I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the students on a fantastic Term and a wonderful year. I am incredibly impressed with how all students handled the new ICT policy and have put phones away. I have watched students reconnecting on the playground and enjoying the company of their peers. It has been a very positive experience.
As we enter the final stretch, I encourage all students to persevere and finish strong, wearing their uniform with pride and modelling exemplary behaviour inside and outside the College, particularly on public transport.
I want students to reflect on their accomplishments, draw strength from their efforts, and approach upcoming challenges with the same vigour as we come to the end of another year.
This morning Waverley College participated in the Step Out Speak Out Walk which raises awareness about domestic violence and asks everyone to stand up and say no to domestic violence.
The annual Walk marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the beginning of 16 days of activism, culminating in Human Rights Day on 10 December 2023. The walk is organised by the NSW Police Eastern Beaches LAC and Randwick Council.
As a College, we are proud to participate in this important community event each year and walk together in solidarity in support of the elimination of violence towards women. Empowering change starts with every step.
Our Waverley College Year 12 students united at the Step Out Speak Out Walk hosted by Randwick City Council in solidarity with other schools in the local community, taking a powerful stand against domestic violence. Together, we raise our voices for a safer, more compassionate future.
Students Anton Svensson and Remy Frampton spoke about positive relationships and ended their speeches by strongly advocating for commitment to change and accountability.
Anton: “So, let us collectively commit to dismantling the silence surrounding coercive control. By acknowledging past behaviours and actively seeking improvement, we’ll pave the way for a future where empathy and respect will prevail.”
Remy: “As students and advocates for change, we call upon all of us to stand together, unified in holding one another accountable and vehemently opposing any form of violence or disrespect. Today, as we take these steps, let us carry forth the spirit of this walk. Let’s advocate for respect, equality, and healthy relationships not just during these 16 days of activism but as a commitment to every day that follows.”
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.
Parents and carers of students who are receiving an award will be invited to attend and will be notified in a separate email including an RSVP form.
Arrival
Senior School students should arrive 15 minutes before the event begins, to be seated and have their attendance recorded.
Junior School students are to arrive at school at 8:15am to have their attendance recorded and then make their way to the Senior School gymnasium to be seated.
Departure
After the Years 5-8 Presentation Day ceremony, students in Years 7-8 will be dismissed from the Senior School at the conclusion of the event at 10:30am.
Students from the Junior School who have parents/carers attending the event, may leave with them straight after. There will be supervision as normal, however, there is the option for your son to leave after the event with written permission.
After the Years 9-12 Presentation Day Ceremony, students in Years 9-12 will be dismissed from the Senior School at the conclusion of the event at 1:30pm.
The Presentation Day events will be live streamed, see links below. The links will be shared via the Waverley App on the morning of Presentation Day.
The Presentation Day will be a wonderful celebration to conclude the school year.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Item list for Waverley Students to Bring in (please note these items must be new):
Toiletry Pack Items – small traveller size ideal (150 toiletry packs are distributed each fortnight to the men accessing services at MTH)
Many thanks for your support of this great appeal.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to some of our Year 10 STEM students who volunteered their time during Term 3 to work on the NRMA Future of Transport Challenge as a joint initiative with some of the Year 10 girls at OLSH Kensington.
This Wednesday one of our boy and girl groups were declared winners of the challenge after pitching their shortlisted idea to a panel of judges and students from other schools. The aim of the challenge was ‘to encourage young people to follow their natural curiosity to solve real-world issues by innovating and thinking like entrepreneurs’.
You can learn more about the challenge by clicking the button below.
Click here to view information about the Future of Transport Challenge
The lead Waverley College teacher of this initiative was Mr Mark Neale and he has outlined below some further details.
The Year 10 volunteer STEM students and I found that this challenge was a great opportunity to connect with OLSH Kensington, particularly their Director of Learning Integration, Mr James Horrocks, and a volunteer group of Year 10 girls. We collaborated on a range of activities throughout Term 3 including the NRMA Transport Challenge. The boys and girls work in two groups—both split into a boy/girl mix—and they submitted two impressive ideas into the competition.
Congratulations to the following Waverley College students who were involved in this initiative:
One of the group entries, the SWIFTFORM app by Ben Pelikan, Axl Igra from Waverley College and Clarissa, Marta and Savannah from OLSH Kensington, aimed to address the issue of overcrowding on buses, linking with Opal and social media to track commuters’ movement through tapping on and off buses.
This idea not only made it through to the finals, but was voted the winner in the Stage 5 category of innovative transport ideas! On Wednesday, 22 November 2023, out at the NRMA HQ in Homebush, the students had to pitch their idea to a panel of judges in front of the other schools. Battling the nerves, these students presented their app, responded to questions and engaged the audience in their ideas. Waverley and OLSH should be immensely proud of the students’ achievements and their efforts over the term-long project.
“NRMA project was cool, thanks for putting up with us and our ideas” – Axl Igra
This collaboration sparks a new space for including more co-educational learning opportunities for the young men of Waverley as well as future prospects in our new relationship with the girls of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington.
Special thanks to Mr James Horrocks, Mr Daniel Levitt and the girls involved in both groups:
Mr Mark Neale
TAS and VET Teacher
School Animal Welfare Officer
mneale@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please click the button below to view the Uniform Shop holiday trading hours over the festive season.
We look forward to assisting you with your uniform.
Waverley College Uniform Shop
Level 3, Centenary Building,
Senior School Campus
(Enter via reception and take the lift to the 3rd Floor)
131 Birrell Street, Waverley NSW 2024
(02) 9369 0709
waverley@noone.com.au
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 4 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Time: 9am – 10:30am (students to arrive at school at 8:15am)
Location: Gymnasium (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.
Semester 2 Reports will be available on Monday, 27 November at 5pm in the Parent Lounge. Please take the time to go through and read the report with your son. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Semester 2 Report, please contact your son’s teacher.
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 click the button below to book.
Click here to book for 2024 After School Code Camp
When: Monday, 5 February – Monday, 25 March 2024 (8 sessions)
Time: 3:15pm – 4:30pm.
Today you will have received an email regarding the changes in Years 5 and 6 for Mathematics next year. Please click the button below to view the Mathematics PDF that was emailed to you.
Click here to view the Mathematics PDF
As mentioned, at Waverley College we are constantly reflecting on our practice and how we can continue to innovate and improve the learning of our students. We see this new syllabus as an exciting opportunity to build mathematical confidence and competence in our learners while developing a growth mindset.
We believe in a Primary setting, based on research, that we structure our Mathematics program in a mixed-ability setting and as such we will not be explicitly streaming our Mathematics classes in 2024. The opportunity to learn Mathematics in mixed-ability classes at this age leads to better cognitive and social outcomes, a greater sense of wellbeing and confidence in Mathematics.
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Parents, Carers and Students
On Thursday 30 November 2023, the current Year 5 students will be voting for 2024 House Captains.
If your son would like to nominate himself for House Captain or Vice Captain for their Colour House, they need to fill out the Google Form below by Tuesday, 28 November. Click the button below to view the Google Form.
They will also need to present a speech to their House before voting takes place. They can use the scaffold here to assist in planning.
Responsibilities include:
On Friday 1 December, the Year 6 students will be going on their end of year excursion to Raging Waters. The information below outlines the important details of the day.
Raging Waters – Year 6 (2022)
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As 5 Gold wraps up the Term and academic year, I am filled with pride witnessing the remarkable growth and achievements of the boys throughout their Year 5 journey. Their unwavering dedication and resilience have shaped a year marked by unparalleled success.
Notably, their collaborative scriptwriting and performance showcased creativity and teamwork, fostering a sense of confidence. Their addition of instrumental activities, including learning to play the guitar with Mr Jesse Johnston, enriched their educational experience this Term and also provided valuable skills in music.
Moving into Year 6, I am confident that the bright individuals of 5 Gold will continue to shine, embracing new challenges with the same enthusiasm that defined their extraordinary journey this year. I am wishing the boys all the best in all of their future endeavours!
Mr Luke Burns
5 Gold Teacher
lburns@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Click here to view the fixtures, training schedules and maps
Congratulations to Fred Carmody (Year 10) who will soon be competing in the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Victoria. He is one of eight boys selected in the NSW Team for U18. He’s competing as an individual and he’s also been selected in the NSW two-man U18 school’s All Stars team. As a 16-year-old, he’s one of the youngest in his age group.
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-curricular
sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Friday, Waverley’s 1st V Basketball had a tough matchup against Trinity Grammar School, coming short with the final score, 72-94. The game was back and forth right from the tip-off, with Trinity coming into the second quarter up by a small margin of points. The 1st V was able to fight back and have a glimpse of victory by the end of the first half, with James Dyson-Merwe leading the team with his scoring.
The second half was led by Trinity, with their defence stopping Waverley from scoring. With the last quarter coming down, Waverley was down and was able to make a quick run with the help of Flynn Busteed and Angus Peshos’s shooting to bring Trinity’s lead down. Unfortunately, it was too late, with Trinity having very great players, the 1st V ended up losing in the end.
Although it wasn’t the way Waverley wanted to end the year, they will come back stronger than ever, next year.
At Waverley, the 2nd V faced off against Trinity to try to secure a 4-1 record for the first half of the season. With a huge amount of effort and grit, they were able to overcome Trinity with the end score, 51-43. The first quarter was a slow one with Trinity playing along with them in a very close game.
After the break, the dynamic duo of Giles Strachan and Hudson Hatchet were able to pull the team up with their defensive presence to take the lead by the end of the first half.
After that, there was no stopping them, as they were able to build a 10-point lead with the help of Rory Donellan’s spectacular performance.
With the win against Trinity, the 2nd V is now sitting on top of the CAS leaderboard, winning four out of five games, hoping to secure the championship next year.
The Waverley 10As already had a lot of momentum coming from being victorious in their previous games to have an undefeated season so far.
Waverley initiated the game very passionately, playing strong on both offence and defence with players such as Jonte Garvey and Nico Palacio playing very well, getting some early scores.
The game was very entertaining to watch, particularly to see such great basketball and talent shown by such a young team. They finished the game with another victory, the final score 34 – 23, and a great way to end the season.
The Waverley 9As played a very strong Trinity team that was an intense, back-and-forth game with all players playing hard on every single play, which gave them momentum going into the second half. Going into the second half Waverley continued to play hard, but Trinity was playing very well and got the win, 26-43.
The 8As played a very good game against Trinity and were playing hard from the first whistle. They continued to play hard throughout the whole game and got a lead going into the second half. They continued to play hard and got a very good win, 50-44.
Congratulations to all the teams with each of them putting all their effort into these games. Good luck to all teams as they head off into the next half of the CAS season.
Flynn Busteed (Captain of Basketball)
James Dyson-Merwe and Sergej Jakovljevic (Co-captains of 1st V)
Mr Anthony Gibbs
Convenor of Basketball
agibbs@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Onsite Waverley College exclusive cricket camps will take place on:
Should you be interested in attending, please view the flyer below.
The Waverley College Cricket Supporters’ Club cordially invite you to the annual Parents and Sons match.
All ages, Years 5-12. Kids, come beat the old people!
Cool prizes!
When: Wednesday, 29 November 2023, Queens Park, from 4:15pm.
Click the button below to register.
At the Parents and Sons Match, the Cricket Supporters’ Group will have a bin for donations of old cricket gear in good condition.
We strongly encourage you to bring along your old cricket gear and help support disadvantaged children across Australia.
You can donate:
Click here to view the Week 7 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 all the exams and now the camp done and dusted for the year, it is the time of year where I ask students to return all their textbooks and English novels.
Please ensure that they bring the aforementioned books to school next week, especially since we have a returns schedule in place where each class comes down to Book Hire, that would be wonderful.
If they are away on that scheduled day, do not fret, as they are always welcome to drop the books off to Book Hire when back or leave their books in the marked green crates in the library or main reception.
*Book Hire operating hours until the end of the school year are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.
Thank you for all your help with the return process and any questions, please don’t hesitate to email bookhire@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Next Friday, 24 November 2023, Year 12 students along with staff members will be taking part in the Step Out Speak Out Walk. You are invited to walk with the students as a College community.
The Step Out Speak Out Walk raises awareness about domestic violence and asks everyone to stand up and say no to domestic violence. The annual Walk marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the beginning of 16 days of activism, culminating in Human Rights Day on 10 December. The walk is organised by the NSW Police Eastern Beaches LAC and Randwick Council.
As a College, we are proud to participate in this important community event each year and walk together in solidarity in support of the elimination of violence towards women.
Please see the details below:
When: Friday, 24 November 2023
Where: The walk will start at High Cross Park, Randwick at 7:30am. The walk will finish at Grant Reserve, Coogee Beach.
Order of events:
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Please refer to Ms Gabrielle Smith’s Nurrunga article here for more details.
Congratulations to the following students for their recent efforts to help others in our community programs from August to October, which includes the recent September/October school holidays programs too.
The community programs that these students participated in:
Their outstanding leadership, empathy, and civic commitment serve as a source of inspiration and reflect our College’s core values.
We would love to see more of our students involved in ‘giving back’. Bookings open soon for December 2023/January 2024 school holiday community programs. Keep an eye on their website as these programs sell out fast!
Support those in need by taking up opportunities in the link here.
Some great news. Working with our volunteers in the uniform shop and Ms Sue Walsh, we shipped 60kg of secondhand uniforms to Darwin for Indigenous youths last week. We will be shipping just over 200 kg of clothes/shoes to Fiji this week. We know that recipients are very grateful for our donations.
SOTWEG had a wonderful catch up with Christian Brothers College Boksburg, South Africa last Thursday. The students talked about local food, sport and sustainability! Both schools had such a good time connecting, they are keen to continue conversations next year.
SOTWEG had a brilliant idea for end of year locker clean up, for students to put stationary that still can be used and has a life into a “charity box.” Some students attended a talk with the Jesuit Refugee Foundation a month ago, and in conversation found out that this Foundation could do with donations of stationery items. We know from previous locker clean ups that a lot of students have brand new (or close to new) pens, pencils, notebooks etc. We will put out boxes for locker clean out days. Please encourage students in their wellbeing groups to use these boxes.
Congratulations to Daryus Sione (Year 10) and James Finegan (Year 10) on being selected into the Australian U16 Rugby Team for 2023. They have been selected after some strong performances with the Waratahs U16s in the Super Rugby Mens U16s Championship.
The Australian U16s team is the first opportunity in Rugby Australia’s men’s pathway, for players to represent their country. The squad will now go into camp in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport, 8-12 December, where they will prepare to play the Pacific All Stars on 12 December, 1:30pm. This match will be streamed live through Rugby Xplorer, and is the first time in a long time that we have seen an Australian U16 side take to the field.
On Tuesday morning, students from Years 5-7 had the privilege of hearing from guest speaker Shaun Tomson – a true icon in the world of surfing. Shaun shared the life lessons surfing has taught him. He says “surfing teaches you to never turn your back on the ocean, it teaches you about humility, it teaches you about perseverance and resilience. It teaches you about making good choices in your life – whether you surf or not.”
Shaun Tomson is the 1977 World Surfing Champion – and he’s here in Australia to promote a film, ‘Free Ride’ in which he stars. He’s ridden some of the biggest waves, including Pipeline, and won.
Shaun is a leadership and change management expert and lectures widely on the Code Method, a high-impact program that activates the power of purpose to improve motivation, engagement and performance.
As an entrepreneur, he founded and sold two market-leading, international clothing brands, and is the author of three #1 Amazon best-selling books on self-empowerment.
Shaun’s powerful method of self-transformation has been used by over a million people to create profound life change. His simple mission is to help individuals activate their own personal Code to live a better and more purposeful life.
The boys thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and Shaun commented on how attentive the boys were.
On Tuesday evening, over 100 parents/carers from the Junior School and Senior School attended the Paul Dillon parent presentation in the Performing Arts Centre.
Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug education for almost 30 years. He works with many school communities to ensure they have access to quality information and best practice drug education.
An ex-school teacher, Paul has an interest in working with young people, and regularly provides drug information sessions and workshops to students across the country. His best-selling book for parents titled ‘Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs’ was published in 2009 and has since been released internationally, and translated into a number of languages.
Paul examined the history of ‘teenagers’, rebellion and the different ‘temptations’ that have existed over time. Using the latest research on the developing brain, he also discussed why young people make the decisions they do during this time. Sleepovers, parties and gatherings provide teens with valuable opportunities to develop important socialising skills but are not ‘risk-free’.
It was wonderful to hear some of his practical strategies and tips for parents considering allowing their teen to attend such events to help ensure they are as safe as possible.
The digital era has made gambling more accessible, and certain factors are elevating the risk of problematic gambling among young people. A new grey area is emerging, with smartphones at their fingertips blurring the boundaries between gambling and entertainment, especially within the realms of video games and social media. The current generation of young people are growing up in an unprecedented time and research highlights that a significant percentage of adolescents are involved in gambling activities.
Reports of young people gambling are frequent with many experiencing adverse consequences such as diminished academic performance and strained relationships. Today’s youth are growing up in a digital age characterised by constant connectivity, and the gambling industry has evolved significantly during their formative years. Simulated gambling, such as in video games, can further increase the likelihood of teenagers transitioning to real-money gambling and developing future gambling-related problems.
It’s crucial to foster open discussions about positive media choices to help children navigate through responsible online gaming and gambling. By encouraging a balanced approach to screen time and promoting alternative activities, will help set some clear boundaries to avoid potential gambling-related issues.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to empower young people to make responsible choices in this digital age. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.
Source: SchoolTV
Click here to view the SchoolTV special report.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Item list for Waverley Students to Bring in (please note these items must be new):
Toiletry Pack Items – small traveller size ideal (150 toiletry packs are distributed each fortnight to the men accessing services at MTH)
Many thanks for your support of this great appeal.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As our students in Years 7-10 reach the end of their Yearly Examination period and Year 12 2024 students work through their Term 4 assessment program, it is opportune to engage in reflection that extends beyond marks. Dr Carol Dweck’s seminal work on the ‘Growth Mindset’ provides a framework for students to view challenges as pathways to personal development.
Students, as you reach the end of the examination period or complete an assessment task, consider reflecting on the various aspects of your academic journey. When you receive your marks and feedback, remember to acknowledge the study techniques that proved effective and those that need refinement. Did you set up a study timetable? Did you stick to it 90% of the time? A Growth Mindset values effort and the ability to use feedback as an opportunity to understand learning gaps and where to next with your approach.
Parents and carers, Dr Dweck’s research underscores the significance of praising effort to foster a positive relationship with learning. As your son receives his feedback, celebrate the positives and help him to recognise that setbacks are not permanent, but opportunities to strengthen his academic toolkit. A conversation with your son might involve phrases such as, ‘Your dedication to studying really shows your commitment to learning,’ and, ‘mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. What can you learn from them?’
Incorporating this reflective process ensures a holistic approach to learning – one that goes beyond examination outcomes to shape resilient, adaptable learners. Let’s work together to foster a culture where the examination period becomes a springboard for ongoing growth and success.
Following our recent Cybersafety Week, we held an online parent information session for Senior School parents/carers hosted by ySafe.
This session covered some tips and tricks for managing your son’s digital world along with some insights into current trends.
You can find a recording of this session at:
For additional content please go to the Waverley Cybersafety Hub at:
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
