Term 1 I The Way Newsletter I Friday 22 March 2024

Has your child been sunburnt before? It is not pleasant. The good news is that it is preventable! As parents and educators, we must play our part in educating, modelling and ensuring children are being sun safe in their daily lives. Today I am asking all families to ensure your child/ren are wearing the correct hat each day. 

Why wear a wide brim hat? 

The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation which you cannot see or feel. No matter the type of weather each day or your skin type, it is very important for everyone to be sun safe and reduce UV exposure as much as possible. Sun-safe hats are broad-brimmed style hats with an angled brim that protects the face, neck and ears whenever a person is outside. 

When do students wear the Wide Brim Foam College Hat?

Students are expected to wear the wide brim foam hat every day, at all break times.  It is also recommended to be worn when arriving and leaving the College.

When do students wear the Sports Cap?

Pack your child’s Sports Cap in their bag on PE (Physical Education) days, College Sports days and Carnivals for use during these specialist lessons. Students continue to wear the wide brim foam hat at break times even on PE or College Sports days for sun safety. 

Below you can read the expectations for students wearing hats in the Junior School. On the whole, our students love active play and being outdoors. It is especially important they are protected from UV radiation and always wear their wide brim foam College hat all year round. Packing sunscreen in your child’s bag and teaching them to apply it also provides additional protection to sun exposure. Sunscreen is made available to students in classrooms and while on excursions. 

College Expectations:

• For Junior School students, the Wide Brim Foam Hat is compulsory all year round. The Wide Brim Foam Hat is to be worn when outdoors at the College for their own sun protection. 

• The Sport Cap can be worn during PE lessons, Carnivals and College Sport lessons. The Sports Cap should not be worn at other times as a substitute for the Wide Brim Foam College hat.

Here is an extract from the Cancer Council Website explaining the importance of sun safety. 

“Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world… Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.

Students are in school when daily ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are at their peak, meaning schools are uniquely placed to educate about sun protection behaviour, minimise UVR exposure and ultimately reduce a student's lifetime risk of skin cancer.”

https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/be-sunsmart/sunsmart-in-schools

Thank you for being a part of our sun safe culture at the College and to instill positive practices in our students for life-long sun safety habits.

Dive into the enchanting world beneath the sea with The Little Mermaid, a magical Disney musical that's making waves on Broadway is now on stage at Thomas Hassall Anglican College!

Based on the beloved Disney film and the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, this sparkling production tells the story of Ariel, a beautiful young mermaid who dreams of life above the waves. But to make her dreams a reality, Ariel must defy her father, the sea king, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch, and capture the heart of a prince.

Featuring unforgettable songs like "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and the Academy Award-winning "Under the Sea," composed by the legendary Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, The Little Mermaid promises an unforgettable journey filled with adventure for audiences of all ages.

For 2 weeks only - 6 shows:

Friday 3 May 2024 | 7pm

Saturday 4 May 2024 | 1.30pm & 7pm

Friday 10 May 2024 | 7pm

Saturday 11 May 2024 | 1.30pm & 7pm

Click here to purchase tickets

Over the last few weeks Year 4 have been learning about what sustainability is and the practical ways we can care of the environment. We have learnt things like reducing waste, recycling, and saving energy. Year 4 have also learned about reusing things instead of throwing them away, which is helping them for their design projects they will be completing over the next few weeks. This project will make year 4 look at rubbish in a different light, repurposing things that may have once been seen as rubbish and thrown into landfill. 

By learning these things, we now have a better understanding of how our actions can help the environment and make a difference in our communities. We are becoming champions for taking care of God’s creation and encouraging others to do the same.

Mr Kieran Aggett
Junior School Teacher - Year 4 Year Leader

This year has seen the introduction of a new NSW K-10 Modern Languages Syllabus.  The aim of Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus is to empower students to become effective communicators in the target language by developing linguistic competence and intercultural capability.

Students:

- learn to interact, understand and create texts in the target language

- reflect on and understand their own and others’ languages, cultures and identity

- develop an interest in and enjoyment of language learning.

The Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus invites students to consider the perspectives of others and the world beyond themselves, contributing to their own social and emotional development. Learning a language provides students with opportunities to engage socially, culturally and economically in the community. They develop a deeper understanding of their place in the world and the importance of global citizenship.

"Learning a language improves literacy outcomes in first and additional languages and it also increases metalinguistic awareness. Learning languages strengthens collaborative and problem-solving skills, and enhances reflective, critical and creative thinking…” Excerpt taken from the Modern Languages K–10 Syllabus

At Thomas Hassall, from Prep to Year 6, every student has been introduced to a new language or has further developed their language learning. Through a combination of interactive activities and engaging lessons students have been developing their language skills, cultural understanding and self-expression.

Prep 

Our prep students have been learning how to say "hello" in different languages and recognizing that different cultures have different ways of saying "hello."

Kindy

Students have been learning different Indigenous languages through songs.  They are currently learning the song “Warami Ngalowah Mittigar” in Dharug language, which is thetraditional language of the Aboriginal people in the inland areas of greater Sydney, including Liverpool.

Year 1 Spanish

Students have been learning to greet each other and introduce themselves in Spanish. They are developing an understanding of the influence of the Spanish language throughout the world.

Year 2 Spanish

Students have been learning  to describe how they are feeling and further develop their knowledge of the language they need to talk about themselves.

Year 3 Spanish

Students have been learning to describe where they live whilst further developing their knowledge of Australia and its States and Territories.

Year 4 French

Students have been learning to greet each other and introduce themselves in French. They have been developing an understanding of the influence of the French language throughout the world.

Year 5 French

Students have been learning colours in French and will be able to identify and use them in everyday conversation and to describe themselves.

Mrs Viviana Morris
Junior School Teacher (Languages)

The CASA Junior Swimming Carnival was held at Sydney International Aquatic Centre in Homebush.  Our Junior School swim team had 34 students represent the College at the very first CASA Carnival.  

There were some wonderful individual performances and our Junior Boys relay team placed 3rd.  

All swimmers should be proud of their efforts as they represented the College with great commitment and sportsmanship.  Thomas Hassall placed 6th overall at the carnival.

Congratulations to the students who will represent the College and CASA at the NSW Combined Independent Schools Swimming Carnival at the end of the month.

Boys 10 years 50 LC Meter Freestyle​​ Coby O

Boys 8-10 years 50 LC Meter Breaststroke​ Coby O

Boys 8-10 Freestyle Junior Relay ​​Levi M, Tomas C, Liam H, Coby O

Mrs Sharon Evans 
P-6 Sports Coordinator

Running from 22 - 24 and 26 of April from 8.30 - 2.30pm, this is an all-weather program that will take place at the College.

*Program will not run on ANZAC Day - Thursday 25 April

It is open to boys and girls aged 5-13 of all skill levels.

Students will participate in fun activities, game development and learn soccer skills from accredited coaches.

$65 per day or $240 for the week.

Book online now

CodeCamp

Join CodeCamp these School holidays where kids design, code, problem solve and become storytellers and creators of technology, by creating games, websites, music and videos or flying drones - in just 2-3 days! 

Tuesday 16 - Thursday 18 April. 

Book now

Motiv8 Sports

Held only once each year Super Camp is a sports festival designed just for kids. Way more than a sports dreamland, Super Camp is an energetic mix of sport, music, street culture, art and dance mashed up to create the ultimate atmosphere for kids who love having fun. Campers will be treated to an incredible array of our trademark team sports in an environment full of energy, motiv8tion and unbelievable guidance from our professional team of coaches.

8:30am-3:30pm daily - 15 & 16 April

For ages Kindy to Year 6
Book online

Cricket NSW 

Register Here