6.00pm NSW | Senior Centre

Join us for one of the most anticipated and meaningful events on the Lindisfarne calendar, the Principal’s Evening of Thanks.

This annual event is for Parents, Guardians, Friends and Supporters. It’s a way, on an annual basis, to say thank you for your support of Lindisfarne over the year we have shared together.

This special twilight celebration will be hosted in our stunning new Senior Centre and is open to all School Parents and supporters of the School.

Evening highlights include:

• String Quartet

• Champagne on arrival and premium wines

• Gourmet canapés

• Music Performances by our talented students

• Guided tour of the new Senior Centre

• A celebration of our staff, parents, and supporters

Complimentary event for School Parents and supporters of the School.
Click here to RSVP

Please mark your calendar; I would love for you to be there to celebrate the 2025 School year.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

In my previous article we focused on the supreme Christian virtue of love. This article will expand upon that theme by exploring what this kind of love looks like in practical terms. We will do this by considering the encounter Jesus had which led to him sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In Luke 10:25-37, an expert in the Torah, that is, the Law of Moses, tests Jesus, by asking him the most crucial theological question anyone could ever possibly ask - how can one inherit eternal life.

This Jewish lawyer believes that God exists, and that he is accountable to this God, so his question is particularly focused: "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" If God exists, then the goal of life must be related to God’s purpose for us.

Jesus responds by drawing the lawyers attention to the purpose of the law, by asking, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?”

The lawyer responds well, by citing Deuteronomy 6:5, a text that has become known as the "great commandment": "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and he combines it with Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbour as yourself."

Here is the definition of love that brings life. And the product of our love for God will be a regard for others made in his image, those whom God has placed next to us as neighbours.

But the lawyer is confused, even though his answer is correct, so he latches on to the second part of the reply about one's neighbour. Exactly where does his responsibility lie? Does it have limits?

You see, the question, “who is my neighbour?” is really an attempt to limit who his neighbour might be.

In ancient culture, as today, such limits might have run along ethnic lines. There was even a category of "non-neighbour," and the lawyer is seeking Jesus' endorsement of that concept.

In contemporary terms, any of the various forms of racism may underlie the lawyer’s question: there are neighbours, "my people," and then there are the rest, "them." – the whole us and them mentality, which is known as ‘othering.’

Now, unfortunately, the original impact of the parable of the Good Samaritan is mostly lost on us. After centuries of Christendom, our understanding of a Samaritan as a positive figure is almost a cultural given. We even have a Good Samaritan Law.

But in the original setting, a Samaritan would have been the exact opposite, a notorious "bad guy.” Culturally he is the last person we would expect to be hailed as a model neighbour.

In fact, the parable turns the whole question on its head. The lawyer asks who his neighbour is in the hope that some people are not. Jesus replies, “just be a neighbour whenever you are needed, and realize that neighbours can come from the most surprising places.”

Now, the parable is a true-to-life scenario - a 27 km journey on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. This rocky thoroughfare was lined with caves that made good hideouts for robbers and bandits.

The road was notoriously dangerous, the ancient equivalent to an alley way in the inner city late at night. Some even took weapons to protect themselves as they travelled this particular road.

In Jesus' story, a man is overcome by a band of robbers and left on the side of the road to die. As he lies there, his life passes before him.

Then a priest comes down the road. The expectation culturally would be relief: "Surely help is on its way."

But shock horror, the priest does not stop. Rather, he crosses to the other side and keeps going. The detail about crossing the road is no accident. It is a brilliant use of literary space: the priest gets as far away as possible from the wounded man as he passes by.

A Levite, that is another potential source of aid, arrives on the scene. As one who served in the temple, he will surely have compassion, stop and help. But when he sees the man, he also crosses to the other side of the road and keeps on moving.

So, two men of a similar religious background have failed to render aid. They have failed to be neighbours.

Interpreters speculate as to why they refuse to help. Do they fear being jumped themselves? Do they fear being rendered ritualistically unclean for touching what may be a copse? Or were they of the opinion that he must have been a sinner, who just got what he deserved? The text gives us no reason.

One thing is clear. Whilst the parable doesn’t specifically mention the direction the Levite was travelling in, that the priest was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, indicates that his service at the Temple was over, so he does not have religious duty as an excuse for why he didn’t stop to help.

But now another traveller comes on the scene. In Greek the text highlights this man's arrival by placing his ethnicity as a Samaritan at the front of the description. The scribe hearing Jesus tell the story must be thinking, "There will be no help from this despised half-breed,” which was what Samaritans were historically considered to be.

But as often happens in Jesus' parables, a twist in cultural expectations yields the story's major point: this despised schismatic will be the model of neighbourliness.

Jesus focuses his language now. In as many words in the Greek that he used to describe the activity of the two Jewish leaders, he details all the Samaritan does to save the man—7 actions in all.

He comes up to the man, binds his wounds, anoints him with oil to comfort him, loads him on his mule, takes him to an inn, cares for him and even pays for his entire stay.

Jesus' question to close the story requires no brilliant reply: "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The lawyer knows, but he cannot even bring himself to mention the man's race - “the one who showed him mercy.”

His reluctant reply is correct, so Jesus simply says, "Go and do likewise." Jesus' point is obvious; be a neighbour to anyone in need. Do not rule out certain people as neighbours, because they’re not ‘one of us.’

To love God means to show mercy to anyone in need. An authentic life is found in serving God by caring for others. This is a central tenet of Christianity. Here human beings fulfill their created role—to love God and be a neighbour to others by meeting their needs when they arise.

Neighbours are not determined by geography, race, creed, gender or any other distinction; neighbours consist of anyone in need, as all humanity bears the imago Dei, the image of God.

So, let’s go and do likewise!

Blessings,

Reverend Lyndon
Chaplain

This week at Sunshine Avenue, our theme “Take Notice, Pay Attention” has encouraged everyone to slow down, connect, and appreciate the world around us.

Our P–4 classes have brought colour and creativity to the Paperbark Forest, yarnbombing under the guidance of Mr Godden and Mr Marquardt — a vibrant sight for all who pass by! We’ve also celebrated the induction of our new House Captains for Term 4, gathered for the Year 4 Liturgy and Mahers Lane induction, and enjoyed a touch of joie de vivre with French yoga.

Parents also joined us online for an engaging ParentEd session with renowned child psychiatrist Dr Kaylene Henderson, who shared valuable insights on supporting children’s emotional development and wellbeing.

Lunchtimes have been filled with fun from Just Dance and old-school games to mindfulness art in the library, creative craft moments on the ELC deck, and a photo booth that proved very popular! In class, staff have guided students to pause, reflect, and practise gratitude and mindfulness.

We will finish the week on a high as we welcome Grandparents and Special Friends to our campus and take part in our annual Colour Run. Keep an eye out next week for photos from our fun-filled Friday and of our newly inducted House Captains!

Mrs Dana Dowker
Dean of Students Junior School

Teaching digital citizenship from a young age helps children build positive habits before they encounter more complex online challenges. Just as we teach students how to cross the road safely or treat others kindly in person, it’s equally important to guide them in how to behave safely and respectfully in digital spaces. Over the last fortnight, students from Kindergarten to Year 4 made their voices heard by writing Tech Pledges, showcasing their understanding of how to be safe, kind and responsible.

Through discussions and class activities, students in Kindergarten to Year 2 were encouraged to think critically about their daily technology use.

Students in Year 3 and 4 then recorded video responses and designed their own Tech Pledge logos using the Freeform app.

“This term I will be safe by not giving out my personal information and passwords online or to my friends. I will be responsible by not running with my iPad and not changing settings when I haven't been asked to. I will be kind by helping others when they need it.”

Juno, 3MR

“I will be safe by telling a teacher if I see something that makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ll be kind by helping people online if they need it. I’ll be responsible by not using a game or website that I’m not told to use.”

Hunter, 4H

Creating a Tech Pledge encourages students to reflect on their choices and feel empowered to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly every day. I’m proud of our Junior School students for always looking out for each other and making positive choices when it comes to technology.

Krissy Affleck
Information Services and Digital Pedagogy

Dates for Term 4

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

• TFA Football Sessions - Monday afternoons 27 Oct, 3, 10, 17 & 24 Nov

• Fri 14th Nov - FUN Swimming Carnival K - 2 Students 11am - 2pm.

• Fri 28th Nov - Big Bash Cricket Tournament - Yr 3 and Yr 4 students

Total Football Academy

The Total Football Academy afterschool program has kicked off again this term. and will continue until Week 8, Monday, 1 December. It is only a short-term program, so if you are interested, please register now so that you don’t miss out.

This program is always very popular and places will fill quickly. Vacancies are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you are interested, please register via the Parent Lounge.

More information about the program can be found in the flyer here: Lindisfarne Term 4.pdf

Fun Swimming Carnival Kindy - Year 2

All Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be participating in the Fun Swimming Carnival, which includes a variety of non-competitive races and novelty events at Kingscliff Pool.

The Carnival will take place on FRIDAY, 14th November, starting at 11.00am

Parental Assistance for this carnival is required to help make our day awesome. If you are able to assist either in the pool or help with the BBQ, please email Mr Nathan Croft on email ncroft@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au.

Three ways parents can assist are as follows:

• In Pool Help - Required to be in the Big pool or Learn to Swim pool, assisting the students in races or games.

• Class Help - Follow a class to each activity and assist the Teacher where required.

• BBQ Help - Assist the P&F to cook and serve the BBQ Lunch.

General Information

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

Nathan Croft
Head of Sport - Junior School

Year 4 into 5 Transition Liturgy

On Tuesday, we welcomed our 2026 Year 5 students with a special Liturgy to mark their transition from Year 4 into Year 5.

This was a meaningful occasion for our young students and their families, as they prepare to move from our Sunshine Avenue Campus to Maher's Lane. We were also delighted to welcome approximately 56 new students and their families who will be joining the Lindisfarne community in 2026.

The Liturgy acknowledged the completion of the Foundation Years and celebrated the beginning of Middle School; a new chapter filled with opportunity, learning, and connection. We look forward to supporting each of our students as they begin this next stage of their schooling at Lindisfarne.

Preparing for Year 7

The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is one of the most significant steps in a student’s school life, and it’s important that families feel fully prepared and supported.

We urge all Year 6 parents and caregivers to attend the Year 7 2026 Parent Information Session on Tuesday, 28 October.

From 6.00pm, our Year 7 Coordinators will outline what to expect in Middle School - including academic programs, pastoral care, and the ways we help students settle confidently into secondary schooling.

At 6.30pm, leading adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will present on Starting Secondary School, sharing practical, evidence-based advice for supporting young people through this period of change.

This is an essential event for all families as we work together to ensure every student begins Year 7 feeling ready, supported, and excited for the year ahead.

Please confirm your attendance via thislink.

Age Limits on Social Media Are Changing

From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms in Australia will no longer allow under-16s to create or keep an account.. Please see the eSafety Commissioner for more details.

Why the change? Because research shows that certain platform features - endless notification streams, disappearing posts, algorithm-driven feeds- can increase pressure, distract, reduce sleep and concentration, and expose young users to harmful content.

The restriction isn’t a ban, it’s a delay. It gives families a window to talk, prepare and build digital, social and emotional skills in children before they fully engage with social media.

As parents and carers, you can start the conversation now: ask how your child uses social media, explain why the law is changing, and explore alternative ways to connect and express themselves offline and online.

Your support and open chat can make this transition smoother, and help young people get ready for a safer, more intentional relationship with social media when they turn 16.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

In the Senior School this week, we have come together for Wellbeing Week, a time to pause, reflect and celebrate the many things for which we are grateful. It has been an opportunity for students and staff to focus on self-care, positive relationships and a sense of belonging, all of which underpin our collective wellbeing.

Research reminds us that true wellbeing flourishes when people feel safe, valued and connected. When a sense of belonging is missing through bullying, exclusion or social isolation, wellbeing is undermined. Safety, both physical and emotional, forms the foundation upon which gratitude, engagement and learning can thrive.

This week, there has been significant attention in the media about the Australian Government’s new requirement that schools must respond to reports of bullying within two school days. The intention is clear: prompt action shows students and families that their concerns are taken seriously and helps prevent issues from escalating or becoming entrenched. Fortunately, this is something our school already does well. While few issues are ever fully resolved in just two days, taking action quickly is critical. It ensures that students feel heard and supported and that a process of care and accountability begins straight away.

In the Senior School, we will continue to respond promptly and compassionately to all reports of bullying or exclusion, whether in person or online. We will maintain clear communication with students and families throughout the process, and focus on repairing relationships and rebuilding trust where harm has occurred. These expectations align beautifully with the goals of Wellbeing Week, which remind us that every member of our community should feel safe, respected and valued.

Another topic of national discussion this term has been the upcoming law that will restrict Australians under 16 from holding social media accounts, expected to take effect in December. This reform recognises the increasing evidence that excessive or premature social media use can have harmful effects, including exposure to bullying, unrealistic comparison and anxiety about online reputation. While social media can connect, it can also isolate and distort. From an educational and wellbeing perspective, this is a welcome step. It supports the work schools are already doing to teach responsible digital citizenship and to protect young people from the more insidious effects of online culture. It also opens up new conversations between parents, students and teachers about healthy screen time, digital empathy and online boundaries.

Both of these policy developments, the two-day bullying response rule and the under-16 social media restrictions, highlight that wellbeing is not just about feeling good; it is about being safe, connected and respected. This Wellbeing Week has been a reminder that gratitude helps us focus on what truly matters, self-care gives us the strength to support others, belonging and safety allow every student to flourish, and shared responsibility ensures that young people grow in environments where they can thrive both on and offline.

Thank you to all students and staff who have engaged in Wellbeing Week. Your care for one another continues to build the strong, compassionate and connected community that makes the Senior School such a special place.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

Last Friday’s Leadership Induction was a special occasion for our school community, as we officially welcomed our new senior cohort into leadership and celebrated those who have been entrusted with positions of added responsibility. It was a proud moment to recognise our newly appointed School Captains, House Captains, Prefects, and other student leaders who will help guide their peers and contribute to the life of the school throughout the year. The ceremony was filled with a sense of gratitude and anticipation as our students embraced their roles with enthusiasm and commitment, ready to lead with Compassion, Wisdom and Respect.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

Food as Medicine Workshop with Chef Sam Gowing

Last week, our senior Food Technology and Hospitality students, along with several staff members after school, had the wonderful opportunity to participate in an inspiring culinary workshop with Chef Sam Gowing.

Sam is a renowned chef, clinical nutritionist, and wellness educator, recognised across Australia for her work in the Food as Medicine movement. Originally from Victoria, Sam comes from a long-standing hospitality family and has spent over four decades shaping the industry through her award-winning restaurants, wellness programs, corporate chef training, and her training role with the global culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu. Now based locally, she continues to share her expertise through cooking schools, retreats, and consulting.

During her visit, Sam ran a “Food as Medicine” session that explored the powerful connection between nutrition and wellbeing, while also demonstrating advanced culinary techniques and professional kitchen skills. Our students gained valuable insight into how food can both nourish and inspire, linking perfectly with their current studies in Food Technology and Hospitality.

Staff were also treated to an after-school session, where Sam shared her approach to wholesome cooking and links to overall wellbeing. The atmosphere was lively, hands-on, and filled with practical tips that everyone could take away.

A heartfelt thank you to Sam Gowing for her generosity, warmth, and expertise. Her passion for combining nutrition, skill, and creativity left a lasting impression on our school community, and we look forward to welcoming her back to Lindisfarne.

Explore Your Future at TAFE NSW Open Week

From 17–23 November, TAFE NSW will host its annual Open Week, giving students and families the chance to explore courses, campuses, and study pathways for 2026 and beyond.

Across the week, you can join live online and on-campus sessions, hear from industry experts, and learn about apprenticeships, traineeships, fee-free courses, and higher education options. You’ll also discover support services, scholarships, and tools like the Study Quiz to help match your interests to the right course.

TAFE NSW Open Week is the perfect opportunity to see where practical, hands-on learning can take you.

Register and explore the full schedule here.

Hayley McDonald
Director of Careers and Vocational Education & Training

On Wednesday this week, our Boathouse at Casuarina came alive with connection and learning as we hosted a First Nations Cross-Cultural Immersion Workshop. Aboriginal Studies students, Indigenous students, and the international cohort came together to share this meaningful experience.

The day began with a smoking ceremony led by local traditional owner, Anthony Cora, with students collecting traditional fire-making materials to contribute to the ceremony. Led by Anthony's wisdom, cultural knowledge, and guidance, we shared in a yarning circle our communities, places of birth, and known heritage. Everyone introduced themselves and shared their favourite thing about living in and travelling to Australia - a moment that sparked genuine reflection and friendship. Anthony guided us on a food and medicine walk to support our knowledge of traditional plants and their purposes and shared language, song and stories of local Dreamtime and lore.

Guided by Gypsy Togo, our First Nations Cultural Engagement Coordinator, students learned about their own relationship and connection to Country, our shared history and deepened their understanding of Australia’s rich cultural heritage and shedding light on the oldest living culture in the world.

For lunch, we gathered to cook sausages and onions on bread with sauce, joined by Principal Stuart Marquardt, who shared in the conversation and celebration and engaged with students in an Iconography family storytelling activity.

It was a holistic day of learning, laughter, and connection - where new friendships were formed, knowledge was shared, and respect for Culture was strengthened.

Rebecca Wilson
International Student Coordinator

See gallery for more photos

Transport for NSW will change the school zone times for Lindisfarne on Mahers Lane, Terranora. As part of this work, signs will be changed during the week commencing Monday, 3 November, so some minor traffic delays could be experienced.

The changes are being made to better reflect Lindisfarne's school operating hours and will improve road and pedestrian safety for the local and school community.

The morning school zone operating hours will now be between 7.30am to 9.30am on school days.

The afternoon school zone operating hours between 2.30pm to 4.00pm will not change.

For further information, please download the attached information from Transport NSW.

Simon McKinley
Director of Community Engagement

This past Wednesday, the Year 10 STEM Ambassadors, along with the newly inducted STEM Prefects, had the incredible opportunity to visit the Griffith University campus in Southport. Our day began with an excellent campus tour from an amazing student, Diego, who is currently researching marine biology with Griffith. He showed us around the Olympic-sized swimming pool, library, study space, and various faculties (engineering was my personal favourite) while giving us various insights about university life, something many of us are looking forward to.

After our tour, we were led to a learning space where we set up for the day’s main activity: a hands-on zipline engineering challenge for the visiting primary students. As part of the STEM Ambassadors program, our role was to mentor and guide the young engineers, introducing them to the fun of problem-solving in science. The challenge was simple, but it also presented many difficulties. Students were tasked with building a carrier for a ping pong ball that could make it as far along the zipline as possible. They were awarded points for having lightweight, slow-paced designs that were economical in their use of materials. It tested students to think creatively and critically at the same time.

Once we had run the challenge for the first time, we broke for lunch on campus, surrounded by Griffith students and teachers. After lunch, we returned to our class and ran the challenge for more groups of primary students. Watching their carriers glide, wobble and slip down the line with varying degrees of success was an emotional rollercoaster to say the least, though in the end seeing their faces light up with pride when their creations worked and helping them troubleshoot when they didn’t was highly rewarding and lots of fun! Overall, we had an excellent day full of learning, helping and STEM! A huge thank you to Ms Mendoza for organising and to Griffith University for hosting us!

Chloe Chaseling
STEM Prefect

See gallery for more photos

The weather has well and truly turned the thermometer up lately - case in point, our Primary Touch Football contingent playing at Owen Park Southport this week were sweltering/baking. Some long-overdue rain is due to land next week, which will be well received, although the Lindisfarne Cricket teams may need to stand down on Tuesday with the current predictions.

Some jaw-dropping achievements at the NSW PSSA Championships this week. It’s unbelievable the quality of the young gun athletes making their way through the years.

Congratulations to Andie Buchan in Year 6, who ran an incredible 10-second personal best to win the 1500m in a time of 4:38 – an outstanding achievement that left her (and her family!) thrilled.

Well done also to Elle Down in Year 4, who won her 1500m race in an impressive 4:51 in PSSA record time!

Young Isobel Alford in Year 3 qualified for the semi-final with a personal best of 14.50, placing 11th overall.

Jack Kane came 2nd overall (by a tiny 2cm!), jumping 5:34m - congratulations, young man. He also came 6th in the 100m final, an outstanding effort.

Any more photos or news from PSSA forthcoming, we will put them into next week's Newsletter.

To read more, please click expand article

Proudly Supported By

We are also incredibly proud of the individual representative honours achieved this season. Congratulations to Jesse Bravington, Teo Martin, and Tucker Groves on their NSW AICES selections, with Tucker also earning a place in the NSW Schools II U16 squad. Sooke Paley represented NSW CIS U16 Girls 7s, Ruby Power was selected for the Queensland Country Rugby Union Senior Women’s team, and Aiden Broadhurst for the NSW Country Rugby Union U16 Gold Squad. These achievements highlight the strength and depth of talent across our program.

Congratulations should also go to all award nominees and winners who were celebrated at our annual Captains' Dinner late last term.

Players of the Year

• Boys:

  • U12 – George Taylor

  • U13 – Charlie Dunn

  • U14 – Oliver Wilson

  • U15 – Teo Martin

  • U16 – Will King

  • 1st XV – Sam Stovin
    

• Girls:

• U15 – Milla Sergiacomi

• U16 – Sooke Paley

• Open Girls – Lois Diver

• Representative Player of the Year: Tucker Groves
  

• Most Improved: Elodie Mueller
  

• Most Promising: Sooke Paley
  

• The Lily Dick Spirit of Rugby Award: Ruby Power

We would also like to express our thanks to our 2025 captains, Jesse Bravington (1st XV) and Ruby Power (Open Girls 7s), for their outstanding leadership and example throughout the year. Congratulations also to our newly appointed 2026 captains, Tucker Groves (1st XV) and Ruby Lynch (Open Girls 7s), who will no doubt carry the program forward with the same spirit and commitment.

(Please see gallery at the end of article for more photos).

To read more Rugby news, click the expand article

431 athletes, 702 entries and almost 500 horses-the 2025 Australian Interschool Championships, held over the holidays, were nothing short of extraordinary!

Staged at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on the 25th anniversary of the 2000 Olympic Games, it was the largest competition ever held at the venue. Eight dressage arenas were in use, with 567 tests ridden, along with 716 showjumping rounds and 85 cross country rides.

In the midst of all this was Lindisfarne Equestrian Team member Nelly Brindley (Year 9) and her clever chestnut gelding Miami’s Gift (known as Murphy. They rightfully earned their spot on the Queensland team, having successfully represented our school at the Regional and State levels. Results in Sydney included a 9th in their Elementary Dressage-a simply fantastic achievement at this huge event! Congratulations, Nelly and Murphy!

Appreciation and thanks must also go to Nelly and Murphy’s family support crew. To train and compete at this level is a massive commitment, and they are an integral part of the pair’s ongoing success.

Kathryn Leary
Equestrian Coordinator