A selection of boys from the AFL Opens and 9/10 teams who have been selected to train off season, wrapped up their training with the AFL High Performance Squad this morning, and were treated to a delicious BBQ breakfast put on by some of the parents.
Mr Ben Shorthouse and Mr Gerard Pignatelli have done an amazing job of pushing these boys hard, both physically and mentally during the off season.
What a brilliant end to an excellent year!
Waverley teachers traded places with students in 7.1 on Monday as the boys led intellectual discussion, grounded by scientific research, on the question, “Climate Change is the single greatest challenge humans and the environment face.” Mr Sposari worked with the boys to create the Socratic Seminar opportunity due to the class interest in the topic, and their passion to fuse research with rigorous debate.
The boys’ initial presentations to the class were well designed and thoughtful, however, the magic of a socratic seminar is in each student’s ability to listen to each argument and construct a critical response to challenge or affirm a student’s point of view.
Each student’s argument was grounded in research that revealed a significant amount of effort to both engage and provoke the audience to consider new ideas. Of particular note was Luca Green who presented an image of Waverley College under water as a result of rising sea levels, shifting the discussion from abstract environmental considerations to a very real image of our College’s future.
Finley Carr was awarded the Seminar medal for being the most persuasive and confident as a result of his careful consideration of constructing an argument, whilst also demonstrating a thoughtful approach to challenging the perspectives of his peers. A special mention to James Kriska who shows promise as a brilliant debater.
The Socratic Seminar was highly successful in engaging the boys in rigorous and thought-provoking debate, as well as, fine tuning their ability to listen actively and respond carefully. Overall, the boys demonstrated a solid understanding of the environmental issues we face locally, as well as globally, and they should be congratulated on their ability to pursue and express insightful ideas underpinned by carefully considered research.
Ms Helen Barrie
Head of Academic Enrichment
hbarrie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
and
Mr Nicholas Sposari
Teacher of HSIE and Religion
nsposari@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Saturday, Waverley’s 1st V Basketball had a tough matchup against Barker, coming short with the final score, 67 to 75. The game was back and forth right from the tip-off with Barker coming into the second quarter up by five points. The 1st V was able to fight back and gain a four-point lead by the end of the first half, with James Dyson-Merwe leading the team with his athleticism.
The second half was led by Barker, with their defence stopping Waverley from scoring. With three minutes to go of the game, Waverley was down by 12 and were able to make a quick run with the help of Flynn Busteed’s and Marley Henare’s shooting to bring Barker’s lead to just six. Unfortunately, it was too late, with the 1st V losing by eight 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 Barker to secure their undefeated first half of the season. With a huge amount of effort and grit, they were able to overcome Barker with the end score, 63 to 45. The first quarter was a slow one with Barker gaining a 10-point lead.
After the break, the dynamic duo of Dom Smith and Toby Longmire 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 20-point lead with the help of Jock Edward’s spectacular performance.
With the win against Barker, the 2nd V is now sitting on top of the CAS leader board, winning all five games that they have played, hoping to secure the championship next year.
2nd Basketball v Barker
The 10A’ had a tremendous game with a 22- point win over Barker. The star players Ben Pignatelli, Kaden Baker and Tamen Peralta led Waverley, with the end score, 47 to 25.
The undefeated 9As were able to continue their run after having a close one against Barker, with the end score, 36 to 28. With the help of Angus Peshos’ shooting, Nico Palacio’s defence, and Jonte Garvey’s height, the 9As were able to cap off their unbelievable, undefeated first half of the season, hoping to go all the way next year.
The 8As had an incredible game, with the result showing a 33- point win over Barker. Dominic Dametto’s, Aidan Giusti’s and Philip Falaniko’s skills were showcased continuously throughout the game, with the end score, 62-29.
Congratulations to all the teams with each of them putting all their effort into the games. Good luck to all teams as they head off into the second half of the season next year.
A special thank you goes to Mr Gibbs who has given a tremendous effort in the first half of the season.
Tom Gleeson
Captain of 1st V
The Barker game was always going to be a tricky fixture for the 1st V, if the recent history of tight games between the two schools was anything to go by. The 1st V needed to defeat Barker to ensure they stayed on top of the table, and right in the hunt for the Rev Fr A V Smith Shield, given fellow table-toppers, Knox and St Aloysius’, were almost certain to win their fixtures.
Ultimately, the 1st V had a disappointing outing, allowing Barker to penetrate the paint too much, giving away 46 points as well as missing too many of their own shots, only making 22 of 62 2-point field goal attempts.
As a result of this 75-67 loss, the 1st V now move from equal 1st to equal 3rd, with Barker on 3 wins and 2 losses, trailing Knox and St Aloysius’ by a game, after both schools won their fixtures.
With the Trinity Challenge Tournament in the upcoming holiday break, the 1st V will be desperate to perform well there, to take some confidence and form into the second half of the season, where they now face the challenging task of having to not only win all 5 games to stay in the race for the premiership, but hope that other results go their way as well.
Despite this setback, the 1st V have done very well to post their 3 wins this term, in what is a very open and competitive competition, and have the personnel to get the job done next term.
The 2nd V continue to dominate their opponents, putting a cellar-dwelling Barker side to the sword. Early in the game, victory was not assured as Waverley were slow to get going, allowing Barker to take a 12-2 lead, before they were able to hit their stride a minute into the 2nd quarter, to tie up the game at 12-all. From this point, Waverley started to pull away, leading 27-20 at the main break and 49-30 at three-quarter time.
The 2nd V eventually cruised to a 63-45 win, and continue to be outright leaders on 5 wins, with a 77-point differential, with Trinity following closely behind on 4 wins. While there are still another 5 games to play next term, and anything can happen, the 2nd V have certainly placed themselves in the best possible position for a chance of winning the competition.
2nd Basketball v Barker
2nd Basketball v Barker
In other games against Barker, Waverley performed very well, winning the following grades: 4th V (26-24), 5th V (34-28), 7th V (36-27), 10th V (32-24), 10A (47-25), 10C (29-27), 10H (39-28), 9A (36-28), 9B (41-21), 9F (18-17), 9G (30-25), 9H (33-30), 8A (62-29), 9B (35-32), 8C (37-24), 8D (41-27), and 8F (36-13).
At the halfway mark of the season, the 10As have 2 wins from 5 games, the 9As are still undefeated on 5 wins, and the 8As have 2 wins and a draw. In addition, the 9Bs and 8Cs are enjoying excellent seasons and are also undefeated, while the 10Cs, 10Hs, 9Ds, 9Gs, and 8Ds have 4 wins.
With the 1st V in 3rd place, 2nd V coming 1st, 10As 4th, 9As 1st and 8As in 3rd place, Waverley is the best performing CAS school overall across the top-level grades, a fantastic achievement for our players, coaching staff, and program. With a current win rate of 48% across all CAS games and grades this term, Waverley Basketball is looking like having its best season in a very long time.
Thank you to Rachael and Glenn Smith for their tireless work on the Supporters’ Club BBQ over the past 6 weeks. They have done a tremendous job raising funds for the Program.
Many thanks to the numerous parents/carers who have also given their time to help, in particular for home games, our 1st V and 2nd V parents/carers. If any parent/carer is able to help out for one hour on a Saturday (before or after your son plays his game), please contact Rachael at rachael_gray@hotmail.com. It would be most appreciated!
The 1st V and 2nd V parents/carers also deserve additional recognition for the wonderful food they have provided players and staff for afternoon tea when we have hosted St Aloysius’ and Barker. Waverley has long been known for hosting the best post-game luncheons in the CAS, and this season is no different.
Enjoy a well-earned Christmas and New Year holiday break!
Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden.
Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, the research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying.
The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying.
Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe.
Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour.
In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact our College for further information, or seek medical or professional help.
Click here for this month's edition of SchoolTV
Ms Gabby Smith
Acting Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
*As per the updated conditions of enrolment and as indicated on the College website, all Years 5 and 7 enrolments, Term 1 tuition fees are charged in Term 4, in the year prior. This includes continuing Year 6 (2023) students into Year 7 (2024). This replaces the “continuing confirmation deposit” usually charged in the 3rd Payment to Year 6. Year 5 and 7 will still receive an invoice in Term 1, 2024 for any applicable sundries, sibling discounts, excursion fees and camps. Please be advised that if this payment is not made by the due date, your son’s enrolment will be forfeited, and his place will be offered to a waitlisted candidate.
Fees paid before 4pm on the prompt payment date attract a $25.00 discount.
Any payment received after the due date will attract an administrative fee of $110.00.
Please be advised that some financial institutions need more than 48 hours to process their payments (e.g. Internet/BPay/BPoint).
Please see the last page of your account for payment method and contact details.
You are reminded that if you wish to withdraw your son from enrolment at Waverley College, you are required to give one term’s notice in writing to the Principal that your son’s enrolment will cease.
The last day you can give notice that your son’s enrolment is finishing at the end of a school term, is the first day of the same term. If not received by that date, a penalty equivalent to one term’s tuition fees will be payable. The relevant dates for 2022 and 2023 are below:
This term, 7 Tech 9 have been studying, designing and creating truss bridges. A truss bridge is a bridge whose load-bearing superstructure is composed of a truss – a structure of connected elements, usually forming triangular units.
The connected elements may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads.
A stroll to Waverley Park one afternoon, allowed us to observe truss structures such as cranes and the telecommunications tower at Bondi Junction. Lessons in the woodwork rooms have seen some great collaboration, problem solving and challenges, as groups compete to create the strongest truss bridge.
Students are looking forward to testing their structures to see how much weight they can bear.
One more week left until the end of the term and end of the school year. With all exams done and dusted, assessments handed in and the summer holidays just around the corner, it’s time for all textbooks and English novels to be returned to Book Hire!
As such, if everyone can please ensure that ALL their textbooks have been returned by no later than Wednesday, 30 November, that would be greatly appreciated.
Please note that Book Hire is open Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm, with the library as the second drop off point if needed.
A HUGE thank you to all students who have been diligent and returned their books already :)
We are excited to announce that Science Club will be offered at Waverley College as an extra-curricular activity for students from Years 7-12, commencing Term 1, Week 2, 2023.
Science Club provides an opportunity for students to be presenting, critically analysing, and applying their understanding of scientific data and related concepts. Students must play an active role in their own learning experiences to increase engagement and academic achievement.
The scope and sequence of this program has been created for student-centred, inquiry-based learning.
In each session, students will have the opportunity to experiment with a focus on deepening their ability to apply the scientific method across all branches of Science.
The scientific skills embedded in this program are woven throughout the Stage 3-6 Science Syllabi and reflect Depth Studies and skills examined in the HSC courses.
Cost: $30.00 for Term 1
Materials: students are to bring a writing book. All other materials will be supplied.
Session times: select ONE from the following:
OR
Sessions are limited to 25 students each and will run on a term-by-term basis. We envisage that the program will extend to the Junior School during the Winter Season.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
With over 180 boys volunteering in 90 community organisations located across Sydney, Year 10 students hit the ground running for Service Week this week!
It was a pleasure to visit so many organisations and see our students representing the College and themselves, with such pride and professionalism this week. Community organisations were very impressed with the degree of engagement, promptness, attention to detail, initiative and positive attitude shown by the boys.
It was humbling to hear the feedback from so many service organisations expressing their tremendous gratitude and admiration for the support they received from our students. Several organisations commented that, “the Waverley students were the best they have worked with,” given that they work with many other volunteer students.
The feedback was a credit to all our Year 10 students and the maturity that they displayed during Service Week in the community. The boys also found the week highly beneficial, commenting on the opportunity they had to meet and work alongside a wide variety of people in the community, and reflected on how lucky they were in life and their enjoyment of the experience.
A very special thank you to all of the community organisations who were able to accommodate our Year 10 students this week, and especially to those Year 10 parents/carers who assisted their sons to find a placement.
Special thanks goes to those teachers on the College staff in both the Senior and Junior Schools, who assisted with the program and checked in on students.
Congratulations to our new Captains and Prefects on a great effort yesterday with their BBQ and WaterFest fun. The Green House charity ‘Best Foot Forward’ helping disadvantaged women throughout the world through the Edmund Rice Foundation, benefitted from the $500 raised on the day.
This annual day of giving was multiplied by four, so our donation equated to $2,000. A wonderful effort by all those involved and thank you to all our supporters.
Competition in the pool events was epic, with the Biggest Splash award going to Ky Pule in the Seniors and Raphael Welch in the Junior division.
The Littlest Splash award went to Connor Andrews in the Seniors, and in the Juniors, Finn McCarthy took out the honours.
The Boogie Board relay was won by Conlon House. Congratulations to all competitors and thank you to Mr Kroll and Green House for hosting this event with the Captains. Well done!
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below key event dates you need to be aware of for the Junior School in Term 4. For all of the College events, please refer to the College calendar.
Ms Gabby Smith
Director of the Junior School
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A final reminder about our Year 6 Graduation next Friday. Looking forward to seeing you all there to celebrate this special occasion for your son.
The Junior School is supporting the following two charities in the period leading up to Christmas. The Matthew Talbot Hostel, specialising in supporting the homeless men of Sydney and Kids Giving Back, supporting victims of both domestic violence and homelessness.
Toiletries (preferably small travel size items), underwear, socks, chocolates, notepads, pens.
Wet wipes, lip balms, roll-on Sunscreen, bandaids, emery boards, pocket tissues, hand sanitiser – small bottles, travel-size shampoos and conditioners, men’s combs.
Donations for both of these charities can be handed in to Ms Coupe at the Junior School front office. We will be collecting donations up until Friday Week 7 (25 November). Your generosity and support is very much appreciated.
Mr Stephen Ghattas
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
It is the final summer sport round for 2022. I wish all teams the best of luck for their Round 12 fixtures tomorrow morning. Thank you to all coaches, students and parents/carers for their commitment to the entire year of Co-Curricular sport.
Good luck to all students moving onto the Senior School in 2023, and I look forward to seeing the current Year 5 students competing next year as Year 6s.
Please click the button below to ensure you are up to date with fixtures and venue maps for Round 12 (Saturday, 19 November), and keep a close eye on the Waverley College app for any further adjustments due to weather conditions or ground closures.
On Tuesday, 15 November we had the privilege of welcoming two highly-accomplished Table Tennis professionals, and also our Senior School coaches Paul Sheehan and Peter Masen. They were here to run an exhibition to promote Table Tennis in the Junior School, as it will become an extra Co-Curricular in 2023.
Table Tennis is a religion at the Junior School already, with a number of groups across Years 5 and 6 competing each and every school day during recess and lunches. The exhibition was an opportunity to showcase our best junior players against professional coaches.
It was a spectacle with students mesmerised by their skills and abilities with the small wooden paddles. It has created a much-deserved buzz that will remain in 2023 when sessions get started.
‘Sign up’ information for your son will be communicated to you at the beginning of the 2023 College year.
Summer holidays are fast approaching, and I know it is a large break, which does give plenty of time for students to work on their skills across all sports. In the final weeks, I will be recommending holiday sport camps for Junior students.
The College is releasing some sport camp options, exclusively for Waverley College students, so please keep your eye out for those via app announcements over the coming weeks.
The Team at Pro Performance Cricket are excited to announce their upcoming Holiday Cricket Camps. They are offering an additional Youth aged (Ages 5-12) / Representative Level Camp for players aged 12 and over.
>>> Click here to book Pro Performance East Sydney Holiday Cricket Camps.
>>> Click here to book Pro Performance Pro Youth Aged Cricket Camps Ages 12+
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Click here to register your son
If your son is unable to attend, please email the College at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au or call Reception.
*There will be no Home Learning Club in Week 8.
Byron and Cormac did Waverley proud on Friday, 11 November. These boys represented Waverley at the IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge, competing against 80 students from a variety of schools in NSW.
Both boys showed strong speaking skills, and their matter, manner and method were exceptional. I’m extremely proud of the growth both boys made since Round 1, the Junior School finals, and now the challenge.
Congratulations, Byron Thomas and Cormac Maher
The holidays are fast approaching, and the current Year 5 students will have the opportunity to borrow books from the Learning Hub for the Christmas holidays. This initiative aims to encourage boys to read more and spend less time on their screens.
Happy Reading!
This week, the Drawing Club artists brought in their birthday gifts, which happen to be art resources.
I adore the enthusiasm the students have for the Art and Drawing Club. I believe that creativity – being able to use your imagination or original ideas to create something – is a tough skill to master. These students do it seamlessly.
I’m looking forward to our last Drawing Club session in Week 7, and I’m already planning our sessions for 2023.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As we approach the final weeks of the College year, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all of the exciting learning experiences and fun-filled days the students in 5 Red have thoroughly enjoyed.
Each boy steps into the classroom with a vital role to play in the success of each day, with unique perspectives, personalities, skills and talents all on display. It is extra special to witness some lifelong friendship brewing, with daily acts of kindness, compassion and respect.
Here is a snapshot into some of the events and learning experiences occurring this Term and during the year.
Commemorating Remembrance Day in a moving ceremony held on the Senior College Campus, the boys also learnt about the history of Armistice Day and paid their respects in more ways than one.
Our Art lesson was inspired by Remembrance Day, with ‘Diggers at Sunrise.’
Our Geography unit in Term 4, explores the features of places and spaces within Australia. The names of some suburbs are spelt using images of natural and synthetic features of each of their respective suburbs.
We also explored features of Australia in 2022, and compared changes over time to both synthetic and natural features. This included a field trip to the Senior School and streets of Waverley, to compare changes from Then to Now.
As part of our Earth and Space unit in Science, we explored galaxies and planets in outer space, and looked closely at our solar system. Using play-doh, the boys replicated their own solar systems, by constructing each planet based on its features and characteristics.
We also used the Visual Arts learning space to experiment and learn about outer space.
Did you know that 5 Red is also home to its very own galaxy of Dwarf Planets? There are 28 tiny Dwarf Planets, one of which resembles the sun, with scientists still in awe of the new additions to the universe.
Legend has it, that there was once a 29th planet that existed in the 5 Red universe, but is now no more… some say the planet never actually existed in the first place and was just a myth.
Others say the planet couldn’t survive because it was made out of 30kg of play-doh, and subsequently, too heavy and dangerous to display in the classroom… one thing for certain, is that the atmosphere in 5 Red is phenomenal!
In Term 3, the entire Year 5 partook in Activism Day, where they endeavoured to make a difference to our local community and surroundings. Our English unit was Stand Up and Be Counted, and the boys acted on their persuasive writing skills to construct posters and speeches to make a difference in the world.
Activism Day involved heading to Tamarama Beach, Waverley Park and Queens Park to clean up the environment, as well as representatives chosen from each class to deliver their speech in front of the entire Year, Ms Gabby Smith, and a very special guest judge.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my exceptional 5 Red Class for all of their hard work, and for all the knowledge and joy shared throughout the year. As a collective, we have shared many laughs, stories and perspectives.
We’ve shed blood, sweat and tears inside and outside of the classroom walls, and I feel truly grateful to have been the teacher of a group of fine young gentlemen.
As the boys complete their first year at Waverley College, we reflect on the many positive experiences that have occurred in what has been an exciting and eventful year. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing friendships flourish across the entire cohort, from the classroom learning environment to all the fields, courts and swimming pools.
To the Learning Hub, auditorium or playground, it has been a pleasure to be a part of such a vibrant and exciting community. I am very much looking forward to what the future brings.
We set the bar high in 5 Red, with a set of values and standards to aspire to. We have goals for where we would like to be, and the men we would like to become. I am excited for each of them for what their bright future brings, and will be sure to follow their journey through Waverley.
Thank you to all the lovely parents and carers of 5 Red. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated, and all of your kindness, care and generosity means a great deal to me.
Thank you as well to all of the staff at the College, who too are responsible for the successful year we have had.
Wishing the entire Waverley Community a happy, healthy and successful end of year and ‘Seasons Greetings’ over the upcoming holidays.
Mr Alon Horry and 5 Red
Classroom Teacher 5 Red
ahorry@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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