Greetings to families and friends of our college.

During the term, members of our school may have noticed that our college has begun to promote our values of being a Christian community, a learning community and a caring community. "We are HTLC" has come from many discussions that have focused on our ‘why’ for doing what we do as a Lutheran school. Interestingly, I had the chance to discuss this very topic with fellow principals during the biannual National Lutheran Principals Conference in South Australia during the week. I noted that despite our differences in location, size and demographics, it was affirming to recognise that in being a Lutheran school many people in our Lutheran communities comment on a ‘vibe’ that exists within our schools. This feeling may be described differently by each of us but by acknowledging who and whose we are we can truly understand what it means to be a Lutheran school. So, what makes us HTLC? We are HTLC because individuals are reminded each and every day about a God that loves them. We are HTLC because we recognise that we live in a broken world yet through the act of grace we are saved. We are HTLC because we are encouraged to use our head, heart and hands to learn, care for and serve all members of our local and wider communities. We are HTLC because each individual understands that they are a gift from God and are encouraged to use their unique talents to add value to the lives of those around us. We are HTLC because we strive for excellence, encourage innovation, applaud effort, and value relationships. We are HTLC because we are firm in principle, yet gentle in nature. Over the years I have regularly noted how blessed we are as a school community and I encourage you all to give thanks for this also, for we are HTLC.

A final reminder that our Year 7 Information Evening for students commencing in 2023 will take place this coming Wednesday 18 May, at 7pm in the MPC. Information has been provided to our current families and the wider community by our Head of Middle School. I ask that families get in touch with the Main Reception if they require any further details. Additionally, our Open Day is taking place on Sunday 22 May, from 11am to 1pm. All three sub schools will be open during this time and I warmly invite current and new families to attend.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Emma Strelan

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

To be honest, I read the text for today and thought, ‘I’m going to skip the bits about suffering; it won’t make for a very good devotional topic. Plus, how can I write about a topic I don’t have much experience with?’ But I kept getting drawn back to verses 20 and 21, especially the bit about Jesus leaving an example for us.

The Greek word here for ‘example’ (hypogrammos) refers to a writing or drawing that someone places under a sheet of paper and traces over.

For those of us not talented at drawing, there’s a significant difference between trying to copy an illustration just by looking at it and tracing directly over it. Tracing it, you still might not get a perfect result, but it’ll look much closer to the original. It’s also a lot easier to see when you’re not following the design because your pencil line will clearly veer off from the drawing underneath.

So, to what extent is our life really supposed to trace Jesus’? Jesus’ suffering was awfully brutal, and many people of faith, myself included, have often wondered, ‘If I take my life as a Christian seriously, should I try to go and get myself crucified too?’

But I think the purpose of this passage seems to be an encouragement to endure suffering with the proper spirit. I notice as Christians, when we hear a friend is about to go into a tough situation that’s likely to hurt in some way (physically or otherwise), we tell them that we’ll be praying for their safety. We naturally want to take the path of least resistance, the least suffering. But that’s not what Jesus did.

I realise as I grow older that there are many things worth suffering for – and Jesus understood this best of all. I hope that I get more opportunities to test my attitude towards suffering because I know that the most personal growth often happens in these times.

If I look to Christ as my example, it’s not his life in general that I should follow but his attitude. It’s the patience he demonstrated amid unjustifiable sufferings I want my pencil to trace.

Lord, I want my whole approach and attitude to life to trace yours. Thank you for the ultimate example of enduring suffering you provided in Christ. Because I cannot live up to that example, help me endure the suffering I do experience with a strong and determined heart. Amen.

School Photos

School photos will be taken next Tuesday 17 May. All students are required to wear their formal winter uniform. Please ensure students are wearing the correct socks (grey for boys and navy for girls). Students are required to have the jumper on this day also.

Middle School Information Evening

I encourage all parents of students currently in Year 5 and 6 to attend the Year 7 Information Evening at 7:00 pm on Wednesday 18 May in the Multi-Purpose Centre. This session will provide information about the fantastic opportunities for learning and development for students here at HTLC.  

Open Day - Sunday 22 May 11am to 1pm

Please encourage any friends or family who are interested in our college to come along to the Open Day, to walk through our beautiful college and speak to our staff.

NAPLAN

Our Year 3 and Year 5 students have now completed their Writing and Reading NAPLAN assessments. Excluding the paper based Year 3 Writing assessment, all tests were completed online with minimal disruptions. The students have applied themselves very well throughout the testing process. Students will be sitting the Conventions of Language and Numeracy assessments next Monday and Tuesday respectively.

HPV

The Holy Trinity Race Team will be competing in a 6 hour event tomorrow in Tailem Bend, as part of the HPV Super Series. A live stream of the race will be available through the AHPVSS website. We pray for their safe travel and for a wonderful experience for all involved.

Congratulations to our Sports Competitors

On Friday Hannah Heard and Frazer Shurdington competed in the Greater Western Tennis Tournament in Ballarat, and on Monday 15 students competed in the Little Desert Cross Country in Kanvia, with 8 students qualifying for the Regional event in Warrnambool on 30 May. Well done!!! Thank you to staff and parents who support students to compete. Please see Mrs Thomas’ Junior School Sports Report for details.

Babies!

On Wednesday it was delightful to welcome Alethea and Lorenzo Gulvin, Jennifer and Louie Liston, Alex and Olive Weller, Jemma and Emily Fox, and Jesse, Alister (big brother) and Clemmie Ferguson for morning tea with staff. 

Chapel

This morning our Year 6 classes led us in worship, with a focus on kindness, based on the Bible verse Proverbs 12:25. This Chapel service was supported by Justin from Freestyle Dance Ministry, who also gave the message. Our Year 3 students, along with new students in Years 4 to 6, were presented with a Bible as a gift at the conclusion of the service. Please remember to send a small offering with your child. We hope you can join us for worship. 

God Bless,

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

2023 Enrolment Information - Key Dates

Wednesday 18 May, 7pm: Year 7 Information Session in the Multi-Purpose Centre for new and continuing families
Sunday 22 May, 11am – 1pm: HTLC Open Day. Tour the facilities of Holy Trinity Lutheran College and meet and greet with the students and staff.
16 May to 10 June: Personalised conversations with new and existing Year 6 families. An email was sent out with details on how to book an interview online.
Term 3: Personalised conversations with current Year 5 families.

HTLC Open Day

The HTLC Open Day will be held on Sunday 22 May from 11:00am to 1:00pm. There are still opportunities for students to volunteer their time to assist on the day. Please return the consent form by Monday 16 May.

NAPLAN 2022

Week 1 of NAPLAN has concluded. The NAPLAN schedule for next week has been set with tests being administered online on the following days:
Monday 16 May: Year 9 Conventions of Language
Tuesday 17 May: Year 7 Conventions of Language
Wednesday 18 May: Year 7 and 9 Numeracy

New Student

Welcome to Mia Barton (Year 9) and her family. Mia started at HTLC last week. We wish her all the best as Mia settles into her new school.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

College Ball 2022 – Year 11

The organisation of our College Ball requires a huge commitment over a number of weeks from both our trainers and our parent committee. The hours of work contributed by Mrs Schneider, Mr Haynes, Mrs Grieger and Mr Wallace, ensured that our Year 11 students performed in a manner of which they were extremely proud. We are sincerely thankful for the endless hours of preparations by our parent committee, friends and family who assisted with setting up and packing up, and who helped to make the evening the success that it was. An evening that the students will remember for many years to come.

YEAR 12 – VICTORIAN CAREERS SHOW

Today the Year 12 class has travelled to Melbourne to participate in the Victorian Careers Show which is being held at the Melbourne Showgrounds. This is an extremely valuable opportunity for our students to attend seminars on their VCE subjects, tertiary courses, careers and gap year opportunities, prior to commencing their VTAC preferences next term.

SENIOR CENTRE – AFTER SCHOOL STUDY

Each night after school, the Study Centre is open for Senior School students to study independently or with peers until 4:30pm. On most evenings staff are running organised sessions with VCE students and are available to students seeking support.

EXAM WEEK

During Week 6 of this term (Monday 30 May - Friday 3 June), teachers will conduct revision programs in their classes in preparation for Exam Week in Week 7. The skills acquired from previous Elevate presentations and the strategies offered by staff should be implemented with the intention of making study time as effective as possible. Year 10 and 11 students will have exams while usual classes will continue for Year 12 students.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please find upcoming sporting dates below for your calendar;

Year 5/6 Girls AFL, HTLC: Friday 27 May & Friday 3 June
Greater Western Cross Country, Warrnambool: Monday 30 May
Year 5/6 Lightning Premiership Carnival, Horsham: Wednesday 1 June
Hoop Time Basketball, Horsham: Thursday 9 June

Little Desert Cross Country

A huge congratulations to all 14 students involved in the recent Little Desert Cross Country held at Kaniva last week. The day saw great running conditions and fabulous results from our running champions. We now have 8 eligible students in line to compete at the Greater Western Regional Cross Country on Monday 30 May in Warrnambool.

Results for those that placed at the Little Desert Cross Country are as follows;

HCPSSA (Interschool) Athletics Carnival

We had a huge 65 student eligible to compete at the HPCSSA Athletics Day Thursday of last week. After a fresh start to the day at Dudley Cornell Park, we had many excited and nervous faces eager to perform in their relative track and field events. It was so amazing to see the support from staff, friends and family as they cheered on HTLC, and we had some brilliant results achieved by many of our students. A huge congratulations to all athletes involved, supporting staff and our Year 9 students whom were vital in the success of the day!

The top two placed students relative to individual events and top 1st placed relay competitors are eligible to compete at the Little Desert Athletics Carnival in Horsham, scheduled for 9 September.

We had great success in recognition of age champions for various age groups. A huge & well-earned result for the following students, what a terrific outcome for you all!
Elsa Drendal - 2nd overall Age Champion (9-10 year old girls)
Judd Oakley - 3rd overall Age Champion (9-10 year old boys)
Jemma Hoffman - 1st overall Age Champion (11 year old girls)
Georgia Foster - equal 1st overall Age Champion (12-13 year old girls)
Maverick Kerr - 1st overall Age Champion (12-13 year old boys)
Soren Foster - 2nd overall Age Champion (12-13 year old boys)

Greater Western Regional Tennis

Congratulations to Frazer Shurdington and Hannah Heard, who on Monday travelled to Ballarat to compete in the Greater Western Regional Tennis Tournament. Both were placed within the top draws for the day and we are proud to announce that Frazer came 3rd and Hannah came 4th! Very promising results and a valued experience for both our tennis champions. Congratulations!

Yours in Sport!

Mrs Hayley Thomas, Junior Sport Coordinator

Think about the most recent positive experience you had with one of your children; one where you felt truly connected. Perhaps it was an instant of joy as she made a new discovery. Maybe it was a flash of laughter as his joke landed perfectly on your funny bone. Or it could have been a tearful or heartfelt embrace, a moment of deep reflection, or a twinkling of peace as you simply sat together and felt… safe. Brené Brown says connection is “the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.”

It feels good to belong. To know that you matter. To feel worthy. That beautiful energy between you and your child ebbs and flows. Each interaction requires us to re-connect with our child to maintain the experience of being connected. And this explains why parenting – and relationships generally – can be so hard. The obstacles to maintaining connection are endless.

Kids are better at regulating emotions, solving problems, and are more resilient when parents are connected with them. And they act out less. We know that children are seeking attention because they need it to be healthy and happy. In fact, it may be less about “attention-seeking” and more about “connection-seeking”. Sensitivity, empathy, and responsiveness are at the core of creating a nurturing environment that will support our children’s needs and allow them to flourish.

This means: If your child is seeking attention, give it to them! Think about moments of genuine connection you’ve experienced with your child and pay attention to what you notice.

• Connection is that moment when your infant smiles at you and you mirror their delight as you smile back.
• Connection is when you hold out your hand in response to your child reaching for you.
• Connection is your face lighting up with the thrill of seeing your child serve an ace on the tennis court, slam a spike on the volleyball court, bowl out middle stump on the cricket pitch, kick a goal on the soccer field, or swim a personal best in the pool.
• Connection is your eyes meeting your child’s across a room after school, followed by a smile, a squat with arms extended, and a run-up hug for a child who misses their parent.
• Connection is what we feel when we truly accept our child for who she or he is.

Dr John Gottman calls our children’s choice to reach out to us a “bid for connection”. When we respond to those bids with warmth, acceptance, and engagement, we build life into our relationship with our child. If LOVE is spelled T-I-M-E, what does HURRY UP spell? And are we thinking about this as we interact with our kids? Our reactions are, at best, a response to unexpected and unforeseen difficulties and at worst, the equivalent of an emotional bomb blast because we aren’t intentional and mindful of what needs to happen to make the morning function well.

For a healthy life our children need to learn to comfortably rely on others for emotional support, guidance… connection. And it is this connection (and dependence) that predicts wellness and adjustment. 

Ideas for connection

To build stronger connections, consider these ideas:

1. Do what’s important but unspectacular over and over again.

We often get caught up in planning the perfect party, the heavenly holiday, or the exciting event so we can all connect and make memories. This can be a useful strategy, but a focus on consistent small episodes of responsiveness and connection will do more for happiness, wellbeing, and growth.

2. Review the way you use your time.

The time that people with lousy relationships spend on Netflix, social media, excessive work, or with other distracted pursuits, people with extraordinary relationships leverage into opportunities to be present, mindful, and connected. Build your catalogue of connection experiences, not your catalogue of movies to watch on your streaming service.

3. Allow your worlds to cross-over.

Our children are desperate to enter our world and connect with us. Even more, they crave the opportunity to bring us into their world and share their experience of life with us (yes, even with they grunt in response to our query about how their day was). Let your children know that you are interested in what they’re interested in, and pay attention to their lives. The true meaning of connection is love – or loving connection – that draws us to others because it is the truest way we can feel seen, heard, and valued. It is love that gives life.

Happy Families was founded by Dr Justin Coulson.  Justin earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Wollongong. He and his wife Kylie have been married since the late 1990’s and are the parents of 6 daughters.

Happy Families has just launched a new website. Because they're on a brand new platform, you'll need to re-register for your free Happy Families Premium School Membership through our school's unique URL.

A reminder that this year's School Photo Day is being held Tuesday 16 August. Students are required to wear full winter uniform, not sports uniform. If students have sport on the day, they are advised to bring their sports uniform to change into. Please contact admin@htlc.vic.edu.au with any queries regarding school photos.