Dear Members of the Trinity Family,

This weekend the Church will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the great celebration that marks the birth of the Christian Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles and Mary, together with many of Jesus’ disciples, were indoors when a sound like a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire hovered over their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit.

In 2008 I was fortunate enough to attend World Youth Day in Sydney with over 500,000 people from 200 countries across the globe. The theme was "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (from Acts 1:8). At the time, I did not fully grasp the meaning of the theme. Pope Benedict, who travelled from Rome to Sydney for the event, encouraged those gathered to consider Pentecost at a personal level: the coming of the Holy Spirit reveals that “Jesus is no longer to be found in any specific place, but His spirit, the Holy Spirit, emanates from Him and enters our hearts, thereby uniting us with Jesus and with the Father”.

One only needs to look at Jesus to see how to live the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. We can then admire the wisdom expressed in His parables, His understanding of the poor and the sick, His right judgement when tested by the Pharisees, His courage to continue the journey to Jerusalem when He knew what fate would await Him, His knowledge of God’s will, His reverence for His Father, His awe before the wonders of creation and so on. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifestly active in the life of Jesus and can be in our lives as well, if we choose them to be.

As we journey towards Pentecost, may we allow ourselves to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit within us and may we use the fruits of the Spirit to bring about a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Thank you to the mothers, and motherly role models, who joined with their student/s for our Mother’s Day breakfast on Friday 10 May.  To all our Trinity mothers and maternal role models, I hope you were surrounded by gratitude, love and happiness last Sunday.  Thank you for all that you do and the example you set the young people in your life. Here are a small number of photos from the morning - others can be found on our social media channels. 

 

Anzac Ceremony

On Friday 3 May the College community commemorated our annual Anzac Ceremony.  This is a significant event in the College calendar and I commend the students on the reverence and respect they demonstrated to our invited guests and veterans. I also thank every student and their family for supporting the various local marches across the region on 25 April.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Visit

Our students and staff were treated to a special visit by the region's Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service on Friday 12 April; the last day of Term 1. The visit was all thanks to Westpac and their Schools Program which helps to give students the chance to learn more about the Rescue Helicopter and its vital role in the emergency response chain throughout Northern NSW.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was established in 1975 and through community support and fundraising it has become a critical service that operates four AW139 helicopters from three bases in Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore. The Service, in partnership with NSW Ambulance and NSW Health, delivers aeromedical search, rescue and inter-hospital transfers to care for communities from north of the Hawkesbury River through to the Queensland border and throughout the New England North West.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is a local charity which needs to fundraise over $3M each year to help it to continue saving lives from its base in Lismore. During the 2023 period the Lismore operations performed over 450 missions through its partnership with NSW Ambulance and NSW Health, responding to emergencies/accidents, search and rescues as well as transferring critically ill patients between hospitals. To find out more about the Westpac Rescue Helicopter or give your support visit www.rescuehelicopter.com.au.

Thank you to Mr Baldwin, Mr Everingham and Mrs Fryer, in particular, for assisting with the organisation of this event.

Year 11 & 12 Modern History + Society & Culture Vietnam Tour

Throughout the April school holiday period 45 students along with Mrs O’Reilly, Mrs Pascoe, Miss Lidbetter, Mr Thamm, Mr Puglisi and me, had the opportunity to undertake a 10 day tour of Vietnam. Students visited significant sites, history museums and battlefields, as well as immersed themselves in authentic Vietnamese culture. A very poignant commemorative service was held at the Long Tan Cross amongst the rubber trees. This memorial was erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, on 18 August 1969 to mark the site of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought three years earlier during the Vietnam War. Students also enjoyed the opportunity of visiting a local school - La San Tan Hung Charity School - for disadvantaged children. This was no doubt a memorable experience for all students and staff and I sincerely thank everyone involved for their support of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, particularly Mrs Alissa O’Reilly and Mrs Amy Pascoe who led the organisation of the tour.

A full report on our Vietnam Tour will be provided in the next edition of The Lantern.

Student Enrolments

Year 7, 2025, Enrolment Applications were due in Week 1 of Term 2. We are now in the process of interviewing applicants, after which offers will be made as per the timeline:

Some enrolment vacancies exist in other year levels, but not all. All enrolment enquiries are best directed to our Enrolments Officer via email - enrolments@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au - or phone: 02) 6627 6647. Applications can be made through our College website.

Child Safeguarding

The College, like all child-safe organisations, is investing significant time and resources into the implementation of the Child Safe Standards. Our website contains our Statement of Commitment and further policies and procedures that inform our approach to this important work.

Uniform & Presentation - Winter uniform commences on 3 June 2024.

I ask that all students present in accordance with the College uniform and grooming policy, with particular attention being paid to hairstyles (neat and appropriate) and jewellery (no facial piercings). The College’s uniform policy can be found on the College website. It is vital that we maintain high standards in all areas of College life, including uniform and presentation.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the College. May Venerable Nano Nagle, St Marcellin Champagnat and Mary our Good Mother continue to watch over our Trinity community.

Jesse Smith

Mr Sean Baldwin

Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection

Throughout Term 2 Year 10 students will be faced with the task of deciding their immediate future in relation to the path they will choose to take with their secondary education. Below is the timeline of events that will help our students with the decision making process.

Term 2

• Week 3 & 4 Key Learning Area Subject Talks for Students
• May 24 2024 Year 10 Students and Parents receive their Stage 6 Subjects Recommendation letters
• May 28 2024 Year 8 and 10 Subject Selection Information Night
• May 28 2024 Subject Selection Portal opens
• June 28 2024 Year 10 into 11 Re Enrolment Application and fee due

Term 3

• July 24 2024 Subject Selection closes and Subject Selection receipt due to Office of Student Learning
• August 9 2024 Year 10 into 11 Interviews ( 20 min appointments). Students only attend for their appointment and regular classes are paused.

 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Parent, Student, Teacher interviews are an important opportunity for families to meet their child's teachers and gain valuable feedback on their learning. The second evening of Year 9-12 interviews will be held on Monday 20th May between 3.45pm and 7.00pm in R Block on Level 3. If you have missed booking appointments please contact the Office of Student Learning oosl@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au .

 HSC Exams

HSC written exams will start on Tuesday 15 October 2024 with English Paper 1 and finish on Friday 8 November 2024. Please find here the link to the complete 2024 HSC written exam timetable with additional information including the Exam Equipment List. Each Year 12 student will have access to their personal exam timetable through studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au. This timetable lists the students' written exams. It also lists any other exams they are entered for, including oral exams for languages, performance exams and submitted works.

 Year 12 Semester 1 Reports

Year 12 Semester 1 Reports were published to the Parent Portal at the end of Week 1. This report  focuses on the students Term 4 (2023) and Term 1 (2024) academic progress and assessment results. If you have issues logging in to Lighthouse that persist after resetting your password, please email parentportal@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au so we can arrange access for you.

Stage 6 Assessment

Term 2 2024 Stage 6 Assessment Calendars were emailed to all students at the start of the term.

Student Responsibility

It is the student's responsibility to complete all assessment tasks to the best of his or her ability.

If a student is unable to attend school on the day of a scheduled assessment task or in class test he or she must:

• phone the Office of Student Learning on 6627 6603 by 9.00 am and explain the problem on that day (a Doctor's Certificate or other suitable documentation may be required); then
• report to the Office of Student Learning at 9.00 am on the next day of attendance to complete the task or substitute task.

If the student is unable to bring a hand-in task to school on its due date he or she must:

• phone the Office of Student Learning on 6627 6603 by 9.00 am and explain the problem on that day;
• try to send the task to school with some other person; or
• submit the task in advance.
• Contact the teacher of the subject to check if emailing the task will be acceptable

NOTE: Email submission will not always be accepted as they do not always send or arrive. Emails can be blocked by our system. (See ICT policy for further detail on this).

Students cannot submit a misadventure appeal based on failure of an email delivery and / or other ICT related failures.

Assessments and Backups

Failure of hardware or software will not be deemed as an acceptable reason for late submissions of an assessment task. It is the student’s responsibility to make a backup of their school work and personal files. The ICT staff are not responsible for the loss of these files when fixing a computer problem. (From ICT policy).

Students are reminded to review the Stage 6 Assessment Handbooks on Lighthouse for further information around assessment procedures.

Thriving Minds Excursion Opportunity for Years 7-9 Students.

This event is facilitated by Julie Arliss and designed for motivated and talented students who have a strong desire to reach their full potential. This event is crafted to unleash the full potential of gifted minds, with a specific focus on STEM-related themes. Nurturing self discovery, innovation, and intellectual growth, the conference is designed to inspire ambition.

• Captivating Speakers: Explore insights from accomplished individuals, transcending traditional STEM boundaries.
• Connecting Minds: Forge connections with like-minded peers, fostering new ideas and lasting friendships.
• Thoughtful Conversations: Dive into discussions on global challenges.
• Critical Thinking Unleashed: Develop strategies for real-world challenges through interactive sessions applicable to any field.

By attending, students will be inspired to think deeply, gaining valuable insights, and developing skills essential for future success. Join us in nurturing brilliance and guiding them on a path of unparalleled ambition and achievement, igniting a passion for the profound in the minds of tomorrow.

There are a limited number of 10 spots available for students in Years 7-9 to participate in this excursion on July 25th, 2024. Please visit the parental portal on Lighthouse for more information.

CAPA save the date?

Inspirations, a showcase of HSC Dance works will be held on Wednesday 3 July at 7pm. Put this date in your calendars for a wonderful night of creative works.

We wish all students and families well for Term 2.  

Alison Unwin - Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Tracy Benfield - Director of Learning

Amy Pascoe - Director of Teaching Excellence

‘In Deed and Word’ Community Service Program - Hours Reminder

Being part of our Trinity school community means that we must find ways to live out our faith and serve others .  The Community Service Program is a long standing tradition at the College and we continue to make this a priority for our students in 2024.

During his ministry, Jesus taught us about the importance of including, connecting and  engaging with others.  Through his actions, he showed us  how to treat others and help to  build stronger, more compassionate  and inclusive  communities. He implored his disciples and followers to ‘love one another’ as he loved them and to go out and be the light for others by serving them.   Our motto In Word and Deed, inspires us to be people of action. Our founders, Venerable Nano Nagle and St Marcellin Champagnat, are examples of how we can make  our Christian faith practical and authentic. Our small acts of kindness and generosity are transformational in our communities. We hope that by participating in this yearly service program, students learn to understand the importance of being active participants in their communities, not only in the present but beyond their schooling years.

What does it mean ‘to love one another’?

Each year, a student must attain a minimum of 10 hours of community service. There are many ways to get involved in your  community. Here are just a few ways to be present and help others:

• Doing jobs to assist elderly neighbours or grandparents (gardening, cleaning etc)
• Assisting neighbours with their young children (e.g. reading to, playing with the young children)
• Visiting friends/relatives in nursing homes e.g. reading residents the newspaper, having a chat, playing cards, painting fingernails etc
• Volunteering at the canteen of their chosen sports on the weekends.
• Helping to coach a younger team in their chosen sport. Be an unpaid referee.
• Participation in School events like Open Night, College Tours, Anzac March, Clean Up Australia Day, The Winter Night Out, etc
• Accompanying/volunteering with friend/parent who is involved with Meals on Wheels, Soup Kitchen, Vinnies, other Op Shops
• Fundraising for Charities - 40 Hour Famine, Westpac Helicopter, Our Kids, Blood Donations, Vinnies, Caritas etc

How do our students log their hours?

Years 7-10 will see pages in the front of the Student Diary where they can log their Community Service Hours as they complete them.

Years 11-12 will need to keep  their own log and hand it in at the end of Year 12. Their SOR teachers will help them with this.

Mrs Annette White

Work Experience

During the last week of Term 1, all Year 10 Trinity students went out into the workforce for a week of work experience. The variety of trades, industry and employment areas that our Trinity students undertook was vast and it was great to see them all engage with their week of chosen work experience. The comments from the employers were always very positive, we had several students offered part time work, full time work and several apprenticeships were also offered.

Dive into the dynamic world of mathematics where every lesson brings fresh excitement and challenges. Term 1 was off to an exhilarating start, especially with the launch of the new Stage 4 Syllabus for Year 7, 8, and the new Stage 5 Syllabus for 9 students.

One of the highlights of the Term was the innovative Mathspace platform for homework. For those unfamiliar, Mathspace revolutionises learning in mathematics with its comprehensive resources including worked solutions, instructional videos, and an AI bot for instant assistance. Trinity has been using Mathspace's benefits for years, making it a go-to resource for students seeking clarity and support in mathematics.

Not only does Mathspace support learning, but it also provides invaluable insights into students' progress through its tracking feature and skill checks. This Term, we encourage all students from Year 7 to 10 to actively engage with Mathspace, targeting areas of improvement to enhance their mathematical proficiency.

In addition to our digital endeavours, we hosted a session by World of Maths, captivating Year 7 students with hands-on problem-solving activities that fostered collaboration and critical thinking.

We're gearing up for the Australian Maths Competition, with Mr Green looking to lead lunchtime sessions to nurture students' creativity and strategic thinking, essential skills for excelling in the competition.

During activity week (last week of Term 1), Year 9 students delved into the card game "New Market," also known as "Frustration," offering a delightful blend of fun and challenge. This might become a new family favourite.

Meanwhile, the creativity of our students was put to the test as Year 7 and 8 embarked on a Mathigon-Polypad competition.

There is plenty more exciting maths to share so stay tuned for more updates as we progress through the academic year.

Ms Kathryn Smith - Leader of Learning Mathematics

Child Studies Excursion

Child Studies aims to develop in students the knowledge, understanding and skills to positively influence the wellbeing and development of children in the early years in a range of settings. 

Throughout  this course students will be interacting with children and developing a  unique set of skills to work with various personalities and age groups. A visit to Blinky's enabled the students to  demonstrate a variety of verbal and nonverbal skills that are necessary when working with children. The students would like to thank Blinky's Corner Child Care Centre for providing such a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Community and Family Studies

This course is an ATAR subject that allows you to think critically about key issues relating to relationships, and health in order to support and promote healthy communities. Guest speakers have provided students the opportunity to examine CAFS content on adoption, fostering, parenting and disability formal support. Students have gained first hand information on problem solving, decision making, communication and sign language which is a  the heart of CAFS. These skills enable individuals to be positive contributors to society. Studying this course can lead to careers in psychology, social work, education, counselling, nursing, caring roles (childcare) and community welfare. The students would like to thank our guest speakers for your valuable contribution as your insights and expertise made a significant impact.

Mrs Deborah Witt

Year 8 Food and Agriculture Technology

Year 8 students have investigated the dietary needs of adolescents, as well as a range of preparation techniques and created a bento style healthy lunchbox. The bento box was packed with brain and body-boosting foods and a medley of creative surprises.

Mrs Deborah Witt