Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
Welcome Back to the Start of Term 2
Welcome back to term 2 and I hope your sons had a lovely break and are ready for a great term ahead. I acknowledge that many of our Year 12s would have done many hours of study over the break as they continue to prepare for their HSC trials and next steps in their life post school. I wish them the very best on their continued preparations.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome some new staff members to the College. We look forward to them sharing their experience, wisdom and perspectives with both colleagues and students.
Ms Bella Davies (English Teacher) holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney. Previously, Bella worked as a Senior Coach and Session Leader at HSC CoWorks, and she also facilitated workshops at Elephant Ed, a company focused on sex education and promoting healthy relationships.
Ms Emma Brown (Mathematics Teacher) joins us from The Radclyffe School, Manchester, UK. She holds a Bachelor of Science with first class honours in Mathematics with Psychology.
Ms Madeline Eddy (Learning Support Assistant, Junior School) joins us from Waverley Public School and Forest Lodge Public School. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary/ Early Childhood).
Ms Leanne Chapman (Canteen Assistant) has been working casually with us in the Canteen and has now transitioned to permanent part time. Leanne has a long association with the College across four generations and with the Major General Chapman Award for Cadets in honour of her grandfather.
Welcome back to the following staff:
- Ms Stephanie Jackman – TAS Teacher (Paternity leave).
- Mr Barry Smith – Head of History (Long service leave). Thank you to Mr Nic Brophy who acted as Head of History for Term 1.
- Mr Steve O’Donnell (EREA Leadership Professional Development in South Africa with Edmund Rice Schools from around the world). Thank you to Mr Steve Wilmot and the Activities Office.
- Ms Alicia Romijn – Science & Relief Teacher.
- Welcome back to Ms Michelle McDonald who recently got married and is now Ms Michelle Richardson.
Congratulations to Ms Cassie Foster who has been appointed as the Acting Head of House – Brennan for Terms 2 and 3 while Ms Kaitlyn Downey is on maternity leave.
As we begin this new Term, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our students of the importance of using feedback from the Parent/Teacher/Student conferences to set academic goals and stay committed to their studies. This is a crucial time of the year, and we must all work together to ensure that our students strive for their best possible education outcomes.
At assembly this week I spoke about;
Our thoughts and prayers are still with the families and friends who lost loved ones in the tragic events that happened at Bondi Junction over the holidays. I know that some of you were friends of some of the people who were killed and I also know a few staff, students and parents were in Westfield Shopping Centre that day and witnessed the traumatic events.
Some of you will have seen graphic images online or in the media or have previously spent a lot of time in Westfield and this is all quite upsetting for you still. Or maybe this event has brought up previous trauma that you have experienced. Either way, I would encourage you to talk with your friends, parents, wellbeing mentor about this or see one of our psychologists. No one needs to go through issues alone and we will all experience challenges along life’s journey where we need assistance.
With five of the six victims being female at the Bondi Junction event and 31 women having been murdered in Australia in the first four months of 2024, which is a 28% increase on 2023 figures for the same time period, a national crisis has been declared to address gender-based violence. And, whilst this is tragically the pointy end, there are thousands more women being abused, assaulted, controlled and humiliated in their own homes and across the community by men, and usually by men they trust.
You may have seen in the media one of the many marches across capital cities over the weekend calling for much more to be done to reduce gender violence. But this is not a new crisis in Australia or in fact across the world, as gender-based violence is one of the most widespread human rights abuses. This is a continuous tragedy in motion that needs our ongoing attention.
Gender-based violence is an umbrella term for harmful acts of abuse perpetrated against a person’s will and rooted in a system of unequal power between women and men. The perpetrators of gender-based violence are predominantly men, and the victims are most frequently women.
It’s not acceptable that one in three women in Australia experience physical or sexual violence. It is all of our responsibility to ensure that women and girls, and everyone, everywhere, can live free from violence. Violence of any type is not acceptable against anyone.
Clearly there is a need in Australia and other countries for greater institutional reforms in this space, greater accountability for perpetrators, and easier and quicker access to support for victims. But there is also a need for a deeper cultural change and this is where all of us have a role to play in ending gender violence, particularly males. As a parent, it should be as safe for my daughter as it is for my son to go out at night time and the statistics do not lie, it is not. So what can we do on an individual level and as a school community?
We can continue to challenge harmful norms and call out friends or colleagues when we hear them disrespecting women.
We can ensure we are building respectful relationships with women we interact with and with our local girls’ school communities.
We can ensure that misogynistic comments where hatred of women or a belief that men are better than women are not acceptable anywhere or anytime. For over 2000+ years this has been embedded into our societies and structures, but it is not the equality or improved world we are seeking.
We should recognise that most men are good men, but good men need to step up and play our part in this ongoing crisis that is affecting all women in our country.
We should understand that there are some social commentators out there who try to skew the argument that there are male victims of gender violence too and that is true, there are – but over 90% of gender violence is men being violent with females. This sort of argument is just an attempt to dilute from the national crisis, so don’t fall for that one.
And finally, I think Ms de Kantzow summed it up well in her ANZAC Day address, that all our relationships should be fundamentally based upon care, compassion and respect. Respect is sharing power and valuing difference equally.
ANZAC Ceremony
Due to ANZAC Day falling during the school holidays, our College chose to commemorate ANZAC in a Commemoration Service on 1 May, displaying the ongoing successful partnership between Waverley and St Catherine’s cadets. Years 10-12 students, staff, official guests, and our College community assembled in the Gym to mark this national day of remembrance and Years 5-9 watched the service from their classrooms via livestream.
Commanding Officer – WCCU, MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow delivered a moving speech about the sacrifices of Australian women and men, focusing on the service of women in particular. She drew our attention to those women in the shadow of history – ANZAC women – whose names are not recognised on any cenotaph, and encouraged us all to live by their example.
“Without these women, without their care, compassion and respect for humanity, the mortality rate in Gallipoli would have been so much higher. Without their care, compassion and respect, many soldiers would have died without kindness on their side and connection to home.”
This ceremony was a time for our entire community to reflect and honour the contribution and sacrifice made by so many men and women who have served during battles and conflicts in various theatres of war.
We recognise the service of our cadets in the Catafalque Party, Flag Party, VC Guard, Wreath Layers and Flag Raisers. We also thank the students who spoke so reverently at the dais. Our talented Senior School Brass ensemble performed and Lachlan Issac (Year 11) played ‘The Last Post’ and ‘The Rouse.’
Lest We Forget.
Happy Orthodox Easter!
Happy Orthodox Easter to those celebrating this weekend. This vibrant celebration is a time of profound significance for millions around the world, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope you have a lovely weekend celebrating with family and friends.
House Photos, Sibling Photos and Year 12 Cohort Photo
On Wednesday, 8 May our House, sibling and Year 12 cohort photos will be taken in the College Gym. Students must be in full winter uniform including their blazers and ties please.
Parents’ Association Meeting – Wednesday, 8 May
The next face-to-face meeting will occur on Wednesday, 8 May in The Grange Building Boardroom, 12A Carrington Road Waverley, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We encourage as many parents/carers to attend as possible. Our friendly and welcoming environment makes it easy for parents to meet, socialise and become involved in College life. The agenda for this meeting will include:
- HSC 2023 – how we performed and some strategies we are utilising to improve – Ms Lynsey Porter, Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
- Security of the College – Mr Graham Leddie
- Parent Q & A.
Strategic Planning – Perspectives Survey
The 2025-2027 Strategic Planning process will begin shortly. The College will be seeking feedback from stakeholder groups. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community. We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
The survey instruments that we are using have been created by the Association of Independent School NSW (AISNSW). These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All staff, students, parents/carers, leaders and board members will be invited to participate.
The surveys will be distributed via email to all from ‘evidence@aisnsw.edu.au’ on behalf of the school and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. All information will be anonymous and no data information will be stored past the process.
Your input and contribution are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to improve the learning experience for everyone at our school.
Mother/Carer & Son Dinner Event
This much anticipated event is fast approaching on Friday, 17 May. Almost 600 seats have been sold with only a handful remaining. Act fast if you would like to secure a seat! Read more in the Parents’ Association section HERE.
Year 12 Tutorials in Term 2, Week 2 2024
Please find below the schedule for the Year 12 Tutorials in Term 2, Week 2. Topics covered during the tutorials include content revision, study skills, exam preparation and practice papers. These tutorials have proven extremely valuable and, while not compulsory, are strongly encouraged.
| DATE | SUBJECT | TIME | STAFF | ROOM |
| Monday, 6 May 2024 | Studies of Religion II | 3:15pm – 5:15pm | Cooper/ Stewart | W40 |
| Visual Arts | 3:15pm – 5pm | Turnbull | C13 | |
| Tuesday, 7 May 2024 | Society and Culture | 3:15pm – 4:15pm | Theo | W32 |
| Maths Standard 2 | 7:30am – 8.30am | Guirguis | E42 | |
| Wednesday, 8 May 2024 | Industrial Tech Multimedia | 7:30am – 8:30am | Gibbs | W32A |
| Maths Standard 2 | 7:30am – 8:30am | Cornish | E33 | |
| PDHPE | 7:30am – 8:30am | Darvill | GHR | |
| Modern History | 3:15pm – 4:15pm | Brophy | K11 | |
| Thursday, 9 May 2024 | English Advanced and Standard: Craft of Writing in the HSC | 7.30am – 8.30am | Porter/Barrie | K21 |
| Friday, 10 May 2024 | Hospitality | 7am – 8am | B McCarthy | TF1 |
It is important that we know attendance numbers so teachers can prepare accordingly. To that end, the expectation is that students who register for the tutorial, attend. Rolls will be taken to assist us to manage the program. The cut-off time to register for morning tutorials is 3pm the day prior. Ms Brooke Kent has emailed the registration sheet to students to register their attendance at the tutorials.
Junior School Confirmation at Mary Immaculate Church
For parents/carers seeking information regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is important that you contact your local parish to find out the details regarding when the Sacrament will be celebrated, and when the preparation classes will be held.
For students who attend St Charles Borromeo Parish (Mary Immaculate Church) and attend Waverley College, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 23 June 2024 at 2pm.
Please be aware that the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated each year, therefore only Year 6 students will be enrolled to receive the Sacrament.
View the boundary map HERE to see if you are within the parish boundary.
For further information, important dates and to register your son to receive this Sacrament, click HERE.
The document below will also give you important information regarding the dates of the Preparation program.
View the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Note HERE.
Year 11 Cardoner Project
The Cardoner Project, a not-for-profit organisation that offers immersion experiences for students post school, will be presenting to all Year 11 students on Tuesday, 28 May 2024 during Period 1 in the PAC. All students are required to attend this presentation please.
College Canteen Term 2
Can you volunteer to assist in our canteen in Term 2? We really need you! Lunch is provided for all volunteers. We welcome all members of the Waverley College Community – mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and carers. If you are interested, please volunteer as soon as you can by clicking HERE.
Secondhand Clothing Pool – College Blazers Urgently Needed
Have you outgrown your blazer? If so, please consider donating it to the Clothing Pool as soon as you can, so other boys can keep warm this Term! More information is HERE.
