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Dear Friends,
Welcome to Week 2 of Term 3! Possibly one of the coldest weeks I have ever experienced at Holy Trinity (or Canberra for that matter and I was born here!). Thank you for your patience with wet weather pick up- it is uncanny how often it rains (or sleets) around 3pm!!! I certainly learnt more on Tuesday night about climate issues at the quarter finals of Rostrum held at Ainslie school. We congratulate Isabelle M (Year 6), who has been chosen to now compete at the semi- finals! Well done Izzie!
Thank you also for those who participated last term in our school annual survey- certainly some effective data for future planning, which will be discussed at our School Board meeting next week. Below are examples of some positive feedback that we received from parents which is always very well received and very much appreciated:
"The school has a strong focus on the agency of the child which helps develop my child beyond just an academic focus. My child is encouraged to do their best all the time, even when their best is unlikely to be on par with other children."
"The school seems to deliver on academic excellence, especially in the area of literacy and adherence to the IB curriculum. We like how creatively our child is learning and challenged in the classroom. We are really impressed with the teachers and staff's dedication to academic excellence. Our children love being part if this school community and feel welcomed in this environment everyday."
"I like the creative, play like ways teachers use to teach the kindergarten class. I think the positive language, goals and reflective exercises are useful in engaging students with even at this young age. It reflects what we do in our professional careers as well as how we should approach life. I like that my child comes home and has already developed a sense of prayer and the spiritual life. I like that the school prayer has incorporated value and gratitude in our indigenous community."
"I think it is a school that focuses on academic excellence, social inclusion and equality."
At our professional Learning day last week, our staff spent some time engaging in the services of Trevor MacKenzie, who zoomed in from Canada. Our current strategic goals focus on effective evidencing for learning, (assessment), increasing student agency and empowering students to actively engage in their learning. Trevor, who is not only an experienced educator, a keynote speaker and a blogger, but is also an author of three books, that focus exactly on our three strategic goals.
Trevor is an inquiry consultant who has worked in schools throughout Australia, Asia, North America, South Africa and Europe. Trevor’s passion is supporting schools in implementing inquiry-based learning practices. He is a highly regarded speaker known for his heartfelt storytelling, kind demeanour, and student-first philosophy.
Trevor’s graduate research focused on identifying and removing the barriers to implementing inquiry-based learning in the K-12 setting. He is an inquiry practitioner currently as a teacher with the Greater Victoria School District in Victoria, Canada. He has vast experience supporting schools across several years in implementation strategies in public schools, international schools, and International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP/MYP/DP). Trevor shared with us his incredible insight into how an inquiry-based learning model equips students to become lifelong learners by nurturing wonder, curiosity and agency in the classroom. Part of this focus, looked at the 4 stages or types of inquiry.
Often there an be misconceptions around the structure of an inquiry classroom, particularly the fallacy that explicit teaching is not part of our pedagogy. Certainly it is necessary and part of our practice to ensure students are taught essential concepts, knowledge and skills, particularly in the areas of literacy and numeracy. Below are some of the comments shared by parents in our survey around the IB Curriculum framework experienced at Holy Trinity:
"It helps to prepare them for the future by giving them research, communication & analysis skills rather than rote learning concepts & information."
"The IB program ensures my child has an enquiring mind and a global focus - not just inward focused or focused on the immediate space around them. Explores broader concepts as a global citizen."
"Inquiry based learning sets kids up for 'real life' as this is all about problem solving and using all the disciplines together."
We look forward to continuing this professional learning over at least the next 12 months with Trevor MacKenzie, both at a school level and through the ACT PYP Network.
Exhibition is a culmination of students learning from Kinder to Year 6 throughout their PYP journey. This year the Year 6 exhibition transtheme is How the World Works and Central Idea Initiative leads to discoveries. Students will be unpacking the transtheme through the concept of HOPE.
We would love for any members in our community who are open to speaking to our Year 5/6 students around this years Central Idea in Week 6 (16th August - 20th August) to please email Emily.capper@cg.catholic.edu.au
The COVID situation in Eastern Australia continues to change daily. On 20 July 2021, a positive COVID-19 case was identified in Blaney, NSW and as a result there is now a stay at home direction in effect in the ACT. From the beginning of today until the beginning of Wednesday 28 July 2021, the stay at home rules now also apply to:
- people who live in or are temporarily staying in the Blayney, Cabonne and Orange local government areas
- anyone who has been in these 3 local government areas since Saturday 17 July 2021.
This order permits staff and students to attend schools. These persons are required to wear a mask. Mask wearing is not required for children aged 12 or under.
Additionally, anyone who has been in these LGAs on or after 14 July 2021 and who left prior to 11:59pm on 21 July 2021 is required to declare using ACT Health’s online declaration form.
We will continue to monitor this situation and provide advice if there is any update. Further information is also available at Evolving situation in regional NSW - COVID-19 (act.gov.au).
It is important to note that if any students have any COVID Symptoms please do not send them to school, rather I encourage you to follow ACT Health advice.
Congratulations to the Sarin Family (Adrin 1W) on the birth of their beautiful baby daughter Rosie! We also welcome this week to our school community the Elderidge family with their daughter Audrey, in 2 White.
Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families. Stay warm!
Philippa
Philippa Brearley
Email: philippa.brearley@cg.catholic.edu.au
NAIDOC Week
Last Friday, 3 of our Year 6 leaders represented Holy Trinity to celebrate NAIDOC week at St Christopher’s Cathedral at Manuka. In attendance were other students and school staff from our A.C.T. Catholic primary and secondary schools. Archbishop Christopher Prowse celebrated the Mass and spoke beautifully about the need to listen and be attentive to the voices of our Indigenous students and staff in schools.
The Parish of Transfiguration's Qkr is now open for students who are in Year 4 and above who have completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation to sign up for the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Please note Sacramental dates below:
| Event | Date | Venue |
| Parent Information Night | Tuesday 27th July @ 6pm |
Zoom (link below) |
|
https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/68713903668?pwd=MVNjRHNzY0hCUk40UEpGYWxaaWtLQT09 Password: 88563 |
||
| Presentation Mass |
Saturday 14th August @ 6pm Sunday 15th August @ 9:30am Sunday 15th August @ 5:30pm |
Holy Trinity Church |
| First Eucharist Retreat | Thursday 19th August | Holy Trinity Primary School |
| Sacrament of First Eucharist |
Saturday 4th Sept @ 6pm Sunday 5th Sept @ 9:30am Sunday 5th Sept @ 5:30pm |
Holy Trinity Church |
Youth Ministry
In Week 10, Term 2 our Youth Ministry Team, ran a retreat experience for their parents and carers, on the theme of hope. They used all their skills acquired during Youth Ministry meetings during the semester to share their faith and the message of the gospel. The team worked so beautifully together as disciples of love, helping one another to create a wonderful evening for their loved ones. They performed a rap, an original drama and Lucy M shared her personal faith story. The students were certainly, “People of Hope” and left everyone with an encouraging challenge to also be people of hope moving forward.
- Grace Lustri
Youth Minister
Term 3 Dates
Week 3
- Monday 26th July - 1R Assembly 2:30pm
- Tuesday 27th July - First Eucharist PIN 6pm
Week 4
- Friday 6th August - Feast of Transfiguration
Week 5
- Monday 9th August - 3/4W Prayer Celebration 2:30pm
- Saturday 14th August - Parish Mass 6pm
- Sunday 15th August - Parish Mass 9:30am & 5:30pm
Week 6
- Monday 16th August - 2G Assembly 2:30pm
- Thursday 19th August - First Eucharist Retreat
Week 7
- Monday 23rd August - KW Assembly 2:30pm
Week 8
- Friday 3rd Sept - Year 1 Fathers Day Prayer Celebration 9:30am
- Saturday 4th Sept - First Eucharist 6pm
- Sunday 5th Sept - First Eucharist 9:30am & 5:30pm
Week 9
- Monday 6th Sept - 1W Assembly 2:30pm
Week 10
- Monday 13th Sept - 2W Assembly 2:30pm
Emily Capper
Religious Education Coordinator
QR Code sign-in
All families and visitors entering the ELC building are requested to sign in using the Check In CBR app. QR codes are located at each entry point of the building. Please remember to practise physical distancing when in the playground and sign in areas.
Stay and Play
Playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their families. Wednesday mornings from 9am-10.00am in the ELC Playground (weather permitting). Parents, grandparents, carers and children are all very welcome. Please sign in using the Check in CBR app.
Riding the COVID waves
The disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues, with the scale of its impact dependent on geography. Families in the nation’s two most populated states are no strangers to lockdowns and the disturbance they bring to normal life. Regardless of where you live, the sense of the pandemic is always present, ready to disrupt daily life at short notice.
We crave connect and certainty
Human beings crave certainty and human connection, both of which are severely impacted by the current pandemic. Just when life appears to return to normal, coronavirus case numbers can flare, sparking changes to our daily lives. As demonstrated by the massive increase in people seeking psychological support services over the last 18 months, these are difficult times for us all.
Every family has its own coronavirus story consisting of loss, disappointment, hardship, frustration or overwhelm of some kind. While there is no magic bullet that will make living through these uncertain times easy, here are some strategies to help you and your family stay upright while you ride the COVID waves of uncertainty and change.
Model a coping mindset
Let’s start with a coping mindset, the hardest and most important strategy. The leader in any group is the person who remains calm in a crisis, so as parents we need to do all we can to keep our acts together, or at least look like we are in control. Kids of all ages, but especially primary-aged students, take their cues from parents, the most important people in their lives, about how to view events. If catastrophising, anxiety and anger are modelled, then inevitably younger family members will mimic these behaviours. More significantly, these behaviours contribute to their feelings of lack of control. Alternatively, when acceptance, perspective and optimism are on display, kids learn how they can cope with uncertainty and change. This is not to suggest that parents aren’t struggling, and that we shouldn’t show our vulnerability to children. However, children and young people feel safer and more secure when their parents radiate a sense of calm and composure in the face of difficulty. Challenging, but essential.
Act like a middle born
Despite the negative press that middle-borns receive including ‘middle child syndrome’, and ‘middle-child complex’, this cohort is generally very resilient. Their flexibility as a result of fitting into a life pattern set by an elder sibling enables them to more easily adapt to change. Often considered less ambitious and driven than first-borns, middle children generally expect less of themselves, and are more inclined to bide their time, letting the big waves pass before riding the more accessible, easier waves to achieve success. Birth order research reveals that middle children tend to have broader social circles than children born in other positions enabling them to form social connections in many different settings. Their adaptability, lowering of expectations and wonderful approachability are examples of how to survive challenging times.
Embed wellbeing strategies into family-life
If ever there was a time to make wellbeing come alive in a family, it’s now. If you have previously believed kids’ wellbeing is less important than homework, music or sports lessons and chores then it’s time for a priority rethink. Mental health practices are most successful when they are embedded into family life, rather than being focused on when life gets hard. While no means limited to these, the most significant wellbeing practices include sticking to daily routines (to maintain feelings of control), taking regular exercise (to get rid of built-up stress and promote feel-good endorphins) and prioritising sleep (to maximise the brain’s capacity to manage stress).
Only sweat the big stuff
If you find that you’re arguing with your child over minor issues such as leaving clothes around the house, then it’s time to let the small stuff go and focus on the bigger issues. You may need to set the parenting bar a little lower, focus less on academics, even relax screen time limits for a time if they are a source of conflict. Expect behaviour blow outs from children who have lost their own bearings – in some cases access to friends, school, and schedule. Give kids space if they regress, rather than reward tantrums with plenty of your attention, which will reward and keep the behaviour going.
Connect with your village
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What about your kids? It matters because each group reacts differently during lockdowns. Those on the introvert end of the spectrum can feel a little too comfortable being home and away from work or school. Scheduling regular digital catch-ups with friends and family can overcome reluctance to connect. Extroverts, on the other hand, can really struggle being away from friends and need little encouragement to stay in touch, which is vital during times of uncertainty.
There are no hard and fast rules about living through this pandemic. COVID didn’t come with a ‘how to’ manual, so most of us are writing our own rules as we go. Embrace any ideas that work for you and your family and let go of those that aren’t right for you. Be mindful, that the tide will eventually turn, the waves more predictable and our capacity to deal with hardship will have been enhanced by this experience.
(Source: Parentingideas.com.au)
Heidi White
Email: Heidi.white@cg.catholic.edu.au
Over the next few weeks all classes will be involved in a stand-alone Unit of Inquiry on Book Week. We will be looking at all the wonderful books shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) awards 2021.
The theme for Book Week this year is ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds’… Check out the nominated books: https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2021. The poster and artwork have all been designed by the very clever Shaun Tan (the 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the year winner).
The theme for 2021 is wonderful as it can incorporate all books – the old books and old cultures, new books and the here and now and finally books from other worlds and the future. The theme also ties in with the upcoming Olympics – looking at the past, the present and the future of the Olympic movement.
A few dates to add to your diaries include…
|
Week 6 and Week 7 |
Friday, 20th August – 2pm Monday, 23rd August – 2pm |
Perform Education booked to do a Book Week performance for Year 3 – 6 and then another show on the Monday for ELC - 2 |
|
Week 7 |
Thursday, 26th August |
Holy Trinity Annual Book Parade – (our favourite day) |
Don’t forget to start thinking about Book Week costumes – it doesn’t have to be big and fancy – check out Pinterest, do a search – the ideas are endless. Always a good idea to have a book character in mind. Even better if you can send the actual book in as well.
Last but not least, if you feel like coming in during the Book Week festivities and reading a picture book with a small group (on a Friday), from 11.00am – 11.40am, please email me on kate.mertz@cg.catholic.edu.au. I will have books, a little activity and 1000 kids ready to go. Siblings most welcome. All very casual, your kids will love it.
Happy Days,
Kate M J
Your Friendly Librarian x
Kate Mertz
Email: kate.mertz@cg.catholic.edu.au
 |
Students celebrating their birthdays this week: Week 2: Miguel G, Zara H, Eva L & Mr. Brendon Pye |
We are delighted to inform you that Holy Trinity will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS Assessments again this year. ICAS is developed by UNSW Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of New South Wales, with 40 years’ experience in educational assessments.
ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student will receive a certificate and an online result report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.
The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
|
SUBJECT |
SCHOOL YEAR AVAILABLE |
COST |
SITTING DATES- during school time |
|
ICAS Digital Technologies |
3-6 |
$15.50 |
Wednesday 12th August |
|
ICAS Science |
3-6 |
$15.50 |
Monday 23rd August |
|
ICAS Writing |
3-6 |
$19.50 |
Monday 9th August |
|
ICAS Spelling Bee |
2-6 |
$15.50 |
Wednesday 25th August |
|
ICAS English |
2-6 |
$15.50 |
Monday 16th August |
|
ICAS Mathematics |
2-6 |
$15.50 |
Monday 30th August |
Please note that a Locked-down browser called REPLAY is required for ICAS Spelling Bee and ICAS Writing Assessment. This will need to be downloaded prior to the assessment day.
REGISTRATION and PAYMENT
New registration and payment process in 2021 - ONLINE PARENT PAYMENT
Access details for parents
| Your school access code is: | HXX070 |
| Your parent page link is: | https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps |
To process order follow the prompts to:
1) Enter student name, date of birth and year level
2) Select tests
3) Pay for chosen tests.
Online payment closes 25th JULY 2021.
The assessements will be hosted at the school, with a teacher supervising participating students at an available time during the school day on the nominated date.
Please contact me to discuss any questions you may have.
Katie Smith - Holy Trinity Primary School
Phone: 262814811
Email: katie.smith@cg.catholic.edu.au
From this week, we will be changing the day that School Banking occurs here at Holy Trinity from Wednesday mornings to Friday mornings. Our school banking officer is located in the school's library from 8.40 to 9.00am which is where students needs to bring their weekly deposits.
For every deposit made at school, students will receive a Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for a School Banking reward item.
If you would like to start a savings account for your child, take their birth certificate into any branch of the Commonwealth Bank and an account will be set up in their name.
Kind Regards,
Carrie Kilpin
School Banking Coordinator
Action Tae Kwon-Do
Parentline
NOTICEBOARD