Newsletter (8 March, 2024)

This week in March is always an exciting week for the Wimmera community as the Wimmera Machinery Field Days are held across three big days. This year, Holy Trinity Lutheran College was represented with a booth in the Moore Exhibition Centre, which showcased the college through visual representation, display posters and handouts. It was great to include our neighbouring Lutheran schools (St Peters Dimboola and Nhill Lutheran) as part of the booth this year. The Student Representative Council operated a drinks stand, selling cool drinks to thirsty customers. One of the college’s key themes this year is community and this week provided a great opportunity to engage with members of the college and Wimmera community. One of the week's highlights was when current and ex-students, parents and friends stopped by the booth to say ‘hello’ and talk about how the school is progressing and engage in general discussion. A huge thank you to the staff who spent time on-site during the three days, the students for volunteering their time and everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring the field days experience to life for HTLC. We are fortunate to live in a great community and the field days is another positive reminder of how lucky we are.

Matthew 25:35

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me"

On Friday, I participated in the first day of the Aspiring Principals Program, a one-year course that I have enrolled in as a way to help prepare me for the first full year of my principalship. The day provided opportunities for me to engage with other leaders who are starting their principal journeys as well as hear guest speakers talk about the important topic of governance. We also had the chance to go through the results of a leadership assessment that was completed before the program commenced, a task which provided interesting insights into what leadership characteristics we possess and which ones we should look to develop. I am looking forward to the rest of the program, which will be delivered over the course of this year.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Marey Sundaraj

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).

‘Pau’ is a Chinese bun that is enjoyed by everyone in Malaysia for breakfast or tea time. The dough is made with flour, yeast, salt, sugar, vegetable oil, water and baking powder. After kneading, the dough is left to stand for one to two hours, giving time for the yeast to work through the dough and bring it to rise. Then the dough is punched down, the preferred filling is added into the pau, and it is then steamed for consumption. This is how just a small portion of yeast is used and spreads throughout the whole dough, fermenting in such a short time.

Our God, who loves us and is all-knowing, sent Jesus Christ so that through his death and resurrection, we be brought into the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven started small, built through the ministry of the prophets and the disciples, with Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19). The good news of Christ is that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, which brings salvation to all whom God calls. The gospel impacts the world as does the yeast in dough. The yeast is in small quantity, yet it impacts and works through the large amount of dough.

As Isaiah 55:11 says, ‘So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it’. So, it is with the preaching of the gospel. When the gospel is shared, it works in the heart of each person, bringing them into repentance and faith in Christ’s saving grace. The joy of the Holy Spirit and the gift of salvation prompts us to carry the gospel into the world through words and action. This we see in the lives of the apostles and early church believers, which resulted in the extension of the kingdom of heaven throughout the world. The yeast in the parable, which is the gospel message, secretly and irresistibly has transforming power, hence we as God’s people need to go into the world to preach the gospel. God’s will is that the church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will continue to work for the extension of God’s kingdom. Let us arise and build. All praise and honour to God!

What do I do with the gospel message that has been entrusted to me?

Little Desert swimming and tennis competitions

A great big thank you to those students who participated in these competitions. Please see Mr McLoughlin's sports report for the resulting details. I would like to thank Ms Davis for her organisation of our school’s participation in the tennis competition, and I thank Mr McLoughlin for his great organisation of HTLC participation in the swimming sports.

Year 5 camp

From Monday to Wednesday, the Year 5 students enjoyed learning about early Victorian history, particularly about life in the early life of the Victorian goldfields. Thanks to Ms Davis for leading the camp preparations, as well as Ms Habel and Mrs Rokebrand who used the camp as a celebration of the teaching changeover for class 5A. Thank you also to the parents who prioritised assisting in camp, both formally and informally assisting this event.

Friday chapel

Last week 4F gave us a great message on based on Matthew 13: 1-8. Don’t be overcome by the problems and troubles of the world, just focus on the present and the positive actions you choose will be a great witness to others!

Year 3 and Year 5 to sit NAPLAN tests

At HTLC, we encourage everyone to sit NAPLAN tests, so the Commonwealth government receives a true indication of how the education system is achieving.

NAPLAN testing happens each year for Year 3 and Year 5 students and as a school, we continue to promote the same message as we promote in class: students can be proud of their effort in this testing situation when they try their best. By trying your best, not only can you be proud of your efforts, but your family and also your school family can be proud of your efforts!

A big thank you to Learning and Teaching Coordinator Mrs Jacqui North who has led our staff team in the Junior School for NAPLAN preparation for Wednesday-Friday next week.

Year 6 camp to Melbourne

We wish the Year 6 team all the very best as they prepare to experience Melbourne next week. Thank you to the teachers who have put in a great effort to prepare for this camp, as they know the great benefits a camping experience achieves, like team building and relationship building, that just cannot be obtained through any other means!

Foundation Faith Bags presentation at chapel

A special chapel occurs on Friday next week, when our Foundation students receive their faith bags. All parents are invited to attend, as our smallest students find out what makes our school so special! It is a privilege to work in a school where part of our curriculum allows students to explore their spiritual intelligence and become aware of those philosophical life questions that help us discover who we are as human beings.

Mr Adam Borgas, Head of Junior School

Celebrating teaching and learning

This week, JS Teachers have commenced a self-review of the AITSL Professional Standards for Teaching, which will guide their own professional development journey. As educators, we are life-long learners and have a commitment to improving practices to ensure the best outcomes for our students.

Each fortnight, the Teaching and Learning section of the newsletter will recognise those students who have received awards and celebrate the learning that takes place at HTLC.

Awards

FJ: Alfie J and Nara F, FL: Ethan C and Hadley W, 1H: Linc D and Joey N, 1P: Jake M and Claire P, 2H: Jorja L, 2S: Timothy S and Aston B, 3B: Oscar A and Ollie W, 3D: Nash N and Hazel P, 4F: Jack S, Tristan vZ, Deegan H and all of 4F, 4M: Leo P, Luella R and Xavier S, 4R: Steele O and Daniel A, 5D: No awards due camp, 5A: No awards due camp, 6H: Audrey J and Aizla S, 6N: Judd O and Jack A, 6V: Charlotte H and Zack P. Specialist awards: Technology: Meg A, Performing Arts (F-2): Jake S, PE: Alexa W, Chinese: Ted S and Lachlan E.

Our Trinity Tiger (5-6) Award recipient was Rhianna T, Trinity Cub (3-4) Heidi R and Trinity Cub (F-2) Alexis M.

Student work

This week, our Year 1s have been working on place value in Maths. They have looked at what objects can represent tens and ones, such as MAB blocks and popsticks. In this task, students had to match the popcorn pieces with different ways to represent numbers in the correct popcorn bucket with the corresponding number.

Mrs Jacqui North, Junior School Teaching and Learning Coordinator

Field days

This week has been busy with many staff and students travelling out to the field days site to offer their assistance. Thanks to the Senior students for their willingness and initiative in engaging with parents and the broader community at the college stand and drinks booth, demonstrating their maturity and responsibility as positive ambassadors for our college.

Uniform

All secondary students are reminded that sports uniform may be worn only on specified days for each year level and during timetabled periods for those students who have undertaken VCE programs requiring sports attire. Students are encouraged to check with their Year Level Coordinator or homeroom teacher if they are unsure of these days.

Hats

Hats are compulsory during Term 1 and should be worn at all times when outdoors. New hats may be purchased, if needed, from the uniform shop.

Assessment

As we approach our first formal assessment cycle, parents are reminded that staff will be posting feedback on the Hub following the completion of tasks. We encourage you to discuss these comments with your child and to follow up with teachers if you have any concerns. Reporting to parents in this way provides parents with a regular and timely update of their child’s progress.
Please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator if you are experiencing any difficulties accessing information on the Hub.

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Year 11 and 12 Christian Studies

We are running a new program this year for Year 11 and 12 students for their Christian Studies lessons. Instead of having a weekly Faith and Formation class they will have a half-day workshop each term.

The Term 1 Year 11 workshop will take place during periods 4-6 on Thursday, 21 March. It will be a time to learn more about Easter and reflect on its significance and also enjoy participating in some practical activities related to Easter.

Our Year 12 students will be taking a servant leadership role and each making a small contribution to the organisation of a special Easter event for the whole community on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 March. There will be reflective activities, communion, a short play and supper. We hope that the school community will come and enjoy this event. Keep an eye out on the school Facebook page and in Hub announcements for “The Easter Journey”. We hope that this might become a Year 12 tradition in future years.

Mrs Leanne Jenion, Christian Studies Coordinator

Year 9 news

On Thursday 29 and Friday 1 March, Year 9 students participated in their first Rite of Passage ceremony for the Rite Journey Program, The Calling and Departure Ceremony.
During these ceremonies students are called to leave their childhood ways behind as they begin their journey into young adulthood. Thursday night's Departure Ceremony was one that students were fortunate to share with their family members. After the Calling Ceremony early on Friday morning, students headed to Halls Gap to participate in a variety of activities relating to challenges and themes they will face in the Rite Journey.
Students had a fantastic time and learnt that they are capable of more than they thought.

Mrs Alicia Schneider, Year 9 Coordinator

Black Ranges Division swimming

After the official release of results for the Black Ranges swimming last week, I am pleased to announce that HTLC secondary students had 30 individual first-place finishes, 11 second-place and six third-place. In the relay events, four teams finished first, four in second and one in third.

Standout performances on the day were Jacob M, who won eight individual events, Edward J, seven individual event wins, and Ellua B, six individual event wins.

Students who finished in first place, or in the winning relay team, have earned progression to the Greater Western Region finals.

Little Desert Division swimming

On Wednesday, it was the primary school students’ turn to take on the best of the division at the Horsham Aquatic Centre. Conditions were perfect to be in the pool, and the students made the most of it, winning seven individual events, finishing second in four and finishing third in four. HTLC almost managed a clean sweep of the relay races, winning six of the eight events (11 girls 4 x 50 metres freestyle, 11 boys 4 x 50 metres freestyle, 12-13 girls 4 x 50 metres freestyle, 12-13 boys 4 x 50 metres freestyle, 9-13 girls medley and 9-13 boys medley). The other two teams finished in second place.

Standout performances on the day were Abel N (overall first place in 50-metre butterfly and 50-metre freestyle), Vincent B (overall first place in 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre freestyle), Emily L (overall first place in 50-metre butterfly) and Lacey A (overall first place in 50-metre backstroke).

Students who finished within the fastest four times overall, or in the fastest two relay teams, have earned progression to the Greater Western Region finals.

Little Desert Division tennis

Yesterday, Miss Davis travelled to the Horsham Lawn Tennis Courts with Jack A, Nixon B, Lachlan E, Emily L, Sienna N and Halle S for the Little Desert Division tennis finals. The students were required to play round-robin matches against three other students from the division, before a series of play-off matches if they finished on top of their pool.

All students won sets during their pool matches. Jack A and Lachlan E finished second in their pool, narrowly missing out on playing in the final four. Nixon B won his pool and went through to finals, finishing second overall.

In the girls' half of the draw, Sienna N, Halle S and Emily L all won their pools and played against each other in the finals. Sienna N won both of her matches, finishing first, with Hallle S finishing second, and Emily L third.

All players showed tremendous skills with their abilities as well as teamwork and comradery. They should all be proud of their efforts as well as the way they represented our College.

Nixon, Sienna and Halle will advance to the Greater Western tennis tournament in Ballarat on Monday, 25 March. Thank you to Miss Davis for supporting the students on the day.

AHPVSS 2024

Congratulations to all the students who earned a place in HTLCs Human Powered Vehicle team for 2024. It is very special to see the number of students who continue to be interested and invested in this unique extra-curricular program.

Round one of the Australian HPV Super Series kicks off Saturday next week at McNamara Park in Mount Gambier. Both the Junior School girls and Middle School girls will begin their national championship defence, while the Junior School boys will be riding a new trike to try and make the jump from the top five in the series to the podium. Good luck to all the students and staff involved with the program this year.

Greater Western Region swimming

The Greater Western Region swimming will be held on Friday, 22 March, for both primary and secondary students. The Years 7-12 event will begin about 9.45am and continue until about 1.15pm, with the Years 4-6 event starting about 1.45pm to finish at the conclusion of all events - this is likely to be after the end of the school day.

Students who have been successful in qualifying for this event will be notified soon via Consent2Go.

Coming events

March

16 - AHPVSS round one: Mount Gambier eight-hour

19 - Secondary athletics trials day

22 - Years F-2 Athletics Carnival

22 - Greater Western Region primary and secondary swimming finals

25 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior volleyball

25 - Greater Western Region primary tennis

26 - Secondary Athletics Carnival

27 - Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival

April

19 - State primary and secondary swimming finals

19 - Black Ranges intermediate and senior girls AFL

22 - HTLC primary and secondary cross-country

23 - Greater Western Region intermediate and senior volleyball

Mr Matthew McLoughlin, F-12 Sport Coordinator

For children, the concept of "fair" can quite simply mean getting what they want...

But did you know that obsessing over fairness is not just a case of your child being self-centred but is actually a crucial step in their cognitive development?

Here are three quick ideas to help when your child feels "it isn't fair!":

1. Embrace the learning opportunity

Fundamentally, fairness is a foundational concept that kids start grappling with early on. It's critical to recognise that your child's fixation on fairness isn't just about getting his or her way; it's about understanding their place in the world. So, instead of saying "You have to do things that aren’t fair because that’s life", use these moments as teaching opportunities to help develop empathy, resilience, and a nuanced understanding of fairness. Engage her in conversations about why certain situations might feel unfair and explore different perspectives together.

2. Set clear expectations

Make it clear that while fairness is important, life isn't always going to be perfectly equitable. Encourage your child to voice their concerns respectfully, but also gently remind them that sometimes decisions need to be made in the best interest of the family as a whole. It's about finding that delicate balance between honouring their feelings and preparing them for the realities of life. Give them in fantasy what they can’t have in reality (“Don’t you just wish…” and “Wouldn’t it be great if…”).

3. Lead by example

Remember that kids are like sponges; they absorb everything, especially from their parents. Your actions speak volumes, so be mindful of the messages you're sending. Show your child that while fairness is important, so is grace, compromise, and sometimes, just rolling with the punches.

Listen to episode #941 of The Happy Families Podcast - https://happyfamilies.com.au/podcast

You can register for your free Happy Families Premium School Membership through our school's unique URL.