Krista Thomas, Author at Waverley College

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 Reports will be available next Tuesday, 25 June at 5pm in the Parent Lounge. Please take the time to go through and read the report with your son. Please have any questions regarding the Semester 1 Report ready to discuss at Parent/Teacher/Interviews.

Reminder – Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are scheduled for Thursday, 27 June. This will be a hybrid model to accommodate those who would like to come into the school or Zoom in from work or home. Each session will go for 10 minutes. Students are required to attend this session in full academic uniform.

Bookings are now available. Please select a time with your son’s teacher by logging into the Parent Lounge.

Please note that due to Mr Horry being on leave, 5 Red will have their Interviews on Monday 22 July.

Year 5 Camp – Stanwell Tops

There was an exciting energy from all of our Year 5 students leading into the camp at Stanwell Tops. For many students this was their first time going to camp. I arrived Wednesday afternoon and it was clear that all students had quickly settled into camp life, getting stuck into the wide range of activities on offer.

In spite of the chilly weather, students embraced all the adventures and activities that pushed them out of their comfort zone each day. All staff were very impressed with the students’ involvement, engagement and support for one another.

The overall experience of Year 5 Camp gave all students every opportunity to create new memories and connections, step out of their comfort zone to face challenges and conquer fears along the way. It taught our boys about resilience, compassion and genuine mateship for one another. It was an experience the boys will hopefully never forget for years to come.

I would like to acknowledge all the Waverley staff who gave up their time to be a part of the experience, and to Stanwell Tops staff who made everyday enjoyable and memorable for our students.

Year 6 History Showcase

On Wednesday 19 June, the Junior School playground came alive with stories from across the globe as the Year 6 students showcased their Digital Migration stories as part of their learnings in History. Every student had a unique story to tell, either about a close family member, a neighbour or an Australian identity who had their own story of migration. The staff and wider community were so impressed with the quality of I-Movies, costumes and the way the students knew their characters so well. What an amazing day!

Congratulations to Flynn Gilmore for winning the Year 6 Historian of the Year, an amazing achievement.

Thank you so much to all the Parents and Carers who were able to join us on this very special day.

Art Incursion

In partnership with the Senior School Art Department, Year 5 Classes have been venturing to the Senior School to work with clay and create their own pottery. This process has allowed Junior School boys to experience a subject in a Senior School setting while also expressing their creativity.

So far 5 Orange and 5 Indigo have participated in this immersive experience with other classes to come. Year 6 will also journey to the Senior School in Term 4 to partake in an art making experience.

We thank Ms Oates very much for providing this opportunity to our Junior School students.

Semester 1 Reports

Assessment

Teachers do not rely solely on one piece of assessment to assess your child. In fact teachers will consider:

Grades

At Waverley we use an A to E reporting scale and it is important to understand what each grade represents:

An A grade means that a student is performing at Stage level above their current Stage and can do so on a consistent basis.

A B grade means that a student is performing at a higher level in their Stage in most situations.

A C grade means that a student is performing at the expected level for their Stage and meeting those outcomes.

A D grade means that a student is experiencing some difficulty at times in meeting the expected outcomes for their stage.

An E grade means that a student is performing at a level below their current stage.

Interviews and growth

Teachers look forward to discussing your son’s report at our upcoming Parent/Teacher/Interviews. It will be imperative to celebrate all grades as a measure of success in relation to individual growth from the beginning of the year to now. Teachers will then be able to provide boys and families with tailored feedback that will look to see boys continue further on the trajectory of individual growth.

Junior Sport

Despite all other matches washed out, the Yellow B AFL team had a convincing win over St Pat’s last Saturday. Congratulations to the boys for getting involved in the cold and showing great sportsmanship.

We are looking forward to the final round before the holidays. Please remember there is no training in Week 9 during the last week of Term 2. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break. Training and Saturday fixtures resume Week 1 of Term 3 starting Tuesday, 23 July.

Home Learning Week 8

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 3pm until 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.

Procedures

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.

Behaviour

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.

Teachers

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

ICAS is an online academic competition designed to assess students’  higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies. 

 Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.

If you would like your son to compete in the 2024 ICAS Competitions, you will be asked to nominate which competitions you would like him to be entered in through the Parent Payment System. At the Junior School, the following ICAS competitions are offered: Writing & Digital Technologies, Science & English and Mathematics.

This year all the competitions will be held in August / September, Term 3 and will be completed online in the Learning Hub before school starts. A timetable will be shared closer to the assessment dates.

Click HERE to register your son. Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the school’s access code details to register your child no later than July 23, 2024.

Please consider carefully before choosing this enrichment opportunity for your son. It is a rigorous competition with many questions set beyond grade level. Participants are required to demonstrate a deeper, integrated and thorough level of learning. If you are unsure of your son’s suitability, please consult with his teacher. More information about the assessments can be found here.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Year 6 Public Speaking Finals

This week, we had the Year 6 Public Speaking Competition. All the boys put in an incredible amount of effort, with one stand-out student who took home the trophy! Well done to all the finalists and thank you Mr Jack Watchel, Ms Alice Curtis and James Peate for adjudicating the finals.

Congratulations to our finalists Toby Armson, Hugh Rachel, Luke Haddock, Joe Fanning, Ellis Cario, Finn Constable and our Public Speaking Champion 2024 Luke Haddock.

L-R Mr Jack Wachtel, Toby Armson, Hugh Rachel, Luke Haddock, Joe Fanning, Ellis Cario, Finn Constable, Ms Alice Curtis & James Peate.

Book Week Competitions

Term 3 is nearly upon us and in August we will be celebrating Book Week at the Junior School. The theme this year is Reading is Magic.

All students from the Junior campus are encouraged to enter one or both of the competitions running for Book Week.

Pop-up Bookshop

An essential aspect of supporting your son with his reading is to allow him to make his own book choices. The Pop-up Bookshop will be running in Term 3 Week 4. This year I would like to continue with a sustainable and cost-effective Pop-up Bookshop.

If you would like to help with this initiative you can donate pre-loved books that will be sold a very reduced amount. The amounts raised will be donated to one of the Edmund Rice foundations.

Class Item – 5 White

The past few weeks have been buzzing with activity in the 5 White classroom as our students delved into various fascinating subjects, showcasing their impressive learning and creativity.

Our English lessons have taken an exciting turn with the introduction of the captivating text FOX by Margaret Wilde. This engaging tale, rich with themes of friendship and betrayal, has sparked lively discussions and deep analysis amongst 5 White students. The students have enjoyed dissecting the story, exploring the visual and literary techniques used by the author and illustrator to captivate the audience.

In History, the excitement reached new heights as students eagerly prepared for and hosted the History Showcase last week. This event was a fantastic opportunity for the students to present their newfound knowledge about significant figures and events that contributed to the colonisation of Australia. From engaging stories to creative displays, the students’ hard work and enthusiasm were evident, making the showcase a memorable event for everyone involved.

In Science, the 5 White students have been learning how to design and build circuits using copper tape, light bulbs, and coin batteries. This hands-on project has been both educational and exciting, as students apply their knowledge to create circuits that light up their vivid artwork.

I am so proud of how these young gentlemen have been applying themselves to their schooling in Term 2!

Tartuffe

Congratulations to the talented cast of Tartuffe! Waverley students, along with students from St Clare’s College and The Ascham School, delivered a splendid and professional performance for three nights this week of this play that is also studied as a HSC text. Congratulations to the cast and crew who have dedicated countless hours in perfecting their performances.

Cast: Luke Crossen (Year 12), Matt Frost (Year 12), Lachlan Hoy (Year 11), Taj Lynn (Year 11), Oliver Bracic (Year 10), Lachy Colquhoun (Year 10), Alexander King (Year 9), Hooper Negus (Year 10).

Entertainment Crew (Year 12): Sebastian Blowers, Caelum Brook, Will Burland, Ashton Child, Dillon Due-McCoy, Matthew Garrop, Frankie Pedder, Thomas Pilger, Luke Richardson, Nate Smith, Zac Summerhayes, Henry Whitehouse.

Staff: Peter Lamb – Producer/Director and Sound Designer, Gina Cohen – Assistant Director, Assistant Producer and Backstage Supervisor, Bishoy Wasef – Production Manager and Videography, Steven Hall – Wardrobe Supervisors, Rachel Crompton – Choreography/Make-up, Peter Mussared – Set, Costume and Props Designer and Set Construction and Dress, Angus McPherson – Photographer, Keiran Kossenberg – Administration

Year 6 History Showcase

As a principal, parent and history teacher, I was most impressed with our Year 6 History showcase this week. The detailed stories, journeys and experiences of parents, grandparents and other relatives that the boys shared was very impressive and I am sure they took a lot out of this deep learning experience. Thank you for supporting your sons with their history presentations.

Year 10 Subject Selection

I look forward to seeing Year 10 and their parents at next Tuesday’s Subject Selection Evening which is an important evening designed to assist students in choosing the correct subjects and pathway for their senior years at the College.

Social Justice Week – Our Faith in Action

Our Faith In Action Week at Waverley College has been a time of celebration, reflection and opportunity for all staff and students. This week encompassed our College touchstones of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Solidarity and Justice and Inclusive Community. Each day presented aspects of social justice that we as a school can act upon as global citizens and exemplified the Year 12 motto for 2024 which is ‘stronger together, united as one’.

As part of our Faith in Action week, we welcomed special guests Robert Toia from the Rooster NRL Team, as well as Teki Tuipulotu, former Tongan International rugby player and coach. Our Pasifika students performed a traditional Haka and demonstrated the importance of diversity and inclusion at our college.

Our week of celebration was also a time for students to reflect on their own environment and included a challenge by the student-led SOTWEG group to promote the importance of respect and dignity towards each other and the space in which we share at Waverley College.

The social justice focus of this week also enabled our guest Brendan from Wheel Chair Sports to showcase his skills and challenge students in new areas of physical activity. Students from Physical Activity & Sports Studies (PASS) classes and our senior boys were invited to partake in the activity and inspire teamwork and cooperation between each other.

As part of the week of celebration, students and teachers were also asked to reflect on the journey of others and gain a greater understanding of refugee week and what it means to be a displaced person in our world today. Special guest, Ismail Ibrahim, a refugee who was born in Somalia presented his story to the College, demonstrating his resilience and strength throughout the obstacles he faced.

Our Faith in Action initiative supports the Edmund Rice ethos and aims to strengthen our resolve in living out the gospel values and enhancing our ability to live with integrity and faith to help others.

We are looking forward to welcoming our new Year 8 recruits to the Cadet Unit in Term 3.

A reminder to all parents/carers that this weekend is the Recruit Uniform Issue Weekend and 10-minute appointments are available to book for Saturday, 22 June and Sunday, 23 June at by clicking here.

Uniform items and equipment are provided on loan for the duration of your son’s involvement in the Cadet Unit and are issued from the QCS Store located behind the Grange Building on Carrington Road.

Dear Students, Parents, and Carers,

Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 2, Week 9. 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, 24 June 2024	Studies of Religion	3:15pm – 5:00pm	Cooper/ Stewart	W40
	Society and Culture	3:30pm – 4:30pm	Theodorou	W32
	Design & Tech	7:00am – 8:45am	Medcalf	T04
Tuesday, 25 June 2024	Maths Standard 2	7:30am – 8:30am	Cornish	E33
	Drama	7.30am – 8.30am	Gina Cohen	P12
	Visual Arts	3:15pm – 5:00pm	Turnbull	C13
Wednesday, 26 June 2024	Industrial Tech Multimedia	7:30am – 8:30am	Gibbs	W32A
	Maths Standard 2	7.30am – 8.30am	Cornish	E33
	Mathematics Advanced	7.30am – 8.30am	Phoebe Guirguis	E42
	Society and Culture	7:30am – 8:30am	Theodorou	W32
	Physics	3:30pm – 5:30pm	Campbell Groves	E04

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.

Ms Brooke Kent has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.

Holiday Learning Tips for Students: A Guide for Parents and Students

As we approach the holiday break, it’s important to remember that this time can be used effectively to stay on top of learning and prepare for the upcoming term. Here’s how students across different year levels can make the most of their holidays:

Year 12 Students

For our Year 12 students, this holiday is a crucial time to enact the study timetable you will create with Dr. Prue Salter during the pre-Trial session next Wednesday, 26 June in Period 1. Sticking to this timetable will help you manage your study load and ensure you’re well-prepared for your Trials. Remember that the College library is open during the holidays 8am to 4pm for Year 12 students who would like to use a dedicated study area. Please sign in at the library as you arrive and make use of your wonderful library space.

Additionally, this is the perfect opportunity to finalise any work on Major Works, Projects, and Performances. Creating a detailed plan will help you stay on track and avoid last-minute stress.

Students enrolled in the HSC plus Vocational program might consider using this time for work experience.

Year 11 Students

Year 11 students should focus on consolidating their notes from Semester 1. Reviewing feedback from assessment tasks can provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement. Use this time to set clear and achievable goals for Term 3, ensuring you start the new term with a strong sense of direction.

Years 7-10 Students

For students in Years 7 to 10, holidays are a great time to indulge in some enjoyable reading, especially if the weather encourages indoor activities. Selecting a good book can be both relaxing and intellectually stimulating.

We have a suggested reading list available here to help you choose a book that suits your interests. The school library is an excellent resource for finding new books to read. We encourage students to visit the library before the end of term and seek advice from the library staff if needed.

Additional Resources

Don’t miss the insightful article from Mr. Roberts and Ms. Ryan below, featuring our guest speaker, Mr. Charlton, a teacher from Manchester City. He shared how reading the stories of others has inspired him, and the article outlines various resources available in both print and audio formats for students.

Using the holidays effectively can make a significant difference in your academic journey. Whether it’s through structured study, work experience, note consolidation, or leisure reading, every bit of effort counts. Enjoy your holidays, stay productive, and come back ready to tackle the new term with enthusiasm and confidence!

ICAS Science and English Assessments

We are delighted to announce that ICAS will return to Waverley College this year for English and Science. We encourage you to consider entering your child for either ICAS assessment. This fantastic assessment program allows students to challenge themselves and be recognised for their academic efforts. The assessment is now fully online and sitting dates will commence in Term 3.

You now pay for ICAS individually online! To confirm your child’s participation, click here and enter our unique school code RXV933 to make a direct payment to ICAS Assessments. You can register for either the English ICAS, Science ICAS or both!

Literacy and Library Update

We thank Ben Charlton for coming to two selected reading classes in the library to talk about the role of reading in the context of sport.

“I think these are both great for generating conversation and I enjoyed them both. There are some great graduation speeches from famous actors. I love the ‘Wear Sunscreen’ graduation speech which was turned into a song (It’s an Australian graduation speech) – the words are powerful. There are also some great motivational speeches from sports movies – Al Pacino from Any given Sunday and Denzel Washington from We are the Titans,” said Mr Charlton.

Our reading session covered memorable biographies extracts and some targeted sports reading texts.

Ben particularly found reading the great runner Micheal Johnson’s biography inspiring and Ben shared this with the classes.

We look forward to working with staff throughout the College to promote reading and provide role models.

The Library is Open over School Holidays!

Just a reminder the library has an extensive e-book and audio book collection which is available anytime throughout the school holidays. All resources can be accessed via the Library CANVAS page.

The library is staffed over the school holidays so your son is welcome to come to the library to borrow a print book to read at home. We have a great range of novels for children and teens. Please see the reading list here.

28 years of the Big Issue

To support the College Social Justice Week we were lucky enough to host two guest speakers – Dave and Vernon from Big Issue – to meet with some of the students during the College’s dedicated reading program in the library.

We prepared by reading The Big Issue magazine and learning about how The Big Issue helps improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through employment opportunities, connection to community and the enhancement of self-esteem.

Literacy and PE Collaboration

We have been delighted to welcome all Year 8 PE classes to the library where we have presented students with a wide variety of text types – mainly non fiction – relating to the world of sport and wellbeing.

We relived the glory of Cathy Freeman’s victory as Mark Beretta’s No1 Australian sporting moment in his wonderful book Mark Beretta’s Greatest Moments in Australian Sport published in 2022.

The students read an article from The Sun Herald on the inclusion of breakdancing in this year’s Olympics, with focus on two Australian competitors who have dedicated their time and energy into gaining an entry.

The highlight for many students has definitely been listening to the audiobook of Arnold Schwarzenegger Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life and in particular Chapter 3 where he details the many sacrifices he made to ensure he became the best body-builder, the best action movie actor, and the best governor of California. The message: work, work, work! We have enjoyed sharing this message with the students and hope that they can transfer some of the lessons from these sporting moments and legends to their own lives.

Thank you to all the Y8 PE teachers for reading our selected texts to the students.

Weekly Careers Newsletter – Term 2 Week 8 2024

Our Waverley Community

As a Waverley community we regularly come together to show support and acknowledgment for others, whether it’s through awareness campaigns, fundraising, celebrations or recognition of service to others. These are just a few examples of how we, as a Waverley College community, can make a positive impact through working together for a better world. Thursday’s assembly was a reflection of this support and work that has been done striving toward creating a better, more just and equitable society. Embodying our Year 12s motto, the notion of being stronger together, united as one.

At Thursday’s Assembly we acknowledged and celebrated the life and legacy of Archie Perkin who would have been finishing Year 12 with us this year. Thank you to the Waverley College Community for all the support shown to the Hearts 4 Arch Foundation. We are still waiting on the total amount raised, however we already know it will make a significant impact on the lives of children with a heart condition.

This week, we were touched by three charities we support, each having a connection to our College through our students and their families.

Hearts 4 Arch

Hearts 4 Arch is in memory of Year 8 student Archie Perkin who passed away in 2020 from a pre-existing heart condition over the summer holiday period. Archie would have been graduating from Waverley College this year. All money raised will go directly to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Cardiac Unit and to the purchase of mobile ECG units known as ‘Kardia’. The aim is to provide a Kardia unit to every eligible cardiac patient at Sydney Children’s Hospitals, and at $173 each, every dollar counts. Donations can be made through the Hearts 4 Arch Foundation.

Thank you to Archie’s parents Nicola and James and his sister Mimi who joined us at this week’s assembly for Hearts 4 Arch. Nicola spoke about Archie’s passion for life and the love of his friends who have continued to stay in contact with them. Nicola also thanked the community for their support of this great cause.

Beanies for Brain Cancer

Both Digger (Year 11) and Archie (Year 9) Callander spoke poignantly and inspiringly at assembly this week about their family’s life journey. Sadly, their father Matt Callander lost his battle to brain cancer in 2017. Matt played a big part in launching the Beanie for Brain Cancer initiative in the NRL to support the Mark Hughes Foundation. The Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round will take place this week to raise much needed awareness and funds to promote research into this terrible disease and provide patient support. Please support this great cause where you can https://markhughesfoundation.com.au/

Running for Premature Babies

This year is a significant milestone for Running for Premature Babies. The City2Surf event coincides with what would have been the 18th birthday of Sophie Smith’s first-born triplet sons, Henry, Jasper and Evan. Their brother, Owen Smith (Year 10) shared his family’s story at assembly this week and spoke movingly and passionately about how we can all assist this important cause. Owen encouraged students, staff, parents, friends, and family to join the team. ‘Waverley College For Premmies’, supporting local charity Running for Premature Babies. Fundraising is optional but anyone on the team who raises $300 will be refunded their race registration fee so you can run for free and help a great cause.

Please watch this short message HERE from the charity’s founder Sophie Smith, explaining why August 2024 marks a special milestone for her family and for the charity.

Click HERE to register. When you register, choose to ‘JOIN A TEAM’ and enter the team name ‘Waverley College for Premmies’.

Student News

Congratulations to the following students who were successful in attaining Mid-Year Prefect appointments. These students were presented with their badges at this week’s College Assembly.

Year 10 Dinner cruise

Thank you to Ms Suzi Sucur (Student Wellbeing Administrator) for organising the Year 10 Dinner Cruise and the Wellbeing Team for supervising the event. The evening presented the opportunity to host a friend to a formal dinner and enjoy the beautiful vistas of Sydney harbour with VIVID as a backdrop. Over 400 students had a great evening and night out with their peers and friends and I congratulate them for their positive energy and behaviour.

School Production 2024 – Tartuffe Tickets now on sale

Our fabulous production of Tartuffe is gearing up for our opening on Tuesday 18 June at 7pm. Come and see this great comedy updated to a 1980s Sydney setting. Featuring a talented cast from Waverley, St Clares and Ascham. Don’t miss out—get your tickets early to enjoy this fantastic production!

Over the past six months, the cast and crew team have dedicated tremendous effort and countless hours to perfecting their performance.

Cast: Luke Crossen (Year 12), Matt Frost (Year 12), Lachlan Hoy (Year 11), Taj Lynn (Year 11), Oliver Bracic (Year 10), Lachy Colquhoun (Year 10), Alexander King (Year 9), Hooper Negus (Year 10).

Entertainment Crew Year 12: Sebastian Blowers, Caelum Brook, Will Burland, Ashton Child, Dillon Due-McCoy, Matthew Garrop, Frankie Pedder, Thomas Pilger, Luke Richardson, Nate Smith, Zac Summerhayes, Henry Whitehouse.

Applications for 2025 Student Leadership Positions

Year 11 students who are interested in applying for a Student Leadership position in 2025 must submit their application by 9am on Friday, 21 June 2024.

Each student wishing to be considered for a Captain or Prefect position needs to put together an application in the form of a Covering Letter and Curriculum Vitae and submit by the due date via the link which has been emailed to the students.

The Cover Letter must be in PDF format and students are asked to respond to each of the Edmund Rice Touchstones which will be used to create their Curriculum Vitae.

Parent Webinar about Teens and Screens

Our College is participating in the Black Dog Institute’s Future Proofing Study – the largest and most comprehensive investigation of adolescent mental health in Australia. When our current Year 12 students were in Year 8, families and students could choose to opt into the study or not.

Researchers from the Black Dog Institute now visit our College every year to facilitate these enrolled students completing an anonymous online survey about all aspects of their mental health and wellbeing. This information is then analysed with the data from the other thousands of participants, and the analysis is provided to key decision makers to shape policy and service provision.

In 2023, the researchers asked participants about their screen use and linked this input with participants’ mental health input. The research team then prepared a webinar for parents/carers documenting their findings about teens, screens and mental health. This webinar also includes options for how parents/carers can support their children navigate the digital world positively and safely.

Please click here to watch this accessible and informative webinar on YouTube.

The researchers have also created a PDF of the webinar slides and content you can view here.

Free Phone App for Teens Going Through Tough Times

‘ClearlyMe’, a free CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) phone app has been launched by the Black Dog Institute, specifically designed to help teens (aged 12-17) going through tough times. Please find more information here.

Head Waves – Mental Health Support for Old Boys

In our ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of our alumni community, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Mental Health Program – Head Waves.

In recognition of life’s challenges, we have partnered with Access Services to develop a comprehensive Members Assistance Program (MAP) designed to address the mental health needs of all Waverley alumni. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, and we believe that fostering a community that supports each other emotionally is essential.

The Head Waves mental health program is run by Access Services, and as one of our members you can access these services by calling 1800 818 728. The professional team at Access will arrange for you to speak with an experienced professional counsellor or psychologist, either face-to-face or over the phone.

They will provide a range of resources and support services tailored to the specific needs of each individual who engages with the program. Whether you are navigating the challenges of career transitions, facing personal hardships, or simply seeking a supportive network, this program is here to assist you.

We believe that by fostering a culture of support, we can contribute to the well-being and success of our Old Boy community. Your mental health is a priority, and we encourage you to take advantage of the resources and services offered through Head Waves.

To learn more about Head Waves and how to access our Members Assistance Program call Access Services 1800 818 728.

Smokeless Tobacco Products

The evolving nicotine landscape requires parents and caregivers to stay informed to protect young people from these emerging threats. Snus and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among young people as smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. Both products are discreetly placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine absorption through the gums.

Health authorities are urging proactive measures to curb this growing trend and calling on regulators to implement controls before these products become as widespread as vapes. The high nicotine levels in these products pose serious health risks, including nicotine addiction, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and even nicotine poisoning. Researchers highlight the detrimental effects of nicotine on developing brains, linking its use to depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and an increased risk of addiction to other drugs.

The marketing of snus and nicotine pouches targets young audiences through social media influencers, raising concerns about their increasing popularity among school students. And like vapes, they come in various flavours and strengths, with unregulated nicotine levels leading to inconsistent and misleading labelling. It is clear that SLT products contain not only nicotine, but also other chemicals with unknown long-term effects.

This Special Report will help you become aware of the potential risks of smokeless tobacco products and guide you in age-appropriate discussions with your child.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Bookings are now available. Please select a time with your son’s teacher by logging into the Parent Lounge.

Please note that due to Mr Horry being on leave, 5 Red will have their Interviews on Monday 22 July.

If you have any issues attending during this time please contact your son’s teacher.

Code Camp

We are looking to partner with Code Camp again in Term 3 to offer a weekly STEM program after school. This program allows children to hone their creative skills and keep practicing through weekly sessions over the term! Their fun and engaging content ensures students learn new creative skills in a safe, educational environment.

Coding: A coding program to include weekly challenges, functions, algorithms, branching, variables, game logic, user experience and math. An 8-week program with a new project each week, and the fun doesn’t have to stop after class! Your child will be provided with their very own Code Camp World account which they can use to continue creating at home and to share their projects with family and friends.

Minecraft Engineers: Minecraft Engineers is our latest exciting blend of coding, engineering, and creativity using everyone’s favourite game. This new 8-week program is designed to pique students’ curiosity and provide a foundation in engineering and programming using a game that we know students absolutely love — Minecraft! In the first term of Minecraft Engineers, students will learn to build a rollercoaster throughout the term by learning and applying basic engineering concepts and command-based programming in an age-appropriate way.

This will be on a Monday from 3:15 pm – 4:30pm. If you are interested could you please click here

Year 5 History Showcase

On Wednesday, we hosted an educational History Showcase, where our talented students took us on an immersive journey through various historical events during the time of colonisation in Australia. The showcase was a vibrant display of dioramas, artworks, costumes, and props, each innovatively crafted to bring history to life.

Students worked diligently to recreate historical scenes with incredible detail. Adding to the experience, students donned historical costumes and created props that added authenticity to their presentations. Students were acknowledged with the following awards for Best Costume, Best Inquirer, Most Creative, Most outstanding and Year 5 Historian of the Year! It was an amazing way to celebrate the Year 5 students and their learning.

Congratulations to Fletcher Mott for winning the Year 5 Historian of the Year, an amazing achievement.

Thank you so much to all the Parents and Carers who joined us on this very special day.

Year 5 Retreat Day

Today our Year 5 students were involved in their first retreat day on their journey at Waverley College. The day began with the students attending the morning Mass at Mary Immaculate Church allowing them to reflect on their own lives and bring them closer to God. The rest of the day focused on themes of friendship, leadership, inclusiveness and being an upstanding citizen.

All activities were led by our Year 11 students including making House Wristbands and defining qualities that make good leaders and good friends. The students also had the chance to listen to some Old Boys talking about leadership qualities and opportunities beyond their schooling years.

To conclude the Retreat Day, they participated in some House team-building games including Tunnel Ball and Kick Tennis, allowing for some friendly competition and a whole lot of enjoyment.

Junior Sport Fixtures, Training Schedules and Maps

Co-curricular Sport

Despite wet and muddy conditions at CIS Cross Country, Jagger Michael (Year 5) placed 35th last week. He was a trooper in the rain and was happy with his result in the conditions. Well done Jagger!

Congratulations to Charlie Draper (Year 6) and Marley Fuller (Year 5), who represented Sydney Comets at the National Junior Classic at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne over the long weekend, placing 12th in the Country for the U12 Boys. We are so proud of them both!

Manchester City July Holiday Clinics Now Open To All!

Manchester City coaching clinics will give girls and boys in Year 5-8 the opportunity to develop their skills and learn ‘beautiful football’ in the playing style of Manchester City, utilising the football club’s coaching and playing methodology.

Players of all abilities will be challenged to develop in a safe, fun and authentic environment that reflects how Manchester City train and develop football players. They will learn how to master the ball, play with style, dominate the game and achieve their goals.

Waverley College is one of only two schools in NSW and one of five in the entire country to offer this exceptional program.

Who: Boys & girls in Years 5 and 6 from any school
Date: Monday, 1 – Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Time: 9am – 3pm
Venue: Waverley College
Max Players: 16
Cost: $450pp

Home Learning Week 8

Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during school term, unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.

Procedures

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.

Behaviour

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.

Teachers

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

ICAS is an online academic competition designed to assess students’  higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies. 

Click here to register your son. Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the school’s access code details to register your child no later than July 23, 2024.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Drawing Club and Waverley Youth Art Prize

It gives me great pleasure to announce that 3 drawing club artists who entered the Waverley Youth Art Prize successfully won prizes last week. The students’ brief was to respond to the theme ‘Mysteries of the Deep.’ The judges – artists Jacqie Meng and Cameron Stead – picked the following artworks created by our budding artists: Junior 3rd Place Alexander Banhidi & August Bergland, Colour Is Everything and Junior Highly commended Oliver Starkenburg, The Sunken Spaceship.

6 Red Class Item

It has been a busy term in the 6 Red classroom. As Term 2 draws to a close, the boys have been hard at work completing their Summative Assessment Tasks. A highlight in the History calendar is the Year 6 History Showcase. Piecing together their knowledge of Australian history and migration, the students are in the process of making a video presentation telling the stories of their chosen migrants (parents, grandparents, neighbours or friends).

In Science, we have been learning about Sustainability relating to popular foods being produced in Australia. Students have been investigating how we can sustainably produce foods more efficiently to provide for the citizens within our country.

A few weeks ago, the 6 Red boys were fortunate to have a visit from the Writer’s Toolbox team. The Writer’s Toolbox program is an engaging and informative tool aiming to improve students’ writing. Nicky supported our class by teaching students the ‘em dash’ sentence starter. Boys were able to successfully come up with their own em dash sentences, immersing themselves in the WT program.

Congratulations Jack George!

Congratulations to Jack George in Year 12 who represented Waverley College at the VET Training Awards as a regional finalist, and won the category of ‘VET Student of the Year.’ He will represent Waverley College at state level in July.

For Jack, the opportunity to complete a Cert II in Construction Pathways while undertaking his HSC was an important step in his career trajectory.

“I have found my strength to be in practical classes. I particularly enjoyed the creative and hands-on approach that technology provided, as well as being influenced by my family as they undertook a trade pathway after leaving school. This exposure to practical learning encouraged my decision to choose the VET pathway in Construction as a HSC course.”

From assisting with home renovations to gaining white card training and work placement experiences, Jack has been proactive in his pursuit of knowledge and skills in construction. Through these experiences and the completion of a major term-based assignment, he has honed his problem-solving abilities and communication skills; all essential attributes for success in the construction field.

On June 10, 2024, the College hosted an information evening attended by parents and students to explore career opportunities in various trades and learn from old boys who have become successful tradesmen running their own businesses. The event aimed to provide insights into different trades, inspiring students to consider these professions as viable and rewarding career paths. The evening featured six guest speakers, each of whom shared their unique journeys from graduation to becoming successful tradesmen and business owners.

Charles Stapley (Class of 2009) – Airconditioning – East Coast Air & Electrical

Importance of Passion: Each speaker emphasised pursuing a career they are passionate about, which drives long-term satisfaction and success.

Value of Hands-on Experience: The speakers encouraged students to seize opportunities to gain practical experience in various trades. It’s okay to be uncertain about what you want to do.

Continuous Learning: The speakers stressed the need for ongoing education and skill development.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The potential to start and run a successful business in the trades was a recurring theme.

Stay off the phone: All the speakers emphasised that apprentices and work experience students need to refrain from using their phones at the job site.

Get your Manual Driver’s licence: there are still a lot of manual utes and trucks involved across all trades with fewer and fewer manual car drivers. Get an edge and get your manual driver’s licence.

The careers information night was highly successful, offering valuable insights and inspiration to our students. The stories of our old boys demonstrated that with dedication, hard work, and the right mindset, success in various trades is achievable. The event fostered a sense of possibility and encouraged students to explore different trades.

Good Luck James Peate!

On Saturday 22 June, James Peate will take part in the state final of a public speaking competition.

If he wins this round, he will be representing NSW in Tasmania, so it is a huge achievement.

The competition is being held at Sydney Grammar School from 1:30pm-5:30pm if anyone would like to attend and support.

Students Of The World Ecology Group

In a world where the impacts of climate change and social injustice are increasingly felt, the call for ecological leaders has never been more urgent. The College has been integrating sustainability into our curriculum, practices and policies for a few years now. At the forefront of this movement are our Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) who dedicate themselves to inspire change as well as pave the way for a more sustainable future for our school and our wider community.

This week in our assembly, we recognised the passion new members have given to the group, and congratulated the students who have maintained their dedication and tenacity over the years. After all, sustainability is not just up to one person. Together, we can create a world where sustainability is not just a goal, but a way of life.

Update to the Senior Library Magazine Area

The Senior Library has recently updated its Collection of Print and Digital Magazines. An updated layout with new display stands have been installed to facilitate easy access.

The library currently has 30 print subscriptions including the likes of Fishing Monthly, Australian Mountain Biking, Rolling Stone Magazine, New Scientist, and World Soccer.

In addition, there are also back issues of most of these Magazines from 2021 onwards in storage tubs on top of the Magazine Shelving Unit. These publications are in use as part of the College’s broad reading and literacy library program for Years 7 to 9.

Digital magazine subscriptions are available via the Zinio Platform, and there are plans to build on this with the rollout of a world-leading e-platform for schools known as SORA.

The Library CANVAS page also provides student access to to both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph.

Fixtures, Training Schedules, Maps and Venues

Full Round of CAS Fixtures This Weekend

This coming weekend we have our first full round of CAS fixtures against St Aloysius away. This is also a timely reminder of the CAS Codes of Conduct for players, parents and spectators. Respect for officials, the opposition and all involved in providing a positive experience for schoolboy sport is essential.

We have had some excellent results in CSDA Debating with a number of team now in the finals rounds from next week.

Despite no school sport last weekend, we have had many students represent the College at high levels. We also a number of students representing their clubs at the State Age Rugby championships.

Congratulations to all of these students and their clubs, especially those Waverley students playing for Randwick in U16 and U18 teams that won their age divisions.

The Randwick U13 side also finished a very respectable 3rd and was full of Waverley students playing.

We also had a number of students selected for high levels of representative sport over the past week. Congratulations to the following students:

We also have a number of students and families that will be attending the NSW Schools Snow sports events in the upcoming holidays and a huge thank you again to Ms Paula McCabe for all of her hard work in organising this event for our students.

Special mention to Mr Michael Renford and his son Aidan in Year 9 who placed 2nd over the weekend in the 10km South Head Rough Water swim as Team Waverley College. Hopefully next year we can get a few more to enter!

Changes to Rugby Skills Sessions – Years 7-12

We are pleased to announce that our skill sessions will now be tailored towards our game managing positions. Moving forward these sessions will now be specific training for our scrumhalves, flyhalfs, centres and fullbacks. The session will focus on developing passing, kicking and playmaking skills.

Kicking Club

Waverley College are pleased to announce that Mr Eddie Paea from The Kicking Academy will deliver kicking skills sessions for all age groups. Players who would benefit from these sessions include any player who wants to improve their in game kicking and goal kicking skills.

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	8am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	8:00 am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8:00 am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8:00 am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45 am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8:00 am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics

Weekly Careers Newsletter – Term 2 Week 9 2024

Diary Dates

Semester 1 Reports

Reminder – Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Year 5 Camp – Stanwell Tops

Year 6 History Showcase

Art Incursion

Semester 1 Reports

Assessment

Grades

Interviews and growth

Junior Sport

Home Learning Week 8

Procedures

Behaviour

Teachers

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Year 6 Public Speaking Finals

Book Week Competitions

Pop-up Bookshop

Class Item – 5 White

Tartuffe

Year 6 History Showcase

Year 10 Subject Selection

Social Justice Week – Our Faith in Action

Holiday Learning Tips for Students: A Guide for Parents and Students

Year 12 Students

Year 11 Students

Years 7-10 Students

Additional Resources

ICAS Science and English Assessments

Literacy and Library Update

The Library is Open over School Holidays!

28 years of the Big Issue

Literacy and PE Collaboration

Weekly Careers Newsletter – Term 2 Week 8 2024

Our Waverley Community

Hearts 4 Arch

Beanies for Brain Cancer

Running for Premature Babies

Student News

Year 10 Dinner cruise

School Production 2024 – Tartuffe Tickets now on sale

Applications for 2025 Student Leadership Positions

Parent Webinar about Teens and Screens

Free Phone App for Teens Going Through Tough Times

Head Waves – Mental Health Support for Old Boys

Smokeless Tobacco Products

Diary Dates

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Code Camp

Year 5 History Showcase

Year 5 Retreat Day