Thank you and well done to all students, parents and staff who attended the first invitational athletics carnival of the season at Homebush last weekend. This was actually the first inter-school carnival for almost three years.
We had some very impressive performances by a number of athletes as well as a couple of great relay results. However, we are still needing a number of positions filled, particularly in the older age groups.
Any student is welcome to start attending and we are back at Homebush this Saturday, followed by three Saturdays at ES Marks. All students who have been doing Track & Field as either a winter or summer co-curricular option, are expected to compete for the College this term.
The next four weeks of the season lead up to the CAS Track & Field championships on Thursday, 15 September. Year 7 and Year 12 will also be attending this carnival on ‘compulsory supporters’ duty’ and will be bused out and back from the venue. The supporters’ groups will depart at 1pm and return by 9pm. Students will also be provided with a meal.
Parents and family members are also welcome to attend, however there is a small entry fee. We will send more information closer to the date for students and athletes who will be attending this big event.
Next Thursday, 25 August we will celebrate our award winners at the College Assembly, and will notify those award winners by email at the start of next week.
We will have our postponed College House Athletics carnival at ES Marks on Monday, 29 August commencing with the first events at 8:30am. This is a compulsory day for all students in Years 7-12, and whilst we will provide limited bus services to and from the venue, students are encouraged to make their own transport arrangements. There are currently NO CANTEEN facilities at ES Marks so students are required to bring their own lunch.
A big thank you to the parents and senior students who assisted with the Football and AFL presentation evenings last Friday. The attendance by parents and students was fantastic, and in particular I would like to thank Naomi Isaac, Greg Isaac and Alistair Isaac for all of their hard work in ensuring the AFL night was a success.
Also to the parents of the Football Supporters’ Group who assisted with that wonderful event. Thank you also to Nick Blakey (class of 2018 and current Swans player), Mr Steve Wilmot, Mr Edward Davis, Mr Bishoy Wasef, Mr Simon Potter, Mr Jack Wachtel and Mr Jon Christiforidis for all of their work behind the scenes in enabling these events to run so smoothly.
This Friday evening at Easts Rugby, we have the Rugby presentation evening commencing at 6pm and students can wear casual attire.
Well done to Eddie Beswick in Year 11 who competed in the Victorian Formula Ford racing championship last weekend at Sandown and secured an incredible 1st place. We also wish him well for his preparations for the National titles and are looking forward to seeing many more race wins.
Congratulations Eddie Beswick (Year 11)
Good luck to our Track & Field squad this week.
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-curricular
E: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Over the last two Fridays, both Years 5 and 6 have participated in their inaugural Retreat days. The theme of the two days were Friendship and Inclusivity for Year 5, and Leadership and being an Upstander for Year 6.
Throughout the day, students were led by some wonderful Year 11 leaders and Old Boys in a variety of activities. These activities included a Mass to start the day.
Special thanks to our music department and the Years 5 and 6 teachers and Heads of House, who helped make this wonderful day so memorable for our students. It was so pleasing to see the students take time out to reflect on these topics and to deepen their spirituality with such open hearts and minds.
All activities were led by our Year 11 students including making House Wristbands, defining qualities that make good leaders and good friends
Retreat Day Tunnel Ball
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
To further support Year 12, we have arranged for Dr Prue Salter (www.enhanced-learning.net) to run a workshop with our HSC plus ATAR Year 12 students next Wednesday, 24 August during Period 1 in the PAC Theatre.
The session will help reinvigorate Year 12, to put together a study plan right through to their final HSC exams, so they can be confident about their approach in the last months of their studies. Dr Salter will outline the steps students should take to apply teacher feedback, fine-tune their study approach, and bring balance to their studies with self-care.
Using research about the brain, students will be guided in how to structure their study during the HSC exam period and avoid common study mistakes. Students will have the chance to map out their exam timetable and allocate study time based on the guidelines Dr Salter explains, looking at different scenarios, such as exams that are clustered together, or significant gaps in the exam timetable.
Parents are encouraged to ask their son to explain their plan to them after the session, as talking through it, will help embed the learning from the session and give parents a greater understanding of what our students will be undertaking in their last weeks of Year 12.
“This session helped me to simplify what I need to do and how I can effectively do it.”
“The session definitely reinvigorated me – gave some great ideas about study partners, etc. – whilst also not being overly stressful or overwhelming.”
“I found Prue very helpful. I’m usually quite individual in terms of my study habits, but I’ll definitely implement some of her patterns in the lead up to the HSC.”
“Overall, the most helpful part for me was probably just knowing that everything I’m thinking is normal, and being reassured that with the right study schedule I should be okay for the HSC. Definitely worth doing!”
“I loved the presentation, it was not only motivating, but practical.”
“The session was excellent as always and so helpfully tailored to the situation they are in!”
“Thanks for the session today. It was fabulous and just the right type of motivation the students needed.”
Ms Lynsey Porter
Director of Curriculum
E: lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A long time ago in a world far far away, there were game-changing food items including fried chicken, slushies, hot dogs, doughnuts, lollies, cakes and so much more. The humble BBQ also became a staple appliance in our everyday lives.
At lunch on Wednesday, 31 August, be surrounded by food, drinks and games at the return of Year 10 Commerce and Food Technology Market Day. What could make this even better, you ask? A casual dress day.
Students MUST bring a $2 gold coin donation. Importantly, students MUST bring cash if they intend to buy food and drinks at Market Day, and / or participate in the games and raffles at lunch time. There is NO EFTPOS available on the day.
Year 10 Commerce and Food Technology students can’t wait to welcome you to Market Day. All profits made will go to one of two charities: Chris O’Brien’s Lifehouse and RU OK.
The count down is on – see you there!
Ms Angelique Theodorou and Mr Nicholas Sposari
HSIE Teacher and HSIE/RE Teacher
E: atheodorou@waverley.nsw.edu.au
E: nsposari@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Details: Geography Year 11 and Year 12 Field Trip – Narrabeen
Date: Friday, 2 September 2022 (Week 7)
Time: Meet in the Centenary Quad at 8:30am, to arrive back at school approximately 3:15pm
Cost: The cost of this excursion has been added to your son’s school fees
Uniform: College Sports Uniform
Wet Weather Advice: The field trip will go ahead in all weather expect thunder and lightning. Therefore, students are advised to bring along a raincoat / umbrella with a change of footwear.
Food: Students are to bring their own food for morning tea and lunch – there will be limited time to visit food outlets.
*We aim to be back at school by 3:15pm. Students will be expected to attend any co-curricular activities that afternoon. Should traffic prevent our timely return, this will be communicated via the Waverley app.
Do I Need to Give Permission? Yes.
Please complete the permission slip in the link below. This confirms that you have read the above information and give your permission for your son to participate in this excursion. Please complete this form by Wednesday, 24 August 2022.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Year 11 and Year 12 Geography Field Trip Permission Slip.
Ms Rebecca Sutcliffe
Geography Teacher
E: rsutcliffe@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As part of the Technology Mandatory course, class 7 Tec 09 have been studying Agriculture and Food Technologies.
On a beautiful sunny day a couple of weeks ago, the students headed outside, and using food models such as The Healthy Eating Pyramid and The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, they documented their past few meals using chalk and concrete as a canvas.
In the kitchen, students have been cooking various recipes including Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes. Presentation of food plays a large part in meal enjoyment. Congratulations to Edward Garland-Barnes, Joshua Jones, Xander Mills and Ty Paton on their finished product.
Ms Bev McCarthy
TAS/VET Teacher
E: bmccarthy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 11 Hospitality recently completed a week’s work placement as part of their Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations). Students were placed in a variety of venues including cafes, restaurants, hotels and catering companies.
They chopped, peeled, baked, fried, flipped, whipped and much more. The students performed and behaved so well, that many venues took time out to let us know just that. Many received a merit award, and some, a Blue Merit.
Well done gents, you did yourselves, the College and the course, proud.
Ms Bev McCarthy
TAS/VET Teacher
E: bmccarthy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Service Week 2022 is fast approaching for all Year 10 students. Students should be well underway to finding an organisation to volunteer over the four days from 21 November – 24 November, 2022.
Students are encouraged to find their own placement and can check their local council webpage for volunteer opportunities. There is usually a list of services that do great work helping vulnerable people in your area that students may not be aware of.
Examples of places students may like to approach include:
All Year 10 students are reminded that the deadline for placement is due in Week 8, Friday 9 September.
Please fill in the Google form below to register your placement details by this deadline.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Year 10 Service Week form.
Please see Ms Maakrun or Ms Walsh if you have any questions or need support to find a placement.
Year 10 Service Week in 2020
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
>>> Click here to view the weekly Careers Newsletter.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
There are a number of companies looking for apprentices in a variety of trades – building, plumbing and landscaping.
Please see Ms Knowles if you are interested in an apprenticeship.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
E: kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A friendly reminder to Year 11 parents, carers and students, that in Week 6 (next week), we will start to size Year 11 students for their Year 12 (Class of 2023) jerseys.
*Fittings will take place at the Uniform Shop on Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
The Uniform Shop is on Level 3 of the Centenary Building.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thank you to the many parents and carers who supported the charity Educating the Future’s 5-Year Gala dinner, held at the College last Saturday evening. The charity was started by two Waverley College students, Adam Hegedus and Alessandro Piovano, after attending a College-led immersion to Timor-Leste.
The College hopes to return to our Timor-Leste immersion program in 2023. The charity ‘Educating the Future’ has as its main goal the support of the Timor-Leste government and local communities, by building much needed pre-schools across Timor-Leste, and providing students with a great start to life. Over 100,000 children do not currently have access to pre-school education in Timor-Leste.
The evening was a great success, with the honourable Sir General Peter Cosgrove as the keynote speaker, sharing many stories from his service in Timor-Leste and his love for the people. The night raised approximately $55,000 with $30,000 going directly toward their sixth pre-school construction.
Last term, parents were invited to complete a survey regarding our membership of the Combined Associated Schools (CAS) organisation. The CAS Strategic Insights report is the collation of quantitative and qualitative data, gained through an internal survey of parents with students in Years 7-12 and students from Years 9-12 across the six CAS schools: Barker College, Cranbrook School, Knox Grammar School, St Aloysius’ College, Trinity Grammar School and Waverley College.
The survey was in the field from 23 May 2022 to 10 June 2022 yielding 4,318 completed responses. Six in-depth interviews were also conducted in May 2022 with each of the six Principals, providing qualitative insights which are also included in this report.
If you would like to read the whole CAS report, please click the link below:
>>> Click here to view the whole CAS report.
Thank you to those parents and students who participated in the survey. I will keep you updated with any changes that we will consider implementing as an association.
I would like to welcome Darran Rawson to the College as the newly-appointed Foundation Officer. Darren will work with the College Foundation and Advisory Council to further develop our philanthropic culture at the College.
With reductions in government funding, schools need to widen their fundraising capabilities to ensure our 120-year school has appropriate and well maintained resources and that we endeavour to live out the mission of our College through the four touchstones.
Darren has previously worked at Shore, Trinity Grammar, and Aloysius’ College. He is a past parent of three boys of the College, and is passionate about building connections across our community to enhance our fundraising endeavours.
We now have the 2023 Term dates confirmed. They can also be found on our website.
>>> Click here to view the 2023 Term dates.
TERM 1 – 2023
TERM 2 – 2023
TERM 3 – 2023
TERM 4 – 2023
Good luck to all of our runners who are tackling the City2Surf on Sunday and well done for their significant support of the charity ‘Running for Premature Babies’ which is founded by Waverley College parent, Ms Sophie Smith.
For more details please read Ms Gabby Smith’s newsletter article.
>>> Click here to view the Nurrunga article by Ms Gabby Smith.
Parents, students and Waverley community members are warmly invited to attend the St Clare’s and Waverley College annual Art and Design HSC showcase on Wednesday, 17 August.
The event is a collection of Year 12 major works from the students of 2022. For further details, please read Ms Natalie Oates’ newsletter article.
>>> Click here to view the Nurrunga article by Ms Natalie Oates.
The winter period is particularly difficult for those in our society experiencing homelessness. Waverley is having a winter donation drive during Weeks 3, 4 and 5 from 1-19 August to support the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo.
Please find more information regarding Waverley’s Winter Appeal in the Nurrunga article by Mr John McCallum.
>>> Click here to view the Nurrunga article by Mr John McCallum.
PISA is the Programme for International Student Assessment. Internationally, it is the world’s largest student assessment with around half a million participating students from close to 85 countries.
Nationally, PISA is one of the international sample assessments of the National Assessment Program (NAP), which encompasses all tests endorsed by the Australian Government Education Council. Under the Education Act 2013 (Cth), participation in PISA is an obligation for all selected schools.
PISA testing at Waverley College will take place on Wednesday, 17 August 2022.
PISA runs every three years and looks at students’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills, and to analyse, reason and communicate effectively as they examine, interpret and solve real-life problems.
Through Australia’s participation in PISA, students help demonstrate areas in which the Australian education system is doing well and areas which need to improve. PISA assists education authorities across Australia to understand and enhance the effectiveness of their educational systems and to learn from other countries’ practices.
In most schools, around 25 students, predominantly from Years 10 and 11, will be randomly selected to participate in PISA. Students selected to participate this year have been informed as have their parents/carers.
Further information can be found in the link below. For further information please call ACER directly on 1800 280 625.
>>> Click here to view more information about PISA in 2022.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Director of Curriculum
E: lporter@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.
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