Principal's Message
There is excitement in the air and not just because of the upcoming Olympics! The Primary School has their annual Week of Worship next week and Year 6 have been busy preparing as they take the lead each morning in chapel. With the theme, The Search for the Rebel Planet, there is bound to be an interesting drama and parents are welcome to attend.
As we approach the end of term, and the end of the current basketball season, eight of the 14 school teams have made it to the semi-finals. This is a testament to our coach Jeremiah, and the students. Similarly, the primary and secondary chess teams are nearing the end of their competition, and the students have been thoroughly enjoying the experience. Thank you to Mrs Tee who has been our parent Chess Coordinator.
Without parent involvement, our school would not be the same. Mrs Jameson, a school parent, conducts our Camerata Strings each week and they performed beautifully in the recent Sydney Music Eisteddfod in the premier competition.
Thank you to the parents who have contributed to the Parent Focus Groups this term and to Mrs Roberts for her unfailing energy as Home and School president.
Mrs and Mr Metz are expecting their first child and we wish them God’s blessing as they enter parenthood. Mrs Metz goes on maternity leave next week.
We have a special community, and you are appreciated for your support.
God Bless.
Mrs Julia Heise - Principal
Chaplain's Message
Hello from the chaplaincy team!
Next week, our Primary school will be immersed in the Week of Worship. From 8:40 – 9:30 AM each morning families are invited to join us at the Wahroonga Adventist Church. Our Year 6 cohort will lead the entire week, serving in various ministry teams: Drama, News, Hosts, Crew, Prayer, Student Preachers, and Junior Chaplains. At the heart of WOW our hope is to help our young people understand the beauty of grace and sacrificial love – the kind that God shows to us.
On Friday night, from 5:00pm in Wahroonga Adventist Church, we are hosting WIRED KIDS – to bring the week of worship to a close. It will be worth coming along to see the final scene of the drama and the last words of the whole team.
The Bible says “Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. We believe our role as the chaplaincy team, and to a greater degree, our role as educators, is to raise up and mentor the next generation of young people to know their worth, and their position as sons and daughters of God. Through all that we do we hope to see God’s hand at work in the lives of these young people.
May this week be a blessing to you and your family, and may you consider the sacrificial love and grace that God has for us all.
Blessings, from the chaplaincy team.
Pr Nick Kross - Head Chaplain
Upcoming Events
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 2024
Please click on the link below to view the school term dates and public holiday information for 2024.
Whole School News
School Captain's Dinner Government House
Our School Captains, Katie M and Jasper S, enjoyed a dinner at Government House in Sydney along with other School Captains from various schools. They were joined by Mr Alister Henskens SC MP, the Member for Wahroonga in the Legislative Assembly of NSW Parliament. It was an honour for our Captains to attend such a prestigious dinner.
Primary School News
Stage 1 Science - Living things:
This term in Science, Year 1 and 2 have been looking at living things. We recently planted some seeds and made our own greenhouses! They have been hanging in our shared space to soak up the sunlight shining through. We made predictions of what we thought would happen and have been making observations throughout. And with time our seeds have sprouted! It has been exciting seeing how living things can change and grow!
Georgia Ah-You - Year 2 Teacher
K-2 Reptile Park Excursion:
Last week Kindy, Year 1 and year 2 visited the Australian Reptile Park as part of our Science unit on living things. We enjoyed seeing a range of animals throughout the park! A highlight was patting and feeding the roaming kangaroos! We were privileged to watch a special show about living things and even got to pat lots of different animals from a Koala joey to a giant python! We also watched eagerly to spot Ploddy the dinosaur from the freeway! It was a great day full of fun!
Georgia Ah-You - Year 2 Teacher
Year 2 Fairy bread procedures:
This term in writing, 2A have been learning about procedures! What better way to learn about procedures than by putting this into practise! We worked hard to write a procedure titled 'How to make Fairy bread'. We then used these to make and enjoy our special treat! There were definitely smiles all round for this activity!
Georgia Ah-You - Year 2 Teacher
Healthy Harold!
This week our Primary School was visited by Life Education's Healthy Harold! Students learnt about different topics from friendships to safety and decision making for some of our older students. Students from Prep to Year 6 enjoyed meeting and even getting to pat Harold while learning all about making good choices!
Georgia Ah-You - Year 2 Teacher
Primary Sport
Champions
Congratulations to our Cross Country Champions on their achievement!
Mr Jack Fulton - Primary Sports Co-ordinator
Secondary School News
Year 11 Biology Indepth Study Excursion
We went to Bantry Bay, to investigate the bushland ecosystem. We investigated species of plants and talked about their adaptions to different environmental pressures, and were able to use field microscopes to see different features, such as oil glands. Then we looked at some bush rats, and talked about what they looked like, and why they had certain features. After this we went into the bushland and made quadrants to investigate the types of species in that area, as well as test soil pH, moisture, and depth, and identified tree species. Then we moved further, and looked at a creek environment, and compared both a clean creek (water was safe to drink), and a slightly polluted creek (due to household run-off), and investigated the animals found in the creek (such as crayfish and mayfly nymph). Overall, most of the class enjoyed being able to look at many different species of both plant and animals, and see up close the bush rats, that were caught and released. It was also interesting to use kits to test pH, and soil moisture.
Ella H - Year 11
Mitchell Clews - New Guitar Teacher
Mitchell Clews is an Australian renowned guitarist. He has performed with many Australian musical artists on a range of TV, radio, recordings, and live shows with immense success. He is a composer, performer, session musician and teacher who works in the professional Australian Music industry and now at our school. We are thrilled to have him come into our school this year as our guitar tutor and HSC accompanist this year.
What sets Mitchell apart is his ability to see potential in every student coupled with immense industry knowledge and experience. He tailors his teaching methods to meet individual needs, ensuring that each student feels confident and motivated. His approach is holistic, focusing not just on musical ability, but on building self-esteem and discipline. Under his guidance, many students have performed at school concerts, Encore HSC showcase and various competitions.
Our guitar and bass guitar students that have started under his tuition are invigorated and excited to be working alongside Mitchell. The HSC students cannot wait for their rehearsal to play alongside him as he is passionate encouraging. If you are interested in getting lessons for your child with Mitchell, please email Mrs Kristina Vuceski at the following email address Kristina.vuceski@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au
This is an musical opportunity not to be missed.
Mrs Kristina Vuceski - Head of Music and Performing Arts
Senior School Choir
The senior school choir has had the privilege of working with Dr Zhang, a university music professor, as she accompanied them for a special item at Wahroonga Adventist Church. This was a special opportunity for the choir to be involved in the church program and praise God using their voices. They led out the song service, sang a special item and also sang hymns with the congregation. We would like to thank the choir families for their support of the music program and Dr Zhang for generously giving of her time and supporting the choir program at WAS.
Mrs Kristina Vuceski - Head of Department Creative and Performing Arts
Secondary Sport
CSSA State Netball
On Tuesday 18 June, our Open Girls, U15s Girls and Open Boys Netball teams participated in the CSSA State Netball Gala Day out at Penrith Netball Complex. It was a cold day but with beautiful sunshine. Our teams played well, showing great spirit and sportsmanship. Although not the result we wanted, it was a fantastic day to see our netball teams get involved. Special mention to our inaugural Open Boy's netball team for winning 4 games. Congratulations to you all!
House Competition - Basketball
Our House Captains have started a short 3-week competition for our students! On Monday lunch times, we have a basketball competition for our students to come down and represent their house! The first week was a great turnout and congratulations to the Blue & Yellow houses for securing a victory. The competition is back on again on Monday!
Cross Country Champions
Honourable Mention
Daniel P (Year 11) was selected to represent Australia at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Suva Fiji in the U/18 Pole Vault. Daniel was extremely happy with a Silver medal & 2nd place with a PB of 4.10 metres. This was a great experience for Daniel, staying with the Australian Team and watching many open athletes who are set to compete at the Paris Olympics this year.
Mr Ignatius Ah-you - PDHPE Teacher & Secondary Sports Co-ordinator
Library News
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Riley E (KD), Melody L (KD), Natalie D (2A), Isaac B (2J), Thomas B (5C), Meg H (6A) and Mia M (6A) who have all completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Keep up the great reading!
The Premier’s Reading Challenge does not finish until August 23 so why not give it a go? Please contact Mrs Savage if you need your username and password. Happy Reading!!
Library WebAPP
The Library WebAPP is a great place to keep up with library news, search the catalogue, check your child’s borrowing details and view their borrowing history. Click the link below and follow the instructions on the Guest page to log-in to your child’s records. Or type this into your browser www.bit.ly/waslibrary.
Holiday Borrowing
This week is the last week of borrowing for Prep students for this term. Please make sure all library books are returned to the library before the school holidays.
Borrowing is continuing up to the holidays for all other students. If you would like your child to have extra books for holiday reading (maximum of 10 books), please email me your request (library@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au) and these books can be collected in the last week of term.
Upcoming Library Events
Mrs Leonie Savage - Librarian
Uniform Shop
The options for purchasing uniforms for are:
Shop Open Hours: Tuesday morning 8.20am – 9.30am and Thursday afternoon 2pm – 3.20pm
Online orders via Flexischools: Every Tuesday and Thursday Flexischool orders will be processed and available for collection. All orders close at 8pm the night before. Secondary School orders can be collected from the office. Primary School orders will be delivered to the student's classroom.
If you have any questions, please email uniformshop@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Mrs Kelly Oldfield - Uniform Shop Manager
For more information or to arrange a fitting please contact Mrs Kelly Oldfield via email at uniformshop@wahroonga.adventist.edu.au.
Mrs Kelly Oldfield- Uniform Shop Manager
Home and School
Upcoming Events
Mrs Michelle Roberts - Home and School President (homeandschool@wahroonga.adventist.edu)