College Musical – Oliver

Dear Parents

Please see the Flyer below for the College Musical – Oliver. This production is open to all Wyvern families.  Book early so as to not miss out.

Kindergarten 2014

It was an heart-warming and emotional welcome for new Kindergarten boys and their families at Wyvern Preparatory on Thursday 30 January. While many parents joined us for the morning to see their sons through their first hours at school, the Rev Peter Morphew eased the boys of their first day blues with the help of Francois, the Francophone puppet.

We extend our welcome and best wishes to all Wyvern families for a happy and rewarding 2014!

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Chess at Wyvern

Chess coaching for students at Wyvern House is held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00pm – 1:40pm.  Term 1 lessons will commence on Tuesday 11th February for Years 3-6 and Friday 14th February for Years 1-2. 

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment.  Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, please download the forms from Spaces and return them to Mrs Ryan in Room 3 by Monday 10th February.

Mrs Joanna Ryan
Chess Coordinator

Go Art – Parent Help in the Art Room

Dear Parents and Caregivers

‘GO ART‘ is on Friday afternoons.

Come and see what’s happening in the Art Room!

Are you able to help the Art Department on Friday afternoons from 1.40pm – 3.00pm?

Jobs include helping to mount artwork, roll balls of clay, cut things up, test products…..There will be cake and coffee.

Please let Debbie Bourke, dbourke@newington.nsw.edu.au  or

Meredith Buining mbuining@newington.nsw.edu.au know if you can help.

GO ART   GO ART   GO ART   GO ART!

Ms Meredith Buining
Art Teacher 3-6

Writing Through Blogging

“A blog is about words. Pictures with writing, beautiful quotes, clever topography…A few carefully arranged words can say what thousands can’t and can connect people”(A Thousand Words, Tumblr). In Year 5 and 6 this term students will be creating quality written content to post on their personal school blog. A blog is a fantastic way to provide meaning, quality and purpose to writing by connecting students with a global online audience. At Wyvern we want boys to consider how and why they are learning. Blogging can transform learning into a purposeful and reflective experience where students consider the value and intent of what they are doing. Blogging also enhances the quality and depth of writing as students have a sense of purpose about their work.

All the Year 5 and 6 students have spent time considering what it means to have a positive and safe digital presence. The boys have read through a number of articles and reflected on videos which discuss the advantages and disadvantages of blogging online. We have discussed with the boys how to thoughtfully craft their words to create a positive digital footprint. School blogs are a wonderful way to authentically teach and model safe digital citizenship as boys think about protecting their online identity. Some key guidelines that we follow at Wyvern are only using first names in titles and posts, never using identifying photos and being careful not to reveal private information. By the end of Week 2 the Year 5 and 6 blogs will be accessible through Newington Blogs. We encourage you to share in your son’s learning through the work they post on their blog.

Then can the following video be embedded below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwUHXoi8lM

Emma Clemens
Innovative Learning Leader

P&F News and Events

Hello!

‘Routine or no routine?’ has been a discussion point among some parents as school started last week. Routine came out a little in front, with parents (including myself) anticipating the security of knowing that you won’t get your days, and therefore drop-offs/pick-ups, mixed up. I was also missing the ability to tell the boys that I’d tell their teacher if they were being naughty (of course, I never follow through on this – but Mr Scott and Mr Brayley, if your ears are burning of an evening or weekend, you now know why).

School corridors and playgrounds were abuzz with boys sharing news of holiday escapades and both kindy classes started off with minimal tears, mainly thanks to the appearance of Francois. It was the first time I’d seen Francois ‘in person’ (in all these years!) and I felt a bit like I was in the presence of a celebrity.

Moving on to matters P&F… My goal for this year is to increase attendance at P&F meetings. We only have four meetings each year and I’d really like all (or most) parents to attend at least one. We provide child minding and dinner for the boys, who have a great time playing on the roof top while the meeting is conducted in the hall.

Our first meeting is on Thursday, 20 February, 7.00pm  – 8.30pm. Mr Holden, Ms Gray and Mr Baker also attend the meetings and present an update on topical subjects of interest to parents, such as health and safety and the school’s approach relating to other areas of interest or current goings on. If there’s a topic you’d like discussed, please let me know in advance.  Emma Clemens will now be presenting a regular ICT segment, including topics such as digital citizenship, legal ages for social networking and how to see student work on blogs.

But, before then, I do hope to see you at this week’s cocktail party, where the Mary Andrews Garden will be abuzz with parents sharing stories of holiday escapades…

Upcoming Events

• 7 February – Welcome Cocktail Party, Mary Andrews Garden, 6.00pm – 9.00pm
• 20 February – Term 1 P&F Meeting, Wyvern Hall, 7.00pm – 8.30pm
• 7 March – Kindy Pizza Night, Mary Andrews Garden, 3.00pm – 5.30pm
• 21 March – Women of Wyvern Dinner, 7.00pm – 11.00pm
• 4 April – Great Garden Party, 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Until next time, be well and happy

Natalie Mina
President Wyvern P&F
natalie.mina@accenture.com; 0414 850 455

Music Co-curricular Ensembles

Flyers in Bookstand

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Swimming

• Swim Squad Term 1

Wyvern’s Before and After School Care Program

Wyvern’s Before and After School Care Program is run by OSHClub. Enrolment for all students is recommended and allows parents to easily manage their before and after school care needs via an online account. Visit  www.oshclub.com.au to use the free enrolment service.

For all late bookings, please contact the Coordinator, Eleanor, on 0428 131 700. OSHClub’s head office number is (03) 8564 9000

Click here for the OSHClub Information Flyer

Kind regards
OSHClub Team

Wyvern Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 1 Weeks 3 and 4,  Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Summer Price List 2014, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Sport

For all Saturday morning sport at Newington Senior School, parents are requested to park off site along the street. The schools onsite car park is  maintained for officials, emergency vehicles and staff only. With the winter sport season upon us, the car park area can become very busy early in the morning. Please consider this simple request to ensure the smooth management of Saturday morning sport at Newington.

Wyvern Sports Newsletter – Week 2, Click here

Sports Draw for Saturday 8 February 2014, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2014 Sports Handbook, Click here

Tuckshop Menu, Roster & Online Ordering

Dear Parents

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

Please Note: As of Term 4 there has been a price increase in lunch orders due to supplier increased pricing.

Tuckshop Menu and Roster for Term 1 Weeks 3 & 4 , Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here  Please note that there have been a few changes made to this for ‘Items from the Freezer’

Online Ordering instructions, Click here

Online Ordering FAQs, Click here

Term Dates 2014

TERM DATES 2014

TERM ONE
Wednesday 29 January to Friday 11 April
11 week term followed by a 2 week break
Classes commence Wednesday 29 January

TERM TWO
Monday 28 April to Friday 20 June
Queen’s Birthday (Pubic Holiday) –  Monday 9 June
8 week term followed by a 3 week break

TERM THREE
Monday 14 July to Thursday 18 September
Wyvern Staff PD Day (Student Free Day) – Friday 19 September
10 week term followed by a 2 week break

TERM FOUR
Wednesday 8 October to Monday 8 December
Labour Day Public Holiday – Monday 6 October
Wyvern Staff PD Day (Student Free Day) -Tuesday 7 October

Government Bus & Train Passes 2014 – Free Travel Grace Period

Dear Parents,

Government Rail & Bus Passes will be distributed to students when received.  To allow time for this distribution, free travel to and from school on school days will be granted to students from Tuesday 28^th January to Friday 14^th February, 2014.

From Monday 17^th February, 2014 all students without a current pass will be required to pay for journeys to and from school.

School Fee Arrangements for 2014

School Fees

Dear Parents,

Please click on the link below for important information regarding  fee payment arrangements in 2014

http://insites.newington.nsw.edu.au/newingtonforms/

Next Two Weeks

Newington Buses: Change to 560 Route

Former ROZELLE 560 School Special

The 560 School Special which originates from Leichhardt Depot has had its first and last stop of the route changed to Gladstone Park at Balmain.

The bus will now leave from Gladstone Park at 7:18am and travel along Darling Street to Victoria Road. From there the route is the same as before. The service will finish back at Gladstone Park in the afternoon around 4.00pm. All the new information can be found on the Transport Insite.

Newington Crested Ware

There are a range of crested ware on offer at the Black and White shop. They range from memorabilia, clothing, keepsakes 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

Greek Language Classes at Wyvern 2014

Dear Newington Parents,

Greek Language classes will be changing from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon in 2014.

Wyvern boys from Year 1 to Year 6 (you do not have to be Greek to attend) are invited to enroll in Greek language classes held at Wyvern on Thursday afternoons from 3.15pm – 5.35pm throughout all 4 terms.

The classes are taught by experienced and qualified teachers, and are organised by Wyvern parents, all working under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – Parish of Sutherland.

Enrolments may be received at the start of any term, and are $90 per term for each boy.

Class sizes are kept to a maximum of about 10 boys, and we presently have 3 classes.

Any sisters of Wyvern boys are also invited to enroll in these classes.

Parents interested in enrolling their (son(s) in these Greek language classes should contact:

Cleo Litsas (Parent Year 3) on: Mobile 0405 822 262, or email cleo.litsas@optusnet.com.au

Faith Matters

In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric hordes of the north. So they built the Great Wall of China. It was too high to climb over, too thick to break down, and too long to go around. Security achieved!

The only problem was that during the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Was the wall a failure? Not really – for not once did the barbaric hordes climb over the wall, break it down or go around it.

How then did they get into China? The answer lies in human nature. They simply bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through a gate. The final flaw in the Chinese defense was placing too much reliance on a wall and not putting enough effort into building character in the gatekeepers.

One of the aims of RE at Newington is to build the character of our boys through moral and spiritual development. Part of this of course, is to encourage them to be trustworthy and trusting of the right sort of role models. This term in chapel we are going to follow Jesus with Simon Peter to see if Jesus is indeed trustworthy, a man of integrity.

Mr Peter Morphew
Chaplain

All Co-curricular (Before & After School) Activities at Wyvern 2014

Please click here for the 2014 Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern

Remember to click on the activity which will take you to the link.  Only Term 1 activities are linked at this stage.

A Message from Mr Holden

I was delighted to meet and greet so many parents at this week’s Parent Information sessions. I do hope the evening provided you with a good deal of clarity about the learning plans and key activities over the months ahead. Please feel free to contact the relevant teacher if you have any further questions. A staff contact list with all email contacts is available on Spaces, click here.

Learning is at the heart of our school. In an attempt to summarise our learning approach we have developed a core statement called ‘Learning at Wyvern’. I do encourage you to familiarise yourself with this short document when you get the opportunity.

Students from Years 3-6 start their first round of summer sport this weekend. I thank boys, parents and staff for their co-operation and hard work in allocating over 360 students into teams. Please note that teams will not be finalised for some time so I do encourage parents to set expectations accordingly. Furthermore, I thank parents in advance for role modelling the attributes, values and attitudes we expect of our students when they compete; enjoyment, participation, healthy competition, team spirit and sportsmanship must always be at the forefront in primary school sport.

The Wyvern staff look forward to seeing many of you at the famous P&F Cocktail Party this Friday 7 February, 6.00pm – 9.00pm in Mary Andrews Gardens.

Mr Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House

Artist of the Week

K – 2 Artist of the Week

Anthony Bordina 1S

Anthony considered the idea of representing his family in an art work. He looked at the work by Henri Matisse ‘the Artist’s Family’ with a decorative background. Anthony then collaged a work inspired by Matisse that included painted images of his own family.

Xavier Borralho 2B

Xavier thought carefully about Japanese cherry blossom. He carefully decorated a fan making use of the Japanese idea of leaving a void to highlight the cherry blossom branches. Xavier’s finished creation was a delight to see.

Mrs Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher