From the Head of Quinn House, Olivia Kite
Term 4 has shaped up to be an incredible term to finish off 2017. We welcomed our new leaders: Jack Hardwicke-Owen, Hunter Markham, Kiva Gwynne and Joseph Wightwick into their role as Prefects and College Vice Captain. These students have lead Quinn House with maturity and positive role modelling throughout their short time as leaders this year. Quinn would like to thank to Jack, Hunter, Kiva and Joseph for all they have done so far and for all they will do for Quinn House in 2018.
Hunter Markham, Jack Hardwicke-Owen, Ms Olivia Kite, Joseph Wightwick and Kiva Gwynne
This Term Quinn embraced their social justice initiative focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. The Wandana Organisation came to Waverley to educate, inform and interact with the students from Quinn House.
Students spent part of their day learning about traditional hunting methods and weapons, ceremonial dresses and their significance, totems, traditional foods, painting techniques and finally, the many uses the Aboriginal people had for the land.
Throughout the day each student contributed to the Quinn House Painting. The Quinn House painting is a modern contemporary Aboriginal painting that captures the essence of Waverley College and its history. At the centre of the painting is the light blue coloured Cross to represent Quinn which was named after Br Quinn who was the first Headmaster of the College. The blue Cross is known as a Cross Crosslet Fitchee which is a symbol of the Holy Trinity of the Catholic Church, upon which the School is founded on. Brother Quinn was a symbol of loyalty and leadership within the College. The gold star at the base of the cross is how Waverley College is incorporated into the Quinn crest and is also the traditional crest of the Christian Brothers, Founders of the College, a symbol of enlightenment & instruction.
Wandana Day finished artwork
Surrounding the cross are the red oxide circular shapes which are traditional Aboriginal symbols for a meeting place to represent the College. And they also pay homage to the local Aboriginal Cadigal people of the Eora nation. The eight large U shapes represent the eight School houses as well as the Teachers & students of the School. Each U shape is spilt into eight segments. These 48 segments represent the 48 Edmund Rice Schools throughout Australia. At the base of painting can be seen the Pacific Ocean & twenty-two U shapes to represent the original twenty-two students when the School was established in 1903 in a house in Salisbury Street.
Flowing through the centre of the painting are the white dots to represent the May Procession in Honour of Our Lady which is the longest standing Marian Procession in Australia. At the top can be seen a white star representing Our Lady and her guiding light shining over the College and local community. The various coloured shapes depict the surrounding local suburbs.
Finally, the hand print of Mr Leddie, Head of College is seen in the lower left-hand space. Mr Leddie’s hand print represents his leadership of the College and commitment to the values of Edmund Rice.
The painting is representative of Waverley College’s commitment to appreciating and celebrating the incredible culture our National’s First People have to offer.
In week 3, our new Year 12 students spent time away on Retreat. This was an opportunity for students to regather themselves, reflect on their efforts and achievements so far, set some goals for 2018 and connect with the other students in their year group. The Retreat was successful in allowing the students to form friendships, support networks and return to school rejuvenated and focused to finish the year well.
Year 10 students also got a similar experience while away on Year 10 camp. The boys were challenged to ‘step up and step out’. The group leaders and teachers supported and challenged the boys to step up and be a leader among their peers and to step out of their comfort zones and give 110% to all the activities and opportunities presented to them on camp. From all accounts, the students thoroughly enjoyed their time away at Somerset with many boys talking about the challenges they had conquered, the boys who had helped them through a tough time and the activities and conversations that solidified their new and existing friendships.
Throughout the year, Quinn students have competed in a number of inter-house competitions. They won the Dodgeball in Term 1, the Netball in Term 3 and placed second in the Tug of War in Term 4. Coupled with their outstanding performance and 1st place win at the Swimming Carnival, Quinn won the House Cup for 2017. The boys were able to enjoy a BBQ at Lower Rec in Week 9 as a reward for all their efforts and enthusiasm throughout the year.
Finally, congratulations to all of the Quinn Academic Award Winners for 2017:
- Sam Hodgson: 1st in Mathematics and recipient of the Fr Kevin Nolan and Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion. (Yr 7)
- Giulian D’Ettorre: 1st in History, 1st in PDHPE, recipient of the Fr Kevin Nolan and Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion and Dux of Year 8 (Yr 8)
- Ryuji Monnen-Narita: Head of College Award for Academic Excellence (Yr 9)
- Isaiah Powell 1st in Commerce (Yr 9)
- Jake Torsellini: 1st in Industrial Technology Wood (Yr 9)
- Massimo Bucci: 1st in Work Education (Yr 9)
- Jack Hardwicke-Owen: Recipient of the Greg Carmody Memorial Prize for Best All Round Sportsman
Well done to all of the Academic Award Winners for 2017.
Thank to all of the parents who have encouraged their son to support the range of social justice initiatives around the College throughout 2017. Without your encouragement and support of your son, they would not be the young men they are today.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and safe break over the summer.
