Newsletter (9 September 2022)

Greetings to all.

As we come to the end of a very wet week, I would like to encourage students and families as they drive and walk around the school grounds to stick to the designated roads and paths, while walking carefully on grassed areas. The school grounds are very wet at the moment and I ask individuals to stay clear of the obvious wet areas. Your support in this is greatly appreciated.

NAPLAN reports for 2022 have now been distributed to families. As parents spend time to analyse the data, I encourage them to remember that NAPLAN testing is only one form of assessment, conducted at one point in time. The assessment tasks provided to students at HTLC is an ongoing process where teachers use a range of methods to determine a child’s progress. As a college I look forward to the opportunity in addressing ways we can further support any challenge that may arise from these results, while still celebrating the achievements of the students and programs we have at our school. If you have any questions relating to the NAPLAN report, I ask that you contact your child’s teacher or the relevant Head of Sub school.

With the recent announcement that I will departing at the end of the school year I have consciously taken the time to reflect on what I will miss most about HTLC – reminiscing about those memories that make me feel grateful. In doing this I have found that sometimes those moments in our lives that we often take for granted are often the ones that have truly added value to it. It has been shown that when we are forced to ‘press pause’ on our lives and consciously take the time to focus on what is around us it allows us to develop a greater sense of contentment and happiness. Being grateful, I believe, is something that we should nurture daily. The Scripture tells us to always be joyful, never stop praying and to give thanks no matter what happens (Romans 12:12). In essence, we should give thanks in all of life’s events, not just the beautiful and wonderful things, but in everything. In our busy lives today, and as we come to the end of the school term, what are you going to be grateful for that perhaps you regularly miss? I encourage you to find it and give thanks for it.

A reminder that the last day of Term 3 is next Friday 16 September. Our whole college worship service will commence at 1:45pm in the MPC, with classes concluding at 2:20pm.

Wishing you all a blessed week.

Mr Daniel Weller, College Principal

by Pastor Jim Strelan

Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and purity (1 Timothy 6:12).

One of the main criticisms levelled at the Christian church and its followers by non-believers is that we are all hypocrites. We preach love, but we don’t demonstrate love. Worse still, the church has for too long been an agent of abuse in so many ways, including spiritual abuse. We have to accept that and be ashamed of it. However, we believe in God and his goodness, believe God loves unconditionally and believe he is a forgiving God, so how do we match what we think with how we act?

In the Scripture today, the Apostle Paul gives advice and encouragement to a young pastor, Timothy. He reminds him that ‘we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all, and especially of those who believe’ (verse 10). So, Paul urges Timothy, who is grounded in that hope, to not let anything get in the way of the message – not his youth (a great encouragement for the young) nor his behaviour. Be exemplary in every aspect of your life so that there is nothing that will cause anyone to stumble.

If we didn’t know it before, this following Jesus thing is demanding. Yes, Paul’s encouragement is especially for those in leadership, but all of us bear the name of Christ, and so, all of us are a testimony to the Christ we believe in. Firstly, matching our behaviour with our beliefs is about setting an example for other believers. But it is also a witness to those who look for ammunition to discredit us. I know of people who are quite out there with their faith so that no-one can doubt where they are coming from, and yet they are respected by everyone because they are seen to be genuine. Others may not share their faith, but they respect them because what they say they believe matches the way they are. Think about the impact the opposite of that might have.

Paul’s words are not meant to make Timothy feel bad or unworthy. So, when we read them, we need to know the same thing. They are words of encouragement. The God in whom our hope rests is a living God, and, as such, he works in us and through us. When our trust is firmly focused, he works in us and through us so that our lives can reflect the one we believe in. And he keeps working in us, day by day. So be encouraged.

Lord Jesus, continue to work in me so that my speech and actions reflect everything you are. Amen.

NAPLAN Results

This week the College received the 2022 Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN results. Individual reports have been received for all students who sat the reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy tests earlier this year. These results were sent home in envelopes addressed to parents on Thursday of this week. NAPLAN is a curriculum based test which aims at providing information about student achievement which can be used to strengthen the teaching and learning programs at our college. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is just one form of assessment, conducted at a particular point in time. At HTLC we value the whole child and aim to provide an environment and opportunities to develop students socially, emotionally, physically, academically and spiritually. Whilst we acknowledge that NAPLAN provides valuable information, results of these tests aren’t always an indication of future academic or employment success. If parents would like to discuss their child’s results, they are welcome to make contact with myself to book an interview time during next term’s Parent and Teacher Interviews which will be held in Week 1 of Term 4.

Middle School Student Feedback Forum

Throughout the last few weeks of term, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have had the opportunity to participate in a student feedback forum, where they have given their opinions on a range of topics including; learning, teachers, uniform, spirituality, structure of the day, classrooms and more. These forums, conducted by the Year Level Coordinators have given students the chance to share their unique perspective on being a student at Holy Trinity Lutheran College.
The views and ideas expressed in these forums will be analysed and discussed by senior leadership and will help to shape decision making and future planning for the Middle School.
I congratulate all students who have been involved for the mature and conscientious approach they have taken when giving their opinions on important areas of the Middle School.

Week 8 Spirit Of Luther (SOL) Award Winners

Orlando Heal - for assisting his friend when moving around the school
Millie Friberg - for her exemplary organisational skills when submitting work tasks on time in English
Toby Uebergang - Excellent and consistent submission of homework tasks weekly.

Interim Reports

Interim reports will be sent home with students on the Thursday of the last week of school.
Parents will have an opportunity to meet with staff for an interview during Week 1 of Term 4.
Further details on how to book these interviews will be provided with the reports.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Head of Middle School

The GAT (General Achievement Test)

Well done to our Senior VCAL and VCE Unit 3 & 4 students who completed the GAT on Wednesday. Following a comprehensive review by the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority), the GAT now includes specific information on literacy and numeracy standards, showing that students have the essential skills for further education, training or to enter the workforce.

Year 10 and Year 11 University excursions

Today our Year 10 and 11 students have participated in faculty activities and information sessions, accommodation tours and familiarisation with a university campus.
Year 10 students have travelled to Bendigo to visit La Trobe University and Year 11 students are visiting Deakin University, Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses. Both excursions will provide a valuable insight into course availability and a stronger awareness of tertiary and TAFE education experiences beyond school.

Semester 2 Interim reports

Interim reports will be sent home to parents next Thursday and interviews will be open for online booking at that time. Staff will be available on the evenings of Tuesday 4 October and Thursday 6 October evenings to discuss student progress at the mid-point of the semester.
All VCE subject teachers have requested interviews and parents are strongly encouraged to attend or make an alternative time to meet with their child’s teachers.

Holiday study sessions and trial exams

The holiday break is almost upon us. This is a valuable time for our Year 12 students to undertake study in preparation for their exams which commence in the fourth week of Term 4.
Students are strongly advised to maintain a regular study routine over the two week period. To support students in their preparation and to enable this time to be used most effectively, the Senior Centre will be open during the first week for independent study and during the second week students will be undertaking trial exams for each of their subjects.

VTAC Dates

29 September – timely applications close
7 October – SEAS applications, supporting documentation and scholarships applications close
12 December – Victorian ATAR released

VCE Important dates

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 from 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

Senior School Important Dates

9 December – last day for Year 10 and 11 students

Mrs Sally Kuchel, Head of Senior School

Please find the upcoming sporting dates for your calendar;

Greater Western Athletics in Ballarat - Friday 7 October
Hoop Time Basketball (Year 4 Girls) in Hamilton - Tuesday 18 October
Greater Western Volleyball in Warrnambool - Monday 17 October

Little Desert Athletics Carnival, North Park Stawell Friday 9 September

We had an amazing day with 27 students from Years 3 to 6 representing us at the Little Desert Athletics Carnival in Stawell. Those who placed successfully may be eligible to progress onto the Greater Western Athletics, which will be held in Ballarat on Friday 7 October (the first week of Term 4).
Further information will be sent home to students who have qualified for the next level of this event.

Father's Day AFL Football Day

Last week we saw the whole of the Junior School involved in football-related activities to celebrate Father's Day. A well-earned lunch break saw an opportunity for families to sit together and enjoy lunch, conversations and all of the excitement of the day over a pie!
Students, teachers and families were encouraged to dress in their favourite AFL football colours to celebrate the day in true form. The Junior School was certainly a sea of great colours and smiles all around, which added to the amazing vibe of the day!
A huge thank you to the VCAL and Year 6 students for their valued contributions to the success of the day!

Greater Western Volleyball

Our Year 6 Girls Volleyball team will head to the Greater Western Volleyball Competition on Monday 17 October. A bus will make the trip for the competition and all details will be forwarded to those who have successfully qualified to compete. Further training sessions are scheduled for early next term on Tuesday 4th and Tuesday 11th of October during lunch times so we are well prepared for the event. The girls were presented with individual medals on the day and received the shield to bring home to HTLC for the year. A huge congratulations to these fine volleyball players on their success against other local primary schools!

HCPSSA Badminton

Badminton teams came home with successful results with both Boys teams achieving medals with 6 wins from 6 games each. The Girls teams also contributed to winning the overall winner's shield on the day with 2 and 3 games respectively won from their 6 games on the day. A very happy team returned to school, displaying the shield with pride which is always nice to see after their efforts.