SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

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

Reminders

Year 8 and 9 Excursions

Please consent and pay the deposit via Compass for the Term 3 excursions to the Aussie Bush Camp (Year 8) and Sydney (Year 9).

Year 10 White Card

The course will be held this Friday at the Inverell Community College and is open to 20 Year 10 students. If you have given your name to Mrs McLachlan, please make sure you accept the invitation, give consent and pay your $150 via Compass.

Good Luck...

Netball NSW Cup

Good luck to our six teams, which will compete in the Netball NSW Cup on Thursday at the Inverell Complex.

Debating

Good luck to the Stage 4 and 5 debating teams, who will compete in the Armidale Catholic Schools' Debating Competition. Stage 5 will debate next Monday, and the Stage 4 team will debate at a later date.

Congratulations...

7E & Year 9 Students

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA) selected Holy Trinity to participate in this year’s Item Trial, Students in 7E and Year 9 took part in the Item Trial yesterday.

The purpose of the Item Trial is to evaluate potential NAPLAN test questions (‘items’) for use in future NAPLAN tests. The results from the trial will help ACARA ensure that NAPLAN tests are valid, reliable and fair for all students. The Item Trial is about testing the questions, not about testing your child or their ability. Your child’s results are not reported.

The Test Administrator was extremely complimentary about the students and their willingness to participate in the trial. She also congratulated the student body for making her feel welcome during her visit.

Holy Trinity Show Team

Once again the HTS Show Team had great success at Casino Beef Week.

Results included:

U16 Junior Judge - Jack Sinclair
Champion & Reserve School Steer and Heifer
Champion & Reserve Open Heifer
Open Steer - two second places and a third place.

Bill Turner Trophy

Congratulations to the Bill Turner Trophy team, who played Glen Innes High School yesterday in Glen Innes. The girls had a resounding 6-1 victory and advanced to the Regional Final. Their opponents in the next round are not yet known.

Chess

Congratulations to the chess team who defeated Narrabri High School in an online match last Wednesday.

Around the grounds...

Year 10 Careers

Melissa Daskey, the School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Engagement Officer for the Department of Education working with the Inverell School Group which includes Inverell and Macintyre High Schools, came to speak with Year 10 yesterday about opportunities for Years 11 and 12.

The information flyer below is for School Based Traineeship opportunities with Hunter New England Health in 2025 for any Year 10 students who may be transitioning to either Inverell or Macintyre High Schools next year.

Year 10 students have been discussing this in Careers and the information has been posted to their Google Classroom for the last few weeks. They have been asked to express their interest to either Mrs Townsend or Mrs McLachlan so they can also assist with the process.

Melissa also helped interested students with their applications.

2025 HNELHD SBT - Inverell School Group.pdf

Visual Arts

Year 7

Clay projects - Day 1.

Year 8

Year 8 are working on ceramic bowls.

Year 9/10

Stage 5 Elective VA working on their Cubism artworks focusing on Picasso.

Stage 5 Elective Food Technology

Thanks to Mrs Grady for covering Mrs McCormick's classes for the last four weeks. Last week, the food technology classes made (and ate!) cherry pies in their practical lessons.

Making the most of opportunities...

Uniform

May is a month when students can wear either their winter or summer uniforms, as the weather is quite changeable. They cannot combine both; they have to wear one or the other.

Winter uniform is compulsory from 1 June.

Students are reminded to check the lost property bin. Many jackets and other pieces of clothing from last term have yet to be claimed. Please clearly label all clothing with the student's names—this will enable items to be returned promptly.

ICAS - Assessment Platform (Available to Years 3-10)

What is ICAS? ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics and Science. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals. We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.

How to participate in ICAS If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/)

2. Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here:(shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)

3. Enter our school’s access code – [insert access code] (Our code is XEQ247)

4. Enter your child’s details and select the tests you would like to purchase.

All payments must be done online as this is an external assessment.

English: 12-16 August

Mathematics: 26-30 August

Science: 19-23 August

Closing date: 15 July 2024.

REMEMBER to accept the invitation to Google Classroom Guardian Summaries

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, 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.

STUDY SKILLS TIPS -

Harnessing Neuroplasticity: Unlocking Your Brain's Potential

Have you ever wondered how your brain adapts and evolves in response to your experiences and environment? Welcome to the fascinating world of neuroplasticity – the brain's remarkable ability to form and reorganize connections, particularly through learning and experience.

Here's what the latest brain science tells us about neuroplasticity and its implications for your learning journey:

Dynamic Brain Growth: Your brain is not a static organ; it's a dynamic powerhouse that constantly evolves based on your experiences and surroundings. Every interaction, every lesson learned, and every challenge overcome shapes the structure and function of your brain.

Use It or Lose It: Just like a muscle, your brain requires regular exercise to stay strong and healthy. If you neglect certain skills or cognitive abilities, your brain may "prune" those neural connections, leading to a decline in proficiency. In other words, if you don't use it, you might lose it.

The Power of Brain Rewiring: The exciting news is that you have the power to "rewire" your brain to enhance your abilities and intelligence. By engaging in targeted activities and deliberate practice, you can strengthen neural pathways associated with specific skills and knowledge.

But what does this mean for you in practical terms? Here are some actionable strategies to leverage neuroplasticity and maximize your learning potential:

Commit to Short, Regular Practice Sessions: Consistency is key when it comes to brain training. Instead of marathon study sessions, aim for shorter, focused practice sessions spread out over time. This approach not only prevents burnout but also allows for better retention and skill development.
Ensure Correct Practice: Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. When you're practising, pay attention to the quality of your efforts. Focus on precision and accuracy, and seek feedback to ensure you're on the right track.
Embrace Intense Practice Sessions: Intensity breeds progress. Rather than passively going through the motions, challenge yourself with intense practice sessions that push your limits. Pushing beyond your comfort zone stimulates neural growth and accelerates skill acquisition.
Create a Mimicked Environment: Context matters. Whenever possible, practice in environments that mimic the conditions in which you'll need to perform. Whether it's a quiet library for studying or a simulated exam setting, familiarizing yourself with the context can enhance your performance when it counts.

By incorporating these strategies into your study routine, you can harness the power of neuroplasticity to achieve your academic goals and unlock your full potential.

Remember, your brain is a remarkable organ capable of extraordinary growth and adaptation. With the right mindset and approach, you can cultivate a learning environment that nurtures your cognitive abilities and fuels your success.

Making Contact with Teachers in the Secondary

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