Week 5 started off unlike any other week for me after a quick road trip to Sydney to see Taylor Swift perform at Accor Stadium. While the decision to drive the 22-hour round-trip wasn’t necessarily motivated by my own interests, moreso Maya and her infatuation with Taylor, I have to admit that I was completely swept up in the hype and hysteria that surrounded this talented performer. From the moment we arrived at Accor Stadium, there was an electric atmosphere as thousands of ‘Swifties’ roamed the exterior of the stadium, lining up for merchandise, singing along to their favourite Taylor Swift song, posing for photos and swapping friendship bracelets. The concert itself did not disappoint as hit after hit was enjoyed by the 81,000-strong crowd. By the end, I had to admit that I was also a massive Taylor Swift fan and gave in to the temptation to ‘shake it off’ and be swept up in the moment.

In reflecting on the whole experience, I was most impressed by the way Taylor Swift was able to generate feelings of positivity and hope among her fans. There was genuine goodwill and a sense of family between the group of strangers that gathered for that one special moment. As a role model, I have no concerns that Maya will be positively influenced by Taylor Swift and her music. In a world where it is hard to find positive role models for our adolescents, we have one here who is worth celebrating and putting up on a pedestal, and that is surely something worth embracing.

The school week officially commenced with a whole college assembly where we formally inducted the Student Representative Council members, House Captains and Year 12 Seniors into their leadership positions for 2024. This special service was attended by parents, carers and friends and was a great opportunity to formally acknowledge these student leaders in their roles for this year.

1 Timothy Chapter 4 verse 12
“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

On Thursday I had the pleasure of being involved with the Year 9 Rite Journey Departure and Calling ceremony, which consisted of a Parent Information Evening, Departure Ceremony on Thursday night and Calling Ceremony on Friday morning at Mt Arapiles. This night is always a special time as parents and their children gather to celebrate the commencement of their Rite Journey, a step towards independence and adulthood. A big thank you to Mrs Schneider, Mrs Przibilla and Mr McLoughlin who coordinated the night and have taken on the responsibility of leading our Year 9s through this exciting program in 2024.

In closing, I would like to thank Miss Erin Habel for acting as Interim Year 5 teacher for the first five weeks of the year. Miss Habel answered our call at the end of last year and afforded us the time to appoint Mrs Christine Rokebrand to the position for the remainder of the year. I sincerely thank Erin for the outstanding job she has done and wish her every blessing as she takes leave for the remainder of the year. I am now looking forward to seeing Mrs Rokebrand settle into her role.

I pray everyone has a restful weekend as we prepare to move into the second half of the term next week.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Colleen Fitzpatrick

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him (Luke 5:11).

Ah! Those legendary fishing tales in which the fish that got away grows and grows to an extraordinary length and weight! Wouldn’t Simon have had a tale to tell about the ones that didn’t get away? Not only were the nets full to breaking point, but the boats were so full of fish that they were in danger of sinking. There were so many fish that help was needed to deal with this extraordinary catch.

The way that this passage reads, Simon and his partners, James and John, left the lot behind on the beach and set off to follow Jesus. An amazing catch of fish, and they just abandoned it. Wow! They just left everything behind to follow Jesus.

We seem to be living in a material age in which the rich get increasingly richer and the poor get poorer. Where I live, houses are being knocked down, gardens demolished, and larger houses built. I can’t really imagine what fills the space in the mansions that are starting to surround us.

We hear of people struggling to find affordable housing, running out of money to put food on the table, wages not being adequate to meet everyday needs, and price gouging that leaves primary producers unable to make ends meet. We also hear of people who are being paid eye-watering amounts of money – millions of dollars – for just doing their job.

I wonder what that amazing catch of fish was worth in today’s money? We have no way of knowing, and I guess it really doesn’t matter. The important thing is that the fishermen just walked away to go with Jesus. What have you given up in your journey with God? Are you part of Jesus’ crew and fishing for people?

A final thought: a fishing net does not just catch good and edible fish. Rather, it indiscriminately scoops up all fish in its path. Does this have implications for you and me?

Dear Jesus, Thank you for those who have nurtured us in our faith. Help us to be brave enough to share that faith with others and to open up opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of our friends and family. Amen.

Year 5 camp

Last week started our camping program, with the Year 6 leaders going on their leadership camp to Tandara. This week, the Year 5 classes are off to Ballarat to learn of the Victorian history of the Goldfields, but also to learn about Ballarat and the surrounding region. We wish them fun and God’s blessing, especially with their new teacher, Mrs Christine Rokeebrand coming along on the journey!

Little Desert swimming and tennis

The next stage of competition for our swimmers was postponed from Wednesday this week to this coming Wednesday. Then on Thursday, the tennis competition will be run also. Good luck to those students who are competing and representing their clubs, families and college!

Design of play spaces in the Junior School

For the start of the year, the Foundation-Year 2 students have looked at the design process in their Technologies lessons with Mr Borgas. We have been looking particularly at the design of the play spaces of our yard, and some of the things we could do to improve the functionality of our spaces.

The Year 2 classes are grateful to KLM landscaping for providing us with three metres of loam. We have dumped it in two particular patches, so it can be wet by the sprinkler each morning. (the more sand spaces, the better).

We still have on our wish list:

• 2x big round hay bales. We would place them in the ‘cubby space’ (bottom of the oval), so that students could use them in imaginative play
• Some more big logs, to place in a campfire arrangement, to facilitate friends that just want to sit in the shade
• Some rounds of logs, about 10 centimetres thick (maybe x20), to create ‘lilypads’ to jump from one place to another

If you could help us out, please write us a note, send it along with your child/student to deliver to either Mr Borgas, or a Year 2 student!

Many thanks, Mr Borgas and Year 2

Behavioural survey - thank you

Thank you to families who responded to my call for expressions of interest around your expectations of behaviour of students at HTLC. I remain calling for parents to please let me know of their behavioural expectations, as staff also review our behaviour management and the process and guidelines we have that fit under our policy.

A big thank you - teacher Erin Habel

This year we started, continuing to search for a Year 5 teacher! While we looked to find someone to fill the year, Ms Erin Habel changed her 2024 plans even before the year had begun, to teach the Year 5 class for the first five weeks of term. This allowed leadership time to advertise the position and secure a teacher for the year. We thank Erin for her time and commitment to the school. In a time of change for the college, we are so grateful for the staff who continually give of their time and energy to make the place what it is! Thank you Erin, and thank you staff!

Chapel - The Good Samaritan

Last week, 4M did a super job presenting chapel and the story of the Good Samaritan. The thought continues to bounce around in my head this week as I rush from one job to the next, that God calls us to be still, otherwise we can’t hear His thoughts above the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If we would like His help in discerning the right thing to do, we must find stillness somewhere in our day! Blessings as (like me) you practise finding stillness in your day, to stop and think about the right thing to do.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Growth mindset

As students undertake their senior years of schooling, they face many new challenges which can force them to think and act in different ways. These responses can have a considerable impact on resilience and attitude to learning.

Fostering positive accomplishment begins with tuning in to the beliefs we hold about learning.

It is important to be aware of the different mindsets we can all fall into when confronted with new challenges. In a nutshell, we may not achieve what we want the first time we try, but it is always possible to get better.

Senior assessment

A number of VCE classes have already completed their first formal assessments for the year. This is an important time for students to be developing effective study routines. All senior students are encouraged to take advantage of the after-school sessions when provided by staff from Monday to Thursday evenings from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Private study time is also available for students at these times.

Careers newsletter

Our Careers newsletter for 2024 will be released in the coming weeks. All students are encouraged to check it regularly as it contains valuable information regarding future careers options, gap year and work experience.

Uniform

All secondary students are reminded that sports uniform may be worn only on specified days for each year level and during timetabled periods for those students who have undertaken VCE programs requiring sports attire. Students are encouraged to check with their Year Level Coordinator or homeroom teacher if they are unsure of these days.

Hats

Hats are compulsory during Term 1 and should be worn at all times when outdoors. New hats may be purchased, if needed, from the uniform shop.

Year 12 news

It is exciting to see our Year 12s have more independence in their learning. Starting next week, they will be able to apply to work at home for a double period of study lessons per week. In order for students to be able to apply for this privilege they must be up to date with work for all of their subjects. The application forms will be given out during homeroom and will need to be signed by all of their teachers and by their parents.

6 tips for surviving Year 12

1. Balance is important

2. Don’t compare yourself to others

3. Find your own best way to study

4. Actually try in the GAT (no really – try)

5. SACs are intended to prepare you for exams

6. Don’t stress too much

Source: https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/high-school/6-tips-for-surviving-year-12

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Year 8 news

We are officially over half way through the term and our first overnight Melbourne Camp is only a few weeks away. A reminder that RSVP via Consent2Go is now due.

Last week we announced our Student Representative Council members for our Year 8 cohort. I was blown away by our nominations for each house and the voting was close. It is with pleasure I would love to congratulate our SRC reps for Lowan: Hamish H and Frazer S; Mallee: Bonnie G and Ellua B; and Wimmera: Jesse J and Maya P. On Thursday last week during homeroom our SRC representatives ran a mini student forum with their House group to gather ideas, suggestions and discuss the important aspects of the college to improve the quality of student life at HTLC. At HTLC, we want our students to actively contribute to decision-making processes and collectively forward their views, concerns and ideas to SRC. We thank these leaders for running this session and also to the Year 8 cohort for generating wonderful ideas to forward to our future SRC meetings. A special thank you to Bailey D who assisted Frazer (Lowan) in Hamish’s absence.

Homework for our core subjects and assessments is well underway and I hope your child has settled back into this routine well. To assist with organisation and time management skills, we encourage students to use their student diary to record their set homework tasks and due dates. All homework tasks are set weekly so students can manage their time to complete tasks throughout the week. A reminder if your child is unable to complete set tasks or is finding it difficult to complete assessments, please encourage them to email their subject teacher or myself (YLC) prior to the due date. A reminder that we have Study Zone each Monday and Wednesday (3.30pm-4.30pm) in the Senior School. This provides students with a great opportunity to complete their set tasks with the assistance of a supervising teacher.

Mrs Amanda Przibilla, Year 8 Coordinator

HPV trials 2024

Thank you to all the parents and students who have taken part in the trials for Holy Trinity Racing over the past week. We are just two weeks away from the start of the season, and we will be delivering information about round one to students in the team at the start of next week.

Hockey Victoria Roadshow

It was a fantastic experience having Hockey Victoria recently attend our school as part of their roadshow program. Our students learnt the skills of hockey through exciting game-based activities in an engaging, fun and safe environment.

While the roadshow is over, students can continue their hockey journey by joining a local Hookin2Hockey program. With programs starting soon now is the perfect chance to get out on the pitch.

Hookin2Hockey will allow children to expand on the skills they recently learnt at school, develop fundamental motor skills while making friends and having fun!

HTLC Equestrian Interschools

Natimuk A and P Society is running an interschools qualifier ring at the show on Saturday, 23 March. This event is designed for anyone interested in participating in the Equestrian Victoria Interschools State Championships, in Werribee in the Easter school holidays. Competing at Natimuk will meet the participation requirement to be able to enter this event and represent HTLC. Please contact Amanda Rudolph (amanda.rudolph@htlc.vic.edu.au) for further information.

Black Ranges Division swimming

On Monday, the secondary school had an excellent day at the Black Ranges Division swimming finals, with a number of students taking home a handful of first-place finishes and earning a place in the Greater Western Region finals.

Once the official results have been published to sport coordinators, a full breakdown of the performances of the students on the day will be published in the newsletter. One of the highlights of the day was the 400-metre freestyle event, which was contested by six HTLC students.

It was fantastic to see the way the students participated in all events over the course of the day, supported and encouraged each other, and produced strong performances in the pool.

Little Desert Division swimming

Due to the weather conditions on Wednesday, the Little Desert swimming finals have been postponed until Wednesday, 6 March. Students attending the Year 5 camp have been emailed with an alternative option to enable them to attend both the camp and the swimming finals. We are looking forward to seeing our Junior School students getting the chance to shine in the pool next week.

Coming events

March

6 - Little Desert primary swimming finals (new date)

7 - Little Desert primary tennis finals

16 - AHPVSS round one: Mount Gambier eight-hour

19 - Secondary athletics trials day

22 - Years F-2 Athletics Carnival

22 - Greater Western Region primary and secondary swimming finals

25 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior volleyball

26 - Greater Western Region primary tennis

26 - Secondary Athletics Carnival

27 - Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival

April

19 - State primary and secondary swimming finals

19 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior girls AFL

22 - HTLC primary and secondary cross-country

23 - Greater Western Region intermediate and senior volleyball

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, F-12 Sport Coordinator

The Victorian Government's Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund provides schools with payments for eligible students to attend camps, excursions and sporting events. To be eligible for this funding, families must hold a valid means-tested concession card. CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either Term 1 or Term 2.

The college will offer assistance to those who qualify.

CSEF applications for 2024 are now open. Get more information and apply here.

The HTLC uniform shop is after donations of coathangers for its second-hand uniforms. The shop would particularly welcome coathangers with clips such as these:

Donations can be taken to the uniform shop or left at the front office.

The uniform shop is open the following times during the term:

• Monday from 9am to 4pm
• Friday from 9am to 2pm

Horsham will have a chemical collection day on 9 March. For more information and to register please see the following link: https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/recycling-and-reducing-waste/at-home/dispose-of-household-chemicals-detox-your-home