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St Catherine’s Taking Action to Promote Sustainability (TAPS) and Waverley’s Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) Lead the Charge Against Ocean Waste

On Wednesday, Years 7 and 9 students from both schools took the lead in educating the next generation about one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: littering and the impact to our marine life. Through a hands-on sustainability workshop, they helped Year 5 students understand the impact of litter (and plastics) on marine ecosystems and empowered them with the knowledge to make a difference.

The workshop began with a presentation on ocean waste, where the senior students shared eye-opening facts: millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, harming marine life and disrupting ecosystems. They also highlighted how everyday actions, like improperly disposing of trash, can contribute to this global issue.

To make the session both educational and fun, the seniors designed an engaging activity for the Year 5 students by getting them to glue waste commonly found in the ocean into the shape of a fish. The key message was, “rubbish should be in bins and not in fish”!

 

The workshop ended with a discussion about how small steps can lead to big changes. The Year 5 students made personal pledges, such as bringing their artwork home to educate their families, putting their rubbish in the right bins, and even reducing the consumption of single-use plastics.

year 5 SOTWEG kids

Congratulations to our seniors for their leadership and to the Year 5 students for their enthusiasm and commitment to protecting our oceans!

SOTWEG Makes a Difference: Assembling Birthing Kits for Mothers in Need

On Thursday, SOTWEG members came together for a meaningful activity that combined teamwork, compassion, and global awareness. Students assembled 400 birthing kits destined for pregnant women in underserved areas who lack access to hospitals and essential medical care.

What Are Birthing Kits?

Birthing kits are simple, yet life-saving packages designed to provide sterile and basic supplies for safe childbirth. Each kit includes items like soap, gloves, a plastic sheet, sterile cords, and gauze. These kits play a crucial role in preventing infections and complications for mothers and newborns in areas where access to medical facilities is limited or nonexistent.

The Assembly Process

The activity began with a brief session on maternal health challenges faced by women in developing regions. This gave students an understanding of the impact their efforts would have. Then, they rolled up their sleeves, put on sterilised gloves and got to work in assembly lines, carefully packing each item into sealed kits to ensure cleanliness and functionality.

Teamwork in Action

The energy in the room was inspiring as students worked side by side, each contributing to the assembly of over 400 kits. “It’s amazing to think that something as small as this kit could make such a big difference,” said one student. “It’s a reminder of how privileged we are and how small actions can create a global impact.”

Global Reach, Local Impact

The assembled kits will be sent to communities in need through a partner organisation specialising in maternal health. For students, this activity was not just about packing supplies but about fostering empathy and understanding. It also tied into their learning about global health inequities and the importance of service, addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3.

birthing kids poster

Reflections on the Experience

Many students expressed pride in being part of such a meaningful initiative. “It feels good to know that our effort could help save lives,” one student shared. Others said the experience deepened their appreciation for the importance of access to healthcare.

Looking Ahead

This event is part of our College’s ongoing commitment to service and global citizenship. By engaging in activities like this, students learn the value of giving back and the power of collective action.

A huge thank you to Luca Cornelius, one of our Year 12 SOTWEG members who initiated this activity. Together, we are making the world a safer place for mothers and their babies!

Life as a university engineering student

This past week has seen me delve into life as a university student and further. I have been able to attend graduate-level lectures given by leading researchers on electric machines and drives, learning fascinating content around how our technologies work.

These theories we consolidated through our experiments allowing a hands-on learning experience working with large synchronous motors to prove the hypotheses I learnt.

I was also shown a recent innovation currently in testing by the power engineers at University of Sydney and I was allowed to design and run my own experiments to prove the usefulness of this technology.

Not only have I been able to learn from the wisdom of world-class professors but I have connected with ambitious like-minded students from all over Sydney with whom I have shared this experience.

This insightful week capped off with a tour around the snowy hydro office in the city, which taught us about the workings of this amazing technology and its effectiveness in providing renewable energy to Australians.

In all, this internship has allowed me to experience what it is like to work in the field of electrical engineering and all it provides to advance our society. It has solidified my fervent interest in the field and allowed me to get industry experience, propelling my knowledge into the forefront of engineering.

– Samuel Altree-Williams (Year 10) 

Ms Silvia Baylie

Engineering and Science Educator

Ecology Coordinator

Term 4

2025 Term Dates

TERM 1

TERM 2

TERM 3

TERM 4

Our last full round of summer activities last year saw some good performances and a strong finish to the year.

The 1st XI Cricket chased down a big total in an impressive win with Tom Rudolph scoring a fantastic 103 and was well supported by young Henry Walker who scored 85.

These two had an outstanding opening partnership that set up a famous victory. Our 1sts Basketball started slow but then clicked into gear to also score a big win.

Our Year 12 supporters and ‘Wave Crew’ were also outstanding in their support around the grounds last weekend and the music, chanting and singing displayed great spirit.

This coming weekend we still have some 2 day cricket and a CAS Diving competition on Friday evening.

Following a terrific 2024 Lunar New Year Dragon Boating event in February, Waverley students were back on the water last weekend.

The East Juniors team, including students from St Clare’s College, took second place in the Junior 200m Final with an impressive time of 0.55.46.

I want to thank the entire College community for their efforts in the co-curricular program over 2024 and wish everyone a happy and Holy Christmas.

View the Week 7 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

We’re excited to announce that on Tuesday, 3 December, we’re hosting a Gratitude Lunch to show our appreciation for the amazing work of the Waverley staff. We know many families would love to contribute, so we’re inviting you to drop off food items to help create a special feast for them.

What’s Needed:

When & Where:

Items can be dropped off at Reception between 8am – 9am on Tuesday 3rd December.

Please sign up on the Google Sheet to specify what you can contribute, so we can ensure a good variety. If you’re bringing a platter, please use a single-use plate to avoid needing it returned.

Thank you for helping us create a memorable and delicious celebration for the staff. Your generosity makes all the difference!

 

Kind regards,

The Parent Community

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Expressions of interest are being sought for a 2025 educational tour to World Expo Japan focusing on Technology and HSIE subjects including STEM, Design & Technology, Commerce, Business Studies and Geography.

The proposed tour dates are: 25 September 2025 (Thursday night, Week 10, Term 3) to Sunday 5 October (Middle weekend of Holidays)

The estimated cost of the tour is $5,950, and it includes airfare, accommodation, insurance, departure taxes, all meals and activities, entry to world expo, a full-time tour liaison officer, and a tour uniform.

The only additional monies that need to be considered, is for each individual’s personal spending. This could be used for the purchasing of gifts and/or individual leisure activities apart from those included with the tour.

As part of the selection process and the College’s Tour Policy, teaching staff, Heads of House, CLT and the College’s Finance Department will be consulted and asked to provide feedback and information on each candidate in terms of wellbeing record, academic performance, and school fee status. This information will be used to determine the final touring group.

Please be aware that this tour is only for students in Year 8, 9 and 10 (2024), which will be Years 9, 10 & 11 in 2025.

An expression of interest also does not guarantee selection for the tour.

When the tour party is finalised, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 will need to be paid (Date TBC).

To register your ‘Expression of Interest’, please complete and submit this form no later than Friday of Week 7, Term 4.

If you would like further details, please contact Adam Wallington Head of HSIE or James Spargo Head of Technologies.

Click here to see the proposed itinerary

 

Kind regards,

Mr A. Wallington & Mr J. Spargo

awallington2@waverley.nsw.edu.au

jspargo@waverley.nsw.edu.au

EREA Charter Launch – 11am – 12.30pm

Today we hosted 55 Edmund Rice Schools from across Australia for the national launch of the updated Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

Over the last year, students, staff, parents, and community members across all EREA schools have had the opportunity to provide feedback and comment on the new Charter. The Touchstones remain with slightly different emphasis and language use throughout the Charter. 

HSC Music Showcase, Encore Nomination

Congratulations to Year 12 student James Birbas for his nomination for possible inclusion in Encore for Musicology in Music 1. His Musicology Viva Voce explored how musical cultures have influenced Flamenco Music. ENCORE presents a selection of outstanding major works by HSC Music students in NSW including performance, composition and musicology. 

Waverley College Christmas Concert

On Thursday evening, I had the privilege of attending our Music Department’s Christmas Concert in the Chapel, joined by an audience of approximately 200 parents and community members.

It was a true celebration of the incredible talent nurtured within our Music program, which continues to go from strength to strength.

The concert featured outstanding performances from a diverse group of gifted young musicians from both Waverley College and St Clare’s College. Highlights of the evening included the College Choir, Chamber Choir, Cliff Goodchild Concert Band, Jazz Bands, Brass Ensemble, Year 8 and Year 10 Rock Bands, Guitar Ensemble, and a range of impressive soloists.

The quality of the performances was remarkable, making for a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable evening.

4 Aria Awards!

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of Old Boy Otis Pavlovic (Class of 2018) and his band, Royel Otis, at last night’s 2024 ARIA Awards. The band took home an impressive four awards: 

Best Group

Best Rock Album

Engineer – Best Engineered Release (Chris Collins for Pratts & Pain by Royel Otis) 

Producer – Best Produced Release (Chris Collins for Pratts & Pain by Royel Otis).

In addition to these wins, Royel Otis earned nominations in four other major categories:
Album of the Year, Best Independent Release, Song of the Year, and Best Australian Live Act.

Congratulations to Otis and the band on these outstanding accomplishments. We are so proud of your success!

Step Out Speak Out Walk

This morning, our Year 12 students participated in the Randwick Council Step Out Speak Out Walk, an event dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and encouraging everyone to take a stand against it.

This annual initiative is organised by the NSW Police Eastern Beaches Local Area Command and Randwick City Council, with valuable support from the SES and The Juniors. 

We are proud of our students for their involvement in this important cause and their commitment to promoting a safer, more respectful community.

Success in a range of Reading and Writing Competitions

Congratulations to the following students who we celebrated in our assembly this week for their achievements in reading and writing in a range of external and internal competitions:

Winners of The Beast Writing Competition:

Xavier Wright in Year 8

Alexander Avdalis in Year 9

Premier’s Reading Challenge Medal Award  

Rory Muldowney in Year 9

Lionel Bowen Young Writers Award – Winner of Junior Short Story 

Gabriel Wright in Year 7

Lionel Bowen Young Writers Award – Highly Commended in the Senior Poetry

Samuel Altree-Williams in Year 10

Junior School ‘Everybody has a Book’ Art Competition:

Sam Loughrey in Year 5

Dylan Murphy in Year 5

Thomas Taylor in Year 6

Waverley College Community Book Club

Our Book Club on Wednesday 20 November marked a significant milestone for our School’s Literacy and Library teams as we proudly staged our inaugural Literary Evening/ Book Club. The evening was conceived with a single purpose: to bring the Waverley College community together to ignite a fervent love for reading. To achieve this goal, we curated a programme that welcomed special guest Paul MacDonald who shared his invaluable insights into the world of books and the profound connection between passionate reading and skilled writing. 

We were also delighted to invite our Extension 2 English (2024) students Asher Thomasyu and Robbie Muir to present on the role reading has played in their academic and personal development.

Thank you to the parents, students, and staff who came along to share our love of reading in a lively discussion of the book ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’.

The choice for our next Book Club is ‘Scar Town’ by Tristan Bancks. 

Suggested Reads from our Book Club attendees:

Fern Brady – Strong Female Character

Maggie Farrell  – A marriage Portrait

Chris Hammer  – Treasure and Dirt

Kate Grenville –  Secret River

Tim Winton –  Cloudstreet

Min Jin Lee – Pachinko

Guest Readers in the Library – School Leaders and Y12 Students

Mr Roberts and I were delighted to have ‘Guest Readers’ take time out of their hectic schedules to support the Reading Program with our classes in Years 7 and 8 and promote our motto “Everybody has a Book”.

Research from the IBSC (on the importance of school libraries and the role of the teacher librarian in building a positive reading culture) highlights the positive impact of having leaders in the school promote reading, creating connections through reading. 

Thank you to Mr Leddie, Mr Horrocks, Mrs Smith, Mr O’Donnell, Ms Walsh, Mr Roff, Mr Drew Morris, Mrs Porter , Mr Couani, Mrs Barrie, Mrs Foster and Mr Phillips for reading to the boys. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are hopefully inspired to pick up a book and read over the holidays. 

By providing strong reading role model — Y12 students Cooper Stewart and Archie Godby —we can help reshape perceptions and demonstrate that reading is not just a valuable skill but also a source of enjoyment and personal growth. 

Enthusiastic role models normalise the act of reading, showing boys that it can expand their horizons, spark curiosity, and challenge their perspectives. While sports often take precedence in boys’ priorities, offering diverse alternatives like engaging books can create a paradigm shift, encouraging them to see reading as a rewarding and accessible pursuit.

Some of the texts read included The Rabbits, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, Azaria, a range from author Matthew Reilly,  Banjo Patterson poetry, Holes, Good Omens, By the River and Scar Town. 

The importance of Reading over the Holidays

The well-earned Christmas break provides a chance to step away from the demands of daily school life. It presents a perfect opportunity for students to put down their devices and pick up a great book.

Research consistently highlights the incredible benefits of reading for children and teenagers, both academically and emotionally. Studies reveal that dedicating just 20 minutes a day to reading can lead to significant gains. Reading helps expand vocabulary, strengthen critical thinking skills, and improve comprehension. Beyond academics, it builds confidence, fosters a sense of achievement, and lays the groundwork for future success.

Reading also promotes mental well-being by offering a calming escape from daily pressures and encouraging relaxation. Immersing oneself in a compelling narrative can ease anxiety, improve focus, and strengthen resilience. Additionally, it fuels creativity and imaginative thinking, essential for problem-solving and innovation.

Non-fiction works should not be overlooked, particularly for boys. Inspirational stories from favourite athletes or successful entrepreneurs can be just as impactful. Research suggests that with the right books tailored to their interests—whether sports, science fiction, adventure, or history— so-called reluctant readers can become enthusiastic ones. Encouraging them to explore books that resonate with their passions can transform their reading journey.

Please see the recommendations from Mr Roberts on some great non-fiction reads. 

Our recommendations aim to inspire, engage, and spark curiosity. We’ve also included suggestions for staff and parents to enjoy.

Together, let’s commit to encouraging just 20 minutes a day immersed in a wonderful book.

Here is our 2024 recommended list again.

A list of Easy Reads for Boys:

Holes by Louis Sacher

Ghost (Track series) by Jason Reynolds

JT: The Making Of A Total Legend by Johnathan Thurston (and James Phelps)
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

The Little Wave by Pip Harry

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

Arkanae (Medoran Chronicles series) by Lynette Noni

Everything Is Changed by Nova Weetman

Illuminae (series) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Warcross by Marie Lu

Gone series by Michael Grant

Bro by Helen Chebatte

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Secret Runners Of New York by Mathew Reilly

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

The Road To Winter (series) by Mark Smith

Paper Towns by John Green

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Deep Water by Sarah Epstein

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Here are some ones to consider sharing as a family.

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/david-stratton-australia-at-the-movies-9781761472091

https://unsw.press/books/swimming-sydney/

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Richard-Scolyer-with-Garry-Maddox-Brainstorm-9781761471490

https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761561825/

https://booksfromaustralia.com/book/is-my-phone-reading-my-mind/

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/a-really-short-history-of-words-9780241666173

https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/white-noise-1/

https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/book/9781406397390/

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Dave-Goulson,-illustrated-by-Emily-Carter-Insectarium-9781800782563

https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Fire-Up/Nedd-Brockmann/9781761427398

Note the College’s ebooks, audio books, e magazines are all available as well over the summer holidays.  All can be accessed via the College’s CANVAS LIbrary page which all students have been invited to.

Here is a video I showed at a recent school assembly.  Discuss it with your sons.

https://www.youtubeeducation.com/watch?v=UAHSlbssEPc

Reading definitely is a sport for ALL seasons.

Wishing you all a happy and refreshing summer.

Happy Reading!

The Library Team

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 4 events, please refer to the College calendar. 

Kids Giving Back 

I would like to congratulate Ryder Darragh for his outstanding contribution to the charity Kids Giving Back last school holidays and for putting his Faith in Action. 

He helped make more than 7,500 meals and care packs (including hot meals, salads, fruit kebabs, breakfast boxes, lunch boxes, snack cups, and care packs with empathetic messages) which was distributed to 21 charities around Sydney.

If you are interested in your son participating next holidays please see attached – December 2024/January 2025  School holiday programs | Kids Giving Back Bookings are now open! 

HAMPERS OF HOPE – Christmas Charity 

We are very proud to be a supporting contributor to HAMPERS OF HOPE 2024. HAMPERS OF HOPE, based in Addison Rd, Marrickville, is a charity program in its fifth consecutive year of providing help to those less fortunate.

We ask if families could please make a difference this Christmas season by donating a block of chocolate (eg 180 g Cadbury’s,

Whittakers, etc) or a box of chocolates (eg Cadbury Rose’s, Lindt, etc) to donate to the

hampers. Canned goods are also appreciated.

The collection of donations will occur from Monday 4 November – Friday 25 November.

Please place your donations in the collection box with the HAMPERS OF HOPE sign, located

in reception. 

Approximately 2000 hampers will be filled the week of 9 DECEMBER 2024 (from 8:30am –12noon) at Addison Road, Marrickville and will be distributed to a wide-reaching number of recipients including refugees, orphanages, domestic violence centres and flood/fire victims.

Your individual contribution really makes a difference to those in need and will certainly create a very festive hamper. Thank you for your generous support.

 

Ms Gaby Bransby

Director of the Junior School

gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au

 


Year 6 Graduation & BBQ

A reminder that the Year 6 Graduation is on Wednesday 27 November, beginning at 11:00am, followed by a BBQ at Queens Park to which everyone is invited.

2025 House Captains & Vice-Captains

A reminder that any Year 5 students who wish to nominate themselves for House Captains need to speak with their House Mentors.

This Monday, 25 November is the last chance they have to nominate as they will be delivering the speeches on Tuesday 26 November during our Wellbeing time.

Students will need to present a speech to their House before voting takes place. They can use the scaffold below to assist in planning.

Prepare a 2 minute speech addressing the following:

  1. Introduce yourself
  2. Why you want to be House or Vice Captain
  3. What you will do as Captain 
  4. How you will show the Junior School Core Values of Respect, Compassion & Resilience

Night Patrol Donations

The Junior School are supporting the Year 11 Social Justice program, Night Patrol, which supports St Vincent de Paul’s charity to help feed the homeless men, women and children of Sydney.

We are asking students in 5 Red, 5 White, 6 Red and 6 White for the following donations for the final Night Patrol on Monday, 25 November.

Fresh Fruit – Bananas & Oranges (to be brought in on Monday, 25 November)

Packets of Chips, Instant Boodles, Cans of Tuna, Muesli bars – Chewy & Nut Free (any time before Monday, 25 November)

Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Mr Steve Ghattas

Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation

sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au

 


CIS Cricket

Congratulations to Hayden Greenberg, Harvey Rumble and Finn Gadd who attended the CIS Cricket trials on Monday.

95 students from all over the state were put through a full day of rigorous trials at The King Schools.

The boys were outstanding in brutally hot weather testing their batting, bowling and fielding skills through nets sessions and centre wicket games.

Our three boys had a fantastic day and did themselves and Waverley College extremely proud. Well done boys!

Fixtures Link

Around the Grounds

Patrick Spencer (6 Gold) received a Gold medal running for Easts in the state Under 12 boys 4x100m relay on Sunday 9 November.

They set a new state record with 51.23 seconds, breaking the record standing from 2002. Congratulations to Patrick on this incredible achievement! 

 

Ms Jade Sparks

Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Junior School)

jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au

 


LAST WEEK OF HOME LEARNING Monday-Wednesday ONLY 

We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school to complete 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.   

Procedures

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.

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 disturb others.

Teachers

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

sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au

An important note to remember is that 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.

Learning Hub

As the school year comes to an end, I would like to acknowledge all the students who actively participated in the various activities offered by the Learning Hub.

The Learning Hub is dedicated to inspiring, engaging, and empowering students through critical thinking and creative activities.

It provides a space for students to retreat, explore, and collaborate with peers, whether before school, during Learning Hub sessions, or at lunchtime.

All of these activities and more will be available again in 2025.

Final Lunchtime Talk

Dante Fearn, a Year 10 student, shared his insights from his immersion experience in Timor-Leste, serving as an inspiring conclusion to our Lunchtime Talks for 2024.

His reflections highlighted the invaluable lessons he learned during his time there.

Dante emphasised the privilege of engaging with the Timorese community, where he witnessed resilience and joy despite challenging circumstances. He spoke about the importance of gratitude, recognising how much we often take for granted in our daily lives.

Dante’s raw and honest account resonated deeply, reminding our Junior School boys of the power of connection and understanding across cultures.

His experience demonstrates the impact of Waverley’s immersion programmes, which encourage young minds to embrace empathy, communal spirit, and a larger worldview.

Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring our students to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

Ms Natasha Zivanovic

Teacher of Literacy & Innovation

nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au

International Men’s Day Assembly

On Thursday 21 November, we celebrated International Men’s Day with a special assembly with guest speaker Jay Stevens. Jay did a keynote presentation followed by a Q&A session with Mr Jeremy Roff.

Jay Stevens is a remarkable example of resilience, determination, and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit.

In 2003 as a Year 12 student, Jay’s athletic talent was already clear when he won a silver medal in the 800m at the Australian Junior Championships.

His promising future as an athlete seemed certain, however in 2018 Jay’s life took a dramatic turn when he was involved in a devastating helicopter crash. Jay suffered extensive injuries that left him instantly paralysed, facing the shocking prognosis that he would never walk again.

What followed was an extraordinary journey that defied all expectations. Refusing to accept the limitations placed on him, Jay not only rebuilt his life but transformed himself into a trailblazing, ultra-endurance athlete and an inspiring public speaker.

In December 2023 – six years after his accident – Jay made history by becoming the first paraplegic to walk to Mt. Everest Base Camp, a feat that required exceptional determination and courage.

In October this year he set yet another record, completing a 50km ultramarathon — the first paraplegic in the world to do so.

Jay’s journey is one of profound courage, adaptability, and unwavering willpower. He brings these qualities to every accomplishment, inspiring others to face their own challenges with resilience and the belief that the impossible is always within reach. 

jay stevens

20 Years of Coaching 

At College Assembly, we also congratulated and recognised the wonderful 20 years of Coaching the College’s 1st XV of Mr Paul Cornish. We have been fortunate enough to see some truly exceptional people make a real difference in our school community and we believe Mr Cornish is someone who exemplifies this.

There’s no doubt his tireless efforts have shaped thousands of young players, and contributed significantly to building a culture of excellence within the rugby program and beyond. Mr Cornish has also shown an unwavering commitment to the importance of academic excellence as a mathematics teacher. He has set an exceptional standard by balancing a full teaching load alongside his rugby responsibilities, which is a testament to his energy, passion, and dedication to his students’ growth – both on and off the field.

However, most importantly, Mr Cornish is a gentle man. He is kind, compassionate and treats all those who cross his path with respect and dignity, even when dealing with the most challenging situations. He is a man we admire, and is a wonderful example of who our young men could aspire to be.

We are deeply grateful for the profound difference Mr Cornish has made over this period, and I’m honoured to share a short film that celebrates his remarkable influence and legacy, told by those closest to him here at the College

Watch the video here.

SchoolTV: Confidence and Motivation

Building confidence and motivation in young people is essential for their overall wellbeing and is a key aspect of their development. These qualities can have a lasting impact on their success and happiness. Confidence helps children believe in their abilities and face challenges with a positive attitude, while motivation drives their desire to learn, explore, and achieve their goals.

Fostering these traits involves creating an environment that encourages children to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. Confidence is built when children feel capable and valued, while motivation is fuelled by the belief that their efforts will lead to growth and success. By actively supporting both, we can help young people thrive in the academic, social, and personal areas of their life.

By offering positive reinforcement, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating their efforts, we can model a positive mindset that can go a long way in helping young people develop both confidence and motivation. Nurturing these qualities, will help them grow into self-assured individuals who believe in their ability to succeed, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, discover how to provide opportunities for autonomy and support your child in persevering through challenges.

Here’s the latest edition of SchoolTV.

Donations Required

As we move towards Christmas, we are reminded to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves.

St Canice’s is a Jesuit parish in Elizabeth Bay, just behind Kings Cross, and their outreach centre works to provide weekly health, legal and employment clinics, daily showers with access to toiletries and personal care items and brand new clothing, along with daily meals and a coffee shop to those experiencing homelessness and social exclusion.

These services are entirely funded by donations from generous parishioners, local residents, businesses, schools and the Waverley College community. 

They are currently seeking donations of hamper items for Christmas, including:

If you are able and willing to, these donations would be greatly appreciated. All donations can be dropped to the Senior School reception. We will be making regular deliveries to St Canice throughout Term 4.

Once again, your kindness and generosity is very much appreciated.

Book Club

Last Thursday, we had a fantastic launch of our Community Book Club. It was wonderful to see so many students, parents, carers, staff and community members coming together to celebrate the joy of reading.  

We welcomed our special guest, Mr Paul MacDonald, President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, who spoke to our attendees about upcoming trends in reading and what the research says about the positive benefits of reading. 

Some of his key points were about the positive impact that reading has on life expectancy, with studies suggesting that reading can add two to five years to a person’s life span, the interconnectedness of good writing and reading habits, and the benefits of reading on a person’s ability to make better connections with others.

book club

We are so grateful to Mrs Mary Ryan, Literacy Coordinator, Mr William Roberts, Head of Library, and Ms Tamara Bliznjakovic, Library Technician, for their tireless efforts in making this initiative possible. 

Also, we thank our students, parents, carers and staff who came along to engage in meaningful conversations about reading and our chosen book Before the Coffee gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

Mr Paul MacDonald spoke about some of the books that are currently trending for young people and we have included some ideas below for some holiday reading:

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 (2025) Tutorials in Term 4, 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, 25 November 2024
Spanish 3:30pm – 5:00pm Best W25
Visual Arts 3:30pm – 5:00pm Falk C11
Studies of Religion II 3:15pm – 5:15pm Stewart E40’s
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Industrial Technology – Timber 7:30am – 8:30am Barr C01
Maths Standard 3:30pm – 5:00pm Mountfort E26
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Physics 3:30pm – 4:30pm Ayre E13
Ancient History 3:30pm – 5:00pm Diamadis K14
Thursday, 28 November 2024 PDHPE 7:30am – 8:30am Coleman GHR
Friday, 29 November 2024 Hospitality 7:00am – 8:00am McCarthy T04

 

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.

 

Mr Patrick Darvill

Acting Director of Curriculum

pdarvill@waverley.nsw.edu.au