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From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

Waverley Council Net Zero Alliance Launch

Last week leading business and community organisations gathered at Bondi Pavilion for the launch of the Waverley Council Net Zero Alliance. Members of the Alliance include the Sydney Roosters, Waverley College, St Catherine’s School and the Bondi & Districts Chamber of Commerce. 

The Net Zero Alliance is an initiative of the Mayor of Waverley, Ms Paula Masselos, who hosted the launch. The event was emceed by innovation expert and journalist James O’Loghlin, and all members have committed to support the Council in achieving its target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The Net Zero Alliance provides  opportunities to work together and share ideas and resources. 

The College has already four large solar systems installed across the senior and junior campus and we monitor what we produce and consume. Our student Ecology Committee and our Ecology convenor Ms Silvia Baylie strategise our response across our energy, water, rubbish, recycling and expansion of biodiversity. 

For information about the Alliance and our sustainability initiatives, visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/secondnature

Net Zero Alliance

Engineering

As part of their Biomedical Engineering module, Year 11 Engineering Studies students recently got to work with medical grade components and built artificial hands. These will be sent to amputee land-mine victims who would not otherwise be able to afford a prosthesis, as part of the Helping Hands Program.

This was part of the Biomedical Engineering module within the student syllabus. To read more about this, see Ms Silvia Baylie’s newsletter article here.

HSC Art and Design

To see some amazing HSC Art and Design work that was on display at their recent showcase evening, please check out Ms Jenna Turnbull’s newsletter article here.

Wear it Purple Day 

The 2023 theme, Write Your Story, emphasises the importance of self-expression and individuality. For young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the theme represents the importance of taking ownership of their narratives and sharing their experiences in their own voices. 

Wear It Purple was founded in 2010 in response to the number of teenagers and children taking their own lives after suffering bullying and harassment due to their gender or sexual identity. The movement aims to show young people that they are not alone, and helps them by offering support and affirmation that everyone has the right to be accepted for who they are.

It also aims to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ youth and create an inclusive environment for marginalised young people. At today’s Wear it Purple Day Assembly, students heard from guest speaker, Mr Martin Stark, founder of the World Gay Boxing Championships. Mr Stark spoke to the students about being courageous, making the impossible happen and how to embody speaking with respect and acting with integrity.

Legacy – Founded on a Promise

In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one. It was a simple promise that Legacy keeps today; providing the same stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.

Today, Legacy supports 40,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving our country.

On Friday, 1 September, 12 members of the Cadet Unit will be selling the Legacy badges prior to school at various locations in Waverley and Bondi Junction as well as at recess on the Centenary Quad at the College. For staff, there will be badges for sale in the staff room (cash only).

The Legacy badge is a special emblem symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness. By buying a badge you will be helping this wonderful charity to continue to support families who seek help in their darkest moment.

For further information about Legacy including their great work to the community, please visit: https://www.legacy.com.au/

Kids Giving Back 

Congratulations to the following students who participated in recent community service programs organised by Kids Giving back: Charlie Draper (Year 5), Toby Williams (Year 6), James Draper (Year 6), Jonathan Tyler (Year 6), Samuel Powell (Year 6), Max Jennings (Year 8), Praman Gandhi (Year 8).

The boys assisted in producing over 8,500 hot meals, salads, fruit kebabs, breakfast boxes, snack packs and care packs with empathetic, positive messages, which were distributed to 15 charities around Sydney. Another opportunity exists to get assist in this space on Sunday, 10 September at the Wild Walk Fundraiser.

Register for the annual fundraiser “Wild Walk” https://wildwalk.com.au/ as a team or a school sponsor for students to participate in an adventurous walk through the Royal National Park and support an incredible initiative supporting homeless and vulnerable communities.

Walks vary from 5 kms to 26 kms and can contribute to Duke of Ed hours. 

Other upcoming programs can be found here: www.kidsgivingback.org

Congratulations to Eddie Beswick

Congratulations to Eddie Beswick, (Year 12) for his recent triumph in the Formula Race Promotions program held in North America. With aspirations of becoming a driver in the NTT INDYCAR Series, Eddie observed numerous competitors climb the ranks through FRP, propelling their careers in the United States.

To realise his dream, Eddie teamed up with Synergy Motorsport and took the wheel of the #23 F1600 vehicles at Road America and New Jersey Motorsports Park. Securing victory twice, once at each location, and achieving a total of three podium finishes, Eddie convincingly demonstrated his velocity and capabilities, solidifying his potential for a successful journey in North American motorsports. >>> Click here to read more.

Parents’ Association Minutes

The Minutes from the most recent Parents’ Association meeting of 8 August 2023 are available here.