Newsletter ( - Holy Trinity Lutheran College

The end of the term is drawing near and with it will come a much deserved couple of weeks' break for staff and students. An 11-week term always presents its fair share of challenges, particularly when you consider the reporting and assessment load that goes into finalising end of semester reports.

This year, the Secondary School has moved to a continuous reporting model with results being posted on The Hub at regular intervals throughout the semester. The Junior School has maintained a more familiar reporting format for this semester but will focus on increasing the number and frequency of assessment and portfolio tasks posted on The Hub. Developing our use of The Hub as a way to share information with our families has been one of the priorities of the college this year and we will look to continue to develop our systems and processes to ensure that The Hub can be maximised in terms of the benefit it offers families of HTLC.

Work behind the scenes continues as the amalgamation of the three Lutheran schools of the Wimmera continues to progress. A Wimmera Lutheran College committee has been formed and this group is meeting fortnightly to address the key areas that need attention as the amalgamation date draws near. Next week, this committee, as well as the Executive Principal position, will be formally announced to the Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill communities, providing greater clarity as to the direction of the new college. Parents and carers of HTLC will receive this information via The Hub and I encourage any family who isn’t actively logged on to ensure they are by next week so they receive this important update.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank those families who continue to actively provide support to Holy Trinity Lutheran College through their thoughts and prayers. It is comforting to know that there are people out there actively praying for HTLC and I encourage you to continue to do this as it provides great support to all who are involved with our wonderful college.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them (Luke 24:15).

When his followers were plagued with questions and doubts, Jesus didn’t stand by and watch from a distance. He doesn’t let us suffocate in our uncertainty either. He comes to us and serves us. He knows our hearts. He understands the anguish we sometimes experience. And he’s ready to help us at all times.

That’s what he was like throughout his earthly ministry. He looked out for the weak. He caught up with the grieved and confused. He searched for those burdened with guilt. And he accepted those who were regarded as outcasts.

He still does that today, especially when people are travelling on a troubled road. He’s still the same Jesus who was the companion of the men walking on their way to Emmaus. He’s still friendly and considerate, understanding, compassionate in his approach, helpful in his guidance, and always ready to bring a word of comfort and hope. He came to the Emmaus disciples when they were confused. He came to them without a great fanfare or a spectacular demonstration of his power.

We may sometimes wish that he would appear in our lives with a thrilling miracle, a startling display of his power or an irresistible appeal in his invitation to believe in him. But he doesn’t usually work that way.

He still comes, though. He comes to us and enables us to trust in what he’s said in his word, even though we might not always understand it. He comes to us and strengthens us when we must face hard times. He comes to us and equips us so that we can be more effective in carrying out our responsibilities. And he comes to us to give us the courage to witness openly and boldly to our faith in him.

Lord Jesus, we live with uncertainty, doubts, fears and worries. Sometimes, they can get the better of us. Thank you for understanding us, continuing to come to us, walking with us, forgiving us and giving us strength and courage for the journey ahead. We praise you for your presence and help. Amen.

Year 4 Biomes

On Wednesday this week, Mr Przibilla, Mrs North and myself were invited to attend the Year 4s presenting their Biomes Unit of Inquiry. Well done to the students on how they talked about their biomes and the sustainability measures they would apply if they were to make a home in that biome!

Learning review for Term 2

As we did in Term 1, staff are currently reviewing learning support in the Junior School. There will be some minor improvements to these programs in Semester 2.

The leadership team and staff await the finalisation of our MMG data so that we can plan our directions for college improvement from next semester and into 2025. We are currently at the end of a strategic planning cycle so know the next strategic plan will be well informed by all members of our community.

Reports (for next week)

As teachers are busy writing and publishing reports this week, I am reminded as a parent of how to encourage your child at this time.

When reading a report or looking through a portfolio of work your child has completed, it is important to sit down with your child and let them tell the story of their learning to you. We are looking to create lifelong learners, who are passionate about learning, so praise the effort component of the report.

As a parent, you want to know from the reporting how your child is doing. If you have difficulty ascertaining this, please make time to talk through the report or portfolio with your teacher. I have included a two-minute video from a tutoring business, giving some tips on how to read a report: https://www.explorelearning.co.uk/free-resources/how-to-read-school-reports-a-parent-survival-guide/#how-to-read-a-school-report

Recycling (F-2 Technologies)

Last week at assembly, some members of the Year 2H class introduced the school to a recycling process the F-2 classes designed. We are proud to say that we have $20.70 of recycling collected. That is 207 cartons, cans or bottles that were saved from landfill.

Playspace adjustment

At the southern end of the Junior School oval, we have introduced some tyres into the playspace so that students can play 'lava' (another Years F-2 creation). The Year 1 students will introduce other students to this concept of yard play at assembly next week.

There will also be some tractor tyres appearing around the school grounds. These tyres will be so that individual students may withdraw themselves from general yard play if they need to self-regulate and just have some time to themselves. Several students have registered this need for the ability to just find some of their own space at recess or lunch times. Students will also learn of this at assembly on Monday as the Year 1 students present to us.

Thank you, co-educators, again, for sharing your healthy interest in education

Last week I shared a great E-safety link as a result of a conversation with a parent.

This week again I have a small clip (two minutes) to share around wellbeing in the yard that a parent passed on. It resonated with me as something to write about, to encourage parents to share these ‘finds’ with an educator on site.

The act of sharing this information is community building! It builds the relationships between teachers and parents as that co-educational team I always speak of! In simpler terms, I guess I am trying to get us to build the village as we know the famous saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’.

Thank you to the community builders in our college parent community. May God bless your work. I can’t now help but share back a TED talk that tells the story of people like you. It's 15 minutes long, so make sure you’re having a coffee break when you watch it: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_brooks_the_lies_our_culture_tells_us_about_what_matters_and_a_better_way_to_live/transcript

Weeks 10 and 11

Monday, 17 June - Assembly (all welcome)

Thursday, 20 June - 9am 3B Chapel (all welcome)

Friday, 21 June -

Free dress day - a splash of orange for mental health awareness, gold coin donation requested
RoboCup in the MPC - selected students, all day
PTFA Junior School Disco: F-Year 2 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm; Years 3-6 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Year 4 Hooptime (selected students)
Friday Winter Sports

Friday, 28 June - Free Dress Day; Closing Chapel

Blessings on the coming flexi-period of school holidays!

In Christ,

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Celebrating Teaching and Learning

Next week our Junior School staff will participate in professional development presented by SoundWaves. This is our whole Junior School teaching approach to learning the foundational components of reading and spelling. Teachers will understand the importance of building strong phonemic awareness, explore the instructional principles that underpin phoneme-grapheme relationships, use SoundWaves resources to support high-quality reading and spelling instruction and the use of decodable readers in consolidating knowledge.

Awards

FJ: Monti W and Twyla S, FL: Eliza R and Polly A, 1H: Caleb O, Hamish McD, Beau M and Harriet R, 1P: Summer L and Lincoln S, 2H: Ariana R, 2S: Tasman C, 3B: Sari D, Ted S and Hudson N, 3D: Riley E-F, Harry C and Chloe C, 4F: Maxwell L, Felix M and Ella P, 4M: Oliver McD and Alfie J, 4R: Chelsea S, Abel F and Madre vH, 5D: Evie K and Emily L, 5R: Mia Y and James P, 6H: Lara P and Cooper P, 6N: Sienna N, Nixon B and Sophia G, 6V: Bryce McD and Alyssa S. Specialist awards: PE: Mandy H and Blake O, Digital Technology: Daniel A and Ryder E.

Our Trinity Tiger (5-6) Award recipient was Mandy H, Trinity Cub (3-4) Willow C and Trinity Cub (F-2) Aadu A.

Student work

This week, we showcase the Year 6 Severe Weather Expo where students explored extreme weather events and the effect this has on living things. They demonstrated their research skills using key inquiry concepts and applied their understanding through a working model of the event.

Mrs Jacqui North, Junior School Teaching and Learning Coordinator

Year 12 news

Our Year 12 students recently attended a performance of Oedipus, presented by the Smart Arts Theatre Inc, at the Horsham Town Hall. It was a wonderful production with rich performances by members of the Horsham community, including some of the HTLC staff and students.

The Year 12s are studying this play as their English text so this was a fantastic opportunity to see the play in real life. It will certainly help them as they delve into the text and analyse the themes and ideas within the play.

The GAT 2024

The 2024 General Achievement Test will take place in the Senior Centre Stadium on Tuesday, 18 June.

All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequences are required to sit Sections A and B of the GAT.

Students enrolled in one or more VCE VM Unit 3-4 sequences are required to sit Section A only.

Students should ensure that they are familiar with the VCAA rules for the conduct of the GAT and the list of approved exam materials and equipment. This information was been provided to students earlier in the term.

Please see the GAT Schedule below:

	Section A:Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Numeracy
9am-9.15am	Reading time
9.15am-11.15am	One writing task with 2 parts
	50 numeracy multiple choice questions
11.15am-1.15pm	Break

	Section B: General knowledge and skills
1.15pm-1.30pm	Reading time
1.30pm-3pm	One extended writing task
	25 Maths Science and Technology multiple choice questions
	25 Arts and Humanities multiple choice questions

Students are permitted to wear their sports uniform on the day. They may leave the school between Section A and Section B if parent permission has been provided; however, must ensure that they return to campus at least 15 minutes before the commencement of Section B.

No Unit 3/4 classes will run on this day.

Work experience – Year 10

Year 10 students will start their industry placements in the community from Monday, 17 June to Friday, 21 June. Work experience can provide valuable insight into industries and workplaces and assist students in forming a clearer idea of their senior pathways. We appreciate the support of local businesses and those families within our school community who are providing this learning experience for our students.

Western Victorian Careers Expo

The Western Victorian Careers Expo is country Victoria’s largest careers expo and offers a range of tertiary and vocational information for students. This year the expo will be at the Wimmera Events Centre at Longerenong from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Tuesday, 25 June. Years 9 and 10 students will attend to gain insight and further information about potential future pathways they may be considering. https://wimmeracareerexpo.com/

Reports

As we have undertaken continuous reporting this year, all feedback from assessment tasks has been provided to parents in an ongoing manner throughout the semester, as tasks have been completed. A formal collation of this feedback will be provided through The Hub on Thursday, 27 June. Parents will be notified when this information is available to view.