SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal
Miss Kim Bailey
Uniform
All students are reminded that the correct uniform is expected each day. The winter uniform includes a tie, which is to be worn in the correct manner. It is a requirement that students wear suitable shoes that comply with the uniform guidelines. There is currently a large amount of lost property in the Secondary staffroom, and it would be appreciated if students checked for lost items.
Hoodies
On very cold days some students have been wearing hoodies. Students need to ensure that the hoodie is as close to our school colours as possible (navy or grey is preferable) and that the hood remains tucked inside their school jacket. The jacket is also to remain zipped up at all times so that the hoodie is not visible.
Year 10 Orientation to Year 11
Mr Dal Santo and Mr Ryan, from Inverell High and Macintrye High respectively, have made initial visits to Holy Trinity over the last two weeks. These visits are followed up with our Year 10 students visiting each of the local high schools. They will gain valuable information for their future planning, whether it be completing senior school, seeking employment, or a combination of school and work-based traineeships or apprenticeships.
Today, students visited Macintyre High School and on Tuesday 3 August they will also have the opportunity to visit Inverell High School. They will meet teachers to discuss subject selection and have a tour of the school and check out the facilities.
Students and their parents have also been invited to attend Macintyre High’s subject information night on Wednesday 28 July at 6.00 pm in the Macintyre Hall. Inverell High School will hold their subject information night on Thursday 5 August at 6.30 pm in Welch Hall.
Parents will have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the subject options, how to choose subjects and NESA requirements. Parents and students will also be able to talk to Head Teachers about specific subjects.
Subject Specific Advice
If you are finding a particular subject difficult, the first place you should seek help should be your classroom teacher. Firstly ask questions in class as problems arise. If you find you have too many questions to ask in class (as you’d end up disturbing the class) then ask your teacher if you can make a time to see them before or after class or during lunch or after school. Teachers are happy to help students who do their best and are keen to improve. Other places you might be able to find help are: books or extra textbooks in the school or local library, other students in the class, students in older years, other teachers at the school, family members, family friends. If you try all of these options and are still having problems, then you might consider looking for a tutor. Often ex-students from your school who in Years 11 or 12 might be interested in doing some tutoring or even teachers at other schools.
Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA)
Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) aims to provide education and training expertise as well as high-quality research assistance on a wide range of alcohol and other drug issues. Paul Dillon is the Director, and founder of DARTA, and he is passionate about ensuring that the community has access to accurate and up-to-date alcohol and other drug information.
The link to the site is below.
The site contains links to fact sheets, blogs, books and many other resources to inform parents, teachers and students on many issues. Parents are encouraged to utilise this site to access current information and trends.
Vaping
Vaping is a concerning trend for adolescents in Australia. It has come to our attention that some of our students have been vaping. As a result, a presentation was delivered to all 7 – 10 students on Monday morning outlining the dangers of vaping. All students were given a note to take home outlining our school policy on vaping and the consequences of engaging in these behaviours.
Below is a link to a blog, Doing Drugs, by Paul Dillon from DARTA, addressing the issue of vaping. There is a lot of valuable information on the site for parents and adolescents.
http://doingdrugs-darta.blogspot.com/2021/03/what-should-parents-say-when-their-teen.html.
Mobile Phone Procedures
- Mobile phones are to be used ONLY after teacher permission is given.
- 7 - 10 students can ONLY use devices outside of the staffroom and Room 7 (after permission has been given).
- Mobile phones SHOULD NOT be out on the playground or in classrooms.
- If a mobile phone is seen, it will be CONFISCATED by the teacher until the end of the day and stored in Miss Bailey’s office - this is where it is to be collected at 3.20.
- iPADs and LAPTOPS are to be used in learning environments ONLY under the direction of teachers. INAPPROPRIATE USE will result in CONFISCATION as per mobile phones.
- HEADPHONES should NOT be worn outside of the classroom. INAPPROPRIATE USE will result in CONFISCATION as per mobile phones/iPads/laptops.
- Social media is NOT permitted at school.
- Taking photos and filming others without permission is NOT PERMITTED.
- SMART WATCHES are treated the same as mobile devices.
- These rules APPLY to sporting events and excursions.
- Mobile device use is allowed after 3.20 for AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS ONLY (social media, filming and photos, watching videos and listening to music are not allowed until you have left the school grounds).
If a phone is confiscated, the details are recorded. If students have their phone taken off them more than once, parents will be contacted, and the phone will have to be collected from Miss Bailey, Mrs Rainger or the Front Office.