KOALA – Kids Own Australian Literature Awards

There was great excitement and an enthusiastic buzz on Wednesday morning the 12^th of November, as 24 Wyvern boys looked forward to attending the annual KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) Awards Day in the Old Boys’ Lecture Theatre at the Senior School. For the second year running, Newington College had the honour of hosting this most celebrated children’s literature event. The boys chosen to attend the KOALA Awards this year, had shown tremendous effort and determination with their reading, both in class and in Library. Ethan Fadel (2S), Lucas Chen (2S), Marcus Duggineni (2F), Christian Ishak (2F), Charlie Glennon (3H), Maxim Willis-Davis (3H), Alexander Iacus-Pisco (3G), Rocco Vitalone (3G), Anton Bromwich (3R), Vasili Filippatos (3R), David Upcroft (4C), Darwyn Scott (4C), Nicholas Disher (4M), Andrew D’Addona (4M), Luke Canter (4P), Aidan Giordan (4P), Anthony Perry (5B), Fallon Fotaras (5J), Christopher Tsolakis (5M), Zac Zoud (5P), Peter Pontifix (6K Library Monitor), Lucas Ciesielski (6K Library Monitor), Calum Boland (6K Library Monitor) and Oliver Cleary( 6K Library Monitor) joined 200 boys and girls from a variety of schools who also attended this star studded author and illustrator event honouring the best of children’s literature as chosen by the kids themselves.

To find out which authors and illustrators attended, the winning books, the honour books and who became a KOALA Legend in2014, please click here.

Mrs Barnes
Teacher Librarian

It’s Time

Dear Parents,

As we head towards the end of the year, the Library becomes an even busier place. Gathering all book returns from Wyvern boys and teachers to enable a stocktake of library resources to take place, in an efficient and effective manner, takes time and commitment from the whole school community. Could I please ask that all Wyvern Library books be returned by Friday November 21st as stocktake will begin the next week. Please check your home bookshelves, bedside tables, in your car and yes, even under the bed (many boys have said books have been found resting there) for any books that have the Wyvern Library Barcode (eg W12345) on the back cover of the book. Please send these books to school with your son to be returned to the Library.

If by chance a book is lost and cannot be found or has been accidentally damaged, please let Mrs Barnes know (jbarnes@newington.nsw.edu.au) and arrangements for the cost of replacement of the book will be determined. For those parents who have already indicated that this case, I will be in contact with you shortly.

With sincere thanks,
Mrs Barnes
Teacher Librarian

Sausage Sizzle Day – Friday 5th December

Donut Day – Thursday 27th November

Artist Club Excursion to a Shibori Workshop

Monday 10th November, Ms Buinings ‘Artist Club’ was treated to a wonderful excursion to a’ Shibori’ workshop.

The club got to experience the ancient art of Japanese Indigo tie dyeing which is very different and has more complexity than regular dyeing.

The boys were taken through the steps of how to create interesting and different effects using square or round blocks, elastic bands and pegs. The indigo dye is plant based and smells terrible, but that did not put off our intrepid experimenters who charged ahead and created their own designs.

Well done to the Artist Club boys who were not only wonderful ambassadors to the school, but behaved like professional artists.

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Private Music Tuition 2015

Dear Parents

If your son is learning an instrument in 2015 and wishes to continue learning in 2015 please click on the re-enrolment hyperlink to secure his place  Re-Enrolment 2015 – to be completed by 21 November 2014.

If your son would like to learn an instrument in 2015 please click on the Enrolment hyperlink Enrolment 2015

Please note that all lessons are run during College hours on a rotation basis.

Newington Private Bus Passes for 2015

Students who currently travel on the Newington Private Buses should re-apply for bus passes in 2015 at the following address http://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/payments/make-a-payment/

State Transit Bus and Rail Passes for 2015

A reminder that all Year 2 students entering Year 3 2015 and all Year 6 students entering Year 7 2015 must complete a new Blue Application Form. Forms are available from Wyvern Office. All other year groups are not required to re-apply.

2015 passes will be issued to students when received early next year.

Stationery and Textbooks 2015

Campion Education supply the book and stationery requirements for our students for all year groups Kindergarten to Year 6.

Please order books and stationery online at www.campion.com.au using the four digit code 77KX by 1 December 2014.

For students in Kindergarten to Year 2 – books and stationery will be delivered to Wyvern House prior to students commencing in 2015.

For students in Years 3 to 6 books and stationery will be delivered to your nominated address in January, 2015

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

Seed Sports – Summer Cricket Clinics

Seed Sports – 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 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 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 7 & 8, 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 7 & 8, 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

Other schools are joining us at this game of the Kings ticket offer.

“As an added BONUS Sydney Kings are offering 2 lucky students of the school who sells the most tickets- 2 Kings signed basketballs signed by all the players so book before Saturday 2pm and you have a chance to win”.

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!

We’re in the home stretch now with preparation for end of year activities, such as organising teacher presents and the final parent or family gatherings taking place very shortly or having recently happened. If you’d like to know more please contact your class parents, who are taking the lead on these activities.

And, would you believe it, we’re already getting organised for 2015. The 2015 Welcome Picnic will be on Saturday, 17 January 2015 from 2-4pm. It gives us an opportunity to welcome new families, catch up with each other and celebrate the new school year. There will be free treats and organised activities for the children and a coffee cart for the parents, which means we do need an RSVP to sarahalden@hotmail.com by 3 January – so why not put it in your diary now and tick it off the ‘to do’ list. There is cover available so the picnic will go ahead no matter the weather.

Another date for your diaries… We have also started planning next year’s Welcome Cocktail party, which will be on Friday, 6 February 2015 from 6-9pm in the Mary Andrews Garden Wyvern House. There is no cost for this event, but we do need an RSVP by Friday, 30 January. The P&F will provide alcohol and canapés (as alcohol will be served students are unable to attend – so perhaps consider this the P&F’s date night gift to parents).

Detailed invitations for both of our ‘new year’ events are available on SPACES.

Next year’s class parents are being secured with some current parents already confirming they will stay on and new parents joining us. Class parents are very important contributors to our school culture and to the solid connections made by families in each year group. I’ve volunteered in this job in the past and understand the work involved and the great intentions of the parents who do this work. Thank you so much. What you do is a big deal and makes a big difference to community spirit.

Another big thank you to all the families who have recently volunteered to help new boys and their families settle into Wyvern House next year by being mentors for the families joining their son’s year group. 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 welcome from the Newington community. Please contact Wyvern New Family Mentor Coordinator Sarah Alden at sarahalden@hotmail.com to volunteer a small amount of time and school community spirit – especially if you plan to attend the Welcome Picnic anyway.

Finally, a reminder that we are seeking parents to form a band, with rehearsal space being provided at Wyvern. If you are interested, please contact Justin Baird justin@justinbaird.com.

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

Al had a hard time in school. He never seemed to be able to keep up. When his teacher called him ‘Addled’ his mother immediately withdrew him from school to teach him at home. The teacher thought he couldn’t learn, but Al’s mother had a different opinion- she was a nurturer; she believed in him. She schooled him at home, and each time he failed she gave him hope and encouraged him to keep trying.

Whatever happened to Al? Well, eventually he grew up and became an inventor holding more than 1000 patents, including the phonograph and the first electric light bulb. You guessed it – his name was Thomas Alva Edison. Wow! When people have love and hope, there’s no telling how far they can go! Solomon writes: “Pleasant words are…healing.” So, how about your words? Do they build up or tear down? How do people feel when they’re around you? Do they feel small and insignificant, or do they leave you believing in themselves and realising what they can become?

With God every weed is a potential rose. His book, the Bible, is the ultimate book of hope. It tells us that Jonah got a second chance to go back to Nineveh and the whole city turned to God ( Jonah 3:1); that the Prodigal Son came back from a wasted life and was restored to his family ( Luke 15:11) and many other similar stories. Do you want to become great in God’s Kingdom? Become an encourager, a nurturer, and a restorer!

Mr 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

Kevin Feeney 1S

Kevin looked at works by Pablo Picasso. He then cut and collaged a 3D box head to fracture the image and make it flat. Kevin completed the work by carefully selecting and pasting a decorative outside edge.

Mrs Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

Years 3 – 6 Artist of the Week

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks in the art department.

Year 6 finished their topic on ‘Warriors’. They created clay busts based on the idea of warriors through the ages. Congratulations to Zack McGeechan, Elliott O’Connor, Henry Goodfellow and Alexander Radin for some superb examples of these works.

Year 5 completed mind-bending ‘Gold’ weavings, using different source materials, including photos and Chinese silk. These materials were symbolic of ideas and images that existed on the gold fields. This topic related closely to their experience at camp last term.

Well done to Stefano Otavio, Jaxon Jarvis and Oliver Kleppitch.

A special mention goes to Aaron Mueller for his ‘Shakespeare sword’. His sword from last term’s ‘Shakespeare week’ was interesting and beautiful.

Year 3 completed Halloween spooky house paintings. Students are learning about different types of celebrations. Congratulations to Dante Zappacosta who painted a sensitive and interesting spooky house.

Alexander Radin

Aaron Mueller

Dante Zappacosta

Henry Goodfellow

Jaxon Jarvis

Oliver Kleppich

Ms Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

Prize Giving

This year’s Annual Wyvern Prize Giving for students in Years 3 – 6 will take place in Centenary Hall on Monday 8 December at 9:00am. Students are asked to meet their class teachers at the Senior School outside the Music Centre (next to Centenary Hall) no later than 8:30am wearing their summer uniform minus black cap. Following Prize Giving we invite parents and students to join Wyvern staff for morning tea in the AJ courtyard area at the very end of the driveway.

Whilst we take the opportunity to award a number of prizes for outstanding achievement (categories listed below), Prize Giving is primarily an opportunity for the Wyvern community to mark and celebrate a most positive year. As such, this event is a compulsory activity for all students in Years 3-6. Although the final school day for students in K-2 is Friday 5 December, K-2 families are most welcome to attend Prize Giving.  The end of the ceremony marks the official start of the summer break.

Prize Giving Awards

Years 3-6

• Each class has 2 Academic Excellence Awards (incorporating Maths, English, HSIE, Science) to be determined by class teacher
• Each class has 3 Merit Awards – one for each of the following criteria – Citizenship, Consistent Effort, Academic Achievement to be determined by class teacher.
• One Year award for each subject; Art, French, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Mandarin (Year 5 and 6) to be determined by specialist teachers

Other prizes awarded

• Year 5 Prize for All Rounder – Jack Divine Memorial
• Junior Sportsman Trophy
• Senior Sportsman of the Year – Griffiths Trophy (incorporates PE)
• Year 6 Prize for Service to Sport

• Year 6 Prize for Service to Wyvern House – Boyd Fowler Memorial
• Year 6 Prize for All Rounder – Bosman Family Award
• Year 6 Prize for Public Spirit – Lodge Wyvern Award (School Captain and Vice Captains)
• Dux of Wyvern House – Roy Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

Bus Zone

We have been successful in having the bus zone on Cambridge Street both extended and relocated away from the driveway. This will make turning into Cambridge Street a much safer manoeuvre. Please note that the operational times of the bus zone have not been changed eg. 7.45am – 8.30am and 2.45pm – 3.45pm.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House