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Waratah Weekly - Term 1, Edition 10 - Friday, 31 March 2023

Message from the Headmaster

As a College community, we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all our students. In line with this commitment, we want to update you on our ongoing commitment to the NSW Child Safe Standards. The NSW Child Safe Standards were introduced in 2017 as part of the NSW Government's response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. These standards aim to protect children from harm in all organisations, including schools. They provide a framework for schools to implement policies and procedures that prioritise child safety.

At Wollondilly Anglican College, we take our responsibilities under the NSW Child Safe Standards very seriously. We have implemented a number of measures to ensure that our College is a safe and supportive community for our students, including:

Conducting thorough screening and reference checks during the employment process
Regularly discussing child safety in staff meetings to ensure that all staff members are aware of their responsibilities and understand how to identify and respond to any concerns about child safety
Having clear processes in place for reporting concerns about child safety and responding to these reports

While we are confident of the measures we have taken to promote child safety, we know that there is always more that we can do. We encourage all parents to share their feedback with us to help us ensure that Wollondilly Anglican College remains a child-safe community. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to communicate these to us at pa@wac.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for your ongoing support in our efforts to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all students.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our College.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Deputy Headmaster

Student Absences - Dr Certificates
If your child is absent, please notify the College through the College App. The College only requires a Dr certificate explaining the absence for the reasons below:

If the absences will be for an extended period of time (more than six days is a guide)
If your child is in Year 11 or Year 12 and the absence falls either on the day before or on the day of a Formal Assessment task.

Term 2 Secondary Family Chapel Date Change
The Term 2 Secondary Family Chapel for Years 7-9 was originally advertised as 4 May. This has now been adjusted to a week later, Thursday, 11 May. Please make a note of this in your calendar.

Mr Paul Burns
Deputy Headmaster

Perseverance in Creative and Performing Arts

This week, Mr Law shared why cultivating perseverance is essential to learning in Creative and Performing Arts. He shared two examples of individuals who have shown perseverance in this field, leading to success in their areas.

Firstly, Frida Kaho -

A promising artist who was involved in a severe bus crash when she was a teenager
Bed-ridden for nearly 2 years
Constant pain for the rest of her life
Continued to express herself through her art and became an incredibly influential Surrealist artist

Secondly, Django Reinhardt -

Caught in a caravan fire when he was 18
Had an 18-month recovery in hospital
His ring and pinky finger were fused together
Became one of the most famous and influential jazz guitarists of all time

What are the takeaways?

Things that are worth doing are going to be hard
Obstacles will come and they will be difficult to overcome
Everyone is terrible at things to begin with
Success comes in small doses
Commit!

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

ANZAC Services

Why Wollondilly Anglican College students should get involved in ANZAC Services

ANZAC Day, Tuesday, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Forces during the First World War.

The Australian and New Zealand Forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman-Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died in the campaign.

Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of the Australian and New Zealand Forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy. What became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.

On ANZAC Day we remember their blood trodden into the mud of a foreign land. We remember their sacrifice and we remember the sacrifice of many more who fought and died in other wars. We should be grateful. And while we don’t glorify war, we should remember the sacrifice of those who went before us. One of the ways we can show our gratitude and appreciation is by attending one of the many Dawn Services that are available throughout our community.

There are many ANZAC services in our community including:

Picton
Camden
Bargo
Mittagong
Thirlmere
Appin

Students are encouraged to attend a service in their local communities either in the lead-up to or on ANZAC Day. The College will have staff representatives at a number of the services and students are encouraged to attend in full winter uniform as College representatives and to pay their respects.

College Captains & Community Service Prefects
Jessica Fraser & Emmett Shafer

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

ANZAC Day

ANZAC DAY – Monday, 25 April
ANZAC Day is a day of national significance and one that marks the anniversary of Australia’s first major military action during World War I. This year, ANZAC Day will be observed on Tuesday, 25 April, the first week of Term 2.

ANZAC Day is a major event in the life of the College and students are encouraged to join us as we remember the men and women who have sought to serve their nation in that first engagement and over the many decades that have followed.

Those students who attend the services in their full College Winter Uniform will be acknowledged with the receipt of a Community Service Award. There will be teachers present at the services and students should get their names marked off the Roll by the attending staff.

Picton March
Assemble in the car park behind the Picton Hotel between 6.00 am and 6.15 am in preparation for the March which will commence at 6.30 am sharp. As there will be a significant number of WAC students attending this march, it is asked that students please be prompt.

Parents of Years K-2 children are asked to collect their child/ren at the gate of the park after the March as we enter the park, before the Service commences.

Mrs Evans, Mrs Wellington and Mr Norman will be attending

Hill Top Dawn Service
Please meet at 5.45 am for the Service to commence at 6.00 am at Hill Top Memorial Hall. Hannah White of Year 12 will deliver the address at this community service. Mr Aquilina will be attending.

Camden Dawn Service
Please meet at 5.00 am at the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial, Cawdor Road, Camden. Service commences at 5.15 am. Mr Clarke, Mr Beckinsale, Mrs Napier and Mrs Frederiksen will be attending.

Camden March
Those who would like to march are asked to assemble on Elizabeth Street between Mitchell and Elizabeth Streets from 10.15 am with the march commencing at 10.30 am. The March will then move to Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park for the commencement of the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service at 11.15 am. Mrs Wellington will be attending.

Mittagong Dawn Service
Meet from 5:15 am at the Cenotaph, Hume Highway, Mittagong. Service commences 5.30 am.

Mittagong March
The March for Mittagong traditionally assembles at the Tourist Information Centre on the Old Hume Highway at 10.15 am for a 10:30 am start. The start location and route are still being finalised, but the RSL envisage that it will be back to the traditional time and route. A Community Service will follow at 10.45 am. Mr Smiltnieks, Mr Grant, Mr McIntosh and Mrs McIntosh will be attending.

Thirlmere Service
Please meet at 4.45 am at the Thirlmere Memorial Park, Oaks Street Thirlmere. Service commences at 5.00 am. Mrs Colombo will be attending.

Bargo Sports Club
Please meet at 5.00 am for a 5.15 am start at the Bargo Sports Club. Mrs Maher will be attending.

Students from across the College are encouraged to participate and join with the community in this important commemoration.

Please note that parents are responsible for all transport to and from ANZAC Day events and for the supervision of their child whilst at the event.

It is too early to determine the weather forecast for these events, but a reminder that if the weather is forecast to be warm, taking a bottle of water is a good idea.

It is understood that students may attend a variety of Services to commemorate ANZAC Day, both locally and further afield. If a student attends a Service and a photo is made available of them representing the College by wearing their full Winter Uniform, they too will be acknowledged by receiving a Community Service Award. Email ANZAC Day images to d.aquilina@wac.nsw.edu.au.

Mr Daniel Aquilina
Year 12 Patron
HSIE Teacher

College Breakfast Program

A few weeks ago, I wrote in the Waratah Weekly that I would be conducting some anonymous student surveys around eating patterns – specifically focusing on the students eating patterns around breakfast. I collected data on what time students left home to attend the College and how often breakfast was not consumed.

I also wrote in the same article about the impact eating breakfast can have on a student’s learning and ability to concentrate. Perhaps one of the most concerning outcomes of this survey was that across the Secondary Years in the College, there are in all Year Groups, a significant percentage of students who regularly do not eat breakfast (on average, they missed breakfast almost every day!) The rate of students regularly missing breakfast also increased experientially as they moved into Stage 5 (Year 9 and Year 10) and the largest cohort of students who regularly missed breakfast was found in Stage 6 (Year 11 and Year 12).

As a response to this, the College is going to trial a free Breakfast Program. Please find the details below:

When: The Breakfast Program will start during Term 2 and will run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings

Time: The Breakfast Program will open at 7.30 am and close at 7.55 pm

Where: Students will be able to receive breakfast from the rear of the Deakin Administration block at the terrace

Cost: Free

What will be available: Fruit, toast and occasionally yoghurt

Please note the College Canteen will still be open and available for students to purchase desired items. The breakfast program is open for Secondary students only at this stage.

For further information about this please contact me via email at k.evans@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching and Learning 7-12

Girls' Winter Uniform Changes

ALL girls in Years K-12 now have a pants option for Winter.

PRIMARY - YEARS K-6
Primary girls now have the option to wear tartan pants with the current Winter blouse and tie instead of the tartan tunic, blouse with tie and stockings. Lowes now has the pants available for purchase.

SECONDARY - YEARS 7-12
Secondary girls now have the option to wear black pants with the current Winter blouse and tie. Lowes now has the pants available for purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: The rest of the Winter uniform remains the same: black polishable leather shoes, College Ribbon, College Hat, College Bomber Jacket or College Blazer.

The blouse should be worn tucked in and the pants are full ankle length. There is an adjustable waist fitting and generous hem to assist a good fit.

Primary Sports

Details of our last IPSSO match for Term 1 are below:

5 April - Away against Broughton Anglican College.
Junior game: 12.00 pm - 12.40 pm
Senior games: 12.45 pm - 1.25 pm

Primary NASSA Touch Football Gala Day - Well done to our Touch Footballers!
Last Monday, WAC sent a Girls’ Team and a Boys’ Team to the NASSA Touch Football Gala Day. A big congratulations to Les Vidal and Briella Anastasio of Year 6 who were selected to attend the CIS Touch Football Trial. Abbey Cook, Jessica Blomfield and Norah Rebelo have shared their reflections on the day:

“First off we had to wake up really early to get to school. Plus it was raining!"
"We accomplished a few wins; the girls won four times and the boys three. There were a few schools we wouldn't usually verse in IPSSO, so there were a lot of fresh faces."
"Thanks to all the teachers who brought us and organized this awesome Gala Day. Overall, it was a really fun day. We hope this will inspire you to try out for the next touch footy gala day.”

Thank you to Mr Koski and Mrs Stark who coached the teams for the day.

Primary NASSA Netball Gala Day - Wednesday, 5 April
Miss McMaster will be selecting a team of Stage 3 Girls to compete at the NASSA Netball Gala Day at Netball Central, Homebush on Wednesday, 5 April. For enquiries concerning the Netball Gala Day, please see Miss McMaster or Mr Gooden.

WASP Academy - Wollondilly Anglican Sports Performance Academy: Football (Soccer) begins Term 2!
We are excited to announce the return of WASP. The WASP Academy aims to improve students’ individual sporting skills as well as develop players for our Representative College Sides. In Term 2, we will be running our WASP Football (Soccer) Academy.

Permission notes and further information to be made available soon.

3-6 Cross Country - Thursday, 6 April
On Thursday, 6 April, students in Years 3-6 will be competing in the 2023 Primary Cross Country on the WACA from 11.05 am to 1.05 pm. Races will begin and finish on the WACA.

Students are required to wear their coloured house shirts and sports hat. It is recommended students bring their drink bottles and sunscreen.

Parents are very welcome to attend as spectators. However, we request parents refrain from parking on the main access road to the WACA as this will be part of the course for the day.

A timetable for the day is below:

8 and 9 years
- Boys 11.25 am
- Girls 11.30 am
10 years
- Boys 11.40 am
- Girls 11.45 am
11 years
- Boys 11.55 am
- Girls 12.00 pm
12 and 13 years
- Boys 12.10 pm
- Girls 12.20 pm
Presentation of Winners
- 12.45 pm

Race distances:

11, 12 & 13 years run the 3km track
8, 9 & 10 years run the 2km track

Years T-2 Cross Country - Thursday, 6 April
On Thursday, 6 April, students in Years T-2 will be competing in the 2023 T-2 Cross Country on the Front Oval (Winning Field) from 1.35 pm to 2.25 pm. Races will begin at the base of Elizabeth and finish at the Deakin terraces. Students are encouraged to wear their House Sports shirts. Parents are welcome to attend as spectators.

Gymnastics for Stages 2 and 3
Next term, for College Sport, students in Stages 2 and 3 will have the opportunity to participate in Gymnastics sessions at the Wollondilly Leisure Centre with Gymtastics. More information about this to be made available soon.

Upcoming events:

Wednesday, 5 April - Primary NASSA Netball Gala Day
Thursday, 6 April - 3-6 Cross Country (11.05 am to 1.05 pm)
Thursday, 7 April - T-2 Cross Country (1.35 pm to 2.25 pm)

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

College Chaplain - Resilience

The College Learner Disposition focus for Term 1 is Resilience. This is a habit that we are working on developing and cultivating in our students, learning, character and also in their faith.

This week in devotions we're working through the gospel of Luke. In this morning's passage in Luke 22:7-13, Jesus instructs Peter and John to set up for the Passover meal. This meal is one entrenched in Israelite history, a celebration of how God delivered His people from Egypt. It's a celebration that the people looked forward to, why? Because it was a chance to remember together over a meal the goodness of God and the way in which He enabled them to endure adversity. Peter and John are no strangers to adversity either; they've been with Jesus for three years, through the highs and the lows. Yet through this time, they've grown to trust Him more and more. This trust is put on display in this passage, they have an opportunity here to either trust or doubt Jesus: they don't find a reason to doubt and instead TRUST. I think that part of what is revealed here is Peter and John growing in their trust in Jesus. As they've gotten to know Him better, as their relationship has strengthened they've grown in their capacity to trust Him more. They know Jesus' character; they know He desires what is best for them, even if they don't yet understand what that is. This trust in Jesus is pivotal for them to endure the challenges that lay ahead in their lives. In the same way, trusting in Jesus is pivotal for us, it's the way we successfully endure difficult times, knowing that even if we don't understand why we're experiencing hardship we can trust that Jesus does. More than that, Jesus is using difficult times in our lives to grow and shape us to be more like Him. Here's the question I want to leave you with. Who or what is your trust placed in? Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus; seen by growing in your trust in Him?

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

Performing Arts News

Singapore Collaboration - Performing Arts Students
This is a general reminder that the Dance students' practice for the upcoming Singapore Collaboration Trip is scheduled for Monday, 3 April, in Johnson 11.

All students have been emailed the Term 2 schedule of rehearsals and meetings for the Zoom Collaboration students.

Primary Family Chapel - Primary Choir Performance
The Primary Choir performed beautifully at the Primary Family Chapel last night under the Shoulder to Shoulder Shelter. Their rendition of ‘This is Amazing Grace’ was certainly amazing. A big thanks to the staff involved in this performance including Mrs Apps, Miss McGarry and Miss Domanski.

Secondary Formal Assembly - Monday, 3 April
A reminder to the following students who are involved in the upcoming Secondary Formal Assembly on Monday, under the Shelter:

Processional/Recessional - College Band (under the direction of Mr Law)
National Anthem - led by Denise Grabe (Year 9)
College String Quartet Performance
Scarlett Bowser (Year 8) Solo Dance Performance
Year 9 Elective Dance Class Performance

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12

Creative Arts & LOTE News

In Drama, students in Year 12 have been refining their Individual Performances for the HSC. They have also been deconstructing past HSC papers so that they can understand the rubrics and marking criteria, putting this knowledge into practice for the written section of their Half Yearly Exams. Year 11 have been creating their own play scripts for performance using the Sydney Theatre Company’s 10 Steps to Collaborative Playbuilding as inspiration and a guide.

Students from Year 10 Drama are also writing and performing their own material. In order to assist them in understanding how we use our bodies and faces to communicate meaning, they have studied some of the great Mimes like Charlie Chaplin. Students in Year 9 have been looking at Verbatim Theatre, which is a documentary-style drama using interviews with people in real situations. They viewed productions like From Away and are crafting their own productions based on their experience of local fires and flooding.

A big congratulations to Amelia Wellington for her success at the Camden Show. Amelia entered the Juvenile under 16 years Drawing Competition and received a Highly Commended, and in the Juvenile under 16 years Painting-Landscape placed 1st. For this, Amelia received a cash prize and a voucher for an art-making workshop. Amelia's perseverance and effort in art-making have really paid off with this outstanding achievement.

Mr Chris Law
Year 7 Patron
Acting Leader of Learning CAPA/LOTE

Family Chapel - Term 2

Term 1 has flown by and coming up early in Term 2 is our first Secondary Family Chapel for the year. This Family Chapel is for Students in Years 7-9 and families and will be held on Thursday, 11 May from 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm. All students and parents in these Year Groups are encouraged to attend. It is important that students attending wear their full College Winter Uniform. Rolls will be marked on the night and students who attend issued with a Community Service Merit.

The Secondary Family Chapel will be a great opportunity to gather together and hear about how God is working in the lives of students here at Wollondilly Anglican College. It'll be a chance for us to gather together and be encouraged by God's word.

There will also be an opportunity to continue to bless our broader community. Donations of gold coins or non-perishable foods are welcomed. These will be used by the WAC Kids Care team to prepare meals for those in our community experiencing hardship. Additionally, House points will be allocated to students who attend and these points will go towards the Overall House Shield.

Prior to the commencement of the evening, a BBQ dinner will be served from 5.00 pm. All parents and students are encouraged to join us for the BBQ from this time.

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

Library News

Library Monitors
Congratulations to our Year 6 Library Monitors for 2023. These 35 students received their badges at the Primary Assembly on Thursday, 30 March.

The Library Monitors have started the year well, assisting Library staff in Quarmby Library every Break 2. Mrs Reid and Mrs Moller have been very impressed with their efforts so far.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Equestrian

Enrolment News

Application For Enrolment
Applications continue to pour in for 2024 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 Visitors' Reception or from the College website www.wac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Kristy Biddle
Enrolments Officer

2023 Key Events & Dates

Click Here

P&F Clothing Pool

Clothing Pool Summer Uniform Sale
10% off Summer Uniform Items

The Clothing Pool has a great selection of pre-loved uniform items, come in and see what you can save!

Cashless transactions only - Visa, MasterCard & Eftpos accepted.

Sale items include :

Primary, Secondary and Senior Boys' Summer Shirts & Shorts
Primary, Secondary and Senior Girls' Summer Blouses and Tunics
Sport Polo Shirts and Shorts

Items are on sale until the end of this Term!

Also, we would like some more volunteers - are you free for 45 minutes on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday?Contact Melissa at 0415 402 013

Location: White Cottage
Open: 7.45 am - 8.30 am
Payment: Card only

Have a great week!

Mrs Melissa Whishaw
Clothing Pool Coordinator

Church Services

Click Here

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 to 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.

MW Physie and Dance

Registrations are open for MW Physie and Dance. Part of the Australian Physie and Dance organistion. (https://www.mwapda.com.au/home/ ). New members are welcome. Come along to have a look. Class times below:

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.

College Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSORS

SIMEC Mining

Tahmoor Colliery is an underground coal mine producing high-quality coal for steel production. Tahmoor Coal is a proud supporter of local charities, businesses, organisations and schools; and is committed to responsible mining operations, taking care of the community and environment.

Phone: 02 4640 0100 (within office hours) 1800 154 415 (after hours)
Email: tahmoorenquiries@simecgfg.com
Web: www.tahmoorcoal.com.au

Double Gold Sponsors

Little Elves Childcare Centre
T/ Little Elves OOSH
Bargo Public School
Ph: 0487 000 245
Email: littleelvesoosh@gmail.com

Thirlmere Quality Timbers
http://www.thirlmerequalitytimbers.com.au/
60 Oaks Road Thirlmere, NSW, 2572
Phone: Deb 0417 486 522
Office 02 46841 8580
Email: sales@thirlmerequalitytimbers.com.au

About our business:
We supply quality rural hardwood fencing products and quality seasoned firewood sourced from sustainable regrowth forests. We produce 90% of our stock on-site and strive to supply the best timber products in the area to our customers.

The Associates Insurance Broking Services Pty Ltd
Address: PO Box 56, Bowral NSW 2576
ABN: 90 638 881 660
Contact Person Name: Victoria Holt (Company EA)
Email address: victoria.holt@is-insurance.com.au

PRISM Human Capital
Address: PO Box 56, Bowral NSW 2576
ABN: 94 604 594 345
Contact Person Name: Victoria Holt (Company EA)
Email address: Victoria.holt@is-insurance.com.au

About our business:
Insurance Investment Solutions (IIS) opened its doors for business in 2017 and quickly built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading strata insurance specialist underwriting agencies. We provide brokers with market leading insurance solutions.