Ms Lynsey Porter, Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning
Congratulations to our students and teachers who continue to contribute to Waverley College in such a positive way across a range of facets across and beyond our community. From the twenty students who joined the residents of St. John’s College on Monday evening for a tour and formal dinner, to the Vocational students who had an amazing experience, fishing at Rose Bay on Thursday, we are certainly striving towards our Teaching and Learning vision and mission for our students:
“To build an inclusive community of mutual trust and respect that values liberating teaching and learning, celebrates curiosity, critical thinking and nurtures globally-minded citizens.”
You can read more about these experiences – plus others – below.
Also, to support our students with their writing in the HSC, we are launching our Period 6 writing workshops next week during the Home Study periods. You can view a link to the program in the Year 12 action items. The expectation is that students attend at least two workshops in Term 2 and two in Term 3. This allows some flexibility around occasions when students have a Period 6 assessment task or meeting. We know that most students will aim to attend more than two. Also, in the Year 11 and 12 action items, please note some important information about the HSC Resource Section in the Senior Library.
St. John’s College Dinner Hosts 20 Waverley Students
On Monday evening, 20 of our Year 12 students accepted an invitation to tour St. John’s College Residencies at the University of Sydney and join the community for a formal dinner. We were extremely lucky to be hosted by former Waverley College students who are both residents and affiliates of the college.
For further information on what St John’s College can offer in terms of residential and affiliate opportunities, please use the link below. This link also provides information on scholarship applications.
https://www.stjohnscollege.edu.au/
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The M in STEM: Where Maths Can Take You at the University of Sydney
Find out how your high school maths topics directly relate to career paths in Science.
Everybody knows that science, technology and engineering will continue to shape the world we live in. They will be needed to solve the problems current and future generations will face. But how does mathematics fit in? Why do you have to learn calculus? What does probability have to do with anything? And is there really a reason for understanding statistics now that computers do everything for us?
If you are in Years 9-12, looking after someone in Years 9-12 or teaching a class of Years 9-12 students, come along to discover how the maths learnt in the classroom is used in everything from physics to medicine.
This two-hour event will begin with you hearing from current pioneers in STEM as they detail how mathematics has shaped their careers. After which, there will be a networking Q&A so you can receive tailored advice and build connections with your future peers and potential colleagues.
Not sure which level of maths is needed for your chosen degree? Or do you have a major you want to take, but no idea what sort of career it could lead to? This is your chance to have all your questions answered!
Optional Campus Tours
There will also be the opportunity to attend one of three optional campus tours immediately before the event. If you would like a guided tour of the facilities you could be using if you study science at the University of Sydney, please reserve a ticket for your preferred tour time when you reserve your ticket to the main event. Tours will leave from the courtyard in front of the Sydney Nanoscience Hub building.
Event details
- Date: Wednesday, 29 May 2024 (Week 5 Term 2).
- Time: 5pm – 7pm (Campus tours will run from 4pm – 4:45pm. Doors to the main event will open at 4:45pm.)
- Location: Sydney Nanoscience Hub, Physics Road, The University of Sydney, Camperdown.
- Tea and coffee will be provided. Please provide any dietary requirements when reserving your ticket.
- Register HERE.
Parents/guardians/carers and siblings are invited. Please book a ticket for each person that will be attending as seats are limited.
Inaugural LEGO League and Inaugural Robotics Competitions
UNSW EMU Robotics, is a student-led robotics competition team, participating in the first First LEGO League and First Robotics Competitions!
The upcoming ‘Open Nights’ are held at the UNSW Electrical Engineering building. The Junior team learn about robotics through their hands-on experience with LEGO EV3 and SPIKE robots. Senior teams design, build and code a robot from scratch using materials like aluminium and timber. This robot competes in an annual competition where it plays on an alliance with two other robots.
They are also trying to establish a regional First LEGO League competition within the Eastern Suburbs so that a local option is available to teams in the area.
If your child is interested, please see the flyers in the links below for more information and registration.
Robotics Team Open Nights
Image: courtesy UNSW
Ms Gemma Brown
Head of Science
gbrown@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Engineering a Sustainable Future
In our rapidly evolving world, the fields of engineering and ecology are becoming increasingly intertwined as we strive to create sustainable solutions for our planet. The marriage of these disciplines holds tremendous promise for addressing pressing environmental challenges while driving innovation and progress.
At its core, engineering is about problem-solving and innovation, leveraging scientific principles to design and create solutions to real-world challenges. Meanwhile, ecology focuses on understanding the relationships between organisms and their environment, with a keen eye towards maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems.
One of the most pressing issues facing humanity today is climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Addressing this global challenge requires a multidisciplinary approach that draws upon the expertise of engineers and ecologists alike.
Engineers are developing technologies to harness renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, providing clean alternatives to fossil fuels. These innovations not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also help to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems.
Students in Stage 6 Engineering Studies and Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) were provided with the opportunity last week to explore what this means in reality. Everyone was very excited by the current research into hydrogen fuel cells and what this could mean for our future.
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator / Ecology Coordinator
sbaylie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Passionate Anglers Put Classroom Knowledge to the Test
As the sun gently kissed the horizon, a group of eager Year 12 Marine Studies students gathered at Rose Bay, poised to put their classroom knowledge to the test. Armed with rods, reels and a passion for marine life, these budding anglers embarked on an expedition that seamlessly merged theory with practice.
Knot tying, a fundamental skill in a fisherman’s toolkit, took centre stage as students meticulously crafted the perfect connections between line, hook and lure. Each knot tied was not just a technical exercise but a symbol of the precision and attention to detail. This is a testament to the students’ dedication to mastering their craft.
Rig selection became a strategic endeavour as students deliberated over the optimal setup for the day’s target species. With a diverse array of rigs at their disposal, the students weighed the pros and cons, considering factors such as water depth, current conditions and the behaviour of their elusive aquatic counterparts.
Bait choice, a critical component of successful fishing, prompted lively debates among the students. From live bait to artificial lures, each option carried its allure and challenges, requiring students to think like the fish they sought to catch.
Under the guidance of experienced mentors, the students cast their lines into the tranquil waters of Rose Bay, their anticipation palpable as they awaited the tell-tale tug of a bite. With each cast and retrieve, they honed their skills, learning to read the subtle movements of the ocean and adapt their techniques accordingly.
As the day unfolded, laughter mingled with the sounds of waves, creating a symphony of camaraderie and shared passion for the marine environment. Regardless of the day’s catch, the real treasures were the lessons learned, the invaluable experiences that transcended the confines of the classroom and ignited a lifelong love affair with the sea.
In the tranquil embrace of Rose Bay, these Year 12 Marine Studies students didn’t just fish, they forged memories, friendship and a deeper connection with the world beneath the waves.
Mr Richard Chen and Ms Caroline Quirke
Marine Studies Teachers
cquirke@waverley.nsw.edu.au
rchen@waverley.nsw.edu.au
