Waratah Weekly - Term 4, Edition 2 - Friday, 20 October 2023

Family Wellbeing

This week, our focus at the College has been dedicated to wellbeing. We've seen numerous activities and initiatives unfold aimed at providing students with a week full of fun, engagement and interaction.

As you're well aware, our core pillars revolve around Learning, Care and Culture, and this Wellbeing Week has been a great opportunity to focus on Caring for our students. Our primary goal has been to forge connections, strengthen relationships and engage with our students in entertaining and innovative ways.

We deeply value the shared responsibility we hold with parents in ensuring the wellbeing of each child in our College community. To that end, we'd like to offer some practical ideas to support your children in maintaining positive mental health and physical wellness.

Establish and Maintain Routines:
Developing and sticking to routines for sleep, mealtimes, homework, casual employment and exercise provides essential stability and structure for young people of all ages.

Prioritise Physical Health:
Encourage healthy eating, getting enough sleep and regular exercise to safeguard their physical and mental wellbeing.

Stress Management:
Equip your children with simple techniques to manage stress, such as deep breathing, mindfulness and stretching – all effective ways to reduce short-term stress responses.

Set Clear Boundaries:
Having clear boundaries and expectations helps young people feel secure, even when they test those boundaries. It's a vital part of their growth.

Quality Family Time:
Spending quality time together daily, such as sharing dinner each night, is an excellent way to build and reinforce positive family connections.

Embrace Learning and Resilience:
Teach your children to embrace their mistakes, learn from them and not set unnecessarily high expectations for themselves.

Mr Trevor Norman
College Headmaster

Snakes About

As the weather continues to warm up, we are likely to see increased snake activity on the College grounds. Students have been reminded of the following

When out and about…

• Keep your bags on a hook or on a seat (and keep them zipped up!)
• Be alert, look ahead where you are stepping
• Don't walk through long grass
• Snakes hear vibrations so stomping is helpful!

If you happen to come across a snake…

1. Yell out SNAKE!
2. FREEZE
3. Back away quietly.
4. ALERT others.

Mr Paul Burns
Deputy Headmaster

Important Dates - Term 4

Students have settled in well to Term 4 and it has been wonderful to see so many of them engaging in the various activities throughout Wellbeing Week. 

Many of the significant dates for activities for Term 4 have been previously communicated to parents and these are often set at the commencement of the College year. While many dates are set early in the year, other events such as excursions and sporting activities are added to the calendar progressively. Parents are encouraged to check their WAC App and view notifications relating to activities and permissions for various activities at the College. The dates for Formal Assemblies and the Presentation Evenings as well as some other important dates are below:

• 29 November - Secondary Formal Assembly
• 30 November - Primary Formal Assembly
• 30 November - Secondary Presentation and Showcase Evening
• 1 December  - Last day Year 10
• 4 December - Year 6 Progress Dinner 
• 5 December - Primary Presentation and Showcase Evening
• 7 December - Students last day of Term 4

Mr Paul Burns
Deputy Headmaster

Term 4 Learner Disposition Focus - Reflective

Being a reflective learner is about:

Planning - working learning out in advance.

Revising - monitoring and adapting along the way.

Distilling - drawing out the lessons from experience.

Meta-learning - understanding learning, and yourself as a learner.

In relation to the Matildas

• Planned in advance what they needed to learn and know - about the opposition and about themselves.
• Revised - monitored results, adapted and made necessary changes along the way (it didn't always go as planned!).
• Distilled.  They drew lessons from experience and were able to apply these lessons to future matches and scenarios.
• They understood themselves as learners, they knew what they needed to learn and how best they could set about learning it.

As a student :

• Do the same - plan your learning
• Know what you need to learn and set some goals
• Set goals for your upcoming exams
• Know what you need to revise and plan how you will achieve it
• What works best for you? Incorporate that into your plans
• Revise your plans
• Test yourself along the way and see if your plan is working
• Make changes to your learning plan as needed
• More time? Better revision techniques? No distractions? More practice questions? 
• What is it that will help you as you adapt to the changing circumstances?
• You won’t know this if you don't plan!
• Draw out the lessons from experience.
• The Matildas didn’t get to their level overnight and nor will you.
• What have you learned this year that you can apply to your learning next year?
• No experience is wasted. Good, bad or indifferent. As you learn from experience you will continue to revise and re-plan for the future.

Challenges

• Write in your diary your goals for each upcoming exam - what do you want to get out of it?
• Set a plan to achieve that goal across all subjects - talk to your teachers if you need help.
• Monitor your results in the coming weeks and draw out the lessons that you can use to make the changes necessary to continue to learn and grow into 2024.

Reflection may be the key to unlocking your success.

Thanks to Mr Doug Hewitt for this week's Secondary Assembly Talk.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Pastoral Care T-12

Summer Uniform - Term 4

This a reminder to students and parents that the Term 4 uniform is the Summer Uniform. Please do not wear Winter Uniform in Term 1 or 4. If the weather is cooler than expected, there are options within the Summer Uniform. The diary provides guidance in this area.

Boys and Girls Summer Uniform K-10
Green College Jumper or Green College Blazer or Bomber Jacket if cold

Boys and Girls Summer Uniform 11-12
Green College Jumper or Black College Blazer if cold

Sports Days K-12
Sports Tracksuit Tops and Tracksuit Pants are optional in Term 1 and 4. If cold, the College Green Jumper may be worn under the tracksuit top.

A further thanks to parents for partnering with the Care and Culture team in all matters related to uniforms. The support and reinforcement in this area from parents to students is highly valued.

If you are contacted by the Care and Culture team regarding a uniform concern, please support them by addressing this immediately so that we can maintain the strong culture that we have in this area.

Mr Liam Toland
Director of Care and Culture T-12

Secondary News

Year 9 and Year 10 Yearly Examinations
Year Patrons distributed the Yearly Examination Schedule for our Year 9 and Year 10 students last week. Yearly Examinations will take place from Thursday, 26 October to Friday 2 November. Examinations will be held in both Sturt and Johnson classrooms with students often sitting an exam in the morning and then returning to classes. Students and Parents should consult the Examination Timetable for specific subject time slots.

Students are reminded that are expected to wear regular College Uniform (except for normal Sports Day On Tuesdays) and that an absence on the day of the examination must then require the student to complete an Illness/Misadventure Form and potentially submit a doctor’s certificate. Missed exams will also require students to sit the exam at another arranged time.

Examinations are a good opportunity to showcase what a student has learned in a course, and the examination mark will also contribute to the student’s internal assessment mark. Teachers use these internal assessment items – both formal and informal to help determine the ROSA grade a student receives. Below are some tips for helping students prepare for examinations.

Top Tips for students in preparing for Exams

Create a Study Schedule:

• Plan your study sessions in advance and allocate specific times for each subject or topic.
  
• Follow a consistent schedule to establish a routine that maximises your productivity.
  

Set Specific Goals:

• Define clear, achievable goals for each study session. What do you want to accomplish during that time?
  

Use Active Learning Techniques:

• Avoid passive reading and instead engage with the material actively.
• Take notes, ask questions, and summarize the content in your own words.
  

Break It Down:

• Divide your study material into manageable chunks or topics. Focusing on smaller sections is less overwhelming and more effective.
  

Utilise Multiple Resources:

• Don't rely solely on a textbook or source. Explore various resources like Stile, Atomi or even your teacher as a resource.
  

Practice with Past Exams and Sample Questions:

• If past exams or sample questions are available, practice with them to get an understanding of the exam format and types of questions.
  

Study Groups:

• Study with peers or join a study group. Explaining concepts to others can help reinforce your understanding.
  

Take Breaks:

• Schedule short breaks between study sessions to prevent burnout and maintain focus.
  

Stay Organised:

• Keep your study materials, notes, and resources well-organised. A clutter-free workspace can also boost productivity.
  

Use Memory Techniques:

• Employ mnemonic devices, flashcards, mind maps, or other memory aids to reinforce key concepts and facts.
  

Teach the Material:

• Teaching the material to someone else, even if it's just an imaginary audience, is a powerful way to solidify your understanding.
  

Stay Healthy:

• Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly. A healthy body and mind perform better.
  

Manage Stress:

• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to stay calm and focused.
  

Review and Self-Assess:

• Regularly review the material you've covered and assess your understanding. Adjust your study plan accordingly.

Stay Positive:

• Maintain a positive attitude and believe in your ability to succeed. Negative thoughts can hinder your progress.
  

Simulate Exam Conditions:

• Take practice exams under real exam conditions (timed, quiet space) to get a feel for the actual test.
  

Seek Help When Needed:

• If you're struggling with certain concepts, don't hesitate to ask your teachers for help.
  

Avoid Procrastination:

• Combat procrastination by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps and holding yourself accountable.
  

Test-Taking Strategies:

• Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and consider strategies like tackling easier questions first or managing your time wisely.
  

Stay Consistent:

• Consistency is key. Stick to your study schedule, and don't cram the night before the exam

Years 7-10 PAT Tests
During class time in Week 5 – students will be completing their online PAT Tests. These PAT Tests
will help monitor the growth and development of students learning across the College.

Mrs Kelly Evans
Director of Teaching & Learning Secondary

2024 Primary Classes

This is always an exciting time of year as we start to prepare for the following year. Class teachers will, over the next few weeks, be determining classes for 2024. The placement of each child is done with consideration of many factors and is taken very seriously by the current teachers who have worked with the children for the year and have developed a good understanding of how the students work together.

Parents who may have specific requests of a social nature, eg a parent may feel it is better for their child not to be in a class with their best friend, may email their current class teacher or Leader of Learning for the appropriate Stage. 

Parents should not make requests for specific teachers. In very unusual circumstances, there may be a reason for a specific teacher request, these must be sent directly to me at j.huxtable@wac.nsw.edu.au

Requests made by Friday, 10 November will be considered. I wish to emphasise that while we will consider requests we do not guarantee them. I trust our teachers and their choices. Class teachers have worked closely with the children six hours a day, five days a week for 30+ weeks. They know how things are at the College. They also take into account the mixing of many personalities together. 

Meet The Teacher Afternoon
On Monday, 4 December students will be told their classes for 2024. They will spend time with their new teachers and classmates. New students will also be invited to attend.

Sometimes children might be sad about the teacher or a friend they don’t have in the class. Please be positive and reassuring. There is an opportunity to make new friends, they will still see their friends during Breaks 1 & 2 and at other times when the classes work together. Class time is for learning. The positive messages given by parents make a great deal of difference. Class teachers will usually ask the students to identify a small number of students they would like to be in a class with, these are also not guaranteed however they are considered. 

2024 Kindergarten will receive letters during the holidays to tell them their class and teacher, they will also have a note placed in the diary during the last week of Term 4.

2024 Transition will start the year without being placed into a class, the first 2-3 weeks will be used to help us get to know the children before we place them into classes.

Ms Jacqui Huxtable
Director of Teaching and Learning T-6

We're Hiring!

Due to the ongoing growth of the College, we are currently seeking applications for the following roles to commence in 2024:

• TEACHER'S AIDE
• ASSISTANT CANTEEN MANAGER

Hurry! Applications close Friday, 27 October

For further information on any of the Permanent Positions, please contact Mr Geoff Adams on 02 4684 2577

Primary Sports

IPSSO results vs Oran Park Anglican College

Overview of IPSSO in Term 4: (subject to change)

• 25 October - HOME: WAC vs Mount Annan Christian College (MACC)
• 1 November - WAC BYE
• 8 November - HOME: WAC vs Broughton Anglican College
• 15 November - WAC BYE
• 22 November - FINALS (VENUE TBC)

WASP Academy - CRICKET - Term 4
WASP continues in Term 4! Throughout Term 4, WASP transitioned to cricket training and development sessions run by the professional staff from myPEAC. https://www.mypeac.com.au/

All boys and girls from Years 4 to 8 are welcome to join. There will be eight sessions on Wednesday afternoons throughout Term 4 for a flat rate of $100 for all eight sessions (working out to $12.50 per session)

Please email sport@wac.nsw.edu.au to sign up.

Stage 2 Boys’ Indoor Soccer College Sport at Bridge Street Sports Centre, Picton
Stage 2 boys will be competing in Indoor Soccer matches at the Bridge Street Sports Centre. Last Wednesday’s matches were high energy and goals abounding. See the photos below for a taste of the action.

Stage 3 Girls’ Netball with Coaches from Bridge Street Sports Centre
Girls in Stage 2 not involved in an IPSSO team will have the opportunity to receive Netball lessons from coaches at the Bridge Street Sports Centre. Due to popular demand, the girls will go through a three-week cycle of lessons on the Flynn Courts on the College grounds. During weeks when they are not receiving netball training, they will be participating in the regular College Sports program on the WAC Campus. 

Primary NASSA AFL Gala Day - Tuesday, 24 October at Greenway Park, West Hoxton
Our Senior AFL team will be competing at the Primary NASSA AFL Gala day on Tuesday, 24 October accompanied by Mr Mayhew. This will be an all-day event. A bus will be provided to transport students for the day. Students are reminded to wear their white WAC AFL uniform.  

Upcoming events:

• NASSA AFL GALA DAY - Tuesday, 24 October at Greenway Park, West Hoxton
• IPSSO FINALS - 22 November (VENUE TBC)

Mr James Gooden
Primary Sports Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh

Congratulations to all our Duke of Edinburgh students on great progress so far this year! We have 67 Bronze students, 22 Silver students and 8 Gold students. Our Year 9 Bronze students completed one rainy hike along the Illawarra Escarpment and then a challenging walk along the Great North Walk. Silver students are about to embark on their Silver Qualifying Hike on the South Coast (9-11 November) and our Gold students recently completed a fantastic Qualifying Adventurous Journey around Bright.

The students walked the main range, camping in freezing cold conditions then rode the beautiful Rail Trails around Bright, finishing on the last day with paddling down the Ovens and Buckland Rivers (see video below). 

Students currently enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh program are encouraged to finalise their Volunteering, Physical Recreation and Skill sections on the online record book. In the upcoming weeks, Students in Year 8 will have an opportunity to express their interest in the Bronze Program for 2025.  

Parents who have any questions are encouraged to email or contact the following staff:

• Bronze (Silver 2025) - Dr Smiltnieks - s.smiltnieks@wac.nsw.edu.au
• Silver (Gold 2025) - Mrs McCann - e.mccan@wac.nsw.edu.au
• General questions - Mr Lobb - c.lobb@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mr Craig Lobb
Coordinator of Outdoor Ministry

Music Tuition & College Musical

Music Tuition - AMEB Exam Results
We have received a number of fantastic results this week from recent AMEB Examinations that were undertaken by our students who have lessons at the College. 

Mrs Stephanie Dwyer teaches piano to many students and has had William Fussell (Year 8) receive a B+ for his Preliminary Grade Piano Exam and Max Addison (Year 7) also receive a B+ for his Preliminary Grade Piano Exam.

Ms Jillian Bridge, our Violin Tutor has also had recent exciting results with Annie Williams (Year 7) awarded a B+ for her Grade 3 Violin Exam and Harrison Dwyer (Year 3) got an A (Honours) in his Preliminary Grade Violin Exam. 

These are outstanding results and a testament to both the hard work of our amazing Music Tutors as well as the effort and dedication of the students. Congratulations to all.

Sherlock Holmes - College Musical Rehearsals Continue
Rehearsals for the Years 6-12 cast (2023) continue to occur each Monday afternoon, 2.45 pm - 4.15 pm with students meeting outside Johnson 11 Studio. Rehearsals will be in a variety of locations whilst the HSC Examinations occur in the Warne Auditorium. Students can utilise the late bus service or be picked up by parents in the car park behind the  Johnson/Elizabeth buildings. 

Mr Lloyd Grant
Performing Arts Coordinator

Minimum Laptop Specifications - 2024

Our ‘MyTech’ program continues in 2024 for Secondary students. Parents of our new Year 7 cohort have already been notified about the minimum laptop specifications.

As we approach the Christmas sales period, parents might use this opportunity to make a purchase. Please ensure that any new laptop meets the minimum specifications. The main requirements are listed below:

• Screen size: 10.8 inch
• Screen resolution: 1024 x 768
• Windows/Mac hard disk minimum storage: 120 GB
• Windows/Mac minimum memory: 8 GB RAM
• The device should be running a recent version of Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS. Limited versions of Windows such as Windows RT or Windows S are NOT suitable.
• Wireless Connectivity: 802.11 N or AC
• Audio/Video: Headphone and Microphone Ports (or adapter to suit)
• No mobile data connectivity allowed (ie no 4G embedded support/no SIM cards allowed while at the College)
• Full QWERTY Keyboard suitable for touch-typing
• Minimum expected Battery Life of six hours
• Robust carry-case

Please visit the MyTech website for more detailed information as well as software downloads and common questions answered.

If you have any questions about the MyTech program in the College please email mytech@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mr Craig Russell
Secondary Learning Innovations Coordinator

HSC Shape Nominations

A huge congratulations goes out to two of our Design and Technology students and two of our Industrial Technology Furnishings students who received Shape Nominations this week. 

This Nomination puts their projects on the shortlist for display with the best and most innovative projects in the State. This display showcases these projects and their portfolios for other students to view as inspiration for their own work. 

Nominations went to Olivia Romano for Design and Technology with her Please Vacate the Seat notification system for public transport and to Joshua Summerson with his Medieval Timber Throne for Industrial Technology Furnishings.

Scarlett Cheney also received nominations for both subjects with her Aloe Vera Frozen Gel Dispenser and her large Credenza with Kumiko Panels.

All of the students in these two subjects worked very hard on their Major Projects and are to be congratulated for their efforts.

Mr Ken Jordan and the entire TAS Team
TAS Teacher

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Equestrian Results

Congratulations to Erin Brown who represented NSW at The Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships at Werribee, Victoria during the Term 3 holidays. Erin was awarded Reserve Champion Intermediate Years 7-9 Preliminary Dressage out of 22 riders from all 7 States. Erin made the top four NSW Secondary Dressage scores to make the Reserve Champion team! Well done!

Miss Stacey Baker
Equestrian Coordinator

Term 3 Prayer Breakfast Invitation

Amongst the business of Term 4, I'd like to extend an opportunity for you to join us as we stop, pause and bring the things on our hearts and minds to God in prayer.

Our Term 4 Prayer Breakfast will be kicking off on Saturday, 11 November. 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. 

I completely understand the busy schedule all of us have on the weekends. There are many competing factors and commitments. Saturday is normally full of community sporting events along with various other activities. However, in this business, taking the time to stop and pause with our great God is incredibly beneficial.

I'd love to see you there!

If you're able to make it please RSVP to m.roberts@wac.nsw.edu.au by Monday, 6 November. 

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

Mr Matt Roberts
College Chaplain

2023 College Book Fair Weeks 5-6

Dates: Thursday, 9 November to Tuesday, 14 November
Location: Cuthbert Library
Stock on sale: Books for all student ages, posters, stationery
Payment: Eftpos and cash sales are available or parents are welcome to make a payment online (note receipt).

Students (not Transition and Kindergarten) will be able to visit the Book Fair in Break 2. Students in Transition and Kindergarten will be able to visit the Book Fair during their designated class times and they will be able to complete a wishlist in their diary. Parents are able to visit the Book Fair between 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm on 9, 10, 13 and 14 November.

Please contact Mrs Colombo with any questions at j.colombo@wac.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Last Book Club For 2023

The Book Club Issue 7 Catalogue is now available. Orders are due Thursday, 26 October.

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. 

Please note that the Book Club catalogue is set out with suggested age ranges for the books, each page has a different age range, with ages 12+ towards the back. The College does not necessarily endorse the books available through the Book Club and parental discretion is advised.

Did you know you can tag your order as a ‘gift’? Your order will be delivered to the College and you will be contacted to pick it up at Student Reception, instead of the order being delivered to your child.

This will be the last Book Clubs of the year.

Mrs Justine Colombo
College Librarian

Scholarship Applications are Now Open!

Scholarships 2025/2026
I am delighted to advise that the Wollondilly Anglican College Scholarship Program is now open for Academic and Creative Arts Scholarships commencing in 2025.

The College Headmaster may award a number of scholarships offering partial fee remission for each year in the areas of Academic, Music and Dance. Most scholarships will be awarded for two years and are conditional on the continuation of the relevant criteria being met. They will be available to students currently enrolled at the College or at other schools. Students who will be studying in Years 6, 8 and 10 in 2024 may apply for a scholarship as they enter their next stage of learning.

Application Process for Scholarships

Academic Scholarships –

• Complete the Scholarship Application Form and return it to the Enrolments Officer, Mrs Madilyn Shelley with the supporting portfolio.
• Complete the online application with ACER at https://scholarships.acer.edu.au. (Parents will need to create a Parent Account, from which they can register their child for the scholarship test at Wollondilly Anglican College. A $120 application fee is also payable to ACER as part of the registration process)
• For Academic candidates, scholarship testing will take place at the College on Saturday, 24 February 2024. Students are expected to attend on this date.

Music and Dance Scholarships –

• Parents should complete the Scholarship Application Form and return it to the Enrolments Officer, Mrs Madilyn Shelley, with the supporting portfolio.
• Music/Dance Scholarships need to be accompanied by a Scholarship Application Processing Fee of $120.
• Short-listed students will be required to audition before a panel. Their audition will include pre-prepared performance/s by the student. The performance piece/s they choose to exhibit for their audition should last for between two and four minutes. The piece/s the student chooses to perform should exhibit a range of skill in their chosen Creative and Performing Arts form/s. The examiners will also require the students to improvise in their art form/s, following direction provided on the day. There will not be an additional audition fee.

Applications are now open and will close on Friday, 2 February 2024. The closing date is final and late applications cannot be accepted.

A comprehensive information pack and application form is available for download from the College website at https://www.wac.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships/our-scholarships/.

Should you have any further general queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on (02) 4684 2722 or at m.shelley@wac.nsw.edu.au.

Mrs Madilyn Shelley
Enrolments Officer

Open Day 2023

On Saturday, 4 November 2023, the College will be holding an Open Day!

If you have any friends or family who are looking to shift schools, feel free to invite them along. The day will involve opportunities to meet our staff, have a tour of the College grounds and facilities, and ask any questions over a delicious morning tea.

The link for registration is below, don’t miss out!

Mrs Madilyn Shelley
Enrolments Officer

P&F Golf Day - Save The Date!

• Date: Friday, 3 November 2023
• Venue: Antill Golf Club
• Time: 7.30 am - 1.30 pm
• Golf Registration Cost: $165.00 (includes Cart/BBQ breakfast/Green fees/Cooler Bag/Shirt/Golf Ball/Tees/Drink Voucher/Lunch)
• Non Golfer lunch only - $65.00
  
• If you wish to register for this event please go to TRYBOOKING using the following link:
  

P&F Clothing Pool

Welcome back to Term 4!

We have had a busy time in the Clothing Pool with the addition of some new clothing racks. thank you to the Property Team for installing these over the holidays! 

Hopefully, over the holidays you also had time to sort through uniforms and may have found some that you may wish to donate to the Clothing Pool. All uniform donations are happily accepted every morning at the Clothing Pool or can be left at Student Reception at other times.

A big thank you to our returning volunteers Renu, Rochelle, Janise, Phoebe, Deanna, Sonia, Kath, Katie, Kerrie, Amanda, Cristina, Annette and me Melissa! Without our volunteers the Clothing Pool would not be able to open- Thank you!

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be adding some pictures of our volunteers, so please take the time to say hi to these wonderful volunteers who come in every week.

Renu & Rochelle - Mondays


Janise & Phoebe - Tuesdays

Sonya & Kath - Wednesdays

Payment: Card Only (no cash)
Location: White Cottage through the side windows
Monday to Friday 7.45 am to 8.30 am
Phone: 4623 0286
Email: clothingpool@wac.nsw.edu.au

Have a great day! 

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 via the College Office. Confidentiality will be respected. If you know of anyone who may need meals at this time.

Charity Car Rally
This October, my husband Brandon and I will be participating in the Cancer Council Charity Car Rally for Spring 2023. The Rally will see us driving our Holden Rodeo pictured below (purchased for $800) from PORT DOUGLAS to ADELAIDE through the centre of Australia with 550 other participants.

Last October we raised almost $8,000 and completed over 9,000kms driving to Darwin. A few photos of the trip are attached. 

WE NEED SPONSORHIP!

This year, the Rally aims to raise $2 million for Cancer Council, which is used to fund cancer research projects nationally. Since the Rally launched in 2009, it has raised over $30 million and is the largest private fundraiser for the Cancer Council in Australia.

Would you Like to donate? Please follow the link and Donate Here

Any assistance you could give would be most appreciated and will help our team achieve our goal.

Thank you very much for considering sponsoring us!

Mrs Lisa Cooper

Go4Fun
Go4Fun is an evidence-based, free, 10-week healthy lifestyle program for NSW children aged 7-13 who are above a healthy weight and their families. The program focuses on improving eating habits, fitness, overall health, and self-esteem. 

Espresso Lane Position Available
Espresso Lane, Tahmoor is looking for part-time casual all-rounder staff. Flexible working hours. Need to be able to work weekdays and weekends (not all weekends). On-the-job training, fun working environment with a great team. Experience is preferred but not essential. Enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to learn. Long-term employment is also available. Contact Louise at louiseturner948@gmail.com

Cedar Creek Orchard - Positions Available
Cedar Creek Orchard in Thirlmere is looking for casual workers this Summer during their picking and packing season, this would suit motivated and proactive Senior students after finishing school/exams for the year. You will work as a casual alongside trained staff and need to be diligent with a good attitude towards physical work outside in the orchard. There are options for both weekday and some weekend work, weekend workers will need to have good customer service skills and be able to work both independently and in a team environment. Perfect for the Summer break before starting uni. There is also potential for longer-term casual employment for the right people. For more information please call 46818457, or to apply, it is best to visit the orchard to fill in an application form. 

Tahmoor U/12 cricket - Players Wanted!
Tahmoor U/12 Cricket Club are in need of a couple more players (boys or girls) in order to be able to enter a team this year. The only requirement is that the player turns 13 after 1 September 2024.

Tahmoor is a great club who made it to the semi-finals last year.

Please email Deb at deb.bunch09@gmail.com to express your interest.

Community Links Wellbeing (CLW) will be running the following Parenting Education courses commencing 2023:

Tuning into Teens - 26 October to 30 November at Tahmoor Community Centre in partnership with CLW and Health SWSLD- Family Connect and Support: a six-session, evidence-based program for parents/carers who have young people aged 10 to 17 years old. The course teaches skills in emotion coaching and raises awareness of the developmental needs of their young person so parents can better respond to their teens emotions and needs which improves their connection with their teen.

When parents and carers respond to teens’ emotions in ways that validate and accept emotions but still guide them with appropriate behaviour, young people learn important skills in emotional intelligence. Over time young people use these skills in all aspects of their lives. Emotional intelligence helps teen’s to be more resilient so that when they face challenging experiences they can talk about their feelings and work through these experiences.

• 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching: Coming Term 4, dates to be confirmed. Taking expressions of interest now. A three-session program of 2.5 hours for parents of children aged 2-12 years old with an extra booster session for support ( four sessions in total). The 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program aims to help parents and carers manage difficult child behaviour with a focus on strategies and techniques that promote positive behaviour; encouragement in developing the child's ability to manage their emotional reactions; and relationship-building. 

Priority placement is given to parents in the Wollondilly, Wingecarribee and Camden LGA’s. Parents outside these areas may still be able to attend, please contact the email below to discuss further.

College Sponsors