Waratah Weekly - Term 4, Edition 8 - Friday, 26 November 2021
Message from the Headmaster
It is hard to believe, but it is less than a month until Christmas! As we continue in the busyness of the year and sprint our way to the end, we can often get caught up in the stress of Christmas instead of enjoying the season. We have presents to buy, social events to attend, preparations for family coming to visit and a thousand other matters that we squeeze into December. But we should also remember that Christmas is a wonderful time of year when we can celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ as a human being. It is hard to comprehend, but Jesus has always existed, he was there at the beginning of time and creation and he will be there at the end. He was and is all powerful yet he will not violate our human will, even when we choose to rebel against God's good plans for us. Knowing that the debt for our sin is death, Jesus chose to be born into a world as a human being so that he could pay that debt on our behalf. I am so thankful for Jesus' birth, his death and his resurrection so that I can have a personal relationship with God our Father and Jesus Christ his son.
Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster
From the Deputy's Desk
Turn Anger Around Without Yelling
We’ve all had those days. You know the ones… the days where your child has refused to get ready for school, thrown food at their brother and is in a right mood. Your teenager slams the door when you ask them to clean up their bedroom. You ask and ask again. And again. And the kids just won’t listen. That, or if they listen, they won’t do as they’re told!
When days like this happen – and they do – you can get so angry that you lash out only to regret your actions later on. With smacking now widely regarded as less acceptable, the lashing out often takes the form of yelling. It’s probably fair to say that yelling is the new smacking.
Yelling is harmful
Researchers believe that yelling at kids can be just as bad as smacking. Yelling has also been linked to lower self-esteem in children and young people. Children who are raised in a home where yelling is common have a higher risk of developing psychological issues. When parents use yelling as a discipline measure, kids have an increased risk of developing behavioural problems, anxiety, stress and depression.
Understand, don’t reprimand
When your kids are really getting under your skin, instead of getting furious, be curious. You need to connect before you correct. Children don’t wake up in the morning and think, ‘How can I make life horrible for my parents?’ They might be having a hard time. Work out what needs aren’t being met and help meet them.
Use humour
Humour is one of the best ways to take away anger and reduce stress. A good friend of mine was teaching his daughter to drive. The whole family was in the car while the daughter was driving when she missed a corner and ended up crashing into a petrol station sign. My friend looked at his daughter and at his family and said, “Well, while we’re here, does anyone need to use the bathroom?” By using humour, my friend released the tension in the situation. Then they could calmly talk about what had happened and how to resolve it. What a wonderful way to turn away from anger!
Stay calm and kind
Self-talk is now recognised as a great way to regulate your emotions and change your behaviour. When you’re starting to get upset there’s a mantra that you can use: ‘I’m going to be calm and kind.’ When you repeat this phrase, it reminds you of what you want and helps you to better regulate your own emotions. Calmness is something of a superpower that can have such a positive impact on those around you.
Create psychological distance
All parents seem to have just a bit more patience with someone else’s child or young person. Pretend that you’re ‘a favourite aunt who rarely never gets cranky at the kids. She always finds a way to be kind, even with a challenging child or teenager. If that doesn’t work for you, pretend your child is a neighbour’s kid!
In closing
Yelling turns children and young people away. Speak softly. Speaking softly forces them to listen closely, and it makes everyone feel better.
Most parents hate yelling (as do their kids). When you are calm and kind and look to understand, not reprimand, you will be able to keep anger and yelling out of your home. That’s better for your kids and for you.
Dr Justin Coulson (parentingideas.com.au)
Mr Ian Croger
Deputy Headmaster
Primary News
Food Gifts
Just a reminder that students should not bring food gifts for other students. For example, no candy canes. If students would like to bring a card for their friends that is a lovely thought, however, a card is enough. Any food gifts will be returned.
Ms Jacqui Huxtable
Director of Teaching & Learning T-6
Performing Arts News
Performing Arts Website - Get Your Photos/Videos in NOW!
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/
Also, most of our ensemble leaders have requested content from Ensemble members in the form of videos or photos of at-home rehearsals. Please supply this to your Ensemble leader as soon as possible to give us time to add it to the Performing Arts website.
Term 4 Rehearsals and Performances
All of the performances at upcoming assemblies will be delivered virtually (pre-prepared video). This allows us to showcase the work of students from across the College whilst maintaining compliance with restrictions on COVID-safe practice.
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 with two Year Groups in attendance and each separated by some distance.
Week 9 - Years 7 & 8 attend, others Zoom if they can OR just rehearse the pieces they are working on when they get home. 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 Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter with two Year Groups in attendance and each separated by some distance. Year 9 students should discuss options with Miss Valente.
Week 9 - Years 7 & 8. Year 7, please meet Miss Valente at the front of the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter area. Year 8, please meet Mrs Kluit at the back of the Shoulder to Shoulder 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 Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter with two Year Groups in attendance and each separated by some distance. Year 12 students will rehearse in J11.
Week 9 - Year 12 meet in 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.
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
Dance Ensembles
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, s.talbot@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 - 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.
Mrs Sarah Talbot
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12
From the College Nurse
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 date:
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 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
Students with Asthma
Plan ahead and be Asthma ready for 2022 by following the below checklist:
- Please ensure your child's Asthma Action Plan is within date (Less than 12 months old) and provide a copy to the College Nurse.
- Ensure your child has their reliever/spacer and updated Asthma Action Plan clearly labelled in their College backpack each day.
- Ensure your child's Ventolin is well within the expiry date.
- Notify the College if you feel your child is not able to have the responsibility to carry their reliever/spacer in the backpack.
- Update the emergency contacts on the Parent Portal via Edumate so that you can be contacted to provide advice in care or to pick up if your child is unwell.
Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse
MyTech News
‘MyTech’ Loan Devices and Battery Issues
‘MyTech’ has provided many great learning opportunities for students and is continuing to help students to further develop a range of skills. To ensure the best learning opportunities for your child it is vital that all Secondary students bring a suitable device to College every day. If a device is not functioning adequately then it is important that it is fixed in a timely manner. As many ‘MyTech’ devices are now a couple of years old it is important to check that the battery life is still lasting an entire day. If not, then the battery may need to be replaced or charged during the day. Due to WHS issues students cannot charge their devices in classrooms. However, there are charging stations available in Flynn and Johnson that students can use by bring a charger and placing their device in the lockable compartment during recess or lunchtime.
To ensure that students do not miss vital work while their device is being fixed the College has a number of loan devices that can be borrowed for a short period of time. To take advantage of this service a student needs to download the Student Loan Device Agreement that is found on the ‘MyTech’ website https://mytech.wac.nsw.edu.au/devices.php and have it signed by a parent. The form then needs to be presented at Student Reception where, if available, a device will be issued. To ensure this service is available to all it is vital that all loan devices are returned in a timely manner.
If you have any further questions about ‘MyTech’ then you can contact me at w.baulch@wac.nsw.edu.au
Mr Wayne Baulch
Secondary Learning Innovations Coordinator
Science News
Jazmin Chamberlain
Jazmin undertook a project, titled "Can simple DNA extraction methods be used on fungus?", as part of the HSC Science Extension course. DNA is often extracted from bananas, strawberries and onions as part of junior science lessons, but fungi have a different cellular structure to plants, so Jazmin wanted to see if these simple methods could still be used on fungi, such as mushrooms. After completing her project, her report and portfolio were entered into the Young Scientist competition and she was awarded the 2021 Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Award for Excellence in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Catherine Shaw
Catherine undertook a project, titled "The effect of varying potassium ferricyanide on the duration of a chemiluminescent reaction", as part of the HSC Science Extension course. Potassium ferricyanide is commonly used in glow sticks to give them their characteristic glow, so Catherine wanted to see if she could vary the amounts of the chemical to make the reaction glow for longer. After completing her project, her report and portfolio were entered into the Young Scientist competition and she was awarded Highly Commended (equal second) for the 2021 Rural Young Scientist of the Year Award (Secondary), sponsored by Passionately Curious.
Dr Andrew Eaton
Science Coordinator
Jazmin Chamberlain
Catherine Shaw
Baby News
Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Whitelaw on the successful delivery of their beautiful twins, Liam & Alec Whitelaw!
Clothing Pool News
Seeking Volunteers
Would you be able to assist by volunteering some time at the Clothing Pool?
You will be conducting sales at the clothing pool (an easy process and you’ll have help too!). You will meet other parents/grandparents at the College. The students will love seeing you involved at the College. This is a great way to get to know and be a part of the WAC community.
There are opportunities available every weekday morning from 7.45 am to 8.30 am.
To be part of the team, you will need to be fully vaccinated and follow the College COVID safety guidelines and College volunteer procedures.
If you have any questions about volunteering please feel free to contact me.
Clothing Pool Reopening
The Clothing Pool has reopened from 7.45 am to 8.30 am every weekday to provide you with good quality, pre-used College uniforms and accessories. If you have any donations, we will gladly accept them at the clothing pool or they can be left at Student Reception if the Clothing Pool is unattended. the Clothing Pool will be open every weekday morning until the end of Term.
Steps for visiting the Clothing Pool
1. Sign in at the College Reception - wear your mask whilst on the College grounds and proceed to the Visitors Reception where staff will confirm your vaccination status. Scan the QR code and sign into the College as a visitor. You will then be provided with a visitor sticker.
2. Show your Visitor sticker at the side windows of White Cottage to be served. Please remember to maintain social distancing of 1.5m with other parents.
3. Preferred payment by EFTPOS facilities (Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS available). We only have a limited amount of change available for cash sales.
4. Sign out at the Visitor's Reception when you have finished at the clothing pool.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Mrs Melissa Whishaw
P&F Clothing Pool Coordinator
0415402013
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
College Merchandise
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
Tahmoor Community Links
Country Women's Association - Christmas Stall
Come along and grab yourself some lovely handmade treats and goodies
- Picton Mall
- Saturday, 4 December 2021
- 9.00 am - 10.00 am
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 - Tobias Taylor (KJ) and Beau Whatman (KJ) are reminding all families to return their College library books for the end of the year.