Easter greetings to families and friends.

At the end of last year, you will recall that Mrs Fiona Friberg was appointed as the first Deputy Principal of HTLC. With her acceptance of this role, a Head of Junior School was then sought. Unfortunately, at the time a successful applicant was not secured, however, after additional interviews taking place this year, it is with pleasure that I can announce that Mr Adam Borgas has been appointed as our next Head of Junior School. Mr Borgas was previously a staff member at HTLC prior to taking on the Principal position at Waikerie Lutheran School in 2012. Due to his current commitments with a Lutheran school in Ceduna this year, he will be commencing in the role at HTLC in 2023. It is wonderful to have Mr Borgas and his family rejoin the HTLC community and look forward to him taking on the position.

As we come to the end of the term I would like to give thanks to the staff, students and families for a relatively calm start to the school year. With the holiday break upon us I wish you all a happy Easter as we once again celebrate the life, death and resurrection of our saviour, Jesus Christ. May your holiday be one of joy and I look forward to seeing all students return on Tuesday 26 April.

Have a blessed break.

by Charles Bertelsmeier

But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ (Hebrews 3:6).

The Bible provides many word pictures of the relationship between God and his people. Parent and children; groom and bride; ruler and subjects; the cornerstone of a building and the bricks making up the walls; head and parts of the body; potter and a clay vessel.

Here we have the picture of a household with the son and heir in charge. In thinking about this, my thoughts went to the TV show Downton Abbey, filmed at Highclere Castle in England. Many people were involved in managing the household and the estate in the past.

Each person in the household had a job to do, usually beginning as a trainee under supervision, moving up to a skilled worker able to work unsupervised, then to a supervisor in charge of several people. Eventually, the person may be sufficiently equipped to take over the house or even the estate; but that couldn’t happen unless they were born into the owner’s family or married into the owner’s family.

In God’s household, it is very different. We are all heirs in waiting, still going through the progression of training but, at all times, legally adopted into the family as joint-heirs with the Son. But that doesn’t mean we naturally know how to live as part of God’s family. Thankfully, our heavenly brother has provided us with a tutor, the Holy Spirit, to stay beside us and teach us how to live as his brothers and sisters in the heavenly family.

However, our verse also reminds us that there will be challenges along the way, especially ones that suggest life will be better living outside of the constraints of the heavenly family. Our Heavenly Father loves and understands us so well that he knows it is futile to hold us back against our will and will let us go. And like the prodigal son, we will be welcomed back with open arms once we have the courage (and maybe desperation) to admit our mistakes and return.

In your day-to-day living, how conscious are you that you are a very beloved child of God and a member of his family?

Heavenly Father, thank you again that your Son loved me so much that he did everything needed to enable me to become a member of your family. Thank you, too, for your Holy Spirit going with me each day to be my tutor, training me in how to live as a member of your family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

New Sports Resources

Mrs McDonald, our Junior School Physical Education teacher, has successfully applied for grants to upgrade our athletics and physical education equipment, totaling $6,500 through the School Sports Funding program. Thank you! We are looking forward to seeing students enjoy the use of this new equipment.

Holy Week

This week we have recognised Holy Week at school with class devotions from Monday to Thursday and closing service on Friday. Thank you to our College Chaplin, Mrs Polack, for preparing our worship for the week.

Uniform

When we return for Term 2, students will have the option to wear either summer or winter uniform until 1st May.

Holidays

I pray that you all have a wonderful two weeks of school holidays, and enjoy the time with your families. Please keep safe if you are travelling and take time to remember the amazing sacrifice Christ made at the first Easter for each one of us. During Term 2 Miss Natalie Lienert will be enjoying long service leave. We wish her God’s blessing for this well-earned break. Miss Erin Habel and Mrs Susie Penny will be teaching the FL class during this time, with alternative supports arranged for students involved in Mrs Penny’s learning support program. We look forward to seeing students return on Tuesday 26 April. 

Congratulations to this week's award winners!

FJ: Anna Delahunty, Zidane Frahn FL: Jessica Song, Emmy Myerscough 1C: Ava Webb, Mason Rose 1I: Finnley Olsten 2B: Edie Hallam 2H: Meg Arnel, Jack Steadman 2S: Azahlia Bruenjes, Saxton Steicke 3B: Xavier Moore, Misha Carter 3D: Maeja Ruwoldt, Jack Young, Emma Song 4B: Lara Todman, Cooper Puls, Jed Ferguson 4M: AJ Cullen, Jesse Arthur 4R: Milton Ellis, Charlie Bird 5D: Imani Baker, Malaya Willmore 5H: Zoe Wilson, Tayla Streeter 6M: Bailey Dridan, Fletcher Hawken, Serena Johns 6N: Tarren Mibus, Marie Roberts 6V: Grace Puls Chinese: Alex Norris, Jack Petering Digital Technology: Rafael Del Real, Denzel Adams Performing Arts: Arlen Fry, Zachary O'Connor, Peter Smith PE: Alex Norris Library: Brianna Bartlett Jing Award: Emily Liston

God bless,

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

NAPLAN 2022

The NAPLAN schedule for 2022 has been set with tests being administered online on the following days:
Tuesday 10 May: Year 7 and Year 9 Writing
Wednesday 11 May: Year 7 and Year 9 Reading
Monday 16 May: Year 7 and Year 9 Conventions of Language
Tuesday 17 May: Year 7 and Year 9 Numeracy

Parents are encouraged to mark these dates in your diaries to try and avoid clashes with other appointments. Catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Friday 20 May 2021. Students will be given opportunities to practice for the upcoming tests during class time, and at home. Please refer to the letter that was sent home this week with details on how to access tests online.

Holy Week and Anzac Day Services

This week all secondary students have engaged with Holy Week and Anzac Day services which were held during morning Home Rooms. With both significant events occurring in the school holidays, the college prioritised giving students an opportunity to reflect on them in preparation for upcoming services and events. I hope families take the opportunity to attend Easter and/or Anzac Day services as a way of remembering and commemorating these important annual dates.

The Middle School Captains will be representing the College at the Dawn Service on the 25 April and will lay a wreath on behalf of the secondary school.

End of Term Message

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a safe and relaxing holiday and Easter break. To those families who are staying at home, I hope there is time for rest and relaxation and for those who are travelling, I pray that you do so safely. This is a very special time of the year as we prepare to celebrate Easter. A time where we remember the great sacrifice that was made when Jesus was crucified on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven, and we can be granted eternal life with God in Heaven. No matter how many times I hear the Easter story, it continually amazes me and brings about a sense of awe. From the Last Supper, to Judas’ betrayal, the trial, crucifixion, death and then resurrection, these events happened, and they happened so that we could reap the benefits of one man’s suffering. When planning your Easter break, I pray that you find some time to remember the events of over 2000 years ago. He Is Risen!

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

End of Term 1

As our first full term of schooling in a while draws to a close, it is important for our Senior students to ensure that time for rest and relaxation away from study is taken over the coming break. School concludes following Closing Service at 2:20 today and resumes again on Tuesday 26 April.

Year 10 students formally welcomed to the Senior School

At our Senior School assembly held earlier in the week, Year 10 students were presented with their College ties and formally welcomed to the Senior School by the Year 11 and 12 cohorts. Students from each of the welcoming year level groups spoke on behalf of their cohort, acknowledging the period of transition and potential academic changes along with the exciting opportunities for personal pathways. Rebekah Wundke, Armani Scollary and Emily Clarke each responded on behalf of the Year 10s, thanking the students for their welcome and encouraging their peers to embrace the experiences that unfold over the next few years and to contribute positively to the mature, learning environment of which they are now a part.

Outdoor Education Camp

A small group of Year 10 and 11 students travelled to Port Fairy with Mr Prouse this week where they participated in whale watching, surfing, mountain biking and beach walks. They will conclude their outdoor experience with a SCUBA diving session at a later date. Each of the outdoor experiences contributes to the outcomes for their current unit of study.

Parent teacher interviews

Interviews this week have provided a valuable opportunity for parents to discuss their child’s progress at the mid-point of the semester. Early identification of learning concerns is vital to continued, effective progress. All senior parents have been strongly encouraged to attend interviews or to make contact with their child’s teacher/s to discuss any concerns and to hear of student achievements.

Student attendance for assessments

Attendance at VCE assessments is compulsory for all students unless special arrangements have been approved. Student absence requires teachers to prepare a new paper for issue which is different from the original, to ensure authentication. Students are asked to respect this rule and avoid planning holidays or appointments where possible during these periods. A medical certificate is generally required in the case of absence. Failure to contact a teacher to notify them of an absence may result in the student receiving an N (Not Satisfactory) for the assessment.

Elevate Study Sessions - 26 and 27 April

At the beginning of Term 2, our annual study skills sessions will be conducted for students in Years 7 - 10, with Elevate Education. Topics covered will include:
Time Management
Study Support and techniques to assist with the recall of information.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

The HPCSSA Cross Country will be held early in Term 2. Letters to those that are eligible to proceed to this event have been sent home. We will need to send two parent volunteers to assist at City Oval on the day Wednesday 27 April. Please send your EOI to myself, hayley.thomas@htlc.vic.edu.au, if you are interested in assisting with marshalling duties from 10.40am to 1pm on the day.

HPCSSA (Interschool) Athletics Carnival

Students that are eligible to compete at the HPCSSA Athletics will be notified early next term, information and permission letters will be sent home to relative parents. The day will be held at Dudley Cornell on Thursday 5 May. If you are interested in assisting with coordination and preparations on the day, please email your EOI to me at hayley.thomas@htlc.vic.edu.au. The top two students from the final events held on the day will be eligible to compete at the Little Desert Athletics Carnival scheduled for 9 September.

Greater Western Regional Tennis

Congratulations to Frazer Shurdington and Hannah Heard who will make the trip to Ballarat early next term to compete in the Greater Western Regional Tennis competition. We are right behind you, send support and best wishes for a superb day of hitting to you both – best of luck!

5/6 Sport

Year 5 & 6 students will be eager to commence their winter sports in Term 2 in preparation for some interschool mini competitions to occur. Students will have preference in choosing their ideal sport to train and participate in. Successful team results will see opportunities to progress within their chosen sport at divisional and regional levels.

We have certainly had a full term of sporting carnivals and events and would love to extend a warm thank you to our parent volunteers that were of huge assistance in delivering these carnivals in such a professional and supported way. Your contribution is certainly valued and I look forward to working with you all again throughout the year.

Have a superb easter and first term holiday break. I look forward to seeing you all fresh and keen for a brilliant Term 2 of sport!

Enjoy!

Mrs Hayley Thomas, Junior Sport Coordinator

With a quiet week of sport at HTLC to finish off Term 1, students are preparing for a massive start of Term 2! Several events are underway in the first 3 weeks, with the HTLC Cross Country running on the first Tuesday of Week 1. Black Ranges Athletics and Cross Country follow as major interschool carnivals in Week 2 and 3. 

HTLC will also be represented at the State Swimming Championships at MSAC in Melbourne during Week 1, we wish our 6 representative students the best of luck.

COMING EVENTS

Term 2
APRIL
26 - HTLC Cross Country
28 - State Swimming Championships
29 - Black Ranges INT & SNR Girls Football

MAY
2 - Black Ranges INT & SNR Boys Netball
2 - Black Ranges Year 7/8 Girls Football
3 - Greater Western INT & SNR Boys Volleyball
6 - Black Ranges Athletics Carnival
9 - Black Ranges Cross Country
19 - Black Ranges SNR Girls Netball

Mr Jesse Kuchel, Head of Sport and Coaching