Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 10 - Friday, 4 April 2025

From the Headmaster

The upcoming Federal election presents significant considerations for families who are choosing to educate their children within the Independent school sector.
In light of this, I would like to let our families know about the "School Choice Counts" campaign, a national initiative undertaken by Independent Schools Australia.

The biggest concern this campaign wishes to highlight is that reductions in government funding allocated to non-government schools may necessitate further increases in school fees. It is my firm belief that families should not incur financial disadvantage as a consequence of selecting the educational environment deemed most suitable for their child's individual needs.

I believe it is helpful for families to understand the stated policy positions of the major political parties, as well as those of any individuals or parties who may hold a position of influence in the event of a hung parliament.

Please be assured that this communication does not constitute an endorsement of any particular political party. Rather, my intention is to ensure that you are well-informed regarding the education policies of these parties. For your consideration, I have provided below publicly available statements from spokespeople representing the Labor Party, the Coalition and the Greens, summarising their positions on Independent schools.

PARTY POSITIONS

Labor (Senator Deborah O’Neill)
"Labor stands with Independent schools and the invaluable work they do, particularly in supporting vulnerable students. The idea that Independent schools are ‘castles’ is nonsense—most are modest, community-focused, and provide critical outreach and learning pathways. We don’t believe in pitting one sector against another—every child matters."

Coalition (Senator Sarah Henderson)
"The Greens have made it clear they want to defund Independent schools entirely—calling them ‘leeches’ on public education. This is an outrageous attack on school choice and family freedom. A Dutton government will stand strong for non-government schools and ensure families aren’t penalised for their choices."

Greens (Senator Penny Allman-Payne)
“The Australian private school system is a leech on public education. It doesn’t ‘take pressure’ off the public system—it sucks resources and students from it. And they get to play by their own rules… Labor should immediately end government overfunding of wealthy private schools and redirect that money to public schools.”

I am well aware of the sacrifice that many parents make to send their children to a school that is right for them. I also understand that there are many factors to consider as we approach this coming election. As previously noted, I do not wish to encourage a vote for any particular party, but I do hope that this information is helpful as you consider how you may vote. 

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Secondary Years News

Learning
The implementation of Senior Study Evening for Years 11-12 running from 4.30 pm - 7.00 pm weekly has been highly successful with consistently strong attendance since its inception.

In preparation for Term 2, students and parents of Years 11 and 12 are asked to consider and commit to attendance at Senior Study Evening. This initiative will be a valuable contributor to our Thematic Goal which is focused on embedding a culture of academic achievement, thus more students are encouraged to sign up and commit to this program.

The expectation is that students commit to the term and a small cost of $6.00 per week will be charged to the College fees of those students whose parents provide permission for them to attend.

7-12 Homework Club
In a similar vein, the Years 7-12 Homework Club runs weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm. Parents are asked to provide permission for their child to attend and more students are welcome and encouraged to use this resource. There are a number of staff from different key learning areas available to provide support to students during this time. 

Care 
One of the key College expectations that students are regularly reminded of is the importance of showing care and respect to others. The College has a focus on reminding students to show care for themselves, others, staff and the environment. This is a great framework for students for life. Students are reminded that both in relation to personal communication that they have with others or communication via digital platforms respectful and appropriate communication is expected. Thanks to parents for reinforcing this expectation with our students, students that demonstrate and reflect character that prioritises caring and respectful relationships show strong alignment with the expectations of our College. In this area, people do not always get it right. The College encourages ownership and accountability in these areas and a focus on repairing or restoring instances where care and respect have not been shown. 

In the area of online communication, students and parents are reminded of changes that have been implemented as of December 2024, the Australian Parliament enacting the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, establishing a mandatory minimum age of 16 for creating accounts on specified social media platforms. This legislation aims to protect young Australians during critical stages of their development by restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X (formerly known as Twitter). These platforms in particular have been identified as problematic for those under 16 due to a combination of psychological, social and developmental factors. The impact of these platforms on young people has a variety of implications most notably mental health risks, body image and self-esteem, cyberbullying and harassment, exposure to inappropriate content and online predators and privacy risks. Social media has many positive benefits, however, for those under 16, the ability to navigate these safely and the potential impacts are clear and need to be considered.

Culture 
On Friday 28 March, students in the Secondary Years engaged in a House Day with a number of challenges. This is the first in what will be a regular occurrence throughout this year and beyond. In challenging weather conditions, the day was modified, allowing for students to show their generosity in support of our Year 11 Camp Mission Partner - Hope Street Mission and to donate to a coin line that was formed by their House Captains. Further, each team put together two trivia teams that competed during the breaks in a range of categories. 

The day was supposed to start with a House Meeting for all the Houses, this will be a feature of the days moving forward, giving time with the House groups together to plan for and continue to develop House Spirit.

In Term 2, Week 3, there will be a range of academic-based challenges that students are currently signing up to participate in, along with a House Soccer Competition that will take place during break times.

The results are below:

Secondary House Day Challenge

Coin Line 

1st - Grevillea - 9.42m - 100 points
2nd - Wollemi - 5.51m - 80 points
3rd - Sollya - 4.87m - 60 points
4th - Telopea - 4.60 m - 40 points
5th - Acacia - 3.27m - 20 points

Amount Raised

1st - Grevillea - $179.60 - 100 points
2nd - Telopea - $152.90 - 80- points
3rd - Wollemi - $141.80 - 60 points
4th - Sollya - $116.20 - 40 points
5th - Acacia - $109.90 - 20 points

Total Money Raised

$700.40

Trivia

1. Acacia - 77
2. Wollemi - 66
3. Telopea - 65
4. Sollya - 64
5. Grevillea - 63

Final point scores from the day below

1. Grevillea - 263
2. Wollemi - 206
3. Telopea - 185
4. Sollya - 164
5. Acacia - 117

A big thanks to the House Captains and Staff House Champions for their involvement in the lead-up to and on the day.

Secondary Happenings - Week 11

• Wednesday, 9 April - Secondary Formal Assembly
• Wednesday, 9 April - MISA Drama PIP Day
• Thursday, 10 April - Year 11 SLR Bronze Medallion Course
• Friday, 11 April - 7-12 Cross Country
• Friday, 11 April - Easter Chapel Period 6

Mr Liam Toland
Head of Secondary Years

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Director of Teaching & Learning Years 7-12

Vocabulary
Across the College, we have had a focus on developing students' critical literacy skills and during Term 1 we have focused on developing student vocabulary through different tiered words. Increasing vocabulary is crucial as it enhances communication, comprehension and critical thinking. There is also a strong link to various research that shows and supports how vocabulary can improve academic standards. A summary of the research is shown below: 

1. Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension
   The National Reading Panel (2000) found a strong correlation between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. Students with a richer vocabulary understand texts more easily and perform better in reading assessments.
   Stahl & Nagy (2006) emphasised that vocabulary knowledge is not just about knowing word meanings but also about making connections between words, contexts, and ideas.
2. The "Matthew Effect" on Learning
   Research by Stanovich (1986) introduced the “Matthew Effect” in reading: students with strong vocabulary skills continue to improve (rich get richer), while those with weak vocabulary fall further behind (poor get poorer). This gap affects long-term academic performance, making early vocabulary development crucial.
3. Active vs Passive Vocabulary Learning
   Studies (Beck, McKeown & Kucan, 2002) show that students learn vocabulary best through active engagement - such as using words in context, discussing meanings and applying them in different situations - rather than just memorisation. Repeated exposure to words in varied contexts strengthens retention (Nagy & Scott, 2000).
4. The Role of Morphology and Word Roots
   Teaching students about word roots, prefixes, and suffixes helps them decode unfamiliar words (Bowers & Kirby, 2010). Morphological awareness (understanding word structure) improves vocabulary acquisition and overall literacy.
5. The Impact of Direct and Indirect Instruction
   Research (Graves, 2006) suggests that vocabulary should be taught through a mix of direct instruction (explicitly teaching new words) and indirect methods (reading widely, discussing new words, and engaging in conversations). Reading a variety of texts is one of the most effective ways to build vocabulary naturally (Cunningham & Stanovich, 1998).
6. Vocabulary and Academic Success
   A study by Hart & Risley (1995) found that early exposure to rich vocabulary significantly impacts later academic achievement. Children from word-rich environments enter school with a higher vocabulary, giving them an advantage in learning.

Students with strong vocabulary skills score higher on standardized tests (Tannenbaum, Torgesen & Wagner, 2006).
Key Takeaways from Research:

✔ Vocabulary is critical for reading comprehension and academic achievement.
✔ Students need repeated exposure and active engagement with words.
✔ Morphological awareness and contextual learning enhance vocabulary acquisition.
✔ Early vocabulary development affects long-term success.

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Secondary Formal Assembly Performing Arts

In Week 11, a series of events will be occurring including students from a range of Performing Arts areas. Outlined below are the students/ensembles involved in the following events; 

Secondary Formal Assembly - Wednesday, 9 April 

• College Band
• Year 9 Dance Elective
• Annabel Williams (Year 9)
• Secondary Cheer
• WAC Crew/Year 11 Entertainment

Easter Chapel - Friday, 11 April 

• Year 11 Dance Elective
• WAC Crew/Year 11 Entertainment

We look forward to these performances and celebrations.

Miss Kara Valente
Secondary Dance Teacher
Year 11 Patron/ Acting Secondary Performing Arts Coordinator

We're Hiring!

We are currently seeking applications for the Leader of Learning - English role to commence in 2025:

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

P&F Mother's Day Stall

ANZAC Services

Why Wollondilly Anglican College students should get involved in ANZAC Services
ANZAC Day, Friday, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Forces during the First World War. 

The Australian and New Zealand Forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman-Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied Forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died in the campaign. 

Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of the Australian and New Zealand Forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy. What became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future. 

On ANZAC Day we remember their blood trodden into the mud of a foreign land. We remember their sacrifice and we remember the sacrifice of many more who fought and died in other wars. We should be grateful. And while we don’t glorify war, we should remember the sacrifice of those who went before us. One of the ways we can show our gratitude and appreciation is by attending one of the many Dawn Services that are available throughout our community.

There are many ANZAC services in our community including:

• Picton

• Camden

• Bargo

• Mittagong

• Thirlmere

• Appin

Students are encouraged to attend a service in their local communities either in the lead-up to or on ANZAC Day. The College will have staff representatives at a number of the services and students are encouraged to attend in full Winter Uniform as College representatives and to pay their respects.

Mr Timothy Clarke
Leader of Learning - HSIE

P&F Clothing Pool

The Clothing Pool offers a selection of pre-loved uniform items from Transition to Year 12 at excellent prices. We also stock new ties, socks and Sports hats 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.

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

Platinum Sponsors

• SIMEC Tahmoor Coking Coal
• Little Elves Childcare Centre
• LOWES

Gold Sponsors

• PB Catering
• Prestige Landscape & Construction

Silver Sponsors

• Picton Eyecare
• Kwik Kopy Macarthur
• Momenta Advisors
• Thornton Bros Roses

Bronze Sponsors

• Narellan Pools
  
• Breakaway Education
• NSW Rail Museum
  
• ESP Security

Community News

Mittagong Junior Disco  

• Date: Saturday, 26 April   
• Times: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
• Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong
• Cost: $5.00
• Ages: 0-14

Please note that 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.

PCYC Driver Training

The PCYC Safer Driver program runs locally each month. There is also an opportunity for any Wollondilly Shire residents to be enrolled under a grant for the shire and attend at no cost to them

UYGM Cricket Academy