View the Week 7 Careers Newsletter HERE.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 12 Design and Technology students will attend a stimulating excursion at Pier 2/3, to see a selection of incredible Band 6 HSC projects, presented by students from around the state, from the 2023 HSC.
When: Wednesday, 27 March 2024.
Where: students will meet Ms Medcalf at Pier 2/3 Suite 3/13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point NSW 2000 at 8:40am.
Clothing: full school uniform must be worn.
Food: students are required to bring a morning tea and a packed lunch to eat during a break outside the venue.
Dismissal: students will be dismissed from the venue to make their own way home around 1:15pm-2pm.
Excursion cost: approximately $36, billed to your account.
Parent/Carer permission: parent/carer permission is required. Please complete the permission slip in the Parent Lounge in TASS by Wednesday, 20 March.
Year 10 vaccinations are fast approaching – Wednesday, 3 April 2024!
SESLHD has advised that we currently only have 30% of students consented for the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine. This is a nationally-recommended vaccine and is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
*If your child is unable to attend this particular date, they will be able to present on 31 July 2024 during the Year 7 vaccination day. Please make the School Nurse aware.
All students must have parents’/carers’ consent before vaccinations can be administered. To provide consent, please click this LINK.
View the vaccinations flyer in this LINK.
If you have any concerns or queries please contact the school registered nurses, as we are happy to assist in any way we can.
Warm regards,
Ms Emma Quirk and Ms Julia Ritoli
Registered Nurses
equirk@waverley.nsw.edu.au
jritoli@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
At this week’s International Women’s Day assembly we were certainly all inspired by our guest speaker, Ms Jelena Dokic. Jelena shared her story of overcoming adversity, poverty, and violence to rise to the top of the tennis world.
You can read more about Jelena’s message of kindness, inclusion, support for each other and resilience in Mrs Gabby Smith’s article HERE.
The College wishes to express its gratitude to the inspiring women in our community – teachers, support staff, mothers, grandmothers and carers. Their strength, wisdom, and presence should be celebrated.
Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into ploughshares.
We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us to see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.
Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.
Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.
Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.
We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.
We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.
Help us to see the strength and goodness in all people.
Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people as we seek to inspire inclusivity in all we do.
Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us
Mary of the Cross – Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever
Ms Martina Cooper, Director of Curriculum, with representatives from a range of religious organisations and schools, was involved in planning a Professional Learning conference for 200 teachers of Studies of Religion on 1 March 2024. The conference is an annual interfaith dialogue initiative, organised by the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA).
The focus of this year’s conference was What people DO with what they BELIEVE. Teachers engaged in presentations on Aboriginal Spirituality and how Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Muslims live out their faith in contemporary Australia.
Buddhist puja – act of devotion to the Buddha
Martina co-presented on Buddhist practices and environmental ethics with a member of Waverley College’s casual staff, and Drama teacher, Dhammalata (Mr Jeremy Godwin). Dhammalata is an ordained Buddhist monk and together with Ms Cath Stewart, Head of Religion, facilitated a Buddhist puja (act of devotion to the Buddha).
Such opportunities to engage with faith leaders enriches the nature of Teaching and Learning in Religious Education at Waverley College.
Dhammalata – Mr Jeremy Godwin
More than 500 individuals joined us for our Open Day morning, where they were warmly welcomed by our College Leadership Team. Students guided families on tours, showcasing life at Waverley and our stunning, historic campus along with our facilities. This event provides a great opportunity for your son to immerse himself in the Waverley experience.
If you couldn’t make it this time, mark your calendars for the next Open Morning on 3 September 2024.
Applications for 2026 will close on 31 March 2024. You are welcome to place an application through our website.
Have your say on Moore Park South. Share your views on the future of Moore Park South. Feedback closes 10 April 2024. Greater Sydney Parklands invite feedback via the following:
The Waverley Art Prize is open to painting, drawing, print and mixed media artworks. Entries are open until 11:59pm on 13 May 2024.
This year’s Judges are notable artists, Julia Gutman and Joan Ross.
To enter please click HERE.
On Thursday 7 March, the College community celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) at our Years 5-12 College assembly where we were joined by former world number four tennis player, Jelena Dokic.
Booked around a year ago, Jelena’s visit to Waverley was long-anticipated. Student leaders from St Clare’s College and St Catherine’s School attended this special live-streamed assembly in our gymnasium, which College Vice-Captain Ricardo Zanapalis led with grace and confidence.
Although Jelena Dokic is a household name to most generations of Australians, our student audience did not grow up ‘knowing’ her, and so a video clip of her now legendary achievements on the tennis court came to life on our large screens, which provided context and enjoyment for us all.
Making the semi-finals of Wimbledon at 17 and being a doubles Grand Slam finalist at 18 are sporting highlights which remain etched in the memories of many, however Jelena’s success was shadowed by darker elements, trauma and abuse.
With skill and sensitivity, Ricardo bonded with Jelena, creating a safe environment for her to express her vulnerability in a compelling Q&A session. She responded to our questions openly, and revealed the extreme expectations of her to win tournaments in a very high-pressure situation. A refugee at eight and 11, sometimes with not enough food, no English, bullied at school and in the tennis community, she loved Australia and exhorted our students to “keep going and never give up. This can take you far.”
But Jelena spoke less of her adversity and spoke more about the ways she chose to respond to it. She told us that she could not have survived without finding her voice, speaking up and sharing her story. That she had to reinvent herself and was proud of coming out the other end. Talking about her PTSD, trauma, depression, abuse and anxiety, she explained, “I didn’t want it to define me – it almost cost me my life. I didn’t want it to define my future.”
Jelena couldn’t play tennis after age 29 and went on to build a life where she is now also known globally as an author, commentator, broadcaster and thriver. Writing is a passion and her two best-selling books, autobiography Unbreakable (2017) and Fearless (2023), are testaments to her strength. Her autobiography took 13-15 months of hard work and was draining mentally, but cathartic, because she believes in vulnerability.
Q: How did you find the process of putting your life on paper while writing your two books?
“My two books are my legacy. The books have helped me to thrive. The day my book came out was the best day of my life.”
She believes that her autobiography garnered such a positive public response because she talked about things that people don’t want to talk about.
“Each time I speak, it helps me forward on my healing journey.”
Q: Did you encounter double standards in the way male and female athletes were treated during your tennis years?
“There has to be an equal amount of respect and opportunities whether you’re a man or a woman – we’ve come a very long way. I am a massive believer in kindness – we need to look after girls as well. Kindness saves lives … 99% of coaches are still male in tennis.”
Q: You are an example of adversity, courage and unwavering resilience. If you could leave us with one piece of advice or a thought, what would it be?
Q: Where was your favourite place to play on the circuit?
“Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena – it’s one of a kind. New York and Rome are other favourites.”
Q: Do you still play tennis non-competitively?
“Yes, it’s good to go out there and have fun. I don’t do it a lot, as 11 months of the year I am doing books, commentating and speaking.”
Jelena remains goal-oriented and when speaking of her future she is excited that there are two more books planned, including a children’s book. She said that she’d like to do more commentary around ‘speaking up’ and standing up for herself and her beliefs, being her best self, and continuing to work hard and be disciplined.
Her advice in helping to work towards equality?
Jelena farewelled our assembly, commenting that we were “the quietest 1,500 people ever!” Copies of her two signed books are now in our library for students.
Mr James Horrocks (Head of Student Wellbeing) was invited to the lectern to conclude the assembly, then Jelena headed to our IWD lunch in the Performing Arts Centre with our College Leadership Team, student leaders from Waverley College, St Clare’s, St Catherine’s, and students involved in the Q&A session.
As a community, we feel privileged to have met Jelena Dokic, a living testament to the human spirit’s resilience. Collectively, let’s strive to forge a more inclusive world for women everywhere, not only on International Women’s Day but every day.
Thank you, Jelena.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@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 you aware, our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between 13 and 22 March 2024. Please see the timetable below.
On Monday 4 March, Mr Ghattas and myself had the privilege of accompanying the Year 6 Class Captains and Vice-Captains to the National Young Leaders Day at the ICC in Darling Harbour. It was an energising, fun and inspiring day for our students. They danced, met other students and listened to a range of different presenters (Anatasia Woolmer, Bryson Klein, Eva Amores, Matt Cosgrove and Stephen O’Keefe).
These inspiring people shared their personal stories and the journey they have travelled in order to reach their true potential and find their purpose. The main messages were around building resilience, the need for perseverance and what it takes to be a leader.
One of the highlights from the day was when Tio Norman was selected to ask Steve O’Keefe a question.
What did you enjoy most about the day? That I was able to ask Steve O’Keefe a question about what kept him motivated to pursue his cricket career. His reply was, “When he did not get selected for his team when he was younger, it made him want it more.”
What speaker did you enjoy the most and why? “The people who created the series The Worst Week Ever. I liked how they even put their own embarrassing stories into it.”
What’s one thing that you learnt after today? “That it is a lot more complex to become a leader and it takes perseverance. Also that there is a sport called Memory Games.”
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
To celebrate the Feast of St Patrick, on Friday, 15 March, the Junior School will hold a sale at recess time. Cupcakes (with green icing), green jelly, lolly bags and a few other items will be on sale for a gold coin donation.
All money raised will go towards our Lenten Appeal. We are asking for donations of these items from Conlon and Green Houses as well as our Class-Captains and Vice-Captains, who will also assist on the day.
All students are able to come to school dressed in their PE uniform on the day, wearing a touch of green to support the day (ribbon, socks, hat).
Once a month, as part of the Social Justice program, our Year 11 students will hit the streets to feed the homeless men and women of Sydney. This initiative is run by the St Vincent de Paul Society and gives the students an insight into the vast array of people (children, teens and adults from varying backgrounds) who are homeless and the journey that each of them are on.
As this face-to-face experience is not suitable for our Junior School students, we will ask the senior boys to come down and talk to the juniors about their experiences.
One way that we can assist is by offering donations throughout the year. We are asking 5 Blue and 6 Blue students for the following donation for the first Night Patrol on Monday, 18 March 2024:
This week we recommence teaching the Second Step Wellbeing program in the Junior School. Research has shown that a whole-school, evidence-based approach to Wellbeing will improve the socio-emotional skills of students which will positively affect their spiritual, emotional and academic life at Waverley.
The program focuses on skills that will help your son succeed in school and in life. These skills include:
You play a vital role in helping your student develop strong social skills. During these next few weeks, the focus of the lessons will be empathy and communication.
Ask questions about the skills your student is learning, such as:
If you have any questions about the curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Stephen Ghattas or Ms Jade Sparks for more information. Thank you for supporting your son in learning the skills that lead to success in school and in life.
Make sure to join www.secondstep.org with the activation key SSP5FAMILY75 to watch videos about the Second Step program and get information about what your student is learning.
For students who are part of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Kensington, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered at the Church by Bishop Umbers on Wednesday, 12 June 2024.
The parent enrolment night is Wednesday, 20 March at 6:30pm in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 4 Roma Avenue, Kensington.
Parents will need to bring information about the child’s Baptism: date, name of the Church and Parish of Baptism.
Please note: Waverley College assists in preparing only the students who are part of Mary Immaculate Church or live within the parish boundaries for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Please ensure that you reach out to your local parish to check the dates of this Sacrament to ensure that you don’t miss out.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School/Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
I enjoyed accompanying 11 students at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday, 5 March. These boys swam extremely well for Waverley, even breaking some personal best times! A special mention to Kai Hess (Year 5) and Jack Forde (Year 5) who will both be representing Waverley at CIS for a combined total of seven individual races.
Furthermore, both our Senior Relay Team (U11/U12) and our Junior Relay Team (U10) made it in the top five fastest times against the competing schools, which means they also get to compete at CIS later this month.
Congratulations to all our swimmers and thanks to your families for supporting such a successful day.
Our 6A Cricket boys showed great resilience on Saturday, after needing 71 runs to win! They were 2/0 and then 3/8 however went on to win 3/72!
Thank you to all the parents who attend, support and even help out with scoring at their son’s sporting commitments. I am proud of our Waverley community and the benefit of community engagement on student success and enjoyment is unparalleled. We are so grateful.
Junior School Winter Sport Trials will begin next Wednesday, 13 March 2024. Please read the following information and prepare your son/s:
Dates/Times:
Location: Queens Park
Uniform: Students arrive at school in full PE uniform. It is a normal school day until 1pm.
Pack: Water bottle, sunscreen, and sport-specific gear for both preferences as below:
Your son will be reminded of his Winter Sport preferences by his class teacher and there will be no changes, as the numbers have already been used to create the Winter Sport Draw.
Teams will be announced on Wednesday, 27 March.
Please indicate permission for your son to be dismissed from Queens Park at the conclusion of each trial through the Parent Lounge Event “JS: Winter Sport Trials Dismissal”. Ensure you make a plan with your son for each trial date.
Please review the Sport Trials Policy HERE to understand the purpose and procedures of these trials.
Ms Jade Sparks
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Junior School)
jsparks@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-4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school Term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Register your son HERE.
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.
Students are required to stay for the full session unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave, a parent’s 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.
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
An important note to remember, if afternoon training sessions are cancelled, unfortunately, you cannot send your son to Home Learning as an alternative plan, students are registered for the afternoon sessions in advance and the capacity is always reached.
Avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming Term 1 Lunchtime Guest Speakers.
The purpose of this initiative is to inspire young people to dream big, persevere through challenges, and never give up on their dreams.
Week 6 Lunchtime Talk
Week 7 Lunchtime Talk
Week 8 Lunchtime Talk
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Teacher of Literacy & Innovation
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We have been enjoying getting to know each other in 6 Indigo and learning more about ourselves along the way.
In Visual Arts, we designed our own personal symbol/s. The symbol/s could represent yourself, your family, a story, or something you love doing e.g. playing footy, spending time with friends.
We also completed some self-portraits that represented the mood we were in through the use of colour.
Mr Kendall Robinson
Teacher of 6 Indigo
krobinson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Thursday, 7 March, St Clare’s and St Catherine’s student leaders and their teachers were our honoured guests in our celebratory 2024 International Women’s Day Assembly.
Earlier in the week, Year 8 and Year 9 St Clare’s students joined with Year 9 Waverley students in dance, which you can read about in the following article by Mr Patrick Darvill, Head of PDHPE.
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.
Thank you to the staff who assisted in supervising this great program.
Mr Patrick Darvill
Head of PDHPE
pdarvill@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A State Significant Development Application is being prepared by Waverley College for the construction of a new building, and staged upgrades to existing facilities over 10 years.
We are in the early stages of planning and designing the proposed updates to the school. Community involvement will be central to the development of this project.
To find out more, please attend our Drop-in Session on Tuesday, 19 March, 4pm-7pm in the Performing Arts Centre Foyer, 131 Birrell St, Waverley, or email us at ssda@waverley.nsw.edu.au
You can visit the Waverley College Stage 1 Master Plan webpage HERE.
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This year, the Music Department is excited to introduce a new ensemble tailored for students keen on delving into music recording, digital production, and music software/hardware.
Led by Mr Jesse Johnston (the current Director of the Rock Band Program), this ensemble promises a dynamic blend of lessons and hands-on creative tasks. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and master Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, including popular platforms like Logic, Soundtrap, GarageBand and Ableton.
Open to students of all levels, the ensemble aims to foster a collaborative and learning-oriented environment. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a newcomer to the world of music production, there’s a spot for you. Importantly, no prior experience is necessary, making it an inclusive opportunity for anyone eager to explore the realms of music recording and digital production.
Given the limited availability of spots, we encourage interested students to express their interest promptly to Mr Balkizas, Head of Music cbalkizas@waverley.nsw.edu.au and Mr Jesse Johnston jjohnston@waverley.nsw.edu
The Production and Recording Group will meet every Wednesday from 3:30pm-4:30pm in the PAC Room P13 (keyboard lab).
Secure your spot in this innovative ensemble that promises to be both educational and creatively fulfilling!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Music Staff.
Click HERE to view more information.
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 1, Week 7.
*These tutorials apply to Year 11 students undertaking an HSC subject in 2024.
Topics covered during the tutorials include content revision, study skills, exam preparation and practice papers. These tutorials have proven extremely valuable and, while not compulsory, are strongly encouraged.
| Date | Subject | Time | Staff | Room |
| Monday, 11 March 2024 | Studies of Religion II | 3:30pm – 5pm | Cooper/ Stewart | E40 |
|
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
|
PDHPE | 7:30am – 8:30am | Darvill | GHR |
| Industrial tech multimedia | 3:30pm -4:30pm | Gibbs | W32A | |
| Maths Standard 2 | 7:30am – 8:30am | P Cornish | E33 | |
|
Wednesday, 13 March 2024
|
Spanish Beginners | 7:30am – 8:30am | D Kroll | W24 |
| Maths Advanced | 7:30am – 8:30am | Riley | E23 | |
| Thursday, 14 March 2024 | Society and Culture | 3:15pm – 4:45pm | Theo | W32 |
| Friday, 15 March 2024 | Hospitality | 7am – 8am | B McCarthy | TF1 |
It is important that we know attendance numbers so teachers can prepare accordingly. To that end, the expectation is that students who register for the tutorial, attend. Rolls will be taken to assist us to manage the program.
The cut-off time to register for morning tutorials is 3pm the day prior.
Ms Brooke Kent has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Ms Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 1, Week 7. Topics covered during the tutorials include content revision, study skills, exam preparation and practice papers. These tutorials have proven extremely valuable and, while not compulsory, are strongly encouraged.
| Date | Subject | Time | Staff | Room |
| Monday, 11 March 2024 | Studies of Religion II | 3:30pm – 5pm | Cooper/ Stewart | E40 |
|
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
|
PDHPE | 7:30am – 8:30am | Darvill | GHR |
| Industrial tech multimedia | 3:30pm -4:30pm | Gibbs | W32A | |
| Maths Standard 2 | 7:30am – 8:30am | P Cornish | E33 | |
|
Wednesday, 13 March 2024
|
Spanish Beginners | 7:30am – 8:30am | D Kroll | W24 |
| Maths Advanced | 7:30am – 8:30am | Riley | E23 | |
| Thursday, 14 March 2024 | Society and Culture | 3:15pm – 4:45pm | Theo | W32 |
| Friday, 15 March 2024 | Hospitality | 7am – 8am | B McCarthy | TF1 |
It is important that we know attendance numbers so teachers can prepare accordingly. To that end, the expectation is that students who register for the tutorial, attend. Rolls will be taken to assist us to manage the program.
The cut-off time to register for morning tutorials is 3pm the day prior.
Ms Brooke Kent has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Ms Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@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
