Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

Welcome to Semester 2. We hope all members of our Trinity family enjoyed a relaxing holiday break. We also hope that every student is ready to take on the many opportunities and challenges this Semester will present.

2025 Academic Celebrations – Save the Dates!

We are excited to announce the dates for our 2025 Academic Celebrations. These important events recognise the dedication, achievement, and effort of our students throughout the year. Please mark your calendars:

• Years 7–10 Academic Awards Ceremony
  Monday, 15 December 2025
   A celebration of student achievement and growth across all subjects.
  
  
• Year 11 First in Course Awards
  Friday, 31 October 2025
   Honouring outstanding academic performance in individual subjects.
  
  
• Year 12 Graduation Day, Prize Giving & Farewell Assembly
  Wednesday, 24 September 2025
   A formal farewell to our graduating class, with recognition of academic excellence and personal growth.

Year 12 Trial Exams

Please see linked the timetable for the Year 12 Trial HSC Examination period which commences on Monday, 4 August 2025. All Year 12 Students are also encouraged to read the NESA 2025 Rules and Procedures Guide in relation to the exam period.

Year 11 End of course Exams

The Year 11 Examination period will run from 8 - 12 September.  During this time, Year 11 students are only required to be at the College for their exams, there will not be any Year 11 timetabled classes. We wish Year 11 all the very best for their exams.

Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection

Term 3 Key date

• August 8 2025 Year 10 into 11 Interviews ( 20 min appointments). Students only attend for their appointment and regular classes are paused.

Lifelong Learner Program

Elevate Education Workshops: Supporting Lifelong Learning in Years 10–12

As part of our commitment to nurturing lifelong learners, students in Years 10, 11, and 12 will be participating in Elevate Education workshops on Friday, 22 August. These workshops are designed to equip students with essential study and life skills that support both their academic journey and personal growth.

• Year 10 students will take part in the Time Management workshop. This session helps students develop effective study routines, work smarter, form productive study groups, and overcome procrastination. The goal is to ensure students make the most of their time and stay on top of their responsibilities.
  
  
• Year 11 will engage in the Ace Your Exams workshop, which focuses on mastering exam techniques. Students will learn how to study effectively, avoid repeating mistakes, manage their time during exams, and apply strategies that enhance their performance in high-pressure situations.
  
  
• Year 12 students will participate in the Finishing Line workshop. As they approach the final stretch of their school journey, this session offers a clear road map to help manage stress, maintain a consistent work rate, and refine their preparation for final exams. Students will revisit their goals and learn practical strategies to stay focused and motivated.

These workshops are a valuable part of our Life Long Learner program, providing students with tools that not only support their academic success but also build resilience and confidence for the future.

Subject Support Strategies: English and Mathematics

Here are simple, effective ways students can strengthen their skills in English and Maths at each stage — along with how families can help at home.

Years 7–8

• English: Read regularly — novels, news articles, or short stories — and talk about what you’ve read.
  
  
• Maths: Practise mental maths and number facts through games, puzzles, or apps.
  
  
• Family tip: Chat about reading and problem-solving in everyday life — shopping, cooking, or watching the news.

Years 9–10

• English: Build vocabulary and writing skills by summarising texts or writing short responses to prompts.
  
  
• Maths: Focus on understanding key concepts by reviewing class notes and practising similar questions.
  
  
• Family tip: Ask your child to explain what they're learning — teaching others helps reinforce knowledge.

Years 11–12

• English: Plan and write practice essays, focusing on structure, clarity, and evidence.
  
  
• Maths: Use past exam questions to practise applying methods under timed conditions.
  
  
• Family tip: Support time management and encourage short breaks to maintain focus and reduce stress.

The Australia National Virtual Debating Competition

This year, Trinity Catholic College proudly entered three junior teams into the Australia Virtual Debating Competition, made up of passionate and articulate Year 7 and 8 students. Each team participated in three debates during Term 2, achieving strong results with every team winning at least  one or two debates against schools from across the country.

We are now eagerly awaiting confirmation of which teams will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for later this term.

This opportunity has been incredibly valuable for all students involved. Some of our debaters returned after participating last year, where they reached the semi-finals and narrowly missed a place in the finals by just one point. Their experience and leadership have been a great asset to the teams. For others, this has been their very first time debating and they have shown incredible courage, growth, and enthusiasm in learning the art of public speaking, argument construction, and collaboration.

Each team receives their debate topic only 24 hours before the debate, giving them a limited window to research, prepare arguments, and allocate speaking roles. In the virtual format, each team member then presents their speech which includes speaking for five minutes directly to the opposing school and adjudicator virtually. This demanding format challenges students to think critically, communicate clearly, and work under pressure in a real-world setting.

All participants should be proud of what they have achieved. Debating has helped these students to develop confidence, build persuasive communication skills, to listen actively, respond respectfully, and support one another as a team. These are lifelong skills that will serve them well in school, leadership positions, and beyond.

Congratulations to our junior debaters for representing Trinity with excellence, courage, and integrity!

We wish all students and families well for the remainder of Term 3.

Alison Unwin - Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Amy Pascoe - Director of Teaching Excellence

Tracy Benfield - Director of Learning