Dear Parents and Caregivers

It's been a full and busy first term and I would like to thank our staff, students and parents for the warm welcome to Wahroonga Adventist School. As a staff we are looking forward to non-term time (aka school holidays) to recalibrate in preparation for a busy Term 2.

The well-attended parent-teacher interviews on Tuesday night provided many opportunities for parents and teachers to connect. Thank you for the partnership we enjoy in ensuring the wholistic development of your child/ren. Feel free to reach out to those teachers that you couldn’t meet on the night, even if it is via email or a pre-arranged phone call.

Our Working Bee on Sunday, 30 March was hosted by the Environmental and Gardening group and was another impressive community building opportunity that you will read more about in this newsletter. I would like to affirm the work of one of our parents, Brad Crossman, our HOD of Science Mrs Leisly White, and their team for their outstanding efforts to keep our campus green and clean. Even our ex-principal, Mrs Julia Heise, joined the fun on the day.

Our inaugural Orchestra Tour/Camp to our sister schools from the Central Coast to Kempsey over three days this week was led by our Head of CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts), Mrs Kristina Vuceski, music teacher Ms Brianna Walkden-Brown, our lead chaplain Pastor Nick Kross, and our Head of Secondary Mr Michael St Mart. We appreciate their vision, time and effort in working with and supervising our talented students to showcase their skills whilst sharing the good news of Jesus through music.

I hope you can enjoy some quality time with your child/ren over the holiday break. The Easter holiday reminds us to pay attention to the greatest showcase of all time: God’s love as vividly demonstrated in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who ‘though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.’ 2 Corinthians 8:9

I pray that your family will be able to connect with our awesome Saviour Jesus Christ perhaps by attending a church service on the Easter weekend or by reading the story of Jesus in the Gospels. May we each be inspired by the fact that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16

Happy Easter!

Craig Young

Principal

Wahroonga Adventist School

As Christians, we’re called to come together, not just as individuals, but as a family in Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, *“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.”* In our school community, this rings especially true. Our recent Orchestra Chapel Tour showed how powerful it is when we unite—students, staff, and sister schools—lifting each other up through music, prayer, and shared purpose.

When we gather, whether in chapels, classrooms, or tours, we’re building more than memories; we’re strengthening our faith. Encouragement isn’t just a kind word—it’s a spark that ignites courage, resilience, and hope. As a school, let’s keep connecting, supporting, and inspiring each other. Together, we grow stronger, reflecting Christ’s love and building a faith-filled community that shines beyond our walls.

Pr Nick

On March 28th, we had the honour of hosting the quarterly high school worship night. This night provides students from Sydney's Adventist schools a chance to connect and invites them to a night with the promise of food, games, worship, and an enigmatic atmosphere. Upon arrival at the event, enthusiasm was palpable, with students from all the different schools laughing together and sharing stories whilst the faint practising of worship band buzzed in the background. Everyone slowly began to file into and sit down in the Fox hall; the space was glowing from the vibrant stage lights and all the smiling faces in the crowd. It wasn’t for long, however, that we remained seated, as the contagious passion from the band had everyone on their feet, clapping, jumping, and dancing to a touching worship medley. This was followed by an engaging icebreaker and an impactful sermon eloquently and devotedly delivered by our School Vice-captain, Peyton Smith. His speech detailed the concepts of awe vs observation, prompting the audience to reflect on their own lives and how this affects them. After an encore of worship songs, everyone made their way up to the level three synthetic grass, where pizza, drinks and radiant fairy lights welcomed us all warmly. The area gave a warm, moody ambience, perfectly complementing the energy of the praise.

Sparked by our curiosity, we began to ask the people surrounding us where they were from and what their favourite experiences of the night so far were and were met with the following responses:

“Our favourite things about the night are friends, God and getting to meet new people” – Year 10 MacArthur

“Playing the guitar, and the music… playing the drums” – WAS years 10 & 11

“Everything… the singing, the sermon, socialising with new people, the way everyone gathers together as one” – Mountain View year 12

“Socialising, getting closer to god spiritually” – WAS year 11

“I love worshipping God through people, forming new friendships.” - Thomas Hassall Anglican College

These responses encapsulated the night's tone and liveliness, with everyone putting in their best effort to form new connections with people they didn’t know, but also through people deepening their relationship with the Lord through fellowship, praise and worship. It is truly a blessing to host such events at our school and to encourage the Sydney Adventist student body in Christ. The night continued with many games played and ‘get to know you’ activities, involving which you would go up to someone new and discover 5 things you had in common with them. From this event, we have taken away how kind and welcoming all the students were, all the people you met were keen to talk to you, and often strangers were complimenting others, these acts of kindness serve as a testament to God's teachings and how he is working within both ours and our sister Adventist colleges around Sydney. The next combined night will be held in Term 2, and we strongly encourage those reading to attend and experience the sentiments presented on this memorable night.

Chocolate is more than a mouth-watering food; it can actually have several health benefits, particularly depending on which kind you choose. Here’s a birds-eye view on which are the best types of chocolate and what are their benefits.

Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa and less sugar in it. This means it has at least 70% of cocoa content and is rich in antioxidants, especially the flavonoids that reduce the risk of heart disease by increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Also, it helps improve brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain and uplifting the mood via serotonin and endorphin release.

Milk chocolate, a confectionery with a creamy feel and sweet taste, contains about 30-50% cocoa. It has fewer antioxidants than dark chocolate, but it still contains calcium for strong bones and teeth. It also helps improve mood by stimulating endorphin release. Milk chocolate is a highly sugary treat that promotes some health effects, although minimal.

White chocolate is produced from cocoa butter, which contains no cocoa solids. It is rich in fat and sugar and delights the palate with a creamy sweet flavour. Its lower antioxidant content does not overshadow the good cocoa butter that helps in decreasing levels of LDL ("bad" cholesterol), thus promoting heart health. Furthermore, its white chocolate is enriched with moisturizing cocoa butter-excellent for your skin-if you're seeking something that benefits your skin.

Ruby chocolate is a newer entry into the market for chocolate and is characterized by its pinkish hue. Ruby chocolate favours a taste between dark and milk chocolate and is rich in antioxidants that promote heart health and good skin. For someone seeking an alternative that is not as bitter, ruby chocolate presents an even more colourful option with health benefits comparable to those of dark chocolate.

Raw chocolate is made from unprocessed cocoa beans; this way, more than 80% of its nutrients are retained, such as magnesium, iron, and potassium. Benefits high in nutrients for brain health, detoxification, and anxiety relief makes raw chocolate an excellent choice for someone wanting a pure treat packed with health benefits.

In a nutshell, whichever chocolate is your favourite-dark, milk, or white-all of these types will have their own health benefits. Talking of a little chocolate now and then will provide antioxidants, benefits for heart health, improve mood, and give skin benefits- for all the good things that make it taste so good!

Thats it from Matthew E!

We are excited to announce our upcoming Big Breakfast Event in support of the Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea!

Date: Thursday 22nd May (Week 4, Term 2)
Time: From 7am
Location: Synthetic Grass

Join us for a morning of delicious food, great company, and a wonderful cause. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, enjoy a yummy breakfast, and raise funds for cancer research and support services.

To donate to our online fundraising page, scan the QR code on the poster or use the link below.
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - Wahroonga Adventist School's Big Breakfast

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. Let's make a difference together!

We look forward to seeing you there!

SRC Coordinators

This week, our school celebrated a milestone with our first-ever Orchestra Chapel Tour, spanning Wednesday to Friday and reaching all the way to Kempsey Adventist School. Twenty-five talented students joined this exciting adventure, visiting Avondale School, Toronto Adventist, Manning Valley Bush School, and Kempsey Adventist School. At each stop, we performed at their chapel services, sharing a vibrant program of orchestra pieces, choir songs, and special items—all led by our students under the inspiring leadership of Kristina Vuceski.

From preaching to hosting to music, our team ran the show, making it a spiritual, team-building, and truly enjoyable experience. The tour wasn’t just about performances—we also visited Avondale University for a campus tour and fun activities. Staying in Port Macquarie, we enjoyed a refreshing sunset swim and a delightful breakfast at dawn the next day. We’re so thankful to be part of a school that supports such incredible opportunities!

This journey reminds us of Colossians 3:16: *“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”* Through music and fellowship, we connected with our sister schools, deepening our understanding of each other and appreciating Adventist education across the state. It was a chance to bless and serve, reflecting Christ’s love in action.

We had an amazing time, and this tour has sparked something special. We look forward to seeing where this new initiative takes us in the future—building bridges, sharing faith, and growing together as a community. Stay tuned for more!

Miss Sutton has been busy in the flag football community over the last month. She coached the Inaugural NSW U17s Girls Flag Football Team at the National Youth Championships at the AIS, coming 2nd in Australia. She also captained and represented Tasmania (a pseudo second NSW team) playing at the Australian National Flag Football Championships.

We are excited for the upcoming flag football opportunities at WAS this year, including:

U15s Mixed NFL Flag gala day (Term 2): Trials already in progress

Year 5 &6 Mixed NFL Flag gala day (Term 3): Trials to be announced early Term 2

U15s boys and girls and Opens boys and girls Flag Football Gala Day (Term 3): Trials to be announced early Term 2

Enrolling now for Year 7, 2027 and Kindy, 2026!

Calling all siblings! To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply now for any siblings intending to enrol for Year 7, 2027 and Kindy, 2026. Applications received after the start of Term 2 may not benefit from their sibling preference due to the numbers on our waitlists.

If you have any questions about enrolling a sibling, please contact the Registrar, Cindy, on [email protected] .

The long-anticipated Year 6 jackets have arrived! The students were all smiles as they finally got to open their brand-new attire—it's now official: they are the graduating class of 2025!

Just in time, too — they'll be proudly worn at next week’s Cross Country event, which also doubles as their first fundraiser! Even better, these jackets are the perfect addition to their Canberra excursion packing list.

Shout-out to the classroom air conditioners for making sure the students could enjoy their jackets as much as the day allowed. ❄️

The Junior School Band has been having a fantastic time rehearsing new music this year! We’re embracing the theme of the school musical and are excited to learn Oompa Loompa , along with another fun piece, In a New York Jam .

This co-curricular band rehearses before school on Tuesday mornings. Students in Years 3-6 who have been learning their instruments for approximately six months, or who are having private instrumental lessons, are encouraged to join. The ensemble serves as an extension of the music class band programs in years 4-6, providing students with additional opportunities to develop their musical skills.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Felicity Stanwell [email protected] .

Felicity Stanwell

Our Year 1 and 2 students have been busy little engineers in their recent science investigation! They embarked on an exciting project to design, create, and test their very own paper sailing boats.

The students began by planning their boat designs, considering how to make them float and move efficiently through water. With creativity and teamwork, they crafted their boats using various materials. The real fun began when they tested their creations, observing how well they sailed and identifying areas for improvement.

Through this hands-on activity, our young scientists learned valuable lessons about buoyancy, design, and the scientific process of testing and refining ideas. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and problem-solving skills in action as they worked to make their boats sail smoothly.

We are so proud of their hard work and can't wait to see what they will create next!

Year 9 and 10 students faced a set of challenges designed to inspire collaborative problem solving. This annual event is run by the University of Newcastle to inspire an interest in science and engineering. Several schools sent teams, and we spent a day at a pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park. Students were split into small groups and given about an hour to complete each challenge. Challenges included; windturbine design, coded communication, aircraft speed and accuracy, fish trap design, electrical distribution, and bridge building.

In a moment of well-earned celebration, two dedicated music students recently marked a significant milestone in their musical journeys. Kenneth P of year 12 completed Licentiate of the Musician’s Union of Schools (LMUS) and Matthew N completed his Associate of the Musician’s Union of Schools (AMUS) .

Their hard work, perseverance, and passion for music culminated in a joyous graduation ceremony, where they were honoured for their exceptional achievements.

The LMUS and AMUS qualifications are prestigious recognitions in the field of music, requiring rigorous training, deep theoretical knowledge, and refined performance skills. Earning these qualifications is no small feat, as students must undergo extensive practical examinations and demonstrate their mastery of musical techniques and interpretation.

During the ceremony at the University of New South Wales, family, friends, and mentors gathered to celebrate the students' dedication and success. Dressed in their graduation gowns, the two students proudly received their certificates, symbolizing years of practice, commitment, and artistic growth. Their instructors praised their determination, highlighting the countless hours spent refining their craft and perfecting their repertoire.

As they embark on their next musical endeavours, whether in teaching, performance, or composition, these graduates serve as an inspiration to aspiring musicians. Their story is a testament to the power of discipline and passion in achieving excellence in the world of music.

With bright futures ahead, their journey does not end here—rather, it is the beginning of new opportunities and continued musical exploration.

Congratulations to the graduates on their outstanding accomplishments!

Over the past two terms, Oliver L-F has been studying Science Extension in conjunction with UTS. In Science Extension, students are required to complete a research project on a topic of their choice, and at UTS they can work with mentors who are experts in their field.

Oliver has just taken out the “Scientists Choice Award” for his scientific research proposal poster presentation, where he gave an outstanding presentation. Presenting your research to a panel of experts is very daunting, and they were very impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Congratulations Ollie on your magnificent achievement!

Mrs Knight

This Wednesday, our Year 8 Japanese students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture during an exciting excursion. Dressed in traditional yukata, students learned Japanese dances, played a variety of festival games, and enjoyed delicious Japanese bento lunches. It was a wonderful experience for all, filled with fun, laughter, and cultural discovery.

March has been an exciting month for our high school athletes, with some remarkable performances across a variety of events. From swimming and triathlons to touch football, our students have truly shown their dedication, skill, and team spirit. Here's a roundup of the recent highlights:

CSSA North Met Zone Swimming - Warringah Aquatic Centre (Monday, 17 March)

Our swimmers put on a fantastic display at the North Met Zone Swimming competition, with 30 students attending and giving it their all. Notable achievements include:

Salani S broke the 17 Girls Backstroke record, a monumental feat that showcases her hard work and determination.

Elize M claimed the title of 18 Girls Age Champion, proving her consistency and excellence in the pool.

These outstanding performances helped our team stand out, and we look forward to their continued success in future events!

Our swimmers continued to shine at the CSSA State Swimming competition. Ten students competed across various events and relays, demonstrating exceptional talent and sportsmanship. A special mention goes to:

Salani S and Zach P , who both qualified to represent us at the CIS NSW championships. We wish them the best of luck as they take on this next challenge!

The 2025 Australian Mountain Biking Interschools event took place at Thredbo from March 3rd to 7th. Wahroonga was represented by 13 riders from years 8 through to 12, riders competed in multiple race events down challenging trails in the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park. The format of the week allows students to practice specific trails, which they race on the following days. The first event was the Flow Trail race for junior riders, the students raced down the high-speed trail for nearly 10 minutes, finishing in front of large crowds gathered at the village. Senior riders then took on the All-Mountain Trail, navigating a course that included technical features, physical pedalling sections and a final straight next to the Thredbo river, lined by spectators cheering them on. On the following day the senior riders took to the Flow Trail, after a morning of practice laps, the students set off in 30 second intervals racing nearly 800 riders from schools across Australia for the fastest time down the mountain. Over the course of the week our students worked together to learn the trails, manage bikes and equipment, and support each other during the races – there was a great camaraderie amongst the group. Special thanks to our parent volunteers who assisted throughout the week.

Our triathletes have also been making waves this month. The CSSA Triathlon was an incredible showcase of endurance and teamwork:

In the afternoon, the junior boys relay team consisting of Jude S , Dylan B , and Aiden P secured 2nd place out of 37 entries, demonstrating fantastic teamwork and strategic racing.

We're incredibly proud of their performances and professionalism throughout the event.

Our Open Boys Touch Football team attended the CSSA State competition, where they showed great teamwork, commitment, and sportsmanship. While the team faced tough competition, they managed to secure several wins and demonstrated strong collaboration on the field. We are excited to see how they continue to grow and perform in future events.

We are incredibly proud of all our athletes for their hard work and dedication in March. Keep up the great work, and we can't wait to see what you all accomplish in the months ahead!

Congratulations to the following students who have now completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge:  Charlotte A (KC), Micah K (KD), Melody L (1B), Stella Y (1B), Jiayi Z (1C), Ava M (4W), Bethan C (5C), Elsa K (5C), Rian K (5C), Jamie L (5C), Adit S (5C), Chloe Z (5C), Annabelle J (5L), Thomas B (6Q), Amrit G (6Q), Hunter H (6Q), Reuel J (6Q), Felicity L (6Q), Shreya N (6Q), Indiana O (6Q), Joshua P (6Q), Kobe R (6Q), Yijie S (6Q), Cara T (6Q), Nathan W (6Q), Tom W (6Q), Eliza C (7W), Jahanaz G (7A) and Jasmine L (7A). Well done to all of you – Keep up the excellent reading!

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is achievable for all students, so please encourage your children to log their reading lists at NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2023 : Home (det.nsw.edu.au) . Email Mrs Savage at [email protected] if you need your child’s User ID and Password.

Borrowing has now finished for the term for our Prep students . Please make sure all books are returned before the end of term so the Prep boxes can be changed over during the term break. Borrowing for all other classes will continue over the holidays.

Please email Mrs Savage if you would like your child to collect extra books for holiday reading (maximum of 10 books per student).

A HUGE thank you to all those who came along and supported our ‘Book Fair Blizzard: Chill out with a Good Book!’ Book Fair! Thanks to your support our sales tallied up to almost $5 000 , with $360 worth of books being donated by parents to the classrooms!  A $1 551 book/cash commission was chosen which will be put towards new resources for the library.

Book Fair prizes were handed out during Primary School assembly on Monday morning with a wide range of posters and books from the Book Fair being distributed to the lucky winners. Congratulations also go to Indiana O (6Q) who won a jar of mints after being the closest to guess (193) how many were in the jar (192)!

Running a Book Fair is a big job, especially when an extra effort is made to generate excitement and create a magical world for the children to explore, so a special thank you goes to Janet and Richard Shirley, Grace Skinner, Jeanne van Warmelo, Kathryn Croft, Helen Zou, Aimee Gwiza, Sharona Behrens, Lihua Zhang, Kim Fisher and John Chung who gave their time to help set up, run, and pack down the Book Fair. Thank you also to our beautiful little helpers, Willow, Cassadee, Delta and Sierra, for helping with the pack up last Monday – it was so much fun celebrating with a bubble wrap dance at the end! 😊 All your efforts are truly appreciated, and we cannot thank you enough for ensuring the success of the Book Fair.

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 8:20 - 9:30 AM

Thursday 2.30 - 3:30 PM

Friday CLOSED

Please order through Flexischools for any orders where you know your sizing and what you may need. Flexischool orders will be collected from the office for High School and dropped to classes for Primary school on Thursdays and Fridays.

A big thank you to everyone who came along to our Term 1 Working Bee on Sunday 30 March – what a brilliant morning it was! Despite the intermittent rain, we had a great turnout and an even greater spirit of community.

So many hands made light work of some big jobs! We repotted a stack of plants, topped up compost in both our primary and secondary garden beds, and gave everything a fresh boost for the season ahead. The process involved carefully removing existing plants, enriching the soil with new compost, and gently returning the plants to their rightful homes.

We also spent time trimming back plants at the front of the school, helping to open up the pathway for students, families, and members of the public who use the footpath. It’s now looking fantastic and very welcoming.

A special shout-out to our primary garden beds, which are wicking beds – a clever system that waters plants from below, reducing water use and keeping the soil moisture consistent. They’re especially helpful during the hotter months and help our garden thrive with less fuss.

Of course, no working bee is complete without a shared morning tea – it was lovely to pause together over a cuppa and some homemade treats.

It was also heartwarming to see so many children getting stuck in – digging, planting, laughing, and enjoying time with the chickens. Moments like these remind us how valuable this space is for learning, connecting, and growing.

Thanks again to all who braved the weather and pitched in – your efforts make a real difference!

If you’re interested in getting more involved, we’d love to welcome a few extra hands and hearts to our small Garden Committee. We meet occasionally to help plan events like the working bee and chat about ways to keep our school garden thriving. If that sounds like your kind of thing, please feel free to get in touch – we’d love to have you on board!

Brad Crossman ( [email protected] ) – Parent and Garden Committee Volunteer

“Home and School are really excited to work with the Chaplains for the upcoming Easter Chapel on Friday the 11th April, starting at 8.45am at Wahroonga Adventist Church. We would love to see Grandparents, parents and carers come and participate in the school Chapel to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

You are invited to stay after the Chapel Service to share an Easter hot cross bun, have a cuppa and just be present in the school space with your children.

Remember to enter your Easter Colouring Competition artwork from Prep to Year 12 by Wednesday the 9th April so we can place them around the school for judging. Winners will be awarded gift cards during Easter Chapel! See the attached PDF to download Easter Colouring pictures.

We need a few extra helping hands with the event from 8am to 8:45am and with clean up from 10:00 to 10:30am. Sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/WTBTQ

Want to learn more about flag football during the holidays? There are clinics being run for both primary and high school aged students. No experience needed!

Talent Locker Flag Football Clinic with Pier Pritchard and Shontelle Stowers

Who: Boys and girls aged 10-15yrs

When: April 13 9am-11am

Where: Forestville Park

About: Introduction to Flag Football. Learn the basics through fun game-based activities with NSW Flag Football Captains Pier Pritchard and Shontelle Stowers

Register here: Flag Football Clinic Registration

‘Bring It On Sports’ is managed by the Australian Women’s and U17/15 NSW Boys Flag Football Head Coach - Paul Manera

Who: Boys and girls 12-17yrs

When: 15th April 9am-2pm

Where: Baulkham Hills High School

About: A competition-based event where participants will learn the rules, refine their skills, and experience tactical gameplay in a fun, competitive format.

Bring It On Sports Flag Football Clinic – Primary School

Who: Boys and girls 7-12years

When: 22nd April

Where: Baulkham Hills High School

About: A fun and engaging program focusing on modified games to develop fundamental skills and gameplay.

Register here: https://www.bringitonsports.com.au/events/school-holiday-flag-football-clinics/

TEEN clothing swap

Clear out your wardrobes and get ready for our youth swap event!

How does the clothes swap event work? You bring top quality clothes (6-8 items) you no longer use to the swap event. Then you browse, ‘shop’ and take home others’ fab garments in exchange! Items to bring: pants, skirts, tops, jumpers, coats, jumpsuits, shirts, shorts, dresses.

Start sorting your top-quality clothes to swap! Come along and join us in this fun, sustainable event! Afternoon tea provided and professionally run by the fabulous crew at The Clothing Exchange #YouthWeek

For ages 12-20 years of age (school years 6- 12).

Please let your students and teenage family members know so they can save the date and start getting ready.

Gordon Library, 799 Pacific Highway, Gordon
Sunday 13 April 2025
2.00 – 4.00 pm
FREE admission

Register now www.netzero.krg.nsw.gov.au/teenswap