As the 2024 school year comes to a close, we celebrate another remarkable year of learning and growth at Wollemi. Thank you to our Wollemi family for your ongoing dedication and support.

This year, we have celebrated Wollemi’s 25th Anniversary. We’ve looked back on our history to recognise with gratitude the work of those who came before us. We have examined what we have today, where Wollemi is as a community, to ensure we remain faithful to the foundational principles and to the inspiration behind those pioneer families to whom we are so indebted. Finally, we have renewed our commitment and sense of responsibility to carry out that vision into the future and continue establishing Wollemi College as a leading school in Western Sydney. 

We are farewelling several key staff members this year. In Primary, we say goodbye—for now—to Mr Japon, who is moving to Japan to work at our sister school in Nagasaki. We are proud of Mr Japon, a Wollemi graduate, as someone who so well embodies the figure of the Wollemi Man that we want our students to emulate.

In secondary school, we also bid farewell to Mr Brendan Williams and Mr Brett Wright, who served for 17 and 16 years, respectively. Mr Williams has been not only a pillar of our Maths program here at Wollemi but someone who could be relied on to serve this community in all sorts of different ways. Mr Wright has filled just about every leadership role available at Wollemi, a testament not only to his talent but also to his generosity and willingness to serve. Both Mr Wright and Mr Williams will be sorely missed.

We also farewell our School counsellor, Mr John Khoury, another Pared graduate who is now moving to Melbourne to pursue his vocation to the priesthood. We thank him for his care and support for our students in need and their families. I know he can count on the support of our prayers throughout his journey through the seminary and into his future life of service as a priest.

 “Many hands make light work”. This is particularly true of our wonderful college staff. I would like to acknowledge our college executives, Mr Williamson, Mr Baxter, Mr Jacobson, and Mr Johnson, who are our school leaders and teachers, for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. A big thank you to our non-teaching staff, from Maintenance and Grounds crews to our wonderful Learning Support team. Finally, thank you to our Front Office team, Mrs Wiggins, Mrs Aguilar and Mrs Reid, who keep this place ticking and running smoothly. A big thank you for your caring approach, your patience and your dedication.

Finally, thank you to our parents for your support and contribution to the college, particularly to the class parents whose task is to foster the unity that is so crucial for Wollemi’s current and future success.

On behalf of the college staff and myself, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry and Holy Christmas, a Happy New Year and a safe and restful holiday. 

James Ramos, Headmaster

 As the Holiday period approaches, it is now time to think about how you can structure your 7-week break. As much as we would like to sit in front of our PCs and TVs and play games, we must be aware that this is a big waste of our holidays. It looks like it will be a good summer break, so it is important that we make the most of it; the beach seems quite appealing already! Go out with your friends and family and be out in nature instead of being cooped up in your house, isolating yourself. The average person is in front of a screen for 6 hours and 40 minutes a day. This holiday, let’s aim to bring that average down and spend some time reading or being outside with friends and family.

As the year comes to a conclusion, we part ways with two school veterans, Mr Williams and Mr Wright. These two teachers have given a lot to the school, so please express our gratitude and wish you both well.

Have a great break, everyone. May God Bless and have a very, very Merry Christmas.

 Luke B., Vice Captain

On Friday, 8th November, Wollemi College opened its doors to welcome the students who will join us next year, including our future Year 2s.

The visitors were given a tour of the school, providing them a glimpse into the learning environment (and sports fields) awaiting them at Wollemi. They also participated in a range of activities, which allowed them to experience firsthand the spirit and community that define our school.

The students who visited were supremely respectful and a delight to host. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were evident throughout the day, and we hope they enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed having them. We look forward to welcoming them as part of the Wollemi family next year.

A special thank you goes to our current Wollemi students who played an invaluable role in making the day a success. Many acted as buddies to the visiting students, making a new friend and answering any questions about the school with expertise. Others showed incredible bravery and responsibility by running a parent Q&A session, addressing questions with confidence. Additional thanks go to those who helped organize and run activities, or led visitors on tours of the school.

It was a day that truly showcased the welcoming culture of Wollemi College, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of our wonderful students. Here’s to an exciting year ahead as we prepare to welcome the next generation of young Wollemi men!

Cameron Wright Year 2G Teacher

The work camp went well. The boys spent the last three days helping in the nursing home, putting up Christmas decorations, helping in the garden, and talking to the residents. The people were really grateful for the energy the boys brought to the nursing home.  

It has been awesome to see the smiles on their faces as they see the Christmas decorations and they talk and sing along with the boys. 

Also, we were so lucky to have Fr. Billy with us this year! It has been great to have mass at home every day and see so many boys going to confession! 

Between Micah on the guitar and Marco on the piano, both nursing homes were filled with music and joy as the residents joined us for a sing-along and played Christmas carols. We even had Joseph Maklouf, who made the residents stand up and dance! It was great to see the joy in the residents' faces. 

At the end, one of the old ladies came to me and said, " Thank you so much for bringing the boys. It brings back so many good memories of my childhood. And the boys have been so kind to us."

Today, I witnessed that even if some of the boys struggle to pay attention in class, they are willing to do anything to make others' lives brighter. 

After dinner today, we had a special moment. I asked the boys to share one thing they have learnt from the residents. It was great to hear from them about the impact this camp is having on these boys. 

It's kind of hard to believe, but I thought I was going to fight hard for the boys to go to sleep. After all the work and the sport they had done the day, they fell asleep in a matter of minutes and were snoring nicely. 

 Everyone was in good spirits, and I think this camp really brought the class together. 

Jack Johnson,  Director of Personalised Education

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Wollemi received this lovely email from Elaine Schutt, who is on the Committee for The Manor residents.

Dear Mr James

On behalf of the Residents Committee and all the Residents here at the Goodwin Village/The Manor, I would like to thank you for organizing the boys to come and help us around the Village.

All of us truly appreciated their help, from helping put up Christmas decorations to helping in the gardens and the little things like walking around with glasses and a jug of water and taking the time to sit and talk to the residents.

Please extend our thanks to all of the boys and wish them a Wonderful, Safe and Happy Christmas.

Best wishes

Elaine Schutt

President, The Manor Residents Committee

In Week 8, the Secondary boys participated in Activities Week, which is an essential part of the formation here at Wollemi! This week aims at making sure the boys finish their school year using their time well. Since the boys have finished their exams, we don't want them to waste time, playing games or watching movies, but instead to do some meaningful service learning.

With this in mind, we launched ourselves into a huge variety of activities, in the middle of these scorching summer days. The boys enjoyed from a Surf day in Manly to one of the most beautiful bushwalks in Wentworth Falls, from visiting the nursing home to organising games to Thorndale festivities. The year 7s and year 9s also had a skills day where they learnt how to cook an omelette, how to change a tyre and how to iron a shirt. I hope the boys got a lot out of it!

All students also participated in a variety of community service activities this week. From the feedback that I received from the boys and the staff, all the boys stepped up to the occasion and wonderfully represented Wollemi. After this week, we can say Wollemi finished 2024 in an amazing, strong way. I want to thank Mrs Reid, Mrs Aguilar, and all the staff who were willing to make this happen and for their help during this week. We couldn't have done it without their help.  Have a Holy and Merry Christmas everyone!

The 2024 Wollemi End-of-Year Presentation, held at Wollemi College last Tuesday, was a special event that marked the formal conclusion of the academic year and brought together the entire student body and parents to celebrate our students’ talents and achievements.

Congratulations to all award winners for their mighty efforts this year!  For those who were not able to attend,  a recording of the Presentation Day for both Primary and Secondary is available, along with the Programs for both events.

Primary  Presentation  Day Program and  Recording: https://tiny.pared.edu.au/wollemiprimarypresentationday 

Secondary Presentation Day Program and  Recording: https://tiny.pared.edu.au/wollemisecondarypresentationday 

The amazing photos were taken by Mr Jeffrey Dohnt (Archer Y7 and  Braxton Y9). 

On Friday, 22 November, we said farewell to our Year 6 boys at their Graduation Mass and luncheon. The event was not an authentic farewell in the pure sense of the word; it was more about wishing them luck in the next chapter of their journey at Wollemi College as they prepare for life in High School - the land of the long pants! The day was an amazing success, and this can be attributed to a variety of contributions made by Mr Iain Fraser, Mr Tu'ipuloto and the Year 6 parents.

Mrs. Tuballa and Mrs Perera, along with their dedicated team of parents, spent the afternoon before transferring the B Block classrooms into a facility fit to host the King! A big thank you to Mr Jeff Dohnt for taking the magnificent photos to capture the event.

After lunch, Mr Fraser and Mr Tu'ipulotu delivered their speech about their respective Year 6 classes.  Congratulations, Year 6, on your amazing contribution to primary school. We wish you all the very best in your secondary schooling! 

 Check out our new  Wollemi merchandise, limited stock so get them before they're gone!

As part of our 25th-anniversary celebrations, we're excited to offer a range of commemorative merchandise, including custom-designed hoodies, beanies, caps, cufflinks, and ties. These items feature unique artwork inspired by Wollemi's motto and vibrant community. By making a purchase, you'll not only be commemorating Wollemi's 25 years of excellence but also supporting the community, as a portion of the proceeds will go towards school initiatives and projects. Visit the front office today to secure your favourite items, as they are in limited supply.

Please pray for our sick Wollemi family and friends:

Joshua Gibbons, 4G, brother to  Joseph ( 2B) and Samuel ( 8G); Matthew Khairy, Year 11;  Sally, Mr Agana's mother-in-law; Easter Nasayao-Montenegro, aunt to Yoav  (9B); Charles Rafanan, father to Kristofer in 4G; Joseph Valladores, father to Jose in 8G; Carol Alvarez, grandmother to  Ramon (8B) and  Vincenzo Zamora (4B); Vengie Panglinan, mother of Sam (Class of 2018) and Josh (Class of 2020); Alice Cassar; grandmother to Xavier Paris 5B;  Gemma Doyle; sister to Finn (4G),  Noah (Year 11B) and Jack (class of 2022);  Louise Cotter, Grandmother to Chase Kerin (9B);   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; Nikita D'Souza, Michael Carrington (PARED Maintenance)'s girlfriend.

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

Cecilio Acasio, grandfather of Peyton Bernacer 8B and Angelo Bernacer 6B; Teresita Martinez-De Guzman, mother to Ardy and  Mike Seguban,  grandmother to  Mikhail (6G); Ian Rajnoch, grandfather to Xavier (5B); Walter Valenton, uncle to Dominique (5B); Igor Mileusnic; uncle to Hugo Giles (5B); Vince Sammut, grandfather to  Lucas in 10G; Dorothy James, grandmother to Harry in 4G; Antonio Singson, father to Ruth and Pierre Fakhry, grandfather to Elias in 10G,  Francis in 5G and Markus in 3B; Peter Ruhl,  father to Eric and Teresa, grandfather to Dominic in 5B and Joseph in 2B; Victor Tuballa, father to Victor and Sarah, grandfather to Alexander in 6B; 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.} 

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

WOLLEMI’S FIRST-EVER VOLLEYBALL TEAM 

The journey began when the boys developed an interest in volleyball. They initially played during school recess and lunch breaks, using a soccer goal post as a makeshift volleyball net. Over the course of a few weeks, their enthusiasm for the sport grew significantly, prompting them to form a formal team. This initiative received full support from all the parents, further fuelling their passion.

The boys joined the Western Sydney Volleyball Club, where their team was put in the B Grade, intermediate level. As they were all boys from Wollemi, they decided to keep their school name and were known as the “Wollemi Vipers” team.

Being a newly formed team with no training and hardly any experience playing on a proper volleyball court, the Wollemi Vipers experienced a challenging start to their season, facing tough competitors and losing their first three matches. 

It was then that a parent from the team, Rey Esteban, and a family friend of theirs, Topz Atienza, volunteered to coach the team. On their own accord, the boys trained for 2 hours each week. Their hard work paid off in the following matches, as the Wollemi Vipers then started winning, at first a set at a time and towards the end of the season, they won most of their games.

The team continued to train rigorously, focusing on improving their techniques, strategies, and teamwork. Their efforts culminated in a well-deserved spot in the FINALS. The journey of the team is a shining example of how perseverance and commitment can lead to success. 

Most of these boys have taken up volleyball as a 2nd sport. Their success is in part due to a group of supportive parents, who have sacrificed additional drives to training and games, plus contributing to food rosters between basketball & volleyball training. They’ve also been gifted with volleyball jerseys, thanks to the Mabborang and Esteban families, and organised by one of the dads, Joey Simeon. 

Players:
Reuven Joshua Esteban
Hayden Mabborang
Isaac Mackenzie-Baron
Ainsley Mercado
Yoav Nasayao
Paolo Pinaroc 
Gerard Simeon
Jeremy Song
Alex Vimalraj 
Matthew Yuhico 

Coaches: 
Rey Esteban
Topz Atienza 

Manager: Tina Yuhico 

Congratulations to our first Wollemi volleyball team, which won their first-ever championship! We are proud of all of the boys for their hard work and dedication to practice. 

Thank you for the parents' support to make this team possible, especially Tina Yuchico as the team manager, Joey Simeon for capturing videos and pictures behind the scenes, and Coach Rey and Tops for helping the boys with their volleyball skills and helping them improve and make plays to win.

Our Year 6 students recently completed a 5-week cricket program with myPEAC Cricket Coaching.

The boys were taught various skills, including catching, throwing, batting, and bowling. 

After weeks of skills and fun activities, the program culminated in a game of Cricket where the boys could showcase all of the skills they had developed over the past 4 weeks. 

Thank you to Cameron and Jordan from myPEAC Cricket Coaching for coming out to teach the boys some Cricket skills and run them through fun activities. 

On the 28th of October 2024, Wollemi entered the BNSW Basketball tournament, consisting of schools from across NSW to play a round-robin style winner-takes competition. The boys had been working hard training from 8 am to 1030am every Saturday to build fitness, skill and cohesion with each other. Our fantastic parent coaches contributed their own time to truly make the best out of the situation and achieve each player's personal best. 

The tournament went well for both teams, earning 2 wins and 2 losses, but that was not enough to advance them to the finals. Thank you, Coach Vic Estilo, Wes Valenton, Jojo Mangaser, and Earl Kabiling for the monumental effort you offer to the boys to help them achieve their personal best. To all the parents who helped shape this community, you have all been at the forefront of why we do this for our kids, and it shows the strong bonds you have cultivated, thank you. Until next time we will strive to press on to the teachings of yesterday to the lessons of tomorrow.

These are some of the comments from some of the parents/coaches who all have expressed their gratitude:

"Thank you Coaches for your heart in this. I can see how much positive affects your mentorship in Xavier. He was motivated from the start till the end and his growth in his skill and confidence. 🙏 thank you"

"Thank you for organizing and for all the support!! What a great effort from our boys"

"Thank you, coach and parents, for your efforts and time. I feel great about being part of this team. Thanks"

".. Thank you for your incredible support today. While we didn't reach the finals, I'm immensely proud of the boys' performance. They played with heart, skill, and sportsmanship and should be proud of their achievements. Your dedication as parents and coaches was instrumental to their success."

"Thank you to all the coaches, the manager, parents and the brave boys who competed in this tournament. We may not have made it to the Finals, but you gave it your all, and that in itself is a great achievement."

"Thanks, everyone for letting me and Coach Wes guide your boys. Proud of how the boys played today. We finished 3rd in our division so a decent outcome. Thank you, parents, for your support today, we feel your energy in the court. Basketball is a journey, we take what we learn today and pick up the ball again tomorrow."

 The Wollemi College Fitting Range's last trading day in December will be Friday 6th December.  Extended Trading Days and hours are below. 

Fitting Range will open during the school holidays for fitting appointments and try-on services only.  

No Sales or orders will be placed on-site. 

All orders are to be placed online only. 

Extended Holiday Fitting Appointment Hours 

Friday, 17th January 2025 9.00 am to 3.00 pm 

Friday, 24th January 2025 9.00 am to 3.00 pm 

Friday, 31st January 2025 9.00 am to 3.00 pm 

* Please note Terms 1 and 4 require full summer uniform 

The fitting range will resume normal hours on Friday 7th February 2025 Friday 1.00 pm – to 4:30pm 

Online Store 

Enjoy the convenience of online shopping. Orders will be filled when the store is next open. 

Fitting Appointment 

Full uniform fittings are strictly by appointment only. Please use the QR code to book an appointment.

 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.

Midford Uniform Order form

Wollemi Uniform requirements  

Do you live in Glenwood, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Quakers Hill and surrounding areas or on route to Montgrove and Wollemi Colleges. We are also able to do transfers between Montgrove and Wollemi.

Our driver has his RMS Driver Authority and completed his Working with Children checks.

Reliable Service at competitive prices.  There are currently spots available so call now and register your children.

Shokr Yassa 0411 575 782