SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

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

Have a great holiday!

Term 2 has been a very busy term with a variety of extracurricular activities. Thank you to all students, staff, and parents for their support this term.

Remember, this Friday is a Staff Development Day/Pupil Free Day, as is Monday 21 July. Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday 22 July.

YEAR 11 SUBJECT SELECTIONS

Year 11 2026 Subject Selections closed yesterday. The next step in the process will be to determine the subjects that can be offered and the lines. Family meetings will be held next term to discuss lines and selections in more detail.

16.05.2025 SENIOR STUDIES HANDBOOK 2026.pdf

Subject Selection Timeline

The flyer below outlines the timeline for subject selection.

REPORTS

Reports will be distributed on Wednesday. They will also be available via the Compass portal. Students who are absent from school on Wednesday and Thursday can pick up hard copies next term.

Year 8 and 9 Excursions

The next instalment is now due on Compass for the Term 3 excursions to the Aussie Bush Camp (Year 8) and Sydney (Year 9).

Winter Warmers

Vinnies have wrapped up their Winter Warmers campaign for this year. Items will be distributed to those in need in our community.

Thanks also to Mrs Marshall and her knitters, who spent some lunchtimes making items to donate.

ELEVATE STUDY SKILLS PARENT WEBINARS

Use the link in the attachment to register.

Elevate_Education_Webinars_Term2_2025_Aus.pdf

Congratulations…

Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all Secondary students who participated so positively in the recent Athletics Carnival. It was fantastic to see so many competitors giving their best, and equally impressive to witness the great encouragement and camaraderie among year groups as they moved between events. Well done, everyone!

RATE A MATE IN WEEK 8

Sometimes, good deeds go unnoticed, and at Holy Trinity, we aim to change this. Students were offered the opportunity to thank and recognise peers for the good things that always happen.

Students were encouraged to tell us about someone who followed our 'Rules for Living'.

The acknowledgement is anonymous and collected via Google Forms. Below are some of the reasons for the acknowledgement in their own words.

She tells me jokes when I’m down, allowing we to smile, she makes the day much brighter and better as she allows herself to be herself.

She is really really really nice and funny.

Always checking up and making sure that everyone is okay.

Caring, respectful, kind

Great mate

Always being up for a chat and a laugh, being considerate and thoughtful, and just a great friend all round.

they have been a really helpful and kind person and always there to help when needed

They are funny and are always up for a chat.

Great sense of humour, always there for a laugh, but when needed for actual help or support, still there with great advice.

They are kind and really good at handball.

Congratulations to the following students who were 'Rated by a Mate'.

Name	Year
Violet McBean	7
Lacey Taylor	7
Isabel Bryant	7
Eva Jinesh	7
Kaige Letcher	7
Tobias Murphy	7
Sophie Foley	7
Elka Dunlop	7
Seaton Higgins	7
Josie Langan	7
Pippa Butcher	7
Jack Mason	7
Paige Sims	7
Sophia Hobday	7
Asha Randall	7
Eleana Lopez	7
Brooklynn Simpson	7
Ruby Selig	7
Amirri Nelson	7
Cooper Nelson	7
George Xavier	7
Jack Sweeney	7
Billy Pagden	7
Paige Potter	7
Cruz Taylor	7
Eva Xavier	7
Zalie Borrowdale	7
Korrine Cleary	7
Jack Sweeney	7
Georgie Moore	7
Maria Brandao	8
Emina O’Neill Yee	8
Alex Kuhn	8
Kane Cameron	8
Izaak Simpson	8
Willow Garrett	8
Xander Gaias	8
Ella Walford	8
Nate Reynolds	8
Dominic Kenny	8
Kier Afable	8
Kirby Kasper	8
Zara Butcher	8
Grace Doyle	8
Lachlan Murray	8
Luke Readett	8
Ryan Hill	8
Dustin Taber	8
Isadora Brandao	8
Savannah Golding	8
Flynn Ellis-Brien	8
Bohan Randall	8
Kaden Blair	8
Miley Taber	8
Dustin Taber	8
Morgan Lawry	8
Baxter Hawkins	8
Abel Jinto	8
Lachlan Tindall	8
Kadee O’Connell	9
Toby Anderson	9
Ella Fittler	9
Bethany Pearse	9
Molly Reece	9
Joe Delaney	9
Layla Mair	9
Kayd Bischoff	9
Indy Johns	9
Savannah Lea	9
Kadia Tyers	9
Sheldon Brown	9
Brooke Martel	9
Millie Taylor	9
Haylee Phillipps-Lewis	9
Lachlan Peterson	9
Savannah Lea	9
Pate Dresu	9
Jordan Frazier	9
Will Sinclair	9
Aidan Readett	9
Tamsin Pettiford	9
Sienna Hunt	9
Max Sweeney	9
Ryan Grant	9
Harriett Webber	9
Brayden Le	9
Ben Munro	9
Lane Hosking	9
Layla Mair	9
Byron Hancock	9
Fred Miller	9
Kadie Sayer	9
Sophie Neppl	9
Jed Emery	10

Naidoc Week Flag Competition

Several students entered the competition, and congratulations to Paige Potter, whose design will be displayed on a flag in the Inverell CBD during NAIDOC Week.

Year 10 Girls' Soccer Team

Congratulations to the team who played very well last Wednesday but were defeated by St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour. The girls acquitted themselves very well, showing great determination and playing with integrity. Mrs East received many compliments from staff who were part of the opposing team, and they were impressed by the girls' competitive spirit and surprised by the size of our school. Thanks to Mrs East for coaching the team.

STUDY SKILLS TIPS LEARNING COLLABORATIVELY

We all have unique preferences when it comes to learning. Some students thrive in group settings, while others prefer solitary work. Certain individuals enjoy discussing topics over the phone or video calls, while some thrive in face-to-face collaborations. The saying "two heads are better than one" holds true, and it is interesting to explore how this applies to different types of students.

If you tend to work alone most of the time, there are a few aspects worth considering:

It's commendable that you are self-sufficient and confident in your abilities. However, it's important to recognise that at times, not asking for help when needed can make things more challenging for yourself. Don't hesitate to seek assistance when facing difficulties or struggling to comprehend something. Asking for help is a valuable skill that contributes to academic success. Become more aware of your tendency to avoid asking for help and make an effort to reach out when needed.

Engaging in discussions with others often offers fresh perspectives and the opportunity to clarify your thoughts. By collaborating and exchanging ideas with another person, you may enhance the development of your own concepts and uncover potential issues that a new perspective can identify. If you haven't explored collaboration extensively, consider giving it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by the value it adds to your learning experience.

On the other hand, if you already enjoy working with others, here are some points to keep in mind:

Ensure that you contribute equally in group work and avoid relying on others to do all the work for you. Fair and balanced participation leads to a more productive and fulfilling collaborative environment.

Remember that collaboration is distinct from cheating. While discussing an assignment and sharing thoughts on its approach is acceptable, it is not appropriate to jointly write the assignment or submit similar pieces of work. Maintain academic integrity and respect the boundaries of collaborative efforts.

Stay focused and avoid wasting time during collaborative sessions. It's easy to get sidetracked, so make a conscious effort to remain on task and avoid distractions when working with others.

Occasionally, challenge yourself to tackle tasks independently. If you consistently rely on your friends to complete your Maths homework, you may not truly gauge your own abilities. This lack of self-assessment can become problematic during tests or exams. Consider whether collaboration will genuinely enhance your work or if it is more suitable to attempt certain tasks on your own.

Allocate specific time for independent work each night. If you prefer to collaborate while working from home, establish dedicated periods for collaboration and separate blocks for independent work. Avoid spending the entire evening on video calls with friends and instead create a balance between collaboration and individual effort.

By reflecting on these points and adapting your approach to learning, you can maximize your potential and create a well-rounded academic experience. Embrace the strengths of both solitary work and collaboration and leverage them accordingly to foster personal growth and academic achievement.

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.

Stage 4 Assessment Policy 2025.pdf

Stage 5 Assessment Policy 2025.pdf

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.