School Newsletter

Growing up, I had the blessing of going to Sunday School and learning a lot of kids' songs about the Bible. I wonder whether you have ever had the experience where you are reading scripture and can’t help but break into the bouncing rhythm of a tune that has been embedded in your mind from when you were a child.

Currently in my Bible reading, I am working my way through the book of Acts. Every time I read Acts 3, verse 6 – Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” – I can’t help but find myself singing the kids' song I learnt as a child. Perhaps you know it yourself. The song goes on… ‘and he went walking and leaping and praising God (clap, clap)…’

In Deuteronomy 6, it encourages us to teach our children the instructions of God. Verse 7 reads, "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." There are many different ways we can do that, perhaps it is through song, maybe it is through memory verses or artworks or pictures. The point is, learning the Bible well from a young age can set us up for the rest of our lives.

I know personally, I am very thankful for Colin Buchanan. He has many songs that bring beautiful Bible truths that remain faithful to scripture into songs that kids (and adults) of all ages can enjoy. Super Saviour is a classic example. He’s not the only one, there are others, but he might be an easy one to locate on streaming platforms.

As you know, our school is a Christian educational community founded on biblically based beliefs, values and behaviours. Learning the truths of the Bible, who Jesus is and what He has done for us all, is a key foundation of all that we do. That’s done in lots of different ways, and I truly believe your children (and indeed all of us) are blessed when this happens.

At the end of last term, we said farewell to Nicole Davis from the Finance team as she joined with her husband to move to Ballina to start a church. This week, we welcome Joy Diehm to our staff team as her replacement. You may not see Joy all that often, as she will mostly be based in the engine room of the Accounts department ensuring all our bills get paid, but please make her feel welcome if you do see her out in the administration area.

God bless,

• Understanding Faith Course (Night 2) - Wednesday 12th November, 7pm for prospective families (Week 5)

• Year 12 Formal - Thursday 13th November (Week 5)

• Understanding Faith Course (Night 3) - Wednesday 19th November, 7pm for prospective families (Week 6)
• K-12 Orientation Day - Thursday 20th November (Week 6)
• Evening of Eminence - Tuesday 25th November (Week 7)
• Private Music Tuition Recital - Wednesday 26th November, 4-5.30pm (Week 7)
• Understanding Faith Course (Night 4) - Wednesday 26th November, 7pm for prospective families (Week 7)
• Junior School Grandparents' Morning - Friday 28th November, 9:30am (Week 7)
• WCCS Christmas Fest - Tuesday 2nd December, 4:30-6:30pm (Week 8)
• Junior School Carols Evening - Tuesday 2nd December, 6:30pm (Week 8)
• Year 6 Graduation Evening - Thursday 4th December (Week 8)
• Kindergarten Graduation - Tuesday 9th December (Week 9)
• Junior School Celebration Assembly - Wednesday 10th December, 9am (Week 9)
• Secondary School Celebration Assembly - Wednesday 10th December, 12pm (Week 9)
• Last Day Term 4 - Thursday 11th December (Week 9)
• K-12 Presentation Evening - Thursday 11th December, 7pm (Week 9)

CHRISTMAS FEST

SECONDARY SCHOOL SWAPTOBER

WCCS is partnering with Baptist World Aid this November to bring our Secondary School its first ever Swaptober event. On Thursday 27th November, after Chapel, Secondary students who wish to participate in a mass clothes swap will be able to do so. Here’s some background information:

• The average Australian buys 55 new items of clothing per year
• 1 in 4 people have thrown away a garment after 1 wear
• 50% of Australian wardrobe items go mostly unworn
• 200 million kilograms of clothing go to landfill each year

Baptist World Aid are aiming to educate our students about the negative effects of Fast Fashion. Our Swaptober event is a way that our students can get involved in fighting Fast Fashion.

Here’s how it works. Over the next month, students can put aside 3-5 items of clean clothing that they no longer want. They then bring these to school in Week 7 (Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th November) where they can be sorted, ready for the Swaptober event. For each item of clothing brought in, the student receives purchase tokens. These tokens are then exchanged at the clothes swap after Chapel on Thursday 27th November. Those involved will essentially be getting new clothes without Fast Fashion being rewarded. Items to donate include:

• T-shirts, shirts, blouses etc.
• Shorts, skirts, pants, jeans etc.
• Hoodies, jumpers, jackets etc.
• Shoes, sandals etc.

So, start thinking about some clean items of clothing you might normally give to an op-shop and save them for Swaptober. Stay tuned for more info next newsletter. You can also donate to Baptist World Aid via our school’s personalised link if you would like to assist in their work. Click here to donate.

Thanks for getting involved.

Rev Matt Shorten | School Chaplain

FOSTER CARE

There is an urgent need for more foster carers in Australia. If you believe your family might be interested in transforming the life of a young person by providing them with stability and support, click here for more information.

• We give thanks for our wonderful library staff who share their love of literature with our students.
• We give thanks for our K-2 Swim Scheme and that these experiences will help boost our students' confidence in and around water.
• We continue to pray for our HSC students as they sit their examinations, to experience God's peace.
• We pray that the building works on-site will continue to go smoothly and safely.

JUNIOR DIRECTORS OF BENDIGO BANK

Earlier this year, Year 11 students Keira R and Joel A were appointed as Junior Directors of Bendigo Bank. Last week, they joined other Junior Directors for a visit to Parliament House, hosted by member for Wyong, The Honourable David Harris.

It’s wonderful to see our students not only learning and growing through this experience but also giving back to the community through this valuable volunteering opportunity.

YEAR 7 YEAR ADVISOR - 2026

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Hannah Kelly has been appointed as the Year 7 Year Advisor for 2026. Mrs Kelly will begin connecting with our current Year 6 students and will play an important role in supporting their transition from Junior School to Secondary School.

PREFECTS

Although our Prefects were introduced to the school community earlier this year, on the final day of Term 3 we were delighted to announce our School Captains and the specific portfolios for each Prefect. We look forward to seeing this outstanding group of student leaders serve and guide our school community throughout 2025 and 2026.

Early next year, we will profile each of our Prefects in our fortnightly school newsletter.

As I was waiting for the Junior School students to assemble on the deck for Friday’s Chapel, I happened to be standing near Mr T’s class. They were lining up beautifully when one of the students asked me the question, “Who made God?” So I answered him and said that God has always been and always will be, so nobody made Him.

I actually wrote about this in the very first Newsletter Q&A with Rev back in Week 8 of Term 1, so you can check that out for a more complete explanation. What I loved was that he went on to say he was having a conversation with his dad about this question, and his dad had said to ask me. It is wonderful to hear that families are talking about deep spiritual and important matters in their homes. I really appreciate too, that dad trusted me to give an honest answer, which I hope is helpful and keeps the conversation going at home.

One of the ways we can add depth to our conversations at home is by reading the Bible together. When our girls were little, we would often incorporate Bible stories into story time and, in fact, have a tradition that lasted well into their teen years to read from a children’s Bible every time we went to our farm. As they grew, we were able to give them their own Bibles and encourage them to read on their own.

But where is a good place to start?

A number of students have actually asked me that question over the years too. Which book of the Bible should I read first? My personal preference is to recommend that you start with one of the Gospels in the New Testament - Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - and I usually recommend Mark as it is the shortest and most direct. By reading a Gospel book, you will start to see Jesus’ character in action, read stories about how He transformed people’s lives and ultimately learn the whole story of His arrest, trial, death, burial and resurrection. It won’t all make sense at once, but a picture will begin to be painted of who Jesus is and how He is God in human form.

There are some really good resources that you can partner up with Bible reading too. Books that are study guides on a book of the Bible, commentaries that are written by scholars that take you deeper into the meanings of the original language and even online sermons where people share their thoughts about the text in the Bible you might be reading. The book shop Koorong is helpful in providing some of these books to help young (and less young) people understand more fully. So let me encourage you to get yourself in the Bible with your kids, have a read and who knows, you might have a question you’d like to ask me too.

I’m re-reading Matthew currently, and I’m noticing things with fresh eyes. God’s word is like that though, but that’s a conversation for another day.

God bless,

HCSZS BASKETBALL GALA DAY

On Wednesday 15th October, Mrs McKendry and I took four teams to the HCSZS Basketball Gala Day in Broadmeadow. It was a fantastic day of competition, teamwork and encouragement.

Our Senior Girls showed great skill and determination across their matches. Both the Junior Boys and Junior Girls teams played amazingly and made it all the way to the finals, just missing out in closely contested games.

A huge congratulations to our Senior Boys team, who went undefeated throughout the day to win the tournament!

A big thank you also goes to Secondary students Zac and Grace for coaching our Junior teams and supporting them so well throughout the day.

Well done to all players for representing our school so proudly on and off the court.

Mr Rob Higgins | Primary Sport Coordinator

MIXED ZONE OZTAG GALA DAY

Recently, our Secondary School proudly took three teams to compete in the annual Mixed Zone Oztag Gala Day. Despite the wet and rainy conditions that persisted throughout the day, the enthusiasm and energy from our students never wavered.

It was a joy to witness our talented students giving their best on the field and demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship. A special congratulations to our Junior Division 2 and Senior team, who both made it through to the Grand Final in their respective divisions. Although both teams narrowly missed out on victory in close matches, they held their heads high and showed great resilience and respect for their opponents.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing our teams on the sidelines, cheering each other on and offering encouragement and support. That sense of school spirit and unity truly made us proud.

A huge thank you to the dedicated staff who attended on the day and those who trained and prepared the teams in the lead-up to the event. Your time and commitment made the day a memorable and rewarding experience for our students.

A special congratulations to our Colossians 3:17 award recipients: Bailey K, Buddy O and Izaiah M for playing the game in a way that honours God with their abilities, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. Congratulations!

SECONDARY CIS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

In Week 9 last term, WCCS sent six students to represent CSSA at the annual Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park, with strong performances across a day of competition.

The day was marked by excellent participation, with all students giving their best in a wide range of track and field events. More importantly, they demonstrated great sportsmanship - supporting their teammates, showing respect to competitors, and contributing to a positive and encouraging atmosphere throughout the day.

It was fantastic to see so many of our students proudly representing our school and enjoying the opportunity to compete at such an iconic venue. A big thank you to the parent volunteers who assisted on the day. Their support helped everything run smoothly and ensured the students could focus on doing their best.

Special congratulations to the following students on their efforts.

• Orlando G (800m) - 6th Place
• Tom F (Long Jump) - 3rd Place
• Mathias W, Orlando G, Tom F and James C (4x100m) - 4th Place (close 3rd)
• Amelia H (1500m) - 8th Place
• Marlo E (High Jump) - 9th Place

YEAR 10 PASS

At the end of last term, our Year 10 PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies) students had the opportunity to put their learning into action through a meaningful and rewarding partnership with a local school – Glenvale School (The Entrance, NSW).

Over the course of three weeks, students applied their understanding of adaptive sports education, focusing on the value of inclusivity, care, and creating safe, enjoyable physical activity environments for all participants.

Working closely with the staff and students at Glenvale School, our Year 10s helped facilitate sessions in bike riding, basketball, and soccer, building positive connections and helping to create lasting memories. Through their involvement, they demonstrated kindness, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility—qualities that were recognised and praised by the staff at Glenvale.

The experience gave our students a deeper appreciation for inclusive sport and highlighted the importance of empathy, respect, and teamwork in real-world settings. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff and students of Glenvale School for welcoming us so warmly. The opportunity to learn and grow together through physical activity was incredibly valuable, and we look forward to continuing this connection again next year.

Well done to our Year 10 PASS students for representing WCCS so positively - your service and partnership is a testament to your character and values.

Mr Nathan Irvine | Secondary School Sports Coordinator