Whole School News
A Note from our Head of Senior School - Mr Michael St Mart
When most people think about a school curriculum, they always refer to English, Mathematics, Science and the other mainstream subjects. Sometimes the Co-Curricular is mentioned; those activities and learning experiences that complement what students are learning in the classroom. Seldom do people mention the teaching of values as part of the educational curricular.
As educators, our job is to help students become responsible citizens who care about the world around them. Students must learn values such as respect for fellow peers, citizens and the environment. They need to learn how to have compassion for others and make responsible decisions based on norms and personal integrity.
The goal of incorporating these values is to ensure that our students, your children, not only have the knowledge and skills needed to study, work and succeed, but also the compassion and integrity to be a part of a safe, peaceful, and cooperative society where we celebrate difference and diversity.
Recently our school community chose each of these values to be integral to who we are; values that will determine how we think, what we say and how we act.
We have a powerful opportunity to model compassion, respect, responsibility and integrity to our students and encourage them to be world-changers who boldly exhibit and impart these values to their families, in their community and their spheres of influence.
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you” Matthew 7:12
Values at Home and at School
As we build students’ understanding of our core values, we have the opportunity to explicitly teach the behaviour we desire to see in our young people, wherever they are. Each newsletter, we will share with you the positive behaviour for learning that we are actively encouraging in a particular area of the school. Each poster is developed collaboratively with students and staff and the same language is used across the school from Prep to Year 12 so that we have a shared appreciation.
Over the past fortnight the focus has been on how we can demonstrate our values at the canteen. As parents and carers, you may like to continue the conversation by using similar language at home.
WAS Connect
You are invited to catch up over a cuppa with other parents on Tuesday mornings at Fox Valley Church. Enjoy a free cup of coffee or tea made by a barista while having a chat to other mums or dads from our school community.
Come along and relax, get to know other parents, and spend some time connecting. No pre-booking is required, just drop in and say hi.
Introducing our Music Tutors...
Patrick Oats Piano/Trumpet Tutor
"My name is Patrick Oates and I tutor Trumpet and Piano at Wahroonga Adventist School. This is my first year at this school and I'm enjoying my time here. My passion is to help students explore and discover music while finding enjoyment and fulfilment in what they achieve.
I have won both State and National Solo Trumpet Championship titles, awarded by the National Band Association, and have also been awarded my AmusA. Currently I am studying a Bachelor of Music at the Conservatorium of Sydney and have studied under Peter Walmsley, previously associate trumpet at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Andrew Evans at the Sydney Conservatorium faculty."
If you are interested in obtaining tuition from Patrick in either Piano or Trumpet please contact Mrs Kristina Vuceski at Kristina.Vuceski@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Co-Curricular Program for Term 2
There are a number of co-curricular opportunities available for students in Years K to 12, before and after school and/or at lunch time. Please click on the link below to access our Co-Curricular Program. If you have any questions please contact kelly.oldfield@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Wahroonga Adventist School Facebook Page
If you are yet to like or follow our School's Facebook page jump on to see all the great things going on around School!
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 2021
Please click on the link below to view the school term dates and public holiday information for 2021.
Chaplains' News
Week of Worship (WOW) 2021 Has Been a Success!
Week 3 saw our Junior School students gather each day to sing, have fun, and learn more about Jesus. Our theme for this year was TREASURED, with the hope that the students would leave at the end of the week knowing that they are loved and treasured by God.
What made this week so awesome was seeing every class contribute to the program, giving all the kids an opportunity to make it their own.
Thanks to our guest speaker Pr Jimmy, who was able to connect and engage with our kids in a way that his messages will hopefully stick with them for a long time.
Week 4 marked the Middle and Senior School WOW, which was such a blessing to experience. Our theme this year was FUTURE. This was chosen by some of our Senior School students as they felt that the future and the pressure and anxieties that often come with it, is a topic on many of their minds.
Pr Brayden explored different aspects that help us prepare for the future, such as our values and having hope and courage in everything we do.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This is a beautiful promise of a future filled with a great hope of good things to come.
We can’t wait to see the continued results of WOW 2021, and the impact it has made on our students journey with God.
Blessings, The Chaplaincy Team!
School News - Years P to 6
Primary School House Basketball Competition
On Wednesday 5th May, we endured some pretty poor weather conditions during the Primary School House Basketball Competition. There were a total of six teams competing to fight it our for some valuable House points, including 4 boy teams and 2 girl teams. The day finished heavily in favour of Hunter with three straight wins.
We are now looking forward to our next House Competition this term, which will be Capture the Flag. There will be more information coming soon.
SDA Schools Soccer Gala Day - Thursday 20th May 2021
On Thursday 20th May, Wahroonga Adventist School will be participating in the Adventist Schools Soccer Gala Day at Hills Centenary Park in Rouse Hill. Students have already been selected from Years 3 and 4 to represent our school on this fun day out.
ASISSA Cross Country - Thursday 20th May 2021
The ASISSA Cross Country is also happening on the 20th May at Queens Park. There will be a large group of students attending this day and striving very hard to make it into the ASISSA team and represent our school at the next level.
Please keep all these students in your prayers that they will have a safe and great day out.
Upcoming Primary School Sporting Events
Wed 26th and Thu 27th May - CIS Rugby Union (Years 5-6 only)
Fri 4th June – CIS Girls and Boys Touch Football (Years 4-6 only)
Fri 11th June – CIS Primary Boys Softball (Years 4-6 only)
If you’re child plays representative sports in any of the upcoming events and would be interested in representing our school, please email nathan.hurst@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
School News - Years 7 to 12
Art News
The Art department were privileged to have an incursion last Friday with artist, Dr Andy Collis. Andy who has previously painted for the Archibald Prize, spent time with the Year 12 class, offering them his expertise on their forming body of works. The Year 8 and 10 art students were introduced to some of Andy’s artworks and watched in amazement as he painted a portrait of Madeline. The Year 8 art students studied The Archibald and learnt skills to draw the face last term. This term they are attempting to paint their own portrait. We are excited to see the skills that the Year 8 art class have learnt, as they begin creating their own portrait masterpieces! Goodluck Year 8!
You can find Andy’s works on Instagram: andy.collis, or Tumblr: andy.collis.tumblr.com
Year 12 Music Night
Last Wednesday saw our inaugural Year 12 Music Night. Six students defied their nerves to perform two of their HSC pieces. From Ravel to Sondheim, French pop to the bossa nova we were taken on a musical journey over the course of the evening. All students performed very well with some now even looking forward to their next performance. A big thank you to all the family, friends and teachers who came to support them.
da Vinci Decathlon
Selected students from Years 5 to 10 have definitely been challenged as they took part in the da Vinci Decathlon over the last 2 weeks. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition where students work in teams of 8 across 10 disciplines being engineering, mathematics and chess, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy.
The competition is a Knox Grammar School initiative usually held in their Great Hall on the Wahroonga Campus. This year, thanks to technology, participating schools can once again take part remotely.
CIS Volleyball
On Friday the 30th of April, Waiuku tried out for the CIS Opens Girls Volleyball team. It was a highly competitive field, with many girls displaying their elite volleyball skills. Unfortunately Waiuku was not selected, however we are hoping that with the new found love of volleyball at school, we will be able to send more girls to the trials in 2022.
High School Athletics Carnival
On Monday the 3rd of May, High School students attended the annual athletics carnival. This year was a little different as we travelled to Sydney Olympic Park – Warm Up Arena. It was a fantastic day as students participated in all the events, both field and track. The use of timing gates added an extra level of competition for those who ran. A massive thankyou to all our parent volunteers and teachers who made this day possible! Results, Age Champions and the House winner will be announced on Monday during assembly.
CIS Basketball
On Thursday the 6th of May, Ella Gale was part of the CSSA Opens Girls Basketball team that competed at the CIS Basketball trials. Ella competed against 7 other teams, and was individually selected in the final 14 girls. She will attend a final trial at Pymble Ladies College for the final team selection. This is a fantastic achievement for Ella as she is only in Year 9, and was mostly competing against girls in Year 11 and 12. We look forward to seeing Ella excel in Basketball over the coming years. Well done!
CIS AFL
On Thursday the 6th of May, Ethan and Damon Penna attended the U15s CIS AFL Selections. It rained all day and conditions were difficult in the wet. Both Ethan and Damon competed to the very end, however they were not selected. With annual opportunities for AFL pathways, we look forward to seeing their progress in the coming years.
World Changers Bible & Leadership School - 25th to 28th June
World Changers Bible & Leadership School is a weekend intensive course for youth aged 16+ that will teach you how to connect with Jesus, how to understand and share your Adventist Faith, and how to lead with confidence in a local Church setting.
For further information and/or to register please click here.
Maths News
Maths Help Club
If you are in Years 7-12 and would like some help with maths assessments or homework, Maths Help Club runs every Wednesday lunch in GLA 2. Come and ask a question!
Maths Newsletter Challenge
Worked solutions for this week’s challenge can be submitted to the office in the Maths Challenge post box and Junior and Senior winners will be drawn from the correct entries. Remember to include your name and all working out when submitting solutions. Keep up the good work!
Entries close Friday 21st May.
Student Spotlight - Year 12 - 2021
Meet Nathaniel...
1. How long have you been at Wahroonga? I have been here since Prep, so nearly 14 years.
2. What subjects are you studying in your HSC? Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics Advanced and Extension 1, Chemistry, English Advanced.
3. What’s your greatest life achievement so far (either in school or out)? Making it into CIS twice for swimming.
4. What advice would you give your Year-seven-self who is starting high school? Start tasks earlier!
5. What career would you like to do once you leave school? A cardiologist.
6. Any school study/survival tips for those in younger grades? Always show your working.
7. Best thing you’ve ever eaten for lunch? Nachos from the canteen.
8. Favourite excursion? When we went to Cooranbong/Avondale College for Bible.
9. Favourite day at school and why? 4th of November because that’s when I finish my HSC!
10. A quote from you... "Life is short. False. It is the longest thing you do."
Meet Naomi...
1. How long have you been at Wahroonga? Since the beginning of Year 7, so 6 years.
2. What subjects are you studying in your HSC? Biology, Advanced English, Standard Maths, Studies of Religion, Chemistry and Visual Art.
3. What’s your greatest life achievement so far (either in school or out)? I got up to grade 6 level in piano, but I don’t play anymore.
4. What advice would you give your Year-seven-self who is starting high school? It’s only the beginning of high school, so just enjoy it and not too much; you’ll get better at doing assignments over time.
5. What career would you like to do once you leave school? Veterinary Nurse.
6. Any school survival tips for those in younger grades? Before writing out an assignment organise everything, all the information into bullet points and from there turn those points into sentences/paragraphs and so on, and even though it’s hard, start studying for exams at least 3 weeks before.
7. Best thing you’ve ever eaten for lunch? Mancini’s pizza: much better than Dominos. Look them up!
8. Favourite excursion? To see Aladdin the musical.
9. Favourite day at school and why? Definitely Ag (Agriculture) day because one: there were dogs, and two: I could pat the dogs.
10. A quote from you... “I am severely confused” ~me or “On Saturday, he ate through one piece of chocolate cake, one ice-cream cone, one pickle, one slice of swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie, one sausage, one cupcake, and one slice of watermelon That night he had a stomach ache.” ― Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Library News
Library News
Congratulations to Jamie L (1S), Jax R (1K), Caleb L (2M), Jasmine L (3H), Ruby B (KE), Sierra B (1K), Sean P (2B), Lachlan P (3K), Callum P (5C), David L (6J), Isabel P (6J), Caitlin M (5K) and Simarjeet G (5C) who have all completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Keep up the great reading!
The Premier’s Reading Challenge finishes at the end of August, so there is still plenty of time to get on board – it’s fun!
Upcoming Library Events
National Simultaneous Storytime (May 19) – This year our school is participating in the National Simultaneous Storytime. On May 11 we will be tuning in online with other schools from all around Australia and New Zealand to listen to an astronaut reading the book ‘Give me Some Space’ by Philip Bunting.
Kids’ Lit Quiz (May 24) – 12 middle school students will be representing our school at the Sydney Heat of the Kids’ Lit Quiz on May 24! We look forward to seeing our students shine during this fun and fast paced literature-based trivia quiz.
Home and School
Thank you to the WAS parents who joined our last Home and School meeting either in person or via zoom on the 3rd of May 2021. It was good to meet people in person again but also to expand our way of connecting with the parent community via zoom. Our plan at this time is to continue to meet in person and provide the option of zoom.
Mothers Day Stall - Friday 7th May
The Mother’s Day stall was a great success and we hope all the Mothers/Grandmothers/carers enjoyed their gifts. The amount of money raised is still being finalised, so watch this space to hear from the SRC on how much money was raised for their various charities.
A very big thank you to Raelean Goodacre and the Home & School (in conjunction with the SRC) for all the time and effort put into organising this event.
Photo (from left to right): Raelean Goodacre (Home & School Vice President), Julia Heise (Prinicpal), and Michelle Roberts (Home & School President)
Home and School Movie Event!! Sunday 20th June 2021
Home & School Meeting Dates for 2021
TERM 2 - Tuesday 1st June (Time: 7.00pm, Location: The Wedge)
TERM 3 - Tuesday 27th July and Tuesday 31st August
TERM 4 - Tuesday 5th October and Tuesday 2nd November
Canteen
The canteen are searching for an energetic, passionate and enthusiastic casual assistant. For more information or to apply please click here, applications close 9am Monday 17 May 2021.
Meals with Love
With COVID restrictions easing, we are now accepting home-cooked meals from our school community. If you would like to provide a home-cooked meal or lunchbox snack such as muffins that can be stored in our school freezer, we would greatly appreciate it. These meals and snacks are packaged up with fresh salads provided by our Canteen and sent home for families that need a little TLC and would benefit from a meal. 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. If you have any questions or would like us to arrange a meal for a family you know, please send us an email. We thank you for continuing to support this school-based initiative.
mealswithlove@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au