Everyone aspires to succeed—whether in sports, music, business, academics, or relationships. For many, being the best or winning is the ultimate goal. But sometimes, the most important question isn’t “Did you win?”—it’s “Did you do your best?”

The late American President Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) learned this lesson early in his career. As a young lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Carter applied to join the nuclear submarine program and was interviewed by Admiral Hyman Rickover. During the interview, Rickover asked Carter where he ranked in his graduating class. Carter proudly replied, “59th out of 820.” Expecting praise, he was instead met with a simple but piercing question: “Did you do your best?” After a pause, Carter admitted, “No, I didn’t.”

To his surprise, Carter was accepted into the program. That moment—and that question—stayed with him for the rest of his life.

No one can excel at everything. You can’t win every game, top every subject, or master every co-curricular activity. And that’s okay. We don’t expect our students to be straight-A achievers in every area. But we do expect them to give their best effort.

As we approach the end of term, with exams and final assessments ahead, this is all we ask of our students: Do your best.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” — Colossians 3:23–24

Mark Hamilton

Head of Secondary

Flinders College had a strong presence at this year’s Victorian Secondary Schools Challenge for Under 17s, with multiple teams proudly representing the school across both male and female divisions in Division 1 and 2 competitions.

Our Division 1 Boys team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, finishing on a high by taking out the Grand Final in dominant fashion.

In Division 2 Girls, the White team went undefeated and were rewarded with a well-deserved Grand Final win.

The Girls Grey team also competed in Division 2 and put in a brave showing. Finishing with a 1–2 record, both of their losses came by just one point, highlighting how close and competitive their games were.

Our Division 2 Boys team also had a strong campaign, making it all the way to the Grand Final. Despite falling just short in the decider, they played with intensity and represented Flinders with pride.

Congratulations to all our U17 athletes for their effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship and we wish the teams advancing through to finals all the best.

On Monday 12th May, a talented group of students proudly represented the Southern Independent Schools Association at the prestigious 2025 Victorian School Associations Competition (VSAC), held at Melbourne Sports Centres (MSAC). Selection for VSAC is a remarkable achievement, showcasing the athletes' dedication, determination, and swimming excellence. We are so proud of our students for competing at such a high level and representing our school and association with pride and sportsmanship.

Last week, Tyabb students took to the track and field for our annual House Athletics Carnival—and what a brilliant day it was! From long-distance running to high-flying jumps and powerful throws, students gave their best in every event. With cheers echoing across the oval and house colours flying proudly, the spirit of competition and camaraderie was alive and well.

House Results

After an incredible day of athletic effort and house pride, here are the final standings:

1st Place – Flynn

2nd Place – Nicholls

3rd Place – Cuthbert

4th Place – Ten Boom

Top Individual Performers

We also celebrate the top three athletes in each age group who excelled across multiple events.

Female Results

Under 13 Girls
1st – Mia R
2nd – Eleana B
3rd – Paige J

Under 14 Girls
1st – Maya M
2nd – Peppa R
3rd – Ella W

Under 15 Girls
1st – Bella G
2nd – Jessi W
3rd – Amy A

Under 16 Girls
1st – Ella M
2nd – Maggie R
3rd – Madeline E

Under 17 Girls
1st – Sunday M
2nd – Amelia L
3rd – Harper R-H

Under 21 Girls
1st – Matilda H
2nd – Isabelle J
3rd – Imogen F

Male Results

Under 13 Boys
1st – Jacob B
2nd – Oscar F
3rd – Ted C

Under 14 Boys
1st – Oliver N
2nd – Roman C
3rd – Charlie S

Under 15 Boys
1st – Flynn B
2nd – Ryder G
3rd – Benjamin B

Under 16 Boys
1st – Riley G
2nd – Eli C
3rd – Cooper G

Under 17 Boys
1st – Thomas L
2nd – Jamie B
3rd – Logan B

Under 21 Boys
1st – Jack M
2nd – Beau G
3rd – James D

The Year 8 Music classroom students have been diligently performing on both guitar and piano as part of the Year 8 Classroom Music Rotations Program. Students are learning practical and theoretical music skills in small group settings during their weekly classroom rehearsals. Flinders Music has a key focus on supporting student learning through interactive and collaborative learning that's made engaging via the use of contemporary music.

Thank you to our fabulous instrumental staff, Mr Gary Bosdorf and Mr Dave Bell, for their continued support and expertise!

Students who show an interest in extending their music skills are encouraged to enrol into private, shared, or group instrumental lessons. Flinders Music offers instrumental lessons during and outside of school hours with professional musicians/teachers. If your child is interested in receiving instrumental lessons please complete the Flinders Instrumental Music Expression of Interest Form via the link below.

https://forms.office.com/r/WNsjrbH4p1

Well done and bravo to our Year 8 Musos!

Yours musically,
Mrs Annette Yates
Yr 8 Music

Flinders Music is excited to announce the new 2025 Primary String Program Award System that assists with fostering music education in the Grade 3 and 4 String Programs.

Grade 3 students were awarded their “Licence to String” awards during term 1 for showing skill and perseverance in learning complex rhythms, note durations, and all the open strings on the instrument.

Grade 4 students are currently working on their “Muso of the Week” awards that showcase student understanding and experience in instrument care, dedicated practice, ensemble techniques, organisational skills, and respect towards fellow musicians.

The Flinders Music string specialists, Greta Kerrigan and Jenni Moser, have been leading the Primary String Program Award System with a key focus on enriching student auditory processing, emotional development, fine motor skills, and academic abilities.

Students who are currently learning a musical instrument/voice, within or outside the College, are invited to perform in the second of our series of Music Soirees on Monday 16th June. The soiree will be held in the Music Department with Primary students performing from 3:30pm-4:30pm and Secondary students performing from 5:00pm-6:00pm.

This is an ideal opportunity for students to perform as either solo or group layouts in an informal and relaxed environment for family, friends, and fellow students.

Please see attached poster for further details.

If your child is interested in performing please complete the application form below.

Primary Soiree: https://forms.office.com/r/RFShLDr0ja

Secondary Soiree: https://forms.office.com/r/wKTrHgHUjz

For further details please contact the Music Administrator, Margaret Simpson, at margaret.simpson@flinders.vic.edu.au

Flinders music is excited to announce the new Year 8 Rock Band that’s open to Year 8 students who’d like to share their music passion with like-minded students.

The band is open to Year 8 students at any playing level on Rock Band Instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keys/piano, vocals), and woodwind, brass, or string instruments.

Students will be learning a wide variety of exciting contemporary and classic repertoire from a wide range of music styles.

Students interested in joining the Year 8 Rock Band are asked to complete the “Flinders Ensemble Expression of Interest Form” via the link below.
https://forms.office.com/r/CAvtufyN99
Please feel free to contact Adam Carson (Head of Performing Arts) for further details.
adam.carson@flinders.vic.edu.au

We’re halfway through our 2025 lambing here at the school farm, and we’re excited to share an update on the new additions to our flock. So far, four of our ewes have successfully lambed, with a few more still to go.

Here’s what’s happened so far:

• Ahsoka had 1 ewe lamb last Thursday night
• Anzac had 2 ewe lambs around midday last Friday
  
• Arizona had 1 ram lamb on Mother’s Day
• Biscuit had 2 ram lambs very early Tuesday morning

Our sheep show team has been helping to care for our adorable new additions, regularly checking on the ewes and lambs, and weighing lambs. If you haven’t already, be sure to stop by the farm sometime to say hello to our newest (and cutest) members of our flock. 

We’re looking forward to the rest of the season and will continue to keep everyone updated as more lambs arrive. Thank you to everyone who’s supported the farm during this exciting and busy time!

-Charli T, Sheep Show Team Leader

The Redhill show was an amazing show, my favorite by far. It was a calm and chill show not like many other shows. There were 100 sheep from across 6 breeds displayed and 17 of those sheep came from Flinders. Two of our sheep got champion and Reserve champion, the champion Corriedale Ram went to “Parker” and the Reserve champion Corriedale Ewe went to “Biscuit”. At the show we prepped the sheep, we trimmed the fleece unless they had been shorn, and cleaned their faces. After prepping the sheep we could do other jobs, like stewarding, giving out the ribbons, recording results, helping other stud’s with their sheep and speaking on the microphone to promote Flinders, talking about the sheep, answering questions, and people from the public answered some questions too! 

So many ribbons were handed out that day and so many sheep were shown, watching all those sheep come in and out of their pens was cool, they had so many personalities. Some were more stubborn, some would even sit or lay down! Some sheep were peaceful and would follow your lead, one sheep had a totally different personality, a very chatty personality! When it won ribbons, it would gloat in the microphone while in the arena all the back to it’s pen. It was quite funny.  

More events with the sheep occurred that day and one of them was Junior Handler competition. In this event, juniors of the team could pick any sheep they wanted (but only the sheep from Flinders) and show how well they could handle that sheep! I chose Tirian, the 2nd biggest Ram at Flinders. At the Red Hill show there were only 3 places in junior handling 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in 1st place came Tilly K in year 7, 2nd came me (Zoe M) in year 7 and in 3rd came Sabine C also in year 7. I can probably say for a lot of students that junior handling is our favorite part of the day.  

I had a great day, my favorite part of that day was junior handling, handing out ribbons, helping other studs and other members of the team, caring for the sheep, having fun and winning ribbons! That day I learnt a lot, such as trying to help others, not just with their sheep but other things like checking the water for the sheep or sweeping the pathway that was covered by hay. But we can always help with other jobs as well like handing out ribbons and more. I had a really good day that day and I can’t wait for the upcoming show this year!          

-Zoe M, Sheep Show Team Member

Our Year 11 Business Management and Food Studies students embarked on an exclusive journey to experience the pinnacle of VIP luxury at Marvel Stadium's Premier Suites. This rare opportunity allowed them to delve into the intricacies of business operations behind the scenes, gaining invaluable insights into the world of elite hospitality.

During this extraordinary excursion, students learned about the critical elements that make these suites exceptional: the importance of gourmet food, impeccable staffing, top-tier services, and breathtaking panoramic views. They witnessed firsthand how Marvel Stadium crafted an unparalleled luxury entertainment experience, complete with memorable culinary and beverage offerings that left guests in awe.

Despite the challenges of catering to a diverse and enthusiastic audience within a limited timeframe, the dedicated staff at Marvel Stadium showcased their remarkable ability to create exclusive experiences using shared resources and a compact kitchen. This excursion was not just a lesson in business management but a celebration of excellence in hospitality.

We also visited the South Melbourne Market, established in 1867, which is the quintessential village market. It had lots of business opportunities for small businesses and was filled with bustling business stories. The market was a vibrant hub where local entrepreneurs showcased their unique products, from fresh produce to artisanal crafts. The lively atmosphere, rich with the sounds and scents of diverse offerings, provided a perfect backdrop for understanding the dynamics of small business operations and the importance of community support in fostering economic growth.

We’re excited to announce that our Parents and Friends Committee will be hosting a Primary School Disco exclusively for our Primary students!

Event Details:

Date: Friday 30 May

Venue: Primary Gym

Time: Prep to Grade 3 are invited to attend between 5pm and 6:15pm

Time: Grade 4 to 6 are invited to attend between 6:45pm to 8:15pm


Tickets are available to purchase via the Flinders Connect APP until 28 May; here you can pay for a single or family ticket. (When buying a family ticket, please include your children’s names and year group)

Please refer to the flyer attached for more details.

We look forward to a fun-filled evening for our students!

The Grade Fives had an unforgettable day at Moonlit Sanctuary! Blessed with beautiful, warm weather, they explored the fascinating world of animal adaptations. From the cunning dingo to the cuddly koala (always a crowd-pleaser), and the sturdy wombat to the elusive spotted quoll, the students were captivated by the unique survival strategies of these amazing creatures.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Stirling for their invaluable assistance throughout the day. The Grade Fives truly cherished their time at Moonlit Sanctuary.

Helen Smith & Eric Wilson
Grade 5 Team

The Grade 6 students have spent the last 4 days at Camp Howqua! They have challenged themselves with Horse Riding, a flying fox, rock climbing, water slide, archery, team building and a survival course! Students pushed the boundaries of their comfort zones and had an excellent time! Thank you to our incredible staff who made camp possible.

To honour and celebrate Mother's Day, our K3 kinder children invited their mothers, or another significant woman in their lives to share their kindergarten space and engage in special play experiences. This event celebrates family and connection, reflecting our values as a Christian school. It supports our cultural philosophy and aligns with the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework (VEYLDF) outcome of children belonging to the community. The children made chocolate crackles and honey joys to share with their special guests, and also created a card and a gift of fragrant shower scrub. Some highlights included singing a song to our special ladies and reading a group story.

Sammantha Van Tienen

Kinder Director

Farm Visit

During a visit to the farm, JCA students were thrilled to see a newborn lamb. They also helped by picking up sticks and feeding the sheep, making it a memorable and hands-on experience.

Buddies

In a buddy session, students began making key rings with polymer clay. After baking them for half an hour, they will complete their creations in the next session with their JCC buddies.

Performing Arts

JCA students enjoyed a lively session of performing arts, showcasing their creativity and talent.

Funky Farm

JCA had a fantastic day at Funky Farm, where we learned about various animals and reptiles. Everyone enjoyed patting and holding the animals, including wrapping a big python around our necks! It was a great day for all

New Life on the Farm

During a visit to the school farm, our students were privileged to witness the first born lamb of the season. It was a truly magical moment as they watched the newborn lamb take its first steps and bond with its mother. The hands-on experience allowed the students to connect with their studies in a meaningful way, fostering a deeper appreciation for agriculture and animal care.

Funky Farm Excursion

The JCB class visited Funky Farm, where they had the chance to interact with a variety of Australian native animals. From kangaroos to snakes, lizards, and koalas, our students got up close and personal with the animals from the sanctuary. This unique experience allowed them to learn about the diverse wildlife of Australia and the importance of conservation efforts.

Botanical Gardens

JCC/JCD students recently visited the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, enriching their History and Humanities studies. They explored traditional Indigenous hunting rituals, tasted lemon myrtle tea, and created calico paintings with natural ochre. It was a day filled with learning and hands-on experiences in a beautiful natural setting.

VR Lessons

In an exciting Geography lesson, students used VR headsets to explore diverse global locations. They soared over mountains, dived into oceans, and walked through bustling cities, all from their classroom. This immersive experience sparked curiosity and deepened their understanding of different environments and cultures.

Praying Mantis Discovery

A moment of wonder occurred when JCD students found a praying mantis in the schoolyard. This led to a student-led research session, where they explored the mantis’s features, behaviours, and ecological role. What began as a simple discovery turned into an engaging learning experience driven by student curiosity.

PRIMARY

We are excited to announce that our school will be participating in Operation Christmas Child, a charitable initiative that aims to provide gift-filled shoeboxes to underprivileged children around the world. As part of our efforts, we will be having a Free Dress Day on Friday 6th June. We are inviting each student to bring along a donation that matches the theme assigned to their year level (refer to Activity notice on Flinders Connect Notice) and $2 to help cover costs for the boxes international mail fees.

SECONDARY

On Friday 6th June, we hope that you will join with us in raising awareness of the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Campaign. We invite all secondary students to come to school in free dress, and to bring along an item for donation and $2 coin to cover the postage costs that each box sent entails. These items are then put into shoe boxes that are sent to communities of children in the majority world. Further information regarding the donations will be provided by the respective Home Room teacher or House Mentor.

TERM 1

- Labor Day Public Holiday: Monday 10 March

- Last Day of Term 1: Friday 4 April

TERM 2

- Easter Monday Public Holiday: Monday 21 April

- First Day of Term 2: Wednesday 23 April

- ANZAC Day: Friday 25 April

- Year 7 & 10 Immunisations: Monday 28 April

- Secondary House Cross Country: Thursday 1 May

- Parent Student Teacher Interviews: From Monday 5 May to Thursday 8 May

- Kings Birthday Public Holiday: Monday 9 June

- Secondary Exams (Yr 10 & 11): From Friday 20 June to Thursday 26 June

- Student Free Day: Friday 27 June

- Last Day if Term 2: Friday 4 July

Applications are open for 2025 and beyond! Don’t forget to apply for any siblings. Remember to apply extra early for Year 7 if you have children who aren’t yet at Flinders as start first round of interviews begins two years prior.

Applying is easy, to start your application click on this link Enrol at Flinders.

If you have any questions, please contact enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au

Dear Families

We would like to gently remind everyone about the importance of not leaving young children unattended in cars. Even during cooler weather, the temperature inside a vehicle can still rise quickly, which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for children. To ensure their safety and well-being, it's always best to take your children with you when you leave the car, even if it's just for a short pick up.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank you for using the carpark appropriately, ensuring the 'kiss and go' lane is moving smoothly, and reminding everyone not to leave the car in the loop unattended. Your cooperation and commitment to these guidelines help keep our community safe and efficient.

Regards

Matt Smith
Acting Head of Primary School

Dear Flinders Families,

We are excited to announce that as a Flinders Community we will be running the ALPHA program. This is an opportunity where we invite families who are interested in exploring questions of life from a Christian perspective to be a part of this program.

Why ALPHA?

If your children have been coming home from school with questions about faith or God, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other Flinders families who may have similar questions or are seeking to understand more about the Christian faith.

If you have your own questions about faith or may be seeking to know more about Jesus, this is also the perfect place to ask tough questions and discuss them in a small group and safe environment.

What is ALPHA?

ALPHA is a short course over a 12-week period, that explores the big questions of life and faith and unpacks the basics of Christian belief. It addresses questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?”, and “How does God guide us?”. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment.

The program includes watching a video together that breaks down a certain topic or question, breaking into small groups to discuss questions, and over some yummy treats and snacks.

When will this happen?

There is no cost to this program. It will commence in the middle of Term 2, at our Tyabb Campus, and include catering. Each session in the program will go for approximately 90 minutes and will be led by our chaplaincy team. Further information will be provided to interested families shortly.

Please register your interest here: https://forms.office.com/r/iJe1SyeGZZ

If you would like to know more about the ALPHA course, please visit their website HERE.

We look forward to seeing you there and embarking on this journey together!

If you have any questions, please let us know.