Key Dates
Wednesday, 2 December | Year 5 – 12 Presentation Day
Wednesday, 2 December | Classes Conclude Term 4
Term 4 always brings with it a buzz of rites of passage that conclude and start respective year level journeys at the College. Our Year 12 2020 cohort, celebrated three events last week that brought their student time at the College to an end.
Last Thursday evening the Year 12 Formal was held at Australian Turf Club, Randwick. Although COVID restrictions meant the boys and girls were unable to dance, they enjoyed a three-course meal together, played some games and enjoyed each other’s company. Thank you to Ms Suzi Sucur, Mr Sue Walsh and Mr Partrick Brennan for organising this event.
Last Friday afternoon, the Year 12 Graduation was celebrated at the Sydney Cricket Ground, enabling students, parents, grandparents and siblings to attend this significant event. Thank you to Father Bernie Thomas for his words and blessings to the boys and thank you to Ms Suzi Sucur, Ms Sue Walsh and Mr Patrick Brennan for organising this fitting and memorable celebration. Please view my graduation address below.
Last Sunday, our 2020 Year 12 boys and their mothers sat down together for the annual Mother and Son lunch, which was postponed from earlier in the year. Thank you to the guest speakers at the lunch; Ms Ana Elder, Mr Luke Stewart and Old Boys Mr Quinn Darragh, Mr Ben Quigley, Mr Nick Bardetta, and Mr Cameron McAusland. Thank you to Ms Deb Johnson, who worked tirelessly to ensure the event was able to occur and presented in such a fine fashion.
Orientation day
As we farewell one year group of boys at the end of their journey, we welcome another who are about to embark on the start of their journey with us. This Friday, we will be running an orientation day for our new Year 5 and Year 7 students who will be joining us in 2021. Our Prefects and Heads of House have organised a program for the day that will assist the boys with their first steps at Waverley.
Remembrance Day
On Wednesday 11 November, the College Community paused to remember all those who have died in war. All Year 8 students gathered in the Gymnasium, while the rest of the College joined via livestream for the Ceremony of Commemoration of the Fallen. Members of the College Cadet Unit provided the Flag Party as well as an armed Guard around the College Cenotaph which is inscribed with the names of all of our ‘Old Boys’ that paid the supreme sacrifice in the two World Wars.
Remembrance Day 2020
NAIDOC Week
The NAIDOC theme ‘Always was, always will be’ was celebrated throughout last week during Wellbeing Time. Ms Fran Grant (Mother of Lachlan Year 9 and Charlie Year 7) outlined the significance of NAIDOC week for everyone and unpacked the 2020 theme
and the symbolism around this year’s celebration. All week smoke was used in the Centenary Quad to symbolically remember the significant contributions and learnings of our First Nations People to the country, people and culture. Uncle John Allen performed a smoking ceremony and explained the significance of this to First Nations people. John is a Waverly Old Boy and grandfather of Hamish Witten (Year 7) and Oliver Brownie (Yr 11). John also took part in the “Living Library” NAIDOC week edition. Fran teamed up with Elemarnie Close-Brown (sister of Isaiah) as part of the “Living Library” NAIDOC week edition. Congratulations to Mr Richard Bryant for organising the many celebrations and acknowledgements last week.
NAIDOC Week 2020
Br Paul Oakley
Br Paul Oakley, previous Headmaster of Waverley College (1985-1992) and an early architect of Edmund Rice Education Australia, retires from EREA’s Council on 31 December 2020. The Chair of the EREA Council Mr Graham Goerke, acknowledges Pau’s significant contribution to Catholic Education, the Christian Brothers and Edmund Rice Education in the following letter. On behalf of the Waverley College community, we extend our thanks and appreciation to Paul.
OnSTAGE Shortlisted
Anyone who saw the last two College Musicals with St Clare’s College of High School Musical and Guys and Dolls would remember the fantastic performance skills of Year 12 student Jack Lynch. His energy and character portrayal were memorable. Jack’s continued hard work has paid off with his HSC work being shortlisted for inclusion in the OnStage exhibition, which includes the best performances from across the state. The final selection will be held in February – congratulations, Jack.
Old Waverley Uniforms
Owing to incredible community collaboration, a home has been found for all secondhand Waverley uniforms – the Navosa Central College in Fiji – and we need your help to get them there!
About Navosa Central College
The school is situated in a remote location deep in the Fijian interior and only recently had electricity connected. Some students board there because of the distance they need to travel to attend school. Most of the families are subsistence farmers. Students do sports and athletics in bare feet. Even those that compete in national competitions run in bare feet.
How You Can Help
Donate – Junior and Senior uniforms, medium-large packing boxes
Instead of binning your Waverley-branded items or leaving them with charity shops, please:
- Leave items/bags outside the second-hand clothing pool (Main Building, Level 3), or outside the main building if closed.
- Separate good quality items for rehoming from well-worn items for recycling (e.g. ripped, stained or well-worn).
- Any donations of sporting clothes or resources (rugby balls, netballs, running shoes, socks etc.) would also be tremendously appreciated.
- Packing boxes can be dropped outside the secondhand clothing pool.
The shipping container is leaving for Fiji during the holiday break, so we are kindly requesting members of our College community to return their old uniforms to the second-hand clothing pool by Wednesday, 9 December.
Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to help pack the uniforms. If you are available at any of the dates and times below, to sign up to volunteer please click here.
Volunteers meeting point: Fitzgerald Room, Level 4
Thursday 3 December, 10am – 12pm and 12pm-2pm
Tuesday 8 December, 10am – 12pm and 12pm-2pm
Monday 14 December, 10am – 12pm and 12pm-2pm
This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work from the following people:
Lara Barclay – Year 6 parent, Adaptation Environmental Support; Roy Pereira – Year 6 parent, logistics coordinator; Jade Stapleton, Parents’ Association President (2021); Mary Ramsay, Parents’ Association President (2018-2020); and Kirsten Hott and Camille Owen, Secondhand Clothing Pool Representatives.
A friendly reminder that from day 1 of Term 1, 2021, all students will need to be in the new academic and PE uniform. The on-field co-curricular uniform is only compulsory for new Year 5 and 7 families. More information on co-curricular uniforms will be provided in the final Nurrunga of the term.
Parents’ Association AGM
On behalf of the College, I would like to thank all parents that have been involved in the work carried out by the Parents’ Association throughout 2020. Particular thanks to the tireless work of the year level representatives, past parents representatives, clothing pool representatives and the executive for all of their organisation, support and efforts in organising events and communicating across our community. Special thanks to the 2020 Executive: Ms Mary Ramsay (President), Ms Lisa Sullivan-Smith (Vice President), Ms Lamya Sadi (Vice President) Ms Stephanie Van Dam (Secretary) and Ms Deb Johnston (Treasurer). Despite all the challenges of 2020, the Parents’ Association has still been able to contribute significantly to the overall success of the College. Please click here to view the president’s report for 2020.
I would like to thank Ms Mary Ramsay, President of the Parent Association. Mary has stepped down as president this year after three years of distinguished service to the College. Mary has led with passion, energy and care, always ensuring communications lines have been open and responsive. Under Mary’s leadership and support, significant areas of the College have been better resourced and improved for the betterment of all students. Mary will continue with her role as a College Foundation Board member.
From the recent AGM, I would like to congratulate the following parents on their elections to the Parent Association Executive for 2021, and I look forward to working with them in the new year.
- President – Jade Stapleton
- Vice President – Lisa Sullivan Smith
- Vice President – Lamya Sadi
- Secretary – Stephanie Van Dam
- Treasurer – Deb Johnson
Waverley’s Christmas Appeal for Matthew Talbot Hostel
Matthew Talbot Hostel: helps over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, counselling, health and employment assistance. All boys from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other essential items to be able to provide a Christmas gift hamper for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel assists. All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Item Requested (all items must be new):
- Toiletries, including small toothbrush and toothpaste packs, shaving foam and razors, deodorant, small shampoo.
- Keyring torches and caps
- Men’s underwear, handkerchiefs and socks
- Packets of playing cards and puzzle books
- Inexpensive wallets
- Pens and small writing packs.
