Dear Parents and Carers,
At the end of Term 3, the College will email a supplementary fee account to a number of families.
The new charges you will see in your Term 4 account are for events/activities that were previously in doubt due to NSW Health Restrictions at the time. These events/activities have now gone ahead or will go ahead in Term 4 with the charges reflected in your account.
Please note, this was previously shared in the Principal’s end of Term 1 update.
The due date for payment is Friday 16 October, 2020.
Please click here for the latest careers update.
Make sure you have a time each day when the family sits down and reads, even if it’s 20 minutes (and put the phones away). It doesn’t have to be fiction – newspapers and magazines are fine – it’s all about boys seeing everyone reading.
Maybe a grandfather, uncle, neighbour – anyone respected and liked by your son(s).
Don’t worry about mistakes in this 20 minute time. Talk about what you’re reading – “You wouldn’t believe what this guy did in his life…” Try not to make it like a quiz ( “What did you read, who was it by?”)
Books, magazines and newspapers!
They are such fabulous places – you might enjoy them too.
We can help you find books to match your sons’ interests. We have plenty of ideas about what they might like and dislike as well as an extensive range of brochures and resources, a fabulous collection and lots of reading knowledge!
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope your son’s term has been a productive one thus far and that he is travelling well as we approach the end of Week 6. I hope he is preparing well for upcoming examinations and assessments. With one month of Term 3 left, this is the time for him to build on his learning in each subject area and work particularly closely with his teachers.
It has been reassuring to see that the reported cases of COVID-19 in NSW are reducing each day. With the current figures, we are hopeful that teaching will remain on campus. However, if we are required to switch to off-campus learning again in the future, it is vital that we are prepared for a seamless transition.
Please view the updated Off-Campus Learning Guidelines here.
I have been impressed to see so many boys sitting for the ICAS competitions in Science and English. These assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence and assess students’ ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher order thinking and problem-solving skills.
The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of learning. UNSW has been providing these opportunities for the last 35 years.
Thank you to the Science staff for driving a range of wonderful initiatives as part of National Science Week, including a virtual escape room with prizes, a number of practical experiments such as flaming hands, and the Education Perfect competition.
Tomorrow, we are celebrating Wear it Purple Day, which strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for people who associate as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. I am grateful to Ms Peta Friend, who is kindly sharing her story with us as a Waverley College graduate (1979) and spokeswoman for Wear it Purple Day.
As an EREA school, one of our touchstones is Inclusive Community, which means that we respect difference and the dignity of each individual. We want our school to be a safe and inclusive learning community for all students.
It is well documented that there is still significant homophobic and transphobic bullying throughout society. Several young people have taken their lives following bullying and harassment resulting from a lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.
The aim of further education in this area and days like Wear it Purple Day is to raise awareness of sexuality and gender identity, and to challenge harmful social cultures.
College Psychologist Ms Tessa Prior has provided the following links if you are looking for more information or resources in this area:
After 20 years of service, Mr Kris Wojciechowski is retiring. Kris has worked across a number of areas with our campus team over the years – most recently in the Senior School printroom, where he ensured that teacher resources, examinations, assessments and student work were printed in a timely fashion. We wish Kris the very best in his well-deserved retirement.
Welcome to Ms Catherine Sharpe, who replaces Kris in the printroom. Catherine has over 13 years’ experience at Ascham School printroom.
Congratulations to all of our winter co-curricular teams. Well done to our Cross Country team, who came 2nd at CAS; 1sts and 2nds Rugby, who won CAS with an undefeated premiership; and AFL, who won CAS for the third year in a row with an undefeated premiership.
While we couldn’t actually play CAS Representative fixtures this year, CAS felt that students deserved to be acknowledged for their efforts during the season.
Below are the CAS Merit teams for AFL, Football, Rugby and Volleyball. Boys in Years 11 and 12 are allowed to purchase a CAS tie for being selected in a Merit Team. Please see Mr Stephen O’Donnell or email sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au to place an order for a tie. Orders close on Friday 28 August.
Congratulations to all.
Over time we’ve seen a shift in education. We still need to teach our students core skills such as following directions, working hard and being efficient, prompt, honest and fair – all of which remain valuable in today’s world. However, in order for our boys to succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape, we now need to teach beyond this. They need to be able to think deeply about issues, apply creativity to problem solving, and – as 2020 has demonstrated – approach collaborating and communicating across a variety of platforms with flexibility and agility.
This week, I’d like to congratulate our Year 12 boys as they near the completion of their HSC Trial Examinations. As we’re operating under a very different set of circumstances this year, we understand that you’ll have questions about the upcoming HSC exams. You can find information to help with that below, along with the latest Teaching & Learning highlights.
As usual, life on campus has been busy. From creating streetscapes and advocacy videos that address world issues, to coaching Junior School students, whipping up tasty treats for special occasions, attending virtual seminars with Olympians and carrying out real-world mathematical experiments, our boys have been engaged in a variety of learning experiences that have enabled them to produce impressive pieces of work.
This year’s HSC is different due to COVID-19. Information is available on the NESA website to clearly answer parents’ questions about the HSC exams. Most recently NESA has reported that the health and wellbeing of HSC students is more important than any exam, which is why they are encouraging students to:
You can keep up to date with the latest Year 11 and HSC information by following this link and download NESA’s 2020 HSC fact sheet here.
Year 7 students have been busy creating an advocacy video to drive change on key issues, including:
Collaborative team teaching is a great way to inspire, support and engage our students. The library has facilitated group work and collaboration, including the use of a green screen for boys to film their productions, while the Geography team has taught boys how to use data and infographics to communicate geographically, and scaffolded information management.
The library team was also able to introduce sources of information for the students at their reading level. The Kidsnews website proved to be invaluable and researching issues with accurate and up-to-date information was an important part of our strategy before script writing. Further strategies for creating effective and engaging videos were introduced by viewing and analysing ABC and BTN news clips.
Library Green Screen
This term, Year 11 students have produced a streetscape series after exploring a range of mediums through the overarching concept of ‘Making a mark’. The College library has kindly provided a space to exhibit their works. The boys have experimented with stippling, continuous line, free form drawing, stenciling, silkscreening, transfers and spray – all fundamental skills that are formed as part of this unit.
Photographic samples of streetscapes around the local area were used to link their media studies together in a resolved collection of works. Each student had autonomy in their own practice as we encouraged them to experiment with application and material technique processes relating to their key artists for the topic. The influencing artists were Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Vector, Ears, Banksy and Sheppard Fairey.
Thank you to Bill Roberts, Angie Willams and Sherri Falkinder for housing the temporary exhibition.
Year 11 Visual Art ‘Streetscape’ series
Students from Year 9 Physical Activity and Sport Studies (PASS) and selected Athletics team students recently participated in a Zoom seminar with Olympian Steve Solomon, a five-time defending Australian 400 metres champion.
This was part of Olympics Unleashed. Olympics Unleashed is presented by NSW Institute of Sport in conjunction with the Australian Olympic Committee. Olympians are connected with schools and students virtually, and every session is aimed to inspire and motivate. It’s all about reaching your personal best – whether that’s in the classroom, in the playground, on the sporting field or at home.
Steve shared lessons from his Olympic journey that we can all learn from. He spoke about setting goals, overcoming challenges and demonstrating resilience. Our boys had the opportunity to ask questions about particular topics at the end of the session, including adequate rest, overcoming adversity and fuelling the body.
PDHPE – Olympics Unleashed
Throughout Term 3, both Year 10 PASS classes have been focusing on coaching as their main unit of study. This unit allows students to explore a range of coaching styles to support a variety of age groups, abilities and personalities.
In the peer coaching assessment, we asked students to design and implement a lesson plan that could be taught to a small group of Waverley Junior School students. The lesson required our coaches to use a lesson plan scaffold to identify:
Coaches were assigned a group of 6-8 Junior School students. They were given 40-45 minutes to implement their lesson plans while demonstrating interpersonal and organisational skills. This included introducing themselves to the group, learning students’ names, ensuring that activities were performed safely, providing supportive and encouraging feedback, and managing time effectively.
All of our coaches were out of their comfort zones, but succeeded in teaching fundamental skills in a fun and engaging way by displaying confidence, resilience and positive leadership.
Year 10 Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS)
Our Year 10 students have been undertaking mathematical experiments to collect statistics. This week we’ve looked into their vertical jump heights and horizontal jump lengths, and we’ve compared sub-max push ups to max pushups using Wim Hof’s breathing technique. The students have used this data and graph with their results to see the value of Maths in the real world.
Year 10 Mathematics experiment to collect statistics.
My Year 10 Food Technology students are currently exploring food for special occasions. The boys have chosen ‘Birthday Party’ as their theme. As you can see from our photographs, they’ve created an impressive selection of well presented and delicious treats. Well done, boys!
The latest NSW Health advice asks students and staff to obtain a COVID-19 test prior to returning to the College if they are experiencing any flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms. NSW Health is turning these tests around very quickly. Thank you for your positive response to this requirement and your ongoing cooperation. I also encourage boys to wear a mask, particularly if you are travelling on public transport.
On 26 August, the CAS Heads attended a briefing by Dr Kerry Chant, the NSW Chief Health Officer. In the light of the CHO’s guidelines and NSW Health advice to restrict the intermingling between communities within metropolitan Sydney, the CAS Heads reluctantly resolved to cancel the 2020 Athletics Championships.
CAS schools will be providing sporting experiences for students while remaining mindful of the guidelines that seek to restrict movement across regions and zones. The CAS is grateful to all schools for carefully adhering to NSW Health regulations, which meant that the winter season could be virtually completed in a timely way for students.
We look forward to resuming our activities in the forthcoming summer season.
Over the years, Quinn House has focused on advocating for – and raising awareness of – significant issues affecting our First Nations Peoples.
Wednesday 2 September is Indigenous Literacy Day and Quinn House will play their part in helping to raise funds to purchase culturally relevant books for remote Indigenous communities. These books are supplied in both English and first language.
Due to COVID restrictions, we are unable to visit Redfern Jarjum College and La Perouse Public School to spend time with their First Nations students this year. Instead, Quinn students and Jarjum students will be sharing stories together via Zoom.
Students in Quinn House are asked to make a gold coin donation to help buy books for remote communities. We are aiming to raise $25 per Quinn wellbeing group – about $2-$3 per student. Students are asked to donate their gold coins to their wellbeing mentors during wellbeing time. If anyone else in the community would like to donate, please ask your son to donate your money to Suzi Sucur in the Wellbeing Centre.
During this challenging time, we are aware that a lot of businesses are suffering. Please use our directory to support valuable family businesses in the Waverley College community. Advertising in the directory is free and open for all parents and Old Boys.
To register your business, please email Robin Ball at rball@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
This week marks our official week for Book Week. Our Learning Hub teacher, Mrs Zivanovic, has put a lot of effort into making it meaningful and special for our students – even with the current restrictions in place. It has been such an exciting week for the boys, especially for our award winners.
Last week, I spoke about the introduction of our five new core values in the Junior School. The first core value that we focused on was ‘Respect’. I saw and heard some great examples of students showing respect on the playground and in the classroom. Discussing the importance around this during wellbeing has been a positive experience. The second core value that we have been focusing on is ‘Compassion.’
Mr Mitton and 5 Gold have created some fantastic work around the concept of compassion. Boys brainstormed their thoughts and ideas on our new flexible furniture, coming up with many important messages.
Core value: ‘Compassion’
Book Week has been a little different this year, but the boys continue to show great resilience. They have effortlessly adapted to our COVID-safe provisions and enjoyed interactive Zoom sessions with our guest author Tim Harris and virtual performance, The Greatest Discovery.
The boys also enjoyed shopping at our pop-up bookshop, which was proudly supported by The Children’s Bookshop & Speakers’ Agency.
The pop-up bookshop, supported by The Children’s Bookshop & Speakers’ Agency
Congratulations to our Book Week prize winners!
Year 5
Mikey Gauci-Cook
Year 6
Tom Madden
Mikey Gauci-Cook, Year 5
Tom Madden, Year 6
Year 5
Darcy Dawson
Year 6
Johnny Yates
Darcy Dawson, Year 5
Johnny Yates, Year 6
Year 5
Carter Kennedy
Year 6
Connell Corcoran
Carter Kennedy, Year 5
Connell Corcoran, Year 6
Many factors contribute to promoting reading. As an educator, I intentionally tailor-make choices to suit the boys and aim to provide a variety of texts and genres the boys can choose from. This year the Book Week theme is ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’. Our Term 3 focus is to explore different texts to compliment the theme.
The 6 Gold boys have been very busy preparing to present their iTime/Stem Inquiry projects. Over the past few weeks, they have worked in small groups or individually to solve problems or create solutions based on their passions or interests.
Angus Skeed set a very high standard for the class when he presented three spectacular Science experiments. His outstanding and dynamic presentation coincided with Science Week, which gave the class a great insight into solids, liquids and gases. Angus displayed excellent inquiry skills, impeccable organisation and tremendous enthusiasm while explaining his solutions. The highlight of his presentation was the magic he created by mixing milk, food colouring and dishwashing liquid.
“Milk is mainly made of water and the other big ingredient is usually fat. The dishwashing liquid bonds with the fat in the milk. This bond is so strong that the water and food colouring are pushed out. The swirling effect is everything else moving around to make room for the dishwashing liquid and fat to bond.”
A huge thank you to all convenors, staff, coaches, parents and students for your patience and resilience over the challenging winter 2020 co-curricular season.
There were many highlights, including a huge improvement in Volleyball. The 1sts AFL had an undefeated CAS premiership, as did our 1sts and 2nds Rugby. The grit and determination shown by our Year 12 2020 cohort in their display and application was commendable. There have been great improvements across all activities, including debating, theatresports, Chess, Music ensembles and Media Group.
Thank you to all parents and members of the College community for demonstrating dedication in keeping the wider community safe under the current restrictions, and well done to all of our award winners. You can access the full list of award winners here.
Well done, also, to those students selected for the CAS Merit sides in Volleyball, AFL, Football and Rugby in 2020. Please click here for further details.
Lastly, best wishes and a huge thank you to Year 12 for your co-curricular efforts throughout your time at Waverley, and thank you to our Year 12 parents also. Your contributions have been amazing in so many areas.
This week, we have also commenced our pre-season for summer, as well as Track and Field. Despite no invitationals or CAS Championships for Athletics this year, we want to maintain the great momentum in this area moving forward.
Congratulations to our Track and Field captains for 2020:
Any student in Years 5 to 12 is welcome to join the squad for training over the next three weeks. Maintaining physical activity is critical for student wellbeing and positive mental health.
Congratulations to the following students, who received their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Bronze
Silver
One of the exciting opportunities for cadets in the Cadet Unit is the prospect of promotion through the ranks. The first step in their leadership training starts with becoming a Corporal and Section Commander. As these skills are practised and honed with a section of recruits, cadets grow in their confidence and resilience. They are then able to adapt to the challenge of leading platoons and companies and, eventually, the Unit. We are now preparing for these courses, which are to be held in the September school holidays. The courses (Junior Leadership Course, Senior Leadership Course and Cadet Under Officers’ Course) are open to cadets in Years 9, 10 and 11, and will be held at the College to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Please keep an eye out this week for an email with more information.
Last week, cadets in the Unit enjoyed a number of activities, which we proudly shared via our new Instagram and Facebook accounts. Alpha Company were busy challenging themselves on the Climbing Wall, while 5PL tested their skills in the Navigation, Ratel and Fieldcraft Exercise. Charlie Company were the first to try their hand with the new UHF radios, practising those all-important ratel messages that are so crucial to safety in the field.
Our senior cadets are preparing themselves for their final few weeks in the Unit. Due to COVID-19 limitations, their Passing Out Parade will have a very different feel this year, but it will be all the more special for its intimacy. Rehearsals are underway for a ceremony that will be broadcast to parents and the Cadet community on 20 September.
I got into Basketball when I was 8 years old, but only played in my first representative season in Year 7 (2015) when I was approached by an u14’s Division 2 coach for Sydney Comets. That’s when I started taking Basketball more seriously and made my first Division 1 representative team for Comets in Year 9 (2017). I was cut from the NSW State team in both 2017 and 2018, and only made my first NSW team last year in 2019. From there, I was fortunate enough to make the Australian Under 17’s team last year, where we won the gold medal against New Zealand at the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia.
Playing at Waverley College has been very special to me ever since I started in Year 5. At the Junior School, I played for the Bs in Year 5 and As in Year 6, where we went undefeated. In the Senior School, I played for the 7As, 8As and 1sts from there. Playing for Waverley made me so much more passionate about Basketball, every Saturday putting on the blue and gold jersey and making some of the best memories of my time at the college. The USA Basketball tour was also a fantastic experience – being able to experience life overseas, playing quality Basketball and creating friendships with students from other years that you wouldn’t normally see.
After graduating, I plan on studying and playing Basketball overseas in the USA. I hope to earn a scholarship to a Division 1 school and receive an education there. I haven’t decided where I’m going to go yet, but I want to choose the best school for me for both Basketball and academics. My biggest aspiration is to play professionally after that, preferably in the NBL here in Australia. That’s the ultimate goal!
Ryan Abbott, Year 12, Waverley College
This week, we’re asking the parents of students in Year 12 to nominate whether they wish to return or purchase their son’s school-issued laptops. All the information regarding this process will be sent to you via email, along with the link to the nomination form and payment options.
Please check your spam folders if you haven’t received the information by the end of next week. If you have any questions regarding this process, please call iAssist on 0293690784 or email us at iassist@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
When electronic items are sent to landfill, they can leach toxic or hazardous substances into our soil and possibly contaminate surface and ground water. These items contain valuable or non-renewable resources such as rare earth metals and plastics, which can be recovered and incorporated into new products.
Foil, silver and copper can be recovered from mobile phones and tablets. Batteries can be dismantled and made into new batteries. Plastics, metals and ink can be recovered from printer cartridges.
At Waverley College, we’re fortunate to have our own tricky e-waste recycling bin, located at the far end of the front reception area. Please continue to bring in any electronic items so that we, as a community, can improve our sustainability by recycling these valuable resources. At the last pick up, we recycled 44 kilos of batteries, 13 kilos of ink cartridges and 28 kilos of general e-waste.
Items that can be added to the bin include:
Sustainability Group meets every Tuesday lunchtime in E04. All students are welcome to join!
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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