Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Little Shop of Horrors
I had the pleasure of attending the school production of Little Shop of Horrors and was thoroughly impressed!
The performance was outstanding, showcasing the incredible talent of both the cast and crew. A huge congratulations to the students for their hard work and dedication.
The direction, set design, and costumes were all exceptional, and it was clear that a lot of effort went into making this production a success. A special thank you to the staff who supported and guided the students through every aspect of the show.
Cast:
- Lachy Colquhoun (Y11)
- Klara James – Brigidine College, Randwick
- Oliver Bracic (Y11)
- Harry Lentfer (Y11)
- Oliver Bailey-O’Reilly (Y9)
- Charlotte Buckley – St Vincent’s College, Potts Point
- Marcela Nino Neville – Brigidine College, Randwick
- Kenya Borlotti – Bradfield College
- William Anstis (Y11)
- Cooper Firth (Y8)
- Sebastian Karhan (Y8)
- Aleya Tuthil – St Clare’s College, Waverley
- Gabriel Wright (Y8)
- Jake Thompson (Y9)
- Jack Stuart (Y9)
- Sophie Palin – Kincoppal ‐ Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart
Musicians:
- Robert Priddis (Y10) – Trumpet 2
- Cameron Vincent Hull (Y12) – Reed 2
Crew:
- Hooper Negus (Y11)
- Dash McDonough (Y8)
- Thomas Brown (Y8)
- Noah Nunn (Y8)
Staff
- Peter Lamb – Director & Producer
- Chris Balkizas – Musical Director
- Jaz Johnston – Assistant Musical Director
- Jazz de Witte – Assistant Musical Director
- Gina Cohen – Assistant Director
- Peter Mussared – Designer (Set, Costume and Props)
- & Set Construction
- David Thomas & Finian Simes – Lighting Design, Operation & Production Manager
- Abi Trainor – Choreographer
- Steven Hall – Stage Manager
- Laura Bleasdale – Props/Backstage Supervisor
- Maisie Gordon – Wardrobe Supervisor
Ecology Week Blooms at Waverley College
Waverley College celebrated a truly successful Ecology Week! The enthusiasm and engagement from students and staff alike were fantastic, making it a memorable and impactful event focused on awareness and action for our land, sea, sky AND people.
Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of activities, including our newly formed Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) Juniors, made up of Year 6 students.
A highlight of the week was undoubtedly the College assembly where we heard from SOTWEG Seniors and Juniors.
We also had Afonso Firmo who was our guest speaker who inspired us by telling us how we can all make a difference. One of the key messages was around the fact that failure can fuel your passion, so embrace it.
The success of Ecology Week would not have been possible without the incredible support of Ms Silvia Baylie, Ms Lynsey Porter, Mr Luke Burns, as well as our SOTWEG Seniors and Juniors. Their dedication and hard work ensured a meaningful and engaging experience for everyone involved.
Ecology Week at Waverley College has not only raised awareness about crucial environmental and social issues but has also empowered our students to become active agents of change.
The momentum generated this week will undoubtedly continue to foster a culture of ecology within our school community. We look forward to building on this success in the years to come!
Edmund Ignatius Rice Senior Essay and Speech Competition
During this week’s assembly, we presented the winners of our inaugural Edmund Ignatius Rice Senior Essay and Speech Competition.
This competition was championed and supported by 1970 College Captain, Dr David Curran.
The aim of the competition is to encourage and recognise academic excellence in both the written and spoken word.
It also provides students with an enriching opportunity to explore the EREA Touchstones in our contemporary world.
David has a love of language, oratory and the humanities and has dedicated his life to serving others in the medical profession and by teaching others at university.
The students from Year 11 and 12 who participated in the competition, submitted writing of the highest calibre in the essay round.
Of these entrants, three finalists were selected by the judging panel to transition their work into a speech to deliver in front of a judging panel and discerning audience.
I would like to thank the judges Ms Catherine Stewart (Head of Religious Education), Ms Martina Cooper (Director of Curriculum), Dr Michael Couani (Head of English) and Dr David Curran.
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding contribution to the competition:
1st Place – James Peate
2nd Place – Taj Lynn
3rd Place – Lachlan Hoy
University of Sydney Academic Achievement Awards
Congratulations to Ben Cromer (Y10) for receiving the prestigious University of Sydney Academic Achievement Award at the recent College assembly.
This award recognises Ben’s dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm for his learning journey.
St John’s College, within the University of Sydney tour and dinner
This Monday a group of our Year 12 students experienced a tour and dinner at St John’s College at Sydney University.
Greeted by a group of friendly alumni faces (Jake Perks and Conor Andrews), our students had the opportunity to explore the facilities, community and have an inside glimpse of life at St John’s.
IDAHOBIT Day – 17 May
At this week’s College assembly, Year 11 student Adam Curran delivered a powerful and heartfelt message about the significance of IDAHOBIT Day – the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination.
His words served as a timely reminder of the role we all play in building a kinder, more inclusive community. IDAHOBIT Day calls on us to stand up against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, not only through grand gestures, but in the everyday language we use and the choices we make.
At Waverley, we want every student to feel safe, seen, and proud to be themselves. Creating that kind of environment starts with each of us.
This day invites us to pause, reflect, and act. To consider how we speak to one another, how we show respect, and who we choose to include.
Because whether we realise it or not, we are all shaping the fabric of our community every single day.
We are not just individuals passing through, we are threads in something greater. At Waverley, we are a tapestry, rich in colour, texture, and story. Each of us brings something unique.
And when these threads are woven together with courage, kindness, and mutual respect, we create something strong, resilient, and beautiful.
But discrimination, whether it’s a joke, a slur, or even silence, weakens that fabric. It isolates, erodes trust, and unravels the very bonds that hold us together.
When one thread is pulled loose, the whole weave is at risk. That’s why IDAHOBIT Day matters.
When we stand up for one another’s dignity, we’re not just protecting individuals, we’re safeguarding the strength of our whole community.
Even a few words of support can begin to repair what might have been torn.
So let’s be intentional with our threads. Let’s speak in ways that stitch people in, not push them out.
Let’s choose compassion, inclusion, and courage, and continue weaving a Waverley that’s strong enough to hold everyone.
MAY PROCESSION – Friday 23 May
A reminder that the May Procession will take place this Friday, 23 May 10:30am-12pm.
Following the conclusion of the May Procession at 12:00pm, students may go home.
The day will be structured as follows;
8:45 – 9:40 – Period 1
9:40 – 10:10 – Recess
10:10 – 10:20 – CCC Time with Mentors
10:20 – 10:30 – Students to be seated in House areas
10:30 – 12:00 – May Procession
Thank you for your support in helping us mark this special occasion.
Father/Son Dinner
Dear Dads and Carers,
We are looking forward to welcoming you all to the Waverley College Parents’
Association Father/Carer & Son dinner in just 2 weeks time! Below is some useful
information about the night.
About the Event
Date: Friday 30 May 2025
Time: 6:30 – 10:30pm
Venue: The Ballroom, Royal Randwick Racecourse, Alison Road, Randwick.
Please enter via Gate D and proceed through to the QEII Grandstand using
the centre escalators up to Level 2.
On arrival, please make your way into the Ballroom where you will be met with a complimentary welcome drink. Table plans will be set up at the two entrances however we ask that you please familiarise yourself with your table details ahead of the night. The table plan for the
night is attached below.
Dress Code
Fathers/carers: Smart casual
Boys: Academic uniform
Getting There
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Please refer to the information in the link below.
TAXIS, RIDE SHARE SERVICES & DROP OFF
Taxis, ride share services, and private vehicles can enter Royal Randwick Racecourse through either Gate 1 on Alison Road or via the Ascot Street entrance. Drop off is at Gate E. Parking attendants will be there to guide guests to the drop off point.
CAR PARKING – MAIN DRIVE
There is limited complimentary parking available in the Main Drive or Taxi Rank area, accessed via Gate 1 on Alison Road or Ascot Street. This parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Upon arrival, please follow the instructions given by parking attendants on where to park.
CAR PARKING – ASCOT STREET CAR PARK
The multi-deck Ascot Street car park is available for paid parking. The car park is accessed via Ascot Street off Doncaster Road. The parking fee is a flat rate of $10 per day and is a cashless payment only.
Below is the link for travel to Royal Randwick for non-race day events.
Travel & Parking at Royal Randwick – Australian Turf Club
Alcohol Consumption
Students (even those over 18) will not be served alcohol.
National Road Safety Week, 11-18 May
Year 11 students attended a Road Safety Presentation with Paul Turley on Tuesday, in recognition of National Road Safety Week.
Paul spoke to the students about a fatal accident which occured in 2004, in which he was the perpetrator.
Paul visits high schools, sporting clubs, community groups, mining companies and correctional facilities and shares his story so that young people understand that it can happen to them and that they need to be respectful, patient and tolerant on the roads, or risk their own lives or that of others.
Paul educates road users to encourage a shift in attitudes toward alcohol, drugs, distraction and general road behaviour while modelling accountability for our youth, the road users of tomorrow.
Travel to school Survey 2025
In T1 we undertook our annual travel to school survey, all students in the Senior School were invited to participate and provide feedback.
The data collected provides us with information we pass onto other agencies to help improve transport options for our students. We also use the data to identify areas of the campus that can be improved.
Some findings from the survey are:
61% of our students use public transport to get to and from school. Students reported issues with bus crowding (41%) and frequency (40%) as factors that cause them the most pain.
We will be sharing this information with TfNSW. With such a high percentage of students using public transport highlights the importance of tapping on/off when boarding public transport as each tap will give TfNSW the correct data of students using their services and better understand where the capacity issues are.
18% are walking to school with 24% then walking home which is an increase from 2024. Students again provided some great feedback regarding narrow footpaths, delays at pedestrian signals and lack of bus shelters as problems during their journey.
We encourage any student encountering problems like these to use the SnapSendSolve app and get them reported to the most appropriate agency. Information on SnapSendSolve can be found at:
https://www.snapsendsolve.com/
Students riding to school increased 3 fold in 2025 with 15% of those students who live within 2km of the school riding, this increase has been seen mostly with e-bikes.
This data will help the school to develop better facilities for those students who choose to ride rather than drive. Bicycle NSW have some info on safe riding and also offer insurance with membership, information at https://bicyclensw.org.au/
Unsure of the options for getting to and from Waverley ? We have recently launched our new Transport Access Guide which can be found: https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/information/transport/
We plan to undertake a similar exercise with the Junior School Students later in Term 2.
E-lab Rugby Sponsor
We’re excited to welcome E-LAB on board as the official sponsor of Waverley College Rugby.
Known for their tailored approach to strength and conditioning, E-LAB’s team of expert trainers is already working closely with both students and staff, offering support both on and off the field.
As part of their commitment to the College community, they’re extending exclusive rates on small group training—making personally programmed sessions more accessible than ever. Students and staff of Waverley College are eligible for a 20% discount on fees for any group training between 2-4 people.
