Director of the Junior School, Ms Alanna James
Diary Dates
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all Term 3 events, please refer to the College calendar.
- 25 September – Classes Conclude
RUOK? Day
This week, our Junior School boys took part in a special CCC (Connection, Culture and Communication) lesson to mark R U OK? Day.
The session was designed to help our students understand the importance of asking others if they are okay, recognising the signs when someone may not be feeling their best, and knowing how to respond with care.
Through engaging activities and discussion, the boys explored the value of listening, taking action, and checking in on one another. R U OK? Day provided a meaningful opportunity for our students to reflect on the power of kindness and the role they each play in supporting the wellbeing of their friends and classmates.
A personal highlight for me was being on the gate in the rain Thursday morning, and having the boys walk through the gate asking ‘Are you okay, Miss?’. I assumed they were referring to being out in the pouring rain, but no.
Our boys were checking in, not focused on themselves, but on others. They were asking how I was feeling; being compassionate and kind. I was incredibly proud at this moment, and reminded of the importance of asking the question ‘Are you okay?’, not just on RUOK? Day, but everyday.
Laptops – Striking the Right Balance with Technology
At Waverley College, we are committed to ensuring that our students are well prepared for an ever-changing, fast-paced technological world, while also recognising the importance of time away from screens.
One of the key pillars of the College’s new Strategic Plan is Healthy People, which includes a commitment to “reimagine our relationship with laptops and devices Yr 5-12.”
This work is already underway, with a focus on finding the right balance between technology as a powerful learning tool and the need for students to develop healthy, sustainable habits.
Refining Our Practices
Recent changes have strengthened our IT and access controls. Known gaming sites have been blocked (though we know students are quick to discover new ones – so this remains a priority for our IT team).
While YouTube is currently still accessible, we are reviewing its future use following the national YouTube social media ban beginning on 10 December. Our goal is to block YouTube within the school environment, while still enabling teachers to access approved educational content when required.
To support this flexibility, we are rolling out Saasyan, a tool that gives teachers more direct control over students’ online access. Teachers are currently being trained in its use and will soon be able to unlock specific sites (such as an approved YouTube clip) for the duration of a lesson, while keeping all other sites restricted.
Building Responsibility and Good Habits
While the College continues to strengthen systems and controls, we also expect students to take responsibility for their laptop use. Learning to make good decisions, respect boundaries, and use technology responsibly is a key part of their growth.
Screen-Free Initiatives
We are excited to have a Screen-Free Week in Week 1 of Term 4. In the Junior School, this will become a regular feature each term. While laptops remain essential for many lessons, these weeks provide valuable opportunities for students to practise balance, work collaboratively, and engage with alternative tools and approaches to learning.
Looking Ahead
From 2026, the Junior School is exploring the introduction of charging stations on campus, allowing laptops to remain at school unless needed for special projects or assignments.
The use of technology in the Junior School will continue to be a focus area as we work towards a healthier balance for all students. Our approach is guided by data, best practice, and parent feedback. We encourage all parents to complete the MMG Survey to share their perspectives and help shape the future of technology at the College.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our boys are not only skilled and confident users of technology, but also capable of making balanced, thoughtful choices to best prepare them for High School and beyond.
ICAS Assessments 2025
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2025 ICAS Assessments.
A special congratulations to the following students who received a credit or above in Mathematics.
Mathematics Year 5
High Distinction
Max Johnson
Distinction
Remy Burges
Credit
Harry Hickman
Jaxon Woods
Liam Mulligan
Lok Long
Spencer Russell
Mathematics Year 6
Credit
Eric Rakoczy
Jack Guille
Joshua Satya
Leo Murphy
Marlon Hair
Spencer Murphy
Sam Jarrett
Nixon Oakes
Ziggy Sarkozy
English Year 5
Credit
Harry Hickman
Jaxon Woods
English Year 6
Distinction
Eric Rakoczy
Credit
Dashiell Ingram
Spencer Murphy
Science Year 5
Distinction
Max Johnson
Credit
Ander Fletcher-Zaballa
Harry Hickman
Jaxon Woods
Science Year 6
Credit
Spencer Murphy
Nixon Oakes
Digital Technologies Year 5
Distinction
Jaxon Woods
Credit
Liam Mulligan
Digital Technologies Year 6
Credit
Nixon Oakes
Home Learning Club
CLICK on the link to book https://homelearningclub.youcanbook.me
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school for the completion of home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4pm – on Mondays & Wednesdays, and in the 6 Gold classroom on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
The club runs during the school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting or school event and the club will be closed.
Procedures
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.
