The first week of school has come and gone and the new school year has certainly been full of action to keep everyone busy. The week started with a combined Years 7 and 12 breakfast and it was fantastic to see so many of our families interacting and reconnecting in preparation for an important year for our Years 7 and 12 students. A big thank you to Year Level Coordinators Mrs Engert and Mrs Carter, Mrs Van Buuren for catering and for Mrs Przibilla and HTLC staff for serving coffees.

Later in the week, the Year 12s participated in their retreat at Norval in Halls Gap. I had the pleasure of visiting the students on Tuesday night and was impressed by the maturity and commitment with which they were approaching the planned activities and the year ahead. The Year 7 orientation camp also provided an opportunity for me to see how our new Year 7s were settling into secondary school and I was equally impressed by their attitude and the team spirit that existed within this cohort. Both groups of students have different but important years ahead of them and I look forward to seeing them develop and contribute positively to our school culture and environment.

Returning to Monday morning and it was an absolute pleasure to start the term in worship which was led by Mr Borgas and the Junior School Captains. What a privilege it is that we get to start our year together in this way and it was great to have Mr Borgas back leading the Junior School in worship. A highlight was seeing the interactions between the buddies and Year 6s, a special rite of passage which our oldest Junior School students look forward to each year. I witnessed the Foundation classes being led through the front office later that morning and was impressed at how quiet and orderly they were as they confidently walked through this office space, wide-eyed and full of wonder at being a ‘big’ school student. What an exciting time ahead for these students, so much to learn and take in.

Walking through the school this week, there was a sense of calm and control which I have no doubt is down to the wonderful work our teachers have done in preparing for the students this year. I look ahead with optimism and enthusiasm at what this year will bring and thank the staff for ensuring the year has started in such a positive fashion.

One of the key themes for the College this year is ‘communication’ and a central part to achieving positive communication will be the increased use of HTLC’s Learning Management System - The Hub. All parent communication will eventually move to this forum and it is crucial that all parents have ready access to the content that will be posted in this forum. We understand that some families have had trouble accessing The Hub, an email has been sent to all families reminding them of their login details and important tips to ensure this is setup for 2024. Please ensure you follow the steps as outlined in this email and contact the College if there are any further questions or follow-up required.

Next Thursday, 8 February, there will be a combined Welcome and Information Night for all HTLC families. The schedule for the night will be as follows:

• 6.45pm-7.10pm: Principal’s welcome and address (MPC)
• 7.15pm-7.35pm: Parent information session one (classrooms)
• 7.40pm-8.00pm: Parent information session two (classrooms)
• 8.00pm-8.45pm: Welcome drinks and nibbles courtesy of the PTFA (MS courtyard)

I hope to see all parents in attendance as we lay the foundation for an important year ahead.

I will leave you all with these words from Proverbs 6 verse 22:

When you walk, God will guide you;
when you sleep, God will watch over you;
when you awake, God will speak to you.

Blessings on your week.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Tatiana Overduin

These in white robes – who are they, and where did they come from (Revelation 7:13)?

What a magnificent sight! A great multitude, so many that no one could count, standing before heaven’s throne: before God and the Lamb. ‘Where did they come from?’ This text informs us that ‘These are they who have come out of the Great Tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’ (verse 14).

These people are God’s servants, those who have served God, continuously, as we are informed through the text, in the day and throughout the night, and God shelters his people with his presence. How do we receive God’s presence? We read the Bible, we call on him in prayer, we worship him, we give him thanks, and we know and believe and trust in his promises. Through trial and temptation, through hardship and through the tears that we shed, all are wiped away by his gentle, compassionate hand.

Never again will there be hunger or thirst. Never again will we experience the scorching heat of the sun. ‘For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their Shepherd’ (verse 17).

Multitudes of those who have passed through the Great Tribulation will be satiated through ‘springs of living water’ (verse 17). In Psalm 56 (NLT), verse 8 shares a poignant message of comfort, ‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book’.

We, who seek the Lord, can take great consolation in the truth that whatever our deep concerns, we can take them to Jesus, our Shepherd. Whatever our conflicts and troubles and whether we suffer persecution, we are calmed with the knowledge that the Lord is our Shepherd. ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’ (Revelation 21:4).

O Holy God, we pray that our hearts and minds are assured daily having faith in you, and we look forward to the great day we stand before your throne, with the great multitude. Wash us, Lord, with your blood, feed us with Jesus: who is the Bread of Life. Help us to turn to you for all things as we journey through great tribulations, daily seeking your perfect way. Lord, give us faith. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

What a great community

Schools are boring places without the students and the families that make them, so thank you for being back! With today being Groundhog Day in America, it is a timely reminder to be mindful and thankful for the present, not just go through the motions and think it's another year! It is great to see the physical growth and growth in maturity while speaking to continuing students, and it is a breath of fresh air to meet new students and their families and understand the gifts and talents they bring to our community!

We extend a particularly warm welcome to the 14 new students in Years 1 to 6, and 40 new Foundation students. I am excited that God has given Miss Janetzki and Miss Lienert such great classes to begin the new school year!

I am particularly grateful (after some leave in the last half of 2023) to be back amongst the Holy Trinity community and look forward to serving you this year under the guidance of Acting Principal Jason Przibilla. I look forward to seeing you personally again, and learning alongside you this year as we educate together!

Opening Chapel and learning about spirituality from a Christian Foundation

I loved giving the message at our opening Chapel this week, where Jesus spoke of his Kingdom being like the best pearl you have ever seen. I then likened my search in our school to finding a plain old book, The Bible, in our Chapel. God has given us his word to inform the way we live our lives in love, kindness, and peace with each other. I am excited how our school teaches these values from a Christian foundation so that we can teach each other and learn from each other about the essence of ‘who we are’ and ‘our purpose’ as human beings.

Meeting teachers

A Welcome and Information Evening is planned for this coming Thursday, 8 February. My apologies that I matched the wrong date to the day! We encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and collect your classroom-specific information book. Student progress meetings then again offer the opportunity for parent-teacher sharing in Week 4. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss how we can support your children in their learning journey this year. Details on how to book a meeting through the School Interviews website will be sent home next week.

Student leadership

This week, Year 3 to Year 6 students are in the process of electing two students from each class to serve on the Student Representative Council. House Captain voting will take place via a special House devotion next Friday, 9 February. Both Student Council Representatives and House Captains will be presented with their badges at assembly on Monday, 21 February.

Student pick-up

A note that parents using the quick drop-off and pick-up area using the roundabout on Trinity Drive, are reminded NOT to leave their vehicles. If you need to visit the classroom or the office, please park your vehicle in the bays provided outside the bus shelters. This allows for both areas to function efficiently and safely.

Bus information

Please advise our administration team if your child has updated their requirements for bus travel. It is very important to keep this information up to date as soon as changes are known.

Consent2Go medical information

This week, a link has been sent to all families requesting an update to student medical information. Please complete this as soon as possible, or contact administration if you are having difficulty with entering details online.

Blessings,

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School, and Mrs Jacqui North, Teaching and Learning Coordinator | Junior School Learning and Teaching Team

Welcome back

Welcome back to all parents and students for the 2024 school year! With another busy term and year ahead of us, both in and beyond the classroom, we commence the year with cautious optimism and reflect on the positive outcomes of 2023.

Staffing

We welcome a new staff member to the secondary school, Mrs Helen Wills. Helen will be teaching Middle School and Year 10 Mathematics and VCE General Maths.

Our secondary school staff have been excited to meet their new classes for the year this week and are all keen to make the new year one that offers meaningful, authentic learning experiences.

Year 12 2024

Our senior students enjoyed the chance to start the year working with our new Year 7 students and supporting their transition to secondary schooling.
On Monday, we welcomed our Years 7 and 12 students back to school. Year 12 students undertook the challenge of assisting the Year 7s with their new daily routines and procedures and enjoyed the opportunity to share their personal experiences and memories of the beginning of secondary school. Many relationships began throughout the morning and our school leaders had the opportunity to reflect on their roles within the College.

On Tuesday we farewelled the Year 12s as they travelled to Halls Gap for their retreat. Students spent two days participating in a range of workshops with both curriculum and wellbeing focus as they begin their preparation for the year ahead.

Year 10

We extend a very warm welcome to our Year 10 students for 2024 as they embark on the significant first phase of their senior secondary journey. In the coming years, these students will begin to make important decisions and develop pathways towards their futures beyond school. During this year, students will begin career planning and undertake work experience. Year 10 is an exciting year for students to develop their own sense of identity. It is a year to take advantage of all the opportunities that our learning community has to offer and begin to assume roles of responsibility.

Year 7

Our year 7 students have enjoyed the past couple of days at Tandara for their Transition Camp. The camp provides a valuable time for students to build friendships with the students in their group and to come to know their teachers. The camp fosters a strong sense of belonging within the cohort as they undertake a range of outdoor activities.

VETis

Our VET students commence their first day of classes next week. Further information has been provided to families. Students are reminded to ensure that all paperwork has been completed and returned and that safe@work modules are completed before this time.

Year Level Coordinators

Our 2024 Year Level Coordinators as are follows:

• Year 7 – Samantha Engert samantha.engert@htlc.vic.edu.au
• Year 8 – Amanda Przibilla amanda.przibilla@htlc.vic.edu.au
• Year 9 – Alicia Schneider alicia.schneider@htlc.vic.edu.au
• Year 10 – Jed Prouse jed.prouse@htlc.vic.edu.au
• Year 11 - Conor Lawson conor.lawson@htlc.vic.edu.au
• Year 12 – Kate Carter kate.carter@htlc.vic.edu.au

Please contact these staff should you have any questions regarding your child’s learning or pastoral needs.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

It has been great to return to HTLC this week and see the buzz around the College as we begin to prepare for our primary and secondary swimming carnivals, which will be held on 15 and 16 February respectively. Additional information will be sent to families in the coming weeks.

2024 sport coordination

I am incredibly pleased to have accepted the position of F-12 Sport Coordinator at Holy Trinity Lutheran College and am looking forward to the opportunities this position will provide me to connect with students and families across the Junior School in a greater capacity. My best email contact is matthew.mcloughlin@htlc.vic.edu.au.

TeamVic Trials

The School Sport Victoria Team Vic representative program provides a development platform for Victorian students to challenge themselves against Australia’s best school-aged athletes across numerous sports at the annual School Sport Australia Championships. SSV coordinate the selection process for Team Vic teams in partnership with relevant state sporting organisations.

Trial nominations for a range of sports close on Friday, 1 March 2024. These include:

• 12 years and under boys AFL
• 12 years and under boys basketball
• 12 years and under girls basketball
• 12 years and under boys cricket
• 12 years and under girls netball

Some sports have earlier closing dates:

• 12 years and under boys hockey (29 February closing date)
• 12 years and under girls hockey (29 February closing date)
• 15 years and under girls netball (7 February closing date)
• 15 years and under boys volleyball (5 February closing date)
• 15 years and under girls volleyball (5 February closing date)

For more information, please head to the following website: https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic/Documents/2024TeamVicInformationSheet.pdf

Coming events

February

8 - Black Ranges intermediate (Years 9-10) and senior (Years 11-12) tennis

13 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior cricket

15 - Years 4-6 swimming carnival

16 - Secondary swimming carnival

23 - Years 2-4 Hockey Roadshow Clinic

26 - Black Ranges secondary swimming finals

28 - Little Desert primary swimming finals

HTR trials: 2024 season

March

7 - Little Desert primary tennis finals

16 - AHPVSS round one: Mount Gambier eight-hour

22 - Years F-2 athletics carnival

22 - Greater Western Region primary and secondary swimming finals

25 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior volleyball

26 - Greater Western Region primary tennis

26 - Secondary athletics carnival

27 - Years 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

As parents, we need to stay calm

The start of a school year can make any child, and any parent nervous. To help anxious kids we need to manage our own stress first. Research shows that parental anxiety escalates children’s anxiety. But on the other hand, when we lower our anxiety and stress levels, it has a deescalating effect on our children over time as well.

Listen to worries

Whenever a child is anxious, upset or worried, it’s important to listen. Rather than dismissing fears, simply acknowledge your child’s feelings. You might ask him if he’d like to talk about ways to deal with that worry, or you might feel it’s not the right time. Often our children want to talk to us without expecting us to fix them. Validation of their feelings is enough.

If you know they may be worrying about something in particular, check in. Don’t ask questions that show that you expect them to be worried (such as, ‘Are you worried your friends have forgotten you?’). Instead, ask them general questions that might lead them to chat, such as, ‘I wonder what your friends have been up to over the break?’ These kinds of questions usually lead to better and more open conversations.

Maintain your traditions

Traditions give children predictability and a sense of security and safety and help our children feel as though they fit in somewhere. They also protect them from negative outside influences. In fact, a 2014 study of approximately 250 teens showed that family traditions and rituals had a significant protective role by helping increase social connectedness and reduce anxiety and depression.

Maintaining your traditions will help your anxious child feel safer, will add predictability to her life and will bring more joy to the entire family.

Take home message

Every child is different. Every situation is different. But by listening and taking it slow you’ll be able to see what your child is happy to manage and what they aren’t, and be in a better place to ease their transition. You’ll know the right steps to take because you’ll be listening to your child’s worries.

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 1990s and are the parents of six daughters

Last year, we started Cornerstone Cafe, in the Senior Centre (as you enter into the agora). Mrs Kim van Buuren is promptly in at 7am each day and the cafe is open to our community until 9am. This began as a service for staff; however, it always saw the potential for another opportunity for a coffee stop and to be a community connector for parents and friends of the College! It might even be a good time and location for a parent meeting spot!

The cafe operates each school day. Make sure you get your coffee order in by 8.45am so you don't miss out!

Country Buses

A reminder that all country bus travellers need to apply and accept offers on the School Bus Management System.

If your Term 1 offer has lapsed on the system you can renew your application.

Please email me if you have any questions: buses@horsham-college.vic.edu.au

Ad hoc bus travel

Students wishing to travel on country buses on an ad hoc basis, for example for football or netball training, need to complete an ad hoc bus application each year.

Applications may be approved if there is room on the bus involved. Please
complete an application and return it to the school office or buses@horsham-college.vic.edu.au. Please include your email on the form so you can be contacted regarding outcome.

Horsham College Bus Coordinator

In mid-January, I attended the Holy Trinity site for the first time this year to meet with Mr Przibilla. On the way, I met Bruce, who walks the grounds each morning. Bruce comes from across the road in his home, Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village. It sounds odd, as I am always refreshed by saying hello to this 96-year-old man (one of the pearls of God’s Kingdom, I wonder?)

To the point now, Bruce has inspired me to ask the community if there is anybody who would like to get together for prayer. Some of our staff representatives pray together on a Wednesday morning, however, I would like to offer that opportunity for parents and friends of Holy Trinity to join together, if they are like-minded on the subject.

I would like to gauge initial interest, so I would love people to contact me by email with the best times they may be available during the week. I am initiating a change process I have read about where they labelled the successful creation and maintenance of new programs as prototyping where a project is seeded first, then goes through a construction phase (sometimes a bit messy), reaches a maintenance phase, and then cycles again into some element of reseeding.

I see a parent prayer group would have its obvious advantages, but the most important thing at this stage for our College is the power it would have in community building! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Horsham will have a chemical collection day on 9 March. For more information and to register please see the following link: https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/recycling-and-reducing-waste/at-home/dispose-of-household-chemicals-detox-your-home

People Outdoors, a program of the Australian Camps Association, was established in 1989 to provide outdoor recreation for people of all ages living with disability. Its programs include two-night weekend through to four-day residential camps held during the school holidays. Participants are looked after by a team of disability support workers for the duration of camp. Please contact the team on 03 9863 6824 or visit https://www.peopleoutdoors.org.au/our-programs/upcoming-program for more information.