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 Junior School
Luke Sale

As we approach October 18 we are eagerly anticipating students returning onsite.

Next week we will see Prep, Kindergarten and Year 1 return onsite to the College. One of the important aspects of returning is preparing your child for the return to campus. Below is a list of helpful ideas or tips for how to prepare your child for the return to school.

Helpful Hints and Tips for your students

There are a number of things parents can be doing to prepare the students for returning to College.

1. Remind students that School is a safe and happy place to be. Keep positive – children will reflect your outlook.

2. Establish routines of going to bed early, packing the school bag, getting the uniform ready

3. Talk positively with your child about seeing their friends and teachers and the lovely activities that they will be able to do again at College

4. Remind them that the teachers and some students will be wearing masks, but they are the same teachers and this is just another way to help keep people safe

Some things will be different at College, but most of the important things will be the same.

We will all be saying a quick goodbye to mums and dads - mums and dads won’t be coming in the gates - maybe you could practice a cool goodbye handshake, wave or high five

It is important to start thinking about what your child might like in their lunchbox next week to add to the shopping list, the canteen won't be open until the week of the 25 October so make sure they have a packed lunch.

Explain that we all have different feelings about coming back to College - we can talk to our parents, and we can talk to teachers about this. Talk about how students may miss seeing Mum and Dad when at College, but it will be great for them to be able to do other things.

I hope you will join me in prayer as students return to College, that we are able to keep everyone safe and happy about the return to school.

Mr Luke Sale
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
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
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Year 1, 2 and 3 Spanish students started the term celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. 

So this year we brought the Fiesta to Thomas Hassall and our students had a lot of fun embracing the Hispanic culture. Dancing salsa, cooking tacos, recreating famous artworks and going on a scavenger hunt were some of the ways our students immersed themselves into this rich culture.

Mrs Viviana Morris 
Junior School Teacher - Languages
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
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.