From Head of O’Connor House, Matthew Barr
Term 3 was another bustling, busy, yet exciting Term for the O’Connor house, with many returning from the Japan Rugby Tour and the Red Earth and Timor Leste Immersions. Adding to this, there were many significant events to be proud of and many memorable activities and experiences in which O’Connor students actively involved themselves, showing true Waverley and O’Connor spirit. As always there was a big emphasis on study and it has been pleasing to see many boys engaging actively in this area.
Students that had performed well in their Semester One studies and Reports were acknowledged and congratulated early in the Term. Those boys that achieved 1st Prize in their subjects and\or overall were presented at the College’s Academic Assemblies, it is always rewarding to see strong representation from O’Connor amongst the top award winners.
Connecting our Senior students to our Junior students saw House Assemblies held at the Junior Campus this term, enabling a great opportunity to build on our relationships and promote ‘Big Brother/Little Brother’ and also further develop and reinforce our Wellbeing model throughout the College.
O’Connor had strong performances in the House Athletics competition and built on that by coming 2nd in the Senior Basketball Competition. Term 3 saw the conclusion of the Winter sports, Co-curricular and Athletics programs. The following boys were successful in receiving awards in their chosen co-curricular activities:
Marko Dundovic – Winter Tennis Captain
Clem Halaholo – Best & Fairest 16A Rugby
Charlie Tyrel – Year 9 Tennis Champion
Max Leedham – Coaches Award 3rd’s Volleyball
Roman Koteczky – Best theatrical LEAD performance
Eddie Williamson – Most dedicated backstage crew member
Ethan King, Klayton Thorn, Clem Halaholo and Davvy Moale – NSW U16’s Rugby
Luke Harris – Gold Duke of Edinburgh award (plaque)
The Year 10 Dinner Dance was held in Week 7, the boys demonstrated their style and class in both the dress and dance stakes and all involved had a fantastic night. The food, dancing and of course views of the Sydney Harbour all added to the excellent atmosphere and some great lifelong memories were created. We also had Year 9 Camp during Week 7 at Somerset with the boys participating in a range of physical activities that challenged them as individuals and in group scenarios. All staff and camp leaders were very impressed with the boys positive attitudes and commitment throughout the four days. The Term finished up with us farewelling our Year 12 students at the Mass and Graduation Ceremony, a significant event for the boys and parents of this cohort. Particular mention goes to the following O’Connor Graduates on receiving the following awards:
William Durkin – Archbishop’s Award
Grayson Thomas – Marine Studies
Jack Lloyd – Bishop Geoffrey F Mayne Prize for Studies Of Religion I
Connor Pilger – The Br PA Conlon Prize for Economics
Bishop Patrick Dougherty Prize for Studies Of Religion II
Luke Harris – The M O’Halloran Prize for Chemistry,
The Abram Landa Prize for Advanced English,
The Alice & Mildred Thomas Prize for English Extension I,
Mathematics Extension I,
The Judge Thomas Prize for Mathematics Extension II,
Br F S Farrell Prize for Physics and
Br LB Tevlin Memorial Prize for Dux of the College
The daytime events continued into the night with the Year 12 Formal closing out a long week of celebrations and their time at Waverley College. Special thanks is extended to the O’Connor Prefects, Luke Harris, William Durkin, Noah Glasel, Nikita Hatjinikitas, Patrick Kite and Grasyson Thomas; for driving and promoting the direction and the House spirit of our students for the past 12 months I would finally like to take the opportunity to wish our O’Connor students and all Year 12 students the very best for their HSC examinations and beyond. The future holds many great things and this group of boys have been exceptional role models to the younger students in O’Connor House. I hope they can look back on their time at Waverley with fond memories and friendship bonds that last a lifetime.
Term 4 Reminders
A reminder to parents and caregivers to ensure that your son returns with an appropriate haircut. Hair should also not cover the ears, collar or eyebrows.
Term 4 classes resume on Tuesday 15th October.
I hope everyone enjoys their holiday break and returns with renewed energy as we enter the home straight for the 2019 school year.
