The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognised award that is offered to students in Years 9-12 at Waverley College.
There will be an information evening for Year 8 Parents and Carers to explain to you and your sons the award and what it involves. Following this meeting, there will be a registration session where students can register for commencement in 2020.
Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Time: 6-7pm
Location: PAC Theatre
Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
A reminder that information has been sent out regarding the Year 6 Graduation Mass and Supper. A message was sent out last week on Skoolbag and there is also a link on the Waverley College website. You can also click here to RSVP.
On Wednesday, 6 November we hosted our Orientation Day for all students new to the Junior School in 2020. It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome some existing Waverley families and many new families into our community. All students went through an Orientation experience where they connected with other students, toured the school and participated in STEM, drama and sports activities. There was also some valuable testing conducted in amongst all the fun to assist us in transitioning our new students into Waverley as seamlessly as possible next year.
I would also like to thank the Waverley College Old Boys for their invaluable help cooking and running the BBQ on this day.
Hearing all about country Australia and the drought first hand from our guest speaker Dougall Roberts was an informative way to spend our lunchtime on Friday, 1 November. Dougs had the boys captivated with his stories from the bush and how serious the drought is. He shared many photos which gave the boys a strong understanding of how dry the land has become. Dougs also spoke about the #buyfromthebush initiative currently on Instagram and the positive effect this is having on rural businesses.
This week we will welcome Matt Galanos who is the Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Australian Turf Club and Author. He will talk to the boys about his journey of writing his first book which was launched this year in July.
If you would like to be a guest speaker, please contact me: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This term, Year 6 have been part of an exciting program called Robo Bricks. Robo Bricks expose students to the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), equipping them with the necessary skills for the economy of the future, all while having fun with LEGO®. This program is run by a company called Young Engineers. They offer unique STEM enrichment programs which involve students building various motorized LEGO® models and teaching them logical thinking and coding using LEGO®.
During each lesson, students employ mechanical engineering skills to build a robot and software engineering skills to code the robot to perform the desired tasks. The boys are completing this program as part of their Science and Technology Unit – Growing the Future. This program focuses primarily on the Digital Technologies content strand whilst still creating robots that fit in with the Living Things content strand.
Students work in pairs to solve complex projects based around a kitchen mixer, conveyor belt and scarecrow. These lessons include the following activities and skills;
Program Subjects
Valuable Skills Gained
There has been wonderful feedback from the students who have been part of the program so far. I’m looking forward to hearing more feedback once all Year 6 have taken part in this deep learning experience.
Christmas time can be a lonely and difficult time for many people throughout Sydney, therefore we are collecting donations this year in the hope of supporting a few different charities that need our help this Christmas.
Matthew Talbot Hostel
The Matthew Talbot Hostel provides accommodation and specialised support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service aims to provide immediate support and accommodation for people at the time of crisis as well as facilitate access to other essential services and more permanent housing. For more information on this organisation, please click here.
Donations include: Toiletries (preferably small travel size items), underwear, socks, chocolates, notepads, pens.
Bayside Women’s Shelter
Bayside Women’s Shelter is a registered charity that was established in partnership with the community in 2017. They are an organisation dedicated to sheltering homeless women through local community fundraising and philanthropy. They have established a six-bedroom shelter accommodating women, with or without children, who are escaping family and domestic violence in the South-East Sydney area. For more information on this organisation, please click here.
We would like to assist with donations of the following:
Giving Tree
You are invited to donate a gift for our Junior School ‘Giving Tree’. The gifts are for disadvantaged children throughout the local and wider communities of Sydney. The gifts are for children of any age range, both boys and girls. These gifts need to be wrapped in clear plastic with the age range specified on the wrapping. The gifts are then to be brought into school and placed under the Christmas tree.
It would be greatly appreciated if these donations could be brought into the school by no later than Friday 29th November (Week 7).
Thank you for all your generosity in supporting these worthwhile charities.
This year, our Year 5 and 6 Sustainability Team have been working on how to make our school more sustainable. Last term we went to the Sustainability Expo at the Sydney Observatory, where we met students from lots of other Sydney schools. We discussed issues around sustainability and took part in a number of workshops to inspire us and educate us on sustainable initiatives we could put into practice in our school. Going to the Expo gave us lots of ideas that we want to start at Waverley. This term we are going to introduce two new initiatives.
Nude Food Wednesday
Nude food Wednesday is one day a week when students are encouraged to bring a ‘nude’ lunch and recess. This means that your lunch should not be packaged in plastic or non-biodegradable packaging. This will make Waverley have less waste and create less rubbish to be put into landfills, waste escapes, waterways, oceans, and the natural world. The class teacher will tally up the number of ‘nude’ lunches in each class. At the end of the term, the class with the nudest food lunches will win a period of free play on the playground.
Compost bins
Our second initiative is to start composting our food waste in the Junior School. We have just ordered two compost bins and an individual food scraps bin for each class. Compost is an organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. This process recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner. This soil conditioner is rich in nutrients. As a Waverley College community, we can use that to our advantage as we can use that soil to fertilize our gardens. We are hoping eventually to be able to have enough to use in our school gardens. In your class food scraps bin, you can put any of the leftover food from your recess and lunches. Apple cores, banana skins, uneaten sandwiches to name a few. Your sustainability leader will clear out your box every day.
This is the only planet that we are going to get… there is no planet B. It is our job to look after it the best we can. Together we can do our bit to help make Waverley a more sustainable school. We really hope everyone gets on board with our new initiatives.
We are pleased to provide you with an update on the new academic and PE uniform. Please follow this link to learn more about release dates, fittings, sales, uniform shop trading hours and FAQs.
PCYC Spirit Basketball Trials are halfway through their trials and welcoming late trialists.
Matches are played on Sundays so there is no conflict with Saturday school sports.
Trails will be running out of PCYC Glebe and are open to the following age groups U12, U14, U16 & U18.
For more information and how to join in, please click here.
Br Paul Oakley, previous Headmaster of Waverley College and current EREA Council President writes about the theme of Children’s week 2019 and the importance of Wellbeing and good health of children in our schools.
‘It is the right of every child to good health and well-being. For us in Edmund Rice Education Australia this has a special importance as our mission is to bring the fullness of life to the children and young people entrusted to our care.
The challenge for us is not just an internal one because the Universal Children’s Day also “calls society to a greater response to the plight of many millions of children about the world who are denied the basic necessities of a happy childhood and the education to develop their capacities. It also calls us in Australia to consider those conditions in society which affect the lives and future of our own children.”
I am reminded of a number of the characteristics associated with the Touchstones.
A Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, in developing a Liberating Education,
In the school with which you are involved you would be aware of the practices that bring these characteristics to life.
In a recent survey of parents two parents commented: ‘I think this (concern for students’ wellbeing) is the school’s greatest strength. Seen in the words of the principal, actions of teachers and counselling services and wellbeing programs.’ ‘There seems to be an enormous amount of resources and time directed towards wellbeing – which is excellent, yet I still find myself with an anxious child. It is a large, all boys’ school and cultural change – expressing anxiety etc, seems still to be taboo. More can always be done. They do seem genuinely committed though.’
The challenge of ensuring that all is done that can be done remains in front of us but there are many signs of good work as can be seen both in these comments of parents and in the experience of students as they complete their time in our schools.
A major impetus in the area of well-being this year has been the launch of the Edmund Rice Education Australia Child Safeguarding Standards in June. The implementation of the Standards is meant to be proactive. As the Executive Director Dr Wayne Tinsey said when launching the Standards: The purpose and intent of the Standards contained in this Framework is to embed a culture of child safety and well-being by demonstrating values in practice; nurturing the well-being of all children and young people, respecting their dignity, ensuring their safety and protecting them from abuse and other harm. This we do by at all times acting in the best interests of children and young people under our care. All of us throughout EREA share this responsibility.
This is a sacred duty which we undertake. The Standards provide some guidance and are the subject of training and review to ensure that all in EREA are cognisant of what the responsibility is that they undertake in working with children and young people.
We will do this in partnership with families, carers and communities. Most importantly we will undertake the responsibility with the participation and empowerment of the children and young people in our schools.
There are many examples of the empowerment that young people experience within our schools. Recently a Teaching and Learning conference for Edmund Rice Education Australia was held in Sydney. At that conference there was active student participation from our Sydney schools giving them a voice at the very centre of our mission. Earlier in the year the EREA Principals National Forum in Melbourne likewise benefitted from the presence of those for whose education we have responsibility.
We are blessed in Edmund Rice Education Australia that we have staff and students who are prepared to respond to the plight of those children at home and abroad who do not have the necessities that would assist them to receive the education that should be theirs. Our students support Edmund Rice Camps and homework classes for those who have a need for that support. Our students have been actively involved, under student leadership, in ERA for change and climate change concerns. There are those schools who have travelled to remote Australia and overseas for immersion and volunteer work in South America, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Africa, often as a supportive presence to young people and their families, as well as assisting teachers in schools which are part of Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders.
As Edmund Rice Education Australia moves into its thirteenth year we can see that we have taken up the spirit of the Christian Brothers as we share in the Charism of their founder Blessed Edmund Rice. Though we still have a way to go to make sure that all that can be done is done for the children and young people in our care, may we continue to grow in our understanding of all that is needed for us to ensure “the right of every child to good health and well-being.”
Our hope is that expressed by Blessed Edmund. “Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children’s hearts later on.”
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Paul D Oakley cfc
President, Edmund Rice Education Australia
On behalf of the Council – Philomena Billington, Kathy Freeman, John Honner, Paul Oakley, David White
Please click here for the Term 4 Track and Field extra training sessions timetable.
These training sessions are to continue the positive improvement we saw during the 2019 Track & Field season. All Track and Field athletes are encouraged to make a session during the week, however, anyone is welcome to get in and train for improvement towards other co-curricular sports. Middle Distance (MDB) and Sprint training sessions are particularly useful, and will positively benefit both your health and fitness, as well as show benefits across all sporting disciplines.
If there are any questions about training sessions, please see Mr Roff in the Weights room, or Mr Newbury in the TAS staffroom.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back for the final Term of the year. I encourage all boys to engage with their academic and learning program immediately as this term is renowned for moving at a frenetic pace.
On behalf of the teachers, staff and members of the College Community, I wished our Year 12s all the best this morning for their HSC examinations which started today.
On behalf of the Waverley College Community, I offer our prayers and condolences to both the Kimber and Papageorhious families who lost loved ones over the holidays. May Catherine Shand and Chris Papageorgious rest in peace. Thank you to members of our community who have reached out to support both families.
Wellbeing
Over the holidays Mental Health week was celebrated in Australia. Research clearly indicates a strong link between student wellbeing, performance, happiness and sleep. Diet is another key influencing factor in a student’s overall wellbeing. I would encourage parents to play an active role in checking the number of hours their sons are actually sleeping for and the hibernation of technology devices prior to going to bed on a consistent basis. The optimum sleep required by adolescent boys is 9.25 hours every night. Everyone has to stay up late and finish work off from time to time when workloads are heavy, but it is what your son consistently does in terms of sleep, diet and not being connected to technology prior to sleep, that will have a positive impact on how he feels, learns and his wellbeing in both the short and long term.
While he sleeps, his brain is preparing for the next day: it forms new pathways to help him learn and consolidate information into his long term memory. Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. This system defends your body against foreign or harmful substances. Ongoing sleep deficiency can change how your immune system responds.
Deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults.
According to studies carried out by the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (USA), teens who are sleep deficient have greater problems getting along with others, feel angry, impulsive, have mood swings, greater chances of sadness and depression, have less motivation and lower attention spans. The Institute maintains that sleep supports healthy growth and development, particularly in teens.
Leadership Assembly
On Tuesday, parents were invited to pin captain and prefect badges on their respective sons in a moving ceremony in front of the College. Each boy took the pledge to look after all students and serve the College to the best of their ability. In my speech to all students, boys were all encouraged to aspire to be leaders and to embrace being compassionate, being grateful, having empathy for others, being just in their actions and calling others on any action that brings their name or the College’s name into disrepute.
Happiness
Research supports the notion that assisting others is one of the key factors to the road to happiness in one’s life. One of the College’s touchstones – Justice and Solidarity particularly calls us to seek justice and stand up for those in need. Put another way, having high levels of emotional intelligence are 21st-century skills we are seeking to develop in the young men under our care. We are encouraging your son to challenge himself to be a better person, to take others along on the journey and to assist those less fortunate. The following four programs encourage boys to support those in need and challenge some of the status quo in structures that block progress and equality for all.
Best Foot Forward campaign = Empowering Women Around the World
This is an EREA campaign to support women and girls getting access to education. Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It’s necessary for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Two-thirds of the world’s 750 million illiterate adults are women, while 16 million girls will never set foot in a classroom. Together we can make lasting change for women and girls all over the world. To give them an opportunity for education and to put their ‘best foot forward’.
Over 200 Waverley boys purchased a set of pink shoelaces today, to stand in solidarity with those girls that don’t have the same opportunities as they do to attend a school. This campaign is being championed by Green House, but all boys and members of the community are encouraged to support this program today. You can read more about the initiative in Scott Coleman’s article below.
For just a few more hours, all donations will be quadrupled by our matching donors so that your gifts achieve their greatest potential.
Help us complete the journey. Together, we can help to put her Best Foot Forward!
Donate: bestfootforward.org.au
Domestic Violence
Some of you may have seen recently in the news that the Board of White Ribbon Australia has had to close their doors. The College has always been a strong supporter of raising awareness of the tragically high levels of domestic violence in Australia against women and the need for all men to stand up, acknowledge this and work to end violence against women. Randwick Council and NSW Police will proceed with their walk against domestic violence on 22 November and Waverley College will support this event. We will look to direct any funds raised towards a local service that assists women.
Premature Babies Update
Earlier in the year, twenty of our students and two staff ran the SMH Half Marathon in support of Premature Babies and its founder and Waverley parent, Ms Spohie Smith. The group raised $6,930 and Sophie has just informed me that this enabled the purchase of lifesaving equipment for the Royal Hospital for Women’s neonatal intensive care unit. Both an ultrablender, used to improve the accuracy in delivering the right amount of oxygen for premature babies, and one neopuff, which is a supporting piece of equipment to incubators in the highest level of intensive care of the NICU, assisting with how ventilation is delivered to premature babies have been purchased using the money raised by Waverley boys. Sophie is keen to see a Waverley team of parents, boys, staff and community members again at next year’s marathon in May 2020.
Kids Giving Back Program
Congratulations to students Kit Armstrong, Jesse Gordon, Monty Armstrong and Aidan Carpenter who have participated in one or more of the following programs: Cook4Good, Cook4Dignity, School Holiday Programs & Connect4Good. The programs provide opportunities to assist vulnerable people in the community. The program organisers have written to the College congratulating our boys on their empathy and strong work ethic as they undertook these volunteer roles.
World Teacher Day
The College will recognise its teachers on the 25 October. We are very blessed to have such a dedicated and professional team of teachers at the College.
Staff News
We farewell Mr Dominic Hearne from the College after 19 years of service. We thank Dominic for his work in administration, the philosophy of leadership program, teaching religious education and as a debating coach. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Congratulations
Year 11 Student Alex Talbot recently broke the 17yrs 1500m School Record with a time of 4.07.99. The previous record has stood for 37 years – E Vandermee – 4.08.80 from 1982. Congratulations Alex on this outstanding achievement.
Year 12 Student Thomas Carey was successful in securing one of the 20 places available on the ACU Leavers Program 2019 Trip to Rome and London. The program will be run by Dr Michael Casey, Director of the PM Glynn Institute at ACU.
Click here for the latest careers update.
Today Green House took part in the Edmund Rice Foundation Best Foot Forward Campaign.
The campaign focuses on providing girls with access to education that would otherwise not have that opportunity. There is so much value and power in education. But sadly girls are still more likely than boys to never set foot in a classroom, despite the tremendous progress made over the past 20 years.
Each student in Green House donated $10 and have been given pink laces to wear to show their support of this essential cause. As a school we have raised $2,000 dollars for the cause. Today the Edmund Rice Foundation announced they would be providing $4 for every dollar donated – so that means our contribution resulted in a $10,000 donation to such an important cause.
I would also like to recognise our prefects who also took part and raised money for this campaign as well as our 1st XI cricket team who will be wearing the laces this Saturday in recognition of this event. A great initiative from all those boys and players involved to go above and beyond.
The donations are still live as they push to reach $250,000 in total donations and make it a total donation of $1,000,000. A huge initiative to be a part of for all our Green and Waverley boys today.
More information, to donate and to watch the donations live, please go to the following website:
God we ask that our students feel your closeness during the HSC Examination period. Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand. Bless them with keen understanding and retentive memory. Give them the ability to grasp things correctly, be exact in their explanations and an ability to express themselves clearly. Point out clearly the beginning, direct their progress and help them in the completion of each of their responses. Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
As a community we keep our Year 12 students warmly in our thoughts and prayers as they move towards their first week of the HSC. Our prayer and wish is for all of their efforts to be richly rewarded in producing their best over the next four weeks.
The Summer Uniform consists of a blue (Year 7 – 12) short sleeve shirt with a crest or a non-crested shirt with a tie. During summer boys are required to wear a tie at assemblies and at all formal gatherings. The College blue trousers (Years 7 to 12 only) are worn at the waist supported by a belt. Footwear must be black leather lace-up shoes that take a shine.
I was very pleased in addressing our young men at this week’s leadership assembly and then being in the classroom and around the playground, to notice that our boys are in great spirit with a polished appearance in their Summer Uniform. We continue to encourage them in this regard as they have now begun in earnest and vigor to embrace all the College has to offer them.
I would like to thank parents and boys for a smooth start to Term 4.
Parents should be assured that our high expectations will be in place until the final day of term, 4 December.
Over the break, I read a book by John Marsden, called, The Art of Growing Up the book provides us with a self-test to see how we are travelling as parents, knowing full well we are far from perfect.
Marsden’s ideas are challenging and even controversial. Marsden makes no apologies and admits to having ‚ ‘strong views’ that he expresses‚ ‘directly and forcefully’. I have included here a summary of the tips he provides for parents. Have a read and see how you are travelling. As a parent I know I am not always tracking on a ten.
Tips for Parents:
1. Give children space: let them roam. Let them be bored. Don’t over plan their lives. Cut back on the afterschool activities.
2. Keep away from all those ghastly, soulless, sterile playgrounds. Keep away from shopping malls. Look for real places. Wild places. We are blessed to have a school on the doorstep to Sydney’s beaches, Harbour and Centennial Park.
3. Be an adult: say no to your children at least once a day. If the role of the adult in your family is vacant, then one of your children will fill it. And it won’t be pretty.
4. Don’t take up all the space: if you are dominating and loud, your children are highly likely to become passive, lacking spirit and personality and/or sullen.
5. Believe about 40 percent of the dramatic stories your children tell you of the injustice, corruption and satanic practices happening at school.
6. Teach them empathy: when they win a sporting match, remind them that their jubilation was only possible because someone else, ‘the losers’ have been made to feel awful.
7. Help them develop language skills: do not finish sentences. Don’t correct them if they mispronounce a word. They’ll work it out sooner or later. Ask open-ended questions.
8. Make sure they have regular jobs at home: and that those jobs are done to a consistently high standard.
9. Don’t whine about the miseries of your adult life: a lot of children now are fearful about growing up because their parents paint such a grim picture.
10. Teach them to be very wary of people who know absolutely everything: the colour of truth is always grey. Extreme positions are for the ignorant.
Have a great start to the Term!
Welcome back, I hope you all had an enjoyable break with your boys and they are ready for another exciting term.
Congratulations to Ms Gaby Bransby and her partner Michael who will be expecting twins in 2020. We are thrilled for her and know Mason will make a wonderful big brother.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Thomas Mitton who has joined us for Term 4 while Mr Henry Stanton (5 White) is on long service leave.
Congratulations to the following students who received exceptional results in the 2019 ICAS competition.
Digital Technologies:
High Distinction – Year 5
William Jacques
Distinction – Year 6
Sebastian Ari and Jude Timbs
Credit – Year 5
Aidan Carpenter, Samuel Coomer and Jordan Zitser
Credit – Year 6
James Peate and Sam Vlack
Mathematics:
Distinction – Year 6
Sebastian Ari, Tom Donaldson and Harrison Thorpe
Credit – Year 5
Parker Campbell, Mikayl Keshavarz and Riley Lashbrooke
Thomas Rudolph, Alexander Tarasov and Jordan Zitser
Credit – Year 6
Charles Coughlan, Oliver Dunkley and YeArchie Godby
Harry Hulks, Jonathon McDonald and Hugo Perks
Dominic Schofield and Zoltahn Szabo
English:
Distinction – Year 6
Tom Donaldson
Credit – Year 5
Aidan Carpenter, Samuel Coomer, Jethro Jensen, Mikayl Keshavarz and Nicholas Scerri
Science:
Distinction – Year 6
Tom Donaldson and Zoltahn Szabo
Credit – Year 5
Aidan Carpenter and William Jacques
Credit – Year 6
Sebastian Ari and Jude Timbs
Spelling:
Distinction – Year 6
Dominic Schofield
Credit – Year 5
Aidan Carpenter, Charles Coutts and Archie Creswick
Adam Curran, Mikayl Keshavarz, Riley Lashbrooke and Oscar Owens
Credit – Year 6
Sebastian Ari, Fred Carmody, Tom Donaldson and Mark Rede
I am pleased to inform you that a new initiative which will start this term will be Lunchtime Talks. The purpose of these talks are to expose our boys to a variety of professions. The talks are held on various Friday’s throughout the term during lunch in the Learning Hub and boys interested in attending can do so. Thanks to Mrs Natasha Zivanovic for organising these talks. Please read below for more information.
Need something smart to chew on? As you eat lunch, come and listen to some enjoyable talks. Our first guest speaker is Nikita Strbac one of our very own Waverley boys. He is currently in Year 11 and newly elected House Captain for Lacey.
On Friday, 25 October, he will talk to the boys about his experience in representing Australia in Water Polo and how he balanced training and school life.
These talks allow our students to hear about a variety of professions. If you would like to volunteer to do a presentation, please email me directly at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Towards the end of Term 3, God Blessed us with a spectacular Spring day for the annual walkathon (I put my request in early). The rain of the preceding days did not impact the track and the boys turned up with a spring in their step, knowing that they were doing this walk for the many children and families who are suffering from the devastating effects of various illnesses. The walkathon has become one of the real community events on the Junior School calendar and it once again didn’t let us down. A fabulous time was had by all.
We were fortunate to have representatives from four charities present to witness the fantastic spirit that the boys brought with them. They were all so impressed with this event and how polite and respectful each of the boys were:
“I’m sure you hear this all the time but I can’t believe how polite all the students are.” – Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
“I Just wanted to say congratulations on a really special event on Friday. I absolutely loved dropping by and it was fantastic.” – Prostate Cancer Foundation
“I just love coming out to this event each year to help out and see how dedicated the boys are to helping others.” – Eddie Rice Camps NSW
Many members of the public also passed on positive feedback about the beautiful manners of the boys on the day.
We would not have been able to run this day without the tremendous support of the parent community. With nearly half of the boys within the Junior School represented on the day by a parent volunteer. I would sincerely like to thank each and every one of the 141 parents/grandparents who helped out on the day at a checkpoint, on the BBQ or collating the cards at the end of the day. Without your help, this event is not possible.
I would also like to thank all the boys for their efforts leading up to the day. To date, they have promised $52,200 with more donations still to come in. A total of 5 301km was walked by the 273 boys on the day with 5 boys walking 33km in the 3 & ½ hours, congratulations boys. The boys will now have until Friday, 25 October, to have collected and handed in their sponsorship promises.
I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support of the boys for this special day. They have grown so much closer to the Spirit of Edmund Rice through their efforts.
From Assistant Director of Co-Curricular, Matt Ryan
On 15 September Alexander Tarasov and Jett Lenzo represented Waverley College in Judo NSW’s Junior Schools Cup. We would like to congratulate Alexander Tarasov and Jett Lenzo on their efforts.
Congratulations to Henry Parkes who represented NSW in Rugby Union over the long weekend on the Gold Coast. The team played extremely well and it was a great experience for Henry and his family with lots of new friendships made.
Record Broken: Luke Newrick has broken a 76-year-old record in the Under 12 Long Jump at the recent IPSHA Athletics Carnival. Luke jumped 5.01m and bettered the record held by N. Hayes of 4.83m. Congratulations Luke.
From Literacy and Innovation Teacher, Natasha Zivanovic
On Tuesday, 24 September, our Waverley IPSHA debaters competed in the annual IPSHA Gala day, hosted by Meriden. The boys that competed were James Peate, Lachlan Marzol, Archie Godby, Nicholas Zanapalis, Finlay Wilde, Oscar Wilson, Fox Stapleton and Zoltahn Szabo.
We debated two topics: ‘That students should write reports on their teachers’ and ‘That school sport should be optional.’ The Gala day was an opportunity to put our evolving debating skills to the test, including our ability to rebut and think critically under pressure.
We had a great day with two wins and two losses and debated with heart and a high level of spirit.
During the school holidays, Fred Carmody from 6 Green, competed in the Coolangatta Gold Youth Challenge. Fred had this to say:
As a nipper, I really wanted to go to the event and compete. It’s an iconic event.
Coolangatta Gold race day is big. It began as an idea in 1984 and has been run ever since then and has attracted many of the best surf lifesavers from Australia and around the world.
Hot sun, crowds, Nutri Grain freebies, loud music, commentary with race updates and my seven-year-old brother in his excitement crash tackling me to the sand – not ideal for my pre-race preparation.
On the day there is a race briefing. They hand out our lycra singlet and distribute an electronic timing tag for each competitor’s ankles. Just like the elite athletes who run marathons. They write black permanent marker numbers on each competitor that are compulsory across the left and right side of our calves and arms.
After we were marshalled the official went through the course and positioned all of us in number order – Fred Carmody 759. There were over thirty competitors in the junior race and many were faces I had recognised at other state surfing carnivals. I knew there were some very good competitors her and that it would be a tough race.
The race is 1.65km in length and required me to complete several disciplines including a 250m soft sand run, 350m swim, 550m soft sand run, 350m board paddle and 150m run to the end.
The starter gun fired and I was off racing the Coolangatta Gold. During the race, I could hear the voice of the commentator but I didn’t know what was being said because my swim cap was covering my ears.
It was an unbelievable feeling to cross the finish line in first place. At the finish line under the golden arches, I was interviewed by world ironwoman champion, Harriet Brown. I must have been so exhausted because I told her I warmed up in the morning and ate half a metre of banana. If you want to win the Coolangatta Gold, don’t eat half a metre of banana.
It was a great experience to be involved and to have done so well.
Throughout a traditionally very busy Term Three, each year level has shared its own significant moments; from Walkathons, camps, formal dinner cruises, Cadet Parades, Graduation, to the highs and lows of the sporting field. The young men of Conlon are again to be congratulated for their efforts to fully engage in the many opportunities available to them, and, also in the way they continue to connect in an authentic way with their Conlon peers and mentors to make our community so vibrant. This was beautifully reinforced by Mr Disalvo who led the Year 9 Conlon group on their camp; The group got along really well with each other, a highlight was the 12km trek up steep hills on the unsealed ground, where all students supported each other with positive encouragement. A student struggled on this and the boys helped him out by carrying some of his clothes from his bag. The teamwork shown in volunteering for tasks was fantastic, they figured out a roster that was balanced and shared the workload by themselves – any negativity was not encouraged by the group.
Term 3 has been a busy term for all Year groups. Our Year 5 and 6 students have once again participated in their highly successful Walkathon, Blitz Day, Book week celebrations and RUOK? Day. Year 7 students went on several excursions including the Kadoo Tour and experienced service to others by helping to prepare food for meals at, ‘Cook for Good’. All Year 7 travelled to Homebush to support our athletes at the CAS Athletics Carnival. Year 8 experienced their first cadet unit Passing Out Parade at Queens Park. The Year 9 cohort went on a four-day outward-bound style camp to the beautiful Colo Valley. The camp provided the boys with a series of challenging physical and mental activities, which are designed to develop self-reliance and promote personal confidence. Our Year 10 students attended a very successful formal dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour, all young men were looking exceptionally handsome and mature and their behaviour was a credit to themselves and their families.
Our Year 11 and 12 students were very much focused on their ‘final’ terms. Year 11 were completing their Preliminary HSC courses. Next term they commence their final year of schooling and they will be the new leaders of the College. After completing their TRIAL examinations earlier in the term, Year 12 spent their final weeks fine-tuning their preparations for the HSC. There were again some outstanding performances by our Year 12 boys in both the HSC drama and music practical exams. Andrew Badger was selected for inclusion in OnSTAGE for both his group performance in, ‘Happy Happy Funtime show’ and his individual performance in Richard 111. There were also some exceptional final works completed for TAS and VA projects. Mats Lead designed and made an incredibly beautiful wooden guitar and stool.
Our Wellbeing groups continue to be vibrant and energetic gatherings including large doses of healthy discussion, debate, sharing of advice and wisdom, reflection, celebration and not forgetting the sharing of some delicious food. Ms Walsh’s Mentor Group, Conlon 01 went out to dinner with parents and siblings. Service is also central to what we do and Mrs Falkinder’s mentor group, Conlon 07 ran a lunchtime BBQ, with all proceeds going to support RUOK? Day.
Our Weekly House assemblies have continued to be opportunities for our boys to lead as well as to learn from each other. I sincerely thank our Conlon House Prefects; Oliver Ruse who was also a College Vice Captain, Ryan Smith, Lachlan Manastirovski, Max Johnson and Hugh Marshall. These young men have been extraordinary role models and leaders for us all.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Year 12 students, and, on behalf of Conlon House sincerely wish them well for their HSC and all their adventures in life. As a group, they have shown sensitivity, determination, leadership, empathy, compassion and above all are all fine young men. At our final House Assembly for the term, each mentor spoke about each Year 12 boy from their mentor group. As is our tradition the words were very heartfelt, meaningful, sometimes a little embarrassing, but very, very special. Our Year 5 and 6 students again had made beautiful cards for each student. A special touch this year was when Mr Anthony Gill and Ms Jennifer Hoare read out the comments they had written on their Year 6 report card for Ryan Smith and Max D’Agostino. The same positive and charming characteristics still hold true for both boys today.
Ash Backlund, Andrew Badger, Jackson Barono, Jasper Cately, Andre-Christian, Collet Max D’Agostino, Connor Davies, Angelo Di Bartolo, Sam Evstigneev, Cooper Flynn, Flynn Gordon, Max Johnson, Daniel Lambert, Mats Lea, Lachlan Manastirovski, Hugh Marshall, Mackenzie, Martin Luke Mendes, Vasilios Pairidis, Oliver Ruse, Ryan Smith and Finn Warren.
Congratulations to all the Conlon boys who received outstanding Semester One Reports and Gold Awards this term.
Congratulations to the following boys who received Semester One Academic Awards:
Year 7: Deuchar Dezarnaulds, Hunter Eldridge, Matthew Frost, Eamon Henderson, Marcus Henderson, William Kirk, Jordan McCreery, Judah Miller and Robert Muir
Year 8: Lachlan Grant, Campbell Groves, Alistair Isaac, Malo Morrisey and Liam Wood
Year 9: Flynn Barono, Oliver Elliot, Jared Garwood and Thomas Martin
Year 10: James Hoggett, Jesse Sonego and Hayden Wild
Year 11: Peter Cassimatis, Joshua Cornelius, Emmanuel Di Bartolo, Benjamin Smith and Eliot Vincent-Hull
Year 12: Ash Backlund, Max D’Agostino, Flynn Gordon, Mats Lea, Lachlan Manastirovski, Oliver Ruse and Finn Warren
Waverley College writing competition: Deuchar Dezarnaulds
Tournament of the Minds: Deuchar Dezarnaulds, James Medland, Tom Hughes, Ben Ledingham and Campbell Groves
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award: Oliver Ruse
Congratulations to the following boys who attended the Red Earth and Timor-Leste Immersions:
Red Earth: Thomas Martin, Riley Moore, Jacob Mulberry and James Garrop
Timor Leste: Sam Connolly, Joshua Conacher-Smith, Joshua Cornelius
Co-Curricular
Music Awards: Alistar Isaac, Oliver Ruse
Most Consistent in Debating – Yr 10: Patrick Hoggett
1st AFL Best & Fairest: Ash Backlund
U14 Cross Country Champion: Zac Tyrrell
1st Tennis Best & Fairest: Oliver Ruse
1st XV Best & Fairest: Max D’Agostino
Paul Cornish Award for contribution to Rugby: Max Johnson
NSW U18 Rugby: Max D’Agostino, Miles Amasotero
NSW U16 Rugby: Emmanuel Di Bartolo, Reeve Smith
Year 5 & 6 Rugby – Archie Creswick, Cruz Cooke
Year 5 & 6 Football – Charlie Paul, Benjamin Vedder, Connell Corcoran
This term we sadly say good-bye to two Conlon students. Marley Bridge from Year 9 who is moving to Singapore with his family and Keilan Grace from Year 11 who will be continuing his studies at TAFE. We wish both boys all the best in all their future endeavours.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Conlon mentors for their continued support, care and guidance of our students. I would like to congratulate Ms Kaitlyn Downey on her recent marriage to Mr James Horrocks. We wish Ms Downey and Mr Horrocks every happiness for their future together.
I wish each and every Conlon student and their families a safe and happy holiday break.
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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