Strategic Planning

The Executive Leadership team met with Phil McCredden from Ecclesia Leadership to continue to work on the development of the college’s strategic plan, using the signposts to guide the work that will be completed this year. The following pillars were decided upon in the Tuesday workshop;

Shaping Identity

• Uniform
• Mission, Vision and Values
• Branding recognition
• Special events
• Cultivating Lutheran Identity

Growing Community

• School Sustainability and Growth
• College Expansion
• Staff Wellbeing
• Lutheran Church Connection and Engagement
• Service
• Cross-campus opportunities

Transforming Learning

• Curriculum review
• Unity and diversity opportunities
• Innovative Learning
• Staff development and coaching
• AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Support Services

• Policies and procedure development
• Risk and compliance review
• Financial planning
• ICT review
• Communication and marketing

As you can see from this list, there is some exciting work that will continue to be undertaken as the year progresses. Hopefully this will provide a snapshot of the Strategic Intent the college will be focusing on for this year and beyond.

Future plans

There are many immediate plans that are in the pipeline, with a review of uniform policy and uniform items being at the top of the priority list for Term 2. I look forward to rolling this out to the WLC community throughout next term. Priority around signage is also in the pipeline as we look to promote the name and logo on all 3 campuses. Work is currently underway to action this important work. The website is also being developed behind the scenes with the aim to launch this later on in the year.

Easter message

As we come to the end of a busy and productive term at Wimmera Lutheran College, I would like to sincerely thank our staff, students and families for the commitment, energy and care that has been evident across all of our campuses. It has been a wonderful start to the year, with many opportunities for learning, growth and community connection.

As we enter the Easter season, we are reminded of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is a powerful message of hope, grace and new life. It is a reminder that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are given the gift of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. This life-saving message sits at the centre of who we are as a Lutheran school, and continues to shape our purpose and direction.

My prayer for all members of our College community is that the holiday break provides an opportunity for rest, safe travel and quality time with family and loved ones. May it also be a time to pause and reflect on the significance of Easter and the hope it brings to each of us.

Wishing you a safe and blessed Easter.

John 11:25 - “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

Mr Jason Przibilla, Executive Principal

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (John 13:1).

Read John 13:1–17,31b–35

The world occupies an ambiguous place in John’s Gospel. On the one hand, it stands condemned, a place of unbelief, ruled by Satan and estranged from God. On the other hand, it is God’s love for the world that means Jesus is sent – not to condemn the world, but that it might be saved through him. When Jesus prays for his disciples, he doesn’t ask that we be taken out of the world, but that we would be kept safe within it. And when Jesus serves, he serves in the world.

Washing his disciples’ feet is such a practical way of showing service and love. Jesus gets his hands dirty so that his disciples can be clean. He takes on a role that is shameful and degrading. Jesus’ action must have made a powerful impression on John and the other disciples. We read a detailed description in verses four and five of Jesus getting up, tying a towel around himself, pouring water and then washing feet.

This is what God’s power and influence in the world look like in action. The Jesus whose feet were anointed with precious nard is not above washing the feet of his followers – the ones who we might expect to serve him.

As Jesus’ followers, the world occupies an ambiguous place for us as well. The world is a place full of attractions, and the siren calls of wealth, comfort and power are strong. The world is the place where the evil one wants to draw you away from faith in Christ.

But it is in this same world that Christ encounters you, not in condemnation, but in loving service. Jesus comes into the world to bring cleansing and refreshment. He comes into the world to make us agents of his cleansing and new life: ‘So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet’ (verse 14).

Humble service is God’s way of blessing. It’s God’s way of disarming the powers of this world. It’s God’s way of transformation.

Lord Jesus, lead me to love the world and those in it as you do. Free me from finding my identity in my possessions, relationships, wealth or comfort. Guide me to thanksgiving in your gifts, open my eyes to see you encountering me in the world, and open my hands in service of others. Amen.

 Jacob Traeger

Trinity Tiger/Cub Awards

Congratulations to our very special Tiger & Cub Awards!

• Boh A - Mallee
• Melissa SM - Mallee
• Savio B - Lowan

Mrs Christina Jacobsen, Head of Primary

Curriculum Overview - Term 1 Review & Focus for Term 2

Throughout Term 1, WLC Horsham campus have undertaken a thorough and purposeful review of our curriculum, with a strong focus on the scope and sequence for literacy and numeracy. This work has been centred on ensuring that what we teach is clearly structured, developmentally appropriate, and consistent across all year levels and campuses.

A key strength of this process has been the collaborative involvement of staff. Teachers have worked together to examine current practices, identify areas of success, and highlight opportunities for improvement. These professional conversations have supported a shared understanding of our curriculum and strengthened our collective responsibility for student learning outcomes.

Through this review, we have been working towards several important priorities:

Cohesion across year levels and campuses, ensuring a more unified approach to teaching and learning

Sequential learning, supporting a logical and consistent progression of knowledge and skills

Strengthening our educational product, ensuring our curriculum is high-quality, practical, and responsive to student needs

Looking ahead to Term 2, our focus will shift towards refining and embedding this work. A key priority will be to streamline reporting across campuses, ensuring greater consistency and clarity in how student achievement and progress are communicated to families.

We will also continue to prioritise staff involvement, building on the strong foundation established in Term 1. Ongoing collaboration will support us to further strengthen cohesion, enhance clarity and continue developing a clearly sequenced curriculum that meets the needs of all learners.

This work reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and to providing a high-quality, aligned educational experience for every student at WLC.

Richest blessings,

Mrs Jacqui North, Assistant Head of Primary School(s): Curriculum & Pedagogy

As Term 1 comes to a close, we have a lot to be grateful for. It has been a wonderful term full of a range of opportunities and experiences. We ended the term with a very busy final week, but it definitely highlights that schools are busy places full of rich opportunities.

Athletics Carnival

The Athletics Carnival took place on Monday and was a great day of sportsmanship and community. We enjoyed beautiful weather while the talents of our students were on show. Well done to everyone who participated in an event, challenged themselves and cheered for their team mates. It all is an important part in building the atmosphere and comradery of the event. A big thank you to Miss Ellis for all of her hard work and preparation for the event. And congratulations to Wimmera for taking out the title!

Year 9s at the Primary School Carnival

Our Year 9 students attended the Year 3 - 6 Athletics Carnival and supported running the events for the Primary students. It is wonderful to have connections like these across sub schools. Our Year 9s showed excellent leadership skills and showed great support to the younger students.

Easter Journey

The Wimmera Lutheran College community was blessed to experience the Easter Journey, presented by Mrs Polack, Mr McKinnon, Mrs Hahn and our Year 12 students. On Tuesday afternoon, those who attended were guided through a series of reflective stations, each offering a different perspective on the Easter story and its meaning. A special highlight was the play performed by the students. The experience concluded with Holy Communion, led by Pastor Hans, and was a wonderful way for our community to reflect as we enter into the Easter long weekend.

I want to wish everyone a blessed Easter and a restful break. I look forward to seeing our students return at the beginning of Term 2.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Important Upcoming Dates

• Term 2 commences - Monday 20th of April
• Secondary Cross Country - Tuesday 21st of April
• College Ball - Friday 16th May
• Open Day and Come and Try Day - Wednesday 20th May
• Subject Expo Evening - Tuesday 26th May
• School Closure Day - Monday 8th June
• VCE General Achievement Test - Tuesday 16th of June
• Term 2 concludes - Friday 26th June

Mrs Kate Carter, Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary

Greater Western Region Swimming

The Greater Western Region Primary Swimming Carnival was held last Wednesday. Congratulations to Edith B in the Backstroke and the 11 Year Girls Relay team which consisted of Maggie K, Hazel P, Edith B and Grace B on winning their event on the day. These girls have now progressed to the State Swimming Finals to be held in Melbourne on Thursday 23rd April.

The following students also achieved a placing at this event. Well done to Matilda D 2nd Butterfly, Hazel P 2nd Breaststroke, Oliver W 3rd in Backstroke and Butterfly, Maggie K 3rd in Freestyle and the 2nd placed Girls Medley Relay team consisting of Matilda D, Maggie K, Hazel P and Edith B.

WLC Primary Athletics

Congratulations to all participants at our Primary School Athletics Carnivals. Whilst the weather was cool and windy the efforts from all students were outstanding. A big thank you to parents and staff for their assistance in ensuring two successful carnival days.

Well done to Wimmera House on winning the athletics shield for the third consecutive year running. Mallee was second and Lowan third. A special congratulations to Harriet R, Paddy S, Ellie K, Mason R, Maggie K, Jaxon D, Luella R and Leo P on winning individual age champions medals on the day.

HCPSSA Cross Country

The top six runners from today's WLC Cross Country in the 9/10, 11 and 12/13 year old age groups will progress to HCPSSA Cross Country to be held at the Horsham Race Course on Wednesday 29th April.

HCPSSA Athletics

Students finishing first or second in the 9/10, 11 & 12/13 year old age groups at our WLC Athletics carnival will progress to HCPSSA District Athletics on Tuesday 5th May.

Term 2 Sports Events 

• HCPSSA Cross Country - Wednesday 29th April 
• HCPSSA Athletics - Tuesday 5th May 
• Little Desert Cross Country - Monday 11th May 
• HCPSSA Girls AFL - Friday 15th May 
• GWR Cross Country - Wednesday 27th May 
• Little Desert Winter Sports - Wednesday 3rd June

Mr Gary Davidson, Head of Sport (F-6)

Virtual Cross Country

These school holidays will give our secondary school students an opportunity to get some practice in for our Cross Country. We are once again offering the Virtual Cross Country. Please see the Hub post for all the details about this. A reminder that our Secondary Cross Country will be held on the second day of Term 2.

Upcoming events

March

• 25 - Greater Western Region Swimming
• 30 - WLC Secondary Athletics
• 31 - Greater Western Region Senior & Intermediate Volleyball

April

• 21 - WLC Secondary Cross Country
• 23 - State Swimming
• 28 - SNR/INT Girls AFL

May

• 1 - Black Ranges Cross Country
• 4 - Black Ranges Boys Netball
• 4 - Black Ranges JNR Girls AFL
• 13 - INT State Volleyball Finals
• 14 - SNR State Volleyball Finals

Miss Jayde Ellis, Head of Sport (7-12)

Missed the SchoolTV webinar, Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience? The recording is available until Monday 4 May via the link below or on the Webinar Series tile on our SchoolTV homepage. Don’t forget to download the KEYpoints flyer to support conversations at home.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience (Part I)

We look forward to delivering Part 2 of the Webinar Series in Term 2, with further details to be shared in early Term 2.

It was a fantastic start to the season for HTR, with strong performances across all teams!

• JS All-Female Hurricane placed 2nd with 69 laps
• JS Boys Thunder secured 2nd with 92 laps - just 2 laps behind the winner and 9 laps clear of third
• MS All-Female Avalanche claimed an impressive 1st place with 82 laps
• MS Boys Firestorm finished 5th with 103 laps, after running in 3rd before mechanical issues saw them drop back - just 3 laps off the podium

In the Community Mixed Team category, Tsunami faced some post-race controversy regarding team classifications. Pending final results, they are expected to place either 2nd or 3rd.

A few “Mr Mac” facts from the day:

• Hurricane rode the equivalent distance from WLC to Beaufort
• Thunder, Avalanche, Firestorm and Tsunami each covered the distance from WLC to Ballarat
• As a combined effort, HTR riders travelled the distance from WLC to Batemans Bay
• Denzel A recorded the fastest HTR lap: 3:19 on the 2.4km circuit
• Seven riders made their HTR debut - a fantastic milestone
• Rachel R and Ellua B both surpassed 1000km in their HTR riding careers

This event would not have been possible without the support of an incredible team. Special thanks to Wade Ellis for towing the trailer and assisting with scrutineering, Carol Case-Hassall for helping run the day, and Wade Ellis and Nathan Neumann for their mechanical expertise. Appreciation also goes to Leroy A, Ryan C and Bailey D for preparing the trikes and trailer, Rachel R for leading the pre- and post-race team talks, and Abel N for stepping in to assist during the race. Thank you to Kim Adams, Johanna Fry, Erica Steadman, Katie Ruwoldt, Pat McDonald, Chris Delahunty and Leigh Walters for marshalling, and to Ally Brennan for capturing the day as team photographer. 

We also extend our gratitude to the parents who assisted with set-up and pack-up, and to all families who came along to support HTR’s first event of the season.

Finally, congratulations to all riders for their enthusiasm and effort - HTR is fortunate to have such a committed and supportive community. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season ahead!

Mrs Kelli Both

Dear families, 

The administration office will close from Thursday April 2 at 4:00pm and will reopen on Monday April 20. For urgent matters please call 53822529 and leave a voicemail or email admin@wlc.vic.edu.au.

Additionally, the uniform shop is closed from 2:00pm April 2 and will reopen following the school holidays.

We thank you for your understanding and wish all our families a safe, restful and joyful Easter break.

Horsham crew - get ready! The legends at Melbourne Scooter Club are bringing it to Horsham Skate Bowl!

From FREE coaching clinics to the official Park/Street Qualifiers, it's all happening! If you want to compete in the qualifier, you must be a Scooter Club member!

Check out Melbourne Scooter Club's website and contact them for more info!