Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Wellbeing Mentor Meetings
Thank you to parents, carers, staff and students who participated in Monday’s Wellbeing Mentor meetings. Academic research supports the notion that educational partnership has a positive impact on students’ cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Our Wellbeing Program was extensively reviewed seven years ago by Emeritus Professor Donna Cross, who provided the College with a strategic report regarding our pastoral and wellbeing programs, structures and curriculum.
Professor Cross has just been appointed by the NSW Government as the first chief behaviour advisor to work across Public, Catholic and Independent school sectors in a bid to improve student behaviour and educational outcomes for all students.
Waverley is a member of the Positive Educations Schools Association (PESA) and Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS), and we are currently working with their Deep Learning program initiative which incorporates the learning competencies (6Cs – Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Citizenship and Character) into our teaching, learning and wellbeing programs to underpin all of our curriculum. Deep Learning integrates academic skills with personal and social capabilities, and gives priorities to those capabilities and dispositions that support whole-school learning and living.
Lent
In the early centuries, Christian fasting rules were strict during Lent, as they still are in Eastern churches. One meal a day was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden. The Eastern church also restricts the use of wine, oil, and dairy products. In the West, these fasting rules have gradually been relaxed. The strict law of fasting among Roman Catholics was dispensed with during World War II, and only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are now kept as Lenten fast days.
In addition, Catholics and other Christians often choose to give up specific pleasures, such as sweets, alcohol, or social media during Lent, as a way to foster simplicity and self-control; many use their cravings or desires for these items as a reminder to pray and to refocus on spiritual matters.
As a school, we focus on penitential practice and almsgiving during Lent, where we encourage students to support other members of the wider community and build bridges within their families and friends. There are several wonderful examples within this newsletter of where families and students can offer support. Please take the time to read these articles about:
Waverley Mayor and Council
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Mayor Paula Masselos and we discussed how our students and community could interact further within their local community. The following opportunities currently exist.
- Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) – please click this link which will take you to Council’s Website where we are seeking applications for our MAC from people within the community.
- Charing Cross Streetscape Upgrade – please click here to view the Charing Cross Streetscape Upgrade page on our website. All the plans and other important documents are on this page. Please direct your questions to majorprojects@waverley.nsw.gov.au
- Safe Walking to School – the College is currently conducting a survey in consultation with the Council on how students travel to school. This data will influence works that the Council carry out in the local area to make travel routes safer.
- Ecology Group – our Waverley College Ecology group works with the Council’s Sustainable Engagement Officer and their programs.
- Birrell Street Renewal – please click here for information regarding the Birrell Street Renewal. Please direct your questions to Cameron Eccles Cameron.eccles@waverley.nsw.gov.au
- Council’s Net Zero Roundtable – Mr Leddie will represent the College at the Net Zero Roundtable on 17 March, 2023.
