A warm welcome back to school is extended to all staff and students. It is pleasing to note that most students are wearing the correct school uniform. It would be appreciated if these positive efforts were maintained.

Please remember that ties are a compulsory part of the winter uniform, and some students are also not wearing their school shirt underneath hoodies.

Students are reminded to check the lost property bin. Several jackets and other pieces of clothing remain unclaimed from last term. Please clearly label all clothing with students’ names – this would enable items to be returned promptly.

Congratulations…

Semester Reports - Outstanding Approach to Learning

Congratulations to the following students who demonstrated an exemplary approach to learning across all subjects. They received 'Always' in every area in every subject. Well done on this outstanding effort!

Violet McBean
Eva Xavier
George Xavier
Zara Butcher
Dominic Kenny
Ella Fittler
Max Sweeney
Millie Taylor

TERM 2 LIVING WELL, LEARNING WELL AWARD RECIPIENTS.

Chloe	BANNERMAN
Toby	BEVERIDGE
Zalie	BORROWDALE
Maria	BRANDAO
Isadora	BRANDAO
Sasha	BRYANT
Zara	BUTCHER
Beau	BUTCHER
Pippa	BUTCHER
Laura	CAMERON
Korrine	CLEARY
Alexzel	CLEARY
Des	COLLINS
Oskar	DEVLIN
Grace	DOYLE
Sophie	FOLEY
Xander	GAIAS
Savannah	GOLDING
Demi	GOLDMAN
Charlotte	HARRIS
Josephine	HARVEY
Halina	HUYNH
Abel	JINTO
Lilly	JOHNSON
Dominic	KENNY
Alexander	KUHN
Morgan	LAWRY
Eleana	LOPEZ
Jack	MASON
Violet	MCBEAN
Emma	MCLENNAN
Georgia	MCMAHON
Marlie	MOFFITT
Georgie	MOORE
Cooper	NELSON
Nathaniel	O'CONNELL
Seth	O'NEILL-YEE
Ruby	PARRELLA
Bethany	PEARSE
Roxy	PETTIFORD
Haylee	PHILLIPPS-LEWIS
Sidharth	RAMESH
Bohan	RANDALL
Aidan	READETT
Luke	READETT
Naomi	ROBINSON
Evie	ROBINSON-FARAGO
Izaak	SIMPSON
Jack	SWEENEY
Max	SWEENEY
Ella	WALFORD
Chloe	WORGAN

Rugby 7s

Congratulations to our U14s and U16s Rugby 7s teams for their outstanding participation and excellent sportsmanship at the recent carnival. Our U14s team were winners on the day! Your effort and conduct were commendable.

Rugby League Teams Progress to Next Round!

Our U14s and U16s Rugby League teams are progressing to the next round of the Small Schools' Carnival in Coonabarabran. This comes after their opponents, Uralla Central, unfortunately, forfeited. Congratulations to both teams on moving forward – more details about the next round will be shared soon.

Netball Secondary Schools' Cup

Well done to all our Secondary Schools' Cup teams, including both boys and girls divisions in Years 7 & 8 and Years 9 & 10, for their fantastic participation and sportsmanship.

Debating

Congratulations to our Stage 4 and 5 debating teams for their success in the ACS Debating Competition last term. We wish them the very best as they prepare for further rounds this term. Well done!

All Schools Cross Country

Congratulations to Luke Readett, who performed very well last week at the All Schools Cross Country. Well done, Luke.

Good luck...

Australian Mathematics Competition

Good luck to all students who are participating in the Australian Mathematics Competition next week. Mr Ehsman is organising the competition.

EKKA

The Holy Trinity Show Team are in the final stages of preparation for EKKA. They leave early on Saturday morning for a very hectic week of competition. We wish them the best of luck. Mrs Townsend, Mr Townsend, Mr Squire, and the students have put in countless hours to prepare for this prestigious show. A group of very dedicated parents has well supported them. Many schools from the eastern states will be vying for prizes in the school categories. Holy Trinity School has a well-earned reputation in this competition, often outperforming much bigger schools. We look forward to hearing about this year’s event in coming newsletters.

ACS Athletics

Good luck to our students who will compete at the ACS Athletics in Armidale on Friday 8 August.

Cochrane Cup

Good luck to the 14s Rugby League team, who will play in the next round of the Cochrane Cup against St Paul's Kempsey on Tuesday 5 August.

YEAR 11 SUBJECT SELECTIONS

Family meetings will be held this term to discuss subject selections in more detail.

Year 8 and 9 Excursions

Instalments can be paid on Compass for the Term 3 excursions to the Aussie Bush Camp (Year 8) and Sydney (Year 9).

ELEVATE STUDY SKILLS SESSIONS

On Monday, students in Years 9 & 10 participated in the final Elevate Study Skills sessions for this year.

Year 9's session will focus on Student Elevation, and Year 10's will focus on Time Management.

UNSERIOUS CAREERS ROADSHOW

Last week students in Years 9 and 10 had the opportunity to attend the Unserious Careers Roashow presented by Alana Kilmartin. Alana has recently started this new company and is on a mission to deliver 250 presentations in 2025. We were school number 151!

The students were engaged in the presentation and were giving some helpful strategies to approach the next chapter in their lives.

Alana has written a book, Unserious Careers, and we have purchased some copies for the Library. The blurb for the book is below.

THE BLURB

→ No idea what you want to do with the rest of your life?→ Unable to decide on one degree, apprenticeship or pathway?→ Struggling to get excited about this whole work thing?

The pressure to make life-changing decisions before you finish school can be intense. Using her own experiences, Alana Kilmartin offers a revolutionary approach to designing your career that doesn't sacrifice enjoyment for success.

This book contains actionable steps to take right now as you navigate the transition from school to adulting like a pro. Learn about the Casual Jog Years, how to leverage your Career Superpowers, why you should save $500 for a Sunny Day, and more.

Do yourself a favour. Kickstart your career the unserious way.

GRAB THE BOOK NOW

STUDY SKILLS TIPS

Mind Mapping for Memory

Unleashing the Power of Visual Learning

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by long, wordy notes? Do you struggle to see the connections between topics? Mind mapping is a creative and effective way to organise information, making it easier to remember and understand. By visually mapping out your ideas, you can turn even the most complex topics into a clear and engaging picture.

1. Start with the Central Idea

A mind map begins with a central concept. Write this main topic in the centre of a blank page and draw a circle or bubble around it. This could be something broad, like ‘Climate Change’, or specific, like ‘The Nervous System’.

From the central idea, draw branches radiating outward. Each branch represents a subtopic, such as ‘Greenhouse Gases’ or ‘The Brain’. These branches form the foundation of your map.

Tip: Use bold, colourful text for your central idea to make it stand out and signal its importance.

2. Add Key Details and Connections

Once your main branches are in place, start adding smaller branches to include key details. For example:

Under ‘Greenhouse Gases’, you might add ‘Carbon Dioxide’, ‘Methane’, and ‘Sources of Emissions’.
Under ‘The Brain’, you could include ‘Cerebrum’, ‘Cerebellum’, and ‘Functions’.

Include only essential information—keep it brief and clear. Mind maps work best when they’re concise.

Tip: Use arrows or lines to connect related ideas, such as linking ‘Methane’ to ‘Livestock Agriculture.’ These connections make the map more dynamic and meaningful.

3. Make It Visual

Visual elements are what make mind maps so powerful. Incorporate symbols, doodles, or images to make ideas pop. For example:

Draw a small sun near ‘Solar Energy’ or a brain near ‘Nervous System.’
Use different colours for each main branch to visually separate topics.

Tip: This approach doesn’t just make your map more appealing—it also aids memory. Studies show that visual and spatial information sticks in your brain more effectively than plain text.

4. Tailor Your Map to Your Needs

Mind maps can be used for:

Summarising notes: Condense an entire topic into a single, organised map.
Brainstorming: Generate and organize ideas for essays or projects.
Studying: Highlight key terms and connections before exams.

Tip: Experiment with digital tools like Canva, MindMeister, or even the drawing features in apps like OneNote for a high-tech version.

See the Big Picture

Mind maps are a versatile tool that transforms how you study and learn. By visually organising information, they help you see the ‘big picture’ while making key details easier to recall. Whether you’re summarising a textbook chapter, brainstorming ideas, or preparing for exams, mind mapping is your secret weapon for success. Grab some paper—or a tablet—and start mapping your way to better memory.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM GUARDIAN SUMMARIES

Google Classroom allows teachers to create classes, distribute paperless assignments, post announcements and class questions, and provide feedback, all through an intuitive, student-friendly interface.

The flyer and link below provide you with more information about Guardian Summaries. Please contact Miss Bailey if you have any further questions or issues.

ASSESSMENT POLICIES

It would be appreciated if parents could read the information in the booklet and discuss the issues raised with their children. The assessment process is similar to that which the students will encounter in Stage 6 as they prepare for their Higher School Certificate.

Living Well, Learning Well

Ready2Learn

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, their teaching classes, and 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 are unable to follow this policy, then their phone is confiscated and placed securely in Miss Bailey's office, where it is collected by the student at the end of the school day.

Teachers record each time a device has been confiscated. After the device has been confiscated for a second time, it remains at school until it can be collected by a parent/carer.