Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
We hope you enjoyed the school holiday break. As we work together in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic in NSW, I thank you for your support as remote learning continues into Term 4.
Regrettably, this continues to be an uncertain time with ever-changing circumstances. Please be assured that we will contact you via the Nurrunga newsletter as soon as there is updated information about our return to school plans.
This week, the NSW Government announced that students will be returning to school one week earlier than anticipated. This will be a phased return to the physical classroom.
Key Dates for Return to Face-to-Face Teaching and Learning at Waverley College
- Monday, 18 October — Year 12 return to College
- Monday, 25 October — Years 6 and 11 return to College
- Monday, 1 November — Years 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 return to College
It goes without saying that the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our key priority, and Waverley College continues to follow NSW Health advice including vigorous support for vaccinations.
Throughout Term 4, face-to-face teaching and learning for students in Years 5-11 will inevitably be subject to change with the greater opening up of our community. We will have to pivot and respond appropriately to the circumstances that present themselves. A priority will be given to our Year 12 students who are undertaking their HSC examinations.
We recognise your exceptional patience and ask for your continued goodwill as we navigate the next nine weeks of schooling. Please let the College know if your family requires support as we return in phases to learning in the face-to-face environment.
I attended an online meeting with the NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant this week along with other Independent School principals. Her message was clear about making school communities as safe as possible, and that the most effective way of achieving this was by having a high community vaccination rate. College staff are approaching 100% double dose vaccination, and no staff member or contractor will be on campus unless they have achieved this status when students return to school. This is supported by the Public Health Order.
I encourage you to get your son vaccinated if you have not already organised this, as this will make our school community safer. The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District has recently opened a Pfizer vaccination hub near Centennial Park. The hub is open to all people over 12 years of age and bookings can be made via the link below.
>>> Click here to view the vaccination booking link.
Help us stop the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, today.
Please bear in mind that these are links provided to Waverley College from our Local Health Districts. They are not affiliated with Waverley College in any way. We are trying to assist you by providing this information about where you can get vaccinated.
Term 4 Key Dates
- Tuesday, 28 September – Applications now open for Year 7, 2023 ACER Academic Scholarship
- Sunday, 3 October – Daylight saving time in NSW begins at 2am with clocks one hour forward
- Monday, 4 October – Labour Day public holiday
- Tuesday, 5 October – Staff professional learning day and World Teachers’ Day
- Wednesday, 6 October – Online classes resume for Term 4 Years 5-12
- Wednesday, 6-8 October – Year 12, scheduled online classes for HSC plus ATAR students
- Wednesday, 6 October – Term 4 instrumental music lessons resume online this week
- Wednesday, 6 October – Years 5-12, College Assembly, presentation of College leaders, 8:40am
- Wednesday, 6 October – Notice is required by today for students finishing at the end of Term 4, 2021
- Thursday, 7 October – Sydney University Debate Seminar, 4pm-6pm
- Friday, 8 October – House meetings, 8:45am-9:15am
- Friday, 8 October – Online Cadets, 3:15pm
Online Learning Timetable Term 4 — Years 7-12 Changes
Junior School
Please note that the Junior School timetable will not be changing in Term 4. Adjustments are only being made to the Years 7-12 timetable.
Senior School
We recognise and validate the struggle many students have experienced in keeping up with their online learning workload whilst trying to stay on top of assessments and exam preparation. To alleviate this pressure, we are adjusting our assessments for Term 4 to better support the online learning environment by introducing a valuable ‘Consolidation Day’ every Wednesday until we return to face-to-face learning. We expect that this will help to provide reinforcement, continuity and an opportunity for the students to stay on top of their workload.
Each Wednesday will begin with Wellbeing at 8:45am (moved from Monday) where the Wellbeing Mentors will have the opportunity to check in with their students.
The day will then continue with condensed 20-minute periods. This will provide time for students to check in with their teacher, ask any questions and/or receive any necessary feedback in regards to assessment preparation, including writing study notes or working through specific assignments.
These classes will conclude at 11:20am. After this time we are expecting that students will consolidate their work requirements, whether this be class work, assessments or exam preparation.
Below is the updated Online Learning Timetable for Term 4 for Years 7-12:
