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Trinity College Gawler River Newsletter / Edition 01 / 10 February 2012
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From the Principal
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PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
Our Parent Information Evening held on Monday evening provided an opportunity for teachers to outline the teaching and learning programmes and related individual class practices which are to be implemented this year. I thank my colleagues for their detailed and explicit presentations, and parents for their engagement in their child's schooling.
COMMUNICATION
For your information the following information is available for download from our webpage.
Mobile Phone Policy
Student Hair Policy
Student Grievance Procedure
Gawler River Term 1 Calendar
Worship and Assembly Programme
EXPRESSING YOUR CONCERNS
If you have any inquiries regarding your child please arrange, via the student diary, to phone or meet with the teacher concerned as soon as possible. This may be the class teacher or subject teacher. Should a formal meeting be required it can be arranged within a confidential environment.
It often proves unhelpful and embarrassing to discuss school policies and their relationship to your children with people who have no ability to do anything about your concerns; for example, other parents in the car park or other students who are friends of your children. We always encourage parents to go to the source of an issue to seek clarification.
If your concern is not related to a specific teacher or you would like to talk to a tutor, Head of House, counsellor or Chaplain, the individual school Head of Pastoral Care can arrange this. Again, it is recommended that an appointment be made so that staff can provide their full attention.
The school administration staff are invaluable to parents as a first contact. If you do not feel the problem has been resolved or the issue explained adequately, you may need to redirect your questions. If the concern is sport based the Director of Sport or the coach may be the first point of contact; information about Year 12 from the Year 12 Coordinator; financial questions to College administration staff; or education support with the Learning Support Coordinator.
I am available to meet with parents and am always pleased to do so. However, we may on occasion redirect parents to others in a better position to offer solutions. When seeking an appointment administration staff will ask if you have already spoken with a class teacher or Head of Pastoral Care prior to confirming an appointment.
If your concern goes beyond the individual school and is about College operations in general, the Head of the College or Deputy Head are available. College Council members may be valuable contacts in the case of concerns over strategic and governance issues. The College rarely responds to anonymous complaints. All members of our College Community should feel comfortable in giving their name.
Concerns can be dealt with most efficiently when they are expressed in a timely manner to the person closest to the day to day education of your child and include (at least initially) a minimum number of people.
We now clearly live in the era of mobile communication and parents are sometimes informed by students of issues before the school has dealt with them. This situation places more responsibility on parents to make sure their children report their concerns to the teachers as soon as possible.
STUDENT LEADERS
On Tuesday this week our Student Leaders were commissioned, inducted and presented to the school community. These appointments are significant as their contributions to the life of the school are vital. I congratulate all Leaders and am confident they will serve our school well.
VOLUNTARY ASSISTANCE
The voluntary assistance we receive is tremendous and contributes greatly to the overall effectiveness of the school. Volunteer support is sought in a diverse range of areas which include: administration, library, classroom support and canteen. Application forms are available from the Front Office if your are willing to perform voluntary work.
BECOME INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION
Trinity College is very proud of its community spirit and high level of parent participation. One of the outstanding characteristics of our school is that parents are involved in their child's school life.
For many years research has confirmed the importance of parents and teachers working together and it is now widely accepted that when parents express confidence in their school and are involved in it in some way, their children are likely to be happier and perform better in the classroom.
Trinity College Gawler River acknowledges this and that the business of education requires a consistent three-way partnership - parent, student, school. There are many formal and informal opportunities for parents to become involved and for the school to develop this partnership. I encourage you to become involved in your child's education.
EXTRA DROP OFF/PICK UP ZONE
The effectiveness of the car park – Drop off/Pick Up Zone is measured by fluency and safety therefore users of this area are not permitted to leave their vehicle when collecting students who have assembled in the waiting area. Unfortunately this has not been the case recently and on certain occasions vehicles have also been double parked in this area. This practice is obviously unsafe and unacceptable. An additional Drop Off/Pick Up Zone is now located near the gymnasium and tennis court area. Access is only from the most northern entry point along Heaslip Road with vehicles required to exit from the northern exit point. The car park operates in a safe and efficient manner when all users observe and adhere to correct driving practices including speed limits.
DUTY OF CARE
Supervision of the school grounds is provided from 8:30am until 3:30pm each school day. If children need to be delivered earlier in the morning it is important that they are accompanied while on the school grounds. Alternatively, parents are encouraged to utilise the Out of Hours School Care (OSHC) service which is open from 6.00am and closes at 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Students who remain on school grounds after 3:30pm unaccompanied and not involved in a school or co-curricular activity should attend OSHC or be waiting in the Pick up Zone for collection. In the interest of maintaining Trinity College Gawler River as a safe school, your ongoing support in these matters is sought. For children who walk/cycle to and from school should have left the school grounds by 3:30pm unless involved in a co-curricular activity.
For safety reasons, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller blades and the like are not permitted to be ridden on school premises at any time. (This includes before and after school, weekends and vacation periods).
In the instance where a child is required to leave school early, parents are asked to firstly go to the Front Office and sign out your child (ren). This will ensure all relevant personnel are informed of attendance status and appropriate levels of duty of care are maintained.
CAPITAL WORKS UPDATE
The installation of the WLAN Tower is now anticipated to occur during Week 3 of this term and be located within the northern boundary of the school. The process relating to the relocation of our OHSC service to our Angle Vale Road frontage property is progressing. We are awaiting the necessary local Council approvals and expect this to be received in the near future. At this time significant capital works will occur with the expectation that the OHSC service will operate from this location by the end of term.
RICK JARMAN
Principal
Trinity College Gawler River
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From the Head of the College
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YEAR 12 RESULTS
2011 finished very strongly for Trinity College and I was delighted the hard work from our Year 12 cohort was rewarded. Some wonderful academic results were achieved and we were particularly delighted to see the rewards that came from students who may have struggled or had to overcome adversity but still persisted. The results are a credit to the students, their families and our terrific staff who have guided our young men and women on their journey, some of whom started at our Montessori pre-school. To have five students receive an ATAR above 99, 36 achieve an ATAR above 90 and 239 graduate with their SACE is a wonderful achievement. Read specific highlights here.
COMMUNITY SURVEY - MOVING FORWARD
We are committed to providing the best College we can and listening to our community is a vital component of that. Over the holiday period the College circulated an electronic survey to the community. We received over 800 replies, which is an excellent amount of feedback. I thank respondents for taking the time to complete this survey. The feedback was particularly affirming in many areas but also, constructive and instructive in others.
Pleasingly, 90% of respondents said they would recommend Trinity to another family. When compared to similar surveys in other like schools, this is a positive figure. In the interest of transparency, I have included survey data responses to some key questions. There are some themes that have emerged from the survey. Parents certainly are keen for us to ensure our communication is relevant and timely. The community encourages us to continue to offer a broad range of opportunities. The amount of homework caused some concern and during 2012, the Director of Studies, Ian Rossotti will lead a review of this. Parents want to ensure our fees remain as affordable as they can be. Focus on the individual strengths of all our students is another key theme coming from comments in the survey.
Survey Results.
CONGRATULATIONS
Trinity students and Trinity old scholars have recently had particular success in the world of sport. We currently have three former students on Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarships in Canberra; Ben Warland (Soccer), Dylan Pickett (Soccer) and Amelia Schmidt (Netball). One of our 2011 graduates, Travis Head played cricket for the SA Redbacks against Victoria and Myles Scotson has been selected in the Australian Under 19 cycling team to attend the World Championships.
Warm regards
NICK HATELY
Head of Trinity College
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Counselling Corner
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The counselling role at Trinity College Gawler River involves providing support for the emotional, social, mental and psychological wellbeing of students. At Trinity we strongly promote student wellbeing and encourage students to be proactive in seeking counselling as a support when they feel the need.
The counselling role is essentially a supportive role - someone to share concerns with, work through strategies and possible solutions, clarify issues, monitor wellbeing, challenge thoughts, help resolve conflicts and more.
Counselling support is offered in a variety of ways including one-to-one counselling, group mediations, classroom/year level sessions and meeting with staff and parents.
If the counsellor believes through working with a student, that they would actually benefit from more intensive therapeutic support they will suggest a referral to the College psychologist or an external professional.
Whilst counselling sessions are confidential, students are aware this confidentiality remains UNLESS the safety of someone (physical, emotional or psychological) is at risk. In these situations the counsellor assists the student to decide who to notify and then offers ongoing support until an action plan is in place.
Students can self-refer and can also be referred for counselling by staff members. Parents can refer their child if they feel they will benefit. You can contacted a counsellor via email or staff at the Front Oesk can pass on any messages.
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Library News
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Welcome back to a new school year.
Junior School students must have a suitable bag in order to be able to borrow as we no longer have a supply of plastic bags.
BOOK FAIR
We will host a Book Fair in the Library starting on Monday 26 March and going through to the Trinity Open Day on Sunday 1 April. There will be a wide range of books for sale at a variety of prices, so come in and have a look. The library will be open from 8:30am to 3:40pm. This is our major fundraising event of the year and we’d love to see you there.
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE
The 2012 challenge has already started. The Premier has again challenged the students of South Australia to read twelve books. New forms were sent out this week through class teachers in Reception to Year 7 and in English classes for the other grades. Please write neatly and use a pen when filling in the forms. Some of the best places we have heard of to keep the forms are on the fridge and stapled to the back of the reader folder. Feel free to come and see me if you have any queries.
FAMILY RESOURCES
A number of interesting and informative books are available to be borrowed. Titles include ‘Raising Girls’, ‘Raising Boys’, ‘Puberty Boy’, ‘Puberty Girl’, ‘Cyber Bullying’ and ‘Where did I come from?’. Come and have a look for yourself at these resources.
Enjoy your reading.
ANN FYFFE
Teacher Librarian
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Gawler River Parents and Friends
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Our next meeting is on Thursday 16 February at 7.00pm. Trinity College Gawler River Principal, Mr Rick Jarman will attend and be available to answer any school based questions. Come along and bring a friend.
If you would like to be involved and/or on the Parents and Friends Committee, please phone the Front Office on 8284 9257 and leave your contact details. A member of the Executive Committee will contact you in the immediate future.
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Congratulations
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At the recent Equestrian South Australia Awards, Jessica Beattie, a Year 10 student of Roberts House, was presented with the 2011 Junior Carriage Driver of the year award, for the third consecutive year and the 2011 Junior Female Vaulter of the year award for the second consecutive year. An outstanding effort, congratulations and well done
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Music Lessons at Trinity
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Instrumental music lessons are available to all Trinity College students on a variety of instruments. If you would like your child to learn an instrument this year, contact the Music Office or your School Office for an enrolment form. We have instruments available for students to hire upon request (pianos, guitars or drum kits are not available). Music lessons will resume across the College in Week 2. Previously
enrolled and continuing students should have been notified of their lesson day and time. If you have not yet been contacted please notify the Music Office by email or phone 8522 0637.
LOUISE SKELTON
Director of Instrumental Music
Head of Music Curriculum
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College News
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STAY SMART ONLINE
While the internet offers many benefits from shopping and banking to staying in touch with friends and family we need to be careful about the information we share and how best of protect our personal details. The Australian Government's Stay Smart Online website provides information for all internet users on the simple steps you can take to protect your personal and financial information online. Checkout the website and download a number of helpful fact sheets.
SAVE THE DATE - TERTIARY STUDIES AND CAREERS EXPO
29 – 30 April 2012
Adelaide Convention Centre
North Terrace, Adelaide
For further information visit the website.
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Sports News
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GREAT MEDAL HAUL AT THE STATE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Trinity College students enjoyed a sensational State Swimming Championship recently winning a host of medals. In addition to our impressive medal haul Tyler Zecchini (North), Emma Jensen and James McKechnie (Senior) achieved times that qualify them for the National Championships in Brisbane in April. Well done to everyone. See a full list of results here.
TRINITY TRIO LAND STATE TEAM HONOURS
Trinity students Koen Sapwell (Yr 8 North), Bradley Skuce (Yr 7 North) and Brodie Nathan (Yr 8 South) were selected in a 20-player State U14 Basketball Squad that formed two teams to compete in a Sydney invitational tournament in January. Nathan’s team landed the gold, while Sapwell and Skuce’s team finished third.
2012 BALLARAT CRICKET EXCHANGE
The Trinity College Cricket Academy played its annual cricket exchange against Ballarat Grammar on the weekend, coming away with a thumping win in the Years 8 to 10 game, and a narrow loss in the Year 11 - 12 match. The weekend also included a trip to the MCG for the T20 match between Australia and India. Read the full reports on the Years 8 to 10 and Years 11 - 12 matches.
EXTRA TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Trinity College currently offers several opportunities to improve skill levels and athletic performance through endorsed development programs conducted by coaches affiliated with Trinity College. Available to all students these include private cricket coaching sessions from ex Australia A coach Mark Sorell and small group basketball skills sessions with ex-NBA player and 36ER legend Kevin Brooks. For more information on either of these services, check out the cricket and basketball webpages.
SPORTS NOMINATIONS NOW DUE
All sports nominations for the current summer season and upcoming winter season are now due. Students can still join athletics, cricket and swimming, as well as Hot Shots Beginners tennis, netball (NetSetG0!) and Teeball. The winter season (starting in Term 2) includes basketball, hockey, football, netball, athletics and soccer. Visit our Sports News webpage for more details.
TRINITY NETBALL ACADEMY NOW AVAILABLE
Trinity netball continues to make giant strides with the introduction of an elite-level Trinity Netball Academy. Players will undergo focussed skills and conditioning sessions twice a week with specialist coaches in an effort to provide a high-performance pathway for motivated Trinity students. Read more here.
MILO in2CRICKET PROGRAM
MILO in2CRICKET is a fun introduction to the game of cricket for boys and girls aged between 5 to 8 years. The program provides children with an enjoyable and safe environment where they can learn skills and play games. Every registered child receives an in2CRICKET Pack including bat, ball, t-shirt, bucket hat, backpack and some other goodies. To find out more visit the website.
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STARplex
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SPECIAL DISCOUNT FITNESS MEMBERSHIP
A SPECIAL discounted Fitness Centre membership applies for Trinity Parents when they join. There is no start-up fee (saving you $149) and a special rate for direct debit/upfront payments. To take advantage of this offer call to make an appointment with a Lifestyle Consultant and don’t forget to bring a copy of your latest school account.
STARfun APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
Book before Thursday 5 April and receive 10% discount on STARfun April School Holiday Program.
HEWITSON THEATRE COMING EVENTS
PRE-SEASON NETBALL CARNIVAL
Saturday 31 March - A fun way to try-out your team in time for the new season. Suitable for juniors and seniors. For further information or to make a booking visit the STARplex Reception or call 8522 0622.
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Did you know?
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NEED A TAX FILE NUMBER?
The Australian Tax Office offers students aged 13 years or over the opportunity to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the Secondary Schools Tax File Number program. Find out more here.
SCHOOL SAVER PLUS
Anglicare SA is seeking new participants for the Saver Plus program. Match your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500. Contact Debbie Rieger by email or phone 0457 778 022 for further details.
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Local Community News
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN U18 YOUTH GIRLS FOOTBALL TEAM TRIALS
Sunday 19 February 2012
6.00pm – 8.30pm
Max Basheer Reserve
West Lakes Boulevard, West Lakes
Contact Tim Stewart by email or phone 0423 250 614 for further details.
YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING (YFU) AUSTRALIA INFORMATION NIGHT
Wednesday 22 February 2012
6.30pm – 7.55pm
Bray Room 1, State Library of South Australia
Youth for Understanding is a not for profit exchange organisation for high school students who wish to spend time on an educational experience overseas. Choose from over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Americas. Contact Louise Au by email or phone 0422 079 534.
BALAKLAVA TENNIS CLUB JUNIOR TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Sunday 26 February 2012
8.30am
Ralli Park Courts, Balaklava
Double and singles events for boys and girls aged 10 to 17 years. For further details contact Tania Allen on 88622 212 or 0419 034 096.
CARMINA PLAYGROUP 2012
Every second and fourth Wednesday each month
9.30am – 11.30am
Carmina Room
Evanston Primary
Para Road, Evanston
Contact Megan or Marshel on 85212 080 for further details.
DAD SPACE
Fridays
9.30am - 11.30am
A meeting place for Dad's and their children. Activities include craft, play, reading, outings and guest speakers.
Carmina Room Evanston Primary
Contact Michael Evans on 85212 080 or 0434368 981 for further details.
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