Diary Dates
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
- 14 March – Summer Sport – Round 5
- 20 March – Harmony Day
- 21 March – Summer Sport – Round 6
- 23 March – Winter Sports Trials
- 25 March – Quinn House Mass
- 26 March – Summer Sports Photos
- 27 March – Year 5 Retreat Day
- 1 April – Classes conclude
What a great week it has been! Our students have shown incredible energy and spirit across a busy schedule. From competitive sporting events to enriching co-curricular activities, there has been a great deal of engaging learning taking place both in and out of the classroom. A special congratulations goes to our 5 Gold students who confidently showcased their learning achievements during their class assembly, demonstrating the communication skills and knowledge they’ve developed so far this term. Thank you, 5 Gold!
NAPLAN
We are incredibly proud of our Year 5 students for their dedication and perseverance during this week’s NAPLAN assessments. Despite some unexpected changes to the schedule, they demonstrated remarkable flexibility, resilience, and a positive mindset. Their hard work and determination have been truly commendable. We look forward to continuing to support them as they complete their remaining NAPLAN tests next week.
- Conventions of Language (45 Mins): Monday 16th March
- Numeracy (50 Mins): Tuesday 17th March
A Kinder World Experience
This week, our Year 6 students attended a unique and meaningful excursion run by The Kinder World team, based out of the Synagogue next to Our Big Kitchen. This program aimed to inspire our students through lessons in kindness, empathy, and giving back.
The highlight of the session was hearing from Rivky, the main guest speaker, who shared her powerful personal story of resilience. Having faced bullying due to a degenerative disease, Rivky spoke about how these challenges inspired her to establish the GEM Foundation and dedicate her time to working with children at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Her message of strength, kindness, and inclusion deeply resonated with the boys.
Throughout the session, students engaged in hands-on kindness activities, including an interactive ball game promoting equality, a quiz about acts of kindness, and the packing of gift hampers for homeless individuals. They also wrote heartfelt cards to remind those in need that they are valued and thought of.
This excursion was a valuable opportunity for our Year 6 boys to reflect on the importance of kindness and empathy in their own lives.
Harmony Day
Harmony Day is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. In the Junior School, we will celebrate Harmony Day on Friday 20 March. Please see details below:
What to Wear: Students are encouraged to wear a ‘Touch of Orange’ to school that day. They may choose one item of clothing to represent this (to work in conjunction with their Waverley College uniform (e.g. socks, hat, scarf, ribbon, etc)
What to Bring: Students are encouraged to bring a plate of food to be shared amongst their classmates that acknowledges their cultural background. (Note: Please ensure ingredients are listed on all foods to ensure the safety of any students with allergies)
Donation: Students are encouraged to bring in a gold coin donation to go towards our capital works projects in Fiji, Timor Leste and Cambodia.
Lunchtime Talk
Dr Nikola Casule, Founder of Campaign Republic, climate change activist and Dad to Leo, Year 6, delivered a powerful Lunchtime Talk. He shared his journey from environmental activism to leading global campaigns with Greenpeace International, where his work included phasing out natural gas, protecting the Great Barrier Reef, and advocating for climate justice across the Pacific.
Dr Casule highlighted how passion, bravery, strategic thinking and clear communication can drive meaningful change, whether challenging major corporations on the world stage or supporting local initiatives in our own community. The boys were captivated by his stories and left inspired to consider their own role as ecological advocates and responsible stewards of the environment.
Now at Campaign Republic, Dr Casule works with values-driven organisations and government departments to craft clear, impactful communication that supports positive social and environmental outcomes. His visit offered a real-world example of how informed, thoughtful advocacy can shape a more sustainable future.
Home Learning Club
We offer all students in Years 5 and 6 the opportunity to attend Home Learning Club, a free after-school program designed to support the completion of home learning tasks. These afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised environment for students who wish to complete their home learning activities.
Home Learning Club runs from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, during school term time. Please note that the club will not operate on days when a scheduled Professional Development meeting is taking place.
Procedures
Register your son via the link https://homelearningclub.youcanbook.me
Only register his name once to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
Students are required to stay for the full session unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave; a parent’s signature will be required.
Behaviour
Home Learning Club provides a calm, focused, and supportive environment where students work productively, show respect for others, and take responsibility for their home learning.
Teachers
Mondays: 6 Gold Classroom – Ms Chelsea Hobson & Mr Conor De Courcey
Wednesdays: 6 Gold Classroom – Ms Charlotte Stephens
Tuesdays & Thursdays: Learning Hub – Ms Natasha Zivanovic
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
cstephens@waverley.nsw.edu.au
An important note to remember: if afternoon training sessions are cancelled, unfortunately, you cannot send your son to Home Learning as an alternative plan. Students are registered for the afternoon sessions in advance, and the capacity is always reached.
Please avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Co-curricular Update from Ms Sparks
IPSHA Touch Football
Waverley College Junior School well represented at the IPSHA Touch Football trials. Walker Leondis and Oscar Sheppard were selected for the combined IPSHA side, with an opportunity to then be selected for the CIS team. Congratulations boys and thank you to Mr Horry for taking them out!
IPSHA AFL trials
Ten Junior School students proudly represented the College at the IPSHA AFL trials held at Gore Hill Oval on Tuesday as they competed for selection in the CIS team. Throughout the day, the boys demonstrated exactly what it means to be known, valued and challenged.
They supported one another, played with confidence and embraced the high standard of competition. Each student contributed in meaningful ways, whether through strong defensive pressure, smart decision-making, or creating scoring opportunities for teammates.
Their impact on the field was clear, with Waverley players consistently winning possession, using the ball effectively and dominating key passages of play. This highlighted not only their strong AFL skills but also their game awareness and teamwork. The boys should be extremely proud of the way they represented the College both on and off the field. Congratulations boys and thank you to Miss Hunt for attending.
Students who attended:
Rex Wagner
Beau Yandell
Oliver Mellows
Dayne Swanson
Josh Mueller
Billy Ammon
Cooper Connelly
Ronan Murphy
Will Oranje
Emerson Koorey
Students who progress to CIS AFL on Monday:
Cooper Connelly
Emerson Koorey
Oliver Mellows
Josh Mueller
Ronan Murphy
Will Oranje
Rex Wagner
Beau Yandell
Dayne Swanson
Around the Grounds
Raphael Leopardi and Alexei Leopardi (Year 6) recently competed in a Water Polo competition in Orange NSW, winning gold for Sydney University. Well done on this achievement!
Reminders
Morning training – students meet at the location stated on the Training Schedule at 7am.
Afternoon training – students meet their coach at the Junior School basketball court at 3pm and walk to training with their team. They are dismissed from the location at 4.30pm.
Games – arrive 30 minutes before the start time on the fixture.
Follow the fixture first and let Ms Sparks know of any discrepancies between Clipboard and the fixture.
Clipboard is the name of the program we use for co-curricular attendance. You see it in the Waverley App > Co-curricular tile > “Schedule”.
Absences for any training or game missed need to be requested via the Waverley App > Absences tile > “Junior School co-curricular absence”.
