ALUMNI UPDATES
AMELIA WEDDING
Hi! My name is Amelia Wedding and I graduated last year with the Class of 2019.
During my last year of school, I was working as a part time hairdressing apprentice at a salon called Gosh & Co, while completing an Unscored VCE. Working 6 days a week and balancing Year 12 was one of the most stressful and challenging things I have ever gone through and I am so grateful to have had the encouragement and support from teachers! I really had to motivate myself to see that doing this would benefit me in the long run and I’m reaping the rewards of it now, having started full time at the salon in November.
I didn’t have necessarily have goals, such as achieving a certain ATAR score or being accepted into a particular university or course, as I had a plan throughout the year of what I was doing and knew once exam time came I would start full time work.
I started being interested in hairdressing when I was about 12. At first, I was mostly drawn to the styling aspect, but now I love it because I have seen first hand how much good hair can impact a person and change their mood. I also think it’s fascinating how many techniques there are and how there are so many different things you can do to hair. I love putting a smile on people’s face through a great experience at my salon!
The biggest challenge I've encountered is juggling Year 12 and working part time. It was sometimes crazy when I had 3 SAC’s in a day, then working for 6 hours and then having hairdressing homework! I had a teacher say to me once that it was like I was living two lives. That's sometimes how overwhelming it felt to be doing double what most other students were. I felt like I was constantly running around from here to there, but I am also so grateful to have had the support of my teachers, employer and parents who backed me 100%.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I have heard was that if you are going to do something, do it well! I didn’t have to complete my VCE, as I could have chosen to pursue VCAL or even leave school but I felt I owed it to myself to see my school journey through after 13 years at Waverley. It has now become part of my personality as I like to see something through if I start it. During 2019, I really tried my best in everything I did and am really proud of the results I achieved.
Here are two pieces of advice I have for current students:
1. Do not be afraid of having to put in hard work for something you want. If you want it badly enough, you make it happen!
2. Always be grateful and never take for granted the people around you that help you achieve your goals.
What excites me for the future? Everything! I can’t wait until I’m fully qualified and can travel the world and experience all different aspects of hairdressing and learn as much as I can to be the best hairdresser I can be.
By Amelia Wedding (Class of 2019, Wantirna South)
BEN MORRIS
What or who motivated you at Waverley Christian College?
The teachers were always available to discuss any classwork or homework I had trouble with and always encouraged me to complete work to the best of my ability. This helped motivate me to continue to work at it.
What goals did you set yourself when you finished at WCC and have you stuck to that plan?
I set a goal to have a full-time job in audio/lighting production by the end of 2020. Due to events of the year and the industry shutting down, I haven’t been able to do this. I have, however, picked up multiple jobs in various companies to keep myself busy.
What drew you to your area of work or study this year, and what do you love about it?
I have loved working in the trade industry this year as its very flexible and keeps me active and hard working.
What are some highlights of your first year out so far?
Not having any homework... I really enjoy being able to come home after working long hours, relaxing on the couch and watching TV or Netflix.
What have been some of the biggest challenges that you have encountered?
The biggest challenge this year has been finding work during the pandemic.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If anything is worth doing, it is worth doing properly!
What excites you most about the future?
I look forward to buying a house and living independently one day.
What advice do you have for current students?
Keep working hard, it will be worth it.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Ben Morris (Class of 2019, Narre Warren South)
LINDY WANASINGHE
What or who motivated you at Waverley Christian College?
In my early high school years I was motivated by my parents and often my friends around me. As I got older, I became responsible for motivating myself with the help of teachers helping me to see my potential when I had given up.
What goals did you set yourself when you finished at WCC and have you stuck to that plan?
I mainly had goals in terms of marks and what I wanted to achieve for study scores and my ATAR, but I quickly realised that it doesn't matter as much as most people think during school. Eventually, my goals became about who I was, what I wanted to be and the people I surrounded myself with. I had a goal to get into university and do a course that would make me happy and I feel like I achieved that. With friends, I wanted to meet new people and deepen my current friendships and I've definitely learnt that not all friendships are meant to be.
What drew you to your area of work or study this year, and what do you love about it?
I am studying Occupational Therapy, so I'm studying to work in the Health Science field which particularly interested me because of its focus on forming relationships with many people. I also hope to specifically study occupational therapy associated with treating young children, because I enjoy spending time with kids.
What are some highlights of your first year out so far?
It's hard to think of key highlights given that I had one full day of on-campus learning and the rest of the semester was online. I've definitely enjoyed the flexibility of classes and my responsibility in attending classes. If I wanted to skip a morning lecture over zoom and sleep, I could, and I did, so that's a highlight for me.
What have been some of the biggest challenges that you have encountered?
Since the learning is online, it's hard to get myself to do work and attend classes when I should. Especially because the semester goes for so long, I definitely get unmotivated easily.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
To just push through. University during these times is hard for teachers and students and the one thing that got me through with all the tests, assignments and self-learning was just telling myself to push through the holidays.
What excites you most about the future?
Career-wise, I am definitely excited at the idea of doing what I love and helping people in the process. But generally, it's just the idea of being happy and content with life whilst working hard doing what I love.
What advice do you have for current students?
It's so so important to choose a university course that you'll enjoy because otherwise your whole university experience, as well as your future career, will be unenjoyable. But also, it's okay if you're unsure what you want to do, there are always possibilities to switch courses, so spend time finding a course you enjoy and don't settle for something that doesn't make you happy.
(Lindy Wanasinghe, Class of 2019, Narre Warren South)
MARRIAGES
Joanna Poon (Class of 2007) married James Loh (Class of 2001) on the 23rd March 2019.
Rosie Utteridge (Class of 2009) married Andrew Sheerin on the 6th June 2020.
Tim Xie (current staff member) married Rachel Larsen (Class of 2015) on the 28th March 2020. In the bridal party were Waverley Alumni, Isa Larsen (Class of 2013) and Beth Radojevic (Class of 2015).
BIRTHS
Congratulations to Sarah Abdelmalak (Class of '07) and husband David, on the arrival of Esther Nancy Abdelmalak, born on the 4th May 2020.
Despite the challenges faced this year, we're excited to congratulate some of our staff on the arrival of their little ones.
- Congratulations to Mrs Sarah Jacobson and her husband Mark, on the arrival of their baby boy, Caleb Luke Jacobson, born on Sunday 30th August at 9:23pm, weighing 3.51kg.
- Congratulations to Mrs Sarah Abde and her husband, on the arrival of their daughter, Esther Nancy Abdelmalak, who was born on Monday 4th May at 6:12pm.
- Congratulations to Laura Woolfe and her husband Danny, on the arrival of Charlotte Grace Woolfe born on Thursday 27 March 2020 at 11:35 pm.
- Congratulations to Mrs Jessica Popplestone and her husband Tyson, on the arrival of their baby boy Charlie William Popplestone, born on Friday 2st August at 10:30am.
- Congratulations to Mrs Katie Visser and her husband Nathan, on the arrival of their baby boy Zachary Keith Visser, born on Wednesday 19th August at 12.05pm, weighing 3.49kg.
OBITUARY
JEANETTE LOKOT
It is with sadness that I advise you all that a former LEAPS staff member, Jeanette Lokot, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Saturday 15th August 2020.
If you worked with Jeanette, you will remember that a number of students only made it through school because of the support that she gave them. She had a huge heart for our students and was hilarious to work with. Please be praying for her family and join me in giving thanks to God for the privilege of being able to work with Jeanette and share a part in her story. Our sincere sympathies are extended to her husband Phil and sons Tim, Matt and Josh.
Mr Andrew Bawden (Head of Secondary WS)