School Newsletter

Many of us will be familiar with the Exodus story – how Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. A particularly significant event occurred when Moses was on Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:18 reads “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.” Understandably the Israelites were terrified, verse 18 of the next chapter reads, “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear.”

Currently, I am reading through the book of Romans in the New Testament. I felt I was quite familiar with the refrain in Chapter 3, where the Apostle Paul reminds us that there is no one righteous, not even one, we are all sinful, and on he goes. Reading through it again recently, I was struck by verse 18, which reads “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” I couldn’t help but contrast this behaviour with the Israelites at Mount Sinai around 1500 years earlier. Faced with the power of the Almighty God evidenced right in front of them on the mountain, the Israelites literally trembled with fear. Paul reflects that many years later people behave as if God doesn’t exist and there is no fear of God at all, you can see it in their eyes.

I’d be surprised if you hadn’t met people who feel comfortable to behave as if God doesn’t exist. There are certainly high-profile atheists across the world who feel very comfortable having no fear of God in their eyes. Sadly, I sometimes reflect on what it will be like for their confidence when they do have their personal Mount Sinai experience, I can’t help but feel their confidence will dissolve rapidly. At the same time, we do need to remember the importance of reading the whole Bible, Psalm 145:8 explains, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” It is wonderful to know that our God does love us and wants to be in relationship with us, but I don’t believe that gives us license to live as if He doesn’t exist.

Our mission is to ‘equip young people to be responsible and responsive disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Our goal is that our students will leave our community confident in God’s love for them, confident of their salvation, because of the saving work of Christ, and living a life that reflects this. When we live that way, we have smiling eyes, glowing in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants what’s best for us.

God bless,

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN OUR SCHOOL CANTEEN

If you can serve in our school canteen in any capacity (once per term, month, week or more) please contact Mrs Bec Hince via email at canteen@wyongccs.nsw.edu.au.

SIBLING ENROLMENTS FOR 2026

Please be reminded that the due date for sibling enrolments for commencement next year has passed.

If you have a child you would like to commence at WCCS next year, particularly for Kindergarten or Year 5 please submit an enrolment application for them urgently.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our Registrar by phoning our school office ( (02) 4351 2020) or email aatherton@wyongccs.nsw.edu.au

PRIVATE MUSIC TUITION

Please click here to access our Private Music Tuition flyer. This contains information for students wanting to commence music tuition during school time.

REACH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATE

In 2024, we decided to trial REACH (a program for after-school assessment and homework help) on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, as our staffing requirements could accommodate teachers being present on these afternoons.

After evaluating the program and considering our staffing needs and timetables we have made the decision not to continue with REACH in 2025.

We are looking at other potential avenues to help facilitate study time for Secondary School students. This will not be a directly supervised service time but provides an opportunity for Secondary students to access a quiet space to study. Please look out for further information in future Newsletters.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

We will be hosting the Sydney Academy of Chess tuition for Junior School students on Tuesday afternoons, after school, starting on Tuesday 11th February (Week 3). For further information, please click here.

NEW BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

Congratulations to Mrs Kelly Tabrett, her husband Dan and new big sister Ella on the arrival of their baby boy, Leo James. Leo was born on Thursday 6th February at 2.51am, weighing in at 5.2kgs (11.5 pounds).
Please keep the Tabretts in your prayers as they settle into being a family of four.

WCCS OPEN DAY

If you have friends or family members considering WCCS for their child/ren, our upcoming Open Day will be held on Wednesday 19th February, 2025. For further information, please click here.

• Give thanks for our Wednesday morning Parents Prayer Group.
• Give thanks for our Year 7 Camp. It was a great way for students and staff to connect, have fun and learn about God.
• Pray for Years 5 & 6 Camp, that it would be a time of safety, fun and connecting with God and one another.
• Pray for our North Road Campus Information Evening, and the process around this new stage in our ministry.

In 2025, we will introduce a slight change to our Newsletter format. Every second edition, I will share insights as Assistant Principal from a K-12 perspective, while on alternate fortnights, the Heads of School will continue to provide updates on their respective schools.

SCHOOL VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

During 2024 I shared with the school community the work that a team of staff from across the school had been undertaking with our School Values. It is a project to look at how we embed our School Values into our community, particularly with our students. We want these values to be more than just behaviours that our community cognitively or intellectually agree with. Rather these values become a part of who they are, so they live them out with ease.

Whilst we use the word ‘values’ as most communities do, those who have a keen interest in this space may recognise that I am talking more in line with the term 'virtues'.

In the Gospels, we read how Jesus challenged His followers to respond or behave in certain ways. ‘Turn the other cheek’. ‘If someone sues you and takes your shirt, give your coat as well’. These behaviours are not our natural instinct. And if we keep trying to do them without living a transformed life then we will continue to fail and may become disillusioned with our Christian faith.

Jesus was encouraging His disciples to live a different way, to live a transformed life. As this transformation takes root, these behaviours will become more natural for us, gradually requiring less effort as they flow from a renewed heart and mind.

The same with our values. We want to see our community not have to ‘try hard’ to behave in a certain way, but through genuine transformation that makes these behaviours second nature.

After many hours of meetings and engaging with the staff and students, the Project Team developed a set of School Behaviours designed to help our students, along with our wider community, embed the values in all we do.

In addition to this, we have also introduced a new Values Integrator role to the school. Mr Joseph Newman has been given time to engage with other organisations and to develop opportunities for our students to engage with our School Values.

UNIFORM

When families enrol at WCCS many comment on how they appreciate our values. Excellence is one of our values and we need to make sure that we are doing our best to help our students live this out, including the wearing of our school uniform. Mr Milligan spoke with our Seondary students during Monday assembly about this matter.

Thank you to all the families who have sent their children to school with the correct uniform. It is greatly appreciated. Classroom teachers in Junior School and Home Room teachers in Secondary School will be in contact with families should there be ongoing issues with uniforms.

LONG-SERVICE LEAVE

From Weeks 6-11 of Term 1, I will be taking Long Service Leave. Mrs Katie Worboys will be Assistant Principal in my absence and Mr Chris Kennedy will be stepping into the Head of Secondary School Wellbeing role during this time.

God bless,

As we start the adventures of 2025, there are many opportunities for our WCCS students to extend themselves in their particular areas of interest!

DA VINCI DECATHLON

This week (Week 3), I am holding information sessions for Years 5-9 about the State da Vinci Decathlon. This is a one-day event held at Knox Grammar at the end of July, where teams of 8 students work together on some incredibly challenging tasks across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy. Students will be asked to nominate themselves and their potential areas of specialty over the next week or so. From these nominations, I will select a team of 8 students from each grade, who will be committing to a lunchtime practice every week, ideally with some extra practice or research also done outside of these team meetings.

DEBATING

In the coming weeks, students in Years 5-9 will have the opportunity to nominate themselves for Debating. Depending on the number of interested students, I may hold tryouts to determine the makeup of teams who will train one lunchtime each week in preparation for the Australian National Virtual Debating Competition, with the virtual debates held throughout Term 2.

SCIENCE FAIR

Our Term 2 major enrichment project will be the Science Fair. This is an at-home project, where students will meet with me at school each week to learn about the steps of the Scientific Method, then complete the work for their project at home, submitting it each week for feedback. It should be completed by the end of Term 2, ready to display their work at our Science Fair in early Term 3. This project would suit very self-motivated young scientists in Years 3-10. I will meet with interested students mid Term 1, giving all the information necessary for students to make a commitment to this Term 2 project by the end of Term 1.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about any of these very exciting upcoming opportunities!

Mrs Anne Livette-Vial | High Potential & Enrichment Teacher

During Term 1 we will be introducing you to our Year 12 Student Leadership Team in our Newsletter. This fortnight we are introducing Tahlia S and Hamish C.

On Friday 31st January, students from Years 1 to 6 headed to Wyong Pool for our annual Swimming Carnival. The weather graced us with its splendour throughout the day. Witnessing the spirited House march past, students fervently cheered for their respective teams. The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as students actively engaged in their races, with many achieving numerous personal bests.

Meanwhile, the Years 1 and 2 students had their traditional Water Fun Day. Cup relays, "stuck in the mud" with spray bottles, sponge throwing, and wading pool relays were among the delightful activities they embraced. The highlight of the day for them was the opportunity to take a dip in the main pool in the 25m race.

A massive congratulations to Jack T (8 Year Boys 50m freestyle & 50m backstroke), Harvey C (11 Year Boys 50m freestyle) and Lotus V (12 Year Girls 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke & 50m butterfly) for breaking records on the day.

It was heartening to observe a large turnout of students eagerly participating in races, striving to amass points for their Sport Houses. Gratitude is extended to all teachers, and Year 9 PASS students for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Special acknowledgment goes to the Junior School teachers for their relentless efforts throughout the event. Furthermore, appreciation is extended to the families who attended and cheered on their children, fostering an atmosphere of support and encouragement. Special thanks to Mr Matt Jones for refereeing stroke technique during the day.

Mrs Papalexion invested considerable effort into finalising the results. All results have been placed on the Junior School Sport Canvas page. Those students who have qualified for the Zone Carnival will be sent permission notes in the next week or so.

We will be announcing the Age Champions and House Champion in an upcoming Primary Assembly.

Mr Dean Knibbs | Junior School Sport Coordinator

On Thursday 20th January our Secondary School students, staff and families came together for our annual Swimming Carnival. Prayers were answered as the weather held off for near-perfect swimming conditions! An incredible day was had, filled with excitement, energy, and fierce competition. Students gave their all in the competitive races, showcasing impressive speed and skill in the pool.

There were moments of pure fun too, with novelty events like the Silly Salmon, the Belly Flop Competition, Seniors vs Teachers inflatable boat race and even some wild and entertaining Dance Battles that had everyone involved. It was very encouraging to see many of our Secondary School parents and caregivers attend the carnival to show their support alongside our student body as swimmers competed in our formal events. A big congratulations to all students who competed in our formal racing events and to those who dove in and represented their Sporting House.

This year’s carnival brought in a stack of new records! Congratulations to the following individuals and their newly established school records:

GIRLS

• 12 Year 50m Free - Arlya R (36.31)
• 18 Year 50m Free - Isabelle B (31.40)
• 18 Year 50m Fly - Isabelle B (35.58)
• 13 Year 50m Backstroke - Isabelle J (38.65)
• 18 Year 50m Backstroke - Isabelle B (37.81)
• 12 Year 50m Breaststroke - Arlya R (46.78)
• 18 Year 50m Breaststroke - Isabelle B (40.93)
• 12 Year 100m Free - Arlya R (1.23.00)
• 13 Year 100m Free - Isabelle J (1.15.65)
• 18 Year 100m Free - Isabelle B (1.11.26)

BOYS

• 14 Year 50m Free - Mathias W (29.62)
• 15 Year 50m Free - Tyler H (28.17)
• 16 Year 50m Free - Noah J (27.96)
• 18 Year 50m Free - Jonathan W (26.99)
• 13 Year 50m Fly - Ezra D (37.83)
• 14 Year 50m Fly - Mathias W (32.93)
• 15 Year 50m Fly - Tyler H (31.78)
• Jnr 200m Free - Ezra D (2.27.75)
• Int 200m Free - Tyler H (2.24.18)
• 13 Year 50m Backstroke - Ezra D (38.96)
• 14 Year 50m Breaststroke - Mathias W (38.78)
• 16 Year 50m Breaststroke - Noah J (39.55)
• 13 Year 100m Free - Ezra D (1.10.13)
• 15 Year 100m Free - Tyler H (1.03.88)
• 16 Year 100m Free - Noah J (1.02.81)
• 18 Year 100m Free - Jonathan W (1.06.15)
• Jnr Ind Medley - Ezra D (2.56.38)

A massive congratulations to the following individuals who are this year’s Swimming Age Champions! Your determination, grit and efforts were a great witness to all of us.

The total points tally for the 2025 Secondary School Swimming Carnival is as follows.

Congratulations Liddell – Swimming Carnival House Champions of 2025!

Thank you to all students, staff and supporters who came along, got involved and contributed to a great carnival and day!

Blessings,

Mr Nathan Irvine | Secondary School Sport Coordinator