Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
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
The physical impact of the pandemic has mostly spared our young people, however as the nation remains to be on alert and in various stages of lockdown, restrictions continue to be mandated. The pandemic has had a great affect on our young people with many paying a heavy emotional and developmental price. Psychological disorders are on the rise and emergency interventions have skyrocketed.
As hard as it is being a young person today, it’s also draining being the parent of one. It has been reported that many parents are struggling to keep their child’s mental health afloat, often proving it is difficult to juggle parenting responsibilities whilst at the same time providing much needed emotional support for their children.
Unlike the coronavirus itself, the emotional blowback of the pandemic cannot be vaccinated away. Psychologists are seeing more depression and anxiety across all age groups, but in adolescents it seems to be on steroids, with some choosing to self-medicate using alcohol or other drugs. When they look into the future now, they’re looking at one that wasn’t what they envisioned before.
This report explains the current state of youth mental health in a post-COVID era and offers guidance on how best to support young people today. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If this Special Report raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
| Psychologist for Years 7-12 | Ms Tessa Prior | tprior@waverley.nsw.edu.au | 9369 0635 |
| Psychologist for Years 7-12 | Mr Greg Cameron | gcameron@waverley.nsw.edu.au | 9369 0645 |
| Psychologist for Years 5 and 6 | Ms Alexsandra McCredie | amccredie@waverley.nsw.edu.au | 9387 5022 |
| Psychologist for Years 5 and 6 | Ms Dawn Young | dyoung@waverley.nsw.edu.au | 9387 5022 |
Perhaps your son may be interested in connecting with ‘Canice’s Kitchen Backyard Winter Sleepout’ on Saturday 31 July 2021 from 6pm-6am. This wonderful initiative may be a great break from “lockdown life” and is designed for students aged 12-18 years, to help develop their knowledge around the issues of homelessness.
The event is completely virtual, meaning they can complete the 12-hour sleepout in their backyard, balcony or living room, and connect to the event hosts and guest speakers via Zoom. There will be a live discussion as well as a Q&A, followed by a series of challenges they must undertake overnight. These challenges aim to mimic the lived experiences of our two speakers and really put the students into the shoes of someone who has slept rough.
This event is free, however if students would like to get sponsored, they may do so. There is a FAQS page on the registration page to help parents and carers understand the event.
OR
Should you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
Ms Suzanne Walsh – Director of Identity and Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Marie-Anne Maakrun – Assistant Director Identity and Student Formation
E: mmaakrun@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We hope to be able to participate in the event in August if at all possible. If this can go ahead I will be in contact again pending availability of spots.
In the meantime I encourage you to read and when reading to take note of how writers grab your attention and keep you interested.
Mr William Roberts
Head of Library Services
E: wroberts@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Further to my welcome back and online learning correspondence on Wednesday evening, I would like to welcome five new families who are joining the College Community this semester. I am sure they will receive a warm Waverley community welcome.
The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and Aboriginal people’s cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
The theme resonates closely with what we have been called to do as Church through Laudato Si. Pope Francis calls us to to “show special care for Indigenous communities and their cultural traditions.” (>>> Click here to view Laudato Si).
Celebrate NAIDOC Week!
Next week brings the start of a new semester and it is the perfect time for students to set new goals for the term ahead. Each student in Years 5-11 will be asked to write their SMART Goals down for the term ahead in their student diary on page 111. Discussion, reflection and input from parents/carers, wellbeing mentors and each student will bring the best results from this process. These should be finalised by the end of Week 2.
Whilst this term brings with it a start that we all would prefer to be different, it is important for everyone to engage in what we refer to in our Wellbeing curriculum as having a positive mindset.
The benefits of a positive mindset are real and demonstrated by multiple scientific studies. Positive thinking is not about sticking your head in the sand when faced with life’s issues and it is not about ignorance and turning away from problems. It is about approaching unpleasant situations with more positivity and productivity and using logic and reason.
Kendra Cherry, psychologist and author of the book, Everything Psychology, suggests positive thinking consists of four approaches to reality:
And by engaging in these approaches, she argues that your physical health, mental health, relationships, and schooling/career will improve.
How to create a positive mindset and attitude to life?
Our 2021 Year 12 cohort have given us some assistance here in their choice of motto: ‘Real Gratitude: Deeds not words.’ Being grateful for the things we do have can go a long way to changing our attitude, and our Year 12s are encouraging us to do this through action.
Another way is to keep your own gratitude journal. Hard book copies can be purchased or there are digital apps that are free to download such as The Five Minute Journal app. Spend five minutes every day thinking about the positives in life and writing them down.
Another way to create a positive mindset is to change the language you use.
If you describe your life as tedious or difficult, it is likely that you will feel the same way. By using positive language you can reframe how you feel.
Simple changes such as using the word ‘get’ rather than ‘have’ can make a difference.
For example:
I have to go to work vs I get to go to work.
I have to be online vs I get to be online.
I have to visit my grandparents vs I get to visit my grandparents
The subtle change in language moves it from a task to an action, it sounds more positive and you are reinforcing gratitude in your life.
Other ways to create a positive mindset and attitude to life will be unpacked in later newsletters and include: Being present in the now, learning how to accept rejection, volunteering, breathing exercises, surrounding yourself with positive people, rewarding yourself and finding your emotional outlets.
Over the next few days, staff will be setting up Google Meets for students across Years 5-12. Can I ask that you support your son in managing these invitations as he will be receiving quite a number of them while the classes are initially set up. Your son will manage this by regularly checking his email over the next few days and accepting these invitations from teachers.
A reminder that on Tuesday the schedule will be slightly different due to Assembly (5-12) and Wellbeing Groups (7-12).
Years 5 – 6
Years 7-12
Classwork will be uploaded to CANVAS. Meetings will take place on Google Meets. All students need to be in their PDHPE uniform on Google Meets. Please ensure your son is familiar with the Online Learning Protocols and expectations including his adjusted timetable, where to find his classwork and online meeting etiquette.
In light of the current Government and Health Department COVID-19 restrictions, all face-to-face events are on hold until further notice.
Parent/Teacher/Interviews are going ahead on Zoom.
Please check your son’s year group Action Items below for more information.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Amen
Mary of the Cross – pray for us
Blessed Edmund – pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts – forever
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you and your family are well and that your son has still been able to enjoy a less busy time during the school holidays and feeling refreshed and ready for Term 3.
The NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced that the Sydney lockdown will continue until midnight Friday 16 July, 2021 and that students within greater Sydney are required to work online from Tuesday to Friday inclusive next week.
In response to these government and health directives, the following will be in place at the College:
Monday 12 July – Staff Professional Learning Day as planned
Tuesday 13 July – Online Learning
Over the next few days, staff will be setting up Google Meets for students across Years 5-12. Can I ask that you support your son in managing these invitations as he will be receiving quite a number of them while the classes are initially set up? Your son will manage this by regularly checking his email over the next few days and accepting these invitations from teachers.
Tuesday’s schedule will be slightly different due to Assembly (5-12) and Wellbeing Groups (7-12).
Years 5 – 6
Years 7-12
It is important to note that the College has refined its Online Learning Model for Years 7–12 based on feedback and evaluation from 2020. Click this link to familiarise yourself with the Online Learning Guidelines.
Students will follow an adjusted timetable (Senior School and Junior School) and participate in their regular periods via Google Meet. It is important that your son has a copy of the online adjusted timetable so that he is on time and attending all his lessons.
Supervision on campus
I want to assure you of our commitment to continuing the learning journey of your son. Waverley College has invested considerable time and effort to ensure that online learning arrangements are in place. Importantly, the wellbeing of our community is paramount. Our wellbeing team of mentors, psychologists and Heads of House are committed to supporting your son/s during these challenging times.
I ask families who are in difficult circumstances to stay in conversation with us. We recognise that these current times are unique and challenging for all. Thank you for your ongoing support, understanding and partnership throughout this time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Graham Leddie
Principal
As we navigated COVID-19 in 2020 we discovered the dynamic nature of the virus and the need to adapt quickly and demonstrate resilience. Our community was again tested for much of the mid-year break when the State Government announced a Stay-at-Home Order. On Wednesday of this week, the State Government announced that week one of Term 3 will be conducted remotely.
From a curriculum point of view, we were indeed fortunate that the majority of the lockdown period occurred during the term break, so that the impact on teaching and learning was minimal. Year 12 tutorials moved online and students would have had no excuses to find the time to prepare for the HSC Trials due to start early in Term Three.
If the Government allows us to return to campus in Week 2, it will be particularly important for us to know whether any of our students have 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.
The Wellbeing team appreciates the difficulties that many students impacted by COVID-19 restrictions are facing. 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. Parents, carers and students are encouraged to reach out if they need our support:
Mr Patrick Brennan pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au 9369 0765
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 Period One 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 on campus and in class. To avoid this situation please ensure your son arrives at school on time each day. If he is late, he needs to sign in late at the Wellbeing Centre with his student ID card.
A reminder that blazers are compulsory during Term 3. They are to be worn to and from school and at all formal gatherings such as College Assemblies during this time. It’s the first year the entire College will be in the new academic uniform so our expectations are high. Blazers must be worn under the wet weather jacket to and from school.
Any student not in full academic uniform will require a uniform pass from the Wellbeing Centre or face a three-hour detention.
The quality of these garments is high so it is strongly recommended that all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your son’s name.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal – Student & Staff Wellbeing
pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As we enter another week of NSW Stay at Home orders Waverley will be enacting its COVID-19 safe plan. This will mean the following: only Parents with a pre-booked appointment can attend either the Senior or Junior Campuses. Entry is through the Reception areas, all other gates will be secured. On entering school grounds, all parents, students and staff must check-in using the site-specific QR codes which are displayed. For students who do not have access to the NSW Service app, a sign in book will be used. Hand sanitisers should be used and face masks must be worn at all times.
As ever, the following must be observed, please do not attend school grounds if any of the following apply: you have been in contact with a suspected COVID-19 case, you have attended any of the listed NSW hotspot venues, are feeling unwell or are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
Mr Simon Potter
Director of ICT, Innovation & Campus
E: spotter@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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