From Director of Waterford, Anthony Banboukjian
Prayer of the Week
Wednesday 15 August is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, where we remember Mary being raised at the end of her life. Mary is an example to us all of how to follow Jesus, to be with him and to minister in his name.
On this feast of Mary we celebrate a special favour that God gave to Mary, our Mother.
The Assumption means that Mary was taken up into the glory of heaven not only with her soul, but also with her body.
Jesus, the Son of God was born from Mary’s pure womb. So when Mary died, God the Father and Jesus, would not let the body of the Mother of God be spoilt. This was her reward for her love of God and her years of faithful prayers and suffering.
Now Mary is in heaven. She is queen of heaven and earth. She is the Mother of Jesus’ Church and queen of apostles. Every time Mary asks Jesus to give us graces, he listens to her request.
After the resurrection from the dead, we too can go to heaven with our bodies. Our bodies will be perfect. They will not suffer illness anymore. They will not need any more food and drink to keep alive. They will be beautiful and splendid!
If we use our bodies now to do good, those bodies will share in our heavenly reward.
As we celebrate the feast day of Mary, we can ask our Blessed Mother Mary to guide, protect and care for us.
We also remember those people who have inspired us throughout our lives. They may have been mentors and friends, or people we met for a short time, but who have had an impact on us. There are those who quietly and unobtrusively go about their lives, being present to others and caring for them in different ways.
May we remember these people, along with Mary, as we acknowledge that we are all Christ’s disciples.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen
Blessed Edmund Rice: Pray for Us
Mary, Mother of God Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts: Forever
Road Safety
The safety of every student is of the upmost importance to the staff of the Junior School. This includes of course travelling to and from school. We have spoken to the boys a number of times this year and will continue to reinforce the need to be road safe. I’d ask all parents to assist us with this message by talking to their sons about ensuring they cross at the lights or pedestrian crossings. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Winter Sport
What an amazing day last Saturday was for our last round of winter sports. Well done to all the boys for the way they conducted themselves throughout the season. The skill and sportsmanship on display each Saturday was fantastic.
Congratulations to the following teams for completing season undefeated:
- 11A Rugby
- 10 A Rugby
- 11D Gold Football
11D Blue Football
A huge thank you to all the coaches of each team on behalf of the boys and their parents – you hard work is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations
Well done to the following boys for their performances in the 2018 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) – Writing competition.
Distinction Awards
Year 5
Jamie Vanderkemp (Top 9% Australia)
Credit Awards
Year 5
Joseph Dametto
Tom Donaldson
Archie Godby
Liam McMaster
Year 6
Ewan McDonald
Campbell Porteus
Merit Awards
Year 5
Zoltahn Szabo
Year 6
Aston Owens
Celebration of NAIDOC Week
We were very grateful for a visit from Fran Grant at our Junior School Assembly last week. Fran spoke to the boys about NAIDOC Week which took place during the holidays. Fran, Charlie Grant’s mum, is a very passionate advocate for Indigenous Rights and the boys greatly appreciated her presence and inspirational words.
Engaging Safely on Social Media
As parents (and teachers) it is evident the large role social media plays in allowing insidious bullies to apply their trade from the safety of their keyboards.
I would encourage all boys and their parents to remember the following when using social media:
- Anything you post is recorded permanently and you should assume it will be forwarded to multiple people. Would you still post the same thing if your parents or teacher were to read it? Assume that they will.
- Take a screenshot of any malicious posts and forward it to me or your Head of House. You can also get help by visiting the National Centre Against Bullying website and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s website.
- Block or ignore any users who make you feel bad or say hurtful things
- Never share passwords, private/personal information or your location.
- There are trolls and bullies out there, they are in every year group at every school. Adults would also know that they are in every workplace – beware! Don’t feed them, don’t give them what they want: an angry response. Block or report the trolls and bullies but also resist the inner troll. If you’re not adding something to the argument online, don’t bother. Don’t be part of the problem.
- Do you know how many true friends most people have? Those 4052 Facebook ‘friends’ are a combination of acquaintances, people you met once, people you can’t remember meeting once, and probably, some ‘randoms’. They don’t need to know what you had for breakfast, or what concert you went to last night, do they?
- Technology is incredible but make sure you take time out and find the right balance for you. Try talking in person, it’s often a lot more fun and it can be done while you are enjoying a surf, run, coffee or watching a film…..the way being social was meant to be!
2018 Fathers and Grandfathers Mass
Friday 31st August 2018 – 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Fathers, grandfathers and significant males in the lives of Waverley College students in Years 5 to 12 are invited to accompany their boys to a special Fathers and Grandfathers Mass for Father’s Day. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon for students and their guests. At the conclusion of lunch, Waterford students will have the opportunity to go home with their parent/grandparent to spend the afternoon together (approximately 2pm).
WHEN: 12pm FRIDAY 31 AUGUST 2018
WHERE:
MASS Br J P Lacey Gymnasium, Senior Campus 12pm – 1pm
LUNCHEON (Years 5 – 12): Luncheon will be served immediately after Mass in the Cosgrove Centre Covered Basketball Court, Senior Campus
BOOKINGS PLEASE NOTE: If you have siblings across both campuses you will only need to fill out this form once. Please book the TOTAL NUMBER ATTENDING, including both adults and students.
BOOKINGS WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST.
Special Visit
The Prep 1sts and 2nds were privileged to have Stephen Hoiles join them for their final training session last Thursday afternoon. Graduating from Waverley College in 1999, Stephen went on to represent Randwick, the Waratahs, the Brumbies and the Australian Wallabies.
After speaking to the boys about some of his highlights of playing rugby at all different levels, Stephen assisted with some training drills that would hope to give them some motivation for their final game for the season. It was inspiring for the boys to hear that one of his fondest memories was playing schoolboys rugby for the Waverley 1st XV on the Number 1 field of a Saturday afternoon.
We thank Mrs Fran Grant for her assistance in liaising with both Stephen and the Junior School staff to make this special afternoon for the Preps to happen.
‘Lose your locks’: Kids’ Cancer Project Fundraiser
On Wednesday, 15th August, the Coogee Seahorses Rugby Club hosted a fundraiser at Latham Park for the ‘Kids’ Cancer Project’ in support of their team mate, Hugo Kulcsar who is currently undergoing treatment for Leukaemia.
It was wonderful to see large numbers of Waverley College boys there, along with many members of the local community and Randwick Rugby Club supporting Hugo. The boys showed their solidarity by participating in the ‘great shave.’ Local barbers and hairdressers gave their time to assist with the shave. It was a fantastic gathering of community spirit and generosity. Fortunately, Hugo managed to attend the event for a short time after two hard days in hospital. Denai and Frank Kulcsar were overwhelmed by the generosity and care of everyone.
Owen Finegan, the CEO of the ‘Kids’ Cancer Project’ and coach of Randwick Rugby has been overwhelmed with the generosity of the local community where donations have now reached over $50 000. All funds go to research and improving treatments for kids suffering cancer. To support this great project, you can donate at:
https://loseyourlocks.everydayhero.com/au/Hugos_Hair_Bares
2018 NSW Primary CIS Golf Team
Congratulations to Samuel Frain (Yr 5) and Maximilian Fischer (Yr 6) on their selection in the NSW Primary CIS Golf Team for 2018 as they compete in the PSSA State Championships – we wish them all the best of luck.
Enrolment Deadlines for 2020
A reminder to our families that any siblings who wish to be enrolled at the college in 2020 must apply earlier than in the past. Our new enrolment deadlines are listed below.
Please note the key application deadlines for 2020 are as follows;
Applications for Year 5 in 2020 should be lodged by Friday 30 November 2018. Interviews will be conducted and offers made during Term 1, 2019.
