WYNDHAM WHISPERS

COLLEGE NEWS

From the College Principal

This is the final Wyndham Whispers for 2023 and is an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding achievements and events that have occurred this year.

 

Our Year 12 2023 Graduation Ceremony was held on Thursday 21 September. Year 12 returned to complete their HSC Examinations from October 11th. The students of Year 12 2023 are to be congratulated for their wonderful achievements and on their perseverance and commitment to reach this point.

 

On the evening of 8th November, the Year 12 Nirimba Collegiate Formal was held at Rosehill Gardens. Those attending enjoyed a fun-filled evening. The venue staff complimented our students on their outstanding behaviour.  We are very proud of all the Year 12 Class of 2023.

 

I can proudly report that one of our students Isabella Warland has had her Visual Arts Body of Work, Cerebellum, selected for ARTEXPRESS. This is an outstanding achievement as only about 100 HSC Visual Arts student works are selected to be showcased in ARTEXPRESS. Congratulations to Isabella and to our fabulous Visual Arts teachers Daniel and Jennie.

 

I can also proudly report that one of our Industrial Technology students Lachlan Goodwin has had his Industrial Technology Major Work selected for Shape. This is a spectacular achievement as HSC Major Works are selected from Design & Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles & Design courses. Congratulations to Lachlan and to Dallas who has done an amazing job with all the HSC students. Special call out to Robert Hannon, Megan Kotze and Amani Migahed, who also had their works nominated. Once again, it is only the best pieces that are nominated, and only a few are selected for final inclusion, so we are extremely proud of their hard work.

 

Our talented and dedicated HSC Dance students have also been acknowledged, throughout 2023 in events such as Synergy, NSW State Dance Festival, Schools Spectacular and with a nomination for inclusion in Callback. The nominated student Jenna Cross deserves our congratulations for her nomination. Unfortunately, with over 600 applicants and only 35 items selected, Jenna missed out on final inclusion in Callback.

 

The 2023 Schools Spectacular was held on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 November. Jenna Cross and Aaliyah-Jane Thomas performed in several Dance routines throughout the event. Such talented and professional dancers, who have made their amazing Dance teacher, Sarah, extremely proud.

 

A reminder to the Year 12 Class of 2023, HSC results and ATARs will arrive on 14 December 2023. So, come along to morning tea at Wyndham College to celebrate your results with us.

 

Our Celebration Assembly for the Class of 2023 will be held early in 2024.

 

We recently welcomed 204 Year 10 (Year 11 2024) students to Wyndham for Orientation Day. A reminder to our parents/carers that we are a uniform school and all students are expected to be in full College uniform from day 1 2024 - Thursday 1 February. School Locker are well stocked with our uniform. Please make sure you visit them at the prior to the start of the 2024. They are located at -

Blacktown Mega Centre

Unit G1/14 St Martins Crescent

Blacktown NSW 2148 prior to the start of the 2024. 

 

We are fast coming to the end of the year, and I hope the Year 12 Class of 2024 has started organising their assessment schedules/major works for next year.

 

Staffing 2024 – Some staff are moving on at the end of this year. They are –

  • Sarah Minol 
  • Joanne Andrew
  • Anna Jakymin
  • Anne McLellan
  • Isaiah Niumata

Some important dates to remember for 2024:

              

Tuesday           30 January                   Staff return – School Development Day

Wednesday     31 January                   School Development Day

Thursday          1 February                   Year 11 return

Friday                2 February                   Year 12 return

 

NB: For 2024, there are two School Development Days (SDD) at the start of the year as well as two at the end of the year -19 & 20 December 2024. The other SDDs scheduled for Day one of Term 2 and Term 3 remain unchanged.

 

I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the outstanding staff here at Wyndham.  They are very committed and devoted to their students and teaching.  As a community, we are extremely fortunate to have such great staff.

 

I wish everyone a safe and restful time in the holiday season.  I look forward to watching the College evolve in 2024.   

 

Classa Martinuzzi – College Principal (Rel.)

From the Year 12 Deputy

As they begin their HSC studies, what a busy and exciting term it has been for the Class of 2024. The next 3 terms will go extremely quickly. It is important that students take time to enjoy their friends and family these holidays.

 

Student use of Mobile Phones in Schools policy

I am delighted to see that the vast majority of students are now following the NSW Government and Department of Education requirement that phones should be ‘off and away’ while on school grounds. Very few students have been received formal cautions due to continuing to breach this requirement. 

 

As a reminder, a student can apply for an exemption. If there is a family issue on a certain day, please ensure the student sees me in my office on arrival at school. We always work to support students and families but must work within the requirements of the policies we are duty bound to support.

 

Year 12 Course Assessment Tasks

For most courses, the first HSC Assessment Tasks have been completed. Congratulations to students who have successfully completed their task.  Results should be available from class teachers early in Term 1 2024. Some students may be issued with an 'N Award' warning letter advising they have not satisfactorily completed or submitted the task. This is of great concern. It could impact the student's ability to gain the HSC qualification. 'N Award' warning letters are designed to alert students and their families of the need to complete and submit the task. Students who receive these letters for HSC Assessment Task 1 will be meeting with me in Term 1. Any task that a student receives an N Award' warning letter for MUST complete and submit the task.

 

Year 12 2024 Google Classroom

Is your Year 12 2024 student a member of the Year 12 2024 Google Classroom (GCR)?

If not, please encourage them to join now by accessing the code which can be found on Kellie’s office door. 

 

This GCR communicates information and advice on action students will need to take in 2024 regarding:

  • school information and events
  • the HSC and NESA
  • applications for university early entry
  • careers information
  • preparation for post-school pathways
  • the 2024 Year 12 Formal

Reward and Recognition Day 

I have been very excited to work with the Year Advisors for Year 12 2024 – Nathan, Michelle, Sally and Mel – and the HT Wellbeing, Rachel. We have been planning a ‘Reward and Recognition Day’ for students who have demonstrated consistently high attendance, achievement and positive recognition throughout all of 2023.

 

Approximately 100 students received an invitation to attend the extracurricular excursion. These students demonstrated 75% attendance or above in all classes, including Connect. This initiative and reward supports the Department of Education's commitment to 'Every Day Matters'. NSW public schools have a target of a 95 % attendance rate. This is our target for our Year 12 students in 2024.

 

Invited students will be able to enjoy some bowling, karaoke and mini golf at Castle Towers on Wednesday December 13 2023. Parents & Carers are asked to please check your School Bytes emails for permission notes.

 

Finally, thank you to the amazing Year 12 2024 students and the many parents & carers I have had the good fortune of working with this term. 

 

May you all have a safe, happy, and rejuvenating Christmas and festive season. I look forward to continuing to work together with you in 2024.

 

Kellie Boyd - Year 12 Deputy Principal (Rel)

Back to School 2024

GRIP Leadership Conference

Wyndham College’s SRC recently had the opportunity to attend the GRIP Leadership Conference at Castle Hill RSL. The conference brought together students from various schools from across the state and allowed our SRC members to connect with student leaders from other backgrounds, schools, and experiences. We had the chance to network and share experiences, which proved to be valuable for all. 

 

The event truly exemplified the power of collaboration and the ability of student leaders to make a positive change in their schools and communities. One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to learn from the experiences and projects of other SRCs. The SRC witnessed the diverse range of initiatives undertaken by other schools from community service initiatives, to school improvement projects and fun events. 

 

We are truly excited to work on some innovative projects and initiatives that we as the SRC will bring back to school in the coming year. The insights and advice we gained from this conference will contribute to the ongoing development of our school’s community.

 

Written by Sky Camarce - Wyndham College SRC

2024 Indigenous Australian Engineering School

Well done to current Platinum student Kaileb McDonald who has been selected to attend Sydney University in January to explore study and work opportunities within various fields of engineering.

This amazing opportunity will prepare him for success in Year 12 at Wyndham College.

Greater Western Sydney Aboriginal Health Academy Deadly Student Award

Congratulations to Wyndham College Nirimba student Delaraya Stanley who was recently awarded the Deadly Student Award by Greater Western Sydney Academy.

 

Delaraya is from the Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Biripi mob. She joined the health academy for the opportunities and loves working with her people as she feels a sense of belonging. She also loves working with mob in the community. She says: “My experience with IAHA has been amazing, they have given me the opportunity to go down the right pathway in life and helped me find out who I am. I like how the academy treats you like a family, and you can be your true self.”

 

Delaraya wants to become the first Aboriginal Paediatrician. Her motivations are family, community IAHA and especially Aboriginal children who can’t afford the see Paediatricians. She hopes to take this career out to her community in Cowra and allow Aboriginal children to have free access to medical professionals.

 

The Deadly Student Award recipient demonstrated Deadly qualities such as respect, a passion and interest in their own learning. This award recognises a student who contributes to class and is always willing to give it a go.

Wyndham College Uniform

The Wyndham College uniform is now available at the School Locker Superstore at Blacktown Mega Centre.