17 June 2025

Principal’s Report

Dear Trinity Bay SHS Community,

As we approach the mid-point of the 2025 school year, it is a time to reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and staff this semester.  Term 2 has been an opportunity to build on a strong start in term 1 and we managed to achieve amazing results across all sectors of our school.  Our focus on developing a greater understanding of how we engage our students have ownership and be in charge of their learning is continuing to develop and we look forward to deepening our knowledge and skills over the second half of the year.

Thanks Katherine Macfarlane, staff leaving

We are proud to celebrate the permanent promotion of Katherine to the role of Principal at Mossman SHS.  Katherine started as DP at Trinity Bay in 2015 and for the past 11 years has given amazing service to the entire T-Bay community.  Whilst we are sad to say goodbye, we are also grateful to Katherine for her contributions we are and excited for the opportunity she has been appointed to.

We also say farewell to a number of other staff.  Our much beloved facilities officer Gary Barron is retiring, as is long serving admin officer Kerry Phelps.  We also have Lisa Nie finishing up this term  

To all these staff we say thank you for your contributions and good luck with your future endeavours.

Learner First Showcase

This term we were honoured to be invited to welcome around 40 guests to Trinity Bay SHS to share our learnings about our implementation of Learner First concepts, models and tools.  The school Principals and their teams were shown around our school and were able to engage with leaders, teachers and students so that they could learn about our practices and reflect on their application in their own schools.

This visit is testimony to the commitment of our staff who have been working for the past two years to develop our capability to connect our students to themselves and their learning, each other and Trinity Bay SHS as well as making contributions to our community.

Our goal with this work over the next six months is to continue to develop our knowledge and skills in classroom pedagogy with a focus on enhancing student ownership and agency over their learning.

Student achievements this term:
Across all areas of the school we have seen amazing results from our students.  In classes we have been focussed on refining our practices to better engage students in their subjects whilst also looking at ways to give them greater ownership and agency over their learning.  Our staff have been looking at ways to refine their teaching practice and leaders have been running trials to review how we construct assessments so that we increase relevancy for students in their subjects.  All these activities model the fact that both staff and students are partnering and learning together.

Outside of timetabled classes we have been working to give students and staff deep experiences to enhance their learning.  It has been brilliant to once again see the number of opportunities for our students in academic, cultural and sporting domains.

Some of the highlights this term include:

• Science Reef Guardians - Mr Guinee’s team of students who are conducting volunteer activities to provided data to reef research
• Music and Drama nights run by our performing arts staff.  The events were both sold out performances that allow our performing arts students to showcase their talents to our school community
• Visual Arts displays at many galleries in our community and at Qld Gallery of Modern Art.  The art pieces are an amazing reflection of the talent of our students working in partnership with our staff and they truly represent cultural excellence
• Sporting success with our athletics carnival, CISSA interschool sport and participation in the elite NRL competitions for both boys and girls.  Our school’s tradition of excellence in sport continues and we look forward to more opportunities for our students over the coming months

Facilities

Our school has a number of large builds underway or scheduled for start-up over the coming months.

Our Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is now in its final stages of construction, and we hope to see it completed by the end of July.  Once opened we look forward to welcoming visiting dignitaries for the official opening.

Once the PAC has finished, we will start work on the upgrades to our learning resource centre. This upgrade will see a new roof as well as upgrades to access to the classrooms on the southern end of K Block and other major upgrades to the entrance and internal spaces.  We are also looking to complete an enhancement of the courtyard area to improve the environment for all students.

The upgrade to the tuckshop will commence shortly and this will see additional servery areas constructed where the current uniform shop is located, meaning that we will be able to serve our students quicker.  We predict that these upgrades will ensure that students will not have to queue for the long times that are currently occurring.  The P&C have been focussed on saving for this project so that they can stock the upgraded area with new plant and equipment.  We have not yet confirmed timelines for this project.

Our Go for Gold project has been delayed and will now be completed by the end of semester 1, 2026.  This project will see the installation of a permanent roof over the basketball/netball courts and will allow us to conduct additional school activities once completed.

Progress update on goals of 2025 – 27 Strategic Plan

At our recent School Council meeting I tabled the actions we had taken to address the identified work linked to our strategic plan.  In most areas we are on track or exceeding our implementation targets, which are testimony to the dedication of our staff, students and community.

Have a great break

As we pause for the winter holidays I wish all members of the T-Bay family a safe break and look forward to seeing you all again to start Term 3 on July 14

Warm regards,

Tony Whybird
Executive Principal, Trinity Bay SHS

FNQ Vocational Academy

Is your teen thinking about a future in the trades?

FNQ Vocational Academy offers an incredible opportunity for high school students to get a head start on their careers! They can earn their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and complete two Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications — all while still at school.

With hands-on work experience and pathways to apprenticeships or traineeships, this program is designed to build skilled, confident, and job-ready young professionals.

Applications are now open for 2026! Don’t miss out — secure their future today!

Limited spaces are also available for Year 11 students interested in a career in Aviation, commencing Semester 2.

Visit: https://fnqvocationalacademy.eq.edu.au/

HPE Department

Talented Athletes Academy

This term, our year 7 students apart of the Talented Athletes Academy have been learning the game of softball. We have had an ex-Tbay student who represented our school at a state level for softball come in and run sessions focussing on key skills like, batting, catching, pitching and base running.

For many students this is their first-time playing softball and they’ve shown great enthusiasm and teamwork. Each week, their confidence and ability grow as they develop both their athletic skills and their understanding of the game.

This term, our Year 8 students in the Talented Athletes Academy have been training hard in AFL, building their skills in kicking, handballing, marking and game strategy. We have been lucky enough to have Cairns AFL come in and coach sessions around these skills helping students progress through these skills. The students have shown strong teamwork, dedication and a great attitude during every session. It has been exciting to see their confidence and performance improve each week.

Showing great focus and teamwork, our Year 9 students in the Talented Athletes Academy have been working hard on their netball skills this term. They’ve been developing techniques such as passing, shooting, footwork and defensive strategies, while also improving their game sense and communication on the court. Students have been working hard and progressing each week with these skills.

Queensland Academy of Sport – Talent Search

Talented Athlete Academy students from Year 7-9 were invited to engage in a talent search session run by the Queensland Academy of Sport. The academy delivered a session centred around recruiting young people in preparation for the upcoming 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. Students had the opportunity to show off their abilities in a variety of fitness tests such as 30 metre dash, vertical leap, push-up test and endurance tests. We thank the Queensland Academy of Sport for their time and delivering the information to the students.

Languages Department

Chinese

Authentic Learning Experience: Year 10 Chinese Students Visit Local Restaurant

As part of their Term 2 assessment, our Year 10 Chinese students recently visited a local Chinese restaurant to engage in a hands-on cultural and language experience. The excursion provided students with the opportunity to enjoy delicious traditional dishes while applying their language skills in a meaningful context.

For the visit, students practised reading Chinese menus, following cultural dining etiquette, and evaluating the restaurant as a potential venue for a formal business meal, key components of their speaking and writing assessments. This immersive experience helped students connect classroom learning with the real world, enhancing their confidence and cultural understanding.

Experiences like these are a valuable part of our language program, allowing students to deepen their appreciation of Chinese language and culture beyond the textbook.

Intensive English Centre

Building Confidence Through Drama

Trinity Bay State School has been fortunate to have Grace Edward, Ubuntu Theatre Project Manager from JUTE Theatre Company, work with students from the Intensive English Centre.
Over the term, students have developed a wide range of drama skills, including voice projection, body language, improvisation, and storytelling. These workshops have provided a creative outlet for students to express themselves, build teamwork, and grow in confidence.

Importantly, the program has supported students in learning to speak English by encouraging them to practise pronunciation, expand vocabulary, and use expressive language in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Teachers have observed a marked improvement in communication, and self-esteem.
A heartfelt thank you to JUTE Theatre and Cairns Safer Streets for funding and supporting this valuable program.

Building resilience

A big thank you from the Intensive English Centre to Marc Harbrow Mentoring and PK for delivering the Hawks friends program to our students from refugee backgrounds. The program builds resilience, confidence, emotional wellbeing, and leadership skills, making a lasting impact. We’re so grateful for your support

From Refugee to Role Model: Julienne’s Journey at Trinity Bay

Trinity Bay State High School proudly hosts the only Intensive English Centre (IEC) for high school students in the Cairns region. This program plays a vital role in supporting students who are new to Australia and learning English.

Many of the families who enrol at Trinity Bay come from migrant and refugee backgrounds, often having fled conflict and trauma. Students may have had limited or interrupted schooling and face the challenge of adapting to a new language, culture, and education system. The IEC offers much more than English language lessons; it provides a safe and supportive environment where students can build confidence, settle into school life, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Working in collaboration with community partners, the IEC delivers programs that help students grow. One such initiative is Blue EDGE, a physical training and personal development program designed to build physical and mental resilience. Funded by the Queensland Blue Light Association, the program runs twice a week for eight weeks and includes life skills education, career guidance, mentoring, and motivational sessions.

A key strength of Blue EDGE is its focus on fostering positive relationships between students and the Queensland Police Service, helping to break down barriers and build mutual respect.

A powerful example of the program’s long-term impact is the story of Julienne, a former Trinity Bay student. Arriving in Australia on a humanitarian visa, Julienne began her educational journey at Trinity Bay and, with the support of the IEC, learned English, completed her schooling, and participated in the Blue EDGE program. Inspired by the connections she built during the program, she set her sights on a career in policing.

Today, Julienne has returned to Trinity Bay not as a student, but as a Police Liaison Officer. In her role, she supports students from similar cultural backgrounds and continues to strengthen trust and understanding between young people and police.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Queensland Blue Light Association for funding the Blue EDGE program and for their commitment to empowering thousands of young people across the state. We also sincerely thank Officer Marshall and Police Liaison Officer Henry for their tireless efforts in building meaningful connections and creating fun, engaging experiences for our students from refugee backgrounds.

Julienne’s story is a shining example of how the right support at the right time can transform a life and how programs like these build bridges between communities, schools, and services for a brighter future.

Today, she’s back at Trinity Bay—not as a student, but as a Police Liaison Officer, helping other young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds thrive.

Japanese

Japanese volunteer teaching assistant

Trinity Bay is delighted to welcome Ms Omi, a volunteer teaching assistant from Japan, who has greatly enriched our Term 2 program. Ms Nanako brings authentic Japanese language use to the classroom, shares valuable cultural insights, provides real-time feedback, and promotes meaningful cultural exchange. We sincerely thank Ms Nanako for generously volunteering her time this term.

Congratulations to Bahri T and Jade, recipients of the 2025 Tokyo Experience School Scholarship. This July, they’ll head to Tokyo to immerse themselves in Japanese school life, take part in local classes, and develop their language skills through hands on cultural experiences.

A huge thank you to Ms Young for her support in helping these students achieve this incredible opportunity.

Senior Secondary

The Senior Secondary Team are very pleased to report that it has been a wonderful start to the year. We would like to welcome Emily Bunn to the team in the position of the Senior Secondary Assistant. Student Assessment Schedules and Assessment Planners for Years 10 – 12 have been emailed out to all students and parents/carers.  It is a good idea to print these out and place them somewhere that will constantly remind students of upcoming assessment.  If a senior student misses an exam or an assignment deadline for a documented verifiable reason, they must apply for an AARA (Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments).  AARA Applications can be found on the school website under Senior Secondary.

Term 3 SET Plan interviews are coming

Please keep your eyes peeled for more information regarding Year 9 into 10 and Year 10 into 11 SET Plan interview details.

2026 TAFE At School Program

In 2025, we have over many School Students who attend TAFE every Thursday to complete various Certificate I and Certificate II qualifications. Expressions of interest for the 2026 TAFE at School Program for current Year 10 and 11 students on a VET Pathway, are open NOW! Please collect enrolment packs from Mrs Murphy in the Senior Secondary Hub.

We had students participate in a VR Experience with CSQ.

School Based Traineeships & Apprenticeships

Any Year 10, 11 or 12 students who are interested in school-based traineeships and apprenticeships please see Mrs Murphy in Senior Secondary Hub to express their interest and obtain more information.

Transition Pathways Officer

Our Transition Pathways Officer, Vicky Wilson, continues to support young people from Trinity Bay State High School and Yarrabah State School. Vicky’s role is to help young people engage in meaningful future pathways – whether that be school, training or working.

Coming soon in Term 3:

• Trinity Bay SHS Mini Career Expo
• Youth & Career Expo
• Parent Information Evenings
• SET Plan Interviews
• Parent Teacher Interviews

BLA Breakfast with the Law.

24 students attended the BLA WGC Lawyers Breakfast with the Law. This breakfast provided our legal studies students the opportunity to listen to interesting and motivating guest speakers and help inspire students who are considering these career pathways. The morning also included a Great Debate, our students did a great job participating in this activity.

Senior Secondary HUB Team - E37

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