"Returning to the sentiments in my opening paragraph, we are privileged and proud to have families in our community who are refugees."
In this Issue
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
At Trinity, we are blessed to have an inclusive community that celebrates its diversity and all the gifts we share. As a Catholic school, we believe in the inestimable worth of every human individual for each is made in the image of God and is a reflection of God’s goodness. We actively seek to be accepting, welcoming and loving, and it is at the heart of everything we do.
I preface this communication with this announcement because we have been through a period at Trinity where we have had to show some tough love. We have a culture of high expectations and are unapologetic about the measures we take to ensure our community is safe and protected from undue influences that may cause harm, particularly to our students.
We recently became aware that a small group of students were using smokeless nicotine products that pose significant health risks. The online message that nicotine pouches are safer to use than smoking and vaping is targeting young people, and these products are much more difficult to detect. It is an issue that is being faced by schools across the nation and we ask our parents and carers to stay informed and be aware of the situation. We need to steer our children away from this potential threat to their health and empower them to make informed decisions that prioritise their wellbeing. I urge you to start your research by reading the Special Report that is available through our SchoolTV subscription.
I am sorry that I am the messenger of such heavy news in the final newsletter of the term, but I am delighted that we can also celebrate our welcoming and inclusive community during Refugee Week. Returning to the sentiments in my opening paragraph, we are privileged and proud to have families in our community who are refugees. We relish the cultural and social diversity they gift us and are immensely grateful for the opportunities that we are able to share with them. To commemorate Refugee Week, we sought to raise awareness of the struggles faced by many refugee families with a special liturgy prepared by our Year 9 cohort as well as a cultural meal with staff, students, families and Fr Michael. We also shared a warming and delicious lunch that was prepared by our students with members of the Colac and District Rural Australians for Refugees and heard a little about their activities.
Interestingly, I had the opportunity to join with some Colac business leaders to meet with Federal Shadow Ministers Dan Tehan and Michael Sukkar to raise some issues of importance in our region. With Dan Tehan being the shadow minister for immigration and citizenship and Michael Sukkar’s portfolio including housing and homelessness, it was not surprising that all questions and issues raised centred around these important topics. One concern I and many others in our community are passionate about is the lack of government support available in Colac for our refugee families who often end up having to move to Geelong so they can access these services. The Colac and District Rural Australians for Refugees group along with Fr Michael and St Mary's parish do an enormous amount to help these families but they also require assistance with professional services in counselling, language, legal issues and more as they adjust to their new lives. We will continue to advocate on their behalf as well as for other members of our community who are experiencing difficulties in these areas.
As we head into the holidays, I ask you to keep in your prayers our five Trinity students who are embarking on the Kokoda Trek. This fantastic opportunity is all thanks to AKD Softwoods who prepare the participants and organise the logistics as they journey through Papua New Guinea and retrace the footsteps of Australian Diggers in 1942. We can’t wait to hear their stories when they return!
Thank you to all our families for your support during a busy term. I wish you a safe and enjoyable break and see you in Term 3!
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College News
Message Sticks' Journey of Joy
Message Sticks' Journey of Joy
Honouring 150 years of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, five Aboriginal message sticks were distributed to schools in the area carrying the special message from Romans 12:12 to ‘be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
The beautiful artefacts were painted by Aboriginal artist Vicki Clark and crafted from River Red Gum from by the Mallee region by Trevor Clark. The design tells the story of the Creator Spirit who spoke to the ancestors thousands of years before Abraham and Moses, gifting the Law to care for country, the waterways, and animals and to co-exist with all.
In Aboriginal culture, message sticks were traditionally passed between different clans and language groups to share information, transmit messages and communicate invitations to corroborees and meetings.
Reflecting this ritual that is thousands of years old, four of the message sticks were distributed by the Diocese across the land, one to each point of the compass. The fifth remained at Ballarat Education Office as a symbol of the interconnectedness of all our communities from the Murray to the sea.
The southern message stick was passed on to Trinity College, having travelled from Emmanuel College in Warrnambool to Mercy Regional College and St Brendan’s in Coragulac before arriving at St Mary’s in Colac and then to Sacred Heart Primary School.
Traditional symbols painted on the relic represent the journey of thousands of Catholic students and staff in the Diocese of Ballarat, the land and waters on which they share their gifts and the southern cross that serves as a constant guide.
The College received the message stick acknowledging the honour of being a custodian of the special artefact that links our communities in the journey of faith and justice as we seek to make the word of God a living reality in our lives.
A prayer for all who walk this land:
May we always stand as tall as a tree
Be as gentle as the morning mist, and
as strong as the earth under our feet.
May the warmth of the campfire be in each of us,
And may the Creator Spirit, Source of all Life,
always watch over us.
Amen
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Teaching and Learning Update
Teaching and Learning Update
Congratulations to all students on a successful Semester 1. As the newly appointed Directors of Learning, this semester has given us much time to review our school practices and explore the wonderful learning opportunities provided at TCC.
Staff are working hard to mark assessments and complete the end of semester reports for their release to parents on Friday 28 June.
We encourage you to take time over the break to sit down as a family, to read the feedback provided by teachers. This time is also a great opportunity to read through PAM and the more detailed assessment Rubrics.
Well done to our Year 10 and 11 students who have completed exams this week and we wish the Year 10 students all the best with Work Experience next week. This experience is a key moment is establishing pathway ideas.
Term 3 is very busy with pathways and subject selection taking place. Homeroom Mentors, Learning Community Leaders and the Senior Pathways Team will be supporting students across all year levels as they read our Curriculum Handbook for 2025 and make informed choices that addresses each individual’s interest, strengths and potential career ideas.
Further information to come but please see the College calendar for key dates.
Mrs Kate Geary and Ms Karen Hart
Directors of Learning
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Celebrating World Environment Day at Trinity
Celebrating World Environment Day at Trinity
At Trinity, World Environment Day was celebrated with a number of activities designed to encourage world-wide awareness and action to protect our environment. Along with millions of people from around the globe, Trinity hoped to inspire positive change, celebrate environmental action and recognise the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world.
The campaign particularly highlighted waste-free lunch opportunities for staff and students with a Nude Food Day on the Friday highlighting the simple measures that can be taken to avoid single use plastic for packaging.
Staff and Year 12 students also enjoyed a waste-free morning tea, with delicious food and coffee served in environmentally friendly containers.
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Greater Western Netball Results
Greater Western Netball Results
On Tuesday 11 June the Intermediate A and Senior teams travelled to Ballarat to participate in the second stage of the School Sport Victoria netball competition. The tournament was played in a round robin format, with games being two eight-minute halves.
The Intermediate A side was scheduled to play four games for the day against Horsham College, Emmanuel College, Mercy Regional College and Portland Secondary College. In the first round they played Warrnambool and, true to past encounters, it was a very physical game. Both teams contested hard, with Warrnambool settling into their structures quickly, resulting in a 9 to 13 loss to Trinity. Horsham College was next and again the Trinity girls struggled to find their flow in the first eight minutes, which allowed Horsham to get a jump on them. They came back strong to dominate the second half but unfortunately ran out of time to take back the lead, going down 10 to 12. Their first win of the day came in Round 3 against Portland Secondary College. The Trinity side found their form and produced glimpses of the netball that we know they are capable of to win. The final round of the day brought them up against an undefeated Mercy Regional College side and, although the possibility of progressing through to the next stage was off the table, the girls produced their best netball of the day. The defensive efforts from both teams made the game very entertaining to watch and in the end, Mercy won 18 to 11.
These results did not allow for the Inter side to progress through to the next stage and therefore their involvement in the School Sport Victoria competition ends. It was not the result the girls were expecting, but they will find their form at trainings and be ready to participate in the Victorian Schools Netball Championships in Term 3.
Team list: Remy, Jess, Poppy, Tessah, Kiara, Harmony, Mia, Mia and Georgia.
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Senior Team
The Senior girls’' team competed in three games in the Greater Western region stage of the competition. They had three wins in their pool rounds that resulted in finishing comfortably on top of the ladder and moving directly into a grand final against long-time rivals Emmanuel College. It was a very hard-fought game and at half time Trinity was down by two goals. A few changes were made during that break and the new line up saw the team rally and come back on court with a scoring run of six goals in a row.
It was a very impressive last half, with the Trinity team displaying the elite netball that we have come to know. Their skill and work rate in the second half led to a convincing win, allowing them to progress to the state finals of the School Sport Victoria competition later this year.
A great achievement by all girls with fantastic netball in all games. Well done, team.
Team list: Briea, Sienna, Olivia, Remy, Zara, Alexis, Taya, Amahni and Sienna.
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Intermediate Boys' Football Update
Intermediate Boys' Football Update
Trinity College Colac Intermediate Football team has had an eventful term, with students showcasing their talents on three separate occasions.
We began at the local SSV Coastal competition, where the team had a strong win against CSC. This was followed by a thrilling match against St Joseph's Geelong, where Trinity secured a one-point victory.
The term ended with the SSV Greater Western competition in Ballarat. Despite narrow losses in both games against Monivae College and Emmanuel College, the team played admirably and never gave up.
The team represented Trinity College very well, putting in 100 per cent effort while displaying excellent sportsmanship on all three occasions.
Thank you to all players and helpers for your contribution to the Trinity intermediate football team this year.
Mr Patrick Seal
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Greater Western Girls' Football
Greater Western Girls' Football
Trinity girls’ football put in a tremendous effort at the Greater Western competition, highlighting the spirit and determination of the teams.
The Junior team won three of their four games, highlighting their enormous future potential. Their first victory was against Ballarat High School, followed by wins against Mercy Regional College and Horsham College. In the final match of the day, Trinity lost to Emmanuel College, placing them in second position, which is a fantastic achievement.
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The Year 9/10 team faced terrible conditions from the first bounce with wind and rain being a factor throughout the day. This did not dampen the girls’ spirits as they competed hard from the first until the last bounce.
In the first game they faced Horsham College, which was a well-drilled side reflecting the final score with Trinity 0.1 to Horsham 3.1. In the second game we faced Monivae College and the girls displayed their skills and competitive spirit to achieve a win of 4.1 to 2.0. Overall, it was a fantastic day in which the girls should be proud of battling the harshest of conditions.
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Parent Resources
Seasons for Growth – Year 7 program
Seasons for Growth – Year 7 program
Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At Trinity College we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters, children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering an education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence on 22 July.
This program is facilitated in small groups of up to seven participants and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practice new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Perception in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.
If you think your child would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to them about it. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you require further information please contact Ellie Metcalfe, from Wellbeing on emetcalfe@tcc.vic.edu.au.
Every Minute Counts
Every Minute Counts
School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.
School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages across primary and secondary levels. It can often occur during times of transition at school. More recently, the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. Dealing with a school refusal child can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging time. School refusal is not considered a formal psychiatric diagnosis. It’s a name given to an emotional and/or behavioural problem.
In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will learn how best to approach this issue and work towards a solution.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school wellbeing team for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the School Refusal edition of SchoolTV.
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It's Time We Talked – free parent presentation
It's Time We Talked – free parent presentation
There is always something that we need to be diligent about and the prevalence of social media, particularly platforms that are difficult to monitor or restrict, make it that much more difficult. Fads and influencers come and go; YouTubers and TikTok producers are here one minute and gone the next but they can leave impressions on our young people that are not desirable. They can be, in effect, role models for our children and are distributing toxic and damaging misinformation.
Young people are seeking their tribe. They need to feel accepted and validated and online sites can be a fast and easy way to find that sense of belonging. But statistics show that our children are at the mercy of unscrupulous content creators who only care about making money. There are the ones that are seemingly innocuous – wanna-be comedians and models amongst others – but deeply inappropriate content is just a few clicks away. It is well documented that the average age reported for first viewing pornography online is 12 – and some suggest it is even lower. It is touted that maybe 58% stumble across inappropriate online content accidentally due to platforms having poor restrictions and privacy settings but concerningly the rest are intentionally seeking sites that portray alarming activity that is entirely improper and downright damaging for our children to experience.
Increased access to explicit material online has been accompanied by rising concerns that it leads to misrepresentation of relationships and increased violence against women in real life. The situation is dire and as parents we need to do something about it. Speaking to your young people is a start, but it is sometimes a complicated conversation and don’t feel as if you are alone in wondering how to effectively raise the issue with your teen. Also, please do not think that this doesn’t apply to you – we all need to be aware that it is a community issue that affects us all.
As such, Trinity has invited guest speaker Maree Crabbe, who is director of the Australian violence prevention initiative, It’s Time We Talked, to present to our community about this insidious issue. Maree is an educator, author, researcher and filmmaker who is passionate about gender-based violence prevention and supporting parents with regards to pornography’s influence on young people. All members of our Colac community are welcome to attend and the session is for over 18s only. I urge you to come along – it is free and you can register on our College website .
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Smokeless Tobacco Products
Smokeless Tobacco Products
The evolving nicotine landscape requires parents and caregivers to stay informed to protect young people from these emerging threats. Snus and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among young people as smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. Both products are discreetly placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine absorption through the gums.
Health authorities are urging proactive measures to curb this growing trend and calling on regulators to implement controls before these products become as widespread as vapes. The high nicotine levels in these products pose serious health risks, including nicotine addiction, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and even nicotine poisoning. Researchers highlight the detrimental effects of nicotine on developing brains, linking its use to depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and an increased risk of addiction to other drugs.
The marketing of snus and nicotine pouches targets young audiences through social media influencers, raising concerns about their increasing popularity among school students. And like vapes, they come in various flavours and strengths, with unregulated nicotine levels leading to inconsistent and misleading labelling. It is clear that SLT products contain not only nicotine, but also other chemicals with unknown long-term effects.
This Special Report will help you become aware of the potential risks of smokeless tobacco products and guide you in age-appropriate discussions with your child.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://tcc.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-smokeless-tobacco-products-au
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Important Dates
Monday 24 June
Year 10 Work Experience commences
Friday 28 June
Term 2 concludes 2:30pm
Monday 15 July
Term 3 commences
Community Notices
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