Following our recent Cybersafety Week, we held an online parent information session for Senior School parents/carers hosted by ySafe.
This session covered some tips and tricks for managing your son’s digital world along with some insights into current trends.
You can find a recording of this session at:
For additional content please go to the Waverley Cybersafety Hub at:
Today was the 104th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War in 1918. Today the College Community all gathered in the Centenary Quadrangle at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, to pause and commemorate Remembrance Day.
A livestream was available for the Ceremony of Commemoration of the Fallen. Thank you to Waverley College and St Catherine’s School students who provided the Catafalque Party, Flag Party, Guard of Honour, Drum Corps and the Cliff Goodchild Band. They were very impressive!
Our Matthew Coorey School Band will also represent us with distinction at the Waverley Council Remembrance Day, to be held at Waverley Park on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
The College Cenotaph, is inscribed with the names of all of our ‘Old Boys’ who paid the supreme sacrifice in the two World Wars. Congratulations to our musicians and Cadets.
Lest We Forget.
Year 7 students from St Catherine’s School also attended 2023 Remembrance Day
LT Sam Iremonger, Joint Logistics Command Troop Commander, 1st Joint Movements Section NSW. Waverley College (Class of 2015) and former Officer of the Cadet Unit (2016-2021).
Ms Rebecca Herbert, St Catherine’s School – Director of Day School
Thank you to Ms Gabby Smith who represented our College Community at the 2023 Kristallnacht Commemoration – The ‘Night of Broken Glass.’ This year marks 85 years since Nazi forces destroyed over two hundred synagogues, damaged 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses, arrested 30,000 and murdered 91 Jewish people in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland, on November 9 and 10 of 1938.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr Dave Rich, one of the UK’s leading experts on antisemitism. Dr Rich delivered important insights about what antisemitism really is, why it thrives and how we can stop it. Memorial candles were lit by descendants of Kristallnacht survivors.
Congratulations to Luka Zonich (Year 12) who has been nominated for their HSC Art work, ‘What Would Pa Do.’ It’s a graphic design work, for possible inclusion in ARTEXPRESS.
Congratulations to Zac Coonan (Year 11) and James Iatrou (Year 12) for their winning entries. Their works are on exhibition at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf until Sunday, 26 November and I encourage you and your family to visit. You can also actively participate by voting in The People’s Choice Award open until Monday, 27 November – vote in person at the Gallery or online here.
Read more about these creative, talented students in Ms Lynsey Porter’s article here.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Br Brian at the moment, who underwent back surgery this week. As many of you would know, Brian underwent surgery last year on his back and has struggled all year with pain down his leg. We hope this latest surgery relieves this situation for him and that he makes a quick recovery.
With the movement of Ms Elizabeth Watson to St Pius X (Chatswood) as Deputy Principal in 2024, I would like to congratulate the following staff who have been appointed to the following positions for 2024:
With Mr John McCoy away for the remainder of this Term on paternity leave, I thank and congratulate Ms Cassie Foster for taking on the Head of House – Aungier responsibilities.
Congratulations to James Iatrou (Year 11) and Zac Coonan (Year 12) receiving a prize on 8 November at the Woollahra Youth Photography Award and Short Film Prize. The annual competition was judged by Garry Trinh, Lulu Pinkus and the Mayor of Woollahra, Councillor Richard Shields.
James took out the $400 short film first prize for his work ‘I Miss You.’ Zac’s photograph ‘Salty Hour’ received an honourable mention and $100 prize in the Mayor’s Choice category.
The works will be on exhibition at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf until Sunday, 26 November 2023.
The People’s Choice Award for all sections will be open for voting until Monday, 27 November 2023.
‘Salty Hour’ by Zac Coonan
‘I Miss You’ by James Iatrou
James Iatrou with Richard Shields, Mayor of Woollahra Council
Ms Nat Oates
Head of Visual Arts
noates@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, our Year 10 Food Technology students participated in an ‘I’m a Waverley student, get me outta here’ challenge. They were exposed to various foods which relate to Teaching and Learning Programs studied over the Stage 5 course. Students accumulated points if they ate/drank the food and for justifying which unit it could be associated with.
Foods included kangaroo (Food in Australia), astronauts’ ice cream (Food for specific needs), Halloween jelly eyeballs (Food for special occasions), plant based ‘chicken’ (Food trends) and edible bugs such as dry roasted crickets and mealworms (Food Equity and Food selection and health).
Points were deducted if students took too long to eat the food or if they spat it out. Great fun was had by all.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Item list for Waverley Students to Bring in (please note these items must be new):
Toiletry Pack Items – small traveller size ideal (150 toiletry packs are distributed each fortnight to the men accessing services at MTH)
Many thanks for your support of this great appeal.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. It is related to the fact that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year, with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas.
The Church identifies November as a time to think of the end of life, and the great hope that our earthly end is a transition into a new life in God’s heaven. This month, we remember those who have gone before us, and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven.
Today is the last day of HSC ATAR exams for our Year 12s. Each day for the past four weeks, they have attended both morning and afternoon examinations for their respective subjects. We wish them all the very best as they now wait for their results and take the opportunity for a well-earned break, and perhaps a Christmas holiday job before starting their courses next year. We also wish those who have started apprenticeships all the best as they learn new practical and business skills in their respective fields.
On Tuesday night, I attended the Choral and Chamber Music Concert in the War Memorial Chapel, featuring the College Choir, Chamber Choir, Clarinet Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Year 9 Rock Band, Chamber Music Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, 2024 Music European Music Tour Choir and vocal and instrumental soloists.
The evening was a great success showcasing the amazing musical talent of our students to their parents, carers, staff and friends. Congratulations to everyone involved, the quality of music was very impressive.
Special thanks goes to Mr Chris Balkizas, Ms Jaz Dolso, Mrs Jazz De Witte, Mr Daniel Williams, Ms Keiran Kossenberg and our peripatetic staff.
Yesterday we celebrated ‘Back to Waverley Day,’ and welcomed our alumni who graduated 50 years or more ago. It was nice to honour our graduates from the year 1973.
We always look forward to welcoming Old Boys back to our growing campus, and this year we had 200 Old Boys from the years 1950-1973 in attendance.
Memories were shared and the gentlemen shared mass, morning tea, assembly and lunch together. We especially thank Dr Michael Hession, (Class of 1973) College Captain, for his moving address to the College during Assembly.
We also had the pleasure of seeing our Pasifika Group perform the Sasa (Samoa) and Haka (New Zealand) on stage. The performance was enjoyed by past and present students, as well as our invited Pasifika families and extended families.
The 2024 Tour Jazz Ensemble delivered their delightful debut performance as a group, featuring the musical piece ‘Stolen Moments,’ originally composed by Oliver Nelson, arranged by Mike Kamuf, and conducted by Ms Jazz de Witte.
Ken Brown (Class of 1950) showing his photo taken when he won the NSW Allschools Competition 880 yards. Students were cheering and giving him hi5 as he walked out of the Assembly.
Friday, 10 November 2023 will be the last day of class for Year 10 students.
On behalf of the College, I would like to thank all parents/carers who have been involved in the work carried out by the Parents’ Association throughout 2023. Particular thanks to the tireless work of the Year level representatives, past parents representatives, clothing pool representatives, tuckshop volunteers, sport group committees and the executive, for all of their organisation, support and efforts in organising events and communicating across our community.
Thank you to the 2023 Executive:
Acting President – Jade Stapleton/Louise Lakomy
Vice President – Lamya Sadi
Vice President – Daniella Strba
Secretary – Carl Lee
Treasurer – Peter Sertori.
Special thanks to Jade, Daniella and Lamya who are all stepping down from the executive after significant stints in their respective roles. We appreciate their service and dedication to assisting the Waverley College Community.
Jade Stapleton – Acting President
Daniella Strbac – Vice President
Lamya Sadi – Vice President.
From the recent November AGM, I would like to congratulate the following parents/carers on their elections to the Parents’ Association Executive for 2023-24, and I look forward to working with them in the new year.
President – Louise Lakomy
Vice President – Rozy Dorizas
Vice President – Mande Illec
Secretary – Carl Lee
Treasurer – Peter Sertori.
Year 5 – to be determined
Year 6 – Daniella Strbac, Nicole Perrin Draper
Year 7 – Kim Gould
Year 8 – Daniella Strbac, Anne Clerc-Johnson
Year 9 – Claire McGaffney, Eileen Trinca
Year 10 – Camille Owen, Teresa Fearn
Year 11 – Jade Stapleton
Year 12 – Tina Lee, Carl Lee
Clothing Pool – Kirsten Hott, Camille Owen.
>>> Click here to view the Parents’ Association page.
Congratulations to our HSC 2023 cohort who have completed their final examinations today. What a fantastic effort. I would also like to acknowledge within our community the students in Years 10 and 11 who volunteered their time to act as scribes for our HSC students who access disability provisions for their exams. While our 30 volunteers had the valuable experience of the HSC exam process, their leadership in supporting the HSC examinees in a kind and professional manner was really appreciated both by the HSC students and staff.
On the subject of exams, as parents and carers will be aware, students in Years 7-10 face the upcoming challenge of end of year examinations which commence for Years 7-9 next week and Year 10 in Week 6. This crucial period can be both demanding and stressful for young learners.
Here are some ways that parents and carers can help their son navigate their exam period successfully:
Ms Lynsey Porter
(Acting) Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The art of engineering is all around us. We are lucky enough to live in a city where we have some of the world’s most iconic civil structures. Year 12 Engineering Studies students are studying about civil structures with a focus on bridges this Term. We therefore embarked on an appreciation excursion this week, taking an up close and personal look at our Sydney Harbour, Iron Cove and Anzac Bridge.
In preparation for one of next year’s transportation modules, we also analysed how modern ferry wharfs are designed for safe and efficient passenger use.
As everyday consumers of products and services, we often use them without truly appreciating the amount of considerations that go into the design and manufacturing processes. Engineering Studies at the College is therefore about seeing everything around us with a different perspective, ever appreciative of the history but always with an innovative mind on how we can continuously improve and support our ecosystem.
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator
Ecology Coordinator
sbaylie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Artwork courtesy Matthew Talbot Hostel
Item list for Waverley Students to Bring in (please note these items must be new):
Toiletry Pack Items – small traveller size ideal (150 toiletry packs are distributed each fortnight to the men accessing services at MTH)
Many thanks for your support of this great appeal.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The local monthly magazine of the Eastern Suburbs The Beast has launched The Beast Young Writers Competition this month.
There will be two categories:
Anyone who lives in the area of The Beast’s distribution area and is aged 18 or under, is invited to enter.
The short stories need to be between 500-600 words and the poems need to be under 300 words. The only rule is that it needs to be original with local relevance, that hasn’t been entered in any other competition.
The judges will be Dr Marjorie O’Neill, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos, Reddam House English Teacher Mr Compton, and Beast writers, including Nat Shepherd.
To enter, email your short story or poem to james@thebeast.com.au
Include your:
Prizes include $150 for 1st prize in each category and $50 for 2nd place.
Entries close on 30 November 2023 and winners will be announced in The Beast magazine before Christmas.
Today we acknowledged and thanked our teachers and support staff for all of their hard work, care, skills and teaching that they deliver each day for our students and community. They are front line professional workers that shape and prepare the next generation for the future where we hope they can change the world for the better. Thank you to our Parents’ Association for providing a bbq breakfast and a coffee as a small thank you and appreciation for the work that our staff do.
On Monday, Year 10s we were visited by the ‘Courage to Care’ organisation, which aims to foster a culture of embracing diversity in society by raising awareness about the perils of prejudice, racism, and discrimination. Their mission is to inspire individuals to transform from being bystanders to becoming active ‘upstanders.’ This message is something we speak about often at the College.
Waverley College grandfather, Mr Peter Reismann, shared his powerful survival story from the Holocaust. Peter was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1939. In 1943, Peter was too young to comprehend the events unfolding around him; all he knew was that his father had been taken away.
After the Nazi German occupation of Budapest, Peter’s mother collaborated with a Christian friend to find refuge in a bunker on her property. Peter, only four years old at the time, and his family, remained hidden in that bunker for nearly a year until they were liberated. Imagine trying to keep a four year old still and quiet in a confined space for a year! This friend put their life at risk to save Peter and his mother. They were upstanders, they were not willing to look the other way and not take action, even though this action if caught would have been a death sentence.
During their time in the bunker, Peter’s mother was pregnant, and on 23 January, she gave birth to his sister. Two days later, their family was liberated, and miraculously, Peter’s father returned two weeks after that. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Peter’s family managed to emerge from their ordeal intact.
In 1957, as Communism tightened its grip on Hungary, Peter and his family made the decision to immigrate to Australia, where they embarked on a new chapter of their lives. It was through ‘upstanders’ that is why Peter is here today and has a grandson at the College. The boys appreciated Peter sharing this powerful and moving story with them.
All students from Years 5-12 are currently undergoing training by award-winning and leading cyber safety educators, ySafe. They have covered the latest trends in online behaviours, social media and games, as well as the latest research and legislation as it applies to children and their families in the online world. Mr Simon Potter our Director of ICT, Campus & Innovation is also inviting parents/carers to access this training via two online sessions next week. For more information and to register click here.
After winning a NSW Story-Dance award and progressing through to the national competition, Waverley College has now received a Highly Commended award for their performance ‘The Right to Dream’ as part of the 2023 National Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival. Congratulations to our students and Ms Michelle Rollins for her incredible work and vision.
Our Head of Drama/Entertainment, Mr Peter Lamb is calling for all thespians from Year 9 – Year 12 (2024) to audition for Tartuffe (the Hypocrite) by Moliére, being performed in our Performing Arts complex next year. For more information click here.
Welcome to Mr Daniel Best, our new Head of LOTE who starts at Waverley on Monday, 30 October 2023. He is a native speaker of Spanish and high working fluency of French, and joins us from Cammeraygal High School where he was Senior Teacher of Spanish, French and HSIE. He is an HSC marker and Football coach.
For the past 27 years Ms Michelle Rollins has been an exemplary music and drama teacher at Waverley College Junior School. She has also provided music for masses and liturgies, directed the Cantores, Stomp ensembles, organising the R U OK? music video and created and directed 25 Wakakirri performances. She is a wonderful role model who is held in high regard by professionals in the Performing Arts domain, colleagues she works alongside, and all students in her care.
Michelle has been the President of the OSANSW (Orff-Schulwerk Association of NSW), Director (Vice-President) and Chair (Professional Learning Committee) of the Professional Teachers Council of NSW, and is the current Vice President of ANCOS (Australian National Council of Orff-Schulwerk). In 2021 Michelle became a resource writer for the prestigious Sydney Youth Orchestra. These resources are available to all teachers (from all school systems), free of charge, and are created so they can be used in school settings where there are little or no resources, and where the teachers have little or no music training.
Michelle has received the Outstanding Professional Service Award (2012 PTC) and an Exceptional Professional Service Award (2022 IELA). Her selfless pursuit of engaging and helping others through music and music education has been outstanding. We thank Michelle for her distinguished service to the College and wish her the very best as she takes up a new position at Meriden in 2024.
Farewell and thank you to Mr Daniel Maddern, our IT Manager for the last 9.5 years. Daniel in this time has made a significant contribution to the College ICT structures and programs. He designed, managed and implemented a rebuild of the wireless and wired network, and was a key player in the Waverley 2.0 network redesign project which has improved our Internet speeds and given us better reliability. Daniel has also mentored other staff with the adoption of new technologies and he has ensured that our cyber security processes are rigorous. Daniel is taking on a new opportunity in the corporate world and we wish him all the very best. Congratulations to Mr Ahmad Kaddoura who we have appointed as (Acting) Head of IT.
We also wish Ms Adele Cutbush all the best with the upcoming birth of her second child as she goes on Maternity Leave. Her role of College Nurse is being covered by Ms Emma Quirk (3 days) and Ms Julia Ritoli (2 days) who both have excellent experience as Registered Nurses working in the NSW and Victoria Health systems for many years in cardiac and paediatric roles, respectively.
The next Parents’ Association meeting and AGM will take place face to face in the Senior School Library on Wednesday, 1 November 2023, at 5pm where the office bearers for 2024 will be elected.
Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Children’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a child’s behaviour and perception of danger.
Children need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your child’s age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, while older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.
Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helping children understand there is still hope in our complex world. Please take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.
Click here to view the SchoolTV Special Report
On behalf of Allegra Spender, Member for Wentworth, below is an invitation for parents and carers to attend a Body Image Image Forum, on Wednesday, 1 November 2023, 6pm-7:30pm in Bondi Junction. Parents and carers can RSVP using the QR code on the below invitation.
We are fortunate to have Paul Dillon visiting Waverley College on Tuesday, 14 November to speak to our parent community about what parents need to know about teens, parties, alcohol, vapes and risk taking.
Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug education for almost 30 years. Through his own business, Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA), he has been contracted by many organisations to provide updates on current drug trends, as well as advice on alcohol and other drug issues. He continues to work with many school communities across the country to ensure they have access to quality information and best practice drug education.
If you would like to attend the Parent Seminar, please RSVP by completing this google form by Wednesday, 8 November.
Paul Dillon
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Matthew Talbot Hostel is a wonderful organisation helping over 35,000 Sydney men each year in providing accommodation, health, counselling and employment assistance. Waverley has had a long history of boys helping in its kiosk in Woolloomooloo, and strongly contributing towards making Christmas easier for those in need.
All boys from all Houses from Years 5-12 are encouraged to bring in toiletry and other items in order to be able to provide essential packs for the homeless and marginalised groups which the Matt Talbot Hostel provides assistance for.
This will run from Week 4 for the whole month of November. Tevlin House students have their Social Justice focus area in homelessness, and will be actively promoting the request to contribute items, and reflect the new Waverley theme of “stronger together, united as one.”
All donations can be brought into daily Mentor Groups, or to the Wellbeing Centre (Senior School), or Junior School Office.
Artwork courtesy Matthew Talbot Hostel
Item list for Waverley Students to Bring in (please note these items must be new):
Toiletry Pack Items – small traveller size ideal (150 toiletry packs are distributed each fortnight to the men accessing services at MTH)
Many thanks for your support of this great appeal.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Cybersafety initiative kicked off this week with sessions for the Senior School students covering a range of topics relevant to their age group.
Next week we will facilitate sessions for the Junior School students, and finally turn our attention to Parents with an online session for both Junior and Senior School parents/carers.
To register for these events please use the following links, we will be recording these invaluable sessions for publication later.
Protecting kids in the digital world is an ever evolving task for Australian families. Now, more than ever, parents are looking for guidance on how to manage screen time, deal with negative online experiences, and navigate the world of gaming and social media.
Join Australia’s award-winning and leading cyber safety educators, ySafe, as they take you through the latest trends in online behaviours, social media and games, as well as the latest research and legislation as it applies to children and their families in the online world.
This session is strategy rich, and full of practical tips (including take home resources) to help you ensure you are able to create a truly cyber safe home.
If you’ve ever struggled in getting your kids off their devices and into bed, or worried about the content or connections they have online, then this webinar is for you.
We look forward to seeing you there!
A new initiative to allow access to a range of school textbooks across all subjects has been launched for Year 12 (2024) students. Box of Books, our new online textbook platform, is now available for this cohort. Each student in Year 12 has access to relevant ebooks based on their individual timetables. Additionally, Year 12 students can also access their Box of Books via the CANVAS platform for each subject or via the Library CANVAS page.
This initiative will be made available to all other students in Years 7-11, at the commencement of Term 1 2024, once their timetables are finalised. Some subjects will continue to operate on a hybrid model with hard copy textbooks used in conjunction with the etextbook platform.
All students are encouraged to access a wide range of resources to develop skills such as note taking, summarising material and acknowledging sources. Independent learning and wide reading is always encouraged, particularly for students in Stage 6. In the pathway to success in education, the most important step a student can take is the one they take for themselves.
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.
Watch our video
