Director of Junior School, Ms Gabrielle Bransby
Diary Dates
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.
- 20 May – Round 4 Winter Sport
- 26 May – May Procession (half day)
- 27 May – Round 5 Winter Sport
- 3 June – Round 6 Winter Sport
- 7 June – Quinn House Mass, 6pm
- 8 June – Year 5 History Showcase
- 9 June – Year 5 Retreat Day
- 12 June – Pupil-Free Day – King’s Birthday
- 14 June – 16 June – Year 5 Camp
- 14 June – Year 6 History Showcase
- 16 June – Reports Available, 5pm
- 17 June – Round 7 Winter Sport
- 19 June – Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
- 22 June – Classes conclude
Ms Gaby Bransby
(Acting) Director of the Junior School
Year 5 History Talk Presented by Gene Ross
Earlier in the Term, one of our parents, Gene Ross, came to talk to Year 5 about Indigenous Heroes of History. In our History lessons we have been learning all about the Colonisation of Australia. Gene opened our eyes to the often untold stories and experiences of Indigenous people throughout this time.
Gene shared his knowledge and experience of the history and traditions of Indigenous culture, and told us the stories of overlooked Indigenous people who have shaped our country. These included stories about Patyegarang, Australia’s first Aboriginal linguist, and Bungaree, the explorer, diplomat and negotiator, who made Matthew Flinders’ (British navigator and cartographer) circumnavigation of Australia possible.
I am sure that we have sparked the interest of Year 5 students, so that they might investigate some of these incredible historical figures through their History projects. Thank you so much to Gene Ross for taking the time to share his stories and knowledge with Year 5, and give them such a valuable experience.
Ms Charlotte Stephens
(Acting) Assistant Director of Curriculum
Winter Co-Curricular Sport – Round 4
I wish all teams the best of luck this weekend, and know they will do everything in their power to demonstrate the utmost respect and sportsmanship towards their opposition teams.
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. Families can also locate all relevant Junior School Co-Curricular information through the College website by clicking the button below.
Click here to view Senior and Junior Sport Fixtures, Results, Training Schedules and Maps
Year 5 Camp to Stanwell Tops
An announcement was shared earlier in the week which included the below letter outlining the proceedings for the upcoming Year 5 Camp in Week 8 (Wednesday, 14 June to Friday, 16 June 2023) at Stanwell Tops. I ask you to please read the letter carefully, to be fully prepared for the camp ahead.
Click here to view the Year 5 2023 Camp Letter
Your son’s class teacher shared with you a Google Form on Wednesday, 17 May, which instructed you to provide relevant medical information to support Stanwell Tops with their dietary requirements preparation. This should now be completed, allowing class teachers to collate the information.
Another hard copy risk management form was sent home on Wednesday, 17 May, to be returned to your son’s class teacher. Please return this as soon as possible to assist us with preparation.
All other relevant information will be communicated to you as camp draws closer.
Mr Jack Wachtel
Assistant Director of Co-curricular (Years 5-8)
Home Learning Club Week 5
*No Home Learning on Wednesday, 24 May 2023
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 4pm – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – during school term unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.
Procedures
Click here to register your son
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/carer 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 email us.
Important
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.
2023 ICAS Competitions – Years 5 and 6 Students
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
If you would like your son to compete in the 2023 ICAS Competitions, you will be asked to nominate which competitions you would like him to be entered in through the Parent Payment System.
At the Junior School, the following ICAS competitions are offered: Writing & Digital Technologies, Science & English and Mathematics. This year all the competitions will be held in August / September, Term 3 and will be completed online in the Learning Hub before school starts. A timetable will be shared closer to the assessment dates.
Click here to register your son
Through this system, parents/carers can pay for ICAS directly online, while tests will still be held at our school.
*Please use the school’s access code details to register your child no later than 23 July 2023.
Waverley’s School Access Code FBT592
Please consider carefully before choosing this enrichment opportunity for your son. It is a rigorous competition with many questions set beyond grade level. Participants are required to demonstrate a deeper, integrated and thorough level of learning.
If you are unsure of your son’s suitability, please consult with his teacher. More information about the assessments can be found at ICAS Assessments: Home
If you require additional support registering your son, contact the customer service team, Australian Toll-Free, 1800 931 775.
Inspirational Lunchtime Guest Speaker
Last week’s guest speaker, interventional cardiologist Dr James Roy (father of Joe in Year 5), drew a large crowd of students to his lunchtime talk. The presentation was raw and real, and it allowed students to have a better understanding of the world of medicine and surgery.
It was wonderful to learn that Dr Roy chose to pursue a profession in cardiology in the same way that his father did. His compelling message of teamwork and helping others was great, two extremely important life qualities that students will need for the future.
Waverley sincerely appreciates Dr James Roy giving up his time to present with such engagement, to the upcoming generation of cardiologists.
Reader of the Week
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Teacher of Literacy & Innovation
News from 5 Indigo
We have had a wonderful start to Term 2 in 5 Indigo! Here is a snapshot of some of the learning that has been happening in some of our Key Learning Areas.
Science
In Science we have been learning all about forces. Earlier in the Term, we designed boats and conducted our own boat race. Here are some photos of the great 5 Indigo boat race!
English
In English, we have been reading the picture book Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne. Anthony Browne communicates so much about his characters through his visual literacy techniques and he also carefully selects his language to describe his characters. Currently, we are creating our own ‘fifth voice’ to add to his book. Here are some pictures of our work in progress, so far.
Visual Arts
In Visual Arts, we have been learning about the technique of cross-hatching. We used the picture book Matthew Flinders: Adventures on Leaky Ships by Carole Wilkinson, as inspiration to create our own artworks using this shading technique.
Ms Charlotte Stephens
Class Teacher 5 Indigo and (Acting) Assistant Director of Curriculum
