From the Head of College, Graham Leddie
Men’s Health Week
The College has held a range of activities and forums throughout this week to highlight the importance of good health practices, checks and routines specifically aimed at young men, so that they become old men. Understanding and being aware of the key health concerns affecting men of all ages, is a critical step in improving men’s health in general. Encouraging students to reflect on their health and identify ways to improve it is also helping them form habits for the longer term.
A healthy lifestyle and mental wellbeing are incredibly important and at Waverley College Men’s Health Week is another opportunity for us to remind our students that they can’t expect great academic and athletic output if they don’t invest in healthy habits. We want to help our students become more aware of and understand the issues impacting them to help change current health statistics about Australian men for the better.
Some areas covered included; prostate cancer, testicular cancer, good eating practices, mind and body and importance of regular exercise. One of the highlights was around 50 dads and sons turning up to Bondi Beach just after sunrise to participate in a pilates session run by some of our 1st XV players. Thank you to our Heads of House, Mr Patrick Darvill (Head of PDHPE) and Mr Matthew Porter and Mr Stephen O’Donnell for organising the many opportunities.
Prayers for Chris Blenkinsopp
Fr Martin Milani celebrated Mass on Thursday this week for staff and students to offer prayers for a teacher and colleague who has been in the intensive care unit at hospital for the past week. Please keep Chris and his family in your prayers and thoughts at this difficult time.
Staff Farewells (end of Semester 1)
Fr Martin Milani
After 23 years service to the College, we farewell Fr Martin Milani. Martin has served 3 Popes, 3 Archbishops, 3 Bishops and 5 Heads of College over this time at Waverley. He taught Study of Religion for many years and has been involved in our co-curricular program – cricket, tennis and debating.
Martin has been responsible for the Chaplaincy duties over this time and been involved in many celebrations, commiserations and support for members of the Waverley College family.
When I asked him what were some of his fondest memories from his time at the College, his response was ‘seeing God’s plans of life play out in front of him – teaching a boy, then being asked to be the priest at his wedding and then seeing the boy’s son start at the College – watching life and its rebirth has been a privilege’.
Martin will take leave at the end of this semester and then retire. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his service to the College.
Scott Bailey (12 years)
After 12 years service to the College, we farewell Mr Scott Bailey. Scott has taught in the Mathematics faculty teaching across stages 4-6. He has supported the College’s extensive co-curricular program with his coaching across waterpolo, swimming, rugby, cricket and debating. This year Scott has been Wellbeing mentor to Lacey Group 6. Scott will leave us at the end of this semester to take up a role at The Cranbrook School in their mathematics department. We wish Scott all the best with this move and thank him for his service to the College.
Athletics Carnival
The College ran a successful Athletics Carnival at E S Marks Athletics this week. Thank you to all of the staff that assisted in making the day an enjoyable one for the boys. Our Year 12 students showed great leadership skills and most boys participated across a range of events and activities. The table below reveals the house points for the day. Congratulations to Brennan House on taking out the day.
House Points
| House | Points | Position |
| Brennan | 511 | 1 |
| Conlon | 507 | 2 |
| Tevlin | 488 | 3 |
| Lacey | 471 | 4 |
| Aungier | 411 | 5 |
| Green | 410 | 6 |
| Quinn | 395 | 7 |
| O’Connor | 390 | 8 |
Music Festival
I wish all of our Music performers all the best for their last practice sessions before the Annual Music Festival which is being held next Thursday in the Performing Arts Centre starting at 7:00pm. Congratulations to our Head of Music, Mr Chris Balkizas and the Music Department and to the 200+ boys who are all busily practising to ensure the evening will be a success.
One of our senior bands has been renamed the Cliff Goodchild Concert Band in honour of Mr Cliff Goodchild OAM who gave over 45 years of service to Music at Waverley College. His son Paul who plays with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be attending on the evening and be performing on stage with the students. Tickets are available online via the College website.
Congratulations Kyle and Charlie
Kyle McBride (Year 8) has qualified for the Australian Drone Nationals to be held in Queensland over the holidays. Kyle is competing in the ‘racing’ event section and has secured a sponsorship from Holybro (an electrical engineering and design company in China).
Charlie Negus (Year 12) has been selected in the Australian U20 team to compete at the FINA Junior World Championships to be held in Belgrade, Serbia in August.
