Ms Lynsey Porter, Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning
As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on the incredible progress and accomplishments of our students over the past ten weeks. From engaging in challenging assessments to wrapping up important milestones, there’s much to celebrate.
Our students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication, completing a variety of rigorous and authentic tasks this term. A special highlight is the Deep Learning initiative in Year 9 Science and PDHPE, which you’ll find more details about below. This exciting project has pushed students to think as global citizens, critically and creatively, preparing them for the future.
For Year 11 students, the completion of their final exams is a significant achievement, and they are now eagerly preparing to begin their Term 4 courses. It’s an exciting time as they look forward to new challenges and learning experiences ahead.
Year 12 students are also staying focused as they take advantage of HSC holiday tutorials, which began this week. In addition, they will have access to the Library and Study Lounge, providing them with the resources and environment they need to prepare for their upcoming exams.
Looking ahead to Term 4, we are excited to announce the launch of our Student and Parent Book Club. This initiative, which was first introduced a few weeks ago, will offer a fantastic opportunity for parents and students to engage in meaningful discussions and share the joy of reading. Stay tuned for more details below!
Wishing everyone a restful and well-deserved break, and we look forward to continuing this journey of learning and growth in the coming term!
Registrations Open: 2026 ACER Academic and Senior Academic Scholarship
An Academic scholarship is awarded to a limited number of students who demonstrate academic excellence in the ACER examination.
Is My Son Eligible?
The Academic and Senior Academic Scholarship is available to students entering Year 7 or Year 10, 2026. The scholarship is open to both existing and new enrolments.
How are Applicants Assessed?
An Academic Scholarship is awarded based on the outcome of the ACER scholarship examination and following an assessment by the Academic Scholarship Panel.
How to Register:
Applications Close: midnight AEDST Sunday 2 February 2025
Test date: Saturday, 22 February 2025
Examination venue: Waverley College Senior Campus
Cost: $160 is payable to ACER
<<<Click here to register>>>
Want to find out more?:
Please visit the College website, or email the Registrar, Ms Kylie Anderson at registrar@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Student and Parent Book Club update
We are incredibly excited to launch the inaugural Waverley College Book Club at Waverley College Library, open to students, parents, carers, and staff alike! We will also be joined by guest speaker, Paul MacDonald. Owner of the award-winning – The Children’s Bookshop and winner of numerous awards such as a Quality Teacher Award, The Premiers English Scholarship, the inaugural Maurice Saxby Award and the 2016 Lady Cutler award for services to children’s literature and literacy in Australia, Paul is a passionate proponent of the value of quality Australian books. Paul is the current CBCA president.
Our first novel is the captivating Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This heartwarming story, set in a small Tokyo café, explores themes of time travel, love, and second chances. It’s the perfect conversation starter for our first gathering!
The Book Club is not just about reading—it’s about building community through great stories, delicious food, and meaningful conversation.
Reading together helps strengthen our critical thinking, encourages empathy, and offers a wonderful escape from the everyday hustle. According to the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), family time reading at home can encourage boys to develop as readers and develop a love for books. Perhaps there is no better way to celebrate this shared reading experience than to discuss the book together with other families and friends in a beautiful literary space at the College.
Whether you’re an avid reader or just looking to try something new, we welcome you to join us for this enriching experience. Food will be provided!
Date: 20 November
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Waverley College Library
In anticipation of our Term 4 Reading initiative across both Junior and Senior schools, we are also excited to announce our Poster/ Bookmark Competition for all students from Years 5-12. Please see the attached poster for details. Thank you to Ms Jenna Turnbull for her assistance with both posters.
Ms Mary Ryan, Literacy Coordinator
Deep Learning Highlights
This term the Year 9 PDHPE and Science departments have collaborated to develop a Teaching and Learning unit that supports students to develop the Global Competency of Citizenship as a part of our Deep Learning work.
The goal of the unit is to develop the competency of citizenship as students learn to break down barriers and discuss the issues facing young adults in understanding consent and sexual health practices to encourage respectful relationships and health awareness.
You can hear from our students in their testimonies about the unit of work below:
“I believe that it made things much easier, fusing two subjects into one made it a lot easier to cope with the stress that normally comes with having many assessments at once… having both subjects fused into one assignment gave me and probably others two different perspectives on the topic, ultimately helping me make my video a more detailed and informative piece.
I look forward to the development of more of these sorts of tasks.” – Oliver
“I understood what the Deep Learning Dimension was about, and it helped keep me accountable for what I needed to do, helping me stay on top of the work.” – Jordan
“It was good to have one less assessment to do this term. It was an awkward topic but it was good to see it from both a scientific and health perspective.” – Blake
Engineering Internship at Sydney University (25 – 30 November 2024)
We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for one Year 10 student who is passionate about engineering and eager to explore its academic and practical dimensions. Sydney University is offering a one-week (during Term 4 Service Week) internship in their Chemical or Electrical Engineering faculties, and we are seeking motivated students to participate in this enriching experience.
Click here for further details on criteria and application process.
A Green Team-Up Collaboration: Students Leading the Way to Sustainability
We are excited to announce a collaborative sustainability workshop hosted by a team of dedicated students from St Catherine’s and our own Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG). These talented young leaders will be sharing their knowledge and passion for environmental issues with our junior school students through a hands-on workshop next term.
In preparation for these workshops with junior students, we are asking families to participate in this initiative by collecting suitable waste items that will be used in the hands-on workshops.
Some suitable waste items (please wash and rinse these items prior to donating):
- Soy sauce plastic fish (from sushi purchases)
- Lids of plastic bottles
- Plastic bottles
- Wrappers and containers
- Disposable cutlery, plates
- Core of toilet paper rolls
Please drop off your bags of items to the Junior School reception. We thank you for your participation in advance.
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator
Ecology Coordinator
