Another busy and exciting week at the College: Feast of the Assumption, 120 Years Celebration, Matildas on the big screen, Old Boy Mentoring, College Leadership presentation, HSC Art & Design Show.
Feast of the Assumption
The College celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on Tuesday. The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son. For this reason we use different words to describe each event. One is the Ascension of Christ and the other, the Assumption of Mary.
120 Years Celebration
On Tuesday we also celebrated our 120 Year milestone as a College. It was wonderful to see so many of our students involved in all facets of the day. The day began with an innovative welcome by our College Captains, a Cadet Showcase, Acknowledgement of Country, Indigenous dancing and smoking ceremony, beautiful singing and Haka from our Pasifika students and a 120 Years Video montage. As one of our guests Old Boy Patrick McClure said, “they were all very inspiring, creative, interesting and contemporary. It was a showcase of Waverley College’s culture, history and values.”
This was followed by a fun activities time on inflatables, dunk tank and staff student dodgeball and netball, before a wonderful ‘Waverley’s Got Talent.’
Congratulations:
- Flynn Halley (Year 7) – 1st place
- The Four Disciples – rock performance by Ollie Bailey-O’Reilly (Year 7), Alex King (Year 8), Mickey Gauci-Cook (Year 8), Stirling Quinn (Year 8) – 2nd place
- Luke Crosson – 3rd place.
We apologise for the slowness of the food vans on the day, we will rectify for next time. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for making our celebration so special. A special thank you to Fr Bernie who celebrated a beautiful Mass and Ms Sue Walsh for coordinating the 120 day celebrations.
College Leaders Assembly
We welcomed a special guest, Mr Vic Alhadeff, who spoke at the presentation of the College Leaders Assembly this week. Mr Alhadeff’s career includes being Chief Sub-Editor of the anti-apartheid Cape Times in South Africa, Chair of Multicultural NSW, Chair of the Jewish Board of Deputies, and recently appointed SBS Board Member.
Throughout his illustrious career, Vic has been a champion for human rights causes and building more resilient, respectful and inclusive communities. He achieved the passage of a new law in Australia outlawing incitement to violence on the basis of race, religion, gender and sexual preference as well as receiving the Premier’s Award for his contribution to civil society.
Vic shared his moving personal story of his grandparents and other family members being murdered by the Nazi regime in the Holocaust and also his experience of living through apartheid South Africa. He outlined how this type of evil starts with ordinary people’s words and a lack of acceptance and understanding of difference which leads to violence and a loss of humanity. Vic implored us all to stand up for anything you see or hear that you know is wrong. Bystanders have a responsibility to take action.
Vic was the perfect speaker choice to unpack servant leadership and to celebrate the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
Year 12 Leadership Term 4 2023 and 2024
Congratulations to our College Leaders for 2024;
- Lachlan Miranda – Captain
- Jack Anasson – Vice Captain
- Asher Thomasyu – Vice Captain
- Ricardo Zanapalis – Vice Captain
New captains
Aungier
- Remy Frampton – House Captain
- Joel Hammerschmidt – House Prefect
- Hugo Schneider – House Prefect
- Kieran Markwick – House Prefect
Brennan
- Liam Gabriel – House Captain
- Anton Svensson – House Prefect
- Sean Foley – House Prefect
- Joshua Bowman – House Prefect
Conlon
- Jordan McCreery – House Captain
- James Medland – House Prefect
- Deuchar Dezarnaulds – House Prefect
- Hunter Eldridge – House Prefect
Green
- Jack Kerves – House Captain
- Jordan Hammond – House Prefect
- Eden Byrd – House Prefect
- Ehren Little – House Prefect
Lacey
- Jai Brodie – House Captain
- Oliver Malzard – House Prefect
- Campbell Porteus – House Prefect
- Declan McAuliffe – House Prefect
O’Connor
- Marcus Kastrissios – House Captain
- Tex Filipek – House Prefect
- Jett O’Halloran – House Prefect
- James Nestor – House Prefect
Quinn
- Lucas Ryan – House Captain
- Luke Crosson – House Prefect
- Lachlan Korper – House Prefect
- Oskar LeBard – House Prefect
Tevlin
- Jack Kearney – House Captain
- Ewan McDonald – House Prefect
- Sonny Mori – House Prefect
- Mackenzie Singh – House Prefect
Waverley Council Net Zero Alliance launch
This week I attended the Waverley Council Net Zero launch hosted by James O’Loughlin. I sat on a panel and articulated our current work towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and increasing biodiversity. We signed as a foundation member of this alliance and we intend to work hard to achieve our goals. I will expand further in next week’s newsletter.
Staff Update
On behalf of EREA and the College, I would like to congratulate Ms Gabrielle Smith on her appointment to the substantive position of Deputy Principal – Students at Waverley College. Gabby has held a number of leadership positions at both Waverley and Loreto Kirribilli, and she is excited to be working with students, parents, carers and staff in this key leadership role at the College.
I would also like to congratulate Ms Laura McLarnon who has been appointed Acting Head of House – O’Connor for the remainder of Term 2 while Mr Matt Barr is on leave.
FIFA Womens’ World Cup Semi Final – Coin Toss
Congratulations to Louis Fearon (Year 9) who had the amazing opportunity to be the official FIFA Coin Toss assistant at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi Final last Wednesday.
