Secondary News
- May 22
- 3 min read
T2, Week 5
Stage 6 Roadshow
Thank you to our Year 10 families who joined us yesterday afternoon for our Stage 6, Subject Information Roadshow. This is such an exciting milestone for our Year 10 students as they explore and plan their next steps in learning, toward the HSC.
This time provided a great opportunity for families to look into ATAR and non-ATAR pathways, TVET (TAFE) courses, School-Based Traineeships (SBATs), and Distance Education. We were also grateful to have had representatives from Avondale University and the University of Newcastle, who shared valuable insights into future degree options.
We are looking forward to continuing these conversations over the weeks ahead with our TVET/SBAT afternoon and Individual Interviews.
Work Experience
Our Year 10 students are blessed with the opportunity to participate in our Work Experience Program. This is a week-long program where they can seek placement in a workplace of interest. Many of them return to school having gained confidence, skills in communication, further independence, a real sense of teamwork, forming new relationships and learning new skills. We are looking forward to hearing the great moments from this experience. A reminder to all Year 10 students to return their Work Experience form to Mrs Billett by the end of this term.
Mrs A Neale
Head of Secondary
Careers Expo
Last Friday, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to engage with industry personnel as well as university and TAFE representatives at the Hunter Valley Career Expo.
This was a wonderful occasion for our students to learn more about the world of work and the abundance of opportunities that await them in planning for their future career goals.
Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain real-life insight from industry specialists, speak with Universities and other educational institutions as they begin to decide their next steps.
Mrs P Billett
Secondary Teacher
A Three-Part Series on Anxiety
Part 1: When Anxiety Starts to Take Over
Anxiety is a normal part of being human. In many ways, anxiety is the brain’s built-in alarm system, designed to help keep us safe from danger. For children and teenagers however, this alarm system can sometimes become overactive.
Young people with anxiety are not “being difficult” or “overreacting.” Often, they are experiencing very real emotional and physical responses that can feel overwhelming to them.
Anxiety can look different from child to child. Some students may appear worried or withdrawn, while others may become irritable, avoid tasks, seek reassurance, or complain of headaches or stomach aches. Sometimes anxiety is easy to spot, and other times it can be hidden beneath perfectionism, emotional shutdown, or frustration.
Common signs of anxiety may include:
frequent worrying
difficulty sleeping
avoidance of school or social situations
reassurance seeking
ruminations
physical complaints or
becoming easily overwhelmed.
It is important to remember that anxiety itself is not harmful. In fact, some anxiety is a normal and healthy part of life. The challenge comes when anxiety begins to interfere with a young person’s confidence, learning, relationships, or ability to participate in everyday activities.
The encouraging news is that anxiety can be managed. With support, understanding, and opportunities to build coping skills gradually, young people can learn that they are capable of handling difficult feelings and challenges.
Mrs A Lai
School Counsellor
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Secondary Key Dates: | |
Wk 6 27th May | Stage 6 TVET and SBAT Information Afternoon Interested Year 10 Students and Families 4pm in the Fishbowl |
Wk 6 27th May | Drama Excursion Year 11 Drama Class |
Wk 6 28th May | Year 7 - 9 Camp Information Afternoon 3:30pm in Staffroom |
Wk 7 4th Jun | Stand Tall Year 10, 11 and 12 |
Wk 7 5th Jun | Lord Mayor’s Student Leadership Forum Secondary Student Leaders |
Wk 8 10th Jun | Elevate Session #2 Year 11 and Year 12 |