Krista Thomas, Author at Waverley College

As the liturgical season of Lent draws to a close, we prepare to enter Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and the joyful commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, when the crowds acclaimed him with the words: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

As the week unfolds, we journey with Christ through the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and reaches its climax with the celebration of the Resurrection at the Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday.

The Easter Triduum is the high point of our liturgical year. It is a time of profound reverence and spiritual renewal. After forty days of prayer, penance, and reflection, we enter into the mystery of Christ’s passion and death with solemn devotion. Yet it is with joy and hope that we celebrate His triumph over death and rejoice in the new life of His Resurrection.

Our hope rests in a Love stronger than death. Through the wounds of Christ, our wounds are healed; through His death, we are raised to new life; and in His Resurrection, we are promised the gift of eternal life. Following His Resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus assured His disciples and assures us that He would remain with us always, even to the end of time. This liturgical season shines with the light of that promise, radiant with hope.

As our community begins the Easter holidays, my thoughts and prayers are particularly with our Year 12s who are looking ahead with both anticipation and anxiety, thinking of upcoming exams and their future paths. At the heart of a Catholic education in the Edmund Rice Tradition, is our commitment to nurturing the whole person: intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and pastorally. We seek to form young people who are not only well educated but who also live with faith-filled hope, ready to meet the world with courage, compassion, and conviction.

In this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope. This call echoes the message of Easter and Pentecost: that our lives are not governed by fear or despair, but by the sure and certain hope that flows from Christ’s victory over the grave.

Father Bernie Thomas prays God’s blessing upon all our students, parents, carers, alumni and staff. May this sacred season deepen our trust in God’s love, strengthen our hope, and renew our mission to walk always as children of the Resurrection.

Essay/Speech Prize

Congratulations to our Edmund Ignatius Rice Senior Essay and Speech finalists, Lachlan Hoy, Taj Lynn and James Peate, who presented their speech on how the four EREA Touchstones are integral to a student’s education and how they inspire a vision for contributing to a better world.

The audience consisted of the judging panel, special guest, Old Boy, Dr David Curran and our Year 11 Advanced English students. With fierce competition, the final places will be announced in one of our assemblies early in Term 2.

Rostrum Public Speaking Regional Finals

Congratulations to Year 12 students Dante Fearn and James Peate who have successfully made it through to the Regional finals of the NSW Rostrum Public Speaking finals.

James Peate is the current NSW Champion from 2024 and we wish both boys all the very best with the next stage of competition.

Little Shop of Horrors Production

It’s almost here! The Waverley School musical, Little Shop of Horrors will be on stage from 13 – 16 May in the Performing Arts Theatre. A show about a man-eating plant; who knew botany could be so entertaining?

Purchase tickets here!

Starring the students of Waverley College and supported by the students from Bradfield College, Brigidine College and Kincoppal Rose Bay, hear what some of the students have to say about the show!

Hooper Negus (Year 11): “I think the audience will be excited about the ingenuity of the set.”

Harry Lentfer (Year 11): “My favourite song is Skid Row; it provides the context for what the musical is about and how each character shares their point of view of what it is like to live on Skid Row.”

Sophie (Kincoppal Rose Bay): “The revolving set is cool, just to see how it can turn into different places.”

Klara (Brigidine College): “The amount of effort that people have put into the show across all aspects, from singing, costume, set and all the people behind the scenes is astounding.”

Kenya (Bradfield College): “I love how the show is quite supernatural and how different the characters are from other shows.”

Reading Challenge Launch: Read a book Inside or Outside

We’re thrilled to announce our school-wide Reading Challenge for Years 7-10 running from April 10 to June 10!

Using the Beanstack platform, students will embark on a two-month reading adventure that continues right through the holiday break.

This challenge is the perfect opportunity to discover new worlds through books while building valuable reading habits.

Remember, just 15 minutes of daily reading can significantly improve vocabulary, comprehension, and academic performance across all subjects!

Stay tuned for more details about prizes and special recognition for our most dedicated classes and individual readers. Get ready to turn those pages and let your imagination soar!

Parent Webinar

Last week Wellio, one of our partners in providing wellbeing resources to our students and community, ran a parent Webinar on the topic “Owning Your Role as a Parent: Knowing When to Step In and Step Back”.

Waverley College was one of the highest represented schools in attendance, with over 100 parents logging onto the webinar. Well done parents and carers!

You joined parents from schools across Australia as part of this online session.

The webinar dealt with navigating the difficult balance between when to step in, when to guide, and when to create space for your children in order to develop their independence and help build resilience.

It provided practical strategies on “When to Interrupt”, “Leading by Example”, as well as “Advocating & Escalating”.

If you were unable to attend the session, a link to the recording can be found HERE, and a link to the resources provided HERE.

Each session is free to attend for all Waverley parents/carers and registration details will be sent out via Nurrunga and the Waverley App as they become available.

2025 Australian Junior Athletics Championships, Perth

A number of Waverley students, accompanied by Mr. Jeremy Roff, competed this week at the National Athletics titles in Perth. Some of the notable results include:

School Fees

Payment 1 was due on 12 February 2025, payment 2 due date is 14 May 2025, and payment 3 due date will be 6 August 2025.

The next Fee Statements will be issued on the week beginning 28 April 2025. We require Fee Statements to be paid in full by the due date.

Where this is not possible, a financial arrangement must be agreed with the Business Services Team by the due date.

Withdrawal Notice

As per enrolment contract and as indicated on the College website, the College require one full Term’s notice in writing to the Principal if you wish to withdraw your son’s enrolment at Waverley College.

As an example and for the avoidance of doubt, if you wish to withdraw your son at the end of Term 2, the notice must be given no later than the first day of Term 2.

If this notice period is breached, a penalty equivalent to one Term’s tuition fee will be payable as per enrolment contract.

Cadet AFX

Earlier this week, I visited the Cadet Annual Field Exercise (AFX) at Holsworthy Barracks alongside the Headmistress of St Catherine’s School, Ms Deb Magill.

It was a great opportunity to see our combined 400 Cadets in action experiencing a wide range of activities, team building exercises and leadership challenges.

Holsworthy Base has state of the art human created spaces along with extensive dense bushland to provide our cadets with many different environments to experience.

I am sure many will be looking forward to returning home to their bedroom and other creature comforts, but am also sure that many will have a greater appreciation of the simpler things in life and the great outdoors.

European Football Tour

The Football tour will see a squad of 34 students and 4 staff spend 4 days at Manchester City’s facilities being put through their paces by Manchester City Coaches.

They will then travel on to London, Lisbon and Madrid playing a number of games and watching some of the world’s best footballers play and train whilst immersing themselves in different cultures along the way.

NZ Rugby Tour

The Rugby tour will see a squad of 38 students and 5 staff spend 5 days at the Canterbury Crusaders Academy with some world class coaches.

They will then play two schools in 4 matches in Christchurch and Dunedin before finishing the tour in Queenstown.

The development tour is aimed at developing player skills, preparing for the rugby season ahead, and providing cultural learning experiences in one of the best rugby playing nations in the world.

Aussie Surf Lifesaving Titles

Waverley had a number of students from a range of Sydney Branch Surf Clubs competing in the Aussie titles over the past week. We had some impressive results including;

Bart Carmody (2 x Gold and 1 x silver medals Board race, Cameron Relay and surfing)

Congratulations to all competitors for their efforts at this highest of levels for surf lifesaving.

National Swimming Titles

Best wishes to the following students who are attending the National Swimming titles this week:

ANZAC Day

I’m pleased to confirm that Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove will be joining us for the College ANZAC Day Commemoration on Wednesday, April 30.

Sir Peter will be delivering the address. All parents and carers are welcome to join us.

Exchange Program

Waverley College recently had the pleasure of hosting four Japanese students as part of an enriching International exchange program. The students stayed with a Waverley College family and immersed themselves in school life by attending regular classes and participating in a variety of co-curricular activities.

A highlight of their visit included attending an Open Day at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where they explored domestic and international study pathways. This valuable experience offered them insight into future academic opportunities in Australia and abroad.

The aim of this student exchange program is to provide participants with global educational opportunities, enabling them to gain firsthand experience in diverse academic environments. Through cultural immersion, students learn about different traditions and perspectives, helping foster greater intercultural understanding. The program also focuses on developing key interpersonal skills such as adaptability, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration, essential traits for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Waverley College is proud to be part of such meaningful global engagement and extends its sincere thanks to the host family and broader community for their support in making this experience so impactful.

Term 2 Canteen Volunteers Needed

Can you volunteer to assist us in our daily operations from 9.30 am till 1.45 pm?

We greatly value the assistance of our volunteer workers as it allows us to be more efficient in our services for students and staff.

We welcome all members of the Waverley College Community – mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and carers. Lunch is provided for all volunteers.

We are happy to take on any availability, whether it’s once a week, month, or even once a Term – it all helps.

The Term 2 2025 volunteer roster is online, so if you are interested, please volunteer as soon as you can by clicking here.

Year 7 and Year 10 NSW 2025 School Vaccination Clinic

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 in 2025, you can provide consent online for school vaccinations.

In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). The year 7 vaccination clinic will be held on 24 November, 2025.

In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. The year 10 vaccination clinic will be held in Term 2 on the 11 June, 2025.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. Online consent will only be accepted if provided through the NSW Health School Vaccination Program portal. Consent should not be provided to the school via email or other electronic form submission.

you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you do not have a ServiceNSW

Detailed instructions can be found on the NSW Health website. If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper consent form from the school.

REELise Film Festival

The REELise Film Festival—a nationally recognised platform for young filmmakers—is now accepting entries for its 2025 competition. Now in its 12th year, REELise has launched the careers of emerging Australian filmmakers, giving them the chance to gain industry recognition, showcase their work on the big screen, and connect with top film professionals.

REELise Film Festival alumni have gone on to create award-winning films, secure film school scholarships, and kickstart their careers in the industry.

Year 9 Parent/ Student Information Evening Week 1 Term 2

An information evening has been organised for Year 9 parents/ carers and students at the College Gym on Thursday 1 May at 6pm.

The focus of the evening will be Understanding the Year 9 Experience, from a holistic perspective.

This will include wellbeing, spiritual and curriculum issues and a guest speaker Mac Jenkins (College Old Boy, business owner and elite cricketer) will discuss how he has achieved success in his academic pursuits while also pursuing an elite sporting career and managing his own business.

The Cardoner Network Information Evening Monday 5 May 6pm

Would you like to volunteer at an Immersion or Service Year Placement in 2026? There is an opportunity for your Year 12 students, and their parents, to learn more about a Cardoner experience.

Ideally, volunteers will be young people who are both passionate about service and keen to have new cultural encounters. Does this sound like you?

And finally….

I want to acknowledge the busyness of the past 11 weeks and the tremendous efforts of everyone in our community.

Together, we’ve created a wonderful environment to learn, teach, listen, grow, connect, and build friendships.

It’s been inspiring to witness many stepping out of their comfort zones and realizing they are capable of so much more.

During the upcoming April holidays, I encourage students and families to take time to connect, reflect, recharge, and most importantly, have fun! I wish all those traveling a safe and inspiring time away.

A special wish for our Junior School Rugby team—safe travels and an exciting, successful competition in Armidale!

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.

As we reach the end of a rewarding and busy term, we take this opportunity to celebrate the many ways our Year 5 and Year 6 students have embraced and lived by the core values that lie at the heart of our school community.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

This term, our students and staff have worked hard to continue creating a safe and supportive learning environment here at Waverley College.

This value applies to all aspects of school life, including in the classroom and on the playground.

Our boys have participated in the “Be Kind: How to be an Upstander” workshop, delivered by our psychologists, which is aimed at helping them respond to peer pressure in positive, values-driven ways.

They explored the bystander effect, reflected on personal experiences, and learned how group dynamics can influence our choices.

Through role-play and discussion, they practised practical strategies like seeking help, including others, or using humour to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. These workshops align with our school values and promote ways to continue to make our school environment safe and supportive.

By developing a strong sense of safety and belonging, our boys’ academic learning has continued to grow.

Across all Key Learning Areas, including Music, Science and PE, our students have participated in engaging lessons through Deep Learning, focusing on the areas of Character, Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication.

Respecting the Dignity of the Individual

We strive to foster a school environment where students treat one another with compassion and understanding.

Through classroom discussions, group work, and community events, we aim to encourage an appreciation for different perspectives, the celebration of individual strengths, and the development of maturity in social interactions. These are values we continue to emphasise and support as part of our ongoing learning journey.

Through various lunchtime clubs such as lego club, drawing club, board games club, along with co-curricular sport, our boys develop their skills and understanding as they listen actively, speak kindly, and stand up for fairness, helping to foster a culture of deep respect and mutual dignity.

This will remain a focus as we head into Term 2, and we will continue to explicitly teach respectful behaviours to our students.

Acting in the Interest of the Common Good

Whether through their involvement in environmental initiatives, consultation with our Class Captains, or fundraising efforts, our students have worked collaboratively, to make our school and broader community a better place.

Our Year 6 students enjoyed their excursion to ‘A Kinder World Experience’ and created gift bags filled with essential items for those doing it tough.

Through various fundraising activities such as St Patrick’s Day, Harmony Day, Project Compassion and bake sales, our community has raised over $2 000 for charity this term alone.

We are proud of the social justice initiatives we commit to as a school, and the opportunity for our boys to develop a more global perspective of the world around them.

As the term draws to a close, we thank our Year 5 and 6 students for the energy and dedication they bring to our school.

We also thank you, our parent community, for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we are nurturing not only learners, but compassionate and responsible young people who will continue to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Passover Incursion

This week, our students took part in a special Passover incursion, where they learned about the Jewish festival of Passover and its traditions.

They discovered the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and explored the meaning behind key symbols like matzah (unleavened bread) and the Seder plate.

Students were fortunate enough to make and eat matzah, while deepening their understanding of different cultures and traditions.

Term 2 Uniform Reminder

As students return to school on the 30th April, they are required to wear their blazer to and from school everyday.

It helps to create a sense of unity and belonging among students, reinforcing the idea that they are part of a shared community.

It encourages personal responsibility, promotes school pride and supports a respectful and inclusive environment for all students. We will continue to monitor uniform expectations closely as Term 2 begins.

Lunchtime Talk

Our Junior School students gained a glimpse into the future of urban innovation as Tim Bale, Director of the Bradfield City Development and Father to Isaac Year 5, shared insights about Bradfield City Centre Western Sydney’s transformative new global city.

Located adjacent to the under-construction Western Sydney International Airport, Bradfield City Centre is Australia’s first major city to be built in over a century.

We learnt that Bradfield will blend advanced industries with vibrant arts and culture, anchored by a Central Park.

Tim’s talk resonated with students, particularly his emphasis on Bradfield’s potential to deliver 10,000 homes and 20,000 jobs.

He encouraged young minds to explore careers in STEM and sustainable design, reinforcing how Bradfield City will become a testing ground for smart-city technologies and global collaboration.

It was a privilege to have Tim as our last guest speaker for the Term. Thank you for inspiring young minds to dream big and explore the possibilities of shaping our future cities.

TERM 2

Friday, 25 April 2025 – Term Two Parent Teacher interviews bookings available on Parent Lounge until 3pm

Monday, 28 April 2025 – Year 7-12 Parent Teacher Student Interviews – student free day for Senior School

Monday, 28 April 2025 – Staff Professional Learning day for Junior School – student free day for Junior School

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 – Year 7-12 Parent Teacher Student Interviews – student free day for Senior School

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 – Staff Professional Learning day for Junior School – student free day for Junior School

Monday, 5 May 2025 – Timor Leste Immersion’s 1st Formation Night, 5.30pm – 6.30pm in the Library

Wednesday, 14 May – Friday, 16 May – Little Shop of Horrors production, 7pm in the PAC Theatre

Monday, 16 June – Cambodia’s 2nd Formation Night, 6pm – 7.30pm in the Library

TERM 3

Monday, 21 July 2025 – Year 5-12 Parent Teacher Student Interviews – student free day

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 – Year 5-12 Parent Teacher Student Interviews – student free day

TERM 4

TERM 1

Now until Friday, 25 April 2025 – Term Two Parent Teacher interviews bookings available on Parent Lounge until 3pm