This week, we would like to acknowledge the work that our teachers are doing to facilitate rich learning experiences that bridge the gap between the world of school and post-school, particularly in our HSC and Preliminary HSC courses. In the last week or two, we have had students pursue an external course in quantum physics, participate in flying lessons to learn about aerodynamics in Engineering Studies, work with published writers at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and contribute to hands-on field work at Barangaroo for Geography to name but a few. You can learn more about these experiences below.
These experiences speak to the work we are doing with the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) on Deep Learning and the six global competencies of Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. In fact, the global competency of Critical Thinking manifests in students who experiment, reflect and take action on ideas in the real world. The experiences outlined below offer a space where students can apply critical thinking authentically and in-line with their specific HSC courses.
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 12 student, Declan McAuliffe, who has a passion for physics and is aspiring to a career in quantum engineering, recently participated in the Sydney Quantum Academy Computing Camp. This virtual event, held over three days from 9am-3pm aimed to introduce high school students to the fascinating world of quantum computing and other quantum technologies.
The Quantum Tech Camp provided a comprehensive introduction to quantum learning pathways, quantum careers, and the Australian quantum ecosystem. Declan took part in a variety of workshops that delved into quantum mechanics, quantum coding, quantum algorithms, quantum hardware, and the practical applications of quantum computing.
Each day, Declan had the opportunity to listen to speakers from both the Australian and international quantum community. These experts shared unique insights into different study and career pathways in the field of quantum science. They also showcased real-world applications of quantum technology happening right here in Sydney and across Australia.
The camp featured talks from students, academics, and industry professionals who shared their personal journeys and highlighted why quantum is an exciting career option. Participants learned about cutting-edge quantum research and other applications from universities and industry leaders within the Australian quantum ecosystem.
Declan found the camp to be an incredibly valuable learning experience, further igniting his interest in quantum computing. I am proud of his dedication and excited to see where his passion for quantum engineering will take him!
Ms Kathryn Knowles
Senior Studies and Careers Coordinator
kknowles@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Year 12 Geography students as part of their study of Urban Places, investigated the impact of urban renewal on Barangaroo.
A former waterfront, the area highlights how effective urban design can create and transform a suburb into a thriving commercial and economic precinct, boasting a six star rating for ecological sustainability.
The field work was invaluable for the students in preparing for their upcoming assessment task, and ultimately their HSC exam.
Mr Adam Wallington
Head of HSIE
awallington@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In the pursuit of knowledge, there is often no substitute for hands-on experience. For students delving into the intricate world of aerodynamics, this rings especially true. Rather than merely studying theories in textbooks, we took an immersive approach and provided the opportunity for our Year 12 students who are studying aeronautical engineering concepts to fly an aircraft.
Picture a classroom where the ceiling is not a limit but a vast expanse of the sky. This was the reality for our Year 12 students who took part in a learning experience that integrated a flying lesson into their week’s learning. Although it was only a small propeller aircraft, the opportunity to take the controls and feel the forces of flight firsthand was an unparalleled educational experience.
Aerodynamics, the study of how air interacts with objects in motion, can be a complex subject to grasp from textbooks alone. However, when the Year 12 students were seated in the cockpit, the principles of lift, drag, thrust, and weight suddenly became tangible concepts. By adjusting control surfaces and observing how the aircraft responded, students gained a much deeper understanding of aerodynamic principles that would not have otherwise been achieved by studying from textbooks alone.
What did the students think of the experience?
“I understand the forces of flight so much better now!”
“It was so much fun and I never thought Sydney was so big!”
“Oh I don’t want to feel those G-forces again!”
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator / Ecology Coordinator
sbaylie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Wednesday last, Ms Ryan and I were lucky enough to spend the day with a group of Year 11 English students at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
We were treated to three wonderful and varied sessions;
Here are some of our reflections on the sessions:
On route to Carriageworks, many students asked the question ‘But what is creative nonfiction, Miss?’.
Kate Rossmanith is an author, essayist, and an Associate Professor at Macquarie University, where she teaches creative writing. Kate’s non-fiction work includes the book, Small Wrongs, and pieces written for The Monthly, The Australian and Sydney Review of Books. Ms Rossmanith offered some truly interesting insights to the many forms creative nonfiction can take: memoir, personal essay, discursive essay, literary journalism, to name just a few.
What struck me was the essential nature of research as well as the genesis of ideas. Ms Rossmanith’s Small Wrongs sounds like a fascinating read – a deep dive into the experience of remorse in the justice system. To be a creative nonfiction writer, “Keep asking the questions that need to be asked”.
To Year 11 and Year 12 students, the most important message was the need to keep writing those drafts and expect to edit and edit and edit. Find your own authentic voice.
In our second seminar of the day, we were privileged to listen to Melissa Lucashenko, a highly celebrated indigenous writer from the Bundjalung nation. In her speech, she talked about her passion for telling the Indigenous stories of Australia – notably focusing on her hit novel Edenglassie. She also gave some very helpful advice for students’ writing, speaking about writers being either: Pantcers (write first, think later) or Plotters (think first, write later), and how to succeed as either. Ultimately, the speech was insightful and interesting, offering much to take away.
After filing languidly into the auditorium and taking our seats, the third session of the day began, presented by Maxine Clarke and the young Solli Raphael.
Scattered gasps escaped the juvenile crowd when Raphael announced he himself was still a teenager. We couldn’t believe it! How could someone barely a year or two older than us already be so accomplished? Upon taking this in, we sat ourselves up straight in our seats and attentivity returned stronger than ever. Raphael, by simply being a young person himself, ushered our ears and minds open to anything he had to say. He was a breath of fresh air, a hidden gem amid the incessant hum of adult speakers. Subsequently, we all left that session with a deeper insight into poetry and a newfound appreciation for its ability to address social concerns.
Why does poetry appeal to young people?
“Connection helps us discover who we are, it is a product of human interpretation.”
Poetry; the creation of vast worlds with hidden agendas and different beliefs entailed in a sense of expressiveness that can only be acquired through one’s own imagination. At the Writer’s Festival 2024, we got the privilege to be addressed by Maxine Bareba and Solli Raphael; two incredible writers each pronouncing their own authenticities and beliefs through their writings. From these two individuals, we uncovered the passion of free verse as a form of poetry and the importance of drawing inspiration from historical poets and contemporaries in order to derive your own perspective. This was reinforced with Solli’s demonstration of his new poem, ‘Free your mind’, illustrating contemporary society as a restrictor of our curiosities.
As a final remark, Solli Raphael expressed, “Do things with words that might seem unorthodox, but with heart.”
Mr William Roberts and Ms Mary Ryan
Head of Library and Literacy Coordinator and English teacher
mryan01@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Federal Government will be encouraging parents/carers to talk with children of all ages about consent with a new campaign launched last Sunday. Research commissioned by the government to guide the consent campaign found that while parents/carers see consent as something important to discuss with their children, two in five wouldn’t intervene if they saw or overheard a non-consensual act.
86 per cent of the 2,031 participants agreed adults should be speaking more about consent with young people but a majority weren’t confident in actually doing so.
A third of adults said they believed the importance of consent had been “blown out of proportion,” which researchers said presented another roadblock to conversations with kids.
Find the discussion guidelines here to help navigate the discussion around consent with your child.
The National Reconciliation Week 2024 theme is, ‘Now More Than Ever.’ This theme reminds us that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue. It also demonstrates that the work continues in treaty-making, truth-telling, understanding our history, education, and in tackling racism.
The artwork and design represent the momentum of the theme. The chevron – a universal symbol for pointing the way – signifies advancing as one as we look towards a reconciled future; and the vibrant artwork of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Douglas encourages connecting with each other, understanding and continuing to move forward.
On Thursday, 30 May we held a Reconciliation Week Assembly to continue the discussion on reconciliation, to promote standing up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our continent.
Welcome To Country
We were honoured to welcome award-winning journalist Stan Grant as our special guest speaker. Stan is currently Director of the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific, Professor of Journalism at Monash University and Chair of Yindyamarra nguluway at Charles Sturt University.
A gifted and gentle storyteller, Stan shared his own journey through education, revealing a transient family life and a youth marked by poverty and homelessness. With no running water and very few books, Stan picked fruit to help his parents earn money, attending 20 different schools by the time he’d graduated from high school.
Stan Grant
It was Aboriginal people who inspired Stan to go to university. Starting as a cadet in journalism he lived in many places, sat in the White House with Barack Obama and “got to see the best of the world and the worst of the world.” He reminded our students of the extraordinary opportunities they have at Waverley College, exhorting them to strive forward, and not let fear or doubts hold them back. “Say yes every time someone puts an opportunity in front of you” he said. “Say yes.”
Our Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Mr Kevin Heath, facilitated an insightful Q&A session where Stan openly shared his reflections. Below is a brief window into their conversation.
Stan Grant chats with Kevin Heath
Q: “After changing schools so many times, who was your sounding board?”
A: “I always had God in my life and I knew that I was loved … that has never left me, never.”
Q: “You’ve lived in a few different countries. Can you talk about some of the lowlights and highlights?”
A: “I’d prefer to speak about the highlights. My children speak Chinese, Arabic, Wiradjuri … I’ve learned that despite our differences, we are human beings first, in the image of God.”
Q: “Who inspired you to be where you are today?”
A: “My parents are my greatest inspiration. My father worked in sawmills and I used to think – where does he keep the strength to keep going? He had injuries at work. My father wrote the first Wiradjuri dictionary and from my mother I learned a love of poetry and words.”
Stan’s parting reminder to our students inspired great hope. “Where you are today will not define the person you will be tomorrow.”
Following Stan’s presentation, we learned more about the significant artistic partnership between our Walawaani students and Waverley Council, where students created stunning artworks and promotional banners for Council’s Reconciliation Week.
In his speech, Joshua Raymond (Year 8) explained:
“During this project, we had the unique opportunity to work closely with local Indigenous artists Uncle Gene Ross and Billy Reynolds, and the council, to collaboratively create artworks that celebrate and honour Indigenous cultures, histories, our individual self, our countries and what the theme of Reconciliation Week means to us.”
Lastly, Principal Mr Graham Leddie and Councillor Dominic WY Kanak publicly recognised the remarkable contribution of these 22 students from Years 5-11, inviting them to the stage to receive the Principal’s Award for their outstanding work in the Walawaani, Waverley Council Art Project. We acknowledge Ms Matilda Brown, Ms Rebecca Rodwell and Ms Jenna Turnbull (Visual Art teacher) for their stellar contributions to this consequential creative project.
These Reconciliation Week banners are currently displayed on Birrell Street, Bondi Junction Mall and Campbell Parade with individual student artworks on display at Waverley Library galleries 27 July – 22 August 2024. Do take the time to check these out!
On Saturday, we come together for our annual Indigenous Round, a vibrant celebration of culture through sport and community. We hope to see as many of our community members at our Indigenous Round Opening Ceremony to be held at Queens Park on Saturday at 2:45pm before the 1ST XV. Please come along!
More can be read about National Reconciliation Week here.
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The last week and weeks ahead provide many amazing activities and lifelong learning experiences across the College from: Year 11 and 12 Kairos retreats, to an amazing Mother/Son dinner with guest speaker MAJ Hugo Toovey, to winter co-curricular, to Year 11 Visual Design Excursion to National Art School, to Year 10 Career Profile Interviews, to the HSC and Careers Expo excursion (31 May), to University of Sydney Year 10 Subject Selection Webinar (3 June), to European Music Tour Concert (6 June), to Years 5 & 6 ICAS Competition entries (23 July), to Year 8s helping out at Our Big Kitchen, to many boys committing to run the City2Surf for Premature Babies, to final preparations for our production Tartuffe (18-21 June), to an invitation to the Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize 2024, to Br Murphy and Mr Jack de Groot speaking at May Procession, to an all years’ Trades and Real Estate Careers Night (11 June), to National Sorry Day (26 May), to Mr Stan Grant speaking at Reconciliation Week, to Hearts for Arch Day (13 June), and to a lovely prayer service in our chapel celebrating and remembering the amazing life and contribution of Mr Greg Harris. These experiences build wisdom, empathy, appreciation, resilience and help guide our future pathways. Encourage your son to engage with as many of these opportunities as possible.
Images: courtesy Constantine Iatrou (Year 10)
The examination block commences next week for students in Years 7-10 (Weeks 5 and 6) and students in Years 11-12 preparing for a range of assessment tasks. Please engage with Mrs Lynsey Porter’s newsletter article here regarding examination tips.
We are running a new series of workshops designed to enhance English and Writing skills as Year 12 students work towards the HSC. All students in Year 12 Standard and Advanced English courses are expected to attend workshops at least once.
Facilitator: Ms Mary Ryan – Head of Literacy
Time: Period 6 Monday | Before school on Thursday (7:30am-8:30am)
Venue: WO5
This workshop is relevant to all subjects which require the writing of long answer responses and extended responses. Focus will be on the following:
Students will be expected to bring along a sample of their own work (long answer/ extended response) which has already been marked. This can be from any subject.
Facilitator: Ms Helen Barrie – Head of Academic Enrichment
Time: Before school on Thursday (7:30am-8:30am)
Venue: K24
This workshop examines the precise elements that support an HSC marker’s decision to determine which band your essay sits in. By matching your essay with the specific criteria of each band, you will learn how to tighten and elevate your essay compositions to ensure they precisely convey your overarching thesis and establish a strong writer/reader relationship with the marker.
Students will be expected to bring along a sample of one of their English responses.
| Date | Course – Elevating your writing to access higher bands in the HSC | Room |
| Thursday 30 May | Advanced English – Short Answer Paper | K24 |
| Thursday 6 Jun | Advanced English – Short Answer Paper | K24 |
| Thursday 13 June | Advanced English – Textual Conversations | K24 |
| Thursday 20 June | Advanced English – Textual Conversations | K24 |
The 2025-2027 Strategic Planning process will begin shortly. The College will be seeking feedback from stakeholder groups. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community. We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
We will ask you, your child/ren in Years 5-12, and the school community to participate in this confidential and anonymous survey. The online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete on any device and will be available from Monday 17 June – Sunday 30 June 2024 for parents/carers to complete. For students we have allocated a time not to impede on their class time.
A letter will be sent out to all parents/carers with more information regarding this survey by the end of this week.
With the examination block approaching for students in Years 7-10 and students in Years 11-12 preparing for a range of assessment tasks, now is a good time to share some tips on managing examination periods.
Please remember that we subscribe to the Study Skills Handbook.
Some of the top tips in this guide:
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
To step into the Great Hall at Knox Grammar School on the day of the DaVinci Decathlon is to experience a buzz of excitement like no other as over 200 teams compete to demonstrate strong teamwork and prowess across a range of academic and creative disciplines.
The palpable atmosphere is a frenzy of excitement whilst the teams compete across Engineering, Mathematics, Art, Poetry, Science, English, code breaking, cartography, drama and forensic sleuthing.
Participation in the event never disappoints for our students as they learn about each other, the different ways they can work together to solve complex and creative challenges and considering ways of engaging with new ideas.
Image: courtesy Knox Grammar
Competing at the highest level, I congratulate the following boys on their citizenship, collaboration, enthusiasm and gratitude: Jack Ballinger, Lucas Barber, Thomas Brown, Liam Chalmers, James Draper, Kaspar Emmanouilidis, Boyd Haslam, Ryan Loughrey, Charley McKenzie, Tallis Merrywhether, Finley Mulligan, Oliver Rahmat, Aiden Reay, Maxim Service, Griff Sullivan and Leo Vigil. Both the bus driver and the DaVinci staff commented on the fine representatives of the College that these boys are.
Ms Helen Barrie
Head of Enrichment
hbarrie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As you may be aware there is a lot of discourse on gender-based violence happening nationally at the moment. We know that young people are curious especially when posts and articles have been circulating around social media which can bring up a lot of questions and curiosities. Please see below a few resources that may be helpful in having these conversations with your children.
The Conversation recently published this really important article which shares insights and tips on how to talk to young people about gendered violence. Dr Jacqueline Hendriks, the Project Lead of the Curtin University Relationships and Sexuality Education Project, shares information on how to model good behaviour and it includes some really great resources for parents/carers.
Within the article, there is also a list of links including a free Federal Government resource called The Conversation Guide, which aims to help parents/carers in their conversations regarding gender inequality and respect for women.
The Waverley College Year 10 (2024) Dinner Dance provides a formal social opportunity for boys to host a partner at a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. This is a part of our Wellbeing Framework promoting respectful relationships.
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Time: 5:45pm – 10pm (meet at Star City Casino Wharf at 5:30pm)
Venue: Bella Vista Cruise Ship
Embark/Disembark: Star City Casino Wharf, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Dress: Smart formal attire for all guests – boys to wear suit with jacket, tie and trousers
Cost: $105 per person, which includes four hours of cruising, a three-course meal, unlimited soft drinks/juice package, DJ and security
RSVP: Essential and bookings open at 6pm on Friday, 24 May 2024
If you have any further questions, please email Ms Suzi Sucur (Administrator Wellbeing Centre) at ssucur@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Last week, all Year 8 students participated in a week of social justice activities at Our Big Kitchen in Bondi. This initiative was aimed at students developing a sense of service to others and contributing to the wider community through preparing, cooking and packaging food to be distributed to marginalised people.
Religious Education teachers led each class, who had the opportunity to experience a sense of compassion and kindness through their work, and gained an understanding of the needs in society, beyond their own.
Students cut vegetables and cooked fried rice, but perhaps the highlight of the week was making cookies which were given to the staff at Westmead Hospital oncology ward.
While some students demonstrated their skills in the kitchen, others did the heavy lifting, working as a team, enriching and fostering new skills whilst helping other people in our community. This is a program we hope to expand at Waverley College through the Religious Education curriculum and the Justice and Peace unit demonstrating and supporting interfaith dialogue in our school community. We look forward to developing and enhancing student formation through these social justice activities.
Ms Cath Lipman
Social Justice Coordinator
clipman@waverley.nsw.edu
During this week’s assembly, we presented the winners of our inaugural Edmund Ignatius Rice Senior Essay and Speech Competition. This competition was championed and supported by 1970 College Captain, Dr David Curran. The aim of the competition is to encourage and recognise academic excellence in both the written and spoken word. It also provides students with an enriching opportunity to explore the EREA Touchstones in our contemporary world. David has a love of language, oratory and the humanities and has dedicated his life to serving others in the medical profession and by teaching others at university.
The students from Year 11 and 12 who participated in the competition, submitted writing of the highest calibre in the essay round. Of these entrants, three finalists were selected by the judging panel to transition their work into a speech to deliver in front of a judging panel and discerning audience. I would like to thank the judges Ms Catherine Stewart (Head of Religious Education), Mr Barry Smith (Head of History), Dr Michael Couani (Head of English) and Dr David Curran.
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding contribution to the competition:
Congratulations to our new Years 7-11 SRC representatives for 2024/25.
Please take a moment to look at some exciting curriculum opportunities that our students have undertaken recently in Mrs Lynsey Porter’s newsletter article. From 20 senior students visiting the University of Sydney’s St. John’s College Dinner, to others discovering the The M in STEM: Where Maths Can Take You at the University of Sydney, to the Inaugural LEGO League and Inaugural Robotics Competitions, to Engineering a Sustainable Future or our passionate anglers putting classroom knowledge to the test.
On 19 June Old Boy Joe Simonella (Class of 2020) will be running 100 miles (172 km) from Nowra to Clovelly, to raise awareness for mental health and fundraise for R U OK? to help spread their message about checking in on our friends and peers. Here is the Joe Simonella fundraising page LINK.
The University of Sydney is running a repeat of their subject selection information webinar specifically for Waverley College students and parents/carers. The webinar will run on 3 June 6pm-7:30pm. We will have staff available to answer questions. The link to the webinar registration is HERE if you would like to attend.
Tickets will be available on the school events page from 9am on Monday 20 May. Buy your tickets HERE.
Can you volunteer to assist us in our daily operations from 9:30 am till 1:45 pm? We really need you! Lunch is provided for all volunteers. We greatly value the assistance of our volunteer workers as it allows us to be more efficient in our services for students.
We welcome all members of the Waverley College Community – mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and carers. We are happy to take on any availability, whether it’s once a week, month, or even once a Term – it all helps.
The Term 2 2024 volunteer roster is online, so if you are interested, please volunteer as soon as you can by clicking HERE.
The 2024 Old Boys’ Muster is just around the corner! This provides Old Boys from any year an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Join us for a night to remember as we gather on the roof with views of the coastline, city and out to the airport. Be treated to a complimentary delicious feast of spit-roasted pig and lamb, adding a gourmet touch to our evening of camaraderie. Drinks can be purchased at the bar.
Date: 1 June 2024
Time: 5pm-10pm
Location: Waverley College
Please take a moment to confirm your attendance by clicking on the link below, if you haven’t already done so. Your presence will truly make the event special.
Waverley College Old Boys’ Union
wcobuexecutive@gmail.com
You’re invited to join the Edmund Rice Education Australia national community to imagine how our school, and all Edmund Rice Education Australia schools, can be the best they can be for our young people and for our world. We need your help to shape the future for 41,000 plus young people.
Both the in person and online sessions will provide you with the opportunity to discuss with others what you value about your school and what you hope it might strive to become. What comes out of these discussions will assist the EREA national community to renew its understanding and articulation of what it means to be a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition.
The Open Forum will be held at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield in the Scientia Building on 27 May 2024 at 6:30pm.
The Online Forums will be held on the following dates:
If you would like to attend one of these forums please use the registration links below to register for either the Open Forum at St Patrick’s College or one of the online forums.
Open Forum Online Registration Link
*Please do not confuse the College’s 25-27 Strategic Planning process being run in conjunction with the AIS. Each student, parent, staff member and stakeholder group will be receiving an email shortly regarding this College process.
Congratulations to our students and teachers who continue to contribute to Waverley College in such a positive way across a range of facets across and beyond our community. From the twenty students who joined the residents of St. John’s College on Monday evening for a tour and formal dinner, to the Vocational students who had an amazing experience, fishing at Rose Bay on Thursday, we are certainly striving towards our Teaching and Learning vision and mission for our students:
“To build an inclusive community of mutual trust and respect that values liberating teaching and learning, celebrates curiosity, critical thinking and nurtures globally-minded citizens.”
You can read more about these experiences – plus others – below.
Also, to support our students with their writing in the HSC, we are launching our Period 6 writing workshops next week during the Home Study periods. You can view a link to the program in the Year 12 action items. The expectation is that students attend at least two workshops in Term 2 and two in Term 3. This allows some flexibility around occasions when students have a Period 6 assessment task or meeting. We know that most students will aim to attend more than two. Also, in the Year 11 and 12 action items, please note some important information about the HSC Resource Section in the Senior Library.
On Monday evening, 20 of our Year 12 students accepted an invitation to tour St. John’s College Residencies at the University of Sydney and join the community for a formal dinner. We were extremely lucky to be hosted by former Waverley College students who are both residents and affiliates of the college.
For further information on what St John’s College can offer in terms of residential and affiliate opportunities, please use the link below. This link also provides information on scholarship applications.
https://www.stjohnscollege.edu.au/
Ms Lynsey Porter
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Everybody knows that science, technology and engineering will continue to shape the world we live in. They will be needed to solve the problems current and future generations will face. But how does mathematics fit in? Why do you have to learn calculus? What does probability have to do with anything? And is there really a reason for understanding statistics now that computers do everything for us?
If you are in Years 9-12, looking after someone in Years 9-12 or teaching a class of Years 9-12 students, come along to discover how the maths learnt in the classroom is used in everything from physics to medicine.
This two-hour event will begin with you hearing from current pioneers in STEM as they detail how mathematics has shaped their careers. After which, there will be a networking Q&A so you can receive tailored advice and build connections with your future peers and potential colleagues.
Not sure which level of maths is needed for your chosen degree? Or do you have a major you want to take, but no idea what sort of career it could lead to? This is your chance to have all your questions answered!
There will also be the opportunity to attend one of three optional campus tours immediately before the event. If you would like a guided tour of the facilities you could be using if you study science at the University of Sydney, please reserve a ticket for your preferred tour time when you reserve your ticket to the main event. Tours will leave from the courtyard in front of the Sydney Nanoscience Hub building.
Parents/guardians/carers and siblings are invited. Please book a ticket for each person that will be attending as seats are limited.
UNSW EMU Robotics, is a student-led robotics competition team, participating in the first First LEGO League and First Robotics Competitions!
The upcoming ‘Open Nights’ are held at the UNSW Electrical Engineering building. The Junior team learn about robotics through their hands-on experience with LEGO EV3 and SPIKE robots. Senior teams design, build and code a robot from scratch using materials like aluminium and timber. This robot competes in an annual competition where it plays on an alliance with two other robots.
They are also trying to establish a regional First LEGO League competition within the Eastern Suburbs so that a local option is available to teams in the area.
If your child is interested, please see the flyers in the links below for more information and registration.
Image: courtesy UNSW
Ms Gemma Brown
Head of Science
gbrown@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In our rapidly evolving world, the fields of engineering and ecology are becoming increasingly intertwined as we strive to create sustainable solutions for our planet. The marriage of these disciplines holds tremendous promise for addressing pressing environmental challenges while driving innovation and progress.
At its core, engineering is about problem-solving and innovation, leveraging scientific principles to design and create solutions to real-world challenges. Meanwhile, ecology focuses on understanding the relationships between organisms and their environment, with a keen eye towards maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems.
One of the most pressing issues facing humanity today is climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Addressing this global challenge requires a multidisciplinary approach that draws upon the expertise of engineers and ecologists alike.
Engineers are developing technologies to harness renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, providing clean alternatives to fossil fuels. These innovations not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also help to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems.
Students in Stage 6 Engineering Studies and Students of the World Ecology Group (SOTWEG) were provided with the opportunity last week to explore what this means in reality. Everyone was very excited by the current research into hydrogen fuel cells and what this could mean for our future.
Ms Silvia Baylie
Engineering and Science Educator / Ecology Coordinator
sbaylie@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As the sun gently kissed the horizon, a group of eager Year 12 Marine Studies students gathered at Rose Bay, poised to put their classroom knowledge to the test. Armed with rods, reels and a passion for marine life, these budding anglers embarked on an expedition that seamlessly merged theory with practice.
Knot tying, a fundamental skill in a fisherman’s toolkit, took centre stage as students meticulously crafted the perfect connections between line, hook and lure. Each knot tied was not just a technical exercise but a symbol of the precision and attention to detail. This is a testament to the students’ dedication to mastering their craft.
Rig selection became a strategic endeavour as students deliberated over the optimal setup for the day’s target species. With a diverse array of rigs at their disposal, the students weighed the pros and cons, considering factors such as water depth, current conditions and the behaviour of their elusive aquatic counterparts.
Bait choice, a critical component of successful fishing, prompted lively debates among the students. From live bait to artificial lures, each option carried its allure and challenges, requiring students to think like the fish they sought to catch.
Under the guidance of experienced mentors, the students cast their lines into the tranquil waters of Rose Bay, their anticipation palpable as they awaited the tell-tale tug of a bite. With each cast and retrieve, they honed their skills, learning to read the subtle movements of the ocean and adapt their techniques accordingly.
As the day unfolded, laughter mingled with the sounds of waves, creating a symphony of camaraderie and shared passion for the marine environment. Regardless of the day’s catch, the real treasures were the lessons learned, the invaluable experiences that transcended the confines of the classroom and ignited a lifelong love affair with the sea.
In the tranquil embrace of Rose Bay, these Year 12 Marine Studies students didn’t just fish, they forged memories, friendship and a deeper connection with the world beneath the waves.
Mr Richard Chen and Ms Caroline Quirke
Marine Studies Teachers
cquirke@waverley.nsw.edu.au
rchen@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Tuesday, 14 May, Year 11 students attended the RYDA Safe Driving excursion. The workshops undertaken on this day are crucial for teenagers who are just starting to get their licences. Some of the more poignant workshops of the day included a guest speaker who, at the age of 18, lost her ability to walk due to a preventable car accident.
The students of Waverley College participated extremely well in each of the workshops and will remember the different ways to minimise the risk of harm while driving or being a passenger on our roads.
Ms Cassandra Foster
Head of Brennan House
cfoster@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Please find attached a special report from SchoolTV regarding IDAHOBIT day which is celebrated each year on 17 May. The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) emphasises the importance of educating children about diversity and inclusivity.
Read more HERE.
The Waverley College Year 10 (2024) Dinner Dance provides a formal social opportunity for boys to host a partner at a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. This is a part of our Wellbeing Framework promoting respectful relationships.
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Time: 5:45pm – 10pm (meet at Star City Casino Wharf at 5:30pm)
Venue: Bella Vista Cruise Ship
Embark/Disembark: Star City Casino Wharf, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Dress: Smart formal attire for all guests – boys to wear suit with jacket, tie and trousers
Cost: $105 per person, which includes four hours of cruising, a three-course meal, unlimited soft drinks/juice package, DJ and security
RSVP: Essential. Bookings open at 6pm on Friday, 24 May 2024.
Click HERE for tickets.
If you have any further questions, please email Ms Suzi Sucur (Administrator Wellbeing Centre) at ssucur@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Waverley College is participating in a research project titled ‘Supporting School Students’ Learning and Wellbeing‘ facilitated by the School of Education at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), which aims to investigate the educational practices that support students’ learning and wellbeing in the classroom and in their co-curricular activities.
Students in Years 7-12 will complete an online questionnaire during Period 1 classes on Friday, 24 May 2024. Students in Years 5-6 will complete the questionnaire during Period 1 on Thursday 23 May. The questionnaire will ask them about educational practices at the school (eg instruction, guidance from teachers, coaches, etc) and also about their learning (eg motivation, engagement) and wellbeing (eg flourishing, sense of belonging). The questionnaire should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
If you agree for your child to take part in the project, you are not required to do anything else.
Students can provide their own consent as they do the survey.
If you do not want your child to participate in this project, please fill in your details on page 4 of the below Parent Information Form for UNSW & IBSC Research Project and email it to Ms Lauren Ryan, EA to the Deputy Principal-Students lryan@waverley.nsw.edu.au by 12pm on Wednesday, 22 May, 2024.
Click HERE to view the Parent Information Form.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me at gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Kind regards
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal – Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We are currently doing a drive for footy boots for our immersions. If you have any used, clean boots, please bring them in anytime up until 20 June 2024 and leave at Reception or Wellbeing centre.
Your generosity will be enormously appreciated.
Ms Sue Walsh
Director of Mission and Identity
swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
A heartfelt thank you to all of our Tevlin staff, Ms Jaz Dolso and Mr Chris Balkizas with leading the music, and Ms Sue Walsh and Mr Tom Kennedy from our mission team for your preparation and support of all aspects of our Mass.
It was wonderful to see boys and families in big numbers, sharing the time over Mass and supper together. The discussions and connections over supper with parents/carers and boys is also a valuable way we can continue to strengthen these connections, so thank you all for your time. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Mr John McCallum
Head of Tevlin House
jmccallum@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We wish all mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and significant female carers a respective Happy Mothers’ Day on Sunday. I hope you are acknowledged for the significant role you play in your children’s development, for the care and support you provide and the wisdom and skills you share so generously.
I hope boys are thankful and appreciative for all that you have done and sacrificed for them and will continue to do for them. The College also thanks you for the significant contribution mothers have made to Waverley throughout its 121 years of service. Mothers and other female carers have made a significant impact on the lives of students, the school’s culture and the sense of community. Happy Mother’s Day.
Senior School Mother’s Day Breakfast
Today, loving God,
we pray for our mothers:
who cared for us when we were helpless,
who comforted us when we were hurt,
whose love and care we often took for granted.
Today we pray for
those who are grieving the loss of their mother,
those who never knew their biological mother, and now yearn for her;
those who have experienced the wonder of an adopted mother’s love;
those families separated by war or conflict.
Lord, give them special blessings.
Keep us united with you and with each other,
so that we can be and become all that we are meant to be.
Amen.
We wish a blessing upon all that have worked in Christian Brother Schools and Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition, for the lasting legacy of schools across Australia and the world, which all began in 1802 with the establishment of the first school in Waterford, Ireland by our Founder Edmund Rice.
Please find an EREA Feast Day message from the Chair of the EREA Council, Dr Michael Slattery HERE.
In 2020 our community was rocked when we lost Year 8 student Archie Perkins. Archie passed away from a pre-existing heart condition over the summer holiday period. This came as a terrible shock to Archie’s family and the Waverley College community, particularly Archie’s close friends and Year group. Archie would have been graduating from Waverley College this year and in memory of him, we will be holding a Hearts For Arch Day.
This day will be held on Thursday, 13 June 2024 in which the students will wear mufti uniform and are required to give a gold coin donation. All money raised will go directly to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Cardiac Unit and to the purchase of the mobile ECG units; Kardia.The aim to provide a Kardia mobile to every eligible cardiac patient at Sydney Children’s Hospitals, and at $173 each, every dollar counts. Donations can be made through the Hearts for Arch Foundation.
We also encourage students to purchase merchandise which they can wear throughout Week 7. This will be available for purchase at school on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June, however, you can also purchase merchandise HERE.
We look forward to welcoming Archie’s family to our College Assembly where they will share Archie’s story and the importance of the Hearts for Arch Foundation.
The 2025-2027 Strategic Planning process will begin shortly. The College will be seeking feedback from stakeholder groups. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community. We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
The survey instruments that we are using have been created by the Association of Independent School NSW (AISNSW). These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All staff, students, parents/guardians/carers, leaders and board members will be invited to participate.
The surveys will be distributed via email to all from ‘evidence@aisnsw.edu.au’ on behalf of the school and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. All information will be anonymous and no data information will be stored past the process.
Your input and contribution are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to improve the learning experience for everyone at our school.
Congratulations to Fox Stapleton (Year 11) who played the senior male role in the St Catherine’s School 2024 School Musical Legally Blonde, which opened last night. Fox produced a stellar performance along with his St Catherine’s School colleagues. It was truly an enjoyable evening of entertainment with all students delivering a very high standard of performance.
Mr Peter Lamb (Head of Drama) and I were both impressed also with the number of Fox’s peers who had bought tickets to go along and support him and friends at St Catherine’s. We saw this same support last Term for Mackenzie Singh (Year 12) and Matthew Frost (Year 12) who had lead roles in the KRB 2024 School Musical.
It is a nice attribute that I see often from Waverley boys and something we as a community should acknowledge and encourage. I am looking forward to Waverley’s production in Week 8 of this Term (18 – 22 June 2024), Tartuffe (The Hypocrite) where we will see a number of our students along with St Clare’s and Ascham students perform.
During Thursday morning, our entire Year 10 cohort participated in a special program delivered by the Courage2Care organisation. Focussed on the Holocaust, the key message of child survivor Mr Jack Feller and the volunteer presenters was for Waverley staff and students alike to be upstanders and not bystanders. In line with our Wellbeing program, for our staff and students to act against bullying and discrimination in all its forms.
The centrepiece of the presentation was Mr Jack Feller relating his personal, harrowing story: being born to parents in hiding in Nazi-occupied Poland, surviving the final months of the war with a foster family and being reunited with his birth parents at 11 months of age. As Mr Feller told our students, he survived because Polish neighbours stood up to the Nazis at risk of their own lives.
Year 10 History students are currently engaged in a deep-learning investigation of the Holocaust, which covers the entirety of Term 2. The study includes formative tasks related to the Courage2Care presentation, as well as a formal assessment task on refuting Holocaust denial.
The Courage2Care incursion is part of the College’s ongoing community engagement project, seeking to reach out to groups within the immediate neighbourhood of Waverley and beyond.
Thank you to the History Department staff who organised this important incursion. A great initiative which is sure to have inspired our students as well as to provoke deeper thinking about themselves.
Dr Panos Diamadis
Teacher
pdiamadis@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Every two years, Jarjum College holds a fundraiser at the International Convention Centre Sydney to assist them to raise funds to support the educational model of their school. It is also a great opportunity for us to share with the wider community our success. Given the on-going partnership between Waverley and Jarjum, they would love to see some of our community present on the evening.
You can purchase your ticket via this link.
Enquiries: please email Natasha Evans nevans@rjc.nsw.edu.au
The University of Sydney is offering an information evening to explore their iconic campus and learn more about university entry, scholarships, study options and more at their information evening for Year 12 students and their caregivers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your options and ask any questions you have about joining the Sydney student community next year. This on-campus event will include a tour, course advice exhibition and information sessions on curriculum, scholarships, student support, campus life and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander study pathways.
If you can’t make it in person, don’t worry – the online session on 23 May will cover everything you need to know!
The University of Sydney also has a number of upcoming webinar events to help you discover what it’s like to study a bachelor’s degree there. Their events are best suited for students from Years 10-12, and include tips on your school subjects, preparing for uni and how to choose a course.
Explore all their Term 2 webinars.
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
