Principal's Message
Examination Results
The Semester One Examinations for students in Years 9 - 12 have now been completed. I trust that having prepared adequately, students have achieved results that are a true reflection of their abilities. In a similar way, students in Year 7 and 8 will have sat significant class-based subject tests as part of their ongoing assessment schedules, while students in our Junior School will be finalising assessment at the conclusion of units. At times, students can often find this aspect of schooling quite stressful. However, gaining a familiarisation with examination techniques, understanding the style and length of respective assessment papers and appreciating the need to adopt a systematic and consistent approach to study and revision, all help to minimise the anxiety associated with future assessments.
It is a timely reminder for all students to return their focus on the three different components of Home Learning that is presented at the College. Home Learning (Studies) needs to be comprised of Consolidation Tasks, Study and Revision. All three elements are required at various times and in different contexts. A brief outline of Home Learning can be found HERE and this is further expanded in pages 43 and 44 of the Student Secondary School Diary. This could be a very good point of discussion for all parents to have with their son/s at home.
At Trinity College, our philosophy is to give students many opportunities to sit examinations as they journey through their time at school. With practice, students learn to better prepare for such formal assessments and reduce the anxieties that can sometimes be associated with them. I am very grateful to the teachers who work hard to ensure that all our examinations, particularly those more formal examinations prepared for Years 10 to 12, replicate a similar format and length as that of the WACE examinations (ATAR Courses) and the WACE Externally Set Tasks (General Courses) that students are likely to complete as they progress towards Secondary Graduation in Year 12. While ‘practice’ (study and revision) may not necessarily ‘make perfect’, we do acknowledge that practice certainly increases the likelihood of improved outcomes. Reward comes through hard work and commitment.
The results acquired through this particular set of examinations are significant and they will influence a student’s overall performance and grade in each respective Course. More importantly, students should use their examination results as a catalyst to improve their standing for Semester Two. The addition of a consistently applied matrix for assessing Student Work Attributes and the associated calculation of a student’s Attribute Point Average (APA) will certainly help in such academic goal setting.
The APA provides a general picture of how well a student is engaging in their schoolwork, behaving in class, contributing to the learning process, relating positively to peers and staff, managing their own learning and striving for personal excellence. With the right attitude, a determined approach and consistent application to home studies, considerable improvement can be achieved in the coming semester.
Live Jesus in our hearts.
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
Year 10 Course Selection Process
Examination results and Semester One Grades are of particular relevance to our current Year 10 students as they begin the process of selecting Courses for their senior school studies in 2025. Adequately meeting some essential ‘Prerequisite Subject Grades’ will be required when consideration is given to choosing particular Courses for next year. Our current Year 10 students have been examining and considering such prerequisite benchmarks from early in Year 9 and they should be very familiar with the need to reach certain levels in order to maximise their possible Course choices. Likewise, achieving particular OLNA benchmarks will determine the respective pathways that students can consider.
Choosing suitable Courses is an important process in the academic transition for students as they progress from Year 10 into their final years of schooling. Such Courses prepare students for pathways beyond school at University, TAFE, Apprenticeships or the workforce. The Careers Expo held at the College next Tuesday evening (11 June at 5:30pm) will allow for further exploration of the many career options available.
An important Year 10 Course Information Evening is scheduled for Monday, 17 June commencing at 7:00pm in the College Sports Centre. It is very important that all Year 10 boys attend this evening accompanied by at least one parent. Vital information about WACE Graduation, Course Selection, respective Pathways and the College Course Selection process will be presented on this evening. The respective Heads of Learning Area will also be present to answer any enquiries about particular Courses and their content. A series of Course Counselling interviews for individual students and their families will then follow as Term 3 commences (specific details will be provided to parents of Year 10 students closer to this time). Throughout this entire process, the College will endeavour to work closely with students and their families to explore choices that will maximise opportunities for success.