Term 2 I Friday 18 June 2021

Our graduate aim this term has been ‘Passionate and Purposeful Learner’.

I spoke with Senior School students in morning musters this week about a few people that came to mind on these topics. Malcolm Gladwell is attributed with coming up with the 10,000 hour theory which says that anyone can become an expert if they simply devote 10,000 hours towards the skill they are trying to master. Mr Whelan, in response to a comment I made about his golf swing, broke down what 10,000 hours looks like to the group. If he spent 2 hours every weekday for 50 weeks of the year, then he has banked 500 hours, so if he does that for 20 years, then he should be an expert! Or if he spent 4 hours a day, then it would only take 10 years. For musicians or athletes or teachers or electricians, we thought that sounded pretty reasonable. What do you think?

I wondered aloud with the students whether it really is that simple. Is being passionate and purposeful also necessary to be partnered with 10,000 hours of practice?

Who do you think of when you hear the word passionate? I mentioned Wildlife Warrior Steve Irwin, who many of the students remembered from their childhood. Steve was a clear example of how being passionate and purposeful inspires a response in others and can change the world. I also spoke of some students I had taught at my previous school, who were extremely passionate about their music. They would spend countless hours on weeknights and weekends putting together songs and music videos. One of them in particular, a young man named Michael, was determined that this was what he wanted to do with his life. His passion was contagious and the group went on to achieve international renown. Maybe you have heard of the boys from 5 Seconds of Summer?

My point to our young people was to find their passion and pursue it with purpose. You have, no doubt, had countless discussions with your children about this area also. The College is committed to opening up the Graduate Aims regularly with students through classroom activities, assemblies, chapels, camps, excursions and sporting activities. The Graduate Aims are a list of attributes that we would like all students at Thomas Hassall to embody. Do you think we have the right attributes on the list? Would a student be ready to take on the world and navigate their life post-school if these 12 areas made up their character? I will list them below and if you have any feedback or opinions about them, I would love to hear from you. [email protected]

We live in a world that always requires proof.

For example, if I was to tell you that I am one of the best soccer players in this country, you would want to see me in action to see if what I claim is actually true. (Just so you know, I am actually an awful soccer player, you don’t need too much evidence of that).

This term in Junior School Chapel we have been looking at the book of Mark. The book of Mark starts with an amazing story of Jesus' Baptism.

‘At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11)

Imagine being a person in the crowd that day. Imagine seeing the sky opening up, a light shining down on a man, and a booming voice from heaven coming down claiming this man to be His Son. The book of Mark is full of stories like this. Through many miracles, Jesus constantly proves that he is the Son of God and the crowds are always mind blown.

I would encourage you to have a read of the book of Mark afresh and investigate the claims of Jesus. Read it slow and ask yourself ‘what would it have been like if I was there with Jesus and saw this in person?’. Hopefully, you can see that Jesus was no ordinary man but that he was in fact the Son of God.

God Bless

Last week, all classes from Kindy to Year 6 participated in a grade-based Coding Day.

The different activities helped to give students an understanding of coding and develop their computational thinking skills.

Students worked in pairs or small groups and experimented with different types of code. They created coding sequences to control robots, move objects on a computer screen and solve different problems. Students learned to persist and work through challenges, especially if their first coding attempt wasn’t successful.

Some highlights were the Spheros, Makey Makeys, ‘coding’ our friends through a maze and the Code-a-pillars.

Some student reflections of Coding Day:

“We did pirate maps, Code-a-pillars and Scratch Jnr on the iPad.” – Ezekiel, Kindy

“My favourite was the Scratch because my brother does it in Year 4.” – Clara, Kindy

“It was a good day. We did Scratch, Spheros and Makey Makeys.” – James, Year 3

“I liked Spheros and rolling them around. It was fun.” – Simon, Year 3

“Coding Day was great! I liked Grok and the puzzle activities.” – Annalise, Year 5

“The python code was difficult, but fun.” – Isaac, Year 5

“I liked using my brain in cool ways for puzzles, Scratch and Spheros.” – Isaiah, Year 6

Miss Claire Donaldson
Junior School Teacher 

Last Thursday night we had our Creative Arts performance and it was fun and amazing.

2C were first and we had to wait but we got to play games.

I was a little nervous but still had fun. I felt happy that the parents liked it and found it funny. I felt proud after I did my performance. 2C and 2W were doing a dance like we did.

My favourite bit was when we did the Egyptian dance. I also liked the Year One performance. My favourite song was the two by two song. I was so excited that I thought we were late. On our way there I saw Rocky and walked with him.

My parents were so proud that we got to go to McDonalds. I was so tired that I nearly fell asleep in the car.

By George F 2B

July School Holiday Football (Soccer) Program - 5 - 9 July 2021

Invite friends and family to the Kinder - Year 9 July Holiday Football Camp

The College will be holding the July School Holiday Football Program during the last week of the school holidays  - 5 - 9 July.

Students from Thomas Hassall can invite their friends along to join in the fun!

All participants will be involved in activities that develop soccer skills and promote understanding of the game. The daily training will be designed to improve the skill level of each individual in a fun and safe environment.

Our Football Director, Mr Sonny Makko will be leading the program and it is offered to boys and girls in Kindergarten to Year 9.

Read more on the flyer

Find out more and book your place now

Find out More

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator

Thomas Hassall Junior School comes 4th at Cross Country. 

The NASSA Junior Cross Country Carnival was held on Friday 14 May at Horsley Park Equestrian Centre in a combined carnival with the Secondary School.  

The Junior team well-prepared and ready to race, having already run of the course at the Senior School carnival.

Our students performed excellently on the day with some great individual performances. Congratulations to our medal winners:

Jenson M - 2nd -  8/9 year boys 2km race

Isaiah W - 1st - 10 year boys 2km race 

Ella W - 1st -11 year 3km race

Ryder W - 3rd -11 year 3km race

Our Junior school placed 4th overall on the NASSA Junior schools point score!!!

It was a fantastic team performance with 7 students selected to represent NASSA at the CIS Cross Country Championships. 

Congratulations to the following students who were successful in gaining a place to compete on 10 June at Eastern Creek:  

8/9 years boys  Jenson M

10 years boys - Isaiah W

8/9 years girls - Ella W , Emilija P

11 years boys - Ryder W, Aleksandar M

12 year girls - Sapphire W

Congratulations to all students who competed on the day, we are very proud of you all!!

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator and TAP Coordinator

Students recently competed at the NASSA and AICES Cross Country Carnival.

It was perfect conditions for the event at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Congratulations to the following students who qualified to compete at the next levels.

AICES Qualifiers:
Alexander A
Liliana C (2nd Place)
Dusan C
Adrian D
Jonathan F
Milly G
Charlie K
Christopher L
Joshua S
Cooper S
Flynn S
Adrian T
Isabella V(1st Place)
Lucas V

CIS Qualifiers:
Dusan C
Adrian D
Jonathan F
Charlie K
Adrian T

Mr Michael Fox
Senior School Sports Coordinator

The Year 3 - 6 Athletics Carnival was held at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium on Wednesday 19 May 2021. 

The sun was shining and all students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of track and field events.

It was great to see students proudly wearing their College House shirts and striving to do their best in all the events.

The highlight of the day was the relays, where the grandstand came alive with colour and cheer, with students supporting and encouraging the runners from their House.

A BIG THANK YOU  to Mr Weir and the YEAR 11  Fitness class who ran the field events.  They did a fantastic job to ensure the carnival ran smoothly and efficiently. 

The House competition was very close this year.  Congratulations to LEWIS, who were overall winners.

The Primary Carnival results were:

1^st – Lewis              2,393 points                                   2^nd – Carmichael       2,341 points

3^rd – Liddell             1,722 points                                   4^th – Wilberforce       1, 517 points

The following students were the Age Champions for the carnival:

Students who have qualified to represent the College at the NASSA carnival will be notified soon.  

The NASSA Junior Athletics Carnival will be held next term, on Thursday 12 August 2021.

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator