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.
Dear Parents and Carers
As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, we are implementing a new permission slip process. This process is designed to make it easier for you to submit your permission for excursions and other events, and for us to manage them more efficiently.
*Starting from Term 2, notifications will be made available electronically through the Parent Lounge and Waverley College app.
The new process will allow you to both receive and submit approvals, and make necessary changes to your sons’ medical records where applicable.
Unfortunately, your son may not be able to participate in the activity. It is really important that you keep an eye on your notifications, and ensure that you submit the approvals on time.
We hope that this new process will make it easier for you to submit and track your permissions, and ensure that all necessary information is received on time.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the new process, please do not hesitate to contact the College.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
*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.
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.
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:
On 4 May, our Senior Ethics Olympiad teams will be competing in the Olympiad where over 300 teams are registered so far.
The College has a proud history of competing in the Ethics Olympiad wherein teams engage in rigorous discussion around interesting ethical cases.
The Ethics Olympiad provides schools and universities with a unique opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
It is designed to get students thinking, talking and ultimately working together on some of the tough moral issues of our time.
Ms Helen Barrie
Head of Academic Enrichment
Science Club was a hit in Term 1 with students participating in exciting experiments each week and exploring their passion for Science!
Science Club provides an opportunity for students to be presenting, critically analysing, and applying their understanding of scientific data and related concepts. Students must play an active role in their own learning experiences to increase engagement and academic achievement.
This Program has been created with the focus on student-centred, inquiry-based learning.
In each session, students will have the opportunity to experiment with a focus on deepening their ability to apply the scientific method across all branches of Science.
The scientific skills embedded in this program are woven throughout the Stage 3-6 Science Syllabi and reflect Depth Studies and skills examined in the HSC courses.
In Term 2, Science Club will run on a Thursday from 3:30pm-5pm in K2L3.
The Parent/Carer letter below stresses the importance for all school students to Tap On and Off with a valid Opal card. This is a requirement for all school students.
Transdev John Holland Buses representatives will also be conducting random visits to school bus stops to reinforce this message to students throughout the year.
Click here to view the Parent/Carer letter
Click the button below to view factsheets regarding Road Safety. Pages 9 and 10 specifically relate to safe bus travel.
Click here to view the Factsheets
Transdev John Holland Buses (NSW) Pty Ltd
JHB School Engagement Team
02 7257 2400
www.transdevjohnholland.com.au
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 is on these young 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.
Bronze Award: Lunchtime meeting held in the Fitzgerald Room, Wednesday Week B. Please arrive promptly at 1pm to have your name marked off.
Silver and Gold Award: Lunchtime meeting held in the Fitzgerald Room, Friday Week A. Please arrive promptly at 1pm to have your name marked off.
For all enquiries please contact: Mr Alon Horry or Ms Laura McLarnon.
Students, teachers, parents and carers, please join our Waverley College team in the City2Surf on 13 August in support of local charity, ‘Running for Premature Babies.’ Funds raised will go to life-saving neonatal equipment, giving sick and premature babies a better chance of survival.
Please join us for what will be a fantastic community day out. All fundraising team members will receive a free running tee shirt or singlet. After the race, our team is invited to join the charity in their finish line tent for refreshments, so we can gather to celebrate our achievement.
All welcome! Walk, run or wheel your way to Bondi, have fun, and help save the lives of sick and premature babies.
To find out more about the charity, visit runningforprematurebabies.com
Thank you to all the students and staff that contributed to a beautiful and impressive Easter Liturgy at our final assembly for the term. It included a First Nation smoking ceremony, some impressive singing by our choir and different Easter perspectives shared with the audience; Ms Martina Cooper (Irish perspective), Year 11 student Joseph Tangi (Tongan perspective), Ms Phoebe Guirguis (Orthodox Church) and College Captain (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective). Hope, love and family were all common Easter themes shared by the speakers.
Congratulations to all students from Years 5-12 on a great Term 1. I would also like to acknowledge both the teaching and support staff for all of their hard work both inside and outside of the classroom. The images captured by student Zac Coonan (Year 11) in the presentation below, gives us all small but colourful insight into the many wonderful experiences and learning opportunities that took place during Term 1.
I encourage both Year 12 and Year 11 to embrace the study programs shared with both year levels from Ms Elizabeth Watson and the Teaching & Learning Team. A few hours a day will still allow opportunities for a break and to refresh, but the cumulative effect of consistent revision will have a positive impact on their final goals and outcomes.
>>> Click here to view the Year 11 Term 1 Study Guide.
>>> Click here to view the Year 12 Term 1 Study Guide.
Final plans are being prepared for a Year 12 Study Lounge space to be created under the Kenny Building. It will provide a range of seating and standing study variations to cater to different preferences for our Year 12s, and provide a conducive and quiet space for study. We are hoping this space can be up and running by the end of Term 2.
We are also seeking to move the Tevlin Locker space up into the Centenary Quad. This will free up this space to create a microwave room which will allow many more microwaves to be installed, and reduce student waiting time to heat food.
Past staff member Mr Greg Harris (2IC Junior School) has been battling blood cancer for a number of years and he has been fighting the good fight. Please keep Greg and his family in your prayers this Easter, as he is currently struggling with his health.
Mr Greg Elliot (PDHPE teacher) is taking 12 months leave to teach and travel overseas.
I will be attending and representing the College at the EREA International Congress in Ireland, where Edmund Rice our Founder was born, lived, started schools, inspired others and helped those in need. The last EREA Congress was cancelled three years ago due to COVID-19.
At the congress in Ireland, Edmund Rice School Principals from Africa, North America, South America, Oceania, India, and Europe will all be attending. I will also be taking some renewal leave (sabbatical leave) at the end of the congress and spending some time at the United Nations in Geneva, to learn about the work of Edmund Rice International, its engagement with the UN, and how schools might work with Edmund Rice in the promotion of human rights and advocacy.
I will be away for the first seven weeks of Term 2 and Ms Gabby Smith as the EREA-appointed Deputy Principal will be Acting Principal. Mr Stephen O’Donnell will be Acting Deputy Principal – Students, and Mr Patrick Darvill will be Acting Director of Co-curricular. Congratulations to Gabby, Stephen and Patrick.
We wish our 75 Football and Rugby students and staff all the best on their extensive cultural and sporting tour of Japan, along with our Junior School Armidale Rugby tourists, who will compete on the central NSW tablelands in one of the largest and longest running Rugby tournaments.
Cooper recently won the silver medal (under 16s) at the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships. He competed against 22 teams from six states and the ACT at the Nationals.
At the Australian Schools Cup there were 54 schools with over 180 teams from Victoria, NSW, and Queensland from Years 7-12. Cooper won the gold medal and was awarded most valuable player. He also received multiple positive comments from coaches and parents/carers on how good the Waverley Indigenous top looked that he played in.
Membership of the YAC is open to children and young people between 12-24 years of age residing in NSW. Applications are sought from children and young people from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and from different locations around the state. Written or video applications are welcome.
The 12-member YAC provides a direct avenue of communication between young people and the NSW Government. The YAC meets regularly throughout the year to discuss a range of topics and provide feedback on policies, procedures and resources affecting children and young people.
Members also provide feedback to government agencies and decision makers, community organisations and the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People on issues concerning children and young people.
Applications close 21 May 2023.
>>> Click here to view 2024 YAC registration information.
Lord God,
You loved this world so much, that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too.
Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, everyday.
Let us have hearts of thankfulness.
For your sacrifice, let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation.
Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world.
All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us
Mary Mackillop – Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever.
Safe travels to those heading abroad, interstate, or driving over the Easter break.
Happy Easter to the Waverley College Community.
As we approach the end of Term 1, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation to all students. This year has begun incredibly well due to their hard work, dedication, and commitment to their studies and responsibilities at Waverley.
I have been impressed by the level of engagement and participation that I have witnessed in our classrooms, on excursions and across all our co-curricular activities.
I also want to acknowledge our teachers for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in guiding and inspiring all students. It is through their hard work that they are able to attend a school that offers rich learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
When we return to school next term, we will hold Horizontal meetings as we did this term. During these meetings, we will provide students with key information for the Term ahead and ensure our high standards continue to be met. Our expectations as we move into Term 2 are outlined below:
Waverley College has a strict haircut policy, which all students are required to adhere to. Please support the College in its implementation.
Hair should be neatly cut, combed and maintained. Hair should be shorter than the collar.
Long hair or outlandish styles are not acceptable.
Undercut styles, dramatic layering, tracks, mohawks, mullets, overuse of product, tinting, colouring, dreadlocks, strands of hair, buns, braids or lines are not acceptable.
A number 2 cut is the shortest acceptable cut.
If students do not comply with a request by their Head of House to address any breaches, they will then have two options:
If your son arrives at the College at the commencement of Term 2 with a haircut that is not in line with College policy, he will either be sent home on his first day or we will have a hairdresser on site where he can receive a haircut at the cost of $20, charged to his school fees account. Your son will be given a choice on this day and a note will be logged on his file. There will be no phone calls home.
Mobile phones continue to be a distraction to students in school. During school hours, students should be focussing on learning and their relationships with the people around them.
For the safety and wellbeing of students, our mobile phone policy is as follows:
Devices are to be stored in lockers, and preferably placed on silent or flight mode to eliminate loud ringtones. They can only be used next to one’s locker before school, recess, lunch or after school for short periods of time.
The only exception to this is when students are instructed to contact their parent/carer regarding variations to scheduled events or, under direct teacher supervision, they may use their device.
Devices cannot be taken to class (every student has a laptop in class).
If a mobile phone is brought to any class, a student will receive a one-hour detention. If they continue to bring their phone to class, they will receive a three-hour detention.
Parents/carers needing to contact their son during class time, should contact the College reception directly.
Students found to have mobile devices switched ‘on’, using devices to ‘hotspot’ laptops to external data sources, bypassing the College’s network, or used in any way deemed inappropriate by College staff, can expect a one-hour detention.
Mobile phones will be confiscated if it becomes a distraction to the learning process, has been a medium for a breach of privacy, or holds information pertaining to a crime. Parents/carers will be notified immediately about any confiscation.
Devices are collected in the classroom at the beginning of the day and placed securely in a locked cupboard. At the end of the school day they are collected and returned to each student.
Wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, it creates an identity for a school, and is an important part of being a school student.
We ask that students wear their uniform with pride, which includes wearing the shirt tucked in at all times. Students who continue to ignore this request will receive a one-hour detention.
As we move into Term 2, blazers are required to and from school.
We also ask that students ensure they are wearing appropriate footwear. Please see our expectations below:
Standard black leather lace-up shoes are the only acceptable footwear, except during sport.
No suede or branded shoes ie: Nike, New Balance, ASICS 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.
Locks are provided for all students at the commencement of their Year 7 Waverley journey. A large number of students do not have locks on their lockers and therefore continue to carry their mobile phones with them, as they can not lock them away. All students will be required to use their allocated Waverley lock from the commencement of Term 2. If they do not have this lock, they will be given a replacement at a charge of $50, which will be charged to their school fee account.
We expect students to report any incidents of bullying, harassment, discrimination, injuries, near-misses or acts of violence. Reporting directly contributes to preventing a future incident happening again. The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept. You can report an incident directly or anonymously – speak with your parents, carers, Wellbeing mentor, teacher, psychologist, College Registered Nurse, Head of House, College Leadership Team member, Deputy Principal, Principal or online via the Incident Report form.
We expect all students to be responsible and respectful to one another, and to the community. We ask that they treat each other with kindness and respect, and that they take responsibility for their actions. We believe that by working together, we can create a positive and inclusive community for everyone.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@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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