The Great Garden Party

Dear Parents

The Great Garden Party is on Friday 5 April, 3.15pm – 5.00pm. See information below.

Literature Festival Information and Slideshow

Last week’s Newington College Literature Festival 2013 at Wyvern provided the opportunity for the boys to meet some of their favourite Australian authors and participate in writing and illustrating workshops, listen to storytellers and discover how and why some these best known authors became writers. From the first day’s parent session given by Michael Gerard Bauer on ‘Reading Rules! Building a Reading Culture at Home’ to the imaginative, colourful character parade on the final day, the Literature Festival engaged, challenged and delighted all those involved in the events they attended. Thank you to the students, parents, Mr Holden and the Wyvern staff and the P & F for their wonderful enthusiasm and continuing support for this unique event on the Newington College calendar.

For the remaining weeks in Term 1 we will continue to look at books written by Australian authors and will be participating in the nomination process for the Kids Own Australia Literature Awards (KOALA). These awards promote and encourage students to enjoy and appreciate Australian literature, whilst giving them a voice regarding the books they love to read. In Term 2 students will be able to vote on their favourite Australian book from a shortlist of ten books nominated by them and other students throughout New South Wales. There are four categories considered: Picture Book, Young Reader, Older Reader and a Year 7 to 9 section. Votes will be tallied by the KOALA organisation and winners will be announced in Term 3 at a special awards day. It is hoped that all boys will follow the criteria for nominating their favourite Australian book and complete a form by Friday April 5^th. Nomination forms are available in the Library.

For further information about KOALA and the awards process, please click on the link below.

http://www.koalansw.org.au/

Mrs Joanne Barnes
Librarian

The Newingtonian 2012

Newington College’s Year Book, The Newingtonian 2012, has arrived! This year the 368 pages are filled with photos from our three campuses and reports from every activity and area of the College.

One copy of The Newingtonian is provided to each Newington family with a son(s) attending Newington during 2012. Copies are distributed to the eldest boy in each family.

We hope you enjoy reading about Newington’s academic, co-curricular and sporting achievements in The Newingtonian 2012 and that the boys will keep this hard copy record as a valued chronicle of their days at Newington in 2012.

Alex Bolton
Editor The Newingtonian 2012

Robotics – RoboCup 2013

This year Wyvern will enter RoboCup in either the Dance, Dance Theatre or Search and Rescue competitions. You are able to enter as an individual and be placed in a team, or enter as a team!

If any boys are interested in competing at RoboCup this year please email or write a letter to Mr Brayley outlining why you would be interested in competing, how you are creative and demonstrating that you have perseverance. Commitment will be for all of Term 2 and most of Term 3, Tuesday 3.15pm-4.30pm, plus some lunchtimes.

Individual and team entries due by Wednesday the 10^th April.

Mr Justin Brayley
Year 6 Teacher

Softball B Team Photos

Below is a slideshow of the Wyvern Softball B team at Saturday Sport.

What do you know about Concussions?

While concussion can occur in any sport we see more incidents during rugby and football season. Concussion in sport has been discussed again recently in Melbourne with the Australian football codes and medical experts coming together.

A concussion is an injury to the brain, usually caused by a blow to the head that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. A person does not need to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion.

The brain floats inside the skull, cushioned gently by the surrounding spinal fluid. An abrupt blow to the head, or even a rapid deceleration, can cause the brain to bounce against the inner wall of the skull. There is potential for tearing of blood vessels, pulling of nerve fibres and bruising of the brain.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include headache, vision disturbance, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, memory loss, ringing in the ears, and loss of balance.

A concussion can affect memory, judgment, reflexes and muscle coordination.

Behavioral changes such as inappropriate emotions, irritability, feeling nervous or anxious may be seen. Poor attention, sensitivity to light and noise, lack of concentration and sleep disturbance can also be symptoms of concussion.

Perseverating (repeating the same thing over and over), despite being told the answer each time can occur. Example from a 2012 game against Scots, a concussed player asked repeatedly, “Did we win? Did I play well? Did I play well? Did we win”? In this case it was another player who sought medical attention for the concussed player and that’s what we need. Players, coaches, parents, staff – everyone being aware of concussion and seeking medical advice as necessary.

Margaret Bates
Senior School Nurse

Sport Luncheon Celebrates Sporting Legends of New and Old

On 22 March more than 430 parents, Old Boys and Newington’s sporting community joined some of Australia’s most admired sporting legends to celebrate 150 Years of Sport at Newington. It was a chance to look back at the changes that have taken place – the bygone days of Athletics competitions which including novelty three-legged races and a ‘wild goose chase’, to the influence early participation in Cricket, Rugby, Athletics and Rifle Shooting has had since the founding of the College in helping to shape its identity.

MC for the day, Head of Geography Mr Shane Serhon, followed a special lunch held at Dockside in Sydney’s Cockle Bay Wharf, by introducing a panel of sporting stars as guest speakers to enlighten and entertain the audience about Sport in Australia today, from the Wallabies training sessions to the culture of doping in cycling. The panel included Frank Farina, Greg Chappell, Bob Dwyer, Johnny Lewis, Barry Ross, John Alexander and old Boy Olympic Triathlete Greg Bennett. John Alexander made particular note of the importance of sport in school, commenting that the ideals of sport are where character is built – something Newington’s sports department celebrates, especially in boys’ working towards their personal best in every training session and match.

The event was also a chance to celebrate some of Newington’s sporting and coaching greats of the last 150 years, with ‘Dream Teams’ put together for every position in every major sport. The likes of Jim Maiden (ON ‘1880s), 100 yards champion for New South Wales and Victoria, taking up a position in the sprints section of the Athletics ‘Dream Team’ to the more recent James Chapman (ON ’07) who achieved a Silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, taking up the third seat in the rowing VIII ‘Dream Team’.

Special thanks go to the Sesquicentenary Committee and in particular Marisa Broome, Mark Bland and Rod Bosman, along with College archivist David Roberts, for their roles in making this a fantastic celebration of Newington sport.

Origins of ‘Dear Newingtonia’

‘Sweet Evelina’ — the origins of the School Song

Newington’s school song, ‘Dear Newingtonia’, was first sung at Speech Day on 13 December 1895. The words had been written for the occasion by Frank Williamson, a teacher who had charge of concerts and entertainments at the school. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that this ‘glee’ was ‘perhaps the selection most appreciated’ of the entertainment pieces performed that day.

While the words were new, the tune was well known. It had been published as a sentimental love song, ‘Sweet Evelina’ (words by ‘M’, music by ‘T’) in New York in 1863. It is likely that the song was older still: the published song describes it ‘As sung by all the Minstrel Bands’.

It was not the melody alone that was borrowed for the new school song. The words of the chorus, ‘my love for thee shall never, never die’, also came from the original song, with its refrain of ‘Sweet Evelina, Dear Evelina, my love for thee shall never, never die’.

‘Sweet Evelina’ was popular among Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War and was reportedly a favourite song of J.E.B. Stuart, the famous dashing Confederate cavalry commander. The Confederates also had a more martial version to the same tune, ‘The retreat of the grand army from Bull Run’ (‘Poor Mr Lincoln, Poor old Abe Lincoln…’).

After its successful debut, ‘Dear Newingtonia’ quickly became popular in the Newington community and by 1899; it was being referred to as ‘the old school song’. For many decades it appeared at the front of each issue of The Newingtonian and it continues to be sung with great emotion today.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Book Character Parade

Here is a slideshow of our K-6 Book Character Parade on Friday 22 March 2013.

Petersham Junior Rugby Club

Dear Parents,

Petersham Juniors has quite a number of Newington boys playing rugby for their club. They are seeking boys to fill 2 teams.

• The U9s are just short of forming a second team needing 6 players including reserves.
• The U10s have 13 players and play 12 a side thus that team would need some extras.

Interested boys can attend training at Camperdown Oval on Tuesday evenings and register.

Registration forms and more information are found at petershamjuniors.com

Important Notice for Families Regarding Overdue Tuition Fees

If you have chosen to pay the Stage 1 fees by instalments and you have not yet paid the account in full, your account balance is overdue. Kindly note that the final instalment was due by 18 March 2013 and the entire Stage 1 account should have been paid either in a lump sum or by instalments.

If you have an overdue account, please pay it without delay to avoid further action.

Mr Peter Yates
Head of Corporate Services

Kindy Boys Engage in Activities at Wyvern

Here is a slideshow of Kindergarten boys doing activities at School.

Faith Matters

What would you be willing to do to protect your child from harm?

Multiply that by infinity and you’ll understand how much God cares for you.

HAPPY EASTER

Mr Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Wyvern Before & After School Care – OSH Club

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

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)

Sesquicentenary Merorabilia

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 Memorabilia Product and Order Form

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

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

Crested Ware

There are a range of crested ware on offer at the Black and White shop. They range from memorabilia, clothing, keepsake as well as an exclusive Sesquicentenary line which can be found on the Sesquicentenrary site. For more information about crested ware, please contact Rollanda Rosenstrauss.

To download the crested ware catalogue and price list  click here

To view the crested ware page on the public website, 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 10 & 11, click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, click here

Wyvern Sport

Term 1 Summer Sport Fixtures, click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, click here

Winter Sport – commences Monday 18 March. For more information, click here.

Sport News, Week 9, click here

Sports Results and Match Reports for Saturday 16 March, click here

2013 Sports Handbook, click here

Wyvern Achievement Awards

Wyvern House Points

Term 1 Calendar

For Term 1  Calendar, click here

SRC Fundraiser – The Kasupe Goat Farm Project

This semester the Wyvern Student Representative Council are raising money to support a very worthwhile project based in the Kasupe community in Malawi, Africa. This small African community has benefited in many ways from the determined efforts of Mosman local Margie Bowen-Jones.

After visiting the Kasupe community, Mrs Bowen-Jones has worked tirelessly to raise funds that have been used to build new classrooms and a library as well as improve existing classrooms, to install a bore pump for much needed water and to establish a now thriving goat farm. The community relies on the goat farm as a self-sustainable source of income. The goats produce skins, meat, milk and manure that are sold and profit the locals.

At a recent 3-6 Assembly, Mrs Bowen-Jones spoke to the boys about the Kasupe community and its needs. She also shared photos of the community with the boys which gave them a view into ‘a day in the life of a Kasupe local’.

The Wyvern boys are excited about this term’s “Adopt-a-Goat” fundraiser where boys will be encouraged to raise money to purchase goats for the Kasupe community.

Mrs Maeve Le Bon and Mr Justin Brayley
SRC Facilitators

[Show as slideshow]

P and F News and Events

10 DAYS UNTIL TERM 1 CONCLUDES

WOW what a month we have had….The WoW or Women of Wyvern Dinner was a huge success with over 125 Women heading down to 4143 Alexandria. For those who missed out, Year 4 2014 have promised it will be bigger and better than ever. We had sparkling on arrival, raffle prizes, great entertainment and a whole lot of love in the room for the strong dedicated Women of Wyvern. To Sally, Tahnee and Sam from Year 4  – thank you for the wonderful job you did pulling the event together. Check out the P&F SPACES page for more pictures of the event.

THE LITERATURE FESTIVAL AND BOOK CHARACTER PARADE

The Literature Festival is an important week at Wyvern and Mrs Barnes has done a fantastic job ensuring that every boy spends a little more time reading books. I would like to thank all the staff and helpers who were involved in the week long activities. Most of all I would like to thank the parents for ensuring that all the boys were involved in the Book Character Parade on Friday. So many worthy winners and so much time spent putting detail into  the costumes. The Kindy group was so cute, the Years 3-4 boys were very committed to characters and the Years 5-6 boys, well it was great to see them still involved with the parade.

150 YEARS OF SPORT

On Friday 22 March the 150 Years of Sport lunch was held at Dockside in Cockle Bay. With over 420 attendees it was great to see the old and the New Parents of Newington celebrating sport together. The Founders Concert in July, Back to Newington Day in September and finally the Black & White Ball also  in September will certainly have something for everyone. I would also like to thank all the parents that donated items for the silent auction, lucky balloons and raffle prizes. Without your contribution, we would not be able to go that “extra mile” with the school.

THE GREAT GARDEN PARTY – FRIDAY 5 APRIL

There will be “smash a Jaffa”, decorate a plant pot, make your own creative cupcake, second hand books and yummy, yummy, yummy, CHOCOLATE COATED STRAWBERRIES. Homemade lemonade, tea/coffee and water will be available to wash it all down. Don’t forget direct from our pizza oven: HOMEMADE PIZZA from “Rob the Pizza man” in Year 4.

There will also be lovely jewellery available to purchase with all proceeds from the jewellery going towards the goat farm in Malawi that the SRC have nominated the funding toward. Denise Beecroft who works with Tipka – gifts made by the Women of Peru will also have items available to purchase when you are looking for that special gift. A great afternoon of carefree fun at school. Please note…boys are required to wear full school uniform on Friday 5 April. If you wish to bring a change of clothes for the afternoon the boys may leave school with their parents out of uniform.

UNIFORM SHOP

Many of the parents have already visited the Uniform Shop to purchase their son’s winter uniform and winter sports uniform. Blazer, long sleeve shirt and woollen shorts are all available. Yes, the size 8 & 10 shirts have arrived. The rugby shorts are also available to purchase.

ONLINE TUCKSHOP ORDERING

The Wyvern Exec committee has successfully trailed online ordering for the Tuckshop. Organise your life a week or a month in advance by ordering via SPACES. Wyvern will roll out online ordering in Term 2

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Great Garden Party – 5 April – 3:30pm-5:00pm
• Mother’s Day Breakfast – Friday 10 May – 7:30am-9:30am
• P&F General Meeting – Thursday 16 May – 7.00pm-8:30pm

Any comments or suggestion to help assist with the school are certainly welcome. Drop me an email, my computer is always on.

Julie Gigg
0411 240769
djgigg@gmail.com
President Wyvern P&F 2013

Next Two Weeks

Autumn Camps – Seed Sports Camps

Wanting to keep the kids fit and active over the Winter break? We’ve got the solution with Seed Sports Rugby and Multi-Sports and Activities Camps! These camps, which run on a weekly basis in April.  Everyone is welcome to attend and the camps offer a fantastic balance between skill building and general fun!

For more information about the Rugby Camp please click here.

For more information about the Multi-Sports and Activities Camp please click here. 

Mr Troy Stanley
PDHPE Department and Head Coach at Seed Sports

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.

For 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 Roster for Weeks 10 & 11, click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List, click here

Wyvern Shop Order Form, click here

A Message from Mr Holden

Last week Wyvern students enjoyed a wonderful Literature Festival. Over a dozen well-known Australian authors spent time at Wyvern doing presentations, writing workshops and answering many questions from our inquisitive boys. All of the authors commented on our students’ enthusiasm and thirst for reading and writing. The Book Character Parade, attended by so many parents, was a spectacular finale to the week.  I thank Mrs Barnes for her superb organisation of the week as well as the P and F for their financial support of the festival.

Last night our Year 5 students enjoyed an overnight camp at the Senior School. We were particularly pleased that a number of Year 11 students assisted our staff in planning a range of exciting activities for our boys.  The social benefits of such events are enormous. I thank staff and parents for their support of this event

The attention in the early part of Term 2 will be on national assessments in literacy and numeracy (NAPLAN) for students in Years 3 and 5. The tests will be administered by our Year 3 and Year 5 teaching staff. Testing will take place over three days from Tuesday May 14 to Thursday May 16. Friday May 17 has been set aside as a make-up day for students who miss a section or who are absent on particular test day. Attendance during the testing week is particularity important.

A reminder that all are invited to the P & F’s Great Garden Party to be held in the Mary Andrew’s play area on Friday 5 April from 3:30pm. Do come along if you able to.

I hope that you are able to enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation over the Easter Long Weekend. We look forward to welcoming your sons back to school on Tuesday 2 April for the final 2 weeks of the term.

Mr Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern