Waratah Weekly - Term 3, Edition 6 - Friday, 6 September 2024

WAC Country Fair - Saturday, 14 September

The WAC Country Fair will be held on Saturday, 14 September from 10.00 am and will be another great day of family fun!

Key attractions this year include:

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

Unlimited Rides Wristband!

Included Rides:

• Dodgem Cars
• Tea Cups
• Gladiator Duel
• Soccer Shoot Out
• Giant Slide
• Sizzler
• Round Up
• Super Hero
• Wind Jammer
• Tiki Island Inflatable
• Children's Chair-O-Plane
• Camel and Pony Rides
• Animal Farmyard
• Big Balls Wipeout
• Mega Obstacle Course
  

Wristbands are to be collected from 9.00 am under the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Shelter at the rides tent on the day.

Want to help?

With the Country Fair continuing to expand each year, we rely on College parent/carer volunteers to help run our biggest fundraiser of the year. If you can give up even an hour of your time, we would greatly appreciate your help.

Teaching & Learning 7-12

Year 11 Exams
Year 11 start their End of Preliminary Course Exams on Thursday, 12 September. Students are reminded that these will be held in the Warne Auditorium and on some of the Exam days, students will return to regular class after their exam. We pray that they all will do their best. A copy of the Exam Timetable has been issued to students and can also be found on the Year 11 CANVAS Page.

Singapore 2025
A reminder that the College is looking to travel to Singapore Anglican High again in 2025. There are two avenues of entry:

1. A Performing Arts element (Music, Dance or Drama) 
2. A 'Future-Focused Project'

Students in Year 9 2025 and above should discuss their interest in attending with Mr Grant or myself. Travel will occur at the end of Term 2 2025 and will include some of the Term 2 Break. The trip will be approximately eight days in length. Rehearsals and work on the activities will generally be every fortnight, starting in 2025. 

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Free Holiday Study Sessions at Campbelltown Library

Performing Arts News

Country Fair Groups Schedule
A variety of our College Performing Arts groups will be performing at the WAC Country Fair under the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Shelter on the stage next weekend. Permission notes have been sent home via the College App and an information note has been emailed to parents for each group advising of meeting places and times (where/when parents are to drop their children and which staff they are to meet, uniform requirements and what they need to bring to the event). 

• All Primary Groups are to wear Sports Jacket and Pants (with relevant dance attire underneath if applicable)
• All Secondary Dance Groups will change into costumes when they arrive at the Johnson Studio
• All Secondary Music Groups will wear the regular College Uniform
• If they are in multiple Groups, they will need to refer to the schedule below to know which uniform components they will need to wear and when

• Opening of the Fair 10.00 am
• College Band and Primary Band 10.15 am
• College Strings, Primary Strings, College Bucketz and String Quartet 11.00 am
• College Choir, Primary Choir (3-6) and Stage 1 Choir (1-2) 12.00 pm
• Primary Dance (Stage 3) and Primary Dance (Stage 2) - 12.30 pm
• Dance Company 1.00 pm
• Primary Pom and Secondary Cheer 1.30 pm
• Stage 5A Elective Dance 2.15 pm
  

Scattered throughout these times, there will be soloists and small groups performing. Some students have already advised Mr Hopkins and I that they are keen to perform. Mr Hopkins and I are speaking with these students and getting their time preferences in place soon.

Dance Company - Eisteddfod
Parents of Dance Company students would be aware of an upcoming competition opportunity. Students will be competing in the Energy Express Dance Eisteddfod in the Boronia Showroom, Saints Sports Club in St Marys next Sunday, 8 September. A permission note was sent via the College App. We wish them well as they compete.

Talent Quest
On Monday this week, we announced that we are now accepting entries for the annual Talent Quest occurring on Friday, 27 September (the last day of Term 3). Entry forms have been emailed to all students in Years 5-11 and have also appeared in Broadcasts. Entries can be either solo or small group-based. 

We also announced the new House Based ‘Just Dance’ competition aspect of the Talent Quest. House Captains are seeking keen dancers to lead their House in a ‘Just Dance’ routine in which all students in their Houses will also participate. We are certainly looking forward to an exciting Talent Quest this year!

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

Year 12 Drama

Congratulations to our HSC Drama students who completed their performance examinations today. They all achieved personal bests. This marks the completion of all Major Works for our subject. Well done Year 12 Drama!

Mrs Sarah Talbot
Leader of Learning - Creative Arts & LOTE

Student Success - Aaliyah Ross - Cheerleading

In May of this year, Aaliyah was chosen to represent her gym at the GC Global Games in Hawaii. Competing in two teams and divisions, Aaliyah’s Level Three Junior team earned a Silver medal in their division while her Level Four Senior team took home the Gold, earning the title of World Champions for 2024. Aaliyah and her teams competed against teams from Canada, the USA, New Zealand, England, Australia, Japan and China. Both Aaliyah and her teams put in tremendous effort to achieve these remarkable results. The experience was outstanding, and Aaliyah will always treasure these memories and achievements, knowing that her hard work and dedication made them possible. Well done Aaliyah! This is a monumental achievement!

MISA Youth of the Year

Last Thursday, Natasha Parasher and Tapiwa Garakasha of Year 9 took part in the MISA Youth of the Year competition held at St Benedict’s Catholic College. The competition focuses on the student’s awareness and understanding of current affairs. Natasha and Tapiwa competed against 23 other students from Year 9 across 12 other schools. The day started off with students being interviewed by a panel of members from the Campbelltown Toastmasters Club on different issues, particularly issues that have an impact on our State and the local community.

Students then had to deliver a three-minute speech on a topic of their choosing – Natasha spoke about the impact of social media and Tapiwa spoke about the resistance to change that people can feel in different situations.

I am very proud of the way both Natasha and Tapiwa spoke and addressed their issues. They are to be commended for their efforts and how they represented the College.

Mr Josh Stewart
Secondary Maths Teacher/Year 9 Patron

Industrial Technology Invitation

Over the past 12 months, HSC students in the Industrial Technology course have been Designing and Producing their Major Works. The externally marked project comprises a significant part of their overall result for the subject. The students have spent many hours above and beyond what is required to complete their projects to a very high standard.

I would like to extend a personal invitation to all parents and students in Years 9 to 11 who may have an interest in either Industrial Technology Furnishings or Multimedia to come to an exhibition of the completed Major Works.

When: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Time: 5.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Location: Deakin 2 and Deakin 3

At this Exhibition, you can speak to the students, look in detail at the completed projects, ask questions and
potentially fuel a desire to create an equally impressive project in the years to come. By this time the
projects will be marked and as a result, you can even take photos.

Please come and join us to see what hard work and determination can produce!

Dr Shane Smiltnieks
TAS Teacher

We're Hiring!

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

• Leader of Care & Culture Stage 5 (Leadership 2 Position)
  
• English Teacher 7-12
  
• HSIE 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

‘MyTech’ Loan Devices

There may be times when a student’s device is damaged, not functioning properly or is reaching a point of obsolescence. To ensure that students do not miss out on important learning opportunities, the College has a limited number of Loan Devices that students may borrow. For a student to borrow a Loan Device, they will need to fill out a ‘MyTech’ Student Loan Agreement.

A handwritten note from a parent is not sufficient as it is important that you are aware of the terms of the loan before we loan out a device. 

This agreement can be picked up from Student Reception or downloaded from the ‘MyTech’ website http://mytech.wac.nsw.edu.au/devices.php and needs to be signed by both the parent and student. This agreement then needs to be presented at Student Reception where, if available, a device will be loaned for a period of two weeks. This program has been a great help to many students and it is vital that students take proper care of the devices so that they can be used by other students after them. This means that if a device is damaged while in a student’s possession, they will be required to pay for the cost of repairs. Once a student’s device has been repaired, the Loan Device needs to be promptly returned to Student Reception.

If you have any further questions about this or any other ‘MyTech’ issue please do not hesitate to send these to mytech@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mr Craig Russell
Secondary Learning Innovations Coordinator

Year 9 Food Technology

Students in Year 9 Food Technology are currently working through their unit on Food for Special Occasions. As part of this, they have had the opportunity to delve into the different ways people celebrate around the world; through religious or cultural traditions, social celebrations or historical observances. This week, we tried our hand at making fortune cookies. We investigated the significance of these sweet treats as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. The most surprising thing (other than some of the crazy messages made by students to pop into the cookies) was that fortune cookies were originally based on a traditional Japanese sweet, adapted for Chinese restaurants in San Francisco USA!

The students had a great time baking (and working out how to fold) these; but even more so, getting to swap with friends… and Mrs Rockwell during her guest appearance!

Miss Emily Bailey
TAS Teacher

2024 Leavers & Sibling Applications

Students Leaving at the End of 2024
If your child will not be continuing on at the College in 2025, written notice must be provided by the end of Term 3 so that your bond may be refunded (if applicable) and you avoid the Term 1, 2025 fees and charges, as agreed upon in the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.

Should you have any further general queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on 02 4684 2722 or at enrolments@wac.nsw.edu.au.

Year 7 & Transition 2026 Sibling Applications
Applications have already begun to be reviewed for places for Year 7 2026. If your child is in this cohort, please send in their application ASAP to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and siblings are not guaranteed spots. If your child is already enrolled at the College, they do not need to apply.

We are also continuing to experience high demand for our Transition (Pre-Kindergarten) program. We encourage all siblings who are in the cohort for Transition 2026 to submit their applications now to again avoid disappointment.

Our Kindergarten entry year is trending to have less and less available places due to the numbers in Transition, so we do encourage you to apply for Transition if suitable for your child. Again, places are limited and siblings are not guaranteed spots.

Application For Enrolment
As a general note, applications continue to come in for 2025 and beyond, across all Year Groups.

All current College families looking to enrol siblings for the coming years are encouraged to do so without delay to avoid disappointment. Just a reminder again, if your child is already enrolled at the College, they do not need to apply.

Enrolment information and the online application form are available on the website here www.wac.nsw.edu.au/enrolments

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Enrolments Team should you have any questions.

Mrs Madilyn Shelley
Enrolments Officer

Asthma Week

Asthma week is from 1-7 September. Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in children. Asthma can impact a student’s ability to participate fully in College life, from classroom activities to playground fun. 1 in 9 Australians live with Asthma. 

Asthma Australia have great new resources to help support carers of those who have Asthma at https://asthma.org.au/

Asthma Australia also has Asthma Educators available to talk one-on-one. They are trained to assist you in better understanding asthma in a way that’s both helpful and easy to understand. Book a call today: 1800 ASTHMA 

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

Jacqueline Harvey Author Visit

Author Jacqueline Harvey visited the College this week and spoke to students in Years 3-6.

There is still time to purchase some signed copies of her books. See the details below.

Sign up to Jacqueline’s Newsletter: www.jacquelineharvey.com.au

Check out her Podcast: Real Stories with Random Writers, with Jacqueline Harvey, R.A. Spratt and Tim Harris

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

P&F Transition Fundraiser - Opens 9 September

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.

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.

Current Specials!! All Summer items 10% off for the remainder of Term 3 (excluding new items).

Please note, the Clothing Pool will be open for COUNTRY FAIR all day where we will offer 10% off EVERYTHING!!

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! Volunteering for 45 minutes just 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

Interschool Equestrian Upcoming Events

College Sponsors

Community News

Camden Park House & Garden Spring Open Weekend

HammondCare Volunteers

Spread Joy, by joining our volunteer team
The HammondCare Volunteer program is a great way for you to make a meaningful difference in the life of an older person, right here in the Wollondilly Shire. 

From sport to art, pets to gardening, walking to enjoying a chat, movies to music, coffee to crosswords… whatever you love, you can share it with someone who loves it too. 

If you are over 18, you could be a Volunteer Social Visitor who could provide companionship and meaningful social interaction for older people. 

Volunteering can be a rewarding experience, both for the person you visit as well as yourself. Regular visits from volunteers can help to improve quality of life and help people feel less isolated.

HammondCare is an independent Christian charity and we're passionate about improving the quality of life for people in need. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who partner with us to enhance the lives of people cared for by HammondCare.

For further information about volunteering at HammondCare, you can go to our website, email or give us a call and our friendly Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Dani will be there to help you.

https://www.hammond.com.au/volunteer

1800 79 33 99 or volunteer@hammond.com.au

Passport Pursuit Wollondilly

https://shorturl.at/2Ya3i

Go4Fun Free 10-Week Program

Dear Wingecarribee Schools and Parents

Go4Fun by NSW Health is a FREE program for children aged 7-13 years to enjoy.

And it’s coming to Flip Out Mittagong.

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

Family Fun Day at the Parliament

Free family fun at the Parliament of New South Wales

Friday, 11 October 9.30 am to 3.00 pm

Visit us at Australia’s oldest Parliament as it opens its doors for Family Fun Day, an open day packed with fun educational activities for families with children aged from 4 to 12 years. This year’s highlights include:

• Visiting our heritage chambers
• Giving a speech for an election campaign
• Participating in a committee role-play
• Enjoying live music
• Making craft animals and objects
• Learning how to vote   

Entry is free and the event will be held at NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie Street Sydney. Please use this link to search for directions and public transport options to Parliament House.

Here are the correct links.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-family-fun-day-at-parliament-of-nsw-tickets-1008060896277

Family Fun Day 2024 (nsw.gov.au)

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.