Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Anthony Gibbs and Mr Chris Balkizas and their respective families. Both gentlemen’s mothers passed away this week. If you are in one of their classes, gents, it would be nice to offer your condolences at your next interaction with them, and know that their grief will still be very raw, so look after them.
I would like to welcome Ms Stephanie Falk who has been appointed to replace Ms Dechantel Green in Visual Arts. Stephanie previously worked at Prairiewood High School and Carlingford High School and will be with us for the remainder of the year.
Each day is an opportunity for students to honour giving preference to one another. From doing what we can to limit the opportunity for the spread of this pandemic, and caring for those who carry heavy burdens, through to the way we speak and conduct ourselves.
The resilience and consideration that I have seen from so many in our school community as we learn from home and live in lockdown, is to be commended. Waverley College is proud of how its students have continued to apply themselves to their studies and demonstrate patience and compassion during a challenging time.
And I want to remind you and all students that every action in life has a consequence. You have the opportunity to be a person who leaves people and places better for you having been there.
Equally, any poor behaviour, even off-campus during lockdown, will be held accountable by the College.
We are all responsible as individuals to make good choices, and boys who respect themselves will choose to honour others over themselves. Boys who respect themselves will be brave and confront negative behaviours – including in their own lives. They will lift others up, and know that there are healthy ways to ‘blow off some steam’ that are not at the expense of others. There is no acceptable level of disrespect.
Challenges are an opportunity for tenacity and character to be built if we continue to make wise decisions, even when things are hard.
Here are some of the key principles that we teach students, that you can share at home:
During the NSW COVID-19 lockdown, many of us have spent more time than usual using the Internet to learn, work and communicate. Online interactions can be complex, particularly during a pandemic. Please remind your son/s to be extra careful with their words and actions online and when sending messages by email, phone or computer.
‘Cyberbullying’ is bullying online via Social Media or via messages sent by email, phone or computer. Although in Australia there is no specific legislation used for cyber-bullying, there are other laws that police can access to arrest and charge offenders. Such offences fall under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, 1955. Division 474, subdivision C. Telecommunications Offences.
The law in the area of cyberbullying is complicated, and even if a perpetrator is under 18, consequences can be serious. Did you know that cyberbullying by children can also be considered a crime? There can be legal repercussions for youth perpetrators, even if they are as young as 10.
Under current national or NSW law, children may be charged by police, and if guilty, may receive a criminal record or be sent to gaol. Parents play a critical role in preventing cyberbullying by helping their son/s to develop empathy for others.
Discrimination Laws also apply online. Making inappropriate or derogatory comments about someone’s race, colour, sexual orientation, disability, religion, gender, national origin or age is completely inappropriate and a place one should never go, even if the person is in conflict with you or your opinions. Further to discrimination laws, the Australian federal law makes racism and hate speech unlawful under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
This challenging time is an opportunity for all of us to be mindful of others, and do what we can to demonstrate kindness and lighten each other. In a world of 24/7 news and constant information flow, we can get caught up thinking we need to comment on everything, but with increased screen times, perhaps less engagement and spontaneous opinion being offered is more appropriate. I came across this advice shared with me:
Today I saw something online I didn’t agree with
I didn’t get offended
I didn’t comment
I didn’t feel the need to change their mind
I still like the person
I kept scrolling and went on with my day
Please work with us to help your son/s to both understand the consequences and be a responsible digital citizen.
The Heads of the CAS schools yesterday decided that, in the light of current restrictions, the remainder of the winter sport competition for 2021 would be cancelled. Decisions regarding future CAS sporting competitions and fixtures will be made and communicated as guidance is issued by NSW government and health authorities. Whilst we understand the disappointment caused by these developments, the CAS will continue to uphold its overriding duty to act in a manner which promotes the welfare of the wider community. – Chair of CAS General Committee
The winter edition of our biannual alumni magazine Wavelength is nearing publication and will comprehensively cover the many exciting changes and achievements accomplished since the last issue. It celebrates the latest news from Waverley College and its diverse and well connected Old Boy community. If you are an Old Boy and have new email or postal details, please contact alumni liaison officer Ms Venettia Miller. E: vmiller@waverley.nsw.edu.au | T: 02 9369 0773
We have received exceptional feedback about our Waverley College app which we use as a central portal to communicate with parents. The uptake in subscriptions has far exceeded our expectations, and I’m pleased to report that app is now live on 1481 devices! Features include: Notices, Nurrunga, Co-Curricular, Parent Lounge, Calendar, Absences, Contacts, Maps and Links. It is important to download the app because from Sunday 1 August, SkoolBag app and Team app will be discontinued at Waverley.
During Week 5, students from Years 5-11 were due to attend e-safe presentations on campus.
Our commitment to increasing education for students, professional learning for staff, and formation for parents will not be diminished by our current circumstances. We have had to pivot and work with our provider to enable these important e-safe presentations to go ahead in an online forum. These will be conducted at the same time as if they had been held on campus.
Nearer Week 5, students will be provided with a link for the sessions which will be attended by their class teachers along with the rest of their year group.
Despite the majority of students doing a fine job during online learning, the College has received several reports recently of current students making poor decisions, often in groups in public.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every person in Sydney. People have lost their jobs, are forced to work from home, missing loved ones, have had wedding and other major celebrations cancelled, and have not been able to visit family in hospital. For all of us, this is a time of great uncertainty. This is not the time to be causing additional stress on others in our community by thoughtless, selfish actions.
Please use this as a timely reminder that students must be adhering to current NSW Health ‘Stay at Home’ orders. Any student identified in CCTV footage or captured on a mobile phone engaging in anti-social behaviour during remote learning will be held accountable by the College. This is the same as if we were on campus. The College will always assist any investigation conducted by NSW Police.
Parents are encouraged to know who their sons are with during the day, and what activities they are engaged in. All six periods during remote learning involve a Google Meet with their teacher, so it is the College’s expectation that your sons are at home and in front of their computer during school hours. After school, and on the weekend, the College supports and promotes engagement in exercise and recreation, not anti-social behaviours that cause additional stress on our community and that bring the College’s name into disrepute.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This annual Campaign each year in the middle of winter aims to:
The 2021 theme highlights the importance of the social connection of having stability and a place all people can call ‘home.’
This year, the Winter Sleepout will happen at your place! If you take part, you will get an experience of sleeping rough and also hear stories from two people who were formerly homeless. You can sleep on your lounge room floor, balcony, or in your backyard, and even have other immediate family members join you. During Saturday evening, you can log in to hear live discussions from speakers Jai and Alec about their experiences being homeless – and how they overcame these challenges to emerge stronger today.
Here you can get all the information, and sign up under the Waverley College team to experience this with others. There are also opportunities for others to sponsor you and help raise funds for the food and support services provided by St Canice’s Kitchen in Kings Cross.
Waverley College will continue to advocate for reducing homelessness as this is a preventable issue in Australia and all people have a right to call a safe place “home.”
Please contact me if you require further information.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
E: jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
3rd Payment – Due Date Friday 30/7/2021
1st Payment – Prompt payment date 21/1/2022; due date 28/1/2022
2nd Payment – Prompt payment date 22/4/2022; due date 6/5/2022
3rd Payment – Prompt payment date 15/7/2022; due date 29/7/2022
Fees paid before 4pm on the prompt payment date attract a $25.00 discount.
Any payment received after 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 2021/2022 are below:
Mr Bryn Gregerson
Director of Business Services
E: bgregerson@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We received some fantastic parent suggestions about compiling lists of great family film viewing with the idea of devoting time for families to relax and learn together via film. As we are all locked down, we can relive or start the tradition of family viewing nights!
We recognise that not all families have access to all viewing platforms, so below you will find films suitable for family film viewing nights that can be accessed via each platform. Some films will be more suitable for Junior School students and others for Senior School students.
The tip today is to consider the College’s subscription to ClickView. We have a large bank of family films to view here.
Access is available via:
*These sites could be considered for evaluating films to view on streaming services such as STAN and Netflix. This can be a tool to help you find suitable content.
*This site is also of interest, as it reviews films with parents in mind. It rates films according to such categories as language, violence, positive messages, consumerism, drinking, drugs and smoking.
Happy viewing!
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Dear Parents and Carers,
The current COVID-19 environment of repeated lockdowns is having a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of adults, adolescents and children, far greater, it appears, than the experts have predicted. Now, halfway through 2021, the numbers are in on the emotional and developmental price being paid.
This Special Report spearheaded by Child Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, is essential and timely viewing for parents, carers and educators. It reflects new research, what uncertainties for families and young people lay ahead, and solutions and perspectives on how to assist your son and also you!
The College subscribes to SchoolTV and can be accessed on our website, or in the ‘links’ section of the Waverley College app. Here you will find a range of information, resources and support materials available across relevant social and emotional issues.
It only goes for 8 minutes and I highly recommend it.
Farewell and thank you to Ms Dechantel Green who left last Friday after 11 years of service at the College in the Visual Arts faculty. Dechantel was integral to the organisation of the Annual Art Shows, Media Group and presentation day videos. Dechantal accepted a new opportunity and we wish her the very best of luck with her future endeavours.
We welcome the following staff who have joined our College in Term 3:
Ms Stephanie Falk – Visual Arts Faculty
We warmly welcome a new member to our teaching staff in the Visual Arts faculty, Ms Stephanie Falk. Stephanie will be with us for the remainder of the year and will be teaching Visual Arts and Photography and Digital Media, and has been appointed to replace Ms Dechantel Green. She previously worked at Prairiewood High School and Carlingford High School 2021.
Mr Kevin Heath – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Liaison
Kevin is a proud Butchulla man from Hervey Bay, Queensland and will be assisting and supporting students who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and supporting our cultural understanding and appreciation across the College. Kevin is a qualified social worker and is employed by NSW Health as an Aboriginal Health Project Coordinator. Kevin is also a devoted RUOK? Ambassador, and spends much of his time promoting the importance of the four steps of the charity – Ask, Listen, Encourage Action & Check-In. Along with this, Kevin thoroughly enjoys mentoring and guiding our youth. He prides himself on the example he sets and leads through his actions.
Health and wellbeing are more important than ever, as our Year 12 students continue their school assessments and prepare for upcoming Trial HSC exams during the COVID-19 outbreak.
>>> Click here to view the Stay Healthy HSC Hub which is now available to help students and parents with tips for prioritising wellbeing, including:
Also, make sure you access Wednesday’s Sydney Morning Herald which contained another great resource: the HSC Study Guide 2021.
Students are encouraged to join the #StayHealthyHSC conversation on social media to share how your students are taking care of their wellbeing.
Online learning and spending more time online during lockdowns, should not mean our children have free reign. When talking with your sons about their time online, try always to be positive and open. Put healthy boundaries in place immediately. It is essential to know and understand that many of the same behaviours that keep children safe offline can help keep children safe online.
Here are a just few tips:
It is crucial that you also find some time to do offline activities with children and encourage them to do things that we often don’t get a chance to do, like baking, puzzles, and gardening.
Finally, the biggest endorphin booster for adolescent boys (and girls), is exercise. Get them out of the house for a surf, skate or ride around Centennial Park. We are truly blessed with so many movement opportunities on our doorsteps.
Max Leedham surfing
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal : Staff and Student Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
During the current NSW lockdown, iAssist are operating a limited onsite support service from the Senior School. Even throughout COVID Lockdown, accidents do still happen, and if your sons needs some hand-on help we ask that you pre-book your visit >>> by clicking here to access iAssistBookings.
A reminder to all members of the school community, that if you do have to attend either the Senior or Junior Campuses that you enter through Reception and use the QR code sign-in system. Face masks are also compulsory on all School property.
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Campus and Innovation
E: spotter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Well done to all students on your great efforts so far this term with remote learning, as well as the wide range of physical activities that I have seen across all year groups. I am sure we are all well aware of how important maintaining physical activity and exercise is during this time for our overall holistic health.
We have had some impressive submissions on this website. Many students have also utilised the recommended exercises from Mr Jeremy Roff each day in the Daily Notices.
We have also commenced posting specific sport activities on the new Waverley College App under Co-curricular, so please ensure you have subscribed to the App AND those specific activities in which you participate. We will continue to post these over the next couple of weeks to ensure that the students in each of those activities are maintaining and improving their skills and fitness levels. All of these can be done at home and do not require much equipment, as well as being appropriate for all levels of ability.
With the Olympics commencing this week we will also be posting some Olympic-style event challenges across a number of different platforms, with prizes for those students who submit the best results. These will include exercise challenges such as push ups, sit ups, accuracy, standing long jump, trivia questions as well as activity design tasks.
We will also have a medal prediction competition launching next week with the closest students being able to come and select any piece of sports equipment of their choice once we return to school.
At this stage we have no official update on the recommencement of winter sports and the season remains currently suspended. We will also be postponing any current planned presentation evenings and will update the College community based on further health advice and orders to ensure we are keeping everyone safe.
We have had a number of students and parents in Years 7-11 asking about summer co-curricular activity changes that were due in week 3 of this term. We will postpone these changes until we return to school, or if lockdown is extended, we will look at an online method of making these change requests.
Please note that some summer activities such as water polo, fitness group, weights and fitness (selected Year 11 and 12 only) and touch football have very limited spots available, so students will need to ensure that they select second and third preferences.
We also need to maintain the integrity of a number of traditional sports such as cricket and tennis, and would not normally make changes for those students who were selected in As teams last summer season.
We will also be potentially offering a new summer activity in Sailing, depending on the number of students who express interest. Sailing would occur over two afternoons per week as well as on a Saturday morning at Woollahra Sailing Club. For any student selecting this activity, there is a direct cost involved for use of the equipment and instruction. These costs are lower per term the more students that participate, however, we need a minimum of six students for this activity to run.
Keep working on those physical activities and exercises, and please keep uploading this evidence to the House Points Challenge website or please just send them to your Convenors or myself.
James Fragias (Year 10) staying active at home during 2021 Lockdown
Mr Steve O’Donnell
Director of Co-curricular
E: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
All students Years 5 to 10 have access to Skwirk. Skwirk covers all NSW curriculum content, organised neatly via subject and sub topics.
With over 18,000 Australian animations, videos, images, quizzes, podcasts, games and activities across our English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Commerce curricula, Skwirk provides a fun and interesting way for students to further explore and develop the concepts taught in school.
Username is your College email address
P = waverley
Please contact me if you have any further questions or need help with access.
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations and thank you to all staff, students, and parents who have helped support the transition to online learning. The NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has extended current community restrictions until Friday 30 July, therefore online learning will continue for the next two weeks.
Due to the current Government restrictions and advice, all CAS 2021 winter sport competitions and fixtures are currently suspended. The CAS will work within NSW Government and Health guidelines in preparation for the re-commencement of sporting fixtures when it is deemed safe and appropriate to do so. We will communicate developments as soon as we are in a position to do so.
Whilst other LGAs in Sydney are attracting greater attention at present with respect to COVID-19 transmission to where most of our students live, there are currently 70 cases of COVID-19 in the Waverley LGA. It is vital that we continue to follow health orders and stay at home. Please remember that masks must be worn indoors, unless in your own home. This includes inside apartment building common areas such as lifts, stairwells, corridors, car parks and shared laundry facilities.
Ms Gabby Smith (Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning) commended students in her communications today for showing resilience, grit and perseverance and I would reiterate her sentiments.
These are challenging times that are being presented to us all. How do you help your son develop and improve qualities of resilience?
Psychologists Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A suggest there are five key areas to practise to improve resilience:
Change is an inevitable part of life and many aspects of the changing world are outside of your individual control. Accepting your situation can free up energy to be used on areas that you can control and take action on in your life. It is tempting to believe that the best way to get through hard times is by ignoring painful emotions and ‘putting on a brave face’. Unfortunately, unpleasant emotions exist whether we choose to acknowledge them or not. By allowing yourself to feel emotions, the most intense and upsetting emotions will pass and fade, and you will be able to find a path forward.
Connecting with friends and family when you’re going through tough times can help ease stress, boost your mood, and make sense of all the change and disruption. Instead of feeling like you’re facing your problems alone, you can draw strength and build resilience from having others to lean on. The people you reach out to don’t need to have answers to the problems you’re facing; they just need to be willing to listen to you without judging.
When your body feels strong and healthy, so too will your mind. When you’re dealing with chronic stress, you are likely to carry it somewhere in your body.
Make sure you:
When you are in the midst of a crisis, it’s common to feel powerless and helpless. By proactively helping others, you can regain a sense of control as well as find purpose in your life. In fact, giving support can be just as beneficial as receiving support.
In turbulent times, it’s important not to cast aside interests that nourish your spirit. For many of us, it’s these things that define us as individuals and bring meaning to our lives.
Whether it’s exercising, caring for a pet, an artistic or musical endeavour, home improvement projects, or spending time in nature, continuing to draw pleasure from your pastimes adds to your ability to cope with the stress of difficult times.
Deal with your problems one step at a time. If a problem is too big to deal with all at once, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. If your problem seems to have no possible solution, you can still take action by drawing up a list, researching more about the subject, or seeking the advice of a trusted friend or loved one. You can also take a moment to acknowledge your gratitude for the small things in your life, and these can provide respite from the stress and really boost your mood.
Congratulations to the Cadet program who ran a successful leadership program in the first week of the holidays prior to the lockdown. Congratulations also to those Cadets who have received leadership ranks from both St. Catherine’s School and Waverley College. Please see the full report later in Nurrunga.
I would like to thank all students who have seamlessly transitioned to online learning this week. Reports from both the curriculum and wellbeing teams indicate that attendance has been excellent and students have been following the online protocols and are actively engaged in their learning.
When the NSW Government calls for a return to face-to face learning, it will be particularly important for us to know if any of our students become exposed and will therefore be required to complete a period of 14 days of isolation. In such a case we will do our best to provide access to remote learning. Any student who attends school, even with the slightest cold and flu symptoms, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school.
Last week, I reminded our community of the following tips to boost our immune system during the flu season:
The Wellbeing team appreciates the difficulties faced by our community who are currently impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Mental health and wellbeing changes over time in response to different stresses and experiences. Remember to reach out to your support networks; teachers, mentors, Heads of House, Psychologists and members of the College Leadership Team:
Mr Patrick Brennan: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0713
Head of Aungier House: Mr John McCoy jmccoy@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0613
Head of Brennan House: Mr James Horrocks jhorrocks@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0614
Head of Conlon House: Ms Cathy O’Sullivan cosullivan@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0611
Head of Green House: Mr Scott Coleman scoleman@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0610
Head of Lacey House: Mr Damien Thompson dthompson@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0609
Head of O’Connor House: Mr Matthew Barr mbarr@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0612
Head of Quinn House: Ms Olivia Kite okite@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0608
Head of Tevlin House: Mr John McCallum jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0607
Mr Greg Cameron: gcameron@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0645
Ms Tessa Prior: tprior@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0635
Ms Alexsandra McCredie: amccredie@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9387 5022
Ms Dawn Young: dyoung@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9387 5022
Ms Adele Cutbush: healthcentre@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0644
I spoke at this week’s assembly about the importance of sleep, exercise and diet at times of change, anxiety and increased stress. Sleep is as important to our health as eating, drinking and breathing. It allows our bodies to repair themselves and our brains to consolidate our memories and process information.
Poor sleep hygiene is linked to physical problems such as a weakened immune system and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Boys should be getting at least eight hours of sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene involves a routine that includes no screen time an hour before bed and sleeping in a cool, dark and quiet environment away from any devices, particularly their mobile phone.
Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short burst of 10 minutes’ brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood. Participation in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety.
Even in this time of lockdown, I am seeing many of our students engaging in COVID-safe exercise such as jogging and cycling in Centennial Park, skating at Bondi Skate Park, football drills at Erskineville Oval and surfing at Bronte. I believe we have some of the most active teenagers in Sydney. We are blessed with a natural environment conducive to incidental and planned physical activity, and it’s great to see our boys taking full advantage of these spaces.
Eating a balanced diet with adequate hydration and plenty of fruit and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of sickness and disease. It also helps with sleeping patterns, energy levels, and your general health. A healthy diet also affects your mood and helps to manage your anxiety and stress.
As well as being the first teaching and learning period of the day, period one serves as the College’s mandatory recording of daily attendance as required by law.
Students who do not attend their Period One Google Meet will be marked absent and their parents will be sent a text message from the College indicating this. This often causes parents who receive this SMS anxiety and concern. This is escalated when parents are under the impression that their son is actively engaged in online learning. To avoid this situation please ensure your son is ready to commence his Google Meet at the start of Period 1. When we return to face to face learning, if he attends school after the bell, he needs to sign in late at the Wellbeing Centre with his student ID card.
Your son’s teachers and Head of House will monitor his attendance during the day and will notify parents if he is not attending his scheduled periods.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Staff and Student Wellbeing
E: pbrennan@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.
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