Graham Leddie
From the Head of College, Graham Leddie
Opportunities to learn from others every day……
On Monday this week I was reminded of the power of being able to say sorry. The 13th February is the anniversary of the Apology to Indigenous Peoples from the Australian Government in 2008. The apology related to past laws, policies and practices which have impacted on Australia’s First Nations Peoples, particularly of the Stolen Generations. This apology was significant for Indigenous Peoples because it allowed for many to start a healing process. Our boys need to be able to acknowledge when they have made an error in judgement and make amends. An apology is part of the healing process, it does not get you out of consequences that you must face, but it does start a new pathway forward. As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition, we must play our part in trying to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We must work to find new pathways forward.
Peer Leadership
Our New Wellbeing program provides all boys with opportunities to learn from each other. At a House Assembly last week I witnessed Year 12 students running the assembly, but I also saw a Year 6 boy get up to confidently contribute and improve the outcomes. Boys across all year levels will have many more opportunities to present and discuss ideas in front of a large audience of their peers. These opportunities are invaluable in a world looking for good communicators, collaborators and leaders. Mr Matthew Porter talks about Student Representative Council positions across all year levels in his article this week.
Heart of Gold Award
One of our Staff members reminded us and the wider community of the benefits of knowing CPR and being able to respond calmly when the pressure is really on. Mr Anthony Evans (Student Administration Officer) was recently awarded a Heart of Gold Award by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute for his life-saving CPR on a fellow Australian. Every 10 minutes an Australian has a cardiac arrest and as a country we lag behind the world when it comes to teaching CPR. All of the College’s teaching and support staff underwent our annual training in CPR and anaphylaxis conducted by Mr Anthony Evans and Mr Steve O’Donnell at the end of last year. You can see Mr Evans being presented in the attached link.
https://www.facebook.com/9NewsSydney/videos/422190024793366/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE
Talented Role Models
We have many talented young gentlemen at Waverley from which others can learn and improve themselves. A few boys in their chosen sporting pursuits are certainly setting the bar very high and proving that with hard work and determination, you can achieve anything. Congratulations to the following boys and the many that are training and competing for upcoming events such as our CAS swimming team, New South Wales and National Surf Lifesaving Championships and to those that competed recently at the Oztag State Cup in Coffs Harbour.
- Jason Sangha (Year 11) is the youngest cricket player in history to earn a contract with New South Wales and to play for the Prime Minister’s XI this week. Jason stated in a SMH article that he had learned much from watching how his hero Adam Gilchrist played the game and treated others along the way.
- Cullen Di Mattina (Year 9) has been selected to represent Australia at The 4th KWF International Karate Tournament in Tokyo Japan in March. This is a prestigious Karate full contact tournament.
- Lewis Thompson (Year 11) is competing this week as a member of the Athletics Australia U17 Target Development Squad in Melbourne.
- Finn Wright (Year 12) is in the Junior Waratahs training squad and is a national ARU player of interest.
- Kolt Piggins-Massaad (Year 8) has been awarded a month long scholarship to attend the Pro Tennis Academy in Florida in July this year.
- Ben Walker (Year 12) has been selected to represent Australia in the 2017 International Canoe Federation Ocean Racing Team to compete in Hong Kong later in the year.
- Charlie Negus (Year 12) is part of the National Men’s Water Polo League and has three road trips to Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide coming up. He is also training with the Australian Olympic Squad and member of the U19 Australian Team.
- Corey Spiteri (Year 12) is in the Australian U17 Fencing Team.
- Stuart Swinburn (Year 10) recently competed in the NSW State Championships:– under 15, 200m back – 1st; 1500m freestyle – 1st; 100m back – 1st; 200m butterfly – 2nd; 400m freestyle -2nd and was named swimmer of the meet. At the State open water championships: 15-16 years – 10km – 1st, 5km – 1st.
- Ned Wieland (Year 10) is currently training to become the youngest Australian to swim the English Channel later this year.
- Mac Jenkins (Year 10) has been chosen to play for the NSW U15 All Schools Cricket Team.
- Robbie Beal (Year 10) under 15 NSW State championships, 1500m freestyle – 4th; State open water championships: 5km – 2nd Australian open water championships 15 years: 7.5km – 3rd, 5km – 3rd.
- Will Cooley (Year 9) 1st U16 National Laser Sailing Championships and 5th overall. Will is now training for the World Youth Olympics in 2018.
- Patrick Vernon (Year 11) has been selected in the Combined Independent Schools representative tennis team.
We look forward next week to learning much from our 2016 HSC High Achievers who will return for the College Assembly and share with the boys their wisdom and tips for study and preparation for examinations. Last year our Year 12 students appreciated hearing first hand a student’s perspective.
