Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Welcome Back
Wishing all students, staff and parents/carers a great Term 4. Term 4 usually flies by, please assist your son with his organisation and to make a strong start across all of his pursuits.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our Year 12s as they sit their final examinations. I congratulate them on the energy they have brought this week to the start of their HSC examinations. We met with them on Tuesday morning before their first examination and shared the message that all our community are behind them over this 3 week period.
Our College Captains delivered the following prayer at College Assembly this week which resonated with staff and students.
Reader: Kayden Baker
Gracious God in the busyness of our days, we sometimes forget to stop and thank you for all that is good in our lives. Our blessings are many and our hearts are filled with gratefulness for the gift of living and for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of your creation. As we begin Term 4 we thank you for your many gifts.
Lord Hear Us
Reader: Archie Godby
We pray in gratitude for those things in our lives that are less than we would hope them to be. Things that seem challenging, unfair or difficult. Grant us the resilience we need to never give up, and to be encouraged by knowing you are always there for us. Help us to realise we are Stronger together.
Lord Hear Us
Reader: Lachlan Isaac
We pray in thanksgiving Lord for all the teaching and learning that will take place in our school, both in and out of the classroom this coming term. For the talents and gifts that will be shared and the challenges that will be faced; For the respect and care that will be given.
Lord Hear Us
Reader: Fox Stapleton
O Lord, as we work together to build your Kingdom, let us be the light that leads the world to you. God, teach us to be good role models to the people around us, so that when they see you and your love within us, they would want to know you more.
God, grant us the patience to work together, bring us all together as a family.
Let us work together with understanding and compassion in our hearts.
We make all these prayers through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Staff Update
We welcome back the following staff from leave:
- Ms Kaitlyn Downey – Head of House Brennan
- Ms Cathy O’Sullivan – Head of House Conlon
- Ms Charlotte Stephens – Assistant Director of Curriculum JS
I thank and congratulate the following staff who did excellent jobs acting in these respective positions:
- Ms Cassie Foster – Acting Head of House Brennan
- Ms Holly Medcalf – Acting Head of House Conlon
- Mr Elliott McKimm – Acting Assist Director of Curriculum JS
I congratulate Mr Mark Neale who has been appointed to the position of VET Coordinator.
Farewell to Mr Ben Steel who left us at the end of Term 3 after three years at the College. Mr Steel has been a valued member of our HSIE department and been the Convenor of Touch Football. We thank him for his dedication and contributions during his time and wish him all the best as he takes on a role at Roseville College. We wish Mr Kyle Newbury all the best as he takes leave for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025 to spend time with his wife’s family in Canada, whilst they are expecting the birth of their second child in December.
We welcome Ms Linda Griffin to our HSIE department. Ms Griffin has a Bachelor of Business (honours) and a postgraduate Diploma in Education. Linda has worked at Our Lady of Sacred Heart College, Kensington, Randwick Boys high, Cairnsfoot School Brighton-le-sands, and Stranraer Academy Scotland.
Parent Strategic Planning Session
Thank you to the parents that were able to attend this important session on Tuesday evening held in the senior school library. The feedback along with students, staff and other stakeholders will help formulate the College’s next strategic plan. Ms Robyn Edwards from AIS facilitated the evening and appreciated the diverse perspectives and experiences shared. This process allows for collective intelligence and collaboration which can far surpass individual effort. This planning process for our next strategic plan seeks to draw on the strengths and insights of the entire community to achieve better outcomes. Robyn will be running a similar process for students and collecting their thoughts and wisdom.
Assembly
At assembly this week, I reflected on some of the amazing guest speakers that have shared their wisdom this year with students and staff. Ms Jelena Dokic (refugee, ex-world class tennis player, commentator, survivor of family violence) shared her journey and thoughts on International Women’s Day with us all. Jelena’s message was clear ‘be kind to each other, to never abuse anyone, never get involved in bullying, to not do things to others that you wouldn’t like done to yourself, to have a good heart and be a good person’.
Mr Stan Grant (award winning national/international journalist, presenter and Wiradjuri man) spoke at Reconciliation Week and shared his journey from attending more than a dozen different primary schools where he was persecuted because of his colour, to travelling the world and reporting on international events and issues. ‘Where you are today will not define the person you will be tomorrow. I have learned that despite our differences, we are human beings first, in the image of God. Reconciliation is about seeking to transform relationships that have become damaged or destructive, into relationships of trust that bring new life’. Stan reminded us of the extraordinary opportunities students have at Waverley and that they should always say ‘yes’ to new pathways or pursuits.
Mr Daniel Witthaus (Founder, CEO of Rural Pride Australia, Kids Help Line, Human Rights Commission, educator, author) spoke at Wear it Purple Day and shared his journey around Australia where he promotes LGBTQIA+ inclusion and safety strategies in rural communities. Daniel shared the significant impact that low level language and casual comments can have on students’ feelings of safety and the important role we can all play in challenging and interrupting these behaviours.
Mr Gus Worland (Radio presenter, Gotcha4life Charity) spoke at RUOK? Day and reminded us that building mental fitness is much like physical fitness. It requires repetitions to build up strength. We do this by working on our relationships and building our social capital. It can start with as little as a text telling the people in your village that you love them and appreciate what they do’.
In conclusion, I reiterated that Waverley is a school that seeks to be a safe and inclusive space for every student and staff member. There is no place for hate, and that we respect difference and different opinions, and that we each have the opportunity to build others up and leave people and places better from our presence and interactions. I am looking forward to hearing Mr Jay Steven speak at our International Men’s Day assembly. Jason suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a helicopter crash. Jason will share his journey and talk about overcoming hurdles and building resilience.
Wishing all a great Term 4.
