R U OK? Is a day and a cause with an extremely close connection to Waverley College. We will be celebrating R U OK? Day next Wednesday, 6 September, even though here at the College we know that everyday is an R U OK? Day, where we can check in with our friends and families and have a meaningful conversation. The message this year is ‘I’m Here to Hear’.
Activities next Wednesday will include;
Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life.
*If Senior School students have any practical TAS lessons scheduled on Wednesday, the students will need to bring their school shoes with them to be able to access the workshops (e.g. Food Tech, Woodwork, Hospitality etc.).
2023 Conlon Prefects
The final House meetings with our Years 11 and 12 students will be on Thursday, 7 September from 8:45am-9:30am.
This is an opportunity for the younger students to farewell the Year 12 students with a special presentation and wish them well as they near the end of their journey at Waverley College.
This is also the last day of classes for Year 11 students as they commence their yearly exams on Friday, 8 September.
Waverley Council is kicking off our Safe Routes to School program, which aims to make walking safer and easier. We’re also looking to encourage parents/carers and children to choose walking, scooting or riding to school.
The well-understood benefits of walking to school include increased physical activity, better concentration in class, and improved wellbeing through a degree of independence. This is in addition to reducing car congestion around schools.
Waverley College has joined in our first round of the program. Achieving this requires teamwork. Council can improve footpaths, install crossings, improve lighting, and other infrastructure and safety upgrades where it’s needed most.
We would like your feedback about the most important upgrades needed so your child can safely travel to school. Please do so via the survey and map by clicking the button below – by 11 September please.
Click here to view and complete the survey
You can use any existing Waverley Council Have Your Say login or create a new one by clicking “Join” on the Have Your Say homepage and following the prompts.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Tournament of the Minds team presented to the regional judges on Sunday, 28 August – the challenge? To build an Ornithopter (mechanical flying bird) using a limited list of allowable materials. A challenge like this is extreme and the hardest of all challenges on offer, but our students did not shy away from engaging with a challenge!
Opportunities like this offer a different way of looking at “Education”, aligning with Rhodes Scholar, Jonah Lehrer, who encourages students to reach for the unknown and make the impossible possible: “Every brilliant experiment, like every great work of art, starts with an act of imagination.”
It is the students who are brave enough to look beyond the comfort of always knowing the answers who will learn how to question and reflect in a way that makes the impossible possible. It is a privilege to work with Jack Ballinger, Kaspar Emmanouilidis, Oliver Rahmat, Alexander Kingma, Hudson Lagan-Stark, Oisin Hughes and Liam Murray.
Now, we go into a phase of reflection with STEM specialists considering the aerodynamics of our Ornithopter and how we will modify our original design for our second version of modelling, whilst we eagerly await judges’ feedback – watch this space!
Ms Helen Barrie
Head of Academic Enrichment
hbarrie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 3, Week 8. 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 | Room | Teacher |
|
Monday 4 September, 2023
|
English Ext 1 | 7:30am – 8:30am | K23 | Ryan |
| Visual Arts | 3:30pm – 5pm | C13 | Turnbull | |
|
Wednesday 6 September, 2023
|
Standard Mathematics | 7:30am – 8:30am | E23 | Riley |
| Studies of Religion I and II | 3:30pm – 5pm | E40s | Cooper/Stewart | |
| Business Studies | 7:30am – 8:30am | W33 | Wallington | |
|
Thursday 7 September, 2023
|
Spanish | 3:30pm – 5pm | W25 | Quintana |
| Standard Mathematics | 7:30am – 8:30am | E33 | Cornish | |
| Design and Tech | 7:30am – 8:30am | T04 | Spargo | |
|
Friday 8 September, 2023
|
Hospitality | 7.30am – 8.30am | TF1 | McCarthy |
| Biology | 7:30am – 8:30am | K2L3 | Brown |
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 Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 12 Drama students will perform a selection of their Group Performances (GP) and Individual Projects (IP) for friends and family at the PAC Theatre on Tuesday, 5 September, 5pm-6:15pm.
The boys have worked extremely hard on these performances and it’s the final chance for us to appreciate the talent and dedication that goes into them.
Bookings are not required.
Contact: plamb@waverley.nsw.edu.au
2017 HSC Drama showcase
2017 HSC Drama showcase
Dear Parents and Carers,
A change in the Mathematics curriculum is set to be introduced, commencing from 2024 starting with the Year 9 cohort. The primary difference from the existing Stage 5 (Year 9/10) curriculum lies in the incorporation of Core content, accompanied by the addition of optional Pathways designed to facilitate advanced learning.
This new approach aims to grant students greater flexibility and the opportunity to pursue their mathematical education with a more ambitious and motivated outlook.
The NSW education standards authority (NESA) has the following statement on the Core-Path structure of the new Mathematics course;
The Core–Paths structure is designed to encourage aspiration in students and provide the flexibility needed to enable teachers to create pathways for students working towards Stage 6.
The structure is intended to extend students as far along the continuum of learning as possible and provide solid foundations for the highest levels of student achievement. The structure allows for a diverse range of endpoints up to the end of Stage 5.
The Core outcomes provide students with the foundation for Mathematics Standard 2 in Stage 6. Students who require ongoing support in completing all Stage 5 Core outcomes may consider either Mathematics Standard 1 or the Numeracy CEC course in Stage 6. For these students, teachers are encouraged to continue to extend students towards demonstrating achievement in as many Stage 5 Core outcomes as possible. This is to enable as many students as possible to have the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in the highest level of mathematics possible.
The aim for most students is to demonstrate achievement of the Core and as many Path outcomes as possible by the end of Stage 5 and this should guide teacher planning. Allowing time for students to demonstrate understanding of the Core outcomes must be a key consideration.
Typically, the Core will cover teaching and learning experiences up to the middle of Stage 5. It is not the intention of the Core–Paths structure to lock students into predetermined pathways at the end of Stage 4. Pathways in Stage 5 must be carefully planned to ensure some students have the opportunity to engage with Advanced and Extension courses.
To ensure continuous improvement and personalised learning, students will be regularly assessed, both formally and informally. Based on their results and effort, students may be moved between streams to best cater to their individual needs.
Our dedicated Mathematics teachers are always ready to provide support and guidance to help your son reach his learning goals.
We are excited about the positive impact this new curriculum will have on our students’ mathematical journey and look forward to working together to foster a love for learning and achievement in Mathematics.
Visual Arts Club will be offered at Waverley as a Summer activity for students from Years 5-12.
It will commence Term 4, Week 2, 2023.
Visual Arts Club provides an opportunity for students to build skills in critical and creative thinking. This summer, students will be introduced to: Contemporary Illustration: Silkscreen Printing and Collage.
Each student will be introduced to a range of silkscreen media to produce a series of large scale works based on surrounding Architecture and the natural world. Imagery will be sourced from student drawings, photographs and existing collected images, then manipulated using darkroom techniques.
Students will learn to prepare, expose and print photographic transfers using silk screen methods. A focus on Photographic digital software will be explored to prepare compositions and collected photographs to use in this process. Skills in stencil preparation, image transfer to screens using photographic emulsions and screen exposing will be learnt across the course.
In Visual Arts Club students will:
Cost: $110.00
Materials: all materials will be supplied
Session times: select ONE from the following:
Book now!
The Waverley College Uniform Shop has different trading hours during the holidays.
Click here to view the school holiday trading hours
Waverley College Uniform Shop
(02) 9369 0709
waverley@noone.com.au
Click here to view the Week 7 Newsletter
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Track & Field athletes have continued to perform very well at the invitational carnivals and in particular our middle distance and sprint athletes.
We are at ES Marks Athletics Field in Moore Park for the next two Saturdays in preparation for the the CAS Championships on 14 September 2023. This big event is a compulsory Supporters’ Duty for all students in Years 7 and 12, and is certainly one the highlights of the CAS sporting calendar.
Parents, carers and students were sent a letter earlier this week outlining the event, which can also be found by clicking the button below.
Click here to view the student CAS letter
I also want to congratulate two students who represented the College over the weekend at the National Cross Country Championships.
Evan Rowbowtham in the U14s finished in 12th position, and Campbell Groves finished 26th in the U18 category (19th in his U17 age group).
These are tremendous performances against the best long distance runners in the country and the College is extremely proud of their efforts.
Last week leading business and community organisations gathered at Bondi Pavilion for the launch of the Waverley Council Net Zero Alliance. Members of the Alliance include the Sydney Roosters, Waverley College, St Catherine’s School and the Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce.
The Net Zero Alliance is an initiative of the Mayor of Waverley, Ms Paula Masselos, who hosted the launch. The event was emceed by innovation expert and journalist James O’Loghlin, and all members have committed to support the Council in achieving its target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The Net Zero Alliance provides opportunities to work together and share ideas and resources.
The College has already four large solar systems installed across the senior and junior campus and we monitor what we produce and consume. Our student Ecology Committee and our Ecology convenor Ms Silvia Baylie strategise our response across our energy, water, rubbish, recycling and expansion of biodiversity.
For information about the Alliance and our sustainability initiatives, visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/secondnature
As part of their Biomedical Engineering module, Year 11 Engineering Studies students recently got to work with medical grade components and built artificial hands. These will be sent to amputee land-mine victims who would not otherwise be able to afford a prosthesis, as part of the Helping Hands Program.
This was part of the Biomedical Engineering module within the student syllabus. To read more about this, see Ms Silvia Baylie’s newsletter article here.
To see some amazing HSC Art and Design work that was on display at their recent showcase evening, please check out Ms Jenna Turnbull’s newsletter article here.
The 2023 theme, Write Your Story, emphasises the importance of self-expression and individuality. For young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the theme represents the importance of taking ownership of their narratives and sharing their experiences in their own voices.
Wear It Purple was founded in 2010 in response to the number of teenagers and children taking their own lives after suffering bullying and harassment due to their gender or sexual identity. The movement aims to show young people that they are not alone, and helps them by offering support and affirmation that everyone has the right to be accepted for who they are.
It also aims to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ youth and create an inclusive environment for marginalised young people. At today’s Wear it Purple Day Assembly, students heard from guest speaker, Mr Martin Stark, founder of the World Gay Boxing Championships. Mr Stark spoke to the students about being courageous, making the impossible happen and how to embody speaking with respect and acting with integrity.
In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one. It was a simple promise that Legacy keeps today; providing the same stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.
Today, Legacy supports 40,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving our country.
On Friday, 1 September, 12 members of the Cadet Unit will be selling the Legacy badges prior to school at various locations in Waverley and Bondi Junction as well as at recess on the Centenary Quad at the College. For staff, there will be badges for sale in the staff room (cash only).
The Legacy badge is a special emblem symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness. By buying a badge you will be helping this wonderful charity to continue to support families who seek help in their darkest moment.
For further information about Legacy including their great work to the community, please visit: https://www.legacy.com.au/
Congratulations to the following students who participated in recent community service programs organised by Kids Giving back: Charlie Draper (Year 5), Toby Williams (Year 6), James Draper (Year 6), Jonathan Tyler (Year 6), Samuel Powell (Year 6), Max Jennings (Year 8), Praman Gandhi (Year 8).
The boys assisted in producing over 8,500 hot meals, salads, fruit kebabs, breakfast boxes, snack packs and care packs with empathetic, positive messages, which were distributed to 15 charities around Sydney. Another opportunity exists to get assist in this space on Sunday, 10 September at the Wild Walk Fundraiser.
Register for the annual fundraiser “Wild Walk” https://wildwalk.com.au/ as a team or a school sponsor for students to participate in an adventurous walk through the Royal National Park and support an incredible initiative supporting homeless and vulnerable communities.
Walks vary from 5 kms to 26 kms and can contribute to Duke of Ed hours.
Other upcoming programs can be found here: www.kidsgivingback.org
Congratulations to Eddie Beswick, (Year 12) for his recent triumph in the Formula Race Promotions program held in North America. With aspirations of becoming a driver in the NTT INDYCAR Series, Eddie observed numerous competitors climb the ranks through FRP, propelling their careers in the United States.
To realise his dream, Eddie teamed up with Synergy Motorsport and took the wheel of the #23 F1600 vehicles at Road America and New Jersey Motorsports Park. Securing victory twice, once at each location, and achieving a total of three podium finishes, Eddie convincingly demonstrated his velocity and capabilities, solidifying his potential for a successful journey in North American motorsports. >>> Click here to read more.
The Minutes from the most recent Parents’ Association meeting of 8 August 2023 are available here.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 3 events, please refer to the College calendar.
We are very proud to announce that our 2023 Wakakirri item “The Right to Dream” has won a NSW performance award. This means that we progress to the next round (the finals) and get to perform again at NIDA on September 5th alongside other state performance award winning schools. Our September 5th performance will be filmed and considered as a possible national award winner.
Wakakirri Festival Director Adam Loxley said, “The standard of performance and the stories being told by schools this year was exceptional and Waverley College should be very proud of their award.”
Waverley’s story is about dreaming big. Through history, dreamers have had to fight for what they believed in. Those struggles have made the world we have today. Where will our dreamers take us next? Waverley’s performance “The Right to Dream” was described by Wakakirri Ambassador Scott Irwin as, “A compelling, dramatic and energetic performance reminding us to stand up for what is right!”.
A huge thank you to Ms Michelle Rollins for all her hard work, dedication and time to this wonderful performance.
Coding Camp has been a success this Term and our students have really enjoyed it. Coding Camp will continue in Term 4.
Term 4 Session Dates and Times
Class Type: Coding After-School
Day: Mondays
Dates: Monday, 16 October – Monday, 4 December 2023 (8 sessions)
Times: 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The celebration of fathers, grandfathers and significant others in the lives of our Waverley College Students will be celebrated on Friday, 1 September at 12pm (Week 7, Term 3). This will be at Mary Immaculate Church followed by lunch at the Junior School.
Click here to view the invitation
Part of the celebration will include a slideshow. Can I please ask that you send through a photo of your son(s) with their fathers/grandfathers if you would like a photo included in this presentation. The last date for submission of photos will be Tuesday, 29 August at 5pm.
Please send through all photos to liturgy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school to complete home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Procedures
Click here to register your son
Only register his name once to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
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.
Behaviour
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.
Teachers
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.
Try to avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Topic: ‘That we should ban advertising at sporting events’
Last week the debaters had tough competition and a tough topic. Both Waverley teams put forward strong arguments and presented their cases clearly and firmly, rebutting the St Catherine’s team’s cases. The boys did themselves and Waverley very proud. One win and one loss.
Thank you to all the Junior School students who entered one or both, Book Week competitions.
Ms Mary Ryan (Literacy Coordinator) had a tough job judging the writing submissions, see the winners below.
Click here to view the winning writing submissions
Book Week: Writing Competition Winners
Thank you to Ms Jenna Turnbull, Acting Head of Visual Arts for judging the Visual Arts competition. See the winners below.
Outstanding Achievement
By Harvey Smith
The judge said: Harvey’s artwork is open to many interpretations and really looks into the theme of ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’ and what we gain from reading. It shows us that it opens us to different worlds, inspires us to think outside of the box and is aspirational to what future results can happen to an individual that reads.
By Bertie Congdon
The judge said: Bertie’s artwork focuses on how reading is the building blocks to knowledge and personal growth. The further we read, we open ourselves to further knowledge. Which eventuates to possibility and inspiration of our future.
By Thomas Gauci-Cook
The judge said: Thomas’ artwork is a reminder of a key book, Jack and the Beanstalk, which is reflective of the theme of ‘Read, Grow Inspire’, as Jack needed to care for his beans in order to grow, which is relates to how an individual reads a novel, this creates inspirations and helps you to grow.
By Flynn Rigby
Highly Commended
The judge said: Flynn’s work is joyful, colourful and looks into the perspective of how reading can inspire a person to write their own piece of writing. Writing helps with personal growth and insights into the creative, this artwork encapsulates this.
By James Ganson
The judge said: The use of sculpture and variety of materials was truly remarkable and demonstrated critical thinking. This intricate artwork demonstrates how reading leads to inspiration and a pathway to growth.
Book Week: Visual Arts Competition Winners
Writing a story continuously is a fun way to work collaboratively, constructively, critically and creatively. The students in Year 5 and Year 6 showed many strong writing skills, especially when working under pressure with time constraints. I’m looking forward to reading the finished stories and sharing them with the boys.
A special thank you to Mr William Roberts who supported the Year 6 Writing Workshop.
A huge thank you to all the families who donated books for the pre-loved, pop-up bookshop. It was a very busy and successful initiative, with many happy customers!
Junior school students enjoyed a highly entertaining and engaging presentation from Richard Simpkin as part of our Book Week celebrations.
Richard is a best-selling author of five books, two of which are about Australian legends who he met, photographed and interviewed. The boys were in awe of the legends he has met.
In 2014 Richard also founded ‘World Letter Writing Day’ and has inspired children and adults all around the world to take a break from social media and write handwritten letters.
His current series of children’s books The Aussie Big Achievers was inspired by his son, Ollie. The Aussie Big Achievers series of books are a fun and educational way for children to learn about some of Australia’s most interesting and inspiring people that have helped shape our nation. Each book encourages children to always believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams.
Thank you for inspiring the boys with your incredible stories, to read more, write and to never give up on their dreams!
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In 5 Red, we have gone strength to strength as we continue laying the foundations for a successful schooling experience at Waverley College. We are constantly striving to achieve our full learning potential, whilst building healthy relationships along the way.
Our focus for the Semester has been the regular practise of showing gratitude, focusing on our individual goals, consistency, helping one another along the way and being upstanders.
Below are some snapshots of the many highlights throughout the year, including key events, excursions, learning experiences and friendships.
I am extremely proud of all the boys in 5 Red who have grown in many facets this year. There are so many achievements, accomplishments and key moments which are destined to act as a catalyst for future success.
Thank you for reading and kind regards,
Mr Alon Horry
Classroom Teacher 5 Red
ahorry@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
