Trinity Anglican College Term 2: Week 1 NewsletterImage Featuring: An Anzac Tribute

A letter from the PrincipalMr. Justin Beckett

Hello and welcome back!

We hope you enjoyed a relaxing and safe holiday at home, and feel rested and ready to go as we finish the first week of Term 2!

I know I speak for all Trinity staff when I say that we are enjoying our connection with students again. It is great to hear their voices, see their faces and receive the work they are doing.

We are listening carefully to student and parent voices at this time and checking the daily and weekly updates from Gladys Berejiklian, Scott Morrison, Dan Tehan, Brendan Murphy, Kerry Chant and others. We will continue to assess the needs of our community as we seek to make good decisions.

Our greatest priority right now is the safety of students, staff and Trinity families.

You would have all received an email last week outlining our approach to learning this term, based on evolving guidance and advice from the NSW government. While this term of learning might look a little different than usual, we are optimistic and excited as we continue learning and navigating this time together.

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A letter from the PrincipalMr. Justin Beckett

We continue to believe one of the most valuable supports we can provide you is ensuring your child continues to receive a quality and engaging education, regardless of the delivery mode. We are so proud of our students and the way they embraced the rich learning experience we were able to offer them in the safety of their own homes.

In Term 2, our priority will continue to be to provide engaging and rich learning experiences for students while managing a range of considerations, including:• health and safety for students• the health of our Trinity staff and their families• the economic pressures families are facing• requirements for physical distancing and group gathering• the provision of extra cleaning staff and hygiene procedures• management of parents and adults on campus• availability of Victorian school buses

For Year 12 students, you will return to school full-time, as normal, from Week 3 onwards.

For all other year groups, you will continue to receive online/remotelearning for the duration of Weeks 1-3. From Week 4 onwards, all year groups have been assigned one day per week to attend the campus, except for Year 11 who will attend twice per week.

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A letter from the PrincipalMr. Justin Beckett

Monday 11 May - Year 12 students return to in-school learningMonday 18 May - Year 11 students attend school two days a week, with three days of remote/online learning. Kinder to Year 10 students attend school one day a week, with four days of remote/online learningFriday 29 May - Pupil free day (new date)

Please note, the college will also remain open on all days for any student who needs to attend.

Even in uncertain times, please know that our Trinity team is invested in the health, development and education of your child. We are here to help, so please contact any of our staff, in particular your classroom teacher or Head of House, if you have any queries or concerns.

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To attend all you need to do is RSVP to: office@trinityac.nsw.edu.au and we will send a zoom meeting link. We can’t wait to see you (virtually) then!

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The Head of Junior SchoolMr. Steven Armstrong

Making sense in a time of Uncertainty.

As human beings, we are programmed to trust, and that sense of trust and certainty enables us to react to different and varyingcircumstances. This trust is supported by the structures those we all in which we all have a sense of faith: our family and friends, ourcommunity and church, our culture, our country.

In times of drastic change, these structures become very important. There are times, as we grow, that we question the structures and, with good grace, are critical of the expectations that come from being part of the society. This is a rite of passage and enriching to our spirit. It has been uplifting to talk with staff, some students (via zoom) and a number of parents at this time of uncertainty and fully recognise the strength of our structures and how they are creating a level of certainty to our current life and a positive view of the future. The feedback (from all three groups) has been positive, creative and logical. This as a time where self-focus could be the norm but the level of empathy that I have encountered has been palpable.

At this stage, we are gearing up for a return to school for year groups. When the message for a graduated return to school in NSW was mooted by the Premier the College spent all time available to try and program/timetable around the parameters of 25% on Campus, siblings, peer groups, stages, social distancing (which is still part of the requirements in NSW), resources and staff. After two days, the best-case scenario that involved siblings meant that most students would not be returning with their peers.

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The Head of Junior SchoolMr. Steven Armstrong

On reading papers related to learning from home written by Paediatricians and Child Psychologists the major concern appeared to be dislocation from their peers. To this end, we decided to link the return to Year Groups. This may cause some concerns for parents, as it will mean different days within the same family. The College is happy to try to cater for this where possible with the supervision program. This one-day a week return will happen over Weeks 4, 5 and 6. At this stage, that is requirement stated by the NSW Government.

When learning at home there are many advisory sites that are helpful. The following link is one that the College has referred to over that last few weeks and may be helpful for parents and their children:

Tips for coping with coronavirus anxiety

We hope to see all the students (at least one day a week) and are working toward a full return as soon as possible.

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Tips and Tricks with TrinityAs published in the Border Mail

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Times are changing and, if you’re in your HSC year, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the unknown in our current COVID-19 environment. But – don’t panic! Instead, pause, stay calm and keep things in perspective.

We are working in a new paradigm and everyone is looking at new ways to excel and optimise their time, particularly with exams looming at the end of the year. But it’s important to stop and acknowledge this is a new environment. Most of all, it is essential to stay positive and look at this as an opportunity rather than a disruption. When you think about it, digital engagement and collaboration are key skills needed in the workforce and, by going through this, you will be more prepared than ever before. You will need the skills to work productively online and participate as a valuable member of virtual communities – so why not start now?

To help you out, we have some tips and tricks to guide you through.

1. First and foremost, you should treat this as a normal school day! It may be tempting to sleep in and relax but effective learning starts with a proactive, disciplined attitude and approach. So set an alarm, get up at the usual time, eat a healthy breakfast and get organised for the day.

2 .Limit distractions and set yourself up in a productive work and study space if possible. This should be a different set-up than where you would normally play games or watch television. Keep your area neat and tidy and make sure you have everything you need sitting right in front of you. At home, we suspect the fridge might be your biggest distraction and we aren’t going to tell you not to snack –but consider putting them on your table instead.

Tips and Tricks with Trinity As published in the Border Mail

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3. Take advantage of your school’s home learning resources! Tune into daily zoom lessons or video recordings of your lessons, engage with online tutorials and touch base with your teachers and support staff. It’s an unprecedented time and we’re all here for you.

4. Maintain breaks such as lunch and recess. Routines and schedules are wired into our brains and you will function best if you stick as closely to your normal routines as possible!

Tips and Tricks with Trinity As published in the Border Mail

5. Remember to set small goals along the way. Motivation levels can drop if you have no goal in sight or if it still seems too far away, so set yourself a small goal each day or week with checklists and tick them off once achieved.

6. Don’t forget this is a new scenario and you are allowed to make mistakes. What is important is that you learn from them and keep going. Be patient with yourself, your teachers and your families because we’re all in this together.

7. Look after yourself. If your school offers pastoral care online, don’t forget this is the perfect time to share how you are feeling with your classmates and teacher – because other people are most likely feeling the same way too!

8. Last but not least, don’t forget about the other things in life – fresh air and sunshine, exercise, reading books you love, playing board games, listening to music and spending time with your family. It is always very important that you control or manage your screen time, however, this is especially true when learning from home.

We recognise this experience is unparalleled, however, we sincerely believe it is a situation that we can all manage together. Most importantly, remember to show compassion and kindness to yourself, your family at home, and your teachers and friends online. By staying connected and strengthening your sense of community during this time, you will feel calm, comforted and ready to succeed in any environment.

You have already made it through more than twelve years of school and, one day, you will have an extraordinary story to tell about how you helped make history in 2020.

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Student Stories

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This week we are featuring student stories from the holiday period.

We are so proud to have received images and videos of our students commemorating Anzac Day from home with their families, uniting from a distance to honour herioc Australian soldiers. While we wish we could have been there to do this alongside you, we were all by your side in spirit.

We have also been elated to receive images of students at home, completing the Trinity Instagram Challenge! And in an exciting announcement, at the end of this section, you will find out who the winner is. They will have the chance to work with us to create a full page story and feature in the 2020 yearbook.

Student Stories Featuring: Anzac Day from home

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Pictured below is Matthew Aiken commemorating our heroic Australian soldiers at dawn. The dedication, awareness and spirit of our students continues to make us proud, even from a distance.

Student Stories Featuring: Anzac Day from home

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Some of our students and their families created beautiful

home-made wreaths to display on Saturday.

Student Stories Trinity Instagram Holiday Competition

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Two of the wonderful entries to our holiday competition. Banjo is pictured here painting his dog’s toe nails and baking cookies. They look absoluetly delicious!

Student Stories Trinity Instagram Holiday Competition

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Our students got creative outdoors with their pets, and

indoors with art!

Student Stories Trinity Instagram Holiday Competition

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Pictured here we have more beautiful pets and incredible

baking skills!

Congratulations Banjo!

Winner of the Trinity Instagram Holiday Competition

College CounsellorDr. Anthony Perrone

By now some of you are probably climbing the walls a little bit, all I can say is hang in there, you are not alone! Remember we are a family and as a family we will get through this.

Some of you may have noticed that I write an article in the Border Mail, which comes out weekly, entitled Ask The Counsellor, recently in Saturday’s paper. I have been doing this for some time now although at times the day of the week it appears in changes. The reason I mention this is that I have been providing ‘positive perspectives’ and coping strategies/information on our current situation, rather than the gloom and doom we all generally hear.

Last Saturday’s article was on the benefits of exercising with this weeks’ on ‘Laughter’ - both incredibly important things to keep doing throughout this time.

But most importantly I wanted you to know I will be on campus so if anyone wants to chat, take a walk and talk, etc. I will make myself available. Sometimes its just good to get things off your mind/chest.

Just email me and I will respond so we can arrange the most convenient time for you: anthony.perrone@trinityac.nsw.edu.au

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Dean of Teaching and LearningMrs. Adele Guy

Year 7-8 Interim ReportsThese reports are now published on SEQTA and provide feedback to parents about students’ approaches to learning in Term 1. Parents are encouraged to use this feedback as a springboard for further communication with teachers about their children’s progress.

Elevate Education SeminarsThese study seminars, originally programmed for Week 2 this term, have been cancelled. They will be rescheduled for Term 2, 2021.

Year 9-10 Parent-Teacher EveningYear 9-10 Parent Teacher Interviews, originally scheduled for Tuesday next week, have been postponed. Further details about new arrangements will be notified to parents as soon as possible.

Online Learning ContinuesThe response of our students to online learning and the support and encouragement of their teachers has been extremely positive, demonstrated by their energy and a “can do” attitude. Teachers are appreciative of the support of parents. Attendance rates are high in classes and students are gaining confidence to engage fully in this new medium.

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Dean of Teaching and Learning cont

Mrs. Adele Guy

Apart from what has been sent out originally on SEQTA email, here are a few other ideas about how students should tackle the challenges of online learning to gain the most benefit:

1. Have clear distinctions between schoolwork time and personal time. If students let those two worlds collide they will end up never really feeling like they can have time to themselves without feeling guilty, or frustrated. Then in the learning times they can make a more conscious effort to stay on track.

2. If students know they can’t stay focused in their bedrooms, then they should investigate learning in another part of the house where someone can continue to build in accountability. This approach can help them stay on track.

3. Encourage your son or daughter to take notes when they are lis-tening to the teacher talk or make a mind map about what is being discussed in the lesson. If they are writing about what they are learning, it will help them to be more focused.

4. Remind children (particularly the older ones) to turn off all notifications and make sure their mobile is on silent (or preferably in another room). They shouldn’t have other windows or applications open on their computers, unless these apps are part of the lesson set up by the teacher. Students need to avoid this temptation so they don’t send messages to other students or work on other tasks during a lesson when they are meant to be focused.

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Dean of Teaching and Learning cont

Mrs. Adele Guy

5. Lastly, every 20 minutes or so, students should look away at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds or more to reduce eye strain. They should stand up and stretch. About 5-10 minutes have been allocated between lessons for this purpose.

The current environment has opportunities, as well as challenges. Students have the chance to develop self-discipline, self-management skills and independence in their learning. These are arguably the most important skills for life.

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Head of Academic AdministrationMs. Kym Armstrong

NESA Announcements: HSC Performances, Projects and Major WorksIn the face of our current pandemic crisis and the alterations to regular schooling routines, NESA have announced a series of alterations to due dates and marking processes for HSC students undertaking performance exams in Music and Drama and completing projects and major works in English Extension 2, Design and Technology and Visual Arts.

Official advice from NESA regarding Music and Drama can be found at: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/novel-coronavirus/creative-art-performances-projects

NESA information regarding projects and major works in English Extension 2, Design and Technology and Visual Arts is located at: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/novel-coronavirus/practical-examinations

Of course, classroom teachers are our on-site specialists who are ready to take student queries on these matters.

Assessment Tasks – All Years

Whilst some students will be experiencing a little hiatus from assessments at the very beginning of the term, there will be other students who will be working towards completing assessment tasks that demonstrate what they know and what they can do.

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Head of Academic AdministrationMs. Kym Armstrong

The assessment tasks due for the next fortnight, for all years, are detailed in the table below.

Assessment tasks due

Term 2, 2020

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

Week 2 French - ongoing

French - ongoing

French French Psychology DramaGeographyIPTVisual Arts - essay

Week 3 French - ongoing PDHPE

French - ongoing

French Nil Drama Visual Arts - VAPD

Students should maintain a dialogue with their teachers and make sure that they are very clear about the requirements of each task. Teachers are here to help.

Years 10-12 Assessment Tasks

If a student in Years 10-12 is unable to submit or sit an assessment task because of illness or mishap, there is a firm set of protocols to be followed; this is outlined in assessment policy booklets that have been distributed to all students in Years 10-12. In the first instance, parents and caregivers are to contact the Head of Academic Administration, Ms Kym Armstrong, or the Dean of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Adele Guy, when it is identified that a student will miss an assessment task.

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Head of Academic AdministrationMs. Kym Armstrong

Of course, we are living through tricky times and in such times it might be difficult for students to be at school to sit tests and the like. The best rule of thumb is for parents and caregivers to contact me if their child’s assess-ment tasks are impacted. We will then talk through the next steps.

Years 7-9 Assessment Tasks

If a student in Years 7-9 is unable to submit or sit an assessment task, they should speak to their classroom teacher in order to alter arrangements. Of course, parents might like to email their child’s classroom teacher, their house mentor or their Head of House.

Year 10 Exams – Semester 1: Altered Arrangements

There have been so many alterations to plans occasioned by the current pandemic crisis. Our Year 10 Semester 1 exams are no exception. Instead of conducting the exams in Week 6 of this term, the arrangements have altered as follows:

1.Mathematics: an exam will take place in Week 6. Details on exam length and composition will be distributed by classroom teachers.2.History and Geography: alternative assessment tasks will be scheduled with the expected due date of Week 6. Classroom teachers to disseminate information.3.Science: alternative assessment task due in Week 5. Science teachers to advise students4.English: alternative assessment task due in Week 7. English teachers to advise students.

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Head of Academic AdministrationMs. Kym Armstrong

Students can speak to their classroom teachers about arrangements. The relevant Head of Department can also be consulted.

Disability Provisions for HSC Examinations

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) offers special consider-ation for the examinations of students who are experiencing significant disadvantage because of conditions that impair their ability to perform in the examination setting. In order to access this consideration, students must undertake an application process. Students who think that they might be eligible are encouraged to speak to me.

NAPLAN 2020Due to the current Covid 19 situation, the NAPLAN tests have been can-celled for 2020.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about any of the above items.

Ms Kym ArmstrongHead of Academic Administration

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College InformationContacts details

Trinity College Office Email: office@trinityac.nsw.edu.auPhone: 02 6049 3400

College Attendance Email: attendance@trinityac.nsw.edu.auPhone: 02 6049 3400

College AccountsEmail: accounts@trinityac.nsw.edu.auPhone: 02 6049 3400

College Midford Uniform ShopEmail: trinity.anglican@midford.com.auPhone: 02 6049 3440

Second Hand Uniform Shop Email: cathy.katsoolis@trinityac.nsw.edu.au

Office Opening HoursMonday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

IMPORTANT: Please contact us prior to 9am for absences

Shop Opening Hours By Appointment

Shop Opening Hours By Appointment

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Contacting College staffAll staff can be contacted via email: firstname.lastname@ trinityac.nsw.edu.au