Greetings.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our HTLC community at the start of the new school term. In particular, I would like to welcome back Miss Natalie Lienert and Mrs Liz Hewitt who are both returning after a period of leave from the college. Additionally, I would also like to welcome Mr David Kenny to the faculty. Mr Kenny will be replacing Mrs Jessica Erhardt (nee Kelly) as of today as she takes parental leave to prepare for the arrival of her first child. I would like to wish Jessica and Morgan God’s richest blessing as they prepare for the new addition to their family.

Over the past months families would have noticed that COVIDSafe measures have been continually changing. At this time it is important to acknowledge that some previous practices will continue to be in place across all Victorian schools over the coming month, to ensure every possible effort is made so that staff and students remain healthy and that schools remain open. As of 8 July, the school was notified that the Victorian Government will continue to provide rapid antigen tests. This will occur for the remainder of the year and as a result it is highly recommended that rapid antigen tests are continued to be used by both staff and students. Families will need to continue to report a positive COVID-19 result to the school so we can record that students will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and provide support and learning materials as needed. All students and staff who return a positive result from a rapid antigen test should also follow the latest advice at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/rapid-antigen-tests. 

Additionally, current advice from the Victorian government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks. The current advice strongly recommends the wearing of face masks in indoor settings. It states that “wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you. Face masks stop droplets spreading when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh, which lowers your chance of spreading or catching the virus.” As you will note this is not mandated but will be supported by the college if students and staff wish to wear them.

Wishing you all a blessed week.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Darren Pope

Love the Lord your God with all your heart … and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30,31).

Oh, c’mon! You can’t be serious!

Ever raised your arms at the footy umpire’s decision and let them know what really happened? Perhaps, you’ve been the designated driver for friends or family? Maybe, you’ve had a police officer step from the shade of a tree and flag you down to stop? Cameras that monitor speed, seat belts, mobile phones, registration, load security and toll payment are just part of the fabric of society. The law is everywhere.

The law can equally be our protector and our frustration. It can help create safe behaviours in others that help keep us safe, but it can also feel restrictive or illogical. Nonetheless, it is the law. Bills are passed into law and serve three purposes for the greater good. Laws can be thought of as:

1. A boundary line or fence – our cars may be capable of excessive speeds, but clear and safe limits on the road provide protection for all users.
2. A signpost – knowing that a few drinks can make us unsafe drivers guides our choice to get others home safely.
3. A mirror – seeing a police car on the highway causes us to check our speed and reminds us of the right choices.

Is there a law that you really appreciate or really don’t? Do you understand the intent and application of every law? So many people tried to trap Jesus by using the law. It was clear from their questions and tricky scenarios that they had a very linear and simplistic view of the law, with actions being right or wrong. Sadly, this was used to make them look puffed up and pompous and make everyone else look bad. Jesus was savvy to their thinking and flipped the narrative from condemnation by the law to one of freedom through grace and love. We believe that we are saved ‘by grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith’. In other words, there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favour or gain eternal life. Christ won all this and more for us through his death and resurrection. Does this mean we don’t need to do the right thing or follow any laws? Absolutely not! We are set free from the law and are justified by grace through faith, not works. In response, we uphold the law of our Lord and land as a matter of principle and praise.

God’s unconditional love comes to us each day. It shows the boundaries, points to the right way and helps us reflect and respond. Will we get it wrong and stuff things up? Absolutely – yet he loves us!

In his love, we are free.

Risen Lord, you love me. You set me free. I lean into your love. That’s all I need for today. Amen.

Welcome to Term 3! We pray that you have enjoyed the time spent with family and friends, and found opportunities to escape the cold winter weather! 

Holy Trinity Tiger and Holy Trinity Cub Awards

After 8 years, Jing is retiring as our Junior School special award. Next week at Junior School assembly we are very excited to announce three new awards will be presented. The Holy Trinity Tiger Award will be presented to a student in Year 5 or 6, and the Holy Trinity Cub Award will be presented to a student in Year 3 or 4, and a student in Foundation to Year 2. Students will be nominated for displaying the character strengths identified in the Positive Education Program. 

Camps

Term 3 is a very busy time for camps. 

• The Year 4 students enjoyed a 3 day adventure camp in Creswick from Wednesday this week. 
• The Year 5 classes will be on camp from Wednesday to Friday next week at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, with a focus on Gold Rush history. 
• The Year 3 classes will be camping at Tandara in Halls Gap in Week 7. This is the first off campus camp for our students, and aims to help them develop confidence and independence.

We pray all of our campers have a wonderful time of personal growth and enjoy the experiences offered through the camp program.

Wakakirri

Our Junior School Wakakirri cast, crew and staff will be traveling to Moonee Ponds on 5 August to compete in the Story-Dance Wakakirri festival. Blessings to all involved as they continue to prepare for this exciting event.

Aerobics Nationals

I would like to congratulate our Energetix team who will be competing at the School Aerobics National Competition towards the end of August on the Gold Coast. Congratulations! To help support students and families as they prepare for their trip to Queensland there will be fundraising events held in the coming weeks. Students will be given the opportunity to guess the number of lollies in the jar for 50c in the quadrangle, purchase a sausage for lunch on Friday 29 July and there will be casual dress day on Friday 5 August. Thank you in advance for your support of these events.

Conferences

Three-way conferences will take place this term on Tuesday and Thursday of Week 7 (23 and 25 August). These will involve students, parents/carers and teachers, and provide a valuable opportunity to discuss students’ progress and set goals for each student. Students are required to accompany their parent or carer to the conference, and will be active participants in the discussion of their learning. Further information will be sent home in the coming weeks with instructions on how to book a conference time.

ICAS

This year students in Year 6 to Year 9 will be provided with an opportunity to complete the ICAS assessments in English, Maths and Science towards the end of this term. If you have a student in Year 3 to 5 who would like to participate, families are invited to register children for these assessments independently through this link: https://www.icasassessments.co...

Chapel

Tuesday morning our college community joined together for Opening Service to begin our new term. Next week Year 2S will be leading Chapel with a focus on showing gratitude for all God has provided for us. We encourage students to bring a small offering.  We hope you can join us for worship.

Blessings,

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

Welcome back to all HTLC families. I pray the 2-week break has provided an opportunity for everyone to recharge and rejuvenate as we prepare for the second half of the year. The Term commenced with Opening Service which was another opportunity for the whole school to gather together in praise and worship. With the new term commencing, students will be operating off an adjusted timetable. These were presented to students on Tuesday morning and can be accessed via The Hub. Parents are encouraged to take note of this so they can be aware of what is happening each day. The Hub will continue to be utilised more by staff and students of HTLC with a focus on uploading assessment tasks and results. This will allow parents and carers more immediate feedback on how their child is going with important tasks at school, across all subject areas.

The College is committed to continuing to provide support to families. The following departments/staff can be contacted for pastoral and/or administrative matters:

Families are encouraged to reach out if they have a question or require support.

Parent & Teacher Interviews

It was fantastic to see a number of parents take the opportunity to meet with teachers to discuss the Semester 1 report during scheduled interviews this week. I trust that these conversations were constructive and have helped to build a platform for progress moving forward into this semester. The lines of communication between home and school are always open and I encourage families to get in touch with the College if they have any questions or queries.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

Senior School

We welcomed our Senior students back to the beginning of a very busy but once again exciting term of activities and learning earlier this week. Each term we look forward to developing and implementing programs that will both engage and inspire our Senior School students. Our Year 12 students are commencing their final, full term of secondary education and will begin planning for their VCE external examinations and celebrations.

Study Centre

It has been pleasing to see an increasing number of students taking advantage of the opportunity to remain after school to attend VCE classes or private/small group study. As this is the final term for our Year 12 students and to support all Senior students in their study, the Study Centre will remain open until 5:00pm from Monday to Thursday and 4:30pm on Friday nights. Please note that after this time the Centre will be closed unless special arrangements have been made with a teacher.

Virtual Subject Selection

Thank you to all Year 9, 10 and 11 students who submitted their VCE pathways for 2023 at the end of Term 2. Further consultation will take place in coming weeks with students as blockings are developed. As indicated on the forms, it is important to remember that for a number of reasons this is not always possible but we develop our blockings according to student demand and aim to provide students with access to their selected subjects.

Interviews

Parents have been offered an opportunity to meet with staff this week following the completion of Semester 1 course work. This is a valuable time in the year for reflection on priorities and commitment to study for many of our Senior students, particularly those students commencing VCE Unit 3 and 4 studies. As always, we strongly encourage students to engage in this process with their parents.

Try VET Day

For those students considering the possibility of undertaking a VET Course in 2023, information was sent home last term regarding Try VET Day which will be held on Thursday 4 August. The day provides an opportunity for students to experience two courses they may be considering, throughout the day. All forms should now be returned to be eligible for placement in a program. Formal enrolment in VET courses for those selecting that pathway will take place later in Term 3.

VCE Important dates

• GAT (General Achievement Test) - Wednesday 7 September, 2022
• VCE Trial Exams (HTLC campus)– Monday 26 September – Friday 3 October
• VCE written exams – English – Wednesday 26 October – 9:00am to 12:15pm

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please find upcoming sporting dates below for your calendar;

• Year 5/6 Winter Sports - Fridays, weekly on 22 & 29 July and 5 & 12 August
• PMP to recommence
• Year 5/6 Golf - Fridays weekly from 22 July to 2 September
• Little Desert Volleyball in Horsham - 17 August
• HCPSSA Badminton in Horsham - 31 August

Winter Sports AFL - Year 5/6

Years 5 and 6 students will be involved in a 4-week Winter Sports Program this term, commencing Friday 22 July. This is a round robin event, giving students an opportunity to apply their skills with match play in their chosen Winter Sport. Sports and locations for this lightening premiership-like interschool competition are relative to our Winter Sports program and listed below. Buses will be provided for the sessions that occur offsite and will return in time for the end of school day. These sessions occur on Friday afternoons in periods 5 and 6 as a part of the Year 5 and 6 sports allocation.

• Boys AFL to be played at HTLC, Junior and Middle School ovals
• Netball to be played at Central Park, Racecourse Reserve
• Soccer to be played at Dudley Cornell, North Park
• Volleyball to be played at the Horsham 298 stadium

PMP

PMP sessions for all Foundation and Year 1 students will recommence in Week 4 of Term 3, Tuesday 2 August. I'm looking forward to seeing the students' faces light up on entry to the MPC for their sessions, it's always great to be a part of. Teachers welcome any offers from parents/helpers to assist with the running of activity stations within these sessions.

Little Desert Competitions

Expressions of interest will be sought and preparation for these events will commence in Term 3. If you have any keen Year 5 & 6 Volleyball or Badminton players, we welcome their interest.

State Cross Country

Judd Oakley represented HTLC in the State Cross Country on Thursday 14 July. Judd ran 63rd for the event in a muddy and heavy track - very different to Wimmera conditions. A huge congratulations to Judd on a fantastic achievement. We are so proud of your event run!

Yours in Sport!

Hayley Thomas, Primary Sports Coordinator

Semester 2 resumes with another busy term of sport, getting underway in Week 1! Term 3 includes sports such as cross country, basketball and volleyball; with Senior sport coming to a close this term leading into exams. 

HTLC would like to congratulate both Adelyn Penny and Sophie Pietsch for their efforts on Thursday in the State Cross Country Championships at Yarra Glen. It's a fantastic achievement to make it to this level of competition!

Senior Basketball is upcoming next week, followed by Intermediate Basketball and Year 7 & 8 Basketball towards the end of August. All sporting event dates are listed below for Term 3. 

Term 3
JULY
14 - State Cross Country
19 - Black Ranges Senior Boys & Girls Basketball
25 - Black Ranges Intermediate Girls Basketball
26 - Black Ranges Intermediate Boys Basketball

AUGUST
29 - Black Ranges Year 7 Boys & Girls Basketball

SEPTEMBER
6 - Black Ranges Year 8 Boys & Girls Basketball
14 - Black Ranges Year 7/8 Boys & Girls Volleyball

Mr Jesse Kuchel, Head of Sport and Coaching

In this edition of SchoolTV - DEPRESSION

When kids feel sad, irritable or anxious most of the time, this is not considered a ‘normal’ part of adolescence. Depression may be indicated by uncharacteristic behaviour such as social withdrawal, changes to academic performance, use of drugs or alcohol, or even engaging in risky behaviour. The symptoms and signs are a combination of what a parent can see externally, plus what a child is feeling internally.

Every child can feel sad or down in response to a particular situation. However, these feelings should only last a short time and should not interfere with a child’s day-to-day activities. Should the sadness continue for longer than two weeks, then your child could be at risk of depression. This is more than just sadness, it is a serious health problem with no singular cause. Usually depression is the result of a combination of things.

In this edition of SchoolTV parents will learn how identify the signs of depression and what the effects are on their child’s wellbeing and overall health.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the College Wellbeing Team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Depression edition of SchoolTV: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/depression

Rowing will be available for students from Year 9 upwards for the rowing season commencing September 2022 and completing March 2023. Rowing is open to both male and female students.

Learn to Row classes will commence at beginning of August 2022. Students will learn to scull first and will then graduate to sweep and crewed boats. Competition is available in single sculls , quads sculls, fours and eights. Entries are dependent upon the availability of crews in each year level.

Rowing is a technical sport that develops the dexterity and physical co-ordination of each rower. It has the benefit that it is a zero impact sport but develops the fitness and strength of each rower. It requires co-ordination and co-operation in a crew boat to work as a cohesive unit.

Students may also be taught to cox a boat, which develops the leadership and responsibility of the student.

Rowing will be conducted in association with Horsham City Rowing Club who will provide all boats and a coach for each training session.

A fee of $180 is payable to Horsham City Rowing Club prior to commencement. This covers the student's registration with Rowing Victoria, insurance, use of club boats. Additional costs are applicable for regattas.

To register interest in undertaking rowing for this coming season please contact Mr Kuchel, Head of Sport and Coaching.

Attention parents of country school bus travellers: The School Bus Management System is coming to Horsham!
The Department of Education and Training is currently working with schools in Horsham to transition the administration of the country school bus services into the School Bus Management System (SBMS). The SBMS will allow you to apply for bus travel online, rather than via the current paper forms.
More information regarding the school bus service’s transition to the SBMS will be communicated as the transition progresses, including when and how you can access the system.
If your children are no longer travelling or do not require access to the school bus, please email the Department of Education and Training at: schoolbus@education.vic.gov.au with your child’s name and school name.

Nights will be held exploring what Christian freedom means to you through art. It can be individual or a group masterpiece for an exhibition on 27th & 28th August at the Church Hall. Paint and materials will be supplied, bring a snack to share. If you have any art supplies, feel free to bring them along.

Friday 15th & 29th July 7.00-9.00pm at Holy Trinity Ed Centre in McPherson Street.

For more details contact Lynda Henstridge: lynda.henstridge@lca.org.au

All are welcome.