Wollondilly Anglican College eNewsletter

Care & Culture - Learner Disposition - Resourceful

We continue our Term 2 Learner Disposition of being Resourceful.

Developing Questioning as a Key to Resourcefulness
In our rapidly evolving world, the ability to navigate uncertainty, adapt to new situations and solve complex problems is more crucial than ever. At the heart of these skills lies a simple yet profound habit: questioning. Encouraging students to develop a strong questioning mindset not only enhances their learning but also fosters the resourcefulness necessary for success in all areas of life.

The Power of Questions
Questions are the gateway to knowledge. They drive curiosity, leading students to explore new ideas and discover deeper understanding. When students ask questions, they engage actively with the material, moving beyond the passive absorption of facts to a more dynamic, interactive learning process. This engagement helps to solidify their knowledge, making it more meaningful and easier to recall.

Enhancing Critical Thinking
Questioning is essential for critical thinking. By questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and considering alternative perspectives, students learn to think independently and make informed decisions. This critical thinking ability is not only vital for academic success but also for navigating the complexities of everyday life. Whether analysing a news article or solving a personal problem, the ability to question effectively enables students to approach challenges with confidence and creativity.

Building Resourcefulness
Resourcefulness is the capacity to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties. It involves a mix of creativity, problem-solving, and resilience—all of which are cultivated through questioning. When students encounter a problem, asking questions like "Why is this happening?", "What are the possible solutions?" and "Who can help me with this?" transforms obstacles into opportunities for growth. This habit of mind empowers students to tackle challenges independently and persistently, essential qualities for lifelong learning and adaptability.

Fostering a Growth Mindset
Encouraging questioning helps foster a growth mindset, where students view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than as insurmountable barriers. When students feel comfortable asking questions, they are more likely to take intellectual risks, embrace mistakes as learning experiences, and remain resilient in the face of setbacks. This positive attitude towards learning is critical for academic achievement and personal development.

Incorporating questioning into the learning process is not just about improving academic performance; it's about equipping students with a vital life skill. By fostering a questioning mindset, we help students become more resourceful, capable of thinking critically, solving problems creatively, and navigating the world with confidence. As educators, parents, and community members, let's prioritise the development of this essential skill to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

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 - 2166
Acacia - 1961
Sollya - 1931
Telopea - 1891
Wollemi - 1890

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Primary Sports

3-6 Athletics Carnival - Friday, 28 June - WACA
The WAC Primary Athletics Carnival is being held on Friday, 28 June at the WACA. Students are reminded to wear their House Sports Shirts for the day. 800m competitors will need to be on the WACA by 8.00 am sharp to begin the race. All other students will need to meet their class teachers at 8.10 am so they can walk up to the WACA in their Year Groups. Parents are welcome to attend. Please park in the Flynn Carpark and walk across the bridge, making your way to the back oval (WACA).

K-2 Athletics Carnival - Friday, 21 June - Front Oval
The K-2 Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday, 21 June from 8.35 am to 10.15 am on the Front Oval (Winning Field). Students are to wear their House Sports Shirts. Parents are welcome to attend as spectators.

CSSA Gymnastics Competition
Well done to Willow and Harper who represented WAC at the CSSA Gymnastics Competition!

Gymnastics Community Sport - Harper Hallsworth at the Tamworth Country Cup
Harper competed at the Tamworth Country Cup on Friday last week and finished 2nd overall (scoring 9.3 on Vault) and her team finished 1st overall. Harper also got to meet Olympian and Commonwealth Gold Medalist Georgia Godwin which was very exciting—well done Harper!

Judo Community Sport - The Cook Family at the National Judo titles on the Gold Coast
As seems to be an ongoing tradition, the Cook family has continued their run of impressive Judo achievements. Abbey has fought in under 15 years girls under 43kg division and has won the Sydney International, Canberra International and the NSW State Title! Over the long weekend, all of them fought on the Gold Coast for the National Championships. Abbey fought in the under 40kg girls and again won. This is her fourth consecutive National Title. She then fought for NSW in the Teams Event again and won all her fights, finishing with a Bronze Medal for the team. Well done Abbey! Four consecutive National Titles is such an amazing feat.

Lochlan fought in Cadets under 55kg. This is a particularly notable feat, as he has had seven months off, recovering from knee surgery and only returned to training six weeks ago. Lochlan finished seventh which was a great result considering the less-than-ideal preparation.

Mackenzie competed in the cadet under 63kg and finished with Silver. She then went on to fight in the higher age group of Junior Women and finished with an amazing result of 3rd.

It was a great weekend for Abbey, Lochlan and Mackenzie that rewarded their hard work and training.

WASP Football Academy - Returning In Term 3
Information will be released in the coming weeks for any parents wishing to enrol their children in the WASP Football Academy. For experienced players from Years 4-8 only.

Coming Weeks of IPSSO:

19 June - Away vs Macarthur Anglican School
26 June - WAC BYE
3 July - Away vs Broughton Anglican College

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

Performing Arts News

Performing Arts Showcase Afternoon/Evening
Our Performing Arts Showcase afternoon/evening event is approaching on Friday, 21 June (Week 8). The following Performing Arts groups across the College have been preparing items to perform and showcase for each other and their family and friends:

K-2 Choir
Primary Choir (3-6)
College Choir
Primary Band
College Band
Primary Strings
College Strings
String Quartet
Primary Drama
Primary Dance (Stage 2)
Primary Dance (Stage 3)
Dance Company
Primary Pom
Secondary Cheer
College Bucketz

Please note, previously the starting time was different. The Showcase Afternoon/Evening will be held under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter commencing at 3.30 pm and concluding at approximately 5.00 pm.
A small dinner will be available for families after the event - visit the following TryBooking link to register for a BBQ meal: https://www.trybooking.com/CSPEL

Bluescope Eisteddfod - Cancelled
A scheduled Eisteddfod that our Dance Company was due to compete in at the end of this term has unfortunately, been cancelled due to less-than-expected registration of school troupes. Miss Valente is currently researching another competition for later in the year. Stay tuned for further details.

MISA Dance Festival 2024 - Tuesday, 25 June
The WAC Dance Company will be travelling to The Cube @ Campbelltown Catholic Club on Tuesday, 25 June to participate in the MISA Dance Festival. Parents should receive a notification via the College App soon.

A general reminder that there is an extended rehearsal next week on Wednesday, 19 June that all students in the Dance Company are expected to attend. This has been communicated via the College App.

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

College Photo Day - Thursday, 27 June

The College Photo Day will be held on Thursday, 27 June for Transition (2-day) – Year 12. Transition 3-day classes will have their photos taken on Friday, 28 June. Students will receive their order envelopes in class next week. Students must be in the full College Winter Uniform and must follow the Uniform Guidelines found in the College Diary. Further details will be sent early next week

Mr Alex Hitchins
Development Manager

U-Turn the Wheel

Year 10 and Years 11 & 12 attended the community road safety program U-Turn the Wheel at the College on Thursday, 6 and Friday, 7 June respectively. The program is run and funded by Picton Rotary. Both groups attended a presentation by Police and Paramedics on risk and protective behaviours on the road. Year 10 attended workshops on speeding, drink and drug driving, car maintenance, traffic awareness (trucks) and driver distraction. Years 11 & 12 attended workshops on conflict management, car maintenance, license restrictions, country driving and fatigue. Despite the inclement weather, they were great days.

Mr Josh Hewitt
Leader of Learning - PDHPE

Every year, schools across Australia participate in the annual collection of data. One piece of data that is collected is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a disability (NCCD). The collection of data will take place early in August.

If you are interested in knowing more about the processes and what is involved for schools, please see the attached Letter to Parents, Guardians and Carers and Fact Sheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers, both of which can be found on the NCCD website.

Stuart McIntosh
Advanced Learning & Learning Support Coordinator T-12

NCCD Fact sheet For Parents & Guardians

Term 2 Family Chapel - Thursday, 27 June

Our second Family Chapel of the year will be for Years 7-9 and their families. The evening will begin at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 27 June in the Warne Auditorium.

Dinner will be available from 5.00 pm, however, these must be pre-ordered through the Trybooking link below.

https://www.trybooking.com/CRTII

We will gather together to hear student stories about the impact the gospel has had on them, along with hearing a gospel focused message.

Finally, donations of gold coins or non-perishable food items will be accepted at the rear of the Auditorium. 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.

Useful items to be donated to WAC Kids Care:

Tinned Tomatoes
Dry Pasta
Dry Lentils
Rice
Curry Paste
Herbs and spices
Stock - Chicken/Beef
Tinned Tuna
Tinned beans (Kidney, Three Bean, Black Beans)

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

Trinket the Robot Puppet Show

This week, students in Transition (Pre-K), Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 were able to enjoy a fantastic puppet show performed by Little Wing Puppets called 'Trinket the Robot'.Trinket the Robot is a lively, funny, interactive solo puppet show, based on the tale of Pinocchio. It explores emotions and offers ways for children to understand different feelings. The show is a provocation for a discussion about emotional literacy and provides a framework for younger children to identify their feelings in relation to different colours. For older students, it investigates themes of loss and resilience in the face of adversity. Keep an eye out for Jenny Ellis from Little Wing on Playschool later this year.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

What a fantastisch day was had in our Amazing Race: WAC German on Wednesday held by our Creative Arts and German teachers.

Students in Year 8 participated in a range of activities that enhanced their German language skills and knowledge of German culture.

We are so proud of how students demonstrated their resourcefulness and resilience during the day, drawing on their knowledge of German, strategies for solving challenges and great teamwork.

The day started with a lecker (yummy) German breakfast, which the Elective German Students served students in Year 8. Following that, we had a lesson in Schuhplattler dancing from the talented Rowan. Year 8 had a fabulous workout trying to beat Rowan’s incredible fitness and skill. Students then participated in Amazing Race-style Challenges, earning points in teams for challenges completed, and bonus points for speaking German. The Challenges encompassed Art, Music, Cooking and Drama which required students to use German. The Treasure Hunt required students to solve German clues. They raced around the College, asking in German to collect answers from various people. This was a highlight of the day! The day ended with all of Year 8 performing the song from the Music Challenge and the announcement of our winning team: Team 4: Sport Club Freiburg.

Well done to Year 8 and all of the CAPA/Lote teachers involved with the day.

Frau Holmes
German Teacher

The College Learner Disposition focus for Term 2 is being Resourceful. This is a habit that we are working on developing and cultivating in our students. Enduring and persevering with challenges in learning, character and faith all support these areas to grow.

What comes to mind when you hear the words light and darkness? Throughout human history, they've been used as metaphors to describe good and evil. Part of the Learner Disposition, being Resourceful, for this term, involves the idea of making links. In 1 John, the author John links how God is light and that in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

John continues to make the point that God desires that we, humanity, be people who are joint participants in the good that He wants to achieve in this world. This good is something we are incapable of doing on our own. Why? Because to walk in the light, according to John, requires us to love one another in the way that God loves us. This love is a selfless love, a love that seeks to sacrificially care. God generously lavishes this love to those who trust in him. I ask you to consider whether you're walking in the light. Have a great weekend!

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

From the College Nurse

Respiratory Infections
With increased respiratory infections circulating the College, please keep your child home if they are unwell. What could seem like a mild 'head cold' could lead to something more serious, such as Influenza or other Respiratory Viruses. We have also had cases of Mycoplasma Pneumonia - also known as Walking Pneumonia, which is common among school-aged children and can cause your child to become quite unwell.

Keeping your child home when unwell will help reduce the spread of infection and keep students and staff at the College well. For more information please see the links below from NSW Health.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-viruses.aspx

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mycoplasma-pneumoniae.aspx

Please Be Nut Aware
We have many students at Wollondilly with food allergies, some can be severe including anaphylaxis. You can help support students with food allergies or those who are at risk of Anaphylaxis in the following ways:

Educate your child about food allergies so they understand why they should only eat their own food and why they should not share their food with other students
Ensure your child's lunchbox and drink bottle are clearly labelled with your child's name
Do not bring in food treats as gifts for birthdays or other special celebrations such as Christmas or Easter
Be allergy aware and do not pack any recess/lunch items that contain nuts or nut products
Encourage your child to wash their hands before and after eating
Educate your child on the importance of getting help immediately if their friend with an allergy looks sick

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

Book Club Orders Due Thursday, 20 June

The Book Club Issue 4 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 (number above).

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

WAC P&F Golf Day - Friday, 1 November

College Sponsors

Community News

Mittagong Junior Disco

Date: Saturday, 29 June
Times: 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.

LEGO Workshops

First Nations Dance Workshop

Pink High Tea McGrath Foundation - Sunday, 11 August - 11.00 am

Join us for a Memorial High Tea held at the Picton Masonic Hall. All money raised will fund specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses to ensure no one goes through breast cancer without care. Get together with eight of your friends and try to fill your own table. Wear a touch of pink or go all-out with prizes for best dressed. Bring your change purse for pink merchandise, raffles and silent auctions. Lucky door prizes to be won! Tickets are $40.00 each, please email for payment details; Pictonhightea@hotmail.com

RSVP Today

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.

Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 7 - Friday, 14 June 2024