Works on a new pedestrian and cycle pathway at Queens Park began on Monday. The pathway will run along the edge of Darley Road, connecting York Road to Carrington Road and completing a ‘missing link’ in the regional transport network.
Importantly, the pathway will also significantly improve safety for children, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists along Darley Road and access to Queens Park Sporting Fields.
No. The works will take place until the end of this year, weather permitting, but this project presents no impact to existing sports fields. Sports fields will be open throughout construction (with the exception of Centennial Parklands’ annual renovation program between 30 August 2021 and 16 October 2021.)
Sometimes. Works will be carried out in a staged approach, starting near York Road and progressing towards Carrington Road. There will be parking impacts at times, but always alternate pedestrian access in place and clearly signposted.
Please address concerns and questions to: info@cp.nsw.gov.au and type QP Cycleway in the subject line of your email.
Finalised Design Queens Park Cycleway
Today at around 2:20pm, a fire broke out in the TAS building on the Senior School campus. The fire was caused by embers that made their way into the exhaust duct.
There was only skeleton staff on campus and three Year 12 students. Staff responded immediately and everyone was evacuated and thankfully all are safe.
On behalf of the College and the local community, I would like to thank the local Police and Fire Departments who were at the scene in minutes and in large numbers. Their response was impressive and decisive and certainly kept damage to a minimum.
Please find below the key changes and announcements made by the government today in outlining a roadmap for return to face-to-face teaching.
The roadmap consists of four parts and is current as of 8am Friday 27 August:
Priority cohorts will begin face to face learning on Monday 25 October, as long as community transmission and vaccination rate requirements have been met.
HSC exams will be delayed to 9 November with a revised timetable and guidelines for a COVID-safe HSC to be released by NESA in early September. The updated start date means HSC results will be released in mid-January. For further details, please refer to Ms Porter’s newsletter article.
A) Vaccinations for all school staff across all sectors will be mandatory from 8 November.
NSW Health will be providing priority vaccinations at Qudos Bank Arena for school staff the week beginning 6 September. School staff are also encouraged to make use of the GP network to be vaccinated with whatever vaccine is available as soon as possible. A recent survey of the public-school workforce indicated the majority of staff already had at least one dose of a vaccine.
B) All students sitting their HSC will receive priority vaccination if they are eligible. Notification for priority booking will be issued by NESA next week. All students eligible for a vaccine will be strongly encouraged by the government to book an appointment.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older.
Students can only return to face-to-face learning in LGAs where community transmission cases are 50 or less per 100,000 people, based on health advice. For most LGAs in NSW this is already occurring. If cases exceed 50 per 100,000 in any LGA, learning from home will resume for that LGA until case numbers drop. This means about 64 per cent of students in Greater Sydney wouldn’t be able to return to school, totalling 554,861 students.
* Subject to possible change.
The start of the staggered return of students to face to face learning depends upon at least 70 per cent of the state’s eligible adult population being vaccinated. Current NSW Health projections indicate this will be before mid-October – which is why NSW Health and Education have confidence in the start date for the staged return being 25 October. We will continue to inform you of any changes as they arise.
After an extensive Prefect and Captain selection leadership process that included House, peers, and staff, it is my pleasure to announce that the four College Captains for Term 4 2021 and 2022 are:
The House Captains and Prefects will be announced at their respective House Assemblies next week.
Wednesday 1 September is Indigenous Literacy Day and this year the The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has organised an online event called ‘Celebrating Stories and Language.’
Catering for Senior and Junior School students, it features stories being read and shared by Elders in remote communities, famous Indigenous Australians and children.
Be sure to read the articles by Mr Bill Roberts and Ms Olivia Kite to learn how to register to view Indigenous Literacy Day video stories that will go live at 9am on Wednesday.
During the Greater Sydney lockdown, I have been heartened to receive numerous handwritten, typed, audio and video messages of support from schools in our global EREA community. Messages have been sent to us from: Fe y Alegria in Peru, St Laurence in the United States, St Johns and St Edmunds in India, and Blarney Street in Ireland.
United in prayer, these communities send their best energies to students, staff and families in Greater Sydney Edmund Rice schools. I encourage you to read the messages in the links below, in the hope that they will bring comfort and encouragement during this time of uncertainty.
St John’s College is holding its Virtual Open Day this Sunday 29 August at 2:30pm via Zoom. St John’s is a vibrant, mixed-gender residential college within the University of Sydney, and is the oldest Roman Catholic university college in Australia. The current Chair of Council at St John’s is Old Boy John Coorey (Class of 1979).
Should your son be interested in on-campus accommodation or the University of Sydney in 2022 or 2023, St John’s would really like to see him at the Virtual Open Day. Parents are also welcome. Current students at St John’s will be ready to answer questions and chat about why they chose St John’s and the University of Sydney.
Interested Waverley students need to register to ensure that they receive the access link and any updates about the event direct to their inboxes. Students can also submit any questions they have via registration.
For questions about the application process, scholarship program or financial assistance, please reach out to the Registrar Ms LeVina Huirua | 02 9394 5000 | registrar@stjohnscollege.edu.au
Please be advised that NESA is working to reschedule HSC exams to start on 9 November 2021 in line with today’s announcement by the Premier and Minister for Education.
The updated start date means HSC results will be released in mid-January.
NESA will publish a revised exam timetable in early September and is continuing to work very closely with NSW Health and the school sectors to develop comprehensive COVID-safe protocols for running the exams. NESA is aiming for these protocols to be available in early September.
The College will continue to update you as information about the new timetable and COVID-safe plans becomes available.
Warm regards,
Ms Lynsey Porter
Director of Curriculum
E: lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our thoughts are with the men, women and children of Afghanistan. Over the past weeks, we have seen distressing images of suffering people after Taliban forces took control of most of Afghanistan after the military withdrawal of the United States in August. The Taliban have destroyed homes and displaced thousands of people.
In Refugee Week in June, Waverley College was privileged to hear Zaki Haidari, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, speak to us about his journey here in Australia. He shared his powerful story of fleeing the Taliban and escaping by boat to this country. Zaki is on a temporary protection visa and works at the RACS (Refugee Advice and Casework Service) in Randwick.
Zaki Haidari
We are keeping Zaki in our prayers and thoughts at this very difficult time. In his own words:
“Everyone here is numb. We don’t know how to process this or react. We feel hopeless. Many of us have loved ones in Kabul and we desperately need to get our families out. This has proven once again that it is not safe for us to go back and not safe for our families … what will it take for the Government to give us permanent protection? To enable us to bring our families here to safety once and for all? I am begging people to take action to force the Australian Government to do something.”
Small actions from many people can make a big impact.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The laptops currently held by Year 10 students will be end of lease this year and parents can now nominate to purchase or return.
We have put together an information sheet explaining the process. The sheet is published in the Parent Lounge — School Links — End of Lease Macbooks.
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: Discover Education Perfect Science Championships winners, see competition-winning experiments by Waverley Scientists of Science Week.
National Science Week at Waverley College was a little different this year, however, that did not stop our budding scientists from experimenting at home. The theme for 2021 was Food: Different by Design. Students learnt about the creative innovations which have been developed to solve complex issues relating to sustainability and the effects of climate change on the agricultural industry.
To explore this concept, students entered a virtual escape room which required them to reflect on the impact of extreme weather conditions on rice crops and the role genetically-modified crops play in alleviating hunger in a large portion of the world’s population. Students problem solved in groups to crack codes and save the virtual lab from flooding!
Students got curious about science which excites them in the Education Perfect Science Championships. Waverley College students answered 20,281 questions on a vast range of scientific concepts during the competition!
Special mention goes to the following students for achieving an Education Perfect Science Championship Award:
*Max has won 70 points for Quinn House and Thomas has won 80 points for Lacey House! Well done boys!
We also had a very large response to the Waverley Scientists of Science Week Competition! There were many fantastic entries from both Junior and Senior School students, some of which will be showcased on the Waverley College Instagram page.
It was an incredibly hard competition to judge. We would like to acknowledge the efforts all students put into undertaking their experiments at home. We hope you had fun!
Congratulations to the following students who have been deemed Waverley Scientists of Science Week!
Junior School
Senior School
These boys will receive a gift card to purchase science equipment, a science book or an artifact to add to a science collection they may have at home.
Well done to all students who participated. Stay curious!
Watch the experiment created by Junior School winner Jasper Lumsden:
Watch the experiment created by Senior School winner Dante Fearn:
Ms Gemma Brown
Assistant Head of Science
E: gbrown@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The laptops currently held by Year 12 students will be end of lease in December and parents can now nominate to purchase or return units once the HSC has been completed.
We have put together an information sheet explaining the process. The sheet is published in the Parent Lounge — School Links — End of Lease Macbooks .
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: how to update address details.
With the implementation of the new Parent Lounge, each week iAssist will publish a guide to a specific feature to help parents navigate around the interface.
The guides will be released through Nurrunga and then listed in the Parent Lounge under the School Links — Parent Lounge Guides section.
This week it’s about updating address details:
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This Wednesday 1 September, in their Careers period, our Year 10 Big Brothers will meet with their Year 5 Little Brothers for a virtual catch up again.
All students are invited to bring their pet to the meeting or if they don’t have a pet to bring, something that is special to them such as their favourite team’s football/soccer/baseball/
I know all the students are looking forward to developing their relationship further.
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
You don’t have to search for what’s on or stay up late – ClickView has put together TWO playlists that you can access via the College’s subscription to this video resource. Your son can access this by using his login credentials.
Look out for a great interview exclusive to ClickView for Australian students, with former Paralympian gold medalist Gerry Hewson. Gerry won Gold in 1996 for Wheelchair Basketball and has been a regular visitor to schools in NSW talking about his experience. ClickView Advisor, Hayden Lewis, will be asking Gerry some great questions that students will love hearing the answers to!
We’ll be adding heaps of broadcast events as they air on TV – make sure to check back here as the playlist is populated with new broadcasts!
Additional resources and ideas relevant to the topic will also be added.
Here’s where you can find the resources that come with videos:
Be inspired by these amazing athletes and stay safe.
Ms Sue Bognar
Senior Library Teacher Librarian
E: sbognar@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to our equal Cadets of the Week – SGT Adele Chandler of 11PL and REC James Peate of 8PL. SGT Chandler has been working hard to engage with her platoon, preparing her lessons well and putting into practice everything she was taught on the SLC Promotions Course. Well done, Adele!
REC Peate has impressed his rank with his enthusiasm and energy for Cadets on a Friday afternoon, not easy after a week of online learning. Well done, James!
Congratulations James Peate!
This week, A Company and 4 Platoon will enjoy a break from the CDC as they compete against each other and the clock in the virtual Space Escape Room, while the rest of the Unit are learning the different types of knots they need in the field, and how to put up a hutchie.
Our Companies have now established their fundraising pages for the ‘Lunge for Legacy Competition’ over the month of September. If you would like to support your son’s Company in raising funds for the families of Veterans who are coping with the consequences of suicide, please click on the relevant link below.
Companies will compete against each other for the most lunges and the most monies raised:
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Learn more: how to register online to watch video stories on Indigenous Literacy Day, watch a video introduction from Jessica Mauboy.
Wednesday 1 September is Indigenous Literacy Day. The day provides the opportunity to spend some time enjoying the rich language traditions of some of our Indigenous Australians. This celebratory day also is an awareness-raising day to provide support to enhance Aboriginal literacy.
In past years, we have held Book Swap events in support of this important day. This year, as a family, it could be great to spend a little time on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website, listening to, supporting and learning what we can about the importance of literacy.
‘This year, we are hosting a free virtual celebration for all Australians going live from 9am Wednesday 1 September. Through storytelling, ILD provides a window into the richness, diversity and multilingual world of First Nations peoples with a selection of short, two minute, inspiring video stories by First Nations storytellers (of all ages) from across the country.’ – Indigenous Literacy Foundation website.
There are great video clips and stories to watch on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website. Learn how to register by watching Jessica Mauboy (singer, songwriter, actress and Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador!) introduce this wonderful day.
*Did you spot a former Waverley College school sports jacket being worn by one of the Indigenous students in this clip?
We hope you enjoy International Literacy Day this year. Don’t forget, it’s live from 9am!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEuzcIQd7vY
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Indigenous Literacy Day is a day designed to celebrate and advocate for the importance of providing children in remote communities with the opportunity and resources to connect with the richness, diversity and multilingual world of our First Nations People.
As mentioned, our College has previously celebrated Indigenous Literacy Day with The Great Book Swap and we have also connected with Jarjum School in Redfern for a virtual reading program between students. In 2020, Quinn House and the College Library raised funds to purchase culturally-relevant books for remote communities in their first language.
Due to COVID-19, this year The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has organised an online event called ‘Celebrating Stories and Language.’ The program caters for both Senior and Junior School students, and includes stories being read and shared by Elders in remote communities, famous Indigenous Australians and children.
In addition to the College’s range of Aboriginal-themed literature in print, audio and eform, we encourage you to reach out to your local library and become an online member, and explore their Indigenous catalogue. The Waverley Council Library has suitable books available for primary-aged students, young adult fiction for teenagers, and non-fiction stories, experiences and accounts for those looking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of our First Nations People.
Happy Reading!
Ms Olivia Kite and Quinn House
Head of House and HSIE Teacher
E: okite@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Quinn students including Quinn House Captain Dane Perica preparing to read to and listen to the students from Jarjum College in Redfern on Indigenous Literacy Day 2020
Lucas Ryan reading to Year 1 students at Jarjum College in Redfern on Indigenous Literacy Day 2020
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
