Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Feast of the Assumption
Today, we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption with Year 7 and 8 students gathering for Mass in the College Chapel. The Assumption is the Church’s teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. This belief has been part of Christian tradition since the earliest centuries and was formally declared as dogma by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
For Waverley College, the Assumption carries special meaning with Mary central to our identity and mission, with her statue standing at the highest point on our campus and our celebration of the May Procession. The Assumption inspires us to live with hope, to trust in God’s promises, and to strive for lives marked by compassion and integrity.
My sincere thanks to Fr Bernie Thomas, Ms Sue Walsh, Ms Cath Lipman, Ms Rosanna Varicca, Mr Tom Kennedy, and Mr Stephen Ghattas for their work in preparing the Assumption Mass, and to our talented musicians and choir for their beautiful contribution to today’s celebration.
Senior School Attendance
The below are a couple of reminders regarding the procedures for students arriving late to school or departing early.
Late Arrivals:
If a student is late to school, they must sign in at the Wellbeing Centre to confirm their attendance, regardless of if the parent has submitted a note in Orah. This is so we have an accurate record of what time the student arrived at school.
If a student arrives to class late in Period 1 and the roll has already been marked, teachers will send them to the Wellbeing Centre to have their attendance corrected. Otherwise the student will be marked absent for the day. This will result in an sms notification being sent to the parents advising the student has been marked absent-unexplained.
Early Departures:
Likewise, if a student is leaving early, they must sign out at the Wellbeing Centre before departing, regardless if a parent has submitted a note in Orah.
If a student falls ill at school, he must present to the Health Centre to be assessed by the nurse. The nurse will then make the decision as to whether the student should be sent home. The nurse will then sign the student out at the Health Centre and the student will wait at reception to be collected by a parent. Under no circumstances should a student be calling their parents directly to pick them up if they feel sick.
Leadership Forums
Ms Allegra Spender MP, Member for Wentworth, hosted a Leadership Forum recently in the Eastern Suburbs which includes 18 local schools. Charlie Carter (Y11) and Louis Oxenham (Y11) had the opportunity to attend and ask Allegra Spender about her life in politics before taking part in activities to identify both the challenges and positives of being a leader. The forum finished with a discussion on the use of AI, exploring its potential benefits as well as the concerns it raises.
AFL Grand Final wins
Last weekend featured two exciting AFL Grand Finals.
Our Year 7/8 Division 1 team had a strong win over Knox Grammar School, 63–12.
Meanwhile the Year 9/10 Division 1 team secured a 48–36 victory against St Ignatius College Riverview.
Congratulations to both teams on their impressive performances!
Waverley’s Winter Appeal 2025: Supporting Matthew Talbot Hostel and Homelessness
This week is National Homelessness Week across the country, and this Winter period is particularly difficult for those members of our society experiencing homelessness. Tevlin House is leading the Winter donation drive during Weeks 3,4,5 and 6 in August to support the Matthew Talbot Hostel. Matthew Talbot Hostel helps over 40,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys volunteering in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo.
Donation Item List
- Toiletry pack Items – small traveller size for items is best
- toothpaste/ toothbrush
- soap / body wash
- razor/ shaving foam/ shaving gel
- deodorant (small roll on variety)
- Combs, nail clippers
- tissues (small packets), Q tips (cotton buds)
- Home Starter Kit Items: New items are ideal, but used/clean items in good condition are also fine.
- Wooden Spoon, Spatula, Grater, Can Opener
- Small Chopping Board, Saucepans, Frypan/s
- Cutlery, Crockery – eg plates / bowls
- Clothing
- Items desired as new, or very good condition:
- Warm Winter Jackets, Mens Tracksuit Pants, Long Sleeve Polo shirts or Long Sleeve T-shirts;
- Items required to be new: Gloves, Underpants (Large or XL), Socks (calf I mid-length in white sports or any colour)
All items can be brought to either the Senior School Wellbeing Centre or Junior school reception in weeks 3-6 during August.
2026 St Clare’s Musical Production – looking for students to take part!
St Clare’s School is currently looking for boys to be a part of our 2026 musical ‘Bring It On’ to be performed at the Seymour Centre in May 2026. I am hoping that some boys from Waverley may be interested in taking on lead roles or being a part of the dance ensemble. For further information please see the information pack.
All students must submit an application form to be a part of the show. The application form must be submitted by Friday, 29 August, 3 pm. Please submit audition videos via email to verity.cash@syd.catholic.edu.au The application form can be accessed here: Application Form
2025 Blue & Gold Ball Silent Auction – Closes tomorrow!
Don’t miss out on your chance to bid on the Blue & Gold Ball Silent Auction!
With an incredible range of prizes from luxury getaways and exclusive experiences, there is something for everyone.
You don’t need to attend the Ball to bid! All members of the Waverley community, their friends, and extended networks are welcome to join in and support this important fundraiser for our new Science & Innovation Centre.
Visit the Silent Auction site here, but be quick! Bidding closes at 9pm tomorrow, Saturday 16 August.
Your bid will help create a world-class learning facility for the next generation of Waverley students.
For more information on the Ball, to book tickets or learn more about our Premier This Is Africa prizes, click here: https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/news/2025-blue-gold-ball/
Sydney Uni HSC Masterclass
A reminder that the early bird rate for the University of Sydney HSC Masterclasses ends today.
This offers a $50 saving per subject for those who register before the deadline.
