Term 2 I The Way Newsletter I Friday 21 June 2024

Latest UpdatesBack to Top

From the Principal
Principal

I have been reflecting on the ways that moments shape who we are and who we become and found this quote, “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” How true is this when we watch our children learn and grow as they experience what the world has to offer? Sometimes, we wish that they would grow up quickly and other times we want to linger over special times captured in unique moments.

This week has been photo week at the college. It is always a frantic time with students and staff alike making sure that they are well presented and ready to capture a moment in time. These moments are precious, and I want to commend the students for their politeness and courtesy to our photographers and for the way they represented themselves this week. 

We have also celebrated our mothers and joined in a magnificent breakfast this morning. The MRK staff do an amazing job catering for this occasion and I am also grateful to the whole team who spend a significant amount of time planning and organising this event. I trust that the morning was enjoyable for those who were able to attend. Over 1300 mums and grandmothers with students joined together reminding us of the importance of family and relationships. Another important moment where we can come together.

MRK

Term 2 has been full and there has been a lot to celebrate and many opportunities for students to participate in performance, sport, and academic activities. We will complete the term with Unite Week, where we can celebrate our diversity and unity as a college. It is a significant moment each year in our calendar and one that reminds us that we all belong. 

As the term draws to an end, I want to encourage everyone to take some time to rest and seek out special experiences and moments during the term break. I hope you can find time to have fun together and discover new moments of connection. Please stay safe and warm, enjoy the break and we look forward to seeing you again next term.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 

Psalm 62:1

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

Mother’s Day Breakfast was a heart-warming morning of good food, joy and community.

Any day is a good day to celebrate mothers, isn’t it?! It was a pleasure to be a part of the buzz and witness the quality time enjoyed by all. It is mornings such as these that I feel privileged and blessed to be a part of the Thomas Hassall community, with so many families spending time together, making special memories at our beautiful College.

Semester 1 Reports will be sent to families electronically towards the end of next week. As you read through the report the first thing I encourage you to do is celebrate the areas where you can see your child is shining or has shown improvement. It could be their application of effort, their learning behaviours or achievement in a specific subject. There will be another opportunity for parent-teacher interviews next term and we will let you know the dates early next term.

A reminder that Unite Week starts on Monday. Junior School students can come in cultural dress on Monday. Let’s celebrate our diverse cultural backgrounds and remember that as a community we can be united together.

As we head into our last week of term, please join me in thanking the Junior School staff for their passion, energy and care of their students. May your holiday break be filled with goodness and blessing.

We look forward to seeing the students back on Monday 22 July with their holiday stories ready to tell!

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
From the Assistant Chaplain
Georgia

Last year was my first year here at college and I have very fond memories of Unite week, seeing students in bursts of colour in their cultural dress celebrating our diverse backgrounds. It was fantastic!

In my family, the Beikoff name doesn’t really hold much cultural history. All we know is that it is Prussian, and my great-great grandparents came over on a boat right before the turn of 19th century. But sadly, that is as much as I know. Our family history was lost due to the nation ceasing to exist and overthrown by the German Empire. Even the region where the Beikoff’s originated, (now Poland) is now completely desolate.

I wonder if you’ve ever felt how my family has felt, a bit lost because you have no connection with your ancestral roots?

Whether you have or not, there is something that has given me great comfort and assurance when questioning my cultural history and identity and that is knowing full well what God says about who I am, I belong to Him.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God
1 John 3:1 ESV

By God’s grace and through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can have full hope, assurance, and identity as being a child of the one and true God that yearns for us to know Him as our Father.

Miss Georgia Beikoff
Assistant Chaplain
From the Director of Operations & Wellbeing - Junior School
Kylie

We are all different, yet, made in the image of God; no individual more special, no cultural background more important. God loves all people and commands us to love Him first and also our neighbour.

Junior School have been celebrating difference as part of Manners Matter. Last week, Derek Rabelo visited College and shared with the students how he has overcome adversity to become a professional surfer despite his visually impairment. He also spoke passionately about the centrality of Jesus in his life and encouraged students to seek Jesus. Persevering through challenges is a learning behaviour we focus on at College.

Next week is Unite week; our specific lens for learning is based around acceptance, kindness, inclusivity and respect all wrapped in the message of hope and the assurance we have in Christ Jesus.

On Monday, we look forward to wearing cultural dress and celebrating difference and diversity as the students engage in rich discussions and activities throughout the whole week in English and Manners Matter lessons. This is how we make a positive impact on our community.

The holidays are upon us soon. I wish families a safe and relaxing holiday

Mrs Kylie Singles
Director of Operations & Wellbeing – Junior School

Upcoming dates

Date Event

Monday 24 June

Unite Week Years P - 6 Cultural Dress

Author Visits Prep 3 Day and Kindy

Year 12 Soup and Songs Evening

Tuesday 25 June

Amazing Me lessons - Year 6

Year 4 Band Afternoon 

MISA Dance Festival 

Wednesday 26 June

Amazing Me Evening Parent Session

Year 5 Space Project Gallery

Year 10 Japanese Excursion

Thursday 27 June

Unite Week - 2 Day Prep Cultural Dress

Author Visits Prep 2 day

Year 10 & 12 Careers Expo

Friday 28 June

Unite Week Years 7 - 12 Cultural Dress

XTHACtor

Last Day of Term 2

Monday 1 July

Gold Duke of Ed Hike

Monday 22 July

Term 3 Commences
Mother's Celebration Breakfast

What a wonderful opportunity it was this morning to celebrate the ladies in our community, Mums, Grandmas and other significant ladies in our life.  

Even though the day started out rather chilly it was great to see so many of you coming along to share in this occasion with the students and staff. A special thanks to Mrs Riitano's Kitchen staff who worked so hard to prepare for us a scrumptious breakfast. We hope you had a lovely morning!
College Awards

To receive an award is a recognition to your hard work, excellence and service in the College. 

Congratulations to the following Junior School Principal's awards and College award recipients:

Awards

EventsBack to Top

UNITE Week

Next 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. There will also be special assemblies in both our Junior and Senior schools encouraging an atmosphere of celebration and inclusivity.

On Monday 24 June, Junior School students are invited to arrive to College wearing an outfit or article of clothing that represents their cultural background. On Friday 28 June, Senior School 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.

 
Junior School Holiday Meet Up

Meet other families on the upcoming Mid-Term Break, Monday 29 August

Our Parent Community Network have been busy planning opportunities for Thomas Hassall families to connect. They have come up with a lovely opportunity for students and parents to meet on the mid-semester break. 

holiday
View the flyer

The Parent Community Network is run by parents of Thomas Hassall Anglican College. The meet up events have been organised by Parent Volunteers. Please note no staff will be present at these events and parents need to supervise their own children.
Holiday Programs
Football Holiday Program

Running from Monday 15 - Friday 19 July at 8.30 - 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.

Book online now

 

Holiday Dance Program

Come join the fun at our Holiday Dance Program. Enjoy learning a variety of dance styles, with fun games and a disco!

  • Hip Hop
  • Jazz
  • Cheer
  • Musical Theatre
  • Contemporary

Running from Monday 15 - Friday 19 July from 8.30 - 2.30pm. 

It is open to boys and girls in Kindy - Year 9. 

 

 dance

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! 

Wednesday 17 - Friday 19 July. 

code

 

Book now

 

Motiv8 Sports

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. 

8:30am - 3:30pm daily - Monday 8 - Tuesday 9 July

For ages Kindy to Year 6

motiv8
 

Book online

 

WellbeingBack to Top

Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity encompasses the variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions present globally, contributing to a rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will help to not only promote unity, but a deeper appreciation of the nuances that distinguish us.

Inclusion is about more than just words; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for every child, regardless of their cultural background. When children and adolescents feel seen and valued for who they are, they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Valuing and understanding cultural diversity helps our communities benefit from a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing our collective capacity for empathy and innovation.

As parents and adult carers, instilling an appreciation for cultural diversity is vital to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through leading by example and showing that kindness and understanding knows no boundaries, we can encourage them to embrace multiculturalism. This will not only prepare young people for personal success, but also for contributing to a world that views diversity as a strength. Through collective efforts, we can help pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how best to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity with your children. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school wellbeing team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Click on the image below to watch a video about Cultural Diversity

cultural

Mrs Jacoline Petersen
Director of Student Counselling

LearningBack to Top

Another Great Week in Prep

This week in Prep Purple we have been learning about the letter ‘r’ and the number 9.

We have painted rainbows, made letters using rice, played number games and counted raindrops. Most importantly, we have done all of this while having fun and learning with our friends. Prep Purple students have grown up so much this term and love coming to school each week!

Prep
 

Mrs Candice Mannix
Junior School Teacher - Prep Purple(Thurs//Fri) & Year 6(Wed)
Illustrators Competition

What is it? An illustrating competition open to all students, Prep to 6. 

When is it? Submissions must be entered by Friday 26 July. These are to be given to the class teacher. 

Please note: For this year, all entries are to be completed at home. 

Inspiration: Each class will be given a story, an excerpt from a story, or a poem, written by our students, to illustrate. They will all follow the theme of “The River.”

Submissions: Students may use pencils, paints, crayons, pastels, mixed media and choose their style. They may use digital art components. They must not use AI. Student entries must be on A4 paper and not be on lined paper. Please do not laminate, mount or frame these prior to submission. 

Entries must be labelled with the story’s name, their own first and last names, class and house on the back of the entry. 

The entry must be original, and not previously awarded any prizes in other competitions. It must be the student’s own work.

Entries will be chosen from every grade to be published in the Thomas Hassall online magazine. Winning entries from each grade will also receive a mystery art related prize.

Questions to [email protected]  

Mrs Alex Saville
Gifted and Talented Liaison for the Junior School

Performing ArtsBack to Top

Junior Strings Eisteddfod

The Junior String Orchestra performed three pieces recently at the Sydney Eisteddfod held at The Concourse at Chatswood. They were competing against 15 other schools in the Sydney area. The students performed well and were excited to have the opportunity to perform on a professional stage. 
 

Strings

Mrs Elizabeth Ford 
Music Teacher - & Senior School Coaching Leader

Wanderers Junior Schools Cup

Our Year 5 and 6 APP Boys and Girls team traveled to Wanderers Five club to compete in the schools cup against other schools within the district.

Both boys teams faced tough competition in their pools and did well to work together until the very last minute. Although they fell short of success, they showed great sportsmanship and encouragement for our girls teams. The girls teams showed passion and dedication together to win all their games in their pool and faced William Clarke in the grand final. They placed second overall in the competition which is a great achievement and we look forward to more opportunities for them to showcase their skills and talent.

Congratulations to Willow, Hanna, Tamara, Miley, Anabelle, Olivia, Eliana and Coach Jairo.

wanderers

 

Miss Dayla Tikeri 
Sports Administrator & TAP Coordinator
Junior Athletics Carnival

Years 3 - 6 students enjoyed participating in the College Athletics Carnival. 

The Junior School athletics carnival was held on Thursday 13 June at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. 

It was wonderful to see students participating in a variety of track and field events, earning points for their house. There were some excellent results and close finishes to our running races. It was encouraging to see our students cheering each other on as they tried their best in the events. The relays at the end of the day are always a highlight, with the House cheers ringing loudly from the stands.

Congratulations to all students who participated during the day!

A big thank you to Miss Tikeri, Mrs Focas, Mr Sheahan, our Sport Assistants and our Secondary Year 10 PASS classes who ran the field events for the day. 

In a very close House competition, we congratulate CARMICHAEL House on winning the point score this year.

The Primary Carnival HOUSE results were:

1st Place: Carmichael - 2,140 points 

2nd Place: Liddell – 2,008 points

3rd Place: Lewis -   1,904 points

4th Place: Wilberforce - 1,730 points

The following students were the Age Champions for the carnival:

AGE GIRLS BOYS
8 Years Millie B Raphael A
9 Years A'mia B Maksim M
10 Years Ella K Hudson G
11 Years Willow S Rocky B
12 Years Cierra G Julian C


Students who have qualified to represent the College at the CASA carnival will be notified soon. 

The CASA Junior Athletics Carnival will be held next term, on Thursday 8 August 2024 (Week 3).

athletics
 

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator
CSSA Gymnastics Competition

Congratulations to Camilla M, Talia M, Ayenka K and Amelia S who recently competed at the CSSA Gymnastics Competition on Tuesday 11 June.

The girls showcased their talents across a variety of apparatus and we are extremely proud of how well they represented the college. 

Congratulations to Talia placed 1st in bars, 2nd in vault, beam and floor and 2nd overall. Camillia (Year 6) competed in the Level 5 division and placed 3rd overall. Camilla came 1st on floor and 3rd on beam.

Congratulations girls on a wonderful achievement.

gym

Mrs Sharon Evans and Mrs Irene Focas
P-6 Sports Coordinator and Senior School Sports Co-ordinator

CommunityBack to Top

Scavenger Hunt in the Junior Library

Scavengerhunt#2.jpeg

Scavenger Hunt Winners!

Scavengerhunt#1.jpeg

Scavenger Hunt Winners!

This term the Junior Library held a scavenger hunt. 12 book characters were hidden in the library with a letter, that together when unscrambled would form a secret message. Lots of students participated in this competition, searching all over the library during recess and lunchtime for these hidden characters. The following students were the first to find them all and unscramble the secret message "Reading Rocks." They each won a brand new book of their choice!

Isaac Y. Year 1

Isaac H. Year 2

Grace J. Year 2

Michael N. Year 2

Elena M. Year 3

Avneet G. Year 3

Gwendolyn P. Year 3

Ethan T. Year 3

Jason O. Year 4

Elizer S. Year 4

Madeleine S. Year 5

Natalia A.K. Year 5

Christian T. Year 5

Claudia A. Year 5

Charlie B. Year 6

Isabella B. Year 6

 

Mrs Issa and Mr Smith would to congratulate all these students again for their great detective and word skills! Thank you to all students who participated in this competition!

Mrs Arabella Issa & Mr Michael Smith
Junior IRC Library team