Principal's Message
Student laughter, smiling faces and ‘winter woolies’. That is what I see as I look out across the school. It is the last day of Term 2 and the teachers and students look colourful and warm as they raise money for headspace, a National Youth Mental Health organisation that provides early intervention mental health services to young people.
In today's fast-paced life, it is important to nurture our well-being and create a positive ‘head space’ – this is a shared role between home and school and part of our focus as a nurturing school.
Today we also acknowledged NAIDOC Week in Chapel. Pr Richie Reid, a First Nations Elder, spoke about his heritage and broadened our understanding of the richness of indigenous history and culture. As we come to the end of term, there has been a lot to celebrate and be thankful for and I encourage you to look through the newsletter. Camerata Strings performed brilliantly at the Eisteddfod and were recognised with a Highly Commended award while the Choir sang at the Sydney Adventist Hospital; the basketball season finished with many highlights from our school teams; Home and School ran a movie night and our staff STEM team presented at the Sydney University STEM Academy. All components of a thriving school community.
I pray that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to students return to school on Thursday, July 20.
Mrs Julia Heise - Principal
Chaplains' Message
And that’s a wrap for Term 2! We’ve been so blessed this term at Wahroonga and we’ve had a lot of fun together, sharing our talents and experiencing the joy of community. Some of the highlights this term have been, Secondary Week of Worship with Pr Chris Stanley, Western themed Primary Week of Worship led by our Year 6 cohort, Friday night worship programs with WIRED and High School Worship Night at Macarthur Adventist, Chapel teams, Chaplain class visits, Bible study groups, leading SPD Staff worships, weekly chapels. A long and amazing list!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
As a new chaplain at Wahroonga this year, I’ve been overwhelmed with how welcoming and kind our community of students, parents and staff have been. As we continue to build each other up, I pray that Jesus remains the reason of everything we do. One of my personal highlights this year, has been seeing our students grow in leading themselves and their peers. As a chaplaincy team, we want to thank you for your support – from your presence to your help in front and behind the scenes, we see you and we thank you!
Renee Vaovasa – on behalf of the Chaplaincy Team (Nicholas Kross, Jess Metz & Renee Vaovasa)
Upcoming Events
Senior Music Night
Our Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Exhibition Night which will be held on Wednesday, 16 August from 6 to 8pm in the Fox Valley Community Centre. This event will showcase the art and musical talent of high school students in the Semester One Creative and Performing Arts spaces.
Tickets will be FREE with booking details to come next term. We look forward to welcoming you on the evening and showcasing the wonderful talents of our creative students.
Barn Dance Social
The SAN Foundation & City2Surf
Students and our school community are welcome to join with the SAN Foundation in raising funds and awareness for the SAN Foundation's Cancer Services. Details are below on the flyer.
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 2023
Please click on the link below to view the school term dates and public holiday information for 2023.
Whole School News
Wellbeing Conference
On the 20th of June, we, as Year 11 Prefects, spent the day at a student-led wellbeing conference at Knox Grammar School. We enjoyed listening to the inspirational Martin Heppell from The Resilience Project, who empowered us to be authentic, kind and mindful. We also spent the day workshopping our leadership skills in different sessions which ranged from motivation, self-regulation and resilience. At the end of the conference, we had the chance to discuss how we can incorporate this into our own school and community and have been meeting to continue these discussions to action this. We had a thoroughly enriching day, filled with learning.
Year 11 prefects: Darcy Lynn, Jasper Small, Katie Miller, Will Kay (L-R image attached)
School Captains Dinner at Parliament House
Dhruv and I had the privilege of being invited to attend a leadership dinner for School Captains in the Upper North Shore at NSW Parliament House. 11 schools attended hosted by Mr Alistair Henskens and his colleagues Emily and Freya.
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Emily and Freya and given name tags. We were then taken on a tour of the NSW Parliament House, by Mr Alistair Henskens SC MP where we viewed the Senate red room and masterful oil paintings of previous politicians.
Mr Henskens was an engaging and informative host. We discovered that he not only has a passion for politics but also football.
During dinner, we were seated at an ornate large table with 27 others. We both enjoyed a sumac chicken supreme, coconut mango semifreddo and a chocolate petite four dessert. The conversation was lively and centred around the inner workings of politics and governance, The Referendum, and our future aspirations.
Overall, we found the evening to be a great experience and the night offered valuable insights into effective leadership skills.
Thank you Mr Henskens, Emily, Ryan, and Freya for hosting the event and providing us with such an opportunity. I would also like to thank my peers for entrusting Dhruv and me to represent our school.
Holly Moore & Dhruv Saini - Year 12 School Captains
Basketball Wins
Congratulations to all of our school basketball teams on an incredible season. We were fortunate to have 6 of our teams reach and play in the grand finals this week. Congratulations to Wahroonga PINK (Year 3 girls) for winning your Grand Final on Tuesday evening. Congratulations also to Wahroonga RED (Yr 2 boys), Wahroonga GREY (Year 9 boys), Wahroonga MAROON (Year 4/5 boys), Wahroonga BLUE (Yr 6 boys) and Wahroonga PURPLE (Yr 7 girls) for all playing fantastic games this week and coming second in your respective competitions.
Thank you to all of the families, friends and staff who came out to support our teams this week. And a great big thank you to Jeremiah and his assistant coaches for all of their training and support throughout the season.
New Pants Option for the Junior School Uniform
The recent uniform survey was very popular and we appreciate both parents and students taking the time to answer questions and add personal comments. Taking into consideration the feedback of the survey the decision has been made to trial pants for a select group of our female students.
Navy pants with an elastic back will be available for our female students from Prep to Year 4 to purchase. The pants are to be worn with the current white female winter blouse with a white or skin coloured singlet underneath for modesty, red tie and black school shoes.
Uniforms, including pants, are available to purchase via Flexischools or alternatively in Term 3 when the uniform shop opens on Thursday 27th July between 8.30am and 12pm. Please note that it is a requirement for female students wearing pants to wear navy blue socks. Other uniform guidelines will still apply including hair ties, cardigans and jackets.
Following on from this trial our Uniform Committee will consider tailored pants being made available to our older students that are suitable for a female figure.
We look forward to seeing younger students try out this new option.
Camerata Strings Perform at the Sydney Eisteddfod
Camerata Strings once again performed on the stage of the Chatswood Concourse for the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, performing at a higher level than last year, in the Secondary School Premium String Ensemble section. It was a highly competitive event with 13 schools entering their most elite level string performers. Our 20 students were excited and performed to a very high standard under the tutelage of Mrs Jameson. Their energy, enthusiasm and excellence were evident during their two performances.
Our students received a Highly Commended for their performances and we wish them congratulations for this wonderful achievement of which our school is proud! A massive thankyou and congratulations to Mrs Jameson for her dedication and talent in leading this group of young musicians.
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) events are held across Australia in the first week of July each year from Sunday to Sunday, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is a special time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions Indigenous Australians make to our country and society. The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is 'For Our Elders'.
Across every generation Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They have paved the way for the paths we can now take and guide us not only through generations of advocacy and activism but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.
NAIDOC Week - Combined Chapel
Our last Combined Chapel for the term was a celebration of NAIDOC Week. A highlight from the service was Zara R who performed a number of indigenous dances depicting animals and stories.
NAIDOC Week - The Rainbow Serpent from Dreamtime
The Dreamtime stories connect all who listen to the land, teach values, laws and traditions and tell how things have come to be. The Rainbow Serpent is one of the most famous Aboriginal creation stories and it is easy to see that an ancient people could imagine that the mountains and valleys were formed by a giant serpent winding its way across the Earth. Alongside a reflection of our own Christian belief, that God created the Earth along with all the landforms and living creatures upon it, this week there have been opportunities for conversations with the students about the Dreamtime, creation and God’s part in it.
To delve further into the story the students were able to draw and add designs to a giant chalk serpent drawn by the teachers. Look at the amazing results below!
NAIDOC Week - Animals of the Dreaming with Taronga Zoo
To Celebrate NAIDOC week, the Taronga Education Team offered live streamed performance of our Animals of the Dreaming program. Uncle Col and their amazing Educators presented an engaging experience of storytelling and music. The students were introduced to a wide variety of unique and wonderful Native Australian animals, such as a frog, possum, lizard, snake and turtle up close to the camera!
Winter Woolies Day for Headspace Mental Health Support
Today our Student Representative Council students are raising money for Headspace Australia a mental health support for young people with a Winter Woollies Day. So, lots of students arrived to school in their Hoodies and Onesies. Today's gold coin donations totalled $522. In addition to these funds, ticket sales from the movie night, totalling $225, have been donated by the Home and School. This is a total of $747 for Headspace Australia! What a fabulous cause and well done to all of the students who contributed.
Primary School News
Primary Choir Performance
On Friday, June 23 the Primary School Choir, along with the help of Hannah C (9S), Harriet L (9S), Georgia R (9A), and Ally W (9A) performed four special items at the Sydney Adventist Hospital’s Day of Praise, Prayer and Fasting. The live event was performed in the Hospital Chapel and was streamed via Zoom as well as through the hospital’s in-house TV channel. The choir really enjoyed the opportunity to give back to their community and their performance was very well received and much appreciated.
Year 7 Ceramics
An update from the art room where the first round of Year 7 ceramics have come out of the kiln! The students were pleasantly surprised by their Picasso faces.
Healthy Harold Visits
Healthy Harold has visited our school campus as he does every year. The van is run by Life Education and they work closely with the Department of Health and the Department of Education. Harold has been called upon to visit 710,000 children around Australia, thanks to requests from schools.
"We might see the little kids about nutrition and even things like brushing their teeth and personal hygiene. Then each year we start building up stronger skill sets based on age-appropriate areas around drugs and alcohol. So each kid that sees us, year on year, starts building up an internal tool kit to deal with life's issues and to learn how to resist peer pressure," Sloane said.
"The most popular program we have in schools in this era is cyber safety. Something that former generations didn't even know was going to be an issue in years to come," Sloane said. "We cover it in a way that looks at respectful relationships and mental health. So how to have good, strong relationships online with people as you would in real life, how to stop cyber bullying, how to protect yourself, how to ensure that your online experiences is one that builds you up not tears you down."
Our students are engaged and each year enjoy learning something new about health through this fun and educational program.
Primary School Sport
The end of the term has come and a lot of achievements individually and as a team have been accomplished. Students have represented themselves and the school at ASISSA and CIS events such as Swimming and Cross Country.
Students have developed skills throughout the term working on their ball skills and skipping. Primary as a whole is very close to achieving the $1000 goal for Jump Rope for Heart. A massive shoutout to Martina Casarramona 3L who has raised over $500. Jump Rope for Heart ends in Week 3 next term so keep up the good work over the holidays fundraising and skipping.
What a great and active term we have had! I am excited to see what next term holds and to see what other goals we can reach as a whole. Have a great holiday and be safe.
Save the date: August 11th Athletics Carnival
Mr Jack Fulton - Primary Sports Coordinator
Secondary School News
Religious Studies Excursion
As part of their study students from the Year 11 Studies in Religion class have visited Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. They were given a guided tour of the beautiful Mosque learning more about the religion of Islam from leaders in this community.
Textiles
Year 9 and 10 textile students displayed some amazing projects in the school office over the past few weeks. Year 9 students created costumes choosing from categories such as contemporary, theatrical, cultural and historical.
Year 10 students produced an evening wear item with a focus on apparel or costume. They have all done an amazing job with their projects.
High School Sports
CSSA Zone Athletics
On Tuesday 20th of June, our Athletics team competed at the CSSA North Met Zone Athletics Carnival. The day was beautiful with perfect weather and great camaraderie. Our students competed with passion throughout the field and track events. Many students have qualified to attend the CSSA State Cross Country next term with special mentions to Nathanael R (Year 10), Toby P (Year 7) and James T (Year 9) who achieved Age Champion. Congratulations to our athletes!
General Sport
Another great term of sport for High School. With our Tuesday Weekly Sport, our Year 7 soccer group experienced 5 sessions with a soccer coach who helped develop their skills. Our students were also able to represent our school proudly at the Zone Football Gala Day, State Netball Gala Day and State Cross Country.
Next term our Oztag, Basketball and Futsal teams will be able to compete and represent our school at the respective gala days, as well as our athletes competing at the CSSA State Athletics Carnival. Well done to an epic term of Sport!
Mr Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator
Library News
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Ruth E (1C), Ethan M (1C), Banjo L (2A), Adam A (3K), Leon O (3K), Charlotte L (4K), Jonathan D (5C), Tate G (5C), Liam B (6A), Holly F (6A), Jude S (6A), Lukas W (6A), Imran A (6C), Dia C (6C), Emily H (6C), Wyatt H (6C), Azriel P (6C) and Aidan P (6C), Joel R (6C), who have all finished the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Great reading!
Remember, the Premier’s Reading Challenge does not finish until the 18th of August so there is still plenty of time to complete it. Happy Reading!!
Holiday Borrowing
Borrowing has finished for Prep students for Term 2. Please ensure all books are returned to the library before the end of this week.
Borrowing has continued this week for all other year levels. Please ensure that books borrowed this week get looked after over the extended holiday break and returned to school the first week back. If you would like extra books for holiday reading, please email your request to Mrs Savage at library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au and have your child collect them this week (max. of 10).
Library WebAPP
The Library WebAPP is a great place to keep up with library news, search the catalogue, check your child’s borrowing details, and view their borrowing history. Click on the Library WebAPP button below and follow the instructions on the Guest page to log-in to your child’s records.
Upcoming Library Events
August 18: P-4 Book Week Performance ‘Way too Cool’
August 18: Premier’s Reading Challenge entries due
August 19-25: CBCA Book Week ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’
August 19-25: 5-6 Library Bag Podcasts
August 25: P-6 Book Week dress up day. Theme: Inspiring book characters
Mrs Leonie Savage - Librarian
Wellbeing
Resources for Parents
This short video outlines some considerations to help parents and carers choose Child Safe organisations or individuals to work with their child
As we continue to implement our Child Safe program to promote child safety in our school, we welcome ideas and feedback from parent partners! To share your ideas or feedback to promote child safety, please email a Child Safe Advocate. Julia Heise at julia.heise@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au, Ben Stewart at ben.stewart@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au or Kristina Vuceski at kristina.vuceski@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
For more information and resources on Child Safe practices, please visit the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian website via the button below.
Uniform Shop
Our second hand uniform racks are currently at capacity so we are temporarily unable to take any additional clothing for sale. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for notice on when this reopens.
Starting from the 27th July the uniform Shop is open Thursdays during the school term from 8:30am – 12pm during the school term.
Mrs Meagan Sullivan - Uniform Shop Manager
Home and School
Movie Night
Term 2 for Home and School ended as students and families enjoyed a fun and yummy Movie and Pizza Night at Fox Valley Community Centre. Pr Marcus, the minister for Fox Valley Community Church kindly opened his church home to our school community.
A number of Year 11 students, who are raising money for building materials needed for their Mission Trip to Fiji, made sensational pizzas with our Well Being Co-ordinator Ben Stewart. The students raised approximately $900 to go towards the building supplies required.
Bush Dance
Our upcoming BUSH DANCE, an all school event, featuring Peter Dixon and his band will be held in Term 3 on Saturday on the 5th August. This will be the event of the year as Peter Dixon is well known for his Bush Dance nights, you will not be disappointed. People of all ages can line dance so this is a night for everyone! Please get your friends to come along, dress up for the occasion and be prepared to have a load of fun.
Event tickets can be booked through the link button below with the $5 booking fee going toward the Covered Outdoor Learning Area for our basketball courts (COLA).
Our Year 11 students will again be catering to raise money for building materials needed for their Service Mission Trip to Fiji later in the year. This is a worthy cause so don't hold back on buying corn on the cob, nachos or wedges when booking your tickets. At the event there will be drinks and treats to purchase.
Meals with Love
As another term ends we would like to say a big thank you to all the amazing families that have contributed to Donate a Plate. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity and the meals have really brightened the day of those that have received them. A big thanks to our Canteen staff who have helped distribute the meals. Keep an eye out in Term 3 on how you can be involved with Meals With Love. Happy holidays!
Next Meeting
Tuesday 8 August 7.30pm
Mrs Michelle Roberts - Home and School President (homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu)