K-2 Athletics Carnival Photos

The Newington College Preparatory Schools’ Inter-House K – 2 Athletics Carnival was held in beautiful sunshine on Old Boys Oval on Wednesday, 30th July, 2014. The carnival was an enjoyable occasion that allowed the boys from Lindfield & Wyvern House to experience the atmosphere of an Inter-House Carnival in a fun and safe environment.

The six athletics events were modified to suit the age of the children and were aimed at providing the boys an opportunity to participate in a number of different athletics events to develop their skills for future carnivals. The focus was on participation, rather than competition. You wouldn’t have thought that though after seeing how pumped up the boys were during some events!

Jamie Martin
PDHPE Teacher – Wyvern House

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Kawanishi Japan Rugby Tour Match- 11’s Rugby Players

On Monday 28th July, Wyvern boys from Year 5 were involved in a rugby match against a touring team from Japan. The Japanese team was from Kawanishi Rugby School, who were enjoying an Australian tour.

Our Wyvern boys were obviously excited about the opportunity to test their skills against an unknown Japanese side renowned for their quick pace and handling skills. We were blessed with fine weather for the match. The National Anthems were eagerly sung with pride and the scene was set for an enthralling encounter.

On kick off, the hill of the Johnson Oval was peppered with the player’s school mates lending vigorous support. Wyvern’s 11’s got off to a solid start with penetrating runs from Wil Rumi and solid defence from Toby Phillips. But it was forward of the match Gabe Poidevin who opened the scoring for Wyvern diving over in the corner after a 30m incision.

The Japanese style of play was expansive and skilled but Wyvern proved unrelenting early, starving the visitors of vital possession. Despite brilliant low tackles from the Japanese, more tries were scored after some outstanding lead up play directed by halfback Angus Churchin and 5/8 Flynn Gannon. Tom Oates, Will Rumi, Gabe Poidevin, Oliver Kleppich, Angus Ole added more tries before Kawanishi hit back with one of their own. It was great to see the sportsmanlike but raucous support from Wyvern spectators, was also afforded to the tourists after their try was scored.

With the excited and vocal crowd willing them on, the Wyvern boys refused to stop until the final whistle.  The Wyvern forwards led the way with Tom Hirst proving a threat in tight. Ben Crawford and Callum Latham pestered the Kawanishi team with great all-round performances. With only minutes to go, the Wyvern team went over once more to seal the victory. A gap was spotted and with a blistering turn of speed, Jack Purkis left tacklers in his wake to score a fabulous try under the sticks.

All boys played with great attitude and also were gracious hosts to the Japanese tourists at the after match function. During the function Wyvern’s Captain Sam Eagleton, gave a wonderful speech thanking parents and players, afterwards presentations were made to both teams. Congratulations to Tom Oates and Gabe Poidevin who were recognised as Wyvern’s men of the match for their awesome efforts. Congratulations boys!

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BorrowBox

What’s BorrowBox?

Your library in one app. BorrowBox enables users to borrow, download and enjoy eBooks and eAudiobooks from Wyvern Library. Wyvern boys can access their favourite titles wherever they go with the BorrowBox mobile app.

BorrowBox is the world’s most advanced digital library app. It can be used online and with Apple iOS and Google Android devices, incorporating a dedicated eBook reader and eAudiobook player. Designed and powered by Bolinda digital, BorrowBox is elegant and intuitive featuring the unrivalled ease of use that you’ve come to love and expect from Bolinda.

To find out how to install BorrowBox on your Apple iOS or Android device or access on your Desktop click here.

Joanne Barnes
Teacher Librarian

Father’s Day Gift Flyer

For Father’s Day Gift Flyer, Click here

Reading Challenges Due

Reading Challenges have been flooding in during the last few weeks. Congratulations and thank you to all boys, parents and teachers who have completed their reading challenges and handed them in thus far.

This is just a reminder to all Wyvern boys, parents and teachers that all Reading Challenges are due on Friday the 8^th August. Please ensure that your Reading Challenge Logs are filled in correctly especially the Premier’s Reading Challenge which requires a Premier’s Identification Number (PRC ID) for each book. Premier’s and Wyvern Challenge booklists for all years can be found on the Library page of Spaces. Click here to access.

Joanne Barnes
Teacher Librarian

P&F News and Events

Hello!

I recently read a couple of articles by Dr Jane Hunter (a specialist in technology and curriculum in teacher education at the University of Western Sydney) that discussed a possible link between children’s use of technology and speech problems. While this was interesting, what I thought was more so was mention of “pass ’n’ play”, where parents rely on technological devices to entertain and/or pacify their children, rather than using direct conversation and other forms of quality (but time consuming) interaction.

This, coupled with our own extensive use of mobile devices in front of our children, can have a detrimental effect not only on speech, but language development and social skills, as well as relationships. While it may seem extreme and obvious, I thought it was a great reminder of the importance of being present when we are with our children, which can sometimes be difficult due to the fast-paced and jam-packed lives many of us (and our children) lead.

One small way that dads can get back to basics in terms of relating to their boys is with the father and son camps. A short burst of quality time in rugged surroundings is something many Wyvern dads look forward to (maybe not so much the rugged surroundings?).

This year’s camps are just around the corner with K-2 kicking off on 22-24 August, followed by Years 3-5 on 12-14 September and Year 6 with their own camp closing out the year and celebrating the end of an era from 28-30 November (details will be on SPACES soon, but I believe there is already lots of interest), and of, course, in between these camps is the Father’s Day Breakfast and a small selection of gifts so that the boys can bring something home for dad.

Going back in time just a little to last weekend, the Christmas in July Cocktail Party was a marvelous event. Year One parents, Yamila Veloz and Mira Paszkiewicz were ‘event managers extraordinaire’, once again creating a wonderful atmosphere with a beautifully decorated venue and an abundance of food and beverages that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who came.

Until next time, be well and happy

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

Dates for your diary

• 22 – 24 August – K-2 Father & Son camp, at YMCA Camp Yarramundi
• 30 August – Back to Newington Day at the senior school campus
• 12 – 14 September – 3-5 Father & Son Camp, at Milson Island Sport & Recreation Camp
• 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)

ICT Club Projects

This year the Infants and Primary ICT clubs have been working on some wonderful projects. The Infants ICT Club have been making animations. They use two apps, iMotion HD and iMovie. All the animations are on Newington Newtube. Click here to view the animations. This term the Kindergarten and Year 1 boys have made two animations so far. The first animation was set in the jungle with animals chasing and hunting one another. The second animation focused on car racing. This week their project is in theme with the athletics carnival. The boys will be creating lego olympics animations. Each week we reinforce these techniques:

• Small movements
• Keeping the iPad still
• No hands in the frame
• Keeping an even frame that is in line
• The background filling the frame

The Primary ICT club have been using Adobe Photoshop to create digital posters. Photoshop is an industry standard software used for graphic design and digital media. The boys have been working on making selections for images using the magic wand and magnetic lasso tools. They have learnt a lot of keyboard shortcuts to help with their editing such as Control +/- for zoom, Control D to deselect, Control T to transform size and Alt and drag to duplicate images. The boys have been designing posters for a fruit market and a rap performance. Their work can be seen on Spaces. Click here to go to the ICT Club Space to view their work. Earlier in the year the Primary ICT Club created iBooks for Wyvern classrooms. They interviewed their teachers to find out the precise learning needs of each grade. They then developed an iBook which included information and activities from the Science and HSIE curriculum. All their iBooks are on the iBook Store and can be viewed on Spaces. Click here to view their iBooks.

Emma Clemens
Innovative Learning Leader

Young ICT Explorers Competition

We have recently received the wonderful news that seven teams from Wyvern House have been invited to the finals of the ICT Young Explorers Competition. The ICT Young Explorers Competition is an event that allows students from across Australia to display their best Information and Communication Technology related projects. Their projects will be judged by industry leaders in the field of technology. The competition inspires creativity, collaboration and sharing of ideas and knowledge. It also provides opportunity for the boys to network with other students who are similarly passionate about ICT.

The finals will be held on Saturday the 16th of August at the University of New South Wales. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the event. A photographer, videographer and local media representatives will be present at the competition. Registration opens at 8:00am and the presentations are expected to finish at 3:00pm. Below are linked the projects created by the boys. We wish them all the best in the finals and commend them on their tremendous efforts.

•   Luke Canter: Pandemics and Pestilence Website

•   Luke Waked: Welcome to Wyvern App

•   James Evans: Australia Before Civilisation iBook and iBooks Author Tutorial Website

•   Julian Potjonjak: History of Space iBook

•   Zach Rider and Aden Shalak: Earth, Season’s and Tides iBook

•   Peter Pontifix, Aaron Muller, Ben Nguyen and Rhett Schlaphoff: PlayMates Website and Tutorials

•   Roscoe Pilcher and Ryan Fairbank: Save The Turtles Website and Animation

Emma Clemens
Innovative Learning Leader

SPACES gets a New Look

SPACES has had a revamp and we want you to see it. The new-look SPACES site was introduced after a Usability Test was conducted on a volunteer group of parents and staff members who provided us with feedback on the new website.

The new-look SPACES has maintained most of the familiar navigation features of the old site with some upgraded functions.

You will notice, My Dashboard now has Promoted News and Recently Changed columns. They help users easily find out about the major events promoted by each of the SPACES the user is joined to. Recently changed, is a brand new function which appears on the top of each SPACE so users can track up-to-the-minute updates. This is particularly helpful for wet weather notifications in Sport.

Conducting the Usability Test gave us insight into user behaviour, the effectiveness of the site and learnability – is the website easy to learn to use?

We also realised how reliant users have been on the Search function. We have further included a little grey speech bubble on the bottom right hand side of each page to allow users to ask questions or receive assistance if they are unable to find a particular form or email independently.

Many test users also suggested making important information more visible within an article rather than simply attaching a PDF. We are currently working on this.

We would like to thank all the parents and staff members who came to the testing session for providing us with this invaluable feedback.

ICAS Computer Skills & Science Competion Results

ICAS COMPUTER SKILLS RESULTS

ICAS SCIENCE RESULTS

SRC Representatives – Term 3 2014

Years 3-5 Father & Son Camp

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Milson Island Sport & Recreation Camp is located on the Hawkesbury River and the activities offered on the island include:

Adventure: Abseiling, high ropes, initiatives course and rock climbing

Sport: Archery, basketball, fencing and tennis

Water based: Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming and raft building

Wilderness: Bushwalking and orienteering

*some activities are age dependant

The cost of the weekend is $260 for adults and $185 for the boys and includes ferry transfers, two nights’ accommodation, all meals and activities.

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 ‘3-5 Father & Son Camp’ from the purpose/event name drop down field and complete the form.
5. The name entered in the ‘Family Name’ field must be the name of the father/carer attending the camp. To ensure that this person receives all correspondence regarding the camp we ask that their email address is entered in the payer’s email address field.
6. To assist with activity planning, please confirm your sons age (at the time of the camp) in the ‘Student’s Name’ field.

Please complete the attached medical consent forms and return to the front office or email to Sarah Alden at sarahalden@hotmail.com by the 29 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.

• Adult Medical Consent Form, click here
• Child Medical Consent Form, click here

Access to the island will be by ferry from Brooklyn Wharf an hour’s drive from Sydney or accessible from the Hawkesbury River train station on the Newcastle and Central Coast rail line. More information regarding the ferry’s departure time from Brooklyn Wharf and the weekend’s activity program will be provided at a later date, however it is suggested that you plan on being at the wharf no later than 5.45pm on 12 September.

We would like to thank Sarah Alden, Fuchsia De Lange, Monica Ikladios and Lani Frew for volunteering to organise the camp. If you have any queries regarding registration and payment please contact Fuchsia De Lange at fuchsiadelange@gmail.com.

Bookings close on 29 August, 2014 and after this date refunds for cancelled bookings will not be possible.

Winter Sport, Music, Co-curricular Groups & Sibling Photos

Dear Parents,

Advanced Life Photographers will be taking photos of our music and co-curricular groups, winter sport and sibling photos on Monday 11^th August, 2014.  If you require a sibling photo for your sons, please email wyvern@newington.nsw.edu.au. by Monday 4^th August, so we can provide a timetable for the photographers.  Please ensure that the boys in the music groups bring their instruments for the photos on Monday, 11^th August.  Also boys in Years 3 to 6 should bring their winter sport uniforms for the photos on Monday, 11^th August.

With thanks

Wyvern Office

Next Two Weeks

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

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

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 3 – Week 3, 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

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 3 Week 4 and Week 5, 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 3 Week 4 & 5, 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 3 Parent Calendar

Please find attached Term 3 Parent, 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 9, Click here

Wyvern Sports Newsletter, Click here

Sports Results and Match Reports, Click here

Term 3 Swim Squad Note, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2014 Sports Handbook, Click here

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

Faith Matters

Living with Mess

MH-17, Gaza, Syria, personal tragedies etc. etc. the mess in our world is too big for us to sort out completely on our own … we need help!

Maybe we should stop trying to figure out things that should be left in God’s hands! When you put something on the shelf that’s bothering you and say you’re going to trust God with it, don’t take it back because you don’t like the way he’s handling it or the length of time he’s taking. Speed doesn’t equal direction, especially when you’ve lost your way! Paul says, Do not be anxious about anything. That’s hard to swallow if you’re insecure, or a make-it-happen person depending on your own resources. We don’t like unanswered questions but one of the tools God uses to help us to grow is unanswered questions! When we don’t know, we can trust God, worry, or try to figure it out for ourselves.

God doesn’t always give us answers to our questions. Why? …  He’s training us in trust. Learn to live with loose ends and trust God! This is not mere fatalism as trusting God is an active pastime involving praying and loving. If you want growth you’ve got to be at peace with the messiness and mistakes that accompany it. If you are one of God’s obsessive-compulsive children who needs to put everything into a neat little package, this Bible verse is especially for you: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Before & After School Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern

Please click here for the 2014 Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 3

AFL Auskick  Flyer, click here

Artist of the Week

K-2 Artist of the Week

Rohan George 1S  

Rohan listened to the story of Possum Magic by Mem Fox. He then carefully drew a picture of Hush the possum on a scratch foam printing plate. When making a print of this drawing Rohan considered the idea of colour to represent the possum at night time (blue) and a possum in the daytime (yellow).

Angus Thompson 1S 

Angus experimented with the way colours on a page can affect your eye. His neat work using the techniques of collage and printmaking were inspired by the George Seurat painting titled The Seine and la Grande Jatte.

Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

3-6 Artist of the Week

Dominic Novati 4P

Year 4 completed their ‘Diwali’ candle holders in Term 2. This week students celebrated ‘Diwali’, by lighting the tea lights in their holders, eating food, dancing and looking at ‘Rangoli’ designs. These designs are traditionally made with sand, but we have used  glitter instead. Students have contributed to a wonderful installation which can be found at the bottom of the stairs on level 1.

YEAR 6 

Year 6 studied contemporary found object artists in Term 2. Artists such as Shona Wilson and Robert Klippel were inspiration for the students creating their own found object artworks. They were able to manipulate the objects into new and interesting creations.

Oscar Bradstock Forgan 6C

Oliver Smart 6M

Max Fathulla 6B

Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

Over the last two weeks, in addition to busy classroom activities, there have been a number of diverse events where Wyvern boys have demonstrated excellence.

At last week’s Founder’s Concert, amongst the elite Senior School Ensembles, Wyvern’s growing Choir performed superbly well. On the sporting field, on Monday 28th July, Wyvern’s 11A rugby team played a touring team from the Kawanishi City Rugby School in Japan. Our boys played with great style and endeavour with great success; importantly the 11A team were magnificent hosts displaying great sportsmanship and friendship to our visitors.

At our last assembly I was delighted to recognise many students who have recently achieved ‘distinctions’ and ‘high distinctions’ in the ICAS Science and Computer Skills papers. It is so pleasing that so many boys have chosen to test themselves in the very challenging ICAS competition papers.

Finally, the K-2 students enjoyed their athletics carnival yesterday in spring like conditions. They particiapted in multiple events with much enthusiasm and energy…well done! Thank you to the many parents who made time to support all the boys.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern