From the Principal, Mr Graham Leddie

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift

and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing

which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning

make us happy to be Thy children,

and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds

with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven,

for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

By Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

 

Dear Parents/Carers, 

Thank you for the support of your sons, staff and the College this year. 2023 has been a great year with many successes across all dimensions of College life. Our school is not just a place of learning; it’s a community. Your active participation in your son’s education, supporting his passions and partnering with the College continues to be a strong recipe for success.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated and passionate educators and professional support staff who have worked tirelessly to inspire, guide, and nurture our students. Their commitment to fostering a love for learning has truly made a difference in the lives of our students.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge Mr Pasquale Guerrera who is stepping down as Chair of the College Advisory Council. Pasquale has been chair for the last three years and prior to that, Deputy Chair for four years. Pasquale has had a long association with the College – Old Boy (Class of 1987) and his son Nicholas, graduated from Waverley College in 2016. 

During his time on the Council he has demonstrated exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication, and an unyielding passion for the values that define us. His work behind the scenes, collaborating, meeting and bringing groups into alignment with the College’s strategic direction and leadership has been impressive. Furthermore, Pasquale’s involvement in the finance committee has been instrumental in ensuring the fiscal responsibility and sustainability of our institution. 

Pasquale will continue his role on the College’s Foundation Board and assist the College achieve the goals of the Master Plan which includes bringing the Science and Innovation Centre to fruition. 

We congratulate Mr Patrick McClure AO (Class of 1967) who will take over as Chair of the Advisory Council. Patrick has worked in leadership roles in the social purpose sector over many years. During his tenure as CEO of Mission Australia, it was transformed into a national organisation with revenue of $300 million and 3,000 staff providing innovative employment, education, housing and youth services. He developed strategic partnerships with business and government.

He was also CEO of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (NSW/ACT) which is a major provider of homeless services. Patrick was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and an Australian Centennial Medal. He is an AFR – BOSS True Leader, recipient of the EQT CEO Award for ‘Lifetime Achievement’, Distinguished Alumni Award (Murdoch University, WA) and a Churchill Fellow. He has a Master of Arts (Public Policy), Bachelor of Social Work (Distinction) and Diploma of Theology. 

Wishing all our families a safe, restful and enjoyable summer break filled with Christmas joy, and quality time with loved ones.