Term 2 | The Way Newsletter | Monday 23 June 2025

Latest UpdatesBack to Top

From the Principal
Principal

What a week it was at the College, as we proudly celebrated the creative abilities of our senior students through the biannual MADE for Stage performances on Wednesday evening. This special event is more than just a showcase—it’s a joyful celebration of the depth of learning and talent within our Music, Art, Drama/Dance and Entertainment programs.

Our Year 12 Entertainment students took to the stage as hosts, weaving together the evening with a clever and thoughtful script that reminded us all of the value in pausing to enjoy the creativity of others. Their professionalism, humour and confidence set the tone for an evening of excellence.

From the youngest Year 7 music students bravely taking the stage for the first time, to the seasoned and polished ensembles of our older students, we were captivated. Each performance reflected hours of learning, practice and heart. The Visual Arts exhibition in the MRK was equally compelling—the space was transformed into a gallery of expression, skill and imagination.

Adding to the celebration, our Dance Troupes in both Junior and Senior school and Year 10 Drama students have recently received outstanding accolades at external events, and it was a privilege to see those high-calibre performances come to life before our College community.

I could not be prouder of our students—their courage, creativity and commitment were on full display. Their performances were not only entertaining; they were a testament to the rich educational experience they are receiving.

We also had the honour on Friday of welcoming Mr Tony Abbott, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, to our College. Mr Abbott addressed the Senior School and spent valuable time with our Year 11 History students. He was genuinely interested in their perspectives on the role of history in shaping their understanding of the world and their future. It was a thought-provoking experience and one that many students will remember.

tony

Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate Unite Week—a chance to recognise and embrace the diverse cultures that make up our College community. It is always a highlight and a reminder that while we may come from many backgrounds, we stand together with one purpose. I’ve even bought my very first Akubra—ready to join in the celebration!

There is much to be proud of, and even more to look forward to. Thank you to all who supported and celebrated with us.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10

Mrs Karen Easton
Principal
From the Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
Sandy Wheeler

How can I keep my child safe online? 

We had a fantastic parent session at the College about online safety, from the Liverpool City Police Area Command Constables Beardshaw and Stannett on Tuesday morning.

They presented their ThinkUKnow program and it was a highly engaging and interactive session. A passionate group of College families gathered to hear about the online world young people are navigating today and plenty of practical tips were shared that help support children to be safe online. Thank you to the many families across all age groups in the College who were able to come along and support the event. We hope to keep this partnership going with our local police youth liaison officers and run this event regularly as another way we can keep up you up-to-date with technology continuously evolving.

At the end of the session, I encouraged families to share what they learnt with others throughout our community. There were many practical suggestions to take away from the presentation. I’ve listed some below for you to consider as a family.

- Set up your child to play online games in a communal area and avoid private headset use. This way, you can hear conversations in the background and know who your child is talking to and the appropriateness of their conversations.

- Make a written agreement on what you will provide with technology in your home and what they can access: how and when. Negotiate this together and have joint ownership so they are included in decisions that affect them.

- Explain the difference between an online friend and a real-life friend. A real-life friend is one you know in person and outside of the gaming world. An online friend is one you do not.

- Encourage your child to tell you if someone online starts asking for personal details like their name, address, or school. Ensure your child knows not to share any personal information online.

- ‘Game’ with your child as a way to spend time together and to also see for yourself if the content is age-appropriate.

- Another good recommendation from the Constable was to have your child share their passwords with you as a back-up if they forget but also for their safety. Let them know this isn't for spying — it's parenting.

- Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite may look cartoonish and appropriate for children, but it is important to be aware they have chat functions that can allow anyone to connect with your child.

- Remember, you are the parent and it is your responsibility to keep your children safe. Constable Beardshaw stressed that as the parent you are in control of their technology use– you can decide what is safe for them or not. Do not feel pressure if your child says ‘my friends are allowed to I should too’. It is up to you- you are in control!

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 Reports will be sent electronically next week will be sent home electronically at the end of next week. Ms Lisa Hansford spoke about the new report template in our last newsletter edition which can be found here.

Unite Week

Unite week is happening this week and it is going to be a great celebration of diversity and how we are united – together - as a College community. We also reflect on God’s love for us in Jesus and how His grace and forgiveness is for everyone. I’m looking forward to Cultural Dress day on Friday 27 June and I hope you can join us for a special Friday morning muster in the Amphitheatre at 8.20am.

Have a blessed and rejuvenating holiday break and we will see you next term.

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
From the Chaplain
Denis Oliver

Around 586 BC, the people of Israel faced a devastating reality. Their vibrant capital and cherished temple were destroyed, and they were sent into exile in Babylon. It felt like the end, yet amidst their despair, a powerful message arrived from God.

Imagine being told to pray for the city where you were held captive! That's exactly what God commanded in Jeremiah 29:

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:7, 10-11.

This wasn't just about survival; it was about thriving, even in a hostile environment. It taught them that God's plan extended beyond their comfort, encompassing even their "unbelieving enemies." Many found this hard to accept - surely we should only care for our own? But our God is the Lord of all, and His perspective is always bigger.

Denis

Fast forward to June 11 2025, when a group from our College, along with over 1700 others, attended a prayer conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC). It was inspiring to see so many people come together to pray for our country and its vital institutions - from the government and media to schools and even families like ours.

Just as the Israelites were called to pray for their city, we too, as Christians, are called to pray for our world today. We're reminded that we're exiles in this world, much like the Israelites in Babylon, waiting for the ultimate promises of God to be fulfilled. In the meantime, we're tasked with a powerful mission: to love and care for the city, even when it may not always love us back.

So, as parents guiding your kids through today's challenges, I encourage you to pray for our vital institutions— our government, our families, our schools, and our communities. We know human efforts aren't enough; we truly need God to act.

Reverend Denis Oliver
College Chaplain
From the Director of Operations & Wellbeing - Junior School
Kylie

Unite Week: Celebrating Culture, Unity, and Inclusion Through Literacy

Unite Week is a special, week-long event designed to inspire and engage our students through rich, meaningful learning experiences focused on literacy, culture, and community. It’s a time when classrooms come alive with stories, discussions, and activities that help children explore ideas of diversity, inclusion, and unity—all through the power of reading and writing. Unite Week encourages students to connect more deeply with themselves and each other.

The goal of Unite Week is simple but powerful: to help students see that our differences make us stronger, and that every voice matters. Through literacy, students are invited to build empathy, celebrate their identities, and take part in a school-wide journey of respect and togetherness.

We welcome families to join us at our Extended Friday Morning Muster. We welcome families to be part of the conversation—ask your child what they’re reading, writing, or learning during Unite Week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow together, one story at a time.

Mrs Kylie Singles
Director of Operations & Wellbeing – Junior School

Upcoming dates

Date Event
Tuesday 24 June Junior School Author Visits 
Tuesday 26 June Year 9 & 10 Parent Teacher Night

Wednesday 27 June

Unite Cultural Dress - Prep (3 Day)
Friday 27 June

Unite Cultural Dress - Prep (2 Day), Kindy - Year 12

Last Day of Term 2
Monday 21 July  Term 3 Begins

Please see Sports Update articles for all important sporting dates.  
Donut Stall on Friday

As part of our Unite Week celebrations this week, we will have a Donut Stall running at lunchtime this Friday!

A big thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers, who will be running the stalls in both the Junior and Senior Schools.

Junior School (Kindy to Year 6) students will be able to purchase their donut from the stall in the Junior School area.  Senior School students can buy theirs from the Senior School stall during their lunchtime break.

Donuts are Krispy Kreme Original Glazed and will be $3 each.

If your child would like to buy one, please make sure they bring some coins on Friday.
Parent Portal Network Outage
We will be performing maintenance to our network systems on Saturday 5th July between 8:00pm – 3:00am on Sunday 6th July.

During this time, your access to the Parent Portal may be disrupted.

We thank you for your patience.

EventsBack to Top

UNITE Week

This week is our annual College Unite Week. It is a wonderful celebration of our cultural diversity. Each day students will have the opportunity to engage in activities that promote positive conversations about their cultural background. 

On Friday 27 June, students are invited to wear an outfit or article of clothing that represents their cultural background. This could range from full traditional dress, an item of clothing, colours of their national flag or a sporting jersey from their national team. If students do not have any cultural items to wear, they are encouraged to wear the colour orange, as this is the national colour of Harmony Day in Australia.

Please note: This day is NOT a mufti or free dress day. If students choose not to wear any of the above mentioned, they are to arrive in their full winter College uniform or sports uniform only.
South West Festival

Thomas Hassall Anglican College is very pleased to stage the South West Festival on Saturday 30 August 2025 from 10am-3pm - make sure you Save the Date. There is a great variety of international food stalls, carnival rides, children’s activities and workshops, pony rides, petting zoo, live music, market stalls, reptile interactive display and the renowned Motor Show - over 100 bikes and cars!

We are currently looking for Sponsorships and Prize Donations towards the festival. If you would be interested in promoting your business by becoming a sponsor and/or donor of the 2025 event, please contact the Community Relations team via email [email protected]. 

LearningBack to Top

Kindy Creators

This term in Kindergarten Visual Arts, students have been exploring the use of lines and shapes and how artists use these elements to create meaning in their work. We looked closely at different types of lines—straight, wavy, zigzag—and how shapes can be used in creative ways.

Kindy

To deepen our understanding, we were inspired by the vibrant illustrations in Dr Bronwyn Bancroft’s Aboriginal children’s books. As a proud Bundjalung woman and celebrated artist, Bancroft uses bold lines, intricate patterns, and bright colours to share stories and culture. Students responded to these artworks by creating their own pieces, experimenting with line, shape, and colour to express their ideas and reflect what they saw in Bancroft’s work.

kindy

It has been a joyful and expressive term of creativity, learning, and connection to Aboriginal art and storytelling.

Mrs Kathryn Kurilowich
Junior School Teacher
2025 Parli-Flicks Short Film Award

Students are invited to take part in the 2025 Parli-Flicks Short Film Award.

This year, the theme is: “What do I value about democracy?” It invites students to create a one-minute short film that explores what democracy means to them and why it is important that all citizens have a say in decision-making processes.

The competition is open to NSW students in Years 5 to 12. Five entries will be shortlisted in these categories:

- Best Regional
- Best Metropolitan
- Best Primary (Years 5 & 6)
- Best Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9)
- Best Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12)

One of these entries will receive the Parli-Flicks Prize 2025—a $500 prize and a trophy. All shortlisted entries will receive $100 (to be shared by the entrants), and each shortlisted student will receive an individual medal. Shortlisted finalists will be invited to an awards night at the NSW Parliament in Sydney, with travel and accommodation assistance provided to regional finalists.

Entries close at midnight on 8 August 2025.

To enter, students can work individually or in a group of up to three. Films can be live action or animated, drama or comedy, documentary-style or direct-to-camera. The main requirement is to answer the theme question within one minute.

Teachers can use the Teacher Guide to help students develop their entries. More information, past winning entries, and the competition guidelines are available via Parliamentary Education & Engagement: [email protected].

I believe this competition is a wonderful way to engage students with the values of democracy and help them find their voice as active citizens. 

Mr Nathan Hagarty MP
Member for Leppington
Informative Texts in Year 3

This term, our Year 3 students have been exploring informative texts, with a focus on note-taking and writing information in their own words. They learned how to identify key facts, organise ideas, and structure an information report.

Year 3

After researching an animal of their choice, students planned and wrote their own informative texts, showcasing their understanding of the topic. It was wonderful to see their growing confidence in using nonfiction features and presenting facts clearly and creatively.

Mrs Lisa Sampson
Team Leader Year 3

Junior School Sports Update

NSW CIS Primary Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to our CASA Cross Country students who competed at the NSW CIS Primary Cross Country Carnival on Thursday 12 June. Facing off against the best runners from across the state, our athletes proudly represented our College, showing incredible determination and resilience on a tough course.

Well done - Ella K, Tegan H, Thomas S, Rocky B, Samuel I and Jeremy G, we are very proud of your efforts!

CSSA Gymnastics Competition

A huge congratulations to Ella K who proudly represented our College at the NSW CSSA Gymnastics Competition on Wednesday 18 June.

Ella K

Ella competed in Level 5 and  delivered an outstanding performance, achieving:

  • 2nd place on Bars
  • 1st place on Beam
  • 1st place on Floor

She finished overall 4th in Level 5 - an incredible result!

We are so proud of Ella’s hard work, determination, and sportsmanship. What an amazing achievement!

UPCOMING SPORTS DATES
WEEK 9
 Tuesday 24 June NSW CIS Primary Boys Football Gala Day
(team selected at the CASA trials)
Thursday 26 June

Years 5 & 6 NSW CIS BOYS Softball Trials **
** Expressions of interest are closed for NSW CIS Boys Softball trials

TERM 3 - UPCOMING SPORTS DATES
WEEK 3
 Thursday 7 August CASA Junior Athletics Carnival

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator

Co-curricularBack to Top

Co-curricular Update

It has been an exciting and action-packed fortnight across the Co-Curricular space, with our students showcasing their talents across the creative and sporting arenas. From the stage to the studio and onto the sports field, there’s a lot to celebrate.

Dynamic Song and Dance Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our Thomas Hassall Dance Troupes on their fantastic results at the Dynamic Song and Dance Eisteddfod on Saturday 14 June. Our students gave confident, high-energy performances and were excellent representatives of the College, both on stage and behind the scenes.

We are pleased to share the following results:

- 1st Place – Birds Set Free, A Little Party, Alice
- 2nd Place – The 30th, Bonjour, Hit The Road Jack
- 3rd Place – Wings

These achievements reflect the commitment, teamwork and resilience of our students. It was wonderful to see older dancers supporting younger members through quick changes and rehearsals. The sense of community within the team was evident throughout the day.

A big thank you to our coaches, Emma and Ellie, for their expert guidance and preparation, and to Ms Holly for assisting backstage on the day. The team is now looking ahead to the Platinum Eisteddfod on 9 August, which will offer an even greater level of competition.

Sports Academy Open Week

Last week, families were invited to attend our Sports Academy Open Week, where they had the opportunity to watch their children in action across a range of programs. From football and basketball to athletics and dance, students demonstrated the skills, discipline and teamwork they have been developing throughout the term.

It was especially rewarding to see students engaged and motivated, working hard alongside their peers and coaches. The Academy provides a space not only for athletic growth but also for building confidence, resilience, and leadership.

A sincere thank you to our team of dedicated coaches, who continue to invest in our students and create opportunities for them to excel both on and off the field. Their expertise and care are invaluable in shaping the next generation of student-athletes.

As we approach the end of term, we are proud of the many ways our students continue to engage, perform, and grow through the Co-Curricular Program. Thank you again to the families and staff who make these opportunities possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mr Luke Robinson
Director of Co-curricular
Junior Concert Band at the Sydney Eisteddfod

Congratulations to the Junior Concert Band on their participation in the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod!

band

This competitive performing arts festival offers a platform for various artists to showcase their talents. The band performed on the beautiful Chatswood Concourse stage, an exciting experience for the students.

Mr Byron Mark
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator

CommunityBack to Top

Uniform Shop Holiday Hours

Thomas Hassall Anglican College Uniform Store will be trading additional hours over the holiday period. 

July Holiday Trading 2025

  • Friday 18 July 9:00am – 4:00pm

Term 3 2025: Normal trading hours resume Monday, 21 July 2025

  • Monday 7:30am – 3:30pm
  • Wednesday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Friday 7:30am – 3:30pm

Fitting Appointment

Uniform fittings are strictly by appointment only

Please use the button below to book an appointment

Online Store

Enjoy the convenience of online shopping.

Orders will be filled when the store is next open.

www.midford.com.au Passphrase: Thomas1997

Please contact the uniform shop:

Phone: 02 8776 1193

Email: [email protected]
New website

We are thrilled to our announce our new website will be launching during the Winter Holidays.

We have been working hard behind the scenes to create a fresh design with updated features and a clearer window into life at the College.

Thank you to all the students, staff, parents and alumni who’ve already shared their reflections — your words will be part of what makes the new site so special.

There’s still a chance to be involved. If you’d like to contribute a short comment or testimonial, the form is still open for a little longer.

We can’t wait to share the new website with you. Stay tuned!
Holiday Programs

Football Holiday Program

foot

Running from Monday 14 - Friday 18 July at 8.30am - 2.30pm, this is an all-weather program that will take place at the College.

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 $300 for the week.

Dates for your diary for the next Football Holiday Program:

OCTOBER HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 07 October to Friday 10 October

Dance Holiday Program

dance

Running from Monday 14 - Friday 18 July at 8.30am - 2.30pm, this program will take place at the College.

It is open to boys and girls from Kindy - Year 9 of all skill levels.

The Program is open to the community with accredited dance teachers with lessons across Hip Hop, Jazz, Cheer, Musical Theatre and Contemporary. 

$65 per day or $300 for the week.

CodeCamp

code

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! 

Wednesday 9 - Friday 11 July from 9.00am - 3.45pm.

Motiv8 Sports

motiv8

THE MOTIV8 GAMES are held only once every year and provide campers the chance to win Gold. The Motiv8 Games is a futuristic version of the Olympics with a rock concert style atmosphere. This  multi-sports event will give campers the opportunity to participate in a long list of team sports, individual events, showdowns and team building challenges. 

Monday 7 - Tuesday 8 July.

For ages Kindy to Year 6
The Way we connect

The Way We Connect – Keeping Our Community Informed

If you have a question or suggestion, you can submit it using the form below. This will be a regular feature in our newsletter, helping to keep our community informed.

Please note that while not every submission will receive a direct reply, we will ensure recurring topics are addressed in a way that benefits everyone.

Got a question? Submit it via the button below—your input helps shape what we share!