Newsletter 22

2 August 2013

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE 421 Elizabeth Mitchell Drive Thurgoona NSW 2640 Telephone: (02) 6049 3402 Facsimile: (02) 6049 3490 Email: heather.watson@trinityac.nsw.edu.au

ALBURY 421 Elizabeth Mitchell Drive Thurgoona NSW 2640 Telephone: (02) 6049 3400 Facsimile: (02) 6049 3490 Email: office@trinityac.nsw.edu.au

WODONGA 34 Ellen McDonald Drive Baranduda VIC 3690 Telephone: (02) 6049 3480 Facsimile: (02) 6020 9125 Email: officewodonga@trinityac.nsw.edu.au

WEBSITE

www.trinityac.nsw.edu.au AFTER SCHOOL CARE ALBURY

0423 845 646 EARLY LEARNING CENTRE WODONGA

6049 3485

From the Principal

Christmas in July I begin this week’s newsletter with a sincere vote of thanks to those good people involved in the organisation of last Saturday night’s Christmas in July gathering at Rydges in Albury. It was a terrific night and everyone there appeared to enjoy the opportunity to get together, meet new people within the College community and enjoy each other’s company.

Of course, much time and effort goes into the organisation and promotion of these events and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the P&F for their work in this regard and in particular, Mrs Susan Delcour, who quietly but enthusiastically led the way in terms of organising and setting up this function. Thank you to all involved in the organisation and to the parents and staff who came along in support of the event.

P&F Car Raffle The P&F and the College have made a significant commitment to this raffle and we appear to be making steady progress in terms of ticket sales. How many tickets has your family sold? Let’s get behind this great raffle and sell as many tickets as we possibly can!

Annual Re-enrolment process This week the College will be sending to all families the relevant documents as part of our important re-enrolment process. Proper and careful planning is vital if any school is going to move forward positively from year to year. One of the key elements in this planning is having

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accurate enrolment figures so that the staffing, resourcing and timetabling of the curriculum is accurate and on budget.

Therefore, as is the practice at Trinity, I will be sending home to all parents and guardians a document which will provide the College with accurate information about 2014 enrolments. This “Re-enrolment form” will ask you to indicate to the College your family’s enrolment commitment for next year. A clear deadline of Monday, 19 August is highlighted within this document and I would appreciate parents returning the forms to the College by this date.

The College continues to enjoy strong demand for positions across most year levels and large numbers of students have been placed on waiting lists for these. Going through the re-enrolment process provides the College with up-to-date and accurate data and allows us to manage the demand for places across the year levels more effectively.

If you have any questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the College.

New Science Centre for Trinity’s Senior School Many people would have noticed that construction has commenced on the new Science Centre at the Albury campus of the College. This facility will be an important development in the Senior School resources and will provide the College with four, state-of-the-art science laboratories, excellent preparation areas and office space for science staff, bathroom facilities for students and an outdoor environmental learning area.

The building has been designed by the same architect who has been working with the College for the past five years, David Clarke of Clarke-Keller Architects, a Canberra based firm which has extensive and impressive experience in designing facilities for schools.

Mr Clarke designed the Multi-Purpose Hall and Administration Building at the Albury campus and is involved in the Master Planning for both campuses.

In the weeks ahead, the Science Centre will take more obvious form as the structural steel is erected and the roof installed. Only then

will we have a better impression of how it will look and how significantly it will add to the fabric of the College. The building is a major investment in an important teaching and learning area.

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I am looking forward to witnessing the development of this resource and taking possession of it towards the end of Term 4 and it will be used regularly from the beginning of the 2014 school year.

NAIDOC Week Next week Junior School students will participate in a day of activities and celebration to commemorate NAIDOC Week. Through their experiences, we hope that all students will develop a greater sense of appreciation and respect for various aspects of indigenous culture and heritage. Our NAIDOC activities over the past few years have been characterised by a genuine sense of respect and interest from our students, as well as lots of great activities and learning experiences for them.

Many hours of preparation goes into organising and running days like next week’s NAIDOC Day. I thank all Junior School staff for their work in this regard, particularly Mrs Kathy Walsh who continues to work enormously hard towards providing all students with rich learning experiences and wonderful memories of the day.

Gates and Fence at Albury Campus The College community should be aware that the new fence and gates have been installed and commissioned at the Albury campus. The gates will automatically close at 7pm unless there is a function on at the College and the gates are programmed to stay open for this. The main exit gate will open automatically when vehicles stop in front of it. These gates and fences provide a greater level of safety and security for the College.

The Issue of Smacking Children In recent weeks the major newspapers and other media sources have published stories about studies which have been released recently highlighting the negative impact corporal punishment, or smacking children has on their development. Calls have come from some for governments to make it illegal for parents to smack their children at home.

Obviously, in schools it is illegal for corporal punishment to be used against students. This was not always the case and when I commenced my teaching career in the late 1980s there were still some school sectors which regularly employed corporal punishment as part of their behaviour management protocols. Thankfully, this is not the case now and hasn’t been for many years!

In this context I provide parents with the following brief article from Michael Grose’s Parenting Ideas website. It gives a good overview of the evidence involved and some alternative strategies for disciplining and managing children at home. I hope that some parents might find the article useful and encouraging.

Smacking is back in the news. It was reported in The Age recently that the Royal Australian College of Physicians has called for a legal ban on smacking. They claim that physical punishment can easily escalate to abuse. Their research shows that physical punishment can lead to a range of negative outcomes including depression, anxiety and substance abuse later on.

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When an esteemed group such as this speaks out, then it’s time to listen. However I’m not sure that legislation is the answer. It would be so hard to enforce.

Smacking is an emotive issue. I know some parents smack out of frustration, or even desperation. That too, is a little different. They don’t want to, but their kids or circumstances get the better of them. Guilt and recrimination often follows.

Most reasonable people rile at the notion of abusive treatment but there are many people who believe a little smack in the right circumstances is okay. I’m not so sure. You either believe smacking is okay or you don’t.

Parenting should reflect the real world that we are preparing our children for. Our discipline needs to reflect the times in which we live. We expect civil treatment in all our dealings with others so we need to reflect the same expectations in our treatment of kids. We don’t condone corporal punishment in childcare centres, preschools and schools, so we shouldn’t condone it at home. Besides, I’m not convinced that smacking works in the long term.

There is a considerable body of knowledge that suggests that learning self-regulation and impulse control are keys to responsible, social behaviour in children. Smacking works against this by encouraging avoidance of certain behaviours rather than promoting self-regulatory behaviour. It also leads to resentment when repeatedly used.

What are the alternatives? For disciplinary techniques other than smacking, parents need look no further than the methods used in childcare centres and schools. The use of consequential learning and restorative justice techniques, when properly applied are effective and strict enough to help kids regulate their behaviours.

These sound like complicated terms but the tips below are examples of these techniques in practice. Some children, whether due to an individual condition or their temperament, need individual behaviour management plans. None of these involve smacking. They do require a great deal of parental attention, patience and energy to make work. Your local general practitioner or your child’s teacher are good people to talk to initially if a child’s behaviour is overwhelming you.

Parents don’t parent well in isolation so reach out for assistance, particularly when a child’s poor behaviour is wearing you down.

Alternatives to Smacking: 1. Time out: This is designed to either give kids a chance to think about their behaviour or just break a pattern of poor behaviour. It doesn’t work for all but it’s a better alternative than smacking. Time out doesn’t have to be in their bedrooms; sometimes a chair or mat near you is enough.

2. Parental time out: Make sure your kids are safe then go to the bathroom for a time if you are about to lose your cool.

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3. Behavioural consequences: Implement a consequence (e.g. remove from their friends if hurting them, go home if misbehaving in public) that is related to the crime, reasonable and respectful to kids. Don’t over talk while putting it in place and stick to your guns because kids can say things to make you feel guilty.

4. Tactical ignoring: Recognise that some misbehaviour is designed to get up your nose so don’t let it work.

5. Pre-empt poor behaviour: I know kids can be unpredictable but smart parents will get on the front foot and minimise the likelihood of poor behaviour. Think ahead and prepare kids and yourself when you go into public spaces. Make sure your routines are child friendly. And make sure the kids get good attention when they are behaving well, because some kids mess up just to be noticed.

The job of parents is to socialise kids so they can take their place in the world. Discipline is essentially a teaching process that requires a mixture of explanation, limits and boundaries, and a willingness to follow through with respectful action. It also requires a strong backbone, a compassionate heart and heaps of patience, but under no circumstances does it require a firm hand.

For more information and parenting ideas visit: www.parentingideas.com.au

Steven O’Connor Principal

From the Deputy Principal

Parent/Teacher Interviews:

Junior School Albury interviews will be conducted on Monday 12 August, 3.30-6pm and 7-8pm and Tuesday 13 August, 3.30-5.30pm. The booking code is ZUB58

Junior School Wodonga interviews will be conducted on Monday 12 August, 3.30-6pm and Tuesday 13 August, 3.30-5.30pm. The booking code is ZUB58

Years 7-10 will be held on Wednesday 28 August, 3.30-8pm. The booking code is 5PYS4

The online booking system is now available and open for parents to make bookings. Please use the code supplied and follow the steps outlined; a link to the booking service is available from the College website www.trinityac.nsw.edu.au

Peter O’Neill Deputy Principal

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From the Director of Studies

Subject Information Evening – Parents of Year 10 Students

I am sure that our Year 10 students are excited by the prospect of selecting subjects that capture their interests, enhance their skills and assist them to pursue a pathway beyond school.

The Subject Information Evening for Year 11 2014 is on Tuesday, 6 August from 7pm in the Multi-Purpose Hall.

Year 10 students have received additional information this week about the evening and are looking forward to putting their questions to the many teachers who will be there. It will be great to see as many parents as possible on the night.

Subject Information Evenings – Parents of Year 8 Students Over the next week or so, Year 8 students will be preparing for the Year 9 2014 Subject Information Evening which is on Monday, 12 August from 7pm in the Multi-Purpose Hall.

The students have enjoyed experiences across many different subjects over the past two years and this is their first opportunity to pursue their interests in the choice of elective subjects. Parents are most cordially invited to attend the evening with their son or daughter and talk to teachers who will be keen to provide information about their specialist subjects.

Year 12 Trial HSC Exams The focus of our Year 12 students is firmly on the trial examination which starts on Wednesday, 14 August. These exams figure as significant assessment items to assist in determining the assessment component of their final HSC mark. The students have received the timetable for the examinations and it also is available via the College website.

The first of these exams is the English Area of Study paper which is completed by all students of Advanced and Standard English on Wednesday 14 August. For this first trial paper only, the students will sit this exam at out Wodonga campus. Students will travel to school by their usual means and will be taken to Wodonga in the College buses. They will be accompanied by Mr O’Neill, Mr Thomas and Ms Armstrong.

This is in order to familiarise the students with the Wodonga site as they will complete all of their HSC exams there. The Wodonga campus has been used for HSC exams for the past couple of years and students have been overwhelmingly positive about the venue; finding the quiet setting conducive to the concentration and focus the exams require.

If you have any queries about either of the Subject Information Evenings, or about the Trial HSC Examination, please contact me.

Kym Armstrong Director of Studies

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From the College Chaplain

We’re not going to get through life without facing some kind of criticism. So we might as well learn to recognise the value of it. Whether you’re a teacher, chaplain, plumber or pilot, it is true that the people who do well are usually those who are humble enough to take criticism on board and use it to their benefit.

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he makes a list of Fruit of the Spirit. These are characteristics that are born out of a developing relationship with God. If you read this list in chapter 5 you notice that humility is not mentioned. Maybe that is because humility is the kind of soil that good fruit can grow in. We all make mistakes (and if you think you don’t, then ask the person next to you what they think – they will probably give you a different answer!) and we need to learn from them.

When you receive criticism, before you reach for the Kleenex or start getting defensive, work out what is behind it. If it is coming from someone you respect, take the time to be honest with yourself, chew it over and if they’ve hit on something, do something about it. Jesus said, ‘The truth will set you free’ (John 8:32).

Rev Lee Weissel College Chaplain

Senior School SRC

Congratulations to the following Senior School Student Representative Council members elected for Semester 2:

PCG Elected Representatives PCG Elected Representatives 12JH Brianna Dawson and Katie Gallo 11MF Morgan Howe 12AL Mairead Horsfall and Kate Takle 11SB Greg Andronikos 12KL Andrew McLaurin and Isaac Hayes 11LW Annie Davis 10RM Georgia Gogoll 9KT Georgie Cavanough 10TD Alizah Campbell 9KWC Matthew Mutton 10JB Abby French 9AG Paige Rogers 8LW Jacob Rankmore 7DG Tate Curtis and Laura Chase 8GM Doug Watson 7KM Jackson Walmsey and Georgia Morris 8MB Jeremy Smith 7PT Jamie Lowe and Will Cochrane

Junior School SRC members will be published in next week’s newsletter.

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From the Careers Office

Information related to careers can be accessed via our weekly career newsletter. These newsletters are emailed weekly to students in Years 10-12. If parents also would like to receive the newsletters by email, along with information about careers events, please email me: kathy.fletcher@trinityac.nsw.au.

These newsletters can also be accessed via the Careers link on the Trinity Anglican College webpage.

Careers Department subscriptions The Trinity Careers Department subscribes to various career information providers, one of which is MHSCareers. This service provides the NSW and Victorian newsletters that are accessible via the Newsletters link on the Careers page of the Trinity website and emailed to students in Years 10-12. As part of this subscription, students and parents have access to a website. Go to www.mhscareers.com and then login with: student or parent and the password: mhs2013.

Kathy Fletcher Careers Advisor

Junior School News

Some significant events are taking place in the Junior School this Term; the occasions include:

NAIDOC Day NAIDOC Day is being held on Tuesday, 6 August. The celebration of country, storytelling and a demonstration of Aboriginal cultural dance will take the place in the Multi-Purpose Hall at 10:30am, following our Junior School Assembly at the usual time of 10.05am. After the NAIDOC Day opening ceremony and presentations, the Junior School students will participate in traditional Aboriginal activities, including: the cooking and eating of Jonny cakes (K-2 students), traditional Aboriginal games and dance and a talk on artefacts. You are most welcome to join us for what will be a very interesting and informative day.

Parent Teacher Interviews All Junior School parents are encouraged to meet with their child's teacher on either Monday, 12 or Tuesday 13, August (Week 4). These meetings provide an ideal opportunity to expand on your child’s Semester One report, sent home at the conclusion of Term 2. To book your interview time go to the College website and follow the link.

Book Week The Junior School Book Week presentations (K- 6) are being held on Tuesday, 27 August (Week 6) in the MPH from 9:30am. In preparation for the short presentations, all classes in the Junior School have been working towards creating an innovative response to one of the books nominated for the 2013 children's book of the year. I am looking forward to seeing how the students have come up with ways to make the chosen book come alive. Parents and friends are most welcome to attend.

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National Literacy Week - Story Telling and Cake As part of the National Literacy Week, Story Telling and Cake is taking place once again this year on Thursday, 5 September. It's time to warm up your favourite story. The event asks for parent and grandparent volunteers to read or tell their favourite children's story to the students in your child's class. I am looking for and encourage as many volunteers as possible to be part of storytelling. If you are unable to attend perhaps you would be able to supply a cake or similar for the students and our volunteers to enjoy after the storytelling?

Keep an eye out for further information that will appear in the newsletter as each event approaches.

Chris O’Loan Head of Junior School

From the Wodonga Campus

National Tree Planting Day Last Wednesday all students from P-6 participated in National Tree Planting activities at the Wodonga campus.

Baranduda Landcare provided over 400 native trees, shrubs and grasses to the College, which the students planted to help add to our environment and beautify the grounds. It was great to see the students from Little Tackers come and participate in the day.

Campus Ski Trip

Our annual ski trip to Falls Creek is now just around the corner and we are in the final stages of planning for this event. Fittings for the trip will be done on Monday, 5 August in the Wodonga campus Multi-Purpose Area. Final details for the trip including itinerary and event requirements will be sent home in the coming week.

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Upcoming Events for August Monday 5 August Ski trip equipment fittings Tuesday 6 August Junior School NAIDOC Day at Albury Campus Thursday 8 August Y4-6 Seed Environmental Awareness workshop at Cube Wodonga Monday 12 August Parent Teacher Interview P-6 evening 1 Tuesday 13 August Parent Teacher Interview P-6 evening 2 Friday 16 August Wodonga Campus ski trip

Simon Fairall Campus Coordinator

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge Years 3-6

Less than four weeks to go until the end of the challenge. All books need to be entered by Thursday, 22 August. Keep reading

Mrs Trebilcock College Librarian

P & F News

Christmas in July

The P&F sincerely thanks everyone who helped make Trinity’s Christmas in July such a great night, especially:

Susan Delcour for co-ordinating the event

Rydges Albury

Albury DJ Entertainment

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Art Exhbition

Trinity College is pleased to announce it has established the Trinity College Art Exhibition and Acquisitive Art Award to be held from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September, 2013.

This inaugural event will in-corporate a $2000 Acquisitive Art Award and an $800 Emerging Artist Award with an emphasis on selecting a variety of genres to reinforce the importance of the arts in our educational and collegial life.

We already have secured the enthusiastic support of key figures in our regional arts community. Former Director of Albury Art Gallery, Audray Banfield, will be our independent curator and former Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and Murray Arts, Mr Chris Pidd, has joined our Art Exhibition Committee of Management.

Entries close on Friday, 23 August so pick up a flier at the front office and let your friends know.

Canteen News

Thank you to volunteers Ellen Uniacke and Sharon Walpole.

Gluten Free Please Note! I am having trouble sourcing the Gluten Free/Dairy Free sausage roll that has been on our menu for several years. I have a small supply on hand but will run out at some stage this term unless I can secure another supply. Please do not order this product for your child unless they genuinely require it as we do have students who are unable to have anything else. Please contact me directly at the Canteen or via the Front Office if you have concerns about this. I will advise you before I run out!

**If you see any of this product in local supermarkets please let me know: Patties Gluten Free 3 x sausage rolls (blue box – fructose friendly, wheat free, dairy free).

Roster Week 3, Term 3 Month Day Helper

August Monday 5 Linda Garoni

August Tuesday 6 Volunteer required

August Wednesday 7 Ellen Uniacke

August Thursday 8 Volunteer required

August Friday 9 Volunteer required

Margaret Cochrane Canteen Manager

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Trinity Car Raffle

You too could be a winner!

First Prize Ford Fiesta LX

Five Door Hatch 1.6L, Automatic Transmission, Model 17051VA,

Alloy Wheels, Inc 12 months Registration, 3rd Party Insurance,

Drive away (Value $20,274) The car is available for viewing at

Blacklocks Ford or by request through the P and F.

Second Prize $4000 Travel Voucher

WODONGA TRAVEL & CRUISE

Third Prize $500 Fuel

Dean Street Caltex

Can you display the car outside your business or sell raffle tickets for a day? Please contact Susan Collins 6021 5842, suszie1@yahoo.com or Kaz and Jenny at the College Front Office.

Can you help sell

raffle tickets?

Please leave your

name at the office

and we will be in

touch!

Each family is encouraged to sell a minimum of one book of 20 tickets at $5 each. Extra books are available and when you return your sold booklets your name will go into the draw for our weekly prize of a $20 iTunes gift card.

Additional books of tickets available from the College

Office.

Congratulations!

Matthew Forrest (8M)

Matthew will receive a $20 iTunes voucher as the winner

of our weekly draw