Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 7 - Friday, 13 June 2025

From the Headmaster - Our Future Together

Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Wollondilly Anglican College Together
As a strong and growing community, Wollondilly Anglican College is constantly looking to the future, ensuring we continue to provide an exceptional, Christ-centred education for every student. With this in mind, we are excited to announce that we are embarking on a comprehensive review and refinement of our College's Strategic Plan, guiding our direction from 2026 to 2028.

Our enduring vision for Wollondilly Anglican College is clear: to be the College of Choice for families in our region. This vital strategic planning process will build upon the strong foundations of our current plan, focusing on the refinement and enhancement of our core pillars of Learning, Care and Culture.

Under Learning, we are dedicated to providing high-quality teaching in every classroom and every lesson, so that all students experience consistently high levels of academic growth. Our Care pillar is driven by our aim for every student to be nurtured, feel connected to teachers and peers and experience the safe, loving community that Jesus calls us to provide. Furthermore, through our Culture, we are committed to supporting all staff and students within a Christ-centred community, empowering them to achieve their potential and contribute to the continued high expectations of the College. These fundamental areas underpin everything we do at WAC.

The strength of Wollondilly Anglican College lies in its community and as we look to the next exciting chapter, the insights and perspectives of our staff, students and parent community will be invaluable. We believe that by working together, we can ensure WAC remains a place where students thrive, grow in faith and are prepared for a purposeful future.

We look forward to sharing more details about this journey and future opportunities for engagement in the coming weeks. We are excited about the possibilities ahead and are confident that, with your partnership, the future of Wollondilly Anglican College will be brighter than ever.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Key Dates - Term 2, Week 8

From the Deputy Headmaster

A Friendly Reminder About College Attendance
At the College, we're committed to helping every student make the most of their educational journey. A crucial part of this is consistent attendance. We want to remind all parents and guardians about the importance of regular College attendance and the requirements under the Education Act 1990.

Under this legislation, there are specific reasons considered acceptable for a student to be absent or partially absent from the College. These include:

• Being sick or having an infectious disease
• Having an unavoidable medical appointment
• Being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• Exceptional or urgent family circumstances (e.g. attending a funeral)

We understand that genuine situations arise, and we generally accept the reasons provided by parents in good faith. However, for frequent absences, we may request written documentation to support the reason.

Our goal is to work in partnership with you to support your child in maximising their learning opportunities at the College. Consistent attendance is key to their success, allowing them to fully engage with lessons, participate in College activities and build strong connections with their peers and teachers.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance, please don't hesitate to contact the College Office. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive and productive learning environment for all our students.

Mr Paul Burns
Deputy Headmaster

Secondary News

Learning Assessment of Thematic Goal Progress - Embed a Culture of Academic Achievement
All Secondary students recently completed a survey to assist us in assessing our progress with the thematic goal for 2025. In the survey, students were asked to rate our progress in the varying areas that we use at the College to frequently assess our progress. I would like to thank all of the Secondary students for their feedback in relation to the information collected. It has reinforced a number of important aspects that are making strong progress, supporting the strengthening of a culture of academic achievement. In other areas, it has provided assistance and direction in terms of areas in which the College can continue to grow both in the short and long term. The areas that were assessed included:

• Teachers encourage students to reflect on their engagement in their learning
• Teachers have a focus on vocabulary as part of lessons
• Teachers support students to be prepared for learning
• Teachers guiding expectations relating to working collaboratively with others
• Teachers regularly assess learning with quizzes, reviews and exit tickets
• Teachers provide feedback on my progress and encourage me to reflect on my learning
• Teachers regularly set and check homework
• Most lessons have the elements of Explicit Instruction
• Teachers know me and have high expectations of me and their classes
• Teachers have helped me set and track goals related to vocabulary

From the feedback our students have provided, I want to encourage our staff. The reflections of our students in the above areas indicate that these areas are readily observable in their teachers. This is encouraging as all are vital in making progress in our thematic goal this year and represent elements of quality teaching practice, as well as great support for the development of strong learning habits.

Care 
At Wollondilly Anglican College, our commitment to student well-being is fundamental to everything we do. We expect that every student feels safe and supported within our College environment. This means fostering an atmosphere where students can focus on their learning, confident that they are in a secure and respectful space. Our staff are dedicated to providing the necessary guidance and assistance, ensuring that students feel heard and valued. Creating this supportive community allows each student to thrive academically and personally.  

Culture
Involvement in co-curricular activities plays a vital role in enriching the overall culture of our College. Beyond the classroom, these activities provide opportunities for students to connect with peers and staff who share similar interests, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and community. At the College, there are many opportunities in this space, many with a sporting, performance, creative, academic, challenge or service focus. Involvement in these activities helps to develop essential skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication in practical, engaging settings. This shared pursuit of passions and collective achievement builds College spirit, promotes healthy competition and encourages a supportive environment where students feel valued and empowered to contribute to something larger than themselves.  

House Soccer Match Results - Week 7:

• Wollemi 4-2 Telopea - MVP Liam Gospel
• Acacia 1-1 Grevillea - MVP William Norman

House Soccer Matches - Week 8:

• Sollya vs Wollemi - Break 1
• Telopea vs Grevillea - Break 2

Students who are playing in these matches will receive an email to advise them of their selection and to wear their House Shirt and PE Uniform for the day

Athletics Carnival
The Athletics Carnival is coming up on Friday, 20 June. All students must be wearing House Shirts on this day. It is not a day to be wearing the regular White College Sports Polo Shirt. If you need to purchase one prior to this time, there is limited stock available at the Uniform Shop or at Lowes.

Mr Liam Toland
Head of Secondary Years

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Primary Open Afternoon - 3 July

On Thursday, 3 July from 2.30 pm - 3.15 pm, Primary classrooms will be open with students' work on display. Students may take their parents through the classroom to look at their displayed work. Parents should keep all their children with them throughout their visits to the classrooms. We look forward to sharing the great learning happening in Primary.

Ms Jacqui Huxtable 
Head of Primary Years

Director of Teaching & Learning Years 7-12

Year 8 into Year 9 Seminars and Information Evening
Our Year 8 students will attend a Subject Selection Information Session on Thursday, 19 June. Parents will be invited to an Information Evening in the Warne Auditorium on the same night at 6.00 pm. They will hear about various subjects and options and will have the opportunity to talk to the Leaders of Learning in each area.

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Primary Performing Arts Showcase Afternoon

The Primary Performing Arts Showcase Afternoon on Friday, 20 June, from 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm is fast approaching! Students from the following groups will be performing at the Showcase:

• Stage 1 Dance
• Stage 2 Dance
• Stage 3 Dance
• K-2 Choir
• 3-6 Choir
• Bucketz
• Junior Bucketz (Kindergarten)
• Primary Pom
• Primary Strings.

So that we have an idea of numbers and seating requirements, please indicate your intention (including performers) to attend through the link below. There will be a BBQ dinner afterwards for those able to stay. Please indicate on the booking how many people will be staying for a sausage sandwich. 

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

TASC Choral Festival
Last week, a group of our talented students attended the Primary Choral Festival, held at Thomas Hassall Anglican College. We set off together by bus, and once there, we spent the day immersed in music, participating in two informative sessions with guest conductors. One session focused on breathing techniques and understanding how our muscles work to support comfortable singing, while the other brought all the junior choirs from various schools together to learn a new song in preparation for a combined item in the evening performance.

Our students proudly represented the College, showing excellent behaviour and great courage as they performed on stage in front of a large audience. It was a fantastic experience and they should all be commended for their effort and enthusiasm.

Thanks to Mrs Manning for filling in on short notice to conduct the choir on the day.

The evening concert showcased some truly amazing choirs and it was great to have our students amongst them. It was wonderful and inspiring to see so many young voices coming together and just enjoying singing. We're looking forward to next year!

If you have any questions about our choirs, please send me an email. 

Mr David Hopkins
Performing Arts Coordinator T-6

Creative Arts & Languages

Secondary Performing Arts Showcase Night - Tonight!
On Friday, 13 June, our Secondary Co-Curricular Performing Arts Groups and Ensembles will be performing at our Secondary Showcase Evening in the Warne Auditorium, alongside some of our Music Tuition students. Selected Visual Arts practical works will also be exhibited. Parents of performers should have received a permission note for this event via the College app. It details the event organisation in a more fulsome way. The extended College community is also able to come along and watch performances from 5.30 pm. We are hoping that the evening will conclude by 7:15.

Groups involved include:

• Dance Company
• Secondary Cheer
• Dance Soloists
• Music Soloists
• Vocal Performance Team
• College Band
• Colege Strings
• VET Entertainment

Mrs Sarah Talbot
Leader of Learning Creative Arts & Languages / Performing Arts Coordinator 7-12

Da Vinci Decathlon, HICES Debating & Other Competitions

Da Vinci Decathlon
Our Year 5 and Year 6 Da Vinci teams each performed very well. This is a challenge day with 20 other schools in the Illawarra region competing, where students are presented with challenges associated with 10 different learning disciplines. The areas include: English, Mathematics, Science, Cartography, Ideation, Engineering, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Legacy and Creative Producers.  We were fortunate to have been placed with the following results:  

Year 5

• 3rd- English 
• 6th- Cartography
• 8th- Mathematics
• 8th- Legacy
• 9th- Creative Producers

Year 6

• 5th- Art and Poetry
• 9th- Cartography

Well done to all of the students on these achievements.

Debating
This year, we had two teams mixed from Years 5 and 6 participate in the HICES Debating Competition, held against many schools from around NSW, via Zoom.

Our debating skills continue to improve every year, with one of our teams winning two out of three debates in the preliminary rounds while the other team has won three out of three debates.

This week, we are pleased to have heard that one of our teams has made it through to the knockout round of 32 teams. This is a great achievement and we wish these students well as they prepare for their next round.

Upcoming competitions
All students from Years 1 to 6 are welcome to submit original writing pieces for the following competitions:

• Dorothea MacKellar poetry competition - entries close June 30 - https://dorothea.com.au/

• Write On competition- entries close June 20. https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/awards-and-events/writeon-competition#toc-writeon-2025

For any further information, please email me at - s.mcintosh@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mr Stuart McIntosh
Advanced Learning & Learning Support Coordinator T-6

Little Wing Puppets - The Fish That Wanted to Fly

On Tuesday, 12 June, students from Transition to Year Two were treated to a wonderful one-person puppet show called The Fish That Wanted to Fly, presented by Little Wing Puppets.

In the story, a little fish, being distracted by the many wonders of her lagoon, is left behind by her school and braves various adventures and predators in order to regain her friends and meet them in the ocean.

The children were enthralled by the plot, the music and of course the puppets and listened, rapt with attention!

Mrs Deborah Reid
Primary Library Teacher

Year 7 Vaccinations

The Year 7 Vaccination Clinic will be taking place next Thursday, 19 June.

Students will be offered Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa) as well as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

Students have permission to wear their College Sports Uniform on the day. 

These vaccinations will only be administered if consent is given, which is now done online. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Consent is to be given online via the NSW Health portal: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage/

To provide online consent, you will need:

• Your Service NSW log-in details
• Medicare card details for you and your child

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

College Photo Day - Thursday, 26 June

The College Photo Day will be held on Thursday, 26 June for Transition (2-Day) - Year 12 in the Warne Auditorium (Secondary) and in the Deakin classrooms (Primary). 

Transition 3-Day classes will have their photos taken on Friday, 27 June, in the Deakin classrooms.

Students are to wear their full College Winter Uniform and adhere to the College Uniform Guidelines found in the Diary. Failure to comply with the College Uniform Guidelines may result in the student not having their photo taken on the day.

Sibling photos will be captured during Breaks 1 & 2 on Thursday, 26 June.
Break 1 - Surnames A-L
Break 2 - Surnames M-Z

Sibling photos for the Transition 3-Day classes can be taken on Friday, 27 June, in the Deakin classrooms from 7.30 am.

If you would prefer to place your order with cash, please use the envelopes that will be distributed shortly to students.

There will be a catch-up Photo Day on Monday, 30 June, for individual portraits for any students who are absent on the College Photo Day.

Mr Alex Hitchins
Development Manager

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD)

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

Library Monitor Badges

Yesterday, 12 June, our Primary Library Monitors were awarded their Library Monitor Badges for their commitment during Semester One.

Library monitors are expected to -

• Be a positive role model for other Library users  
• Regularly show up to one lunchtime a week to fulfil their allotted duties
• Develop their own knowledge, skill set, leadership and personal qualities  
• Help promote the Library and its services with other students 
• Work as part of a team  
• Be committed, responsible and reliable in carrying out their duties.
• And share their ideas and vision for the Library.

This year, many Library Monitors applied and many of them have shown the qualities listed above. Those who have consistently carried out their duties were awarded their Badges. They have earned them and we are proud of them.

The awardees are:

• Emily Turner, Claire Compagnoni, Scarlett Grima, Lucy Turnock, Estelle Galea, Pippa Turner, Ava Flower, Isabella Wilkinson, Camden Frendo, Grace Welsh, Imogen Kelly, Georgia Seery, Harvey Bryant, Jack Salisbury
• Peter Dvorak, Willow Poli, Harlow Hallsworth, Scarlett Griffin, Gabriella Grasso, Michael Banks, Emmett Williams, Lilly Owens, Matilda Lucaci, Logan Butler, Cheryl Kapoor.

Mrs Deborah Reid
Primary Library Teacher

Book Club Orders Due Friday, 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

Years 7-12 Family Chapel - Thursday, 26 June

The Years 7-12 Family Chapel for this year will be for Secondary Students and their families. The evening will begin at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 26 June in the Warne Auditorium. 

Dinner will be available from 5.30 pm. Dinner must be pre-ordered through the Trybooking link below. 

https://www.trybooking.com/DBQTV

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

Should you be unable to join us for dinner but still plan to attend, kindly RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au, by Tuesday, 10 June.

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

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.

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

Drum Lessons