Term 4: Thursday 30 November 2017

Thank you to each and every one.  We could never get to this point without our community, at every level, being willing to work together in achieving a common goal. The most ‘Excellent Way’

The Class of 2017 will gather this week for a last ‘official event’, The Year 12 Formal. This group of students have really committed themselves to travel the journey of the ‘HSC Road’ together, and now they have finished! Well done Class of 2017 and God bless each of you for the journey ahead. These graduates will now patiently wait for their HSC results which will be released in mid-December.

Year 10 has been working through a Peer Support Program. This training helps to equip students with the skills and confidence to get alongside of our new Year 7 students and assist them to navigate the challenges of Senior School in the new year. Next week these students will take the opportunity to celebrate together at the Year 10 Formal. This has been a ‘rites of passage’ event that marks the end of one part of Senior School and the beginning of their senior years. The Year 10 Formal is one of my favourite times of the school year simply because of the colour and excitement around the event. There is a transformation that takes place from students in school uniforms to very grown up young adults in shiny suits and flowing gowns arriving at Eschol House in hotted up or exquisite machines. It is a sight to appreciate.  This definitely be a great night together. 

It is that time in the year where we need to pause and acknowledge the success our students have achieved over the year. These successes have not necessarily come easy. Obstacles have usually had to be overcome, students have had to commit to their learning in the classroom or persevere through hardship on the sports field or maintain that extra commitment in their co-curricular activities. These things build our students’ character and resilience and we need to acknowledge this, however, the celebration is not just about individual achievement but we also want to honour a great God who grants us grace and gifts to impact our world for His glory. What a great opportunity to celebrate the year together.

Thanks to all the award winners and guests who have committed to attending the night. Let’s have a great time together as we turn the corner towards Christmas.

God Bless all in the season ahead.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Today is your last chance to get 40% off your purchase of a compost bin, worm farm or bokashai bin (for odourless indoor composting). By purchasing some composting gear you can also win a veggie garden or a gardening course. Use the coupon code: ‘THAC’ when purchasing your compost bin and $5 will be donated to Thomas Hassall to go towards a worm farm or compost bin.

To find out more about the competition, visit this link: http://compostrevolution.com.au/about/share-the-love/

In Garden Club this term we have been thinking about sustainability. We are aiming to continue to grow produce at The Grange that will be useful in our amazing canteen - Mrs Riitano’s Kitchen. We loved seeing our strawberries in a fresh batch of strawberry muffins last week, not to mention the luscious spinach that was tucked inside the gozleme.

As well as producing fresh food for the MRK, we’d love to keep developing sustainable systems at the Grange to recycle the food waste from our College community. Composting food scraps helps to return nutrients to the soil and grow new plants. It also saves food scraps from being sent to landfill.

By purchasing a compost bin, your family can join the compost revolution and recycle food scraps at home. Your purchase will also help the garden club to get a new compost bin and expand the sustainability of our College.

Just remember to enter the coupon code ‘THAC’ when you make your purchase to ensure that $5 gets donated to the Thomas Hassall Garden Club.

Therefore, we are very pleased to offer a limited number of Academic Scholarships for students entering Years 7 and 11 in 2019.
Test Date: Saturday 24 February 2018

Applications open: Tuesday 5 September 2017 

Applications close: midnight AEDT Monday 5 February 2018

Application Fee: $95

Location: Thomas Hassall Anglican College

Steps in the Scholarship Process for current Thomas Hassall Anglican College Students:

1. Register online to sit the ACER Scholarship examination at http://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships 
2.  An invitation to sit the examination will be sent prior to the examination date, including location at the College and requirements for the exam. In the meantime, please advise the College if there are any changes to your contact details.
3. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their scholarship applications in early April 2018.
4. Online individual reports will be available to parents from Thursday 5 April 2018.

* Please note that applications should occur when the students are in Years 5 and 9.

If you have any questions please contact Miss Claudia Muñoz, Enrolments Co-ordinator (Years 7-12) on 9608 0033.

We will certainly miss the interaction with families at Thomas Hassall.  The joy on the faces of the children as they master a challenge, received an award, perform on stage or just spending time with their friends is something we have cherished. We have been asked “How long have you been at Thomas Hassall?” the answer to which is simply – A long time!

We know as we leave Thomas Hassall we will take with us amazing memories, which we will cherish. We have been fortunate to spend time with students working individually and taking both small and class groups, attending camps, enjoying Creative Arts Nights, excursions, sporting events and all the other facets of College life.

We are looking forward to having more time to spend with our grandchildren and the rest of our family. The chance of travel both internationally and locally is also on our agenda.

We pray that the Lord will continue to be with you in the years to come and keep an eye out for us when we may just ‘drop in’.

Thank you for your support, friendship and encouragement during our years here. We will certainly miss you and your ‘smiling’ faces as we wave good bye to you each afternoon in the pick up or the crossing.

God Bless,
Clive and Deb Wheadon

Will we make it up the Axe Head?  What if I am afraid of Heights?  Can we carry enough food and equipment?  Will I be able to cope?  These anxieties always come at the beginning of a big Dukes Expedition but this time they were all well solved and group teamwork conquered every worry so that the amazing country could be fully appreciated.

The views were amazing. The cosy campfire fellowship was superb and the navigation and teamwork skills were well developed by this most enjoyable of excursions into one of the most beautiful parts of Australia.  Mount Solitary provides a 360 degree panorama of Blue Mountain exhilarating wonder.  It was a good place to thank God for His creation and care of us as we journeyed through challenging but absorbing country.  The weather was great and we all made it together! 

The pictures tell the story best!

Spread Jesus' love this Christmas by donating a gift to people in need! Whilst Australians collectively spend $1 billion a day in the lead up to Christmas, thousands of families worldwide are hungry, lonely and uncertain for their future. By donating a gift to these families, you will help show love in meaningful ways this Christmas.

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Anglican Aid is a reputable, registered charity that provide many opportunities for us to give to the needy in our world. Here are just five ways;

1. GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL, LEBANON - CHRISTMAS OUTREACH

​A gift of $15 towards Good Shepherd School in Lebanon will help them resource and run a wonderful community outreach Christmas event for local Syrian and Iraqi refugee families. Your gift will supply food and entertainment for these families who are far from home this Christmas.

2. HEART OF MERCY SCHOOL, ZIMBABWE - CHRISTMAS MEAL AND GIFT

​A gift of $25 will help provide a special meal and presents to disadvantaged children from Heart of Mercy School in Zimbabwe. Many of these children are orphans and are being cared for by their extended family. The school is in a particularly under-resourced and remote area of Zimbabwe where drought regularly causes food scarcity and financial insecurity.

3. MIRACLE MINISTRIES, PAKISTAN - FOOD RATION PACK

​A gift of $30 will provide a Christmas food ration pack for impoverished and enslaved families trapped in Pakistan's brick kilns. Your gift will provide food security to Pakistan's most vulnerable people.

4. LILY OF THE VALLEY, SOUTH AFRICA - HOLIDAY OUTINGS FOR ORPHANED CHILDREN

A gift of $35 will provide special holiday outings with Lily of the Valley for orphaned and abandoned children in South Africa. Christmas is a lonely time for many, particularly those without families, so your gift will provide excitement and hope for these children.

5. WOMEN IN NEED, SYRIA (WINS) - FUEL

A gift of $100 will provide fuel for three months for families in Damascus Syria to help them with heating and cooking during the cold and harsh winters. There is no electricity in Damascus due to the ongoing conflict so your gift is incredibly important to keep these families warm and able to cook their food.

For more information and to donate, please click: HOPE

May you and your family receive the full blessing of God's generosity to you in Christ this Christmas. 

Stuart Tye
Chaplain

Year 10 Work Experience in the IRC

Last week the IRC had six Year 10 students assisting Library staff with a wide range of Library activities including stock take for student work experience week. Mrs Comiskey and Mr Smith would like to thank these students for their hard work and the professional manner in which they undertook these tasks.

Term 1 2018 Competition Sneak Peak

Which is better ... the video game or its novel?

How similar are game novels to their electronic cousins?

Are there major differences or are they all the same?

Can a game novel be better than its video game?

Stay tuned for more information next year! Great prizes to be won!

What's new on the shelf?

Before you see the movie ... make sure you read the book first!

Wonder - R. J. Palacio

'My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.'

"Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things - eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside. But ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids aren't stared at wherever they go.

Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life. Now, for the first time, he's being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. All he wants is to be accepted - but can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?"

Wonder, the debut novel by R. J. Palacio is a beautifully written heartfelt book of one young boys struggle to find acceptance in his new school. Sad, happy, heartbreaking and inspiring, this is a story that will stay with you for a long time. Main character Auggie is a wonderful protagonist, a person of great heart, personality and character which readers cannot help but cheer for. The novel also provides the viewpoints of other people Auggie interacts with, providing a unique insight into how our words and actions impact others.

The novel Wonder provides an important lesson for all readers, that we shouldn't judge someone based on their appearance. Though written for young people, this is a novel that everyone should read, young and old alike.

Before you see the recently released movie version starring Julia Roberts and Own Wilson, make sure you read the novel first and experience a story that you will never forget!

Many great new books will be arriving in the IRC during 2018! Make sure you check 'The Way' for all the latest releases!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mrs Comiskey and Mr Smith would like to wish all students and their parents and guardians a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Mrs A Comiskey & Mr M Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

Monday was the last HUB concert for 2017. It was another great event, showcasing many talents for our students during their lunchtime.

The performers this week were: Duet between Phillip Filipovic (guitar) and Stephanie Lopez (vocals) performing Oasis smash hit Wonderwall; Naomi Clarke, Natasha Barounos and Deborah Alorbi (solo piano); and a small ensemble performance from Year 8 students of Stand By Me featuring Nashita Hussain (vocals), Stan Collyer (guitar), Lachlan Kerr (double bass), Akira Rattanavong (cajon) and Naomi Clarke (piano).

Thank you, and well done to all those performers, and we look forward to many more fantastic performances in 2018!

The TAP Swimming program is designed to identify talented students from Years 3 – 12 and offers an extensive training program to students who have represented Thomas Hassall Anglican College at the NASSA carnival level or above.

In 2018 we are excited to extend the program to include an extra day for students to train. 

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the College term (except public holidays)
Time: New time for 2018 is 5.45am - 7.15am
Venue: Whitlam Leisure Centre - 90A Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Cost: Fees will be charged per term
Transport: Parents are to make their own arrangements to get children to the pool for a 6am start. Students will be transported by mini bus to College at the conclusion of the session.

The squad-based sessions will be structured to adopt best practices and will focus on stroke development and correction, developing strength and endurance. Sessions will include race preparation, dives and turns.

Eligibility
The TAP Swimming program is offered to all students who competed at the NASSA Junior or NASSA Senior Swimming Carnival. However, if there is a talented swimmer who did not attend the College Swimming Carnival they may be assessed to be part of the program. If you would like more information about the TAP Swimming program, please contact Mrs Evans [email protected]

Brochures are available at the College Office.

THAC TAP Swimming 2018 v1.pdf

THAC TAP Swimming 2018 v1.pdf

The MISA Basketball Championships are always intriguing. For many students and teams, it’s their first taste at the school level sport and often confirms their passion for the game. It’s also, in most cases, the first time that the best athletes from each school come together and compete against each other, working out who else is around the MISA schools and how they sit against the best basketball players in their age group. It's where lifelong friendships are formed, bitter rivalries between Colleges and teams are started, and where future super stars of the game are born.

The boys basketball team played with relentless determination and spirit despite being the target as returning champions, pushing their rivals to the final whistle with some crafty defensive strategies and energetic offensive play. The boy’s final was greatly anticipated, with both teams in electrifying form coming into the final showdown. The final score was to 25: 21 with Thomas Hassall beating William Carey and bringing home the trophy once again.

Thank you to Mr Geering who coached the team, his efforts and dedication was incrediably valuable to secure the win.

Congratulations to the team on your great season:

Izaiah AFRIYIE-AGYEMAN

Mark CARBONE

Dillon CRUZ

Elijah CRUZ

Filip FILIPOVIC

Dane INFANTI

Charles ORPRECIO

Christian PANOVSKI

Akira RATTANAVONG

Dusan SARIC

Rajat SHARMA

Luke VENARDOS

2018 Advanced Pathway Programs - Years 3 - 6 football representative teams

Students wishing to represent Thomas Hassall in junior school football teams must be in the Advanced Pathway Program for football.

Trials will occur in Week 1 in 2018 and there will be four teams selected:

• APP Football Junior Primary Boys (Years 3 and 4)
• APP Football Junior Primary Girls (Years 3 and 4)
• APP Football Senior Primary Boys (Years 5 and 6)
• APP Football Senior Primary Girls (Years 5 and 6)

Students selected in the Advanced Pathway Program will be coached by our Football Director, Sonny Makko. Teams will train weekly and play in the the IPSSO competition.

Year 3 - 6 Girls - Summer IPSSO - Terms 1 and 4 - training once a week throughout the entire year

Year 3 - 6 Boys – Winter IPSSO - Terms 2 and 3 - training twice a week throughout the entire year

The year-long program runs for 35 weeks, commencing in Week 3 of Term 1 2018. Once selected in the program, students remain in the program for the entire year. 

2018 Football Development Programs - Kindergarten - Year 8 (afternoon programs)

The College offers Football Development Programs for students in Kinder to Year 8. The year-long program caters for both boys and girls and will be conducted by our Football Director Sonny Makko.

The one-hour sessions are designed to improve the skill level of each individual and suited for all abilities. Students will be involved in fun activities that develop skills and promote understanding of the game.

Students can enroll in more than one day if preferred. The program runs for 35 weeks.

Information flyers and application forms for the 2018 football development programs have been emailed to all College families.  

Copies are available at the College Office.

Program details:

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Monday  3 - 4pm

Year 3 - Year 8 Program                  Tuesday 3 - 4pm

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Wednesday  3 - 4pm

Year 2 - Year 6 Program                  Thursday 3 - 4pm

K - 6 Girls Only Program                 Friday 3 - 4pm

For further information, please contact Mrs Evans, P-6 Sports Coordinator and TAP Coordinator - [email protected]

THAC TAP Football Jnr 2018 v1.pdf

THAC TAP Football Jnr 2018 v1.pdf

THAC TAP Football Jnr Application Form 2018 v1.pdf

THAC TAP Football Jnr Application Form 2018 v1.pdf