Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 1 - Friday, 3 May 2024
- Student Behaviour in NSW Schools
- College Musical Tickets - Last Chance!
- Care & Culture - House Points
- Mother's Day Stall - Friday, 10 May
- Learner Disposition - Resourceful
- ANZAC DAY - Thank You
- Performing Arts News
- P&F Outdoor Movie Night - Friday, 17 May
- We're Hiring!
- SLR Bronze Medallion Course
- Year 7 Vaccinations
- eSafety
- Book Club Orders Due Sunday, 19 May
- P&F Clothing Pool
- College Sponsors
- Community News
Student Behaviour in NSW Schools
Lately, I have been reading with interest, the recent news articles about the concerning trends in classroom behaviour in schools across NSW. The reports indicate high levels of disruption and a lack of behavioural guidance for students. Sadly, multiple reports since 2018 have identified Australian schools as being among the worst in the developed world when it comes to behaviour management and positive learning experiences.
I am thankful to our teachers and staff for the way that they have created and reinforced a positive student culture in our students. I am also proud of the way that our students demonstrate an understanding of these expectations by adhering to them each day. This has been successful due to the partnership between teachers, students and parents.
To begin with, our teachers set clear expectations of behaviour and reinforce straightforward routines to reinforce the behaviours they expect to see. Some of these are very simple, like lining up outside the classroom and entering in a calm orderly way. Another expectation is listening to teacher instructions without speaking and following the instructions quietly and efficiently. There are many of these simple behavioural guidelines which help our students to know what is expected of them, which in turn, enables each student to feel safe, settled and ready to learn each lesson.
We are thankful to our parents who reinforce these expectations at home. This partnership of raising children together is critical to the future success of each child and we value the opportunity to be part of this with you.
For a number of years, we have been focusing on Learning, Care and Culture and I believe that our students are benefitting greatly from our focus on these critical areas.
https://7news.com.au/sunrise/
https://www.news.com.au/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/
Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster
College Musical Tickets - Last Chance!
A friendly reminder to the Wollondilly Anglican community that tickets for the College Musical 'Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Crown Jewel' are still on sale, via the button below. Come and support the students' efforts both on and off the stage.
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Crown Jewel" is a thrilling musical that follows the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted companion Dr John Watson as they embark on a quest to solve a perplexing case involving the theft of the Crown Jewels. Set in Victorian London, Holmes delves deeper into the mystery, and he encounters a cast of colourful characters including Georgie, Wiggins, Professor Moriarty, and Inspector Lestrade, each with their own motives and secrets. With a blend of suspenseful storytelling, catchy musical numbers, and clever twists, "Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Crown Jewel" captivates audiences with its riveting tale of crime and deduction. As the story unfolds, Holmes and Watson must race against time to uncover the truth behind the theft and restore the honour of the crown.
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
Care & Culture - House Points
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.
- Grevillea - 1424
- Wollemi - 1299
- Acacia - 1263
- Sollya - 1240
- Telopea - 1229
Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12
Mother's Day Stall - Friday, 10 May
Learner Disposition - Resourceful
As we commence Term 2 the College will shift the main focus in relation to our Learner Disposition from Resilient to Resourceful. As previously discussed the College is supporting students to develop these dispositions to support both learning and character development. Below is a summary of the main elements of being resourceful.
QUESTIONING
- Asking questions of yourself and others
- Being curious and playful with ideas
- Delving beneath the surface of things.
MAKING LINKS
- Seeing connections between disparate events and experiences
- Building patterns
- Weaving a web of understanding
IMAGINING
- Using your imagination and intuition to put yourself through new experiences or to explore possibilities. Wondering "what if"?
REASONING
- Calling up your logical and rational skills to work things out methodically and rigorously; constructing good arguments, and spotting the flaws in others
CAPITALISING
- Drawing on the full range of resources from the wider world - other people, books, the Internet, past experience, future opportunities.
Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12
ANZAC DAY - Thank You
Thank you to the many students and staff who participated in a range of Services and Marches to mark and commemorate ANZAC Day. Thank you also to the parents who helped to make this day possible.
The participation of so many young people is very encouraging and is greatly appreciated by the organisers, the returned servicemen and women present and the communities in which the events took place.
A large number of students from Years T-12 and staff participated in the March and Service at Picton. Emily Galea of Year 12 read the Lord’s Prayer during the Service, Mr Norman represented the College by delivering the benediction, and College Captains laid the wreath.
Four students participated heavily at the Bargo Sports Club ANZAC service, with Kye James and Liam Batshon leading the service and Alec Bennet and Loren Adamson speaking on the meaning of ANZAC Day to them.
A number of students attended the Camden Dawn Service and March.
ANZAC addresses were conducted at the Hill Top Dawn Service, Jasmine Hemans of Year 11, and the Thirlmere Dawn Service by Estelle Kluit.
Students attended Taara Gardens, RSL LifeCare Nursing Home at Thirlmere, taking part in the Commemoration Service. Students also attended the John Goodlet Manor, RSL LifeCare Nursing Home service.
Our staff and students also participated in both the dawn service and march at Mittagong.
Some students also attended the Waratah Highlands Retirement Village where Foundation Headmaster Dr Stuart Quarmby participated in the Service.
Mr Daniel Aquilina
Secondary Humanities Teacher/Year 7 Patron
Performing Arts News
We have kicked off Term 2 in the realm of Performing Arts rehearsals. There are quite a few opportunities this term across our T-12 groups, both here at the College and externally. Parents and carers, as always, will receive communication via the College App.
Our Term 2 rehearsal schedules for both Secondary Years and Primary Years are below.
Our newest Primary group is ‘Primary Drama’, which meets on Wednesday during Break 1 with Mrs Lewis and Ms Schlosser in the Elizabeth 9 classroom. Kindergarten students (chosen by their class teachers) are now joining our K-2 Choir group on a Monday, downstairs Elizabeth with Mrs Waters and Mrs Buckley. We anticipate that some Transition students will join the group in Term 3.
Thirlmere Festival of Steam - Sunday, 19 May
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.
Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12/Music Teacher
P&F Outdoor Movie Night - Friday, 17 May
We're excited to announce that on Friday, 17 May from 5.00 pm, we'll be hosting another Outdoor Family Movie Night! This Term, we will be showing The Super Mario Bros Movie (PG)!
There will be hotdogs ($5.00), popcorn and cold drinks available (gold coin donation) to purchase on the night. All profits will go to the College P&F Association.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP via the button below. This event is open to WAC Families and friends only.
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
SLR Bronze Medallion Course
Last term, students in Year 11 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation completed an aquatics unit that involved undertaking the Bronze Medallion Lifesaving course. The students travelled to Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre, Picton to complete the practical component of the course. Students developed skills in rescue techniques, survival strokes, CPR, search and rescue and stabilising suspected spinal injuries. As part of the assessment, students had to swim 400m (with a combination of survival strokes), perform a contact tow, respond to a lifesaving scenario, perform CPR and complete a theoretical workbook. The course has provided students with valuable life skills and a source of accreditation.
Congratulations to Nicholas Birkett, James Ford, Dean Haddock, Keira Hopkins, Cooper Lollback, Lincoln Mackay, Lauren O’Sullivan and Finley Wells for attaining their Bronze Medallion.
Mr Nicholas Wilson
Secondary PDHPE Teacher
Year 7 Vaccinations
Year 7 Vaccinations will be held this Tuesday, 7 May.
Parental consent is only provided online, there will no longer be paper consents sent home with students, Year 7 are offered vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
How to Provide Consent - if you have not yet provided online consent.
To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.
- Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
- Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
- Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren.
You will need to:
- Enter your child’s personal details
- Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
- Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and Privacy Statement
- Provide Consent
If your child misses a school vaccination clinic, you can speak to a GP or Pharmacist about catching up on vaccination.
For more information on school vaccination visit: health.nsw.gov.au/
Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse
eSafety
In caring for our children, we often need to consider the things that are occurring online. I invite you to investigate some material produced for parents by the eSafety Commissioner. The website https://www.esafety.gov.au/
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
Book Club Orders Due Sunday, 19 May
The Book Club Issue 3 catalogue is now available. Secondary students should select the class ‘Secondary’ when ordering. Primary, select their usual class (eg: 1H, 3J, 5F, Tembo). 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 age 10+ 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 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.
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
Community News
Please note that the above is a service to the Community and items advertised do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the College. The College tries to be selective with what is advertised but cannot take responsibility. Please look into events advertised carefully.