Wearing very thick wetsuits and big smiles, Year 12 Marine Studies students successfully completed their PADI Open Water Diving Certification last Thursday and Friday under the instruction of Abyss Scuba Diving.
Students were required to complete 10 hours of coursework, demonstrate a large number of diving skills in the pool and the ocean, and then complete four open water dives. This required a lot of focus and resilience as COVID-19 has pushed our course back to the colder months!
Practising the confined water skills
During our dives at Camp Cove and around Bare Island, we saw wobbegongs, an angel shark, octopuses, stingrays, a seahorse and a very friendly grouper.
Congratulations to the following students for achieving this award, which has opened up their eyes to a whole new world under the sea!
AJ Preketes, Aodan Byrne, Charlie Elmes, Dylan McCulloch, Gabriel Portolan, Gabriel Woodward, Gus Oliver, Henry Kopsiaftis, James Garrop, Leo Astridge, Owen Punch, Thomas Gillespie, Thomas Kenny and Toby Ryan.
Tom Kenny
Ms Gemma Brown
Head of Science
E: gbrown@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Wednesday, 4 May, Waverley College’s Students of the World Ecology Group were invited to a Design Thinking Workshop at St Clare’s College, run by Netnada, a company that measures carbon footprinting.
Upon arriving at St Clare’s and after a few flights of stairs (something the Waverley boys are very comfortable with), we entered a room filled with whiteboards. There were two very friendly instructors from Netnada, who would be helping us through this brainstorming process, and 10 St Clare’s students from their Environmental Group.
We were divided into four groups, each with a mix of St Clare’s and Waverley students. After a few thinking exercises and enlightening conversations, it was time to draw and write out our ideas.
The instructors guided us through a step-by-step process of how to create strategies to tackle both College’s waste issues. This involved timed responses, creative construction of who our ‘customers’ are, and how they think, to help us to pinpoint the best way(s) forward. The interesting discovery was the realisation that both boys and girls have more in common when it comes to waste – and what to do with it – than we thought.
It was an amazing experience and some incredible ideas were put on the table – both literally and metaphorically. Thanks to this workshop, both Colleges now have a firm idea about what to do next, in the battle to educate and change the behaviour of students and staff in our own war on waste.
The future is bright for the ecological situation at both St Clare’s and Waverley College. We are so thankful for the experiences we had.
Lachlan Isaac (Year 9) and Ms Rebecca Sutcliffe
Ecology Coordinator
E: rsutcliffe@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A terrific group of Year 11 students ably represented Waverley College at an Interfaith Dialogue gathering on Wednesday, 11 May. They met at the Great Synagogue in the city to join with representatives from other schools including Emanuel School, Moriah College and Stella Maris College, Manly.
There they engaged in dialogue and activities on current issues pertinent to their lives. They demonstrated how Catholics pray, and showed the Waverley College rosary beads and a presentation on the May Procession.
Mr JP Boumelhem and Mr David Edwards accompanied the students, and said that they were excellent ambassadors for Waverley College in terms of uniform, enthusiasm and engagement.
Ms Martina Cooper
Head of Religion
E: mcooper@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Friday, 13 May, Waverley College participated in the Ethics Olympiad via Zoom. The students who participated, displayed incredible passion and teamwork. An independent adjudicator mentored and assisted the students.
Whilst not winning, the following team members received honourable mentions from the judges. Congratulations to: James Medland, Lachlan Miranda, Deuchar Dezarnaulds, Ewan McDonald and Anton Svensson.
Over five hours, the boys explored and developed philosophical argument skills on the topics below, which were explored together with one other school per case, in a collaborative venture to develop deeper understandings of topics.
The other students from Waverley who participated as a team were: Declan McAuliffe, James Birbas, Oliver Malzard, Campbell Porteus and Charlie Murphy.
The NSW Ethics Olympiad is so valuable, because it brings together students to collaborate from diverse schools across the state. One of the benefits of diversity is that it encourages the search for novel perspectives. Have a look at the range of teams!
Well done boys.
Mr W Roberts
Ethics Olympiad coach, Head of Library, and Years 9 and 10 Applied Philosophy Teacher
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On 29 April, Christian Kitas represented Waverley College at the illustrious public speaking competition: the Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition. Held at Sydney Grammar, representatives from thirteen high schools were given fifteen minutes to prepare an eight-minute speech on an unseen topic.
The topics for 2022 were: “I have ever hated all nations, professions and communities, and all my love is toward individuals”, “Some praise at morning what they blame at night, but always think the last opinion right”, and the most popular of the evening, “There’s a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
Congratulations to Christian Kitas for his oratory skills and confidence
Arguably, the most difficult of the public speaking competitions for students, the adjudicators look for intelligence, humour, expression, relevance to topic, and elocution in the students’ speeches. Whilst not placing, Christian represented both himself and the College proudly. He spoke about key concerns many teenagers face today, including the pressures of social media and the need to look beyond the superficial.
Thank you to Miss Halpin for her organisation of the evening, and Miss Stephens for working with Christian to prepare for the competition. Congratulations to Christian for his oratory skills and confidence.
Miss Melanie Stephens
English Teacher
E: mstephens@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Waverley is proud of its cross-curricular offerings. For many years now, the Geography and Religion departments join together, align their content, and undertake a stimulating day of exploration with Year 7 at Centennial Parklands. This edifies their understanding of ‘Water in the World’ and ‘Stewards of Creation.’
The weather may have been overcast, but spirits were high as Year 7 participated in a joint Year 7 Geography and Religion Excursion. Students learnt navigation skills, studied water quality, met ducks, wrote prayers, reflected and solidified friendships – all whilst trying to stay as dry as possible.
The weather was kind to us, even though the walk to and from the College drew some complaints such as “the hill is too steep!” All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you to our energetic teachers who gave up their time to be part of this cross-curricular event, and to our enthusiastic students for participating in the day.
Mr Nicholas Sposari
Teacher of HSIE and Religion
E: nsposari@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last Friday, our Senior Debate team competed against Loreto, Kirribilli in Round 1 of the 2022 CSDA competition.
They debated topics ranging from Australian politics on a local and federal level, to the role of television in an increasingly digitised world.
Each team presented their arguments and rebuttals with aptitude and poise and, I am thrilled to say, we came away with deserved wins in each of our 7 – 12 teams.
I congratulate all teams on their success, and look forward to Round 2.
Ms Emma Halpin
Convenor of Debating and Public Speaking
E: ehalpin@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Year 11 Hospitality students undertook their first official service period as part of their Certificate II qualification on 6 May.
They whipped, whisked, piped, baked and decorated to produce lovely cupcakes for the Waverley Junior School Mother’s Day Event.
Thank you, gentlemen!
Mrs Bev McCarthy
VET/TAS Teacher
E: bmccarthy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, both Brennan and O’Connor Houses celebrated their House Mass and Suppers. After two years of COVID-19 preventing our Waverley families from joining us, it was wonderful to see the chapel full of all our families.
A special thank you to all those who made these wonderful celebrations possible. Fr Bernie for celebrating the masses, our wonderful musicians Mr Balkizas and Ms Dolzo, the fabulous choirs from each of the Houses, our Prefects and of course our Heads of House, Ms Downey and Mr Barr for coordinating such wonderful celebrations.
Quinn House Mass is next Thursday, and we look forward to welcoming all our Quinn families then.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, Green and Lacey Houses celebrated their first House Mass and Suppers in two years.
It was so lovely to have all our families present to celebrate such a special occasion and to especially welcome our new Year 5 students to each House.
We also paid special tribute to our Year 12 students as they begin the final stage of their journey here at Waverley.
Thanks to all those who helped make these special celebrations happen. From Fr Bernie, our chaplain, to our musicians, choir, readers, mentors and Heads of House.
Our charismatic music teacher, Ms Jaz Dolso, led our singing
Our talented choristers led our hymns
Head of Music, Mr Chris Balkizas, played some beautiful passages on guitar
It is wonderful to have our Waverley family joining together again to share such important formation experiences.
Our caring mentors
Brennan and O’Connor Houses will celebrate their Mass and suppers next week and we look forward to seeing everyone there.
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last Friday, the Old Boys’ Union generously donated Rosary bracelets to our Year 5 and Year 7 students in time for our annual May procession.
These beautiful wooden bead bracelets and ‘How to Say the Rosary’ cards, replaced the usual rosary beads, and were made by one of our Waverley parents, Rita Di Napoli, from Rita Palma Candles and Gifts. The Old Boys Union and Rita’s generosity in helping facilitate this, was greatly appreciated.
Each of these students will be able to wear these at school and beyond the Waverley gates, as a reminder that God is always close, and as a special devotion to Mary, just like our founder Blessed Edmund Rice.
The Year 7s were also treated to a BBQ by the Old Boys, and greatly enjoyed their afternoon.
Many thanks to everyone who made this possible.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are slowly rebuilding stock levels and are pleased to be able to offer lots more items for sale. Email us to check on stock and size availability.
Unfortunately, currently we don’t have any rain jackets in stock.
Email us to check size and stock availability. clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
If your son has outgrown his uniform, please consider donating it to the Secondhand Clothing Pool. This provides someone else with the opportunity to purchase a secondhand uniform well below the new price, whilst at the same time, raising funds for the College through the Parents’ Association.
The Secondhand Clothing Pool will gladly accept the donation of all clean and wearable current uniform items for resale. There is a $30 ‘buy back scheme’ for the donation of Blazers and All Weather Jackets in excellent condition.
Email us for more information or visit us on Monday mornings or Wednesday afternoons.
At the Senior School campus reception in the blue Secondhand Clothing Pool donation box. (If leaving Blazers and All Weather Jackets, please include name and phone number inside the bag, and we will contact you to arrange ‘buy-back.’)
For this term we will be open both Mondays 8:30-9:30am and Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm.
For more information on stock availability or to make an appointment, please email the Secondhand Clothing Pool.
E: clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
P: (02) 9369 0703 — please leave a voicemail, and one of our volunteers will get back to you.
You will find us in the main building on Birrell Street. Enter via the Senior School campus reception, and take the lift to Level 3. The Secondhand Clothing Pool is next door to the Uniform Shop.
Mondays, 8:30am-9:30am and Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30pm.
Camille and Kirsten
Secondhand Clothing Pool Coordinators
E: clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This is the blue Secondhand Clothing Pool donation box located in Senior School Reception
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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