Southern Cross Cultural Exchange has been supporting Australian students on life-changing high school exchange programs abroad since 1983, fostering longstanding relationships with partner organisations, secondary schools and host families in 16 countries around the world.
Their last Information Session webinar for 2024 is on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, 6pm AEDT.
If students would like to plan ahead for a student exchange in 2024/25, now would be a great time to gather information about:
Students and parents can register by clicking the button below:
Interested in living and learning in Europe?
Students will be placed in a host family with a sibling of the same gender and similar age (+/- two years), and attend a local independent school.
Please click the buttons below to view more information.
You’re invited!
When: Sunday, 24 March 2024, Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, 12pm-3pm
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 4 events, please refer to the College calendar.
This week we say our goodbyes to Ms Michelle Rollins who has been with us for 27 years. She will be truly missed by our whole Waverley community and we wish her the very best in her journey ahead.
Junior School Music Captain Joe Madden presents Ms Rollins with a floral token of our deep appreciation of her work
We also wish Ms Charlotte Stephens a wonderful maternity leave and look forward to seeing her return to the classroom in 2025.
I would like to congratulate Ms Jade Sparks who will be replacing Mr Jack Watchel in the position of (Acting) Assistant Director of Co-Curricular. Mr Jack Wachtel has made the decision to step down and work part time at the College. He has some wonderful business opportunities and we wish him all the best. He will continue to teach PDHPE in the Junior School next year.
I would also like to congratulate Mr Elliott McKimm who will replace Ms Charlotte Stephens as the (Acting) Director of Curriculum for Terms 1, 2 and 3 in 2024.
I want to thank all parents and carers for your support through such a fantastic year. I continued to be amazed by the commitment, dedication and resilience of each student and I am so proud of their growth and achievements this year in every facet of school life. Together our community has supported each other and made many special memories. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community.
Have a fantastic Christmas break, stay safe, enjoy the sun and take care of one another. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Time: 9am – 10:30am (students to arrive at school at 8:15 am)
Location: Gym (Senior School)
Student Dress Code: Academic Uniform (no blazers)
Only the parents/carers of students who are receiving an award have been invited to this event. These parents/carers will be notified in a separate email.
A Google Doc was sent to you by Mr Ghattas for you to inform us if your son has permission to go home, or if they will require supervision until 3pm. If you have not already done so, could you please fill this out asap. Link HERE.
I hope you took the time to go through your son’s Semester 2 report and reflect on the achievements and areas of growth.
Term 1 2024: Coding
Coding class on a Monday will continue next year. If you would like your son to be part of the session, please find the booking link HERE.
Monday, 5 February to Monday, 25 March – 8 sessions
Time: 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
What a delight it was to take the Year 6 students to Raging Waters and share in their end of year celebration. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and the boys were full of excitement as they boarded the buses.
Plenty of fun was had by all as they raced around the park venturing down the many different waterslides, lazed around in the dinosaur lagoon or swam in the beach wave pool. Their behaviour throughout the day was exceptional and I am sure they will hold onto some very special memories.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As I reflect, it has been an extremely special year for all areas of co-curricular at Waverley College Junior School. This includes all sports undertaken in both the Summer and Winter seasons and the growth, development and successes that followed.
This includes all of the extra co-curricular activities undertaken throughout the entire year (Innovation Club, Debating, Judo, Hip Hop, Chess, Drawing, Homework and Board Games Clubs), not to mention the amount of time and energy put into all areas of Music and Performing Arts by the amazing Ms Michelle Rollins and music teachers (Wakakirri, Stomp, Junior School Band and Ensembles, and Junior School Rock Band).
In working towards developing this Junior School Co-Curricular program over the past three years, it’s given me immense enjoyment, pride and appreciation to see how it’s grown from year to year.
As mentioned, I have some exciting new opportunities in sport and business taking place, which means I will be pulling back to working part time at Waverley College. I will still be based at the Junior School teaching PDHPE and look forward to working with the community.
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all my colleagues, staff, coaches, parents and carers, and the wider Waverley community for your ongoing support while your son has been at the Junior School.
2022 Junior School Fun Run
Ms Jade Sparks, Junior School Rugby Convenor and classroom teacher of 6 Blue will be taking over my position. She will do an outstanding job and will no doubt continue to grow the junior co-curricular program for many years to come.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Junior School co-curricular, please feel free to direct them to Ms Jade Sparks jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular Years 5-12
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As the school year comes to an end, I would like to acknowledge all the students who immersed themselves in the many activities the Learning Hub offered.
The Learning Hub aims to inspire, engage and empower students through critical and creative activities, plus allow students to retreat, explore and collaborate with others, whether that be before school, during Learning Hub sessions or during lunch. I look forward to working with all the Junior School students in 2024.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Brad Burke, Jessica Buchanan, Bryn Tilly, Christy Norwood, Dr James Roy, Dr Matt Pelletier, Richard Simpkin, Nicole Draper, Ian Storie, Phil Gartland, Claire Petit, Mark Zimmermann and Monique Kalmar for your time and expertise as guest speakers this year.
Your contributions have been invaluable to our students, and we could not have achieved our goal to inspire the Junior Schools without your support. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with our boys has made a significant impact, and we are truly grateful for your generosity and dedication towards this initiative. The talks aim to inspire the next generation of learners, leaders, entrepreneurs, sportsmen, scientists, writers, and all the other industries.
If you would like to volunteer to do a presentation in 2024, please email me directly at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy and Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In an exciting cross-school collaboration earlier this term, Year 6 boys had a unique opportunity to engage in a co-educational STEM lesson at St Catherine’s School in Waverley.
Leveraging the institution’s state-of-the-art resources, our students immersed themselves in a hands-on experience that left a lasting impact. Back at our own campus, boys in Years 5 and 6 delved into the fascinating world of acids and bases through immersive experiments and keen observations.
This has been an exciting end to our first year in the new science lab. Both cohorts should be proud of their consistent dedication and enthusiasm to science throughout the year.
Mr Max Mancinelli
Specialist Science Teacher
mmancinelli@waverley.nsw.edu.au
All holidays, a great range of eBooks, audio books and reading features are available for your sons.
Find the links on the library CANVAS page. Click on eBooks & Audio Books.
We have included some reading for you as well, via our special purchase of new Australian short stories via the annual The Big Issue Fiction special edition.
See the Library CANVAS page and click on Library News.
Even better, read these stories together with your sons.
Find something for your son to read via Penguin Books.
Click the button below to try out this fun quiz to get recommendations on what to read for Young Adults!
In 2024 we will continue and expand our literacy library reading program.
This program is for all Years 7 and 8 classes who have one reading class every two weeks, predominantly offline in the library. Ask your sons about it!
Here is some of the feedback from a sample of students in Years 7 and 8 (2023), reflecting on their experience of the program.
We thank our guest readers throughout the year.
Ms Tanner assisting with a Waverley Local Heroes reading lesson
Throughout the year we have had a range of guests and staff devote their time to inspire reading via participating in our reading sessions. We thank all our dedicated staff who participated.
The new English Syllabus has dedicated reading outcomes. Of note, as we reflect on the role of reading, is that from 2024 there are new dedicated reading outcomes for Years 7 to 10:
As well there is the stipulation of:
Across each stage, the selection of texts must give students experiences of: ‘texts chosen by students for personal interest and enjoyment.’
Happy Reading!
Mr Bill Roberts
Head of Library Services
Stage 5 Applied Philosophy Teacher
wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Roberts and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all Year 7 and Year 8 students in 2023 to build their reading stamina and introduce them to some thought-provoking texts.
Our deep-learning focus has been on building empathy and integrity as well as instilling compassion for diverse values and world views.
We have reinforced the idea that 10 minutes each day has a significant impact on our wider learning capacity and confidence, not to mention the benefits to our reading ability and mental health.
Deep reading of novels is a slow process, where the reader engages with the book and seeks to understand it within its own context, and within the context of the outside world.
Emotional connection is where the reader empathises with the characters, and that promotes social perception and emotional intelligence.
There are no real downsides to reading, other than making the time for it.
There have been some wonderful book releases in 2023 and here is just a quick sample to suit all readers. All recommendations are suitable for parents/carers too.
10 stories. 10 mysterious situations. 10 brave kids. 30 minutes of clues. Read 10 dangerous stories, in 30 minutes* reading time!
*Based on average reading speed.
This touching graphic novel explores the story of how a young change-maker learned to find himself and never compromise. How the right decision is very rarely the easy one, but taking the road less travelled can make all the difference in the world.
The #1 New York Times USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling Wings of Fire series soars to even greater heights with an all-new collection of stories and art from readers’ favourite dragon world!
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable – the story of a 23-year-old tradie who put his body ‘through hell and back 10 times’ to prove that anything is possible when you break past your own barriers.
It is an ordinary Thursday, and things should finally be returning to normal. Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A decade-old cold case leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers.
With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.
The explosive literary sensation: a mother faces a terrible choice as Ireland slides into totalitarianism. Winner of the Booker Prize 2023.
A team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments and test the limits of the human body. But mostly they observe. Endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day.
Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell’s 1984. An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.
Ms Mary Ryan
Literacy Coordinator and English Teacher
mryan01@waverley.nsw.edu.au
“Are verbal promises as binding as written contracts?”
“Would your life be diminished in any way if you were surrounded by a completely artificial world?”
Does the overuse of external rewards diminish our capacity to value intrinsic rewards?
In a thought-provoking display of critical thinking and collaboration, our Middle School Ethics Olympiad teams delved into ethical quandaries last Friday, that nurture the decision-making processes and collaborative interdependence of our students.
Both of our school’s teams demonstrated exceptional collaboration and communication skills throughout the Olympiad, showcasing a commendable understanding of team frameworks. Their ability to navigate complex ethical quandaries and articulate well-reasoned arguments did not go unnoticed. The judges acknowledged their outstanding efforts with an honourable mention, a testament to the dedication and intellectual prowess of James Barber, Dante Fearn, Xavier Kopsiaftis, Ryan Murphy, Ethan Ooi, Hudson Langan- Stark, Liam Chalmers, Jack Ballinger, Liam Murray and Oliver Rahmat.
The retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, articulates the importance of exposing our students to ethical problem solving, “ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do” and we thank Matthew Wills for his tireless work around the world organising Ethics Olympiads for school students.
Ms Helen Barrie
Head of Academic Enrichment
hbarrie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thank you to all staff, convenors, coaches, parents/carers and especially the students for their efforts over a successful 2023 co-curricular year.
We continued this success last weekend with the selection of 1sts players Lincoln Tanner and Tristan Lee in the CAS 2024 Water Polo squad. We also had a number of boys competing in the Pacific Islands Rugby fixtures last weekend and all boys playing represented their culture to an incredibly high standard.
When we return in 2024 I have included some key dates for Term 1 below:
I want to wish the whole College community a happy and Holy Christmas!
Onsite Waverley College exclusive cricket camps will take place on:
Should you be interested in attending, please view the flyer below.
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-curricular
sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Are you ready to take on a challenge in 2024?
Term 1 of the new year will provide Waverley students born between 2005 and 2012 the opportunity to compete in the NSW All Schools Triathlon. This epic event will be held at the Penrith International Regatta Centre on 21 and 22 February 2024. We are now calling upon all enthusiastic Waverley students who are eager to give it a “TRI.”
This race will see individuals tackle the swim bike and run, individually racing against other schools from all over the state. Individual entry fee $45.00 per person.
Individual entries will open at the start of the 2024 school year.
Offering a fantastic opportunity for challenge with mates. Gather your friends and form a team of three ( a swimmer, a cyclist and a runner) and take on a Triathlon together. You will also be racing against other schools from all over the state.
Teams entry fee $60.00 per team. Note that entries for the teams event are now open. Click the links below to enter.
Junior Boys Team Entry: students born in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Intermediate Boys Team Entry: students born in 2008 and 2009.
Senior Boys Team Entry: students born in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Both individual and team registrations and entry fees must be received by Wednesday, 14 February 2024.
If you are interested or would simply like more information please reach out to Mr Douglas down in the PDHPE department or via email: sdouglas1@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Click here for more information
Mr Samuel Douglas
PDHPE Teacher
sdouglas1@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please come and support the Waverley Swimming and Water Polo teams with a sausage sizzle at Eastgardens Bunnings on 9 December.
If you are interested in helping out with the fundraiser please email Ms Silsby nsilsby@waverley.nsw.edu.au or Ms Lipman clipman@waverley.nsw.edu.au for all the details
We can’t wait to see you there!
Ms Nicola Silsby and Ms Cath Lipman
Convenor of Swimming and Convenor of Water Polo
nsilsby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
clipman@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Click here to view the Week 8 Careers Newsletter
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
With the end of the school year in sight, please note that all textbooks, across Years 7-12 are now overdue!
As such, we kindly ask that all students return any outstanding textbooks and English novels to Book Hire or drop them off in one of the marked green crates located in the library and main reception area, by Tuesday, 5 December (Presentation Day) at the latest.
*Please note that any outstanding textbooks will unfortunately have to be charged at the end of the year for a replacement copy, therefore if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me by sending an email to bookhire@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Lastly, a very big thank you to all students who have already returned their books and wishing everyone the loveliest Christmas holidays spent surrounded by your loved ones :)
Kindest regards,
Ms Tamara Bliznjakovic
Library Technician – Book Hire
tbliznjakovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Year 10 students had a very successful Service Week last week to finish off their year. Students volunteered throughout the Sydney and surrounding region at a variety of placements. These included the Matthew Talbot Hostel, Our Big Kitchen, The Exodus Foundation, St Gabriel’s and Wairoa Special Schools for students living with disabilities, local primary schools and nursing homes, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvation Army, just to name a few.
They assisted the homeless and disadvantaged and generally helped wherever there was a need. We have received an overwhelming number of wonderful letters from people whose lives were touched by the generosity of spirit and kindness that the students exhibited during their week of service.
We then had a Reflection Day and Mass to finish their experience. Congratulations and thank you to all the Year 11 students who facilitated the Reflection Day, and to Ms Maakrun for her co-ordination of Service Week placements, and all those staff who visited our students throughout the week.
It is great to hear about such wonderful experiences and I know that our Social Justice program will continue to provide unique formation opportunities for all students.
Last Friday, our four College Captains Lachlan Miranda, Asher Thomasyu, Ricky Zanapalis and Jack Anasson attended the Archbishop’s Student Leadership Conference. There were around 30 Catholic and Independent schools present who discussed major issues relevant to youth today.
Photos by Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2023
A liturgy was then held in St Mary’s Cathedral and a special blessing was given to all the leaders. Our students led with distinction and it was a wonderful opportunity for them to network with the other schools’ leaders.
During Weeks 5 and 7, the Hospitality students completed their final work placement, a mandatory requirement of their course. Venues included cafés, restaurants, catering companies and clubs. The boys received excellent feedback, boosted their culinary skills and experienced how beneficial effective teamwork is. Practical elements of the course help to reinforce theoretical concepts whilst providing hands-on experience.
The Waverley College Parents’ Association would like to invite you to attend the 2024 Welcome Summer Vibes Cocktail party.
When: Saturday, 17 February 2024, 6pm-10pm
Location: Braidwood, Senior School campus, 131 Birrell Street, Waverley NSW, 2024
Theme: Summer Vibes
Your $35 ticket includes canapés and a welcome drink.
A range of beer, wine and champagne will be available for purchase at the bar (EFTPOS only).
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Congratulations to Luka Zonich (Class of 2023) in being selected for ARTEXPRESS 2023/2024. Luka’s artwork ‘What Would Pa Do?’ is a graphic design series inspired by Sydney-based artist Reg Mombassa. It is a visual chronicle of tales that his Pa has shared with Luka. Luka’s Body of Work will be exhibited at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery in 2024.
Congratulations to Angus Birrell (Class of 2023) for being nominated for his Music Composition for possible inclusion in Encore. Encore is a selection of outstanding music performances and written compositions from HSC music students and will be held at the Sydney Opera House in March 2024.
Congratulations to our Year 10s who have made a significant impact across the community during Service Week. The boys have volunteered their time, care and efforts across a range of charities, primary schools, child care centres and nursing homes. Thank you to Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun and Ms Sue Walsh for coordinating the experiences.
Congratulations to our Year 8s who have performed very well on their outdoor education experience to Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre. Somerset is located about 90 minutes North-West of Sydney on the Colo River (known as the last pristine river in NSW). The Centre operates from a central Base Camp which services over 40km of the Colo Valley.
The boys participated in a number of activities including canoeing, rafting, abseiling, hiking, cooking, obstacle course, rock climbing and the wombat hole challenge. It is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to slow down from the fast-paced nature of big city living and no screen time.
Also our Duke of Edinburgh groups used this as an opportunity to complete some of their Program requirements. Thank you to our dedicated teaching staff who supported the boys on their adventures.
We are looking forward to celebrating our successes in 2023 as a College community at our Presentation Day events on Tuesday, 5 December.
It is compulsory for all students from Years 5-12 to attend the Presentation Day Ceremony for their respective Year group. All students are to wear their full academic summer uniform.
Mr Bishoy Wasef (ICT Support Staff) has again embraced Movember to raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. He has raised $670 thus far with five days left. If you would like to support this important cause, please donate via myMo Space by clicking the button below.
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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