“And just like that, Term 1 is over!”. This has been a common sentiment expressed at school this week. It has been an intense and productive term, and I have no doubt the extra spring in our step here at Wollemi is due to the prospect of the holidays around the corner. 

I have two messages with regard to the upcoming holidays for our students and families. First, let us not forget the reason for the season. These are not any holidays but the Easter Holidays. This week, we endeavour to accompany Our Lord during this Holy Week, leading up to his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. For example, our Secondary students have held their own version of the “24 hours for the Lord”. As these holidays commence, attendance at the Services of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, though not mandatory, is highly recommended. We then embark on a full 40 days of celebration of the Resurrection, the central mystery of our faith. Let’s not, in our eagerness for a break, neglect the reason for it.

My second message to our students is ‘good use of time’. The more deserved the break - and it certainly is - the more important to make good use of the opportunities it affords. I know that our Primary students are being encouraged to keep the Premier’s Reading Challenge very much in mind during these holidays. To this, I would add a suggestion for our parents on the importance of listening to children read by sharing this article. It is definitely worth reading/listening to. I would also encourage our Secondary students to use these holidays productively; especially our Year 12 students who return to their Half Yearly exams on the first 4 days of next term. 

Congratulations to our basketball players: semi-finalists, finalists and eventual winners. There were a number of real nail-biters over two weekends of the intense finals competition. More important than the final result was the sportsmanship and good humour that each and every Wollemi player showed throughout these matches and the season in general. This culminated on a wonderful presentation day here at school on Sunday, March 26. A big thank you to our parents for their dedication, passion and commitment, and a special thanks to the hard-working Basketball Club Committee: Mr. Noel Mariano, Mrs. Anne Bernacer, and Mrs. Christine Besa. The soccer season has now commenced and we are sure to see a similar approach, and results, duplicated on the soccer pitch.

This is a brief note to encourage attendance at our Parent-teacher Interview Days. If you were not able to attend the first session last night, there is a  second that will take place at the end of the holidays, on Monday, April 24, with both morning and afternoon sessions for Years 2-11. 

A very Happy Easter to all our families, and a restful, safe, and productive break to all our students.

James Ramos, Headmaster

 We finish Term 1 with Holy Week and Easter. Pope Francis celebrated yesterday Palm Sunday and sent us this message:

“Brothers and sisters, we have begun Holy Week with this celebration. I invite all of you to live it as the tradition of the holy, faithful people of God teaches us, that is, accompanying the Lord Jesus with faith and love. Let us learn from our Mother, the Virgin Mary. She followed her Son with the closeness of her heart. She was of one soul with Him. And, together with him, even though not understanding everything, she abandoned herself completely to the will of God the Father. May Our Lady help us stay close to Jesus, present in the people who suffer, are cast out, and abandoned. May Our Lady lead us by the hand to Jesus present in these people”.

I wish you a very holy Holy Week! Happy Easter!

Fr Felix, School Chaplain

The words, ‘Personal Best’ was and will continue to be referenced throughout the term and across the year. In only a term, our Primary teachers have told me about many students who have consistently applied themselves so that their best is always on display. This could be when completing a writing task, fulfilling his class job to the best of his ability, trying to improve his cross country training time, setting out his book neatly - this list is endless! We endeavour to keep this theme alive throughout the year and into the future.

If you haven’t met Father Felix in person or attended a whole school Mass, I know when you have the chance to, you will see and experience his enthusiastic and energetic approach to Wollemi College. His constant smile, his words of wisdom, warmth and his optimism is infectious! This was evident in the way Father Felix helped prepare our Year 2 students for their first Wollemi mass this term. During the past 9 weeks, Mr Luke Baxter, Mr Dustin Uyeda, Mr David Breen and Father Felix have collectively prepared our Year 2 boys for their first official Mass in the Chapel. Yesterday, was their first time celebrating Mass as Wollemi students. Father Felix welcomed the boys outside the chapel, he escorted the boys to their seats, he gave a little pre-Mass pep talk and during the whole process, he had a smile from ear to ear and, most definitely, a smile from the heart! As a result of the joint effort between Father Felix, the Year 2 staff and our ever supportive parents, the boys’ respect ad behaviour was exemplary! I think the smile remained on Father Felix’s face for many hours after! 

The last week of Term One is swiftly approaching its end. For most students, this can be seen as the end of the beginning; the end of their first term this year. A very significant moment as it can dictate the pace and effort you will work at for the rest of the year. If you are working at the level to achieve your goals now, then it will be substantially more difficult to reach those goals later on. In the upcoming days, reflect on how you have worked for these past 10 weeks - truthfully. Don’t sugarcoat the negatives. Don’t underappreciate the positives in modesty. Once you have a proper understanding of your efforts, determine whether you have to maintain it, improve it, or even take it down a notch (because you don’t want to burn out early into the year). Then implement strategies to act on these adjustments, such as making a routine or having a friend keep you accountable for your work. The earlier you develop good habits, the longer it will stick, and the stronger it will become over time. If you didn’t achieve the marks or rank you wished for this term, use it as a wake up call. Let them fuel you to work harder and allow you to leap back higher than you fell.

For the Year 12s, the situation is different, the reverse. It is the beginning of the end. The first term of our last year in Wollemi, this 10 year journey. The beginning of the end of high school. This leaves us with two terms left in Wollemi. In fact, this week will be the last time we will ever wear our Summer uniform, something we’ve worn 5 days a week, 20 weeks a year, 2 terms a year for almost 10 years. Whether we like it or not, after this year, our lives enter its next chapter as it blurs into adulthood. Of course, before that we face the final boss of this chapter, the HSC. Our performance in the HSC is a culmination of many factors. One of those major factors is the habits we develop earlier on. For many students, the way we work in Year 7 sets the foundation for how we work in Year 12. As I said before, the earlier you develop good habits, the stronger they become over time, but even with two terms left, it is still possible to adopt habits that we can carry on up to and beyond HSC.

I wish everyone a productive and refreshing holiday and a happy Easter!

Sourav S., Vice Captain

“We have to go down that?” we called out.” “Yes”, replied the guide. We had to go down the second floor of the Endeavour going down backward holding onto a rope and going down some pretty creepy steps. Soon it was our turn. Our bodies shriveled with fear. John-Paul held onto the rope and started to descend. Soon he reached the bottom. His body instantly was filled with relief. We were told to sit down where all the crew used to hang out and eat dinner.

Year Five went on an exciting excursion to the Australian National Maritime Museum to learn about what life was like on the Endeavour. To travel there, we took a train from Werrington Station and stopped at many different stations. As the train slowed down we got off the train, we headed off on our trip toward the National Maritime Museum. We were excited as we chatted away while we walked. We finally arrived at the Museum located next to the delightful view of the harbor.

We entered the Museum, and we gazed around the Museum as we spotted the wonderful handmade turtles, schools of fish, and lots more that were made from fishing lines. We were led to the fastest boat in the world by Joe (Our Guide).

After visiting the boat, Joe led us further up into an interesting room with lots of different objects from the Endeavour, and lots of other interesting things, old objects. He informed us about a lot of good information, about Captain James Cook and how he and his crew survived.

Now the part that we’ve all been waiting for, is the replica of the Endeavor. As we hopped on board we spotted tables and long wooden benches, along with a spacious room. We kept on going and saw their kitchen with what looked like a pizza oven which is not. We went around and saw that there were a few rooms for the more important people like Captain James Cook. There were hammocks where the crew slept. It probably would have been a crowded space for 96 people in one room.

On the train ride back it was very full, we couldn't find any seats on the train. So we simply sat where we entered and waited for all the passengers to get off the train… a random woman walked straight up to us “ Silence” she shouted fiercely! We instantly stopped talking in a blink of an eye! She explained to us that she had an extremely loud voice because she used to be a teacher. Wow, we didn’t know that - she also worked at the Maritime Museum and knew so many facts about the Endeavour.

In the end, Year 5 enjoyed the Australia National Maritime Museum. In our opinion, we enjoyed the train ride back a bit more than the actual excursion. But overall, it was an exciting excursion and we enjoyed it a lot.

 by Elias Chaghouri and John-Paul O'Neill (Year 5B).

Excursion to the Australian National Maritime Museum

On Thursday 23 March 2023, I went to the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, with my Y5 peers, two class teachers and three parent volunteers. It was a great experience. I will talk about the journey, the Endeavour replica, and the Museum. 

The Journey

We got to school before 8:40 am, but missed the early train. We got onto the late train at 9:09 am and basically talked till we got to Town Hall. On the way back, an old lady started talking to us. She was a teacher from England. Also, two young boys with a ponytail and a buzz cut started fist-bumping everyone.

The Endeavour Replica

Boarding the Endeavour was really cool. There was a chimney, tons of ropes, and the ‘Seat of Ease’ ( aka the toilet) at the front of the ship. Then, we went inside the ship and saw a stove, tables, plates, spoons, bowls and a cat.  After that, we headed towards the hammocks where the workers slept. Then we went towards the stern of the ship and saw Joseph Banks and Captain Cook's cabins. Inside, there was a bird cage and their own stove, plus tables, chairs and books. We saw tons of tiny details. Captain Cook even gave his cabin to Joseph Banks, and Captain Cook slept in Joseph's hammock. We saw a replica of the New Zealand outline and Joseph's writing.

The Museum

In the Museum, we first saw sea-life sculptures made from fishing lines found in the ocean. We then saw the world's fastest boat, around 500 kilometres per hour, or 317 miles per hour. We also saw a lighthouse. Ken, our tour guide, started telling us information about EVERYTHING we saw. Then, our group stopped at a room with a pole and a projector and heard an indigenous chant which sounded like ‘Banana´, and everyone started to giggle. We started heading towards the exit until we saw the boats made from wood. After a ton of listening, I was tired, so I wanted to leave. We watched an animation and went to eat lunch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our trip to the Australian National Maritime Museum was wonderful. Looking back on the Journey, the Endeavour tour and the Museum, my favourite part was the Endeavour tour because of Ken, it was really interesting. To the year 2, 3 and 4 students, I hope you get the opportunity to go and have as much fun as I did.

Timofey Sakalouski 5B

On the 30th of March, 2023, Year 6 went to the Riverside Theatre to see a show. Our day started off normally and we did English and Drama for the first 2 periods. We had an early recess at 10:15 and started heading to Werrington Station at around 10:50. Our train was at 11:10. I sat next to Charlie, Benjamin and Matthew M. We had some snacks on the train like lollies and chips. 

We arrived at Parramatta at around 11:50. We walked along the Parramatta river and played at a park where there was a tall and curvy slide. There was also another school there and they were really excited to see us. We started heading to Prince Alfred square and we ate lunch there. It was like a picnic. We also saw another school there (different from the one before). We found out that they were going to see the same show as us at the theatre! It was a surprising coincidence. 

After lunch, we went to see the show. It was at 1:00 and lasted for an hour. There were 3 boys and 3 girls performing. The show was called Collision. It is called that because it is a mixture between hip-hop dancing and acrobatics. The people performing were extremely flexible. Sometimes, it looked like they didn’t even have bones! They did stunts and tricks such as: breakdancing, backflipping, holding each other up, throwing each other in the air, doing handstands, and many more. It was especially cool because their movement often matched the beat of the music. They also used many different apparatus to balance on and do tricks. One girl could balance a hula hoop on her forehead while moving! My favourite part was when there was a trio: 2 boys and a girl. They took turns dancing and did stunts together like dancing rhythmically to the beat of a song. It was kind of like a dance battle. There was also a QnA after the show where we could ask different questions. They also told us pieces of advice for performing onstage.

Then we started heading home. On our way to the station, Charlie was overjoyed to see a Parramatta Eels flag. Our train going home was at 2:30. I sat next to the same people on the way to Parramatta. We arrived back at school at 3:15. I think it was a really fun experience and it was really cool to watch the performance.

Michael Conejar Year 6

Year 7 are concluding their study of the properties of matter and have completed a couple of experiments to consolidate their learning. The first experiment looked at the changes in temperature when a solid melts and when a liquid boils, and the second looked at the difference in evaporation between liquids (alcohol and water in this case).

Another year has come by and another ARTEXPRESS has fulfilled the prophecy of showcasing student creativity and the events that they have experienced in their 2022 HSC year. This year’s theme presented student artists’ inquisitiveness and highlighted their interest in exploring notions of permanence and impermanence in life through the exploration of the sublime, memory, family connections, and for some the appropriation of artworks from art history. 

The students’ diverse approaches to artmaking, give form and agency to the artists presenting individual statements, in turn activating a dialogue with the audience through the act of creation and exhibition. The themes explored aspire to draw the audience in to consider their own responses to the ideas and themes presented.

The boys were well-behaved and relaxed allowing themselves to be emersed in the depth of conceptual framework and high-quality technical resolve that encapsulates the 2022 HSC year. Year 12’s had also witnessed the quality of work in the ARTEXPRESS and reflected on what needs to happen in their own body of work to enhance their success. I would like to thank the boys and Mr. Webber for a great day as no students were harmed during the visit to the ArtExpress.

Mike Tolentino,  Visual Arts Teacher

Please pray for our sick Wollemi family and friends:

Ella Muema,  mother to Michael in 10G and Patrick in 5G; Wilson Filamor, father to Joel and Charisse Filamor, grandfather to  Lorenzo 11B; Benjie Santiago, father to Aryel (Class of 2020); Emmanuel Hanna, brother to George (6B) Victor Sciberras, father to Marianne and Carmel Spiteri, grandfather to Justin in Year 7B; Louise Varas, mother to Sebastian in 3B;  Mariano Valladores, father to Ela and Will O'Neill,  grandfather to Michael in 9B and John-Paul in 4B;  Amelia Acasio,  grandmother to Peyton (7B) and Angelo (5G); John Cassar, grandfather to Nicholas Cassar (6B).

Please pray for the soul of the recently deceased and the family left behind:

Benilda Castro, grandmother to Jose and Christine Besa, great grandmother to Lucas in 4G; Chun Seng Chia, father to Chin and Jo, grandfather to Ian in 4G; John Cotter, father to Tylie and Geoff Kerin, grandfather to Chase in 8G; Thresiamma Kurian,  mother to Sajamma and Bennichen Anthony, grandmother to  Abel in 9B; Charles Tabone, father to Joe and Joanna, grandfather to Noah in Year 12; Patricia Tight,  grandmother to Jacky and Warren Ward, great grandmother to Tobias Ward in 3B.

_{If you would like to add any intentions to the Prayer Board, please send them to admin@wollemi.nsw.edu.au.  Kindly notify admin@wollemi.nsw.edu.au when your intentions can be removed.} 

Over the term, we have accumulated a large amount of UNLABELLED lost property - drink bottles, lunch boxes, jumpers, jackets, sports shirts, hats, and other items. 

We ask that all personal items be labeled with your child's surname and first initial so that any items that are misplaced can be returned to the owner immediately.

At Carline, weather permitting, we will have a table set up with the lost property on it.  Anything not collected on Thursday afternoon will either be disposed of or donated to charity. 

The school gates will be opened at 8:15 am and students are not allowed onto the school premises before this time unless there are co-curricular commitments. If you are dropping your child/ren off before 8.15 am, please remind them that they are to stay outside the gates until it is opened. 

A reminder that when collecting your child/ren parents can either:

• Park their car in the outside car park and walk into the school/pedestrian gate to pick up their child
• Use the car line process where your child will come to the car. 

To help with the flow of the carline and traffic in the area we kindly ask that: 

• If you are using the car line, we ask parents to not exit the car.
• Please collect your child/children from 3.25 pm and 3.45 pm when Teacher supervision ends.
•  Reminder parents NOT to park along Gipps Rd in the afternoon as it causes congestion and risks the safety of our students.

ABSENCES

If your child is absent from school an Engage absence form must be completed first thing in the morning. It is a legal requirement to provide an absence note no more than 7 days after the last day of the absence.  Absences will remain as unexplained absences if a note is not received or is received more than 7 days after the last day of the absence.

Instructions on how to complete an absence form can be found below. 

How to Complete an Absence Form on Engage

Please find below some simple instructions on how to complete an absence form. 

• Select the heading Daybook and select "Pupil Daybook"
• Click on "add new entry"
• If your child is COVID positive or a close contact select: "01b Covid POSITIVE or ISOLATION Status" from the drop-down menu
• If your child is absent for any other reason, arriving late or leaving early please select: "01 Absent, Late or Early Departure Note" from the drop-down menu 
• Then click on the "add new entry" button to the right. It will bring up the form for you to complete
• Select which of your children is away in the left column and press the -> arrow button in the middle, so that the selected name goes from the left column to the right. If you select the double arrow it will move all your children's names to the right column if you need to do an absence form for all of them for the same reason. 
• Once you have completed the form make sure that you click "save and close" at the bottom of the page when completed (not "save") 
• You also have the ability to upload a doctor's certificate, if applicable.

Click on the links below to complete the relevant forms in Engage.  You will find these links under Announcements on the top right-hand side of this newsletter. 

● To update your contact details

● Submit an Absentee Form

● Submit an Extended Leave Form(for holidays, weddings, etc.)

● Submit an Exemption From School Form (for external activities, medical appointments, funerals etc.)

For more information on using the Engage Parent Portal please go to our Parent Portal Resource Site

Congratulations to John Mc. and Alan G. on their selection in the Hills Zone 16s Rugby Union team to compete in the AICES cup next term. 

All the best gentlemen.

It was truly an exciting, productive, and fun-filled weekend (March 24 to 26) for the Wollemi Basketball Community; we witnessed great finals games (Friday & Saturday) and wrapped up with a WBC Presentation Day (Sunday). There were 6 Wollemi teams who competed in the Finals, the most number of teams in WBC history, and also the first time to have a Presentation Day after the summer competition as we usually have it only once a year after the Winter competition.

We would like to thank the Wollemi Community for the amazing support of our teams during the Finals game, you can barely hear the referee’s whistles and the bench buzzers during the games because of the loud Wollemi drums and cheers. We are proud to say that we are indeed the best crowd in Penrith Basketball. Also thanks to our teachers and our very own Headmaster James Ramos who watched and supported our teams.

MATCH REPORT

Championship Game: Wollemi Warriors vs Wollemi Wildcats – U16 Div 2

This game lived up to its expectation, a treat to the Wollemi community, a see-saw battle between these two teams from start to finish, unfortunately, only one team could win the title. The Wildcats led by 4 points after the 1st half but the tremendous defense by the Warriors putting a lot of pressure on the opposing team which led to crucial turnovers in the last 3 minutes of the game and gave the Warriors comfortable 6 points lead.

However, the Wildcats tried to rally back and cut the deficit to 2 points with 1 minute left but fell short at the end. The two teams celebrated after the game in the middle of the court and congratulated and appreciated each other, showing the true spirit of sportsmanship with the whole crowd cheering on them. Joseph Wiggins scored 18 points to lead the Warriors while Ainsley Mercado scored 7 points for the Wildcats. The final score was 34 – 30 in favour of the Wollemi Warriors.

Championship Game: Wollemi Wildcats vs St. Claire  – U18 Div 3

The Wollemi team led by as many as 12 points early in the game and it looks like it’s going to be a walk in the park for them. The opposing team rallied and even built a comfortable 10-point lead in the middle of the 2nd half of the game. The Wollemi team showed the heart of the champion, inspired by the Wollemi community's loud sounds of the drum and cheers of WOLLEMI and DEFENSE, didn’t give up, intensified their defense, and clawed back to tie the game courtesy of Koen Francia’s 3 points with 3 minutes left in the game that makes the Wollemi community get louder and shook the Penrith stadium with their jubilation.

We’ve seen a see-saw battle between the teams afterward and with less than 1 minute and the game was tied, Nicholas Joseph's free throw gave them a 1-point lead with 11 seconds left. Our boys gave it all in the last seconds of the game, making a stop that made the opposing team miss their two attempts to seal the win. The team and the Wollemi crowd gathered in the middle of the court to celebrate the victory. The final score was 49 - 48 for Wollemi.

Noel Mariano, WBC President

WBC PRESENTATION DAY  

The Wollemi community gathered last March 25 and celebrated the successful summer season, with our Headmaster James Ramos joined the event and delivering a very inspiring message to the basketball community. The teams were all acknowledged on the stage and the managers/coaches gave a wonderful message to their respective team, with each player receiving a ball courtesy from the WBC. The teams that played in the Finals also showed their medals to the crowd with joy and pride. The WBC skills coaches were also acknowledged on the stage and received a small token from the Club. Thank you to all the coaches, managers, parents, players and to Wollemi College, for the support that you’ve given to the Wollemi Basketball Club. 

WBC SKILLS TRAINING

The skills training will be back on the 22nd of April. Thanks to all the coaches: Earl Kabiling, Jojo Mangaser, Wesley Valenton, and Victor Estilo for giving their precious time to train our young ballers.

PENRITH BASKETBALL WINTER COMPETITION

The winter season will start on the 21st and 22nd of April. The stadium Court 5 & 6 is under renovation and some of the games will be held in Charles Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton and St. Claire Leisure Centre. We will inform the coaches and managers of the game location and time schedule once released by Penrith Basketball.

Last Saturday, the class of 2016 met up for their 7-year reunion. The 2016 Old Boys enjoyed lunch at Wollemi, bowling in Penrith, and finished the night with dinner. There was a fantastic turnout and a great time was had by both the former students and the teachers that attended.

Class of 2018 5-year reunion!

Ordering online couldn’t be simpler.

1. Go to https://www.midford.com.au/school-shops-online  

2. Select Wollemi College from the online School Shops tab.

3. New users to click the ‘Register New Account’ button.

4. Start the registration process by selecting Wollemi College from the drop-down menu and add the

unique school pass phrase - Wollemi unique passphrase: Wollemi1999

5. Add your personal information, and create a username and password.

6. Order the items you need, select pick up from the school, or option of home delivery.

Normal Trading Hours are Fridays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm

Please Note: This is for Fittings & Try On Service Only. No sales or orders will be placed on-site - all orders will be placed online only.

All families are able to make their own uniform-fitting appointments through our online appointment system by using the below link. https://midford.as.me/WollemiCollege

Email: wollemi@midford.com.au Website: https://www.midford.com.au/school-shops-online     school passphrase: Wollemi1999

P: 02 8857 4959   E: wollemi@midford.com.au

Wollemi is holding a Sports Camp for boys in Kindergarten to Year 6 from Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th April 2023 (3 days).  Please see the attached flyer for details and Click HERE to register for the Boys Camp