Term 1 : Thursday 15 February 2018

The first of our Junior School Parent Information Sessions was held yesterday with many parents coming along to learn more about the expectations, themes and processes for the year ahead. It was well attended and the parents heard some vital information for their grade, from camp information to homework expectations and programs that are happening across the College. We also held a community BBQ between the two sessions that was cooked by our wonderful Year 12 leaders. Thanks so much for serving the Junior School in this way.  These sessions will be repeated next week so please put it in your diaries to come along and join us for both the formal information session and also the community BBQ.

The partnership between home and College is crucial for success so a main focus of all sessions was looking at the language we use in the classroom to support positive learning.  We are providing a SHARED LANGUAGE in every classroom and teaching space across P-12. We are striving to enrich students’ educational journey and provide them with a consistent approach towards learning.

We encourage all our community to think of themselves as learners, both teachers and students. We want to look at the behaviours that help students in their learning, gives them ownership and skills to work on. We also want a positive focus on behaviour, we ask questions such as ‘ is what you are doing valuing the learning of others?’ rather than ‘stop being disruptive!’ This encourages the student to reflect on their behaviour, talk about the choices that have been made and identify what needs to change. We want to celebrate their successful engagement with learning and their achievements. Teachers are continually seeking to find opportunities to affirm students when they are demonstrating these desired behaviours and attributes – catch them doing the right thing.

We believe that when students engage with Positive learning it maximises success in learning for all students. Please join us in using the positive language with your child at home.

Positive Learning.jpg

We have a number of students from Prep through to Year 12 who have life threatening food allergies. 

Please do not send any nuts or food containing nuts to College. 

Students who require an Epipen need to bring their Epipen to College each day. 

Junior students should keep their Epipen in the red bags provided by the College and carry it with them when they leave the classroom.

Senior students should carry their Epipen in their pencil case, and should not be left in their locker.

Thank you for your cooperation in this.  

Karen Tindall
College Nurse
 

On the front of the PEC complex, the steel support structure for the front decorative panels are being lifted into position while at the back facing the sports field, feature panelling is also being installed. On the inside many teams are working in the Sports Hall installing huge ceiling fans, speaker systems and acoustic linings in preparation for the timber sports flooring system being laid in a few weeks. In the change-rooms and toilets, painters and tilers are working hard before all the fixtures are installed. There is still lots to be done but thanks to the great team from Mark Moribito Constructtions, we are confident it will be completed sometime during Term 2.

Warren Murray
College Manager 

Bring a blanket, some chairs and the family for a fun whole College Event.  We will be selling food and drinks on the night and playing a movie that will suit all ages.  We will bring you more information very soon!  

STEM, an acronym which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is an integrated approach to learning about these fields while helping to develop students understanding, creativity, critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills using real-world applications. Awareness of STEM learning has been growing through its integration in curriculum as well as several national and state government initiatives. The University of Sydney have been running their STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy since 2014 and have a vision to be a national leader of teacher enrichment in STEM.

At the end of Term 4 2017, 6 Thomas Hassall teachers, representing the Science, Mathematics and Technology (TAS) faculties, attended the initial three-day training as part of the STEM Academy program. Teachers took part in STEM activities, heard from past STEM Academy schools, attended curriculum-focus sessions, were inspired by speakers such as Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and spent several hours working together as a team planning for a Year 7 STEM project to be delivered at the end of Term 1 2018. More details about this project will be published later in the term, however, the STEM team are excited to inspire all Year 7 students through STEM while developing their skills and a greater awareness of future careers in STEM.

Mrs Megan Bennett
Coordinator of ICT Innovation in Learning

The TAP Swimming program is designed to identify talented students from Years 3 – 12 and offers an extensive training program to students who have represented Thomas Hassall Anglican College at the NASSA carnival level or above.

In 2018 we are excited to extend the program to include an extra day for students to train. 

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the College term (except public holidays)
Time: New time for 2018 is 5.45am - 7.15am
Venue: Whitlam Leisure Centre - 90A Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Cost: Fees will be charged per term
Transport: Parents are to make their own arrangements to get children to the pool for a 5.45am start. Students will be transported by mini bus to College at the conclusion of the session.

The squad-based sessions will be structured to adopt best practices and will focus on stroke development and correction, developing strength and endurance. 

Sessions will include race preparation, dives and turns.

Eligibility
The TAP Swimming program is offered to all students who competed at the NASSA Junior or NASSA Senior Swimming Carnival. However, if there is a talented swimmer who did not attend the College Swimming Carnival they may be assessed to be part of the program.

If you would like more information about the TAP Swimming program, please contact Mrs Evans [email protected]

Brochures are available at the College Office.

THAC TAP Swimming 2018 v1.pdf

THAC TAP Swimming 2018 v1.pdf

Sport for students in Years 3 - 6 occurs every Wednesday during Periods 5 and 6.  Children have the opportunity to participate in the IPSSO teams or the College Sport program. 

IPSSO - Term One Draw

Students who are not involved in IPSSO teams will participate in the Year 3 -6 College Sports program. 

All sports are taught by qualified coaches and the sport runs for the entire term.  There is no cost associated with the program as is covered by College fees.

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator

The Junior Swimming Carnival was held on a sunny day at Prairiewood Leisure Centre on Thursday 15 February. 

The day gave all students an opportunity to have a go, with children entering 50m, 25m or novelty events. 

There were some very close races, with many swimmers now attending swimming squad to improve their skills. 

I was most impressed watching the improvement of our Talented Athlete Program swimmers, who have been training hard under the guidance of our new coach Blake Medhurst and Danielle French.  It was great to see spectators cheering their house on. Mrs. Morris and Mrs Brown had lots of fun doing novelty events in the indoor pool.  The relays are always a highlight to finish the day, and the grandstand was alive with cheering and support for the swimmers in the water. 

A big thank you to all the parents who assisted at the carnival, without their support, the carnival would not have been such a success.  I would also like to thank the Secondary PASS students, under the guidance of Mr Kaye, who eagerly assisted on the day.  They did an excellent job encouraging the Juniors and helping where needed. 

Results from the carnival will be published in the next edition of The Way.

Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator