Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 9 - Friday, 28 March 2025

From the Headmaster

As we support our students in navigating their challenging education journey, it is easy to become singularly focused on academic achievements. However, research consistently highlights that students' success is deeply intertwined with their social and emotional well-being. I would like to share some thoughts about the critical importance of nurturing strong connections with family and friends.

The Power of Connection
Studies have shown that students who feel connected to their families and peers demonstrate higher levels of academic engagement, improved mental health, and greater resilience. When young people feel supported and valued, they are more likely to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

• Academic Success: Research indicates that students with strong family and peer support often achieve higher grades and are more motivated to learn. This is because a supportive network provides a sense of belonging and reduces stress, allowing students to focus on their studies.
• Emotional Well-being: Positive relationships foster emotional security and stability. They provide a safe space for young people to express themselves, navigate challenges and build self-esteem.
• Social Development: Friendships and family bonds help young people develop essential social skills, such as communication, empathy and conflict resolution. These skills are crucial for success in both personal and professional life.

Supporting Our Young People: Tips for Parents
As parents, you play a vital role in nurturing your child's connections. Here are some practical tips to foster healthy relationships:

Create Open Communication Channels:

• Encourage regular conversations about their day, their feelings and their experiences.
• Listen actively and empathetically, without judgment.
• Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
  

Facilitate Peer Interactions:

• Support their involvement in extracurricular activities or Homework Club, where they can meet like-minded peers.
• Help them develop skills to navigate social situations and resolve conflicts.

Strengthen Family Bonds:

• Schedule regular family activities, such as meals, game nights, or outings.
• Show genuine interest in their hobbies and passions.
• Express your love and appreciation regularly.

Encourage Connections with Teachers and Mentors:

• Attend parent-teacher meetings and stay informed about your child's progress.
• Encourage your child to seek help and guidance from their teachers or other trusted adults.

In essence, by prioritising family and friendships, we invest in our young people's holistic development. 

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Teaching & Learning 7-12

College Attendance 
Face-to-face teaching and regular attendance at the College play a crucial role in a student’s academic and social development. Attendance at the College every day facilitates learning that allows students to engage directly with teachers, ask questions and receive immediate feedback, enhancing understanding and retention of knowledge. Unlike online learning, which often lacks personal interaction, face-to-face education fosters better communication skills, active participation and a deeper level of engagement with the subject matter.

Beyond academics, attending the College in person helps students develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline and time management. Through group activities, discussions and extracurricular events, students learn how to collaborate, solve problems and express their ideas confidently. These social interactions are vital for building friendships and developing emotional intelligence, which cannot be fully replicated in a virtual setting. Additionally, the College provides structure and routine, helping students stay organised and motivated while preparing them for future responsibilities in higher education and the workplace.

Attendance also ensures that students have access to essential support systems, including teachers, careers advisors and peers, who can offer guidance and encouragement. Many students benefit from additional resources available at the College, such as Libraries, extracurricular groups and Christian groups, which enrich their learning experience. Consistent attendance fosters a sense of belonging and community, which contributes to students’ overall well-being and success.
If students are unwell and sick, they are encouraged to stay at home and return when they are well.

Overseas and Domestic Travel and College Attendance
The College has noticed an increase in the number of families taking holidays and trips during term time and while this may be appealing and desirable, it means your child is missing important learning while away and also having to complete assessment items before they go. Please consider this impact before a trip is booked. A reminder that six days of consecutive absences from the College requires the Headmaster's approval.

Year 12 Half-Yearly Examinations
Our Year 12 students commence their Half-Yearly examinations next week (Monday, 31 March). These will be held in the Warne Auditorium with all examinations being formal tasks. Students are to remain at the College for supervised study and are to be at the College within the regular hours, not arriving late or leaving early. Please be praying for Year 12 as they sit these exams.

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Primary News

Homework K-6 Policy
Homework is used to help students establish patterns of self-disciplined work for later years at the College when they will be required to do assignments and study. It is also an opportunity for work that has been done at the College to be reinforced. Skills such as reading need repetition and practice. Research shows that children who read and listen to stories with a parent on a regular basis are more successful readers than those who do not. Mathematics skills such as basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts also need repetition. 5-10 minutes a day can help cement instant recall of these basic facts. 

The following are the expectations for K-6 Homework at Wollondilly. 

All students are expected to do homework four days per week. (Usually Mon-Thurs)

Incomplete homework will have consequences for students. Usually, this involves attendance at a Lunchtime Homework Club. Notes will be made in the diary to alert parents.

Teachers understand that at times students may not be able to complete homework. A note in the diary is appreciated. 

The estimated time students should be spending per day on homework is:

• Kindergarten -10 minutes.
• Stage 1 -10 minutes.
• Stage 2 -15-20 minutes.
• Stage 3 - 20-30 minutes. 
  

Reading time is extra above this.

Stage 2 and 3 students also have musical instruments to practice with. We would ask that parents encourage their children in this.

Homework will vary according to the year group however in Years 1-6 there will be spelling, maths, and reading. Students may also be asked to do some Typing Tournament, this will help students to develop efficient typing skills. 
Home Readers are used by K-2 and for some children in older years. Years 3-6 will have set novels.

Some students enjoy homework so much they want more. Optional activities can be done by these students. Please contact the class teacher regarding this.

Parents (or the students in older years) should notify the teacher if they have had difficulties with any of the set homework. This also includes taking significantly longer than the times stated above. Students should not continue to work past the times above unless the parent feels they have been unfocused.

Parents are encouraged to listen to K-2 students read. Other homework should generally be managed by the students themselves. Teachers will check the homework. This will generally occur during class time with students marking their own work. (This allows students to know where they have made mistakes). Parents are welcome to check work, although it is not expected.

Ms Jacqui Huxtable 
Head of Primary Years

WAC Family Night - Tonight - Warne Auditorium

We're looking forward to the WAC Family Movie Night this evening! 

Due to the wet weather, the Movie Night will be held in the Warne Auditorium. We recommend that you bring bean bags, cushions, blankets and pillows to ensure that you're comfortable and cosy. There will be chairs available at the back of the room for those who require them. 

Popcorn, hotdogs and drinks will be available for purchase from the foyer with the money raised going to the College P&F Association.

A reminder that parents and carers will be expected to supervise their children during the evening as staff will be helping in other roles.

Please arrive from 6.00 pm, however, with the wet weather, we may start the movie prior to the advertised time of 7.00 pm if those families who have provided an RSVP through trybooking have all arrived.

If you have any questions, please contact Alex Hitchins at a.hitchins@wac.nsw.edu.a

We're Hiring!

We are currently seeking applications for the Leader of Learning - English role to commence in 2025:

For further information on any of the permanent positions, please contact Mr Geoff Adams on 02 4684 2577 or at g.adams@wac.nsw.edu.au

ANZAC Services

Why Wollondilly Anglican College students should get involved in ANZAC Services
ANZAC Day, Friday, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Forces during the First World War. 

The Australian and New Zealand Forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman-Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied Forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died in the campaign. 

Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of the Australian and New Zealand Forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy. What became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future. 

On ANZAC Day we remember their blood trodden into the mud of a foreign land. We remember their sacrifice and we remember the sacrifice of many more who fought and died in other wars. We should be grateful. And while we don’t glorify war, we should remember the sacrifice of those who went before us. One of the ways we can show our gratitude and appreciation is by attending one of the many Dawn Services that are available throughout our community.

There are many ANZAC services in our community including:

• Picton

• Camden

• Bargo

• Mittagong

• Thirlmere

• Appin

Students are encouraged to attend a service in their local communities either in the lead-up to or on ANZAC Day. The College will have staff representatives at a number of the services and students are encouraged to attend in full Winter Uniform as College representatives and to pay their respects.

Mr Timothy Clarke
Leader of Learning - HSIE

P&F Clothing Pool

The Clothing Pool offers a selection of pre-loved uniform items from Transition to Year 12 at excellent prices. We also stock new ties, socks and Sports hats for purchase.

The Clothing Pool relies on donations of uniforms and needs volunteers to keep the Clothing Pool open. Donations can be left at the Clothing Pool during opening hours or at Student Reception at other times.

Payment: Card Only (no cash)
Location: White Cottage through the side windows
Monday to Friday 7.45 am to 8.30 am
Phone: (02) 4623 0286
Email: clothingpool@wac.nsw.edu.au

Have you been wanting to help out at the College but don’t have much time to spare?

The Clothing Pool is looking for volunteers!
It only takes 45 minutes of your time, one morning a week.
Is a great, quick and simple way to really help the WAC community.
Training provided (but it’s so easy!).
A great way to meet other parents.

Training provided (but it’s so easy!) A great way to meet other parents.

Volunteers are needed for Monday - Friday mornings between 7.45 am to 8.30 am. If you are able to help at all, please get in contact.

Mrs Cristina Negi and Mrs Amanda Coles
P&F Clothing Pool Coordinators

College Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

• SIMEC Tahmoor Coking Coal
• Little Elves Childcare Centre
• LOWES

Gold Sponsors

• PB Catering
• Prestige Landscape & Construction

Silver Sponsors

• Picton Eyecare
• Kwik Kopy Macarthur
• Momenta Advisors
• Thornton Bros Roses

Bronze Sponsors

• Narellan Pools
  
• Breakaway Education
• NSW Rail Museum
  
• ESP Security

Community News

The Shark Cage - Free Workshop

Mittagong Junior Disco  

• Date: Saturday, 29 March   
• Times: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
• Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong
• Cost: $5.00
• Ages: 0-14

Please note that this is a cash-only and alcohol-free event.

All money raised goes back to the children in the Southern Highlands community.  

We hope to see you there.

PCYC Driver Training

The PCYC Safer Driver program runs locally each month. There is also an opportunity for any Wollondilly Shire residents to be enrolled under a grant for the shire and attend at no cost to them

Wollondilly Uniting Church - Playgroup Facilitator

UYGM Cricket Academy

RYPEN

RYPEN is one of Rotary International's regular Youth leadership events - held 4-6 April as a weekend-long camp for Years 11 & 12 students, designed for developing young people's potential through a mixture of lecture-style sessions and adventure-based learning.