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Newsletter - Friday 23 September 2022

Principal's Message

This week has been one of highlights as we end an incredible term. Our second graduating class of Year 12 were farewelled in an uplifitng ceremony and the community involvement in the Alumni Homecoming was wonderful.

We were blessed by the Year 12 graduation chapel – from the challenges of the guest speakers to the beautiful blend of reflection, gratitude and humour in the speeches of the various students. The musical contributions to the service were outstanding in terms of quality and variety and it was a moving send-off to the Year 12 graduating class of 2022. Thank you parents for your investment in the lives of your children and to staff for the energy and wisdom you have given your students.

I am proud of students’ achievements, both in and out of class, with students performing at a very high standard in the Combined Independent Schools Athletics Carnival and affirmations being received from the NSW Education Standards Authority for some of the Industrial Technology (Timber) student projects. Our staff have worked diligently throughout the term for the benefit of the students in Prep to Year 12.

Mrs Kanimako, currently on maternity leave from Year 1, is delighted to share with the school family that her baby girl was born on 21 September and we wish her and her husband God’s blessing in the life of their daughter, Liliana.

We bid a sad farewell to Miss Hutchings, Year 2 teacher. Our school has been blessed by her joy for learning and dedication to her students over the last four years and we wish her well. Mrs Kylie Williams will be teaching Year 2H next term and we look forward to her positive and dedicated contribution to the lives of students.

May you and your family keep safe over the Term 3 holiday period and we look forward to seeing all students return on Tuesday, 11 October in summer uniform.

Mrs Julia Heise - Principal

Chaplains' Message

Coming Home

The last few weeks of any term at school is a scattering of toothpicks holding eyes open, contrasted by smiles and chats around school and life. But the joy at the end of a school term on the face of students, staff and families is something to behold. Knowing there'll be at least of few days of family time, friend time and hopefully some rest and relaxation, all of this is part of the joy of coming home on those last few days of term.

This last weekend, one could see a similar joy as people gathered to reflect and praise God for the many students, families and staff over the history of Wahroonga Adventist School. It was truly a homecoming, a time to listen, to stand and speak, to enjoy music, to chat and to eat. The various presenters spoke to the school's continued faith in God, which reminds us of the peace and hope we have in Jesus and how He has led us to this point.

Wahroonga Adventist School was established because of the faithful hope we have in the great homecoming, a hope based in the grace and providence of God by faith. All the development seen in the school can be traced back to the faithful moments of people trusting and seeing God provide! So, let's enjoy this term break in peace knowing of God's loving providence for us, especially as we look forward to that big homecoming when Jesus comes again.

We had a wonderful term, a wonderful homecoming last Sabbath, and it reminds us of a great hymn that Pr Daron and Pr Andy love that goes like this;

What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be.

May you enjoy this term break with family and friends in peace knowing the hope we have by faith in God and that He always provides.

Peace and Hope.

Pr Daron and Pr Andy - School Chaplains

Whole School News

2023 School Captains Announced

It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2023 School Captains. These young men and women have taken the challenge to walk in the footsteps of previous leaders of our great school. I am left without doubt that they will continue to provide student voice and enrich our school culture. I also wish to acknowledge all students who presented themselves as potential leaders. We are proud of each of you for your hard work and we know you will make a phenomenal contribution to our school.

School Captains: Dhruv Saini and Holly Moore

School Vice-Captains: Daniel Jackson and Angelica York

Congratulations! We are confident you will serve our School as encouraging and faithful leaders.

School Alumni Return

It was with joy and excitement that we celebrated our first Alumni Homecoming event last Saturday in a special church service at Wahroonga Church. Hundreds of school community members from over the decades were able to catch up with each other and reconnect.

Roseanna Fairfax, a past student from the 2000’s, spoke of the impact her teacher had on her own faith journey. Mr Greg Hinze, Principal from 1988 to 2003, spoke of God’s leading in the school and how His vision for our lives and school community is often bigger than our own. Current parent and past student, Dr Andrew Pennington, challenged us to work in partnership as parents and school in the wholistic development of children.

The music provided by the school orchestra was exceptional and a lovely highlight as this was their inaugural performance, led by Mrs Kristina Vuceski, Head of Performing Arts.

Past principal Mrs Michelle Streatfeild (2004 – 2020) spoke of the opportunity students have to shine, grow and reach out as they journey through the school and 2021 School Captains, Grace Colville and William Jameson represented the first Year 12 graduating cohort.

The efforts of the Alumni Planning Committee were highly appreciated, and I give particular thanks to Bec Reid, Maryellen Hacko, Alyssa Potts, Carmen Wynstra, Fenny Lim and Roger Farifax. Students, staff and parent volunteers helped to make the day wonderful, and the memorabilia displayed by Mrs Janet Shirley and Mrs Leonie Savage prompted many memories.

As students, staff, families and volunteers re-connected, we know that we share a rich history over the past 117 years - a history of connection not just with fellow school community members, but connection with God who is at the heart of our school.

Term 4 – Summer Uniform

Please note that all students will be required to wear full summer uniform from the beginning of Term 4. Please contact the school uniform shop if your child requires any uniform items.

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 for the Wahroonga Adventist School Alumni, and also like/follow the Alumni Facebook Page to keep up to date with school news, projects and events.

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 and 2023

Please click on the link below to view the school term dates and public holiday information for 2022 and 2023.

Primary School News

Year 5 CARES Excursion

On September 14 our Year 5 students had the opportunity to put their road safety knowledge to the test! It was a very fun day, and students took great care to demonstrate road rules as they navigated the simulated road course.

ICAS – Digital Technologies Awards

I would like to acknowledge all the students who have received their Digital Technologies award for Primary. Well done to Nicole D and Iris L who have received a high distinction for the Digital Technologies award.

Term 4 Sport Days

During Term 4 Primary students will be participating in swimming instruction at the SAN pool. Years 3-6 will commence swimming on Oct 11, the first day of Term 4 for a 6 week program. K-2 will commence their 2-week intensive swimming program from 21 Nov.

Please note that sport uniform will need to be worn on the following days for Term 4:

• Weeks 1-6 - Years 3-6 – Tuesday; Years K-2 – Friday

• Weeks 7-8 - Years 3-6 - Friday; K-2 – Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri

• Weeks 9-10 - K-6 – Friday; 

Kindergarten Orientation Day (Kindy 2023)

I am looking forward to seeing our new Kindys for 2023 on Wednesday 19 Oct for our Kindy Orientation Day. They will have opportunities to meet their teachers, make new friends, tour the school and make some craft to take home. There will also be a parent information session in the morning where you can connect with other Kindy parents and learn about our Kindy program, routines and expectations. If you are planning to send your child to Kindy for 2023, please contact the school office or complete the enrolment form which can be located on our school website.

For those students joining us for Kindy 2023, our Kindergarten Orientation Day will be held on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 from 9am to 2.30pm. Further details to follow shortly.

Mrs Ann-Marie Deppeler - Head of Primary School

Primary School Sport

CIS Athletics Carnival

Well done to Joel R, Harper W and Kyle S who all took part in the CIS Athletics Carnival on Tuesday 20 September at Olympic Park.

The students took part in the following events:

  • Joel R - 11 year old boys 100m, 200m, Long Jump, Discus, Shot-Put
  • Harper W - 8-10 year old girls Long Jump
  • Kyle S- 11 year old boys 1500m

They all did an amazing job and achieved some personal bests. Well done for challenging yourself and competing at such a high level.

SDA Touch Gala Day

Congratulations to both our boys and girls touch teams who played amazingly well representing Wahroonga at the SDA Gala day in Doonside on 8 September. This event was hosted by Mountain View Adventist College and allowed our students to work as a team and really challenge themselves, learning tactical ways to get past the defenders. Both the boys and girls teams came 2nd overall and despite some challenges (injuries), everyone played really well.

A massive thank you to Michelle Roberts (School mum and expert Touch player) for being our very knowledgeable and talented coach. It was inspiring to watch the children learn so much about the game from one of the best!! Thanks again for volunteering your time we really appreciate it.

Swimming in Term 4

3-6 Swimming

We are delighted to announce the recommencement of our swimming programme in Term 4 of this year. During term 4 (weeks 1-6), all Year 3-6 students will take part in a 6 week swimming programme at the SAN pool, which will include basic stroke development and lifesaving skills. The first lesson will begin on Tuesday 11 October (first day of term 4) and we ask that all students Year 3-6 bring their swimwear (no bikinis), towel, cap, goggles, and appropriate footwear such as thongs and place them in a small plastic bag. If your child is a non-swimmer or a weak swimmer (unable to swim unaided) please let Mrs Gilbert know ASAP.

Infant Swimming

We will also be running an intensive 2 week swim programme for our Kindy to Year 2’s during weeks 7 and 8 of Term 4. This will allow our younger students to gain swim confidence and improved stroke development as a result of daily practice.

Announcements

Please return your washed WAS Sports singlet to Mrs Gilbert ASAP if you have borrowed one during this term.

At Wahroonga, we are very proud of our students’ achievements across the sporting fields. So, we encourage you to share any sporting achievements that you child accomplishes with us.

Upcoming Dates

  • Tuesday 11 October- start date for Years 3-6 swimming
  • Thursday 10 November- SDA Cricket Gala Day (Years 3 and 4)
  • Monday 21 November- First day of Infant Intensive Swim Program

Mrs Chloe Gilbert - Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary School News

Year 12 Final Week Events

The final week of the school journey is a surreal time as a Year 12 student. How do you wrap up 13 years of learning, experiences, relationships and memories, in the space of a few days? It is an exciting, reflective and significant time, which our 2022 graduating class certainly made the most of. Monday saw the conclusion of the majority of their academic classes, students ate (a lot!) and celebrated the final lessons with their teachers. During lunch the Year 12 class took on the staff in a final staff vs student game of volleyball. On Tuesday the students came to school dressed as a teacher from their time at Wahroonga - there were some very convincing outfits put together! Mr St Mart and Mr Ah-You may also have been spotted dressed as students at some point during the day.

The students also spent time on Tuesday writing thank-you letters to both parents and staff, reflecting on the impact of these significant people throughout their school lives. Wednesday morning saw the Year 12 class and staff enjoy a breakfast, many thanks to Kelly, Alyssa, Missy and the canteen team for the excellent celebration feast. After breakfast students spent time signing Year 12 jerseys and delivering gifts to their teachers before the final celebration - their Graduation Chapel. The week was filled with great moments and rites of passage as the Year 12 class of 2022 created their final memories at Wahroonga.

Year 12 Graduation Chapel

The Year 12 Graduation Chapel took place on Wednesday 21 September at Wahroonga Adventist Church. The Graduation Chapel is becoming a significant tradition at Wahroonga Adventist School, a time where we recognise and celebrate the achievements of our graduating year 12 class. The event opened with the graduating class entering to their final roll call, backed by a beautiful piece performed by the school orchestra. Another significant element of the Graduation Chapel is the handing over of the candles, a symbolic moment where our graduating leaders pass the responsibility of bearing light on to the next generation of leaders in our school.

The gathered students, parents, families, friends and staff were then treated to a number of excellent reflections from the 2022 School Vice Captains and Captains, as well as Charli Bowyer, who reflected on behalf of the Genesis Students, who have attended Wahroonga from Prep to 12. The Year 12 class band performed a moving rendition of "Slipping Through My Fingers" as a tribute to their time at school.

Next came the awards, a moment to lift up the achievements of our graduates across the various subjects and courses that they have taken throughout their HSC journey. A special thanks must go to Lieutenant Graham Swan, who provided moving insights on the significance of the ADF awards. Thanks also to Mr Johnny Edwards, who was a significant teacher for the Year 12 class through their primary school journey and returned for their graduation to share final words of wisdom. Finally, the graduating class of 2022 were presented with their graduation certificates and addressed with the charge to Year 12, delivered by our Principal Mrs Heise. The graduates then walked the school surrounded by an honour guard of Wahroonga students. The afternoon was capped with time to celebrate and take photos with family and friends - all in all, an excellent celebration and send off for an excellent group of graduates.

Secondary School Sport

CIS Secondary Athletics Championships

We had a team of nine students represent our school at the Combined Independent Schools of NSW Athletics Carnival on Tuesday this week. This is the third representative level above the school level so it's a fantastic achievement just making it to this carnival. Our student athletes achieved some terrific results on the day as well.

  • Blake H came 2nd in the discus event
  • Nathaniel R came 3rd in the javelin and 2nd in the 400m run events
  • Jimmy T came 3rd in the long jump events
  • Sasha C came 3rd in the shot put event

Well done to all our student athletes competing on the day. We are very proud of you all.

CSSA State Futsal Gala Day

On Thursday 15 September, our Junior Girls and Junior Boys Futsal teams competed at the CSSA State Futsal Gala Day. Our teams competed at a high level against schools from our sport association. Both teams performed with great sportsmanship and was able to get a few victories. Well done!

CSSA State Basketball Gala Day

A big congratulations to our Senior Girls Basketball team for following up Wahroonga’s first ever CSSA Met North win with our schools first ever CSSA State event win!!

The girls demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship & teamwork progressing from the CSSA Met North to the CSSA State Basketball tournament, which took place on 9 September. The girls came up against schools from Illawarra, Maitland & Western Sydney, winning all of their round games convincingly. The semi final match against Illawarra started out as a close contest, with the Wahroonga girls eventually building a solid lead to take the win. The grand final was a rematch with Maitland, which resulted in a 51-15 win for the Wahroonga girls!!

Mr Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has now finished for 2022, however any books read from now on can be included on next year’s challenge. As there is no access to the PRC website until early next year a written list of books read will need to be kept until then.

Student Access to the Library WebAPP

To access your children’s borrowing details on the Library WebAPP you must now enter a generic password along with their Borrower ID. Please use the same Borrower ID as before - the first four letters of their surname followed by their initial, or use their new student ID number – please email Mrs Savage if you are unsure of your children’s Borrower ID. The password for all students is 12345, however you can change this password by clicking on your child’s name in the top right corner and then clicking on profile settings. Please email me at library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au if you need help with logging in.

Year 11

Textbook Return

All Year 11 textbooks should now be returned to the Library. If you still have Year 11 textbooks, please make sure these are returned to the Library at the beginning of Term 4 as replacement fees for any missing items will then be charged to your account.

2023 Year 12 Book Lists

All Year 11 students need to consult the 2023 book lists (Click here) for your textbook requirements for HSC.

To order books through Campion Education please click here. The school code is: 7M8R

Limited second-hand textbooks are available for purchase from the Library. Please see Mrs Savage at the beginning of Term 4 to make second-hand purchases as she will not be available during the holidays.

Year 12

All Year 12 textbooks need to be placed in the ‘Textbook Return’ boxes that will be in the Foyer of Fox Valley Community Centre at the commencement of each HSC exam. Replacement fees for any missing items will be charged to your account.

Mrs Leonie Savage - Librarian

Co-curricular Program

School Holiday Fun!

Co-curricular - Term 4

Home and School

It has been a term full of events so I hope you have been able to keep up and enjoy some of them. It is such a blessing to be able to come together again and connect.

On Saturday 17 September we had the Homecoming Alumni where we were gifted with amazing music and presentations from various past, present students and teachers/Principals.

Home and School was able to provide some funding for a Year 12 end of school social gathering where they came together for a meal, games and a sit around the fire pit. A recharge before the final HSC study journey.

Home and School has also recently provided some funding for the upcoming StormCo trip for our students who will be heading out to Dubbo as an outreach experience over the school holidays. Keep an eye out for the write up about their endeavours.

Gingerbread House - Orders Close Friday 14 October 2022

We plan to post photo entries up on the wall outside the administration office so all can see the creative talents of our students. Please email entries to the school office email : office@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au

Entries will be based on age division – Most Creative Gingerbread House

Dad’s Campout – 22-23 October 2022

Please start to book your spot for the Dad’s Campout – it will be held on the school grounds this year with lots of fun planned.

Ice Skating - Saturday 29 October 2022

Next Home and School Meeting - 18 October 2022 at 7.30pm

Please note this Home and School Meeting will be held in the Wedge.

Mrs Michelle Roberts - Home and School President (homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu)

Bits and Pieces

Dance Element Studios