Year 5 & 6 Action Items Archives

A big welcome back to all our Waverley College families. I hope the 3 week break gave you a chance to slow down and spend quality time with your family. We are back in full swing and excited for the term ahead.

Just a reminder that all students require a blazer in Term 3. I have noticed some haircuts that do not align with the College Haircut policy which can be found on page 28 of the school diary. If your son has been asked to have his hair rectified, please have this done by Monday Week 2.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 3 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Attendance

A reminder to please see the below process for reporting your son’s absence. Parents/carers requesting permission for three days or more of leave or extended holiday periods exceeding three school days, must apply for permission from myself. Permission needs to be in writing at least two weeks in advance, and is not automatically granted. Please contact myself for approval by emailing ssanchez@waverley.nsw.edu.au.

Term 3 Curriculum Overviews

I am pleased to share with you the Term 3 Curriculum Overviews for Years 5 and 6. These documents are a guide to the learning that your son will be covering in class this Term.

I hope this is a useful document that will help you to support your son and engage him in conversation about his learning experiences at school.

Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee

The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is a free, online competition where students get 30 randomly selected words from their competition level and have 25 seconds to type each answer. The students with the most correct words in the fastest time progress to finals. All Junior School students are invited to participate, however it is not compulsory.

If you would like your son to participate please complete the digital Parental Consent Form by this Wednesday, 31 July.

Father’s Day Mass & BBQ

Fathers, step-dads, uncles, grandfathers and special men who are like fathers in the lives of Waverley College students, are invited to accompany their boys to a special Father’s Day Mass in honour of fathers everywhere.

This will be held on Friday, 30 August, beginning at 12pm. A BBQ Lunch will follow, which will be held in the Junior School.

Part of the Father’s Day 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. This needs to be emailed no later than Monday, 26 August. Please send through all photos to liturgy@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Please note: Although it is lovely that we receive quite a number of photos, can you please limit the number of photos that you send to 1 per family member (e.g. dad/son, grandad/son). This will ensure a more streamlined process in the creation of the slideshow.

Night Patrol Donations

Once a month as part of the Social Justice program, our Year 11 students will hit the streets to feed the homeless men and women of Sydney. This initiative is run by the St Vincent de Paul Society and gives the students an insight into the vast array of people (children, teens & adults from varying backgrounds) who are homeless and the journey that each of them are on.

As this face to face experience is not suitable for our Junior School students, we are asking assistance in the form of donations.

Students in 5 Indigo & 6 Indigo are asked to donate the following items for the next Night Patrol on Monday, 5 August:

Fresh Fruit – Banana, Apples, Oranges (to be brought in on Monday, 5 August)

Packet noodles, Packets of chips, Poppers (to be brought in on or before Monday, 5 August)

Holiday Sport Shoutouts

Jack Forde (Year 5) and Kai Hess (Year 5) have been on the Gold Coast representing NSW at the inaugural School Sports Australia Games. Both boys placed 3rd in their race on Thursday 25th July, and are currently swimming in more events today and tomorrow. We congratulate them for all they have achieved so far to get here, and we are cheering them on for the rest of their time at the competition. Go Waves!

Congratulations to the Waverley boys who represented Randwick in the U10 Boys State Cup with both teams undefeated.

Hugo Tonga, Harvey Rumble, Lachlan Walden, Liam Morrissey, Leon Dunkley

Well done to the boys who played in the U12 Boys State Cup over the weekend at Narrabeen playing for Randwick. They represented Waverley well, winning all 4 games and only conceding 2 tries (1 v Gordon and 1 v Penrith). I am looking forward to having you back at Queens park for the remainder of the season.

Sam Rogers (Year 7), Arlo Symes (Year 6), Zac Hughes (Year 6), Patrick Spencer (Year 6), Hugh Rachel (Year 6), Lenny Burgess (Year 6)

Winter Sport

We are excited to commence the final 3 rounds of Winter Sport at the Junior School. Myself and the coaching staff hold high expectations of each one of our players, and look forward to an enjoyable and successful end to the season. Please keep an eye on the fixtures and Training Schedule. Fixtures are released each Tuesday. You can look ahead at the Draw for future rounds.

I would like to remind everyone of the IPSHA Code of Conduct, which you can review here. Thank you for helping Waverley maintain our high standards and supporting the boys in having fun at school sport.

Extra Curricular Activities

Please remember we run a number of extra curricular activities which are additional to Saturday sport commitments. Review the below information and please email the co-ordinator if you have any questions about these activities for Semester 2.

Athletics Carnival

Students will be bussed to and from Sylvania Waters Athletics Track for an exciting day of track and field events.

Please read all the information in Parent Lounge > Events and Payments > JS: 2024 Athletics Carnival and action the permission slip here too.

City2Surf

The City2Surf is now 95% sold out, so anyone wanting to join our Waverley team of over 230 students, teachers and families on 11 August in support of Running for Premature Babies, please don’t delay in registering!

All team members will receive a free charity shirt, and anyone who raises $300 will receive a refund of their race entry fee.

Home Learning Term 3, Week 2

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

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

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.

Exam Timetable Term 3

All ICAS exams will be sat before school in the Learning Hub. Please ensure that your son has a charged laptop and he is on time for each ICAS exam.

Public Speaking Competition Year 5

All Year 5 students will be participating in a school-based Public Speaking Competition this term, aimed at allowing students to develop their speaking skills.

Speaking well in public prepares you for positions of responsibility, visibility and the future. Speak up, speak well, and many opportunities will be open to you.

Book Week 2024

In Week 5 we will be celebrating Book Week at the Junior School. The theme this year is Reading is Magic.

Book Week Competitions

All students from the Junior campus are encouraged to enter one or both of the competitions running for Book Week.

Writing Workshop

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 Wednesday, 21 August and Year 6 on Thursday, 22 August.

Book Week Guest Author – Reece Carter

Reece Carter will be Waverley’s guest author for Book Week on Friday, 23 August.

Reece is an up-and-coming author who fell in love with writing stories when he was a young reader himself, Reece wants to help the next generation of storytellers reach into the quirkiest corners of their imaginations, so they might dream up characters and larger-than-life stories of their own.

Reece’s visit aims to inspire students to grow their imaginations – and to think big!

An essential aspect of supporting your son with his reading is to allow him to make his own book choices. The Pop-up Bookshop will be running in Week 4 on Thursday, 15 August and on Monday, 19 August.

This year I would like to continue with a sustainable and cost-effective Pop-up Bookshop.

If you would like to help with this initiative I would like you to donate pre-loved books that will be sold at a very reduced amount. The amounts raised will be donated to one of the Edmund Rice foundations.

Celebrating a wonderful Term 2!

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all families for a wonderful Term 2. Some highlights from this term have been the wonderful Year 5 Camp where the boys connected with nature, pushed themselves out of their comfort zones, and made new friendships. Both the Year 5 and Year 6 History Showcases were outstanding this year. The enthusiasm displayed and the quality of work produced were extremely high.

It was amazing to see the commitment and team spirit displayed by all students at Saturday sport and training sessions throughout the term, despite the weather. It has been truly impressive to see the sportsmanship among the students and how far they have developed as a team.

I hope the Parent/Student/Teacher interviews this week were valuable and gave you a chance to connect with your son’s teacher, go through their Semester One Report, and set goals for next term. Knowing where your son is currently academically and socially is vital in order to set new goals and reassess current ones.

I hope the break provides much-needed rest and family time. I look forward to seeing the students return to school in Term 3 renewed and ready to take on Semester 2.

WriteOn Competition 2024

Congratulations to Finn Constable. His imaginative writing has been selected as one of the top entries for the WriteOn 2024 competition. This annual contest, open to NSW primary students in Years 1-6, challenges young writers to craft a creative 500-word story inspired by a specific image. Finn’s piece stood out among numerous submissions and will now advance to the final judging round. A selected panel of school sector and NESA representatives judge the WriteOn competition.

Samuel Loughrey, Jack Bird, Silas Murphy and Alex O’Brien were awarded Highly Commended for their writing submissions.

Code Camp

Junior School Mini da Vinci Decathlon written by Waverley Students

On Thursday, 13 June, our Year 9 da Vinci Decathlon team hosted the ‘MiniVinci Decathlon’ for students in Years 5 and 6 at the Junior School.

Due to the popularity of the Decathlon held at Knox Grammar School, the event was held as an internal, student-run initiative, with four teams from the Junior School.

This competition required students to compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and Legacy.

Our Year 9 team took on the responsibility of supervising teams, marking papers, and overseeing the competition. This student-led initiative provided a remarkable opportunity for us to demonstrate leadership skills and quick-thinking abilities.

Overall, witnessing the level of engagement, involvement and active participation among the Junior School students was truly inspiring, demonstrating promise for future success in academic competitions for these students.

I worked on English and Engineering, as well as on Creative Producers where a team performs a one-minute performance on a given topic. This year’s topic was Going Back and Changing a Mistake You Have Made. The team I was in—Team 6.1—won the event. We got a chocolate medal, a merit, and a da Vinci Decathlon award. It was an overall fun experience.

The Year 6 Winning Team (L to R): Thomas Sheehy, Luke Haddock, Xavier Burns, Sam Fisher, Thomas Taylor, Ollie Johnson, Harry Robinson, Zac Bentley.

The event was marvellously put on by some Year 9 students, Ms Barry from the Senior School and our enrichment teachers Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Edwards, and was an incredible day.

Junior Sport

We are so proud of the boys who represented Waverley at the AFL Paul Kelly Cup on Tuesday this week at Queens Park. The sun was shining and spirits were high as the boys laced up to take on their rival schools. They played 5 games overall, dominating each match to play the top team in the semi-finals.

As final teams were announced, to no surprise the Waverley boys were in. With the Waverley chant being heard from across the oval, the boys took on their opponents to win the grand final 41-2.

Highlights of the day were first goals kicked by Ziggy Sarkozy, Cillian Stankard and Bart Carmody, coach Cian getting saturated by water bottles in celebration after the win and Jordy’s fluoro pink sock and boot combination that could be seen from anywhere sprinting down the field. The boys will play at the Regional Final in Five Dock in the upcoming months.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable winter break, and look forward to Rounds 8 to 10 of Winter Sport continuing next term. Training will resume in the first week of Term 3.

Home Learning Term 3, Week 1

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.

Procedures

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

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

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 2024 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 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 July 23, 2024.

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 here.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Book Week Competitions

Term 3 is nearly upon us and in August we will be celebrating Book Week at the Junior School. The theme this year is Reading is Magic.

All students from the Junior campus are encouraged to enter one or both of the competitions running for Book Week.

Pop-up Bookshop

An essential aspect of supporting your son with his reading is to allow him to make his own book choices. The Pop-up Bookshop will be running in Term 3 Week 4. This year I would like to continue with a sustainable and cost-effective Pop-up Bookshop.

If you would like to help with this initiative you can donate pre-loved books that will be sold a very reduced amount. The amounts raised will be donated to one of the Edmund Rice foundations.

Junior School Music

In Music this term, both Year 5 and 6 have been exploring the musical concept of ostinatos; or repeated rhythmic patterns found in music.

Using the viral YouTube video ‘Potter Puppet Pals: The Mysterious Ticking Noise’ as inspiration, students then recorded their own versions into GarageBand using the MIDI keyboard, following the notation of the original.

Below is an example from one of our Year 6 students; a screenshot of the project and the audio to listen to.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 Reports will be available next Tuesday, 25 June at 5pm in the Parent Lounge. Please take the time to go through and read the report with your son. Please have any questions regarding the Semester 1 Report ready to discuss at Parent/Teacher/Interviews.

Reminder – Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are scheduled for Thursday, 27 June. This will be a hybrid model to accommodate those who would like to come into the school or Zoom in from work or home. Each session will go for 10 minutes. Students are required to attend this session in full academic uniform.

Bookings are now available. Please select a time with your son’s teacher by logging into the Parent Lounge.

Please note that due to Mr Horry being on leave, 5 Red will have their Interviews on Monday 22 July.

Year 5 Camp – Stanwell Tops

There was an exciting energy from all of our Year 5 students leading into the camp at Stanwell Tops. For many students this was their first time going to camp. I arrived Wednesday afternoon and it was clear that all students had quickly settled into camp life, getting stuck into the wide range of activities on offer.

In spite of the chilly weather, students embraced all the adventures and activities that pushed them out of their comfort zone each day. All staff were very impressed with the students’ involvement, engagement and support for one another.

The overall experience of Year 5 Camp gave all students every opportunity to create new memories and connections, step out of their comfort zone to face challenges and conquer fears along the way. It taught our boys about resilience, compassion and genuine mateship for one another. It was an experience the boys will hopefully never forget for years to come.

I would like to acknowledge all the Waverley staff who gave up their time to be a part of the experience, and to Stanwell Tops staff who made everyday enjoyable and memorable for our students.

Year 6 History Showcase

On Wednesday 19 June, the Junior School playground came alive with stories from across the globe as the Year 6 students showcased their Digital Migration stories as part of their learnings in History. Every student had a unique story to tell, either about a close family member, a neighbour or an Australian identity who had their own story of migration. The staff and wider community were so impressed with the quality of I-Movies, costumes and the way the students knew their characters so well. What an amazing day!

Congratulations to Flynn Gilmore for winning the Year 6 Historian of the Year, an amazing achievement.

Thank you so much to all the Parents and Carers who were able to join us on this very special day.

Art Incursion

In partnership with the Senior School Art Department, Year 5 Classes have been venturing to the Senior School to work with clay and create their own pottery. This process has allowed Junior School boys to experience a subject in a Senior School setting while also expressing their creativity.

So far 5 Orange and 5 Indigo have participated in this immersive experience with other classes to come. Year 6 will also journey to the Senior School in Term 4 to partake in an art making experience.

We thank Ms Oates very much for providing this opportunity to our Junior School students.

Semester 1 Reports

Assessment

Teachers do not rely solely on one piece of assessment to assess your child. In fact teachers will consider:

Grades

At Waverley we use an A to E reporting scale and it is important to understand what each grade represents:

An A grade means that a student is performing at Stage level above their current Stage and can do so on a consistent basis.

A B grade means that a student is performing at a higher level in their Stage in most situations.

A C grade means that a student is performing at the expected level for their Stage and meeting those outcomes.

A D grade means that a student is experiencing some difficulty at times in meeting the expected outcomes for their stage.

An E grade means that a student is performing at a level below their current stage.

Interviews and growth

Teachers look forward to discussing your son’s report at our upcoming Parent/Teacher/Interviews. It will be imperative to celebrate all grades as a measure of success in relation to individual growth from the beginning of the year to now. Teachers will then be able to provide boys and families with tailored feedback that will look to see boys continue further on the trajectory of individual growth.

Junior Sport

Despite all other matches washed out, the Yellow B AFL team had a convincing win over St Pat’s last Saturday. Congratulations to the boys for getting involved in the cold and showing great sportsmanship.

We are looking forward to the final round before the holidays. Please remember there is no training in Week 9 during the last week of Term 2. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break. Training and Saturday fixtures resume Week 1 of Term 3 starting Tuesday, 23 July.

Home Learning Week 8

Procedures

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

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

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. 

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Year 6 Public Speaking Finals

This week, we had the Year 6 Public Speaking Competition. All the boys put in an incredible amount of effort, with one stand-out student who took home the trophy! Well done to all the finalists and thank you Mr Jack Watchel, Ms Alice Curtis and James Peate for adjudicating the finals.

Congratulations to our finalists Toby Armson, Hugh Rachel, Luke Haddock, Joe Fanning, Ellis Cario, Finn Constable and our Public Speaking Champion 2024 Luke Haddock.

L-R Mr Jack Wachtel, Toby Armson, Hugh Rachel, Luke Haddock, Joe Fanning, Ellis Cario, Finn Constable, Ms Alice Curtis & James Peate.

Book Week Competitions

Term 3 is nearly upon us and in August we will be celebrating Book Week at the Junior School. The theme this year is Reading is Magic.

All students from the Junior campus are encouraged to enter one or both of the competitions running for Book Week.

Pop-up Bookshop

If you would like to help with this initiative you can donate pre-loved books that will be sold a very reduced amount. The amounts raised will be donated to one of the Edmund Rice foundations.

Class Item – 5 White

The past few weeks have been buzzing with activity in the 5 White classroom as our students delved into various fascinating subjects, showcasing their impressive learning and creativity.

Our English lessons have taken an exciting turn with the introduction of the captivating text FOX by Margaret Wilde. This engaging tale, rich with themes of friendship and betrayal, has sparked lively discussions and deep analysis amongst 5 White students. The students have enjoyed dissecting the story, exploring the visual and literary techniques used by the author and illustrator to captivate the audience.

In History, the excitement reached new heights as students eagerly prepared for and hosted the History Showcase last week. This event was a fantastic opportunity for the students to present their newfound knowledge about significant figures and events that contributed to the colonisation of Australia. From engaging stories to creative displays, the students’ hard work and enthusiasm were evident, making the showcase a memorable event for everyone involved.

In Science, the 5 White students have been learning how to design and build circuits using copper tape, light bulbs, and coin batteries. This hands-on project has been both educational and exciting, as students apply their knowledge to create circuits that light up their vivid artwork.

I am so proud of how these young gentlemen have been applying themselves to their schooling in Term 2!

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Bookings are now available. Please select a time with your son’s teacher by logging into the Parent Lounge.

Please note that due to Mr Horry being on leave, 5 Red will have their Interviews on Monday 22 July.

If you have any issues attending during this time please contact your son’s teacher.

Code Camp

We are looking to partner with Code Camp again in Term 3 to offer a weekly STEM program after school. This program allows children to hone their creative skills and keep practicing through weekly sessions over the term! Their fun and engaging content ensures students learn new creative skills in a safe, educational environment.

Coding: A coding program to include weekly challenges, functions, algorithms, branching, variables, game logic, user experience and math. An 8-week program with a new project each week, and the fun doesn’t have to stop after class! Your child will be provided with their very own Code Camp World account which they can use to continue creating at home and to share their projects with family and friends.

Minecraft Engineers: Minecraft Engineers is our latest exciting blend of coding, engineering, and creativity using everyone’s favourite game. This new 8-week program is designed to pique students’ curiosity and provide a foundation in engineering and programming using a game that we know students absolutely love — Minecraft! In the first term of Minecraft Engineers, students will learn to build a rollercoaster throughout the term by learning and applying basic engineering concepts and command-based programming in an age-appropriate way.

This will be on a Monday from 3:15 pm – 4:30pm. If you are interested could you please click here

Year 5 History Showcase

On Wednesday, we hosted an educational History Showcase, where our talented students took us on an immersive journey through various historical events during the time of colonisation in Australia. The showcase was a vibrant display of dioramas, artworks, costumes, and props, each innovatively crafted to bring history to life.

Students worked diligently to recreate historical scenes with incredible detail. Adding to the experience, students donned historical costumes and created props that added authenticity to their presentations. Students were acknowledged with the following awards for Best Costume, Best Inquirer, Most Creative, Most outstanding and Year 5 Historian of the Year! It was an amazing way to celebrate the Year 5 students and their learning.

Congratulations to Fletcher Mott for winning the Year 5 Historian of the Year, an amazing achievement.

Thank you so much to all the Parents and Carers who joined us on this very special day.

Year 5 Retreat Day

Today our Year 5 students were involved in their first retreat day on their journey at Waverley College. The day began with the students attending the morning Mass at Mary Immaculate Church allowing them to reflect on their own lives and bring them closer to God. The rest of the day focused on themes of friendship, leadership, inclusiveness and being an upstanding citizen.

All activities were led by our Year 11 students including making House Wristbands and defining qualities that make good leaders and good friends. The students also had the chance to listen to some Old Boys talking about leadership qualities and opportunities beyond their schooling years.

To conclude the Retreat Day, they participated in some House team-building games including Tunnel Ball and Kick Tennis, allowing for some friendly competition and a whole lot of enjoyment.

Junior Sport Fixtures, Training Schedules and Maps

Co-curricular Sport

Despite wet and muddy conditions at CIS Cross Country, Jagger Michael (Year 5) placed 35th last week. He was a trooper in the rain and was happy with his result in the conditions. Well done Jagger!

Congratulations to Charlie Draper (Year 6) and Marley Fuller (Year 5), who represented Sydney Comets at the National Junior Classic at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne over the long weekend, placing 12th in the Country for the U12 Boys. We are so proud of them both!

Manchester City July Holiday Clinics Now Open To All!

Manchester City coaching clinics will give girls and boys in Year 5-8 the opportunity to develop their skills and learn ‘beautiful football’ in the playing style of Manchester City, utilising the football club’s coaching and playing methodology.

Players of all abilities will be challenged to develop in a safe, fun and authentic environment that reflects how Manchester City train and develop football players. They will learn how to master the ball, play with style, dominate the game and achieve their goals.

Waverley College is one of only two schools in NSW and one of five in the entire country to offer this exceptional program.

Who: Boys & girls in Years 5 and 6 from any school
Date: Monday, 1 – Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Time: 9am – 3pm
Venue: Waverley College
Max Players: 16
Cost: $450pp

Home Learning Week 8

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

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

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

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. 

Click here to register your son. Through this system, parents 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 July 23, 2024.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

EXAM TIMETABLE TERM 3

Drawing Club and Waverley Youth Art Prize

It gives me great pleasure to announce that 3 drawing club artists who entered the Waverley Youth Art Prize successfully won prizes last week. The students’ brief was to respond to the theme ‘Mysteries of the Deep.’ The judges – artists Jacqie Meng and Cameron Stead – picked the following artworks created by our budding artists: Junior 3rd Place Alexander Banhidi & August Bergland, Colour Is Everything and Junior Highly commended Oliver Starkenburg, The Sunken Spaceship.

6 Red Class Item

It has been a busy term in the 6 Red classroom. As Term 2 draws to a close, the boys have been hard at work completing their Summative Assessment Tasks. A highlight in the History calendar is the Year 6 History Showcase. Piecing together their knowledge of Australian history and migration, the students are in the process of making a video presentation telling the stories of their chosen migrants (parents, grandparents, neighbours or friends).

In Science, we have been learning about Sustainability relating to popular foods being produced in Australia. Students have been investigating how we can sustainably produce foods more efficiently to provide for the citizens within our country.

A few weeks ago, the 6 Red boys were fortunate to have a visit from the Writer’s Toolbox team. The Writer’s Toolbox program is an engaging and informative tool aiming to improve students’ writing. Nicky supported our class by teaching students the ‘em dash’ sentence starter. Boys were able to successfully come up with their own em dash sentences, immersing themselves in the WT program.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Musical – Disney’s The Lion King Jr.

We are excited to announce that in Term 4, the Junior School will be performing the musical – Disney’s The Lion King Jr!

All Junior School students will participate in this amazing experience, and preparations and rehearsals will begin in Term 3 during Performing Arts classes. We will also be having some students from St Catherine’s Junior School join us for the main roles, which is very exciting. This is a great opportunity and a unique learning experience for our students. More information and details will come soon, so keep an eye out!

Mr Bowden spoke to the students yesterday about the opportunity to be cast as a main role (i.e. Simba, Timon, Scar, etc). Please have a discussion with your son if you think he would be interested in auditioning, as it is a great opportunity.

Koojay Corroboree 2024

I would like to congratulate Mr Burns for organising a wonderful experience for our Indigenous students and Class Captains to attend the Koojay Corroboree last Friday during Reconciliation Week.

This event was organised by the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and Randwick City Council to celebrate Aboriginal ceremony, tradition, and culture.

The theme of this year’s event was “Now More Than Ever,” highlighting the ongoing fight for justice and rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students watched performances by various dance groups, visited cultural stalls, and had the opportunity to engage with performers and stallholders.

Junior Sport Fixtures, Training Schedules, Maps and Venues

Thank you to all students, families and staff involved in our Indigenous Round in Round 5. Each team respectfully acknowledged the traditional custodians of the lands, and showed gratitude for First Nations’ ongoing connection to the beautiful Country we are so blessed to play on.

Please enjoy the sport-free weekend this King’s Birthday Long Weekend. We look forward to Round 6 next Saturday, 15 June.

Year 6 History Showcase Invitation 2024

Please see the information below regarding the Year 6 History Showcase, coming up in Week 8.

In History this term, we have been studying Migration. Parents and family members are welcome to attend our annual History Showcase. It is a special day for Year 6 to immerse themselves in their chosen person of study, by presenting their History ‘Digital Story’ as well as an artefact whilst dressed as the person. This is an assessment we have been working on at home and in class. It is made up of:

The instructions for how students complete the above elements are on their CANVAS History page > Module 5. Any questions should be directed to your son’s class teacher.

Prizes will be chosen and awarded on the day, with special guests from the Senior School attending.

We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate all the hard work the boys have put into History this term.

Home Learning Term 2 Week 7

You can register your son here but please 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.

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

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. 

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.

Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. You can use the school’s access code details to register your child no later than July 23, 2024.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

IPSHA Gala Day Barker College and Home Debate

It has been a pleasure and privilege working with the JS debate team and their mentor, Dante Fearn. Throughout the first half of the season, these debaters demonstrated incredible dedication and perseverance.

Last week, the team had an intense schedule that included back-to-back debates. On Thursday, 30 May, they attended the IPSHA Gala Day at Barker College. Under immense pressure, the boys displayed their debating skills in four rounds of debates. They earned two well-deserved wins and two hard-fought defeats.

The enthusiasm didn’t stop there. The next day, Friday, 31 May, the JS debating team hosted a home debate versing Emanuel, demonstrating their oratory and arguing abilities once again.

Drawing Club

The drawing club runs at lunchtime every Tuesday, and over the last two weeks the focus has been on drawing characters. Our inspiration was drawn from Shaun Tan – a very creative and clever artist who draws intriguing characters which are found throughout the stories he has written and illustrated.

I’m extremely proud of the dedication and commitment to drawing these boys show on a weekly basis. Not only do they have fun showing off their creative talents, but the boys are also developing new friendships.

Storytelling Through Words and Illustrations – News from 5 Blue and Ms Elise Hunt

This Term students in 5 Blue have been studying the picture storybook, The Rabbits, a work of historical fiction by Shaun Tan and John Marsden. Our deep dive into The Rabbits not only enriched the students’ understanding of the book but also significantly enhanced their analytical skills. We focused on literary techniques within the illustrations and the story’s deeper meaning about the colonisation of Australia.

Students worked hard to redesign the final page of the book to show ‘reconciliation’ beginning to take shape. The design was to include salience to draw their audience’s attention, and colour to represent the damage that has been done, as well as the hope that can be achieved.

For their learning checkpoint, 5 Blue completed a written reflection explaining the symbolism displayed in each illustration. Throughout the unit, the boys are learning to approach texts with a critical eye, exploring the symbolism and themes in the story of invasion, colonisation, dispossession, violence and destruction of the environment. In noticing body language and repeated use of symbols within the text, the boys have gained understanding of characters and appreciation for visual literacy techniques.

“We learnt about metaphors, phrases and words that represent another meaning and can express a bigger idea. Some symbols in the texts. In the book, I noticed amazing illustrations which, If you look closely, help you understand what is maybe going on in the background. For my character profile I chose one of the rabbits from one of the pages. I thought that this rabbit in general might have been a government official since it was holding an official note which in the book said “And, They, Stole, Our, Children” referring to the Stolen Generation of Indigenous children. Since the rabbit was holding an official note, which in the past might have been used to evict people from their property, it meant to me that it was a government official.”

“In my written reflection I explained the way the authors used strong images and words to express the feelings on the page and the descriptive way that they would live and work according to my chosen page. I made sure to focus on the literacy techniques that the authors used in order to bring out advantages and disadvantages of the colonisation and how the rabbits ruined the land at the time. I noticed the changing landscape which symbolises the loss of land for the Indigenous and the expansion of machines due to colonisation.”

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Digital Borders and Boundaries

Last week I attended a Professional Development course and the keynote speaker was Dr Kristy Goodwin – a highly sought-after digital wellbeing & productivity expert. Kristy’s a speaker, author, researcher and consultant who delivers evidence-based information about the impact of digital technologies on children, adolescents’ and adults’ health, wellbeing & learning.

She’s passionate about sharing the latest research and insights into how “digitalised childhoods and adolescence” are changing the ways that students learn, play and develop (without telling parents or educators that they need to ban the iPad, or disconnect the Internet).

Dr Kristy Goodwin cutting-edge research from neuroscience, psychology and technology and translates it into brain-based protocols to power-up performance.

3 Top Tips from Dr Kristy

Junior Sport Fixtures, Training Schedules, Maps and Venues

Co-curricular Sport

Round 4 of Winter Sport was a success with teams starting to demonstrate what they have been learning in training. With beautiful weather, we showed Waverley pride throughout all AFL, Football and Rugby games. Players are showing our three Core Values Respect, Compassion and Resilience by never giving up and being good sports.

Young boy stands smiling holding up 5 fingers on his right hand to represent the number of goals he scored

James scored 5 goals for 11C Football team – Congratulations James!

Congratulations to Jordan Strbac, Louie Cummins and Alex Jenkins who competed as part of the CIS AFL team at Albury last week. We are very proud of their efforts over several tough but exciting games. They had a huge week of AFL, had fun swimming and getting to know other boys in their team and have returned to the Junior School ready to use their skills in their Waverley jerseys. 6 Blue were also able to enjoy supporting the boys, watching the live stream for half of their first match, with two of the CIS boys in 6 Blue. Go Waves!

Athletics Carnival

Our 5-12 Athletics Carnival is fast approaching! We are looking forward to an exciting day of races, field events, House spirit and lots of fun. Please make a plan with your son about the day and ensure he is aware of the below details:

*Further information can be found on the Waverley App > ‘JS: Athletics Carnival Permission Slip REMINDER’.

Home Learning Term 2 Week 5

NO Home Learning on Monday 3 June

Home Learning Club operates in the Learning Hub from 3pm until 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during school term, unless there is a scheduled Professional Development meeting and the club will be closed.

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, and a parent’s signature will be required.

It is important to respect the rights of others to learn and work, and as such all students are expected to do their work quietly while attending the Learning Hub and minimise disturbance to others.

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.

2024 ICAS Competitions | Years 5 and 6 students

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, and top performers will be eligible for medals.

To register your son, click here. Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the school’s access code details below to register your child no later than July 23, 2024.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team on 1800 931 775

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime in the Junior School was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of the Year 8 students, Mr William Roberts and Ms Tamara Bliznjakovic. Their commitment to fostering a love of reading and nurturing the next generation of book lovers is a testament to the power of education and the enduring magic of storytelling. This year the beautifully written and illustrated text ‘Bowerbirds Blue’ was the highlight of NSS.

LEGO Club

Last week the theme of cartoons came to life. As the club continues to thrive, one can only wonder what captivating themes and challenges await in the weeks to come. The possibilities are endless thanks to the creative imaginations of these young architects and storytellers.

A New Generation of Podcasters – News from 6 Blue and Ms Jade

This term in English have been studying ‘A Different Way of Looking’. This unit has involved studying Bruce Pascoe’s non-fiction book ‘Young Dark Emu.’ We are learning about alternative ways of understanding the past, and how to unpack the rich history that lies within the culture of First Nations peoples. We started by journaling about our responses to the book and ended with our first assessment.

The first of our English summative assessments this term was to script and record our very own Podcast about our response to the text and the topic we have been learning about. Podcasts are a conversational way to share knowledge and make learning fun. We have been using the Deep Learning progression ‘Collaboration’ to learn to work in pairs on this assessment. It is important that we do not divide up the work and create separate pieces of writing when collaborating – our aim is to work on one piece and communicate with each other about how to progress. Like our school motto this year, Stronger Together, United as One.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

A Buzz of Excitement on Edmund Rice Day

Last Thursday 16 May, Junior School students participated in the Annual Edmund Rice Activity Day. Throughout the morning, the boys learnt about the life of Edmund Rice through a variety of activities including trivia, research projects and a whole school assembly.

We welcomed Millie, Nathan and Jenny from Edmund Rice Camps who spoke about the work that they do to help underprivileged children enjoy weekend activities and overnight camps that we sometimes take for granted.

Awards were presented at assembly on Monday to students who demonstrate the same qualities of Edmund Rice, such as kindness, compassion, humility and a desire to put others first. Congratulations to the following students:

During the afternoon, the boys were involved in a number of different fundraising activities, aimed at raising money to go towards Edmund Rice Camps. There was a buzz of excitement around the school as a majority of the boys immersed themselves in the different games. I am proud to say that over $1500 was raised with all the money going to Edmund Rice Camps. Well done to all boys for their efforts.

Raffle Results

Lolly Guessing Competition Winner

Junior Sport Fixtures, Training Schedules and Maps

Co-curricular Sport

Round 3 of Winter Sport was a success with all our teams able to play their fixtures. Our 11C Football team had an 8-0 win against Scots.

We also had 10 new registrations for Hip Hop Dance Club after our exposure sessions last week. Thank you to Mr Joel Peisley and all the boys for making it a success!

Thank you for your continued support of your sons’ development in all our co-curricular activities.

Home Learning Term 2 Week 5

Procedures

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

2024 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 forrecognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report.

Click HERE to register your son. Through this system, parents 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 2024

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team. Call Australian Toll-Free 1800 931 775.

Should There be a Class on How to use the Internet Correctly?

The Debating season has kicked off this Term with one win and one loss for Waverley. The boys had their first debate against Kincoppal Rose Bay. The debate topic was ‘ There should be a class on how to use the Internet correctly.’

Both Waverley teams put forward solid arguments and presented their cases clearly and firmly, rebutting the Kincoppal team’s cases. The boys did themselves and Waverley very proud.

Debating develops essential skills that are transferable to other areas: exploring ideas, developing arguments, articulating opinions, building confidence, being able to think on one’s feet, and becoming a good public speaker. Congratulations on your first debate!

Sailing to Success – News From 5 Indigo and Ms Mikaela Turner

5 Indigo has had a great start to the Term! They have been so productive and have jumped straight back into the busy routine and expectations of the Junior School. We are such a team in 5 Indigo and every student is so encouraging of one another.

Over the holidays, the boys worked extremely hard to build streamlined boats that could successfully travel from one side of a pool to another. We recently tested these and it was excellent to see how much the boys had learned about forces throughout Term 1 and how creative they are. In 5 Indigo, we time-trialled each boat and the boys spent the morning cheering each other on.

In English, we have been reading the powerful book The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan to learn about visual and language techniques. With a focus on the importance of Symbols and Gaze in illustrations, the boys grouped together and created Tableaus that represented a page from the book. This was another example of how productively the boys are working with one another.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Hearts For Arch Day

In 2020 our community was rocked when we lost Year 8 student Archie Perkins. Archie passed away from a pre-existing heart condition over the summer holiday period. This came as a terrible shock to Archie’s family and the Waverley College community, particularly Archie’s close friends and Year group. Archie would have been graduating from Waverley College this year and in memory of him, we will be holding a Hearts For Arch Day.

This day will be held on Thursday, 13 June 2024 in which the students will wear mufti uniform and are required to give a gold coin donation. All money raised will go directly to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Cardiac Unit and to the purchase of the mobile ECG units; Kardia.The aim to provide a Kardia mobile to every eligible cardiac patient at Sydney Children’s Hospitals, and at $173 each, every dollar counts. Donations can be made through the Hearts for Arch Foundation.

We also encourage students to purchase merchandise which they can wear throughout Week 7. This will be available for purchase at school on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June, however, you can also purchase merchandise HERE.

We look forward to welcoming Archie’s family to our College Assembly where they will share Archie’s story and the importance of the Hearts for Arch Foundation.

Congratulations Ethan!

Congratulations to Ethan Storie (6 Gold) who entered a poem competition in the science magazine Double Helix. He had to write a poem about Covid and chose to write an acrostic poem (see below). Ethan won his age category and won Pandemic the board game. Well done Ethan!

UNSW and IBSC Boys’ Learning and Wellbeing Research Project

Waverley College is participating in a research project titled ‘Supporting School Students’ Learning and Wellbeing‘ facilitated by the School of Education at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), which aims to investigate the educational practices that support students’ learning and wellbeing in the classroom and in their co-curricular activities.

Students in Years 7-12 will complete an online questionnaire during Period 1 classes on Friday, 24 May 2024. Students in Years 5-6 will complete the questionnaire during Period 1 on Thursday 23 May. The questionnaire will ask them about educational practices at the school (eg instruction, guidance from teachers, coaches, etc) and also about their learning (eg motivation, engagement) and wellbeing (eg flourishing, sense of belonging). The questionnaire should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

If you agree for your child to take part in the project, you are not required to do anything else.

If you do not want your child to participate in this project, please fill in your details on page 4 of the attached Parent Information Form for UNSW & IBSC Research Project and email it to Ms Lauren Ryan, EA to the Deputy Principal-Students lryan@waverley.nsw.edu.au by 12pm on Wednesday, 22 May, 2024.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me at gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Termly Curriculum Overview and SMART Goals

A warm welcome back to another exciting and packed Term of learning at the Junior School. Please find below the Termly Curriculum Overviews to see what your son will be covering in each of his Key Learning Areas in Term 2.

A new Term is a fantastic opportunity to set new goals. Your son will be setting SMART goals in class using the College Diary as a guide, we recommend you use this to prompt a conversation about what he wants to achieve and how he can be supported in this.

Co-curricular Sport

AFL

Round 2 went ahead for two of our AFL teams, and they both came away with convincing wins. Well done to the boys who played in the rain and mud and made Waverley proud!

Football

Next week, Year 5 will begin their ManCity PE takeover where they will have the privilege of Mr Ben Charlton running them through professional Football sessions.

CIS Rugby League Trials

Congratulations to the five students who attended the CIS Rugby League Trials on Monday, 13 May. Please read the below report from our Junior School Rugby Convenor, Mr Alon Horry.

The Waverley College Rugby program is up and running at the Junior School, with a wide array of talent and skills on display. After a series of fiercely-contested Rugby trials, we have named our sides to proudly don their respective gold and blue jerseys and represent the Junior School Campus. Mother Nature has been doing her best to stand in the way of our season thus far, with some rain-interrupted fixtures in the opening rounds. However, the boys are raring to go for what is set to be an exciting campaign across the grades.

For Round 3, the Prep Firsts will be travelling to Riverview for what will be a gruelling opening match against a longstanding rival. The two sides last met on the Armidale tour and the Waverley boys will be gunning for a victory to open up their account for 2024. The Prep Blues and Golds will battle against one another in their highly anticipated derby match and one not to be missed. Kick-off is at 8am at Queens Park 6.

The under 11s are heading to Shore for their first match of the season, with the 11As determined to get their season up and running with a win. The Cs will play in the curtain raiser with the 11Bs travelling to Terrey Hills to face Mosman Prep. All three sides had the luxury of Waverley Old Boy and former Wallaby, Morgan Turinui joining them for training this week as part of ‘Legends Week’ at the College. Morgan put the boys through their paces with some tackling drills that will have them in good stead for this week and the upcoming season.

Around the grounds, we had five students from the College try out for the CIS representative Rugby League team this week at The Ponds. Jacob Coleman, Taj Cooke, Jude McDermott, Fergus Samba Hoare and Patrick Spencer attended the all-day event and represented the College with great honour and prowess. Each of our boys were well in the mix right up until the very end with Jacob, Fergus and Patrick selected as part of the 17 who will play matches in Lake Macquarie and Wollongong. Congratulations to all of the boys for their monumental efforts and especially the boys selected for representative honours.

Home Learning Term 2 Week 4

Procedures

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

2024 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 forrecognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team. Call Australian Toll-Free 1800 931 775.

IPSHA Debating

I thank our Year 10 student Dante Fearn for offering to mentor our Junior School IPSHA Debating Team. It has been a successful start to training sessions.

Dante’s experience in debating has offered the Junior School team valuable insights into effective argumentation, rebuttal strategies, and public speaking techniques.

Drawing Club

Good luck to the Drawing Club students who entered the Mysteries of the Deep competition run by Waverley Council. Your interpretation of the theme was original.

A Window into the World of 6 Gold and Mr Ghattas

Over the last couple of weeks, the students of 6 Gold have been busy working on different class tasks to showcase their learning across the different subject areas.

In Mathematics, to reflect their knowledge of angles and how they are useful in the real world, they designed a mini Putt Putt Course that needed to adhere to certain criteria.

In English, we are studying Young Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe, which gives an insight into the early history of Australia from an Indigenous perspective.

The students have been reading the various chapters and then reflecting on this through their own personal journal.

Along with the rest of the students, they researched and discussed the life of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, through various activities in class including podcasts, posters and research activities.

I am proud of how they have all been applying themselves to the their schooling in Term 2.

A warm welcome back to Term 2. We are already two weeks in and the students are off and running. Despite the rain, I was able to watch some students down at Queens Park last Saturday play their first round of Winter Sport. I can already see great team spirit and the eagerness to succeed. 5 Blue showcased all the wonderful work they have been completing in their Class Assembly this week and it was great to see the amazing goal setting happening in class.

We have had a very busy start, particularly this week with our Mother’s Day Mass and with Walk Safely to School Day today. Both events were a huge success and I want to thank everyone in the community for participating and making it so special. Our students had a wonderful start to the day with walking to school and having a healthy snack as they arrived.

We then were able to have a beautiful Mass with Fr Bernie which was organised by Mr Steve Ghattas, then moved into celebrating our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who is like a mother at a decadent afternoon tea.

A huge thank you to the Parents’ Association for organising the opportunity for our students to buy gifts for Mother’s Day this year on campus. There was so much joy in the room. A special thank you to our wonderful mums who made this possible – Daniella Strbac, Sam Mott, Nicole Draper, Trinity Borrows and Lynsey Ford.

What a great start to the Term for our students. I wish all our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who is like a mother a beautiful day on Sunday. I know I’m looking forward to breakfast in bed and lots of love from my three children.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 2 events, please refer to the College calendar.

May

June

Edmund Rice Activity Day

On Thursday 16 May, the Junior School will celebrate the life of Blessed Edmund Rice in the Annual Edmund Rice Activity Day. Throughout the day the boys will learn about the life of Edmund Rice through a variety of activities including trivia, research projects and a whole school assembly at the Senior School. We will listen to our guest speakers from Edmund Rice Camps who will speak about the work that they do to help underprivileged children enjoy weekend activities and overnight camps that we sometimes take for granted.

The afternoon will be a series of fundraising activities with all proceeds going to support the work that Edmund Rice Camps do. Please encourage your sons to take part in all the different activities we have planned. Boys are allowed to wear their PE Uniform for a $2 donation.

Co-curricular Sport

A warm welcome back to Term 2 and to Winter Sport for our Junior School boys. Despite several sporting fields closed due to rain, the Round 1 games that did go ahead were enjoyable to watch and have challenged our teams to continue working hard at training to develop their skills. Please remember to keep an eye on our app and website for updates to training and games.

Recent Highlights

In Round 1, the 11F Football team had a great first game. Their teamwork and passing made it look like they’d been training together for weeks!

Tymen Spierings (5 Indigo) was featured in Aquabumps last week! He is really gaining momentum with his surfing, now ranked 8th Nationally in the U12s and we are very proud of him.

Congratulations to Jacob Coleman (6 Indigo) who represented Waverley at the CIS Touch Football trials and was successful in making the team! We wish him the best of luck in August.

Finally, we are seeking expressions of interest from any Junior School student interested in joining our Hip Hop Dance Club on Wednesday lunch times. It is run by our talented and skilled dance teacher Mr Joel Peisley. The benefits of Hip Hop Dance include improved flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety, increased confidence and coordination, plus it is a lot of fun!

Please speak with your sons about joining our Club and email me at jsparks@waverley.nsw.edu.au with his expression of interest. We hope you enjoy the promotional video from Joel below.

Home Learning Term 2 Week 3

Procedures

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

Public Speaking Competition

As part of our commitment to fostering essential life skills, all Year 6 students will participate in a school-based Public Speaking Competition during Term 2, while Year 5 students will take part in Term 3. This initiative is designed to help students cultivate their speaking skills, a vital asset for success in various aspects of life.

Effective public speaking is a key attribute for individuals who aspire to hold positions of responsibility, visibility, and leadership. By developing the confidence and ability to express themselves clearly and persuasively, students will unlock a wide range of opportunities that will benefit them throughout their lives. Waverley encourages students to “speak up” and communicate effectively, as this will undoubtedly open doors to new experiences and possibilities.

2024 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 forrecognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report.

If you require additional support registering your son contact the customer service team. Call Australian Toll-Free 1800 931 775.

Lunchtime Talk With Alexandra Fanning

Our lunchtime guest speaker Alexandra Fanning, architect and mum to Joe (Year 6) and James (Year 8), captivated the audience with an engaging discussion on all things architecture.

Drawing on her extensive experience, she delved into the intricacies of design, highlighting the importance of effective communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking within architecture.

Ali, thank you so much for providing a valuable learning opportunity, offering the boys a glimpse into the world of architecture and how professionals in this field approach problem-solving and creative expression.

National Walk Safely to School Day – Friday, 10 May 2024

Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event where all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.

Waverley College will be promoting this initiative as the below objectives are inline with the message we want to instil in our students;

We encourage our students to walk or catch public transport to school on Friday, 10 May 2024 or suggest parents and carers who have to drive, to park the car at least 10 minutes away from the school.

We will have fresh pieces of fruit and muesli bars to celebrate our students as they enter the school on the significant benefits that regular walking can have on their physical, mental and social health.

I wish all families a safe and restful break, and as always, we appreciate the unwavering support. We look forward to an exciting Term 2.

World’s Greatest Shave 2024

The World’s Greatest Shave Foundation Campaign is led by Lacey House. I know many in our community cherish and support graciously every year and is one that has directly supported some of our past and present families at the College.

The Lacey Leadership Team would like to thank you for your support. Almost $14,000 has been raised for this charity. There were four students in the Junior School who had their heads shaved this year and we are very proud of their efforts and support, as well as raising large amounts of money.

A huge thank you to Ollie Johnson, Arlo Buchanan, Ellis Cario and Marcello Zanco.

Thank you for your support and if you would still like to make a donation please click HERE.

Mother’s Day Mass at Mary Immaculate Church, Friday, 10 May 2024, 12pm

The celebration of mothers, grandmothers and significant others in the lives of our Waverley College Students, will be celebrated on Friday, 10 May at 12pm (Week 2A, Term 2). This will be at Mary Immaculate Church followed by a light lunch at the Junior School.

Part of the celebration will include a slideshow. Please send through a photo of your son(s) with their mothers/grandmothers if you would like a photo included in this presentation. If all photos could be emailed through by no later than Monday, 6 May 2024.

Confirmation at Mary Immaculate Church

For parents/carers seeking information regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is important that you contact your local parish to find out the details regarding when the Sacrament will be celebrated, and when the preparation classes will be held.

For students who attend St Charles Borromeo Parish (Mary Immaculate Church) and attend Waverley College, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 23 June 2024 at 2pm.

Please be aware that the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated each year, therefore only Year 6 students will be enrolled to receive the Sacrament.

For further information, important dates and to register your son to receive this Sacrament, click HERE.

The document below will also give you important information regarding the dates of the Preparation program.

Week 11A Home Learning

Procedures

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

Co-curricular Sport

We have made it to the end of an amazing term of Summer Sport and Swimming. Congratulations to all the Junior School boys who played in their Summer Teams with pride and also to those who attended our various Clubs on top of sport.

At the Junior School, we offer so many opportunities for boys to extend themselves beyond school sport, such as Run Club, Judo Club, Hip Hop Dance Club, Chess Club, Coding Club, Spanish Club, Innovation Club and more. We are grateful for the skilled and passionate coaches and teachers who run these sessions for our students.

We look forward to the winter sport season beginning and our Clubs continuing next Term, but for now you have all earned a break!

Armidale Rugby this Weekend!

A special shout out to the 20 Junior School boys who were selected last year to play at Armidale this weekend. We have been training hard and are raring to go. Thank you in advance to the families who are transporting and accommodating the boys out there. It will be such a memorable weekend and I look forward to sharing our results here next term.

Swimming Age Champions

Congratulations to our Swimming Age Champions for 2024, who were presented with their trophies at Assembly on Monday. The Swimming Age Champions are calculated on the points scored at our Swimming Carnival earlier in the year.

CIS AFL Trials

Well done to Jordan Strbac, Louie Cummins and Alex Jenkins in Year 6 who competed at the CIS AFL Trials on Monday this week. The trial was tough with lots of good footy played! The boys all tried their best to showcase their talent amongst many other boys from Sydney to Coolangatta. Jordan and Alex were both selected in the CIS team and will compete at the championships in Aubrey in May. We wish them both the best of luck.

IPSHA Cross Country Trials

On Wednesday, twelve Junior School boys ran in the IPSHA Cross Country Trials, after the original carnival was rained out last weekend. Jagger Michael placed 14th in the U11 race, with a time of 12:17.35 which means he has been selected to run at the NSWCIS Cross Country Carnival in the IPSHA Team. This will be held on Thursday, 6 June 2024 at Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Well done to all our runners, go Waves!

NSWPSSA Championships

On Thursday, Jack Forde and Kai Hess swam at the NSWPSSA Championships after progressing through CIS earlier in the Term.

Congratulations to Kai Hess, who placed 6th overall in U11 50m Freestyle and a special mention to Jack Forde who came 4th place overall in U11 50m Freestyle, which means he progresses to Nationals!

We wish Jack the best of luck in Term 3 when he will represent Waverley at this incredibly high level. We applaud both boys for their incredible efforts in the pool this Term.

Draft Terms 2 and 3 Junior School Winter Training Schedule

Please find the Draft Terms 2 and 3 Junior School Winter Training Schedule 2024, HERE under ‘Training’ and the Draft Winter Draw under ‘Games’.

Year 5 History Excursion With Ranger Jamie

Step back in time with our Year 5 students as they journeyed through the cobblestone streets of colonial Australia during their history excursion on Wednesday. Students immersed themselves in the tales of early settlers, exploring hidden laneways, buildings, and historical sites in The Rocks. From experiencing life as a convict to uncovering cautionary tales, this hands-on adventure brought history to life in a thrilling and exciting way. With passionate tour guides from Ranger Jamie Tours leading the way, our students walked away with a deeper understanding of Australia’s beginnings and a newfound appreciation for the past.

Science Term 1 Recap

This Term in Science has been an exhilarating journey for our students! Year 5 delved into the captivating realm of forces and energy through hands-on experiments, while Year 6 students embarked on a fascinating exploration of the living world and adaptations.

Additionally, this Term marked a significant milestone with the introduction of our new VEX robotics kits, igniting passion and creativity as students delved into STEM challenges, building, exploring, and inspiring innovation.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter long weekend and enjoyed a well earned break from such a busy Term. We jumped straight into an exciting week here in the Junior School.

Our students engaged in a live theatre show ‘Cyberkindness’ on Wednesday. This performance addressed crucial topics such as online safety, cyberbullying, seeking help, and making informed decisions in the digital world in a fun and interactive way.

“I learnt that if someone says something unkind, don’t text back.” – Jack Saliba

“I have learned some websites you can go to if you are getting bullied online like Kids Help Line and e-safety.” – Alfie Deal

“I learnt that if someone sends a mean comment, don’t be shy to tell a guardian.” – Romeo Bryen

“I learnt that you must be kind on the Internet and that the Internet can cause big problems. We are all so lucky that we got to go to that event.” – Elton Loveday

Open Classrooms

I would like to thank the families who were able to come to Open Classrooms today. There was a buzz in the air with how excited and proud our students were to showcase their classroom and the work they have created this Term. We are so grateful that you were able to share in this experience.

After School Code Camp 2024

Term 2 2024: Coding

Coding class will continue on Monday next Term. If you would like your son to be part of the session please go to the booking link HERE.

Mother’s Day Mass at Mary Immaculate Church, Friday, 10 May 2024, 12pm

Confirmation at Mary Immaculate Church

For students who attend St Charles Borromeo Parish (Mary Immaculate Church) and attend Waverley College, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 23 June at 2pm.

Please be aware that the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated each year, therefore only Year 6 students will be enrolled to receive the Sacrament.

For further information, important dates and to register your son to receive this Sacrament, click HERE.

The document below will also give you important information regarding the dates of the Preparation program.

Co-curricular Sport

Winter Sport Teams have been announced this week, following three weeks of trials. While this can bring on strong feelings for our budding sportsmen, we ask families to support our players to exhibit the Junior School’s core values of respect, compassion and resilience. We are very much looking forward to the commencement of the Winter Sport Season, beginning Week 1 of Term 2.

NSWCIS Swimming Championships

In the recent NSWCIS Swimming Championships, we have some honourable mentions from our Waverley Junior School Swim Team:

Adelaide Easter Classic

Congratulations also to Marley Fuller (Year 5) and Charlie Draper (Year 6) who represented the Sydney Comets Div 1 Gold Team in the Championships at the Adelaide Easter Classic over the long weekend. Playing six games in total, they beat the tournament favourites, however just went down in the semi finals.

Week 11A Home Learning

Procedures

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

Lunchtime Talk Guest Speaker Brett Covell

Brett is a Waverley Old Boy and Dad of Lachlan in Year 5. Brett is the Head of APAC Media Electronic Arts. He gave the Junior School boys an insight into the world of advertising.

Brett had the boys captivated with his wealth of knowledge about the industry and the game trivia with prizes to win was so much fun.

The Junior School extends its sincere gratitude to Brett Covell for his invaluable contribution to our Term 1 Lunchtime Talk guest speaker series. His passion and dedication to inspiring the next generation of advertisers and innovators is truly appreciated.

Giving Boys Choices in Reading

When boys are given the opportunity to choose the books and texts they read, they tend to be more attentive and invested in the reading material. This aligns with research showing that allowing students to have a voice in their learning can boost motivation and engagement.

Empowering boys to have a say in their reading not only engages them more effectively but also helps build their confidence and sense of agency as learners. The Learning Hub’s priority is to source books that students want to read.

“Reading books is not really my thing, but when I’m reading about something I love, I just can’t stop. Have fun reading and always read what you like in life.”

“I’ve been trying to read more and I have been so excited to get this book and start reading. I struggle to find books that interest me, but Miss Zivanovic helps me get the best book for me that I will enjoy.”

Maths Enrichment

In Maths Enrichment classes this Term, boys have been tasked with the responsibility of designing the ‘perfect’ school from the very beginning of such a process. As we progress we are discovering that such a project requires knowledge across a broad range of mathematical concepts.

At the moment, boys are in the design phase using their knowledge of Area, Length and Scale to design the layout of our ‘perfect’ school.

Snaps From Year 5

Snaps From Year 6

Highlights From 5 Orange and Mr McKimm

5 Orange has been learning this Term about the Four Touchstones of Edmund Rice Schools Australia in Religion lessons. The Four Touchstones that we value deeply at Waverley College are Liberating Education, Inclusive Community, Gospel Spirituality and Justice & Solidarity. Boys have reflected deeply on what Touchstone they value the most.

On Harmony Day we celebrated each other’s culture and heritage by sharing food.

At our Judaism Incursion we made Matzah Bread and learned all about the story of Passover. Both of these events were a shining example to 5 Orange of what an Inclusive Community looks like.

A special mention must also be extended to Leo Murphy from 5 Orange who recently represented NSW in the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships at Coolangatta.

Diary Dates

Please find below some reminders about upcoming events. For all of Term 1 events, please refer to the College calendar.

Cyberkindness

I am excited to announce an upcoming event that aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting cyber safety and digital literacy among our students. On 3 April, our Junior School students will watch a live theatre show ‘Cyberkindness.’ This performance is specifically designed to address crucial topics such as online safety, cyberbullying, seeking help, and making informed decisions in the digital world.

This educational experience draws on research-based insights from the eSafety Commissioner and is aimed at equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

After School Code Camp 2024

Coding class will continue on Monday next term. If you would like your son to be part of the session please book HERE.

St Patrick’s Day Bake Sale

The St Patrick’s Day Bake Sale was a huge success at the Junior School last Friday. We were so grateful for the many donations of cakes, lollies and jellies from the students in Green and Conlon House as well as our Class Captains and Vice-Captains.

As a result, we raised over $500 that will go towards CARITAS as part of our Lenten Appeal. Thanks to everyone who supported this wonderful cause. Your generosity does not go unnoticed.

Harmony Day – Thursday, 21 March 2024

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

It was great to see so many cultures being celebrated at the Junior School as each class shared in delicious delicacies from around the world.

During class throughout the week, students were also busy creating posters that reflected their family’s cultural heritage. This brought a lot of interesting discussion as they were able to see the different nationalities of both staff and students in the Junior School.

Mother’s Day Mass at Mary Immaculate Church, Friday, 10 May 2024, 12pm

Term 1 Summer Sport

And that’s a wrap for Term 1 Summer Sport! Well done to our students for reaching what marks the halfway point of Junior School Summer Sport, to be continued in Term 4. I’d also like to send a huge thank you to the families for your support over the term with preparing your sons, doing morning and afternoon drop offs, offering car pools, spectating home and away games, and even setting up delicious post-match functions!

We are looking forward to our final Winter Sport Trial next Tuesday, 26 March. After this, winter teams will be announced to students on Wednesday.

Please see my latest app announcement for the Draft Winter Training Schedule. Final copies of the Winter Training Schedule and Winter Draw will be available on the College website by the end of Term 1, but are subject to change.

Home Learning Week 9

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

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

Lunchtime Talk

It was a privilege to have Duncan Petit, the father of Jake in Year 7 and Leo in Year 5, as he shed light on his role as the Director of Restaurants for Uber in Australia and New Zealand. This company, established in 2008 by two friends waiting for a taxi in Paris, has evolved from a single idea at a specific moment into a globally successful company spanning over 10,000+ cities, 72 countries and six continents.

Duncan captivated his audience by revealing extraordinary statistics and insider insights about Uber. The boys are still talking about the stats shared!

Thank you for taking the time to inspire the Waverley boys to be brave, share their ideas, and pursue their passions wholeheartedly.

LEGO Club

The primary goal of Lego Club is to foster Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Connections, Collaboration, and a touch of chaos. Recently, students applied these 5Cs to craft a Lego masterpiece centred around the theme of technology! From laptops and iPhones to Nintendo and emojis, this group consistently pushes boundaries and innovates with their imaginative creations.

Harmony Week

The boys explored the very important theme of harmony through engaging literature.

Rich literature was used to foster meaningful discussions on the themes of harmony, inclusivity, respect, a shared sense of belonging, and cultural diversity.

The boys highlighted many important facts and were involved in a collaborative mind-mapping learning experience that promoted reading and critical thinking.

Snapshots From 5 Red and Mr Horry

Starting their new Waverley journey tremendously, the boys in 5 Red are making the most of the teaching and learning opportunities available at the College.

Growing and developing relationships along the way, lifetime friendships are in their early days, as the boys continue their growth for knowledge.

We are loving the wide array of topics, courses and classes that the Waverley College Junior School sends our way.

We approach life’s challenges with optimism and a positive mindset, knowing that we have the support of our Waverley brothers by our side each day.

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	7:45 am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8:00 am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8:00 am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45 am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8:00 am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	8am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	8am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics

WEEK	START TIME	DATE	ICAS EXAM
3A	8:00 am	Wednesday 7 August	Digital Technologies
3A	8:00 am	Thursday 8 August	Writing

4B	8:00 am	Wednesday 14 August	English

5A	7:45 am	Thursday 22 August	Science

6B	8:00 am	Wednesday 28 August	Mathematics