Further to my previous communications regarding school fees, the College is unfortunately receiving $27M less funding from the Government (both State and Commonwealth) over the years up until 2029. We therefore do not have a choice but to continue to address this issue.
In previous years, the College has absorbed $1.6M of reduced government funding (2021) and incurred further funding reductions of $2M (2022/2023). Further economic factors such as increases in inflation, wages and interest rates have also impacted the operations of the College, and are likely to continue to do so at least in the short term. The College has attempted to spread the recovery of part of this loss in funding and economic pressures across a number of years to lessen the impact on families. Whilst I appreciate the topic of fee increases is not the best of news, this is not something that has been orchestrated by the College.
Parents responding to the fees survey in 2021 were asked whether they were willing to pay more for the same service they currently receive. Their feedback indicated that they ranked particular attributes more highly than others. Those ranked most important were the quality of education (quality of teaching and learning, and the quality of teachers), as well as value for money. Many of the respondents considered a fee increase reasonable and affordable (still representing good value for money). However, some respondents stated an unwillingness to pay higher fees. A large number of these, and indeed most parents, indicated a deep connection to the College. They indicated that they would be resistant to leaving, but also acknowledged that, in some cases, they would need to absorb the cost themselves, or seek other finance options to pay fees.
I want to give you as much advance notice as possible that we are looking at an approximate fee increase of $438 per student for each term for 2023. We have added more options to assist with the payment of school fees including quarterly (four terms), monthly, and fortnightly payment options. For those families that need some additional time for payment, further flexible payment options are available via Edstart. Parents can apply at any time during the year, and Edstart will tailor a plan to meet your needs, based on your remaining school fee balance. Edstart is able to provide flexibility to families where their payments are set at a manageable level over the entire schooling period and beyond. This means that families are able to better manage their budget and are less likely to fall behind on their school fee payments.
>>> Click here to calculate your plan and apply online.
P: 1800 139 445
In terms of where does this fee increase place Waverley compared to other independent schools in Sydney? or for that matter across other Australian capital cities? These fee increases due to our reduction in government funding still leaves Waverley as good value when compared to other independent schools which are considerably higher. Even with fee increases in 2023 and 2024, our pricing will remain significantly lower than comparable independent schools.
The College is committed to providing a holistic education that aims to develop each student’s cognitive, spiritual, social, emotional, cultural and physical dimensions. We offer academic and vocational pathways and a broad co-curricular program across both the visual and performing arts and sports. And, we continue to seek academic improvement for all students, with the appointment of some new positions and new programs; Head of Enrichment, Head of Literacy/Reading, two academic streamed classes in Years 7 and 8, and the implementation of Writers Toolbox across the College, which aims to provide programs to improve writing outcomes.
| Year Group | Tuition Fees |
| Year 5 | $15,250 |
| Year 6 | $16,060 |
| Year 7 | $17,560 |
| Year 8 | $17,560 |
| Year 9 | $17,950 |
| Year 10 | $18,250 |
| Year 11 | $19,150 |
| Year 12 | $19,150 |
I would like to congratulate the following students who had great success in the World Scholar’s Cup for Debating last weekend:
Charlie Murphy, Ewan McDonald, Campbell Porteus, Ricardo Zanapalis, Jock Edwards, Tashi Harrison, James Peate, Thomas Jackson-Whitlock and Nick Zanapalis.
Please refer to Ms Melanie Stephens’ article for more details.
>>> Click here to view the article by Ms Melanie Stephens.
Congratulations to our Track & Field Team who placed 3rd in the 90th CAS Track & Field Championships at Homebush last night. Thank you to the parents, coaches, staff and students who braved the rain to valiantly support our Track & Field Team.
Trinity Grammar School 708
Knox Grammar 633
Waverley College 606
The Cranbrook School 531
St Aloysius College 526
Barker College 499
For R U OK? Day, students came together to create a beautiful, vibrant message to share with the community by recreating the New Radicals song ‘You Get What You Give’, a song about self-belief, optimism, staying true to yourself and going for your dreams – all values that align with the important message of R U OK?
Please click on one of the following link and share with your friends:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lwq5O7b8QOA
Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CieyFl0Ajw3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Facebook Link: https://fb.watch/fykhJ8QN4V/
I would like to congratulate the following students on their wonderful singing and participation:
And, thank you to the staff who assisted with the production: Ms Jaz Dolso, Mr Chris Balkizas, Ms Emma Laurence, Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Ms Cathy O’Sullivan, Mr Jesse Johnston, Mr Angus McPherson and Mr Bishoy Wasef.
The 24 Hour Row is now in its 5th year and was started by Avalon Beach SLSC back in 2017 after the tragic loss of one of their members to suicide, they wanted to make a difference after seeing too many lives lost to suicide. They wanted to promote an event that would let others in their community know that there are people that care, who will listen, and that you are not alone no matter what you are going through.
With 3,139 suicides in 2020 (nine people each day), the cause has touched many people. Each year the event has grown with more clubs taking part every year. Maroubra SLSC joined three years ago, and this year was one of over 50 clubs and gyms around Australia to take up the challenge to keep numerous concept II rowing ergos continuously rowing for 24 hours.
Waverley is proud that three of our students rowed for over an hour to support this cause and their club. Well done to Vin Torsellii, Campbell McCarthy and Finn McCarthy.
I would like to acknowledge Noah Nunn, Harry Neylon, Taj Gadd, Oscar Litchfield, Luca Green, Dylan Zusack, Fonley Cromer and Benjamin Cromer, who recently participated in community programs at the charity, Kids Giving Back. They were among over 500 young people who produced over 13,500 hot meals, soup, salads, fruit kebabs, breakfast boxes, snack packs, care packs and decorated tote bags, with empathetic, positive messages, which were distributed to 13 charities around Sydney.
These eight student volunteers have helped many vulnerable people, many of whom were affected by this year’s floods. Kids Giving Back deeply appreciate their service to others and the kindness they have shown through their actions.
Year 10 student Hugo Kulcsar is heading up a charity fundraiser for the month of September with the Kids Cancer Project to raise funds for kids cancer research. Hugo has survived his own extreme cancer journey and this year he has raised approximately $8,500 thus far. Tom Burke is also part of the running team raising funds, and the boys are well supported by Declan Minto, Edward Lyons, Tex Filipek, Noah Sullivan, Tom McKenna, King Manu and Hudson Hatchett. The boys will be running from Bondi to Maroubra this Saturday. We wish them all the best.
>>> Click here if you would like to support the boys and a great cause.
The next Parents’ Association meeting and AGM will take place on Tuesday, 1 November 2022, where a number of office bearers for 2023 will be elected.
I’m grateful to Jade Stapleton for her tireless work as President for the past two years. She will be stepping down from this role at the AGM. Thank you also to Treasurer, Deb Johnson and Secretary, Stephanie van Dam, who have made sterling contributions to the Parents’ Association for many years, and will also be retiring from their roles.
Consider getting involved in the Parents’ Association, a vital part of the Waverley College community. With our ‘120 Year’ celebrations happening in 2023, there will be numerous exciting events throughout next year, and your ideas and energy are very welcome.
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
Last week, the Leaders of Learning and Wellbeing across the 55 EREA Colleges and Flexible Learning Schools came together in Melbourne for the launch of the EREA Learning Statement: Implementing Liberating Practice to Co-create a Better World.
I was joined by Ms Lynsey Porter (Director of Curriculum) and Ms Rebecca Gair (Head of Quinn House) for this special occasion. It was wonderful to collaborate with our colleagues from across the network to workshop the Learning Statement and also learn about pedagogical and wellbeing initiatives underway in our other schools. It was rewarding to see how well the Waverley College Learning Framework aligns to the Learning Statement.
The EREA Learning Statement respects and honours the unique stories and celebrates the diversity of individuals and learning communities within EREA. These learning communities are inclusive of Indigenous, early learning, primary and secondary, boarding, all-boys and co-educational schools; diverse needs and flexible learning schools; inner-city, urban, rural and remote schools.
The statement has been a pivotal strategic action for EREA, giving life and language to our vision for learning. It sources its inspiration and structure from four liberating educators and practitioners: Jesus of Nazareth, Edmund Rice, Paulo Freire and Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann.
Faithful to his tradition, Jesus of Nazareth interacted with a range of diverse learners in a variety of contexts. He challenged structures in the way in which he created learning opportunities which recognised the dignity of each person and connected with the lived experiences of each one.
Edmund Rice challenged political and social structures by providing an education which recognised the dignity, potential and wellbeing of the individual, empowering each learner to participate more fully in society.
In articulating a Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire proposed that dialogue, partnership and engagement, within the learning context, created an atmosphere of hope, love, humility and trust. This approach is key to individual learners being equipped to critique their own lives and, in collaboration with others, to experience mutual liberation.
Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann addresses the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a voice in the sharing of knowledge. Her concept of Dadirri, a way of life emphasising deep listening, provides an ancient insight into contemporary, transformative educational practice.
EREA commits to implementing liberating practices to build a better world by ‘explicitly co-creating the learning conditions, dispositions and relationships to enable deep listening, confidence, agency and freedom.’
This dynamic intent and these actions are articulated through six practices which in themselves require our ongoing engagement, but also inform and have an impact on the other within a learning community.
Liberating Pedagogies
Within safe and flexible learning places, supported by positive relationships, the learner is free to participate in and lead experiences grounded in collaborative processes, critical thinking and creative problem solving.
Liberating Achievement
When excellence and improvement are viewed in a variety of ways and evidence of success is gathered, interpreted, and celebrated holistically, the learner is free to pursue a strengths-based learning pathway informed by high expectations and personal ambitions.
Liberating Voice and Agency
When individual voice is deeply listened to, respected, and included in decision-making processes, the learner is free to develop the confidence, resilience, optimism and agency to fully determine their learning aspirations.
Liberating Potential
When learning experiences are informed by each person’s story, strengths and passions, the learner is free to contribute to and participate in challenging, individualised learning plans that orient their goals towards personal growth.
Liberating Learning Design
Where schools design and develop innovative learning environments, whether physical and/or virtual, the learner is free to access and engage in multiple pathways and contribute to a dynamic, connected educational community.
Liberating Spiritualities
In exploring meaning and purpose in life, the learner is free to grow in their understanding of themselves, and their relatedness with God, others, Earth and creation, through experiences grounded in wonder, awe, contemplation, and action for justice and the common good.
>>> Click here to view the full document.
Ms Elizabeth Watson
Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
E: ewatson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
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, 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:
Mr Bryn Gregerson
Director of Business Services
E: bgregerson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last week, thirteen Year 11 and Year 12 students identifying as LGBTQIA+ and allies heard from a panel of NAB employees from the NAB Pride group. All members of the panel identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and had invaluable advice for our students as a result of their lived experiences. The panel answered questions on a range of topics and actively engaged in a Question and Answer session.
| How NAB earned their gold employer diversity status.
How LGBTQIA+ employees are supported in the NAB Workplace. What support networks are available to LGBTQIA+ through their journey from school to university and employment. |
Panel: Kim Lee, Max Filshie, Scott Bradford, Tegan Acton
Hosted by Anthony Lo
Experiences of improved success and confidence in the workplace, as a result of being confident to bring your whole self to work. Feeling comfortable with who you are, so you are able to enjoy strong and respectful relationships with colleagues. In the face of challenges, focusing on your own journey.
Educating our young people to know that at times, challenges in a workplace may arise, such as incorrect assumptions about the gender of your partner or spouse. Empowering the students to understand that making time for conversations, and feeling confident in addressing these issues, can result in better long-term outcomes.
Diversity in the workplace makes companies successful. Workplaces, like NAB, where employees feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work, offer clients better service. Employees from the LGBTQIA+ community are valued employees; our community has a particular understanding of the diverse backgrounds of clients and the challenging life experiences they may face.
Our student group was inspired by each of the members of the panel for their articulate presentations, good humour and compassion. The panel—great role models for our students—shared the message, that it is the uniqueness of each individual that is their strength.
We are grateful to the members of NAB Pride for sharing their personal experiences and messages of support for our students, who will soon be starting their own journeys entering the workforce and, we too, aspire to the same goal – “Celebrate all people for who they are.”
“It was amazing to see the perspective of those workers who spoke to us from NAB. It is comforting knowing that people from all places and walks of life are able to find community and be safe within their workplaces. As a student soon to be graduating and moving into university, then the workforce, it meant a lot to have this conversation and interaction to truly feel comfortable with my journey going forward.”
Achilles Zanapalis (Year 12)
“It is so wonderful to hear such a courageous journey from a transgender man working for such a supportive company like NAB. I would just like to say a huge thanks to everyone who spoke at the event and a special thanks to Kim for his incredible story.”
Michael Richmond (Year 12)
Mr David Parnell
Head of Learning Support
E: dparnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Tessa Prior
College Psychologist
E: tprior@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Australian Government has an initiative for schools for mobile Dental clinic services, such as NSW Dental Care.
NSW Dental Care is offering free dental screenings to students at Waverley College from 24- 28 October, 2022.
The dental screening is a free of charge for eligible students aged 2-17 and provides benefits for the child for basic dental services that includes:
This service is provided under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme of the Australian Government. Early detection of decay and other dental disease is vital in preventing bigger, more painful and expensive problems in the future. Left untreated, dental disease is progressive and will result in greater discomfort and is likely lead to permanent problems, such as tooth loss or lasting pain.
Please ensure the form is completed by 21 September, 2022.
This falls under the Medicare – Child Dental Benefits Scheme. Parents will need to provide their child’s Medicare number on the form. Waverley College encourages our students to benefit from this service.
This service is free for eligible students. Payment of benefits under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule is administered through the Department of Human Services. If your child is eligible there will be no cost to you and no gap fee.
NSW Dental Care will provide these dental services within Waverley College on both the Junior and Senior School campuses. NSW Dental alongside Waverley College will ensure each student’s safety, comfort, and wellbeing.
NSW Dental Care arrives with fully mobile state-of-the-art equipment and follows strict COVID-19 safety regulations, including the staff being fully vaccinated before visiting the school. Once the check-ups are completed, reports will be mailed to parents regarding the outcome. This enables early diagnosis and preventative treatment.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Adele Cutbush
Registered Nurse, Waverley College Health Centre
E: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Eastern Suburbs School Leaders for Youth present After the Bell 2022, an evening aimed at parents and carers of students in Years 7-12. It is a combined schools initiative focusing on the safekeeping and wellbeing of our youth.
Date: Thursday, 13 October 2022, 6pm
Location: Brother Lacey Gymnasium, Waverley College, 131 Birrell Street Waverley
Tickets: $10 per person (plus a 50 cent TryBooking fee) with all proceeds donated to Headspace
>>> Click here to book tickets.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Staff and Student Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The world has seen in the last week, the passing of two significant world leaders in Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and Mikhail Gorbachev (1931-2022). Both certainly left their mark on their respective countries and the rest of the world.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, was the monarch for 56 nations and 2.5 Billion people. She exemplified devotion to duty and service above self, leading with grace and dignity across her historic seven-decade reign. Queen Elizabeth was steady in the face of constant change. She is credited in bringing stability to the monarch, steering the British Empire to a mostly peaceful orderly end, modernising the monarchy, assisting in the breakdown process of ‘apartheid’, reducing tension between Ireland and the United Kingdom, her tireless service and love for the people within her country and within the Commonwealth, and above all, her significant charity work throughout her life (600 charities).
Mikhail Gorbachev, the President of the Soviet Union in 1990 – 91 and the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. Gorbachev was the single most important initiator of a series of events in late 1989 and 1990 that transformed the political fabric of Europe and marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War. By the summer of 1990 he had agreed to the reunification of East with West Germany. Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1990.
After an extensive Prefect and Captain selection leadership process that included House, peers, and staff, it is my pleasure to announce that the four College Captains for Term 4 2022 and 2023 are:
Each of these students articulated their genuine desire to serve the community and seek improvement across the spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical dimensions for all students. The College Leadership look forward to working with this new student leadership team. The House Prefects positions will be announced post-Year 11 examinations.
2023 College Captains
Congratulations, Jay Palm (Year 12), who received the prestigious Archbishop’s Award for Excellence for his service work today (Friday, 9 September). The annual awards were started in 1999 by Cardinal Edward Clancy, to honour leadership qualities and service to school and parish communities.
Congratulations, Jay Palm
Yesterday was R U OK? Day, a day and cause with an extremely close connection to Waverley College. This year’s theme ‘Ask R U OK? No Qualifications Needed,’ emphasises that everyone regardless of job, qualification, training and position, can play a vital role in supporting the people in each of our worlds with the four simple steps of an R U OK? conversation:
Thank you to parents and students who contributed to the R U OK? bake sale with funds being donated to the charity. A focus on R U OK? will continue in next week’s College assembly.
The next Parents’ Association meeting and AGM will take place on Tuesday, 1 November 2022, where a number of office bearers for 2023 will be elected.
I’m grateful to Jade Stapleton for her tireless work as President for the past two years. She will be stepping down from this role at the AGM. Thank you also to Treasurer, Deb Johnson and Secretary, Stephanie van Dam, who have made sterling contributions to the Parents’ Association for many years, and will also be retiring from their roles.
Consider getting involved in the Parents’ Association, a vital part of the Waverley College community. With our ‘120 Year’ celebrations happening in 2023, there will be numerous exciting events throughout next year, and your ideas and energy are very welcome.
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
Sunday, 4 September 2022 marked the beginning of National Child Protection Week 2022. As you are aware, National Child Protection Week is an Australia-wide initiative that draws particular attention to the importance of the safeguarding and protection of all children and young people.
The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) have facilitated National Child Protection Week for over 30 years, and in that time EREA schools and the National Office have worked closely with NAPCAN to promote the safety and wellbeing of children. Most recently, we were fortunate to receive a keynote address from Dr Brenda Dobia at our 2022 Safeguarding Conference regarding respectful relationships, and the work Dr Dobia does with NAPCAN in this important space.
National Child Protection Week culminates on Sunday, 11 September 2022 with Safeguarding Sunday, an initiative of the Australia Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC); further information and resources regarding Safeguarding Sunday can also be found on the EREA public website below.
>>> Click here to view this website.
Farewell to Ms Tina Pasfield, who finished up on Wednesday, 7 September at the College. I would like to thank Tina for 15 years of service to the College in the fast-paced world at the front of College reception. She has assisted parents, carers, staff, students, visitors and contractors. With every possible issue, she has assisted them all with great efficiency and care.
Last week, National Cabinet announced that the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases would be reduced from 7 days to 5 days from Friday, 9 September with the following caveats:
All staff, students and visitors who test positive to COVID-19 should continue to follow the NSW Health guidelines.
Thank you for your ongoing understanding.
Deputy Principals from schools in the Eastern Suburbs meet each term, as we believe there is enormous value and under-utilised potential in schools collaborating, sharing ideas and resources, to support our community and students.
Our key focus is working together to raise awareness and provide parents and carers with strategies to help them manage and influence teenage behaviour.
We believe that it is essential for parents and carers to see that our schools stand united, with shared values on social and emotional issues.
We have come together to organise a parent event, which Waverley College will host, on Thursday, 13 October.
Yasmin London is an ex-World Champion athlete, police officer and now Director of ySafe, Australia’s largest provider of online safety education. Yasmin has built a team that empowers over 1 million young Australians and their communities to take control of their digital journey.
Please save the date. Tickets will go on sale soon, with proceeds going to Headspace.
| Total Current Cases | 1 (in Years 5-12) |
| Year 5 | 0 cases |
| Year 6 | 1 case |
| Year 7 | 0 cases |
| Year 8 | 0 cases |
| Year 9 | 0 cases |
| Year 10 | 0 cases |
| Year 11 | 0 cases |
| Year 12 | 0 cases |
As Coordinator of the College’s Indigenous Education Program, Walawaani, Ms Maakrun was fortunate to join ten other EREA staff from across Australia on the Edmund Rice ‘Let’s Talk’ cross-cultural immersion program within Aboriginal communities in rural NSW.
Over 2,750 km Travelled
The partnership between the Edmund Rice Centre, Edmund Rice Education Australia and the Aboriginal communities of North-West NSW, is based on a philosophy of experiential learning and critical social analysis, supporting the educational achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and furthering reconciliation in Australia.
Bush Food Education
The program makes a connection across the urban-rural divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, focusing on issues of peace, identity, human rights, socio-economic issues and reconciliation.
The group visited Dubbo, Myall Creek, Moree, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga and Brewarrina, with the journey integrating dialogue with locals and elders in visited places, and engagement with places of significance to the Aboriginal people of north-west NSW.
Visited sites included: the Myall Creek Massacre site of 1838, the 1965 Freedom Riders protest at Moree Baths, an Aboriginal Cemetery, the Brewarrina Missions and the Hospital Creek massacre site. The immersion included knowledge about bush foods, medicines, artwork and awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spiritualities.
Myall Creek Memorial
The experience was truly inspirational and very memorable, with a number of relationships built with other EREA schools to further enhance our Walawaani program. It is also hoped that this unique experience could possibly be shared by some of our students and staff in the future.
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun
Assistant Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The term ‘Literacy’ is all too often considered to belong solely to the domain of English; the task of developing reading and writing skills assigned to the English teacher. However, as our Year 12 students prepare diligently for their upcoming HSC examinations, it is clear that reading, writing and literacy skills play an integral part in ensuring success in every single subject.
The Australian Curriculum defines Literacy in broad terms stating that:
“students become literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use language confidently for learning and communicating in and out of school and for participating effectively in society. Literacy involves students listening to, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating oral, print, visual and digital texts, and using and modifying language for different purposes in a range of contexts.”
With this in mind, as part of their ‘Ed Sheeran Mathematics Tour Assignment’, students in Years 7 and 8 have been given the task of composing a ‘Compare Contrast’ paragraph using Writer’s Toolbox, our new innovative program and online educational writing tool.
In order to ensure quality teaching and learning, Mr Bill Roberts (Head of Library), Ms Phoebe Guirguis (Head of Mathematics), Ms Mary Ryan (Literacy Coordinator and English teacher) and Mr Michael O’Connell (Maths teacher), have worked collaboratively to deepen the learning of our students.
The specific goal is to develop students’ literacy skills through the subject of Maths, while allowing students to take ownership of their learning through meaningful and relevant tasks that reflect their interest. Mr Roberts composed a wonderful Literacy task which reflects the need for cross-curricular literacy skills.
Publishers Studio, an initiative supported by Northern Beaches Council Arts and Creativity Grants Program, provides budding writers between the ages of 10 – 18 with a wonderful opportunity to publish their work. Publishers Studio also offers invaluable advice to all students who wish to write and need some helpful tips on how to get started. This is a wonderful initiative and their website is well worth a look.
>>> Click here to view information about Publishers Studio.
Ms Mary Ryan
Literacy Coordinator and English Teacher
E: mryan01@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Wishing all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday. I also acknowledge families who have lost fathers and grandfathers over this year, and in previous years, and we keep them in our prayers on a day that can be challenging.
Father’s Day allows us to reflect on the important role fathers and father figures play in helping to shape character through their love, guidance and devotion. Fathers and father figures contribute to their children’s social skills, including the development of bonding, empathy, self-discipline and behaviour.
I enjoyed attending and thanked fathers and father figures for their presence at the Junior School’s Father’s Day Mass, held at Mary Immaculate today. I thank all fathers and father figures for the positive impact they can play in their children’s health and wellbeing, and include this prayer for all.
Dear God,
Thank you for all the fathers and father-figures in this world and for the many ways you use them to lovingly guide others to Your heart. I ask that you bless them and give them great joy and peace. May they see You and know You in new ways. Show them how much you love them and care about them. Guide their steps, use their hands, and make them a blessing to others as you continue to fulfill your special purpose for their lives.
Amen.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Brother Brian who underwent back surgery today, to alleviate some significant pain and discomfort. We wish him a speedy and pain-free recovery.
Congratulations to the following Year 12 students who performed to a high standard last Tuesday evening, in front of parents, carers and staff: Jonty Booy, Aaron Carswell, Dexter Craddock, Cjuba Lord, Daniel McSweeny, Finn Nebauer, Jay Palm, Michael Richmond, Daniel Risk, Tom Sheehan, Lachlan Varcoe, and Achilles Zanapalis.
This week saw the return of Market Day on the senior campus, which was a great success. I congratulate the staff and student organisers who clearly put a lot of thought and effort into their stalls and businesses.
I also congratulate the whole College who helped create a busy and well-behaved marketplace experience. 1,200 students plus staff, all went about their business in the corner of Braidwood with good humour and eyes for a market stall delight.
I am sure there was some parent assistance behind some of the amazing quality food options – thank you! The total amount raised will be donated to The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and R U OK? charities.
Next Thursday, 8 September is the national day of action for R U OK? Day. This has traditionally been a very well-supported Waverley Community event. Please support Conlon House who will be coordinating a Bake Sale – all contributions are welcome and can be dropped off at the Wellbeing Centre.
>>> Click here to view Ms Cathy O’Sullivan’s R U OK? Day article.
The NSW State Library will deliver online HSC Help webinars that provide exam tips and a chance for students to ask questions of experienced teachers who are subject experts on:
Students also have the opportunity to request information from Library staff about resources to help in the final weeks of study.
>>> Click here to register and to learn more about session times.
Congratulations to Lachlan Miranda (Year 10) who has been selected to participate in the inaugural Civics and Citizenship Program at NSW Parliament.
Congratulations to James Peate (Year 9) and Kayden Baker (Year 9) who have been selected to join the National Student Executive Leadership Group for ERA for Change Australia.
For more details on each of these achievements, please read Ms Watson’s article.
>>> Click here to view Ms Elizabeth Watson’s article.
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
