Term 3 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 4 August 2023

With the rising tide of AI, educators across the world are still coming to terms with the benefits and complications of utilising AI as a learning tool. It has changed the landscape of assessment in schools and our beloved Dean of Students Ms Munro, has already addressed the students at a Senior School Assembly about the importance of ensuring they are using sound techniques in the creation of their submissions, to ensure that they meet their obligations as responsible learners. The College has also strengthened its plagiarism checking software to include AI detection capabilities. “Turn It In” will be known to many of you from your own studies as it is commonly used in Australian tertiary institutions. This tool will help us ensure that there continues to be a level playing field for our students for their assessments.

Please have our wonderful Year 12s in your prayers as they are currently half way through their Trial HSC Examinations. This is an important time of revision and concentration for them and we wish them every success.

Hopefully you found the recent round of Parent Teacher Interviews a useful night of discussions around your child’s progress in each of their subjects. We have continued to hold on to the Zoom platform for these evenings in the Senior School as the participation rates have been marginally higher than the previous in person evenings. I think there is a great attraction for families to be able to conduct the interviews from their family couch!

It has been lovely to welcome a touring party from Takayamamura High School in Japan to our campus today and for the next few days. Thank you so much to the College families who are welcoming these students into their homes. What a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Australian culture!

Thomas Hassall Anglican College had a spectacular evening at The Teachers’ Guild of NSW Presentation Night, where two of our staff were recipients of prestigious awards. We would like to congratulate our Principal, Mr Ross Whelan, and our Director of ICT, Mrs Megan Bennett, for their outstanding contributions to education and their well-deserved recognition. Mr Ross Whelan was presented with the Honorary Fellow of The Teachers’ Guild of NSW Award; a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to education. We are equally proud of Mrs Megan Bennett, who has earned the Regional / Remote Teaching and Learning Excellence Award for her work crafting exceptional online teaching and learning resources. Ross and Megan are excellent examples of the spirit of innovation and dedication that drive our College forward.

Thank you to all who came in to Cafe MRK, the reintroduction of Hot Breakfast was a hit.   We're thrilled to see the community come together, and your enthusiastic response keeps us excited for more tasty mornings ahead at Café MRK.

All are welcome from 7am every Friday. Looking forward to seeing you there next week. 

Our NESA HSC Presiding Officer needs additional HSC exam supervisors this year. The HSC written exams begin on October 15 and conclude on November 8. To be a supervisor, you need to have a paid Working with Children’s Check number. Email Ms Kelie Munro – Academic Dean of Students if you are interested: [email protected]

Your details will be given to the HSC Presiding Officer who will make contact with you to discuss your suitability and answer any questions that you may have.

Ms Kelie Munro
Academic Dean of Students

Thomas Hassall Anglican College seeks to create and provide opportunities to develop the whole student and fulfill our graduate aims of excellence in Learning, Wisdom and Service. A wonderful opportunity that Year 11 students have had throughout Semester One, is the privilege to participate in the Student Mentoring/ Peer Support Program, which is run by the Coordinators of Student Growth and Welfare.

At the end of Year 10 2022, our current Year 11 students were invited to apply to be considered to be a Peer Support Leader for Semester One of this year. Students needed to be willing to attend a

• Year 7 Pastoral Care class at least once a week,
• collaborate with of their student mentors in their groups,
• regularly debrief with Mrs Nalla,
• assist with the running of games,
• participate in any other student based activities that could support Year 7 students as they settled into life at THAC and begun their learning journey in Senior School. 

The meaningful connections that our Year 11 students have created with our Year 7 students has been intentional and facilitated a positive and safe start to the year.  While serving Year 7, our Year 11 leaders refined and developed their skills in leadership, organising, planning and communication. These leadership skills establish an excellent foundation for those interested in holding a formal Student Leadership position in Year 12.

At the end of Term Two, Year 7 were provided the opportunity to share some specific experiences and words of gratitude to their Peer Support Leaders. Then, during Year 11s’ first Year Meeting of Term Three, Ms Sharma and Mr Fortuin presented our Peer Support Leaders with individualised thank you cards, which contained personalised words of gratitude and thankfulness: 
Some of the expressions of gratitude that were expressed by our Year 7 cohort include:

“Thankyou for being friendly, reliable, enthusiastic, kind and a lot of fun”.

"You were always there for us, giving us advice and giving us lollies”.

“You are nice and always there for us and you are always trying to help us out”.

“I really enjoyed the activities and games you thought of”.

“You are funny & I appreciate that every time you saw me, you said 'hello'. That meant a lot to me”.

“At camp, you helped me to go on the giant swing even though I was scared”.

“Thanks for always preparing activities and putting your own time and effort for us”.

“Thank you for always talking to us about peer pressure and bullying”.

“I appreciated your help in PC and you gave me a new perspective of high school”.

‘You are super caring and supportive and you support us in hard times and when bad things happen”.

“You have helped me throughout the whole semester. Thanks for being a great peer support leader”.

Our Year 11 leaders also shared some of their insights and learning experiences from serving as Peer Support Leaders: 

“I was really excited at the start of the year to be selected as a Peer Support Leader. I remember how much my leaders assisted and supported me in Year 7, and I wanted to make the same difference for them. This year I have enjoyed every bit of it.  It has been great to help my PC class navigate their way through their first Semester of High School and build relationships with each other. I have also grown in my confidence as a leader and have learnt to trust my instincts and choices for the benefit of others.”

“Being a Peer Support Leader was an amazing experience and it was also accompanied with the occasional moments of chaos. I think it was a great way for me to develop my leadership skills while connecting with younger students. My favorite experience with my PC class was when we made signs for Liddell House. It showed me how interactive and willing the boys were and they were happy to give things a go. Overall, I’m really grateful for my PC class and they helped me grow to be more inspired and confident as a person.”

“Peer Support has been an amazing experience and a great way for us to help Year 7s in the beginning of their high school journey. It was special, not only to build new relationships with year 7s, but it was also a great opportunity to build confidence in myself and learn how to be a good leader.”

“Being a Peer Support Leader was not only really fun but a way for me to become closer with other grades as well as my friends. I enjoyed getting to know new people and seeing the Year 7’s light up whenever they saw us. I’m happy that I was able to be a ‘safety net’ for those who had been nervous about their transition to highschool. My favorite memory would definitely be going to their camp. It was an amazing way to see how their friendships had changed through PC and how close they had become to each other. Overall, being a Peer Support Leader was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

So, to our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders, thank you for caring for and serving our Year 7 cohort this year. Your leadership and modeling of generosity, diligence, kindness and compassion hasn’t gone unnoticed and we are thankful and grateful for all your contributions to the Wellbeing of our Year 7’s. We look forward to further growing and enriching students through this program in the years to come, as it builds and sustains connection across the Senior School. May God Bless you as you approach your Year 11 Final Examinations and your HSC final year. Thank you, Peer Support Leaders!

Mrs Helen Bull 
Acting Coordinator of Student Growth and Development

In our chapel sessions, we are currently delving into the fascinating lives of our House Patrons: Lewis, Carmichael, Liddell, and Wilberforce. Through these explorations, we aim to showcase the passions, achievements, and unwavering faith of these extraordinary individuals. At this moment, we are particularly focusing on the remarkable story of Amy Carmichael.

Amy Carmichael, an inspiring young Irish Christian woman, dedicated an astounding 50 years of her life to the care and support of orphans in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Her selfless commitment to helping others serves as a shining example to all of us, inspiring us to find meaningful ways to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. One of the most thought-provoking aspects of Amy Carmichael's legacy is her famous quote, 'Those who only think about themselves don’t think enough.' This simple yet profound statement left a deep impression on the hearts and minds of our students.

The students were reminded to considering the needs of others, to consider that there is more to life than simply this one, to consider that what Jesus has to offer to those who trust him.

Reverend Denis Oliver
Chaplain

Last week, Year 2 had the privilege of meeting children’s author Penny Reeve. Penny taught the students the process she uses to create her stories. They worked in groups to compose their own creative stories by developing characters. The students were excited to be a part of the writing process, and were highly engaged in her creative writing processes. 

Miss Carol Dwalibi
Junior School Teacher 

MISA Debating

The MISA Year 7 and 8 Debating Competition has begun with our Year 7 and 8 teams competing in Round 1 this week. Both teams won their debates, which is a great start to the competition! 

Public Speaking Competitions Term 3

MISA Year 9 Youth of the Year Competition

We will be hosting this great competition on Thursday, 17th August Week 5. Our candidates have been chosen but we have some opening for students to volunteer as assistants for part of the day. Please register your interest with Mrs Rodriguez.

MISA Year 10 Public Speaking Competition

Year 10 students are invited to apply to compete in the MISA Year 10 Public Speaking Competition, on Thursday, 31 August (Week 7) this term, held at St. Patrick’s College. This competition focuses on students delivering two speeches, a prepared speech of their choice, and an impromptu speech. Again, please register your interest with Mrs Rodriguez.

Year 10-12 Public Speaking Competition

Students in years 10 to 12 are invited to enter the national 'My First Speech' competition.

Your task, as a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives, is to write a 90 second speech about issues you are passionate about and then record yourself presenting the speech on video. Winners from each of years 10, 11 and 12 will be invited to Canberra to deliver their speeches live and undertake a program of meetings at Parliament House.

Entries close at 5pm on Friday 11 August. See Mrs Rodriguez for more details about this exciting competition or check out the website: https://www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech

Call out for adjudicators!

We would welcome adjudicators from our alumni or parent community to be involved in our growing debating program at THAC. Please email Mrs Rodriguez if you are interested in adjudicating or coaching. [email protected]