Red Earth is an immersion program that invites students to delve into Australia’s rich Aboriginal history and culture by living in and working alongside remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and Central Australia.
You can find out more about the application process, costs and dates at a Red Earth information night, led by founder Arthur Alla, on 13 February at 6.30pm in the PAC Theatre.
If you would like to attend, please let us know by clicking on the link and filling in the form.
Welcome back to the 2018 school year. I am excited to announce that rehearsals for our exciting school production “Stories in the Dark” will begin on Wednesday 4 February at 3:30pm in the PAC Theatre.
We need some props to dress the set and kindly request if any Waverley families could donate the following:
1. Wall paper, approximately 6-10 rolls. (Preferably an old fashioned look)
2. An old chandelier or old antique wall sconces x2. (Matching)
Please contact Alison Jinga, the Head of Drama, if you are able to assist.
Each year the University of Wollongong’s Engineering and Information Sciences Faculty recognises student achievements in the STEM field of study. In 2017 Waverley College produced two recipients of Major Awards and Prizes, who will be recognised at the NSW Junior High Schools STEM Competition Presentation evening in February. Rocco Evans and Will Davison are two highly motivated and hardworking students, who demonstrated a great aptitude in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Rocco Evans will receive a Major Award for his design and manufacture of a scaled prototype of a stair climbing robot, which allows wheelchairs to progress up stairwells with ease. Designed with Lego MindStorm robotics and coding, this design could revolutionise travel and mobility for anyone using a wheelchair. The design utilised numerous input sensors to ensure the safe and comfortable travel up staircases.
Will Davidson will be recognised for his design, manufacture and documentation of a futuristic Mars Rover. Will used Python programming language and Lego MindStorm to build the Mars Rover prototype. The Martian rover was designed and programmed to test ancient formations created by the erosion of water on the surface of Mars. It used an atmospheric sensor and high resolution camera to send information back to a control sensor via a long range information antenna.
Congratulations to Rocco and Will for their fantastic contributions to the pioneering year of 10 iSTEM. We wish them the best for their future pursuits within the field of STEM.
Rocco Evan’s “Stair Climber”
Will Davidson’s “Mars Rover”
The Duke of Edinburgh award is moving into its second year at Waverley College, with 2017 seeing numerous achievements in multiple aspects of physical activity, skills and community service. During their Adventurous Journey Camps, the Year 9 and 10 Duke of Edinburgh participants improved their navigation skills immensely and were pushed out of their comfort zones, with some students covering approximately 100km of ground in a week!
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a three certificate system which encourages and enables students to be proactive in taking on challenges, setting goals and being active in the local community. The award requires students to take responsibility and initiative to progress and complete the award scheme.
Interested students of Year 9 2018 and their parents are invited to an information evening in Week 3 of Term 1. Attendance is strongly advised if your son wishes to register. Information will also be sent home to all Year 9 Students and their parents via email to familiarise yourselves with the structure of the award prior to the information evening.
Date: 15th February 2018
Time: 6pm
Location: PAC, Waverley College
RSVP: 12th February 2018 via a survey on student email
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Gemma Brown and Nick Brophy
Duke of Edinburgh Award Leaders
dukeofedinburgh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
EducationUSA
This U.S. Government Website provides advice to students interested in applying to U.S. colleges and universities, including how to apply, testing, financial aid, visas, and more. The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney has an EducationUSA Centre. Students, parents and career advisers can make appointments to visit the centre.
https://www.educationusa.info/australia
Changes to Police Officer Recruitment Process
Changes have been made to the Police Officer recruitment process as follows;
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/home
Australian Defence Force Academy
Australian Defence Force Academy applications are now open. To avoid having to do the application when you are busy with year 12 exams, think about starting your application soon!
https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/education/adfa/how-to-apply/
Good Careers Guide
This guide is a handy resource providing students and career advisers access to relevant tools which help explore career, education and employment options. There are 400+ job descriptions covered by the guide. These include information about personal requirements, education and training, employment opportunities and related jobs.
https://goodeducationbookshop.com/products/the-good-careers-guide
ATO Tax File Number Applications
A tax file number is a unique nine-digit number issued to individuals and organisations to help administer tax and other Australian Government systems.
Students need a TFN before they can start any type of paid work.
For information on how to apply visit https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/
Breaking bad study habits
Start the new school year off right with these great tips for staying focused while studying.
https://learningfundamentals.com.au/blog/breaking-bad-study-habits-16-effective-habits-for-success/
Smartphone Apps to Help with Studying
This article features some smartphone apps that can help students improve their study habits.
Think Education Surviving Year 12 eBook
Think Education have produced a free eBook with tips on how to master your final year of school.
https://beyou.think.edu.au/surviving-year-12
TSFX Exam/Study Tip 3 & 4
https://www.tsfx.com.au/hsc-study-tips
TSFX Edge Online
Edge Online is an exclusive online resource designed to provide students with the best opportunities to optimise their Year 11 and 12 marks.
https://www.tsfx.com.au/resources/
TSFX HSC Study Tips
Read the top tips from past year 12 students.
https://www.tsfx.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HSC-2016-Study-Tip-1.pdf
Tips for note-taking
https://this.deakin.edu.au/study/students-take-note-and-ace-your-exams
Tips for volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to give to your community, meet interesting people, and learn new skills. It can also be a great way to get some experience on your resume before you get a job. Youth Central have some tips on finding a volunteering position and making sure you’re not being exploited in the role.
https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/volunteering-work-experience/volunteering
Find out which occupations have skills shortages
Choosing a job in an industry where they need more workers is usually a smart decision. Right now, most professions are adequately supplied with large numbers of qualified candidates competing for vacancies. There are shortages for architects, surveyors, sonographers, audiologists and veterinarians, and many trades need more qualified people.
Find out where more people are needed at https://www.employment.gov.au/occupational-skill-shortages-information
Careers in Sport
This website is for anyone interested in a career in sport and fitness. There is information about recommended qualifications and pathways, along with a list of available positions and courses.
https://www.sportspeople.com.au/
What is being a forensic scientist like?
It sounds like the coolest job in the world. Find out what it actually involves from a forensic scientist over at Careers with STEM.
https://careerswithstem.com/mythbusting-jobs-forensic-scientist/
Where can STEM take you?
https://www.mskills.org.au/media-centre/news#NewsHint=14168
https://upto.com/embedded/detail/5HQ1O?pt=a1SO
Why are STEM subjects in demand?
https://www.skillsroad.com.au/parents/career-planning/stemsubjects
TSFX Free HSC Survival Guide
The School for Excellence (TSFX) have put together a 36-page guide to help year 12 students achieve the best possible marks in end of school exams. The guide has advice about goal setting, managing stress and procrastination, time management skills, effective learning techniques, planning study timetables and more.
Download it here: https://www.tsfx.com.au/hsc-survival-guide-edge-teachers
Good Universities Guide Resources
Sourced from The Good Universities Guide 2018, this page provides resources on a number of topics, including comparing universities by state or by degree.
https://australiancareersservice.com.au/resources/ – good-university-guide-downloadables
How to focus on wellbeing in times of stress
https://www.utas.edu.au/news/2017/10/6/422-how-to-focus-on-wellbeing-during-times-of-stress/
Reachout.com
ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. There’s a section on school and study, to help you work through the big decisions.
https://au.reachout.com/everyday-issues/school-and-study
I am pleased to share with you news of the noteworthy performance of the Year 12 Class of 2017 in the HSC. Across a range of subjects, our students have achieved admirable results that are testament to the commitment of the Class of 2017: They embraced the opportunities afforded to them in the classroom and with the support of their dedicated teachers, have achieved great results.
They will be remembered for working hard and gaining significant class and individual achievements, setting a high standard for our future HSC students.
Two Waverley College students were named among the top performers in NSW in individual subjects. Congratulations to:
Two Waverley College students made the All-Round Achievement lists by receiving a result in the highest band (Band 6 or E4) in 10 or more units of study, an impressive achievement. Congratulations to:
Every year students from across NSW are nominated and selected to be part of a series of HSC showcases and exhibitions.
Our Vocational and Educational Training (VET) boys have performed very well, achieving Certificate II and III qualifications in Entertainment, Hospitality and Construction and returning results in their HSC examinations above the State average.
Students gained Distinguished Achiever places in 23 subjects including:
Warm congratulations to every student of the Class of 2017.
We will have an opportunity to acknowledge our high achievers and HSC showcase nominations at the High Achievers’ Assembly in the new year.
Early in 2018, the Director of Learning and Teaching together with Heads of Department and their teams, will undertake more detailed analysis of the HSC results. The subsequent report will inform the teaching of all courses in 2018.
Congratulations to all of the students who have been recognised with awards at our Presentation Nights this week, keep up the good work. You will find a list of all of our senior school award winners at the end of this article and our Junior School award winners are listed HERE.
While every student cannot receive an award, every student will have achievements of which they should be proud. Every one of us should also be thinking about new goals to achieve next year. As individuals we should each be striving to be better in everything we do; better learners, better carers for others, better friends and better builders of our Waverley College community.
Waverley continually strives to be an excellent school and we are seeking school improvement in the following ways:
Thank you for your support of the College this year. It has been a great year and we have developed a strong platform from which to build an even stronger Waverley College community.
I wish each one of you a joyous Christmas and a relaxing holiday break and I look forward to working with you in 2018.
It has been a significant year at the College with some big changes and a range of important initiatives underway. Following are some highlight achievements from 2017 and a few things to for our community to look forward to in 2018:
WorldSkills Cookery Competition, August 2017
Wellbeing Centre
Wakakirri 2017
Archbishop Anthony Fisher presenting Angus Mullins with his award
Ned Wieland addressing assembly, August 2017
Blue and Gold Ball 2017
Year 7 Academic Awards 2017 |
|
| Subject | Name |
| Head of College Award for Academic Excellence | Maddox Grebert |
| Head of College Award for Academic Excellence | Brandon Reid |
| Drama | Jake Weinstein |
| English | Nathan Barns |
| Geography | Jake Weinstein |
| Mathematics | Sam Hodgson |
| Music | Harrison Gippel |
| PDH&PE | William Dodd |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion | Sam Hodgson |
| Science | Carl Waterson |
| Technology | Daniel McSweeny |
| Head of College Award for Sport | Dane Towns |
| Steve Frangos Memorial Prize for Musicianship | Harrison Gippel |
| Nicholas Farrow Memorial Prize for the Spirit of Year Seven | Cade Lacey |
| 3rd in Academic Results | Daniel McSweeny |
| 2nd in Academic Results | Carl Waterson |
| Dux of Year 7 | Jake Weinstein |
Year 8 Academic Awards 2017 |
|
| Subject | Name |
| Recognition Award for completing Year 9 Mathematics | William Gibson |
| English | William Gibson |
| French | Hayden Wild |
| History | Giulian D’Ettorre |
| History | William Gibson |
| Mathematics | Hayden Wild |
| Mathematics | Leon Palacio |
| PDH&PE | Giulian D’Ettorre |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion | Giulian D’Ettorre |
| Science | Hayden Wild |
| Spanish | Alessio Imhoff |
| Technology | Harjot Mand |
| Visual Arts | Max Valentine |
| Head of College Award for Sport | Ronan Schocher |
| Prize for Musicianship | Harrison Palmer |
| Martin Robinson Memorial Award for Service & Integrity | Patrick Hoggett |
| 3rd in Academic Results | Dante Pontes-Cox |
| 2nd in Academic Results | Hayden Wild |
| Dux of Year 8 | Giulian D’Ettorre |
Year 9 Academic Awards 2017 |
|
| Subject | Name |
| Head of College Award for Academic Excellence | Ryuji Moonen-Narita |
| Applied Philosophy | Joshua Cornelius |
| Commerce | Isaiah Powell |
| Design & Technology | Jasper Stern |
| Drama | Reid McNamara |
| English | Ryan Abbott |
| Food Technology | Nicholas Poulos |
| French | Sebastien Richardson |
| Geography | Benjamin Elder |
| Industrial Technology Multimedia | Daniel Pomes |
| Industrial Technology Wood | Jake Torsellini |
| Information Software Technology | Lachlan Foley |
| Stem | Benjamin Elder |
| Mathematics Level 3 | Eliot Vincent Hull |
| Mathematics Level 2 | Finn Filipek |
| Mathematics Level 2 | Gabriel Kidston |
| Mathematics Level 1 | Alexander Gross |
| Music | Eliot Vincent Hull |
| Physical & Sport Studies | Ryan Abbott |
| PDH&PE | Reid McNamara |
| Photography | Jim Waterhouse |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion | James McMahon |
| Science | Benjamin Elder |
| Spanish | Charles Kent |
| Visual Arts | Alex Talbot |
| Work Education | Massimo Bucci |
| Head of College Award for Sport | Christian Smirnotis |
| Ned Silva Award for Most Improved Effort in Year Nine | Luke Fadel |
| Prize for Musicianship | Samuel Tsaousis |
| 3rd in Academic Results | Reid McNamara |
| 2nd in Academic Results | Ryan Abbott |
| Dux of Year 9 | Benjamin Elder |
Year 10 Academic Awards 2017 |
|
| Subject | Name |
| Applied Philosophy | Eddie Kranz |
| Commerce | Marco Emery |
| Commerce | Rocco Evans |
| Computing Studies | Finn McCloskey |
| Design & Technology | Luke Harris |
| Drama | Ethan Vella |
| English | Luke Harris |
| Food Technology | Flynn Gordon |
| French | Luke Harris |
| History | Rocco Evans |
| History | Brad Marzol |
| Industrial Technology Wood | Cameron Dawson |
| Mathematics Accelerated | Luke Harris |
| Mathematics Level 3 | Remi Defina-Sperando |
| Mathematics Level 2 | Connor Phibbs |
| Mathematics Level 1 | Max Markert |
| Music | Remi Defina-Sperando |
| PDH&PE | Lachlan Manastirovski |
| Photography | Brad Marzol |
| Physical & Sport Studies | Harry Whitaker |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion | Marco Emery |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Religion | Nat Yarrow |
| Spanish | Billy De Luca |
| Science | Luke Harris |
| Stem | Rocco Evans |
| Visual Arts | Flynn Gordon |
| Work Education | Ryan Smith |
| Prize for Musicianship | Remi Defina-Sperando |
| Head of College Award for Sport | Mac Jenkins |
| Sydney University Year 10 Academic Excellence Award | Luke Harris |
| Anthony Tarlinton Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievements in Study & College Activities | William Davison |
| 3rd in Academic Results | Lachlan Manastirovski |
| 2nd in Academic Results | Rocco Evans |
| Dux of Year 10 | Luke Harris |
Year 11 Major Prizes 2017 |
|
| Subject | Name |
| Ancient History | Allan Cannes |
| Biology | Oliver Read |
| Business Studies | Louis Cosgrove |
| Catholic Studies | Riley Singles-Fotopoulos |
| Chemistry | Oliver Small |
| Construction | Tadgh Murphy |
| Design & Technology | Benjamin Heal |
| Drama | Leonardo Bosi |
| UNSW Australia Prize for Economics | Patrick Kossenberg |
| English Studies | Tadgh Murphy |
| Arthur & Mollie Burke Memorial Prize for English Advanced | Allan Cannes |
| English Standard | Benjamin Heal |
| Extension English | Allan Cannes |
| Entertainment | Ryan Bakels |
| Entertainment | Luca Galeazzi |
| Food Technology | Luca Galeazzi |
| Geography | Oliver Read |
| Hospitality | Dominic Augoustis |
| Industrial Technology | Anthony Pomes |
| Information Processes & Technology | Damian Lin |
| Legal Studies | Allan Cannes |
| Marine Studies | Baxby Ward-Gyton |
| Mathematics General Equal First | Jake Davidson |
| Mathematics General Equal First | Nicholas Kalitsis |
| Mathematics General Equal First | Jasper Wilde |
| Mathematics | Roby Guo |
| Mathematics Accelerated | Oliver Read |
| Mathematics Extension | Roby Guo |
| Modern History | Allan Cannes |
| Music Course I | Dominic Augoustis |
| Music Course II | Damian Lin |
| PDH&PE | Lewis Thompson |
| Photography | Hunter Smith |
| Physics | Oliver Small |
| Senior Science | Noah Havard |
| Spanish Beginners | Daniel Brown |
| Spanish Continuers | Axel Montesinos |
| Sport Life & Recreation | Tadgh Murphy |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Studies of Religion I | Oliver Read |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Studies of Religion II | Allan Cannes |
| Fr Kevin Nolan & Ms Merle Frances Nolan Award for Studies of Religion II | Lewis Thompson |
| Visual Arts | Mark Goncalves |
| Ryan Shiels Memorial Prize for Musicianship | Simon Finnegan |
| Greg Carmody Memorial Prize for Best All Round Sportsman | Jack Hardwicke-Owen |
| 3rd in Academic Results | Andre Vumbaca |
| 2nd in Academic Results | Oliver Read |
| Dux of Year 11 | Allan Cannes |
It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of the College’s new Board Chair, Dr Mark Davies. Mark has been Deputy Chair since 2014 and a Board Member since 2011.
Mark is a specialist neurosurgeon with over 25 years’ experience. He is currently the Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at St George Hospital, as well as an Associate Professor (Conjoint) at the UNSW School of Medicine. Mark is the immediate past President of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He graduated from Waverley College in 1981 and holds a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (Hons) from UNSW. Mark also holds a Masters of Law degree from the University of Edinburgh in Medical Law. He has four children, two of whom are fourth-generation Waverlians.
I look forward to working closely with Mark and the Waverley College Board in 2018.
Dr Mark Davies
Positions of added responsibility
Further to the staff update in my last newsletter, I would like to congratulate the following staff on their appointments as iLeaders for 2018:
Farewell
Thank you to Mr Andy Andrews who has served the College over the last 16 years. Andy has held the positions of Assistant Head of Science, Chemistry Teacher and Head of Year throughout his time at the College. He has contributed to the debating and football programs as well as social justice initiatives. We wish Andy all the best in his new position at Marist Kogarah as Assistant Head of Science and thank him for his service to the College.
ArtExpress
Some of you would have seen the brilliant work titled ‘Nature’s Embodiment’ by 2017 Year 12 student Dylan Quirk, which has now been selected in the HSC ArtExpress exhibition. From 9,097 students who submitted bodies of works for the HSC Visual Arts Examination, 460 students were nominated. Congratulations also to Year 12 2017 student, Adam Hutchinson who was nominated for his work, ‘The life of Joachim Brandt’, but just missed out on final exhibition selection.
Water by Dylan Quirk
Cycling success
On 18-24 November, Daniel Gandy (Year 11) was in Cambridge, New Zealand competing in the Oceania Track Cycling Championships as part of the New South Wales Team and also representing Australia in the U19 Team Pursuit Championships. The U19 team were successful in winning Gold against the New Zealand team in the final, posting a time of 4min 11sec over the 4km event. Daniel also achieved a silver medal in the U19 Points Race, and 4th in the Omnium and Individual Pursuit, narrowly missing a medal in each.
Daniel Gandy (2nd from right)
This week 20 staff members participated in a course run by college Psychologist, Tessa Prior, on mental health first aid.
Mental health first aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Course content is derived from a number of consensus studies incorporating the expertise of hundreds of researchers, clinicians, mental health consumer advocates and carer advocates across the English speaking western world.
MHFA courses provide our teachers with:
The college’s aim is to have all staff undertake this important training. If you would like to learn more about this important program it is available here: https://mhfa.com.au/about/our-activities/what-we-do-mental-health-first-aid
My thanks go to Tessa Prior for pioneering this important initiative at Waverley.
Mental health first aid course
A Waverley Old Boy, John Ting (Class of 1984), was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on 22 November 2017 by Cardinal Fisher.
Deacon Ting, 53, came to Australia from Malaysia as a teenager, and is a chemical engineer. Spending time working and volunteering as youth leaders in both Singapore and Malaysia, Deacon Ting and his wife returned to Australia in 2001 to again volunteer as youth workers with the Australian Chinese Catholic youth. After completing a Master of Arts at the Catholic Institute of Sydney in 2008, Deacon Ting discerned his call to the permanent diaconate.
Although deacons have served the Church since its beginning, with the ordination of the first deacons described in the Acts of the Apostles, the presence of the diaconate as a distinct, permanent ordained ministry gradually declined before disappearing in the Middle Ages, with the role of deacons mainly linked to those who are ordained as “transitional deacons” prior to being ordained to the priesthood.
After the Second Vatican Council discussed the desirability of restoring the permanent diaconate, In Pope Paul VI decreed that the order of deacon could be conferred for a life-long ministry upon married or celibate men.
Prior to this, the office of the permanent deaconate had not been exercised in the Western church for more than a millennium.
In his homily, Archbishop Fisher explained the crucial role of the deacon to the Church.
“Deacons are specialists in sacred hatch, match and dispatch; they do baptisms, marriages and funerals,” the Archbishop explained.
“If a deacon is a who before he is a do,” the Archbishop said, “the who is a servant.”
“Whether he’s preaching at Mass, taking Viaticum to the dying, assisting the bishop in the chancery, organising charitable works, or hatching, matching and dispatching sacramentally – he is first and foremost about service.
“St John Paul II called deacons ‘the Church’s service sacramentalised’ and ‘living signs of the servanthood of Christ’s Church’.”
On behalf of the entire Waverley College community I extend warmest congratulations to Deacon Ting.
Deacon Ting’s Ordination
Sad news this week for one of our families with the death of Anthony (Tony) Francis McDonald, an old boy from the Class of 1949 and a proud Waverlian. Tony had a successful career as a solicitor and was for many years actively involved in the Parents’ and Friends’ Association and the Old Boys’ Union. He was also a regular at the May Procession and attended the Back to Waverley days, including the last one, which he very much enjoyed. His son, Tim McDonald, attended the College (Class of 1984) and his grandsons, Hugh (Year 6) and Ewan McDonald (Year 5) are now attending the College. A prayer was said for Tony at the Junior School this week. Tony is survived by his beloved wife Eleanor, his daughters, Philippa and Elizabeth, and his son, Tim.
He passed away on Sunday 26 November 2017. His Funeral is to be held at St Anthony’s Church at Clovelly at 10.30am on Monday 4 December 2017.
Tim, Tony, Hugh and Ewan, at the College’s Father’s Day Mass.
Congratulations and a warm welcome to Mr Paul Croker, whose appointment to the role of Principal of St Charles’ Catholic Primary School in Waverley was announced yesterday by Dr Dan White, Executive Director of Catholic Schools for Sydney Catholic Schools. Mr Croker will commence in the role in Term 1, 2018.
Paul comes to the role from Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse and was previously the Principal at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Nowra and Holy Parish Primary School Gowrie.
Mr Croker replaces Ms Hilary Cameron, who has led St Charles’ since 2015. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ms Cameron for the excellent relationship she has maintained between our schools as part of the Waverley Parish of St Charles Borromeo. On behalf of the Waverley College community I wish her all the best for the future.
I am pleased to announce that the College has appointed an Academic Enrichment Coordinator for next year; Ms Stephanie Boyce will commence in the role in 2018. The Academic Enrichment Coordinator will work with Heads of Department, Classroom teachers and Heads of House to develop challenging, motivating academic programs for students of high intellectual potential as well as assist our teachers to develop and implement differentiated programs that have strategies to support students with specific learning needs. The coordinator will also organise competitions and events such as da Vinci Decathlon, Olympiads and Gifted and Talented Days.
This is a first step in a range of strategies the College will be undertaking to ensure that we provide academic care to students across the full range of abilities (while noting that our established Learning Support Department’s programs already provide excellent services to students with special learning needs).
I would also like to announce the following staff appointments which will apply from 2018:
Friday November 24 is White Ribbon Day, a time when we engage with men to make women’s safety a man’s issue too. Leading up to this event, Green House has spent the month of November with a focus on raising awareness about domestic violence. This has included discussing our terrible statistics as a nation – one in three women in Australia will experience physical or sexual assault from someone known to them, and one woman is killed each week by a current or former partner.
Green House has been raising funds for the White Ribbon Foundation and a local women’s refuge by running a barbecue, selling ribbons and collecting donations. Their program included a guest speaker who was a victim of domestic violence, who gave the students an insight into her powerful story of survival. This was followed by a talk from Marty Wilson, an author, TedX speaker, Australian Comedian of the Year and a white ribbon ambassador (as well a one of our parents).
Marty also spoke to students at assembly about the importance of men taking a stand and speaking out. Year 12 student Daniel Brown spoke very well about his generation having an opportunity to lead change in this space, and that it should not be accepted in any circumstances – you can read the text of his speech in this newsletter. On Friday 24 November our students will participate in the White Ribbon Day walk as they do every year. Parents are welcome to join our students at this event. More information can be found at this link.
Waverley College strongly supports the vision of the White Ribbon movement to create a nation that respects women, in which every woman lives in safety, free from all forms of abuse.
Marty Wilson, White Ribbon Ambassador
A reminder to all parents that we have our end of year Presentation Evenings coming up. It is important that all students attend these events. The details are as follows:
Senior parents should confirm their son’s attendance by completing the RSVP form on the events page of the college website.
Ocean racing
Congratulations to Noah Havard who came third in the world at the Hong Kong World Ocean Racing World Titles. Congratulations also to Ben Walker who placed sixth, Zach Havard who placed eighth and Jeremy Hayes tenth. It is quite amazing that four boys from one school represented Australia and all did so very well in one of the toughest sports.
Noah Havard, bronze medallist
Cricket tour de force
Year 12 student (Class of 2017) Jason Sangha has joined illustrious company in Townsville after becoming the youngest batsman since India legend Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England.
The highly-rated 18-year-old posted his maiden first-class century in a marathon final-day partnership for the Cricket Australia XI to frustrate England in their Magellan Ashes tour match at Riverway Stadium.
Jason, who co-captained Australia’s Under-19 side earlier this year, only made his first-class debut in last week’s tour match under lights against England in Adelaide.
At 18 years old, Sangha is now behind only Tendulkar – who struck an unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990 at 17 years and 107 days – among the youngest batsmen to make a first-class ton against England.
The Randwick-born right-hander is also the ninth youngest Australian to make a first-class hundred and the youngest since champion batsman Ricky Ponting.
Jason Sangha celebrates after reaching a century.
Good afternoon,
Mr Leddie, Mr Brennan, Members of staff and Gentlemen of Waverley College,
Today I have been given the opportunity to talk to you, as young men, about the ever-present issue of domestic violence against women in our society.
The first thing I want to discuss with you today is how men’s violence against women is relevant to you. For the majority of you here it’s quite easy to distance yourself from this topic. For one, none of you are legally men yet, and secondly, none of you are going to grow up to commit an act of violence towards a woman – or so you think.
So, let me put it in perspective for you.
I saw an advertisement on the way home from school last week – it read:
“If you think violence against women is a big problem – tackle it when it is a little one”
Which does make a lot of sense, when you think about it. The people who are currently committing these crimes are very hard to change, the vast majority of them are repeat offenders who have been brought up incorrectly to the point where they see violence against women as just something men do and not the abuse of another human being. It is for this reason that we are focusing on you.
Eventually the people responsible for the current abuse of women in Australia will disappear and you as a generation will take their place. If these acts are going to be committed in the future, unfortunately they are going to be committed by you.
LET’S AIM AT STOPPING THIS BEHAVIOUR WITH OUR GENERATION
So, let’s talk about you.
The way in which we as a generation view women will determine the way we treat the women in our lives. A lack of respect towards women is the primary reason gender violence occurs. The views you hold now are developed from a young age and are largely influenced by society’s gender stereotypes.
Where do these stereotypes come from?
Possibly, from the older men in your life?
The media viewing women as sex objects.
As intelligent young men, I challenge you to THINK FOR YOURSELF. Reassess what you are told because women and men are really not that different. We all crave the same things: Love, acceptance, and to have our opinions listened to.
WE ARE ALL JUST HUMAN BEINGS.
Do we have double standards when it comes to judging women? Words like slut and whore are used for women and paint them in a completely negative light as opposed to words like stud and player that are used for men as a form of praise. The fact that we belittle and criticise women simply for wanting the same things as us is just stupid and this needs to change WITH US!
Do we use degrading language about women as a way of making us feel superior and in control? To a certain extent the degradation of women comes back to insecurity. We as men need to start believing that we don’t always have to be in control. We don’t always have to win an argument. We can communicate our feelings with words and not fists. As men, we are so quick to show off our physical strength in conflict, but find it hard to show our emotional strength which is what counts in the real world. If we get into the habit of using physical violence to solve our problems, it is only a matter of time before this spills into our future relationships with our partners.
For the remainder of this school year, I challenge you to be aware of the way in which your peers treat women. Rethink your perceptions of women. Rethink your current attitude and vocabulary towards the girls and women in your life. And most importantly rethink what it means to be a man.
I know this speech may have been quite confronting for some of you but the vast majority of you before me are kind respectful young men. White Ribbon is Men standing up against Violence against women. Good men like you standing up and saying that enough is enough!
You determine the culture of the world you live in, and if you want to live in a world where women are no longer abused by men, then take action, because the world is not going to change if you wait for it.
Thank you.
Sunday 26th November, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. This day marks the last Sunday in the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. On this day we recall Jesus in His eternal aspect, as King and Ruler, rather than as He was in his earthly life.
We are now reaching the end of the Church’s year. With the beginning of Advent, we begin again the cycle of the birth of Jesus, his ministry, his death, Passion and resurrection.
The ending of a year is a good time to assess where we have been, what has been achieved, and perhaps most importantly, where we are going with our journey of faith.
Lord of the past and the future: we thank you for the last Church Year. We thank you for the fellowship and joy of our worship together as a community. We pray for the coming year, that we may benefit from the teaching and wisdom of the church and grow in faith and knowledge of You. Jesus taught us how it is to live according to the values of the Kingdom of God. Let us follow his example and become truly great in the eyes of God.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice: Pray for Us
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts: Forever
Congratulations to all the staff and students who involved in the Junior School Music Festival last Thursday night – what a great event. It certainly showcased the great number of talented students we have at Waverley College. It was a privilege to be part of the audience – thank you for sharing your talents with us.
A big thank you to Mrs Rollins, Mr Chris Balkizas, Mr Dan Williams and Mrs Susannah Pinter for their amazing work with the boys in each of the music groups throughout the year.
All the boys in the Junior School took part in a magnificent day on Tuesday as we celebrated the French culture and language as part of our French Theme Day. It was great to see so many boys get dressed up for the day.
Our community reading was extra special as some parents and Junior School boys and staff helped the boys enjoy the language by listening to a book read in French – thank you to all involved.
A very special thank you to Ms Stephens our Junior School French Teacher who put some much time and energy in organising the day – it was greatly appreciated by the staff and students.
The boys starting in Year 5 2018 will be joining us on Friday November 24 for their Orientation Day. Part of this day is a BBQ lunch with our current year 5 students.
If any parents can assist me with the BBQ on the day from 11.00am – 1.00pm it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mrs Coupe via email on acoupe@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 6 Graduation
Please note the details for the Year 6 Graduation are as follows:
Date: Thursday November 30, 2017
Venue: Br Lacey Gymnasium (Senior School 131 Birrell St)
Time: 6.15pm boys will be required at 5.50pm
YEAR 5 Presentation afternoon
The Year 5 Presentation Afternoon will be held in the gym on Friday December 1 and will commence at 1.00pm sharp.
Dear Parents,
Waverley College Junior School Christmas Appeal
Christmas time can be a lonely and difficult time for many people throughout Sydney, therefore this year we are hoping to support a few different charities that need our help this Christmas.
YEAR 5 – Matthew Talbot Hostel
The Matthew Talbot Hostel is a social justice initiative run by The St Vincent de Paul Society, aimed at helping the homeless men of Sydney.
Donations include:
Toiletries (preferably small travel size items), underwear, socks, chocolates, notepads, pens.
Year 6 – Kids Helping Kids
The Kids Helping Kid program is an initiative run by The Smith Family aimed at helping the disadvantaged school children in Australia. We supported this charity earlier in the year by raising money on Edmund Rice Day.
Donations include:
Stationery (which means things like) e.g. packets of pens, colouring pencils, textas, highlighters, scissors, erasers, pencil cases.
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.
Thank you for all your generosity in supporting these worthwhile charities.
Kind Regards
Mr Stephen Ghattas – REC Junior School
On Friday 10th of November the College Community paused to Remember all those who have died in war. In addition to our current students and the college staff; a number of visitors were also present as 200 members of the Year 7 (2018) cohort were attending their Orientation Day here at Our Lady’s Mount campus.
All students from Years 5 to 12 gathered in the Centenary Quadrangle to join in the Ceremony of Commemoration of the Fallen. Members of the College Cadet Unit provided the Flag Party as well as an armed Guard around the College Cenotaph which is inscribed with the names of all of our ‘Old Boys’ that have paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the two World Wars. The year of 1917 was the worst of the First World War years in terms of the way in which the war was proceeding for the allies. It also saw the death of nine of our Old Boys on the Western Front. The Assistant Head of College and Commanding Officer of the Cadet Unit; Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) Peter Frost set the scene for the assembly by outlining the importance of Remembrance Day and the relevance it holds to us now and into the future. He also explained the significant aspects of the ceremony and the meaning behind the symbolism of what was taking place before us.
The Deputy Head of College, Mr Brennan, pronounced the ‘Ode to the Fallen’. The Head of Mission Mr Phillip Davis and members of the college staff: Ms Martina Cooper, Ms Jennifer Hoare and College Captain, Harley McGuiggan led the assembly in the prayers. All present participated in a respectful and prayerful manner. The sounding of the Last Post by the cadet unit bugler, Cadet Corporal Sam Tsoussis, and observance of the One Minute of Silence were highlights of the event. Many people later commented on the stillness of the whole assembly during both aspects of the ceremony. The Ceremony concluded with the National Anthem which; was superbly led by the college Band under the Baton of Mr Chris Balkizas and assisted by Mr Daniel Williams.
Members of the College Band were again engaged in the Remembrance Day Ceremony on Saturday 11th November. The commemoration was conducted by Waverley Council at the War Memorial situated in Waverley Park. A very large assembly of residents, dignitaries with serving and former Armed Service personnel also in attendance. The College Cadet Unit provided Flag Bearers and mounted a Guard around the memorial for the duration of the ceremony. The bugle calls of Last Post and Reveille; again played skilfully by the Cadet unit Bugler, were poignant reminders of death and sacrifice as well as triumphant hope.
The Centenary of ANZAC Commemorations will continue throughout next year culminating in the 100th Anniversary of the Signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
Remembrance Day 2017
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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