Junior School: 2018 Term 1, Week 2

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR SCHOOL, ANTHONY BANBOUKJIAN

Prayer for the Week

We begin Week 2 after a very busy start to the school year.  Some of us have settled in and some of us are still finding our feet.  Some of us have built on old friendships and begun new ones.  Some of us are still finding it difficult to meet new people.  Let us focus this week on trying to make everyone feel included in all that we do here at Waverley College.  Our prayer this week focuses on the elements of being a good friend.

Help me, O God, to be a good and true friend.

To be always loyal, and never to let my friends down;

Never to talk about them behind their backs in a way in which I would not do before their faces;

Never to betray a confidence or talk about the things about which I ought to be silent;

Always to be ready to share everything I have;

To be as true to my friends as I would wish them to be to me.

This I ask for You who are the greatest and the truest of all friends.  For your love’s sake,

Amen

Blessed Edmund Rice: Pray for Us

St Mary of the Cross: Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts: Forever

Saturday Sport

Our summer sports trials were held last week. The boys participated with great energy and excitement and the teachers managed to select their squads for the upcoming summer competition. The trials are an incredibly difficult process and the Junior School staff does their best to ensure all students have the best opportunity to showcase their talents. Unfortunately not all the boys could be selected in their first preference, but have been allocated into either their second or third preference. Information about training times, venues and draws was sent home via the Skoolbag app last week.

Parent Information Night

Monday 19 February at 6.30pm

Please gather at the Junior School auditorium for a brief welcome from Head of College, Mr Graham Leddie followed by a meeting in your son’s classroom.

During the meeting your son’s teacher will outline procedures and policies for classroom arrangements and communication for this year. Information such as the timetable (including explaining how our 2 week cycle works), homework policy and class expectations will all be discussed.

It will also be a great opportunity for you to meet the parents of the other boys in your son’s class. Please note that your son does NOT attend this meeting.

The car park at the Senior School will be available for parking on the night.

Laptop Rollout 

Students in Year 5 will be issued new MacBook computers as part of the Waverley College iLearn initiative.

You and your son are asked to attend a deployment afternoon on Wednesday 14 February 2018 commencing at 3.30pm at the Junior School. This will run until approximately 5.00pm.

At the deployment afternoon your son will be issued with a new device once you have returned a signed copy of the iLearn contract and PED Policy that was sent home via email earlier in the year.

Where to go

If your son is in;

• 5 Green – go to 5 Green
• 5 Gold – go to 6 Green
• 5 Red – go to the library
• 5 Blue – go to Art room
• 5 White – go to 6 White

Please return the signed contract & PED Policy, collect the laptop then proceed to the auditorium.

If you are unable to attend or you have any questions regarding the deployment process please feel free to contact Mr Potter (spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au) or myself.

Junior School Project Compassion 2018

As the season of Lent approaches, we are asking the Year 5 and Year 6 students of the Junior School to think about those who are less fortunate than themselves.  The theme for Project Compassion 2018 is “A Just Future”.

This year, Project Compassion demonstrates how love for our neighbours can transform lives. For more than 50 years, Caritas Australia has been privileged to work together with our neighbours – our most vulnerable sisters and brothers in First Australian communities and in many other countries. Working with our partner agencies in those communities, we have developed the strength to combat poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity of every person.

Throughout Project Compassion 2018, inspiring stories from the Philippines, Cambodia, Australia, Nepal, Jordan and Mozambique will be shared, highlighting the importance of working hand in hand with communities around the world.

As the thought of freeing the world of poverty can be overwhelming, we are attempting to empower our boys to respond to the needs of others around the world. We have asked the boys to contribute to Project Compassion in some way this year. It may be that they give up a treat at the canteen or perhaps do some odd jobs around the house to collect a bit of spare change. Please encourage your boys to donate to this worthy cause.

“They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water” (Isaiah 49:10).

Chess coaching 

Coaching for students at Waverley College (Junior School) is held on Tuesdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, from 6 February 2018.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment.

Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, you can collect an enrolment form from the school office, or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au for a copy.

For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

Swimming Carnival

Our annual swimming carnival is on Friday 16^th February and is held at the Senior School pool. All parents are invited to attend. Please note – the students will be sitting in the stands behind the pool and space will be provided for parents and guests on the grass area alongside the pool. Shade tents will be available but if you are thinking of coming along please remember to bring your chairs or blanket. The carnival should finish at approximately 1.45pm and no boys will be permitted to leave until the carnival is complete and presentations have been made. Please note there are no canteen facilities available.

Waverley Skoolbag App

Waverley released its Skoolbag app which is available for both iPhone and Android devices a couple of years ago to assist contact with parents and students. This app is a free download and enhances the way the school communicates with students and families.

You can find the Skoolbag app for Waverley by searching in either Google Play or the Apple App store for ‘Skoolbag Waverley College’. You can also find links to the app on the School website.

Name on all Student Property

Can I please stress the need to ensure your son has his name on all his gear – it makes it far easier to return any lost gear.

Who do I Contact?

If you are facing any difficulties at the Junior School please use the table as a guide on who to contact.