Our recent Primary Concert, with its theme of The Peace Project , was a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration. The students poured their hearts into their performances, celebrating peace —a message that will resonate with them long beyond the stage. Thank you to teachers and volunteers, in particular Ms Milne, for your dedication and leadership in this initiative.

As I walk around the school and see students involved in a wide range of experiences from video production to furniture construction to analysing news articles, I am reminded of the true joy of learning and the importance of creativity in our students’ lives. Creativity is not just about art or performance; it’s about thinking differently, exploring new ideas, and finding innovative solutions. These skills will serve our students well, not only in their academic journey but in their futures as curious, compassionate individuals.

We also celebrate the achievements of one of our remarkable Year 6 students, Ryan, who recently received two ICAS Medallions for placing first in NSW in Maths and English. This recognition for excellence in academic achievement highlights the incredible potential within our student body and the dedication to their studies.

It is a joy to nurture both the creative and academic spirit in our students, as we know these experiences will shape them into confident, innovative thinkers. God gives each of us unique gifts and Romans 12 encourages us to use these gifts for His glory. May we honour and serve each other to continue to strengthen our school community.

Julia Heise

We are stoked to share some highlights from our recent activities and upcoming events.

Our weekly high school opt-in Bible studies have been a tremendous blessing. With over 230 students taking part in these sessions led by Pr Justin & Pr Nick, we find ourselves racing to keep up, but we love it. We believe little steps of faith pay dividends in our futures, like ripples of change for the better. We love seeing our students come together in small communities to grow closer as friends and learn more about the love and purpose God has for each of us.

We are also excited that our Year 7 chapel band led the chapel service at Avondale School today. Our students handled everything from music and ice breakers to hosting and preaching. It’s inspiring to witness the talents and faith of our young people as they step out in faith for God.

We are incredibly proud of our team and the entire school community. As we continue to see God’s hand at work, we are reminded of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” May this verse encourage you as it does us.

Blessings, The Chaplaincy Team

Primary School curricular and co-curricular end-of-year Band and String ensemble Showcase.

When: Tuesday 19th November. 6-7:30 pm – students to arrive from 5:30pm.

Who: All students in years 3-6. The year group String and Band ensembles.

Where : Wahroonga Church.

This term in Science, we have been learning about Earth and Space. This week, we looked at the different constellations in the sky. 2A then designed and created their own marshmallow constellations! Some great designs were created (and even tastier designs enjoyed afterwards!)

Well done. 2A!

In Science, our Year 3 and 4 students have been busy learning about different types of renewable energy such as hydro, wave, wind and solar energy. In groups, students researched one type of renewable energy, how it works, as well as looking at the advantages and disadvantages. It has been a joy to watch the students learning about this important topic and seeing how excited they are to share their knowledge through creating informative posters.

Stage 2 Teachers

The Primary Musical Concert, The Peace Project , was a wonderful evening, with students delivering impressive performances that highlighted their hard work and commitment to rehearsal.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Suzanne Milne for her direction of our Music Concert; her creativity was evident throughout the event. I also wish to express my gratitude to Jacquie Jacobs and the other teachers for their flexibility and collaboration in preparing their classes, contributing to a delightful experience.

Numerous individuals played crucial roles in either the preparations or the event itself, helping to ensure its success. This includes the Adventist Media Centre for their assistance with recording our backing tracks, Ethan Todd and the Chaplains on sound, Karen Doust for designing the backdrop, and the many parents who volunteered their time to assist with costumes. Thank you to all of the parents and families for coming to see the performance.

It will be a night to remember for our students.

Anne-Marie Deppeler

Head of Primary

Congratulations to Lachlan L (11A) who recently received a Merit Award from Sydney Distance Education High School on the completion of his Year 11 Agriculture course. It is wonderful to see Lachlan rewarded for the consistent effort he puts into his Agriculture studies, and we wish him all the very best as he continues his studies in Year 12.

Last term, Year 9 embarked on their annual hiking and camping adventure taking place in the Heathcote and Royal National Parks.

The camp aimed to provide students with an experience beyond the classroom, aligning perfectly with the Invictus program's focus on Mastery. Leading up to camp students planned their meals and packed their bags with the necessary equipment needed for a camping trip. On the camp itself students had to carry their packed equipment, cook their own meals and set up and camp in tents.

These goals led to the mastery opportunities of autonomy and collaboration to help develop identity, resilience and responsibility and strengthen supportive connections with their peers and teachers while out on camp.

Despite challenges posed by the closure of campsites and tracks by National Parks halfway through the camp, students embraced the opportunity to push themselves further, including an extended hike leading to an unforgettable coastal camping experience at Bonnievale. Here, the class bonded over games and beachside relaxation, creating lasting memories together.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Ms Sutton, Ms Afele, Mr Gates, and Mr Gibbs for their dedication and support during the camp, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all.

CSSA Zone Touch Football Gala Day

When: 21 Nov

Who: U14s Boys, U14s Girls, Open Boys & Open Girls

Please note that borrowing from the library has now finished for this year. If your child has overdue loans or lost library books it is time to either return these copies or provide a replacement copy of the missing book. A replacement fee of $25 per book will be added to school accounts for all unresolved loans at the end of the year.

If you are unsure whether your child has any overdue books, please log on to the Library WebApp at bit.ly/waslibrary and follow the instructions on the home page to access your child’s library records.

‘Library Bag’ Podcasts :

Since Book Week last term, our Year 5 and 6 students have been working with Brenden and Suzanne Lovett to produce ‘Library Bag’ podcasts where they ask each other the all-important question – ‘So, what are you reading?’

Remember to continue checking the Library WebAPP ( bit.ly/waslibrary ) as new podcasts are being uploaded each week. The podcasts are also being uploaded on the Library Bag website, so if your child’s interview is no longer featured on the Library WebAPP home page, they can still be accessed either by clicking the link on the home page or clicking here .

Thank you to Brenden and Suzanne for the massive amount of work that has gone into providing this wonderful opportunity for our students.

Last year the wholehearted giving of the school community meant that Fusion could distribute Christmas Hampers to ALL of their 150 community food program families. Looking Beyond our School Yard has led to this spirit of Christmas giving and the tradition of Christmas Hampers in term 4 each year.

Your level of support has meant that Fusion don't deplete their regular pantry stocks for the new year. Watch for the information about donating this year. Fusion have been extremely appreciative of the support provided by the Wahroonga School Community

Jodie