I strongly encourage you to read the weekly Careers newsletter, so that you can begin planning for post Year 12.
There is helpful university, apprenticeship and study information in the newsletter.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kathryn Knowles
Senior Studies and Careers Coordinator
E: kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
It was lovely to see the students return to the College on Thursday (Years 5, 7 and new students) and the whole school today. Each year level had an outdoor Year level assembly meeting where important information, expectations, goals and support mechanisms were outlined. I felt a sense of positivity and excitement across each year level, and I wished every student a great start to their respective year. I encouraged each of them to take others along on the journey and to look for ways to support each other and to take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves.
Nurrunga is our weekly newsletter, delivered directly to your email inbox every Friday afternoon. It includes the most important updates from the Principal and College Leadership Team, vital information from teachers, and Key Dates for the weeks ahead. I strongly recommend that you read Nurrunga when it is delivered to you each Friday, to ensure that you and your son do not miss crucial information.
The College uses the app as its central portal to communicate with parents and carers. Features include: Notices, weekly Nurrunga newsletter, Co-Curricular, Parent Lounge, Calendar, Absences, Contacts, Maps and Links.
We send regular updates through the app. If you’ve not subscribed already, the username you need for the app is your family ID, the same one that you use to access the Parent Lounge, where you book Parent/Teacher interviews and obtain school reports.
The app can be downloaded from your app store. Please use the following instructions to download and set up the app:
>>> Click here to download the instructions.
Should you have any questions, suggestions about the user experience, or are having technical issues, please contact app@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to Luke Crosson (Year 10), who has been accepted as a finalist into Flickerfest’s U18s category, Flickerup. His five-minute short film ‘Lockdown Blues’ will be screened on Saturday, 29 January. We’re all very proud of you, Luke.
I would like to welcome the following staff to our teaching and support staff team. They come from a variety of schools and workplaces and I look forward to the teaching, learning and innovative skills that they will bring to their respective teams, departments and the College.
Gerald Winch | Facilities Manager | Australian Museum
Michelle McDonald | Learning Support Teacher | Rutland NS, Dublin
Silvia Baylie | Relief Teacher |Esbee Consulting
Jade Sparks | Junior School Teacher | Coonamble Public School
Elliott McKimm | Junior School Teacher | Cronulla Public School
Alon Horry (T1 and T2) | Junior School Teacher | Waverley College Casual Teacher
Lachlan Drew-Morris | PDHPE Teacher | Waverley College Casual Teacher
April Barry | Science Teacher | Chatswood High School
Andrey Tregubov | Science Lab Tech | Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner
Kyra Oliver | History Teacher | De La Salle College, Ashfield
Peter Riley | Mathematics Teacher | Waverley College Casual Teacher
Laurence Trinca | Mathematics Teacher | Randwick Girls’ High School
Steven Hall | Mathematics Teacher | Woonona High School
Alice Curtis | English Teacher | Mendooran Central School
Colette Brus | English Teacher | St Leo’s Catholic College
Graham Clarkson | TAS Teacher | ICT Education Solutions
Stephanie Jackman | TAS Teacher | Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Kim Spicer | TAS Teacher | St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Melissa Denkinger | TAS Teacher Hospitality | Australian International School, Singapore
Beverley McCarthy | TAS Teacher Hospitality | Brigidine College
Nicholas Sposari | HSIE/RE Teacher | All Saints Catholic College
Ben Steel | HSIE Teacher | Asquith Boys’ High School
Angelique Theodorou | HSIE Teacher | Blakehurst High School
Gianfranco Leon Rivera | Spanish Teacher | Marcellin College
Natalie Keyte | English Teacher | The Scots College
Sam Mulgrew | History Teacher | Trinity Grammar School
We say farewell to some valued colleagues at the start of this year, and wish them well with their new opportunities. Thomas Pryor (English) moved to America, Tarryn Thompson – Marketing & Development manager resigned, Jyoti Bapat, part-time Science Technician accepted a full time role at The King’s School, and Matthew Ryan (21 years) Head of Sport Junior School for 16 years, accepted a position at St Charbel’s College Primary as Sports Coordinator.
>>> Click here to view a welcome to new staff photos.
Please note that NSW Health have updated their previous advice regarding the exemption of students who are close/household contacts. A student who is identified as a close/household contact can no longer attend school during their 7-day isolation period.
In our School community at present, we currently have 12 students and 3 staff who are isolating at home with COVID-19, and 13 students who are close contacts in isolation at home. If your son is unwell, please get him tested and stay at home.
Waverley College has been supplied with Rapid Antigen Home Test (RAHT) kits from the NSW Department of Education, which have been distributed to each student. Please make sure your son keeps these safe and stored securely.
In relation to what days your son should test, that is a decision you can make between yourselves. We would suggest testing on a Monday morning before school starts, mid-way through the week, or at any stage your son starts to show symptoms. Please remember to use a RAHT immediately if your son is starting to show symptoms of COVID-19.
The symptoms can be any of the below:
Other reported symptoms include:
The instructions on how to undertake a RAHT are enclosed in each individual box. Here is some information that we have found useful when using a RAHT:
Please do not hesitate to contact the College Registered Nurse, Adele Cutbush, if you have any questions or concerns. The Health Centre is open Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm during term time.
E: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
There is clear evidence that purposeful professional learning for teachers is a key factor in improving student learning outcomes. The research asserts that, “in order to be effective, teachers need a deep understanding of their subject area, knowledge of how students learn specific subject matter and a range of strategies and practices that support student learning.” The research also affirms “that engaging teachers in high quality professional learning is the most successful way to improve teacher effectiveness and hence improve student outcomes.” (Greenwald, Hedges & Laine 1995; Guskey & Huberman 1995; Elmore & Burney 1997; Hawley & Valli 1999; Elmore 2002).
Waverley College is committed to providing ongoing professional learning for our staff to ensure they are kept up-to-date with contemporary pedagogical and student wellbeing research. We dedicated time across our two Staff Days this week to address some strategic priority areas.
Professional Learning on Day 1 included a session on Enrichment facilitated by our Academic Enrichment Coordinator, Ms Stephanie Boyce. Staff explored high-impact teaching strategies that will assist the learning needs of high-achieving and academically talented students. These strategies are embedded in our learning programs to assist teachers to further extend student knowledge, skills, problem solving, and critical and creative thinking.
College staff from Junior and Senior campuses, including Learning Support and Library staff, attended the Sentence Workshop and Online Toolbox Workshop components of The Writer’s Toolbox program. This comprehensive writing program, developed by Dr Ian Hunter, is designed to improve syntax, punctuation, and paragraphing. A range of tangible strategies have been shared with staff to improve writing efficacy, and the interactive software component of the program was well received. Our Literacy Coordinator, Mr Robert Tall, is driving this Literacy initiative, and we look forward to the expansion of this program across all learning areas.
In 2021, Waverley College transitioned to a new Learning Management System (LMS) called CANVAS. Our new staff underwent training on their Induction Day last week, facilitated by Ms Rebecca Gair and Ms Kaitlyn Downey. All staff were involved in additional CANVAS training on Staff Day 1, with a refresher on how to create teaching resources and navigate the various platform hubs, modules and functionality. To date, our staff have been trained in Levels 1, 2 and 3 of CANVAS.
On Day 2, 45 of our staff completed the second component of the Mental Health First Aid Program, to complement the online component that they completed over the summer break. This program is designed for adults working with adolescents to improve knowledge, reduce stigmatising attitudes, and increase first aid towards people with mental health problems.
Throughout the 14-hour blended program, staff looked at a range of topics including common youth mental disorders, depression and anxiety in young people, eating disorders, substance misuse, intoxication, suicide and aggression. Staff learnt about first aid action plans to assist students in these situations, and upon completion of the course assessment, will be accredited MHFAiders.
Thank you to our facilitator and College Psychologist, Ms Tessa Prior, for her ongoing commitment to this important program. To date, Tessa has trained 75% of our staff, and will continue this training annually as additional staff join the Waverley College community.
School Psychologist Ms Tessa Prior
I would like to thank all staff for their active engagement with our sessions and special thanks to our facilitators, Stephanie, Rebecca, Kaitlyn, Tessa and Robert. I look forward to regularly communicating the Professional Learning of our staff as well as the ongoing developments and achievements in our key strategic priority areas.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: Uniform expectations, pop-up wellbeing kiosk, rapid antigen tests, COVID care, parent/mentor meetings, Wellbeing Team key contacts, bus service changes.
The start of the year has been a truly positive one amongst staff and students. It was great to welcome our new Years 5 and 7 students on Thursday, and celebrate the return of the entire student body on Friday.
COVID-19 restrictions prevented a whole school assembly, so each year group met for smaller assemblies for an Acknowledgement of Country, prayer and an overview of Term 1.
I would like to thank parents for the way their sons attended school this week. The uniform standard was excellent and so too was their behaviour and grooming. The way our sons present themselves in public says a lot about what we are about as a College.
2022 is the second year that the entire student body is required to wear the new academic uniform. The uniform shop assures me that all items are in stock, so all students should be ready to go, from day one. The new uniform comes with higher expectations in terms of how our students present themselves for school each day, including their transit on both private and public transport, to and from the College.
No student will be permitted to attend class without the correct academic uniform, including the College backpack. Should any student not be in full academic uniform, they will require a uniform pass from the Wellbeing Centre, and will be subject to a consequence.
In addition to the correct uniform, students’ appearance including hairstyles, must be in line with the College expectations from day one. Longer haircuts are trending at present. These are not acceptable and students will be directed to the local barber or their preferred hairstylist, to rectify any issues.
To assist the transition of the 250 new students to the senior campus, the wellbeing team will be setting up a marquee in the Centenary Quad, to provide support and assistance to students who may be lost or overwhelmed during their first week at the College.
Heads of House, Prefects and the College Leadership Team will be available to support students during recess and lunch, as well as between classes.
The current Wellbeing Centre will continue to provide the same support (and more), every school day of the year.
The College distributed rapid antigen tests (RAHTs) to all students on campus this week. We request that your son assists with surveillance testing over the first two weeks of school. The College is expected to receive additional tests over the coming weeks, but the exact dates of these deliveries have not been confirmed.
We request that all students administer a rapid antigen test the morning after receiving their RAHTs.
Families are expected to notify NSW Health and the College, should their son receive a positive RAHT or PCR test, and isolate for seven days. Students should only return to school if they are free from cold and flu symptoms. For the first four weeks of Term 1, students should take a rapid antigen test twice a week on the morning before attending school, as part of our weekly surveillance testing.
All staff and students will be required to wear a mask whilst indoors at the College. This includes to and from school on public transport. The responsibility for providing students with a mask lies with parents. The Health Centre will replace damaged masks. Students who repeatedly source masks from the Health Centre will be referred to their Head of House.
Close contacts are now deemed Household contacts only (i.e. a person who lives with someone who has COVID-19) and are required to isolate for 7 days.
Cohorting is trying to keep students’ interactions just within their year level. This is part of our multilayered approach to reduce the rate of transmission, and give us the best chance of keeping the school operational and open to face-to-face learning.
Open or well-ventilated spaces reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, because infectious particles are more quickly diffused in the open air than in spaces with less ventilation. We have developed a strategy for providing as much natural ventilation as possible in classrooms and offices, and where this is not possible, we have installed air purification units to help circulate and manage clean air.
Hand sanitiser and wipes are available in all spaces at the College. Students are encouraged to maintain good hand hygiene and be responsible for the cleanliness of their workspaces.
The College will maintain its rigorous cleaning program across both campuses.
The level of risk for student activities will vary, depending on the nature of the activity. There is no restriction on schools in providing on-site or off-site activities including excursions, incursions and learning activities. The College will assess the risk of each activity and plan risk mitigation accordingly.
There is no requirement for QR code check-ins anymore at schools for parents. Parents are asked to limit their trips to the College to only essential business. Access to both campuses is via Reception. Parents can still volunteer in the canteen or pick up clothing from the Uniform Shop.
Fully vaccinated students returning from overseas only have to isolate themselves until they return a negative RAHT (must be taken within 24 hours of arrival). They will also have to do another RAHT on day 6.
Children under 12 years of age who are not fully vaccinated, must not attend school until at least 7 days have passed, and they have a negative result from their day 6 RAHT test.
It is anticipated that schools may experience a reduction of available staff in the weeks ahead. Our aim is to remain open and operational, but if illness takes hold, we will move to learning from home.
Under the Public Health Order, all staff who work at the College are legislated to be fully vaccinated (this is now three shots).
To provide our community with the best possible protection, we are encouraging all students to follow the advice from NSW Health, by getting a free COVID-19 vaccination. This not only will protect them, but forms part of the overall protection plan for this community.
The Health Centre is now accepting copies of your sons’ vaccination status. Please send clear copies, preferably in PDF format to healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This data will be added to the immunisation history entered at the time of his enrolment.
On Tuesday, 8 February from 1:30pm – 4pm, parents and carers are invited to meet their son’s Wellbeing Mentor via Zoom, to engage in a conversation that will help us to best cater to their needs in 2022.
This important initiative supports our student Wellbeing program. The purpose is to know as much as possible about each student, both in and out of the classroom. By identifying their goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future, we can work together to bring about the best possible learning outcomes for your son. We rely on the three-way partnership formed between the College, families and your son for this to occur.
These meetings are in addition to parent/teacher academic interviews, which will also take place later in the semester. Keep an eye out for a separate email with further details and login information.
Students in Years 7-12 will be dismissed at 1pm, because it is expected, where possible, that students will attend these meetings with their parents. Limited supervision will be provided in the Library and in the Centenary Quad from 1pm – 3:15pm.
Heads of House and our Psychologists are available to meet students and their families who may require additional support and assistance. Please email them directly if you wish to set up a meeting.
The College welcomes Ms Kaitlyn Downey (Brennan) and Ms Rebecca Gair (Quinn) to the Wellbeing Centre as Heads of House in 2022. We look forward to the energy and passion for pastoral care that they will both bring to these senior wellbeing roles at the College.
The 8 Waverley College Crests
Heads of House
Psychologists
College Nurse
State Transit would like to remind the school community of changes to the South East bus network which were made late last year. Customers in the South East now have access to more reliable, more frequent services and better connections to key destinations and growth areas.
>>> Click here to view the bus service changes
We encourage everyone to plan ahead on Trip Planner before travelling.
>>> Click here to view Trip Planner
To ensure dedicated school services appear as a travel option for students, click “refine” then select “school bus option.” Students are reminded to tap on and off on all trips. This is important to ensure accurate patronage data for future planning of bus services.
COVID-related staff shortages have impacted most public transport services. School bus services will not be affected, however regular route services will operate to a reduced timetable.
State Transit is managing these impacts to ensure the safety of customers and staff while also providing vital transport services. It asks the school community to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Please be reminded that the NSW Government Public Health Order requires the compulsory wearing of masks on public transport.
>>> Click here to view COVID-19 travel guidance
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal: Staff and Student Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: Senior and Junior Sport Fixtures and Training Schedules, leave requests, COVIDSafe protocols on campus, winter activity change requests, full correct summer co-curricular attire, Waverley College app notifications, CAS Sport Update.
Welcome back to 2022, and a special welcome to all new students, parents, carers and staff. Most students in Years 7-12 have their first lot of trials and activities this Saturday, 29 January. There are a few activities that will commence next week, and all students, parents and carers need to check the College website for fixtures and training schedules.
Please also note that any student who needs to miss a weekend of Co-curricular activities, must apply in writing two weeks before leave, where possible, to the Director of Co-curricular: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please also note, that a maximum of two leave requests can be obtained.
For this Saturday, 29 January, we request that there are no parents or spectators anywhere on the College campus, as part of our COVIDSafe protocols. We will continue to review this over the coming weeks.
Any student identified as a close contact, or who develops COVID-19 symptoms, must not attend any school activities or sport until a negative RAHT test or PCR result is submitted and 7 days isolation have passed.
Students will also be required to show up and depart immediately at the conclusion of any fixtures and must not share drink bottles. Hand sanitiser will also be available at all venues.
From next Monday, 31 January, students in Years 7-12 can request a winter activity change until Friday, 18 February. Please note, that a request does not guarantee approval, and each request will be assessed appropriately.
Any student who also wants to change to Rugby without previous experience, will be required to undergo sport specific testing to analyse suitability as per ARU protocols.
All students will need to ensure that they also have the full correct summer co-curricular attire for all activities.
All parents, carers and students are strongly encouraged to have downloaded the Waverley College app and have notifications for all groups ON, so that they receive updates, team selections, as well as any wet weather information. Students who fail to attend trials and training will be selected in the lowest teams for that activity.
A big thank you to all of the students and staff who gave up time in their holidays for training, tournaments and sports camps.
Good luck to all students or their trials this coming weekend.
The CAS Sportsmaster’s Committee have unanimously elected to adopt a singularly consistent approach to the operation of CAS Sport in Term 1.
With reference to Community Sport Guidelines, the existing Public Health Order and the NSWAIS COVID-19 FAQs for the NSW Independent Schools and the Office for Sport, the following recommendations are offered:
Staff, participants, officials, and spectators should not attend sport if they are:
Parent/spectator attendance at sporting fixtures is supported by the application of the following mitigations:
All spectators attending school campuses must be fully vaccinated. This is in keeping with the expectations for employees and volunteers for schools, as outlined in the current Public Health (COVID-19 vaccination of education and care workers) Order (Number 2) 2021, and recommendations offered in the NSWAIS FAQs.
All spectators attending school campuses must be fully vaccinated. This is in keeping with the expectations for employees and volunteers for schools, as outlined in the current Public Health (COVID-19 vaccination of education and care workers) Order (Number 2) 2021, and recommendations offered in the NSWAIS FAQs.
Student Participation
The requirement that only fully vaccinated persons aged 16 plus participate in community and school sport no longer applies.
Return to Play Policy Following COVID-19
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-Curricular
E: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: staff news, significant changes to Junior School canteen, Parent/Teacher interviews, Junior School communication channels, diary dates, complete staff for 2022, pastoral care, co-curricular sport and swimming events, summer season sport trials, Junior School Learning Hub, Home Learning Club.
Welcome to the new school year at Waverley College Junior School. It has been wonderful having the boys begin the school year on campus. There is excitement in the air for our Year 5 students as they navigate this new environment, and our Year 6 students as they settle into their busy schedules for their final year of primary school.
During the holidays, I published an article in Mums at the Table, on useful tips for settling back into primary school.
>>> Click here to view the article Helpful Tips for Coming Back to Primary School.
On behalf of the Junior School, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mr Matt Ryan for his distinguished service to the College, as he embarks on a new journey as the Sports Coordinator at St Charbel’s College.
Matt has been an asset to our profession since he began his career as a targeted teacher at Castle Hill Public School in 1998, where he taught for three years before joining us. Matt has been at the Junior school for 21 years, and has held various positions including Assistant Director of Sport, Assistant Director of Co-Curricular, and Acting Assistant Director of Junior School.
Every colleague who has worked with Matt would recognise his calm manner, organisational skills and his genuine care for the students at Waverley. I wish him every happiness and success in his new role, and thank him most sincerely for his valued contribution to Waverley.
We welcome to the Junior School the following staff members: Mr Alon Horry, Mr Elliott McKimm, Mr Gianfranco Leon Rivera and Ms Jade Sparks. We look forward to introducing you to these staff members in person, throughout 2022.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Deanne Seamons who was married over the holiday period. We wish her and her husband David all the very best on this new journey. She will now be known as Mrs Edwards.
Beginning Monday, 31 January 2022, there are exciting new changes to our food and drink service, as we are introducing a new, improved canteen service in the Junior School.
Please take the time to learn more on our website about the significant changes to the way breakfast is accessed, and the ordering and payment options for recess, lunch, drinks and healthy snacks. The Junior School canteen link is below.
>>> Click here to view the significant changes to the Junior School canteen.
We hope you and your son enjoy trialling our new food and drink service in Term 1.
Formal Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday, 14 June after you have received your son’s school report. Next week, you will receive a parent questionnaire via email. Please fill this out to inform the classroom teacher on how to best support your son this year. If you would like to meet with your class teacher before this time, or feel you need to discuss your son in a face-to-face meeting, please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher.
All communication regarding news, updates, events and social information will be delivered through the weekly newsletter Nurrunga and our Waverley College app.
Nurrunga is the College newsletter. It provides information and dates for important events around the school, and a weekly update from the Principal and College Leadership Team, including myself. Parents are recommended to check Nurrunga when the link is emailed to them on Fridays during term time.
>>> Click here to view the Waverley College App User Guide.
The Waverley College app is a school mobile app that communicates directly with iPhone and Android devices. It provides all school users with instant “push” notifications and alerts to their mobile devices.
The College website provides a great deal of information about the school including news, events, contacts, subject information, policy documents, cyber safety, sports fixtures and the College calendar.
>>> Click here to view the College website.
The Facebook page is run by the Parent Representatives and will not replace communications from the College. For those who do not have Facebook, you will still receive all the information relevant to your son’s year group via the Waverley College app and Nurrunga newsletter. The Facebook Group acts as an optional hub for your year group, and allows parents to connect online. The Facebook page for Year 5 is Waverley College Class of 2029 Parents, and parents will be asked three security questions before their request can be accepted.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Mrs Gabrielle Smith
Director of Junior School
E: gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Pastoral Care system within the Junior School is based on promoting positive behaviour. Within each class, individual teachers have their own merit systems for rewarding positive behaviour. Our whole-school approach also rewards students for displaying positive behaviour both in the classrooms and on the playground. Some examples of our positive rewards are:
From time to time, students make decisions that breach the school rules, therefore they may need to think about their behaviours and decision making as a consequence. Some examples of these are:
Notifications sent through TASS Lounge are there to inform Parents of both positive and negative incidents throughout the year. It is not always necessary to contact your son’s teacher if they receive a negative note or detention. Please be aware that teachers will be in contact with you if the incident is serious.
I look forward to working with yourselves and your son this year. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Stephen Ghattas
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Co-curricular during Term 1 is definitely the busiest time of the year, full of exciting participatory events for our Junior School students. Please carefully take note of the key dates coming up, so you are prepared ahead of time:
It is especially exciting to have all students joining us on campus for Week 1, and with hope of an uninterrupted year ahead. Your son will have the opportunity to trial for first and potentially his second sports preference on both Monday, 31 January and Tuesday, 1 February, at our Summer Season Sport Trials. The Sport Trials best allow our coaches and staff to organise teams in preparation for Round 1. Please take the time to read the Selection Process document below, to best understand how your son will be placed into a team each season.
>>> Click here to view the Sport Trials Selection Process document.
As mentioned above, in Week 2, your son will spend the first half of the day participating in swimming trials. This is in preparation for the Junior School House Swimming Carnival on Friday, 11 February. Students will swim 50m freestyle and be timed to help with allocating swim heats for the carnival.
Key Information for the Sport and Swimming Trials
Sun Protection: As mentioned above, all students are asked to pack sunscreen for the trial days. All sports trial areas will have a sunscreen tub, and staff and coaches will continually remind students to re-apply sunscreen at each break period.
Please ensure you place further responsibility on your son to manage his re-applying of sunscreen throughout the day, as the responsibility cannot solely be placed on staff and coaches.
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-Curricular (Years 5-8)
E: jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Learning spaces should spark imagination; nurture and develop creativity; support a diverse range of learning activities; and above all, support a diverse range of learners.
The Learning Hub aims to guide the boys with lifelong transversal skills – critical thinking, collaborating, innovating, and problem-solving. This will be achieved through a myriad of activities, including the maker space, mentors, guest speakers, competitions, inquiry-based learning, public speaking and debating.
Each class receives two lessons per cycle in the Learning Hub. The Learning Hub is open to the boys every morning from 8:15am, as well as every lunchtime. Home Learning Club also operates out of this space Monday – Thursday.
Throughout the year there are a number of events students can participate in through the Learning Hub:
The purpose of this two-period course is to teach students literature and innovation skills, a love of reading, as well as teaching students how to locate and analyse resources in a safe and concise manner.
Throughout the year the boys will learn how to:
I encourage the boys to become familiar with this wonderful space.
Home Learning Club begins in Week 3 and runs Monday – Thursday afternoons from 3pm – 4pm. You will receive a link in the Junior School section of Nurrunga, allowing you to sign up closer to Week 3. Please note, you are only able to sign up weekly.
Mrs Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy and Innovation Teacher
E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In 2022, Visual Arts Club will be offered at Waverley as an extracurricular summer activity for students from Years 5–12. Visual Arts Club provides an opportunity for students to build skills in critical and creative thinking.
This summer, students will be introduced to ‘Still Life: Painting With Oils.’ Each student will be taught fundamentals of technically painting different surfaces, objects and textures, to build their knowledge and confidence in the oil painting medium.
In Visual Arts Club students will:
Resolved paintings will be entered into a community competition, giving students an opportunity to be exhibiting artists.
Select one session below:
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Oates if you have further questions.
Ms Natalie Oates
Head of Visual Arts
E: noates@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A warm welcome back for an exciting year of Cadets in 2022.
This term is all about AFX! AFX is the Annual Field Exercise (Cadet Camp), that is the culmination of the year’s training. This is the camp where cadets get to put into practice everything they have been taught; their field skills, how to construct a shelter, how to care for themselves without running water and electricity, how to cook their own meal, how to thrive when outside their comfort zone.
For our leaders, this is the chance for them to shine, to inspire, to command and to lead by example. We expect great things from our Corporals, Sergeants and CUOs, and they always rise to the challenge, returning from camp confident, capable and better prepared for life’s obstacles.
Please keep an eye on your emails for the Joining Instruction for AFX. There are some administrative details to attend to, so we can ensure the best care of your child on camp. Of particular note, please make sure we are aware of any health concerns or special dietary requirements, so that specific arrangements can be made.
We have much in store for this term, and look forward to being able to make as much possible as COVID-19 restrictions allow.
Cadets starts back on Friday, 4 February with the Golden Boot Competition. There will be no Cadets on your first day back at school.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to Year 12, 2021 student Jet Marsh-Cashman, on his selection in the upcoming ARTEXPRESS exhibition. ARTEXPRESS is a showcase that exhibits exemplary HSC major works in exhibitions across New South Wales, celebrating student achievement in Visual Arts.
Jet’s Collection of Works Missed Calls will be exhibited in the Art Gallery of NSW, from 3 February until 25 April 2022, before travelling to Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre.
Ms Natalie Oates
Head of Visual Arts
E: noates@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We hope you enjoyed your summer holidays and are staying happy, healthy and safe. The Health Centre decided it would be useful to send out some information on COVID-19 booster shots, and where you can get a booster shot for your third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. This information can also be used for students who have not received their first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
A booster vaccination can be given 4 or more months after your first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Studies show that the immunity created by COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane over time. A booster dose helps to strengthen your immune system and improve your long-term protection against serious illness from the COVID-19 virus.
The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are recommended as boosters in Australia. Although not preferred, the AstraZeneca vaccine can be given as a booster for those who are unable to have an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons.
(Source: NSW Government website; last update January 11, 2022, https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters).
We found the HotDoc app or website to be extremely useful in locating a booster shot appointment. It’s very straightforward. You simply type in your suburb or postcode, then the app finds a list of places where you can book an appointment for the booster dose. In most areas, there are appointments available from the same day.
>>> Click here to view the Hot Doc website to locate a booster shot appointment.
NSW Health Vaccination Clinics:
>>> Click here to view NSW Health Vaccination Clinics.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance in locating a booster vaccination appointment. I am more than happy to help.
Ms Adele Cutbush
College Registered Nurse
Waverley College Health Centre
E: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This is a friendly reminder that the Year 11 Parent / Student Study Skills Evening is scheduled on Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 at 6pm – 7:30 pm as outlined in the College Diary.
Please note that, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be running the session online as a live stream event via ‘Zoom.’
We will be sharing a Zoom link and further details in the days leading up to the session.
This is a compulsory event for all Year 11 HSC plus ATAR students and attendance is highly recommended for HSC plus Vocational students.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Director of Curriculum
E: lporter@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.
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