The Uniform Shop will be closed from Friday, 24 June 2022
>>> Click here to view the Waverley College Uniform Shop Trading Notice flyer.
Waverley College Uniform Shop
P: (02) 9369 0709
Three weeks ago, I underwent back surgery which included a hemilaminectomy between my L4/L5 vertebra, which is the removal of one of the laminae to relieve excess pressure on the spinal nerve. I also had a discectomy on my left L4, which is the removal of abnormal disc material that presses on a nerve root. The piece the surgeon took out was 1.5cm in diameter.
One certainly reflects on how one got one’s self into this position. Perhaps it was the lifting and stacking up of pallets in my supermarket nightfill days, or twenty years of rowing and coaching in a tinnie, or perhaps it was the free gardener and landscaper my mother had in her youngest son, or perhaps a late night lift up of one of my children without bending properly, or sitting at my work desk incorrectly with bad posture. Either way, the recent lesson learnt has been a painful one, and one I will encourage our students not to follow.
Physical health is one of the five dimensions we focus on in our Wellbeing programs at the College. The others are the emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual dimensions. With the holidays approaching and particularly in post-COVID times (he says optimistically), ensuring your children embrace their physical health is the perfect opportunity during the winter break. The foundations for lifelong good health habits should be developed strongly during their time at the College, even if they state they are not ‘sporty’, there are plenty of options to encourage the inclusion of physical movement into their life and program including: Yoga, Table Tennis, Judo, Duke of Edinburgh, Cadets, Mountain Biking, Cross Country, Hip Hop (JS), Sailing, Touch Football, Duke of Edinburgh, Diving, Swimming, Tennis, Futsal, Cricket, Volleyball, Waterpolo, AFL, Rugby, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket, Track & Field, Fitness Group, Weights and Fitness, and Surf Lifesaving.
Congratulations and good luck to the over 80 Waverley community members who have registered to join the Waverley team to do the City2Surf. So far they have raised over $5,000 for local charity ‘Running for Premature Babies.’ There is still time to join the group, and please see details further in the newsletter.
Congratulations to the 33 students who competed in this year’s piano competition, judged by accomplished guest adjudicator, Mr Evan Streater. Well done to our four division winners. >>> Click here to view further news about the entertaining piano competition.
The College will again be supporting this year the Mark Hughes Foundation and the Beanie for Brain Cancer Initiative. The brand new 2022 designs have been released, and will be available for purchase both at the Junior School (Reception) and Senior School (Wellbeing Centre) over the final week of Term 2. These will be $25 each.
As we approach the end of term, we keep in our thoughts and prayers our Year 12s, who have the added pressure in their school program of preparing for their upcoming trial examinations early next term. They will receive a study program from the Teaching & Learning team next week, which I would encourage them to follow closely, so as to find a balance between studying, exercising and maintaining a good diet and sleep patterns.
The College Library will be open during the holidays for those students who like to vary their study locations or organise some small group study sessions. HSC tutorials will also be operating, across respective subject areas.
I also wish our Year 8s and 10s who have their Subject Selection Evenings scheduled for the next week, all the very best in their discernment around subject choices and study pathways. For more information, click the links below:
>>> Click here to view Ms Porter’s Stage 6 subject selection newsletter article.
>>> Click here to view Mr Soden’s Stage 5 subject selection newsletter article.
Our Australian Catholic Church has spent much of the last few years discussing its place in the nation and its pilgrim journey as a community of faith. Australia has had four previous Plenary Councils in 1885, 1895, 1905, and 1937, prior to the fifth Plenary Council of 2022. A Plenary Council is a formal meeting of the bishops and other representatives of all the dioceses and eparchies of the Catholic Church in Australia. Its purpose is to discern what God is asking of us in Australia at this present time.
While the church should be asking that question continually, a Plenary Council is a particularly graced instrument for seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It will present opportunities to address the challenges that the Church currently is facing, and ways for being a better Church in the decades ahead. The four-year journey of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will reach the second and final assembly in July 2022. In the plenary council’s first phase, known as ‘Listening and Dialogue’, more than 222,000 people took part, making 17,457 submissions. I attended a session along with Mark Tannock, the principal of St Aloysius’ College, some time ago.
This formal process of a Plenary Council, has led to 30 motions being put to 277 members of Australia’s historic Fifth Plenary Council at next month’s second assembly. The motions include an apology to the survivors of Church abuse and their families, a greater role for women including new opportunities in ministries, and closer engagement with Indigenous Australians in the life of the Church.
The submission to the Plenary Council acknowledges that the Catholic Church in Australia has been caught up in this history of dispossession, Stolen Generations, the undermining of language and culture, and racism. The 30 motions for the Plenary Council can be found below.
>>> Click here to view A Framework for Motions.
| 17/06/2022 | COVID-19 | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Year 8 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Staff | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 11 |
At a school as large as Waverley, it’s not easy to get to know everyone as deeply as we may like. Many of us have hidden talents, multiple occupations, previous careers, colourful experiences, and rich insights, ripe for sharing.
As we come to the end of Semester 1, our newsletter is celebrating the gifts, talents and interests of our staff, starting with the enigmatic and creative Mr Yann Vignes.
Q: How long have you worked at Waverley?
“Around six years, I think. I work with the Maintenance Team and fix problems! There’s usually a wide range of issues for teachers – I mostly work with building maintenance. I also teach Yoga at the College.”
Q: Words That Describe You?
“Arty, Collage Maker, Perpetual Learning Yoga Teacher.”
Q: What can you tell us about your Yoga teaching at Waverley?
“I teach boys in Years 7-12, weekdays and early on Saturday mornings, and also as part of Fitness Group. Yoga is a co-curricular elective. It’s great. I try to push the boys a little further in their personal practice, in an environment where nobody is judging or watching. I teach them techniques to go further with breathing, showing them how to breathe deeply and stretch. It’s a nurturing practice, where boys can calm down, breathe and focus. The boys are very receptive. They have learned Sanskrit words for the poses, and I play Indian music during the classes to remind them of yoga’s origin, transporting them to India! They are also learning to meditate.”
Q: Where were you born?
“In France in Rennes (Brittany). Both my parents were born in Madagascar.”
Q: What languages do you speak?
“French, English and some Hebrew. I lived in a kibbutz in the 1980s in Israel – my grandmother was Jewish. I learned a lot about Socialism there, in a community of people working together to have a decent life. One of the things I’ve kept from that time is the saying: “There are no problems, only solutions.” I travelled extensively from a young age and have lived in Mexico, Switzerland, Portugal, New Caledonia … so many places.”
Q: Where is your favourite place in the world?
“Tokyo. It’s the most exciting and safest city in the world. Totally free with a lot of experiences. It’s challenging at night with so many things to see and discover. It’s an amazing place for any age – a place where young and old people are always mixing. I made crêpes in Tokyo outside a restaurant in an expensive suburb. The Japanese are Francophiles. Japanese and French have a similar aesthetic – they have a similar sensitivity, detail and appreciate the arts.”
Q: How long have you been a collage maker?
“11 months. I’ve created 185 collages in that time.”
Q: Can you describe your art practice?
“With my process, I sit at my desk with books everywhere – paper, scissors, glue, stone paper, and I have no idea what is going to come. I go through books. Art books. Then the story comes. Every collage is unique – one piece only. Usually I create something that reflects the last few days. I create the title last, after the pieces are glued. It’s very important and fun. I must have a show this year.”
Spirited Away by Yann Vignes
Rag and Bones by Yann Vignes
Babouchka Remembers the War by Yann Vignes
My Wedding Night by Yann Vignes
Les Bourgeois de Paris by Yann Vignes
Gate 23 by Yann Vignes
Q: What’s your idea of a perfect day?
“Practising yoga, teaching yoga, being creative, my artwork, collage, seeing people and engaging people. You’ve got to live in the present – connection is everything – art, yoga. You can’t plan things, you aren’t in control. You have to accept people on a daily basis, with the same attention, care and nurturing in the moment with no reference to the past or previous days.”
Vanessa Witton
Marketing Communications Specialist
E: vwitton@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 2, Week 9. 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.
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.
| Date | Subject | Time | Room | Teacher |
|
Monday, 20 June 2022
|
Mathematics Standard | 7:30am – 8:30am | E35 | Nicola Silsby |
| Mathematics Extension 1 | 3:30pm – 5pm | E32 | Steven Hall | |
| Drama | 3:30pm – 5pm | P118 | Alison Jinga/ Peter Lamb |
|
|
Wednesday, 22 June 2022
|
Biology | 7:30am – 8:30am | E02 | Richard Chen |
| PDHPE | 3:30pm – 5pm | GHR | Patrick Darvill | |
| Thursday, 23 June 2022 | Chemistry | 7:30am – 8:30am | E04 | Gary Kennedy |
Mrs Lauren Ryan has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below some reminders about key events you need to be aware of for the Junior School in Term 2. For all of the College events, please refer to the College calendar.
Thank you to all those students who participated in the annual NESA Write On Competition. A special congratulations to the following students:
Luca Beserra’s entry has now been submitted to NESA for judging, and we wish him the very best of luck with the competition.
Write On Competition Winners. Left to right – Mrs Smith, Luca Beserra, Ryan Loughrey, Ishaan Jeena
Beanies are currently being sold at the Junior School Reception. These are in support of brain cancer research. Beanies are $25 and the boys can wear them at school until the end of Term 2.
>>> Click here to view more information in the article by Mr John McCoy.
Mrs Gabby Smith
Director of Junior School
E: gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last Thursday, 9 June, Junior School students participated in the Annual Edmund Rice Activity Day. Throughout the morning, the boys learnt about the life of Edmund Rice through a variety of activities, including trivia, research projects and a prayer service.
Awards were presented throughout the day for students who demonstrate the same qualities of Edmund Rice, such as kindness, compassion, humility and a desire to put others first.
Congratulations to the following students:
These 12 boys demonstrate Edmund Rice’s qualities of kindness, compassion, humility and a desire to put others first
During the afternoon, the boys were involved in a number of different fundraising activities, aimed at raising money to go towards Edmund Rice Camps. There was a buzz of excitement around the school as the majority of the boys immersed themselves in the different games. I am proud to say that over $1,500 was raised. Well done to all boys for their efforts.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Good luck to all teams in their final Winter Season round for Term 2. We look forward to getting stuck into the remainder of the season at the beginning of Term 3.
Please follow the link below to ensure you are up to date with any changes to fixtures for Round 7 (Saturday, 18 June). Keep a close eye on the Waverley College app for any further adjustments.
Last round, our Prep 1st Rugby team had the privilege of facing off against their biggest arch rivals, Scots on Queens Park 1 main field. This was special, considering the last game scheduled for the team to play on Queens Park 1 was unfortunately washed out. It is always a big occasion playing Scots, but this had a different energy for both teams on a crisp, blue-skied Sydney winter’s day.
As expected, it was a nail-biter of a game, going down to the final minutes where Waverley were able to swing the ball wide to secure the final try, and the win, by 4 points. As you can imagine, the boys were ecstatic, and to achieve this on the main field was an added reward for a hard-fought game.
Well done boys, you were very deserving, and it was great to see you get the win.
Hunter Bligh and Lachlan Bayly made it to the National Junior Basketball Classic Tournament in Melbourne over the long weekend with their rep team. It’s a big achievement for these boys, as it’s an ‘invite only’ tournament with only the best teams in Australia competing.
The boys finished in 10th overall, which is a huge achievement. This means their team is in the top 10 best U12 team in Australia. Congratulations to both Hunter and Lachlan, it’s excellent to see you both achieve big things in basketball.
Hunter and Lachlan – National Junior Basketball Classics
The Queen’s Birthday long weekend saw 18 teams from all around NSW, (and even one Melbourne team), head to Camden for the U12s Rugby State Championship – their first state tournament, having missed competing in the U10s and U11s due to COVID-19.
The following Year 6 students were selected to represent the Randwick district: Lukas Pendleton (captain), Riley Carr, Vaidas Levi, Morgan Turinui, Beau Matheson-Raynor, Byron Thomas and Zac Johnson. The team also included Year 7 students Junior Pohiva and Duke Thomas.
The team were up against some very tough opposition in the tournament, and were praised by the officials for playing in the true spirit of rugby. They had an amazing time, formed long-lasting friendships, and thoroughly enjoyed Camden’s country hospitality.
Ben Fernandes was also selected to play for Penrith Rugby Club and compete against his other close friends and classmates. Congratulations to Ben and all the Waverley boys who were selected and involved in the competition over the long weekend.
Randwick Rep Team – Waverley Players
Penrith Rep Team
Congratulations Ben Fernandes – Penrith Reps – Waverley is proud of you!
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
E: jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
>>> Click here to register your son.
If your son is unable to attend, please email the College: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au or call reception.
Home Learning Club will only be on Monday, 20 and Tuesday, 21 June.
If you would like your son to compete in the 2021 ICAS Competitions, you will be asked to nominate the competitions in which you would like him to be entered, through the Parent Payment System.
At the Junior School, the following ICAS competitions are offered: Writing & Digital Technologies, Science & Spelling Bee, English and Mathematics. This year all the competitions will be held in August / September of Term 3, and will be completed before school in the Learning Hub. Dates and times will be confirmed in Term 3.
>>> Click here to register your son.
Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online, while tests will still be held at our College. Please use the College’s access code details to register your child, no later than the first week in Term 3, Friday, 22 July 2022.
Waverley’s School Access Code UUD072
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.
>>> Click here for more information about the assessments.
If you require additional support registering your son, contact the customer service team. Call Australian Toll-Free Tel 1800 931 775.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The students in 6 Indigo have been extremely busy working through a number of different projects through the term. They are excitedly preparing for the upcoming History/Science Showcase next week.
Some of the interesting things that they have been working on include:
The students were asked to work in groups of two or three to create a podcast based around the book that we were studying in class, Young Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe. This book gives us a different and truer insight into the Indigenous way of life, based on excerpts of early explorers’ diaries.
Students were asked to analyse parts of the book, and reflect on their own interpretations in a fun and meaningful way.
Would you like to hear some of these student-created podcasts? Just use your camera to scan the QR code at the bottom of each image below.
The boys in 6 Indigo have been exploring the different factors that attributed to Australia’s migration story. This has led to their current inquiry research task, where they are busy retracing the migration story of a family member or friend, to create a digital visual representation of this story through I-Movie.
We are greatly looking forward to watching the final productions.
Through our Science topic this term, students have been learning about different foods, how they are produced, and how sustainable they will be in the future. They were given an opportunity to present their research task either as a brochure, poster or Google Slide Presentation. You can see some of their work in the images below, however they will also be on full display during the Year 6 History/Science Showcase on Wednesday, 22 June at 2pm.
As part of their Visual Arts lessons, the boys worked collaboratively to build Box Monsters out of recyclable materials. A lot of creativity was put into the designs and a lot of fun was piecing together the final product. Enjoy the images below!
It certainly has been a busy semester. I look forward to seeing how the 6 Indigo students’ learnings continue to grow throughout the remainder of the year.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Class Teacher 6 Indigo
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Tuesday, as we came back from our rested long weekend, Year 12 Hospitality students were busily cooking in the kitchen for the staff to enjoy some extra food in their day. The students were tasked with creating 11 different dishes, some more intricate than others. These dishes certainly tested their skills, and I was confident that their summation of the hospitality course had prepared them for days such as today.
One dish of importance within any restaurant is a ‘family meal’. This meal, served to the chefs and wait staff within restaurants, is a real way to connect a business. As such, we wanted this to be reflected in this group. Our family meal was a freshly made basil pesto pasta, where the pasta had been prepared by the boys from scratch and rolled out.
The pride and passion for the food created by these boys was reflected in their application of skill, their willingness to present it, and at some stages, rushing to do a classroom delivery to their favourite teachers to get that affirmation of how great they had cooked.
This service period was an important step in finalising their competency tasks in their VET course, and to make sure they are well equipped if they decide to pursue retail and hospitality careers, post-school. The TAS VET team enjoyed the working environment created during these service periods, and a huge thanks to Mrs Knowles, Mrs McCarthy and Mrs O’Loughlin for the day’s assistance.
Yum!
Mr Mark Neale
TAS/VET Teacher
E: mneale@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As I start my renewed experience here at the College, I bring with me some special additions to the cohort.
Welcome ‘Carrot’ and ‘Spinach’ – two large bunnies who are now calling Waverley College home.
Waverley’s newest enrolments!
I, (Mr Mark Neale), had been blessed with working at a Marist school, who saw the potential benefits of animals in schools and ran with my ideas. Moving on from my previous school into Waverley, I had to bring the animals I had nurtured and raised around the students of Marist Catholic College North Shore, with me.
Having animals in schools is quite common, as St Ignatius’ Riverview employs two Labrador therapy dogs which make an appearance every few days. ‘Chicks R Us’ are a company who deliver hatching eggs to schools around NSW, and allow agricultural classes to observe the life stages of the chickens as they hatch, grow and mature. All these programs and initiatives bring their benefits to curriculum learning, wellbeing and life lessons.
Rabbits hold many benefits to wellbeing, counselling and to the TAS curriculum. These two siblings have been raised from birth, being constantly in the student spotlight. They are not shy for a pat or a feed, which makes them perfect companions for students when they are wanting a ‘cool-down’ option for the many stresses that the school day can bring, as well as bringing out a previously unseen character trait in students.
When looking at TAS, many units in the junior years focus on agriculture, cultivation and caring for animals in managed environments. The process of feeding, cleaning and maintaining their living space teaches responsibility, scaled-down life skills of the animal care industry, as well as sparks new interests in pets or companions other than the common cat and dog.
Carrot and Spinach hope to be welcomed by all the students as they adjust to their new surroundings, and some can expect to see them venturing around the hallways and classrooms as the year progresses.
Mr Mark Neale
Animal Welfare Liaison Officer
Rabbit Whisperer
E: mneale@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week is the last round of winter activities for Term 2 against traditional rivals Knox Grammar School. Training for the final week of term will only be held on Monday and Tuesday.
Well done to all students who competed in the NSW State Rugby Championships last weekend, and especially to the Randwick U16 side captained by Oliver Aboud. This team were crowned premiers and had a large number of Waverley College students.
U16 State Rugby Champs
Also special mention to 13As player Josiah Manoufetoa, who was also part of the Manly U12 State premiers. It was great to see a number of his school teammates from other clubs, cheering him on in the final.
This coming week we also have a number of students trialing for CAS squads in Volleyball.
Congratulations to the following boys selected for CAS 1sts AFL to play GPS next week: Joel Burgess, Freddy Hunt, James Kambas, Louis Kitto, Hugo Roles, Sam Stewart, Tom Stewart, Vasili Vertsonis, Jett Wanda.
Best wishes to all of our 16A and 1st XV rugby squads with their CAS selections, which will be published on Sunday.
Unfortunately ES Marks will not be open in time for our House Athletics Carnival scheduled for Thursday, 23 June.
It will now be held on Monday, 29 August at ES Marks.
A reminder to all students who will be supporting teams this weekend, that full Co-curricular uniform or College academic uniform are the only accepted versions at any venue, for both home and away.
I want to also make special mention of three Waverley College Old Boys:
We wish these gentlemen well and will certainly be cheering them on for upcoming matches. We are running out of wall space at the Queens Park Pavilion for all of these legends of the College!
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-curricular
E: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Football Presentation Evening will take place on Saturday, 13 August from 5pm – 7:30pm in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC).
Event details and ticketing will be released as soon as possible.
If any parents are available on the night for cooking the BBQ, serving and cleaning up, please email me: edavis@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Ed Davis
Convenor of Football
E: edavis@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to congratulate all our students involved in the State Championships last weekend. It was pleasing to hear the success stories and lifelong memories from a number of Waverley College students involved with various club teams. Well done!
This weekend, the final weekend of rugby for Term 2, Waverley College will have a big test against Knox Grammar School. Knox are always a wonderful competition across all age groups, and all our teams will need to be at their best for this encounter.
Our 13s, 16s and Opens will play at Knox, while our 14s and 15s will play at Queens Park.
For those travelling to Knox, it is important that you allow plenty of travel time, as the traffic heading up towards Knox on a Saturday can be busy. We do ask that all players ensure they arrive at least 30 minutes before kick-off. It certainly is disappointing to have players turn up 5 to 10 minutes before the game, as this can really interfere with the team preparations.
We would like to congratulate Jed Holloway (Waverley College Old Boy) for his selection in the Wallabies Squad for the upcoming series against England. Jed has had a terrific season with the NSW Waratahs, and this opportunity is very well deserved. We wish Jed all the very best.
In a different sporting code, we would also like to congratulate Ronald Volkman (Waverley College Old Boy) as he makes his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors this weekend. Ronald was part of the 2020 CAS Premiership team, scoring the winning try against Barker College.
On behalf of the Waverley College Rugby Community, we send our condolences to Mrs Maureen Andrews, Waverley College Supporters’ Club Secretary, and her family, following the passing of her beautiful mother last week. We send our love, thoughts and prayers to Mrs Andrews, and I know that all members of the community are right behind the family at this difficult time.
We wish all players the very best in a big week of rugby against Knox Grammar School.
WAVERLEY TO WIN!
Mr John McCoy
Convenor of Rugby
E: jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Louis Nowra’s Così tells the story of Lewis, a recent university graduate who in a desperate search for cash, ventures into the world of directing in the early 1970s. Except he’s not just directing any normal ‘Brecht’, or even any normal actors. Instead, he’s been given what seems to be an impossible task – to direct an adaption of Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte, starring the patients of a Melbourne mental asylum. The ragtag group set about the task in what has become an Australian classic, praised for its humour, compassion and vibrancy. For years, audiences have been blessed to see this play brought to life by incredible production teams, and the 2022 Waverley production is no exception.
Director Peter Lamb’s vision is beautifully brought to life in the time capsule production. As soon as the audience enters the theatre we feel as though we’ve been transported back to the 1970s, and admitted into the hospital ourselves. Designer Peter Mussared has perfected the aesthetic of a shabby, thrice burnt-down theatre. We can almost smell the smoke and lighter fluid spilling from Doug’s (Jules Cibej) pockets or hear one of Nick’s (Michael Richmond) anti-war protests march its way past the doors. The costumes for each character are so beautifully crafted. Cherry’s spectacularly eccentric headpieces are a standout throughout the show, and in such wonderfully tailored contrast to the relaxed style of Julie, Madison Crosby (Penklis). Every small detail of the characters and relationships are reflected in the world around them.
This is amplified by the technical work of the Year 12 Entertainment students, who balance the eccentric characters, costumes and set with beautifully crafted lighting and sound design. The ability to know when to hold back technically is a credit to their professionalism and sense of design. They beautifully complement the design and acting in a way that lets them sing (literally) on stage for the audience.
The exceptional cast goes above and beyond to bring these characters to life. If you weren’t told they were students, you would believe them to be professional actors due to the grace and professionalism they have dedicated to their roles. Jessica Campbell’s Cherry has us in stitches from her first entrance to her final exit. Dexter Craddock’s Roy, brings an infectious energy to the stage in a way that amplifies the humour. His ability to balance this with moments of refrain also shows off his depth as an actor. He has the audience swimming with Roy in disappointment as his operatic dreams tumble out of his control. Paired with the work of Sam Stewart’s Lewis, beautifully portraying how it feels to be swimming in chaos and also learning how to thrive in it; the two create moments of dramatic relationship that are simply a pleasure to witness. The entire ensemble works together to build the world, and show us that sometimes madness is the key to creativity.
All these wonderful components come together in the fantastical finale. The Così curtain splashes the fun and colour of the entire production up into one beautifully chaotic mess of materials. As the cast comes together one last time to sing us out – led by Luke Crosson and the added ensemble, a masterful addition by Mr Lamb to showcase the musical talents and creative future of Waverley College – the audience is swept up in the magic of the entire show. We laugh, we cry and we feel for every single character on that stage. And most importantly, we leave the theatre with a smile on our faces, and want nothing more than to return and see this incredibly talented team again.
Ms Erin Golden
UNSW Drama Method Practicum student
Ms Alison Jinga
Head of Drama and Entertainment
E: ajinga@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Public performances require an extraordinary amount of work, particularly when they are produced at a high standard. As well as creativity, an immense amount of planning, coordination, people skills, patience, good humour and flexibility is required, in the lead up to the event, during the performances and after the show is over. It can feel like a heady mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, all at once!
The creative work of all people involved in a production, particularly those ‘behind the scenes’, is crucial to every public performance. To this end, thanks are due to these people, whose contributions are so good that they can sometimes be invisible to an audience:
Set, costume and properties designer, lighting designer, production manager, lighting operator, follow spot, costume dressers, backstage supervisors, set construction and dress, sound designer, stage manager, sound operator, photographer, administration, videography, make-up, program designer and writer, and supporting teachers, staff, our two principals and our cleaners.
We would also like to say an enormous thank you to the Issac family. ‘Jams Catering’ by Naomi Isaac, catered at the Così performances, with all three of her wonderful boys from Years 11, 9 and 7 assisting not only with the food, but also with the preparation of setup and pack down each night. Alistair, Lachlan and Oliver put so much effort into making sure each evening ran smoothly, along with helping to serve the sumptuous food, and making sure everyone was made to feel welcome. These boys’ attention to detail and assistance was invaluable. Lachlan was also the talented trumpeter in Così. You are amazing – all three of you. A big thank you must also go to Naomi’s husband Greg, and Naomi’s mum.
Ms Keiran Kossenberg
Performing Arts Centre Coordinator
E: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Vanessa Witton
Marketing Communications Specialist
E: vwitton@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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