THE HART
Term 1 - Edition #2
In this newsletter
Principal's Message
Mr Ian Mejia
Mr Paul Murphy
Teaching and Learning in Years 5 & 6
Ms. Jenny Hoare
Mr Paul Murphy
Exploring the Wonders of French: A Language Adventure for Year 5, 6, and 7 Students
Mr Noel Zihabamwe
Mr Paul Murphy
Year 8 Tech
Mr James Landon
Principal's Message
Ian Mejia, Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week students in Year 5 and 7 will begin their NAPLAN assessments. The results from the NAPLAN allows parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.
The data and information gained from NAPLAN drives ongoing improvement at school, state and national levels. Thank you for ensuring your son has a working set of headphones and is on time for those exams.
You may have noticed the change of signage along Banks Ave in front of the school. Please note that it is now a No Parking zone during school zone hours. More details are below in the announcements. This change should provide a better flow of traffic and a safer pickup and drop-off for our students.
We had a great turn out for our first Open Day last week, and the word about our school is definitely spreading throughout the community. Thank you for continuing to refer great families to our community and please continue to invite anyone who may be interested to our upcoming events. Our next Open Day will be on the 29th of May with more details to follow on our website and Facebook page.
Finally, as we journey through the Lenten season and approach the celebration of Easter, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the blessings in our school community. Easter is a time of great significance for us as Catholics, as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and rejoice in the promise of new life. I wish you all a blessed Easter!
Warm regards,
Ian Mejia
Teaching and Learning in Years 5 & 6
Holy Week Liturgy Preparations (The Stations of the Cross)
As we continue through the last weeks of Lent, the students in Years 5 and 6 are preparing for our College Holy Week Liturgy (The Stations of the Cross) to be held on Holy Thursday, 28th March.
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion commemorating Jesus Christ's last day before His death. From the earliest days of Christianity, pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem to walk in the footsteps of
Christ's passion on the road to Calvary.
Also known as "the way of the cross" or "via crucis," this private devotion has consisted of 14 stations, taken from Scripture and tradition, since the 18th century, when the Church officially approved the now common Lenten practice.
The Stations of the Cross will be held in St Michael's Church on Holy Thursday. Details regarding the time of our Liturgy will be sent to you through Compass.
Project Compassion: Easter Hamper Raffle
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's primary annual fundraising campaign. It mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.
Held during Lent, the six-week period before Easter, Catholic schools and Parishes organise fundraising activities to support Caritas Australia's programs both overseas and here with our First Australian partners.
Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia; without it, we could not do the vital work that we do.
Hartford College is currently organising three delightful Easter baskets in support of Project Compassion. The baskets will be ready by Friday, and we will commence ticket sales shortly after that.
Students have the opportunity to purchase tickets in class until Holy Thursday. Each ticket is priced at 50 cents or three tickets for one dollar.
Lunchtime Fun in Years 5 and 6
It has been terrific to see the Years 5 and 6 students enjoying soccer at Rowland Park during lunchtime. On really hot days, the students have opted to play chess in our classroom, where they are displaying tremendous enthusiasm and skill. The Chess Club will be starting very soon. I'll keep you updated on the exact start date.
Exploring the Wonders of French: A Language Adventure for Year 5, 6, and 7 Students
Noel Yandamutso Zihabamwe
French teacher
This term has been an exciting linguistic journey for our Year 5, 6, and 7 students as they delve into the world of the French language. The classroom buzzes with enthusiasm as our young learners embark on an exploration of greetings, basic verbs, and the art of conjugation in both the present and past tenses.
But it doesn't stop there! The students are not only mastering the essentials of everyday communication but also immersing themselves in basic French stories that emphasize family values. From lively tales to interactive lessons, our students are discovering the joy of language acquisition.
In addition to the language fundamentals, the students are learning essential cultural and religious aspects. They've embraced the opportunity to learn how to make the sign of the cross in French, recite the Lord's Prayer ("Our Father who art in heaven"), and engage with the Hail Mary.
The feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive, expressing their delight in the experience of learning an additional language. Enthusiastic engagement and enjoyment are evident, showcasing the success of our French language program this term.
We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and cultural appreciation as our students explore the richness of the French language. Vive le français!
Year 8 Tech
James Landon, Year 8 teacher
In our Year 8 Technology class, students are beginning to make impressive strides in their latest project: crafting herb garden boxes.
The boys have continued mastering essential skills while creating something both practical and (hopefully) sustainable.
Beyond the technical skills acquired, this project fosters a sense of pride and ownership among the students. With each screw driven and each board sanded, they are investing not only in their woodworking abilities but also in the creation of something meaningful and functional.
As we observe the progress of our Year 8 Tech class, it's evident that they are not merely crafting herb garden boxes; they are cultivating a sense of craftsmanship, stewardship, and creativity that will serve them well beyond the walls of our school. We eagerly anticipate the final products of their labor and the opportunity to witness the fruits – or should we say herbs – of their hard work flourish.
Important Announcements and Reminders
NAPLAN 2024 Information
Dear Parents and Carers,
Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
NAPLAN 2024 will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March.
Students must bring a working set of headphones for all tests. They are encouraged to bring these in a week before the NAPLAN testing days to ensure compatibility with their device.
| Wednesday 13 March | Period 1 | Writing: Years 5 and 7 |
| Thursday 14 March | Period 1 and 2 | Reading: Years 5 and 7 |
| Monday 18 March | Period 1 | Conventions of Language: Years 5 and 7 |
| Period 3 and 4 | Catch-up tests | |
| Tuesday 19 March | Period 1 and 2 | Numeracy: Years 5 and 7 |
| Period 3 and 4 | Catch-up tests |
NAPLAN is just one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school. Questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended. Catch-up tests can be scheduled up to the 25 March if required.
Resources:
- Public demonstration site
- NESA NAPLAN website
- NAP parent/carer support page
- Watch a video that explains tailored testing
Ian Mejia
Principal
Hartford College
Hartford Dads Evening
All Hartford Dads are invited to Doncaster Hotel, Kensington, this Friday 15th March. All are welcome from 5:30 PM, with a presentation by a mystery speaker commencing at 7:00 PM.
The address is 268 Anzac Parade, Kensington 2033. Please come to Level 2 for the Hartford Dads Evening.
Parking Notice
Please note that the front of the school is now a no-parking zone during 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Access to the School
Dear Parents,
Your sons are our primary duty of care and the security of the school is important to us.
As such, we have a sign-in and sign-out system which helps us monitor visitors coming in and out of the premises.
All visitors including parents to the school should enter through the carpark gate leading to reception. If you are staying on site, please sign in and out at the Front Office.
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students.
2024 Term Dates
Compass Information
About
THE HART is Hartford College's newsletter for parents and students. Here you will receive all the latest news for what is happening around the school.
The name 'THE HART' refers to a mature stag of more than five years old. Its use is now considered in a more poetic form deriving from the Middle English word hert.
The word hart can be found in many classic texts such as the Old English epic Beowulf, which names Hrothgar's royal hall Heorot after the Danish word hjort meaning "deer".
J. R. R. Tolkien uses the word hart in his book The Hobbit, especially in the scenes traveling through Mirkwood Forest.
Shakespeare's uses the word in his plays, particularly the Twelfth Night as a pun between 'hart' and 'heart'.
It is in the spirit of these great works that we decided to name our newsletter THE HART since we want our boys to grow into mature and wise men like a faun grows into the stag or hart.
This newsletter will go to the heart of what is happening at our school by sharing news, stories and events.
