Director of Junior School, Ms Gabrielle Bransby
Diary Dates
Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 3 events, please refer to the College calendar.
- 21 August – Book Week Guest Author
- 22 August – Year 5 Writing Workshop
- 23 August – ICAS Science – selected students, 7:45am – 8:50am
- 24 August – Year 6 Writing Workshop
- 25 August – Wear it Purple Day
- 30 August – ICAS Mathematics – selected students, 8am – 9am
- 1 September – Father’s Day Mass, 12pm
- 13 – 15 September – Year 6 Camp
- 18 September – Allwell Testing Year 6
- 21 September – Classes conclude
120 Year Celebration Feast of the Assumption
The morning began with a step back in time exploring the rich history of Waverley College. Our College Captains, through the theme, ‘It’s Our Time’ combined with our College Touchstones, explored ways in which we can stand up for injustices, ensuring our world could be a better place. A showcase of cultural dancing from our Walawaani students and our Cadet Unit then followed. Fr Bernie then led our celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, a special occasion commemorating Mary being taken up to heaven, both body and soul.
Students were then treated to a very fun afternoon beginning with an enjoyable time on the ninja warrior, hungry hippo and obstacle inflatables, as well as watching many of our teachers hitting the water in the dunk tank. After an inspiring and talent-filled Waverley’s Got Talent, the students left the day with smiles on their faces. What a fantastic way to celebrate 120 years of Waverley College.
Second Step Wellbeing Program
This week we begin the Second Step Wellbeing program in the Junior School. Research has shown that a whole-school, evidence-based approach to Wellbeing will improve the socio-emotional skills of students which will positively affect their spiritual, emotional and academic life at Waverley. The program focuses on skills that will help your son succeed in school and in life. These skills include:
- Empathy
- Communication
- Perspective taking
- Respectful disagreement
- Assertiveness
- Emotional management
- Problem solving
You play a vital role in helping your student develop strong social skills. During these next few weeks, the focus of the lessons will be empathy and communication. Ask questions about the skills your student is learning, such as:
- “How do you show someone you’re actively listening to them?”
- “What are some ways you can be an ally to someone?”
- “Why should you try to understand other people’s perspectives?”
If you have any questions about the curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Stephen Ghattas or Ms Jade Sparks for more information. Thank you for supporting your son in learning the skills that lead to success in school and in life.
P.S. Make sure to join www.secondstep.org with the activation key SSP6FAMILY12 to watch videos about the Second Step program and get information about what your child is learning.
Father’s Day Mass – Friday, 1 September 2023 – Mary Immaculate Church
The celebration of fathers, grandfathers and significant others in the lives of our Waverley College Students will be celebrated on Friday, 1 September at 12pm (Week 7, Term 3). This will be at Mary Immaculate Church followed by lunch at the Junior School.
Click here to view the invitation
Part of the celebration will include a slideshow. Can I please ask that you send through a photo of your son(s) with their fathers/grandfathers if you would like a photo included in this presentation.
Please send through all photos to liturgy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Steve Ghattas
Assistant Director of Junior School/Identity & Student Formation
sghattas@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Science Week
This week in the Junior School we have been celebrating Science Week! The theme for the week is ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries’. To celebrate this important week, the Junior School have been taking part in a number of activities. We had Kaleidoscope Science come to the College to perform ‘The Great Big Science Show’, students took part in science-themed trivia in the Learning Hub and lunchtime experiment demonstrations run by Mr Mancinelli. We certainly have some future innovators and scientists in the Junior School!
Science Week Competition
Students took part in a school-wide competition, where they had to use their knowledge of key science concepts to pitch a proposal for an online game. Submissions were extremely high quality, combining unique and captivating ideas with elaborately designed game art. An overall winner and two runners up from Year 5 and Year 6 will be announced at next week’s assembly after the judging process has concluded. Well done to all who participated!
Ms Charlotte Stephens
Assistant Director of Curriculum
cstephens@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Science Lab Lessons
As part of our participation in National Science Week, Years 5 and 6 have engaged in a variety of hands-on learning experiences building their knowledge of scientific method and experiments. Throughout the week, both cohorts have explored the exciting process of chemical reactions. Year 5 created ‘Pop Top Rockets’ and tested them on the playground, whilst Year 6 created a special solution called ‘hot ice’ to form crystal towers and observe the ‘urchin effect’. Students have embraced the opportunity to continue to build their skills in the science lab.
Mr Max Mancinelli
Science Teacher
mmancinelli@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Home Learning Club Week 6
*No Home Learning Wednesday, 23 August 2023
We offer all students in Year 5 and Year 6 the opportunity to receive free additional support after school to complete 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 – 4pm – 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 via the link https://homelearningclub.youcanbook.me
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.
Lunchtime Guest Speaker – Ian Storie
Brilliantly combined veterans, bees, whales, and smarties into one Lunchtime Talk! The father of Ethan in Year 5, Ian Storie, is a Global Consultant Industry Engagement and Collaboration Scientist and Innovator who captivated the boys’ inquisitive minds with the most recent research and problem-solving ideas.
I appreciate you highlighting how Science, Chemistry, Technology, and Teamwork all work together to tackle big challenges.
The boys found the presentation on ‘How to be an Innovator’ inspiring.
Book Week
Guest Author for Book Week
We often hear from families, students, teachers and Old Boys that Waverley has a lovely community feel. Hence this year the decision to invite Richard Simpkin, Waverley Old Boy and father of Ollie (Year 5), to open our Book Week celebrations with a presentation on Monday, 21 August. Richard will share motivational stories, writing advice, and the value of reading to the boys.
Richard’s current series The Aussie Big Achievers are a fun and educational way for children to learn about some of Australia’s most interesting and inspiring people who have helped shape our nation. Each book encourages children to always believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams.
If you would like to purchase books for your son or children, click the button below:
Richard will be happy to sign copies after his presentation.
Book Week Competitions
Thank you to all the students who entered the Book Week Competitions.
Literacy Coordinator Ms Mary Ryan will have a tough job judging the Poetry and Ms Jenna Turnbull (Acting) Head of Visual Arts will also have a tough job judging the creative pieces of art that interpreted the theme ‘Read, Grow, Inspire…’
Winners will be announced on Monday, 21 August. Good luck to all the students who entered.
Writing Workshops
Your son will take part in a fun and engaging writing workshop that will encourage critical and creative thinking, while working collaboratively in a small group to produce part of an imaginative text, which in turn will be part of a book.
The final copy will be printed and placed in the Learning Hub for all to enjoy. I am looking forward to working with Year 5 on Tuesday, 22 August and Year 6 on Thursday, 24 August.
Pre-Loved Pop-up Bookshop – Cash Only Please
During Book Week your son will have the opportunity to visit the pre-loved, pop-up bookshop in the Learning Hub. All books will be $2.00 (cash only).
It is not too late to donate any pre-loved books. You can send them in with your son on Monday.
Ms Natasha Zivanovic
Literacy & Innovation Teacher
nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au
News from 6 Indigo and Mr Robinson
6 Indigo are busy learning to “Make Themselves Heard” by reading and responding to a wide range of texts dealing with the refugee crisis the world is facing. We have been engaging with the class novel Detention by Tristan Bancks.
The following artworks depict an “escape place”, where students in 6 Indigo go to when they need a break from others, a quiet place with no distractions.
Next up, we will be researching a refugee who has settled in Australia and retelling their story in a graphic novel format. I can’t wait to see what they produce.
Mr Kendall Robinson
Teacher 6 Indigo
krobinson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
