Dear Members of the Trinity Family,

Last Sunday’s Gospel, the Third Sunday of Lent, focused on the encounter between the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well (John 4:5-42). It is a familiar Gospel that, on the surface, centres upon the inability of the Samaritan woman to recognise Jesus, “the saviour of the world,” in her midst.

That Jesus’ encounter was with a Samaritan is key to fully understanding this Gospel. Why? The Samaritans of Jesus’ time were broadly labelled ‘unclean’ by Jewish standards. Scholars of the era state that Jews would cross the River Jordan just to avoid entering the region of Samaria. The people of this area, the Samaritans, were also to be avoided.

Jesus, in full knowledge of these stereotypes, chose to engage with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus’ actions in this Gospel teach us that it is difficult to grow spiritually, morally or ethically, if we fail to recognise that all people are equally valuable and important.

We cannot grow spiritually, morally or ethically if we belittle people different from us in their appearance, manner and customs in order to make us feel more important as human beings. We will begin to grow spiritually, morally and ethically, when we are ready to sincerely embrace the truth and fascination of our differences and welcome the common yearnings we have about life.

St Paul in his letter to the people of Philippi encouraged them to “Show an agreeable attitude to everyone”. He suggested how they might be able to do this: “All that is true, all that is worthy of reverence, all that is holy and good, all that is lovely to look at and beautiful to hear, all that has virtue and all that deserves praise, let that be the content of your thinking” (Phil. 4: 5,8,9).

Our spirituality is as personal as our breath or our fingerprint, but, as we move through the forty days of Lent, we might on occasion surrender freely to the quiet within us, to rediscover the resources and strengths that are there. We might begin to see better and appreciate more, the value of our existence, to see ourselves with more gratitude and respect – and, importantly, to see others in a like manner.

International Women’s Day
Last week our College Captains led our College’s International Women’s Day celebrations. This year’s theme is “Embrace Equity” and is designed to create conversations about the differences between equality and equity. Further information about International Women’s Day can be found here. I take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the women - past, present and future - who have contributed so much to the history and culture of Trinity Catholic College. Thank you.

Year 11 and 12 Students returning to SCU Campus from Term 2
On 6 March it was announced that our Year 11 and 12 students will be joining the rest of the College community at our SCU campus from 26 April 2023. This is a unifying moment for our College after the challenges of 2022. I sincerely thank all members of the Trinity and Woodlawn communities for their support, understanding and cooperation during the past 12 months.

Open Day
Our 2023 Open Day is on Sunday 21 May 2023 from 11.00am - 2.00pm. Please let your family and friends know. All are welcome!

Student Enrolments
Trinity has some student enrolment vacancies in certain year levels. 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. 2024 enrolments are now being received in pleasing numbers.

College Tours
We had a successful start to our College Tours yesterday, Thursday 16th March with a large number of prospective students walking through our newly completed classrooms and specialist areas.  Tours continue next Thursday 23rd March and will also be available on Open Day Sunday 21st May 2023.   Please visit our website to register:- www.trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au

SCU Traffic Management Plan
I am seeking the support of students and parents/carers in observing this plan. This is designed with the safety of all in mind.

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
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. The College’s uniform policy can be found on the College website. At the point of enrolment students and parents/carers agreed to support the College’s expectations in relation to uniform, behaviour and learning. It is vital that we maintain high standards in all areas of College life, including uniform and presentation.

Key Dates for Term 1

• 15 - 27 March - NAPLAN Tests begin for Years 7 and 9
• 27 March - Y7-8 Parent Student Teacher Interviews
• 3 April - Year 10 Work Experience Commences
• 6 April - Holy Thursday. Last day of Term 1.

Best wishes for the fortnight ahead. May Venerable Nano Nagle, St Marcellin Champagnat and Mary our Good Mother continue to watch over our Trinity community.

Jesse Smith

Dear Parents/Carers,

In week 5 we had our Police Youth Engagement Officers Brooke and Clare at SCU speaking with our Year 7 cohort. Brooke and Clare delivered the ‘ThinkUKnow’ Program. The program enlightens students in regards to Online abuse of and by children. In the presentation the Officers outlined methods that students can use to prevent this phenomenon and their effectiveness in reducing the likelihood of becoming a victim or a perpetrator of cyber abuse among children.

Following on from the above story in regards to online activity, I would like to shine some light on a recent incident at Trinity. Last week footage of one of our teachers was uploaded to social media which then spread like wildfire. It was viewed by many students and parents and a number of people came forward with their opinions. I guess they have the right to do so but context was not taken into consideration.

The teacher clearly told the students that this is how a classroom would have been in Germany before WW2. The topic being taught was the Holocaust. The teacher has Jewish origins. Yet the short snippet takes none of that into account. The students in the class were not offended as they knew the context. Yet people not in the class, not in the room harshly judged the teacher. We need to be reminded that students filming staff without their consent is against the law. It is as simple as that.

For that large number of parents and carers who choose to support us and show us your positive and respectful behaviour we appreciate you greatly. Your behaviour teaches your children how to be good citizens as well as good human beings. A child has a parent for a lifetime yet a teacher for a short time.

To our parents and carers who choose to question our procedures we ask that you respect our decisions as you would with a medical practitioner, legal practitioner, finance or business expert. We expect teenagers to make some poor judgments along the way. Science proves that we don’t have the blessing of a fully developed brain until we are 25. Teachers know there will be mistakes and we know our job is to blame the behaviour not the individual. If we truly want an efficient Trinity, our community including parents and carers need to respect and work with our staff, not against them.

Relocation Day
On Tuesday March 14th we welcomed our Year 11 and 12 students to SCU for Relocation Day. The day was designed to recognise and celebrate just how far we have come in 12 months as a College Community. Some highlights on the day included:

• The 8.00am Year 12 breakfast at the SCU Tennis and Basketball Courts.
• 11.30am: The Ice Bucket Challenge where teachers Mr Jacob Heffernan and Mr Andrew Dwyer were engulfed in freezing cold water.
• 1.30pm to 3.00pm: House activities on the SCU Oval run by our College Captains.
• We also had the Ugly Dumpling and Byron Bay Twisters on site to help cater along with the College Canteen.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise Year 12 Leader of Year Mr Shane Thamm along with our College Captains for all their work and extra hours to make Relocation Day such a success.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter benefited from funds raised totalling $518.35. 

Mr Sean Baldwin

Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

NAPLAN Online 2023
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between 15 and 27 March 2023.

Requirement
All Year 7 and Year 9 students are required to bring their own earphones and if they are not confident with a computer trackpad they may bring their own USB mouse.  Please see images of the headphone required.

Information For Parents/Carers Brochure

Year 7 and 8 Parent/Student/Teacher interviews
Parent, Student, Teacher interviews are an important opportunity for families to meet their child's teacher and gain valuable feedback on their learning. Year 7 to 8 interviews will be held on Monday 27th March between 3.45pm and 8.00pm at SCU in R Block on Level 3. Families can book interviews on the parent portal from 4pm Monday 13th March until Sunday 19th March.

If you experience any issues logging in to Lighthouse please email parentportal@trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au for assistance.

Year 12 Semester 1 Reports
Year 12 Semester 1 Reports will be released before the end of Term. This report will focus on the students Term 4 (2022) and Term 1 (2023) academic progress and assessment results. Please ensure you have your login details. 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.

Year 7-11 Interim Reports
Before the end of the Term all students in Years 7-11 will receive an Interim Report. This Report will provide important feedback to students and families regarding:

• Academic progress.
• Effort and participation in class.
• Completion of homework and tasks.
• Cooperation with teacher and class members.
• Organisation and preparation for class.
• Appropriate use of technology for learning activities.

A three-tier scale will be used to report on each item: commendable, satisfactory and needs improvement.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on School Students with Disability

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice,
• supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational
• outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out moreabout these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the College.

The Schoolwide Pedagogy

The Vision For Learning Narrative

Trinity Catholic College Lismore’s vision for learning – ‘Learning with the Heart, Lighting up the Future’ – builds upon the dynamic and rich history of Presentation and Marist education in Northern New South Wales. Nano Nagle, an audacious educator, teaches us to shine a light on the possibilities of the future whilst Marcellin Champagnat’s words - to be of strong mind and gentle heart - continue to provide daily inspiration and purpose to learning and becoming at Trinity. In partnership with families and the community, Trinity educates students to be global citizens who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and character to light their own path to the future. Students learn to meet future challenges with a strong sense of social awareness, civic responsibility and commitment to personal excellence. Trinity Catholic College enables students to achieve the fullness of life by ‘Learning with the Heart and Lighting up the Future.’

The words and symbols that accompany Trinity’s Vision for Learning reflect the depth and breadth of our dual charisms, in addition to our core commitments as a learning community. The Lantern references our desire to continue Nano’s work in the 21st century: to be a beacon of light in our community, to illuminate the potential of each learner and to encourage our students to let their light shine in the world, particularly in the darkest of recesses.

The Heart dominates the central chamber of the Lantern. The burning heart represents a call for all learners to be of strong mind and gentle heart. Each member of the Trinity community has their name placed within the heart to reflect the tradition established by Marcellin Champagnat of dedicating all to the protection of Mary, our Good Mother. The rays of light emanating from the Lantern reminds us of the importance of looking to the future and the world beyond Trinity.

The language used intentionally places learning at the centre of our vision, but preferences learning that is borne out of a heart filled with compassion, love and dignity for all. Trinity’s vision for learning is future-focused: it calls all learners to light their own path to the future and therefore serve as a beacon of light in the world.

The Schoolwide Pedagogical Principles

We wish all students and families well for the fortnight ahead.

Alison Unwin - Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Tracy Benfield - Director of Learning

Amy Pascoe - Director of Teacher Excellence

HSC TEXSTYLE EXHIBITION

Congratulations to Jasmyn Rojo- Textiles and Design student- HSC 2022 who has had her Major Textiles Project nominated and who has also been selected for the TEXSTYLE Exhibition- Texstyle exhibition Video link.

We wish her all the very best.

Mrs Kerri Woods - Textiles and Design Teacher

Valentine’s Roses Fundraiser

Valentine's Day is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14th, when people express their appreciation to their loved ones.

Following the Trinity Valentines Day tradition, the Student Representative Council holds the Valentines Chocolate Roses Fundraiser, where both staff and students are given the opportunity to show their love and affection to anyone in the Trinity community, doing this by buying them a chocolate rose.

During the week leading up to Valentine's Day, the SRC was selling chocolate roses on both campuses every lunch and recess. On Friday, 17th February, after Valentine's Day, our junior and senior SRC members paraded to each of the Tutor Group classrooms, wearing red and playing music, delivering the recipients their roses. Truly spreading the love.

With the help of North Coast Wholesale, Trinity was able to sell 360 chocolate roses and altogether has raised over $600 towards the Winsome Soup Kitchen, giving back to those in need in our community.

A special thank you to everyone who took part in this exciting fundraiser and helped make it successful! We hope to see this same enthusiasm for many years to come!

Thank you!

Charli Goodwin - Year 11 SRC