Hunters Hill Junior Rugby Union

Achievement Awards

Combined Prep Schools’ Inter-House Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday 11th February we had our annual Combined Prep Schools’ Inter-House Swimming Carnival at Ryde Aquatic Centre. Below are some photos of the day.

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Pop Art Excursion to AGNSW

Last week 100 excited Year 5 students travelled on the train to see ‘Pop to Popism’ at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Students were guided through the immense exhibition and saw works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and other Australian pop artists. The boys also completed an assessment task looking at the 18th/19th Century permanent collection. Boys were asked to view different pieces, read the blurb and appreciate the difference in forms and media.

Thank you to all Year 5 boys, Year 5 teachers and parent helpers who made this excursion a huge success.

Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Artist of the Week

K – 2 Artist of the Week

Aart Lilley 2S

Aart looked carefully at the Sidney Nolan series of paintings about Ned Kelly. He then thoughtfully interpreted his version of Ned Kelly’s feelings and what he saw through his iron mask.

Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

Women of Wyvern Dinner (WoW)

Dear Women of Wyvern,

Please join the Wyvern Parents & Friends Association for a fabulous night out at the Women of Wyvern Dinner which will be held on Friday 20th March at Dedes on The Wharf, Pier 2, 13 Hickson Road, Sydney.

Click here for flyer and payment instructions.

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

OSHCLUB – Wyvern’s Before and 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 1 – Week 4, click here

Oshclub Program 1

Oshclub Program 2

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 Kylie Ann Mayer at kylieann@mayhemcorp.com.au

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

Martial Arts

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Clubs and Co-curricular Activities at Wyvern

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

Swim Squad

• Term 1 Swim Squad

Cricket

• Term 1 Years 3/4 Cricket Development Sessions
• Term 1 Years 5/6 Cricket Development Sessions

Basketball

• Term 1 Basketball Skills Sessions

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 1 Week  5 and 6 Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Summer Price List 2015, Click here

Tuckshop Menu Roster and 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 1 Weeks 5 and 6, Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here  

Online Ordering Instructions, Click here

Online Ordering FAQs, Click here

Grace Period for Free Bus & Rail Travel Concludes

Dear Parents,

The grace period for students to travel for free on buses and trains concludes Friday 20th February. 

From Monday 23rd February 2015, all students without a current rail or bus pass will be required to pay for journeys to and from school.

All application forms received after the commencement of Term 1 will be processed as soon as possible.  Please note: Once the paperwork has been sent off to the various government bodies for processing we are unable to followup any applications.

Wyvern Office

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

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2015 Sports Handbook, Click here

P & F News

Hello!

I cannot remember the last time I saw such wonderfully positive spirit among young people as I did at last week’s swimming carnival. It was heart-warming to see boys cheering on their friends irrespective of which house they are in, boys celebrating each other’s achievements and boys encouraging each other to give it a go. I’ve never been more proud to be part of the Newington community.

Speaking of communities, the Wyvern P&F is an affiliate of the NSW Parents’ Council, which has been representing parents of non-government school students in NSW since 1962. The Council advocates on our behalf to achieve better educational outcomes for our children and most importantly to protect our right of choosing the right school for our children. I will keep you posted about its various initiatives as they arise through the year.

First up, the Parents Congress is a new initiative of the Council, which has organised a super line-up of panellists to discuss parent engagement and education policy and options among other topics. Leading commentator and advisor on consumer, cultural and demographic trends Bernard Salt will host the event. The Congress is free to attend, running from 1.30pm-3.30pm on Sunday, 8 March at the Wesley Centre in Pitt Street (the first time it has ever opened for a purpose outside worship on a Sunday). Please refer to your year group or to the P&F space in SPACES for more details, including the list of panellists. Parents all over NSW will be part of this live or via webcast.

The NSW Parents’ Council is strongly of the view that the support and involvement of a parent in their children’s education is incredibly beneficial. It enriches the child’s learning and strengthens their development through school. A parent who engages with their child’s homework and school activity can better support their child in general, but especially their confidence, motivation and progression. Being engaged is simple – ask questions, review their homework, be interested in what they like and dislike at school, make time to be available and willing to help at school events when you can. A child who is assured of their parent’s support and encouragement is likely to feel more confident and positive about school, which also gives them a solid path for success.

Finally, an example of Council activities is last year’s safety initiative with Instagram. Our saturated social media and digital environment is ripe for people who can cause harm or just act irresponsibly. “A parent’s guide to Instagram” is worth a read.

Until next time, be well and happy

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

Upcoming P&F Events

• Term one – 10 week term ending on 2 April, followed by a 2 week break
• 19 February – P&F Exec meeting (Newington Inn)
• 5 March – P&F General Meeting (Wyvern Hall) featuring Ian Holden, Chris Patel and Cate Fryda
• 20 March – Women of Wyvern (WoW) Dinner at Dedes on the Wharf, click here for flyer
  
• 9 May – Year 6 Parent Night out at Vinery Foods, Annandale

Next Two Weeks

Faith Matters

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”(Matthew 6:27)

The following statistics were published in a business magazine. Stress management experts say that only 2% of our “worrying time” is spent on things that might actually be helped by worrying. The figures below illustrate how the other 98% of this time is spent:

* 40% on things that never happen;

* 35% on things that can’t be changed;

* 15% on things that turn out better than expected;

*  8%  on useless, petty worries.

Jesus repeatedly tells us not to worry – three times in Matthew 6 alone – be it worries about food, clothing, or the future. He doesn’t belittle our problems, but he calls us deeper into trust. Worries can be transformed into opportunities to grow as we hand them over to God in prayer.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow; but it empties today of strength.”

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Clubs and Co-curricular at Wyvern 2015

Dear Parents,

Click here for the Clubs and Co-curricular at Wyvern 2015.

BLP (Building Learning Power)

The Importance of Teaching Empathy

“When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you” – Susan Sarandon

A central concern of our Building Learning Power (BLP) learning framework is with enabling our Wyvern boys to become more self-aware as learners. Providing them with learning activities that develop their empathic skills harks directly to this key objective. Empathy is one of our RECIPROCITY BLP ‘learning muscles’, an aspect of teaching and learning that considers the vitally important social aspect of learning.  Empathy starts with putting yourself in someone else’s shoes – a foundational step in understanding perspectives that differ from your own. This isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s an essential, active skill. It’s crucial to embracing differences, building relationships, gaining a global perspective, conducting richer and deeper analysis and communicating more effectively. This skill is about as “21st century” as it gets! This is the muscle that allows you to stand up for something, not just stand by.

Wyvern staff are cognisant that encouraging boys to be more empathic will better equip them to interpret the experiences of others, especially when others’ attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking differ from their own. It also allows for better intercultural understanding and community cohesion, a skill essential in our current society. However, relating the experiences of others to one’s own is a hard skill to master, especially if you have limited experience of the world due to your age. It is essential, therefore, that we build upon our boys’ pre-existing experiences when finding ways to develop empathy as a tool for improving their understanding of the world around them. We work hard in class to do exactly this but leaving the development of these skills at school at the end of each day seems a wasted opportunity. After all, empathy is important in all aspects of our lives, in and outside of the school day.

Developing your son’s empathy skills can easily be slipped into everyday family life. For example, when reading a book or watching a film with your child, ask questions such as:

• Can you put yourself in their shoes?
• How do you think that character feels at the moment?
• Why do you think that person reacted that way?
• Look at their face – how are they feeling? When did you last feel that way?

These discussions encourage children of all ages to reflect on how others feel, think and react. It’s a powerful way to help children construct a more comprehensive picture of our world. Consider these ideas for flexing your son’s empathy learning muscle:

Younger children might enjoy making their own pair of Empathy Spectacles, by cutting out a pair of cardboard glasses and decorating them, boys can pop these on whenever they need to consider a different perspective – great fun and an effective way to help illustrate this skill.

For those families with older boys, reading Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne is a terrific book to illustrate this same point.

If you are interested in finding out more about these and other valuable BLP skills, please come along to our first BLP workshop for the year – BLP at Wyvern on Thursday 5th March at 8:30am in the Library.

Cate Fryda
Learning Framework Leader

A Message from Mr Holden

Dear Parents,

Swimming Carnival

It was terrific to see wonderful team spirit and camaraderie on display at the very successful combined Prep Schools’ Swimming Carnival last week. I was mightily impressed with some outstanding individual and team performances. Congratulations to the winners of the House competition which this year was Williams. I also thank the many parents who attended for their wonderful support. The staff team, ably led by Mr Brunton and Mr Wilson, ensured the day ran smoothly; my thanks to them.

Privacy Issue

Due to recent amendments to legislation covering the school’s use of parent contact information (Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act) we are no longer able to publish parent contact lists without the explicit authority to do so from parents. Therefore a new ‘opt in’ system is now in operation whereby parents can agree to have their contact details circulated. Please click on the attached link for further information and instructions.

https://spaces.newington.nsw.edu.au/stanmore/pages/1103-parent-contact-directory

Camp Out

Boys from Year 5 have their ‘Camp-Out’ this evening at the Senior School campus. Year 3 will enjoy a sleepover at Wyvern next week. The intention of such activities is to build greater independence and to assist with the integration of our new intake of students with their cohort. I hope all get much from the experience.

Car Park – Early Arrival

Once again I request that parents who use the drive-through to pick up their sons do not arrive at the car park entrance before 3:05pm for K-2 students and 3:20pm for Year 3 -6 students. This allows time for students to be in position in the car park before parents arrive, thus reducing queuing. Arriving before this time  causes major congestion in Harrow Road. Please observe the ‘No Stopping’ zone on Harrow Road at the approach to the car park. We are fully co-operating with Marrickville Council who have advised us that there will be regular ranger patrols on the roads around the Wyvern campus.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern