Overview

At Trinity Catholic College, we are deeply committed to the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of all children, especially those in our care. Our school operates in line with the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese’s safeguarding policies and state legislation to ensure the highest standards of child protection.

Legal and Policy Framework

Our safeguarding practices comply with the following key pieces of legislation:

Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998
Ombudsman Act 1974 (Part 3A)
Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998
Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012
The Office of Safeguarding

The Office of Safeguarding, which acts as the diocesan Child Protection Unit, oversees child protection practices across all Catholic schools in the Diocese. This office provides preventative services, training, and support while responding to any allegations of abuse.

Mandatory Reporting

Under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act, all school staff are required to report concerns to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) if they believe a child or young person is “at risk of serious harm.”

Allegations Against Staff

The Ombudsman Act mandates that any allegations or convictions of reportable conduct against staff or volunteers at the school must be reported to the Ombudsman. These allegations will be investigated by the Prevention and Response team within the Office of Safeguarding.

Working With Children Checks (WWCC)

In accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act, all staff, volunteers, and contractors must obtain a valid WWCC clearance before working with children. This process ensures that only individuals deemed suitable are allowed to interact with students.

Volunteers: Almost all volunteers are required to have a WWCC. The school Principal will provide guidance on the necessary steps for screening.

By adhering to these guidelines, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment for students in our school community.

Our motto

The simplicity of our new motto, ‘Faith Hope Love’ crystallises the essence of the school and reflects the spirit of the school community.   

Our crest

The new identity retains a clear link to the heritage and history of the school and preserves the star found in the previous Trinity crest, acknowledging our past and representing the light of hope of salvation and guiding the educational path of our school community.   

Our Mission
Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown is part of the system of schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and draws upon the traditions and identity of its founding orders, but also of the dedicated and committed families whose desire it was to have a Catholic education for their children. As a community we strive to put Jesus at the centre of all we do, living and working in accordance with the Gospel values. We encourage our students and staff to have a relationship with Christ, that is inspired and nurtured through ongoing formation, ritual, learning and knowledge of tradition and culture.

Our school strives to be distinctively and authentically Catholic, while engaging with our contemporary culture in a spirit of dialogue. Trinity has a proud history and an excellent reputation both in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and farther afield.

Our Mission & Vision

Read about our history

Trinity Catholic College is a ministry of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle. Our primary focus is to provide an excellent educational setting permeated by a Catholic worldview that desires to lead each young person to an encounter with Jesus. At Trinity Catholic College, faith formation and mission is led by the Principal and supported in this role by the Ministry Coordinator. In turn, each member of staff is tasked with the duty of modelling and teaching the Catholic faith through words and example in ways applicable to their role.

“At the heart of Catholic education there is always Jesus Christ: everything that happens in Catholic schools and universities should lead to an encounter with the living Christ… they open their doors to all and uphold both human dignity, as well as the dissemination of knowledge, to the whole of society…” (Educating Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion)

Catholic faith formation and mission is central to our cultural identity. This can be seen at Trinity Catholic College in the following ways:

Living

• People of prayer: Prayer as part of daily life.
• Christlike values: Compassion, justice, hope and respect for human dignity.
• Visual identity: Sacred spaces and symbolism throughout the College.
• Celebrating
• Liturgy: We celebrate the key moments of the year through liturgy e.g. Welcome to Year 7 and 11, Commissioning Student leaders, Ash Wednesday, ANZAC Day, Holy Week, Trinity Feast Day, Advent and College Graduation. Many liturgies are led by students and involve them in providing music, singing and drama.

Forming

• A Staff Spirituality day each year provides an opportunity for staff spiritual development and renewal.
• All staff are encouraged to attend courses, retreats and events conducted by the Catholic Schools Office and the wider Church to maintain their diocesan Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead.
• Retreat Program: Reflection and Community Days are provided for each cohort to engage with faith formation applicable to their year level. Years 9 and 11 experience overnight offsite retreats.
• Guest Speakers and performers during the year provide faith formation experiences such as Catholic Mission, refugee advocates, missionaries and Gen Bryant.
• Links with Parish, Diocese and the wider church: A number of staff, students and families of the College are active in their local parish communities. Diocesan, national and international events are promoted such as World Youth Day and the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. Students and staff attend the Called to Serve Mass, the launch of Project Compassion, Stations of the Cross at Kilaben Bay, Diocesan Mission Mass, Special Needs Mass among others throughout the year.

Serving

• Social Justice: Awareness and action to create socially just and equitable conditions for all is promoted as a part of College life through daily prayer, preparing packages for Mission to Seafarers etc. Students are encouraged to show solidarity with all members of the human family and stewardship of creation.
• Fund Raising: Students raise funds to promote social change through our annual Project Compassion Appeal (Caritas), Vinnies Christmas hampers, Harmony Day, Catholic Mission ‘Soctober’ and Trinity Feast Day market stalls for various causes such as homelessness, refugees and international development.
• Immersion Experiences to Central Australia and South East Asia are offered annually to provide students with experiences of serving others in a different cultural context. Students gain first-hand experience of community engagement.

Loving God,
We thank You for the gifts of faith, hope, and love
that guide our community of Trinity Catholic College.
Unite us in faith.
Empower us with hope.
Inspire us to act with compassion and love.
Help us to respect the dignity of all creation
and embrace opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
Grant us the courage to lead and serve
as we strive to build a better world in Jesus’ name,
Amen

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