The Way Newsletter I Friday 5 November 2021

Psalm 133 verse 1: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

It is so great to be back together again! It is wonderful to be teaching my students face to face and experiencing life in community with staff and students on campus.

All of us have missed the human interaction that was denied us during lockdown. To be able to once again share lighter moments together as we walk through the playground or read the expressions of our students to determine their understanding (albeit behind a mask), has really raised the spirits of everyone. It has been fantastic to see so many of the practical subjects being able to once again engage.

I have visited science classes crystallising copper sulphate products and construction classes learning how to lay bricks recently. Smiling students pleased to be working on tactile physical projects. I hope that you have noticed a buoyancy to your children as they return home from school after a day of learning and socialising in community with their friends and teachers.

It’s an important week ahead for our Year 12 students who begin their HSC examinations. Let’s continue to have them in our prayers.

Last Sunday I was ambushed by a ghost, a vampire and a few tiny Super Heroes who would not leave my front door unless I gave them some lollies…

That’s right, it was Halloween.

I am sure that there are some who want nothing to do with Halloween; others who see it as a fun evening with the family, but I think all of us will be surprised by its origins.

The root word of Halloween - ‘’hallow’' - means ‘’holy.’’ The suffix “een” is an abbreviation of “evening.” It refers to the Eve of All Hallows, the night before the Christian holy day that honours Christian people of the past.

Halloween was originally a Christian celebration where Christians who had passed away were remembered and honoured.

While children dress up as ghosts, vampires, and all things, scary we can remember and be assured that we have nothing to fear.

1 Corinthians 15:20 says: 'But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.'

We believe in the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Not only that Jesus was raised, but that we too are raised with him.

Perhaps the origin of such a day has been lost? Let me encourage you, whether you celebrate Halloween or not, to use Halloween next year as a day to remember our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the one who has risen from the dead and in whom we too will rise. That is definitely something worth celebrating.

Here are some important dates to mark in your diaries

This Monday 8 November we will holding a special online Assembly for the Class of 2022.  

The Assembly will have a focus on dedicating the students as they commence their final year of their schooling life and head towards the HSC and beyond.  This will be a special occasion where we can show our support and partnership to the new Year 12 cohort. 

During this time we will also commission our Student Leadership Team for 2021/2022. 

Congratulations to the young men and women who have been elected to the Student Leadership Team and we wish them well in their important roles as young leaders at the College.  

The Assembly will commence at 1pm and you can tune in via THACV at tv.thac.online - Password: hassalltv 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Class of 2022 cohort as they embark on the next part of their journey.  If you would like to send a short phrase of encouragement please send your messages to community@thac.nsw.edu.au by Saturday 6pm to be included in the Assembly.

Since returning to college 3G have been reading ‘The 13-storey Teehouse’ by Terry Denton and Andy Griffiths.

We have been working hard on designing our own dream rooms for our own 3G treehouse.

Some rooms include a gingerbread house, a chocolate swimming pool, a chicken nugget tree, a bunny rabbit room. Students who are learning at home are crafting their own rooms to add to the treehouse on their return.

Mrs Ruth Glendinning
Junior School Teacher - Stage 2 - Year 3G

College Photos have been rescheduled to take place from Tuesday 16 until Friday 19 November 2021.

Don Wood Photography will be taking individual photos and sibling photos at various times throughout the week. All students will have their photograph taken, however, the purchase of photographs is optional.

For Years 7-11 their individual photos will also occur on Wednesday 17 November. Due to time restraints and COVID restrictions, we are unable to photograph cohorts this year. Sibling photos will occur on Thursday 18 November and Friday 19 November for most families, however, for families with children in Prep White and Red, sibling photos will be taken on Wednesday morning.

If you wish to purchase a photograph package, this can be done via credit card by visiting www.donwoodphotography.com.au and using the code 378F17 

Full College Summer uniform is to be worn by students.

You can now visit the Uniform Shop by appointment

We are pleased to advise that the Uniform Shop is able to have customers in store - by appointment only. Bookings can be made online. Additional times on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays will be available from next week.

You can also still order online and this can be delivered to your home or can be delivered to your child’s class (once students return). Delivery to your child’s classroom will be weekly (Friday) and if you want to make use of this service, please select the ‘Click and Collect’ option.

The College Website has the full details of how to purchase online and includes a sizing guide to assist. Our uniform shop provider, Midfords, has an exchange policy for items that still have tags attached and not been worn and further details for this are available online.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Uniform Shop directly thac@midford.com.au. The College Administration team will also be able to assist with any of your questions on 9608 0033.