Term 4 : Friday 9 November 2018

Senior School is busy in the midst of our examination period with Years 7 and 8 completing their final examinations this week and Year 10 starting their examinations next week. It can be a stressful time for students and parents as student look to improve their results whilst managing the feelings of anxiety that exams can bring. Just a reminder that students in Years 7-9 who missed an examination during their exam week need to complete catch up examinations in Week 5. They need to report to L Block at the start of period 1 on Tuesday 13 November. If you have any concerns or queries about any examinations, please contact the Subject Coordinator first to discuss your concern.

X-THACTOR and Market Day

Term 4 is such a busy time with examinations to be completed and marked and Final Reports to be written. Whilst all these events are happening, preparation is underway for two of our major events for Term 4, X-THACTOR and Market Day which occur on Friday 30 November.

X THACTOR is a performing arts competition where students can display their talents in a variety of categories including aspiring singers, dancers, instrumentalist, bands, actors, comedians and magicians. Students need to collect an Application Form from the Creative Arts Staffroom (M Block) and return it by Friday 16th November, along with a video audition. Heats are held in early week 7 with the finalists performing on Friday of week 7. Talented celebrity judges adjudicate the winners on the day. Please encourage your child to participate and showcase their talent for the benefit of the College community. It is a great event on the Calendar and is followed by our fundraising Market Day.

Market day is where PC groups in Years 7-9 organise stalls to sell food or beverages to all Senior School students to raise money for Anglican Aid. It is a great day where students come together to contribute to the positive culture of the College and raise funds for those in need. Students are able to serve one another at the College and the wider community as they look at being outwards focused and learn the joy and benefits of service.

No doubt the next two months will be a very busy family time as you all attend various Christmas functions and prepare for the New Year. I wish all College families a safe and Happy Christmas and hope that you all enjoy some relaxing time with family and friends over the holiday break.

Lines of Communication

If you need to contact the College, we would encourage you to use the following lines of communication that will assist you in speaking with the right person to resolve any enquiry/concern you may have as quickly as possible.

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I encourage parents to keep the College informed of anything that you feel may impact your child’s performance or behaviour at the College so that we can support and assist them.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6-7

Mr Hugh Renshaw
Head of Senior School

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is best known for writing the song, Joy to the World. He wrote it, despite disliking music in church, he thought it was dull. It was his father who gave him a challenge to do something about it. This set Watts on a lifelong pursuit to write lyrics that praised Jesus and reminded Christians of their hope in his saving work on the cross. This is exactly how he came to write, Joy to the World.

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One day he was reading Psalm 98, and verse 4 gripped him:

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break into joyous song and sing praises!”

And this is exactly what Watts set out to do. But it's not about the Jesus' birth, it's about the story of Christ’s return—his second coming.

You can see it quite clearly in the words. Verse 1 says;

Joy to the world! The Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing

The earth did not receive King Jesus, but like sheep, we went astray. Still, we know that there will be a day when this will not be so.

Verse 3 talks about sins and sorrows being no more:

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

If you have lived on this earth for more than two minutes, you know that this is not our current experience. But there will be a fulfillment of all Christ’s work that is not fully expressed this side of eternity. So we have hope. And that brings joy despite our circumstances.

The final verse says:

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love

These final lines speak of how the nations will take an active role in revealing the glory of God. That certainly isn't today, but that day will be wonderful! 

It's a wonderful song that can be sung at any time of year, even Christmas!

I pray that you and your family experience something of the joy expressed in this song that is found in Jesus.

Have a very blessed Christmas.

Rev Stuart Tye
College Chaplain

We are very pleased to offer a limited number of Academic Scholarships for students entering Years 7 and 11 in 2020. To be considered for a Scholarship students must register and sit the ACER examination. Outlined below are the details regarding how to apply.
 

Applications close: midnight AEDT Monday 4 February 2019

Test Date: Saturday 23 February 2019

Application Fee: $100

Location: Thomas Hassall Anglican College

Steps in the Scholarship Process:

1. Register online to sit the ACER Scholarship examination at http://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships 
2.  An invitation to sit the examination will be sent prior to the examination date, including location at the College and requirements for the exam. In the meantime, please advise the College if there are any changes to your contact details.
3. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their scholarship applications in early April 2019.
4. Online individual reports will be available to parents in April 2019.

If you have any questions please contact Mrs Amanda Low, Enrolments Co-ordinator on 9608 0033.

Applying for school travel passes has never been easier. The online process is thanks to a partnership the College has with Transport for NSW.

The application process has been simplified so new or updated applications for school travel passes are only needed when a student is:

• Applying for school travel pass for the first time
• Requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation
• Changing school or campus
• Changing home address
• Receiving an expiry notification
• Repeating a school year
• Changing their name
• Requesting a new transport operator

This means students who are progressing to Year 3 and 7 only need to reapply if they are changing circumstances.

Students who are not residents and are temporarily in Australia can provide their Visa subclass number when applying online, making the approval process much faster.

Apply today HERE. If you don't have internet access, call 131 500.

*Please note, do not throw out Opal cards - they are reusable.

Borrowing for 2018 has now finished. Students in Years 7 to 11 need to return all of their Library loans no later than Friday 9th November. Any students who require a list of their loans need to speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.

Year 12 2018 sign out

Before signing out Year 12 students need to return all of their Library loans. Students who have lost or return damaged resources will be invoiced for a replacement copy. Any students who require a list of their loans need to speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.

IRC on Canvas

The senior IRC has recently launched its canvas page. As well as providing information on the latest Library news and competitions, students will also have access to HSC and career resources, Year 11 and 12 subject guides, a library catalogue guide as well as help with the Dewey Decimal System. Research hints and tips and bibliography help guides are also available. Lots of great resources are to be found on the IRC Canvas page!
For more information please speak to Mr Smith or Mrs Comiskey.

What’s new on the shelf?
A beautiful tale of growing and learning but also illness and loss has just arrived in the IRC!
Lenny’s Book of Everything – Karen Foxlee
“Lenny, small and sharp, has a younger brother Davey who won't stop growing - and at seven is as tall as a man. Raised by their single mother, who works two jobs and is made almost entirely out of worries, they have food and a roof over their heads, but not much else. The bright spot every week is the arrival of the latest issue of Burrell's Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia.  Through the encyclopedia, Lenny and Davey experience the wonders of the world - beetles, birds, quasars, quartz - and dream about a life of freedom and adventure, visiting places like Saskatchewan and Yellowknife, and the gleaming lakes of the Northwest Territories. But as her brother's health deteriorates, Lenny comes to accept the inevitable truth; Davey will never make it to Great Bear Lake.”

'Lenny’s Book of Everything' written by award winning Australian author Karen Foxlee is a wonderful story that is both sad and also uplifting at the same time. Told over a number of years this novel follows the lives of two children, Lenny and his younger brother Davey who suffers from a rare illness that causes him to continually grow.  Through the eyes of these children readers get to experience the wonders of growing up and the excitement of learning new things, as well as the hardships of living with a loved one who is ill, the struggles and the pain that can occur not only to the person themselves but also their family around them. 
Author Karen Foxlee has created a story that all readers young and old should experience. This is an inspirational story that will stay with you for a long time. Beautifully written, moving and engaging this is a book readers will not want to end. ‘Lenny’s Book of Everything’ is a fantastic book that needs to be on everyone’s to-read list.
For this and other great new novels make sure you check out the IRC’s new book stand!

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

Advanced Pathway Program  - Secondary Boys - 15 years and under in 2019

Trials were held at the end of last term for the 2019 - 15 years and Under Secondary Boys Football Program.

All boys who are enrolled in Secondary School in 2019 and are 15 years and under are eligible to trial for the program.

If your son is interested in a position in the program please complete the attached flyer and return to Mrs Evans via email [email protected] 

Football Development Program - for girls and boys

Positions are available for Secondary girls and boys to join the Football Development Program on Tuesday afternoons.

There are no trials for this program, which commences in Week Three of Term One, 2019.

Paper copies of the application form are available at Student Reception.

TAP Football Snr 2019 v2.pdf

TAP Football Snr 2019 v2.pdf

TAP Football Snr Form 2019 v1.pdf

TAP Football Snr Form 2019 v1.pdf