Wyvern House The lasting impact of connection It seems very relevant that the theme for this edition of News is ‘Gratitude’, as this year, in particular, we have much to be thankful for at Wyvern. The wonderful new facilities of a purpose-built Early Learning Centre for three- and four-year-olds, a new Year 6 Learning Centre for 96 students, a new Music Centre with a repurposed hall and enhanced practice facilities, and a specialist Science/STEM room have provided our boys (and girls in our ELC) with such excellent learning opportunities. A further cause for gratitude is the vast Year 1 students Luke Alvarez, Eli Langman, Geordan Kypreos and Nicholas Paradise array of learning experiences our share the words they would like to use in their writing. Photo: Richard Wearne. dedicated staff offer Wyvern students. Some examples are included in this theend of the year, it is entirely boys, plusthe odd humorous anecdote edition of News. On a daily basis I am appropriate that we reflect on his thrown in for good measure. Teachers impressed by the breadth of opportunity wonderful support and vision for Wyvern. report that, following these visits, it can our students have and the variety of He has been the architect of much of the take some time to stabilise their classes! ways teachers challenge them to engage upgraded facility work already mentioned, At the heart of Dr Mulford’s engagement in exciting and enjoyable activities that but moreover, his lasting impact is the with Wyvern students is a restlessness ignite early sparks of interest, which we deep connectionhe has forged with to continually improve the learning, care Wyvern students. Our teachers secretly and support for our boys and for that, all hope will flourish into passions that last live in fear of a visit by Dr Mulford to well beyond the preparatory school years their classrooms, as he tends to leave a of us at Wyvern are truly grateful. . As Newington College’s Headmaster trail of destructionwithhis unusual but Mr Ian Holden Dr Mulford approaches his retirement at always thought-provokingquestioning of Head of Wyvern House Shakespeare comes to Wyvern Wyvern students embraced the bard in The festival used Shakespeare’s work as June as the biennial Wyvern Shakespeare a catalyst for inspiring and engaging Festival took over the campus. activities across every subject area, The Bell Shakespeare Company spent a including STEM, music, languages and art. week in residence, leading workshops and As part of the festival, staff participated activities for boys from Kindergarten to in a professional development workshop Year 6 as they were immersed in works that with the Actors in Residence to develop included Macbeth, Twelfth Night, The their teaching and learning during the Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. festival and beyond. Roman Lewis designing Macbeth’s dagger. Year 3 boys Jacob Ibrahim, Finnian Herrig, Wyvern students give acting a go with boys from the Stanmore 7–12 campus Middle Hari Das and Jack Cornish making the magic School production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. potion from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. GRATITUDE | NEWS SPRING 2018| 37