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.
|
Student |
Name |
Subject |
|
Harry |
Bowcock |
History Elective |
|
Samuel |
Caro |
Equal First Commerce |
|
Joao |
Cornelius |
Mathematics Level 2 |
|
Yannick |
Hott |
PDHPE |
|
Axl |
Igra |
Equal First Commerce |
|
Thomas |
Jackson-Whitlock |
Equal First Commerce |
|
Luis |
Larriera |
Photography |
|
Liam |
Munro |
Equal First Industrial Technology Timber |
|
Sean |
O’Neill |
Mathematics Level 1 |
|
Hugo |
Perks |
STEM |
|
Lucas |
Simcocks |
Design & Technology |
|
Benjamin |
Van Dam |
Equal First Industrial Technology Timber |
|
Theo |
Varvaressos |
Equal First Commerce |
|
Benjamin |
Webb |
History Equal First |
|
Finlay |
Wilde |
Graphics Technology |
|
Oscar |
Wilson |
Mathematics Level 3 |
|
Hamish |
Witten |
Work Education |
|
Nicholas |
Zanapalis |
History Equal First |
|
Kayden |
Baker |
English |
|
Kayden |
Baker |
PASS |
|
Kayden |
Baker |
Applied Philosophy |
|
Max |
Sheehy |
Religious Education |
|
Max |
Sheehy |
Music |
|
Max |
Sheehy |
Food Technology |
|
Max |
Sheehy |
History Equal First |
|
Lachlan |
Marzol |
Equal First Commerce |
|
Lachlan |
Marzol |
Information Software Technology |
|
James |
Peate |
English |
|
James |
Peate |
Mathematics Accelerated |
|
Renato |
Rovacchi |
Visual Art |
|
Renato |
Rovacchi |
History Equal First |
|
Harrison |
Thorpe |
Science |
|
Harrison |
Thorpe |
Drama |
|
Student |
Name |
Subject |
|
Sebastian |
Blowers |
English Studies |
|
Louis |
Brokenshire |
Sport Life & Recreation |
|
Remy |
Demetriou |
Marine Studies |
|
Drew |
Devereux |
Construction |
|
Deuchar |
Dezarnaulds |
Equal First Physics |
|
Riley |
Evans |
Mathematics Advanced |
|
Jet |
Foltman |
Visual Art |
|
Remy |
Frampton |
Spanish Beginners |
|
Matthew |
Frost |
Equal First Hospitality |
|
Tashi |
Harrison |
Design & Technology |
|
Eamon |
Henderson |
Engineering Studies |
|
Marcus |
Henderson |
Equal First Chemistry |
|
Mitchel |
Ho |
Accelerated Maths |
|
Otto |
Hulewicz |
Equal First Modern History |
|
Jack |
Kerves |
Industrial Technology Timber |
|
William |
Kirk |
Industrial Technology Multimedia |
|
Marcus |
Marin |
Software Design and Development |
|
Lachlan |
Miranda |
Equal First Modern History |
|
Sonny |
Mori |
Investigating Science |
|
Robert |
Muir |
Equal First Legal Studies |
|
Charlie |
Murphy |
Ext 1 Maths |
|
Aston |
Owens |
Equal First Standard Maths |
|
Frankie |
Pedder |
Visual Design |
|
Nathaniel |
Smith |
Equal First Hospitality |
|
Anton |
Svensson |
Geography |
|
Henry |
Whitehouse |
Entertainment |
|
Aren |
Yaghoubian |
Standard English |
|
Ricardo |
Zanapalis |
Food Technology |
|
Bailey |
Barker |
Biology |
|
Bailey |
Barker |
Equal First Chemistry |
|
Huxley |
Butters |
Studies of Religion I |
|
Huxley |
Butters |
Equal First Physics |
|
Zac |
Coonan |
Equal First Business |
|
Zac |
Coonan |
Equal First Economics |
|
Jock |
Edwards |
Music Course I |
|
Jock |
Edwards |
Equal First Economics |
|
Oliver |
Malzard |
Equal First Legal Studies |
|
Oliver |
Malzard |
Drama |
|
Ewan |
McDonald |
Equal First Ancient History |
|
Ewan |
McDonald |
Society and Culture |
|
James |
Medland |
Studies of Religion II |
|
James |
Medland |
PDHPE |
|
Campbell |
Porteus |
Advanced English |
|
Campbell |
Porteus |
Music Course II |
|
Asher |
Thomasyu |
Extension English |
|
Asher |
Thomasyu |
Equal First Ancient History |
|
Jordan |
McCreery |
Equal First Standard Maths |
|
Jordan |
McCreery |
Equal First Modern History |
|
Jordan |
McCreery |
Equal First Business |
|
Name |
Surname |
Subject |
|
Christopher |
Armstrong |
Advanced Mathematics |
|
Christopher |
Armstrong |
Design & Technology |
|
Angus |
Birrell |
Music Course II |
|
Angus |
Birrell |
Equal First Music Extension |
|
Jay |
Briggs |
Extension English II |
|
Mitchell |
Cahill |
Equal First Industrial Technology |
|
Finlay |
Chandler |
Equal First Standard Mathematics Course II |
|
Jonas |
Dowling |
Equal First Standard Mathematics Course II |
|
Wylie |
Durrans |
Equal First Construction |
|
Anderson |
Franulovich |
Visual Design |
|
Thomas |
Gleeson |
Equal First Industrial Technology |
|
Charles |
Hely-Hammond |
Legal Studies |
|
Charles |
Hely-Hammond |
PDHPE |
|
Luca |
Holmes |
Biology |
|
Wilford |
Hyde |
Food Technology |
|
Lenny |
Joseph |
Standard Mathematics Course I |
|
Jamie |
Khov |
Equal First Extension Mathematics II |
|
Frederick |
Le Vay |
Standard English |
|
Frederick |
Le Vay |
Music Course I |
|
Fynn |
McAusland |
Equal First Construction |
|
Hugo |
Morgan |
Physics |
|
Penn |
O’Connor |
Investigating Science |
|
Daniel |
Palacio |
Spanish Beginners |
|
Mackenzie |
Palmer |
Visual Art |
|
Aiden |
Pascoe |
Studies of Religion I |
|
Jake |
Perks |
Equal First Extension Mathematics II |
|
Jake |
Perks |
Chemistry |
|
Jack |
Preller |
Studies of Religion II |
|
Jack |
Preller |
Business Studies |
|
Jack |
Preller |
Economics |
|
Liam |
Russell |
Equal First Music Extension |
|
Leo |
Schmid |
English Studies |
|
Leo |
Schmid |
Marine Studies |
|
Leo |
Schmid |
Sport Life & Recreation |
|
Sam |
Stewart |
Drama |
|
Benjamin |
Stirling |
Extension Mathematics I |
|
Arjun |
Sukumaran |
Equal First Geography |
|
Theodore |
Varvaressos |
Equal First Ancient History |
|
Theodore |
Varvaressos |
Modern History |
|
Vasili |
Vertsonis |
Extension English I |
|
Thomas |
Walker |
Equal First Geography |
|
James |
Wellington |
Hospitality |
|
Liam |
Wood |
Advanced English |
|
Liam |
Wood |
Equal First Ancient History |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.

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
2023 Fees
*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 3rd 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
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:
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.


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
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.
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.
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.
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
Term 3 Professional Learning (PL) Day focused on enhancing student success through Collaborative Group Work, Constructive Feedback, and Formative Assessment.
Education is an ever-evolving process, and to ensure that teachers are equipped with the latest tools and pedagogies to foster student success, Waverley College continues to commit to providing quality PL experiences for our staff. These dedicated days allow us to come together, share our experiences, and learn from one another. One crucial aspect of such experiences is to explore evidence-based innovative teaching practices that have proven effective in enhancing student engagement and achievement. The day enabled us to enliven the principles of our T&L Framework.
Session 1: Collaborative Practice
This session was facilitated by the Collaborative Action Research team (Helen Barrie, Alice Curtis, Stephanie Falk, Oliver Knight, Nicholas Sposari, Gemma Stead, Margaux Walker and Elizabeth Watson). The team shared what they had learnt when exploring, designing and engaging in a variety of group work activities with their classes during Semester 1. The aim of the research project was to establish how to best implement collaborative practices in our school context to foster dynamic learning environments.
Collaborative group work has become a hallmark of progressive education. Gone are the days of passive learning, where students sit in silence, absorbing information without actively engaging with the material or their peers. Educators recognise the immense value of effective group work. When students work together in groups, they can share ideas, challenge one another’s perspectives, and develop essential teamwork and communication skills. Moreover, collaborative group work nurtures a sense of community within the classroom, encouraging students to support and learn from each other. By embracing this approach, educators not only empower students to become active participants in their education, but also prepare them for the collaborative demands of the modern workforce.
Session 2: The Power of Effective Feedback
This session was facilitated by Ms Mary Ryan, Mr Angus MacAuslan, Mr Barry Smith, Mr Ben Shorthouse and Mr Rob Tall. They highlighted that effective feedback plays a pivotal role in the learning journey of students.
Constructive feedback serves as a compass, guiding learners towards improvement and growth. During this session, staff delved into the art of giving effective feedback, emphasising the importance of being specific, timely, and encouraging. When students receive feedback that is tailored to their individual progress, they gain valuable insights into their strengths and areas for development. Additionally, constructive feedback instils a growth mindset, where students learn to perceive challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than obstacles to success. By consistently providing meaningful feedback, educators can empower students to take ownership of their learning, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the classroom.
Session 3: Formative Assessment as Learning Checkpoints
The final session was delivered by Mr Nicholas Brophy, Mr Mark Neale, Ms Lynsey Porter, Mr Ben Shorthouse, Ms Jade Sparks, Mr Nicholas Sposari, Ms Charlotte Stephens and Ms Jenna Turnbull.
Formative assessment – an ongoing process of evaluating student understanding and progress – is critical in empowering students to take an active role in their learning journey. Learning checkpoints allow for regular feedback on student performance and enable individuals to track their progress, identify their strengths, and address their weaknesses, fostering a sense of autonomy and accountability in their academic pursuits. Hattie suggests that students should consistently ask themselves (1) Where am I going?, (2) How am I going?, and (3) Where to next?. He considers these to be the ‘Holy Trinity of Learning’ which guide learners towards a future of success and lifelong learning.
As we embark on the second half of 2023 after a three-week break, we return to routine and focus. I reminded the students at our Assembly on Tuesday that it is the little things that make a big impact. I asked them to start by tucking in their shirts, wearing their blazers, and ensuring we arrive at class on time.
These seemingly small actions reflect our commitment to excellence and create an atmosphere of respect and professionalism. They demonstrate that we value our education and the opportunities it presents. So, let’s embrace the details, uphold high standards, and set the stage for a successful Semester 2.
In Term 2 this year, we sought your assistance in encouraging our students to Tap On and Off with their School or Child/Youth Opal Cards. While there has been some improvement, unfortunately, the majority of students are still not using their Opal Cards.
This is concerning, as it puts several school bus routes at risk of being redistributed by Transport for NSW to areas that have demonstrated a greater need.
It is a condition of the Student Code of Conduct when travelling, that students must Tap On and Off with their School Opal Card or Child/Youth Opal Card every time when using public transport. This is so that Transport for NSW can understand customer travel patterns and adjust the services provided, if necessary.
What can parents and carers do to help?
We kindly ask that all parents/carers ensure that their children have a valid Opal card for travelling to and from school each day. We also ask that you please encourage them to Tap On and Off every time they use a bus service.
To be eligible for a School Opal Card the student must:
*Years K-2 (Infants) – No minimum distance.
*Years 3-6 (Primary) – 1.6km straight line distance or 2.3km walking or further.
*Years 7-12 (Secondary) – 2km straight line distance or 2.9km walking or further.
If you do not meet these criteria, your child will need to carry a Child/Youth Opal card with funds loaded onto it.
If your child’s School Opal Card has expired or been damaged, lost or stolen, please visit transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply to reapply.
If you are still waiting for your School Opal Card to arrive, please follow up with OPAL directly by calling 131 500.
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, is offering all parents, carers, teachers and support staff the opportunity to join a free webinar designed for parents and carers of students in secondary school.
The 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.
It will cover:
Webinar details
Tuesday 15 August, 7:30pm-8pm
On 29 June 2023, the Criminal Legislation Amendment (Knife Crimes) Bill 2023 passed the NSW Parliament. As the Attorney General noted in his second reading speech, the legislation responds to serious knife‐related incidents across NSW and recognises the significant risk posed by the possession/use of knives in public places and schools.
Being in possession of or brandishing a knife in public or at school is already an offence under the Summary Offences Act 1988, but with the passage of this new legislation, the offences will move to the Crimes Act 1900 with increased maximum penalties:
The legislation provides for reasonable excuses for possessing a knife, including when it is necessary for:
While these reforms represent significant increases and the toughest penalties of all Australian jurisdictions for such offences, the NSW Government has indicated that children and young people “will still remain eligible for diversion options under the Young Offenders Act 1997”, including “cautions and referrals to youth justice conferences” (second reading speech). The Government has also promised to monitor how these reforms impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our onsite Uniform Shop is currently out of stock of the Waverley backpack. These should be back in stock by September. The Uniform Shop sincerely apologises for any inconvenience.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au