Principal's Message
Today we celebrated cultural diversity through Harmony Day, with the theme of ‘everyone belongs.’ How apt it this for our school where the word Wahroonga means ‘our home’!
Strongly believing in promoting harmony and inclusivity in our school community, today provided us with an excellent opportunity to reflect on our values and celebrate cultural diversity. Having lived in a variety of countries as a child and young adult including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Korea, I have personally been enriched and inspired by living among people from different cultures.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of activities and events that highlighted the importance of cultural diversity and promoted the values of unity and respect. Thank you to the Student Representative Council Students and Teachers who coordinated the chapels and activities, and to the parents who donated food.
As we celebrate Harmony Day, let us reflect on the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment where all students, regardless of their background, feel valued and respected. Together, we can make a positive difference in our school and wider community. As Colossians 3:14 says, ‘above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.’
Thank you for your ongoing support in promoting harmony and diversity in our school.
Mrs Julia Heise - Principal
Whole School News
Harmony Day
Harmony Day is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This year, the theme is ‘Everyone Belongs’ and we believe it is wonderful that as a school we can also reflect on this in terms of our Adventist faith.
Everyone belongs to the Kingdom of God as it states in Philippians 3:20 - “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.
The Highschool students were treated to amazing dance performances from Polynesian, Indian and New Zealand cultures by Salani S, Abigail M, Abigail B, Caleb K, Jayden K and Noah C.
A very special thankyou to our parent helpers who not only donated food but came to lend a hand with the cultural food stalls the students enjoyed during their lunch breaks. Delicious!
We would also like to make a special mention of a local business, Manoosh Pizzeria. They donated a beautiful selection of Zaatar Manoosh that was delicious with both staff and students alike enjoyed. Thankyou for your generosity. You can find Manoosh Pizzeria at Thornleigh Marketplace if you would like to try some of their beautiful foods.
Costa and Uncle Adam from Landcare Australia Visit our School
As part of our ongoing relationship with Junior Landcare Australia, our school was selected for a film shoot with Ambassador Costa on 7 March. He was joined by two Frist Nations Elders, a First Nations student, Zara and her dad, along with some other students and the Principal. Costa was an inspiration and full of life, connecting with students and staff throughout the day.
Photos from this visit were shared in our last newsletter but as an early peek we are sharing a video covering the visit. Later this year footage from the filming will also be released as part of the Junior Landcare’s 25 year anniversary.
School Vegetable Garden
Our school vegetable gardens are currently bursting with cucumbers and the canteen lunches have been super fabulous this week. How amazing that the canteen is able to provide meals for our students made with the freshest of vegetables! Our Kindy kids were tasked with making this special delivery from the garden to Missy in the canteen.
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.
Primary School News
Welcome Back Mrs Kanimako
I am beyond thrilled to be stepping back into the classroom after having been on Maternity Leave. My daughter, Liliana, is now six months old and I am continually amazed with how fast she is growing and developing her skills.
It was delightful to spend the day with 3L last Friday and put names to faces. Having been at Wahroonga Adventist School since 2019, I have taught Year 5 and Year 1. I am looking forward to teaching Year 3 alongside Mrs Lorentz and getting to know the students, their interests, and how to best support them in achieving their goals. I enjoy integrating hands-on activities into lessons to help make learning experiences engaging and memorable. Nicole Kanimako - Year 3 Teacher
Primary School Sport
Prep & Kindy Swimming Carnival
The Prep and Kindy Swimming Carnival was held at the SAH Pool in the warm sun and a lovely atmosphere with parents and students picnicking on the grass. Lots of frivolity with the fun 'races'. The Junior Sports Captains attended with House signs to cheer the swimmers on and hand out icy poles, which were very popular! Well done everyone who swam!
Secondary School News
Science & Engineering Challenge Day
A select group of our Year 9 and 10 students attended the Science and Engineering Challenge Day at Sydney Olympic Park. In the Challenge students see that science and engineering involves creativity, innovation, problem solving and team work. Our students won with the most points accumulated throughout the day!
Year 11 Biology - Specialist Guest
It was so great to be able to get one of our very own WAS parents in to be a special presenter for our Year 11 Biology students today. Brett Aitken was able to teach microbiological skills and techniques including swabbing, inoculating agar plates, using incubators and learning how to identify different cultures of bacteria. Students took samples from all over the school and were even able to take a swab sample from Soks our community dog.
High School Sports
CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival
On Friday 17 March, thirty secondary students represented WAS at the CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival. All participants were competitive and with many of these students achieving great results. Special mentions must go to Salani S (Year 9) for breaking a 10-year 50m Backstroke record and Eliza M (Year 10) who achieved age champion.
Friendly Basketball Game – Avondale Secondary School
To continue to build connections with our sister schools, we organised a friendly basketball game against Avondale School. Our Open Boys and Open Girls teams journeyed up to Avondale School and competed in a tough game with an energetic crowd from the local school.
Open Boys Game - Friendly Basketball Game
The Open Boys team went up against Avondale High, where they were met with fierce opposition and a tight score. The game went back and forth throughout the first half whilst both teams struggled to pull away, with Avondale leading by 5 at half-time. At the start of the second, the boys got a couple quick baskets and were able to separate themselves from Avondale, ending the game with a couple tough finishes around the basket and a 6 point win for Wahroonga. - Daniel J (Co-Captain)
Open Girls Game
The Open Girls team started the game well with a 3-pointer. The game was intense with both teams showing great skill and teamwork. The scoring was close throughout the game and with our girls securing the win. We have a rematch in 2 weeks. - Open Girls Captain
High School Sport - Upcoming Events
CSSA State Swimming - Tuesday 28 March 2022 (Week 9) - Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Mr Ignatius Ah-You - Secondary Sports Coordinator
Library News
Book Fair 2023
Ahoy thar me hearties! Our ‘Bookaneer’ Book Fair is currently in full swing in the library running until Monday, March 27 (8am – 4pm). A giant range of children’s books, novelty items and posters from Scholastic Book Company are available for purchase. Choose books for your personal use, for gifts, or select books from your child’s class wish list and donate them to their classroom. Make haste before the treasure disappears!
There will be no book exchange in the Library during the Book Fair so please keep your library books at home and return them once the Book Fair is finished.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge website is now up and running and we have made an outstanding start with 46 students already finished. The Premier’s Reading Challenge is achievable for all students, so please encourage your children to give it a go! Congratulations to Florence B (1C), James L (1C), Samuel B (2A), Chloe C (2J), Adit S (3K), Martina C (3L), Annabelle J (3L), Thomas B (4R), Nicolas J (5C), Rafael S (5C), Jordan S (5C), Sam T (5C), Dylan B (6C), Joshua L (6C), Zara C (6C), Lewis K (7A), Sheressa S (7A) and Tiffany L (7S) who have all completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Keep up the great reading!
If you need your child’s username and password, please contact Mrs Savage at library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Last Week of Borrowing for Prep
Borrowing has now finished for the term for our Prep students. Please make sure all books are returned before the end of term so the Prep boxes can be changed over during the term break. Borrowing for all other classes will continue over the holidays.
Holiday Reading
If you would like your child to collect extra books for holiday reading (maximum of 10 books per student) please contact Mrs Savage at library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Mrs Leonie Savage - Librarian
Wellbeing
Responding to Change & Loss
Grief is the human response to change and loss in our lives, such as the death of someone we love, relationship breakdown and parent separation, or other major change. Grief is a natural and normal response, and has a physical impact on our bodies as well as affecting our emotions and our thinking. Grief challenges the way we think about ourselves and the world, and influences our spirituality and relationships. A leading organisation, GoodGrief, provides the following excellent advice about supporting young people through grief experiences:
Like adults, children and young people express grief in ways that are unique and personal to them. Grief responses are influenced by age and one’s understanding of the loss, and also by other factors such as personality, the situation, and life experience. Some children will quite easily open up and express their hurt, while others – particularly adolescents – may tend to retreat privately into their grief and withdraw from friends and family. It’s equally normal for young people to dip in and out of grief, alternating between grieving and more playful behaviour, or believe that the intensity of their grief is much greater than that of those around them, and become worried they are losing control. It is important to remember that grief is a normal and natural response and that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
Below are some more links for further information about common grief reactions young people may experience, and ways that adults can support young people experiencing grief:
The Live More Project
The Live More Project is a 10-week program that is designed to boost your health and happiness. Weekly sessions are fun, experiential and backed up by the latest scientific findings. Dr. Darren Morton presents the materials in a fun and engaging way. It's not hard and you will learn a lot about yourself! Click the link below for further information and to register.
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Hours
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
Home and School are really excited to be working with the Chaplain's for the upcoming Easter Chapel on Friday the 31st March starting at 8.45am. We would love to see Grandparents, parents and family members come and participate in being part of the school Chapel and hearing about the resurrection of Christ - He is Risen.
You are invited to stay after the Chapel Service to share an Easter bun, have a cuppa and just be present in the school space with your children.
Remember to enter your Easter Colouring Competition efforts in by the Wednesday the 29th March so we can place them around the school for judging. Winners will be awarded gift cards!
Meals with Love
We have had a busy term refilling our freezer for the term and distributing meals through our school community. 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.
Many thanks to Mrs Zuze's Food Technology class for your wonderful contribution for our freezer. We are always in need of meals and would welcome any freezable meals or desserts and lunchbox snacks. We do request no pork or shellfish products please. Please include a list of ingredients and the date the meal was made to aid in distribution. Storage containers are available from the Canteen. Many thanks for your support in this outreach program.
Tish Armstrong & Nicola Binns - Meals with Love Co-ordinators
Would you like to Volunteer?
Thank you to those who have expressed interest to be on our volunteer list, more volunteers are welcome so please us at homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Upcoming Home and School Meetings
7pm on Tuesday 28th March & 7pm on Tuesday 2nd May
Michelle Roberts - Home & School President