Assemblies to mark our 150th Birthday

For some boys the first day of the academic term was the start of their Newington journey, while others were returning to the College after the Christmas break, but for all it was the start of a very exciting year in the history of their school–Newington’s Sesquicentenary year.

Officially launching the College’s 150th birthday, The Headmaster, Dr David Mulford and the Sesquicentenary Chairman, Mr Rod Bosman (ON ‘78), travelled with members of the Sesquicentenary Committee to Lindfield, Wyvern and Stanmore on our first day of term. A special assembly was held at each to recognise the significance of the year and celebrate all that has been achieved for the thousands of Newington young men who have passed through the College gates over the last 150 years as well as what is yet to come for those at the College today.

Back in classrooms every boy was included in the special moment receiving commemorative gifts from the College including a Newington College cupcake designed especially for the occasion and a dedicatory Newington College tie and pin; mementos of being a current student in 2013.

There was a buzz of excitement across all three campuses as boys enjoyed their gifts and the significance of the occasion sank in. All Newington boys – past and present – will always be a part of the College, but the boys of 2013 will have a special place in Newington’s history and future generations will look back in years to come at the boys who were with us in this special year.

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Newington’s 150 Years of Sport

Join us in the city to celebrate and pay tribute to the history of Newington Sport. Relive the successes of past premierships in rugby, tennis, athletics and swimming…just to name a few, as one of the original six members of the AAGPS. National and international representative sportsmen from the College will join us to recount how their early sports careers were forged on the fields at Newington.

When: Friday 22 March 2013
Where: Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf
Cost: $125 per person

To register for the event, click here

To make an online payment click here and choose the Sesquicentenary link in the “College” box

Find out what else is on the Sesquicentenary events program by visiting our insite

School Fees 2013

In an effort to improve communication and make school fee payments more convenient, the College will send all future fee invoices by email.

The first invoice for 2013 was issued on 7 January 2013.

If you have not received an invoice, please contact Ms Coral Balmer at cbalmer@newington.nsw.edu.au to confirm or amend the details we have on file for the email distribution.

Thanks

Peter Yates
Head of Corporate Services

Term 1 Calendar

For Term 1  Calendar, click here

ONU Golf Day

The ONU invites all members of the Newington Community to the 2013 ONU Golf Day at the prestigious Lakes Golf Course, home of the Australian Open and Australian PGA on Thursday 28 February.

An exceptional day of golf is promised with participation by the Australian Long Drive Champion as well as Australian women’s golf professional Carlie Butler. Lunch and a buffet dinner are also included.

The 2012 ONU Golf Day, attended by Old Boys, College Council members, Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents and others was a great success raising more than $17,000. Proceeds from the 2013 event will again be used to assist any Old Boy (young or old) living with depression by providing counselling and funds for early intervention and specialist treatment. If you would like to sponsor a hole or register to play, please contact the Mylee Angelo (ONU Officer) at alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au

Mylee Angelo
ONU Officer

From the Archives

On 3 January 1863, the Sydney Morning Herald and Empire newspapers carried a notice to contractors, seeking tenders ‘…for extensive repairs to Newington House, out-offices, and Church, Newington Estate, Parramatta River, for the committee of the Wesleyan Collegiate School.’ Tenders were sought for excavation, drainage, masonry, bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, shingling and fencing, along with a range of interior works. Tenders were to be submitted to the architect Thomas Rowe, who later designed what is now the Founders Wing at Stanmore.

The once fine mansion was in a state of serious disrepair. Recent tenants had used the kitchen as a piggery and the dining room as a barn, while the surrounding grounds and buildings had been used for salt-making and slaughtering. The lease agreement provided for the first five years’ rent to be applied to restoring and improving the mansion and grounds.

News of the proposed new school soon spread across the Australian colonies. On 17 January both the South Australian Advertiser (‘from our Melbourne Correspondent’) and the Ballarat Star reported that ‘Newington House has been leased to the Wesleyans for a college’, while the Hobart Mercury reported the same thing on 22 January.

It was in Hobart some days later that the Australasian Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church gave the final approval, following the decisions in New South Wales in 1862, for the establishment of the new school. Appointed as ‘Principal’ was one of the project’s chief proponents, the Reverend John Allen Manton.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Sesquicentenary Memorabilia

To celebrate  Newington’s 150 year legacy, the Sesquicentenary Committee has released a number of limited edition collectors’ items. To find out what items are available and to place an order, please click on the following links

Sesquicentenary Product Guide

Sesquicentenary Collectors’ Pin–order form

Sesquicentenary Tie (Polyester)–order form

Sesquicentenary Tie (Silk)–order form

Sesquicentenary Ladies Scarf–order form

If you would like further information on the events program, or to make an online payment, please visit the Sesquicentenary insite

Student Name Tags for Drive-Through Pickup

A Reminder to parents to please place their student name tags on their car’s dashboard to assist staff with pick up in the afternoon.

The name tags were issued to new students in their orientation packs.

If you require another name tag please contact Wyvern office on 9568 9444.

Thank you

Wyvern Office

Greek Language Classes 2013

Enrolments for the Greek Language classes at Wyvern in 2013 are now being taken. Based on previous enrolment patterns, these classes are only on Wednesdays, and are at their usual time of 3.20pm till 5.30pm. The first class will be in Week 2 (Wednesday) of Term 1 2013.

To secure enrolment of both existing and new students for Term 1, 2013 (if you have not already done so), please contact one of the below listed parents as soon as possible. Please note that any sisters of Wyvern boys are also invited to participate in the classes. Only students in Years 1 – 6 will be accepted. Our experience has shown that Kindergarten students have difficulty adjusting to the longer day on Wednesday, but are better suited to these classes by Year 1.

The enrolment fee for each Term (starting with Term 1, 2013) is $80. The yearly text and exercise books are $50. Each class size will continue to be kept at a low number.

Contact phone numbers are:

Cleo (Parent Year 3 2013) 0405 822 262 
Anastasia (Parent Year 6 2013) 0415 997 337

We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Music News and Co-curricular Ensembles

Welcome to another year of music-making at Wyvern.

Co-curricular Ensembles

All co-curricular ensembles, except Wyvern Jazz and the Year 3 Training Band, commence rehearsals next week (Week 2) at the following times:

*WYVERN JAZZ
Will hold auditions next Monday 4th February at lunchtime. Boys are to bring their instruments and a piece to play.

**YEAR 3 TRAINING BAND
Will commence rehearsals in Week 5.

If you are interested in your son joining an ensemble, please contact the Music Department to discuss the most appropriate ensemble(s) for his stage of musical development.

Private Tuition

All boys wishing to undertake private tuitition in 2013 need to have submitted a form which can be found at http://insites.newington.nsw.edu.au/instrument

If your son would like to learn an instrument, please contact the music Department to discuss which instrument would be most suitable for him and whether he might like to try a range of instruments before making a decision.

Alina Belshaw
Head of Music, Wyvern House

Flyers in Bookstand

Martial Arts

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Tennis

• Friday After School Tennis at Newington

Swimming

• Swim Squad Term 1

Hopalong Occupational Therapy

• Handwriting Skills Program Flyer
• Social Skills Program for 6-12 Years Flyer
• Hopalong Parent Flyer

Speech Pathology

• Gladesville Speech Pathology and Learning Centre

Term Dates 2013

TERM ONE
Tuesday 29 January to Friday 12 April
(11 week term followed by a 2 week break)
(Classes commence – Tuesday 29 January)

TERM TWO
Monday 29 April to Friday 21 June
(8 week term followed by a 3 week break)
(Anzac Day Holiday – Thursday 25 April)
(Wyvern Staff Training Day (pupil free day) – Friday 7 June)
(Queen’s Birthday (Public Holiday) – Monday 10 June)

TERM THREE
Monday 15 July to Friday 20 September (Wyvern Campus)
(10 week term followed by a 2 week break)

TERM FOUR
Tuesday 8 October to Thursday 5 December
(9 week term followed by Christmas break)

Wyvern Before and After School Care

Dear Newington Wyvern Families,

Wyvern’s Before and After School Care Program is run by OSH Club.  To enrol in your Before and After School Care program please visit their website www.oschclub.com.au and register your son.

Click here for OSHClub Information

Kind regards
OSHClub Team

All Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern (Before and After School)

Wyvern Before and After School Activities for Term 1

These activities are reviewed and updated weekly.

Wyvern’s Before and After School Co-curricular Activities Table, click here

See Flyers below for Co-curricular Activities

Swim Squad Flyer, click here

Basketball Skills Flyer, click here

K-6 Martial Arts Flyer, click here

Art Club Flyer, click here

Photography Flyer, click here

Drawing Skills Flyer, click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Shop Roster for Weeks 2 & 3, click here

Uniform Shop Price List, click here.

Wyvern Tuckshop Menu and Roster

Dear Parents

If your son suffers from an allergy it is imperative that you advise Wyvern Office  and the Tuckshop so that we are aware of it. Click here for Alliance Catering  – Food Allergens Advisory Statement

Tuckshop Menu and Roster for Weeks 2 & 3, click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, click here

Wyvern Sport

Term 1 Summer Sport Fixtures, click here

Summer Sport Draw – Saturday 9 February 2013, click here

NCP Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival, Ryde Aquatic Centre, Tuesday 12 February 2013, click here

Sport News, Week 1, click here

Winter Sport Preference Survey 2013, click here

Swim Squad Term 1, click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, click here

2013 Sports Handbook, click here

State Transit Bus and Rail Passes for 2013

Free Travel Grace Period

To allow sufficient time for distribution of passes, free travel to and from school on school days will be granted to students using CityRail and State Transit services from Tuesday 29th January to Friday 8th February 2013 only. To receive free travel students must be in school uniform otherwise proof of attendance may be requested.

From Monday 11th February 2013, all students without a current pass will be required to pay for journeys to and from school.

Wyvern Office

P&F News and Events

WELCOME 2013 – 150 Years Strong

Welcome back to the beginning of a very exciting year – The Sesquicentenary  – or for those who cannot say that, our 150th Celebration.

We tried to kick the year off with a Welcome Picnic at the senior school to take a sneak peak at the new buildings and meet all the new parents. After a long hot summer, the rain decided to come to Sydney so the picnic was a wash out. We will be continuing the social events with our Welcome Celebration Cocktail Party to be held on Friday 1st February in the grounds of Mary Andrews. Enter via the driveway (look for the balloons) next to the Library through to the beautiful gardens that the boys spend recess and lunch in. This will give you a change to meet parents in your year groups as we will have balloons to direct you to your area and, of course, name tags for those ‘I can’t remember your name’ moments.

Don’t forget you can purchase your 150th celebration mementos such as Newington Monopoly, 150th Cuff Links, Books and Ties. We have 2 major events that will take place from the Sesquicentenary Committee. On the 22nd March the Sportsman Lunch will be held and on the 14th September the Black & White Ball take place at ‘The Star’. Both of these are very exciting events so please keep those dates free.

POSITION AVAILABLE

We are looking for a team leader every Thursday morning in the Uniform Shop, just from 8.00am until 9.30am. This helps with consistency for the volunteers. If you can help please email Marie Martin – mmartin01@optusnet.com.au

NCP SWIMMING CARNIVAL – YEARS 3 – 6

The NCP Swimming Carnival will be on Tuesday 12^th February at Ryde Aquatic Centre. All boys are required to wear a HOUSE POLO SHIRT– the coloured ones and Newington Swimmers. Bring your own towel and goggles to complete the picture

P&F MEETING

Anyone who is interested in joining the P&F please come along to the General Meeting. At these meetings, we will give you information about the school and how the P&F is helping the school. If you want to help come along we will have FREE child minding with pizzas for the children – all children are welcome. It will not be a late night!

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Welcome Cocktail Party – 1^st February 2013 click here for flyer
• P&F General Meeting 21^st February 2013– Wyvern Hall – 7.00pm
• Ladies Dinner – 15^th March – save the date as it will book out quickly

Discover what is possible and feel proud to be a part of this social community especially in 2013 with so many things to celebrate and be a part of your school community.

2013 P&F Executives, click here

Julie Gigg
0411 240 769
djgigg@gmail.com
President Wyvern P&F 2013

Next Two Weeks

A Message from Mr Holden

Dear Parents,

I congratulate students on a smooth and settled start to the school year. I have especially been pleased to see new students making very good connections with Wyvern students and staff.

In our first assembly on Tuesday students were presented with special gifts to celebrate the College’s 150th year. Among these was a tie. Please note that the tie may be worn at any stage this year.

There are a number of extra curricular after school clubs and activities available for students. Please refer to the timetable and information in this newsletter. The majority of the clubs will start from week 3.  All enquiries about clubs run by external providers should be made to the contact person advertised on the timetable and not Wyvern Office.

A reminder that OSH Club are offering Before and After School Care. Please use their website www.oshclub.com.au to book in. Students who are not attending an organised before school activity should arrive at school after 8.00am when the official staff supervision time starts.

Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at the P&F Welcome Party in the Wyvern Gardens on Friday 1 February from 6.00pm. Can I please ask all parents to be especially considerate to our neighbours when parking on the street at such functions. Please note that additional parking for this event is available in the senior school grounds, off Stanmore Road.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House