Fathers’ Day Breakfast

Year 4 Blue Mountains Camp

Recently Year 4 travelled to the Blue Mountains for their 3 day camp. Here are some photos of the boys enjoying themselves.

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Year 5 Bathurst Camp

Recently Year 5 travelled to Bathurst for their 3 day camp. Here are some photos of the boys enjoying themselves.

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Year 1 Learning Showcase

Here are some photos of our Year 1 boys at the Year 1 Learning Showcase last week.

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Sausage Sizzle Day – Thursday 18th September

Donut Day – Thursday 11th September

Young ICT Explorers Finals

Young ICT Explorers Finals

The boys who were accepted to the finals for the Young ICT Explorers had a wonderful day competing at UNSW on Saturday the 16th of August. Wyvern had seven teams who reached the finals involving thirteen boys. Each team had a booth that they decorated with posters, balloons, props and an interactive display of their project. Each were given ten minutes with a judging panel to pitch their project. They had to explain the purpose of their project and how it would solve a real world issue or context. They also had to explain the technical features such as the widgets, embedded HTML code features and plug ins. They were then given lots of questions answer in order to convince the judges that their project was worthy of a prize. All the boys presented superbly and were able to articulately pitch their project.

It was a tremendous honour for so many Wyvern boys to make the NSW finals for the Young ICT Explorers competition. The boys all had a fantastic time and met a lot of other keen technology students from a range of other schools. There were four boys who’s projects from Wyvern were particularly outstanding and were awarded places. Luke Canter was awarded first place in the Years 3-4 age group for his project Pandemics and Pestilence Website. Roscoe Pilcher and Ryan Fairbank were awarded third place in the Years 3-4 age group for their project Save The Turtles Website and Animation. Luke Waked was awarded second place in the Years 5-6 age group for his project Welcome to Wyvern App. The whole experience was very inspirational for all of the boys and a very memorable day. Mrs Clemens was incredibly proud of all the finalists, congratulations boys.

Finalist Projects

• 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 and Christopher Mina: 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

TOM – Tournament of Minds

On Sunday the 24th of August Newington had a fantastic day at the regional Tournament of Minds competition. There were two teams competing in the Maths Engineering and Applied Technology categories. Both teams were successful in winning their division and will compete at the state competition on the 14th of September. To achieve this superb result, the teams had to complete two challenges. The first was a long term challenge that they had prepared for six weeks. The Maths Engineering challenge Equality For All involved designing and making a distribution invention which would simultaneously distribute different weights of sugar to four different areas. The Applied Technology challenge Wearable Wretchedness involved designing a prototype for a new wearable technology and creating an informercial to sell the product. Both teams prepared incredibly well and preformed wonderfully. The teams also had to compete in a short term spontaneous challenge. This involved being locked in a room for five minutes and responding creatively as a team to a creative thinking challenge. The spontaneous challenge required excellent team work and abstract thinking skills. Mrs Clemens and Miss Green would like to thank all the parents of students for their support and also congratulate the boys on such a wonderful result.

Kate Green & Emma Clemens

TOM – Math Engineering Regional Final

TOM – Math Engineering First Prize

TOM – Applied Technology Regional Final

TOM – Applied Technology Regional First Prize

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 3 Week 8 and Week 9, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List 2014, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Next Two Weeks

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

Seed Sports Multi-Sports Activities

Seed Sports Spring Cricket Clinics

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

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

Wyvern’s Got Talent

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 8 & 9, 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 2015

Each year much thought goes into term dates to ensure the most appropriate balance across the year with a focus on the boys’ learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. This process, conducted by the College’s Senior Executive, takes many hours to ensure all options are considered. By now, you have probably realised that next year we have only a 2 week break between Terms 2 and 3 and a 3 week break between Terms 3 and 4.

Every year the calendar gets challenged by a number of factors. They include when Australia Day lands, when Easter lands, not wanting to start too early when it is hot, not wanting to finish too early at the end of the year with working parents, ensuring state school holidays coincide with our holidays, getting a balance of days between each Semester right (the aim is for 92 in one and 93 in the other), and finally getting maximum time possible for Year 12 for Terms 1, 2 and 3.

This balance is illustrated in the following summary:

2014 – Semester 1: 92 and Semester 2: 93

2015 – Semester 1: 93 and Semester 2: 92 (based on 3 week break between Terms 3 and 4)

2016 – Semester 1: 92 and Semester 2: 93

2017 – Semester 1: 93 and Semester 2: 92

Given the unusual situation of 2015, if we had a 3 week break between Terms 2 and 3 it would have resulted in 88 days in Semester 1 and 97 days in Semester 2 and Year 12 would have effectively lost a week.

It is important to understand that each school has different organisational and learning structures and requirements, thus the difference between other independent schools next year.

Please note that the change in holidays is only for 2015.  In 2016 we will return to a 3 week holiday break between Terms 2 and 3.

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
Classes commence Monday 20 April
Staff PD Day – Friday 3 June  – No students
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
Staff PD Day – Monday 13 July
10 week term followed by a 3 week break (for 2015 only)

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

Term 3 Parent Calendar

Please find updated Term 3 Parent Calendar, 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.

Wyvern Sports Newsletter, Click here

Sports Results and Match Reports, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2014 Sports Handbook, Click here

P & F News and Events

Hello!

Our biggest home game of the year is just days away. Join the celebration as the teams from Rugby and Football take to the fields for the black and white. Make a day of it – walk past the spectators’ fair where you can enjoy the food, gift and novelty stalls in the College grounds.

Back to Newington Day is the College’s annual on-campus celebration, where we welcome past and current College community members and the wider community. Originally a day for Old Newingtonian reunions, Back to Newington Day has expanded around the GPS football and rugby fixtures to include a lunch reunion for Mothers of Old Newingtonians, a market day and children’s activities.

And what kind of market day would it be without a silent auction? Relaxing in bed on a cold winter’s night on my own, with Costa at the K-2 Father & Son camp…six bids later…but, that’s ok, I’ve been sensible…might get outbid… However…what I really, really want is the rowing coffee table – if I had somewhere to put it, it would be mine, mine, mine.

If you can spare any time to volunteer, please contact nicnewson@msn.com. We can’t have too many volunteers as an extra people from Wyvern are needed for other stalls. The Black & White stall with crested ware needs volunteers – if you can help sell all things Newington please contact Kylie Ann Mayer on KylieAnn@mayhemcorp.com.au.

Wyvern BTN summary:

• Set-up start time is 6:30am (cooking starts at 7:00am – the food will be great, BTW).
• The first game is at 8:00am and the main game is at 3:15pm.
• Packing up will start at 4:00pm. Cars can come in from 5pm.
• The Wyvern space is in the slip way (where we were last year).
• We are asking boys to show their support by coming along in their PE uniform.
• We will have two rides: $4 per ride or four rides for $10.
• We will give away:

Newington tattoos and lollipops
balloon characters/shares – we will have someone making these for children
black, white and orange balloons on sticks

• We will sell sand art packs and have space for children to do the sand art on the spot (about $5-$8, as they vary in size).
• Face painting will be $2.

Until next time, be well and happy

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

Dates for your diary

• 3-5 Father & Son Camp, 12-14 September at Milson Island Sport & Recreation Camp
• Year 2 Parents’ Dinner, 19 September, Buon Gusto Restaurant in Chippendale
• Year 1 Parents’ Dinner, 11 October, Vicinity
• Year 6 Mother & Son Dinner, 15 October, http://www.waterviewvenue.com.au
• Year 4 Parents’ Dinner, 18 October, Vicinity
• 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)

Faith Matters

What you see is what you get!

If I think of you as a friend and collaborator, my emotions on meeting you will be warm and positive. If I see you as an enemy and competitor, my emotions will be just the opposite.  You may know the little verse:

Two men looked out from prison bars.
One saw mud, one saw stars.

In the pursuit of the fullness of human life, everything depends on this frame of reference, this habitual outlook, this basic vision that I have of myself, others, the world, and God. (Our worldview if you like.) What we see is what we get!

Consequently, if you or I are to change, to grow into persons who are more fully human and more fully alive, we shall certainly have to become aware of our worldview and patiently work at redressing its imbalances and eliminating its distortions. All real and permanent growth must begin here. A shy person can be coaxed into assuming an air of confidence, but it will only be a mask – one mask replacing another. There can be no real change, no real growth in any of us until and unless our basic perception of reality, or vision, is change.

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

Max Barry KV
Max made wonderful use of the drawn line in his creation of A Young Hare. This work was based on the drawing by the famous artist, Albrecht Dürer and captured beautifully the idea of the animal in a quiet moment.

Ethan Fadel 2S
Ethan worked resourcefully with 3D collage to produce a snapshot of built and wild environments. This work centred on that of the author- illustrator Jeannie Baker. Ethan up-cycled a CD case and a variety of found materials and paper to give the idea of a view through a window from a green forest to skyscrapers.

Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

3 – 6 Artist of the Week

Year 4 have been painting Australian birds and turtles. These are some of the new species that the early colonists might have seen when they were making a living in a new country.

The boys started painting using a ‘wash’, then used short choppy brushstrokes to create the feathers. Students that painted the turtles, made a similar wash, then painted the shell with thicker paint.

After the paintings were finished, the students ‘stuffed’ the pieces with newsprint to make them look 3D.

Well done year 4 for completing a wonderful first ‘proper’ painting.

Daniel Maxwell 4C

Jeremy Tran 4M

Luke Canter

Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

Over the last two weeks many Wyvern boys have enjoyed the challenges of outdoor education through their participation in either curriculum focused or parent run ‘Father and Son’ camps. Last week Year 5 had three full days of gold investigation at Bathurst whilst Year 4 students explored the Blue Mountains as part of their HSIE studies. Over the weekend many of our K-2 boys enjoyed an active weekend with their dads at the YMCA Camp at Yarramundi. Such activities are of enormous benefit; boys learn a little more about themselves in an unfamiliar environment and hopefully develop greater independence and resilience. I thank staff and parents for providing such a rich context for the boys’ all-round development.

This week students have been immersed in a world of literature as we celebrate ‘Book Week’ at Wyvern. They have enjoyed inspiring presentations from a number of authors and have been exposed to new and exciting texts. I thank our Librarian, Mrs Joanne Barnes for organising such a worthwhile book week.

In recent days Wyvern boys have experienced great success in two challenging competitions. Our Tournament of Minds ‘Maths Engineering’ and ‘Applied Technology’ teams both won the regional competition at the weekend.  A number of boys also were highly successful in the Young ICT Explorers Competition held two weeks ago.  Congratulations to all boys and staff involved.

I write to advise that I will be attending the IPSHA Biennial Conference from Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 September. Mr Richard Baker (Deputy Head 4-6) or Ms Sandra Gray (Deputy Head K-3) will be available throughout this time so please feel free to contact them if there are any matters you wish to discuss.

Finally, I look forward to seeing Wyvern boys and families at the Back to Newington Day on Saturday.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern