As we start this new term, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all students, parents, carers, and staff members. I hope you had a restful break and are ready for an exciting and productive term ahead.

The whole college gathered together for the Opening Service on Monday, led by Mr Prouse and the Year 10 students. The Easter message formed the key theme of the Chapel, which was delivered through the lens of a eucatastrophe - a sudden turn of events in a story that ensures the protagonist does not meet some terrible, impending, and very plausible and probable doom. The Year 10s' creative way of presenting this message certainly had the audience engaged.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."—1 Peter 1:3

The next major event on the calendar is Anzac Day which the college will commemorate with a whole school Anzac Service in the MPC on Wednesday morning at 9am. Our Junior, Middle and college leaders will also represent the school at the various Anzac Day services on Anzac Day.

As we look ahead to the coming term, let’s embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Please take note of the following important dates and events for this term:

Beginning this term, the newsletter will be produced every fortnight with the next newsletter scheduled for Friday, 10 May and the next one due two weeks later. Families are encouraged to keep in touch with The Hub for up-to-date communication and information.

Blessings on your week.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Pastor Mark Gierus

‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it’ (Luke 13:8).

The practice of digging around a tree is common when it is not growing well and, in turn, not producing the fruit it was planted for. When the soil around the tree is disturbed, the roots are damaged in the digging, and then the tree has to grow new roots, which, in turn, strengthen the tree to bear fruit for the next season.

Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that doesn’t bear fruit. The owner says, ‘Well cut it down’, but the man taking care of it says, ‘Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it’.

The tree doesn’t need to be destroyed but disturbed and fed instead.

We are like this tree. We were planted in the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus and given a purpose – to bear fruit. Yet it is easy to drift away from Jesus and begin to follow the way of the world and the way of ourselves. We find it easier to listen to the devil, tempting us with lies in the idea that ‘it is my life and my body; I can do what I like’.

But Jesus has chosen you as his own for his purpose. To bear fruit. The fruit of God’s love in action toward those around you. You are created to be a blessing to others. You are blessed to bless others with God’s love in action.

When the word of the Lord challenges you to live differently, it is like Jesus digging at your roots – the roots in self rather than in the word. You see, the word is the fertiliser of life, and the word of Jesus Christ will feed and sustain you in bearing the fruit of God’s love in action.

When Jesus digs at your roots, hear the word, and be ready for his word to guide, challenge, heal and restore you. Be prepared for his word to nourish your hungry soul, ready to go out into the world with new growth and fruit that blesses others.

Dear Jesus, dig into my roots of selfishness and worldly ways. Let me grow in you to bear fruit for others. Help me to be a blessing to everyone I meet today. Feed me, nourish me, and strengthen me daily in your holy word. Amen.

Refreshment

I hope all families had a great Easter, and were able to spend some time reflecting on the attached meaning of this holiday season for Christians. For those Christ-centred households, I pray that you experienced a renewed spirit, that Easter reminded you that Christ has risen, and everyday is Easter day for us!

This term we are missing Susie Penny, as she is on long service leave. Last year, Susie was a full-time teacher, coordinating the Learning Support Program. For those of you who are not familiar with Susie, she has previously lived and worked in Thailand at an orphanage, and I believe that may be visited again! Susie also has an ageing dad in England who she will spend considerable time with, while also travelling across the UK. We wish such a great servant of the school God’s blessings and pray for safe travel back (eventually) to Horsham.

Community

At HTLC, we are always so glad that our school family makes it back safely to school. Our school families have contacts all over the world, and so someone is always travelling great distances in non-term time. Welcome back!

A highlight for me in the holiday break was that local weekend and football have started! A story that has warmed my heart is that of the Stawell under-17s team and the Taylors Lake under-17s team joining together to create the Taylor Swifts. I encourage all involved with this team as this is a decision that not only gives two clubs a chance at keeping their club with junior footballers, but potentially unites two towns. I understand also that a lot of junior football teams, while having a week off on the bye, may also ‘pull on another guernsey’ and play for another team. I encourage our families and students to embrace these opportunities as we unite this winter!

Learning

At the end of last term, I completed my first day workshop entitled ‘being a teacher mentor’, presented by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. While I have completed similar learning in South Australia, this training will update my knowledge to comply within Victoria, as I am involved in mentoring new teachers to gain their provisional registration. Mrs North will also complete the same course this year.

Congratulations to Mrs Amanda Rudolph (4R), who now has gained her provisional teacher registration over the break. Amanda taught the first term with mentor teacher, Susie Penny, in her classroom as she completed her studies on a ‘permission to teach’. Thank you to Mrs North who also saw this process through.

In the holidays, I completed a Senior Leaders Workshop with Lutheran Education Victoria, NSW and Tasmania (LEVNT). We studied a book by Susan Stott called Fierce Conversations. It is a popular book for leaders to study, and I particularly enjoyed discussing it’s themes with a group of Christian educators.

Improvements

We spent non-term time as a leadership team with consultant Mr Dennis Mulherin. I thank Jason for organising this time with Dennis, as we galvanise a new leadership team this year - Jason Przibilla; Sally Kuchel; Adam Borgas; and Dennis Chew.

Personally, this term I have set a time each week to meet with Pastor Hans. I have experienced before the benefit of meeting with a church leader, both personally and professionally. Pastor Hans assists me in connecting to relevant Bible passages for the week as we see God working in the school. We pray for staff and families, as well as talking about leading from our respective positions.

As stated above, last year Susie Penny ended her time in the Learning Support role in the Junior School. Of sorts, we continue to reorganise this area of our operation to maximise the benefit for our student population in this area. Mrs Lynette Morrow will coordinate in this area from this term, ably supported by Mrs Jesse Ferguson who will mainly be collecting NCCD data alongside the teaching staff. Lynette will report to our Learning and Teaching Coordinator, Jacqui North. Lynette ably assisted Susie Penny for many years in this area, and we are grateful that she has offered to lead from this position from Term 2 onwards.

This term, staff are working on addressing behavioural standards among our student population. At the heart of this in the classroom is ensuring that learning is at number one, and then the fun will come (learning fun that is!) You can discuss these words with your child/ren and what you think they mean. In the yard, this looks like the staff having a joint understanding of process when students do break with ‘school rules’.

As with last term, I am collecting parent thoughts on behavioural education of our students, so please email in to speak into this subject. As we discuss this as a staff, it is also essential that I am informed by the views of our wider community also.

Next week - Week 2

• Monday - Junior School assembly and whole school cross-country
• Wednesday 9am - Anzac Day service (whole college)
• Thursday - Anzac Day public holiday
• Friday 9am - 6H chapel

Blessings on your weekend and the weeks ahead.

In Christ,

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Welcome back to what is looking to be an extremely busy term. I trust that the break provided valuable time to rest and spend time with family.

Uniform

A reminder that we are now transitioning from summer to winter uniform. From Monday of Week 3, all students are required to wear their winter uniform. The Uniform Policy is available under "Policies" via the Hub.

Students are reminded of the following:

• Hair longer than shoulder length is to be tied back with hair bands in the appropriate school colours. Extreme hairstyles, excessive use of styling products or colouring are not permitted. Please ensure your children have hair ties with them if required
• Students are to wear HTLC sports socks on the days they wear their sports uniform
• Jewellery can consist of plain sleepers or studs. A small cross on a fine necklace inside the uniform is accepted
• Garments worn under the shirt or dress for added warmth must not be visible
• It is not compulsory for hats to be worn in Terms 2 or 3; however, students may continue to wear them if they would like to
• All students are expected to wear the official college uniform, not only while at school, but also while travelling to and from school

The Uniform Shop is open on Mondays from 9am until 4pm, and again on Fridays from 9am to 2pm.

Study Centre

The Study Centre is open for students to complete independent study from 3.30pm to 4.30pm:

• Middle School students: Mondays and Wednesdays (supervised study)
• Senior School students: Monday to Thursday

College Ball 2024

As final training sessions have commenced, this is an important time for all students to aim to be in attendance. Altered training times with additional sessions have been circulated to students and parents.

We congratulate our Year 11 students for their commitment and preparation for the evening and look forward to sharing their presentation to families and friends next Friday night (26 April) at the Horsham Town Hall.

Work experience - Year 10

Work experience for Year 10 students is rapidly approaching. Students are reminded that Work Experience Arrangement Forms provided by the school must be completed before the placement can be confirmed. Positions for experience can be competitive as the other schools also run this program so it is advisable to identify and secure a placement as soon as possible.

Important Secondary School dates

Term 2

Monday, 22 April - secondary cross-country

Wednesday, 24 April - Elevate Study Skills session Years 7-11

Friday, 26 April – College Ball

Thursday, 25 April - Anzac Day (Middle School students attending the dawn service/college captains attending the commemorative service

Wednesday, 1 May – Year 7 Come and Try Day

Monday, 6 May – school photos

Wednesday, 15 May – College Open Day

Monday, 3 June-Thursday, 6 June - exam week

Friday, 7 June – report writing day

Monday, 10 June – King’s Birthday public holiday

Tuesday, 18 June – General Achievement Test (GAT)

Tuesday, 25 June – Western Victorian Careers Expo

Thursday, 27 June – Reports sent home

Year 12

Tuesday, 29 October-Wednesday, 20 November – VCE written examinations

Monday, 29 July – VTAC applications open

Tuesday, 22 October – last day of Year 12

Friday, 15 November (TBC) – Year 12 Valedictory and worship service

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Welcome back to Term 2! This term in sport is all about representative opportunities for students from Year 3 to Year 12, with a whole host of activities scheduled across the term. Please see the coming events section of this report for additional information.

Parent volunteers

In order to give all students opportunities to participate in the various sporting events on offer this term, we are seeking volunteers to be involved in a variety of activities, including running athletics events at the HCPSSA athletics, course marshals for the HCPSSA cross-country, and coaches and umpires for the Friday afternoon winter sport competitions happening later in the term. If you have a current Working With Children Check and are available to assist in any of these activities, please email me at matthew.mcloughlin@htlc.vic.edu.au.

State swimming finals

Today, four students from the Secondary School (Jacob M, Chase B, Edward J and Ellua B) are competing at the state swimming finals at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. Jacob M is competing in five individual events and will be joined by the other students for two relay events. Good luck to all students competing!

TeamVic AFL trials

On Wednesday, a number of students from HTLC participated in selection trials for TeamVic state teams for 2024.

Judd O, Angus C and Peter S all trialled for the 12 years and under AFL team, with Judd earning a place at the conference trials which will be held at La Trobe University in May.

HTLC cross-country

Monday, 22 April is the HTLC cross-country. Students from F-12 will participate in events throughout the day, with the morning starting with the Years 7-12 boys and girls races. After recess, the primary school students will begin their events. These should conclude by the start of lunchtime.

Please note there is a range of cross-country courses on the college grounds, and spectators must be parked in appropriately marked spaces to limit the potential impact on the race circuit. A more detailed schedule will be published to The Hub before Monday.

Greater Western Region volleyball

Good luck to our Year 9 and 10 girls volleyball team, who will compete at the Greater Western Region volleyball finals on Tuesday. The students have been training hard since their victory at the Black Ranges level, with many of them playing throughout the week as part of Volleyball Horsham’s local competition. The girls will play two matches against schools from across the region, with a place in the state finals on the line for the overall winner on the day.

HCPSSA athletics trials

Wednesday, 8 May is the HCPSSA athletics, held at Dudley Cornell Park. We can enter two students an event at this competition, which is the first step on the pathway to the state championships in November.

There are two events offered at the HCPSSA athletics that we are unable to offer on our athletics day at HTLC. These are the 200 metres and 800 metres races.

In order to be fair and equitable to all students, we will host a trial day on the morning of Wednesday, 24 April. These trials will start after the Anzac Day service and continue until recess (or until they are finished). Students will be permitted to wear their PE uniform on this day if they are participating in the trials.

Classroom teachers from Year 3 to Year 6 will be collating interest from students over the coming days, with expressions of interest closing at 3.15pm on Monday, 22 April. If your child would like to be considered for selection for these events, please ensure you ask them to speak to their classroom teacher.

Students may participate in a maximum of two track events and two field events at the HCPSSA athletics.

Coming events

April

19 - State primary and secondary swimming finals

22 - HTLC primary and secondary cross-country

23 - Greater Western Region intermediate volleyball

29 - Black Ranges Years 7-12 boys netball

29 - Black Ranges Years 7 and 8 girls AFL

May

1 - HCPSSA cross-country

2 - Black Ranges secondary athletics

8 - HCPSSA athletics

9 - Black Ranges secondary cross-country

13 - Little Desert primary cross-country

16 - Black Ranges Years 11 and 12 boys AFL

16 - Black Ranges Years 11 and 12 girls netball

17 - HCPSSA girls AFL

18 - AHPVSS round two: Tailem Bend six-hour

24 - Black Ranges Years 9 and 10 boys AFL

24 - Black Ranges Years 9 and 10 girls netball

24 - HCPSSA winter sport round one

27 - Greater Western Region primary and secondary cross-country

28 - Black Ranges Years 7 and 8 boys AFL

28 - Black Ranges Years 7 and 8 girls netball

29 - Little Desert Years 5 and 6 Lightning Premierships

June

6 - Black Ranges Years 9-10 and 11-12 soccer

14 - AHPVSS round three: Adelaide (Junior School teams)

14 - HCPSSA winter sport round three

21 - HCPSSA winter sport round four

21 - Years 3-4 Hooptime basketball

27 - Black Ranges Years 7 and 8 soccer

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, F-12 Sport Coordinator

Book club brochures (Issue #3) have been distributed. All orders should be placed by Tuesday, 30 April. Cheques should be made payable to Scholastic Australia. Credit card payments may also be made using the online system, the LOOP (if you are having trouble finding our school when registering, please use the postcode 3402).

By indicating ‘gift’ on your online order, the books will be kept at school for you to pick up if you do not want your child to see your purchase.

For more information, please contact Jaci Gabbé  at the library.

School photos are on Monday, 6 May. Please note, you must order photos before 4.30pm the day before picture day. See below for details on how to order your photos.

In the near future, HTLC will change the way families log into The Hub to use an easier system. Instead of using a school-set ID number and password to log in, now you will use your own email address and a password of your choice.

Please keep an eye on your emails for more details about this going live! If there are any issues once this change has come through, please call the college on 5382 2529 for help.