Dear Parents and Carers,
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.
Please submit expressions of interest for any of the positions for 2024 and beyond.
Click here to view the Parents' Association page
Ms Emma Laurence
Marketing & Development Manager
elaurence@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are excited to announce that Waverley College has a brand new Flickr Page which will allow the College Community to view and download photos after College events, sports fixtures, etc.
Please save the link below which will provide you with access to our photographs, week-to-week. The link can also be found on the ‘Links’ button within the Waverley College App.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199416626@N04/albums
If you have any questions please contact sportsimages@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week we have launched two academic initiatives, the Senior Academic Scholarship for students entering Year 10 and Year 11, 2024 and the creation of two new academic medals. More more information on these two exciting opportunities, please see Ms Lynsey Porter’s newsletter article in this edition.
Congratulations to the following Design & Technology students who have been nominated for their projects for possible inclusion in Shape 2023 which selects the top HSC designs in NSW;
Congratulations to the following Industrial Technology students who have been nominated for their projects for possible inclusion in Shape 2023 which selects the top HSC designs in NSW;
For more details please refer to Ms Lynsey Porter’s article.
Congratulations to the captains and teams who were presented at assembly this week.
For the full list of selections and appointments please view the article by Mr Steve O’Donnell.
In reading through this week’s Nurrunga, I was impressed with the talented artwork and concepts displayed by our Year 5 students. Their artwork displays the effect climate change has on the planet. Some very impressive work. Read the Junior School news here.
We, as the Council of the community of Edmund Rice Education Australia, acknowledge the heartbreak and disappointment felt by members of our community in relation to the result of the Referendum on the Voice to Parliament. In this context, we extend our thoughts, prayers and solidarity to our students, staff and communities who had seen the Voice to Parliament as a way forward in addressing inequality so that ‘all may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10).
>>> Click here to view the EREA Council letter.
Following yesterday’s College assembly, we are delighted to announce the inaugural launch of our Senior Academic Scholarship, a prestigious opportunity for exceptional students entering Year 10 and Year 11, 2024.
The scholarship program is designed to recognise and support the brightest young minds in our community, fostering their academic growth and nurturing their potential. We are excited to embark on this journey with our future scholars, providing them with the resources and guidance they need to excel in their academic pursuits.
For Year 10 and Year 11, 2024
>>> Click here for Year 10 and Year 11 2024
For Year 7 and Year 10, 2025 please apply through our website by clicking the link below
https://waverley.nsw.edu.au/information/scholarships/
In this week’s assembly I shared a wonderful story of one of our 2015 graduates, Adam Hegedus. In 2016 Adam co-founded a not for profit organisation – Educating the Future – with a fellow Waverley College graduate, Alessandro Piovano.
They had a vision to empower members of impoverished communities to achieve an improved quality of life and capacity to achieve their potential. Within a year, they built their first pre-school in Timor-Leste. Now they are in plans for pre-schools 4 and 5, have raised close to half a million dollars, and engaged 200 volunteers who are young leaders in this region.
View the TED presentation below to learn more about Adam’s story.
When Adam conceived of this vision, the feedback he was given from a professional in industry was, “you are too young to create change.” Adam’s response was not to give up but, instead, to demonstrate great resilience and determination to be in a position where he built his first school just six months later.
Adam speaks about how our young people are the biggest under-utilised talent. There are students in our College community who have the potential to make a significant contribution to the world. There are students like Adam who understand this involves not just ambition but the disposition to value learning. They understand that you do not receive an education, a school is not a place where you “get” an education, an education comes from what you choose to do with the knowledge and skills that you encounter on your day-to-day journey towards adulthood.
We are certainly witnessing past and present students using their education to make significant contributions to our world – we want you to know that we see your son, and we want to celebrate his achievements with you.
This is the type of story that inspired our new Senior Academic Scholarships. In this week’s assembly, I challenged our students to reflect on the following questions:
Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with our current student leaders to ensure that they had a voice in our new initiative to launch an academic medal for students who place First in Course and First in Courses. These will be presented at the Presentation Day Ceremonies at the end of this Term.
We have designed these medals in the same rectangular shape as our current Dux of Year and Principal’s Award for Excellence medals, so students can wear them with pride on their blazer.
I also reminded students that we track their academic progress from Semester 1 to Semester 2, and we present the students who have made the most significant learning gains and demonstrated a growth mindset, early next year. These students will receive a Principal’s Award for Academic Effort.
During the assembly on the first day back, Ms Smith challenged students to set smart goals. Perhaps these goals could lead to an effort award or the start of a collection of an impressive set of medals for excelling in a field in which students find joy.
Ms Lynsey Porter
(Acting) Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The 2023 HSC Drama class should be proud of their achievements. For their efforts, the class has received four individual nominations for OnStage, the annual showcase of the best HSC Drama performances in the state! To be nominated indicates outstanding achievement in the subject.
Matthew Woods received an OnSTAGE nomination for his moving and compelling portrayal of the central character from The Curious Incident. Christopher, a young autistic boy who has recently lost his mother, sets out to solve the murder of Wellington the Dog, using his maths ability and his fascination with details. He discovers far more than he bargained for. Matthew delivered a detailed and nuanced performance, packing a huge emotional punch.
Bert Cottell brought the character of Eugene Morris Jerome to life, from Neil Simon’s famous semi-autobiographical play, Brighton Beach Memoirs. 14 year-old Eugene is trying make sense of his fracturing family while dealing with the end of puberty and his sudden urgent interest in girls. Bert has created a tremendously charming and touching coming-of-age piece.
Sam Stewart tackled the fast-paced and physically intense play, Shadowboxing, by James Gaddas. Sam created a stunning emotional portrait of a son struggling with the complex memory of his estranged father, through the prism of the brutal world of professional boxing.
Evander Hudson explored the fractured emotional landscape of a soldier’s PTSD and the profound bond between Man and companion animal in, You’re my Horse. A haunted light horseman is driven to show the final mercy to his suffering best friend. Evander’s mature and compelling performance was devastatingly powerful.
Let’s celebrate the talent and hard work of the whole HSC Drama cohort of 2023!
Mr Peter Lamb
Head of Drama
plamb@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to celebrate two groups of outstanding Technology students who have gone above and beyond, and their hard work and innovative thinking have earned them deserved nomination for the SHAPE 2024 showcase.
Kit Armstrong, Ruben Stock, Mitchell Cahill, Tom Gleeson, Max Dimitrijevic, Samuel Fingleton, and Darcy Standfield are among the hardest working students at our school, and they’ve been nominated to be part of SHAPE showcase with their exceptional practical projects. These young men have harnessed their creativity, technical skills, and dedication to create projects that are very professional in their outcome.
Kit Armstrong brings innovation to the forefront with his ‘SES Dual Power Generator.’ His project not only showcases a ‘genuine need’ energy solution but also an acute understanding of the pressing environmental problems faced in Australia.
Ruben Stock has truly thought outside the box with his glueless, screwless, flatpack student desk and storage bag. His design not only speaks to the needs of students for functional yet portable workspaces, but also embodies the principles of minimalism and eco-consciousness.
Mitchell Cahill invites us into the realm of on trend design with his ‘River Entertainment Unit.’ His creation combines functionality and aesthetics, setting a new standard for entertainment units while embracing the natural beauty of river pours.
Tom Gleeson innovated the heart of his home with his ‘Kitchen Island.’ A fusion of form and function, this project redefines the focal point of every household, making it not just a cooking space but a social hub.
Max Dimitrijevic presented one of the most beautiful student desks I have had the pleasure of watching come together. His ‘Parquetry Student Desk’ stands as a testament to the art of precision and the elegance of design. It beautifully blends beauty and function, making it an inspiring workspace for future endeavours.
Samuel Fingleton takes us back in time with his ‘Rocking Chair.’ This piece brings a classic touch to modern living, and Samuel’s work reflects craftsmanship and an appreciation for timeless design.
Darcy Standfield demonstrates his flair for combining elegance and recreation with his ‘Upholstered Poker Table.’ This project was so beautifully crafted it makes professional tables look amateur. Well done Darcy, on adding sophistication to a classic game.
A huge thank you and congratulations to their teachers and mentors, Ms Kim Spicer, Mr Matthew Barr, Mr Stephen Wilmot and Mr Perry Stanbrook. The invaluable time, support, guidance and most of all patience with the boys, have enabled this to be our strongest nomination group in many years.
Mr James Spargo
Head of Technologies
jspargo@waverley.nsw.edu.au
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.
Paul presented to our Years 10 and 11 students this week and talked about alcohol and risk taking, drugs and vapes and looking after your mates.
If you would like to attend the Parent Seminar, please RSVP by completing this google form by Wednesday, 8 November 2023.
Paul Dillon
Please view the newsletter from the NSW Government regarding school travel applications for 2024 here.
As part of our ongoing engagement with our parent body, we will be hosting our annual CyberSafety week commencing on 23 October. During this week we will facilitate sessions for students in their Year groups with relevant information regarding current risks and strategies on how to manage them.
In addition we will also be holding an online webinar for both Senior School parents and Junior School parents, these sessions will cover current trends and risks and provide some information on how to tackle these.
Please note the following dates for the sessions, the link for the webinar will be sent out closer to the date.
All these sessions are being facilitated by our CyberSafety partners ySafe who also provide our Parent CyberSafety Portal which can be found here: https://waverley.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/
You can find more information on ySafe at: https://www.ysafe.com.au/
I look forward to welcoming you to the Parent sessions.
Students who need a new or replacement School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply now.
Click here to view information about 2024 school travel applications
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award continues at the College, with many students on track towards completing their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards respectively.
Compulsory lunchtime meetings are currently being held for all students involved with the Award. Boys in Year 8 are invited to attend these meetings along with any other students who would like to express their interest.
Paramount to the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, is individual ownership and responsibility towards achieving goals in a skill, physical activity and voluntary service. The onus will be on the gentlemen to ensure they are meeting the expectations and demands associated with completing their Award, utilising the many resources available to them through the College.
Please take note of a change of venue for lunchtime meetings, with HSC exams now taking place in the Fitzgerald Room.
Mr Horry ahorry@waverley.nsw.edu.au or Ms McLarnon lmclarnon@waverley.nsw.edu.au
I wish all students a successful and enjoyable Term 4. Term 4 always moves very quickly, please ensure your son hits the ground running, and is well organised for upcoming assessments, and gets into a good study routine early. Finishing the year strongly should be his goal. We offer special prayers and wishes for our Year 12s who started their HSC examinations on Wednesday this week.
Our thoughts and prayers are particularly with the Jewish and Palestinian communities this week, along with those in Ukraine and Afghanistan (earthquake) and the many other countries where the horrors of war are being created. The images of the brutality and murders carried out by Hamas, a recognised terrorist organisation, is beyond understanding. Our community is mourning for all the lives already lost and will continue to pray for those being held in captivity. Please monitor closely your children’s social media use and be aware that they may stumble across incredibly distressing content.
There are various opinions on the Voice and the referendum, with legal experts, politicians, political parties, Indigenous Australians, Non-Indigenous Australians, and other organisations both in support and opposition. At a recent College Assembly we unpacked the main characteristics of both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns that Australians over the age of 18 are being asked to vote on this Saturday in the 45th Referendum.
It is good to be able to always have an understanding of different and varied perspectives before formulating your own. Being able to respect differences of opinion and perspective is an important part of living in a democracy and an important trait we want our students to be capable of. The ability to find compromise and negotiate one’s position is also an invaluable trait. It is also important to be able to stand up for what you believe in and articulate this respectfully.
As an EREA school in the Edmund Rice tradition the College’s values align with supporting the Yes campaign. EREA endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart and sees it as an invitation to the Australian people from First Nations Australians to walk together to build a better future. We accept this invitation and urge all across Australia to do so as a critical step towards Reconciliation.
We stand in solidarity, alongside our First Nations peoples, in their calls for a Voice and acknowledgement enshrined in the Australian Constitution. We believe that our future as a nation must be based on justice and liberation and that our First Nations peoples are entitled to the democratic right to have a voice in decisions that affect them. The establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of truth-telling is at the centre of this justice.
We’re thrilled to present to you a virtual tour of the Waverley College Science & Innovation Centre. This innovative facility is a key component of the College’s larger masterplan for site development. The facility will provide the College with 12 state-of-the-art Science laboratories, one specialised Marine Studies lab, one Engineering laboratory, preparation rooms and storage facilities.
In the coming weeks, the Foundation will be reaching out to the Waverley Community, seeking your invaluable support to turn our project into a reality.
Your assistance is crucial to our success, and we encourage you to connect with our Foundation Officer, Mr Billy Nicolas, at bnicolas@waverley.nsw.edu.au for additional information.
I would like to thank the Staff and Students who attended the following immersions during the holidays. You can read more about our 2023 Immersion Program in the upcoming edition of Wavelength, our alumni magazine.
Staff – Ms Helen Chia, Mr Tom Kennedy, Mr Angus McPherson
Students – Sam Brader, Max McKenzie, Luca Passicot, Oscar Passicot, Marcus Kastrissios, Henry Whitehouse, Finn McCarthy, Campbell Porteus, Dominic Rutter, Mark Rede
Staff – Ms Holly Medcalf, Mr Kyle Newbury, Ms Sue Walsh
Students – Jack Anasson, James Birbas, Eden Byrd, Remy Frampton, Jack Kearney, Henry Kidd, Ben Ledingham, Angus MacDougall, Oliver Malzard, Ewan McDonald, Lachlan Miranda, Joseph Packington, Lucas Ryan, Nathaniel Smith, Charles Thompson-Owens, Joseph Vonwiller, William Whitaker
Manchester City Football Club’s global ‘Treble Trophy Tour’ made a special visit to Waverley College in Sydney on Wednesday. The historic treble-winning trophy set, comprising the Premier League trophy, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League trophy, landed at the school’s Birrell St campus and was greeted by enthusiastic students and staff.
Over the holidays Cameron represented NSW in the U13 Boys Hockey National Champs. Cameron played 11 games and scored two goals over a week of competition with his team coming 3rd against some very strong opposition.
Welcome back to Term 4, it has been wonderful seeing the students return with energy and enthusiasm.
I want to thank the community for their support in regards to our updated ICT policy. The students have been respectful in understanding and responding to the ban on mobile phones. We know for some students this has caused some angst, and we are here to work with them as we move through this change. I have included our updated ICT policy to clarify any questions or concerns you might still have.
Click here to view the Responsible Use of Technology Policy
Our new Year 12 study lounge opened to our students this week as they complete their HSC. At the commencement of Week 4, we very much look forward to welcoming our new Year 12 cohort into the space.
This area is especially assigned for Year 12 to engage in private study and collaborate with their peers.
During recess and lunch it will be a time for study as well as social engagement. During home study periods, as well as before and after school, we encourage students to use the time to study in this space.
This is a reminder that the pool is open throughout Term 4 for any students who would like to swim at lunchtime.
It has been brought to our attention that there is a circulation of graphic content on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, including hostage videos associated with groups like Hamas. It is concerning how easily this content makes its way onto the screens of our children.
We would like to emphasise that what our children see on the Internet cannot be unseen, and exposure to such disturbing content can have lasting effects on their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
To address this issue, we strongly urge you to take proactive measures to monitor and guide your child’s social media use in the coming days and beyond.
If you need any support or guidance please reach out to our College Psychologists. Their contact details are at the bottom of this page.
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms among young people around the world. You’ve probably heard of its fun choreographed videos and many viral trends, but do you know how to enable the platform’s parental controls and what its age recommendation is? Find out inside our Online Safety Hub by clicking the button below.
Click here to view our Online Safety Hub
It has been fantastic to see most students have returned adhering to the rules and expectations in regards to uniform and appearance. Throughout next week we will be focusing on ensuring the students are adhering to these rules and expectations. This includes appropriate hairstyles and correct school shoes. If your son is not currently placed within these guidelines please ensure this is rectified over the weekend.
Students who fail to meet the above standards, may be subject to a range of disciplinary consequences, including but not limited to being removed from class or being sent home, to return to the College once the breach has been addressed.
Standard black leather lace-up shoes are the only acceptable footwear except during sport. No suede or branded shoes ie: Nike, New Balance or ASIC etc. Shoes must be of a leather type that can be polished to a shine. Shoes with coloured stitching or other embellishments such as buckles are not acceptable. Boots of any type are not permissible.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Welcome back to the last Term of 2023. The start of a new Term often brings a change in routine from holidays, which may have been filled with nice, long sleep ins and days spent at the beach. It can take a little while for us to readjust to coming back to school, given that school is quite structured in comparison.
School requires us to arrive on time, listen and concentrate in class, participate in co-curricular activities, and soon enough begin assessment tasks. This sudden shift can create quite a shock for our brains which tend to like keeping things the same. If you notice it takes a few weeks to get back into the groove of school, this is very normal (and can even be expected). Something that we can do early in the Term to help our brains with the school structure is to create a routine to gently build consistency back into our days.
When our daily activities are predictable and familiar, we may feel more confident, secure, and in control of our environments. One small but significant routine to take a closer look at are our morning and night routines. The more emphasis we place on our sleep and wake routines, the more likely our brains and bodies will get quality rest which may increase our mood, motivation, and overall wellbeing.
You might like to create a small check list of things to do before bed (e.g., switch off technology at a certain time, have a warm shower, pack your school bag, lay out your uniform, read a chapter of a book), and things to do when you wake up (e.g., take the dog for a walk, make a nutritionally dense meal, wash your face, leave for school at a certain time). The more consistent we are with routines, the more likely the routine will stick. Start small and don’t over complicate it. Soon enough, it will become a habit and something that comes a little easier to us. Our brains will know what to expect and may make the transition back to school a little easier.
Psychology Services are available for students at Waverley College to help with creating routines as well as to receive support in all areas of life (stress, low mood, difficulties at home, etc.). Feel free to reach out to the Wellbeing Team or your Head of House for further information.
Junior School Psychologists
Senior School Psychologists
Image: courtesy The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
“Teachers work together – propelled and critically challenged by expert input, to learn, shape and strengthen teaching practice for ongoing student progress and achievement.” – The High Impact Professional Learning Model.
Click here to view information about The High Impact Professional Learning Model
At the end of Term 3 and the start of Term 4, we continued our provision of quality professional learning during the staff professional learning days. Waverley College certainly recognises the value of expert teachers working together for the benefit of our students.
We dedicated some time during the Professional Learning days for teams to collaborate in faculties to continue the work we are doing to prepare for curriculum reform – particularly with new syllabuses in English, Mathematics, Geography, Languages and Technologies – and the strategic priority areas of Deep Learning, Writer’s Toolbox, Data Analytics, Literacy and Formative Task Design.
Below is a snapshot of some of the other ways our staff shared their expertise with colleagues during these sessions.
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun delivered a workshop on what drives our motivation, and shared her expertise and current research on Motivation 3.0 in 21st Century workplaces on the importance of autonomy, mastery and purpose as key drivers.
Specifically, she defined autonomy as having control over what we do and how we do it, mastery as the desire to improve, and purpose as understanding the ‘why’ as much as the ‘how’. Teachers reflected on what gives them energy and joy in their work and considered this in terms of how to motivate the students in their care.
“ySafe’s holistic and engaging cyber safety programs and services equip school communities to thrive in the online world.” – ySafe.
Click here to view more information about ySafe
As a part of the College’s proactive stance in working with our community to navigate the benefits and challenges of the digital world, all staff participated in a session with one of our expert partners, ySafe. The session served to upskill our teachers regarding the range of social media platforms that our students may be using, and the risks associated with them.
We explored an overview of the current digital landscape and developed some strategies for encouraging students to think critically about online information that they access. It was really validating to know that the work we are currently doing, such as the Year 7 program we have developed to teach students how to use Artificial Software with integrity (outlined by Mr William Roberts in the Nurrunga article below), is an example of how we can proactively work with students in the digital world.
Click here to view the Nurrunga article by Mr Roberts
We need to ensure that our school remains a safe place for our students both on campus and during excursions. To this end, a team of staff delivered a series of rotational First Aid sessions to ensure that all are up-to-date with First Aid Training. It was really helpful for colleagues to share their expertise with their peers and to have this delivered in such a professional and practical way.
Ms Lynsey Porter
(Acting) Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to all students who took part in the English and Science ICAS assessments last Term. There were a total of 22 students who sat the English test and 27 who sat the Science test across Year 7 to Year 10.
The following students achieved a Merit, meaning they achieved within the top 50% of all students across Australia sitting the test in their year group:
The following students achieved a Credit, meaning they achieved within the top 35% of all students across Australia sitting the test in their year group:
Special mentions to Cillian Donnelly (Year 10) and Liam Murray (Year 7).
Cillian achieved a Distinction in the Year 10 ICAS Science assessment meaning that he was within the top 10% of students in Australia sitting this test in Year 10.
Liam achieved a High Distinction in the Year 7 ICAS Science assessment. This means that Liam was in the top 1% of all students in Australia who sat this test in Year 7.
Congratulations, Cillian and Liam!
The following students achieved a Merit in English:
Students who received a Credit in English included:
Parents/carers can log in to the ICAS portal to access their child’s results using their individual TAP-ID and PIN which has been sent to them by ICAS and can be found on the ICAS certificate.
The portal breaks the test down further into different sections which will give an interesting insight into different areas of strength and weakness.
Click the button below for more information.
Click here for more information
Well done to all students who took part, we look forward to you all testing your Scientific and English skills even further next year!
Ms Emily Pace and Ms Andrea Fernandez
Assistant Head of Science and Head of English
epace@waverley.nsw.edu.au
afernandez@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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