I have had the pleasure of meeting three new principals to the area over the last couple of weeks: Mrs Judith Poole (Headmistress of St Catherine’s School), Ms Ann Freeman (Principal of St Clare’s College), and Mr Michael Manton (Principal of St Charles’ Primary School). It is lovely to share ideas and concepts on how each community can support each other in our common goal of providing excellent educational and positive social outcomes and opportunities for students under our care.
I encourage you to read Ms Elizabeth Watson’s (Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning) article on high expectations and the educational research that supports this. You can make a significant contribution in partnership with the College in this space that will have a positive impact for your son.
Ms Gabby Smith’s (Deputy Principal – Students) article further encourages our partnership with you by outlining the process for booking in an online mentor meeting with your son’s Wellbeing Mentor.
Please take a moment to come in to view 2021 Year 12 student Jet Marsh-Cashman’s major artwork that toured across NSW during 2022 with the HSC ARTEXPRESS.
Jett’s Artwork ‘Missed Calls’ is a collection of works inspired by the missed calls we receive as urgent messages needing a response. The caller isn’t given the satisfaction of a response. Both sides are affected, experiencing a range of emotions, such as guilt, despair, anger, humour and happiness.
Jet’s intent with the audio message on each telephone was to create a common and relatable scenario, giving the audience the chance to interact and interpret, attaching their own understanding to each aspect of life expressed in the corresponding canvas. This experience is made more interactive as the audience views their reaction to each missed call.
Other final year student artwork on display in the Senior School reception includes Dylan Quirk’s ‘Natures Embodiment’ (2017 ARTEXPRESS), Angus McPherson’s ‘Coast From Above’ (Year 12 Major Artwork 2019), and Heath Jackson’s ‘Iron Horse’ (Year 12 Major Artwork 2020). All are impressive pieces, worthy of reflection and viewing.
Well done to Cooper Ryan on winning gold at the recent NSW Open Beach Volleyball tournament in the U16 division. Cooper will represent NSW as the top seed at the Nationals.
I encourage you and your son/s to support Project Compassion during Lent, which begins next week and runs until Easter. Project Compassion is a grassroots fundraiser that started in the 1960s in Australia, and moved on to become the national Lenten fundraising appeal. It is the main annual appeal for the organisation known as Caritas and is supported by every diocese, parish and Catholic school across the country.
The word Caritas comes from Latin, and means love and compassion. Caritas serves across 18 countries, working through 67 partnerships in communities to bring hope, support and compassion to the world’s most vulnerable people. Caritas is currently supporting the Turkey/Syrian earthquake and other crises across the world including; the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Africa, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
With your support and generosity, they can continue to work towards a more just and equal world for all. For more information, please see Ms Suzanne Walsh’s (Director of Identity) article.
Conscious that high achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations (Kinder, 2014), a priority area for the College is to foster a learning culture of pride, self and collective efficacy and high standards. Our reimagined Lesson Routine (version 2.0) aims to ensure that we have a consistent approach of high expectations to cultivate classroom environments conducive to quality learning experiences and that reflect the principles of our Teaching & Learning Framework.
Click here to view our Teaching & Learning Framework
The NSW Government Education and Communities assert that ‘ineffective classroom management impacts negatively on time available for teaching’. Educators agree that effective strategies to create well-managed classrooms;
John Hattie, a leading educational researcher, is well known for his work with “effect sizes”. Effect sizes measure which influences have an impact on student learning (positive, neutral or negative). He determines these sizes through meta-analysis of over 1,000 meta-analyses. (Meta-analyses combine results of several studies that address a set of related research theories). 0.4 is considered the hinge point. This represents the average effect that can be expected from one year of schooling. For influences with an effect size less than 0.4, we should consider the energy, time and resources spent to support these as they indicate progress is occurring at less than average rates.
Hattie’s Effect
To that end, Hattie’s research supports the importance of high teacher expectations/estimate of student achievement (1.29) and highlights that classroom management (0.52) directly influences time on task (0.62) and enables effective class discussion (0.82).
Interestingly, Williamson (2012) suggests that a teacher’s expectations, either high or low, become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Students perform in ways that teachers expect. All the more compelling for Waverley to promote a culture of high expectations. Ferguson (2002) goes further to say that a teacher’s beliefs about student potential are particularly powerful for students with challenging home circumstances.
The College staff collectively agree that, to support a culture of high expectations, operating in positive and productive learning environments, our lesson routine needed to convey;
Our Lesson Routine is displayed in all classrooms and on Vivi splash screens. Our Wellbeing mentors have also gone through the shared expectations of the updated lesson routine. A respectful three-way partnership between teachers, students and families is critical for successful learning outcomes. I encourage you to engage in conversations with your son about the value of consistent routines and the importance of high expectations, not just of others but of self.
Thank you to the teachers who collaborated on this project: Ms Helen Barrie, Mr Ed Davis, Mr Lachlan Drew-Morris, Mr John McCallum, Ms Lynsey Porter, Mr Bill Roberts, Mr Ben Steel, Ms Melanie Stephens, Ms Jenna Turnbull and Ms Elizabeth Watson.
Click here to view our Lesson Routine (Years 5-10)
On Monday, 27 February, from 1:30pm-3:30pm, parents/carers are invited to meet their son’s Wellbeing Mentor via Zoom, to engage in a conversation that will help us to best cater to their needs in 2023. This important initiative supports our student Wellbeing program.
The purpose is to know as much as possible about each student, both in and out of the classroom. By identifying their goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future, we can work together to bring about the best possible learning outcomes for your son. We rely on the three-way partnership formed between the College, families and your son for this to occur.
These meetings are in addition to Parent/Teacher academic interviews, which will also take place later in the semester.
Students in Years 7-12 will be dismissed at 1pm, because it is expected, where possible, that students will attend these meetings with their parents/carers. Limited supervision will be provided in the Library and in the Centenary Quad from 1pm-3:15pm.
Heads of House and our Psychologists are available to meet students and their families who may require additional support and assistance. Please email them directly if you wish to set up a meeting.
Click here to view contact details for our Heads of House
Click here to view contact details for our College Psychologists
Bookings can be made by logging into the Waverley College Parent Lounge via the parent landing page. Bookings will open at 9am on Saturday, 18 February and close at 5pm on Friday, 24 February.
Click here to access the Waverley College Parent Landing Page
If you are having issues accessing the portal please contact: iAssist at iassist@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Here at Waverley, we strive for a holistic education for our students and recognise the importance of acknowledging and celebrating success in all its measures. It was with great delight that we were able to celebrate the scholastic successes of our 2022 Major Award winners this week at our Academic Reception.
The recipients are to be congratulated on their commitment, determination and hard work. These students understand that success does not come from luck or by accident, nor does it come from being in the right place at the right time.
It comes from having agency in your learning, believing in yourself, critical reflection and engagement, setting and executing goals, being curious and co-operative, stepping outside your comfort zone, having a growth mindset and developing good habits and routines.
Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievements!
In addition to our major award winners, we would like to congratulate the following Year 12 students who sat their Advanced Mathematics HSC exam last year as accelerated Year 11 students. They were honoured on the distinguished achievers roll for the 2022 HSC for achieving a Band 6 in Advanced Mathematics.
We congratulate these Year 12 students who sat their Advanced Mathematics HSC exam last year as accelerated Year 11 students. They were honoured on the distinguished achievers roll for the 2022 HSC for achieving a Band 6 in Advanced Mathematics.
Both students undertook a rigorous application process to be accepted into these illustrious programs. We are very proud of them.
This Tuesday, to mark the beginning of Lent, we will have our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day.
All students are asked to donate a packet of six large pancakes and then at LUNCHTIME in the Centenary Quad, we will be selling pancakes, ice cream and syrup for $3.
Pancake packets can be left at the Wellbeing centre on Monday or before school on Tuesday.
All funds raised from this SRC event will be given to Project Compassion. Thank you in advance for supporting this fabulous initiative.
Shrove Tuesday 2022
Shrove Tuesday 2021
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, I’m delighted to introduce a fresh College initiative to support the health and wellbeing of students at Waverley. Our new Therapy Dog, Mabel! Our new College Psychologist, Ms Samantha Jessen, has recently completed specialised training through Therapy Dogs Australia, and with Mabel she is now a certified human-canine therapy team.
Mabel is a 17-month-old blonde Golden Retriever. Because research continues to acknowledge the positive, healing impact that animals have on our health and wellbeing, supporting student engagement, social skill development and calming, we expect that student interaction with Mabel will deliver numerous social, emotional and physiological benefits.
Student interaction with Mabel is voluntary. A Risk Management Plan is in place, however we appreciate that some parents/carers may still have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the Waverley College environment.
To this end, we have prepared a ‘Meeting Mabel – Opt Out’ form for parents/carers who would like to exercise this choice.
We encourage you to take the time to:
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Recently, Radio National’s ‘The Minefield’ aired a wonderful discussion on literacy entitled ‘What does it mean to be literate – and is it under threat?’
Click here to listen to the Radio National discussion
At the forefront of this discussion is the problem which resonates with everyone who works in education (and possibly every parent/carer) – a resistance to spending time reading in favour of the quick swipe, the speedy scan, the info grab. Again – let’s blame the usual culprits – TikTok, Insta, Snapchat!
Few of us – adults, teens and children – have time for books which require deep reading, focused attention, effort even. Apparently, we prefer words we just have to look at rather than words we have to read and actually process and think about. In doing so, however, we are missing out on actually improving our literacy.
To quote the program’s guest speaker, Maryanne Wolf (Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at the University of California in Los Angeles), “The time and cognitive-resource-demanding requirements of the deep reading process is getting lost in the transition from a literacy-based culture to a digital age.”
As an English and Literacy teacher of teens saturated in digital media, who knows all too well the challenges students face when presented with difficult texts, I have set myself the goal of ensuring that students ‘read deeply’ as often as possible. Yes, we will practise the skills of ‘skimming, scanning, sifting’. Students are already quite adept at this.
It is the making of connections that requires real effort, but brings the greatest reward. Through deep reading, students allow themselves to be surprised and moved somehow by what they read, because they bother to make the effort to connect with what they already know about themselves, and about life in the real world (not the digital world).
In our Year 7 and Year 8 Library Reading classes, our goal is to ensure that students read for pleasure. If students can read deeply for just 20-30 minutes, they will also improve their ability to read for pleasure, while becoming truly literate.
As quoted in the radio program ‘The Minefield’, the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said: “When I read a poem or narrative with feeling, surely something goes on in me which does not go on when I merely skim the lines for information.” We know it won’t happen immediately, but with this single, simple message and a good book in hand, that ‘something’ is sure to happen for our students at Waverley College in 2023.
All Year 7 students have been given a NAPLAN writing booklet to complete for home-learning over the next few weeks in preparation for the NAPLAN writing test in Week 7. All the resources can be located on the Year 7 English CANVAS page.
If parents/carers or students have any questions or enquiries about this work, please email Ms Mary Ryan at mryan01@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This is just one aspect of a holistic approach by all teachers to ensure that students in both Year 7 and Year 9 are well prepared for the NAPLAN tests taking place in Term 1 this year.
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.
Visit 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 information about the What Matters Writing Competition
Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of 600 words or less, and can be submitted quickly online.
Entries close Friday, 5 May 2023.
Student Based Tutoring (SBT) was started at the end of last year in an effort to provide more academic support for students who want to improve their academic ability. SBT provides competent senior students as tutors to help students to reach 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 goals 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 to achieve this success. 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 the SBT flyer
Jack Preller (Year 12)
Lacey House Captain, Waverley Tennis Captain, Founder of SBT
Dear Parents and Carers
The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Immunisation Team are due to attend Waverley College on Wednesday, 1 March 2023. The targeted grade for their first visit is Year 7. The team will be providing vaccinations for dTpa and HPV.
According to SESLHD, they have only received 30% of online consent forms. Waverley College usually has numbers well over 90% for vaccinations in Year 7. Please provide online consent via this link: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
Please note that all of the vaccination programs at Waverley College are run through the local health district as a part of NSW Health. If you are having any issues with the online consent forms, please contact them directly on (02) 9382 8333 (ext 2). If you would prefer a hard copy consent form, please email healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au and I will organise one to go home with your son.
Catch up vaccinations will also be offered for any student who missed out on any doses in previous visits. Please also note that there has been a change in HPV dose scheduling. Please refer to this Nurrunga article from last week about HPV scheduling for further information. As a result, the number of Year 8 students due for catch-up has reduced.
Parents/carers can refer to Australian Immunisation Record (AIR) to check outstanding vaccines. Parents/carers are required to notify the College if their child has completed their course elsewhere, to avoid any potential vaccination errors. Parents can also withdraw up to 24 hours before a clinic if they have provided consent online. If the withdrawal of consent is within 24 hours of the clinic date, the parent/carer must notify the College directly.
Please note that parents/carers need to consent to both vaccines online if they would like their child to receive both vaccines. Parents/carers can edit their consent on the portal up to 24 hours before a clinic. Additionally, parents/carers must not tick previously vaccinated for HPV, if their student has not received an HPV vaccine outside of school. Parents/carers can check their child’s vaccines through MyGov and Medicare.
Parents/carers unable to provide consent online must return a paper consent form to school.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Immunisation Team on 02 9382 8333 should you have any further queries relating to your upcoming visit.
Waverley College Health Centre Team
Looking for some summer magic? There’s something for everyone at Summerama and its FREE!
When: Sunday, 26 February, 9:30am-12:30pm
Where: Bronte and Bondi Beaches
Questions?
Click here to view the Summerama 2023 poster
Being up-to-date with the College’s response to vaping and how you can best educate and support your son is important. Over the holiday period we installed vape detectors in the Senior School bathrooms to deter students from vaping, and to ensure all students feel comfortable going to the bathroom.
Waverley College, like many other schools, has seen a recent spike in young people vaping. Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vaporised liquids into the lungs. There are many different styles of vapes and types of e-liquids, or e-juices, available. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.
The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe.
Common vapes. Image: courtesy NSW Health
Tell-tale signs that your child might have started vaping include the symptoms of nicotine addiction such as feeling irritable or anxious.
The Laws Around Selling Vapes
Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts on social media.
There are a number of retailers who sell vapes to young people. This is a crime. If you suspect someone is selling vapes to minors, you can report it to NSW Health via its website or by calling the Tobacco Information line on 1800 357 412.
It is important for young people to understand the risks associated with vaping and make informed decisions about their health. It is also important for parents/carers to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of vaping, and to support policies that help reduce its use among young people.
I refer you to an article published in The Conversation on 23 January 2023 titled My teen’s vaping. What should I say? 3 expert tips on how to approach ‘the talk’. This article provides useful information strategies and support in regards to vaping.
Today, our Year 12 (Class of 2023) listened to an engaging address by Paul Dillon titled: ‘Last Year of School: What Do I Need to Know About Alcohol and Other Drugs?’ Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug education for over 30 years.
In a frank and effective delivery, Paul spoke specifically about alcohol and drugs as they pertain to the lives of young males. He explained that young males take risks for longer and exhorted our students to plan ahead.
Paul Dillon
In plain terms and using useful statistical examples, he shared information about e-cigarettes, vaping, and the realities of the composition of liquid nicotine that is ingested when using vapes. He hammered home the speed of addiction via vapes, the toxicity of nicotine and its propensity to poison.
He gave practical advice about alcohol, driving, RBT (random breath tests) – particularly in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney – and positive Blood Alcohol Content, encouraging our students to make smart choices when they get behind the wheel. He also explained that Mobile Drug Testing (MDT) is not random, but selective, and clarified mobile drug testing protocols for students who may be taking ADHD medication.
He spoke freely about LSD and other psychedelics, naturally-occurring drugs, MDMA/ecstasy, and recent ecstasy-related deaths in Australia.
Our students listened intently to Paul’s direct delivery, and were privileged to have access to his good quality information and best practice drug education.
I encourage Year 12 parents/carers to talk with your son about what he learned today.
For the past four years, Waverley College has established successful initiatives to support our LGBTQIA+ students and community. These are deliberate actions to ensure that each individual feels valued, respected, and accepted at the College.
Waverley College is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, in particular for same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people. This is living our values of the EREA ‘Safe and Inclusive Learning Communities Statement’ and our Inclusivity Touchstone.
We warmly invite any students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and students who are supportive allies, to join a supportive group.
Interested students are encouraged to have a conversation with their parents/carers about joining this group, then contact one of the following staff for more information:
Interested students, parents and carers should email:
Mr David Parnell dparnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
or
Ms Stephanie Falk sfalk@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Through this event, and ongoing projects, the College aims to ensure all students feel a sense of connectedness and belonging, paramount to positive student wellbeing and self-esteem.
In keeping with College practices, conversations are affirming and empathetic; confidentiality and appropriate boundaries are respected.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Inspiration, commitment and hard work was personified on Thursday, 9 February as students, staff, parents, carers and members of the Waverley community gathered together to welcome back and celebrate our high achievers from the Class of 2022.
These assemblies set the tone for the Academic year ahead. They inspire hope and propel us to strive toward something better, greater and higher.
Waverley is a diverse learning community and in 2022, 160 students choose their own path to complete Year 12. Whether they selected an HSC+ ATAR or HSC+ Vocational pathway, each person’s journey was unique. Their chosen learning path played to their strengths. It engaged their interest and passion to help them succeed.
A common theme among our Class of 2022 was the resilience and determination shown throughout their learning journey. We commend the grit that many of them drew upon to make significant and impressive progress throughout their time at Waverley College.
Despite the fact that two of their final three years of school had extended lockdowns within them, they emerged to lead the College with a positive, no-fuss attitude. They rallied together to build a culture of pride, one of high standards and one that endures to the end. They believed they could achieve great things… and indeed they did.
We were delighted to hear two of our 2022 Graduates speak at the assembly; Charles Alexander and Jared Garwood. Both indicated that this was the first time they had addressed an assembly, and felt a little outside their comfort zone. They should be very proud of their respective speeches. They were articulate, humorous and motivational.
They shed light on their HSC experiences at the College and offered some wonderful words of encouragement and advice to our student body. Both highlighted that finding that perfect study technique is very individual. They challenged the students to experiment with different strategies until they find something that works for them. They pointed out the importance of finding the right balance and having good relationships with their peers and their teachers.
Charles encouraged the student body to find something that motivates them, relaxes them and gives them joy while on their HSC journey. He felt that “with these three things alone, you can achieve anything you wish in the world!” He urged students to take every opportunity to involve themselves in the broad range of activities on offer; speaking of how his involvement in Rugby, Cadets and Music Ensembles gave him balance and discipline with his academic studies.
Congratulations, Charles Alexander
Charles commended his peers for the way they helped one another, shared resources and encouraged each other to stay motivated and focused. We wish Charles every success as he embarks on a Bachelor of Construction Project Management at UTS.
It was with great pleasure to award Jared Garwood with the plaque of Highest ATAR 2022 (98.5). In addition to that, Jared made the Premier’s All Rounder List and SMH Distinguished Achiever in Engineering Studies, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Physics and Studies of Religion II.
Jared reflected on his time at Waverley, acknowledging that each person’s HSC experience is unique. For him, the HSC was about self-growth, responding and overcoming challenges and achieving a good result. It was important for Jared to set targets and aim high. Jared had a goal of 90 plus ATAR and at least two Band 6s. He knocked that out of the park!
Congratulations, Jared Garwood, who was awarded the plaque of Highest ATAR 2022 (98.5)
He highlighted the importance of “staying connected with the people around you” and said the study technique that worked best for him was peer mentoring. To teach and learn from his peers enabled him to better understand and retain concepts. He found motivation through competition – competition with self and others. He would turn each assignment into a competition, wanting to do better each time. We wish Jared every success as he embarks on a double degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) (Honours) at UNSW.
It is safe to say that the Class of 2022 found their success in very different ways. Whatever path our Year 12 boys chose, it is important to remember that they leave the College with much more than just a number, mark or rank. The journey that brought each student to this point has been far more valuable.
I congratulate the entire HSC Class of 2022 on their fine results and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to the outstanding commitment of staff and the tireless support of parents and carers during their son’s learning journey.
Click here to view the Roll Call of Academic Honour for full details of our 2022 High Achievers
This week, Waverley celebrated the successes of our 2022 HSC High Achievers. We are so proud of each and every one of you, and send our best wishes for the next exciting chapter of your journey.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
ewatson@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.
Watch our video
