Principal's Message (20 September, 2024)
Amalgamation Update
Thank you to those members of the community who have expressed their interest in being involved in the Advisory Committee for Wimmera Lutheran College. The Terms of Reference will be forwarded to you before you can formally nominate for a position on this important committee. The role of this group is to provide feedback and advice to the WLC Board as it relates to the Horsham community. Once the group is formed, we will hold our first meeting, likely to be towards the middle of next term.
The three current Principals met this week to discuss important amalgamation topics including; Staffing, Timetables, Sharing of resources, Budget, Advisory Committees, 2025 Sports Days, Camps and School Photos, 2025 joint staff event and more. The meeting was productive and the frequency of these will continue as we near the official amalgamation date.
Staffing Update
Mrs Jess Erhardt commences her Maternity Leave from next term and we wish Jess and her partner Morgan all the best as they prepare to welcome baby number two early next term.
Mrs Jemma Fox will be returning from maternity leave next term and will be in the Year 6N Classroom, and will also be teaching the Vocational Major Literacy class. We look forward to welcoming Jemma back to HTLC.
Mr Neil Leek will be returning to HTLC to support the work being done by Cole, our Virtual Business Manager. Neil will act as an Operations Manager as he works closely with Cole to ensure all financial and operational matters of the college are taken care of as we prepare for the amalgamation. Neil will complete his work virtually for the most part, but will also make an effort to be on-site at different times of next term. Having Neil return to HTLC will provide great support to myself and our community and I look forward to working with him again and finishing off much of the good work that was started earlier this year.
All the best to Year 1 Teacher Keely Pope as she prepares for the Wimmera League A Grade Grand Final on Saturday, playing for the Horsham Demons.
Brisbane Learning Tour
Last week, four secondary staff - Mrs Kate Carter, Mr Wayne Bandel, Mrs Michelle Hahn and Mr Jed Prouse attended a Contemporary Learning Tour, visiting various schools in Brisbane. The tour focussed on schools that are delivering alternative secondary programs, moving away from the traditional education model and incorporating project based learning and cross curricular learning units. The group returned inspired by what they experienced and are looking forward to working with the Leadership Team to implement positive changes to the secondary model of HTLC. This tour follows the Melbourne Contemporary Learning Tour that Mrs Jacqui North attended earlier this term where she focussed on how education can be done differently in the Junior School. I am excited by the possibilities that exist in this space as work begins to workshop a review of what we currently are doing and the implementation of a plan for the future.
Fight MND Fundraiser
On Thursday, a special fundraising event was held at HTLC - The Fight MND Ice Bucket Challenge. 15 staff and students volunteered/were nominated to be saturated in a bucket of ice-water in front of the college community. The staff and students were all dressed in a variety of outfits and costumes, adding to the spectacle of the day as the students chanted their names as they prepared to be dumped. The event raised in excess of $1600 for research into Motor Neuron Disease and the student leaders did a great job of explaining what the disease is and why fundraising and awareness is important. A huge thank you to the Secondary SRC, led by Mrs Przibilla and Mrs Schneider for organising an amazing event. Thank you also to those generous donors who gave money for this cause. Please checkout the college’s Facebook Page for all the photos and videos of the day.
End of Term
As Term 3 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff, students and parents of Holy Trinity for a fantastic term. A very quick summary of what has been achieved this term includes; ICAS Competitions, Science Showcase night, Fight MND Fundraiser, F-2 Performing Arts Showcase, Secondary Play (A Lighter Shade of Noir), Brisbane and Melbourne Contemporary Learning Tours (Staff), 24 Hour HPV Event and National Champions, Year 8 Volleyball State Championship qualifiers, Netball Academy, Appointment of Wimmera Lutheran College Executive Leadership Team, Grandparents Day and Father’s Day, Book Fair, Chapel Band, Year 11 Outdoor Ed Camp and the list could go on. The passion our staff have to deliver quality learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom is unparalleled and I am so grateful for the way our staff continue to find ways to engage our students. Thank you to our students who actively look to involve themselves in these activities and for their passion for learning and participation in extra-curricular activities you exhibit. And finally, to the parents, thank you for your loyalty and support of our great college. Without your endorsement, we would not be able to continue to provide quality, Christian education to our students and the community. I pray that everyone has a restful and relaxing break before we meet back again for Opening Service on October 7, ready to do it all again.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal
