Newsletter (10 February, 2023)

It was so wonderful to connect with many of you last night at the Welcome and Information Evening. I appreciate the positive feedback about the style of the evening, and the time spent interacting with one another. Another big thanks to our incredible PTFA for generously providing the nibbles and drinks for networking. Our College highly values relationship and community and we look forward to many more opportunities to connect with one another.

Additionally, I am really proud of our students and how quickly they have settled into the school year and their learning. On Friday last week, we had the privilege of Mr Derek Bartels, an expert on learning, visiting us. Mr Bartels commented on how engaged all of our students were on a late Friday afternoon. He was very encouraging about what is happening at Holy Trinity Lutheran College, but also the ongoing journey of innovation to remain at the forefront of education. In addition, another new staff member shared with me about how our students come to class ready and expecting to learn. We should all celebrate this being an important part of our culture.

On Monday, we held our Opening Service which was a special opportunity for the whole College to come together, worship God and ask Him to bless our year ahead. At this service, our College Captains and House Captains were formally installed.

We also celebrated the achievements of our 2022 Year 12 class. We recognised and congratulated Mr Ryan Brito-Mutunayagam and Mr Ryan Pfitzner as our VCE Duxes for 2022, Mr Joshua Wundke for the Proxime Accessit award and Mr Zac Dufty, recipient of the VCAL Dux Award. We thank God for their contribution to our College community, and pray God’s blessings as their future pathways continue to unfold.

Next week is a really exciting week as we have both our Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival and our Years 7-12 Swimming Carnival. Not only are these days fantastic for our gifted athletes, they build house identity and strengthen relationships.

God bless the remainder of your week!

Mr James Phillips, College Principal

by Pastor Peter Bean

He turned over the tables and scattered the money of those who were exchanging it (John 2:15b).

Jesus was angry. We might struggle with that. Justify it in all sorts of ways. I get angry. You get angry. We probably struggle with that even more. And probably struggle to justify it!

But perhaps we misunderstand anger and its purpose, having been conditioned by society and having read in the media about the actions of angry people.

You see, anger is not a sin. It is an emotion like any other. It can be used for good or evil. Anger actually has a purpose. It gives us energy. It makes the adrenaline run. It allows us to take action in a dangerous situation. It challenges us to stand up to injustice, it helps us survive.

A devotion I was reading in a different context suggested we have an attitude of gratitude. What if we were grateful for our anger? Not the anger that leads to hurt, violence or destruction, but the anger that prompts us to do good, to seek out a better way, to care for those less fortunate than ourselves, and to take action in a determined and loving way.

Are we grateful that Jesus cleared out the temple and sought to restore it to its true purpose? When we get angry, can we learn first of all to be grateful and then discern what this means for us? How to act, how to respond, how to act with humility in expressing our anger?

There’s plenty in the world to get angry about! Climate inaction, treatment of refugees, evasion of taxes, exclusion of many, mistreatment of the poor. I am sure you can make your own list. When you do, how about examining whether you can be grateful for that anger; whether you can use the energy that rises for a useful purpose; whether your actions can emulate the actions of Jesus – to promote resurrection, to provide new life, a new way of living; to live under grace and forgiveness. That would be a good use of anger!

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of anger. When we get angry, help us to examine it in the light of your love, and to use the energy provided for the good of all and to your glory. Amen.

Your kids are amazing! I love how they are ready to learn. From one parent to another, as parents you do an awesome job! Well done on working through that first fortnight of getting our students into good home routines (homework, sports practice, getting tea organised, doing teeth, reading stories, or keeping a consistent bedtime). It is greatly appreciated by all staff.

Chapel

Week 2 chapel was on the fruit of the Spirit, ‘love’. Mr Phillips told our whole school about how God is the creator of the world, which includes the creation of love. He was the first one who ever knew what love was like. After Mr Phillips’ message, it left me thinking about the Bible verse that is called the Bible in a nutshell:

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, for whoever believes in Him shall not Perish, but have eternal life’. (John 3:16)

How privileged are we that this creator God should win us as his own and call us His sons and daughters also? That spurs me on as a Christian man to treat our school community with love, care and compassion, the same love that we believe comes from our Heavenly Father.

Please join us on Friday, 17 February from 8.30am for a cup of tea/coffee (‘a cuppa’) if you would like to! 6N will be leading us in chapel on the fruit of the Spirit called ‘peace’

Meet and Greet thank you

Thanks to those who joined the whole school community to be introduced to the whole school staff. It was a great exercise to see all three sub-school staff in one meeting, so those parents who have students across our three campuses could catch up and meet all staff in the one place! Thanks to those who attended, we really appreciate you putting the time aside to be in community and meet your co-educators. We value being partners with parents in education, and the night was a great way to meet in a more relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Junior School swimming carnival (15 February)

This coming Wednesday, the Year 4-6 students will be bussing from school at 9am to the swimming carnival. Feel free to drop in and join the fun at the town pool as our sports teams do battle for the swimming sports shield! Students will be returned to school in time for buses and the end of day pick-up. Please see the below Junior School sports news for more.

Parent-Teacher Sharing Sessions (14 and 16 February)

The Junior School Parent Teacher Sharing sessions (student conferences) booking portal will close on Monday at 5pm. If you haven’t yet, please book a time to meet with your child’s teacher through the School Interviews website using the code be26d from now until bookings close. If you need assistance doing this, please don’t hesitate to come in and see your classroom teacher and they will assist you. If you’d like to connect remotely, please organise these with your classroom teacher via a phone call or email. We encourage all families to take up the opportunity to share specific information about your children with teachers.

Student leadership

Keep in the diary: Our Year 6 House Captains and Student Council Representatives will be announced and presented with their badges at assembly on Monday, 20 February. Please put this in your diary to come along if you can and show your support for our students who I’m sure will be future leaders in our wider Horsham community!

Playground after school

Please do not allow students to play on any play equipment from 3.30pm until 3.45pm. We need all students attentive to staying on time to be picked up, not getting distracted by playing! Thank you for your consideration!

We thank you for your support.

Blessings on your week!

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Year 7 Transition Camp

The Year 7 students completed their transition camp last week, spending two days at Tandara Lutheran Camp, Halls Gap. The aims and objectives of the camp were:

to encourage student interaction and bonding
to develop independent organisational skills
to develop collaboration skills, and
to encourage healthy risk-taking and to broaden comfort zones.

The students engaged with these aims and objectives through a variety of activities including a number of high ropes courses (Flying Kookaburra, The Vines, Leap of Faith), group initiative tasks, study sessions and free time for bonding around the camp. Unfortunately the weather didn’t allow for a swim at the Halls Gap pool but was still good enough for the students to enjoy an ice cream!

On Thursday night, College Principal Mr Phillips visited the camp and took the opportunity to introduce himself to the students and talk about leadership and the transition into secondary school.

The students engaged with all aspects of the camp and successfully built a solid foundation on which to build the rest of their year. Thank you to Year 7 Coordinator Mrs Engert, the House Coordinators and other staff who attended the camp and helped with supervision.

Year 7 Transition

Since returning from camp, the Year 7 students have continued their transition into Middle School this week, establishing routines, organising lockers and locker codes, and familiarising themselves with teachers, subjects and rooms, as well as building connections and relationships with each other. The group has adjusted well to Middle School and I look forward to the year ahead. Please continue to have them in your thoughts and prayers as the year goes on.

Student Leadership

Georgia Foster, Charlotte Matuschka, Bailey Dridan and Jesse Jolley

The Year 7 leadership positions were formally announced this week. Congratulations to Georgia Foster, Charlotte Matuschka, Bailey Dridan and Jesse Jolley who will fulfil the positions of Middle School Ambassadors and Year 7 SRC representative in 2023. These students will be inducted into their positions, along with the other student leaders in a special Leadership Induction Service, which will be on Monday, 20 February at 9am in the Multi-Purpose Centre.

Homework and Homework Club

Homework for Year 8 and 9 students has commenced this week. To support students and families, Homework Club can be accessed by all Middle School students on Monday and Wednesday nights from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the MGLA1 room. Homework for Year 7 students will formally begin next week.

Year 9 Rite Journey

The Year 9 Rite Journey program has commenced. To help to launch the program this year, a day at Halls Gap has been planned for Thursday, 16 February. Students will complete a number of key challenge assignments including the Leap of Faith and initiative tasks as well as start to compile their ‘Story’, which they will share with their mentor group. The first two Rites of Passages will be held on Thursday, 2 March and Friday, 3 March with a Calling and Departure Ceremony and Parent Information Session. Year 9 families have been provided information about these key events.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

Senior students have quickly settled back into the new school year. Coursework is well underway and many students have already commenced preparations for their first assessment for the year. Students are strongly encouraged to establish a study routine early in the year, ensuring it provides a balance between study, sport and part-time work.

Opening Service

Zac Dufty, Joshua Wundke, Ryan Brito-Mutunayagam and Ryan Pfitzner

Our Opening Service for 2022 was held at the start of the week. Following the service, a presentation was made to our VCE and VCAL Duxes and Proxime Accessit for 2022. We formally acknowledged the outstanding achievements of Ryan Pfitzner, Ryan Brito-Mutunayagam, Joshua Wundke and Zac Dufty. We wish each of our 2022 graduates all the best as they undertake the next exciting stage in their vocational journey.

Uniform

Students who have entered the Senior School this year are reminded that blazers can be ordered from the Uniform Shop. These are an item of the formal Senior School uniform. Ties will be presented to Year 10 students later in the term.

Study Centre

The centre will be open for both private study and teacher-led tutorials from Monday, 13 February from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Senior students are encouraged to take advantage of these times and to establish positive study habits early in the year.

VETis (Vocational Education and Training in Schools)

Our VET students commenced their first day of classes for the year on Wednesday. This year we have students undertaking courses in Engineering, Agriculture, Automotive, Building and Construction, Community Services, Early Childhood, Kitchen Operations, and Screen and Media. Students will attend VET classes at Longerenong College, Federation University and Horsham College.

VCE Vocational Major

Our VM students have commenced their first project for the year and have undertaken the challenge of running a barbecue at the College swimming sports.

Students undertaking Structured Work Placement are reminded that this needs to be confirmed as soon as possible.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please find Term 1 sporting dates below for your calendar:

Wednesday, 15 February - Swimming Carnival Years 4-6, Horsham YMCA
Friday, 24 February - Hockey Roadshow Years 2-4
Thursday, 2 March - Little Desert Swimming Carnival, Horsham
Thursday, 9 March - Little Desert Tennis, Horsham, 9.30am-noon
Tuesday, 14 March - Greater Western Swimming Carnival, Horsham
Tuesday, 21 March - F-Year 2 Athletics Carnival
Thursday, 23 March - Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival
Wednesday, 29 March - Cross Country
Friday, 31 March - Greater Western Tennis, Ballarat

Swimming Carnival Years 4-6

We all are very much looking forward to our Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival on Wednesday. The day will commence at 9.30am and is scheduled to finish about 3pm. Buses will transport students from school in the morning and return to school at the conclusion of the day. Parents will have received an email with an information letter this week providing further detail of the day's event.

Students are encouraged to wear house colours as there will be ‘Fashions by the Pool’ and prizes awarded to the best dressed students on the day. Get creative while being sunsmart also!

Parents, friends and family are invited to support on the day. Feel free to BYO your own chair for comfort as it is looking to be lovely weather - fingers crossed!

If you are available to assist with timing a swimming lane for this event, please express your interest via phone on 5382 2529 or email hayley.thomas@htlc.vic.edu.au at an early convenience. Your support is valued in making this event a success on the day!

Athletics Trials - High Jump, Sprints and Hurdles

In preparation for our Athletics Carnival we will host trials for some events to effectively streamline student groupings on the day. If any parents are available to assist with timekeeping the sprint and hurdles trials on Tuesday, 21 February on the JS Oval, I would love to hear from you on 5382 2529 or hayley.thomas@htlc.vic.edu.au. We plan to run trials for all classes from Foundation to Year 6 on this day.

Tennis Trials

For Years 5 and 6 students that are confident singles players and are comfortable in scoring individual matches, expressions of interest are being developed for Little Desert Tennis. Students will need to be available for the below trials dates to enable selection of three female and three male students to represent HTLC on Thursday, 9 March in Horsham.

Tennis Trials - Wednesday, 22 February (lunchtime)

Tennis Trials - Wednesday, 1 March (lunchtime)

Looking forward to a brilliant year of sporting opportunities ahead!