From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Key Dates

• Friday, 6 March | Senior School Swimming Carnival
• Monday, 9 March | No Classes, Student Free Day
• Wednesday, 11 March | Brennan House Mass and Supper
• Friday, 13 March | Swimming, Waterpolo and Cricket Presentation Night
• Saturday, 14 March | Basketball Presentation Night
• Monday, 16 March | Immersions Formation Night
• Thursday, 19 March | Green House Mass & Supper
• Friday, 20 March | Welcome Cocktail Party

International Women’s Day

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Each for Equal’, with the intent being to promote a gender-equal world. An equal world is an enabled world (IWD 2020).

If we review our performance thus far under a male-dominated world considering our climate crisis, widespread environmental damage and pollution, world wars, ongoing conflicts, political mistrust and tensions, domestic violence rates, and the very fact that not everyone is equal on the planet and has the same rights and opportunities, the scorecard would not be kind. 

But where do we start? 

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, call out poor behaviour, fight bias, broaden perceptions and improve situations. We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. Collectively, each one of us can play our part in creating a gender-equal world. 

In 1911 when International Women’s Day was first started to be celebrated, only eight countries allowed women to have the vote. Some would argue that we have made some good progress over the next 109 years. I would argue that it is everyone’s fundamental human right to have an education, equal opportunity and status and this should have already occurred. It is part of our human condition to afford everyone the same respect, dignity and rights. Sadly, in Australia and many parts of the world, this is not the reality for women. Half a billion of the world’s illiterate adults are women and this trend has not changed in 20 years. The progress has been too slow and International Women’s Day reminds us and calls us to action for an acceleration of gender equality. 

At College Assembly today our guest speaker was Ms Katie Kelly OAM – ambassador, advocate and elite female para-triathlete. She has won two Gold medals at the Paralympic Games and two World Championships and she is currently trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Katie spoke about the importance and power of being inclusive and accepting that we all come in different shapes and sizes. She encouraged the boys to embrace being gentle with themselves, their family and peers. Katie also spoke about the importance of having a values code to live your life by to assist you to overcome the difficulties and challenges that we will all have to face. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and affirm all female staff at Waverley College across our Pre-School, Junior School and Senior School Campuses. It is a privilege to work here at the College with them and I am fortunate to be surrounded by the most impressive leaders, teachers and support staff.  They have all made the choice to work in a predominantly male environment, for the good of the young men we try to form and teach. The modelling, expertise, leadership and care that the women at Waverley College offer our young men is very impressive. To all females in our community, I celebrate you as we approach International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate all women and their achievements, whether social, political, economic or cultural. Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender-equal world.

Coronavirus/ COVID-19 

We need to work together to prevent the Coronavirus/Covid-19 impacting our community. We want to keep everyone safe. Please support and adhere to the following nine steps to try and limit the spread of the virus and keep our community safe.  

1. WASH HANDS WELL: Washing your hands for 30 seconds both under and over the hand, and washing under the nails. It includes drying the hands properly. Use a disinfectant for the times in between.
2. NO LONGER SHAKE HANDS OR HUG: Let’s embrace other ways of greeting and showing respect. We might bow, nod or give a friendly wave instead of shaking a person’s hand. (This includes parent-teacher days coming up). 
3. IF STAFF OR STUDENTS ARE AT ALL UNWELL, THEY SHOULD STAY HOME: Staff and students should not be stoic and come to school if they are sneezing or sniffling. The College will send children with symptoms home. 
4. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE, INCLUDING YOUR EYES AND NOSE: Research informs us that we touch our face with our hands-on average over 20 times per minute. This is obviously a quick way to fast-track the transfer of flu and viruses. 
5. GET A DOCTOR TO CHECK ILLNESSES: The College expects all students and staff who have been unwell to get a medical clearance.
6. CLEAN SHARED SURFACES OFTEN: We will organise extra cleans of surfaces at the College to keep surfaces clean and limit the transfer of any illness.
7. GET THE FLU VACCINE: We give a free flu vaccine every year to staff. This does not stop Coronavirus, but it means if a person gets the virus they are much less likely to be fighting off two illnesses.
8. INFORM US IF THERE IS A PROBLEM: We want to support our community. We are being open about this issue. Honesty is the best policy.
9. TO REPEAT – WASH OUR HANDS WELL: This is one of the most important things you can do. As previously mentioned, in the coming weeks we will continue to instruct and remind all in our community to wash their hands thoroughly. We also recommend using hand sanitiser or disinfectant at other times.