Term 3 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 21 July 2023

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From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

Dear College Community,

As we commence Term 3 you will no doubt be aware of the announcement made this week regarding our new Principal. I am delighted that Mrs Karen Easton has been appointed as the next College Principal to begin in 2024. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Karen as she prepares to take on this pivotal role in our community.

We know Mrs Easton. She brings a wealth of experience, having served in various leadership positions in the education sector over the years. Her passion for nurturing students' potential and her commitment to excellence in education align perfectly with our College values and vision. I have every confidence that, under her guidance, the College will continue to thrive and reach new heights of success. For the remainder of the year, Mrs Easton and I will be working closely to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. I have no doubt that she will bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that will further enhance the academic and holistic development of our students.

Principal

Let me turn your attention to an exciting event—the return of the South West Festival! After a 3 year hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that the festival is back on Saturday 26 August. This eagerly awaited community day promises to be a fun day for all filled with food and entertainment. With an expected attendance of over 10 000 people, it will undoubtedly be a great celebration of our College and the vibrant South West community we are a part of.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting the Mr Ned Mannoun, Mayor of Liverpool and Mr Nathan Hagarty, the local State MP at our College as they joined us to welcome the Korean Republic Women Football Team in their preparation for the World Cup.  It has been a joy to have world class athletes on our exceptional sports fields.  Our students and local community have had a truly wonderful opportunity observing the dedication and skill required to excel at the highest level of sport.

Mayor

Wishing you all a remarkable and fulfilling Term 3.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

 

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
Sandy Wheeler

How was your holiday break? I trust you were able to enjoy time together and have some special outings along the way.

On Monday morning I started off the Term by speaking to the Junior School students about lifelong learning. All of life is learning, isn’t it? Although we are coming back from a holiday break – we would have learnt different things in different ways.

When we are not at College we are still learning – granted differently to the classroom – but still learning! Maybe your child tried a new activity and built resilience or reconnected with a friend. Maybe your child read a compelling book or took up a new hobby. Possibly your child saw something they’d never seen before out in nature and had a question to ask. This was the case for my son. He was intrigued on our kayak ride to see so many different types of coloured seaweed and collected samples of as many as he could find. Some were bright green, yellow, white, a red-like colour and even brown.

Day one of term is not ‘starting’ again but a transition from one type of learning environment into another. It is a gradual journey to be curious, creative thinkers and to grow, grow, grow in all ways. I’m excited for the term ahead! Glance this list of special opportunities upcoming this term:

  • P-6 - All classes are engaging with rich literacy texts - deeply considering themes and concepts for life and learning
  • In Year 3 and 4 - Creative Arts Night Stage 2
  • In Year 5 and 6 - ‘Amazing Me’
  • Prep are going on their farm excursion experience
  • Author visits continue for Prep and Year 2
  • NASSA Athletics

If you are free on a Friday morning, come along to the Parent Café at College in the MRK. It would be great to greet you there.

 

 

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
FROM THE ASSISTANT CHAPLAIN
Georgia

Some say that football is THE beautiful game. Well, Brazilian footballer Pele was the first, to be exact. But feeling the buzz and thrill of anticipation around our city, I think has everyone is quite excited and looking forward to what is yet to come, the 2023 Womens FIFA World Cup here on home soil, especially having the amazing opportunity to host South Korea World Cup squad here at Thomas Hassall and where games will be played all around our country and many nations will be brought together as one. 

But what are we really to look forward to? Is there something bigger and better than a World Cup where we welcome the whole world to our shores? 
Well, as Paul writes to the church in Corinth in his second letter, he reminds them of the reconciliation we can only find in Christ. In verse 18, he says ‘so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’

“For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ John 3:16-17. 
It is only by God’s grace and through Jesus’ death and resurrection, that we have eternity to look forward to with Him. As we look forward to what is to come this term, with the Women’s World Cup and cheering on the Matildas with the green and gold, be encouraged to look and set your eyes upon Jesus in what he offers at the cross!

 

Miss Georgia Beikoff
Assistant Chaplain

Upcoming dates

Date Event

Monday 24 July

 

Year 7 Medieval Day

Primary Golf Selection Trials

Tuesday 25 July

 Year 2 Author Visit
Thursday 27 July

Years 8 and 10 Parent Teacher Evening
Friday 28 July

Year 10 Minimum Standards Testing 
Monday 31 July

Prep (3 Day) Excursion 

Year 12 Trials Begin
Wednesday 2 August CIS Primary Boys and Girls Softball Trials
Thursday 3 August Years 7 and 9 Parent Teacher Evening
Friday 4 August

Japanese Sister School Visit

Prep (2 Day) Excursion

 

 
Supporter Scarf Day

The Women's FIFA 2023 Football World Cup kicked off last night! What a great time to celebrate. We are looking forward to celebrating the World Cup with our College on Friday 18 August, with Supporter Scarf Day.

Students will have the opportunity to wear a scarf with the full College uniform on the day. There will be a gold coin donation to participate as the college will be raising funds towards our Compassion Child and Miracle Schools.

More information to come soon. 

EventsBack to Top

South West Festival 2023

The South West Festival is on Saturday 26 August 2023 from 10am-3pm with major sponsor Liverpool Council.  

There is a great variety of international food stalls, carnival rides, children’s activities and workshops, pony rides, petting zoo, live music, market stalls, reptile interactive display and the renowned Motor Show - over 100 bikes and cars!

 

Unlimited Ride Bands

 

Don't miss out on prepaid ride bands - make sure you purchase your child's unlimited ride band for only $35. Otherwise they will be $45 on the day.

BUY RIDE BAND 

 

Motor Show

 

Trophies Awarded, show your car at the South West Motor Show

REGISTER FOR MOTOR SHOW 

For more information, please visit the South West Festival website or contact the Community Relations team via email [email protected]. 

 
College Photo Week

College Photos have been scheduled to take place from Monday 21 August until Friday 25 August 2023. 

Don Wood Photography will be taking individual, cohort and sibling group photos at various times throughout the week. Full College Winter uniform is to be worn by students rather than the Sports uniform. Students will be photographed with their blazer (Senior School) or Bomber Jacket (Junior School) as the outer layer. The College Photo week letter will be sent to families next week, along with instructions on how to order photos packages.

 


 

LearningBack to Top

Visual Arts in Kindergarten

This term, Kindergarten students will be studying the artworks of renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh and Piet Mondrian. They will learn that an artist takes inspiration from a range of sources, and that we all value different perspectives when we view a piece of art. So far, the students are recreating the famous artwork 'Starry Night' from Vincent Van Gogh. This will be a process and take some time to complete. Some of our students are proud to show the different stages of their own version of 'Starry Night'.

kindy

Mrs Wendy Irwin
Kindergarten Team Leader
Term 2 ended with a Fiesta!

On the last day of Term 2, Junior School students enjoyed an exciting performance by a Mariachi band, led by renowned Mexican artist, Victor Valdes. They took our students through a musical journey to Mexico with traditional costumes and a range of instruments, including the Mexican harp. Students learned some traditional dances and sang along to some famous tunes from Latin America.

The band and dancer connected very well with our students and tailored each workshop to suit their age group. Students loved when they played their requests and loved dancing especially in a conga line. The spirit of unity and cultural diversity was really notable as children danced proudly showing their cultural outfits and embraced while listening to the performance. It was beautiful to witness this at Thomas Hassall.

Feedback from some students:

I really enjoyed the dancing and when we got up and danced as well. I really liked the music, the instruments and the singing. I also really liked the outfits as they were colourful, bright and really nice! Thank you so much for coming and making unit week so much fun!  Allegra S - 5S

This was great. I love all the singing and dancing. It was so much fun. Great singing, amazing music and love the dancing. It was my birthday and you guys made it even better. Thank you very much for coming and celebrating unite week with us to day! I hope all the other kids love it as much as I did. Dimity - 5S 

I really enjoyed the harp and how the melody sounded. It really made me feel ​happy. I also liked how he looked like a pro and he tuned the harp super fast. Joshua T -5S

music

 

Mrs Viviana Morris 
Junior School Teacher (Languages)
Music in Year 4

Each year, our Year 4 students have the unique privilege of learning a concert band instrument under the direction of professional musicians. This is a fantastic way for students to learn new skills with their peers, as well as participating in a large Year 4 Concert Band where they can enjoy listening to all the instruments being played at the same time. Coming up later this term are two very special performance opportunities for students to showcase a selection of the songs the Year 4 Band has learned this year. The first of these is the Year 3 & 4 Creative Arts night in Week 5, followed by a set at the South West Festival on Saturday 26 August. This will also be the first time Year 4 is performing this year, and they are very excited to show you their skills!

music

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles - Creative Arts



 

Korean Republic Women's Football Team

The highly anticipated Women's Football World Cup has just kicked off, and the Korean Republic Women's National Team has wrapped up their intense training at Thomas Hassall as they seek Cup Glory.

The work of Jason Swan (Grounds Supervisor) and Sonny Makko (Director of Football / Sports Facilities Manager) has meant that we have been able to host a world-class football team who have been able to benefit from the College’s world class facilities. In every major sporting competition, preparation is the key to the team's confidence. The Korean team has had the privilege of training at top-tier facilities, providing them with the best environment to fine-tune their skills and ensure peak physical fitness.

On Wednesday of this week, many of our College students were able to witness the team's final training session, and some had the chance to rub shoulders and speak with the players and coaching staff. The Korean Republic is currently ranked 15th in the world. They will be part of Group H throughout the World Cup tournament and play matches against Colombia, Germany, and Morocco. While we do hope the Matildas go all the way to World Cup glory, it will be great to have another team to support throughout the tournament.

A big thank you to Ross Whelan (Principal), Jason Swan, Sonny Makko, and many others for organising such an amazing event for our college and strengthening our relations with the global community.

Some staff and students reflected on the week and here is what they said:

"This team is amazing, and it's great to see such a professional team come to the College." – Dusan C (Year 10, Football Representative)

"This is my dream. I have loved seeing them come and train the past weeks. I have loved getting to meet some of the players and coaching staff. I can’t wait for the tournament to begin. It has been some of the best days at the College in my time and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." - Cynthia N (Year 12, College Sport Captain, Football Representative)

“What an opportunity for our students to witness some of the best athletes in the world on the same oval our students use daily. This is certainly a great encouragement and inspiration for our many talented athletes. I cannot wait to see some of our student be part of many national teams like this in the future.” Mrs Irene Focas (Senior School Sports Co-ordinator)

soccer

soccer

Mr Kent Weir 
PDHPE Coordinator
NSWPSSA Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to Willow S, Year 5, who represented the College and NSWCIS at the NSWPSSA Cross Country Championships on Friday 21 July.

Willow raced against the top 70 athletes in the State, competing in the 10 years and under 2km race.

Congratulations Willow on this wonderful achievement.  We are very proud of you.

running

Mrs Sharon Evans 
Junior School Sports Coordinator
Wanderers Cup Primary Gala Day

Last term our Year 5 and 6 Boys and Girls Football teams competed in the Wanderers Cup 5 v 5 competition.

It was great to be able to play on the new 5-a-side fields at Wanderers Park and our teams did a great job adjusting to the smaller field. We had 4 teams play in the rounds, with one of our boys team securing 2nd place overall and will progress to the Finals day.

Congratulations to all players who represented the College.

Soccer Soccer

Mrs Sharon Evans 
Junior School Sports Coordinator