Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies and Careers Coordinator
E: kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Do you often find your son with his head in a book? Does he like science fiction? War stories? Horror? Perhaps he has recently discovered crime fiction.
Parents, your Year 7 sons can come to the library at recess and / or lunch to share and talk about a book they are reading, have read, or to just consider a book they might like to read!
Library staff and student leaders will join in to make recess and lunches a place where your sons can connect to literature, have a bit of fun, and meet other students in their year.
Encourage your sons to come along! Biscuits and snacks will be provided, as we sit in a group together to share and inspire.
Mr Bill Roberts
Head of Library Services
Years 9 and 10 Applied Philosophy Teacher
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning.
On Wednesday, the Premier and Minister for Education announced that some of the final restrictions that have been in place in schools to manage COVID-19, are being lifted. This is welcome news, and we are looking forward to returning to some of the events that enhance our sense of community.
From Monday, 28 February, the following changes will be in place:
The College will maintain core COVID-smart measures including maximising fresh air flow through natural ventilation, continued good hand hygiene practices, and enhanced cleaning through Term 1.
A reminder of some of the practices that will continue to ensure we all work effectively together for the health and safety of everyone in our community;
Thank you again for your continued support during this school term.
We will continue to give these weekly updates.
| COVID Positive | Close contacts | |
| Year 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Year 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Year 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Year 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Staff | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 15 | 13 |
Consent education is set to be mandatory in Australian schools from 2023. The new curriculum, to be included within PDHPE, will target education about consent, power imbalances, gendered stereotypes, and coercion. Education ministers are proposed to meet in April. In March, our PDHPE staff will be collaborating with the Ascham PDHPE department on our Unit development.
We thank you for all your generous donations to date. We are still accepting them on Monday, 28 February. Please leave these wrapped and labelled items at the Senior School Reception.
This week, I attended the online Parents’ Association meeting. The College Leadership team presented on the HSC results, Junior School updates, continuous reporting trial, wellbeing practices, planned building works, consent education and coeducation. Thank you to the 95 parents who attended and asked some excellent questions. You will be notified when the Minutes become available.
Michelle Rollins (Junior School Music/Drama teacher) received an incredible award last Wednesday evening – the ‘Exceptional Service Award 2021’ from The Institute for Educational Leadership in Australia. Michelle has built an extraordinary career outside of and within Waverley College, and her achievements, accolades and all that she does here speaks volumes as to her professionalism, talent and patience. Michelle is pictured with her trophy, and her impressive citation can be viewed below.
Congratulations Ms Michelle Rollins
Ms Michelle Rollins’ Award Citation
With the support of the Parents’ Association at Tuesday’s meeting, the Wellbeing Team will be running weekly Blitz Days to ensure your son’s uniform and appearance are in line with what our community expects from a Waverley College student.
Students not in uniform will require a note from home citing a reasonable reason why they are not in full academic uniform.
Your son’s appearance will also be reviewed by the Heads of House to ensure his haircut falls within College policy, and that he is cleanly shaven.
Students were reminded of the importance of uniform and appearance at assemblies today.
Any student not meeting our fair and reasonable expectations will engage in a restorative conversation, and be required to attend a one-hour detention.
I wish to acknowledge the positive attitudes and choices of your sons in the way they have commenced their school year. Heads of Department have expressed that most students have come to class with an eagerness to learn, and express joy in both Wellbeing groups and classes.
Together we wish to nurture a positive school culture – by working together and expressing pride in and respect for our school community. Both staff and students are looking forward to returning to their normal vertical home groups when restrictions continue to ease over the coming weeks.
Each member of the community has responsibilities to give our best and show respect by being punctual to class, placing mobile phones in lockers to avoid distraction, wearing the correct academic uniform including a mask indoors, being safe with property and belongings, being prepared for class with a charged laptop and resources, and applying ourselves to our learning with respectful focus and good effort in classwork and homework.
Today your son was issued with additional rapid antigen test kits. From Monday, 28 February, students and staff will only need to take a rapid test if they have symptoms, and will not be required to undertake twice-weekly surveillance testing. Further rapid antigen tests will be distributed upon their delivery to the College.
Recently, it was announced that education ministers have agreed that every Australian school will teach age-appropriate consent education within the curriculum for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. This is welcome progress. Such education will include a focus on gendered stereotypes, power imbalance and coercion, with the opportunity to support young people to give or withhold informed consent in their relationships.
This reform will strengthen the dialogue and teaching and learning we have been engaging in with our own students, staff and parents at Waverley College. I commend the work of the PDHPE and Religious Studies teachers, along with curriculum and wellbeing teams, who have listened with students to examine language and content, to better meet the needs of our young people.
Each term, I meet with other Deputy Principals within the Eastern Suburbs School Leaders for Youth (ESSLY), as we utilise our network to support teacher and parent education around issues that affect youth within our schools. Waverley College is hosting an event later in the year for parents of our combined schools, which we had postponed last year due to COVID-19. More information to come.
Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth, which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.
During adolescence, a child’s brain can be considered as being “under-construction.” The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring, and maintaining a strong and loving connection, will help families adjust during this time.
It is also an important time to keep the communication lines open through clear and age-appropriate conversations. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health, as many of the conditions people confront in adulthood, can begin to manifest in adolescence.
In this edition of SchoolTV, our parents and carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact your son’s Head of House, Mentor, or seek medical or professional help.
>>> Click here to view this month’s edition of SchoolTV: Understanding Adolescence.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Staff and Student Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
As per Mr Leddie’s announcement, please read below the following changes that will be in place from Monday, 28 February:
We will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your son/s are symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Our school will provide each student and staff member with eight tests which will be coming home in your son’s bag today. Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests, as these are now freely available and accessible in the community.
From Monday, 28 February no masks are required for Years 5 – 12 students and Years 7 – 12 staff. From Monday, 7 March no masks are required for Years 5 – 6 staff as well. However, those who wish to continue to use them, will be supported to do so.
Schools will no longer be required to keep students in Year groups or other cohorts.
Visitors (including parents and carers) will be allowed on school sites for events. We will let you know when these can proceed in our school in a COVID-smart way. All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.
The College will maintain core COVID-smart measures including maximising fresh air flow through natural ventilation, continued good hand hygiene practices, and enhanced cleaning through Term 1.
A reminder of some of the practices that will continue to ensure we all work effectively together for the health and safety of everyone in our community:
A reminder that we continue to appeal to Waverley families to support Tonga with donations. These can be dropped at the Senior School Reception on Birrell Street, or to Mrs Coupe in the Junior School.
These items are due in by Monday, 28 February:
>>> Click here to view more information in the article by Mr Steve O’Donnell and Ms Sue Walsh.
Mrs Gabrielle Smith
Director of Junior School
This week we started an exciting new wellbeing initiative with the Junior School boys. This initiative involves educating the students about issues that we sometimes see as challenging for Years 5 and 6. The focus of wellbeing this term is Social Skills, Friendship and Kindness.
Through discussion, games, videos and activities, Year 5 examined friendship and teamwork, and the impact of social influence on behaviour. Year 6 students meanwhile, explored the importance of social skills, social inclusion vs social exclusion, the power of peer-pressure, and how to be an upstander not a bystander.
We encourage parents to continue the discussion of such important issues at home.
Mrs Dawn Young and Mrs Alex McCredie
Junior School Psychologists
E: dyoung@waverley.nsw.edu.au
E: amccredie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This Tuesday, 1 March, is Shrove Tuesday, the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. As the final day before the Lenten fast, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day. Pancakes are traditional in a number of countries because eggs, sugar, and fat, commonly forbidden during the Lenten fast, are used up so they will not go to waste.
To mark this occasion, the Junior School leaders, with the assistance of Senior Student Representatives, will be selling pancakes at both recess and lunch. Pancakes will cost $2 and the funds raised will go to supporting CARITAS as part of our Lenten Appeal.
We are all looking forward to a tasty treat before the fasting period begins.
I am pleased to announce the Year 6 Class Captains and Class Vice-Captains for 2022. I look forward to working with them throughout the year, assisting them to be role models for the rest of the Junior School students, as they take on extra responsibilities around the campus.
Captains
6 Blue – Hugo Anderson
6 Gold – Lachlan Green
6 Indigo – Ishaan Jeena
6 Orange – Emilio Gomez
6 Red – Riley Carr
6 White – Quinn Brodie
Vice-Captains
6 Blue – Ollie King
6 Gold – Campbell Oxborrow
6 Indigo – Beau Matheson-Rayner
6 Orange – Jonathan Le Marchant
6 Red – George Whitehouse
6 White – Cash Parry
The celebration of mothers, grandmothers and significant others in the lives of our Waverley College students, will be celebrated in Week 2, Term 2. Details regarding this celebration will take place in the coming weeks.
Part of the celebration will include a slideshow. Can I please ask that you send through a photo of your son(s) with their mothers/grandmothers, if you would like a photo included in this presentation.
Please send through all photos to liturgy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director – Mission and Identity
E: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The continuation of the Co-Curricular Sports season is providing a lot of enjoyment for our Waverley students, and it’s fantastic to see all teams developing week after week.
The inclement weather has hit us hard this week, forcing us to cancel a large number of trainings throughout the week. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to this weather passing, and sport resuming as scheduled.
Thank you to the parents who have been sending through photos of Saturday sport. It has been a pleasure to see some teams in action. Please feel free to send through photos, as I can show them in Nurrunga.
Waverley Junior School is pleased to announce that we’ve looked closely at growing our Extra Co-Curricular program offered at the Junior School. This creates exciting opportunities for students to involve themselves in various activities that interest them, outside of their Co-Curricular Sporting commitments at Waverley. Due to the business of the beginning of the school year, we deliberately did not provide any details about these activities until now.
The Junior School will have a trial run for all the Extra Co-Curricular activities that haven’t yet begun. The trial run will be undertaken in the last two weeks of Term 1 (Weeks 10 and 11), which will allow students to see if they enjoy what has been offered, and if they would like to begin the activity officially in Term 2 for the remainder of 2022.
The following Extra Co-Curricular Activities being offered in 2022 include:
| 2022 Extra Co-Curricular Activities |
| INNOVATION CLUB |
| Teacher |
| TBC |
| HOMEWORK CLUB (Has Begun) |
| Teachers |
| Ms Bransby |
| Mrs Zivanovic |
| JUDO |
| Teacher |
| Ms Tweedie |
| HIPHOP DANCE
HipHop Dancing Announcement Video (Click Link to Watch) |
| Coach |
| Mr Joel Preisley |
| SURF LIFE SAVING (Bondi Beach SLSC) |
| Teacher |
| Mr Nick Nezval |
| CHESS CLUB (Has Begun) |
| External Teacher |
| Mrs Coupe |
| STOMP |
| Teacher |
| Ms Rollins |
| BANDS & OTHER ENSEMBLES (Has Begun) |
| Administrator |
| Ms Rollins |
| BOARD GAMES CLUB |
| Teacher |
| Mrs McCredie |
| DRAWING CLUB (ART) (Has Begun) |
| Teacher |
| Ms Natalie Oates |
Once the two week trial period is completed, all activities not already underway will begin at the commencement of Term 2. We will give information about when these activities will be occurring, once we have an understanding of how many students want to be involved in each activity.
If your son is interested in any of the activities that aren’t already taking place, can you please complete the Google Form below, as this will help us begin collating numbers for the two-week trial in Weeks 10 and 11 of Term 1.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Google Form.
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-Curricular
E: jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school, for the completion of home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term, unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting, and then the club will be closed.
NOTE: NO Home Learning Club on Wednesday, 2 March.
>>> Click here to register your son.
Only register his name once, to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
If your son is not present at roll call, a phone call will be made to check on his whereabouts. If your plans change, and you decide he is unable to attend, please contact the school via email nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au or call reception.
Students are required to stay for the full session, unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave, a parent signature will be required.
As it is important to respect the rights of others to learn and work. All students are expected to settle to work in the Learning Hub and not cause a disturbance for others.
Monday and Wednesday – Mrs Natasha Zivanovic
Tuesday and Thursday – Ms Gaby Bransby
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
E: gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, we have the opportunity to hear from Mrs Zivanovic about what is happening in the Junior School Learning Hub.
This week the boys are exploring literature by Shaun Tan, using Visible Thinking Routines.
The purpose of thinking routines is to promote a deeper understanding of content, and help students to understand how they think and learn.
This week we focused on the See Think Wonder visible thinking routine. This routine encourages students to make careful observations and make thoughtful interpretations. It also helps stimulate curiosity and set the stage for inquiry.
These activities promote critical thinking, by being able to make sense of what we see in illustrations through interpreting, understanding and evaluating visual messages. This often results in richer discussions.
The students used the image below to complete a SEE THINK WONDER.
| SEE
What do you see? |
THINK
What do you think is going on? |
WONDER
What does it make you wonder? |
| I see an alien with a big eye and a helmet
A windy, light brown field A robotic dinosaur and a little boy walking in the background
|
I think an alien crash landed on a mysterious world and everyone is confused. | This makes me wonder what is going to happen and what already happened |
By Fletcher Stanton, 5 Blue
| SEE
What do you see? |
THINK
What do you think is going on? |
WONDER
What does it make you wonder? |
| I see a big toy dinosaur
A guy with a big helmet on that has an eye on it A boy looking sad.
|
Something has crashed and the dinosaur and boy look sad and angry. | I wonder what crashed and if something crashed
I wonder where they are and where they are trying to go and why they are looking at another boy |
By Xavier Bautovich, 5 Blue
| SEE
What do you see? |
THINK
What do you think is going on? |
WONDER
What does it make you wonder? |
| A boy with a one-eyed helmet
A boy walking with a robotic dinosaur Trees of green Red robots A house that has gas coming out of the chimney |
The boy with the dinosaur is looking at the little boy thinking about what he is doing with that enormous helmet
The boy is looking into an enormous helmet thinking what is this!? The boys are going on a walk but the little boy found some rusty robot pieces and wants to play with the eye |
If the boys are my age?
What is there on that wheat field? What the house is making What the boys are thinking Is it in the future? Why are there robots? |
By Frederick Crabbe, 6 Blue
| SEE
What do you see? |
THINK
What do you think is going on? |
WONDER
What does it make you wonder? |
| I see trees and wheat.
Robots too. Pollution too. Factories operating. Making bread from wheat. |
I think this is what will happen when we keep on polluting the air. We will have fewer trees and no green but there will be factories every second hectare. Some kids are trying to hide from the factories so they won’t get enslaved. | Why is that kid wearing a robot’s eye?
Why is there wheat? Why is there a giant wind-up tyrannosaurus rex? |
By Thomas Stillone, 6 Blue
Mrs Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy and Innovation Teacher – Learning Hub
E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Week 6B sees all Ensemble Rehearsals return in full swing. Students in all year levels will be able to attend every rehearsal.
If for any reason a student is unable to attend their rehearsal, please contact the relevant ensemble director by email to advise their absence.
Please note, Guitar Ensemble for students at the senior campus will commence from Monday, 28 February. The Ensemble will be held before school from 7:30am, under the Direction of Mr Balkizas, Head of Music. Students in all years who learn guitar externally or at the College, are welcome to join. Students need to bring their own instrument and meet in the Recital Room in the Performing Arts Centre.
For more information about Music Ensembles please check out the information on the College website or speak to one of the Music Staff.
>>> Click here to view information about Music Ensembles on our College website.
Parents who would like their sons to commence instrumental lessons must complete a private music registration form by clicking on the link below.
>>> Click here to view information about commencing instrumental lessons.
>>> Click here to view the 2022 Semester 1 Music Ensembles Rehearsal Schedule.
>>> Click here to view the 2022 Rock Band Group Timetable.
Mrs Keiran Kossenberg
PAC Administrator
E: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The George William Rummery Music Scholarship is awarded annually as a means of encouraging students to realise their potential and strive for excellence. The scholarship is a gift of the Rummery family, in memory of their son George (Class of 1986).
This scholarship is ongoing and covers full or partial remission of music tuition and instrument hire fees from Years 7 to 12.
Applicants should either be currently enrolled or have applied to enrol at the College.
Applications close: Monday, 31 March 2022
Auditions: Wednesday, 4 April and Thursday, 5 April 2022
Students who wish to apply should read the information for candidates, complete an application form and send it to kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
>>> Click here to view the Information for Candidates.
>>> Click here to view and complete an Application Form.
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Keiran Kossenberg: 02 9369 0623.
Mrs Keiran Kossenberg
PAC Administrator
E: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Annual Music Camp this year will primarily focus on the development of the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, the College Choir and Guitar Ensemble. We will endeavour to improve the standard of our young musicians, expand their repertoire, and strengthen relationships among the musicians of the College.
The Music Camp will provide the opportunity to develop and strengthen the level of musicianship across all participating ensembles; specialist music tutors are employed to assist in this process along with the Waverley College full-time music staff. It is strongly encouraged that all students participating in the above groups attend this residential music camp.
Dates: Wednesday, 23 March to Friday, 25 March 2022
Departure: Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, 23 March at 8:30am
Return: Friday, 25 March at 3pm
Transport: Telfords Bus Company
Venue: Kiah Ridge, 25 Bargo River Road, Tahmoor
Emergency number: 4683 1111
Accommodation: Cabin Style – up to six per room
Cost: $413.00 per student, to be charged to family school fees.
Please advise if your son has any allergies, medical or dietary conditions we should be aware of.
Parents will need to complete and return the permission slip to Mrs Kossenberg in the PAC by Friday, 11 March.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Annual Music Camp permission slip.
Mr Chris Balkizas
Head of Music
E: cbalkizas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 11 and Year 12 Music Students attended the ENCORE Concert at the City Recital Hall on 21 February. It was an excellent opportunity for the music students to experience exemplary performances from the 2021 HSC.
Mr Chris Balkizas
Head of Music
E: cbalkizas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Senior students have been given another option for their studies.
Three new soundproof study bureaus have been installed. They provide another option for students. Inside, there are screens for presenting and practising presentations as groups.
We sincerely thank the Parents’ Association for their support.
Would you like to learn more about Australian-designed, soundproof Bureau Booths?
>>> Click here to view information about Bureau Booths.
>>> Click here to view further information about Bureau Booths.
Mr Bill Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
An exciting new academic focused co-curricular is coming to Waverley. Previously known as ‘Tournament of Minds’, BrainWaves will be offering a range of team-based challenges, designed to challenge and take classroom learning beyond the curriculum, and into the realm of co-curricular, competitive, project-based events.
Student-centred and flexible, the program encourages students to participate in their choice of competitions** taking place across Terms 2 and 3, and can include but is not limited to:
The goal is to provide students with adequate time and resources to enrich their academic and creative gifts and talents, and provide a mentoring environment to delve into topics or projects that may be limited, due to time constraints and/or school commitments.
Students are also encouraged to ‘bring their own idea’ if there is an event or competition they’d like to participate in.
**Entry into competitions will depend on student numbers and competition structures, as some competitions are grade based, whereas others are mixed age groups
If you would like more information, please contact Ms Stephanie Boyce.
Ms Stephanie Boyce
Academic Enrichment Coordinator
E: sboyce@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A big thank you to all parents who have generously donated their sons’ outgrown uniforms to the Secondhand Clothing Pool. This provides someone else with the opportunity to purchase a secondhand uniform well below the new price, whilst at the same time, raising funds for the College through the Parents’ Association.
We are slowly rebuilding stock levels and are so pleased to be able to offer some more items for sale. Email us at clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au to check on stock and for the next opening time.
We have a variety of sizes in each House colour, $10 each, ready for the College Swimming Carnival on Friday, 4 March.
In addition, we have for sale:
The Secondhand Clothing Pool will gladly accept the donation of all clean and wearable current uniform items for resale. There is a $30 ‘buy back scheme’ for the donation of Blazers and All Weather Jackets in excellent condition.
Due to current restrictions for parents, we are still working mostly through email contact (see email details below) and over the phone.
For more information on stock availability or to make an appointment, you can contact the Secondhand Clothing Pool via email or phone.
Email: clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9369 0703 — please leave a voicemail, and one of our volunteers will get back to you.
Location
You will find us in the main building on Birrell Street. Enter via the Senior School campus reception, and take the lift to Level 3. The Secondhand Clothing Pool is next door to the Uniform Shop.
Kirsten and Camille
Clothing Pool Coordinators
E: clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
P: (02) 9369 0703
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
