I hope you have continued to enjoy Term 1! I remain most grateful for the warm welcome I have experienced and the blessing this wonderful community has been. As I move around our College, I remain impressed with the commitment and engagement of our students. It is exciting to see the wide and varied learning opportunities in each of our sub-schools.

There have been many more highlights this week, especially our Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival on Wednesday and today’s Years 7-12 Swimming Carnival. These days are always a really special time, not just for competition but for teamwork, house identity and strengthening relationships.

There is now only a week until our HTLC Fair, next Friday, 24 February from 4pm to 8pm. This is another fantastic opportunity to enjoy relationship as a community. I would like to thank the PTFA for their organisation.

On Monday, we will have a whole school assembly at 9am in the Multi-Purpose Centre where we will install our student leaders in Junior School, Middle School and Senior School. You would be most welcome to join us!

May God bless your weekend!

Mr James Phillips, College Principal

by Ruth Olsen

And because of his words many more became believers (John 4:41).

We continue our walk through this chapter, pausing to reflect, to notice some surprises.

The disciples arrived with lunch and were surprised to find Jesus talking with a woman (v27), as she herself had been surprised earlier (v9). Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans, and Jewish religious teachers rarely spoke with women in public. As one commentary says, ‘The words of the Law were to be burnt rather than taught to a woman. A man should not speak in public to his own wife’!

Jesus cuts through these constricting man-made rules to reveal God’s compassion to someone ostracised by society. She, whom society did not value, was highly valued in God’s eyes. That’s what God’s love is like – so different to our human expectations. And the disciples sensed not to confront Jesus about breaking these protocols.

Jesus had been tired earlier (v6), and now he doesn’t partake of the food the disciples brought from the village but says he has other food to eat. When we are in a ministry situation, and sense that God is doing something in that moment, physical food can be far from one’s mind.

Why did many of the Samaritans from that town believe in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony (v39)? Wasn’t she an outcast, collecting water in the middle of the day? And yet her manner and her words were compelling. Wouldn’t the disciples have been perplexed when they saw the woman rushing back to the well accompanied by lots of the townsfolk? God was at work, in unexpected ways.

Jesus was tired, yet he was tuned in to what his Father was doing. Seeing the Father’s heart for an outcast woman, perhaps our surprise can shock us into examining what we let divide us, reflecting the ways of the world instead of the Father’s heart?

Lord Jesus, help us see our heart-attitudes through your eyes of compassion for people. Father, forgive us. Change our hearts and renew our minds by your Spirit’s power.

This Monday I am looking forward to my first assembly! It will be a longer assembly as we are joining together with the whole school to install our leaders for the year. We will also present the classroom awards for the year so far in each classroom. These awards are based on the VIA Character Strength survey, and the 24 dispositions which have been researched and chosen as a strength set everyone in the world has. The premise is that each individual has different signature strengths (top 5), middle strengths (next 14) and lesser strengths (last 5). These 24 strengths combine to give each individual a unique identity. In John Hattie’s visible learning work, we can call this the Portrait of a Learner.

In the newsletter this year, I will be relating our different school events to you as parents through the Strength-Based Character Traits we develop everyday in our learners.

Swimming Carnival

The way our students were brave and persevered in our swimming carnival was outstanding.  Whether it was 25m or 50m,  I was gobsmacked by the way all students represented their teams so well, even though the vast majority of us are not natural swimmers!

Congratulations also goes to those standout swimmers, whom I’m sure brave cold mornings and days in swimming practice, and persevere with sometimes challenging technical lessons. Although they appear natural swimmers, they have worked hard at learning swimming skills through flexing their perseverance and bravery muscles!  Well done Lowan on winning the day!

Student leadership 2023

Congratulations to those students who will formally lead our junior school this year:

House captains:

Mallee - Lenny Carter, Riley Bish, Charlotte Doyle and Matilda Smith

Wimmera - Arkie Mackley, Yasassri Sumanapala, Jenna Lockhart and Imani Baker

Lowan - Zachary O’Connor, Hudson Ryan, Poppy White and Ameika Engert

The staff and I look forward to you joining us in leading the learning at our school, and know that you will make your own good decisions as leaders of the school this year!

Parent-Teacher Sharing Sessions - thank you!

Last Tuesday and Thursday, parents met briefly with the classroom teachers of their children, so that a positive relationship may begin as your child's/children's educational team. It is so crucial that this relationship begins on a positive note. As such, all teachers will be pursuing communication with parents whom the timetable may not have suited on those days. "Catch-ups" (as I affectionately know these sessions as) can be organised face to face, over the phone or in person. They are always encouraged right the way through the year at any stage so that your child’s educational team are always on the same page. Thanks for being a great educational team with our teachers!

Shrove Tuesday

Next Tuesday, 21 February, is Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the day before Ash Wednesday when traditionally Christians have used up rich foods in preparation for Lent. Our VCAL students will be cooking pancakes for students in Foundation to Year 6, which will be served with ice-cream and maple syrup. Options will be available for students with dietary requirements. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation and proceeds raised will be donated to local charities.

Fruits of the Spirit

Last week we heard about love from Mr Phillips and this week we will hear about peace from Year 6N. In order to think about peace, I like to think of its antonym (opposite) and it's not war (war is commonly thought of as an action, not a feeling). Instead, I think of feelings of anxiety, depression and turmoil (which can be brought about by war) being the opposite of peace.

Death, dying, starvation, relationship turmoil: these are the things which are not peaceful, and seldom part of hopeful God’s plan. In the Bible, God makes more than 300 notable promises, of which most boast something like this:

Jesus Christ says I have come so that you may have life, and have it to the full! (John 10:10)

Jesus invites us to do life His way, and he promises that only then will you experience true peace which the world can never give. If you want to discover something awesome, take a risk and see life from God/Jesus's point of view, as He promises you will never look back.

God bless,

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Middle School Furniture

This week we received delivery of the new furniture for the Specialist Block (SGLA1, SGLA2 and SCLA). The furniture consists of a range of student desks and chairs, suitable for flexible learning spaces. This furniture will be used to furnish the ‘Year 9 Hub’ of the Middle School, a space specifically designed to house the Year 9 students in their final year of Middle School. Throughout the course of this year, the students will be able to add their own ideas to this space to make it their own, and will take on greater responsibility and freedoms to manage the space. This new initiative ties in perfectly with the ideals and values taught through the Rite Journey program which aims to develop adolescents into responsible and mature young adults.

WestVic Academy of Sport and Athlete Development Program

Congratulations to the following Middle School students who have been selected into the WestVic Academy of Sport for 2023: Kirrily Dandy, Ellua Boyd, Frazer Shurdington and Georgia Foster (Year 7); Emma Streeter and Edward Jones (Year 8); and Eva Drendel (Year 9). These seven students will join with five students from the Senior School to make up the 12-person squad for this year. They will train regularly using the College’s gym, attend specialist webinars, complete personalised programs and receive expert coaching and tuition. The students officially commenced their program on Monday when they underwent initial testing and screening. The results from this will be used to develop the individual strength and conditioning program for each student. We wish these students all the best as they prepare to work hard to improve their sporting performance throughout this year.

Student Leadership

An Installation Service for Middle School Captains, Ambassadors, SRC representatives and Tech Team members will be held on Monday, 20 February at 9am. This will be a whole-school service where the leaders will be acknowledged and formally installed into their roles. Student leadership is always valued highly at Holy Trinity Lutheran College and I look forward to seeing these students complete their duties throughout the year.

Homework Club

A reminder that regular homework is now being issued to all middle school students. To assist students with completing their homework, Homework Club will be open from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in MGLA1, every Monday and Wednesday night.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

Uniform

All senior students are reminded that sports uniform may be worn 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.

Swimming Sports

Preparations have been underway over the past few weeks for our Secondary Swimming Sports, which are being held today at the YMCA. Senior House Captains have worked tirelessly encouraging student involvement in the day across competitive, novelty and fashion events.

Leadership

At our whole school worship service last week, senior leaders for 2023 were presented with their badges. We congratulate our College Captains and House Captains on their initiative and willingness to assume positions of additional responsibility.

Next week SRC representatives will be presented at a whole school assembly on Monday morning.

House Captains

Lowan - Lars Simmons, Ellie Heard and Ruby Simpson

Mallee – Silvie Hahn and Hannah Borlase

Wimmera - Wil Tippet and Leah Eilola

SRC Representatives

Year 10:

Lowan – Mia Nuttall

Mallee – Stephanie Wundke and Tadhg McGrath

Wimmera – James Pfitzner

Year 11:

Lowan – Kirrily Matheson

Mallee – Regan Shaw

Wimmera – Olivia Heard

Year 12:

College Leadership Team

Careers Newsletter

Our first careers newsletter for the year was sent out to students and families last week. It will continue to be sent out on a weekly basis throughout the year to all students in the Senior School. Both parents and students are strongly encouraged to access these editions as they contain valuable and relevant information about work experience, career options, university programs and open days.

After school study sessions

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.

Specialist sport program

Earlier this week, a team of strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and trainers visited the College to complete musculoskeletal screenings and fitness testing for our WestVic students. The results will inform individual programs that will be provided for each of the students.

Students leaving the College grounds

Students who are unwell during the day at any time are asked to inform the Main Administration who will contact parents regarding their departure from the school.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

The Junior School Swimming Carnival took place on Wednesday this week. It was a wonderful day, with a packed program of events and a fun, energetic atmosphere!

Congratulations to our Age Champions:

9-10 years : Phoebe Burns and Noah Myerscough

11 years : Charlotte Kelly and Vincent Brennan

12-13 years : Poppy White and Hylton Penfold

And to the winning house for the day, LOWAN!

As we get back into the routine of the new school year, it is a good opportunity to introduce families, both new and returning, to our College Wellbeing team. The HTLC Wellbeing team consists of:

The Wellbeing team is available to support students, staff and the wider College community as identified. We work in collaboration with teaching and other school staff, and are available for students from Foundation right through to Year 12. We work to promote their social, emotional and spiritual development, as well as support their academic engagement with the aim for each student to achieve their full potential and be their best selves.

Emphasis is put on proactive initiatives with the aim of building students' resilience and their ability to problem solve and support each other.

Students may be supported individually, in the classroom, or even through lunchtime activities including:

• pastoral care classes
• service projects
• social and emotional learning programs
• psychological, educational or behavioural assessments
• individual or group counselling, and
• fun games and activities during break time to encourage a sense of community and a sense of social connectedness

The Wellbeing team may provide support in areas including positive mental health, improved self-care practices, positive self-esteem, study skills, grief and loss, and much more. Support may be offered as a one-off, general check-ins, a casual conversation, or regular support. The Wellbeing team can also support families to engage in external services if and as needed.

If you would like to contact anyone from the Wellbeing team you can do so via the following:

• speak with your child's teacher or Year Level Coordinator who can arrange for Wellbeing to contact you or meet with your child
• speak with a member of the Wellbeing team in person by attending the College Reception located in the Junior School
• speak with a member of the Wellbeing team directly over the phone by calling the College on 5382 2529, or
• email the Wellbeing team at wellbeing@htlc.vic.edu.au

HTLC has partnered with Happy Families as well as School TV to provide families with additional resources to support our students.

To access your free premium memberships to Happy Families please click here.

To access SchoolTV please visit https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/

Please note: The family/sibling photo cut-off is Sunday, 26 February at 4.30pm. Once this time passes, the option to order a family photo disappears.

If a parent starts their online order with a family pack chosen and submits it after 4.30pm, the order will go through without the family photo. Families are advised to place their order well before then to avoid disappointment.

Holy Trinity Lutheran College provides a leading educational pathway for its students from Foundation to Year 12. Applications are open for all classes at Holy Trinity Lutheran College.

Learn more or enrol your child for 2024 at htlc.vic.edu.au/enrolment.

The Victorian Government's Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 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.

CSEF applications for 2023 are now open. Get more information and apply here.