Waverley College confirms that Wednesday, 8 March will be our Aungier House Mass (as listed in the College calendar). The Mass will commence at 6pm in the Chapel (Senior Campus). This is a compulsory event for all students of Aungier House.
Our Prefects have been working hard to make this a memorable event, and something that is fully tailored to who we are as a House. The night is driven by the students, with all hymns, prayers and readings chosen by the students themselves. We will also include special recognition of our current Year 12 students.
We invite and strongly encourage all families to come along for the Mass. This will be followed by a short supper at the conclusion of the Mass. All families are asked to bring a plate of food to share. This can be placed in the College Senior Library prior to the Mass.
The night is expected to conclude at approximately 8pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families to meet our Aungier Mentors and also to connect with each other as part of the Aungier House community.
In the lead up to the event, we would also love to have some parent/carer volunteers to help us with the organisation of decorations (for the Mass and supper), general set up before the Mass, and clean up at the conclusion of supper.
If you would be willing and able to help, could you please email me: jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
I look forward to seeing you there!
Aungier House Mass 2022
Visual Arts Club will be offered at Waverley as a Winter Extra-Curricular activity for students from Years 5-12.
It will commence Term 2, Week 2, 2023 and run until Term 3, Week 8.
Visual Arts Club provides an opportunity for students to build skills in critical and creative thinking. This winter, students will be introduced to: Landscapes – Experiments with Watercolour.
Each student will be introduced to a range of drawing and painting techniques, such as perspective drawing and natural landscapes through watercolour paintings. Students will build upon traditional artmaking foundations of drawing and painting, while experimenting and exploring new foundations of contemporary painting styles.
In Visual Arts Club students will:
*(This may also include an external excursion for students!)
Cost: $100.00
Materials: all materials will be supplied
Session times: select ONE from the following:
The Waverley College Rugby Supporters’ Club will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 15 March, 2023 at Queens Park Pavilion, 6pm.
Any parents/carers and friends interested in getting behind the Waverley College Rugby Program in 2023 are welcome to attend, as we discuss plans for the exciting season ahead. All welcome!
Parents/carers unable to attend this particular meeting, but who are interested in assisting with Waverley College Rugby, are welcome to register their interests with the Convenor of Rugby, Mr John McCoy by emailing jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As the winter sport season draws near, we are very excited to announce that NSW Rugby will be running two courses at Waverley College for members of the community who are interested in learning the rules of rugby, and those who are interested in becoming an accredited rugby referee.
Following a great deal of interest from a number of female members of the community, (mothers, carers, staff, sisters, grandparents), this year NSW Rugby will hold a Female-Only course at Waverley College, to attract those who might not be familiar with the rules of the game, but are interested to learn.
NSW Rugby will also run a course for all interested members of the community.
Click here for information and enrolment details
Click here for information and enrolment details
Click here to complete enrolment part 2
If you have any questions about the courses or how to enrol, please email either:
Mr Richard Chen at rchen@waverley.nsw.edu.au
or
Mr John McCoy at jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We hope to see you there!
With no screening programs available and no means of prevention through lifestyle changes, blood cancer is Australia’s hidden cancer crisis. Every day, 53 Aussies are diagnosed with blood cancer, and 16 will lose their life.
It requires teamwork to stop blood cancer from wrecking lives. That’s why we’ve decided to team up to take part in the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave together.
We’ll be raising crucial funds that will give people facing blood cancer all the support and information they need, while driving breakthrough research projects discovering better ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer.
You have the power to help us make an extraordinary difference. Big or small, every donation counts. Will you help by sponsoring us?
Top five fundraisers will have their heads shaved at the College Assembly on 16 March.
Click here to view the Lacey House World's Greatest Shave Donation Page
World’s Greatest Shave 2022
We celebrated Ash Wednesday with a student-led liturgy this week.
As we receive our ashes, we will hear the minister say one of two short prayers: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These prayers call us to take on a humble disposition.
Jesus also calls on Christians not to wear a gloomy face while they are fasting. This admonition reminds us that Lent is meant to be a season of joy, as it is a preparation for the biggest feast in the Christian calendar. So, while we can struggle with cravings for chocolate or something else we have given up, we need to keep our eyes on the prize which is the celebration of the joy of Easter.
The baptismal element of Lent can help us appreciate the significance of water. Water is essential for both our physical and spiritual life. When Christians recall their baptism it is a time when they can become more aware of the gifts they have received from God. This process of reflection can give us joy.
In recent times, water has been a pestilence of almost biblical proportions across the state of NSW. The almost unprecedented flood activity that has occurred over the last two years, has tested our community resolve in surviving flooding events and also in the rebuilding process that has followed. These events have dramatically tested communities across the state, but it has also been an opportunity for a generous community spirit to emerge.
Aside from the destructive power of water, our experience of living in a drought and fire-prone land also helps us appreciate the importance of water to sustain and protect life. A significant theme running through the Sunday Gospel readings this Lent is the power of living water. Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well and his healing of the blind man at the Pool of Siloam, reminds us of the way that water can cleanse, renew and heal our body and souls. Let us quench our thirst for God this Lent by praying for the living water of Jesus to touch our hearts and souls for the benefit of ourselves and our Catholic communities.
The Mark Hughes Foundation funds vital research and support to brain cancer patients and it is very close to the heart of one of our parents, Anne Calendar, whose late husband Matt Callander succumbed to this insidious disease, just over five years ago.
Anne is embarking on another challenge this year pre the annual NRL Beanie Round, and is hoping for our support to raise awareness and much-needed funds. Anne is joining 21 amazing and dynamic women in the Inaugural Mark Hughes Foundation Women’s Trek to the Mt Maria Summit, Tasmania.
Please sponsor Anne by clicking the button below. Any amount big or small will help her reach her goal and raise funds for brain cancer research.
Mark Hughes Foundation 2023 Ladies' Trek
As many parents/carers may know, in 2022 our College participated in a significant research project affiliated with Deakin University, QUT, and the University of Canberra titled ‘Teen Reading in the Digital Era.’ Research was conducted with secondary students in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, giving a broad overview of the reading habits of teenagers across Australia.
Preliminary results from Waverley are very interesting. Of the Term 4 survey results from 235 Waverley students across Years 7-11, we have gained a ‘snapshot’ of teen reading which you can view in the following graphs. Students were asked questions about their reading habits and their responses to questions 4.2; 12.1; 14.3: 13.2 and 10.4 are provided below.
Identified in the survey as well, were the popular reading genres identified by Waverley College students.
In order of most popular to least popular:
At this stage, the evidence indicates that as educators and parents/carers, we need to be doing much more to get our boys at Waverley reading for pleasure. Graph 4.2 indicates that 38% of our boys do not read books in their own free time.
What you might find surprising is Graph 14.3, which indicates that families are key to boys’ reading choices and that in this space, your influential role as a parent/carer should not be underestimated.
Encouragingly, Graph 10.4 indicates that more than half of our students envisage that they’ll read more in their post-school years.
Significantly, the 3,000 survey results across participating Australian states illustrate similar trends. There is a decline in reading as students grow older and as boys grow older:
The results for boys indicate that:
As parents/carers, we should be encouraging our children to read each day, even if it is for only 15 minutes. Consistent reading will have a significant impact on their general communication and comprehension skills, as well as the literacy skills they will front the HSC with. If you want to have a significant impact on your son’s education, please get him reading consistently.
Ms Mary Ryan and Mr Bill Roberts have started a new reading program to encourage and support our Year 7 and 8 students with their reading. If your son is struggling to decide what to read, encourage him to see the Library teams on both campuses.
We welcome Special Guests from The Lane Cove Concert Band – The Cameraygal Wind Symphony joining the Waverley College Cliff Goodchild Concert Band performing on stage on Thursday, 23 March 2023.
The Cameraygal Wind Symphony is the senior ‘Flagship’ ensemble in the Lane Cove Concert Band organisation, and comprises a group of approximately 50 adult woodwind, brass and percussion players.
Come along and enjoy the performance. The evening will showcase two 40-minute performances with an intermission.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from 6pm in the PAC foyer.
The concert will commence at 7pm.
The event is free of charge, but tickets need to be booked.
We hope to see you there!
You can book tickets by:
OR
2. Scanning the QR code below
OR
3. Clicking the button below and then scanning the QR code on the flyer
This week, we celebrated Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. A time when we reflect on the life of Jesus and seek to emulate how he treated all those he met. Our student-led liturgy highlighted the importance of reflection and gratitude.
Students were asked to think beyond “giving up” physical things and to concentrate on “giving up” characteristics that prevent them from becoming the best versions of themselves, such as impatience, anger or selfishness.
The ashes that were received represent the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us, and Lent offers everyone the opportunity to challenge themselves to live the best life possible.
Thank you to those people who helped prepare such a meaningful liturgy and we look forward to a wonderful Easter ceremony.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Tuesday at lunch time saw Kiri Barber, a Kapa Haka tutor, join our students for some valuable Haka lessons.
A spirited time was had by all the students and we look forward to developing our cultural skills and awareness over the coming months.
Special thank you to Kiri for making time for us and to Ms Romijn for organising Kiri to assist us.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Thank you so much to all the parents and carers who attended the webinar on Tuesday night. Our presenters were amazing and I hope all the information was helpful and useful. Our hope is that you feel comfortable having difficult conversations with your sons and open up the line of communication. When we receive the Slides, I will pass them on.
We have a lot of lost property at the front reception. If your son is missing any hats, clothing or lunch boxes, can they please be sent to reception for collection. This is also a reminder to please put names on all items so they can be returned.
Waverley College is participating in a research project titled ‘Early Intervention for Child Problematic Screen Use’ facilitated by Macquarie University, regarding screen use and gaming by students in Years 5-8.
The findings from this project will provide valuable insights into screens and gaming for our student population, and will contribute to the research in Australia around how to prevent and treat those children and families suffering from Gaming Disorder and related problematic screen use.
Would you like your child to take part?
>>> Click here to read more information about this survey in the article by Ms Gabby Smith.
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, we gathered together in a special Ash Wednesday liturgy, which marked the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The marking of the ashes on this day is a public expression of our faith and repentance.
During Lent, we focus on three pillars: prayer, fasting and almsgiving, which help us in this journey to reach a closeness to God and deeper understanding and relationship with God.
Prayer is a conscious relationship with God. Just as we spend time with friends because we love them, we spend time in prayer because we love God and we know that God loves us. When we are in tune with God, we cannot help but experience deep wellbeing.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy – College Captain, Lachlan Grant at the lectern
Fasting can be a time to eat less and give up some nice treats, however, could it also be a time for us to be more mindful of our purchases – can we make ethical choices in what we buy, or even not buy at all?
The third pillar, almsgiving, is donating money or goods to the poor and less fortunate and performing acts of charity. Caritas launch Project Compassion every year during Lent. Through Project Compassion, Caritas partners with people in the Asia-Pacific to develop their independence and support the human dignity of every person. Our donation to Project Compassion is an encounter with God through the face of the poor.
On Tuesday, with the sale of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, the Junior School managed to raise approximately $800, a great way to begin our fundraising initiatives this year. Special thanks to Ms Bransby, Ms Sanchez, Ms McCredie, Mr Wachtel and Mr Olds for assisting in the organisation and distribution of the pancakes. The boys thoroughly enjoyed indulging in these delicious treats.
On Wednesday, 1 March, both 5 Blue and 5 Indigo will attend Mass at Mary Immaculate Church beginning at 9:15am. Parents/carers are warmly invited to attend.
Friday, 3 March saw the first of the Big Brother Little Brother sessions for our Year 5 and Year 10 students. The Big Brother Little Brother program aims to foster relationships and enabe Junior School students to feel safe and comfortable in the Senior School environment and during House activities.
The boys were eager to meet their Year 10 peers. They were engaged in exciting conversations that will hopefully build relationships that will flourish over the course of the year and develop into lifelong friendships.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School/Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As it is Round 3 tomorrow (Saturday, 25 February), I wish all teams the best of luck and ask them to represent Waverley proudly, as I know they will.
Please ensure your refer to the Waverley College app announcements each week, as I will continue to send out the weekly Sports Fixtures for each round.
Families can also locate all relevant Junior School Co-Curricular information through the College website by clicking the button below.
With the disappointment of having to postpone the carnival on two occasions, we were pleased to lock in Friday, 17 February for the House Swimming Carnival.
It was worth the wait, as the weather saw nothing but blue skies and warm conditions all day.
The House spirit was undeniable and our students were itching to hit the water and compete at an extremely high level in all events.
It wasn’t just the competitive main swimming events that created the most excitement and energy, but the novelty events that involved all eight House groups. These included Tug of War, Tunnel Relays and the crowd favourite, the Surfie Relay.
Our College thanks the parents/carers who attended the day, and staff who undertook all the day’s important events and tasks.
It is exciting to announce the Age Champions for 2023. Congratulations tovthe following students who are deserving winners in their respective age groups.
Under 10 |
|||||
| Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 10 | Patrick | Spencer | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 2nd Place | Hugo | Cuschieri | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 3rd Place | Leo | Mithen | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 4th Place | Aidan | Gartland | |||
Under 11 (Year 5) |
|||||
| Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 11 | Fergus | Samba Hoare | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 2nd Place | Luke | Haddock | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 3rd Place | Jude | McDermott | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 4th Place | Louie | Cummins | |||
Under 11 (Year 6) |
|||||
| Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 11 | Hugo | Bindner | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 2nd Place | Frederick | Goldrich | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 3rd Place | Jaden | Truscott | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 4th Place | Ollie | Burke | |||
Under 12 |
|||||
| Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 12 | Roman | Szabo | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 2nd Place | Jacob | Roorda | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 3rd Place | Louis | Coleman | |||
| Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 4th Place | Tobias | Panlilio | |||
The IPSHA Swimming Team has now been formulated. As each school is only able to select four swimmers from each age group (U10, U11, U12), some U11 age champions didn’t make it into the IPSHA team.
I would like to further congratulate the following swimmers who made the IPSHA Swim Team and will compete at Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre next Wednesday, 1 March.
2023 Junior School Swimming Carnival at the College pool
Cross Country Trials for the upcoming IPSHA Cross Country event on Saturday, 1 April will be undertaken next Tuesday, 28 February during Periods 1 and 2.
Waverley College and all competing schools are only allocated five spots per age group, and this is for the following distances:
U10 – 2km / U11 – 3km / U12 – 3km
The trial will be undertaken around a 1km track set up at Waverley Park. If your son is a strong distance runner and is interested in doing the trial, please complete the Google form by clicking the button below.
IPSHA Cross Country Trials Google form
Last Friday, 17 and Monday, 20 February, Waverley College Junior School chose two students to compete at both the IPSHA Tennis and Basketball trials:
These students gave it their absolute all to impress selectors, and demonstrate their level of talent and experience in Cricket. Each student just missed out on making it through, but we’re truly proud of the efforts of all four, who represented the College so highly.
Hunter Bligh made it through as a development player for the IPSHA Basketball team, with the hope that he may get an opportunity to play in the squad. Congratulations to you Hunter, and so well deserved.
Congratulations, Hunter Bligh and Cruz Peralta
Congratulations, Noah Dalton and Ben Kostic
Waverley was honoured to be invited to Cranbrook School’s inaugural Swimming Invitational Meet at the new Murray Rose Aquatic Centre, on Thursday, 16 February. Due to the Swimming Carnival being postponed twice, we brought our best swimmers from the swimming trial.
It was a exciting afternoon event, with Waverley coming away with:
Students involved truly enjoyed themselves and were able to prepare themselves for the House Swimming Carnival that took place the next day.
Waverley Swim Team at Cranbrook
Thank you to Franklin Pyke’s father, Ben Pyke, for his amazing photography skills on a weekly basis. We hope you enjoy viewing below some of his skills in action at last weekend’s Basketball games at Oxford Falls.
Jack Watchel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
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 on Tuesday, 28 February 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.
Drawing Club has begun! Our avid artists will get together weekly to discuss all things art. Our first session was on Thursday, 16 February and our theme for the session was getting to know what each student enjoys drawing. The atmosphere in the space was stimulating and I could see new friendships in the making.
This week I reflected on the importance of catering for our different learning styles. Reading, however, does not necessarily have to mean opening up a book. For the auditory learners among us, the option of audiobooks is one our society is increasingly turning to, and for good reason.
There are many options out there, and I guess the most important aspect is that your son is reading or listening to audiobooks, if that is his preferred choice.
Your son has access to audiobooks and eBooks on the Learning Hub CANVAS page.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 6 White has settled splendidly into 2023. They are a fine group of young men. The accompanying photos show the class hard at work in sharing ideas, preparing for Lent 2023, displaying a picture, autobiography of themselves and of course smiling for a group snap. This year has been an exciting and happy year for their teacher!
Mr Henry Stanton
Classroom Teacher 6 White
astanton@waverley.nsw.edu.au
For the past 18 years, InspirationED (formerly HSC in the Holidays) has partnered with leading universities to support Years 11 and 12 students to achieve their best in the HSC. Over 100,000 students have benefited from this program since its inception.
Year 11 and 12 students are invited to a free HSC Seminar, run in partnership with Macquarie University, on Saturday, 11 March, 9:30am-11am.
This session will be both on-campus and live streamed as a webinar.
The presentation will be delivered by a former Senior HSC marker and will include insight into the following topics:
Spaces are strictly limited and registration is essential.
Please call 1300 677 336
Click here to view the seminar flyer
Click here for Swim School Information
*House Swimming Carnival: in the event of bad weather, please check the Wet Weather line 8250 3780 by 6:30am or the Waverley app by 6:30am, to check whether the carnival will run. It is not acceptable for students to not show up without first checking those avenues. If the event is cancelled, a normal Friday Week A will run on campus.
March
April
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
