Christmas in July Cocktail Party

Dear Parents

Please find flyer below for the P&F Christmas in July Cocktail Party.

Year 6 Parent’s Night Out

K-2 Father and Son Camp

Bookings are now open for the 2014 K-2 Father & Son Camp which will be held at YMCA Camp Yarramundi on 22-24 August, 2014.

YMCA Yarramundi is 80 minutes west of Sydney and caters for a variety of interests. The fun will include archery, rock climbing, canoeing, giant swing, cave maze and plenty of space for the boys to run around ‘freestyle’.For more information visit http://www.ymcansw.org.au/centres/ymca-camping/camp-yarramundi

The cost of the weekend is $170 for adults and $145 for the boys, and includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals and activities (which are instructor-led).

You can only reserve your spot with an online payment by following these instructions:

1. Go to www.newington.nsw.edu.au/payments

2. Select ‘click here to make a payment’

3. Select ‘Parents & Friends Wyvern K-6’

4. Select ‘K-2 Father & Son Camp’ from the purpose/event name drop down field and complete the form.

NB: the name entered in the “Family Name” field must be the name of the father/carer attending the camp.

Bookings close on 8 August, 2014 and after this date refunds for cancelled bookings will not be possible.

Please complete the attached medical consent forms and return to the front office or email to cmina@reality-check.com.au by 8 August, 2014. The forms are used to note emergency contacts, dietary requirements and other special requests and completion is required to help manage participants’ health and safety.

This camp is organised by parents for parents. If you can assist in any way email: Costa Mina on cmina@reality-check.com.au.

Medical_and_Consent_Form_-_Adult.pdf

Yarramundi_Medical_and_Consent_Form_-_student.pdf

Term Dates 2014 & 2015

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
Wyvern Staff PD Day (Student Free Day) – Friday 6 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

TERM DATES 2015

TERM ONE
Thursday 29 January to Thursday 2 April
Classes commence Thursday 29 January
10 week term followed by a 2 week break

TERM TWO
Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June
Anzac Day Public Holiday – Monday 27 April
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday – Monday 8 June
10 week term followed by a 2 week break (for 2015 only)

TERM THREE
Tuesday 14 July to Friday 18 September
10 week term followed by a 3 week break (for 2015 only)

TERM FOUR
Monday 12 October to Tuesday 8 December
Annual Prize Giving 3-6 – Tuesday 8 December

Sport Football Camp

Click here for Sport Football Camp Flyer

Seeds Sport Autumn Rugby Clinics

Seed Sport Multi-Sports & Activities

OSHClub – Wyvern’s Before & 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.

For OSHClub Newsletter Term 2 – Week 7, click here

For OSHClub Holiday Program, click here

Kind regards
OSHClub Team

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

Flyers in Bookstand

Tuckshop

• Everyday Tuckshop Menu

Martial Arts

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Co-curricular

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

Holiday Sport Camps

• Seeds Sport – Autumn Rugby Clinic
• Seeds Sport –  Multi-Sports & Activities
• Sport Football Camp

Uniform Shop

Items in stock:

• Black school caps (M/L) are now available
• Rugby headgear and mouth guards

If the lettering is coming off your son’s jammers, which have only been worn a few times, bring them into the shop and we will send them out for repair.

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 2 Week 8 Term 3 Week 1,  Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List 2014, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Tuckshop Menu, Roster & Online Ordering

Dear Parents

As a parent volunteer working in the Tuckshop can you please make sure that you adhere to the rules and regulations regarding appropriate footwear – closed in footwear with a rubber grip sole (ideally leather trainers). No sandals, thongs, open toe shoes or fabric trainers (fabric shoes may bring bacteria) may be worn.

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 click here for the Spotless Food Safety Information for Volunteers Guidelines

Tuckshop Menu and Roster for Term 2 Week 8 and Term 3 Week 1 , 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

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.

Wvyern Sports Draw – Round 6, Click here

Wyvern Sports Newsletter, Click here

Wvyern Sports Results and Match Report, Click here

Term 3 Swim Squad Note, Click here

Seed Sport Rugby Clinics, Click here

Seed Sport Multi Sports & Activities Camp, Click here

Sport Football Camp, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2014 Sports Handbook, Click here

P&F News and Events

Hello!

At a recent meeting of the College P&F Executive Committee, I learned about the College’s character values approach to sport and co-curricular activity. This truly seems to me to be a ‘best practice’ framework, which advocates the pursuit of personal best, rather than winning at all costs, with the ultimate goal of improving the boys’ well-being.

The six principles that underpin the character framework are:

• Enjoyment: have fun; encourage each other; participate with passion; and be positive.
• Unity: learn to trust yourself and each other; teamwork – together everyone achieves more; and enjoy the mateship in good times and bad.
• Growth: be keen to learn; challenge yourself; teach others; and lead by example.
• Resilience: courage under duress; physical and mental stamina to keep going when it gets tough; determination to achieve what you set out to achieve; and persistence in life.
• Hard work: commitment to working hard for each other; personal and team discipline on and off the field; personal best effort at all times; and an attitude that respects the value of hard work.
• Respect: be honest with yourself and others – have the hard conversation; live life with integrity; always show humility in success and defeat; and have empathy for others.

These character values are so pertinent to our boys’ wellbeing – and also for us, as parents. Our boys are very lucky to have such an abundance of choice of co-curricular activities, as well as teacher and peer support to encourage participation in whatever it is that interests them. Through participation in any of them, our boys can develop life-long passions and connectedness with the various communities to which they do and will belong while they are developing physical skills, teamwork, confidence, expression and leadership qualities. And, of course, participating in an activity that peaks an interest gives our boys great enjoyment and many opportunities to foster meaningful friendships outside of the classroom and playground.

There are also many lessons young men can learn from adversity in co-curricular activities, including the struggle to master a skill, selection disappointments and the disappointment of defeat. To quote the Head of Co-curricular at the College, Mr Peter Wilkins, “It is here at Newington that young men can learn that life is not perfect and it is here that the opportunities to develop resilience are provided.” We cannot underestimate the importance of giving our boys opportunities to make mistakes and to fail, as well as to succeed, in a safe and supportive environment. This is how our boys learn and grow, and mature into the young men we expect they will be.

To close on a completely different topic, we had a periodic review of the canteen menu on 2 June. The only change of note is that Katia will take Billabongs and Nudie Sodas off the menu at the end of this term. The school is also investigating a ‘flexicard’ for payment, so that parents have full control over the type of food their boys will be able to purchase. We are also investigating more ‘specials’, which you’ll be informed about as they are decided.

What was most interesting about the review was the discovery of how much more TLC Katia puts into the canteen than we thought. Here are some interesting canteen facts:

Until next time, be well and happy

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

Dates for your diary

• TICKETS ON SALE: Christmas in July, the Wyvern parents’ social event is on Friday, 25 July, 7-11pm at ECCO Ristorante, Drummoyne. The $88 ticket price includes four hours of beverages and a substantial cocktail menu. The Funky Do Da’s jazz band will be back to entertain us. RSVP by Thursday, 17 July 2014 via online payment.
• Kindy mums meet at Paper Cup every Wednesday and Friday morning at 8:15am
• Year 3 Parents’ Coffee & Chat is on every Thursday from 8.15am at the Little Treasures Café, 313 Stanmore Rd, Petersham (up the road from the senior school, opposite the fruit market)

Next Two Weeks

Faith Matters

One-Upmanship

Shakespeare calls it “the green sickness.” The poet Horace said, “Tyrants never invented a greater torment.” But envy is sneaky. It recognises that openly “trying to…get the better of others” is distasteful, so it looks instead for socially acceptable ways to express itself. Like the “Yes…but,” approach. That’s where you say something nice about somebody, but make sure to put a sting in the tail. For example, “She’s a great worker – but her personal life is a mess.” Another perennial favourite is questioning people’s motives. “He’s only giving that money to impress others.” And how about the old unflattering comparison that goes something like this, “If you think he can sing, you should hear Mrs. So-and-So.” Sadly, one-upmanship is sometimes more prevalent among talented professionals like writers, teachers, politicians, singers, doctors, athletes – and preachers! For whatever reason, we seem to have trouble acknowledging the gifts and contributions of others.

So what’s the answer? Paul says it lies in “the rich simplicity of being yourself.” Relinquish your obsession with getting ahead of others and having more. Learn to be content with who and what you are right now, while always striving to grow.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Artist of the Week

K-2 Artist of the Week

Quinn Mersal 2F

Quinn focused on the technique of making a moving art work with sliding eyes. He then carefully decorated and coloured his picture using smudged chalk pastel and black Sharpie pen. The resulting work was humorous and striking.

Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

Years 3 – 6

Year 3 have been studying Aboriginal perspectives. They have been looking at the ‘Wandjina’s’ for the Kimberley region of Western Australia. These spirits were sent to help mankind, but if they are angered in any way, they can be responsible for floods and cyclones. Year 3 were inspired by the ‘Wandjina’ and made water spirits of their own. They observed different types of water and painted layered designs on bodies. Students were very interested in the scale of this work and how it was all put together.

Well Done Year 3.

Marcus Pearson 3H

Alexander Iacus-Pisco 3H

Meredith Buining
Years 3-6 Art Teacher

A Message from Mr Holden

Last Thursday we were treated to a wonderful evening of fine music at our annual Musical Showcase featuring some 400 Wyvern boys from Kindergarten through to Year 6. On display were our many instrumental and choral ensembles. The evening was a superb showcase of talent, passion and engagement. I thank the boys for their commitment and magnificent performances. I am grateful to the Music staff, under the excellent leadership of Ms Alina Belshaw, for preparing a truly memorable occasion as well as the Wyvern staff for their wonderful  team effort.

Early next week, Semester 1 reports will be available for parents to access via Newington Spaces. Please see the attached instructions. Setting Up Spaces Account and Spaces Student Reports. An email will be sent early next week to confirm when your son’s report is available online. Please feel free to contact your son’s class teacher (or specialist teacher) before the end of Term 2 should you require a further appointment to discuss the report.

Next term we start our enrolment interview process for Year 3 and Year 5 intakes in 2016. We are currently experiencing huge demand for places at Wyvern with long waitlists operating for future places in all grades. Whilst we do give siblings of current Newington students priority on our waitlists, I advise any current families seeking a place for a sibling, that it is essential for a timely registration to be made, as I must apply our admission criteria of ‘date of registration’ very strictly.

I congratulate Mrs Emma Clemens, our Innovative Learning Leader and ICT Facilitator, who has been appointed as Deputy Head of Emanuel School in Sydney from the middle of Term 3. We are thrilled for Emma as she takes on a significant leadership position, but of course we will be sad to see her leave Wyvern especially given the very significant contribution she has made in a number of areas. I will update you early next term about the ongoing arrangements for c0vering the ICT portfolio at Wyvern.

Finally, as this is the last newsletter before the winter break, I thank boys, staff and parents for their combined efforts over this short but very productive term.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House

Before and After School Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern

Please click here for the 2014 Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 2

Chess:
https://spaces.newington.nsw.edu.au/wyvern/chess/pages/437-years-1-6-chess-coaching-sign-up

Robotics:
https://spaces.newington.nsw.edu.au/wyvern/robotics/articles/3713-robocup-entries-now-open

Swim Squad, Rugby Skills, Kung Fu Action, FAST Football:
https://spaces.newington.nsw.edu.au/wyvern/sport/pages/589-extra-sport-activities

Drawing Club:
Year 6 Drawing Skills Class

Film Club – full

ICT Clubs – full

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points