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
Read more: how to access over 100 LGBTQI+ fiction and non-fiction books plus book reviews and recommendations.
To address the College’s Inclusive Community touchstone, we provide all students a chance to see themselves represented and who they are validated.
We have a select list of over 100 LGBTQI+ fiction and various non-fiction books and stories for all students to feel included, and for all to develop empathy and kindness towards others.
These can be found via the library catalogue OLIVER.
A girl is frightened and misses her chance to declare her love for her girlfriend, and regrets this, and makes it up by declaring her true love via a song, at the end changing the word from ‘him’ to ‘her’ in the song.
Set in COVID times, a heartwarming story about being true to yourself. Written by the wildly talented and popular Australian Young Adult author Will Kostakis.
The Greatest Hit – a novel by Will Kostakis
Kate and her best friend, Anderson, have a long-term trusting relationship. There is nothing that they keep from each other. Their common interests range from a love of drama to a fascination and horror of sporty kids and their parties. Rarely do Kate and Anderson think nor do anything that they don’t share. However, their friendship is put under pressure when Kate and Anderson find themselves studying different subjects and become suspicious about each other’s love interests, threatening their friendship. It turns out that that there are some things that are best not to have in common.
Kate in Waiting, a novel by Becky Albertalli
Someday, a novel by David Levithan
‘If you ever wanted to have some idea of the many aspects of gender identity, read this book based on a true story of a teenager in Melbourne. Very ‘real’ and sincere’.
Finding Nevo: How I Confused Everyone, an autobiography by Nevo Zisin
Happy Wear it Purple Day!
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: Parent Guide to Pastoral Care Notifications in Parent Lounge, where to find Parent Lounge, login guidance.
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 Pastoral Care notifications.
Next week we will release a guide on updating Parent Details.
If you need guidance on how to login, please contact the team at iAssist@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Read more: Semester 1 Academic Awards Years 7-9, Old Boy Ryan Abbott, advice about online behaviour of Gen Z.
Congratulations to our Semester 1 Academic Award winners in Years 7-9. Their dedication and persistence has paid off, and we congratulate them on their fine achievements. These students were recognised at our recent online academic assembly. They lead by example and by striving to reach their potential, have set new benchmarks. We are very proud of each of them.
James Barber – Equal First in Year English, Mathematics and Geography, First in Class English and Geography
Jacob Blowers – First in Class Technology
Sonny Bowcock – First in Class Science
Benjamin Capaan – Equal First in Year Music, First in Class Music, Science, PDHPE and Technology
Aidan Carpenter – First in Class Science and Music
Charlie Carter – First in Class PDHPE
Lando Cheatham – First in Class PDHPE, Equal First in Class Drama
Lochie Colquhoun – Equal First in Year Drama, Equal First in Class Drama
Cruz Cooke – First in Class Drama
Ryan Crawford – Equal First in Year Drama, Equal First in Class Drama
Ben Cromer – First in Year Science, Equal First in Year PDHPE and Geography Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education, Science, Geography, Music and Technology, Equal First in Class PDHPE and English
Adam Curran – First in Class Religious Education and Geography
Jordan du Toit – Equal First in Class English
Marley Dugard – Equal First in Class English
William Elliott – Equal First in Year Music, First in Class Music
George Ellis – First in Class English, Zack Ellis First in Class PDHPE
Dante Fearn – Equal First in Year Drama, First in Class Religious Education, Drama, Science, PDHPE and Technology
Hugo Fernandez – First in Class English
Jonte Garvey – Equal First in Class English
Lewis Hamilton – Equal First in Year Mathematics, First in Class Geography
Aaron Hodge – First in Class Music
Josh Hodgson – Equal First in Year Drama, First in Class Religious Education and Geography, Equal First in Class Drama
Riley Joel – First in Class Music
Lachlan Jones – First in Class Science
Zac Jones – Equal First in Class Technology
Costa Karlis – Equal First in Class English
Jonathan Kingma – Equal First in Year Drama, Equal First in Class Drama
Xavier Kopsiaftis – Equal First in Year Geography and Drama, First in Class Geography and Drama, Equal First in Class English and Technology
Billy Lagos – Equal First in Year Mathematics, Equal First in Class English
Brooklyn Lagos – Equal First in Class English
Charles Le Marchant – First in Class PDHPE, First in Class Drama
Max McKenzie – First in Class Religious Education
Marcus Messaike – First in Class Technology, Equal First in Class Drama
Ryan Murphy – Equal First in Year Music, First in Class Music
Oscar Murray – First in Year Technology, First in Class Technology and Geography
Owen Patient – Equal First in Year PDHPE, Equal First in Class PDHPE
William Pollard – Equal First in Class English, First in Class Music
Zain Quettawala – First in Class Technology
Jacob Rae – First in Class PDHPE
Christian Richardson – Equal First in Year Religious Education, First in Class Religious Education
Jack Richardson – Equal First in Year Drama, Equal First in Class Drama
Alex Richmond – Equal First in Year English and Mathematics, First in Class English
Fred Robertson – First in Class Religious Education, Equal First in Class Drama
Enzo Rossi – Equal First in Class English and Drama, First in Class Science and Geography
Angus Skeed – Equal First in Year Music, First in Class Music
Peter Soumilas – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education
Max Star – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, Equal First in Class English
Dante Tyler – First in Class Drama
Thomas Vanderkemp – First in Class Science
Bowie Wanda – Equal First in Year Drama, Equal First in Class Drama
Silas Whitehead – Equal First in Year Religious Education, Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education, Science, PDHPE, Geography and Technology
Cristian Abruzzese – Equal Second in Year Mathematics
George Alexandratos – Equal Second in Year Mathematics
Dean Andrews – First in Class English and Technology
Sebastian Ari – First in Year Visual Arts, First in Class Visual Arts
Monty Armstrong – First in Class English
Kayden Baker – First in Year Technology, Equal First in Year PDHPE, Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class English, PDHPE, History, Visual Arts, Technology and Spanish, Equal First in Class Religious Education and Science
Joshua Barr – Equal First in Class Religious Education
Isaac Barton – Equal First in Class PDHPE
Fred Carmody – Equal First in Class History
Sam Caro – First in Class Science and Technology
Lieme Chan – Equal First in Year Religious Education, Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education
Charles Coughlan – First in Class Visual Arts
Tomas Crosson – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Technology
Max Dent – Equal First in Class PDHPE
Tom Donaldson – First in Year Mathematics, Equal First in Class Religious Education
Cillian Donnelly – Equal Second in Year Mathematics
Cooper Fitzsimmons – First in Class English
Huon Groves – First in Year Science, Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class English, Science, PDHPE, History, Technology and Spanish
Nick Hjorring – First in Class Science and PDHPE, Equal First in Class English
Yannick Hott – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education, Science, PDHPE, History, Visual Arts and Spanish
Lachlan Isaac – First in Class Visual Arts and Spanish
Rafal Jackson – First in Class English
Thomas Jackson-Whitlock – First in Class PDHPE
Jack Peter Johnson – Equal First in Class Religious Education
Leo Jreige – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class English, Science, PDHPE, History and Spanish
Charlie Luck – First in Class Visual Arts
Callum Macarthur – First in Class Visual Arts
Lachlan Marzol – First in Class Religious Education, History, Technology and Spanish
Kai McDermott – Equal First in Year PDHPE, First in Class PDHPE
Jonathon McDonald – Equal Second in Year Mathematics
Christian Miletic – First in Class Religious Education
James O’Loughlin – First in Class PDHPE
James Peate – First in Year English, Equal First in Year Religious Education, Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Religious Education, English, Science, History and Spanish
Tamen Peralta – Equal Second in Year Mathematics, First in Class Science
Renato Rovacchi – Equal First in Class Science
Lachlan Rowney – First in Class Technology
Max Sheehy – Equal First in Year Religious Education, First in Class Religious Education and Technology
Lucas Simcocks – First in Class Visual Arts
Fox Stapleton – First in Class Technology, Equal First in Class English and History
Giles Strachan – First in Class Religious Education
Harrison Thorpe – First in Year Spanish, First in Class Science, History and Spanish
Archie Tindale – Equal First in Class Religious Education
Joshua Tsoukalas – First in Class Visual Arts
Theo Varvaressos – Equal First in Class English
Cameron Vincent Hull – First in Class History and Spanish
Oscar Wilson – Equal First in Class Religious Education
Nick Zanapalis – Equal Second in Mathematics
Bailey Barker – First in English and STEM, Equal First in Geography
James Birbas – First in Spanish
Zac Coonan – First in Mathematics Level 3 and Photographic and Digital Media
Luke Crosson – First in Drama
Dillon Duke-McCoy – Equal First in Mathematics Level 2
Jack George – First in Mathematics Level 1
Tashi Harrison – First in Design and Technology
Milan Mann – First in Industrial Technology Timber
Ewan McDonald – Equal First in History Elective
James Medland – First in PDHPE, First in Physical Activity and Sports Studies
Lennox Miller – First in Visual Arts
Lachlan Miranda – First in Commerce, Equal First in Applied Philosophy
Robbie Muir – First in Music
Thomas Risk – Equal First in Mathematics Level 2
Will Sweetman – First in Information and Software Technology
Asher Thomasyu – First in Science, Equal First in Geography and Applied Philosophy
William Whitaker – Equal First in History Elective
Henry Whitehouse – First in Work Education
Ricardo Zanapalis – First in Religious Education and Food Technology, Equal First in Geography
After starting at the University of Sydney and playing in their inaugural UBL team, Ryan Abbott ended up receiving three US Scholarship offers and has chosen Fresno Pacific University in California. For the next four years, Ryan will attend University in California and play College Basketball. Ryan has been recently training and playing for the Illawarra Hawks NBL team in Wollongong. On behalf of the College Community, we wish Ryan an amazing next step and safe journey. We look forward to hearing about his experiences on return to Australia.
Over the last few weeks in Nurrunga, we have written much about how to assist your son get into a good routine, the importance of exercise, and of setting some boundaries around technology usage. Please take the time to read College Psychologist Ms Tessa Prior’s article in this week’s edition, around what Gen Z actually do online, as it will give parents valuable insight into this space.
Over the past year and a half, our College nurse Ms Adele Cutbush has been making creative use of her spare time by creating a recipe blog, so that others can enjoy some delicious home-cooked meals. Due to the lockdown, she has finally launched it, and hopes the Waverley community might be interested in having a look. Her mission is to add a new recipe every week. From flavoursome Corn and Zucchini Fritters to nutritious Toddlers’ Cottage Pie, there really is something for everyone. Happy cooking (and feasting)!
Adele’s Corn and Zucchini Fritters
Read more: new child safety officers, tips on keeping routine during lockdown.
Waverley College places the care and safety of all students at the forefront of everything that it does. In addition to all staff undergoing child protection training in line with our Code of Conduct, the College up until now, has appointed Child Safety Officers from its leadership team.
After consideration, we believe that students would benefit from a broader range of staff being included in this group. The College Leadership Team have therefore made the decision to expand the number of Child Safety Officers from a broader cross-section of staff.
The key responsibilities of this team include:
Ongoing training will be provided by EREA including the National Child Safeguarding conference in September.
Below are the new Child Safety Officers joining me, Ms Elizabeth Watson and Ms Gabby Smith:
I have spoken to the students at assembly a number of times about the importance of finding and maintaining a routine at this time. For most of us, our regular gym sessions, co-curricular training, competitive sport and coffee catch ups are a distant memory. There are, however, strategies we can take to maintain our ‘normal’ routine amidst the current Greater Sydney lockdown:
Start or end each day with five things you’re grateful for, and see how your mindset during the day or before your sleep shifts;
Make an effort every day to get outside for at least 20 minutes to soak up some sun (when possible), or simply observe the ocean or even lake if you’re down by the water. The sun will boost your immune system and help you sleep in the evening, not to mention the calming nature of the ocean;
It’s so easy to simply work ALL day, as you may not be leaving the house and/or there is “nothing better to do”. Take at least 30 minutes to simply relax, doing what you love … read, listen to music, play games, or go for a walk;
Snacking will easily creep in, especially when you get bored. Make an effort to only buy what you plan to consume, and keep the same eating routine. Consider healthy snacks such as nuts, fruit and cut up vegetables such as carrots and capsicum. Keep the hydration up too, drinking between 2-3 litres of water per day;
Amongst the usual benefits of exercise, the main focus here is keeping mentally and physically stimulated (endorphins are awesome), and keeping your immune system in check.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal (Student and Staff Wellbeing)
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Young people’s online habits can sometimes seem like a mystery to anyone that isn’t a young person. These habits have become exacerbated since lockdown, prompting a lot of conversations about what is a healthy amount of screen time, and what is concerning.
A recent study published by Year13 YouthSense has looked into how young people use the Internet, and how much time in their day is dedicated to this. I hope this article helps to normalise some of your son’s online habits, and give you some guidance into what would be considered ‘average’ use. This study is based on 1,232 responses from across Australia.
As adults, we grew up in the age of TVs, running to do our chores or go to the bathroom in the ad breaks, so as not to miss a moment of a show. Young people today are growing up in a very different world; regular TV is hardly on the radar for Gen Zs. The Internet is playing a huge role in our young people’s lives, and getting them ‘off it’ is not the answer. To help the young people in our lives, it is important we understand what is considered ‘normal’ and encourage boundaries, based on this information.
Based on this 2021 study, 71% of young people are using their phone as their preferred device, with laptops at 18% (desktop 7% and tablet 4%). The average screen time per day is five hours, meaning they are spending close to a third of their waking lives on their phones, with only 13% of respondents having one to two hours a day. It’s important to note that these five hours are not screen time during their school day, this is in addition to their use of laptops at school.
When it comes to what young people are doing, around 37% said they were on Social Media (Instagram, TikTok etc) for three plus hours a day, while 42% said they were using Social Media one to two hours a day. If we compare this data with websites, only 8% were using websites three plus hours a day.
In addition to Social Media usage, streaming videos on YouTube and shows on Netflix etc had very similar results, with almost half streaming between one to three plus hours each day.
When it comes to online gaming, the data shows differently. 75% of males reported that they game weekly, compared to 43% of females. However only 12% of respondents reported they play games for three plus hours a day.
The term ‘addicted’ is thrown around a lot when it comes to young people and technology use. And maybe for good reason. The need for this engagement does appear as an addiction, which further emphasises the importance of boundaries and strong expectations.
Adolescence is a time of rapid brain development and changes. The everyday patterns of behaviour they engage in now, is setting a precedent for their later years. The more education and structure they are provided around screen time, the higher chance they will incorporate this into their lives as young adults.
The study mentioned above, showed that 48% of young people felt they were addicted to Social Media, with one 18-year-old stating “people are too addicted to their phones. To the point where it’s weird if you’re not addicted”.
If you are setting boundaries around screen time, do this WITH your son
The online usage for young people is something everyone has an opinion on; maybe you feel it’s bad having adolescents exposed to so much, so young. Or perhaps you think it’s an empowering tool, that they are able to create a platform and understand more about the world, in a way that we as adults didn’t at their age. No matter what side of the fence you sit on, remember that our young people today are informed, and connected. Therefore, if you are setting boundaries around screen time, or limiting certain content/Social Media platforms, I would encourage you to do this with your son.
Ask him, what does he think is fair? Get an understanding of his current use. Is he using public or private accounts? Does he think his mental health is being impacted? Creating a shared agreement or goal around screen time is an empowering and validating way to work as a team, in order to get the best outcome.
Ms Tessa Prior
School Psychologist
E: tprior@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Next Wednesday morning, despite being in lockdown, our Year 10 and Year 5 students will have the opportunity to reconnect online for their first Big Brother/Little Brother gathering this term.
Each Year 10 student has been matched up with a little brother in Year 5 in their House group and will be able to engage in conversation throughout the Google Meet activity.
I know our Year 10 students are very excited to have this opportunity to engage with the younger years again, and I look forward to hearing the many interesting topics of conversation on Wednesday and seeing these relationships grow.
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity and Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Despite the fact that we have not been able to go to Timor-Leste on our Immersion program since 2019, the strong relationships we built up over time have continued to flourish. As a result, some of our alumni are endeavouring to continue to help develop the wonderful classroom facilities that provide educational opportunities for the children of Timor-Leste via a fundraising venture along the Great Ocean Walk to hopefully raise $30,000.
I am sharing this news because these young men are wonderful ambassadors for Waverley, and reflect the values of Edmund Rice in caring for the disadvantaged and thinking of others before themselves. Some of our past students who were privileged to attend these immersions pre-COVID-19 include one of our Vice-Captains from 2020, Liam Andrews.
LIAM ANDREWS (CLASS OF 2020) AND TIMORESE PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS SHARING SKILLS, 2019
Liam’s reflection on his Timor-Leste experience (below) is testament to the wonderful relationships that can be made throughout these opportunities. Hopefully post-COVID we will be able to again participate and enjoy these simple, yet life-changing experiences beyond the Waverley gates.
The Timor-Leste immersion offers an experience that is distinctly unique to Timor-Leste itself. From the warm welcoming people and communities, to the natural beauty and rich history of the Timor land, the immersion allowed me to challenge my comfort zones and engage in a truly humbling experience.
Through our homestay with the families in Railaco Craic, we were not only able to build relationships that transcended language barriers, but created memories that will last lifetimes. Playing soccer with the local kids, introducing them to the beauty of rugby, and learning more about a country that exists so closely to Australia, the immersion strengthened the bonds between the Waverley boys. It offered opportunities to learn more about the staff that accompanied us, helping the boys to develop healthy student-teacher relationships that continued on as we got back in the classroom.
Additionally, the friendly nature of our guides from Timor Unearthed created a fun environment allowing us to benefit from their profound knowledge of Timor-Leste. Ultimately, the Timor-Leste immersion is a humbling experience that allows the Waverley boys to understand their privilege and experience a world greatly different from our own.
Liam Andrews, 2020 Vice-Captain
Ms Suzanne Walsh
Director of Identity and Student Formation
E: swalsh@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
