Greetings to families and friends.

During the week, parents should have received an email from the college with a request to log into the Operoo app to confirm medical details for students. For those who are unaware, Operoo is a digital platform for automating forms, medical records, and approval processes. In the past specific forms and approvals had been provided to families as a paper copy but due to our desire to improve workflow these types of forms will now be provided via this application as a means of efficiency and paperless communication. If you didn’t receive this email during the week I ask that you contact ictsupport@htlc.vic.edu.au for assistance.

As a college we will be shortly commencing preparations for staffing and programs for the 2023 school year. I remind current families that if they are planning to enrol their child at the college next year, and haven't done so already, to get in touch with the Main Reception as soon as you can for further enrolment information.

Additionally, if you have any family or friends who are looking to enrol their child at school next year and are yet to decide, I encourage you to speak with them about the wonderful people, places and programs we have at our college. Your support in spreading the good news of our school is greatly appreciated.

As the weather continues to be chilly and wet, it is to be expected that an increase in traffic both in and around the college will occur during the morning and afternoon drop off and pick-ups. We are fortunate that the overall time of congestion is minimal but I do ask that families are vigilant and drive slowly while in and around our college. Your cooperation in this matter is requested and greatly appreciated.

Wishing you a joy filled week.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Pauline Simonsen

Do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink … seek [God’s] kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well (Luke 12:29,31).

Where I live in New Zealand, graceful white arum lilies grow in large clumps in the paddocks – naturalised, common as weeds. I always think of them when I hear Jesus’ famous words, ‘Consider the lilies’ – though the lilies of Israel are no doubt different to my white arums.

Jesus’ point is that they have no value to the farmer – the farmer doesn’t cultivate them, yet the lilies grow abundantly and magnificently in their beauty. God clothes them so for his (and my) pleasure! If he so cares for these ‘worthless’ plants of the field, how much more will he care for us, his treasured children?

Our passage today follows the parable of the rich man, the gospel for this week. Here Jesus goes to the deep heart-reason for human acquisition and greed: our insecurity, our fear. We toil and accumulate to create a security buffer against adversity and poverty – even perhaps against our own insufficient identity. If this striving is our only answer to the frailty and precariousness of human life, no wonder we worry all the time! Will we ever have enough? What if a recession comes? What if I lose my job? How will we live?

And so we strive – and keep striving – for enough, for more … desperately seeking security.

Earlier, Jesus comments, ‘life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’ (Luke 12:15). Now he repeats again: ‘life is more than food, and the body more than clothes’. Material security does not create a full, abundant life. All our readings for this week have proven that.

Only one person can give us what we desperately seek. Jesus declares:

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they [you!] may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:9,10).

Our Heavenly Father knows what we need – we don’t need to strive for it. Instead, Jesus urges us to use our energies seeking him and his lordship in our lives! That way lies life – for you, the people you love and this world!

Thank God, our good shepherd Jesus comes and finds us, drawing us into his pasture. He fills us with his life and peace. That’s real security.

Loving God, I worry way too much. Draw me back to yourself, and remind my soul of your love, grace and provision of all I need. Keep me in perfect peace by fixing my mind on you, today and always. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Student Conferences

Student Conferences will be held in Week 7, on Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 August. These will be three way conferences involving students, parents/carers and teachers. Students are required to accompany their parent or carer to the conference, and will be active participants in the discussion of their learning. Further information will be sent home next week with instructions on how to book a conference time.

Book Week and Dress Up Day (Friday 12 August)

Next week the Scholastic Book Fair will be at HTLC. This provides a wonderful way to treat your children to new reading material, while supporting the library to purchase new resources. Friday 12 August students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. Please start to talk to your child about what they would like to wear for this special day. 

Grandparent’s Day - Friday 12 August

Grandparents and special friends are invited to come along and visit their grandchildren at school next Friday morning. They are invited to attend our morning Chapel at 9:00, and visit classrooms from after Chapel until recess time. This is also a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to visit the Book Fair in the Library.

ICAS

The ICAS Parent Portal expired on Monday this week. If you would still like to register your child for either the Mathematics, English or Science Competitions, you will need to make contact with the school who will do this on your behalf (unless you are in the Genesis English or Maths Program). For students not in the Genesis English or Maths Program, the tests will cost $19.25 each. This figure will be added to your Term 4 Fee Schedule. 

Wakakirri

Today students in Year 4-6, who are members of the cast and crew of our Wakakirri school dance story, have traveled to Melbourne to compete tonight. We wish HTLC students, staff and families safe travels and pray they enjoy this special experience. Thank you to our dedicated staff who have helped prepare students for this event.

Energetix 

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Energetix fundraising events in recent weeks. The team are now conscientiously preparing for their trip to the Gold Coast, and competition on the 20 August. Thank you to Mrs Wik, our coach, and staff who have assisted with providing this exciting opportunity to students.

Chapel

This morning Year 1C led Chapel with a focus on gratitude and thankfulness, based on Colossians 2:6-7. Next week, on Grandparents Day, Yr 4B will be leading our Junior School worship. We encourage students to bring a small offering. We hope you can join us for worship.

Congratulations to this week's award winners!

FJ: Arlen Fry, Indy Williams FL: Shiva Sharma, Charley Uebergang 1C: Charlie Young, Isla Greene 1I: Heidi Rethus, Oscar Argall 2B: Berni Del Real 2H: Ollie Mackley, Sage Carter, Maddox Willmore 2S: Blake Olston, Sebastian Lee 3B: Dusty Peucker, Emily Liston 3D: Klay Lockhart, Zoe Kemp, Jonty Polack 4B: Vincent Brennan, Nixon Broadbear 4M: Sasha Hinch, Myra Sharma, Hugo Poplawski 4R: Milton Ellis 5D: Jack Arnott, Pippa Kelm 5H: Bodhi Edmonds, Rafael Del Real 6M: Sofia Barlow-McCallum, Holly Bird, Fletcher Hawken 6N: Scarlett Nuttall, Eliza Brown 6V: Hannah Heard, Camilla Dunstan Chinese: 6N, 5D, Harry Hicks Digital Technology: Hazel Penfold Performing Arts: Baxter Mercer, Milton Ellis, Joshua Kalms PE: 6V Holy Trinity Tiger Award (Year 5 or 6): Annabelle Walker for Curiosity and Social Intelligence Holy Trinity Cub Award (Year 3 or 4): Charlie Bird for Kindness and Perspective Holy Trinity Cub Award (Foundation to Year 2): Lilah Moore for Love of Learning and Spirituality

Blessings,

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

Restorative Practice Project

At the end of last term, I was a part of a 4-person team which attended a Restorative Practice PD at Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) Head Office in Melbourne, run by David Vinegrad. The basic principles of Restorative Practice as outlined on his company ‘Behaviour Matters’ website include:

Restorative Practice is based on the philosophy of Restorative Justice. This philosophy provides us with a framework which is underpinned by values and beliefs that asks us to approach wrongdoing differently. This approach is called Restorative Practice and the focus is about community, relationships and healing. This Restorative Justice framework is also about real accountability; according to people and their needs, rather than accountability according to rules and codes of conduct.
http://www.behaviourmatters.or...

Over the coming weeks, the school will work closely with David to develop a framework for how to further implement the philosophies of restorative practice in all relationships that exist within the college, including staff, parents and students.

Sports Uniform

Earlier this week the Year Level Coordinators clarified the days in which students can wear their sports uniform. On days where students have PE or Sport and Rec lessons, students are able to wear their sports uniform for the whole day and do not need to change. The following table outlines when these days occur across our 10-day timetable.

Week A (Days 1-5) – Odd weeks (Weeks 1,3,5,7,9)

Week B (Days 6-10) – Even weeks (Weeks 2,4,6,8,10)

ICAS

2022 ICAS Competitions will be held at the following times:

• ICAS English: Week 6 Term 3
• ICAS Science: Week 7 Term 3
• ICAS Maths: Week 8 Term 3

Genesis English and Mathematics students will be automatically registered to sit these tests.

The ICAS Parent Portal expired last Monday. If you would still like to register your child for either the Mathematics, English or Science Competitions, you will need to make contact with the school who will do this on your behalf (unless you are in the Genesis English or Maths Program). For students not in the Genesis English or Maths Program, the tests will cost $19.25 each. This figure will be added to your Term 4 Fee Schedule.

Wet Weather

It has been wonderful to see plenty of rain falling across the Wimmera over the last few weeks, which I’m sure will make many farmers happy. The heavy rainfall has meant that the Middle School oval has been left quite wet, slippery and muddy in certain parts. Unfortunately, we have had to close the oval due to these conditions. Where possible, students have been given access to the MPC (when not already booked) but we continue to ask for patience and understanding until facilities start to ‘dry’ out.

Science Week

Week 6 of this Term is Science week. To celebrate Science week, students in Years 7-9 will be showcasing some of their work, as an interactive Showcase evening. The evening will run from 5:30-6:30pm on Wednesday 17 August. Pop this date in your calendars and be wowed by our students displays, models and interactive activities. Try your hand at our life-sized ‘Operation Game’ or have a go at our exciting STEM activities. Roll up to one of our two Science shows and be amazed by our Year 9 students and their ability to manipulate fire. See you all there! - Mrs Moore, Science Department Coordinator

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

VTAC Information Evening

On Wednesday evening we held our VTAC Information Evening for Year 12 students and parents. Whilst it can sometimes be seen as a challenging area to navigate, it was pleasing to see so many parents engaging in the process of planning future pathways with their child.

Year 12 students have now set up their VTAC accounts and are beginning to enter their preferences. Early entry, SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme), Scholarships and offers were all covered during the evening and course information from a wide range of universities was available for collection.

Youth Allowance presentation – planning for the future

On Wednesday 24 August, Gavin Simmons of Simmons Advisory Service will be conducting an information session for our parents of students in Years 10-12. Gavin specialises in Youth Allowance and guiding parents to understand the financial support that may be available through Centrelink to support their child through their tertiary years. Further information will be forwarded to parents shortly.

VTAC Dates

• VTAC applications open - 1 August
• Timely applications close - 29 September
• SEAS applications, supporting documentation and scholarships applications close - 7 October
• Victorian ATAR released - 12 December

VCE Important dates

• GAT (General Achievement Test) - Wednesday 7 September
• VCE Trial Exams (HTLC campus) – Monday 26 September to Friday 3 October
• Year 12 last day – Tuesday 18 October
• VCE written exams (English) – Wednesday 26 October, 9:00am to 12:15pm
• Year 12 Valedictory Service and Dinner – Friday 18 November
• Final day of 2022 classes for Year 10 and 11 students – Friday 9 December

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please see the upcoming sporting dates below for your calendar:

• Year 5/6 Winter Sports - Fridays weekly, 5 & 12 August
• Year 5/6 Golf - Fridays, weekly until 9 September
• Little Desert Volleyball at Horsham 298 Primary School - Wednesday 17 August
• HCPSSA Badminton at Horsham 298 Primary School - Wednesday 31 August
• Hoop Time Basketball in Hamilton - Tuesday 18 October.

Winter Sports AFL - Year 5/6

We saw our third week of the Year 5 & 6 Winter Sports Program today. Students played their chosen sport at various local locations, effectively putting into place skills learnt during Term 2. This mini interschool competition provides minor rounds and match play against Year 5 and 6 teams from Haven/West, Horsham 298 and St Michaels/St Johns Primary Schools. 

These sessions occur on Friday afternoons in Periods 5 and 6 as a part of the Year 5 & 6 Sports allocation.

• Boys AFL to be played at HTLC, Junior and Middle School ovals
• Netball to be played at Central Park, Racecourse Reserve
• Soccer to be played at Dudley Cornell, North Park
• Volleyball to be played at the Horsham 298 stadium

Golf Program – Year 6 students

We have 16 students currently involved in a brilliant golf development opportunity at Horsham Golf Club. These sessions commenced last week and will occur each Friday afternoon for an 8-week period in Term 3. Within these sessions students will have access to a golf coach who will assist in skill refining/development and match play. It is a unique experience offered to Year 6 students this year.

Little Desert Volleyball & HCPSSA Badminton

Expressions of interest have been received from Year 5 and 6 students wanting to be involved in upcoming volleyball and badminton opportunities. Lunchtime training sessions/selections will occur in preparation for both events which take place in August. We look forward to having strong representing teams in both carnivals.

Hoop Time Progression

Training for our Year 3/4 Girls Hoop Time Basketball team will occur during lunchtimes in preparation for the Hamilton competition on Tuesday 18 October. A letter has been sent home with those involved. Jordyn Burke will be involved in these training sessions and is looking forward to coaching the girls on the day.

Training dates are as follows:

• Tuesday 6 September (end of Term 3)
• Tuesday 13 September (end of Term 3)
• Tuesday 4 October (start of Term 4)
• Tuesday 11 October (start of Term 4)

Yours in Sport!

Hayley Thomas, Primary Sports Coordinator

West Vic Academy of Sport Excursion

On Friday last week, our West Vic Academy of Sport students travelled down to Ballarat to visit Federation University and the RADcentre for a High Performance Excursion. 

The excursion kicked off with Year 12 student Ryan Pfitzner undertaking a VO2 max test under professional guidance. This test was conducted on the bike, which involves increasing the resistance every few minutes until failure is achieved. This provided Ryan with some very detailed feedback regarding his levels of fitness and where he can improve.

The day continued with the whole group undertaking strength and power testing, including the 1080 sprint and an isometric mid-thigh pull. These tests provide the coaches with data that can be used to further shape each individual's program.

Following the testing, students travelled to the RAD centre to complete a strength & conditioning session led by Chris Radford. The students were provided with some more specialist coaching and had the opportunity to use high performance equipment to help develop their physical profiles. 

Term 3

August
29 - Black Ranges Year 7 Boys & Girls Basketball

September
6 - Black Ranges Year 8 Boys & Girls Basketball
14 - Black Ranges Year 7/8 Boys & Girls Volleyball

Mr Jesse Kuchel, Head of Sport and Coaching

Most young people today experience anxiety at some point in their life. Sometimes that slight rush of anxiety that occurs prior to an exam or sporting event, can enhance their performance. However, experiencing too much anxiety, over long periods of time, can be extremely damaging to their health and wellbeing. There is a difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ anxiety.

Statistics show, that the psychological health of young people today is far worse than it was a generation ago. This is having an adverse effect on children at both primary and secondary levels. Some of their issues of concern include stress, school, study, body image, and friendship.

Parents need to be aware of the warning signs of ‘bad’ anxiety. There are preventative measures parents can implement as well as teaching kids the skills to cope more efficiently with their anxiety.

We hope you take the 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 for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Anxiety edition of SchoolTV: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/youth-anxiety

These days "compliance" is a dirty word in the parenting blogosphere. For many people compliance means that a parent is a demanding authoritarian, expecting children to follow orders regardless of preferences otherwise. Compliance connotes coercion and intrusiveness.

As with every social media firestorm, there may be a kernel of truth to this. Compliance is not a healthy long-term objective for our children, and is not an ideal focus for our parenting.

But can we be real for just a minute?

Sometimes they just have to buckle up in the car. They actually should swim between the flags, wear shoes while riding a scooter, and stop throwing knives at their brother! These are safety issues. And they matter.

And sometimes the table does need to be cleared, the school bag put away, or the stinky sports gear placed in the laundry basket. It’s called being part of the family and learning to do your part.

So what do we do when our kids “won’t listen” and it actually does matter?

Join the webinar on Monday 15 August at 8pm, where you'll receive further tips and strategies which have helped people personally to:

• Build better connection
• Promote competence and capability in their children
• Facilitate autonomy and intrinsic motivation
• Make them feel like they're a better parent (and person) 

Register for the webinar here: https://www.happyfamilies.com....

Holy Trinity Lutheran College has teamed up with Happy Families and are offering each school family a free Happy Families Premium School Membership  Register via the unique College URL below.

www.happyfamilies.com.au/user/...

A reminder that this year's School Photo Day is being held Tuesday 16 August. Students are required to wear full winter uniform, not sports uniform. If students have sport on the day, they are advised to bring their sports uniform to change into. Please contact admin@htlc.vic.edu.au with any queries regarding school photos.

Our PTFA is seeking volunteers to assist in staffing the Wimmera Kart Racing Club canteen during Round 4 of the DPE Victorian Country Series, August 13 and 14. In return for running the canteen, the PTFA will receive a monetary donation to contribute towards the HTLC Energetix team’s journey to Nationals for School Aerobics.

Any community members interested in helping the PTFA are encouraged to please submit your availability through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/...

We kindly thank you for your support.

After our Junior School Chapel Service on Fridays, we warmly invite parents, carers, grandparents and friends to stay with us for morning tea. Morning tea will be served from 9:20am, immediately after the conclusion of our Chapel Services in the MPC.

Holy Trinity Lutheran College is once again embarking on a reading challenge adventure, by taking part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Entries are now open for students from Foundation to Year 10.

If your child is wanting to participate, please contact Susie Penny, Learning Support Coordinator, at susie.penny@htlc.vic.edu.au. A student login and password will be created for your child and will be sent home shortly with further instructions.

For students from Foundation to Year 2, the challenge is to read or experience 30 books. For students in Years 3 to 10, the challenge is to read 15 books.

The challenge will be finishing on Friday 2 September.

If your child reads books between now and when they get their login details, please keep a record of the title and the author. When students receive their login details, they will be able to add these books to their ‘finished’ book list.

For any queries, please contact Susie Penny - susie.penny@htlc.vic.edu.au.

Happy reading!