How are you surviving the wet weather and flooded roads?
It’s been another big week of interruption and uncertainty, hasn’t it, and we trust that our families are managing. Stay safe. Thanks for your consideration of the changes that we have made during the week regarding transport and dealing with flooded roads. Our hearts go out to all those families who have been displaced around the State. It will be a difficult few months ahead for many.
The South West and West of Sydney have been impacted by floods many times across the years, as College families who have lived in the region for many years will confirm. However, we can see that, albeit slowly, local main roads have been improved, and roads and land in new developments are being raised above the critical levels.
In spending some time with Year 2 students this week talking about Thomas Hassall the person, we heard stories about his early life as a school student at Parramatta, and also when he lived on a farm on the Hawkesbury River at a time when a large flood occurred. Let me quote one story, written by his son James, about that time:
‘… I heard my father (Thomas Hassall) tell of a great flood in the river, which occurred at the time when, with twenty others, he escaped to a house where they remained until the flood subsided. The rain continued for six weeks, without intermission, and the people in the house had only a single bag of flour to live upon for some time, and were without any other of the necessities of life…’ p174 In Old Australia – Rev James Hassall.
Later, when he was married, Thomas Hassall, his wife Ann (Marsden) and their 8 children lived on their farm Denbigh at Cobbity. The property is still there, and Year 2 students will take an excursion to Cobbity and the region, to find out more about Thomas and his background. It’s a great study of our namesake.
The Swimming Carnivals were reduced to competitor only carnivals this year because of the weather, and our best swimmers will move on to the NASSA and CIS representative carnivals. Congratulations to all the students who placed in events at the College Carnival and to those students who have progressed further.
COVID continues to impact family and community life. As we continue to progress towards normal programs, there remains a need for families to communicate any positive cases to the College, and to maintain those COVID safe practices that are encouraged by NSW Health. College families have all received additional supplies of the RAHT tests for your own use and timing.
Our traffic plans for improvement continue to take shape, and we will communicate any further changes in the coming weeks. Thanks for your support for all we do at the College.
‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’. 1 Peter 5:6-7
