With the implementation of the new Parent Lounge, each week iAssist will be publishing a guide to a specific feature to help parents navigate around the interface.
The guides will be released through Nurrunga and then listed in the Parent Lounge under the School Links — Parent Lounge Guides section.
This week it’s Lodging an Absence.
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The R U OK? movement is particularly special for us here at Waverley, and this year the national day of action is Thursday, 9 September. This important message of checking in with someone, and developing the tools to feel comfortable doing so, will be explored in wellbeing groups in the lead up to the day utilising the wonderful resources produced by the R U OK? organisation.
Our assembly next Wednesday will have time dedicated to R U OK? Day, a national day of action that reinforces the importance of staying connected with your friends, family and colleagues through all life’s ups and downs, big or small.
R U OK? Day 2020: (L to R) Pat Clifton, Wendell Sailor, Luca Moretti, Lachlan Drew-Morris, Maryanne Larkin, Van Larkin, Katrina King, Cath O’Sullivan, Sherri Falkinder, Graham Leddie
The theme of this year is R U really OK? Sometimes it seems much easier to just say you’re ok than talk about what’s really going on, or it can be difficult to explain how you’re feeling. The R U OK? Toolkit asks students to consider things like:
For some self-care tips and strategies to stay connected, check out the resources available through the following websites — and check in with a mate!
Ms Cathy O’Sullivan
Head of Conlon House
E: cosullivan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our Edmund Rice colleagues at PRAYTeK, (a child and earth rights organisation based in New Delhi, India), invite Waverley College students and school students from around the world, to take part in an Earth Summit.
The Earth Summit is a three-day international conference where young people can come together to talk about their concerns on environmental problems and try to create solutions for both local and global climate issues.
Suggested climate change themes include energy; adaptation and damage; gender and climate change; sustainable development; and science and innovation. However, the Earth Summit welcomes suggested topics from all participating members.
Yes. The three days of discussion will culminate in the creation of a collaborative list of recommended solutions, which will be submitted to the COP26 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in November 2021, to help inform their recommendations. The recommendations will then be fed into a document on Ecological Rights of the Children.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Works on a new pedestrian and cycle pathway at Queens Park began on Monday. The pathway will run along the edge of Darley Road, connecting York Road to Carrington Road and completing a ‘missing link’ in the regional transport network.
Importantly, the pathway will also significantly improve safety for children, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists along Darley Road and access to Queens Park Sporting Fields.
No. The works will take place until the end of this year, weather permitting, but this project presents no impact to existing sports fields. Sports fields will be open throughout construction (with the exception of Centennial Parklands’ annual renovation program between 30 August 2021 and 16 October 2021.)
Sometimes. Works will be carried out in a staged approach, starting near York Road and progressing towards Carrington Road. There will be parking impacts at times, but always alternate pedestrian access in place and clearly signposted.
Please address concerns and questions to: info@cp.nsw.gov.au and type QP Cycleway in the subject line of your email.
Finalised Design Queens Park Cycleway
Today at around 2:20pm, a fire broke out in the TAS building on the Senior School campus. The fire was caused by embers that made their way into the exhaust duct.
There was only skeleton staff on campus and three Year 12 students. Staff responded immediately and everyone was evacuated and thankfully all are safe.
On behalf of the College and the local community, I would like to thank the local Police and Fire Departments who were at the scene in minutes and in large numbers. Their response was impressive and decisive and certainly kept damage to a minimum.
Please find below the key changes and announcements made by the government today in outlining a roadmap for return to face-to-face teaching.
The roadmap consists of four parts and is current as of 8am Friday 27 August:
Priority cohorts will begin face to face learning on Monday 25 October, as long as community transmission and vaccination rate requirements have been met.
HSC exams will be delayed to 9 November with a revised timetable and guidelines for a COVID-safe HSC to be released by NESA in early September. The updated start date means HSC results will be released in mid-January. For further details, please refer to Ms Porter’s newsletter article.
A) Vaccinations for all school staff across all sectors will be mandatory from 8 November.
NSW Health will be providing priority vaccinations at Qudos Bank Arena for school staff the week beginning 6 September. School staff are also encouraged to make use of the GP network to be vaccinated with whatever vaccine is available as soon as possible. A recent survey of the public-school workforce indicated the majority of staff already had at least one dose of a vaccine.
B) All students sitting their HSC will receive priority vaccination if they are eligible. Notification for priority booking will be issued by NESA next week. All students eligible for a vaccine will be strongly encouraged by the government to book an appointment.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older.
Students can only return to face-to-face learning in LGAs where community transmission cases are 50 or less per 100,000 people, based on health advice. For most LGAs in NSW this is already occurring. If cases exceed 50 per 100,000 in any LGA, learning from home will resume for that LGA until case numbers drop. This means about 64 per cent of students in Greater Sydney wouldn’t be able to return to school, totalling 554,861 students.
* Subject to possible change.
The start of the staggered return of students to face to face learning depends upon at least 70 per cent of the state’s eligible adult population being vaccinated. Current NSW Health projections indicate this will be before mid-October – which is why NSW Health and Education have confidence in the start date for the staged return being 25 October. We will continue to inform you of any changes as they arise.
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 2021 and 2022 are:
The House Captains and Prefects will be announced at their respective House Assemblies next week.
Wednesday 1 September is Indigenous Literacy Day and this year the The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has organised an online event called ‘Celebrating Stories and Language.’
Catering for Senior and Junior School students, it features stories being read and shared by Elders in remote communities, famous Indigenous Australians and children.
Be sure to read the articles by Mr Bill Roberts and Ms Olivia Kite to learn how to register to view Indigenous Literacy Day video stories that will go live at 9am on Wednesday.
During the Greater Sydney lockdown, I have been heartened to receive numerous handwritten, typed, audio and video messages of support from schools in our global EREA community. Messages have been sent to us from: Fe y Alegria in Peru, St Laurence in the United States, St Johns and St Edmunds in India, and Blarney Street in Ireland.
United in prayer, these communities send their best energies to students, staff and families in Greater Sydney Edmund Rice schools. I encourage you to read the messages in the links below, in the hope that they will bring comfort and encouragement during this time of uncertainty.
St John’s College is holding its Virtual Open Day this Sunday 29 August at 2:30pm via Zoom. St John’s is a vibrant, mixed-gender residential college within the University of Sydney, and is the oldest Roman Catholic university college in Australia. The current Chair of Council at St John’s is Old Boy John Coorey (Class of 1979).
Should your son be interested in on-campus accommodation or the University of Sydney in 2022 or 2023, St John’s would really like to see him at the Virtual Open Day. Parents are also welcome. Current students at St John’s will be ready to answer questions and chat about why they chose St John’s and the University of Sydney.
Interested Waverley students need to register to ensure that they receive the access link and any updates about the event direct to their inboxes. Students can also submit any questions they have via registration.
For questions about the application process, scholarship program or financial assistance, please reach out to the Registrar Ms LeVina Huirua | 02 9394 5000 | registrar@stjohnscollege.edu.au
Our thoughts are with the men, women and children of Afghanistan. Over the past weeks, we have seen distressing images of suffering people after Taliban forces took control of most of Afghanistan after the military withdrawal of the United States in August. The Taliban have destroyed homes and displaced thousands of people.
In Refugee Week in June, Waverley College was privileged to hear Zaki Haidari, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, speak to us about his journey here in Australia. He shared his powerful story of fleeing the Taliban and escaping by boat to this country. Zaki is on a temporary protection visa and works at the RACS (Refugee Advice and Casework Service) in Randwick.
Zaki Haidari
We are keeping Zaki in our prayers and thoughts at this very difficult time. In his own words:
“Everyone here is numb. We don’t know how to process this or react. We feel hopeless. Many of us have loved ones in Kabul and we desperately need to get our families out. This has proven once again that it is not safe for us to go back and not safe for our families … what will it take for the Government to give us permanent protection? To enable us to bring our families here to safety once and for all? I am begging people to take action to force the Australian Government to do something.”
Small actions from many people can make a big impact.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: how to update address details.
With the implementation of the new Parent Lounge, each week iAssist will publish a guide to a specific feature to help parents navigate around the interface.
The guides will be released through Nurrunga and then listed in the Parent Lounge under the School Links — Parent Lounge Guides section.
This week it’s about updating address details:
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This Wednesday 1 September, in their Careers period, our Year 10 Big Brothers will meet with their Year 5 Little Brothers for a virtual catch up again.
All students are invited to bring their pet to the meeting or if they don’t have a pet to bring, something that is special to them such as their favourite team’s football/soccer/baseball/
I know all the students are looking forward to developing their relationship further.
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Learn more: how to register online to watch video stories on Indigenous Literacy Day, watch a video introduction from Jessica Mauboy.
Wednesday 1 September is Indigenous Literacy Day. The day provides the opportunity to spend some time enjoying the rich language traditions of some of our Indigenous Australians. This celebratory day also is an awareness-raising day to provide support to enhance Aboriginal literacy.
In past years, we have held Book Swap events in support of this important day. This year, as a family, it could be great to spend a little time on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website, listening to, supporting and learning what we can about the importance of literacy.
‘This year, we are hosting a free virtual celebration for all Australians going live from 9am Wednesday 1 September. Through storytelling, ILD provides a window into the richness, diversity and multilingual world of First Nations peoples with a selection of short, two minute, inspiring video stories by First Nations storytellers (of all ages) from across the country.’ – Indigenous Literacy Foundation website.
There are great video clips and stories to watch on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website. Learn how to register by watching Jessica Mauboy (singer, songwriter, actress and Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador!) introduce this wonderful day.
*Did you spot a former Waverley College school sports jacket being worn by one of the Indigenous students in this clip?
We hope you enjoy International Literacy Day this year. Don’t forget, it’s live from 9am!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEuzcIQd7vY
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Indigenous Literacy Day is a day designed to celebrate and advocate for the importance of providing children in remote communities with the opportunity and resources to connect with the richness, diversity and multilingual world of our First Nations People.
As mentioned, our College has previously celebrated Indigenous Literacy Day with The Great Book Swap and we have also connected with Jarjum School in Redfern for a virtual reading program between students. In 2020, Quinn House and the College Library raised funds to purchase culturally-relevant books for remote communities in their first language.
Due to COVID-19, this year The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has organised an online event called ‘Celebrating Stories and Language.’ The program caters for both Senior and Junior School students, and includes stories being read and shared by Elders in remote communities, famous Indigenous Australians and children.
In addition to the College’s range of Aboriginal-themed literature in print, audio and eform, we encourage you to reach out to your local library and become an online member, and explore their Indigenous catalogue. The Waverley Council Library has suitable books available for primary-aged students, young adult fiction for teenagers, and non-fiction stories, experiences and accounts for those looking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of our First Nations People.
Happy Reading!
Ms Olivia Kite and Quinn House
Head of House and HSIE Teacher
E: okite@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Quinn students including Quinn House Captain Dane Perica preparing to read to and listen to the students from Jarjum College in Redfern on Indigenous Literacy Day 2020
Lucas Ryan reading to Year 1 students at Jarjum College in Redfern on Indigenous Literacy Day 2020
We are currently looking for Senior School students who would be eager to represent the College in Public Speaking.
If your son is well-spoken, intelligent and knowledgeable on current affairs, then he will benefit from choosing Public Speaking as a co-curricular activity during the Summer season.
Throughout the season, students are taught skills of voice improvement, argumentation, and the importance of body language. Not only are these skills crucial in understanding the power of rhetoric, but they are also readily transferable to analytical writing.
Public Speaking can be joined alongside sport as the competitions take place on Friday nights. Students train two sessions a week and these are flexible in order to accommodate students’ other commitments. Public Speaking can also be a stand-alone Summer co-curricular option.
If your son is interested in participating in Public Speaking, please contact me for more information.
Ms Emma Halpin
Convenor of Debating and Public Speaking
E: ehalpin@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please continue to keep our Year 12 cohort in your thoughts and prayers during their HSC trial assessment period. Week One has gone well and I thank staff, parents and students for working together to ensure this has gone smoothly. We wish them the very best of luck.
We have also spoken to our Year 11 cohort and parents today, to outline their upcoming Year 11 examination assessments.
Congratulations to the following students who received awards for Winter Co-curricular achievement at Thursday’s online assembly. We recognise their accomplishments in a wide range of activities. They are an inspiration to all of us to nurture our skills, talents and passions and always strive for excellence.
We have two significant days that we will be celebrating in our upcoming calendar, Wear it Purple Day next week and RUOK? Day in a couple of weeks’ time. As an EREA school, one of our four Touchstones is Inclusive Community, which means we respect difference and the dignity of each individual. We want our school to be a safe and inclusive learning community for all students. Please see Mr Brennan and Ms Prior’s article within this Nurrunga or via the link below.
Adam Hegedus and Alexi Piovano (Class of 2015), are the Old Boys behind Educating The Future (ETF), a not-for-profit that facilitates powerful change through education in Timor-Leste. Pending COVID-19 restrictions, they will soon embark on a fundraising venture along the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria to raise $30,000 to build another classroom in Timor-Leste.
From Wednesday 18 August, people aged 16-39 who are residents of the following local government areas (LGAs) and suburbs can access priority appointments for vaccinations.
I encourage families to consider vaccination for their son if you reside in these LGAs and he is aged 16-18 years old.
NSW Health has confirmed that the vaccination priority roll out for residents 16-39 years old who live in one of the areas of concern are eligible to book for a Pfizer vaccination.
*Eligible LGAs include: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield, as well some suburbs of Penrith.
Priority COVID-19 vaccination booking for 16-39 year-olds can be accessed via the NSW Department of Health link below:
We received notification from Waverley Bus Depot that from Thursday 19 August, Waverley depot will be unable to provide any dedicated bus services due to COVID-19 staff impacts. This will only affect the small number of students of essential workers who are currently attending the College.
We will inform you when our dedicated school services will resume. It is also a reminder to us all that COVID-19 is circulating in our local community and that students should not be catching up in parks and beaches at this time in numbers, and should be following the NSW government and Health’s advice of staying at home, unless absolutely necessary.
This ABC radio broadcast, on the impact of the current situation on mental health, might be of interest to many of you at this time. It comes from Waverley College Old Boy (College Dux 1976), and NSW Chief Psychiatrist, Professor Ian Hickie. Ian is also a Senior Principal Research Fellow and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney and Translational Research Collective, and Co-Director, Health and Policy, Brain and Mind Centre.
Professor Hickie and author and broadcaster James O’Loghlin also host the weekly Minding Your Mind podcast exploring all aspects of mental health and what you can do to find solutions.
Read more: What is Wear it Purple Day?, why we celebrate Wear it Purple Day at Waverley, how we are celebrating the week of Wear It Purple Day, helpful resources and activities.
During Week 7, Years 7-11 will celebrate its annual Wear It Purple Day. Despite a number of face-to-face activities being planned including an advocate morning tea and the wearing of purple ribbons and wristbands, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the College has had to move to an online format during an extended wellbeing time on Monday 23 August.
Wear It Purple Day is marked nationally on the last Friday of August each year. In 2021 it falls on Friday 27 August and the theme this year is: ‘start the conversation, keep it going.’ This day is about celebrating and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and building a culture that ensures every student knows they have the right to be proud of who they are.
At Waverley, we are committed to creating a safe, caring school environment in which students are nurtured as they learn, while recognising the diversity within the school community. This is supported by our College Leadership Team, and has strong foundations in our inclusive touchstone as part of an EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia) school.
EREA provides us with a clear roadmap to support our students on their journey with its Safe and Inclusive Communities document. By addressing the concerns and issues of LGBTQIA+ students, we do so within the context of student health, safety and human rights.
Annually in Australia, too many young people take their own lives as they navigate their own sexuality. Bullying and homophobia still permeate society into our schools. Our own wellbeing survey has identified the need to combat casual homophobia particularly around name calling. Our core belief is that of inclusion – bullying, harassment and discrimination totally contravenes that and has no place in our school.
At Waverley, we have an agreed position that there will be no tolerance of homophobic and transphobic bullying, and students who choose to use homophobic language and actions are identified and challenged, as part of restorative justice practices. We respect difference, and the dignity of each individual.
This year we have had a group of students who proudly identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or are an active ally for their peers. They have been instrumental in creating wellbeing resources and initiatives for our students to engage with during the week of Wear it Purple Day:
On Monday we will be lucky to welcome Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli as a (virtual) guest. She follows a growing line of guest speakers promoting the rights of the LGBTQI+ community at the College including David Pocock, Peta Friend and earlier this year, Ian Roberts.
Ms Pollotta-Chiarolli has national and international recognition as a writer, researcher, and consultant in the issues of cultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual diversity, with a specific focus on adolescence and young people.
We have had Zoom sessions with her and our student leaders to discuss some of the topical issues around the LGBTQIA+ community, and developed a video based on some of the questions. Some of these topics cover things like how to challenge homophobic language if you hear it.
Ms Pollotta-Chiarolli will respond to questions put to her by a number of students. Following her presentation, students will engage in activities and discussions in their Mentor groups.
Throughout the week, the Senior School Library will promote books which address the important issue of challenging homophobic language and homophobia.
Wear it Purple and Minus18 have created some fantastic resources to start conversations. Below is a video of parents of LGBTQIA+ youth, in which they discuss their experience, and share their tips for supporting young people within this community.
Other articles can be found below:
In addition to quizzes, sharing information, Kahoot! and Zoom backgrounds, all students are encouraged to wear purple on Friday 27 August to show their support. If you don’t own anything purple, there will be Zoom backgrounds you can choose from, to help celebrate this day.
So get involved and celebrate the theme for Wear it Purple Day 2021: ‘start the conversation, keep it going.’ This is what we intend to do. Each year we continue to build momentum, and are proud to be leaders in this space.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal (Staff and Student Wellbeing)
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Tessa Prior
School Psychologist
E: tprior@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
