Chaplains' News
It seems like the world has gone crazy!
There is an old saying ‘good news never made a paper sell’ and as we look around locally, nationally or internationally, it seems there are problems and fears at every turn.
As Chaplains, we want to encourage you to spend time practising gratefulness with your children - in the car, while taking a walk, around the dinner table or while tucking them in bed at night. There is still so much beauty to be found in this old world; so much for which to be grateful.
What are you grateful for? Is it your family, friends, school, community? Where have you seen God today?
'Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.' Lamentations 3:22-24
'You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.' Psalm 118:28, 29
'The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.' Psalm 28:7
The Chaplaincy team are committed to practising gratefulness and continue to hold you and your families in prayer. We wish you God's peace, safety and care as we move into these school holidays.
Whole School News
A note from Mrs Streatfeild
At the end of Term 2, we would like to thank all parents for the support you have provided throughout remote learning and the return to school. These holidays will be a welcome break for parents, students and staff. We pray you and your family stay safe and return to school well rested for Term 3.
Our current procedure of no parents and visitors onsite will remain for the commencement of Term 3. There will also continue to be no inter-school sporting activities or camps. If our athletics carnivals are to take place, dates for these will be advised. Our school calendar will continue to evolve depending on the climate surrounding COVID-19.
Bags for Good
One of the challenges of COVID-19 is that food is now more expensive! Those with less are facing greater challenges. Food shortages earlier this year meant that our attempts to get food items for those less privileged were difficult. Praise the Lord that our supermarkets are now stocked with supplies. We are calling on our families to help bring a little cheer to those in need after the school holidays. Please grab a green shopping bag and fill them with goodies for ADRA Blacktown.
Below is a list of items needed at this time of year
Any other non perishable food items would also be appreciated.
Students are invited to place food items in the box at the School Office.
Junior School News
A note from Mrs Deppeler
Yeah! We have almost made it to the end of term. Even though we have only been back on site for half the term, it feels like the holidays were never going to get here. Everyone is starting to get tired and are ready for holidays. Thank you all for being patient with us as we moved from home school back to face to face learning. I hope and pray that each student and their families are able to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the next few weeks of holidays.
Semester 1 Reports
Just a reminder that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Junior School reports for Semester 1 will be sent home by the end of Week 1, Term 3. This decision was made to enable teachers to have the opportunity to complete assessments for each child once students return to school in week 5. Please keep in mind the following;
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Semester 1 reports may not be a true reflection of your child’s skills and abilities at this time but will provide you with an indication as to your child’s strengths and potential areas for future growth.”
Parent Teacher Interviews for the Junior School are scheduled for early Term 3 on Wednesday, 29 July and Thursday, 30 July. Due to the current climate and social distancing requirements, the interviews will be conducted via TEAMS. More information will be provided closer to the event.
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.
Weekly Challenges
For those who would like to continue with the challenges over the holidays, I will add challenges during the first week of holidays into your child’s learning journal in Seesaw. These challenges are not compulsory. Once completed please upload and post to Mrs Deppeler's Weekly Challenge folder on your child’s class homeroom page.
This week’s challenge requires you to design and make your own paper plane. Once you have made your design, take a video of how far it goes. I look forward to what you come up with. See your learning journal in Seesaw for more details.
Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective - Doe Zantamata
Kindy News
Is it waterproof?
A glimpse of our Kindy class investigating.
Kindergarten 2021 Information Sessions
You are welcome to join us for our Kindergarten Information Sessions which will be held on Thursday, 23 July. Due to COVID-19, we will be running two livestream sessions at 4pm and 6pm. Please see the flyer below for further details. Please register your interest by clicking the button below.
Middle & Senior School News
A note from Miss Rogers and Mr St Mart
Term 2 is over! It has been challenging but we have succeeded and are very proud of all the students for their persistence during a different Term 2. Reports for Years 9 to 11 will be published during Week 2 of the holidays. Reports for Years 5 to 8 will be published Week 1 of Term 3.
Year 11 Parent/Teacher Interviews have been scheduled for Tuesday, 21 July. Bookings will be open from Monday, 6 July and further details will be emailed to Year 11 parents.
Years 5 to 10 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held late in Term 3 - specific dates to be advised.
Year 7 Poetry
Finn M-Y, Year 7, has penned his thoughts about Lockdown.
The Lockdown
Year 7 Carbon Dioxide Dragsters
As most parents of students in year 7 Tech Mandatory would be aware, this week we concluded our Engineering systems projects, the Carbon Dioxide Dragsters!
Racing a hand shaped Balsa Dragster down a 20m track propelled by a Carbon Dioxide Canister from one end to the other in under a second! Some serious speed!
Students learnt how force, motion and energy can be used in systems, machines and structures. A massive congratulations to all students involved in the course especially with the short turn around from being at home during the remote learning period one week, to in the workshop creating and shaping their dragster and finishing all the work required in a number of weeks. Thank you to all students involved and their positive contribution to the subject. Looking forward to racing again soon.
A special mention to the winners of the competition both with an equal time of 0.900 seconds - Naomi W and Alex M - congratulations to both of you!
Upcoming Middle & Senior School Events
Art Competition - Yrs 5 to 11
Entries for the Art competition are now due by Friday, 24 July. Please submit your work to Mrs Kim in Art Lab 2 by lunch time. If you have any queries, please email Mrs Kim on anita.kim@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
ICAS Testing - Years 7 to 10
ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment program which recognises and rewards student achievement. ICAS is unique, being the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic assessments for primary and secondary school students. The ICAS tests are completed online in August.
The payment process for ICAS is now streamlined with online direct payment. In 2020, parents make payment for ICAS tests directly to UNSW Global. If you are interested in your child completing the ICAS tests this year, you will need to order directly through the ICAS Parent Portal.
The cost per test is $15.95 including GST.
The web link is: https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps
Our school’s unique access code is: ORW098
This will link directly to the Wahroonga Adventist School order page. Online ordering needs to be completed by 26 July 2020.
IMPORTANT: Please enter your child’s name accurately into the system as it will appear on their ICAS certificate.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school by phone on 948 2100 or by email: studentservices@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
Thank you for your support and participation in promoting the academic aspects of school life.
Year 10 - Intro to HSC & Subject Selection Evening
Introduction to HSC and Subject Selection Evening will occur on Tuesday, 4 August @ 6:30pm. The session will introduce parents, guardians and students to the HSC and provides an opportunity to find out how the HSC and ATAR work.
The Subject Selection session will consist of a short presentation summarising the HSC requirements and an outline of the subjects students will be able to choose from for 2020. A Subject Handbook including guidelines will be available to assist in the discussion and selection of subjects. In addition to the more traditional academic options offered, students will have an increased subject offering, as Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Distance Education options will be available to students.
Virtual HSC and Careers Expo
Don't forget to go to www.hscandcareers.com.au/seminars to access the Online Video Seminar Program page on the HSC and Careers Expo website.
Type in the username: seminaraccess
Type in the password: Euug853ux (case sensitive i.e. capital E)
Term Dates for 2020
- Term 1- Tuesday 28th January 2020 - Thursday 9th April 2020
- Term 2 - Monday 27th April 2020 - Friday 3rd July 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 Emeline G (2B), Sofia G (3K), Martina C (KE) and Jonas F (KA) who have all finished the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Great reading!
Remember, the Premier’s Reading Challenge does not finish until the end of August so there is still plenty of time to complete it. Happy Reading!!
Free Movies on the Library WebApp
Did you know that you can access a variety of G-rated movies from the Library WebApp? Go to the home page at bit.ly/waslibrary and click on Quick Lists and then EnhanceTV videos. Click on the movie you wish to watch and then the link that is provided.
This term Year 3 and 4 have been reading the book ‘Anne of Green Gables’ so they have been encouraged to watch this movie over the holidays using the Library WebApp.
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 continues this week for all other year levels, so 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).
Home & School News
A note from Michelle Roberts, Home & School President
On behalf of Home and School we hope you have received your Gratitude Gift. The eldest child from each family should have brought the following home.......and if the chocolate is missing you may need to ask where it has gone!!!!
Thank you to all the parents for your ongoing hard work and support of Wahroonga Adventist School.
We are also excited to share with you that we now have a Skoolbag folder that you can access to see all the documents outlining what the role of Home and School is and any previous minutes.
Plus we now have an email address that belongs to the Home and School committee via the school. The email is - homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au - which you can use to communicate ideas for social events, parent master class, feedback on events or ask questions pertaining to the role of Home and School.
We hope you have a wonderful break over the next few weeks and everyone gets to recharge the battery.
Meals with Love
If you know a school family in need of a home-cooked meal, then please email us. Due to the current climate, we cannot accept donations of meals. All meals are being prepared by Meals With Love and the Canteen to aid with contact tracing if necessary. We thank you for your continued support of this initiative.
Nicola - nicolasweetman@gmail.com
Tish - tishiarmstrong@hotmail.com