Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Year 7 Camp at Camp Somerset
Congratulations to our Year 7s who navigated their first Senior School outdoor education experience to Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre. Somerset is located about 90 minutes North-West of Sydney on the Colo River (known as the last pristine river in NSW). The Centre operates from a central Base Camp which services over 40km of the Colo Valley.
The boys participated in a number of activities including canoeing, rafting, abseiling, hiking, cooking, obstacle course, rock climbing and the wombat hole challenge. It is a wonderful opportunity for our year 7s to connect with nature, each other and challenge themselves in an outdoor environment.
Literacy Update
Last week we launched our reading program in Year 7 and Year 8. We are very excited to welcome all classes to the library once a cycle to experience the luxury of reading a great book of their choice in this beautiful space. Everyone knows the positive effects: improved brain power, memory and creativity, building vocabulary, and developing empathy.
We encourage you to take time to chat with your sons about the books they are reading and encourage even ten minutes of reading at home as part of a healthy reading diet. All students also have access to the platform Beanstack, designed to make reading fun!
Beanstack uses competition, recognition, and proven gamification principles to motivate students to read and develop a life-long love of reading. By tracking their daily reading, students build healthy reading habits and become more confident readers. Building on last year’s success with Beanstack challenges, we will continue to run our Reading Challenges throughout the year where students can earn points and win prizes.
Here is our 2026 Recommended Reading List Our fiction and non-fiction recommendations aim to inspire, engage, and spark curiosity. We have also included suggestions for staff and parents to enjoy. Together, let’s commit to encouraging just 10 minutes a day immersed in a wonderful book.
Everybody Has a Book Campaign
As you know, ‘Screen-Free Week’ will take place from 19th to 25th February, spanning Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 1. In conjunction, we will be running our Everybody Has a Book Campaign. All students will be required to carry a reading book with them throughout the school day. This campaign reinforces the importance of having constant access to quality literature and encourages students to use any free moments for reading. We will provide students with the opportunity to visit the school library to borrow a book, or students can bring a book from home.
How Can You Support This Initiative?
Parents and carers exert the single most powerful influence on their son’s reading habits. Here’s how you can help:
- Model reading behaviour: If boys see adults reading for enjoyment, they learn that reading is valued and will mimic that behaviour
- Support the ‘Everybody Has a Book’ campaign by helping your son select engaging reading material
- Discuss with your son what he’s reading
This campaign represents our commitment to providing a balanced, research-informed education that prepares students not just for digital literacy, but for deep thinking and creativity. We believe that by temporarily stepping away from screens and into the world of books, our students will gain valuable skills and perspectives that will enhance their overall educational experience.
We appreciate your support in making the ‘Everybody Has a Book’ campaign a success.
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2026
Key Dates:
Challenge opens: Monday 23 February 2026
Challenge closes to students: Friday 18 September 2026
If you are interested in participating in the PRC, please let Ms M Ryan know via email mryan01@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Screen-Free Week, Years 7-12 (19 – 25 February 2026)
This initiative aims to foster a healthier and more engaging learning environment for our students. During this week, students will not be using laptops or devices across all classes. All work will be completed with pen, paper or via other non-digital mediums. Below are the key details and guidelines for the week:
- Dates: 19 to 25 February, 2026
- Week 4: Thursday 19 and Friday 20 February, 2026
- Week 5: Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 February, 2026
Further details about what this entails can be found on the information letter attached.
Parent/ Student/ Mentor Meetings – Monday 23 February
Year 7-12 Parent/Student/Mentor meetings are on Monday 23 February 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. Online bookings are open now.
NAPLAN Update
This year NAPLAN assessments will take place in Week 7 and Week 8. Year 7 and Year 9 will be given lots of opportunities to work on improving their numeracy and literacy skills over the coming weeks. Both year groups have received workbooks to complete independent learning at home. The expectation is that students will come to class prepared with the set work completed in a timely fashion.
Parents’ Association Meeting
You are welcome to join us for the first Parents’ Association Meeting for 2026.
Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026
Time: 6-7.30pm
Venue: Grange Meeting room (at the back of the library)
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents, share ideas, and discuss important matters related to our school community.
There is parking in the Grange Carpark and light refreshments will be available.
Louise Lakomy
President of the Waverley College Parents’ Association
2024 Yearbook – now available
We’re pleased to share that the 2024 Waverley College Yearbook is now available.
Families can collect a printed copy from College Reception. The digital version is also available for those who prefer to read online or share with extended family – you can access it HERE.
VIP Reformer Pilates for Mums & Bubs
Sydney BMW is hosting its first Mums & Bubs Reformer Pilates session on Wednesday, 26 February 2026, and would be thrilled to welcome you to this exclusive, invite-only wellness experience.
Event Highlights:
- 45-minute Reformer Pilates class led by Bayche, suitable for pre- and post-natal mums
- 10-minute talks and demonstrations with a Speech Pathologist and Maxi-Cosi baby seat guidance
- Relaxed Q&A covering car seats, car buying, and practical parenting tips
- Complimentary light refreshments, café access, and air-conditioned comfort
- Baby-friendly facilities including on-site crèche, change area, and breastfeeding space
Location & Timing:
- Sydney BMW, 65 Craigend Street, Rushcutters Bay
- Arrival: 10:30 – 10:45 am | Session start: 11 am
This experience offers Waverley Mums a wonderful opportunity to move, connect, and enjoy a premium wellness morning designed specifically for new and soon-to-be mums.
REGISTER HERE: https://www.sydneybmw.com.au/pilates-for-mums-bubs
School Buses Information
Please see information below from Transdev John Holland regarding school bus services in 2026.
- School Bus Information Guide is a useful resource for parents and caregivers.
- The Student Code of Conduct all students must follow regulations when travelling between home and school using public transport.
- School bus timetable is attached however a reminder that all school and regular route service information can be accessed via transportnsw.info
School bus timetable – Junior School
School bus timetable – Senior School
Important reminders for students:
- signal the driver for their bus, near the bus stop, and
- remember ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ with their Opal card each time they travel.
Opal Card Compliance
It is important that students ‘tap on and off with their School Opal Card or Child/Youth Opal Card every time when using public transport. This is so that Transport for NSW can understand customer travel patterns and adjust the services provided, if necessary. It is also a condition of the Student Code of Conduct.
If students do not meet these criteria for a School Opal Card, click here for details, they will need to carry a Child/Youth Opal card with funds loaded onto it. If a student’s School Opal Card has expired or been damaged, lost or stolen, please visit transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply to reapply.
Transport NSW will continue to conduct random visits to school bus stops to reinforce this message to students throughout the year.
Celebrating support for Waverley College
Waverley Old Boy and Foundation Patron Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove, alongside Wallaby legends and Old Boys Owen Finegan and Morgan Turinui, recently celebrated their generous support of the Waverley College Foundation by hosting the exclusive lunch awarded to last year’s Blue & Gold Ball winning bidders.
Held at an exclusive Sydney club and thoughtfully organised by Sir Peter, the gathering offered guests a rare opportunity to spend quality time with these respected members of the Waverley community, hearing reflections on their years at the College and the journeys that shaped their successful careers. Rugby naturally featured in the conversation, alongside many memorable behind-the-scenes stories. Adding to the occasion, Morgan generously gifted a jersey signed by all Wallaby players from the recent Lions series – a special surprise that was greatly appreciated by the winners.
We also extend our sincere thanks to current parents Domenic Welfare and Nadia Kemp for their valued support. Every contribution helps advance the much-needed construction of the new Science & Innovation Centre.
With $2.8 million raised towards our $10 million target, we encourage our community to continue supporting this transformative project as we move closer to laying the first brick. To learn how you can help, please contact Foundation Manager Billy Nicolas – bnicolas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship 2026
It has recently been announced that the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) will once again be offered this year to some exceptional high school history students in NSW. Up to 18 NSW high school students will be selected to take part in a study tour of Greece and Crete, visiting historic sites linked to Australia’s military service during the Second World War.
The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) offers History and Modern History students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Australia’s wartime experiences and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and servicewomen. The tour will include significant locations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Phaleron, the Hellenic War Museum, and the battlefields of Thermopylae and Thebes, as well as key sites in Crete including the 6th Australian Division Memorial, Rethymno, and Souda Bay War Cemetery.
Previous scholarship recipients have described the experience as life changing, highlighting the strong sense of connection felt while visiting historic battlefields and memorials.
The 2026 tour will take place during the Term 3 school holidays, departing on 26 September and returning on 8 October 2026.
Applications close on Monday, 9 March 2026, with students required to submit a five-minute multimedia presentation, a school recommendation, and parent consent.
For more information and to apply, visit the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship page.
Re-introducing Mabel and Koda, our Therapy Dogs
As we begin a new school year, we would like to re-share information about the Therapy Dogs who occasionally join our School Psychology team to support the health and wellbeing of students within the Waverley College community.
Waverley College is fortunate to have two Therapy Dogs:
- Mabel, owned and handled by our College Psychologist, Ms Samantha Jessen
- Koda, owned and handled by our College Psychologist, Ms Olivia Stelling
Both Koda and Mabel are approved Therapy Dogs who have demonstrated a suitable temperament, high levels of manners, and strong impulse control, making them appropriate to work with children within a school environment. Their handlers have demonstrated appropriate animal handling skills and a strong awareness of animal welfare, supporting safe and positive interactions within the College setting.
Research continues to acknowledge the positive impact animals have on our health and wellbeing. Through the development of the human animal bond (HAB), we can experience reductions in blood pressure, increased oxytocin levels (associated with love and bonding), a reduction in cortisol levels (stress hormone) among many other beneficial physiological and emotional responses.
The presence of Koda and Mabel within the school environment is intended to support student engagement, assist with social skill development, and aid with self-regulation and calming, among many other benefits.
Interacting with Koda and/or Mabel is completely voluntary. A Risk Management Plan is in place, however we appreciate that some parents/carers may still have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the Waverley College environment. Accordingly, we have prepared a ‘Meeting Waverley Therapy Dogs – Opt Out’ form for parents/carers who would like to exercise this choice.
We encourage you to take the time to:
- Click here to learn more about Therapy Dogs and the evidence-based benefits of Therapy Dogs within the classroom
- Read the comprehensive introductory letter from our Wellbeing Team
- Complete the ‘Meeting Waverley Therapy Dogs – Opt Out’ form if necessary.
Body Safe Parent Workshop – FREE
Waverley council will be hosting an interactive Body Safe Workshop that will give you the tools and language to help children foster healthy relationships, build their self-esteem and keep them safe. Tools that guide us about consent are important and something that can be used in our everyday lives. This can help kids learn about personal boundaries, body autonomy, and respecting others’ choices.
Date: Tuesday, March 10
Venue: Online
Time: 6 – 8 pm
Cost: Free register here
