Term 2 I Friday 28 May 2021

One of the highlights in recent years has been the acknowledgement of our diversity and colourful heritage.

We celebrate this through the popular UNITE Week. Last year we were forced to put our collection of flags away as we responded to the challenge of Co-Vid. This year we have been blessed to come together as a whole College and celebrate across the whole week.

The week was launched by the Year 12 Leadership Team in our Senior Assembly; these students put together a variety of activities that highlighted our rich backgrounds and heritage. Language, religion, cultural traditions and our broad variety of ethnicities could be areas of division and conflict, however, at Thomas Hassall we have mostly experienced a strong sense of acceptance and unity. This has required individuals to practice tolerance and acceptance of difference at times when we might choose to do otherwise. I think for me this is one of the pleasures of teaching in the South West and it is certainly one of the highlights of teaching at Thomas Hassall.

The week culminated in our whole College Assembly on Friday that included some beautiful stories around student families, wonderful songs and an acknowledgement of Country by one of the local Aboriginal custodians. At lunch the Senior Students enjoyed different foods and finished the day by participating in some colourful dancing from various cultures. 

Thank you to all the parents, teachers and students who make up our community. There is a rich resource of experience and backgrounds amongst our community that we are only just beginning to tap into.

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This week Eurovision has been going. 

I find it interesting that Eurovision celebrates cultural diversity but it won’t let some countries enter- how did Australia get in?

The bible teaches us that God does not really care about what country a person comes from and neither should we.

¹¹ It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. (Colossians 3)

Christians are reminded that, regardless of nationality, we are united and equal under Jesus.  While the world fights over flags, we fly all our flags together under Him.

During Unite Week we celebrate diversity knowing it is God who makes us different. We celebrate diversity because Jesus died for all peoples and not some people.  Christians celebrate diversity for we know that heaven will be full of different languages, cultures, colours with none of them spoiled by sin or racism or hatred. 

Take time out this week to pray that our students may understand these truths, live them, and celebrate with us. 

Blind date with a book

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? Take a chance and borrow one of the mystery books found only in the Senior IRC. You might find the book of your dreams!

Read it, then fill out a ‘Rate your book date’ form to go into the draw for a great prize! A winner is drawn during Friday lunchtime every three weeks. The more ‘blind book dates’ you go on, the more chances you have to win!

For more information please see Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.

Page Turners Book Club

Love Books? Love Reading? Love Food? Join the Page Turners, an exciting new book club for students in Years 7 to 9. Numbers are strictly limited. Sign up today to ensure your spot. Meetings are held Monday lunchtime every three weeks. For more information please speak to Mr Smith.

What’s new on the Shelf?

Journey to the Moon with this great new Sci-Fi adventure!

‘Artemis’ – Andy Weir

“Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.”

‘Artemis’ written by author Andy Weir, best know for his standout novel ‘The Martian,’ is an exciting fast thriller that transports readers to a unique and creative far distant future where mankind has colonised the moon. Entertaining and engaging, readers will thoroughly enjoy reading about the adventures of main protagonist Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara as she tries to make a life in a place where one wrong move could lead to death. The moon is a great setting for the novel, beautiful and deadly in equal measure, the author has created a wonderfully detailed and truly believable world. Although filled with serious science, the novel has a witty funny side as well, readers will find themselves laughing out loud as they follow the characters through their crazy escapades. ‘Artemis’ is great science fiction adventure that is bound to appeal not only to fans of science fiction but to many other readers as well!

Lots more exciting new novels have just arrived in the IRC! Make sure to check out the ‘New Books’ stand today!

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

National Sorry Day is held on 26^th May every year to remember and recognise all those who were affected by the Stolen Generations.

It also reminds us of the negative impact of Australian government policies, practices and attitudes towards the First Nations Peoples* throughout history. 

On Wednesday in 5G, we looked at what National Sorry Day means and how it affects us today. We coloured in a hand using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag colours, we read some of ‘Young Dark Emu’ by Bruce Pascoe which opened up thoughtful discussion and reflection, and we watched ‘The Apology’ video from then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. 

We learnt that the purple Hibiscus flower is a sign of spiritual healing and compassion. The flower represents the people of the Stolen Generation and the people who survived. We drew and coloured in our own purple hibiscus that is now displayed in our classroom with the hand art as a reminder. 

“I never really knew about this, I think it is a good he (Kevin Rudd) apologised but it won’t bring the children back…” – Matisse.P 

“This day helps us to grow together as a community” – Sophie.I

Miss Courtney Garard 
Junior School Teacher - 5G

*First Nations Peoples is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

As you know, the College has the privilege of being able to offer each student in Year 4 the chance to learn an instrument as part of their music studies.

They have just completed their first round of performance and listening assessments, and many outstanding results were achieved amongst the grade. Those students that are practicing consistently and doing well will also begin to be invited to join our Junior Concert Band in the coming weeks, and many students are excited about this opportunity which is excellent to see. There is also a fun incursion coming up for the students at the end of this term – more news on that event soon! Well done to all the Year 4 students, and thanks to the parents for their support as they learn their instruments.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

I can catch!

I can skip!

I can hop!

This term, the Prep children have been participating in a variety of sporting experiences in the Prep playground.

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The children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring with stompers, completing obstacle courses, races, throwing and catching, playing cricket, dancing and shooting some hoops in basketball. Moreover, we have learnt how to play various exciting and fun games such as Cat and Mouse in the parachute, Duck Duck Goose and Rabbit in the Hole.

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Providing opportunities for the children to participate in sporting experiences has many benefits, and these benefits are not just physical! Sport helps the children to develop important life-long skills and habits such as working in a team, cooperating, sharing, waiting their turn, being resilient and building positive relationships with their class peers. Learning to win well and to lose well are other important concepts for the children to grasp.

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And finally, physical activity also helps the children’s brains to develop as well as their muscles.

One, two, three….jump!

Mrs Elise Hona – Prep Blue
Early Stage 1 Assistant Coordinator

With events and social gatherings returning, it was fantastic to be able to host a special performance evening for our Year 10 Elective Music class.

Mrs Ford and her very talented class of musicians, presented a variety of songs and instrumental pieces representing their recent study topic of ‘Theatre Music’. The event not only showcased their amazing abilities, but also freshly cooked soup prepared by the MRK canteen team for all visiting parents and staff, student MC throughout the concert, and a very special performance by Mrs Ford herself! One of the highlights of the evening was when every student in the class performed together in a singing item. It was beautiful to see all students sing together, and showcase the power of the voice and the rich harmonies and blend of individual voices to create a full choral sound. Well done to all the performers, Mr Clisdell and the tech crew, the canteen staff, and Mrs Ford for creating a unique and special event for our students to showcase their art, and an opportunity for them to refine their craft.

‘Last night was such a good experience that I feel brought everybody closer together. It was so much fun I didn't want the night to end.’ Cynthia N

‘The Year 10 Performance Evening was a fantastic night! It was full of great performances amongst a warm audience of friends, families and teachers where we could demonstrate our achievements throughout the year. Many students were performing in different styles that they had never attempted before and were warmly welcomed and performed brilliantly!’ Josh C

‘Last night was a really special experience that really got each and every one of us to push ourselves and perform in front of an older audience due to the huge support that we all received.’ Tahlia K

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

Once again we had a great day of The Groove and THAC FM on Monday Week 5. 

Students were entertained by the soulful tunes presented by Aston M, E Kilic, Sofia J and Isaac W.  The two DJ's for THAC FM were Joey A and Angus M who entertained and informed us about up coming events at the College while setting the vibe with their well picked tunes.   Well done to all the students involved.  

If you would like to perform at The Groove please see Mr Mark.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

During music studies in Year 7, our students have the opportunity to learn introductory techniques about how to play the guitar.

This is a fun program that allows all students a chance to experience this versatile instrument. This year, we had the added bonus of being able to offer our students the chance to WIN AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR! Thanks to Musica Viva, an Australian company that arranges music concerts for schools all around the country, they kindly donated us a guitar to go to the home of a student that doesn’t have access to a guitar, but would love to learn. The high school music teachers selected 5 finalists, and the lucky winner, who performed her own original composition on the guitar, was Nora M!!! Congratulations to Nora, and also our other finalists; Mila M, Joshua S, Krish S, Nikola P.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles