Private music lessons are available to all students from Year 5 to Year 12. The College views the study of music as an essential part of each student’s development. Lessons are held in the Performing Arts Centre by external tutors on specific days and times.
Instruction is available on a large range of instruments, theory, voice and composition. Please click HERE to learn more.
Should you require any further assistance, please contact Mrs Kossenberg by email kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.
Ms Keiran Kossenberg
Performing Arts Centre Coordinator
kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Waverley College Year 10 (2024) Dinner Dance provides a formal social opportunity for boys to host a partner at a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. This is a part of our Wellbeing Framework promoting respectful relationships.
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Time: 5:45pm – 10pm (meet at Star City Casino Wharf at 5:30pm)
Venue: Bella Vista Cruise Ship
Embark/Disembark: Star City Casino Wharf, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Dress: Smart formal attire for all guests – boys to wear suit with jacket, tie and trousers
Cost: $105 per person, which includes four hours of cruising, a three-course meal, unlimited soft drinks/juice package, DJ and security
RSVP: Essential. Bookings open at 6pm on Friday, 24 May 2024.
If you have any further questions, please email Ms Suzi Sucur (Administrator Wellbeing Centre) at ssucur@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dr Zac Seidler is a clinical psychologist, researcher and leading expert in men’s mental health. He currently holds dual roles as Global Director of Men’s Health Research at Movember and Senior Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne.
Dr Seidler’s work has focused on issues of masculinity, fatherhood, mental health challenges experienced by men and the advocacy for inclusive and sensitive approaches to men’s mental health.
Currently, Dr Seidler’s team is undertaking research to better understand the impacts of TikTok content on young men’s mental health and are looking for men aged 16-25 to participate.
Recent data shows, based on time spent utilising the app, TikTok is now the most popular social media app in Australia, with social media users spending an average of 42 hours and 13 minutes each month on TikTok. (We Are Social/Meltwater, 2024). Many of our young people are now opting to use TikTok for not only entertainment, but also as a search engine and source of information. Whilst being online can offer numerous benefits like facilitating connection, communication, and learning, there are a range of potential negative impacts including comparisons with others, poor self esteem, cyberbullying, #FOMO (fear of missing out!), feelings of isolation and alienation, over exposure to current affairs and screen addiction. This research is relevant in understanding how we may support our youth as they navigate the online landscape. (Khalaf A M, Alubied A A, Khalaf A M, et al. (August 05, 2023).
This research has been ethically approved by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the charity Movember and your son’s data will be stored safely and securely.
If your son is interested in partaking in Dr Seidler’s voluntary research, you may access information via the link below.
Hey, are you a man ages 16-25 living in Australia, the UK, or the US? Do you frequently use TikTok? We want to hear from you. We’re a research team exploring TikTok’s impact on young men. Our study includes a 15-minute survey and sharing TikTok data now and in three months’ time. Your information will remain anonymous, won’t be shared beyond this study, and you can opt out anytime.
You’ll be compensated AUD$100 (around US$65/£50) for your time – AUD$40 after the initial survey and data share, and AUD$60 for the follow-up.
Interested? Sign up here: AUS LINK: https://unforgettable.me/projects/user/d2e04e60538c6b397f513addf66d64aa
First payment is immediate upon completion of the initial survey.
Do you have conversations with your children about social media? As parents/carers, social media can be a difficult topic to navigate with your children. However, facilitating open and non-judgemental conversations around online engagement can be an important step in better understanding and supporting your child’s digital journey. This may entail asking your child about his screen time including any perceived positives and negatives, setting boundaries collaboratively with your child about their usage, as well as modelling appropriate online usage as parents/carers.
If you require further assistance in guiding your child’s screen time or have concerns regarding their mental wellbeing, our Psychology team is readily available to provide support and guidance.
Ms Olivia Stelling
College Psychologist
ostelling@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Australian regulators have introduced new vaping reforms through changes to the therapeutic goods and customs regulations. These reforms aim to address the rising health concerns associated with vaping, while maintaining access to vapes for therapeutic use such as helping existing smokers quit under medical supervision.
On 1 January 2024, Australia banned the importation of disposable vapes, with few exceptions, regardless of their nicotine content or therapeutic claims. This means importing disposable vapes is illegal in Australia.
Therapeutic vape importers and manufacturers are required to notify the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) about compliance with the relevant product standards before importation to Australia or release for supply in Australia. The prohibition extends to personal imports of disposable vapes for therapeutic purposes, with an exception for international travellers who may bring a small quantity for personal treatment.
In addition to these importation bans, the government has also introduced further legislation to prevent the domestic production, promotion, supply, and commercial possession of disposable vapes.
Health practitioners, including doctors and nurse practitioners, can prescribe therapeutic vapes without needing TGA pre-authorisation, simplifying the prescription process for medically supervised smoking cessation.
The reforms also ban importing non-therapeutic vapes, prohibiting direct overseas orders for patients, even with prescriptions.
New pre-market standards for therapeutic vapes require importers and manufacturers to adhere to new TGA compliance standards, including flavour restrictions (mint, menthol and tobacco flavours are allowed) and device specifications. These reforms, part of a broader government strategy to reduce tobacco and vape use, do not criminalise personal vape possession or use, but aim to regulate vaping more stringently to protect public health.
We would like to take this opportunity to reinforce the topic of Opal Card Compliance for school students. It is a condition of the Student Code of Conduct when travelling that students must Tap On and Off with their School Opal Card or Child/Youth Opal Card every time when using public transport. This is so that Transport for NSW can understand customer travel patterns and adjust the services provided, if necessary.
If students do not meet these criteria, they will need to carry a Child/Youth Opal card with funds loaded onto it. If a student’s School Opal Card has expired or been damaged, lost or stolen, please visit transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply to reapply.
Transport NSW will continue to conduct random visits to school bus stops to reinforce this message to students throughout the year.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Parents and Carers
We are thrilled to report that the tickets to our August Blue & Gold Ball sold out yesterday! Congratulations to everyone who secured a ticket.
We recognise that the Ball may not be for everyone and hope that those not attending, or those who missed out on tickets, will consider supporting our silent auction. We have two exceptional raffle prizes on offer to our whole community!
All funds from the sale of raffle tickets support the Waverley College Foundation and raising valuable funds for the Science & Innovation Centre.
You are welcome to get involved by purchasing Raffle Tickets HERE.
Good luck!
A warm welcome back to Term 2. We are already two weeks in and the students are off and running. Despite the rain, I was able to watch some students down at Queens Park last Saturday play their first round of Winter Sport. I can already see great team spirit and the eagerness to succeed. 5 Blue showcased all the wonderful work they have been completing in their Class Assembly this week and it was great to see the amazing goal setting happening in class.
We have had a very busy start, particularly this week with our Mother’s Day Mass and with Walk Safely to School Day today. Both events were a huge success and I want to thank everyone in the community for participating and making it so special. Our students had a wonderful start to the day with walking to school and having a healthy snack as they arrived.
We then were able to have a beautiful Mass with Fr Bernie which was organised by Mr Steve Ghattas, then moved into celebrating our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who is like a mother at a decadent afternoon tea.
A huge thank you to the Parents’ Association for organising the opportunity for our students to buy gifts for Mother’s Day this year on campus. There was so much joy in the room. A special thank you to our wonderful mums who made this possible – Daniella Strbac, Sam Mott, Nicole Draper, Trinity Borrows and Lynsey Ford.
What a great start to the Term for our students. I wish all our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who is like a mother a beautiful day on Sunday. I know I’m looking forward to breakfast in bed and lots of love from my three children.
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Thursday 16 May, the Junior School will celebrate the life of Blessed Edmund Rice in the Annual Edmund Rice Activity Day. Throughout the day the boys will learn about the life of Edmund Rice through a variety of activities including trivia, research projects and a whole school assembly at the Senior School. We will listen to our guest speakers from Edmund Rice Camps who will speak about the work that they do to help underprivileged children enjoy weekend activities and overnight camps that we sometimes take for granted.
The afternoon will be a series of fundraising activities with all proceeds going to support the work that Edmund Rice Camps do. Please encourage your sons to take part in all the different activities we have planned. Boys are allowed to wear their PE Uniform for a $2 donation.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A warm welcome back to Term 2 and to Winter Sport for our Junior School boys. Despite several sporting fields closed due to rain, the Round 1 games that did go ahead were enjoyable to watch and have challenged our teams to continue working hard at training to develop their skills. Please remember to keep an eye on our app and website for updates to training and games.
The Junior School Sport website is HERE.
In Round 1, the 11F Football team had a great first game. Their teamwork and passing made it look like they’d been training together for weeks!
11F Football
Tymen Spierings (5 Indigo) was featured in Aquabumps last week! He is really gaining momentum with his surfing, now ranked 8th Nationally in the U12s and we are very proud of him.
Congratulations to Jacob Coleman (6 Indigo) who represented Waverley at the CIS Touch Football trials and was successful in making the team! We wish him the best of luck in August.
Finally, we are seeking expressions of interest from any Junior School student interested in joining our Hip Hop Dance Club on Wednesday lunch times. It is run by our talented and skilled dance teacher Mr Joel Peisley. The benefits of Hip Hop Dance include improved flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety, increased confidence and coordination, plus it is a lot of fun!
Please speak with your sons about joining our Club and email me at jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au with his expression of interest. We hope you enjoy the promotional video from Joel below.
Ms Jade Sparks
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Junior School)
jsparks@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.
Register your son HERE.
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.
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 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.
Avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
As part of our commitment to fostering essential life skills, all Year 6 students will participate in a school-based Public Speaking Competition during Term 2, while Year 5 students will take part in Term 3. This initiative is designed to help students cultivate their speaking skills, a vital asset for success in various aspects of life.
Effective public speaking is a key attribute for individuals who aspire to hold positions of responsibility, visibility, and leadership. By developing the confidence and ability to express themselves clearly and persuasively, students will unlock a wide range of opportunities that will benefit them throughout their lives. Waverley encourages students to “speak up” and communicate effectively, as this will undoubtedly open doors to new experiences and possibilities.
ICAS is an online academic competition designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities forrecognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report.
Top performers will be eligible for medals.
If you would like your son to compete in the 2024 ICAS Competitions, you will be asked to nominate which competitions you would like him to be entered in through the Parent Payment System. At the Junior School, the following ICAS competitions are offered: Writing & Digital Technologies, Science & English and Mathematics.
This year all the competitions will be held in August / September, Term 3 and will be completed online in the Learning Hub before school starts. A timetable will be shared closer to the assessment dates.
Click HERE to register your son. Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the school’s access code details to register your child no later than 23 July 2024
Waverley’s School Access Code YGC063
Please consider carefully before choosing this enrichment opportunity for your son. It is a rigorous competition with many questions set beyond grade level. Participants are required to demonstrate a deeper, integrated and thorough level of learning. If you are unsure of your son’s suitability, please consult with his teacher. More information about the assessments can be found at ICAS Assessments: Home.
If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team. Call Australian Toll-Free 1800 931 775.
Our lunchtime guest speaker Alexandra Fanning, architect and mum to Joe (Year 6) and James (Year 8), captivated the audience with an engaging discussion on all things architecture.
Drawing on her extensive experience, she delved into the intricacies of design, highlighting the importance of effective communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking within architecture.
Ali, thank you so much for providing a valuable learning opportunity, offering the boys a glimpse into the world of architecture and how professionals in this field approach problem-solving and creative expression.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Teacher of Literacy & Innovation
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 2, Week 3. 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 | STAFF | ROOM |
|
Monday, 13 May 2024
|
Studies of Religion II | 3:15pm – 5:15pm | Cooper/ Stewart | E40 |
| Geography | 7:30am – 8:30am | Wallington | W25 | |
|
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
|
Visual Arts | 3:15pm – 5pm | Turnbull | C13 |
| Drama | 7:30am – 8:30am | Cohen | P12 | |
|
Wednesday, 15 May 2024
|
Industrial Tech Multimedia | 7:30am – 8:30am | Gibbs | W32A |
| PDHPE | 7:30am – 8:30am | Darvill | GHR | |
| Maths Standard 2 | 7:30am – 8:30am | Cornish | E33 | |
| Modern History | 3:15am – 4:15pm | Brophy | K11 | |
| Thursday, 16 May 2024 | English Advanced and Standard – Craft of Writing | 7:30am – 8:30am | Porter & Fernandez | K21 |
|
Friday, 17 May 2024
|
Hospitality | 7am – 8am | B McCarthy | TF1 |
| Software Design and Development | 7am – 8am | Stead | T04 | |
| Chemistry | 7am – 8am | G. Kennedy | E04 |
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 Martina Cooper
Director of Curriculum
mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The 2024 European Music Tour Farewell Concert will be held on Thursday, 6 June 2024 at 6:30pm in the PAC Theatre.
The evening will showcase the repertoire of the European Music Tour group with performances from the Chamber Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Band, Choir and Concert Band.
The Music Supporter’s Group will be helping to make the evening memorable. They are looking for parent helpers for the evening to assist with set up and service. If you can lend a hand please contact Christina Leonard on E: pac_supporters@waverley.
Beverages, hot food and desserts will be available to purchase prior to the commencement of the Concert from 5:30pm.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
We hope to see you there!
Last Friday, NESA released the HSC Examination timetables. Students in Year 12 should make sure that they use the link below to access their timetables so they can start planning their study program.
We have organised a valuable session with Dr Prue Salter towards the end of this Term to support this process. It is a hands-on session where Dr Salter will guide the students to plan their study sessions leading up to both the HSC Trial Examinations in Weeks 3-5 next Term and their final examinations.
View the HSC Written Exam Timetable HERE.
Students are invited to enter the Waverley Youth Art Prize, 2024.
The Prize is open to everyone aged between 9-18, with the prize exploring the theme ‘Mysteries of the Deep’. Mysteries of the Deep is a theme which asks young artists of Sydney’s Eastern Beaches to create an artwork exploring the possibilities of underwater worlds. Broad artistic interpretation of this theme is encouraged.
Entrants may utilise ideas relating to popular culture, science fiction, sustainability, or something else. All mediums and interpretations are welcome.
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.
Applications must be submitted through the online portal before Friday, 24 May 2024. Artworks must be delivered to the Waverley Library on Friday, 24 May 2024.
We are only weeks away from the school production, Tartuffe, which will be on 18, 19 and 20 June in the PAC Theatre. Tickets will go on sale shortly so make sure you don’t miss out!
Here are some reflections on the production and rehearsals from the cast:
Alex King says, “I like that I work with my friends and I like that the show is quirky and suspenseful all at the same time, but very funny.”
Lochie Colquhoun says, “Comedy gold. I like the 80s costumes.”
Hooper Negus says, “I’ve come to many rehearsals and I really enjoy the bonds that the actors are making during rehearsals as they slowly begin to trust each other.”
Students are invited to submit a photo or short film entry to the Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize 2024. The prize showcases a broad range of images and films from students in the local area. The annual competition and exhibition, with cash prizes totalling more than $2,000, is a local celebration of creative expressions.
Entries close Monday, 26 August 2024 at 5pm. Download the entry form HERE.
The Woollahra Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize 2024 will be exhibited at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf from Thursday, 24 October to Sunday, 10 November 2024.
Dear Parents and Carers
Selected Year 11 English students require parent/carer permission for an excursion to the NESA Sydney Writers’ Festival at Carriageworks, Eveleigh.
This is an all day event offsite on Wednesday, 22 May 2024.
Please provide permission via the Parent Portal.
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
