Greetings

With the tragic scenes of war increasingly visible on social media and television, we need to be mindful of overexposure, particularly for our younger children. The SPECIAL REPORT: Discussing War & Conflict available on School TV offers valuable guidance on age-appropriate ways to discuss these matters with children.

As Christians we believe that while we live in an often evil and seemingly out-of-control world, the Bible reassures us that God is on His throne and actively engages with all the issues we face. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families in our community with loved ones in these war zones who are living through uncertainty and heartache.

On a more positive note, I would like to invite and remind you of the upcoming Family Fun Day, on Sunday, 15 March, from 12:00 to 14:30 at school. Organised by the Home and School Committee, this annual event fosters community spirit and enjoyment. See you there!

Please be mindful of the staggered pick-up timetable, designed to effectively manage traffic and prevent congestion into White Road (near the hospital). We continue to actively work with the construction site manager to monitor and ensure student safety.

Kindly adhere to the following afternoon pick up guidelines:

Stopping for pick-up and drop-off in front of the school is for a maximum of two minutes; leaving a car unattended is unacceptable, as well as stopping beyond the no-stopping signs in front of Wahroonga Church, or blocking their driveway or the exit from White Road. Please refrain from entering the church driveway and reversing. We’ve received numerous complaints and ask for your respect of the road rules around the school and model these to our children.

God bless,

Craig Young

PRINCIPAL

As a chaplaincy team, one of our greatest highlights is gathering together to worship. Worship is more than songs or a message. It is a space of connection a space where we do not have to prove ourselves to anyone. Instead, we simply come as we are and step into the goodness and grace of God.

In worship, we pause from the noise of life, lay down our burdens, and allow God to speak into our lives and our community. Our prayer as chaplains is that students would truly experience God and ultimately choose to place their faith in Him.

One of the beautiful things about our Adventist schools across Sydney is that we are part of something bigger. Students from all corners of the city come together as one community for our Combined High School Worship Night. During these worship nights, we strengthen our culture of faith and are reminded that Jesus is not distant or abstract. He is here. He is real. He loves you, and He wants a relationship with you.

This year our theme is “Jesus Is…”discovering who Jesus truly is and what that means for our lives. As our chapel team Pastoral Care Leader, Phoebe Pringle, shared in our most recent chapel, Jesus is our role model. As a Christian school, we look to Him in everything we do. We want to be a community that follows Jesus a community that loves differently, lives humbly, serves selflessly, and reflects His character in the way we treat others.

We would love to invite all high school students to our Combined High School Worship Night:

Date: March 27
Time: 7:00–9:00 pm
Location: Fox Valley Community Centre
Who: All high school students

Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome. Come as you are, bring your friends, and come ready to experience God together.

We apologise for the change to the date of our Family Fun Day. Due to unforeseen challenges, the event will now be held on 15th March . We understand that schedule changes can be inconvenient and truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility. We’re still looking forward to a wonderful day of fun, connection, and community with our families, and we hope you’ll be able to join us on the new date.

Many thanks

Karen

CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 17th March at Warringah Aquatic Centre
School Cross Country – Tuesday 31st March at school/local grounds

Hello parents and carers,

We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 27th March (Week 9).

Harmony Day is a day to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate unity and all things that make our school unique. It helps us remember that although we may have come from many places around the globe, we are united through this school and the family of God.

It will be a whole school mufti day where students are able to come dressed in their cultural dress or costume, or the colour orange which represents Harmony for a gold coin donation.

We will be running an International Food Festival throughout the day organised by the SRC. We are also looking to have some volunteers who are available to help out on the day.

Primary food stalls will run from 11:10-12pm, followed by a special Harmony Day Concert beginning at 12pm in Fox Community Centre, which parents are invited to! Secondary food stalls will follow.

We would love to have some donations of small bite sized food items for students to be able to purchase during break times. Please complete the form below if you would be willing to make or provide something from your cultural background for us to enjoy. Please ensure you attach a list of ingredients for your food item on the day. We ask that all food is vegetarian and is free of nuts.

Harmony Day Food Stalls 2026 – Fill in form

Thank you for getting involved!

SRC Coordinators

Congratulations to Callum H and Ayrik H on their selection for the CSSA U16s basketball team. Congratulations also to Leighton E and Annabelle J on being chosen for the Primary Girls CSSA team.

This is an outstanding accomplishment for each of you. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to your sport have clearly paid off, and it’s wonderful to see your efforts recognised at this level. Representing your school and competing among the best in the state is something to be incredibly proud of.

We wish you all the very best as you prepare for the upcoming CIS trials. Enjoy the experience, play with confidence, and continue striving for excellence. Your school community is cheering you on every step of the way.

Follow us on our official social media channels and stay connected with everything happening at our school! For event highlights, and an inside look into daily school life. It’s the easiest way to stay informed and celebrate our students’ achievements. Check out our latest production by the High School Leadership team https://www.instagram.com/p/DVQSpDGk9D1/

Frankie has now been part of our school community for over a year! At 16 months old, she is growing beautifully and thoroughly enjoying her role interacting with students across the campus. You may have seen Frankie around the campus recently, proudly showing off her new summer cut!

Recently, Frankie visited many of our primary classrooms, where students learned how to safely and respectfully care for her when they see her around the school. These visits were a wonderful opportunity to reinforce calm, responsible behaviour and to ensure that everyone understands how to interact with Frankie in a positive way.

To help keep both students and Frankie safe and happy, we follow a simple four-step procedure:

Approach – Ask – Pat – Goodbye

Approach
Walk slowly, calmly and quietly.
• No food.
• Do not call out Frankie’s name.
• Only two students at a time (you may need to wait patiently).

Ask
Always ask if it is okay to pat Frankie.
Allow Frankie to sniff your closed fist first.
Do not pull your hand away, as she may think you want to play.

Pat
Gently pat Frankie on her head, back or side, but please not her tail.
Use calm hands and a quiet voice.
Keep your face away from Frankie’s face.
Never feed Frankie.

Goodbye
If others are waiting, please be kind and only pat Frankie one or two times.
Give Frankie the “Thumb Wave” goodbye and walk away slowly.

Students have embraced these guidelines and shown maturity and care when interacting with Frankie. She continues to be a much-loved and valued member of our school community.

We are proud to introduce our Primary Captains and Prefects for 2026. These students have demonstrated outstanding character, responsibility and a genuine commitment to serving others. As leaders within our Primary School, they will model our school values, support student initiatives and work alongside staff to foster a positive, inclusive and Christ-centred community. We congratulate them on this important responsibility and look forward to seeing them lead with integrity, humility and courage.

Martina - Captain

Jack - Captain

Dylan - Prefect

Ava - Prefect

Lucy - Prefect

Liam - Prefect

This term in Science, our Kindergarten children have been learning about living things, it has been a wonder filled learning journey. As part of the unit, students raised Monarch butterflies in our classroom. The children learnt about the full life cycle from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly. We were especially blessed to closely observe the final stage of transformation in our classroom enclosure.

As our students watched, they also discovered what butterflies need to survive, nectar plants to feed on, host plants for caterpillars to eat, a water source, and warm rocks to rest on in the sunshine. These simple details helped the Kindy’s to see how thoughtfully our God cares for and provides for even the very smallest of His creatures.

There was excitement in our room as the children gathered around the enclosure waiting for the chrysalis’ to change. It was a delight to see the look of wonder on their precious faces when the delicate black, striped wings of the Monarchs became visible, and the butterflies slowly emerged into new life. The Kindy’s awe as they released their butterflies into the playground was a gift to witness.

Through this experience, our children were gently reminded of God’s beautiful design in nature. Watching new life emerge opened up conversations about the new life we have in Jesus. Just as the butterfly emerges transformed, we have all been reminded of the hope and renewal we are given through Him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Michelle Cutajar.

Our Primary Music Program offers students in Years 3–6 the opportunity to explore and learn a wide range of instruments as part of their musical journey. Students have opportunities to participation in Primary Band, Strings Ensemble and Choir. These opportunities allow students to apply their skills in a collaborative setting, preparing for performances such as concerts, chapels and special school events.

Our Instrumental Program includes strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Each instrument group is carefully structured to ensure students receive explicit instruction in technique, tone production, rhythm, and ensemble skills. Students rehearse weekly and participate in small group instruction and band rehearsals and have the opportunity to extend their learning through private tuition.

We are pleased to share the contact details of our private instrumental tutors for 2026. We strongly encourage students, particularly those in Years 3–6, to consider private tuition. Individual lessons provide valuable opportunities through dedicated one-to-one time to learn the instrument, develop technique, build confidence, and accelerate musical development.

Families are welcome to contact tutors directly to arrange private lessons, please find the details below:

Adam – Trumpet and Trombone - [email protected]

Caroline - Strings - [email protected]

Dan – Clarinet/Saxophone - [email protected]

Eunice - Strings - [email protected]

Jack – Percussion - [email protected]

Jess – Strings - [email protected]

Kaela - Harp - [email protected]

Linda - Voice - [email protected]

Mikaela – Flute - [email protected]

Mitch - Guitar - [email protected]

Mya (Shufang) - Piano - [email protected]

Through learning an instrument, students develop resilience, discipline, fine motor coordination and a deep appreciation for the gift of music nurturing both skill and character in a Christ-centred environment.

The Primary Swimming Carnival was a fantastic day filled with great energy and house spirit. It was wonderful to see all the colours of the houses on display, with our new House Captains doing a great job leading the chants and encouraging their teams. It was also great to see so many swimmers getting involved, with teachers helping make the day run smoothly.

Congratulations to all students who qualified for the North Met Zone Swimming Carnival , and a special shout out to Lily N who came 1st in her Backstroke event an outstanding achievement!

Irwin House Captains - Lissy and Harrison

Sisley House Captains - Leighton and James

Stockton House Captains - Osiane and Harrison

Robinson House Captaina - Annabelle and Michael

Student leadership matters. It gives students meaningful responsibility and the opportunity to shape their school's culture in tangible ways. It moves beyond titles and badges and instead asks students to step forward with courage, to serve with integrity, and to take ownership of the school community they are part of.

When students lead well, the tone of a school shifts. There is greater energy and school spirit at events, stronger participation across year groups, and a deeper sense that this is a shared community rather than simply a place of attendance.

Our student leaders are eager to contribute in practical and purposeful ways, organising events, supporting co-curricular opportunities, encouraging their peers, and ensuring student voice is thoughtfully represented in decision-making processes. At its heart, leadership is not about prominence but about presence, not about status but about service.

At our Opening Convocation in Week 2, we were pleased to officially introduce the Prefect Team, who will assist the school captains to lead through 2026. They step into the year with opportunity ahead of them, and we look forward to seeing how they shape it.

I invite you to watch the short introduction video (link below)

Eve J - Captain

William B - Captain

Holly C - Vice Captain

Bede H - Vice Captain

Hanna L - Academic Prefect

Allesandra P - CAPA Prefect

Sam K - Sport Prefect

Sophia P - Communications Prefect

Harriet L - Chaplaincy Prefect

Madeline P - SRC Prefect

Samara J - Wellbeing

Sophie C - Environmental Ambassador

On Monday, March 2, the Music Elective classes attended the prestigious Encore concert at the Sydney Opera House. Showcasing the best HSC music performances and compositions from 2025, this event allowed students to experience exceptional musicianship and draw inspiration from the achievements of their peers.

The program showcased an impressive range of musical styles and cultures. Highlights included beautifully crafted Japanese-inspired compositions, imaginative bird-inspired works that captured the sounds and movement of nature, and a vibrant folkloric performance on the traditional instrument, the Charango. The concert provided valuable insight into the creativity and dedication involved in senior music performance, while encouraging our students in their own musical journeys.

Congratulations to Ava B (12W) who received a Certificate for Consistent Application at the 2025 Finigan School of Distance Education Presentation Day after completing her Preliminary Ancient History course through Finigan. Learning by distance requires self-motivation, application and drive, so it’s very pleasing to see Ava rewarded for her hard work and consistent application.

Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting start to the year with their camp at Crosslands this week. Across the three days, students took part in a range of outdoor activities, the highlight activity was the flying fox. Each activity encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, try new challenges and support one another through experiences that at times felt difficult but ultimately rewarding. Year 11 Peer Support leaders also visited the camp to spend time with the students, running games and helping them build new connections. Each evening the group gathered for worship, where students led through singing and hosting, and a special guest speaker shared the theme “Take the Leap,” encouraging students to trust God and step forward in faith and courage. Set in the beautiful natural environment of Crosslands, the camp provided a wonderful opportunity for students to build friendships, strengthen their sense of belonging and begin their Year 7 journey together.

Sisley House Captains - Eli and Alessandra

Irwin - House Captains - Oscar and Georgia

Robinson House Captains - Mathew and Cassie

Stockton House Captains - Hayden and Sarah

Secondary Swimming Carnival

The Secondary Swimming Carnival was held at the Knox Aquatic Centre on Thursday 12 February. The day was filled with plenty of swimming, loud chants and a fashion show to experience the house competition. Congratulations to all participants and to the winning house, Sisley!

NEW RECORDS
Salani S 18Y Girls – 200IM, 50 Butterfly, 50 Backstroke
Yifie S 12Y Girls – 50 Freestyle, 50 Breastroke, 50 Backstroke
Zach P 17Y Boys – 50 Freestyle, 50 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 50 Breastroke, 100 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke
Charlie H 18Y Boys – 50 Breastroke

Our school recently participated in the Paul Davies Cup, a Northern Suburbs Football Association gala day celebrating high‑school boys’ football. The Year 7–8 competition was held on 16 February 2026, followed by the Year 9–10 competition on 17 February 2026, with both events giving students the chance to represent their school in a fun and inclusive 9‑a‑side tournament at North Turramurra Recreation Area.

Students displayed teamwork, strong passing combinations and an increased defensive effort throughout the day, showcasing both skill and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to Aiden P on being selected for the NSW NFL Flag Team! This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to his hard work and growing talent in the sport. We’re all incredibly proud and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge website ( https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.htm ) is now active for the 2026 challenge. On this website you can read about the challenge, check the rules and regulations, view the extensive book lists, read the privacy policy, and access your child’s reading record. All students should now have access to their log-in details – returning students are to continue using their previous logins, and information letters for Kindy students and new students containing their new log-in details have been handed out. Please keep a record of these log-in details for future reference as you will need these logins each year when your child completes the challenge.

If your child has completed the challenge elsewhere, please contact me at [email protected] so I can arrange for their challenge history to be brought over to our school – please include the name of your child’s previous school along with the year’s they completed the challenge.

We have made a wonderful start to the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year with thirty-eight students having already finished! Congratulations to the following students who have kept busy reading over the summer holidays: Lara C (1B), Yuvraaj S (1D), Jiayi Z (2J), Elliot Z (3K), Blaze B (4W), Ishika K (4W), Ethan K (4W), Hosana K (4W), Elena N (4W), James B (5L), Hugo W (5L), Amelia K (5L), Samuel Z (5L), Adam A (6Q), James A (6Q), Harry A (6Q), Martina C (6A), Hamish C (6Q), Sabir C (6A), Bethan C (6Q), Leighton E (6Q), Ava H (6Q), Rian K (6Q), Emma L (6A), Alexander L (6Q), Isiah M (6A), Michael M (6Q), Adit S (6A), Aarav S (6A), Florence S (6Q), Vihaan S (6A), Lambert T (6A), Daniel T (6Q), Edward W (6Q), Chloe Z (6A), Jonathan D (8W), Zara N (8A) and Elijah V (9S). Excellent job and keep reading!

The Library WebAPP is the place to keep up with library news, search the catalogue, check your child’s borrowing details, and view their borrowing history. Go to bit.ly/waslibrary ( Wahroonga Adventist School (accessit.online) ) and follow the instructions on the Guest page to log-in to your child’s library records.

Get ready for some excitement in the Library at our Term 1 Book Fair which is running during Weeks 7 and 8 of this Term!!!

Book Fair will run from Wednesday, March 11 to Monday, March 16 (8am – 4pm & Thursday until 6pm) in the school library. A giant range of children’s books, novelty items and posters from Scholastic Book Company will be available for purchase. Choose books for your personal use, for gifts, or select books from your child’s classroom wish list and donate them to their classroom.

Please note the following:

There will be no book exchange in the library during the book fair so please keep your books at home and return them the following week. Tuesday classes will come later in the week so that they can also attend the Book Fair.

If you can volunteer some time to help set up and run our book fair, please contact Mrs Savage at [email protected] set up will be on Tuesday, March 10 and helpers will also be needed during the book fair.

Our dress up day this year is going to be on August 24 during our Term 3 Book Week celebrations. There will be no dress ups during the Book Fair.

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]