Trinity Lutheran College gets LEGO Masters to create model of new junior aquatic centre as fundraiser

A Gold Coast school has launched a "world first" fundraising campaign using LEGO bricks. WATCH THE VIDEO>>>

IN what’s believed to be a world’s first, Trinity Lutheran College is harnessing the power of LEGO to launch a fundraising campaign for its new junior aquatic centre.

Taking pride of place is a 35,000-piece replica of the school’s new pool facility built by runners-up of the 2020 Lego Masters series Andrew Tuppen, from Pacific Pines, and Damian Hinds, from Brisbane.

The model includes 550 chairs for the grandstand that features red, yellow and blue sections representing Trinity’s house colours.

People who donate to the campaign will get a customised LEGO figure in their likeness, designed by the LEGO masters, seated in the model pool’s grandstand.

Trinity Lutheran College is running a fundraising campaign to help pay for its new junior aquatic centre, pictured here is principal Dr Tsae Wong: Jerad Williams

They'll also have a named plaque on a seat in the aquatic centre’s grandstand and a copy of their personalised LEGO minifigures (minifigs) to take home.

It’s believed the concept of making minifigs in likeness of donors has caught the eye of LEGO officials from across Australia and the globe.

Principal Dr Tsae Wong said the unique fundraising campaign has fired imaginations at Trinity’s Prep to Year 5 Cotlew Street Campus, where the junior aquatic centre will be built.

Lego Masters contestants, Andrew Tuppen and Damian Hinds, have built a lego model of the soon to be built Junior Aquatic Centre at Trinity Lutheran College. They are pictured with students Meeka, Anais, Jackson and Leo. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Being part of such a creative campaign while also helping build a facility to be used by future generations of students I think sums up the spirit of the Trinity community beautifully,” said Ms Wong.

“I’m just as excited to see our new junior aquatic centre open as I am to see Andrew’s amazing model take pride of place in our office, with the grandstand full of LEGO minifigs representing generous members of our Trinity community.”

Renders of what Trinity Lutheran College's new junior aquatic centre will look like once complete

The campaign will fund a refurbishment of the existing pool, new starting blocks, change rooms as well as the installation of 550-seat grandstand and a sun safe roof.

Mr Tuppen and Mr Hinds placed second on Nine’s Lego Masters, a ratings smash hit and AACTA Award-winner. The pair worked from architectural drawings to create Trinity's junior aquatic Centre model.

Mr Tuppen said the opportunity to build a structure from his hometown was too good to pass up.

“Everybody loves to see themselves and their communities reflected in art, so to build a model of Trinity’s new junior aquatic centre was a very appealing challenge for Damian and me,” he said.

“We want the Trinity community to feel a special connection to our work, and literally seeing minifigs of themselves in the grandstand of the finished model will, I hope, be very special for students and families.”

Renders of what Trinity Lutheran College's new junior aquatic centre will look like once complete.

The LEGO-based fundraising campaign is believed to be a world’s first and was developed by the Friends of Trinity Lutheran College Foundation, who previously fundraised construction of the cultural precinct on the school’s Ashmore Road Campus.

Coast school slashes fees in shock move - April 16 - 2020 

By Kristin Payne

A GOLD COAST private school has slashed fees in half for next term in an unprecedented move to help parents during the coronavirus crisis.The council of Trinity Lutheran College yesterday announced its new cut-price package to help relieve families hurt by the mass business shutdowns.

Fees are typically $8000 per year for juniors and $10,000 for seniors. The 50 per cent off just relates to the Term 2 fee portion.

It comes as schools across Queensland shift to online delivery of their programs.

“We are so mindful that our strength is our community, and when one is hurting the rest of us

experience the pain,” College Council chair Paul Klienschmidt said.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our families who are suffering financially, and we have therefore reviewed the Term 2 fee structure.”

Trinity Lutheran College principal Tsae Wong with students. (FILE PHOTO) Shot taken before social distancing measures were put in place.

Last month, complaints emerged from other school communities about struggles to meet term fees.

Trinity Lutheran College principal Dr Tsae Wong said the discount had already been modelled as part of the school’s long-term contingency plan for possible disruptions.

“We were therefore able to revise the pace of our 10-year master building plan and will be able to make further adjustments where necessary,” Dr Wong said.

“In addition to this across-the-board support package, those families who have recently applied for Term 2 fee assistance will be contacted by the Business Office to discuss further assistance. Families will always come first at Trinity.”

Families who do not need the fee relief will be able to donate it back to the college to help out families severely financially impacted and need extra financial support.

Originally published as Trinity Lutheran College gets LEGO Masters to create model of new junior aquatic centre as fundraiser