The end of one chapter signifies the start of another; it is a threshold, filled with a blend of ups and downs. As in life, so it is when navigating through tumultuous experiences. A couple's journey to the Great Barrier Reef serves as a metaphor. Battling enormous seas and feeling seasick, they found solace and advice from a crew member who suggested they focus on the horizon and solid ground they embarked from. This simple act of finding a stable point of reference brought them relief amidst the chaos.
This analogy extends to life's challenges. When you feel tossed about by life's storms, it helps to look back at the solid ground you've travelled and fix your gaze on a stable horizon.
This steadiness offers hope and stability during turbulent times. Embrace your journey with renewed strength, and help one another along the way. As the scripture from Hebrews 12:12-13 advises, take a new hold with your tired hands, strengthen your weak knees, and mark out a straight path so that those who are weak and lame may become strong. And run for it!
We hope to have provided you with a solid foundation and a supportive community that has helped you find strength in life's high seas. Our prayer is that God shines on your horizon, providing you with hope and perseverance through hard times. As you head off towards new adventures, remember that this community will always think of you and pray for your success.
May your journey ahead be filled with meaning and purpose.
God bless you, and may you find stability and hope as you navigate through life's high seas.

Mr Luke Swain

Head of Campus

The Rock Academy Holiday Program was run for its third season at Flinders during the September Holidays. Bodhi, Evie, Jackson, Oliver U, Sebastien, and Oliver K were all involved in the five-day intensive music program, which involved workshops, rehearsals, coaching, and a live performance and recording session at The Pig and Whistle.

Rock Academy is a unique band initiative with all creative decisions being made by the participants. The program, led by Velvet Bloom’s Maddy Herbert, involved five days of intensive rehearsals at the Flinders Tyabb Music Department. The Flinders students collaborated with local young musicians working on cover and original songs within a wide variety of styles.

The second day of the program introduced the Songwriting workshop led by the amazing mentors, with a key focus on lyric writing. After the workshop, students formed new bands and collaborated on original song ideas.

The third and fourth day focused on polishing both the cover and original songs and getting to the finer points of each song in readiness for the live performance, with a full production run-through in the afternoon.

On the final day students performed at The Shed (Pig & Whistle, Main Ridge) in front of an adoring audience. The performance also involved a live recording that will be shared with all participants.

The Flinders Music Department would like to show our appreciation towards the Rock Academy leader, Alan Long, for his continued support of music education and youth live music performances on both the Mornington Peninsula and Metro Melbourne. Connections between local community providers and schools is paramount for providing advantageous and extensive education for our youth. The Flinders Music Department looks forward to strengthening these connections with Rock Academy and our other community providers such as the Mornington Chamber of Commerce, and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Adam Carson
Head of Performing Arts

Welcome back to Term 4! The farm is buzzing with excitement as spring brings new life and plenty of activity. Blossom is bursting on the fruit trees, bees are busy, chickens are clucking, and the laughter of children fills the air – food for the soul! We’re thrilled to introduce our new Belgian d'Uccle chickens, including a rooster. They’re currently in quarantine but will soon join the rest of the flock. Having a rooster on-site again will be a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the differences between roosters and hens.

Students have been busy harvesting fresh lettuce and lemons, enjoying the taste of fresh produce, and trying out herbs as they plant new seeds and seedlings. There’s a real buzz of excitement about the spring strawberries, blackberries, and banana passionfruit, with lots of chatter about when they’ll be ripe and ready, and how to share them fairly among the group.

In the garden, we’ve added some gorgeous new flowers this year! The straw flowers and nasturtiums are giving students the chance to explore plant smells, textures, and functions. They’ve loved watching water roll off nasturtium leaves and feeling the unique papery petals of the straw flowers.

Our adorable pig, Crackle, is also loving the season! She’s had a blast digging in the soft soil after the winter rains. In fact, she’s been so busy with her earthworks that she’s added a bit of a lean to her shelter – but don’t worry, our amazing maintenance team will have that sorted soon. It’s all part of the fun of caring for God’s creatures.

The students are also becoming more comfortable with our sheep, spending time with our young rams, who seem to enjoy the attention just as much as the students!

We’re also delighted to have some new stick insects in our classroom, thanks to Karen Bouwmeester for this wonderful addition.

This term, our Ag Studies focus is:

Younger Years: Exploring spring, nature, and the role of water.

Middle Years: Investigating biodiversity, homes, and habitats.

Senior Years: Understanding sustainability and why it matters.

As we tend to our farm and care for the life around us, we’re reminded of the beauty of creation and our call to be stewards of the earth.

We can’t wait for another exciting term full of learning, exploration, and hands-on fun on the farm!

Siobhan Morris on behalf of our Ag Studies team

Grandparents Day attracted approximately 350 grandparents, Friday 11th October. They were invited to spend time with their grandchildren at school. The day started with grandparents arriving and enjoying morning tea in the playground area. Student Ambassadors welcomed and guided to classrooms where grandparents participated in activities, looked at their grandchild's work, or played games outside. Later, everyone gathered in the Chapel for musical performances by the Prep Choir, Junior Strings ensemble, and Grade 3 Choir. Grandparents were provided with an update on the works going on at Campus (Conduit; Chapel Upgrade; New Primary Build), and there were fun prizes for the grandparents.

The Grade 3's had a fantastic time at Don Bosco camp earlier this week. They participated in classic camp games and activities, team challenges and even a beach carnival! One of the biggest highlights was the ga-ga pit, teachers vs students. The children showed courage, resilience, strength and formed new friendships. A great time was had by all!

‘A Night at the Movies’

The excitement is palpable as students gear up for our much anticipated, inaugural Tyabb Primary Production, ‘A Night at the Movies’. Over the past few months, the halls have been filled with enthusiastic rehearsals. Actors have been diligently memorising their lines and classes have been perfecting their songs, bringing a vibrant energy to every practice session. Their dedication is truly inspiring, as they balance their academic responsibilities with the demands of preparing for the show. Teachers have been working tirelessly alongside the students, providing guidance and support to ensure every performance is ready to share with you.

Students are not only honing their individual skills but also learning the importance of collaboration and mutual support. Whether it’s helping a friend with a tricky line or harmonizing perfectly in a group number, the spirit of cooperation is evident.

As the show date approaches, the anticipation continues to build, promising an unforgettable evening that showcases the incredible talent and effort of our students. We can’t wait to share this magical night with the entire school community! Get ready to be transported to the world of your favorite films - through the power of music. Our talented children will weave an original tale of beloved movie characters, creating an enchanting atmosphere that will leave you nostalgic and entertained.

Whether you’re a film buff, a music lover, or just eager to see our students shine, this event is not to be missed! Grab your tickets now via the Flinders App and be part of a show where music and movies come together in perfect harmony. Come join us for an unforgettable show with “A Night at the Movies”! A Matinee performance (1:45pm) and Evening Performance (6:30pm) will be held at the Flinders Tyabb Chapel on Wednesday 30th October. Grandparents are encouraged to purchase tickets for the matinee due to limited seating.

The Year 12 Drama students had their VCE Solo Performance examination in Moorabbin this Tuesday. Our students created highly successful performances and presented them for a panel of assessors. Congratulations to Ezra Davies as ‘Mulga Bill,’ Izzy Molloy as “The Wannabe,” Iona Shepherd as “Norma Desmond,” Ebony Prosper as “Rosie of the North,” Indiana Slade as “The Detective,” Sam Slade as “Kevin the unsuitable Knight” and Isabella Smith as “The Drama Teacher.”
They represented the College exceptionally and should all be extremely proud of their achievements.

Flinders would like to acknowledge and celebrate the recent achievements of Noah James who is one to watch in the sport of motor cross.
Noah won second place in Victoria for the Junior Lights A Grade, which qualified him for the Australian Junior Motocross Championships for 2024 in Bunbury, WA in September.
At the Nationals for the 250cc category, Noah came 7th overall in the 13 - 15 age group. Amazing effort Noah!

We are pleased to announce our School Prefect Team for 2025!

Congratulations to College Captains Mikayla and Connor, College Vice Captains Matilda and James, Cuthbert House Captains Hunter and Ebony, Flynn House Captains Indiana and Laila, Nicholls House Captains Chloe and James, and Ten Boom House Captains Annie and Riley. We look forward to seeing you flourish in 2025!

Students in year 9 concluded their biomes unit by creating their own ‘plantscape’ to take home and enjoy! Once their receptacle was chosen, the students created plans indicating which combination of peatmoss, sphagnum moss, pebbles, charcoal and potting mix would suit their chosen plant selection. Finally they got their hands dirty planting and creating their plantscapes, some to enjoy in their rooms, others by the kitchen window and many for gifts to loved ones!

Students in year 8 got their hands (and classroom!) messy creating clay depictions of weapons from their study on Medieval Europe to finalise the unit at the end of term 3. Some of the depictions include the black death, flail weapons, mace, clubs and war hammers, just to name a few. The students have collected their creations this term to share and enjoy at home.

Join us for the exciting Flinders Art, Design, and Technology Show on October 29-31, 2024! This vibrant event will showcase a diverse array of artworks from our talented students, spanning from prep to Year 12, as well as contributions from kinder and the Joshua Centre. This year, attendees can look forward to an inspiring collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures, alongside impressive ceramics created by students at various year levels. Additionally, explore innovative woodwork and textiles that highlight the creativity and skills of our budding designers. Don’t miss this celebration of artistry and craftsmanship!

We are excited to announce our 2024 Alumni Event, celebrating 1 year, 5 year, and 10 year graduates.

For all Alumni's of 2023, 2019 and 2014 - Saturday 26 October 2024.

If you have any queries or questions please email us at ty.alumni@flinders.vic.edu.au

We are thrilled to share some fantastic updates with you. Firstly, we have been upgrading our power supply in preparation for our chapel upgrade over the summer break and into term one. This upgrade will enhance our facilities and provide a better experience for everyone.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce that we have confirmed plans for a new primary building. This new development will bring exciting opportunities and improvements to our school community. Further details will be shared soon.

Stay tuned for more updates!

This month on SchoolTV - The Cost of Living Crisis

In today's uncertain economic climate, parents and caregivers face the need to discuss the rising cost of living with their children, despite the instinct to shield them from life's challenges.
Starting these conversations requires choosing the right time and setting, aiming for a relaxed atmosphere. Using simple language and relatable examples, parents and caregivers can help their children understand the concept of increased expenses. Transparency about necessary budget adjustments is vital, as it is to involve children in finding solutions and fostering responsibility.
Amid these discussions, it's crucial to reassure children of your unwavering love and support. Seize the opportunity to impart financial literacy, teach your children about budgeting and discerning needs from wants. By emphasising intangible values like love and cherished memories, parents can help children grasp the bigger picture beyond monetary concerns.
Addressing financial topics with children might be challenging, but it is essential. Not only does it equip them with resilience to navigate life's complexities, but it can also effectively prepare young people to understand and handle financial matters in the future.

You can learn more about this issue HERE.

Dear Flinders families

Applications are open for the following year levels:

- 4-year-old Kinder, 2026
- Prep 2026

We recommend families lodge their applications as soon as possible as we have waiting list across many year levels.
Siblings are given a priority, however, places are not guaranteed, to lodge an application please refer to our website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au we will be happy to help!