From the Head of Aungier House, John McCoy
Aungier students were involved in a range of events held in Term 3. Students faced a number of new experiences and challenges, and in true Aungier fashion, came through to the end of Term 3 with flying colours.
The Aungier House community gathered in early Term 3 to enjoy the inaugural Aungier House Breakfast. This was a great opportunity for Parents and Students to come together with Aungier Wellbeing Mentors to enjoy a coffee (or hot chocolate) and light meal. This also proved to be a chance for the Aungier Community to wish our Year 12 students the best of luck ahead of the HSC Trial Examinations. Each Year 12 student was presented with a ‘Stress Ball’ as a reminder that their House would be supporting them through this important period of assessment.
The academic success stories from semester one were recognised at the Academic Awards Assemblies held in Weeks 1 & 3. Pleasingly, a number of Aungier students were called to the stage to receive accolades for their commitment to study. These included:
- Year 7 : Daniel Di Paola, Felix Gardan, Henry Kopsiaftis, Antonio Rodriguez
- Year 8 : Saia Afeaki, Joseph Agius, Jack Harms, Finn Hocking, Jet Marsh-Cashman, Peter Stamatelatos, Kian Uchitel
- Year 9 : Alexander Gross, Lachlan Miller, Emile Stephenson, Oliver Thompson, James Waterhouse
- Year 10 : Cameron Dawson, Matthew Gallagher, Ridley Owens, Benjamin Rogers
- Year 11 : Isaac Bartholomaeus, Leonardo Bosi
- Year 12 : Harrison Delaney, Ricardo Duilo, Joel Ellis, Justin Fung, James McPherson, James Rusconi, Tyler von der Heyden
A number of student also tasted success in the sporting arena, as the Winter Sport season came to a conclusion. Waverley College made history on the field with our 1st XV & 2nd XV Rugby teams and 1st XI Football team managing to take out the CAS titles in a very memorable day at Queens Park.
Aungier students continued to make valuable contributions to the Waverley College Social Justice program. On the back of Refugee Week, which Aungier House promoted across the school in Term 2, a group of students in Aungier made the trip to Auburn to attend the “Refugee Camp in my Neighbourhood” interactive experience set up by Auburn Council.
Domenic Abruzzese experiences life in a refugee camp
The purpose of this visit was for students to gain awareness of the struggles which refugees and asylum seekers face in searching for safety in other countries. Initially, students met tour guides who were refugees themselves and very passionate about telling their stories. Students moved around a series of stations, which took them through the journey of a refugee.
Thanks to those students ((Year 11) Andre Vumbaca, Domenic Abruzzese, (Year 10) Thomas Jaeger, Matthew Gallagher, Connor Phibbs, Luke Mazza, Gabriel Cuenca, Dion Hatziandreou, (Year 9) James Waterhouse, Zac Wotherspoon, (Year 8) Jai Munzone, Saia Afeaki) who gave up their time to attend this experience and were able to illustrate the significance of the issue at one of our Aungier House Assemblies.
Term 3 also saw the Innovation Assembly take place, which was a chance for various areas of the school to come together showcase the innovation and creativity happening at Waverley. Aungier student, Jai Munzone (Year 8), presented his innovative work from his involvement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). Patrick Cocks (Year 12), also demonstrated a creative performance in his HSC Group Project titled, “Reality Check”.
In Week 7, our Year 9 students set off to camp at the Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre based at the Colo River (North-West Sydney). While this was a challenging activity for many students, it provided a great opportunity for students to step into a different learning space while connecting with staff and peers.
Jake Valenti lines up for a shot at archery at Year 9 camp
Week 7 also marked the Year 10 Dinner Dance. This was a chance for students to let their hair down and dine with friends and partners in their first formal dining experience. Students enjoyed the sites as they cruised around Sydney Harbour, and Aungier students Tom Jaeger, Ridley Owens and Billy Elmes really did their House proud with some tremendous moves on the dancefloor!
Tom Jaeger with his partner at the Year 10 Dinner dance
As well as having their first formal dining experience, a group of students in Aungier House enjoyed their first taste of life in the workforce. Students in Year 10 Work Education had the opportunity of taking on work experience for a period of one week. Dylan Davis (Tracks Magazine), James Hession (Professional Photographer) and Max Markert (Jackeroo – Northern Territory), all walked away from this week with an appreciation of life at work as well as with a network of future potential employers.
Dylan Davis, Year 10, working hard at “Tracks” magazine
The penultimate week of Term 3 marked the 88th CAS Track & Field Championships. While Waverley College finished in an unlucky sixth position on the night, many Aungier students contributed to the terrific team effort. Matt Chapman, James Elfes and Til Kathriner all played important roles in representing Waverley. College Captain, Tyler von der Heyden, really gave his school something to cheer about with his run in the Opens 1500m at the conclusion of the night. A real captain’s knock!
Our Year 11 students completed an important period of assessment at the conclusion of Term 3, as they sat the Preliminary HSC examinations. These exams are crucial as they provide students with an idea of what they should expect as they move forward into the HSC courses in Year 12. This commences in Term 4.
The conclusion of Term 3 marks the Graduation Mass and Ceremony for students in Year 12. Aungier House provided a special send off the Year 12 students at an entertaining final House Assembly. Students in the Junior School created and presented special cards to pass on to their ‘Big Brothers’, as Year 12 lads were able to share memorable moments and pass on words of wisdom of the younger members of Aungier. We wish the following members of Aungier House the very best of luck in the HSC examinations and beyond:
Geordan Bates, Jackson Bates, Julian Brossard, Patrick Cocks, Eric Cordato, Harrison Delaney, Tomas Drevon, Ricardo Duilo, Joel Ellis, Justin Fung, Nicholas Galego, George Hatziandreou, Eden Hodge, Matthew Kemeny, Emmett Lindsay, James McPherson, Peter Pellegrini, James Rusconi, Connor Stamatelatos, Tyler von der Heyden, Sam Walsh.
“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand” (Irish Blessing)
A flashback moment for Year 12 student, Patrick Cocks, in his Junior School Book Week costume all those years ago!
It is incredible to think that next term is the final stretch for 2017. Term 4 will once again see many exciting events for Aungier House. Our Year 12 students will face the HSC Examinations. Students in Years 5-10 will complete their Yearly Examinations. Term 3 will mark the beginning of the Summer Sport season. Year 11 will head to their Senior Retreat and Year 10 will head to Somerset to complete a challenging but very rewarding outdoor learning experience. Aungier also has its eyes closely set on taking out the annual “Waverley’s Got Talent” competition at the start of November!
I would like to congratulate all students in Aungier for the continued positive efforts in Term 3. I would like to thank the Aungier Wellbeing Mentors for their fine work in supporting our students. I would also like to wish all students the very best as we move into the final term of the year.
Have a safe and restful break.
