Term 3 I The Way Newsletter I Friday 6 September 2024

Latest UpdatesBack to Top

From the Principal
Principal

There are so many different areas that we need to juggle as parents or teachers and sometimes it can feel very challenging. Our children are the most precious people in our lives and we want to both protect them and also enable them to grow into responsible adults who can take their place with confidence in the world. These struggles can be hard because it is not easy to watch them make mistakes, experience conflict with their peers or to feel disappointment. But, it is in these moments that they learn how to be resilient.

What is resilience?

A simple dictionary search gave me the following: the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.

We hear a lot in the media about the importance of young people being taught resilience, however, resilience is really learnt from allowing our children to experience difficulties, giving them the tools to accept responsibility for their actions or inactions and then guiding them through the next steps.

This fortnight, I have been impressed with students who have faced problems, owned their part and committed to improving in a number of areas. Facing problems takes courage.

I thoroughly enjoy watching our youngest students learn new skills. There is excitement for them as they start to read, count, add and explore their world. There can sometimes be conflict too as they try to work out who they are and how they want to be known. If we rescue them from every problem then they do not learn the skills they need to resolve conflict and to be people of character. People who are resilient and know how to persevere.

This is also true for our older children. The Year 12 students have completed their Trial HSC exams and are now receiving results and feedback based on their efforts. This can be a difficult time. If we focus on marks only, then we can send a message that this is what defines them. If we look instead at the next steps through focusing on feedback and refining skills, then we build capacity and resilience in our young people. We build character.

As they look towards future study opportunities or work options, they will need to have confidence that they can navigate both joy and disappointment. They will need resilience and perseverance.

I have been impressed with the Class of 2024. They are young people of whom we can all be proud.

Please be in prayer for them and their teachers as they complete the final days of formal schooling and prepare for the HSC exams in October.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 

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

We are certainly living in a digital age. There are so many options available for children to socially connect with their peers using technology. Let me share what we are doing in the Junior School to educate your children in this very important and relevant topic. I’ll also cover age recommendations for common social media platforms as well as conversation starters you can use to speak to your children about media balance.

Throughout Term 3 our Pastoral Care lessons have all been about the topic ‘Digital Citizenship’. We have been empowering students with the knowledge and skills to be safe, savvy and social online. This week our Manners Matter topic was ‘Media Balance’.

What is media balance?

It is using media in a way that is reasonable and in balance with other activities in your life. Such as time with family, friends, special activities or hobbies. It is an ideal time to talk to your child about the expectations and boundaries you have when it comes to the use of technology in your home.

Here are some conversations you could have together as you consider a healthy media balance:

Know when and why to take breaks from device time.

Identify ideal device-free moments for themselves and others.

Reflect on their common online and offline activities.

Identify ways to ‘unplug’ and maintain balance between online and offline activities.

What does healthy digital habits look like in the family home and make agreements together.

Discuss how to be considerate of the feelings of people around them, when in person and when engaged in fun online activities.

Age-limits on social media- 13+

Many social media platforms have recommended age limits of 13+ and I wanted to bring to your attention a list of common platforms with this age recommendation. I trust this information will assist you in keeping your children safe online.

  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Snap Chat
  • Instagram
  • Discord

It is also a good time to consider our own use of social media and technology and how we role model this balance in our personal lives.

If you’d like further resources I highly recommend the following:

SchoolTV is a resource you can find on our College website which gives you access to short, helpful videos designed especially for parents and includes topics on digital citizenship:
https://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/content/schooltv-editions

The e-safety commissioner website:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/

The College also sends out invitations to onsite or online events around this topic and I encourage you to engage with these opportunities as they arise.

Enjoy the warm weekend ahead and I hope to see you at the Parent Café on Friday mornings, open from 7am.

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise.

Ephesians 5:15

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
From the Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
David Butler

It was a privilege this week to drive the Senior Girls AFL team with their coach to their semi final fixture as part of our regular Tuesday Sports Program. On a beautiful sunny day out at a local oval, it was wonderful to be able to watch the skill, competitiveness and spirit of fair play exhibited by the whole team. Watching the combination of aerial ruck contests, the speed and catching ability of our side and finally the kicking prowess as set shots for goal from distance and amazing snaps for goal from tight angles were converted with precision was just awesome. I want to commend all of the senior girls who took the field and played their hearts out under the expert coaching of Mr Weir and congratulate them on prevailing to once again take their place in the grand final of this competition.

Another particular high this week was the excellence on display at the College assembly. Senior School were able to see the intricate design and creation skills of the Year 9 Visual Arts class as the wearable art pieces were modeled and explained. They were truly incredible and showed the vast talents of some of our most creative students. It was also lovely to see our award winners from the recent ICAS History competition take the stage to receive their certificates. Finally it was excellent to our football captain Jy interviewing Adrian on his recent accomplishment of being selected for a national team! 

adrian

We have so many talented students across the College and it is such a joy to be able to celebrate their achievements as a College. Thank you to all families for continuing to support your children in their areas of passion by driving them to all their trainings, assisting them with additional resources, listening to them practice their instruments, reading through their work and taking the time to kick or catch a ball with them in the back yard!

Mr David Butler
Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
From the Assistant Chaplain
Georgia

How often do you take a moment to sit in awe of the world around you? 

I have loved that spring has sprung and we’ve enjoyed some much needed sunshine and warmth. It’s as if this season has invited me to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation with the beautiful blue sky and vibrant fresh flowers - a a new season, a new beginning. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 says 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

God’s Word, tells us we can be reassured that God’s compassion and mercy is steadfast. He promises new beginnings and fresh starts through the great hope in Jesus, not just every season of spring, but every morning. 

 Is this something you’ve pondered on before or been pondering on for a while? 

Either way, can I invite you to keep pondering and keep investigating who Jesus is and the great hope he brings to all people. See what the Bible has to say and the welcoming gift of grace God offers. 

Miss Georgia Beikoff
Assistant Chaplain
From the Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School
Director of Student Wellbeing
R U OK? Day: Any Day, Every Day

Life is full of ups and downs, and it's important to remember that the people around us may be going through their own challenges. R U OK? Day, which falls next week on Thursday 12th September, serves as a reminder to check in on one another and have meaningful conversations.

By regularly engaging in open and honest conversations, we can build trust and create an environment where it feels safe to share our struggles. R U OK? Day encourages us to normalise discussions about mental health and well-being, ensuring that everyone knows they have someone to turn to when they need support.  A simple conversation can make a significant difference not just on R U OK? Day, but every day.

Many factors can contribute to someone feeling low. It isn’t always easy to know whether someone is OK, particularly if they haven’t talked about it or young people have yet to recognise the importance of changes in behaviour. However, there are signs young people can become familiar with which could indicate that a friend might not be OK.

What causes struggles?
A range of circumstances can lead to a young person feeling low, including: 
  • Big life changes like moving house or school 
  • Experiencing grief or loss 
  • Being around people going through tough times 
  • Arguing with someone 
  • Problems with schoolwork 
  • Being bored 
  • Having a medical condition or chronic illness 
  • Not sleeping well 
  • Not exercising enough 
  • Hormonal changes 
  • Special needs
When to bring it up
It’s a good idea to check in with a friend and ask,“Are you OK?” if:  
  • They’ve been showing signs of being upset or angry for some time 
  • Their mood is having an impact on others 
  • They’re not enjoying school or life in general 
  • You’re worried about their safety  
  • They start to miss school, or don’t want spend time with others or take part in their favourite activities
What signs can young people look out for?
Going through difficult times can have a big impact on a young person’s life, including their:
  • Relationships with other people
  • Physical health
  • Emotional health

So, it’s a great idea to be aware of certain behaviours and signs that can indicate a friend might be struggling. The first thing to look out for is changes in behaviour. When people feel low, they often:

  • Withdraw from their friends or their family
  • Lash out at people and get angry or upset easily, including towards the people they care about
  • Cry or become emotional
  • Lose interest in activities and things they usually love
  • Have changed sleeping patterns. They might be sleeping all the time, not sleeping much at all, or sleeping at strange hours (such as in the middle of the day)
  • Have a changed appetite. They could be eating more than usual, or less

Young people cannot be expected to fix someone’s problems, nor know the best way to help and support. However, as a College community, we can encourage and equip them to listen to what their friend is saying, let them know they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend. To help navigate a conversation when someone says, “No, I’m not OK” remember:

  1. Ask
  2. Listen
  3. Encourage action
  4. Check in

To help spread the message and support R U OK? Day in our Senior School, will be having a gratitude wall, as well as having meaningful conversations around a cupcake stall and BBQ. Hopefully these conversations may also help spark meaningful conversations within the community.

Dr Anna Nalla
Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School
From the Director of Operations & Wellbeing - Junior School
Kylie

Encouraging children to think beyond their own needs and give to others fosters empathy and a sense of community. It helps them understand that their actions can positively impact those around them, cultivating a mindset of generosity and social responsibility. By learning to share and contribute, children build stronger relationships and develop a deeper appreciation for the well-being of others, which ultimately enriches their own lives and the world they live in. This is our hope in the Junior School; that we can help our students develop these essential skills through our Manners Matter and House programs. Once again we welcome our partnership with Operation Christmas Child and sincerely thank Mrs Agostino for her ongoing support. Our goal is to send 400 boxes … will you play your part?

For more on this please see Operation Christmas Child article in this edition of The Way. 

Mrs Kylie Singles
Director of Operations & Wellbeing – Junior School

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organisation. This project is a hands-on way for you to demonstrate God’s love to children in need across the world by filling shoe boxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. We collect the gift-filled shoe boxes and send them to local partners around the world that use them as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

After receiving gift-filled shoe boxes, children participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program and millions of children each year are making decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

Since 1993, more than 220 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box, and over 20.2 million children have made decisions to follow Jesus after participating in The Greatest Journey. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love.

In 2023, Australia and New Zealand sent 218,215 shoe boxes to Cambodia, Ukraine, Philippines, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Globally, there were more than 11,330,126 shoe boxes collected and sent to over 100 countries and territories. A simple gift-filled shoe box is making an eternal difference.

Lim is 12 years old and lives in Cambodia. She would love to be a teacher when she grows up. Lim received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box early this year and shared “I was very excited when I received the gift box because it was my first present that I have ever received in my life. I was so excited my tears started to come down with joy in my heart… while opening my shoe box gift, I saw a lot of things that I have dreamed for and I wished I could have, such as hair clips, pencils, dolls, shoes, a bracelet, necklace, colour pencils and a beautiful dress. All these things I never expected to have. I felt cared for and loved by someone I don’t know.”

Almir had to walk several miles to school every day. By the time he headed home after school, he was making the journey in the dark. Almir was so excited to find a torch with batteries in his shoe box gift that would make the long walk easier and safer.

Every year Claudia A from Year 5 runs Operation Christmas Child at her church to help others pack shoe boxes and packs many boxes herself to bless children in need.

It’s now shoe box season again and Claudia has a question for her peers…

Claudia A

“Will you pack a shoe box this year and share the hope of Jesus with children all over the world?”

Lisa Agostino
College Parent/Samaritan's Purse
The "Right to Disconnect"

 

A message from Mrs Karen Easton:

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive environment for both students and staff, I’d like to bring your attention to a recent development that impacts workplaces across Australia, including our own— the introduction of the "Right to Disconnect" laws.

These new guidelines aim to protect personal time by establishing boundaries between work and home life, something that I’m sure resonates with many of you. We recognise the importance of our staff being fully present during the college day, while also having the space to recharge during their personal time. Teaching is a unique profession, where even during personal time, staff may find themselves thinking about how to better assist their students. While this dedication is admirable, it is equally important to protect their time to rest and disconnect. This balance is essential, not only for their wellbeing but also for maintaining the high quality of education they provide to our students.

At Thomas Hassall Anglican College, we highly value our partnership with families, and we know how crucial effective communication is between home and college. While our teachers are dedicated to responding to queries as quickly as possible, they also manage a range of responsibilities both inside and outside the classroom. As a result, it is important to allow them the appropriate time to respond thoughtfully to any questions or requests.

In line with the new laws, our staff are not required to respond to work-related emails during their personal or family time. We ask for your understanding in this regard. If you send an email to a staff member, please expect a response within two working days (48 hours). For example, if an email is sent on a Friday afternoon, it may not be answered until Tuesday of the following week. Part-time staff may need additional time, depending on their schedules.  While many replies may come sooner, this timeframe ensures that teachers can manage their responsibilities without the expectation of being available outside college hours.

We believe this approach will help our staff maintain a healthy work-life balance and return to College feeling refreshed and ready to contribute to the learning environment. In cases of urgent matters or emergencies, we will respond as promptly as possible, as always.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these changes together.
Notice of Intention to Leave

As we approach the end of Term,  we want to remind families considering a move to another school next year to contact the College now with notice of your intention to leave to avoid any penalty fees and charges.

This helps us manage resources and ensures a smooth transition for your child.

To submit a withdrawal notice, please email enrolments@thac.nsw.edu.au with the following details:

Student’s Name

Reason for leaving

Forwarding school

Last day of attendance

If you have any questions, please contact the College on T9608 0033

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
College App Update

From Tuesday 24 September, we will be updating the College App. 

Once the new version is released you will find that the app will update within 72 hours if your phone settings are set to automatic app updates. If you have disabled auto updates you will need to update the app through your relevant app store. 

What's Changing? 

APP
Upcoming dates

Date Event

Monday 10 September

Senior School AICES Athletics Carnival 

Wednesday 11 September

Winter IPPSO Finals 

Year 9 French Excursion

Friday 13 September

Year 10 ANZAC Memorial Excursion

Year 10 Geography Beach Excursion

Tuesday 17 September

KP, KF & Girls in KW - Camden Park Excursion

Thursday 19 September

Duke of Edinburgh - Year 10 Silver Preliminary
Friday 20 September KM, KG & Boys in KW - Camden Park Excursion


Tuesday 24 September

Year 12 Prayer Breakfast

Prep 3 Day & Year 1 Tabloid Carnival
Wednesday 25 September         Year 12 Graduation
Thursday 26 September

Prep 2 Day, Kindy & Year 2 Tabloid Carnival 
Friday 27 September 

LAST DAY OF TERM 3

Year 12 Formal
Thank You

Thank you to our volunteers from the Parent Community Network who volunteered their time for the Father's Day Stall last week!

We appreciate you giving up your time to not only assist the students select their gift for dad but also the set up and pack down that is involved. 

STALL
2

WellbeingBack to Top

Friendship and Belonging

Although we all want our children to succeed academically, the foundation for that success lies not just in intelligence or motivation, but in the study habits they develop. Healthy study habits are essential for children to learn effectively, manage stress, and ultimately achieve their academic potential. Yet, in an age where distractions are plentiful and the pressure to perform is immense, it's more important than ever for us, as parents and caregivers, to guide our children in cultivating these habits.

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that good study habits aren't just about spending more time hitting the books. It's about quality over quantity. Encouraging your child to have a dedicated study space, free from distractions is the first step. Instilling the importance of a routine cannot be overstated. Regular study times help create a sense of normalcy and discipline, making studying a part of their daily life rather than a chore.

Additionally, the way students approach their study sessions is just as important. Periodic breaks are vital in this process. Encourage your child to review their notes regularly rather than cramming before exams. This reinforces learning and reduces last-minute stress.

Finally, balance is key. While academics are important, so too is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep, a nutritious diet, and regular physical activity are non-negotiable aspects of a student's life that directly influence their ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy study habits is one of the greatest gifts we can give children, setting them up for a lifetime of learning and success.

video
 

Mrs Jacoline Petersen
Director of Student Counselling

EventsBack to Top

Holiday Programs

Football Holiday Program

Running from Tuesday 8 - Friday 11 October 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 $240 for the week.

Bookings open next week.


Holiday Dance Program

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

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

Running from Tuesday 8 - Friday 11 October from 8.30am - 2.30pm. 

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

Bookings open next week.


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 9 - Friday 11 October from 9.00am - 3.45pm.

code

Book online 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. 

Monday 30 September to Tuesday 1 October.

For ages Kindy to Year 6

Book online
Father's Day Breakfast

Last Friday we held our Father's Day Breakfast.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a fun morning. It was great to see dads and grandads enjoying breakfast with one another. Particularly, we would like to thank our amazing MRK Team for all of your hard work of cooking and preparing all of the food. 
Illuminate

Last Wednesday night, we celebrated the Year 12 Major Works across Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Timber, Society and Culture, History Extension 1, English Extension 2, and Music. The evening honoured the dedication and creativity of our students and teachers, showcasing impressive projects that reflected months of hard work.

illum
illum
illum

Parents and guests enjoyed engaging with the students, discussing their concepts and processes, and were impressed by the high standard of work on display. 

We are proud of our Year 12 students and grateful to the staff and families who supported them.

LearningBack to Top

Junior Library Book Cover Competition

To celebrate Book Week this year the Junior Library held a ‘Design a book cover’ competition. The challenge for students was to create a unique and creative front cover for a book about Thomas Hassall Anglican College. Every student who submitted a cover would go into the draw to win a brand new book of their choice!

The following students were the lucky winners!

  • Oscar U. Year 1
  • Shrisha K. Year 1
  • Orlando B. Year 2
  • Scarlett B. Year 2
  • Lucas C. Year 3
  • Oishum L. Year 3
  • Christian K. Year 4
  • Liliana G. Year 4
  • Ariella L. Year 5
  • Claudia A. Year 5
  • Olivia T. Year 5
  • Meenarin N. Year 6

We would like to congratulate the prize winners and thank all students who participated in this competition. All book cover entries are now on display in the Junior Library.

 

Mrs Arabella Issa & Mr Michael Smith
Junior IRC Library Team
Construction Play in Prep

The students in Prep love to explore, plan and problem solve with their peers. Building with construction materials fosters imagination, communication and cooperation among the students.

PREP

The designs they come up with everyday are amazing! Learning is rich during play experiences in our Prep program.

Erin Johnson
Junior School Teacher - Prep Red/Blue - Prep Team Leader
Year 2 Musicians in training

Year Two students have been excited to begin learning the glockenspiel this term. They have put their music knowledge of rhythm, beat and pitch into playing known songs on an instrument. It has been very rewarding!

music

Along with learning how to treat an instrument with respect and how to play music in an ensemble, Year Two have been learning a valuable lesson - that practicing a new skill actually makes a difference! This week, students will start composing and performing their own glockenspiel piece of music.

Winsome Hollis
CAPA Teacher
Year 3 Scientific Day Out

Year 3 had a scientific day out! Students enjoyed a range of activities and experiments to explore forces. They used push & pull to race billy carts and play tug-o-war.

year 3

They experimented with air pressure by designing and testing air rockets and a fan favourite - using friction to mix cornflour and water to create ooblox (slime). The children were all well behaved and respectful towards the Rangers. A great day had by all!

Donna Schatzman
Years 3-6 Coordinator
Junior Art Showcase

Year 4 students have had a strong focus on practicing skills of observation in Visual Art this year.  It’s really important to gain skills and confidence at this age when children begin to become critical of their artistic abilities and have a stronger impulse to create realistic images.  Students learn that artists are not necessarily aiming for a perfect reproduction of the world around them, but a likeness, shaped by their individual experience. 

ART

We commenced drawing objects arranged as a Still Life, grouped in different themes of ‘Sport’, ‘Music’, ‘Reading’ and ‘Tea Time’.  Seated around the table, students come to realise that everyone sees things from a unique perspective.  The term ‘Still Life’ comes from the Dutch word ‘stilleven’, meaning ‘quiet life’.  Students examined this genre all the way back to ancient Egyptian and Roman paintings and 15th Century Dutch paintings, through to the works of modern artists such as the Cubists.  Students developed their A2 contour drawings further adding collage and watercolour painting.

Year 4s are currently working on stylised bird sculptures, after a focused session of drawing taxidermy bird specimens on loan from the Australian Museum.  We can’t wait to see what fantastical birds the gluey mess of papiér mâché turns into!

Ann McDermott
Junior School Specialist Teacher (Visual Arts)
Year 10 Anzac Memorial Excursion

Students from Year 10 History visited the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, where they participated in an interactive WW1 experience. This included a live performance, based on the letters and diaries of nurses, and a creative writing activity based on the service records and poems of soldiers on the Western Front.

Anzac 1

anzac 2

Students also enjoyed a guided tour of the Anzac Memorial War Museum, where they participated in the 11am memorial service. This excursion added depth to their understanding of the Australians at War Topic, which Year 10 have studied in History this year.

Michelle Pearson
HSIE Coordinator - History & Legal Studies
Creative and Performing Arts

It has been a busy term in the Creative and Performing Arts!

We began the term with Music Camp where we took 52 musicians away to Long Point Conference Centre for three days of learning and creative collaboration. Students learned both vocal and instrumental repertoire and had the opportunity to engage in a variety of elective sessions exploring harmony, recording studio fundamentals, boom whacking and rhythm making. We were treated to a masterclass by Glenn Cunningham, a professional musician and composed who was a finalist on Season 1 of The Voice. 

Juggling, balance acrobatics and puppeteering are some of the skills Year 9 Drama have been developing this year. Swoop Physical Theatre came to the College and ran a circus workshop where students built balancing shapes with their bodies that they will incorporate into their performances. They also travelled to Broughton Anglican College for the 2024 MISA Drama day where they learned about puppetry with 220 other students from the region. This term Year 9 Drama will develop their own original plays in the style of melodrama. 

Junior Concert Band have begun to welcome students from the Year 4 Band Program into their rehearsals in recent weeks. It is quite daunting for young students to join such a large group with older, more experienced musicians, yet they have fitted in perfectly and are quickly adapting to the complexity of the repertoire. 

During this past week, CAPA hosted the Young Performers Evening, a night dedicated to showcasing the work of students who receive private/group music tuition at the College. It was a wonderful evening that included students of all abilities and instrument types performing for family and friends. I want to thank our tutors for their ongoing support of our musicians and am excited to see them continue to grow throughout the remainder of the year. 

CAPA

We have lots happening in Term 4 so stay tuned for all things CAPA!

Luke Robinson
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator
Year 11 Visit the Chau Chak Wing Museum

Year 11 Ancient History students enjoyed at day at the University of Sydney last Friday. Students enjoyed a walking tour of the University and a guided tour of the Greece, Egypt and Rome Collection at the Museum. They came face to face with statues of Ramesses II, mummies from Ancient Egypt, statues from Rome and the extensive collection from Ancient Greece. 

ancient history

history 2

One highlight was the Lego reconstruction of the city of Pompeii. Students also enjoyed the hands-on archaeology workshop, where they had the opportunity to investigate ancient artefacts for themselves. Their understanding of the ancient world was enriched by the experience.

Michelle Pearson
HSIE Coordinator - History & Legal Studies
Third Place in GATEway 8

On the 22nd of August, a group of students from Years 5 and 6 traveled to Macarthur Anglican to take part in the annual GATEway 8 competition. GATEway 8 is an academic competition for schools all over Sydney to showcase their talents in 6 main subjects: Mathematics, English, Humanities, Science, Art and Music. This year's theme was Connectivity and Unplug, meaning no electronic devices were used for any of the tasks.

The competition requires teamwork, complex thinking and communication. Teams need to present their product within a time frame, and then their products are scored by staff at the school.

This year, there were 23 teams competing in the competition.

All members of the Thomas Hassall team worked amazingly well together throughout the day. The product of all their tireless work was shown when the team was rewarded with 1st place for Music and 2nd place for Creative Arts. At the end of the day, the Thomas Hassall Anglican College team was rewarded with overall third place. They were ecstatic with their results.

“I was thrilled with the teamwork and communication of the GATEway 8 team and I know this contributed to their success,” said Mrs Saville, the team’s mentor teacher.

“I was surprised how well our team worked together in a group even when times were difficult,” said Dimity C, from Year 6.

We are proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the THAC team, and congratulate them on their efforts.

Orlando C
Year 5 Student
Australian Shakespeare Company Incursion

The English faculty have just wrapped up our annual incursions from the Australian Shakespeare Company, most lately on Wednesday, 4 September, with Year 10 being treated to interactive performances of scenes from ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. The students have just started a critical study of this most bloody of Shakespeare’s plays, and it once again helped them greatly to show the early modern English dialogue being performed in real time by experienced actors. The fight scenes were also well-received.

Amidst performances of key scenes, the visiting Shakespearean players shared with the student audience valuable insights into plot, character and the conventions of Shakespearean tragedy, along with some important explanation of contextual influences. It is widely accepted that ‘Macbeth’ was composed as a propaganda piece for the newly crowned King James I, after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. The central message: don’t depose God’s appointed king unless you want to be ruled by a blood-thirsty tyrant!

Of course, while the professional actors were fantastic, the occasion was topped off by the student participation. So, a big “Bravo!” goes out to Isabella M. and Justin F., for their worthy amateur performances as Scottish lords, as well as the three boys who played the weird sisters – just as it would have been in Shakespeare’s day, when no women were allowed on the dramatic stage.

Year 10

The Australian Shakespeare Company had also visited the College a fortnight earlier – Tuesday, 20 August – at that time to entertain and inform students in the Year 11 English Advanced course. This prior interactive performance was of scenes from another of Shakespeare's tragedies, ‘The Tragedy of the Moor of Venice, Othello’, and was similarly designed to enhance students' understanding of the text and the motivation of characters. It served to ensure that those students renew their familiarity with the tragedy genre after experiencing a performance of Shakespearean comedy, last year.

While they were learning about ‘Othello’ as a critical study for their Final Examination in Week 9, familiarity with the genre is also crucial for their next critical study in Year 12, which focuses on William Shakespeare’s ‘King Henry IV, Part 1’. While that is a history play, its mixed genre includes comedy, tragedy and other elements as presumed prior knowledge.

Year 11

We look forward to giving students at the College similar opportunities to experience the Shakespearean drama that they are studying for English, through further incursions in 2025.

With thanks to Mrs Guthrie for organising and Mrs Mattiello for assisting, the Year 11 English Standard cohort attended a separate excursion event during the ‘Othello’ incursion. They attended a Nature Walk around the Western Sydney Parklands, reflecting on the themes of their poetry study regarding John Foulcher. The Gabragal Trail provided an opportunity to contrast the urbanised landscape of the houses around Austral with the natural parklands. This was equally engaging and relevant for their current and future learning. It will prove to be a valuable experience as they study the poetry of Robert Gray in a similar module for Year 12.

Isabella M in Year 10 - "The Macbeth show today was a lot of fun. It was very entertaining and engaging from the beginning; the actors would use Scottish accents  when acting as the characters - true to the original setting of the play - and explain what was happening and the history of when the play was written. Their acting was entertaining and took volunteers from the audience to engage us in a different way. When I was chosen to play Ross, the actors explained what was happening and made sure I was comfortable. I also noticed that even while it wasn't their line or the focus wasn't on them, they acted with each other and kept acting, which I thought was very fun and professional. All in all I thought the show was a lot of fun and I'd like for it to happen again next year and for other years as well."

David Gawthorne
Faculty Coordinator - English
Year 11 PDHPE Go Rock Climbing

Our Year 11 PDHPE classes thoroughly enjoyed putting their knowledge of fitness choices and the factors that affect performance topics into action!

As part of the Year 11 PDHPE Syllabus, students are exploring various fitness activities and evaluate the suitability of these activities. They are also investigating the importance of participation in fitness activities and the positive impact it plays on health and wellbeing. This week, our PDHPE students attended Turbo Climb where they were given the opportunity to to participate in rock climbing as a way to practically explore this type of fitness activity. 

Rock

climb

It was a great way for our students to further extend their knowledge of the content being covered in the classroom whilst at the same experiencing new and enjoyable ways to exercise.

Irene Focas
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator
Year 9 Viking Longship Building Competition

Students from both of Mr. Mills’ Year 9 Extreme History classes recently took part in a unique challenge: to design and build their own Viking longships using everyday materials like paper plates, cups, paddle pop sticks, cardboard, and paper. This hands-on activity followed their classroom study of Viking longships, exploring why these vessels were vital to Viking warrior society, how they earned the nickname "dragon boats," and the role they played in Viking raids and exploration.

Working in small groups, students had to craft the most seaworthy vessel, as well as design the longship that best resembled the iconic Viking boats. The final creations were tested in water, with mixed results—some floated impressively, while others, unfortunately, met a watery end!

In 9EXH2, the winning team included Claudia, Liz, Ryleigh, and Mia. Over in 9EXH1, Mikalya, Stella, Reyhana, Sophia, and Beren took top honours. Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and teamwork!

Below are some photos showcasing the hard work and ingenuity behind their Viking longships in progress.

history

Samuel Mills
Year 7 Advisor,History and Christian Studies Teacher

Junior School Sports Update

Winter IPSSO Sport Northern Pool update.

The Winter IPSSO season for the Northern Pool has finished and we would like to congratulate all students on a fantastic season

Final placings in Northern Pool of IPSSO schools:

Grade 3 & 4 5 & 6
AFL 4th 3rd
Netball 1st 3rd
Boys Soccer 3rd 1st
Newcombe Ball/ Volleyball 2nd 2nd
Teeball/Softball 1st 1st

The following teams have been successful in gaining a place in the Winter Finals on Wednesday 11 September to play against the top 2 teams in the Southern IPSSO Pool:

* Junior Netball                                        *  Junior Tee-ball                          *  Senior Volleyball        

* Junior Newcombe Ball                         *  Senior Boys Soccer                   *  Senior Softball

All the best to the teams who are competing in the Finals Day next week!

Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator
Senior School Sports Update

CASA Athletics Carnival

The CASA Senior Athletics Carnival, held at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium was a day full of challenges and achievements. I am very grateful to Coach Rob Marks and Ruby Demasi for all of the work they put into the training sessions with our students leading up to the event. Almost every student involved in the training, exceeded their own expectations and broke their own personal best.  It was so great to see Thomas Hassall students stepping up and competing against some serious talent. 

I want to thank all the students who attended the carnival and congratulate the 23 students who have made it into the CASA Athletics Team. A highlight of the day for me was seeing Jonathan V break the 200m record running it in 22.62 seconds and our junior boys relay team finishing 1st!

CASA Athletics

CASA Basketball Gala Day 

The CASA Basketball Gala day was held on the 23rd August and was an excellent opportunity for our Open’s team to come together and build on their already existing team cohesiveness. Their attitude was outstanding and I could not have been happier with how they represented our college. Both teams competed against some fiercely competitive players but never shied away from the challenge. Our Boys finished 5th and our Girls finished 2nd out of all the CASA Schools in the tournament - well done to all involved and a big thank you to our Wildfire Coaches for all their hard work with these teams.

Irene Focas
Sports Coordinator - Senior School
TAP Update

We are thrilled to share some exciting updates about our Thomas Hassall Anglican College Talented Athlete Program (TAP). As we continue to nurture and celebrate the talents of our students, we have several noteworthy events and initiatives on the horizon.

Annual Dance Concert- Monday the 11th of November

We are pleased to announce the date for our annual Thomas Hassall Anglican College Dance Concert, which will be held on Monday, 11 November 2024. This eagerly anticipated event will showcase the incredible talents of all students from our Dance Academy Program, MISA Dance, and Dance Academy Troupe. Our TAP coaches have praised the dedication and hard work of our dancers as they prepare for this competition, and we are excited to see their performances come to life.

TAP Parent Observations- Week 9 (16th- 20th of September)

In Week 9, we will be hosting TAP Open Parent Training Sessions and Observations. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to witness their sons' or daughters' participation in their respective sports and observe their progress firsthand. We encourage all parents to attend and support their children as they demonstrate their skills and improvements.

Upcoming Holiday Programs

Looking ahead, we are also gearing up for our regular holiday programs. These programs are designed to keep students active and engaged during the break, offering them additional opportunities to develop their skills and enjoy sports in a supportive environment.

Congratulations to Our Dance Troupes

In our last edition of The Way, we announced the results of our dance troupes at the Platinum Dance Competition where both the junior and senior teams made it to finals. While our troupes didn’t place, we are so proud of how far they made it and the excellent feedback received by the adjudicators.

A big thank you to Mrs Michelle Raft for leading the initiative and for the work of Miss Emma Isakka and Miss Ellie Bull, our incredible dance coaches. Their choreography, teaching, and strength-building have been instrumental in preparing our dancers for competition.

We look forward to these upcoming events and continue to be inspired by the achievements of our students. As always, we are committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for all our athletes, helping them reach their full potential.

Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the Talented Athlete Program.

Kent Weir
PDHPE Coord & Coaching Leader
Upcoming Senior Sport Dates

Coming up this term, we have the following sports events so if there is something that interests you, please come and see a PDHPE staff member to learn more about how you can get involved.

 
Upcoming Sporting Events Term 3
Week 8

Tuesday 10 September

MISA Grand Finals

House Grand Finals

AICES Athletics Carnival

Friday 13 September

 MISA Dance Performance/Excursion
Week 9 Tuesday 17 September MISA Trials
Thursday 19 September Staff vs Yr12 Volleyball Game
Friday 20 September Staff vs Yr12 Basketball Game
Week10 Monday 23 September Hassall Gift
Tuesday 24 September MISA Trials

Mrs Irene Focas
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator

CommunityBack to Top

Parking around the College

It has come to our attention that some vehicles are being parked on nature strips and blocking driveways in our neighborhood. Unfortunately we have had numerous complaints from our neighbours of parents parking illegally. We kindly request that you refrain from parking in these areas when dropping off or picking up your children from College. Please be mindful of designated parking spaces and respect the property and access needs of those living nearby.


Parking illegally on footpaths or nature strips is a safety concern and can obstruct drivers' and pedestrians' access and lines of sight. Rule 197 of the Road Rules 2014 does not allow parking on a bicycle path, footpath, dividing strip or nature strip. To avoid a fine of up to $320 for illegal parking, please ensure your vehicle is kerbside on the street only.

Please refer to the image below from Liverpool City Council of illegally parked and legally parked vehicles.

 

Parking Rules