Newsletter (9 February, 2024)

The second week of school began with Opening Service and it was special to have the whole school together for worship. After the service, we Installed the Junior, Middle and College Captains and presented the 2023 Dux award to Angela Rudolph and the Approxime Accessit award to Breanna Hawken. It was great to have two of our former students back at school to receive their awards. The two students also took time to address the community, passing on some words of advice to our Year 12 students for their year ahead and also sharing their plans for this year and beyond.

On Thursday night the college had its parent Welcome and Information Night, which was well supported by the community. The night started in the MPC with everyone together and I had the opportunity to address the parent community. In my message, I referenced the impact that former HTLC principals had on me developing my own leadership style:

My first long-term principal, Mr Gork, showed me the importance of leading with humility and service, and leading by example. He also demonstrated the importance of knowing your staff and placing them in positions where they can excel in the role they are given. Mr Surridge modelled how important relationships are when leading. A man whom everybody enjoyed being around and his sheer presence put people at ease with his ability to lighten the mood with one of his humorous stories or a kind and thoughtful word. Mr Weller helped me to develop an understanding of what high-level communication should look like in a school. A leader who showed respect to key stakeholders and informed them consistently of the goings-on in his school, never taking them for granted.

We also heard from Mr Polack who talked about The Hub and how it will be relied upon this year as the main source of communication with parents. Mr McLoughlin shared important details about the Sports Coordinator role, Mrs Van Buuren gave a uniform update and Vanessa Lantzakis spoke about the role the PTFA has in the school. Once these presentations were completed, parents had the opportunity to attend classrooms to hear from their classroom teacher or Year Level Coordinator before everyone gathered back together for a social gathering with drinks and nibbles provided by the PTFA.

There was a fantastic atmosphere around the school on the night and it was great that we could gather as a HTLC community in this way. Thank you to the parents for their attendance and support, the PTFA for providing the refreshments and the staff of HTLC who again demonstrated the professionalism and care that they have for their students.

For those parents that were unable to attend, a recording of the presentation will be made available and classroom teachers and Year Level Coordinators will distribute information from the classroom sessions.

Wishing everyone a blessed week.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Mr Jason Przibilla, Acting College Principal

by Pastor Jim Strelan

But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them (Revelation 11:11a).

Days of persecution. The beast (the enemy of the Lamb) attacks. Three and a half days – half of the perfect number (seven) – so an imperfect attack, but still fierce in intensity. And then the breath of life from God. In the constant turmoil we read about in these chapters, terrible as it is, God is always there. He cares for his own. God looks out for those who are faithful in their worship. He rescues. He saves.

You are familiar with the phrase, ‘the breath of God’. We recall the act of creation when God took some soil and shaped it, moulded it and then breathed his breath into what he created, and it became a living being: a breath-filled, spirit-filled being. And then, when Jesus met with his disciples after the resurrection, he ‘breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”’ – the holy breath, the breath of life (John 20:22). When the breath of life from God goes in, there is a lifting up, there is a linking of spirit with Spirit, there is safety, security, salvation.

In the cosmic battle between good and evil that is being waged all the time (not just at the end of times), good always triumphs. The Lamb on the throne defeats the beast from the abyss. The first readers of this revelation can know that, and you can, too.

CS Lewis said that there are two dangers for Christians when thinking about Satan: to not give him enough attention and to give him too much attention. When we read these words in Revelation, we need to give attention to the terrible, divine punishment for those who constantly refuse to repent. But we also need to not give this so much attention that we miss the ultimate truth: God wins. Jesus defeats the enemy. You can be unafraid. God breathes his creative breath into his faithful ones, and they can stand firmly on their feet (verse 11). The end result is that the God of heaven receives glory (verse 13).

Creative God, continually breathe your breath into me so that I can stand strong when the attack is fierce. Amen.

The school year has commenced with gusto. It's a time for new beginnings: new friends, reconnecting with previous friends, meeting different teachers, establishing new routines and adjusting to various other changes, some foreseeable, some not. For our students and their families there are a huge range of emotions and thoughts that accompany relaunching for another school year. Those thoughts and emotions may be even stronger for those students and families starting off at HTLC for the first time as Foundation students or those who have transitioned from another school.

Here are some quick tips for helping your children commence the year positively:

1. Be watchful for the full range of emotions. If children are worried, regardless of the source of their worries, it is important to acknowledge and validate these feelings. You can point out that many children may be feeling the same way, and that their concerns are understandable. At the same time, remaining calm and focusing on the positive aspects of returning to school can help to relieve some of their concerns. Try to reflect optimism and confidence to your children. Avoid introducing your own worries if you can: parent anxiety can be contagious!

2. Be proactive in establishing your routines. Review homework expectations. Identify where at home your children will sit to do homework each day, such as at their desk or the kitchen table. When are they expected to start their homework? Right after they get home or after having a snack and a 30-minute break? When are your children spending time doing other important things such as sports and non-structured down time. Where possible negotiate routines with your child to help promote their autonomy.

3. Review expectations for the academic expectations of class levels and how the family will address academic challenges. Setting expectations prior to school starting will help both children and parents.

4. Develop a good sleep routine. On average, children ages 6-13 require nine to 11 hours of sleep each night. Children ages 13-17 require an estimated eight to 10 hours of sleep a night. Develop consistent sleep routines so your student is able to mentally and emotionally prepare for bedtime. For example, put all electronics away one hour before bedtime, and keep charging stations away from bedrooms to decrease distractions. Additional routine items may be taking a shower, reading a bedtime story, getting a drink or snack and brushing teeth.

5. Maintain physical wellbeing. Eating a healthy breakfast each morning is really important. Proper nutrition can help prepare students for learning. If they're hungry, they're more likely to have difficulty focusing. Encourage your children to drink plenty of water, get enough time outside and exercising. Make sure they have time to rest and relax.

6. Have a plan for school-related conflicts. School years are a time for students to learn how to navigate relationships outside of their family and prepare them for adulthood. At times, that may mean working through a conflict or disagreement. Discuss the first step to developing conflict solutions with your child while keeping in mind that the goal of parenting is to raise independent adults. It's a natural response for parents to want to solve and protect children from conflict. However, stepping in too often decreases their ability to develop the skills and confidence needed to be an independent adult who can self-advocate. Developing an approach to help your student process and develop solutions with you will help with their skill development and help you identify serious issues that require parental involvement. Ask for help or the support of Wellbeing or other school staff if needed.

There are times when routines and plans aren't enough. If you suspect your child is not adjusting well to school and perceive there are issues concerning you, contact their teacher, Wellbeing staff or Head of Sub School for support.

Adapted from articles by Jessie Wolf for the Mayo Clinic and Penny Van Bergen, Erin Mackenzie for The Conversation.