Term 3 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 5 August 2022

The College uniform brings us together as a team and a community

The College uniform distinguishes our students from other schools and builds a sense of belonging at Thomas Hassall.

Next week we will be talking about unity and how the uniform brings us together as a team and community. Also, wearing the uniform is important for safety reasons, demonstrating respect for expectations and keeping the focus on learning. The students will be playing ‘spot the difference’ as a fun way to engage with the uniform expectations at College and to wear the uniform with pride. I’ve included one below – can you spot the differences?!

See the main uniform expectations below for Junior School students:
- Black shoes with laces (or buckles P-2) done up
- Hat on when outside
- Earrings are plain stud or sleeper pairs only
- Jewellery is not to be worn with the College uniform.
- Hairstyles – plain, respectable, tidy, one natural colour and not groomed in an extreme or exaggerated fashion (for example no extreme undercuts or hair that is restricting one’s vision).
- Hair accessories should be red for girls in P-6. No other hair accessories are permitted.
- To wear in full the correct summer, winter or sports uniform

You can find the uniforms required on our website and also in the Parent and Student Handbook.

Junior Boys

Junior Girls

Thank you to our families for partnering with us to ensure students are following the uniform guidelines. Let's continue to work together to build a sense of community and belonging.  

This week I showed our Year 9 student two deadly objects – a Katana (imitation) and a match.

I asked them to choose the deadliest. Most of the students chose the sword because it looked dangerous. 

I then told them about what happened in Queensland in the summer of 2020. On 19 November, a teenage boy and friends started a bush fire that destroyed hectares of land and ruined 14 homes. Who would have thought that one little spark could cause so much ruin. What probably started as a joke and a bit of fun lead to disaster.

The bible has something to say about this.

It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that pollutes the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. - James 3:5-6

This passage teaches us that words, while seeming innocent and little, can start fires. Word fires spread & ruin the whole body – here it means the body of people not a physical body.  One little word said in private can spread and change public attitudes that ruin a community.

I asked the students to stop burning each other as words said in jest undermine trust which in turn ruins our community. I asked the students to choose words that warm people rather than burn people. 

Raising children is a hard grind and sometimes careless words come from us – I know. Let us choose our words well. When we choose poor words, let us have the courage to apologise to our children and start again.

Upcoming activities in the Library

Anime and Manga Club – Week 4, Monday lunchtime in N2

Premiers Reading Challenge

Only two weeks remain to complete the Premiers Reading Challenge for 2022. Students will need to have read 20 books (15 PRC books and 5 of own choice) by Friday 19th August. Premiers Reading Challenge books in the Senior Library can be identified by the red sticker found on the book’s spine. To be entered in the competition students need to return to Library staff a signed parental permission form along with a completed book list. All completed entries will go into the draw for a $50 JB HI FI gift card!

Book Bites

Take a book bite to see if it is to your taste

‘Lifelik3’ – Jay Kristoff

“It's just another day on the Scrap: lose the last of your credits at the WarDome, dodge the gangs and religious fanatics, discover you can destroy electronics with your mind, stumble upon the deadliest robot ever built... When Eve finds the ruins of an android boy named Ezekiel in the scrap pile she calls home, her entire world comes crashing down. With her best friend and her robotic sidekick in tow, she and Ezekiel will trek across deserts of irradiated glass, battle cyborg assassins, and scour abandoned megacities to save the ones she loves ... and learn the dark secrets of her past.”

‘Lifelik3’ written by Australian author Jay Kristoff is a gritty thrilling dystopian adventure that will have readers engaged from the very first page. Kristoff has created a wonderfully detailed and brutal future, a nation recovering from a terrible nuclear war. It is a land of fantastic machines and technology, of struggles and hardship, where people have search through the scraps of society just to survive. With incredible characters, a fast-paced story and lots of nail biting cliff-hangers, this is a great novel that is bound to find many new fans.

‘The Inheritance Games’ – Jennifer Lynn Barnes

“She came from nothing. Avery has a plan- keep her head down, work hard for a better future. Then an eccentric billionaire dies, leaving her almost his entire fortune. And no one, least of all Avery, knows why. They had everything. Now she must move into the mansion she's inherited. It's filled with secrets and codes, and the old man's surviving relatives - a family hell-bent on discovering why Avery got 'their' money. Now there's only one rule- winner takes all. Soon she is caught in a deadly game that everyone in this strange family is playing. But just how far will they go to keep their fortune?”

‘The Inheritance Games’ is a wonderfully suspenseful and thrilling roller-coaster of a novel that readers will find impossible to put down. Filled to the brim with secrets and cryptic puzzles, as well as lots of plot twists and turns, author Jennifer Lynn Barnes has woven together a complex but compelling story that doesn’t let go until the very last page. Main protagonist Avery is likeable, believable, and a relatable character. Her quest to discover her mystery benefactor will have readers hooked and wanting more. The first in a series, this is a fantastic mystery book that will be enjoyed by many.

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith

Senior IRC Library Team

On Wednesday 3 August Year 11 students attended Bstreetsmart.

This is an initiative of the Trauma Service at Westmead Hospital with the aim to reduce the fatality and injury rates of young people by promoting safe behaviour as drivers, riders and passengers.

Our Year 11 students, along with approximately 6000 students from other schools, witnessed the replay of a real-life simulated accident involving a young driver. The NSW Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade took our students through the initial response in how they respond to a major road traffic incident.

Students were also touched by a number of very moving stories from crash victims who had survived different fatal accidents. Students also heard about the family pain that a mother (Melissa McGuinness - 2022, Australian of the Year Nominee) had to go through as she and her family dealt with the loss of her 16-year-old son. She also has to live with the fact that he was the cause of an accident that killed four other innocent road users.

This event provided a great opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of the decisions they make. Here are some of the thoughts of our students:

“In my opinion, today was very inspirational and touching, the stories I heard really put a perspective on me and will stay with me for a long time. I like how they showed examples and brought in people to tell their stories and experiences, it made today so interesting but also very upsetting to see and hear what people have gone through and will have to live with for the rest of their lives. I’m very grateful for this experience and I would go again if I had the opportunity.”

Annika G

“We found the Bstreetsmart initiative very beneficial to our driving safety as we were able to gain an insight on the serious impacts risky street actions can have on not only our lives but everyone on the road. Not only did we see a live re-enactment of a car crash scene but we heard true stories from survivors, victims and perpetrators that had a pivotal impact on their own health and wellbeing. Overall, we commend the College for giving us the opportunity to experience this vital seminar.”

Nicola M, Aleksandra N and Adrian D

Our daily Devotions time is an important opportunity for students to interact with the Bible, reflect, and ask questions.

In Devotions, we deal with some of the bigger themes and concepts to do with life, God, wisdom, relationships and purpose.

In order to tackle topics that may be more gender-specific, the Year 5 cohort is split into boys and girls groups each Thursday morning. Students are encouraged to ask their own questions, either during the session or via an anonymous ‘question box’. Teachers can then address these and encourage the students to consider the relevance of God’s Word to their everyday lives. Oh, and we try to have a bit of fun along the way too!

Mr Peter Butchatsky
Junior School Teacher - Stage 3

Kindergarten students enjoy participating in art groups every week. 

Students are using a range of creative materials to make various artworks. We are making puppets, painting and creating animal and plant images, as well as  looking at the Artist Piet Mondrian.

Sue White
Early Stage 1 Assistant Co-ordinator - Kindergarten S

Senior Musicians Play a Professional Gig

Last Friday 29 July, two of our Senior Ensembles performed at the South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) annual awards evening at the Campbelltown Cube.

This was their first public performance since the pandemic, and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience performing a corporate style gig for a large audience. In front of over 600 people, our Senior Stage Band and the Saxophone Quartet performed a 30 minute set each.

The students did so with amazing professionalism, and received lots of great feedback, with the best part being that the audience would like to hear more music next time they play! To continue the gig experience, our students got to enjoy their own green room and a free dinner, which they all loved!

Well done to all of our student musicians, and thanks to SWSAS for trusting our students to entertain their audience. We look forward to more opportunities like this in the future. The students will next appear at the Manly Jazz Festival on Friday 23 September.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

House Soccer kicked off with incredible enthusiasm on Monday.

Our Years 7 and 8 teams represented their Houses with fierce prowess and skill. It was fantastic to have the Senior Students out on the Rawdon Middleton Oval in support of our players. It is a mixed competition and each House displayed its talents in what is probably Thomas Hassall’s most beloved sport.

Congratulations to Carmichael who won the Years 7 and 8 final, narrowly beating Lewis coming in second. Liddell came third, handing Wilberforce 4th place on the day.

Our Years 9 and 10 teams and Years 11 and 12 teams will play in the coming weeks as we look forward to the culmination of House Cup points.

Wilberforce and Carmichael are currently tied for first… who will win?!

Ms Michelle Raft
Languages Teacher - Head of House & Liddell Advisor

Please be reminded to follow the appropriate road rules when picking up and dropping students.

The Key Points to note are: 

• Liverpool City Council has installed Kiss and Ride Zones on Kingsford Smith Ave and Southern Cross Ave and this means the Kingsford Smith Bus Zone operates from 2pm. We support the changes. 

• Junior School (K-6) dismissal is now at 2.35pm and Prep remains unchanged. Pick-up by car will occur from 2.45pm under the new arrangements. No lining up ahead of time is possible from now. 

• Senior School remains the same for now. The new building project on Flynn Avenue has begun. 

Junior School Pick-up 

Prep: 2.30PM (Pedestrian only pick-up) 

K-2: 2.35PM (Pedestrian and limited Kiss and Ride pick up is available only on Southern Cross Drive unless they have an older sibling, where usual pick up location applies) 

3-6: 2.35PM – Pedestrian pick-up only from Gate 16, using the ramp in front of B Block) & 

2:45PM Car line pick-up through the front Gate 12. Please note that the gate will NOT open now until 2.45PM and queuing in the Bus Zone is not permitted 

Pedestrian Pick-up 

Please park safely, only street parking is available. 

• Prep - Pedestrian pick-up via Gate 16 & 17 from 2.30PM 

• K-2 - Pedestrian pick-up via Gate 17 (Southern Cross Ave.) from 2.35PM 

• 3-6 - (Sibling pick-up) - Pedestrian pick-up via Gate 16 (Ramp in front of B Block) from 2.35PM 

Vehicle Pick-up 

To respect our neighbours please ensure that you are not parking or driving on nature strips particularly in wet weather. Do not park on or block driveways or roundabouts. 

• K-2 - You may now use Kiss and Ride only on Southern Cross Ave. for Kindy to Year 2 from 2.35PM. Please note that spaces are limited and due to the No Stopping zone and the roundabout you may be asked to circle around the block until a space becomes available. 

• 3-6 - Gate 12 will now open at 2.45PM for Year 3-6 vehicle pick-up on Kingsford Smith Ave. Please do not queue on Kingsford Smith Ave. at any time between 2PM and 3.30PM. We strongly recommend that you do not arrive at College until after 2.45PM unless you will be parking and using pedestrian pick-up. 

• Senior School – no changes for now. Please note the building project at N Block has begun. 

Kiss and Ride designated areas are on Kingsford Smith Ave. and Southern Cross Ave. They will be in operation from 7.30 - 8.45AM and 2 - 3.30PM. 

There is a NSW Regulation of remaining for a Maximum of 2 minutes Parking in the Kiss & Ride Areas 

The regulations state that drivers may only stay 2 minutes in the Kiss and Drive & the driver should remain within 3m from the vehicle. (Penalty is currently $196 and 2 Demerit Points) 

• There needs to be one single line of cars and all vehicles must join from the end of the zone. Under no circumstances should a car overtake a moving or stationary vehicle in the Kiss and Ride laneway. 

• Please ensure children get out of the vehicle on the kerb side. 

• Ensure your child is ready to leave the car when you have approached the Kiss and Ride zone. 

• Children should travel with bags in the car (not in the boot) where possible. 

• Drop off your child as close as possible to the top of the zone, allowing vehicles following you, to enter the zone in an orderly manner. 

• Traffic flow is best if drivers should remain in the car while children are dropped off and picked up. 

• Staff will assist students into vehicles in the afternoon at the Southern Cross Ave Kiss and Ride. Importantly, parents/carers are responsible for securing seatbelts for students, staff are not permitted. 

• No parking is permitted in these zones during the designated times.