R U OK? Day is a cause with an extremely close connection to Waverley College. This year’s theme, ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day’ emphasises the importance of reaching out not just today, but every day, because life happens every day.
By using the four simple steps of an R U OK? conversation you can change a life.
#RUOKDay2024 @ruokanyday”
RUOK? Day Assembly
This year for our annual RUOK? Day assembly, the college welcomed guest speaker Gus Worland to deliver a keynote and engage in a Q&A session. Gus is a long-time mental health and suicide prevention advocate who spoke to the students about his own life experiences and the importance of surrounding yourself with a ‘village’. Students were given practical examples and strategies on how to foster this village and left feeling empowered with ways to look after not only themselves, but with ways in which they can be there for those around them. Following his keynote, Gus engaged in a Q&A session with Mr Drew-Morris, who also shares a strong connection and association with RUOK? Day. They discussed topics such as mental fitness, overcoming adversity and how to seek help when and if it is needed. One of Gus’ key messages is that mental fitness is much like physical fitness and requires repetitions to build up strength. We are enormously appreciative of Gus taking the time to speak to our staff and students as part of this important event within our annual college calendar.
Guest Speaker Gus Worland
SCHOOL TV SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK? Day
Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm – are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It’s therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.
R U OK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, “Are you OK?”
Engaging in R U OK? Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it’s a commitment to our students’ overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.
The WAYS Effective Parenting Course will be running from the 13th November until the 4th of December for four weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm at WAYS Bondi Junction, Tiffany Plaza, 422 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction.
This FREE four-week course is facilitated by experienced clinicians specialising in adolescent development and behaviour. The course will assist parents to build stronger parent-child relationships and to feel greater confidence in better managing and understanding their adolescents. This is a skills-building and educational program only.
Topics include understanding adolescent development, parenting styles, effective communication, building resilience, internal regulation, and setting limits and boundaries.
If parents/caregivers are interested, they can register by calling 9365 2500 or email luke@ways.org.au
Cycling to school is acceptable at the discretion of the parents, however, parents should be aware that the roads around Waverley are very busy, with few bike lanes that connect.
e-BIKES
The school does not provide facilities for the charging of eBikes and the NSW Government legislation relating to e-bikes and e-scooters is as follows;
There are two types of permitted e-bikes: Electrically power-assisted cycles and Power-assisted pedal cycles.
Electrically power-assisted cycles
An electrically power-assisted cycle has a maximum continued rated power of up to 500 watts. This power output must be:
Power-assisted pedal cycles
A power-assisted pedal cycle has one or more motors attached with a combined maximum power output of up to 200 watts. This bicycle:
All petrol-powered bicycles are illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas such as footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths.
e-SCOOTERS
Personal e-scooters are illegal and cannot be used on roads or road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths. They can only be used on private property in NSW.
Our school has been contacted by the Senior Casting Producer for The Dog House Australia, a heartwarming television show where people of all kinds visit an animal shelter to adopt a rescue dog.
He is reaching out to ask if anyone from our community would be interested in applying to adopt a dog through their program.
They work with the Animal Welfare League NSW to find the perfect match for the dog and the family, taking into consideration their lifestyle and commitments.
Right now their shelter is full, and there is a waiting list of people wanting to surrender dogs, so they are working extra hard to find more homes for these animals in need.
Anyone who’d like to familiarise themselves with the show can do so HERE.
And anyone who would to apply can do so HERE.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award continues at the College, with many students on track towards completing their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
Paramount to the Duke of Edinburgh International Award is individual ownership and responsibility towards achieving goals in a Skill, Physical Activity and Voluntary Service. The onus will be on our gentlemen to ensure they are meeting the expectations and demands associated with completing their Award, utilising the many resources available to them through the College.
Lunchtime meetings are currently being held for all students involved with the Award. This is a great opportunity to stay on track with all logs and due diligence. Lunchtime meetings are held in N31, Thursday Week B.
Expressions of interest are now open for boys currently in Year 8. More information and details will be provided to the whole cohort in Term 4, however all boys are welcome to attend lunchtime meetings and/or be in touch via email regarding involvement in the Award.
For all enquiries please contact:
Mr Alon Horry: ahorry@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Laura McLarnon: lmclarnon@waverley.nsw.edu.au
View the Week 8 Careers Newsletter HERE.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Tuesday, 17 September – Last Day of Classes for Year 12
Wednesday, 18 September – OBU Breakfast and Year 12 Reflection Day
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Graduation Mass, 10am – 11:15am
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Graduation Assembly, Centenary Quad, 1pm – 3pm
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Valedictory Dinner, Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont 6pm – 10pm dinner
Thursday, 26 September 2024 – Term 3 classes Conclude
Friday, 27 September – Fiji & Timor-Leste September Immersions Depart Sydney
Wishing all the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures in your life a wonderful day on Sunday. I also acknowledge families who have lost fathers and grandfathers over this year, and in previous years, and we keep them in our prayers on a day that can be challenging.
Father’s Day allows us to reflect on the important role fathers and father figures play in helping to shape character through their love, guidance and devotion. Fathers and father figures contribute to their children’s social skills, including the development of bonding, empathy, self-discipline and behaviour.
Thank you to fathers, grandfathers and father figures for their presence at both the Senior School breakfast/coffee gathering and the Junior School’s Father’s Day Mass, held at Mary Immaculate today. I thank all fathers and father figures for the positive impact they can have on their children’s health and wellbeing, and include this prayer for all.
Dear God,
Thank you for all the fathers and father-figures in this world and for the many ways you use them to lovingly guide others to Your heart. I ask that you bless them and give them great joy and peace. May they see You and know You in new ways. Show them how much you love them and care about them. Guide their steps, use their hands, and make them a blessing to others as you continue to fulfil your special purpose for their lives.
Amen.
Congratulations to our College Leaders for 2025 which was announced at yesterday’s assembly;
2025 Captain, Kayden Baker and Vice Captains, Archie Godby, Lachlan Isaac and Fox Stapleton
Aungier
Brennan
Conlon
Green
Lacey
O’Connor
Quinn
Tevlin
At yesterday’s leadership assembly, students who attended the Fiji, Cambodia and Timor Leste immersions over the winter break presented to the audience a snapshot of their amazing experiences. Click here to view the Timor Leste Immersion video.
On Saturday, 24 August 2024, Waverley College hosted the spectacular Blue and Gold Ball, bringing together over 700 parents, staff, Old Boys, sponsors, and supporters of our school community. What an incredible turnout!
Drinks and canapes from our wonderful caterers at Bold Food were enjoyed under the beautiful fig in Braidwood, followed by dinner, dancing and live auctions in the gym. The gym was dressed from top to toe, and guests were amazed at the impressive lighting by trusted suppliers at Crystal Productions.
We were lucky enough to have the event captured by some very talented photographers. You can view the Blue and Gold Ball gallery HERE and the Media Wall photos HERE.
A huge thanks must go to our amazing MC, Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll and our incredible auctioneer, Emma Brown-Garrett who helped to ensure the night was a true success.
Congratulations to our live auction prize winner Leisha Major who bid to have the current parent, owner and head chef of Sugarcane Milan Strbac cook for 10 people at home. Thank you Daniella and Milan for your generous donation of this exceptional prize.
Remarkably, Clare Morahan was the recipient of not one, but both raffle items! The beautiful diamond and pearl earrings generously donated by Brett Courtenay, Chair of the Foundation AND the highly sought after 2025 tuition fees. What are the chances?!
The event would not have been so well received without the support of our major sponsors LJ Hooker, The Pop Team, Othoboutique, This is Africa, Penny’s Hotel, Bondi Gin Co, Ester Gin, and Neeson Murutt Neille Architects.
The feedback we have received has been incredibly positive—so many of you mentioned what a fantastic evening it was, how wonderful it was to connect with new parents, how impressive the gym looked, and how much you enjoyed the food and the band!
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our sponsors, contributors, and the endlessly supportive family and friends of our school community, we are thrilled to announce that the event successfully exceeded our initial target, raising a total of
This achievement will make a significant impact as we strive towards the construction of a state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Centre – a transformative space for our students’ future.
This is just the beginning of our efforts to make this project a reality for our students and we still need your continued support. Please consider donating to our Building Fund and help us keep the momentum going! All donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you once again for your support and dedication to our school’s future. Together, we are creating an extraordinary legacy for our students.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 3 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Thank you to the fathers, grandfathers and anyone who is like a father for attending our special Mass today. We were blessed with a warm day as we start our transition towards Spring. These events are so important to our students as they get a chance to spend quality time with their loved ones.
Thank you to Mr Ghattas for organising our special day and to Gene Ross for speaking about his experience of being a dad.
I wish every father or male figure a very special Father’s Day this Sunday.
A huge thank you to the Parents’ Association for organising the opportunity for our students to buy gifts for Father’s Day this year on campus. There was so much joy in the room as students were able to select a special gift for their dads or male figures in their lives.
We are excited to announce the date for our Lion King Musical which will be on 23 October. The musical itself will be performed twice on October 23, with a matinee and evening performance confirmed. Rehearsals for our production of the Lion King Jr are well underway, with the girls from St Catherine’s joining us regularly on Fridays. There will be more information on tickets available soon.
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2024 ICAS Assessments.
A special congratulations to the following students who received a credit or above in Digital Technologies and English.
Digital Technologies Year 5
Distinction
Nixon Oakes
Credit
Cooper Green
Jensen Honey
English Year 5
Credit
Spencer Murphy
Eric Rakoczy
Digital Technologies Year 6
Credit
Liam Hagley
Liam Jackson
Rufus Nicholson
Cillian Stankard
English Year 6
Distinction
Cillian Stankard
Credit
Charles Draper
Marcus Rakoczy
Thomas Taylor
My Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Once a month, as part of the Social Justice program, our Year 11 students will hit the streets to feed the homeless men and women of Sydney. This initiative is run by the St Vincent de Paul Society and gives the students an insight into the vast array of people (children, teens & adults from varying backgrounds) who are homeless and the journey that each of them are on. As this face to face experience is not suitable for our Junior School students, we are asking assistance in the form of donations We are asking 5 Orange & 6 Orange students for the following donations for the next Night Patrol on Monday 2nd September:
Fresh Fruit – Banana, Apples, Oranges (to be brought in on Monday, 2 September)
Packet noodles, Packets of chips, Poppers (to be brought in on or before Monday, 2 September)
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to our Athletics Squad who have attended a number of Athletics events over the past week. Last Friday, boys attended Riverview to compete in the BPSSA Athletics Invitational, winning Waverley 2nd place at shot put and taking home many other impressive results!
Tom Pendleton at BPSSA Athletics Invitational – 2nd place in Shot Put
The squad then attended Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre on Saturday, the following day, and won 2nd place in the Junior Relay and 3rd place in the Senior relay. Congratulations to the entire squad who did really well on the day.
The IPSHA Athletics Carnival took place this Wednesday, with our boys representing Waverley extremely well, unphased by the heat. We competed against 56 schools at the carnival. There were a total of 1589 individual competitors in a total of 2768 starts. Our Waverley boys should be very proud of themselves. A special congratulations to the boys who have been selected to represent IPSHA at CIS Athletics, and we wish them all the best.
Billy Kehoe 3rd in High Jump
Congratulations to our Year 6 Waverley boys who competed in the CIS team at the NSWPSSA Championship for Rugby Union. Taj Cooke, Harry Minards and Fergus Samba Hoare represented the College with pride at Wagga Wagga last week. They won 3 out of 3 games on the first day, made it to the semi finals on the second day, and finished the tour by winning Bronze. Amazing work – go Waves!
CIS Rugby Union – Harry Minards, Taj Cooke, Fergus Samba Hoare
We have launched our OzTag Competition this week, with a round robin of over 100 boys teamed up to play in a friendly competition during lunch times until the end of term.
We have also begun our Fitness Club after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, keeping our staff and students busy and active!
Thank you to all the staff supporting these extra-curricular experiences for the boys.
Ms Jade Sparks
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Junior School)
jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au
No Home Learning on Wednesday, 4 September
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school for the completion of home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Register your son via the link https://homelearningclub.youcanbook.me
Only register his name once to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
Students are required to stay for the full session unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave, a parent’s signature will be required.
As it is important to respect the rights of others to learn and work, all students are expected to settle to work in the Learning Hub and not cause a disturbance for others.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Mrs Natasha Zivanovic
Thursday
Mr Steve Ghattas
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
An important note to remember, if afternoon training sessions are cancelled, unfortunately, you cannot send your son to Home Learning as an alternative plan, students are registered for the afternoon sessions in advance and the capacity is always reached.
Avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Waverley v St Catherine’s
Topic: ‘All schools should be co-educational’
Last week the debaters had tough competition and a tough topic. Both Waverley teams put forward strong arguments and presented their cases clearly and firmly rebutting the St Catherine’s team’s cases. The boys did themselves and Waverley very proud. Both teams won their debate!
I would like to thank our Year 10 mentor Dante Fearn for his continued support at home debates and training sessions.
Every training session was packed with tips and activities to help the junior team develop their debating skills.
Book Week Guest Author REECE CARTER
Screenshot
As part of our Book Week celebrations, we welcomed author Reece Carter. An emerging talent in children’s literature, Reece inspired students with his passion for storytelling and creativity.
Reece shared his journey as a writer, highlighting the importance of imagination in crafting unique characters and stories. His presentation encouraged the boys to explore their creativity and consider writing as a means of expression and never to give up.
Reece’s visit was a wonderful reminder of the magic of reading and the power of storytelling in shaping young minds.
Thank you to all the Junior School students who entered one or both, Book Week competitions.
This year, I received an impressive array of over 60 entries, showcasing the writing styles of Year 5 & 6 students. Mr William Roberts Head of Library Services & Applied Philosophy had a tough job judging the writing submissions, see the winners below.
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Writing.
Reading is Magic
Jack Mann
In pages of stories, I find my escape,
To a world full of wonders my dreams take shape.
With every new chapter, my heart takes flight.
Exploring new realms in the middle of the night.
Books are my portal, my key to delight.
They change dark days and make worries take flight.
So here’s to the magic that reading can bring,
A treasure of stories where my spirit can sing.
As we close the book and turn the last page,
We’ve danced through the rhythms of each crafted stage.
Turning each page like a magical cage,
Where dragons and heroes on adventures engage,
In the land of books, where dreams come alive,
Every chapter we read makes our spirit thrive.
With every new tale, our imaginations dive,
In the magic of books, we forever survive.
A Thousand Worlds
Thomas Taylor
I open the book
Turn to a new page
In truth, to let go of this world
Is not that hard
For in front of me now
Is the wizard
A tingling sensation
Fills my veins
As I assume the young apprentice’s role
All his thoughts, and all his pains
But in the end, it comes to a close
The wizard’s magic it was a hoax
Sitting in awe
For a moment I ponder
Before I scramble off
Eager to be filled with wonder
Now I head off toward the town
Excited for my cap to become a sombrero
Or maybe a crown
Now I see the library
A sanctuary
A haven
A place of wonder
But most of all it’s a magical portal
To a thousand worlds
A Magical Place
Samuel Loughrey
What could you not love about books,
They’re always such exciting hooks,
Reading late at night,
Hiding with a light,
The wonders and magic inside,
You never know which book to decide,
The amazing places you can discover,
Just on the books cover,
A story about a bear,
That becomes friends with a hare,
Or a book about wizards,
Who befriend slimy lizards,
No matter what you pick,
You will read it just as quick,
But when you go to sleep,
You’re begging yourself for another peep,
And when you fall asleep with a book on your head,
It prepares you for the magic journeys ahead.
Woken up by an upcoming train horn,
Thinking where am I on this lush green lawn,
Starting to feel alone,
I really wanted to go home,
Looking into the distance ahead,
Made me feel like I was half dead,
Just as it started to rain,
I questioned my throbbing brain,
A big red sign read HOGWART EXPRESS!!,
My body was now covered in distress,
How did I get here,
Standing in the path of the train is now my biggest fear,
Struggling to stand up on the ground,
I heard my heart pound,
Just as the train was about to go over me,
I felt the sudden sensation of being free,
I screamed in success,
But then my body started to compress.
Surrounded by weeping souls,
I saw various torture device poles,
I was in the Underworld,
This place was clearly not a wonderworld,
With a palace coloured in bronze and black,
Reaching into my brand-new pack,
I felt a tiny sphere,
But this sphere wasn’t anywhere near what it might appear,
PERCY boomed a familiar voice,
My body froze having no choice,
I turned to look at the one and only Hades
Who reminded me of the meanest bullies,
Demanding that I give the thunderbolt back,
I stood still not knowing how to attack,
Without realising Cerberus the three-headed dog was charging straight at me,
I knew I couldn’t flee,
Smashing the pearl at my feet,
I could feel a sudden warm and nice heat,
Enclosed in a white pearl,
I ascended from the building about to hurl.
Rising above the ground I started to see an old town,
My face was now turning into a frown,
Looking around I saw circuses and magician shows going on,
Until one place stood out in the light of dawn,
VERNONS MAGIC SHOP,
This name made my thoughts stop,
Inside I picked up eight small boxes,
Each covered in several white foxes,
I tried to figure out what I was in for,
My mouth dropped all the way down to the floor,
I was in the Magic Misfits,
It’s a place not many people dare to visit,
Stepping back out of the shop,
My brain was about to pop,
Dreamily watching the Magic Misfits perform
One pulling out of his mouth a rabbit on a platform,
At that moment the Magic Misfits pointed at me,
And my body started to fill with glee,
They put me into a comfy-looking bed,
Drifting away they covered up my head.
Wondering what their trick was,
I started to hear a small little buzz,
Looking around I saw my phone,
Realising it was my own,
Nothing here was exciting magic,
Nor something overdramatic,
Instead, I was rugged up in my sheets,
Not out in the Magic Misfit streets,
Then I heard scratching on my door,
Weakly standing up on the floor,
It was my dog checking up on me,
As it was already nine O’three,
Getting out the door,
I said to myself “Magic – I wish there was some more”
Once You Know It’s Magic, It Will Always Be Magic
Rufus Nicholson
Reading
Giving knowledge
So many unread words
Diving into another world
Magic
Highly Commended
READING IS MAGIC
Atticus Boyle
Most of the world’s knowledge has been captured in text for future generations to unlock through reading
All ages have the ability to engage with the writer through text and experience the magic of their world
Giants, dragons and even the occasional wizard can take the reader to places without limits and let all of our senses run wild
I read, I dream and I can escape to other worlds through the magical stories
Can you imagine how peaceful and great the world could be if everyone had the chance to read and dream.
Reading Is For Everyone
Jack Morahan Saliba
Reading is magic, reading is fun, reading is loved by everyone.
Flip the page here, flip the page there, you’ll find this magic is everywhere.
I picked up a book and perched on a chair and felt the magic in the air.
Action, adventure, fantasy or fact I could rest here all day and read books to back.
Murder or mystery, thrillers or history, I could sit in a nook devouring a book.
Chapter books or picture books, comics galore you can always read a book whether rich or poor.
You can escape in a book where rather you would be the magic in books is for you and me.
Reading is magic reading is fun reading is loved by everyone.
Visual Arts Winners
Thank you to Mrs Jenna Turnbull Innovation Coordinator & Visual Arts Teacher & Mrs Natalie Oates Head of Visual Arts for judging the Visual Arts competition.
See the winners below.
Outstanding Creative Achievement
Henry Avenell
The judges said:
Outstanding use of pencil. The colour layering and tonal control in the portrait is sophisticated. Being able to capture the emotion and engagement in the facial expression that books bring us all is wonderful. A very well-planned and executed work.
Blake Collins
The judges said:
A Surreal composition with all elements of the drawing so well planned and considered. Outstanding use of colour and detail throughout the work.
Leo Sager
The judges said:
Great use of colour and blending in the background of the work. Creative use of the book in the foreground and all the imaginative creatures coming from literature.
Samuel Loughrey
The judges said:
Unique response to the ‘Reading is Magic’ theme. An incredible amount of skill and precision in the embossed text and pattern making. A very special book mark for any lover of reading.
Highly Commended
Cameron Rafferty
The judges said:
Clever response to the theme of ‘Reading is Magic’ and this work does have a little bit of Magic embedded.
Dexter Billington
The judges said:
Well-balanced composition of colour and imagery throughout. Dexter has considered and drawn each object well with a clear link to the theme.
Alon – 5 Red Class Item
This Term in 5 Red there has been an immense presence of strength and commitment on multiple fronts. The boys have all been toiling hard, putting their best foot forward and reaping the benefits of the strong foundations laid out from the early stages of the year.
Each learner has shown tremendous accountability towards achieving goals and entering the classroom with purpose. The boys are thriving and flourishing inside and outside of the classroom with a whole heap of positive contributions being made to our immediate and broader communities.
Continually building relationships, the start of lifelong friendships, we are very proud of all that we have accomplished so far. Join us by viewing a small snapshot of what we have been up to this Term. A video presentation put together by 5 Red’s very own Ollie Forde.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Teacher of Literacy & Innovation
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thursday, 5 September – 2025 Immersion Information Night for Parents & Students, 6pm – 8pm in the PAC
Tuesday, 10 September – Timor-Leste September Immersion – 2nd Formation Night, Library, 6pm-8pm (friendly reminder for parents to please bring a plate to share)
Wednesday, 11 September – Fiji September Immersion – 2nd Formation Night, Library, 6pm-8pm (friendly reminder for parents to please bring a plate to share)
Thursday, 12 September – HSC Drama Showcase – PAC Theatre, 5pm-7pm
Tuesday, 17 September – Last Day of Classes for Year 12
Wednesday, 18 September – OBU Breakfast and Year 12 Reflection Day
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Graduation Mass, 10 am – 11:15am
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Graduation Assembly, 1pm – 3pm in the Centenary Quad
Friday, 20 September – Year 12 Valedictory Dinner, Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont 6pm-10pm dinner
Thursday, 26 September 2024 – Term 3 classes Conclude
Friday, 27 September – Fiji & Timor Leste September Immersions Depart Sydney
Last week, our senior Spanish classes experienced an exciting and authentic cultural excursion to a local Mexican restaurant – Mami’s, providing students with a unique opportunity to practise their language skills in a real-world setting with latin american staff and each other. Students were greeted with vibrant decor, lively music, and the irresistible aromas of freshly prepared Mexican cuisine.
Throughout the afternoon, students tried a delicious array of traditional dishes, including quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and guacamole. Each student was encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and explore the variety of flavours that Mexican cuisine has to offer. For many, it was their first time tasting some of these authentic dishes, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm – some students even drank the birria broth!
Another of the highlights of the excursion was the language component—students were tasked with communicating ONLY in Spanish. From requesting water, cutlery and getting students to pass them food or sauces, they navigated the language barrier with creativity, patience, and a good dose of humour. While it was challenging at times, it was also a lot of fun! The students quickly discovered that practical, hands-on experiences like these are invaluable for building confidence and fluency.
This excursion not only allowed students to practise their Spanish in a real-world context but also immersed them in the rich food culture of Mexico. Safe to say students left the restaurant a few kilos heavier and a lot happier. We are proud of our students for embracing the experience with open minds and eager palates, and we look forward to more opportunities of Spanish learning in the real world.
Daniel Best
Head Teacher of LOTE
dbest@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Little Shop of Horrors is a deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical.
While working for a struggling florist shop in Downtown’s Skid Row under the stern management of Mr. Mushnik, the meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant which he names “Audrey II” – after his co-worker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore, promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Seymour, after some convincing, is happy to offer up Audrey’s abusive dental practitioner boyfriend Orin Scrivello in order to appease the ravenous plant’s appetite. Over time though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s intent towards global domination.
AUDITIONS: will be held at the following times [Call-backs will be in Week 9 after school, as advised].
Auditions will consist of singing, relatively brief readings from the play’s dialog and possibly learning and performing a basic dance/movement sequence to the music of Little Shop. Please plan on staying for the full initial audition date/time as you will be up and down on the stage a number of times.
Students interested in being part of the College Musical “Little Shop of Horrors” are encouraged to complete the following Audition Application Form and read the Audition Pack.
Acting Auditions ‐ will consist of readings composed of selections from the script; make yourself familiar with the relevant roles.
At initial auditions, you may be asked to read from more than one selection with various audition partners.
Some of the acting segments will be done in monologue format. We may also ask you to read for parts that you may not wish to be considered for. We want to see you up on stage as much as possible and the more interactions we see, the better!
We will, most likely, ask you to sing first and then rotate auditioners through acting auditions. Again, you will be up and down a number of times during the initial audition period.
Music Auditions ‐ ALL auditioners will be taught selections from the show. You may prepare by seeing the selections in the audition pack. Those auditioning for a lead role will also need to learn and be prepared to sing an excerpt from a song.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Performing Arts Centre Coordinator, kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
“Imagine a world where students excel not just in learning but also in life. Now, imagine you can make it a reality.” – Quinn, J., McEachen, J., Fullan, M., Gardner, M., and Drummy, M. (2019). Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement (1st ed.). Corwin.
Our ongoing collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools on Deep Learning continues to grow and evolve this term. In response to the call to equip our students with essential global competencies—character, citizenship, creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking—we are actively integrating these skills into our teaching and learning programs alongside subject-specific content.
This term, several initiatives have been instrumental in developing our students’ sense of citizenship and their understanding of how to contribute empathetically to a better world. For example, a cross-curricular collaboration between Year 9 PDHPE and Science on the topic of ‘Diseases’ and an authentic task for Year 7 Mathematics, created in partnership with the Mathematics, Literacy, and Library Key Learning Areas, links directly to the College’s recent Cambodia immersion program, encouraging students to develop a global perspective.
Next Thursday, our Year 9 Commerce students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity in the entrepreneurial challenge of Market Day. In this unit of work, students will design, promote, and operate a market stall for our community of students and teachers, fostering their entrepreneurial spirit.
We remain committed to embedding the six global competencies into meaningful learning experiences so that our students grasp their relevance in both local and global contexts.
We are running a series of workshops designed to enhance English and writing skills as Year 11 students work toward their Preliminary Examinations. All students in Year 11 Standard and Advanced English courses are expected to attend these workshops at least once.
Students must register for these workshops which will be conducted in P6 on Thursday afternoons. Registrations will be capped at 20 students per workshop.
*Students are advised to sign up using the spreadsheet which has been shared.
Many students are on a waiting list and we will accommodate them over the next two weeks.
If students sign up, it is essential that they attend. Otherwise, it is requested that they remove their names from the spreadsheet to allow other students to register.
Details of the workshops are as follows:
Effective Academic Writing
Facilitator: Ms Mary Ryan – English Teacher and Head of Literacy
Time: P6 Thursday
Venue: K23
This workshop is relevant to all subjects which require the writing of long answer responses and extended responses.
Focus will be on the following:
Waverley College celebrated Wear It Purple Day (WIPD) this week, a day dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth to promote an environment where every student feels respected and valued.
WIPD is much more than a chance to wear purple; it is a powerful gesture of solidarity. The colour purple represents pride, diversity, and the spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community. By participating, the college stood together in support of all students, including those who might have faced bullying or discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
To mark the occasion, stalls were set up at the main entrances of the college where students could pick up purple ribbons, WIPD stickers, and purple lollies as a show of their support. This led into a special WIPD assembly where our guest speaker, Daniel Whitthaus, spoke about the profound impact that off-hand comments hold, how to better support friends, and how to be an upstander.
Encouraging students to wear purple helped promote acceptance and raised awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. It was an excellent opportunity to talk about inclusivity and the importance of supporting LGBTQIA+ peers and allies, helping to build a more understanding and supportive community.
Waverley encourages our parents and carers to continue this movement through conversations with their children about WIPD and its broader message, to reinforce the college’s values of empathy and respect. These discussions may deepen your childrens’ understanding of the impact of their actions and the importance of standing against discrimination.
If your child would like support with their identity or wishes to discuss their feelings further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our School Psychologists. They are available to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child to explore and express their thoughts and experiences.
Thank you for supporting and making WIPD a meaningful and impactful event for the school community.
Junior School Psychologists
Senior School Psychologists
The Waverley College Year 12 (2024) Valedictory Dinner tickets go on sale on Friday 30 August at 6:00pm. See details below.
Date: Friday 20 September, 2024
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Venue: Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont
Dress: Students – Full College Uniform including Blazer, Parents / Carers- Evening Wear
Cost: Student / Parent / Carers tickets – $170 each (Limit 3 per family – please contact the Event Organiser if you require extra tickets for blended families). Ms Suzi Sucur (ssucur@waverley.nsw.edu.au)
RSVP: Essential. Bookings open 6:00pm Friday, 30 August and close at 10:00pm on Thursday, 12 September. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
It is with great excitement that we introduce our newest member to help support the health and wellbeing of students in the Waverley community, our second Therapy Dog, Koda! Our college psychologist, Olivia Stelling, has recently completed specialised training with Koda through Therapy Dogs Australia, to become a certified human-canine therapy team.
Koda is a two and a half year old Australian Cobberdog. She enjoys cuddles, playing with her friends (of the human AND canine variety) and will often remind you to give her a pat. Koda can be playful and is always eager to meet new people. Due to Koda’s breed, she is considered a ‘low shedding’ dog, which can support engagement with people with allergies or sensitivities. Many of you will know Waverleys original Therapy Dog, Mabel – who is a best friend of Koda!
Research continues to acknowledge the positive impact animals have on our health and wellbeing. Through the development of the human animal bond (HAB), we can experience reductions in blood pressure, increased oxytocin levels (associated with love and bonding), a reduction in cortisol levels (stress hormone) among many other beneficial physiological and emotional responses.
Through Koda’s presence within the school environment it is envisaged that she will support student engagement, assist with social skill development, aid with self-regulation and calming, among many other benefits.
Interacting with Koda is completely voluntary. A Risk Management Plan is in place, however we appreciate that some parents/carers may still have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the Waverley College environment. Accordingly, we have prepared a ‘Meeting Koda – Opt Out’ form for parents/carers who would like to exercise this choice.
We encourage you to take the time to:
Dear Parents and Carers,
Here are a few Waverley Council events that your families may be interested in.
Join researcher Dr. Paco Martinez-Baena and learn how Project Restore is changing the face of Sydney Harbour by enhancing and regenerating urban marine habitats through innovative practices. Book here
Join one of Australia’s leading coastal scientists, Professor Bruce Thom, as he uncovers the secrets of Waverley’s coast. Offered only twice a year, this walk is not to be missed. Book here.
Learn the skills you need to maintain your bike and keep you safe when cruising around or commuting to work or school. Book here.
WAYS Youth & Family are running a free Effective Parenting Seminar which will be held on 22nd October from 6:00 – 7:30pm at Waverley Library and run by Luke Cox, Adolescent & Family Psychologist and WAYS CEO and clinical psychologist Dr Terri Said.
This seminar is a great opportunity for parents and carers to get practical information and strategies for effective communication, healthy relationships, and to better understand and manage challenging adolescent behaviour.
Topics covered include:
Please find flyer attached here with booking details.
The Black Dog Institute has provided some resources to support students and to help facilitate conversations with parents and carers should they require more information.
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
In the lead up to the Preliminary exams some tutorials have been added for year 11 if they wish to attend.
Please find below the schedule for the Year 11 Tutorials in Term 3, Week 7. Topics covered during the tutorials include content revision, study skills, exam preparation and practice papers. These tutorials have proven extremely valuable and, while not compulsory, are strongly encouraged.
| DATE | SUBJECT | TIME | STAFF | ROOM |
|
Monday 2nd September, 2024
|
Biology | 7:30am – 8:30am | Brown | K2L3 |
| Business Studies | 7.30am – 8.30am | Wallington | W25 | |
|
Tuesday 3rd September, 2024
|
Mathematics Advanced | 7:30am – 8:30am | McMullan | E25 |
| Design & Technology | 7:30am – 8:30am | Spargo | C01 | |
| Wednesday 4th September, 23024 | Engineering Studies | 7:30am – 8:30am | Baylie | Library |
|
Thursday 5th September, 2024
|
Engineering Studies | 7:30am – 8:30am | Baylie | Library |
| Business Studies | 7.30am – 8.30am | Wallington | W25 | |
| PDHPE | 7:30am – 8:30am | Coleman | GHR | |
| Friday 6th September, 2024 | Spanish Beginners | 3:30pm – 5:00pm | Best | W26 |
It is important that we know attendance numbers so teachers can prepare accordingly. To that end, the expectation is that students who register for the tutorial, attend. Rolls will be taken to assist us to manage the program. The cut-off time to register for morning tutorials is 3:00pm the day prior.
Mrs Brooke Pannia has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Ms Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
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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