Secondary News
- May 29
- 3 min read
T2, Week 6
TVET and SBAT Information Afternoon
Thank you to our Year 10 families who joined us this week for our TVET and SBAT afternoon. As our Year 10 students begin to consider their pathways into Stage 6, they have the exciting opportunity to experience schooling in diverse, flexible ways through our Tall Trees Academy, which can look quite different from traditional senior schooling.
In Senior Secondary, we offer an opportunity for our students to complete a VET (Vocational Education and Training) course through TAFE and other educational institutions. Delivered through TAFE, TVET allows students to attend school for four days a week, with the fifth day dedicated to their TAFE course (either online or onsite at a TAFE facility). TVET offers a flexible, blended learning model, allowing students to balance regular schooling with hands-on training and real-world workplace skills. Studying using this combination enables our students to gain the HSC and also gain an ATAR if they choose.
Our Senior students can also take up the opportunity to complete an SBAT (School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships) whilst continuing their studies at school. An SBAT is an apprenticeship or traineeship undertaken in conjunction with the completion of the HSC. This pathway allows students to combine school, paid employment, and formal training in their chosen fields.
Schooling can look very different for our young people now as they begin to make choices on whether they would like to pursue an ATAR to enter University, complete their HSC whilst working or experience an offsite educational course through TAFE.
We are looking forward to guiding our Year 10 community as they discover their next right steps.
Mrs A Neale
Head of Secondary
A Three-Part Series on Anxiety
Part 2: Why Anxiety Keeps Growing
Anxiety often grows through a cycle sometimes referred to as the “anxiety loop.”
A young person may experience a situation that feels stressful or uncomfortable, such as speaking in class, attending school, trying something new, or making a mistake. Their brains interpret the situation as a threat, which activates the body’s stress response. This can lead to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, stomachaches, tense muscles, shakiness, or feelings of panic.
Because these feelings are uncomfortable, the natural response is often to avoid the situation or seek reassurance. While this may provide temporary relief, the brain can begin to learn “Avoiding this kept me safe.”
Over time, this can unintentionally strengthen anxiety. For example:
This is why anxiety can sometimes seem to “grow” over time if avoidance becomes the main coping strategy.
Parents and carers often step in out of care and compassion to reduce distress. This is completely understandable. However, constantly rescuing children from anxiety-provoking situations can accidentally reinforce the message that they are unable to cope.
Small, supported steps are often the key to breaking the anxiety loop.
The goal of parenthood is not to shield children from uncomfortable emotions, but rather to sit with them through them. Children need to understand that two things can be true: This is hard, and I can do this.
Mrs A Lai
School Counsellor
(Tables optimised for laptop viewing. Possible scrolling to the right required on mobile devices.)
Secondary Key Dates: | |
Wk 7 & 8 | Year 10 Subject Selection Interviews |
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 |
Wk 8 11th Jun | Secondary Athletics Carnival |
Wk 8 12th Jun | Starstruck Excursion Stage 5 Music |