Graham Leddie
From Head of College, Graham Leddie
NAPLAN results released
The latest NAPLAN results were released to the public this week on the My School website. I am delighted to note that the College’s results in NAPLAN are very pleasing. Growth charts show Waverley College achieved a steeper rise (student gain) in growth compared to similar schools in reading, writing and language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation). Numeracy also compares well, particularly in Year 9, with good results. In speaking with our Head of Learning Support, Mr David Parnell, these results are the strongest that he has seen in eight years. There is strong growth between Year 5 and Year 7 and also strong growth between Year 7 and Year 9.
The College uses NAPLAN data to assist in targeting areas of learning development. The College’s focus on literacy is certainly showing good learning returns. Parents are asked to ensure their sons have a reading program in place, especially between Years 5 and 10. Once the senior years come along, students have significant amount of coursework to manage and little time for private reading. Your son should be reading every night on top of homework and assignment time. Encourage your son to join the 2018 Premier Reading Challenge (PRC). Ask him to sign up at our College Library to register. The Library has lots of PRC books on display to get him started. Here is a link to more information. https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
Year 7 study skills evening
This week Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) ran a study skills evening with Year 7 parents and students. The evening helped families put systems in place to help students work towards achieving their personal best in an efficient and effective way. Students examined their home study environment, the way they organise and manage their resources, how to work effectively at home and deal with distractions, how to manage the workload in high school, and the steps to studying in high school: making study notes, learning the notes by testing yourself and doing as much practise as possible.
Parents can also find extra study skills tips on the following website: https://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/.
All secondary students at our school also have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills.
Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and enter the username: forwaverleycollegeonly and the password: 94 results and start improving your results today!
Executive positions
The College Executive currently consists of: Head of College – Mr Graham Leddie, Deputy Head of College – Mr Patrick Brennan, Assistant Head of College – Mr Peter Frost, Director of Learning and Teaching – Mrs Elizabeth Watson, Director of Mission Mr Phil Davis, Director of Junior School – Mr Tony Banboukjian, Director Business Services – Bryn Gregerson, Director of Co Curricular – Mr Stephen O’Donnell, Director of Personnel Services – Mr Tony Moore and Director of Wellbeing – Mr Matthew Porter.
Each Executive is on a 5 + 5 year contract with our employer EREA (one member who was employed prior to EREA starting, is on a different contract). For every executive, a review is conducted at the end of the first year and the end of the first five years. Once the contract is completed – after 10 years – the College’s standard practice is to advertise the position and the incumbent may re-apply.
Change is part of any school/organisation and is good for both individuals and organisational growth. The College will advertising the Director of Junior School position shortly, as Mr Tony Banboukjian is coming to the end of his contract period in June this year. Tony has worked at the College for 28 years, for ten years as the Director of the Junior School. He has done an outstanding job in leading the Junior School and it has a strong reputation in the community as being a leader in boys education. Tony is also taking well earned long service leave during Term 2 this year. Mr Greg Harris will be Acting Director of the Junior School in his absence and we will be calling for expressions of interest from staff to act as Assistant Director of the Junior School during this time.
AIS review
The College recently asked the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) to review the operation of our Junior School. AIS is the peak body for independent schools in NSW and represents the interests of all independent schools in consultations with governments, statutory authorities and a wide range of other education stakeholders.
A major focus of the Association’s activities is to offer quality support to its member schools in the areas of governance, employment relations, compliance, professional development and professional educational consultancy services.
The review aimed to:
- understand the current timetabling, staffing, management and leadership structures;
- assess the impact of these arrangements upon student learning and well-being;
- provide key observations and insights into the functioning of the Junior School and its connections to and continuity with the whole College;
- provide findings and make a series of structural recommendations which address improved student outcomes and better alignment with the direction and identity of the whole College.
AIS will provide the College with their findings soon. We believe the Junior School is progressing very well, but it is timely to review our practices and seek improvement wherever possible. It is also of great value to seek input from wider and different perspectives outside of our own school context. The results of this review will feed into the college’s next Strategic Plan.
School stakeholder review
To assist us to continually improve the quality of education we provide to our students. I wish to provide you with an opportunity to express confidentially your views of the ways in which we meet your needs and those of your son.
During late Term One the college will be working with MMG Education to conduct a Whole of School Stakeholder Review. This review will provide the school’s Executive with research-based insights into the views, expectations and satisfaction with the College of our parents, students and staff. The review will take the form of detailed, anonymous surveys to be conducted online. Because the surveys are managed by a third party professional research organisation, the confidentiality of all respondents is assured: MMG Education is a specialist education consultancy that works with some 160 Australian independent schools throughout Australia. They are recognised as leaders in school stakeholder research and performance benchmarking.
The review will cover the current performance ‘health’ of the College as well as providing strategic insights and feedback on areas such as reputation, management and leadership, learning and teaching, sport and co-curricular activities, facilities and resources and much more. This important information will be used in the development of the College’s next four year Strategic Plan, due to be completed this year.
At the conclusion of the research period, MMG Education will provide me with a report. I will then provide opportunities for members of the school community to receive feedback from the research.
Please remember that, by completing your questionnaire, you will be making an invaluable contribution to the future of the College as we strive to ensure that we are providing the best opportunities possible for your son.
We will be providing more information to you regarding these surveys in the near future. I look forward very much to your participation in this important project and to receiving MMG Education’s report.
Strategic Plan
The College has enlisted the services of Mr Bob Carbine who is a partner in Erebus International Consulting to assist with the development of our next strategic plan, due in 2019. There will be opportunities for individuals and key stakeholder groups within the College community to provide input into the plan. Bob is a former principal who has worked extensively with the Australian Association Independent Schools, particularly utilising the National School Improvement Tool. His work in this area will align with our current school improvement agenda. Stay tuned for consultation group times.
Congratulations
Public speaking
Last Friday night at Marcellin College Randwick, Isaac Kopsiaftis made it to the Zone Final for the CSDA Public Speaking Competition. He competed against six other schools in his division. He executed an articulate, creative and well presented speech and demonstrated an originality in his content. We wish him the best as he progresses into the Zone Final.
CAS basketball trials
Congratulations to the following students, who have been selected to trial for CAS basketball representation: Ryan Abbott, Kyle Goulding, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Jeremy Petritsis, Hayden Walton, Luca Zanarini
CAS cricket players
Congratulations to the following students, who have been selected to trial for CAS cricket representation: Ryan Connolly, Jack Hardwicke-Owen, Alex Ferrara, Ben Scarf. Well done also= to Mr Greg Elliott who has been appointed as the CAS Cricket Coach.
Nangala Project’s Qantas Jet
Indigenous partners
Congratulations to one of our Aboriginal partner organisations, the Nangala Project who have just delivered their fifth Qantas Flying Art Series. The Nangala project work with Waverley, SCECGS and Westfield State High through John Moriarty Football to provide opportunities for remote Aboriginal students to experience a better education. This month Nangala have had a newly painted Qantas’ Dreamliner touch down in Alice Springs. The 787-9 flew non-stop from Boeing, Seattle and carries the imagery of one of the most significant Australian painters of the late twentieth century, the late Anmatyerre artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The fuselage design from Emily’s 1991 painting ‘Yam Dreaming’ showcases the beauty of Aboriginal art and culture and places it at the forefront of Australian identity. Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s work says much about reconciliation, respect and acknowledgement. This long haul international aircraft will carry an eloquent message about what makes Australia unique in the world.
