Principal's Message
In preparing for some filming in our school this week, I reflected on what makes Wahroonga Adventist School unique. It is the people. I love seeing students curious in their learning and staff supporting them in their interests.
We have so many talented students and inspiring staff in our school community. Alex P, a Year 6 student came first in NSW for the ICAS English Assessment, our third primary student to come top in state in ICAS in the past two years. Nathan L, a Year 5 student is currently in Germany representing Australia in the World Robot Olympiad and his speciality is coding. Ryan Z, also in Year 5, came first in NSW in robot performance.
The last two weeks have been a highlight for Primary School as they participated in a wide variety of experiences including the Days of Worship for Years 1-4 students. Thank you to the Chaplains for leading in this and to the parents who assisted, as hundreds of students from around Sydney joined with us.
Remembrance Day was another special occasion for our students to honour those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the country, and it was a solemn reminder to value the freedom we have in Australia.
The opportunity to give back to community continues with the Beyond the School Yard initiatives and I encourage you and your children to get involved by sending in goods for the Christmas Hampers that will be given to disadvantaged families in our local area.
As the calendars start to fill with family and community events and students look towards special activities at school, may you be blessed.
Mrs Julia Heise - Principal
Whole School News
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
Primary School Sport
Reminder - Term 4 Sport Days
Please note that sport uniform will need to be worn on the following days for Term 4:
• Weeks 7-8: Years 3-6 - Friday, Year K-2 – Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs
• Weeks 9-10: K-6 – Friday
Prep PJ Day
I walked into the Prep classroom last week to find our Preps in their PJ’s. When I asked them why they were not in their school uniform I was told “we are learning about the letter P so we are wearing our PJ’s”. They have so much fun in the Prep room.
Science/Stem Incursion Day – Year 4
What goes up, must come down!
Yesterday students spent the morning playing with Lego and constructing a carousel swing model utilising a lego project kit. They worked together to explore gravity’s effect on an object and experimented with designing and building lego mosaics. Students learned quickly the importance Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion and the effects of varied acceleration and mass.
Stage 1 & 2 Day of Worship
Last week Stage 1 and 2 students from across our Sydney Adventist School came to our campus to participate in a Day of Worship. Students had lots of fun singing songs, hearing from great speakers and participating in craft activities. I believe that the jumping castle was a highlight for the students.
Prep Orientation
This week we welcomed the newest members of our school family for their Prep Orientation. There was lots of excitement amongst the students as they enjoyed the amazing activities in the Prep classroom. The students were very lucky to have Pr Daron visit the classroom, he created some wonderful balloon creations for them to take home. An information session was also held for the parents where they could ask questions and connect with other parents.
ICAS Medal Winner – Alexander P
We are very proud to announce that Alexander P in Year 6 has won the ICAS English Medal for 2022. This is an outstanding achievement.
Reptile Park Excursion – Years 1 & 2
On Monday this week the Year 1 & 2 students visited the Reptile Park. Students had some up-close encounters with the reptiles and other animals at the park as they learned about key concepts about our living world.
"On Monday we went to the Reptile Park. First, we went on the bus. I sat next to Sienna. It was a fun bus ride. Then, we went to the showground. We saw lots of animals. It was amazing! I got to pat a koala. Next, we had lunch. Then we went to see the echidna. The echidna was small and so cute. Finally, we had some food near the playground and went on the equipment. Then it was time to go home. I had so much fun that I didn’t want to leave". Written by Isabelle R
"On Monday we went to the Reptile Park. First, we got on the bus. There was Year 1 and Year 2 going. Zeke was my partner. Then, we went to the show pit to see an animal show. I got to pat a long snake. Next, we had lunch and got into small groups. We walked around and saw a Quokka and an echidna. Finally, we got to play in the playground. I went very fast down one of the slides. Then we got back on the bus and went home. I was very happy after a fun day out". Written by James B
Reminder of Upcoming Events
• Year 6 Dinner – 6-8:30pm - 22 November
• Year 6 Graduation Chapel – 9-10am - 2 December
• Prep Graduation – 9:30-10:30am – 6 December
• K-6 Presentation Morning – 9-10:30am - 9 December
• P-6 Activity Day – (all day) – 12 December
Athletics
Liam C (Year 2) and Daniel D (Year 1) competed at the Little Athletics NSW State Relay Championships at Olympic Park on the weekend. Both boys did amazingly well! 😊
Liam and his team came second at the championships in the Under 9 Throws division. He recorded the furthest discus throw for the Under 9 age group of 21.45 meters. This was also a personal best for Liam. Amazing Liam – what a superstar!!!!!
Daniel won a bronze medal in Throws (Boys Under 8) and also threw a personal best!!! He was part of team of 3 boys who qualified from Little Athletics Ku-ring-gai to compete at this amazing event. Congratulations Daniel – what an fabulous achievement! 😊
SDA Stage 2 Cricket Gala Day
The SDA Cricket Gala Day was held on Thursday 10 November at Cliff Oval. Students from Years 3 and 4 who took part had an amazing day; learning new skills and challenging themselves with some fast-bowling opposition. WAS did really well against the other SDA schools and everyone improved dramatically from the beginning to the end of the day. A very special thank you to Kelly Oldfield, Jasper S (Year 10) and Damon P (Year 10) who did an amazing job coaching and managing the teams, and Mr Stewart for driving the bus.
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.
Infant Swimming: Kindy- Year 2
Infant Swimming (Kindy-Year 2) Will be starting on this Monday!!! (21 November). Please remember to bring your swimmers, goggles, and towel to school for the first session of the intensive 2 week program. This will take place every day except FRIDAYS for 2 weeks. This will allow our younger students to gain swim confidence and improved stroke development as a result of daily practice. If your son or daughter is NOT confident in the water please inform the class teacher ASAP.
Please note - swimming for Years 3-6 has now finished for the year. Thank you for your cooperation and we hope the students enjoyed the program.
Infant End of Year Dance Concert: Prep, Kindy and Year 1
If you would like to take part in the end of year Dance concert, please contact Dance Element ASAP- details in flyer below.
Announcements
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
- Monday 21 November- First day of Infant Intensive Swim Program
- Sunday 27 November - Dance Element End of Year Concert
Mrs Chloe Gilbert - Primary Sports Coordinator
Secondary School News
Australian Mathematics Challenge 2022
The Australian Mathematics Challenge was run earlier this year over a four week period. Students had the opportunity to work as a team or individually to problem solve four or five questions that required extensive thinking and problem-solving skills to achieve a correct answer.
The following students achieved some commendable results. They are;
Junior Division
Year 7
Credit – Sri Haashini J, Aojie L
Year 8
High Distinction - James T, Justin R
Credit - Neil R, Hannah L, Matthew L
Intermediate Division
Year 9
Distinction – Anthony L
Australian Mathematics Trust Competition Results 2022
In Term 3, students completed the Australian Mathematics Trust Competition that required students to answer 30 questions in 75 minutes.
The Mathematics Department would like to congratulate the following students in Years 7 to 10 who achieved the following commendable results.
Best in School - Neil R
High Distinction ( Top 3% in the state)
- Year 8 – Neil R, Sophia P, James T
Distinction ( Top 20% in the state)
- Year 7 - Ishaan S, Sungwoo K, Thomas C, Sri Haashini J,
- Year 8 – Justin R, Hannah L
- Year 9 – Anthony L, Kenneth P
- Year 10 – Sihan G, Noah C
Credit
- Year 7 - Kaitlyn P, David L, Aojie L, Nathan S, Christian B, Oscar S
- Year 8 – Eli M, Alexander T, Nicholas L, Harriet L, Hannah R, Alicia B, Matthew N, Annaliese D, Alessandra P, Alexander M
- Year 9 – James B, Elliot L, Chloe C, Neo K, Daniel P, Damon H, Isla H, Sidney G, Ella H, Louise L, Abigail B, Mischa C
- Year 10 – Lachlan T, Georgia B, Nathan R
Well done to these budding Mathematicians of the future.
Miss Debbie Wright - Head of Mathematics Department
Secondary School Sport
Touch Football Competitions
Wahroonga have recently been competing in the Nepean Zone – Touch Football Competition every Tuesday during sport. Last week the competition started with our Junior Boys, Junior Girls and Senior Boys Touch Football teams competing against Nepean Christian, Penrith Christian and The Lakes.
Our Junior Boys and Junior Girls are currently undefeated with our Senior Boys losing their first game, but bouncing back this week to secure the win.
On Thursday 17 November, our touch football teams also competed in the CSSA North Met Zone Gala Day. The teams have been training during morning and sport sessions leading up to this day, and were rewarded with some great experiences.
Our Senior Boys were highly competitive and lost by 1 point against Oxford Falls Grammar and Northern Beaches, and earned a victory against Covenant Christian.
Our Junior Boys missed out on the Grand Final by 1 competition point, with victories against Pacific Hills and Oxford Falls.
Our Junior Girls started the day slow with a loss to Northern Beaches but were able to show resilience, improvement and determination and later qualified for the Grand Final. The game was highly competitive with no one scoring until half way through the game. Unfortunately, our Junior Girls fell short and lost 1-0 to Northern Beaches.
All our touch teams should be very proud of their efforts today as we showing big improvements in the sporting competitions against our Zone schools!
Mr Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator
Library News
Visit the Library WebAPP to listen to our ‘Library Bag’ Podcasts
Don’t forget to keep on visiting our Library WebAPP for more episodes of our Year 5 and 6 ‘Library Bag’ podcasts, where our students are asking each other the all-important question – ‘So, what are you reading?’
To listen to these fantastic podcasts check out the Library WebAPP - now being broadcast at bit.ly/waslibrary
Thank you so much Brenden and Suzanne Lovett for the massive amount of work that has gone into providing this wonderful opportunity for our students.
Year 11 and 12 Textbook Return
All Year 11 and 12 textbooks should now be returned to the library in order to receive a clearance signature on your end of year sign-out sheets. If you have been notified that you still have books to return, please return them to the library promptly.
Last Week of Borrowing
Last week was the last week of borrowing for the year. Please ensure that all books are returned to the library by the end of Week 7.
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
Home and School
Only 2 events to go for Home and School in 2022, so don’t miss out!
Gingerbread Houses Competition – Entries close 30 November
Have you started to build your Gingerbread House? Time is running out – we have started to receive some entries, exciting to see the creativity of our students.
Prep/Kindy, Year 1/2, Year 3/4, Year 5/6, Year 7/8, Year 9/10 and Year 11/12 for the “Most Creative Gingerbread House”. Should you have not ordered a Gingerbread House – no stress you can go and purchase one or try cooking your own.
Please send your entries to the Home and School email account: homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au and have your students name and year.
We will then print them and place them up outside the office for all students to see under the Great Wall of Gingerbread Houses. If your child’s is not up on the wall please let us know so we can ensure it is part of the competition.
Competition ends on Wednesday 30 November – so start sending in your entries.
Beyond Our School Yard – Christmas Hampers
Christmas time is just around the corner, SRC and Beyond our School Yard are collecting items to make 130 special Christmas Hampers for the local community. We are partnering with Hornsby Fusion who feed 40 homeless people 5 nights a week and provide weekly food hampers for 75 families. The need has risen from the 70 hampers we helped make last year. We need any kind of non perishable food and household hygiene or cleaning items and don't forget Christmas celebration items too!
Pantry Items: All variety of tins, cereal, pasta/ rice, sauces, spreads, baking, hygiene and cleaning items.
Celebration Items: Chocolates, biscuits, lollies, plum pudding, long life custard.
Gifting Items: (Preloved or new) puzzles, games, toys, balls, beach towels.
Please send the items with your child to their class or home room from now until Friday 2 Dec.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and thoughtfulness.
Events For 2023
We have lots of fun events in the pipeline for next year... Family Picnic Day at Crosslands, Bush Dance – Peter Dixon, Celebrations of our Mothers and Fathers, and more Parent Master Classes. We welcome ideas, so send us an email at any time!
Mrs Michelle Roberts - Home and School President (homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu)
Meals With Love
Do you know of a school family that has just welcomed a new baby, has a sick family member, or a family that just needs a little TLC? We would love to be able to support them on behalf of the school community with a Meals with Love meal. Just send us an email and we can arrange a meal to be sent home.
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 prepared 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.