From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Year 12 HSC 

Today is the last day of HSC ATAR exams for our Year 12s.

Each day for the past four weeks, they have attended both morning and afternoon examinations for their respective subjects. We wish them all the very best as they now wait for their results and take the opportunity for a well-earned break, and perhaps a Christmas holiday job before starting their courses next year.

We also wish those who have started apprenticeships all the best as they learn new practical and business skills in their respective fields.

NSW Schools Constitutional Convention

Congratulations to Archie Godby (Year 12), who attended the NSW Constitutional Convention at Parliament House, NSW this Tuesday. 

Archie represented the college exceptionally well and was also chosen as one of 30 students to represent NSW at the national convention in Canberra in 2025.  This is a tremendous achievement.

2024 Woollahra Youth Photographic Award & Short Film Prize

Congratulations to Will Anstis (Year 10) on receiving the Senior category award for Highly Commended – for his portrait photograph “Watching Over Me”.

The works are on exhibition at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf until Sunday, 10 November and I encourage you and your family to visit.

You can also actively participate by voting in The People’s Choice Award open until Sunday, 10 November – vote in person at the Gallery or online here.

Ecology Symposium 

Congratulations to our Students of the World Ecology Group and Ms Silvia Baylie (SOTWEG) who organised a wonderful ecology symposium last week. A lovely article that covered the day’s focus and learnings appeared in the Education Daily. Please click here 

Thank you to the Honourable Member for Wentworth Ms Allegra Spender, the Honourable Member for Coogee Dr Majorie O’Neill, Uncle Dean Kelly, and Old Boy Costa Georgiadis for their presentations and support of the symposium. 

Dr Barry Smith 

Congratulations to Dr Barry Smith on being awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Newcastle’s School of Education. In summarising Dr Smith’s work, the University wrote the following; 

“Dear Dr Smith, I am delighted to advise that on 23 October 2024 you were admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Education, College of Human and Social Futures. The dedication and commitment required to complete a higher degree by research is highly significant and is a testament to your research skills and ability to generate original knowledge and understanding in your chosen discipline. The University of Newcastle values greatly the contribution you have made to its research culture and warmly congratulates you on your achievement.”

Dr Barry Smith (History) joins an esteemed group of Waverley staff with Doctorates: Dr Michael Couani (English), Dr Ed Davis (Religion), Dr Panayotis Diamadis (History), Dr Andrey Tregubov (Science), Dr Jonathan Walker (Science), Dr Vanessa Witton (Marketing & Development).

EREA Charter Leadership Award for Liberating Education

I am pleased to announce that Ms Beverley McCarthy has been awarded the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Charter Leadership Award for 2024 in Liberating Education.

This award honours her dedicated service and commitment to educating young people within our school community.

There are 55 EREA schools across Australia with nominations coming from each school across each of the four EREA touchstones.  

History Teachers Association 

Congratulations to Dr Panayotis Diamadis who recently presented at the History Teachers Association Annual Conference on The Anzac Legacy in the Eastern Mediterranean, and discussed Australia’s relief efforts during the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides in the Ottoman Empire. 

Back to Waverley Day 

I had the pleasure of sharing Mass in the College Chapel, College Assembly and Lunch with approximately 60 Old boys from across the years, with a special focus on the 1974 Old Boys who celebrated their 50 years since completing their studies at the College.

Thank you to Mr Richard Jarvis (Class of 1974) who was the representative of his class and addressed the audience.

Richard was one of four brothers who attended Waverley and all ended up in quite different career pathways which included a professor (Wal), a teacher (Paul), a builder (Michael) and a scientist (Richard).

Richard spoke about his father’s love of photography which captured so many wonderful Waverley memories, how he was inspired by his teachers to develop a strong interest in learning and Science, and the ever-evolving and enduring friendships that started at Waverley. 

1964 Old Boys Reunion 

Foundation Manager Mr Billy Nicolas, Social Justice Coordinator Cath Lipman, and myself were honoured to be invited by the Class of 1964 to join them in celebrating their 60-year reunion at Easts Bondi Junction.

It was a pleasure connecting with our esteemed alumni, hearing stories of their time at Waverley College, and witnessing the powerful bonds that remain strong even after six decades.

You may recognise some of the speakers for the day that were part of this cohort: Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Honourable Peter Collins, Mr Peter Frost (Teacher at Waverley 50+ years) and Dr Sam Lackey (Mining and Infrastructure Investment Consultant) 

Ms Cath Lipman, the latest recipient of the Percy Watson Teaching Excellence Fund, was present to accept an extraordinary gift on behalf of our teaching staff.

The Class of 1964, together with a very generous anonymous donor, presented us with a donation exceeding $28,000 for the Percy Watson Teaching Excellence Fund. This fund plays a vital role in supporting our teachers as they strive for excellence, ensuring they are well-prepared to guide our young students toward a bright future.

On behalf of the Waverley College Foundation, we extend our deepest appreciation to the Class of 1964 for this impactful contribution.

Your generosity strengthens our commitment to educational excellence and empowers us to nurture future generations of Waverlians.

If you would like to join in supporting Waverley College and help make a difference in the lives of our students and staff, please visit our Giving Site to learn more and contribute. Every gift, large or small, makes a lasting impact.