Welcome to Term 4

A very warm welcome back to the final term of the year.

During the holidays I attended the Australian Conference on Lutheran Education in Brisbane. Its theme “Free to Flourish,” was prominent throughout as we celebrated the power of togetherness and belonging; creating spaces where every child and every member of our community feels seen, supported and valued. Like gardeners tending a flourishing garden, we are called to nurture each other’s growth through kindness, faith and shared purpose.

As we return from the holiday break, we do so with hearts refreshed and ready for a new season of learning, growth and connection. Just as “a tree planted by streams of water… yields its fruit in season” (Psalm 1:3), we are reminded of the strength and joy that come from being deeply rooted in God’s love and grace. May this term be one where we grow deep, flourish freely, and delight in the blessings God has planted among us.

Foundation 2026

On Friday 10 October, our Foundation 2026 students completed a craft activity at home in preparation for their school visits. This included watching an introductory video featuring our Executive Principal Mr Jason Przibilla, and reading a book with Miss Lienert.

Students did a wonderful job creating their own hungry caterpillar, and we look forward to their first onsite Story Time visit in the library on Thursday 6 November. 

Australian HPV Super Series - Round 6

At the end of last term, a number of students and staff travelled to Murray Bridge to compete in the season finale of the Australian HPV Super Series. With the daunting prospect of a 24-hour non-stop race looming on the horizon, at least the weather was pleasant for the duration of the three-day event.

Students in the Middle School Boys and Girls teams, as well as those in the Old Scholars team, represented the College with pride and determination, and had a strong race, with very few mechanical issues. Over the course of the event, the three trikes travelled a combined distance of 2038.32 kilometres, taking our total distance for the year to just over 5516 kilometres. Individual highlights for the event were Ryan C and Charlize vZ covering a distance of 116.28 km each.

Finishing positions for the event are as follows:

• Firestorm (Middle School Boys): 13th out of 35 trikes
• Avalanche (Middle School Girls): 4th out of 4 trikes
• Tsunami (Open Mixed): 3rd out of 6 trikes

This event wraps up an incredibly successful season for Holy Trinity Racing. Final results in the National Championship are as follows:

• Thunder (Junior School Boys): 2nd out of 25 trikes
• Hurricane (Junior School Girls): 2nd out of 4 trikes
• Firestorm (Middle School Boys): 6th out of 38 trikes
• Avalanche (Middle School Girls): 1st out of 2 trikes (National Champions)
• Tsunami (Open Mixed): 2nd out of 3 trikes

Thank you to all of the parent volunteers for assisting with the smooth running of the event and the season, as well as the PTFA for their generous donation that allowed us to purchase new cleats for the students to ride in. Mrs Both and Mrs Dridan both put in a lot of work behind the scenes to allow the whole event to run smoothly. Finally, we would like to thank CropSmart, one of our sponsors for this year, who provided money that went towards fresh tyres and windscreens to help our trikes be as fast as possible on the road.

The 2026 season will be here before we know it, with the first round in Mount Gambier happening on Saturday, 28 March 2026.

Black Ranges Intermediate Cricket

Our Year 9 boys competed in the Year 9 & 10 cricket competition on the second day back at school this term. With a few members of the team having minimal cricket experience, it was great to see how all of the boys came together for what was, ultimately, a rewarding learning experience.

Across the course of the day, the team played four games, having one convincing win, one close loss and a couple of games against older and stronger opponents where we still performed admirably. Over the course of the day, Ryan S led the way with the ball, taking four wickets. He also had a couple of cameo appearances at the crease, hitting three sixes. Chase K had the highest individual run-scoring performance, managing to hit 37 runs off the Stawell bowlers.

Thank you to Cody S for captaining the side and leading the team well on the field, and also to Miss Ellis for attending the event and assisting with coaching on the day.

Greater Western Region Athletics

After a brief taste of summer before we returned to school for Term 4, the conditions at Ballarat were like the middle of winter for the Greater Western Region athletics last Thursday.

With 15 representatives from WLC competing across a range of events, it was a busy day for the students as they took on the best the region had to offer in the final hurdle before the State Finals. All students were competitive across all of their events, and in total we had four individual podium finishes. Congratulations to:

Ryan S: 2nd place - 200 metres
Tadhg M: 2nd place - 800 metres
Elsa D: 3rd place - 200 metres
Charlize vZ: 3rd place - 1500 metres

We also had two relay teams who made the trip to Ballarat, and both the boys and girls finished in third place in their finals. Congratulations to Victoria B, Kirrily D, Maya P, Lilly P, Noah E, Soren F, Frazer S and Ryan S for their achievements.

Thanks to Miss Ellis for attending the event and supervising the students on the day.

Black Ranges Year 8 Cricket

Earlier this week our representative teams for Year 8 Cricket competed in the Black Ranges competition at various venues around Horsham. Our Year 8 Boys team, consisting almost completely of Year 7 students, played two strong games against Warracknabeal and St Brigid’s College in the pool stage of their event, but could only come away with one win, missing out on a place in the grand final.

Thank you to Miss Ellis and Mr Metelmann for attending the event and assisting with coaching on the day.

The Year 8 Girls played a 16 over match against Ararat College on the grounds of Wimmera Lutheran College, and it was fantastic to have many of the Junior School students come out to support the team during their recess break. After being sent in to bat, the girls started strongly, with Ava S and Matilda S combining for a 68-run opening partnership. The girls continued their good form, finishing with a 33-run partnership from Pippa K and Amber K, before taking the ball in hand to defend their total of 108. Savannah K and Ameika E controlled the match with the ball, taking four and two wickets respectively, ultimately resulting in the WLC girls winning by 23 runs.

The girls have been hard at work in the nets during lunch times and after school as they prepare for a trip to Ballarat to compete in the regional finals on Tuesday, 28 October.

2025 House Cup Presentation

This morning, the 2025 House Cup Presentation took place in the Senior Stadium.

The House Cup is a year-long Secondary competition that aims to foster House spirit and pride in WLC, as students are awarded points for their participation and success in various events and activities, including (but not limited to) representative sport, the musical, extra-curricular activities, volunteering for school events and open days and being selected for awards. In addition, the points that each House earns at the three major sporting carnivals early in the year also count towards the House Cup score.

The presentation was also an opportunity to thank our Year 12 House Captains for their efforts and commitment to the inter-house sports and events scene throughout 2025. Thank you to Jess D, Christian E, Mia N (Lowan), Aiden N, Alissa T, Rhianna W (Mallee), Regan B, Brodie F and Leti T (Wimmera) for their efforts this year.

This year, we were able to congratulate Wimmera for winning the House Cup, after they produced dominant performances at the Swimming and Athletics carnivals in Term 1. This is the second year in a row that Wimmera have won the House Cup, and equals Mallee’s record of three total wins since the inception of the event in 2019.

Final scores:
Wimmera — 4537 points
Mallee — 3965 points
Lowan — 3542 points

House Captain Speeches for the 2026 school year will take place during House Meetings on Friday, 24 October. Any Year 11 students who have not informed Miss Cashin of their desire to stand for House Captain must do so as a matter of urgency.

Wednesday 5 November, 7pm AEST / 8pm AEDT

On-demand gratification has become the modern-day norm, and our children have never known anything different. As a result, parents are noticing a clear pattern of declining levels of resilience and frustration tolerance. We naturally want them to be happy and successful, but we also recognise that a sense of entitlement can hinder their journey. While our hearts yearn to give them the world, we know it’s equally important to nurture gratitude, responsibility, and respect within their hearts.

Our children are growing up in a world defined by instant gratification. They’ve never known a time when things weren’t immediately accessible, which has contributed to declining resilience and frustration tolerance. As parents, we yearn to give them the world and shield them from disappointment, but we also know that fostering gratitude, responsibility, and respect is essential for their true happiness and success.

Entitled with Dr Justin Coulson will dive deep into the issue of entitlement. We’ll explore its root causes, its impact on our children’s development, and most importantly, we’ll equip you with practical strategies to turn things around. You’ll learn how to shift your child’s mindset from “gimme” to “thank you”, and how to foster a sense of appreciation even in an age of abundance.

In this presentation, we will navigate the challenges of parenting in today’s world and discover how to raise children who are not just responsible and respectful, but empowered, resilient, and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.

Register to receive the webinar link as well as email reminders here:

As part of WLC's Bloom Membership, our school community has access to the full back catalogue of Dr Justin's webinars! Here is the link for families to create your own username and password to link up to WLC's membership:

If there’s one thing that affects every part of family life—our kids’ behaviour, our behaviour, and everyone’s ability to cope—it’s sleep.

And despite what we sometimes think – or at least our kids might think – sleep is not a luxury item. It’s a biological necessity that cuts to the core of our ability to function well.

In fact, my #1 Parenting Hack has nothing to do with parenting and nothing to do with the kids. It’s this: get more sleep! Have you noticed how much better you are as a parent when you sleep well? It’s miraculous!

But far too often, parents unknowingly fall for common myths about children’s sleep needs. Let’s tackle some of the biggest sleep myths holding families back—and look at what actually works.

Sleep Myth #1: Screen Time Helps Kids Wind Down

False. Despite nearly half of parents believing screens help kids relax, the science says otherwise. Interactive content, social media, and video games stimulate the brain when it should be calming down, delaying sleep onset and reducing sleep quality. That’s two strikes—lower quantity and lower quality of sleep.

What to do: Aim for a screen-free hour before bed. Replace screens with calming activities: reading a physical book, listening to calming music, or chatting about the day.

Sleep Myth #2: Kids Will Sleep When They’re Tired

False. Children, especially younger ones, often don’t realise they’re tired—and won’t voluntarily put themselves to bed. In fact, overtired children often become hyperactive, grumpy, or difficult to settle.

What to do: Stick to a predictable bedtime routine. Don’t wait for your child to “crash.” Pre-empt tiredness with a calming, consistent rhythm to the evening. Try to have sleep start at about the same time each night.

Sleep Myth #3: Catching Up on Sleep on the Weekend Works

Partly true—but not ideal. A weekend sleep-in might help after a late night or two. But chronic sleep debt builds up, and irregular sleep schedules can mess with the body’s internal clock—just like jet lag. Sleeping in for hours on the weekend can actually make it harder to fall asleep on Sunday night and harder to wake up Monday morning, which starts the week off unbalanced.

What to do: Aim for bed and wake times within about 30 minutes of the usual, even on weekends. Consistency helps regulate your child’s natural sleep rhythms.

Sleep Myth #4: A Later Bedtime Means They’ll Sleep In

False. This one sounds logical—but it usually backfires. Young kids in particular have internal clocks that wake them early no matter what time they go to bed. And when kids don’t get enough sleep, their bodies release more stress hormones—making it even harder to fall asleep the next night.

What to do: Keep bedtimes early and consistent. It may feel counterintuitive, but earlier bedtimes often mean better—and longer—sleep.

Bonus Myth (For Parents of Older Kids): Teens Who Sleep In Are Just Lazy

False. Teenagers are biologically wired to fall asleep later and wake up later. It’s a normal shift in their circadian rhythm—not a character flaw.

What to do: Help teens build good sleep hygiene: wind-down routines, screen limits at night, and weekend sleep-ins—within reason. Support consistency, not perfection.

So How Much Sleep Do Kids Really Need?

Here’s a rough guide:

• Toddlers (1–3 years): 12–14 hours (including naps)
• Preschoolers (3–5 years): 10–12 hours
• Primary School (5–12 years): 9–11 hours
• Teens (13–18 years): 8–10 hours (some need more)

But remember—every child is different. If they seem tired, grumpy, or struggle with focus, more sleep might be needed—even if they’re hitting the “recommended” number.

3 Actionable Tips for Better Sleep (Which Can Be Started Tonight!)

1. Build a Consistent Wind-Down Routine
   Quiet, predictable activities help signal to the brain that it’s time for sleep. Start 30–60 minutes before bedtime. Keep it screen-free, low-stimulation, and calming.
2. Prioritise Daily Physical Activity
   Regular exercise (earlier in the day) helps kids fall asleep more easily. Just avoid intense physical play right before bed.
3. Watch Out for Caffeine (If You’re Raising Older Kids)
   Teens are increasingly reaching for coffee, energy drinks, and even “healthy” options like matcha or green tea. But caffeine can stay in the system for up to 6 hours—making it harder to fall (and stay) asleep. Encourage caffeine-free drinks, especially after midday. Talk to older kids about how caffeine affects their sleep, energy, and focus.

When to Get Help

If your child consistently struggles to fall or stay asleep, snores loudly or stops breathing during sleep, or seems exhausted despite a full night’s sleep, it may be time to speak with your GP or a sleep specialist. Sleep disorders are real and treatable. (Although you’ll overcome many problems simply following the ideas outlined above.)

The more rested your child is, the more likely they are to be calm, focused, resilient, and happy. And the more sleep you get, the more present, patient, and positive you can be too.

Wimmera Lutheran College is a Happy Families School. Every member of our school community can access the full suite of Bloom Membership resources from Happy Families!

Written by Dr Justin Coulson

If you would like to access our school's membership, please follow the link below, and use this password: happyhtlc

We’re excited to announce that Elevate Education will be hosting a free webinar for our parents on time management on October 29. Elevate works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you’ll learn how you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they’re learning at school. Sign up for the session below to learn how you can help your child to stay focused and prioritise revision when it matters most.

Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night:

• Aligning expectations on homework with your child
• Helping your child balance their schoolwork and social life
• Setting up a weekly planner tool with your child

Shakespeare Under the Stars: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Get ready for a night of laughter, magic, and mayhem as Smart Artz Theatre Inc. presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Horsham Botanic Gardens from October 31 – November 2, 2025, with performances starting at 8:00 pm each evening.

This open-air production brings Shakespeare’s most mischievous comedy to life with a mix of puppetry, music, and playful energy. Set in an enchanted forest filled with feuding fairies, star-crossed lovers, and a troupe of hopelessly enthusiastic amateur actors, it’s a show the whole family will enjoy.

The fun begins early with the Fairy Festival from 6:00 pm each night - included in your ticket price. Kids (and the young at heart) can enjoy face painting, fairy garland-making, and magical photo opportunities before the performance begins. A range of food trucks will be on site, or you can bring your own picnic, chairs, and drinks (BYO alcohol is welcome).

Tickets are available now through the Horsham Town Hall website at www.horshamtownhall.com.au or by calling the HTH Box Office on (03) 5382 9555.

Check out the full cast and crew at https://smartartztheatreinc.org - you might just spot someone you know!

Come along, pack a picnic, and enjoy a touch of Shakespearean magic under the stars.