Term 1 I The Way Newsletter I Friday 17 March 2023

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From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

The end of Term is fast approaching and there are many events taking place at the College.

Our College Open Week will take place next week. This is a wonderful opportunity for our prospective families to take a tour of the College, meet with our leadership team and have their questions answered. Please invite your own family and friends along who may be interested in enrolling in the College.

NAPLAN commenced this week for our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Many students across the state were impacted by a technical issue on Wednesday. Our students handled themselves very well during the change in circumstances and we are pleased they were able to commence again today. Please continue to pray for these students as they undertake these NAPLAN activities.

Our Movie Night Under the Stars will be held on Friday 31 March. We will be watching the newly released ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’. There will be food trucks onsite to purchase dinner and snacks from 6pm, as well as entertainment for the children with some great prizes to be won. The movie will commence at sunset (around 7pm). We hope to see many of you there.

Our Easter events are also set to take place in the last few weeks of Term, including chapel services for all our students to reflect on the meaning of Easter. The much-loved Easter Hat Parade for students in Prep to Year 4 will take place in the last week of Term, as well as the Eggshibition, featuring works of students in Years 5 and 6. Find out more about these events in this edition.

There have been some wonderful achievements across the College in the area of sport. Kryshtof In Year 9 recently represented Australia at International level and returned with Silver medal from Asian Open in Jakarta, Bronze medal from Italy and placed 5th in Germany. Well done Kryshtof.

Enjoy reading this edition.

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Junior School Director of Operations and Welfare
Kylie

We are all lifelong learners.

This term the Junior School staff has been engaged in Professional Learning about making adjustments for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and those exhibiting challenging behaviours. This learning will continue into next term with staff participating in online modules through the Association of Independent Schools. It is vital that all members of staff have a working knowledge and understanding about adjusting the learning and the environment to cater to the needs of all students at College.

At Thomas Hassall we are an inclusive learning environment; all students are children of God and we value difference, tolerance and acceptance.

We hope to see you at the Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 6 April.

Mrs Kylie Singles
Director of Operations & Wellbeing – Junior School
From the Chaplain
Denis Oliver

There is an election coming and how I wish that the politicians would be open and honest about who they are and what they have to offer so we can choose our leaders well.

I don’t think people want fancy speeches, we just want people who care and will serve us well – people we can put our trust in.

The apostle Paul speaks about this very issue in the bible.

3 We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. 4 But in everything and in every way we show we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times…

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us.  - 2 Corinthians 6

Transparency and honesty are important values in a Christian community. Being open is something Christian leaders should aim for in good times and bad.

We aim to be open-handed – generous and transparent so that people see we are truly serving Jesus through serving them.

We aim to speak openly – we want to speak the truth in love so that people can hear Jesus in our interactions and in our motives.

We aim to keep our hearts open – we want to keep loving people, even when they are not lovely. Jesus did this for us and so we do it for others.

Next week we have our College Open Week. Come and see what we do.  Come and ask questions. We are open for you so that you can be open with us. Our college is not perfect, but we want to be that College that makes Jesus clear to our students, staff, and community.

Reverend Denis Oliver
College Chaplain

Upcoming dates

Date Event
Monday 20 March - NAPLAN
- Open Week
Tuesday 21 March - NAPLAN
- Junior School Cross Country
- Year 12 Extension History Excursion
- NASSA Swimming Junior School
Wednesday 22 March - CIS Primary Swimming

Friday 24 March

 - Senior School Cross Country
Saturday 25 March - Open Day
Monday 27 March - NASSA Primary Boys and Girls Touch Football
- Year 12 Mid-Course Exams
Thursday 30 March - IPSSO Trials Years 5 and 6
- AICES Basketball Trials
- Year 10 Extreme History Excursion
Friday 31 March - Movie Night Under the Stars
- CIS Football Gala Day
- IPSSO Trials Years 3 and 4
- NASSA Open Netball Gala Day
Open Week

Our Open Week is coming up at the College from the 19 - 25 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.
Movie Night

Join us for a movie night as we watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile!

Friday 31 March | 6pm

This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Gates open at 6pm with food trucks and entertainment. The movie will begin at 7pm.

Bring your picnic rug and blanket and join us on the oval. In the event of wet weather, the event will move indoors.

Please register online

View the flyer

Gift Donation
If you have a business that would like to donate to our pre-movie activities, please contact us [email protected]

Your company name and logo will be displayed on the big screen before the movie commences.
Easter Events

Students in Prep to Year 4 are invited to bring an Easter hat to be worn in the Easter Hat Parade.

It will take place on Thursday 6 April from 11am in the Junior School Amphitheatre. Prep 3 Day program will have an Easter Hat Parade on Wednesday 5 April in the Prep Building at 1.30pm.

Students in Years 5 and 6 will take part in an eggshibition, which will be open for viewing from 10-11.30am in the classrooms on Thursday 6 April.

Please register to come along to either event www.thac.nsw.edu.au/book

LearningBack to Top

Years 5 and 6 Camp

Recently our Years 5 and 6 attended camp. Year 6 enjoyed visiting sites in Canberra and our Year 5 students enjoyed a range of activities at Wedderburn Christian Campsite.

Here are some photos of what they got up to.
CRUFIT Training

Recently some of our students in Years 5 and 6 were part of a CRU Followers in Training (CRUFIT) session at the College.

This session focused on teaching foundational Christian leadership skills that can be used in our Jesus and Me (JAM) lunchtime group and their lives. They heard bible talks, played games, and met with students from other local schools.

Crufit

Performing ArtsBack to Top

Open Rehearsals

A reminder that ‘Open Rehearsals Week’ takes place next week.

If you are a parent that plays a musical instrument/sings or are an ex-student previously involved in our music ensembles program, you are invited to attend the rehearsal of the ensemble your child is a part of. For alumni, you are welcome to participate in the rehearsal of the ensemble/s you used to be a part of at THAC.

Our aim is to build the community around Creative Arts at the College, and invite you to participate in one rehearsal each term together with your child, and enjoy playing alongside your child. For alumni, it is a fun way to reconnect with current students and enjoy the opportunity to once again play in a large ensemble. Rehearsals will be conducted as normal, with the addition of a few more community members to add to the sound and help make it extra special for all involved.

Our ensembles schedule is below. You are invited to attend any of the rehearsals that take place, during the week commencing Monday 20th March – Thursday 23rd March. Please complete the Google form below to indicate if you are attending. Only those who have filled in this form will be able to participate as we need to have a record of who is on-site.

We are excited about this new initiative, and look forward to seeing many of you sitting in among our student ensembles to experience and share their learning journey.  Please contact [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles
 

NASSA Junior School Football

On Tuesday 7th March, 8 boys represented the College at the NASSA Junior Boys Football trials.

Congratulations to the 4 boys selected to represent the College at the CIS Primary Boys Football Championships later this month.

Mrs Sharon Evans 
P-6 Sports Coordinator
 
Student Sport Spotlight

 

Kryshtof in Year 9 is a figure current Australian Figure Skating Champion in Advanced Novice Boys division and a member of ISA National Squad.

Kryshtof recently represented Australia at International level and returned with Silver medal from Asian Open in Jakarta,  Bronze medal from Italy and placed 5th in Germany.

This is an outstanding achievement. Well done Kryshtof!

 

Kryshtof

 

NSW CIS Primary Girls Football Trials

Congratulations to Willow S who recently attended the NSW CIS Primary Girls Football trials. Players came from all over the state, with a strong field of over 100 players trial for a position in the team.

Willow played well throughout the day, and although unsuccessful in making the NSW team, she displayed both skill and adaptability when on the field.

A great achievement and as a Year 5 student, we look forward to her trialling again next year. Well done Willow.

NSW CIs

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]
Student Sport Spotlight

SportSpotlight.jpg

Sport Spotlight

Congratulations to McKenna who recently competed at The State Aero Championships.

She came 7th and 2nd in her trio with her gym sisters.  Well done!

McKenna

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]

CommunityBack to Top

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

The winter uniform changeover is the week after mother’s day (Monday 15th May), however, for junior school winter uniform is optional for the first three weeks of Term if it is cold.

Uniforms can be purchased in person or online. We recommend booking a fitting appointment online if you are a Year 7 student requiring a blazer.

The store is still accepting the Premiers Back to School Vouchers.

Term 2 Extended Trading Hours:
Monday 17 April: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Wednesday 19 April: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday 21 April: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Monday 24 April: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Tuesday 25 April ANZAC DAY Public Holiday: Closed

The uniform shop will return to normal hours on Wednesday 26 April 2023
Holiday Programs
Football Holiday Program

Running from 17-21 April from 8.30 - 2.30pm, this is an all-weather program that will take place at the College.

It is open to boys and girls aged 5-13 of all skill levels.

Students will participate in fun activities, game development and learn soccer skills from accredited coaches.

$65 per day or $290 for the week.

Book online now


CodeCamp

Join CodeCamp these School holidays where kids design, code, problem solve and become storytellers and creators of technology, by creating games, websites, music and videos or flying drones - in just 2-3 days! 

Roblox Legends, ages 7-10, $390
At Roblox Legends kids aged 7-10 years will work in groups to create "choose your own adventure” games, using digital storytelling, AI and game design to bring their dream games to life in 2D and 3D. Kids will walk away with the coolest playable Roblox games to share with their friends!

Spark, ages 7-12, $390
Fun, engaging and challenging… and our most popular Code Camp that over 100,000 students have completed. Spark is where every student in years 2-6 should start their Code Camp journey. Your child will design an engaging platformer game (similar to Mario Bros.), and then bring it to life with intuitive, yet powerful, drag and drop code. Learning the fundamentals of coding gives children the confidence and knowledge to be in control with technology – not just as a passive consumer, but as a creator, problem solver, and digital storyteller

Little Coders, ages 5-7, $275 
Your child will love the fun and interactive way we teach kids to code at Little Coders. It’s so much fun, they won’t realise they’re learning! Over 2 days our youngest campers discover the basics of coding and take their first steps to becoming a coding superstar. Kids will learn drag & drop coding with if statements, algorithms and logic, and more within our bespoke learning platform, Code Camp World!

Book now using discount code ‘EARLY25’ to take advantage of our $25 Early Bird Discount running until Sunday 12 March. Book now


Motiv8 Sports

Held only once each year Super Camp is a sports festival designed just for kids. Way more than a sports dreamland, Super Camp is an energetic mix of sport, music, street culture, art and dance mashed up to create the ultimate atmosphere for kids who love having fun. Campers will be treated to an incredible array of our trademark team sports in an environment full of energy, motiv8tion and unbelievable guidance from our professional team of coaches.

For Kindy to Year 6, 8.30am to 3.30pm 

Book online
Junior Library Book Club

Mrs Issa and Mr Smith are excited to announce that starting next term will be a wonderful new book club for students in Years 4 to 6.

Book Clubs are a great place to celebrate all things books and reading, we will play games, do crafts and talk about all the books we love to read. We will also be reading a book together as a group, the first will have something to do with Dragons.... Meetings will be held Friday lunchtime every two weeks. If you would like more information or to join, please speak to Mrs Issa or Mr Smith in the Library.

Mrs Arabella Issa & Mr Michael Smith
Junior IRC Library Team 
Alumni Student

My name is Danica Harkness and I am a former Thomas Hassall Anglican College student.

I have been fortunate enough to have been selected as a Miss Universe Australia State Finalist! With this opportunity I am raising money and awareness to support Toybox Australia in conjunction with Camp Quality and Ronald McDonald House through fundraisers.

These charities assist families and children who are unwell and are in hardship. I would appreciate your kindness in either helping spread awareness about this campaign or providing a donation, no matter how big or small, to the link provided in this article. I would also like to thank Thomas Hassall in supporting me through both my schooling years and current stage of life. Without the help of Thomas Hassall I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

Please help donate