Our commitment to environmentally-sustainable solutions has seen the Senior School Library start using the world’s first fully biodegradable book covering. The new book covering is known as Bioguard80. When placed in the right landfill or compostable environment, books with this covering will fully biodegrade without leaving toxic microplastics.
It is also fully recyclable, so at the end of its life, the whole book can be placed into recycling bin/compost/landfill for full biodegradation. These environments must contain the right mix of moisture, micro-organisms and temperatures to trigger biodegradation. There are no toxic microplastics, worms eat it and produce nutrients to enrich soils.
Wow! Come to the library and ask to see books that we’ve covered in the world’s first fully-biodegradable book covering. It gives our much-loved books a longer life and is helping to save the planet one book at a time.
On Thursday, 4 May we celebrated the life of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice. You can read more in the Nurrunga article here by (Acting) Deputy Principal – Students, Mr Steve O’Donnell.
It was also wonderful to hear from Axel Stapleton (Year 8) and Ms Silvia Baylie, Ecology Coordinator of the Students of the World Ecology Group, and some of the initiatives they are working on. It is important we all work together to support the below initiatives:
The Ecology Group will continue to keep us updated throughout the year on these projects, but they welcome any students to come along to their meetings and get involved. Congratulations to all Students of the World Ecology Group who received their badges today.
On Monday, Elder and visual storyteller Uncle John, passionately shared his culture with students of all ages in the Conlon art rooms. Uncle John is from the Dunghutti Nation in Kempsey on the mid north coast, where he says around 17,000 Aboriginal people live.
When he was young, he was taught to be his own mentor. His father was the first National Parks and Wildlife ranger and he followed in the footsteps of his mother, who is also a talented artist. Uncle John explained that as he grew up, he was nurtured by four generations of learning and listening; from his father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Uncle John has achieved a great deal in his life and is father to 11 children and 26 grandchildren! His artistic achievements are wide-reaching and he told us that in 2004 he was asked to create charcoal drawings to send back to Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa 1994-99) in South Africa.
Uncle John has also worked as an artist for the annual Deadly Awards (2004-07) and was the first Aboriginal artist to have his work permanently hung in NSW Parliament House in the Bunyip Waratah Room. His work tells of the traditions and stories of the people of Dunghutti country. Uncle John told us that his work sells for pretty high prices!
Uncle John said that his uncle had taught him about painting by going into caves. He explained the process of ochre painting, its many different colours, and how it is crushed, mixed with water, and put in the mouth to then spray over rock. He said that some handprints in Australia are 65,000 years old. He teaches his grandchildren to share all their knowledge with others and said that he is always painting because he is always sharing.
He also shared a sad story about how when he was young, he and other Aboriginal kids were only allowed to be taken in to the picture/movie theatre once it was dark, so he never saw the start or the end of a movie.
Uncle John spoke about the specialness of his praying mantis totem and then helped students to each create a school totem. Uncle Kevin (our Indigenous Liaison Officer) handed out canvas, stencils and sponges and Uncle John asked students to make sure they remembered the name of their totem. Uncle Kevin and Ms Turnbull then mixed up the different colours of paint. Uncle John showed students how to carefully create dots using the end of the paintbrush. Students commented that their hands started shaking when they tried to paint the dots. The painting required a lot of concentration.
Congratulations to Harrison Rimell (Year 12), who represented the College at the annual Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition, held this year at The King’s School. The competition sees one representative from each of the CAS and GPS schools deliver an address. The students do not know what the topic is, and they are given 15 minutes to prepare for an eight-minute address.
The topic that Harrison had to respond and speak to was: ‘Everything spoken should be true but not everything true should be spoken.’ Congratulations to the top three representatives who came from The King’s School (1st), Sydney Boys’ High (2nd), Newington (3rd).
The Ethics Olympiad was held on Thursday, 4 May. This competition promotes respectful, supportive, and rigorous discussion of ethics among thousands of high school students throughout Australasia. The Ethics Olympiad format is rooted in ongoing dialogue and deliberation: a series of two-way exchanges between equals. It is designed to get students thinking, talking, and ultimately working together on some of the toughest moral issues of our time.
Out of the 19 Sydney Metro senior school teams that participated, our Year 10 team placed 4th, and our Year 11 team placed 6th.
Well done to our following participants: James Medland (Year 11), Lachlan Miranda (Year 11), Anton Svensson (Year 11), James Birbas (Year 11), Campbell Porteous (Year 11), Kayden Baker (Year 10), James Peate (Year 10), Zoltahn Szabo (Year 10), Archie Godby (Year 10), Yannick Hott (Year 10).
S.M.A.R.T goals ensure that students set themselves up for success by making goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. The SMART method helps push you further, gives you a sense of direction, and helps you organise and reach your goals. I encourage you to talk to your sons about the goals they’re setting for themselves with their mentor, and take a look at the Term 2 S.M.A.R.T goals template on page 85 of the school diary.
Years 7-12 students will finish school at 2:30pm on Tuesday, 9 May. This is due to a Staff Professional Development meeting.
There will be no Co-curricular training on Tuesday afternoon. Morning training will still go ahead.
As we approach the exam season, it’s important to remember that with proper preparation and planning, students can confidently face exams and achieve the results they desire.
It is critical to start early and develop a study plan that allows you to cover all the necessary material thoroughly. Here are some tips to help you with your preparation and planning:
Remember, exams are an opportunity for you to showcase your knowledge and skills. With proper preparation and planning, you can perform at your best and achieve the results you deserve. Stay focused, stay determined, and stay positive – you’ve got this!
3:30-4:30pm – Library
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Click here to view further details about SBT
3:30-4:30pm- Library
Literacy: Monday and Tuesday
Numeracy: Wednesday and Thursday
7.30-8.30am – E15
Tuesday and Wednesday
Click here to view the Study Skills Handbook
Username: forwaverleycollegeonly
Password: 94results
This week, we celebrated Edmund Rice Day at both the Senior and Junior Schools. The senior school students attended an impressive assembly where we looked at and thanked some of our partners who are doing amazing charitable works in the community, including Edmund Rice Camps, Pantry 4 The People and CaringKids.
We were blessed to have some guest speakers from these groups, including Old Boy, Jake Smith. The Touchtones of Gospel Spirituality and Justice and Solidarity as part of our Edmund Rice Charism were highlighted, as as part of the wonderful work by our Social Justice groups.
You can follow the charities we heard from below:
Having an Inclusive Community is also one of the strengths of Waverley College. The diversity of our community is what makes Waverley so special. I was lucky enough on Wednesday evening to attend the celebrations for the anniversary of Israel’s 75 years of independence. This wonderful event people from all around NSW and Australia, as well as a number of other countries, come together in solidarity to celebrate as one.
Israel gained independence three years after the conclusion of World War II, where 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Despite this and over 2,000 years of exile and persecution, they were able to maintain their identity, and despite many challenges, are a nation that is continuing to thrive. Australia and Israel have always had strong relationships, however, the amount of anti-Semitism in the world and in Australia over the past few years has, unfortunately, increased.
Waverley College will never accept any form of discrimination against another person. Regardless of race, religion, gender or any other difference, we need to be celebrating the differences that make us unique.
It is no secret that our students are not reading as much as we would like. At the recent Parent-Teacher interviews, so many parents/carers voiced their concerns about the lack of reading happening across all Year groups.
We also know from our participation last year in the Deakin University Study on Reading Among Teens in Australia, that reading is certainly not a priority among our students or many students in Australia. We are not alone.
This week I attended an online conference with the IBSC (International Boys’ Schools Coalition) entitled ‘Getting High School Boys to Read.’
It was wonderful to hear some strategies on how we can respond to this global decline in teen reading (particularly among boys). I was reassured by the fact that many of the strategies already put in place at Waverley College – in particular by Mr Roberts and the Library team – are best practice in terms of encouraging students to read.
Family reading time at home can encourage boys to develop as readers and develop a love for books
For parents and carers, one way in which we can all engage in this endeavour as adults is by modelling reading. “When children see adults reading a variety of books in the home, they are more likely to mirror that behaviour,” says Judy Newman, executive vice president and president of Scholastic Book Clubs. “Setting an example for your child as a lifelong reader will leave a vast impression.” Equally, if boys see male adults in their lives reading, they are more likely to follow suit.
At home, consider the idea of everyone reading the same books or listening to audiobooks on long car journeys and sharing some thoughts.
Everyone reads. Let’s show our boys that reading is part of everyone’s life, by reading diverse works that serve different purposes. Make a habit out of living through reading and remember that any reading is good reading. 10 minutes a day will suffice.
Click here for Year 7 reading lists
Click here for ages 12-13 reading lists
Click here for Years 8-10 reading lists
For nearly 20 years, the Whitlam Institute’s “What Matters?” Writing Competition has been empowering students to raise their voices and feel that their perspectives are valuable, no matter their age, background or point of view.
Part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity, “What Matters?” is the perfect platform for students to express what they care about and why.
Click the button below to view their website to learn more about the competition, get inspired by past entries, explore classroom resources, and view the amazing prizes on offer.
Click here to view more information about the What Matters? Competition
Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of 600 words or less, and can be submitted quickly online.
*Entries close today!
Student-Based-Tutoring (SBT) is back and running again for Term 2 to continue providing academic support for students. SBT works with competent senior students to provide high-quality tutors to help other boys in reaching their full potential.
SBT is available to any students from Monday to Wednesday 3:30pm-4:30pm in the library. SBT runs parallel to the current literacy and numeracy tutoring sessions, so students may also be able to get help from experienced teachers at the same time.
Why pay for private tutoring when free quality tutoring is available for you? The goal of SBT is to help Waverley students achieve improvements in all areas of academic life.
It also allows boys to meet with senior students who can give invaluable advice to help them achieve set targets, while learning how to still schedule time for co-curricular and social activities. School is about learning but you also have to have fun along the way, and SBT can teach you how to achieve both simultaneously.
Whether you want to go from 50% to 60% in a subject or from 85% to 90%, SBT is here to help you. SBT tutors can help you find your mistakes and may be able to teach you content that you are struggling with. Nobody is perfect, and these senior students have gone through hundreds of hours of study to reach their success. From this experience, they can provide techniques that worked for them.
Moreover, SBT provides an efficient way to increase your marks, while also building crucial relationships with senior students.
SBT is the one-stop shop for your academic aid, so make use of it.
Click here to view further details about Student Based Tutoring
Centre 360 Youth and Family Service Tuning in to Teens program is starting on Monday, 8 May 2023.
Several spots are available for this free, six week evidence-based parenting program.
Please call (02) 9331 2691 or email enquiries@stfrancis.org.au
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun
Assistant Director of Student Formation
When: Thursday, 11 May 2023, 6pm-7:30pm
Where: Woollahra Library, Double Bay – Level 1, 451 New South Head Road Double Bay
Cost: Free
This seminar is designed for parents and carers of tweens and teens (aged 10-17) who want practical information and strategies for effective communication and healthy relationships, and to better understand and manage adolescent behaviour.
The seminar will be led by clinical psychologist Dr Terri Said, CEO of WAYS Youth & Family and WAYS Secondary Principal, who will cover topics including:
Please click the button below to register and for further information.
When: Wednesday, 10 May 2023, 1oam
Where: online
Cost: Free
For parents/carers of children aged 9-14 years. Taught by Madeleine Winter, who is a Parent Coach and parent of a teen, with deep experience supporting parents/carers to build strong relationships with their children through every age and stage.
Click here for registration and bookings
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.
Discounts and Additional Fee
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 penalty equivalent to one term’s tuition fees will be payable. The relevant dates for 2023 are below:
I hope this message finds you all well and in good health as we welcome everyone back to school for the start of Term 2. I trust that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable break and is ready to resume their studies with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
As we begin this new Term, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our students of the importance of using feedback from Wednesday’s Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews to set academic goals and stay committed to their studies. This is a crucial time of the year, and we must all work together to ensure that our students receive the best possible education.
Our teachers have been working hard to develop engaging lessons that will challenge and inspire our students. We will continue to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.
Just a friendly reminder, particularly to our Year 7 parents/carers, that the Nurrunga digital newsletter is the College’s main form of communication with you. Updates and reminders are also sent via the Waverley College app. It is essential that you please put aside time each week to read the important messages in Nurrunga, which is delivered to the email address of every parent/carer, student and staff member every Friday afternoon during Term time.
On Monday, 24 April we commemorated our 2023 Anzac Day service. Years 5-12 students, staff, official guests, and our College community assembled in the Centenary Quad to mark this national day of remembrance. Anzac Day “marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.” – (Australian War Memorial website.)
Mounting the Catafalque Party opened the service and College Captain, Lachlan Grant, gave the Acknowledgement of Country. Commanding Officer – WCCU, MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow welcomed our community, delivering a memorable speech about the Australian Light Horse Brigade. She particularly educated us on the bravery and sense of duty of the 118 Indigenous Australians – the highest number of Indigenous servicemen of any regiment within the Australian Defence Force in World War I – who had to anglicise their names in order to sign up because they were not yet recognised as citizens.
These men were part of the well-known mounted charge of 1917 who defeated the Turkish defences, and captured the town of Beersheba, which meant that the British Empire forces were able to break the Ottoman line and move into Palestine.
As we viewed black and white archival images of World War I on the large external screens, MAJ(AAC) de Kantzow solemnly reminded us that the descendants of these servicemen sit amongst us today, including one Waverley student whose great-great grandfather, Indigenous Trooper Frank Fisher, was part of the Beersheba charge. A black and white photo of Frank Fisher in his military uniform was displayed on the large screens. Frank was also the great grandfather of the Olympic gold medallist, runner Cathy Freeman. MAJ(AAC) de Kantzow asked that we think of, and mourn, those who are not here.
Prayers of the faithful were each read by students from the SRC, after which images of the young men of Waverley College killed in action in World Wars I and II were exhibited, one by one, to the moving strains of the hymn ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ The laying of the wreath was performed by CPL Archie G and CPL Harrison T, ‘The Ode’ read by CUO Thomas G, and ‘The Last Post’ and ‘The Rouse’ beautifully played on the balcony of Level 3, by CPL Lachlan I. After we sang the National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand, a closing prayer completed the ceremony.
A special Light Horse Brigade exhibition will be displayed in the Senior School Library from Period 6 today. I hope all students will make the time to visit this exhibition to learn more and contemplate further the service of these remarkable men – men who gave us the freedom and security we enjoy in Australia today.
Beginning in Redfern 17 years ago, each ANZAC Day, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel who served Australia in overseas conflicts are recognised in the Coloured Diggers March. It begins at Redfern community centre and marches to the cenotaph at Redfern Park for the formal ceremony. Because the contributions and stories of First Nations servicemen and women in Australia have been largely overlooked in Australian history, each year this March is an impetus for truth telling and a commemoration of First Nations peoples’ resilience and service.
During World War I, for example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men were legally not allowed to join up, however over 1,000 served in this war with 70 serving in Gallipoli. After this war, these men were denied many of the benefits afforded to the non-Indigenous men who fought with them. Moving forward, we hope that events like this can make a significant contribution to the broader Reconciliation movement.
2023 Coloured Diggers March, ANZAC Day. Photo: courtesy Jo Miller.
Congratulations to Clement Halaholo (Class of 2022) on being awarded the highly esteemed ISCA Waratahs Scholarship 2023 by the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS) and International Sport College Australia (ISCA).
The ICMS Scholarship Program commenced in 2011 and is underpinned by three key values. Firstly, benevolence, this is our key platform to give back and prioritise corporate and social responsibility. As an independent higher education provider, the volume of giving at ICMS is unique.
L to R: Betul Sekendiz, Clement Halaholo, Ann Whitelock
This Youth Week, swap your pre-loved clothes, update your wardrobe and save money and the planet.
When: Sunday, 30 April, various times.
Where: Bondi Pavilion
*Please note Youth Week activities are ONLY open to people aged 12 – 24.
Click here to book your ticket
Welcome back to Term 2 and I hope all members of our community had an enjoyable break and Holy Easter period, as well as memorable ANZAC Day. Waverley College was its usually typical busy place during the holiday period.
A huge thank you to all of the staff and students that were part of the successful Japan Football and Rugby Tour. It was also great to see so many parents/carers over in Japan supporting the College. The students were outstanding and represented the College to a very high standard at all times.
We also had a number of staff and students involved in Year 12 Tutorials, Volleyball camps, AFL training as well as the Junior School Armidale Rugby Tour.
A reminder for this Term that all students must be in full winter uniform, including blazers to and from school. Also, a letter was sent on the College app this week, reminding students and parents/carers of the importance of using their Opal Cards to tap on and off all public transport, including school special buses. This is to ensure we have adequate transport before and after school. The bus providers will also be conducting random checks to ensure compliance.
A reminder to Year 12 students that our whole Year 12 photo in the Gym requires all students to be wearing blazers please.
This photo will be published in the 2023 Year Book so blazers are essential.
This week, we celebrated the appointment of all winter co-curricular Captains and 1sts teams and congratulations to those students presented. All students need to ensure that when they are supporting on the weekend, they must also be in full sports attire or winter uniform.
A very special welcome also to those new members of the College community this week. We have a handful of new students and a couple of new staff commencing their journey with us this Term, and I am sure that all members of the College community will embrace and assist these people when needed. Best wishes for Term 2.
We have recently been in discussions with FamilyZone regarding their product which we have partnered with for the last five years. Their software had provided parents/carers with the ability to control access to content on school-issued devices.
Following those conversations and with FamilyZone shifting the focus of their product to a new suite – Linewize/Qustodio – it has become clear that this solution, in its current form, is no longer viable on student-issued devices as it will not provide the same functionality as FamilyZone.
As a result, we will be removing the FamilyZone software from all student devices.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly, as cybersafety and encouraging good practices when using the Internet is paramount, however we did not want to perpetuate a product that is now not suitable for our devices.
iAssist will continue to investigate other solutions and will provide information to parents/carers. We will also remain across the Linewize development timeline, so that if they are able to provide the experience we want for our parents/carers in the future, we can revisit their platform.
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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