Term 1 : Friday 16 March 2018

From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

As parents we are always thinking about the best strategies for providing for the future aren’t we?  Schooling choices are numerous in this age and as a large Prep to Year 12 Anglican College we do have a point of difference for students and families.  Thanks on your behalf to our Open Day organising team. 

2019 is the 20th year of our College and we intend to celebrate this great achievement.  In that time we have established a strong foundation for the future.  There are lots of positive memories and next year will be an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and plan for the future. We will want to hold some colourful events and perhaps embark on a 20th year project.  No doubt there will be lots to do involving food and flavours of our growing South West. 

As the Oval and Gymnasium opening becomes closer to reality we are also thinking about engaging with the wider sporting community for after hours use of these special facilities.  In the interests of greater skill development and structured sports events we already engage high level coaching.  These 2 state of the art facilities will allow us to bring greater opportunities to our students.

The new Kindergarten Centre on the Southern Cross boundary will be constructed in the second half of the year and will provide 5 classrooms with break out spaces and a concentration of location for our Early Learning programs. It’s an exciting project.

Hope to see you all soon for the Movie Under the Stars evening – Friday 23 March is not far away!

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Best regards,

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Deputy Junior

This is a question posed to students across Australia in a national campaign against bullying. Our College has joined many schools and colleges across Australia in a stand against bullying. We want a united community approach to stamp out bullying and violence in our community and across our nation. This campaign is designed to help school communities to imagine a world free from bullying. It places the responsibility collectively between school, home and the students themselves. We all have a role to play in stamping out bullying. The ‘Bullying.No Way!’ website has a range of resources for parents and teachers or you can access our own School TV for more information.

What is bullying?

The national definition of bullying is:

Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Bullying isn’t

  • a mutual argument or disagreement
  • not liking someone or a single act of rejection
  • one off acts of meanness or spite
  • Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence

These issues still need to be addressed using our College policies but they are not classed as bullying.

I think my child is being bullied, what should I do?

Your first response when a child shares a concern about bullying with you makes a difference to the outcome. Staying calm, listening carefully, not jumping to conclusions, not rushing to solve the problem for them and working with the College to address the issues is essential. The website outlines some steps on how parents and carers can respond as well as helpful videos and strategies for supporting your child.

Children and young people who know what bullying is, and know what to do about it if it happens, also know they are not alone in dealing with it.

They know that parents and teachers will be willing to help if needed.

Don't wait for bullying to happen to talk about it. Go to the website, get some ideas then talk to your children, give them strategies to cope, work with teachers and counsellors and come together as a community to say:

Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au for more information.

 

Mrs Christine Bessant
Deputy Principal
From the College Chaplain

Georgia achieved 7th in the state for Music 1. I asked her a few questions recently about what helped achieve this.

Question: What have I done since graduating?

"I have been on a number of camps, meeting new people, and catching up with friends. I've been sleeping in past 7:55am, enjoying relaxing, and not worrying about the HSC or my marks."

Question: How has your faith developed at Thomas Hassall Anglican College?

"My faith has grown at College through being challenged by my peers, learning that no-one is perfect.Socially I struggled to fit in with my peers, but God helped me see that I was born to stand out."

Question: Did you faith help or hinder your studies?

"My faith has allowed me to know that it's ok when you fail, or don't receive the results you want. It's helped me see that sometimes you'll be sitting at your desk, and not be able to absorb anything no matter how hard you try. It's taught me that no matter how hard you try, you cannot be upset with your marks when you're only doing your best, for there isn't  anything more you can do than your best. However, that does not mean we can use that as an excuse not to try, or to cruise our way through. Rather it's taught me to simply do my best, and God has the rest."

Question: What were your parents role in your studies?

"I could talk all day about how my parents have helped me in my studies. But to sum it up would have to be with their support. My parents did nothing but encourage me, remind me, congratulate me, and tell me to simply just do my best. Knowing that they would be proud of me regardless of my results was always a comfort, so having a mentality of wanting to make them proud motivated me to do so."

Question: What are you doing now?

"I'm currently at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, with the hope to transfer into social work next year God willing. However I have no idea what I want to do, and am hoping that an arts degree will give me an opportunity to try different things."

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5

Stuart Tye
Chaplain

Term 1 & 2 Important Dates
Tuesday 20 March 2018 Prep & Kinder Breakfast with the Principal
Wednesday 21 March 2018 Year 1 Breakfast with the Principal 
Thursday  22 March 2018 Years 7 &12 Parent Teacher Night
Friday 23 March 2018 'Movies Under the Stars' - College Community Event
Monday 26 March 2018 Years 9 & 11 Parent Teacher Night 
Tuesday 27 March 2018 Junior School Easter Hat Parade
Thursday 29 March 2018 Senior School Cross Country
Friday  30 March 2018 Good Friday Public Holiday
Monday 2 April 2018 Easter Monday Public Holiday 
Thursday  5 April 2018 Year 8 &10 Parent Teacher Night
Junior School Parent Teacher Night
Tuesday  10 April 2018 Junior School Parent Teacher Night
Friday  13 April 2018 Last Day of Term 1 

 

Tuesday 1 May 2018 First day of Term 2
Thurs - Sat 3 - 5 May 2018 Musical 2018 - 'Leader of the Pack.'
Friday 4 May 2018 Senior School Athletics Carnival
Thurs - Sat 10 - 12 May 2018 Musical 2018 - 'Leader of the Pack.'
Mon - Thur 15 - 18 May 2018 NAPLAN Testing 2018
Monday 28 May 2018 Year 12 Parent Teacher Night
Monday  11 June 2018 Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Friday  29 June 2018 Last Day of Term 2

 

Movie Night Under the Stars - Everyone is Welcome

Bring a blanket, some chairs and the family for a fun whole College Event.  We will be selling food and drinks on the night.  

Please note the event will go ahead rain, hail or shine!

Congratulations - it's a new baby boy!

Congratulations to Kate and Peter Grima who welcomed a new baby boy to their family, born on Wednesday 7 March, Ashton Gregory.  We rejoice with them and praise God for his safe arrival. We especially wish Mum and bub well.  

'Praise God from whom all blessings flow'

Is it a bird - is it a plane?

Junior School Drone Images

This year, the teachers had their staff photograph taken using a drone.  It was a fun experience and we wanted some of the children to experience this technology.

On Monday 12 March, Prep and Year 2 gathered in the play area to watch Mr Ford flying his drone in the carpark.

When we got back to class, 2E wrote a haiku poem about what they had seen.

Haiku is a Japanese poetry form which uses just a few words to capture a moment and create a picture in the reader's mind. It is like a tiny window into a scene much larger than itself.

Traditionally, haiku is written in three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line.

We also included alliteration.

Drone

Staring silently,

Smoothly cutting through the air,

Watching, waiting …. aarrgghh !!!!

By 2E


Mrs Emma Harris
Stage 1 Coordinator 

From the College Manager

Building Update 15 March 2018

A major milestone has been reached this week with the completion of the timber sprung floor in the Sport Hall. The coloured linemarkings for the basketball, netball, volleyball and futsal courts will be marked out over the next few weeks. On the outside, the builders are focusing on all the underground services before the concreting, paving and landscaping commences so hopefully over the next month we will see some significant changes. The final touches to the playing field are now in place with the completion of the sand filled drainage lines that assist with the recycling of water after irrigation.

Mr Warren Murray
College Manager

Open Day 2018

It was great to meet so many new families from the area. While at the College visitors had a chance to hear from Mr Whelan, be entertained by our talented music students, be served morning tea by our Class Parents and hear first hand about the College on tours by our students.

A big thank you to our Class Parents representatives on the day, Pamela Stephens and Nubia Canjura Erazo, and to the students and staff involved in the day.

If you have family or friends who have missed the day, we will be holding Principal tours, twilight and weekend tours in the coming weeks.

Rebecca Clarke
Business Manager

 

 

EventsBack to Top

Leader of the Pack - 2018 College Musical

Students are working hard to learn the songs and dances for what is shaping up to be a very exciting and entertaining musical. So far, the full cast has put four songs together and our Year 5 and 6 group have started practising with the Senior School cast. The Musical Orchestra has been finalised and are rehearsing diligently. Details on the Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule is to come. Students are being measured up for costumes - don't forget to bring a suit bag with you to the next rehearsal!

We would like to thank parents and students for their flexibility in minor changes to the rehearsal schedule, and a big thank you to all the staff who are giving up their time to tirelessly help out with rehearsals, choreography, props and costumes!

A Note for the Junior Chorus:

Rehearsals are going great! Just letting you know that we will continue with the rehearsals for this Saturday 17 March and also Saturday 24 March. As the 24th March is an extra date, it is understandable if your child is unable to make this date as well. The Tuesday rehearsal time will be helpful for this. If you can make it - please come along!

17th March: 1 - 5pm.
24th March: 12:30pm to 4pm.


Please enter via Gate 3 and park/drop off at the back of the auditorium (near P block/crossing.)
If you are unavailable on any of the dates please email [email protected]

Tickets are being released very soon, so watch this space!

Ms Marina Hanna
on behalf of the Leader of the Pack Team 
 

WellbeingBack to Top

Counsellors Networking Event

It was a lovely time to share our vision about enhancing student wellbeing in our community. We invited Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists and Doctors who informed us about their services and the ways in which they support young people and families. It was a fantastic opportunity for our wellbeing teams to meet these health professionals and establish and enhance their working relationships. We want to have closer working ties with the professionals in our community to ensure that we all work towards better outcomes for the students. It’s all about their future.

Jacoline Petersen
Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator

 

LearningBack to Top

Police Visit to Years 5 & 6

On Thursday 8 March, Year 5 and 6 were privileged to hear from the NSW Police Force. Constable Mary Watson led us in a discussion surrounding Cyber Safety and Technology. Students were presented with the reality and dangers of using social media as well as the many laws put in place to protect individuals.

Constable Watson gave us a special presentation of some police equipment attached to her duty belt. Some of the equipment included: handcuffs, a radio, a baton, and hand-held protection devices such as pepper spray, a firearm and ammunition. Thankfully the students were very well behaved and none of the equipment needed to be tested!

Mrs Donna Schatzman
Stage 3 Coordinator 

Year 6 Canberra Camp

The three day excursion was full of adventure and rich learning experiences to say the least. From Parliament House to The Australian War Memorial, students engaged in a variety of small group tours. They saw legislation being debated in the House of Representatives and even sat inside the Senate! Students discovered the seriousness and heavy impacts during Australian wartime as well as visited the tomb of the ‘Unknown Soldier’.

The National Exhibition Centre saw students study the importance of Canberra and what it means to our nation. They learnt about the purposeful and intricate design of Canberra and its many important buildings, as well as its many famous architects.

Other sites that were visited included The Australian Institute of Sport, The Australian Electoral Commission and the Questacon. Students also engaged in a number of fun, physical activities including rock climbing and laser tag.

Many students created some wonderful Year memories during the camp.

“My favourite event in Canberra was rock climbing with my teachers.” – Alana

“My favourite time at camp was shooting Mrs Thompson at laser tag.” – Jai

To see more photos and camp action, photos are accessible via Canvas and require a student log in and password.

Year 6 Teachers

Performing ArtsBack to Top

Year 5 Camp - Wedderburn 2018

For some it was their first time on a flying fox, for others archery and some even experienced being away from home for the first time! Lots of fun and laughter was had by all.

Mrs Donna Schatzman
Stage 3 Coordinator

Junior Performances

In addition to all of the co-curricular ensembles, some of our students rehearse in smaller ensembles to perform at assemblies and other College events. Currently preparing for assembly performances are two small groups of students; Stella Ford, Andrea Kricka, Lucia Garido & Breana Steele, and Tim Waters, Benji Al-Khoury & Liam Swan. Big congratulations to Rico Zou for performing solo cello at last week’s P-2 assembly.

Well done to all these junior musicians!

Byron Mark
Ensembles Manager

Talented Athletes Program - Swimming

Congratulations to our TAP Swimmers who have represented the College at the recent NASSA and AICES Carnivals.

 

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 extended the program to include an extra day for students to train. 

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the College term (except public holidays)
Time:  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.

 

2018 Football Programs - Junior School

2018 Football Development Programs - Kindergarten - Year 8 (afternoon programs)

The College offers Football Development Programs for students in Kinder to Year 8.

The year-long program caters for both boys and girls and will be conducted by our Football Director Sonny Makko.

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

Students will be involved in fun activities that develop skills and promote understanding of the game.

Students can enroll in more than one day if preferred. The program runs for 35 weeks.

 

Information flyers and application forms for the 2018 football development programs have been emailed to all College families.  

Copies are available at the College Reception.

 

Program details:

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Monday  3 - 4pm            - FULL - names placed on waiting list

Year 3 - Year 8 Program                  Tuesday 3 - 4pm            -  POSITIONS available

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Wednesday  3 - 4pm     -  FULL - names placed on waiting list

Year 2 - Year 6 Program                  Thursday 3 - 4pm          -  POSITIONS available

K - 6 Girls Only Program                 Friday 3 - 4pm              -  POSITIONS available

 

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

 

Junior School Sport - Information & Important Dates

Important Junior School Sport Dates for Term One

Week 8 -             Monday 19 March - NSW CIS Girls Soccer Trials (selected at the NASSA Junior Soccer Gala Day)

Week 8 -             Tuesday 20 March – Winter IPSSO trials - Years 5 and 6

Week 8 -             Thursday 22 March – NSW CIS Swimming Carnival – Homebush

Week 9 -             Monday 26 March – Winter IPSSO trials - Years 3 and 4

Week 10 -           Thursday 5 April - Paul Kelly Cup - Year 5 and 6 IPSSO AFL team - Greenway Park

Week 11 -           Monday 9 April - NASSA Junior Netball Gala Day - Genea Centre Homebush - Year 5 and 6 IPSSO Netball team

Week 11 -           Monday 9 April - NSW CIS Primary Boys Football trials (team selected at the NASSA Junior Soccer Gala Day)

Week 11 -           Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 April – NSWPSSA Swimming - Homebush

Week 11 -           Thursday 12 April - Cops and Kids League Shield Day - Year 5 and 6 IPSSO Oz Tag team - Brown's Farm Reserve

 

Throughout the year, there are also NSW CIS trials for some sports which do not have a Gala Day as an entry path.  If your child plays representative sport in Softball, AFL, Golf, Hockey or Rugby Union please see Mrs Evans to indicate your expression of interest to be nominated for these sports.  Students need to be in Years 5 or 6 and have represented their Association in their sport.  Information regarding CIS trials and sports available is found at; https://cis.aisnsw.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx

PE & Sport

It is advisable that your child has a refillable drink bottle on Sport and PE days to ensure that they are able to re-hydrate after exercise.  A frozen drink is also a great idea.  All children are required to wear the PE cap or College hat for sporting activities.  

 

Summer IPSSO draw and College Sport - Term One 2018

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

Date Week School Game Time Depart Girls Soccer Cricket Oz Tag & Softball Basketball

21-Mar

8

William Carey

12.30 - 2.20

12.10

Hoxton Pk Res

Powell Park

Greenway Park

THAC

28-Mar

9

ASG

11.55 - 1.45

11.00

Parry Park

Parry Park

Parry Park

ASG School

4-Apr

10

GRG

12.00 - 1.50

11.20

Coleman Park

Marco Reserve

Marco Reserve

GRG school

11-Apr

11

St Mary's

12.10 - 2.00

11.35

Hammondville Pk

Hammondville Pk

Hammondville Pk

Australis Park

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.

GROUP SPORT GROUP SPORT
Year 3 Boys  Soccer Year 5 Boys Basketball
Year 3 Girls Swimming Year 5 Girls AFL
Year 4 Boys Dance Year 6 Boys Tennis
Year 4 Girls Cricket Year 6 Girls Joey League

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator

Soccer Girls Victorious

Congratulations and well done to the Senior Girls Soccer Team who represented our College at the NASSA Gala Day on Monday 12 March. The girls gave it their absolute best, smashing their way through all 5 rounds to become undefeated champions!

Our Senior Soccer Girls have showed amazing cohesion as a team this year and spirits were high as they started the day off with a 4-0 victory against Penrith Anglican College. They went on to beat two more teams 5-0, easing their way into the finals 

Though incredibly exhausted, our girls stayed focused during their semi-final against TIGS, coming out on top thanks to some amazing goals from Angelina Hagipantelis and Isabella Sultan.

In a nerve-wracking grand final against George’s River Grammar School, the Senior Girls Team mustered up every bit of energy they could find and pushed themselves to a 3-1 win.

With only one goal scored against them the whole day, these girls truly deserved their title of undefeated champions!

A huge congratulations also to Isabella Sultan, Abbie Furley and Jessica Michalak who were selected to represent the College at the NSW CIS Primary Girls Football trials. It is such an honour to have these girls representing our College with such determination.

This gala day has set the girls up for an amazing IPSSO season. 

Well done!

Miss Ashley Tobar
Junior School Girls Soccer Coach

Soccer boys shine on the field

On Monday 12 March 2018 our APP Senior Primary Boys Football team competed in the NASSA Gala Day at Blacktown Sportspark.

It was a great day with the boys putting on a strong display of their football prowess. They played well together, working as a team to compete against well-prepared opposition.  

The boys finished 2nd in their pool and faced TIGS in the semi finals.  Combining well on the pitch, they came away with the win to play in the grand final against St Luke’s who had defeated them 1-0 in the rounds.

In a show of great teamwork and skill the team came away with a 1-0 lead at half time.  St Luke’s fought back and levelled the score at 1-all.  The score remained a draw at full time and the teams were declared joint champions. 

Overall the boys were a great representation of our College, displaying sportsmanship both on and off the field. 

6 of our boys were successful in selection into the NASSA team to play at the NSW CIS Primary Boys Football Gala on 9 April. 

Congratulations to: Diego Bueno, Joseph Demasi, Luke Moran, William Slattery, Domenic Trovato and Oliver Velnic

Mr Timothy Koski
Junior School Boys Soccer Coach

Winter IPSSO Trials

The Winter IPSSO competition commences in Term Two and continues through to the end of Term Three.  

Teams represent our College on a weekly basis against other local schools.

Trials for teams will occur in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term One.  All students in Years 3 – 6 will receive a note with information which needs to be returned to College by Monday 19 March.

Winter IPSSO teams:

Year 3 and 4 trials - Monday 26 March                                  Year 5 and 6 trials - Tuesday 20 March

Year 3 and 4 Girls Netball                                                         Year 5 and 6 Girls Netball              

Year 3 and 4 Mixed Newcombe Ball                                         Year 5 and 6 Mixed Modified Volleyball

Year 3 and 4 Mixed AFL                                                           Year 5 and 6 Mixed AFL

Year 3 and 4 Winter Mixed Teeball                                           Year 5 and 6 Winter Mixed Softball

Year 3 and 4 Boys Soccer  (already selected)                          Year 5 and 6 Boys Soccer  (already selected)

Please note, the Boys Soccer teams were selected at the beginning of this term and teams are currently training in the APP Football Program with Mr Sonny Makko.

Students who are not involved in Winter 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 

 

Football Holiday Camp - 16 - 20 April 2018

The Football Holiday camp will be held on the College campus during the first week of the April school holidays.

 

 

Date:   Monday 16 - Friday 20 April 2018

Time:  8.30am - 2.30pm

 

The camp will run for 5 days with the option of registering for all days or on a per day basis. 

Students will be involved in fun 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 who attend Thomas Hassall Anglican College.

Details and enrollment information are on the flyer:/sites/default/files/files/THAC_FootballCamp%20April18%20v2.pdf

TO BOOK A PLACE IN THE HOLIDAY FOOTBALL PROGRAM visit the Try booking website: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=360338

For more details please contact Mrs Evans - P-6 Sport Coordinator and Talented Athlete Program Coordinator

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator