Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Lent
At this week’s whole College Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Acting Director of Identity & Global Advocacy – Mr Tom Kennedy reflected on what Lent is to him.
Lent is not just a date on the Church calendar. It is an invitation to pause, to reflect, and to start again.
Today, each of us heard the words: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
Those words are not meant to make us feel guilty. They are meant to wake us up. Lent is not about guilt, it is about growth. It is about asking ourselves honestly: Who am I called to be? Where is God guiding me?
Throughout Lent, we focus on three key pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
First Pillar: Prayer
In a world full of noise – notifications, sport, study pressures, expectations, assessments, emails, and social media. Lent invites us to slow down.
We heard in today’s Psalm: “A clean heart create for me, and a steadfast spirit renew within me”
Prayer is about creating space in our hearts. It might be three minutes in the morning like it is for me. It might be a moment of gratitude for your loved ones before bed, like it is for me. It might be recognising the Holy Spirit going for a swim, or a jog outside in the sun, like it is for me. If you look, you’ll find your space, you’ll find your moments in the day, and you’ll be better for it.
Second Pillar: Fasting
Lent asks something deep, and vulnerable, and honest of us. What do I rely on too much? What distracts me? What habits don’t bring out the best in me? Fasting might mean giving up complaining, or talking negatively about people. We have a screen free week starting this week. Maybe that’s an opportunity to let go of something that we hold on to too tightly. Myself included. It is about learning self-discipline, choosing what truly matters.
Third Pillar, Almsgiving – Service.
Jesus tells us in Matthew’s Gospel, “When you pray… when you fast… when you give alms…” (Matthew 6:1–18) Notice He says when, not if. Service is not optional for Christians. It is part of who we are. Faith is not something we keep to ourselves. It moves us outward.
The 40 days of Lent mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. He stepped away from what was comfortable, faced temptation, and trusted in God. Sometimes our own challenges feel like deserts. Pressure, uncertainty, illness or injuries, friendship struggles, family stress, loss of a loved one or loneliness.
But we do not walk through Lent to stay in the desert. We walk through Lent towards Easter; towards new life and light.
That is why Lent matters. Reflection leads to growth. Sacrifice leads to freedom. The journey through the cross leads to light.
As a Waverley community, this is a time to reset our priorities. To strengthen our character. To live our faith in action. To become people who choose compassion over comparison; courage over comfort; and hope over fear.
On Shrove Tuesday, O’Connor House raised $1,250 for Project Compassion through the Senior School pancake fundraiser. Project Compassion is run by Caritas Australia and seeks to transform lives by bringing clean water, education, healthcare and opportunities to communities facing poverty and injustice.
Project Compassion donation boxes are also available at Reception, the Wellbeing Centre, and the Canteen for students to contribute throughout Lent.
Academic Reception
Congratulations to our students who we celebrated at our Academic Reception last night to recognise significant achievements from Semester 2 last year. We welcomed guest speaker Chris Tembeleski, Founder of Rubix Learning. After starting his career in corporate finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chris chose to pursue his passion for business and education instead.
He is a highly regarded educator and academic mentor who has guided over 850 students toward success in the HSC and beyond. Having also taught at the University of Sydney, Chris brings a unique perspective on the bridge between secondary school and tertiary success.
Reminder: Parent/ Student/ Mentor Meetings – Monday 23 February
Reminder, Year 7-12 Parent/Student/Mentor meetings are on next Monday afternoon, 1.30-3.30pm. Senior school students finish at 1pm as they are expected where possible to join their parents for the zoom interviews.
Waverley Youth Art Prize – Dreaming Future Worlds
The Waverley Youth Art Prize is open to youths aged between 9 and 18 who are living, studying and playing in Sydney’s East. Each year, artists are asked to respond to a theme, with broad artistic interpretation of this theme encouraged. Entrants may utilise ideas relating to popular culture, science fiction, sustainability or something else. All mediums and interpretations are welcome.
There are multiple prize categories, and the work of finalists is exhibited at the Waverley Library Galleries.
In 2026, we invite young creators to create artworks inspired by the theme ‘Dreaming Future Worlds’. This theme encourages innovation and creative freedom, with young artists envisaging surreal new realms that defy the rules of reality, devising fantastical inventions that change the way we live, or depicting their dreams for the future.
Applications must be submitted via their online application form by 5pm on Friday, 1 May 2026, with artworks delivered to Waverley Library between 9:30am–5pm on Friday, 22 May 2026. View terms and conditions here.
‘Kids Giving Back’ – Not For Profit Organisation
We are very proud of the following students who elected to spend part of their Summer holidays volunteering to help provide over 5,000 meals, snack packs, care packages and wrote heartfelt messages to support 15 charities across Sydney. Their kindness, empathy and willingness to show up for others made a real and tangible difference to vulnerable communities across Sydney.
Harry Houben (Year 6)
Zachary Pinson (Year 6)
Harry Taylor (Year 6)
Phoenix Tilly (Year 8)
James Zimmermann (Year 8)
If you would also like your son/s to experience meaningful opportunities to give back to disadvantaged people in our community, consider the Kids Giving Back Community Programs www.kidsgivingback.org.
Intergenerational Literacy & Sustainability
Today, our Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) and Walawaani students hosted a heart-warming “Intergenerational Literacy & Sustainability” morning with 4-year-olds from St Mary’s Childcare. This vibrant and courageous expression of ethical citizenship saw our seniors reading ecology books to the children, who in turn sang a song to us in Dharawal language. During a colouring activity, our students explained the Walawaani Journey, fostering deep partnerships with the community.
The senior students were deeply engaged with the children, demonstrated through smiles, questions and conversations. By acting as mentors and inspired advocates, they helped model the “Justice and Solidarity” core to our mission. Our students reflected on how rewarding and meaningful the experience was, noting the profound impact that direct community action has on their perspective.
Parent Guide for Canvas
Parents and carers are reminded that they are able to access their child’s Canvas account as observers. This is to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information about assessment notifications, results and Learning Checkpoints feedback on an ongoing basis.
Please click on this link for a quick guide on how to access Canvas, how to manage notifications and how to navigate the system.
Year 11 Eating to Fuel Your Brain & Body Workshop
Year 11 students stepped away from their textbooks to tackle a different kind of challenge this week: navigating the confusing world of social media nutrition. We were pleased to host “The Biting Truth”, a session designed to help students dismantle the “filtered” and often misleading health trends that dominate their digital feeds.
Between viral “What I Eat in a Day” videos and conflicting influencer advice, it has never been harder for young people to identify what is actually healthy. This constant stream of mixed messages often leads to unnecessary stress, energy crashes, and a strained relationship with food. “The biting Truth” stripped away the jargon and provided Year 11 with practical tools grounded in science rather than aesthetics.
Students explored the “Power Pair” combining protein and complex carbohydrates to avoid the 3PM study slump and developed the media literacy needed to spot “red flag” advice online. Crucially, the session highlighted how stable nutrition directly supports mental health and stress management during the demanding senior years.
Our students walked away not with a “diet,” but with agency. By focusing on sustainable habits rather than restrictive trends, Year 11 is now better equipped to fuel their bodies for high performance, consistent moods, and long-term wellbeing.
Blue and Gold Ball – Save the Date
We are excited to announce the save the date of our major fundraiser the Blue & Gold Ball, to be held on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
Last year’s Blue & Gold Ball was a sell-out success, raising valuable funds for our building fund. This year we hope to inspire a new generation of families to contribute to the first step in our Master Plan, the Science and Innovation Centre. This inspiring appeal sees Waverley College embarking on the largest-scale construction project in its history.
Get set for a spectacular night at the 2026 Blue & Gold Ball with pre-dinner drinks and canapés under the stars followed by a formal gala dinner, drinks and dancing, live music and auction items.
We are looking for event sponsors, raffle donations and auction items, please reach out to: foundation@waverley.nsw.edu.au if you would like to get involved.
Learning to Be Heard – Global Public Speaking Challenge
Students are invited to take part in Learning to Be Heard, a global public speaking challenge launching alongside the new TED Summer School in partnership with Immerse Education.
Open to students aged 14-18, the challenge invites participants to submit a one-minute video responding to the thought-provoking question:
“If everyone in the world were listening to you for one minute, what idea would you share, and why?”
Designed as a structured super-curricular opportunity, the challenge encourages students to develop and communicate an original idea with clarity, purpose and confidence. The focus is not on prior public speaking experience, but on clarity of thought, strong structure and sound judgement.
Outstanding submissions will be considered for full or partial scholarships to attend the TED Summer School, with programmes available in London, New York, Singapore or online.
Why take part
- Develop and share an idea that matters to you
- Practise expressing your thinking clearly and concisely
- Build confidence in public speaking and communication
- Be considered for a full or partial scholarship to TED Summer School
Deadline: 26 February 2026
Students can register to receive the challenge guide and full submission details HERE.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their voice, engage with big ideas and develop valuable skills in communication and critical thinking.
Old Boys Muster Success
It was a great pleasure to welcome back so many Old Boys for our annual Old Boys Muster, a celebration of the generations of Waverlians who have shaped the life and spirit of our College.
From our most senior alumnus in attendance from the Class of 1955 to our newest graduates of the Class of 2025, the evening reflected the enduring bonds and shared pride that unite our community. With more than 100 Old Boys gathered on the rooftop of the Centenary Building, it was wonderful to see both familiar faces and those attending for the first time.
I had the opportunity to provide an update on the College’s progress, including our entry into the Top 100 HSC rankings at 83rd in the state, along with recent successes in debating and athletics. These achievements are built upon the strong foundations laid by those who came before us.
Importantly, I also shared plans for our new Science & Innovation Centre, a transformational project that will enhance contemporary teaching and learning at Waverley. Through the leadership of our Foundation Manager, Billy Nicolas, the Foundation is working closely with our community to secure the philanthropic support needed to bring this vision to life. It is encouraging to see Old Boys taking an active interest in shaping the College’s future.
I thank WCOBU President Salvatore Riolo and his executive for their continued partnership, and we look forward to welcoming our community again at Back to Queens Park Day in May.
