Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.
Although under-18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them.
Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.
Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.
This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Report.
Should you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your son, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Click here for your Special Report Vaping
I want to wish our Cadet Unit and staff the very best for what looks like a very exciting camp at Mijura this Saturday, 27 March.
A reminder to all students that the highest standards of behaviour are expected at all times and that students in Year 9 are required to be at school by 6.15am this Saturday for departure.
Read more: The Cliff Goodchild Concert Band Performs for St Clare’s, Trumpeters for ANZAC Day Ceremonies 2021, Waverley College Inaugural Piano Competition
Last Thursday morning 18 March in the Theatre of the Performing Arts Centre, members of the Cliff Goodchild Concert Band were preparing for a concert for St Clare’s Year 7 students. The concert was designed to bring the girls a mix of music, including soloists and families of musical instruments, with winds, brass and percussion.
The excitement was in the air as the boys were getting ready for a live performance, something the band had not been able to do in more than a year. The concert was introduced by Music Captain, Harrison Palmer.
Cliff Goodchild Concert Band Performance for St Clare’s Year 7 Students
Soloists in the concert were Luke Stewart (tubist) in The Elephant by Camille Saint-Saen, Lara Beer (Alto Saxophone) and Hugh McDonald (Timpanist) in Bondi Junction by Jim Coyle (Sydney Composer) and Harrison Palmer (Trumpet) in Psalm 42 arranged by Samuel R. Hazo.
Volunteers were asked to come up on stage to conduct Waltzing Matilda, arranged by Australian Ralph Hultren. The girls had a great time conducting the band, and adding dynamics and tempo changes to the performance.
Thank you to Ms Verity Cash, Music Teacher at St Clare’s and Mr Alexander Lee, Band Director for playing with the Cliff Goodchild Concert Band.
Cliff Goodchild Concert Band Performance for St Clare’s Year 7 Students
In 2021 the following trumpet players who are members of the Cliff Goodchild Concert Band will be performing at ANZAC Day Ceremonies at Waverley College and at locations in the Waverley Community.
The student trumpeters are from left: Angus Birrell, Paul Muir, Harrison Palmer, Lachlan Isaac with Mr Chris Balkizas, Head of Music
Open to students both enrolled in the Instrumental Music Program within the College and those taking lessons externally, the Competition offers an opportunity for students to show off their very best playing whilst under the scrutiny of a respected invited adjudicator. It provides a chance to build confidence and performing skills in front of an audience, including their peers, as well as the incentive to learn and prepare repertoire to the highest level possible.
Additionally, it allows the occasion to hear other students in the same area of study and to compare performances and receive helpful notes from an expert adjudicator. It’s all about taking part and enjoying both the process and chance to share your music with others…and possibly take away one of the prizes on offer for each Division!
Interested candidates should collect an application form from Ms Kossenberg in the Music Department. Please contact: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Waverley College Inaugural Piano Competition provides the opportunity to build confidence and performing skills in front of an audience
As most of you are now aware, Waverley College provides the Family Zone application for parents to manage your son’s internet usage and access whilst at home. This is a product that is constantly changing and updating. In light of this, the latest edition of the software has gone live, and we are about to push the changes to devices in Years 6 and 8 starting next week.
You will need to ensure you log into your Family Zone portal and set the restrictions and time zones that you want in place. Once the push of the new change goes live, the default settings will be applied to all student machines whose parents have not set custom settings in the Family Zone Parent portal. These can be too restrictive for some parents.
The first step would be to log in to the Family Zone portal. You will have received a registration email to your school registered email address if you are new to the system.
It’s important to note that Waverley College IT support ( iAssist) can not provide support for managing your parent Family Zone account, as we do not have access to these settings.
To access support around setting up your account or configuring your Family Zone settings you will need to access the below web page: https://waverley.cybersafetyhub.com.au/
On this site you can contact support, or use the live chat feature to get instant online support, or Email them for support. It also provides a wealth of articles and videos on how to configure settings, and best practices around cyber safety for your son when he is away from school.
We will implement on the devices in Years 6 and 8 starting next week, and the remaining years will be rolled out early in Term 2.
The College pays for and provides Family Zone for all families, as we take Cyber Security very seriously. If you would like your son and his device to remain unprotected, we run this program as an opt-out program, so you will need to contact iassist@waverley.nsw.edu.au and request that we remove the protection from your son’s device.
The world that today’s children are growing up in is markedly different to the one we had as children ourselves. Children in Australia now have their first online experience at two years old on average, and have personal ownership of their own devices by an average of nine years old. And whilst new technologies provide our children with wonderful opportunities, they also have the potential to impact their development, safety and mental health.
Thanks for your assistance in protecting the Waverley students in this Internet age with ever-changing technology.
This Friday 26 March we will be handing out new student ID cards to all students during their House Assemblies. These cards will then be used for Flexischools cashless Canteen, when signing in late to school, or Health Centre, or for printing.
iAssist will pre-register these cards with Flexischools for any student who already has any account.
It’s important that from Friday students ONLY use the new ID card (it is stamped with and issued with the date of March 2021) see image below.
New Student ID Card
We’re raising much-needed funds for Edmund Rice Bursaries on Giving Day, and really need people from our College community to sign up as Giving Day Operations Hub volunteers!
On this celebratory day, volunteers will be required to make fundraising calls on our Operations Hub phones in the TAS foyer, to people who already have a connection to Waverley College – for example, current parents, past parents and Waverley Old Boys.
Additionally, if our volunteers feel that people in their own personal networks would be receptive, it would be a time they could reach out to them too (friends, family).
We’d love to have you on board! Training and refreshments will be provided.
Please register your interest by 30 March by clicking on Waverley Giving Day Volunteer Roster to choose a shift of two hours or longer.
Help us Engage, Inspire & Empower Tomorrow’s Men, Today!
In early March we released the new Parent Portal to help us improve our engagement with parents. The portal is called the TASS Parent Lounge and can be accessed either from the school website – using the “Parent Portal” link or alternatively via this link:
https://tass.waverley.nsw.edu.au/parentlounge
The Parent Portal has a number of features including the ability to view academic information, access reports and parent interview bookings, update student and parent information, and access information regarding fees. In the coming weeks we will be moving all historical reports from the previous platform into the Parent Lounge.
In a change to how parents accessed the previous portal, you use your family code as the username and not your email address, your username and password – once setup – should be shared by parents and caregivers in the same family and you will not need to maintain separate logins for each person.
A guide on how to use the portal can be found here: TASS Parent Lounge – Getting access
More information on how to use the Portal will be published in future Nurrunga articles.
Following a recent fraudulent email phishing attack on one of our parents, it’s appropriate that we remind all members of the Waverley Community of best practice when it comes to dealing with school fee email requests:
Any communication relating to school fees will be sent from the schoolfees@waverley.nsw.edu.au account. If you are replying to an email that you believe comes from this address please check the reply to field before sending, to confirm the message is actually going to school fees at Waverley.
Payment methods for school fees will be sent with statements. Any changes to these will usually be included in the College Newsletter prior to the change, but should not change on an ad-hoc basis. For your information, there was a change in February 2021 of both the BPay reference number and, the BPoint customer reference number.
The BPay reference number is a 5 digit number which appears in the BPay box on the top right of your fee statement. The BPoint customer reference number is a six digit number and is the same as your Parent Account number which also appears on the top right of your fee statement.
If you are unsure of the validity of a request relating to payment of fees, contact accounts to confirm, by calling the College on 9369 0621.
Basic email protection advice
If your email provider has 2-factor authentication available – use it. Gmail, O365, hotmail and outlook all provide this. Never use the same password for your email account as you use for other systems. If another system is hacked where you have used the same password, it can compromise your email account. Use a reputable security product on your home computer and keep it up to date.
If you suspect you have been the victim of a fraudulent or scam email you can report it to the ACCC: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
More information on these kinds of threats can be found here https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/threats/phishing
Please use this directory to support valuable family businesses in the Waverley College community.
The directory is free to advertise and open for all parents/carers and Old Boys.
To register your business, please email marketing@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A warm welcome to OrthoBoutique our newest corporate sponsor!
OrthoBoutique excels in providing top-notch orthodontic services for all ages in Sydney, with exceptional patient care and flexible payment options.
Free consultations are offered for orthodontics for Waverley students, please contact OrthoBoutique for more information on: 1800 378 678 or visit SE 103 / 4-14 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
This kind of support for our goal of creating our state-of-the-art Science & Innovation Centre on the Senior School campus is extremely important and we thank the OrthoBoutique for their sponsorship.
If you are interested in exploring our sponsorship, please reach out to our Foundation Officer, Mr Billy Nicolas to learn more: foundation@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Over 30 years of local knowledge in the Eastern Suburbs with the latest cutting-edge real estate technology.
All of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and Beaches from the Bridge to the Bay. Our team offers unrivalled market knowledge, expertise, experience and professionalism in the prestige property market.
Call us for a chat or we would be delighted to help you with an obligation free appraisal
Anthony Rizzo 0418 236 999 E: arizzo@highlandproperty.com.au – Anthony Rizzo Profile & Recent Sales
Toni Rizzo 0409 146 308 E: trizzo@highlandproperty.com.au – Toni Rizzo Profile & Recent Sales
We’re a boutique real estate agency in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs – we specialise in residential and commercial property management and sales.
As a local team of property specialists, we have a strong reputation for care and personalised service. We have a fantastic team of 21 staff, of different age groups and backgrounds, starting at 17 to 60 years of age.
Andrew Anastassiou, Principal and JP, LREA
0425 301 977
andrew@homeea.com.au
Peter Goulding, Director and Licensee-In-Charge
0413 129 695 | E: peterg@ngfarah.com.au
Adrian Bo, MBA, Sales Executive and Partner
0418278316 | E: adrianbo@ngfarah.com.au
John Higgins LREA and Sandra Higgins LREA
0412 714 279 or 0412 886 768
john@myplacensw.com.au & sandra@myplacensw.com.au
Sydney’s foremost caterer, Harvest by Darren Taylor is now serving you at home!
We deliver a range of homemade pastas, pies, soups, stocks, ready-made meals and more right to your door! Every product is prepared with local ingredients, by our team of professionals that uphold the standard hygiene practices set by Food Standards Australia.
The Harvest@Home shop is now live, please visit our website to place an order or to view our range https://
For further enquiries please contact us catering@
Meal delivery service or in-store pick up at Alexandria; fresh packed and frozen options available; cooked by professional chefs using quality ingredients.
Order online, menu available here: www.cookedforyoubynat.com/store
A family-run business established in Surry Hills in 2001. Located at the dead end of Holt Street. Open Monday – Friday serving breakfast and lunch. We use Single O coffee. Visit @cittacafesurryhills for more details
Tara and Matt Richardson | 02 9699 8813 | Facebook.
4/118 Devonshire Street Surrey Hills NSW 2010 (dead end of Holt street so perfect for kerbside pick up).
Hot Sauce
Whitby Family | HSW offers an amazing range of all natural, preservative free, hot sauces, boutique condiments and everything BBQ delivered straight to your door.
Visit our delicious online candy shop where you can buy many of your favourites!
American Candy, Sour, Pick and Mix, Gluten Free, Halal – all packed in eco-friendly bags.
We take hygiene very seriously, with disposable gloves worn when orders are packed, and separation of gluten-free items.
www.thelittlecandyshop.com.au/pages/about-us
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelittlecandyshop.com.au/
At 2Easy Treeservices we pride ourselves on quality work, safety compliance and customer service!
2Easy Treeservices supports the preservation of trees and we stand by our strong environmental culture.
We are fully insured, qualified arborists, servicing Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and surrounding areas.
We specialise in both residential and commercial work.
No job is too big or too small!
Contact: Jake Rix | 0406 879 764
Fire protection services to properties across Sydney, the local area, and many Sydney Schools.
Rob Broadhead | 1300 340 210 (24 hours) | 0417 441 595 | E: rob.broadhead@2020fire.com.
Prompt Professional Property maintenance and improvement.
No job too big or small – free quotes
Contact: Gill | 0414 429 327
Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration | Design-Sales-Installation-Service.
Cool rooms, Freezer rooms, Ice machines, Blast chillers. See our online products at:
Contact: Craig Brown | 0414900171 or 9666 7444 | E: craigb@anycool.com.au | www.anycool.com.au
Interior design and styling – residential and commercial.
0409 700 228 | E: claire@claireanstisinteriors.com.au
www.claireanstisinteriors.com.au
Providing specialised cleaning in Residential, Commercial and Construction cleaning.
John Guerreiro | E: jonymon@ozemail.com.au | 0414 828 242
Est 1985 Full Removal Service, Pack, Move and Storage.
Peter Baldwin | 0404 880 189
E: laurence@monacoelectricalservices.com
www.monacoelectricalservices.com
0401498188 or 1300 092 853
Looking to extend or build your dream home? Architectural design and drafting services tailored to transform your ideas into reality. Book in a no-obligation consultation today.
John Paul Araujo | 0415 400 755 | E: info@planelevate.com.au
We pride ourselves on ensuring you receive a level of services that surpasses your expectations.
William Demirdonder | 0401 016 150 or 02 9388 7292
E: William@proximityplumbing.com.au
Window Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning, Pressure Washing/House Washing, Graffiti removal. And soon will be offering domestic and commercial disinfection service.
Specialising in small group circuit training.
A two-week intro pass ($55) is offered to Waverley parents/carers.
Our gym is at 1/118 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction (400 metres from Waverley College).
Damien Kelly, Owner and Exercise Scientist | 0403 088 779
Personal Training, Fitness Classes
Sean Brandtman | 0439 372 473 | E: Seanbrandtman9@gmail.com | Facebook
Private $80 | Group $80 divided up amongst the adults. Kids free.
If not in funds I’ll charge whatever the people feel they can pay. I’m about helping people stay positive in this time.
Jackie Messaike | E: Jackie@jackiessportsmassage.com.au | 0414 386 135
www.jackiessportsmassage.com.au
Love to offer 25% off for any 60 minute massage for all Waverley College class of 2026 parents. I am located on Elizabeth street next to The Sheraton Hotel in Sydney.
BioMin is Australia’s No.1 rated toothpaste with the world’s 1st slow release fluoride toothpaste. BioMin F uses 60% less fluoride and fights decay 6X longer than regular toothpaste. Its essential minerals: remineralise, rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel whilst creating a protective barrier. Warning : Once you use BioMin F you will never use regular toothpaste again. Read the reviews: https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/biominf
Buy online from BioMinToothpaste.com.au Use Voucher : “GoWaverley” for 20% off.
E: les@lazark.com.au
Complete Hairdressing for Men
Shop 4, Dover Road, Rose Bay | 9371 3546
E: jazzmanhairgallery@gmail.com
Please call for appointment.
Services: Life Coaching (youth and adult), Rugby & Team Sport Mental Skills Coaching , Business Coaching , Executive & Leadership Coaching, Motivational Speaker
Mark Zimmermann | 0437 400 005 or 1300 304 303
Compression Sportswear
0409 135 702
Award-winning, sustainable women’s clothing. All clothing is manufactured locally in Sydney, using natural, sustainable and organic fabric.
Rebecca Powell (Director) | 0414 461 758
Nurse | Midwife | Lactation Consultant
Cathy Shortt | 0420790073 | E:cathy@milkandmums.com.au
Baby and Kids Bags
Natalie Gibbins | 02 8347 0093 | E: info@incy-n.com.au
Car Seat Fittings and all your baby needs.
Juliet Fernandez | Address: Lower P1 East Village, 4 Defries Ave, Zetland
9663 2320 | E: info@babythings.com.au
Nappy bags, Backpacks, baby bags. Travel Bags, Muslins, Towels and more for new mums and dads.
Natalie Gibbins | 02 8347 0093 | E: info@incy-n.com.au
Exhibition and Event services
Contact: Dianne Leedham, Director
0412 551 097 | E: dianne@eurodisplays.com.au
Audio Visual installations – Residential and Commercial
Classrooms, GLAs, School Halls, Sporting Stadiums, House of Worship, Meeting Spaces
Customers: Scots College, Barker College, International Grammar, Newington College
BBC Worldwide, Transgrid, SCG, ATC
www.precisionindustries.com.au
Feraaz: 1300 369 927 or 0432 763 908
Media, PR and communication services, including crisis management.
Nick Owens, Director | 0421 977 062
Graphic Design Services | Improve your Brand or Packaging for online selling.
0410 663 402
Providing marketing, design and digital services | find, build and keep profitable customers.
0433 416 210
Graphic design solutions to inspire, motivate and communicate.
0401 693 221
Retail Consultancy | We help retailers to plan their business for sustainable growth.
We can help with recovery strategies so your business opens strong after COVID-19.
0409 135 702
We are a boutique law firm specialising in defending criminal and traffic law matters.
Michael Blair – Principal Solicitor
02 9267 6255 or 0414 446 399
E: michael@blaircriminallawyers.com.au
Accredited specialists in property, we can advise on buying or selling a home, unit, vacant block, strata title, commercial real estate or rural property.
We can also assist with retail leasing and commercial leasing for both landlords and tenants.
Gerard Patane – Principal Solicitor
02 9365 3793 | E: gerard@cirruslegal.com.au
Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury, Compensation and Accident Law.
Michael Malley – Principal Solicitor (Class of 1981)
02 9389 9777 | E: mm@malleyslawyers.com
Suite 508/3 Waverley Street, Bondi Junction
As a finance broker, I make a commitment to five-star service and empowering my clients. I believe that securing finance should be seamless, and that the process should build a relationship between broker and client built on trust.
I guide my clients through every step of the process, providing personalised solutions tailored to their unique needs.
I help my clients to make informed decisions about their financial future and support them, not just for the loan transaction, but for the life of the loan, ensuring they always have the best deal available.
Jacqui Short | E: jacqui@goldeneggs.info | 0432 932 991
AL Restructuring helps business and people suffering from financial distress.
We provide a range of restructuring and advisory services – each solution is tailored depending on the circumstances.
Andre Lakomy | E: andre@alrestructuring.com.au | 61 422 638 105 or 61 2 8365 1601
Level 29, Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000
We are a firm of relationship driven accountants helping businesses and investors with their accounting, taxation, advisory, SMSF and bookkeeping needs.
Ania Smith | E: ania@5sa.com.au | 02 9167 6749
120/142 Maroubra Road, Maroubra, NSW 2035
Mortgage Broker, Offering Waverley families, a free home loan review
Joanne Foltman | 0408 698 210 | E: joanne@frangipanifinance.com.au
As life changes and the world evolves, we’re here to give you honest advice and the confidence to make smart financial decisions so you can achieve your life goals.
Our focus is on making the complex, simple and providing financial peace of mind at every life stage.
Cameron McAusland | Director & Financial Adviser
02 9398 2722 l F: 1300 153 240 | E: cameron@virtueadvice.com.au
Yes Accounting is a progressive accounting and taxation firm. We are a Certified Practising Accountant and Registered Tax Agent firm with extensive experience in many areas of accounting and taxation laws.
Bak Joel BCom(Hons), Dip.Financial Planning, FCPA, JP
55B Frenchmans Road Randwick NSW 2031
02 9340 4343 | E: bakjoel@yesaccounting.com.au
Bryn Tilly has been a professional disc jockey for nearly 30 years, starting in university student radio, then moving into bar and nightclub residencies, originally in Wellington in the 1990s, and then here in Sydney.
He specialises in 70s and 80s retro music, especially funk, soul, disco, rare groove, post-punk, new wave, new romantic, synth-pop, and yacht rock. He also specialises in the contemporary electronic music of vocal house, deep house, and nu-jazz.
He recently finished up a six-year residency at Hotel Bondi, and can currently be found DJing at Duke of Gloucester (The DOG), Randwick, on most weekends, and on occasion at The Royal Bondi.
Bryn is available to DJ at private parties and functions.
E: bryntilly@yahoo.com
Providing local furnished short and long stay accommodation options.
Properties available here: www.hotelesque.com.au
E: bookings@hotelesque.com.au | 8622 1070 or 0414 344 291
Deseo brings you the finest designer bridal and evening shoes and accessories, as well as shoe dyeing and crystal customisation.
E: shop@deseo.com.au
Mary: 0414 678 616
www.deseo.com.au
10% Discount for Waverley Members
Please use code ‘waverley10’ at checkout
Office Fit outs, Refurbishments, Design and Construct.
Darren O’Halloran | 0438 841 112 | E: darren@karterfitouts.com.au
Celebrant
Your special day with ease and grace.
0401 693 221
Funeral Director
Compassion and care when you need it most.
0401 693 221
Read more: 2021 Wellbeing Survey, National Day of Action Against Bullying, Student Resilience Event, Consent Parent Webinar
On Friday 19 March all students completed the 2021 Wellbeing Survey which captured a snapshot of wellbeing at the College, highlighting our strengths, and importantly giving us feedback where we can improve.
This survey was strategically held in the lead up to the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.
Some of the key results to come from this include:
The National Day of Action against Bullying aims to empower students and unite our school community in finding workable solutions to address bullying and violence. This year, each of our 1500 students discussed and developed strategies in their wellbeing groups to further deal with bullying in our community. These were displayed around the College.
Current research indicates that bullying is less likely to occur in a caring, respectful and supportive teaching and learning community.
Waverley College has planned a whole-school approach to promote student safety and wellbeing and address bullying behaviour effectively.
The survey also identified the many upstanders we have at the College. This large group of students will be celebrated publicly at the next College assembly and invited to a special lunch in the wellbeing centre on Friday 19 March.
The small number of students that were identified as displaying bullying behaviours will be counselled and their parents notified over the coming weeks.
During Week seven, the College supported the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence with a number of wellbeing activities and events:
Our goal is that Waverley is a place that is safe and fosters a strong sense of belonging through its inclusivity (one of our four EREA Touchstones).
Waverley students participate in the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence 2021 at Queens Park
The College is proud to be presenting new parent evenings in 2021.
Greg and Kate Mitchell are dedicated “Culture Wranglers”! Their aim is to improve student resilience. The presentation is relaxed, friendly, and fun; but radically honest in this age of helicopter parenting, they seek to deliver serious messages in the most positive way possible.
Most parents have had more training on how to drive their car than on how to raise resilient children. Greg’s workshops are designed to empower parents to be excellent rather than perfect. Entertaining, humorous, honest and challenging, these workshops are a must.
To attend this free event, please register your interest via this registration link
In response to the petition created by Ms Chanel Contos to advocate for better consent education in Australian schools, the College has partnered with a provider and is hosting a series of webinars for parents on the topic of Consent and Sexual Violence.
The petition has been signed by 23,000+ people, with 3,000+ accompanying testimonies from young women at Australian schools describing horrific cases of sexual assault.
Elephant Ed is a leading provider of sexuality and relationships education to tens of thousands of Australian students, and is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.
You are required to register in advance for this webinar via this registration link
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a UNIQUE link to join the webinar on the night. Please do not share this link with others – it is unique to you. Once it is activated, the link will not work on another device. If you share the link with someone else, you will be unable to access the webinar on the night.
Waverley College awards the George William Rummery Music Scholarships as a means of encouraging students to realise their potential and strive for excellence. The George William Rummery Scholarship is a gift of the Rummery Family in memory of their son and brother, George, whose life ended tragically in 1982 when he was in Year 8 at Waverley College.
The Scholarship is awarded to students of the College who display particular aptitude and interest in music. The scholarship covers ongoing full or partial remission of music tuition fees for students from Year 7 to Year 12.
Who can apply? The George William Rummery Music Scholarships are available to students currently enrolled at Waverley College and to external applicants who have applied for enrolment.
Applications: Candidates must complete and submit the George William Rummery Music Scholarship Application Form and supply all supporting documents to verify the application.
Application deadlines: 2021 Scholarships will commence in Term 2, 2021. Applications should be lodged with the Performing Arts Coordinator by Monday, 22 March, 2021. Auditions will be held from 24-31 March 2021 and the scholarship will be offered prior to the end of Term 1 to commence at the start of Term 2, 2021.
More information: Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Performing Arts Centre Coordinator, Waverley College 9369 0623 kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Aungier Parents, Carers & Students,
I am pleased to confirm with you that the Aungier House Mass will be going ahead on Wednesday 3 March, 2021, as indicated in the Waverley College calendar. This will commence at 6pm and will be held at Mary Immaculate Church (45A Victoria St, Waverley).
Due to COVID restrictions, we have had to make a number of adjustment to the House Mass as to ensure we can still go ahead with this important celebration. Please take note of the following:
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about the House Mass at jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Kind Regards,
John McCoy
Head of House (Aungier)
Learning Support Teacher
Convenor of Rugby
Our students’ access to social media is often mixed with parental concerns in terms of immediate gratification through ‘likes” and a warped sense of reality, as everyone seems to be having fun and looking their best thanks to the many filters and lenses built into apps and smartphones. Unfortunately the more outrageous or sexualised the behaviour, the more ‘likes’ are achieved.
Social media tends to reward outrageous behaviour, and the more outrageous, the bigger the likes and follows. That environment plays into young people’s underdeveloped ability to think through their actions and possible consequences.
Young people, particularly male students, tend to be more impulsive and likely to act before thinking through all of the ramifications, making social media ‘challenges’ a big attraction.
A small number of students, unfortunately, decided to recreate an extremely dangerous challenge that went viral recently. This was quickly detected by the College and shut down, with all students involved counselled, and consequences put in place.
While not new, the pass out challenge is dangerous and deadly, and in late January 2021, a 10-year-old girl lost her life while participating in this challenge. Participants intentionally cut off their oxygen, intending to cause euphoria, but most of the time lose consciousness.
In recent years, swimming’s governing body FINA warned parents and coaches of the dangers of holding your breath underwater for an exceeding amount of time. Emergency departments were seeing an increasing number of swimmers (both elite and novice) pass out underwater, as a result of attempting to hold their breath for as long a possible. I am sure we all remember the challenge of swimming a lap underwater on one single breath, as kids. This is a strict ‘no go’ now, with a spike in brain injuries and drownings resulting from this practice.
As parents and teachers, social media ‘challenges’ are something we must be across. We need to be aware and start conversations around the ‘challenges’ they may have heard of among their circle of friends. Ask them, (without judgment), what they think are the dangers behind these challenges. Google the challenges online, research them, and make sure you notify the College if you hear them being discussed (or acted out), so we know they are circulating if they are even slightly risky.
Also, consider discussing with your sons what actions they can take if they are worried about a friend or peer, and whom they feel safe to talk to should they feel pressured to join in with a challenge.
If the answer is that they would tell you or another trusted adult such as a teacher, their Mentor or Head of House, that would be a great start.
In 2020 the College spent a great deal of time educating students about the dangers and legal ramifications of vaping, particularly at school. The Wellbeing Team and counsellors wrote about vaping in the newsletter, and it was discussed on numerous occasions at assembly.
2021 has seen the frequency of vaping increase at the College. This increase matches a similar trend at other local high schools, and was the subject of attention last week on breakfast television.
Some schools are fitting sensors about the toilet cubicles. At this point, the College will not be doing this.
I spoke to students at last week’s assembly, reminding them of the dangers of vapes, and how the research suggests they can lead to long term tobacco use. This is the single most preventable cause of death in the developed world.
I also indicated that we are doubling the suspension, and requiring a parent meeting for any student caught in possession of a vape on campus. I would encourage all parents to speak with their sons, and reinforce the health messages surrounding vaping. The research is conclusive in this space.
Parents and educators can reinforce the health messages surrounding vaping
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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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