From the Principal

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
So much has happened since our last newsletter. We have had successful teams compete in the Gold Cost Soccer Tournament and the Melbourne Band Festival. We have welcomed back students from the China Trip and the Year 12 Aquatics Camp. Students have been busy rehearsing for the College Musical and the Year 12 Drama Production. Both Senior football teams won their night matches against Pulteney Grammar last Friday night and interviews have been held for students wishing to attend the 2013 Cambodia trip.

TCS Prefect Jessica Rowley competed with five other students for the title of Lions Youth of the Year at the State Finals in April. Jessica found the experience very rewarding and appreciated the support of the Gawler Lions Club.

Year 11 student Rebecca Pearson was presented with the Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship at the Assembly on Monday.

With the breadth of opportunities such as these no wonder we are so proud of our students.

COLLEGE BLUES AND POCKETS
Sports and cultural activities Pockets and Blues were awarded at our assembly last week. Congratulations to all. See a full list here. 

SPORTS DAY AWARDS
The spirit of competition was high amongst tutor groups during our recent Sports Day. The ultimate winners were South School based tutor groups, May/McKinlay being the overall winning group.  To see how all the teams performed on the day click here.

AROUND THE SCHOOL
Students visited the UniSA Technology Centre (Year 12 IT) and the State Library of South Australia (Year 12 History) last week. 

Targeting Talents is up and running for Term 2.

The second round of six weekly reports will be posted home this week. 

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) visited the school and presented information to interested Year 11 and 12 students.

Year 11 Childcare students hosted our Montessori children last week providing cooking and eating experiences for the youngsters.

SHARED DUTY OF CARE
TCS students are currently able to use STARplex, including the cafe, at set times before and after school if they have a reasonable reason for being in STARplex.  In order to preserve this entitlement, our students must be on their best behaviour, in full school uniform and show respect to all of the community members of STARplex. I believe, in general, this happens and the mix of school and community members is both supportive and beneficial. 

STARplex is not a suitable place for senior students to do their homework and students and parents are reminded that the Trinty College Library is open until 4:30pm each night.

The benefits of STARplex are enormous and the presence of TCS students should only ever enhance the reputation of Trinity College. 

KYM REYNOLDS
Principal

From the Head of the College

The recent holidays saw an amazing number of opportunities grasped by Trinity students.  A large number of musicians represented the college with distinction at the National Band Championships in Victoria.  The First XI Soccer team won a significant tournament on the Gold Coast against leading schools from all over Australia.  An intrepid group of students, staff and parents toured China, reaffirming links with our sister school in Beijing.

The winning of tournaments or musical events is always fantastic for those involved but what really pleased me is the number of positive comments flooding back to the College regarding the excellent behaviour of our young ambassadors.  Our kids have been described to me as helpful, warm, mature, engaging and thoughtful.  Our generous staff gave up considerable holiday time to make these events happen and the students lived up to the high expectations that were placed upon them.

Recently, Trinity has received good publicity for quality academic results via national media.  It is pleasing to be acknowledged on a list of leading schools, but it is crucial everyone in education appreciates NAPLAN results are only a very small part of a truly great education.

Winter sport has started in Soccer, Hockey, Basketball, Football and Netball and there was a wonderful spirit across the College as I moved around on Saturday.  I hope to see you on the sidelines at some stage.

NICK HATELY
Head of Trinity College

Study Tip - Student Self Motivation

The following is extracted from ‘Regulation of Motivation: Evaluating an Underemphasized Aspect of Self-Regulated Learning” by C. Wolters. (Educational Psychologist, 2003, 38(4), pp.189-205).

REWARDS: Many students set rewards for themselves “I’ll read this section then I can eat this sandwich.” Some students use the opposite, punishments; they create consequences for themselves where they will deprive themselves if they do not do the work.

SELF-PRAISE: Some students find that recognising their progress to themselves and praising themselves for their efforts creates a more positive mental environment and encourages them to keep going. Comments such as “Well done, you’ve solved yet another problem!” can help create mental stamina.

GOAL-ORIENTED SELF-TALK: Students who think about why they are studying or what possible future outcomes may be from putting in effort can also strengthen the effect of these thoughts by making sub-vocal statements while they are engaged in an academic activity. When faced with an urge to stop working they may focus on the thought of getting better marks, or getting into a particular course at uni or even the satisfaction of learning a new skill or developing self-discipline.

INTEREST ENHANCEMENT: This involves looking for ways to make the task to be completed more interesting or enjoyable. Even making slight modifications to make something less boring or repetitive. One student found that by writing notes in a different style it made the activity more inspiring.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRUCTURING: This is also referred to as resource management and is all about removing temptations and creating an environment that is more conducive to studying. It may even mean studying in a different location such as a local or school library in order to stay focused on the tasks to be completed.

PROXIMAL GOAL-SETTING: Breaking larger tasks into smaller more manageable chunks will help students to feel more motivated about what needs to be done. Setting specific and achievable short-term goals with an allocated time-frame can help increase students sense of efficacy.

DEFENSIVE PESSIMISM:  “I think about how unprepared I am in order to get myself to work harder.” There is mixed research about this approach and the negativity involved. However, every student is different and for some students making themselves a bit anxious about what they haven’t done may be necessary to get them to start doing their work.

EMOTIONAL CONTROL: Thoughts produce feelings, feelings lead to actions. If we can make our thoughts and feelings more positive, this can lead to more positive actions. When students are feeling unmotivated, strategies such as taking a short amount of time to close your eyes and engage in deep slow breathing, or counting slowly backwards from 10 while thinking positive reassuring thoughts about their abilities to do what has to be done has been found to be beneficial.

Learn more at the Developing Motivation unit  at the Study Skills Handbook website. 

Trinity College  subscription details are -
Username: fortrinitysaonly
Password: 103results

Tips for Preparing for an Interview

Mr Gair Bethley (Adelaide Convention Centre Training and Development Manager) provided their Top 10 Must Dos to better your chances of getting THAT job during last Monday’s assembly. Read more here.

College News

2012 TRINITY COLLEGE CHINA TRIP
During the recent school holidays 26 members of the Trinity community (18 students and eight teachers and parents) travelled to China. Participants enjoyed a very successful trip. Our students’ behaviour and manners were of a very good standard and our sister school Beijing No. 8 Middle School staff and families were very impressed with our students’ effort and manners.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - TRINITY COLLEGE INC
Monday 7 May 2012
7.00pm for 7.30pm start
Download more information here.

2012 LEADERSHIP DINNER
Wednesday 16 May
Gawler Arms Hotel
6.00pm – 9.00pm
A buffet meal and an evening of fabulous connection with all Trinity College Leaders and staff members. Download further information here.

MUSICAL TRIVIA NIGHT - GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON
Friday 18 May
6:30pm for a 7.00pm start
Tickets: $15 per person or $100 for table
Organise a team or bring the family and test your knowledge at the Musical Trivia Night. Book a table of 10 but smaller groups are also welcome. Tickets available from Middle School Offices, Central Admin, call Jayan Mace on 85238 138 or send an email.

SPONSOR THE COLLEGE MUSICAL
Do you have a small business or work for a company that loves to support student projects? The College Musical is seeking financial sponsorship at varying levels to help make this year’s production the best yet. Financial sponsorship offers many benefits including potential exposure for your business or company to about 3500 students and their families and most of the Northern suburbs. For more information please email or phone Ms Jayan Mace on 85238 138.

Congratulations

SENIOR BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS SUCCESS
During the Easter break, the Trinity College Senior Band travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian National Band Competitions.  About 80 bands competed in the various divisions and the trip was a most successful excursion in a number of ways.  Trinity College won three of the four categories and we achieve an overall second position in our division.

Our students heard and mingled with the very best bands in Australia and their behaviour was outstanding. The comaraderie enjoyed on the train and during excursions in Melbourne was also fabulous.

The Easter service prepared by Ruth Mathieson was held on Easter Sunday in the early morning. All band members sat in their band seats before our warm up for the actual competition. The students were all quiet and appropriately reflective during this time. Three Year 11 boys led the service (Conor Roche, Darien Hodgson and Sam Paton) and did a wonderful job. It really helped to settle the students and calm their nerves. The quiet time it gave them was priceless in such a busy lead up to the performance. It was really quite moving.

Thanks to Louise Skelton, Kristy Williamson, Lesley Raymond, and Anne-Marie Roche for outstanding support and thanks also to Wayne and Sue Philp for being there when needed all weekend. It was a very special experience for our talented Trinity students, thanks to all staff for making this excursion possible.

BRUCE RAYMOND
Director Bands and Ensembles

SHANNON BROOKES PLACEMENT WITH CSIRO
Congratulations to Year 11 student Shannon Brookes who was recently selected to participate in a work experience placement with CSIRO. Shannon will spend a week in Melbourne in July working with a world class team who have just identified the protein in Alzheimer's Disease. Shannon was selected from a field of over 100 other applicants from around Australia. Her successful application was based on her submission of a formal report and resume along with her school reports.  She was one of a few to be selected to work with Dr Jo Caine, a neurodisease research scientist at the CSIRO Division of Materials Science and Engineering.

Sports News

FIRST XI SOCCER-GOLD COAST TOURNAMENT
During the first week of the school holidays, members of the First XI Soccer Squad travelled to the Gold Coast to compete in a tournament. The boys were successful in winning this competition. Congratulations to all involved. Read a full report here.

ATHLETICS
During the last week of Term 1, the College athletics team competed in the Secondary School Sports South Australia (SSSSA) A-Grade Athletics Carnival. The team finished a very creditable fourth in the State in both boys and girls. Numerous students won individual events, while Jackson Potter (U/14 200m), Phoebe Matthews (U/14 400m) and James Deanshaw (U/15 Long Jump) were each awarded a standard badge, meaning their performances were of a national standard. Read a full report here.

Team captains Katie Devlin, Terry Collyns and Daniel Elvin

DROUGHT-BREAKING WIN FOR 1st XVIII
After a winless 2011, the taste of victory was exceptionally sweet for the Trinity College footballers. Trinity College 1st XVIII  (16.16.112) defeated Pulteney Grammar (6.6.42).

The four-quarter effort demonstrated a new found fitness, toughness at the contested ball and a willingness to work hard to execute the structures set up by the new coach Mark Weaver. The relentlessness of all the players was rewarded with some excellent passages where the ball was moved quickly from the defence to the goal line. Big tackles started the game for the Lions causing the opposition to second guess around the contested ball. Well done to all the players. Best players were T. Collyns, D. Elvin, J. Foulis, J. Reynolds, M. Magee, J. Henneker and L Goss. Goals: L.Goss (6) and J.Reynolds (4). See our victorious team sing the College song here.

WINTER SEASON FIXTURES
All the draws are up for the College teams competing in winter sport in the Sports Association of Adelaide Schools (SAAS) competition. Check our Fixtures webpage for the yearly schedule. Fixtures are subject to change so you should check back regularly for changes to the original schedule.

STARplex News

MINI OLYMPICS COMES TO STARPLEX
Sunday 15 July
In the spirit of the Olympic year, STARplex will hold a Mini Olympics. The event is open to the wider community and will give students, teachers and parents the opportunity to learn about and participate in Olympic Games. Individuals and families can register. Anyone interested in volunteering as an official to assist in the smooth operation of sporting events should leave contact details at STARplex Reception. Find out more here.

STARLIGHT WEEK
Monday 7 May - Sunday 13 May
STARplex will turn purple and yellow to mark Starlight Week. Balloons, colouring in stars, merchandise, Mother's Day packs and flowers will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to the Starlight Foundation.

SPECIAL GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
Monday 7 May and Tuesday 8 May
Contact Reception for further details.

POSITION VACANT
STARstore Sales Consultant
Casual - minimum 10 hours per fortnight (inclusive of weekends). Find out more here.

HEWITSON THEATRE COMING EVENTS

'OFF THE CUFF' - SA POLICE BAND
Friday 18 May
11.00am show
$15
The SA Police Band plays a variety of popular and modern brass and big band classics, which is sure to add a bright and energetic spark to your day.

BLUE LIGHT DISCO
Friday 18 May and Friday 15 June
7.00pm - 10.00pm (lock-in)
8-17yrs
$6 (purchase at STARplex Reception until 5pm on the day, or at the door)

MEMORIES OF MEMPHIS
Saturday 16 June
7.30pm for 8.00pm show (dinner from 6.00pm)
Dinner and show tickets: adults $42, concession $37
Show only tickets: adults $25, concession $20
Andy Seymour and band pay tribute to world famous singer Elvis Presley, woven together with stories from his life, his loves and music.

Visit our Coming Events webpage for further details.

Come in and visit or phone STARplex Reception on 8522 0622 to find out more or to make a booking.