Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 6 - Friday, 8 March 2024

Message from the Headmaster

As I look back over the past few weeks of Term 1, it is with great pride that I would like to commend our students for the exceptional start they've made to the academic year. The challenges posed by the recent years, marked by the disruptions of COVID and subsequent lockdowns, have undoubtedly tested the resilience of our College community. However, it's heartening to see how our students have risen to the occasion, embracing the return to routine with commendable adaptability and enthusiasm.

Throughout 2023, our staff and students worked towards fostering a strong, healthy student culture centred around the values of respect and responsibility. This groundwork has undoubtedly laid the foundation for the positive atmosphere we're experiencing on campus as we embark on the new academic year. The diligence and commitment of our students are demonstrated each day – they are well-presented, well-spoken, and actively engaged in their classwork. Moreover, there's a real sense of calm around the College, reflecting the collective effort of our students in upholding these expectations.

I would also like to acknowledge the important role parents and carers play in reinforcing these values within the home environment. Your partnership with us in instilling respect and responsibility in our students is invaluable and greatly appreciated. It's through this collaborative effort that we can collectively nurture a positive school culture conducive to learning and personal growth.

While we celebrate the strides made, we also recognise that there may still be occasions where corrective measures are necessary. However, it's heartening to note that such instances have been minimal, a testament to the commitment of our students towards upholding the standards of behaviour and conduct expected of them.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every member of our College community for their dedication and commitment to our shared vision of excellence.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Care & Culture - House Points & Resilience

Overall House Shield Pointscore
The Overall House Shield recognises the contributions from all students at the College in belonging to their House Group. It caters for the range of abilities students have and allows them to contribute in areas of strength, not just in a sporting context. The House Shield total is derived from Carnival Points, the Award System, Community Service and Fundraising activities and involvement in College life. Below is the current point score just based on the Award System.

1. Sollya 211
2. Acacia 204
3. Wollemi 195
4. Grevillea 179
5. Telopea 171

Some upcoming opportunities to score points for your House include attendance and participation in the College Prayer Breakfast and Working Bee. Along with a Community Service Merit students will be issued House Points for attendance at either event. Fellow Telopeans, get yourself along to one of these events to help get us off the bottom of the ladder!

Learner Disposition
The Learner Disposition focus for Term 1 at the College is Resilience. In Secondary this week, students heard from Mrs Wellington, Leader of Learning - English. Mrs Wellington drew a link between some real-life circumstances where cultivating important aspects of resilience has been important in her life, navigating and improving in some areas that she enjoys. Her message concerning learning and English can be summarised by the following

Being resilient in English means:

• Keep going even when the work feels difficult, drafting work and submitting it for feedback and then implementing this requires you to be persistent
• Embrace the process of developing your writing, this might require you to make mistakes, learning from these and making the necessary adjustments will help develop your resilience
• Recognising what makes you distracted and managing this
• Enjoy what you are learning and the process of learning
• Being aware of how English links to other subjects

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Performing Arts News - Mini Movers

We are anticipating the start of our Mini Movers group in Week 8 of this term, whilst we finalise some signup lists of students in K-2. Mini Movers will be under the direction of Mrs McTaggert and Mrs Williams, a co-curricular group for Years K-2 students that involves music, drama and dance activities held each Tuesday Break 2. The size of the group will be capped, however, any students who are not chosen for the first cycle of weeks will be offered to join the following cycle, allowing for as many students in Years K-2 to experience Mini Movers throughout 2024. Cycles will generally run for four weeks at a time and classroom teachers will organise the selection of students based on those who express interest.

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12/Music Teacher

College Musical Tickets

We are excited to announce that tickets for our upcoming musical production of ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Crown Jewel’ are on sale now! 

Performance dates include:

• Tuesday, 7 May - commencing at 7.00 pm
• Thursday, 9 May - commencing at 7.00 pm
• Friday, 10 May - commencing at 7.00 pm
• Saturday, 11 May - Matinee performance commencing at 2.00 pm
• Saturday, 11 May - Final evening performance commencing at 7.00 pm

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults: $20.00
• Concession/Student: $15.00
• Family (2x Adults and 2x Children): $60.00

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12/Music Teacher

ENCORE Music Excursion

On Monday, 4 March, students from the Year 12 Music class attended the ENCORE Music Concert at the Sydney Opera House. ENCORE is a program of outstanding performances and compositions by students from schools across NSW, presented for the 2023 Higher School Certificate Music Examinations. The students spent quite a bit of time during the interval and the drive back to the College, discussing the diverse and unique array of performances they witnessed, particularly as the seats we had in the Opera House were positioned behind the stage. It was great to view the performances from this angle, observing particularly the interactions of the performers with each other and their communication skills whilst performing, a key musical criterion of HSC performances. 

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12/Music Teacher

Careers Spotlight - Cert III TVET Courses

This year, we are excited to announce that we have had a number of successful students accepted into Certificate III TVET courses. These students will undertake their course through Campbelltown TAFE. Below, these two ladies have reflected on (1) Why they applied for this course, (2) What they are hoping to get out of the course and (3) Plans for the future in this field. 

Laycie Noblett – Cert III in Business Services

1. I chose to apply for this course because I believe it will help me in my future endeavours. This course will teach me skills and help me understand how businesses work.
2. I am hoping to complete this course with full understanding and I'm looking forward to getting a Certificate 3.
3. I am planning to pursue some form of business in the future. Either connected to customer success or management.

Grace Harper – Cert III in Christian Leadership

1. I chose to apply to this course because I've been wanting to learn more about the core values of being Christian and also some of the history behind the faith itself. As the course I'm doing is based at my own church, Hillsong, it is able to give me a lot of opportunities to put my new knowledge and skills to use in my own church where I know people and am planted already.
2. I am most looking forward to gaining knowledge about the Christian faith and how it has developed over time, and also getting to go out into my local church community and put my skills to use.
3. In the future, I am planning to either pursue this field of work in the form of a higher certificate at Hillsong College or if not, pursue some kind of career in the area of psychology. As my course is a leadership course, even if I don't pursue it in the future, it will still be important to my lifestyle and how I continue in my career.

Mr Tim van Netten
Leader of Care & Culture - Stage 6/Careers Adviser/Secondary English Teacher

Term 1 Family Chapel

Our first Family Chapel of the year will be for Kindergarten to Year 6. Since we are concentrating on the Primary Years, the evening will begin at 6.00 pm on Tuesday, 26 March under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter. 

To make life easier for our families, a sausage sandwich will be available at the BBQ area free of charge from 5.30 pm, however, these must be pre-ordered through the Trybooking link below.

https://www.trybooking.com/CPQRW

We will hear a talk about Jesus. In addition, we will have the opportunity to listen to the Primary Choir, sing a song of praise together, and hear prayers for our community.

Finally, donations of gold coins or non-perishable food items will be accepted at the rear of the Shelter area. These will be used by the WAC Kids Care team to prepare nourishing meals for those in our community who are struggling with illness or hardship. House Points will also be given which will go towards the House Shield.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

College Working Bee

I am writing on behalf of the College Prefects to encourage students and parents to join the staff and the College Student Leaders at the Term 1 Working Bee. This event will take place on Saturday, 16 March from 8.00 am - 1.00 pm. This year the organisation of the Working Bee will be in Zones based on House Groups. There will be an opportunity to all come together at 10.30 am for morning tea and light refreshments will be served. 

As students of the College, we would like to promote this as an opportunity for service and community building. Your contributions can make a real and positive impact on the lives of others and your environment. Serving others helps you develop personally, by serving, you can inspire and motivate others to get involved and contribute positively. The Student Leaders at the College want to set an example in this area and would like to see as many students, staff and parents attend this event. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare an hour of your day to serve at this event. All students who attend will be issued with a Community Service Merit. This year we will be adding additional House Points to the House of students, staff and parents that attend, these will accrue to the Overall House Shield. 

The College has reduced the number of Working Bees from four per year to two per year. With this in mind, it would be great to see our community prioritise the opportunities to build community and serve.

If you can't make this one the second one will be held on Saturday, 31 August, please add this to your calendar.

Please note, we only have a limited supply of tools and equipment, therefore it is important that you bring your own gardening tools, blowers, gloves and anything else you think might help on the day. Mr Warland, the College Property Manager will be onsite to assist students and parents if you have questions.

Eve Jones
College Community Service Prefect

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.

When you hear the word resilience what comes to mind? Do you think about the ability to adapt or endure well to challenging circumstances? What enables us to be able to endure hardship well? 

This week, I've had the pleasure of being part of the Year 9 Camp. The Camp involves an overnight expedition with a hike and canoe element along with onsite mountain biking and abseiling at the cliffs. All of the students are challenged to some degree by these activities, yet through these challenges, they're able to become more resilient and grow in their character.

Paul in Romans 5:3-5 contends that one of the outcomes of Christians enduring through challenging times is a growth in character. In fact, he suggests that perseverance produces character. Yet in this process, Paul makes it clear that God desires that we reach out to Him and ask Him for His help and support. One of the ways that God provides this support is through a loving community, centred on Him.

That's one of the outcomes we're seeking as a result of Year 9 Camp, encouraging the students to understand that challenging experiences can have positive outcomes and a key part of this is having a supportive environment. This supportive environment is reflective of God's desire for humanity to know that He is with them through the ups and downs of life; and even more profoundly that He is using these experiences to develop and grow us. It's been an absolute privilege to see the students rise to the challenges that Camp brings. Our hope and prayer is that these experiences help the students grow in their character and help them grow in their understanding of a good God who cares for them and is with them through the ups and downs of life. 

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

Term 1 Prayer Breakfast Invitation

Amongst the business of Term 1, I'd like to extend an opportunity for you to join us as we stop, pause and bring the things on our hearts and minds to God in prayer.

Our Term 1 Prayer Breakfast will be kicking off on Saturday, 16 March. All are welcome to join us from 8.00 am - 8.30 am for pastries and fruit before we join together in prayer from 8.30 am - 9.00 am. 

I completely understand the busy schedule all of us have on the weekends. There are many competing factors and commitments. Saturday is normally full of community sporting events along with various other activities. However, in this business, taking the time to stop and pause with our great God is incredibly beneficial.

I'd love to see you there!

If you're able to make it, please RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au by Monday, 4 March.

 “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

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 keep the Clothing Pool 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!

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

Wollondilly Junior AFC

Are you looking for a tight-knit community of like-minded, fun-seeking competitive people?

Look no further than Wollondilly Junior AFC.

We are the only AFL Club in Wollondilly. We’re a family-oriented club with a focus on sportsmanship, community and having fun!

We've been a place of fun and competition in the community since 1982.

We cater to all kids aged 5-17 with all abilities from beginners to advanced. We have boys, girls and mixed teams.

Get fit, have fun and make friends!

For more information visit www.WJAFC.com.au or email info@wjafc.com.au.

Inspire Physie & Dance

Inspire Physie & Dance is a new APDA (Australian Physie & Dance) club in the Wollondilly Shire. All new people are welcome to come and have two free trial lessons. See the schedule below.

Bargo Bunnies Junior RLFC

✨2024 Registration Days✨

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

Returning members are encouraged to re-register online.

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

It’s our 10 Year 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💸

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 📱

BJP Physie

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/

Saint Anthony's Netball Club

Mittagong Wildcats Netball Club

Mittagong Wildcats is an inclusive club for netball players of all ages. We know that playing a team sport makes us feel good. Our Club, run by a dedicated team of volunteers, is focused on developing the skill levels of all players and their love of the game! Players learn key social and physical skills that empower them way beyond the confines of the court.

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/

South West Sydney Orchestras