Greetings Parents and Caregivers

Welcome to the 2026 academic year. I hope you have enjoyed a restful holiday break with your child/children and that your family is back into the routine of work, school, and daily life. I am grateful for the holiday period, for the safety our school community has experienced, and for the smooth transition into the new school year. It is a privilege to serve our community for a second year as Principal.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new families and pray that your child/children settle in well to their new environment as they develop holistically throughout the year. If you have any concerns, please initially contact your child’s class or homeroom teacher. Our staff, along with our Wellbeing Coordinator, Ms Natalie Rogers, who collaborates closely with our counsellors, Year Coordinators (Secondary), and Heads of School, are available to support you and your child.

While the construction site behind the school continues, the safety of our students, staff, and community remains our highest priority. Access to the sports field is via the pedestrian crossing and along a newly constructed concrete footpath on the opposite side of the construction fence. Our staff will monitor student access to and from the sports field via the pedestrian crossing, and we are in regular contact with the site manager to ensure all safety measures are being observed.

The school newsletter will be published three times each term during Week 2, mid-term, and at the end of the term in response to feedback from parents regarding publication frequency.

May the LORD continue to bless you and your family, and our school community, as we seek to fulfil our purpose to ‘Reveal Jesus’ and grow together as a ‘thriving Christ-centred learning community’ (our vision), where every student is encouraged to flourish (our mission).

Yours in Christ’s Service

Craig Young

PRINCIPAL

As we begin another year together, we are so glad to welcome you back.. families, students, and wider community. The new year brings excitement, anticipation, and hope as we look to where God is leading us as a school.

Our theme for 2026 is simple, open, and intentionally reflective: “Jesus is ____”. Throughout the year, students will be invited to explore this question — to consider who Jesus is, what He reveals about God, and what His life means for the way we live, learn, and relate to each other. This theme gives us space to and time to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is for each of us.

As a Christian school, Jesus sits at the heart of our story. From the beginning Adventist Education was first considered a ministry of the church, and today Adventist Schools Australia’s purpose statement is “To Reveal Jesus”.

Our journey with this theme will culminate in our 2026 Week of Worship, where we will focus on the declaration “Jesus is King.” This is not about dominance, but about a King who rides a white horse, wearing a golden crown, coming to rescue His children.

We look forward to walking this year together — staff, students, parents, and community — under this shared vision, trusting that it will continue to preside over and enrich the life of our school in 2026.

Pr Nick Kross

Lead Chaplain

Today our school gathered for a truly special combined chapel service. Our annual Convocation Chapel is a significant moment in the life of our community, bringing students, teachers, parents, carers, and staff together in prayer as we look ahead to the 2026 school year. This year’s service carried even deeper meaning as we continue celebrating 120 years of Wahroonga Adventist School education a remarkable legacy of learning, faith, and growth.

A highlight of the morning was the announcement of our 2026 school prefects, marking the beginning of an exciting leadership journey for these students. Keep an eye on our socials for the big reveal video. It’s one you won’t want to miss.

As we welcome students back to school for another exciting year of learning and growth, there is sense of anticipation in the air. New classes, reconnecting with friends, and engaging in activities are all part of the fresh start that a new school year brings.

Transitions whether it’s beginning a new year, moving into a different grade, or settling into new routines are a natural part of growing up. According to the Special Report: Embracing Change & New Beginnings from SchoolTV , these moments can present both opportunities and challenges for students and families. Research shows that periods of transition can be linked to increased anxiety, shifts in peer relationships and changes in academic engagement. However, when students are supported, encouraged and understood, these same transitions can become powerful experiences that build resilience, confidence and emotional strength.

What makes these changes less daunting is the atmosphere we create as a school community. By normalising uncertainty and encouraging open conversations at home and at school, we help our young people approach new beginnings with curiosity. Providing reassurance, maintaining consistent routines, and offering plenty of encouragement can help young people feel secure as they adapt to new environments, teachers and expectations.

To support families through this time, we encourage all parents and carers to explore the SchoolTV resource available on our website under the Parent Information section .

SchoolTV is an evidence-based wellbeing platform that addresses the modern realities of raising children and supports families with articles, expert insights and practical strategies on topics like transitions, resilience, anxiety, friendships and more. This valuable tool is designed to bridge communication between home and school and can helps to keep you informed and confident when supporting your child’s wellbeing throughout the year.

Throughout the year we will be drawing your attention to SchoolTV around specific and relevant topics to help guide and support your child.

Starting the year positively sets the tone for ongoing success, belonging and wellbeing. Together with optimism, connection and understanding this new school year can be the beginning of wonderful growth for every child.

We would also like to formally introduce our new staff members for 2026. We’re so pleased to welcome them to our team and look forward to the energy, expertise, and care they will bring to our school community.

Pr Ethan

Chaplain

Mr Blackman

Technologies

Mrs Wilson

Learning Support

Mrs Allsopp

Technologies

Mr Conducto

English

Simone

Accounts

Sally

Registrar

Mrs Donat

Maths

Dr Symons

Science

Andrew

Counsellor

Miss Blacklidge

HSIE

Mrs Crossman

Learning Support

Mrs Terry

Learning Support

Dr Ghadirian

Science and Maths

Our High School Peer Support program is officially underway, and it has already begun building strong connections across year groups. Peer Support brings together trained student leaders from Year 11 with our Year 7 students to help foster belonging, confidence, and positive relationships during important transition years.

To launch the program, our Peer Support leaders and their groups enjoyed their first activity together a fun and relaxed bowling outing. The afternoon provided the perfect opportunity to break the ice, share laughs, and begin forming the relationships that sit at the heart of Peer Support.

This first activity set a positive tone for the year ahead, with leaders modelling encouragement, teamwork, and inclusivity. We’re excited to see these connections continue to grow as the program unfolds and our students support one another both inside and outside the classroom.

This year students at Wahroonga Adventist will have the opportunity to learn more explicitly about ways to maximise their learning across all subjects, by using intentional study skills. On Monday, 1st of February, Year 7 and 8 participated in a workshop from Elevate Education, where they learned important study techniques like dynamic reading, conceptual revision and time and stress management.

In 2026, students in Year 9 and 10 will be expanding their study skills repertoire through the Atomi study skills program. This will take place in scheduled ‘Connect’ classes, with opportunities to apply their new found techniques in specific subjects.

Students in Year 11 and 12 have full access to the Atomi study skills program, as well as specialised Atomi revision resourced for their HSC subjects. Happy studying, Wahroonga!

Library Classes

Library borrowing has started for the year, so please check the library times below and remind your children to bring their library bags on the appropriate day.  Prep-Year 2 may borrow a maximum of 3 books, Years 3–6 a maximum of 5 books and High School students a maximum of 6 books.  Library bags are required for all junior borrowers (P-4) but are optional for middle and senior students.

Wahroonga Adventist School Library has an online catalogue which makes searching for resources easy from any device.  To visit our Library WebAPP go to bit.ly/waslibrary .  On the guest page, you will find instructions on how to access your child’s personal details. Please visit the Library WebAPP for more information relating to the library.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge website will become active from February 23, 2026 . All books read from September last year can be added to this year’s list, so keep a written record of these books to add online once the website is active.

Please note:

Returning students can use the same username and password to access the Premier’s Reading Challenge on February 23.

Students new to our school will receive their log-in details by the end of February. If your child has completed the challenge at previous schools, please email Mrs Savage ( [email protected] ) stating the name of the school and the years that the challenge was completed so we can merge their challenge history to our school.

Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will run from Wednesday, March 11 to Monday, March 16 (Week 7/8). Watch this space in the coming weeks for more information.

Check out the amazing Library Bag podcasts our 2025 Year 5 and 6 students produced with the assistance of Brenden Lovett and Suzanne Milne. Listen along and you might even discover your next favourite book.

To listen to these fantastic podcasts, visit the Library WebAPP at bit.ly/waslibrary

The library home page features the 10 most recently loaded podcasts, then if you click on the link in the description, you can access the ‘Library Bag’ website where you will find all the podcasts that have been broadcast thus far. Please take a look .

All uniform items must be purchased from the Wahroonga Adventist School Uniform Shop or ordered online through www.flexischools.com.au

Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Wednesday - 8:20am till 9:30am
Thursday - 2:30pm till 3:20pm

Flexischool Orders

Online orders will be available for collection on Wednesday and Thursday of each week. All orders close at 8pm the night before. Secondary students can collect their orders from the office. Primary student’s orders will be delivered to their classroom.

For questions or further information please email [email protected]