Waratah Weekly - Term 2, Edition 4 - Friday, 19 May 2023

Message from the Headmaster

Welcome New Staff
We are excited to welcome three new staff members to our College: 

• Mrs Madilyn Shelley - Enrolments Officer
  Madilyn has already commenced in the role. She has great formal qualifications and brings excellent skills and experience to the position. She has recently married and moved into the area.
• Mr Daniel Cooper - Property Team
  Daniel has joined the Property Team and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and skills, having worked for many years in a similar role at another school.
• Mrs Jennifer Post - Art Teacher
  We will be welcoming Jennifer to the Creative Arts Team as an Art Teacher in June. She also comes to the College with great experience working in similar schools.

We are confident that Madi, Dan and Jen will be great additions to our College community. They are all committed to Wollondilly Anglican College and ensuring that we can support our students in their endeavours. They are all excited to be part of our College.

We are so thankful to God for the provision of Christian staff. Our staff, in every role across the College, provide a positive role model for our students, helping students to grow in their faith and to learn how to live a Christ-centred life while helping students to develop a strong moral compass and to make good choices. We also appreciate the staff culture that we have with fellow believers who can support each other, pray together and know that we are all together in our mission of caring for and educating our students.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Vaping and Social Media

As part of our commitment to your child's wellbeing, we are sharing information about an upcoming webinar hosted by cyber safety experts, Safe on Social, that we think will be of interest to many of you.

This webinar, held on Thursday, 25 May, will cover a theme that has been a huge topic of conversation, this year in particular - "Clearing the Smoke: Navigating Teen Vaping and Social Media."

As many of you know, vaping has become a significant concern among our staff and parents as we see children younger and younger being impacted. With the rise of social media, it is crucial for us to stay informed about the impact of vaping and the role that social media plays in influencing our children. As parents we know you have questions, but often don’t know where to turn.

As authorities in their field, Safe on Social have a unique perspective on this topic and bring years of experience working with parents on how to navigate difficult situations. Any questions you may have about the topic can be sent to Safe on Social at info@safeonsocial.com and they will do their best to address them within the webinar.

We highly recommend taking a look at the webinar information here and attending if possible.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care & Culture T-12

Transition & Mr Hopkins Parent Teacher Interviews

Transition Teachers and Mr Hopkins will carry out Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 6. More information will be sent in regard to booking a time. Please ensure that you have updated your Edumate account with your current email address.

Mrs Clayton, Mrs Belusic and Mr Hopkins will be available Tuesday, 30 May from 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm.

Mrs Belusic, Mrs Stucken and Mr Hopkins will be available Wednesday 31 May 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm.

Interviews will be held face-to-face. If these times do not suit you please contact your child's teacher to arrange another time to meet.

Ms Jacqui Huxtable
Director of Teaching & Learning T-6

We're Hiring!

2023 Roles - Last Chance!
The College is currently seeking applications for:

• Secondary English Teacher
• Administration Assistant 
  

Hurry! Applications close Wednesday, 24 May 2023

2024 Graduate Teachers
We are seeking to employ three exceptional Graduate Christian Teachers to commence at the College in 2024:

1. Mathematics Teacher 7-12
2. English Teacher 7-12
3. Primary Teacher Pre K-6

The successful applicants will be registered with the New South Wales Educational Standards (NESA) and be accredited as a Conditional or Provisional Teacher. The teachers will be responsible to the relevant Faculty Leader of Learning and work alongside and be supported by highly competent, experienced and enthusiastic staff. 

Hurry! Applications close Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Primary Sports News

Primary NASSA Cross Country - Thursday 25, May 
The top eight placed finishers of each age group have qualified to represent WAC at the Primary NASSA Cross Country on Thursday, 25 May. The bus will be leaving the College at 10.30 am to transport students to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. The races begin at 12.30 pm. It is expected that students will return to the College by 4.00 pm.

IPSSO 
Our next five weeks of IPSSO are below: 

• 24 May - Away game against Mount Annan Christian College
• 31 May - Home game against St Gregory's College
• 7 June - Home game against Broughton Anglican College
• 14 June - Away against Macarthur Anglican School
• 21 June - WAC bye (WAC Primary Athletics Carnival)

WAC’s new AFL Field - Thank You to the Property Team
You may notice the luscious pasture of the WACA has been graced with a professionally marked AFL field. The WAC IPSSO Teams have honoured the dedication and care of the Property Team with triumphant victories over Macarthur Anglican School. The IPSSO teams rightfully christened the new field; the Junior Team winning 20 to 1 and the Senior Team 59 to 14. 

Upcoming events:

• Thursday, 25 May - Primary NASSA Cross Country at Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park
• Thursday, 8 June - Primary CIS Cross Country
• Wednesday, 21 June - WAC Primary Athletics Carnival
  

WASP Academy - Wollondilly Anglican Sports Performance Academy: Football (Soccer)
It’s not too late to sign up! Boys and girls from Years 4-8 who play at a competitive level are welcome to join. Click the button below to register.

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

Performing Arts News

REMINDER - Resuming Regular Music Tuition Timetable
Now that the Primary Assessment Week has concluded, we will resume our normal Music Tuition times. This will be the same timetable we have been running earlier this term and also last term. A copy of the most current timetable will also be displayed on the Melba Digital Noticeboard, in the window of the Monk Room (between Melba 1 and Melba 2 classrooms). Students are encouraged to look at this timetable each day.

Performing Arts Showcase - Week 8 (Friday 16 June)
Our Performing Arts Groups will be performing in a Performing Arts Showcase afternoon/evening on Friday, 16 June in Week 8. The groups have been preparing items that they will perform before family, friends and the other groups under the Shelter on the newly constructed stage. This showcase will commence at 4.30 pm and will conclude between 6.00 pm - 6.30 pm. More information regarding this event will be provided to parents via the College App in the coming weeks and via the Waratah Weekly. 

I am certainly looking forward to seeing what our students have been preparing.

Talent Quest 2023 - Year 5 and Year 6 can NOW Apply!
In last week’s article, I mentioned the College has decided to move the Talent Quest, traditionally held in Term 3, to the 20-Year Foundation Day to Friday, 23 June, Week 9 of this term. Entries were originally only open to students in Years 7-12 but have now been opened to students in Year 5 and Year 6. How exciting! 

This year, like that of last year, the WAC Talent Quest is going to feature a combination of live and pre-recorded auditions and performances. This format has enabled us to feature some of the amazing talents that our students have, which would not be possible in just a live format on stage. 

Information on how students in Years 5-12 can apply for an audition or on how to submit a video entry has been sent to their student email, with a Google Form that they must complete. A Canvas Assignment on the Student Resources page is now open for students in Years 7-12 to submit their video. A Seesaw Activity has been posted for students in Year 5 and Year 6 to upload their video auditions.

We look forward to seeing the entries for our special Talent Quest celebrating the 20 years of Wollondilly Anglican College and who could win the illustrious ‘Meerkat Trophy.’

Upcoming Events - WAC Crew
Below is a short summary and reminder of students in our WAC Crew that have volunteered their time at various events. 

Singapore Collaboration Trip Rehearsals
A reminder to the students involved in the upcoming Singapore Trip, the schedule has been sent via email. The next rehearsal/meeting after that is in Week 5 (Monday, 22 May). 

HICES Music Festival - Successful Applicants
Established in 1988, the HICES Music Festival is a collaborative musical celebration. The HICES Music Festival is a camp and concert program that annually brings together over 400 musicians from across HICES Schools in New South Wales.

On Wednesday, 16 August, students and staff from HICES Schools will once again gather at the Sydney Town Hall for a spectacular showcasing of the incredible talents of our students and staff. In the lead-up to this night of nights, participating students and staff will spend four days in preparations and rehearsals at Music Camp at The Tops in beautiful Stanwell Park, south of Sydney. This is a wonderful opportunity for students from all HICES Schools to come together and share their love of music in an exciting, fun-filled, action-packed environment as they prepare for their big performance evening.

I am delighted to share that three students from Wollondilly have been selected after an application and audition process:

• Annabel Williams (Year 7) has been selected to play Violin in the String Ensemble
• Harriette Martin (Year 8) has been selected to play Trombone in the Concert Band
• Ha Mee Jung (Year 9) has been selected to play Violin in the Symphony Orchestra

Congratulations to these students and we look forward to hearing about their experiences at the festival, later this year. 

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator T-12

Year 7 Vaccinations

Year 7 Vaccinations will be held on Tuesday, 23 May.

If your child is in Year 7, you will now need to provide online consent for their routine College vaccinations. 

In Year 7, students are offered vaccines for diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. 

Vaccinations will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

How to Provide Consent

1. To complete online consent for your child’s College vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one. 
3. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required. 
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to: 

• Enter your child’s personal details
• Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child  
• Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and Privacy Statement
• Provide Consent 

The Benefits of Providing Consent Online

• Easily update your child’s details
• Receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given 
• Faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) 

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

Food Allergy Week 21-27 May 2023

Last Term Nurse Emma and I spent some time with Stage 3 educating students on Anaphylaxis and Asthma in PDHPE. Students also attended a practical session and were shown how to use an EpiPen in an emergency. 

Students learned:

1. To Be Aware - of what classmates are allergic to
2. To Avoid - sharing food and always washing hands after eating
3. Get Into Action - Tell a teacher straight away if someone with allergies looks sick. 
   

Food Allergy Week 21-27 May 2023
Food Allergy Week is an initiative of Anaphylaxis and Allergy Australia and is dedicated to promoting community understanding of food allergy to help protect those at risk. Australia has the highest incidence of food allergy in the world, and it’s growing at a rapid rate with the Country seeing a 7% year-on-year increase in food allergy fatalities over the last 15 years. We estimate that there are more than 500,000 Australians with a diagnosed food allergy and many more undiagnosed.

The theme for Food Allergy Week 2023 is adrenaline injector first for anaphylaxis, asthma reliever second: a life-saving order. Many people that have both food allergy and asthma sometimes confuse anaphylaxis for asthma. If you have a food allergy and asthma and you experience sudden breathing difficulty within a few hours after eating, always use your adrenaline injector first and then your asthma reliever puffer. If in doubt, give an adrenaline injector first!

https://allergyfacts.org.au/faw

Mrs Sally Lloyd
College Nurse

Year 11 Camp

Students in Year 11 enjoyed their time away at the Year 11 Camp last week, reporting that they were able to “empathise on a whole new level” and “do things that they couldn’t do otherwise”. Students challenged themselves as they spent time undertaking leadership exercises on Manly Beach before shopping for the $5.00 challenge. This involved planning and cooking food for three meals on a very tight budget (particularly with recent inflation).

The students also participated in workshops about homelessness and experienced a night of 'sleeping rough' in the city. The vast majority of students took up the opportunity to sleep in these challenging conditions and I would like to particularly congratulate them on their courage and resilience to go outside of their comfort zone.  

The final day of the Camp had the hotly anticipated 'Amazing Race' which involved nearly four hours of scavenger hunt type tasks using much of Sydney's public transport. A big thanks to the Boomerang Adventures team for hosting us all and also a thank you to the staff who gave up their time – Mr Lobb, Mr Russell, Mr Smiltnieks, Mrs Evans, Mrs Bawden, Mrs McCann and Mrs Rockwell.

Mr Tim van Netten
Leader of Care & Culture - Stage 6 / Secondary English Teacher

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VET Entertainment Course - Year 11 2024

In the Creative Arts and LOTE faculty, we are very excited to be offering a new subject for Year 11 2024! The VET Entertainment framework is an exciting course where students will develop a range of skills in technical production including lighting, audio, staging and vision systems as well as leadership and employability skills. As it is a vocational course, students who are deemed competent in all units of credit can receive a Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services. This qualification is recognised nationally and opens up a range of opportunities for employment and further study beyond the College. VET Entertainment is a 240-hour course worth two units towards the HSC. Mr Chris Law has over a decade of experience teaching the Entertainment course and has worked on musicals, concerts, arena shows and more. If you are in the current Year 10 cohort and would like some more information, please see Mr Law in the Melba staffroom. 

Mrs Sarah Talbot
Leader of Learning - Creative Arts & LOTE

College Chaplain - Resourcefulness

The College Learner Disposition focus for Term 2 is Resourcefulness. This is a habit that we are working on developing and cultivating in our students, their learning, their character and also in their faith.

I'm the proud dad of two young boys, Elijah and Theodore. On Sunday as the boys were playing in the yard, I noticed Lijy taking his plastic toy golf caddy bag and attaching it to the back of his little trike. I sat for a moment wondering, What on earth are you doing? I asked him and he replied, "Dadda I've got a trailer now like you"! I burst out in laughter. Lijy had seen how I connected our box trailer to the car and had figured out how to 'make' his own. As I reflected on this I was awestruck at how resourceful he'd been. He'd used the equipment that he had in front of him to make what he wanted. It caused me to stop and think, as I did I realised that even from an incredibly young age, humanity has the capacity to be remarkably resourceful. Lijy had watched what I'd done and then had figured out how to do it on his own. 

Proverbs 18:15 says, "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge".

God has created us all with the ability to be remarkably resourceful, but more than this, He's given us the capacity to grow in our resourcefulness. How? Well, Proverbs seems to suggest that the attitude we have towards pursuing wisdom and knowledge from others is a pivotal way we grow. The book of Proverbs is from a section in the Bible called the 'Wisdom Literature'. The overwhelming emphasis of this section is that the best source of wisdom and knowledge is God. The key to all wisdom and knowledge and therefore growth is to intimately know our creator and turn to him for all our needs and wants. He loves providing His people with what they need. The question I want to leave you with is, "Where do you turn for your wants and needs, is it the all-powerful, everlasting, ever-strong and never-weary God, or is it someone or something else?"

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

Term 2 Prayer Breakfast & Working Bee

I'd like to extend an opportunity for you and your family to join us as we stop, pause and bring the things on our hearts and minds to God in prayer.

Our Term 2 Prayer Breakfast will be kicking off on Saturday, 17 June (The same day as the Working Bee). All are welcome to join us from 8.00 am - 8.30 am for some bacon and egg rolls before we join together in prayer from 8.30 am - 9.00 am. 

There is no pressure to pray out loud if you don't want to but your presence is welcome. For those who would like to participate in the Working Bee, please stay around after the program.

I'd love to see you there!.

If you're able to make it please RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au by Wednesday, 7 June. 

 “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Mr Matthew Roberts
College Chaplain

Equestrian News

P&F Golf Day - Save The Date!

Library News

National Simultaneous Storytime - Wednesday, 24 May

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

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 Madilyn Shelley
Enrolments Officer

2023 Key Events & Dates

P&F Clothing Pool - Volunteers Needed

Are you free from 7.45 am to 8.30 am to help out in the P&F Clothing Pool? We would love to see some new faces helping out with this great WAC Parent & Friends activity. There are spaces to fill on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings.

Come and meet other volunteering parents and contribute to raising funds that go back into the College for your children.

The Clothing Pool is open every term-day morning

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

Mrs Melissa Whishaw
Clothing Pool Coordinator

Church Services

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.

Mittagong Junior Disco  

• Date: Saturday, 27 July  
• Times: 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
• Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong
• Cost: $5.00
• Ages: 0-14
• Please note: This is a CASH-ONLY event.
• Alcohol-free event.

If you are looking at hosting a birthday party, please get in touch with the wonderful team at the RSL at 4872 6700 – they can organise catering for your special occasion while the children have a great time dancing and catching up with their friends!  

We have several gift vouchers to be won on the night.

All money raised goes back to the children in the Southern Highlands community.  

We hope to see you there.

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.

Gold Sponsors

Narellan Pools

Electro-Service Solar

Ken Shafer Auto Body

Thornton Bros Roses

Studio 6 Photography

Silver Sponsors

Tahmoor Garden Centre

Pheasants Nest Produce

Eyepower Tahmoor

F45 Bowral

F45 Picton

FS8 Bowral

Gumnut Patisserie

Country Valley Milk