Deputy Principal - Students, Ms Gabrielle Smith
Congratulations
UN Youth National Conference 2023 – congratulations to Jack Preller for being selected to attend the UN Youth Australia National Conference 2023. The conference will be held in Perth in mid July. This conference is a unique opportunity for students to engage with other passionate young leaders from across the country, share ideas and perspectives, and gain insights into global issues.
Kairos Retreat a “Life Changing” Experience
On Wednesday, we welcomed back our Year 12 students from their Kairos Retreat. This retreat is a three-night, live-in immersive experience offered to students in Years 11 and 12. The retreat offers time for students to explore their relationships with self, others and God, and is part of Waverley College’s commitment to Gospel Spirituality and the holistic development of our students.
The students engaged very well throughout this student-led retreat where there were opportunities for personal reflection, group work and recreation. From the students I spoke to, their feedback indicated that it was a wonderful experience, with some reflecting that it was “life changing.”
I would like to thank Ms Sue Walsh (Director of Mission & Identity), Father Bernie, current staff and Old Boys who ran this camp. Without their support, this wonderful experience for the students would not have been possible.
Year 10 Career Profile Interviews – We Thank Dr Marian Kratzing
Waverley College partners with a specialist company ‘Career Avenues’ who help students embrace their uniqueness, and explore options with meaningful insights into their next phase of career development.
The Program began in late February, with a four-hour online career testing session run by Dr Marian Kratzing, a Careers Psychologist. Dr Kratzing has developed a unique career profiling system which she and her colleagues provide to many schools in Sydney.
In the profiling session, students completed several questionnaires and tests designed to assess a variety of factors that are important in helping students select a University (ATAR) or Vocational (NON-ATAR) career pathway at school and beyond.
These included:
- An aptitude assessment which helps students establish where their strengths lie, covering six areas: Non-verbal, verbal, numerical, clerical, mechanical and spatial reasoning.
- An Occupational Interest Assessment – using an Australian interest inventory to identify preferred vocational roles.
- A Personal Style Assessment – the personal style gives information about the kind of work focus and work environment which most likely suits the student.
Following the assessment session, the results were scored and analysed. Dr Kratzing compiled individual reports for each student. The report details each student’s results and concludes with a list of career examples for each student to explore. The reports are discussed in an individual Zoom interview for each student, with a member of Dr Kratzing’s team who are Careers Specialists.
The student interviews are being conducted via Zoom in the College Library until 25 May 2023. Parents/carers are welcome to connect from home or the workplace should they wish to observe the interviews.
Years 5-12 House Athletics Carnival, ES Marks Athletics Field
The College Athletics Carnival was a tremendous success due to meticulous planning, enthusiastic student participation, and strong community support. The event was carefully organised, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants. It was wonderful to see the enthusiastic participation of our students.
The carnival fostered a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition, inspiring students to showcase their talents and push themselves to their limits. The inclusive nature of the event ensured that every student had the opportunity to participate, regardless of their athletic abilities, instilling a sense of belonging and promoting a positive and supportive environment.
I would also like to acknowledge our staff. Their commitment to the students’ wellbeing, alongside their energy and enthusiasm was instrumental in making the carnival an unforgettable experience. Their tireless efforts ensured the smooth running of the event, fostering a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone involved.
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.
