HTLC leadership team

Earlier this week I communicated to Holy Trinity families some adjustments that have been made to the senior leadership structure of the College, which will be in place for the next four weeks. This action is a direct result of College Principal Mr Phillips taking personal leave. In his absence, I will be fulfilling the duties of Acting Principal. This is a role which I have had experience with previously and I look forward to serving the HTLC community through these next four weeks. To support the day-to-day operations of the College, Mrs Samantha Engert will be stepping into the position of Acting Head of Middle School. Mrs Engert is an expert educator who has extensive experience in teaching and leading Middle School students. I thank Mrs Engert for accepting this responsibility and have absolute confidence in her ability to provide leadership and guidance to our Middle School students and families.

2. Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.

Holy Trinity Lutheran College is blessed to have an abundance of strong leaders positioned throughout the school, a product of the environment but also the leadership structure that has provided opportunities for teaching staff to develop their leadership skills. The importance of leadership is vital to the success or failure of any organisation and a school is no different. The past few weeks have provided challenges and opportunities for the leadership of the school and it has been pleasing to see the way the staff have actively supported those who have stepped into Acting leadership positions to ensure the day-to-day operations of the college continue to run smoothly and efficiently.

World Teachers' Day

This Friday, 27 October, was World Teachers' Day, a day on the calendar that celebrates the outstanding work that teachers do each and every day around the world. Holy Trinity celebrated this occasion by holding a whole school Chapel service where the student leaders spoke about what role teachers have played in their lives. The PTFA showed their appreciation for the staff by supplying pizzas and refreshments after the students had finished for the week, providing a great opportunity for the staff to gather together to celebrate the end of the working week. Holy Trinity is blessed to have passionate and dedicated teachers that are valued by the community and on this day we give thanks for all the work our teachers do to serve the students placed in their care.

New arrival

Congratulations to Mrs Georgia Thomas and her partner Jamie on the safe arrival of their baby daughter Maelle who was born earlier this week. Mum and baby are doing well and the HTLC community celebrates this exciting news with the Thomas family.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting Principal

by Georgie Schuster

[Jesus] was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers’ (Mark 11:17).

One day, curiosity got the better of me, and I went back to visit my childhood home. Driving down the old familiar country road, I didn’t know what to expect. The gum trees in the paddocks were as I remembered, but the house was empty. The garden my parents had lovingly created and tended was now vastly different and overgrown. I felt sad.

Sometimes I wonder how Jesus felt. He knew, in the beginning, the perfect creation. Then he spent years walking around in the brokenness of humanity… a far cry from what God planned. What emotions stirred within him? Sadness, frustration? Then he came to the temple…

Today’s Bible reading reveals a zealous side to Jesus as he leapt into action, clearing the noise and activity of the marketplace from the temple courts. He demonstrated in no uncertain terms a passionate desire for the temple to be restored to its intended purpose, a place of prayer!

Jesus’ earthly mission focused on restoration. He gave his life so that our relationship with God could be restored. Our wonderful, zealous, resolute, dedicated Saviour!

Loving God, from the beginning, you wanted to restore my relationship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus, our Saviour, so that could happen. I am eternally grateful! In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

World Teachers' Day

Thank you to all of our wonderful teachers! Today is World Teachers' Day, which prompts us to acknowledge our amazing teachers, and thank them for their professionalism, commitment and care. We give thanks for the significant role teachers play in the lives of our children, students, their families and communities.

Class lists

Class lists will be distributed to students in a sealed envelope on Monday, 4 December. Please remember that teachers are very careful and deliberate in their allocation of students to classes and many factors are taken into account when preparing class lists. The whole school Transition Day will occur on Tuesday, 5 December. Class lists for Foundation 2024 will be distributed on this day, once students have moved to classrooms.

ICAS

ICAS is an online assessment, designed to recognise and reward academic excellence. HTLC facilitated the assessment of students who had opted to participate in the areas of English, Mathematics and Science. All students who completed this assessment received a participation certificate. On Monday’s assembly, we recognised those students who achieved outstanding results. Those were:

Science

Year 3 - Matilda D, Credit
Year 3 - Tristan vZ, Credit
Year 3 - Xavier S, Distinction
Year 4 - Angus H, Credit
Year 4 - Alexander N, Credit
Year 4 - Lachlan E, Distinction
Year 6 - Savannah K, Credit

English

Year 3 - Xavier S, Credit
Year 4 - Angus H, Credit
Year 4 - Alexander N, Distinction
Year 5 - Sienna N, Credit
Year 5 - Aizla S, Credit
Year 6 - Hudson R, Credit
Year 6 - Savannah K, Distinction

Mathematics

Year 3 - Matilda D, Credit
Year 3 - Xavier S, Credit
Year 4 - Angus H, Credit
Year 4 - Lachlan E, Credit
Year 4 - Alexander N, Distinction
Year 5 - Sienna N, Merit
Year 5 - Angus C, Merit
Year 6 - Yasassri S, Credit
Year 6 - Hudson R, Merit
Year 6 - Savannah K, Merit

Congratulations to all of our ICAS award recipients.

Class awards

Congratulations to the following students on their awards this week:

FJ: Devine U and Lucy T, FL: Caleb O, Senara R and Hamish McD, 1H: Aston B and Melissa SM, 1P: Eva H and Frankie E, 2I: whole class, 2S: Henry E and Boaz L, 3B: Braxton W, 3D: Milla J, Oliver McD, Rylie P and Maddox W, 3F: Blake O and Emily R, 4B: Emily L, William S, Phuri P and Aksel F, 4R: Tex E, Indi W and Hamish C, 5D: Max B, Allira C, Adam C, Alyssa S and Victoria W, 5H: Jesse A and Eleanor B, 5M: Camille A, Everleigh C and Ruby H, 6N: Arkie M, 6V: Ava W, Imani B and Tayla S. Specialist awards: Digital Technology: Timothy S, Performing Arts (F-2): Zetta B and Ava B, PE: Zetta B, Romy O and Heidi R, Library: Enenche A.

Our Trinity Tiger (5-6) Award recipient was Harvey O’D, Trinity Cub (3-4) Luella R and Trinity Cub (F-2) Linc D.

Mrs Jacqui North, Acting Head of Junior School

Over the next few weeks, I have the pleasure of taking on the role of Acting Head of Middle School. I look forward to continuing to work with our Middle School students and the new experiences and skills it will allow me to develop. Our Middle School is a very special place and it is a pleasure to play my small part in supporting the Holy Trinity community during this time. I look forward to working with you in the coming weeks.

World Teachers' Day

This week we celebrate World Teachers' Day at Holy Trinity. A chance to recognise the dedication and care of our staff. We are blessed at Holy Trinity to have a nurturing, passionate and highly skilled team of people and it is a pleasure to work with them as we support your children. We are grateful for our school community that supports us in doing our roles to walk with your child in their learning journey. Thank you for the message of thanks, encouragement and confidence you provide to help us do our best. Hats off to our staff team for all they do.

Greater Western Region tennis

Today, two teams of Years 7 and 8 students headed off to Ballarat to compete in the Greater Western Region tennis. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish them all the best in their competition today. We look forward to hearing how you played and celebrate your efforts with you. Well done to Emma S, Hannah H, Serena J and Victoria B who will play in the Year 8 competition, and Soren F, Frazer S, Archie F and Jesse J who will play in the Year 7 competition. We wish you every success.

Rite Journey camp

Next week, as part of the Rite Journey program, our Year 9 cohort heads off for its camp. This Rite Journey program is a year-long experience designed to acknowledge and celebrate each student’s shift towards adulthood, offer conversations and experience to guide this transition, foster connections with positive adult role models, connect students with their strength and build self-awareness. We pray for the Rite Journey mentors and students as they embark on this experience and look forward to hearing about the experiences they share as part of this camp.

Key dates

30 October-3 November: Year 9 Rite Journey camp

Wednesday, 8 November: 2024 Year 7 parent information session

Thursday, 9 November: 2024 Year 9 information dession

Monday, 20 November: Exam week

Monday, 27 November: Report writing day (student-free day)

Week 9 - 28 November-1 December: Headstart Week

Week 10 - 6-8 December: Year 7 camp

Week 10 - 7-8 December: Year 8 hike

Tuesday, 12 December: Last day for Middle School students and Closing Service

Mrs Samantha Engert, Acting Head of Middle School

VCE external exams

This week, our exam schedule for Year 12 students commenced on Tuesday with the English exam and the week finished with Physical Education, Biology and General Maths.

Year 12 students are strongly encouraged to find the most effective place to study and to maintain a normal school daily schedule where possible throughout their exam preparation. Subject teachers are available to support students during usual class times until the time of their exam.

Year 11 – VCE acceleration

We have a large number of Year 11 students who have undertaken to complete a Unit 3/4 subject this year. These students have been provided with allocated days to assist in their exam preparation. It is important that students maximise these times and use them effectively. Year 11 students have the option of attending school on their study days if this is their most conducive study environment.

All students attending school during scheduled study periods are asked to ensure that they sign in at the Front Office on entry and then out when they depart from the College.

VET Induction Day

All students enrolled or on a waiting list to commence VET course in 2024 are invited to attend the VET Induction Day on Wednesday, 1 November. Organised by the Wimmera Southern Mallee VET Cluster, the day offers an orientation program and the opportunity to participate in an introductory session for their chosen course. Sessions will be conducted by the Registered Training Organisations that deliver the VET training.

Summer uniform

All students should now be wearing their formal, summer uniform. Sports uniform should be worn only on designated days with white, College socks. The College uniform shop is open at the following times during the term:

• Tuesday 9.00am-4.00pm
• Friday 9.00am-2.00pm

Hats are required to be worn by all students when outdoors during Term 4.

Important end-of-year Senior School dates

VCE written examinations: Tuesday, 24 October to Friday, 10 November

Year 11 exams: Monday, 13 November to Thursday, 16 November

Year 11 Head Start: Monday, 20 November to Friday, 1 December

Year 10 exams: Monday, 20 November to Friday, 24 November

Year 10 Head Start: Tuesday, 28 November to Friday, 1 December

Report writing day: Monday, 27 November

Final day for Year 10 and 11s and closing service: Friday, 1 December

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

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

State Athletics

We wish all our athletes competing in Melbourne on Wednesday, 1 November all the best in their events! What an achievement it is that these students and their families have made it to this event. The school community will be supporting them from here in Horsham and we pray they have a safe journey to and from this event. Good luck! This event will be livestreamed at ssv.vic.edu.au - please follow the links to State Track and Field Primary.

Athletes: 100m sprint - Peter S; 4x100-metre relay team - Peter S, Max B, Jaxon E and Lachie D; triple jump - Greta S.

Junior swimming program

All families should have received a Consent2Go notification about the coming swimming program. Could families please start to prepare the required labelled materials for these lessons:

• Goggles (not essential however they will make lessons easier)
• Bathers
• Towel
• Waterproof bag (for all materials to go in after lessons)

Please feel free to email any questions or concerns you may have to sport@htlc.vic.edu.au.

Mrs Jessie Ferguson, Primary Sport Coordinator

Greater Western Region tennis

Today, we have eight students from the Middle School travelling to Ballarat to compete in the Greater Western Region Year 7 and Year 8 tennis finals at Hollioake Park.

Good luck to the Year 7 boys team of Soren F, Archie F, Jesse J and Frazer S, as well as the Year 8 girls team of Victoria B, Hannah H, Serena J and Emma S as they represent the College at the last hurdle before the state finals. All students will play singles and doubles matches against schools from at least three other schools, and we know they will do us proud. Results for these students will be published in the next issue of the newsletter.

Thank you to Mr Prouse for transporting the students to and from the event, and well done to the students for their efforts.

Coming events

November

8 - State finals Year 8 volleyball
10 - State finals Year 7 volleyball

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sport Coordinator

Since 2010 mood disorders in children and teens, like anxiety and depression, have been steadily rising.

The rise of online gaming, Discord, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok has changed the way kids relate to one another. But it's also changed their expectations for one another - and themselves - and is associated with anxiety, perfectionism, bullying, and self-loathing. In short, our children are worried that they are not enough and their daily interactions with one another, their screens, and even with us, are reinforcing that fear.

In this webinar you’ll discover:

• why so many of our kids don’t feel enough
• how our best-intentioned efforts to help them feel enough backfire
• solutions that shift your child's focus from worrying if they’ll ever be enough to no longer even thinking about it, and
• how to establish a relationship that leaves no doubt that they really are enough

View Enough webinar here: https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/video-library/enough-0

Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Children’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a child's behaviour and perception of danger.

Children need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your child's age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, whilst older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.

Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helping children understand there is still hope in our complex world.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-discussing-war-conflict

Bus application for Term 1, 2024, are now open for Year 7s and Foundation students, also anyone else changing schools or addresses. Please go to the Student Transport Assistance portal – if your student already travels by bus login and make an application for 2024; if you are new user register first, then once you receive a login by email you can make an application for 2024.

These applications will all be assessed on November 15
so it is important to have this completed before this date. Applications made after this date will still be assessed but buses may be full and you may have to be waitlisted for a seat.

Current users who are not making any changes to school or address next year do not need to do anything yet.

Please address any questions to the HTLC Front Office or the Horsham College Bus Coordinator at buses@horsham-horsham.vic.edu.au or on 5381 7151 on Tuesdays and Fridays, or to School Bus Administration at SchoolBus@education.vic.gov.au.