Waratah Weekly - Term 3, Edition 2 - Friday, 30 July 2021

Message from the Headmaster

As we continue through Week 2 of various degrees of lockdown and ongoing learning from home, it would be easy to start to feel a little flat, or maybe, you love this idea of more alone time! We are all going to 'feel' differently about this experience. But did you know that you can also choose your feelings? It can be difficult but it is possible and it begins with having the right focus. If we focus on what we are unhappy with, we will become more unhappy. If we focus on the positive in a situation, we will become more positive. Brian Tracy said, "You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you". Brian has helped millions of people think more positively by changing their focus. When you find yourself feeling flat, try to refocus on something positive, something that you have control over. Maybe you can call a friend for a chat, or go for a walk, or even force yourself to smile. You will be amazed at the change you can experience when you consistently and intentionally focus on the positives. The Apostle Paul had this sorted because his focus was always on Jesus. In Philippians chapter 4, Paul says that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he finds himself in. He said he has learned the secret of being content whether he is hungry or well-fed, wealthy or poor. Philippians 4:13 is his solution; "I can do all things through him who strengthens me". 

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Deputy Headmaster

Year 11 Subject Lines 2022

A number of Year 10 students have been emailed regarding subject choices and the subject lines for next year in Year 11. The majority of students received their highest preferences (90%). Some were disappointed either because subjects did not run due to low ‘take-up’ or the combination of courses created clashes against the students preferred choices.

Once the student preferences have been entered, the timetabling software generates a result based on those preferences and the various combinations that exist between subjects. It will separate those course combinations that a large number of students wish to do. Typically, for example, Physics and Chemistry appear on separate lines because a large number of students will choose to do both.

The final result or solution was arrived at after weeks of running different models with continuous fine-tuning of the variables. The final outcome represents the best result for the greatest number of students, although certainly not perfect.

The outcome is below. The lines represent a block of 8 periods per fortnight that run on the timetable.

Mr Ian Croger
Deputy Headmaster

Pastoral Care T-12

Top Tips for effective Off-Campus Learning

The College has two Year 12 students who have a role as Academic Prefects. Here are their top tips for effective Off-Campus Learning:

Jack Carroll

Use a combination of online and paper-based resources
Whatever work you're doing, if it feels particularly important, print it out! Being online, often a lot of the work will be on a range of Word Docs. Your work will feel more real and tangible when you can have it in front of you and can highlight and write on it.

Teaching others helps your learning
Additionally, being at home means you are spending more time with family and less time with friends, and therefore I'd encourage you to go and consolidate your learning with siblings or parents! Let them know what you've just learnt, and they can do likewise. That way, you're still getting that important time to share information and consolidate through teaching another person.

Manage your workspace
Another effective strategy is having a designated space for learning and then maybe relocating elsewhere in your house for that additional study you'll be doing. It is important to distinguish the difference, as you will be renewed with a different type of motivation and mindset, which is important for your mental health and not getting burnt out. 

Collaborate
Another strategy, if it is viable for you, is if the teacher has set work for you to complete outside of a Zoom call, possibly collaborating with some peers over a call? Group learning is great, socially, but also can reaffirm confidence in your learning as you won't feel as isolated and alone when dealing with tricky content.

Maisie Hart

Be wise with your breaks! 
Instead of switching from your computer screen to your phone, grab some food and talk to your siblings or pat your dog. Having breaks makes your learning time more productive and beneficial. 

Have a clear workspace
This includes removing your phone, folded washing or other class materials from your desk - a clear workspace means a clear mind.

Don't be afraid to ask questions...even on Zoom
Whilst Zoom makes contributing to class quite daunting, the likelihood of other people wondering the same things as you is high. If you aren't confident enough to ask verbally, utilise the chat function or even send an email.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Pastoral Care T-12

Library News

Book Club Term 3

There will only be one issue of Book Club this Term. It will be processed when students can return to the College - date to be announced in the Waratah Weekly. The books will be a nice surprise for students when they return. The issue is currently online and will be available to parents for the whole Term. Here is a PDF version for you to view.

It is easy to order. The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to the College safe and sound and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP App, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

eBooks, Audiobooks and Digital Resources

While students cannot visit our Libraries in person at the moment, we do have a number of digital resources available from the Student Cloud. For example, our eBooks and Audiobooks are very popular with Secondary students which can also be located at https://wac.wheelers.co/ or download the Wheelers App. Use your College login to access. These eBooks can be read on your laptop, desktop, phone or tablet.

Other resources, for Primary and Secondary, include World Book Online (username: wac/password: wac01) and Clickview.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Employment

Wollondilly Anglican College welcomes applications for the following permanent positions.

• Secondary Technology (TAS) Coordinator
  
• TAS Teacher
• PDHPE Teacher
• Primary Teacher (Pre K - Year 6)
• Workshop Assistant (Part-time)
  

Applications close this Sunday, 8 August!

• HSIE Teacher
  

Applications close Sunday, 15 August!

• Property Manager
  

Applications close Wednesday, 25 August!

https://www.wac.nsw.edu.au/about-us/leadership-staff/employment/

Application for Enrolment

Applications continue to pour in for 2021 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

P&F Association

Next Meeting:

Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, 4 August - 7.00 pm via Zoom.

Church Services

Staying connected in the Wollondilly Shire

During this time, it is important that we stay connected as a community. Due to the restrictions in the Wollondilly Shire, this cannot happen face-to-face. However, many churches in our local area still gather together online. For those within our community who have a faith, can I encourage you to keep meeting as a community of believers as it says in Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

To those in the College community, we encourage you to consider attending a Church Service or Bible Study Group online. In these difficult times, you may be feeling isolated, burdened and even fearful. Because of this, we encourage you, even more, to connect to your local Church, to explore Christianity, to seek the peace and relief that Jesus can give you. It says in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” There is no better time to seek and to come into relationship with Jesus than now. Below are some local Churches in the Wollondilly Shire with their services and programs and contact information for any enquiries. 

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) 
Currently streaming their services on their YouTube channel:

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

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

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

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

Staying connected in the Southern Highlands area.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christian Leadership Prefects
Nerida Seidel and Ethan Schultz 

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.

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.

• Getting Korina Back on the road Trivia Night (Postponed to 2022)
  • When: Friday, 11 March 2022

Please note: With current restrictions in place, some stores may be inaccessible, and some items may be unavailable to purchase through our online pages.

Listed below are the stores that are currently closed to due NSW restrictions. If your uniform is through any of these stores, there will be a second 20% off sale once restrictions ease.

• LIVERPOOL
• FIGTREE
• SHELLHARBOUR
• WARRAWONG
• CASTLE TOWERS
• MT DRUITT
• MIRANDA
• MACARTHUR
• HURSTVILLE
• MERRYLANDS
• PENRITH
• ROSELANDS
• WOLLONGONG
• MINTO
• ST MARYS
• MENAI
• BURWOOD PLAZA
• NARELLAN
• FAIRFIELD NEETA
• ROUSE HILL
• DAPTO

Pretend Headmaster