Wyvern House Annual Poetry Performance Competition K – 6

Over the next few weeks boys will be preparing to take part in the Poetry Performance Competition, now firmly established as one of Wyvern’s major events.  The competition presents an excellent opportunity for all students in the school to refine and demonstrate their communication skills when presenting to an audience.  All boys will enter the competition and are expected to select a poem, learn it off by heart and then perform it in front of the class.  Finalists will be selected from each class.  Year level finals will then be held to decide the top 3 places in each year group.

Boys are to select the poem they wish to perform. They may seek guidance from their class teacher or from Mrs. Barnes in the library who will have the school’s poetry collection on hand to assist in this process. Note, although the primary focus is on the performance of the poem, we do want boys to access poetry that is age appropriate and of high quality. Alternatively, with this in mind, boys may choose to write their own poem to perform adhering to the guidelines below. Each boy is expected to retain a copy of his poem, as well as give 2 copies to his class teacher for approval by the end of week 3.

The poem or excerpt of a poem should be of approximately the following lengths:

Class heats will be held in week 5 of Term 3 with 4 boys from each class being selected to go through to the year level finals to be held in week 6. The Poetry Competition Award Assembly will take place on Friday 2 September at 2.00pm. We thank the P&F for their kind donation of prizes which will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

The following guidelines will be used when judging the boys:

Sandra Gray
Deputy Head K-3

Back to Newington Day – Saturday 30 July 2016

BTN Silent Auction
Here is your opportunity to purchase some unique gifts and support the community support groups.
Click here to browse and place your bids.
https://www.myminiauction.com/newington
The auction will close at 2:30 on Saturday 30th July and items must be collected and paid for by 1st August.

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Boxes
The NC Rowing Association will be pre-selling the fruit and veg box packed with winter seasonal fruit and veg. 
Order and pay ($50) per box online and collect from the NC Rowing stand on Saturday 30th July.
Each box is jammed packed a variety of fruit and vegies.
All you need to do is click here to pay and we can supply on the day.
Fresh from the markets and bought to you by the NC Rowing Association.

Volunteers
Back to Newington 2016 is fast approaching and we need you to help make the day a success.
All the support groups are involved and we have created an online roster to gather your details where you can help out.
Please click on the BTN 2016 ROSTER LINK to go directly though and search for your support group using the bottom tab on the spreadsheet.

Does Your Child Use a Puffer? Important Research Study for Children Aged 4 – 18 Years

Are you willing to assist in this worthwhile research?

ICAS Digital Technologies & Science Results 2016

ICAS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES RESULTS

ICAS SCIENCE RESULTS

Road Safety Around Schools – Updated 2016 School Zone Parking Offences Notice

Dear Parents,

Early July there are small adjustments to the penalty notice fines for offences committed in School Zones in NSW.

The following table displays the fixed penalty notice fines and demerit points for offences committed in School Zones effective 1st July 2016:

The Wyvern Biennial Shakespeare Festival 2016

This year was the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. With that in mind, our biennial Shakespeare Festival’s timing was opportune. Considering the Shakespeare Festival coincided with Shakespeare Day, this particular 3 weeks offered the chance to immerse ourselves in all things Elizabethan. For most of us, not exposed to this period in history, this was going to be a challenge.

In saying that, let’s get started. Day one of our festival kicked off the starting gun, seeing Stage one boys  off to the casual learning space to study  Twelfth Night and The Tempest – in excellent hands with the Bell Shakespeare company’s actors. The children also used art as a medium to relate to those works building a Shakespearean village and experimenting with portraitures.  Drama was also on the agenda, closely followed by some re-enactment work – which entailed snippets of those plays.

Concurrently, Stage 2 were doing more heavy acting work, the end result of which was a brief summary of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Boys received roles and switched roles from the play with auto-queue, because goodness knows memorizing that text would’ve turned anyone into (to quote Shakespeare himself) a *mammering, onion-eyed canker-blossom*.

Stage 3 was generally divided into groups to study “the Bard’s play”, Macbeth- said to be a cursed play whose title should never be uttered in a theatre, lest disaster strike you or your fellow theatre-goers. Death, treason, going insane, witchcraft and losing your status in society. What a great way to end the term.

Year 5 did an end-of-week production – but here’s the rub… actually, I just wanted to build up the suspense there (something I learned from studying Shakespeare). The Year 5 performance was very good, especially as it was such a dark and serious play. Shout out to the three witches for their Oscar-winning cackling.

Year 6 started two weeks in advance with a broader range of activities (out of 21) for the students to choose from, including but not limited to fencing (no boys were harmed in the making of the videos), Elizabethan cookery, to-scale Globe Theatre model making, Elizabethan portraiture, biography writing and writing a letter addressed to Shakespeare (in Shakespearean prose). It even went to the extent of Shakespearean prose in assembly. Now, I can speaketh most wondrous soliloquies like a pro thespian.

Year 6 had the added bonus of an Elizabethan feast (without the bear baiting). Here’s the rub (for real this time): the more tasks you turned in, the higher the ranking you achieved (i.e you could turn up as nobility, the middle class or peasantry). There was a promise of being able to throw food at the peasants, however this didn’t eventuate (unfortunately, as a few of us for one were looking to administer poetic justice to some peasants). The spread of food was lavish. Roast chicken, pies and grapes but thankfully no sign of black pudding, haggis or stepony.

Many thanks to the Mrs Ratner, parents, and our teachers  who made the feast possible. It was highly enjoyable and a fantastic, appropriate to end the term, the Shakespearean festival and the semester.

Wyvern’s Shakespeare Festival week provides opportunities aplenty for learning and is all round an excellent introduction to Shakespeare’s works, which for many of us, is the first exposure to historical writing.

By Luke Canter Year 6

Year 6 ‘Wyvernbald’ Portrait Competition

Year 5 Land of Amazing Journeys

Last term, Year 5 celebrated their creativity with the 3^rd Annual Land of 100 Amazing Journeys. This fantastic evening showcased the boys’ writing, drama, art and ICT skills in an all-encompassing learning showcase. The Land of 100 Amazing Journeys is a problem based learning activity, whichinvolves the study of literature such as The Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit, Morris Lessmore and the Northern Lights. In addition, the boys developed their writing skills in an amazing writing workshop with Allison Tait, author of the Mapmaker Chronicles. Congratulations to all the boys for their fantastic effort, perseverance and creativity. You amazed the teachers and we are proud of you. A huge thank you to anyone who helped out on the night.

Justin Brayley
Year 5 Team Leader

Term Dates 2017

TERM ONE

Monday 30 January to Friday 7 April
Classes commence – Monday 30 January
Classes conclude –  Friday 7 April
10 Week Term followed by a 2 week break

TERM TWO

Wednesday 26 April to Friday 23 June
Classes commence – Wednesday 26 April
SPD Day – No Students – Friday 9 June
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday – Monday 12 June
Classes conclude – Friday 23 June
9 week term followed by a 3 week break

TERM THREE

Monday 17 July to Friday 22 September
Classes commence – Monday 17 July
SPD Day – No Students – Monday 14 August
Classes conclude – Friday 22 September
10 week term followed by a 2 week break

TERM FOUR

Monday 9 October to Thursday 7 December
Classes commence – Monday 9 October 
Prize Giving – Years 3-6  – Thursday 7 December

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 Wednesday 7 December
Classes commence Monday 10 October
Years 3 – 6 Prize Giving – Wednesday 7 December

Oshclub – Wyvern’s Before and After School Care Provider

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 on 0428 131 700. OSHClub’s head office number is (03) 8564 9000 Click here for the OSHClub Information Flyer.

Newsletter, Click here

Kind regards

OSHClub Team

Flyers in Bookstand

Martial Arts

• Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 3

• Clubs and Extra Curricular (Before and After School) Activities at Wyvern

Speech Pathology

• Gladesville Speech Pathology & Learning Centre

Hopalong

• Occupational Therapy for Children

Uniform Shop

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 2 Weeks 9, Click here and Term 3 Weeks 2 and 3, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List 2016, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Summer Price List 2016, Click here

Kind regards

Nicole Williams
Uniform Shop Convenor

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 Term 3 Weeks 2 and 3, Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here 

Online Ordering Instructions, Click here

Online Ordering FAQs, Click here

Wyvern Office

Sport

Winter Sports Draw – Term 3 Round 8, Click here

Sports Newsletter, Click here

Sporting Venue Addresses, Click here

2016 Sports Handbook, Click here

Next Two Weeks

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

Faith Matters

The Eye of the Storm

We live in turbulent times. Terrorism in Nice and a failed coup in Turkey in recent days testify to that. So where do we find peace?

The eye of the storm is the most peaceful place on earth. While wind and rain wreak havoc all around, pilots who fly storm-tracker planes say that all is perfectly still in that special place. In Psalm 91, David speaks about…terror…plagues…ten thousand falling at your right hand… “but it will not come near you.” Why? Listen: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver me.”

There are two ways to go through a storm: in panic or in peace. When a storm suddenly threatened their boat the disciples cried, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?” They were terrified!  And where was Jesus? Sleeping peacefully in the back of the boat. That’s because He understood: (a) To get to where God wants to take you, you must go through certain storms. It’s not optional. (b) When you’re doing what God wants the storm can’t take you under. It’s in the storm, not the calm, that you discover this. (c) When it’s over you come out knowing God better, and you’re more equipped to help others!

Too often I ask God to stop the storm, and take the trouble away instead of asking for spiritual stamina and wisdom so that I might endure, learn and grow.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain

Clubs & Extra Curricular at Wyvern Term 3

Dear Parents

Please find attached Term 2 Club and Extra Curricular Activities at Wyvern below.

Term 3 Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities at Wyvern

Please refer to Spaces for more information regarding the Clubs and Activities.

Regards

Wyvern Office

Artist of the Week

K – 2 Artists of the Week Term 2 Week 9 

Bryant Diep KS

Joshua Cronin 1L

Massimo Zappacosta 2M

In Visual Arts, the boys have explored and created artworks around Shakespeare this week. Bryant created a fabulous portrait of Duke Orsino from ‘Twelfth Night’ using crayon and watercolour. Joshua created a fantastic mixed media model of Shakespeare’s House in Stratford-on-Avon. Massimo created a collaged story scene from ‘The Tempest’ out of paper. Amazing craftsmanship, boys! Well done!

Heather Brodie
K-2 Visual Arts Teacher

Achievement Awards and House Points

House Points

A Message from Mr Holden

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you managed to enjoy some quality family time over the winter break. Once again we have a busy and exciting term ahead of us. The boys have started this week in a very positive manner and I especially thank parents who have ensured that their sons are well presented and wearing their uniform correctly. We continue to expect high standards in this area and whilst we do not wish to impose an overly punitive approach, we will be rigorous in our follow up with students who fall short of our expected standards.

In Week 3 we have set aside Tuesday 2nd August and Thursday 4th August for our second round of parent teacher meetings. We do appreciate that the time for discussion is very important to all parents so I request that time limits are adhered to. Please feel free to arrange an additional meeting directly with teachers should you feel any issue requires more time. Instructions on how to book an appointment will be sent out via email tomorrow Friday 22nd July.

On 18th July our Years 3-6 students welcomed the Tongan Royal Family to Newington who were at the College to officially open some new facilities at the senior school campus. It was a great honour to have His Majesty King Tupou VI be part of this special day. His Majesty’s father, His late Majesty King Tupou IV was a Newington Old Boy (ON 1936). Also in attendance was Her Majesty the Queen of Tonga and Her Royal Highness The Princess who is the Tongan High Commissioner in Australia. The facilities officially opened included:

• Tupou College Centre – named after our ‘twin brother’ school in Tonga in recognition of our long historial link with Tupou College and Tonga. It will be our specialist teaching centre primarily for Year 7 and consists of classrooms, specialist areas and a tiered lectured space.
• Drama Centre consisting of a new specialist theatre with seating for 200, and up-grade of the Old Chapel for team teaching and specialist new facilities for the performing arts.
• Davidson Health Centre – named after Dr Roger Davidson (ON 1940). Dr Davidsion has served Newington College in so many ways – Medical Doctor, President ONU, College Council, 70 Club and continues to volunteer helping in our Archives Department every week. He was a joint Newington Medallist in 2008. The project has included a completely new and expanded Health Centre.
• Pearson Cadet Centre – named after the late Major CMI (Sandy) Pearson AO DSO OBE MC (ON 1936). Sandy served Newington College on the ONU Executive, College Council and 70 Club. He was a joint Newington Medallist in 2008. There has been significant upgrade and expansion of the Cadet facilities.
• Newington Challenge Headquarters – this provides a permanent base, office and storage facilities for this Outdoor Education program.

In the near future I anticipate that I will be able to bring you some further news about the timing of the facilities upgrade at Wyvern. These will include:

• A 60 place ELC for 3-4 year olds
• A new Year 6 Learning Centre
• Upgrade of the music facilities
• A purpose built ‘STEM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) classroom 

This week you should receive via email the Biannual Parent Satisfaction Survey about all aspects of Newington College’s provision. I would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes to complete the survey. The greater the response from parents the more accurate the data will be. We take all parental feedback very seriously as the results assist us with our future strategic planning.

I invite you to view the excellent ‘Wyvernbald’ Portrait Exhibition located in Wyvern Hall. The superb portraits have been expertly created by the Year 6 students. Please feel free to pop up to the hall if you get the chance.

Finally, can I request that you mark Back to Newington Day on Saturday 30th July in your diaries. This is a very special day for the entire College community to come together. Details of the day are included in this newsletter.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern

Photos below of the Royal Tongan Family visit to Newington College