The Way Weekly Recap I Monday 25 October 2021

It has been a long haul but it has been so good to welcome students back on campus this week.

Whilst there may have been some anxiety about the transition back and the demand to maintain safe practices (masks, social distancing etc), it has been refreshing to see smiling faces and laughter being heard across the playground. It has been a lovely change to reconnect in person and to be in the classrooms sharing our collective experiences.

While there is a reality of the HSC still to come, I know that Year 12 students were very appreciative just to get back together again. I have been very impressed with the respectful patience that our Year 12's have demonstrated throughout this recent season. Please join me in encouraging and praying for this group as it quickly approaches the business end of their school career.

Years 7-11 have a staggered return but those onsite looked fresh and keen to catch up with friends and trade some stories from the trenches. All students will be finishing up final assessments for the Semester and so our focus will include:

⇒ Reconnecting as a community: teachers, students and across teams.

⇒ Giving time for students to settle into new routines and establishing COVID safe practices at every level.

⇒ Completion of the final assessments for the Yearly report.

⇒ Finishing the Year with a sense of optimism and hope about the future

⇒ Honouring the Lord Jesus Christ who offers strength and salvation to everyone as a gift that brings new life and deep joy.

Thank you to all the parents who continue to support and work with us as we meet every challenge. Finally, if you, or your child/ren, need our support or understanding then please be encouraged to email or call the College and connect via the PC Teacher, the Year Advisor and any of the Senior Staff.

Parents need to speak to their children about what they access online and on screens 

During the lockdown periods many parents reported they relaxed the rules linked to the amount of time their children spent on devices and I suspect at times it was hard to supervise what they were watching.

Now that most student are returning to face to face learning, it is an ideal time revisit these boundaries and renegotiate those boundaries. It is also an ideal time to revisit the classification rating system for films and computer games and make time to chat about your expectations for your children

Squid Games

This brings me to some concern expressed in relation to a series on Netflix, Squid Game, which has a MA 15 + rating. This rating implied that the series contains strong content and should be restricted to people over the age of 15. The series does contain elements such as sex, drug use and a strong impact on the viewers. It could be beneficial to get your children’s views on the series and how they felt when they watched it. You could remind them of the classification system for films and computer games and why those classifications are implemented.

Concern has been expressed that students may re-enact some of the games they saw in the series. I would like to encourage you to talk to your children about the expectations that they behave in a responsible and considerate manner when they return to college.

The eSafety Commissioner has resources to assist parents to conduct conversations about accessing technology with their children and how to set-up a Family Tech agreement. Click on this Link for more information on the resources for parents.

Honest Conversations are required

Children may have technical skills, but developmentally and emotionally they are in need of parental guidance. The role of parents is not to shut down the internet and their access to films, but rather to ensure that they are skilled, feel supported and have the understanding and critical skills to make the best decisions every time they are online or in front of a screen.

Mrs Jacoline Petersen
Director of Student Counselling

This year Thomas Hassall College hosted a Prayer Brunch in the MRK for Year 12 and their teachers. It was well attended with 147 students present and it was great!

The morning began with the noise of students laughing and talking. What a noise it was as 147 caught up with each other. The students were then given a great brunch – many thanks to Hanan and her crew as no one left hungry.

Following the meal, Rev. Oliver gave a devotion on 1 Tim 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Mr Whelan and Sreya Diddee from Year 12 then gave encouraging messages. While Mr Whelan focused on the journey forward, Sreya reflected on the journey travelled – It was a good time to reflect and reset. The event closed with some students praying for the specific needs of their year.

This event was a great opportunity for the students to gather to express the community they sorely missed during lockdown. The brunch was also a time to place the hopes and fear of our current Year 12 at the foot of God’s throne.

Please join the staff as we pray for our Year 12 students, not simply that they do well in their exams but that they find their place in our society.

Stringing Along

The Junior String Orchestra have been rising to the occasion by attending early morning rehearsals before College each week. The students have begun learning two new songs 'Jackeroo Jive' and 'Dance of the Cossacks' in order to lighten the mood of lockdown. 

They are looking forward to rehearsing together again when restrictions allow, but are working hard on their parts individually in order to be ready when that joyous day arrives.

Well done Junior Strings for all your efforts.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

As we return to College, there are some guidelines that we need to follow in line with the Public Health Order. 

Please contact the College at any time on 9608 0088 or admin@thac.nsw.edu.au.

We thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate through this time as a community. We look forward to seeing you all soon.