Welcome back to a new year! Not sure if you managed to have a break but I feel optimistic about this year and all that we might achieve and experience together on this journey.
The old proverb, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is a metaphor for what happens at Thomas Hassall. It simply means that the entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children so that each of them can experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. There will be great opportunities and the accompanying challenges. There will be hurdles and obstacles to overcome but also rewards and great satisfaction when the outcomes are achieved.
We have so much on offer both in the classroom and across the College community that we can’t help to be excited by the possibilities; new opportunities, new challenges and exciting adventures. We have seen students arrive back with a tone of positivity and determination as they reengage with their learning. All good learning will take effort and at times students will take a fall. Regardless of what we each might have achieved in past years, 2023 will have a unique set of challenges. For Year 12 the HSC has become more competitive as places at university, are going to be harder to win with the markets increased demand for places from overseas students. Year 11 will discover that expectations have shifted; there is more expected of them in terms of assessment, amount of content covered and the high skill level needing to be mastered. The Year 10s should be settling more confidently into the rhythm of school life and should be looking to get involved as positive influencers across the community. I look forward to seeing the big group from Dukes continue to develop their hearts to serve others. Years 8 and 9 have a more demanding time as they work out where they fit in the community. Student relationships at this point are tested. Good friends find their relationships implode as student identity (am I cool enough) start to dominate their thinking. Finally, Year 7 in any school is a testing time; adjusting to High School, changing classes, numerous teachers, increased expectations in terms of homework etc while we are all trying to make new friends in an alien environment.
In all of this and more, our community is best working through the issues together. Listening to the children; acknowledging their fears and challenges and providing wisdom for the journey. It is not straightforward, and it is certainly not unique. Students worldwide have faced the same challenges. It does help when we are all connected and committed in the community. To this end, let me encourage you to stay in good communication with your child/ren, the teachers, the College executive and College staff. It is not a problem if you need support or assistance for a particular issue. We do want Thomas Hassall to be a place where you feel part of the community.
As the year goes on we hope to catch up with you at some of our numerous contact points: Parent Teacher Information evenings, Parent Cafes, Special events e.g. Mothers’ Day & Fathers’ Day, after school pick up etc…
Our community gathering for one of our ensemble evenings.
Camps can be challenging but are amazing for building community and developing new friendships
As students prepare to go on camp, let me thank you in anticipation for your support. Finally, I say with confidence that our greatest example of authentic community is sharing life with Jesus. I am so pleased that it is not just down to a few flawed individuals like myself. Have a great Term ahead!
Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
