From the Principal - Wednesday, 11 November

Dear Waverley College Community,

After ten wonderful years as Principal of Waverley College, I am writing to share that I have accepted the opportunity to lead another Edmund Rice school, St Edward's College, Gosford, commencing in January 2027.

Waverley has been such an important part of my life, and it has been an enormous privilege to lead this wonderful College. Together, we have achieved so much. We have grown the College, strengthened our academic outcomes, culminating in our best-ever HSC results in 2025, invested in outstanding facilities and expanded the opportunities available to our boys. We embraced gender equity across all of our leadership and staff teams, strengthened our culture and commitment to respectful relationships, and broadened the educational experience through academic enrichment, STEM, debating, public speaking, the arts, co-curricular opportunities and social justice programs. We have also made important progress in ecological sustainability and reconciliation. Importantly, we have developed our whole-school teaching, learning and wellbeing frameworks, reshaping our wellbeing structures and programs and strengthening the place and value of wellbeing in the everyday lives of our students and staff. These have all been important elements of the cultural and educational renewal of the College over the past decade.

I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, but when I reflect on my time here, it is the people, the relationships and the remarkable sense of community that I will remember most. Above all, it has been a privilege to witness generations of young men grow in character, confidence and compassion, and develop into young men who are curious, respectful, resilient and ready to make a positive contribution to the world. Supporting their formation, both academically and spiritually, has been at the heart of my commitment to Waverley and its Edmund Rice tradition.

To our students, parents and families, Old Boys, Parents’ Association, Foundation & College Advisory Council Members and, particularly, our dedicated teaching and support staff, thank you. Your trust, support, generosity and friendship have meant a great deal to me.

To my fellow NSW EREA Principals and CAS Principals, thank you for your collegiality, friendship and the many conversations and shared experiences that have enriched my time at Waverley. I am also grateful to the leaders and communities of our neighbouring schools, particularly St Charles School, St Clare's College and St Catherine's School, for their friendship, partnership and support over the years. I am also deeply appreciative of the Parish Priests I have worked with, who have been such wonderful supporters of Waverley, particularly in our shared commitment to the faith formation and spiritual development of our students.

The achievements of the past decade have been a collective effort, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this community.

I leave with enormous pride in what we have achieved and great confidence in Waverley's future. I am particularly pleased that Dr Michael Carroll will serve as Acting Principal during Terms 1 and 2 next year. I know Michael well, have enormous respect for him as an educator and leader, and have no hesitation in endorsing his appointment. He is an outstanding person who will bring great experience, wisdom and care to the role.

While I am excited about the next chapter at St Edward's and the opportunity to continue my service within the Edmund Rice community, Waverley will always hold a very special place in my heart. To have served this community as Principal has been one of the great honours of my professional life.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of leading this remarkable College. I wish the entire Waverley community every success for the future. Please find below a letter from Mr Chris Woolley, Chief Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Education Australia Colleges, providing further information regarding the College's leadership transition.

Read the Letter from Mr Chris Woolley

Virtus Sola Nobilitat

Warm regards,

Graham Leddie
Principal