Principal's Message
College Communications
Mr Darren O'Neill
Mr Darren O'Neill
In last week’s College Newsletter – In the Spirit, I wrote about the importance of the school and the home enjoying a positive and meaningful partnership that promotes regular and open communication – a partnership centred on the care, interests, and formation of each student. I focussed on our College website and the important place it has in providing a great deal of communication to our community. Amongst other things, I pointed to the newly installed Virtual Tour and the central space for all COVID-19 information directed from the College.
In continuing the theme of good communication supporting and developing positive family/College relationships, I wanted to continue to focus on certain aspects of our College communications that seek to enhance this important relationship.
SEQTA
While Trinity provides effective telephone and email systems through which fgamily/College communications can occur, SEQTA is predominantly used as the medium where important information is being distributed. SEQTA also provides parents and students with the ability to access select aspects of the College Learning Management Platform. Essentially, this allows students and families to continually refer to current assessment schedules, weekly lesson plans and to track individual student progress in each subject or course. Given the likely effect of high caseloads for COVID-19, the likelihood of some students being required to work from home and follow set work available through SEQTA is high.
Specific notifications are also being sent through SEQTA to both students and families when assessments are marked and finalised. Similarly, pastoral, behavioural and academic notifications are shared in this same manner. All Student Academic Reports are delivered via this online platform and current performance data within respective subjects will be available. This is an area of communication that is continually expanding. I would strongly encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the various functions available in SEQTA and to regularly access the information provided. Instructions for families accessing SEQTA can be found HERE.
Parent Information Carousel Evening
The various Parent Information Evenings (in whatever format!) are another means by which this partnership can be strengthened because they present important information about course details, career pathways, student formation programs and student wellbeing initiatives. Our recent online Parent Information Carousel Evening was an example of the College adapting events to suit the current School Operational Guidelines. It has been wonderful to see the large numbers of parents and students ‘attend’ the presentations made available online. The 2022 Parent Information Night offers parents the opportunity to choose from an array of sessions covering topics such as: The Resilience Project, Social Media and Digital Wellbeing, ySafe, SEQTA Basics, Pursuing Individual Excellence, Year cohort information and much more. This carousel type format allows parents to select those sessions that they feel are most applicable to their needs and the needs of their son and are available to view, and then review if necessary, at any time. Copies of the information presented from the respective Information Evenings can be accessed on the College website below.
Likewise, our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (PTSI) are scheduled for either side of the holiday breaks for Term 1 and Term 2. Given the current health guidelines, we are planning for online versions of PTSI. Specific details about these interviews, how they will be conducted, and the process for booking individual appointments will be provided in the coming weeks. Once again, important and specific information about student progress is shared on such occasions.
Social Media
The College's social media channels are another great way to stay up to date with what is happening in the day-to-day life of the College. The official College Facebook and Instagram page also provides timely reminders of important College events. Other social media channels the College utilises include:
As previously stated, effective and timely communication is essential if positive Family/College partnerships are to continue for the benefit of the students. The College will strive to continue to do well in this area and I thank families for their continued support in this regard.
Live Jesus in our hearts.