Issue 17I 17November 2017

Mrs Naomi Wilkins Principal

It is hard to believe that we are more than half way through the term and that Christmas is only 5 weeks away. As Term 4 rapidly draws to a close our forward planning turns to next year as we prepare for more growth. Next year, the College will have over 570 students from Prep – Year 11. We will open our fourth building and commence construction on our fifth. I believe we have 13 families who started at the College in 2012 as pioneers, captured by the vision to be a part of establishing an independent Anglican school in the heart of the new Oran Park town. Thank you to all our families who have partnered with us over the past six years in establishing this vibrant learning community.

This week we have held our 2018 Orientation days and welcomed nearly 100 students who will be starting at the College next year. Our Kindergarten Flying Start program will continue over the next two weeks to help our youngest students become familiar with the College environment.

As teachers finalise marking and reports it is a good time to reflect on the personal growth we have seen in each of our students. We know that good coaching (teaching) and training (practice) leads to higher student achievement. An environment of high expectations and encouragement for students to take responsibility for their learning drives the motivation for students to aim for success. In addition, strong support targeted at individual needs can give students the confidence to persist in the face of challenges. This is the learning culture we are striving for at Oran Park Anglican College, one in which every student is valued and encouraged to pursue excellence in all aspects of their education.

I look forward to celebrating this vibrant learning community with all our families at our annual Celebration Assemblies in Week 9. We have much to be thankful for in our first year as an independent school and also much more to aspire to as we continue to grow and flourish.

I hope you enjoy this snapshot of what has been happening in ‘the Life’ of our College in recent weeks.

“The Lord remembers us and will bless us: he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:12-13

Week 7 Monday 20 November:

Stage 5 PASS - Surfing Tuesday 21 November:

Year 10 - Peer Support Wednesday 22 November:

Band Practice

Performance at Chesalon Retirement Village Thursday 23 November:

Year 10 ANSTO Excursion

Parent Helper morning tea Friday 24 November:

Whole College Assembly Week 8 Monday 27 November:

Year 10: Journey Camp (27– 30 November) Wednesday 29 November:

Band Practice Thursday 30 November:

Band Practice

Week 7 Monday 20 November:

Kindy: Cricket Program

Year 1: Swimming Program

Year 2: Zumba

Years 1 and 2: NRL Clinic (non-contact) Tuesday 21 November:

Kindy Orientation - Tuesday Program: Week 2 Wednesday 22 November:

IPSSO Finals: Junior Oz Tag

Kindy Orientation - Wednesday Program: Week 2

Performance at Chesalon Retirement Village Thursday 23 November:

P-2 Water Fun Day

Visiting Teachers Concert

Parent Helper Morning Tea Friday 24 November:

Whole College Assembly Week 8 Monday 27 November:

Kindy: Cricket Program

Year 1: Swimming Program

Year 2: Zumba Tuesday 28 November:

Kindy Orientation - Tuesday Program: Week 3 Wednesday 29 November:

Kindy Orientation - Wednesday Program: Week 3

Year 6 Dinner Friday 1 December:

P-6 Christmas Chapel

Well what a week it has been! We often speak about a vibrant learning community and this is certainly, what I have seen this week at College. Last Friday we had three groups involved in Camden Council Grandparents Day. Alongside students from other local schools and Day care Centres, our 1/2 and 3/4 Dance Groups and Junior Choir performed in front of the community, played games, did some gardening and worked with a local author. It was a great day, and we were glad we could support this local community event.

This week has also seen many visitors to our College with Orientation Week. We have many new families joining our College community in 2018 and so this was an important time of welcoming them to the College. Thank you to all of our students who were ‘Orientation Buddies’ for a day and those that went out of their way to make new students feel at home and welcome.

Two more of our College values are Collaboration and Craftsmanship. When we speak to students about collaboration, we often talk about the value of working with others. Collaboration is certainly not always easy, and often requires more time and effort than completing the task alone. What we hope for our students is that they will learn to see the value of working together to provide strength to others and, in turn use the strength of others alongside their own, helping each along the road of craftsmanship. Craftsmanship requires perseverance, resourcefulness and tenacity. It is certainly not a quick fix and often having support around you can mean the difference between giving up and moving forward. As our students near the end of another school year and as their teachers write final reports, our hope is that you are able see and celebrate with aspects of craftsmanship in their growth and achievements over the year.

‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13

Mrs Katherine Kendon Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School

In the class with Year 1

Year 1 have started our final term with the same

enthusiasm for learning that we have had all year. We

have been busy learning about the Torres Strait

Islanders and in Science we are looking at how and why

different buildings are built. This term Year 1 have

started developmental play which is an ideal way of

building our fine motor, thinking and cooperation skills.

Mrs Grant, Mr Plunkett and Mrs Worthington

Toys ‘n’ Tucker is a wonderful way to share the joy of Christmas with people in need. Together we can provide Christmas food and gifts for thousands of families who would otherwise go without.

Donations are to be brought in to classrooms during Weeks 7 and 8 and stored there…collection day (by Anglicare) will be Monday 4 December.

Examples of items:

Food

Here are the things we include in a food hamper. Standard sizes (as indicated) are preferred to help fit everything in neatly.

Christmas cake

Christmas pudding

Dried pasta (500g)

Jam (500g)

Lollies (200g)

Long-life milk, custard or cream

Packet of biscuits

Pancake or cake mix

Gift ideas

Pre-school

Age-appropriate games

Educational toys

Picture books

Children

Good-quality toys

Outdoor games

Sporting equipment

Mrs Grant Junior School Coordinator

Teenagers

Gift cards/vouchers

Sporting equipment

Toiletry packs

Sugar (500g)

Tea (50pk) or coffee (100g)

Tinned fruit (825g/425g)

Tinned ham (450g)

Tinned salmon (415g)

Tinned vegetables (425g)

In the class with Year 6

As part of our HSIE unit on Australia and our connections to Asia, Year 6 have explored in detail some interesting facts about Japan. We have gained a greater knowledge of the geography, culture and traditions of Japan. In Week 5, Year 6 had a great opportunity to visit Campbelltown Arts Centre. We spent time in the beautiful and tranquil Japanese Garden. We also participated in a traditional tea ceremony, tried out some kimonos and old-fashioned toys made of wood and string. Some quotes from Year 6:

Jacob: “Our teacher, Miki, helped us understand how important respect is in Japanese culture.”

Madison: “In the garden, the water falling on jagged rocks and then smooth rocks symbolises how we can change and grow in life.”

Hanna: “When anyone walks into a traditional tea house, they must bow. This reminds us that everyone is treated equally.”

Ellie: “Learning about the Japanese Kimono helped me have a better understanding of how fashion is different globally.”

It has been such a busy time for Year 6 as we prepare for high school. We have just moved into a high school classroom for the final few weeks of 2017. Our memory verse from Term 1, Day 1 is still a great reminder that whatever challenge lies ahead of us, God is always with us. “Be strong and the courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Mrs Snelson

We have had a jam-packed fortnight in the Senior School with examinations wrapping up for Year 9 and 10, Orientation day for new Year 7 students, our annual Sports Dinner at Gledswood Estate and a Duke of Edinburgh taster hike for Year 8.

Firstly I would like to commend the work of Mrs Clisdell and Mr Chapman in organising the sports dinner. It was a wonderful event, celebrating the commitment, courage and success of our students in sport. It was a delight to have Eloise Wellings speak to us at the Sports Dinner. I was very encouraged, as I am sure many of you were, to hear of the way she has overcome so many challenges to become an Olympian, and to see the way God has used her unique gifts and experiences to bring hope to those less fortunate than her.

Her story aligned strongly with our schools core values of courage, craftsmanship, curiosity, collaboration and compassion. Courage to overcome the numerous setbacks from injury. Craftsmanship in striving to be the very best through dedication, persistence and hard work. Curiosity in seeing the desperate need of the people of Uganda and asking the question ‘How can I help?’ Compassion for those less fortunate, which has led to action that makes a difference, and high levels of collaboration with others to build the Love Mercy foundation. It was inspiring to see how God can use one person to transform the lives of so many.

One of the things I dearly love about Oran Park Anglican College is our holistic approach to education. We value academic rigour, strong pastoral care and service learning opportunities, thriving sporting programs and excellence in the creative and performing arts. In doing so, we inherently value every member of our community. Our students will naturally find a place in one or more of these domains and giving students the opportunity to not only get involved but to flourish and aspire to excellence in these areas, is a growing hallmark of our school community.

The Fisher’s Ghost run in which a number of our students took part last weekend is a perfect case in point. As a school we did far more than just participate, we flourished! Our students took out both the largest school team and the fastest school team! Congratulations to all involved.

As we near the end of the term, I encourage all of us to finish well. Life is far more like the Fishers Ghost marathon than a 100m sprint. The line may be in sight, but we still have a way to go. Perseverance, hard work, enthusiasm and endurance will serve us well as we see out the last few weeks of learning.

“For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37

Mr Michael Newton Deputy Principal - Head of Senior School

Summer IPSSO Thank you to everyone for a fantastic IPSSO season. Our teams showed great improvement as the season progressed. Particular thanks to our parents who have helped out: Mr Manton, Mr McMenemy, Mr Bootsma, Mr Alexoulis and Mr Gaibisso. Also thanks to Cricket NSW, Hoopsters, Football Star Academy and the NRL for sending specialist coaches.

The Summer Finals are being held next week at Broughton Anglican College, 81-83 Menangle Rd, Glen Alpine NSW 2563. Junior Oz Tag has qualified for the semi finals and will be playing against Georges River Grammar. Students will need to arrive at the College by 7:45am if travelling by bus and arrive by 8:30am if going straight to the venue. Students will play 2 games, a Semi Final and then a Grand Final or a playoff for third.

Students will also need to return their jerseys. Invoices for jerseys not returned will be sent out on the 29th November. Thank you to everyone who attended our sports dinner. It was wonderful to be able to acknowledge our students for the great work that they have done this year in Sport. College Sport Kindergarten have had a great time at their Cricket program which started last week. Year 1 have been learning important Swimming skills and Year 2 have now started their Zumba Program. Years 3-6 have had external coaches in College Sport for Cricket and Volleyball during their sports time which will continue until the end of the year.

Infants Sport

Next Thursday the 23rd of November, students from Prep to Year 2 will be participating in a Water Fun Day which will be overseen by College Staff with activities run by Year 5. Kindergarten has also finished their Hockey Program with special thanks to Mr Carstens. Years 1 and 2 will finish their NRL program next Monday.

Mr Chapman Junior School Sport Coordinator

As we head towards Summer, please remember to:

OPAC Sports Dinner

What a fantastic night! This night is all about celebrating the achievements of our students in the sporting arena, both at College and abroad as well as hearing of the struggles, perseverance and determination that is needed to strive for excellence in sport. Eloise Wellings presented a fantastic speech on the challenges that she has faced in her life to be where she is today, as well as the wonderful opportunities of connecting and supporting underprivileged children in Uganda through her organisation, Love Mercy. Her presentation was eye-opening, uplifting and more importantly, God glorifying! If you missed this years’ sports dinner, please put it in your diary for next year!

Fisher Ghost Fun Run

On Sunday, 12 November, a group of secondary

students, accompanied by Mrs Low and Mrs Clisdell

participated in the 5km fun run. And what a morning it

was!!! Oran Park Anglican College took out the trophies

for largest High School group (approximately 12

participants) as well as the fastest High School group

(thanks to Jai, Caitlin, Oliver and Gibson)! It was an

incredible morning and I look forward to our next 5km run

in 2018!

Congratulations to the following students who participat-

ed in the Fun Run:

Caitlin Apps

Jai Cooper

Daniel Clisdell

Campbell Franke

Jordan Fleming

Oliver Humphreys

Gibson Humphreys

Madison Poll

And their parents!

Camden Inter-schools Equestrian Competition

On Saturday, 4 November Leah Veld (Year 8) and Ella

Finn (Year 4) participated in the Camden Interschool’s

Equestrian Competition in Camden. The day was a

wonderful day and our students represented the

College well, with lots of ribbons all round!

Meet our 2018 Sports Captains

Congratulations to Jordan Fleming and Paige Budin for

being selected as 2018 Sports Captains. Both Jordan

and Paige have been involved in Sport during their time

here at College. Jordan has participated in all MISA

sports, CSSA Athletics and gala days. Paige has also

participated in MISA teams, umpiring MISA netball

games, coaching junior teams and encouraging others

to contribute to sport here at OPAC. So let’s get to meet

our captains

Mrs Clisdell Senior School Sports Coordinator

Questions PAIGE BUDIN JORDAN FLEMING

Name Paige Budin Jordan Fleming

Age 15 16

Favourite Sport Netball AFL

Favourite food Blueberries Most food is my favourite

When I grow up… Don’t know Zoologist/Zookeeper

Sport vision for OPAC

Junior and Senior school coming together, interacting and participating.

Start as a participating school to a winning, excellent school

Qualities of a lead-er

Encouragement, supportive, helping hand

Driving from behind, leading by example, humility

Breakfast of cham-pions?

I don’t eat breakfast Slamming down 8 Weet-bix

Strawberry or chocolate milk?

Chocolate milk Choccie all the way

Ford or Holden? Ford Holden

In Australia, is it Football or Soc-cer?

Soccer of course Soccer