As a campus, we have chosen the theme of Courage for 2024.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
Psalm 31:24


Desmond Doss was an American United States Army corporal who served as a medic in World War II. The life of Desmond Doss is depicted in the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Hacksaw Ridge’. Doss was a Seventh Day Adventist and firmly believed in the Ten Commandments. He enlisted in the army but refused to bear arms. He excelled in his basic training but was an outcast, and was bullied and beaten by his fellow soldiers for refusing to handle a rifle and train on Saturdays.

Doss was courageous in standing up for what he believed was right and true, and he did not let the torment of those around him sway him.

Doss’ unit was deployed to the Pacific and his infantry division was set the task of ascending and securing the Maeda Escarpment, known colloquially as Hacksaw Ridge. Doss, along with his unit launched this offensive, only to be faced with a massive counterattack. After intense fighting, an estimated 75 men remained behind, too wounded to retreat. Doss successfully rescued these men by dragging them to the top of the escarpment and lowering them down one by one on a rope.

On October 12, 1945, President Harry S. Truman presented Doss with the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on the White House lawn. Doss was the first and only conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.

Doss showed courage at two different times of his life. He exhibited the courage to adhere to his principles and the valour to confront adversaries While it’s unlikely that we’ll face situations requiring bravery against physical danger, we will need to be courageous many times in our life to stand up for what is good, what is true and what is right.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
The brave man [woman] is not he [she] who does not feel afraid, but he [she] who conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela

Mr Mark Hamilton

Head of Secondary

It’s finally everyone’s favourite time of the year at the Flinders Farm.. Lambing season! 🐑 Our first lamb was born on Wednesday morning at 3 am, he’s a cute little guy and his mum, Arizona is doing a great job with him! Our second lamb, a little ewe lamb from Scarlet was born at lunchtime on Thursday. Our Sheep Team students got to watch, which was an amazing opportunity for them. Our third lamb was born at 3pm today, which was perfect for us to be able to get the message out across the school and allow some staff and students to be able to watch. Eden gave birth to a big, healthy boy and both are doing very well! We are expecting 8 more lambs to be born at the farm over the next few weeks and look forward to seeing them all grow!

The Junior Show Ambassador and Rural Ambassador Awards are very prestigious and challenging. Each year there are 3 levels of competition for the Junior Show Ambassadors and 4 levels for the Rural Ambassadors, both of these competitions start at a local show level, where the nominees must demonstrate an active involvement in their local Agricultural Show and community, good rural knowledge, a strong desire to grow and achieve personal goals as well as strong leadership and communication skills, in order to be considered for their respective awards.

This year, Tiffany Maestrale (Y11) was nominated as the Pakenham Show Junior Ambassador and Tess Runting (Flinders Farm Manager) was nominated as the Pakenham Show Rural Ambassador. Both were successful in this first level, so last weekend they continued to the Regional Finals. Here they submitted their resume and cover letter, then each had a 30-minute interview and delivered a speech on the topic of “what impact does my local Ag Show have on the community?”

At the completion of judging, both Tiffany and Tess won their respective sections, so they will now represent the Central and South Gippsland Region at the state finals. Tiffany’s state final will be held at the Vic Ag Shows Annual State Convention in the town of Kaniva in late June and Tess’ state final will be held at the Melbourne Royal Show in September. We wish both of you good luck for the rest of the competitions and hope to see more great awards as a result of your hard work and dedication.

If anyone is interested in being involved in the Junior Show or Rural Ambassador Awards in the future, or even keen to volunteer and get involved at some of our local Ag shows, please reach out to Tess!

Tabatha Sams - Navy Cadet

Tabatha has been in the navy cadets for four years now with the training ship Tingira, where she has been able to get to the second highest rank of Cadet Chief Petty Officer with an upcoming promotion of Cadet Warrant Officer. Currently, this is the highest achievable rank in the Navy Cadets.

Tabatha helps run her unit of 30 cadets from the ages of 12-18 alongside her fellow Chief and team of Senior Cadets, where she helps teach the cadets, run activities and assists each cadet with their development through the ANC. She also holds both a state and national role, where she represents the voice of roughly 340 cadets, which make up the state of Victoria.

In the past Tabatha has helped plan and run both state and national camps and next week is off to Canberra to participate in a Tri-service Cadet Conference, where Sir Peter Cosgrove will be present. During her time with the ANC she has also been featured on the Royal Australian Navy's Instagram and the Australian Defence website.

Tabatha has carried out a range of activities, including visits to ships such as HMAS Hobart, attendance on the spirit of Tasmania to visit other cadet units and steer the tall ship Julie Burgess, gone flying in defence planes, travelled to various defence bases around Australia and participated in multiple parades such as ANZAC Day.

We congratulate Tabatha on her commitment to serve others.

On Friday 17 May, Flynn House held a fundraising event and raised $500 to go towards the Royal Flying Doctors Service. By fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, they helped to ensure those living in rural and remote Australia can enjoy the same health outcomes as those in the city. The funds raised will help the Royal Flying Doctor Service provide telehealth consultations, fly-in-fly-out GPs, Nurse and Midwife clinics, mobile dental services, patient transfers, mental health and wellbeing services, and a myriad of other health services to remote communities.

Thank you to all our wonderful staff and students who facilitated this event. Well done Flynn House!

Year 9 students toured the city as part of the geography course on Wednesday. Souring great heights 88 floors in Skydeck to reflection by the river on Morell Bridge!

The Grade 6s enjoyed a fantastic time at camp Howqua in week 5.

For many students, this was the longest camp they had been on and it was one that they wont forget in a hurry. From the "Weginator" waterslide, to zip lines, horse riding through to archery, they had an absolute blast.

Special mention must go out to the staff involved, Mr Van Tienen, Mr Emmett, Miss Coulthwaite, Mr Dunne and especially Miss Pittard who planned and organised most of the camp.

The first 5 weeks of this term focused on preparing for our Mother’s Day celebration. We focused on using skills that we would normally develop as part of our work at kinder such as

· Painting
· Modelling with clay/playdough
· Drawing
· Engaging in sensory experiences (olfactory and tactile)

Within this time, we have focused on observing and sharing what our mums do for us and observing different texts and media that have depicted mothers engaging with their children. The children learnt a song to share with their mums and we shared that the best thing that our mums give us is their love. We engaged the children to provide an oral account of what they know about their mum and what she does to help us. This culminated in a visit from our mums on 13 May where we shared time with our mums at kinder. We also met Mrs Mac’s mum – Mrs Hanen who came to kinder and cooked chocolate crackles and honey joys.

Sammantha Van Tienen

Kinder Director

As part of our focus on community in the Joshua Centre, we had a visit by Patrick’s Mum Kelly who is a paramedic. Kelly brought an ambulance in for us to explore together. Children had the opportunity to see some of the equipment carried in an ambulance and practiced CPR on the special manikins. We also heard the siren that is used in emergencies. Students were engaged by the hands-on learning during the visit.

Christy McLindon

Joshua Centre students are participating in a 7-day walking challenge, from May 22nd to May 28th, as part of the annual charity event by ASPECT, Australia's largest autism-specific service provider and charity. During this period, students are encouraged to walk 7,000 steps each day. To help them achieve this goal, we will be organising walking activities and tracking steps with pedometers during school hours.

Thank you to our families and staff for your support towards Team Joshua Centre's efforts to promote an autism-friendly world.

Christy McLindon

Congratulations to the 38 Tyabb students who competed at the 2024 SIS Cross Country championships. We were blessed with unbelievable weather out at Casey Fields for the running of this event in which all students ran the 3km circuit. Special mention to Hannah R who ran two races on the day & finished 3rd in the U17 girls… amazing effort Hannah. Overall Flinders finished 4th which I am super proud of. Well done to all our runners who gave up their time today to compete.

Natalie Chatfield

College Sport Coordinator

The cross-campus Flinders Golf Academy has commenced tuition at the Sandhurst Golf Club on a Tuesday afternoon. This highly enthusiastic group of students are able to utilize the elite facilities and coaching at Sandhurst on a weekly basis. The program is currently at capacity for Term 2, however, we will welcome expressions of interest for Term 3 in the coming weeks. Any questions, please contact the College.

In the bustling world of our farm classrooms, Grade 4 and 3 students have embarked on an exciting journey to unravel the mysteries of plant life. With curious minds and nimble fingers, they've been delving deep into the question: how does water make its way into plants and travel up into the towering trees?

Through a series of engaging activities, these budding scientists have been brainstorming, sketching intricate models, and even constructing Lego tree replicas to unlock the secrets of nature's plumbing
system. In their imaginative creations, students have ingeniously tackled challenges like representing the soil profile with different hues of brown and overcoming shortages of green blocks by employing clever design strategies.

Working collaboratively in teams, these young minds have embraced the spirit of communication and cooperation as they strive to crack the code of water transport in plants. Their theories range from the notion of plants "sucking up water" to the concept of water absorption into the trunk and the fascinating idea of water being "pushed up the tree" through unseen mechanisms.

But amidst their scientific explorations, there's always time for a dose of hands-on learning with our beloved farm animals. This week, students ventured into the paddock to learn the art of low-energy interaction
with our gentle sheep companions. With hushed voices and tender gestures, they discovered the magic of attracting these woolly friends for a nibble of tasty treats.

Of course, our feathered friends couldn't be left out of the fun! Amidst the verdant splendor of our herb garden, students have been tantalizing their taste buds with a variety of culinary delights, from fragrant
basil and earthy sage to zesty thyme and refreshing peppermint. Meanwhile, the promise of freshly sprouting beans adds an extra layer of anticipation to our agricultural adventures.

One student proudly shared a photo of his sunflower from home—a seed he nurtured at school and then took under his wing. The vibrant blooms stand as a testament to his dedication and the profound impact of our farm activities on students' everyday lives, fostering a lasting connection to nature's wonders.

As we continue to nurture curiosity and compassion on our farm, these young explorers are sowing the seeds of knowledge and stewardship, one gentle interaction and creative experiment at a time. Stay tuned as our agricultural odyssey unfolds, and the wonders of the natural world continue to inspire and amaze!

Siobhan Morris

In an exciting venture into the heart of nature's classroom, Year 8 students recently embarked on an enlightening excursion to the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. This immersive experience aimed to delve deep into the principles of biomicry, harnessing nature's genius to inspire innovative solutions to future challenges.

Amidst the tranquil beauty of the gardens, students enthusiastically engaged in a series of hands-on activities, each designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of the intricate systems and designs found in
the natural world. From the graceful dance of leaves in the wind to the intricate patterns of a flower's petals, every aspect of nature served as a teacher, imparting valuable lessons in sustainability and creativity.

One of the highlights of the excursion was a focused session centered around the venerable banksia tree, a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the Australian landscape. Drawing inspiration from its unique
features, students collaborated in small groups to brainstorm solutions to real-world problems or develop innovative product ideas.

The banksia's rugged bark, for instance, sparked ideas for durable materials suitable for eco-friendly packaging, while its intricate flower structures inspired novel designs for efficient water filtration systems. Through this process of observation and ideation, students not only honed their scientific inquiry skills but also cultivated a deep appreciation for the boundless ingenuity of the natural world.

As they returned from their adventure with minds brimming with newfound insights and creativity, these young scholars carry with them the seeds of innovation, sown amidst the verdant splendor of the botanical gardens. With each step, they stride closer towards a future where sustainable solutions blossom from the fertile soil of nature's wisdom. Stay tuned for more updates as our journey into ag studies continues to unfold!

Siobhan Morris

Ag Studies

The Music Department Ensembles are booked for the third year running at the Mornington Winter Music Festival on June 9th during the Kings Birthday Long Weekend.

The festival celebrates the diverse talent of the Music industry on the Mornington Peninsula. Local musicians will perform a wide selection of music genres from Jazz, Blues, Soul, Pop, and R&B on street corners, restaurants, and venues in Mornington.

We are excited to have our largest line up of performers this year with back-to-back performances from 11:0 0am to 5:00 pm on Main Street Mornington opposite Hecho En Mexico.

Please come along and support our talented Flinders musicians!

Performance times are below.

11:00 – Junior Strings
11:20 – Issy Smith
11:30 – Camerata
11:50 – Sacha Robinson
12:00 - Chamber Orchestra
12:20 – Year 9 Rock Band
12:45 – Flute Ensemble
1:00 – Secondary Choir
1:20 – Yr 7 Classroom Concert Band
1:40 – Year 10 Rock Band
2:00 – Year 9 Classroom Bands
3:00 - Smashed Avos
3:30 – Brass Hipstas
4:00 - Jazz Band
4:30 - Modern Band

Adam Carson
Head of Performing Arts

Don Bosco Camp at Safety Beach was filled with musical melodies from the TY and CD Secondary Ensemble students for the Music Camp on May 9th and 10th. The camp involved two-day intensive rehearsals, music master class, teamwork and community building activities, and a performance to family and friends.

Students developed instrumental technique and performance abilities in their dedicated ensemble including the Rock Band, Modern Band, RNB Band, Strings Orchestra, Choir, and Big Band. This included sectional and solo tuition from the Colleges highly talented instrumental staff.

The master class involved the music staff performing as staff band and looked deeply into improvisation and music interpretation techniques. Students learnt how music style changes the overall feel of a piece and the important elements that dynamics, articulations, ornamentation, music contour, and rhythm play in improvisation.

The camp closed with a two-hour performance on Friday to family and friends. The performance involved a wide number of stand out musical numbers including the collaboration of the Strings Orchestra, Choir, and Jazz Band performing “My Shot” from Hamilton.

The Cross Campus Music Departments would like to thank all the students for their continued commitment and passion towards music. We’d also like to share our appreciation towards the music staff involved; Tom Pugh, Joseph Rolleston, Greta Kerrigan, Peter Davidson, David Bell, Gary Bosdorf, Rob Anderson, Justin Mclaren, Angela Mclaren, Clare Cairns, Dave Campbell, Jamie Grima, and Michele Hayes.

Adam Carson
Head of Performing Arts

If you have friends and family who are interested in enrolling, open days are a great opportunity to visit our Campus. Meet staff, view our facilities and see classes in action.

Tyabb Campus (Including Joshua Centre)

Wednesday 29 May 2024, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Please click the link to register for an Open Day

Applications for 2026 and beyond are now open!

We have limited places, so best to apply as early as possible
especially if you have a sibling.

Submitting an application is just a click away!

If you have any questions, please contact enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au
Illana Cornell
Enrolments Manager