Term 3: Thursday 7 September 2017

Perhaps broader opportunities yet increasing accountabilities at a personal level.  Young people are open minded and able to learn new technologies quickly and for the most part, the future looks hopeful in a complex world.  It’s often the adults who need assistance isn’t it?  At the College we are open to your enquiry about the issues of learning for our students and families.

Next Thursday evening 14 September we want to assist parents in guiding your children and teenagers in the subject of pornography.  Increasingly our young people are being exposed to inappropriate material through their internet use.  It is a growing problem for families. We have a special guest – James Grady to speak to us and we recommend your attendance. It’s a free night and you can book through trybooking.com/RGXC. Please come along. 

Our Year 9 students are the first group to have their NAPLAN results linked to a minimum standard for the HSC in 2020. We wrote to all Year 9 families about the detail and now have included this letter below for your information.

Year 12 students are about to graduate and a special assembly will be held on Friday 22 September. Parents and grandparents attend for most students and it is a lovely opportunity to reflect on the journey across the school years. For an increasing number of graduates Thomas Hassall Anglican College has been their only school. Please continue to pray for Year 12 and their final HSC examinations. 

Thank you also to Mrs Christine Bessant and the Executive Team for the smooth passage of the College during my recent time away.

Ross Whelan

‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, even when….’ Ephesians 2:4-5

Letter sent 21 August 2017 as follows:-

Dear Parents,

This week you received the results of your child’s 2017 National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The College performed strongly in comparison to the State average and many of our Year 9 students received their marks that automatically qualify them to receive a Higher School Certificate in 2020. Students who did not receive a result in the Band 8 - 10 range in all 3 of the Assessments (Reading, Writing and Numeracy) have not automatically qualified to receive a HSC in 2020 and will be given subsequent opportunities to qualify at a later time as outlined in the accompanying letter from the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).

The table below shows how Thomas Hassall students performed in comparison to the rest of the state.

We anticipated that not all Thomas Hassall students would automatically qualify at this first opportunity.  Therefore; we have a number of measures in place to assist students to achieve the qualification at one of their next opportunities. These opportunities will be offered over the course of the next year and include:

• Online courses to improve literacy. We have implemented Literacy Planet for targeted groups across the Senior School to improve student’s basic skills in literacy. We have received positive feedback regarding the uptake of this program and would like to offer students who are yet to qualify an opportunity to be a part of the program. 
• The Study Centre is open and available for all students from Years 7-12, four afternoons a week. However, we will target specific skills on selected afternoons for students in order to assist students in preparation for their next test opportunity. Invitations will be sent to parents of the candidates targeted for intervention.
•  Mathematics and English classes in Secondary will continue to ensure that students are given regular feedback via their internal tests and exercises as to how they are achieving in regards to the qualification standards. Students who are identified as yet to qualify will be encouraged to take up the opportunities made available by the College.
• Reading Support: There is a withdrawal system in place to support students in their Reading (Multi-Lit). Whilst this has been primarily a Junior School program, we do have targeted students doing Multi-Lit Extension in the Senior School. Other similar programs targeting writing and numeracy are being considered.
•  In our Year 10 schedule there is now going to be opportunities for specialist days of targeted tutorials in the specific areas of numeracy and literacy most needed to assist students in qualifying for their HSC.

We will also continue to ensure that all of our staff across the College are being regularly informed of the most up to date numeracy and literacy strategies to assist our students across all of their subjects.

We are expecting that the majority of students will have qualified by the end of Year 10  However, some students will require more ongoing and targeted support. From our experience, when a student commits to their learning and has the right encouragement and support from their home and school environments, a great deal can be achieved. 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Director of Studies, Ms Kelie Munro or Director of Improvement Innovation (Middle Years) Mr David Butler at the College.

It will be held at Hoxton Park Anglican Church on Saturday 16 September. It is expected to be a night of shopping, delicious desserts and a message about why ethical trade matters.

Guests are asked to make a $5 donation upon entry. All funds raised at the door will go to Destiny Rescue. It is an internationally recognised Christian non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing children trapped in the sex trade.

The organisation's vision includes empowering the poor and being a voice for those who can't speak up for themselves. They currently operate a variety of programs in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and India.

There will also be an op shop swap on the night - bring as much as you want and take as much as you want.

More details HERE.

The College is embarking on a new initiative that will support you and your child’s Wellbeing.

We are seeking to be more proactive in partnering with you in this critical area.

‘Wellbeing Matters’ will occur three to four times a year with a focus on important matters about your child’s wellbeing.

We are looking to address a number of emerging issues with the aim of helping to inform and equip you and to enhance your child’s wellbeing.

The first event targets an area that is an ever increasing challenge and issue for a significant number of young people.

The issue is Online Pornography. Unfortunately the statistics around online pornography are alarming.

Most parents feel overwhelmed about how to have a conversation with their children or about where to start to prevent access or exposure.

Come and hear from James Grady of The Frank Chat www.thefrankchat.com who has worked in pastoral roles in schools for 10 years.

He has seen the harm that can occur and has equipped students, parents and staff to raise awareness and help people to live pornography-free lives.

This session will cover:

• Current research on exposure
• Current research on the harm
• Why young people habitually view
• Managing technology in the home
• Parenting strategies
• Resources for parents and children
• Your questions (any questions!)

Thomas Hassall Anglican College is offering this session free of charge to all our families and friends.  

Please go to www.trybooking.com/RGXC  to book your tickets to attend.

Thursday 14 September, 7.30pm The Anne Marsden Centre. Ample parking available.

This parent information evening is a must for all parents, no matter the age of your children.

Fun Fact 1: There were 11 ships in the First Fleet to Australia, the same number of biscuits in a packet of Tim Tams!

On Friday 1 September, Year 4 learnt this fact and many others as we embarked on a journey to the depths of Australia's interesting, and sometimes, upsetting history.

Our first stop was the Museum of Sydney. Did you know the Museum of Sydney is actually built on the site of the first Governor's house? We saw the original building's foundations under the Museum floor, as well as other relics uncovered from the time of the early colony.

While at the Museum, we studied artefacts, learned about life for Indigenous Australians before and after British colonisation, discovered how Indigenous Australians hunt and gather food, and were taught how to identify different types of spears (some used for hunting and others designed to cause injury). We also experienced how challenging communication between the British and Indigenous Australians actually was. It was fascinating to consider colonisation from two very different perspectives.

Fun Fact 2: The metal studs in the concrete outside the Museum of Sydney are not for decoration or to help those with vision impairment. They actually outline the original floor plan of Governor Phillip's house.

After stopping for lunch at the Royal Botanic Gardens, we walked to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, where we learned about convict life in the early days of the penal colony. Year 4 were shocked by the convicts' personal hygiene and very grateful that we live in a time of running water and hot showers.

As convicts, we were put in leg irons, ordered to don our convict shirts and set to hard labour building fireplaces. We learned how to identify convicts and organise a convict roll call system to ensure no one escaped. Finally, we were released to 'relax' in convict hammocks.

After making sure none of our charges had escaped, we clambered back onto the bus to return to the 21st century, grateful for the experience of those who have come before us, and now more informed as we look to the future.

The primary boys soccer team took part at the recent TIGS Gala Day. The tournament featured strong competition from schools across Sydney and the South Coast.

Our Year 5 and 6 representatives performed strongly with comprehensive victories against Macarthur, Tudor House and Redlands. The boys played an impressive brand of football and progressed their way through to the semi-final stage where they met rivals Illawarra Grammar.

Thomas Hassall dominated play for the vast majority of the match, coming agonisingly close to scoring on numerous occasions. When the full time whistle blew the scores were locked at 0-0. A penalty shootout was declared to determine the winner.

Despite enormous pressure, our boys stepped up to the mark and performed when it mattered to win the shootout 4-3 and earn a spot in the grand final. The team fought hard in their final match but unfortunately went down to a strong team from Moriah 3-0.

Congratulations to all involved, on your excellent display of skill and teamwork throughout the day.

Mr Andrew Raft
Assistant Stage 3 Coordinator

The school holidays will be jam packed with events and activities at Camp Australia. Expect a range of games, sports, art and craft, food and cooking and activities.

Here's a taste of what you can expect...

26 September: When in Rome - Let your tastebuds travel with the help of a take home cooking timer. Today we're taking our taste buds to Italy with heaps of delicious cooking activities.

29 September: Time After Time - Take your dance moves to a new level.

5 October: Farmyard Adventures - We're off on a totally wild adventure at Calmsley Hill City Farm.

Camp Australia brochure is HERE or head to their website HERE.