Christmas greetings.

In my end of year communication that went out to families via email on Wednesday I highlighted several points that would be of interest to parents and caregivers as we finish off the year and prepare for the next. I encourage you to read it or get in touch with the office if you didn’t receive this email so it may be forwarded to you.

As my time at the college comes to an end, and I prepare for the principal role at another school next year, I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to those who have made my time at our wonderful an absolute joy. I would like to thank our parents, families and friends who have been a support to our community. For our amazing teachers, teacher aides, Wellbeing Team, administration, and support staff who have guided and encouraged our students at every opportunity. Finally, I give thanks to our Heads of Sub schools, Mrs Sally Kuchel, Mr Jason Przibilla and Mrs Fiona Friberg, and our College Council Board, for their continual care and support of myself, our staff, students and families.  It is through love, grace and hope that our Christian community has grown from strength to strength and for that I give thanks. It has been an honour to have served as the principal of HTLC and I wish Mr Phillips God’s richest blessing as he takes on the role next year.

With our Senior School students concluding today, Middle School students on Tuesday, and Junior School students on Wednesday, please note that our Main Reception will close on Friday 16 December for the Christmas break. It will reopen at 8:30am on Monday 16 January.

There will be no newsletter next week, so I ask that families look to the previous communications from either myself, Heads of Sub schools, or classroom teachers for any relevant information that would be needed prior to the Christmas break.

I wish all members of our college community a blessed Christmas and I pray that you have a safe and enjoyable holiday that it is filled with peace as we once again celebrate our Saviour’s birth.

Blessings and farewell.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Kimberley Pfeiffer

There will be no gloom for her who was in anguish (Isaiah 9:1).

In 1518, Martin Luther introduced a new way of thinking to the church that he called a ‘theologian of the cross’. In his Heidelberg Disputation, Luther encouraged Christians not to be theologians of glory who only look to good things as signs of God’s presence and favour. On the other hand, a theologian of the cross understands that even and especially in suffering, God is present and at work – just as he was at Christ’s death on the cross. This is a helpful lens for us as we read today’s reading and as we realise that God is urging his people to become theologians of the cross. God asks them to put their trust in his promise because a time of tribulation is coming, and they will see God’s glory revealed by their faithfulness.

After Isaiah spoke God’s prophecy about Christ, he gave directions for it to be bound and sealed for history’s sake. Then, he went on to say the only thing to be done was to wait and rest their hope in God. Isaiah told God’s people that this would not be an easy season because God would be hiding his face from the house of Jacob.

The other aspect of being theologians of the cross is knowing that though we will not be spared suffering, we will be given hope through it. So, we know that we need not fear struggling as though it will destroy us because it is through suffering that God’s glory is revealed. As Scripture says, ‘there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish’ (Isaiah 9:1). This cannot simply be comprehended by worldly wisdom. So, lift up your heart. Wait for the Lord. Christ is coming, as he did on that first Christmas. Thanks be to God.

Dear ever-present God, give us hope to trust in your promises when we struggle amid life’s trials. Strengthen our faith in you through these challenges and keep us secure in Christ in faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wow! Can you believe there are only three days left of the 2022 school year! It’s been a very busy week in the Junior School and next week promises to be equally exciting.

Transition for 2023

On Tuesday 6 December, our Junior School enjoyed their Transition Day. Our Year 6 students moving into Middle School spent the day experiencing the programs offered as they progress into secondary school, 2023 Foundation students joined us from 9:15am until 12:45pm, and other year levels spent the morning with their teachers and classmates for 2023. Our Year 5 students were excited to meet their buddies on this day. As you are aware, class lists have now been sent to families. It was reported that some of the emails were not received, so please contact our administration team if you require a copy to be sent. Letters have now also been sent to parents regarding Year 6 Genesis classes for 2023. We look forward to the opportunity this program delivers for our students.

Next year our Junior School staff will be: 

• Foundation: Miss Victoria Janetzki and Miss Natalie Lienert
• Year 1: Mrs Claire Harvey/Mrs Jo Koschmann and Miss Keely Pope
• Year 2: Mrs Emma Ison and Miss Meagan Silvers
• Year 3: Mrs Roz Buckman, Mrs Alison Driller/Mrs Alethea Gulvin and Mrs Jemma Fox/Mrs Jennifer Liston
• Year 4: Miss Claire Burke and Miss Kylie Rainsford
• Year 5: Miss Chloe Davis, Miss Bethany Harris and Miss Annika McDonald
• Year 6:  Mrs Jacqui North and Mr Kobus van Zyl
• Specialist teachers will be Miss Anna Habel (Visual Arts), Mr Adam Engert (Technology), Mrs Meggy Boan (Chinese 3-6), Mrs Tarn McDonald (Physical Education), Mr Mark Busbridge (Library and Performing Arts: F-2), Mrs Michelle Hahn (Performing Arts 3-6)
• Learning support teachers: Mrs Susie Penny, Mr Mark Busbridge, Mrs Jessie Ferguson (Enrichment)
• Aides: Mrs Kristy Altmann, Ms Maria Deleeuw, Mrs Carmen Dridan, Mrs Nicole Fischer, Mrs Andrea Risson, Mrs Leisa Wearn, Miss Rebecca Roy, Mrs Lynette Morrow and Mrs Janelle Whittaker.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Mrs Genevieve Kreymborg, Miss Kimberley Crabtree, Miss Georgia Kirby and Miss Loretta Martin in the Junior School. We thank them all for their service during their time at HTLC.

Year 1 Games Night

It was delightful to see our Year 1 students enjoy their games night after school on Wednesday. Thank you to staff and helpers who helped to provide this opportunity for our students.

Foundation Celebration

Last night the Foundation students of 2022 celebrated their first year of primary school. It has been a pleasure to watch them grow in confidence and independence and would like to congratulate students and teachers for the fantastic evening to celebrate our Foundation students’ achievements.

SRC Shopping Day

Members of the SRC, accompanied Mrs North and Mrs Polack, enjoyed our annual Christmas shopping trip today. Funds raised by the SRC this year were used to purchase gifts for the K-Mart Wishing Tree. Thank you to everyone who has supported the SRC’s fundraising events this year.

Reports

Student reports were sent home this afternoon. Please take time to read your child’s report thoroughly and contact your child’s teacher if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s progress. 

Year 6 Celebration

On Monday morning our Year 6 students will celebrate the completion of their primary school education at the Year 6 Celebration Service and a family morning tea. We are looking forward to reflecting on the learning journey of the Year 6 class of 2022. Following this, Year 6 students and teachers will be heading to the Horsham Aquatic Centre to complete the celebrations with a pool party.

Free Dress Day

Next Tuesday will be a free dress day for all Junior School students. Please send a cash donation for the Christian Emergency Food Centre. Students are asked to wear closed shoes (not thongs or sandals), have their shoulders covered and bring a hat. Thank you to everyone who brought items for the Reverse Advent Calendars, which will also be donated to the CEFC.

Friday - Last Day of School and Closing Services

Next Wednesday is our last day of school for 2022. Please note the following details:

• School will finish at 3:20pm. 
• All students are required to wear their formal summer uniform.
• Year 3-6 Closing Service will be held at 11:30am in the MPC. This will include Academic, Service and Endeavour awards for Years 3-6, Year 6 Special Awards and the announcement of the 2023 Junior School Captains. The service can be viewed live or recorded using this link:
• Foundation to Year 2 Closing Service will be at 1.45pm in the MPC.

Parents are welcome to attend either or both services.

Chapel 

This week 1I prepared a recorded Chapel service to share with our community. The Bible reading was Isaiah 9:6. They also visited the Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village on Wednesday morning. Next week Year 2B will be presenting a Christmas drama as part of our closing service.

Congratulations to this week's award winners!

FJ: Sehaj Singh, Arlen Fry, Sarang Sunilkumar FL: All of FL 1C: Jayla Ellis, Laila Barnett 1I: Henry Eagle 2B: Abel Forbes 2H: Ella Ryan, Dakota Mutimer 2S: Havish Ganeshprabu, Rylie Petrass, Emily Rudolph, Kingston Li, Sebastian Lee, Lacey Adams 3B: Zara Barlow-McCallum, Liam Rose 3D: James Penny, Alexa Watson, Layla King 4B: Nahla Midgley, Camille Arthur 4M: Cypress Kenny, Allira Steicke, Myra Sharma 4R: Lola Kerr, Judd Oakley, Sydney Currow, Mahli Harris, Halle Shurdington 5D: Jack Arnott, Lenny Carter, Jenna Lockhart, Hylton Penfold, Annabelle Walker, Malaya Willmore 5H: Jemma Hoffmann, Savannah Korf, Stella Moore, Cooper Inkster, Arkie Mackley, Rafael De Real 6M: Frazer Shurdington. Kirrily Dandy 6N: Zeagan Young, Ben Smith. Haranoop Singh, Lani King 6V: All of 6V Technology: Mason McDonald P.E.: All of 3B Holy Trinity Tiger Award (5-6): Eden Dunn Holy Trinity Cub Award (3-4): Hamish Croxford Holy Trinity Cub Award (F-2): Nash Neumann

Happy Holidays

As we come to the end of the school year, I would like to thank you all for your support during 2022. I wish all of our students and families a joy filled festive season, where the good news of our Saviour’s birth is central. I pray you have a safe and relaxing summer, and look forward to seeing you next year, ready to start another busy year of learning. 

Mrs Fiona Friberg, Head of Junior School

Year 9 Rite Journey Homecoming Ceremony

On Wednesday night the Year 9 cohort celebrated their graduation from the Rite Journey program with their Homecoming Ceremony. This night was a culmination of the year-long program and marked the 7th and final Rite of Passage for the students. The ceremony was held in the MPC and included a message from Pastor Gus, video call from program founder Andrew Lines, an address from the Middle School Captains, personalised testimonies from selected students, discussion with family members and finally a presentation of certificates to symbolise graduation from the Program and the Middle School. It was fantastic to witness the families coming together for the evening and celebrating what amazing young adults we have at Holy Trinity Lutheran College. A big thank you to Year 9 Coordinator Mrs Georgia Thomas who put many hours into organising the night, the Teacher Guides for helping to prepare the students and Mrs van Buuren for assisting with the catering.

The final Rite Journey commitments for our students will be the iDesign Project Showcase which will be held next Monday morning at 9:45am in the Middle School. The Showcase will be an opportunity for students to display the many projects they have been working on throughout the course of the year.

Transition Day

On Tuesday our 2023 Year 7 students gathered in the Middle School for their Transition Day. The students were full of energy as they participated in a range of activities on the day.

The morning session started with a variety of ice-breaker activities and then a welcome message from myself, before the students broke into their House groups to meet the House Coordinators and Captains, and to receive their HTLC gift bags. The remainder of the morning, the students participated in an amazing race challenge where they moved around the Middle School to complete a number of activities. After recess, the students rotated through Science, Food Technology, Pastoral Care and PE classes. There were plenty of smiles and a positive energy throughout the day, and I look forward to these students officially starting with us next year. Thank you to Mrs Engert, the House Coordinators and Middle School staff for working hard to provide an enjoyable day for all.

End of Year News

Week 11 – Final Week

Monday 12 December

• Student Casual Dress Day – no charge
• Books and folders sent home
• Year 9 Rite Journey iDesign Showcase
• Activities program running for 7-9 classes

Tuesday 13 December

• Formal Uniform to be worn
• Middle School Graduation Morning Tea
• Last day of school for Middle School students. 3:20pm dismissal
• Closing Service 11:30am
  The Middle School Closing Service will be held on Tuesday 13 December at 11:30am in the Multipurpose Centre. All students are expected to attend this service.
  Parents are welcome to attend in person or can watch the service from home through a live link that will be provided for families.

• Holy Trinity Lutheran College Yearbook issued
• 2023 Classlists issued

Wednesday 14 December – Friday 16 December

• No students on-site
• Staff on-site

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport 2023

Selection of Academy members for 2023 is now almost finalised. With the outstanding level of achievement of so many of our students, identification of those to participate in our program has certainly been challenging. The 12 selected students will receive a letter of offer in the coming days. They are asked to return their acceptance of the offer to College Administration before next Friday or at the beginning of the new school year. We congratulate the group of 12 students who have been selected and look forward to commencing their programs at the beginning of Term 1, 2023 with exciting new opportunities to access resources and services that will enable them to achieve their potential in their chosen field of sport.

Cambodia Learning Tour

A reminder to those participating in the Cambodian Learning Tour that the next payment is due on Monday 12 December. This will be the final payment for 2022 with the outstanding amount due in April of 2023.

Booklists and Stationery Lists

Campion (Ballarat Books) Booklists should be completed online by Friday 9 December with the option of home delivery or collection from the College between 10:00 and 3:00pm on Wednesday 18 January 2023.

Orders may by placed after the due date either online or at the Campion Retail Service Centre, 5 Yarrowee Street, Sebastopol.

Stationery lists are due to the College by Friday 9 December and can be collected from Shelton and Lane Stationery on or after Friday14 January 2022. Late orders may be dropped into the shop.

Closing Service

Yesterday we culminated the 2022 school year with our Closing Service and presentation of academic and service awards to senior students. We commend each of these students on their outstanding achievements and look forward to the challenges of the 2023 academic year.

Our College leadership for 2023 was also announced, with the following students elected to leadership:

House Captains:

Wimmera: Wil Tippet and Leah Eilola
Mallee: Silvie Hahn and Hannah Borlase
Lowan: Lars Simmons, Ellie Heard and Ruby Simpson

Senior Leadership team:

Jessica Daniell and Silvie Hahn
Zoa Mock and Leah Eilola
Wil Tippet

Year 12 results

We wish our Year 12 students well as they await their release of their results on Monday.

Christmas blessings

As we draw to the close of the 2022 academic year, we reflect on yet another year of growth in the Senior School. The programs we offer our students continue to expand as we strive to meet the diverse and individual needs of our students. Our flexible learning spaces accommodate our mature learners by allowing them the space for choice and personal management of learning.

Sincere thanks to our Senior parents for your continued faith and support. We wish you God’s richest blessings for Christmas and the New Year and look forward to working with you and your children again in 2023.

Important VCE dates

• Monday 12 December - VCE Results, ATARs and VTAC Scaled study scores will be released on the 2022 VCE Results and ATAR Service from 7:00am.

Important Senior School Dates

• Friday 9 December - Last day for Senior School. Year 10 & 11's Big Day Out

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Volunteers Morning Tea

We would like to personally thank all parents/caregivers that have kindly volunteered their time at school this year. Whether that be through PMP sessions, coaching sporting teams, timing for trials, assistance on event days including swimming, athletics, cross country etc.

Thank you to those that were available to join us for a morning tea celebration, without your assistance many programs within the school are not a possibility, so a huge thank you to you all!

Year 6 vs Year 7 Football Match

This week on Monday saw the inaugural Year 6 vs Year 7 Football matches played for both the girls and boys teams. Thank you to everyone that was involved in arranging and participating on the day.

Conditions were perfect for the hour-long match which demonstrated the skill and talent of our players here both in the Junior and Middle Schools. This is a fun event, bringing students together to display skill and true sportsmanship. It was an enjoyable afternoon!

Swimming Carnival Year 4 to 6 February 2023

A special thank you to those parents/caregivers that have completed the Operoo Form relative to Swimming Carnival Event Selections for those students heading into Years 4-6 next year. There is still time for those that have not as yet had an opportunity to do so. Please feel free to jump online this week and complete event interest for your child at your earliest convenience.

We value your support in assisting with this as our Swimming Carnival is scheduled very early in Term 1 on Thursday 15 February.

Representative Sports Uniforms

If any families have any HTLC representative uniforms at home can these please be returned to school prior to the end of year that will be amazing. Thank you to those students who have already been returning items, this is very much appreciated!

Yours in Sport!

Mrs Hayley Thomas, Junior Sports Coordinator

A deeper look at basic psychological needs in your ADHD child

Raising an ADHD child can be an experience in extremes. When times are tough it feels impossible to get through another round of chaos. This is the part everyone else usually sees - and judges. But when times are good, your heart soars. You experience your child at their best, and you wish that everyone else could see them when they're "like this"...

How can we create an environment where an ADHD child feels safe, is emotionally regulated, and can grow and develop in a developmentally optimal way? What is the secret to those balanced moments where everything is "right"?

In ADHD Answers, Dr Justin Coulson takes a careful look at the basic psychological needs of your ADHD child. Dive deep into the elements that encourage nurturing relationships; develop strategies for creating a sense of competence and confidence in your child; and explore ways to expand autonomy and safe, healthy, wise decision-making that work within appropriate limits.

This is a follow on session to A Parent's Guide to Raising a Child with ADHD, and consists of a 40-minute presentation outlining how to integrate an understanding of your child's basic psychological needs with your everyday parenting practice (and regular family life) and a 20-minute Q and A where pre-submitted questions were answered. 

To view this pre-recorded webinar visit https://www.happyfamilies.com....

HTLC have partnered with Happy Families to offer free premium memberships to all HTLC families! To access your free membership please click here: www.happyfamilies.com.au/user/...

Many people see Christmas as a wonderful time of celebration and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. However, there are some that view it as a time of stress and hardship. This may be due to a combination of things: financial pressures, relationship issues and, quite often, loneliness, making it a very challenging time.

Often the true meaning of Christmas can be lost due to commercial exploitation, but there are a number of things you can do to create a magical Christmas, without the financial burden. Creating or maintaining traditions can contribute to a sense of comfort and belonging.

Unfortunately for some, there is also an ugly side to Christmas. Support organisations often report an increase in the number of calls from people seeking help due to their inability to cope during this time. If you, or a loved one, is finding that it is all too much, then it is important to reach out to a trusted friend, family member or medical professional.

In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of ideas on how to achieve a stress-free Christmas and where to seek help should you need it.

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 College Wellbeing Team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report: https://htlc.vic.schooltv.me/w...

Parents and carers of students wanting to participate in our 2023 Instrumental Music Program (regardless of whether they are a new OR continuing student) are required to return Expression of Interest forms through Operoo by Friday 16 December. Please contact michelle.hahn@htlc.vic.edu.au for further information or assistance. Our 2023 offering includes Piano, Drums, Flute, Guitar/Bass guitar, Saxophone, Theory, Trumpet, Voice. We will endeavour to place as many students into the program as possible, however, in many cases, places are limited, so first preference will be given to continuing students. The Music team is very much looking forward to supporting your child in their musical journey next year.

The lost property at Holy Trinity Lutheran College is currently overflowing with many items. A table has been set up in the corridor of the Junior/Middle School Reception with lost property on display. If your student has lost anything, we encourage you or your child to check this table.

If their jumper/jacket isn't there but there is one of the same size, please take that one until theirs turns up. 

Save the date for our HTLC Fair - Friday 24 February!

If you pre-purchased tickets before the cancellation of the Spring Fair and will not be able to attend the new date, please return your tickets to our Junior/Middle School Reception for a refund.