Newsletter - Friday 1 July 2022

Chaplains' Message

What a busy term it has been. Whilst it has been fantastic to have an undisturbed term of quality teaching, sports, reports, excursions, incursions and all the other fantastic extra curricular activities that our campus has to offer, there is also so many things that can distract and take our eyes off the main goals.

I love reading and one of the books I have enjoyed reading recently is the best seller “Stolen Focus” by Johann Hari. In this book Hari researched the breakdown of human kind’s ability to pay attention and he sees it as a significant crisis of our time.

Hari says “There’s been such an enormous increase in the volume of new information available every second that we’ve become transfixed by things that are “very fast and very temporary, like a Twitter feed.” The more information we inhale, he says, the less we’re able to focus on any one piece of it. Our brains aren’t designed to absorb so much at a time. In one study, 136 students took a test; some had their phones turned off, while others received occasional text messages. Those who received messages scored about 20 percent lower than those who didn’t.

As an expert Hari interviewed put it, “we should aim to separate ourselves from potential sources of distraction. It’s not enough to “try to monotask by force of will — because it’s too hard to resist that informational tap on the shoulder.”

This term the focus for the school from a chaplaincy perspective has been “flow”.

Hari says that “One of the best ways out of distraction is finding your way into flow. If you’ve ever experienced a flow state, you know what it is, though it can be difficult to put into words. Imagine an artist engrossed in the act of creation or a rock climber scaling an unfamiliar mountain. As Hari describes it: “This is when you are so absorbed in what you are doing that you lose all sense of yourself, and time seems to fall away, and you are flowing into the experience itself. It is the deepest form of focus and attention that we know of.”

This term we as Chaplains as part of the theme “Flow” have focused on brokenness, restoration, repair, forgiveness, Grace, being an echo and completeness that happens when our lives are fully immersed in Jesus. Jesus says in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Living life to the full is what we want see in our school as we place Jesus in the centre and immerse ourselves in Him, this brings whole being that we as a school hold as an ideal. It provides flow "Nurture for Today, Learning for Tomorrow, Character for Eternity", we at Wahroonga Adventist School aim to in every space provide a Christ centred environment with a holistic approach to learning, focusing on children’s mental, physical, social and spiritual whole being, which will ensure they are equipped with an education that prepares them for life.

Wahroonga Chaplains have a couple of copies of this book available. Get in contact with us if you would like to borrow and read about this significant topic and enhance your ability to parent and grow your child through their schooling life.

It has been a great term and now as we take a break we extend our blessings to you and your household and may you continue to experience “flow” in your homes and work places.

See you next term.

With Love, The Chaplains.

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Whole School News

Wahroonga Adventist School Alumni

A reminder of our recently formed Wahroonga Adventist School Alumni!  If you are a past student, parent, teacher or volunteer of Wahroonga Adventist School click on the link below to register your details, and also like/follow the Alumni Facebook Page to keep up to date with school news, projects and events. If you look closely... you might even see some familiar faces from many years ago...

SAVE THE DATE - Wahroonga Reunion and Homecoming Service

Music Program

Introducing Kaela Phillips - Harp Teacher...

I am and always have been a highly passionate and driven person, especially when relating to music. Teaching harp brings me such joy, there is nothing more wonderful than watching someone blossom with their craft and being able to refine it together.

To learn more about Kaela's musical background please click here.

For further information regarding lessons please contact kristina.vuceski@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.

Introducing Felicity Stanwell - Clarinet and Saxophone Teacher...

Felicity Stanwell has been working with music students for over 25 years. Felicity teaches Clarinet/Bass Clarinet and Alto/Tenor Saxophone privately at Terrey Hills Public School, Covenant Christian School, Belrose and from her home studio. She enjoys motivating students, so they feel confident and love performing in ensembles. Felicity works patiently alongside students and believes students don't care what you know until they know you care. Each year she successfully tutors many students through AMEB exams and hopes the music skills they learn stay with a student for life. Felicity also is the Conductor of both the Training Band and Concert Band at Terrey Hills Public School and the Primary Concert Band at Covenant Christian School. As an active Clarinettist, Felicity plays in the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a National 'A Grade' Wind Ensemble. Felicity has played Clarinet and Saxophone in Wind Orchestras, Stage Bands, Church and Musicals since high school and has toured with Bands around Australia and overseas. In her time away from music, Felicity loves to design, paint, and create artwork and birthday cakes. Felicity is married and a mum of three, who all enjoy playing music too.

For further information regarding lessons with Felicity please contact kristina.vuceski@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.

Co-curricular Program - Chess Classes

Registration for Chess Classes in Term 3 are open! If your child is in Years 3 to 12 and is interested in learning how to play chess in their lunch break please click here for further information.

Parents Check the Check

Parents engaging the services of nannies, tutors, sports coaches, music teachers outside of school or party entertainers for their children should be asking these adults to provide a Working With Children Check application or clearance number – then verifying that number online.

Verifying a clearance online is quick and easy on the Office of Children’s Guardian website, and ensures that a Working With Children Check clearance is current. You can access the application by clicking the link here.

Calendar of Upcoming School Events

You can access the list of upcoming School events via the link below. The School Calendar is also available under the Parent Information tab on the School website.

Term Dates for 2022

Please click on the link below to view the school term dates and public holiday information for 2022.

Primary School News

A Note from Mrs Deppeler...

It has been a super busy term and it has been wonderful to have more events on site where our families could join us. This term we have celebrated Mother’s Day, ran our Cross Country, Years 3 & 5 have completed NAPLAN, Year 2 have had chickens hatch, we enjoyed our Week of Worship, Healthy Harold from the Life Ed Van came to visit, and the Year 3-6 students performed in our Music Showcase.

As we begin to steamroll towards the holidays, I know that many families are taking advantage of the opportunity to travel again and catch up with family, and others are planning a quiet one at home.

I wish you all a safe and relaxing break.

Mrs Anne-Marie Deppeler - Head of Primary School

Year 1 Market Day

Year 1 had a Market Day to celebrate learning about money in Mathematics. There were various roles: being a shopper, a seller (shopkeeper), or a banker. These roles encouraged students to apply their knowledge and skills in utilising the money wisely in real life. The sellers enjoyed the roles of pricing the products and serving the lovely customers. The shoppers had to prioritise their needs as each shopper could only purchase three items. The bank was the busiest place! Our two bankers worked hard to help the shoppers with money exchange and borrowing. Some sellers even deposited their proceeds in the bank. It was so fun!