P&F News and Events

Winter Sport, Music & Co-curricular Photos

Dear Parents,

A reminder that the Winter Sport, Music and Co-curricular Photos will be taken on Monday 17th August. Please note that there will be no sport training on Monday.

For Winter Sports Photos:

• students should come to school in their winter school uniform and then get changed into their sport uniform for photos.

For Music and Co-curricular Photos:

• students should come to school in their winter school uniform and bring in their instrument.

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Students Unwell

Dear Parents,

We are in the middle of the flu season and have had a big increase in the number of students coming to school unwell. Can we please ask that parents not send their son to school unwell so that we can reduce the spread of disease. In particular, no child should be sent to school with fever, persistent cough, vomiting or diarrhoea.

We may need to contact parents through the day so please check your phone and emails for communication from Wyvern Office.

Also, a reminder that if your son is absent from school that you contact Wyvern Office on 9568 9444 or email wyvern@newington.nsw.edu.au to ensure we have an accurate record of his absence.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration.

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Years 3-6 Combined Prep Schools’ Inter-School Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday 5th August, Wyvern and Lindfield had their annual Years 3-6 Combined Prep Schools’ Inter-School Athletics Carnival at SOPAC. Below are photos showcasing some of the students participating in their events.

Have you Forgotten to place a Lunch Order?

Dear Parents,

When ordering your son’s recess/lunch orders online please ensure that you do this before the cut-off time of 8.45am each day to ensure that your son gets his lunch order. If you order after the cut-off time of 8.45am his order will not be processed.

Please note that no late orders will be accepted by the Tuckshop and no money will be loaned out. There are no exceptions.

In the event that your son does not have any lunch or recess with him he will be given a sandwich/es of either vegemite, jam or cheese. These sandwiches are free of charge.

Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter.

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Lost Property is Overflowing!

Dear Parents,

Lost property at the bottom of the internal staircase is once again overflowing! Thanks to Nicole Williams, many boys have their items returned every fortnight. Can you please check if your son is missing any uniform items, lunch boxes, drink bottles, shoes, boots etc as most of these items are named.

If your property is not collected by the end of the term it will be disposed of. 

Thank you for your consideration and understanding.

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Year 6 Mother & Son Lunch Cruise

Fun 1900’s Day at Newington College – Year 2 Recount

On the 23^rd July 2015, all of Year 2 had a 1900’s day and dressed up like 1900’s boys at Newington to experience how life was in the olden days.

Firstly, we did writing for the anthem ‘God Save the King’. We repeated the lyrics off the board as they had done in writing lessons. Then, after recess, we did maths by repeated times tables like in the 1900’s. It was not as fun as Mr. Scott’s other lessons.

Thirdly, we went to the senior school to see the archives of items they collected from the olden days. We also had a scavenger hunt to find items listed on the clipboard. We had to find the following items: a cricket bat, a portable writing desk, cane, horseshoe, bayonet as well as other items. Mr. Roberts, our guide, gave us some hints and information for the hunt and the history of Newington which was very interesting.

After the visit, we did some olden days games such as fly, hopscotch and marbles. We then had lunch and did some more activities. In my games group I had Harry, Nicholas and Oscar. For the game fly, we used rulers as sticks to jump over. The aim of the game is to use one foot each in the middle of two rulers/sticks and reach the end. If you made it to the end, you would pick up a stick and move it to where you landed at the end of the row of sticks. The game continues until nobody can reach the end. Then we played hopscotch which you had to hop all the way to the end of chalk drawn squares on the ground. On your way back, you had to pick up a stick or a rock on one foot. It was a lot of fun! When we played marbles, you had to use your marble to knock the other marbles out the ring. I had an enjoyable day because it was fun playing games and dressing up. I also disliked the part of the day where Mr. Scott put a lot of pressure on us while pretending to be a teacher from the past.

By Nathan Chong, 2H

Term Dates 2016

TERM ONE

Thursday 28 January to Friday 8 April
Classes commence Thursday 28 January
SPD Day – No Students – Thursday 24 March 
Good Friday Public Holiday – 25 March
Easter Monday Public Holiday – 28 March
11 week term followed by a 2 week break

TERM TWO

Tuesday 26 April to Friday 24 June
Classes commence Tuesday 26 April
Anzac Day Public Holiday – Monday 25 April
SPD Day – No Students – Friday 10 June
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 – No Students – Friday 5 June
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 – No Students – 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 Program 1

Oshclub Program 2

Kind regards
OSHClub Team

Flyers in Bookstore

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 3

Rugby

• Rugby Skills – Term 3

Speech Pathology

• Gladesville Speech Pathology & Learning Centre

Hopalong

• Occupational Therapy for Children

Uniform Shop – Tracksuits on Sale!

TRACKSUITS ON SALE

Discontinued tracksuits have been reduced 50% and can still be worn until December 2016.

• Tracksuit Jackets – $37.50
• Tracksuit Pants –  $25.00

The ‘new style tracksuit’ stock arrives Term 4.

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 3 Weeks 6 and 7 Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter 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 3 Weeks 6 and 7, Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here  

Online Ordering Instructions, Click here

Online Ordering FAQs, Click here

Term 3 Calendar

Please click here for the Term 3 Calendar

ICAS Digital Technologies & Science Results

ICAS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES RESULTS

ICAS SCIENCE RESULTS

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 Sport Newsletter Term 3 – Week 5, Click here

Wyvern Sports Results and Match Reports, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2015 Sports Handbook, Click here

The 2015 School Fees Raffle

The School Fees Raffle is organised by the Newington College Rowing Association and all proceeds will be used by the Newington College Rowing Association to facilitate the Newington College Rowing program.

The cost per ticket is $500 and a maximum of only 500 tickets will be sold.

Next Two Weeks

Faith Matters

Listen up!

Jim Carrey got himself in all sorts of trouble in the movie “Liar, Liar” when he had to speak truth. I suspect in real life if we all treasured integrity as much as we do other things, our world would be a much better place. Nowadays we question the promises of politicians, business can no longer be conducted on a handshake, and some parents have good reason to doubt their children.

In some cases the problem is those people who have little or no regard for the truth. However, more often than not many of our relational problems stem from poor communications. You would expect with the vast array of communication technologies at our disposal good communication would be on the rise but I fear this is not the case.

Undoubtedly, many people can put words together well to express a point of view, to debate, to argue or merely to respond. We are good with putting words into circulation. The question is, “are we equally as good at the other side of communication?’’ Are we expert listeners, as well as being expert wordsmiths? A lot of time and effort is put into teaching us to speak but I doubt that our society has spend an equal amount of energy and dollars on teaching us to listen.

One great piece of advice from the Bible that is, “Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” The old adage is true; God gave us two ears but only one mouth for a very good reason. If you are striving to be a good communicator then you’ll be striving to be a good listener.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

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

Charlie Kirikau 1W

Charlie explored the idea of a gum leaf, looking at shapes and patterns. He then cleverly interpreted his findings by using paper clay and ceramic glaze.

Charlie Kirikau

Debbie Bourke
K-2 Art Teacher

Years 3 – 6 Artists of the Week

Year 4 completed their unit on Exploration and the Pirate. Students completed a ceramic ‘Treasure Bowl’ featuring coils and glazing. We celebrated the end of this learning experience with games, puzzles and chocolate coins in the ‘Treasure Bowls’. 

Artists of the Week were Anton Bromwich and Will Nicholas.

Anton Bromwich                              Will Nicholas                                             Year 4 games lesson with
                                                                                                                              their flotilla of clay ships

Meredith Buining
3-6 Art Teacher

Achievement Awards & House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

As we rapidly approach the mid-way point of the term I am pleased to see Wyvern boys displaying great endeavour and enthusiasm in a wide range of activities.

This was very evident than at last week’s rather chilly Years 3 – 6 Athletics Carnival. I was delighted to see all boys so engaged in many athletic disciplines on the day as well as some outstanding individual and team performances. Possibly the most exciting part of the day were our junior and senior relays, where House spirit was keenly demonstrated by all. Many thanks to the many parents who supported the boys on the day and to the staff team for their excellent organisation of the carnival.

Yesterday Year 5 students and staff returned from a three day residential camp to Bathurst where they have been enjoying many ‘hands-on’ experiences to further understanding and learning connected with their topic on “Change in the 1800s in Australia”. As well as providing a valuable and exciting context to explore the curriculum, boys have also had to face other challenges. Some simple examples, not to be underestimated, are; being away from home, working as a team, and being responsible for looking after their own belongings! From all reports the camp has been very successful and enjoyable with a highlight being the boys’ exemplary behaviour.

“Back to Newington Day” on Saturday 5 September is one of most important days of the year for the Newington community. Whilst one focus is on celebrating the last home game for Senior School winter sports teams, it is a day of enjoyment for all Newington students and families. As such, there will be a strong Wyvern Prep presence with our own P and F providing many stalls and fun activities for our boys to enjoy. Our 12A rugby and football teams will also feature in Wyvern v Lindfield fixtures. I encourage you to mark the day in your diaries and support the Newington Community. 

Finally, good luck to the Newington Prep Schools’ Athletics Team as they compete in the Newington Invitational Carnival on Saturday at Homebush.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House