Waratah Weekly - Term 4, Edition 6 - Friday, 12 November 2021
- Message from the Headmaster
- From the Deputy's Desk
- Pastoral News T-12
- Pastoral Care Matters - Years 9-12
- Performing Arts News
- NSW Health Schools COVID Vaccination Program
- Year 7 -Second round of Vaccinations
- Primary Sport News
- UOW Enrichment Opportunities
- Remembrance Day
- Transition News
- Enrolment News
- Lowes Sale
- P&F - Fresh Christmas Trees Fundraiser
- Church Services
- Community
- Pretend Headmasters
Message from the Headmaster
Our Year 12 students began their HSC exams this week. I imagine that they will be having mixed emotions at this time. Some will be feeling confident that all of their hard work is about to pay off. Some are probably just relieved that it is almost finished.
As I think about this final exam block I am reminded how important the practice of consistency is. I want to encourage our students in younger grades to start to develop this practice of consistency. Doing a little bit, often, is so much better than trying to do a great amount as a once off. You may be someone who tries to cram in a few hours of study leading into an exam, but you didn't apply yourself consistently through the Term. I believe that getting into a regular habit of reviewing your class work throughout the term will prepare you very well for the end of semester or end of year exams. Imagine a Year 7 student completing 20 mins of Maths revision, three times per week.
Over a Term they will complete around 10 hours of extra study! This practice of consistency applies in so many areas of our life. If you want to get fit, don't go and run 20km tomorrow, instead start walking/jogging every day for a short time. If your goal is for better nutritional health, maybe you don't need to starve yourself on a diet, instead you could make it a habit to drink more water every day, or eat some fruit every day. A small action, repeated often, can bring about great results in any area you are working on.
Please continue to pray for our Year 12 students as they complete these final exams.
Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster
From the Deputy's Desk
Updated NSW Health Advice for Schools
Parents and Carers on the College site
Fully vaccinated parents and carers can be on the College site to support curriculum delivery, vulnerable students or students with disability, student wellbeing activities and College operations (for example reading support, canteens and uniform shops). Parents and carers must check in using the College check-in, show proof of vaccination on entry to the College site and follow mask-wearing requirements.
Assemblies
Unfortunately parents and carers will be unable to attend our Formal Assemblies and Presentation Evenings. As a result the Presentation Evenings will be moved to a day time event with students and staff in attendance. More details to follow.
Dancing, singing, music and performances
Dancing can occur indoors and outdoors. Bands, ensembles, music classes and music tuition can occur within cohorts and only for instruments that do not rely on breath, as these pose a higher transmission risk.
School performances, productions and concerts are not recommended by NSW Health.
Visitors and volunteers on site
Fully vaccinated visitors – such as volunteers, P&F meetings, College Council, allied health partners and other external providers – can be on school sites to support curriculum delivery, wellbeing programs and College operations that maintain student cohorts. All visitors must check in using the College check-in and show proof of vaccination.
Other activities permitted
If COVID-safe measures are in place – mask wearing indoors, full vaccination of adults on site, minimising mingling, square metre rules in place and good hygiene practices – then the College can operate:
- Canteens
- Uniform stores
Graduations and Formals
Information regarding Graduations and Formals will be communicated separately to Year 12 and Year 6 Parents and Carers
Mr Ian Croger
Deputy Headmaster
Pastoral News T-12
College Prefects
This week it was my privilege to announce the College Prefects for 2022. From within this group the College Captains will be selected, with interviews taking place this week. I would like to commend all the students that nominated for roles and encourage those that missed out to speak with myself or Mr van Netten about other leadership opportunities.
The Prefects will be badged as part of our end of year Formal Assembly and the Prefect Portfolio areas that they will be working in assigned as part of this process. At the College Prefect portfolios including:
- Academic
- Community Service
- Student Wellbeing
- Co-curricular
- Christian Leadership
Congratulations Hagen Bossie, Joshua Phillips, Aaron Landrigan, Samuel Williams, Paris Obakpolo, Klarisza Ricciarelli, Abby Cuppitt, Claire Birta, Eliza Eaton and Brooke Webber
Mr Liam Toland
Director of Pastoral Care T-12
Pastoral Care Matters - Years 9-12
How to re-establish self-discipline and self-control
It’s no secret that the learning from home environment has had a range of challenges and been responsible for establishing a range of new habits. One stand-out challenge in younger generations has been a shift in self-control. Simply put, the ability to regulate behaviour and re-adjust back into a ‘normal’ more regimented environment has been difficult. The ability to master one self and be disciplined, however, is a fundamental key to succeeding in life. Here are some helpful strategies to help get back on track and re-establish self-discipline:
1. Know your strengths and weaknesses - Know your strengths, but more importantly, own up to your flaws. You can’t overcome them until you do.
2. Remove temptations - The fewer distractions you have, the more focused you will be on accomplishing your goals. Set yourself up for success by ditching bad influences.
3. Set clear goals and have an execution plan - A clear plan outlines each time-bound step you must take to reach your goals. Create a mantra to keep yourself focused. Successful people use this technique to stay on track, emotionally connect to their mission, and establish a clear finish line.
4. Practise daily diligence - Work on building your self-discipline through daily diligence in a given area associated with a goal. In order to practise daily diligence, you must have a plan. Put it on your calendar, your to-do list - whatever works best for you. With practice, anyone can push the boundaries of their comfort zone every day.
5. Create new habits and rituals - Instead of trying to change everything at once, focus on doing one thing consistently and master self-discipline with that goal in mind. Take small steps. Eventually, when your mindset and behaviour starts to shift, you can add more goals to your list.
6. Change your perception about willpower - If you believe you have a limited amount of willpower, you probably won’t surpass those limits. If you can remove these subconscious obstacles and truly believe you can do it, then you will give yourself an extra boost of motivation toward making those goals a reality.
7. Give yourself a backup plan - Have contingencies for intentional course correction, not planning for failure. Be bold and keep moving forward. Going in with a plan will help give you the mindset and self-control necessary for the situation. You will also save energy by not having to make a sudden decision based on your emotional state.
8. Find trusted coaches or mentors - The best coaches can help you identify aspects of your performance that will need to be improved at your next level of skill and aid you in preparation.
9. Forgive yourself and move forward - Even with all our best intentions and well laid plans, we sometimes fall short. The key is to keep going. If you stumble, find the root cause by asking the ‘why’ and move on. Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in guilt, anger, or frustration, because these emotions will only drag you further down and impede future progress. Learn from your missteps and forgive yourself. Then get your head back in the game.
Eight tips provided by: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2020/08/25/8-powerful-ways-to-cultivate-extreme-self-discipline/?sh=6fdc7765182d
Mr Tim van Netten
Senior Pastoral Care Coordinator 9-12
Performing Arts News
Performing Arts Website
Our Performing Arts website has been updated to include content from 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/
Some of our Ensembles are Back - Current Term 4 Arrangements!
Restrictions guiding ensemble practice have been eased which has allowed some of our ensembles to re-start rehearsals (see pics). This will impact our College Strings, College Cheer and Dance Company ensembles. Other ensembles will continue with previously published arrangements (see below).
Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs Talbot if you need further support for your young performer, s.talbot@wac.nsw.
College Strings
Thursday rehearsals as normal with some students on site (see below) and others attending by Zoom if they can. The group will rehearse outdoors under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter (S2S) with two year groups in attendance and each separated by some distance.
Week 7 - Years 9 & 10 attend, others Zoom if they can OR just rehearse the pieces they are working on when they get home. Can email Ms Bridge if there are any issues. Film/record as needed.
Week 8 - Year 11 attend, others Zoom if they can OR just rehearse the pieces they are working on when they get home. Can email Ms Bridge if there are any issues. Film/record as needed.
Week 9 - Years 7 & 8 attend, others Zoom if they can OR just rehearse the pieces they are working on when they get home. Can email Ms Bridge if there are any issues. Film/record as needed.
College Cheer
Wednesday rehearsals as normal with some students on site (see below) and others rehearsing with the choreography videos Miss Valente has provided. The group will rehearse outdoors under the S2S Shelter with two year groups in attendance and each separated by some distance. Year 9 students should discuss options with Miss Valente.
Week 7 - Years 7 & 8. Year 7, please meet Miss Valente at the front of the S2S Shelter area. Year 8, please meet Mrs Kluit at the back of the S2S Shelter area, others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
Week 8 - Year 5 & 6. Year 5, please meet Miss Valente at the front of the S2S Shelter area. Year 6, please meet Mrs Kluit at the back of the S2S Shelter area, others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
Week 9 - Years 7 & 8. Year 7, please meet Miss Valente at the front of the S2S Shelter area. Year 8, please meet Mrs Kluit at the back of the S2S Shelter area, others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
Dance Company
Thursday rehearsals as normal with some students on site (see below) and others rehearsing with the choreography videos Miss Valente has provided. The group will rehearse outdoors under the S2S Shelter with two year groups in attendance and each separated by some distance. Year 12 students will rehearse in J11.
Week 7 - Years 9 &10 meet at the S2S Shelter, Year 9 near Sturt and Year 10 near Cook. Others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
Week 8 - Years 7 & 8 meet at the S2S Shelter, Year 7 near Sturt and Year 8 near Cook. Others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
Week 9 - Year 12 meet J11, others rehearse with choreography video at home. Film as necessary.
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.
College Strings - see above
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@
Primary Choir - Songs to sing with are on See-Saw, k.apps@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 - see above
College Cheer - see above
Stunt Group - see above
Primary Dance - Please email Miss Valente if you would like to receive the College Cheer videos and you are not already involved in College Cheer, k.valente@wac.nsw.edu.
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.
Art Club - will only be available for students now studying the HSC Visual Arts course, j.ware@wac.nsw.edu.au
Musical - 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.
Mrs Sarah Talbot
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12
NSW Health Schools COVID Vaccination Program
You will have received an email regarding the NSW Health Schools COVID Vaccination Program. Students 12 years and over are being given the opportunity to be vaccinated at the College with the Pfizer vaccine on the following dates:
Tuesday, 16 November – Dose 1
Tuesday, 7 December – Dose 2
(This is not a mandatory vaccination program, vaccination is given only with signed parental consent)
Students will only be able to be vaccinated if they have their forms signed by their parent/carer. Students will need to bring their signed form to the College on Tuesday, 16 November. A hard copy of the form has been sent home. Extra copies will be kept in Student Reception.
If you are taking up this opportunity, please email medical@wac.nsw.edu.au on Monday, 15 November to help assist with planning for Tuesday.
If your child has already had their 1st dose, they are also able to have their 2nd dose here at the College. An opportunity is also available to parents/carers to be vaccinated at the College on the two dates above, after College hours, between 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm. Parents will also need to complete the documentation. We are happy to be supporting this important program to offer vaccinations to our Students and Parents.
If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs Sally Lloyd, College Nurse at medical@wac.nsw.edu.au
Nurse Sally Lloyd
College Nurse
Year 7 -Second round of Vaccinations
Please note the 2021 School Vaccination Program has been cancelled for the rest of the year. All outstanding vaccinations – Year 7 HPV (Gardasil) Dose 2 will be caught up in 2022.
This is due to COVID-19 infections, lockdown and now the provision of COVID vaccine to secondary students through vaccination Hubs, GPs and Chemists. All outstanding 2021 Year 7 dose 2 will be provided in the first six months of 2022, through scheduled school visits.SMS advice will be provided to parents/carers from NSW Health in the last week of Term 4 about accessing GPs for Year 7 vaccine provision if that is their preference.
Nurse Sally Lloyd
College Nurse
Primary Sport News
K-2 Athletics Carnival - Friday, 19 November
On Friday, 19 November K-2 students will have the opportunity to participate in track and field based activities. The events will be held on the front oval (weather permitting) from 8.35 am to 10.35 am. Students are reminded to wear their house shirts and come prepared with competitive zeal! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 requirements, parents/carers will not be permitted to spectate on this occasion.
Events include:
- Shot put
- Long Jump
- Discus
- 50m dash
- 300m race
Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator
UOW Enrichment Opportunities
From January 2022, the University of Wollongong Learning Labs at the Wollongong campus return. There are enrichment activities available for students in Years 1-10 over various dates. If you are interested in attending any of these Enrichment Programs, applications close on Wednesday, 17 November 2021.
Further information can be found on the website.
https://www.uow.edu.au/engage/
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the Learning Labs are returning to the UOW Southern Highlands campus in January, however further information and updates will be released on their website.
Mr Stuart McIntosh
Advanced Learning and Learning Support Coordinator T-12
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day remains an important day in the College. Yesterday, Thursday, 11 November the College paused for a minute’s silence at 11.00 am to pay our respects to the men and women who served, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and were to never return and those who returned, but whose life would never be the same.
Unable to gather for an all-College Assembly, one of our newly appointed College prefects, Sam Williams, read a short announcement over the PA system for all students before a minute’s silence was held in memory of those who have served.
'Our Middle Years Captains, Estelle Kluit and Joshua Newman laid a wreath at lunchtime as part of our Remembrance Day commemorations.'
Mr Doug Hewitt
Secondary Humanities Teacher
Transition News
Term 4 fun
Transition have all settled back happily after our long lockdown break and have been very busy.
We have been excitedly watching eggs hatch and the birth of the cutest chicks. We have been also learning lots of amazing facts about chickens - did you know that there are more chickens in the world than people? Looking after the chicks has been so much fun for all of us.
Mrs Anita Belusic, Mrs Melanie Grant, Mrs Emily Clayton and Mrs Cathy Hyslop
My New Gallery
My New Gallery
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
Lowes Sale
P&F - Fresh Christmas Trees Fundraiser
We have three sizes available;
- 1.5m for $75.00
- 1.8m for $90.00
- 2.1m for $105.00
Order through TryBooking until the Tuesday, 23 November.
https://www.trybooking.com/
Pick-up from the College on the afternoon of Friday, 26 November.
Mr Brandon Cooper
P&F Vice President
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 run on Sundays at 10.00 am. Also currently streaming their services on their YouTube channel:
Wollondilly Presbyterian Church
Sunday Service starts a 9.15 am.
The Service is also streamed 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
Sunday Service starts a 9.50 am.
Also streamed at 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
Picton - Sundays 9.30 am – 10.50 am all welcome.
Also live-streamed on Youtube: http://youtube.com/
Wilton - Sundays 5 pm – 6.20 pm all welcome.
Also live-streamed on Youtube: http://youtube.com/
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.
The Oaks Anglican Church
Sunday at 10.00 am. Services will also be streamed online live: toa.church/livestream/
Staying connected in the Southern Highlands area.
Highlands Christian Church:
Sundays at 10.00 am
Online Service:
https://www.facebook.com/highlands.au/videos/highlands-church-online-experience/930979114318498/
Website:
https://www.highlandschristianchurch.org.au/
Highlands Baptist Church
Sundays at 10.30 am
Website:
http://www.highlandsbaptistchurch.org.au/
St Judes (Bowral Anglican)
Sundays at 10.00 am
Website:
https://bowralanglican.org.au/
Online Service:
https://bowralanglican.org.au/online/
Mittagong Anglican
Sundays at 9.30 am & 11.30 am
Website:
https://www.mittang.com.au/
Sermon Archive:
https://www.mittang.com.au/sermons/
C3
Sundays at 10.30 am
Website:
https://c3destinychurch.com/
Livestream/Video Archive:
https://c3destinychurch.com/sunday-live-stream/
Bowral Baptist
Sundays at 10.00 am
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.
Tahmoor Community Links - Christmas Hampers
Tahmoor Community Links are again preparing Christmas Hampers for people in need in the Wollondilly Shire. The College is collecting donations on behalf of Tahmoor Community Links. If you would like to contribute please drop items into the baskets outside of Student Reception at the College. Please see the donation list of preferred items below:
http://www.communitylinks.org.au/
Mrs Corinne Woolcocks from Tahmoor Community Links
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.
Pretend Headmasters
Pretend Headmasters - Chase Stolzenhein (KF) and Dalton King (KF) are conducting an exit interview for Mr Croger as they prepare for his retirement. The boys tried out Mr Croger's personal caps for size. Mr Croger first started at the College in January 2005 and will be greatly missed.