Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 2 - Friday, 9 February 2024

Roads NSW Agree To A Non-Standard School Zone

We are very thankful to Roads NSW for agreeing to a non-standard School Zone outside our College. This will mean that the 40km/h speed limit will begin at 7.30 am, instead of 8.00 am. This will make entering and exiting the College significantly easier for our parent and student drivers. I would like to express my thanks to the many parents who supported this application by writing to Judy Hannan MP, expressing the need for this change. Judy has appreciated the correspondence and has advocated strongly on our behalf. Thank you Judy! It is anticipated that this work will be completed in late April (a couple of months away). In the meantime, we understand how busy the roads are outside the College and within the College grounds also. We appreciate your patience during these first couple of weeks of the year when many parents are picking up and dropping off students each day. We expect that as more students return to catching the bus home there will be less congestion within the grounds.

In related news, the College is close to going to tender for the second entrance off Olive Lane. As this project will require significant work both on the College grounds and on Olive Lane itself, we expect that the second entrance will not be completed in time for the beginning of 2025. However, we expect that it will be ready for use soon after that. 

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Term 1 - Learner Disposition Focus - Resilient

Resilient

FEELING/The emotional aspects of learning
This disposition cultivates Perseverance, Managing Distractions, Absorption and Noticing.

PERSEVERANCE
Keeping going on in the face of difficulties, channelling the energy of frustration productively. Knowing what a slow and uncertain process learning often is.

MANAGING DISTRACTIONS
Recognising and reducing distractions; knowing when to walk away and refresh yourself. Create your own best environment for learning.

ABSORPTION
Being able to lose yourself in learning - becoming absorbed in what you are doing; rapt and attentive, in a state of ‘flow’.

NOTICING
Perceiving subtle nuances, patterns and details in experience.

Our students will hear from their teachers and College leaders regarding the importance of developing resilience in their learning and as part of their character.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

2024 House Captains

Congratulations to our 2024 Secondary House Captains. The following students were announced this week and straight into action in their roles at the Secondary Swimming Carnival.

Acacia 
Matilda Lockyer
Cooper Lollback

Grevillea 
Lauren O’Sullivan
Talina Seisun

Sollya
Zara Miller
Amondi Otieno

Telopea
Caitlin Sharp
Ethan Hurst

Wollemi
Grace Turkington
Oliver Pulley

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Annual Prefects' Commissioning Service 2024

NAPLAN - Wednesday, 13 March to Monday, 25 March

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in schools across Australia. NAPLAN results will help you understand how your child is progressing at the College. The tests will be occurring between Wednesday, 13 March to Monday, 25 March. Wollondilly Anglican College carries out NAPLAN testing through NAPLAN Online and students will complete the tests online except for Year 3 writing. A more detailed timetable will be sent out closer to the time. Students who are absent from a testing session will do a catch-up test session. Absences should be avoided, other than illness, during the test period.

To help familiarise students with the test and to ensure the tests run smoothly, students participated in a practice session prior to the testing period.

Some students are entitled to special provisions, such as rest breaks or extra time. Letters will be sent to the parents of those students. 

Should you have any concerns regarding NAPLAN and your child, please contact the class teacher or Year Patron. We take the approach of helping students feel relaxed about these tests, at the same time helping them to do the best they can.

The following link provides information about NAPLAN and has some sample tests

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Mr Wayne Baulch 
Administration Coordinator

Teaching and Learning 7-12

Organisation is an integral part of being in the Secondary Years at the College. Regardless of whether a student is in Year 12 or Year 7, organisation skills can greatly assist in quality teaching and learning. Below are a few simple points to follow and discuss with your child:

• Students should be reading their Edumate timetable and packing their bags with the correct books and equipment the night before. A reminder that the College operates on a Week A and a Week B schedule
• Students should also be checking Edumate Broadcast messages about important meetings and lunchtime activities that may be occurring. This is best done at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening or afternoon
• Use the College diary to write down important events and dates. Note when assignments are coming up, when homework is due or when you have a topic quiz or test coming up and complete revision work leading up to this event
• Don’t leave assignments and assessment tasks to the night before they are due. Where possible, submit a draft of your task to your teacher for early feedback and discuss suggested changes with them. This will also help to ensure you are on the right track with the task that has been issued
• Get into a homework and study routine early. While a student may not have ‘homework’ as such, they can always be revising content that had been taught in class that day
• Write a weekly or daily list of tasks that need prioritising – a list is helpful so you can allocate your time accordingly
• Factor into your schedule things such as activities and sporting commitments, homework and assessment tasks need to work around these things
• Have a clean and organised study or homework area with adequate lighting, no distractions (TV, phones or tablets), limited noise and a comfortable chair

We know that many things lead to quality teaching and learning in a school environment and organisation is a key success factor in starting well.  

Years 7-10 Parent/Teacher Partnerships
This year at the College we have decided to bring forward our traditional Parent/Teacher Interviews that were originally scheduled to be held in Term 2. Our Years 7-10 parents are encouraged to come along to a slightly different looking night on Wednesday, 28 February in the Warne Auditorium from 3.00 pm – 8.00 pm. Our new Parent/Teacher Partnership Evening will be an opportunity for parents to come along with their child to:

• Meet the teacher who will be teaching your child for the semester or year
• Have an opportunity to hear about what your child will learn in the stated course
• Hear from the teacher about the ways in which you as a parent/caregiver can support your child throughout the course
• Discuss aspects of your child’s learning that will be helpful for the teacher to know (eg My Child wears glasses but he/she may not always put them on in class)
• Have a better understanding of the assessment work that will be coming up that your child will need to complete
  

A link will be sent out over the next week, allowing parents the opportunity to ‘book’ a teacher, as we have done in the past. We really look forward to this evening as we meet both you and your child, and are keen to develop strong partnerships at the beginning of this new College year. Our Year 11 and Year 12 parents will have an opportunity a little later in the term to meet and discuss student progress. 

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Performing Arts News

Performing Arts Groups
It is exciting that most of our Performing Arts Groups across the College have commenced their rehearsals for the year. We have had our Rehearsal Schedule below in Broadcasts this week. In the schedule, you will see some information about each group including the staff member responsible, the day and time the rehearsal occurs and some specific information, including whether the group requires an audition or is chosen by a particular staff member. 

Musical
Musical rehearsals will continue next Monday for our Secondary cast, with a general reminder that rehearsals will extend to 5.15 pm from now on. Our Primary cast will commence with Mr Hopkins and Mrs Reid in Elizabeth and conclude at 4.15 pm. Set Design/Construction continues in Bradfield with Miss Bailey and Miss Taylor. Mr Law also sent out EOI to students relating to being a part of the crew. All systems go!

Pick-up procedures on a Monday are as follows:

• Primary cast is to be picked up from behind the Elizabeth building at 4.15 pm
• Set Design/Construction to be picked up from behind the Bradfield building at 4.15 pm
• Crew are to be picked up from the Warne Auditorium at 4.15 pm
• Secondary cast are to be picked up from the Warne Auditorium at 5.15 pm

Music Tuition
Music Tuition has also commenced this week. A daily schedule is currently displayed in the FLOWERS Cafeteria. Parents should have received communication from the specific tutor regarding their times and days. If you are interested in your child undertaking Music Tuition, please visit the following section of our College website for more details: 

https://www.wac.nsw.edu.au/college-life/creative-arts-co-curricular/music-tuition/

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator

Year 10 Vaccinations

Year 10 vaccinations will be held on Tuesday, 13 February 2024. For your child to be vaccinated, consent needs to be provided by Monday, 12 February 2024.

Parental consent is now provided online, there will no longer be paper consents sent home with students. Year 10 students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school

Mrs Sally Lloyd
Senior College Nurse

We're Hiring! HSIE Teacher 7-12

Due to the ongoing growth of the College, we are currently seeking applications for the following roles to commence in 2024:

• HSIE Teacher 7-12

For further information on any of the Permanent Positions, please contact Mr Geoff Adams on 02 4684 2577

MyTech

I encourage you to ensure that certain software is downloaded onto student devices. On the MyTech website, https://mytech.wac.nsw.edu.au/software.php there are many FREE downloads available, here are a few essentials.

• Google Chrome is the preferred browser for BYOD devices.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader is best for viewing PDFs.
• Microsoft Office, giving access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Canvas Lockdown Browser is required for in-class assessments.

I would also like to recommend an online typing tool www.typingclub.com.This is free and contains a series of fun interactives that take learners through keyboard basics, enabling them to type faster and with greater accuracy. Students are encouraged to make use of this facility during study periods and at home. 

Also, just a reminder that there are online guides https://mytech.wac.nsw.edu.au/guides.php that assist with challenges that a student is having with their device.

If you have any questions about the MyTech program in the College please email mytech@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mr Craig Russell
Secondary Learning Innovations Coordinator

From the College Chaplain

The College Learner Disposition focus for Term 1 is Resilience. This is a habit that we are working on developing and cultivating in our students, learning, character and also in their faith. Enduring and persevering with challenges in learning, character and faith all support these areas of growth.

In Mark 10:46-52 we're introduced to a man called Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is blind, because of his blindness he can't work, no work means no money and no money means no food. Bartimaeus is desperate! He hears that Jesus is coming by and yells out "Jesus son of David have mercy on me"! The crowd tells him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus persists, he screams at the top of his lungs, "JESUS HAVE MERCY ON ME ''. A hush goes over the crowd, Jesus calls him, asks what he wants and then heals him. Bartimaeus immediately receives his sight and follows Jesus. 

Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was his only hope. Even as others tell him to be quiet, he persists in his pursuit of Jesus. The Bible contends that like Bartimaeus, Jesus is our only hope. That all of us are spiritually blind and only through Jesus can our eyes be opened to the truth of who He is. If you don't trust Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to learn from Bartimaeus and ask Jesus to help you see Him clearly. But if you do know Jesus, I encourage you to keep following him and to daily give thanks to Him for the underserved mercy He lovingly pours out on those who Trust in Him. 

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

FLOWERS Canteen Orders - Flexischools

Changes To Cut-Off Time:
Due to College Break times being earlier in 2024, the Canteen has moved the cut-off time to 7.30 am. Please ensure orders are placed before this time. Ideally, ordering the night before will make sure your order is received. If you miss the 7.30 am cut-off, limited food options will continue to be available for late orders up to 8.30 am

Updating student details:
If you haven't already updated your child's profile to their 2024 year and class, please do the following:

• Open your Flexischools app and select ‘Profile’
• Under 'Students' select the relevant student
• Update their 'Year level' and 'Class' and hit 'Save'

Primary Students
A reminder that Primary students cannot purchase food from the Canteen. All orders must be placed through Flexischools.

Secondary Students
A reminder that Secondary students must use a physical EFTPOS card. Mobile phones and smartwatches will not be accepted.

Thank you
FLOWERS Canteen

Book Club Orders Due Sunday, 18 February

The Book Club Issue 1 catalogue is now available. Secondary students should select the class ‘Secondary’ when ordering. Primary, select their usual class. All orders are to be made online or through the LOOP App. 

Please note that the Book Club catalogue is set out with suggested age ranges for the books, each page has a different age range, with ages 12+ towards the back. The College does not necessarily endorse the books available through the Book Club and parental discretion is advised.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

P&F Clothing Pool

The Clothing Pool offers a selection of pre-loved uniform items from Transition to Year 12 at very reasonable prices. We also stock new ties and socks for purchase. The Clothing Pool relies on donations of uniforms and needs volunteers to stay open. Donations can be left at the Clothing Pool during opening hours or at Student Reception at other times.

If you would like to join our happy volunteers, please contact the Clothing Pool via the email below or pop into the Clothing Pool for a chat while we are open. We are currently seeking another volunteer for Thursday mornings, so if you can spare an hour in the morning, please make contact. It is an easy way to help out and to be a valuable part of the College community!

I hope everyone has a great start to the 2024 College year and look forward to seeing you during the term!

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

Mrs Melissa Whishaw
P&F Clothing Pool Coordinator

College Sponsors

Community News

Inspire Physie & Dance

Inspire Physie & Dance is a new club in the Wollondilly Shire. All are welcome to come and have a look. See the schedule below.

Yerrinbool-Bargo Soccer Club

Yerrinbool-Bargo Soccer Club is now accepting registrations for the 2024 season. Register online to secure your spot now! For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/yerrinboolbargosoccerclub/

Saints Anthony's Netball Club

Bargo Bunnies Junior RLFC

✨2024 Registration Days✨

Join us for the 2024 season by registering your child to play with the Bargo Bunnies JRLC

💚Tuesday, 6 February 2024 between 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm.

❤️Saturday, 10 February 2024 between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.

Returning members are encouraged to re-register online.

Where: Bargo Sportsgrounds - Dressing Sheds - 96 Radnor Road, Bargo.

It’s our 10th Anniversary and it’s going to be a big one! We have a special edition jersey and are organising anniversary celebrations.

✔️We are fielding teams from u/6 to u/12 with expressions of interest in u/13 and u/14.

✔️FREE membership, which includes insurance, playing jersey, player polo, socks and shorts👏🏻

✔️If you’re a new player, you go into the draw to win a $200 SportsPower Picton voucher and returning players can win a $100 SportsPower voucher💸

For enquiries please email bargobunniesjrlfc@gmail.com or call Pete on 0414 251 122 or Wade on 0408 690 382 or message us on our Facebook page 

Beyond The 80

Join Beyond the 80 – a FREE 10-week journey to a healthier lifestyle! For girls aged 7-11 and their families in Western Sydney. Boost your rugby league skills and embrace healthy lifestyle activities together.

Click here to join or for more information. Limited spots are available – Enrol now!

Buxton Netball Club

http://buxtonnc.nsw.netball.com.au/

Buxton Netball Club

http://buxtonnc.nsw.netball.com.au/