Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 9 - Friday, 27 June 2025
- Connections Over Coffee
- Key Dates - Term 2, Week 10
- Secondary News
- Catch-Up Photo Day - Monday, 30 June
- MISA Dance Festival
- We're Hiring!
- Science unit - Living Things
- 2025 Non-Government School Census Collection Notice
- Yeronga Uniforms - Store Closure for Stocktake
- Lowes 20% Off Sale - 25-27 June
- P&F Clothing Pool
- College Sponsors
- Community News
Connections Over Coffee
It was a genuine pleasure to step outside the College gates this week and join members of our local community for a casual chat over coffee. Our first "Meet the Headmaster" morning was held at the fun and friendly Moses and Barnes café in Picton, and it was a special opportunity for me to connect with our community in such a relaxed and inviting setting.
What particularly struck me, and left me feeling quite humbled, was the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the College's strong reputation and the wonderful work we do with our students. It was so encouraging to hear firsthand how much our efforts are appreciated within the community.
While I was there to listen and answer questions, the real credit for these good news reports belongs elsewhere. The outstanding reputation we enjoy is a direct result of the dedication and passion of our incredible teachers and support staff. They are the heart of our College, working hard every day to create an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential. Their commitment to fostering excellence in Learning, Care, and Culture truly makes our College the remarkable place it is.
I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to you, our parents, for your unwavering support. Your partnership is invaluable, and it plays a crucial role in the success and wellbeing of our students. And of course, to our students, thank you for embracing your learning with such enthusiasm and for consistently applying yourselves to the high standards we encourage. Your engagement and effort are what truly bring our College's vision to life.
These informal moments of connection are incredibly valuable to me, and I look forward to creating more opportunities to meet with many of you next term. Please keep an eye on our upcoming Waratah Weekly Newsletters and social media pages for details on future events where we can continue these important conversations.
Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster
Key Dates - Term 2, Week 10
| Monday | Years 10-12 Formal Assembly |
| College Photo Catch-Up Day | |
| Tuesday | Primary STEM Day |
| Wednesday | Years 7-9 Formal Assembly |
| Year 11 H&MS and Year 12 PDHPE UOW Workshops | |
| Singapore Collaboration Trip begins | |
| Red Centre Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey begins | |
| P&F Meeting 6.30 pm - Deakin Admin Building | |
| Thursday | Years 3-6 Formal Assembly |
| Friday | Foundation Day |
| Last day of Term 2 |
In Loving Memory of Mr Michael Matthews.
As per the email that was sent earlier this week, we are saddened by the news of the passing of Mr Michael Matthews. He was a wonderful teacher, colleague and friend. He is already greatly missed.
In Term 3, we will be holding a memorial service for Michael at the College. This will be a further opportunity to reflect on the contribution he made to the College. Further information will be communicated next term.
Secondary News
Foundation Day Mission Fundraising
On Friday, 4 July, we will celebrate Foundation Day. On this day, all students will be able to wear their House Shirt and Sports Uniform for the day. The day will commence with the collection of money for various missions supported by the College. We have always had a very generous focus on mission fundraising and I would encourage all families to continue to support this as we have in previous years. The College encourages donations of $10.00 per family or $5.00 for each student.
The House that raises the most money will be crowned Mission Fundraising Champions for 2025. More information about other activities that will take place as part of Foundation Day will be provided soon, so keep an eye out for this. All families will receive an information note about this event.
The Missions the College is supporting are:
- Samaritan's Purse - samaritanspurse.org.au
- Mission Aviation Fellowship - maf.org
- Hope Street Mission - baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet
Mr Liam Toland
Head of Secondary Years
Catch-Up Photo Day - Monday, 30 June
The Catch-Up Photo Day for 2025 will be held on Monday, 30 June, in the Deakin classrooms from 7.30 am. This will be the last opportunity for a portrait this year.
If your child was absent during the College Photo Day this week, please have them dress in their full College Winter Uniform, ready for their photo. Failure to comply with the College Uniform Guidelines may result in the student not having their photo taken on the day.
Missed sibling photos can also be captured on this day, during Break 1 or throughout the morning as required.
If you did not pay for your photos prior to the College Photo Day, these can still be purchased via the link below and using the code X1385PSB54W
https://store.theschoolphotographer.com.au/
Mr Alex Hitchins
Development Manager
MISA Dance Festival
This past Tuesday, our WAC Dance Company students performed their 2025 Dance Work ‘Dance with Disney’ at the MISA Dance Festival held at The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club. Across weekly afternoon and extended rehearsals, the students worked very hard with a vision and helped shape a production medley for all Disney fans to enjoy at the Festival (which was evident by all of the audience members who sang along and cheered). The choreography included clear points of characterisation inspired by classic Disney story moments from some of our favourite movies and showcased talent through a range of different dance styles.
An exciting part of this year’s MISA Dance planning was the costuming. We are immensely grateful to Mrs Post, who made our exceptional costumes to really bring our Disney theme to life.
Our students performed spectacularly and truly entertained the whole crowd. Thank you to the students for their commitment and to Mr Norman as well as staff, family and friends who supported our dancers at the Festival or along the way.
Miss Kara Valente
Secondary Dance Teacher/Year 11 Patron
We're Hiring!
We are currently seeking applications for the following roles to commence in 2026:
- Director of Learning, Care & Culture Primary Pre K-6
- Director of Care & Culture Secondary 7-12
- Assistant Leader of Learning English 7-12
- Mathematics Teacher 7-12
- Primary Teacher Pre K-6
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
Science unit - Living Things
As part of our Science unit Living Things, Kindergarten students have been learning about what animals eat, their body coverings, how they survive and other animal characteristics. To enrich the students’ experience, we invited Matthew Howie to visit and introduce us to Sython, his Python.
Students were excited to see the snake up close. They had the opportunity to ask lots of questions, observe its movements, and engage in a meaningful, real-life learning experience.
Here are some interesting facts we learned about snakes:
Snakes shed their skin three to four times a year as they grow.
Snakes eat rats and other small animals.
A snake's poop can turn the colour of the rat it ate!
This hands-on visit helped students deepen their understanding of animal features and sparked lots of curiosity and wonder about God's creations.
Mrs Kylie Law
Kindergarten Teacher
2025 Non-Government School Census Collection Notice
The Australian Government Department of Education (the Department) would like to advise all staff, parents and guardians that it will collect certain information about the College, its staff and student body as part of the 2025 Non-Government Schools Census collection (the Census).
Please see the document below outlining the details and what will be collected.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mrs Madilyn Shelley
Enrolments Officer
Yeronga Uniforms - Store Closure for Stocktake
All Yeronga Uniform stores will be closed from Monday, 7 July to Sunday, 13 July due to Stocktake.
Lowes 20% Off Sale - 25-27 June
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
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
- Narellan Pools
- Breakaway Education
- NSW Rail Museum
- ESP Security
Community News
Drum Lessons
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.