Issue 7 I 24 May 2019

One of the marks of our vibrant learning community is

that we promote fun and play. We seek to see our

students enjoying their learning in the classroom,

playground, sports field and on the stage. I recently

heard Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Deputy Director of

the Gonski Institute for Education, speak on

education reform. He spoke about the evidence from

the Finnish education system on the importance of

play, including outdoor unstructured play. He

explained how play is how children explore, discover,

fail, succeed, socialise and flourish. It’s the key to

giving schoolchildren skills they need to succeed,

skills like creativity, innovation, teamwork, focus,

resilience, expressiveness, empathy, concentration

and executive function.

Our new sensory playground is one resource that

supports this strategy of incorporating unstructured,

physical challenges and promotes active play in our

students. Too often we see children playing for hours

on electronic devices which stimulate the brain

without engaging the body, beyond their hands or

fingers. When they are put into a challenging real-life

environment like a playground, natural bushland or

the sporting field, they struggle to adjust and lack the

experience and resilience to persist and ultimately

enjoy themselves.

As well as encouraging teachers to ensure we have

sufficient play incorporated into the school day I

would also like to encourage parents to timetable

outdoor play activities into their weeknights and

weekends: going to the playground, bike riding,

bushwalking, playing a team sport. Your children will

benefit from these experiences.

In addition to physical play, we also encourage

having fun because we know that our brain “saves”

information more effectively when we are more

interested in an activity. There is a neuroscientific

reason for this, related to a chemical in our brain

called dopamine, which is released when you

experience something you enjoy. I am always

encouraged when I hear and see our students

laughing and enjoying themselves at the College.

Perhaps you might ask your child what fun things

have been happening at college this past week, I’m

sure you will hear of some exciting happenings,

however, the key will be if they can remember what

they learnt through that excitement as well.

It is a pleasure to be a part of this vibrant learning

community and I commend the rest of the newsletter

to you to learn more about what’s been happening in

‘The Life’ of the College.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. ” Psalm 37:23-24

Mrs Naomi Wilkins Principal

Week 5A

Monday 27 May:

Year 3 & 4 Gymnastics

Year 6 Bake Sale

Tuesday 28 May:

Wednesday 29 May:

IPPSO—OPAC vs STG/MACC (Away Game)

Friday 31 May:

P– 6 Chapel 2.20pm

CSSA Primary & Secondary State Cross Country

Week 6B

Monday 3 June:

Year 3 & 4 Gymnastics

Wednesday 5 June:

IPPSO—OPAC vs STP (Home Game)

Thursday 6 June:

Concert Band (Year 3 - 12) 3:30pm—5pm

Year 4 Training Band Performance

Friday 7 June:

P-6 Buddies

Golden Ridge Excursion Kindergarten excursion

Week 5A

Monday 27 May:

Vaccinations - Year 10

PASS Class (2) excursion

Tuesday 28 May:

PASS Class (1) & (3) excursion

P&F Meeting - 7pm (Senior School Library)

Thursday 30 May:

PASS Class (2) excursion

Friday 31 May:

CSSA Primary & Secondary State Cross Country

Week 6B

Monday 3 June:

Stage 5 Photography excursion

Tuesday 4 June:

Subject Selection - Year 8 6pm (MPH)

Subject Selection - Year 10 7pm (MPH)

Wednesday 5 June:

Stage Band 3.15pm—4.15pm

Year 12 PDHPE incursion

Thursday 6 June:

Concert Band (Year 3 - 12) 3:30pm—5pm

Friday 7 June:

The Young Men's Health Forum - Year 10 excursion

Speaking for the Planet excursion

College News

Year 4 Training Band performance

We are excited to invite all family and friends to a performance featuring our Year 4 Training

Band. They will be performing in the Ross Whelan Centre at 2:30pm on the 6 June (Week 6) exhibiting some of their newest repertoire. Come along to support our young musicians as they demonstrate collaboration, curiosity, craftsmanship and courage in learning and performing on a new instrument.

Mrs Lane

Mrs Katherine Kendon Deputy Principal -

Have you noticed some colourful characters at College

this week? Strangely, at our assembly’s we have had

some dancing, skipping and challenge loving

characters. They have tried to juggle, skip, do magic

tricks, eat pies and play

maracas. They were not

very good at ANY of

these – but that didn’t

stop them from

persevering and looking

for new things to try. A

great example of

courage! Despite the

hilarity and craziness at

assemblies, this was a

great lead up to National

Simultaneous Story time

this week and this years

story ‘Alpacas with

Maracas’ by Matt Cosgrove. Buddy classes joined

together, along with schools around Australia on

Wednesday, to read this story together.

There has been substantial media coverage regarding

NAPLAN Online this week, unfortunately many schools

have had difficulty administering these. Students in

Years 3,5,7 and 9 at the College sat their tests using the

online version. As a College the tests ran very smoothly,

with minimal technical difficulty. We are very proud of

our students who put a great deal of thought and effort

into sitting these tests, doing their best.

At the end of Term 2 families will receive their child's

end of semester report, as a record of the progress they

have made this so far this year. Teachers work

throughout both terms to compile the many different

types of assessment they do each day on students

into one summative report. Student assessments are

ongoing and varied in their style and purpose. They

can take the form of observations, checklists of skills,

class tasks, one on one conversations, student

reflection, tests and projects. Reports are one form of

communicating student progress, as are parent and

teacher conversations. In line with the reports, we will

hold our second round of formal Parent Teacher

Interviews in early Term 3. As always, if you have any

questions regarding your child at College, teachers are

always there to help.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does

not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it

is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no

record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but

rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always

trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Kindergarten

Kindergarten have come back to College for Term 2

with enthusiasm and confidence. In the classroom we

have been talking about our Farm unit and the important

products we get from farms. Students enjoyed making

fruit salad together as we discussed healthy foods.

Students were excited to take home their first home

readers and we are encouraged by the way children are

enthusiastic to bring their reading folders to school

every day. As you are reading with your children at

home, the link below may be useful as you help your

child to sound out words.

Please note that this video has more sounds than what

your child needs to learn at this stage, it is intended as a

reference for parents only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlMDwolcfzU On 22 May Oran Park Anglican College participated in National Simultaneous Story time and enjoyed reading ‘Alpacas with Maracas’ by Matt Cosgrove together with their Year 4 buddies. It also provided a good opportunity to share recess and a chat.

Mrs Ferdarico, Mrs Finlay, Mrs Trotman and Miss Sunjic

Year 4 Such a busy term with dynamic learning! Students have been finalising aspects of presenting a Wax Museum of convicts to their buddies and year 3 peers. This has been a task involving, research, informative writing, talking and listening, drama and digital technology. Mathematics experiences have allowed for practical application of the concepts being used within different forms of measurement. Our bodies have been tested and strengthened during Physical Education by participating in weekly gymnastics experiences. We all enjoyed the lead up to and reading of Alpacas with Maraca's for simultaneous story time. This was shared with our buddies. Mrs Langley and Mrs Keen

TASC Year 6 Leadership Day

On Monday 20 May, the Year 6 Leaders were invited to

St. Luke’s Grammar School, Dee Why, to attend a

leadership training day. We met many other Year 6

student leaders from schools in the Anglican Schools

Corporation and had a great time of discussion and

collaboration. The leaders were able to share our

College values in small groups and explain how they are

seen in the culture of our school. There was also time

spent discussing leadership and how a

servant - hearted approach could be adopted by

modelling Christ’s example. The last formal part of the

day was discussing and sharing in groups some

different service and fundraising initiatives that have

worked well throughout each of our schools. These

sessions were facilitated by the senior leaders from St

Luke’s Grammar School.

It was a great day and we came back with new ideas and inspiration for what we can implement here at Oran Park Anglican College.

Mr Przydacz

National Simultaneous story time

This week students across our Junior school participated in National Simultaneous Story time (NSS) which is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 19th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year we read Alpacas with Maracas which is written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove. Students had their curiosity quenched when we discovered that the very interesting events happening across the college were giving us hints about the story. In the story, Macca and his friend Al can’t resist collaborating to enter a talent quest. Their craftsmanship and courage leads them to try a range of different acts while having fun in the process. A big thanks to Mr Baker, Mr Corbett and Mr Plunkett for helping us to bring the story to life!

Mrs Humphreys

Singing Eisteddfod Success Congratulations to Sabrina Gaibisso for her outstanding achievements at the recent Everyone Sing and Dance Now Eisteddfod at Woonona Bulli RSL. She performed and placed in three different categories:

Ballad - First prize

Disney - Second prize

Up-Tempo - Third prize

What a great couple of weeks we have had at the

College. Our Oran Park Festival was fantastic, with a

strong sense of community coupled with some excellent

student performances, great food and fun activities, save

for the water balloons and cream pies!

In contrast to much of what we have seen in the media,

our online NAPLAN tests went very smoothly last week;

however, as always we need to remember that these

tests measure a small set of skills at a specific point in

time. The data generated is primarily for the benefit of

teachers to help identify where students need to improve

in their learning.

Year 10 completed their work experience week and the

success of the program can be measured in a few ways.

Feedback from students indicates that work experience

either confirms what they what to do in the future, or

confirms what they do not want to do in the future! Either

way it is a positive learning experience and always

results in greater student motivation and direction.

Thank you to those parents and businesses that helped

to provide an opportunity for our students.

In Week 6 we have our subject selection evening for

Stage 5 and Stage 6 in the Multi-Purpose Hall. The

information sessions are on Tuesday 4 June with Year 8

into 9 at 6pm and Year 10 into 11 at 7pm. It is vital

students and parents of Year 8 and 10 respectively,

attend this event. It is an opportunity to speak with

teachers about elective subjects and learn about the

process of subject selection. When students choose

subjects that are the right ‘fit’ they are more motivated,

enjoy learning and achieve greater success. Students

and parents will have an opportunity to speak with

teachers to find the right subjects at the right level to

ensure ongoing success at school.

One of our desires as a College is to collaborate with

parents in the education of the children in our care. I

cannot stress enough how important ongoing

communication is between staff and parents. Parents

can support us by regularly checking diaries for

communication, assessments, missed homework and

pastoral concerns. Some students, particularly in the

first few years of high school do need a little more help

with organisation. While we want all students to

develop responsibility and resilience, ensuring laptops

are charged, uniforms are correct and equipment is

packed are some of the small things that can make a

big difference to your child’s learning.

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering

produces endurance, and endurance produces

character, and character produces hope, and hope

does not put us to shame, because God's love has

been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who

has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

Mr Michael Newton Deputy Principal - Head of Senior School

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Hike

On Thursday 16 May 2019, 7 students from Years 11 and 12 embarked on a three day Silver Duke of Edinburgh hike across the Woodford to Glenbrook ridgeline. Features of this walk included lush bushland and Glenbrook Creek’s Jellybean Pools. Participants were treated with three days of perfect weather traversing land previously inhabited by ancient indigenous Australians at Red Hands Cave. The student’s ability to work as a team as they assembled tenuous tents and heavy packs was exemplary, as they navigated their way through a quintessentially Australian environment. From laughter around the campfire to critical decision making en-route to each campsite, the students experienced the very essence of the program; leadership, perseverance and comradery. All Years 9-11 students are welcome to partake and join a program that solidifies the College’s core values of collaboration, curiosity and courage; walking the ‘road less travelled’. For this group of Silver Duke of Edinburgh students, Glenbrook has been conquered, yet the next summit at Mt Solitary awaits in the very near future.

Mr Williams

Year 7 History – Mummification

On Thursday 9 May 2019, Year 7 History mastered the

art of mummification, the ancient practice within ancient

Egypt to preserve the bodies of the dead. Don’t

worry students didn’t use real bodies! – they used

oranges. They will check the mummified oranges in 40

days to assess their performance.

Mrs Steele-Smith, Mr Williams and Mrs Brennan

Physical Activity for Recreation and Relaxation

Stage 5 PASS classes have been investigating issues in Sport as well as Physical Activity for Recreation and Relaxation.

On Monday and Tuesday, students played Golf, Finska, Kubb, Croquet, Bocce and Carpet bowls for a wide range experience. Finska and Kubb are games with origins from overseas. This was a great educational experience for the students.

Mrs Clisdell

Year 7 Technology

Year 7 are enjoying the new experiences to be had in the practical classrooms.

In the kitchen, 7W have been learning about where our food comes from and are growing plants we can eat. They are currently designing and producing a healthy lunch box snack.

Meanwhile, 7R and 7B have produced a small timber box while learning about the tools and machinery in the workshop and have also used Illustrator and the laser printer to etch an image of their own design for the top.

Mr McKenzie, Mrs Watson and Mrs Finn

Hi, I’m Justin Corbett, OPAC’s new Youth and Children’s Worker, here on Monday and Friday each week.

I’ve been working as a School Chaplain for the last 7 years across both primary and high schools, as well as

another independent Prep-12 school. I am also studying a Bachelor of Education and look forward to finishing

that soon. My passion in working with young people is to see them be cared for and empowered in their situation

– whether great, or not so good. I desire that every young person live life to the full just as Jesus explained in

John 10:10 – “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” To do this, my role includes providing

social and emotional support to all students, playing games at break times like handball or basketball, helping

teachers within class activities, facilitating small groups, as well as being actively involved in the general wellbe-

ing of all students here at the College.

It was great to meet some families at our recent Festival, but if we haven’t yet met, please find me in the

playground before or after school and introduce yourself. I look forward to getting to know all our students and

their families and becoming an integral part of our College community.

Mr. Corbett Youth and Children’s Worker

College Sport

Years 3-6 are well into the swing of their College Sport electives. Kindergarten has also been completing a 4 week Football program with Lachlan Smith from the Nepean Football Association. All students have been learning positive sporting skills which will be developed throughout the term.

IPSSO

Our IPSSO teams have made a positive start to the season and are progressing well. Junior Netball lost by just one point last week and both our Football teams have now won and lost a game. Thank you to all our students for their participation and for coming to training early on Wednesday mornings.

CSSA State Cross Country

The CSSA State Cross Country is being held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Friday the 31 May. Best to wishes to all of our students participating.

OPAC Athletics Carnival

The OPAC Athletics Carnival will be held on the 11 June at Campbelltown Athletics Centre, Cnr of Rose Payten Dr & Pembroke Rd Leumeah.

Mr Chapman Junior School Sports Coordinator

Mrs Clisdell Senior School Sports Coordinator

Sports Nutritionist Incursion– Year 11 and 12 PDHPE

On Wednesday, 22 May, Nicholas Need, a sports nutritionist from Health and Performance Collective presented to Year 11 and 12 PDHPE on the critical question, ‘How can nutrition and recovery strategies affect performance?’ Nicholas works with the players from GWS Giants, Western Sydney Wanderers and Parramatta Eels to ensure their nutritional requirements are met and are appropriate for their training and game preparation. This was a very insightful presentation addressing pre-season, during season and post-season nutritional requirements, game day nutrition and how to eat for the best recovery after a game. Nicholas also addressed the topic of supplements within the presentation. The students were also challenged to think about their own eating habits and how to fuel their bodies for both physical and mental strength.

MISA Term 2

MISA has been progressing well this season. We have had some close games in Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Hockey and Softball. Well done to the 7-9 Girls Basketball team who defeated Mount Annan Christian College last week (34-20). Great effort girls!

NSW All Schools Swimming Championships

Well done to Lauren Kaye (Year 8) for representing CIS at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships on Monday 13 May at Homebush Aquatic Centre in the 50m Backstroke. In a very strong field of swimmers, from all areas of the state of NSW, Lauren managed to swim herself into 6th position! Well done Lauren!

Dates for the Diary:

CSSA State Cross Country – Friday 31 May

Tennis Coaching and Competitions Term 2 at Oran Park Anglican College

Coaching – Monday and Wednesday nights

Competition – Sunday morning

Further details on Website: https://tonytennis.com/

Alternatively call Tony on 0418414780 or email admin1@ttourserve.com

NSW Government Active Kids Vouchers accepted