2017 Term 4 Conlon House Report

From the Acting Head of House, Kaitlyn Downey

Conlon had an unusual start to this final term with Head of House, Ms Cathy O’Sullivan, sustaining a broken leg on her trip to South America during the holiday break. So that Ms O’Sullivan had some time to heal properly, Ms Kaitlyn Downey was selected to step into the role for the remainder of the term and to keep Conlon House on track.

Our prefects have really stepped up and into their new roles this term, going out of their way to help run house assemblies and support the rest of the Conlon Students. They have now also been assigned their portfolios for their individual roles: Luca Martin (Community), Ryan Connolly (Wellbeing), Jonathon Schact (Spirituality) and Anthony Roydhouse (Academic). I’d like to congratulate the boys for such a successful start to their first term as Year 12 leaders.  A special mention also needs to go to the rest of the Year 12 Conlon students who have also stepped up and help in many aspects of house life.

 

Interhouse Diving Competition and Tug o’ War

One of the most exciting events on the house calendar this term was the Inter House Diving Competition and Tug o War. Three students from each house were selected to compete in a jump off during a lunchtime in Week 6. Representing Conlon House was one of our prefects, Luca Martin, Year 10 student Daniel Lambert and  Year 9 student Alife Sewell. The boys put on an impressive show and secured the win for Conlon House! Between them they received a score of 65 points, 13 points clear of the second placed house, Lacey. This was an outstanding effort by all three boys who represented their house in the true spirit of good sportsmanship and displayed an excellent level of skill.

During Week 8, Conlon 7 competed against the other eight houses in a Tug o’ War competition. The competition was fierce and Conlon beat Green and then Brennan to make it to the grand final against Quinn house. Coached by their wellbeing mentor, Ms Falkinder, Conlon 7 put up an impressive fight and took out the grand final! Congratulations to Ms Falkinder and Conlon 7 on their amazing effort.

 

House Fundraisers

There have been a number of fantastic fundraising efforts held by Conlon students this term to help support Edmund Rice Camps. Conlon House held a breakfast barbeque during Week 7 which saw the boys donate gold coins to help raise some funds for the Christmas holiday period. The Library staff also kindly held a Rocket League Tournament during Week 5 and decided to also donate the money to Edmund Rice Camps. A huge thank you needs to go to Mr Aaron Speed-Johnson for all his efforts in running the tournament and another big thank you goes to Year 7 Conlon student Tom Martin, who was our chief barbeque cooker and who showed up early to help out.

Co-Curricular Achievements

There have been a number of students who have had significant co-curricular achievements throughout the term. These include:

Flynn Gordon (Year 10) 

Flynn represented the college at the numerous Track and Field meets throughout the term, having success in a range of events. These included:

• NSW Relay Championships 4 x 1500m (1st place)
• NSW Relay Championships 4 x 800m (3rd place)
• NSW All Schools State Championships 1500m (8th in the final)
• NSW All Schools State Championships 800m (5th in Heat 2 of 2)
• Maroubra Fun Run (1st place male U20’s)

Ryan Bakels (Year 12)

Ryan was integral in helping the junior school with practices and the night of the Junior School Music Recital. Ryan gave up his own time to help support these students and help staff with the staging of the production. Well done Ryan!

Daniel Gandy

Daniel recently represented Australia in the Oceania Cycling Championships. Daniel was very successful and won a gold medal in the U19 Oceania Team Pursuit Championships and silver in the U19 Oceania Points Race Championships.

A huge congratulations also needs to go to the Conlon students who were selected in 1sts teams or as Captains this Summer Co-curricular season. We are well represented across all aspects of the co-curricular program and it is wonderful to see the impact that these students are having throughout the school.

Congratulations to:

 

1st XI Cricket: Ryan Connolly (1st XI Captain); Oliver Ruse

1st V Basketball: Ryan Abbot, Angelo Di Bartolo

1st Waterpolo: Anthony Roydhouse (Water Polo Captain); Baxter Flynn

Table Tennis: Oliver Heys (Captain)

Swimming: Erwan Le Péchoux (Co captain), Jonathon Schact (Co captain)

 

New starters and leavers

Conlon House welcomed some new students to the school throughout the term, Felix Ranson-O’Bryne (Year 7), Keilan Grace (Year 9) and Miles Amatosero (Year 9). These students have been made most welcome into their respective wellbeing groups and we wish them all the best during their time here at Waverley College.

We would also like to send our best wishes to Felix Catley (Year 8) who will be starting at a new school next year and Jett Galea (Year 5) who is leaving to live on the Central Coast and will be attending Lakes Grammar.

Best of luck Felix and Jett.

 

Year 10 camp

During Week 7 of this term, Year 10 set off for Somerset Camp by the Colo River to get back in touch with nature and to continue building relationships with each other. Students were involved in numerous activities such as bushwalks, canoeing, putting up tents, cooking dinner and various night games. Camp is always a fantastic time for the students to recuperate after a long school year and to prepare themselves for their senior years. A big thank you needs to go to the teachers who gave up time away from their families to help the students immerse themselves in the experience and to the staff at Somerset Camp who facilitated the event flawlessly.

 

Junior School

Walkathon

The Junior School held their annual walkathon at the end of last term. The students had a wonderful day raising money for various charities including Eddie’s Camps. A special mention needs to go to the Conlon students who were amongst the top fundraisers in the school. Congratulations to Thomas Holroyde ($915.50), Tom Johnson ($659.30) and James McGreevy ($537.00). These are substantial amounts of money and will go a long way to supporting others in need.  Well done to the junior school with a phenomenal $56,415 being raised in total!

Awards

Congratuations to these Conlon House Junior School Award winners

Year 5

Cooper Gee: Swimming U10 Championships; Best Defensive Player Water Polo B Team

William Kirk: Silver Award Library; 11C Football Coaches Award

William Hughes: Silver Award Mathematics

Kai Davies: Gold Award; Most Improved Player 11B Football

Tom Edwards: 11B Rugby Coaches Award; Class Merit Award

Matthew Garrop: Best Bowler in Year 5 Super 8 B Team

Luca Hawkins: Silver award Science and technology

Hunter Eldridge: Best Bowler Year 5 Traditional Cricket; Best Forward in 11B Rugby

Matthew Frost: Gold Award Mathematics; Silver Award Performing Arts; 11B Football Best and Fairest

John Walsh: Silver Award for Mathematics Group 2; AFL – Best Defensive Player

James Medland; Silver Award for ICT

Oscar Melder: Gold Award for History and Geography; Tennis – Best and Fairest

Jude Miller; Silver Award – Science and Technology

 

Year 6

Alistair Isaac: Christian Leadership 6 Green; Gold Award for Performing Arts; Silver Award for French; Best Bowler Prep 2nds Cricket; Best Defensive Player in AFL Blue

Tom Hughes: Class Merit Award

Finn Backlund: Class Merit Award; Headmasters

Evander Hudson: Silver Award Performing Arts; Best Batsman in Year 6 Super 8A Team

Lachlan Grant: Helen Newman Award for Service; Silver for History and Geography

Tom Johnson: Silver Award for Science and Technology

Thomas Holroyde: Class Merit Award; Head of College Award; Mathematical Olympiad Top 20%

 

 

Year 12 Retreat

Early on in the term, our new Year 12 Conlon students set off to Winmalee Christian Camp in the Blue Mountains to reflect and refocus themselves for their HSC year. This was a highly successful event with students actively engaging in their small groups and building new relationships with some of their peers and teachers. The boys participated in numerous activities such as trust walks, the giving of affirmations and meditation sessions. Congratulations to all students from Conlon House who really got involved in the process and reflected on the year that has passed. I have no doubt that this has helped you to refocus and has given you the opportunity to plan for your final year at the college.

Academic Award Winners

On Tuesday 5th December and Wednesday 6th December, Waverley College held its annual Presentation Night. There were a number of Conlon students who were recognised for their fantastic academic achievements this semester. Congratulations to the following students:

 

Year 7

• Nathan Barns  (English)

Year 8

• Patrick Hoggett  (Martin Robinson Memorial Award for Service & Integrity)
• Hayden Wild  (French, Mathematics, Science, 2nd in Academic Results)

Year 9

• Joshua Cornelius  (Applied Philosophy)
• Eliot Vincent Hull  (Mathematics Level 3, Music)

Year 10

• Flynn Gordon  (Food Technology, Visual Arts)
• Ryan Smith (Work Education)
• Lachlan Manastirvoski (PDHPE, 3rd in Academic Results)

Year 11

• Ryan Bakels (Entertainment)

 

Holiday Break

I would like to thank all of the Conlon students, mentors and parents for a very successful end to the school year. It has been a privilege to work with you all in this acting role. Wishing you all a very safe and happy Christmas break.