Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
From Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week, the NSW Government has requested NSW Health and the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant to review the current advice to schools, with the aim of minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission in school communities in Term 3. We will share this information with you once it becomes available and notify you of any ramifications for College events.
The NSW Premier Ms Gladys Berejiklian recently stated that NSW was on a “knife’s edge” and “about halfway through a critical period”. The NSW COVID-19 numbers this week are low again, but we need to remain vigilant with our hygiene practices and be careful about our community visits to avoid another lockdown situation.
Year 10 vaccinations are scheduled to take place later this term, on Thursday 17 September. The vaccination for Year 10 students in 2020 is for Meningococcal ACWY. Having lost two students to Meningococcal in the space of six weeks at a previous school, I would strongly encourage you to have your son vaccinated. It’s a disease that can progress rapidly, causing serious disability or death within 24 hours (caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or membranes that line the spinal cord and brain).
If you haven’t returned this permission card, you will receive an email from the Health Centre reminding you to send it in or to request a replacement card.
Student Code of Conduct
The EREA Child Safeguarding Standards Framework continues to enhance the way that our school creates and maintains a child-safe environment. We have recently updated our Student Code of Conduct in line with the Framework. I encourage you to support your son in adhering to this important document. If students would like further clarification on the contents of the code, they should contact their Head of House in the first instance.
You can access the Student Code of Conduct here. It’s also available on the College website, under ‘Policies’.
Year 12 Students
I’ve been very impressed with how our Year 12s have carried themselves throughout this very challenging year. They haven’t missed a beat and should be congratulated for all of the extra tutorials and the work they’ve put into their studies. All the very best to the cohort for their upcoming Trial HSC Examinations, which begin next week (Monday 17-Monday 31 August). Good luck also to our HSC plus Vocational students, who are heading out on work experience.
Congratulations to Liam Andrews, Will Baker, Charlie Barber, Jonathan Chen, Mitchell Eyles, Gabriel Kidston, Shawn Mendes, Dylan Purbrick, Samuel Tsaousis and Eliot Vincent Hull. I watched their online recital from Monday this week and was amazed by the talents on display – well done to the boys, who should all be very proud of their efforts.
In addition, well done to our HSC Drama performers. I heard that the performances were also of a high standard, so congratulations to Caspar Cairns, Archie Carr, Matt Douglas, Riley Klotz, Jack Lynch, Reid McNamara, Oscar Rowson, Alfie Sewell, Jake Smith, Will Spittal, Daniel Townsend and Ryan von der Heyden. Finally, congratulations to the students who have already secured early offer university places with ANU, Macquarie and Western universities.
Year 7–10 Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews
Year 7-10 parent/teacher/student interviews are scheduled for Monday 17 August, from 8:30am-6:30pm via video conferencing. This is obviously a great opportunity to strengthen the partnership between teachers, parents and students – and to gain some accommodations and recommendations that will assist with future areas to target. Year 11 students will be preparing for yearly examinations and will have the option of a study day at home or in the College library.
2020 Homelessness Week: ‘Everybody Needs a Home’ (#HW2020)
Every night, more than 116,000 people in Australia experience homelessness. Although the most visible experience of homelessness involves sleeping rough on the streets, this type of homelessness only represents 7% of the homeless population. Thousands of men, women, young people and children forced to ‘couch surf’, seek shelter in a car or rely on temporary accommodation are experiencing different forms of homelessness. Last week our students participated in small group activities to increase their knowledge of, and compassion towards, homelessness. We also had a lunchtime activity where students knitted blankets for the Matthew Talbot Hostel.
To read more about what we are doing on campus for this great initiative please read the Homelessness Awareness Week 2020 article below.
Waverley College supports the following organisations in Sydney:
- Matthew Talbot Hostel (Part of St Vincent de Paul Society)
- Wayside Chapel (Kings Cross and Bondi)
Chasing the Channel for Premature Babies
Waverley Old Boy Quinn Darragh (Class of 1995) and Year 7 parent Luke Stewart are aiming to swim the English Channel next month. They’re aiming to raise $74k for premature babies.
Why $74k, you may ask? Because that is what a neonatal ventilator costs. This money will go to the Royal Hospital for Women and assist in saving the lives of over 600 critically ill babies.
The gents have raised $44k to date and, unfortunately, all of their fundraising events have had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, so any assistance would be appreciated and go to a great cause. Head to www.quinnswim.com or www.lukeswim.com.au for more information about Quinn and Luke’s journey.
Vale Phil O’Sullivan, Class of 1938
The College community is saddened to hear that our oldest-known Old Boy, Phil, passed away on Monday. From the earliest days, Phil’s family have deeply impacted the shaping of Waverley College, notably securing the lease to use Queens Park in the 30s, fixing up the old school buses and serving on the OBU. While Phil left the College some 82 years ago, he never lost his affection for the school and attended many events each year. He was recently quoted as saying “While I can walk or even stagger, I am going to attend Waverley functions”.
A lovely man and loyal Waverlian, Phil ‘Mr Cricket’ O’Sullivan will be greatly missed. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
Recollections by Phil O’Sullivan
Business Support for the Waverley Community
During this challenging time, we’re aware that a lot of businesses are suffering. Please use this directory to support valuable family businesses in the Waverley College community.
The directory is free to advertise in and open for all parents and Old Boys. To register your business, please email Robin Ball at rball@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
Semester 1 Academic Awards (Years 7-12)
Congratulations to our Semester 1 Academic Award winners in Years 7-12. Their dedication and persistence has paid off and we congratulate them on their fine achievements. These boys were recognised at our recent online academic assembly.
Please read the Academic Awards article below to view the list of award winners.
