Waratah Weekly - Term 3, Edition 3 - Friday, 15 August 2025

A Glimpse into Our Calm and Focused Classrooms

This week, I was reminded of one of the many things that make our College so special. As I walked around the campus immediately after our morning break, I saw students from every Year Group, from our youngest in Kindergarten all the way to our Senior students in Year 12, transitioning smoothly back to their classrooms. It's a testament to our students and staff that the lively energy of break time so quickly and seamlessly transforms into a calm, focused learning environment.

The learning began almost instantly. Teachers were at their doors, welcoming students back and gently reminding them of our clear classroom expectations and routines. I heard a few friendly prompts to tuck in shirts and grab books, serving as a reminder that being ready to learn involves both physical presentation and mental preparedness. This quiet efficiency isn't accidental; it's the result of the incredible work our teachers do every day.

The importance of these routines and clear expectations can't be overstated. Educational experts like Robert Marzano and Ollie Lovell have extensively studied how consistent routines are the foundation of effective learning. When students know what's expected of them, they feel safe and secure. This predictability minimises distractions and allows students to dedicate their full attention to the learning task at hand, fostering a sense of calm and control within the classroom.

The scenes I witnessed were a testament to the dedication of our teaching staff. Their commitment to creating such a positive and productive learning environment is what allows for the exceptional learning that happens within our walls. These routines are not just about order; they are about giving our students the best possible chance to succeed. 

I am immensely proud of our teachers for their professionalism and care, and equally proud of our students for their maturity and focus. Together, they create a learning environment that is not only effective but also a genuinely great place to be. As parents, I trust this gives you great confidence in the outstanding learning and the positive culture that defines our College.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

WAC Country Fair - Saturday, 13 September

The WAC Country Fair will be held on Saturday, 13 September, from 10.00 am - 3.00 pm 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!

Key Dates - Term 3, Week 4

Michael Matthews Memorial Service & Tree Planting

Join us on Wednesday, 3 September, from 3.00 pm under the shoulder-to-shoulder shelter for a short memorial service followed by a tree planting in recognition of Michael’s service to the College. Please RSVP via the button below.

Creative Arts & Languages

Year 9 Visual Arts Students Capture Sydney’s Architecture and an Excursion to the Art Gallery of NSW

Last week, our students in Year 9 Visual Arts enjoyed a full-day excursion to Sydney, combining photography, architecture, and Australia’s most celebrated art prizes. Armed with both digital and film cameras, students captured the elegance of the Art Deco Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park, the soaring Gothic Revival beauty of St Mary’s Cathedral, and the evolving Neo Classical to Contemporary architecture of the Art Gallery of NSW. Along the way, they experimented with composition, lighting, aperture and focus to bring their shots to life.

Inside the gallery, students toured the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, gaining inspiration from portraits, landscapes, and imaginative subject works. They also observed how architecture, lighting, colour, and design influence how audiences experience art. 

The day was a rich blend of creativity and cultural discovery, leaving students with not only a deeper understanding of art and architecture but also a collection of unique images and ideas to bring back to the classroom.

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

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We're Hiring!

We are currently seeking applications for the following roles to commence in 2026:

• Leader - Advanced Learning and Learning Support 7-12
• Assistant Leader of Learning English 7-12
• Mathematics Teacher 7-12
• English 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

Equestrian News

Official NSW Team List
The Official NSW Team List has been published this week for the 2025 Australia Interschool Championships. We are so proud of our riders who have made the team. Congratulations to Erin Brown, who will be competing in the Working Hunter Intermediate division and Tahlia O'Reilly riding in the Primary Combined Training 45cm division.

Equestrian Team Members competing at the Arndell Equestrian Carnival this Weekend
Good luck to Rosie Phillips, Everly Laukaitis, Savannah Hatton and Mackenzie Bleeker as they represent the College at the Arndell Equestrian Carnival this Saturday.

Miss Stacey Baker
Equestrian Coordinator

Book Week - Week 4

Book Week Parade 2025 for T-2 students
The Book Week Parade will take place in Week 4, Friday, 22 August, from 1.15 pm under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter. The Parade is for Transition 3-Day, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. T2 students will have their own parade on Thursday, 21 August, with their teachers only. This Year's Theme is ‘Book an Adventure’. 

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 expectations. Please be aware that onesies have been found to be very hot to wear all day.

Parents are invited to the Parade and are to remain in the Shelter before and during the Parade. Break 2 at the College ends at 12.55 pm, so there is plenty of time to find a seat after the lunch bell. Parents are asked not to disturb students during the break. Years 3-6 students will not be allowed to sign out and watch the Parade. 

Afternoon dismissal will be at the usual location. Parents are to 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!

Book Donations for the Country Fair

The College Library will host a Book Stall at the Country Fair on 13th September.  We are asking for book donations in good condition that we can add to the stall. Please take donations to Student Reception or send them with your child to be put in the tubs located in each library.

Expressions of Interest (Years 7-12): A Path to Scientific Illustration with Sami Bayly

Author and Illustrator Sami Bayly will visit the College on Thursday, 4 September (Week 6A).

Sami will conduct workshops with Students throughout the College, including one for Secondary students who would like to apply. It would be suitable for students interested in Visual Arts, Science, Reading and Writing. Anyone in Year 7-12 can apply, and the students selected will be notified. 

• Date: Thursday, 4 September
• Session Time: 8.15 am - 9.00 am 
• Location: Warne Auditorium

This workshop will include a step-by-step drawing activity.

If you would like to take part, click HERE.

Visit https://www.samibayly.com/ for more details on Sami’s work.   

Other Book Week Events and Activities
In addition to the T-2 Book Week Parade, we have several other Book Week events during the Term:

• Week 6: Sami Bayly author/illustrator visit for Years 1-6 and Selected Secondary Students.

• Primary Book Week Competitions will take place during Library Lessons. Book Prizes for the winners.

• The Secondary Book Review Competition is now open. How to Enter: Just 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. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will receive a Bowral Bookshop gift card. Contact j.colombo@wac.nsw.edu.au with questions.

Book Club Issue 5 - Orders Due Sunday, 10 August
The Book Club Issue 5 Catalogue is now available. Secondary students should select the class ‘Secondary’ when ordering. Primary students should 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 Book Club and parental discretion is advised. 

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

College Working Bee - 30 August

We are writing on behalf of the College Prefects to encourage students and parents to join staff and College Student Leaders at the Term 1 Working Bee. This event will take place on Saturday, 30 August from 8.00 am - 1.00 pm. 

As students of the College, we would like to promote this as an opportunity for service and community building. Your contributions can make a real and positive impact on the lives of others and your environment. Serving others helps you develop personally; by serving, you can inspire and motivate others to get involved and contribute positively. The Student Leaders at the College want to set an example in this area and would like to see as many students, staff and parents attend this event. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare an hour of your day to serve at this event. All students who attend will be issued a Community Service Merit. This year, we will be adding additional House Points to the House of students, staff and parents that attend; these will accrue to the Overall House Shield. 

The College has reduced the number of Working Bees from four per year to two per year. With this in mind, it would be great to see our community prioritise the opportunities to build community and serve.

Please note that we only have a limited supply of tools and equipment, therefore, it is important that you bring your own gardening tools, blowers, gloves and anything else you think might help on the day. Mr Warland, the College Property Manager, will be onsite to assist students and parents if you have questions.

Kye James & Jessalyn Smiltnieks
College Community Service Prefect

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, 30 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, amongst this, taking the time to stop and pause with our great God is incredibly beneficial.

If you're able to make it, RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au by Monday, 18 August.

I'd love to see you there!

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

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

Yeronga School Uniforms - 15% off Sale

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

Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre - Girls Gone Wild

Calling all dancers!
Perform in a Curtain Raiser for GIRLS GONE WILD
High School Years 10–12 | No experience needed | Free to join.

We’re inviting bold, curious, and creative young people to join a brand-new youth dance-theatre project and perform as the curtain raiser for GIRLS GONE WILD, a professional dance-theatre production coming to our stage this September.

No prior dance experience is needed - just a willingness to move, be creative, and work as a team. This is a unique chance for students to perform live in a professional venue and collaborate with a team of professional artists to create an original piece exploring identity, social norms, and self-expression through movement, comedy, and storytelling.

 What’s included:

• The chance to perform live on stage in a professional venue
• A fun, collaborative creative experience
• Skills in movement, storytelling, performance, and teamwork
• Mentorship from acclaimed choreographer Bonnie Curtis and professional dance artists
• A supportive environment where students’ voices and creativity are valued

We would love for Wollondilly Anglican College to be involved, and we’d be grateful if you could pass this opportunity on to any interested students or staff.

 Head to our website HERE for more info and registration.

Women’s Wellness Event

The Camden Wollondilly Domestic Violence Committee warmly invites you to our Women’s Wellness Event on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm at the Sandown Room, Oran Park Library. Please note this is only for Women who live in the Camden LGA.

This special day is dedicated to supporting and celebrating women in our community, with activities including haircuts, massages, mediums, terrariums, and more. It’s a child-free event for women aged 18+ in the Camden LGA, and bookings are essential as spots are limited to 150 attendees.

 Location: Sandown Room, Oran Park Library, 72 Central Avenue, Oran Park
 Date: Wednesday, 3 September 2025
 Time: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
 Book now: www.trybooking.com/DCXHJ

Mittagong Junior Disco  

• Date: Saturday, 30 August  
• Time: 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 & ALCOHOL-FREE event.