THE HART
Term 2 2024 - Edition #4
In this newsletter
Principal's Message
Mr Ian Mejia
Mr Paul Murphy
Welcoming our new Deputy Principal, Ms. Tracey Clarke.
Ms Tracey Clarke
Mr Paul Murphy
Teaching and Learning in Years 5 & 6
Ms Jenny Hoare
Mr Paul Murphy
Year 8 Update
Mr Shaughn Gilroy
Message from the Chaplain
Fr Paul Grant
Celebrating mums at our first Mother's Day morning tea.
Mrs Nicole Abbott
Principal's Message
Ian Mejia, Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Term 2 is well and truly underway, and I look forward to welcoming you on site for our Parent/Teacher interviews on the 31st of May. Unity between home and school is a pillar of our College and opportunities to connect teachers and parents contributes to that culture. Open communication with teachers is always encouraged and if you do have concerns do not feel the need to wait until the parent/teacher interviews to be in touch with your son’s teachers.
It has been pleasing seeing the boys arrive in their full winter uniform this Term. I believe we have a great uniform and I encourage the boys to always wear this with pride. As with many aspects of life, the little details are vital, and one of those details is the way we wear our uniform. As teachers and parents, we work together to ensure our young men are always looking sharp, ties done up, shoes polished, shirts tucked in.
When I was at school it was the “school binder” that was the opportunity to demonstrate our individuality. Often adorned with cut out pictures from a magazine of our favourite sporting players and teams, or the dream car. Young men do seek to display their individuality, and this can lead them to wear their uniform in their own “style.” We should encourage our young men to define their identity based on their internal character rather than their outward appearance.
You would have received information about the upcoming mid-year exams for all students. There are a few tips listed that hopefully help us to support our son’s as they prepare for the exams.
Congratulations to our three students who had their Confirmation on Sunday at St.Michael’s. It was a lovely celebration celebrated by Bishop Umbers and parish priest Fr Phan. Confirmation is a sacrament deepening the grace received at Baptism and a commitment to life in the Holy Spirit. Thank you to Ms. Jenny Hoare who assisted in their preparation and organisation.
Next week we welcome Ms. Tracey Clarke our incoming Deputy Principal. Tracey has a wealth of experience in educational leadership, and we look forward to having her join the team at Hartford College.
Lastly, thank you to all the mums who were able to attend our Mother’s Day Morning Tea. I hope it was a special day followed by a lovely weekend!
Warm regards,
Ian Mejia
Welcoming our new Deputy Principal, Ms. Tracey Clarke
Tracey Clarke, Deputy Principal
I was overjoyed to receive the offer to join the Hartford College learning community as Deputy Principal and become part of the team to build a new educational institution for young men. My educational career spans 33 years and a range of school systems including public, systemic catholic and independent.
At the centre of my educational philosophy sit three words belonging, community and equity. I witnessed community and belonging in action as I entered the Hartford campus for my initial interview. As the final bell rang, smiling students emerged from another day of learning, in which these young men had “dared to think and dared to know” and were farewelled by Mr Mejia and greeted by family members. The smiles on the faces and the evident connection between principal, students and family made my heart skip a beat.
As the mother of three sons, I understand the privileged position teachers hold in a young man’s development, and I am humbled and honoured to have been selected to walk the journey with you and your son.
I respectfully acknowledge the privilege of this sacred call to ignite a culture of human flourishing through the education of the mind and heart within the Hartford learning community and to facilitate the movement of each individual towards knowing God, through their movement towards Christ.
I am excited to join the Hartford College learning community on the 29th of May to facilitate the future direction of the College by working with parents, teachers, and the young men of Hartford.
Sincerely,
Tracey Clarke.
Teaching and Learning in Years 5 and 6
Jenny Hoare
Years 5/6 Teacher
The students in Years 5 and 6 have had a busy start to the term across all Key Learning Areas. In our Religion lessons, the students have been learning about the 50 days of the Easter Season from Jesus’ Resurrection to the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. They have reflected on the significance of the Ascension, marking Jesus' return to heaven, and the feast of Pentecost, celebrating the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. These feasts remind us of the profound spiritual journey and renewal that Easter brings to our lives and the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. During the Easter season the Paschal Candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ among the people of God, remains in the sanctuary near the Altar until Pentecost Sunday. The students have learnt the history and meaning of the Paschal Candle, each designing their own candle.
Throughout the month of May, the students have been learning about the Catholic tradition of honouring Mary. The custom of dedicating the month of May to Mary dates back to the 13th century. Mary has a unique and privileged place in the Church. Because she responded yes to becoming the Mother of God, she is our first model of discipleship and our model of grace and trust in God. The students have been learning about the Rosary and the many feasts of Mary in May, most importantly, the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians (May 24th). On this day, we acknowledge Mary as the Patron of Australia. It is fitting that we celebrate Mother’s Day in May, acknowledging the unconditional love, dedication and care of our beautiful Mums.
Congratulations to our Hartford Confirmation Candidates
On Sunday, 19th May, Mason Khachan, Joseph Wong, and Alexander Colyer received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Daceyville, officiated by Bishop Umbers. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes one's initiation into the Christian faith. It was a special day, as it was Pentecost Sunday, the Church's birthday. Bishop Umbers and Father Phan concelebrated the Mass, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's importance in guiding the confirmands' faith journey and signifying their growing commitment to the Church.
History: Australia as a Nation
Following our Term One Unit on ‘The Australian Colonies’, the students are investigating the formation of ‘Australia as a Nation’ through guided research and inquiry into democracy and the origins of Australia’s political system. They have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Magna Carta, and the Westminster and American political systems to help them identify their influences on the development of the Australian system of government. Walking through the events leading to Federation and the Australian Suffragette Movement, the students have critically analysed the different attitudes towards Australia’s Political System in the late 1800s. Later in the term, each student will embark on a research presentation focusing on a particular person, group or event that shaped Australia as a democratic nation.
Year 8 update
The year 8’s have made a good start to the term after a restful Easter break. A few things that have stood out are the learning and praying of the Holy Rosary, a tactile science experiment and an increase in sporting ventures.
The Church has specially dedicated the entire month of May to Our Lady. We’ve been honouring her as a class by praying a decade of the Holy Rosary every morning at homeroom, meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life.
In Science, we were able to trace the flow of water in a celery to see how and where it is transported by using food dye as a visual indicator. This was a fun practical lesson where we not only learnt about xylem tissue, but also which boys don’t eat their greens.
The boys have banded in with the younger years to form both a football and basketball team for Hartford. It’s been a good experience for them to bond with other year levels over a mutually loved activity. This Thursday they played their first Inter-School soccer game against Holy Cross North Ryde and came away with the win 4-3!
Mr Shaughn Gilroy
Year 8 Teacher
Message from the Chaplain
Good afternoon, everyone.
From the Chaplain's point of view, Hartford seems to be going along very well. It is true that the Chaplain only sees the good side of things, lots of smiling faces, boys keen to put into practice the various specific points of the very short classes on human virtues that I give each Monday morning.
I included in my last class just what a giant of an intellectual Aristotle was. He was the first great promoter of a liberal arts education. And what he discovered and taught about the nature of man is the basis of any liberal arts education. I hope the students remember him for the rest of their lives.
Another aspect of my role in the College is providing the sacraments: Mass and confession. Fortunately, many students take advantage of them. Numbers at Mass are good, so I see the same smiling faces there too.
For all of us, 2nd term is an easier term than others as it is the shortest of the year. All of us, especially the students, prefer holidays to classes at school.
Another thing though, we just celebrated the Great Feast of Pentecost, I hope it leaves a mark on all of us. The Holy Spirit inspires and helps us to be more fully Christians. So will be keeping all of you and your families in my thoughts throughout term two.
Regards
Fr Paul Grant
Celebrating mums at our first Mother's Day morning tea.
On Friday 10 May, we held our first Mother's Day morning tea to celebrate all mothers, grandmothers and motherly figures in our young men's lives. To those who could attend on the day, thank you for joining us. For those who couldn't make it, all the boys took home a pink rose for their mum. We hope you all had a lovely day.
Important Announcements and Reminders
Parent / Teacher Interviews, Friday 31 May.
Reminder - School will finish at 2.30pm, with supervision provided until 3.15pm.
Bookings can be made via Compass.
ICAS information.
ICAS COMPETITIONS 2024 – Please enrol and pay separately online.
Hartford College is pleased to participate in the following ICAS units for 2024:
English, Science and Maths for all years, Spelling Bee for years 5,6,7.
Assessments will take place during the school day.
Please note that parents are requested to enrol and pay for students entering ICAS competitions online.
- The ICAS English competition is on Monday 12 August
- The ICAS Science competition is on Monday 19 August
- The ICAS Spelling competition is on Wednesday 21 August
- The ICAS Maths competition is on Monday 26 August.
- All students are strongly encouraged to enter.
If you would like your child to participate in any of the competitions listed above, please visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments.
The parent page link is: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
Our school access code is: JQG614
Online payment closes: Monday, 29 July 2024
IMPORTANT: Please enter your child’s name accurately into the System as it will appear on their ICAS certificate.
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.
