Year 6 Students Experience Year 7 Day at the Senior School

On Wednesday the 10th of June our Year 6 men were invited across to the Stanmore campus for ‘Experience Year 7 Day’.

We were joined by our Year 6 Lindfield brothers and an array of high school staff. The day was an exciting opportunity for our young men to learn new skills, understand the expectations of the high school and meet friends.

We began the day with some informative talks about Growth and Positive mindsets, co-curricular options and the opportunities that being part of the high school will include. The attention-grabbing experiences continued after recess with collaborative music lessons, introductions to Commerce and Drama, as well as, constructing Science experiments in the labs. Making ice cream was a big hit among the boys. In an action-packed day our young men even managed to squeeze in a full school assembly and fire drill!

The excitement such a day generates reveals to us that our young men are growing up quickly, and that the job our Wyvern House teachers are doing is preparing them well for a great future at the senior school.

Wyvern Years 3-6 Music Showcase

The Wyvern Years 3-6 Music Showcase was held on Wednesday 3 June in Centenary Hall. It featured performances from our co-curricular ensembles as well as all boys in Years 3- 6 singing in their respective Stage Choirs. This evening showcased our established musicians and was an inspiring occasion for our upcoming performers. 

Chess

The Newington Chess Championship team had a very successful term, playing in the Inter-School Chess Competition against other schools including Summer Hill, Trinity Grammar, Rozelle and Abbotsford. The team consisted of 4 players, Keiren Casey, Kim Long Lam, Hamish Thompson and Fallon Fotaras. The team won the inner-west zone and next term will be playing in the first round of finals.This is the first year Wyvern has made it through to the regional finals. A big thank you to Mrs Ryan for supporting us, encouraging us, and co-ordinating the teams.
Fallon Fotaras

Wyvern Biennale

Year 6 French Breakfast

Thanks to Madame Spiroglou, the boys in 6R and 6B enjoyed a morning of culinary delights and cultural immersion in the company of the warm and welcoming, David Bitton. We all enjoyed learning the traditions of a French breakfast and delighted in dunking our warm croissants dripping with pepe saya butter and Mamie Bitton’s strawberry and vanilla jam into our ‘boules’ of hot chocoloate. Certainly a highlight of the French program in Year 6.

Year 6 Research Sir Ernest Shackleton and Replicate the 1400km Journey of the James Caird

This term the students in Year 6 have researched and explored the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and made strong links between the challenges he overcame on the Endurance in Antarctica and our own experiences as school leaders. We have come to appreciate the importance of service in leadership. When Shackleton’s men were faced with their darkest hour their leader danced for them to entertain and lift their mood. We have appreciated the importance of perseverance, absorption and most importantly, collaboration. We have worked together to replicate the 1400km journey of the James Caird by rowing in five minute intervals on a rowing machine in the Wyvern Hall. We have had to work together tirelessly towards achieving a common goal.

The Journey of the James Caird

by Sachin Spencer 6R
Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Irish born explorer who went on three great expeditions to Antarctica. His family’s motto was “through Endurance we conquer”. On his third expedition Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 men set off to attempt to be the first to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. His ship, the Endurance, left London on the 1st of August 1914, the same day Germany declared war on Russia. The Endurance arrived at South Georgia whaling station and took on supplies of food and fresh water. When the Endurance departed South Georgia it was the last time the men would touch land for an astonishing 497 days. 

In January 1915, the Endurance became trapped in between two massive ice flows. The crew stayed aboard for as long as they could but eventually it became too dangerous and Shackleton gave the order to abandon ship. The ice floes started to break up and Shackleton came up with a clever plan. The men launched the lifeboats and rowed to Elephant Island. the men were satisfied on Elephant Island but Shackleton was not. He wanted to get the crew back to civilisation without a single casualty, he hand picked five men and they launched a 22 ft lifeboat called the James Caird. On this tiny lifeboat six men who were frozen, thirsty and hungry rowed 1400 kilometres across the most treacherous waters in the world to reach South Georgia Island. Their troubles were not over yet. The six exhausted men were on the wrong side of South Georgia so Shackleton picked two men and they accompanied him on a 36 mile trek across frozen mountains and glaciers. Unbelievably, they made it and sent boats to pick up of of the men.

Sir Ernest Shackleton had not achieved his goal of crossing Antarctica via the South Pole but in my opinion he did something much more incredible. Every single man was alive at the end of a 4 year period without civilisation. Here at Wyvern House, Year 6 are trying to replicate the journey on a rowing machine. We have so far rowed around 300 kilometres so we are 1100 kilometres off our goal with 2 weeks to go. I feel that the men had it a lot harder than us as they had 2 years without nutritional food and clean water, They had to row 24/7 and were up against hurricane force winds and rain. I have put in my best effort and have rowed around 14/15 kilometres. When people told me that we would have to row 1400 kilometres I though that we would do it in a week but after getting on the rowing machine and pulling and pushing as hard as possible I have truly realised the situation or mortal peril that the crew of the Endurance were in. I have used a lot of BLP muscles through this task. Perseverance: When you feel like stopping on the machine you have to push yourself to the max to keep going. Noticing: I flexed my noticing muscles when I had to set up the rowing machine. Managing Distractions: I used my managing distractions muscles when people were talking to me and I had to just focus on just rowing as hard as I could. I feel that this challenge is a great goal for Year 6 to achieve and I wish that the whole school were involved because it has made learning highly enjoyable. 

Captions from L to R – Boys looking at the Endurance, Boys standing in front of the replica of the James Caird and the James Caird journey.

Traffic Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please be aware that Marrickville Council does enforce traffic regulations in relation to school zones. Please be considerate of our neighbours at all times when entering and leaving the school premises.

Beginner Water Polo Clinics

Real Madrid Foundation Clinic

Newington College is hosting the first ever Real Madrid Foundation Clinic in Australia over the June/July school holidays. There will be two Players Clinics, open to boys from Year 3 and above at Newington College, and two Coach Seminars open to staff and parents.

Real Madrid Foundation will be sending senior academy coaches to Newington to run Player Clinics and Coach Seminars for two weeks, coinciding with the International Champions Cup (ICC) in Melbourne where Real Madrid will play against AS Roma on July 18 and Manchester City on July 24.

Both Player Clinics and Coach Seminars will take place at the Stanmore Campus.

Please visit our insight for more information.

Dates

Clinic will focus on:

• The ‘Real Madrid way’
• On field technical skills
• Off field technical skills
• Small and large game scenarios

Over 4 days,  players will train for 90 minutes per day.

Newington Football Coaches will be integrated into the program to make sure all pastoral aspects are covered.

Players will receive the Real Madrid strip before the clinics start in order to wear during the sessions.

Please note that the Players Clinic is only open to Boys in Year 3 and above. 

Cost: $400 including GST

Register Today:

To register please choose either Clinic 1 or Clinic 2  and pay online here. 

Newington College Holiday Rugby Clinics

Term Dates 2016

TERM ONE

Thursday 28 January to Friday 8 April
Classes commence Thursday 28 January
11 week term followed by a 2 week break
SPD Day – Thursday 24 March
Good Friday Public Holiday – 25 March
Easter Monday Public Holiday – 28 March

TERM TWO

Tuesday 26 April to Friday 24 June
Classes commence Tuesday 26 April
Anzac Day Public Holiday – Monday 25 April
SPD Day – Friday 10 June – No students
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday – Monday 13 June
9 week term followed by a 3 week break

TERM THREE

Monday 18 July to Friday 23 September
Classes commence Monday 18 July
10 week term followed by a 2 week break

TERM FOUR

Monday 10 October to Thursday 8 December
Classes commence Monday 10 October
Annual Prize Giving 3-6 – Thursday 8 December

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 5 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
Classes commence 14 July
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
Classes commence Monday 12 October
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.

OSHClub Newsletter Term 2 – Week 9 click here

Oshclub Program 1

Oshclub Program 2

Kind regards
OSHClub Team

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

Football

• Football Skills Development – Term 2

Rugby

• Rugby Skills – Term 2

Speech Pathology

• Gladesville Speech Pathology & Learning Centre

Hopalong

• Occupational Therapy for Children

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 2 Week 10 and Term 3 Week 1 Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List 2015, 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 2 Week 10 and Term 3 Week 1, Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here  

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.

Sports Results and Match Reports, Click here

Wyvern Sport Newsletter Term 2 – Week 9, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2015 Sports Handbook, Click here

Faith Matters

One-Upmanship

Shakespeare calls it “the green sickness.” The poet Horace said, “Tyrants never invented a greater torment.” But envy is sneaky. It recognises that openly “trying to…get the better of others” is distasteful, so it looks instead for socially acceptable ways to express itself. Like the “Yes…but,” approach. That’s where you say something nice about somebody, but make sure to put a sting in the tail. For example, “She’s a great worker – but her personal life is a mess.” Another perennial favourite is questioning people’s motives. “He’s only giving that money to impress others.” And how about the old unflattering comparison that goes something like this, “If you think he can sing, you should hear Mrs. So-and-So.” Sadly, one-upmanship is sometimes more prevalent among talented professionals like writers, teachers, politicians, singers, doctors, athletes – and preachers! For whatever reason, we seem to have trouble acknowledging the gifts and contributions of others.

So what’s the answer? Paul says it lies in “the rich simplicity of being yourself.” Relinquish your obsession with getting ahead of others and having more. Learn to be content with who and what you are right now, while always striving to grow. Early in Scripture God says, “Do not covet…anything” (Ex 20:17), because most of what we get upset about won’t matter in eternity.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Next Two Weeks

Clubs & Co-curricular at Wyvern 2015

Dear Parents,

Click here for the Clubs and Co-curricular at Wyvern 2015 – Term 3.

Artists of the Week

K – 2 Artist of the Week

Gus Klineberg KB
After looking at the work by Albrecht Dürer of ‘A Young Hare’, Gus successfully used water colour pencil to draw beautiful fur. 

Andrew Wayling 2S
Andrew experimented with moving art. He carefully used a sliding tab to make one of the magpies in his painting look as if it was really flying.

Debbie Bourke
K – 2 Art Teacher

3 – 6 Artist of the Week

Year 5
It’s been a big week for Art this week with 3 Artists of the Week for Year 5! They have completed their character water colour paintings relating to their stories for ‘100 Amazing Journeys’.

Congratulations go to Andre Gregory, Joe McGrigor, and Aiden Carter (L to R below)

Year 4
Year 4 Have been exploring the topic of ‘Pirates’. They looked at contemporary artist Sally Smart’s materials and processes. Students then created a collage using a variety of materials and techniques. They were able to make their ships unique, by creating different flags for them.

Congratulations to Tom Carlisle and Alex Sutherland for their interesting and unique compositions (L to R)

Year 3
Class 3M have been making abstract aboriginal inspired artworks for the Wyvern Biennale coming up in Term 3, Week 3. They are all very excited to be part of this amazing art show.

Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

With just over one week left of Term 2 students continue to be very active and enthused with a range of exciting activities, although I expect that the upcoming winter break will be a much needed opportunity to refresh and recharge the batteries.

Semester 1 student reports will be available online from Thursday 25th June. Please click here for further instructions to access your son’s report. Please note that this year we have added a second parent teacher meeting opportunity in Term 3 (4th August and 6th August) to discuss your son’s progress. It would be appreciated if parents could use this opportunity to discuss any matters arising from the report. Details of how to book in a time slot for these meetings will be sent to you in early Term 3.

Many parents will, no doubt, use the upcoming break to attend to organising uniform, equipment and haircuts. In relation to the latter, I remind parents that Newington College does require boys to have a ‘school boy’ style hair cut. Severe cuts or those seeking to make a ‘fashion’ statement do not fit into our ‘uniform code’ and, as such, despite any protestation from your son, I encourage you to hold the line! Thank you for your assistance.

A K-2 Music Showcase will take place tomorrow morning at 8.45am in Wvyern hall. The boys have been rehearsing with great enthusiasm. I look forward to their performances, as well as, seeing many of you at the concert.

Finally, I wish the Fathers and sons of Years 3 to Year 5 a terrific weekend away at Berry.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House