Issue 11I 11 August 2017

Mrs Naomi Wilkins Principal

As a College with a vision to grow and nurture excellence, wisdom and service our second core value of curiosity underpins the development of wisdom in our students. Curiosity is having the desire to know more and go beyond the shallow answers to seek creative solutions. We encourage our students to develop a love of learning that extends beyond classroom requirements, confident to ask the all important why question and have a thirst for knowledge about how things work. Unless we are in the habit of asking the why questions, we will remain in neutral, never growing and never experiencing the richness that comes from deep thinking.

Children seem to enter the world already wired for curiosity and it is important that we continue to foster it. We shouldn’t stop with the first layer of answers either but keep digging to reveal further insights, connections and meaning. All of humankind’s greatest advancements and discoveries have come about because people have continued to dig for answers. We would love to see graduates of our College being life-long learners willing to explore the depths of a question which will promote their understanding and fuel their creativity to make a difference in the world with what they have learned.

As a scientist, I understand that the word science comes from the Greek (scientia) meaning “body of knowledge” and the scientific process is all about asking questions and seeking answers to expand this body of knowledge. As a teacher, I don’t believe scientists are the only people that ask questions and make new discoveries. We see curious authors, mathematicians, historians, designers and athletes, all seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills to improve on what they already know and can do.

Let’s work together to foster the innate curiosity our children have so that learning becomes a lifelong quest full of mystery and joy.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you?” James 1:5

Week 5 Monday 14 August:

CSSA Zone u15 Basketball (select students) Tuesday 15 August:

MISA: OPAC vs MAS Wednesday 16 August:

Band Practice Thursday 17 August:

Band Practice

Concert Band Rehearsals Friday 18 August:

Stage 5 PDHPE: Wheelchair Basketball Week 6 Tuesday 22 August:

MISA: OPAC vs WAC

Year 9 &10 Fiji Service Meeting - D-block Library: 7pm Wednesday 23 August:

Band Practice Thursday 24 August:

CSSA State Senior Athletics Carnival (select students)

Band Practice

Concert Band Rehearsals

Week 5 Monday 14 August:

Year 1: Tennis Clinic

Year 2: AFL Clinic Wednesday 16 August:

IPSSO: OPAC vs STP (Home)

Year 3-6: Non Contact Rugby League Thursday 17 August:

Year 2: City Excursion

K-6 Author Visit

Concert Band Rehearsals Friday 18 August:

P-6 Chapel (5B item) Week 6 Monday 21 August:

Kindergarten: AFL Clinic Wednesday 23 August:

IPSSO: BYE

Year 3-6: Non Contact Rugby League Thursday 24 August:

Kindergarten: Golden Ridge Excursion

Concert Band Rehearsals Friday 25 August:

P-6 Book Week Parade

No Assembly

From the College Office

After School Pick - Up

Junior Students who are not picked up from College by

3:30pm each afternoon will be taken to After College

Care. More information can be found on the Camp

Australia Website:

https://www.campaustralia.com.au/Schools/

OranParkAnglicanCollege/2570/2A55

Woolworth’s Earn and Learn Stickers

Drop your Earn and Learn Stickers off at Oran Park

Podium - Woolworths or here at the College Office.

Book Club Orders

All Book Club orders are to be made online.

No Orders will be accepted at the College Office.

Enrolments

Applications are still being accepted for 2018 Student

Enrolments. If you have not returned an application or

know a friend who hasn't yet, please remind them to

do so as soon as possible.

2019 Applications are also being received.

If you have any Enrolment related questions, please

feel free to contact Mrs Sally White on 02) 4604 0000

or via email swhite@opac.nsw.edu.au

College Pick– Up Bays

Children need to get out of the car on the kerb side of the road, not the car park side

Parents are not to get out of the car at all – students need to be independent enough to manage getting their bags etc. out of the boot and close the boot without adult help, parents are to kiss their children inside the car before the children get out

Parents need to indicate when entering and leaving the drop off zone

Parents need to drive slowly through the car park

Morning Drop Off

A reminder to parents who drive through the car park

to drop their children off at College in the morning.

Please remember that this is a ‘drop off zone’ only.

Please do not park in this area. A Staff member will be

on duty in this area to assist you if needed.

Afternoon Drop Off

Please display your name card clearly on the front left

hand side of your vehicle so that the Duty Teacher can

see who is coming in the queue (pegged to your sun

visor is a perfect spot!).

Senior School

Parents of Senior School students are

reminded to enter the drive through the Senior School

Pick Up Bay after 3:20pm in order to free up the drive

through for parents of Junior School.

Please remember to drive slowly when you exit the

carparks as students are still walking around the

vicinity.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an iconic piece of literature published in 1960. It tells the story of Scout, as narrated by her father Atticus Finch, in the years of the Great Depression. Themes of courage and compassion weave their way throughout the events of the novel. At one point Atticus says to Scout “If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." His gentle wisdom permeates the continual lessons that Scout learns and reminds me so much of what we speak over and over again to our children as we help them to compassionately relate to others, learning to see beyond their own selves and understand another’s perspective.

Over the last two weeks in Peer Support, students have been getting to know each other. We move this week into talking about respect. Students have been identifying what it means to have respect for others even though we are different. Practically they have been talking about how to show this care and respect for others by noticing the feelings and needs of others, both in the classroom and playground.

The theme of relationship building has continued with Year 7 and 10 students coming into K – 3 classes in a buddy reading program. The younger students have loved going out to read with a ‘big’ buddy and it has been great to see our older students set the example of service, giving up their own time and making the effort to connect with younger students.

We have a few upcoming events towards the end of the term that will keep us busy. We are in the midst of the Oran Park Reading Challenge, ‘Escape into Books”. If you have not started already, can I encourage you to get borrowing and reading together. Our reading challenge will include an author visit on 17 August and culminate in Book Week activities, with a Book Week

Parade and Open Classrooms on 25 August.

Groups in Dance, Music, Drama and Visual Arts are preparing for the Creative and Performing Arts Night ‘Follow Your Dreams’ on14 September, this will be a fabulous showcase of the Creative and Performing Arts at the College. So many fabulous and fun things as we continue headlong into Term 3!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Mrs Katherine Kendon Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

SAVE THE DATE - CYBER SAFETY

For parents of all aged children.

When: Thursday 7 September at 2.30pm Where: Junior School Library

The use of the internet and Social Media has changed the way young people interact with each other. Senior Constable Scanbary and Senior Constable Louden from Camden Local Area Command will be coming to College to work with Year 5 and 6 students on using the internet safely. They will then be running a parent information session discussing the very present issues our children face with social networking, unwanted contact, cyberbullying and sexting. Information and helpful resources will be given as to what we as parents can do to protect and help our children navigate this world.

In the classroom with Year 4

Year 4 have revisited the goals they set for learning at the commencement of the year. All students were encouraged to measure their success and growth before setting new goals. Students were encouraged by the fact that they have new superpowers by achieving success within their learning and goals.

In light of the upcoming public speaking competition, Year 4 have been brushing up on their technique. Students have watched examples of others giving speeches and have been given opportunities to provide feedback to others using the marking Rubric they themselves will be assessed on. We are looking forward to an exciting array of speeches in week 8.

Our students were delighted to welcome some new members to our Year 4 Family. Smoothie and Drake the Hermit crabs and Bubbles, Ferrari, Hubba Bubba, Flubba and Mo the Fish. The students earnt these additions over a period of weeks as they worked towards following class and learning expectations.

Mrs Lindsay and Mrs Keen Year 4 Teachers

Creative and Performing Arts Night Rehearsal All students who are in an ensemble group listed below will be attending a rehearsal on Thursday,14 September during school hours. They will need to bring their lunch, music, instruments, costumes and wear full winter school uniform. This will be our full dress rehearsal for the Creative and Performing Arts Night that evening.

Ensembles: Drama, Dance, Choir, Concert Band, Senior Band, A Cappella, Recorder, Ukulele.

Mrs Lane Music Teacher

Book Week Parade

Our Book Week Parade this year will be held on Friday

25 August in the College Junior School assembly area.

The theme for this year is ‘Escape Into Books’.

Students can come to College dressed in clothing that

reflects this theme. It would be great if every child could

bring the book that they ‘escape into’ from which they

chose their costume.

Parents are invited to visit their children’s classrooms

and join in with a Literacy/Numeracy activity, have a

picnic lunch and then watch the Book Week parade.

Students will be free to go home with their parents after

the parade and supervision will be provided for those

students who need to stay until the end of the College

day. After School care will operate as per usual.

12 midday: Open classrooms

12:45pm: Bring a picnic lunch to have with your

children

1:30pm: Book Week Parade – all welcome

2:30pm: Students may be dismissed – supervision

will continue until the end of the College day

We are looking forward to sharing a fun day with you as

we celebrate reading!

Mrs Grant

Junior School Coordinator

Congratulations to Ella Fin who represented the College at the NSW State Interschool Championships. Ella placed 1st in her Vaulting class and 3rd in her Show. Ella was named Overall Primary School Vaulting Champion 2017.

Ella and her 2 horses have now been selected to represent NSW at the Australian Interschool Championships in Toowoomba.

In the class with Kindergarten

This term Kindergarten are enjoying their “Paddock to Plate” unit as we learn all about food and where it comes from. We have been talking about the different kinds of farms we find in Australia and the way in which farmers look after their animals. We also thoroughly enjoyed making fruit salad. After writing a procedure we had fun cutting up our fruits and especially enjoyed eating the finished product. This week we also got to make some bread and we made our own butter. We are looking forward to our excursion in Week 6.

Mrs Finlay, Mrs Ferdarico, Mrs Presbury, Mrs Zucchi

Co-curricular Years 3-6

Years 3-6 have had a busy start to the term. They have competed in various sports and academic competitions. Students have competed in IPSSO inter-school competitions, CSSA, where they have competed well and exhibited excellent behaviour and sportsmanship. Some students have participated in academic competitions, such as ICAS Reading and APSMO Maths competition, where they have achieved some very pleasing results.

Many groups have continued this term and have been well attended. Groups that your children may be involved in are dance groups, choir, gardening and Cru Club. Year 5 students have the opportunity to participate in the Art Club with Mrs Low this term. Please encourage your child to be part of any of these groups.

Year 5 have had the exciting opportunity to lead K-4 once a week in various activities in Peer Support groups. The students are teaching the younger peers various values in a fun and engaging manner. The Year 5 students have exhibited maturity and are learning a lot about leadership and the act of serving others.

Below are some photos of the activities that the students are involved in.

Mr Hudson Stage Coordinator

Japanese

Exchange

Program at

College

Over the past few days, the Senior School has had the pleasure of hosting 42 Japanese students from Shimbara High School in Nagasaki. It has been a wonderful experience for both our students and theirs and while there were communication challenges for all of us, the interaction between everyone was very positive. The Japanese students enjoyed working with us in learning some Aboriginal art, making lamingtons and playing AFL. Some of our students enjoyed workshops in origami, Japanese calligraphy and playing with traditional Japanese toys. There is so much to learn from immersing ourselves in other cultures and while this visit was only a taste of Japanese culture I am sure it has inspired many students to know more. In Week 3, we started a service component within our pastoral care program. Senior students will be spending some time participating in a one-to-one reading program with students from K-3. So far, Year 10 and Year 7 have taken part in the program and they have loved working with the younger children. The program helps our students to develop not only a heart for serving others, but also strengthen relationships across the Senior and Junior School. I would like to remind all parents of the importance of helping support the College in adherence to the uniform code. All students must wear their hat and blazer to and from College each day. Diaries need to be signed by parents each week and there are clear guidelines for students on haircuts, jewellery and makeup, which can be found in the student diaries. Please take the time this week to revisit these guidelines and ensure compliance with your child. We are a Learning Community and commitment in these areas is one small but important way of being part of such a community.

Finally, I would like to touch briefly on the issue of anxiety in our young people. Firstly, let me say I am no expert in the field; however, in my observation and certainly research supports the notion, that it is an increasingly common illness affecting our youth. One important thing we can all do to help, is to demystify anxiety with our own children and within our community. Education and open discussion is often a positive way forward for families learning to deal with anxiety. A helpful article for parents that a professional in the mental health field recently directed me to can be found here. I would encourage everyone to read it. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35

Mr Michael Newton Deputy Principal - Head of Senior School

Creative and Performing Arts Night Rehearsal All students who are in an ensemble groups listed below will be attending a rehearsal on Thursday,14 September during school hours. They will need to bring their lunch, music, instruments, costumes and wear full winter school uniform. This will be our full dress rehearsal for the Creative and Performing Arts Night that evening.

Ensembles: Drama, Dance, Choir, Concert Band, Senior Band, A Cappella, Recorder, Ukulele.

Mrs Lane Music Teacher

From the Science Department

Excitement is building in the Science Department as National Science Week 2017 is rapidly approaching! Congratulations goes to 50 Year 7 – 9 students on being selected for the 2017 Oran Park Anglican College Science Fair, which will be held at College. Their projects were highly commended and are now in the running for the 2017 University of Wollongong Regional Science Fair (http://smah.uow.edu.au/sciencefair/index.html). In order to determine which projects are worthy of selection, a judging process will be carried out during Science Week (Week 6). The judging panel will comprise of the OPAC staff, special guest judges, including current OPAC

Science students. Details of the event are listed below: The student posters will be set up during periods 3 & 4 on Wednesday 23 August in Labs 1 & 2. The judging begins at 1:30 pm, at which time students will be in Labs 1 & 2 competing. Parents and friends are welcome to mingle with students and judges after 3:15pm.

The students have worked incredibly hard on their research projects and the Science Faculty is keen to share this with a wider audience. Therefore, parents and family members are more than welcome to join the public viewing to ask the students any questions about their research and hear the announcement of the winners. Please RSVP to the Office indicating how many people will be attending, for catering purposes. We would love to see you there!!

Mrs Arundell STEM Coordinator

The Cows have come home We are delighted to have a couple of new editions join the OPAC family. The calves are kindly on loan from the Leppington Pastoral Company. Fiona Perich has been so supportive and we would like to thank her for help with the agricultural students in talking with the agricultural students about careers and what life is like working in the dairy industry. The students have learnt how to nurture and care for animal’s, design and build fences and a shelter for the two new additions to the family. The dairy module is designed to provide an introduction to the various career opportunities available within the dairy industry and offers firsthand knowledge from experienced dairy farmers and industry advocates which encourages and support students in agricultural pathways. It also introduces students to education opportunities through vocational and university pathways and demonstrates clear relationships between key learning areas in school and real life professional applications. It also helps students with career decision making through established links with education and employment sectors. Mr Moynan Senior School Coordinator

Project judging time: Wednesday 23 August, 2017

Periods 5 & 6.

Location: D Block, Labs 1 & 2

Project viewing/afternoon tea: 3:15 pm to 4:15pm (parents more than welcome to attend!)

Presentation ceremony: 4:15 pm to 4:30pm

Kindergarten enjoying a visit to the calves

College Sport Our Infants students have continued to develop key skills in tennis and AFL. Thanks to the NRL, every student in K-2 has been given a flyer with a code to get a free ticket for an adult and a child to a NRL match of their choice. Kindergarten will start their AFL program in the coming weeks. Years 3-6 have been participating in a NRL skill program (non-contact) and will be participating in a basketball clinic later in the term. IPSSO The IPSSO winter season is drawing to a close with most of our teams still in finals contention. Last week against Macarthur Anglican there were wins for Junior AFL as well as Newcombe Ball/Volleyball. Junior Football (Soccer) and Junior Netball also won their games. This week we had our longest road trip down to Wollondilly Anglican College. In Football (Soccer) both our teams managed to win 3-2. There were also wins for Newcombe Ball and Volleyball as well as Junior Netball. At the end of the Winter IPSSO season focus will turn back to the Summer sports. For up to date draw information please see the link below. goo.gl/ghwxnB

py short URL CSSA Athletics Congratulations to our students who participated in the CSSA South Met Zone Athletics Carnival. Our students tried their best and it was great to hear positive reports about behaviour and sportsmanship. It was a very competitive day with 10 Schools taking part. There are also a few students who will be progressing further to the CSSA State Athletics Carnival at Blacktown International Sports Park – Athletics Centre on Friday 18 August.

Mr Chapman Junior School Sport Coordinator

MISA Secondary Sport

Training for MISA last week was excellent. The coaches were pleased with how their teams went and the level of commitment to training. Training is an excellent tool used to improve skills, tactics and understanding of how sport is played. Even elite athletes have coaches who train them so that they can be the best they can be! ‘Respect the training; Honour the commitment; Cherish the results’.

CSSA South Met Zone Athletics

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Oran Park Anglican College and CSSA South Met Zone at the CSSA State Athletics Carnival:

Isaac Banister (Year 7) – 13year Boys 800m

Jai Cooper (Year 7) – 13year Boys Javelin

Phetmanee Vongpoothorn (Year 8) – 14year Girls High Jump

We wish you well at CSSA State on Thursday, 24

August.

Dates for the Diary:

1. Girls AFL training – Tuesday mornings, 8:00 am 2. CSSA Zone Basketball Gala day U15’s – Monday,

14 August 3. CSSA State Athletics – Thursday, 24 August 4. HPE Day – Wednesday, 6 September

Stage 5 PASS Coaching Clinic

This term, Stage 5 PASS is completing a unit on Coaching. As a part of this unit, the class is completing the ‘Experience AFL Coaching Course’ for High School students. The students participated in two weeks of coaching – week 1 a clinic run by GWS Giants development officers and week 2, the students presenting a mini coaching session to the class. The students enjoyed learning how to coach and characteristics of a good coach. Hopefully, we will see some of these students coaching in the future!

Mrs Clisdell Senior School Sports Coordinator