Term 2 | Friday 30 April 2021

This Term has started off with a positive momentum as we get into the swing of completing assessments and getting ready for formal examinations.

In addition to this we have had a busy schedule of special events and carnivals.

Last week we enjoyed a lovely setting out at the Olympic Equestrian Centre for our Senior Cross Country. Despite the demands of the running component, I was pleased to see a high level of participation and attendance. I personally had a go at the Cross Country, and whilst I don’t like running, it felt good to be involved. We have our Athletics Carnival next week and I expect all students to be in attendance and taking up the opportunity to get positively engaged. Thank you for your support as you encourage your child to both attend and participate.

I believe that relationship building is one of the keys to successful living and a happy life. Over the past week we have benefited from specialist presenters addressing students and parents on some sensitive topics around building Respectful Relationships. Whilst the student component only involved the Year 10 and 11 students, the Parent Forum was open to all parents. All the students I spoke to were very positive about the presentation. Girls came away feeling empowered and equipped to better respond to other peers in the way they establishing and develop relationships in our complex online world. Boys felt challenged to lead in ways that would ultimately build their own capacity to establish and maintain good relationships.  More of these seminars are planned in the near future.

Year 7 had the benefit of taking part in a Seminar that focused on a different area of relationships, but in the same way it alerted students to negative behaviours that are not constructive in building the community. Topics around bullying, bystanding and upstanding, along with positive conflict resolution were covered.

With Subject Examinations or NAPLAN around the corner I want to encourage all students to stay positive and focus on the business at hand which includes getting ready for examinations, completing assessment tasks on time and keeping to a schedule that allows them the ability to stay calm and follow up with teachers on concepts and areas of learning that need clarity.

Let’s have a great Term 2.

This week we celebrated ANZAC day and some staff wore Rosemary and Poppies.

But why wear these plants on ANZAC day?   Rosemary is a plant that grows wildly on the Gallipoli peninsula – to wear Rosemary is to remember a location.  The Flanders poppy were the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of France and Belgium.  Some soldiers feel that the red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades that soaked the ground. To wear a poppy is to remember a sacrifice.

These simple plants, these symbols, help us remember our history. Both plants grow where the battles were fought - they are anchors to historical realities. The colour of the poppy and the smell of rosemary are invocative of our history – and the price of peace.

Christians also have symbols. We have an empty cross that reminds us of Jesus' death and resurrection, the historical event of forgiveness available to all.  We have the Lord’s Supper; the broken bread reminds us of his broken body; the poured out wine reminds us of his poured out blood - the price of peace.  When Christians take them as a community, we are reminded that Jesus died to make a community.

As we remember the fallen on ANZAC day, do not forget the one who fell and rose again – Jesus Christ.

On Monday, the College gathered on the Rawdon Middleton VC Oval for an Anzac Day Service.

With deep gratitude we acknowledged the brave service men and women, past and present, for their service and sacrifice for our nation.

It was a lovely service and it was great to have most of the College together, both staff and students, for this very special occasion.

Thank you to all the students and staff involved in making the event happen.

You can view the Assembly at tv.thac.online (password hassalltv)

Congratulations to Rachel (Junior School Teacher) and Joey Stockinger as they welcomed their little girl, Vienna Lalitha-Marie just before Easter.

Mum and bub are doing very well! 

We wish them well and God’s blessings as they navigate this new chapter of parenthood with Vienna.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Our students from Year 10 Extreme History visited the Justice & Police Museum as part of their studies into ‘Crime and Punishment’.

Students examined the case of the ‘Pyjama Girl Mystery’ and participated in a recreation of the trial of Antonio Agostini.

The class also undertook a tour of The Rocks district, learning about the criminal past of the area and its place in Sydney’s history.

Mr Robert Smith
HSIE Coordinator - History and Legal Studies

Year 2R have been studying Australian artists and they wanted to show their Ken Done inspired art work to the man himself.

So they wrote him a letter and sent pictures of their work. They invited him to come and see their work and they even got a response, that he’s a little busy at the moment.  However, the gallery sent the class a beautiful poster, addressed to 2R and signed by Ken Done himself.

They were all very excited!  

Mrs Christine Ross
Junior School Teacher - Year 2R

On Monday the 29th of March, Thomas Hassall Anglican College’s 2021 Student Leadership Team were able to attend the GRIP Student Leadership conference.

They they were able to engage in sessions that taught different sets of leadership skills across each portfolio. At the conference, the Student Leaders participated in a variety of games and sessions aiming to demonstrate the importance of communication being effective but fun. Through these sessions, they were given insight into how to be a more effective and involved leader with younger grades enabling a better variation of communication expertise within house events, fundraisers, etc. During these motivational sessions, our Student Leader Team took part in; they were able to learn about new ways to keep one another inspired and continue to act appropriately as a model figure, leading by example and displaying guidance to the younger students. They wish to implement these skills they have learnt into the College environment, by improving the culture in cohorts with a positive attitude and mindset for individuals own work and their peers around them. 

Through this conference, our Student Leaders have learned that there is more to being a leader than creating and running events. This conference has taught the 2021 Student Leadership Team that leadership at its core is about putting others first. Our Student Leaders learned that leadership is about improving in their own selves to help others improve themselves as well and stand up for what is right.  Also, that through leading by example and allowing those you are leading to have a voice and be heard regarding important issues and events concerning College culture and events.

The GRIP Leadership Conference has allowed the Student Leaders to learn about these leadership qualities in a fun interactive environment, allowing them all to enjoy themselves while learning how to become better leaders and connect to each other as a team. 

Sienna Pallone
Year 12 Student and Senior School Prefect

During lunchtime on Wednesday 31 March, the Senior Library held its first ever Manga selection day.

Each student was given a form and was asked to write down the five series that they most want to see added to the collection. The results have been tallied and the most popular books will be purchased to add to the Library’s growing manga section. Mrs Comiskey and Mr Smith would like to give a big thank you to Karl Belik from BOOKZONE who not only brought out all the books for the students to see, but helpfully answered any questions they had about the different series. Manga selection day will definitely be making a return next year!

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

Following on from our successful Year 4 Band Program, our Junior Concert Band is born.

Last year, this ensemble formed the College’s very first Marching Band! Now, the students are looking forward to their first live performance since COVID, and will be performing at the P-6 assembly in Week 3 this term. The Junior Concert Band rehearse every Tuesday morning and is made up of students in Years 5 & 6. Stay tuned for an update on their performance soon!

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles - Creative Arts

This week we had for the first time some of our advanced Junior violinists from Year 6 join the senior ensemble.

It was great to hear more strings in rehearsal, and it was an excellent first rehearsal for the term. Many of these students have been playing violin since Year 2, and learning a string instrument is a huge commitment.

Well done to all of these students, and we look forward to performing at a College event for you soon.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles - Creative Arts

The Senior School Cross Country Carnival was held at Sydney Equestrian Centre for the first time.

We were blessed that the weather was great for our new location and the students were eager to compete.

The House Hot Lap was very well contested with enthusiastic cheering and a bright surge of colour. Students enjoyed running a similar course to the upcoming NASSA Cross Country and Tug'o'War was hotly contested in the main arena between the Cross Country events.

Congratulations to CARMICHAEL house who won the overall House Point competition at the Carnival.

The results were;

1st – Carmichael                         2775 points                    

2nd – Wilberforce                       2635 points                       

3rd –  Liddell                                2455 points                     

4th – Lewis                                   2275 points

The top 6 finishes will compete at the NASSA carnival on Friday 14 May. 

Mr Michael Fox
Senior School Sports Coordinator

On Friday 23 April, Leon M, Orlando M, Ryder W, Lorenzo V, Danijel R and Daniel B represented NASSA at the NSW CIS Primary Boys Football Championships.

The NASSA team, coached by our very own Football Director Mr Sonny Makko, played excellently throughout the day, showing great teamwork and skill.

At the end of the rounds, about twenty boys were selected to trial for a position in the NSW CIS Primary Boys team. 

Congratulations to Ryder W who was selected to represent NSW CIS at the NSW PSSA Boys Football Championships later this term.

Coach Sonny was very proud of the efforts of all boys from our College at the State trials.

Congratulations boys!

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator / TAP Coordinator

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator