Mr Patrick Brennan, Deputy Principal - Student & Staff Wellbeing
Cosi Production and Piano Competition a Resounding Success!
Well done to all cast and crew for the Cosi production this week, which was a resounding success. Congratulations also to Ms Alison Jinga and Mr Peter Lamb for all their hard work in producing such a high-quality Drama showcase.
Congratulations to the 23 student pianists who bravely stepped up to the Piano Competition challenge in the PAC Recital Room this week, and thank you to Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Mr Chris Balkizas, Ms Jaz Dolso and the music department, for their organisation of this annual event.
More information about these colourful and expressive performances will appear in next week’s edition of Nurrunga.
Building Resilience Post-Pandemic – Parent Event and Online Resources
Unfortunately, the mental health of young people has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression has risen dramatically amongst young people, and remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. It is not an exaggeration to say that the child and adolescent mental health system is currently in crisis, with general practices inundated, emergency departments flooded with demand, and medical services becoming disconnected, dispersed and diluted.
At the College, we have seen the students slow to find their normal balance and routine. The teaching and learning process has also been disrupted. After speaking with other deputy principals in the area, this is common across all schools.
As a result, many young people are at risk of not achieving the primary demands of developmental tasks such as independence, identity formation, and attaining and maintaining peer relationships. However, by maintaining their wellbeing through regular exercise, adequate sleep and healthy nutrition, young people can be in a better position to tackle them.
As many families settle back into their pre-COVID routines, there seems to be a pervasive sense of optimism about what lies ahead. If there is a panacea to the adversity caused by the pandemic, then it is the building of resilience. In this current environment, young people need support, understanding, empathy and encouragement from caring adults. Teaching them the skills to build resilience, will enable young people to thrive and develop healthy coping strategies.
On Thursday, 13 October, the College will proudly host parents from across the eastern suburbs, to look at strategies to deal with our students’ successful return to school, following several years of COVID-19 disruption.
Topics to be covered include:
- Poor social interactions
- School avoidance/refusal
- How to be an upstander
- Peer support vs help-seeking behaviour
- Increased levels of anxiety
- Dealing with an ‘optional culture’
- Psychologists/ psychiatrists
More information and tickets will be released early in Term 3.
Psychologists work hard at building resilience in our students as they navigate challenges such as COVID-19 or a change to their routine.
There are seven integral and interrelated components that make up being resilient. These are explained in more depth in this Special Report which includes suggested strategies on how parents and carers can best facilitate them.
>>> Click here to view the SchoolTV Special Report on Building Resilience Post Pandemic.
Combined Associated School (CAS) Survey
You recently received an email from us inviting you to complete a survey about your experience with the Committee of Associated Schools (CAS). This is your final opportunity to participate in this survey. The survey closes this weekend.
If you have already completed the survey – thank you! If you have not yet had a chance, we would greatly appreciate you taking time to complete it. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed via the links below.
We have commissioned McCrindle, an independent research organisation, to conduct this research. All responses will remain anonymous and completely confidential. Thank you very much for your input.
Survey Links
>>> Click here to view and complete the Waverley PARENTS Survey link
>>> Click here to view and complete the Waverley STUDENTS Survey link.
COVID-19 Update
| 10/06/2022 | COVID-19 | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Staff | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 8 |
Wishing everyone in the Waverley family a healthy and happy long weekend.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
