6 March 2025
From the Deputy, Head of Preparatory Schools & ELC
Breaking Up with Your Mobile Phone
In this After Babel article, Catherine Price says that it’s not just kids’ screen time we need to worry about, whilst children and teenagers are suffering the most from the negative effects of social media and too much screen time; their parents and most adults are as well. Price shares five-steps for building a healthier relationship with our phones:
• Step 1: Define what you want. Setting an arbitrary goal and relying on will power (e.g. one hour of phone time a day) won’t work. The algorithms that drive our devices are scientifically designed to steal our attention and that’s a big deal, because ultimately, our lives are what we pay attention to. When we allow app-makers to steal our attention, we’re allowing them to rob other parts of our lives. Ask:
Why do you want to change your screen habits? What do you want to spend your time and attention on? What would a healthy relationship with your smartphone (and other devices) look like?
Price also suggests calculating how much time you spend with your screens (usually about 25 percent of waking hours) and then explaining why this needs to change.
• Step 2: Reconnect with real life. She suggests brainstorming what we’re curious about, what feels fun, things we love to do, things we want to do more of, then putting them in your calendar, increasingly displacing screen time. We turn to our phones when we are lonely or bored, if you lean into things you love to do, then screen time is less alluring.
• Step 3: Make your phone boring. Apps trigger our brains’ dopamine systems. To counteract this, we need to block unnecessary notifications and take steps to make our phones unexciting. Retain features that have a tool-like purpose, and delete or hide those that mainly entertain, entice, and distract. She recommends app blockers like Freedom, ScreenZen, Opal, Brick, and Unpluq Tag. By the end of this process, your home screen should contain only tools, not temptations. Your phone will be less like a poker machine and more like a Swiss army knife.
• Step 4: Create phone-free spaces. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to find any place or gathering that does not include smartphones. She recommends creating times (breakfast and dinnertime) that are mobile phone free and solely for human connection. And there might be phone-free evenings, even whole days with no screens – a Digital Sabbath.
• Step 5: Start and end the day on your own terms. If you can get your phone out of your bedroom, you will reclaim the morning and evening and you will probably sleep better, too. That means using a regular alarm clock and having an out-of-bedroom phone charging station for the whole family.
Escaping Mobile phone dependence isn’t easy, concludes Price. If you lapse, she says, don’t be too hard on yourself, notice what happened and decide how you want to move forward. In the end, we want to model the behaviours we’re trying to instil in our children because the reality is that the best parts of life don’t happen on a screen.
Are You Struggling with Your Own Screen Time? by Catherine Price in After Babel, January 29 2025
What Happened This Week
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a great opportunity to talk to students about gender equality, inspiring female role models, and the importance of respect and inclusivity. This year, Wyvern specialist teachers took the lead in celebrating and sharing insights of women from their area of their expertise who have made significant contributions.
Music K-6
- Simone Young, the renowned Principal Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and a trailblazer in the world of classical music.
Art 2-6
- Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter of brilliant portraits and self-portraits inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.
Art K &1
- Joanne Greenbaum, an American artist who experiments across many different mediums inserting her signature style of bright colours.
PE
- Tamika Upton, Jessica Sergis, and Annabelle Kelly from the Jillaroos (the Australian National Rugby team)
- Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and Mary Fowler from the Matildas (the Australian National Football team)
French K-6
- Simone De Beauvoir, the famous writer, philosopher, and feminist.
STEM
- Scientists who have made an impact such as, Jane Godall, Ada Lovelace and Maria Sibylla Merian.
Library
- Students explored the reason behind celebrating IWD. They identified basic human rights and discussed how women’s rights measure up to these ideals. They looked at the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, access to education and the gender pay gap. They also considered gender stereotypes through the lens of colours, toys and professions.
All students across the school, ELC to Year 12 will be making a Gratitude Card to give to a woman who inspires them (e.g., a family member, teacher, or historical figure).
Chapel Thought
This week across the College we will be celebrating International Women’s Day. The theme, March Forward, provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the impact of women in our lives as well as a time to challenge those biases we see in our community.
As people of faith, striving for equality is central to living as a Christian. The Gospel message of Jesus is one of inclusion and equality for all people. His ministry was one spent challenging those places where there was injustice and striving for a better world, centred on God’s Kingdom of inclusion for all.
The Bible is full of incredible women who challenged norms and strove for God’s inclusive kingdom. I often think of Ruth or Esther in the Old Testament or Lydia in Acts 16. Jesus’ female disciples were the first to witness the Resurrection and were the ones who conveyed the Good News to the other disciples.
In the Uniting Church, we have always affirmed gender equality, and we are blessed by incredible female leadership, including from our current National President and State Moderator. Equality is an expression of our faith and the way we live out God’s Kingdom.
So, this International Women’s Day, let us give thanks for the impact women and girls have made in our lives and let us commit ourselves to continuing to March Forward towards equality for all.
Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Keeping Your Contact and Health Information Up to Date
To ensure we have the most accurate and up-to-date information, we kindly ask all parents to check and confirm the details we have on file for you and your child. This includes contact details, emergency contacts, and any important health or medical information. Having the correct information is essential for effective communication and the wellbeing of our students. If your details have changed since our last request, please update them here.
Wyvern Sport News
Read the latest news from our sports department here.
Wyvern were represented by 23 boys at the IPSHA Swimming and Diving Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. The highly competitive carnival involves hundreds of school-aged swimming talent from independent school in NSW. Click here to read more.
New Sport Holiday camps
NewSPORT have the following holiday camps taking place in Week 1 of the April School Holidays.
For a 15% early bird discount for purchases prior to 31/3/25 please use EBIRD15.
Water Polo
Monday April 14 to Wednesday April 16
8:00am- 12:00pm
Click here to register
Futsal
Monday April 14 to Wednesday April 16
9:00am- 1:00pm
Click here to register
Use of ID cards to travel
This is a reminder that all students should be using their 2025 student ID card to tap onto the school bus. Cards from previous years should be disposed of.
Co-ed Scholarships for Year 5 2026 Now Open
Become a part of history with the Pioneer Scholarship, created to celebrate Newington College’s transition to co-education and support girls and boys who are ready to lead, innovate and inspire. This is more than just a scholarship—it is an opportunity for trailblazers who are eager to make a lasting impact.
This scholarship is available to existing and prospective students (both boys and girls) currently in Year 4 (entering Year 5 in 2026). This prestigious opportunity is designed for students with a balanced range of achievements who will benefit from the outstanding opportunities at Newington College while enriching our vibrant school community.
Current and new students can apply here.
Staff Profile
This week, we hear from Elissa Julian, a Year 4 Classroom Teacher at Lindfield Prep. Elissa’s passion for teaching is evident in her dynamic approach to the classroom, where every day brings fresh energy and new opportunities for collaboration. She thrives on the unpredictable creativity and humor of her students, finding joy in their unique perspectives on the world.
Q. Why teaching? What do you enjoy about teaching?
A. Teaching is a constantly moving, dynamic experience that keeps me energized. I love the daily buzz of activity, the collaboration with both students and colleagues and the way every day brings something fresh. Kids have a unique way of seeing the world, and their humor and creativity make each day unpredictable and genuinely fun—I could probably fill a book with the jokes and one-liners I hear! Working in a school community also means I’m always learning alongside them. It’s rewarding to help students grow and navigate their way through life, especially in a world that’s always changing.
Q. Something other people don’t know about you?
A. I’m an avid scuba diver and used to work as an instructor so I get to fulfill my mermaid dreams underwater! My favorite dive spot is Julian Rocks in Byron Bay where I’ve had incredible experiences swimming alongside manta rays and leopard sharks. Being down there feels like entering another world—there’s a calm and thrill in exploring the ocean, and it’s the closest I’ll ever get to being a mermaid.
Q. What is one of your best memories of being a student?
A. One of my favorite memories as a student was International Day at my primary school UNIS in New York City. It was the highlight of the year and the whole school would come alive with vibrant colours, music and the incredible aroma of foods from around the world. Students and families would dress in traditional attire, proudly representing their heritage, and it felt like the entire world was under one roof for a day. We lived in a kaleidoscope world. My brother and I, eager to show off our Aussie pride, scrambled to put together our look. The best we managed was a stereotypical cork hat but we wore it with pride. We walked around like we were Australia’s unofficial ambassadors, soaking in the excitement and diversity around us. Looking back, those days really shaped my love for different cultures and the joy of being part of a global community.
Q. Anything else you’d like to share?
A. I have a cat named Calcifer, named after one of my favourite movies Howl’s Moving Castle. Calcifer has a bit of personality—he’s got a crooked head and very selective hearing. He’s convinced he’s in charge and he’s not entirely wrong!
Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)
This week, we are profiling Helen Loe, Deputy Head of Wyvern (Teaching & Learning). With a passion for fostering a love of learning, Helen plays a key role in shaping the academic environment at Wyvern House. Helen ensures every student is supported in their growth and development and creates an inclusive and dynamic setting that equips every student to explore new opportunities.
Q. What is something not many people know about you?
A. I absolutely love the mountains and would happily spend every holiday hiking. I grew up holidaying in Lake District National Park in the UK and I definitely count this as my happy place. Australian mountains are often a little more challenging though!
Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?
A. I’d be excited to be part of a community that offers such rich opportunities for all students. Newington isn’t a school for one ‘type’ of student; there is something for everyone and all students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and explore the opportunities on offer.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Welcoming, inclusive and equipping.
