This week, we celebrated Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. A time when we reflect on the life of Jesus and seek to emulate how he treated all those he met. Our student-led liturgy highlighted the importance of reflection and gratitude.
Students were asked to think beyond “giving up” physical things and to concentrate on “giving up” characteristics that prevent them from becoming the best versions of themselves, such as impatience, anger or selfishness.
The ashes that were received represent the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us, and Lent offers everyone the opportunity to challenge themselves to live the best life possible.
Thank you to those people who helped prepare such a meaningful liturgy and we look forward to a wonderful Easter ceremony.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Tuesday at lunch time saw Kiri Barber, a Kapa Haka tutor, join our students for some valuable Haka lessons.
A spirited time was had by all the students and we look forward to developing our cultural skills and awareness over the coming months.
Special thank you to Kiri for making time for us and to Ms Romijn for organising Kiri to assist us.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
Thank you so much to all the parents and carers who attended the webinar on Tuesday night. Our presenters were amazing and I hope all the information was helpful and useful. Our hope is that you feel comfortable having difficult conversations with your sons and open up the line of communication. When we receive the Slides, I will pass them on.
We have a lot of lost property at the front reception. If your son is missing any hats, clothing or lunch boxes, can they please be sent to reception for collection. This is also a reminder to please put names on all items so they can be returned.
Waverley College is participating in a research project titled ‘Early Intervention for Child Problematic Screen Use’ facilitated by Macquarie University, regarding screen use and gaming by students in Years 5-8.
The findings from this project will provide valuable insights into screens and gaming for our student population, and will contribute to the research in Australia around how to prevent and treat those children and families suffering from Gaming Disorder and related problematic screen use.
Would you like your child to take part?
>>> Click here to read more information about this survey in the article by Ms Gabby Smith.
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, we gathered together in a special Ash Wednesday liturgy, which marked the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The marking of the ashes on this day is a public expression of our faith and repentance.
During Lent, we focus on three pillars: prayer, fasting and almsgiving, which help us in this journey to reach a closeness to God and deeper understanding and relationship with God.
Prayer is a conscious relationship with God. Just as we spend time with friends because we love them, we spend time in prayer because we love God and we know that God loves us. When we are in tune with God, we cannot help but experience deep wellbeing.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy – College Captain, Lachlan Grant at the lectern
Fasting can be a time to eat less and give up some nice treats, however, could it also be a time for us to be more mindful of our purchases – can we make ethical choices in what we buy, or even not buy at all?
The third pillar, almsgiving, is donating money or goods to the poor and less fortunate and performing acts of charity. Caritas launch Project Compassion every year during Lent. Through Project Compassion, Caritas partners with people in the Asia-Pacific to develop their independence and support the human dignity of every person. Our donation to Project Compassion is an encounter with God through the face of the poor.
On Tuesday, with the sale of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, the Junior School managed to raise approximately $800, a great way to begin our fundraising initiatives this year. Special thanks to Ms Bransby, Ms Sanchez, Ms McCredie, Mr Wachtel and Mr Olds for assisting in the organisation and distribution of the pancakes. The boys thoroughly enjoyed indulging in these delicious treats.
On Wednesday, 1 March, both 5 Blue and 5 Indigo will attend Mass at Mary Immaculate Church beginning at 9:15am. Parents/carers are warmly invited to attend.
Friday, 3 March saw the first of the Big Brother Little Brother sessions for our Year 5 and Year 10 students. The Big Brother Little Brother program aims to foster relationships and enabe Junior School students to feel safe and comfortable in the Senior School environment and during House activities.
The boys were eager to meet their Year 10 peers. They were engaged in exciting conversations that will hopefully build relationships that will flourish over the course of the year and develop into lifelong friendships.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School/Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As it is Round 3 tomorrow (Saturday, 25 February), I wish all teams the best of luck and ask them to represent Waverley proudly, as I know they will.
Please ensure your refer to the Waverley College app announcements each week, as I will continue to send out the weekly Sports Fixtures for each round.
Families can also locate all relevant Junior School Co-Curricular information through the College website by clicking the button below.
With the disappointment of having to postpone the carnival on two occasions, we were pleased to lock in Friday, 17 February for the House Swimming Carnival.
It was worth the wait, as the weather saw nothing but blue skies and warm conditions all day.
The House spirit was undeniable and our students were itching to hit the water and compete at an extremely high level in all events.
It wasn’t just the competitive main swimming events that created the most excitement and energy, but the novelty events that involved all eight House groups. These included Tug of War, Tunnel Relays and the crowd favourite, the Surfie Relay.
Our College thanks the parents/carers who attended the day, and staff who undertook all the day’s important events and tasks.
It is exciting to announce the Age Champions for 2023. Congratulations tovthe following students who are deserving winners in their respective age groups.
Under 10 |
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Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 10 | Patrick | Spencer | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 2nd Place | Hugo | Cuschieri | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 3rd Place | Leo | Mithen | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 10 Championship 4th Place | Aidan | Gartland | |||
Under 11 (Year 5) |
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Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 11 | Fergus | Samba Hoare | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 2nd Place | Luke | Haddock | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 3rd Place | Jude | McDermott | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 4th Place | Louie | Cummins | |||
Under 11 (Year 6) |
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Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 11 | Hugo | Bindner | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 2nd Place | Frederick | Goldrich | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 3rd Place | Jaden | Truscott | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 11 Championship 4th Place | Ollie | Burke | |||
Under 12 |
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Waverley College 2022 Swimming Champion Under 12 | Roman | Szabo | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 2nd Place | Jacob | Roorda | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 3rd Place | Louis | Coleman | |||
Waverley College 2022 Under 12 Championship 4th Place | Tobias | Panlilio |
The IPSHA Swimming Team has now been formulated. As each school is only able to select four swimmers from each age group (U10, U11, U12), some U11 age champions didn’t make it into the IPSHA team.
I would like to further congratulate the following swimmers who made the IPSHA Swim Team and will compete at Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre next Wednesday, 1 March.
2023 Junior School Swimming Carnival at the College pool
Cross Country Trials for the upcoming IPSHA Cross Country event on Saturday, 1 April will be undertaken next Tuesday, 28 February during Periods 1 and 2.
Waverley College and all competing schools are only allocated five spots per age group, and this is for the following distances:
U10 – 2km / U11 – 3km / U12 – 3km
The trial will be undertaken around a 1km track set up at Waverley Park. If your son is a strong distance runner and is interested in doing the trial, please complete the Google form by clicking the button below.
IPSHA Cross Country Trials Google form
Last Friday, 17 and Monday, 20 February, Waverley College Junior School chose two students to compete at both the IPSHA Tennis and Basketball trials:
These students gave it their absolute all to impress selectors, and demonstrate their level of talent and experience in Cricket. Each student just missed out on making it through, but we’re truly proud of the efforts of all four, who represented the College so highly.
Hunter Bligh made it through as a development player for the IPSHA Basketball team, with the hope that he may get an opportunity to play in the squad. Congratulations to you Hunter, and so well deserved.
Congratulations, Hunter Bligh and Cruz Peralta
Congratulations, Noah Dalton and Ben Kostic
Waverley was honoured to be invited to Cranbrook School’s inaugural Swimming Invitational Meet at the new Murray Rose Aquatic Centre, on Thursday, 16 February. Due to the Swimming Carnival being postponed twice, we brought our best swimmers from the swimming trial.
It was a exciting afternoon event, with Waverley coming away with:
Students involved truly enjoyed themselves and were able to prepare themselves for the House Swimming Carnival that took place the next day.
Waverley Swim Team at Cranbrook
Thank you to Franklin Pyke’s father, Ben Pyke, for his amazing photography skills on a weekly basis. We hope you enjoy viewing below some of his skills in action at last weekend’s Basketball games at Oxford Falls.
Jack Watchel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
Image: courtesy Ben Pyke
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 3pm until 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
*No Home Learning on Tuesday, 28 February due to a staff meeting.
Click here to register your son
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/carer 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.
If you require any further information, feel free to email us.
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. Try to avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Drawing Club has begun! Our avid artists will get together weekly to discuss all things art. Our first session was on Thursday, 16 February and our theme for the session was getting to know what each student enjoys drawing. The atmosphere in the space was stimulating and I could see new friendships in the making.
This week I reflected on the importance of catering for our different learning styles. Reading, however, does not necessarily have to mean opening up a book. For the auditory learners among us, the option of audiobooks is one our society is increasingly turning to, and for good reason.
There are many options out there, and I guess the most important aspect is that your son is reading or listening to audiobooks, if that is his preferred choice.
Your son has access to audiobooks and eBooks on the Learning Hub CANVAS page.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 6 White has settled splendidly into 2023. They are a fine group of young men. The accompanying photos show the class hard at work in sharing ideas, preparing for Lent 2023, displaying a picture, autobiography of themselves and of course smiling for a group snap. This year has been an exciting and happy year for their teacher!
Mr Henry Stanton
Classroom Teacher 6 White
astanton@waverley.nsw.edu.au
For the past 18 years, InspirationED (formerly HSC in the Holidays) has partnered with leading universities to support Years 11 and 12 students to achieve their best in the HSC. Over 100,000 students have benefited from this program since its inception.
Year 11 and 12 students are invited to a free HSC Seminar, run in partnership with Macquarie University, on Saturday, 11 March, 9:30am-11am.
This session will be both on-campus and live streamed as a webinar.
The presentation will be delivered by a former Senior HSC marker and will include insight into the following topics:
Spaces are strictly limited and registration is essential.
Please call 1300 677 336
Click here to view the seminar flyer
Click here for Swim School Information
*House Swimming Carnival: in the event of bad weather, please check the Wet Weather line 8250 3780 by 6:30am or the Waverley app by 6:30am, to check whether the carnival will run. It is not acceptable for students to not show up without first checking those avenues. If the event is cancelled, a normal Friday Week A will run on campus.
March
April
Dear Parents and Carers
Waverley College is participating in a research project titled ‘Early Intervention for Child Problematic Screen Use’ facilitated by Macquarie University, regarding screen use and gaming by students in Years 5-8.
The findings from this project will provide valuable insights into screens and gaming for our student population, and will contribute to the research in Australia around how to prevent and treat those children and families suffering from Gaming Disorder and related problematic screen use.
Students in Years 5-8 will complete an online survey which will include questions about their screen use patterns, relationships, thoughts and feelings. The survey will typically take no longer than 40 minutes and will be completed in class on the dates below:
If you agree for your child to take part in the project, you are not required to do anything else.
At school, your child will also be given an information sheet about the research project and will be able to participate or decline participation, as they wish.
If you do not want your child to participate in the study, please click the button below to fill in your details on page 2 of the ‘Parent Participants Information and Consent Form’ and email it to bradley.marshall@hdr.mq.
Click here to view the Parent Participants Information and Consent Form
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Another great Friday afternoon for the recruits in Delta Company. The recruits this afternoon were informed about the different night locations around Holsworthy Army Base where they will be staying on AFX.
They were taught how to set up their Company Harbour, and the safety concerns to pay attention to, as well as piquet duty to protect their harbour. They also were briefed on the rules and regulations for entering a military base along with Waverley College Cadets behavioural expectations.
These important lessons will ensure their safety and most importantly, guarantee they have a fun time during their six-day camp.
by CPL Jack Kerves, Media PL
How to set up a company harbour
There are just five days left to register your son’s attendance on AFX. To register, click the button below.
All cadets need to be registered by 1 March 2023, including rank.
There are many, many recruits who have not yet collected their second set of DPCU from the Q Store. Thus far, recruits from platoons 1-8 have been emailed to collect uniform. It is the recruits’ responsibility to come and collect their stores for camp.
*Parents and carers, please be aware that Q Store will only be open until Friday, 24 March. There will be no provision to issue any gear after 24 March. If your son only has one set of uniform when packing for camp, he will have to make it last the week.
*Q Store is always open on Wednesdays – Recess and Lunch and after school.
Just a note also about hats – all recruits have been issued with a field hat, but many are forgetting to bring the hat on Fridays. Cadets are to wear headdress at all times when in public, so please ensure your son wears his field hat as he leaves home. Can I please ask that any spare hats you may have, are returned to the Q Store?
Five weeks until AFX!
Click here for Fixtures and Venue Maps
Our Term 1 Summer Co-curricular activities continued last week and this week we are at home to Cranbrook. This includes the local blockbuster Basketball derby on Friday evening.
We want as many supporters there as possible, but I request all current students to please be seated in the designated areas and dressed in full College summer uniform or full College co-curricular summer sport uniform.
Excellent standards of behaviour and cheering for Waverley only, is what is expected.
Our Year 7 cohort also arrived back from camp last week with some great stories and experiences. Thank you and well done to these students and staff for the three challenging days out at Somerset. Hopefully you gained some special memories and strengthened some existing, as well as forming new, friendships.
Year 7 Camp
Year 7 Camp
Year 7 Camp
Well done Thomas McKenna (Year 11) who was recognised at the NSWCIS awards last Saturday for being a part of the national winning U15 CIS Rugby League Team in 2022.
We recognise these cricketers selected for the CAS U15 Cricket side to play GPS: Jonathon McDonald (Year 10), Toby McDonald (Year 10) and William Livissianis (Year 9).
Some special mentions to Waverley cricketers who continue to shine. I’d like to spotlight the following worthy performances from:
These students are impressive role models for their teams and our College.
We also have a large number of students competing this weekend in the Nippers State Carnival, State Oztag, as well as our swim squad at the annual Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival. I want to wish all of these students the very best for this weekend.
Next week on Friday, 3 March is the Senior School House Swimming Carnival at Des Renford Leisure Centre in Maroubra. Students are able to make their own way to and from the venue, but if they want to catch a bus they will need to be at school by 7:45am. Buses will return to the College by 3pm.
Please click the button below for all information and the schedule of events.
Click here to view detailed information about the Senior School House Swimming Carnival
Good luck to all teams and activities this weekend!
The Cricket Supporters’ Club invites all players from Years 5-12, coaches and families to celebrate another season of great cricket.
The evening in the College’s Braidwood Courtyard includes awards, a BBQ with Trivia Game hosted by our First IX, a fun hit in the nets, and lots of exciting prizes to win.
Tickets are $10 and include BBQ! These must be purchased before the event.
Click here to book tickets now
You can also buy ‘Virtual Bats’ for a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the raffle:
All money raised goes towards supporting Cricket at Waverley College – including extra coaching, gear, and equipment.
Click here to view the Cricket Presentation Evening Poster
See you there!
Cricket Supporters’ Club
Waverley College
What a busy start of the year at Book Hire!
Once again, a very warm welcome to the Waverley family and to all our new students.
On the first two days of Term 1, we successfully distributed almost 474 packs to Years 7 and 8 students, followed by hundreds of textbook class sets completed within the first weeks of term across all subjects.
Here’s to many happy book borrowings ahead!
On Friday night, the 1sts Basketball played against St Aloysius’ in front of an electrifying crowd. Unfortunately, the boys were not able to bring the win home to Waverley, with the end score 89 to 95. Even before the game tipped off, the atmosphere was amazing. Waverley knew it was going to be a tough matchup, after only beating St Aloysius’ in a memorable game that was forced into a double overtime, with Waverley securing the two-point win.
As the game started, Waverley had the momentum for the first 10 points, but were not able to hold onto it for very long. With a few dunks and the St Aloysius’ crowd roaring, the boys lost the lead. By the end of the 1st quarter, Waverley had fallen short, as they were down by 10. With the lead and the crowd, St Aloysius’ 1sts kept the momentum to bring their lead up to 23. A timeout was then called, and Waverley knew they had to bring this back, and by the end of the first half they brought the deficit back to 12 behind Marley Henare’s spectacular shooting.
During the second half, it was a very tight matchup with multiple lead changes. As both teams played through the hot temperatures and blaring crowd, they both knew the game was going to be tight. During the fourth quarter, Daniel Palacio really shined with his defence, but unfortunately it was not enough to contain St Aloysius’, resulting in a 6-point loss. The amazing rebounding from Zion Poitaha and Marko Rangan’s scoring ability helped the 1sts stay competitive throughout the game.
On Friday, the 2nds Basketball tipped off to start the night in front of the monstrous St Aloysius’ crowd. The 2nds were able to play through the crowd, beating Aloys with the end score 68-59. Heading into the game, the 2nds were undefeated and sitting on top of the leader board. The game started with St Aloysius’ coming out firing, which was a big surprise for Waverley, after beating them by 23 in Term 4.
By the end of the first quarter, Waverley was able to grasp the lead following behind Jack Anasson’s hot start. During the second quarter, Waverley was able to gain the 10-point lead heading in to half time with more confidence.
During the second half, the Aloys crowd got louder and louder, making the floorboards shake. Jock Edwards’ scoring kept the lead for the 2nds, as the St Aloysius’ defence could not contain him.
Through the fourth quarter, St Aloysius’ was able to chase Waverley’s lead to only three. The 2nds were put off by this, and they were able to increase the lead to 9 points, led behind Dom Smith’s defence.
The 10As had a spectacular game, beating St Aloysius’ by 22 with the end score 48-26. The 10As were led behind Tamen Peralta’s hustle, Matiasi Falaniko’s rebounding and Rory Donnellan’s finishing around the basket. It was a tremendous effort from the 10As, losing to St Aloysius’ by two in Term 4.
The 9As had the toughest match of their season, losing their first game against St Aloysius’ by just a mere two points, with the final score 41-43. Waverley commenced with a fiery start, with a 15 point lead, but unfortunately they could not keep it, with St Aloysius’ chasing them in the second half. The team was led by the stars Petros Kalpouzanis’ shooting, Angus Peshos’ playmaking and Solomone Penitani’s defence.
The 8As had a close game against St Aloysius’, resulting in a 13-point loss that was fought hard until the end by the players. The end result was 41-54 to St Aloysius’. The star players of the game were Dominic Dametto (speed), Philip Falaniko (defence) and Hayden McAusland (spectacular scoring).
Coming into their second game in high school, the 7As played an exceptional game of Basketball, losing by just 8-points, with the end result 24-32. Right from the tip off the players played with all their hearts, diving for every loose ball.
Good luck to all teams as they face off against our local rival Cranbrook, this weekend.
Having narrowly lost by 6 points against Knox a week earlier, the 1st V desperately needed to win this Round 7 fixture to remain within touch of league leaders, Knox and St Aloysius’, who were both two wins in front of Waverley. Unfortunately, while the final score was close, the 1st V allowed St Aloysius’ to get out to too great a lead at one stage. Waverley did well to reel their opponents back in, and even take a small lead in the 3rd quarter, however, the home crowd urged their players on to victory in the final quarter.
An unbeaten 2nd V would have been confident of beating fifth place St Aloysius’, however, the men from Milson’s Point put up a great fight to give Waverley a scare, and it was not until the final siren that Waverley was assured of the win.
The 1st V now drop to 4th place with 3 wins and 4 losses, with Barker having moved ahead by one win. The 2nd V remain at the top of the table with 7 wins, however a couple of very tricky fixtures are looming against 3rd place Cranbrook and 2nd place Trinity, and therefore there is still plenty of Basketball left to play if they are to take out the premiership.
Waverley enjoyed a great round against St Aloysius’, winning the majority of our fixtures: 3rd (40-28), 4th (46-34), 10A (48-26), 10B (32-23), 10C (45-32), 10D (45-25), 10E (20-0), 10F (54-24), 10G (51-16), 10H (20-0), 9B (30-26), 9C (46-24), 9D (42-33), 9E (28-23), 9F (20-0), 9G (29-18), 9H (34-12), 8C (25-17), 8D (36-20), 7B (57-15), 7C (40-29), 7D (39-25), 7E (29-19), 7F (46-10), and 7G (22-21) with the 5ths drawing 38-all.
This week, Waverley faces off against local rivals, Cranbrook in a highly-anticipated game.
The 1sts and 2nds play Friday night fixtures in the Waverley Gym, which are expected to be very well-supported affairs. These games are always fierce contests and very close.
Come along and show your support for the players and coaching staff.
If you can help on our Supporters’ Club BBQ for one hour this Saturday, before or after your son’s game, please contact Rachael Smith on 0412 693 243 or at rachael_gray@hotmail.com
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We really need to upgrade and purchase more backboards and hoops for the campus, and the Saturday BBQ is our primary means of raising money to help with this.
Saturday, 18 March is the Basketball Presentation Evening. The awards ceremony will be hosted in the Gym, after dinner in Braidwood (weather permitting).
There will shooting games and prizes to win. Details are being finalised this week, and a flyer will be released in next week’s Nurrunga and through the Waverley College app.
Good luck to all teams this week against Cranbrook!
During the 2022-23 summer school holidays, Year 12 student Theo Varvaressos spent two weeks surrounded by many highly-regarded scientists and like-minded students exploring the opportunities available to budding scientists post the HSC.
The experience was split up into two weeks.
Week one was online, where participants networked with industry experts and a range of different scientists such as the CEO of Lockheed Martin (an Australian defence contractor), the NSW state recipient of Australian of the Year Professor Veena Sahajwalla, and UN scientists and board members.
Week two saw participants traveling to a variety of labs specialising in computer science, quantum computing, biomedical sciences, and environmental chemistry. Participants also visited universities, a nuclear reactor, spoke with professors, attended lectures, conducted experiments, and attended a range of social events.
Theo highly recommends Year 11 students apply for this significant opportunity, as he highlights the benefits of meeting and questioning a range of scientists and doctors on their occupations and career paths. He was able to determine the day-to-day tasks for a range of professions and industries, enabling him to determine the appropriate university and degree best suited to his passions.
Theo also mentions the added benefit of a bonus ATAR point!
If you would like to learn more about the National Youth Science Forum, please see Ms Brown or Theo and we can discuss your application further.
Click here to view the National Youth Science Forum website