Deputy Principal - Students, Ms Gabby Smith
As we move into the second half of the year it is important the boys reflect on their achievements to date and look at embracing the exciting challenges and opportunities Semester 2 holds.
At the end of Term 2, I spoke to the boys about their school reports and the importance of using this feedback to set goals to enhance their learning. It is evident that students tend to achieve more when they set their own goals as it requires them to take action. Mastering a task increases students self-esteem and encourages them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially when they have to overcome issues or failure.
I encourage you to talk to your boys about the goals they are setting for themselves whether these be social, academic, spiritual or on the sporting field and what strategies they are putting in place to achieve them.
I would also like to acknowledge Australia’s First Saint, St Mary MacKillop with a prayer as we celebrate her Feast Day.
Prayer for St Mary MacKillop
Wednesday, 8th August, is the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop, who we now celebrate as Australia’s First Saint: St Mary of the Cross. Mary MacKillop loved God and always listened to what God was saying to her throughout the events in her life. She always asked God for help for herself, her family and friends and for the poor.
Response: St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
We pray for our country Australia, that all people will be treated fairly:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
For people who can’t find work and people who are too poor to pay their bills:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
For people who are sad and lonely:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
For people who are sick or dying and for the strength of their families:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
For people who live in families that are unhappy:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
For people who leave their own countries because of war and violence:
St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us
We ask God who cares for us in every way to listen to our prayers through the help of St Mary of the Cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord
Amen.
Based on “Litany of Mary MacKillop” Christine McGinty RSJ
Blitz Day – Matthew Ryan – Assistant Director Co-curricular
Last Thursday, 1 August the Junior School students participated in its annual Blitz Day Competition. The day is the culmination of the Winter season and gives the boys an opportunity to finish the season with a tough House competition against their fellow classmates. The day started with a little concern about the grounds being open, but ended with a glorious sunny day with perfect conditions for Rugby, Football and AFL.
After three tough games for all students throughout the day, the J. Delaney Trophy for Champions on Blitz Day went to Tevlin/O’Connor.
The following boys were awarded Best on Ground awards after 3,2,1 points were given for each game.
Rugby:
Year 5: Harry Jaeger
Year 6: Bryce Wilson
Football:
Year 5: Ash Hourn
Year 6: Gianni Testafredda
AFL: James O’Loughlin
Finally, I would like to thank all the Junior Staff, Ms Buchan and the Year 10 boys who came to assist with refereeing and being involved on the day.
Debating Round 5 – Mrs Natasha Zivanovic – Literacy & Innovation Teacher
Waverley debaters have had a very busy start to Term 3. They competed in the fifth round of debating against Ascham on Friday 2, August.
Debating Coaching – Learning Hub
The topic for debate was ‚ “That we should ban child actors.” The competition was tough, which saw our Negative team win and unfortunately a loss for our Affirmative team. A few strong points from the opposing team were left unanswered by us and, by a close margin, the adjudicator awarded the debate to Ascham.
Wishing the boys luck as they prepare for Round 6 against SCEGGS Darlinghurst on August 16.
4Ocean Report, By Hooper Negus (5B)
A few months ago my grandparents supported a great organisation called 4Ocean. 4Ocean was set up by 2 surfers to get rid of the rubbish from the ocean and save sea life. My Grandparents supported this cause by buying nearly $3,000 worth of bracelets (each takes about 1/2kg of rubbish out of the ocean) and shared them with each of their 3 Grandkids. I then set up a raffle to raise extra money and awareness for 4Ocean which proved to be a huge success.
Hooper Negus – 5b
Grades 5 & 6 raised an extra $250, and together with my grandparents, have taken nearly 30kgs of plastic rubbish out of the Ocean.
Check it out on their website for more info www.4ocean.com
Waverley’s Book Swap – Mrs Natasha Zivanovic – Literacy & Innovation Teacher
The Great Book Swap is a fantastic way to celebrate reading locally and raise much-needed funds for remote communities through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Bring in your pre-loved books now!
I am currently collecting donations of your pre-loved books. All donations will be stored until Wednesday 4 September when Waverley will hold their very own Book Swap.
A table of books will be set up in the “Learning Hub” for everyone to browse and purchase a loved book for a gold coin donation, all the while helping children in remote communities of Australia. Bring in your pre-loved books (suitable for children) to swap, and a gold coin, to be able to take home another book to enjoy.
I look forward to your support for such a worthwhile cause.
Pop-Up Bookshop – Mrs Natasha Zivanovic – Literacy & Innovation Teacher
As part of our Book Week celebrations, Waverley will be hosting a pop-up bookshop on Monday 19 August from 7:45 am until 10:30 am. Come along with your son to the Junior School Learning Hub and view the books on sale.
Each class will be assigned a time during the morning to come and shop for books, and the shop will be open before school for the boys and their families.
Prices range from $5 to $30 and credit card payments will be accepted from 7:45 am until 8:35 am. Boys will be able to pay with cash only during the school day.
Come and join us for a morning of book shopping!
Youth Mass at Mary Immaculate Sunday 18 August – Mr Stephen Ghattas – Assistant Director of Identity and Student Formation
You are all invited to attend the Sunday evening Mass at Mary Immaculate Church on Sunday 18th August. Mass begins at 5:00pm and this will be followed by a light dinner in the Parish Hall afterwards, with the evening concluding at approximately 7:00pm.
This will be a good chance for you to meet fellow parishioners and our parish priest, Fr Bernie Thomas.
There is no need to RSVP, but rather just turn up and enjoy the evening.
Lost Property
Could I ask that every item of clothing, lunch boxes and drink containers be clearly marked with your son’s name. Property that is misplaced or lost can then be returned to them. Lost property is kept at the front office.
The New Learning Hub – An Interview with Natasha Zivanovic by Charlotte Stephens i-leader
The Junior School Library has undergone a huge transformation this year made possible by our new Literacy and Innovation Teacher Mrs. Natasha Zivanovic. We interviewed Natasha to get an insight into the vision behind the new design and an update on how the changes are being received by the students of Waterford.
Mrs Zivanovic – Literacy and Innovation teacher
What is your vision for how the Learning Hub should be used?
The vision was to make this a flexible, fluid and user-friendly space for the boys. A library isn’t about silently reading anymore, it’s about catering to a new generation of learners. I see it more now as a meeting ground for our students where they can collaborate and develop relationships as well as social skills. It must be working because the Learning Hub is full every lunchtime! This is a space not just for formal library lessons it is a hub of all learning, the new center of our school.
Why did you select this furniture?
The aim of our new design was to create an environment which caters to different styles of learning. We wanted furniture that could be flexible and used in a variety of ways by different students. I feel it is very student-directed in here, the boys are making choices based on where they think they will learn best, giving them ownership over their learning. We selected furniture that facilitates all types of learning and is able to be moved into different configurations based on need. There are a variety of desk heights, shapes and an array of seating options. The new furniture has opened up the space, making it a bright and welcoming environment.
What has the feedback been from the boys?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The students are constantly coming up with ways of using the furniture that I hadn’t ever imagined. They are regularly experimenting with different styles of seating on offer. I think we all feel this is a fresh start, they have been very open to the changes. The furniture only arrived a few weeks ago but it has already had a huge impact on their engagement, they really want to spend their time here. I think we are all excited to see what we can do with this space in the future.
