We are so excited to already have over 80 people register for our Waverley team in the City2Surf on Sunday, 14 August, and have already raised over $5,000 for local charity ‘Running for Premature Babies.’
There’s still time to join and help us reach our goal to raise $10,000.
>>> Click here to sign up and register.
All fundraisers will receive a free running singlet. We’ll also be providing a training program for those wanting to run the 14km. Walkers are most welcome to join too!
The Junior School students and teachers have been training hard for the event, participating in the Monday lunch runclub. This is a great opportunity to be part of the Waverley College team and support an important cause.
This will be a wonderful community event, giving premature babies a better chance of survival.
>>> Click here to view more information about this wonderful cause.
Please direct any questions to:
Ms Cath Lipman
Religion Teacher
E: clipman@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Are you a talented Australian student with an inspiring idea? The 2022 Edstart Achievement Awards Program recognises Australian students for their contributions and ambitions in their area of passion.
This far-reaching Program enables the next generation of innovators, creators and leaders to reach their potential across six award categories including:
Winners in each category will receive an award and $1,500 grant to fund a project, initiative or training related to their area of interest. Finalists in each category will also receive a $250 grant.
>>> Click here to view more information and to nominate.
>>> Click here to view the Edstart Achievement Awards Information Pack.
Well done to all cast and crew for the Cosi production this week, which was a resounding success. Congratulations also to Ms Alison Jinga and Mr Peter Lamb for all their hard work in producing such a high-quality Drama showcase.
Congratulations to the 23 student pianists who bravely stepped up to the Piano Competition challenge in the PAC Recital Room this week, and thank you to Ms Keiran Kossenberg, Mr Chris Balkizas, Ms Jaz Dolso and the music department, for their organisation of this annual event.
More information about these colourful and expressive performances will appear in next week’s edition of Nurrunga.
Unfortunately, the mental health of young people has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression has risen dramatically amongst young people, and remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. It is not an exaggeration to say that the child and adolescent mental health system is currently in crisis, with general practices inundated, emergency departments flooded with demand, and medical services becoming disconnected, dispersed and diluted.
At the College, we have seen the students slow to find their normal balance and routine. The teaching and learning process has also been disrupted. After speaking with other deputy principals in the area, this is common across all schools.
As a result, many young people are at risk of not achieving the primary demands of developmental tasks such as independence, identity formation, and attaining and maintaining peer relationships. However, by maintaining their wellbeing through regular exercise, adequate sleep and healthy nutrition, young people can be in a better position to tackle them.
As many families settle back into their pre-COVID routines, there seems to be a pervasive sense of optimism about what lies ahead. If there is a panacea to the adversity caused by the pandemic, then it is the building of resilience. In this current environment, young people need support, understanding, empathy and encouragement from caring adults. Teaching them the skills to build resilience, will enable young people to thrive and develop healthy coping strategies.
On Thursday, 13 October, the College will proudly host parents from across the eastern suburbs, to look at strategies to deal with our students’ successful return to school, following several years of COVID-19 disruption.
Topics to be covered include:
More information and tickets will be released early in Term 3.
Psychologists work hard at building resilience in our students as they navigate challenges such as COVID-19 or a change to their routine.
There are seven integral and interrelated components that make up being resilient. These are explained in more depth in this Special Report which includes suggested strategies on how parents and carers can best facilitate them.
>>> Click here to view the SchoolTV Special Report on Building Resilience Post Pandemic.
You recently received an email from us inviting you to complete a survey about your experience with the Committee of Associated Schools (CAS). This is your final opportunity to participate in this survey. The survey closes this weekend.
If you have already completed the survey – thank you! If you have not yet had a chance, we would greatly appreciate you taking time to complete it. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed via the links below.
We have commissioned McCrindle, an independent research organisation, to conduct this research. All responses will remain anonymous and completely confidential. Thank you very much for your input.
>>> Click here to view and complete the Waverley PARENTS Survey link
>>> Click here to view and complete the Waverley STUDENTS Survey link.
| 10/06/2022 | COVID-19 | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Staff | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 8 |
Wishing everyone in the Waverley family a healthy and happy long weekend.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Waverley College will again be supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation and the Beanie for Brain Cancer Initiative. The brand new 2022 designs have been released, and will be available for purchase both at the Junior School (Reception) and Senior School (Wellbeing Centre) over the final weeks of Term 2. These will be $25 each.
Furthermore, we are encouraging Waverley College community to get behind the ‘Big Three Trek’ run by the Mark Hughes Foundation to launch the 2022 Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign. A group will be walking from NRL Headquarters in Sydney (Moore Park) to Newcastle.
We would love to see Waverley College families supporting the first leg of the walk from Moore Park to the Opera House (5kms) on Tuesday, 28 June 2022. Please wear your beanies and your Waverley College uniforms!
>>> Click here to view more information about the Big Three Trek run.
Mr John McCoy
Head of Aungier House
E: jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Did you know that the State Library New South Wales have a selection of fun activities and online resources for you to enjoy at home?
>>> Click here to view the incredible range of activities for students of all ages.
Are you a storyteller? An aspiring author? Someone who loves to write and capture the world around you through stories? If you have answered ‘yes!’ to these questions, then their Young Writers Club is for you!
Brush up on your writing skills, get some inspiration, share ideas, and get stuck into writing. There will be lots of fun, fabulous writing tips and the opportunity to connect with real-life authors and other inspiring people!
In Term 2, the program is offered online, once a fortnight during school term. Suitable for writers aged 8-14years.
Contact: Alicia and Susan
E: learning.library@sl.nsw.gov.au
Ms Sherri Falkinder
Librarian
E: sfalkinder@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, Waverley recognised National Reconciliation Week in both the Junior and Senior Schools, with a short ceremony on each campus. Students in the Walawaani group participated in a smoking ceremony, and spoke on the 2022 topic ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ We sincerely thank Mr Kevin Heath and the Walawaani student group for both preparing for and leading this annual event.
Mr Kevin Heath, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison, at the Junior School smoking ceremony
This week, EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia), launched its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (2022-2025), and last week acknowledged the Uluru Statement from the Heart on National Sorry Day. The EREA Stretch RAP seeks to embed the values of the reconciliation movement and initiatives into the culture of each EREA school – ways of being, knowing and doing – to be enacted daily.
Please take the time to read the National Reconciliation Week message below from Dr Craig Wattam, Executive Director, EREA. Dr Wattam writes of the need for greater cultural competency, the removal of barriers to inclusion, and listening more deeply to the voices of First Nations Australians, in the pursuit of justice, healing and restoration.
>>> Click here to view Dr Wattam’s National Reconciliation Week message.
As many parents, carers and students will be aware, new affirmative consent laws came into effect in NSW on 1 June, this week. This offers a great opportunity to discuss consent with your children and let them know about the changes to the law.
The significant change to the law sees the addition of communicative and affirmative consent language in the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The new law defines consent as a free and voluntary agreement that cannot be presumed, and involves ongoing, mutual communication. Under the new consent laws, people will not be able to assume consent from somebody because they don’t say no – silence is not consent.
The NSW Government community education campaign videos titled ‘Make No Doubt’, support the NSW Government’s sexual consent laws. Targeted at 13-24 year olds, they are available on Social Media platforms Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and Tinder. The videos were made with consultation with sexual violence service providers and community groups, over a period of nine months.
Transdev John Holland Buses have recently taken over many of the bus routes that students from Waverley College use each day.
In a pleasing consultative process, the company has reached out to the College to determine how they can best serve our transport needs.
As part of this process, a survey was sent to parents last term, and a consultant met with me and Jade Stapleton from the Parents’ Association.
This week, as part of the process, a customer experience ambassador representing Transdev John Holland Buses observed student numbers, traffic and bus punctuality on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
The College welcomes these initiatives, and invites families to continue to provide feedback regarding buses to the Wellbeing Centre, so they can be passed on to Transdev John Holland Buses.
Students and their partners are invited to the Year 12 Formal which will be held on the evening of Friday, 24 June at Doltone House, Darling Island, Pyrmont.
Students received official information, including the invite and booking details earlier in the week.
Venue: Doltone House, Darling Island, Pyrmont.
Time: Formal photos from 6pm. Dinner/dancing from 6:30pm to 10pm.
Who: Student and partner. Partner’s name and contact details need to be registered at the time of booking. Photo ID is required to gain entry to the venue.
Cost: $160 per person, including three-course dinner and entertainment.
Dress: Formal attire for both men and women.
This is an alcohol-free event for all students and partners. All attending will be subject to security checks.
The booking window opens at 6pm tonight (Friday, 3 June 2022), and closes Sunday, 19 June.
>>> Click here to book your tickets.
The College wishes to thank Vi Elliott and Roz Barber for organising the fabulous Mother Son Lunch that was held at Doltone House last weekend. All reports suggest that a wonderful time was had by all.
While COVID-19 numbers are low, we are experiencing higher than usual numbers in staff and students being absent with cold and flu.
| 3 June 2022 | COVID-19 | In Isolation |
| Year 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Year 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Staff | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 5 | 9 |
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The ‘Worn Up’ Textile Rescue Program funded by our local council, has another collection coming up!
If you have any non-wearable textiles, please bring them into the secondhand clothing pool. This includes old Waverley branded uniform items along with any items that are ripped, stained and unwearable. We have regular collections by Worn Up, so please do keep items coming in.
The Secondhand Clothing Pool is next door to the Uniform Shop on Level 3, Centenary Building, North Admin Building, on the Senior School Campus. Enter reception and take the lift to the 3rd floor, exit and turn right.
These items will be collected by Worn Up and reformed into new products such as tables, tiles, dog beds, acoustic tiles and more! To find out more about them and their progress, follow them – @wornup on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you for supporting our Students of the World Ecology Club and Secondhand Clothing Pool in this responsible textile disposal. Please note that any current branded uniforms that are still wearable, will be considered for secondhand resale.
>>> Click here to view further information about Worn Up.
Ms Rebecca Sutcliffe
Geography Teacher and Ecology Coordinator
E: rsutcliffe@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Kirsten Hott and Ms Camille Owen
Secondhand Clothing Pool Coordinators
E: clothingpool@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Since 1988, more than 14,000 young Australians aged 16-23 have joined the internationally-recognised, national sail training ship ‘Young Endeavour’ on a life-changing voyage.
Onboard, 24 youth from across Australia make up the youth crew for each voyage. The program, delivered by the Royal Australian Navy, teaches participants all of the skills required to sail the square rigged tall ship.
These activities include keeping watch on deck, handling lines, taking the helm, navigation using the ship’s charts, assisting the chef in the galley, and climbing the 30-metre mast to set and furl sails.
>>> Click here to view more information.
Ms Gemma Brown
Head of Science
E: gbrown@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Heads of House and I enjoyed an evening on Sydney Harbour last night with Year 11 and their guests, for the annual Year 10 dinner cruise that was postponed from 2021.
Just under 300 people boarded the Bella Vista at Darling Harbour, and enjoyed a delicious three-course meal, followed by several hours on the dance floor. The operator’s resident DJ brought this to life.
Xavier Schofield
Caleb Sinclair-Harris and Charlie Smith
I would like to congratulate the Year 11 boys who attended for the respect they displayed on the evening, and their positive interactions with the Heads of House and their guests. Our boys looked sharp in their suits and were a credit to the College and their families.
The College attempted to ensure all major events missed due to COVID-19 were postponed, however the extended lockdown in 2021 prevented a number of events from 2020 fitting into what is a very busy College calendar. The College regrets that this could not be the case for all events.
Years 7-12 students will finish at 2:30pm on Tuesday, 31 May. This is due to a Professional Development staff meeting.
Please note, that afternoon 1sts, 2nds and 16A Rugby ONLY, will still train.
This week Waverley College acknowledges the importance of 26 May and National Sorry Day. On this day we recognise the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors, and think about what we can do for the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.
National Reconciliation Week occurs next week, with the theme ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ – encouraging us all to embed change into our everyday practice. On Monday, Mr Kevin Heath and Walawaani students will officially open National Reconciliation Week at our College, with a Smoking Ceremony and address at both the Junior and Senior Schools.
Our First Nation students will run the College assembly on Thursday, with guest speaker Katherine Newton. Katherine is a non-Indigenous leader and the CEO of RU OK? and will speak about the importance of recognising reconciliation in the workplace.
“We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.” Reconciliation Australia.
Year 6 teacher Mr Thomas Olds – one of the 12 ‘Stars of the East’ – will hit the dance floor in competition at the InterContinental, Double Bay on 4 June. Raising money for the Cancer Council, he is dancing in honour of his mum, who has survived two bouts of cancer. Mr Olds has so far raised $6,134, thanks to the generosity of the Waverley College family. This is an important fundraiser across the Eastern Suburbs, so please consider contributing to this worthy cause.
>>> Click here to view the page of Mr Olds.
>>> Click here to donate or purchase a ticket to this exciting event.
We recognise four special students who participated in community programs at ‘Kids Giving Back’ during Term 1 and the recent April school holidays. Thank you Ishaan Jeena, Aidan Carpenter, Owen Storie and Arran Storie, who each chose to share their time to help vulnerable people in our community.
These four boys are role models for all of us, because they demonstrate our College values in action. These boys drew on their initiative and kindness to undertake a range of activities that contributed to meet the needs of vulnerable people in our community, many of whom were affected by this year’s floods.
Mr Stan Williams was a full-time 4th Grade teacher at Waverley College from 1957-1992. We mourned his passing on Tuesday, 17 May, at age 94. Stan’s funeral was held on 20 May at Mary Immaculate Church. There was a wonderful turnout of Stan’s past colleagues and students, and the Junior School choir performed honourably at his service.
| 27/5/22 | COVID-19 | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Year 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Staff | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 7 |
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Parents and Carers
The Principal, Mr Graham Leddie, will be on leave for likely the next two weeks. Unfortunately, Graham will undergo back surgery this Saturday morning. We wish him all the best with the surgery and a speedy recovery. Please direct any queries or issues to myself and I will be happy to respond as quickly as possible.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Thursday, students identified as ‘upstanders’ in the 2022 Wellbeing Survey, along with members of the SRC and Prefect groups, attended a special lunch with special guest, David Leser.
David Leser is an award-winning feature writer who has worked for The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, HQ, The Bulletin, Good Weekend, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Vanity Fair, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.
He is a four-times Walkley finalist and Walkley winner for feature writing for ‘Who’s Afraid of Alan Jones?‘ He has also won three Magazine Publishers Association awards.
In 2018, the Good Weekend cover story by David Leser – ‘Women, Men and the Whole Damn Thing’ – had an unprecedented response from readers both in Australia and around the world. The public reaction to the article was extraordinary, and included hundreds of personal messages urging David to expand his story.
Former College Captain and member of the PDHPE staff, Lachlan Drew Morris, critiqued David’s book before David presented to the 80 students in attendance. Students were then encouraged to ask their own questions about toxic male masculinity and gender equality, in an insightful Q&A session.
| 20/5/22 | COVID-19 | Close Contacts |
| Year 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Year 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Year 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Year 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Year 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Staff | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 7 |
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
With Years 7-10 Half-Yearly Examinations commencing next week and a number of assessment tasks scheduled through to the end of the term across all year groups, students should be developing and maintaining effective home learning habits, as per the Home Learning section of the College Diary. This is particularly important in terms of study beyond the work set by the teacher.
The Year 11 Elevate Study Skills session next Wednesday, 25 May is one of many sessions throughout the year that are mapped across the Years 7-12 curriculum to support students in developing good independent learning habits. Students are first introduced to these sessions at the start of Year 7 with Dr Prue Salter’s Study Skills session, where she covers a range of information/ strategies for making effective study notes, creating a productive study environment, planning time for home learning, and the benefits of becoming an independent learner.
This year, a working group of teachers has developed an initiative to embed these skills into Stage 4 formative tasks, leading up to examination periods. The first stage of this initiative is currently taking place in Year 7 Geography and Science, where students are taught how to create effective mind-maps as they study for half-yearly examinations and prepare Term 2 assessment tasks.
One impressive example of this initiative happened this week in Mr Nicholas Sposari’s Year 7 Geography class. His students created powerful mind-maps to prepare for their assessments.
“Drawn from their excursion to Centennial Park, they organised relevant information, used colour to express important concepts of key ideas, and represented connections between ideas. This flexible preparation is part of the Stage 4 Study Skills project that Mrs Lynsey Porter (Director of Curriculum) leads.” – Mr Nicholas Sposari (Teacher).
For the next phase of the initiative, Languages will work with Year 8 students in Spanish in their formative task leading up to the yearly examinations. We look forward to reviewing the impact of these tasks on the way students approach their study, and we will continue to work to support students in their study habits.
You can learn more on the Study Skills website.
>>> Click here to view more information on the Study Skills website.
Our College’s subscription details to the Study Skills Handbook are:
Username: forwaverleycollegeonly
Password: 94results
The Study Skills website also offers tips on writing assessment tasks for submission. A summary of these tips is outlined below.
When helping students with assignments, the focus is often just on the research process. These tips will focus on getting started with the writing.
Mrs Lynsey Porter
Director of Curriculum
E: lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are so excited to already have 75 people register for our Waverley team in the City2Surf on 14 August, and have already raised over $5,000 for local charity, ‘Running for Premature Babies.’
There’s still time to join and help us reach our goal to raise $10,000. Can you help? You can easily register in the link below.
All fundraisers will receive a free running singlet. We’ll also be providing a training program for those wanting to run the 14km. Walkers are most welcome to join, too!
This will be a wonderful community event, giving premature babies a better chance of survival.
>>> Click here to view more information about Running for Premature Babies.
Please direct any questions to:
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
