Our First Nation families are invited to attend the Walawaani Welcome BBQ and Information evening on Tuesday, 3 May 2022 from 6pm – 7:30 pm, in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) at the College.
This will be an opportunity for families to meet each other, meet staff, ask any questions, and learn more about the program.
All families have been sent an invitation via email. Click on this email invitation to RSVP
OR
>>> Click on the invitation inside this link to RSVP.
Please RSVP (for catering purposes) by Friday, 29 April 2022.
If you have any further questions please contact myself or Mr Kevin Heath.
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We look forward to welcoming you to the College.
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 12 Hospitality students have recently undertaken their mandatory work placements.
We received glowing reports all round about our students being professionally presented, demonstrating teamwork, and following instructions. The students should be proud of themselves.
Charlie Elmes and Freddy Hunt at Wonderful Cuisine
Wonderful Cuisine!
Jackson Thomas at Pier One
A big thank you and shout out to all the Hospitality venues who agreed to host our Waverley students including:
A J Preketes at Matteo Downtown Trattoria
Mrs Beverley McCarthy
TAS/VET Teacher
Email: bmccarthy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Walawaani, meaning ‘safe journey’, characterises the journey of our First Nation students from Years 5 through to Year 12, throughout their time at Waverley.
Through our holistic approach, we endeavour to provide a safe and enriching educational environment that is culturally inclusive and respectful of Indigenous values, culture and history.
As part of the Walawaani program this term, our First Nation students have been viewing the film Araatika – Rise Up!
Araatika documents the journey of NRL star Dean Widders and his quest to create an Indigenous
All-Star pre-game dance in response to the Maori Haka.
The film documents the journey of NRL star Dean Widders and his quest to create an Indigenous All-Star pre-game dance in response to the Maori Haka. The film traces the story of this journey from his childhood and upbringing, to strength and diversity of culture, reconciliation, racism in sport and keeping culture strong through dance.
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
When: Friday, 20 May 2022
Where: Year 12 PDHPE students will attend a PDHPE seminar at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen. This session will be theoretical and practical in nature, and will reinforce the components discussed in class.
Departure: students are required to assemble in the Centenary Quad at 7:45 am.
Transport: students will be transported by bus with Year 12 PDHPE teaching staff.
Return: students will return to the College by 3:15 pm.
Dress: students are required to wear full school uniform.
What to Bring:
Cost: the amount has been charged to student’s school fees.
Yes. Please complete the TWO forms below.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Waverley College Online Permission Form by Friday, 13 May.
Please do not hesitate to email me at the College.
Mr Patrick Darvill
Head of PDHPE
E: pdarvill@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This Earth Hour, Waverley College’s Students of the World Ecology Group are calling on you, and Australians everywhere, to sign up to ‘switch off’ and join a worldwide community of millions supporting stronger action on climate change.
It’s never been more critical to come together to protect our world than at this moment. Climate change is impacting our precious environment right now, with the Great Barrier Reef experiencing its fourth significant bleaching event in just six years.
We’ve watched Australian communities and wildlife endure raging bushfires and devastating floods in quick succession, and now we’re seeing climate change impact one of our most iconic unique ecosystems.
We still have time to make a difference for the planet we call home. We all have the power to Shape Our Future. So please switch off today.
Ms Rebecca Sutcliffe
Geography Teacher and Ecology Coordinator
E: rsutcliffe@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Tuesday, Year 10 STEM students travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to represent Waverley College in this year’s Science and Engineering Challenge.
Eight teams participated in the challenges, with one team focussing on the final Bridge Design challenge, aiming to hold 200 times its weight across the track.
Throughout the day, points were awarded for each team’s response. The challenges consisted of designing a shelter to withstand a simulated earthquake, building a bionic hand, designing a buggy to rove Martian terrain, planning efficient transport networks, building model turbines, sending secret coded messages with pulses of light, and planning electricity infrastructure to cities.
The challenges provided students with a positive experience in Science and Engineering fields. In teams, students creatively designed solutions to simulate the roles of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Biomedical Engineers, Construction Managers, Mathematical modellers.
The students worked brilliantly, and are congratulated on their efforts.
Ms Kim Spicer
TAS Teacher
E: kspicer@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Thursday, 17 March, Waverley College was represented at a special St Patrick’s Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral by Year 11 students, Connor Andrews, Ethan McArdle and Hugo Morgan. All schools in the Sydney Archdiocese, founded by Irish orders of nuns and brothers, were present, and Bishop Terence Brady celebrated the Mass.
St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in the 4th century and Irish migrants brought Catholicism to Australia from the 18th century. The order of Christian Brothers founded many schools including Waverley College in 1903.
St Patrick’s Day Mass 2022
The Mass included a strong focus on the need for prayer for flood victims in Northern NSW and Queensland, and for peace in Ukraine. We were also reminded of the words of St Patrick in his prayer:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Ms Martina Cooper
Head of Religion
E: mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last week, Lacey House worked incredibly hard to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation through our House charity, the ‘World’s Greatest Shave.’
We have raised over $11,000!
These funds will directly support those facing blood cancer today, as well as providing precious relief to over 50 more who will receive the same devastating diagnosis tomorrow.
A BIG thanks to all the students who contributed, as every dollar counts for this great cause.
Last week, Owen Punch interviewed Hugo Kulscar of Year 10, about his own battle against Leukaemia.
There’s still time to donate!
Mr Damien Thompson
Head of Lacey House
E: dthompson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Yesterday was the first time this year that we have been able to come together as a whole College for Assembly. Our assembly was celebrated outdoors in the Centenary Quadrangle, and we addressed a number of issues that are important to our community including; Premature Babies, International Women’s Day, National Close the Gap Day, St Patrick’s Day, National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the World’s Greatest Shave, and we wished our CAS Swimming and Diving team the very best for the championships held on Thursday evening at SOPAC.
Our special guest at assembly was Premature Babies Charity Founder and Waverley College parent, Ms Sophie Smith, who congratulated and presented a number of medals to students and staff who were involved in the annual Premmie Marathon Challenge, last November.
Ms Sophie Smith
The challenge was to run (or walk) a 42km marathon or a 100km ultramarathon over the month of November, and to raise funds for lifesaving neonatal equipment for neonatal units around Australia.
I also shared with our students the very sad news that one of Year 7 parents, Brad Coleman, recently passed away in a tragic drowning on the South Coast. Our thoughts and prayers are with Hulya his wife, Raiden (Year 7) and Aleyna, along with their family that includes Scott Coleman, Head of Green House.
A number of parents have asked if they can assist the family in any way, and I draw people’s attention to the following GoFundMe page which has been set up to assist the family at this incredibly difficult time.
>>> Click here to view the GoFundMe page for the Coleman family.
Congratulations to both our swimmers and divers who both took out fourth position in last evening’s CAS competition. Both teams performed with great spirit and enthusiasm. Thank you to coaches and parents for all of their support throughout the season. We congratulate Knox (Swimming) and Trinity (Diving) on their respective wins.
As part of our PDHPE program and student wellbeing program, every Year 9 student participated in a short program of Ballroom Dancing under instruction from the Joan Carmody Dance Academy.
Along with students from St Clare’s College, our students participated in lessons in preparation for an evening of dance on Wednesday evening. I would like to congratulate our Year 9 cohort on their dress, manners and spirit to participate in such a positive way. I received many comments of praise from parents and staff who witnessed the evening. Thank you to the staff who assisted to make this evening a success. Needless to say, much fun was had!
The Waverley College Parents’ Association (WCPA) Meeting took place on Tuesday, 22 February at 6pm.
The meeting was welcomed by WCPA President, Jade Stapleton and attended by parents, staff and 95 parents/families via Zoom.
Speakers included Ms Lynsey Porter (Director of Curriculum), Ms Gabrielle Smith (Director of Junior School), Mr Graham Leddie (Principal), Mr Patrick Brennan (Deputy Principal, Staff and Student Wellbeing), and Ms Jade Stapleton (President WCPA).
I encourage all parents/carers to attend WCPA meetings. The meeting Minutes are below for any parents who would like to read more about the important topics discussed.
2021 HSC analysis and highlights from Mrs Elizabeth Watson (Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning), are also available below for your perusal.
>>> Click here to view the WCPA Minutes, Term 1, 22 February 2022.
>>> Click here to view the slide show of 2021 HSC Analysis and Highlights.
Please see below the College COVID-19 numbers as they stand today. We will continue to monitor our numbers closely. In speaking with a number of principals across systems, our numbers are tracking on the lower end of transmission rates. However, I acknowledge that this can change very quickly, and we may need to make some adjustments.
| 18/3/22 | COVID-Positive | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 7 | 6 | 11 |
| Year 8 | 6 | 11 |
| Year 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 13 | 7 |
| Year 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 12 | 3 | 5 |
| Staff | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 58 | 59 |
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
This traditional Irish blessing is an ancient Celtic prayer.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
On Tuesday, 15 March we held debating trials for the Junior School. We had our largest ever turn out for these trials, which was wonderful to see.
The panel was very impressed by the level of preparation from the boys, and how well they presented themselves and their arguments.
Congratulations to the students below, who now represent Waverley in the IPSHA Debating Competition.
L-R: Quinn Brodie, Geoffrey Gibbons, Thomas Stillone, Ned Wilson, Beau Matheson-Rayner, Max Wu, Isaac Tait, Jack McCallum and Ishaan Jeena
Reporting Absences
To report an absence, please use the Waverley app. Alternatively, you can call the Junior School Reception (02 9387 5022) before 9am.
An SMS text message will be sent to the mobile phone of parents/carers at 10am, if a student is recorded as absent without explanation.
Lateness
Students are expected to be at school by 8:35am. Late arrivals in Years 5 and 6 need to report to the Junior School Reception, where Mrs Coupe will mark off their name.
Holiday and Leave Requests
Parents requesting permission for up to three days of leave, or extended holiday periods exceeding three school days, must apply for permission from the Director of the Junior School.
Permission needs to be in writing at least two weeks in advance, and is not automatically granted.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.
Students in Years 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
Further Information
On Thursday, we celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a mufti day, where we raised money to provide financial assistance to those affected by the current floods. I am pleased to announce, we raised a total of $1403.70. This money will be donated to GIVIT – an organisation providing immediate assistance to those in flood affected areas.
>>> Click here to view information about GIVIT.
Today the Year 10 and Year 5 Waverley students met up for their first Big Brother, Little Brother encounter.
The Big Brother Little Brother program aims to engage and partner our Senior students as mentors with our Junior School students. It provides a series of opportunities for them to engage with each other throughout the year.
The Year 5 and their Year 10 Big Brothers had a wonderful afternoon today sharing a BBQ in the Senior School, followed by activities with their buddies at Bondi.
Whilst they were there, they worked with their House to create anti-bullying photographs. We look forward to seeing the winning House photo!
Mrs Gabrielle Smith
Director of Junior School
E: gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A reminder, for parents and carers seeking information regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is important that you contact your local parish to find out the details regarding when the Sacrament will be celebrated, and when the preparation classes will be held.
For students of Waverley College who are part of St Charles Borromeo Parish (Mary Immaculate Church), the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 19 June at 2pm.
If you wish for your son to be a part of this Sacrament, and you are part of St Charles Borromeo Parish (Mary Immaculate Church), please contact Mr Stephen Ghattas sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au so that the registration form and other important information can be forwarded to you in the coming weeks.
Mr Stephen Ghattas
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Beau Matheson-Rayner, Max Wu, Charlie Griffin and Thomas Ingham, our very own Junior School Waverley boys, presented at our Lunchtime Talk last Friday.
These four boys gave valuable tips on 3D printing, key elements for 3D design; simplicity, structure, size, installing 3D software and recommended websites for creating your own designs.
The Junior School boys loved every minute of the presentation, and had many questions for our 3D printing gurus.
A huge thank you to Beau, Max, Charlie and Thomas for giving up their time to inspire the next generation of designers.
Any parents who would like to volunteer to be a guest speaker, please email me directly at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The drawing club operates at lunchtime once a week. Over the last two weeks we focused on sketching the work by Sami Bayly, a young Australian author and artist.
She loves illustrating ALL THINGS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL. Her books include The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature.
I’m extremely proud of the dedication and commitment to drawing these boys show on a weekly basis.
Boyd Haslam
Dash McDonough
Lachlan Moore
Dash McDonough
>>> Click here to register your son.
If your son is unable to attend, please contact the College via email at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au or call reception.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy and Innovation Teacher
E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In 5 Indigo this term, we have been very excited to begin using a new program called ‘Writer’s Toolbox’ to improve the quality of our writing. We are finding Writer’s Toolbox so helpful, because it gives us instant feedback on our writing, offering us real-time data that can help us improve.
Roman Szabo, Fred Cross, Alf Griffin and William Carr Using Writer’s Toolbox
So far, we have learnt about different types of sentences that we can use in our writing, to make it interesting and engaging for the audience. This term, we have started to use simple sentences, very short sentences, adverb start sentences and -ing start sentences.
This week, we have been learning about ‘The Preposition Start Sentence.’ Why would we begin a sentence with a preposition? Sometimes, you want to give your writing energy. That’s exactly when the Preposition Start sentence is useful. In a flash, Preposition Start sentences give your writing more pace. They speed things up.
Below are some examples of the amazing writing happening in 5 Indigo.
Tom Brown – Paradise Lost
Alf Griffin – A Wild Weekend
Owen Posada – A Wild Weekend
Ms Charlotte Stephens
Year 5 Indigo Classroom Teacher
E: cstephens@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Over the past week, the Junior School has had a busy period of sport, enjoying CIS AFL, Touch Football IPSHA Trials, Cross Country Trials and the commencement of the Winter Sports Trials.
I congratulate the following boys for their involvement in these events:
Marcus Strbac, AFL CIS Trials
AFL CIS Trials
U10 Runners
U11 Runners
U12 Runners
Gold B Touch Football Team
Basketball K Team
Basketball A Team
Several Waverley College boys play together in an external basketball team, and in one outstanding season together, won the Easts Basketball League 12Bs Division 2 Championship. A huge congratulations to these boys.
Levi Dunbavin, Charlie Gibbins, Nicholas Peshos, Max Malley, Ben Fernandes, Max Tuffs and Charlie Carr
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-Curricular, Years 5-8
E: jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, 2022 May Procession, ‘It’s Time We Talked’ Parent Event.
All of this week, Wellbeing groups have been discussing strategies to combat bullies. On Friday, we celebrated the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative celebrates 12 years of action, empowering our College community to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.
The theme for 2022 is ‘Kindness Culture.’ By building Kindness Culture together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students at the College.
In addition to wellbeing content and discussion at Thursday’s assembly, Years 5 and 10 took part in the Big Brother, Little Brother program, enjoying a BBQ lunch, followed by some time together at Bondi Beach, where they were challenged to come up with images as a House that say ‘no’ to bullying.
Our aim is to create a shared understanding of what bullying is, and encourage our students to be upstanders, by stepping in or letting someone know when bullying is occurring. All of us in our community have a role to play in bullying prevention.
The College can be much more effective when parents report bullying to their son’s Head of House and support our efforts to deal with it.
If your son reports that bullying is occurring at school, or the bullying involves students from the College outside of school, you should let the College know about the situation.
Working together with the College is the best way to help your child resolve bullying issues.
The College will work with you to resolve the situation, and will also work with the other student’s parents. Due to privacy laws, we are not able to share information about any other students involved.
Remain calm and focus on being constructive (even if you feel upset).
Prepare by:
checking our policy on bullying, which can be found on the College website
making a time to talk with your son’s Head of House, either by phone, by email or by setting up a Zoom or face-to-face meeting
writing notes, (and any other records,) based on what your son has told you, so that you can be as clear as possible about what happened. The more information and evidence that you can provide, (names, screenshots, text messages, witnesses’ names etc), the easier it will be for the College to follow your contact up in a timely manner
allowing time for procedural fairness. Many cases of bullying are not black and white. Some cases involve fault from both parties. The College investigates allegations of bullying thoroughly, taking statements from all students involved, witnesses, and sourcing evidence such as video footage.
being clear about the definition of bullying. Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships, through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviours, that cause physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. This can be online, face to face, or hidden.
Our annual May Procession is fast approaching.
When: Sunday, 1 May
Time: 12pm-1:30pm. Students need to be in the Quadrangle by 11:30am.
Where: Centenary Quad, Waverley College.
This wonderful celebration of our College founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, and Mary our Mother, is a compulsory event for all students. As such, full school uniform including blazer and tie must be worn.
Students need to get their names marked off by their Mentor on arrival.
111th May Procession in 2021
When: Tuesday, 26 April
Time: 5:30pm
Where: Online
‘It’s Time We Talked’ is a violence prevention initiative that supports young people, parents, schools, government and the community sector, to understand and address the influence of pornography.
‘It’s Time We Talked’ grew out of Maree Crabbe’s work with young people in secondary schools and community settings.
Maree noticed that pornography was increasingly playing a role in how young people learn about, think about and experience sexuality.
The young people she worked with were keen to talk about pornography, but the adults in their lives often had no idea about pornography’s prevalence or influence – and those who did, often didn’t feel equipped to have the conversations.
These observations led to more questions, research, planning and writing. With significant philanthropic support, ‘It’s Time We Talked’ began in 2009.
Maree Crabbe
Following a presentation to staff earlier in the day, Maree will be presenting to parents that evening.
>>> Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 896 5492 2955
Passcode: 864555
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal (Staff and Student Wellbeing)
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As the number of COVID-19 cases have risen around the state, we wanted to remind you of the policies surrounding testing and surveillance for COVID-19. The most important thing to remember is that if your son shows any symptoms of COVID-19, he is not to attend school, regardless of whether his PCR or rapid antigen test (RAT) is negative.
In line with NSW Health advice, any student with a symptom of COVID-19 must get tested immediately.
Most people no longer need to get a PCR (nose and throat swab) test if they have COVID-19 symptoms, or are a household, social, workplace or education contact of a positive case.
However, students are still required to undertake a RAT. Anyone who tests positive with a RAT must register their test result with Service NSW, and self-isolate following the NSW Health guidelines for testing positive.
Please note: At this stage the Department of Health is not sending any more rapid antigen test kits home to students.
Any student who attends school with symptoms of COVID-19 including; fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, will be sent home regardless of RAT or PCR results. The student must stay at home and not return to school until they are completely asymptomatic.
Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 is required to follow NSW Health requirements under the Public Health Order for testing positive and self-isolation.
Currently, the requirements are:
Staff and students who return a positive RAT result must register it on the Service NSW app or service.nsw.gov.au website as soon as possible.
>>> Click here to view the Service NSW website.
Staff and students who receive a positive PCR or RAT result must tell their school as soon as possible, and follow NSW Health advice.
No. A student is no longer able to attend school through the use of RAT if they are identified as a household/ close contact.
The exemption that was in place for students in 2021 under the Test to Stay Program was rescinded on 24 January 2022, and is no longer available, with immediate effect.
Students identified as household/ close contacts are required to complete the 7 day period of Isolation.
If your son has had COVID-19 in the last 8 weeks, they can return to school as long as they are asymptomatic, provide a negative RAT result every day, and can provide proof of dates of isolation to the Health Centre via email to: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
When you are calling in to report your son’s absence, please make it clear that you have undertaken a PCR or RAT test. As mentioned, students are not to be at school if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, however when they are asymptomatic, they can return.
Due to the large number of calls the Health Centre is receiving at the moment, I would prefer you to email me at healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions, queries or concerns.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Ms Adele Cutbush
Registered Nurse
E: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
Watch our video
