PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to Term 2, Week 2!

A warm welcome back to Term 2! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break, hopefully filled with quality time with family and friends.

For our dedicated Agricultural team, the holidays included a fantastic opportunity to showcase their hard work at the Royal Easter Show. It's always inspiring to see our students representing the school with such passion and commitment. Well done to all involved!

We also had the privilege of our students participating in the ANZAC Day march, a significant occasion for our community to remember and honour the sacrifices made. Their respectful participation reflects the values we strive to instil in our students.

Like many around the world, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. For the past twelve years, his spiritual leadership has been a source of inspiration for me personally, and his profound impact has resonated far beyond the Catholic Church. His unwavering commitment to compassion, his advocacy for the marginalised, and his calls for global unity have touched the hearts of people from all walks of life.

I particularly recall a powerful and simple message that Pope Francis shared regarding family life – the importance of consistently using three small but significant phrases: "thank you," "excuse me," and "sorry." In his wisdom, he highlighted how these words foster respect, understanding, and forgiveness within our closest relationships. "Thank you" acknowledges the kindness and effort of others, "excuse me" demonstrates consideration and politeness, and "sorry" opens the door to reconciliation and healing.

This simple yet profound advice extends beyond the family unit and into our school community as well. Cultivating a culture where we express gratitude, show consideration for one another, and take responsibility for our actions is essential for building a positive and harmonious environment for all.

As we mourn the loss of a significant spiritual leader, let us also reflect on the enduring wisdom he shared. Pope Francis' emphasis on humility, empathy, and the power of simple acts of kindness serves as a powerful reminder for us all. May his legacy continue to inspire us to live with greater compassion and understanding in our interactions with one another.

As we settle into Term 2, we look forward to a busy and fulfilling period. We encourage all our students to embrace the diverse opportunities available to them, whether it's diving deeper into their academic studies, nurturing their spiritual growth, or engaging in the wide array of extracurricular activities on offer.

School life is also about the invaluable connections forged through friendships. We hope this term provides ample opportunities for students to enjoy these bonds.

As we move further into May, our thoughts turn to celebrating the wonderful mothers and mother figures in our lives. This week promises to be a special one, filled with opportunities to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible contributions of mothers to our families and our school community.

I am particularly looking forward to our annual Mother's Day Breakfast this Friday morning. It's always a heartwarming occasion to see our students and families come together to treat our mums to a pancake or some yogurt. We hope many of you will be able to join us for this special event.

I also want to extend a sincere thank you to our dedicated Parents and Friends Association (P&F) for their tireless efforts in running our Mother's Day Stall. It's truly inspiring to see our amazing mothers volunteering their time and energy to create such a lovely opportunity for our students to choose a thoughtful gift in service of other mothers within our community. Your dedication is deeply appreciated.

As we approach Mother's Day this Sunday, I want to take this opportunity to wish all the mothers in our school community a truly wonderful day filled with love, joy, and appreciation. Your unwavering support, care, and guidance are invaluable, and we are so grateful for all that you do.

We have an exciting term ahead, and I am confident that with your continued support and our students' enthusiasm, it will be a successful one for all. 

Please contact me if you wish to discuss anything or if I can help in any way.

Have a good fortnight,

Jilly

Some Reminders

Pupil Free Days

Please note that we have two pupil-free days this term. This coming Monday 12 May, and the last day of term Friday 4 July.  This Monday, our teaching staff will be working with NESA and Armidale Catholic Schools Office staff to enhance our knowledge and understanding of assessment K-10 in preparation for Year 11 and 12.

Stage 6 Update

This term's focus is on providing our Year 10 students and their families with the information and skills to discern the subjects they may wish to study for the HSC if they choose to continue with us at Holy Trinity. A variety of experiences and meetings have been organised to provide this information to our students. We will also be finalising the senior uniform.

Uniform in Term 2

At the beginning of Term 2, students may wear either their summer or winter uniform (but not a combination of both) until June 1, when the winter uniform is compulsory. 

Please note that from the beginning of June, the Alinta Uniform Shop will not be accepting CASH. Please contact me if you need support in this area.