Term 3 I Friday 30 August 2019

From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

Thanks to all the teachers who have been working with the students in rehearsals on each performance as well as the behind the scenes crew who have put in a great effort.  Well done to everyone.  We have some photos in this edition of The Way.

The South West Festival last Saturday was our best ever wasn’t it?  The weather was glorious and close to 10,000 people came through the gates throughout the day.  A very large thank you to the organising team, led by our Marketing and Community Relations Manager, Mrs Carmen Pasapera.  Special thanks also to all our staff, students and parent volunteers who gave their time to help on the day and also leading up to the event.  It is certainly a community effort and it is lovely to see it growing each year. 

Today we held the Father’s Day Breakfast.  Even though it was a cold and rainy morning it was great to see our Fathers and Grandfathers come along and share in this special time. Thanks to the organising team and our MRK Team in the preparation of a delicious breakfast.  We wish all our Dads a nice Father’s Day on Sunday. 

Today we announced the Senior Student Leadership Team 2020, including Captains, Vice Captains, Sports Captains and Prefects.  This is a wonderful honour for all those elected and to Year 12 in general.  We encourage you to pray for these young people as they assume their positions for 2020.  A special Assembly will be held next Wednesday for families to commission the leaders.  You will find the full list of names further in this edition. 

Next week the Year 12 Illuminate Event will be held on Thursday 5 September.  This is an important opportunity for the Class of 2019 to showcase major works from Creative Arts, English, Drama, TAS,  HSIE and the Extension 2 subjects.  It is always great to see the array of talent from our students. 

Next week we will be hosting the annual Grandparents Day next Friday in the Junior School.  We look forward to welcoming you for this special occasion which provides Grandparents a special opportunity to engage in the lives of their grandchildren at the College. 

A reminder that during Term 4 the Administration building will undergo a renovation program to allow us to grow the Clinic and bring the College Counselling Team into the enlarged Health and Wellbeing Centre.  We will also add 2 interview spaces and office spaces in the new building.  The renovations will naturally have an impact to our visitors entry and will communicate the changes asap.  Thanks for your consideration during this time. 

Thank you once again for your continued support of the College.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

 

 

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Roger Young

Recently I shared with students about a young man, Hugh Evans, whom I had the privilege to meet and spend some time with back in 2005.

Hugh was twenty at the time, he had just been selected as Young Australian of the Year for his work in helping to establish an aid & development organization called The Oaktree Foundation. As a young fourteen-year-old, he spent time as a World Vision Youth Ambassador. As part of his role Hugh had the privilege of visiting World Vision work sites in various countries. At one-point Hugh was living with a family on a rubbish dump in the Philippines. He got to experience first-hand the stench of rotting food and the very primitive living conditions his new friends faced each day – while trying to sleep, he regularly had rats scurrying past his feet, along with huge cockroaches and bugs climbing over him on their way, as if Hugh were an intruder on their patch. As Hugh lay in bed, he remembers thinking through what he had just experienced. He had a choice! He could go home and ignore what he had just experienced and just forget about it, or he could choose to do something to help the young people in terrible situations. He chose the latter. As a committed Christian Hugh prayed a simple prayer, “God help me to serve the poor for the rest of my life!”

What an amazing prayer! What is more amazing is that God has honored Hugh’s prayer and sustained him and supported him in fulfilling his vision to serve the poor to this very day.   Hugh has an enormous heart for people and particularly young people in impoverished conditions. The Oaktree Foundation is still going strong over 15 years on and it is still focused on raising money for young people caught in poverty.

Today at 36, Hugh is no longer involved with Oaktree, however, he is still serving the poor through an organization called, ‘Global Citizen’. This organization has raised billions of dollars, which has been put towards seeing young people educated, housed and clothed, providing young people with a sense of hope and dignity. He regularly meets with world leaders and has the support of numerous famous celebrities and bands that want to make an impact upon poverty.  That simple decision made as a young boy to ‘serve’ has made all the difference in millions of lives.

What can we do as a community? What can YOU do as an individual? Good questions to ponder as we focus on Service!

Over the next season of the College we will ramp up opportunities for students to get involved in practical ways to serve. The newly announced Prefect body will lead the way. Thank you to all our teachers and volunteers who actively supported us over the South West Festival and throughout the various activities across the College community.

 

 

Mr Roger Young
Deputy Principal - Senior School Student Development
From the Chaplain
bible

Wilberforce was born into England’s privileged class in 1759. He became a member of British Parliament at the youthful age of 21, while still a student at Cambridge University. His was a life of privilege and power, but he had a clear vision to serve which was shaped by the Christian faith he came to own in his 20’s.

The movie Amazing Grace portrays the life of Wilberforce, who fought for decades to transform the thinking of England’s ruling class around the practice of the human slave trade. He was compelled to act after having the reality of this evil activity explained to him. His response in sharing this with others was: “Having seen all this you can choose to look the other way, but you can never say again, 'I did not know.”

Wilberforce set his course of action to abolish slavery. He and a growing number of ‘abolitionists’ were convinced that all people were made in God’s image, they had infinite dignity and were born free from being owned as the property of another.  In this sense, he shared Amy Carmichael’s concern for the basic human rights of every individual.

Perseverance is one of our College positive learning values and Wilberforce demonstrated this in the extreme. It took 20 years until the Slave Trade Act 1807 was passed, stopping all new slavery. It took another 20 years until the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 made illegal all slavery. It was his life’s work, and he died only a short time later at the age of 74.

William Wilberforce is an inspiration for later campaigns to bring social justice to the underprivileged and disadvantaged, even to our day. He deeply believed that followers of Jesus could and should have a positive influence in shaping society for good. He was very generous with his time and money in a number of causes, such as educating the poor through the establishment of ‘Sunday Schools.’ He was passionate about animal welfare, establishing the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was also committed to the work of overseas missions, being a founding member of the Church Missionary Society (CMS).

Wilberforce was a man of deep Christian faith and action. He persevered in serving to change the course of history. Such faith and action are needed today in the midst of social change where the value of all human life is still brought into question.

Mr Matthew Richards
Assistant Chaplain
Literary Legend Rebecca Honoured

Mrs Smythe and I sat proudly in the audience as Rebecca Lin, 2018 Thomas Hassall Graduate, took the stage to receive her First in HSC English Extension 2 certificate for her short story, Melaka’s Voices. We made sure to purchase several copies of the 2018 Young Writers Showcase anthology featuring Rebecca’s short story.

Melaka’s Voices explores a walking journey through young Charlotte’s grandmother’s childhood town of Melaka in Malaysia with her grandfather, Popo. The story, in Rebecca’s words, seeks to capture the ‘conflicting hybrid narratives that define both Malaysia and today’s multicultural Australian identities’.

In the Author’s Note, Rebecca generously thanked her English Extension 2 teacher, Mrs Smythe, for inspiring her love of literature and making the 12-month journey to submission of her story an enjoyable 'adventure'. As the English and Drama Coordinator, I am also grateful for Mrs Smythe’s commitment to teaching and expansive literary knowledge.

Rebecca is putting her extensive literacy skills to good use, studying a Masters of Primary Education at the University of Sydney and giving back to THAC by tutoring in our Study Centre.

Congratulations Rebecca and Mrs Smythe!

Mrs Vanessa Refalo
English Coordinator 
Term 3 Important Dates

Term 3

Wednesday 4 September Prefect Commissioning Assembly
Thursday 5 September Illuminate 2019 - A Showcase of Year 12 Major Works
Friday 6 September Junior School Grandparents' Day 
Friday 20 September Prep & Kinder Tabloid Carnival 
Wednesday 25 September Hot Topics Event 'Cultural Marxism - Imaginary Conspiracy or Genuine Threat?'
Thursday 26 September Prep, Year 1 & 2 Tabloid Carnival 
Friday  27 September  Class of 2019 Graduation
Last Day of Term 3 

EventsBack to Top

Book now for the Holiday Football Camp

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Football camp

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Football camp 2

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Football Camp 3

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Football camp 5

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Date:   Tuesday 8 - Friday 11 October 2019 (2nd week of the holidays)

Time:   8.30am - 2.30pm

The College is excited to announce that we are opening the School Holiday Football Camp to students at Thomas Hassall Anglican College, their friends and family.

Students will be involved in activities that develop skills and promote understanding of the game. The daily training will be designed to improve the skill level of each individual. 

Our Football Director, Mr Sonny Makko will be leading the program and it is offered to boys and girls in Kindergarten to Year 9.

BOOK NOW!

We are now taking bookings, so get in early to avoid missing out on some holiday football fun!. view the flyer here  and book online here
Step out in Steptember for Cerebral Palsy

Every step taken and every dollar raised will have a powerful impact on many people's lives: from funding leading cerebral palsy research, to providing specialised support services, equipment and life skills programs that will enrich the lives of people living with cerebral palsy.

Come Steptembering with us this year! Steptember officially starts 3 September and runs until 30 September. Register as a team of 4 at www.steptember.org.au and enter the password THAC2019. You can even log other activities like dance, swimming, cycling and pilates as it will convert those activities to equivalent steps.

Once you register, you’ll receive your very own Steptember Kit, which includes a pedometer to count your steps, and access to the Steptember website, where you can track every step. Signing up is quick and easy. We hope you're join us!

For more information, email Miss Friel at [email protected]. 
Illuminate 2019 - Thursday 5 September 2019

From 7pm

‘Illuminate’ is a gathering of teachers, family and friends to experience all the major works of students from Creative Arts, English, Drama, TAS & HSIE

We will be displaying the major works of our current Year 12 students and featuring work from Extension subjects. It's always wonderful to see the hard work and effort the students put in for their HSC Major Works.

It is expected that all major works will be displayed at this event and students will be in attendance to discuss their work, answer questions and enjoy celebrating their achievements from 6.45pm.  

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mr Michael Clisdell
Director of Events

 

LearningBack to Top

News from the Senior IRC

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Have you checked out the IRC's Canvas Page?

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IRC's Canvas Page!

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Research help on canvas!

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Subject Guides on the IRC's Canvas Page

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Subject Guides on the IRC's Canvas Page

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Subject Guides on the IRC's Canvas Page

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Subject Guides on the IRC's Canvas Page

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Great new books in the IRC!

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More great books in the IRC!

The IRC’s canvas page is the perfect place to go for everything Library related at Thomas Hassall Anglican College. 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!

Regularly updated, it is the place for any students needing information or research help for their assignments. For more information please speak to Library Staff.

Canvas in detail: Subject Guides

One great feature of the IRC’s canvas page is the Subject Guides. These guides are for Year 11 and 12 students and provide a helpful start to locating useful and accurate information for assignments. 

Each subject guide has four different sections:

1. Shelf Help? – Information on where relevant resources can be found in the library, including the correct Dewey Decimal number for the topic.

2. Useful books in the IRC - A sample of the great printed resources found in the IRC including their Dewey Decimal number and location.

3. Useful Websites - Reliable and helpful websites to start you on your research journey.

4. Great YouTube Videos - Good quality YouTube videos that provide helpful information on the topic.

More subject guides are added each term, brand new subject guides for Legal Studies, Music and Drama have just been added. Make sure you check them out today!

Check out the images at the top of the page for a glimpse of the subject guide for Boudicca and the Celts!

What’s new on the shelf?

Everywhere, Everything, Everyone – Katy Warner

“On her way home from school, Santee takes a detour to the outskirts of town with a boy that she likes – and then finds herself stranded overnight when his car breaks down. When she’s finally able to get a lift towards home the next morning, Santee discovers that everything has changed. A 'safety border' – a wall – has gone up around her part of town, imprisoning her family and trapping her on the outside...”

An exciting new story about the power of resistance and the importance of hope and standing up for what you believe in. With a touch of romance, this is a wonderful debut novel.

Songs of a war boy – Deng Thiak Adut

“Deng Adut was six years old when war came to his village in South Sudan. Taken from his mother, he was conscripted into the Sudanese People's Liberation Army. He was taught to use an AK-47 and sent into battle. Shot in the back, plagued by illness and the relentless brutality of war, Deng's future was bleak. A child soldier must kill or be killed. But, after five years, he was rescued by his brother John and, miraculously, they became the third Sudanese family resettled in Australia.”

An inspirational memoir of a courageous young man who overcame terrible hardships and trials to create a new and better life for himself in Australia. Moving and heartfelt, this novel brings to the forefront the plight of asylum seekers in our world today.

Book in a Jar Competition

Back by popular demand the ‘Book in a Jar’ competition will be held again Term 3 this year. Parts of five books have been placed in five jars in the Senior IRC. Can you guess the name of the book in each of the jars? 

Students who can guess all five books will win a great prize! All entries need to be in by Friday 13th September.

For more information please see Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.

Overdue notices

Overdue notices have been sent out.  If any students require a printed list of their loans please speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.

Students who do not return their books after receiving their third notice as well as an email will be invoiced for a replacement copy.

Please remember that all invoices will still stand if books are returned after this final date.

If you have any problems or questions regarding overdue books please speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith who will be happy to help.

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team
Year 7 Portrait Painting

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Year7PortraitPainting

They also exude life and personality, as does the cheerful, exuberant students who painted them.

Well done and congratulations to the students of 7.5 for such great art making!!

Mrs Cheryl O'Mara
Senior School Teacher - Creative Arts
Senior Assembly Performance

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There are 20 students in the HSC Music class for 2019, with lots of great talent to share. At the last assembly, Liam P performed ‘Step Aside’ on tenor saxophone and Harrison D performed “Bad Asteroid” on the electric guitar. Both students performed very well, and are working hard towards their final performance taking place in 2 weeks.

In addition, Liam P, along with Ben W, have been selected to be part of the “All Star Big Band” to perform at the Manly Jazz Festival this year on the October long weekend. This band is comprised of students from around NSW, and it is an honour for these boys to be selected in this group. It will be an amazing experience for them.

The Senior Stage Band is also performing at the Manly Jazz Festival, on Saturday 5 October, at the Stars of the Future Stage, from 1pm – 2pm. This is a free event, and a lovely weekend out for the family to enjoy live music.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles
Year 12 Visual Arts

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SGao

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Szhong

Students have chosen from a range of expressive forms, and researched and devised their theme to build a Body of Work. Below is a taste of the wonderful works that will be on display for Illuminate.


Stephanie G: this is one pencil drawing from a series of three which deals with our tendency to collect consumer products which we at first embrace with great enthusiasm but eventually they become our biggest burden.

Lara P: This is a detail from Lara’s large painted canvas which captures the energy and engagement of a dance party. She was inspired by her experience as a rock musician and by the idea of ‘dancing like an animal”.

Susan Z: Susan was fascinated by the idea of just how fragile nature can be. After exploring this idea of fragility and experimenting with the medium of paper, she has produced two large paper sculptures.

We look forward to seeing you there at this wonderful showcase of HSC student work across a range of subjects.

Mrs Cheryl O'Mara
Senior School Teacher - Creative Arts

 
Disability Provisions for the HSC

To ensure that we create a level playing field for all of our students in the Higher School Certificate Examination, Disability Provisions are available to a small number of students in Year 12 with documented medical or learning difficulties.  Disability Provisions may include the use of reader writers, withdrawal, rest breaks and occasionally, for extraordinary circumstances, extra time.

NESA requires detailed evidence before provisions are granted for certain conditions. If you believe that your student maybe eligible, please contact myself or the College for details of NESA requirements.

Disability Provisions may be available even though your student has not accessed provisions before.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Disability Provisions,

Mrs Julie Smythe
Learning Support Co-ordinator, Senior School

Performing ArtsBack to Top

The Hub Performances

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The HUB is an event where various students perform for their friends in a friendly relaxed environment outside Mrs Riitano’s Kitchen. Nashita H (Year 10) was also the student MC for this event, and did an excellent job engaging with the student audience and introducing the performers.

This HUB saw Sacha G sing a song and accompany herself on piano at the same time! Olivia W also sang and Evelyn K performed Rey's Theme on the keyboard.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles
South West Festival Performances

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Year 4

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Junior Choir

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Senior Choir

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14 music ensembles performed throughout the day, along with the Junior and Senior Dance Academy groups, soloists, and small ensembles on the Courtyard stage.

The amazing weather was great for the audiences too, and it was very nice to see many families and members of the public watching our students perform throughout the day.

Thanks to all the parents involved for supporting your child with all their practice leading up the event, and the weekly support of rehearsals at College. Well done to all involved.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles
Year 11 Driver Awareness Training Day

The six interactive sessions included: speed and stopping, drive S.O.S, the ‘I’ in drive, road choices, crash investigators, and Genevieve’s story. We had the opportunity to hear from a Police Officer and discussed the key risk areas for young drivers and passengers. We also heard from a crash survivor, and had the unique opportunity to investigate the collision that changed her life. 

This day was an eye-opening and educating experience which challenged the way road safety is viewed. It allowed us to identify crash factors realising how they are preventable; appreciate how personal factors affect risk; develop personal strategies and plans; and approach driving as a social responsibility.  

Brielle Bithio 
Year 11 Student 
Amazing Race

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Peer Support

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Peer Support

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Peer Support

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Peer Support

This required many of the students to persist through a variety of challenges in order to receive the winning prize. Each team successfully managed to derive the provided clues that were designed to test their ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and work together in order to efficiently complete the course. This allowed students to use a broad set of their skills and enhance the positive relationship between their peers. However, the main focus of the day was to create an exciting and judgement-free environment for all to enjoy as it was a great success and a fun experience for both the Peer Support Leaders and Year 7 students.

Congratulations to Year 7 Wilberforce for coming in first place with their outstanding performance and to all the PCs for their amazing efforts.

Emily Fitzgerald and Anna Nguyen
Year 7

 

Basketball Development Program - Kinder - Year 9

Summer IPSSO new basketball

Summer IPSSO new basketball

NASSA Basketball Gala Day

NASSA Basketball Gala Day

The College is excited to launch Basketball as an additional sport in the 2019 Talented Athlete Program. Utilising our new gymnasium and the experienced coaches from Camden Valley “Wildfire” Basketball Association, afternoon basketball development sessions will be offered to students.

The Basketball Development Program is offered to both boys and girls from Kinder to Year 9.

The one hour sessions are designed to improve the skill level of each individual and cater for all abilities.

Students will be involved in fun activities that develop skills and promote understanding of the game. There are no trials for this program.

All sessions will occur from 3.00 – 4.00pm and will be conducted in the new sports facility.

*  Tuesday - Year 1 - Year 4 Program

*  Wednesday - Year 2 - Year 6 Program    

*  Thursday - Kinder - Year 2 Program

*  Friday - Year 6 - Year 9 Secondary Program 

For further information, please contact Mrs Evans, P-6 Sports Coordinator and TAP Coordinator - [email protected]

Mrs Sharon Evans
P - 6 Sports Coordinator
Snow Sports Northern States Championships

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Catarina

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Catarina

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Catarina

Catarina finished 12th Skier cross & 4th Alpine in the Northern States Championships.

She has now qualified for the Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships to be held in Mt Buller over September 3rd - 8th.

Congratulations to Catarina!

Mr Michael Fox
Senior School Sports Coordinator 
NASSA U15's Gala Day

The College AFLers represented us strongly in the NASSA U15's AFL Gala Day. The Boys Team won the event and our Girls Team placed 3rd.

These students played exceptionally well. They, more importantly, had an enjoyable day playing AFL and represented the College with excellent sportsmanship and pride!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated on the day! 

CommunityBack to Top

Kathmandu Discount for Thomas Hassall Students

If you go to the Narellan or Macarthur  store from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 September, Thomas Hassall students will receive this one off community discount. You will see Kathmandu Narellan & Macarthur offer guidance and expertise with important information on correct fittings for backpacks, different sleeping bag options, choosing the correct footwear and technical information on clothing and apparel. This is an ideal opportunity to learn more about what is needed for your upcoming adventure and ensure you’ll be safe and comfortable. 

Simply present the attached letter and your student card at the Kathmandu Narellan or Macarthur store from Thursday 5 September to Sunday 8 September to redeem your FREE Summit Club Membership and gain access to your community discount. This is a great opportunity especially for Duke of Ed or Kokoda participants to start collecting gear at a discounted price.

For the discount letter, click here: 

For more information contact Miss Friel at [email protected].