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Newsletter - Friday 21 October 2022

Principal's Message

In her speech at the Queen’s Jubilee Commemorative Tree Planting Ceremony at Sydney Adventist Hospital, newly elected school captain Holly, spoke of the metaphorical comparison between trees and students: ‘Just as a tree needs watering, so does a student. Trees need patience to grow, so does a student. Trees come in different varieties, so does a student.’

Simple yet profound, this analogy encapsulates a wholistic view of the purpose of our school where we support students to thrive in a nurturing environment so that they become strong and resilient.

The value of compassion is a focus this term in the Beyond Our School Yard fundraising for ADRA initiatives and Hornsby Fusion. What is so powerful about compassion is that it builds understanding of what others may need and also encourages us to take action to make a difference in the lives of others. I have seen students showing compassion to each other in many ways and am encouraged to see older students playing with younger students everyday and caring for others.

This week we acknowledged outstanding academic performance with a Year 6 student, Alexander, achieving top in the state in the NSW ICAS English Assessment. A number of other students also achieved excellent results with High Distinctions and Distinctions.

In our tradition of valuing wellbeing, the Year 8 and 9 students have been on four-day camps over the past two weeks, enjoying the satisfaction of having completed physical challenges in hiking, canoeing, mountain bike riding and abseiling.

HSC exams have begun, and the primary students made cards of encouragement for the Year 12 students, which have been appreciated. The compassion that students can demonstrate to each other is lovely to see with one Year 2 student writing to a Year 12, ‘Good luck in your exams! I’m right with you, I’ve been having some hard times too,’ while another wrote, ‘You’ve got this. I ask God to be with you.’

May you experience compassion this week and also show compassion to others, following the direction of Jesus to, ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another.’ Ephesians 4:32

Mrs Julia Heise - Principal

Whole School News

Commemorating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

A commemorative tree planting ceremony was held this week in the grounds of Sydney Adventist Hospital, in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Our Environmental Ambassadors, Primary Captains, Vice Captains and School Captains, along with Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher, Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock and Ku-ring-gai Mayor Jeff Pettett joined senior hospital staff and leaders of the Adventist Church to pay tribute to the late Monarch by planting an advanced blackbutt tree.

The blackbutt is the first of 700 trees to be planted on the Wahroonga Estate through the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program. Ten trees will be planted for every year of the late Queen’s reign—all native varieties, including gum, wattle and red cedar. The large-scale tree planting project will be a special, living tribute to the late Queen, who was known for her commitment towards protecting the environment.

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

ICAS Science, English & Spelling 2022 - Primary High Distinctions & Distinctions

Congratulations to the following primary students who achieved highly in the following ICAS assessments. This International Competition is conducted annually, and High Distinctions are the top 1% of participants with Distinctions being the next 10%.

A very special mention to Alexander P in Year 6 who came top in NSW for English and is receiving the ICAS Medallion. We are very proud of you and all of the students who gave it their best by participating.

ENGLISH NSW Medallion Winner - Year 6 - Alexander P

ICAS English 2022 High Distinctions

  • Year 6 - Tiffany L

ICAS English 2022 Distinctions

  • Year 6 - Shivon C
  • Year 5 - Elijah V, Jemmima S
  • Year 4 - Benjamin T, Gabriel G, Ryan L
  • Year 3 - Alex L, Iris L, Georgina M

SPELLING

ICAS Spelling 2022 High Distinctions

  • Year 6 - Tiffany L

ICAS Spelling 2022 Distinctions

  • Year 6 - Derek W, Ishaan S, Alexander P, Shivon C
  • Year 5 - Christopher D
  • Year 4 - Benjamin T, Ryan L
  • Year 3 - Axel P, Iris L, Thomas B
  • Year 2 - Jamie L

SCIENCE

ICAS Science 2022 Distinctions

  • Year 6 - Tiffany L, Shivon C
  • Year 5 - Ryan Z, Elijah V, Dylan B
  • Year 4 - Ryan L, Iris L, Alex L

Reminder - Term 4 Sport Days

Primary students are participating in swimming instruction at the SAN pool this term. Years 3-6 commenced their 6 week swimming program on Oct 11. 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, Years K-2 – Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri

Weeks 9-10 - K-6 – Friday

Kindergarten Orientation Day

It was wonderful to see the new Kindergarten students for 2023 on Wednesday when they came for their Kindy Orientation Day. There were lots of happy faces, although some were a little anxious at the beginning, and they had a lovely day making new friends, meeting their teachers for next year and creating some craft to take home.

The parents were invited to attend a short information session where they were able to connect with other Kindy parents and to learn about our Kindy program, routines, and expectations.

Primary School Sport

KARATE: Avantika Wins Silver Medal

Avantika recently participated in All Australia Shotokan Karate Nationals in her age group of 8-11 yrs. She was awarded a silver medal for Kata!! It was a tough competition, and she lost the gold by just .4 points. This was her maiden competition at a National level!! What an amazing effort. Congratulations Avantika-keep up the great work!!!

Below she is with in blue Sensei Abraham Harada (the National Coach for Shotokan Karate Australia ) and ex veteran world champions Sensei Steven Meek & Sensei Patricia Harada!

Swimming in Term 4

3-6 Swimming: All Year 3 to 6 students have started their swimming program for Term 4 and are already improving their confidence in the water and learning about some basic life-saving skills. We have been extremely lucky with the weather and although it’s not as warm as our usual spring, all the students are having great fun in the water. Can we please remind students and parents that swimming is compulsory and all students must attend unless they are unwell and have a medical certificate.

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

If there are any cricket specialists/enthusiasts within our school community who are available and willing to help coach/umpire our girls and/or boys (Year 3 and 4) cricket teams please let Mrs Gilbert know ASAP.

Please return your washed WAS Sports singlet to Mrs Gilbert ASAP if you have borrowed one during last 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 your child accomplishes with us.

Upcoming Events

  • 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 8 Camp

Our Year 8 students enjoyed four days of camping and activities at Patonga, experiencing mountain biking, abseiling, kayaking, hiking, rogaining and more!

The students were challenged physically and mentally to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. From racing peers and familiarising themselves with maps whilst rogaining, tearing it up mountain biking, coordinating strokes with peers whilst kayaking, to conquering their fear of heights abseiling, students spent their days fully participating in outdoor activities.

Spending three nights in a tent under the stars was an experience many students had not previously enjoyed. They learnt how to setup up a tent, cook using camp cookers - often opting for 2-minute noodles for dinners and breakfasts, navigate the bush, safely use harnesses, and navigate a kayak. They also enjoyed a night hike and a rowdy game of night-time Capture the Flag with glowsticks on the beach.

The Grey Nomads and venue staff noted the student's enthusiasm, bravery, kindness, and behaviour. They supported each other to calm any nerves and build resilience.

We are proud of them and hope they enjoyed strengthening friendships and learning about themselves.

Mr Michael St Mart - Head of Secondary School

Secondary School Sport

Welcome to the final sprint of 2022 – Term 4. As the year is coming towards the end, Secondary School have a few sport opportunities. For weekly representative sport, our U14s Boys, U14s Girls and Open Boys touch football teams will be competing in the Nepean Zone Touch Football Competition. These teams will also later participate in our local North Met Touch Football Zone Gala Day to finish the year. Our House Captains are also currently organising another school sport competition at lunchtime for our students to compete in.

Honourable Mentions

In late September, Daniel P (Year 9) competed at the NSW All Schools in 15 Years Pole Vault.

Daniel was very happy with a PB of 3.4 metres and 1st Place. He has now qualified for the 2022 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships to be held in Adelaide in December.

Upcoming Events

  • Monday 24 October- CSSA Cricket Knockout (Venue: Arnold Avenue Reserve)
  • Thursday 17 November - CSSA Zone Touch Football Gala Day (Venue: Terry Hills Oval)

Mr Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator

Library News

Exciting News! – ‘Library Bag’ Podcasts are now being broadcast on the Library WebAPP

For Book Week this year our Year 5 and 6 students have been working with Brenden and Suzanne Milne to produce ‘Library Bag’ podcasts where they ask each other the all-important question – ‘So, what are you reading?’

Please visit the Library WebAPP to listen to these fantastic podcasts - now being broadcast at bit.ly/waslibrary.

Year 11 and 12 Textbook Return

Year 11, please return your Year 11 textbooks to the Library as soon as you are no longer needing them for class.

Year 12, please place your hired textbooks in the textbook return box situated in the foyer of Fox Valley Community Centre.

Last Week of Borrowing

Borrowing will finish for all students at the end of Week 5 in order to ensure all books are returned before our annual end of year stock take. Please remind your children to bring their library bags each week so they can take advantage of borrowing early in the term, and if all books can be returned promptly by the end of Week 7 it would be much appreciated.

If your child has outstanding loans or lost library books it is time to either return these copies, pay the replacement fee of $25 per book at the school office, or provide a replacement copy of the missing book.

If you are unsure of what books your child has out and when they are due back, please log on to the library WebApp at bit.ly/waslibrary and follow the instructions on the home page to access your child’s library records.

Mrs Leonie Savage - Librarian

Co-curricular Program

AFL NSW

We are excited to announce AFL NSW will be joining our co-curricular program every Tuesday from 1 November till 22 November.

Please click HERE for more information or to register.

Chess

Learn to be a chess champion! Coaching for students at Wahroonga Adventist School is held on:

  • Years K-6: Wednesdays from 11:10am to 12:00pm, starting on 12 October 2022
  • Competition Players + Years 7-12: Fridays from 3:15pm to 4:15pm, starting on 14 October 2022

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, you can collect an enrolment form from the school office, or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au for a copy. For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

Uniform Shop

Please note the following changes to the Uniform Shop for Term 4, 2022;

  • In Term 4 the Uniform Shop will be open 8am to 9am only for drop in purchases.
  • At all other times the Uniform Shop is strictly by appointment only due to the large number of fittings for next year.
  • All uniforms must be purchased this year. The Uniform Shop is not open in the school holidays and will not reopen until Term 1, 2023.
  • The last Flexischool order will close at 1pm on 30 November 2022. These orders will be ready for collection on 1 December 2022. After this time the uniform shop will be closed for stocktake.
  • During Term 4 we are only accepting second hand Blazers. Please dry clean your blazer before sending it in for sale.

We cannot accept any other second hand items during Term 4. Please do not send in second hand items as they will be sent onto a charity.

If you have any questions please email: uniformshop@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.

Meagan Sullivan (Uniform Shop Manager)

Home and School

Home and School met for the last time this year on Tuesday evening 18 October. It has been a big year of organising events and strengthening our working relationships with our students, parents, teachers and local community. We are blessed to be part of this growing community.

We still have some events left for 2022, so please come along and support our Home and School events.

Thank you to those who have purchased a Gingerbread House. If you were unable to do so - no stress, welcome to cook your own or purchase another. More details to come - but we look forward to seeing your child’s Most Creative Gingerbread House up on the “Great Wall of Gingerbread Houses”. A prize for the winner in each grade.

This weekend we have the Dad’s Campout. No matter what the weather brings rain, hail or sunshine, it is still destined to be a fun night.

If you haven’t yet booked for Ice Skating please do so as it is next Saturday night 29 October at 8.30-10.30. Organise a group and a few parents to carpool.

Beyond our School Yard

We are excited to announce the Beyond our Schoolyard Christmas giving is getting started with the ADRA gift catalogue. The SRC students carefully chose gifts they were excited about giving. The high school is all working together to give a $1000 treadle pump, and the primary are going to see how many smaller items they can achieve.

  • Prep Fight Hunger Meals $9
  • Kindy School Supplies $10
  • Year 1 Seeds $30
  • Year 2 Chickens $20
  • Year 3 Baby Goat $100
  • Year 4 Water Filters $15
  • Year 5 Worm Farm $75
  • Year 6 Toilet $120
  • Year 7-12 Treadle Pump $1000

Each year has a plan for raising money and your child may ask to demonstrate acts of service at home, to help their grade raise enough donations towards their Beyond our Schoolyard Christmas gift. Tax deduction available on request (send name and email with the donation).

There will be a mufti day on Friday 28th October to celebrate and complete the fundraising, look out for more details on stalls and fun things to participate in to raise money.

We can't wait to hear how many chickens, seeds, water filters, school supplies and meals the kids can donate. Thanks for helping your child think, look and give beyond our school yard.

Thank you everyone for supporting Home and School.

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

Meals With Love

Meals with Love is back for Term 4! If you know a school family that would benefit from a home cooked meal then please let us know.

If you would like to support MWL with a donation of freezable meals and/or lunchbox snacks for our freezer, they would be gratefully accepted. These meals and snacks are packaged up with fresh salads provided by the Canteen. Please attach a list of ingredients and the date the meal was made to aid in distribution. We do request no pork or shellfish ingredients please. If you require storage containers, please see the Canteen. Many thanks for your support.

Mealswithlove@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au

Bits and Pieces

Sing Noel - 26 November 2022

Christmas is just around the corner! Usher in the season singing your favourite carols with soaring strings, majestic brass and magnificent vocalists (including our very own Wahroonga Adventist School Choir). Buy a ticket and support Aussies in need through the work of ADRA Australia.

Dance Element Studios