Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Welcome back
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a pleasure to welcome our students back to the College and to see the campus once again alive with energy and connection. I extend a particularly warm welcome to those students and families who are joining the Waverley community for the first time. You belong here, and we are very glad you are with us.
Before we look forward to the year ahead, it is important that we pause and acknowledge events that have deeply affected our wider community over the holiday period.
The horrific act of violence at Bondi Beach with a terrorist attack directed at members of the Jewish community. Tragically, lives were lost, families were devastated, and a sense of safety was profoundly shaken. Some of our students, parents and staff were present at the event, and many more have felt its impact in very real ways.
On behalf of Waverley College, I extend our deepest thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and to Australia’s Jewish community. We stand with you. Acts of hatred, extremism, and violence have no place in our society and stand in direct opposition to the values we hold as an Edmund Rice school with dignity, compassion, justice, and respect for every person at our core.
For families of Jewish children, the Board of Jewish Deputies has organised a webinar with trained trauma psychologists who specialise in childhood trauma and resilience building within educational settings. This is scheduled for Sunday 1 February from 9am – 10.30am. Register at: www.nswjbd.org.au/bts
We also acknowledge another tragic loss: the death of a young Rose Bay student in a shark attack at a harbour beach. This heartbreaking event has been felt particularly by those boys in our community who knew him personally. To his family, friends, and school community, we extend our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve.
Moments like these remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of how we care for one another. If any student is feeling unsettled, anxious, or carrying sadness, we encourage them to speak with a trusted adult, a teacher, mentor, or member of our wellbeing team. Asking for support is a sign of strength, and no one should feel they must carry these things alone.
As we begin this new year together, let us recommit to being a community defined not by fear, but by care; not by division, but by solidarity; not by indifference, but by compassion in action. Waverley is at its best when we look out for one another and choose kindness, courage, and character, especially when it matters most.
In this context, the motto chosen by our Year 12 students for 2026 feels particularly fitting: Show Up, Stand Up, Lift Up.
These are not just words, but a call to action about presence, courage, and responsibility. They remind us that who we are matters most when life is difficult, when others are hurting, and when leadership is required of us.
At Presentation Day last year, I spoke about the danger of placing ceilings on what we believe we can achieve, sharing Nelson Mandela’s reminder that “there is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” At the time, the HSC results of the Class of 2025 were not yet known. When those results were released on 18 December, that message rang powerfully true.
The Class of 2025 produced the strongest HSC results in the College’s history, with Band 6 outcomes placing Waverley in the top 100 schools for the first time, ranked 83rd. These results did not happen by chance. They are the product of students who showed up each day, stood up to challenge and setback, and lifted one another through disciplined effort, persistence, and belief.
Their achievement offers a powerful reminder to every boy at Waverley: when you dream boldly, work consistently, and refuse to limit yourself, extraordinary things can happen.
May that be our collective commitment this year, to show up for one another, to stand up for what is right, and to lift each other higher than we could ever rise alone.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we begin the year ahead.
Welcome to Our New Staff
We are also pleased to introduce the following staff who have joined the College this year:
Ms Juliana Dundovic – History Teacher
An experienced secondary History educator who has taught Geography, Ancient and Modern History and held leadership roles including Relieving Head Teacher Administration. Juliana holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education and comes to us from Bossley Park High School.
Ms Annie Evans – HSIE Teacher
An accomplished History, Geography and Legal Studies Teacher with a background in curriculum leadership, sustainability education and student wellbeing initiatives. Annie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in History) and PGDE (Secondary) Teacher of History and comes to us from Beeslack High School, Scotland.
Ms Eleanor Fattal – Visual Arts Teacher
A passionate Visual Arts educator with a strong studio background and a focus on creative exploration and contemporary art practice. Eleanor holds a Master of Teaching (Secondary) and a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Painting) and joins us from North Sydney Boys High School.
Mr David Fortune – HSIE Teacher
A dedicated teacher of Business Studies, Economics and Geography with experience supporting diverse learners and strong involvement in co-curricular life. David holds a Master of Education and a BA (Joint Honours) Economics and Geography 2nd class hons grade 1 and comes to us from Marist College Athlone.
Ms Siofra Frain – Science Teacher
A versatile Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics teacher who has taught both HSC and International Baccalaureate curriculum. Siofra holds a Bachelor of Science Education and comes to us from working with the NSW Department of Education from previously St Andrew’s College, Dublin.
Mr William Gibson – Visual Arts Assistant
William is currently studying at UTS, Sydney Bachelor of Science and Masters in Secondary Education. He is currently assisting in our Visual Arts area and is also one of the 2nd V Basketball Coaches.
Mr Mitchell Gordon – Music Teacher
A dynamic secondary Music teacher and professional performer who brings extensive ensemble leadership and music technology expertise to the classroom. Mitchell holds a Master of Teaching (Secondary) Double Music and a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance) and comes to us from International Maarif Schools of Australia.
Ms Hannah Hegarty – Science Teacher
Hannah is a motivated and committed secondary school teacher with experience teaching Science, Biology, Mathematics and Physical Education across junior and senior year levels. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology and Physical Education) and comes to us from Edmund Rice College Phoenix Park.
Mr Dylan Jordan – Science Teacher
A Biology, Agriculture and general Science teacher who is known for engaging, practical lessons connected to real-world STEM applications. Dylan holds a Master of Education (Science) and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and comes to us from Trinity Comprehensive secondary school Ballymun Dublin.
Ms Kerrie Lynch – Science Teacher
A science educator with experience supporting diverse learners and contributing to collaborative, student-centred classroom environments. Kerrie holds a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Nursing and comes to us from Mount St Joseph, Milperra.
Mr Henry McLennan – HSIE Teacher
A passionate Humanities teacher with strong experience across History, Geography, Commerce and Business Studies, and a focus on relational, inquiry-based learning. Henry holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Modern History) and comes to us from St Aloysius College.
Ms Eimear Meaney – Religion Teacher
An enthusiastic English and Religious Education teacher with experience across differentiation strategies and wellbeing programs. Eimear holds a Professional Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Theology and English and comes to us from Christian Brothers School Naas, Kildare.
Mr Brett Pyke – TAS Teacher
An experienced TAS teacher bringing practical skills and industry knowledge to support hands-on, applied learning. Brett holds a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching, a Diploma in Education with a multidisciplinary focus across education, design, digital technologies, and engineering. He joins us from Matamata College, New Zealand.
Ms Anita Serret – Junior School Teacher
A highly experienced primary educator and instructional specialist with deep expertise in data-informed teaching, diverse learning and staff coaching. Anita holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and joins us from St Charles Primary School, Waverley.
Ms Jade Stapleton – Library Technician & Book Hire
A highly organised education support professional with extensive experience in student support, administration and community engagement. Jade has worked across both corporate and educational spheres and joins us from St Charles’ Catholic Primary School, Waverley.
Mr Robert Thynne – PDHPE Teacher
A Physical Education teacher with a strong sporting background and experience teaching a range of students while fostering teamwork and active lifestyles. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science Hons Sports Therapy and PGCE in Physical Education and comes to us from Redhill Secondary School.
Mr Paul Turner – Junior School Teacher
A primary teacher with strong experience in data-driven literacy and numeracy programs, inclusive practices and co-curricular sport. Paul holds a Master of Teaching (Primary), Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies), Bachelor of Physical Education and comes to us from Rainbow Street Public School, Randwick.
We warmly welcome each of these staff to Waverley and look forward to the contributions they will make to our students and community.
Staff Role Changes
We also acknowledge a number of internal appointments and acting roles across the College. These staff bring continuity, experience and strong leadership to their new positions, and we thank them for their willingness to serve the community in these important capacities.
- Ms Rebecca Gair – Director of Student Wellbeing
- Ms Cassandra Foster – Head of Brennan House
- Mr Lachlan Drew-Morris – Head of Green House
- Mr Stephen Wilmot – Head of Quinn House
- Ms Mary Ryan – Literacy Coordinator
- Ms Silvia Baylie – Ecology Coordinator
- Mr Tom Kennedy – Acting Director of Identity & Global Advocacy
- Mr Eamonn Brosnan – Acting Spirituality & Student Spirit Coordinator
- Mr Steven Hall – Acting Head of Maths
- Mr Corey McMullan – Acting Assistant Head of Maths
- Mr Mark Neale – Acting Administration Coordinator
- Ms Angelique Theodorou – Acting Head of HSIE
- Ms Niamh Ennis – Acting Assistant Head of HSIE
- Ms Gemma Stead – Acting Head of History
- Mr James Roff – Acting Head of Science
- Mr Angus MacAuslan – Acting Innovation Coordinator
- Ms Chelsea Hobson – Acting VET & SBAT Coordinator
- Mr Tom Ritchie – PDHPE Teacher
- Ms Dori Miller – Acting Swim School Convenor
- Ms Alex McCredie – Psychologist (returning to Junior School)
- Ms Jacinta Lynch – Psychologist (joining Senior School from Junior School)
