The Way Weekly Recap I Friday 15 October 2021

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From the Principal
Principal Ross Whelan

The return of the College is just around the corner and we begin a staggered return of students next week. 

You have received a number of communications this week including guidelines and wellbeing tips for your children to be prepared.  Certainly with the opening up of the wider community, there is an optimism about return. 

Let me assure everyone that we are taking a cautious and caring approach to return to full face-to-face learning.  The South West community is working hard at every level to be fully engaged and operational and we are eager to have all our students return as soon as possible.  Thanks for your communication to us about your own questions and context.

Please enjoy this edition of The Way.  It is filled with great articles and news from the College.  There’s even a cameo appearance on the MRK Cooking segment this week.

Take care everyone.  Thanks for your continued support.  A special thanks to our staff for their preparation for return.

‘Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. Stay alert and of sober mind…’ 1 Peter 5:7-8

Mr Ross Whelan
Principal
From the Deputy Principal - Head of Senior School Learning
David Butler

Psalm 23 –'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.'

We met with Year 12 yesterday with excitement about their imminent return to College on Monday and I shared with them how Psalm 23 had impacted me as a young person. I read a book called ‘I am David’ perhaps for fairly obvious reasons and it contained the words of Psalm 23 in it regularly. The central character David, prayed to the Lord who would lead him to green pastures and quiet waters while he was being held captive in a prison camp during the war and planning a daring escape.

Whilst the plight of our Year 12s has not been nearly as grim as the experiences of David, there is something to be gained from looking forward to better times in green pastures and beside quiet waters under the shepherding of the Lord. They have been on a journey that has been much longer than expected and has had several bumps in the road that have impeded their progress.

It has been nice to look forward with them to graduation ceremonies, formals and well-earned holidays which may actually be able to be experienced after the HSC. I know that Year 12 teachers are eager to once again teach them face to face, before their last few weeks of preparations for the Higher School Certificate.

Will you please continue to have the Graduating Class of 2021 in your prayers as they navigate this final chapter of their schooling.

Mr David Butler
Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
From the Chaplain
Denis Oliver

I Am Completely Puzzled

Life is puzzling and unpredictable, one day it is sunny then next it rains, one day we are in lock down the next we are free - life seems random. 

If we based our emotions on our circumstances we would be as mad as the times are.

To flourish in these constantly changing times we need to have a big picture of life to guide us through its apparent randomness. We need a big picture to give our decisions some context.  What do you think the big picture to life is?  If someone asked you, what would you say?

I believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.  Why not join me as a explore this idea in this week’s devotional.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 - 'If you love Jesus, live your life according to His promises not your circumstances – circumstances pass and His promises do not!'

Reverend Denis Oliver
College Chaplain
Upcoming Important Dates

Here are some important dates to mark in your diaries for this month

Term Dates

 
Return to College Guidelines

As we prepare for returning to College, there are some guidelines that we need to follow in line with the Public Health Order. 

Please ensure you are up to date with the College COVID-19 Safe Guidelines.

Please contact the College at any time on 9608 0088 or [email protected].

We thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate through this time as a community. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

 
Cook with MRK - With Special Guest

It's our final week of Cook with MRK and this week we have Mr Whelan giving us a tasty recipe to try.

These stuffed artichokes are a recipe of Mrs Riitano.

Thank you for watching our series. You can find them all online
See all the recipes
Junior Choir

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jnrchoir

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countonme

Choir Composers

Junior Choir have been busy composing verses to the Bruno Mars song 'Count on Me'. They've been expressing their difficulties of being away from friends and being on screens most of the day but also the positive message of being available to support each other knowing that this will end and they will be reunited. It's been wonderful to see the effort that the students have been making on this project and seeing their creativity shine.

Well done Junior Choir.

Miss Simone Rapisarda
Choir Director
Senior School I Abide Lunchtime Group

Abide – Senior School Christian Lunchtime Group

Each Friday lunchtime of Term 4, join us for games, a short Bible talk and discussion groups.

This term we will hear from students and teachers on their favourite Bible verses and what they mean to them.

For the time being, we are meeting on zoom, 12.20-12.40pm each Friday. All Senior School students are welcome – access is via the “Abide” page on Canvas.

If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Mr Mills [email protected] or Rev Oliver [email protected]
Intermediate Stage Band

Everyone's a Star!

With online learning back in full swing, it has been great to re-connect with our students for music rehearsals again. After school, students take a small break, and then join a Zoom session with their ensemble conductor to continue learning new repertoire and exercises to develop their instrument technique and theory.

Here we see the Intermediate Stage Band jamming away at a new song they have just started to learn called ‘ALL STAR’, which actually features in the Shrek movie. With the production of our new school musical ‘Shrek’ starting very soon, the students are excited to learn this fun, up-beat song to get in the spirit of the musical. The students did a great job at sight reading their parts, and they look forward to when they can play music together again in the future.

Well done everyone!

Mr Byron Mark
Director of Ensembles
Shrek the Musical

Auditions in Action!

Auditions for the Shrek Musical kicked off this week with students from Years 4-10 showcasing their talents for our casting panel. There have been some excellent auditions so far and it has been great to see so many talented students putting up their hand to be involved. We have been particularly impressed with the preparation that has gone into each audition, especially in trying to capture the essence of each character. 

Auditions will continue in Week 3 as we excitedly anticipate many more great presentations. If you still wish to audition for a lead or minor role, make sure you submit an Audition Form by Monday 18th October. 

Information booklets are available by emailing [email protected]

Mr Luke Robinson
Productions & Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator
Wilberforce takes the lead in the House Sport Challenge

WILBERFORCE has taken the lead in the College house point score, after Week 2 results were tallied in the House Sport Challenge.

With a few new challenges being enjoyed by our students, there were some fantastic results recorded this week.

In the Junior School Class Challenge, 1D is currently leading the Class Challenge, with 5W earning the most house points per class this week in the Junior School.  

Jump onto the House Sport Challenge home page to view the results and also submit your entries for Week 3. 

You can submit your best entry for all 7 challenges for your year group.  Remember to include a video of you participating in the Challenge.

Online entries for Week 3 close THURSDAY 21 October at 3pm

 

House Sport Challenge Term 4 Week 2

1st  -   Wilberforce - 1627.45 points
2nd -   Lewis - 1547.84 points
3rd -    Liddell - 1536.01 points
4th-     Carmichael - 1120.11 points


Mr Michael Fox and Mrs Sharon Evans
Sport Coordinators
Uniform Shop

Due to the current Public Health Order, the uniform shop is not able to open for in store purchases.

Online orders are being processed and can be delivered to your home or can be delivered to your child’s class (once students return). Delivery to your child’s classroom will be weekly (Friday) and if you want to make use of this service, please select the ‘Click and Collect’ option.

The College Website has the full details of how to purchase online and includes a sizing guide to assist. Our uniform shop provider, Midfords, has an exchange policy for items that still have tags attached and not been worn and further details for this are available online.

Students will return to College in Summer Uniform. If you are missing key pieces of the uniform or your child has had a growth spurt during this time, they can come in their sports uniform as an alternative during the two weeks of transition. 

For students moving into Kindergarten and Year 7 next year and need new uniforms, we will be providing further information regarding your process in the Orientation Webinars.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Uniform Shop directly [email protected]. The College Administration team will also be able to assist with any of your questions on 9608 0033.