Term 1 I The Way Newsletter I Friday 4 February 2022

If you blink, you’ll miss it! What was that?

Life is moving fast and one of the things we have learnt from the past few years is to take the time to appreciate the journey that each of us is called to walk. I encourage you not to miss the important ‘table time’ with the family, sharing food and stories from the day. Please take time to notice the beautiful blooms springing forth from any given garden throughout the different seasons. I’d encourage you to share in the small victories and the challenges faced by your child as they embark on a new year. Tomorrow will have its’ own challenges and demands and quite often we get caught up in the busyness of life and totally miss the most important moments. What is important for you right now? What you pay attention to will grow!

As we embark on a new College year I am excited about the possibilities. I sense we have an opportunity to look beyond COVID-19 despite the current context. I am excited when I see: students and teachers working hard to put together another great College Musical; I am excited by hearing the plans for Dukes to kick-off,  giving our students an opportunity to venture into the wilderness; I am excited to see Debating teams fire back up to expore their oratory skills. Whilst we miss out on the Senior School Swimming Carnival there is an opportunity for any student to participate in a Competitors Only event (Thursday 10/2), this should still include many of our students. Please encourage your child to get involved.

In the classroom setting, we embark on a new year with a fresh opportunity to reset and refocus on developing new skills. Plodding with Purpose is a phrase I used at our first Assembly. The analogy here is the story about the Hare and the Tortoise. We might have all the skills and speed of the talented Hare but if we lack purpose and discipline we will fail to ‘win the race’ set for us. The old tortoise was not as fast or talented, but he had determination and he just kept going. His plodding with purpose got him to the finish line to win the race set for him.

We would love you to take the time to take the education journey with us in developing your child as a responsible learner. We have more resources available than ever before. We have teachers that are willing and capable and working hard behind the scenes to give students the best opportunities. We know life is busy, but for me the most important legacy we leave our children is not the material things of life, but indeed a great understanding of the world and how it works; let me call this ‘a great education’. We will unpack what this looks like in following newsletters, but for now, make sure you get time to ‘smell the roses’ and ask your child a few questions:

What went well today?

What was the biggest challenge you had today & how did you overcome it?

Have a great weekend!

James 5:7-8 'Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.'

PS. I have really enjoyed getting back into classes, meeting up with enthusiastic kids and sharing in the learning journey once again…. Speak soon.

Here are some important dates to mark in your diaries

Sadly, Hunter Khalil passed away and our College Community misses him dearly.

I had the privilege and honour of teaching Hunter, in 3F, 2021.

Hunter was a vibrant, energetic and much-loved friend in Year 3. He had a wonderful sense of humour and loved to share a little joke with everyone. He greatly enjoyed sports and playing with his mates on the oval. Hunter participated with high enthusiasm in PE class and scored lots of House Points in the lockdown THAC House Sport Challenge. In the classroom, he particularly thrived in Mathematics and was enthusiastic about sharing in his learning with all his peers. Hunter was kind in the way he befriended and looked out for others and was a great friend.

Hunter is deeply and dearly missed by the College community. He will always be remembered with his beautiful cheeky smile and gorgeous twinkly eyes. Our hearts go out to Hunter’s family as we all mourn his loss.  If you wish to offer practical assistance for the family such as a meal etc please contact Mrs Trudi Woods at twoods@thac.nsw.edu.au.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain”, Revelations 21:4.

Mrs Brownyn Ferguson
Junior School Teacher & Team Leader

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through Secondary School, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the College Counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV 

Mrs Jacoline Petersen
Director of Student Counselling

Source - SchoolTV

Shrek Musical Rehearsals are back for 2022... IN PERSON!

It is with great excitement that we resume our Shrek Musical rehearsals in preparation for a great show at the start of Term 2. Rehearsals will begin for leads on Friday of Week 2, and will resume for the rest of the cast on Monday of Week 3. Please see the schedule below:

All rehearsals will be in person from now on. Masks will be required at all rehearsals for all students. 

We look forward to seeing our wonderful cast very soon!

Mr Luke Robinson
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator

Here at Thomas Hassall, we offer the unique opportunity to provide students onsite music tuition from K-12. Tuition is held in our P Block rooms and offered during College hours.

There are currently 11 highly skilled tutors that have been tutoring and performing for many years across a range of instruments. These experienced tutors come highly recommended and demonstrate great enthusiasm in teaching and encouraging students in their learning.

Tuition is available for Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Electric Bass, Piano, Voice, Oboe and Drum Kit. It is recommended that students have their own instrument to practice on at home in order to maximise their learning.

A study released this year found that a six-month music program:

• improved music and motor abilities
• improved visuo-spatial short-term memory, pseudoword reading and simple arithmetics 
• drove plasticity on gray-matter volume of the left cerebellum that related to rhythm discrimination as well as gains in motor performance

Overall the researchers found that

• the role of music training in strengthening audio-motor integration
• a short and affordable music training was sufficient to induce specific behavioural benefits partially reflected in plastic changes in the children’s brain.
  (Source:https://biggerbetterbrains.com/news-post/orff-based-music-training-induces-plasticity-in-the-developing-brain/)

Just six months could make all the difference!

If you would like your child to participate in music tuition please email musicadmin@thac.nsw.edu.au for an application form or alternatively complete the online form on the College website using this link 

Mr Luke Robinson
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator

Our Open Week is coming up at the College from the 21 - 26 March.

This is a great opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, at a time that suits them. It is an ideal opportunity for future families to glimpse our culture, observe our staff and students, meet our Principal and key staff, tour our fantastic facilities and ask questions whilst enjoying morning tea.

Many families visit the College more than once when making the decision about the best school to meet the educational needs of their son or daughter.  

If you have friends or family who are interested in finding out about the College, we encourage you to invite them to come along and see what sets us apart. Registrations for Open Week are online on our website.

Thank you for your support.

Do you have the College App?

The College App allows you to easily see your child’s timetable, calendar of events, provide permission for excursions and give a reason for any absences.

It is also the key way for the College to communicate with you important information.

Please refer to this link for all the details on how to download this app.

The Parent Student Handbook is also now available to read on the College App. Click on 'More' then the Parent Student Handbook link.

Have you moved house or changed your contact details over the break?

If your details or the details of your emergency contacts have changed over the break, please ensure that you log on to the parent portal and update your details.

This is also the place to update medical information including permissions for over-the-counter medications (eg. Panadol) to be given to your child when needed.