‘Effective schools keep up to date with developments in research and professional knowledge.’
(Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), 2016)
Waverley College strives for every student to be engaged, challenged and learning successfully. We recognise that highly effective teaching is the key to achieving this. Educational research affirms “that engaging teachers in high quality professional learning is the most successful way to improve teacher effectiveness and hence improve student outcomes.” (Greenwald, Hedges & Laine 1995; Guskey & Huberman 1995; Elmore & Burney 1997; Hawley & Valli 1999; Elmore 2002).
This week, the teaching staff had the pleasure of Jorga Marrum – lead educational consultant from the AIS (Association of Independent schools) – facilitate our Professional Learning day on Deep Learning. Jorga has been working closely with Heads of Department and Curriculum teams for the last 18 months, designing inquiry units across Years 5-10 in English, Science, Visual Arts and Geography. She will continue to work with design teams for the next 18 months to deepen units of work across all KLAs.
Deep learning is the process of students acquiring the six Global Competencies: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. These skills and attributes are essential for learners to flourish as citizens, and to engage and innovate successfully in our increasingly complex and connected world.
Deep Learning moves students beyond surface knowledge by creating learning experiences where students go deeper in knowledge, standards and assessment. Students are actively involved in the learning process as co-designers and co-learners.
Deepening units of work enlivens our Teaching & Learning Framework. A framework inspired by EREA’s ‘Liberating Practice’ and Australia’s national goal of all young people becoming ‘successful lifelong learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens.’ (Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2021).
I look forward to keeping you updated on our exciting Deep Learning journey, as well as sharing and celebrating student work.
Drug and alcohol expert, Paul Dillon, returns to Waverley College presenting to Years 10 and 11, as well a parent session at 6pm on Thursday, 3 November. Paul has been working in the area of drug education for more than 30 years.
The College has responded to feedback from the Parents’ Association and will hold the parent session via Zoom.
Paul regularly appears in the media and is regarded as a key social commentator, with interviews on television programs such as Sunrise, TODAY and The Project. Paul also writes a blog where he discusses topical issues of the day, as well as addressing some of the questions and queries he is regularly asked by those attending his presentations.
Paul Dillon
Paul’s presentations cover a variety of drug and alcohol-related issues, including the decline in alcohol consumption and the rise in vape use. Interestingly, he sees online gambling as an area of increasing concern for adolescent boys. This issue has previously been identified at the College and discussed at House Meetings, College Assembles, Mentor Groups as well as in PDHPE lessons.
Our Wellbeing Framework relies heavily on the parent partnership. I encourage all parents to log in to Paul’s session on the Thursday, 3 November. It is sure to be an entertaining and informative presentation. The parent session is titled ‘Vaping – short and sweet: What do parents need to know?
Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’) has become a growing issue for many parents and carers across the country. Waverley College is not immune to this. This session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on the use of e-cigarettes and vaping, including the potential harms associated with the use of these devices, particularly for young people.
Practical advice will also be provided on how to talk to young people about vaping, as well as some possible responses that parents/carers can use, should their child attempt to challenge them in this complex area.
Click to join the Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 814 7077 9076
Passcode: 224589
Young people might have a lot of fun playing online games, but parents and carers need to make sure they empower their children to make wise decisions and help them manage the risks.
Numerous games can help your child become more coordinated, adept at problem-solving and multitasking, and help them develop social skills through online interaction with other players. However, it’s also critical to comprehend what may go wrong and what might be harmful to your child. Carers need to play an active role in understanding and being aware of what their young person is playing online and who they are interacting with.
This week’s SchoolTV provides parents and carers with strategies to walk with our young people to navigate the pitfalls of online gaming.
Click to view the SchoolTV edition on Online Gaming
This week, I spoke to students at our College Assembly about the need to tighten up in a number of areas. The Heads of House have identified the following areas that will be focused on in Term 4.
Mobile phones are not to be on a student during school hours.
For Years 7-12
◆ 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.
◆ If a mobile phone is brought to any class, a student will receive a one-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 or supervising adult, can expect a one-hour detention. Mobile phones will be confiscated if it becomes an ongoing disruption to the learning process, has been a medium for a breach of privacy, or holds information pertaining to a crime. Parents or carers will be notified immediately about any confiscation.
For Years 5-6
◆ Devices are collected in the classroom at the beginning of the day and placed securely in the office. At the end of the College day, they are collected and returned to each student.
Vaping is illegal for those under the age of 18 years. Vapes are a Schedule 4 drug in the Poison Standard, thus requiring prescription. They contain nicotine which is an addictive substance with harmful side-effects. Any student in possession of a vape will face a consequence in line with the College’s drug and alcohol policy. Consequences may include (but not limited to) suspension or enrolment review.
Common vapes. Image: courtesy NSW Health
Families make a significant financial commitment to send their sons to Waverley College.
Any student who deliberately damages school property will be billed for the repair/replacement costs incurred as a result of their actions.
4th Payment – Only applies to current Year 6* students continuing into Year 7 in 2023; due date 14/10/2022
*As per the updated conditions of enrolment and as indicated on the College website from 2023, for all Years 5 and 7 enrolments, Term 1 tuition fees are charged in Term 4, in the year prior. This includes continuing Year 6 (2022) students into Year 7 (2023). This replaces the “continuing confirmation deposit” charged in the 3rd Payment to Year 6. Year 5 and 7 will still receive an invoice in Term 1, 2023 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 2022 are below:
A reminder for those who have not already done so, that payment for the Term 1 2023 School Fees is due today, Friday 14 October 2022.
As per the updated conditions of enrolment and as indicated on the College website from 2023, for all Years 5 and 7 enrolments, Term 1 tuition fees are charged in Term 4, in the year prior.
For those families with Edstart, please ensure you have emailed your statement through to contact@edstart.com.au
Please contact schoolfees@waverley.
Thank you.
Waverley College Finance Team
Historically, Waverley has engaged ex-students and those at University to be added to our casual list for assisting with basic caretaking duties. There are no fixed hours for this role, and caretakers are called in when and if required, on an ad-hoc basis. For this reason, candidates would ideally live in the local to Waverley area.
Assisting with setups for large school events/exams often working unsupervised.
Providing cover for permanent Caretaking staff when they are absent.
Site lockup duties and liaising with Private Hires.
Full training is given.
Anyone over 18 will need to provide a full Working With Children Check number.
We ask that candidates provide a mobile number that can be used when we need staff for the work listed above. On the occasions we need a team to help with setups, you will be contacted by Waverley staff who will give as much notice as possible.
If you would like more information, please email Mr Simon Potter at spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
At the end of last term, I wrote to parents advising them of changes to the way they would log in to School Applications. Over the break, we have had a great take up of this new process and some positive feedback on this change.
For parents who may have missed the email, this is a reminder of the process to get set up with the new Single Sign On.
All Parents will be provided with a Single Sign-on (SSO) username and the ability to set up a new password. The username will be created using the email addresses registered with the College.
This new process will simplify the way Parents access school information, and will also provide Parents with a new dedicated Landing Page to access College systems.
To ensure a smooth transition to the new system, the following timeline will be adopted:
Transport for NSW has advised that applications for student travel in 2023 opened from Monday 10 October 2022.
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2023 can apply now.
View detailed information by clicking on the button below.
A National Reading Habits Survey will be conducted from Week 3 during two selected classes for Years 7-11.
If you would like to read more about this important survey, or if you would like your son to ‘opt out’ of participating in this survey, please click on the button below.
National Reading Habits Survey and Consent
Registrations are now open for the Year 7, 2024 ACER Academic Scholarship exam.
Academic scholarships are awarded to a limited number of students who demonstrate academic excellence in the ACER examination. They can cover up to 100% of tuition fees.
The Academic scholarship is open to students who will commence Year 7 in 2024.
You need to register for the ACER Academic Scholarship exam through the ACER website.
Applications open: Tuesday, 27 September 2022
Applications close: Midnight AEDST Monday, 6 February 2023
Test date: Saturday, 25 February 2023
Examination venue: Waverley College senior campus
Cost: $130 is payable to ACER upon registration
Academic scholarships are awarded based on:
Academic Excellence
Success at Interview
Further information on our Academic Scholarship is available through our website.
Please feel free to contact the Registrar, Ms Kylie Anderson at registrar@waverley.nsw.edu.au, if you have any further questions.
In Week 3 of Term 4, Waverley College will be housing a fully bulk billed, mobile optometry and dental services van, onsite.
Please see some information below on the optometry services available. Scan the QR code to register and apply for an appointment for your child, by clicking on the button below.
Click here to view the QR Code
Since COVID-19 lockdowns, people are using devices such as laptops and mobile phones, even more than before. This is causing issues with students’ eyes, such as eye strain, tired eyes, headaches and intermittent or constant blur. This is called Computer Vision Syndrome.
*MOBILEYES OPTOMETRY PROVIDES FULLY BULK BILLED EYE CHECKS TO ALL STUDENTS WITH A VALID MEDICARE CARD.
Mobileyes optometrists are highly trained to fully assess not only visual acuity, but also eye teeming, accommodation, and binocular skills, all of which make up the visual system.
Vision is responsible for more than 80 per cent of learning.
Our optometrists assess the students and offer training, advice and eye exercises, and can even provide free glasses, if eligible, through Vision Australia. We receive beautiful up-to-date spectacle frames via generous donations, to ensure all students get really nice glasses which they are happy to wear. These are far nicer than the standard vision care glasses, and FREE to eligible students.
Vision is the most important sense for learning, as it is used to process information. More than 80% of all learning is visual.
Behavioural Optometrists are trained to not only correct vision issues, but also help prevent the vision changes in the first place, by using early intervention methods such as readers and/or eye exercises. Onsite services save busy parents, time and money.
On the day students are assessed as follows:
Our details are on the reports, for parents to email or call for further information, if needed.
Once the reports are received, students who need glasses via this service can contact us directly for more information, or send their Centrelink statements up front with their child’s consent form, so that glasses can be fitted with the student on the day, reducing time delays.
To be eligible for the NSW Spectacles Program, Centrelink Recipients must:
Three of our valued members of the Parents’ Association are retiring from the Committee at the end of the year, and so we are on the hunt for some fresh faces around the table. There are many wonderful events to get involved with and help run, including the Mother & Son Lunch, 120 Year Celebrations, Mother’s Day Stall, to name but a few.
There are termly meetings where you will be able to hear directly from the College Leadership Team and actively get involved in College activities.
Please submit expressions of interest for the following positions for 2023 and beyond to Ms Emma Laurence – Marketing & Development Manager elaurence@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The next Parents’ Association meeting and AGM will take place on Tuesday, 8 November 2022, (NB change in date from Tuesday, 1 November) where the office bearers for 2023 will be elected.
We look forward to hearing from you.
A WAYS Safe Summer is a peer education program for young people, run by WAYS Youth & Family. A WAYS focusses on health issues affecting young people, such as sexual health, mental health and harm minimisation around alcohol and other drugs.
If you are aged between 15 and 24, and live, work or study in the Inner and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney (City of Sydney, Randwick City, Waverley, Woollahra Local Government Areas), you may be interested in becoming a Peer Educator or Youth Ambassador for A WAYS.
Would you like to know more? Click on the links below for detailed information about this unique employment opportunity.
Applications close Thursday, 27 October, 5pm.
Click here to view the position description
Click here to view the Application Form
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
