Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 5 - Friday, 4 March 2022
Message from the Headmaster
This week has brought two significant challenges to us in the form of COVID cases and an intense weather event. I have been so impressed with our students, staff and families and would like to thank you all for working with us through these.
Our students have continued to act with maturity, self control and respect for others. Wednesday afternoon was a very intense afternoon with call after call to our classrooms to ask students to come to the office. Students then waited patiently under shelter while we organised sign outs and communicated with parents. Thank you to our parents who also waited patiently while we collected your children; I know that many of you were nervous and somewhat anxious about your homes and safe travel. I appreciate how you worked with us to ensure our students could leave in a safe and timely way. I would also like to thank our amazing staff for coordinating this busy, busy afternoon. They worked so well as a team with many staff stepping in to support each other even if it wasn't their responsibility. To me this represents how willing our staff are to serve others. Even when they were under intense pressure they continued to check in on each other to make sure everyone was feeling OK and that no one was under pressure alone.
In addition to this we have experienced the highest number of COVID cases in our community since the COVID Pandemic began two years ago. Many families are managing isolation within their homes and further restrictions at the College. I know this has been difficult and I thank you for working with us and communicating with us through this period. We continue to assess and manage student and staff absences each day so that we can continue to provide your children with excellent learning and genuine care and support. I am so thankful to our students, staff and families for making Wollondilly Anglican College such a wonderful place to learn.
I would also like to thank God for his ultimate care, protection and guidance as we navigate these challenges.
Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster
Teaching and Learning 7-12
Assessment is an important part of the teaching and learning process. As educators, teachers collect pieces of both informal and formal assessment items to measure a student’s performance or achievement in a subject area. Informal assessment may include class work and bookwork, an impromptu test or speech, verbal discussions with students to ascertain their level of understanding or perhaps even observation.
Formal assessment items are specifically known to the student (as in they are pre-warned) and take a measure of what and how well student has learnt something. Formal assessment items help to determine a student’s proficiency or mastery of a topic, or skill. They will include pieces such as hand in essays, tests and examinations, research assignments, written speeches, practical and portfolio work, and even performances in perhaps say a music lesson.
All students in the College have been issued with their Assessment information booklet 7-12. In this document, is important information on areas such as what to do in the event of an absence when a formal task is due, how achievement grades 7-11 are determined and information associated with plagiarism, lateness of tasks and the process involved with requesting an extension on an item.
Please take the time to review with your child this document so everyone is familiar with the process. Attached to our assessment policy is also the assessment grids, which have all the due dates for all the subjects for a set year group. It is important that these dates are then written into student diaries and in calendars so they know what is coming up and can implement effective time management skills to ensure these tasks are done to the best of the student’s ability. Tasks dates also appear on edumate so there is no confusion of what is due when!
Year 11 2022
Normally at this point in the year, we run an information evening specifically for Year 11 students and their parents. It’s important as they head into Stage 6 (Year 11 and Year 12) they are aware of some of the requirements as they differ from Stage 5 (Year 9 and Year 10) and Stage 4 (Year 7 and Year 8). Unfortunately due to COVID that is unable to take place in the regular face-to-face format that we have run in the past at the College. As an alternative, a recorded presentation will be emailed to parents on Tuesday, 8 March, so please watch this with your son or daughter.
Year 10 Minimum Standards testing
During the upcoming week (Week 6), students in Year 10 will complete the NESA minimum standards testing at the College. Parents/carers will have received a letter about this.
Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching and Learning 7-12
Passing on Messages or Forgotten Items
We have had an increasing number of parents calling or visiting Student
From time to time children forget hats, sports equipment, instruments etc. Just like adults, they need to learn that there are consequences when we forget things and that sometimes we can find other solutions. The Administration staff are very busy and do not have time to be dropping off items or run non-essential messages to students.
If children forget their lunch, we will try to pass this on to them if parents drop it in. The Canteen can provide a sandwich and a piece of fruit if needed. Parents will be notified that this has occurred and payment will be arranged.
Parents should never go to a classroom or playground to pass on items that have been forgotten or to give a student a message.
Phone calls between students and parents during College hours are not to happen unless permission has been given by a College staff member.
Parent volunteers should not seek to contact or visit their children while at the College. We value your contribution, however, we need to keep children in the areas they should be in and allow them to have their normal day at the College.
In summary, please be aware that the College Administration staff are very busy and that in most cases children will survive the day if they forget things.
Ms Jacqui Huxtable
Director of Teaching & Learning T-6
Year 9 Camp
We are looking forward to taking Year 9 on camp on 9-11 March. We will be going to Youthworks Waterslea Conference Centre near Nowra, for three days of adventure and team building. The focus of this camp is the hike and camp-out where students will step out of their comfort zone and have fun whilst learning valuable skills.
In preparation for the Camp, parents/carers will need to give permission on the WAC App for their child to attend, and also complete the swimming ability form.
A Rapid Antigen Home Test (RHAT) will need to be undertaken the morning of camp and the response (positive or negative) form submitted the morning of Wednesday, 9 March.
I would like to remind parents of the following information regarding medical needs, so that we can appropriately care for everyone:
- All medications need to be brought to the office two days prior to camp (Monday, 7 March) with a medication form filled in. These must be clearly labelled with instructions.
- Students are not to carry their own personal medication except for Ventolin and epipens (daily medications will be administered by teachers at camp, as per the given instructions).
- Paracetamol and Nurofen will be taken and administered by a teacher if needed.
Separate from this, the students have been given a ‘what to bring’ list and reminded that they will be required to hand in any mobile devices upon their arrival at camp.
Please ensure that all forms have been completed and returned ASAP.
I am looking forward to spending this time with Year 9 and seeing them grow personally and as a group. If you have any questions regarding the camp please feel free to contact me at e.bawden@wac.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Erica Bawden
Year 9 Patron
‘MyTech’ Battery Issues and Loan Devices
‘MyTech’ provides many great learning opportunities for students and continues 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 could be 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. It is recommended to check the battery health status of devices regularly. Please see the links below for the method in checking the health status of a Windows or Apple device:
Windows: https://www.windowscentral.
Apple: https://www.imore.com/how-
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 bringing a charger and placing their device in the lockable compartment during recess or lunchtime. Students should not be accessing this service during class times.
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/
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’, please send them to mytech@wac.nsw.edu.au
Mr Lloyd Grant
Secondary Learning Innovations Coordinator
Library News
The Premier’s Reading Challenge 2022 has begun!
Student Logins remain the same from year to year. Miss Baker will be reminding students in Year 4-6 of these in Library Lessons. Year 3 and new students will also receive their logins.
Please note:
K-2 do their reading as a group in class and do not need to log anything as the teacher does this for them.
From Year 3 onwards students log their own books on the PRC website.
If you are in Years 7-9 and would like to take part, please direct all questions to Mrs Colombo: j.colombo@wac.nsw.edu.au
Students doing the challenge can include books read from the end of the previous challenge in August 2021.
Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian
College Nurse
Year 7 & Year 8 Vaccinations
The NSW School Vaccination Program will be onsite at the College for Year 7 & Year 8 Vaccinations for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) only on Friday, 11 March. Students will be given Gardasil Dose 1 to Year 7 and Dose 2 to Year 8.
Students are to wear College sports uniform.
All students in Year 7 should have received their vaccination information pamphlet and parental consent form. Consent forms need to be returned to Student Reception. If your child does not return their signed vaccination form, they will not be vaccinated. Vaccinations for Year 7 this round will include Gardasil for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) only.
Year 8 students will receive their second dose of Gardasil for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) due to the clinic being cancelled last Year. Year 8 parents should have received correspondence from NSW Health to advise of the catch up clinic. If your child has had their second dose of HPV vaccine at the GP please let me know via medical@wac.nsw.edu.au and they will be removed from our list. Please note NSW Health have the Year 8 consent forms (from 2021) and will bring them to the College on the day.
If your child has recently recovered from COVID and is feeling well, they are able to receive the HPV vaccine. If you have any concerns relating to this, please contact your local GP or local Public Health Unit to discuss further.
Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse
Transition-Year 6 Parent-Teacher interviews
Parent-teacher interviews are a great chance to meet your child's teacher and find out how they have settled into the new school year. Interviews for students in Transition to Year 6 will be running in Week 8 via Zoom. On Tuesday, 22 March they will occur between 3.00 pm - 8.00 pm and on Thursday, 24 March they will occur between 3.00 pm - 6.30 pm. Please put these dates in your diary and you will be sent details of how to book these interviews next week.
Mr Wayne Baulch
Administration Coordinator
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
Clothing Pool
Phone Access
Let your fingers do the walking! The College Clothing Pool now has a telephone line which you can call to check stock availability! The Clothing Pool's direct line is 4623 0286 extension number 286.
Donations
Thank you for all your great donations, please keep them donating them at the Clothing Pool during opening hours or neatly leave them at Student Reception.
New Socks
We have sold out of most sizes and styles of Socks. We have placed an order with Lowes and will notify you when they arrive.
New Volunteers
Thank you and Welcome to our newest volunteers - Renu and Amanda. If you would like to join our team, we still require volunteers on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Mornings. Please call Melissa for more information on 0415 402 013.
Locations and Opening Hours
Located at the back of White Cottage (Transition)
7.45 am to 8.30 am Monday to Friday
EFTPOS available
Mrs Melissa Whishaw
P&F Clothing Pool Coordinator
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/
Douglas Park Evangelical Church
10.00 am Sundays at Douglas Park Community Hall or online via Zoom.
Contact David Luxford on 0404754105 or via Facebook.com/DPEChurch
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)
Traditional Church Building - 8.00 am, 9.30 am & 4.00 pm
Church Auditorium - 9.30 am & 5.30 pm
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 News
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.
Wollondilly Wellbeing - Free Self-Defence Classes
Wollondilly Shire Council was successful in gaining a grant from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia to provide our new project “Wollondilly Wellbeing”
The aim of this project is to support 18 to 30-year-old Wollondilly residents to look after their wellbeing through a holistic approach.
As part of this project, there will be free Self-Defence classes available for 18 to 30-year-old Wollondilly residents.
Click here to register for these classes- https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wollondilly-wellbeing-self-defence-classes-tickets-266364843417
Wollondilly Community Relief Program - Local Community VenturesCriteria - Must be a resident of the Wollondilly LGA and been financially impacted by COVID-19Apply at lcventures.org.au/wollondilly-
Rugby League Ready Program 2022
It is an exciting time for our game moving into season 2022 with a lot of exciting opportunities for our area.
As a game, we are looking for SUPERSTAR coaches and deliverers for the upcoming Rugby League Ready program which is a program designed to get young participants in the Under 6 ages group “ Rugby League Ready”. The successful Coaches and deliverers will possess an ability to communicate effectively with volunteers, be confident and have experience working with young children. This is a paid role.
The Rugby League Ready program runs over a period of 6 weeks of an afternoon at local junior rugby league clubs. This position is suited to an existing junior league coach or school teacher.
To apply please follow the link below. Alternatively please circulate within your club or school network.
Reaching 4 Korina
The annual Trivia Night is on Friday, 11 March 2022, at Mittagong RSL. Tickets are $60.00 per head. This includes a two-course dinner and trivia. if you would like to join us and meet Korina (if you haven’t already), please come along. In the past, we have had a wonderful time with a lot of laughs.
We are currently selling raffle tickets (2 for $5.00)
1st Prize # $1,500 Hello World Travel voucher
2nd Prize # Posh Picnic Co voucher for 2 with Mumm champagne
3rd Prize # Rochelle Adonis Cakes & Confections High Tea
Online Road Rules Information Session
How well do you know the road rules?
Council invites you to join us for an online information session where you can brush up on your driving skills and knowledge of the NSW road rules including the top 10 most misunderstood road rules.
This information session is aimed to increase knowledge and gain an understanding of new road rules and the most misunderstood road rules in NSW.
Registration is available online - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/x/top-10-most-misunderstood-road-rules-9-march-2022-tickets-170075364995
ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday, 4 March 2022
VENUE: St Anthony of Padua Church, Tahmoor
START: 10.00 am Refreshments to follow
Prayer for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Theme: Jeremiah 29:11 God's promise to his people in exile in Babylon, found in the book of Jeremiah.
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.