Ms Gaby Bransby, Director of the Junior School
From Ms Gaby Bransby, Director of the Junior School
Diary Dates
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.
February
- 10 February – Summer Sport – Round 1
- 17 February – Summer Sport – Round 2
- 17 February – Parents’ Association Cocktail Party, 6pm-10pm
- 20 February – Elephant Ed, Puberty and Embracing Change, 6pm
- 24 February – Summer Sport – Round 3
- 28 February – Brennan House Mass and Supper, Chapel, 6pm
March
- 1 March – Class and Summer Sports photos
- 2 March – Summer Sport – Round 4
- 7 March – Aungier House Mass and Supper, Chapel, 6pm
- 9 March – Summer Sport – Round 5
- 13 March – Winter Sport Trials
- 16 March – Summer Sport – Round 6
- 13 – 25 March – NAPLAN Testing Window – TBC
- 21 March – Winter Sport Trials
- 26 March – Final Winter Sport Trials
- 28 March – Holy Thursday – Pupil-Free Day
- 29 March – Good Friday – Pupil-Free Day
April
- 1 April – Easter Monday – Pupil-Free Day
- 4 April – Lacey House Mass and Supper, Chapel, 6pm
- 5 April – Open Classrooms TBA
- 12 April – Classes Conclude
Parent Information Booklets
The Junior School Parent Information Booklet is intended to inform you of the more detailed aspects of life at Waverley College Junior School. The first section deals with overall aspects of the College and the second section is more class specific. I hope that you get involved in the many facets of life at Waverley College and enjoy being part of our great community.
The Parent Information Booklets are in the links below.
>>> Click here to view the YEAR 5 2024 Parent Information Booklet.
>>> Click here to view the YEAR 6 2024 Parent Information Booklet.
Parent Webinar for Year 6 Parents – Elephant Education
You are invited to a webinar presented by Elephant Ed on Puberty and Embracing Change.
When: Tuesday, 20 February 2024, 6pm-7pm
Topic: Puberty and Embracing Change
Elephant Ed is a leading sexuality education provider to hundreds of schools around Australia. Elephant Ed’s workshops are evidence-based, age-appropriate and mapped to State and National curriculum guidelines. Elephant Ed is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider and is endorsed as a quality-assured program in the NSW Department of Education’s Student Wellbeing external programs catalogue.
In advance of Elephant Ed’s workshops with Waverley College students, this webinar will include discussion around the physical, social and emotional changes associated with puberty, as well as strategies for starting open and effective conversations at home.
Registration: You are required to register in advance for this webinar. Please click HERE to register.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
After School Code Camp 2024
Term 1 2024: Coding
Coding class on a Monday will continue this year. If you would like your son to be part of the session please go to the booking link below.
When: Monday, 12 February to Monday, 8 April – 8 sessions
Time: 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Please click HERE to book.
Ms Gaby Bransby
Director of the Junior School
gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
From the Assistant Director of the Junior School / Identity & Student Formation, Mr Steve Ghattas
Project Compassion Appeal – Supporting CARITAS
As part of our Lenten Appeal, the students have been asked to make a promise to help support CARITAS, an organisation that supports those who are less fortunate than others, both here in Australia and worldwide. Students are encouraged to use part of their weekly pocket money or do extra chores around the house, to help to fulfil their pledge. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
The first of several fundraising and awareness-raising initiatives begins with the sale of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (Week 3), the day before Ash Wednesday. Pancakes will be on sale during the day for $2. We are kindly asking for donations of pre-made pancakes to be delivered to the Junior School by Monday morning. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
2024 Class Captain Voting
One of the ways in which the students can show their leadership qualities is to nominate himself for Class Captain or Vice Captain. If they would like this opportunity, they need to let their class teachers know as soon as possible and begin thinking of ways in which they can best serve the Junior School community.
Students will need to present a speech to their class before voting takes place. They can use the scaffold below to assist in planning.
Prepare a two-minute speech addressing the following:
- Introduce yourself
- Why you want to be House or Vice Captain
- What you will do as Captain
- How you will show the Junior School Core Values of Commitment, Respect, Resilience, Compassion, Responsibility.
Please be aware of the following dates:
Year 6: Speeches delivered during Week 4
Year 5: Speeches delivered during Week 5
Responsibilities include:
- Involvement in Assemblies and Masses both at the Junior School and Senior School
- Assisting with running other events throughout the year (St Patrick’s Day, etc)
- Working as part of the SRC (Student Representative Council) on the playground and attending fortnightly meetings during their lunchtime
- Being a responsible member of the Waverley College Community and upholding the College Expectations.
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of the Junior School / Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
From Ms Jade Sparks, Assistant Director of Co-curricular
Swimming Carnival
We have had a busy start to the term with Sport and Swim Trials, ending this week with our amazing Swimming Carnival on Thursday. I was very proud to watch all students participate and put 100% effort into everything they did.
Commencement of Co-curricular Sport
The big week of Co-Curricular sport continues with Round 1 commencing tomorrow (Saturday, 10 February 2024) and we are very excited to get the Summer season for 2024 underway.
Please ensure you refer to the Waverley College app announcements each week, as I will continue to send out the weekly Sports Fixtures for each round, containing updated locations and times that may deviate from the Draw.
All families can also locate all relevant Junior School Co-Curricular information through the College website via the links below.
>>> https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/events/senior-and-junior-sport-fixtures/
>>> https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/information/junior-school-sport/
Extra Co-Curricular Updates
You will have received notifications via the Waverley app about the wonderful opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities this Semester. Information has been sent out for the following Clubs;
- Chess Club – Week 1 Nurrunga
- Hip Hop Dance Club – Waverley app notification
- Innovation Club – Waverley app notification
- Judo starting Week 4 – Waverley app notification
- Run Club starting Week 4 – Waverley app notification
- Spanish Club starting Week 4 – Waverley app notification
Registrations for Junior School Extra Co-Curriculars close on Friday Week 3, 16 February.
Uniform Reminders
- All students who have morning training are required to change back into academic uniform unless they have PE that day. Students are similarly required to change out of their academic uniform into training gear at the end of a normal school day.
- Training gear includes the PE uniform or sport-specific attire.
- School swimmers are recommended, but not compulsory unless competing at representative level.
Ms Jade Sparks
Assistant Director of Co-curricular
jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au
From Ms Natasha Zivanovic, Literacy & Innovation Teacher
Home Learning Club Week 3
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school for the completion of home learning tasks. The afternoon sessions also provide a quiet, supervised study space for students who want to complete their assigned tasks.
Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4 pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Procedures
Register your son HERE.
Only register his name once to allow other students the opportunity to attend. The session is limited to 20 spots. There will be a roll call to ensure attendance.
Students are required to stay for the full session unless there is a message in the student diary requesting early leave, a parent’s signature will be required.
Behaviour
As it is important to respect the rights of others to learn and work, all students are expected to settle to work in the Learning Hub and not cause a disturbance for others.
Teachers
Monday and Wednesday:
Ms Natasha Zivanovic nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Tuesday and Thursday:
Ms Gaby Bransby gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us.
An important note to remember, if afternoon training sessions are cancelled, unfortunately, you cannot send your son to Home Learning as an alternative plan, students are registered for the afternoon sessions in advance and the capacity is always reached.
Try to avoid messaging your son during this period, unless it is urgent.
Thank you.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
