A Message from Mr Holden

One of the great joys of my role is seeing the personal growth and development of our students over a period of time. Having the Kindergarten classes located so close to my office is a daily reminder of where the formal schooling journey starts. The unbridled enthusiasm and joy for learning in these tender years is infectious as are the many ‘left field’ questions that Kindergarten student poses to our patient teachers!

At the other end of our school I am very proud to see the responsibility and care that our Year 6 students demonstrate to our youngest boys. Their role modelling of core values of service to others, care and kindness has such a positive impact on our boys and school community. Through our ‘buddy’ program, Year 6 students regularly take Kindy and Year 1 students under their wing in learning activities such as sharing books, helping boys to tie shoe laces and completing problem solving activities. The benefit is felt in equal measure by both our youngest and oldest students.

Request

I ask all parents who use the drive through in the afternoon for the following support; please time your journey to the car park to arrive in Harrow Road after 3:05pm for K-2 student pickup and after 3:20pm for 3-6 student pickup. In recent days we have had instances where Wyvern parents have been queuing in Harrow Road as early as 2:15pm, causing great congestion and much angst to the Harrow Road residents. We seek at all times to be excellent neighbours, hence I respectfully request that parents adhere to the above pickup timings.

Mr Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern House

Achievement Awards and House Points

 The following achievement awards were awarded at Assembly:

House Points

Artists of the Week

K – 2 Artist of the Week

Jacob Matouk 1Y

Liam Sioutas 1P

Year 1 have been exploring warm and cool colours and representing heating and cooling by using lines in a creative way. Congratulations to Jacob and Liam who brainstormed and then stretched their favourite ideas into an artwork using oil pastel and watercolour.

Fantastic work, boys!

Mrs Heather Brodie
K-2 Visual Arts Teacher

3 – 6 Artists of the Week

This year, Year 4 were treated to a wide array of sports cars for their Art Car incursion. The boys were able to draw a Lotus, Mercedes and a Supercharged MX5. This car was also a ‘canvas’ for the boys to create symbols/ images on car wrap that was stuck onto the car. 

In a previous lesson, the boys were asked to create a colour/symbol /image based on thinking about fast, art cars, and speed. Some of the images were beautifully abstract, and this lead to a rich thinking discussion about this process. 

The boys selected the car they most admired, and drew it for a later artwork.

Many thanks to Guy Coles who was really excited to bring his car in and talk about his car racing experiences.

The boys were able to ask great questions and were really attentive when listening to him talk.

Well done Year 4. Enjoy the photos.

Ms Meredith Buining
3-6 Visual Arts Teacher

Book Drive

Dear Newington Families,

The devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015 completely destroyed the primary school in Chisapani, 150km west of Kathmandu. The villagers have now completed building four classrooms of the eight classroom school. They have the funds to finish constructing the remaining four rooms this year. The Chisapani School has asked for assistance to rebuild their Library collection for the students. As English is a second language for the students of this school, we are hoping for donations of Picture Books with simple text and illustrations that will assist the students in their learning of English.

How can you help?

• Donate a ‘new or near new’ Picture Book with simple text.
• To help prolong the life of the book, please cover it with clear contact paper.
• Send your donation to the Wyvern Library (by the end of Week 8) where it will be packed and shipped to the students of Chisapani School with grateful appreciation.

Please click here for further information.

With thanks,

Mrs Joanne Barnes
Librarian – Wyvern House

Clubs & Extra Curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 1

Dear Parents,

Please find attached Club and Extra Curricular Activities at Wyvern – Term 1 below. Once you click on the link below select the activity you are interested in and it will take you to the relevant Space Page on SPACES.

Term 1 Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities at Wyvern

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

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Faith Matters

This Saturday I’ll be performing a wedding for a boy who I first taught in year 5 at Wyvern in 2002. I’m feeling old and getting old! The wedding, like all weddings, will speak of a love that never gets old.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 The Message

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first”,
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.      

Reverend Peter Morphew
Wvyern Chaplain

Flyers in Bookstand

Martial Arts – Kung Fu Action at Wyvern

Term 1 Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities at Wyvern 

Sport

• Term 1 Years 3/4 Cricket Development Sessions
• Term 1 Years 3/4 Cricket Development Sessions
• Term 1 Swim Squad
• Term 1 Basketball Skills
• Term 1 After School Flag Rugby Program

Greek School

School Student Opal Information

OshClub

Uniform Shop

• Summer Price List
• Order Form

Kids and Co Psychology

ICAS -International Competitions & Assessments for Schools 2017

Dear Parents,

Each year we offer our students in Years 3 to Year 6 the chance to participate in The University of New South Wales International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, quality skills-based assessment program which rewards and recognises achievement. ICAS gives you broad insights into your child’s performance across English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Spelling and Writing.

Please click here for information regarding the 2017 International Competition and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) and for online payment information.

Below are the dates of the ICAS Competitions:

• Digital Technologies – 23rd May
• Science – 30^th May
• Writing – 13th June
• Spelling – 14th June
• English – 1st August
• Mathematics – 15th August

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Next Two Weeks

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

Parent Teacher Interviews Reminder

Dear Parents,

A reminder that Parent Teacher Interviews for K-6 will be held on Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th March from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Bookings can be made through the Community Admin Portal in SPACES. 

The meetings with your son’s class teacher will be held in their classroom and all specialist teachers will be located in the Library. Ms Lindsay Bosh (STEM) and Mr Tony Cross (eLearning) will also be available to answer any queries you have regarding their programs.

Instructions on how to book an appointment can be found below.

Booking Parent Teacher Interviews through Community Admin:

• Log into SPACES
• On your SPACES dashboard click on ‘Community Admin’ on the right hand side of the screen
• Click on the ‘interview’ tab at the top of the page
• Select the ‘cycle’ (Class Teacher or Specialist Teacher)
• Select the timeslots that are suitable for both Class Teacher and Specialist Teacher cycles
• Once selected, you have the option to print your appointments.

Please note that all bookings must be made by 4:00pm on Friday 3rd March. We request that you take the time to diarise your appointments as access to the booking system will not be possible after this time.

If you have any issues using the online system please do not hesitate to contact the front office.

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

STEM

STEM…the latest buzzword in Education

STEM is an acronym for the 4 pillars of ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’. At Wyvern all our teachers are STEM teachers. We all teach critical and creative thinking. We all value innovation. We all see our purpose as setting our students on a successful and meaningful path for their futures.

I have been delighted to join the teachers of Wyvern this term as a STEM teacher to continue to clearly articulate our STEM vision across the school. Together, in team teaching partnerships, we are finding additional and innovative ways to engage our boys in STEM learning. It’s been a busy term already with many year groups fully involved in biology units about living things. The boys are intrigued by class owned Venus flytraps and mealworm colonies. Year 4 are targeting Physics with building challenges and investigations about our physical world in order to understand forces. The popularity of Robotics in afterschool clubs and various year groups, particularly in Year 5 classes, demonstrates the tenacity and high levels of interest in STEM at Wyvern. Our students are discovering the value of collaborative, productive teamwork and are already engaged in hands-on team investigations and challenges this term.

Our role as educators and parents is to inspire students to willingly engage with STEM to guide them to select STEM subjects in the Secondary school and beyond. We need to encourage the boys to embrace the challenge that STEM provides. In the primary years it’s about igniting a passion that fuels future choices that will not only be highly fulfilling for the boys but is a much needed resource for the future of Australia.

It is wonderful when parents help us to provide opportunities to extend the interest of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Please email Lindsay Bosch lbosch@newington.nsw.edu.au if you would like to offer your time, expertise, ideas and inspiration to support our boys and teachers in their STEM adventure.

Lindsay Bosch
STEM Teacher – Wyvern House Preparatory School

Term Dates 2017

TERM ONE

Monday 30 January to Friday 7 April
Classes commence Years 1-6 – Monday 30 January
Classes commence Kindergarten – Tuesday 31 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

The NCP Schools’ Inter-House Swimming Carnival

Wvyern’s Years 3-6 students attended the Inter-House Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 15th February at Ryde Aquatic Centre. Below are photos take on the day. As you can see, much fun was had on the day with our House Captains and Vice House Captains inspiring ‘Wyvern Spirit’ amongst their team mates.

Tuckshop Menu & Roster

Please click here for the Spotless Food Safety Information for Volunteers Guidelines

Tuckshop Menu and Roster Term 1 Weeks 6 and 7, Click here

Everyday Menu and Price List, Click here 

Online Ordering Instructions, Click here

Online Ordering FAQs, Click here

Kind regards

Wyvern Office

Uniform Shop

THE UNIFORM SHOP WILL BE OPEN WEEKLY ON:

Wyvern Uniform Roster Term 1 Weeks 6 and 7, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Order Form, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Winter Price List 2016, Click here

Wyvern Uniform Shop Summer Price List 2016/2017, Click here

Kind regards

Nicole Williams
Uniform Shop Convenor

Valuable Apps to Engage in Educational Activities Outside of School

All too often we are bombarded by apps that at first glance look great for our students and children though when we delve deeper into them are not quite what we are looking for. How can you navigate through the minefield of free and paid apps to ensure that your son is using these tools to help him along his educational journey? 

An excellent free resource that is available to all is through Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/) Here, is a large selection of articles about navigating technology with your children. Also the site publishes a large amount of articles around tried and tested educational apps. Through the reviews, consumers are able to hand pick the apps that are right for the children. It contains a comprehensive summary of the app including both positive and negative comments. 

With a simple search on Common Sense Media you are able to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for. On a recent quest for quality Maths apps I found a comprehensive list here http://bit.ly/2lyYisM. We all know that if our children are spending some time on their devices it would be beneficial to have them participating in an educational way. 

If you would like to find out more about resources and references online, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Mr Tony Cross
eLearning – Wyvern House and Lindfield Preparatory School