Term 3 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 1 September 2023

This past fortnight alone has indeed felt like the beginning of a new school year! The atmosphere has been go, go, go! We have had many events in both Junior and Senior school, as well as the great success that was the South West Festival. Without a shadow of doubt, it takes a great deal of groundwork to execute these events well. One of those components is our Parent Community Network.

The Parent Community Network have been influential in their support and dedication to our College events. Two major events (South West Festival and Father’s Day Stall) happening within several days of one another is no easy fete! The Parent volunteers have showed up here to college, placed themselves in our Staff Centre sorting, packing, and wrapping more than 500 hampers for the two events. Indeed, alone one can do much but with a team like our Parent Community Network we have been able to accomplish much. Your service and commitment to doing things well shows and I thank each and every one of your for your efforts.

Can I also take this moment to thank all our Junior School families for all your support in providing the products that went into the South West Festival hampers. Your generosity is unwavering, and we would not be able to achieve such greatness without your contributions.

I look forward to seeing your Book Week costumes on Monday.

This Friday we had our Father's Day breakfast right here at the College, and let me tell you, it was a blast watching so many students having a great time with their dads! But let's not forget, this is not everyone's experience. There are students who don't have a dad, some have fathers that are MIA, and, there are even those stuck with dads who are, less than awesome. What does Father's Day even mean for them?

I had a complex relationship with my father and for many years Fathers Day seemed forced as I was reminded of what was broken.  It was my faith in Christ that kept me going while I learned to love my father all over again. It was during this process that I realised that, as a Christian, I had two fathers – my biological father and my Father in heaven.

Let me boast of about my Father in Heaven for a bit…

My Father loves me and is always available.

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23)

My Father never asks things of me that he would not do himself.

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-48)

I have a Father who knows me better than I know myself. He knows the difference between what need and what I want – even when I do not.

For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matt 6:8)

With all these things in mind, I want to live my life in a way that makes my father proud.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

It is easier to do life when you have this type of father backing you all the way. 

When I became a dad myself, I made it a point to teach my children the Bible. My hope was that they would develop their faith and get access to the blessings that I personally didn't experience until later in life.  I want my kids to have two dads.

How many fathers do you have?

Today we held our Father's Day Breakfast.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a fun morning. It was great to see dads and grandads enjoying breakfast with one another. Particularly, we would like to thank our amazing MRK Team for all of your hard work of cooking and preparing all of the food. 

There were also lawn games to play and some photo frames to enjoy! To see the full gallery click here

Father's Day Stall

On Thursday, we held our Father's Day Stall. The students enjoyed picking gifts to buy.

Thank you to our Parent Community Network for their hard work in setting up and running the stall. We couldn't do it without you!

Please note as of Monday 4 September, the uniform changes over to summer.

Senior Students are expected to be in Full Summer Uniform. Junior School Students can either wear Full Summer or Full Winter Uniform for the remainder of this term.

Uniform shop trading hours

If you need to purchase items, the Regular Trading Hours are:

Monday 7.30am – 3.30pm
Wednesday 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Friday 7.30am – 3.30pm

Senior school students will be able to go to the shop before and after school, as well as during lunch and recess to make purchases.

To celebrate our love of reading, students will take part in a Book Week event on Monday 4 September 2023. Students from P-6 can either come to College dressed as their favourite book character for the day or come in College uniform with an accessory that depicts an aspect of a character or part of their favourite story.

The Book Week Parade will be at Monday Morning Muster at 8.20am. 

Families are warmly invited to attend. Guests are to be seated on the JS amphitheatre steps by 8.20am or viewing from surrounding balcony areas outside S, R or D Blocks.

The Prep 2-day program will celebrate their Book Week Parade on Morning Muster on Friday 9 September 2023.

We look forward to seeing you there!

During Long PC on Wednesday 30 August, Year 12 students had the opportunity to chose from a variety of seminars on Adulting 101 – different life skills that they might need as they go out into the world.

Our wonderful Business and Economics Teachers, Mr Roper and Mrs Kemp, presented on ‘Renting and Credit Cards’ and ‘Savings and Budgeting’, and students really appreciated these practical tips for managing their finances. The fantastic Food Tech teacher Mrs Bull presented on Nutrition and Exercise, providing students with valuable advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our awesome College Nurse, Mrs Tindall, ran a practical workshop on Basic First Aid, where students got to have a go at CPR and using a defibrillator.

A big thank you to all of our presenters – our Year 12s are now feeling a little more equipped on how to ‘adult’ as they finish their time at the College.

Mr Samuel Mills
Year 12 Advisor, History and English Teacher

We love learning in Prep. We have been learning how to LISTEN, how to LOOK after our belongings, we have learnt our LETTERS and the sounds they make, we borrow books at the LIBRARY, and how to show LOVE to our friends. It LOOKS like we are almost ready for Kindergarten.

Throughout this term, Year 3 have been exploring our identities through Visual Arts. We know that we are all uniquely made in the image of God. He has given us each our own personalities, skills, likes and dislikes. We have explored our hands and fingerprints, learning that no two fingerprints are alike. We have discussed many of the qualities that we share and those that make us different. Using the elements of Art (line, shape, texture, form, space, colour and value) students have created some amazing artworks. We love that each work of Art is just as unique as we are!

Last Tuesday, The Thomas Hassall Anglican College MISA Dance Troupe participated in the Prodigy Dance Competition. The event was held at Camden Civic Centre and featured a variety of colleges and schools from all around Sydney. In total, there were 33 dance entries competing in different categories throughout the day. We are thrilled to announce that Thomas Hassall won the following awards: First place in the Contemporary/Lyrical category, the highest overall score, and the Most Outstanding choreography award. The MISA dance team consists of Thomas Hassall's high school students from Years 7 to 12. The team has had the privilege of being coached by Miss Emma and Miss Ellie under the direction of Becky Ellerman, the Director of Dance. A big shout-out to the squad's success and their amazing coaches.

Mrs Rebecca Ellerman
Dance Academy Director

Each day students take up the opportunity to have instrument tuition at College. They can study piano, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion and guitar with our team of private tutors right here at the College and each year a Young Performers Evening is held where they can showcase their progress and musical endeavours to parents and friends. Last Thursday over 150 students bravely stepped up to perform in various spaces around the college and demonstrate the skills, commitment to practice and achievements that they have made on their chosen instrument. It was a night of overcoming performance nerves and bravely stepping up to share their musical journey. Congratulations to all the students who participated.

If your child is interested in lessons at the College an application form can be found on the College website here or email [email protected]

Mr Luke Robinson
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator

The NASA Athletics Carnival which was held on Wednesday 23 August. The event provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents, compete against peers from various schools, and celebrate the joy of sportsmanship. Among the standout performers were the 21 Thomas Hassall students who demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication across a range of events. An exciting part of the day was the Javelin event where our very own Nathaniel Danda broke the NASSA Record! 

We were also thrilled to have witnessed our Junior Girls relay team who placed 1st amongst all of the NASSA schools in the region. We would like to thank Mr Rod Fortuin for training them - well done to Sara E, Ilena B, Ella W and Emilija P.

Congratulations to the following students who have finished in the top 3 and are now going to represent our college and NASSA at the AICES Athletics Carnival on Tuesday the 5th of September.

1. Estella B

#158 Girls 17 Long Jump 4.16m

2. Nathaniel D

#21 Boys 12 Shot Put 9.35m #33 Boys 12 Javelin Throw 18.28m

3. Sara E

#49 Girls 13 800 Metre Run 2:49.85 #78 Girls 13 Javelin Throw 27.28m

#110 Girls 13 1500 Metre Run 5:42.42

4. Anthony G

#66 Boys 16 800 Metre Run 2:25.69 #124 Boys 16 1500 Metre Run 5:14.52

5. Green, Isaac 

#13 Boys 15 Long Jump 5.38m #38 Boys 15 200 Metre Run 26.04

#98 Boys 15 100 Metre Run 12.45

6. Jake H

#47 Boys 18-19 Discus Throw 29.54m #106 Boys 18-19 Javelin Throw 29.42m

7. Aldin K

#56 Boys 13 High Jump 1.45m

8. Christian M

#35 Boys 12 200 Metre Run 30.35 #55 Boys 12 Long Jump 4.01m

#95 Boys 12 100 Metre Run 14.86 #120 Boys 12 1500 Metre Run 5:30.84

#142 Boys 12 High Jump 1.30m #147 Boys 12 400 Metre Run 1:11.06

9. Liana M

#155 Girls 14 High Jump 1.30m

10. Luke M

#10 Boys 17 Shot Put 11.38m #40 Boys 17 200 Metre Run 23.72

#76 Boys 17 Long Jump 6.05m #85 Boys 17-19 Triple Jump 13.08m

#100 Boys 17 100 Metre Run 11.77 #144 Boys 17 Discus Throw 36.36m

11. Matthew M

#83 Boys 15 Shot Put 10.60m #116 Boys 15 Discus Throw 40.19m

12. Ana N

#8 Girls 15 High Jump 1.40m #28 Girls 15 200 Metre Run 30.14

13. Evangelina P

#18 Girls 14 Discus Throw 17.44m

14. Emilija P

#26 Girls 13 200 Metre Run 29.27 #88 Girls 13 100 Metre Run 14.21

15. Mpiti S

#20 Boys 13 Shot Put 9.20m

16. Bailee V

#100 Boys 17 100 Metre Run 12.21   Boys 17 Long Jump 

17. Jonathan V

#38 Boys 15 200 Metre Run 24.25 #98 Boys 15 100 Metre Run 11.90

18. Max V

#82 Boys 14 Shot Put 11.42m

19. Ella W

#49 Girls 13 800 Metre Run 2:50.29

20. Laura M

 16 1500 m Run 

1. Thomas Hassall AC - 'A' #161 Girls 14 & Under 4x100 Metre Relay 55.85

2. Thomas Hassall AC - 'A' #162 Boys 4x100 Metre Relay 46.70

Mrs Irene Focas 
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator

The NASSA Basketball Gala day was held last week at Hills Basketball Stadiums for open age students to compete against other schools within our NASSA region. This was a great day for our students and for our developing program in basketball as the boys who were led by Coach Julian fought very hard in the last 2 mins of their finals game against TIGs to win by 1 point and place 3rd overall. The girls basketball team who was led by Coach Sheldon, had a very successful day, being undefeated in their pool and making it to the grand finals. They placed 2nd overall to St Luke’s who are the defending champions. This is a great achievement for our students, especially our year 12 cohort Ash K, Taiga S, Tinashe M, Cody N and Jasper C who played their final gala day for the school after all their schooling years and hard work within our basketball programs. Well done everyone!

Book Mark Competition

To celebrate Book Week this year the Junior Library will be running a 'Design your own bookmark' competition. Students will need to design an original and creative bookmark for the library. The winning designs will be printed and laminated for all students to use.

Blank bookmark templates are available to collect from the Library. All bookmarks must be submitted no later than Wednesday 6th September. 

Hunt for the Golden Ticket

The hunt has started! Ten golden tickets have been hidden in the barcodes of ten different books in the Library. The only way to discover a golden ticket is to borrow one of those books. Great prizes to be won for every student who discovers a ticket. Make sure you remember to bring your library bag to College, the more times you borrow, the more chances you have to win!

Mrs Arabella Issa & Mr Michael Smith
Junior IRC Library Team