Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 3 - Friday, 13 May 2022

Message from the Headmaster

Creating a Child Safe College is of critical importance at Wollondilly Anglican College. In 2012 then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard announced that there would be a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Over the next five years, a great deal of research was conducted and examination of institutions which led to published papers that provide guidance and accountability to organisations, including schools. We continue to reflect and review our practices and where necessary adjust these. While no way an exhaustive list, below are some ways that we create a Child Safe College:

• Screening of all staff who are employed or volunteer at the College
• Annual child safety training for all staff including management of situations and responsibilities of staff
• All playground areas of the College are supervised and Individual teacher/student supervision in transparent areas
• Appropriate risk assessments are undertaken and accountability
• Online monitoring of students' internet activity for unsafe behaviours
• Dedicated Pastoral Care staff to support students and parents 
• Empowering students to 'speak up' and recognise high-risk situations. Students are supported to take part in conversations about their safety

We value the important relationship between the College and home and our priority is to ensure the safety of all members of the Wollondilly community. If you feel there are ways we are able to improve our approaches to Child Safety we are open to your feedback. 

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

From The Deputy

College Reports 
Over the coming weeks, Year 11 and Year 12 will be receiving their Semester 1 Reports, and at the end of this Term, other years will receive theirs.. I encourage Parents and Students to read these carefully, celebrate achievements and reflect on ways to improve moving forward. With the improvements in the College App and Parental access to Edumate, we have made the decision to no longer print College reports K-12. Parents will be able to access these digitally. We will notify Parents and Carers when these have been uploaded to Edumate. We understand that some parents may prefer a printed version of the report. Please notify Student Reception if this is your preference and we will provide a printed copy. 

Submission of Assessment Tasks
I would like to remind students of the importance of submitting assessment tasks. Students are encouraged to work diligently with sustained effort. One aspect of demonstrating this is ensuring all tasks are submitted by their due date. Most assessments should be submitted to the teacher either before or during the scheduled class on the due date. Some tasks will be required to be uploaded to Canvas while others will be submitted as a hard copy. Students should refer to the assessment notification for these instructions. 

As I moved around the College last week, I dropped into a number of classrooms and was encouraged to see so many wonderful things happening in terms of Teaching and Learning. Students were seeking to use their God-given gifts to better understand themselves, others, and the world around them. We have a College focus on Explicit Instruction and it is encouraging to see students clearly understanding the purpose behind their learning and how they are able to show success in this. I have also been encouraged by the diligence in which students have approached the NAPLAN tests this week. These will continue into Week 4. Students who miss a test will have an opportunity to catch these up at a later date.

Mr Paul Burns
Deputy Headmaster

Secondary News

Singapore Collaboration
Wollondilly Anglican College has been involved in an online collaboration in which students have been working towards a collective project. Through the use of Zoom, students have completed two presentations and have worked together to share ideas and enhance their learning.

On a recent family holiday, two of our students, Amalie and Kiani Borthwick visited Singapore's Anglican High School to meet some of the teachers and students with whom they had formed online friendships. Thank you Amalie for writing about your experience and sharing your photos. Such powerful learning and long-lasting relationships were developed through the online experience and it was wonderful to see these students want to meet their new friends face-to-face. 

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning 7-12

Singapore Trip Report

During this Easter break, my family and I travelled to Singapore. During this time, it had been decided that we would spend a day or so at the Anglican High School in Singapore’s Tanah Merah. This was primarily to aid in the relationship between Wollondilly Anglican College and the Anglican High School and make brief introductions. Anglican High School is a co-educational, government-aided autonomous Anglican Secondary school. It is one of the Special Assistance Plan schools in Singapore and it offers a four-year Secondary education leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examinations.

During our time at Anglican High School, we began with a round of RATs, after negatives we joined the Headmaster Khoo Tse Horng for an interview of sorts. He educated us on the Singaporean school system, the pathways students could take, how education differs between genders because of mandated national service for the boys and questioned us on our schooling system, personal interests, and Wollondilly Anglian College as a whole. Following our conversation, we were treated to lunch by the students in a cafeteria setting that was reflective of the Hawker Centres found throughout Singapore. Students bring in petty change and buy their recess and lunch from market like stalls - these break times lasting 20 minutes each. From here we went into a collaborative room, all the students involved in the program came in and chatted with us about their feelings in regard to the program and also about their personal lives. This was followed by a tour of the classrooms and facilities around the school, their classrooms are large and basic, yet filled with an enthusiastic light, their many stairs less so. Our tour ended at the café beneath international student accommodation where we were again treated by the girls and enjoyed mango slushies. This concluded our day and we quickly exchanged social media details.

Throughout the weeks that we were in Singapore, we met up with the girls and were invited to their homes, and to their churches, we even had a farewell party at the airport. Galadriel Garcia invited us to her church; Geylang Evangelical Free Church where Pastor Vincent gave a great talk about how death is defeated, life goes on and to die is to gain. It was an encouraging, uplifting experience, a beautiful way to spend Easter and a highlight of the trip.

Seeing the responsibility that is thrust upon the girls but also the freedom that comes from this was a takeaway.  Another takeaway was the absolute community-minded nature that was found not only within Anglican High School but also within the broader social networks. Singaporeans demonstrated their family nature, with respectful titles such as auntie and uncle for those older than themselves. The relationship between student and teacher is more respectful and also less formal than most found within Australia. Overall, it was a magnificent experience and one my family and I have grown with. We made many great relationships with the students and teachers and the feedback from the Anglican High School to us and our good wishes to them have been positive. Anglican High School looks forward to more conversation and the feeling is reciprocated by my family and peers involved in the program.

Amalie Borthwick
Year 10

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Primary Sport

NSWCIS Netball Representative 

Congratulations to Minka Van Son of Year 6 who was selected for the NSW CIS Junior Netball Team! This is a massive achievement and we know Minka will do Wollondilly proud! Minka is competing at the NSW PSSA Netball Championships from 26 July to 28 July. 

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Report

Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Report
By Abby Cuppit and Joshua Phillips

Could you imagine camping for multiple nights in subzero temperatures in Kosciuszko National Park? Well, that was the experience of 37 brave WAC students over the past weekend. For the first two days, the students hiked into Cascade Hut, enjoying light snowfalls, picturesque scenery, and sightings of the controversial Snowy Mountain brumbies. On the third day, students had intended to climb Mount Kosciuszko but due to inclement weather, were unable to. The disappointment of not being able to climb Mount Kosciuszko was surpassed by the gourmet campfire cooking of Dr Smiltnieks. After the silver students finished their adventurous journey, the remaining five gold students continued on their fourth day to mountain bike the Thredbo Valley track and refine their paddling skills in the Thredbo river. The students would like to thank the five staff members who took time out of their weekends to come on this adventurous journey with us. 

Students are reminded to return hired equipment and finish their hike reports promptly so they can progress through the award. Upcoming hike dates include:

Gold (Qualifying for Year 12, Practice for Year 11) 21- 24 July 

Bronze Qualifying (Year 9) 12-13 August

Gold (Qualifying for Year 11) 22- 25 September 

Silver Qualifying (Year 10) 20-22 October

Mr Craig Lobb
Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, Year Patron, Science Teacher

NAPLAN

NAPLAN

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, in schools across Australia. The results will help you understand how your child is progressing through school. NAPLAN testing starts next week and the testing schedule is below. 

All students will be using the College Chromebooks to do these tests. Part of some tests will require students to have headphones and therefore they will need to bring the headphones they got in their book packs or other suitable headphones to every test session. Please note that wireless earbuds like AirPods will not work on the College Chromebooks. We will have a limited number of headphones available for loan. Please note that if a student is away they will need to do catch up tests on their return. The final day for all testing is Friday, 20 May. It is better that absences be avoided, other than illness, during the test period.

The following links provide information about NAPLAN and has some demonstration tests

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Mr Wayne Baulch 
Administration Coordinator

MakerSpace

Makerspace has resumed at the College this Term after a short break. Makerspace provides students with the opportunity to problem-solve, create and develop skills within the many facets of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) whilst being guided and gently encouraged by staff outside of regular classes. This Term we will be meeting in Sturt 5 during Lunch on both Wednesdays and Fridays.

On Wednesdays, students will be in groups, building a model bridge from a specific set of materials. The completed structures will then be strength tested at the Country Fair to determine the strongest structure and the winning group will be crowned. Fridays will see students reassembling our VEX V5 robots and then begin to learn how to control them through both the joystick control system and coding. Makerspace is open to all students who have an interest in these types of activities and would like to genuinely challenge their ability through inquiry-based learning.

Dr Shane Smiltnieks
TAS Secondary teacher

Years 11 & 12 Parent Teacher Evening

Parent-teacher interviews are a great chance to meet your child's teachers and find out how they are progressing this year. Interviews for students in Year 11 and Year 12 will be occurring in week 6 via Zoom. On Tuesday, 31 May they will occur between 3.00 pm - 8.00 pm and on Thursday, 2 June they will occur between 3.00 pm - 5.30 pm. Please put these dates in your diary and you will be sent details of how to book these interviews in Week 4.

Mr Wayne Baulch 
Administration Coordinator

Performing Arts News

Musical Update - Shrek
A general reminder to the Secondary Cast that rehearsals continue on Monday, 16 May. Students should continue to meet staff under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter at 2.45 pm for the rehearsal before we move to designated areas.

Mr Grant has emailed students that showed an interest in being part of the cast early in Term 1 and auditioned for a role and have not attended the first couple of rehearsals this Term. If students have not replied to this email, they are encouraged to do so.

Set Design students can continue to meet Mrs Ware at Melba 3 classroom at 2.45 pm. 

Want to join an ensemble or group?
From time to time, students may have the urge to join one of our many Performing Arts Ensembles and groups on offer at the College. We are always looking for new students to join our amazing groups and are aware that circumstances can change mid-Term to allow for the joining of such groups. 

It is important that particularly for after-College hours groups that the following process is followed:

1. A conversation between the student and their parents is had - this provides a great opportunity for discussion regarding time management and the importance of committing to an ensemble or group

2. A conversation between the student and the ensemble/group leader (or Mr Grant) - this gives the leader an opportunity to provide the student with any additional information that might not already be known to the student

3. The leader will add the student's name to the group list/roll and parents may be notified with any additional information or permission slip via the Edumate portal

Many groups rehearse or meet during College hours and this provides a much smoother process, however, with after-College hours rehearsals requiring additional planning including travel home or alternative pickup arrangements, we want to ensure students follow the above process.

Please see the below rehearsal schedule for more details including the Performance group leaders and times.

Music Tuition Times For Week 4
Due to the busy schedule of the College next week with the remaining NAPLAN Tests and Primary Assessment week, students that undertake Music Tuition may have an alternative time arranged by their tutor. Parents should be aware that these alternative times will only occur for Week 4 (Monday, 16 May - Friday, 20 May) and times will revert to the original times in Week 5. 

Our intention is for your child to still undergo the various tests scheduled, without missing out on the benefits of their regular Music Tuition lessons.

If parents have any questions regarding these times, please contact Mr Grant (via email at l.grant@wac.nsw.edu.au)

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12

Family Chapel & Dinner

Family Chapel & Dinner - Thursday, 9 June
Dinner 5.00 pm; Chapel 6.00 pm
Our next Family Chapel is to be held on Thursday, 9 June and will have a Kindergarten to Year 4 focus. We particularly encourage parents/carers and family members of students in Kindergarten to Year 4 to join us in the Warne Auditorium for an exciting evening of fun and fellowship. Our very own Kindergarten to Year 4 students will be performing for us and we will be having some special visitors from Quiz Worx to share stories about Jesus and entertain us. While the focus is on Years K-4, all members of the College Community are welcome to attend the Chapel.

The P&F will be serving dinner before the Chapel with hot dogs and drinks. So we are able to cater for everyone, please go onto the link below in TryBooking and register for your hot dog and drink. Remember to register for each family member who wishes to eat. If you have any problems with your booking, please contact Mrs Hay at the Office.
https://www.trybooking.com/BZMBU

Mrs Carolyn Clark
Family Chapel Coordinator

Year 12 Fundraiser

Year 10 Vaccinations

The NSW School Vaccination Program will be onsite at the College for Year 10, Tuesday, 24 May. Students will be given Meningococcal ACWY.
Students are to wear their full College Sports uniform.

All students in Year 10 will 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. 

If your child has recently recovered from COVID and is feeling well, they are able to receive the Meningococcal ACWY 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

Library News

Book Club Orders Due Sunday, 15 May
The Book Club Issue 3 catalogue is now available. Secondary students should select the class ‘Secondary’ when ordering.  Primary select their usual class.  All orders are to be made online or through the LOOP App. Orders are due Sunday,15 May.

Library Lunchtime changes for Term 2
The Johnson and Sturt Libraries will be open for all Years 7-10 students on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Lunch 2.

Quarmby Library will be open to Primary at Lunch 2 on the following days:
Monday: Kindergarten
Tuesday: Years 3 and 4
Wednesday: Years 1 and 2
Thursday: Years 5 and 6
Friday: Years 5 and 6

We look forward to seeing you in the Libraries.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Scholarship News

Scholarship Portfolios and Dance USBs
Scholarship portfolios and USBs are now available for pick up from the Alfred Deakin Administration Building Visitors' Reception.

Mrs Kristy Biddle
Enrolments Officer
Ph: 4684 2722

We're Hiring! Canteen Manager

www.wac.nsw.edu.au/employment

P&F Clothing Pool

We really need some more parents to volunteer at the Clothing Pool!
The P&F Clothing Pool is a great resource for all families and we need more volunteers to keep it open every College morning. Clothing Pool is an easy way to help the College community and meet some lovely parents/grandparents. Make it part of your morning drop off routine. Choose a morning that suits you. Open Monday to Friday 7.45 am to 8.30 am. Please come and see us at White Cottage or call Melissa on 0415 402 013 to ask any questions or to volunteer.

Seeking Donations
With a growing College, we are always in need of uniform donations. Please check your cupboards for any uniform items that have been outgrown and drop them into us at the Clothing Pool or Student Reception. We particularly need Sports tracksuit pants and jackets, small sizes are out of stock at the moment.

New Socks & Ties 
We stock brand new socks and ties for Transition through to Year 10
Years 11 & 12 girls' socks - we have some brand new “seconds” available for $2.00 per pair.

EFTPOS Only
We are only accepting card payments. If you are unable to attend the College, we can process payments over the phone. 

Opening Hours 
Monday to Friday 7.45 am to 8.00 am
White Cottage Windows
Direct Phone 
4623 0286
Payment
EFTPOS

Mrs Melissa Whishaw
P&F Clothing Pool Coordinator
0415 402 013

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/PWAChurches/
Wilton - Sundays 5 pm – 6.20 pm all welcome.
Also live-streamed on Youtube: http://youtube.com/PWAChurches/

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

Wollondilly Uniting Church
110 Thirlmere Way, Tahmoor.
Sunday Service 9.15 am
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WollondillyUniting/

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 Evans 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 Shire Wide Flood Study
The draft Wollondilly Shire Wide Flood Study is currently on Public Exhibition – thank you to everyone who contributed knowledge of flooding history and rainfall amounts in Wollondilly.

The Flood Study uses the latest topographic data and modelling techniques as well as local knowledge from our community, in an effort to better understand the nature and extent of flood risk across Wollondilly Shire. It’s part of a process that will lead to later Flood Risk Management Studies and enable Council to determine the best mitigation options to include in future Risk Management Plans.

Take a look at the draft study, and let us know if the mapping and information is consistent with your observations and experience.

PLUS we are seeking more detailed information about flooding around Appin, Tahmoor and The Oaks. Drop a pin on the online map, or join us at a drop-in session.

• The Oaks Community Hall | Wednesday 18 May | Drop in any time between 4.00 pm – 7.00 pm
• Appin AIS Community Hall | Tuesday 24 May | Drop in any time between 4.00 pm – 7.00 pm
• Tahmoor CWA Community Hall | Thursday 26 May | Drop in any time from 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm

Please visit Council’s engagement platform www.yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au or call 4677 1100 to find out more.

Wollondilly Community Relief Program - Local Community Ventures
Criteria - Must be a resident of the Wollondilly LGA and have been financially impacted by COVID-19
Apply at lcventures.org.au/wollondilly-community-relief
Interpreter services available