Visual Arts Club will be offered at Waverley as a Summer activity for students from Years 5-12.
It will commence Term 4, Week 2, 2024.
Visual Arts Club provides an opportunity for students to build skills in critical and creative thinking. This summer, students will be introduced to: Wheel throwing and marbled slabs
Each student will be introduced to the fundamental skills required for wheel throwing: Throwing, trimming and glazing. Learning to centre clay, trimming bases to add a foot and layering brush on glazes will be explored throughout the course. Students will use a midfire clay and have access to as much clay as needed for them to understand the throwing process and create 2-3 final works reflective of their skills.
Each Ceramicist will also experiment with marbling black and white clay to create tonal value and pattern in a series of slab works. These pieces will be constructed using the slab roller and slump moulds to form usable shapes and vessels.
In Visual Arts Club students will:
Cost: $130.00
Materials: all materials will be supplied
Session times: select ONE from the following:
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all families for another busy and rewarding term. Some highlights from this term have been the wonderful Year 6 Camp, Father’s Day Mass, City 2 Surf, Athletics Carnival, Book Week and Science Week to name only a few.
A huge thank you to Ms Jade Sparks for organising the Fun Run this week. A big thank you to all students and families for raising over $54,000 for our four special charities, Educating the Future, Edmund Rice Camps, RUOK and The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. This is a true example of Faith in Action and I am so proud of the efforts and the heart that went into raising this type of money for charity.
I hope the break provides much needed rest and family time. I look forward to seeing the students return to school in Term 4 renewed and ready to finish the year off strong.
The students have been working hard to pull this production together and we are almost there! We will have two performances of the Lion King Jr in Week 2 of Term 4, both on Wednesday, 23 October. There will be a matinee at 11:30am and an evening show at 7pm. We expect the show itself to run for approximately an hour. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at both shows.
Tickets can be purchased here. As there is limited seating, we have had to restrict the number of tickets to two per show per student. You will have until Wednesday 17th October to purchase your allotted tickets. When purchasing via the link above, you will need to use your son’s username as a password. If you are unsure of your child’s username, please see below…
Child Name : John Smith
Child Email: Jsmit2030@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Child Username : Jsmit2030
[First Initial] [4 Letter of Surname] [Graduating Year]
Lastly, students will need to have their costumes organised by the beginning of Term 4. The boys have been painting masks, shields, etc in class as a part of their costume, but will need to arrange clothing to wear in addition to this. You DO NOT need to spend a lot of money on the costume! In fact, we don’t want people to buy onesies, specially designed costumes, etc. We just need them to wear clothing that matches the animal they are portraying. For example, a child playing a zebra might wear a white shirt with black pants; a child playing a rhino would wear grey clothing. If you can’t find pants that match your animal, black pants are fine. Please avoid clothing with large logos, images, etc and keep it as plain as possible. If you are struggling or are unsure, please don’t hesitate to reach out for clarification.
Last week, we celebrated ‘Activism Day,’ which was a real highlight for all of us. We were lucky enough to have three incredible Indigenous sports stars—Cody Walker, Michael O’Loughlin, and Maurice Longbottom—come in to speak to all of Year 5. The students were captivated as these inspiring figures shared their personal stories and experiences in activism. The boys asked excellent questions, and it was clear they took away valuable lessons on how they, too, can make a difference in their communities.
The Prep 1st basketball team recently competed in a mini 6-team tournament at Barker College, facing tough competition from the start. In our first two games against Knox and St. Augustine’s, we were outplayed and unfortunately lost both matches. After shaking off the rust from a long winter co-curricular season, the team rallied with a strong performance in our final game against Kings, securing a dominant win. This victory showed the potential and promise of what’s to come as we look ahead to future challenges in Term 4!
On Wednesday, the Junior School celebrated their FunRun fundraising efforts in a very colourful, bright, wet and fun Colour Run! We were sprayed by the Fire Department and we are very grateful that they could fit us in amongst their busy schedules being first responders. Once the boys were soaked, they got sprayed with loads of coloured paint powder as they ran laps of the course. We had the best time running, singing, and of course sliming the teachers!
Thank you to our parent helpers on the day and to all parents who have been supporting their son’s fundraising efforts over the past weeks. We have fundraised almost $54,000 for our four special charities, Educating the Future, Edmund Rice Camps, RUOK and The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. This is a testament to the Waverley spirit in our boys, and the compassionate, generous nature of our community.
Patrick Spencer (6 Gold) played at Leichhardt Oval in the Under 11 Division 1 Rugby League Grand Final the weekend before last. His team, Paddington colts, were undefeated and won the grand final. Patrick was selected by league officials as man of the match. Well done Patrick!
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school for the completion of home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Register your son via the link https://homelearningclub.youcanbook.me
Only register his name once to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
Students are required to stay for the full session unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave, a parent’s signature will be required.
As it is important to respect the rights of others to learn and work, all students are expected to settle to work in the Learning Hub and not cause a disturbance for others.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – Mrs Natasha Zivanovic
Thursday – Mr Steve Ghattas
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
An important note to remember, if afternoon training sessions are cancelled, unfortunately, you cannot send your son to Home Learning as an alternative plan, students are registered for the afternoon sessions in advance and the capacity is always reached.
Avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Congratulations to Toby Pounder (Year 5) and Luke Haddock (Year 6) who were the 2024 Junior School Public Speaking champions. In November, they will be representing Waverley College at the 2024 IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge. We wish them all the best as they prepare for the competition.
I’m thrilled to announce that in Term 4, we will be continuing our Lunchtime Talks!
This initiative, which began a few years ago, is designed to ignite passion and inspiration in the next generation of learners, leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, scientists, and professionals across all industries.
Get ready for an incredible lineup of speakers who will share their insights, experiences, and stories that will motivate students to reach new heights. Each talk is an opportunity to engage with thought leaders and visionaries who are shaping the future. I have included Senior Students who are doing incredible work in the community to join this initiative.
In 5 Gold it is all about getting into our routines and making sure we’re improving every single day. Whether it’s reading, writing, or just tackling the day’s challenges, the boys know that even getting 1% better each day adds up to something BIG. We love our writing (IDEAWr) and reading (IDEAR) sessions, where we see daily growth, pushing ourselves to reach new goals and build on what we’ve already learned. It’s great to see how committed the boys are to making progress and really owning their learning journey.
Our focus in English this term has been on activism. The boys have been exploring what it means to stand up for causes they believe in and how they can make a positive impact on the world. From environmental concerns to social justice, we’ve had rich discussions and asked thoughtful questions. It’s been amazing to watch them realise the power of their own voices and how they can contribute to meaningful change. One of our favourite quotes we discovered through our studies was ‘You are never too small to make a difference ‘ by Greta Thunberg.
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 3:00pm the day prior.
Mrs Brooke Pannia has emailed the registration sheets to students to register their attendance at the tutorials. Please bring any equipment you may need for the tutorial (e.g. textbooks, notepads, pens etc.).
Students may wear casual attire, and are to enter through the main reception.
Martina Cooper – Director of Curriculum
TERM 1
TERM 2
TERM 3
TERM 4
As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on the incredible progress and accomplishments of our students over the past ten weeks. From engaging in challenging assessments to wrapping up important milestones, there’s much to celebrate.
Our students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication, completing a variety of rigorous and authentic tasks this term. A special highlight is the Deep Learning initiative in Year 9 Science and PDHPE, which you’ll find more details about below. This exciting project has pushed students to think as global citizens, critically and creatively, preparing them for the future.
For Year 11 students, the completion of their final exams is a significant achievement, and they are now eagerly preparing to begin their Term 4 courses. It’s an exciting time as they look forward to new challenges and learning experiences ahead.
Year 12 students are also staying focused as they take advantage of HSC holiday tutorials, which began this week. In addition, they will have access to the Library and Study Lounge, providing them with the resources and environment they need to prepare for their upcoming exams.
Looking ahead to Term 4, we are excited to announce the launch of our Student and Parent Book Club. This initiative, which was first introduced a few weeks ago, will offer a fantastic opportunity for parents and students to engage in meaningful discussions and share the joy of reading. Stay tuned for more details below!
Wishing everyone a restful and well-deserved break, and we look forward to continuing this journey of learning and growth in the coming term!
An Academic scholarship is awarded to a limited number of students who demonstrate academic excellence in the ACER examination.
Is My Son Eligible?
The Academic and Senior Academic Scholarship is available to students entering Year 7 or Year 10, 2026. The scholarship is open to both existing and new enrolments.
How are Applicants Assessed?
An Academic Scholarship is awarded based on the outcome of the ACER scholarship examination and following an assessment by the Academic Scholarship Panel.
How to Register:
Applications Close: midnight AEDST Sunday 2 February 2025
Test date: Saturday, 22 February 2025
Examination venue: Waverley College Senior Campus
Cost: $160 is payable to ACER
<<<Click here to register>>>
Want to find out more?:
Please visit the College website, or email the Registrar, Ms Kylie Anderson at registrar@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are incredibly excited to launch the inaugural Waverley College Book Club at Waverley College Library, open to students, parents, carers, and staff alike! We will also be joined by guest speaker, Paul MacDonald. Owner of the award-winning – The Children’s Bookshop and winner of numerous awards such as a Quality Teacher Award, The Premiers English Scholarship, the inaugural Maurice Saxby Award and the 2016 Lady Cutler award for services to children’s literature and literacy in Australia, Paul is a passionate proponent of the value of quality Australian books. Paul is the current CBCA president.
Our first novel is the captivating Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This heartwarming story, set in a small Tokyo café, explores themes of time travel, love, and second chances. It’s the perfect conversation starter for our first gathering!
The Book Club is not just about reading—it’s about building community through great stories, delicious food, and meaningful conversation.
Reading together helps strengthen our critical thinking, encourages empathy, and offers a wonderful escape from the everyday hustle. According to the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), family time reading at home can encourage boys to develop as readers and develop a love for books. Perhaps there is no better way to celebrate this shared reading experience than to discuss the book together with other families and friends in a beautiful literary space at the College.
Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking to try something new, we welcome you to join us for this enriching experience. Food will be provided!
Date: 20 November
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Waverley College Library
In anticipation of our Term 4 Reading initiative across both Junior and Senior schools, we are also excited to announce our Poster/ Bookmark Competition for all students from Years 5-12. Please see the attached poster for details. Thank you to Ms Jenna Turnbull for her assistance with both posters.
Ms Mary Ryan, Literacy Coordinator
This term the Year 9 PDHPE and Science departments have collaborated to develop a Teaching and Learning unit that supports students to develop the Global Competency of Citizenship as a part of our Deep Learning work.
The goal of the unit is to develop the competency of citizenship as students learn to break down barriers and discuss the issues facing young adults in understanding consent and sexual health practices to encourage respectful relationships and health awareness.
You can hear from our students in their testimonies about the unit of work below:
“I believe that it made things much easier, fusing two subjects into one made it a lot easier to cope with the stress that normally comes with having many assessments at once… having both subjects fused into one assignment gave me and probably others two different perspectives on the topic, ultimately helping me make my video a more detailed and informative piece.
I look forward to the development of more of these sorts of tasks.” – Oliver
“I understood what the Deep Learning Dimension was about, and it helped keep me accountable for what I needed to do, helping me stay on top of the work.” – Jordan
“It was good to have one less assessment to do this term. It was an awkward topic but it was good to see it from both a scientific and health perspective.” – Blake
We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for one Year 10 student who is passionate about engineering and eager to explore its academic and practical dimensions. Sydney University is offering a one-week (during Term 4 Service Week) internship in their Chemical or Electrical Engineering faculties, and we are seeking motivated students to participate in this enriching experience.
Click here for further details on criteria and application process.
We are excited to announce a collaborative sustainability workshop hosted by a team of dedicated students from St Catherine’s and our own Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG). These talented young leaders will be sharing their knowledge and passion for environmental issues with our junior school students through a hands-on workshop next term.
In preparation for these workshops with junior students, we are asking families to participate in this initiative by collecting suitable waste items that will be used in the hands-on workshops.
Some suitable waste items (please wash and rinse these items prior to donating):
Please drop off your bags of items to the Junior School reception. We thank you for your participation in advance.
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator
Ecology Coordinator
As students start the spring holiday break, I’d like to send my warmest wishes to all families. I hope this break brings our students rest and rejuvenation.
We wish our Year 12 students all the very best as they make the final preparations for their HSC examinations and for some, their first steps into the world of work and training via an apprenticeship. Thank you in advance to Year 12 teachers who continue to provide Year 12 tutorials over the break and provide feedback to draft essays and responses.
Congratulations to our Junior School students, parents and staff on this week’s fun run which raised over $54000 for Educating the Future (NGO that builds primary schools in Timor Leste), Edmund Rice Camps, RUOK, and Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Special thanks to Ms Jade Sparks for coordinating the event. Well done to all!
We wish our students and staff heading on Immersion to Fiji and Timor Leste or on the Space Camp in the United States a wonderful learning experience and safe journey.
Best of luck to Old Boys Isaac Heeney (OB 2014) and Nick Blakey (OB 2017) as they play for the Sydney Swans against the Brisbane Lions in the 2024 AFL Grand Final. We’re cheering you on!”
Further to Year 12 Drama student Matthew Frost’s nomination for OnStage last week, I would like to congratulate the following Year 12 students who have received a nomination for SHAPE, the annual showcase for outstanding works from HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students. If you attended the recent Art and Design exhibition at the College, you would have seen the high quality of work and creativity on display first hand. To be nominated for this selection of works is an outstanding achievement and testament to the hard work students and staff have put into their work.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the growth and success of Waverley College, we are excited to invite you to a Strategic Planning Session to help shape the future of our school community.
Date: Tuesday 15 October 2024
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Location: Senior Campus, Library, Waverley College
This session will provide an opportunity for you to contribute valuable insights and perspectives that will inform the development of our next strategic plan. The plan will set the direction for Waverley College over the coming years, focusing on key areas such as academic excellence, student wellbeing, community engagement, and infrastructure development.
Your input is vital to ensuring that we continue to create an environment where every student can thrive. We would greatly appreciate your attendance and participation in this important discussion.
Please RSVP by Friday, 11 October via this RSVP Link
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to Robin Ball on rball@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Well done to all students who were a part of our first Round of Summer trials last weekend. We commence our full Summer Term 4 program on day 1 of Term 4 on Tuesday, October 15. There will be some further trials on the first Saturday back in Term 4 but some activities also commence straight away.
All fixtures and training schedule is available here. We have our 1sts and 2nds cricketers and some basketball teams playing this weekend. We also have a number of sessions for cricket, basketball, water polo and swimming on offer over the holiday period. Thank you to the staff and coaches that will be looking after these programs.
Just a reminder to parents and students that if there are any leave requests for weekend in Term 4 then we need as much notice as possible and these should be in writing via email to myself: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please do not use the App absence notification for leave requests and this should only be used for illness or injury notifications. Two exemptions per year only will be granted so please plan accordingly.
After our success at Track and Field last week we also have a number of students competing at NSW All Schools this coming week and we wish all of those Athletes the best of luck as they race to qualify for the National Championships to be held in Brisbane in December. On Monday evening earlier this week we had our Track and Field presentation evening. A huge thank you to all of the parents who have assisted so much over the season and congratulations to the award winners:
Mr Steve O’Donnell – Director of Co-Curricular
sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
¡Hola! As we wrap up another fantastic term in the Languages faculty, we’re excited to share some of the incredible progress our students have made.
Year 8 have had a blast this term in their food and restaurants unit. For their assessment, they wrote and performed restaurant skits in groups. They took on the roles of waiters, chefs, and customers, and acted out their scenes in front of their peers. We may have some future actors and playwrights in our midst! Not only did this bring lots of laughter and creativity into the classroom, but it also helped develop their conversational skills in a fun and interactive way. It has been great to see their growing confidence when communicating in Spanish. Please see an example of some of the amazing work below.
Take a look at the classroom in action here:
Year 10: Looking to the Future
Our Year 10 students have been thinking ahead and focusing on the vocabulary of holidays and work in their unit, “Looking Forward”. In the classroom students created their own horoscopes, learnt to talk about careers, aspirations and personal goals, as well as predicting the next technological change and fashion trend! For their assessment students created travel itineraries, and included vlogs on things that went wrong on their dream holiday. Students had a great time getting into character and researching holiday locations with their new grammatical knowledge. It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they practise describing their dream jobs, discussing future plans, and exploring what life could look like after school – all in Spanish! The confidence they’re gaining in using the language in real-world scenarios is truly impressive. It has been particularly engaging as Year 10 have been sharing videos and letters with students from Cardenal Newman, an EREA school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For holiday inspiration please see some of their itineraries below!
Our Year 11 and 12 students have been hard at work preparing for their exams. Both groups have shown incredible dedication, and it’s been inspiring to watch them refine their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Their grasp of complex grammar and vocabulary has grown tremendously, and they’ve truly risen to the challenge.
A special shout-out goes to our Year 12 students, who are in the final stretch of preparing for their HSC exams. Your determination and commitment have been outstanding, and we know you’ll give it your all. ¡Buena suerte! We wish you every success in your Spanish exams and beyond.
It’s been a busy, productive, and fun term for everyone. We’re so proud of how far our students have come, and we look forward to even more progress next term. Keep up the fantastic work!
¡Hasta luego!
Welcome to the 2024/2025 Basketball Year
Welcome to the new Head of Basketball, Steve Carfino!
Important Dates:
- Season Launch – Wednesday, 16 October (Details to come)
- Basketball AGM Meeting – Monday, 21 October (Please join Us – all welcome )
IMPORTANT Please see attached a WhatsApp group for each age group. Please join this if your son is in Basketball for 24/25 season.
This will be where any detail communication for basketball will be – important dates
- BBQ rosters
- fundraisers
- Holiday competition
- Weekly Games
Remember your child’s year for next year 2024/2025 basketball season
Year 8 https://chat.whatsapp.com/
HmpqBJcJu1y9oJozGlD204 Year 9 https://chat.whatsapp.com/
JlrzQAfTZDmI9feO5WeOMJ Year 10 https://chat.whatsapp.com/
EkUF2OwnXeZ5RqGFxPe1pn Opens https://chat.whatsapp.
com/DiO50skHd5y3lvWls32xZw Thanks, Natalie Gibbins – Basketball Supporters Group
We wish everyone a restful break over the school holidays and look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 4 on Friday, 18 October. Dress is Summer Field 4B for recruits and Summer Barracks 4A for rank. Parents, please ensure your son is wearing their shirt correctly (no undershirts as outerwear) and headdress (bush hat or KFF) as they leave home.
Exciting news for Alpha Company who will be spending the first afternoon back at an Archery activity at Hugh Bamford Reserve. Alpha Company will be transported to and from Hugh Bamford by bus and will be ready for dismissal from Waverley College at 5.30pm.
Bravo Company will be conducting their swim testing in their Cadet uniform and will need to bring a towel and their PE uniform in a plastic bag to change into on Friday, 18 October.
Term 4 is always a short term in the Cadet calendar, but packed with activities. Please keep an eye on the Routine Orders from week to week so you know what to bring and what to expect.
Please note the following important dates:
View the Week 10 Careers Newsletter HERE.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Internationally Educated in partnership with Revolution Prep will be offering a practice digital SAT. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential preparation for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help you build testing endurance, provide insight into the types of questions asked, and give you a real-time snapshot of your testing performance.
When: Saturday 12 October 9:00am – midday AEDT
Where: Online
Who: The digital SAT practice test may be taken by students in Years 10, 11 or 12.
Why: Sitting the digital SAT practice test under timed conditions provides more exposure and familiarity to the test which can be used for admission purposes to many US universities. Even in a test-optional environment, a strong test score may support your application well.
Cost: US$20. Your registration includes a personalised score report available directly after the test and a 30-minute scheduled one-on-one score review session with a Revolution Prep Adviser who can assess specific strengths and identify areas to focus on for improvement.
Registration and additional information can be found here.
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
