The Labor Day long weekend came at a perfect time for the staff and students of HTLC. A time to ‘take a breath’ after what can only be described as a fast-paced start to the year. This year, more than any other, has seen significant change implemented across the college, and with change comes a period of adjustment. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our college staff for the way they have adapted to a change in structures and environment, but also for the way they have supported each other and strived to provide the quality Christian education the school is renowned for. The level of care and compassion has always been evident within our staff, but this year (in my new role), I am getting a fantastic insight into the level of skill and expertise that exists within our teaching staff. One of our key themes for the year is ‘utilising strengths’ and I am seeing this play out on a daily basis. So many of our staff have taken on new responsibilities and are thriving in their roles which is powerfully driving the college forward. I wish to encourage these staff for the way they have taken responsibility and ownership of the culture. Their professionalism is playing a pivotal role in helping to instill the core values with which we operate.

I also hope that the long weekend provided a recharge for our students as they prepare for the final few weeks of term. Each day, I am also reminded of what great students we have in our college and I am so grateful for the way they approach all areas of their school life.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

We do have a great college, and I am very much looking forward to showcasing our school through our coming Open Day and other key enrolment events, which include:

• Wednesday, 1 May - Come Try Day for 2025 Year 7 students
• Wednesday, 15 May - College Open Day and 2025 Year 7 information evening
• Term 1 holidays - 2025 Foundation student interviews with parents and carers
• Term 2 - 2025 Year 7 student interviews with parents and carers

These important dates will provide an opportunity to showcase our college to the wider community, while clearly articulating what makes HTLC a leading Foundation-to-Year 12 schooling option in the Wimmera. Receiving a sound education is so important in setting our young people up for future success and HTLC prides itself on delivering a strong academic product. But what makes our school so special are the values taught alongside the academics. We not only teach people how to read and write - essential skills that make people employable - but we also teach them how to be outstanding citizens who can contribute positively to any real-world environment. Future employees who know the importance of respect, hard work, loyalty, collaboration and commitment. These are just some of the values that underpin everything we do at HTLC.

Now is the ideal time to inquire about enrolling for 2025, please contact the college to register an expression of interest so we can contact you in the leadup to all key enrolment events.

Blessings on your week.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Kathy Matuschka

After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 8:1a).

I love how often we hear announcements in the gospel books that the kingdom of God (or the kingdom of heaven) has come near.

If Jesus’ individual miracles shine like the stars, these expansive statements can shine like the moon into our darkness.

At one level, it seems to me that the ‘kingdom of God’ is hard to define because it means nothing and everything about Jesus’ earthly ministry and God’s plan of salvation for humankind. Sometimes, as Christians, our ideas of how the kingdom of God should look can even divide us.

It’s like a mountain that looks a little different from various angles, and it’s hard to grasp or define its exact shape. But every story of healing – every teaching – helps us build a picture of what the ‘kingdom of God’ looks like.

So, too, as Christians today, we long to see God’s kingdom come in our world. As we witness wars and other conflicts, family trauma, natural disasters and general needs, the darkness threatens to be overwhelming.

But now, as always, God’s kingdom is revealed one story, one interaction at a time. Even when it seems dark, we can have the confidence to walk the way God leads. We can trust that God has many ways to orchestrate healing and restoration in our world and that God’s Spirit enables us each to play our part.

Like the sower in today’s reading, we can sow generously and accept our failures hopefully. Like Jesus’ followers in today’s reading, we have no light of our own. We stay close to Jesus so we can reflect his light as we go.

Dear God, please reveal the good news of your kingdom within me and around me. Shine your light on my path so I can confidently step into the part you have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Chapel

This morning our Foundation students were presented with their Faith Bags. What a wonderful experience to celebrate the beginning of their individual faith journeys. Thank you to Mr Przibilla and our Foundation teachers for their preparation and involvement. As in Corinthians 2:6-7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Year 6 camp

Today, our Year 6 students arrived back from their Urban Camp experience in Melbourne. They have spent the past few days visiting the Immigration, Islamic and Chinese museums, Scienceworks, Eureka Skydeck and ArtVo (just to name a few) and experiencing Melbourne’s restaurants and cultural experiences. We thank our Year 6 team and parent helpers who made this camp possible.

Year 4 camp

It must be camp season, with our Year 4 students preparing for their adventures in Creswick next week! We wish you all the best and thank our Year 4 team for their organisation of this camp.

NAPLAN

This week our Years 3 and 5 students participated in the NAPLAN testing in writing and reading. Next week they will continue through language conventions and numeracy testing. We congratulate these students on their fantastic attitude and commitment to their studies.

Crazy Hair Day

On Monday, 18 March, our SRC students will host Crazy Hair Day. Students are encouraged to wear free dress and create a crazy hairstyle! A gold coin donation is requested as all money raised will go towards the Leukaemia Foundation. A short parade will take place just after the JS assembly on Monday morning.

Lunch orders

We thank SuperFeast Horsham for, again, being able to provide a lunch order service for our college. Please see The Hub posts for menu items and ordering instructions. All orders are to be placed on Wednesday for pick-up on Thursday, and there is now a canteen offering at recess on Thursdays with cash to be used on the day.

F-2 Athletic Day

On Friday, 15 March, our Foundation to Year 2 students will participate in their Athletics Day carnival. Students will compete in a range of track and field events, which they have been practising over the past few weeks. Students can wear a house-coloured shirt and HTLC sports shorts for this day.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

NAPLAN testing

Students in Year 7 and Year 9 have commenced their reading and writing NAPLAN testing this week. Numeracy tests will be completed next week. Students are familiar with the types of questions provided and teachers are available for guidance and support. Parents are asked to continue to provide reassurance as needed and to encourage their child to simply do their best. Please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator if you require further information.

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.

Assessment

As we approach our first formal assessment cycle, parents are reminded that staff will be posting feedback on the Hub following the completion of tasks. We encourage you to discuss these comments with your child and to follow up with teachers if you have any concerns. Reporting to parents in this way provides parents with a regular and timely update of their child’s progress.
Please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator if you are experiencing any difficulties accessing information on the Hub.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

AHPVSS 2024

This weekend marks the official start of the Australian HPV Super Series for 2024. Holy Trinity Racing has completed just over one lap of the entire globe in its  history, and will be looking to add to that on Saturday, as five trikes take to the free-flowing, 2.4-kilometre McNamara Park circuit in Mount Gambier for an eight-hour race. Good luck to all the students and staff involved.

F-2 Athletics Carnival

Next Friday, 22 March, the Foundation to Year 2 students will have their first opportunity to participate in an inter-house competition, with their Athletics Carnival. Students are encouraged to wear a shirt in their house colour (blue for Lowan, yellow for Mallee and red for Wimmera) as they compete to earn points for their house. The Athletics Carnival is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the gifts and talents of our students, and help them to develop a lifelong love of physical activity. More information will be sent home early in Week 8 regarding this event.

3-6 Athletics Carnival

Today, students in Years 3, 4 and 5 will participate in sprint trials to help determine the seedings for some of their events at the Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival, which will be held on Wednesday, 27 March. Thank you to Mrs Both and Mrs North for helping to coordinate this event, and to the classroom teachers for assisting with the recording of the results.

Students in Year 6 will have the opportunity to trial on Monday, 18 March, between recess and lunch.

7-12 Athletics Carnival

Students in the Secondary School also have their Athletics Carnival approaching. This event will be held at Dudley Cornell Park on Tuesday, 26 March. Students from the three houses will participate in a Trial Day on Tuesday, 19 March. Trial information was posted to The Hub this morning. Students involved in the trials will need to wear their PE uniform on Tuesday in order to participate in the trials.

Coming events

March

16 - AHPVSS round one: Mount Gambier eight-hour

19 - Secondary Athletics Trials Day

22 - Year F-2 Athletics Carnival

22 - Greater Western Region primary and secondary swimming finals

25 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior volleyball

25 - Greater Western Region primary tennis

26 - Secondary Athletics Carnival

27 - Year 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 Easter Journey is a special event being run by our Year 12 students as a part of their Christian Studies program.

It will be on Wednesday, 27 March after school to coincide with Holy Week. There will be a walking tour with stations to reflect on different parts of the Easter story, which will be open from 3.45pm to 5pm, then a passion play featuring the Year 12 students, communion, and a short message by Pastor Hans. This is followed by supper. The event should conclude by 6pm.

Everyone in the school community is invited to attend. Parents will need to attend with their children due to the nature of the event.

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.

Holy Trinity's Parents, Teachers and Friends Association is calling for donations for its Easter competition!

If families can donate an Easter item to contribute to some prizes, it would be truly appreciated.

Donations are not limited to chocolate - the PTFA would love to see the true meaning of Easter represented. Donations can be left at the front office.

Details of ticket sales will be provided soon. The competition will be drawn on 27 March. 

Elevate Education will host its next parent webinar on memory on 27 March. Elevate works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you’ll learn how you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they’re learning at school.

Sign up for the session below to learn how you can help your child recall their syllabus content in an exam setting.

How You Can Help Improve Your Child's Memory

Wednesday, 27 March 6.30pm-7.30pm

Click here to register for free

Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night:

✅ Understanding how your child’s memory works

✅ Optimising your child’s environment for memorisation

✅ 3 practical memory techniques to use with your child this term

We hope to see you there!

Click here to register for free