Krista Thomas, Author at Waverley College

As parents, we are constantly striving to support the development, well-being, and happiness of our children. One crucial way to do this is by fostering a sense of safety and connection. This isn’t always easy as there are so many external factors involved, but what is in our control as parents is to develop agreed-upon parental boundaries.

A child’s sense of safety comes from feeling part of a unit where boundaries are clear, consistent, and understood. Connection, on the other hand, comes when a child feels seen, heard, understood, and valued by their caregivers. When caregivers work together to establish collaborative boundaries, they create an environment where children feel secure and supported, making it easier for them to thrive emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

However, setting these boundaries is not always easy. In many families, each caregiver brings their own values, concerns, and emotional responses to parenting, which can lead to conflicting approaches. On top of that, each child has their own temperament, needs, and ways of navigating the world. These combinations can make it very challenging to find a unified approach.

Parents Agree on Boundaries

What to Do:
Parents need to have an open conversation with each other about their individual priorities and values regarding boundaries. It can be helpful for each caregiver to identify what are the most important boundaries for them in order of importance (e.g., cleaning, homework, socializing, sport, gaming—possibly just start with four). Then, work together to find common ground. Remember, having agreed-upon boundaries—even if imperfect—is more beneficial to the child than inconsistent rules. It may be helpful to seek support during this process to navigate this.

Example:
If you have different views on how much cleaning and responsibility your child should have, start by identifying what is important to both of you (e.g., being responsible or having balanced downtime) and identify non-negotiables (e.g., cleaning after dinner). What can then be negotiated is how often and how much.

Involve the child/teen in the Conversation

What to Do:
Children often have valuable insights into why they struggle with certain boundaries (e.g., they don’t understand the rule, feel overwhelmed, or face emotional challenges). Including the child early in the process fosters collaboration and helps them feel heard. Understanding the child’s perspective is key to finding a solution that works for everyone. Acknowledging and validating their feelings and thoughts regarding the topic is the first step in the conversation.

Examples:
For Cleaning:

“How do you feel about cleaning your room once a week? Would it help if we made a list of tasks and broke them down into smaller steps?”
“What would make it easier for you to stay on top of cleaning?”
“What gets in the way of doing it?”

For Gaming:

Be curious about the why: is it excitement, social connection, stress relief, or something else?
“What do you enjoy most about playing games?”
“What makes gaming more fun than other activities?”
“Are there certain games that you really like to play? What is it about those games that you enjoy?”
“How do you feel after playing a game for a while? Happy, tired, excited?”

Together, find a balanced solution that respects everyone’s needs.

For Bedtime:
Your child might share that they have trouble winding down or want to stay up late as it’s important for them to connect with friends online. By listening to their reasons, you can work together to find a solution.

Set realistic and Collaborative Boundaries and Consequences

What to Do:
Rather than imposing a boundary unilaterally, collaborate with your child to co-create rules. This helps ensure the boundary is fair, reasonable, and likely to be respected. The goal is not punishment but learning and growth. It also supports the child feeling heard and valued.

Key Principles:

Empathy: Consequences should be seen as opportunities for growth, not punishments.
Natural or Logical Consequences: Let natural outcomes happen when possible, as these often provide the most meaningful lessons.
Consistency: Consistent follow-through helps children understand that their actions lead to predictable outcomes.
Problem-Solving: Involve the child in finding solutions. This builds critical thinking skills and empowers them to make better choices.
Reflection and Learning: After applying a consequence, have a discussion with your child about what happened, why the consequence was applied, and what they can do differently next time.

Example:
If the issue is gaming, collaborate with your child on:

What’s reasonable (e.g., 1 hour on weekdays, 2 hours on weekends)?
When it’s okay to play (e.g., after homework or chores)?
What happens if the boundary is not respected (e.g., a brief loss of gaming time the next day)?

As Dr. Greene of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model says, “We need to be flexible about how we achieve the boundaries, but firm about the boundary itself.” Flexibility in how you reach the boundary is important because children’s needs, developmental stages, and circumstances can change. However, the boundary itself should remain clear and firm. His core philosophy is that children want to do well, but sometimes they face challenges that prevent them from meeting expectations. By collaboratively setting and respecting boundaries, you can help your children develop the skills they need to thrive.

The Coming of Advent

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord.

We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical season – it concludes a long period of Ordinary Time and leads us into the new church year with hope and patience in preparation for Christmas.

Celebrating the Waverley Walk and Community Generosity

On Wednesday, 27 November, we gathered to honour those who purchased a paver on the Waverley Walk and to celebrate a significant milestone in the school’s history—the official inauguration of the Waverley Walk with a Paver Unveiling Ceremony. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together to support this project and to witness the strength of the Waverley College community in shaping the school’s ongoing development.

Two of our Foundation Directors, Mr Andrew Maloney and Mr Michael Jaeger, shared how their education at Waverley College profoundly influenced their futures. They also spoke about the importance of giving back to ensure future generations can benefit from the same opportunities.

We owe a special thanks to Old Boy and current parent Mr Ed Mott and his team from Starr Landscaping Group for completing this project at cost, which significantly boosted our net donations for the initiative.

While the response so far has been fantastic—77 pavers sold—there are still 43 pavers available for anyone wishing to leave their legacy behind the historic Carrington Road gates. To secure your place on the Waverley Walk, visit our dedicated website here. Proceeds from paver sales go directly to our building fund to support the construction of the Science & Innovation Centre, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Foundation Appreciation Event: A Night to Celebrate Generosity

That same evening, we hosted our first Foundation Appreciation Event to personally thank everyone whose support has driven the success of our fundraising efforts this year. The night was a celebration of community spirit, marked by drinks, delicious food, and live acoustic music.

With apologies on behalf of our Foundation Patron, Sir Peter Cosgrove, who was unable to attend as he is currently recovering from surgery. We wish Sir Peter a smooth and speedy recovery and thank him for his ongoing dedication to the College.

Our Foundation Chair, Dr. Brett Courtenay OAM, addressed attendees, reflecting on the profound impact Waverley College had on his life and the critical role community support plays in providing exceptional learning facilities. Brett and I also highlighted the growing importance of STEM education, noting research indicating that at least 75% of future jobs will be in these fields.

Although this year’s achievements have been remarkable, we are still far from hitting our financial target to make the Science & Innovation Centre a reality. To date, we have raised $2.1 million toward our goal of $5 million—the amount required for final approval and to alleviate the financial pressures of this ambitious project. For this reason, we are reaching out to our entire Waverley College community to ask for support in any capacity.

Whether you contributed through a financial donation, purchased a paver, participated in our regular giving campaign, left a bequest, or volunteered your time, your generosity has already made an incredible difference. Thank you for being part of our journey—we’re inspired by what the Waverley College community can achieve together in 2025.

World Expo 2025 Osaka

World Expo is one of the oldest and largest international events, held every five years since 1851, it is a global platform for achievement, innovation, collaboration, and cooperation.

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) For more information please see the article in this week’s newsletter.

Methanol – Information for Parents

Tragically, two Australian teenagers have died in Laos as a result of methanol poisoning. As many students head overseas for Schoolies celebrations, it is important for parents to educate their children on the risks, particularly in third world countries. This article explains what Methanol poisoning is, and how travellers can avoid it.

Presentation Day -Tuesday 3 December

We are looking forward to celebrating our successes in 2024 as a College community at our Presentation Day events on Tuesday 3 December, 2024.

It is compulsory for all students from Years 5-12 to attend the Presentation Day Ceremony for their respective Year Group. All students are to wear their full academic summer uniform. Students should arrive 15 minutes before the event begins to have their attendance recorded and be seated.

After the Years 5-8 Presentation Day ceremony, students in Years 7-8 will be dismissed from the Senior School at the conclusion of the event at 10:30am. Junior school students will be dismissed from the Senior School with parental permission, otherwise they will return to the Junior School for supervision for the remainder of the day.

After the Years 9-12 Presentation Day Ceremony, students in Years 9-12 will be dismissed from the Senior School at the conclusion of the event at 1:30pm.

The Presentation Day events will be live streamed, see links below. The links will be shared via the Waverley App on the morning of Presentation Day.

The Presentation Day will be a wonderful celebration to conclude the school year.

Uniform and Appearance

It has been fantastic to see the majority of students have followed the rules and expectations in regards to uniform and appearance throughout 2025. I hope the boys enjoy the summer where they will have the opportunity to express themselves through their appearance.

As the boys return to school in the new year, we will be holding them accountable to ensure they are adhering to the high expectations we set for them.

This includes appropriate hairstyles and correct school shoes. Your son will be sent home at the commencement of 2025 if he has not met the below requirements.

Haircuts

The Principal or Deputy Principal of the College (at their discretion) may make an exception for a student from complying with the haircut policy. Such grounds for exception may be due to the student’s health, religious beliefs, cultural grounds or gender identity.

Parents/ caregivers of the student who are seeking an exception, are required to make an application in writing to the College Principal or Deputy Principal.

Students who fail to meet the above standards, may be subject to a range of disciplinary consequences, including but not limited to being removed from class or being sent home, to return to the College once the breach has been addressed.

Shoes

Standard black leather lace-up shoes are the only acceptable footwear, except during sport. No suede or branded shoes ie: vans, nike, new balance, asics etc. Shoes must be of a leather type that can be polished to a shine. Shoes with coloured stitching or other embellishments such as buckles are not acceptable. Boots of any type are not permissible.

Diary Dates

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

Presentation Day Years 5 – 8 – Tuesday 5 December – Reminder

Only the parents of students who are receiving an award have been invited to this event. These parents will be notified in a separate email.

Students who have permission can leave straight after, otherwise, they will return to the Junior School until 3 pm. Please give permission through the Parent Lounge.

Semester Two Reports

Semester Two reports are now available in Parent Lounge. Please take the time with your son to reflect on the achievements and areas of growth. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to your son’s classroom teacher.

Year 6 Graduation

It was such a special day on Wednesday as we acknowledged and celebrated the end of a chapter for our Year 6 students. I am so proud of how far the students have come since they entered the Waverley community nearly 2 years ago.

We have prepared them for the next step in their educational journey and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.

HAMPERS OF HOPE – Christmas Charity

Thank you so much to all the families that have contributed to this wonderful charity. The Hampers of Hope Box will be collected on Monday 2 December at lunchtime.

There is one last chance Monday morning to donate 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.

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.

Farewells

As the year comes to an end we say our goodbyes to Maragraet Fitzgerald who has worked at the College as a Learning Support teacher for 10 years. We wish her all the happiness as she moves into retirement.

We also say goodbye to Mr Matthew Johnston who has worked at the Junior School for the last 4 years, we wish him all the best as he moves to Redlands for a P-6 PDHPE role.

As you know, I am also leaving the Junior School this year. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for the support you have shown to me personally over the last couple of years and for some families it has been many years.

To say I am privileged and grateful for the opportunity to lead the JS community is an understatement. I have had the most rewarding and fulfilling experience being part of this community over the last 14 years.

The Waverley College community is unlike anything else. It is special and unique and each person has contributed to its greatness. I feel so honoured to be part of something so extraordinary.

The love and appreciation I have for Waverley College will live deep in my heart forever.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” As I embark on my dream and next chapter in life, I want you all to know my heart is full of all that Waverley has gifted me.

Year 6 Excursion to Raging Waters

The Year 6 Excursion to Raging Waters was a huge success with all the boys enjoying their end of year celebration. Despite some drizzle the boys entered the park with plenty of excitement and energy as they took to the various attractions the park had to offer.

Everyone had plenty of fun as they raced around the park venturing down the many different waterslides, lazed around in the dinosaur lagoon or swimming in the wave pool. Their behaviour throughout the day was exceptional and I am sure they will hold onto some extraordinary memories.

Sport

Congratulations to all the Junior School players on completing their 2024 Summer season with Waverley pride.

After 12 rounds of sport across terms 1 and 4, myself and the coaching staff have witnessed so much growth and development from each individual, not only in skill but in character.

We wish the Year 6 students all the best in their high school sporting endeavours, and look forward to welcoming our Year 5 players back next year in either their same sport or a new choice.

Information regarding 2025 Sport trials will be sent out in Week 1 of next year. Thank you for completing the Junior School Sport Preferences form, which will be closed on Tuesday 26 November.

The Basketball F team all signed Mr Stanton’s ‘Thank you & Farewell’ gift in recognition of his years of countless Saturdays hosting their home basketball games and as the last team playing the last game of the season before his retirement from full-time teaching.

6As Match Report by Charlie Draper

It was a beautiful morning as Waverley took on St. Pat’s in a match filled with skill, teamwork, and excitement. St. Pat’s won the toss and elected to bat, but our bowling and fielding were exceptional. Flynn’s incredible spell of 3/0 off 2 overs, supported by Noah and Zach’s sharp bowling and fielding, restricted St. Pats to just 96 runs, with 9 balls remaining in their innings.

Our batting lineup rose to the challenge. Sam and Tom set the tone, both retiring with scores of 15 and 13, respectively.

Jack dazzled with a quick-fire 27 off 20 balls before retiring, while Charlie H added a composed 13. In a nail-biting finish, Charlie D and Archie took us home.

With 15 runs needed, Archie hit a boundary and a single, leaving 6 runs required from the last two overs. Then, in a moment to remember, Charlie D struck a massive six to win the game with 9 balls to spare!

Waverley’s junior team chased down the target without losing a single wicket— a perfect finish for the 6A’s in their last match for the JS . Congratulations to the team for an outstanding performance and for demonstrating fantastic sportsmanship throughout the year.

Around the Grounds

Our mighty Water Polo B team finished the season on a high with a definitive win over Shore, 8 points to 2. Go Waves!

Thank you to all the families for supporting our sport program, ensuring your sons get the best opportunities for healthy competition, skill acquisition, character development and fitness building.

5 White – Ms Tara O’Sullivan

This semester has been a wonderful learning journey for the students of 5 White.

It has been filled with engaging activities such as the Lion King Musical, Super Suburbs in Geography, Extreme Weather Building in Science, SOWTEG Sustainability workshop, and so many more that have enhanced the students’ learning experiences.

Lion King Musical

“I enjoyed the musical because we got to do it with our friends. We got to choose which animal we were. We had lots of fun and would do it again. The performance was fantastic and the leads all did a great job. The musical was a huge success and I hope we do one next year”

“I found making my super suburb fun because I could make a whole suburb up to me, no limitations, I could change where my schools or hospitals were, and I found that interesting. Firstly in Cruiser Central, I have ensured that my suburb contains a hospital, This is to ensure that everybody is safe and healthy. Secondly, it is important for the suburb to have a sporting facility. This allows citizens to exercise which will also keep them healthy and fit.”

“I loved and enjoyed this activity because I got to make a 3D visual model of what was imagined in my head. Doing fun activities like this is better than doing bookwork because I can use my creativity and imagination to turn a few bricks into work. I also liked this activity because I can work collaboratively with my peers to do group projects like this extreme weather building design.”

SOWTEG Sustainability Workshop

“In the workshop, we answered some questions like if your family recycles, if you like fish, are the oceans clean and more and you either answered yes, no or maybe. It was fun making an arts and crafts project with a print of a fish and adding little pieces of plastic. We also learnt that there were 5.25 trillion tonnes of rubbish in the ocean. “

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.

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.

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 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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

Term 4

2025 Term Dates

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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:

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:

Premier’s Reading Challenge Medal Award

Lionel Bowen Young Writers Award – Winner of Junior Short Story

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

Junior School ‘Everybody has a Book’ Art Competition:

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’.

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.

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.

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.