SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

Miss Kim Bailey
kbailey@arm.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations...

Schools Spectacular

Congratulations to Elkie Sargeant, who participated in the NSW Schools Spectacular last weekend in Sydney. Elkie is a member of the State Dance Ensemble.

YEAR 10 GRADUATION ACTIVITIES

Year 10 have been enjoying their camp at Copeton Dam this week; they will return to Inverell on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will attend a practice for the Graduation Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 9.30 am.

The mass will be held on Friday morning and it is an important school celebration and a culmination of the students' sacramental life at school.

Parents and friends are invited to attend; the mass will commence at 9.30 am and be followed by a celebration morning tea at the church. Students are asked to be at the church by 9.15 am.

The Graduation Dinner Dance will be held on Friday evening at the Inverell RSM Club. It should be a wonderful way for the students to join with family and friends to formally recognise the end of their education at Holy Trinity School.

We ask that tickets be purchased by Wednesday 4 December.

Dietary Requirements - When purchasing your tickets, please let the office staff know if your guests have any dietary requirements.

If there are any changes or queries to the numbers already allocated, please contact Miss Bailey via email or the Front Office as soon as possible.

Upcoming Year 10 Events

Monday 2 December – Wednesday 4 December:

Christian Living Camp at Copeton Dam – students will come to school on Monday morning with their requirements for the camp and be bused to the Dam.

Thursday 5 December:

Graduation Mass Practice - 9.30 am at Sacred Heart Church.

Friday 6 December:

Graduation Mass, Presentation of Awards & Morning Tea - 9.30 am at Sacred Heart Church

Graduation Dinner Dance – 6.30 pm at the Inverell RSM Club. Students are asked to be at the church by 9.15 am.

These activities conclude the school year for Year 10 students. We ask parents to notify the school via Compass, email or phone that their children are on leave for the remainder of the year.

Year 10 Work Experience Week – An Educational Journey

The Year 10 cohort recently embarked on an exciting journey into the community as part of their work experience program. This initiative provided students with a unique opportunity to step out of the classroom and immerse themselves in the world of work. For many, it was their first taste of professional environments, offering invaluable insights into various industries and a chance to trial potential career paths.

Through their placements, students were able to experience the realities of day-to-day work—developing practical skills, enhancing their understanding of workplace dynamics, and building confidence in their abilities. From assisting customers in retail to shadowing professionals in healthcare, each experience was a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Many shared how the experience clarified their career aspirations, while others discovered new interests they hadn’t considered before. Employers also praised the enthusiasm and curiosity shown by the students, noting their eagerness to learn and adapt to new challenges.

This program would not have been possible without the generosity and support of local businesses and organisations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the employers who opened their doors and invested time in mentoring our students. Your willingness to share your expertise has not only enriched the students’ understanding of your industries but has also inspired them to consider their futures with greater clarity and excitement.

The Year 10 work experience program is a vital component of preparing our students for life beyond school. It equips them with knowledge, skills, and confidence that will shape their future decisions and aspirations. To all who contributed to its success, we thank you for playing a crucial role in this transformative journey.

Cheyenne assisted in meal preparation at Danthonia. Cheyenne explored her career options in the food industry and as an Apiarist.

Callie was exploring a nursing career at the Inverell Hospital – Maternity Ward.

Eliza enjoyed her day amongst the wool bales at Goddard Schute Bell while learning about the wool industry.

Matty exploring a potential career in the construction industry.

Mrs Kathy Townsend

Year 9 Leadership Day

Year 9 students will participate in a series of leadership activities on Thursday. Mrs East will lead the sessions, along with Miss Cush and Mr Uebergang. The activities are designed to prepare them for the various leadership opportunities available in Year 10.

The sessions will also focus on the importance of everyday leadership as a Year 10 student at Holy Trinity.

At the end of the activities, students will make their nominations for the 2025 SRC. Voting will take place next week.

Festive Foods Hampers

Students have been asked to bring in festive foods for hampers for our Thanksgiving Mass in Week 10.

Secondary Requirements for 2025

Year 7 Book pack available from the canteen $80

Year 8 Book pack available from the canteen $25

Years 9 and 10:

Maths	1 x 128 pg Grid lined Workbook Calculator (Casio fx-82AU PLUS II)
Geography/ History	1 x 96 page lined book 1 x HB pencil 1 x 30 cm ruler 1 x blue or black pen (optional:1 x glue stick and 1 x scissors)
Food Technology	1 x Display folder 1 x 128 page book
Agricultural Technology	Ag team shirts - students can purchase, if required. Workboots for practical lessons.
English	1 x 128 page book Pack of Highlighters 1 x blue pen, black pen and red pen Headphones Plastic A4 document wallet (to store handouts)
Music/RE	1x 96 page lined book
Visual Arts	1 x 60 page A4 Visual Diary 1 x Glue stick 1 x Scissors 1 x Pack of sketching pencils (including 4B and 2H pencils)
iSTEM	iPad and headphones
Metal/Timber	iPad

Schoolwork During the Holidays: How to Balance Rest and Readiness

The holidays are the perfect opportunity to hit reset—relax, recharge, and enjoy yourself. But while rest is essential, it doesn’t mean you should completely ignore schoolwork. A bit of thoughtful planning can set you up for a smooth and successful return to school next year.

Here are some ideas to consider for the holidays.

TIDY UP AND SET GOALS

Organise your space:
Transform your study area into a productive environment. Declutter, rearrange, and make it a place where you feel comfortable and focused.
Sort and simplify your materials:
Go through your school supplies, digital files, and notes. Keep what’s essential, organise everything logically, and set up systems to make studying easier next year.
Plan ahead:
- Create term planners for the upcoming year to mark key dates when school starts.
- Plan a weekly study timetable for next year to build good habits and stay on top of your workload.
- If you can, find out any of the novels you will studying in the coming year, read them over the holidays.
Focus on weak spots:
Identify tricky areas from last term, such as math concepts, grammar, foreign languages, or literacy skills, and dedicate some time to improving them. A little effort now can make a big difference later.

STRETCH AND GROW YOUR SKILLS

Learn something new:
Challenge your brain by picking up a new skill or activity. Whether it’s Sudoku, learning touch typing, starting a new sport, or trying out a new hobby, the holidays are a perfect time to push your boundaries and build new neural pathways.

STARTING THE DAY WELL

Do you find it hard to get out of bed some days and be positive about going to school and learning? It can be hard to turn the day around when you wake up like this and don’t take steps to start your day in a positive way. Your approach in the first hour of the day dictates the direction of your day of learning at school.

To ensure you start your mornings well you need to make sure you have a night-time and wake-up routine.

1. Set Your Intentions Before Bed: consciously decide every night to create a positive expectation for the next morning.

2. Move Your Alarm Clock Across The Room: so you have to get up to turn it off.

3. Brush Your Teeth: when you wake up and splash water on your face.

4. Drink a Full Glass of Water: to hydrate yourself after several hours without water.

5. Add some of the following ideas to your own routines.

The “Miracle Morning” is a book written by Hal Elrod, and he speaks about starting your morning with “Life SAVERS”. The idea is that you add some of these to your morning routine or come up with your own activities for a positive start to the morning:

· Silence can be meditation, mindfulness, prayer etc.

· Affirmation can be a word you use that reminds you of who you are and how to be.

· Visualisation is an intention (directing your focus) on how you want your day to be.

· Exercise can be a short walk or stretching or going for a run (exercise is a great thing to do in the morning).

· Reading something that is positive and enjoyable. What you read “resonates” with you. It gets you thinking and expanding “beyond yourself”.

· Scribe is about journaling. Writing in your journal about your day gives you insight and clarity about issues. It also helps you realise what’s working and how far you have come.

These tips are courtesy of www.humanconnections.com.au

Device Policy

Students are not permitted to use their devices unless instructed by a teacher. This includes both the classroom and the playground. The students are aware of this policy and receive constant reminders in Pastoral Care and their teaching classes. There are also many posters displayed all around the school.

If a student needs to use their device, they must first seek permission from a teacher and use it in an area designated by the teacher. This is usually under their direct supervision or outside the Secondary staffroom.

If students cannot follow this policy, their phones are confiscated and placed securely in Miss Bailey's office, where they are collected by the student at the end of the school day.

Teachers record each time a device is confiscated. After it is confiscated for a second time, it remains at school until it can be collected by a parent or carer.

Making Contact with Teachers in the Secondary

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning or wellbeing, please contact Miss Bailey, your child's Pastoral Care teacher or their subject teacher. We are only too happy to assist.