This week I had the pleasure of listening to some of our students deliver speeches, outlining why they should be considered for the position of Junior and Middle School Captains for 2024. This process involved students standing up in front of their peers to publicly declare what characteristics, values and skills they would bring to the positions if elected by their peers. To say the quality of these speeches was high would be an understatement as I was consistently blown away by the ability of each candidate to speak with honesty, integrity and confidence. I left both presentations feeling confident that whoever is elected would do an amazing job in the positions of Junior and Middle School Captains in 2024. The successful candidates will be revealed before the respective closing services. Good luck to all students who have applied for these roles. A huge thank you also to Mrs Engert, Mrs North and the Year 5 teachers for providing the opportunity and support to these students. It was clear to see that they were given every chance to present to the best of their ability through this guidance and support.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Today, we celebrated the end of the year for our Senior School students (Years 10 and 11). A closing service was held in the Agora with academic, service, leadership and sporting excellence recognised. It was great to have Mr Shane Patterson - Director of Leadership and School Improvement for Lutheran Education Victoria, NSW and Tasmania - join us for the service. Thank you also to Mrs Polack for leading the worship component of the service, the HTLC Worship band for providing live music and Mrs Kuchel for her guidance and leadership within the Senior School throughout this year.
With less than two weeks to go before the end of the school year, the College will be communicating key details regularly. This week, the Heads of Sub Schools sent home communication around key dates and events for each sub school in the run-down to the end of the year. Next week, I will be communicating with parents around end-of-year and start-of-2024 details. Reports, yearbooks and class lists will also be sent home before the end of the year. Please continue to keep an eye on emails, Hub notifications, newsletters, the website and Facebook to ensure you are informed of all details.
God’s blessings on your week.
Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting Principal
Faith News
Sins thrown away
by Peter Bean
You will throw away our sins into the deepest part of the sea (Micah 7:19b).
I am not a scuba diver. My wife went scuba diving once, and I wished her well as I watched from the safety of the boat! I could not imagine spending any time inside a submarine, let alone plunging into the depths of the ocean. I take my hat off to those who go scuba diving or forge a career that way.
Hence, I have no idea what the deepest part of the sea is like – except for what I have read and documentaries I have seen. (My Octopus Teacher would be one of the best!) Anyway, I imagine it as a dark, inhospitable place where no-one wants to go. So I would be happy for my sins to be thrown there! But I also know there is the most amazing life deep underwater, with all sorts of marvellous wonders.
Perhaps that’s the problem with sins and sin in general. Some are obvious, and we are happy to have them thrown into the darkest places to forget them and get on with a better life. But some sins are amazing and make us marvel. So we tolerate them, excuse them, and perhaps, in some cases, even encourage them. Not that we do that deliberately, but we get hooked in by their marvellous wonders!
God’s people have done that for ages: think golden calf, full barns, viewing ourselves better than others. List your own way of deceiving yourself! Read any of the prophets and see how the people of God betrayed their God, followed other gods, and justified their evil ways of living.
But if you read any of the prophets, make sure you read the last chapter! There, you find verses like our verse above. God will have mercy; God will restore; God will enact justice; God will forgive. This does not excuse anything the people did, nor what we do. But it does reassure us; it does restore us. We do know forgiveness, life and new beginnings.
I don’t care where my sins are thrown. I am just grateful that God, in Jesus, took them away and made me a new creation once again. And that’s my prayer for today.
Thank you, God, in Jesus, for taking away my sins and making me a new creation once again. Amen.
Sub Schools News
Junior School News (1 December, 2023)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
What a great reminder that through Christ, all things are possible. We have almost made it to the end of another school year. Knowing that He has guided us and helped us to grow in knowledge, faith, and character. We are so thankful for the teaching and learning that has taken place in our school, both in and out of the classroom; for the talents and gifts that have been shared; and for the respect and care that has been given. We are thankful for the friendships that have just begun and for those that have grown. For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles, for the hope that has lifted our hearts and for the love that has kept us going.
We give thanks to the community here at HTLC, and we ask that the Lord continue to bless our students in these final days of the school year.
Class lists
Class lists for 2024 will be emailed home on Monday afternoon, in preparation for Transition Day on Tuesday. Please remember organising class lists is a very complex process and staff have strived to consider all students' needs when preparing the lists.
Transition Day
Tuesday, 5 December is our whole school Transition Day. Our Year 6 students will attend secondary school for the day and the 2024 Foundation students will join us from 9.15am until 12.45pm. Where possible, students will spend the morning with their teachers and classmates for 2024. Our Year 5 students are looking forward to meeting their buddies on this day.
Junior Red Cross - Christmas stall
The Christmas stall will be held on Thursday, 7 December in the Innovation Centre. Items will range from $1 to $5 with all profits going to the Red Cross to support Australians in need. All classes have been assigned a time to attend during the school day.
Foundation celebration night
On Thursday, 7 December, the Foundation students of 2023 will celebrate their first year of primary school in the MPC with their families at 7.00pm. It has been a pleasure to watch them grow in confidence and independence and would like to congratulate students on their achievements. We give thanks to our staff who have helped support the youngest students of our College this year.
Year 1 games night
On Tuesday 12 December, the Year 1 students will remain at school after the school day concludes to enjoy an afternoon of games and share dinner together. We pray they have a wonderful time of fun and celebration.
SRC shopping day
Members of the SRC will be accompanying Mrs Both and me on our annual Christmas shopping trip on Friday, 8 December. Money raised by the SRC this year will be used to buy gifts for the Kmart Wishing Tree. Thank you to everyone who has supported the SRC’s fundraising events this year.
Reports
Student reports will be sent home on Wednesday, 13 December. This is the last day of term.
Chapel
This week our 1H class led our Junior School in worship with a service based on the Christmas story in Luke 2:8-14. 6V will be leading our Chapel next week. Students are encouraged to bring a small offering each Friday morning. We hope you can join us for worship.
End-of-year events
Monday, 4 December: Class lists for 2024 will be emailed to parents after school.
Tuesday, 5 December: Transition morning 9.00am to 1.00pm. All students enrolled in the Junior School for 2024 spend the morning with their 2024 classmates and teacher (where possible) and Foundation 2024 student transition session from 9.15am to 12.45pm.
Thursday, 7 December: Junior Red Cross Christmas stall - gifts for sale up to $5. Foundation celebration evening.
Friday, 8 December: Volunteers morning tea, SRC shopping trip and the PTFA Christmas evening. The Christmas event starts at 5pm and will have a barbecue and drinks available or BYO picnic; Christmas carols; and an outdoor movie on the Optus truck.
Monday, 11 December: The Year 6 celebration - 9.30am in the MPC followed by morning tea. Year 6 pool party from 11.30am at the Horsham Aquatic Centre.
Tuesday, 12 December: Year 1 games night at HTLC - 3.30pm until 6.00pm.
Wednesday, 13 December: Last day for Junior School students. All students are to wear their formal summer uniform. Years 3-6 closing service with award ceremony at 11.20am in the MPC. F-2 closing service will be at 1.45pm in the MPC. Parents are welcome to attend either or both closing services. Dismissal will be at 3.20pm.
Blessings,
Mrs Jacqui North, Acting Head of Junior School
Middle School News (1 December, 2023)
Days are quickly passing by and we find ourselves closer and closer to Christmas. I am sure many of us are all busily preparing for the celebrations ahead. It is at these times I worry I won't be ready or I will have forgotten to complete some task or another! Although this time is filled with lists of to-do tasks, it also provides opportunities to celebrate a successful year of learning and developing as individuals in Middle School.
Years 7 and 8 excursions
On Wednesday, our Year 7s head down to May Park as an end-of-year celebration. Students spent the time relaxing together over lunch, games, sports and ice-cream. Although the grey clouds loomed, it was a great day.
Today, our Year 8s had their turn and headed off for pizza and a swim. I’m sure there were many opportunities for our students to unwind and spend time catching up and making memories.
As a teacher, it is a real blessing to watch students having fun together, enjoying each other's company and further establishing their connections as a community. We hope all the Years 7s and 8s enjoyed their days. Thank you to the staff who organised and assisted in making these activities possible.
Middle School Captain speeches
On Wednesday, we began the process of electing our 2024 Middle School captains.
Leadership is valued at Holy Trinity and every day we ask all our staff and students to be leaders in the way they work and interact with others. Some individuals are given additional responsibilities through roles such as Middle School Captain positions to develop their leadership skills and work as representatives of our school. It was wonderful to hear from such outstanding candidates who all would be worthy and valuable Middle School representatives.
It takes courage to prepare and present a speech in front of your peers so I commend these students' efforts and celebrate the blessing these students are to our College community.
Students and teachers have now placed their votes and these will be counted. From here, the elected Middle School Captains will be announced formally at the closing service on Tuesday, 12 December.
Accelerated learning
The Year 9 students completing the Year 10 accelerated learning pathway began their Unit 1/2 as part of a Head Start Program. This was a great opportunity for students to gain an insight into the expectations of VCE and understand the requirements over the next academic year. Students may have been set holiday tasks to be completed. Please support your child in setting good study habits and attitudes as they approach their VCE.
Notes and Nibbles
Students in the instrumental program shared their talents at an informal cabaret-style performance on Thursday night. It was a fantastic showcase of so many different students' gifts in the area of music and a great opportunity to share time together as a community. Thank you to Michelle Hahn and the instrumental tutors for the efforts they have put into supporting our students in their learning. We really are blessed.
Coming events
Tuesday, 5 December: Year 7 2024 Transition Day
Tuesday, 5 December: iDesign Showcase for Year 9 students and Homecoming Ceremony - MPC
Wednesday, 6 December-Friday, 8 December: Year 7 camp
Thursday, 7 December-Friday, 8 December: Year 8 hike
Friday, 8 December: Whole school Family Christmas Night
Monday, 11 December: Casual dress day for Middle School students (no cost)
Tuesday, 12 December: Middle School closing service and award presentation (11.30am)
Tuesday, 12 December: Last day for Middle School students (reports and class lists go home)
Mrs Samantha Engert, Acting Head of Middle School
Senior School News (1 December, 2023)
Senior School closing service
Today we have culminated the school year with our closing service and presentation of academic and service awards to senior students, Year 10, VCE and VC VM. We commend each of these students on their outstanding achievements and look forward to the challenges of the 2024 academic year.
Our College leadership for 2024 will be as follows:
College Captains
Alannah J and Rebekah W
College Vice Captains
Janay vB and Phoebe W
House Captains
Wimmera: Darius J and Rebekah W Mallee: Jacob M, Nessa D and Sophie P Lowan: Sebastian LR and Alannah J
VCE results
On Monday, 11 December, VCE results, ATARs and VTAC scaled study scores will be released on the 2023 VCE Results and ATAR Service from 7.00am. We wish our Year 12 students well as they await the release of their results.
Christmas blessings
As another academic school year draws to a close, it is a valuable time to reflect on our purpose and the ways in which we continue to grow. It is also important to acknowledge the achievements of our students and the many and varied pathways they choose. We are privileged to share this journey with them for a brief time.
We farewell those students who are commencing full-time apprenticeships and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Sincere thanks to our senior parents for your continued faith and support. We wish you God’s richest blessings for Christmas and the New Year and look forward to working with you and your children again in 2023.
Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School
Sports News
Junior Sports News (1 December, 2023)
School Sport Victoria: Team Vic information
The School Sport Victoria Team Vic representative program provides a development platform for Victoria’s emerging student athletes to participate in the annual School Sport Australia Championships. SSV coordinates the selection process for Team Vic teams in partnership with relevant state sporting organisations.
SSV Sport Trial nominations close Friday, 1 March, 2024. Parents can find further information in relation to selection for 2024 sports via the website at https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic
With the swimming program coming to an end I would like to thank all families for their support. A huge well done to teachers for accommodating this program and to the YMCA for providing a fantastic program for our students. We look forward to planning this program in 2024. All feedback on the program is welcomed and received at sport@htlc.vic.edu.au.
Foundation and Year 1 students in action in the pool.
Many thanks,
Jessie Ferguson, Primary Sport Coordinator
Secondary Sports News (1 December, 2023)
Representative uniforms
We are completing a stocktake of our representative uniforms at this time, and are noticing a large number of items are missing. Please take the opportunity at the weekend to check drawers, bags and other clothes storage areas in order to find any items of representative uniform that might have been misplaced. These uniform items help our students look professional when they compete against other schools in the region and state, and it is very important we receive them back. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Coming events
February
16 - Secondary swimming carnival (TBC)
HTR Trials: 2024 season
March
16 - AHPVSS round one: Mount Gambier eight-hour
26 - Secondary athletics carnival
April
22 - Secondary cross-country
Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sport Coordinator
Wellbeing News
The perfection trap
Is your child caught in the perfection trap?
Perfectionism can set in motion a very challenging cycle of self-defeat and mental health challenges. Professor Thomas Curran is (among many impressive titles) a 'perfectionist expert'. He unpacks the 'what, why, where, who, and how' of perfectionism in this compelling discussion with Dr Justin Coulson.
This conversation covers:
What is perfectionism?
The link between mental health challenges and perfectionism
Perfectionism in children - genetics or environmental?
The 3 types of perfectionism
Intergenerational transmission of perfectionistic tendencies
The challenging cycle of self-defeat
The Perfection Trap - Thomas Curran's new book
TEDMED - Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse
Over two episodes of The Happy Families Podcast, Dr Justin Coulson and Professor Thomas Curran discuss perfectionism and share a solution for parents who may be pushing their child a little too much - or who are worried their child is caught in the perfection trap.
Rather than expecting perfection from your child try modelling making mistakes - embrace failure and setbacks when they arise. This (and not perfectionism) is what leads to success!
10 easy traditions that can make Christmas meaningful for your family
Ok. I know. You’re not even sure if you should read this article. Christmas is already busy enough. Non-stop events, too much money spent, and frantic 15 km/h driving on jam-packed roads. Gah! Who wants more to do?
But we can make Christmas meaningful for our families without exhausting our families or ourselves. One of the best and most powerful of these is to have family traditions.
Why traditions work
Research shows that the happiest families have traditions – not just at Christmas, but also throughout the year. Family traditions help our kids make sense of life. They provide predictability and a sense of security and safety. Most importantly, traditions help our children feel as though they fit in somewhere and traditions protect them from negative outside influences. In fact, a 2014 study of approximately 250 teens showed that the practice of family traditions and rituals had a significant protective role by helping increase social connectedness and reduce anxiety and depression.
Christmas traditions
Christmas is a brilliant time to institute traditions, or reinvigorate those that might have lapsed over the years. At Christmas people are naturally more inclined to get into the spirit of the season, and celebrate by engaging in a tradition with loved ones. And yes, even cranky teens.
We don’t want to bring more stress to the season, however, and instituting holiday traditions shouldn’t add more to your plate. Instead, scale back on things that don’t bring you joy (shopping!) and replace them with things that do.
So, reinvigorate forgotten family traditions, or brush off some from your own childhood. And if you’re stuck for ideas, here are some of my favourites, which will be sure to increase the magic and joy of the Christmas season (thank you to the Happy Families family for sharing).
1. Rethink the Advent Calendar
The advent calendar is a well-loved Christmas tradition. But this year, why not consider a different kind. One idea is a kindness advent calendar, where each day you perform an act of kindness or charity for someone else. Or try a book advent calendar, where you read a Christmas book every day for the month of December.
2. The Christmas Eve box
Create a Christmas Eve box with a new set of pyjamas for each family member, a Christmas movie, popcorn and hot chocolate. Open the box, and watch the movie together. Instant Christmas satisfaction!
While I was researching, I found an Icelandic tradition that was similar, except instead of a movie, it was a book. Everyone gets a book on Christmas Eve, and it’s an early night for everyone, reading, eating chocolate, and getting plenty of sleep for a big Christmas Day!
3. Special ornaments collection
Start a collection of special ornaments for the Christmas tree. Each Christmas decorate the tree as a family, and as you unpack each ornament, share the special story or memory that relates to it. You could also start a collection for your kids as well. Then, when they get married or buy their own home, gift the entire collection to them so they can continue the tradition with their own families.
4. Special foods
The tradition of food is a wonderful one. Whether it’s pancakes for breakfast or cold pork and salads on Boxing Day, food will certainly bring everyone together. So, use your grandmother’s ‘good china’, share your family’s favourite traditional meal and toast another year together.
5. Create gifts of memories
This year for Christmas, give the gift of experiences to your family. Try vouchers for workshops, tickets for concerts or art lessons. Better yet, choose things you can do together as a family. Create scrapbooks of photos from these special experiences throughout the year and the next year, give the photos to your loved ones. It’s a great way to create lasting memories.
6. Remember loved ones
Christmas is the perfect time to remember our loved ones that have passed. Some families light candles on Christmas Eve. Others look at photos and tell special stories. Talking about family members that are no longer with us strengthens us as a family unit and reminds us who we are.
7. Walk around the neighbourhood
Take a walk around the neighbourhood to look at the Christmas lights and decorations. Pick out your favourites and just spend time together, chatting.
8. Build a gingerbread house
Build and decorate a gingerbread house together. It might not be perfect or pretty but everyone will love doing it. Then eat it on Christmas Day!
9. Sleep under the Christmas tree
Drag the mattresses out and sleep under the tree one night. Leave the Christmas lights on. The kids will love this.
10. Perform small acts of service
Try to do something kind for someone, perhaps a neighbour or an elderly relative who might be alone at this time of year. Drop off treats or go carolling to their home. The idea of singing to someone sounds cheesy and kind of weird, but it is surprisingly fun and brings so much joy to someone who may not get a lot of attention most of the time.
Embrace Christmas together
Sing carols, decorate the house, bake cookies, read A Christmas Carol and, of course, leave milk and cookies out for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.
Whatever traditions you choose to embrace as a family are less important than the fact that you do embrace them. Spending time together is the most precious gift we can give our family at this time of year. So, pick some traditions that your family will be sure to love, and have a magical, wondrous Christmas.
Community News
HTLC volunteers morning tea
First Communion classes for your Year 7 child
PTFA Family Christmas Night
A big thank you to the businesses and people who have donated to our raffle:
Chapple Landscaping
Horsham Lanes and Games
Traction Ag
Horsham Hydraulics
Wimmera Diesel
Horsham City Meats
Nutrien Ag Murtoa/ Rupanyup
Fit 4 You Haven- Pam Deckert
Drift 83
Home Baked by Kate- Kate Carter
Grampians Olive Co
Horsham Arts Council
Lil's Cookies- Alicia Schneider
Mitre 10
Emily Friedrichsen
Young expressions- Jess Kuhne
Made by Vanessa- Vanessa Lantzakis
Stacey Wright Hair Design
Michelle & Brock Cameron
The raffle proceeds help to put on events like this at as low a cost as possible. If you are willing to make a donation for the raffle, please email ptfa@htlc.vic.edu.au.
Following our Family Christmas Night, we will have an outdoor movie screening on the Optus truck of Santa Paws 2. This is thanks to Cheree and Mick Dempster at Optus Horsham.
First aid for teenagers
Salvation Army Christmas in the Carpark family event
Deaf Hub coming to Horsham
Donate blood in November-December
One in three people in Horsham will need blood during their lives, and they need people like you to give it.
The Horsham Mobile Blood Donor Centre is in town from 27 November to 15 December. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at www.lifeblood.com.au, on the Lifeblood app or on 13 14 95.
During its time in Horsham, the centre will be open on:
Monday from 2.45pm to 6pm
Tuesday from 12.30pm to 7.30pm
Wednesday from 1pm to 7.30pm
Thursday from 9.30am to 4.30pm
Friday from 7.45am to 11.30am
at Baker Street, Horsham (adjacent to Horsham City Oval).
Edenhope-Apsley 2024 recruits
Edenhope-Apsley Football Netball Club is on the search for any budding under-17 footballers or netballers who might be looking for a game at Edenhope-Apsley in 2024. The club would provide weekly bus transport from Horsham to bring them over.
If families would like to make contact, please reach out via email eafncfootballsecretary@gmail.com or phone Morgan on 0402 742 390.
