Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
This week, we were pleased to welcome Year 12 back to classes following their HSC Trial Examinations, HSC plus Vocational workshops and Work Experience placements.
On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of attending the Year 12 HSC Music Recital.
Our Music 1 and Music 2 students presented their final practical performances before an audience of staff and parents. T
he standard of musicianship was truly outstanding, and I congratulate each student on their artistry, dedication and courage. We wish them every success as they continue refining their performances ahead of the HSC.
On Wednesday evening, the College hosted the Annual HSC Art & Design Show.
This special occasion showcased the exceptional Major Works of our Year 12 Industrial Technology, Visual Arts and Design & Technology students, alongside impressive contributions from Year 11 Technologies and Years 9–11 Elective Visual Arts classes.
The creativity, innovation and skill on display were a wonderful reflection of the students’ passion and commitment.
A sincere thank you also goes to our Hospitality students, whose professionalism and effort in catering for the event added so much to the evening.
Welcoming New Staff
This week we are delighted to welcome several new staff members to Waverley College, each bringing a wealth of experience, talent and enthusiasm to our community.
Mr John Allen has joined our Leadership Team as Deputy Principal – Students. John comes to us from Trinity Grammar School with over 20 years of senior leadership experience and a deep commitment to student wellbeing, holistic education and Catholic values. His leadership background includes roles as Acting Deputy Headmaster and Head of Middle School. An Oxford graduate with a Master of Science, John has extensive experience teaching across both the HSC and IB programs. He is a dedicated educator, mentor and leader, and we are excited for the expertise and vision he will contribute to the College.
Mr Tom Ritchie has joined our Learning Support Department until the end of Term. Tom comes to us from Haggerston School, London, and holds a Bachelor (Honours) in Sports Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Education from Stirling University, UK. Beyond the classroom, Tom is a qualified swimming and rugby coach, and has worked with the Scottish Rugby Talent Identification program.
Mr Conor De Courcey has joined our TAS Department from Tanglin Trust School, Singapore. Conor brings over 11 years of experience in Design and Technology, holding a Bachelor (Honours) in Graphics and Media Design and a Bachelor in Design and Visual Communication. His expertise will greatly enrich our students’ learning in this field.
Mr Oliver Knight, who many of you will know from the Junior School, has transitioned to the Senior School to join our PDHPE Department. Ms Chloe-Jane Tweedie will take over Oliver’s Year 6 class in the Junior School, and we thank her for stepping so capably into this role.
Mrs Narelle Moore has joined our Wellbeing Team, assisting with administration and student attendance. Narelle is also a dedicated community member, volunteering actively with Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.
Finally, congratulations to Mr Lachlan Drew-Morris, who has been appointed Acting Head of Green House until the end of the year, replacing Mr Scott Coleman. We wish him every success in this important leadership role.
Please join me in warmly welcoming John, Tom, Conor, Oliver, Chloe-Jane and Narelle to their new roles, and congratulating Lachlan on his appointment. We look forward to the energy and expertise they will bring to our community
Blue and Gold Ball a huge success!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Blue & Gold Ball last Saturday. The feedback has been very positive, and it was brilliant seeing the dancefloor packed all night thanks to the amazing Furnace and the Fundamentals.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors and suppliers who contributed resources and their time. We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who generously donated items to the silent auction, and a big congratulations and thank you to all of our lucky auction and raffle winners!
Special thanks to Michael O’Loughlin for opening the evening with a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country, and to our MC, Anthony “Harries” Carroll, for keeping the laughs and energy flowing all night.
Thanks to your generosity, we raised an incredible $282,127 in gross proceeds towards our new Science & Innovation Centre. What a result!
The journey doesn’t stop here. There are still fantastic ways to support the project, from naming rights for the building, a floor, or a lab, to sponsoring the fit-out and equipment. If you’d like to get involved, our Foundation Team – Billy Nicolas and Kash O’Hara – would love to hear from you.
We were lucky enough to have the event captured by some very talented photographers. You can view the Blue and Gold Ball Gallery HERE and the Media Wall Photos HERE – enjoy reliving some of the magic!
We’re also delighted to share that some of the generous contributors to this year’s Blue & Gold Ball have extended their support beyond the event, offering exclusive discounts for the Waverley College community.
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, a family adventure, or some high-speed fun, take advantage of these special promotions:
Osborn House – 20% off
Enjoy an exclusive 20% off any stay of 2 nights or more at the beautiful Osborn House, located in the Southern Highlands.
Book here with the discount pre-applied or use promo code WAVERLEY at checkout to apply the offer manually.
This Is Africa Discount – 10% Off
All Waverley College families are eligible for 10% off their next African holiday!* Perfect for those dreaming of a bucket-list adventure. Click here to book.
*T&Cs apply. Discount applies to land content only; flights not included.
HyperKarting – 15% Off Your Next Booking
Get your adrenaline fix at HyperKarting with 15% off your next session. Use promo code Waverley15 at checkout to redeem. Click here to book.
Father’s Day Breakfast
We warmly invite all fathers, grandfathers, and significant men in the lives of our Waverley College students to celebrate Father’s Day with a special breakfast alongside your sons. This occasion is a wonderful opportunity to share time together, enjoy a light meal, and strengthen connections within our Waverley College community.
Date: Friday, 5 September
Time: 8am – 8:45am
Venue: Birrell Street Basketball Court (entry via Birrell Street)
To assist with catering, please RSVP by Friday, 29 August.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
College Community Feedback Review – 2025
As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, we will soon be offering all parents, students, and staff the opportunity to share their feedback on various aspects of College life.
This research will be conducted by MMG Education, a specialist consultancy that supports schools through strategic reviews and stakeholder satisfaction studies.
Parents will be invited to complete an online questionnaire during a two-week period beginning Monday, 1 September 2025. Staff and students will also participate during this timeframe.
On Monday, 1 September 2025, MMG Education will send you an email invitation with a secure and confidential link to your questionnaire.
To ensure honest and open feedback:
- All responses will be anonymous.
- Results will be reported only in aggregated form.
- All data will be managed solely by MMG Education and stored according to strict research protocols. The College will not have access to individual responses.
At the end of the review process, MMG Education will provide me with a comprehensive report. I will then share key findings with the College community and provide opportunities to reflect on and discuss the outcomes.
If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact my assistant Robin Ball rball@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
I look forward very much to the valuable contribution you will be making to this important
project by completing your questionnaire.
HSC Final Push: A Critical Period for Year 12
As our Year 12 students approach the final phase of their school year, it is imperative that they dedicate themselves to maximising the remaining five weeks. Please note the following key messages:
Finalising Competencies and Assessments: for students in the HSC Plus Vocational courses, it is essential that all competencies and assessment tasks are finalised. This is not a mere formality; your teachers must verify your work and submit a final mark for your HSC credential. The timely completion of these tasks is a key requirement for successfully attaining the HSC.
Preparing for Apprenticeships and Work Experience: we strongly recommend that students begin drafting their resumes and cover letters. The English Studies teaching staff are available to provide support with this. Many of you will soon transition into apprenticeships or work experience. This is an opportune time to demonstrate your skills by being proactive, reliable, and diligent. Please remember that your reputation in your chosen industry is powerful, and the impression you leave now could significantly influence future career opportunities.
Making the Most of Trial Feedback: commencing this Thursday, teachers will start returning your Trial Examination papers. We urge you to use the feedback wisely to facilitate improvement. The feedback provided in examiners’ reports and on your individual scripts is highly valuable, and it is important to respect the considerable effort your teachers have invested in this process.
HSC Tutorials and Final Preparations: In the final week of this term, following your graduation, teachers will conduct HSC tutorials during scheduled class periods. These sessions are critical for consolidating knowledge, particularly in subjects such as the Sciences, where content may still be in the final stages of completion. We trust that our students will seize these opportunities for preparation.
Supporting Each Other and Sharing Resources: With the competitive aspect of school rankings now complete, it is more important than ever to support each other. Contributing to the shared Year 12 Study Notes folder and participating in study groups can be incredibly beneficial for everyone.
Finally, we extend our best wishes to all students completing their Major Performances and Works. Your hard work is about to culminate in these final submissions. Let’s ensure these last five weeks are a period of focused and productive effort.
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 during the month of August.
