Dear Parents and Carers

FEAST OF ST MARY MACKILLOP

This week we celebrate the feast day of Australia’s first beatified saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary’s way of life calls us all to a deeper living of the Gospel. She was a person just like us confronted with personal struggles. Her early family life was not happy nor prosperous: she was eldest of eight children with a father who did not understand how to provide for his family; there was the sudden and tragic loss of Flora MacKillop, her mother, in a drowning at Eden (which is part of our Archdiocese); she was excommunicated from the Church for a time and afflicted by a stroke in the last years of her life. Despite these challenges she was a woman of courage and optimism, and her sense of hope and love of God, did not falter. Never underestimate the power of a prayer to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop when things get a little difficult.

 “Whatever trouble may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering whom you are trying to follow. Don’t be afraid, love one another, bear with one another and let charity guide you in all your life.”

ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY 2020

The annual improvement survey of parents, students and staff will be conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese this term. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals cannot be identified. The surveys will be launched via email tomorrow Friday 7 August 2020 using the email addresses supplied by the school. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey, please contact Kristie Miners via email at Kristie.Miners@cg.catholic.edu.au

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR FAMILIES

Trinity Catholic College Goulburn and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to COVID-19. The Catholic Education Office has a team that is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops, paying particular attention to local hotspots and organising support for schools where required. Trinity is practising all safe hygiene practices in line with government advice. We understand that the situation is fairly fluid and we will communicate directly with you should there be any important changes in relation to our school operations in the coming weeks. We remind all families: 

• If your child is unwell, they should not attend school.
• Please ensure that anyone who presents with COVID-19 symptoms in your family is tested.
• Parents should avoid routinely entering the school where possible but can attend scheduled school meetings with teachers where required (physical distancing and hygiene measures still apply).

Should you have any questions in relation to our school and COVID-19, please feel free to contact me at school. 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“We are each called to be holy by living our lives with love and bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves; in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in the elderly…who never lose their smile.” Pope Francis, from p14, Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) 

For the first two days of this week, I participated in work as a Commissioner on the Catholic Education Commission in Canberra. The above statement was put to us. It has resonated with me. Each of us, with our faults and failings, are living our lives with love, trying our best for others in our work, in our families and in our communities.

PRAY FOR OUR YEAR 12 STUDENTS

Our Year 12 students move into their Trial HSC Examinations in Week 5. Please keep them in your prayers during this time and over their final weeks of secondary schooling. It is an especially important term as it is their final one. It has been really challenging for them during COVID times but they have displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability. Keep on going, Year 12! 

May God bless you and your family

Gaye McManus

Principal

Week 9

Friday 11 December

• Year 12 Mass 10.30am - 11.10am
• Year 10 Work Experience

Week 10

Monday 14 December

• College Presentation Assembly 9.30am

Tuesday 15 December

• Rewards Day - Jamberoo

Wednesday 16 December

• Last Day of 2020!!!! 

Term 4

Tuesday 13 October 2020 - Wednesday 16 December 2020

The College would love to congratulate Jessica Divall on her recent success in the dance industry. Jessica has been very productive during lockdown, preparing her body for the high physical demands of a dance career. Since social distancing restrictions have slightly eased, Jessica has already attended a face to face audition for a full time dance training course at Ev and Bow in Sydney. Jessica was successful at her audition and has been accepted into the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) commencing in 2021. Jessica completed her HSC Dance course in 2019 as an accelerated student, and continues to study externally to complete her Advanced 1 Classical Ballet examination through the Royal Academy of Dance (London) before the end of the year. The CAPA teachers are beyond proud of her and pleased to see all her hard work over the years paying off. Congratulations Jessica! 

The new shade seating in the Leahy Quad has been well received by students. We would like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government via the Locals Schools Community Grant and our Community Council who also contributed funds from the Community Council Levy. Both contributions enabled the College to purchase the four shade shelters.

SPECIAL REPORT: Coronavirus - The Transition Back

As lockdown restrictions are slowly being lifted to varying degrees, we enter a time of transition and adjustment. The circumstances of this situation have significantly impacted us all. For some it has been an opportunity to reflect on what is important, whilst others have embraced the opportunity to learn new things.

Many young people may be excited at the prospect of restrictions being lifted; others may feel mixed emotions. Reactions will differ depending on how well they cope with stress and change. Keeping a check on your child’s mental health and wellbeing as they adjust to new routines, will be vitally important.

There is still a lot of uncertainty ahead of us, so focusing on the things you can control or enjoy doing or even value, can help establish predictability and familiarity for the whole family. Adult carers need to provide young people with reassurance by acknowledging any concerns and fears they may have at this time. Consider this to be a normal reaction, however it may be best to focus more on their feelings and emotions, rather than the practicalities at this stage.

In this Special Report, we share a few ideas to help ease this time of transition and adjustment. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://trinitycollege.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-coronavirus-transition-back

Maths Help Sessions will run on the following days at the listed times from the Library:

Wednesday Morning 8am-8.55am (for Year 11 and 12 students only)

Wednesday Recess 11.10am - 11.40am

Thursday Recess 11.10am - 11.40am

Friday Morning 8.00am - 8.55am

When your child needs to leave School early, please make sure they complete the following steps:

1. A written note signed from their parent/carer. This note can be made in the Student diary on the day of the planned absence, or on a separate piece of paper.

2. The student then takes the note to Homeroom and asks their Homeroom teachers to sign it.

3. The note must also be signed by a House Coordinator. 

4. The student comes to the front office with their signed note.

5. Front office staff assist student to sign out.

6. Students wait for parent/carer to collect them.

Please note, parent or carer MUST present to the Office to collect student.

The College should be notified of any foreseen student leave. An Application for Exemption Form is available from the College Office and is required to be completed by parents/carers and returned to the College at least 10 school days prior to any leave. Leave or travel over 10 days requires a different form; please contact Reception. If, during the period of leave, your child has assessments due they should also complete the Notification of Planned Absence form which is in the appendix of their student assessment handbook.

Students should be wearing full Winter uniform including the wearing of their school blazer to and from school.

Students should return in full Summer Uniform on Tuesday 13 October - Term 4.

**All sizes of tracksuit pants are now in stock. Please note these are a more narrow fit and have elasticised cuffs, therefore students may need to go up a size.

The Uniform Shop is open on Thursdays from 3.00pm - 6.00pm. When visiting the uniform shop, you will be required to sign in.

The uniform shop email is uniform.tccg@cg.catholic.edu.au

YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE UNIFORMS ONLINE VIA Qkr!

Students can check homeroom bags for items

We love to hear about our students' achievements, so please feel free to send through any information about your child's achievements to info.tccg@cg.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday of each week. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, be sure to visit our facebook site!

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTrinityCatholicCollege