From the Principal and Leadership Team

Harmony Day

This week, Waverley College came together to celebrate Harmony Day – a significant event that highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity within our community.

As an Edmund Rice community, we pride ourselves on being a place where ‘everyone belongs’, and Harmony Day serves as a poignant reminder of the value we place on embracing our differences.  Our student body is made up of a vibrant tapestry of cultures and on Harmony Day, we acknowledge and celebrate it.

In mentor groups at CCC time, pupils shared food that reflected their cultural heritage, learning about and appreciating the traditions of their peers.

The College also hosted a range of activities, including an Amazing Race, swimming, maths quiz, riddles, push-up competitions, three-point shooting, and relay sprints. It was a wonderful display of teamwork, camaraderie, and school spirit. 

St. Patrick’s Day Mass 

Ms Martina Cooper, accompanied by students Luca Green (Year 10), Henry Goldrich (Year 10), Luke Ibrahim (Year 10), and Axel Stapleton (Year 10), represented Waverley College at the Sydney Catholic Schools St. Patrick’s Day Mass, held by Bishop Brady at St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday.

Year 7 Information Evening

The Year 7 Parent/ Student Information Evening on Thursday 20 March was facilitated by Dr Prue Salter.

She is an expert in helping students develop the skills they need to be effective and efficient with their learning and her presentation provided a range of invaluable strategies to help Year 7 students become powerful learners.

Parents and students are reminded that Waverley College has access to Dr Salter’s resources and students can log in to the Enhanced Learning Educational Services Online Study Skills Handbook that complements the information evening. 

This website is www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

username: forwaverleycollegeonly

password: 94results

Passata Day

Congratulations to our Stage 6 Hospitality classes who engaged in our inaugural Passata Day on Tuesday as a part of their course competencies. 

The students prepared all elements of a passata and meatballs pasta from scratch to cater for lunch for our entire staff. 

From grinding their own meat to make the meatballs to simmering a flavourful passata sauce, they should be really proud of their lunch service.

Beanstalks Reading Challenge and our Reading Ambassadors

In Thursday’s Assembly, Mr. McCoy, Mr. Walker, Mr. Lamb, and Year 12 Extension 2 English student Lieme Chan captivated their audience with readings from Jaws (Peter Benchley), The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien), Dune (Frank Herbert), and The Body (Stephen King).

Adding a personal touch, Mrs. McCarthy shared her own poem, Oh My Giddy Aunt – A Snapshot of a Class, a vivid reflection on life as a teacher at the college. Both students and staff were thoroughly entertained.

The event served to celebrate our vibrant reading culture while also launching the college’s new Reading Challenges.

As part of this initiative, all students will be registered with Beanstack, an interactive online platform used by libraries and schools to foster reading habits through challenges, progress tracking, and rewards.

At a time when creativity and the arts face growing challenges—from AI disruptions to book bans—engaging with both fiction and nonfiction is more vital than ever. Our college library remains a treasure trove of novels, picture books, magazines, biographies, ebooks, graphic novels, study guides, and much more.

All students from Years 7 to 10 will be registered on Beanstack before the holidays, and Year 11 and 12 students who wish to participate are warmly invited to do so. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks to help students get started before and during the holidays.

Exciting prizes—including canteen vouchers, local eatery gift cards, and surprise book-related rewards—await those who take up the challenge.

Students eager to get started should see Ms. Ryan, Mr. Russell, or Ms. Bliznjakovic in the library. Stay tuned for more details!

Earth Hour 

I encourage you and your family to support Earth Hour this Saturday which has grown to become much more than switching your lights off.

Millions of participants around the world will switch off their lights at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday, 22 March 2025 to demonstrate support for the environment that is in obvious crisis.

This action is symbolic and is not an action to save power. It is about bringing awareness to the issue and demonstrates your commitment to help protect the planet.

Blue & Gold Ball 2025 – Sponsorship Opportunities

It is with great anticipation that we prepare for one of Waverley College’s most significant annual events, the Blue & Gold Ball.

Last year, more than 700 members of our community came together for this special occasion, and we look forward to an even greater celebration in 2025.

The success of this event is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and partners, whose support ensures a memorable evening for all.

This year, we are seeking two Gold, four Silver, and six Bronze Sponsors, as well as donations of high-quality auction items to contribute to the evening’s fundraising efforts.

We invite those interested in supporting this event to contact our Foundation Manager, Billy Nicolas, at bnicolas@waverley.nsw.edu.au to discuss how you can be part of this important event.

I look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an outstanding evening in support of Waverley College.

World’s Greatest Shave 

Our World’s Greatest Shave Campaign was launched at the CAS Swimming & Diving Assembly on Thursday by a moving address from Year 12 parent, Mrs Kate Carey and the Prefects of Lacey House. 

This cause is held very close to the hearts of the Waverley College community and has been at the forefront of our Social Justice initiative for the past ten years.

The World’s Greatest Shave Foundation is one that I know many in our community cherish and support graciously every year and one that has directly supported some of our past and present families at the college.

While our campaign is led by Lacey House – the Lacey students, families and staff showing unwavering support since its inception at the College – the Lacey Leadership Team would like to thank you for your support.

Tens of thousands have been raised in the past but the need grows as the years go by.

Thank you for your support and if you would still like to make a donation please click on the following link:

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/laceyhousewaverleycollege

School Bus Travel 

If your son already has an Opal Card – great! Tapping on and off every trip shows Transport for NSW the importance of our school routes, this helps with their planning by providing additional services to cope with increased demand. Please ask your son to tap on/off whenever they use public transport. 

For details on public transport routes to and from School please visit https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/information/transport/ 

2026 Term Dates 

Our term dates are now available on our website found here.

Download the College App

As part of our efforts to streamline internal communications, we encourage all parents, carers, staff and students to download and use the Waverley College app.

The app provides a convenient and secure way to stay informed about college news, events and updates. You can:

• Receive important notifications and reminders
• Access college news and updates
• View upcoming events and calendar
• Connect with teachers, staff and peers

By using the app, you’ll be able to stay connected and up-to-date with college life, wherever you are.

Download the app now from the App Store or Google Play Store.