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From the Principal
Principal

It is lovely to welcome you all to our last term for the year. I do find that once daylight savings starts there seems to be a downhill run towards end of year events making the final term feel like it runs at a different pace.

We have had a very positive start with the HSC beginning last week and our students all focusing hard on exams. There is also a lot of change in the College with the building works continuing. I realise that this has had an impact on Senior School, in particular, and I really appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to improve facilities for everyone. The quad area is being redeveloped to open up more space for student seating and to assist with foot traffic around the College.

We have announced and congratulated our new College Captains and leaders from the class of 2025. They are an impressive group of young people who will be excellent role models and representatives for the College. We have also sent our Year 5 and 6 students to camp programs and met the new Year 7 students for 2025.

Recently, you will have heard much in the media about the dangers of smart technology and phones on the developing brains of young children and adolescence. I know that it is difficult to monitor and manage the influx of change in this area but I really want to encourage you to be vigilant. Our children are precious. They are also vulnerable no matter how grown up they appear. The recommendations coming out of research is that children should not have access to social media before they are 16 years old. There is good information available at the eSafety Commissioner website – HERE

reading

I have also been doing some research about reading. There is so much benefit for our children if they can invest in reading regularly each day. The impact on learning and success at school is very much connected to how often and for how long our children read each day. According to research students need to read for 15+ minutes per day to see a real improvement in achievement across multiple areas.

My takeaway for this edition of The Way – please limit social media and smart phone access while increasing time spent reading. Why? Because our children deserve the best we can all provide for them and their education.

Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

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

In the Junior School we are celebrating Grandparents’ Day next Friday on the 1st November. There will be a concert followed by classroom visits and the option to purchase items at the Book Stall.

It warms my heart to see the special kind of love that spans generations. What a privilege it is to host many College grandparents and grandfriends next week. It is a wonderful opportunity for our guests to visit the children in their classrooms and have a glimpse of the kind of learning they experience in this day and age.

Grandparents play an invaluable role in the lives and of children and provide a vital link between generations. Very recently, I discovered more about my own heritage and it was a humbling and emotional experience. Both set of my grandparents migrated to Australia from completely opposite ends of the globe. With that came incredible stories and histories, revealing the character and determination my ancestors had for a hopeful and optimistic future. A future that I have benefited from. Grandparents’ Day is a great opportunity to share stories with the youngest generation and to strengthen their connection to and understanding of their unique heritage.

I want to acknowledge that for some in our community days like these are more complex and challenging. For those families, my thoughts and prayers are with you. The teachers are there for those who do not have a visitor this year. I’ve been greatly encouraged by some of our visiting grandparents in previous years, who have included other students in the class who do not have a visitor on the day. This is a beautiful gesture of kindness within our community.

We look forward to welcoming grandparents and grandfriends next week.

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

It’s easy to go fast when you’re in control, right?

But how do we do life when the hustle and bustle is overwhelming?

It is crazy to think that we have already reached Term 4, knowing there is still so much ahead of us in the school calendar—Year 7 orientation, school camps for Year 5 and 6, not to mention the festivities that come with graduation and Christmas. I am sure that you have things that keep you reasonably grounded, like sport, yoga, spending time with family, reading a book, or cooking and baking. But I wonder if you have considered what God has to offer in His Word?

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” This verse is nestled within a context where the Israelites faced great turmoil and conflict with their neighbouring nations. You can imagine the deep fear and uncertainty that God’s people experienced amid such chaos. Yet, in the midst of their trials, God calls His people to find stillness in Him, the Lord their God. God invites us to pause, amidst the chaos, and recognize His sovereignty and ultimate victory and protection—pointing us to Jesus, the promise King, who fulfills the prophecy of a Savior and brings hope and redemption.

As we continue to fly through Term 4, can I encourage you to ask yourself what keeps you grounded, what helps you breathe?
But further yet, the claims that God makes in His Word, are they worth investigating through His Son, Jesus?

If this resonates with you, as a staff, we would love to help you think through what this means for you and walk alongside you.
Miss Georgia Beikoff
Assistant Chaplain
From the Junior School Director of Teaching and Learning
lisa

Mrs Singles and I had the opportunity to attend a conference at UTS on Monday to hear Dr Simon Breakspear and Dr Tom Sherrington speak about Building Professional Growth Cultures within the College. We were excited by the chance to hear these insightful researchers present findings about how to support staff, and through them our students, in developing learning throughout the Junior School.

Lisa Hansford

Many of the techniques mentioned are ones that parents can use at home. The goals are to help deepen student thinking, expand student understanding and knowledge, and allow student minds to flourish.

How can you support the Junior School teachers with this? Ask your children what they learned during the day, rather than if they had a good day. This will help them become ‘the teacher’, and will allow them to develop understanding. Once they have finished watching a family movie, ask them to tell you what happened, and have a conversation about the plot or characters. At all times, encourage your children to talk about their learning. By building their use of words, vocabulary develops as does their ability to write more effectively and think more broadly.

Ms Lisa Hansford
Director of Teaching and Learning - Junior School

College Awards

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

Congratulations to the following Term 3 Junior School Principal and College award recipients:

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Congratulations to the following Senior School Bronze SRS award recipients:

 

SRS
Christmas Card Competition

Its that time of year again!

Entries are now open for our Christmas Card competition!

We will be looking for one winner from Prep – 2 and one winner from Years 3 – 6.

The winners will have their entry printed on the Thomas Hassall Christmas cards for 2024 AND win a gift card!

WHAT:
- Create an original A4 Christmas themed masterpiece in LANDSCAPE format on paper.
- NO NAMES on the front please – names and class on the back.
- Check spelling
- Use bright, bold colours that will photograph and print well.
- You may use paints, textas, crayons, pastels, pencils or collage – be creative!

WHEN: Due Thursdays the Thursday 7 November – There will be no extension to this date.

WHO: All Entries must go to Mrs Saville in R3.

Mrs Alex Saville
Gifted and Talented Liaison for the Junior School
College Uniform Refresh

In response to feedback from parents, students and staff, the college has been working with our supplier, Midford, to make some changes to the college uniform for 2025.

This refresh introduces shorts for our Year 7-10 boys as an option in the summer months and the choice of pants for our K-12 girls. In bringing in these changes, a few other items have needed to be amended or made obsolete. We have kept the changes to a minimum and will have a considerable changeover period to ensure there is not a financial burden for our families. 

Please click on the link to see all the details for your child/ren’s year group.

Stock Arrival Date
The new summer items are in transit and are expected to be available in early December. We will write to all our families once the items are available both in-store and online. Midford are already anticipating a larger number of customers over the Christmas holiday period and will be adjusting their store hours accordingly.

Uniform Policy Update
Given the changes to some items of clothing, we have also taken the opportunity to update the College Uniform Policy. The 2025 Uniform Policy is available via the Parent & Student Handbook.

If you need any further information regarding the changes, please contact the Administration Office (9608 0033 or [email protected]).
Farewell Message for Mr Young

At the end of this term we will sadly be saying farewell to our Head of Senior School and Deputy Principal - Mr Roger Young. To celebrate his 17 years at the College, we’re putting together a special keepsake farewell book and we would love to add your messages and any photos you may have to add to the book.

We will be collecting messages until Friday 8 November.


 
 
World Teachers' Day 2024

On Friday 25 October, we recognise the remarkable work of our teachers and all the staff at Thomas Hassall who shape the lives of our young people. While our teachers play a central role, every member of our team contributes to our students' growth and success and we are grateful for each of you.

Thank you for the dedication and commitment you bring each day.

Happy World Teachers' Day!

 

Thank you
Upcoming dates

Date Event
Monday 28 October Year 1 Space Science Center Excursion
Tuesday 29 October  Kindergarten Orientation Day 1 - Parent Information Session
Thursday 31 October  Kindergarten Orientation Day 2
Friday 1 November  Grandparents Day - Junior School
Tuesday 5 November Year 4 Band - Parent Concert 
Thursday 7 November  Year 12 Clovelly Fieldwork Excursion 
Monday 11 November  Pupil Free Day - Mid Term Break 

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Grandparents Day

We are delighted to invite grandparents of Junior School students to our Grandparents’ Day event on Friday 1 November 2024.

11.45am: Refreshments in the grass area next to the administration building.
12.30pm: Prep to Year 6 concert in the Junior School Amphitheatre.
1.00 - 2.00pm: Classroom visits. The library will also host a book fair in S Block, offering a great selection of books for students to purchase from 1pm.

For catering and seating purposes, please RSVP by Wednesday 30 October via www.thac.nsw.edu.au/book

Parking will be available on the top oval, entering via Gate 3 on Flynn Ave. Year 3-6 drop-off/pick-up zone will be available for those requiring ramp access.

We look forward to sharing this special day with you and your family!

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Junior Art Showcase

Roll up!  Roll up!  In Visual Arts, Year 1 have recently applied their painting skills to adding life and colour into their vibrant Circus Performer artworks.

To begin this mixed media unit, we looked at the artworks of the French artists who frequented the popular circuses of Paris in the late 1800s – Toulouse-Lautrec, Seurat and Degas – as well as the later circus paintings of Leger and drawings of American artist, Calder.  After brainstorming all the human circus performers we could think of, many students chose to depict a clown or ringmaster, while others created lion-tamers, motorcycle stunt performers, trapeze artists, stilt-walkers, acrobats and more.

YEAR 1
ART
ART

Students modelled little hands and feet and faces, that were later painted with a spectrum of skin colours.  Children paid special attention to the three-dimensional form of the body, even considering features such as opposing thumbs.  We all got really gooey mixing shredded paper with glue to make a papiér mâché torso, legs and arms. 

These jolly little characters represent a great leap of perception for children at this age, when most are still representing people as stick figures.  Let’s be honest - many adults never got past this stage!  It’s a delight to see students developing confidence in handling a range of materials, working over an extended period to finished a complex piece of art.  Each child has a story to tell behind the creative decision-making processes that occurred along the way.

Year 1 students Sohan and E-V summed it up well with their comments: “What I like about Art is it’s fun and creative”; “What I like about Art is that it is beautiful when you have finished your painting.”

 

Mrs Ann McDermott 
Junior School Specialist Teacher (Visual Arts)
Science in Prep

In Term 3 we celebrated Science Week in Prep Red and Blue during our morning activities. As the Science Week theme for 2024 was species survival, the children enjoyed some nature play of Australian habitats to learn about some of our endangered species. 

We also did some experiments to explore physical and chemical changes. The children used droppers to add coloured water to oil and discovered that the water stayed in droplets under the oil and they never fully mixed together. We then added vinegar to bicarbonate soda and saw the exciting chemical change of making a volcano erupt. 

prep

Our last activity was exploring the properties of cotton sand. This material stretches out like slime but feels soft like sand and can be molded into shapes. The children engaged in these activities with so much enthusiasm and asked if we can do more science experiments in the future. What a privilege to be able to share such exciting discoveries about God's world with our youngest learners.

Mrs Carolyn Greenhalgh
Prep Assistant
Diorama Presentation in Year 4

Last Term, our Year 4 students had the exciting opportunity to share their dioramas with the Year 3 students in a special presentation. As part of their homework, the Year 4 students researched famous explorers and created detailed dioramas that illustrated key moments from their chosen explorers' journeys.

The dioramas were not only creative, but they also showcased the Year 4 students’ deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by explorers such as Captain Cook. Each student thoughtfully represented significant events, from navigating unknown seas to making important discoveries.

Year 4

Year 3 students were captivated by the colourful displays and engaged in lively discussions with the Year 4 presenters. They asked questions, learned new facts about historical expeditions, and even expressed excitement about creating their own projects in the future.

The event was a great success, allowing Year 4 students to practice their presentation skills and serve as role models for their younger peers. The collaborative spirit of the day was inspiring, and both groups walked away with new knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the adventurers who helped shape our world.

We look forward to more events like this that bring our students together and foster a love for learning!

Mr Kieran Aggett
Junior School Teacher - Year 4 Year Leader
Learning Languages Through Games

One of the main benefits of learning a language through games is improved interaction. Games require players to engage and communicate with others in a meaningful context. They promote real-time language use, allowing learners to practise vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation in a natural and stress-free environment.

Our students have been playing ‘Memory and Snap’ games to boost students' vocabulary retention, reinforce word associations and improve concentration, all while fostering quick recall and friendly competition.

jnr lan

Year 2 and 5 students learned to describe people.  Playing ‘Guess Who?’ helped students practise descriptive vocabulary, improve questioning skills and develop conversational fluency in an engaging and interactive way.

Year 3  students have been learning to talk about weekend plans. Playing ‘Hobbies Dice Bingo’ helped students practise future tense structures and vocabulary related to hobbies while improving speaking skills.

Mrs Viviana Morris
Junior School Teacher (Languages)
Year 6 Camp

Year 6 students had the chance to see Parliament House up close, gaining new perspectives on how government works. At the National Electoral Education Centre, they discovered the history and impact of voting in Australia, while a visit to the Australian War Memorial offered a moment to reflect on the stories of those who served.

The trip continued with the National Gallery and Arboretum, giving students a taste of Australia’s art and natural beauty. Each experience added depth to their classroom studies, bringing learning to life in a way only the Nations Capital can.

Year 6
Year 6 2
Year 6 3

Between learning stops, students enjoyed some active fun with rock climbing and a visit to Flip Out. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist schools in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our College in the amount of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

We appreciate the staff who helped make this journey unforgettable for our Year 6 students.
Year 5 Camp

This week, our Year 5 students spent three days of adventure at The Tops Convention Centre. They tackled the giant swing, tried out go-karting and orienteering, and enjoyed archery and climbing. Evenings were just as fun, with a “Survivor” challenge, games, as well as a silent disco. A big thanks to our teachers who helped make this camp such a success. 

No doubt everyone will be ready for a good rest this weekend!

Year 5 1Year 5
Yr 5yr 5 b
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These camps provide invaluable experiences, helping students build teamwork skills, confidence, and friendships. A memorable time for all involved!
Hunt for the Golden Ticket Competition

Last term the Junior Library held a 'Hunt for a Golden Ticket' competition. Based on the novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl, twelve golden tickets were hidden in the barcodes of twelve different books in the Library, if a student borrowed one of those books they would win a wonderful prize. Students eagerly borrowed each week hoping that they would find a Golden Ticket, and by the end of the competition all twelve had been found!

The following students were the lucky finders of a golden ticket:

Name  Grade 
Eleanor B Kindy
Raz R Year 1
Mulan R Year 1
Helena M Year 1
Rylan S Year 3
Raphael A Year 3
Olivia E Year 4
Aidan H Year 4
Tatiana L Year 4
Ira S Year 5
Alessio M Year 5
Anthony M Year 5

Each student has won a brand new book of their choice!

Congratulations to all the winners!

Mrs Arabella Issa & Mr Michael Smith
Junior IRC Library Team

Sporting Achievement Nominations 2024

We would like to recognise the sporting achievements of students at our upcoming Sports Assembly. If your child, in Years 3 to 12, has been selected to play at a state or national level in 2024, please let the College know by 7 November by submitting the nomination form in the link below. You can also include photos or videos of your child participating.

We are incredibly proud of all students who compete in various sports. However, this nomination form is specifically for students who have been selected to represent NSW and/or Australia in a sport or event recognised by the Australian Sports Commission or a National Sporting Body.

Please use this form to submit the details https://forms.gle/tJAzcyWgfr6maZfg8
Junior School Cricket Gala Day

On Thursday 17 October our Senior Cricket Team for the Junior School represented the College for the CASA Cricket Gala Day.

crck

It was a perfect day for cricket and the team did an amazing job in showing off the values of the College. While we didn't have the outcome we hoped for the team demonstrated many improvements in all areas of the sport and their ability to work well together as a team throughout the year. The students who represented the College should be very proud of what they achieved and their sportsmanship on the day.

Mr Shaun Walker
Junior School Teacher - Year 3
Student Sports Spotlight

Willow S in Year 6 competed in the prestigious 4 day Sydney International Cup Football tournament over the holidays. Willow and her team were undefeated and won the Cup Championship for u11/12 girls. 

Well done Willow and the rest of the Institute of Ballers team! 

p

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Leppington Christmas Card Competition

Calling all young artists from Kindergarten to Year 6!

Enter Nathan Hagarty's Christmas Card Competition for a chance to have your artwork featured on his official 2024 Christmas card. 

Show us what makes Christmas special to you - whether it's snowflakes, reindeer or Aussie simmer vibes! Grab your crayons, pencils, or markers and get creative. The more imaginative, the better!

How to Enter: 
- Drop off your artwork at the Electorate Office or send it in the mail to be received by 31 October 2024. 
- If mailing, please do not fold your artwork. 

The Prize: 
- The winning artwork with artist name and school will be featured on Nathan Hagarty's 2024 Christmas Card. 

The artist and their school will be notified by mid-November. 

Let your creativity shine and bring your holiday scene to life. Happy creating! 

Office Location: Level 1, 108 Ingleburn Road, Leppington NSW 2179
Mailing Address: PO Box 78, Leppoington NSW 2179