Term 3 I The Way Newsletter I Saturday 27 July 2024

Latest UpdatesBack to Top

From the Principal
Principal

I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful break with your families and that you are looking forward to another term at the College. The grounds are quiet and empty without the students and it has been lovely to welcome them back this week.

This term is an important one for our Year 12 students who have HSC Trials in a few weeks, time to receive feedback and refinement in their learning before we farewell them at the end of the term. I would like to commend them to you. They are a great year group and they have been excellent role models and leaders of the Senior School this year. Please pray for them.

Like many, I have been enjoying the hype and excitement about the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Thank you for supporting our mufti-day fund raiser and helping our students to get into the spirit of supporting our young men and women as they represent our country. I have been inspired by the stories that are being shared about athletes. My reasoning? Because all of them have had to make sacrifices, they have had to be very intentional about their commitment and work effort. These are character traits that we can all aspire to even without the physical ability to compete at such levels.

As I reflect on the stories I also reflect on what this means for our students. How can we work together to promote positive interactions, healthy behaviours and self-respect in our young people today? I believe it starts with role models and consistent messaging about what is possible as well as good routines. I want to encourage you, at the start of a new semester, to have set times for homework, set times for exercise and set times for relaxation. Whilst we may not all reach the heights of those in the Olympics, we can all reach the heights of personal best results, following the same principles.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Persistence in doing good, even when it is challenging, is a testament to our faith, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Mrs Karen Easton
Principal
From the Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
Sandy Wheeler

Welcome back for Term 3 and a special welcome to the new families who have started with us. As I visited classes and wandered through the playground I have sensed the students and staff have returned recharged and ready for the learning ahead.

We celebrate Green and Gold day on Friday in light of the Opening of the 2024 Olympic Games. The students will experience the buzz of this worldwide event twice in their journey through the Junior School and it is exciting to create these life-long memories at the College together.

Today during Morning Muster, Miss Beikoff spoke about her experiences at the London 2012 Paralympic Games where she came home with a bronze medal in Javelin! She also participated in the final 100m relay and spoke about persisting through challenges and focusing on positive growth when the outcome is unexpected or disappointing. Thank you to Miss Beikoff for sharing her experiences with us – what a privilege it is to have a positive Christian role model as our Junior School Chaplain. We also reflected on God’s purpose for our lives and how we can always rely on Jesus and His love for us. As Romans 8:38-39 says: “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rules, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or dept, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

I am looking forward to an excellent term of learning ahead and we especially wish our Year 4 cohort the very best as they experience their first Thomas Hassall Camp at Wedderburn next week.

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
From the Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
David Butler

Welcome back to College for Term 3! I hope you and your family got to spend some time together during the break and can return to school enthusiastic about what is to come.

It is an exciting first week for Year 8 and 10 students as they submit their elective choices for 2025. For Year 10's particularly, this has been the culmination of several key events to assist them in thinking through what is to come for their futures. Having had some Work Experience, visited the Careers Expo, read through the subject information booklet over the holidays, heard from staff about each of the subjects on offer, had their and your questions answered at the Subject Selection Evening and also engaged with teachers at the Parent Teacher night last night, hopefully students and families are feeling well prepared for entering their choices!

I am confident in the advice that will have been given by our experienced staff and in the wisdom of the College guidelines in place for a few subjects, that have the best interests of students at the heart of them. I am certain that both Year 8 and 10 students will be relishing the opportunity to have some agency in their academic journey!

Subject Selection

How great it is to have the Olympics beginning and hearing the stories of the athletes about what it takes and what they have overcome to be able to be able to represent our country. We hope for all of our children that this pairing of talent with determination, hard work and sometimes sacrifice will instill in them these principles in their academic and life journeys. We are certain that God has a purpose for each of them to fulfill and we feel blessed to be able to help them along on this journey.

Mr David Butler
Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
From the Chaplain
Denis Oliver

When I was young, I was a very messy writer (I still am). I used to love stencils to create fancy headings. Stencils gave shape to my words. Similarly, Jesus gave his followers a prayer stencil, words to learn and trace.

 

stencils

 

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

Matthew 6:9-13

 

What I love about the Lord's Prayer is that Jesus insists his followers address the Creator of the universe as “Our Father in Heaven.” Faith in Jesus not only brings forgiveness of sins but also adoption into the family of God, and therefore we are told to call God "Father."

Calling God "Father" gives us permission to draw close to Him on a very personal level. I have always had a troubled relationship with my earthly father, so for me, the Lord's Prayer is a great blessing. I have a Father in heaven who is always there, a safe person I can speak to.

As a son of God, I am concerned for God's reputation — I want His name to be hallowed (kept holy). Keeping God's name holy is more than just refraining from swearing; it is about my own reputation. As a Christian man, my reputation reflects on God's reputation, and I want His will to be done in my life.

As a child of God, I need my Father to provide my daily bread, to offer His forgiveness, and to give me guidance. All these things I am told to ask for!

The second thing I love about the Lord's Prayer is that all the requests are plural. This means that the prayer is not merely for personal use but for public use — we can pray this prayer for other Christians.

Sometimes, praying for our children can be daunting. Why not use the Lord's Prayer as a stencil for praying for your children? While you are at it, use this stencil to pray for your children's friends and even their teachers!

Reverend Denis Oliver
College Chaplain
From the Junior School Director of Teaching and Learning
lisa

Let’s continue to build positive partnerships as a way to support every child reach their learning potential. 

It is always wonderful to come back to College after a break and hear the stories from the students about their experiences. Some mention amazing trips, some discuss the books they have read – always a winning conversation with me! – and others talk about visiting museums, galleries and sporting events. All of them talk about times spent with their parents and caregivers.

How treasured are these partnerships.

Lisa Hansford

At Thomas Hassall, we encourage parents to show interest in discovering the learning of the children. Thank you for attending Parent/Teacher interviews, information sessions about reports, InitiaLit and the upcoming one on the new Mathematics syllabus. We will continue to consider ways to foster this interest.

This term, the Junior School teachers are focused on helping parents with this goal. Please keep an eye on Seesaw to see the learning occurring in the classrooms. Look to see how your child is developing in their writing, reading, numeracy and the vast range of learning that occurs in a regular school day.

Focusing on your child’s learning growth is the true goal of successful partnerships.

Ms Lisa Hansford
Director of Teaching and Learning - Junior School
From The Senior School Director of Teaching and Learning
Jason CB

Recently I have been looking into the research around the most effective study strategies. The one strategy that comes out on top is known as distributed practice. It means quite simply that revising content we have been taught regularly, spaced out over time, will yield much better exam results than simply cramming content a few days beforehand.

The literature indicates that around 60 - 80% of what is taught in class is largely forgotten within 24 hours. This is a feature of our highly efficient brains discarding information from our short-term memory into the trash can that is deemed to be of little importance.

However, if a student is exposed again to the same content shortly after, and thereafter in spaced intervals, they are likely to retain most of what was taught. The brain realises the information must be significant and it moves into the long-term memory.

Distributed Practice

What does this mean for learning and our students? It means that when a student has finished their homework, or claims they have not received any homework, there is still work to be done! It needn’t take more than 30 minutes or 5 minutes per lesson. They could simply write 2-3 dot points summarising the key content they were taught.

On the weekend they could take these dot point summaries and write them out into a mind map or longer response. A month later they could again write a summary of these or create some flash cards.

In short, cramming is crazy, but regular revision rocks!

Mr Jason Corbett-Jones
Director of Teaching & Learning - Senior School
From the Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School
Director of Student Wellbeing

The Olympics always starts with an Opening Ceremony where all the athletes from all representing countries walk in, in their new uniforms together, excited to see the feats that are about to be televised worldwide, to realise dreams, and to create memories from their perseverance, determination, and resilience. The uniforms promote the idea that the athletes are all part of the same team, fostering a sense of togetherness and commonality. This is the same at Thomas Hassall. It reinforces who we are as a community and helps allow students to feel pride in their school and to belong. Wearing the uniform correctly also makes the statement that we care for one another and want to make sure that every student feels connected and able to contribute.  It helps prepare students for life after school where many will experience dress codes and standards for work. 

As we enter Term 3, students still need to be in their full winter uniform. In particular, this includes blazers being the outerwear. Please also ensure that students adhere to the College uniform policy regarding appropriate haircuts, not having excessive jewellry or makeup, skirt length needing to be to the knee and not rolled or hemmed up, and sports uniform being worn on designated sports days and practical PE lessons only.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of compliance with your child. For students having difficulty meeting these guidelines, please be aware that we will contact you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the uniform policy, please contact your child’s relevant Year Advisor.

Dr Anna Nalla
Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School

Principal Karen Easton Receives Honorary Fellowship

We are proud to announce that College Principal, Mrs Karen Easton was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Teachers' Guild of New South Wales at their annual Fellows and Members Dinner last night at The Concord Community Club. This prestigious fellowship recognises educators who have made significant contributions to teaching and learning throughout their careers.

Mrs Karen Easton's long-standing dedication to educational excellence and innovation has earned her this distinguished honour. Her efforts have consistently focused on enhancing student outcomes and fostering an environment conducive to learning.

Award

Congratulations to Mrs Karen Easton on this significant achievement. Her wealth of experience and commitment continue to enrich our community.

EventsBack to Top

UNITE IN SENIOR SCHOOL

What a great last week of Term 2 as we hosted UNITE week across our College!

UNITE week is a student-led initiative to celebrate the cultural diversity of our College community. Students participated in different cultural-based activities throughout the week with senior students adorning their cultural dress or flag colours on the last Friday of term. The week also culminated in a variety of international sports activities, dances and cultural foods being made available to students and an array of international music played over speakers. Here are some of the highlights:

Dr Anna Nalla
Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School 
UNITE in Junior School

We celebrated the cultural diversity of our College in the last week of term with our UNITE celebrations. Our Junior School students immersed themselves in the spirit of unity by wearing their cultural dress.

Over the week we enjoyed performances from our Chapel band and Drum Circle during break times. 

unite 1

unite 2

unite
Celebrating the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Friday was a fantastic day as our College community celebrated the start of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Green and Gold mufti-day fundraiser brought everyone together, with students and staff showing their support for our athletes by wearing our supporter colours. 

Green And Gold

Green and Gold

green and gold

The fundraiser was a success, with all funds going to our Compassion children. 

We encourage everyone in our College community to watch and support our athletes. Let's cheer them on throughout the coming weeks and celebrate their achievements on the world stage. 

WellbeingBack to Top

Abide lunchtime group

ABIDE, our Senior School Christian lunchtime group, has started back for the term, on Fridays at the top of N-Block.

This term we will be looking at ‘Prophets: Influencers for God’. 

Prophets influencers for God

Everyone is welcome to join us for games, food, fun and to discuss the Bible in small groups.

For more information, ask Mr Mills, Mr Roper or Rev Oliver.
Being digital citizens at Thomas Hassall

In this digital age, while mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences they can have on our teenagers' well-being and academic performance. Recent research has highlighted that excessive phone use can have several negative effects on teenagers. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Distraction: Phones can be a major distraction during College hours, affecting students' ability to focus and engage in their studies. It is important for students to prioritise their education and limit phone use during this time.

2. Social Interaction: Over-reliance on phones can hinder face-to-face social interactions. It is essential for teenagers to develop strong interpersonal skills and maintain healthy relationships with their peers.

3. Mental Health: Excessive phone use has been linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among teenagers. Encouraging healthy phone habits can contribute to better mental well-being.

4. Academic Performance: Spending excessive time on phones can lead to decreased productivity and hinder academic performance. It is crucial for students to find a balance between phone use and their studies.

Students were reminded this week of the importance of using their phone pouches or having their phones turned off and out of sight during College hours. It is important for students to adhere to these guidelines and understand the consequences of not doing so. This is in line with the NSW Government phone policy implemented late last year for high schools that aimed to increase focus and learning in classrooms, remove distractions, and promote positive social interactions. We have also been providing resources and information on the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between phone use and other activities e.g. setting designated phone-free times, encouraging alternative forms of entertainment and relaxation, and using the phone pouch to cut down on distractions or notifications during study.

As a College community, we can work together on this to promote responsible phone use among our students. We want to empower students to use technology effectively and responsibly. Using their phone pouch is a temporary tool to help students build the necessary skills and habits for successful engagement with powerful tools like smart phones. Our hope is that we can help our students use their devices in ways that enhance, rather than hinder, their learning and well-being, developing the self-regulation and critical thinking essential for becoming responsible digital citizens. Please support your child by discussing the policy with them and reminding them of their responsibility to follow it.

If you have any questions or want more information regarding the wellbeing program for this term feel free to contact your child’s year advisor.

Dr Anna Nalla
Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School 

LearningBack to Top

Concreting with Year 12 Construction

Year 12 VET Construction student are required to complete a practical task where they prepare for a major project. This involves preparing the substrate, forming up and pouring a concrete slab. Students participated admirably and used all of their training so far to plan, organise and carry out a major practical task safely and successfully. Their efforts have helped to contribute to the functional college facilities and will be appreciated for years to come.

Year 12 Construction

Congratulations year 12 for a successful project.

Mr Mark Reed
Senior School TAS Teacher 
Year 7 Ceramics Workshop

Year 7 students are invited to participate in a Ceramics Workshop on Wednesday 7 August 2024, 2.45 - 4.00pm. 

For further information check for the email sent to Yr 7 Parents & Students. If you have any questions write to Mrs Griffin in Visual Art on [email protected] . 
Junior School Learn About Olympic Mascots

The Olympic Games have a significant historical and contemporary connection with France.

The modern Olympic Games were founded by Pierre de Coubertin, a French teacher. He played a pivotal role in reviving the ancient Olympic tradition and establishing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and designing the Olympic Flag. This is the reason why French is one of the official languages of the Olympic Games. 

In our Kindy and French classes, the Paris 2024 emblem and mascots have served as focal points for discussions about French culture, history and values, and to further develop cross-cultural understanding. 

The emblem for Paris 2024 is a powerful symbol that combines three iconic elements:

The Gold Medal: The circular shape represents a gold medal, embodying the pursuit of excellence and the athletes' dreams of victory. 

The Flame: At the centre of the emblem is a stylized flame, symbolizing the Olympic flame that has been a beacon of hope and unity since ancient times. 

Marianne: The face within the emblem is that of Marianne, a national symbol of the French Republic, which  represents liberty, equality, and fraternity, the core values of France. 

The mascots for Paris 2024 are the Phryges, named after the Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom and the French Revolution.

I encourage you to explore these symbols with your children at home, discussing their meanings and what they represent. This will not only reinforce their learning but also help them connect with the global community and the Paris 2024 Games.

Mrs Viviana Morris
Junior School Languages Teacher
Year 11 Biodiversity Day

Our excursion to the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens was an enriching experience, immersing us in the rich biodiversity of Australian flora and fauna. As we wandered through the expansive gardens, we encountered a vast array of native plants, each uniquely adapted to the diverse Australian climate. The gardens showcased various ecosystems, highlighting the incredible adaptability and resilience of the local flora. We also observed several native animal species, provided by Taronga Zoo learning about their roles in the ecosystem and the delicate balance required to maintain biodiversity.

Year 11 Science

We also delved into the fascinating world of evolution through the lens of Charles Darwin's ground-breaking theories. The educational exhibits provided insight into the evolutionary processes that have shaped Australia's unique wildlife. We learned about natural selection, adaptation, and the survival strategies of different species. This exploration of evolutionary biology helped us understand how the diverse flora and fauna we observed have evolved over millions of years, adapting to their environments in remarkable ways.

Overall, the excursion was a valuable experience, deepening our appreciation for the complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth and an appreciation of God’s creation.

All thanks to Mrs Helen Johnson for organising such an amazing learning experience.

 

Mr Roderick Fortuin
Science Teacher - Senior School

Performing ArtsBack to Top

Senior Music Camp

On Thursday morning, some of our Senior School students departed for a 3-day music camp. This event will provide them a fun, creative, and refreshing environment to enhance their ensemble skills and further their musical development.

music

On Saturday afternoon, the students will showcase their progress with a small concert for their parents before heading home. This will be an opportunity for them to share what they have learnt from the camp. 

Upcoming Senior Sport Dates

Coming up this term, we have the following sports events so if there is something that interests you, please come and see a PDHPE staff member to learn more about how you can get involved.

 
Upcoming Sporting Events Term 3

Week 2

Monday 29 July 

7-9 OzTag trials during Lunchtime on oval

Athletics Training 

Thursday 30 July

MISA Round One Games Begin 

Thursday 1 August

Athletics Training 
Week 3

Monday 5 August

Athletics Training 

Wednesday 7 August

 Year 7 B and Years 9-11 G Football Gala Day

Thursday 8 August

 Athletics Training 

Friday 9 August

 Years 8-9 & 10-11 B Football Gala Day
Week 4

Monday 12 August

Athletics Training 

Wednesday 14 August

 ACIES Open’s Volleyball Day
Thursday 15 August

Year 7, 8 & 9 Mixed OzTag Gala Day

Athletics Training 
Week 5 Monday 19 August

CIS Netball Challenge 

Athletics Training 

Wednesday 21 August

 CASA Senior Athletics Carnival 
Friday 22 August

Open Boys and Girls Basketball Gala day

Mrs Irene Focas
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator
Senior School Sports Update

Congratulations to our Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer Team for placing first in their MISA Competitions! A great season was had by all, facing new challenges and fostering new friendships in their respective teams. 

Basketball Girls - 1st Place

Soccer Girls - 1st Place 

Division 2 Mixed Frisbee - 1st Place

Basketball Boys - 2nd Place

Division 2 Basketball Boys - 4th Place

Rugby League Boys - 4th Place

Rugby League Girls - 5th Place

Soccer Boys - 5th Place 

Division 2 Netball Girls - 6th Place

winners

MISA Players of the Term

We are incredibly proud and grateful to those students who put their best foot forward this term. A special mention to the following students who have been awarded the MISA Player of the term: 

Soccer Girls - Jessica M

Soccer Boys - Jy K

Rugby League Girls - Samantha G

Rugby League Boys - Cooper L 

Netball - Laura M

Dance - Olivia E

Ultimate Frisbee - Mitchell K & Charlotte P

Basketball Boys - Max V

Basketball Girls - Liana M

Basketball Division 2 Boys - Jared O 

Mrs Irene Focas
Sports Coordinator - Senior School
MISA Dance Festival 2024

Our talented MISA Dancers took to the stage on Tuesday to perform at the MISA Dance Festival. The girls delivered a strong performance among 12 other MISA schools, with their jazz routine, “Hit the Road Jack”. The MISA dancers are trained by Emma Iisakka and Ellie Bull and work together all year to produce quality dance routines that are showcased at a variety of events. Congratulations dancers on a wonderful performance.  

Ms Michelle Raft
Director of Dance Academy
Student Sports Spotlight

Max in Year 9
 

Max V (Year 9) had a very busy and exciting break attending the U16 National Basketball Championships that took place from the 5th-15th of July in Bendigo. 

Max was in the NSW team and despite the fierce competition, they managed to come away 2nd in the country and win a silver medal which was the best outcome NSW have had in over 10 years!

We congratulate Max on this incredible achievement and wish him all the best as he continues his training with the NSW Squad.

MAX

Vansh in Year 9
 

Vansh M (Year 9) competed in the International Sport Karate and Kickboxing Association (ISKA) World Championship in Orlando, Florida walking away with 4 Championships and 2 Bronze. 

This year he also won the The Night Of Victory Championship at the ISKA US Open, making him the first Australian to win the ISKA World Grand Championship. 

Congratulations Vansh on your achievements at the ISKA Championships. 

Vansh

Has your child recently competed in a representative level?
We would love to share these results with our community. Please let us know via email [email protected]