Science Week 2022 was an excellent opportunity to experience some fun and exciting science experiments, both in class and at home. Students enjoyed some explosive experiments with ping pong balls, cool experiments with liquid nitrogen and dry ice, and some other weird and wonderful practicals in class time.
The Junior School experienced a fun Science show with Ms Brown, Ms Pace and Mr Listberger. A big thanks goes to the whole Science Department, including all the Science teachers and lab technicians for all the work they put in to this week.
Thank you to all who entered the Scientists of Waverley Competition. There were some interesting and creative videos from all entrants. It was very hard to judge and pick a winner, so well done to everyone who entered!
The winners of this competition are:
Prize winners will be contacted by Ms Pace with their Westfield voucher prize, to buy something to continue their scientific explorations. Well done and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with next year!
Ms Emily Pace
Assistant Head of Science
E: epace@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please join us for a parent evening with experts in student wellbeing from across Sydney, sharing their expertise with us. Booking information will be released soon.
Save the Date: Thursday, 13 October 2022
Eastern Suburbs Leaders of Learning Parent Information Evening
Waverley College, 6pm
When the pandemic interrupted our lives and changed the way we live, this meant that suddenly many of our young people’s main sources of connection with peers and extended family members were removed overnight, without warning, and remained significantly disrupted over the next two years.
Throughout our existence, humans have sought out relationships with others and built communities to belong to. We have a basic emotional and biological need for connection. Belonging is the feeling of security and support that gives us that sense of acceptance and connection to others.
When we don’t feel connected, or have our need for belonging met, this causes a deep-seated distress. Both loneliness and disconnection are negative emotional states that can feel painful and sometimes unbearable. When our basic need for belonging isn’t met, it is impossible for our brain to focus on other things, such as learning. For young people, teenagers in particular, this desire is abundantly strong. Teenagers place a high value on their social ties, acceptance, care and support from others, especially their peers.
Students who have a sense of belonging will experience feelings of security, identity and community, which in turn supports their academic, psychological and social development. When young people come together again after a period of instability, there is a period of adjustment. Whilst the rules of the group may be established, acceptance remains paramount, and can therefore mean some behaviours can become far from rational.
Their ability to tolerate distress and control impulsive actions is reduced, as they haven’t yet got full access to the part of the brain that can help give them perspective and inhibit their impulses. These factors combined, leave them open to being vulnerable, often making choices or becoming involved in situations they might not ordinarily consider
>>> Click here to view the SchoolTV episode: Building Belonging Post Pandemic.
| Total Current Cases | 7 (in Years 5-12) |
| Year 5 | 2 cases |
| Year 6 | 2 cases |
| Year 7 | 0 cases |
| Year 8 | 0 cases |
| Year 9 | 3 cases |
| Year 10 | 0 cases |
| Year 11 | 0 cases |
| Year 12 | 0 cases |
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student and Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to Lachlan Miranda (Year 10) who has been selected to participate in the inaugural Civics and Citizenship Program at NSW Parliament.
Applicants were required to submit a 500-word response to a judging panel on: Australia has a strong and resilient democracy. Discuss. Lachlan’s compelling and scholarly response was selected by the judging panel. He was one of only 30 students chosen from across NSW to attend this inaugural event. An outstanding achievement!
Lachlan Miranda
In October, Lachlan will attend NSW Parliament and join in discussions with students across Australia via a broadcast from the Museum of Australian Democracy. The discussions will focus on Australia’s democratic system of government, and the role of citizens in upholding a strong and resilient democracy. We wish Lachlan an exciting and productive day and thank Mr Nicholas Sposari for his support and guidance of Lachlan.
Congratulations to James Peate (Year 9) and Kayden Baker (Year 9) who have been selected to join the National Student Executive Leadership Group for ERA for Change Australia. James and Kayden will represent Waverley College and join their peers from the following EREA schools:
Kayden Baker
James Peate
Edmund Rice Advocacy (ERA) For Change, is a youth advocacy network that stands for equality, human rights, and justice and solidarity with all people, and with the earth itself. Drawing upon the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the Charter for Edmund Rice Education Australia, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, they work alongside Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders, Edmund Rice International, The Edmund Rice Centre, and Edmund Rice Australia, in advocating for a more just and peaceful world.
Their mission is to stand in solidarity with, and to amplify the voices of, those whose voices are rarely heard, or seldom answered. In particular, they aim to stand arm in arm with other young people around the world, to share their stories with the wider community, and to ask world leaders to ensure their rights and their inherent human dignity are respected and upheld.
We are excited to learn of the advocacy campaigns that James, Kayden and the national leadership team will be working on, and look forward to sharing with you how Waverley will be supporting ERA for Change. Thank you to Ms Rebecca Sutcliffe for her support and guidance with this initiative.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
NESA launched the Stay Healthy HSC campaign on 28 July. Stay Healthy HSC is a cross-sector campaign, now running for its third year, and plays an important role in providing HSC students and their families access to essential health and wellbeing services and information.
This year’s campaign, with support from ReachOut, will roll out in three phases to encourage students to put their health and wellbeing first, connect with one another, and reach out to support services if needed.
The three phases include:
>>> Click here to view the Campaign Resource Hub.
>>> Click here to view the campaign assets.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
>>> Click here to view the weekly Careers Newsletter.
Please see me if you require any further assistance or information.
Ms Kath Knowles
Senior Studies & Careers Coordinator
E: kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 3, Week 8. Topics covered during the tutorials include content revision, study skills, exam preparation and practice papers. These tutorials have proven extremely valuable and, while not compulsory, are strongly encouraged.
| Date | Subject | Time | Room | Teacher |
| Monday, 5 September 2022 | English Standard: Common Module | 7:45am – 8:40am | K23 | Mary Ryan |
| SOR I & II | 3:30pm – 5:30pm | W22A | Martina Cooper/ Cath Stewart | |
| Tuesday, 6 September 2022 | Maths Ext 1 | 3:30pm – 5pm | E32 | Steven Hall |
| Drama | 3:30pm – 5pm | P118 | Alison Jinga | |
| Business Studies | 3:30pm – 5:30pm | W33 | Adam Wallington/ Sean Picone | |
| Wednesday, 7 September 2022 | Design & Technology | 7:15am – 8:15am | T04 | James Spargo |
| English Advanced: Textual Conversations | 7:30am – 8:30am | K21 | Andrea Fernandez | |
| PDHPE | 3:30pm – 5:30pm | GHR | Patrick Darvill | |
| Thursday, 8 September 2022 | Engineering Studies | 7:30am – 8:30am | Library | Silvia Baylie |
| Geography | 3:30pm – 5:30pm | W33 | Adam Wallington |
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 3pm the day prior.
Ms Lauren Ryan has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Next Thursday, 8 September is R U OK? Day. During their Big Brother Little Brother activities this week, our Years 5 and 10 students have looked at what it takes to be a friend, and importantly, how to ask a friend: “Are you OK?”
Next week, during Wellbeing time, all students in the College will be involved in discussions and activities exploring how they can best support their mates or family.
Next Thursday, on R U OK? Day, Conlon House will be holding a Bake Sale! All contributions are very welcome and can be dropped off at the Wellbeing Centre. Consider making:
All of these are small, portable and delicious!
The College SRC will also be organising an Inter-House Handball/Table Tennis competition for our Year 7 students during lunch time.
The message this year is: Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed. Because a conversation could change a life. Learn more at ruok.org.au #ruokday2022
Ms Cathy O’Sullivan
Head of Conlon
E: cosullivan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Year 12 Semester 2 Progress Report will be available towards the end of next week, for you to view and download on the Parent Lounge in TASS. You will receive an email when the reports are ready, which will include the instructions on how to access the information on TASS.
This report will include your child’s Learner Profile grades, Trial Examination mark (or the mark for the most recent task for subjects that do not include an examination), rank and cohort rank number (number of students in the course), based on his assessment task(s) for each subject.
VET subjects do not include a mark or rank, as they are competency-based subjects.
Mr Chris Soden
Assistant Director of Curriculum
E: csoden@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Reveille Mess is a chance for the Old Boys and Old Girls of the Cadet Unit to come together to share memories and to celebrate our connection with each other and our history.
This year’s Mess takes place on Saturday, 17 September at the Stamford Plaza Airport Hotel, and all past members of the Cadet Unit are all invited.
Ticket sales on TryBooking are due this week. Please email me if you have not yet received your invitation.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Yesterday at the Assembly, I had the pleasure of introducing the student-driven Wear it Purple Day Video. The range of statements and perspectives shared by students, staff, alumni and guests was impressive and inspiring.
Wear it Purple Day strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. It reflects the College’s focus on celebrating difference, diversity, equality and the EREA touchstone of inclusive community. We are very lucky in Australia that our human rights are protected by law under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
As a community, we strive to respect the dignity of all people. We believe that no one should ever be discriminated against based on the colour of their skin, their gender, their disability, immigration status, age, religious conviction, race, physical features, their gender identity, or their sexuality. We should all be committed to creating a safe and caring school environment for every student, staff member and visitor to the College.
Congratulations to the entire Junior School community on their amazing fundraising efforts through the Fun Run held at Waverley Park today. As of today, $94,862 has been raised, and will be shared across the following charities:
The final amount raised will be known by Tuesday next week. What an amazing community response and effort! Thank you to all who have supported the boys achieving this amazing result, and thank you to Mr Jack Wachtel and the Parent Volunteers for making this all possible.
All Year 12 HSC plus ATAR students attended a Post-Trials session with Dr Prue Salter this week. This is a practical session where they will build their study timetable for the final exams and go through really valuable strategies.
Further to last term’s Year 10 Career interviews and our recent speed mentoring afternoon with 14 Alumni, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has kicked off National Skills Week, by releasing a list of the top 10 jobs expected to be in high demand over the next five years.
This list is based on the Skills Priority List, data on job vacancies, and projected growth in employment over the next five years. I encourage parents with boys in Years 8, 9 and 10, to continue to have conversations around possible future career interest areas. Students with goals perform better in higher years, when they know where they think they are heading.
Waverley is hosting at ES Marks sports field tomorrow. I wish all athletes the best of luck as they strive for improvement in their respective fields.
You are cordially invited to the HSC Drama Showcase next Tuesday, 30 August 4pm, in the Performing Arts Centre theatre, to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the HSC Drama class.
This talented class will be performing both group and solo performances. Everyone is invited to this free event. Tea and coffee will be available.
Ms Alison Jinga
Head of Drama
E: ajinga@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.
Watch our video
