One of the more frequently used words today is ‘gratitude’. The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Studies into positive thinking say that expressing your gratitude is a great way to remain positive in your thinking and outlook on life, so this week, I am choosing to write about what I have experienced this week that I am grateful for:

• The Art and Technology teachers: The showcase of student work on Wednesday night was amazing and it was fantastic to see the Middle School alive with families interacting with our students and enjoying the work on display

• Mrs Van Buuren: Delivering the morning coffee and freshly baked muffin always brightens my day
• Mrs Kuchel: For her work on establishing the 2023 Head Start Timetable and 2024 Secondary Timetable
• Mrs Engert: Expertly coordinating and running two parent information sessions for our 2024 Year 7 and Year 9 families
• Mrs North for continuing to step up and lead the Junior School with enthusiasm and attention to detail
• Mrs Carter for assisting with the Senior School students' subject counselling
• Mr Bandel for leading the Remembrance Day service for the secondary staff
• Mr McLoughlin: two trips to Melbourne to coach the Year 7 and 8 state volleyball teams in the State Championships. An awesome experience for these students
• Mr Neil Leek: For stepping into the role as Interim Business Manager and providing wisdom and advice as we finalise the 2024 Budget
• The Foundation teachers for the care and patience they continually show to our youngest students
• The Year 3 teachers as they continue preparations for their coming year level camp
• The four students who have been announced as our College Captains for 2024. Congratulations to Alannah, Rebekah, Janay and Phoebe
• Year 3D for their uplifting Chapel message on being ‘selfless’. Thanks to Mrs Driller and Mrs Rose for leading the students.
• The College Board for approving a new winter jacket which will be added to the uniform for 2024
• The Holy Trinity parents and carers who have shown up to support the school this week by attending the various evenings and events that have been held

The faithful are called to give thanks to God for everything — and not only to be thankful but to rejoice: "Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Psalm 95:2).

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting Principal

by Rachael Stelzer

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body’ (Mark 14:22).

As the disciples prepared to celebrate the Passover, the festival of Jewish freedom from Egyptian captivity, Jesus told them what they would find and need to say. They found everything just as Jesus had told them. He could see what was coming – and not just for the meal.

Jesus did not waste time when they sat down together, departing from the traditional Seder script to calmly state that one of the twelve would betray him. He continued to deviate from the standard script in claiming new meaning for the bread and wine – that this is Jesus’ body and blood, given and shed for them.

As Jesus shared this final meal with his friends, he foresaw that they would desert and deny him, despite their protests to the contrary. And yet, he continued to share a meal with them and love them.

What great mercy that the God we continue to fail and deny persists in loving us and sharing material and relational blessings with us. Amazing love!

Dear Jesus, I continually put my needs first and fail you. I praise you for your great love, which has covered all my sins. Help me to turn back to you every day in the joy of repentance and your new start. Amen.

Chapel

This morning 3D led our Junior School worship, with a message from John 15:13. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Next week our F-2 Performing Arts students will be leading our Chapel. Students are encouraged to bring a small offering each Friday morning, which will be supporting our Compassion Child Lordina in Africa. We hope you can join us for worship.

Remembrance Day

This morning, the Junior School commemorated Remembrance Day after our Chapel service, and observed a minute of silence before returning to classes.

Diagnostic Testing

This week our students from Foundation to Year 6 completed their school-based literacy and numeracy diagnostic assessments. These assessments allow us to monitor students’ academic progress, identify individual strengths and weaknesses, plan to meet student needs and inform special programs within the school.

Swimming program

Next week will be the final week for the HTLC swimming program for Years 1 and 3, with Foundation and Year 2 students going to the YMCA for their swimming lessons in the following weeks. We all know the importance of Australian children learning to be safe in and around water, and we’re pleased to be able to help prepare our students for fun and safe water play.

Report Writing

Monday, 27 November will be a student-free day, as teachers will be preparing students’ reports.

Year 5 Genesis Testing and School Captains speeches

HTLC provides support and enrichment opportunities for students through the development of a program for those individuals who wish to be challenged in their learning. The Genesis Accelerated Learning Program is designed to extend students through the curriculum at an accelerated rate in both Mathematics and-or English. Over the coming weeks, our Year 5 students will participate in testing for Year 6 Genesis classes in 2024. They are also preparing School Captains speeches in preparation for voting in Week 9.

Transition Day

Tuesday, 5 December is our whole school Transition Day. Our Year 6 students will attend secondary school for the day and our 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.

End-of-year service

The last school day for 2023 will be Wednesday, 13 December. Students in Years 3-6 will attend the Closing Service at 11.30am in the MPC, and a shorter service will be attended by Foundation to Year 2 at 1.45pm. The Years 3-6 service will include announcements of students receiving Academic, Service, Endeavour and Year 6 awards. Parents and visitors are welcome to attend.

Awards

FJ: Lewis H and Jiya K, FL: Claire P, Jaxson S and Maggie P, 1H: Sanuj R and Louie F, 1P: Lincoln M and Ethan C, 2I: whole class, 2S: Lexi M, 3B: Tristan vZ and whole class, 3D: Maya S and Boh A, 3F: Jack S and Max L, 4B: whole class, 4R: Dusty P, Phoebe B and Mia Y, 5D: Audrey J and Aizla S, 5H: Matilda S, Charlotte K, Bryce McD and Rafa S, 5M: Nahla M and Hugo P, 6N: Chase A and Jy D, 6V: Charlize vZ and Payton-Rose P, Digital Technology: Allira C and Vincent B, Performing Arts (F-2): Hamish McD and Henry E, PE: Luella B.

Our Trinity Tiger (5-6) Award recipient was Ava S, Trinity Cub (3-4) Xavier S and Trinity Cub (F-2) Zetta B.

Blessings,

Mrs Jacqui North, Acting Head of Junior School

It’s been a jam packed week in the Middle School at Holy Trinity. Arts and Technology Week, Year 7 and Year 8 State Volleyball, Year 7 and Year 9 2024 Information Sessions and Remembrance Services, along with the many day to day activities our students have.

Arts and Technology Week

This week, our creative Arts and Technology teachers organised and ran daily lunch time activities for our students. The students got busy making pizza dough creations, drama games, coding video games, completing robotic challenges, testing their green thumbs in the garden, designing newspaper fashion and much more. It was great to see students being able to tune into a range of different art and technology based activities and seeing students' different interests and skills shine.

On Wednesday night, we opened our Middle School to the community to showcase our students' work. Students throughout the school presented, sharing their skills, passions and talents. It was great to see the buzz of the parents, junior students and many visitors flowing through the showcase. A huge thank you to the teachers and staff who made this possible. Events like this don't just happen and we are so grateful for the dedication and hard work of our amazing staff.

State volleyball

Congratulations to Year 8s Tia BH, Amelia F, Willow M, Adelyn P, Rachel R, Ellita S, Emma S and Ilze vZ who headed off on Wednesday, and our Year 7s Victoria B, Kirrily D, Hannah G, Bonnie G, Hannah H, Serena J, Myah M and Amelia vB who competed today.

It is a massive effort and achievement to represent at state level. Well done!
A big thank you to Mr Matt McLoughlin for his training, encouragement and work in supporting these students.

Remembrance service

On Thursday, the secondary school had a service remembering the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping. The service was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by brave men and women and we remember to honour and pay tribute to those who selflessly served their countries, protecting our freedoms and values. Thank you to Mr Wayne Bandel, the Humanities staff, and Middle School Captains Abbey O, Jarhyn M, Evan H and Chloe A for leading the service.

Information sessions

Thank you to the families who attended our Year 7 and Year 9 2024 information sessions this week. It was wonderful to share this time with you and provide information as you look into next year. We are truly proud of our school and its programs, and are blessed to work with such a wonderful student and parent community.

We look forward to continuing working with you and supporting your child in their learning journey. Please be in touch if we can provide any further information.

Coming events

Friday, 17 November: Secondary school Colour Run

Monday, 20 November-Friday, 24 November: Exam week

Monday, 27 November: Report writing day (student-free day)

Monday, 28 November-Friday, 1 December: Headstart Week/Alternative Program

Tuesday, 5 December: Year 7 2024 Transition Day

Wednesday, 6 December-Friday, 8 December: Year 7 camp

Thursday, 7 December-Friday, 8 December: Year 8 hike

Tuesday, 12 December: Last day for Middle School students. Middle School closing service and award presentation at 11.30am

Mrs Samantha Engert, Acting Head of Middle School

VCE exams

Today we conclude our external VCE examinations for 2023 with our final exam, VCE Environmental Science. Our senior students are commended for their diligence and the manner in which they maintained their study and focus throughout this period.

Our Year 12 students now look forward to their Graduation Service and Valedictory dinner on Friday, 17 November, in celebration with their families of their time at Holy Trinity.

Remembrance Day service

Yesterday our secondary students attended a Remembrance Service which concluded with a minute of silence, in recognition of those who died or suffered for Australia during a time of war or armed conflict. College Captain Silvie Hahn and Vice-Captain Wil Tippet will represent Holy Trinity at the RSL Remembrance Day Service at Sawyer Park on Saturday morning, accompanied by Mr Bandel.

Senior School exams

Next week, Year 11 students will commence their end-of-year exams. Supervised study periods will run between exams to provide an opportunity for students to revise, prepare for exams or see teachers for support. Following exams, students will enter a two-week period of Head Start where they will commence Unit 1 and 2 coursework in preparation for 2024.

Specialist Sports Program at Holy Trinity

We look forward to the commencement of our partnership with FedUni WestVic Academy once again at the beginning of next year and the opportunities this will provide for our students. Application forms and further information have been issued and are due next week.

Important end-of-year Senior School dates

Year 11 exams: Monday, 13 November to Thursday, 16 November

Year 11 Head Start: Monday, 20 November to Friday, 1 December

Year 10 exams: Monday, 20 November to Friday, 24 November

Year 10 Head Start: Tuesday, 28 November to Friday, 1 December

Report writing day: Monday, 27 November

Final day for Year 10 and 11s and closing service: Friday, 1 December

Year 12 Valedictory dinner and worship service: Friday, 17 November

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

State volleyball finals - Year 8 girls

On Wednesday, the Year 8 girls volleyball team consisting of Tia BH, Amelia F, Willow M, Adelyn P, Rachel R, Ellita S, Emma S and Ilze vZ competed at the state finals in Melbourne.

It was a fantastic achievement for the girls to qualify for state and to be one of the best eight teams in the entire state. The girls, despite being incredibly competitive, were unable to come away with any wins. Their first match against Sirius College was a three-set contest where the girls were eventually defeated 17-20, 22-20, 7-15.

The girls backed up this performance with a match against Alexandra Secondary College, in which they were defeated 24-26, 17-20 in another close contest. The final match of the pool stage was against the eventual champions, Eltham High School. Our girls took the fight to them, and managed to score the second-highest number of points against Eltham all day, but unfortunately lost 8-20, 8-20. The overall results had HTLC finishing seventh in the state.

Thank you to Steph Martin for volunteering to attend the trip as a parent helper, and for the photographs on the day.

State volleyball finals - Year 7 girls

Today, it is the Year 7 girls' turn to take on the best the state has to offer in Dandenong for their state finals. Good luck to Victoria B, Kirrily D, Hannah H, Bonnie G, Hannah G, Serena J, Myah M and Amelia vB for their three pool matches.

Thank you to Emily Grieger, who volunteered to attend the trip as a parent helper.

Results from the Year 7 girls state finals will be published in the newsletter next week.

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sport Coordinator

One of our favourite tools for talking to kids about how they’re feeling in their friendships is The Friend-o-Meter. Although it’s normal to have a friendship dip into the Red-Zone now and again (No friendship – or relationship – is perfect!), what happens when a friendship is up and down A LOT?

While many kids will admit they’ve experienced this type of friendship, a friendship that goes from the Green-Zone to the Red-Zone regularly can feel very challenging. Words that children use to describe these high-conflict friendships include: unpredictable, hard, and exhausting.

These friendships can feel especially confusing for parents, as their child oscillates between “best friends” and “They’re not invited to my birthday party!”

So, what can we do to support a child in this type of everyday-is-different friendship?

First, identify if they are suffering. Are they upset about it? Is it deeply affecting them? Are they really struggling? If the answer is no, and the child seems to be handling it quite well, then this might be a case of them simply ‘ironing out the wrinkles’. Whether it’s a new friendship or the dynamic of the friendship has changed, it sometimes takes time to get to know each other and learn how to get along.

‘Fiery friendships’ are especially common for children with strong personalities who form friendships with kids similar to them. While they might click at first, they’ll naturally begin to butt heads. For these kids, the highs are high and the lows are low!

But, as parents and educators, we can rest easy if (1) the good times outweigh the bad times AND (2) they’re putting out their Friendship Fires® by working their way around the Friend-o-Cycle. If these two factors are present, then it sounds like they are figuring it out and it might just be a lifelong friendship in the making.

However, if a child is coming home in tears every day and really seems torn up about it, here are a few strategies to try (Note: log in to your free family membership for further advice):

• “How can you spend less time in this friendship?”: Sometimes these volatile friendships are simply a product of spending too much time together. Help your child come up with a plan to decrease their daily dose of this friendship.
• “It’s time to get strategic in this friendship!”: Help your child get clear on what works and what doesn’t work in their friendship. When are they getting along? When are Friendship Fires igniting? Then, help them come up with a plan.
• “Are they Friendship Fires or is it Mean-on-Purpose?”: It’s important that your child understands the difference between normal conflict (Friendship Fires®) versus intentionally rude, cruel, malicious behaviour.
• “Did you Talk-it-Out until the Fire-is-Out?”: Has your child truly talked to their friend to tell them how they’re feeling? Are they being honest with their friend or do they keep sweeping the issues under the rug? For parents, this might be an opportunity to plan a playdate or sleepover to create that one-on-one time with their friend. Role-play with them, so they can practise what they’ll say. School is a busy place and sometimes it’s hard for kids to find time to Talk-it-Out with a friend.
• “What colour friendships do you deserve?”: Ask them, “Let’s think about a friendship that goes from green to red, green to red, green to red on The Friend-o-Meter. What colour does that friendship average out at?” Help your child identify that friendship would average out in the Yellow-Zone. Remind them they deserve Green-Zone friendships in their lives!

While it’s normal for a friendship to have the occasional Friendship Fire®, a healthy friendship has been proven by Dr John Gottman’s research to have at least five positive (green) interactions for every one negative (red) interaction. These tricky friendships are a great opportunity for children to master their conflict-resolution skills and learn to foster healthy, feel-good friendships.

One thing we say to kids all the time is: “You teach people how to treat you!” When kids deal with their Friendship Fires® in a kind and respectful way, it deepens friendships creating closer & stronger connections.

Written by: Dana Kerford - Founder and Friendship Expert

HTLC is a URStrong school, with many of our Junior School classes familiar with the URStrong program.

“Happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. It’s more than simply a positive mood, it’s a state of wellbeing that encompasses living a good life.”
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Happiness is defined as the balance of positive and negative emotions, combined with overall life satisfaction. Happiness and gratitude have been studied in positive psychology for many years and researchers have found that gratitude is always strongly associated with greater happiness.

Although everyone has their own definition of happiness, many of us want to feel more positive emotions than negative ones. However, negative emotions are still important. They have a lot to teach us and alert us when things need to change.

Practising gratitude helps people feel more of the positive emotions, enable us to relish good experiences, improve our overall health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships.

See episode - https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude

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).

The PTFA is looking for volunteers to help on the night. If you can spare even an hour to help sell drinks or popcorn, please reach out.

There will also be a raffle and the PTFA is calling for any donations, big or small, towards it. The raffle proceeds help to put on events like this at as low a cost as possible.

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! More information will be available closer to the date.

Bus application for Term 1, 2024, are now open for Year 7s and Foundation students, also anyone else changing schools or addresses. Please go to the Student Transport Assistance portal – if your student already travels by bus login and make an application for 2024; if you are new user register first, then once you receive a login by email you can make an application for 2024.

These applications will all be assessed on November 15
so it is important to have this completed before this date. Applications made after this date will still be assessed but buses may be full and you may have to be waitlisted for a seat.

Current users who are not making any changes to school or address next year do not need to do anything yet.

Please address any questions to the HTLC Front Office or the Horsham College Bus Coordinator at buses@horsham-horsham.vic.edu.au or on 5381 7151 on Tuesdays and Fridays, or to School Bus Administration at SchoolBus@education.vic.gov.au.