A huge congratulations to Dexter Francis, Patrick Palmer and Rory Palmer on their qualifications for the National Snow Sports Championships later this term. A huge thank you to the parents and especially Ms Paula McCabe for all of her work with the Waverley teams. We wish these boys well in their wonderful representation of the College and hope the weather allows for these events to run successfully.
Our Track and Field squad continue to develop and work towards the CAS Championships on Thursday September 19. The CAS Athletics Championships are a compulsory supporters event for Years 7 and 12 who will depart at 1pm and return by 9pm. We will once again offer buses back to Maroubra Junction or Hurstville train station and any students that wish to return on these buses must sign up in the Wellbeing Centre. All other buses will return to Waverley College. Parents are welcome to attend the Championships but must pre-purchase tickets via THIS LINK.
Specific information about the day can be found HERE.
Our Summer pre-season has also commenced for a number of teams and activities. Please note that Year groups are labelled by their 2025 cohort (eg: Year 7 are now Year 8 and Year 10 are opens). We also will have internal summer trials for most activities on Saturday September 21.
Best wishes to our athletes this weekend at their invitational carnival at ES Marks.
Bivouac is fast approaching, and our Senior Rank are looking forward to taking our recruits on their first Cadet adventure next week.
On Friday, 6 September, cadets are asked to come to school in their DPCU Field Dress, complete with field hat, and their Trek backpack labelled and packed with all their cadet gear. There will be designated areas in Airmount (near library) to store the trek bags in Company locations until recess.
Cadets will form up in bus lines on the Centenary Quad directly after recess.
Important notice: The QCS store will be CLOSED on Wednesday, 4 September as we will be packing the truck and vehicles with the supplies required for 400 people in the field.
Last Monday, myself and 11 other students from Years 10 to 11 attended an eye-opening discussion and table talk presented by the Jesuit Refugee Service at St Vincent’s College, along with 4 other Sydney Schools.
The afternoon was filled with eye-opening stories and speeches from refugees and representatives of the JRS.
The experience unveiled new perspectives to all of us, giving us the chance to understand the recurring troubles faced by refugees and empathise with them. The afternoon also provided us with a wonderful opportunity to network with other students from schools across Sydney and discuss how we can collaboratively improve life for refugees in Australia.
Two refugees with lived experience spoke and shared their stories of deprivation, alienation and forced displacement. Our newfound education on the harsh conditions faced by refugees has certainly changed our perception, and reinforced our gratitude for everyday human rights and privileges we take for granted.
Adam Curran, Year 10
Students commencing at Waverley College in Year 7 2025 will be participating in the Academic Assessment Services (Allwell) Test. This test will run on Monday, 16 September 2024.
As part of enrolment to Waverley College, Senior School, all Year 7 students (2025) will sit the Allwell Test: an academic placement test designed to identify the full range of abilities of students.
Waverley College will use this information in a variety of ways to improve the delivery of curriculum within the College and to identify the diverse needs of students. The results will also be utilised for ability grouping of students in Mathematics and to inform the composition of base classes. Our base classes include an enrichment stream, that groups students who are identified through Allwell as gifted and/or high potential learners, into classes that are designed to offer appropriate levels of extension.
Students are assessed in a series of tasks:
Abstract Reasoning and Problem Solving
Mathematics
Reading Comprehension
Written Expression
Spelling
After the testing day you will be provided with a written report, summarising your son’s results. These results will be returned to the College a few weeks after the testing date.
How to prepare for the test?
There is no course material to study prior to the day. It is a measurement, identical to NAPLAN, to give the College a picture of how your son has progressed during Year 6. It is vitally important on the day for your son to try his best, read the instructions carefully and use every minute to maximum effect.
Information about the Testing Day
Date: Monday, 16 September 2024
Time Schedule:
8:50 am – Start Session 1
10:45 am – Recess Break (supervision by school staff)
11:05 am – Start Session 2
12:30 pm – Finish
Following the testing students will be escorted back to the Junior School and continue their normal classes.
Venue: Students meet at Senior School Reception from 8.30am
131 Birrell Street, Waverley
Cost: $55.00 – this will be charged to your Term 1 2025, school fee account.
What happens if my son is absent from the College that day?
There will be another day allocated to enable students to complete the test if they are away. This test will be held on Thursday, 17th October 2024.
On the Day:
Academic Assessment Services will supply all the required examination material
Student must bring two pens – blue or black
Bring food and drink for the recess break. Lunch orders through FlexiSchools available as per usual
Use the toilet before the first session
Arrive in PE school uniform
If your son is not continuing into Year 7 at Waverley College in 2025 or have any questions regarding the testing, please contact:
Ms Lara Ozdirik
Executive Assistant to the Director of Curriculum
Email address: Lozdirik@waverley.nsw.edu.au
PERFORMANCE DATES: May 13, 14, 15 and 16 – 2025
Little Shop of Horrors is a deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical.
While working for a struggling florist shop in Downtown’s Skid Row under the stern management of Mr. Mushnik, the meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant which he names “Audrey II” – after his co-worker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore, promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Seymour, after some convincing, is happy to offer up Audrey’s abusive dental practitioner boyfriend Orin Scrivello in order to appease the ravenous plant’s appetite. Over time though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s intent towards global domination.
AUDITIONS: will be held at the following times [Call-backs will be in Week 9 after school, as advised].
Auditions will consist of singing, relatively brief readings from the play’s dialog and possibly learning and performing a basic dance/movement sequence to the music of Little Shop. Please plan on staying for the full initial audition date/time as you will be up and down on the stage a number of times.
Students interested in being part of the College Musical “Little Shop of Horrors” are encouraged to complete the following Audition Application Form and read the Audition Pack.
Acting Auditions ‐ will consist of readings composed of selections from the script; make yourself familiar with the relevant roles.
Music Auditions ‐ ALL auditioners will be taught selections from the show. You may prepare by seeing the selections in the audition pack. Those auditioning for a lead role will also need to learn and be prepared to sing an excerpt from a song.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Ms Keiran Kossenberg.
In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one. It was a simple promise that Legacy keeps today; providing the same stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.
Today, Legacy supports 40,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving our country.
On Friday 30 August 2024, members of the Cadet Unit will be selling Legacy badges prior to school at various locations in Waverley and Bondi Junction. Badges and bears will also be available in the staffroom.
The Legacy badge is a special emblem symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, companion and fairness. Legacy badges may be little but the funds they raise make a BIG impact in the lives of our veterans’ families.
We thank you for supporting this great cause.
A reminder to all families to complete the administration requirements for Bivouac by Friday 23 August.
Please ensure your son checks his equipment and attends the Q store on Wednesday 28 August for any last minute equipment or uniform issues. Please note – the Q store will NOT be open on Wednesday 4 September as we are packing the trucks and vehicles with the stores required for 400 people in the field.
Bivouac 2023
As Year 12 students approach the final stretch of the school year, it’s time to kick into 5th gear and focus on making these last five weeks count. This week, we welcomed Year 12 back to classes following the HSC Trial Examinations and Work Experience opportunities. Whether completing Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications or preparing for the Higher School Certificate (HSC), these upcoming weeks are crucial.
For those in HSC plus Vocational courses, it’s essential to finalise all competencies and assessment tasks. Your teachers need to sign off on your work and submit a mark for your HSC. This is not just a formality—it’s a key step in ensuring you complete your course successfully and attain your HSC credential.
We recommend that our students begin working on resumes and draft cover letters. English Studies teachers will be more than happy to assist with this. Many of you will soon be moving into apprenticeships or work experience opportunities. Now is the time to showcase your skills by being proactive, reliable, and hardworking. Remember, word of mouth in your chosen industry is powerful, and the impression you leave now could influence future opportunities.
Starting this Friday, teachers will begin returning your Trial exam papers. Use the feedback wisely to improve. Remember, the feedback in examiners’ reports and any comments on scripts are really valuable, and respecting the work your teachers have put into them is important. Also, don’t forget to check out the Dr Prue Salter resources outline below which offer excellent advice on using feedback and planning your study timetable.
In the final week of this Term, after graduation, teachers will run HSC tutorials during scheduled class periods. These sessions are crucial, especially for subjects like the Sciences, where content is still being finalised. We know that our students will want to make the most of these opportunities.
With the competition of rankings behind us, it’s more important than ever to support each other. Adding to the shared Year 12 Study Notes folder and making the most of study groups can be incredibly beneficial.
Finally, best of luck to those completing Major Performances, Projects and Works. Your hard work is about to pay off—let’s make these last five weeks count!
There are some valuable post HSC Trial Examination resources from Dr Prue Salter that our students can access. The link below offers a complimentary planning grid and videos to show Year 12 AFTER THE TRIALS about how to plan their study time between now and their final exams.
Username: 2024year12
Password: 2024year12
As mentioned last week, students in Year 11 will be working towards their yearly examinations which occur at the end of this Term. We have been extremely impressed with the number of students in Year 11 who are signing up to these tutorials and taking all opportunities to move into the zone of marks with their study.
Like last week, here is a weekly study planner and steps to complete it below:
During study times, students should complete activities such as:
One of the most important aspects of this is to construct a study timetable and aim to stick to it at least 95% of the time. Students should aim to study on a ratio of 30-40 minutes every time they have a class in a certain subject. Most subjects run on 4 classes per week so this equates to 2-3 hours per subject.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are excited to announce an exciting collaboration between Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) and St Catherine’s students.
Students from both schools attended a Sustainability Leadership Workshop where they heard from experts in conservation as well as from Sophia Skarparis, a Youth Conservationist of the Year who played a key role in banning single use plastic bags in New South Wales.
The workshop was designed to inspire and equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead sustainability initiatives both within their schools and in the broader community.
Their first leadership opportunity will be to inspire primary school students. They will be leading some creative workshops that will teach younger students about how to protect our land and sea. We will share with you more details in the near future, so watch this space!
SOTWEG attended the annual Eco Conference at Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong. This annual event focuses on environmental awareness, sustainability practices, and innovative solutions to the challenges facing our planet.
The Eco Conference is a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the world of sustainability. This year’s theme, ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, REVOLUTIONISE’ brought together experts and young leaders from around the Illawarra area to share their knowledge and experiences.
A key highlight on the day for our students was making their own beeswax wrap – one sustainable solution to removing single use cling wrap!
SOTWEG meets every Tuesday at lunchtime in E04, come for some fun and at the same time, make a difference!
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering & Science Educator / Ecology Coordinator
sbaylie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Week 5 is when Australian National Book Week takes place via the Children’s Book Council of Australia. To mark the occasion we had all Years 8 and 9 students participate in a performance poetry event. The students were inspired and their writing horizons expanded thanks to our guest and award winning poet, Zohab Zee Khan.
This performance also supported our new Year 9 reading initiative where all Year 9 classes attended the library for a targeted reading of the Carnegie award-winning verse novel, Moonrise. This was conducted over Semester 1 in association with the College Literacy Coordinator, Ms Mary Ryan.
This year the theme for Book Week is Reading is Magic. Please share this magic with your sons and wider family and your wider community.
For a rich insight into the power of reading and literature, this recent Papal letter from Pope Francis will offer much inspiration. I thank Ms Ryan for sharing this letter.
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Friday 16 August the Year 11 Studies of Religion II cohort participated in an Interfaith Depth Study Immersion.
The first session was dedicated to three workshops at the Sydney Jewish Museum. Here, the boys engaged in the Ethics and Othering Program related to the Holocaust, ongoing antisemitism and the effects still being experienced in contemporary society. They were then privileged to witness the account of a Holocaust survivor, their legacy and advice to future generations about the importance of non-violence, kindness and forgiveness.
The Jewish Immersion was consolidated by a guided tour of the Museum which explored historical events experienced by victims and survivors of the Holocaust and the atrocities they endured.
The second session was dedicated to visiting places of worship throughout Sydney’s CBD.
The boys were challenged with the Amazing G/Race.
They travelled in groups to places of worship including the Great Synagogue, St Mary’s Cathedral, St Patrick’s Church, St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Buddhist Centre where they were tasked with research and timed challenges.
Overall, it was a wonderful day spent with 130 boys and nine staff, ultimately enriching the boys in their knowledge of Sydney’s religious landscape and enhancing their understanding of the religious diversity on their doorstep!!
Ms Cath Stewart
Head of Religion
cstewart@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last Saturday the Waverley College 2024 Track & Field team commenced our competition season with a meet against arch rivals Trinity at ES Marks. It was a strong start, particularly by our middle distance team as well as some of our jumpers and throwers.
This Saturday we are at Homebush against the other five CAS schools and this meet will be a good test to see where we are currently at. Thank you to those staff and students who came and assisted last weekend and it is not too late for any students who want to come and still be a part of this strong squad.
The Track & Field season culminates with the CAS Championships on Thursday 19 September 2o24. This event is a compulsory ‘Supporters’ Duty’ for Years 7 and 12 and students will be bussed to and from the event starting at 1pm and concluding at 8pm. Students will arrive back at the College by 9pm that evening.
We also commenced pre-season summer training this week for a number of activities. Track & Field training and meets take priority but any other student is also welcome to join in the pre-season training on offer.
Last Friday we hosted 19 visiting Japanese students who had a great time. A huge thank you to our 13A and B Rugby players who paired up with the students to give them some experiences in the classroom, a BBQ lunch as well as an opposed Rugby training session. A big thank you also to Mr Lachlan Drew-Morris for facilitating the training that afternoon.
These global connections are an important part of the experience of being a Waverley College student and hopefully some of these students will get to experience an exchange and visit to Japan in future years.
Thank you and well done to our AFL and Rugby convenors and Supporters’ Group parents on their fine work at the presentation evenings last Friday. Well done also to all of the award winners.
A reminder that we have the Football presentation evening on Friday 30 August 2024.
Our winter co-curricular awards assembly for all activities on Thursday 12 September in the College Gym. Parents/carers of award winners are welcome at this assembly.
Good luck to our Athletes this weekend.
Please donate any spare football boots you no longer need to our Immersion programs in Fiji and Timor-Leste.
Football boots can be dropped at the Wellbeing Centre by Friday 6 September (Week 7).
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
An exciting initiative for our Rugby program this year was our ‘Rugby for Good’ campaign.
This gave our 13s age group and our Opens age group the chance to raise money for two different charities that are extremely close to the Waverley community.
Two local business The Field at Easts rugby and Advanz Therapies, came on as sponsors and committed to donating $1 for every point scored throughout the five-round CAS competition.
We are grateful to both businesses for their support throughout the season, in particular Advanz Therapies who ensure our players are right to go every Saturday. Our 13s charity was the R U OK? foundation.
In total our 13s raised $571 which is an outstanding achievement given the fact that two out of the five rounds were washed.
Our Opens charity was the Hearts 4 Arch foundation. In total our Opens raised $486 which is a great achievement considering many fixtures were impacted and cancelled due to wet weather.
Thank you again to our players, businesses and charities for supporting our campaign, we hope to make this a mainstay of our program moving forward.
Science Week at Waverley College was a great success, filled with exciting events, engaging talks, and class based activities that sparked curiosity and a deeper appreciation for science among students. Held from Monday, 12 August to Friday, 16 August, the week featured a range of activities aimed at exploring different fields of science, with guest speakers, challenges, and interactive experiences.
The week kicked off with a captivating talk by Ian Storie who has a wealth of experience in various fields of Science. Ian shared stories of his career journey, spanning engineering companies, CSIRO and a start up company he began, highlighting the importance of problem-solving, innovation, and perseverance in the profession. His engaging presentation introduced students to the vast possibilities in engineering, from designing desalination solutions to developing cutting-edge bee recognition technology. Ian’s talk left students feeling inspired to explore how they, too, could contribute to the world of engineering and science.
Following Ian’s talk, Claire Petite, a veterinarian, delivered an insightful presentation on the fascinating world of veterinary science. Claire discussed the vital role veterinarians play in ensuring the health and well-being of animals, and how students may enter the exciting field of Veterinary medicine. She also shared personal anecdotes from her career, offering students a glimpse into the day-to-day challenges and rewards of working with animals. Her talk was particularly popular with students passionate about animal care and biology.
For Year 7 and 8 students, the highlight of the week was an exhilarating science show from Fizzics Education. Known for their dynamic approach to science education, the team from Fizzics delivered an interactive show that explored various scientific principles in fun and engaging ways.
From explosive chemical reactions to mind-bending physics demonstrations, the show captivated students and made complex scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable. The students were eager participants, answering questions and even volunteering for some of the demonstrations, making it a memorable experience for all.
Thank you to Bishoy and Mr Peter Lamb for their support and help with this incursion.
One of the hands-on incursions for the week came from Sydney University focusing on hydrogen fuel cells. Undergraduate experts from the university introduced students to this cutting-edge green technology, which promises to revolutionise energy production in the future. Students were fascinated as they learned how hydrogen fuel cells work, generating electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water being the only byproduct.
The incursion featured hands-on activities, allowing students to see hydrogen fuel cells in action and explore their potential applications in everything from powering cars to supplying energy to entire cities. Students were able to build a model car including a hydrogen fuel cell which was able to power the car to move and light up. This session underscored the importance of sustainable energy solutions and inspired students to think critically about the future of energy and their role in shaping it.
Thank you to Ms Silvia Baylie who organised this fantastic experience for the students.
Throughout the week, students were also invited to participate in various science challenges in class that tested their problem-solving skills and creativity. These challenges ranged from participating in Escape rooms to tackling challenges relating to Species sustainability and survival. The hands-on activities allowed students to apply scientific principles in a fun and practical way, fostering teamwork and critical thinking.
Science Week wasn’t all about high-tech demonstrations and expert talks—it also brought some creative fun to the school! On Thursday during recess, Mr. William Roberts hosted a Colouring Challenge in the library, where students could unwind and unleash their artistic talents. The competition attracted a lot of enthusiasm, as students coloured images of Earl the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon. Students were able to enter their designs to the state-wide Stile competition to win a new pair of AirPods! This added incentive made the library a buzzing hub of creativity and friendly competition.
Science Week was a resounding success, bringing science to life for students and showcasing the endless possibilities within the field. With inspiring guest speakers like Ian Storie and Claire Petite, as well as the interactive Fizzics Education show, students were given a unique opportunity to explore different scientific disciplines and imagine their own futures in science.
We look forward to seeing how the seeds of inspiration planted during Science Week will grow in the years to come!
On Wednesday, a group of our Walawaani students had the honour of attending the Qantas Welcome Home Ceremony for our Olympic athletes, including Waverley Old Boy, Noah Havard!
It was such a pleasure to welcome back our esteemed Old Boy and Silver Medallist, Noah Havard. Noah and his crew took out second place in the Men’s K4 500m Canoe Sprint.
The morning was filled with excitement and energy, highlighted by Jessica Mauboy’s incredible singing performance and the moment when our students appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise!
The boys were also lucky enough to meet a host of impressive athletes, including Australia’s most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, rising star Arisa Trew, Noemie Fox, Meg Harris, and Harry Gardside.
Waverley students with the youngest Australian to ever win a Gold Olympic medal, Arisa Trew!
It was a truly memorable experience, leaving all the students feeling inspired!
On Tuesday 13 August, our Year 11 students attended a Mental Health Presentation facilitated by Nic Newling.
Nic Newling is an advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and sharing personal stories. He has reached millions of people through live talks and media including Australian Story, Conversations on ABC Radio, and NBC’s The TODAY Show in New York.
Since surviving his own mental illnesses but losing his brother to suicide, Nic strives to encourage sharing, listening, and working together for positive change. After developing the world’s first online Positive Psychology intervention for young people at Black Dog Institute, he has since ventured out into sharing with high schools, communities, and workplaces by founding the grassroots organisation The Champions.
You can learn more about The Champions HERE.
On Friday 16 August, our Year 10 students attended a Respectful Relationships presentation facilitated by David Kobler.
In a world where teens seem to be more connected than ever before, many are struggling with real and meaningful connection. This generation can be struggling to find genuine, helpful and satisfactory answers to a growing problem: how do I find, build and navigate healthy and safe relationships?
To help support students in finding answers to this question, David has been a regular feature of our wellbeing program over a number of years at Waverley.
His program delivers an important and engaging workshop to students that equips students to navigate relationships with both themselves and others in a respectful and healthy manner.
On Tuesday, 3 September from 6:30pm-7:30pm, our Year 12 College Leaders are welcoming students from Years 8-10 and their parents/carers to attend an information evening about Alcohol and Addiction, Healthy Habits, Positive Relationships and Technology Usage.
RSVP HERE by Tuesday, 20 August to indicate your attendance.
This Winter period is particularly difficult for those members of our society experiencing homelessness.
Waverley is having a Winter donation drive in August (until the end of Week 6) to support the Matthew Talbot Hostel. With 2 weeks to go, now is the time for all boys to put into action their plans for the the items they have chosen to donate!
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 40,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance.
Waverley has had a long history of boys volunteering in it’s kiosk in Woolloomooloo. All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other essential items on the list below in order to be able to provide packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matthew Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
Matthew Talbot Winter Appeal – Donation item list:
Toiletry pack Items – small traveller size for items is best
Home Starter Kit Items: these are prepared and distributed to the men when they move out of the Hostel into more settled accommodation. New items are ideal, but used/clean items in good condition are also fine.
Clothing
Items desired as new, or very good condition: Warm Winter Jackets, Mens Tracksuit Pants, Long Sleeve Polo shirts or Long Sleeve T-shirts;
Items required to be new: Gloves , Underpants (Large or XL size), Socks (calf / mid-length in white sports or any colour)
All items can be brought to either the Senior School Wellbeing Centre or Junior school reception up until August 29.