27 August 2025

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Families and Friends of the Trinity Catholic College Community 

Book Week

Last week we celebrated Book Week with a Book Parade. This is our first one ever. A small number of students and many staff participated in the dressing-up. It was a lot of fun and there is some more detail later in this newsletter. The purpose was to encourage all students to read for pleasure. I spoke about the many benefits of regular reading at the Stage 4 Assembly – yes dressed as Dumbledore. Hopefully, our Book Parade will grow into an annual celebration here at Trinity.

Respectful Behaviours

Respect is a virtue, specifically a moral virtue. It is a fundamental aspect of good character and is essential for building positive relationships and a harmonious society or community. Respect forms the basis for ethical behaviour and interactions, encouraging kindness, consideration, and empathy. Respect is a conscious choice and a practice that reflects a commitment to ethical behaviour and positive social interactions. This is why I consider respect to be such an important expectation for everyone in the Trinity Catholic College community.

Two weeks ago, I spoke to each Year group to remind our students of the essential nature of respect and that at Trinity it is the first of our RAISE expectations in our Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) matrix. As most would be aware, our PB4L Framework is an evidence-based framework that involves the whole-school community contributing to the development of a positive, safe and supportive learning culture.

I spoke to the students because we have recently had some issues, mainly on the Yard at break times, but also in some classes, which demonstrate a complete lack of respect for staff. These issues have included where students, mainly boys in groups, either have been defiant in not following the directions of teachers on Yard Duty or have surrounded the teacher on duty when one member of the group is called over by the teacher for a quick corrective word. The latter can be very threatening and frightening for any teacher but especially for female teachers.

We have also had some issues around boys being disrespectful towards their female student peers. An example of this is boys who, when a female student is answering or asking a question in class, choose to talk over the top of her, as if what she is saying is not as important as what they want to say. There are many other examples.

Let me state up front that I do not believe for an instant that all such behaviour stems from a deliberate desire to be defiant or disrespectful. Some does, but overall, our students are good-hearted young people, as you well-know. Most of this behaviour stems from the lack of maturity of boys aged between 12 and 16, who do not stop to think before acting and who tend to make poor decisions when in groups.

As I have mentioned, we are actively dealing with this issue by educating our students in the nature and expectation of respect and by using our PB4L Framework to call out and correct those students who are doing the wrong things. We will get there, but this sort of behaviour requires constant monitoring and reminders when dealing with adolescents.

How can you help? Could I please ask you, parents and carers, at an appropriate time, to have a discussion with your child about your own expectations of respect, in the family, at work, in sport, when socialising and so on. That would greatly support our ongoing work in this area at the college. Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert Emery
Principal

Trinity Catholic College Adamstown NSW
Faith + Hope + Love

SAFEGUARDING

Office of Safeguarding Website 

Parent and Carer Information Sessions

ROAD SAFETY

Dear Parents & Carers

I am writing to raise serious concerns re the ongoing traffic congestion and unsafe parking practices in the school’s rear car park and driveway leading to the roundabout.

Daily, especially at pick-up time, the flow of traffic is disrupted by:

* Parents parking on the driveway, preventing vehicles in designated car parks from leaving.

* Double parking over other vehicles and onto the driveway, creating complete blockages.

* Some cars moving too fast.

Please be careful and considerate of others when dropping off & picking up your children.  Respect and safety are paramount.  Please help keep everyone and especially your children safe.

Thanks for your consideration.

Robert Emery
Principal

WELLBEING

Anxiety and Young People

Anxiety is natural and expected part of growing up. In fact, it plays an important role in helping young people prepare for challenges, stay alert to potential dangers and adapt to new situations. It can motivate them to study for a test, practise before a performance, or tread carefully in unfamiliar settings. However, for many adolescents today, anxiety can shift from being a helpful response to becoming intense, persistent and disruptive.

The world young people are growing up in is fast-paced and often demanding. Academic pressures, social expectations, family changes and the constant presence of digital media, can all contribute to heightened stress and worry.

When anxiety is left unrecognised or unsupported, it can begin to affect a young person's wellbeing, learning, friendships and self-confidence. That's why it's so important for adult carers to understand how anxiety may present in adolescents. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

This edition of SchoolTV raises awareness and provides families with practical strategies to help young people manage anxiety in healthy, constructive ways.

Here is the link:  https://adamstowntcc.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/anxiety-young-people-au

LIBRARY

Our first-ever Trinity Catholic College Book Week parade and celebrations were nothing short of magical! In honour of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s 80 years of Book Week, our community came together to celebrate the joy of reading, imagination, and storytelling.

A highlight was our Book Parade, which brought literature to life with a star-studded cast of characters. From Themistocles to Anne Elliot and the menacing Miss Trunchbull —the day was alive with colour, energy, and fun. To top it off, we were treated to a magical visit from professors and students of Hogwarts, including a very special appearance by Principal Dumbledore himself at assembly!

A special shout-out to Luka Carty, Charlotte Wilkins and Mia Kelly for their exceptional character costumes. Ethan Rocha’s Jurassic Park costume also gained a ‘Highly Commended’. Our ‘Match the Teacher to the Book’ competition was won by Lacey Dotti, who managed to get 12 correct. Well done Lacey!! Our ‘Guess the Page’ winner was Aidan Beckett – Aidan’s guess was spot on! Page 111.

Book Week reminds us all of the importance of reading—not only as a way to learn and grow, but also as a way to explore worlds beyond our own, to connect with others, and to spark creativity. A huge thank you to all staff and students who embraced the spirit of the week so enthusiastically. Here’s to many more years of celebrating books, stories, and the power they hold to change lives!

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”
                                                                                                         Napoléon Bonaparte

MATHEMATICS

Year 11 Accelerated Mathematics

Trinity Catholic College Year 11 Accelerated Mathematics students completed their Trial HSC in Mathematics Advanced on 14 August 2025. This was a was a 3-hour assessment covering Year 11 and 12 topics of:

Functions, Trigonometry and applications, Trigonometric Functions, Exponentials and Logarithms, Probability and Venn Diagrams, Descriptive Statistics and Bivariate Data Analysis, Random Variables, Graphing Techniques, Differential Calculus and applications, Integral Calculus, Sequences/Series and Modelling Financial Situations.

Congratulations to our inaugural group of HSC students. The College is very proud of your efforts to complete all your coursework and study to-date in Mathematics. These students will now embark on a period of revision for their HSC in Mathematics (Advanced) in October.

Australian Mathematics Competition

On Thursday August 7 a group of Trinity Catholic College students took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition.  They tested themselves against a wide range of puzzles designed to get them thinking mathematically and give them the joy of solving a tricky problem. We now await the results and certificates and look forward to sharing our success in the future.

GIFTED EDUCATION

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office has released a new blog for families of high potential and gifted children: Seeing the World Like Leonardo, Einstein, and Aristotle – Three Ways to Nurture Genius Thinking in Your Child.

It highlights three ways children view the world - connecting ideas like Leonardo, imagining possibilities like Einstein, and seeking patterns and purpose like Aristotle - and offers practical tips for families to support these strengths.

WORLD SCHOLAR’S COMPETITION

Congratulations to Madailein Carter (Year 9), who has been previously recognised for her participation in the World Scholar's Competition. We can now share that Madailein and her team have been successful in qualifying for the Global round! We look forward to sharing updates on Madailein's progress. Well done!

YOUTH PARLIAMENT

Youth Parliament is not just about parliamentary processes — it is a chance for young people to have a voice and provoke change within different departments of government. Through Youth Parliament, I have learnt that everyone has a story and something they are extremely passionate about.

Being given the opportunity to write a bill about equitable access to alternative educational pathways, and to debate this bill in front of the Honourable Sarah Mitchell (Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning), was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience. Every bill passed in Youth Parliament becomes a Youth Act, and I am proud to say that I contributed to the development of the ‘Equitable Access to Alternative Educational Pathways Youth Act 2025.’

Youth Parliament was a memorable program, where I met diverse and inspiring young people from all across NSW, creating lifelong memories and friendships.

The Youth Parliament Program is for everyone — whether you want to go into politics, speak out about issues, or simply contribute to positive change. This program is beneficial for anyone, and I strongly encourage those wanting to make a difference to apply for NSW Youth Parliament 2026 next year.

Additionally, for the first time, there will be a National Youth Parliament 2026 held in Canberra.

By Chloe Douglass

CHEERLEADING

Our TCC Cheerleading Team proudly represented the school at the AASCF NSW Cheer Battle held at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, achieving an outstanding 2nd place in their division. The students have been training with commitment and determination since the beginning of the year, and we are very proud of their efforts and teamwork. We now look forward to cheering them on again as they prepare for their next competition, the CheerCon Battle of the Beaches in Newcastle this October.

SPORT

Australian Water Polo Championships

Congratulations to Archie Jones (Year 10) who recently represented the Under 19s NSWCCC at the Australian Water Polo Exchange in Queensland. Archie had a great tournament, resulting in him gaining selection as a reserve for the NSW Under 15s team - an excellent achievement that enables him to train with the squad and remain in consideration for selection at the national tournament in September. Well done, Archie.

NSWCCC Football Quarter Finals Coffs Harbour 14 August 2025

After winning the Diocesan Championships our girls’ Football teams travelled to Coffs harbour to compete in the Quarter Finals of the NSWCCC Football Knockout.

7-9 Girls – QF vs John Paul College

In a tense and evenly matched game, the scores were level at full-time, sending the contest to a penalty shootout. Holding their nerve under pressure, our girls triumphed on penalties, booking their place in the semi-finals of the NSW CCC Championships.

Open Girls - QF vs John Paul College

The Open girls’ side fought hard in their quarter-final against John Paul College, Coffs Harbour, but were narrowly defeated 2–1, bringing their campaign to an end.

Dio Athletics Championships Glendale 20 August 2025

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the Maitland Newcastle Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships:

A detailed list of results from the Diocesan Athletics Carnival can be found at:

Upcoming Events

A reminder that Trinity Catholic College 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

School Contact Details

Accounts Office

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/

Kickstarter : What's in Nana's Suitcase? by Mr Jonathan Sharples

We’re bringing a world of music, fun, and imagination to life! What’s in Nana’s Suitcase? is our brand-new children’s musical, and we’re raising funds to create three custom-made puppets—The Funky Monkey, The Boogie Woogie Bear, and Percy the Counting Punk Pug. Your support will help these lovable characters leap from the stage straight into children’s hearts.
Check out our Kickstarter campaign page to make a pledge and view all our fantastic rewards—and please share with family, friends, and colleagues, as well as on social media, to help us get the word out!