WYNDHAM COLLEGE

A partner within the Nirimba Collegiate Group of Schools

and the Nirimba Education Precinct

WYNDHAM WHISPERS
Nirimba Education Precinct, Eastern Road, Quakers Hill
Phone: 9208 7100 Fax: 9208 7199
Website: www.wyndhamcol-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

MAY 2018
Principal Deputy Principals Collegiate Deputy Principal
Karen Smith David Macleod-Jones & Classa Martinuzzi Ross Dummett

MAY
May 14th-18th – Cairns Excursion & Field Trip
May 21st – 22nd – RSA/RSG course for VET Hospitality
May 23rd – Celebrate Reconciliation day
May 23rd - HSC Assessment English/Advanced English
May 28th RHS & SHHS Year 10 Subject Tester Day
May 28th- June 1st – Year 11 Assessment Week
May 31st – QHHS Year 10 Subject Tester Day
JUNE
June 1st – Crossroad Year 12
June 4th – The Big Pompeii Day
June 7th – Synergy Dance
June 11th – QUEENS BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Off to a Good Start – Term 1 was extremely busy! Everyone enjoyed a well FRIENDS OF
deserved break.
WYNDHAM
On Wednesday 11 April from 4-7pm we distributed the Year 12 reports and COLLEGE (e-P&C)
had parent/teacher night in the library. It was wonderful to see so many
parents on that evening. Once again we used the bookings on-line for Year
12. We were extremely pleased with this process. Thank you to Pauline Hunt Wyndham
and Kumie Pather for organising. Whispers will be
Year 11 will receive their semester one reports later in Term 2. The date for emailed to all
Parent/Teacher Night is 3 July. Once again we will use the on-line booking members
system and reports will be issued on that night. More information will be sent
out closer to the date.
Parents can join the
Term 2 has been an exciting term already – with a number of celebrations and e-P&C at any time
milestone events. The College has also settled well to hard work as is
characteristic of second term at Wyndham. This term the annual MADD Night
will occur on 20 June 2018. I invite everyone to attend this night.
Please contact the
On ANZAC Day, Wyndham College was represented at the dawn service at the school and leave an
Riverstone Cenotaph. A wreath was laid on behalf of the College. email address
On Tuesday 1 May the college participated in an ANZAC Day Ceremony.
Michael Nash a representative of the Nirimba Sub-section of the Naval
Association of Australia spoke about the importance of the ANZAC tradition.
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It was very interesting and highlighted to us all the importance of remembering the people who fought and
continue to fight for our country. Thank you to Dimitri Papanis and his team for organising this event and
Michael Nash for presenting.

In Term 2, we will have some staff in relieving positions. They include: Natasha Scott, relieving Head
Teacher Wellbeing, Fiona Prott relieving Year 12 Adviser. Deni Giffard will be covering Sue Beamer’s
classes for Term 2. Can I thank staff for taking on these roles to ensure the college runs smoothly.

UWS Agreement – The University of Western Sydney has again signed off on an agreement with Wyndham
and St John Paul II Catholic College which not only enables the continuation of special access of our
students to the university but also guarantees significant scholarships up to $20,000 per student over 5
years. Students who successfully complete a university unit during Year 11 or 12 receive an early offer of
entry to the university. Students who achieve a distinction or high distinction are entitled to the
scholarship for 4 years at university ($5,000 per year) and also receive a cheque for $500 to assist them
during Year 12. A significant advantage offered in this agreement is that Wyndham College and its students
will no longer have to pay the tuition fees of these courses. We are again very grateful to the University of
Western Sydney for this magnanimous gesture. We have started this process of seeking student
applications for these courses for 2018.

Friends of Wyndham College – As stated in previous newsletters, the College moved to an eP&C in 2018.
This model has worked quite effectively to date. At the end of Term 1, I sought a vote from FoW to assist
in air conditioning the bottom of B Block and E Block. It was a very unanimous vote and I can say we were
able to install the air conditioners during the last holidays. On behalf of the College (staff and students) can
I thank the FoW for enabling this to happen. The air conditioners will be used in both summer and winter.
As I said to the staff, I can proudly say that the whole school (bar some workshops and the gym) are fully
air conditioned. This is due to the wonderful support of the FoW. Thank you.

Our FoW is in excellent hands. I am particularly thankful to these people for the support they provide to
the college. If anyone would like to join the FoW, please contact the school and leave your email address.

The Uniform Shop – I am pleased to announce that the jackets for Year 11 finally arrived at the end of last
term. The uniform shop hours are: Tuesday 7.30am – 10.30am and Thursday 1pm – 4pm. There is no
reason why any student should not be in full uniform. A reminder to all parents/caregivers, black trousers
are to be worn Terms 2 and 3.

College Website / Facebook – I invite everyone to regularly view our website - Google ‘Wyndham College’
and Facebook. Latest information and important events can be found on our website/Facebook.

Learning Hub –It is a vibrant learning space and I know the students thoroughly enjoy the space. The space
has been jointly funded by St John Paul II and Wyndham College. It is used constantly by both schools.

Finally – I thank you for your ongoing support and as always invite you to contact either me or the college
office with any concerns you may have or suggestions you would like to offer as we seek to work together
to widen the horizons for all of our students at Wyndham College.

Karen Smith – College Principal

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FROM THE YEAR 11 DEPUTY

Uniform
We are fast approaching winter and this is the time when the consistent wearing of college uniform is challenged.
Every student enrolled at Wyndham is aware that we are a uniform college no matter what the season is. While the
vast majority of students are doing the right thing regarding uniform, I am beginning to see a number of students
being incorrectly attired as Wyndham College students.
In the past we have stopped students going to class of a morning until parents were called and the correct uniform
was given to students to change into. Students who are consistently out of uniform may find themselves in this
position. It would be positive to think that uniform was being worn as a matter of pride and not because of the
fear of sanctions. New jackets and jumpers are available from the School Locker.

Wearing the correct footwear

We are committed to supporting the Department’s Safe Working Policy by
providing a safe working environment for all staff, students and visitors.
Footwear is an important safety item. Good soles provide a sound grip on
the floor preventing slips, trips and falls from happening. Footwear can also
protect feet from damage caused by accidents such as falling objects or
chemical spillage.
Areas where safe footwear must be worn include:
• Industrial Arts and trade workshop areas
• Science laboratories
• Canteen or Food Technology (Kitchen) areas

Sandals, open footwear or high heeled shoes are not permitted in these
areas. Students who present themselves for a class or activity with
inappropriate footwear will be given alternate educational activities until
they are wearing the correct footwear.
Footwear which is suitable for the general school environment means
enclosed shoes which are flat shoes or shoes with a minimal heel that have a
good grip and fit well.

Under performing Year 11 students

I have had the displeasure to sign a significant number of N-award course warning letters. All Year 11 students
have been repeatedly reminded that if the Board of Studies conditions for the satisfactory completion of a course
are not met then they will be deemed as not as having completed the course resulting in the non-award of a
Preliminary Certificate. Some students whose interim reports showed that they weren’t working as they should
have had their positions reviewed and advised as to how they should proceed in their courses.

Students must have 12 Preliminary units and a minimum of 10 Higher School Certificate units, of which 2 units must
come from English, to be awarded the Higher School Certificate. In some cases students may be offered a
Pathways option which will allow them to graduate with a Higher School Certificate in 2017. The offer of the
Pathways option should not be taken for granted.

It is critical for students to satisfactorily complete Year 11 English. Basically this means that if Year 11 English is not
completed satisfactorily then students cannot even attempt Year 12 English, which in turn leads to no Higher
School Certificate being awarded, no matter how well you perform in your other subjects. Students who have been
given N-award warning letters in any subject should ensure that all outstanding work is completed to the
appropriate standard and handed in for marking.

David Macleod-Jones – Deputy Principal

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FROM THE YEAR 12 DEPUTY

Year 12 – there are now less than two terms left of classes before the HSC. Attendance and application
are extremely important for all Year 12 students right up to Graduation Day on Thursday 27th September.
Teachers will be completing course content as well as helping students to reach their potential.
Students with HSC Major Works and Performances should be working towards their completion. A huge
thank you to the dedicated staff who are giving up much of their own time to be available for students to
access workshops and specialist rooms and offering advice and support for major works.

Precinct Pathways Program – we are extremely lucky to be located here on the Nirimba Education
Precinct, as we have been able to offer our students an opportunity to have a taste of various TAFE
courses. Nirimba TAFE offered two courses for our students in Term 1, the first a Trades course where
participating students were involved in Carpentry, Refrigeration and Bricklaying and the second course
where students were involved in Children’s and Community Services. This term the TAFE are offering
Children’s and Community Services and IT, Multimedia and Creative Design with Technology.
Participants have been given an insight into the type of work involved in these areas and the
requirements for the respective TAFE courses.

Classa Martinuzzi- Deputy Principal

FROM THE COLLEGIATE DEPUTY

During Week 5 of Term 2 the 7-10 Collegiate partner schools, Riverstone, Seven Hills and Quakers Hill
High Schools will be coming to the Wyndham to get a taste of the subjects they may like to study in 2019.
Each student will have an individual timetable that they personally selected online at the end of Term 2.
This will be a very busy time for staff but will ensure that our Year 11 of 2019 will make informed
decisions. I would like to thank William Liu for his support in developing the timetable, every Head
teacher for their ongoing support in making this day happen and the Careers Advisers: Mr Hutton
(Quakers Hill High School), Mrs Slater (Seven Hills High School) and Miss Hughes (Riverstone High School)
who did an amazing job in getting over 350 students to complete their online selections in the required
time frame. I am confident it will be a great day.

On Wednesday, 23rd May, Wyndham College will be participating in the Nirimba Precinct Reconciliation
Day event. Reconciliation Day is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and
achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

I am sure you will agree that this is an important date in the Australian calendar and Wyndham College is
proud of its Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students and fully support them in embracing, identifying
and celebrating their culture.

As the national program suggests,

Don’t keep history a mystery.

Ross Dummett - Nirimba Collegiate Deputy Principal

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FROM THE LIBRARIANS DESK

Check out our new Pedal Desks in the Library. Sitting still and staying focused
when studying is a challenge for many students. With this in mind we are very
excited about our new Kinaesthetic motion desks enabling students to move
while they learn. Bring your work and come give it a try!

As the weather is getting colder many students have been coming in to the
Library. Please remember that you must be working, studying or reading if
you are using the Library during study periods. The Learning Hub is
available throughout the day for students that are noisy, collaborative or
socialising.

We have put together a display of fresh new fiction for students who like to
read. Come and make use of or quiet reading area in the Library and curl up
with a good book.

Sally Govett – Teacher Librarian

CLUBS

Join the Comic Club that meets on Wednesday at Lunchtime in the Library Viewing Room.

Make new friends and have fun.

Like the Facebook page for more information and updates.

https://www.facebook.com/Wyndham-COMIC-BOOK-CLUB-2036294003360362/

There will be a free raffle for the regular comic book club members who attend that will be drawn on the last week of
term 3. There will be 3-4 Prizes will be 2 $10 reading cinemas tickets and 2 comic books. There is also a free pizza
lunch for regular members later this Term. The club starts this Wednesday. BYO Comic books.

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GIRLS CODING CLUB @ WYNDHAM

As part of the larger STEM initiative at Wyndham College, one of the activities that occurred last term was
the Girls Coding Club. The aim of the club is to provide a supportive, relaxed and fun environment for girls
to explore computing and problem solving skills. Exposure to these skills will better equip our female
students to pursue 21st century career opportunities and close the gender gap in technology related
professions. Computer science is a 21st century skill that enables students to be creators, rather than just
consumers of technology. It also develops problem solving skills and emphasizes that problem solving is
applicable across all disciplines and is a driver of growth and innovation.

The coding club run as an extra-curricular session met every Wednesday at recess and worked through a
computer science program developed by Google called CS First, which involves creating projects using the
programming language Scratch, a block based drag and drop coding language. Each of the projects is
supported by how-to instructional videos that allow the students to work individually. The students used
a log book to record their progress each session and provide feedback.

The following students, Madeline Rochester, Ranzelle Degado, Crizelle Delgado, Isabella Bryen, Candice
Reeves and Sovann Callaghan,need to be congratulated on showing initiative and sacrificing their time to
regularly attend and participate in this STEM program.

Kumie Pather

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Wyndham College regularly hosts students from schools in Japan. It

is usually a four or five day visit and we aim to billet the students with
local families so that they can experience an Australian lifestyle.

We also have a regular group of international students completing their

HSC at Wyndham College.

If you are able to assist us with our Japanese visitors or international

students please contact Chris Minol chris.minol@det.nsw.edu.au He
will gladly provide you with any information about these programs.

2018 Dates: Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th July 2018 Week 1 Term 3

Wyndham students studying photography or social

sciences travel to Cairns every March. Deposits are
required in the previous year and the balance paid
early in the year. It is an amazing experience.
Coordinators are: Daniel Repeti and Natasha Scott.
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Our SRC is very active. It is

coordinated by Rachel Kelso and
Dannielle Morais. They are always
delighted to receive any assistance.
rachel.kelso@det.nsw.edu.au
dannielle.morais3@det.nsw.edu.au

Wyndham College to host 'The Big Pompeii Day' on June 4

The study of the Pompeii and Herculaneum, two cities destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius
in 79AD, is the core study of the HSC Ancient History Course.
Wyndham College students have the unique opportunity to attend a conference day in our own school
hall where experts who have been working at the archaeological sites of Pompeii will speak to students
from schools across the Western Sydney region to deepen their understanding of the importance of the
site, life in Pompeii prior to the eruption, and the conservation of the site. Dr Estelle Lazer from the
University of Sydney will provide the keynote address and discuss her work with the skeletal and cast
remains from the Pompeii. Associate Professor Ray Laurence from Macquarie University will talk to
students about his work researching Pompeiian street life and the evidence for children's lives in the city.
Dr Jaye McKenzie-Clark whose work on pottery in Pompeii has changed our understanding of the
economy of Pompeii is sending through some unique notes and resources for the students on the day,
and Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill from Cambridge University in the UK, and leader of the
Herculaneum Conservation Project is sending through a special message to students and responding to
questions of conservation and excavation.
This day has been organised by the Western Sydney Ancient History Community - a combined project
between NCAPAHS's Kathryn Collier and Wyndham College's Beth O'Connor (HT English & History).
WSAHC is seeking to deliver practical, relevant and expert instruction and support to students in the west.
More exciting events will roll out in Semester 2.

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WELL-BEING UPDATE

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Sue Beamer - HT Well-Being

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UNIFORM SHOP – open during school terms

The Uniform Shop is open on TUESDAYS 7.30-10.30am and THURSDAYS 1.00pm -

4.00pm. Online purchases available www.theschoollocker.com.au

Wyndham College is a uniform college and students are expected to be in full college
uniform from day one 2018. This includes for Year 11 pale blue shirts with the college
emblem and fully enclosed black leather shoes.
For information about uniform items and prices, please refer to School Locker’s website
http://theschoollocker.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=Wyndham+College

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STUDENT INFORMATION

FREE -MATHS TUITION

YEARS 11 & 12 are invited to join the free Maths tuition held
in C8 every Monday from 3.00pm to 5.30pm. Be there!

FREE -PHYSICS TUTORIALS

FREE -CHEMISTRY TUTORIALS
YEAR 11 – Mondays - 3pm-4pm
YEAR 11 – Fridays -1pm-2pm

YEAR 12 – Thursdays -3pm-4pm

In B1

YEAR 12 – Wednesdays -3pm-4pm

In B1

CHRISTIAN GROUP
All students are invited to join the Christian Group at recess in B2 on Wednesdays.

There are also free pancakes on Wednesday mornings before class.

Join us for pancakes and a chat.

PLEASE NOTE:
DUE TO OUR NEW FINANCE SYSTEM, PAYMENTS
WILL NOT BE TAKEN AFTER 1.30PM

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CHANGE OF DETAILS
To keep student records as up to date as possible please complete the slip below if you
have changed address or changed phone numbers, and return to the front office.

Student Name ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

New Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Home Phone ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mobile Phone –Mother…………………………………………… Name………………………………

Mobile Phone -Father …………………………………………… Name……………………………...

Signed ………………………………………………………. Date……………………………....

EMAILS
So we can keep you informed and up to date, please complete the slip below if you have
recently changed your email address and return it to the office:

Student Name ___________________________________________________

Parent Email Address ____________________________________________________________

Please print carefully

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