Congratulations to our Under 10s futsal team, which has been crowned regional champions and will progress to the NSW State Futsal championship. In addition, our Opens team, whilst not victorious in the regional finals, has also earned a ticket to the State Championship due to the quality of their play. What a great achievement for a school of our size. A big thank you to all the staff and parents who are facilitating this, and best of luck to our boys.

Congratulations are also in order to our Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 boys on their wonderful NAPLAN results. You can read some of the highlights HERE. I was particularly pleased by the upward trend shown since the test was significantly changed in 2023.  Also, even though comparative data is not as available in the new test, we have performed significantly higher than the State average across all the strands. These results are a testament to the strength of our academic program, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of our families. We are proud of our students' achievements and remain committed to fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Please keep in mind our Year 12 students as they prepare for their HSC Trial examinations, commencing next week, and the tail end of their academic journey at Wollemi. We have a wonderful tradition at the school of praying for our HSC students, and they are counting on us for that support. 

This Friday, 15 August, we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady with a special whole school Mass beginning at 10 am. You are welcome to join us. The date coincides with Fr Anthony Khoudair’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination. Congratulations Fr Anthony. I know you can count on the prayers of everyone at Wollemi. 

Also for your diary, I am hoping to see many dads here on Friday, 22 August for our inaugural Fathering Project Event. In addition, please note our Term 3 KPF with Dr Judith Locke, bestselling author of The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student. We will have two sessions: one for Primary parents on Wednesday, 27 August, and one for Secondary parents on Thursday, 28 August.  On Friday, 5 September, we will host our traditional Father’s Day Breakfast at school, and hope to see many of our dads there. More information and order forms will be sent out soon.

James Ramos, Headmaster

I am very fortunate to be part of the Secondary PDHPE faculty, ably led by Mr Adam Bayliss and his team – Mr Dustin Uyeda (Primary), Mr Paul Garziniti, and Mr Luke Dominici. Their hard work and dedication to our students and sport in general have taken Wollemi College’s PDHPE and external sporting programs to new heights.

Over the past several years, our boys have enjoyed many opportunities to participate and compete in a wide variety of sports, both at school and externally. Many have tried sports they had never played before and, in some cases, have gone on to pursue these sports outside of school.

Just this year, Wollemi College has fielded teams in gala days for futsal, Oztag League, 7-a-side rugby, American flag football, soccer, touch football, cricket, volleyball, basketball, and triathlon – with even more opportunities on the horizon. In addition, some of our boys have competed, or will soon compete, in Hills Zone and CIS carnivals, including athletics, swimming, and cross country.

With all this activity in mind, I would like to thank the aforementioned staff, along with the many other colleagues who give up their lunch breaks and personal time to coordinate, train, and coach our students. Without their dedication and effort, the sports and PDHPE programs at Wollemi would not be possible.

Student Safety Before School

This is a kind reminder about student access to school grounds before the start of the day. Supervision begins at 8:15 am. If you drop your son/s off before this time, we ask that you please wait with him in your car until the 8:15 am bell sounds.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

• Primary: Luke Baxter – lukebaxter@wollemi.nsw.edu.au
  
  
• Secondary: Scott Williamson – scottwilliamson@wollemi.nsw.edu.au
  
  

Thank you for your cooperation and support in this matter.

Scott Williamson, Deputy Headmaster

On Sunday, 3 August, Pope Leo celebrated the Mass for the Jubilee of Youth in Rome. It was very impressive to see the Pope going through the big crowd of young girls and boys: around a million!!

In his homily, he reminded everyone of our calling to holiness wherever we are: 

“Dear young people, Jesus is our hope. It is he, as Saint John Paul II said, “who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives [...] to commit… to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” (XV World Youth Day, Prayer Vigil, 19 August 2000). Let us remain united to him, let us remain in his friendship, always, cultivating it through prayer, adoration, Eucharistic Communion, frequent Confession, and generous charity, following the examples of Blessed Piergiorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will soon be declared saints. Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you”.

Do not settle for less!! It is a very clear message for our students and families! From now on, these words will make our pastoral work at Wollemi easier: Pope Leo is pushing us to be united with Jesus, to follow the example of the Saints, to aim for holiness in our ordinary life. Do not settle for less!!

Father Felix Navarro - College Chaplain

Last week, we were blessed to be joined by the founder (Antonia Canaris) and one of the directors (Michael Canaris) of the Australian Dyslexia Foundation for our Friday afternoon assembly. Antonia and Michael spoke about the foundation, how it was formed and what impact it is having for people with dyslexia. 

The foundation was formed after Antonia had identified a need in the community - the lack of support for people with dyslexia - and chose to make a difference by forming a foundation that could assist people to access important support. 

This is an example I would like the Primary boys to take with them throughout their lives. At Wollemi, we aim to develop young men of character who will make a difference in society. Antonia and Michael are examples of this. I hope our community will draw inspiration from Antonia and Michael and always work to have a positive impact on society. 

It is evident that Antonia and Michael’s presentation was well-received by all grades, with a number of students already coming to me with new initiatives and plans for fundraisers and other activities within the school. Some more exciting, student-led initiatives are on the way! 

Book Week 2025

Our annual Book Week Parade and Family Picnic is fast approaching. Year 2 and Year 3 parents would have now received an email detailing our plans for our celebration on Friday, 29 August. 

I look forward to seeing the Year 2-3 students transform into their favourite literary characters for the costume parade and welcome all Year 2 and Year 3 parents and siblings to our Family Picnic. 

Year 4-6 students will also participate in a number of Book Week activities throughout Term 3. More information to come shortly. 

When you're at the end of your life and look back at this very moment in time, what do you think you would wish you gave more time to — right now? REGRET IS POWERFUL. It's easy to get caught up in taking care of business while leaving the most important aspects of your life on autopilot. This leads to provisional thinking such as: "When I finish this project, THEN I'll give more time to... my family, my friends, my studies, my health, my ...". Look at your current weekly schedule and you may find that the amount of time you spend on things bears no relationship to their actual importance. Just look at today: if what matters most in life hasn't been around much today, when will you start living as if it mattered?

Ask yourself: 

- Am I going to be proud of what I'm doing in 5 years?

- Am I going to remember what I'm using my time for right now, in 5 years? 

If the answer is no, it's time to take action. 

Matthias S., School Captain

We’re a little over three weeks into the Wollemi Primary Readathon, and what an incredible effort so far! Our students have read over 290,000 pages and raised over $570 for the Australian Dyslexia Foundation.

In Week 2, we were privileged to hear from Mrs. Antonia Canaris, the founder of the Australian Dyslexia Foundation. She spoke with all of Primary about why people with dyslexia need our support and encouraged us to keep up the amazing work we’re doing.

So far, some exciting raffle prizes have been announced, including:

• Vintage Pokémon cards
• A JB Hi-Fi gift voucher
• A skateboarding set and professional lessons

…and there are many more prizes still to come!

The raffle will be drawn during the Book Week Book Parade in Week 6, so make sure you keep reading and collecting those sponsorships for your chance to win! Every page counts, and every dollar raised helps make a difference. Let’s continue being generous with our time to read and any money we can spare to support this fantastic cause. 

Nathan Quan, Teacher (Primary)/Mentor

Congratulations to the students who have already completed the Challenge.

On Monday, 4th August, Year 9 took part in an exciting maths incursion run by Inquisitive Minds. We kicked the day off with a session full of problem-solving activities. We tackled a range of questions from geometry to probability, working in duos to crack each one. It was great to put our thinking skills to the test and get competitive. 

The second session was the main event, featuring a range of activities including problems, patterns, pictures, and puzzles. At first, the questions seemed simple, but as we moved through the levels, they got more difficult. Each challenge pushed us to think differently, and every success felt like a mini victory. 

The final session gave us a chance to relax while still getting hands-on with some engineering challenges. Using wooden blocks, we worked in teams to complete creative tasks. Ramon, Noah, and Sam built a wooden block bridge with a span of 80cm, where the NSW record is 87.5cm!

Throughout the day, plenty of Chocolates and lollies were handed out, and the top teams walked away with the grand chocolate prizes. Overall, we had an engaging and enjoyable day, walking away with sweets and a mental workout. 

Jagath K and Kabeer A, Year 9

For the first four weeks of Term 3, Year 9 students are heading off-site to the St Marys Tennis Courts as part of their PDHPE program. The boys have shown great enthusiasm and are enjoying the challenge of learning new skills on the court. It's been a positive and active start to the term.

Luke Dominici, Secondary Teacher.

On Wednesday, 6th August, Year 10 students went to Qudos Bank Arena to take part in the BStreetSmart program. The event aims to reduce accidents and injuries among young people by teaching safe driving, riding, and passenger habits.

Students watched a real crash scenario and saw how emergency services responded. They also heard from people who have suffered brain and spinal injuries and learned about the consequences of unsafe driving. A live brake testing demonstration showed the importance of quick reactions on the road.

Overall, the students found the day informative and took away important lessons they can use to stay safe on the road.

Luke Dominici, Secondary Teacher

On Friday 1st August, Year 10 PDHPE students were fortunate to take part in an engaging and eye-opening session run by Wheelchair Sports NSW. The visit included a short but impactful presentation on road safety and disability awareness, encouraging students to reflect on the real-life consequences of risky behaviour.

Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to experience wheelchair basketball firsthand—giving them a new perspective on sport, accessibility, and resilience. It was a fun and educational experience that left a lasting impression. 

Luke Dominici, Secondary Teacher

Aloha Wollemi Ohana,

It is only week 4 and it has already been a very busy term in the world of Primary Athletics. 

Wanderers Fives School Cup Finals:

We had not one but two teams qualify for the Wanderers Fives School Cup Championships. Both teams played well and did an amazing job representing our school and their families!  Congratulations to all participants.

NSW NFL Flag Football Championships:

For the first time, Wollemi College entered the NSW NFL Flag Football Championships. Our boys have been learning about American Flag Football in PDHPE and got to display the skills and strategies they have learned. They did a great job, especially considering it was the first time any of them participated in an organized American Football Game. We finished tied for 3rd on the day and lost a close game in the semi-finals. Congratulations to all involved! Maybe someday we will see some of them representing the Australian Flag Football team in the Olympics.

NSW Futsal Regional Championships:

Last week, we had 1 U10s team and 1 U13s team represent Wollemi College in the NSW Futsal Regional Championships. Both teams played extremely well and both advanced to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, our U13 team lost a hard-fought game in the semi-finals. Our U10s team not only advanced to the finals, but won in an exciting game! Congratulations to all players and coaches, especially to our U10s!

We look forward to the rest of the term and encourage all of our amazing athletes to keep school, faith and family at the forefront of their minds. Once again, congratulations and a big thank you to all the athletes who have represented our school well!

As we near the end of this Term, we would like to invite you to a special Key Parent Function by Dr Judith Locke on Helping your child become confident and capable. 

Dr Judith Locke is a clinical psychologist, former School Counsellor, and author of The Bonsai Child and Raising Anxiety. She runs a successful private practice and delivers parent-focused training in Australia and internationally, aiming to promote long-term psychological well-being and resilience in children and families.

This KPF is exclusively for Montgrove and Wollemi staff and parents from Years 7-12, and will be held at the Montgrove COLA on Thursday, 28 August (7pm for a 7:30pm start). 

A separate KPF will be held for Kindy - Year 6 staff and parents on 27 August. 

Parents with children in both groups are welcome to attend twice if they want to. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Please RSVP for the Years 7-12 Term 3 KPF using this LINK.

We are excited to invite you to the inaugural Fathering Project event at our school, taking place on Friday, 22nd August.

This gathering is an opportunity for fathers and father-figures to come together in a relaxed setting, accompanied by some wine and cheese, to engage in meaningful conversations around fatherhood, family life, and the challenges and joys of being a dad today.

Our first session will be centred on “The Father and His Family” authored by Michael Moynihan—a powerful reflection on the role of fathers in shaping a thriving home culture built on love, responsibility, and presence.  

 [Wollemi College - B1 + B2 Rooms]
 [Friday, 22nd August]
 [7:45PM start]
 Wine, Cheese 'n' Crackers Provided

Whether you’re looking to grow in your role as a father, connect with other dads, or simply take time to reflect on what matters most, this evening will offer encouragement and community.

RSVP by Friday, 15th August to bernardjames@wollemi.nsw.edu.au.

We hope you can join us as we begin this important journey of building stronger men for stronger families.

Bernard James, Formation Assistant 

Please pray for our sick Wollemi family and friends:

Carol Gonzales, mother to Gena and Alan Soriano, grandmother to Matthias (12G), Ignatius (8B) and Lorenzo (7B); (4B); Joseph Valladores, father to Jose (9G); Carol Alvarez, grandmother to Ramon (9B) and  Vincenzo Zamora (5B); Emmanuel Hanna, brother to George (8G); Victor Sciberras, father to Marianne and Carmel Spiteri, grandfather to Justin (9B); Mariano Valladores, father to Ela and Will O'Neill, grandfather to Michael (11B) and John-Paul (7B); John McAuley (101 yo) great-grandfather to Max Horsfall (5B) and Joseph McAuley (3G); Zoey de Villiers, sister of Jayson de Villiers (6G) and daughter of Mr Jean Pierre de Villiers (Wollemi Teacher).

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

Lucrecia Concepcion, great-grandmother to Yoav Nasayao (10B), Paul Ruhl, brother to Eric Ruhl, uncle to Joseph (3B) and Dominic (6B); Emelita Humarang, grandmother to Harry Tamunday in Yr 4; Jamie Dowsett, father of Max 4B and Noah 6B; Rita Farrugia, grandmother to John Paul 6G and Elijah 4G; Remedios  & Mariano Tiano,  mother and father  to Raquel and Edge Pinaroc, grandmother and grandfather to Lucas (6G) and Paolo (10G); Argyna Santiago, Year 12 Montgrove student, sister of Aryel (Class of 2020 graduate) and Argel (Class of 2015 graduate), first cousin to Seb Santiago 11B and Pocholo Javier (Dad of Mateo 6B, Lucas 5B and Enzo 2B); Bridget Collits, auntie to Luke Collits 4B; Erlinda Kabiling; grandmother to Andrei Kabiling (7B); Cirilo Kabiling; grandfather to Andrei Kabiling (7B); Chris Clements, son-in-law to Mr Gerard Kenny (Wollemi Teacher); Mario Cauchi, mother to  Annabelle and  Placidus Bhandoo, grandfather to Elijah (4G) and John-Paul (6G); Bruce Kilpatrick, father to Julie Blazevic (Montgrove school secretary), grandfather to Daniel (Class of 2017) and John-Paul (Class of 2011); Benjie Santiago; father to Argel (class of 2015) and Aryel (Class of 2020), brother to Lydia and Danny Jocson; Cecilio Acasio, grandfather of Peyton Bernacer 9B and Angelo Bernacer 7B; Teresita Martinez-De Guzman, mother to Ardy and  Mike Seguban, grandmother to  Mikhail (7G).

Congratulations to:

Angelo and Melanie Armas on the birth of Alvaro and Aliana, siblings of Azariah (3G).

_{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 you wish to remove your intentions from the newsletter.} 

To finally mark Wollemi College's 25th Anniversary in 2024, we are thrilled to present a commemorative book honouring our rich history and the remarkable contributions of those who have paved the way for our success. 

 We believe this book is a meaningful way to honour and celebrate our school's legacy for years to come. Additional copies are available for purchase at the Front Office, enabling you to share this cherished keepsake with extended family and friends. We deeply appreciate your continued support and hope this special book inspires you.

To order your copy today, click here.

Wollemi is 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.

Visit the front office today to secure your favourite items, as they are in limited supply.

Wollemi College is delighted to announce that Dion Palumbo will be teaching the guitar on Wednesdays in the Music Centre.

He has vast experience performing and teaching, including in London.

A career highlight was performing at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. He has conducted and arranged music for the British National Youth Jazz Orchestra and won best EP in the Jazz/Funk/Fusion section of the 2014 Independent Music Awards.

Dion is also a highly qualified Music Therapist and the College is in discussions with him to obtain his services in this area. Watch this space!

 If you wish to start lessons with Mr Dion Palumbo, please contact Ms Melissa Lamrock, Head of Music – melissa.lamrock@wollemi.nsw.edu.au  

The school gates will open at 8:15 a.m., and students are not allowed onto the school premises before this time unless they have co-curricular commitments. If you are dropping your child/children off before 8:15 a.m., please remind them that they are to stay outside the gates until they are 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 not to exit the car.

Please collect your child/children between 3.25 pm and 3.45 pm when Teacher supervision ends.

 This is a reminder to parents NOT to park along Gipps Rd in the afternoon, as it causes congestion and risks the safety of our students.

The safety and well-being of our students are of paramount importance at Wollemi.  As you would appreciate, with the commencement of a new school term, and the continued growth of the school population, the volume of traffic in and around the College has increased during afternoon pick-up. As a result of this, we have taken some measures to improve the parking at the College with the expansion of the overflow car park. To help ensure the effective traffic flow and our Wollemi community's safety, I take this opportunity to remind you of the College’s pick-up procedures. 

Main Carpark (inside the College)

1.     Entry into the school is via the second gate only.

2.    Students are only to be collected in the green pick-up area (see diagram above) 

3.    The curb by the buildings is set down and pick up only (noted in green) – no parking.  Do not alight from the right-hand side of cars in the set-down lane.  Please be especially vigilant that children ONLY alight on the left.

4. Please do not double park in the set-down lane; instead, wait for space to become available on the curb.

5.    Please remain in your vehicle until your son arrives. 

6. When waiting in the carline to collect your son/son, please move to the front of the line or fill any empty space available along the pickup area to ensure traffic flow and maximise space. 

Please watch for young students crossing on the pedestrian crossing from the school veranda entrance to the carpark.

Overflow car park (outside the school)

7. Students are only to be collected in the green pickup area (see diagram above) 

8. Please Park only in the designated parking bays - as noted in yellow on the diagram  

IMPORTANT NOTES

Please ensure your son knows which carpark he will be picked up from in the afternoon. 

To further assist with traffic flow and reduce parent wait time in the car line, please remind your sons that they must be watchful for the approach of your vehicle on Gipps Rd so that they can be ready for collection.

We hope these measures will help improve traffic flow within the College, reduce congestion, and ensure student safety. We appreciate that the afternoon pickup period can be busy, and we ask that we continue to be patient and courteous to each other. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The uniform shop will return to normal hours on Fridays.  Throughout the school term our opening hours are 1:00pm – 4:30 pm on Fridays.

Online Store

Enjoy the convenience of online shopping. Orders will be filled out when the store opens next. 

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  

Jesus Youth, a Catholic movement with canonical approval and active presence in Sydney,  other cities in Australia, and around the world, is offering an incredible opportunity for teenagers (Grade 7 to 12) to deepen their faith and experience spiritual growth. It promises to be an enlightening experience for all who attend. This retreat offers them the opportunity to step away from the daily hustle and immerse themselves in a nurturing environment where they can connect with God, strengthen their faith, and build lasting friendships with peers who share their values. It will feature engaging talks on topics relevant to teenagers, uplifting and vibrant music, reflective discussions, and interactive, fun activities designed to deepen their understanding of the beauty of living the Catholic faith. The program includes daily Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and opportunities for Reconciliation. This will be a precious chance for teenagers to explore their spiritual identity, confront the challenges of the modern world, and grow closer to God.

Here is the Registration form to confirm seats. Please feel free to pass this to any other parents/teenagers who might be interested.