Week 7A, 01.09.2020

02 6923 8888

www.waggachristian.nsw.edu.au

401 Kooringal Rd, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650

From the Principal

This week I’d like to tell you about the Student Leadership Process as I realise that it is probably very different to what happens at most schools. For some of you the voting process for Captains and Vice Captains when you went to school may have been a popularity contest, while other schools rotate their students through the positions, and yet other schools will not allow students to participate in leadership opportunities. Our Christian College takes an interesting method that involves young people volunteering to lead different groups, and allows everyone to have a chance to help others – and the wonderful thing is that these young people constantly surprise us and themselves with their wisdom and dedication to making school a better place for everyone.

So how does it happen?

A few weeks ago Ms Clarke (the Head of Senior School) and I met with all of the Year 10 and 11 students to talk about the different types of leadership. We know that some of our students are wonderful leaders even though they think they are too quiet or don’t like public speaking, and we like to challenge them to see how they can still lead even if the world thinks they don’t have the skills the world thinks are important. We challenge them to see if there are any special interest groups that run here at the College that they can be involved in or they can offer to lead. We challenge them about how leadership is not looking for ways to improve your own life at the expense of hurting others. We leave them all with an invitation to fill out an ‘Expression of Interest’ form and we know at this point there are some students who (for hundreds of reasons) will choose not to pursue any leadership opportunities.

Then what?

After a week or so the students are invited to an interview with two of our current student leaders, a College Board representative, Ms Clarke, and myself. The interview runs for about 10 minutes and our students are amazing in their eloquence and insight. They often think they ‘mess it up’ but I am constantly impressed with their thoughts. We talk about the things their Youth Group Leaders or teachers have written in supporting them on the application form, and listen to their ideas for their special interest group(s). We finish with praying for them and thank them for their willingness to lead. This year we interviewed 21 students including 13 Year 11 students who asked us to consider whether they could be given a role as a College Captain.

What’s next?

Over the next week our students and staff will be asked whether they support the person as a leader (including the College Captains). Unlike the popularity contests of some schools we usually have 100% support and these young people are then matched up to a special interest group. The College Captain process sometimes takes a little bit longer time as we need to ensure the students are fully supported, and the sad part is sometimes we have more applicants than we have available positions. I have seen many times though that the students who miss out on this role continue to serve their other groups in a gracious and humble way, and that is another encouragement to us all as we strive to educate our children into adulthood.

What can you do about all of this?

The reason I am sharing this with you is because our young children constantly need your prayers. As new leaders start (and as some ‘older’ leaders continue year after year) we should dedicate their work to God. These young people often have more influence over their peers than most of the teachers, and the younger students frequently look up to them. This is why we spend so much time considering how to fill these roles, and it is also the reason why we spend so much time supporting them in their leadership. Would you join me in praying for them? And would you join me in encouraging our children in making this College as great a place as possible?

Thank you

Sincerely,

Mr Phillip Wilson Principal

College Calendar & Communication

Aug 31

- Sep 4 College Book Week

Sep 3 ICAS Spelling

Sep 4 Book Week Parade

Sep 4 Grandparents Day - virtual

Sep 4 Father’s Day Stall

Sep14 & 15 Parent Teacher Interviews by phone

Sep 17-24 Yr 11 Examinations

Sep 18 Junior School Healthy Habits Day

Sep 25 Yr 12 Final Day

Sep 25 Term 3 Ends

Oct 12 Term 4 Begins

Oct 20 HSC Written Exams Begin

Dec 10 Term 4 Ends

Give thanks for:

The joy of reading

The gift of parents and grandparents

Staff who go above and beyond

Pray for:

Students as they approach HSC major work deadlines

Wisdom for Leadership as we seek to balance enrolment enquiries with class space

The team as they work through the student leadership process

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

We have certainly missed having visitors up in Junior School and more so this week with Book Week and Grandparents Day. In the past, both events have been a wonderful opportunity to showcase student work and share our beautiful classrooms with families. However, with a little creativity and clever technology students and teachers have prepared versions of these special days to ensure no one misses out on the fun.

On Wednesday 2nd September families will receive a link to access their child’s class Grandparents Day video. For some families this may be several links. We would like you to share these links with Grandparents and special friends. Just a reminder that these videos can NOT be posted on any social media due to privacy restrictions. Please ensure that sharing only occurs between trusted family members. The links will be accessible for one week before being deactivated. We hope you enjoy Junior School’s special tribute to our Grandparents.

Friday 4th September will be our Book Week parade. Again, due to privacy restrictions we cannot stream the parade, but we will be providing all students with a class photo as a souvenir. Teachers will be posting pictures throughout the day on See Saw and Mrs Grant will also be snapping photos for Facebook and Instagram. Of course, students with media restrictions will be excepted.

On this day, students will also be given the opportunity to visit the Father’s Day stall. There will be several items available to purchase from $1 - $6. The children often enjoy this time to buy something special for their dads. A big thank you to Mrs Grant and Mrs Hubbard for organising the “Covid-19 version” of this event.

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

The teachers have been very encouraged with the positive student response we have received for the ‘Step Up’ challenge this term. The students have made a big effort to improve their physical fitness and have become more aware of how much or little they move in a day. A big thank you to Mr Chapman who organised the challenge and counted all the steps! Next week will be our final week of step counting with the winning class announced on Monday 14th September. There will also be an encouragement award for the class who demonstrated the greatest improvement throughout the challenge.

The culmination of Junior School Step Up Challenge and as a reward for the students’ hard work will be our Healthy Habits Day on Friday 18th September. On this day students will be participating in fun activities in the classroom with the possibility of purchasing a ‘Healthy Hamburger’ for lunch. Notes have gone home to pre-purchase lunch as there will be NO LUNCH ORDERS on this day. Flexischools will also be available but only to purchase hamburgers for the day. Please return money and notes to the classroom teachers. Students will be permitted to come dressed as their favourite athlete/sportsperson as part of the celebration.

Parent teacher interviews are scheduled for Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th September. This is a great opportunity for a quick review of your child’s progress and to discuss any possible concerns you may have. Teachers will be making contact over the phone at the time you book. Please be considerate of the 10-minute time restriction. I encourage you to make this time a priority as we partner with you in the education of your children.

We hope you get a chance to check out all the student’s wonderful work over the videos later this week,

Jane Greenlees Head of Junior School

MRS JOINER

JUNIOR SCHOOL TEACHER

What is your role at the College?

I am a Junior School teacher. I am currently teaching Year 1 but I have taught every year group in the College Junior School over my years of teaching. How long have you been part of the College Community?

It is almost 18 years since I started teaching in the Junior School, with my first class being a composite Kindergarten/Year 1 class in 2003. It has been a wonderful privilege to see the growth of the College over that time, it has been amazing.

My family has had a close connection with the College since it’s establishment. One of my sisters was in the second intake year and I wasn’t far behind starting my high school years here in 1993. I have very happy memories of being a student here. The College has always had a great community feel, I had wonderful teachers and made life long friends. I appreciated the size of the school which allowed individual attention and care.

Some of the standout memories from my student days were the amazing faith of the staff and parents of the first few years - their reliance on God guided them when they were forging new ground.

Mrs Ethel McNeill’s CLS lessons laid foundational Biblical truths which have been a massive encouragement to me. She taught me the value of knowing the scriptures and the memory verses she encouraged us to learn I continue to recall to this day. Mrs McNeill was a special lady. Each student in the College on their birthday would receive a birthday card and a lengthy letter from her!

A second generation of my family are now part of the College community. My three boys are currently in Junior and Middle School, with the youngest starting school just last year. What are you passionate about?

Seeing the wonder, the moment of excitement when children really engage in their learning. As a teacher I have the privilege of helping my students understand their true capabilities and helping them know how precious they are to God. It is my desire for all children to know and love God and one of the deepest joys of working at the Christian College is that each teacher, each staff member, seeks to plant the seeds of the gospel deeply enough in each child that God’s truth will continue to be known to them throughout their life.

The current teaching philosophy which we use in the Junior School allows me to identify what students are interested in, what engages them, and use that as a stimulus to my teaching. In all I do I seek to impart to

the children the truth that they are loved by God and have been made by Him for a purpose.

What do you do for fun?

I love my family and my friends - so on the weekend whipping up my signature batch of choc chip cookies or with a cake in hand (I love to bake!) I make time to catch up with friends and spend time with my family.

In between times I enjoy a run and generally keeping fit.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

It has been wonderful to observe the children finally enjoying their new outdoor area. As the weather warms up, students are utilising their natural learning environment to observe, discover and explore. This has coincided with the classroom investigations that have been developing on insects and Spring. The children have also enjoyed dressing up, painting on the fence, tunnel fun, trucks and bubbles. Our new shade sails provide much needed shelter and will become more and more valuable as Summer approaches.

Just a note that preschool students will NOT be required to dress up for the Book Week parade on Friday but will come and watch the other classes. We like to keep this opportunity as a special one for when students start school.

Jane Greenlees Head of Junior School

Since 2007 Ms Tonkin has overseen Book Week at the College, including the Book Week Parade and has many memories of the event which she has shared with us . . .

Mrs Fraser’s fabulous costumes Including Humpty Dumpty, Sumo,

Very Hungry Caterpillar, a Minion & a book worm

Mrs Roose

dressing up as Mary Poppins for

her first and last Book Week

18 years apart

2010

Mr Van Honk’s darlek

Parade first held in the

Junior School quadrangle . . .

. . . then in the TLA . . .

. . .then the MPC!

Mrs Joiner in 2006

Mrs Fraser in 2010 Mrs Fraser in 2006

Noah Tasker in 2010

Ms Tonkin as Miss Frizzle in 2018

Mrs Roose in 2016

2017 Year 12 joining in the fun!

Seeing older children and

younger ones dressing up

in matching costumes.

2017

WAGGA COMMUNITY NEWS

CHURCH COMMUNITIES - COVID-19

Unlimited CRC 48 Vestey St www.unlimitedcrc.com.au

Generocity Church Wagga 194 Lake Albert Rd (the old Prime News building) www.generocitychurch.com.au CHURCH IS ONLINE. Check website for further details. 10am service; + 5pm last Sunday of each month.

Wagga Wagga Evangelical Church (WWEC) 401 Kooringal Road www.wwec.org.au Check out our YouTube channel: WWEC. Online. On Point. Visit our website and click the link to subscribe and check out our new space for doing church online! You can also book to attend our Sunday Service - spots are limited. https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Inspire Church Wagga 555 Kooringal Rd www.inspirewagga.com.au Each Sunday, we will be meeting either online at 9.30am, 11am and 5pm, or join us in person for our services at 9.30am and 11am, however you MUST register to attend via www.inspirewagga.com.au as numbers are limited due to current restrictions.

UniChurch/Christian Fellowship CSU Wagga, In the Rec Hall cfwagga.org.au

St Aidan's Presbyterian Church 62-64 Coleman St staidanswagga.org.au Dear church family, our Sunday gatherings is online for the time being. We encourage you to find our online service with readings, prayer suggestions and the weekly sermon from the gospel of Matthew at the church website: http://staidanswagga.org.au/online-service/

Wagga Baptist Church 156 Tarcutta St www.wwbc.org.au Livestream is ready! Join us for the next service on line! https://livestream.com/waggabaptist/events/9048805 Living Water Fellowship

Kooringal Guide Hall 565 Kooringal Rd We are now online! Info can be found on the church website or contact the church office number ph: 6931 5673 for details. https://livingwaterwagga.org.au/

The Salvation Army 188 Edward Street salvos.org.au/wagga/contact-us/

St Paul’s Turvey Park 31 Fernleigh Rd www.swac.church South Wagga Anglican Church (SWAC) is now ‘online’ and we are scattered throughout the city. Ra-ther than coming to church, we are now exploring new and creative ways of being the church. Check the website above for further details.

Gospel Power Ministries Cnr Bourke and Mckell Ave (Mt Austin Public School) www.gospelpowerministries.org.au

Wagga Church of Christ 49 Fernleigh Road We meet as a church online and via a group phone call on Sunday's at 10:00 AM. You can join the meeting by clicking the following link on either a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Link to Online Video Conference! (Meeting Live at 10:00 AM Sundays) If it is easier for you, you may also join the meeting using your landline or mobile phone by calling 02 8320 4510 and when prompted providing the pin 931 759 814 8738#.

Wagga Wagga Uniting Churches https://waggaunitingchurch.org/

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting

Wagga Wagga Christian College in 2020.

We trust that our College community will also support them.