Head of Green House, Mr Scott Coleman
From Head of Green House, Scott Coleman
Welcome to the start of the 2020 school year! It has been a smooth start for our new Year 5 and Year 7 boys, as well as a range of other students into varying year groups. Week 1 is always an exciting time for new and old students, where uniforms are neat and energy levels are high. Students in the new school uniform look particularly sharp and wear their uniform with pride as they enter the school each morning.
As we begin the year it’s important to remember that times of transition and new experiences can also be times of anxiety for some students. There are a vast array of websites and online support tools that can assist in times of change. Here are some that could provide helpful information for parents to support their sons during this period as well as a handy webinar that focuses on the transition to high school.
If you think your son needs more support in transitioning into the new year, please make early contact with Heads of House and Mentors at Waverley College. Early communication allows us to provide any necessary interventions that may help students that are finding this period difficult. There is also the chance to meet Heads of House and Mentors at our Mentor Interviews on the 11th of February.
Our 2020 wellbeing program begins this year with a focus on students writing SMART goals in their mentor groups. Parents may like to spend some time at home reviewing and reflecting on these goals with their sons to help build engagement and positive outcomes. Students will write their SMART goals page in the front of their diary, but there are websites they can access as well if that is more convenient at home.
Study Skills / SMART Goals Worksheet
It is advised that students don’t make goals that are too big. Great journeys are completed by small steps in progressive stages. It may be worth students presenting their goals in a meaningful way and putting them on your fridge or on their bedroom door to remind them.
Students will also be planning and organising the term ahead. I have provided a link below to a weekly planning document that is recommended by Dr Prue Salter. This would be valuable for students to complete and place on their desk at home or in their diaries.
House Competition Update
Week 2 saw the start of our 2020 house competition. Our new year 7 boys had a great time representing their houses in a game of dodgeball with 4 houses coming out on top in close games. Well done to Green House Student Danny Johnson who managed to knock out 8 O’Connor boys after he became the last man standing for Green House early in the game.
Congratulations to our game winners:
- Conlon
- Green
- Quinn
- Tevlin
The Junior School swimming carnival is our next house event taking place on Friday of Week 3 at the Waverley College Pool. Good luck to all students competing at this fantastic annual event and for all our wonderful junior staff for coordinating and organising the day.
Parent Resources
The Student wellbeing hub is an online resource available at no cost for all Waverley College parents. The important role parents play in promoting wellbeing at home is essential for the success of Waverley students. If parents are looking for further information about wellbeing, this is a valuable tool for all families to access.
https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/parents/
Safer Internet Day (11th February) – Free Webinars for Waverley College Parents
Tech, Teens and Time Online | Suitable for parents and carers of young people aged 12-18 years old.
- Ideas to start the chat about harmful content, relationships and online harassment
- Strategies for addressing common digital parenting challenges
- Online wellbeing strategies for teens
- How to get help if things go wrong
Webinar Times:
Tuesday 11 February 2020 – 8:00pm to 9:00pm (AEDT) Wednesday 12 February 2020 – 1.30pm to 2.30pm (AEDT)
All sessions will be delivered by eSafety expert Greg Gebhart and parents will need to register by logging onto the eSafety webpage – https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
