Warm greetings to the members of the HTLC community.

This week, the College was notified by the Horsham Rural City Council that planned construction works for the new pedestrian bridge at Hamilton and Menadue Street will commence next week. The scheduled works will affect the pedestrian and bike path in that area. It is asked that students and families using this path take extra care over the coming months as they travel to and from our college.

As we draw close to the end of another school year, I would like to wish all our students well as they prepare to complete formalised testing, conclude educational programs, and move into transition programs over the coming weeks. This year has been a return to ‘normal’ and I look forward to supporting our students to finish well, while preparing them for the future.
Further information regarding exams and transition programs will be dispersed by relevant Heads of Sub-schools over the coming weeks. Please keep an eye out for those.

A note that our closing services and award celebrations for students in Foundation to Year 11 will be conducted during our school day at the end of this term. All family and friends are invited to attend these. The schedule for these upcoming services is as follows:

• Year 10 and 11 closing service and awards: Thursday 8 December (1:30pm-3pm)
• Year 7 to 9 closing service and awards: Tuesday 13 December (11:30am-1pm)
• Year 3 to 6 closing service and awards: Wednesday 14 December (11:30am-12:30pm)
• Foundation to Year 2 closing service: Wednesday 14 December (1:45pm-2:30pm)

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Joanne Corney

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed (Isaiah 54:10).

When mountains around the world shake, we’re visually presented with news images. It may be through natural disasters like volcanic eruptions or events like explosions in war. When mountains or hills shake – whatever the cause – the impact is significant. Even only seeing these occurrences via visual media leaves me momentarily stunned and disquieted. I find my thoughts then run to the event’s victims and their fear and shock, their losses and grief, their probable sense of displacement and vulnerability, their brokenness of body, mind, home and family – devastation. ‘Confronting and overwhelming’ is too weak a description of what happens to people when the mountains they live with shake.

While sitting with the readings for today, I found myself attached to verse 10. I share my experience as it may be similar to yours. This Scripture reaches for an example we can identify and engage with on various levels just by imagining a mountain shaking. Imagining this event gives me shivers and a sharp, small dose of anxiety. But, straight away in this verse, the Scripture tells and reassures us that God’s unfailing love for us is not shakeable like the mountain or removable like the hill – this love will not be shaken. The description in this verse throws up a picture of something deeply disastrous – a mountain shaking or a hill removed – and implies the subsequent impacts. One starts to feel a response to this imagery. Then straight away, the verse redirects our minds. If what we think influences what we feel, this redirection of thought is closely followed by the response of one’s heart. Here then, on both mind and heart levels, this verse affirms that the absolute opposite of ‘mountains shaken or hills removed’ is what God’s love for us is like. The words of this verse carry us away from a ‘shaken’ to a ‘not shaken’ mindset and plant our focus on a one-off love. One like none other – the unfailing, unshakable love authored and given to us by God.

Merciful God, amid our difficulties and burdens, thank you that you remind us of your unfailing and unshakable love for us. Please bless us in our experience of your love. In the name of Christ, Amen.

Remembrance Day

This  morning, the Junior School commemorated Remembrance Day in a service before recess, and observed a minute of silence before going to play. Thank you to our Junior School Captains, Frazer Shurdington, Soren Foster, Maya Przibilla and Charlotte Matuschka, who helped to lead the service.

Transition Program

On Tuesday morning our Foundation students for 2023 enjoyed their second visit to HTLC. It was delightful to have conversations with the children and parents, and get to know them as they participated in the activity based on the story of the Three Little Pigs, and then made their own pig craft to take home. Our next transition event will be Orientation Day on the 22 November, when children will go into classrooms for the first time. Parents of students in the 2023 Foundation classes are invited to join us for an information session and morning tea while students are in classrooms. 

Year 3 Camp

Next Wednesday to Friday our Year 3 students will be enjoying their long-awaited camp at Tandara, Halls Gap. This was postponed earlier this year due to members of the cohort being unwell. We pray they have a wonderful and safe camp.

Report Writing

Monday 28 November will be a student free day, as teachers will be preparing students’ reports. 

End of Year Service

The last school day for 2022 will be Wednesday 14 December. Students in Years 3-6 will attend the Closing Service at 11:30am in the MPC, and a shorter service will be attended by Foundation to Year 2 at 1:45pm. The Year 3-6 service will include announcements of students receiving Academic, Service, Endeavour and Year 6 awards. Parents and visitors are welcome to attend.

Chapel

This week Year 2H led our Junior School in worship with a recorded Chapel based on 1 Hebrews 12:1. Next week, 2H will visit Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village on Wednesday, and 6N will be leading our Chapel on Friday morning. Students are encouraged to bring a small offering each Friday morning, which will be donated to the Christian Emergency Food Centre. We hope you can join us for worship.

Congratulations to this week's award winners!

FJ: Amarlee Carroll, Juno Ladlow FL: Eve Johnstone, Zac Liston, Jack Peterson 1C: Zetta Beattie, Boaz Leigh 1I: Maggie Kelm 2B: Naol Temesgen 2H: Steele Oakley, Ella Ryan 2S: Fletcher Dandy, Ryder Ellis, Deegan Hellmuth 3B: Kena Alemayehu, Indi Finn 3D: All of 3D 4B: Ella Bailey, Kelsey Schnaars 4M: Ruby Hallam, Jesse Arthur, Elsa Drendel, Hugo Poplawski 4R: Sophia Gerdtz, Harvey O'Donnell, Lola Kerr 5D: Eden Dunn, Maya Shepherd, Charlize van Zyl 5H: Denzel Adams, Arkie Mackley 6M: Michael Wright, Serena Johns, Rhys Penny 6N: Jayden Eltze, Lexie Hallam 6V: Charlotte Matuschka, Hamish Heard Chinese: Alyssa Stewart Technology: Scarlett Nuttall Performing Arts (F-2): Milla Engert P.E.: Felix Macumber Library: All of 2B and 2S Holy Trinity Tiger Award (5-6): Alexandra Blay Holy Trinity Cub Award (3-4): Lara Peterson Holy Trinity Cub Award (F-2): Kingston Li

Blessings,

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

Parent Information Sessions

This week, two Parent Information Sessions were held for our current Year 8 families (Year 9 in 2023) and our 2023 Year 7 families. These nights were a great opportunity for families to come together to hear about plans for next year. Thank you to all families who supported the night by attending or issuing an apology. For those that were not able to attend, a recording of these sessions will be emailed to you in the coming days. A big thank you to Year 9 Coordinator Mrs Thomas and Year 7 Coordinator Mrs Engert for organising and leading these sessions, and to all staff who presented or helped out on the nights. The HTLC parent and carers community is very much valued by the college and it was great to see many families coming together across the two nights.

2023 Facility Update

The most recent stage of buildings for the Junior and Middle School are nearing completion. Three new Junior School classrooms will mean that the current Year 6s who are stationed in the Middle School Specialist rooms (SGLA1, SGLA2 and SGLA6) will be vacating this area.

New Middle School-specific furniture has been ordered for these rooms, taking into account the feedback that was provided through the recent student feedback forum which was completed by Year Level Coordinators last term.

The Middle School Office space is also nearing completion with this build providing space for up to 12 teacher desk spaces, a large meeting room and additional bathroom facilities. This new building will allow for the current Middle School staffroom to be remodeled to make a more spacious and comfortable staff lounge.

These most recent buildings complement the outstanding facilities that HTLC staff and students are blessed to work and learn in.

2023 Central Australia Learning Tour

A follow-up email has been sent to all families who expressed an interest in attending the Central Australia Tour in 2023. If you are still interested in attending, please be in contact with me as there are minimal spots still available.

Semester 2 Examinations

Parents next week will receive by email a copy of the 2022 Semester 2 Examination Timetable scheduled for Week 8 of this term. If students are absent for exams, parents and carers are encouraged to contact their subject teacher or year level coordinator so that a make-up exam can be scheduled.

Term 4 Key Dates

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

VCE exams

Today we conclude our external VCE examinations for 2022 with our final exam, VCE Applied Computing. Our senior students are commended for their diligence and the manner in which they maintained their study and focus throughout this period.

Our Year 12 students now look forward to their rescheduled Breakfast and final Chapel service which will be held next Tuesday morning, and their Graduation Service and Valedictory dinner on Friday 18 November, as celebrations of their time at Holy Trinity.

Remembrance Day Service

This morning our students observed a minute of silence throughout the College, in recognition of those who died or suffered for Australia during time of war or armed conflict. Our College Captains, Ryan Pfitzner and Sabian Panozzo attended the RSL Remembrance Day Service at Sawyer Park accompanied by Mr Pickering where they completed a reading and laid a wreath.

Cambodia Learning Tour

We are excited to be able to offer a student trip to Cambodia in 2023. The 8 day trip will take place in the mid-term break and will encompass the diversity of Cambodian culture, providing students with a valuable insight to the history of the country and its people.
An information evening was held last week for parents and expressions of interest are due Friday 11 November. Please contact Main Administration if you would like further information.

Specialist Sports Program at Holy Trinity

We look forward to the commencement of our partnership with FedUni WestVic Academy once again at the beginning of next year and the opportunities this will provide for our students. Application forms and further information have been issued and are due next week.

Senior School exams

Senior School exam revision week is from Monday 14 November - Friday 18 November. Regular school attendance is vital during this time as work from throughout the semester will be reviewed and students will have the opportunity to seek additional support prior to undertaking their exams. Exam Week runs from Monday 21 November to Friday 25 November.

All Year 10 and 11 students will be sitting exams during this time. Teachers will provide guidance on the content to be covered, during Exam Revision Week. The usual class timetable will continue to operate around the exams.

Head Start Program

Head Start for Senior School students commences on Tuesday 29 November and runs through until Thursday 8 December. During Head Start, students will be provided with an outline of the content, assessment and expectations of the studies they have selected to undertake in 2023. All students are required to be in attendance throughout these two weeks as programs will be running for all students.

Important VCE dates

Important Senior School Dates

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please find upcoming sporting dates below for your calendar;

• Greater Western Cricket Blast in Ballarat - Tuesday 15 November

Cricket Blast

Some Year 5 and 6 students competed in Cricket Blast this week on Wednesday. It was a hot day with perfect conditions at Coughlin Park. The school was lucky enough to have 3 teams attend, a boys team, a girls team and a mixed team. Full results will be in next week's newsletter. The overall winning team on the day will have the opportunity to progress to the Greater Western Cricket Blast Carnival which is scheduled to occur in Ballarat next week. Details are to be confirmed in the next day or two.

Swimming Program Foundation to Year 3

This week sees the end to our swimming program which has taken place over the last four weeks at the Horsham YMCA. This was a fantastic program which saw an intense daily program of half-hour sessions for our Foundation to Year 3 students. Teachers and instructors witnessed such improvement for our little fish who thoroughly enjoyed getting back into the pool with this finer weather of late.

A huge thank you to Michelle and the staff of the YMCA for providing this worthwhile program and to staff who accommodated all that’s involved in getting our little ones changed, and safely to and from the pool seamlessly each day! A huge team effort – thank you! I hope parents can see results and all children can build on their swimming over the summer period. Reminder to make use of your free swim passes which are valid throughout Term 4 only.

Yours in Sport!

Mrs Hayley Thomas, Junior School Sports Coordinator

Teenage gatherings provide young people with important opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away by their peers and the euphoria of the moment.

For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour.

Every party has the potential to get out-of-hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on.

If hosting an event, you owe your guests a ‘duty-of-care’ and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with list of things to consider when planning a celebration. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College Wellbeing Team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/w...

Of all the challenges parents face in raising children, how to "discipline" a child is one of the most contentious. 

Everyone has an opinion about how we should be parenting. But parents are, more than ever, confused about what is ok and what is not.

Smacking is out - unless you’re part of the old school. Yelling is the new smacking, but no one wants to yell. It feels horrible. Time-out is the discipline strategy of choice in most major parenting programs but it has major drawbacks, the major one being that it doesn’t seem to work. It seems like every disciplinary strategy has the potential to do damage, and leaves parents scratching their heads, asking “What am I supposed to do?”

Discipline done right doesn’t damage kids. 

Join Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, for this 7 day course that explodes the myth that discipline has to hurt.

Register here https://happyfamiliesfamilyedu... for this free course (limited time only). 

All Year 6s wanting to travel on country buses next year need to follow some procedures for travel in 2023:

• If you are a current traveller you will need to login to School Bus Management System and put in a new application with your year 7 school details
• If you are a new user you will need to register and apply at https://schoolbus.educationapp...

2023 Prep students:

• If you have a sibling using the bus, logon to School Bus Management System and add a new applicant
• If you are totally new to country buses register and apply at https://schoolbus.educationapp...

For any queries please contact your school office or Horsham College Bus Coordinator  buses@horsham-college.vic.edu.au