Today we celebrated our very special Commencement Mass for 2023. The theme of our Mass this year is based on our Year 12 motto of “Speak with Respect, Act with Integrity.”
This Mass also saw the induction of 10 Eucharistic Ministers from Years 11 and 12. These included: Connor Andrews, Mitchell Cahill, Remy Frampton, Marcus Kastrissios, Oliver Malzard, Hugh McDonald, Lachlan Miranda, Jack Preller, Liam Russell, Tom Shahinian.
It is wonderful to see so many young men willing to take up the challenge of bringing Christ to our community and enriching our liturgies.
Thank you to all who made our Mass such a special celebration today from Fr Bernie, to our musicians and choir, our Maintenance Team, Mr Sposari, Mr Ghattas, Mr Stanton, and all our teachers and students who read or participated.
This year represents an important milestone in our College’s faith journey, and we look forward to celebrating our 120 Year Mass on 15 August, in conjunction with the Feast of the Assumption.
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thank you to all who helped celebrate 120 Years of Education at Waverley by attending our Garden Party at the end of January.
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.
To kick off the school year, InspirationED would like invite you to a free HSC Seminar, run in partnership with UTS and Macquarie University, taking place later this term. The dates and venues are below:
Macquarie University – Saturday, 11 March (10am-11:30am)
UTS – Sunday, 19 March (10am-11:30am)
The presentation will be delivered by a former Senior HSC marker and will include insight into the following topics:
Study tips that will save your time and effort
Insights and strategies used by former high-achieving students
What teachers/markers look for – exam techniques that will boost your marks
How to maintain motivation, reduce anxiety and stay on track this year
Spaces are strictly limited and registration is essential.
The link to the Years 7-12 Assessment Booklets, on the College Website, was emailed to all Parents/ Carers and Students.
You can also access the link to the Curriculum page of the College Website HERE. Please scroll down to the relevant year group to access the downloadable booklets.
Students are advised to download a copy of their assessment booklet and transfer the key dates for their subjects into their diaries/ calendars.
As per the College Diary, this is a reminder that the Year 10 Elevate Session, Study Sensei, is held during the Year 10 Careers/Wellbeing – Period 1 on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.
Students will attend the session with their Careers/Wellbeing teacher in the following classrooms and arrive promptly at 8:40am:
10.01 – Aungier – E33
10.02 – Brennan – E34
10.03 – Conlon – E36
10.04 – Green – E35
10.05 – Lacey – E32
10.06 – O’Connor – E25
10.07 – Quinn – E26
10.08 – Tevlin – E31
Students should bring a pen to the session.
This session is delivered by a group of recent successful graduates and will cover:
Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home, through reinforcing the skills they learn at school.
Webinar 1: How to Help Get (& Keep!) Your Child Motivated – Wednesday, 15 February
This first free webinar for the year will cover:
The impact of praise and reassurance on your child’s motivation
The best types of goals to be setting with your child
How to help your child create meaningful and lasting motivation
Being up-to-date with the College’s response to vaping and how you can best educate and support your son is important. Over the holiday period we installed vape detectors in the Senior School bathrooms to deter students from vaping, and to ensure all students feel comfortable going to the bathroom.
Waverley College, like many other schools, has seen a recent spike in young people vaping. Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vaporised liquids into the lungs. There are many different styles of vapes and types of e-liquids, or e-juices, available. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.
The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe.
Vaping Facts
Many vapes contain nicotine making them very addictive. The nicotine in one vape can equal 50 cigarettes.
Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don’t put it on the pack.
Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
Vape aerosol is not water vapour.
Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease.
Vapes can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development.
Common vapes. Image: courtesy NSW Health
Signs Your Child Might Be Vaping
Tell-tale signs that your child might have started vaping include the symptoms of nicotine addiction such as feeling irritable or anxious.
The Laws Around Selling Vapes
Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts on social media.
It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years.
It is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to anyone, unless they are prescribed by a doctor to someone over 18 years for smoking cessation purposes and obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy.
There are a number of retailers who sell vapes to young people. This is a crime. If you suspect someone is selling vapes to minors, you can report it to NSW Health via its website or by calling the Tobacco Information line on 1800 357 412.
It is important for young people to understand the risks associated with vaping and make informed decisions about their health. It is also important for parents/carers to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of vaping, and to support policies that help reduce its use among young people.
Paul Dillon (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) Returns to Address Year 12 in our PAC
Today, our Year 12 (Class of 2023) listened to an engaging address by Paul Dillon titled: ‘Last Year of School: What Do I Need to Know About Alcohol and Other Drugs?’ Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug education for over 30 years.
In a frank and effective delivery, Paul spoke specifically about alcohol and drugs as they pertain to the lives of young males. He explained that young males take risks for longer and exhorted our students to plan ahead.
Paul Dillon
In plain terms and using useful statistical examples, he shared information about e-cigarettes, vaping, and the realities of the composition of liquid nicotine that is ingested when using vapes. He hammered home the speed of addiction via vapes, the toxicity of nicotine and its propensity to poison.
He gave practical advice about alcohol, driving, RBT (random breath tests) – particularly in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney – and positive Blood Alcohol Content, encouraging our students to make smart choices when they get behind the wheel. He also explained that Mobile Drug Testing (MDT) is not random, but selective, and clarified mobile drug testing protocols for students who may be taking ADHD medication.
He spoke freely about LSD and other psychedelics, naturally-occurring drugs, MDMA/ecstasy, and recent ecstasy-related deaths in Australia.
Our students listened intently to Paul’s direct delivery, and were privileged to have access to his good quality information and best practice drug education.
I encourage Year 12 parents/carers to talk with your son about what he learned today.
LGBTQIA+ Invitation
For the past four years, Waverley College has established successful initiatives to support our LGBTQIA+ students and community. These are deliberate actions to ensure that each individual feels valued, respected, and accepted at the College.
Waverley College is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, in particular for same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people. This is living our values of the EREA ‘Safe and Inclusive Learning Communities Statement’ and our Inclusivity Touchstone.
We warmly invite any students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and students who are supportive allies, to join a supportive group.
Interested students are encouraged to have a conversation with their parents/carers about joining this group, then contact one of the following staff for more information:
Interested students, parents and carers should email:
Through this event, and ongoing projects, the College aims to ensure all students feel a sense of connectedness and belonging, paramount to positive student wellbeing and self-esteem.
In keeping with College practices, conversations are affirming and empathetic; confidentiality and appropriate boundaries are respected.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) ran a study skills evening with Year 11 parents/carers and students. The session focused on helping students identify changes and improvements they could make to their approach to their studies, to maximise their results in their final years of school.
The main areas covered with Year 11 were working effectively in the evenings and dealing with distractions, managing time efficiently, planning for assessments, making brain-friendly study notes regularly, and using a wide variety of active study techniques to suit individual learning preferences. Parents/carers are encouraged to review the handout from the session with students, and discuss the main areas identified where changes need to be made. Students are encouraged to work through the Post Session Checklist.
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 Monday, 6, March 2023. 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.
There are lots of valuable handouts on the THINGS TO PRINT page on this site, and students can work through the units where they need additional help.
“Shoot for the moon and even if you fail, you land among the stars.”- Jared Garwood (Class of 2022)
Inspiration, commitment and hard work was personified on Thursday, 9 February as students, staff, parents, carers and members of the Waverley community gathered together to welcome back and celebrate our high achievers from the Class of 2022.
These assemblies set the tone for the Academic year ahead. They inspire hope and propel us to strive toward something better, greater and higher.
Waverley is a diverse learning community and in 2022, 160 students choose their own path to complete Year 12. Whether they selected an HSC+ ATAR or HSC+ Vocational pathway, each person’s journey was unique. Their chosen learning path played to their strengths. It engaged their interest and passion to help them succeed.
A common theme among our Class of 2022 was the resilience and determination shown throughout their learning journey. We commend the grit that many of them drew upon to make significant and impressive progress throughout their time at Waverley College.
Despite the fact that two of their final three years of school had extended lockdowns within them, they emerged to lead the College with a positive, no-fuss attitude. They rallied together to build a culture of pride, one of high standards and one that endures to the end. They believed they could achieve great things… and indeed they did.
We were delighted to hear two of our 2022 Graduates speak at the assembly; Charles Alexander and Jared Garwood. Both indicated that this was the first time they had addressed an assembly, and felt a little outside their comfort zone. They should be very proud of their respective speeches. They were articulate, humorous and motivational.
They shed light on their HSC experiences at the College and offered some wonderful words of encouragement and advice to our student body. Both highlighted that finding that perfect study technique is very individual. They challenged the students to experiment with different strategies until they find something that works for them. They pointed out the importance of finding the right balance and having good relationships with their peers and their teachers.
Charles encouraged the student body to find something that motivates them, relaxes them and gives them joy while on their HSC journey. He felt that “with these three things alone, you can achieve anything you wish in the world!” He urged students to take every opportunity to involve themselves in the broad range of activities on offer; speaking of how his involvement in Rugby, Cadets and Music Ensembles gave him balance and discipline with his academic studies.
Congratulations, Charles Alexander
Charles commended his peers for the way they helped one another, shared resources and encouraged each other to stay motivated and focused. We wish Charles every success as he embarks on a Bachelor of Construction Project Management at UTS.
It was with great pleasure to award Jared Garwood with the plaque of Highest ATAR 2022 (98.5). In addition to that, Jared made the Premier’s All Rounder List and SMH Distinguished Achiever in Engineering Studies, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Physics and Studies of Religion II.
Jared reflected on his time at Waverley, acknowledging that each person’s HSC experience is unique. For him, the HSC was about self-growth, responding and overcoming challenges and achieving a good result. It was important for Jared to set targets and aim high. Jared had a goal of 90 plus ATAR and at least two Band 6s. He knocked that out of the park!
Congratulations, Jared Garwood, who was awarded the plaque of Highest ATAR 2022 (98.5)
He highlighted the importance of “staying connected with the people around you” and said the study technique that worked best for him was peer mentoring. To teach and learn from his peers enabled him to better understand and retain concepts. He found motivation through competition – competition with self and others. He would turn each assignment into a competition, wanting to do better each time. We wish Jared every success as he embarks on a double degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) (Honours) at UNSW.
It is safe to say that the Class of 2022 found their success in very different ways. Whatever path our Year 12 boys chose, it is important to remember that they leave the College with much more than just a number, mark or rank. The journey that brought each student to this point has been far more valuable.
I congratulate the entire HSC Class of 2022 on their fine results and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to the outstanding commitment of staff and the tireless support of parents and carers during their son’s learning journey.
This week, Waverley celebrated the successes of our 2022 HSC High Achievers. We are so proud of each and every one of you, and send our best wishes for the next exciting chapter of your journey.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
It is with great pleasure to congratulate Mr Sean Picone on receiving the 2022 Percy Watson Excellence in Teaching Medal.
The Percy Watson Excellence in Teaching Scholarship has been set up in honour of Dr PJR Watson. Percy was a dedicated and passionate teacher at the College between 1957 and 1969. Percy taught English and Economics at the College for 11 years, from 1958 – 1969.
The force of Percy’s passion for teaching and learning had a profound impact on his students. The classes of 1965 and 1966 were so inspired by Percy that they established a scholarship fund to enhance teaching excellence at the College in his honour.
Peter Percy Watson in the Grange
At the end of last year, Mr Picone completed his Master of Educational Leadership through UNSW. Mr Picone’s study has already had a positive impact on the Waverley College community in both the academic arena and co-curricular.
Mr Picone is a talented teacher of HSIE and RE and passionate about the importance of a whole-school approach to Literacy. During his postgraduate study he undertook a major research project in formative assessment and best practice for building student writing capacity.
He used this research to implement essay writing scaffolds that teachers in the HSIE department could use across all subjects to model essay writing. These scaffolds allow students to follow a path of independent planning as they construct their draft essays. He also drew on his research to develop literacy strategies that complement the Writer’s Toolbox program.
In addition to his teaching role, Mr Picone is actively involved in a number of Wellbeing and Co-curricular positions where he works with a range of stakeholders. The leadership component of his study – operational skills and communication skills – enabled him to develop a Cricket Strategic Plan for coaches and parents/carers. The plan is aligned with the College Strategic priority “Building collaborative partnerships”. It sets out clear goals to foster greater participation and engagement and build the capacity of all the stakeholders in the cricket program.
Thursday, 16 February – Wave Crew Spirit Initiative, Centenary Quad, Lunchtime. Wave Crew will lead the College in cheering practice for our upcoming sporting encounters. Bring your lunch and join in the fun!
Friday, 17 February – Block Cricket Grand Final, BBQ available
Well done to all of our teams and especially the Year 7 teams that trialled last Saturday. The standard of skill level as well as the enthusiastic approach by all of Year 7 was very impressive.
Next week, Year 7 will attend camp at Somerset from Monday – Wednesday, and there will be no training for this cohort on Wednesday afternoon. We wish these students well on their outdoor education adventurous journey.
Reminders
Weekend Leave Requests
A reminder that any students requesting weekend leave, need to contact Mr Steve Wilmot, Ms Brooke Kent or me directly, with as much notice as possible. Any requests for days off school should be directed towards the students’ Head of House.
Changes to Winter Activity Deadline
Any student who wishes to change their Winter Activity has until the end of next week (Friday, 17 February) to request these changes, by collecting the necessary forms from a member of the Co-curricular team.
Rugby Requests
Any student requesting to go into Rugby without previous experience, is required to undertake physical and skills testing before approval. This is a Rugby Australia requirement and is part of the risk mitigation in prevention of injuries in this contact sport.
Full Sports Attire or College Summer Uniform is Compulsory
All other students will have commenced all of their Term 1 training sessions for all activities this week. We are at home this weekend to Knox, and I want to remind all students that they need to be correctly attired in full sports attire or College Summer uniform, if they are supporting any activity.
CAS Codes of Conduct – Players, Parents/Carers and Spectators
I also want to remind all members of the College community of the C.A.S. Codes of Conduct:
PLAYERS
Play by the rules and in a spirit of good sportsmanship.
Play for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately fouling or provoking an opponent, and throwing equipment are not acceptable nor permitted in any sport.
Work hard both for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
Co-operate with your coach, team mates and opponents. Without them there would be no game.
In the event of a player, or athlete being sent-off during a CAS fixture, it is the responsibility of that boy’s Headmaster at his discretion to determine the penalty. It is generally understood among Headmasters, however, that the boy will serve at least one week’s suspension from participating in the CAS competition.
1st XI Football. Photo courtesy: Liam Davis (Year 12)
PARENTS
Focus upon the boy’s efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the game. This assists the boy in setting realistic goals related to his ability by reducing emphasis on winning.
Teach your son that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of the game is accepted without undue disappointment.
Encourage your son to always play according to the rules of the game.
Never ridicule or yell at your son or another boy for making a mistake or losing a game.
Remember, boys are involved in organised sports for their benefit and enjoyment, not yours.
Remember, children learn best from example. Applaud good play by both teams.
If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the official’s judgement and honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time and effort voluntarily for your son’s benefit.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
Recognise the value and importance of coaches. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your son and other boys, and deserve your support.
Basketball v Cranbrook in 2022
SPECTATORS
We encourage boys to support their school teams and to be dressed in the school’s uniform while doing so.
We expect barracking to be enthusiastic, but not to be fanatical or designed to heckle, belittle or disturb the opponents. For example, barracking, for or against, during a kick at goal is always bad sportsmanship. Boys should be encouraged to barrack for their school rather than for an individual team member. Booing, whistling, playing or beating musical instruments are in bad taste and wholly unacceptable.
Vocal support for any team should never encourage violence or rough or illegal play.
Encroaching onto the field of play, the shouting out of suggestions for players, referees or umpires to hear, are not allowed.
It is never acceptable to express disapproval of a referee’s or umpire’s decision – no matter whether the referee be adult or schoolboy.
There is a complete ban on all alcoholic drinks at grounds where games between Associated Schools’ teams are being played.
We expect our players to be modest in success and generous in defeat, not showing in either case undue emotion. Good play, by your own school and by the opposing school, should be applauded willingly and openly.
At all times, spectators should leave the area tidy and free of rubbish when they leave.
We look to adults (parents, Old Boys and other spectators) to set an example by their self-control at matches.
2nd Basketball v Knox in 2022
COACHES
Students must perceive that the sporting program of the School is consistent with the educational aims of the School’s Christian foundation. The part that coaches play in reinforcing this consistency is in insisting on proper attitudes both on and off the field, and by making games attractive, safe and enjoyable for the students.
It is imperative that coaches have a clear understanding of the highest standards associated with amateur sportsmanship, and they must always be ready to combat those views widely expressed in the media that run counter to the spirit of the game.
Coaches should help students understand the fundamental philosophical differences between the games they play and professional games shown on television. The professional is an entertainer and a wage earner whose play often reflects this fact.
CAS Track and Field Championships in 2022
Coaches should:
Coaches should recognise that games are for enjoyment and that satisfaction should come from participation in a team. Coaches should kindle in their players, on the one hand, a desire to win, which should motivate them towards excellence, and, on the other hand, a readiness to accept defeat.
Coaches should develop in their players respect for the ability of their opponents, as well as for the judgement of officials (ie umpires, referees and touch judges).
The home Coach/Manager should always welcome the visiting Coach, and encourage the Captain of the team to seek out the visiting Captain.
Coaches should be reasonable in their expectations of the players and in their demands on the players’ time and energy. They should be sensitive to the age, skill and physical maturity of their players.
Coaches should carry out their educational responsibility by acquainting their players thoroughly with the rules of the game, as these provide structure and order. For this reason, Coaches should continually update their knowledge of the game.
Coaches should support and encourage players. Feedback should be focused on the skill area and no personal derogatory remarks should be made.
Where it is permitted under the rules of the game, all coaching from the sidelines must be restrained, tactful, and infrequent, and substantially out of earshot of spectators. In all cases however, the role of the Coach should be understated rather than overstated.
Coaches should warn those players who are losing their composure and becoming too physical, and if necessary, remove them from the playing arena should such warnings not be heeded.
Leadership and responsibility on the part of the captain should be encouraged. Coaches should refrain from running every detail or interjecting from the sidelines. (It is acknowledged that traditions and practices differ between, say, basketball on the one hand and, on the other, cricket and rugby.)
All coaches (and particularly those who are not on the teaching staff), should ensure that they are fully aware of the expectations and practices of the school in which they are coaching. Coaches should remember that school sport plays an important role in a boy’s education and is for the benefit of boys rather than adults.
Coaches should not engage in excessive and ritual “psyching up” of a team.
If a match is lost, coaches should avoid giving the impression always that it could have been won if the team had played with more determination. (The opposition is sometimes just too skilful!) Similarly, coaches should avoid stating or giving the impression to players that bad refereeing decisions cost them the game.
Coaches should avoid any hint of criticising the umpiring or refereeing of a match – particularly in front of boys or parents.
A coach’s aim should be always to coach in such a way that boys are able to learn for themselves.
Coaches are to accept player safety as an essential priority, and correct techniques are to be insisted upon. Under no circumstances are matches to start or to continue under conditions which a coach considers contentious, e.g. the absence of an appropriate umpire or referee; or an unsafe playing surface.
If any member of the College community believes there is a breach of these Codes of Conduct, I would encourage them to contact me directly rather than engage in an altercation in front of students and other parents.
Best wishes to all activities for their first full round this weekend.
Waverley College runs a community-based swim school for children (boys and girls), from kindergarten and older.
The Swim School offers three levels of swimming instruction, with a focus on stroke technique and fitness. All swimmers must be able to swim unassisted.
