Introducing the concept design for our new Senior Studies building….. Construction has begun on this building which will have 12 new classrooms, including 6 specialist rooms for Technology and Applied Studies, Visual Arts, Food Technology and Science laboratories. In addition to the flexible learning spaces, similar to Building 2 this building also has enclosed verandah spaces on the first floor allowing for outdoor breakout spaces with shelter from the weather. As we anticipate the College’s enrolments growing by another 100 students in 2017, these classrooms will provide a wonderful extension to our facilities and there are further plans underway to develop outdoor learning and playground spaces for the Senior School as well. Our focus is always to have flexible learning environments which promote engagement and collaboration. I have undertaken a number of learning walks recently in which I visit classes to identify and be immersed in student learning.

How wonderful it was to observe Year 3 students excited about Mathematics and solving problems to determine the perimeter and area of a space. In Kindergarten there were examples of progress being made in literacy as students could recognise their sight words which were “hidden” around the room. In Preparatory I spent time with students in an inquiry-based activity on transport. Even our youngest learners are using their thinking skills to describe what they already know about a topic and ask questions to learn more deeply. Our College is flourishing as we promote a culture of learning and continue to build the resources necessary for further growth. “The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. The desert will sing and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the Lord's splendor, see his greatness and power”. Isaiah 35:1-2 Mrs Naomi Wilkins Head of Campus

Issue 7 I 20 May 2016

Week 5 Tuesday, 24 May Y7-8 Boys Swimming Wednesday, 25 May Senior School Band Practice Y9 PASS Excursion Thursday, 26 May Senior School Band Practice NASSA 3-9 Cross Country Carnival Week 6 Tuesday, 31 May Y7-8 Boys Swimming Wednesday, 1 June Senior School Band Practice Y9 PASS Excursion Thursday, 2 June Senior School Band Practice

Week 5 Monday, 23 May K-6 NRL Skills Y1-6 Skills Academy (Football) Y3-6 Skills Academy (Netball) Wednesday, 25 May IPSSO BYE National Simultaneous Reading Day Thursday, 26 May NASSA 3-9 Cross Country Carnival Kindergarten Skills Academy (Football) Friday, 27 May Y3 and Y 5 NAPLAN (catch up day) P-6 Assembly (Item: 1B) Week 6 Monday, 30 May Y1-6 Skills Academy (Football) Y3-6 Skills Academy (Netball) Tuesday, 31 May 3-6 Athletics Carnival Prep Eye Screening Wednesday, 1 June IPSSO at OPAC Prep Eye Screening Thursday, 2 June Kindergarten Skills Academy (Football) Friday, 3 June No Assembly

Junior School students have been very busy in the last few weeks. Traditionally, Term Two is extremely fast paced and this has proven to be true of this term so far. Students in Years 3 and 5 undertook their NAPLAN assessments last week and we were proud of their attitude and application before and during this time. Back to back with these assessments, we also conducted Australian Council of Education Research (ACER) assessments in Literacy and Numeracy for all students in Years 1-6. The data from these ACER tests will be invaluable in informing teachers of student progress and will be used along with class based assessments, as tools for future planning. This year, we have a very strong representation of students from Years 2 through to Year 9 who are participating in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) competitions in Digital Technologies, Science, Writing, Spelling, English and Mathematics. These will be held at College in May, June and August and it is great to see so many students extending themselves this year by participating in these challenges. Staff have been encouraged by the settled behaviour of students in their classes this term. Of course one size never fits all and inevitably there are times when students will become unsettled or struggle with friendships and problem solving in the playground. We believe that students are responsible for their own actions and we encourage students at all times to think for

themselves, to reflect on their behaviour and to come to College with an eagerness to learn. We want students to know that once we step inside the classroom that it is time for learning and becoming fully engaged in what is being offered for them there. We are certainly a flourishing College now and with your encouragement and support as well, we will continue to strive as a community towards excellence, wisdom and service. Thank you to all parents who help out regularly in the classroom – your assistance is invaluable. Please pass the word around to other parents you know, so that if they have time, they too can come and help with small groups in the classroom. In this way, more students can receive a little more individual attention which will, in turn, enhance their learning.

Mrs Cathy Grant Junior School Coordinator

Anglican Schools Corporation Choral Festival Junior and Senior School Choir members will be performing at the ASC Choral Festival on Friday, 17 June between 9.30 am – 3.00 pm. Students will be performing two items, “Ndinani Na” & “A Prayer”. They will also participate in a combined item with all the schools called, “The Water is Wide” by Rollo Dilworth. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to represent the College and demonstrate their choral ability. Parents are welcome to attend the final performance between 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm at Rouse Hill Anglican College. Mrs Lane Year 4 & 5 Band Performance On Thursday 16 June, the Year 4 and 5 Band will be performing for family and friends during their normal rehearsal time. All are welcome to come and watch the students perform between 2.30 pm - 3.00 pm in the upstairs break out space in B block. Students will be displaying some of their favourite pieces to play and will feature in group performances and solos. Mrs Lane

From the Kindergarten rooms… At the end of Term 1 we celebrated 50 Days of Kindergarten! We looked at how things have changed since the 1950’s and we also had fun doing activities around the number 50 and watching a 1950’s cartoon. We played Limbo and made ice-cream floats to finish our day.

This term the children in Kindergarten have come with a great enthusiasm for learning! We are looking at what communities are, the people in them and what we can do to help in our community. We made class models of communities. Each week we join together in Reading Groups and Maths Groups where we participate in games and activities to practise the skills we are learning.

We want all our students to be safe, happy, flourishing and resilient! Some students are resilient by nature – their temperament helps them to be mentally and psychologically able to bounce straight back after a setback or disappointment. Resilience is an important skill to gain so that when life doesn’t go their way, they are better equipped to cope. According to research, it appears that resilient students often share four basic skill sets; independence, problem-solving ability, optimism and good social connections. We sometimes use opportunities that arise so that students can learn from challenges or problems. This is so that students can grow and develop their problem-solving and independence skills that are necessary for gaining resilience. We are proud of our students and their endeavours in all aspects of College life. They are maturing before our eyes, displaying positive work habits and social skills and we encourage them to maintain this ethos. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your

hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Mr Steve Moynan Senior School Coordinator

We recently held our annual Senior School Athletics Carnival in conjunction with Thomas Hassall Anglican College. It was a fantastic day with great attendance, great participation, great weather and a great atmosphere! It was encouraging this year to see the students display an increase in confidence and enthusiasm. This is a culture that we are seeing grow within the classrooms where students are developing in confidence by asking inquisitive questions. Many students are to be congratulated for ‘having a go’, for achieving a ‘personal best’ and for setting new records. It is pleasing to see our students having the opportunity to be representatives at the next stage of competition at the ‘New Anglican Schools Sports Association’ (NASSA) Athletics Carnival. A Year Nine student commented, “It was a good day for the Senior School to further bond together and when we started in Year 7, it was a bit overwhelming being amongst all the Thomas Hassall students, but this year we felt united, strong and felt as though we could make a big impact and I think we did that”. Whilst there is much ‘discussion’ in the press about NAPLAN, one thing for certain is that you could hear a little sigh of relief from our Years 7 and 9 as the NAPLAN was completed for 2016. Year 8 is now gearing up for their Mid-Course Examinations next week and we are also conducting additional Numeracy and Literacy test-ing via ACER to further assist us with an understanding of our students’ progress.

The Overparenting Trap As parents, it’s natural to want to protect our kids and teens from hardship. We want what’s best for them, and for them to have the best chance when they leave school. Because of that, it’s all too tempting to shield them from failure, pain and consequences, both academically and socially. However, overhelping can be detrimental. Every time we solve a problem for our child, they lose an opportunity to learn the skills to solve that problem themselves, or to cope when things aren’t perfect. Moreover, the child gets the message that “Mum and Dad don’t think I can deal with this”, and start to believe that they are not capable to deal with life’s challenges, leading to anxiety and dependence on you. Julie Lythcott-Haims is the Dean of freshmen at Stanford University in the US. Over recent years, she has noticed an increase in students who lack independence. In her book “How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success”, she argues that overhelping “can leave young adults without the strengths of skill, will and character that are needed to know themselves and to craft a life."

So are you overhelping? Lythcott-Haims suggests the following simple tests. Check how you speak about your child. "If you say 'we' when you mean your son or your daughter - as in, 'We're on the travel soccer team' - it's a hint to yourself that you are intertwined in a way that is unhealthy," Lythcott-Haims said. If your child can do it themselves, or can almost do it themselves – let them. Look back at your history of interacting with the other adults in your child’s life. Have you spent a lot of time advocating for your child? "If you're arguing with teachers and principals and coaches and umpires all the time, it's a sign you're a little too invested," she said. "When we're doing all the arguing, we are not teaching our kids to advocate for themselves." Let them do their own homework (and hand in work with mistakes). This helps them learn to be responsible for checking their own work. Ask them do chores. "Chores build a sense of accountability. They build life skills and a work ethic." Mrs Clare Calderwood College Counsellor

IPSSO We have now had 2 rounds of our IPSSO competition with our Junior Netball and Football teams winning both of their games. Our Senior girls Netball side won their last game and our Senior Football, Newcombe Ball and Volleyball teams are all improving with every week. Well done to all students! A special mention to Jayden Woods and his amazing catches in Newcombe Ball as well as Cooper Brown and his great individual runs from midfield. Our next game will be held against Broughton Anglican College. Wednesday - 1 June at OPAC Years 3/4 11.55 am - 12.40 pm Years 5/6 12.45 pm - 1.45 pm Please note that our Football (Soccer) games will now be held at Jack Brabham Reserve (behind Oran Park Public School, South Circuit, Oran Park). All other games are at the College with Netball on the courts and Newcombe Ball/Volleyball on the College grounds. Training is at 8 am on the oval for Football and on the courts for Netball. Newcombe Ball is held on the grassed area at College. Please check with the College office if you are unsure if training and games are not on due to wet weather.

Skills Academy Kindergarten Soccer/Football Skills Academy will start on 26 May 2016. Mr Chapman K-6 Sports Organiser

Athletics Carnival On Friday, 6 May, Oran Park Anglican College joined Thomas Hassall Anglican College at Campbelltown Sports Stadium for the Secondary Athletics carnival. It was a glorious day with almost complete attendance of OPAC students. Our students participated in all events, showing excellent sportsmanship and a determination to do their best. The culture of excellence in the sporting arena is becoming evident. Well done to the following students who have been selected to represent Oran Park Anglican College at the NASSA Carnival: Phetmanee Vongpoothorn Naomi Wyatt Isabel Webster Bootsma, Cerise Jordan West Cody Turner Ronan Cassar Liam Cassar Cody Watson We wish you well! Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded age champion from the carnival: U12 Rory Southwell and Isabel Webster U13 Jordan West and Phetmanee Vongpoothorn U14 Cody Watson and Naomi Wyatt U15 Cody Turner

PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies) This term, Year 9 PASS is studying a unit, ‘Preparing for the Outdoor Challenge’. During this unit, we have participated in activities such as mountain biking, high ropes courses and rogaine/adventure races. This unit encourages each student to take responsibility for themselves as well as others, while participating in physically demanding activities. Students learn to take leadership, communication, first aid and perseverance, all skills that are relevant to life. This is a fantastic unit and a great opportunity for our students to learn in the great outdoors! Mrs Clisdell Senior School Sport Organiser

Term 2 – We’re having so much fun! We have been having a great few weeks so far in Term 2. Our themes so far have been family, colour and glitter. We even made 3 different types of playdough last week. We are looking forward to the forth-coming weeks when we have themes including Aboriginal culture, cooking, science, superheroes, and water. This term we have instituted a “Homework Club” and I am proud of how children have eagerly joined us in the library – some to quietly read a library book while chilling out on a bean bag, others to do their Maths homework, and several Kindergarten children who read to me most days. I even had some Year 3 students who listened to these Kindy students read as well, which was lovely and supportive! I am also excited to tell you all that we will have a Holiday Club here at OPAC during the Winter holi-days. The theme is “The Amazing Games” and I am excited to start programming over the next few weeks. Please feel free to share any ideas of what you would like to see here at vacation care with me. Next week is Katelyn’s last week with us before she heads off overseas to work in an American Summer Camp, the lucky girl! We have been fortunate to have her with our program for the last term and we shall miss her! We are lucky enough to still have a few familiar faces occasionally. If you have any questions about our program, please do come in to see Paige and see what happens in before and after school care first hand. We look forward to seeing you soon. The Camp Australia Team. Program Details To find out more about our program, view fees and to register visit www.campaustralia.com.au

We’ll especially Miss Katelyn’s skill with braiding!