What a fantastic start to Term 2 we have had! I do pray that you and your family had a wonderful break and a Happy Easter.

I continue to be most impressed by the quality of teaching, the focus on student wellbeing, providing a safe and caring environment, and the strong values instilled, here at HTLC. I encourage you to bring your friends to our Open Day on Wednesday, 10 May, where they can experience our beautiful College firsthand. Of course, we also invite Alumni and friends of our College Community to join us for Open Day and come and see the many exciting things happening.

We started the week with whole College Chapel, focusing on the resurrection of Christ. It is always a great reminder that our God desired relationship with us so much, that He sacrificed His son. On Monday afternoon, we had a whole College ANZAC Day service. May we always remain grateful and honoured for the service of those who have fought for and protected our wonderful nation.

We had our secondary Cross Country yesterday and our Junior School Cross Country today. Well done to all the students who participated and did their best. I thank Mr McLoughlin and Mr Borgas for their coordination and organisation. As I always say about sporting events, these present us a fantastic opportunity to enjoy community together; whether that is cheering for a house, participating to help a house, encouraging others, giving it a go and/or striving to set a new record. I thank those parents, grandparents and friends who came to support the students.

This week we farewell Ms Ugyen Wangmo who will soon celebrate the birth of her first child. I thank Ms Wangmo for her service and pray God’s blessings over her for this new and exciting chapter. I am pleased to announce we welcome Ms Myrna Allan, who is teaching Year 10 Science and Year 11 and 12 Chemistry. In addition, I welcome Corriena Rose who will teach 3D on Fridays. Please welcome these new staff to our College and help them to feel welcome.

I am most excited for the remainder of my second term here at HTLC, and thank you for the amazing support and welcome you have continued to give me as I settle into our community. I am very grateful for your smiles, good mornings and conversations. May God bless your weekend.

In Christ’s service,

Mr James Phillips, Principal

by Dianne Eckermann

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ … cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)

Times change. Compared with the ways in which our grandparents worshipped in our churches, we now have a choice of new music, new worship songs, new translations of the Bible, all designed to provide greater understanding of the wonders of the life of Christ and what our God continues to do for all of us.

Today’s reading begins with a description of the traditional rituals carried out by priests in the temple in Jerusalem. Only the high priest could enter the inner part of the temple, and then only once a year to atone for his sin and the sins of the people. In contrast, Jesus brought redemption, not through rituals, but through his own sacrifice, a sacrifice that redeemed people for all time.

This marks a change in the relationship between God and his people from atonement, as understood in the Old Testament, to redemption through Christ. The curtain that closed off access to the most holy part of the temple is no more and the way to God is now opened. Jesus’ sacrifice opens the physical barrier between us and God. The blood sacrifices of the temple priests have been surpassed by the infinitely superior blood of Christ.

This is a significant change for the new Christians who are the audience for the message in Hebrews, far more significant than the relatively minor changes we have observed in our worship over the years. Jesus’ sacrifice also achieves far more than the priests in their humanity could ever hope to achieve. His sacrifice cleanses our consciences, which in itself is amazing. Even more amazing is that Jesus has overcome death and through him we now serve the living God! Through Jesus we are able to see God as the centre of all things because his death and resurrection have opened the way to a new relationship with God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us. Thank you that through the Holy Spirit our conscience is cleansed, and we have been given sufficient grace to love you and serve you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cross Country - participation, fitness and competition in balance

This year for the first time, the 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-year-olds were invited to nominate whether or not they set off for a run or a walk around the cross country track. This change was to create a notable shift to equalise emphasis on competition, participation and fitness.  

I was so proud of each student as they carefully considered whether they would be best suited to enjoy the health benefits of a brisk walk to ensure they achieved the walking time and received two points for their efforts, or whether they felt they could reach 10th place in the running race and receive four points for their efforts.  

We know with this modification, all students will be able to better find their niche to be their best selves. In all schools, educators have noticed that attendance at sporting events on the calendar is less by students and we hope we are adjusting our teaching and learning programs well accordingly.  Even though it drizzled through the morning and we had to reschedule our timetable, I thought the event was a great celebration of participation, fitness and caring for our bodies, as much as the competition which is traditionally the mark of school sports events. I hope you felt the same way!

Cross country age group winners: Foundation, Fred R, Lexi M; Year 1, Jake, Arianna R; Year 2, Mason R, Maggie K; 8-9-year-olds, Jack, Maya S; 10-year-olds, Peter S, Gretta; 11-year-olds, Judd O, Luella B; 12-13-year-olds, Hylton P, Malaya W. House winner: Mallee

Portfolios

Portfolios went home at the end of Term 1.  As the Head of Junior School, I would like to hear from parents and what they think about our portfolios, and reporting in general. We are moving into a phase where we as a whole college staff would dearly like to use The Hub as a space where we can continuously report, and would like to involve parents in this conversation. If you would like to feed into the process, please let your classroom teacher know by feeding this information through them, with thoughts and ideas of how you would like to see your child’s progress in the hub.

Getting out into Community - Winter Sports Program Year 5-6 and Sunnyside visits

It is great to have moved emphasis in policy after two or more years to again see HTLC being able to build community ties! We have students again moving to the Sunnyside Retirement Village on a weekly basis after they have presented chapel.

This term also brings in winter sports, starting in Week 3 for the Year 5-6 students. I look forward to the students being able to get out into the community and the banter that will occur on the football field and netball court between weekend teammates.

Mr Borgas change in jobs for Term 2

As we settle into the year, you will find that I move into different roles throughout the year so that I can get to know all of our staff and students, and appreciate the learning programs that we offer here at HTLC. Just a note to let you know that I have moved out of teaching one day a week in the Year 3D classroom in Term 1,  to coordinating the sports program in the junior school.  

I have loved getting to know teacher Ali Driller in 3D, and all of the students and how they learn.  This term I am looking forward to reviewing the sports coordination throughout the whole college (with staff) as an area of growth for HTLC.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Welcome back to all HTLC families after what I pray was a restful and relaxing Easter and holiday break. The term started with Opening Service in the MPC and it was fantastic to have our Year 12 students lead worship for the whole school. I pray this term is a productive one for all staff and students.

Open Day

The Holy Trinity Lutheran College Open Day will be on Wednesday, 10 May. The timeline for the day will be as follows:

1.45pm-3.15pm: Guided School Tours
3.30pm-6pm: Middle School self-guided tour with interactive activities and special program displays
6pm-7pm: 2024 Year 7 Parent Information Session

This will be a great opportunity for families to learn all about the Middle School and I look forward to showcasing everything that makes our school such a special place. We do require a number of student volunteers to help with activities. Please let Mr Przibilla know if you can assist on the day.

ANZAC Day

On Monday, the whole school gathered together for a second time for a special ANZAC Day Commemorative Service. The service was coordinated by Mr Bandel and included Mrs Ferguson singing the National Anthem, Sylvie and Zara singing an ANZAC Day-themed song, a video presentation put together by former student Ryan Pfitzner, College Chair Mr Bryan Matuschka playing the Last Post and Rouse and the student leaders laying wreaths and reciting other key parts of the service. There was a respectful atmosphere in the MPC throughout the service. Thank you to all those who contributed to the day.

On Tuesday, the nation paused to reflect and remember the sacrifices made by Australian service men and women in conflicts past and present. A large crowd gathered at Sawyer Park in Horsham for the Dawn Service. The Middle School Captains (Chloe A, Evan H, Abbey O’C and Jarhyn McG) were in attendance and laid a wreath on behalf of the college, paying their respects. Lest We Forget.

Study Skills Seminars & Examinations

This week students had the opportunity to participate in study skills seminars led by Elevate Education, Australia’s leading study skills provider for schools. These sessions were particularly informative and productive. Follow-up material for students and parents can be found here: https://au.elevateeducation.com/

If students were absent for the study skills seminars, detailed notes can be provided by emailing Mr Przibilla.

A reminder that examinations for all students will be held this term. The exam revision week will be held in week 6 of term from Monday, 29 May. The exam week will be held in week 7 of term from Monday, 5 June.

Uniform update

Students are expected to be in winter uniform from week 2 onwards

Hats are no longer required to be worn during recess and lunchtime and can be brought home by students.

As the weather gets cooler, a reminder that puffer jackets are not to be worn in class or during recess or lunch times.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

ANZAC Day

Our College ANZAC Day service involved students from Foundation to Year 12 in the commemoration of all those Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served and died in military action.

On Tuesday morning, the dawn service, held at the time of the original landing at Gallipoli, was attended by staff and student leaders from Junior and Middle School. Our senior student leadership team was involved in the Horsham Returned and Services League/Horsham Rural City Council ANZAC Commemorative service at Sawyer Park Cenotaph. The service provided an opportunity for our students to appreciate and respect, pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of generations and all those who continue to suffer the consequences of war.

Work Experience - Year 10

Students are reminded that Work Experience Arrangement Forms provided by the school must be completed before the placement can be confirmed. Positions for experience can be competitive as the other schools also run this program so it is advisable to identify and secure a placement as soon as possible. Please contact Mr Bandel or Mrs Schneider if you have any questions or need assistance in organising a placement.

Uniform

Senior School students are reminded that blazers can be ordered from the Uniform Shop. These are an item of the formal Senior School uniform.

As we are enjoying our final days of sunshine, many students have continued to wear their summer uniforms. The first week of term is generally a period of transition with winter uniform required by Week 2.

Study Centre

The Study Centre is open for students to complete independent study from 3.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Thursdays.

Elevate Education - Study Skills Seminars

We have had a busy return to Term 2 with all students from Years 7 to 10 participating in Study Skills seminars on Wednesday with Elevate Education. Our facilitator engaged the senior students with practical skills and strategies they can undertake to ensure their study and exam preparation is both meaningful and thorough.

Year 10 students looked closely at the study techniques of top students and how these can support them to navigate their workload throughout the year. Students are strongly encouraged to attempt some of the research-based strategies that were provided in their sessions.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

The end of Term 1 and the start of Term 2 has seen a flurry of sporting activity in the secondary school.

Human Powered Vehicle Super Series round one

On 1 April, about 50 students, staff and alumni descended on McNamara Park in Mount Gambier for round one of the Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series. The flowing 2.4-kilometre circuit hosted 84 vehicles as they battled it out for eight hours in the opening race of the 2023 season.

Congratulations to our four category winners over the course of the day: Junior School Boys (Thunder), Junior School Girls (Hurricane), Middle School Girls (Avalanche) and Senior School Mixed (Vortex) for their impressive results. Vortex had a nail-biting finish, taking the lead with just 15 minutes left in the race and hanging on for the win. The Middle School Boys (Firestorm) team performed admirably, finishing in fourth place in its category, which is one of the most hotly contested categories in the event. The parents, teachers and old scholars team performed well in their first event too, clocking up almost 250 kilometres in the eight-hour event.

Holy Trinity Racing also saw individual success, with Riley B (Year 6) being awarded the Fastest Lap award for the Junior School Category, whipping around the circuit in four minutes and 14 seconds (an average of about 34 kilometres an hour). Congratulations also to the HTLC students who achieved strong results with the Wimmera HPV Community team at the event.

Volleyball finals

On 3 April, we had 32 students representing the College at the Black Ranges intermediate and senior volleyball finals, held at St Brigid’s College. Many of the teams played multiple matches over the course of the day, and it was fantastic to see three of our four teams winning overall and progressing to the regional finals, which will be held early next term. Special mention must go to our Senior Boys team, who managed to fight back after going a set down against Murtoa in the grand final to win the match two sets to one.

Virtual Cross Country

The Virtual Cross Country was completed over the Term 1 holidays, with students having the opportunity to earn points for the overall Middle School/Senior School House Shield by tracking their runs and walks (to a maximum of 20 kilometres) over the break. In just 14 days, we were able to log an impressive 1264.89 kilometres - about the distance from Melbourne to Port Macquarie, NSW. Congratulations to Wimmera, who earned the greatest number of points during the event, closely followed by Mallee, and then Lowan.

Senior Cross Country

Yesterday, HTLC Senior School students donned their House colours and braved the elements to tackle the cross country course for another year. 113 students competed in the various running events over 3000 metres and 5000 metres, and as usual, the results were incredibly close. Congratulations to Mallee, who claimed their first major House win for 2023, defeating Lowan by just five points. Well done to the Wimmera students who participated and helped their team to a third-place finish.

Age champions for the HTLC Cross Country are Ellua B (M), Bailey D (L), Ilze vZ (W), Toby U (L), Lexie H (L), Rosco H (M), Grace B (L), Tadhg M (W), Sophie P (M), Lars S (L), Ruby S (L) and Henry K (L).

Swimming

Good luck to the HTLC swimmers participating in the state swimming finals today: Jacob M in his individual events and the relay, where he will compete alongside Chase B, Matthew E and Edward J.

Coming events

April

28 - Black Ranges Division intermediate and senior girls AFL

28 - State Swimming Finals

May

1 - Black Ranges Division boys netball and junior girls AFL

3 - Greater Western Region intermediate and senior volleyball

11 - Black Ranges Division cross country

18 - Black Ranges Division senior AFL and netball

20 - AHPVSS round two: Mount Gambier

22 - Black Ranges Division track and field

25 - Black Ranges Division intermediate AFL and netball

29 - Greater Western Region cross country

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

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, Secondary Sports Coordinator

In this edition of SchoolTV - SLEEP

Students today have extremely busy schedules, with ever-increasing responsibilities at school and at home. Many kids, especially adolescents, are going to bed later and later and are at risk of sleep deprivation. This affects three areas of a child’s development: psychological, physiological and psychosocial. All three are essential to a child's growth, learning ability and overall wellbeing. Sleep is vital to a child’s overall development and is as important as diet and exercise.

Sleep also strengthens a child’s immune system and supports their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn about the importance of sleep and how sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on a child’s health and wellbeing.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the College Wellbeing Team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Sleep edition of SchoolTV: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sleep

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The Holy Trinity Lutheran College Parents, Teachers and Friends Association is on the lookout for a new president.

If you are interested in applying, please send an expression of interest to Principal James Phillips. If you would like more information, please email ptfa@htlc.vic.edu.au.

Applicants do not need to be current PTFA members.

Expressions of interest must be in by 1 May ahead of the association's May meeting.

The Junior School will be celebrating Mother's Day on Friday, 12 May. 

Starting the day's activities, we invite all our special mothers for a morning tea in the Junior School staffroom at 11am. Classrooms will then be open Periods 3 and 4 to participate in class activities. They are then invited to stay for a picnic lunch with their child/ren. The Junior Red Cross Mother's Day stall will also be in operation throughout the day, with all handmade items priced up to $5.

Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term at HTLC!

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun and raise money for lifesaving research and programs.

This year we’ve got an audacious goal to see our students at HTLC to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program!

If you would like your child to participate in the fundraising part of Jump Rope for Heart, please register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising. Simply follow the link to get started: www.jumprope.org.au/parents 

All students will be participating in the practical skipping component of the program from week 3 to week 8 during school hours and are encouraged to continue skipping at home if they have the required equipment. During this time if you have chosen to, you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

We will hold our schoolwide Jump Off and Free Dress Day on Thursday, 15 June. This will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!

We’re excited to announce that on Wednesday, 10 May, Elevate Education will host its first free webinar of the term for parents. 

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school: 

How to Help Get (& Keep) Your Child Motivated

Here’s what Elevate will cover on the night: 

 What impact does praise and reassurance have on your child’s motivation? 

 What are the best type of goals to be setting with your child?  

 How can you help your child create meaningful and lasting motivation? 

Click here to register for free

There are a number of items building up in lost property. If your child is missing anything, please check in the lost property at Reception.

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