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. Thanks 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 22 July. Terms 3 commences for students on Tuesday 23 July.

REPORTS

Reports will be distributed on Wednesday. They will also be available via the Compass portal.

Write a Book in a Day

Congratulations to the students who participated in the Write a Book in a Day event today. Write a Book in a Day is a fun and creative team writing competition for students with some very unique aspects:

It involved a collaborative team effort where students plan, write and illustrate a book.
Every story grows from a unique set of parameters that are given to each writing team.

Good Luck...

Makayde Goldman

Good luck to Makayde Goldman, who was selected in the U15s Northern NSW Football squad for the 2024 National Youth Championships in Melbourne from 3 to 8 July.

Matilda Thompson

Good luck to Matilda Thompson, who was selected for the NSWCCC Girls Under 16s Rugby League team. The team will compete this week.

Hannah Bourke

Good luck to Hannah Bourke, who is trialling on Wednesday for the Diocessan Open Netball Team.

National Limousin Junior Camp

The National Limousin Junior camp allows students to develop their cattle handling, judging and showing skills. Over the camp period, the students will have lessons from industry leaders in their field, giving your child a unique opportunity to enhance their level of knowledge. The camp will commence on Thursday 4 July and finish on Sunday 7 July at the Wingham Showground.

Good luck to Josie Harvey and Sarah Page, who will be representing Holy Trinity.

Congratulations...

Year 10 and Year 2

Last Thursday, Year 10 helped Year 2 with their reading, and then they completed a book review together. This is one of the many benefits of having K-10 on one site!

RATE A MATE IN WEEK 8

Sometimes, good deeds do go unnoticed, and at Holy Trinity, we would like 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.

Positive outlook on life and consistent kindness to those around her.

Has been very caring and helpful towards others and is always looking out for people.

He is always bringing a smile into the playground and makes you feel better when you’re feeling down.

They are kind , respectful, funny and make me feel a sense of belonging.

They make me feel liked.

He always shows a respectful attitude towards his peers.

Befriended me when school just started, when I didn’t know anyone and never made me feel alone.

Always kind and positive.

He's a nice, encouraging guy, very positive, and he deserves to be on this list.

She makes me feel happy, whenever I’m feeling down or not the best she is always there to light up my day by making me laugh.

He is such a good friend.

Despite anything going on in her life she is still there for me and everyone around her, giving everyone else support and a shoulder to cry on.

The students who were 'rated by a mate' will receive a certificate.

Congratulations to the following students.

Name	Year
Kirby Kasper	7
Zara Butcher	7
Lachlan Tindall	7
Kane Cameron	7
Emina O’Neill-Yee	7
Sidharth Ramesh	7
Jacob Kim	7
Flynn Ellis-Brien	7
Ryan Hill	7
Isadora Brandao	7
Savannah Golding	7
Dominic Kenny	7
Baxter Hawkins	7
Nate Reynolds	7
Ella Walford	7
Luke Readett	7
Demi Goldman	7
Miley Taber	7
Chloe Worgan	7
Dustin Taber	7
Naomi Robinson	7
Beau Butcher	7
Willow Garrett	7
Meleah Swadling	7
Chloe Worgan	7
Kaylee Woolcott	7
Toby McCudden	7
Ruby Parrella	7
Pippa Lynch	7
Millie Wilson	7
Kier Afable	7
Tamsin Pettiford	8
Glen Walford	8
Heath Watchirs	8
Kadee O’Connell	8
Madyson Higgins	8
Piper Richards	8
Jaxon Taber	8
Seth O'Neill-Yee	8
Fred Miller	8
Mack McGavin	8
Nathaniel O'Connell	8
Harriett Webber	8
Brian Hancock	8
Darcy Oakes	8
Ella Fittler	8
Brooke Martel	8
Bethany Pearse	8
Kadia Tyers	8
Sophie Neppl	8
Jelena Durmisevic	8
Millie Taylor	8
Hannah Sanderson	9
Angus Norman	9
Alexzel Cleary	9
Aksel Hutchings	9
Will Campbell	9
Josie Harvey	9
Rory Tonkin	9
Jed Emery	9
Cooper Wilson	9
Jacob Robinson	9
Hannah Bourke	10
Sarah Page	10
Geno Simbajon	10
Lidiya Varghese	10
April Neppl	10
Jack Sinclair	10
Kobie Cox	10
Thomas Taylor	10
Yinyin Xue	10
Madison Ellis	10
Charlotte Ellis	10
Jessica Hill	10

Year 10 Transition

Year 10 will begin their Transition to Years 11 and 12 next term. Careers Advisors from Inverell High (Mr Peter Dal Santo) and Macintyre High (Mrs Deb Snaith) will visit Holy Trinity next term. Students will also visit both schools as part of the Transition process. The following dates have been set.

Macintyre High School

Tuesday 23 July: Macintyre High will visit Holy Trinity.
Monday 29 July: HTS students will go to MHS to participate in their My Futures workshops and then discuss subjects informally with teachers.
Thursday 1 August: MHS Information Evening.

Inverell High School

Friday 2 August: Inverell High will visit Holy Trinity
Wednesday 7 August: HTS students will go to IHS.
Tuesday 13 August: IHS Information Evening.

More information will be available soon.

Making the most of opportunities...

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER:

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 and their teaching classes. 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

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.

Making Contact with Teachers in the Secondary

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