Images from Year 6 Luna Park Excursion, Waterpolo A’s and Wav 5As X1s final game for 2018 v St Patricks, the last Touch Football match for the year and Year 4 Oars testing
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF WATERFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL, GABRIELLE SMITH
Staff Farewells
On behalf of Waterford I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mr Mark Claridge and Mrs Morag Tunks for their distinguished service to the College as they leave us for new adventures.
Mark has been an asset to our profession since he began his teaching career over thirty-five years ago at St John’s Lakemba. It is a testament to the love of his calling that he has happily remained in this profession and inspired classrooms of students year after year. Mark at has been at the Junior school for 21 years. Every colleague who has worked with Mark would recognise his calm manner, fabulous sense of humour, his love of literature, authentic sense of justice and his ability to live the Gospel values. The decades passing-by has not seen Mark’s hard work or excitement for his job diminish in any manner. I wish him every happiness and success for this retirement and thank him most sincerely for his valued contribution to Waverley.
Morag has been an exceptional teacher/librarian over the past 6 years at Waverley. Morag has worked closely with teachers to instill information literacy skills whilst promoting life-long learning in her students. Morag has taught her students many valuable lessons. She has given them the knowledge, skills and values required to use information and to communicate knowledge ethically and effectively. Morag has always kept up to date in reviewing new materials in order to develop Waterford’s library collection to continually engage and inspire her students. I wish Morag all the very best in her new role at Sydney Grammar.
Orientation Day
On Friday 23rd November we hosted our Orientation Day for all students new to Waterford in 2019. It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome some existing Waverley families and many new families into our community. All students went through an Orientation experience where they connected with other students, toured the school and participated in STEM, drama and sports activities. There was also some valuable testing conducted in amongst all the fun to assist us in transitioning our new students into Waverley as seamlessly as possible next year.
I would also like to thank Sam Pierce, Michelle Dubois, Jade Stapleton, Nicole Mutton and Tina Lee for their invaluable help cooking and running the BBQ on this day.
Year 6 Luna Park – Report by Jack Kerves – 6 Gold
Last Friday, Year 6 gathered at school excited and ready for a day of rides, laughter, fairy floss and friendship at Luna Park Sydney. I think the teachers and volunteer parents were just as excited as we all were to go on a great day out on the Harbour. We started out on our caravan of buses and arrived at The Rocks ready to walk across the Harbour Bridge. On the way across the bridge we were greeted with non stop high fives from strange teenagers and adults dressed up in a range of dress up costumes that included a pack of blue smurfs singing the smurf song. It was very funny! The view was spectacular and some wonderful photos were taken of Waverley College Year 6 boys with the Opera House and a ten storey cruise ship in the background.
When we got to the Park we got wristbands and off we went for the rides. For lunch lots of boy bought their food from the amazing cafe opposite the Ferris Wheel. When you went on the Ferris Wheel there was a terrific view of the Harbour and the Opera House and we had a very rocky ride in the wind on top of the Ferris Wheel. The Dodgem Cars were lots of fun as we kept trying to chase our friends and crash into them. Miss Hoare came out laughing from the Dodgem Cars after she was bumped from all directions by the Waverley boys. After a day of fun on the rides and inside Coney Island we all lined up for the bus trip home, back to Waverley College and a good night’s rest.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Jack Johnson (5 Green) on completing his representative duties at the School Sports Australia Track and Field Championships in Melbourne. He placed 12th in the 1500m (while taking 6 seconds off his previous personal best!) and 9th in the 800m. Congratulations also goes to Fred Carmody (5 White) who made the Sydney representative team for the NSW surf lifesaving where only two in his age group were selected.
What a wonderful achievement. Well done boys!
Social Justice
I received a lovely email this week from the team at Kids Giving Back which read ‘I am writing to let you know you that Luca De Cian is a credit to your School. Luca was part of a team of 35 Kids Giving Back volunteers who cooked, packaged and delivered over 150 warm, nutritious meals to local shelters and individuals in need on Saturday.
Luca took part in our Community Cook4Good Program with his family and should be commended for giving up time to help others’. It is always wonderful to read about the efforts our students go to outside school. The work of Luca and his family is evidence of the touchstone Justice and Solidarity in action. We are reminded that we are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.
Hugo Socks
Our support and prayers continue for Hugo Kulscar while he continues his treatment for Leukaemia. Swanky Socks has teamed up with The Kids’ Cancer Project to support Hugo and his family directly as they go through the challenges of treatment. This is a wonderful opportunity to buy someone a Christmas present while supporting Hugo and his family and once again we can show our solidarity by purchasing some socks. Hugo won’t give up fighting and your support to help him get through this battle will really lift his spirits.
The link to the Hugo socks: https://www.swankysocks.com/product/hugo/
Summer Sport Report – Mr Meadley
Congratulations to the Waterford players across all of the Waverley sporting codes (Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Touch Football and Water polo). Last Saturday, 24th November, saw the conclusion of Round 12. This was the final game for our Year 6 students prior to making their way to the Senior School. This was also the final match for the Year 5 student’s first year of sport at Waverley.
Thank you to all of the coaches (teaching staff and external coaches) for your support and dedication of the Waterford players. Each coach helped enhance skills, instil motivation and encourage sportsmanship in our boys. The end result is not always about who walks home with the win, but rather, each and every player feeling they have performed to the best of their ability and having left the field of play knowing they have conducted themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. Thank you to the parents for arranging your family commitments around our training schedule and ensuring your son is present at each game in a timely manner. The support of your son is greatly appreciated by both the staff and students.
Most cricket teams were fortunate enough to have a member of the Waverley First XI Cricket team visit at a training session. The First XI players were enthused to be involved with the Waterford players, getting to know the boys and helping with their skills. The Prep 1sts Cricket hosted Trinity Grammar, Melbourne in Round 10 at Queens Park. Whilst our boys did not finish with a win, they felt proud having represented Waverley playing a visiting school from another state. Every player enjoyed the experience.
Thank you to Mr Ryan for your organisation of the basketball court at the Waterford Campus. Your efforts blowing the court prior to the first game, overseeing each of the teams and scoring of a weekend has been greatly appreciated.
To Mrs Coupe, thank you for your wonderful organisational skills keeping coaches and students informed of any changes to venues and absentees.
I am hopeful all Waterford players have finished their summer season having enhanced their skills, formed new friendships and created lasting memories of their sporting experiences.
I wish the students every success in their respective sports when they trial for their summer sport in Term 1, 2019. Have a well-deserved and enjoyable Christmas holiday!
