In Year 6, we gently introduce students to the demands and responsibilities of the Middle and Senior Years to help prepare them emotionally and academically for high school. This transition program includes special learning strategies and collaboration between Junior and Middle Years teachers.
The transition from primary school to secondary school is now thought to be critical in the health and emotional development of students. The leap from primary into secondary school presents a period of rapid change for children. The expectations and environment are vastly different, as students are required to be more independent, mature and organised. Stepping into senior school for the first time can be a very daunting experience for some students, especially if it is their first exposure to timetables, navigating a big campus, increased homework demands, and being independent and having a high level of organisational skills.
A well-planned and coordinated approach to transitioning students from primary to secondary school during Years 6 and 7 can make a significant difference to a student’s achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes. By slowly introducing our Years 6 and 7 students to the requirements of secondary schooling, and by developing and fostering the skills they will need to thrive in high school, we give them a flying start in to their secondary years.
Our Year 6 students begin their transition the year before they start Year 6 via an experience and orientation day on our Ashmore Road campus. They are taken on a short tour of the grounds, meet the Principal, Head of Campus and teachers, and have all their questions answered. They are then led through sample Year 6 classes in elective subjects such as Design and Technology, Culinary and Hospitality, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. Parents are invited to join their children towards the end of the day to meet staff and ask questions. This transition day ensures all our new Year 6 students start the year happy, secure and confident with a strong sense of belonging.
Our Year 6 and 7 students are supported by having a dedicated team of experienced Middle Years specialist teachers led by a dedicated Head of Year 6 and a dedicated Head of Year 7. We have purpose built classrooms for Year 6 and for Year 7 to facilitate our approach to developing independence, and preparing them for secondary school where they will have greater autonomy and will need to be self-motivated and responsible for their own learning.
Our flexible learning spaces and break-out spaces allow teachers to give students varying levels of independence based on their individual needs and stage of development. Students generally rise to the challenge because they are proud to be given some responsibility and independence.
Organisational skills – the process of planning your day and making sure you are prepared with all the necessary resources you need – are skills that need to be developed. Our Year 6 and 7 students have fewer teachers and room changes, and take their core subjects with their homeroom teacher but they also have specialist teachers for subjects such as Design and Technology, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sport and Culinary and Hospitality. This provides a gentle introduction to timetabling, and preparation and organisation, cultivating independence in a supportive environment. We help our students to manage their timetable and homework requirements, organise their week and remember important events through our portal.
Moving from primary to secondary school happens alongside the transition from childhood to adolescence and includes many changes – both physically and emotionally. Our Positive Education Wellbeing Program is an evidence-based welbeing program which involves teaching both traditional skills and skills for happiness. It teaches students about emotions and how to build healthy relationships. We believe the skills for happiness, resilience and positive emotion can be learned and should be taught in school.
We teach your child to build positive approaches to life, creating a protective net around a variety of issues such as anxiety and depression. Positive education has been shown to increase enjoyment of and engagement in school, increase curiosity and a love of learning and enhance social skills like empathy, co-operation, assertiveness and self-control. All these outcomes increase academic achievement and build emotional resilience.
MS LAURA ROBBINS| BSEd (Hons) (1st Class), MEd Leadership, MACEL Deputy Principal & Head of Campus - Middle and Senior Years Laura is the Deputy Principal/Head of Campus (Middle and Senior Years) of our Ashmore Rd Campus. In this role Laura works to support the Principal and Executive Team in strategic matters as well as oversee the Middle and Senior Years programs of the College. She has a deep passion for Lutheran Education - beginning her teaching career at Faith Lutheran College, Redlands and serving on several LEQ committees during her 17 years in Lutheran Education. Prior to commencing at Trinity, Laura was Head of Secondary School at LORDS Lutheran College. During her time at both LORDS and Faith, she has held a number of Pastoral Care leadership positions. Laura’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Secondary Education(Hons) (1st class) and a Master of Educational Leadership.
MR JOHN MCDIARMID | BSc(Appl. Econ.), GAICD, MFIA Chief Operating Officer John has broad experience, having worked in the private, government and not-for-profit sectors. Specialising in strategic planning, building stakeholder relationships and managing change for business improvement, John is using his 'numbers brain', people skills and technical knowledge at Trinity Lutheran College. John's early career included working as a financial analyst, economist and programmer for Thompson Reuters before moving into senior management roles with superannuation and financial planning companies. After a period of restructuring an aged care provider and an employment services provider, John then worked in executive positions within customer services, workers compensation and corporate service areas.
Trinity Lutheran College has an outstanding reputation in the Gold Coast community. The College focuses on building effective partnerships with parents to provide a comprehensive education of the highest quality, in an environment where a clear foundation of Christian values and care for each person are strongly emphasised.
Our Playgroup benefits both children and their parents, supporting the children's social development, easing the transition to school, and improving overall health, while also providing social and health support to parents, knowledge sharing, and learning opportunities.
Offer a safe and friendly environment for children to explore and learn
Build trusting relationships and support parents in their parenting role
Support a smooth transition for children into the early years of school
Offer a planned group time (eg. music, stories, puppets) that may include some religious elements
Provide morning tea for children and parents (no hot drinks for safety reasons)
Allow free play and exploration of the environment
Participate in new experiences and develop new skills
Develop and increase their social skills
Learn about sharing, co-operation and following simple routines
Have fun in a safe environment, with their parent/carer close by
Build foundations of language
Learn more about their world
Meet other families and build new friendships
Share experiences and ideas
Play with children and nurture their development
Have fun and relax
Our Playgroup will take a maximum of 20 children aged 1 – 5 years.
A Parent / adult carer must accompany and stay with the child.
Every Tuesday during the College Term time.
From 9:00am to 11:00am
In the Outside School Hours Care facility on the Cotlew Street Campus (park in the top carpark off Nerang-Southport Road)
Cost per session will be $5.00, or
Pay in advance per term for $30.00 (8-10 sessions)
A sunsafe hat
A drink bottle filled with water
Morning tea (fruit and a snack)
Sunscreen and insect repellent
A facilitator
If you have further questions, please contact us by calling or emailing the Director/Service Leader of the Early Learning Centre on 07 5556 8336 or 0438 171 410 or email elc.admin@tlc.qld.edu.au, or
Complete this Registration Form below
MR IAN PRICE | MEd(Leadership), DipTeach(Prim), GDipArts(Rel.St), MACE, MACEL Head of Campus - Early and Junior Years Ian is the Head of our Cotlew Street Campus, which houses the Early and Junior Years of Trinity Lutheran College. He commenced at Trinity in 2021. Prior to this, Ian has held Head of Primary, Head of Middle School and Head of Campus positions in Queensland and New South Wales. Beginning his career as a Primary teacher in Brisbane, Ian has also taught Outdoor Education working with all school levels as well as community and adult groups. He holds degrees in Primary Teaching, Religious Studies and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.
Pastor Michael Alfson | Bachelor of Theology, Ordained 1981 Pastor Michael has been in full-time ministry since 1982, serving congregations in Chinchilla, Rochedale, Caboolture and is presently serving as the school pastor of Trinity Lutheran College. Michael has been the College Pastor at Trinity Luther- an College since 2003. Michael’s role includes advising college executives and community on spiritual and theological matters. He facilitates staff and students in their spiritual development, growth and formation; and oversees the wor- ship life of the college, whilst building an understanding and appreciation of Christian faith.
DR TSAE WONG | PhD, MEd, BSc, DipEd, MACEL, FAIM, AAICD Principal Tsae has been the Principal of Trinity Lutheran College since January 2014. She joined Trinity in 2010 as Deputy Head of College after holding several senior leadership positions including Director of Teaching and Learning (Senior School), Director of Teaching and Learning (P to Year 12) and Acting Head of Senior School, at St Hilda’s School (Southport) and John Paul College (Daisy Hill). Tsae has also taught Physics at Raffles Girls’ Secondary School in Singapore and Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School as a mid-career teacher. She completed her PhD in 2018. As Principal, Tsae is the chief executive of the college. She is appointed by the College Board, i.e. College Council, and reports to the Board as regards the proper conduct, management and discipline of the staff and students of the college.
