Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

Welcome to learning and teaching for 2025.  The start of the year has been positive with students quickly settling into new classes and routines. The initiative to have no devices for the first few weeks in Year 7 and 8 has supported students to connect with teachers and peers as well as set up positive learning habits and class bookwork. All students will need to maintain their book work throughout the year as this continues to be a focus of the College.

The past few weeks have seen wonderful opportunities to celebrate learning success and growth with the High Achievers HSC Assembly as well as the Semester 2 Academic Assemblies. Student Growth awards were included in this celebration as we strive to acknowledge personal best from every student.

Year 12 High Achievers Assembly

On 7 February the College acknowledged and celebrated the Year 12 High Achievers from 2024. We congratulate all of our Year 12 students from 2024 on their HSC completion and achievements. We wish them all the very best for the future.

The following is the speech from the college DUX, George Mitchell:

Good morning Mr Smith, staff, students, invited guests, uninvited guests and high achieving students from the graduating class of 2024.

I would like to start by congratulating those seated on stage behind me. This talented and hardworking group have all achieved great things in the HSC, a band 6 or a high atar is no small feat and each of you guys have worked tirelessly to achieve such things. The cohort was also a pretty fun bunch to be around. I came to trinity in week 8, term 3 of Year 10 and I was straight away welcomed with open arms. My couple of years at Trinity were the most fun I have ever had at school. Events such as the chants, excursions and sports carnivals were experiences I will always be grateful for and the friendships and general banter in and out of the classroom will hold a special place in my heart. To those who are here today and to everyone else from the TCCL class of 2024, thankyou for your comradery and congratulations for your accolades and achievements. Can we please hear it one more time for the class of 2024.

A preacher once told me that to get better as a preacher, you have to listen to preaching. So to write this speech I listened to speeches. Trinity’s Dux of 2022, Felix Weakley made comments such as “hard work pays off, sort out your social life and to take advantage of the resources at Trinity”. Last year’s Dux Hannah Cappe told us to “learn about ourselves, find out what works for us and find our drive”. So hearing the points from their speeches and taking into account my own experience of the HSC, I honed in on one point I would like to present to you today. My “nugget of truth” If you’re lucky enough to be in Ms O’leary’s english class. My one point is also one word, I thought it would be easiest to remember for those in the room like myself who have trouble with memorising. My one word is Balance.

12 days before the first English paper I went on a camping trip with a couple of mates. Now before you decide to judge this very well thought out decision, this trip didn’t come with the usual lollygagging and shenanigans a camp of 17 and 18 year olds would usually entail. Whilst in part the point of this trip was to enjoy the fleeting holiday we could until the HSC period, it was also to spend hours in a library not far from the campsite tackling English papers and attempting the occasional math problem. A sabbatical of some sort if you will. Our days would consist of a morning swim, a few timed practice essays at the library, catching fish off of the breakwall at night and playing golf one afternoon where a certain left handed individual decided to take his anger out on a tree, snapping the hired club and proceeding to subtly toss said club into a nearby pond.

Now why bring up this story? Why not give proper insights and tips to conquer exams and breeze through the HSC? Why spend time giving an anecdote rather than inspiration or advice?

I bring back the word balance. For me this trip was exactly what I needed before an extended exam period. The 40 or 80 minute blocks of writing were complimented nicely with a meat pie and a wander around. Looking back to it, the mix between study and leisure formed a satisfying equilibrium, and if Mrs Parker's Year 12s are cringing right now I know I’m doing my job right.

To year 11 and 12 and any other students here, balance is integral in your approach to your high schooling life, especially your studies. Throughout my time in high school studying wasn’t something I often struggled with. I don’t say that to boast or flex, instead I want to acknowledge that study can vary between students, and for the most part I was lucky enough to not mind sitting down and writing. At times I did find it hard to work my way through one of Mr Perry’s controversial physics problems or that pesky 5 marker in religion that I could only ever muster a 3 or 4 on. When faced with these roadblocks I would find it useful to take breaks, whether that be a few (sometimes too many) instagram reels, going to the gym for a couple of hours or any other activities that would take my mind off of school. When I returned to my desk at home or in the library I focused solely on the work I set myself. If I was to tell year 11 George how to study I would say, do what works for you, whatever (Click)flips the switch into study mode or slowly helps you crescendo into your work. What worked for me was balancing recreation with study, what worked for me was balancing focused math lessons with only slightly chaotic geography lessons, what worked for me won’t be what works for you. If you want to find out what works for you my first suggestion would be to find your balance.

Like life, high school will have many ups and downs and it will have its ebbs and flows. The goal should be to find the right mixture of each:

• Mix laughter with crying
• Blend struggle with triumph
• Weave understanding into confusion
• incorporate gruelling study sessions with relaxing breaks
• Fuse your setbacks with growth

And most importantly, appreciate the time you have had and the time you have left. You may not have to enjoy it because there will be times where you will not, but please try to appreciate Trinity for the blessing it is. Keep in mind that not everyone gets to go to Trinity and not everyone gets to do the HSC.

All of these things I have listed are inevitable and will happen at some point during your time as a senior, so if I can leave you all here with one thing today, I hope you can remember the word balance.

Thank You again to my class for a great couple of years. Thank You to my tutor teachers for making mornings more fun. Thank You to my class teachers who put up with me for the past two years, the work you all put in doesn’t go unnoticed and the achievements of our year are as much ours as they are yours. Thank You to my parents for challenging and supporting me through this journey, to my little sister for being there for me when I needed it most and lastly to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I’ll leave you this morning with a bible verse. Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2024 Distinguished Achievers

Top ATAR Results

 College DUX

 

Year 7 - 10 Semester 2 2024 Academic Assembly

On 21 February we celebrated the high achievers from Semester 2 2024. Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding efforts.

Year 7 Semester 2 2024

Year 8 Semester 2 2024

 Year 9 Semester 2 2024

Year 10 Semester 2 2024

Student Growth Awards

NAPLAN

All Year 7 and 9 students will be participating in NAPLAN Writing, Reading, Conventions of language, Numeracy tests from Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March.

NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.

Students and parents can access the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA Website

In light of the College’s participation in this testing, I would like to emphasise the following points:

• Student performance in these online tests will not be reported upon by the College;
• Student attendance on these days is compulsory.

What Students need to bring:

Fully charged laptop A Pencil Earphones - AUX Jack Mouse - USB (if they are not confident with a computer trackpad)

Year 7 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

On 17 March Year 7 parents will have the opportunity to meet with their student’s teachers at Parent, Student, Teacher Interviews. These interviews are an important opportunity for students and their parents/caregivers to engage with teachers and receive valuable insights into their learning progress.

When: Monday 17th March 2024

Time: 3:40pm to 7:00pm

Where: R Block on Level 3 (via main entrance next to reception, upstairs).

Bookings: Bookings can be made through the Parent Portal from Monday 3 March.

2025 Elevate Plan

In 2025, all students will continue participating in Elevate Education Presentations and Workshops as part of the Lifelong Learner Study Skills Program.

Year 7: Students will be introduced to fundamental skills for Stage 4 in the Study Skills Kick Start workshop. This includes dynamic reading, note-taking, conceptual learning, and independent learning skills.

Year 8: The focus will shift to working consistently and managing larger tasks in the Junior Time Management workshop. Key skills include developing a study routine, working smart, handling assignments and exams, and overcoming procrastination.

Year 9: Students will learn simple techniques and strategies to enhance their memorisation and recall abilities in the Memory Mnemonics workshop.

Year 10:

• The Study Sensei workshop will guide students in breaking down study techniques for effective learning. Skills covered include working consistently, advanced note-taking, conceptual learning, and standing out in assessments.
• The Time Management workshop will help students find time to complete work effectively. It focuses on developing a study routine, working smart, forming study groups, and overcoming procrastination.

Year 11:

• The Student Elevation workshop will introduce a range of skills to help students stay motivated throughout the year. It focuses on belief, goal setting, and short-term planning.
• Students will also focus on critical exam skills and preparation in the Ace Your Exams This includes effective study techniques, fixing mistakes, allocating time, and mastering exam room techniques.

Year 12:

• The Time Management workshop will support students in balancing their workload effectively. It covers study routines, working smart, forming study groups, and managing procrastination.
• Students will also work through a clear road map for the final months of Year 12 in the Finishing Line workshop, which focuses on managing pressure and stress. Practical strategies include revisiting goals, maintaining a consistent work rate, stress management, and final exam preparation tips.

We wish all students and families well for the remainder of Term 1.

Alison Unwin - Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Tracy Benfield - Director of Learning

Amy Pascoe - Director of Teaching Excellence