Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Jazz Collective Concert
Congratulations to our Music students and staff on an amazing night of Jazz last night. The Performing Arts Centre foyer was transformed into a Manhattan Jazz Club and set the scene for an amazing evening.
The student performances supported by professional Jazz musicians the Ben Daley Quintet were exceptional.
Thank you to the following staff: Mr Jesse Johnston, Mr Timothy Walsh, Mr Alexander Lee, Mr Daniel Williams, Mr Jonathan Cleeve, Mr Angus McPherson, Ms Jaz Johnston, Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Ms Jazz de Witte, and Mr Chris Balkizas. And, thank you to our Music Supporters Club for their ongoing support of our program: Mrs Chantal Hughes, Mr Joe Rede, Ms Meg Pounder, Mr Greg Isaac and Ms Naomi Isaac.
Japanese Exchange
We currently have four students from Kokugakuin Kugayama High School (Tokyo) visiting us and staying with four Waverley families. Our students will reciprocate later in the year and visit their high school.
We will also be hosting 90 students next year for two days. The aim of this student exchange program is to provide participants with global educational opportunities, enabling them to gain firsthand experience in diverse academic environments.
Through immersion in a different culture, students will learn about cultural elements, traditions, and perspectives that foster greater intercultural understanding. Additionally, the program seeks to develop interpersonal skills, such as adaptability, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration, preparing students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Blue & Gold Ball 2025 – Tickets on Sale!
Tickets are now on sale for the Blue & Gold Ball on Saturday, 16 August, 2025!
Tickets are $220 per person which includes pre-dinner drinks and canapés under the stars followed by a formal gala dinner with drinks, dancing and live music.
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.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event!
Year 12 Mother & Son Luncheon
Last Sunday, Ms. Sue Walsh and I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Mother and Son Luncheon at Dockside. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with warmth and connection, highlighted by an inspiring talk from our guest speaker, James Castrission.
James, an accountant, and his close friend, Justin Jones, a scientist, have made history with their record-breaking expeditions, including kayaking across the Tasman Sea and completing an unsupported round-trip ski journey to the South Pole.
James captivated the audience with powerful stories of adventure, perseverance, and gratitude – moments that moved many to tears. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Jade Stapleton, our Year 12 Parent Representative, for her dedication in organizing such a memorable event
Generations Breakfast
On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of hosting the Generations Breakfast in the Senior School Library.
This gathering provided a meaningful opportunity for past and present generations to connect – allowing Old Boys to rekindle their bond with the College community while giving students valuable insights into the school’s rich history and traditions.
The 2025 Old Boys Muster
Last Friday marked a special evening for the Waverley College Old Boys’ Union (WCOBU) as they welcomed back Old Boys from across the decades for the 2025 Old Boys Muster.
The College rooftop provided a great backdrop for the evening, with the Sydney skyline offering a picturesque view as the sun set. Old Boys reconnected over food, drinks and warm company, sharing laughter and memories that echoed across the terrace.
Speeches from WCOBU President Salvatore Riolo and Deputy Principal Ms Gabby Smith reflected on Waverley College’s rich tradition and the strength of its alumni network. The event highlighted the importance of staying connected and giving back to the College community.
Deep Learning: A Global Partnership
As we continue to build on our collaborative work with the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) on Design for Deep Learning and embedding the 6 Global Competencies (Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking) into our programs, our teachers are embracing a range of opportunities to lead in this pedagogy.
Congratulations to Ms Helen Barrie, our Head of Academic Enrichment and English Teacher for being recognised on the Deep Learning International Stage for her work in teaching Year 7 Poetry earlier this year. In an article on how to, ‘take time to get to know our students, their interests and needs,’
Ms Barrie’s poetry unit was recognised as an exemplar and thus she was invited to present in a Deep Learning TeachMeet on how her students in Year 7 English were obsessed with playing chess and that she made a decision to view this as a learning opportunity rather than as a distraction. What followed was the significant work she undertook to create a unit of work linking poetry to chess.
You can read more about the Deep Learning Work here: https://deep-learning.global/
Mosman Youth Art Prize
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as Finalists in the Mosman Youth Art Prize for 2025:
Zach Jones, Dante Fearn, Oliver Isaac, Louis Cockerill, Oliver Teh Howell, Leonardo Marino and Oliver Lorimer.
The prize supports young artists in the metropolitan area, accepting entries from hundreds of artists across a range of drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photographs.
Since its foundation by local artist Ken Done AM in 1988, numerous Australian artists have started their careers winning the Mosman Youth Art Prize.
Opening night is Friday 28 March, 6pm where winners will be announced.
All finalist works will be on exhibit at Mosman Gallery, 1 Art Gallery Way, Mosman, from Saturday 29 March – 4 May, 2025.
Passata Day: A Celebration of Italian Culture and Hospitality
Year 11 VET Hospitality students recently participated in a unique cultural day, making fresh passata (tomato sauce) and exploring its significance in Italian culture. The day combined academic and cultural activities, enhancing the students’ skills in teamwork, commercial cooking and serving.
The event featured a special guest, Italian language teacher Lucia Krejci, who shared her personal connection to Passata Day and its importance in Italian families. The timing coincided with Harmony Day, reinforcing the theme of cultural diversity and celebration.
The day provided hands-on experience with commercial-grade food preparation appliances and real-world applications of industry terminology. Students set up bain maries, buffet service styles and served teachers and peers, receiving excellent feedback.
The event also highlighted environmental sustainability, with students learning about reduced food waste solutions and preserving the passata in reusable jars.
A huge thank you to the Y11 VET Hospitality students, Mrs. Beverley McCarthy and Georgina Weaver for their support and contributions to the day’s success.
Mark Neale
VET & SBAT Coordinator
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/
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.
