From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Happy Mother’s Day to mothers, step-mums, aunties, grandmothers and special women who are like mothers in the lives of Waverley College students. We thank you for the significant contribution you make to your family and to our community. 

All-loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old.

We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy.

We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide in strong and gentle ways.

We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away.

We pray for women who are not mothers, but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion.

We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us, but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.

Amen.

Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us

Mary Mackillop – Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever.

Walawaani Welcome 

This week, I attended the inaugural Walawaani welcome evening. The evening has been delayed for over two years due to disruption from COVID-19. The evening saw all of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families come together. Walawaani means, “We hope you’ve had a safe journey here,” a motto chosen by the students themselves.

The key goals of the program are to assist emerging leaders develop across their spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional and physical dimensions. The program also seeks to build strong relationships and develop cultural awareness and understanding for all students of the College.

Representatives from our partners at GO Foundation were also present. Thank you to Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun – Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation, Kevin Heath – Indigenous Liaison Officer, and Sue Walsh – Director of Identity & Student Formation, for organising the evening. 

At Thursday’s assembly, Ms Sue Walsh and the College Student Leaders launched the Indigenous Interpretation of the Waverley College Crest. The same afternoon, it was also launched to the broader College community via Facebook and Instagram 

Last year, local Indigenous artist Billy Reynolds worked with the College to design our Indigenous jersey, and following this, he created his own interpretation of our crest by using artistic elements to link to features of the College community. Please click below to view the crest and explanation of the design. 

St Catherine’s ANZAC Ceremony 

This week, I had the privilege of attending St Catherine’s School ANZAC ceremony, that had students from both Waverley and St Catherine’s schools’ Cadet Unit in operation. It was a wonderful and moving ceremony. 

Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition 

Congratulations to Christian Kitas (Year 12) who represented the College at the annual Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition, held this year at Sydney Grammar School. The competition sees one representative from each of the CAS and GPS schools deliver an address. The students do not know what the topic is, and they are given 15 minutes to prepare for an eight-minute address. 

The topic that Christian had to respond and speak to was a line from a Leonard Cohen lyric – ‘There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.’ Congratulations to the top three representatives that came from Scots College (1st), Aloysius’ College (2nd), St Joseph’s College (3rd).

Supporters’ Apparel 

The College has launched a range of supporters’ apparel that includes a cap, rain jacket, umbrella, towel and scarf. The umbrella, towel and scarf are in the uniform shop at present, and we are awaiting delivery of the cap and jacket in the next couple of weeks. These deliveries have unfortunately been affected by cargo delays. 

Old Boys’ Union AGM

The OBU AGM was held last Sunday. I would like to congratulate the elected members, both the Executive and Council Members for 2022/23.

President: Salvatore Riolo

Vice President: Peter Hannigan

Treasurer: John Hilton

Secretary: Chris O’Sullivan

Assistant Secretary: Tom Wallace

Council Members: Warren Boyd, Michael Burns, Michael Dignam, Peter Frost, Sam Hardjono, John Karas, Brandon Perry, Col Blake, Andrew Elliot and Charles New.

 

I encourage you to read the rest of the newsletter that has both key information across a range of important topics and opportunities for your son including: next week’s NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy, Year 10 Allwell Testing, the College’s Piano Competition, City2Surf ‘Running for Premature Babies,’ Wakakirri starting in the Junior School, start of the Debating season, and the Year 6 Public Speaking Competition.