From the (Acting) Principal, Ms Gabby Smith

Mother’s Day 

Happy Mother’s Day to mothers, step-mums, aunties, grandmothers and special women who are like mothers in the lives of Waverley College students. We thank you for the significant contribution you make to your family and to our community. 

It was wonderful welcoming all the special women of the Waverley community to the College today. The Senior School was buzzing this morning where we celebrated as a Years 7 – 12 community, just as it was in the Junior School, where we gathered for Mass and afternoon tea. 

Celebrating Mother’s Day at school is a wonderful way to recognise and appreciate the role that mothers play in our lives. It was lovely to see the boys express their gratitude for the love and support they receive from their mothers, and acknowledge the hard work and dedication that mothers put in on a daily basis.

We value the support of all mothers and the role they play in ensuring our school flourishes, and that sense of community and connectedness was very present today. 

113th Annual May Procession and Celebration of the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice in 2023

Waverley College recently made the decision to change the date of the Annual May Procession from the first Sunday of May to the final Friday of May, after 113 years. The change was justified based on several factors.

Firstly, it aligns better with the academic calendar, avoiding conflicts with exams or assessments. This ensures that students and staff can fully participate, without compromising their academic responsibilities. Secondly, the new date allows for increased participation from the community. Family commitments and clashes with other events on the first Sunday of May sometimes led to reduced attendance, so moving the procession to a Friday provides a greater opportunity for families to join and celebrate the tradition.

By moving the May Procession from Sunday to Friday we are also avoiding overworking our staff and students. In the past, we have asked staff and students to work and attend College commitments for 13 consecutive days, followed by one day off, and then another six consecutive days, as all our staff and students are involved in co-curricular commitments on a Saturday. Moving the May Procession to Friday will create a better rhythm in the Term 2 schedule.

We have also seen in recent years an increase in the number of parent/carer and staff requests for permission to be absent for May Procession on a Sunday, due to family commitments. The trend of both parents/carers working has been in play for a number of years, and parents/carers are demanding that their family-time be protected wherever possible. A number of community sports have also moved their competition to Sunday, to accommodate students from schools like Waverley that play school sports on Saturdays. 

The shift in date also allows for better planning and preparation, as it provides more time for organising the event, and involving a wider range of participants. Additionally, the final Friday of May holds special significance in the liturgical calendar, often falling closer to the Feast of the Visitation, which deepens the spiritual meaning of the Procession.

Lastly, the change reflects the evolving needs of the community, as Waverley College has grown and embraced new traditions. By adapting the date, the College ensures that the Annual May Procession remains relevant, accessible, and inclusive for all members of the community. Overall, the decision aims to improve participation, align with the academic and family calendar, enhance planning, increase spiritual significance, and accommodate the changing needs of the community.

May Procession Details: Friday, 26 May 2023 – half day

Federal Government ‘Engaged Classrooms’ Initiative

You may have read in the news recently about the new, $3.5 million federal government ‘Engaged Classrooms’ initiative, which calls for new school rules as an approach to controlling chaotic classrooms. This project aims to train teachers to manage classrooms through bans on smartphones, and a lesson approach which favours ‘eyes on me’ via an explicit focus on setting routines.

The Australian Education Research Organisation will set rules and routines, and train teachers using online resources and video demonstrations. Dr Tim McDonald, former teacher and academic, and now Chief Executive of the YMCA in Western Australia, is leading the project.

 At Waverley, we have long believed in reinforcing the importance of routines every day via our Lesson Routine, which is the Waverley way for deeper learning:

•   Strong start
•   Strong focus
•   Strong finish

Your son reviews this Lesson Routine at the start of every lesson. You can help us by reminding him how vital this is.

Click here to view our Lesson Routine

After the Bell – Thursday, 15 June 6pm – Tickets Now Available

After the Bell is an evening for parents/carers of students in Years 7-11 to support the safety of our youth ‘after the bell.’ The event will take place at Cranbrook School.

Tickets for After the Bell are now available for $10.00 per person with proceeds going to national youth mental health foundation, Headspace.

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets

Generations Breakfast 

Yesterday we hosted the inaugural Generations Breakfast in the Senior School Library, which was a success! It’s wonderful to hear that students and their older Old Boy relatives had the opportunity to enjoy a light breakfast together and view some archival photos and Year Books.

This provided a great opportunity for the older Old Boy relatives to reconnect with the College community, and for the students to learn more about the College’s history and traditions. It’s also great to hear that some attendees took a trip down memory lane doing a tour around campus, following the event.

Overall, it was a great initiative that brought together different generations and fostered a sense of community within the College. The oldest guest left in 1953 and the youngest in 2002. It was a lovely morning.