TOM Success

Our Tournament of Minds Maths and Engineering team recently represented NSW in the Australasian final held in Melbourne. I am delighted to announce that the team excelled and won first place in the Primary Division. I congratulate Calum Boland, Sam Eagleton, Addison Eastway, James Evans, Callum Latham, Charlie Papps and Peter Pontifix for their outstanding achievement. I also thank Ms Kate Green for her superb management of the group as well as Mr David King and parents for their wonderful support of the team.

Seed Sports – Summer Cricket Clinics

Seed Sports – Multi-Sports & Activities

Macquarie University Schools Chess Challenge 2014

On Sunday the 26^th October Adrian Lo, Hamish Thompson and Fallon Fotaras competed in the Macquarie University Schools Chess Challenge. They came an impressive 11^th out of 124 schools! Congratulations boys!

L-R: Fallon Fotaras, Hamish Thompson and Adrian Lo

Joanna Ryan
Chess Co-ordinator

Language Perfect World and State Champions 2014

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Over 200 boys from Years 5 & 6 competed in the Language World Championships from 19th – 29th May 2014, as well as over 500 boys from the Senior School.

We have one of the youngest cohorts in the world and for the 3rd year we have received outstanding results. We would like to thank all the participants and their families for their support.

Congratulations to all the Wyvern boys?

The following boys received a Certificate:

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Congratulations to Newington College who are the State Champions for 2014.

753 students from Wyvern and Newington participated in the NSW Language Perfect Competition achieving outstanding results.

Congratulations to all Newington boys.

The following boys received a Certificate:

Athena Spiroglou
Language Teacher

French Breakfast at Bitton Cafe

The French are famous for their food and Year 6 had the opportunity to experience it  first hand when we visited French restaurant, Bitton, in Alexandria. It is owned by chef David Bitton and we were lucky enough to meet him. While we were being served traditional French fare such as croissants, crepes, baguettes and hot chocolate, David told us his life story which was really interesting. He also spoke to us about the French way of life and the importance of food in their culture. We also got to take home some gourmet products made from his own traditional recipes. It was definitely the tastiest excursion I’ve been on. Vive la France!
Peter Pontifix 6K

On the 22nd October, our class went to a French cafe in Alexandria called Bitton Cafe. The owner, David Bitton, told us about the cafe and facts about France. The food and drinks we had were hot chocolate, breads and crepes. When we were leaving the cafe, David gave us either coriander pesto or lemon dressing to take home. The whole breakfast was a good experience because we learnt a little bit more of French culture.
Brokerick Simpkin 6C

[Show as slideshow]

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 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

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 4 – Week 3, click here

OSHCLUB – Vacation Care

Parents who use OSHClub Vacation Care recently received an email advising that due to extensive maintenance work at Wyvern their normal vacation care would not be available in the upcoming holiday.

I am please to inform you that we have reviewed this decision and have now found a suitable location on the Wyvern site from which OSHClub will be able to operate vacation care.

At this stage vacation care will be available for the December holiday period plus the first 2 weeks of January.

OSHClub will send out further information next week

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

Basketball

• Year 2 Got Game Basketball Program
• Year 3-6 Basketball Skills Sessions

Cricket

• Year 5/6 Cricket Development Session

Seed Sports Camps

• Multi-Sports & Activities
• Summer Cricket Clinics

Tuckshop

• Everyday Tuckshop Menu

Martial Arts

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Co-curricular

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

Speech Pathology

Wyvern’s Christmas Tree – Barnardos Gifts for Teens : 13 – 18 Years of Age

Every child deserves to feel the joy, warmth and happiness of Christmas!

This year we are supporting Barnardos Australia to reach their goal of collecting a gift for every child in care this Christmas. Our school can make a huge difference in the lives of many children around Australia and together you can bring smiles to kids in need this Christmas.

Each year Barnardos struggle to receive gifts for teenagers. Some suggestions of teenage appropriate gifts for 13 – 18 years are:

• sporting equipment (footballs, cricket set, soccer balls)
• baseball caps
• girls make-up
• perfume
• beach towels
• jewellery
• skin care products
• books/novels

Gift vouchers are the easiest for this age group, examples of appropriate gift vouchers include vouchers from:

• Rebel Sport
• itunes
• JB-Hi
• Hoyts Cinemas
• Sports Girl

By supporting Barnardos Gifts for Teens you are helping make a difference to these children at Christmas Time.

Why We Ask For Unwrapped Gifts

Please do NOT wrap gifts as we need to view the gifts to ensure their safety and to allocate gifts according to a child’s age, gender and individual circumstances.

Please feel free to donate wrapping paper for our centre staff to wrap presents once allocated.

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 4 Weeks 5 & 6, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Summer Price List 2014, 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 4 Weeks 5 & 6, 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 summer 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 Draw, Click here
Wyvern Sports Newsletter, Click here
Sports Results and Match Reports, Click here
Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here
2014 Sports Handbook, Click here

NEWINGTON TICKET OFFER. As a thank you for hosting the Sydney Kings training session, a ticket offer for the Newington community has been made, Click here

Adults at kids prices (only $15) &
Newington’s own seating section

Sunday 16th November
Kings vs Perth Wildcats (last year’s NBL premiers)
Tip Off: 2pm
Venue: Qantas Credit Union Arena(formerly Sydney Entertainment Centre)
Game running time: approximately 2 1/4 hours

The Sydney Kings Lion will come to the Newington seated section and Newington support of the Kings will be announced at the game.

Offer open to all of the Newington community – parents and students, not just the basketball community as the event is a great 2 hours of athleticism and entertainment for all the family.

P & F News and Events

Hello!
Four things…

1.     Wyvern New Family Mentor Program

We need volunteer families to play a vital role in welcoming new boys and their families in Kindy, Year 3 and Year 5. Starting a new school can seem daunting to children and their parents, and our goal is to make their start a great one, with a warm and memorable welcome from the Newington community.The role of family mentor is fun and straightforward, involving phone calls and/or emails to new families over summer to welcome them and offer any advice or additional information they might need. The Wyvern P&F Welcome Picnic on Saturday, 17 January from 2:00-4:00pm is the perfect event to organise a meeting before school starts and we encourage you and your assigned family to attend.

Please contact Wyvern New Family Mentor Coordinator Sarah Alden at sarahalden@hotmail.com to volunteer a small amount of time and school community spirit. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.

2.     Class Parents

The Wyvern P&F is looking for Class Parents for 2015. Class Parents are an important link between the P&F and the parent body. Ideally, we like to have two parents representing each class group, more is great and we need at least one parent to represent each class.

The role of Class Parents is to work together to:

• organise a variety of activities through the year to encourage parents and families to get together based on their understanding of what their year group wants
• organise assistance from parents for class or year group activities and P&F or other activities
• stay in regular contact with parents to ensure parents are aware of school and P&F activities and encourage their participation
• welcome new parents who join the class during the year.

If you would like to be involved please email Dita Alafaci d.staka@hotmail.com

3.     Parent Band

We’ve had interest in forming a parent band to rival our young ones and Mr Holden has offered to provide practice space at Wyvern (can I see a battle of the bands event evolving in the future…?). We are hoping the parent band will be available for one or two gigs, such as next year’s Great Garden Party. The initial idea is to play jazz, we have someone who plays double bass and saxophone,  so we are specifically looking for horn players, a drummer, guitarist and/or keyboards. If you are interested, please contact Justin Baird justin@justinbaird.com.

4.     P&F AGM

Whilst attendance at this year’s AGM was disappointing, particularly as we were privileged to have the National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell speak to us, the event itself was fantastic. Feedback about Megan’s speech was super and I am delighted that all P&F Exec roles for 2015 have been filled and will be posted on SPACES shortly.

Until next time, be well and happy

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

Next Two Weeks

Faith Matters

OVERCOMING

At 19 months, Helen Keller contracted the illness that eventually left her without hearing and sight. Back then those labeled ‘deaf and dumb’ were classified as idiots. But Helen’s parents didn’t agree. They hired teacher Anne Sullivan to work with her and eventually she learned to read and write using Braille. Amazingly, in 1904 she graduated with honours from RadcliffeCollege, then devoted her life to helping others. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie paid her an annual income; writers Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson praised her and almost every President of her day invited her to the White House. Even though Helen died in 1968 her legacy of courage lives on. When asked if there was anything worse than being blind, Helen replied ‘Yes, having sight but no vision’. At 12, Thomas Edison developed such severe hearing loss that his teachers recommended he be taken out of school. Instead Edison used his handicap to drown out distractions and focus on his work. As a result the boy who was labeled ‘a slow learner’ gave the world over 1000 inventions, including the light bulb, the phonograph and the motion camera.

Who gets to define ‘normal’ anyway? Is it being short versus tall, or rich versus poor? The truth is, God’s given all of us unique abilities that He expects us to explore. And interestingly, the real handicaps don’t belong to those who are born with physical and mental challenges. No, they belong to the so-called normal people who’ve accepted lethargy and limitation as part of life.

God said “My power works best in your weakness”, so you can let your difficulties impede or inspire you. Which will it be?

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Before & After School Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern

Please click here for the 2014 Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 4

Artist of the Week

K – 2 Artist of the Week

William Kah 2S

William was able to cleverly use a bamboo brush to write some Japanese characters. He is to be commended for his perseverance and neat effort with quite a tricky task.

Debbie Bourke
K – 2 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

Our final term of the year continues to gather pace with students, teachers and parents being fully involved in many activities.

CLASSES FOR 2015

Last week we held orientation days for new students joining Wyvern in 2015. Many of the ‘new boys’ had the opportunity to spend some time with students from their equivalent Wyvern year group providing the chance for some early friendships to emerge. Currently we are in the final stages of formulating 2015 classes. This is a detailed and rigorous process.  I will write to parents in due course to inform you of the 2015 teaching arrangements for your son. On Tuesday 2 December we will be holding our ‘One Up’ morning where all of our students, plus the new student intake, will meet their class teacher and class mates for 2015. Please note that the deadline for parental input into the class allocation process has long passed (end of Term 3) and, as such, I have to inform you that further requests from parents at this late stage cannot be considered.

SCHOOL LEADERS 2015

At this time of the term we also consider which of our current Year 5 students have the potential to undertake a number of specific student leadership positions next year. Again we give this much thought and provide opportunities for every staff member and student (Year 3- 6) to have input into the process. We use the following criteria to help us to form our judgements.

1. Capacity as a role model
   How the student conducts himself on a day to day basis in relation to our values, standards and behavioural expectations.
2. Presentation skills
   The ability of the student to speak confidently and persuasively to different audiences: e.g. large and small groups of peers and adults, in both formal and informal settings and within prepared and impromptu speaking situations.
3. Care for others
   How the student has demonstrated a service ethic and a capacity to think of others: e.g. selfless behaviour, assistance provided to others, capacity to work as part of a team; in other words evidence of ‘servant leadership’.

Having said all of this, I do consider all Year 6 students to be our school leaders and role models for the rest of the school and, as such, I have extremely high expectations about their conduct and behaviour. A leadership training day for the whole Year 6 cohort is planned in early Term 1, 2015.

TOM SUCCESS

As mentioned in the last newsletter, our Tournament of Minds Maths and Engineering team recently represented NSW in the Australasian final held in Melbourne. I am delighted to announce that the team excelled and won first place in the Primary Division. I congratulate Calum Boland, Sam Eagleton, Addison Eastway, James Evans, Callum Latham, Charlie Papps and Peter Pontifix for their outstanding achievement. I also thank Ms Kate Green for her superb management of the group as well as Mr David King and parents for their wonderful support of the team.

OSHCLUB

Parents who use OSHClub Vacation Care recently received an email advising that due to extensive maintenance work at Wyvern their normal vacation care would not be available in the upcoming holiday.

I am please to inform you that we have reviewed this decision and have now found a suitable location on the Wyvern site from which OSHClub will be able to operate vacation care.

At this stage vacation care will be available for the December holiday period plus the first 2 weeks of January.

OSHClub will send out further information next week.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House