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Please note: This post is from our website archive. Some of the information within this post may now be out-of-date.

3.9.2021

From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Year 12 Leadership Term 4 2021 and 2022

Last week our four College Captains were announced for 2022:

College Captain – Daniel McSweeny
College Vice Captains – Christian Kitas, Solomon Tuqiri and Guy Hammerschmidt

At yesterday’s respective House Assemblies, the following boys were announced as House Captain and Prefect positions. Congratulations to these students:

Aungier

House Captain – Alejandro Zanapalis

House Prefect – Leo Astridge

House Prefect – Benjamin Finegan

House Prefect – James Kort

House Prefect – Daniel Di Paola

Brennan

House Captain – William Dodd

House Prefect – Brandon Reid

House Prefect – Charles Alexander

House Prefect – Xavier Scally

Conlon

House Captain – Max Barber

House Prefect – Jay Palm

House Prefect – Cuba Kanakis

House Prefect – Thomas Martin

House Prefect – Jared Garwood

Green

House Captain – AJ Preketes

House Prefect – Daniel Smith

House Prefect – Hugo Pizzol

House Prefect – James Byrd

House Prefect – Ian Vuk

Lacey

House Captain – Michael Richmond

House Prefect – Owen Punch

House Prefect – Jimmy Ashbridge

House Prefect – Conor Cahill

O’Connor

House Captain – Thomas Wilkins

House Prefect – Jonathan Booy

House Prefect – Patrick Healy

House Prefect – Max Leedham

House Prefect – Alex Morris

Quinn

House Captain – Angus Anthony

House Prefect – Jasper Doyle

House Prefect – Bryn Siltala

House Prefect – Jackson Cunningham

Tevlin

House Captain – Jack Rigg

House Prefect – Sachiel Bass

House Prefect – Daniel Di Francesco

House Prefect – Hugo Roles

House Prefect – Cooper Stynes

Archbishop Award

Congratulations Dane Perica, Year 12, who received the prestigious Archbishop Award for Excellence for his service work today (Friday, 3 September). The annual awards were started in 1999 by Cardinal Edward Clancy to honour leadership qualities and service to school and parish communities.

Congratulations Dane Perica

VET Excellence Award 2021

Congratulations to Elija Heininger who is a VET Excellence Award winner for 2021. Elija was nominated for displaying excellence in the completion of all aspects of his Entertainment course.

Australian Rugby Selection

Congratulations to the following boys on their selection for the following teams:

2021 Australian Schoolboys A Team – Reeve Smith and AJ Preketes
2021 Australian Schoolboys President’s Team – Aaron Dimovitch

An Australian Schools Team has not been announced as yet.

Father’s Day

Wishing all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday. This year, beyond all others, has reminded us of the importance of family and the vital role fathers play in the lives of their children.

Dear God,

Thank you for all the fathers and father-figures in this world and for the many ways you use them to lovingly guide others to Your heart. I ask that you would bless them and give them great joy and peace. May they see You and know You in new ways. Show them how much you love them and care about them. Guide their steps, use their hands, and make them a blessing to others as you continue to fulfill your special purpose for their lives.

Amen.

National Day of Action for RUOK? Day

Next Thursday, 9 September is the national day of action for RUOK? Day and our assembly will be on Wednesday morning. The theme for 2021 is R U really OK? In her Nurrunga article, Ms Cathy O’Sullivan (Head of Conlon House) provides some website links containing self-care tips and strategies to stay connected.

>>> Click here to view Ms Cathy O’Sullivan’s RUOK? Day article.

College Fees

Towards the end of last year, I wrote to you on behalf of the College Advisory Council Finance Committee with regards to College Fees for the 2021 year and beyond, and again in May this year.

Recent changes to the Government Funding Model for schools means that Waverley will experience a significant decline in its Government funding until 2029. This decrease is predicted to be in the vicinity of $27M, which equates to a 37% decrease in Government funding over that period. The government’s funding calculation model Direct Measure Income (DMI) is based on parental income.

For nearly 120 years, Waverley College has provided a high-quality Catholic Education in the Edmund Rice Tradition. The College has focussed on academic excellence, quality teaching and learning, student wellbeing, the faith and social formation of young men, provision of a diverse and inclusive co-curricular program, development of a strong and vibrant Waverley Family and the provision of quality, appropriate learning environments.

Funding sources for schools are generally limited to Government funding and tuition fees, with some additional income derived from other sources such as Foundations, sponsorship and donations. Government funding has traditionally accounted for approximately 38% of the College’s total income. With this source of income beginning to decrease dramatically to approximately 25%, the College will need to examine how other funding sources, including tuition fees, need to be adjusted to compensate for this significant decrease in Government funding.

The College, over many years, has endeavoured to keep school fees at a reasonable level. If you compare our fees to other independent schools across Sydney, you will find we are very good value. We are very aware that our families work hard to provide an opportunity for their sons to attend Waverley. The College also has a long tradition of providing support for families when, for a range of reasons, their financial circumstances change. This support has never been more visible than during 2020 and 2021 when COVID-19 impacted many families across the Waverley community.

In 2021, the College was able to keep fees to a flat $400 increase across all year levels to try to minimise the financial impact of COVID-19, despite the significant financial pressure this year that decreased government funding of $1.6M which equates to approximately $1100 per student in 2021, was going to have on the College.

Next week, you will receive a request from the College to respond to a survey that will take about 10 minutes to complete. This survey is designed to explore your opinions and capacity to service your tuition fee commitments from 2022 and beyond. It is a significant challenge to balance affordability and the high-quality educational offerings for which Waverley is known. Your input via this survey will greatly assist the College in gathering important data from families so that informed, equitable and genuine decisions may be made by the College in relation to tuition fees. Your answers are confidential and your anonymity is guaranteed. The data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate.

I thank you for your ongoing support of the College and importantly, of your sons. As the Waverley Family, we will successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead, and Waverley will continue to provide a quality Catholic Education in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

University and Apprenticeship Advice

Congratulations to our Year 12s who have completed successfully their online trial assessments. They have shown amazing resilience in adapting to these challenging times and maintaining their composure with so many outside pressures on their shoulders.

With a little down time before they get back into their study and/or search for an apprenticeship, another look at university early entry opportunities or available further training could prove beneficial. For example, Macquarie University have reopened their early entry offer program and are offering five COVID-19 Impact Points to boost selection ranks, or ACU Guarantee program offers students a maximum of five adjustment points for students who attend schools that are in their Schools Relationship program, of which Waverley is. Or you might think a prospect of working up in the Pilbara is a good option at the moment.

Take some time to relook at where your next step could be by clicking on the links to opportunities below, or call Ms Knowles to discuss, for further advice. One of these steps could take away a fair amount of stress.

ACU (Australian Catholic University) — Schools Relationship Program

Students are eligible for this program if they are currently completing Year 12 and attend a school that has a strong relationship with ACU. Waverley College is one of these schools.

Year 12 students can receive a maximum of five adjustment points from the Schools Relationship Program.

These points will be automatically applied through UAC if students list one of ACU’s courses as a preference. There’s no need to apply separately.

ACU Guarantee – Applications Open Now

Applications to ACU’s Early Entry Program, ACU Guarantee, are now open for 2022 admission.

How does it work?

By using your Year 11 results, ACU can predict a selection rank and make an offer accordingly. As part of your application, you may also choose to provide personal statements that give ACU insight into your circumstances and motivation for university study, to improve your entry score for ACU Guarantee.

*Applications close Friday 24 September 2021.

>>> Click here to find out more about ACU Guarantee.

Macquarie University Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme Reopens

Macquarie University recognises the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by Year 12 students at this time. With the delaying of HSC exams and ATAR release, their ability to plan for university is also impacted.

An early offer can give students peace of mind and certainty about their future at university. Following the latest announcements for Year 12 students by the government, Macquarie University has reopened applications for the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme.

>>> Click here to view information about the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme.

*The Scheme is now open and applications close Sunday 19 September 2021.

Macquarie University — COVID-19 Impact Points

Macquarie recognises the significant impact this pandemic has had on students and the stress related to university entry for 2022.

To reassure Year 12 students, all applicants applying for a Session 1, 2022 undergraduate degree will automatically receive five COVID-19 Impact Points to boost their selection rank.

Prospective students will not have to apply for these additional adjustment factors as they will be automatically applied via their Universities Admission Centre (UAC) application.

>>> Click here to view information about the Macquarie University COVID-19 Impact Points.

UTS (University of Technology Sydney) Early Entry Program

Designed for high-achieving school students, the UTS Early Entry Program allows you to secure a place in your preferred UTS degree based on your Year 11 academic achievements.

>>> Click here to view information about the UTS Early Entry Program.

*Applications close Sunday 12 September 2021

Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)

(SRS): Apply through UAC.

All Year 12 students are able to apply for SRS, although not all courses are included in the scheme.

*Applications close Sunday 19 September 2021

Institutions make offers based:

solely on SRS criteria;
on SRS criteria and ATAR/selection rank;
on SRS criteria and ATAR and equity criteria.

How to apply:

Submit your undergraduate application through UAC.
At the end of this application, select the option to also apply for SRS.

If you’ve already applied for undergraduate study through UAC, use the ‘Apply or log in’ button at the top right of the UAC website and select the SRS application.

Trades – Apprenticeships

Future Australian Jobs

Career opportunities across Australia’s mining and agricultural businesses.

>>> Click here to learn more about jobs with the Hancock Prospecting Group of companies.

HIA Building Apprenticeships

You will learn your trade on the job and attend trade school to gain additional knowledge and skills through accredited courses.

>>> Click here to apply now.

HIA Apprentices offer these apprenticeships:

bricklayer
cabinetmaker
carpenter
painter and decorator
solid plasterers and wall and ceiling fixers
tiler

>>> Click here to apply for HIA Apprenticeships.

Master Builders Become an Apprentice

Master Builders Apprenticeship Service is a Group Training Organisation, that employs apprentices and trainees to place them with tradespeople, builders and contractors within the Building and Construction Industry for on-the-job training in their trade.

>>> Click here to apply.

>>> Click here to apply to become a Master Builder Apprentice or Trainee by completing the online application.

NECA (National Electrical and Communications Association) Electrical Apprenticeships

>>> Click here for NECA Electrical Apprenticeships Expressions of Interest.

Master Plumbers Apprentices Limited (MPAL) Apprentice

Master Plumbers Apprentices Limited (MPAL) is a group training company and is the largest employer of apprentice plumbers in NSW.

MPAL ensures that apprentices employed through the scheme are exposed to all aspects of the Plumbing industry including: Water Plumbing, Sanitary Plumbing, Drainage, Roof Plumbing, Fire Hydrants and Hose Reels. The exposure is across Domestic, Commercial, Industrial and High-rise Construction Plumbing.