Principal’s Message

 Thought for the week
“Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Give everyone a smile.
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.”

The exam week is over and the winter holidays are approaching. It has been a long and busy term and it has flown by with amazing speed.

At a recent presentation I heard a suggestion that as the consciousness of mankind is developing we are coming closer and closer to realising our true oneness with the infinite divine Mind. Ultimately the “end of the world” the physical world that is, will come about when we realise that through an understanding of our God-given abilities and spiritual nature we are able to “co-create” our own world, our own experience and our own “future”. With this comes an eventual realisation that there is really no limitation at all – not even time. Of course the result of all this is that the world/universe becomes what we create it to be, every instant. It is in reality – spiritual not material.

I think this is a wonderful picture of the future and is far more uplifting and positive than the “doom and gloom” merchants who speak of the dismal future prospects for the world. I think our role at present is simply to lift everyone’s thinking to the highest level we can and to see the good in everyone and everything. When we see God, good in everything we start to bring all of this into our experience and it becomes the unfoldment of our consciousness.

We have a busy time ahead before the school closes for two weeks and then we have a very hectic schedule next term. Many of you will have attended the Large Group Music Concert held on Thursday night. What wonderful work our Music Department does. The Choirs, Orchestras, Concert Band and other groups are absolutely stunning. Thank you to everyone involved.

In the final week we have “Thank Goodness You’re Here” on Tuesday Night and this is a fund-raiser for the Simunye project, which is our South African outreach activity. As you probably know we have students and staff going there every second year to help support various struggling communities including orphanages, an After-School care centre and a rural school. This event will be a lot of fun so please come along and enjoy the experience. We have a number of professional comedians taking part.
Please come along and support this great community project and have a really fun-filled evening.

During the first two weeks of next term Huntingtower is hosting an International Educators’ Conference. This is a great honour for us and is a wonderful opportunity for our staff and many other teachers to hear from international experts in their field. To facilitate our own staff attending the conference we are making Monday 21 July an Optional Attendance day. This will apply to both the Senior and Junior School students. No formal teaching will take place but if you would like to send your child to school they will be looked after.

On Saturday 19 July the Conference Keynote speaker, Dr Laurance Doyle, will be speaking on the topic, Modern Physics and Metaphysics: their place in education. Laurance Doyle is a world renowned Astrophysicist and is a part of NASA’s SETI program. If any parent would like to attend from 10am to 11am on Saturday 19 July, we would love to see you.

Have a very good rest over the holidays and thank you for your continued support this term.

Sholto Bowen
Principal

June 20 2008 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |

Student’s News

Over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Brooke Logie (Year 7) and Eloise Verbeek (Year 8) along with team mates from their representative basketball team, Nunawading Spectres U14.1, competed in the National Junior Classic tournament at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. In each age group, 16 teams from around Australia are invited to attend, and Brooke and Eloise’s team was successful in winning the bronze medal, after beating their arch rivals, the Melbourne Tigers, in a closely fought final. The team will now complete the Victorian Championship season, and have qualified to play in the Australian Junior Championships in Adelaide in October.

June 20 2008 | All and Announcements | No Comments » |

Music Notes

There has been an amazing series of concerts over the past month and hearty congratulations are extended to every student (over 400 students) who performed so magnificently.  As the Bulletin gors to print we will have just experienced our magnificent Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert.  This concert involves over 300 students from Years 3 to 12 performing in all our large orchestras, choirs and Concert Band – it is always an awe-inspiring sight to see so many young people moving quickly and quietly to their positions and then producing such high quality, beautiful music.  We are ceertainly extremely proud of every musician involved.

Sincere gratitude is extended to our wonderful team – Mrs Lisa Sutton (Senior Choral), Mrs Anne Wilson (Junior choral), Mrs Julie Payne (Brass Ensemble) to our talented, dedicated parents and old student Chris Turpin, Julie Payne, Carolyn Berlin, Geoff Payne, Rob Clarke and Andrew Roe and to our very kind staff who volunteered to help organise the large number of students.

The Junior School "Musical Mosaic Concert" involving all Junior students from Years Prep to 6 and the Little Symphony and Little Choir Concert (Years Prep to 2) were both sheer delight from start to finish.  It was the very first performance for some of our students including the Preps and in both concerts there were constant special moments for the large enthusiastic audiences.

We have also enjoyed 2 wonderful Junior Piano Concerts and a Years 5 and 6 Solo Concert earlier in the term.  We are looking forward to the Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert next week (Tuesday 24 June at 6.00pm in the Orchestral Room).

Next term there will be solo performances from students in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and a Year 7 concert early in Term IV.

HOLIDAY SOLO CONCERT
Thursday 10 July – 7.00pm in the Orchestral Room.
This is an opportunity for students from any level to perform – it is an ideal occasion for musicians who may be preparing for AMEB or VCE exams or coming Eisteddfods to have an extra occasion to perform.  Please inform Lynley Bramble (BH 9807 8888 or AH 9803 7701) if you would like to perform.

CONGRATULATIONS to:
Christian Smith who has won a scholarship with the Choral Institute of Melbourne enabling him to go on a overseas tour with the choir to perform in a Festival in Rome and to give other performances with the choir in Milan, Venice, Pompeii and Florence.  Christian has also recently won 2nd prize in the VCE vocal section at the Ringwood Eisteddfod and has successfully auditioned for a principal role in Malcolm Williamson’s "The Happy Prince" directed by opera guru Richard Gill.  What an exciting time for Christian and we wish him all the very best.
Ethan Yuen Who was awarded 2nd prize in the 8 years and under string section and 3rd prize in the 10 years and under string section at the Ringwood Eisteddfod.
Jason Huang, Tom Lo and Sam Hodson who have been chosen to perform at the 3 MBS "Chamber Music Feast" in a master class given by Marco van Pagee, Director of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.
Hearty congratulations and best wished to you all.

SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
1.  Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble sections which usually involve every player from Years 3 to 12 are on Saturday 16 August – please keep this date free also.
2.  Huntingtower Camarata Gala Concert
Sunday 12 October at 2.30pm.  There will be many more details to come but once again all players (Years Prep to 12) are involved in this very important event.

MUSIC DATES TERM II  2008
1.  Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert Tuesday 24 June – 6.00pm.  Orchestral Room
2.  Mordialloc Eisteddfod (Senior Chamber Choirs) thursday 26 June.

MUSIC DATES TERM III  2008
1.  Years 10, 11, 12 Solo Concert
Tuesday 22 July 6.00pm – Orchestral Room
2.  Senior Musical
Tuesday 5 August Matinee – Performing Arts Centre
Thursday 7 August 8.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
Friday 8 August 8.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
Saturday 9 August 8.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
3.  JSHAA 17th Biennial Combined Music Festival
Tuesday 12 August – Dallas Brooks Hall.  Junior Orchestra
4.  Waverley Eisteddfod (Ensemble Sections – Junior/Middle School/Senior Orchestras, Concert Band)
Saturday 16 August 9.00am – 4.00pm
5.  Waverley Eisteddfod (Choral Sections – Senior Chamber Choirs)
Friday 22 August
6.  "An Afternoon with Chapel off Chapel"
Tuesday 26 August 2.00pm (Some VCE musicians)
7.  Year 8 Solo Concert
Thursday 28 August 7.00pm – Orchestral Room.
8.  Small Ensemble/String Orchestra/Chamber Choirs Concert
Friday 5 September 7.00pm – Orchestal Room
9. Year 9 Solo Concert
thursday 11 September 7.00pm – Orchestral Room
10.  Vision Australia Performance
Friday 12 September 2.00pm – Concert Band
11.  Yeringa Village Performance
Thursday 18 September 1.30pm – Junior Musicians

June 20 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |

PTA Page

Diary Dates:
Sunday July 27: Sunday Winter Market
August 7, 8 & 9: School Musical – ‘Anything Goes’
Sunday October 12: Camerata
Saturday 8 November: School Fete for 2008

Sunday 27 July 12noon – 4pm – Winter Market

Thanks to all those families who are enjoying Molly Dene’s pies. Thanks to those families who rounded their contribution up to make a donation to the PTA – and particular thanks to the Helen and the Verbeek family.
Joy did a sterling job putting it all together. Watch for the follow up pie drive, scheduled for late third term.

Class lists

LAST CALL – Year 9 Families:

Clean jars, all shapes and sizes, with lids needed for jams and chutney stall at fete. Please call Jean on 9893 6660

IMPORTANT …. Our School Fete NEEDS YOU! We are seeking the help of a few talented and dedicated individuals / small teams to take on some very important functions. These are essential, strategic and vital jobs and roles, and include promotion / advertising; signage; food handling, sponsorship and rides. If you are interested, please call a committee member…. Today!

Sunday 27 July – Winter Market: We are looking for individuals/ clubs / social or sporting groups who would like to sell their wares – and welcome everything from Tupperware to jewellery, cards, enjo, craft and all other goodies. Please pass on details to your friends and family members who may also like to participate. Stalls will be under cover and cost $50 each. Stall holders will be provided with a trestle table and two chairs. Join with a friend and make it a ‘funner’ day. Contact Sheree Amprimo via email for further information. amprimo@alphalink.com.au

November 8 is the School Fete: Does anyone know of / work in / run / own a business that would be able to assist the school with the fete in November? We are looking for companies who could supply or quote on goods such as marquees, portable cool rooms, PA systems, advertising, marketing, food supplies. All suggestions / any help very much appreciated. Please contact one of the PTA committee members for further information. Details below.

Committee members for 2008 are happy to be contacted: 

Sheree Amprimo 9800 4430
Jean Barrand 9893 6660
Joy Di Fede 9574 9993
Judy Orford 9571 9740 

We welcome your feedback, support, participation in PTA activities and ideas for fund raising.

June 20 2008 | All and PTA | No Comments » |

Australian Spiritual Summit 11 – 13 July 2008

This TMC Youth initiated weekend is open to ages 12 – 30. Join in talks led by Christian Science lecturers from the USA, Africa and the UK. Topics like relationships, school, careers, global issues and your life purpose will be examined with a spiritual view. Explore an inspired sense of Church through workshops about activities such as a two-week course on healing, praying for the world, and becoming a part-time or full-time Christian healer. And Time to talk, reflect, listen to music, and share ideas. Participants are coming from all round Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Everyone Welcome! Register at www.tmcyouth.com or email australiansummit@googlemail.com

June 20 2008 | All and Announcements | No Comments » |

Principal’s Message

Thought for the week

“Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.”

I would like to share with you some wonderful words of wisdom that I am sure you have heard before. They have been expressed by leaders and thinkers for thousands of years.

Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
Make all your friends feel that there is something special about them.
Look at the sunny side of everything.
Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Give everyone a smile.
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.
Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.

In July this year Huntingtower is hosting an International Educators’ Conference. This is a great opportunity and honour for us and we have educators and people interested in education based on a spiritual foundation coming from all parts of the world including Africa, Europe, , , the , and . On Saturday 19 July the conference commences with our Key Note speaker Dr Laurance Doyle. Dr Doyle is a world renowned Astrophysicist and Astronomer and has worked for many years on NASA’s SETI program (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence). You can “google” Dr Doyle and get further background on him if you like. (Be sure to spell his first name correctly in your google search) The title of Dr Doyle’s talk is “Modern Physics and Metaphysics: their place in education”. If any parent, student or friend is interested in attending this presentation you are most welcome. It will commence at 10am on Saturday 19 July in the Huntingtower Performing Arts Centre. If any of you would be interested in attending the whole Christian Science Educators’ Conference from 18 to 22 July, you are welcome to register by visiting the school website at www.huntingtower.vic.edu.au and following the links to the CS Educators’ Conference.

Congratulations to our Aerobics team which made the State finals this year. Thanks to Miss Phan who has ensured that they reached a very high standard and to Mrs Barker for her help. I was so proud of our girls when I saw them perform in the finals at the Camberwell Civic Centre. They ended up being placed 8th in the State out of 17 State finalists.

You are likely to see a number of changes occurring around the school in the next few weeks. You may be aware that three of our facilities are now hired out to outside organisations. These facilities include the Performing Arts Centre, the Gymnasium and the new Hockey Astroturf. We have also installed a new entrance protocol and drop-off zone at the Western entrance to the school which is now being extensively used by many Junior School parents. Many Senior School students also use the pedestrian entrance at this Western Entrance which is known as the Mrs V Mather entrance. In order to ensure the safety and security of all of our students, including boarders and students playing sport at the weekend or rehearsing at night, we are installing some high intensity lights which will be activated at all of the entrances to the school and also in some parts of the school which were previously quite dark at night. We will also be placing Security Video cameras at a number of positions around the school, all of which are designed to increase your child’s safety and the security of our school environment.

At the Western pedestrian entrance gate there will be an access code so that only bona fide students and parents of the school have access to our grounds. You will all be given this code once the new system has been installed and we ask that you keep it confidential to our school community. A system like this is only effective if all the people it is designed to help work towards this goal. The code will be changed every now and then and it will be important that you read the bulletin or messages that we send which reveal the new access code.

We are sure that the new system will improve our overall school security and also the security of your children. Thank you for your support with this development.

Sholto Bowen
Principal

June 06 2008 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |

PTA Page

 Diary Dates:
Sunday July 27: Sunday Winter Market
August 7, 8 & 9: School Musical – ‘Anything Goes’
Sunday October 12: Camerata

Calling all Year 5 Mums!   Time for an evening to ourselves…

IMPORTANT…Our School Fete NEEDS YOU!
School FeteNEEDS YOU! We are seeking

Sunday 27 July – Winter Market:

Second Hand Books?  We love them!!  Please look through your bookshelves – if you have any books you don’t want give them to the PTA! Please leave them at the green shed, just up from the boarding house.

Did you know

Farm Pride Eggs:

November 8 is the School Fete: Does anyone know of / work in / run / own a business that would be able to assist the school with the fete in November? We are looking for companies who could supply or quote on goods such as marquees, portable cool rooms, PA systems, advertising, marketing, food supplies. All suggestions / any help very much appreciated. Please contact one of the PTA committee members for further information. Details below.

Your Parent Teacher Association: Don’t be shy. As part of the school community, you are invited, encouraged and very welcome to attend all PTA meetings. You will learn much about the school, what is happening and how it functions. Committee members for 2008 are happy to be contacted:  Sheree Amprimo 9800 4430,  Jean Barrand 9893 6660,  Joy Di Fede 9574 9993, Judy Orford 9571 9740,  Jenny Salgo 9802 5058,  Sabrina Samaranayake.  We welcome your feedback, support, participation in PTA activities and ideas for fund raising

June 06 2008 | All and PTA | No Comments » |

Senior and Junior Orchestral and Choral Concert Information

Thursday June 19 2008 – 7.00pm
Performing Arts Centre

•  It will be a short concert!! (each group will perform for approximately 5 or 6 minutes or less!)
• The music is very easy to listen to including Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, folk songs, popular songs, light jazz, Lord of the Dance and other Irish favourites, a brass fanfare and more.
• It is wonderful to hear the amazing talent of over 300 performers from Years 3 to 12.
• For the concert to be a success it is ESSENTIAL for every member of each group to attend. Please contact me IMMEDIATELY (Lynley Bramble BH 9807 8888, AH 9803 7701) email: lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au if there is a problem.
• Please put this schedule where you can constantly refer to it.
• Please let me know IMMEDIATELY if you are unable to attend any rehearsals. There are only a maximum of 2 rehearsals of any group before the concert so it is ESSENTIAL please that EVERY player attends.
• Please take note carefully of any CHANGE of normal rehearsal time or extra rehearsals NB. CONCERT BAND and SENIOR ORCHESTRA especially.
• Please attend all rehearsals on time and be ready to play at the START of every rehearsal.
• If you do have a lunchtime rehearsal, please come at the START of lunchtime and bring your lunch with you. If you are having a canteen lunch please remember to put in an order.
• Many thanks to you all!

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
NB. SENIOR STUDENTS – Please note carefully the changes of rehearsal days for some groups especially CONCERT BAND and SENIOR ORCHESTRA. There are very few rehearsals so PLEASE BE THERE!!

*ALL REHEARSALS ARE IN THE PAC*

June 06 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |

Free Concert

Great Entertainment for all Ages
Junior School children will love it!

Huntingtower Award Winning Orchestras, Choirs and Concert Band
Over 300 Performers from Years 3 to 12

Come and hear music including:

June 06 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |

Music Notes

A Special Date for your Diary – Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
Thursday 19 June at 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre
All choirs and orchestras and Concert Band (involving students from Yearas 3 to 12) will perform so please keep the date free and come and enjoy a fantastic evening!
This will be a wonderful concert in our extended Performing Arts Centre.
The following groups will perform:
Senior Choir
Senior Orchestra
Concert Band
Middle School Orchestra
Junior Choir
Junior Orchestra
Senior, Middle School and Junior Chamber Choirs
Senior and Junior String Orchestras
Brass Ensemble
All the groups have been working extremely hard and there will be a wonderful variety of "easy to listen to" music.  DON’T MISS IT!! (Free admission).

A letter to all performers and their parents will be handed out (Junior School) or posted (Senior School) and a copy of the letter has been included in this Bulletin.  It would be very much appreciated if parents could remind their students to be punctual for these last couple of vital rehearsals.  Sincere gratitude for all your support and looking forward to seeing you at the concert!

BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD
Our final section was held last week in the warm acoustics of the stately Hawthorn Town Hall.  Our Huntingtower Ensemble performed superbly and hearty congratulations to them all as they were awarded first prize in the Open Age Margaret and Murray Sharp Memorial Chamber Music Award.

BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD RESULTS 2008
Primary Chamber Music Section
1st prize Huntingtower "Terzetto" Trio
Primary Small Ensemble
1st prize Huntingtower Junior Ensemble
Margaret and Murray Sharp Memorial Open Chamber Music Award
1st prize Huntingtower Octet

SOLO CONCERTS
Years 5 and 6 Piano Concert
Tuesday 10 June – 6.00pm Performing Arts Centre
Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert
Tuesday 24 June – 6.00pm Orchestral Room

These are wonderful opportunities to hear more of our talented Junior School musicians perform – we have just enjoyed our Years 1 to 4 pianists and all our Little Choir and Little Symphony musicians perform so don’t miss these 2 delightful concerts.

HOLIDAY SOLO CONCERT
Thursday 10 July – 7.00pm Orchestral Room.
This is an opportunity for students from any level to perform – it is an ideal occasion for musicians who may be preparing for AMEB or VCE exams or coming Eisteddfods to have an extra occasion to perform.  Please inform Lynley Bramble (BH 9807 8888 AH  9803 7701) if you would like to perform.

HUNTINGTOWER MUSICIANS HEADING OVERSEAS!
Hearty congratulations and very best wishes to our Huntingtower members of staff and/or old students who will be performing/studying overseas very soon.
1.  Mrs Lisa Sutton who will be performing with a specially auditioned choir in malaysia during the holidays.  She will then be joined by her husband, Shaun for a few days of "real" holiday!
2.  Jess Foot who will be studying the oboe in Germany over the next 12 months.  Jess has been our wonderful oboe teacher fo the past several years and we will greatly miss her teaching and playing but wish her all the best and look forward to her return.
3.  Markiyan Melnychenko who will commence a music course at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester USA.  Markiyan will also be greatly missed (he was a much loved member of our recent String Orchestra tour) but we hope he will return frequently to see us all and wish him all the very berst for his new venture.
4.  Merewyn Bramble who will stduy at Yale university for 2 months and then travel to Munich to perform in an International Chamber music competition.

We wish all of you an extremely fulfulling and enjoyable time.

SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
1.  Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
Thursday 19 June at 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre.  All choirs, orchestras and Concert Band (involving students from Years 3 to 12) will perform so please keep the date free and come and enjoy a fantastic evening!
2.  Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble sections which usually involve every player from Years 3 to 12 are on Saturday 16 August – please keep this date free also.
3.  Huntingtower Camarata Gala Concert
Sunday 12 October at 2.30pm.  there will be many more details to come but once again all players (Years Prep to 12) and choristers (Years 3 to 12) are involved in this very important event.

MUSIC DATES TERM 2  2008
1.  Junior Piano and Wind concert (Years 5 and 6) Tuesday 10 June – 6.00pm.  Performing Arts Centre
2.  Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert Thursday 19 June – 7.00pm.  Performing Arts Centre
3.  Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert Tuesday 24 June – 6.00pm.  Orchestral Room
4.  Mordialloc Eisteddfod (Senior Chamber Choirs) Thursday 26 June.

June 06 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |