Newsletter (21 March, 2025)

Wimmera Lutheran College Update

This week, 7 Wimmera Lutheran College staff across the three campuses have spent time in Melbourne on a Contemporary Learning Tour, visiting different schools and interacting with fellow teachers and leaders from the Lutheran, Independent and Public education system. The staff included Mrs Jacqui North, Mr Mark Busbridge and Mrs Jemma Fox (Horsham Campus), Ms Millie Dent, Ms Ainslee Munro (Dimboola) and Mr Damon Prenzler and Mrs Erin Alexander (Nhill Campus). It was fantastic to hear about representatives from the three campuses collaborating and holding professional conversations as they look to shape the future direction of education at Wimmera Lutheran College. I’m looking forward to hearing all about the experience when the group presents to their campuses the key findings and recommendations.

Given the large number of staff out of the school for this past week, the opportunity presented itself for me to spend time at the Nhill and Dimboola Campuses, something I have been looking forward to doing. On Monday, I had the pleasure of teaching PE to the 5/6, 3/4, 2 and Foundation/1 classes. For me, this was a return to my origins as a former PE teacher and I will disclose that I really enjoyed my day. The students at Nhill were friendly, respectful and impressed me with their energy, attitude and skill. On Wednesday, I spent my time at Dimboola and whilst I wasn’t there in a teaching capacity, I was able to spend some time in the F-2 classroom, enjoying the devotion that was led by the senior students, the morning fitness game of ‘capture the flag’ and the literacy activity I assisted the Foundation students with. Walking around talking to the students during recess duty was also a great opportunity to get to know the students on a more personal level. The environment at Dimboola was positive and I really enjoyed watching the interactions between the students of different ages and the differentiation of activities within the classroom.

Momentum is gathering for the development of the Wimmera Lutheran College Strategic Plan. This week, Mr Mark Hughes (Board Chair) and I met with Consultants regarding the possibility of them working with the school. These initial conversations were informative and helpful in mapping out what this process will look like and how they could assist. At next week’s Board meeting, key information about the Consultants will be shared with the Board and the process to select one finalised. The Board is working towards having our Strategic Plan in place by the end of August.

Staffing

This week we officially welcomed Mr Daniel Blay as the new Finance Manager of Wimmera Lutheran College. Daniel is an experienced management accountant of more than seventeen years. He has a passion for business’s achieving their full potential financially and is looking forward to being a part of a passionate and devoted team at WLC. Welcome to the team, Daniel.

Employment Opportunity
Come work with us: Secondary English/Psychology Teacher

NAPLAN

Testing for NAPLAN concluded this week after 2 solid weeks of testing. A big thank you to Mrs Jacqui North, Mrs Kate Carter, Mrs Sam Engert, Mrs Alicia Schneider and the Year 3 and 5 teachers for helping to facilitate these tests. I would also like to acknowledge the IT team who expertly enabled the online testing to take place with minimal interruptions. Results will be available for parents and carers later this year.

Mr Jason Przibilla
Executive Principal

The school term continues to hurtle towards the end of term and the school holidays. We are also drawing ever closer to Easter, the most significant event in the Christian calendar. Easter is when we remember the death of Jesus when he was crucified in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. The bible explains very clearly that Jesus' death was necessary to pay the price for the sins of the world, that is, each of us. See for example:
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live in righteousness" 1 Peter 2:24.

The four gospels all give vivid and quiet challenging accounts of Jesus' death by crucifixion. They portray how awful and agonizing his death was. Yet, in the midst of these narratives the book of Luke shares an incredible story of Jesus talking to two people on a cross being crucified next to him. (Luke 23:32-43). The other two men were criminals. One yelled to Jesus that if he really was the son of God he should save himself and the criminals as well. But the other criminal rebukes him saying that they were receiving a fair punishment for their crimes but Jesus didn't deserve to be killed. He then made a statement that showed he knew it was true that Jesus was the son of God and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom of heaven. In response Jesus promised that they would be together in heaven that day.

This account shows Jesus love and mercy even in the most awful time in his life, as he was literally dying an excruciating death. This story gives us assurance of how Jesus responds to each of us when we in humility recognize Jesus is the son of God who gives us the promise of paradise after death. But I also think this experience was actually a merciful one that God the father gave to his son. During his humiliating, cruel death Jesus was able to see the see right in front of him the reason he was going through it - to be able to grant forgiveness and entry to heaven to one of the people he loved and was dying for. I imagine this experience was a great comfort to Jesus on his time on cross and helped sustain him. I am sure Jesus was also fully aware of each of us, all these generations later, who would benefit from his great sacrifice. Let us look forward to Easter with joy and thanks for our Savior. As is so well captured in the famous verse John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

We want to extend an invitation to all members of our College community to partake in an Easter reflection on Thursday 3 April from 3.45p.m. Our Year 12 students are preparing a Stations of the Cross walk to give opportunity for people to reflect on the Easter story and it's meaning. This will be followed by a brief Easter performance by Year 12 students and a short service led by Ps Hans who will serve Holy Communion. Please consider setting aside time to join us for this special event.

Mrs Kate Polack
College Chaplain

NAPLAN Completed

Well done to those students in Year 3 and 5 who completed their NAPLAN testing over the last week. It was so heartening to see everyone trying their best and finding out that this testing schedule is not that taxing after all! Thank you to Mrs North for her work leading arrangements for our college in this area, and all staff who supported this effort!

Student Wellbeing – UR Strong

This term, all classrooms have been undertaking the UR Strong program. Thanks to teaching staff for accommodating this program. Parents, ask your child about ‘Friendology’ and how they have learned about the art of friendship over the term. We are nearing the end of the formalised lessons for the program, however, want this program to continue practically in our communication with our students.

Teacher Professional Learning Conversations

This term, leadership has begun having professional learning conversations with our staff. I personally have enjoyed being part of these conversations which have demonstrated that our staff are lifelong learners who are continually looking for ways to improve our teaching.

2026 Foundation Interviews

Leadership are beginning to conduct Foundation interviews for 2026. If you are a family with a child due to start in 2026, Maddie will be contacting you to arrange a visit with Mr Borgas. If you know of any families that are looking at enrolling a child, please get them to contact the school, either online through the enrolment portal, or in person at the office. We are starting now so that we transition families, not just students into our community.

Thank you!

An enormous thank you to staff and parents as we begin 2025. I have reviewed our level of parent contact throughout Term 1 and am pleased with the high level of collaboration between teachers and parents (our coeducators). Remember that a problem shared is a problem halved!

Awards (Week 7)

FL: Piper H, Lucas S
FR: Archer H, Amelia H, Chez J
1H: Isobel G, Nara F
1P: Brady S, Htee MS, Jude P
2H: Jonty L, Alexis M
2S: Marshall K, Alister F
3D: Zac L, Piet R
3J: Anna D, Arlen F, Amelie P
4M: Sophia P, Jayla E, Nash N
4R: Baden C, Finn O
5D: Edie H, Deegan H
5J: Rylie P
5K: Cooper S, Neve D
6H: Whole Class
6V: Whole Class

Specialist Awards:
Chinese - Ava N, Zen B, Deegan H, 3J, 3D

German - Audrey M

Digital Technology - Alfie J

PE - Cooper S, Ryder E, Oliver M, Charlotte S, Hamish M

Our Trinity Tiger (5-6) Award recipient was Valeria S-M, Trinity Cub (3-4) Hazel P, and Trinity Cub (F-2) Brianna H.

Week 9

26 March: Chapel - 2S (all invited)
27 March: Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival (Dudley Cornell Park)
28 March: Years F-2 Athletics Carnival (Junior School Oval)

Week 10

31 March: Junior School Assembly (all invited)
4 April: 4M chapel (9am)
4 April: Junior School Cross Country
4 April: Whole College Closing Service (1:50pm)
4 April: Early Dismissal (2:20pm)

Mr Adam Borgas
Head of Junior School - Horsham Campus

NAPLAN

It has been a significant two weeks for our Year 7 and 9 students as they completed their NAPLAN tests. I commend them for their mature and focused approach, which has helped ensure a smooth process. A sincere thank you to our staff for their dedication in supporting the students and organising the tests. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I also want to acknowledge our parents for their support and encouragement during this demanding period. Your involvement plays a vital role in your child's experience.

Reports

Interim Reports will be available for the Secondary School via The Hub at the end of this term.

They will be online by Friday 4 April. To access your child’s report:

Log in to The Hub by visiting thehub.htlc.vic.edu.au and using your email and password. Once you have logged in, you will see the homepage with your children listed.
Click on Academic Reports. Once uploaded, a PDF of your child's report will be located here.

If you have any issues accessing The Hub, please email ictsupport@wlc.vic.edu.au.

Science and Engineering Challenge

The Year 10 students took part in the Science and Engineering Challenge on Tuesday 18 March. The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with local community groups. Our students were able to experience aspects of science and engineering which they would not usually see in the school environment. The students came second overall on the day! Well done to all involved.

Harmony Day

Harmony Week was this week. It is about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. We celebrated this as a College on Tuesday with a free dress day. It was great seeing everyone wearing Orange to acknowledge the day. The Year 7 students hosted a range of activities in the Middle School at lunchtime, and a lot of fun was had by all. The Year 12 students finished the week by running Chapel and sharing the message to embrace unity in our diversity, seeing each person with the love and grace that Christ has shown us.

Learning Tour

Next week, three of our Secondary Staff will be attending a Learning Tour, visiting a number of innovative Lutheran schools in Brisbane. We look forward to hearing their experiences and seeing what we can use to influence our programs here in Horsham.

Important Dates

31 March - Athletics Carnival
22 and 24 April - Parent-Teacher Interviews (Term 2)
2 May - College Ball (Term 2)
17 June - General Achievement Test (GAT) (Term 2)
21 November - Year 12 Graduation Service and Dinner (Term 4)
28 April - Cross Country

Mrs Kate Carter
Deputy Principal/Head of Secondary

Black Ranges Swimming

In Week 6, students from WLC competed at the Black Ranges Division Swimming Finals. The full list of podium finishes is included as an attachment to the newsletter. Congratulations to all the students for their efforts, and good luck to the event winners, who will be competing for the College on Wednesday at the Region Finals.

Black Ranges Results

Black Ranges Intermediate and Senior Volleyball

Earlier this week, four teams of students from WLC competed in the Intermediate and Senior Volleyball Finals for the Black Ranges Division. It was clear that, in the Intermediate section, we were the team to beat, and there were some hotly contested matches in the boys half of the draw, with a huge crowd putting a lot of pressure on the players. Our boys managed to stay cool across three tough matches, and have progressed to the Region Finals without losing a set. It was a similar story for the Intermediate Girls, who easily took care of the opposition in their pool, also moving on without dropping a set.

Congratulations to Victoria B, Kirrily D, Noah E, Hannah G, Serena J, Jesse J, Chase K, Jack K, Shaun L, Myah M, Tarren M, Rhylee O, Will P, Maya P, Amelia vB, Malakai vB and Ilze vZ for qualifying for the next round of competition.

The Senior teams faced their own challenges, but fought valiantly throughout the day. Both the boys and girls teams won the majority of their matches, but came up against very strong opposition in their respective grand finals and needed to settle for being runner-up on the day.

Well done to Regan B, Samuel B, Lexie H, Prue H, Willow M, Tadhg M, Aiden N, Kyren P, Cassara R, Frazer S and Rhianna W for their efforts.

WLC Horsham Year 7-12 Athletics 2025

Last Friday morning, students from Year 7 - 12 gathered on the Middle School Oval for the first event of the 2025 Athletics season - the 1500 metres. It was great to see so many students across all age groups participating in this challenging event. Congratulations to the event winners:
12 -13 year olds: Jack A (Wimmera) & Pippa S (Mallee)
14 year olds: Yasassri S (Wimmera) & Charlize vZ (Wimmera)
15 year olds: Ryan S (Mallee) & Ellua B (Mallee)
16 year olds: Toby U (Lowan) & Harper BH (Wimmera)
17 year olds: Joseph S (Mallee) & Indira H (Lowan)
18-20 year olds: Tadhg M (Wimmera) & Regan B (Wimmera)

With those results locked in, Wimmera have already opened a big lead in the Athletics Day Shield. They lead the way with 124 points, ahead of Mallee on 79, and Lowan on 63.

On Monday, 24 March, students who have nominated to represent their House for the other events on Athletics Day will complete a series of trials. The full list of trialists and a schedule for the day will be posted to The Hub. Students participating in these trials will be permitted to wear their PE uniform to school on Monday.

AHPVSS Round 1 - Mount Gambier

We are just one week away from the opening race of the 2025 Australian HPV Super Series, with about 30 students set to go racing at the Mcnamara Park Circuit on the outskirts of Mount Gambier. The Junior School girls will be looking to compete for a fifth straight National Championship, while our Middle School boys will be aiming to get on the podium overall this season after narrowly missing out in 2024.

Good luck to all the students and staff involved in this event - we hope the season is a successful one for you!

COMING EVENTS

MARCH
24 - WLC Horsham Year 7 - 12 Athletics Trials Day (WLC)
26 - Greater Western Region Primary & Secondary Swimming (Horsham)
29 - AHPVSS Round 1 (Mount Gambier)
31 - WLC Horsham Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival (Dudley Cornell Park)

APRIL
1 - Greater Western Region Intermediate Volleyball (Horsham)
28 - WLC Horsham Secondary Cross Country
29 - Black Ranges Intermediate & Senior Girls AFL (Horsham)