SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal
Miss Kim Bailey
kbailey@arm.catholic.edu.au
Welcome to 2025!
Welcome back to all students and staff. A special welcome to all our new staff members. It is exciting to have them join our team and be part of the planning for our transition to Stage 6 in 2026.
- Mr Sean Baldwin – Leader of Learning Stage 6; Geography & RE
- Mrs Kylie Butler (Monday – Wednesday) – VA/HSIE & Food Technology
- Mr Jeremy East – Science
- Miss Lauren Green – English
- Mr Ricky Muggleton – Mathematics
- Mrs Kristen Smith (Thursday & Friday) – English & Mathematics
Year 7 students appeared to enjoy their first week in Secondary. Over the coming weeks, they will encounter many new experiences, building on the positive transition activities that were held last year.
It has been very pleasing to note the efforts that most students have made regarding school uniforms, and it is important that this effort is maintained as the year progresses. Students are reminded to protect themselves from the sun with hats and sunscreen as the weather continues to be very warm. School hats are available at the Uniform Shop.
By now all students should have their timetables and information about any other requirements. Students should ask Pastoral Care teachers if more details are required. Book packs for Year 7 and Year 8 students have been selling well and there are still some available at the Canteen. Mrs Adams also has books, calculators and other equipment that can be purchased by students in Years 9 and 10.
The start of the new school year is always busy, and for some students, there may be circumstances causing anxiety. By working together in partnership with the school, most difficulties or worries can be resolved promptly. Please contact Miss Bailey at school if there are issues of concern.
Changes to Bell Times
As part of our planning for Stage 6 in 2026, we are now operating on a two-week cycle. Student timetables reflect that we now have a Week A and Week B. It is important that students check their timetable carefully to ensure they are prepared for learning each week. Students start the day with a 20-minute Pastoral Care period to ensure they are Ready2Learn.
Ready2Learn
Pastoral Care teachers will be checking in with the students in their class each morning to ensure that they are Ready2Learn. All students have received the information below and were encouraged to show their families and discuss how to be Ready2Learn each day. Pastoral Care teachers will be able to help students start the day in a positive way. Please ask your child about this and support them to be Ready2Learn.
Students are being asked to ensure that they understand these elements and have all their equipment and uniforms by the start of Week 6. The infographic also outlines what to do if there is a problem with doing this and who you can go to for assistance.
SAVE THE DATE: Welcome BBQ for New Students and Families
New students will soon receive invitations for the welcome barbeque that will be held prior to the first school social for 2025 on Thursday 27 February. The barbeque will occur in the Secondary Library Quadrangle, commencing at 6.00 pm. The Secondary staff look forward to meeting as many new families as possible. Please return the reply slip so that catering arrangements can be finalised.
Year 7 Devices
Year 7 will receive their iPads in Week 5. Mr Ehsman will provide the students with more information about this process over the coming weeks. Year 7 parents will be able to sign the iPad user agreement and collect their child’s iPad after the Welcome BBQ.
Secondary Social
A social for all secondary students will be held on Thursday 27 February. The Secondary staff will be supervising the social. It commences at 6.30 pm and finishes at 8.00 pm. As usual, we expect that students will be dropped off and picked up by parents. The collection area is in front of the Science Labs.
2025 Pastoral Care Teachers
Year 7:
7J – Mr Jack Jeffery
7K – Miss Kristina Majetic
7M – Mrs Veronica McCormick
7W – Mrs Carrie Watchirs
Year 8:
8G - Mr Anthony Gaias
8M – Mr Ricky Muggleton
8T- Mrs Jane Taylor
8W – Mr Sam White
Year 9:
9C – Mrs Claudia Dolbel
9E – Mr Jeremy East
9G – Miss Lauren Green
9M – Mrs Christine McLachlan
Year 10:
10C - Miss Claudia Cush
10K – Mr Blake Uebergang.
Students and parents are encouraged to approach the relevant Pastoral Care teacher if they need assistance.
7 - 10 Staff Email Addresses
Miss Kim Bailey
Mr Sean Baldwin
Mrs Kylie Butler
Miss Claudia Cush
Mrs Angela East
Mr Jeremy East
Mr Peter Ehsman
Mr Anthony Gaias
Miss Alana Goldman
Miss Lauren Green
Mrs Mary-Jane Guest
Mrs Malynda Hiscock
Mr David Koch
Mrs Veronica McCormick
Mrs Christine McLachlan
cmclachlan@arm.catholic.edu.au
Mr Ricky Muggleton
rmuggleton@arm.catholic.edu.au
Mr Matthew Pye
Mrs Kristen Smith
Mrs Jane Taylor
Mrs Katherine Townsend
Mr Blake Uebergang
Mrs Carrie Watchirs
Staff can be contacted directly using the email address above or via the Compass portal.
Living Well, Learning Well
Student Wellbeing
Check In Tuesday with the Pulse Wellbeing App.
Pulse is a tool for measuring the week-to-week wellbeing and engagement of all our students. It tracks the wellbeing of an individual so that the school can respond if needed. It also tracks engagement with the school so we can make changes if necessary.
Students will check in each Tuesday during Pastoral Care.
Rules for Living
Secondary students will continue to be reminded about the importance of following our Rules for Living in their daily interactions with all members of our school community. We encourage all families also to be familiar with these so conversations at home can support those had at school.
Reflection Sheets will sometimes be used in Secondary for students who cannot follow our expectations for safe and productive behaviours and for those who continue to interrupt the learning of their classmates or the teacher's work. Depending on the nature of the incidents and their persistence, these reflection sheets may be sent home for families to sign. We thank you in advance for your support to ensure that our school is a place where all students can feel safe, valued, respected and cared for in an environment where learning is prioritised and valued.
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.
Uniform
Conversations were held with SRC members, parents, and staff, and as a result, there have been some changes to the expectations for students regarding presentation.
Uniform is a part of being Ready2Learn and staff are happy to assist if required. All students are expected to have made themselves and their families aware of the changes, and any issues will be sorted out by the beginning of Week 6.
Presentation Requirements - Secondary
Hair
Haircuts should be neat and of natural colour. Unacceptable styles include but are not limited to: motifs cut into the hair, dreadlocks, cuts under Number 2 blades, rats tails and unnatural colours. Hair that is shoulder length or long enough should be tied back for safety reasons. Hair accessories such as ribbons, scrunchies, headbands, etc. should be discreet and in the school colours of blue or white.
Jewellery
Should be kept to a minimum
Unadorned plain stud earrings - no more than 3 per ear.
A discrete nose piercing - stud only, rings not permitted.
A simple chain such as a sacramental crucifix worn under the uniform
One bangle/bracelet/ring/watch
Other visible body piercings or tattoos are not permitted.
For safety reasons, students may be asked to remove jewellery for physical education and other practical activities; therefore, it should be kept to a minimum and preferably not worn on sports days.
Nails/Makeup
Makeup should be minimal and natural only.
Nails should be short and natural polish only (this also includes artificial nails).
Shoes
All students are required to wear enclosed black leather or strong vinyl school shoes. Shoes should have substantial soles (i.e., a thumb tack would not cause injury to the wearer). Shoes should have laces or a buckle or a similar mechanism. Riding boot style black boots are acceptable in the early years. High-top shoes are not acceptable. Slip-on shoes such as ballet flats and canvas shoes are not acceptable. On sports days, students are required to wear supportive sports shoes. They should have laces or a similar mechanism.
Socks
Plain grey and plain white ankle socks (no logos or motifs) are acceptable except on formal school occasions, such as school representation and school photos.
Uniform is monitored regularly by class teachers, Pastoral Care teachers and the Leadership Team. A dated note from families is required if a student is not in the correct uniform advising when the uniform will be able to be rectified. This is to be given to the Pastoral Care teacher (Secondary) in the morning.
Where the school is able to assist, we will endeavour to help the student correct the uniform, e.g., provide an elastic hair band, provide a container for excess jewellery, and give a spare school outerwear garment.
Consistent infringement or major breaches will result in families being contacted, and students may:
- Be asked to work from home until the issue has been rectified; students may return as soon as it is rectified
- Have privileges removed
- Be unable to represent the school or attend school events
The school will endeavour to work with families to keep the standard for uniform and presentation high.
Please contact Mrs Rainger if you have financial difficulties in relation to the uniform.
Induction Mass
On Friday the Year 10 SRC, House Captains and Vinnies Executive will be inducted at our school mass at the Holy Trinity School Hall at 9.15 am. We look forward to having parents and family members join us to celebrate this significant occasion for the school community. Morning tea for the leaders and their families will be held after mass.
2025 Year 10 Student Leaders
Year 10 SRC
The members of the SRC for 2025 are Toby Beveridge, Aksel Hutchings, Angus Norman, Sasha Bryant, Halina Huynh and Hannah Sanderson.
School Captains:
Aksel Hutchings and Sasha Bryant
House Captains
Johns: Sophie Lutvey and Dustin Ford
Leos: Josephine Harvey and Jed Langan
Marks: Makayde Goldman and Cooper Wilson
Pauls: Laura Cameron and Jacob Robinson
Junior Conference of St Vincent de Paul
Last Friday, the Holy Trinity chapter of the Junior Conference of St Vincent de Paul voted for their 2025 Executive. Congratulations to the following students: Lilly Johnson and William Campbell.
Thank you for being so willing to accept these important positions of responsibility and leadership in our school community.
Year 7 - 9 SRC Representatives
Last week, students voted in class elections, and the Student Representative Council is now finalised for 2025. All student representatives will retain their position on the SRC for the entire year.
Student representatives are:
Year 9: Ryan Horwood, Kadee O’Connell, Samuel Mitrega, Kaden Potter, Max Sweeney and Harriett Webber.
Year 8: Hamish Rattray and Millie Wilson.
Year 7: Georgie Moore and George Xavier.
Congratulations to all students who have been elected to the SRC.
General Permission Notes/Information Updates and Media Release Forms
Parents are asked to consent via Compass if they have not already done so. We appreciate the prompt return of this essential document.
Vaccinations
The Hunter New England Health team will come to Holy Trinity to administer vaccinations to Year 7 and Year 10 students who have completed the necessary documentation. Students who miss this first vaccination session will have the opportunity to catch up over the year.
Parents of students in Years 7 & 10 who wish to have their children vaccinated must complete the online consent forms. There is also a link to this information below and on Compass. If this is not completed before the day, students cannot receive vaccinations.
- Year 10 Vaccinations will occur at Holy Trinity School on Thursday 27 February 2025.
- Year 7 Vaccinations will occur at Holy Trinity School on Thursday 3 April 2025.
2025 Consent Process
Parents can provide consent online for their child’s routine school vaccinations.
This is now available for parents to access.
URL: Online consent URL https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage
QR Code:
If you cannot register online, please let Mr Koch know, and a paper form can be completed and returned to him.
TOP TIPS FOR A NEW YEAR
With the beginning of the new year, it’s always a great time to reassess your academic approach. The key to making the most of this opportunity is focusing on the things that will bring the biggest return.
1. Simplify Your Organisation System
Every student has an organisational system. True, the definition of “organisation” may be looser for some students than others, but everyone has a way to stay organised (or attempt to).
Maybe you’re the “Type-A” student and you have a clearly defined system. You’ll know that you’re “Type-A” by the file folders you both own and use, the folded socks in your drawer, and all the lists by which you keep track of important information. You probably have a calendar and a planner, and you know exactly which clothing is clean and which is dirty.
But not everyone fits in such a naturally organized world. These students can be called “Type-B.”
If you’re a “Type-B” student, you’re not alone, but organisation probably requires more effort. “Type-B” students tend to prefer “piling systems” to filing cabinets. Calendars often seem like too much work, so they’d rather just put everything in their backpacks and find it later. Students on the far end of the “Type-B” universe may even find themselves sorting laundry via the “smell check” method.
Regardless of whether you are a Type A or B student, though, one of the biggest difference-makers this year is your organisation system. Few things will save time and improve academic performance the way an effective organisation system will.
A great organisation system has at its centre one goal: replace your brain.
The more organised you are, the less you have to think. Your organisation system should be simple enough that you don’t have to make any decisions about where you put new assignments, where to find completed assignments, or what to do with graded assignments. You shouldn’t have to go through a mental checklist every time you study because your organisation system does it for you.
The fewer decisions you need to make, the more your thoughts and energy can focus on things that matter. Consider these four questions to determine how simple your organisation system is right now:
- Do you have good systems in place to manage and organise both paper and digital resources for school?
- Do you have a system to make sure that all assignments and due dates are marked on your calendar/planner?
- Do you have a system to focus on what needs to be done today and not just what’s due tomorrow?
When you can answer each of these four questions without thinking, you’ll know that your organisation system is simple enough to be a major asset this year.
2. Break the “Cram Cycle” Before it Starts
By the end of the semester, students often find themselves overloaded and overwhelmed, having to rely on cramming for final exams to get through to the break. They are exhausted and in survival mode. Thriving academically no longer matters. All that matters is the break at the end.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’ve experienced what we call the “Cram Cycle.” Students get busy during the semester, which leads to exhaustion. When you’re exhausted, the only thing you want to do is zone out for a bit. After an afternoon of zoning, students are forced to put all their effort into completing assignments that are due tomorrow. We call this “cramming.” As students work on only that which is due tomorrow, long-term assignments pile up and create even more busyness, which leads to exhaustion, and the “Cram Cycle” begins to accelerate.
Most students only get out of the “Cram Cycle” when the semester ends.
But this year can be different. If you want to stay out of this dreaded cycle, commit yourself to do some independent learning at least five days a week, even when you don’t have anything due the next day. Use every day as a review day, spreading out your study sessions for big tests and projects across multiple days instead of letting them pile up. This approach takes more effort initially to create these habits, but you’ll reap the benefits when you’re free of the “Cram Cycle” and the stress that follows it comes finals season.
3. Supercharge Retention with Scientifically-verified Study Strategies
Everyone knows that taking notes is a good idea. Reading your textbooks seems like a great thing to do. And you’ve probably learned that it’s best to have a consistent place to study, one which is quiet, clean, and comfortable enough (but not TOO comfortable).
But what are the strategies that have been scientifically verified to boost your retention?
One of the best things you can do is to take a break in the middle of your study sessions. In one study, psychologists wanted to find out whether there was any difference in “spacing” a study session (this means taking a break in the middle) or “massing” instead (which means that you hammer it out all at once).
The researchers took two randomly chosen, equal groups of students, gave them the same amount of study time, gave them the same material, and tested them on the material afterwards. The only difference was that one group took a short break in the middle, and the other group didn’t. The results were incredible.
The group that studied with “spacing” did 50% better than the group that studied with “massing.” That means in the same amount of study time, you could potentially boost your retention by 50% by just taking a ten-minute break.