Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Pope Francis
At the College Assembly this week, we remembered the life of and the many blessings of Pope Francis. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis rose from humble beginnings to become the first Latin American pope. His early experiences in Argentina shaped his deep concern for the marginalized and his commitment to social justice, which became hallmarks of his papacy.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis initiated significant reforms within the Church, emphasising transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on serving the poor and vulnerable. His approach to leadership was characterised by simplicity and a desire to bring the Church closer to the people. He rejected many of the trappings of the Vatican, choosing to live a more simple life.
Pope Francis consistently encouraged people to choose love over indifference. He taught that love is an active force that compels us to reach out to others, especially the marginalised, and to build bridges of understanding and compassion.
One of Pope Francis’s most notable statements, “Who am I to judge?” highlighted his commitment to mercy and non-judgment. He emphasised the importance of understanding and compassion over condemnation, reflecting the inclusive nature of his ministry. This of course aligns perfectly with the Edmund Rice Touchstone of inclusive community.
Inspired by his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis championed peace and interfaith dialogue. His historic visit to the United Arab Emirates and meeting with Muslim leaders underscored his commitment to building bridges between different faiths and promoting global harmony.
“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.
Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”
May Pope Francis rest in peace.
Prayers
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers Year 11 student Kaiasi Talakai, his mother Katalina and his family. Kaiasi’s father Petani sadly passed away over the recent holiday period. May Petani rest in peace.
Staff Update
Welcome back to term 2 and I hope your sons had a lovely break and are ready for a great term ahead. I acknowledge that many of our Year 12s would have done many hours of study over the break as they prepared for mid semester examinations. I wish them the very best on their continued preparations.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome some new staff members to the College. We look forward to them sharing their experience, wisdom and perspectives with both colleagues and students.
- Mr Andre Airola – Business Manager and is a member of our College Leadership Team. Andre joins us from St Catherine’s School. I thank and acknowledge the work that Mr Jonathan Phillips has done as Acting Business manager for the past 18 months.
- Mr Eamonn Brosnan who joins our HSIE Department. Eamonn comes to us from Marrickville High and prior to that he taught at Templeogue College, Dublin.
- Mr Uddy Biyanwila also joins our HSIE Department and was also involved with our cricket program over summer.
Welcome back to the following Staff returning from leave
- Fiona O’Leary – English Department
- Adam Wallington – Head of HSIE Department – Thank you to Angelique Theodorou and Michelle Joyce for acting HOD and Assistant HOD
- Richard Chen – Science Department
- Kendall Robinson – Junior School Teacher
ANZAC Day
Congratulations to our cadet unit who represented incredibly well at the Coogee and Waverley Anzac Day Dawn services and also at the College’s Anzac ceremony on Wednesday this week.
We were honoured to welcome back Old Boy General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC, who delivered a powerful address on the importance of embracing change while remaining grounded in our shared values:
“Change in this nation is inevitable. Indeed, vital. Never to change is never to grow… Anzac Day is part of that heritage. It’s a time of reflection and, if we wish it, reaffirmation.”
Year 12 and College Vice-Captain student Archie Godby also shared a heartfelt speech about an ANZAC close to him, his great uncle, Flight Sergeant John Charles Roper who attended Waverley College. Archie reminded us that:
Bravery isn’t always about heroic acts – it’s often found in quiet moments of resilience, in standing up for what’s right, and in showing up for others even when it’s hard.”
Lest We Forget.
HSC Examinations
Congratulations to our HSC students who commenced their Mid Yearly Examinations this week. Whilst examinations conclude on Monday, we know that our students will use the experience and feedback from teachers wisely as they set goals to refine their approach.
The 2025 HSC written exam timetable is available on the NESA website from 10am today:
- HSC students can access their personalised exam timetable on Students Online.
- Schools can access the HSC written exam schedule on Schools Online.
The HSC practical and performance exam timetable and Languages oral exam timetable are also available now.
Parents Association Meeting
All parents and carers are welcome to join us for the Term 2 Parents’ Association Meeting.
Date: Wednesday 7 May
Time: 6.30-8pm
Location: Grange Meeting room (located off Carrington Rd)
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents, share ideas, and discuss important matters related to our school community.
There is parking in the Grange Carpark and light refreshments will be available.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Louise Lakomy
President of the Waverley College Parents’ Association
Consensual: Join the Conversation
Woollahra Municipal Council and Ascham School are proud to present an evening of open discussion with Chanel Contos and the filmmakers and preview the work-in-progress documentary Consensual – as they discuss their plans for the film, with an opportunity to share ideas.
Don’t miss being a part of this important conversation about consent in our culture and envisioning a world where normalised sexual violence is eradicated.
Click here to purchase your tickets.
Date: Thursday 29 May, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Venue: Packer Theatre, Ascham School,188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
Cost: $11
Target Audience: Year 9-12 Students, Parents and Carers
University of Sydney Update
Your Path to Sydney: Year 10 subject selection evening (online)
Online event: Thursday 15 May, 6 – 7:30 pm Register here
Learn everything you need to know about HSC subject selection, university applications and admissions with our information evening, designed to help Year 10 students and their caregivers navigate the journey to university with confidence. Our speakers, including a UAC representative, university staff and students, will cover key information including:
- what to consider when selecting your subjects for Year 11 and 12
- what the ATAR is and how it’s calculated
- the impact subject selection may have on your application
- understanding prerequisites and assumed knowledge
- tips for admission and applying for scholarships
- insights from our current students on their subject selection experiences and transition into university.
Year 12 Information Evening
On-campus event: Wednesday 21 May, 4 –7 pm Register here on-campus
Online event: Wednesday 11 June, 6 –7:30 pm Register here online
Explore our iconic campus and learn more about university entry, scholarships, study options and more at this information evening for Year 12 students and their caregivers.
Hear about entry schemes, student support, campus life, and applying through UAC. The on-campus event will include a tour, a course advice exhibition and information sessions, including a dedicated medicine/dentistry talk. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover your options and ask any questions you have about joining the Sydney student community in 2026.
Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students on their respective achievements:
SRC Representatives
- Reggie Horsely, Year 7
- Junior Tauheluhelu, Year 8
- Eric Li, Year 9
- Amu Afu, Year 10
- Ben Cromer & Charlie Carter, Year 11
Ollie Moclair
Waverley College’s own Ollie Moclair is making waves in the swimming world after being selected for the Australian Junior swim team competing in the World Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania, from August 19-24, 2025.
What’s truly remarkable about Ollie’s talent is evident in the numbers: if he’d swam just 0.86 seconds faster at the recent Australian Swimming Championships, his time would’ve secured a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle at the Paris Olympics.
We are thrilled to see him represent Australia on the world stage. Good luck, Ollie!
National Track & Field Titles
- Lachlan Chappell: 7x Gold
- Evan Rowbotham: 2x Gold
- Wol Albino: 1x Gold
- George Lambousis: 1x Gold
- Jack Spencer: 1x Gold
National Surf Lifesaving Titles
- Bart Carmody: 2x Gold & 1x Silver
- Fred Carmody: 1x Gold & 1x Silver
- Rory Muldowney, Tom Maxwell & Ryan McNamara: Silver in the U15 Relay
- Rory Muldowney & Ryan McNamara: Silver in mixed U15 Relay
- Rory Muldowney 1x Gold
- Connor Colquhoun & Joshua Raymond: Gold in U14 Relay
- Freddie Goldrich: 1x Silver
National Water Polo Titles
- James Fanning: Gold in Div 2
- James Gallo: Gold in Div 1
- Louis Coleman: Bronze in U14 Div 1
- Rory Palmer: Bronze in U14 Div 1
- Hopper Dyke-Miller: Bronze in U14 Div 1
- Lincoln Tanner: Silver in U18 Div 1
Adventure Training Award – Cadets
The Australian Army Cadets’ Adventure Training Award (ATA) is a physically and mentally demanding field activity for senior cadets, considered the most challenging competition they face during their time with the Australian Army Cadets. Congratulations to the below students who achieved this over the break:
- SGT Christopher Wellington
- SCPL James Grant
Winter Captains
- AFL: Ben Pignatelli
- Chess: Leo Owen
- Cross Country: Christian Miletic
- Debating: James Peate
- Football: Max Dent & Danny Johnson
- Judo: Leo Jreige
- Rugby: Thomas McKenna
- Sailing: Alex Holveck
- Table Tennis: Lachlan Marzol
- Tennis: Alex Avdalis
- Volleyball: Renato Rovacchi
Winter 1ST Team Captains:
- 1ST AFL Captains: Liam Walsh
- 1ST Football Captains: Liam Lynch
- 1ST Rugby Captains: Josh Barr
Winter 1ST Teams:
- AFL
- Robbie Csavas
- Charles Coughlan
- Thomas Coughlin
- Adam Cutten
- Joseph Dametto
- Dashiel Delaney-Fielding
- Zinzan Delaney-Fielding
- Stellan Dymond
- Marcus Hammoud
- Henry Lamond
- Ned Larkin
- Alex Marshall
- Hayden McAusland
- Jonathon McDonald
- Toby McDonald
- Ricky Meyrick
- Ryan Murphy
- James O’Loughlin
- Hugo Perks
- Ben Pignatelli
- Alexander Smith
- Zoltahn Szabo
- Oliver Trosti
- James Tucker
- Clancy Walsh
- Liam Walsh
- Oscar Wilson
- Debating
- James Peate
- Thomas Jackson-Whitlock
- Nick Zanapalis
- Football
- Zavier Manciameli
- Bobby McLennan
- Danny Johnson
- Roman Amamoo
- Liam Lynch
- Zach Pereira
- Dante Scarfone
- Harlen Forker-Lawrence
- Louis Fearon
- Will Livissianis
- Zack Ellis
- Henry Heap
- Max Dent
- Zander Bass
- Josh Tsoukalas
- Toby Boys
- Taj Lynn
- Rugby
- Archie Godby
- Hunter Wiki-Sullivan
- Daryus Sione
- Kaiasi Talakai
- Charlie Grant
- Kai McDermott
- Oakley Lamb
- Nate Devereux
- Henry Parkes
- James Finegan
- Lafo Papalii-Talanai
- Callum Bush-Brady
- Cooper Stewart
- Josh Barr
- Cooper Taylor
- Tom McKenna
- Josh Ballard
- Riley Donohoe
- Payton Tarau
- Saxon Gaw
- Tennis
- Edward Donnelly
- Louis De Beger
- Christian Micallef
- Alex Avdalis
- Volleyball
- Renato Rovacchi
- Jason Shen
- Edward Small
- Cooper Ryan
- Guillen Dela Cueva
- Luc Le Roux
- Leonardo Marino
- Kai Fernandez Paul
- Cody Chen
- Dylan Duque-Llorente
- Marlon Manciameli
- Aristotelis Evgenidis
