Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 11 - Friday, 12 April 2024

Care & Culture - House Points & Resilience

Overall House Shield Pointscore
The Overall House Shield recognises the contributions of 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. Grevillea - 915
2. Wollemi - 865
3. Telopea - 816
4. Sollya - 809
5. Acacia - 808

Community Links Donations
A big thank you to our College community for your donations to Tahmoor Community Links. Please see the figures below for the house points collected from the donations:

1. Sollya - 386
2. Acacia - 298
3. Wollemi - 253
4. Grevillea - 229
5. Telopea - 180

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Learner Disposition - Resilience

On Wednesday morning this week, Mrs Evans gave an address at the Secondary Formal Assembly to round out the term's focus on Resilience. In her talk, Mrs Evans illustrated how important this disposition is to both learning and character development. The different elements of resilience were shown through the unpacking of an incredible individual and inspirational story that required the presence of this disposition. Resilience is an attribute that is equally important to our faith, this was also linked through this talk. Below is an excerpt from the talk.

Over the Easter break, as I relaxed with my family, I happened to come across a movie on Netflix called ‘True Spirit’.

The movie is about a true story based on an Australian girl called Jessica Watson, who embodied ‘resilience'. At the age of eight, Jessica struggled with reading and needed a lot of support. As her mum read to her at night, Jessica was inspired by the book, ‘Lionheart. ‘Lionheart’ is a biography of a young Australian/German sailor named Jesse Martin who at age 18, became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted. It took Jesse 11 months to complete this voyage.

This inspired Jessica to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe at 16 years old.

Jessica’s story is unique and unusual because of the challenges and difficult circumstances she faced both before and during her trip. Her goal and dream started as an 11-year-old, and she achieved this goal some five years later.

Jessica showed resilience and learnt to overcome a range of challenges, she learnt about perseverance, managing distraction, absorption and noticing.

Jessica Watson is a modern-day example of resilience, and as followers of Jesus, you will also need to build your resilience.

James 1:12: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

This verse from the book of James emphasises the importance of enduring trials with faith. It assures believers that those who persevere through difficulties will be rewarded with eternal life as promised by the Lord. 

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

ANZAC DAY – Thursday, 25 April 2024

ANZAC Day is a day of national significance and one that marks the anniversary of Australia’s first major military action during World War I. This year, ANZAC Day will be observed on Thursday, Week 2 of the holiday break.

ANZAC Day is a major event in the life of the College and students are encouraged to join us as we remember the men and women who have sought to serve their nation in that first engagement and over the many decades that have followed. 

Those students who attend the services in their full winter uniform will be acknowledged with the receipt of a Community Service Award. There will be staff present at the services and students should get their names marked off the Roll with the attending staff.

A reminder that all students attending these services, may be expected to stand for long periods of time. Please make sure that students eat breakfast before arriving at the location (even if it is a quick slice of toast or a piece of fruit). Another great tip is to wiggle your toes often as this keeps your circulation going and you are less likely to faint. 

PICTON March & Service:
Assemble in the car park behind the Picton Hotel between 6.00 am and 6.15 am in preparation for the March which will commence at 6.30 am sharp. As there will be a significant number of WAC students attending this march, it is asked that students please be prompt and have their names marked off by the staff in attendance.  

Parents of K-2 children are asked to collect their child at the gate of the park after the march as we enter the park, before the service commences. Mrs Buckley and Miss Smith will be attending.

Hill Top Dawn Service:
Please meet at 5.45 am for the service to commence at 6.00 am at Hill Top Memorial Hall. A Year 12 student will deliver the address at this Service.

Camden Dawn Service:
Please meet at 5.00 am at the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial, Cawdor Road, Camden. Service commences at 5.15 am. Mr Clarke and Mrs Frederiksen will be attending.

Camden March:
Those who would like to march are asked to assemble in Elizabeth Street, Camden between Mitchell and Elizabeth Streets from 10.15 am with the march commencing at 10.30 am. The march will then move to Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park for the commencement of the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service at 11.15 am.

Mittagong Dawn Service:
Meet from 5.15 am at the Cenotaph, Hume Highway, Mittagong. Service commences 5.30 am. Mrs Miller will be attending.

Mittagong March:
The march for Mittagong traditionally assembles at the Tourist Information Centre on the Old Hume Highway at 10.15 am for a 10.30 am start. The start location and route are still being finalised, but the RSL envisage that it will be back to the traditional time and route. A community service will follow at 10.45 am. Mrs Tooth, Mr Grant and Mrs Lloyd will be attending.

Thirlmere Service:
Please meet at 4.45 am at the Thirlmere Memorial Park, Oaks Street Thirlmere. Service commences at 5.00 am.

Bargo Sports Club.
The Service commences at 10.15 am. Mr & Mrs Hay will be attending, so please arrive at 10.00 am to have your name marked off.

Students from across the College are encouraged to participate and join with the community in this important commemoration. 

Please note that parents are responsible for all transport to and from ANZAC Day events and for the supervision of their child whilst at the event.

It is too early to determine the weather forecast for these events, but a reminder that if the weather is forecast to be warm, taking a bottle of water is a good idea.

It is understood that students may attend a variety of services to commemorate ANZAC Day, both locally and further afield. If a student attends a service and a photo is made available of them representing the College by wearing their full winter uniform, they too will be acknowledged by receiving a Community Service Award.  Email ANZAC Day images to d.aquilina@wac.nsw.edu.au.

Mr Daniel Aquilina
Secondary Humanities Teacher/Year 7 Patron

Performing Arts News

College Musical - Holiday Rehearsals
Parents of the Secondary and Primary cast as well as the Musical Crew should have received an email outlining the holiday rehearsals and performance information last week. This email was also printed for the students to take home on our Monday rehearsal this week. 

The general plan for the rehearsals during the holidays is as follows:

Monday, 22 April – 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

• Leads, Lead Dancers, Crew

Tuesday, 23 April – 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

• Leads, Lead Dancers, Secondary Chorus, Crew

Wednesday, 24 April – 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

• All Cast and Crew (including Primary)

Thursday, 25 April – ANZAC Day (Public Holiday) – No Rehearsal

Friday, 26 April – 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

• All Cast and Crew (including Primary)

Thirlmere Festival of Steam - Sunday, 19 May
Next term, our College Strings, Secondary Cheer, Primary ‘Pom’ and College Bucketz will be representing the College at the Thirlmere Festival of Steam.

Our College Strings will be performing on the stage and our Cheer, Pom and Bucketz groups will be partaking in the Parade. More information regarding this event will be communicated to parents soon and a permission note will be sent home via the College App.

Dance Company - Term 2 Dates
Dance Company will be involved in a couple of exciting opportunities in Term 2. These will include the MISA Dance Festival scheduled for Tuesday, 25 June (Week 9) and the Wollongong Bluescope Eisteddfod on Saturday, 6 July (the first day of the end of Term 2 holidays). Parents are encouraged to pencil these dates into their diaries. Permission notes will be issued via the College App early in Term 2. 

Secondary Formal Assembly - Wednesday, 10 April
Congratulations to the following students who received their Performing Arts Badges at the Formal Assembly earlier this week:

College Band Circular Badge (Five years commitment)

• Emily Galea (Year 12)

Dance Company Bar Badge (One year commitment)

• Emily Galea (Year 12)
• Mia Hanchard (Year 12)
• Leah Dalrymple (Year 8)
• Kiah Evans (Year 8)

We also had four fantastic performances at the Formal Assembly. Alyssa Galea (Year 10) performed a fabulous dance routine entitled ‘Power Over Me’, her sister, Emily Galea (Year 12) performed an arrangement of ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay, her Core Performance piece she has been preparing for her upcoming HSC major works in the Music 1 course. We also had the College String Quartet perform a U2 classic ‘With or Without You’ and our College Band perform ‘21 Guns’. Well done to all who performed!

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

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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

P&F Outdoor Movie Night - Term 2

After the success of last year's Outdoor Family Movie Night, the College P&F will be hosting another evening on Friday, 17 May. More information will be available shortly and we encourage you to save the date. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mr Brandon Cooper
P&F President

We're Hiring!

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
• English Teacher 7-12
• Science Teacher 7-12 (Maternity Leave Position)

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

Equestrian - State Interschool Championships

The State Interschool Championships will run during the holidays from 15-19 April. We are proud to have Erin Brown, Eva Golovenko, and Tahlia O'Reilly riding. Tahlia will be competing in the Combined Training on her pony, Rhythm. Erin will be competing in Dressage, Combined Training and Show Horse. Eva will be competing in Combined Training.

Ms Stacey Baker
Primary Teacher/Equestrian Coordinator

Curtis Williams-Wright, Alpaca Champion

The Australian Alpaca Association’s Young Paraders an alpaca/rural skills-building program with workshops, training camps and show competition events that showcase alpaca activities. These events have been designed specifically and exclusively for young people between seven and 26 years of age.

The program is all about fun, learning and alpacas. It is designed to demonstrate the bond that develops between alpacas and handlers. In addition, it provides a platform on which young people can enter and then progress within the industry or indeed agriculture.

Curtis Williams-Wright competed at the most recent competition – the Sydney Royal Easter Show. He was required to not only look the part but to lead his Alpaca – “Nipper” through a series of challenges – similar to an obstacle course.  These challenges simulate day-to-day handling of alpacas on farm. They must show safe handling skills and a good relationship with their alpaca

Curtis’s family own and operate Storybook Alpacas which calls this area home. He represented his family with a professionalism and behaviour well beyond his 7 years. He was awarded 1st place in his competition and then also the Champion ribbon. We cannot wait to see what this young fellow achieves next time he competes.

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 Library Youth Week Events

Youth Week Art Workshop

• Tuesday, 16 April
• 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm, Wollondilly Library
• Exercise your creativity in this 2-hour collage workshop led by local multi-disciplinary artist Freya Jobbins.
• Your collages will feature hybrid creatures created from the combining of humans and the animal world. Both comical and uncanny, your works will stretch the imagination while also including local landscapes of the Wollondilly. 

HSC English Seminar

• Wednesday, 17 April
• 10.30 am – 12.00 pm, Wollondilly Library
• This seminar presented by Larry Grumley will provide HSC English students some valuable advice in preparation for their upcoming HSC Trials and HSC English Exams.
  The 90 minute session will cover the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences (HSC English Paper 1) as well as essay writing and other relevant tips for the HSC English Paper 2.

Living Stories 2024: The Writing Workshops

• Thursday, 18 April
• 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm (ages 10-15)
• 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm (ages 16+)
• Wollondilly Library
• WestWords and WestLit Libraries are offering free 90-minute creative writing workshops at Wollondilly Library as part of the 2024 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize. These workshops are intended to help writers gain confidence and skills in their creative writing, especially with a large writing prize just around the corner.

Rock the Dilly

• Saturday, 20 April
• 4.00 pm – 9.00 pm
• Picton Botanic Gardens 
• Attending the Rock the Dilly Youth Week Festival?

Pop in to see Library staff at the event with the Mobile Library. Browse, borrow or just chill out for a moment.

Mittagong Junior Disco

• Date: Saturday, 24 February  
• Time: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
• Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong
• Cost: $5.00
• Ages: 0-14
• Please note: 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.

Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Chris and Sandra Roberson - and the amazing committee of the Mittagong Junior Disco.

Chris Ph - 0412 321 555