Waratah Weekly - Term 3, Edition 3 - Friday, 16 August 2024

Term 3 Learner Dispositions

Cultivating Empathy and Active Listening in Our Students: Building a Stronger College Community
In today's rapidly changing world, developing relational skills such as empathy and active listening is more important than ever. As a College committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals, we recognise that these skills are not just nice to have—they are essential for fostering a positive and inclusive community.

Why Empathy and Listening Matter
Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is foundational to building meaningful relationships. When students practise empathy, they are better equipped to navigate the complexities of social interactions, resolve conflicts and support one another through challenges. In our College environment, this translates to a more compassionate and supportive community where students can thrive both academically and socially.

Active listening, on the other hand, goes hand in hand with empathy. It involves fully focusing on the speaker, understanding their message and responding thoughtfully. Active listening helps students to connect with their peers, understand different perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue. It is a critical skill for collaboration, problem-solving and leadership—qualities that are vital for success in the classroom and beyond.

When empathy and active listening are woven into the daily life of the College, the impact is profound. Students who feel understood and supported are more likely to engage in their learning, participate actively in College activities and develop a strong sense of belonging. This, in turn, leads to a more positive internal climate where mutual respect, collaboration, and inclusivity are the norms.

As we continue to prioritise these Relational Learner Dispositions, we are confident that our students will not only excel academically but also grow into compassionate, empathetic individuals who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Secondary News

FREE HSC Study Sessions
From Monday, 30 September to Friday, 4 October 2024, Western Sydney University will be hosting a range of online study sessions to assist students in Year 12 in their preparations for the HSC.

Delivered by highly qualified senior teachers with 24 free sessions across 15 key HSC subject areas, the sessions will include content analysis, tips and strategies, and a detailed exploration of key syllabus and curriculum areas.

Students also have the opportunity to sit a practice exam and deconstruction, with feedback and advice from experts. The HSC Study Sessions are offered in partnership with leading education services provider InspirationED, with their team of highly qualified HSC teachers and experienced markers to deliver the sessions.

To register please click here to submit the online registration form.

NESA HSC Exam Assistants
Are you interested in being employed and paid during the HSC period to supervise exams? Are you available from Tuesday, 15 October until Friday, 8 November? Please get in touch with the NESA Presiding Officer - Mrs Sam Norman on 0421644 669 for more details and to discuss eligibility

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

We're Hiring for 2024 & 2025!

We are currently seeking applications for the following roles to commence in 2025:

2025 Roles:

• HSIE Teacher 7-12
  
• Mathematics Teacher 7-12
  

For further information on any of the permanent positions, please contact Mr Geoff Adams on 02 4684 2577 or at g.adams@wac.nsw.edu.au

Primary Sports

CASA Athletics 
Well done to our WAC students who represented the College at the CASA Athletics Carnival last Thursday in Campbelltown. 

Good luck to our students representing CASA at CIS on Friday, 6 September!

CASA Football Gala Day
Along with the rest of the College, Mr Wayne was extremely proud of his undefeated Boys’ Football Team who won the CASA Football Gala Day. Victory in this Gala Day is a first for Wollondilly. Well done boys!

The Girls’ Team also gave it their best on the day as well. Well done girls! 

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

Performing Arts News

Years 5-8 HICES Music Festival 2024
On Sunday, 11 August, four students from Wollondilly attended the Years 5-8 HICES Music Festival:

• Annabel Williams (Year 8) played Violin in the String Orchestra
• Harry Goldring (Year 7) played Trombone in the Symphonic Winds
• Annalise Manning (Year 8) played Percussion in the Symphonic Winds
• Torin Ford-McGuire (Year 6) played Clarinet in the Concert Band

Annabel Williams was also selected to be a representative MC from Wollondilly, introducing the Concert Band.

The students had a fantastic time in their respective ensembles, making friends from the other 38 HICES Schools, partaking in a camp activity, Just Dance session and then travelling to the Sydney Town Hall to perform on the famous stage before family, friends and Heads of Schools. Congratulations to these students for their exemplary behaviour, performances and focused attitude on the long, tiring days. 

AMEB Results
Eli Cross recently sat his first AMEB piano exam where he received a B+ Grade for his Preliminary Exam. Congratulations to Eli on achieving this result and many thanks to Mrs Dwyer for her continued support of her students who have piano lessons here at the College.

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

Term 3 Prayer Breakfast Invitation

Amongst the business of Term 3, 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 3 Prayer Breakfast will be kicking off on Saturday, 31 August. All are welcome to join us from 8.00 am - 8.30 am for some 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 Wednesday, 22 August

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

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

Term 3 Family Chapel - Years 10-12

Our final Family Chapel of the year will be for Years 10-12 and their families. The evening will begin at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 5 September in the Warne Auditorium. 

Dinner will be available from 5.15 pm. Dinner must be pre-ordered through the Trybooking link below. 

https://www.trybooking.com/CTZEK

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

If you're able to make the night please RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au by Tuesday, 27 August. 

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 Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

WAC Country Fair - Saturday, 14 September

Save the Date!

The WAC Country Fair will be held on Saturday, 14 September and will be another great day of family fun!

Key attractions this year include:

• Pig Racing
• Agility Dogs
• Flyball Competition
• Carnival Rides
• Woodchopping
• Pony and Camels
• Medieval Knights Display
• Market Stalls
• Much much more!

From the College Chaplain

The College Learner Disposition focus for Term 3 is Relational. 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.

Are you someone who prays? What sort of expectation do you have when you pray? Do you doubt that God hears you, maybe you're not sure what you should be praying about or maybe you are discouraged because you feel as though God doesn't answer your prayers?

In 1 John 5:14-15, John makes it crystal clear as to what our expectation when we pray should be. John contends that we can be confident that God hears us. Why? The emphasis of the letter has been the assurance we can have of who Jesus is. This assurance directly impacts our prayers; because we can be confident that through Jesus, God not only hears us, but desires that we bring the things in our heart and mind to Him.

Yet the beauty of the Gospel is that as we submit our lives to Jesus, as we grow day by day in our relationship with Him we are slowly yet surely changed to be more and more like Jesus. In this process, what we desire to pray for, slowly but surely, comes into alignment with what God desires; His will. John assures us that as we pray this way, in alignment with God's will that God not only hears us, but delights in answering us.

It's all about Jesus. God opens His arms towards us through sending His son Jesus to pay the penalty our sin deserves. Because of Jesus, we can have confidence that God hears us as we call out to Him. Because of Jesus, we can enter into prayer expectantly; so the crux of the matter is our response to Jesus.

What's your response?

1 John 5:14-15  

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

Jacqueline Harvey Author Visit - Thursday, 5 September

Author, Jacqueline Harvey, will visit Years 3-6 at the College on Thursday, 5 September.  We are excited to have this amazing Australian Author visit to inspire the children to read and write their own stories. Jacqueline is the author of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof series, which have sold almost two million copies in Australia alone. 

Families are able to purchase signed copies of Jacqueline Harvey's books. Orders are made online through Larrikin House and will be delivered to the College ready for Jacqueline's visit.

Please see the instructions below.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Library News - Book Week, Friday, 23 August

Book Week Parade 2024 Years T-2
The Book Week Parade will be in Week 4, Friday, 23 August 1.15 pm under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter.  The parade is for students in T3, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.  

Students are to dress as a book character and can come to the College in their costumes. Please make sure students have warm, practical clothing that they can play in all day. College Sports shoes are to be worn and hair and jewellery need to be in line with the usual College Uniform Expectations. Please be aware that onesies have been found to be very hot to wear all day.

Parents are invited to the parade starting at 1.15 pm. Please remain in the Shelter before and during the Parade. Break 2 ends at 12.55 pm, so there is plenty of time to find a seat after the Break 2 bell. Parents are asked not to disturb students during the break.

Afternoon dismissal will be at the usual location. Parents should communicate in the College Diary if normal pick-up plans have changed for that day. 

We are looking forward to an engaging afternoon celebrating the benefits of reading!

Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge ends on 23 August. Students are encouraged to complete their Reading Logs to ensure they receive their award.

Secondary Book Review Competition
Our Book Review Competition for Book Week 2024 is open!

How to Enter
Search on the Library Catalogue for a book you have read and click on the ‘Write a Review’ section. Write your Review on Oliver between now and 15 September to have a chance to WIN!

Primary Book Week Competitions will take place during Library Lessons during Term 3.

Contact j.colombo@wac.nsw.edu.au with questions.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Yeronga Uniforms Sale

Interschool Equestrian Upcoming Events

WAC P&F Golf Day - Friday, 1 November

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

College Sponsors

Community News

Tahmoor District Cricket Club Junior Season

Southern Highlands Hockey

Wilton Greens Park Naming and Drawing Competition

Wilton Greens is running a park naming and drawing competition for its flagship local park in the middle of Stage 1. Starting 10.00 am on 23 July 2024 until 5.00 pm on 11 October 2024.

The theme for the artwork is either landscape or heritage relating to the Wollondilly Shire. The artwork must be submitted with a brief statement on the creation and inspiration behind it. The new park will be named after the winning artwork.

Three categories - one winner for each category: Public entry. Open to everyone in the area and surrounding regions, High school students and Primary school students.

Prizes:

• $500 e-gift voucher: for one overall winner (chosen from the three winners).
• $200 e-gift voucher x 2: for two winners from the other two categories.

The winning entries (all categories) will be announced and featured on the Wilton Greens Facebook and Instagram pages on 1 November 2024. T&C apply.

Please fill in your details below and upload the A4 drawing.

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSc.../viewform...

#wollondilly #parknamingcompetition #wiltongreens #sydneyhomes

Mittagong Junior Disco  

• Date: Saturday, 31 August  
• 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.  

Cubing in the Dilly - Speed Cube Australia Competition

Speed Cube Australia will be hosting a competition at the College on Saturday, 31 August in the Warne Auditorium. Competition registration is now open and filling fast!

Events:

• 2x2
• 3x3
• Clock
• Pyraminx
• Skewb

Please contact Bill at b.norman@wac.nsw.edu.au for more information.

Click here to register

Cedar Creek Orchard Jobs

Cedar Creek Orchard in Thirlmere is looking for casual workers this Summer during their picking and packing season, this would suit motivated and proactive Senior students after finishing for the year. You will work as a casual along-side trained staff and need to be diligent with a good attitude towards physical work outside in the Orchard. There are options for both weekday and some weekend work, weekend workers will need to have good customer service skills and able to work both independently and in a team environment. Perfect for the Summer break before starting university. There is also potential for longer term casual employment for the right people. For more information please call 4681 8457, or to apply, it is best to visit the orchard to fill in an application form. 

In College Guitar Tuition

Positions are available for Guitar Tuition at Wollondilly Anglican College. Classical/Acoustic/Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar.

Dan Wilms has been teaching guitar for over 25 years throughout Canberra, the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly. Dan has also worked with many bands in these local areas and has years of experience performing both on the Guitar and Bass Guitar. 

Dan teaches to inspire and nurture a lifelong relationship with music. He has also coordinated and mentored many local youths into bands and ensembles that are now successful professionals in the music industry. Dan tailors lessons to each individual, drawing upon the student’s interests. Lessons include a mixture of informal and formal graded material.

Enquire Now to start your Guitar or Bass Guitar Journey.

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