From the Head of Green House, Scott Coleman
As Term 2 draws to a close I find myself reflecting on how lucky I am to be looking after the young men of Green House. As a staff group we are blessed to be able to work with respectful young men who have a desire to learn. It is also great to be able to work in leading educational facilities and for the young men of Waverley to be able to learn in these spaces provided to them. It is very pleasing to see the students making the most of the opportunities at Waverley College in Term 2 and I am looking forward to a productive and positive second semester.
Green Events
Green House prefects hosted several important events this term. Our Academic Prefect, Robert Higgs hosted study skills sessions over lunch times this term. Boys that attended learnt some valuable study tips and lessons throughout the term. Our Wellbeing Prefect Matija Hripac was also engaged in a wellbeing seminar with students of Green house in creating new initiatives to support student wellbeing at the school. Well done to those two prefects for these initiatives.
Our Green House Mass occurred in week 3 this term and it was a perfect place to reflect and find spiritual meaning at a much needed time. I would like to thank Mr Phil Davis for his set-up and organisation of this annual event. Green House Spirituality Prefect, Ben Howard, reflected on the true meaning of our Green House Motto, ‘Strength through Diversity.’ His reflection gave the students in Green house a meaningful moment to think about their role in promoting our house motto and how to embed that motto in their everyday lives. Well done Ben for sharing that reflection with the house.
Green House Spirituality Prefect, Ben Howard
The inter House athletics Carnival was another key event for the term. I would like to thank our Community Prefect, Daniel Szabo for his work in leading the students during that event. His passion and leadership always shows on days like the athletics carnival, and while we didn’t come first, we still displayed some outstanding sportsmanship and engagement in the program for the day.
In addition to the events above, Green House held our Term 2 assemblies at the junior school this term. This was a huge success thanks to junior school staff Mr Stephen Ghattas and Mr Tony Proudfoot. I would like to thank Ms Jannet Markey and Ms Catherine Lowery for their support in running a Green House assembly this term. Wellbeing Group 2 successfully talked about the positive ways to engage in healthy relationships. Year 12 student and SRC member Aarshia Akhavan-Safa was outstanding in his leadership of that assembly and discussed with insight the importance of positive relationships for students in Green house.
The Inter house basketball competition was a tough day for Green house, sadly being knocked out in the first round. But Green students James Campbell, Ayden Janssen, Oliver Mahoney, Reuben Maree and Felix Greenwood represented their house proudly in their attempts to earn Green house valuable house points.
Our annual Trivia day was one of the highlights of the term, with wellbeing Group 2 taking home the win after some positive engagement from all members of the house. The most difficult question of the day: Who is Peppa Pig’s brother?
The 107th May Day procession took place on 7 May this term. I would like to thank all Green students and parents for the way in which they attended and engaged in this great tradition of Waverley College.
I would like to thank again our prefects for their contributions to Green House again this term, even as their assessment and study expectations continue to grow.
Running for Green at the Athletics Carnival
Co-Curricular Updates
Congratulations to all Green house students for their engagement in the school co-curricular program this term. The following boys have achieved commendable success in their chosen field:
- Ben Howard for selection in the 1st XV Rugby
- James Campbell for his photography work at co-curricular events this term.
- Kyle McBride for his selection in the NSW team for the Australian Drone Nationals occurring this coming holidays.
Junior School Updates
Some of the term 2 highlights for Green house junior school students were:
- Year 6 boys were all involved in their trip to Canberra. They visited Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, AIS, Questacon and more. By all accounts, the boys had a great time, learnt a lot and came back full of information.
- NAPLAN – Year 5 boys sat their NAPLAN exams during the term.
- The Junior School boys have now been allocated to Senior School Well-Being Mentor Groups each Friday, giving them the chance to mix in and form new friendships with these boys. They will be in these groups for the remainder of the year.
Congratulations to the following Junior school students:
- Xavier Savala – Rugby Union – Successful at the IPSHA Rugby Trials Went on to trial for CIS.
- Aidan Pascoe – Made his Confirmation during Term 2
- James Dyson-Merwe – as part of the Junior School Edmund Rice Day, James and another boy from Tevlin (Jeremy Jos-Rolland) took the opportunity to go door knocking in their neighbourhood in their own time selling cookies to raise extra money. Between them they raised $53 adding to the Junior school total, raising approximately $800 for The Smith Family.
Congratulations gentlemen and thanks Mr Ghattas and Mr Proudfoot for all your support this term.
New Student
This term we welcomed a new student to Green House, Darius Kidd. Darius is from the Robinson River School, Mungoobda, Northern Territory.
Darius’s only connection with Sydney before his arrival was one week at the Nangala Project football training last year. During that week, Darius walked out with Tim Cahill at a qualifier match for the World Cup at Allianz Stadium.
Welcome to Green House Darius.
First day of school for Darius
Finally, I would like to thank all teachers in Green House for their continued support this year. The time and effort provided by our mentors each morning demonstrates one of the many positive aspects of belonging to Green.
To the Green community, I wish you all an enjoyable, safe and restful break and l very much look forward to the second half of 2017.
