2026 Term 4 Week 2 23 Oct 2026

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

It has been a rewarding week at Lindisfarne, filled with leadership, community connection, and opportunities to celebrate the relationships that make our school so special.

On Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of attending the Kingscliff Business Networking Breakfast. It is always a great opportunity to engage with our local business leaders and community partners, reinforcing the strong ties Lindisfarne continues to enjoy with the broader Tweed region. Connecting with local business leaders reminds us of the vibrant community our students, staff and school community are a part of.

Later on Tuesday, our Mahers Lane Campus gathered for a particularly significant occasion: our Leadership Induction Service for our 2027 Year 12 cohort. After a rigorous selection process, we were privileged to formally recognise leadership potential across the cohort, as well as those appointed to specific Captain and Prefect roles.

We extend our warmest congratulations to our 2027 School Captains, Jasmine Harrison and Walt Samuels, and School Vice Captains, Sofia Wilson and Zane Weston. Crucially, 2027 marks the introduction of an important new portfolio: First Nations Prefect. We were thrilled to appoint two outstanding candidates from this cohort, Asia Krasna and Amelie Laurie, to lead this important work. Leadership at Lindisfarne is about service, character, and setting an example for those who follow, and I have every confidence that this student leadership group will serve our school with distinction over the coming year.

We were also very fortunate this week to welcome renowned child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg back to Lindisfarne. On Wednesday, Dr Carr-Gregg spoke directly to the class of 2027 on "Thriving in Year 12," offering invaluable insights, practical strategies, and perspective as they begin their final year at Lindisfarne.

On Wednesday evening, Dr Carr-Gregg addressed our parent body for our ParentEd session on "Preparing for Year 7." It was a deeply engaging and reassuring evening for current and future Year 6 parents who are navigating this important transition, and we are grateful to Dr Carr-Gregg for sharing his expertise and wisdom with our community.

We began early this morning at Club Tweed to host our latest Lindisfarne Business Breakfast. It was a delightful and inspiring morning featuring Olympic legend Laurie Lawrence OAM, warmly hosted by renowned Australian Journalist Leila McKinnon. Leila led a powerful discussion with Laurie, and his passion, energy, and commitment to excellence inspired everyone in attendance: our parents, students, staff, and local business partners.

Today, we also had the privilege of hosting the Term 4 Gold Coast Sustainable Schools Symposium meeting at Lindisfarne. Bringing together like-minded educators and student leaders passionate about environmental stewardship aligns closely with our own commitment to sustainability across our campuses. We look forward to continuing our active involvement in these important regional sustainability initiatives.

Back at our Sunshine Avenue Campus, the grounds were a hive of joy and activity today for our annual Grandparents Day. It is always one of the most heartwarming events on our school calendar. Seeing our youngest students proudly tour their classrooms with their grandparents, share their work, and engage with them is a poignant reminder of the vital role grandparents play in our children's lives. My thanks to our Junior School staff and volunteers for putting so much effort into making the morning hospitable and memorable for our visitors.

With significant rainfall predicted over the coming days, I encourage all of our families to stay safe and dry over the weekend. Thank you, as always, to our staff for their dedication throughout another exceptionally busy week, and to our parents and guardians for your ongoing support of Lindisfarne.

Have a safe and restful weekend.

Warm regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

In last week’s Chaplain’s Column, Rev Constantine wrote about the practical importance of prayer within Christianity and for our School Community.

In this article I would like to focus our attention on Christianity’s most central prayer, often referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ (see Matthew 6:9-13).

The first thing to notice is that this prayer has a rightful order to it.

It teaches us that we are not to be so preoccupied with ourselves that we rush into God’s presence with a shopping list of our own needs.

Instead, it begins by addressing God, followed by 6 requests; the 1st 3 about God’s glory and only then 3 about our needs.

So, let’s have a look at each, starting with the address;

What is immediately apparent in the address is that the prayer is corporate in nature.

For it begins by affirming that God is ‘Our Father.’ That is to say that we are to pray this together, in the context of the Christian community.

As well as being a corporate prayer it also shows that the biblical view of God is that he is both imminent and transcendent.

That is to say that he is our Father - which speaks of family ties – who is in heaven – which highlights that God is Holy Other – is above and beyond and over all things.

This is why many Christians refer to God as their Heavenly Father, which keeps both of these truths about God – imminent and transcendent - in balance.

Yet this intimate way of referring to God as Father does not do away with reverence, for the 1st of the 3 requests about God is, hallowed be your name – that is, that God’s name would be treaty as holy – with due honour, respect and indeed worship.

The 2nd and 3rd of the 3 requests about God’s glory can be seen together – your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Put simply, God’s kingdom is his loving, royal rule. You see, Christianity is more than just the promise of eternal life for each individual who believes.

For the full realization of God’s Kingdom being established is nothing less than the restoration of the entire ‘cosmos’ (from the Greek word for ‘world’) - that sin, injustice and chaos be banished, so that life on earth may come to fully reflect the very life of heaven,

With God’s glory being affirmed Jesus turns to our prayer requests, starting with our daily request for bread.

But some early commentators found this request (excuse the pun) hard to digest.

They questioned why, after the 3 lofty opening requests pertaining to God’s glory, would Jesus abruptly descend to such a mundane and material concern as bread?

Well for me, it is entirely consistent with the nature of the God who is being addressed in this prayer, for although he is transcendent, he is also imminent and as such, he cares for our every need.

In fact, we should note that ‘bread’ refers to the necessities rather than the luxuries of life.

It is interesting to note that the Greek word behind the word daily, as in daily bread, was a very rare word and may well have a paradoxical meaning.

Literally, the request reads; give us today, the bread of tomorrow. But what does that mean?

Well, it seems very likely that Jesus is encouraging us to pray; give us here and now, struggling as we are, an anticipation, a foretaste of that eternal bread, that supernatural nourishment which will be ours in the future of the Kingdom, which, in a very true sense, is what we anticipate and celebrate each time we gather around the Lord’s table to partake of the Eucharist..

The next request has to do with the all-important topic of forgiveness. The prayer asks God to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

To highlight just how important forgiveness is it’s worth noting that it’s the only part of the prayer that Jesus adds a commentary to.

For straight after Jesus taught his disciples this prayer he said to them, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

You see, if we don’t forgive, we will live in a toxic state of unforgiveness. For an unforgiving heart is not in a condition that can receive forgiveness.

As George Herbert once said, “those who cannot forgive break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.”

The final request has to do with the topic of temptation.

But, have you ever wondered why temptations are so difficult to resist? It is simply because, due to our rebellious nature, we actually want to do what we find tempting, even when we know that it is not good for us.

As Oscar Wilde once said, ‘I can resist anything, except temptation.’

And so, these 3 final requests which Jesus taught us to pray about are beautifully comprehensive. They cover, in principle, all our human needs – material (daily bread), spiritual (forgiveness of sins) and moral (deliverance from evil). And what we are doing when we pray in this way is expressing our dependence upon God in every area of our lives.

And I can’t help but notice in these 3 requests a veiled allusion to the Trinity, since it is through the Father’s creation and providence that we receive our daily bread, through the Son’s atoning death that we may be forgiven and through the Spirit’s indwelling power that we are rescued from evil.

No wonder the early church was soon accustomed to adding these words of adorning praise to the end of the prayer - for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever - which although are not original, are very much in the spirit of the prayer.

So in closing, I do hope that this whirlwind tour through this most wonderful prayer that Jesus gave us has helped you not only to understand it better, but more importantly, to pray more earnestly and intentionally.

Blessings,

Reverend Lyndon
Chaplain

Canteen Bandanna Day: Thursday, 29 October

Help stop cancer derailing teen lives by buying a bandanna for Canteen Bandanna Day! Every bandanna helps Canteen support the 23,000 young Aussies aged 12–25 impacted by cancer each year.

Students are invited to wear their bandanna on the day. Tie it to your school bag, rock it in your hair, or style it your way.

How to get yours: Purchase your bandanna at the School Canteen using cash, bank card or student card (with parent approval). Numbers are limited and designs are varied, so don’t miss out!

You can also buy online here: https://www.bandannaday.org.au/fundraisers/LindisfarneAnglicanGrammarSchool/selling-bandannas-26

#BandannaDayAu

SchoolTV Resources for Lindisfarne Families and Friends

Lindisfarne is pleased to continue our partnership with SchoolTV to provide families with easy access to a range of evidence-based resources across a range of topics.

Please use this link to explore the Topic Library:

The Early Years Wellbeing Series – is the most recent addition to these topics.

The first five years don’t just prepare children for school. They help shape who they become.

SchoolTV is delighted to introduce:The Early Years Wellbeing Series.

The first five years of a child’s life are foundational—not only for school readiness, but for shaping their overall development and future identity. To support families during these crucial formative years, SchoolTV has launched The Early Years Wellbeing Series in collaboration with leading psychologist Dr. Emma Woodward.

This series is designed specifically as a resource for parents and carers of children aged 3 to 5 years. Through a collection of specialized Editions and Special Reports, it delivers evidence-based tips, practical strategies, and trusted guidance to help families confidently navigate the everyday opportunities and challenges of early child development.

Use this link to access the SchoolTV - The Early Years Wellbeing Series and please feel free to share these resources with family and friends who may benefit.

Julie Henry
Junior School Psychologist

Some of the most valuable learning experiences happen when children try something new or make real-world connections. Week 2 has offered opportunities for both, as our Junior School students have developed new skills and celebrated the relationships that enrich their lives.

Kindergarten and Year 1 Swimming Program

This week, Kindergarten and Year 1 have commenced their intensive swimming program, building confidence and skills in the water and deepening their understanding of water safety. We look forward to celebrating their progress at the K-2 Fun Swimming Carnival in Week 5.

Grandparents and Special Grandfriends Day

Today, we were delighted to welcome grandparents and special grandfriends for our Junior School Grandparents and Special Grandfriends Day. This treasured occasion in our calendar reminds us to make time for connections across generations and to celebrate the love, wisdom and encouragement our grandparents and special grandfriends bring to children’s lives.

By sharing stories, taking an interest and making time to listen, grandparents and special grandfriends help children feel valued and connected. Today was a chance for our students to return some of that care by welcoming their grandparents and special grandfriends into their school world, sharing memories and exploring how learning has changed across generations.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and make the day so meaningful. We also recognise those who could not be with us, but whose love and support are felt every day.

Year 3 Infinite Aged Care Visit

Our connections across generations will continue next week when Year 3 visits Infinite Aged Care, strengthening their ongoing relationship with the residents. Through this service learning experience, students will listen, share conversations and learn from the lives and experiences of others. These visits encourage empathy and help our students understand that giving someone their time and attention can make a meaningful difference. They also remind us how much each generation has to offer the other.

Kindergarten Transition Sessions

Looking ahead, next week we will begin our Kindergarten Transition program for our preschool students and new enrolments preparing to start school in 2027.

Session 1: Wednesday, 28 October | 9 am–10 am
Session 2: Wednesday, 4 November | 9 am–10 am ( includes a Parent Information Session)
Session 3: Wednesday, 11 November | 9 am–10 am

We look forward to welcoming our new families and supporting both our current preschoolers and children joining us for the first time as they prepare for Kindergarten. The move to ‘big school’ is an exciting milestone, and these sessions provide a gentle, supported introduction to the year ahead.

Whether entering the pool, spending time with an older friend or taking those first steps towards Kindergarten, children grow in confidence when they know they have a supportive team around them.

Thank you to our staff and families for the care and encouragement you offer each day, helping every child in our Junior School feel valued, connected and confident to grow.

Angela Mundy
Head of Junior School

This week, we were delighted to officially induct our final Junior School Leaders for 2026 during a special Chapel service.

To close out 2026 on a positive note, our Term 4 House Captains step up as our final student role models for the year. They have already demonstrated true leadership through their enthusiasm, responsibility, and dedication to our school values. The leaders taking the reins this term are:

St Andrew House
Alfie Kirk and Florence Occhipinti

St Barnabas House
Coco Howland and Arli Freeman

St Cuthbert House
Chloe Kilner and Spencer Jones

St Hilda House
Pearl Pope and Lenny Stafford

St Margaret House
Francesca Sharpe and Sylvie Judd

St Stephen House
Quincy Woodbury and Tyler Ellison

We are also excited to welcome our Term 4 Sustainability Leaders, Zali Smith and Aluka Norrie. These leaders will drive initiatives that inspire us to care for our environment, make conscious choices, and embed sustainable practices throughout our school community.

Congratulations to all of our student leaders. Wear your badges with pride. We are confident you will make a meaningful impact across our Junior School community, and we look forward to celebrating all your wonderful contributions throughout Term 4.

Mrs Dana Dowker
Dean of Students - Junior School

Over the first two weeks of term, all K-4 students revisited the Lindisfarne ICT User Agreement and created their own Tech Pledges! Students proudly demonstrated their understanding of how to use technology safely, kindly and responsibly at school through classroom discussions and activities.

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 device use.

Krissy Affleck
Information Services and Digital Pedagogy

Term 4 Key Dates – Junior School

Please add the following important Term 4 dates to your calendar:

• 26 October - TFA begins for Term 4

• 13 November - FUN Swim carnival (K-2 students )

• 4 December - Big Bash Cricket (year 3 and 4 students)

Total Football Academy – After School Program

The Total Football Academy after school program will kick off in week 3 of Term 4 on Monday 26 October and will continue until week 9 Monday 30 November.

This program is very popular and will fill quickly. These vacancies will be filled on a first come first basis, so if you are interested please register using the Parent Lounge.

Information about the program can be found in the Flyer here :

TERM 4

General Information

All information relating to sporting programs, gala days, and competitions at the Junior Campus will be communicated through assemblies and the school newsletter. Relevant details will then be sent home to interested students and families.

Please continue to check the newsletter regularly for updates, events, and sporting opportunities throughout the year.

If you have any questions about Sport at the Sunshine Avenue campus please email Mr Nathan Croft - ncroft@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

Nathan Croft
Head of Sports - Junior School

This week, our Kindergarten students enjoyed an exciting visit from Bugs Gone Wild, an interactive incursion that introduced them to the fascinating world of creepy-crawly creatures!

Students discovered some of Australia's amazing invertebrates, learning about their unique features, habitats and the important roles they play in our environment. From snails and stick insects to scorpions, spiders and giant burrowing cockroaches, there were plenty of fascinating creatures to explore!

Connecting with our Science learning, the incursion provided an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of living things and how their features help them survive. Students were encouraged to think like scientists by observing closely, asking questions, identifying similarities and differences, and exploring connections between living things and their habitats.

This hands-on experience sparked curiosity, developed scientific thinking and inspired our young learners to head outdoors and discover the amazing creatures living in their own backyards!

Kimberley Mathewson
Assistant Head of Junior School

For all photos, see gallery

Preparing for Year 7 – An Outstanding ParentEd Evening

Thank you to the many parents and carers who joined us on Wednesday evening for our Year 7 2027 Parent Information Session and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg's ParentEd presentation, Preparing for Year 7. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and genuine interest in supporting our students as they prepare for this next stage of their schooling.

A particular thank you to Dr Carr-Gregg for an outstanding presentation, and to our staff who contributed to the evening.

One of the most valuable aspects of the presentation was the insight into the developing brain of our pre-teens and young adolescents. It was a timely reminder that the transition to secondary school is about much more than new subjects, classrooms and timetables. Our children are navigating significant developmental changes at the same time as they are being asked to become more independent, organised and responsible.

In his book Starting Secondary School, co-authored with Sharon Witt, Dr Carr-Gregg explores the importance of understanding these developmental changes and recognising that children do not all arrive at secondary school with the same level of readiness.

This is an important consideration for us as educators and parents. We want our young people to become confident, capable and increasingly independent, but we also need to recognise that these skills develop over time. Providing guidance, clear expectations and opportunities to practise independence is not about doing things for our children. It is about giving them the support they need to eventually do these things for themselves.

This thinking is very much at the heart of the changes we are introducing to Year 7 in 2027. Our strengthened Homeroom model and dedicated Year 7 Centre are designed to provide greater consistency, stronger relationships and a sense of belonging, while gradually building the independence and confidence students need to thrive in secondary school.

For our Year 6 families, I encourage you to continue the conversations at home. Listen to what your children are excited about, acknowledge what they may be worried about, and help them approach Year 7 with curiosity and confidence. They do not need to have everything worked out before they arrive.

As our children become more independent, there are also important decisions for families around technology, smartphones and social media. At Lindisfarne, we continue to encourage families to delay access to smartphones and social media for as long as possible and remain supportive of theWait Mate initiative. We recognise that these decisions can be challenging, particularly when children see their peers gaining access. Importantly, a smartphone is not a requirement for starting Year 7, and we strongly support families who choose to wait.

Families wishing to learn more or connect with other parents making similar decisions can visitWait Mate.

Thank you again to our families for making the evening such a success. I hope you found it as valuable as we did.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

From time to time, parents reach out to advocate for their child or help us understand what may be happening in their life. They do this in the hope that, with a fuller picture, we can respond in a way that better supports their child.

Advocating for your child is part of parenting. It doesn't mean agreeing with every decision or expecting your child to be excused from responsibility - but that is a conversation for another article! It does mean helping the people around your child understand what they may not be able to see for themselves.

Sometimes circumstances affect a young person’s behaviour, their ability to manage a situation, or how they respond to an adult. We may not know about those circumstances unless someone tells us. A change at home, a difficult friendship, anxiety about an upcoming event, or something else weighing heavily on a student can shape how they experience school. What we see in the classroom or the playground may be only one part of a much bigger picture.

Recently, I found myself on the receiving end of a response that I felt did not take enough account of my own circumstances. It reminded me how important it is to pause, listen and make sure we understand the full context before reaching a judgement or offering criticism. A conversation that begins with curiosity can make a real difference. It lets us ask what might be going on, rather than assuming based on what we can see in the moment.

If I value that consideration when others are dealing with me, then I need to offer it to our young people. The same is true for all of us who work with them. Understanding what is going on does not remove expectations or mean that a student is not responsible for their choices. It helps us respond with greater care and make better decisions about what support or follow-up may be needed.

It is also much easier to support a student when we know something is happening before the situation becomes more difficult. Parents don't need to have all the answers, and you don't need to share every detail. Even a brief conversation letting us know your child is having a hard time can help us understand them better and keep an eye out for them during the day.

So, if there is something we should know to help support your child, please tell us. You do not need to wait until things become difficult. The more we understand, the better we can help.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

HSC 2026 Update

Next Monday and Tuesday, we will have the HSC Visual Arts Markers on site marking the Class of 2026’s Major Art Works.

Next week is Week 3 of the Higher School Certificate written examinations, we wish all the students all the best for their HSC examinations next week.

Assessment Block - Week 3 and 4

Students in Year 7,8,9,10 will commence their in class assessments and yearly examinations next week the schedule can be viewed here

Year 12 2027

Students have now commenced their HSC courses. The 2027 HSC Assessment Policy and Schedules and Stage 6 Malpractice Policy are available on SEQTA under documents.

Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies

Please refer to the following documents for the opportunities available at the Mahers Lane campus in Term 4:

Co-Curricular Activity Offerings

Break Times Clubs & Activities

Academic Assistance

These are also available on SEQTA Engage under the ‘Documents’ tab.

Amy Williamson
Academic Administrator

TakeOff Agency is excited to bring a group of Japanese students to experience life at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School (LAGS) during March/April, 2027

Traveling from all over Japan, these brave young adventurers will meet for the first time at the airport before embarking on their journey to Australia. During their stay, they will attend our school daily while immersing themselves in local culture, improving their English, and experiencing the legendary warmth of Australian hospitality.

Could your family host a student? Open your home and heart to create unforgettable memories and lifelong international friendships.

Follow this link for more information.

We have been reasonably blessed in 2026 on the weather front; however, any outdoor sport on our immediate schedule has been either cancelled or postponed of late. Hoping for some respite in the next few weeks for events like Touch Football, Netball and Cricket to proceed.

Week 3 Events

RESCHEDULED Friday, 30 October - 1 November: Touch Football QPAS (Primary) Years 3-6

2026 NSW Primary Schools Sports Association Athletics Championships

Isobel Alford, Elle Down and Sophie Osuchukwu all travelled down to Sydney this week to represent the school at the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships. Isobel and Sophie both ran in the 100m and both made it through to the semi-finals for their age, and both finished a very commendable 14th. Elle Down had a fantastic meet with 1st place in both the 800m and 1500m, where she also set new NSW age records in both events. Well done to all three girls and we wish Elle all the best for her Australian Primary Schools Athletics Championships later this year.

Grab a Sausage Sizzle for our Rowing Club

If you’re heading to Bunnings this Saturday, come say hi and grab a sausage sizzle to support our Rowing team! The team will be firing up the grill from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. All proceeds go directly towards supporting our rowers this season, and we’d love to see you there!

Cricket T20 Open Boys

Our First XI took to the picturesque Symonds Oval at All Saints Anglican School for a gripping T20 encounter that kept us on the edge of our seats until the final over.

Electing to bat first on a slow surface, we found runs hard to come by. The boys showed tremendous grit against a disciplined bowling attack, with Fred Woodley-Matthews anchoring the innings with a patient, team-high 19 runs. Lindisfarne was eventually bowled out for 65, setting up a daunting defensive task.

Despite defending a modest target, our team delivered an extraordinary fielding performance, turning what could have been a routine chase into a nail-biter. Coby Ellison and Kade Wood spearheaded the bowling attack, delivering brilliant spells to collect 3 wickets apiece and regularly breaking key partnerships.

All Saints Anglican were forced to dig deep, ultimately scraping past our total with just 4 balls and 3 wickets to spare.

While the result didn't go our way, the First XI's fighting spirit was pleasing to see in their first hitout of the school season. We are looking forward to improving further in our upcoming Douglas Shield match against Emmanuel Anglican College.

Spotlight on Jack Kane

Huge congratulations to Jack, who smashed it at the recent NSW All Schools Athletics Championships.

Jack took out 2nd place in the 90m Hurdles, which means he's off to Perth this December to compete at Nationals. He also had a massive weekend overall, placing 6th in Long Jump and putting in strong runs in the 100m and 200m.

We're proud of Jack and his hard work, and we as a community are looking forward to cheering him on at School Sport Australia Nationals.

Rugby Union Shoutout

Huge congratulations to Caleb Doevendans, Will King, Guy Henry and George Morgan for being selected in the NSW Country U17 Boys 7s squad! It is a great achievement to have four boys from the same school making a NSW Country squad. They will be competing on Sunday, 9 November in Camden. Go boys!

Spotlight on Curtis Moore

Curtis Moore (Yr 10) is one of our class acts in school football circles. He recently reached an exciting milestone in his football journey, earning an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to train and compete with Carrarese Calcio 1908, which competes in the Serie A & B youth competition in northern Italy. During this experience, he was asked to train with the Primavera team and attend the AC Milan football training grounds.

Selected for his talent and potential, he experienced first-hand the pace, intensity and high standards of professional European football. The opportunity not only challenged him to elevate his performance but also gave him valuable international exposure and insight into the opportunities available at this level.

This experience marks an important step in Curtis’s continued development and his ambition to pursue a professional football career.

Damien Clucas 
Head of Sports and Activities

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