Welcome to 2024! Despite some misgivings about the holidays ending, the mood at school is one of positivity and enthusiasm for the year ahead. I want to offer a very special welcome to our many new parents and students; not only in Years 2 and 7 but throughout the school. We have grown this year by more than 60 students, or 13.5%, which is extraordinary. 

2024 will be a special year in the life of the College for a number of reasons. We now have, for the first time, two streams in every year from Year 2 to Year 12. This concludes the ‘growth stage’ in the life cycle of the school, and we now begin the ‘consolidation stage’. As I explained to the boys at assembly on the first day, it is up to us as the Wolemi community, to influence and determine how Wollemi ‘sets’ (as poured concrete does) into its final shape. We need to ask ourselves what sort of school we want Wollemi to be, now that we are no longer subject to such rapid change.

Secondly, we have full classes, or almost full, in almost half of our cohorts. This means an increasing number of people on waiting lists seeking an opportunity to come to Wollemi. On the one hand, we are all responsible for making Wollemi such a sought-after school, and we must keep this up. On the other hand, this places a responsibility on all of us to take full advantage of the opportunity we have by striving to work to our full potential.

Thirdly, 2024 marks 25 years since the original group of students began their journey at Orchard Hills Preparatory School in 1999. That cottage became Montgrove College some years later. But it was that small group of kindergarten students, with some exceptions, who carried on under a different name some years later at Werrington, and eventually became the first graduating class of Wollemi college. This year then, as we begin our ‘consolidation stage’ we do so with a grateful and attentive look at that original group of families and the inspiration that moved them, with a desire to be faithful to that initial vision.

Finally, aside from these ‘big picture’ reasons, I encourage everyone to make 2024 a special year individually for each and every one of us. I know our boys will make it so with specific and clear goals set together with their mentors, and by striving towards achieving ‘personal bests’ each day, week and month.

James Ramos, Headmaster

This year Lent is coming soon: next Wednesday 14 will be Ash Wednesday!!

Let's get ready! Pope Francis helps us with his message: "Through the desert, God leads us to Freedom".

2024 is going to be the Year of Prayer, inaugurated by Pope Francis two weeks ago ahead of the 2025 Jubilee. The Holy Father explained that this year is dedicated to "rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the World".

Fr Felix, Chaplain

Welcome to 2024!

The year ahead will be full of many new and exciting experiences for Wollemi Primary. 

We welcome a very excited new Year 2 group and new students from across the grades, new Year 5 classrooms, new staff members and even a new Head of Primary. 

I write to you today as the new Head of Primary for 2024 taking over from Scott Williamson who, as you all know, has taken the very important role of Deputy Headmaster.. I come to this position with 15 years of teaching experience and 5 years working at Wollemi College. I endeavour to further develop the great foundations set by Mr Williamson and I am eager to get to know all of you throughout 2024 and beyond. 

In 2024, we welcome over 60 new students to Primary. With a large Year 2 cohort and many new students starting in Years 3-6, we have over 260 students in Wollemi Primary - our biggest-ever Primary student body. I welcome all new families to the Wollemi Community and I am sure your class parents, mentors and teachers will make you feel right at home!  

In terms of staffing, we welcome 2 new staff members with Cameron Wright joining us as the new 2G class teacher and Elizabeth Roberts joining us as a specialist teacher with a focus on Art, Health and HSIE. We also have significant movement amongst existing staff with teachers moving to new grades. The graphic below outlines our class teachers for 2024. 

I look forward to our KPF this Thursday night - a chance for you to meet your son's class teacher, and your class parents and a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the year ahead. 

Please communicate early and often. If you have questions or concerns, please raise them with your mentor and your son’s class teacher straight away. 

I am also available so please reach out should you need anything throughout the year. I can be contacted via email - lukebaxter@wollemi.nsw.edu.au 

I will further outline our Primary Goals and new initiatives in the coming weeks. I look forward to an exciting year ahead!

Mr Luke Baxter, Head of Primary   

Hi everyone, my name is Mr Cameron Wright, and I am joining the teaching staff this year, in 2G! I am certainly no stranger to Wollemi, having attended the school myself and having worked here part-time as a Teacher's Aide for 4 years, working closely with students in support and extension groups. It's a very special place and I clearly couldn't wait to come back! 

For a little about myself, I love all things nature and all things technology. You'll either find me out on a walk, in the bush, or furiously working away at the latest coding or animating project. In fact, upon graduating from Wollemi, I had my heart set on Software Engineering as a career, which I can now confirm would not have been nearly as fun or rewarding as teaching! Before I did so, however, I decided to spend a year dedicated to God and the local community - learning about the faith, volunteering, and serving at local youth groups. During that year I started working at Wollemi, and realised that it was right where I needed to be. I began to love teaching, and studied it at the University of Sydney, getting to spend my final internship at Wollemi in year 5 for a term. 

In what is approaching a record (look out, Williams family), I'm fortunate to have two family members working with PARED, Mr Brett Wright in highschool at Wollemi, and Mrs Alyson Wright at Montgrove. We're well and truly a part of the community and I know many of the families here, and am looking forward to meeting many more as a class teacher. I'm very grateful for the influence and support of all the staff at Wollemi, and look forward to working with the excellent Mr Nathan Quan, who is teaching 2B. 

It has been fantastic to see the school grow to the point where it is now - in my 14 years here I've witnessed the student count more than double in number, with many new facilities and new teachers, all while retaining the same "Wollemi feel". This is in no small part due to the parents' and staff's commitment to the mission of the school, working together to help our boys grow in faith and character. We are certainly in good hands and I can't wait to see what the future holds. 

All the best, Cameron Wright, Year 2G Teacher.

I would like to warmly welcome everyone new and old to the 2024 Wollemi school year. It is already shaping up to be a ripper! 

If I was to do a show of hands, I wonder how many of us have already stuffed up their new year resolution. This is where I would humbly have to be raising my hand. So after much deliberating, I have come up with an even better one. I am not going to grumble or murmur despite the obstacle set before me. Big ask, I know. But as I see it, murmuring and grumbling dumbs us down and colours every situation grey. It impedes objective assessment and proper review of the situation. As Theodore Roosevelt so aptly puts it “Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining”. 

As we begin this year, I would like to humbly challenge us all to take note of our complaints. You will probably be surprised at how they can sneak up on you. As Will Bowen once said, “Complaining is like bad breath, you notice it when it comes out of somebody else’s mouth, but not your own. 

I invite you to join me in this resolution. Let’s pull up the habit of grumbling by its roots. Let’s give thanks to God for the breath of life this day, and for all that He chooses to give us.

Noah P., Vice Captain

Our first KPF for 2024 is on Thursday 8 February, commencing at 7:30pm. This will be held onsite at the College. The KPF will include a Plenary session whereby the Headmaster, Mr James Ramos, will present to the parent group followed by class teacher presentations held across various classrooms. After the presentations, we welcome you to attend a light supper in the COLA.

Parents are asked to meet in the COLA at the start of the evening for registration. 

Please find below the program for the evening: 

TERM 1 KPF

Kindly indicate in the form below your attendance to the Term 1 KPF. We look forward to seeing you all at the College next Thursday night.

RSVP HERE

order forms can be downloaded here.

This year, Ash Wednesday falls on 14 February, which is next week. We would like to extend an invitation to parents to attend our Ash Wednesday Whole School Mass at the College, which will begin at 9.40 am and conclude at approximately 11.00am. 

To assist us with the logistics for the day,  could you please complete the google form  if you would like to attend the Ash Wednesday Whole School Mass

Thank you in advance for your support with this.

Scott Williamson

It has been great to see an increased number of students coming to daily Mass at School, so that our chapel is almost full everyday.  Parents are welcome to attend Mass with their sons, either on the set day in Primary or on any day their Secondary sons choose to attend. Unfortunately, as the space in the chapel is very limited, we are unable to offer daily Mass to parents as a regular alternative to their local parishes. We also ask that any parents attending Holy Mass please sign in at the Front Office.

The mentor program plays an important part in the character development and formation of our young men at Wollemi.

Your mentors’ details can be found on your parent portal under “student details” in field named “additional tutors”.

Here is a quick tutorial on navigating the parent portal https://sites.google.com/pared.edu.au/engageparentportalresources/viewing-student-details

As you know, the role of the mentor is to encourage and support your son in his studies and character formation.

Shortly you will receive further information on how to make an appointment with your mentor in Term 1 to discuss your son’s needs and how he can support you this year.

If you feel you need contact with your new mentor before this time, please refer to the Staff Directory for his email details.

If you have any concerns with this change, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jack Johnson, Director of Personalised Education

Congratulations to the following  families:

• to Jenni and JP de Villiers ( Wollemi Secondary Teacher) on the birth of Holly, sister to Jayson in 5B.
• to Christine Nugpo on the birth of Tiago, brother to Pio in 3G.
• to Leanne and Michael Noon, on the birth of Edward Leo, brother to Dominic in 5B, Eoin in 4G and Jonathan in 8G.   

Please pray for our sick Wollemi family and friends:

 Louise Cotter, Grandmother to Chase Kerin (9B);  Joseph Valladores, father to Jose  (8G); Vince Sammut, grandfather to  Lucas in 10G; Mary Powell, Mother of Jacob (3B); Christopher Bonanno, uncle to Jacob Powell (3B),  Gerard (11B) & Gabriel (9B) Karam, Isaiah (2B) and Michael Roberts (3G); Igor Mileusnic, uncle to Hugo Giles (5B); Alex Borg, grandfather to Nicholas Cassar (6B).  Joanne Pang, mother to Ian Chia in 4G;  Benjie Santiago, father to Aryel (Class of 2020); Emmanuel Hanna, brother to George (7G) Victor Sciberras, father to Marianne and Carmel Spiteri, grandfather to Justin in Year 8B;   Mariano Valladores, father to Ela and Will O'Neill,  grandfather to Michael in 9B and John-Paul in 4B.

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

Pricilla Yabut, grandmother to Achilles in 10B and Alexander in 9G. 

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

Wollemi College Fitting Range on Fridays from 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm Appointments Only 

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 can make their uniform fitting appointments through our online appointment system by using the below link.

https://midford.as.me/WollemiCollege

 All ordering and sales of Wollemi uniforms are online Orders can be collected from the College or delivered to your home address ( free delivery for orders over $50). To place an order online, go to www.Midford.com.au and enter the school passphrase: Wollemi1999 when you log in.

Wollemi Uniform requirements

Children’s Sacraments 2024 

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Thursday 21st March 6.00pm 

Sessions: 11th February (Registration & 1st Session) 18th, 25th February; 3rd, 10th,  17th March 

First Communion: Sunday 2nd June (Feast of Corpus Christi) 10 am 

Sessions: 7th April (Registration & 1st Session) 14th, 21st, 28th April; 5th, 12th, 19th,  26th May, (26th being for Rehearsal) 

Reconciliation: TBA 

Confirmation: Sunday 3rd November 10:00am (Or Sunday 10th November) 

Sessions: 21st July (Registration & 1st Session), 28th July; 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August;  1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th September; (6th October – mid holidays), 13th, 20th, 27th  October (27th being for Rehearsal) 

Eligibility: 

For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, children should be 8 years old and above and have received the Sacrament of Baptism. 

For the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, children should be 8 years old and above and should have received the Sacrament of Baptism & Reconciliation. 

For Sacrament of Confirmation children should be in Year 6 and above and have received the Sacrament of Baptism, Reconciliation & First Holy Communion. 

Please provide a copy of your relevant certificates at registration or email a copy to the parish. 

Further details will be provided at registration. Registration is after the Sunday 10 am Mass (Around 11:15 am) in the Parish Hall. You can call the Parish office on 4721 4080  or email parish@stjosephskingswood.org for further information. 

Office hours: Tues & Thurs 9am to 2pm & Fri 9am to 1pm.

The Pared Academy is pleased to invite you to 'Pay Cheque with a Purpose', a one-night event with renowned speaker Alexandre Havard at The Concourse, Chatswood on Wednesday, 28 February 2024! He spoke at the 2021 Term 2 KPF, and the feedback was so positive, we're bringing him back!

Click here to book your tickets now!

Alex wants to help you:

• Discover how to break free from the mindset that is dominated by the vision of unfulfilling work
• Learn how to attain a new vision of life and of self, and gain a better understanding of your unique talents
• Build stronger relationships, attain confidence to lead others, and find a greater focus on your purpose and mission

This event is open to the general public but, and seats are already going fast.

Don't miss out - BOOK NOW