Waverley Council is currently recruiting for casual junior team members to work at Bondi and Bronte Beaches over the busy summer period, to carry out general cleaning duties on beaches, public walkways and parks.
Council has a strong commitment to the local community and is hoping to recruit senior students from local secondary schools to fill summer positions.
If you are interested in this position, the job advertisement and position description below outlines the essential criteria and skills required.
Apply via the Waverley Council website by Sunday, 27 November 2022, addressing the essential criteria and providing a résumé.
Should you have any further questions, please ring Vicki Parry (HR Partner – Community, Assets & Operations), during business hours.
0404 053 791
02 9083 8626
Congratulations to our Year 7 students – the first year of secondary school almost done and dusted!
Starting next week, Monday 21 November, all students are kindly asked to bring all their textbooks to school from home, and check their lockers, having them ready to return to Book Hire or are welcome to place them in the marked crates in the library.
Please note that all textbooks are due no later than Monday, 28 November.
Thank you to all students who have already started handing in their textbooks this week :)
Bravo and congratulations to our Year 9 students for completing all exams over the last couple of weeks!
With the end of the school year in sight, we kindly ask that all Year 9 students ensure they bring to school or check their lockers for any outstanding textbooks, due for return in Week 7A, starting next Monday, 21 November.
Please note that all textbooks are to be returned no later than Monday, 28 November!
Thank you to all students who have been proactive in returning their textbooks already.
Nathan Lloyd Casting and Werner Film Productions is seeking enthusiastic and competitive surfers, based anywhere in Australia, for a drama series.
No acting experience is required, but you need to have good availability between January – March 2023.
Deadline: on or before Friday, 25 November 2022.
With exams done and dusted, as well as the Somerset Camp on next week, please note that all textbooks and novels are now due for return to Book Hire.
Worth mentioning is that students are welcome to return their textbooks in the labelled green crates in the library, as well as directly to Book Hire.
As such, if all students can please ensure that all books are returned by no later than Monday, 28 November, that would be greatly appreciated.
A big thank you to all students who have already done so :)
Today was the 104th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War in 1918. Today the College Community all gathered in the Centenary Quadrangle at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, to pause and commemorate Remembrance Day.
A livestream was available for the Ceremony of Commemoration of the Fallen. Thank you to Waverley College and St Catherine’s School students who provided the Catafalque Party, Flag Party, Guard of Honour, Drum Corps and the Cliff Goodchild Band. They were very impressive!
Our Matthew Coorey School Band also represented us with distinction at the Waverley Council Remembrance Day, held at Waverley Park this morning.
The College Cenotaph, is inscribed with the names of all of our ‘Old Boys’ who paid the supreme sacrifice in the two World Wars. Congratulations to our musicians and Cadets.
>>> Click here see further details in the article by MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow.
Lest We Forget
The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. It is related to the fact that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year, with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas.
The Church identifies November as a time to think of the end of life, and the great hope that our earthly end is a transition into a new life in God’s heaven. This month, we remember those who have gone before us, and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day.
Thank you to Mr Nicholas Sposari and Mr Nicholas Brophy who represented our College Community at Kristallnacht – The ‘Night of Broken Glass.’ On November 9-10, 1938, Nazi forces set fire to or destroyed over 200 synagogues, damaged 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses, arrested 30,000 Jews, and murdered 91 Jews in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland.
Three 1938 survivors of Kristallnacht each lit a candle. Their personal struggle for freedom during Kristallnacht were harrowing, yet each lives today to be a light within the Jewish and wider community.
Nick McKenzie (Australian award-winning journalist and Jewish adherent) shared his shocking stories of infiltrating a Neo-Nazi cluster in Australia. His work was featured on ’60 Minutes’ and on ‘Stan.’ The key takeaway from his keynote speech, was that young boys and girls, as young as 16, are easily being recruited into new Neo-Nazi groups, which is a very disturbing fact for all of us in the community.
With the Deputy Principal – Students, Mr Patrick Brennan, taking renewal leave for the last five weeks of Term 4, 2022, and long service leave for Semester 1 2023, EREA have conducted a process to replace Patrick and appoint an Acting Deputy Principal. I would like to congratulate Ms Gabby Smith on her appointment to this position.
Gabby has been the Director of Junior School at Waverley since 2018, and has recently Acted as Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning for 18 months. Prior to Waverley, Gabby was employed by Loreto Kirribilli in the roles of Acting Head of Junior School, Assistant Head of Junior School and Religious Education Coordinator.
Gabby has a Master of Education from the University of New England, and a Bachelor of Education from the Australian Catholic University. She has a high level of professionalism and dedication to the education and formation of students in her care. We wish her much success in this role. The College will now begin a process to appoint an Acting Director of Junior School and any subsequent staffing permutations.
Yesterday we celebrated ‘Back to Waverley Day,’ and welcomed our alumni who graduated 50 years or more ago. We haven’t been able to host this day since 2019, so it was especially nice to honour our graduates from the years 1970, 1971 and 1972.
Memories were shared, through a short mass, morning tea, assembly and lunch. We especially thank Dr David Curran, (Class of 1970) College Captain for his moving address to the College during Assembly.
We also had the pleasure of seeing our Pacifika Group perform on stage. The performance was enjoyed by past and present students, as well as our invited Pacifika families and extended families.
>>> Click here to read more information in the article by Ms Vanessa Witton.
On behalf of the College, I would like to thank all parents who have been involved in the work carried out by the Parents’ Association throughout 2022. Particular thanks to the tireless work of the Year level representatives, past parents representatives, clothing pool representatives, tuckshop volunteers and the executive, for all of their organisation, support and efforts in organising events and communicating across our community.
Thank you to the 2022 Executive: Jade Stapleton (President), Daniella Strbac (Vice President), Lamya Sadi (Vice President), Stephanie Van Dam (Secretary) and Deb Johnston (Treasurer).
Special thanks to Jade, Deb and Stephanie who are all stepping down off the executive after significant stints in their respective roles. We appreciate their service and dedication to assisting the Waverley College Community.
From the recent AGM, I would like to congratulate the following parents on their elections to the Parents’ Association Executive for 2022, and I look forward to working with them in the new year.
In 2023, Edmund Rice Education Australia is moving to a new governance structure across each state and territory. A NSW Director and CEO of EREA Colleges will be appointed along with a Subsidiary Board. Congratulations to Waverley College Old Boy, Sam Hardjono on his appointment as Chair of the NSW College’s Board.
Sam is currently a senior strategic advisor, working with leaders in the corporate, not-for-profit and start-up sectors. For more than a decade, he was Chief Executive Officer of a large charity with projects in South-East Asia, South America, and Australia. He has served on inter-governmental, not-for-profit, corporate, private and start-up boards, either as a Trustee, Non-Executive Director, or advisory roles for over 20 years.
Currently, he is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit and Risk, and Chair of Tech & Cyber for the Australian Red Cross, and previously Chair for New South Wales.
Sam was a member of our College Board for 12 years, four as Chair. Sam has a passion and commitment to Catholic education in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice.
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT in collaboration with the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle – Federation of Parents & Friends Associations invites: parents, carers and staff to attend a free webinar about this growing issue.
The session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on the use of e-cigarettes and vaping, including the potential harms associated with the use of these devices, particularly young people.
Practical advice will also be provided on how to talk to young people about vaping, as well as some possible responses that parents can use, should their child attempt to challenge them in this complex area.
Date: Thursday, 17 November 2022
Venue: Online Microsoft Teams Live Event (Viewable through Web Browser, or the Microsoft Teams app on Android, IOS, Windows, and Mac)
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm
NSW Health recently advised that they are starting to see a rise in COVID-19 transmissions within the community, with a peak of cases expected in early December. Currently we have 17 students diagnosed with COVID-19 this week, and two staff members that we know of.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has been warning the wider community to be vigilant around social distancing, and taking precautionary hygiene measures to reduce transmission of the new strains of virus that are circulating.
Please keep your son at home if he is unwell. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are available from the Senior School Health Centre. We encourage all students, staff and families to keep up-to-date with their vaccinations, including COVID-19 booster shots if eligible.
NSW Health are also encouraging everyone in the community to continue to register positive RATs with Service NSW, to ensure they receive timely support and advice, including access to antivirals for those eligible.
‘Back to Waverley Day,’ an annual event for all Waverlians who graduated 50 or more years ago, this year honoured the Class of 1972 on 10 November 2022.
We always look forward to welcoming Old Boys back to our growing campus, but this year was particularly special, because this celebratory event was inevitably cancelled in 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions. 100 Old Boys from the years 1953-1972 were in attendance.
After morning mass with Father Bernie in the College chapel, and a morning tea in the Senior School Library, Principal Mr Graham Leddie welcomed our alumni and our Pacifika parents/carers and extended families, to a full College assembly.
The assembly opened with a performance by the Waverley College Pacifika group. These talented Pacific Islander students have been working with Ms Sue Walsh (Director of Identity & Student Formation) and Aunty Fleur Smith for the past six months, and we were privileged to enjoy their unique stories in the form of prayer, music and dance.
The Pacifika group have made encouraging inroads into building deeper cultural awareness within the College, whilst also helping to strengthen our inclusive community, one of the four ‘Touchstones’ at Waverley.
The Pacifika brothers began with a prayer in the form of a beautiful Fijian hymn, ‘Noqu Masu’ sung with arms linked, followed by a performance of three haka: from Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. The third haka spoke about the relationship between a father and son, and the important advice the father gives to his son about being true to himself.
Pacifika Brothers, Waverley College
Supported by archival images on the large screens, Mr Leddie then spoke to the cultural, technological and social changes that occurred during 1970-72 at Waverley, and in the wider world.
Guest speaker was Dr David Curran FRACP BSc (Med) (Hons), (Class of 1970 – College Captain, Prefect, Rugby Coach and Cadet CUO), who has served as a consultant physician in gastroenterology at the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital for 37 years.
Dr Curran spoke with great eloquence. He praised ‘Back to Waverley Day’ which he said, “ … enables Old Boys to come home to their educational birthplace.” He exhorted current students to cultivate their friendships, a vitally important part of their overall education, and said that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can give to one another.
He encouraged students to tackle life with passion and grasp all opportunities.
Guest speaker, Dr David Curran
Dr Curran also educated many of us about the life of American political radical and pacifist, Dorothy Day, (b.1897 – d.1980), champion of the poor and exploited workers. Setting up the Catholic Worker Movement in 1933, she remained a controversial figure whose ideals ignited his schoolboy energy. As a teenager, Dr Curran launched a fundraising campaign to help Dorothy Day, and she responded gratefully with a handwritten card, thanking him for his financial assistance to her cause. At the close of his speech, Dr Curran presented this framed letter to Mr Leddie for Waverley College, as an historic gift from the Class of 1970.
Old Boy stalwarts!
Luncheon was served in the Br Wallace Performing Arts Centre, and Walter Rosada (Class of 1972), delivered a memorable speech on behalf of the Class of 1972. Stepping down this year after 20 years serving as Year Coordinator, Mr Rosada thanked Alumni Coordinator, Ms Venettia Miller, for her ongoing assistance with making connections, and also the help of the Old Boys’ Union.
Mr Rosada noted that, “the College had embedded itself into their DNA” and just as they were proud to be part of a history of the College, “the College is a part of the history of us.” He shone a light on both the success stories and the quiet achievers in the Class of 1972, in the domains of medicine, sport, art and academia, reminding his fellow Waverlians to never take their cohort for granted, and to remember those no longer with us.
Ms Vanessa Witton
Marketing Communications Specialist
vwitton@waverley.nsw.edu.au
An important day in the Cadet Calendar was commemorated today with both the Remembrance Day Parade in the Centenary Quad, and a community service at Waverley Park for Waverley Council.
Our team of cadets has worked hard across numerous rehearsals after school to ensure precision in executing their drill today.
We are very proud of, and thank:
CUO Kayla Heng
CUO Matteo Paolella
WO1 Angus Birrell
WO2 James Birbas
WO2 Emma Hartwig
WO2 Oliver Malzard
WO2 Meg O’Connor
SGT Thomas Jackson-Whitlock
SGT Declan McAuliffe
SGT Julia Mallam
SGT Zara Wiseman
CUO Mitchell Cahill
CUO Kitty Fitzpatrick
WO2 Luca Patrick-Watkins
SGT Caleb Urquhart
CUO Darius Hall
WO2 Robbie Muir
WO2 Hayley Paddock
SGT Anika Bradford
SGT Remy Frampton
SGT Jack Ryan
SGT Reuben Seroa
SGT Aodhan Williams
CPL Kimmi Bilmon
CPL Ruby Congdon
CPL Natalie Ha
CPL Yannick Hott
CPL Taj Lynn
CPL Lachlan Marzol
CPL Benjamin Webb
CPL Erin Jackson
CUO Paul Muir
CPL Lachlan Isaac
CUO Hugh McDonald
CPL Amelia Avery
CPL Renato Rovacchi
CPL Archie Godby
CPL Rohan Baker
REC Xavier Kopsiaftis
CPL Cate Darling
CPL Georgina Kimpton
REC Finnian McCarthy
And thank you to our Drum Corps and Mr Blenkinsopp and the Cliff Goodchild Band.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The annual outdoor ROCK BAND Concert will be held on Tuesday, 29 November 2022.
Family and friends are invited to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment from our ROCK BANDS.
The event will be held outdoor in the Braidwood courtyard area near the Performing Arts Centre, commencing at 4pm. The evening should conclude approximately 6pm.
A BBQ and drinks will be available for purchase – meal deal for $5.00.
Click here for your invitation
Please click the button below to complete the form to advise the number of persons attending. This helps us greatly with set up and seating for this event. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC).
Please complete this form to advise number of persons attending
Students are welcome to stay after school to prepare for their performances. We look forward to a great afternoon of entertainment!
Please advise if your son is in a ROCK BAND Group and is not able to attend this event by email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 7 parents and carers are cordially invited to an evening ‘end of year’ drinks to celebrate the close of a wonderful College year.
Drinks and delicious food available to purchase.
RSVP Essential. Please RSVP via email to Claire McGaffney ASAP, as there is a maximum capacity of 100 guests.
Email: claire_abey@yahoo.com
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.
We look forward to the Junior School Music Festival next Thursday evening. The event will showcase the Year 5 and Year 6 students’ abundant talent in creative arts.
The event will take place in the Performing Arts Centre Theatre located at the Senior School campus. Commencing at 6pm. Parents/Carers and friends are welcome to attend.
The event is unticketed.
*Our Music Supporters’ Group have organised a supper service and will be selling pizza and drinks from 5:15pm in the PAC Foyer. EFTPOS available.
Click here for more information
The Junior School was buzzing on Tuesday, as we welcomed our 2023 Year 5 students. They had a great time participating in drama, STEM and PDHPE activities. The ice blocks were a real treat too!
Ms Gabrielle Smith
Director of Junior School
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A final reminder to please send through your son’s Kindergarten photo (or their first day of Kindergarten, or similar), as this will form part of the slideshow presentation at the Year 6 Graduation.
Please send a labelled photo through to liturgy@waverley.nsw.edu.au by no later than Friday Week 5. Picture format as a jpeg or png files would be preferred. Please do not send through pdf files.
In last week’s edition of Nurrunga, we highlighted two charities that the Junior School would like to support 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, mens’ combs.
Donations for both of these charities can be handed in to Mrs 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 Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Only two more rounds of summer sport for 2022! I wish all teams the best of luck for their Round 11 fixtures tomorrow morning.
I ask for students to please give their full participation to training and Saturday games, in this final week of sport. There have been consistent unexplained absences lately, which does make it difficult for coaches to manage their teams.
Please click the button below to ensure you are up to date with fixtures and venue maps for Round 11 (Saturday, 12 November), and keep a close eye on the Waverley College app for any further adjustments due to weather conditions or ground closures.
Below is information about upcoming EPC (Every Point Counts) Tennis Events. Tennis is currently the only Saturday sport played within IPSHA for which we do not have modified formats to facilitate inter-school sport for students of all abilities.
The EPC format addresses the current deficiencies in IPSHA Tennis.
It would be very encouraging to have some Waverley Junior School students at these Sunday events, to further develop their tennis skills heading into 2023.
EPC Tennis at Queenwood 13 November
EPC Tennis at Barker 4 December
Congratulations to Eamon and Bartram Esperanca, who won first place in all styles last Friday night at DRLC Maroubra Swimming Carnival. What an outstanding achievement for them both.
Congratulations, Eamon and Bartram Esperanca
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.
Our guest speaker last week, Matt Galanos, wears two hats – Chief Financial Officer at the Australian Turf Club, and author.
Matt gave up his time to come in and inspire the Waverley boys to follow their passion for writing. He is currently writing a series of fantasy books, the fourth coming out in early 2023.
This inspirational lunchtime talk driven by many student questions, was exciting. Not only did it encourage writing, but also reading. Two very valuable life skills students need for the future.
A huge thank you to Matt for giving up his time to inspire the next generation of writers.
If you would like to volunteer to give a lunchtime talk in 2023, please email me directly at nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Guest speaker, Matt Galanos
As we come to the end of a productive year of Drawing Club, I allowed the students to work on their mini drawings for the final sessions. Observing the students think critically about their drawings and watching them work creatively, is a highlight for me.
I have watched the boys make new friends, and discuss and appreciate each other’s drawings.
There are only two sessions left in 2022, and I look forward to seeing what they produce.
Fred Cross
Yianni Lambropoulos
Tom Brown
James Ganson (Year 5) has a passion for reading and writing. James was inspired to write and illustrate his own book, Imagineers Guide Book to Creatures, after reading one of his favourite books, Flanimals by Ricky Gervais, Rob Steen (Illustrator).
His book is now printed and in the Learning Hub for all to read. Well done James!
Student author, James Ganson
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As we approach the final weeks of the College year, it is wonderful to reflect on the exciting learning experiences and fun-filled days the students in 5 Gold have thoroughly enjoyed. Watching their dynamic personalities, different learning styles, creative and exceptional talents, and daily acts of kindness, made this year one I will always cherish.
Here is a snapshot of the happy days in 5 Gold.
At the end of Term 3, Ms Rollins prepared our class for their entertaining and dramatic performance of the play, Vulga the Vampire. Each student was given the opportunity to be an actor or to take on the role of lighting, sound, stage effects, backstage or narrator.
Their performance was brilliant, showcasing their passion, humour and exceptional acting skills. Oscar Litchfield stole the show, as Vulga the Vampire.
In Health this term, we have been exploring the unit, Healthy Communities, which investigates the Australian Dietary Guidelines for healthy eating. The students learn the importance of eating a nutritious diet for growth and development, and preventing lifestyle diseases.
Their study of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fats allowed them to break their food plate into different groups, to demonstrate their understanding of the types and amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet their energy needs.
By creating a food plate of their choice, they presented a wide variety of healthy foods from the Five Food Groups.
Brynn Speirings
Harvey Smith
James Ganson
Earth and Space have been the focus in Science, where students have developed their understanding of the Earth and its position in the Solar system. This term, students are investigating the changes that occur on the Earth’s surface, caused by extreme weather events. Their presentations in class will include ways in which scientists can predict severe weather, and design solutions to help those affected by natural disasters.
Earth and Space
Drought
Floods
Volcanoes
This week, the students have focused on the important tradition of Remembrance Day. They have learnt that Remembrance Day allows people to remember those who fought and lost their lives during all wars, and honour their memory.
During World War One, there were around 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded in both the armed forces and civilian communities. In class, they have learnt how we commemorate Remembrance Day by wearing poppies, attending ceremonies, and listening to stories to ensure we never forget the past.
Lachlan Wright
Remembrance Day Poem
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my beautiful 5 Gold Class for their hard work, positive attitude, school spirit and kindness throughout the year. I feel truly blessed to have been part of the Waverley College Community for the last 12 years.
5 Gold, 2022, has made my final year very special, happy, and memorable. I am very sad to say goodbye.
Watching the boys experience their first year at Waverley College has been a privilege. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing their friendships flourish and sharing their achievements and disappointments. I know they have set their goals high for their future years. I am excited for each of them and will be sure to follow their journey through Waverley.
Most importantly, I would like to thank the beautiful parents and carers of 5 Gold. Words cannot describe how grateful and overwhelmed I am by the kindness, care, thoughtfulness, and generosity they have constantly shown me throughout the year.
It makes me appreciate how much I love being a teacher. I am truly grateful for my incredibly happy years at Waverley College, where I have come to know so many wonderful families. Thank you with all my heart.
Ms Jenny Hoare
Birthdays in 5 Gold
5 Gold 2022