Father Gerard Gleeson will be officiating at the sacrament of Confirmation at St Anthony’s Church Clovelly on 8th June 2016 at 7pm.
Preparation will include:
The Parents’ Information Meeting and the lessons will take place in the St Anthony’s school library.
A contribution of $20- $30 will be collected at the Parents’ Information Meeting in order to purchase a medal, a certificate and a book for each child.
If your child has not been Baptised or received their First Reconciliation or First Communion at St Anthony’s please bring a copy of the Baptismal Certificate to the Parents’ Information Meeting.
A parent must accompany each child for the Saturday afternoon lessons.
If you would like your child to be included with the candidates please send an email to St Anthony’s (parish@stanthonyclovelly.org.au)
Contact person: Linda Heavener
Year 11 student Daniel Morris is a talented triathlon competitor – this is his report from his most recent event:
“On Wednesday 2 March, I competed in the NSW All Schools Triathlon where kids in High Schools all over NSW come to compete at the Penrith International Regatta Centre. I participated in the Seniors Race which consisted of 16, 17, 18 and 19 year-olds. Luckily the race was early so we only raced in 30 degree heat. I had a great swim, good cycling leg and an ok run. Overall, I came 1st in the CAS category, 2nd in my age group and 20th overall out of 150 competitors.”
Daniel Morris was 1st in the CAS category of the All Schools Triathlon.
Over 100 students from both Waverley College and St Claire’s College performed in the Parade Theatre at NIDA on March 7-9 in our bi-annual Musical Production, “High School Musical”. What an incredible experience for our young people to work in such a professional space where many famous Australian actors perform before they make it to the world stage. The buzz of excitement during our time there was certainly high.
High School Musical is an uplifting story. The main issue of young people overcoming adversity and their joy in achieving their heartfelt dreams relates to our students. High School Musical has experienced an incredible journey in becoming what it is today, having started as a TV movie, then a book, a popular feature film, and now a full scale musical theatre production.
The ‘Jocks’ and ‘Cheerleaders’ with Angus Mullins (centre) as ‘Troy’.
Many people were involved in taking the production from the page to the stage and they are to be congratulated for this incredible achievement. Particular thanks to our wonderful Musical Director, Chris Balkizas, the Director, Lisa Shipley and the Choreographer, Jasmin Dekantios.
It is no mean feat to perform on the NIDA stage and I congratulate all the actors and the student crew on their commitment to the show. Both our schools support our young people in pursuing what they love, in this case, the arts, specifically, musical theatre. The students both on stage and off have worked tirelessly on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and on Sundays so that they could be prepared. They have done this whilst being involved in their academic pursuits and sporting commitments and they have all liberated their potential.
Ben Gabriel as ‘Jack’.
Special mention must be made to the wonderful Year 11 and 12 Entertainment students who helped bump-in and bump-out the show as well bring props and scenic elements both on and off the stage. I was so proud of them and they certainly learnt a lot about the role of stagehands in this industry by doing an internal work placement on the show.
The Stage Crew.
It is always bitter sweet when a production ends, it’s great to get part of one’s private life back, but it’s sad to farewell the show. We have had such wonderful feedback from Board members, parents, staff and students who came to see the show, if you missed the show, make sure you don’t miss the next one which will no doubt be staged in a wonderful new gymnasium in 2018.
In Barbara Ehrenreich’s book “Dancing in the Streets” she tracks the history of collective joy in society through participation in large scale events such as carnival and musicals.
The Musical – High School Musical was certainly a large scale event with over one hundred students participating on the stage, backstage and the musicians in the orchestral pit.
From a Musical Director’s position it was wonderful to watch the students from St Clare’s and Waverley College grow and develop in musical confidence whether it was on the stage or in the band. The band consisted of two professional musicians, two old boys and eleven current students of Waverley College.
Congratulations to all the students involved in this production and thank you to all staff that assisted me as Musical Director including A. Fahy, V. Hurley, S. Pinter, C. Blenkinsopp, H. Galletis and H. Barrington.
Such a wonderful large scale collective event certainly brought joy and a great sense of achievement that the students will cherish beyond their time at school.
Tom Kossenberg, Year 12, plays in the HSM band.
I had known I was going to be Assistant Director of High School Musical. That was challenge enough. But when it was further suggested that I should stage manage the show as well, mild terror kicked in. I’d been an actor for many years and appreciated what an important function it was.
The thought of actually being the stage manager of this rather expensive Waverley/St Clare’s co-production, staged at NIDA (my alma mater), was a little intimidating. There was nothing for it; I had to organise the heck out of myself. So, by the end of technical rehearsals (aided by my hard-working assistant – Jonathan Kupershteyn) I had eventually created the most useful tool in the Stage Manager’s tool-belt – the prompt copy. My copy of the play contained an alarming (and constantly growing) assemblage of lighting, sound, projector, video, stage crew and curtain cues (all crazily highlighted with a different coloured texter). All quite terrifying at first, but after a few runs of the show (and a lot of babysitting/indulgence from the professional NIDA crew, aided by our own dependable Entertainment boys) it started to fall into place.
I started to appreciate a few things. The first was, just like for a performer, no run is ever perfect for a stage manager. There’s always room for improvement; cues can be called faster or sooner. You live and learn. Another thing I came to appreciate was how creative the role of stage manager can be. You begin to feel the exact moment a lighting cue can be called, just the right time for that phone ring effect to end, and you also note that this becomes a collaborative creative effort.
The whole technical team – lighting desk, spot operators, sound FX, curtain-puller, stage-crew, stage manager – all exercise creative judgment in all they do, in order to make the show better. It’s not just the cast and the orchestra that makes the night. Theatre is truly a group effort. Thanks to the whole production team and the cast as well for letting me in on such a wonderful learning experience.
Jack Lynch as ‘Ryan’ and Ellie Naylor as ‘Sharpay’.
Photos by Liam Molloy
Royal Easter Show Performance – Friday 18 March
Members of the Waverley College Concert Band comprising 44 Waverley College Students and 4 St Clare’s Students performed at the Royal Easter Show on Friday 18 March in the Big Top Amphitheatre.
The Band was led by Mr Dan Williams, Head of Bands. The repertoire, commenced with a number of new items including: Star Wars – The Marches by John Williams, Game of Thrones by Ramin Djawadi and Viva La Vida by Coldplay. The Band performed for 40 minutes finishing their performance with well rehearsed pieces By Loch and Mountain by Robert W Smith, Adrenaline Engines by Randall Standridge and Fire by Gary P Gilroy. The Band were well received by the attentive audience.
Thank you very much to the Brbot Family for their assistance with moving the large instruments to and from the Royal Easter Show.
Upcoming Events
Waverley College Choir
Rehearsal for the College Choir is held on a Monday morning from 7.30am – 8.30am. New members welcome.
Private Music Tuition
Private music lessons are held in the Performing Arts Centre by external tutors on specific days and times. Instruction is available in a large range of instruments, theory, voice and composition. The College views the study of music as an essential part of each student’s development. The extension of this study through private tuition on an instrument is strongly encouraged because of the flow on benefits to performance in other academic areas. Parents can complete the online enrolment form : Private Music Tuition Form
Music Practice
Students who have lessons at school are welcome to book in to use a practice room during lunchtime or after school subject to availability.
Students who attend private lessons need to have their own instruments. Anyone who attends drum lessons needs to bring their own drum sticks. Guitarists need to bring their own instrument to their lesson and for any practice sessions.
Attendance at Lessons
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure he attends his music lesson. In the event of a student or teacher absence, excursion or examination commitments, the following guidelines apply:
1. Student Absence
A student will forfeit the lesson if the tutor has not been given at least 24 hours notice of an absence. Make up lessons can only be provided when 24 hours notice has been given.
2. Tutor Absence
Where possible, pupils will be notified in advanced of a tutor’s absence. A new lesson time will be negotiated in the case of unforeseen illness which cannot be notified in advance.
3. Excursions, Examinations, Class Tests
A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to reschedule a lesson. A student’s failure to notify the Music Faculty / Tutor will incur the cost of the cancelled lesson.
Cessation of Tuition
Private lessons cannot be cancelled during term. Students must be committed to learning the instrument for the entire semester. In the event of a student wishing to cease tuition, one full term’s notice is required in writing.
If you require any further assistance please contact Mrs Kossenberg, PAC Administrator on Ph: 9369 0623 or email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.
College Chaplain Fr Milani celebrated the Brennan House Mass on 7 March, 2016.
The focus of our House Masses this year is the EREA Touchstone Justice and Solidarity (“We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.” From the Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition). The Year 7 students from Brennan House did a fantastic job in dramatising the Gospel passage regarding the Judgement of the Nations (Matthew 25: 31-50) while House Captain Adam Hassan gave an insightful reflection based on the connection between Justice and Solidarity and Waverley College. This reflection follows…
According to the words of the Gospel, The Judgement of the Nations, it is clear that we are all called to act with justice and solidarity. The Gospel reading highlights the importance of serving others. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me”. The Gospel reading also highlights that serving one of God’s children is like serving God.
This Gospel message directly correlates with our Waverley touchstone of Justice and Solidarity and the EREA touchstone that Brennan will be focusing on this year. We are all beckoned to commit to justice and peace, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection. This calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.
Just as Pope Francis said “You are called to take care of creation ,not only as responsible citizens but as followers of Christ”. It is our duty as followers of Christ and the Waverley College community to take care of God’s creation, which is all of us.
You might wonder how you, as young Waverlians from Brennan House can put into action these words from the Gospel and our Touchstone. May I remind you all of the inspiring words we heard at this year’s Immersion Assembly. Stories from both past and present Waverley boys, going to places like India and Timor Leste, helping young kids suffering from extreme poverty and helping to provide environments to enhance their education. Even the social justice services offered to Year 11 students throughout the year, and the option for Brennan students to organise the Holdsworth Ball. These are the experiences constantly on offer to the Waverley College cohort, providing all students with the tools and guidance in order to practice a lifestyle that reflects justice and solidarity.
Whilst participating in the multitude of immersion experiences or social justice services Waverley has to offer may not be everyone’s cup of tea, you can still embody the words of the Gospel in your every day lives. Just as Mr Leddie had prompted us to consider the theory of the “bucket and the tipper”, our everyday interactions with our friends and family, can make a difference. Whether it is saying a few encouraging words to a friend when they need a hand, stopping your friends from bullying that kid out in the playground, bringing a positive and polite attitude towards your teachers and classmates every time you step into a class or just helping out your parents when they have a busy work load.
It is essential that we first address the unjust situations that we are faced with everyday and the ones that we can control with very little effort. We must, as a Brennan cohort, fight against this injustice. Starting with every boy in home group throughout this Lenten season, donating to the Lenten appeal. This is supporting an organisation that with just $300 dollars can send a child to school and break the cycle of poverty that they have experienced for generations. A small donation of $20 from each boy will be enough to send eleven kids to school for a whole year.
It is these small gestures, which are perhaps the most influential in creating a just society and one, which stands in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself. These are the acts, which will make us the sheep at Jesus’ right hand rather than the goats at his left.
Adam Hassan, Brennan House Captain.
On Wednesday 9 March, 2016, Ms Stewart and myself accompanied ten Year 10 students to Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney, for the CLRI (NSW) Social Justice Day on Human Trafficking, Child Labour and Fair Trade. Presentations and Workshops from organisations such as ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) explained how trafficking exists in a range of ways and especially how it affects children around the world. Fair Trade organisations such as The Trading Circle and rrepp explained how our shopping habit and choices can either continue or prevent the use of child labour. I would like to thank the Year 10 students who attended the seminar: Daniel Andrews, Daniel Hassan, Patrick Kossenberg, Luca Martin, Adam McCabe, James Nikolitsis, Harvey Papastamos, Jonathon Schacht, Luki Vujovic and Jasper Wilde. I would also like to thank Ms Cullen, Mr Evans and Ms Stewart for their help in the organising of the students. Below is a recount of the day by some of the students who participated:
A group of Year 10 boys travelled to Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College on the North Shore accompanied by Mr Davis and Ms Stewart. The day focused on fair trade, human trafficking and child labour through a variety of workshops, guest speakers and activities. An example of the one of the workshops focused on helping woman out of poverty. This was achieved through programs where they made bracelets that could be sold. Then we had a chance to make one of the bracelets they made to see how quickly we could make them. No one in the group finished the bracelets in the 45 minutes.
Another workshop we participated in consisted of sports equipment company RREPP. RREPP is one of the only sports companies in the world that makes all their equipment to Fair Trade standards.
As the day ended each school was asked how they were going to incorporate what they had learnt into their own school community. We all decided to discuss the potential to change our sporting equipment to the RREPP equipment, and to sell more Fair Trade products in the canteen.
The day was worthwhile and everyone enjoyed themselves whilst meeting new people. Most of us did not realise the situation of human trafficking throughout the world.
By Year 10 Students: Jonathon Schacht, Daniel Hassan, Harvey Papastamos and Daniel Andrews.
I had interesting discussions about gender roles with students when I visited Religious Education classes last week. While some of the comments were quite uplifting, some were straight out of the 1950’s. I was reminded about an article I read in The Atlantic magazine called “Why Women still can’t have it all.” Author, Ann-Marie Slaughter makes the point that whilst we encourage our daughters to strive to have successful careers, we often do not prepare our sons to be care-givers in the family: in failing to do so, we under-value the traditional female role. The result is that women often work outside the home while still doing the bulk of the unpaid household jobs.
Slaughter’s new book Unfinished Business – Women Men Work Family, outlines the need for a seismic shift in how we raise boys. Women’s equality is linked to changing the mindset about traditional gender roles. Giving men permission to tap into their ‘feminine’ is as liberating as giving women permission to gain a degree. This may mean that women relinquish control and allow men to child-rear, cook and clean house their own way. That may be hard for some women to do. One thing was clear from class discussions, boys appear to be very much influenced by their role-models at home.
The Basketball Presentation was held on Friday 11 March and was attended by approximately 80 coaches, players and parents. The event was successful and attendees enjoyed a lavish afternoon tea provided by the Basketball Supporter Group.
Special thanks go to Head of College, Mr Ray Paxton, Acting Director of Co-Curriculum, Mr Pat Brennan, Head of Senior Sport, Mr Stephen O’Donnell and Gym Manager, Mr Edward Hartson for their support in attending the afternoon.
Thank you to the Basketball Supporter Group, especially President, Mrs Louise Mattick and Mrs Nina Kormanyos for their help with organising the event, as well as Logistics & Event Manager, Mr John Kara for his assistance.
Thank you to the coaches that attended and presented their players with their awards (Mr Krenz Carlos, Mr Johnny Jovine, Mr Tony Montano, Mr Tom Chamberlain, Mr James Spargo and Mr James Mattick) as well as the team captains (Dean Kormanyos, Johnny Pawle, Hayden Walton, Alex O’Reilly, Ben Walton and Darcy Sullivan) for their excellent efforts in speaking to the assembled guests on behalf of their teams.
Captain of Basketball, Fred Pawle also deserves mention for his first-rate work behind the microphone in keeping proceedings flowing smoothly.
Any award winners who have not received their awards should email Mr Gibbs at agibbs@waverley.nsw.edu.au to arrange a time collect their award. The full list of award winners is below.
Congratulations to 1st V player Dean Stojanovski for his selection in the CAS 2nd V team. Dean will represent the CAS in games against ISA (21 March at St Paul’s Penrith), AICES (22 March at St Aloysius) and GPS (23 March at Trinity). All games start at 6pm. We wish him the best of luck.
Congratulations to the following players:
Enjoy a well-deserved break from basketball and best wishes for the upcoming winter sport season.
Congratulations to following boys who have been given the honour of leading our music group this year:
We have been informed by Transport NSW that the end of grace period for school students travelling without an Opal Card on school or public buses has been extended and will end on Monday 21st March. If you have not yet applied for an Opal Card for your son please do so at your earliest convenience.
All students with Opal Cards are reminded to tap on and tap off on each journey to and from school.
Please be considerate of our neighbours when you drop off or pick up your son at school. Some parents are also now simply stopping in the middle of the road and letting their sons out. Not only is this practice dangerous it also slows the flow of traffic down Henrietta Street.
Last Friday saw a number of boys travel to Canberra to represent Waverley at the CIS AFL trials. Well done to the following boys: Angus Anthony, Finn Backlund, Louis Kitto, Jackson Macaulay, Luke Moloney, Hamish Morrison, Charley Roberts, Hugo Roles, Ethan Smith and John Walsh for their tremendous energy and effort.
Special congratulations to the three boys who were selected in the CIS team that will compete in the PSSA Championships– well done to Louis Kitto, Ethan Smith and Hamish Morrison. Luke Moloney was selected as a reserve for the team. The boys will compete in the NSWPSSA AFL Championships at Tomaree, from Tuesday, 24 May 2016 to Thursday, 26 May 2016.
Congratulations to the following boys who were awarded certificates at our assembly last Thursday – well done!
An early invitation to our annual Mother’s and Grandmother’s Mass to be held 12pm Friday 6 May, followed by lunch at the Junior School. It would be appreciated if you could note the date in your diaries.
Last Saturday saw the conclusion of the first half of summer sports program. The same teams will compete in Term 4 for the second half of the competition. It was great to see every boy at the Junior School participating in our sports program. The comments regarding the boys at training and the games have been overwhelmingly positive. Bring on the winter season.
As part of the Confirmation Sacramental Program for 2016 a mass will be held this Sunday 20 March for the Presentation of Candidates at Mary Immaculate Church commencing at 10.00am.
It is the expectation of both the Church and School that all boys making their Confirmation through the parish of Mary Immaculate are present.
I will be attending the mass so please ensure your son sees me to have his name marked off.
Thank you for your ongoing support of this very important part of your son’s journey through the Catholic faith.
The breakfast trial in our canteen will continue next week until Easter. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.
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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