30 July 2025

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Families and Friends of the Trinity Catholic College Community,

UoN High Performing Student Program

On Wednesday morning last week, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of students in the University of Newcastle High Performing Student Program, who were awarded certificates in first-year university units across Business, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences at a graduation ceremony in the University Great Hall. I was so proud to see several of our students walk across the stage to receive their awards and recognition.

The program is an aspirational pathway encouraging students to aim higher, say yes to opportunities, and surround themselves with likeminded people. More than academic excellence, the graduation ceremony recognised the motivation, dedication, and perseverance of these students. Congratulations and well done to our graduates. Details appear later in this newsletter.

Athletics Carnival

Last Wednesday the college also enjoyed a splendid day at our Athletics Carnival. The attendance was a little down on the usual probably due to the initially inclement weather, but the atmosphere at the carnival was one of fun and great participation. The students who attended had a thoroughly enjoyable day, as did the staff. Carnivals are a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to mix in a less formal setting, to have fun and to build college spirit. Huge thanks to Mr Pitfield for his overall organisation and to our wonderful staff team for making the day a successful one. Congratulations to Mr Marsh and team Mackillop (2024 = 6th - 2025 = 1st). Details appear later in this newsletter.

International Year of Quantum Science Technology

UNESCO and the UN General Assembly have proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. This initiative aims to 'raise public awareness of the importance of quantum science and its applications', as well as to celebrate and recognise 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. But why is this scientific discipline so relevant in today’s world?

Quantum mechanics is widely considered the most successful scientific theory in history due to its exceptional ability to explain and predict a vast array of phenomena in the physical world, from the behaviour of atoms and subatomic particles to the properties and behaviour of materials.

Quantum mechanics has led to the development of lasers, light-emitting diodes, transistors, superconductors, medical imaging (MRI), electron microscopes, atomic clocks and a host of other modern devices. Computers, TVs, mobile phones and the GPS are some common modern technologies that would not exist without the science of quantum mechanics. While it presents conceptual challenges and its interpretation remains debated, its predictive power and practical applications are unparalleled.

Quantum science is certainly an exciting and worthwhile area for students who are good at Mathematics and Science, especially Physics, to explore as a possible career. STEM education and careers provide a huge range of opportunities for our students to explore.

Best wishes,

Robert Emery
Principal
Trinity Catholic College Adamstown NSW
Nurturing faith, excellence & lifelong learning

SAFEGUARDING

Please see link below to Trinity College Child Protection policy and procedures developed from the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy.

LIBRARY

Book Week

Book an Adventure on Aug 19

Get ready for a brilliant Book Week filled with fun, flair, and fabulous fiction!

Exciting news! This year, we are celebrating Book Week in a big way. Not only will we be holding the usual guessing comps, games and trivia throughout the week, we are also holding a BOOK PARADE!!

Participating staff and students will have the opportunity on Aug 19 to strut their stuff, dressed as their favourite characters from literature. Judiciously judged by Mr Emery, prizes will be awarded to the most impressive book characters.

As expected, the staff have leapt at the chance to dress up,and are busy planning their costumes. PDHPE and HSIE are particularly excited!

The parade is voluntary, and participating students will be allotted some time to change into costume. If you’d like to take part, start planning now.

More details will be announced closer to Book Week.

GIFTED EDUCATION

High Potential and Gifted Education Program

University of Newcastle High Performing Students Program 2025

During Semester 1, five Trinity Catholic College students undertook the challenge of studying a university course as part of the University of Newcastle’s High Performing Student Program.

The High Performing Students Program gives outstanding high school students a chance to try university-level courses while still in school.

This program helps students reach their academic goals, explore career options, and get to know the university. Students may even earn credit that counts toward future university studies.

On Wednesday July 23, the graduation ceremony for this year’s cohort was held at the Great Hall. We would like to recognise the amazing achievements of our students:

• Alexis Turkovic (Year 10)- Foundations of Health and Disease
• Lillian Scanlon (Year 10)- Globalisation and International Management
• Austin Harris (Year 10)- Globalisation and International Management
• Ryu Ando (Year 10)- Discrete Mathematics
• Clancy Scanlon (Year 9)- Globalisation and International Management

Congratulations to these students for not only successful completion of the program, but for showing dedication to your studies and commitment to academic excellence. Well done!

SPORT

NSWCCC Football qualifier                              Speers Point                                 2 July 2025

NSW Inter School Equestrian Championships

Congratulations to Zali Keegan (Year 11), who recently achieved an impressive 10th place out of 41 riders in the Senior 90cm Showjumping division at the NSW Interschool State Equestrian Championships, held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Zali is now preparing to compete in a three-day event in Quirindi later this term. We wish her the very best of luck!

Representative Rugby League

Congratulations to Zoe Figallo, Ivy Hagan, and Finn Cartwright, who recently represented the NSWCCC 16 Years and NSW CCC Country 15 Years teams in Rugby League competitions.

Zoe and Ivy travelled to Townsville to compete in the Australian Rugby League Championships, where their team had a strong tournament, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after being defeated by eventual winners, Queensland, in the semi-final. Ivy’s outstanding efforts throughout the week were recognised with the NSWCCC Most Valuable Player award.

Finn and his NSW Country team spent a week based at St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown, where they toured high-performance programs at NRL clubs including the Raiders, Sea Eagles, Bulldogs, and Rabbitohs. The team also played several matches, recording impressive wins over the Newcastle Knights U15s (30–0) and the Penrith Panthers U15s (30–12).

2025 TCC Athletics Records

Indi Bale – 13yrs Javelin – 22.18m
Oliver Dempsey – 15yrs Discus – 31.90m
Oliver Dempsey – 15yrs Shot Put – 13.71m

Regional Oz-Tag                                                         Waratah Oval                  24 July 2025

Upcoming Events

A reminder that St Pius X is a member of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC). Updated information and a detailed list of all individual and team pathway events / carnivals can be found at:

COMING EVENTS

Accounts Office

School Contact Details

ALINTA UNIFORM SHOP

Operating Hours – School Term

Tuesday – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Friday – 10.00am to 12.00pm

ALL VISITORS TO THE ALINTA UNIFORM SHOP MUST SIGN IN AT THE ALINTA SHOP
FOR UNIFORM FITTING APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE REFER TO:  https://shop.alintaapparel.com.au/

SECOND-HAND UNIFORMS

Trinity Catholic College also runs a parent-to-parent service which enables all parents to buy/sell second-hand uniform items.  The service works in the following way:

1. Parents/carers email details of the item/s required to buy/sell and supply a contact number to admin@adamstowntcc.catholic.edu.au.
2. These details are then advertised in a special “Second-hand Uniforms” section of each Newsletter (last page).
3. The advertisement will run for one month or two editions of the Newsletter.
4. Parents/carers will simply contact the number supplied and deal directly with the person buying/selling.

Calling all St Therese’s Primary School New Lambton Alumni:

Share your story as part of our Centenary Celebration!

We are thrilled to announce a special celebration to honour a century of formation, learning, growth, and community at St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton. As we prepare for this milestone, we invite our beloved alumni to enrich the festivities with their cherished memories and experiences.

Whether you graduated or worked at the school last year or fifty years ago, your story is part of our rich history and we would love to hear from you!

Ways to get involved 

Share historic items for our centenary display exhibition

We would be grateful to receive any of the following items, which would be returned safely to their owners, following the centenary celebrations.

• Copies of photos taken at the school
• School uniform items
• School books or reports
• Newspaper clippings

Our intention is for these items to form part of a St Therese’s Primary School centenary display exhibition, which students and community members will be invited to view in the Fr Walsh Room- one of the school’s original buildings.

Share your story!
Our St Therese’s student reporters are eager to tell your story and learn from your experiences. If you attended our school as a student or staff member and would be willing to share your story, they would love to hear from you.

You can opt to share your experiences in a variety of ways, including;          

• Responding to questions via email
• Taking part in a phone interview
• Taking part in a face-to-face interview at the school

The interviews will be short yet meaningful, focusing on things like the friendships you made, the teachers who inspired you, what you lesson from the school has remained with you over the years and, how your time at St Therese’s has shaped your life’s journey. Your responses will form part of a historic record that celebrates the voices of St Therese’s alumni.

Timeframe for submissions

If you have a historic item or story to share, please get in touch by Monday 18 August.

Email: admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au with the subject heading ‘100 year celebration’
Phone:  (02) 4957 4922

When you reach out, please let us know if you have an item you would like to share and/or, if you would be interested to take part in an interview (via email, phone or face to face). We will then work with you, to make sure your story forms part our celebrations.

More information about the celebrations, which will be held on 31 October, will be shared closer to the date. 

Thank you
St Therese’s Primary School Centenary Celebrations Committee