Chaplains' News
We hope you have all had a fantastic holiday and we are excited to be back for another term.
This term we are focusing on wellbeing in the High School and Pr Landry has some exciting things in store for this space. We will be having guest speakers and weekly challenges that will all be focused on student and staff wellbeing.
In our Junior School our Chapels will remain online and our theme for this term is Gods promises. Each week we will be looking at the different things the He has promised us in the Bible.
The year is flying by so fast and it has been a year like no other, but we are so blessed to be able to continue working with your children and sharing our love for Jesus with them!
Deuteronomy 31:6 reads, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I pray that as we go into this term we are all able to cling to this promise, that God will be with us through everything!
Blessings, Pr Eden
Congratulations Pastor Richie!!!
A huge congratulations to Pastor Richie and his wife Bec on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby girl! Nova was born over the school holidays and we are pleased to report that mum, bub, dad and sister are all well!! Congratulations guys - enjoy this special time together!
Whole School News
Wellbeing Update
Friendships are a vital part of children’s development and significantly contribute towards a healthy learning environment at school. Free and directed play during recess and lunch, sport and PE classes, intentional group work and experiential learning opportunities, camps and excursions are all opportunities for children and adolescents to develop positive peer and social relationship skills while at school. In addition, positive relationship skills are explicitly taught and modelled in classrooms and through interactions with staff. There is though, an increasing trend among young people away from direct, physical interactions in real life (IRL), towards friendships and socialisation in a digital space.
Digital technology provides many opportunities and many threats to student wellbeing, especially as it relates to friendships and peer relationships. Young people are highly responsive to positive feelings, and many digital platforms and social media apps are intentionally designed to leverage the attractiveness of small ‘hits’ of pleasure that come with notifications, likes and the immediate response of others. In many ways, the common responses of young people to digital and social media technologies parallels addiction, in that notification, likes and other immediate responses trigger small releases of dopamine (feel-good/reward neurochemical) that promote further use or engagement with that technology. This may become risky for young people because the part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making, rational/logical thinking, planning and organising and making ‘wise’ decisions does not fully develop until the mid-late 20’s. Children and adolescents still need direction, guidance and support from their parents and other adults in their lives, including with regard to how, when and where they access and engage with digital technologies. Digital technologies do provide an efficient means to communication, entertainment and access to learning material, but we must remember that these devices are adult tools, that left unsupervised in the hands of children and young people, have the potential to cause great harm. Susan Mclean, one of Australia’s leading experts in cyber-safety and security for young people, articulates her Top Tips for parents on supporting young people’s healthy technology use in the following short video. Please take the time to review this excellent advice.
SchoolTV also has a number of excellent videos on topics related to digital technology use including:
Message from Transport NSW - Covid-19
Transport NSW have asked we please remind students to tap on and off when using buses and trains to/from School. Transport NSW will be using this information to contact families that may have been exposed to the corona virus while commuting, if need be.
Reminder: School Fees - Due 7th August 2020
In January, you would have received an email with a Fee Statement and an Option Statement which included payment dates and amounts. If you opted to pay by the term this is a friendly reminder that fees are due by the 7th August to receive the 2.5% discount.
If you choose to pay your fees by the month, you should have completed 7 months to date.
If you have any questions or need an updated statement please don’t hesitate to contact Kelly on accounts@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Preference will be given to new students, who may also have siblings already enrolled.
Seventh-Day Adventist Schools Scholarship Program (Prep to 12)
Seventh-day Adventist Schools (Greater Sydney) operates a Deductible Gift Fund for its Scholarship Program. Scholarships are awarded annually to students who face financial hardship, by paying their tuition fees. To be eligible for a scholarship students must meet the following criteria;
- Be enrolled or have the intention of enrolling in Years Prep to 12 at Wahroonga Adventist School for 2021.
- Hold Australian citizenship, be a permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Please find the application form attached to this Skoolbag post, alternatively please contact Carmen Wynstra at carmen.wynstra@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au and an application form will be emailed to you.
Home and School - Feedback Please!....
We need your help. Home and School wants to understand what your family needs so we can actively contribute to the physical well being of Wahroonga Adventist School, as well as creating a special sense of spirit and belonging for students and family.
The survey takes about 3 - 5 minutes. Thank you for taking the time to help us understand how to better serve your family and the Wahroonga Adventist School community.
Junior School News
A Note From Mrs Deppeler
Welcome back to another term. I hope that you were able to find some time to relax and unwind with your families and friends over the break. Once again Covid-19 has continued to provide uncertainty in our community and we will endeavour to communicate changes as they occur to the daily running of our Junior School. Thank you for your understanding, patience and support with our reports and parent/teacher interviews this past week. If you were unable to organise a Zoom meeting, please make contact with your child’s teacher.
For those who still like to complete the challenges I have been posting on Seesaw, I will be posting a challenge into your child’s folder on a fortnightly basis this term. These challenges are not compulsory and are in addition to any work set by the class teacher. Once completed please upload and post to Mrs Deppeler's Weekly Challenge folder on your child’s class homeroom page in Seesaw.
Design Your Own Food Challenge
This week’s challenge requires you to design a new food. What will it be called, what is it made of, what will it look like? Once you have decided on your new food design, you can either draw a picture, write or provide a video explanation of your new food. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. See your learning journal in Seesaw for more details.
Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up. – Thomas Edison
Kindergarten Information Session
Thank you to all the parents who were able to join us for our online Zoom Kindergarten Information Sessions which were held last Thursday, 23rd of July. If you missed out on attending either of our information sessions but would like information in regards to enrolling your child in Kindergarten for 2021 and beyond, please email the school office to register your expression of interest and we will add you to our mailing list. An information pack will be emailed shortly to those who attended or have already expressed an interest to receive further information.
Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews
Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the parent/teacher interview process, as we navigated new ways to communicate your child’s progress this year. If you were unable to attend your scheduled interview appointment, please let your child’s teacher know so that another time can be scheduled for you.
Primary School Athletics Carnival
Our Primary School Athletics Carnival was scheduled for Monday the 3rd for August this term, but unfortunately has had to be postponed to Term 4. I know that this news will be very disappointing for many students who shine during athletic events.
Moving Bodies (P-6)
This term moving bodies will be providing our Junior School students with valuable skills in athletics. Students will participate in a variety of activities to further their skill development and enhance their overall abilities. These sessions will be conducted over two days, Tuesday and Friday, and each child will participate on one of these days.
Stem Day Challenge – Stage 2 & 3 - 13th August 2020
On Thursday, 13th August selected students from stage 2 and 3 will participate in a Stem Day Challenge. This year there is an added element of challenge, in that the schools involved will be competing from different locations via TEAMS. I am sure the students will be up for the challenge and will be wonderful representatives for our school.
Remote Learning
Junior School teachers will continue to provide remote learning opportunities for students who are required to stay at home due to COVID-19, however our focus has now shifted towards face to face learning again.
Middle & Senior School News
Special Mention - Zach G, Year 11
The Future Project Senior Intern Program
Each year The King's School hosts a Senior Intern Program out of their research facility called The Future Project, and we are proud to share with you that Zach G (Year 11) was one of 30 students selected to take part. Zach has been attending on Wednesday afternoons and has had the opportunity to gain first-hand skills in working with real scientists from Quantal Bioscience and VOW. These researchers have been guiding the students through practical activities well beyond the science curriculum and their young years.
The Future Project is a unique collaboration between scientists, engineers and secondary school students designed to inspire and equip the next generation of scientists and engineers required for Australia’s continued prosperity. It achieves this by providing students an opportunity to do something they can’t typically do whilst at school – work with and be mentored through research projects guided by leading scientists and engineers.
These students have persevered not only with their regular studies and the challenges thrown at them this year with remote learning, but they have also immersed themselves in science extension work. This is an amazing opportunity, congratulations Zach on being selected, we are very proud of you.
Upcoming Middle & Senior School Events
Year 11, 2021 Subject Selection Evening - Tuesday, 4th August 2020
Our Subject Selection Evening for students commencing Year 11 in 2021 is being held via Zoom at 6.30pm on Tuesday 4th August 2020. Zoom meeting details to follow shortly. The evening will consist of a main presentation followed by question time with the teachers. The Year 11/12 Subject Selection Guide will be available on Seqta later today.
Year 11 Biology Excursion - Wednesday 5th August 2020
Our Year 11 Biology students are attending an excursion to Catherine Hill Bay on Wednesday, 5th August. A quick reminder students need to be at school ready to depart by 8.00am, returning to school around 3.00pm. Students are to wear their sports uniform and take a pair of long pants, their lunch, water bottle and hat. If you have any questions please contact Mrs S or the School Office.
Year 8 & 9, 2021 Subject Selection Evening - SAVE THE DATE!
Our Subject Selection Evening for students commencing Year 8 & 9 in 2021 will be held on Tuesday 11th August. Further details will follow shortly.
Term Dates for 2020
- Term 3 - Thursday 23rd July 2020 - Friday 25th September 2020
- Term 4 - Monday 12th October 2020 - Thursday 10th December 2020
Library News
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Elsa K (KA), Ariya B (1L), Caleb L (1L), Tate G (2M), Sophia W (2M), Caitlin M (4R), Charlize S (5K), Lulu C (6T), Nicole D (1L), Madison E (1S), Sarah L (3T), Samantha M (6T), Nkumbu N (6T) and Brody L (KE) who have all finished the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Great reading!
PLEASE NOTE: The Premier’s Reading Challenge finishes on August 28, so if you haven’t entered your books online there is only one month left to do so!! Please email Mrs Savage if you need your child’s log-in details, or if you need help with entering your list.
Library WebAPP
The library WebAPP is a great place to keep track of your child/ren’s library loans, search the catalogue and read about upcoming library events. You can access it from any device at bit.ly/waslibrary. Instructions on how to log in to your child/ren’s personal details are on the home page.
World Book Encyclopedia Subscription
Wahroonga Adventist School have a subscription to World Book Encyclopedia Online which gives all students and teachers online access to an amazing variety of resources which can be accessed using any device. If you would like to explore this resource, please follow the link below and use the word was for the log-in ID and password.
Book Week 2020
Term 3 is usually Book Week term in the library, however, this year Book Week has been pushed back to Term 4 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Book Week celebrations will therefore take place over Weeks 2 & 3 of Term 4 and will include a Book Week performance and dress up day for the junior students, and a virtual book fair from Carnival Books for the whole school. Look out for more details later in the term. The Book Week theme this year is: Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.
Meals with Love
Do you know of a school family that has just welcomed a new baby, has a sick family member, or is going through a bit a tough time? We would love to be able to support them on behalf of the school community with a Meals with Love meal! Please send us an email and we can have a meal arranged. Unfortunately, due to the current climate we cannot accept donations of meals this term and all meals are being prepared by the Canteen and Meals with Love team. Thanks for your continued support.
nicolasweetman@gmail.com
tishiarmstrong@hotmail.com