PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to Week 8

It's hard to believe we're already in Week 8 of the term. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, filled with wonderful events that truly highlight the spirit of our school community.

I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who supported the Father's Day breakfast and P&F Stall last Friday. While I was away in Sydney for some professional learning and regrettably missed it, I heard that the quadrangle was bustling with happy dads, children, and friends, all enjoying a bacon and egg roll. A big thank you to our staff who organised this special event.

It was a joy to be part of the recent K-2 Athletics Carnival. A huge shout-out to our families for coming out to watch and cheer on the students. The support you show your children really encourages them to participate and do their best. Our students and staff all did a fantastic job.

I was also deeply moved by the First Holy Communion and Confirmation Mass at Sacred Heart Church. It's such a beautiful and significant event, and it was a privilege to see our students and their families dressed for this special occasion. My gratitude goes to Mrs. Guest, Mrs. Selig, and Mrs. Murphy for their wonderful work in preparing the students for this sacrament.

Celebrating Student Achievements

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending several secondary events that showcased the talents of our students.

The public speaking finals were truly impressive. The quality of the speeches was outstanding, and I want to commend all the students for their commitment to this challenging process. Being confident in public speaking is a difficult skill, and it's fantastic to see our students so capable of it.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the energy at the Christian Living Days with Years 8 and 9. The Lasallian presenters told me how proud I must be to be the principal of Holy Trinity because our students were so amazing—and I had to agree with them! The positive atmosphere in the PAC was a buzz for me, too.

Looking Ahead

This is an exciting time for our Year 6 students as they begin their journey toward secondary school. We held our first Year 6 to Year 7 transition session, and it was great to welcome new enrolments from Glen Innes and Warialda. We have three more sessions planned in the coming weeks.

Please note a change of date for the next Year 6 to 7 transition session. It will now be held on Tuesday, September 23, due to the Legends of League and Todd Woodbridge Cup events on the Wednesday.

Planning for the Future

As we approach the end of the year, our school executive, with the support of the Armidale Catholic Schools (ACS), has begun the important work of planning for 2026 and beyond. This process is crucial for ensuring our school continues to thrive and provide the best possible education for your children.

A big thank you to all the families who took the time to complete the Annual School Survey. Your feedback is invaluable. The results, once received, will be instrumental in helping us shape our goals for the future. We are also reflecting on the Armidale Catholic Schools Strategy 2026-2030 document and the 2026 ACS Annual Improvement Plan to align our local efforts with the broader vision for Catholic education in our region.

Staffing and Enrolments

One of our most immediate tasks is to determine our student and staffing numbers for 2026. This information is vital for our planning, from class configurations to resource allocation. To assist us, we kindly ask that you inform the school office as soon as possible if your child or children will not be returning to Holy Trinity School (HTS) in 2026. This early notification is a huge help and allows us to plan effectively for the new school year.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued partnership.

Looking Ahead to Term 4

As we look ahead to Term 4, we have some refurbishment work planned for the Secondary Staffroom. This project is a key part of our commitment to providing a modern and collaborative environment for our staff.

This work will involve some changes to our secondary timetable classroom allocation and will also impact parking in the school car park. To accommodate the project, some staff members will need to park on the surrounding streets.

We anticipate this will have a minimal impact on morning drop-off, but it may lead to slightly increased wait times at the end of the day. We will be actively monitoring the situation to ensure it causes as little disruption as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this important upgrade.

We also our Mega Raffle and Race Day. Tickets have gone home today! Some fantastic prizes to win and a great day out at the Races on Saturday 18 October.

In Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4 I have been seconded to the Armidale Catholic Schools Office to work as a School Performance Officer whilst a member of that team is on leave. I will leave HTS in the capable hands of Miss Kim Bailey who will be supported by Mrs Jacqui Wait and Mrs Cath Koch.

Please remember the last day of Term 3, Friday 26 September and the first day of Term 4, Monday 13 October are pupil free days.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns,

Jilly