Over the past several weeks it has been wonderful to see so many students and staff once again engaged in extracurricular activities and camps. It is truly a blessing to once again be doing these things but I do remind our community that we still need to consider the current COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure individuals stay as healthy as possible. Earlier in the week an email was sent detailing the Department of Education and Training's (DET) advice in relation to mask wearing. In summary, it is strongly recommended by the Victorian Department of Health that face masks are worn in indoor settings, with face masks mandatory for those aged 8 and over who are household contacts and attending school. Schools will not sanction students or staff who do not meet this expectation but continue to communicate this expectation as wearing masks is a simple step we can all take this winter to reduce the number of COVID cases. Additionally, the period when someone is a confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks. This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing (5 RATs over a 7 day period) and from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. Please contact myself or the College Nurse if you have any questions, or require additional RA Tests.
Wishing you all a blessed week.
Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal
Faith News
Free
by Darren Pope
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there (Deuteronomy 24:18).
Lazy summer breeze, sand tickling toes, wispy clouds mirror dancing waves. Drifting back, memories are free. It’s amazing how a random sound, sight or smell can transport us back to a past place. Our brains are wired to remember. In our brain, the hippocampus helps with memories of experiences and knowing people’s faces. The cerebellum makes sure we can recall how to do things, like driving a car or playing the piano. The prefrontal cortex is active in remembering little details and solving complex problems. God, our designer, created us to recall and remember, yet, we forget!
It can be annoying when we forget our car keys, passwords, pin codes or names. It can be a safety risk if we cannot remember whether we closed the garage door or switched off the oven! So, we find ways to remember. We stick a note on the fridge, write on our hands, create a phone reminder, set an alarm or ask for help – whatever it takes to just get this stuff done. It’s important to remember.
It’s important to remember where you work and live, how to get places and how to get back. Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special moments herald valuable celebrations. Remembering that we are created in God’s image, along with every other human on earth, reminds us that every person we encounter in our day is inherently valuable, special, loved, forgiven and important.
Remembering that Christ, fully human and fully God, bore our sin, suffered, died and rose to eternal life brings daily and eternal hope through his unconditional gift of grace. How do we respond? What are we called to do? Our response is to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. By grace, we are free. Free to remember. Free to serve.
Lord of all ages, Lord of my heart, thank you for loving me fully today. Help me to remember that I am free. Give me the heart to notice and value others. Bless my head, heart and hands as I serve today. Amen
Sub Schools News
Junior School News (22 July 2022)
Week 2 has been busy but it has been wonderful to see the smiling faces and enthusiasm among the students.
Holy Trinity Tiger and Holy Trinity Cub Awards
This week we presented our Holy Trinity Tiger and Holy Trinity Cub Awards for the very first time. The recipients of these were: Bailey Dridan (Year 6) for Leadership and Perseverance, Lachlan Dunn (Year 3) for Compassion and Teamwork, and Javier Baker (Year 2) for Kindness and Perseverance. Well done boys!
Bible Society
Today the children enjoyed a visit from David from the Bible Society. Each year the children learn about a different country and the work the Bible Society is doing in that country. This year's country was South Africa.
Camps
Camps are a wonderful time of personal growth, offering new experiences for the students to participate in. This week the Year 5 students enjoyed a 3 day camp at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, with a focus on Gold Rush history.
Wakakirri
Our Junior School Wakakirri cast, crew and staff are continuing to work hard in preparation for their trip to Moonee Ponds on 5 August to compete in the Story-Dance Wakakirri festival. Blessings to all involved as they continue to prepare for this exciting event.
Aerobics Nationals
Our Energetix team is practising hard to prepare for the upcoming School Aerobics National Competition on the Gold Coast. To help support students and families as they prepare for their trip to Queensland fundraising events are being held over the coming weeks. Students will be given the opportunity to guess the number of lollies in the jar each day next week (50cents for one guess, $1.00 for three guesses), and purchase a sausage for lunch on Friday 29 July ($2.00 each). Thank you in advance for your support of these events.
Conferences
Three-way conferences will take place this term on Tuesday and Thursday of Week 7 (23 and 25 August). These will involve students, parents/carers and teachers, and provide a valuable opportunity to discuss students’ progress and set goals for each student. Students are required to accompany their parents or carers to the conference, and will be active participants in the discussion of their learning. Further information will be sent home in the coming weeks with instructions on how to book a conference time.
ICAS
This year, students in Year 6 to Year 9 will be provided with an opportunity to complete the ICAS assessments in English, Maths and Science towards the end of this term. If you have a student in Year 3 to 5 who would like to participate, families are invited to register children for these assessments independently using the information below.
Children in Foundation to Year 3 are preparing items for a school concert. This will be held at 11:30am on Thursday 15 September in the MPC. Parents are welcome to attend, however, the concert will be live-streamed for those who cannot come in person. More information regarding costumes, etc. will be sent home over the coming weeks.
Book Fair/Grandparents Day
A Book Fair will be held at school on August 11 and 12. Grandparents/Special persons are invited to come and see the children in their classrooms on Friday 12 August. More information will be sent home closer to the date.
Chapel
Year 2H led us in Chapel this morning. Next week 2S will lead us with a focus on showing gratitude to God. We encourage students to bring a small offering, and we hope you can join us for worship.
Congratulations to this week's award winners!
FJ: Sarang Sunikumar, Sehaj Singh FL: Eva Hateley, Eve Johnstone 1C: Boaz Leigh, Laila Barnett 1I: Sophia Pickering, Hazel Penfold 2B: Daniel Arthur 2H: Leo Poplawski, Pacey Mumford 2S: Havish Ganeshprabu, Kingston Li 3B: Evie Kalms 3D: Lachlan Engert, James Penny 4B: Anè van Zyl, Rhianna Taylor, Zack Pickering 4M: Max Both, Aj Cullen, Riyansh Kumar 4R: Kingston Garel All of Year 4!5D: Zahlie Hateley, Hylton Penfold 5H: Poppy White, Lydika Boyd 6M: Kirrily Dandy, Andy Mbati 6N: Bonnie Grieger, Tarren Mibus 6V: Olly Clarke, Chase Kannar Chinese: 6N Technology: Harry Hicks PE: Holly Bird, Soren Foster Holy Trinity Tiger Award (Year 5 or 6): Bailey Dridan Holy Trinity Cub Award (Year 3 or 4): Lachlan Dunn Holy Trinity Cub Award (Foundation to Year 2): Javier Baker
Blessings,
Mrs Roz Buckman, Year 3/4 Coordinator
Middle School News (22 July 2022)
Two weeks into the new term it is good to see that staff and students are settling in well. A new semester provides fresh opportunities for everyone to set new goals and study habits or work hard to build on the positive work done previously. It won’t take long for assessment tasks to be introduced and I encourage all students to be proactive with seeking assistance with these, whether it be through class support or Homework Club which is available to all students after school on Monday and Wednesday nights.
As well as subject requirements, the students will be provided with extra-curricular activities throughout the term including:
Excursions
Sporting opportunities
Pedal Prix
Science Week and Showcase
Elective events and activities
ICAS
2022 ICAS Competitions will be held at the following times:
ICAS English: Week 6 Term 3
ICAS Science: Week 7 Term 3
ICAS Maths: Week 8 Term 3
Genesis English and Mathematics students will be automatically registered to sit these tests.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 who wish to register to complete the English, Maths or Science competitions, can do so by visiting the following link and entering the school access code:
Parents can then follow the prompts to register and pay for access to the competitions. If you need any assistance with this process, please make contact with the school.
Athlete Development Program
Students selected for the Semester Two Athlete Development Program were notified via email this week. The students will commence their program with safety protocol before undergoing testing which will help to shape the individual programs they will be working through over the coming semester. All the best to the students who have been selected and I trust that the program will help them to work towards achieving their sporting and fitness goals.
The Rite Journey
The Rite Journey program continues this term with our Year 9s focussing on ‘How Do I Get on With Others’, covering topics such as listening, emotions, honesty, apologising, mateship, communication, social networking, relationships, romance, dating, sexuality and consent. The Rite Journey provides the opportunity for important conversations to take place between peers, but also provides resources for teachers and parents. The Facebook page titled ‘The Rite Journey with Andrew Lines’ (@theritejourney) posted an article titled ‘Parents have to choose their battles’ which discussed the need for parents to choose when to take a stand and when to let up. The article listed the following topics which parents should take a stand on:
Reading regularly
Spending time outside
Giving children chores to do
Eating as a family
Allowing kids to be bored and give them time to be bored
Making kids go last sometimes
Having awkward conversations
Giving your kids limitations to work within
“As a parent, you have to pick your battles. These are some stands I've been glad we've taken. They're not easy, but they're worth the fight. As I often say to my kids 'I know you don't think this is important, but one day you'll be so thankful you had parents who did.'”
This year, many of the universities are offering both an online and an on site option for Open Day. In addition to the usual careers expos, many of the universities are conducting career and university life webinars in an effort to support students as they begin to think about subject selections and pathways beyond secondary education. Federation University Deakin University La Trobe University
Study Centre
It has been pleasing to see an increasing number of students taking advantage of the opportunity to remain after school to attend VCE classes or private/small group study. As this is the final term for our Year 12 students and to support all senior students in their study, the Study Centre will remain open until 5:00pm from Monday to Thursday and 4:30pm on Friday nights. Please note that after this time the Centre will be closed unless special arrangements have been made with a teacher.
Student drivers/passengers
Students who are driving to school are reminded that parental consent must be submitted to the Principal. A driver who intends to carry passengers in his/her vehicle has added responsibilities. Only passengers nominated on the application form are permitted to travel with a designated driver. Passengers are required to submit a note from their parents indicating their knowledge and acceptance of the circumstances, unless they are siblings. Passengers also have a particular responsibility to ensure that their behaviour in any vehicle being driven by another student is exemplary.
VCE Important Dates
GAT (General Achievement Test) - Wednesday 7 September
VCE Trial Exams at the HTLC campus – Monday 26 September to Friday 3 October
Year 12 Last Day – Tuesday 18 October
VCE written exams (English) - Wednesday 26 October, 9:00am to 12:15pm
Year 12 Valedictory Service and Dinner – Friday 18 November
Final day of 2022 classes for Year 10 and 11 students – Friday 9 December
Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School
Sports News
Junior Sport News (22 July 2022)
Please find upcoming sporting dates below for your calendar;
Year 5/6 Winter Sports - Fridays, weekly on 22 & 29 July and 5 & 12 August
PMP to recommence - Tuesday 2 August
Year 5/6 Golf - Fridays weekly from 22 July to 9 September
Little Desert Volleyball at Horsham 298 Primary School - Wednesday 17 August
HCPSSA Badminton at Horsham 298 Primary School - Wednesday 31 August
Hoop Time Basketball in Hamilton - Tuesday 18 October
Winter Sports AFL - Year 5/6
We kicked off our first week of four for our Year 5 & 6 Winter Sports Program today. This saw students playing their chosen sport at various local locations and put into action their skills learnt in Term 2. This mini interschool competition saw many minor rounds and match play against Year 5 & 6 student teams, including Haven/West, Horsham 298 and St Michaels/St Johns Primary Schools. These sessions occur on Friday afternoons in periods 5 and 6 as a part of the Year 5 & 6 sports allocation.
Boys AFL to be played at HTLC, Junior and Middle School ovals
Netball to be played at Central Park, Racecourse Reserve
Soccer to be played at Dudley Cornell, North Park
Volleyball to be played at the Horsham 298 stadium
Golf Programs – Year 6 students
We have 16 students who are currently involved in a brilliant golf development opportunity at Horsham Golf Club. These sessions commenced today and will occur each Friday afternoon for an 8 week period in Term 3. Within these sessions, students will have access to a golf coach who will assist in skill refining/development and match play, a unique experience offered to Year 6 students this year.
PMP
PMP sessions for all Foundation and Year 1 students will recommence in Week 4 of Term 3, Tuesday 2 August. We're looking forward to seeing the students' faces light up upon entry into the MPC for these sessions, it's always a great session to be a part of. Teachers welcome any offers from parents helpers to assist with running activity stations within these sessions.
Volleyball & Badminton
Expressions of interest have been received from those Year 5 & 6 students who are wanting to be involved in upcoming volleyball and badminton opportunities. Lunchtime training sessions/selections will occur in preparation for both events which take place in August. We look forward to having strong representing teams in both carnivals.
Hoop Time Progression
Our Year 3/4 Girls Hoop Time Basketball team that was defeated in the Grand Final by 1 point has progressed as a wildcard entry to the next level, and will play in Hamilton on Tuesday 18 October. A program for lunchtime training sessions in preparation for the event is currently being determined and further information relative to this event will be forwarded to students involved in the team.
Yours in Sport!
Hayley Thomas, Primary Sports Coordinator
Secondary Sport News (22 July 2022)
Senior Boys Basketball
Congratulations to our Senior Boys Basketball team, who represented our school on Tuesday at Black Ranges Division. The boys, led by Ryan Pfitzner, performed extremely well on the day; including knocking down powerhouse Marion College in an epic 3-point victory. Narrowly missing out on progressing through to the next stage on percentage, the boys performed exceptionally well all day. A special mention goes to James Pfitzner for umpiring at a professional standard throughout the tournament.
Term 3 Dates
July 25 - Black Ranges Intermediate Girls Basketball 26 - Black Ranges Intermediate Boys Basketball
August 29 - Black Ranges Year 7 Boys & Girls Basketball
September 6 - Black Ranges Year 8 Boys & Girls Basketball 14 - Black Ranges Year 7/8 Boys & Girls Volleyball
Mr Jesse Kuchel, Head of Sport and Coaching
Wellbeing News
What to do when kids won't listen
These days "compliance" is a dirty word in the parenting blogosphere. For many people compliance means that a parent is a demanding authoritarian, expecting children to follow orders regardless of preferences otherwise. Compliance connotes coercion and intrusiveness.
As with every social media firestorm, there may be a kernel of truth to this. Compliance is not a healthy long-term objective for our children, and is not an ideal focus for our parenting.
But can we be real for just a minute?
Sometimes they just have to buckle up in the car. They actually should swim between the flags, wear shoes while riding a scooter, and stop throwing knives at their brother! These are safety issues. And they matter.
And sometimes the table does need to be cleared, the school bag put away, or the stinky sports gear placed in the laundry basket. It’s called being part of the family and learning to do your part.
So what do we do when our kids “won’t listen” and it actually does matter?
Join Justin Coulson for his webinar in August where you'll receive further tips and strategies which have helped me personally to:
Build better connection
Promote competence and capability in my children
Facilitate autonomy and intrinsic motivation, and
Make me feel like I’m a better parent (and person)
Our Junior School aerobics team, the Energetix (consisting of Bonnie Grieger, Maya Przibilla, Charlotte Matuschka, Lauren Rudolph, Aizla Shresthra, Alyssa Stewart and Sapphire Schirmer), have been busily preparing for the School Aerobics National Competition towards the end of August on the Gold Coast. To provide assistance in reducing their travel fees to attend the competition, they have organised the following fundraisers to take place:
Guess the lollies in the jar. Energetix team members will be in front of the MPC each school day at recess, taking guesses for how many lollies are in the jar. The cost is 50c for 1 guess, and $1 for 3 guesses. The winner who correctly guesses the amount of lollies in the jar (or the closest guess) will be announced on Friday 29 July and will win the full lolly jar.
A sausage sizzle will be held in front of the MPC on Friday 29 July at lunchtime. Sausages are just $2 each. The sausages will be gluten free, but the bread provided contains gluten. Students are encouraged to bring their own gluten-free bread if required.
Teaming up with local The Body Shop consultant, Melissa Haby, the Energetix will receive 20% of all profits made from purchases completed through the link in their flyer attached to this email. If you know any of the Energetix girls personally, they have their own link they can provide you with that will support them individually. Orders close Wednesday 27 July.
We're incredibly proud of the Energetix team for progressing to this level of competition, and are very thankful for any support you can provide them through these fundraising events.
We wish them the best of luck as the National Titles approach.
School Sport Victoria (SSV) Golf (Primary)
Elevate Education webinar: Motivation
Want to know how to help motivate your child?
Then join Elevate Education on Wednesday 27th July at 6:30pm (AEST) as they host a free 60-minute webinar for the school community, walking you through questions such as: What impact does praise and reassurance have on your child's motivation? What are the best types of goals to be setting with your child? How can you help your child create meaningful and lasting motivation?
Elevate is a global education organisation working with over 3,000 schools and 1 million students to improve their study skills and boost academic performance. You can learn more about them at www.elevatecoaching.info
