Last Thursday, The Cliff Goodchild Concert Band and The Cameraygal Wind Symphony took to the stage to deliver an unforgettable performance in our PAC. The concert culminated in an impressive orchestral arrangement of Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘Dies Irae’ from Requiem, featuring 78 musicians from both bands.
Thank you to the Music Supporters’ Group parents/carers. We would especially like to thank Naomi and Greg Isaac, Joe Rede, Christina Leonard and Karen Birrell, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in preparing food and beverages for the performers and guests. Thank you to Angus McPherson for the wonderful photos and Bishoy Wasef for audio and lighting technical support.
The concert was a testament to the talent and dedication of the young musicians, along with our Head of Bands, Mr Dan Williams. It also highlighted the importance of music education and the power of music to bring people together.
Congratulations to all involved for putting on a spectacular performance.
The Annual Waverley Youth Art Prize is open for entry.
The purpose of the Waverley Youth Art Prize is to encourage creativity in young artists from Sydney’s Eastern Beaches. It is an open prize with all artwork entries hung to allow young people the experience of being an exhibiting artist, and seeing an audience appreciate their creation talents.
The theme for this year is ‘Climate Utopia’ – the theme which asks young artists of Sydney’s Eastern Beaches to create an artwork considering possible climate futures and solutions.
Broad artistic interpretation of this theme is encouraged. Entrants may utilise ideas relating to popular culture, science fiction or something else entirely. All mediums and interpretations are welcome.
The Prize is open to everyone aged between 9-18 living, studying and playing in Sydney’s East. Entries close 25 May. For further information about the prize, please click the button below.
Click here to view more information about the Waverley Youth Art Prize
Winners of the Youth Art Prize will receive a range of art materials to help with future creations, while the winner of the senior section will receive a voucher for a week at the National Art School’s Summer School.
For further information and help, speak to Ms Turnbull in the Senior School or Ms Zivanovic in the Junior School about submission.
This week saw the second session of our Big Brother Little Brother program, involving Year 10 and Year 5 students. Boys took part in an introduction session to the Rock and Water Program delivered by their Heads of House.
The Rock and Water Program is designed around activities that focus on self regulation, emotional awareness, risk taking and behaviour management. Students were led through a series of activities taken from the ‘I Can Stand Up For Myself’ module including; how to stand strong and how to make a Rock and Water greeting.
The Big Brother Little Brother Program matches our Junior School students in Year 5 with our Senior School boys in Year 10, to provide guidance and friendship with the aim of becoming a long-term positive role model. Boys connect with their brothers throughout the year to help develop trust, responsibility and grow healthy relationships.
Last Wednesday, 20 Year 10 students competed against other schools in the 2023 Science and Engineering Challenge run by the University of Newcastle.
Students worked in small teams to solve problems that aligned with careers in science and engineering. From building mars rovers, earthquake-proof buildings, and small planes, to communicating via code, designing electrical pathways for cities, and planning efficient road maps, students were challenged to think ‘outside the box’ and communicate effectively to complete tasks under pressure.
The day concluded with a showcase of the bridges built by each school. Waverley’s bridge, designed by Yannick, Kayden, and James, weighed in at 87g, and was able to withstand a whopping 1.5kg trolley travelling across it, before breaking.
The room was buzzing with energy and excitement the entire day. The students who represented the College should be commended on their collaboration, critical thinking skills, and consistent effort throughout the day.
Yannick Hott; James Peate; Luca Cornelius; Harrison Thorpe; Kayden Baker; Thomas Jackson-Whitlock; Nicholas Zanapalis; Mark Rede; Fox Stapleton; Max Sheehy; Tamen Peralta; Hugo Perks; George Alexandratos; Tomas Crosson; Lachlan Marzol; Benjamin Pelikan; Axl Igra; Lachlan Isaac; Montgomery Armstrong; Giles Strachan; Sam Vlack.
Students, teachers, parents and carers, please join our Waverley College team in the City2Surf on 13 August in support of local charity, ‘Running for Premature Babies.’ Funds raised will go to life-saving neonatal equipment, giving sick and premature babies a better chance of survival.
Please join us for what will be a fantastic community day out. All fundraising team members will receive a free running tee shirt or singlet. After the race, our team is invited to join the charity in their finish line tent for refreshments, so we can gather to celebrate our achievement.
All welcome! Walk, run or wheel your way to Bondi, have fun, and help save the lives of sick and premature babies.
To find out more about the charity, visit runningforprematurebabies.com
Last week, our Year 11 SLR students were lucky enough to go on a hike through the heritage-listed Royal National Park.
This delightful trail offered options for picnicking and waterfall views along with treating students to a nature fix.
Students pushed through the damp conditions enjoying the exceptional natural environment, a well-earned brief break from a busy term.
Dear Parents and Carers
As part of their Aquatics and Fitness units, Year 12 SLR students will participate in two 1.5 hour surfing and water safety sessions, followed by a coastal walk. This will be supervised and instructed by teaching staff and professional surf coaches.
Students will be required to make their own way to Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and meet at 9am. They will be dismissed from Bondi Beach at 2:30pm. Students are required to wear their full PE uniform with enclosed shoes; and are reminded to bring a towel, hat, water bottle and food.
Date: Monday, 1 May 2023
Time: 9am-2:30pm
Cost: $76.40 billed to school account
*As per the updated conditions of enrolment and as indicated on the College website, all Years 5 and 7 enrolments, Term 1 tuition fees are charged in Term 4, in the year prior. This includes continuing Year 6 (2023) students into Year 7 (2024). This replaces the “continuing confirmation deposit” usually charged in the 3rd Payment to Year 6. Year 5 and 7 will still receive an invoice in Term 1, 2024 for any applicable sundries, sibling discounts, excursion fees and camps. Please be advised that if this payment is not made by the due date, your son’s enrolment will be forfeited, and his place will be offered to a waitlisted candidate.
Fees paid before 4pm on the prompt payment date attract a $25.00 discount.
Any payment received after the due date will attract an administrative fee of $110.00.
Please be advised that some financial institutions need more than 48 hours to process their payments (e.g. Internet/BPay/BPoint).
Please see the last page of your account for payment method and contact details.
You are reminded that if you wish to withdraw your son from enrolment at Waverley College, you are required to give one term’s notice in writing to the Principal that your son’s enrolment will cease.
The last day you can give notice that your son’s enrolment is finishing at the end of a school term, is the first day of the same term. If not received by that date, a penalty equivalent to one term’s tuition fees will be payable.
The relevant dates for 2023 are below:
Year 8 don’t have an opportunity to study Drama as part of their curriculum, so Waverley College is providing students with an opportunity to watch a performance and participate in a workshop in the first week of Term 2.
Shock Therapy Theatre are coming to perform their play called, The Apology for Year 8, during periods 1 and 2 on Friday, 28 April 2023. Boys will then be withdrawn from one further period during the day, to participate in a Drama devising workshop.
This experience should inspire some boys who have forgotten about Drama, to choose it as an elective in Year 9. For others, it will be an opportunity to watch an issue-based performance, and participate in a fun, experiential workshop.
The workshop aims to give students an opportunity to learn theatrical techniques and work as a team, to create an original play and perform it to the rest of the workshop group.
Inspired by a true story of a high school student who “took revenge” on a classmate who was bullying him after his father advised him to “fight back”, The Apology is a searingly honest look at the repercussions of taking revenge, and the long-term effects that bullying can have.
Told from an unbiased perspective, this powerful production forces students to decide if the punishment fits the crime.
The Apology is performed by two actors (Sam Foster and Hayden Jones), who play 18 different characters in total, without ever leaving the stage or changing costume.
Fuelled with intensity, the play fuses physical theatre techniques, multiple role-sharing and live music into a visceral and dynamic piece of theatre.
(Synopsis: courtesy Shock Therapy Productions website).
Event: Year 8 The Apology Drama performance and workshop
Venue: Waverley College
Date: Friday, 28 May 2023 (Friday Week 1, Term 2)
Meeting Time/Place: Braidwood, beginning period 1
Uniform: students are to wear full school uniform
Cost: $15.00 (this will be added to your account)
Should you have any further questions, please email the Waverley College Drama department.
Click here for Swim School Information
Click here for Student-Based Tutoring - SBT
Last Friday afternoon I attended a roundtable organised by Mayor Paula Masselos at Waverley Council chambers, along with 16 other key groups/organisations that all have a major influence within the council’s zone. There were representatives from industry, retail, transport, utilities, clubs, and schools. Representatives from government were also present from federal, state and local levels.
Each group presented on what they were doing currently to reduce their carbon footprint, with the goal being Net Zero by 2035. Waverley College has made significant progress with the implementation of solar panelling, water saving devices, tracking our energy usage via the Climate Clever App, native tree planting, native bee hives, awareness campaigns and education, waste management, paper and cardboard recycling, transport audit, First Nation planting project, recycle bins for batteries and technology, clothing bins, Clean Waves Program, the work of our energetic ecology group, and our master plan will see us recycling buildings where possible and aligning them east west in orientation to take advantage of climatic conditions. The group will be reconvening in six weeks to share more ideas across sectors, and to commit to achieve this goal as a collective. The hope is that this will encourage others to change and commit to this target.
Last night, we hosted the Lane Cove Cameraygal Wind Symphony in our first Combined Band Performance alongside The Cliff Goodchild Concert Band. The evening was a great success, concluding in a combined piece with over 75 musicians from both bands performing Verdi’s Dies Irae. Well done to the Music Team, Mr Dan Williams, Mr Chris Balkizas, Mr Chris Blenkinsopp, Ms Jaz Dolso, Ms Jazz De Witte and Ms Keiran Kossenberg.
Edmund Rice Advocacy (ERA) For Change, is a youth advocacy network that stands for equality, human rights, and justice and solidarity with all people, and with the earth itself. Congratulations and thank you to the following students who were involved with the online launch today: Praman Gandhi (Year 8), Axel Stapleton (Year 8), Ethan Khatib (Year 8), Oliver Isaac (Year 8), Oliver Lorimer (Year 8), Oscar Wilson (Year 10), Lachlan Isaac (Year 10), Fox Stapleton (Year 10), Taj Lynn (Year 10),Kayden Baker (Year 10) and James Peate (Year 10).
This webinar is hosted by Elevate Education. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can better support your children at home, through reinforcing the skills they learn at school.
In this webinar Elevate will cover:
>>> Click here to read Ms Lynsey Porter’s article to register for this free series.
Applications close 6 April 2023. International Science School will run from 2-15 July 2023 for any Year 11 and 12 Students.
The fully residential International Science School returns to the University of Sydney in July 2023. Join top science students from Australia and around the world for two weeks of inspiring talks by world-renowned scientists, amazing visits to cutting-edge research facilities, loads of hands-on experiments and activities, and a packed program of social events. It’s going to be fantastic; you don’t want to miss this one!
>>> Click on this link for more information and to register.
Years 7 to 10 Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 26 April 8:30am – 6:30pm and the booking link will be open for parents/carers from next Friday, 31 March at 9am. Please note bookings will close on Monday, 24 April at 5pm.
In reading through this week’s and last week’s newsletter, there are many notes of thanks in end of summer season articles to staff, officials, parents, carers and students who helped make each respective season a success.
But in this article, I want to particularly highlight and thank the many parents/carers who assist across the College with the organisation of activities, fundraising for resources and cooking BBQs to support all students and visitors. COVID-19 has not helped increase volunteer numbers across many clubs and schools, so I am particularly thankful to those parents/carers who find some time to ensure our hospitality endures. Thank you!
Waverley has a very strong reputation for being friendly, warm, welcoming, and helpful to others, especially strangers. I encourage you to join a committee, join a Supporters’ Group and play your part in building our community. Our College Canteen is also another place that would benefit from your support.
If you are available on any of the following dates, the Canteen would love to have your help, so if you are interested please volunteer using this link.
Lunch is provided for all volunteers.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Congratulations to Joe Madden who was named Junior School Music Captain for 2023. Joe is a keen member of the Junior School band, sings with Cantores, and is part of the Stomp group. Joe has also featured as a soloist for Waverley College events such as the 2022 Chamber Concert and 2022 Speech Day. Joe will be a fine ambassador for music in the Junior School and will keep the boys informed about musical activities and performances.
The World’s Greatest Shave is the Lacey House charity event. We are very proud of Archie Poynting in 5 Red on raising such a huge amount of money. If you would like to donate, please click the button below. Well done Archie!
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
It was great to see so many students and staff celebrating our diverse community in the Junior School on Harmony Day on Tuesday, 21 March. The main theme throughout the day was celebrating one another for who they are, and having respect for everyone’s cultures, and celebrating diversity.
The students were buzzing with excitement at the beginning of recess, sharing the variety of foods that everyone brought in. The playground was brought to life by our guest DJ, Alicia, who played music from different cultures all through recess. The students (and teachers) took a while to warm up, but before long, they were up dancing to the beat.
A big congratulations to Rory Palmer (6 Orange), James Ganson (6 Gold) and Harry McKeon (6 Gold) on their initiative to hold a Zooper Dooper sale at the Junior School to raise money for CARITAS during our Lenten Appeal. The boys were instrumental in organising everything, including the purchasing and selling of the ice blocks, raising in excess of $300. Well done to the boys and a special thanks to the boys in the Junior School for their support.
Tuesday 28 March (Week 9) is the second session of our Big Brother/Little Brother program. This session will focus on Rock and Water activities – a program designed to build confidence, self-awareness, resilience and more – all important skills for our students to develop. Students will need to come dressed in their PE uniforms on Tuesday.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Thursday, 30 March, the Junior School warmly invites all parents/carers to join us on campus from 8:40am until 9:05am to be guided by your son as we open up our classrooms to you.
Open Classrooms is an opportunity for your son to show and tell you all about what he has been learning this term, and each student has selected three pieces of work that they would love to share with you.
This is also a chance for them to guide you around their classrooms, as well as the other spaces in the school in which their learning takes place, such as our brand new Science Lab!
Through strengthening our partnerships between school and home, we hope to help every student to develop an even greater sense of pride in their learning and academic achievements, classroom and school.
Year 6 Innovation Club has just come to the end of their first exciting STEM challenge for the year. In teams, they had to design a contraption to fly a marble as far as it could go. The parameters of their design were as follows:
It was so impressive to see the boys collaborate, test, make adaptations and refine their designs. Congratulations to the winning team of Owen Posada, Sam Burrows and Finley Norman-Nott, whose marble managed to fly half the length of the basketball court.
I am very much looking forward to seeing Innovation Club tackle their next project next week.
Ms Charlotte Stephens
Assistant Director of Curriculum
cstephens@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 until 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
*No Home Learning Club on Wednesday 29 March, due to a staff meeting.
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/carer 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 email us.
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.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thank you to all students for their involvement in the beginning term of the Summer Co-Curricular Sport season. It has been a pleasure to watch all students enjoying themselves week after week, with little to no interruptions or cancellations that we experienced at the same time last year.
I’d particularly like to thank all the coaches, which included Junior School staff, Waverley parents and carers, Old Boys and external coaches. Their passion and dedication to making sure their team(s) consistently improve and develop, was inspiring.
Lastly, thank you to all parents and carers for being there supporting your son weekly, regardless of the weather conditions, and driving all over Sydney to allow your son the joy of being involved in team sport at Waverley College.
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Debating season is around the corner and once again, I am astounded by the amount of interest and enthusiasm of the boys at the Junior School.
I would like to congratulate Ryan Loughrey, James Draper, Freddie Goldrich, Joe Madden, Sam Peate, Ethan Daemi, Boyd Haslam, Cormac Maher and Franklin Pyke who have been selected to represent the Junior School forming our IPSHA Debating team. I am eager to see what this season has in store for us. All the best for the season.
Lenny and August are our budding artists behind this week’s drawing club inspiration. Create a drawing from a scribble. The drawings speak for themselves. Over the next few sessions, the students will add colour.
Before
After
What a fantastic way to start the year with a new, excited and enthusiastic group of Year 5 and Year 6 students who are ready to learn a variety of Judo skills and techniques. With Judo being a dynamic sport that demands both physical prowess and great mental discipline, these young men have been dedicated to their training each week and are determined to master techniques that require patience, time, effort and energy. I am very proud of their progress so far and I look forward to the year ahead!
Hip Hop Club is off to a great start this year! The boys have been learning new skills and are always keen to master the new moves I give them each Tuesday. They also bring their own ideas like a plank competition or a new song they want to dance to. I love seeing the boys making friendships and building each other up. Come join the fun.
Last Saturday, 18 March, Kai Freeman from 5 Indigo competed in the 2023 Sydney Jiu Jitsu Championships. He was successful in submitting his opponents all within a minute, taking out 1st place in his division! A massive achievement, and the Waverley community congratulate Kai on this significant accomplishment in his division.
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dr Christy Norwood gave the Waverley boys a truly inspirational insight into the world of paediatrics.
The life of a doctor is not just restricted to a hospital. Dr Christy supports remote communities by providing ‘Telehealth’ services with children who live in Moree and being on call even when her shift at the hospital is finished.
Thank you for inspiring the next generation of medical students.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our first Health assessment for Term 1 was based around the safety of students coming to and from school. The boys were tasked with creating a digital brochure for students who walk or ride their bikes to school, and catch public transport to and from school.
In the brochure, they needed to provide five safety support tips for any of the following topics:
Below, are some proud students showing off their finished safety brochures.
Mr Tom Olds
Classroom Teacher 6 Orange
tolds@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
