Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Welcome back to week 1 of Term 4. I hope your sons were able to find some rhythm this week with online learning and that they are starting to think about returning to face-to-face learning quicker than expected as a result of the Premier’s announcement this week.
- Stage 1 on 18 October 2021: Year 12
- Stage 2 on 25 October 2021: All other year groups.
Supervision at school
Students of parents who are essential workers/cannot be supervised at home, and are currently working on campus, will remain on our supervision list until the completion of online learning. If your son is not being supervised at school, but you now require supervision, please email Mrs Gabrielle Smith —gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
Over the last 21 months I have spoken of the need for us all to be able to pivot, find daily gratitude amongst the uncertainty, and be resilient. Of course these words are easy to say, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones, seen their businesses struggle and close, and all who have endured lost freedoms that we normally take for granted.
This week I had the privilege of speaking with Professor Kristine Macartney, Director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, along with other Catholic School Principals. I came away buoyed that we will continue to need to excel across these three attributes more than ever. Professor Macartney spoke of the need to embrace a multilayered approach to reduce the risk of transmission within school environments. Vaccination, mask wearing, ventilation, isolation when sick, use of outdoor spaces, sanitisation, and physical distancing and cohort separation where possible, will all be part of the College’s risk management strategies.
However, Professor Macartney outlined that with the opening up of society, transmission of COVID-19 will increase, and that the most important element of protection is vaccination for the majority and for the minority who can not get vaccinated due to medical reasons. There really is not a plan B, those unvaccinated will face greater risk and cause greater risk within the community. All three TGA-approved vaccines are now available — Moderna and Pfizer are available for everyone aged 12 years and older, and AstraZeneca is available to everyone 18 years and older.
>>> Click here to find a clinic and book your vaccination.
New Phone App to Support Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Federal Government recently launched the Raising Healthy Children app. Developed by the Raising Children Network, this free phone app supports the mental health literacy and confidence of parents regarding the social and emotional wellbeing of their children. The app targets parents with children aged 12 years and younger, and is available via Android and iOS app stores.
R U OK? Video, Lean on Me
If you have not already seen the Waverley College 2021 R U OK? Video, Lean on Me, I encourage you to. It is a beautiful message from our vibrant, supportive community of students, staff and Old Boys, who are always there when you need someone to lean on! Our musicians took on the challenge of recording remotely and contributing to this important cause, reminding everyone to start a conversation and ask are they really OK.
We would like to thank the following people for their contribution.
Students: Axel Stapleton, Axl Igra, Caleb Secton, Callum Macarthur, Campbell Porteus, Elliott Barton, Enzo Rossi, Fox Stapleton, George Ellis, Guy Hammerschmidt, Isaac Barton, Oliver Isaac, Lachlan Isaac, Alisatir Isaac, Ishaan Jeena, Liam Russell, Lucas Dubois, Max Leedham, Tom Park, William Dubois, Jone Tuqiri, Lieme Chan.
Old Boys: Dom Augoustis (2018), Will Baker (2020), Pat Byrne (2012), Lachlan Drew-Morris (2016), Tom Jaeger (2019), Angus Mullins (2017), Chris Salem (2020).
Staff: Chris Balkizas, Jaz Dolso, Jesse Johnston (2012), Cathy O’Sullivan, Michelle Rollins, Sue Walsh.
I would also like to thank Venettia Miller, Jaimi Walker, Angus McPherson, Michelle Rollins, Jaz Dolso, Jesse Johnston and Chris Balkizas for all their hard work behind the scenes to bring this project together.
>>> Click here to view the RU OK? video on Facebook.
>>> Click here to view the RU OK? video on Instagram.
>>> Click here to view the RU OK? video on YouTube.
Options Post School
Recently, I have been highlighting early university entry programs that are available. An alternative to these is the PwC Higher Apprenticeship Program that offers an alternative option to university for individuals who are primarily school leavers. Students can join straight out of school and develop business and technology skills to work towards a qualification in I.T. Applications are open and there are 13 places available for 2022 in Sydney.
PwC 2022 Higher Apprenticeship Information webinar for interested students:
- Date: Wednesday 13 October
- Time: Start 7pm – Finish 7:30pm
- Where: Online Zoom webinar
>>> Click here to register for the Higher Apprenticeship Information webinar.
25th Anniversary of the Beatification of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice
This week we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the beatification of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust – Ireland, is hosting an online global gathering on Thursday, 14 October to celebrate this event, at 10am GMT. The NSW time is 9pm. You are very welcome.
