Ecology Symposium - Written by Harrison Evans, Year 9 The Ecology Symposium at Waverley College on 31 October, was a thought-provoking event, gathering like-minded students, teachers, MPs, council staff, Indigenous Elders, and public figures in one place to collaborate and fight for the future of our planet. The St Edward's participants were students from the Environment, Sport Health and Wellbeing Portfolio. The day was held in the RJ Wallace Performing Arts Centre, starting with a smoking ceremony as we entered, followed by an Acknowledgement to Country both led by Indigenous Elder, Uncle Dean Kelly. After a brief introduction and outline of the day, Uncle Dean Kelly returned, providing an extremely inspiring and resonating speech about taking responsibility for our actions, living every day as it comes and being grateful. Following this, Mr Geoff Lui, a Torres Strait Islander man from North Queensland and the Senior Project Officer for Indigenous Research at James Cook University, explained how Torres Strait Islander peoples lived in harmony with the land and sea, maintaining a deep connection, until relatively recently when the impacts of climate change—such as rising sea levels and unpredictable weather—became so severe that many had to leave their islands and relocate to mainland Queensland. Thus, leading to many detrimental effects including the loss of culture and connection to the land. He explained that although plans are in place to attempt to retain their culture, it will never be the same, and he urged the Australian Government to do much more to protect their islands. After a short morning tea, St Patrick’s College Strathfield presented on their recent excursion to Fiji and how climate change has caused devastating impacts to the surrounding reefs, buildings and waterlines. Their presentation further reinforced Mr Geoff Lui's point that the Australian Government needs to take stronger action to address climate change. Followed by this, the Member for Wentworth, Ms Allegra Spender spoke to us about the challenges and key factors in creating change within parliament, and how to get politicians to listen and drive change within a smaller community and a more macro level. After this, we were graced with the presence of the famous Gardening Australia television presenter, Mr Costa Georgiadis, speaking about driving change as youth advocates, in an incredibly captivating and inspiring way. After lunch, we worked with our table groups to develop emails to corporates and governments about doing more due to the effects of climate change. Dr Marjorie O’Neill, the NSW State Member for Coogee, then spoke about the state government and how the community should use their voice to fuel change. This was followed by Mr Sam McGuinness, the Executive Manager for Sustainability at Waverly Council speaking about sustainability in our local community, and the initiatives that the Waverly Council is undertaking for the Environment. These initiatives include, assisting Waverly College and other schools in acquiring Solar Panels, the subsidisation of compost bins, the maintaining of clean waterways, the protection of native plant species, the encouragement of carbon neutral public transport, as well as the target of Carbon Neutral by 2030 for the council, and 2035 for the Community. It would be exciting to see the Central Coast Council be as proactive as the Waverly Council with Climate Change and Environmental topics throughout the years to come. After a closing address and final remarks, the day ended with plenty to think about and take on board. We thank Waverly College for putting on such a fantastic day and we are all looking forward to next year’s Ecology Symposium.   [foogallery id="56589"]  

The annual Catholic Mission Mass was celebrated at the Diocesan Cathedral in Waitara. All schools from the Diocese were in attendance to acknowledge the great work Catholic Mission does in raising awareness and funds for disadvantaged communities worldwide. This year, Catholic Mission is focusing on helping Ethiopia, a country facing very difficult circumstances and in need of support across many areas. At this moving ceremony, funds raised by students from each school were presented to representatives from Catholic Mission, enabling them to continue their charitable work. The following Year 9 students did a great job representing the College at this significant event. Harry Evans Beau Louis Ben Weisbaum   Mr Beacroft Director of Mission and Identity

On Wednesday 23 October, 145 eager Year 8 students stood in the dark on the basketball courts eager to set off on an adventure. The 6 am departure meant an early start for students, parents and teachers and many boys took the opportunity to make up for the early start with a nap during the 3 hour journey to Shell Cove. Killalea State Park is located between a river and two beautiful surf beaches and the boys really raised their step count walking to activities including surfing lessons, canoeing, snorkelling and beach sports. Evenings were spent cooking and playing trivia in their camp groups. Staff were impressed by student’s positive attitude, willingness to give things a go and the way the boys supported each other. A huge thank you to all of the teachers who gave up their time to make this possible and to the administration staff who worked very hard to ensure we had everything we needed for a terrific camp. [foogallery id="56453"]

It’s that wonderful time of year again! We invite our school community to join in the spirit of giving through our annual Christmas Hamper Appeal. This year, all donations will go directly to St Vincent de Paul and Coast Shelter to bring comfort and joy to those in need this Christmas season. Please bring in items from the list below to contribute. For student donations, 30 minutes of Waterford hours will be allocated, with the potential for more based on the quantity and generosity of your contributions (as decided by your Homeroom teacher). Let’s make a difference together this Christmas!    

It’s almost that time of year! Join us for Community Christmas Carols 2024! Bring your family and all the festive feels for a night filled with songs, laughter, and holiday cheer.  There will be food stalls, musical showcases and an appearance from a special festive guest! When: 6 December 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: St Edward’s College Oval Let’s make this a night to remember together—sing along to your favourite carols, soak in the Christmas season and share in the fun. We can’t wait to see you there!   [embed]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/08qX8x5R5mM[/embed]

Year 9 has been hard at work completing their Body of Work based on the theme of Gothic art and gargoyles. They examined Gothic architecture elements, created a pencil and conte chalk drawing on kraft paper, etched a black and white sketch of a Gothic gargoyle animated character, and then created their character out of clay. The works were made using heavily grogged clay allowing students to increase the size of their gargoyles, and we are sure you will agree they look fantastic! [foogallery id="56390"]   Photography students have been working on aperture, understanding and experimenting with depth of field. For this, they needed to use a short aperture and some tiny figures or soldiers, as well as various foods to create tilt shift effects.

Years 9 and 10 Commerce - ASX Sharemarket Game 2 The ASX Sharemarket Game for 2024  officially concluded on 24 October 2024. Game 2 ran for six weeks, providing participants ample opportunity to test their investment strategies using $50,000 in virtual cash. The Year 9 and 10 Commerce students competed as single syndicates, trading shares in over 300 ASX-listed companies, ETFs, and LICs, all while factoring in real-time market conditions, including brokerage fees. Throughout the game, students encountered both the thrills of success and the challenges of market volatility. They quickly realised how dynamic and unpredictable the trading environment can be. Some investments soared, while others faltered, teaching valuable lessons about risk, timing, and patience. The fast-paced nature of the markets kept them on their toes, encouraging them to stay informed, read market trends, and adjust their strategies accordingly. [caption id="attachment_56382" align="alignright" width="200"] Dean Macdonald[/caption] A standout among the participants was Dean Macdonald from Miss Hillard's Year 9 class, who ranked an impressive 12th in NSW. His performance showcased exceptional trading skills, demonstrating a deep understanding of market trends and the ability to make strategic decisions at key moments. By learning to analyse company performance, follow market trends, and identify patterns in stock prices, students gained insight into when it was advantageous to buy or sell. This hands-on experience exposed them to fundamental investment principles like diversification, portfolio management, and the impact of external factors such as economic news and global events on stock prices. After completing Game 1 earlier in the year, the Commerce students had a second opportunity to explore the financial world, gaining practical knowledge that extends beyond the classroom. This experience allowed them to apply what they had learned previously. The game provided a unique and invaluable opportunity for them to implement their theoretical knowledge in a real-world context, building both confidence and competence in financial literacy.  

Are you looking for support for your child? SPELD NSW is a great organisation that provides services to support children and their families with specific learning difficulties like dyselxia and dysgraphia. They have launched a new Parents Hub with lots of supports available. Check out the link. Specific learning difficulties support for families | SPELD NSW

On Tuesday 22 October, our Year 7 Football team travelled to the home of Football NSW at Valentine Sports Complex, to compete in the first inaugural Rice Cup. This new competition brought together teams from NSW EREA schools in a gala day, with each team vying for the honor of being crowned Rice Cup champions. Despite having some solid sessions against our school academy sides in the lead-up to the day, our boys found the level of football from some of the schools challenging, as we faced schools that play together on weekends and had just finished their main season. This meant that many of the teams were well-drilled and had a level of cohesion that we were unable to match. Additionally, we had dropped from five reserves to two before the day had even started, as several of our players fell ill. To their absolute credit, the boys showed enthusiasm and teamwork to overcome these challenges, with several players having to fill positions that were completely foreign to them at short notice. Our first match of the day was against a talented and fiery Lewisham team that was well-drilled and controlled the pace of the game effectively. We had a couple of early chances, but injuries to both of our central defenders left us with just the bare eleven by halftime in our first match of the day. Ultimately, despite fighting hard, we were beaten 2-0, with a few good chances going begging early on. The scoreline was kept reasonable, however, thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Blake Paulley. Our second match was less kind to us. We started the match with no substitutes and several players trying new positions for the first time. While we had some promising counter-attacking moments that showcased our potential, we were unable to capitalize on them and couldn't make the necessary defensive stops, ultimately losing 5-0 to Edmund Rice Wollongong. With morale low, the boys were reminded of their strength in the face of a challenging situation. This lifted their spirits, leading to a gritty, resilient performance in their next match against St Patrick’s Strathfield, which was by far their best performance. The boys confidently held the opposition at bay in defense and created multiple chances up front. We could hear the frustration building in the opposing team as the score remained 0-0 late in the game, with many parents and players visibly becoming irate at the challenge our boys were presenting. Unfortunately, a late and questionable penalty was awarded to the opposition, leading to a final result of 1-0. Despite the disappointment, the boys were pleased with their efforts, showcasing football much closer to their true potential by narrowly losing 1-0 to a penalty to the team that ultimately went on to win the entire competition. After finishing last in our pool, we played a friendly match against the second team from Edmund Rice Wollongong, which had placed fourth in their pool. This game was for the "wooden spoon" of the day. The boys enjoyed a much more relaxed and fun match, which ended in a 1-1 draw after Austin Tebbutt scored a stunning goal from outside the box on the left side of the field to equalise from an early deficit. We decided to settle the game through a penalty shootout. Our takers were Henry Swinbourne, Tom Bayss, Blake Paulley, and Hayden Young. A fifth taker was not needed, as all of our boys successfully scored their penalties, and Blake was able to save one of theirs, with another shot missing the goal completely. This meant we won our friendly penalty shootout 4-2. Despite facing a very difficult time in our matches, the boys displayed impeccable sportsmanship and character throughout the day, competing in the true spirit of the game. It was a pleasure to work with them this year, and I hope they will fondly remember their involvement in the first-ever Rice Cup in our College’s history.     The Team: Jack Batty, Thomas Bayss, Finnegan Clifford, Elliott Firman, Jeremy Gerber, Jamie Griffiths, Leo Grogan, Riley Nebauer, Blake Paulley, Ethan Rowell, Henry Swinbourne, Austin Tebbutt, Hayden Young Mr Buxton - Coach Mr Ryan - Manager

Downie Cricket Trophy Round 1 vs St Peter’s Caltholic College, Tuggerah As reigning champions of Catholic Schools NSW, the College embarked on a 'title defence' for the first time. Engaged against our local foe in St Peter’s Catholic College Tuggerah, the first fixture of the summer had us travel to Rogers Park, Woy Woy. Using the “magic” twenty cent coin, newly appointed skipper, Max Oteiwi, got the summer underway in good fashion, winning the toss and sending the opposition in to bat. The opening combination of Ryan Bullot (2/17) and Alex Jack (0/5 from six overs), restricted scoring early on and after twelve overs, St Peter’s were only 2/20. It could have been an early chase but for some defensive lapses in the field, with one batsman dropped on 10 runs, going on to score 78. Cue, Hugh Wheeler who took the ball and 9.1 overs later, Hugh had secured our first 'five for', ending the opposition innings with figures of 5/17. St Peter’s got on an early offense for our batting innings, opening the bowling with spin. A couple of early wickets had St Edward's on the back foot but Max Oteiwi (50no) and Luca Norris (47no) steadied the innings and comfortably chasing down St Peter's total in just twenty overs. Luca  finished the game in style with back to back sixes. Team: Regan Allardice, Ryan Bullot, Joe Cameron, Hayden Fearnley, Finn Giddings, Malcolm Hawkins, Alexander Jack, Jack Minehan, Luca Norris, Max Oteiwi, Neo Thompson, Hugh Wheeler, Jonte Wicks

Berg Shield Report - Round 2 vs Mater Maria Catholic College, Warriewood. Round 2 took us to an away fixture, which also meant every student’s favorite part of the day – a bus trip! Under overcast skies, we arrived at the field to find what resembled a “cow paddock.” The grass was long and uncut, with patches of sand scattered across the field. Nonetheless, both teams had to contend with the same conditions. After winning the toss, Hugh Wheeler chose to bat, setting up our strategy to make the opponents chase in the second innings. Granted a life on just three runs, Hugh quickly settled in at the crease and went on to anchor our innings, much to the opposition’s regret. He finished with an impressive 80 runs. Harry Tobin added a quick-fire 20, helping us post a competitive score of 6/130. However, the game took a drastic turn when Mater Maria’s opening batsmen came to the crease. Our bowling was consistently too short, and their batters capitalised on every opportunity. In the end, Mater Maria dominated, sealing the game and our season with a commanding ten-wicket win (0/132).

Representative Sport Sport Events All individual sports registrations are completed on the CSNSW.SPORT website. Parents must have an account and add their child to have access. (Sport Registration HELP is available on sport information page). Registration for Events You will need to ‘create account,’ if you do not have one OR ‘login’ using your existing account (NSWCCC or Polding). Once logged in, click on ‘register my child’ and follow the directions to register your son. Portal details update – Parents need to go in and update details (ie. Child’s school year and new school – Year 7). Check this has been done if you cannot see registration options (you should be able to). Calendar Term 4 Week Event Venue 4 CSBB Junior (Under 13) Touch Football Doyalson 5 CSBB Opens Volleyball Niagara Park 6 Central Coast School Open Waterpolo Championships Woy Woy 6 Central Coast School Chess Competition Green Point Christian College 7 CSBB Tennis Queenwood Tennis Centre 8 CSBB Surf Lifesaving Championships Terrigal Jason Carpenter Leader of Learning Sport

Emerging Roles Jobs and Skills Australia has identified 37 emerging roles in the Australian job market in the latest Emerging Roles Report. Grouped into four key themes: Net Zero Health, Care and Medical Data and Technologies Science and Engineering These themes represent areas where rapid developments are occurring, with new job titles and evolving skill requirements. Why is this important? Because these fields offer valuable career opportunities, making them worth considering as your son plans his path during and after school. Click Here to Read the Report Study Tips Study tips for different ways students learn - The Parents' Guide to making study interesting There are lots of different ways to study and revise and it may be the case that your child finds some ways easier than others. They can experiment and see if there’s a particular style that helps keep them interested and take in information more effectively. Don’t worry if they don’t have a preference; every child learns differently and what works for one child may not work at all for another. Visual If they love colour, pictures and imagery, they might like to: Make their notes colourful, with different colour pens, paper, highlighters and post-its; Use images and pictures instead of words; Use symbols to represent key messages; Use maps and charts where possible; Adapt text to flow charts; Express change and ideas in diagrams; Use doodles when note taking. Reading/Writing If they love reading and journaling, they might prefer to: Take lots of notes (both during lessons and during study); Re-write notes in different styles; Do lots of practice papers; Use post-it notes to emphasis key points; Use highlighters to make important items stand out; Read books, online articles, magazines and their own notes. Listening If reading and writing doesn’t come naturally, they might enjoy speaking and listening, for example: Listening to podcasts and audio books where the information they should learn is spoken aloud; Joining study groups so they can listen and talk over ideas with others; Listen to speakers/teachers/lecturers whether in live sessions or online; Engaging with you by talking, discussing and explaining what they know; Using sound and music to help them learn; Teaching (or pretending to teach) others to demonstrate knowledge; Speaking answers to past papers aloud. Being Active Study doesn’t always have to mean sitting down and being quiet. If you child loves being active, perhaps they can: Do the activity themselves (cooking, carpentry, design); Use real life examples to help them understand theoretical concepts; Take more frequent breaks so they can get up and move about between desk time; Use art and drawing to help memorize ideas and themes; Study in groups and act out the material; Make study sheets and flash cards to help memorize information; Watch videos of people doing the activity.

See the links below for traineeships and apprenticeships available to students.   Hard Yards Landscapes   Hard Yards Landscapes is a professional garden maintenance company that focuses on Residential, Aged Care and Commercial properties. The majority of areas that we service are on the Central Coast, but we do have work based on the North Shore, Western Sydney and Northern Beaches. All Travel provided from the Central Coast. Our friendly working environment makes it really enjoyable to work outdoors. We are offering an Apprenticeship in Parks & Gardens Cert111 which will give you the qualification of a Horticulturist. The apprenticeship is 3-4 years. The TAFE studies are 1 day a week for 3 years. Duties include all aspects of gardening, design, lawn care and property maintenance, landscaping, including but not limited to: mowing, brush cutting, hedging, blowing, mulching, planting, turf install and rubbish removal. This position requires someone who values a high standard of workmanship and has a strong work ethic, a positive attitude and is friendly. Must be willing to provide a Police check & NDIS check as some of our sites require this to be able to attend & must have white card or willing to obtain. If you would like to get involved with our team please email a cover letter and resume through and we will contact you if suited to the position. Email: hardyardsgardens@hotmail.com       As we wrap up the year, we are excited to share that we have several job opportunities available for students interested in starting a Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway in 2024 or 2025. We are particularly interested in hearing from keen Year 10, 11, and 12 students who are ready to take the next step towards their future careers. Students are to apply via the link below: 1st Year Bricklayer – Click Here Blinds & Awnings Trainee – Click Here 1st Year Plasterer – Click Here Business Admin Trainee - Click Here   2025 Sydney Traineeship Program Not sure what to do after high-school? Want to fast track your career and gain real world work experience within an international bank? Join our J.P. Morgan’s 2-year Traineeship Program in Sydney and experience the excitement of working in the fast-paced financial services industry. You’ll work within J.P. Morgan’s Operations, or Finance and Business Management function – all innovative and exciting teams which directly impact the firm’s success. You will have the opportunity to work with key digital tools to promote efficiency in an ever-changing industry. Learn how our 2-year Traineeship can give you real-world skillsets while also providing you the tools of the future here. Requirements: Current Year 12 student and will have obtained a high school certificate by the time the program commences Team player with self-motivation, good communication and interpersonal skills Eagerness to resolve challenges and ability to multi-task in fast-moving environment Must be Australian citizen or Permanent Resident Cannot possess a degree, certificate IV qualification or higher at the time the program commences Program Period: March 2025 – March 2027 Apply now via our careers website here by the deadline November 22, 2024  

Please see the links below for the latest information from universities and post school courses.   Invitation to our 2024 Law Insights Evening | Wednesday 13th November The University of Newcastle’s School of Law and Justice invites Year 11 & Year 12 students of 2024, teachers and parents to attend our Law Insights evening. The evening is an invaluable experience, allowing students to hear first-hand about the Law degree on offer at the University of Newcastle. Students will be able to hear from, and speak with, academic staff and current students from the School of Law and Justice. Students will also learn about our Legal Centre. This is an excellent opportunity for students to ask any questions they might have about the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program. Location: NUspace (City Campus) Time: 5pm – 7pm Date: Wednesday 13th November 2024   Canapés and drinks will be provided Register Here   Looking Ahead Lecture: Improving Equitable Access to Education We would like to invite you to join us as our guest for the next Looking Ahead event on Tuesday 19 November which will feature the Hon. Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner. Commissioner Nash will speak about equitable access to education and ways to improve outcomes for people in regional areas. Following the keynote, Fiona will also join a panel of experts, including your colleague Darren Ponman Principal of HSPA, to dive into improving equitable access to education for all. Event details What:  Looking Ahead Lecture – with Hon Fiona Nash Topic: Improving equitable access to education When: 6pm on Tuesday 19 November Where: The Conservatorium, Newcastle Register Here   All Welcome! Date Saturday, 16 November 2024 Time:  10 am to 3 pm Location:  AIE Sydney, 33 Mountain Street, Ultimo Click Here to Find Out More           Watch Videos  International Experience Canada (Working Holiday) Study in Canada Studying at our high-quality institutions will be an experience of a lifetime and a return on your investment.  When you study in Canada, you invest in your future. Canada’s college and university degrees are recognized worldwide. Tuition fees are among the lowest in English speaking countries. Plus, you may be able to stay and work in Canada after you graduate. The possibilities are endless! Discover the many reasons why international students choose to study in Canada.  Learn more about the high quality education options you’ll find in Canada. Want to explore Canada from home?  Visit Canada virtually and take an online campus tour of your future campus. Start to plan your study-in-Canada adventure before you start your studies! Find programs and costs: Know your interests and career goals? Search for programs, colleges and universities and how much they will cost. Study permits & visas: Most international students will need a study permit to study in Canada. Find out how to apply for a study permit or visa. For more information, visit: EduCanada Working Holiday Internship Young Professionals Canada Brochure     Click Here to Learn More     FINAL INFORMATION NIGHT As HSC is wrapping up and preparation for graduation begins, now is the time to start thinking about your future. Join us on Thursday, November 14th at 6:30 PM at Rydges Reservoir Cinema for our final Info Night of the year, where you'll discover everything you need to know about this transformative course. We’ll dive into the curriculum, which combines practical, hands-on training with industry-standard techniques, and explore the career pathways available to graduates. The course is fully government accredited, giving you the qualifications to pursue a professional career as a screen actor. Plus, you’ll learn about the final round of applications and how to secure your place in the 2025 intake. Don’t miss this chance to ask questions, get insider knowledge, and make an informed decision about taking your next steps after school. Get Tickets FINAL ROUND Advanced Diploma Application Unpacked Workshop FINAL WORKSHOP for the year. This workshop will help you unpack the application process, nail your monologue and secure a callback confidently. Unpacked is held in-person at Screenwise studios and facilitated by Industry renowned tutor and professional actor, Anna Lee. Spaces are strictly limited so get in quickly and apply now! About Unpacked Happening Saturday 16th November, 9am  The Workshop fee is a $66 investment. All attendees will have their $66 application fee waived following the workshop should they apply for the Advanced Diploma. No experience necessary. Audition material supplied. Apply for Workshop  

Online Wellbeing Resources Each week members of the St Edward’s College Pastoral Team will be offering guidance and resources to assist families as our boys navigate high school. We invite you to take the time each week to explore Yadhaba Online for articles that may be helpful. This issue: Dealing with Grief and Loss     Click Here to View the Wellbeing Hub on the College Website.   Mr Keith Mills Director of Pastoral Care