This Friday marks the end of almost two incredible years spent at Wyvern House, Newington College in the role of Innovative Learning Leader. It has been an absolute joy and privilege working with the staff and students at Wyvern. I have been greatly encouraged by the commitment and passion of the staff team and incredibly impressed by the skill, talent and admirable character of the boys at Wyvern. To reflect on my time at Newington I thought it might be fun to describe what I perceive to be the defining characteristics of a Wyvern boy. I have done this using five illustrations through iPad Apps. If you’re a parent and not familiar with the apps, ask your son and he will be able to describe the illustration for you.

Start Walk/Innovative: Star Walk is an app which allows students to explore the planets and stars in sky above them as if they were astronauts in space. This app is incredibly innovative in the way it transforms the classroom into a place of authentic and real world scientific exploration and discovery. Boys at Wyvern really do embody this sense of innovation. They enjoy pushing the boundaries of learning to make new discoveries and think creatively in all that they do. My role at Wyvern to support innovation has only been possible because of the passion for innovation displayed in the boys.

Lino/Team players: Lino is an app where boys can contribute sticky note posts and images together on a collaborative digital cork board. This illustrates the sense of team spirit that boys at Wyvern always uphold. I have observed this team spirit in sports coaching, ICT club group projects, Tournament of Minds training and classroom group projects. Being a team player is a vital skill in the twenty first century and boys at Wyvern definitely excel in working together to collaborate with others.

Educreations/Reflective: Educreations is an app where students annotate or draw images and text whilst recording a voice narration. This is a great tool for reflecting on learning. Boys at Wyvern are definitely reflective learners. I have loved opportunities teaching ICT and Extension Maths to help students reflect on why and how they are learning. Boys at Wyvern are always eager to reflect on what they have done to deepen their understanding.

PicCollage/Kind: PicCollage is a great digital poster creation app that has a lot of fun stickers boys use to add to their work. Surprisingly boys often choose the love heart and lips stickers. This is a great illustration for the kind heartened spirit which the boys at Wyvern display on a daily basis. I am constantly encouraged by the kindness boys show to others who are unwell or struggling personally. Being on duty in the playground is always a joy, watching the boys interact and play with one another in such a kind way.

iMotionHD/Committed: iMotion HD is an app that allows students to sequence photos to create an animation. To create an interesting and smooth animation students need to have incredible commitment to take hundreds of photos making small movements and adjustments to their subject matter. I really admire the sense of commitment that boys at Wyvern display in all areas of learning. Students seek to perfect each project and commit until it is completed to the best of their ability.

I would like to thank all the staff, students and parents at Wvyern for a wonderful two years. It has been such an incredible opportunity to work with and learn from such a diverse and talented community. I am excited by my new role as Deputy Head of Primary at Emanuel School, but I will very  miss being a part of the very special Wyvern community.

Kind regards

Emma Clemens
Innovative Learning Leader