Graham Leddie
From the Head of College, Graham Leddie
Academic Enrichment Coordinator (Senior School)
I am pleased to announce that the College has appointed an Academic Enrichment Coordinator for next year; Ms Stephanie Boyce will commence in the role in 2018. The Academic Enrichment Coordinator will work with Heads of Department, Classroom teachers and Heads of House to develop challenging, motivating academic programs for students of high intellectual potential as well as assist our teachers to develop and implement differentiated programs that have strategies to support students with specific learning needs. The coordinator will also organise competitions and events such as da Vinci Decathlon, Olympiads and Gifted and Talented Days.
This is a first step in a range of strategies the College will be undertaking to ensure that we provide academic care to students across the full range of abilities (while noting that our established Learning Support Department’s programs already provide excellent services to students with special learning needs).
Staff Appointments
I would also like to announce the following staff appointments which will apply from 2018:
- Ms Rebecca Gair – PDHPE Teacher F/T permanent
- Ms Kaitlyn Downey – iLeader Co-ordinator
- Ms Gemma Brown – Assistant Head of Science
- Mr James Spargo – Assistant Head of TAS
- Mr Lachlan Hillman – Assistant Head of Mathematics
- Ms Phoebe Guirguis – Head of Mathematics
- Mr Graeme Bannerman – Head of Visual Arts
- Ms Gaby Bransby – Assistant Director of Learning and Teaching
- Ms Stephanie Floyd – Assistant Director of Co-curriculum
- Mr Stephen O’Donnell – Director of Co-curriculum
White Ribbon Day
Friday November 24 is White Ribbon Day, a time when we engage with men to make women’s safety a man’s issue too. Leading up to this event, Green House has spent the month of November with a focus on raising awareness about domestic violence. This has included discussing our terrible statistics as a nation – one in three women in Australia will experience physical or sexual assault from someone known to them, and one woman is killed each week by a current or former partner.
Green House has been raising funds for the White Ribbon Foundation and a local women’s refuge by running a barbecue, selling ribbons and collecting donations. Their program included a guest speaker who was a victim of domestic violence, who gave the students an insight into her powerful story of survival. This was followed by a talk from Marty Wilson, an author, TedX speaker, Australian Comedian of the Year and a white ribbon ambassador (as well a one of our parents).
Marty also spoke to students at assembly about the importance of men taking a stand and speaking out. Year 12 student Daniel Brown spoke very well about his generation having an opportunity to lead change in this space, and that it should not be accepted in any circumstances – you can read the text of his speech in this newsletter. On Friday 24 November our students will participate in the White Ribbon Day walk as they do every year. Parents are welcome to join our students at this event. More information can be found at this link.
Waverley College strongly supports the vision of the White Ribbon movement to create a nation that respects women, in which every woman lives in safety, free from all forms of abuse.
Marty Wilson, White Ribbon Ambassador
Presentation nights reminder
A reminder to all parents that we have our end of year Presentation Evenings coming up. It is important that all students attend these events. The details are as follows:
- Year 5 Presentation Afternoon – Friday 1 December, 1pm, Br JP Lacey Gymnasium
- Year 6 Graduation – Thursday 30 November, 6:15pm, Br JP Lacey Gymnasium
- Year 7 & 8 Presentation Evening – Tuesday 5 December, 7pm, Br JP Lacey Gymnasium
- Year 9, 10 & 11 Presentation Evening – Wednesday 6 December, 7pm, Br JP Lacey Gymnasium
Senior parents should confirm their son’s attendance by completing the RSVP form on the events page of the college website.
Student Achievements
Ocean racing
Congratulations to Noah Havard who came third in the world at the Hong Kong World Ocean Racing World Titles. Congratulations also to Ben Walker who placed sixth, Zach Havard who placed eighth and Jeremy Hayes tenth. It is quite amazing that four boys from one school represented Australia and all did so very well in one of the toughest sports.
Noah Havard, bronze medallist
Cricket tour de force
Year 12 student (Class of 2017) Jason Sangha has joined illustrious company in Townsville after becoming the youngest batsman since India legend Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England.
The highly-rated 18-year-old posted his maiden first-class century in a marathon final-day partnership for the Cricket Australia XI to frustrate England in their Magellan Ashes tour match at Riverway Stadium.
Jason, who co-captained Australia’s Under-19 side earlier this year, only made his first-class debut in last week’s tour match under lights against England in Adelaide.
At 18 years old, Sangha is now behind only Tendulkar – who struck an unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990 at 17 years and 107 days – among the youngest batsmen to make a first-class ton against England.
The Randwick-born right-hander is also the ninth youngest Australian to make a first-class hundred and the youngest since champion batsman Ricky Ponting.
Jason Sangha celebrates after reaching a century.
