To compliment their Commercial and Recreational Fishing Course, students in the Year 12 Marine Studies travelled to Maianbar Beach in the Royal National Park for a day of fishing.
Fish care Volunteer John Morgan, spent a day with the students teaching them the ins and outs of the laws surrounding commercial and recreational fishing in Australia, size and bag limits of commonly caught fish, knot tying and casting techniques. He then met us down on the beach with his colleague Geoff, where they showed the boys how to pump for live bait and catch and release fish.
There were many (small) fish caught during the day by most boys. The biggest fish was caught by James Hession, a 28cm Sand Whiting but Levi Milford topped the scoreboard catching a mighty eight fish during the session.
The boys had a fantastic time and showed care and respect for the marine environment.
We have hit the business end of the season! The CAS competition commences on Saturday 15th June when Waverley College faces up against Knox Grammar School. This is an exciting time for all players, coaches and supporters, after getting through some tough competition against The King’s School and Riverview in recent weeks. While we have had some wet weather this week, it is extremely important that all players get to training next week for the final team runs ahead of the opening CAS round.
On behalf of the Waverley Rugby Community, we wish all players involved in the State Championships this weekend the very best of luck as they play for their respective club sides. This year some age groups are set to travel as far as Orange and Maitland. We wish all players and families the best for a safe journey. We look forward to hearing all the success stories when you return!
It is always wonderful to hear such complimentary feedback on our coaching staff from parents and supporters. This year we have a number of young coaching staff who come from the Old Boys community. As many of our coaching staff continue to develop their mentoring skills each week, we thank our coaches for the time and dedication they all put into rugby at Waverley.
In recent weeks, ‘The Sick Season’ has unfortunately hit Waverley hard. We have had a number of players unable to get to fixtures due to being sick. While it is disappointing for both the boys who cannot play and the students involved in matches where teams may be short, coaches have been briefed on making arrangements in terms of modifying matches. Safety is the priority so if teams are short, the opposition team is expected to match up on numbers. I encourage players and supporters to check the Team App to look at team updates, and attempt to arrive early or stay later to support teams who appear to be short. Those students who are sick (on a Saturday) are required to provide a medical certificate.
Sport means a great deal to so many boys at Waverley College. While many boys enjoy the success and good times sports like rugby can offer, we are mindful that some players can become disappointed or down if they may not make the team they hope to make or suffer long term injuries. Unfortunately, such as in many other areas of life, we may meet disappointing moments which can hurt us.
At Waverley College, we have a wonderful Wellbeing Program which extends to co-curricular activities for students who need some support. Each student has access to a number of support options including in our Team Coaches, Convenors, Wellbeing Mentors, Heads of House and School Psychologists. I encourage players to open up, as talking about issues is a good way to release stress. Furthermore, talking to figures such as Wellbeing Mentors, Heads of House and School Psychologists, who may not be directly associated with co-curricular, may assist in helping find a way forward.
Thanks for the wonderful support so far this season on the BBQ & Canteen. A reminder that if you are able to assist (even for an hour) you can register using the Waverley Rugby Team App. Click on the ‘Queens Park Canteen/BBQ Roster’ link. We would love your help, with some big crowds expected at Queens Park against Knox Grammar (15th June) and St Aloysius’ College (22nd June).
Good luck to all players and coaches in the opening rounds of CAS!
WAVERLEY TO WIN!
Over the last two weeks, the Library has hosted a variety of events in support of Literacy and Cancer Research.
On Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday 30th of May the Library joined thousands of Australians all over the country to celebrate the National Simultaneous Storytime. Run by the Australian Library and Information Association, it aims to promote the importance of literacy in young children. The Waterford Preschool Students, staff and parents were delighted as our Director of Waterford Gabrielle Smith and the Senior Library’s own Aaron Speed-Johnson read Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove, as Daniel McSweeny, Finn Nebaur (Year 9), Perri Quirk and Aiden Rogers (Year 10) mimed the hilarious story behind the readers.
https://video214.com/play/9WeQb3F0ITVOY5G1PnP5VA/s/dark
The Library would also like to thank the Junior School Boys who gave up their time to assist with running the event.
On the 23rd of May the Library also hosted our very own Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. As the recess bell rang Senior staff and Year 12 Students streamed into the Library for a delicious morning tea provided by the Senior Canteen, the Hospitality boys and various members of staff who donated their favourite treats.
On Friday 24th of May the Junior Staff also came together during their recess with food provided by The Junior Canteen and Sherri Falkinder.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea events are run annually all over Australia to raise funds for the vital work done by the Cancer Council. This year Waverley raised $1234.49.
We look forward to running these fantastic events next year!
The 2019 theme for Reconciliation week was – Grounded in Truth, Walk together with Courage. During this week Waverley College engaged this theme by participating in various activities, trying to gain a deeper understanding for the realness of the need for reconciliation.
During the week some classes engaged in learning beyond our curriculums. They learned about the Dreaming of the Kamilaroi and the significance of various animals and landforms to them. We created a ‘hands for healing garden’ on both College campuses which stood for the week. We created a ‘banner for healing’ in the shape of the Aboriginal Flag using our handprints which hangs proudly in the Quad until the end of the week. We became restless learning about statistics of our first nations people and how significantly different their statistics are to those of the non-indigenous people living in our country.
The week was highlighted by the assembly on Thursday. We were presented with a variety of speakers who touched our hearts with fire and passion.
Fran Grant (mother of Lachlan Yr 8 and Charlie Yr 6) spoke about growing up in a family who are directly affected by the Stolen Generation era. She spoke passionately on three topics; loss, love, and forgiveness.
Loss was the loss of country and the loss of her father who was not able to live his life to the full due to his experiences as a young boy. Fran spoke about the loss of culture which remained for so many years until Australia began to change during and after the referendum of 1969 and the first Sorry Day in 1998.
Love for Fran revolves around family. She spoke from the heart and shared with us what it is like to grow up in a family with such a close bond to culture. This bond is clearly strengthened by the love they have for each member of their family.
Forgiveness was the part of Fran’s speech I struggled with. Her story is not isolated to her family and sadly, not an uncommon story to hear. It is, however, important for us as a Waverley College community to hear. In hearing this we can recognise what has happened in the past and begin to be the leaders for reconciliation in the future.
We invited the First Nations students from Christian Brothers College, Lewisham and St Ignatius’ College Riverview to come and present to us. They bought with them 20 performers and two speakers.
Noah Allan and Jarvis Lake (Yr 11 SIC) spoke beautifully and bought into context what Reconciliation Week is all about. They spoke in their traditional language and from the heart, delivering staggering statistics about their people. We have learned about these statistics in our various classes but to be told by two young First Nation boys, these statistics take on a significantly different level of importance.
The performers were unbelievable and kept what is normally a ‘jumpy’ Waverley cohort engaged and thirsty to know and learn more. Led by Ezekiel Billy and Jack Stone (Yr 12 SIC) they demonstrated to Waverley, and more importantly, our First Nations boys that it is more than okay to be proud of your culture and we should be free to express it in an open forum. They sang danced and played traditional instruments keeping us all entertained for over an hour. Have a sneak-peek here:
https://video214.com/play/y5ShN6k0JMsY5HRU5bzkaA/s/dark
Fran Grant, Kaleb and his mob did amazing things for Waverley’s First Nations programme. They have reignited our aboriginal culture with fire from the heart. After CBHS and Riverview had left our First Nations boys drew up a plan on how to move forward from here. They now want to own their culture and own their future like your men role modelled during the assembly which is exciting.
Round 3 saw Waverley play Cranbrook in what was set to be a good few matches with both schools evenly matched. Cranbrook, however, has a large team with a lot of depth proving tough for some of Waverley’s lower teams. Although all teams lost overall, there were some very promising individual performances and wins from some players.
The 1st IV tennis team showed some positive signs early on winning the doubles 19-18 however lost in singles 8-20, letting Cranbrook steal the win 38 games to 27. Despite losing the singles, 1sts 1, Nikita Nikitenko played outstanding, winning 6 games to 2 in his singles. The 2nd IV, unfortunately, didn’t go as well as, going down 48-8. Cranbrook’s depth proved too strong for Waverley in the 3rd and 4ths with no one from Waverley managing to get a game.
The 9A’s and B’s team also showed some promising individual performances with multiple wins in singles and doubles. Unfortunately, Waverley lost 21-32 in the 9A’s and 26-14 in the 9B’s. Charley Roberts from the 9A’s played exceptionally well winning both his singles (6-4) and doubles (6-3) with partner Jonathon Booy. Waverley’s 9C’s struggled with all players only managing to snatch 1 game from a tough Cranbrook side with a final score of 6-36.
Furthermore, the 8A’s played some tight matches to narrowly go down to Cranbrook 32 games to 16. Special mention must go to Archie who beat his opponent 6-2. The 7A’s were unlucky going down to Cranbrook 6 games to 36.
Round 3 of match play saw Waverley playing some great tennis against a Cranbrook side with a lot of depth losing narrowly in some matches. Despite this, Waverley has a week of training to improve their results. Good luck to the boys next week in round 4.
Waves to Win!
On Thursday 2 May and Friday 3 May, Year 12 students of Studies of Religion engaged in immersion days at Malek Fahd Islamic School and the Buddhist Nan Tien Temple. This was as part of their study of Islam and Buddhism and the main objective of both days was to prepare for an assessment task. The students were exemplary role models for Waverley College and the questions they posed demonstrated a commendable level of maturity but also a sense that they have developed an appreciation of the significance of interfaith dialogue in contemporary society.
Mr Dominic Hearne and Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem accompanied the students to Malek Fahd Islamic School and there they engaged in dialogue with other senior students. They were also presented with firsthand knowledge of Hajj, a significant practice in Islam and part of HSC syllabus content. At the Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong the boys were accompanied by Ms Nohara Binyamin, Ms Cath Stewart, Ms Martina Cooper and Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem. There they engaged in a range of activities including meditation and a dharma talk, as well as a vegetarian lunch. This directly relates to the significant practice of temple puja, again a component of the HSC syllabus. Both experiences brought to life what is being taught in the classroom and hopefully, this authentic learning experience provides a greater understanding of course content and ultimately the development of future interfaith relations.
We are looking to support the Smith Family’s Student to Student Reading program.
This program is a great fit as well for any boys doing or planning to do the Duke of Ed program the College offers.
What is needed is for your son(s) to listen to another child read.
This would occur for 2 or 3 times a week, between the hours of 4pm – 7 pm or weekends with more flexible hours. Sessions are for at least 20 minutes long.
This is done from home via an online platform boys log into.
Your son would be paired up with another student 2 years younger, remotely.
This is a great way to support disadvantaged youth gain confidence and literacy skills, leading the way to success at school and in life.
The program would start from June and be for an 18 week commitment.
If your son is available please send me his details by May 29 wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are hoping to get up to 10 boys to participate.
After leaving Waverley College in 2016, Jack Gregory went on to pursue his passion for boats which was discovered whilst completing work experience on the dive boats in the Great Barrier Reef.
This opportunity was organised by his then Marine Studies teacher Mr Kyte Gawman to complement their course work and future job prospects. Since then Jack has dedicated himself to climbing the ladder in the boating world, completing many courses whilst working in Australian waters and abroad.
The now 19-year-old Lead Deckhand for OneWorld Super Yacht spoke to the Year 11 and 12 Marine Studies students about the importance of maintaining a professional image, both physically and online, in order to break into the industry. Jack also discussed the qualifications required, roles and responsibilities and career progressions involved. The students were excited to hear about the many perks of working on a superyacht however, he also reminded them of the dedication and dutifulness required to be successful in the industry.
It is obvious that Jack is passionate about his career path and the opportunities it provides him. We thank him for coming in to inspire our students and wish him all the best in reaching his goal to become a captain in the future!
It’s two weeks since St Clare’s and Waverley College’s debut performance of Guys and Dolls at NIDA. The standard of both the girls and boys in their performance, music, singing and production was incredible. All staff and students involved from both schools should be very proud of the work they have put in over eight months, the sacrifices they made and the very high quality of work produced.
We had over 125 students from Years 7 to Year 12 involved in the production as cast, crew or musicians. We “bumped-in” to NIDA on the 6th of May. This was an exciting time for everyone as we had just two days to re-block the dramatic action from the Waverley College PAC Theatre stage to a larger, wider stage in the NIDA Parade Theatre. All the elements had to come together quickly including using props, wearing costumes, practising quick costume changes, being under the lights, singing in time with a live band, working with a stage crew who are dealing with all the set and scene changes as well as being aware of the fly bars and being safe backstage.
It was wonderful witnessing the support our schools showed our young people in pursuing what they love, in this case the Arts, the Entertainment Industry and specifically, Musical Theatre. Being involved in a large-scale event such as this musical is often the catalyst for our students to realise that they want to pursue a career path in the Entertainment Industry. Many alumni from both Waverley and St Clare’s have followed their dreams beyond school to become stage managers, event managers professional musicians, instrumentalists, sound engineers, professional actors, professional singers and working in television.
The students both on and off the stage have worked tirelessly on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as well as Sundays so that they could be prepared for their part. They have done this whilst actively engaging with academic study, other sporting and school commitments and they have all liberated their potential.
Thank you to the wonderful team of teachers who have worked relentlessly on this show, special mention to Peter Lamb, Vanessa Hurley, Chris Balkizas, Anne Fahy and Chris Blenkinsopp without whom this show would not have been possible. I am incredibly lucky to work with such an outstanding group of passionate, creative people. Special mention also goes to Keiran Kossenburg for her administrative assistance on this epic show.
Please support fifteen senior Waverley College students in fundraising for their trip to Timor-Leste in July.
They will be running a Cake Stall at the Junior School on the 31st of May at LUNCH.
There will be a range of cakes, biscuits, and lollies (50c – $2) for students to purchase AND raffle tickets available: 1 for $5 or 4 for $15 three great prizes to be won.
ALL money raised will go directly to the communities we visit.
Thank you for your support!
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Please support our sustainability program by collecting all e-waste recyclable materials including:
– Small batteries
– Print cartridges
– Mobile phones/tablets/laptops and accessories
– and any small e-waste products that can fit into the bin
The bin is located in the Senior Campus front office.
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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