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There are lots of exciting events happening at the moment to engage our students and Waverley community with an interest in reading and writing.

2023 My First Speech Competition

Entries close: Friday, 11 August 2023, 5pm EST

The 2023 My First Speech competition, run by the Parliament of Australia is open for entries. Australian students enrolled in Years 10-12 are invited to enter as a school or as an individual.

Imagine yourself as a newly-elected Member of the House of Representatives. Your task is to write a 90-second speech about issues you are passionate about, then record yourself presenting the speech on video. A winner from each Year – 10, 11 and 12 – will be invited to Canberra to deliver their speeches live, and undertake a program of meetings at Parliament House.

To enter the competition, submit your video via email, along with a written transcript of your speech and completed competition forms. 

Click here to enter

Lane Cove Literary Awards

Entries close: Wednesday, 16 August 2023, 5pm

The Lane Cove Literary Awards is a prestigious national writing competition organised by Lane Cove Council that recognises writing excellence and fosters Australian writing talent. Australian writers over 16 years of age are invited to submit unpublished works.

The Awards are now open and entries can be submitted for the following categories:

• Short Story Prize – $2,000
• Poetry Prize – $1,500
• Theatre Script Prize – $1,500.

The following additional prizes may be awarded:

• The Burns Bay Bookery Resident Prize – $500
• Be Your Own Boss Youth Prize (16 – 24 years) – $500
• Wise Sage Prize (65+ years) – $500
• By entering this competition, the entrant agrees to the requirements and terms and conditions of entry
• Entries must not have been entered in previous Lane Cove Literary Awards
• An entry fee of $15 per entry is applicable
• Only one (1) entry in each category is permitted per person – Short Story, Poetry and Theatre Script
• Submissions are to be made online 
• All entries must be received by Wednesday 16 August 2023, 5pm
• No changes can be made to submitted entries.

Click here for more information

Welcome to the August 2023 digital edition of Wavelength magazine, our alumni publication that creates an important connection between Waverley College and our wider community of Old Boys, families and friends.

As part of our continuing celebration of our 120th year, this edition proudly showcases feature articles about Waverley’s numerous high achievers and photos from our memorable 120 Year Party.

Read about: Rhodes Scholar Leonard King (Class of 1930), the faithful service of Mr Col Blake (Class of 1962), the Conlon marble honour boards restoration, an interview with music educator Mr Chris Blenkinsopp (Class of 1970), our two Federation Star recipients, the future of Science at Waverley, regular spotlights on co-curricular sport and culture, alumni reunions and so much more!

Click to read Wavelength Issue 30, August 2023

Should you wish to keep a hard copy of this edition of Wavelength, copies will soon be available to collect from the table in the Senior School and Junior School Reception.

When these are ready for collection, we will advise via Nurrunga and the Waverley app.

Warm regards,

Marketing Team

Years 10, 11 and 12 Academic Award Winners 

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with an academic award at this week’s Senior School College assembly. These students should all be congratulated for their hard work, high skills and the competition that striving for excellence brings and benefits all. I hope other students are inspired by them to strive just a little bit harder in Semester 2.

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Cadets Ceremony and Awards

Last Friday afternoon, the headmistress of St Catherine’s School, Ms Judith Poole and myself congratulated the new cadet leadership positions for the coming year.

The Unit celebrates 110 years of service this year, and the strength of candidature was such that we made the decision to commence a new Recruit Company (Echo Company with Platoons 13, 14 and 15) and a new Support Company Platoon with Engineers.

These developments provide additional leadership opportunities and allow the Unit to grow as it continues to flourish.

A full list of our new rank was published in last week’s Nurrunga. We congratulate our new Corporals, Sergeants, Warrant Officers and Cadet Under Officers as they lead the Cadet Unit into the 2023/2024 Cadet Year.

Foreign Languages

Students in Years 9-12 (2024) who are thinking of studying a language should read the newsletter article authored by Head of Languages, Ms Priscilla Quintana, for more information. The following languages are available to be studied: Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Strategies from our Psychologist

There are some great strategies in the newsletter article authored by our College Psychologist, Ms Samantha Jessen. She unpacks how to engage with Term 3 effectively by utilising Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Staff Update

The Director of Junior School, Ms Gaby Bransby, will be taking Long Service Leave from 31 July until 15 August 2023. Mr Steve Ghattas will be (Acting) Director of Junior School  during this time.

Year 12 HSC Guide / Trials 

HSC Study Guides were distributed this week to all Year 12 students sitting the HSC this year. The Study Guides include exam advice from teachers and past students along with tips on looking after students’ mental health and wellbeing, in the lead up to exams. 

Click here for this year's guide

Senior Teaching & Learning staff also went through the Trial HSC protocols this week, in preparation for the Trials which begin on Monday, 31 July and conclude on Monday, 14 August 2023. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Year 12s at this time and we wish them the best of luck with their Trials.

Health News 

Please read the newsletter article authored by Ms Adele Cutbush- College Registered Nurse, for the Third Vaccination Clinic for Year 7 HPV and Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY Catch Up Dose information.

National Tree Day

Celebrate National Tree Day with Waverley Council’s wonderful initiative. Come down to Waverley Park this Sunday to receive free native seedlings to restore garden habitats for birds and wildlife. Engage in insightful conversations with Wilderness Society volunteers and Transition Bondi, who will share their expertise in revitalising our native forests and fostering a sustainable community.

Time: Sunday, 30 July, 9am-12pm

Location: Waverley Park (near the BBQs), Bondi Road Waverley Park, Bondi Junction

Lights, Camera, Action!

Calling all budding filmmakers (Years 7-12). Don’t miss your chance to participate in the thrilling Parli-Flicks Short Film Award. Get creative and share your thoughts on this year’s theme, “Should the Voting Age be Lowered?” Explore the wonders of Australian democracy and make your voice heard.

Excitingly, the finalists will be treated to an awards night at the Parliament of NSW in Sydney in October, where the ultimate winner will be unveiled.

Entries close soon! Get your entries in by the Friday, 11 August deadline. 

Click here to participate

Waverley Council Safe Routes to School Survey

Waverley Council is kicking off our Safe Routes to School program, which aims to make walking safer and easier. We’re also looking to encourage parents/carers and children to choose walking, scooting or riding to school.

The well-understood benefits of walking to school include increased physical activity, better concentration in class, and improved wellbeing through a degree of independence. This is in addition to reducing car congestion around schools.

Waverley College has joined in our first round of the program. Achieving this requires teamwork. Council can improve footpaths, install crossings, improve lighting, and other infrastructure and safety upgrades where it’s needed most. We would like your feedback about the most important upgrades needed so your child can safely travel to school.

Please do so via the survey and map at https://haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/safe-routes-school-survey by 30 August 2023.

You can use any existing Waverley Council Have Your Say login or create a new one by clicking “Join” on the Have Your Say homepage and following the prompts.

This Month on SchoolTV – Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity emphasises the natural variation in how an individual’s brain functions and how they perceive and interact with the world, leading to diverse ways of learning and communicating. While most young people are neurotypical, some exhibit variations in brain development, such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia, making them neurodivergent.

Embracing neurodiversity involves accepting, celebrating, and supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents without attempting to change or treat their differences. Using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, avoiding assumptions, and actively promoting inclusivity can help embrace neurodiversity effectively.

Acknowledging the unique ways neurodiverse young people do things and then adapting tasks and activities to ensure their full participation will encourage them to develop strategies that feel natural to them. It will help improve their mental health, wellbeing and sense of self. By recognising and nurturing their strengths, parents and caregivers can contribute to building an inclusive and compassionate society where all young people can thrive.

Learning more about neurodiversity, equips caregivers with insights into effective communication techniques, educational strategies, and parenting approaches tailored to the specific needs of their neurodivergent child. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek help from a medical professional.

Click here for this month's edition of SchoolTV

Ms Gabby Smith

Deputy Principal – Students

gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au

28 July 2023

From the Director of Business Services, Mr Bryn Gregerson – 2023/2024 Fees Reminder and Withdrawal Notice Dates

2023 Fees

• 3rd Payment – Due date is this Friday 28/7/2023
• 4^th Payment – Only applies to Year 6* students continuing into Year 7 in 2024; due date 13/10/2023

*As per the updated conditions of enrolment and as indicated on the College website, all Years 5 and 7 enrolments, Term 1 tuition fees are charged in Term 4, in the year prior. This includes continuing Year 6 (2023) students into Year 7 (2024). This replaces the “continuing confirmation deposit” usually charged in the 3^rd Payment to Year 6. Year 5 and 7 will still receive an invoice in Term 1, 2024 for any applicable sundries, sibling discounts, excursion fees and camps. Please be advised that if this payment is not made by the due date, your son’s enrolment will be forfeited, and his place will be offered to a waitlisted candidate.

2024 Fees

• 1st Payment – Prompt payment date 19/1/2024; due date 26/1/2024
• 2nd Payment – Prompt payment date 26/4/2024; due date 03/5/2024
• 3rd Payment – Prompt payment date 19/7/2024; due date 02/8/2024

Discounts and Additional Fee

Fees paid before 4pm on the Prompt payment date attract a $25.00 discount.

Any payment received after the due date will attract an administrative fee of $110.00.

Please be advised that some financial institutions need more than 48 hours to process their payments (e.g. Internet/BPay/BPoint).

Please see the last page of your account for payment method and contact details.

Enrolment Withdrawal Notice

You are reminded that if you wish to withdraw your son from enrolment at Waverley College, you are required to give one Term’s notice in writing to the Principal that your son’s enrolment will cease.

The last day you can give notice that your son’s enrolment is finishing at the end of a school Term, is the first day of the same Term. If not received by that date, a withdrawal fee equivalent to one Term’s tuition fees will be payable. The relevant dates for 2023 are below:

• Students finishing at the end of Term 3, 2023 – Notice was required by Tuesday, 18 July 2023
• Students finishing at the end of Term 4, 2023 – Notice is required by Tuesday, 10 October 2023

I have been made aware of a current scam targeting parents of Commonwealth Bank school customers that requires your vigilance.

A summary of the scam being attempted is below:

• “Parents are being called by a scammer pretending to be from the school;
• They offer the parents a 30% discount on school fees if they pay straight away;
• The parent provides the scammer with their invoice details and credit card details to make payment;
• The scammer pays the school fees via BPOINT to the school with the parents’ actual card;    
• The parent receives a receipt from BPOINT advising payment received;
• The scammer then makes a second payment (again with the parents’ actual card), then calls the parent pretending to be the school to advise that payment was made twice and a payment would be refunded;
• School is then called by someone claiming to be the parent and asking for a refund, but requests the refund to a different card.”

Please be aware of these elaborate scams and contact the school immediately if you suspect something suspicious.

Mr Bryn Gregerson

Director of Business Services

bgregerson@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Navigating Term 3

As we navigate the first few weeks of Term 3, it can take all of us (even adults) time to adjust from being on holidays back into a routine. Whilst holidays can provide us with much needed rest and play, our brains absolutely love consistency and predictability which sometimes is reduced without a school schedule. In saying this, our brains may also find the transition back to school quite challenging! You might notice you feel a bit more tired, stressed, irritable, or overwhelmed than you did during the holidays. Although these experiences and feelings can be uncomfortable, they are a completely normal part of life.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, to live fulfilling lives, a lot of emphasis may need to be placed on some of our basic needs that may be overlooked during a busy schedule during the Term time.

Firstly, we can gently help ourselves by acknowledging that it may take us a little bit of extra time to feel our usual selves again. We might like to place emphasis on rest (e.g., creating a consistent sleep schedule), designing an achievable study plan (e.g., setting realistic time aside for homework/assignments), prioritising time to move our bodies in a way that feels good to us (e.g., beach walk, stretching, taking our dogs to the dog park), eating nutritionally-dense foods, filling up our water bottles, and perhaps most importantly, connecting with our loved ones (e.g., having dinner together around the table each night).

If you feel like your basic needs may need a little tweaking, Psychology services are available for students at Waverley College to help with getting back on track in a way that works for you. Feel free to reach out to the Wellbeing Team or your Head of House for further information.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

Image: courtesy Psychology Today

To continue our commemoration of 120 Years of Education at Waverley, we will have our onsite Years 5-12 day of celebration and fun on Tuesday, 15 August.

The day promises to be memorable, with the College community enjoying a live-streamed celebratory mass, a colourful carnival with food trucks and entertainment, and a vibrant talent show.

Click here for detailed information about the day

Happy 120 years!

Ms Sue Walsh

Director of Mission and Identity

swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Mr Nick Sposari

Teacher

nsposari@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Our onsite Years 5-12 day of celebration and fun will happen on Tuesday, 15 August 2023.

Please click the buttons below to view the menu options for this special day.

Click here to view the burgers and gozleme food and drink options

Click here to view the kebabs food and drink menu

The canteen will also be open on the day.

*Ticket sales for food/drink will open in early Week 4.

Ms Sue Walsh

Director of Mission and Identity

swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Waverley College social media pages are now the place for you to see the latest news of events and activities around the Junior and Senior School campuses.

Please be sure to follow our social media pages! Following us helps to support our student, staff and community successes.

Follow @waverleycollege on Instagram and Facebook

“When people share their personal story, change happens. Being brave enough and courageous enough to put yourself out here [at Youth Parliament] is one of the most powerful things you can do.” Hon Rose Jackson MLC (NSW Government Minister including Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Youth). 

The Hon. Lachlan Miranda, Youth Member of Parliament for the electorate of Coogee, was fortunate to be selected to be part of the YNSW Youth Parliament 2023. This annual event brings 90 students from across New South Wales together, representing all electorates across the State, to participate in civic leadership, policy development and nuanced debate. 

Lachlan represented Waverley College and the wider electorate of Coogee with aplomb. 

The generosity of the Old Boys Union (OBU) in gifting Lachlan $750.00 to participate in this flagship youth leadership program was greatly appreciated. As was the time of Dr Marjorie O’Neill (Member for Coogee) who met with Lachlan and discussed youth leadership, mental health and his time at Waverley College. 

Congratulations, Lachlan!

During the training Camp in April, Lachlan was elected leader of the Youth Mental Health Committee, an incredible honour. He is passionate about mental health, advocating for his peers and supporting boys who silently struggle with the stressors of school and socialisation. Lachlan intends to be a psychologist post-school, and the opportunity to lead the committee has proven a great launchpad for his future endeavours. 

Lachlan’s Summary

Being a Youth Parliamentarian was an honour. I represented Waverley College and my electorate (Coogee). Through an intense week, filled with late nights writing speeches, I was able to learn more about the parliamentary process and how advocacy works on a larger scale. It was an emotional and insightful week, hearing everyone’s private members’ statements. The mental health debate was intense with the government pushing for amendments to the bill (to strengthen existing mental health legislation to better support youth) and the opposition attempting to publish it in its present condition. Then, moving to open floor debates which were filled with personal anecdotes about how an individual was touched by mental health.

Throughout the week I made new friendships with people from all over the state and from all backgrounds. Moving forward I wish to raise awareness for some of the issues that were addressed within the chamber as well as continue to advocate for mental health. Throughout my time as a Youth Parliamentarian, I displayed the skills and behaviours expected of leaders representing their school. Whether it was through collaborating with my committee or attempting to provide solutions to international issues through critical thinking, I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and will continue to display the skills I was able to develop through this program.

Image: courtesy YMCA NSW – YNSW Youth Parliament 2023

His success is of his own making. On a personal note, I want to congratulate Lachlan on his application, commitment and energy he brought to the Youth Parliament Program. I was privileged to attend the Mental Health Debate at NSW Parliament House and I was in awe of Lachlan’s ability to debate challenging and complex issues with such empathy and understanding. Witnessing the leaders of tomorrow in action assured me that we are in incredibly capable hands. 

We can’t wait to see the next generation of leaders make meaningful change. 

Welcome Back to the Start of Term 3

Week 1 has started with a buzz of activity and energy throughout the College. We celebrated NAIDOC Week at assembly and launched Men’s Health Week. Each student should fill in their SMART Goals (page 111 of College diary) for Term 3 to assist them in achieving their strategic goals for the Term. Learnings and reflections from parent/student/teacher conferences should guide this goal-setting process.

A reminder that on Monday, 24 July the Years 7 – 10 Student Parent Teacher Interviews will be held online from 8.30am to 6.30pm and there will be no classes that day for the Senior School.

NAIDOC Week Assembly

We celebrated NAIDOC at this week’s assembly and the celebrations will continue at our Indigenous Round tomorrow. The 2023 theme ‘For Our Elders’, illuminates the importance Elders play in our lives and showcases the rich culture and knowledge of Indigenous Australia. NAIDOC Week, which is in the first week of July, is an important event in Australia that celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The traditional smoking ceremony performed by the Walawaani students involved the burning of native plants to produce smoke, to cleanse and purify the surroundings and participants, and show respect to the land and ancestors. 

The “Welcome to Country” was delivered by local elder Aunty Barbara Simms acknowledging the ongoing connection between the Indigenous peoples and the land.

Mr Michael O’Loughlin was our NAIDOC week guest speaker and he spoke passionately about sharing his culture with all Australians and the NAIDOC theme “For our Elders”. Michael spoke about the significant role that Elders and in particular his Nanna had in his life, and the important role they played in preserving culture, passing down knowledge, and guiding the younger generations. 

The cultural performance by Aunty Kerry and her Burrundi Theatre was a captivating experience, showcasing the rich traditions, history, and art forms of the First Nations peoples through song and dance. 

Such events and activities contribute to fostering understanding, respect, and appreciation for Indigenous culture and the contributions of Elders to the community and society as a whole. It’s heartening to see schools and communities coming together to celebrate and learn about Australia’s First Nations heritage.

Congratulations to Mr Kevin Heath (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer) for coordinating our NAIDOC assembly and thank you to the many families that joined us on the day. 

Men’s Health Week 

Across the world, Men’s Health Week is celebrated in June each year to promote the overall wellbeing of men, and raise awareness about issues that are particularly related to men’s health. Term 2 at Waverley was quite busy, so we chose to celebrate Men’s Health Week this week.

We are grateful to our Parents’ Association who have generously funded a wonderful array of activities throughout the week along with organising some amazing speakers that included Dr James Roy – Cardiologist, Mr Anthony Minichiello – Kangaroo, NSW and Roosters, Mr Morgan Turinui – Wallaby, Reds, Rebels, Commentator, and Ms Caitlin Reid – sports dietitian and yoga sports coach.

Anthony Minichiello

Caitlin Reid

Some of the activities included guidance from personal trainers, physiotherapists, dieticians, weight lifting, and some free healthy giveaways. The week focused on physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing. Congratulations and thank you to the following parents and grandparents who assisted Daniella Strbac, Camille Owen, Damien Kelly, Sue Purnell and Jade Stapleton for coordinating the week. It was an impressive set up with many interactive activities for the boys to engage with. 

Dr James Roy

Morgan Turinui

Support for Nicholas Reed

As some of you may be aware, there has been some very sad news in our community about the brother of Kosta Reed in Year 5, Nicholas. Seven-year-old Nicholas had a liver transplant at the age of five months and has struggled with his health ever since. Devastatingly, he has just been diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive type of post-transplant cancer.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family as they navigate through this heartbreaking journey. A parent in our Waverley Community, Kerren Hosking, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support Elena Reed and their family. If you would like to support this family please follow the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicholas-fight-cancer-post-liver-transplant

Please keep this family in your prayers.  

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

ICAS sitting dates will take place in English and Science in Term 3. The questions are engaging and fun and have been designed by psychometricians, education measurement experts and experienced teachers to push students to their academic limits, as well as test higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities. Applications close on 31 July, 2023. Please read the newsletter article co-authored by Ms Andrea Fernandez and Ms Emily Pace for more information.

Alumni Mentoring Evening

On Wednesday, 16 August, students have the opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions about careers, skills, and studies with Waverley College alumni. For more information please read the newsletter article authored by Ms Kath Knowles.

City2Surf and Support for Premature Babies

Wonderfully, 101 people have signed up to our Waverley team in the City2Surf on 13 August in support of the charity Running for Premature Babies, raising funds for a lifesaving humidicrib for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

It’s not too late to register. Join the Yellow start wave to run/walk with Lachy from The Wiggles!

Click here to register: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/GroupAcceptance.aspx?E=48647&G=174145

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

A Catholic School for boys in
the tradition of Edmund Rice

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