Principal's Message
As we welcome a new year, we have much to be grateful for, not least that your child can continue to learn at school despite the pandemic. Thank you for your collective efforts in keeping our school community safe.
We are also grateful for the outstanding efforts of our first Year 12 cohort, their teachers and families. Each and every one of them have graduated as young men and women of character and now have stepped out into the community to continue their learning, begin careers and serve others.
As I look forward to this year, I am excited by the possibilities to partner with you and various entities as we continue to build a thriving Christ-centred learning community with students at the heart of all we do. Partnerships such as those with the Association of Independent Schools NSW for wellbeing, Sydney University for STEM and Sydney Adventist Hospital and Media Centre for mentoring young people, enrich the learning experiences of our students.
The OECD has recently published the latest edition of Trends Shaping Education, and what is evident is the potential of education to influence major economic, political, social and technological trends, from early childhood to lifelong learners. The potential lies in the role that intangibles play in shaping cultural context and it is our purpose to help every child develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to engage meaningfully in all aspects of life and make a positive difference in their community.
May God bless you as we partner together this year in your child’s education.
Julia Heise - Principal
Chaplains' News
Our WAS theme for 2022 is "Immerse"! We are excited because it means to be fully and completely involved in something. In this case it means to be fully and completed involved in someone. According to Romans 13:14 it says "Be fully immersed in the Lord Jesus Christ" (tpt). This year we commenced to involve Jesus in every part of the school experience with a Dedication service called a Convocation.
Last Friday we had our special Convocation Service to officially begin the school year at Wahroonga Adventist School. One of the highlights was Pr Alban Matohiti (President of our Church run Education system in Greater Sydney) presented a lovely Bible to the school which will be on display in our foyer at school.
Pr Alban said that the Bible should be front and centre of all we do as we fully Immerse ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible gift is beautifully presented and has lovely artistic quotes highlighting important Biblical themes.
We pray that God will continue to grow, bless and create success in His School at Wahroonga as we place our faith in Him together. We look forward to unpacking what this means week by week with our amazing students and school family. We are so grateful for the opportunities before us and we look forward to collaborating with home, school and church to uplift and encourage one another!
Pr Andy and Pr Daron - WAS Chaplaincy Team
Whole School News
Congratulations to First in State ICAS Winners!
Two of our students have won the prestigious 2021 ICAS Medallion, coming first in NSW in their respective areas.
Tiffany L won the Year 5 ICAS Spelling Bee. This is the second time that Tiffany has achieved this outstanding result. Tiffany says that she finds spelling easy and reads widely. Her words to others who might like to try ICAS are, ‘Try your best and enjoy what you do.”
Justin R won the Year 7 ICAS Mathematics competition and has enjoyed mathematics since a young age. He enjoys the challenge of mathematics and has a very positive mind set, enjoying both the easy problems and difficult ones.
We are very proud of their achievements and congratulate them on their success.
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
Primary Update from Mrs Deppeler - Head of Primary School
Welcome Back
It was lovely to see all the smiling faces last week as students returned to school. Lots of excited students eager to reconnect with their friends and meet their teachers. There were some familiar faces and some new faces. A big welcome to all the new families that have joined our school community this year.
Meet the Teacher Evening
Thank you to all the families that were able to join us on our Meet the Teacher online evening sessions this week. Please connect with your class teacher if you were unable to attend so that any information presented can be passed on to you.
STEM – Primary Classes
This year our Year 5 & 6 students will be participating in STEM classes each week. We are blessed to have Mrs White and Mr Coyte from Secondary to provide these learning experiences for our students. They will explore a range of concepts and develop their knowledge and skills in design. This week Year 6 students perfected their design skills to create the ultimate paper plane.
Points to Note…
Seesaw
Our Primary classes use Seesaw to connect parents with the experiences within the classroom. If you have not been connected to your child’s class, please reach out to your child's class teacher.
Phone Use at School
Please remind your child that personal phones or smart watches are not to be used within school hours. This is to protect the privacy of all our students and staff.
Afternoon pick-up
- P-4 (basement)
- 5-6 (back carpark) – and siblings
- P-6 (front gate)
Primary Bell Times
- 8:40 - Start
- 11:10 – 12:00 - Lunch
- 1:20 – 1:40 – Recess
- 3:00 - Finish
Primary School Sport
ASISSA and CIS Sports
We are delighted to announce that this year there will be a full sports programme through our ASISSA and CIS networks. This gives our high-level competitors the opportunity to challenge themselves and compete against other children of a similar level.
Please see the list below for up and coming events this term. (Please note that you need to be invited to attend these competitions as we can only send limited numbers of high-level athletes).
CIS Competition
CIS AFL - Friday 4th March 2022
CIS Girls Football - Monday 14th March 2022
CIS Swimming and Diving Competition - Thursday 24th March 2022
CIS Touch Football Boys and Girls -Tuesday 29th March 2022
CIS Boys Football - Thursday 31st March 2022
ASISSA Competition
ASISSA Boys Football Trials - Thursday 3rd March 2022
ASISSA Swim Carnival - Friday 18th March 2022
ASISSA Netball Gala Day - Friday 1st April 2022
Upcoming Sporting Events
Swimming Carnival – Thursday 17th February 2022 at Knox Grammar (participants only)
If you haven’t already done so, please let Mrs Gilbert know if your child plays any representative sport. Email: chloe.gilbert@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Thanks a million and have a great day.
Chloe Gilbert - Primary PE Coordinator
Primary School Co-Curricular Program
In Term 1 we will be offering and array of co-curricular opportunities for both Primary and Secondary School students. For further information on the options available to our Primary School students please click on the links below:
- Dancing
- Chess Club
- Football Program (more information to come shortly)
- Tae Kwon Do
- Coding
- Band and Choir
- Running club (more information to come shortly)
- Basketball Club (more information to come)
Secondary School News
Music
Our co-curricular music program is back! Both the Primary and Secondary String Orchestras have started rehearsals with Mrs Jameson, and the Concert Band with Mrs Vuceski It's so lovely to hear the students making music again!
If your child is interested in taking part in any of our music programs please contact Student Services for further details. Email: studentservices@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Secondary School Sport
Weekly Sport
This term, Tuesday sport will be different in comparison to recent terms. Following COVID guidelines, each student will be participating in sport with their cohorts to reduce the risk of transmission.
Representative Sport
Throughout the year, there will be a post on Seqta Notices that will include individual nominations for sports for CSSA and CIS. Please take the time to look through the sports that have been listed so you don’t miss out. If you are wanting to nominate your child for a specific sport, please take note of the dates and contact Mr Ah-You via email when necessary.
Sporting Achievements
Over December 9-12th in 2021, Jimmy T (Year 8) and Nathanael R (Year 9) competed in various events at the NSW All-Schools Championships at SOPAC which is an incredible achievement.
Both students performed at a high level. Special mentions to Jimmy who placed 5th in long jump, with a distance of 4.89m and 3rd in triple jump with a distance of 10.86m, and Nathanael who placed 2nd in Javelin, throwing a massive 42.66m. Well done Jimmy and Nathanael.
Over January 20-25th of 2022, Salani S (Year 8) competed at the NSW Senior State Age Championships at SOPAC. She competed across multiple events and made the final for the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events.
For the 50m backstroke final, she swam 32.37s to win the silver medal. For 100m backstroke, she swam 1.10min to win the bronze medal. For 200m backstroke, she swam 2.28min to take home the gold medal which is an astonishing achievement. Well done Salani.
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 Sporting Events
Swimming Carnival – Thursday 17th February 2022 at Knox Grammar (participants only)
CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival – Wednesday 16th March 2022
Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator
Secondary School Co-Curricular Program
In Term 1 we will be offering and array of co-curricular opportunities for both Primary and Secondary School students. For further information on the options available to our Secondary School students please click on the links below:
- Band and Choir
- Chess Club
- Running Club (more information to come shortly)
- Basketball Club (more information to come shortly)
Library News
Library Classes
Library borrowing has started for the year so please check your child’s library day below and remind them to bring their library bags on that day. Prep-Year 2 may borrow a maximum of 3 books, Years 3–6 a maximum of 5 books, and High School students a maximum of 6 books. Library bags are required for all Junior borrowers (P-4) but are optional for middle and senior students.
Library WebAPP
Wahroonga Adventist School Library has an online catalogue which makes searching for resources easy from any device with internet access. To visit our Library WebAPP go to bit.ly/waslibrary. On the guest page you will find instructions on how to access your child’s personal details.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge website will become active from March 7, 2021. All books read from September last year can be added to this year’s list so please keep a written record of these books to add online when the website is active. Students new to our school will receive their log-in details in March. If your child has completed the challenge at previous schools please email Mrs Savage (library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au) stating the name of the school and the years that the challenge was completed so we can merge their challenge history to our school.
‘Dive into Reading!’
Our annual Book Fair is going to be held in Week 9 of Term One this year, so watch this space in coming weeks for more information.
Leonie Savage - Librarian
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Home and School
Welcome to 2022
Home and School is the platform where by we organise events/activities for students and parents to come together to be able to connect and build relationships. We are about building community, so come and join us in 2022.
This year we are hoping to undertake some events such as Ice Skating, Movie Day, Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, Father’s Day Stall, Grandparents Day, a Parent Master Class and lots more. We will be managing our events to comply with Covid restrictions and ensure personal safety. So please keep an eye out for the Newsletter and posters around the school when an event is coming up.
Home and School is managed by volunteers (parents of the students) so we are always looking for more people to share their time, talents and ideas. Send us an email to our Home and School email address at homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu if you are interested in volunteering or just want to share some ideas to assist us in making our school community grow.
Home and School's first meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday, 21st February 2022 via Zoom.
Ideally we want to be able to meet in person but at this point in time it will take place via Zoom. Once we can meet in person we will still offer Zoom as this allows greater flexibility for more parents to join the Home and School meeting.
Looking forward to meeting and working with you as we help our school grow.
Michelle Roberts - Home and School President
Beyond our School Yard
Thank you to all the families who gave food, toys and Christmas goodies in the SRC & Beyond our School Yard term 4 giving. You contributed to over 150 Christmas Hampers at the ADRA Mt Druitt and Fusion Hornsby food pantries. Thank you to all the kids who donated, collected, sorted, carried and helped pack the hampers. Your thoughtfulness in giving and helping was much appreciated by many families. We look forward to your contribution to the 2022 Beyond our School Yard projects.
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Meals With Love
Welcome back to Term 1! For those new to our School, Meals With Love is a Wahroonga school-based initiative where we provide a cooler bag with a frozen home cooked meal, fresh salads and a dessert/lunchbox snack to a school family in need. If you know a family that would benefit from a meal then please send us an email and we’d be more than happy to arrange it.
Normally, we would be able to accept donations of home-cooked meals but due to the current climate all meals for this term will be prepared by the Meals With Love team and the Canteen. We are however accepting donations of dry food such as pasta and rice if you would like to still contribute. Many thanks for supporting this initiative.
mealswithlove@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Canteen
There are some COVID friendly changes this term to keep everyone safe.
Prep to Year 6 students must order all items through Flexischools from the Canteen. All orders will be delivered to the classroom prior to lunch. Please ensure you have signed up to the right class when ordering. There will be no window service at lunch or recess for Prep to Year 4 students. Window service for snacks will be available for Years 5 and 6.
Year 7 to 12 students are encouraged to order their lunches through Flexischools . Please ensure you have signed up to the right class when ordering. We will have a limited window service at recess and lunch in which students will have to line up according to their year group, please encourage your children to follow the signs.
To view Term 1 menu, please click HERE. For more information or to order please log into flexischools.com.au.
If you have any questions please feel free to email canteen@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Uniform Shop
Shop Hours
- The uniform shop is open every Thursday from 8am.
- Students may visit the shop before school, at recess and lunch.
- Parents wishing to visit the shop need to make an appointment by emailing uniformshop@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Online Orders
The cut off for orders on Flexischools is Wednesday at 1pm. Any orders after this time will be available for collection the following week.
High school students need to collect their orders from the uniform shop on Thursday at recess or lunch.
Primary school students will have their orders delivered to their class
Sale of Second Hand Uniforms 2022
If you wish to sell your second hand uniforms through the Uniform Shop please ensure;
- All items are freshly washed and pressed / folded.
- Please include the following with your items, your
- Name
- Mobile Number
- Email Address
- Bank Account Number
- BSB Number
- Items that are left with no identification/details will be accepted as donations.
Unfortunately items cannot be sold if;
- They are stained around the collar, arm pits or cuffs.
- They have any marks such as paint, texta or pen.
- They are damaged in any way such as rips, tears or holes.
- They are faded or the colours have run.
- They are different brands from those sold at the Uniform Shop.
We do not sell second hand
- Socks
- Stockings
- Junior Play Hats
Items that cannot be sold will be donated to the Solomon Island’s.
When your items are sold you will receive a payment into your nominated bank account. Payments are made at the end of each semester.
You can leave your items during school terms at the School Office or at the Uniform Shop on a Thursday.
If you have any questions please contact Meagan Sullivan uniformshop@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Bits and Pieces
Clothing Donations
Looking for somewhere to donate your old clothing?
Wahroonga Adventist Church (the big building next to our school) has 2 new collection bins out the front. All donations to the bin will go directly to those in need.