Waratah Weekly - Term 4, Edition 4 - Friday, 29 October 2021

Message from the Headmaster

It has been so exciting to see our College busy and bustling again. It has been wonderful to experience the energy and noise of our students re-engaging with their teachers and with each other. I have seen so many smiles, heard so much laughter and I simply feel blessed and privileged to be part of it all. Despite all of this positivity, there will also be some experience of loss as we make a significant change from remote learning back to On-Campus Learning. It would be a very helpful exercise to have some conversations with your children about their return. It is even helpful to unpack some of those feelings of loss with questions such as "what are you going to miss about learning from home?" and "what has been hard this week as you returned to the College?" as well as positive framing such as "what is the best part of getting back to being at the College?" 
Everyone will have different answers and it is valuable to work through these with your children to help them transition back into full time, On-Campus Learning.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

From the Deputy's Desk

End of Year College Events

There has been considerable uncertainty regarding what events will be permitted to run towards the end of the year as restrictions ease.

The good news is that we have received confirmation that the Year 12 Graduation Assembly, Year 12 Formal and Year 6 Progress Dinner will be able to proceed under certain restrictions after Wednesday, 1 December.

We haven’t received advice on all of the intended events below, but we anticipate that from Wednesday, 1 December there will be an easing of some restrictions which will allow them to go ahead. Please note, they may change and are subject to the Public Health Orders at the time and NSW Health Restrictions.

Mr Ian Croger
Deputy Headmaster

Secondary News

COVID Safe HSC Examinations 
Year 12 students will commence their HSC examinations on Tuesday, 9 November 2021 and I would ask that you be praying for our students as they navigate this stressful time. We have some very strict guidelines that need to be followed to help protect the students throughout this period. Your help is greatly appreciated in this by not accessing the Warne Auditorium or the adjacent carpark. The carpark will be used by the Year 12 students both for parking and for the screening process. After Hours Care will occur in White Cottage during the examinations.

Year 11 Yearly Reports 
Year 11 Reports have been distributed to students this week. Please take the time to read these carefully and reflect on the progress that has been made throughout the year. This is a good time to have a conversation between parents and their child about future goals and aspirations. Reflection and self-evaluation is an important skill and one that can help us to constantly grow and improve. I would like to encourage all students to carefully read their reports and think about both their strengths and weaknesses and what opportunities are presented for further growth as they commence their HSC year. It may be helpful to consider finishing each of the statements below:

1. ‘The strengths I have consistently shown across my courses are…’
2. ‘The comment I am most encouraged by is...’
3. ‘The area of application that I could improve the most is...’
4. ‘As I begin Year 12, the area I need further help with is...’
5. ‘I am keen to improve…’

Mr Paul Burns
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Sport News

Congratulation to Connor Miller (Year 11) on being selected into the Illawarra Academy of Sport for Hockey!

The IAS Hockey Program is designed to support the developmental needs of the regions young talented Hockey athletes by providing industry leading high-performance sport development programs. Scholarships are offered for a 12 month period commencing in October and concluding in September. However, there is a heavier focus on the program from September through to the State Team Selection Trials in April. The aim of the program is to provide additional skill development on top of club or school-based training.

From The College Nurse

COVID-19 Vaccination Myths
There is a myth circulating around some social media channels suggesting that NSW school students will be vaccinated at school without parents' knowledge or consent. I would like to clarify that this has absolutely no truth whatsoever. You would already be aware of the NSW School Vaccination program to protect our children against a number of diseases (COVID-19 is NOT included). This program provides a vaccination service to children with the full knowledge and consent of parents. 

Cold and Flu Symptoms in Sickbay

In line with the current NSW Health Guidelines, students presenting to Sickbay with any cold and flu symptoms such as cough, runny nose or sore throat, for example, will be sent home and required to provide a negative COVID result before returning to the College.

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

Music News

Congratulations to Joseph Darby on passing his Grade 8 French Horn Examination, a great effort during the lockdown. It is amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. Be interesting and learn a musical instrument. Well done again Joseph.

Mr Simon Denley
Creative Arts & LOTE Coordinator

Performing Arts News

Performing Arts Website 
Our Performing Arts website has been updated to include content from the Talent Quest, Junior Years Talent Quest, the Year 11 Musical Theatre Review, and Term 3 Performing Arts Challenges. Check it out! 

https://stalbot1.wixsite.com/wacperformingarts202

Term 4 Performing Arts Ensembles
Below you will find a summary of what is on offer for the various Ensembles, and the contact email address for the Ensemble leaders should your child need support in this area. 

Currently, we are not permitted to run ensembles on the College grounds. However, our wonderful Ensemble leaders have carefully thought through how best to maintain a focus on performance for their respective Ensembles (please see below).

It is likely that Ensemble members will be asked to provide photos or videos of themselves rehearsing/performing to help us construct content for the Performing Arts Website and for virtual performances. Parents should ensure that they carefully supervise students rehearsing/performing from home and that they approve of all content submitted for our Term 4 Ensembles.

Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs Talbot if you need further support for your young performer, s.talbot@wac.nsw.edu.au

Music Ensembles

• College Band - Mr Grant has placed instructions on Canvas, l.grant@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Primary Band - Students should continue working with the music they have been given and may access 'Essential Elements' online which will provide them with further support, s.denley@wac.nsw.edu.au
• College Strings - Ms Bridge will be hosting a Zoom rehearsal for students at the new time of 4.30 pm-5.00 pm on Thursdays. Students should check their emails, jillbridge7@gmail.com
• Primary Strings - Continue to practise with the music you have and keep an eye on your emails, jillbridge7@gmail.com
• College Choir - Students should continue working on 'You Will Be Found'. Resources on Canvas, alisonclairerobertson@gmail.com
• Primary Choir - Songs to sing with are on See-Saw, k.apps@wac.nsw.edu.au and c.rigg@wac.nsw.edu.au
• "Bucketz" - Students are able to access rehearsal and performance tutorials on bucketdrumming.net, d.hopkins@wac.nsw.edu.au

Dance Ensembles

• Dance Company -  Miss Valente will be sending weekly videos of choreography for a lyrical dance via email. These will also be put on the Dance Company Canvas page. k.valente@wac.nsw.edu.au
• College Cheer - Miss Valente will be sending weekly videos of choreography for a cheer routine via email and these will also be put on the College Cheer Canvas page, k.valente@wac.nsw.edu.au and e.kluit@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Stunt Group - See 'College Cheer'; above, k.valente@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Primary Dance - Please email Miss Valente if you would like to receive the College Cheer weekly videos and you are not already involved in College Cheer, k.valente@wac.nsw.edu.au.

Drama, Musical and Visual Arts

• Photography Club - Please continue to work through the challenges being set via your Canvas course, b.taylor@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Art Club - will only be available for students now studying the HSC Visual Arts course, j.ware@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Musical - This is on hold for now, but don't worry. We will let you know when it is time to audition!
• Primary Drama - We would love to see your Term 3 Paper Puppets stories, https://digital.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/art-bites/making-mini-paper-puppets,  j.atkins@wac.nsw.edu.au
  

Mrs Sarah Talbot
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12

Humanities News

Reaching Out For Expert Legal Assistance
The College is considering an entry into the Law Society of New South Wales' Mock Trial competition in 2022. This competition has been running since 1981 and is of immense value in terms of introducing students to the NSW judicial system by providing practical experience into the running of a court case in a true-to-life adversarial setting. Students learn advocacy, debating and problem-solving skills. It is open to schools across NSW for students in Years 10 and 11.

We are reaching out for some (pro bono) help from a parent/friend of the College who is either a solicitor or retired solicitor and can provide coaching to our students on the practices and procedures of a court case. This assistance would be fully supported and facilitated by the relevant Humanities staff member.

Please contact Mrs Trudy Miller (t.miller@wac.nsw.edu.au) if you can help.

Mr Jay Hart
Humanities Coordinator

Library News

Last Book Club for the Year! 
The final Book Club catalogue is now available. This is the Christmas catalogue and will need to be ordered by Monday, 8 November to receive before the College breaks for Summer Holidays. All orders are to be made through the LOOP App or online at scholastic.com.au/LOOP

Years 7-10 Click and Collect for Library Books 
This Term, we will be running a Click and Collect system for Library borrowing. This will be useful mostly for Years 7-10 but is available to all. Students can access the Library Catalogue from the Student Cloud in Secondary eResources. When they have found a book to borrow, click on ‘Reserve’ and the book(s) will be delivered to your classroom by Library staff. There is a limit of four reservations at a time for Secondary students. Any questions, please contact Mrs Colombo: j.colombo@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

College Photo Day Prints

If you are missing a copy of your child's College Photo Day Individual Portrait or Sibling Portrait, please contact me at a.hitchins@wac.nsw.edu.au

All photos that were sent to College have been sorted, delivered to Teachers and Year Patrons and distributed to students. Please check your child's backpack if you have not already done so. 

If you would like to order an additional copy of your child's photo(s), please click on the link below and enter the relevant code:

https://www.theschoolphotographer.com.au/

Individual Photo Order Code:
X1230PSB44W

Group Photo Order Code:
21S1230PSB44W

Sibling Photos - Call:
9674 9824

Mr Alex Hitchins
Development Manager

Enrolment News

Application For Enrolment
Applications continue to pour in for 2022 and beyond, across all Year Groups, but especially our entry years of Transition, Kindergarten, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 11.

All current College families looking to enrol siblings for the coming years are encouraged to do so without delay to avoid disappointment. 

Enrolment packs are available from the College Office or from the College website www.wac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Kristy Biddle
Enrolments Officer
Ph: 4684 2722

Church Services

Wollondilly Anglican Church
Currently posting pre-recorded messages and services on their YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1LQDtFMRt1RFZQ8KhRC2kA  
If you are interested in attending a Bible Study, or Youth Group and connecting with the community this way, please visit these links for more information
https://wollondillyanglican.org/grown-ups/  
https://wollondillyanglican.org/youth-ministries/  
We also encourage you to check out their website to stay updated with any new information https://wollondillyanglican.org/
Contact them about any enquiries at
https://wollondillyanglican.org/contact/

C3 Picton and Camden
Live-streaming their services on their YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV-SaFqz0okwO85XQE01CKw.
If you would like to find out more information about C3 connect groups, please visit these links:
https://www.c3picton.church/groups
If you would like to know more information about C3 and keep updated please visit their website:
https://www.c3picton.church/
Facebook page:
https://m.facebook.com/C3Picton/
Contact them at:
https://www.c3picton.church/contact

Campbelltown Christian Community Church (C4) 
Services  running on Sunday's at 10.00 am. Also currently streaming their services on their YouTube channel:

Wollondilly Presbyterian Church
Currently streaming their services on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGGkiM_xP5rCdViW3uo6Xw/featured
They are also holding Church Zoom Calls at 9.15 am on Sundays, if you are interested in connecting to the community in this way, please visit their Facebook page for the links as well as updates, information and to contact about any enquiries.
https://www.facebook.com/WollondillyPC/

Tahmoor Baptist Church
Gathering via Zoom on Sunday mornings, please visit their page for the Zoom link, as well as resources, other services, and updates.
https://www.tahmoorbaptistchurch.org/
If you are interested in attending a Bible Study, or Youth Group and connecting with the community this way, please visit this link for more information
https://www.tahmoorbaptistchurch.org/activities.html

Picton and Wilton Anglican Church
Currently streaming their services on their YouTube channel at 9.30 am on Sunday mornings.
https://www.youtube.com/c/PWAChurches/videos
I also encourage you to visit their website
https://pwac.org.au/
To stay updated with information or to contact them about gathering groups and for any general enquiries, please click on the link below:
https://pwac.org.au/contact/

Most importantly, we encourage all to meet with God directly and personally through daily reading of The Bible and prayer. This is the best way to get to know who God is and further trust in him during this time. If you don’t have a Bible or don't know where to start, we encourage you to download “You Version” on your device, this is a great resource to assist you in your journey and relationship with God.

Staying connected in the Southern Highlands area.

Highlands Christian Church: 
Online Service:
https://www.facebook.com/highlands.au/videos/highlands-church-online-experience/930979114318498/
Website:
https://www.highlandschristianchurch.org.au/

Highlands Baptist Church
Website:
http://www.highlandsbaptistchurch.org.au/

St Judes (Bowral Anglican)
Website:
https://bowralanglican.org.au/
Online Service:
https://bowralanglican.org.au/online/

Mittagong Anglican
Website:
https://www.mittang.com.au/
Sermon Archive:
https://www.mittang.com.au/sermons/

C3 
Website:
https://c3destinychurch.com/
Livestream/Video Archive:
https://c3destinychurch.com/sunday-live-stream/

Bowral Baptist
Website:
https://bowralbaptistchurch.net/wordpress/
Video Archive:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCED4wlEz42j6thR9-OsVn4A

Community

WAC Kids Care

From time to time, families undergo trauma such as severe or terminal illness. There are short term support structures in place at the College to assist families during these times.

We have a collection of beautifully prepared meals that are ready for distribution for any families in need.

The WAC Kids Care Program offers support to families in the way of meals. Please contact Mrs Hay or Mrs Rockwell at the College. Confidentiality will be respected. If you know of anyone who may need meals at this time, please contact the College office.

JDRF Fundraiser

One of our parents will be participating in a fundraiser for JDRF, raising funds for diabetes research and support. Nikki will be walking 100km during the month of October. If you wish to support this cause, please click on the link below. https://walk.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/nikkifoley

Pretend Headmasters