Dear Parent/ Carer
I do hope you are safe and well. It has been a busy start to the half time as we returned to school on 1st November, All Saints’ Day and began the month of remembrance. So far, we have had a whole school All Souls’ liturgy to remember those who we have lost particularly during this past year, and our annual remembrance liturgy to remember those who have fallen in conflict. On top of this, we also began the Year 11 mock exams which run over a two-week period and preparations are well underway for our annual prize giving event which will be taking place on Thursday 2 December.
Diocesan Canonical Inspection
On Wednesday 17 November, we will be inspected as a Catholic School under the Diocesan framework.
The school’s provision in the areas of Catholic life, religious education and collective worship are evaluated under this framework. This will be a great opportunity to showcase our wonderful school and get an external view on our provision in those areas. Attached to this letter is an information guide for parents on the process.
Synod 2023
This term our Pope has launched a Church-wide listening process in preparation for a Synod 2023, which is an important meeting for bishops across the world to set the direction for the Catholic Church. There are two key aspects for our community in supporting this, firstly to pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us to become the Church that Jesus would want and secondly to offer our views about the future of the Church.
On Monday all students will receive a prayer card and in form time each week, we will ask the students a key question relating to the future of the Church. Attached to this document is a letter to all students from our Bishop and more information can be found at: Diocese of Nottingham :: Synod 2023
Testing and Vaccinations
Unfortunately, coronavirus is still very much with us, so please do continue to support your child in taking a twice-weekly lateral flow test to help us slow the spread both in school and in the community. The results of all tests (both positive and negative) should be reported to NHS Test and Trace using the link https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result. Please also email your results to covidreporting@trinity.nottingham.sch.uk.
Secondly, for those who may have missed the in-school vaccination, there is now a walk-in vaccination centre at the Forest Recreation Ground with appointments for 12-15 year olds (please check times online in advance) and you can book vaccinations for your child on the NHS website. More information can be found at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Recent Uniform and Appearance Policy Changes
Thank you for your support in the recent changes to our policy, particularly with regard to girls’ trousers and boys’ hair. On the whole, these changes have been well received and have gone smoothly.
The Trinity Catholic School fully acknowledges that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black staff and students’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and/or religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in styles including, but not limited to, braids and cornrows. Although we fully support our students’ rights to wear their hair in styles that reflect their identity and hair type, there is still a requirement (as there is for all students) to conform to the school’s expectation that hair will be neatly maintained and will not be extreme in style, colour or decoration as detailed in the policy. This includes the fact that hair should be no shorter than a number 2 and short sides must be faded gradually into the top of the haircut so there is no noticeable ‘step’ or layering. If in doubt please do get in touch with school. I do appreciate your support in this.
Yours faithfully
Mr Shenton
Headteacher
Pastoral Letter - Secondary Students - 2nd November 2021-compressed