The Way Weekly Recap I Friday 21 August 2020

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blasting off into Mathematical Fluency

Counting backwards from 100, counting forwards by 5, placing fractions on a number line, explaining how to use the jump strategy to solve maths problems – the students in Thomas Hassall Anglican College  Junior School are working hard to become more fluent in their number sense.

Our Junior School teaching team is working on a Primary Numeracy Project with the Association of Independent Schools, looking at research about numeracy development, studying data of our classes and students, and planning engaging and rigorous lessons and units. Ask your children not only what they are learning in maths, but how they are learning. Listen to them telling you about using white boards to show their responses to questions, talking to partners, answering the question – ‘How do you know?’

Building mathematical fluency will help all our students as they progress through their primary years.

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Ms Lisa Hansford
Junior School Director of Teaching & Learning

Father's Day stall will be on Wednesday 2 September - Friday 4 September

However, due to current events we will be substantially altering the stall to make sure that we are minimising contact between grades and adult to adult contact.

This will include:-

• Online purchases being made so there is no transfer of cash.
• A record of purchases made so that siblings will know what their brother or sister has purchased and avoid choosing the same gift.
• Class teachers will be booking an individual timeslot for their class.
• Students will be choosing from display items and once they choose they will get a prepacked gift to minimise handling.
• The stall will be attended by College staff who will wear gloves when handling gifts.
• The stall will be held in the S Block Assembly area for Primary and MRK for Senior Students

Please use the following link to purchase the voucher's for your child.

https://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/fathersday

We would like to thank Mrs Khoury and Mrs Kalach-Warda who organised the gifts for the stall during the College break.

Left…..Left…..Left Right Left…..!

This is the new flavour during Junior Concert Band rehearsals on Tuesday mornings over the last 2 weeks. With Covid restrictions in place, our young musicians have the opportunity to embrace a new style of music performance – the Marching Band! Students have had a great time learning to march as one; left before right, straight lines, standing at attention, and listening to the marching drums. This is a great skill teaching co-ordination, listening, and a bit of fitness all at the same time! The lines were looking great in S-Block this week, and the students should be proud of themselves for embracing this new activity during these testing times. Well done to all.  

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

During these interesting times, our student musicians are exploring new methods of music creation in their band rehearsals.

An important part of music is understanding how to write and notate. All of our ensemble students now have the opportunity to work together and compose music for their specific sections.

There are some fantastic musical ideas being produced, and it's exciting to see the students think in creative ways. These sessions are facilitated by their music tutors. Once it is announced safe to perform woodwind and brass instruments in groups again, students will be performing their compositions for their ensemble.

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles

Looking for a new book similar to one you have loved? The IRC is here to help!

What’s new in the IRC?

Recommended Reading Guides – ‘What to read if you loved…’

Another fantastic new feature has been added to the IRC’s canvas page. Under the ‘Books and Reading’ section you will find a brand new recommended reading page ‘What to read if you loved…’ This is the perfect place to go if you need some advice or help in finding your next great read.

Here you will find images of popular and well loved books. By clicking on the image of one of these books you will be taken to a page detailing some similar books found in the Senior Library that you might enjoy. This is a quick and easy way to find something new to read that is like one you have loved in the past. Finding the perfect book has never been easier!

New books are being added all the time, make sure you check it out today!

For more information please speak to Mr Smith.

I just want to thank our parents for their support of our Multilit Extension Program which we run for students in Years 7 to 9.

This is a valuable program that helps our students who need to boost their reading skills, to become fluent before they enter the demands of Year 10 studies and beyond. Due to Year 12 examinations and the extra support that we have been providing for task assistance, we will be recommencing our Mutilit program from next week. If you feel that your son or daughter needs help with their reading, please contact me, Mrs Julie Smythe, by email [email protected] or by calling the College number and I can have a discussion with you. 

I also want to let all of our parents know that Learning Support also organises NESA Disability Provisions for the HSC for students in Year 12. Students who are eligible, and have suitable documentation, can apply for special provisions so that they can compete with other students on a level playing field during examinations or in-class tasks.  If your son or daughter will be starting Year 12 in Term 4 and they have medical, learning or mental health conditions, please contact me and we can discuss this by email or by phone. We also run similar provisions in other years.

​Please feel free to contact me at any time and I can discuss how we might be able to help your son or daughter,

Warm regards
Mrs Julie Smythe
Coordinator of Learning Support - Senior School

Students at Thomas Hassall have been using the Canvas Learning Management System for some time now to complement face-to-face learning.  

It has recently been a key tool in the delivery of our Blended Learning Online Program. To enable families to be able to better engage with their child's learning, we have recently opened up access to Canvas for parents. Once an account has been created, parents will be able to observe the class work that has been delivered through Canvas, along with important learning announcements, Assessment Task information, and updates about grades and feedback that your child receives. 

A Canvas parent app is also available to be downloaded to mobile devices. This app will allow information about your child’s Canvas courses, results and a calendar containing upcoming tasks to be easily viewed. If you would like to receive specific notifications, these can be enabled in the app. Notifications can include information such as when course and assignment marks are above or below certain percentages, course announcements and when assignments haven’t been submitted on time:

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Setting up these notifications in the app will assist you to remain up-to-date about your child's academic progress.

To maximise access to Canvas as a parent, we recommend using the information available through Canvas to support regular conversations with your child about the learning activities that they have been engaging with along with their progress in each of their subjects.

For more information or to request a Canvas parent account, please email [email protected]

Mrs Megan Bennett
Director of ICT & Coordinator of TAS

We welcome 2 new baby girls!  

Congratulations to Tim (Secondary Mathematics Teacher) and Alex Newmarch with the early but safe arrival of their daughter, Freya Eilonwy Newmarch, on Friday 14 August.  Dad reports that she is “small, wriggly, and delightful.

Also, congratulations to Daniel (Coordinator of Mathematics) and Rebecca Stevenson who welcomed their daughter Elora Sharen Jennifer Stevenson on Saturday 14 August.

'Praise God from whom all blessings flow'