It has been another productive fortnight in the Junior School.
On Monday 26 August the College welcomed Yasmin London from YSafe who spoke to the boys about how to be a smart digital citizen and the different ways to stay safe online.
One of the biggest challenges for today’s youth is the responsible use of technology. Yasmin discussed the importance of protecting the information they share, making use of the privacy settings, exhibiting empathy for others when commenting/posting online (remembering there is a person at the other end) and remembering to talk to an adult if a negative cyber incident arises.
Open Classrooms
From Assistant Director of Curriculum, Gaby Bransby
Last Tuesday, the Junior School opened their classrooms to showcase the amazing learning that has taken place this year. The whole school was buzzing as our students presented their learning outcomes to their parents and families. It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers attend, it created such a positive atmosphere as students proudly explained what they had learnt.
Our Year 5 students showed off their amazing light up dioramas, and wonderful Scratch animations. We were able to see the Makey Makey’s in action, playing songs composed in Music.
In Year 6, we saw innovative sustainable designs for areas within our school that need refurbishment or are unused. They created detailed scaled drawings and budgets to go with their models.
The Learning Hub showcased its newly refurbished area with 21st Century furniture and learning spaces. If you were lucky enough you would have seen the amazing bird art showcased around the Learning Hub which is part of an illustrator study.
Music was well and truly alive with Mrs Rollins conducting a lesson with boys and their families on how to make musical codes based on their name.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open Classroom afternoon and for all the positive feedback.
Indigenous Experience
From Innovation Leader, Charlotte Stephens
On Friday the 30th September, Year 5 were lucky enough to be visited by Grant and Latoya from Kadoo Tours. As part of their Earth and Space unit in Science, they had the opportunity to learn about astronomy from the Aborigonal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. The students listened to dream time stories, learnt about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders use the sky to navigate and gather food, touched artefacts and even got to eat bush tucker. This was a wonderful experience that the boys will remember.
Debating
From Literacy and Innovation, Natasha Zivanovic
An impressive end to a wonderful debating season in the Junior School. The boys’ final round of debating against Cranbrook was a double success, with both teams winning. The topic for debate was ‘Should parents be punished if their children commit crimes?’
Over the past 14 weeks, I have witnessed the boys work as a strong team. Their skills of speaking, listening and collaborating were of a high standard. Thank you for your dedication to each debate.
The boys will participate in an IPSHA Debating Gala Day on Tuesday 24 September.
Sport Update
From Assistant Director of CoCurricular, Matthew Ryan
Rugby: The NSWPSSA Rugby championships were held in St Mary’s last week and three boys from Waterford were involved: Archie Godby, Brooklyn Heath and Henry Parkes. The boys had a great week of rugby and were only beaten in the final on Thursday by Sydney North. A huge congratulations to all the boys and a special mention to Henry who was selected into the NSW team to compete in the National Championships.
Athletics: A very successful IPSHA athletics carnival was held last week at Homebush. The boys from Waterford were always amongst the placegetters and achieved some very positive results. The following boys will represent the college and IPSHA at the CIS Championships next week. We wish them all the very best of luck.
U10 relay team: Julian Minto, Felix Kelly, Bailey Gosbell and Darcy Parkes.
U12 relay team: Jack Johnson, Luke Newrick, Henry Parkes and Charles Coughlan.
Felix Kelly: 100m, 200m
Jack Johnson: 1500m, 800m
Henry Parkes: 100m, 200m
Ricky Meyrick: High Jump
Julian Minto: 200m, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put
Luke Newrick: Long Jump
R U OK? Day – Thursday 12th September
From Assistant Director of Identity and Student Wellbeing, Stephen Ghattas
Thursday 12th September is National R U OK? Day. This is a national day of action dedicated to reminding people to ask family, friends and colleagues the question, “R U OK?”, in a meaningful way, because connecting regularly and meaningfully is one thing everyone can do to make a difference to those who may be at risk.
Waverley College has a very close connection with R U OK? Day and we would like to continue to support and raise awareness for this charity in 2019.
The boys at Waterford will be encouraged to wear mufti clothes (something yellow) on Thursday 12 September (Week 8) with a $5 donation. This will also entitle them to a sausage sandwich and a drink at lunchtime (courtesy of the Old Boys).
In addition to this, there will be a cake stall on Wednesday 11 September. Boys from Lacey, O’Connor and Tevlin will be encouraged to bring either a slice, cupcakes, cookies, muffins or bite-size snacks to sell on the day. These can be dropped on to Ms King’s room on the morning of the cake stall.
We truly appreciate all your support.
