Term 1 | Friday 26 March 2021

Across the Senior School we have been intentional in speaking with the students around their approach and attitude towards College.

The College is focused on getting the small details around uniform, technology use and attendance to a high standard. This might seem insignificant to some of our community, but these small details reflect a broader expression around our ‘attitude and respect’ towards our College community.

We have had concerns when a small number of students are unwilling to comply with the College standards or Code of Conduct. This would be a concern for parents too, and so we have been addressing this across the Senior School and taking time to ask students to remove nail polish and extra piercings, ensure that they are in the full school uniform and with an appropriate hat. For us it is not just about ‘the hat’ or ‘the extra piercings’, or ensuring students are attired in the correct uniform. Personally, I love some of the creative ways in which students want to bring expression to this world. However, if we have a commitment to move together towards a better outcome, for everyone, then I know that the whole community will benefit. I have been in schools where there were low standards in these areas which translated into challenging classroom environments that ultimately impacted upon the learning. When individuals act in a way that challenges the commitment to the overall team then inevitably there may be conflict. 

As you read the recent interim reports you will find the comments around ‘Learning Behaviours’. The four ‘tick a boxes’ include the terms: ‘rarely’, ‘sometimes’, ‘usually’ and ‘consistently’. These comments are indicators of a student’s commitment and attitude in their learning. If we have a student working at capacity, regardless of ability, the indicators will be on the right-hand column, ‘consistently’. At this point you can conclude that your child is working at a positive level and should be commended. Their attitude and effort is reflected by their attention in the classroom, and beyond, towards their work. Of course, if the indicators are falling short of this area, in a particular learning behaviour, then this is a potential area to focus on to improve. None of this is linked to a student’s academic ability. It is all linked to their attitude and effort in academic learning.

The Easter vacation is nearly there.  Time for a break ahead of a productive Term 2. 

'But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.' 1 Corinthians 12:31

This term all students and staff have been looking at ‘hope’ and how we can put our hope in God.

What is hope?

We seem to use the word hope like we use the word wish - for example, "I hope I will grow up rich and famous". However, that is not how the Bible uses the word hope.

The word hope in the Bible is closer to the word ‘wait’. It is the idea of waiting for something that you know is definitely happen.

I see hope in the Bible kind of like a microwave. You put your cold food in the microwave and you know that in a few short seconds your food will be hot and ready to eat. My hope is in the microwave. The microwave gives me hope that my food will be great.

Another example of hope is when I went camping at Christmas. I was sleeping in a tent and it rained and rained all night. The tent started leaking and I was hoping for the sun to rise and for nighttime to end. My hope was in the sun rising as it does every day. Knowing that the sun will rise gave me hope of a much better day.

The hope we see in the Bible is hope that we know we can trust!

What is your hope in?

Today I want you to see that we can and should have our Hope in God.

Proverbs 3:5-6:

With all your heart 
you must trust the Lord 
and not your own judgment.
Always let him lead you,  
and he will clear the road
for you to follow.

In these verses, the writer talks about how much we should have our hope in God. We should trust him even more than we can trust ourselves. That’s crazy, isn’t it?!

At the Junior School assemblies this term we have explored different reasons why we can have our hope in God; why we can trust him more than we can trust ourselves.

Firstly, we saw that we can put our hope in God because he is good.

Then we saw that we can put our hope in God because he made and cares for us.

We saw that we can put our hope in God because he never changes.

Finally, leading up to Easter, we saw that we can place our hope in Jesus because He loves us and has already saved us from our sin.

How great is our God, the God we can have our hope in.

God Bless

Year 12
Our Year 12 HSC students are approaching the halfway point of their final year of secondary school study. Collectively they have already completed a staggering 1,100 assessments. At this point of the year it can sometimes feel that the HSC journey is never going to end. However, I encourage Year 12 not to look at how far there is to go but at how far they have already come. There are two very busy terms to go but they will also be very exciting. University applications open in August and a number of our students will begin applying for early entry options too. Remain positive Year 12, take one task at a time and remember that we are all cheering you on.  

Study Centre
The after school Study Centre has continued to be a very popular destination for students in Years 7-12. A place where students can access help with their homework, assessments and test preparation. It’s a wonderful resource provided by the College and all Senior School students are welcome. If you are intending to come along to Study Centre please remember to bring along work to do or a book to read. Attendance at Study Centre is voluntary, so please ensure that you come along with the intention to work quietly and productively. Electronic and computer games are not permitted.  Parents, could you ensure you collect your child via the JBlock carpark pick-up area. The Study Centre operates Monday-Thursday from 2.40pm – 5.00pm.

Request for Leave
State borders have now reopened and a number of Request for Leave applications have been submitted. Could I remind parents that all extended leave requests must be made in writing. The application forms can be found via the College website. The College follows the NSW Government guidelines in accordance with their school attendance policy. Therefore, requests for leave for the purpose of a holiday for students in Years 10-12 will not be approved. The implications of taking unapproved leave is that in-class assessment tasks and examinations will not be moved and this will impact student results. Leave for compassionate reasons will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Ms Kelie Munro
Academic Dean of Students

We have been building THAC TV over the past year into an excellent platform that enables us to connect and communicate with our students even when they are not able to be physically with us.

As the next step to this process, we have developed an all-inclusive website that now houses our livestreams, and will also have a library of previous events and videos.

This new platform will be accessible to our whole College community, allowing further connection with families who may not be able to access the College site to see their child during an Assembly or Chapel.

You are now able to log on and watch live streamed events,  as well as access previous events. Please go to the familiar link tv.thac.online and use the password hassalltv and click the link at the top of the page to the Live TV section.

As with anything new we are developing, please let us know if you have any issues so we can address them. We will continue uploading historical media from THAC TV over the coming weeks.

A special thank you to all the people that have worked behind the scenes particularly over the past year for all their efforts to advance so much in this area. We have appreciated the hard work and developments that have been made to enable us to watch and enjoy the livestreams.
 

At Thomas Hassall Anglican College, we love to work together with our families to create community. 

Our Parent Community Network is one of the most important ways we achieve community and we would love you to join in 2021!

The Parent Community Network provides support to the College through:

• Assistance in the classroom (Multilit, Minilit, Reading Groups)
• Assisting at events (sports carnivals, stalls, creative arts events, College community events)
• Representing the Parent Community at community events such as Open Day and South West Festival
• Organising get togethers for grade groups outside of school hours

In order to become a part of the Parent Community Network, it is essential to have your Working with Children Check (which is free for volunteers) and participate in the online induction which includes Privacy and Child Protection Training. 

If you would like to volunteer at the College please register your details using the following Application Form

Don't forget that Cafe MRK is open on Friday mornings from 7.30am - 9.30am for parents. We would love to see you there! Here are some pictures from last Friday.

Mrs Carmen Pasapera
Marketing & Community Relations Manager

Help shape the future of a Library collection
Love Japanese Manga? Know of a great manga series that your friends would love? Would like to help the Library increase its manga collection?
If you answered yes to all three questions then you are just the person the IRC is looking for.
Manga comics are the biggest hit in the Library in 2021, and now the Library needs your help to increase the collection!
Students will have to opportunity to browse and select manga titles for the Library collection. Each student will be given a form and be asked to write down the five series that they most want to see added to the collection. The results will be tallied and the most popular books will be added to the Library’s growing manga section.
Selection time will be at lunchtime on Wednesday 31st March. Make sure you come early to ensure your choices are submitted. For more information please speak to Library Staff. 

eBooks now available in the Senior IRC
Students at Thomas Hassall now have access to digital books through the Overdrive student app Sora. The Sora app is available on Window and Mac computers, iPhone and iPad, a wide range of mobile and android devices as well as Google Chromebooks. Setting up an account is quick and easy, and there is a wide range of great books available for borrowing. ‘How to create an account’ handouts are available in the Library, and a detailed help guide that covers every aspect of the Sora app is available on the Library’s canvas page. For more information please speak to Library staff who will be happy to help.

Library overdue notices
Library overdue notices will be emailed next week. Students who do not return their books after receiving their third email notice as well as an email to their parents will be invoiced for a replacement copy. 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.

What’s new on the shelf?
‘A Dog’s Purpose’ – W. Bruce Cameron
‘See the world through the eyes of a dog in this heart-warming tale”
“All dogs go to heaven... unless they have unfinished business here on earth... Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this new life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders - will he ever find his purpose?”
‘A Dog’s Purpose’ written by W. Bruce Cameron is a beautifully written, heart-warming and emotional story that will have readers both laughing and shedding a tear. The main protagonist is a dog called Bailey and his story is told through his many different lifetimes. Readers are given a unique glimpse of the world though the eyes of a dog. We hear his thoughts, feel his emotions and gain a real insight into his perception of the world and the creatures that inhabit it, cats included! This is a funny, enduring, moving and thought-provoking novel that shows the powerful love and faithfulness that a dog has for its owner. Highly recommended for all dog and animal lovers.  

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

Zac Zamprogno is in Year 12 and is also a skilled racing kart driver.

Recently he travelled to compete in the opening round of the 2021 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship at Ipswich in Queensland.

This was Zac’s first race with his new team Patrizicorse Racing. Zac had a great race event though very exhausted as the weather on the race day was very hot and humid. He had a terrific outcome and came in 3rd place in round one at Nationals. We are all very proud for his effort and commitment.

Zac also needs to do cardio training four times a week to keep him fit, cognitive reactionary training and does many hours in a driving simulator. On the track he can travel up to 160km. 

Zac is also studying VET Automotive Engineering as part of his HSC. He was awarded 2020 Year 11 VET student from a large pool of 8 schools and over 8 different subject areas which is also a great achievement, well done Zac!