Congratulations on completing Semester 1! There has been a significant amount of work right up until the moment of dismissal. On Tuesday, I visited the Careers Expo, which was attended by several of our senior students. It is wonderful to have such opportunities available, as many students in other regional communities must travel significant distances to attend such events. It is great to see students consider pathways and options that they may never have considered or find some direction on the way forward.

On Wednesday, we were an election site for the Young Mayors, electing the Horsham Youth Council. It was great to see the election take place, in a very similar format that many adults in our community would be familiar with. This process had the support of the Victorian Electoral Commission.

It has been wonderful to see the musical team preparing for Alice in Wonderland. A reminder that tickets are available to purchase on the Horsham Town Hall website, and our students will really appreciate the support of everyone who attends.

We pray for all the students, staff and volunteers who attended the trip to Central Australia. As they return home, I trust they would have an opportunity to also rest after what has been a big trip.

Yesterday afternoon, you will have received your child’s Semester 1 report. As you read your child’s report, I hope you can identify points of celebration and growth, as well as areas for improvement and growth. An important attribute for a successful learner is being reflective, and this is an opportune time to do so. I would encourage you to have a conversation with your child about this as they prepare for Term 3.

As we move into the term break, I pray that all members of our community are able to have an opportunity to be refreshed, along with quality time pursuing activities of enjoyment.

May God bless you and your family.

Mr James Phillips, Principal

by Colleen Fitzpatrick

Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ (John 11:40).

Grief and loss are complicated concepts. You can’t plan or predict how you will react when faced with a significant loss. I have heard grief described as a storm, with symptoms such as a fog of thoughts (a head that is ‘foggy’ and vague, vivid dreams, confusion, hallucinations), winds of behaviour (not being able to concentrate, eat or sleep, feeling agitated), and waves of emotion (feeling overwhelmed, panicked, shocked, relieved, numb, angry …).

It can be hard to respond to someone who is grieving. You may wonder what you can say to give comfort. Just a hint: telling your own story will not ease someone else’s pain. It’s much better to acknowledge that it is difficult to find words. A hug can be a good thing if you know the person well. It’s a good idea to ask first if it’s okay to hug someone. Even holding a hand can be a good thing.

Martha and Mary were grieving for their brother, who had died four days previously. Their grief would still have been raw. They had let Jesus know Lazarus was dying, and it must have seemed to them that Jesus had ignored them.

When Jesus turns up, is Mary telling him off for not arriving before Lazarus died – acknowledging that Jesus could have healed him? Jesus was deeply moved by the outpouring of grief from Mary and her companions.

And then he wept.

Why did Jesus weep? Is it because his friend has died? Is it because people have so little faith? Is he just tired? There are so many unanswered questions in this story.

Whatever the cause, it is written twice that Jesus was deeply moved. He was, after all, fully human and fully divine. We see Jesus’ humanity in his compassion for Mary and Martha and his emotional response to Lazarus’ death. What a precious insight into this aspect of Jesus.

Jesus’ divinity shines through when he calls Lazarus by name, and Lazarus emerges from the tomb. Maybe Lazarus’ name is no accident. It means ‘God will help’. God responded to Jesus’ call and helped in the best way possible for Mary and Martha and, of course, Lazarus at that time.

The glory of God was made clear through Jesus’ words. If we believe in God’s promises and continue to trust, God’s glory will be revealed to you and me also.

Faithful God, thank you for the gift of emotions and feelings. Thank you for sharing our humanity and experiencing grief and joy during your time on earth. Thank you for the comfort of family and friends who journey with us. Thank you for the promise that God will help. Amen.

An unusual week!

After students had a banquet of extra-curricular opportunities laid out before them this semester, I found the last week of school to be somewhat quiet for the students. There were classes practising songs for the coming junior school musical Mary Poppins. There were students busy putting together portfolios within their classrooms. It was great to see some integrated learning and reflection on the semester.

A big thanks to teachers, as this was not unusual for them. They made the last big effort, along with office staff, to finalise and send out reports.  

Reports

Well done to all students on a great effort this semester. I always say that if you have tried your best during school time, we cannot ask for a better effort than that! Well done to parents also, as the overwhelming nature of the reporting here is that all students have generally tried their best in their learning effort. This is a positive reflection on you as parents and something of which you should be proud.

Homework - a highlight of teaching a life skill at HTLC

Again, to follow up with a comment on the homework policy at HTLC, I find it valuable that our college instils a commitment and perseverance to forming good learning habits not only at school but extending into the home as well. Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why our student reports were so overwhelmingly positive…

Peace and purity of heart

Today for closing chapel, Mr Phillips led us on a reflection of the last beatitude: Blessed are the persecuted (Matthew 5:11). I am glad to see how this message might develop, especially for our younger learners to hear!

My guess is that in God’s ‘topsy-turvy’ kingdom, things like peace and joy that surround Him, are priorities for Him and His followers. People who don’t have those things like to get upset and curse and slander (I know I do when I’m feeling war and joylessness inside!). This beatitude just states logically that you don’t want to join the unrest, you want to stay the distance and benefit from peace, joy, love, kindness and all of those other fruits of the spirit that being part of God’s ‘topsy-turvy’ ways can bring each one of us!

I pray for you: Dear God, in each of our days, please help us to appreciate the way you would like us to live our lives. We crave peace and joy in our lives, so please help us obtain these two fruits of the spirit especially, as we invite the Holy Spirit to lead our hearts, even without our full understanding. Amen (this means, May it be so)

Term 3

Please remember to add a day to your holidays!  Monday, 10 July is a student-free day, with staff back to work as the students for the day!

Class award winners:

FJ: Charlotte S, Jack B; FL: Claire P, Charlotte S, Senara R; 1H: Lochlan C, Ethan P; 1P: Roshil U; 2I: Finnley O, Charlie Y; 2S: Romy O, Oliver W, Laila B; 3B: Renske VH, Addisyn K, Ella P; 3D: Boh A, Xavier S; 3F: Blake O, Thevlini S; 4B: Alexa W, Sanhitha R, Mackenzie F; 4R: Jonty P, Hamish C, Zara BMcC; 5D: Luella B, Aizla S, Cypress K, all of 5D; 5H: Matisse H, Ané vZ; Zara P; 5M: Halle S, Nahla M, Jack A; 6N: Poppy W, Roxie K, Amber K; 6V: Malaya W, Ava W, Bodhi E; Chinese: 4R; Performing Arts (F-2): Sarb K, Maggie P; PE: Edie H, Charley U, Kena A; Library: Kayleigh B, Charley U; Tiger Award: Rafa S; Cub Award (F-2): Alexis L; Cub Award (3-4): Edie H.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

End of term

Term 2 has now concluded and staff and students are no doubt looking forward to a well-deserved break. The second term of the school year is always a busy term for students and staff as they complete units of work in subjects, assessment tasks, examinations and end of semester reports. I wish families and members of the HTLC community a restful and safe holiday break and look forward to everyone returning refreshed and recharged, ready for Semester 2 and the second half of the year.

Parent and teacher interviews

Included with the reports that were sent home on Thursday was information regarding parent and teacher interviews scheduled for Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 July. Parents will be able to register for interviews using the online booking system. Parents will be able to select the option of meeting face-to-face or virtually, please follow the prompts on the website to select the correct option. The process for how this can be done was included with the report information. The online booking system will be open until 4.30pm on Monday, 10 July.

Middle School summary (from Year Level Coordinators)

As we come to the end of a busy term we congratulate the Year 7, 8 and 9 students on completing their end of semester exams. We are extremely proud of the efforts they put into studying and revising concepts. A reminder you can view and access your child’s results to all assessments via the Hub. Your unique username and password was sent to you by the ICT team at the start of the year via email. If you have any trouble accessing the Hub, please be in contact with your child’s Year Level Coordinator or the ICT team.

As we begin a new semester next term, this will mean a change in your child’s timetable. Year 7 and 8 students will complete new specialist subjects and Year 9 students are to select their elective subjects via the Google Form that was emailed to them. A reminder that you will be able to access the Hub Year Level Pages for important information in regards to timetable, important term dates and uniform requirements. Students will be issued their timetable on the Hub at the start of Semester 2. 

Lastly, we pray for all middle school students who departed on an exciting journey to Central Australia. May they embrace all experiences and bring back lots of memories. 

Central Australia wrap

42 students, 5 staff and 2 parent helpers have enjoyed 10 days in Central Australia, touring iconic places such as Uluru, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. The scenery has been spectacular and there have been many opportunities for cultural learning to take place, through organised activities and unplanned interactions. The students have been fantastic and embraced all opportunities and experiences, expanding their comfort zone and gaining a greater understanding of life in Central Australia. These memories will last forever and hopefully encourage them to learn more about our great nation.

Term 3 

Monday, 10 July will be a student-free day. Term 3 will officially begin on Tuesday, 11 July with an Opening Service at 9am. Students are to report to vertical homerooms at 9am before making their way to the Multi-Purpose Centre. Semester 2 timetables will be emailed to students before the Monday of Week 1 with hard copies handed out in homerooms on the Tuesday. Week 1 of term will follow Timetable A.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

Year 10 2024 - VCE Subject Acceleration Application Form

Students seeking additional academic challenges are able to consider the option of undertaking the study of a VCE subject in Year 10. This decision should be undertaken with the support of school staff and with a thorough understanding of the commitment and requirements of study at this level.

VCE videos will be shared with families in Week 1 and subject conferences will now take place in Week 2 of Term 3. Forms may be submitted at this time. All students considering undertaking a VCE subject in Year 10 are strongly encouraged to attend the conferences and speak with teachers. 

Year 11 2024 VCE/VCE Vocational Major subject selections

Year 10 students will commence their VCE/VCE VM subject selection process at the beginning of Term 3.

Our formal VCE conferences where teachers are available to speak with parents and students will take place in the second week of next term. All Year 10 students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Reports and interviews

This week, Semester 1 reports have been sent home with students. Staff will be available to discuss individual progress with both parents and students during the first week of Term 3, on Tuesday, 11 July from 3.30pm to 8.00pm and Thursday, 13 July from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. This is an important time in the year to review current achievements and plan for Semester 2. It is for this reason that Senior School parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their child/ren.  Instructions regarding interviews were sent home with reports.

Year 11 College Ball

Parents are reminded that information regarding the purchase of tickets has been provided and these may now be purchased from the Horsham Town Hall or by visiting the town hall website. Tickets sales will close on Friday, 7 July at 9.00am.

A well-earned break 

As we come to the end of another term, we are able to reflect on the ways in which our students have developed the flexibility and ability to manage change, capably and with confidence. Ongoing illness throughout the term has caused minimal interruptions to student learning and where possible, students have been able to readily access online resources or log in to class lessons. Staff are committed to doing all they can to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students.

We congratulate each of our students on their achievements throughout Semester 1. Enjoy a well-earned break!

Important Senior School dates

VCE written examinations: Tuesday, 24 October to Wednesday, 15 November

VTAC applications open: Monday, 31 July

VTAC parent information evening: Wednesday, 2 August, 7pm in the Senior Centre

Unit 3&4 trial exams: Monday, 25 September to Friday, 29 September (second week of holidays)

Last day Year 12: Breakfast and final chapel: Monday, 16 October

Year 12 Valedictory dinner and worship service: Friday, 17 November

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Push-Up Challenge 2023

Today is the final day of The Push-Up Challenge for 2023. This is an initiative designed to raise awareness and start conversations around mental health, and also raise money to support the work that organisations like Lifeline and Movember do to promote mental health and wellbeing around Australia. The challenge involves completing 3144 push-ups (or alternative activities) across 23 days.

This year, HTLC has 129 people pushing for better mental health, and we have been adequately supported by Leah E and Zoá M as Ambassadors. So far, we have raised $1790 for Lifeline Ballarat, and this week we moved past 200,000 push-ups (or alternative activities) completed. Thank you to everyone who has supported our cause so far! You can see updates from our community page (https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraisers/holytrinitylutherancollege).

Yesterday, we held a special event called The Big Push, as the daily target of 219 push-ups was the biggest of the challenge so far.

AHPVSS Round 3 - Adelaide

Last weekend, we travelled across to Adelaide with a group of excited Year 5 and 6 students, as they participated in the third round of the Australian HPV Super Series at Victoria Park. With 143 trikes on the 1.35-kilometre circuit, it was a busy track, but our students managed themselves well and were able to make it through the entire six-hour event relatively unscathed.

With a relatively young team, our boys team carried themselves well and logged 99 laps to finish ninth (out of 31) in the Junior School category, and 97th overall. Riley B had the fastest lap for the team with a 2:26.319. Congratulations also to Denzel A, Vincent B, Nixon B, Angus C, Jed F and Cooper P for their efforts in the trike on the day.

Our Junior School girls team also had an excellent result, completing 94 laps to finish 12th in the Junior School category, while winning the all-female subcategory. In fact, the girls beat the best mixed team in Category S1 by six laps. When compared to the other all-female teams in the older age groups, our students finished seventh (out of 11 teams), beating a number of Middle School teams along the way. Congratulations to Lydika B for earning the fastest lap with a 2:26.142. Congratulations also to Penny E, Charlotte K, Amber K, Savannah K, Aizla S and Ava S for their efforts over the course of the event.

Thank you to all the parents involved in making this event possible, either through transporting students, transporting the vehicles or marshalling on event day, as well as those parents who took the time to help with pack up and set up, making that a smooth and easy process.

Term 3 sports

With the end of term approaching, there will be a range of meetings held to determine which competitions HTLC will enter in Term 3. Basketball will be offered to all students from Years 7 to 12, and volleyball will be offered to students in Years 7 and 8.

If students are currently away on camp but would be interested in participating in these sports, please let me know via email (matthew.mcloughlin@htlc.vic.edu.au) and they can be added to the list of trialists.

Coming events

July

13 - State cross country finals

13 - Black Ranges senior basketball

17 - Black Ranges intermediate basketball

August

5 - Australian HPV Super Series: round four (Tailem Bend)

23 - Black Ranges Year 7 and 8 volleyball

September

5 - Black Ranges Year 7 basketball

6 - Black Ranges Year 8 basketball

15 - Australian HPV Super Series: round six (Murray Bridge)

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sport Coordinator

Earlier this term, Year 6 student Poppy W competed in the state swimming championships in Melbourne. As a result of her achievements, she was personally invited to attend the Ready to Race Clinic for talented swimmers across Victoria. 

This clinic was run by Olympic gold medallist and world champion Michael Klim OAM, registered psychologist and former Australian swimmer Rachael Goh, and ASCTA Victoria president and Firbank Aquastars head coach Angus Barnes.

Over two days, Poppy participated in several water sessions, had the opportunity to be given expert advice and watched the world championship trials.

What a fantastic experience for Poppy and we look forward to seeing her future accomplishments in the water. 

Bear with me a second while I let you parents in on a little secret. Parents, are you ready for this? Brace yourself. Here it comes… Your child probably doesn’t tell you everything! There, I said it. (That wasn’t so bad, right?!) The reality is kids do not often tell their parents if they’ve had a Friendship Fire with a friend, or they’re dealing with an up-and-down friend, or they’re having trouble making friends.

So, why do kids keep this stuff on the down-low? Well, there are four main reasons:

1. Your child is worried you’re going to freak out. You might call the other kids' parents, you might call the school, you might say the wrong things, you might cry, you might say “I knew that kid wasn’t good for you!” Basically, you might say and do all the wrong things and just make matters worse.
2. Your child is embarrassed. They want you to think they’re cool and popular and awesome. Your child wants to make you proud! (Now would be a good time to tell your child how proud you are and why!)
3. Your child knows it sounds silly. Kids are totally aware that sometimes the things they’re upset or annoyed about aren’t a big deal, but they can’t shake it. When they think about telling an adult, they think parents and teachers won’t get it!
4. Your child is so tuned in to you. They know if you’re stressed out or have a lot on your plate right now and they don’t want to add to your pile by unloading their friendship drama on you. They also know it will upset you – so they protect you from that.

Kids don’t tell their parents everything… nor should they! We all crave a little privacy from time to time.

URSTRONG is a school-wide relationship strategy that is used at Holy Trinity Lutheran College to complement existing wellbeing and pastoral care programs.

What’s unique about URSTRONG is that everything is done through the lens of friendship skills. This is because wellbeing science proves that relationships are at the heart of wellbeing. Research shows that healthy friendships in childhood and adolescence promote positive mental health improving resilience, self-concept, a sense of purpose, academic performance, and attitudes towards learning (Vitaro F., Boivin M., & Bukowski W.M., 2009). We also know that when children experience unhealthy friendships, conflict in friendships, or social isolation, they often display symptoms of anxiety, and depression and have difficulty learning. In addition, children who are struggling socially are more likely to disengage and avoid school. Ultimately, when we get friendships right in schools, students flourish.

URStrong is a program that is run across some of our Junior School classes. As the College is a URStrong school, parents can register for a free parent membership. Please head to  https://urstrong.com/parents/ and follow the link to become a URStrong Family!

“Happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. It’s more than simply a positive mood, it’s a state of wellbeing that encompasses living a good life.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Happiness is defined as the balance of positive and negative emotions, combined with overall life satisfaction. Happiness and gratitude have been studied in positive psychology for many years and researchers have found that gratitude is always strongly associated with greater happiness. Although everyone has their own definition of happiness, many of us want to feel more positive emotions than negative ones. However, negative emotions are still important. They have a lot to teach us and alert us when things need to change. Practising gratitude helps people feel more of the positive emotions, enable us to relish good experiences, improve our overall health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships.

See episode: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude

Our Junior School students have been busy skipping forwards, backwards and criss-crossing during Term 2 as part of Jump Rope for Heart and have raised a massive $11,750 for the Heart Foundation! What an incredible way to support our wider community. Well done to everyone involved!

Top skippers: Matilda C, 50 hours and 41 minutes; Maeja R, 20 hours and 25 minutes; Luella R, 10 hours and 23 minutes; Mia Y, 9 hours and 20 minutes; and Zoe K, 9 hours.

Top fundraisers: Mia Y, $6415.02; Indi F, $598.18; Rhianna T, $375.81; Romy O, $207.84; and Isobel D, $205.34.

Year 10 Work Experience

During Week 8 the Year 10 cohort went out on work experience. This was a time for students to gain an understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers. Students also used the opportunity to explore possible career options. During the week it was great to see students' increased self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence.

Careers expo

On Tuesday, 20 June, a number of students from Years 10-12 went to Longerenong for the Western Victoria Careers Expo. Students were able to speak with universities and businesses and even complete ‘try a trade’. Students gained a lot from this session and gained valuable contacts.

The school holiday period is a great time to take stock of what items your child might be missing.

The lost property is overflowing with winter jumpers, sports jackets, coats, lunchboxes, hats and drink bottles.

The front office will be open the second week of holidays for parents to call in if they realise something is missing.