Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
The Year 7 Parent/Student Study Skills Information Evening will take place in the College Gym (in the Cosgrove Centre) on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 6pm-7:30pm.
The presenter for the evening, Dr Prue Salter, is an expert in the area of study skills. The evenings she runs for Year 7 families are in high demand and this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Please click the button below to view information about the learning areas that will be covered.
Click here to view the Study Skills flyer
Students and Parents/Carers are asked to please:
Ms Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Cadet Annual Field Exercise (AFX) doubles as the Year 9 camp and is an exciting and challenging way to extend our cadets and test the skills they have learnt over the past year. For some, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the machinations of a working military base, Holsworthy Barracks, which provides the context for our camp.
Details about AFX have been emailed to all families via the Joining Instruction (JI). Please carefully read through the information and equipment list and complete all necessary administration by 1 March 2024.
To view the Year 9 AFX Recruit Form, click the button below.
Click to view Year 9 AFX Recruit Form
The WCACU Annual Field Exercise (AFX) is fast approaching and is an exciting and challenging way to extend our cadets and leaders and really test their skills and development in an authentic context.
The pride and camaraderie that builds within Companies and HQ over the course of the week is something our young people will cherish as they continue their educational journey and, for some, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the machinations of a working military base, Holsworthy Barracks, which provides the context for our camp.
Details about AFX have been emailed to all families via the Joining Instruction (JI). Please carefully read through the information and equipment list and complete all necessary administration by 1 March 2024.
Click here to view the Years 10-12 AFX Form
Dear Year 11 Students and Parents,
If you missed the study skills evening this week, or felt there was too much to absorb in one go, we have good news for you.
We have arranged for you to be able to access a filmed version of Dr Salter’s study skills session at home.
The study skills seminar has been broken down into bite-sized chunks, so if you do not want to do it all in one go, you can work through the session at your own pace. You can also watch any of the videos again up until Tuesday, 5 March 2024.
The video page will prompt you to download the handout for the session and show you at the end where you can then access all the slides from the session shown in the video. Students should use the handout and then complete the reflection after the videos.
The link to access the session form is: https://www.pruesalter.com/videos/waverley11.php
Username: waverley11
Password: expires5march
Our school also has access for the year to https://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/
Username: forwaverleycollegeonly
Password: 94results
Please take advantage of these opportunities to learn strategies to become a more powerful learner.
Ms Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As part of our Career program for Year 10 at Waverley College, we offer a Career Assessment program to all Year 10 students to assist with senior subject selection and choosing a career pathway.
The program will begin with a four hour online career testing session run by Dr Marian Kratzing, a Careers Psychologist. Dr Kratzing has developed a unique career profiling system which she and her colleagues provide to many schools in Sydney.
Please click the button below to view further information.
Click for Career Profile Testing information
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies and Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Week one of Term 1 has flown by with much energy and enthusiasm across the College’s two campuses. I appreciated the work Year 12 did with assisting Year 7 with their start to high school and all Year levels have been encouraged to support new students and staff at the College.
Years 11 and 12 have received their assessment registers for the semester and all students have had course outlines explained in class this week. It has been impressive to see most boys hit the ground running and get back into our learning community’s rhythm. I encourage you to read Ms Porter’s (Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning) article on success habits HERE.
Due to the high temperatures predicted on Monday, 5 February 2024, all students may wear their PE uniform to school. Please note: If Senior School students have any practical TAS lessons scheduled on Monday, the students will need to bring their black leather school shoes with them to be able to access the workshops (e.g. Food Tech, Woodwork, Hospitality etc.).
I would like to welcome the following staff who are replacing staff who we farewelled last year, and also some staff taking leave from the College along with new positions created. We look forward to them sharing their experience, wisdom and perspectives with both colleagues and students.
Ms Laura Bleasdale (English Teacher) joins us from Davidson High School. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Graduate Certificate in Religious Education and is an experienced hockey, basketball, tennis coach and debating convenor.
Mr Jonathan Bowden (Music Teacher) joins us from St Thomas More Primary School and has previously taught at Bondi Public School. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Graduate Diploma in Education and has extensive expertise in directing music programs, coordinating bands and choirs, and leading co-curricular activities such as cricket and soccer.
Mr Nathan Brown (HSIE Teacher) joins us from Sydney Technical High School. He holds a Master of Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts and has been a convenor and coach of cricket and football.
Mr Ben Charlton (Manchester City Program Head Coach). Ben has been with the Club since 2015 and has run programs across UK, India, South East Asia and North America. Ben holds the UEFA B coaching license in the UK, whilst also possessing a degree in Sports Studies from Manchester University and a level 3 Sports Development NVQ.
Ms Gina Cohen (Drama Teacher) joins us from Danebank Anglican School. She holds a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts and has a Diploma of Education. Gina has directed and produced and also has experience in film making, script writing, writing short plays and acting.
Ms Carmela Diaz (English/Religious Education) joins us from De La Salle College Malvern Victoria and has previously taught at Ashwood High. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education and also has experience in debating and public speaking.
Ms Naimh Ennis (HSIE Teacher) joins us from EREA school, St Josephs CBS Ireland and has previously taught at Castlecomer Community School. She holds a Masters in Education and a Bachelor of Commerce and is a basketball and tennis coach.
Ms Alison Fullam (HSIE Teacher) joins us from East Hills Boys High School and has previously taught in Ireland at St Paul’s Secondary School. Alison achieved her Masters of Education with 2nd Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts also with 2nd Class Honours and is a tennis and running coach.
Ms Maisie Gordon (History Teacher) joins us from Trinity Grammar School and has previously worked in an EREA school, St. Joseph’s CBS Ireland. She holds a Masters in Education (2nd Class Honours) and a double honours degree in Bachelor of Arts (Law and History) also with 2nd Class Honours. Maisie also coaches water polo, debating, and enjoys assisting in the production of school musicals.
Mr James Horrocks (Head of Student Wellbeing) joins us from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College where he sat on the School’s leadership team as Director of Learning Integration. James has previously worked at Waverley College as Head of Brennan House. He holds a Masters in Educational Leadership – Learning and Leadership and Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Arts (History and Languages) and is a water polo and rugby coach.
Mr Mohit Khadgi (IT Help Desk Technician) joins us from Unisys Australia and has previously worked at the NSW Department of Education, and IMI Solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Information Technology.
Mr David Magro (English Teacher) joins us from St Patrick’s College and has previously worked at Trinity Grammar School. He holds a Masters in Teaching, Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts and is a rugby, cadet and debating coach.
Ms Fiona O’Connor (Mathematics Teacher) joins us from Ballymakenny College, Ireland. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and enjoys Science club and producing school musicals.
Ms Mikaela Turner (Junior School Teacher) joins us from Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School. She holds a Bachelor of Education and is a netball, touch football, and gym coach.
The leadership team and I look forward to meeting you at the Parents’ Association 2024 Welcome Cocktail party on Saturday, 17 February 2024, more details can be found HERE.
Welcome back to all our families for the new school year. It has been wonderful to see our students arrive back eager to learn. I am also impressed with the effort they have made to ensure their appearance is in line with College policy.
During the summer break, Young School Leaders from across the country gathered on Wadawurrung Country, at St Patrick’s College Ballarat, as part of the Edmund Rice Education Australia’s (EREA) Young Leaders’ Conference. Over 50 young people from 40 schools in almost every state and territory across Australia participated in the conference, and we were fortunate enough to have our College Captain Lachlan Miranda represent Waverley.
The theme of Conference was Voice and Agency. The Young Leaders explored an understanding of leadership from a Gospel and Edmund Rice perspective, and the importance of justice, Reconciliation, advocacy, service and global engagement. They networked together as they reflected on their own personal journey of leadership and how to look after their own and their peers’ wellbeing. The delegates also had the opportunity to be the first group consulted as part of the mission direction and strategy for EREA going forward.
The Young Leaders were joined online by past Edmund Rice young leaders from South Africa and India, who shared their own experience of leading in their nation’s context. The Australian Young Leaders were invited to collaborate globally this year with other young leaders from across the 20 Countries where Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition operate.
This was an incredibly rich learning experience for Lachlan and we are proud to know he is playing a role in shaping the future of EREA.
As part of our College wellbeing initiatives for students, Waverley College has a dedicated Psychology Service located in the Health Centre. One of our Psychologists, Samantha Jessen, completed specialised training with her golden retriever, Mabel, to be a certified therapy dog in training. In 2023, Mabel visited the College on a trial basis – you may have spotted her around campus getting lots of pats and cuddles. This year, Mabel will continue to visit the Senior Campus on occasion as she begins to settle in and get used to life at a very busy school.
Mabel is a two-year-old blonde golden retriever. She enjoys saying hello to absolutely everyone, going for long walks, and playing with her toys. She likes holding hands, playing tug, and will often remind you to keep petting her. Mabel is very playful as a young dog and is always eager to meet new friends.
As Mabel is quite young, she at times finds it tricky to stay calm and relaxed as she wants to play with everyone she meets! With time, we hope Mabel continues to regulate and relax a little bit more to attend the Senior Campus on a regular basis. Please be mindful that Mabel is classified as a learner until she finds her big dog paws and may need some extra patience and grace as she continues to adjust to life at Waverley.
College Psychologist, Ms Samantha Jessen with Mabel our Therapy Dog
Through Mabel’s presence within the school environment, it is envisaged that she will support student engagement, assist with social skill development, aid with self-regulation and calming, among many other benefits. Mabel may engage with students in a variety of ways including individual interventions, small group and class interventions, as well as a presence across a range of College events.
Understandably, some parents and carers will have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the school environment. These concerns may relate to your child’s fear or phobia of animals, or a health and safety concern. We would like to assure you that interaction with Mabel is completely voluntary, and precautions are being taken to minimise risks. As a result, a risk management plan is available for your perusal should you wish to better understand our planning. In addition, further information about commonly asked questions and concerns is available upon request. Please inform the Health Centre if your child has any health-related concerns regarding animals.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Wellbeing Team.
In our recent Welcome Back assembly, we took a moment to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2023 HSC cohort. We will be commemorating their success in the upcoming High Achievers’ assembly next week. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and habits they cultivated during their time with us.
Success is not accidental; it is a result of intentional habits and a commitment to seizing opportunities. I emphasised that these accomplishments are not isolated events but part of a continuum that we aim to build upon and improve in our school community. It is the daily habits, the resilience to learn from challenges and failures, and the positive mindset that contribute to sustained success.
As we embark on the new academic year, I encourage students to reflect on the habits that will pave the way for personal success when they are setting their SMART goals with their Wellbeing mentors over the next few weeks. This is an excellent opportunity to consider what habits will help achieve the desired outcomes. Whether it’s staying organised, building a consistent study plan, summarising key lessons, or preparing for upcoming assessments – each habit contributes to overall success.
In the spirit of fostering a positive learning environment, we want to highlight the importance of classroom routines. Our lesson protocols, prominently displayed on interactive boards, ensure that every student has the best opportunity to learn and grow. Starting with strong and organised lesson beginnings, maintaining focus throughout, and ending with a review of learning in the classroom and planning study for upcoming tasks – these routines set the stage for an enriching academic experience.
I want to emphasise the significance of collaboration and proactive communication. Our teachers are here to support you. The message to students was clear: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need help.” Being proactive and seeking guidance when needed is a key aspect of the learning journey.
In closing, I want to express my immense pride in the achievements of our students and extend heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teaching staff for their unwavering support. Let’s continue to inspire, educate, and move forward together towards a future filled with endless possibilities.
Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead.
At the heart of our commitment to excellence lies the recognition of the importance of ongoing, high-quality professional learning for our staff. The sessions conducted last week were carefully designed to address various aspects crucial to the growth and development of our school community and to equip our teachers with the knowledge and tools necessary for shaping our school improvement plans in 2024. Below is an overview of these days.
Our journey towards improvement began with a detailed review of the 2023 HSC results and the post-school achievements of our graduates. We commenced our analysis of these outcomes where we aim to identify areas of success and areas that may require further attention. This reflective process is integral to understanding how we can continuously enhance the learning experience for our students.
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students is a top priority. The professional learning days included comprehensive sessions on child safeguarding, providing our staff with the latest information and tools to create a secure and nurturing environment for all students.
To tailor our teaching methods to the individual needs of our students, staff engaged in workshops on using data effectively. This empowers our educators to gain insights into the unique learning requirements of each student, enabling a more personalised and effective educational experience.
With the impending Curriculum Reform, our faculties dedicated time to prepare for the upcoming changes. Additionally, we reviewed our annual goals from 2023 and collaboratively set action plans for the year ahead. This strategic planning ensures that we remain aligned with our overarching mission and objectives. Parents and carers can find further information about the curriculum reform by clicking the button below.
Click to view curriculum reform information
We also continued our work on Deep Learning – a framework that supports teachers in providing tools to design engaging and effective opportunities that reimagine learning as, ‘the process of acquiring… six Global Competencies: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical thinking.’ [ref: Dive Into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement (Quinn et al., 2019)]. Embedding these competencies into our teaching and learning programs aligns with the vision of the NSW Government curriculum reform to, ‘ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.’ [NESA website].
As we move forward into 2024, these professional learning days have fortified our commitment to excellence and provided our educators with the tools to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. We look forward to sharing the fruits of these endeavours with you throughout the academic year.
Quinn, J. McEachen, J.J. Fullan, M. Gardner, M. Drummy, M. (2019). Dive Into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement. (1st ed.). SAGE Publications.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Elective Music students in Years 11 and 12 are to attend the ENCORE Concert at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, 4 March 2024.
The concert features a selection of outstanding performances and compositions by Higher School Certificate Music students from 2023.
Parent/carer permission is required. Please respond to the notification in the Parent Lounge.
Ms Keiran Kossenberg
Performing Arts Centre Coordinator
kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Private music lessons are available to all students from Years 5 to 12. Extending timetabled music study with private tuition on a specific instrument is strongly encouraged.
Lessons are held on campus by external tutors, and instruction is available in a large range of instruments, theory, voice and composition.
To read more about registration and the fee schedule for private tuition, please click the button below.
Click to view information about private music tuition
Ms Keiran Kossenberg
Performing Arts Centre Coordinator
kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
At times, all students benefit from additional teacher support to consolidate classroom content and skills, particularly in the lead up to assessments. During Term time, we have the following supports available via our co-curricular program, run by expert teachers.
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
