From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

We are certain that they (and their teachers) are looking forward to the break.  With just 2 terms remaining, the HSC target is well defined for them, as you might remember yourself.

Over 200 parents joined us this week on Wednesday evening, to hear the noted psychologist Colleen Hirst, on the topic ‘Positive Parenting in an Age of Anxiety’.  Well received, Colleen will make available several slides from her presentation and parents across the College will be able to download them early next term.  We will also continue to offer our ‘Well Being Matters’ events during the year.  Thanks to the organising team.

Have you purchased your tickets to the Musical yet?  Selling fast, the ‘Leader of the Pack’ tickets will allow you to enjoy a fast paced program including lots of those well-known hits from the early Rock & Roll era.  Over 100 students from Senior and Junior School will entertain you and the family as they bring their talents to the stage.  Plenty of tickets are still available – just follow the links on the website.

The new Gymnasium and Oval complex, to be named the Rawdon Middleton VC Sports Complex, is nearing completion, and we expect to be able to use the Oval soon.  Perhaps the Junior School Cross Country Carnival will be the launch event.  What a way to test out the new surface!  In naming the whole complex after Middleton, the namesake of our suburb and a distant relative of both the Hassall and Hume families, we honour his strength and courage and that of the thousands of servicemen and women who have served the country in wartime.  With ANZAC DAY held this year during our vacation period, we are reminded of such great service at this time of the year.  Our complex will allow students and community members the opportunity to reflect on these great themes.  Our first European History Tour takes place over the break, with the team visiting the French Battlefields along with the Ancient History sites of Italy.  What a great opportunity for the students on this excursion.

Several Parent Teacher nights have been held over recent weeks.  We trust you have had time to speak with teachers about your child’s learning progress.  We have also had a number of breakfast events to open up discussion over coffee about the College programs.  Let’s continue to bring these opportunities through the coming months.

Please enjoy the vacation time with family and take time to refresh for the next term.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the College, our students and staff.

‘I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better’ Ephesians 1:17

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Deputy Junior

I would like to thank all the staff, parents and students for their efforts this term. There have been many highlights on the sporting field, musical performances and of course in the classroom. It was great to see so many parents taking the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers over the past two weeks to share information and to work together to improve the learning outcomes for their child. Education is always a partnership and I encourage any parent who hasn’t yet been in contact with their class teacher to meet with them early in Term 2.

The Junior School were treated to a dance performance from the upcoming musical, ‘Leader of the Pack’ at our morning assembly on Wednesday. It was a high energy performance with a very familiar sound track that many parents and grandparents will enjoy. Having the opportunities to be on stage, perform and work as a team have so many benefits to the students. They learn so many skills that will serve them well in life!  Please come along and support the efforts of our very talented students and production team.

This year the annual NAPLAN tests will be conducted using technology for the first time. The only handwritten test is in Year 3 writing. The advantages for this process is that the College and parents should get more targeted information about each student which will help us put very specific learning plans in place earlier. As this is the first year of doing the tests this way it will be a learning situation for all involved. This means that the tests will run over two weeks rather than just one so that every student can have access to our College devices. It is important that we balance the need for children to do their best with the stress of sitting a formal exam. I am very rarely surprised about the results our students achieve as we have many opportunities throughout the year to assess the learning achievements for each child. It is important to view the test as a snapshot in time that provides some valuable data for individuals and year groups about strengths and weaknesses.

I would like to wish all our families and staff well as we break for the holidays. I pray for safety and for a time to recharge the batteries so that we can return in Term 2 ready to learn.
 

Mrs Christine Bessant
Deputy Principal
Leader of the Pack - 2018 College Musical

Come along for a night of entertainment and familiar tunes!

Get your tickets now!

https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=362639&

 

From the College Chaplain

This term we have had several former students return to the College to help encourage our current students in their relationship with Jesus. During their university holidays, several ex-students, including Jess Hillier (Class of 2017) and Tanisha Bennet (Class of 2015), visited the College and attended our Primary Lunchtime Discipleship Group – Jesus and Me (or J.A.M).

They came as guests from Hoxton Park Anglican Church to help make connections between the College and the local parishes.

It was encouraging for our students to have former students share with them about how important their faith is. It demonstrates that believing in Jesus doesn’t stop when you go to the Senior College or even when you leave the College. In other words, a relationship with Jesus involves lifelong learning.

We really appreciate these alumni spending their time with our students.

'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just is in fact you are doing.' 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Rev Stuart Tye
College Chaplain

New Bus Run for Term 2 2018

It is amazing to see the amount of growth and development happening in and around our College. We have identified that there are a significant number of our families travelling from the Willowdale, Edmondson Park, Bardia and Denham Court region and that bus transport to and from these areas to College is currently not available.

We have been looking into transportation options and are pleased to advise that we will be running a College Bus Service into these suburbs from Term 2. The bus will be picking up and dropping off in Willowdale, Denham Court and Edmondson Park (including the station).

For more information and to receive a bus application form, please contact Administration

Mrs Rebecca Clarke
Business Manager

 

 

Principal's Awards

Well done to all of the recipients.

Prep and Kindergarten Applications 2019

We are currently taking Applications for our Prep and Kindergarten programs for 2019.  Sibling applications must be in no later than Friday 27 April, 2018. Any applications submitted after this date will not guarantee sibling priority.  Please click on the following link to download your application form http://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/application-form  .

Term 2 Important Dates
Tuesday 1 May 2018 First day of Term 2
Wednesday 2 May 2018 Junior School Cross Country Carnival 
Thurs - Sat 3 - 5 May 2018 Musical 2018 - 'Leader of the Pack.'
Friday 4 May 2018 Senior School Athletics Carnival
Thurs - Sat 10 - 12 May 2018 Musical 2018 - 'Leader of the Pack.'
Mon - Thur 15 - 18 May 2018 NAPLAN Testing 2018
Monday 28 May 2018 Year 12 Parent Teacher Night
Thursday 31 May 2018 Principal's Twilight Tour & Information Night 
Friday 1 June 2018 Taster Day 2018 
Monday  11 June 2018 Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Monday  18 June 2018 Junior School Athletics Carnival
Thursday 28 June 2018 Year 11 Parent Teacher Night 
Friday  29 June 2018 Last Day of Term 2

 

EventsBack to Top

Code Camp in April Holidays

Dates: Tuesday 24th April - Friday 27th April (excluding Anzac Day on the 25th April)

Time: 8:30am-4pm

For more information and to book, please visit www.codecamp.com.au/THAC

Mrs Megan Bennett
ICT Innovation and Learning Coordinator 

The Southwest Festival is back!

The Southwest Festival is a day for all the Community with rides, stalls, food, school tours and entertainment! Save the date for a family filled day of fun.

Lots more details for stallholders and our community will come over the coming months.

LearningBack to Top

Year 1 is Feeling a bit Under the Weather

We have learnt about the water cycle and tricky words like evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Some of us were able to make water cycle bags where we could see the water cycle in action. We also learnt about how precipitation is not just rain, but can be hail, snow or sleet as well. As one of our activities, we were able to make rain gauges to measure the amount of rainfall at Thomas Hassall in the second half of the term. Unfortunately we fell victim to evaporation on those very hot days so our results did not go to plan. We also looked at erosion and how the wind and waves (and people) change the surface of the earth over time.

God created the water cycle and many other systems to sustain his world. What an amazing God!

“The heavens declare the glory of the Lord; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” Psalm 19:1

Ashleigh Hackfath
Junior School Teacher - Stage 1 - Year 1A

Performing ArtsBack to Top

Junior Hub

Very exciting times at the Junior Hub.  The Intermediate Stage Band performed a mix of classic funk and pop tunes, and the audience gathered around closely to capture all the action. We also had the LONGEST conga line in history at the College! It was great to see all the junior students enjoying the live performance too. The Intermediate Stage Band are preparing for some big events next term too – including a performance in Chatswood at the Sydney Eisteddfod. Well done to all the performers!

Mr Byron Mark
Ensembles Manager

Year 4 Band Concert

After only learning their instruments for 2 months, the students performed very well for their parents, friends and teachers. This is now the fourth year of running our Year 4 Band Program, and it is proving to be a very successful initiative. Students discover new talents and realise how fun it is to practice an instrument and perform for people. We look forward to seeing these students grow throughout the year, and seeing them perform again next term!

Mr Byron Mark
Ensembles Manager

Junior Choir Assembly Performance – Friday 6 April

Junior Choir Performing - How far I'll go

At the 3-6 Primary Assembly last Friday, Junior Choir performed one of their favourite songs ‘How Far I’ll Go” from the film Moana.  For about six new choir members, this was their first public performance with the Junior Choir. Mrs Lewis is always interested in auditioning new members. If you are interested in being part of this group please speak to your classroom teacher or email Mrs Lewis directly. We are especially interested in recruiting some boys!

You can see their performance in this attached video.

Mrs Allison Lewis
Senior School Teacher - Creative Arts

 

Talented Athletes Program - Swimming

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 extended the program to include an extra day for students to train. 

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the College term (except public holidays)
Time:  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 5.45am 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.

 

NASSA Netball Gala Day

The day was a good preparation for our IPSSO season which will begin next term. We faced some faced some very tough competition in our seven matches, but the girls showed improvement with each game we played and managed to record two wins against Macarthur Anglican School and Broughton Anglican College.

Thank you to Laura Monti (Year 11) and Montana Logozzo (Year 10) for their help with umpiring and mentoring the team on the day. Thank you also to Mrs Evans for convening and organising the day. 

A special congratulations to Estella Beltran, who was selected in the NASSA netball team. Estella will now represent NASSA at the NSW CIS trials on Friday 18 May. Congratulations Estella, we wish you all the very best!
 

Miss C Donaldson
Junior School Netball Coach

NSW CIS Primary Boys Soccer Gala Day

On Monday 9 April, Joseph Demasi, William Slattery, Domenic Trovato, Oliver Velnic, Francesco Violi and Diego Bueno represented NASSA at the NSW CIS Primary Boys Football Championships.

The NASSA team, coached by our very own Football Director Mr Sonny Makko, were undefeated throughout the day, conceding no goals and being crowned CIS Primary Boys Champions.

At the end of the rounds, twenty two boys were selected to trial for a position in the NSW CIS Primary Boys team.  Domenic and four other boys from the NASSA team made it to the final round of selections.  Although Domenic missed out on a place in the team, we were very proud of his efforts and the other boys from our College.

Congratulations boys!

 

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator / TAP Coordinator

Junior School Sport - Term Two 2018

The Winter IPSSO competition commences in Term Two and continues through to the end of Term Three. 

Training for Winter teams will commence in Week 2, Term Two, as the Cross Country will be held in Week 1.

Term 2

Wk

IPSSO

Game Time

AFL, Teeball & Softball (winter)

Netball

BOYS Soccer

Newcombe Ball

2-May

1

 

NO

SPORT

CROSS

COUNTRY

9-May

2

Training team

1.00 - 2.20

Greenway Pk

THAC

Hoxton Park Res

THAC

16-May

3

NAPLAN - training

1.00 - 2.20

Greenway Pk

THAC

Hoxton Park Res

THAC

23-May

4

St Mary's

12.10 - 2.00

Hammondville Pk

Hammondville Pk

Hammondville Pk

Hammondville Pk

30-May

5

ASG

11.55 - 1.45

Parry Park

ASG school

Parry Park

Parry Park

6-Jun

6

St Mark's

12.30 - 2.20

Greenway Pk

THAC

Hoxton Park Res

THAC

13-Jun

7

Georges River GS

12.30 - 2.20

Greenway Pk

THAC

Hoxton Park Res

THAC

20-Jun

8

William Carey CS

12.20 - 2.10

William Carey

William Carey

William Carey

William Carey

27-Jun

9

St Mary's

12.20 - 2.10

Greenway Pk

THAC

Hoxton Park Res

THAC

 

COLLEGE SPORT PROGRAM for Term Two

Students who are not involved in Winter IPSSO teams will participate in the Year 3 -6 College Sports program, commencing in Week 2 - Wednesday 9 May.

All sports are taught by qualified coaches and the sport runs for the entire term. 

There is no cost associated with the program as is covered by College fees.  

Yr 3 Boys

Swimming

 

Yr 5 Boys

Football (Soccer)

Yr 3 Girls

AFL

 

Yr 5 Girls

Basketball

Yr 4 Boys

Tennis

 

Yr 6 Boys

Dance

Yr 4 Girls

West Tigers League Clinic

 

Yr 6 Girls

Cricket

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator

Junior School Cross Country

Junior School Cross Country Carnival for students in Years 3 – 6

Date:                   Wednesday 2 May 2018 - Week 1, Term Two

Venue:                Greenway Park, Greenway Drive, West Hoxton

Time:                   Students should arrive at College for normal morning Assembly (8.20am)

               8, 9 and 10 year age students will run 2km and races commence at 9.30 am.

              11 and 12 year old age students will run 3km and races commence at approximately 11.00 am.

Travel:                All students will be transported to and from the venue by the College seat-belted coaches.

Clothing:            College sports uniform

HELP WANTED . . .  We need some parental assistance to help make the day a success.  Parents are required to sit at ‘checkpoints’ around the track to ensure students stay on the track.  Please notify Parent Reception if you can assist on the day.

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator

2018 Football Programs - Junior School

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 Reception.

 

Program details:

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Monday  3 - 4pm            - FULL - names placed on waiting list

Year 3 - Year 8 Program                  Tuesday 3 - 4pm            -  POSITIONS available

Kinder - Year 2 Program                  Wednesday  3 - 4pm     -  FULL - names placed on waiting list

Year 2 - Year 6 Program                  Thursday 3 - 4pm          -  POSITIONS available

K - 6 Girls Only Program                 Friday 3 - 4pm              -  POSITIONS available

 

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

 

Paul Kelly Cup 2018

CONGRATULATIONS to our Stage 3 Senior Girls AFL team who won the Grand Final in the AFL Gala Day last week!!

On Thursday 5 April, the team headed to Greenway Park to compete in a local competition, the Paul Kelly Cup. The team was up against 10 different schools, and remained undefeated right throughout the competition!

The first game against Cecil Hill was a good fight between both teams ending in a close call with a score of 15-14. In the second game, Wattle Grove’s defence stood strong, however our tough attacking forwards pushed through with a win of 6-0.

From Angelina Hagipantelis’ kicks to Abbie Furley’s passes and Annalise Panarello’s mighty tackles, the final two games landed the girls solid victories, taking them to the Semi Finals against Fairfield West. Against the heat of the day, the team’s endurance caused Fairfield’s defence to crumble enabling them to push for a big win.

The dramatic Grand Final against Wattle Grove was interesting to say the least. Each team scored one behind at the beginning of the game, leaving it an even fight in the midfield. Even with extra time, still, neither team was able to produce a goal. The game lead to golden goal but ended with a very exciting finish. Under pressure, Marley Rhodes managed to earn a free kick at halfway which landed in the hands of Lara Furia who returned a mighty high mark to our lead goal scorer, Isabella Sultan, who fortunately, stood front and centre forward-facing the goal. Sultan took her time to score a safe 6 point goal, securing the team’s ‘Grand Final Champions’ title. The exhilarating win saw some tears of joy and of relief, including from Mrs Thompson – a proud spectator and coach with help from Mr Bakarich. An excellent finish and whole-team effort by all our talented players!

The Senior boys fought hard in their competition, kicking off the day with two easy victories against Liverpool West and Wattle Grove. In the third game, the boys were sadly defeated 15-14 by Holsworthty, however there was some skilful passes from Massimo Sofi and Domenic Trovato, as well as some wonderful team spirit. Although the boys did not eventuate to the Semi-finals, they did finish equal third in their pool. Nonetheless an excellent effort and positive attitude from all players!

Other exciting moments included a mid-gala-day running race where representatives from each school participated in a lengthy sprint. After playing three consecutive AFL games herself, Lillian Evans-Wilkinson managed to build up her stamina, representing the Senior Girls for Thomas Hassall finishing proudly in 2nd place. Speedy Ashton-‘the Flash’-Nou ran his heart out for the Senior boys team, finishing comfortably in 3rd place. An excellent outcome and effort by both Thomas Hassall runners!

What a successful and exciting day, it was!

Mrs Rachel Thompson
Senior Girls AFL Coach

 

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