Return to school

Two weeks into the new semester and I am pleased to report that students and staff have settled back into routine well. Walking through the school this week as I was taking families on a tour, I was able to visit a number of different classes. It was encouraging to see high levels of student engagement and explicit instruction from the teaching staff. There was a positive and settled vibe throughout all areas of the college.

MMG survey results

MMG Education (the company who conducted the student, staff and parent survey) presented key findings from the survey results to the college Board and Leadership Team this week. The results of the survey will be used to make short-term and long-term decisions on future directions of the colleges. While overall the results were very positive, there are some clear areas the college can focus on to make further improvements. With the Wimmera Lutheran College amalgamation set for 2025, this data will be invaluable as a new Strategic Plan is developed and implemented.

The area of communication was raised as a point of interest. Often, communication can be interpreted as the newsletters and emails that go home to families, but it also encompasses the ability for the home to have access to timely assessment data and feedback. This has been an area of intent for the Secondary School in the past 12-18 months. A focus on the second half of this year is for continual development of The Hub as the central point for all communication across all areas of the school, particularly in the Junior School as it looks to increasingly use The Hub to support communication between home and school.

Staffing update

On Tuesday, I received notice that Mr Dennis Chew will officially resign from his position as Business Manager of Holy Trinity Lutheran College. Dennis cited the strain of weekly travel between Melbourne and Horsham, and the extended periods away from his family, as key factors in his decision. In the resignation letter, Dennis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with such a dedicated team and gave thanks for the support he received from everyone within the college. I acknowledge the efforts of Dennis and thank him for his contribution over what was a short but busy period of time at HTLC, and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

From this week, Cole School Experts (Virtual Business Manager) have assumed responsibility for the financial management of the college. Cole is familiar with HTLC having already taken over our Payroll and Debt Management portfolios as well as conducting various health checks on areas of the school’s finances. Cole, in conjunction with the Finance Team, and ongoing support from LEVNT, in particular Mr David Hausler, will ensure that the rapid progress that has been made will continue into the immediate future to ensure we finish the year in a solid foundation position.

If parents have any questions or queries, please contact:

• businessmanager@htlc.vic.edu.au
• admin@htlc.vic.edu.au

Miss Breanna Hawken this week joined the HTLC team as an administration/teacher aide. Breanna will be onsite four days a week and will work in the following areas:

• Admin support for Sports Coordinator
• Sports Coach/Supervisor
• Camps and Excursions Supervisor
• Aide support in specialist classes

Breanna is a former student and will provide much-needed support. She is on a short-term contract as she completes her gap year and I look forward to seeing her develop in her role.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before all people, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Foundation Fun Day

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Pastor Glenn Crouch

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’ (Acts 11:18).

It seems what happened at Cornelius’ house spread like wildfire and consequently, when Peter and his colleagues returned to Jerusalem, they were not greeted with enthusiastic inquiries. No, they received criticism – it almost appears that they were put on trial. As we may struggle with change, it seems it wasn’t any easier for the very first church.

As Peter had stood up several times already in this book, so now he stands up and gives an account of the work of the Holy Spirit to his fellow members of the Jerusalem church. While it is perfectly reasonable that those in Jerusalem wanted Peter to give an account of all that had happened in Caesarea (and Joppa), it is disappointing that things started out with criticisms and accusations. This is a good reminder that the church today is still a family of sinners – yes, we are forgiven, justified, redeemed and reconciled – but we still mess up.

Not only do we as individuals need to use the Scriptures as a mirror to see how well we are loving God and loving our neighbour but our congregations and our church organisations need to do this as well. Peter and Paul will later have a conflict over eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2) and the first recorded church council (Acts 15) will look at this issue again. So, if we see that the first Christians – many of whom knew Christ and who all had direct access to the apostles – struggle to determine God’s will, it’s not that surprising that we still struggle.

It is worth noting that our text today ends with the church praising God.

Lord of our salvation, grant me your patience and wisdom as I deal with fellow believers with whom I have disagreements. Help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and all that he has achieved for all of us. In his mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Welcome back!

A warm welcome back to Term 3! I pray that you had a great change in routine for yourself and your family. It is always great to have the kids back at the college as it is such an unusually quiet place without them! In the school holiday break, I always like to string three long weekends together to recharge my batteries, and then the two three-day work periods are actually a bit of a holiday themselves as the workplace turns into a quiet and serene place to get quite a few jobs done!

Week 1 Chapel - the race called life

To begin the term, the student leaders and I led a chapel themed for the Olympics. The Bible verses were:
Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 1:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

…and Timothy Chapter 4: verse 7:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I'll place on the Junior School Hub page the YouTube clip of Derek Redmond at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Warning! It can be a tear-jerker!

Blessings on the week as you strive to win the prize, whatever that may be for you!

Reports - co-educators getting together - thank you!

The mid-year progress reports are always a great opportunity to have a discussion with the classroom teacher and make sure that as an educator team you are ‘on the same page’. Thank you to those who have reached out to discuss mid-year progress with their child’s teacher.

Building community - playgroup each Thursday morning

Everyone is invited at 9am to 10am to the Holy Trinity Lutheran College playgroup. This one-hour session is in the transportable alongside the Foundation rooms - all welcome. Maria (Miss D) and Jessie (Mrs Ferguson) would love to see you there!

Building community - Foundation Fun Day - (For your information)

We have invited families already enrolled for 2025 but also any potential enrolments along on Tuesday, 30 July for a fun morning with Miss Lienert and Miss Janetzki. The Foundation Fun Day has been designed to connect our families to our community, and have an early date where we can begin to build relationships with these families and their children! Thanks to Mrs North and her team who have planned for this day.

Diary dates

Week 4 - Book Week

Please note that Book Week dress-up Day is Monday, 5 August. This year the theme is Reading is Magic (you can stick to the theme or dress up in anything that has been in a book!).

Week 4 - Book Fair - Open to the public

Come in and buy some presents for the present stash, or treat your child to a new book to read! Or just check out the great pop-up bookshop in our library space!

Thursday August 8 - after school, 3pm-5pm

Grandparents Day - August 9 - after chapel, 9.30pm-1.30pm

Thanks to Jaci Gabbe and her team for their great organisation!

Week 4 Friday - Grandparents/Special Friends Day

On that same week, Friday, 9 August will be the last day of Book Fair and Grandparents Day. It is also good to have advance notice here to invite grandparents or make other arrangements to have a special guest visiting school on this day! Join us for chapel at 9am, stay to tour the classrooms and bring a shared recess to have with your child!

Week 5 - Student Led Conferences - Monday and Tuesday, 12-13 August

We have set dates for student-led conferences where students have a booklet to guide them through a conversation with you as their parents about their learning. In this timeslot, students also lead you through some learning experiences, letting you understand some day-to-day school experiences and their understanding of their job as learners here at school. There is a booking system where you will be able to choose your time to book in.

Trinity Drive pedestrian crossing closed - reminder

There has always been a crossing for students that crosses from the school to the rest home side of the road. In a traffic review, we will delete this crossing, and reroute any cycles or pedestrians to the Middle School if students need to cross to the rest home.

This should create greater efficiency for the ‘kiss and drop’ zone (quick pick-up), where parents remain in their cars while students are dropped off or picked up.

Kiss and drop zone

Please remember that in the drop-off zone for students, parents should stay in their cars, and students alight as soon as possible. If you want to assist your child alighting the vehicle (which some do), please park in the car park for a longer drop-off. Thank you!

Student respect

This week we are focusing on two areas in the Junior School:

1. safe play on the oval (particularly keeping football to ‘touch’ only
2. keeping to our school uniform standards

If you have any questions, please ask the teaching staff, or look on the Junior School Hub for more information!

Term 3 dates

The current dates I have for the Junior School in Term 3 are as below:

• Thursday and Friday, 8 and 9 August - Secondary School production
• Tuesday, 30 July - Foundation Fun Day
• Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 August - human powered vehicle race in Tailem Bend
• 5-9 August - Book Week and Literacy Week and Grandparents Day
• 12-16 August - Science Week celebrated at HTLC
• Thursday, 12 September - F-2 Performing Arts Showcase
• Saturday, 14 September - RoboCup Vic state competition
• 20-22 September - human powered vehicle race in Murray Bridge

Newsletter and assembly are both even weeks this term!

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Senior School

Last week we welcomed our secondary students back for Term 3. A term which will be the final, full term of secondary education for our Year 12 students. Over the coming weeks they will complete Unit 4 studies and assessments and commence planning for end-of-year celebrations.

Interviews

Last week, teachers met with parents to discuss student Semester 1 progress. As feedback is now posted progressively and in a timely manner following assessment tasks, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teachers as the feedback is received so that appropriate changes may be implemented.

Senior School pathways – Year 10 2025

Thank you to all Year 9 students who have submitted their VCE pathways forms for 2025. Interviews will be held over the next few weeks. Please contact Senior Centre reception if you need assistance to book an interview.

VCE and Applied/Vocational Major Pathways teacher conferences

On Thursday night, our VCE and VCE Vocational Major staff spoke with many students and parents to answer subject-related questions. Parents and students in Year 9 (students considering acceleration or an applied pathway) and Year 10 (VCE or Vocational Major pathway) called in throughout the session to speak with staff regarding subjects/pathways that their child is considering for 2025.

Important Secondary School dates

Year 12

Tuesday, 29 October -Wednesday, 20 November – VCE written examinations

Monday, 29 July – VTAC applications open

Tuesday, 22 October – Last day Year 12

Friday, 22 November – Year 12 valedictory dinner and worship service

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

State cross-country

It was a muddy morning at Yarra Valley Racecourse as thousands of students across the state descended on the venue for the state cross-country finals on Thursday last week. HTLC had five students make the trek the the event, which is a new record number of competitors.

Jack S was the first student to compete, and the only member of our team from the primary school. He ran the 2000 metres in a time of 9:22, and finished 61st out of 93 students in his age group. Our Middle School girls picked up the banner, with Charlize vZ finishing 50th out of 100, Ellua B finishing 57th out of 99 and Adelyn P finishing 47th out of 82. Ilze vZ, also competing in the 15-year-old girls event, completed the 3000-metre course in just under 15 minutes, finishing in 15th place out of 82 students. Congratulations to all students involved in this event - qualifying for the state finals is a fantastic achievement.

Black Ranges intermediate boys basketball

Also on Thursday last week, a number of Year 9 and Year 10 boys travelled to Ararat to compete in the Black Ranges intermediate boys basketball finals. This was one of the biggest basketball competitions to be held in the Black Ranges Division, with 14 teams fighting it out for one spot in the Greater Western Regional finals.

The boys had a great day, despite a slow start, fighting back from 10 points down to lose their opening game by just two points, before another six-point loss to the second Horsham College team in our pool. We were able to pick up wins against Marian, Stawell and Warracknabeal, before losing a nail-biting game against St Brigid’s College by one point.

Thanks to all of the boys for their efforts on the day, and to Ms Martin for supporting the team over the course of the event.

Black Ranges senior girls basketball

On Monday, a team of Years 11-12 girls competed in the Black Ranges senior girls basketball finals. Despite coming up against Horsham College in their opening match, the girls didn’t get disheartened, and played a good game, managing to score 29 points. The second game was a match against Murtoa which came right down to the wire. Despite being up by four points with a few minutes to go, HTLC allowed Murtoa back into the game and the scores were tied heading into the final minute of play. A clutch basket in the last minute gave HTLC the 45-43 win. Unfortunately, just one win wasn’t enough to qualify for the grand final, which was won by Horsham College. Congratulations to the girls for their involvement on the day, and thanks to Mrs Both who travelled with the team and supported the event.

Years 5-6 Hoop Time

It is a busy term and next week the Primary School are back at it with the Years 5-6 Hoop Time competition at the Horsham Basketball Stadium. Information about the event has been distributed through Consent2Go. We are still seeking some volunteers who may be able to assist us with scoring on the day. If you are available and willing to assist, please get in touch with Mr McLoughlin via email.

Little Desert Primary AFL 9s

Although this event was scheduled for Week 2, due to a lack of entries from other schools, this event has been postponed by AFL Victoria and School Sport Victoria. This week, we received confirmation that the event has been rescheduled, and will now be held on Tuesday, 20 August. The Year 6 students who have been selected for this event will receive more information in the coming days.

AHPVSS round four: Tailem Bend eight-hour

Next weekend marks the final round of the 2024 season for our Junior School HPV teams, as the Thunder and Hurricane riders compete in their season finale at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. The stage is set for the Hurricane girls to claim their fourth consecutive national title, leading by 160 points over their closest competitor.

The competition is a little more fierce for the Junior School boys, with teams taking their results from Adelaide, this Tailem Bend race and their best other race in the series to determine the overall champion. After winning in Mount Gambier at the first race of the season, and finishing fourth in Adelaide, the boys have 288 points and are currently in third place in the series, trailing the leaders by seven points. Everything is still up for grabs, and the boys are looking forward to the occasion.

For the Middle School and community teams, the Tailem Bend eight-hour marks the final opportunity for a tune-up ahead of the Australian International Pedal Prix in Murray Bridge in September, the 24-hour season finale which is the most demanding event on the calendar. Good luck to all students and staff involved in the event.

Events like this can’t run without the support of people and groups who generously give their time and money to support the team. We would especially like to thank the people at Crop Smart for their generous sponsorship of the HPV program, and we welcome them to our team as a Silver Sponsor for the next 12 months!

Coming events

July

31 - Years 5-6 Hoop Time basketball

August

3 - AHPVSS round four: Tailem Bend eight-hour

4 - Victorian Schools Mountain Bike Series round three

7 - Greater Western Region Year 8 soccer

14 - Little Desert primary volleyball

20 - Little Desert primary AFL 9s

21 - Black Ranges Year 7 and Year 8 volleyball

September

2 - State boys netball

3 - Black Ranges Year 7 basketball

4 - Black Ranges Year 8 basketball

7 - Victorian Schools Mountain Bike Series round four

8 - Victorian Schools Mountain Bike Series round five

10 - Greater Western Region Year 7 and Year 8 volleyball

12 - Little Desert primary athletics

20 - AHPVSS round six: Murray Bridge 24-hour

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, F-12 Sport Coordinator

There is so much information available for parents of children with ADHD, but not so much for the parent who has ADHD. Half of the Happy Families team are proud ADHDers, and so we understand the struggle and challenge that having ADHD brings to the parenting table: the overwhelm, chaos, chronic disorganisation, doom piles, sensory overload, working memory that doesn’t work, executive dysfunction, sleep struggles, etc.

Happy Families has compiled a list of tips, hacks, ideas, and suggestions that have been helpful in our own parenting journeys.

Please click on the link to read the whole article, including the tips and tricks - https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/help-for-the-adhd-parent

Holy Trinity Lutheran College is a Happy Families school. You can access our free membership by clicking on the link and using password happyhtlc - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/htlc

It is not worth going to war with your child over their preferences. There are going to be more important issues that will require you to stand your ground. These moments can end in a full-blown battle with your child, or by reframing the conversation, you can work through these tough issues, avoiding conflict while still keeping your kids healthy and safe. Click on the link to listen to the podcast to find out how!

https://podfollow.com/1082244480/episode/a27dc322d707d8f5198d15795b175b2852cc34e9/view

Holy Trinity Lutheran College is a Happy Families school. You can access our free membership by clicking on the link and using password happyhtlc - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/htlc

Exciting news for our Junior School students - our Breakfast Club is starting again in Week 3.

Every Wednesday morning the Wellbeing team, with the assistance of a wonderful parent volunteer and some keen Year 3 and 4 students, will offer a Breakfast Club in the Junior School. For many reasons, kids might miss breakfast, from just waking up late, to some families not being able to prioritise food purchases among all of the other bills. It is a great initiative to run as we know that full tummies in the morning ensure healthy, working brains throughout the day!

We provide fruit and raisin toast or cheese toasties, as well as either a warm Milo or hot chocolate (for gluten-free students). This is a great way to start our younger students thinking about ways they can offer service to others. There is no cost to students, this is provided as part of the pastoral care program from the Wellbeing team.

The students love starting their day this way, with great enthusiasm shown by both our volunteers and our grateful recipients!

Country and town bus travellers, please remember to update your child/ren's days of travel via bus. We are aware after-school activities change and with that so do bus needs. However, we are holding up the buses currently waiting for students who aren't on the bus.

You can update your details via The Hub/HTLC app under bus changes or email admin@htlc.vic.edu.au.

West Wimmera Health Service is currently taking applications for the 2025 EN traineeship program.

All applications must be submitted online. The closing date is 30 August.

The service will also offer gap years again in multiple areas - more information to follow.