I pray this edition of our newsletter finds you well. There is much happening across our College from sporting events, including the Human Powered Vehicle race in Tailem Bend last weekend, through to Black Ranges netball and Black Ranges intermediate football. I thank all the staff and volunteers who have greatly supported these opportunities being able to take place. From an academic perspective, our secondary students will begin their revision next week ahead of exams. In addition, the Junior School will participate in their diagnostic testing next week, specifically with reading and maths, to best support all of our learners.

At times for the students, exams can bring about many emotions, especially if these are their first ones. However, this is exactly why we do them, to prepare students early. I would hope for our senior secondary students, they are feeling optimistic and positive about them because they have been a part of their school life since Year 7. This is why we intentionally begin exams in Year 7, to build the confidence, resilience, and normality, long before the final years of schooling.

One of the best ways to approach exams is with preparation. As adults, we know the importance of making sacrifices at times in order to succeed. As we approach a time of exams, dedicating time for study, including on weekends, will be necessary. This also teaches invaluable life skills, as when the students finish school, there will be many instances where they have to choose what to devote time to. If you would like some support in how to navigate exams with your child, I would encourage you to view the Exam Jitters series on SchoolTV, available in the Wellbeing section of this newsletter.

Please pray for our students as they enter this next part of the term. For many students, it will be a time to celebrate the learning they have undertaken. In addition, please be praying for our Year 12s who will sit the General Achievement Test on Thursday, 15 June.

May God bless your weekend, and for those playing sport and participating in other activities, that it would be enjoyable!

Mr James Phillips, Principal

by Carolyn Ehrlich

Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12a).

We are called to be witnesses for Jesus. Which of the following approaches will do more for spreading the gospel: (a) letting go of our duties while we try and convince sceptics they will have better lives or be better people if they believe in Jesus, or (b) being dependable, hardworking, and honest as we go about our lives?

One of our most favoured ways of doing this is through words – telling people about our life with Jesus and the good news message of the gospels. Is this wrong? No. But it doesn’t really matter what we say or that we are forgiven; the world will judge Christians by what they see us doing. They will interpret our actions and behaviours against a standard of perfection. And we will fall short of this lofty ideal every single time. We are human, and although reborn into the body of Christ through baptism, we are the seed of Adam. We fail. We sin. And we are forgiven.

In our reading today, Paul tells us how to behave properly before outsiders. First, he tells us to live a quiet life, have a quiet disposition, and channel our enthusiasm for Jesus into living an ordinary life. Ordinary, not extraordinary. Quiet, not loud, bombastic and overbearing. Second, he tells us to mind our own business. Work on the things that God has assigned us to do in this life—not looking over the fence and attending to the business of others. This means being personally diligent, steady and faithful. Being a reliable and honest employee or employer. Third, Paul tells us to work with our hands. He instructs us to earn our own wages while we can. We need to work with our hands so that we provide for our own and share extra with others.

When we accept Jesus as our Saviour and King, unbelievers watch and wonder about what we do, so it is important that we conduct ourselves wisely. It is important that we speak with grace because unbelievers are listening and learning. And we need to respond to people with dignity and sensitivity. Today, walk with wisdom and speak with grace.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your word as a perfect instruction manual for how I am to live. Every day I fall short of your standard. Forgive me, Lord. Today, with the help of your Holy Spirit, lead me in your ways so that I conduct myself wisely. Teach me how to speak with grace. Soften my words. Make me attentive to people and interact with them genuinely. Teach me how to quietly go about living in a way that is a true witness for you in the community in which I live, work and play. Help me to be diligent, honest, steady and faithful as I go about the work that you have planned for me this day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Chapel

On Friday last week, our Foundation class led by Miss Lienert extended our Mother’s Day celebrations into a Mother’s Day week by presenting a special Mother’s Day chapel! What a blessing for our community to have these young people tell us about their mums and why they are so special!

The message from Mrs Polack was also sensational, telling us about the beatitude of meekness. It was a very well-timed message as mums are a good example of being meek, which certainly is not a weakness but a great gift and a blessing. See the clip above, and judge for yourself what it may have to do with meekness!

Hooptime basketball practice - cooperative games

Again, during this week, I have had the chance to share the basketball courts with our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students who have expressed an interest in representing our school at Hooptime.

• changed teams to create better mixes of students that challenged their skills.  
• self-umpired their games with little conflict, teaching about the rules to those less familiar with basketball, and strictly policing the rules for those who know them, reinforcing sportsmanship and playing within the spirit of the game.
• ‘eased off pressure’ on students with lesser skills than them
• paired up and marked players of similar skills to create the best conditions for learning and improvement.  

These students at Holy Trinity are a credit to their teachers and coaches, as well as to their families and school!

Jump Rope for Heart

Thank you to Miss Harris (Year 5) and Mrs Fox (Year 3) for setting up this opportunity for our students. Primarily, we wanted to run the program as an educational opportunity with an option of fundraising, for families that wanted to support the program in this way. We have been blown away by those taking part in the fundraising and have raised more than $4000 dollars! Well done.

Bible presentations

Bible presentations were postponed due to some staff sickness. We invite parents to our Year 3 (and new students) Bible presentations at assembly on Monday, 29 May.

Diagnostic testing, reporting and planning

From next week, students will be involved in their classes in testing. This testing allows teaching staff to plan the next half of their year with the students' needs in mind, but it also reflects on the first half of the year’s learning.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Year 6 Interviews

This week I have begun engaging with our Year 6 families through face-to-face and online interviews. These interviews provide an opportunity for me to better get to know the students, their learning strengths and weaknesses, hobbies and interests, desired learning environment and aspirations for the future. This forum is also providing an opportunity for families to ask specific questions about the Middle School, giving a more personal feel to the sharing of information. I encourage all Year 6 families to take the opportunity to book a time to meet. Interviews can be booked by following the link that was sent out by email last week.

Central Australia Tour

It is now less than three weeks until 42 students, five staff and two parent helpers venture to the middle of Australia for 10 days and 9 nights. The Central Australia Tour will incorporate visits to iconic places such as Coober Pedy, Uluru and Alice Springs and will enable students to engage in a variety of cultural aspects of our First Nations people. This is the first tour of its kind being offered to Holy Trinity Lutheran students and I’m sure each of the 49 tour members will embrace the opportunity to experience a remote but spectacular part of Australia.

Examinations

End of semester examinations will be held in week 7 of this term, beginning on Monday, 5 June. An exam timetable will be forwarded to parents and students soon.

Student community involvement

We are very proud of our students at Holy Trinity Lutheran College, especially when they get the opportunity to represent HTLC in the community. Over the past few weeks, a group of Middle School students have been asked to assist with Junior School sporting events. The students, ranging from Years 7 to 9 have been umpiring interschool football matches on Friday afternoons and also been training the Year 3-4 Hooptime teams in preparation for their tournament next week. All students have equipped themselves well and have acted as outstanding role models for the college.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

Senior School Information Evening – Year 9 parents and students

On Wednesday, commencing at 7pm, we will have our Senior School Information Evening in the Senior Centre agora.

One of the most exciting parts of senior schooling is the beginning of the development and management of individual pathways that are tailored to the diverse needs of each student and their potential future pathway.

Our Year 9 students have recently completed their Morrisby profiles and discussed these with our career analyst. The profile provided students with a comprehensive report outlining subject suggestions and career options to explore, which will prove valuable to them as they begin to make decisions about and navigate their personal pathways.

Work experience

Work experience week is quickly approaching for our Year 10 students. Prior to entering a workplace experience, it is mandated that work experience arrangement forms are completed.

Year 10 students who have not yet finalised their work experience arrangements are asked to do so as soon as possible.  All Year 10 students will be out of school for either work placement related to their VET course, or work experience from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 June.

Important Senior School Dates

Senior School information evening (for students entering Senior School in 2024): Wednesday, 31 May at 7pm in the Senior Centre agora

Cambodia parent information evening (Years 10-12): Thursday, 8 June at 7pm

Cambodia trip (Years 10-12): Friday, 30 June to Saturday, 8 July

General Achievement Test (VCE Unit 3 & 4 students): Thursday, 15 June

Secondary exam revision week: Monday, 29 May to Friday, 2 June

Secondary exam week: Monday, 5 June to Friday, 9 June

Year 10 work experience: Tuesday, 13 June to Friday, 16 June

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

Aerobics

Parents are invited to watch the HTLC aerobics team perform at assembly on Monday! Our team will be participating in the state championships on the first weekend in June.

Cross country

On Monday, the cross country representatives for Little Desert will compete at the Western District event in Warrnambool. There are 36 eligible students from HTLC running this year. What a great representation from across our College!

Friday winter sport

Thank you to the parents who helped in the second week of these sports, and also those who will have assisted today!

A big thank you to the Year 5-6 teachers and Jessie Ferguson for taking on a large part of the coordination of this effort. It is a joy to have staff support me in the coordination of sports at HTLC.

Girls AFL day

Well done to the Year 5-6 girls who participated in the football competition on Wednesday. It was a great community event, with teams coming from Haven and 298 to compete. Thank you to Hayley Reid (administration) and Jessie Ferguson (teacher) for their commitment to ensuring the day was a success.

Tennis

Congratulations to Sienna N who participated in the School Sport Victoria primary girls tennis state finals on Monday!

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

State volleyball

On Friday last week, Alannah J, Janay vB, Jessica D, Leah E, Breanna H, Zoa M, Angela R and Cher-Leah R were at Dandenong Stadium representing HTLC at the School Sport Victoria State Volleyball Finals. Facing very tough competition, the girls did themselves and the College proud, as they gave their best in every match and improved a great deal over the course of the day. It is an incredible achievement to be one of the best eight volleyball teams in the state of Victoria, and I thank the girls for their commitment and enthusiasm towards volleyball.

Pedal Prix

As the sun rose on Saturday morning in Tailem Bend, the clouds looked threatening, but thankfully the only rain on the day fell a few hours before the Australian flag dropped to start round two of the Australian HPV Super Series for 2023. It was another great weekend for the HTR trikes, with both our Middle School (Avalanche) and Junior School girls (Hurricane) teams claiming victory in their categories.

The Junior School boys team (Thunder) fought hard all day but ended up finishing second in their category by about four laps. Our Senior School mixed team also claimed second place in its category.

Firestorm (Middle School Boys) finished ninth out of 38 teams in the toughest school-aged category, but considering their team consisted mostly of Year 7 and Year 8 students, this is a very promising sign for the future. Our sixth team, Tsunami, had a great time in the Open category, and it was fantastic to welcome back a number of our alumni to participate in the team once again.

In total, our six vehicles completed 384 laps of the 2.8-kilometre circuit, clocking an impressive 1075.2 kilometres over the course of the event. Thank you to the students, parent volunteers and the other teachers involved, as well as GTrikes, for all the support provided over the course of the event.

Black Ranges track and field

Thank you to all students who participated in the Black Ranges Track and Field Championships on Monday.

For the first time ever, HTLC won the competition between all the schools in the division.

In total, we received 25 first place, 28 second place and 21 third place ribbons.

It was brilliant to see the effort and commitment of all of the HTLC athletes.

Congratulations to the following Middle School students who won first place in their events: Georgia F (100, 200, Triple Jump, Javelin), Ellua B (1500), LJ K (Long Jump), Jiedan Y (Javelin, Discus), 12-13 girls relay (Ellua B, Kirrily D, Victoria B, Georgia F).

Congratulations also to the following Senior School students who won first place in their events: Jude B (400, 800, High Jump), Brodie F (Shot Put), Johanna G (100, 1500) Sebastian LR (Shot Put, Discus), Kyah L (Triple Jump), Tadhg M (1500), Aiden N (Discus), Phoebe W (Javelin), Rhianna W (Javelin), Amaya W (High Jump), 16 girls relay (Hope F, Kyah L, Evie S, Amaya W), 16 boys relay (Jude B, Tadhg M, Ethan R, Xavier S).

Sebastian LR also broke a record on the day of the event, throwing 11.98 metres with the five-kilogram shot put. The previous record was 11.45 metres, and it was set in 2012.

Boys netball

On Monday, nine students from Year 10 travelled to Colac to participate in the Greater Western Region boys netball finals. Despite the early start, the boys were enthusiastic and excited as they boarded the bus, and that energy carried onto the court in the first game, where they secured an almost 20-goal win against Mercy Regional College.

The second match of the day was a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest against Brauer College. This was the toughest opponent of the day, and it was a spectacle to watch the way the boys played. HTLC was able to squeeze out a two-goal win. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the boys ran out of steam a little for their final game. With one win standing between them and a place in the state finals, unfortunately the boys couldn’t get the job done against Ballarat High School, losing in a very close contest.

It was great to see the way the boys approached the game of netball and the enthusiasm and innovation they brought to the game. We are looking forward to seeing them participate and develop and grow prior to their next representative opportunity.

Intermediate girls netball and boys AFL

Today, about 40 Year 9 and Year 10 students are playing football and netball across the Wimmera as HTLC competes in the Black Ranges Division finals. Good luck to all the students involved, and thanks to Miss Cashin, Mrs Erhardt and Mr Pickering for the time and effort they have put into training and preparing these students for the competition, and for coaching them today.

Greater Western cross country

On Monday, about 25 students from the primary and secondary schools will travel to Warrnambool for the Greater Western Region cross country. Students will compete against the best students in western Victoria across a course ranging in distance from 2000 metres to 5000 metres, with the top 12 athletes in each age group qualifying for the state finals on July 13. Good luck to all students participating, and thank you to the teachers taking the time to attend.

Junior girls netball and boys AFL

The “May Madness” officially wraps up next week, with our Year 7 and Year 8 students having their opportunity to represent HTLC in team sports, as they participate in the Black Ranges netball and AFL. Further information will be distributed to these students in the coming days.

Coming events

May

26 - Black Ranges Division intermediate AFL and netball

29 - Greater Western Region cross country

30 - Black Ranges Division Year 7 and 8 AFL and netball

31 - Black Ranges Division Year 7 and 8 AFL

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sports Coordinator

When: Monday, 19 June at 8pm

Join Dr Justin Coulson, the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's hit TV show, Parental Guidance, for some… well, extra special parental guidance! In this jam-packed, interactive, 90-minute webinar, you’ll discover:

• What every child needs from their parents in order to flourish
• Where parents are going wrong in their efforts to be the perfect parent
• How to get discipline right, even when everything’s going wrong, and
• Why joy in family life is easy to find… when you know where to look.

Let's go back to the parenting basics.

On 31 May, interest will again be added to all Lutheran Laypeople's League deposit accounts.

All LLL passbooks must be left at the College Reception by 3 June for HTLC to send these away for interest to be updated.

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

If your child is missing anything, take a look in the lost property at Reception.

Please also ensure your child's items are labelled appropriately so anything found can be returned quickly.

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is open now and Holy Trinity Lutheran College is excited to participate once again.

The challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to 16 years in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development.

To register for the challenge please contact Learning Enrichment Coordinator Susie Penny at susie.penny@htlc.vic.edu.au.