“Tell us how we measure up?” Researching whole College performance in 2017

Over the next few months, Newington is undertaking a whole College Research Project. With the assistance of the Macquarie Marketing Group ✦ Education (MMG✦Education) custom surveys will be emailed via the College’s contact lists to Old Boys, current parents, current staff and all boys of the College from Years 5-12. These lists provide just over 11,000 potential respondents.

This is the first time a study of this size has been undertaken to investigate the levels of satisfaction and performance of the College. Importantly, we are doing this from the perspective of all of its stakeholders and at the one time. This 2017 snapshot is also seeking to establish levels of interest from the whole College Community for possible future directions—up to five years hence. The College Council and Senior Staff are very keen that the needs, expectations and opinions of as many members of the Newington Community inform the operational and strategic decisions they take now, and in the near future.

The survey for Old Boys is the first of the four to be sent and is a strictly confidential, online instrument. It will be sent directly from MMG✦Education to all email addresses currently in our database, and returned only to them. Newington will not see individual surveys and the results will only be provided to us as aggregated data.

MMG✦Education works with many independent schools in Australia in researching their performance. This means that they will be able to provide benchmarks for Newington’s performance against the experience and perceptions of many similar schools.

The survey for Old Boys will be sent in the week of 5 June 2017. If you do not wish to receive the invitation to complete the survey please email “NO SURVEY” to ONU Alumni Officer Ms Jennifer Chapman If you have any queries about the survey, please email or telephone Director of Community and Development Mr Rod Bosman (ON 1978), who will be happy to help you, T: +61 2 9568 9540.

We would like to sincerely thank you in advance should you choose to participate. Your input will be most valuable to the College and is greatly appreciated.

ONU Dinner 28 July 2017 – Doltone House

The ONU Annual Dinner is back in 2017!

The date for the 2017 Dinner will be Friday 28th July and with ‘Back to Newington Day’ following on Saturday 29th July…it will be an all NEW weekend. 

The ONU look forward to seeing as many Old Boys attend and help fundraise for Nick Dempsey (ON 2014), our own water polo champion who broke his neck and now needs our help to aid his rehabilitation.

ANZAC DAY 2017

ANZAC DAY PARADE – 28 April 2017 

The Newington College ANZAC Day Parade was held on Friday 28 April 2017.   Lt William Van Asperen (ON 2006) bugle call signaled the commencement of the Parade.  The College Cadets were joined on Parade by guests  – Pipes and Drums of Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon (Pipe Major Madeleine Maloof, Drum Major Claudia Adams).

The Inspection of Cadets was conducted by Reviewing Officers : Flight Lieutenant (Ret) Ron Leckie (ON 1939) and Commanding Officer, Major Rodney Wood.

Ron Leckie (ON 1939)

Ron Leckie (ON 1939) attended Newington College from 1937 to 1939, during which time he served in the College’s Cadet Corps.

Ron joined the Army in 1941, but re-enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force a year later, reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant during his service.  In 1944 Ron was part of ‘thrilling and grim story’ (as described by The Newingtonian) when his Beaufighter’s engines were damaged by enemy fire and the crew managed to bring the plane limping home across 350 miles of the Arafura Sea.

Ron’s three sons, David (ON 1968), Stuart (ON 1970) and Ian (ON 1973), all attended Newington, as did his grandson Tim (ON 1993).  Ron served as President of the Old Newingtonians’ Union in 1987-88 and as founding Chairman and long-serving Committee member of the 70 Club, the College’s alumni body for Old Newingtonians over 70 years of age.

ANZAC Day – Sydney

Mr Clive Woosnam OAM (Past Staff) shared his ANZAC Day with Murray Mayday (ON 1983).  Clive performs in the choir at the official lunchtime ceremony at the end of the march at the ANZAC Memorial and Pool of Reflection in Hyde Park.  This year the choir was accompanied by the Police Concert Band, whose Commander is Murray Mayday.  

ANZAC DAY 2017 – Re-dedicating Johnson Oval

One of the highlights of the Anzac Parade was the re-dedication of the Johnson Oval — named in memory of Gunner Jack Johnson (ON 1913) — as a war memorial a hundred years after his death in the First World War.

John ‘Jack’ Johnson attended Newington College from 1910 to 1913. A keen cricketer, rugby player, athlete and Cadet, he was described in The Newingtonian as ‘deservedly one of the most popular boys in the School … beloved by masters and boys alike.’ After enlisting in 1916 he served with the Artillery on the Western Front. He was severely wounded during a German bombardment of his battery’s position at Ypres and died on 23 October 1917.

Wishing to establish a perpetual memorial to their son, Jack’s parents funded the construction of a new oval, saying ‘it was just the kind of thing he would have delighted to see done.’ Previously a rough field, unsatisfactory for cricket or football matches, the construction involved extensive excavation, levelling and drainage works and provided the College with ‘a football area of full size’ for the first time. Jack’s parents also erected a brass memorial tablet in his memory, joining the others already on the walls of the Prescott Hall. These tablets now line the Chapel Walkway.

The College was honoured to have Jack’s niece, Dr Valerie Havyatt, and her sons Geoffrey and Warwick Havyatt, to represent Jack’s family for the re-dedication of the Johnson Oval. The formal act of re-dedication was the unveiling of a plaque by the Deputy Chairman of the College Council, his Honour Magistrate Greg Grogin (ON 1976). At a morning tea for guests after the Parade, the Headmaster, Dr Mulford, presented the plaque to Dr Havyatt. A fully weatherproofed version will be installed on the Johnson Scoreboard.

Jack Johnson was a member of the College’s Cadet Team who were the Commonwealth Champions in the 1912-13 Cadet Competitions. Each member of the team was presented with a gold medal at a parade at Newington in March 1914. Following the re-dedication ceremony, Dr Havyatt generously presented Jack’s medal to the College, received on our behalf by Major Rodney Wood, Commanding Officer of the Newington College Cadet Unit.

Dr Havyatt, with her sons, also honoured Jack Johnson’s memory by laying a wreath at the Memorial to the Dead and, after the Parade, placing a poppy by his name on the 1914–18 Honour Roll at the entrance to the Founders Building.

Finding Dr Havyatt and her family was a result of good fortune. Back in 2002, she visited the College and sent us a copy of an article that she had written about Jack. Re-discovering the article in the Archives this year, we were able to track down the family, despite changed contact details, thanks to a family tree attached to the article.

In many ways, Jack Johnson’s story epitomises the impact of the War on so many young men: keen to do his duty, despite the awful risks, his young life cut short by the cruel lottery of war. Unlike our other Fallen, however, Jack is remembered in a name that we use every day, now dedicated again a century later.

Lest we forget.

David Roberts – Archivist

2016 Newington Medal

The Newington Medal recognises outstanding contributions, actions and achievements of Old Boys who have made a significant difference to the welfare and future of the College and to the quality of life of Australians or to humanity in countries around the world. The medal acknowledges an Old Boy (both Australian and international residents) whose work, profession, skill, dedication, generosity and/or support has involved meritorious and commendable achievement in business, the professions, community service, industrial development, technology, human relations, education, cultural development, sport, international relations, the arts or philanthropy.

Dr Ian Penn (ON 1970), Dr David Mulford (Headmaster), Mr Ian Webster (ON 1970)

NEWINGTON MEDAL (AUSTRALIA) 2016 – MR IAN WEBSTER (ON 1970)

Ian Webster was a student at Newington College from 1963 to 1970. He is one of many of the greater Webster Family to have attended Newington over many decades.
Ian was a Prefect and achieved good results in the 1970 HSC, being awarded a Commonwealth University Scholarship. During his time at the College he was a keen sportsman, but enjoyed and excelled in the Cadet Unit. By 1969 he was appointed a Cadet Unit Officer (CUO), commanding 2 Platoon in A Company, and in his final year Ian was appointed Senior CUO, the student post with the highest responsibilities.
Since leaving Newington College, Ian has been a leader in the Australian publishing world. Universal Publishing for many years produced the annual Gregory’s Street Directory and following sale of the business in 2009, Ian was appointed Managing Director, a position he held until 2012.
Ian has also run a very successful family business, Sally Milner Publishing, for many years as well as the family’s rural property at Binda in southern NSW.
Ian’s service to Newington over the years has been immeasurable. He has been a member of the ONU Council or a Country Vice President for most of his adult life and served as President of the Old Newingtonians’ Union from 1993 to 1994. In 2002 he was elected as an ONU Member of the College Council and served with distinction in that role for over a decade.
Ian is also an enthusiastic supporter of the College’s philanthropic endeavours. He was the founding Chairman of the ONU Centennial Trust, nurturing it in the early days and helping it grow into the respected foundation it is today some 20 years later. Ian is also a founding member of the Founders Society, the College’s Bequest Program.
Ian was the inaugural Chairman of the College’s Sesquicentenary Committee and was responsible for setting the Committee on a path that led to the successful Sesquicentenary celebrations for the College in 2013. Ian also provided, at no cost to the College, the editing and publishing resources for the Sesquicentenary History Book published that year.
Ian’s connections with Newington took on a further dimension when his sons Alexander (ON 2003) and Thomas (ON 2007) attended the College. No doubt, we will see more generations of Webster’s at Newington in the years to come.
Ian’s leadership in the publishing industry and his lifetime support of the Newington community as an Old Boy provide an inspirational example of achievement for past and present students of the College. It is an honour to name Ian Webster as the Newington Medallist (Australia) for 2016.

NEWINGTON MEDAL (INTERNATIONAL) 2016 – DR IAN PENN (ON 1970)

Ian Penn was a student at Newington College from 1966 to 1970. He was a member of the Student Representative Council in 1968 and the Fletcher/Metcalfe House Vice Captain in 1970. Awarded a Commonwealth Secondary Scholarship in 1968, Ian was identified by his teachers as, “Having gifted qualities and a fine academic future.” Ian also achieved success as a member of the College’s 1st Debating team and on the stage where he played the role of Caliban in the Tribal-Love-Hate Musical, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, in his final year.
Ian went on to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at The University of Sydney, then in Interventional Cardiology in Calgary, Alberta and subsequently in Phoenix, Arizona where he worked with Dr Richard Schatz, the pioneer of coronary artery stents.

Dr Ian Penn spent over 20 years developing coronary stents, initiating and implementing a Canadian trials group that investigated their safety and efficacy in the early 1990s. From 1992–2000 he was Director of Interventional Cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital and is a co-founder of Evasc, an endovascular medical device company.
Often referred to as a cardiologist and an artist, Ian Penn completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver to accompany his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He has also studied Philosophy and Political Science. Ian Penn is the son of Holocaust survivor parents and it is this family history that has strongly influenced his art. His first solo exhibition was held in 2011 at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre where he explored the second generation’s relationship to the Holocaust through a number of media.
Ian has been recognised for his work in the art world and was awarded the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver Emerging Artist’s Award upon graduation from Emily Carr. He has published over 120 abstracts and articles and has an active art practice.
Through his remarkable body of work, both in medicine and art and the impact that both have had on the world’s population, Dr Ian Penn has brought great accolades to himself, his family and Newington College. It is with much honour that the College awards the Newington Medal
(International) 2016, to Dr Ian Penn.

Nominations for the 2017 Newington Medal close 31 August 2017. Please click here for more information and to download the application form: 

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – DR IAN PENN (ON 1970)

Dr Penn is not only our current Newington Medal (International) winner, he is also the College’s Artist in Residence at Concordia.  Dr Penn has been working with the senior visual arts students, sharing his love of art and encouraging them to take risks with their work.

Phillip Harris Davis OAM (1924 – 2017)

It can seem a cliché to say that a teacher was loved by generations of students, but in Phil Davis’ case it was simply true. He taught for forty-six years, all but three at Newington, and was a member of the staff for fifty years, making him the third-longest serving staff member in the College’s history.

Phillip Harris Davis served as an Army Radar Technician in northern Australia in the Second World War. After being ‘de-mobbed’ he gained teaching qualifications and taught at Granville Technical College. He was appointed to teach Mathematics and Science at Newington in 1951.

In 1953, Phil instituted the Remedial Class (‘3R’), in which he taught all subjects except English until 1956.  After this, he concentrated on Mathematics, teaching it to the Leaving Certificate, and then the HSC, level, His black jacket, embedded with chalk dust, became a part of Newington folklore. His approach to teaching endeared him to his students. ‘My style is that students really have to enjoy maths to learn it,’ he said in 2000. ‘You have to give a bit of humour to the lesson and you have to give students a sense of accomplishment.’ He was also thoroughly organised and invested much time in lesson planning.

Phil joined the College’s Cadet Corps as an officer in 1953 and served as its Commanding Officer from 1954 to 1963. He led a succession of innovations and raised standards in the unit to a level equal to the best in the country.

In the 1950s Phil coached Cricket and Rugby teams and later had charge of the Sports kit room, ensuring that equipment was well organised and cared for by the boys. He had many other roles, at different times serving as a Housemaster, Secretary of the Housemasters’ meetings, and Chairman of the Common Room, and organising Speech Nights, prizes, school photographs, detentions, transport and examinations. Less formally, he performed as part of a staff barbershop quartet and was known for his Al Jolson routine at many functions.

Phil gave long service to the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of NSW (AAGPS), serving as Shooting Convenor, then as Honorary Treasurer for twenty years and subsequently as Vice-President.

Phil retired from teaching in 1993 and served in administrative roles until retiring at the end of 2000. In 2003 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to education, particularly through Newington College, and to the community. He was a member of the Honorary Common Room, while he had already been elected an Honorary Life Member of the Old Newingtonians’ Union in 1984.

Phil remained an active participant in College life, attending numerous reunions of past students and staff, 70 Club events and less formal get-togethers. From 2004 he served as a volunteer in the College Archives, where his orderly mind and unparalleled knowledge of Newington were invaluable. He was the Co-Patron of the Founders Society, the College’s bequest program. In 2014 he provided funds to establish the Phillip Davis OAM Mathematics Bursary Fund. The same year the Year 12 Common Room was named in his honour.

Phil Davis was a member of the Newington family for sixty-six years. We mourn his passing but will remember his life and service with love and gratitude.

Phillip Davis OAM Mathematics Bursary

In 1951 a young Phillip Davis first walked through the Millner Gates and realised there and then that he had “found his home”. 66 years later, through the Bursary he established, the Late Phil Davis’ legacy will continue to educate boys of Mathematical ability at Newington.

The Phillip Davis OAM Mathematics Bursary was established by Mr Davis in 2014 to celebrate his 90^th Birthday and to emphasise to all that “you can’t take it with you”. As Co-Patron of the Founders Society – the College’s Bequest program, Phil was keen to promote the idea of leaving a legacy that will extend long after one’s lifetime.

And so, whilst we now mourn Phil’s passing, we can rejoice in his generous philanthropy that established this Bursary in his memory. But Phil knew his legacy alone would not be enough and was confident that those Old Boys he taught over the years would support his vision in his memory.

It is only through the generosity of an anonymous Old Boy, known only to Phil, that this Bursary was able to commence during his lifetime. But to guarantee the future of the Davis Bursary we need your support.

What better way to say “thank you” to Phil Davis for the start in life that he gave you, than to support his call to donate to his Bursary. Every donation, large or small; single or by regular giving; cash or by way of provision in your Will, is a personal gift to recognize a life of devotion to you and your fellow students. He was a Newington Man through and through.

You can donate directly via the College’s Community website or contact Director of Community and Development Rod Bosman (ON 1978) at rbosman@newington.nsw.edu.au or 02 9568 9540 if you would like to discuss your support.

Phil Davis was a Newington man through and through. We have lost a Living Legend but gained a legacy that neither time or man can erase.

70 Club Lunch – 2nd May 2017

70 Club Lunch – 2^nd May 2017

Centenary Hall was buzzing with stories of the good old days from the members and guests of the Newington College 70 Club, at their Annual Lunch held on Tuesday 2^nd May.

The group started the day reminiscing in the Old Chapel with drinks and canapés to the tunes from “The Newtones” lead by Gary Kingcott (ON 1957), Geoff Wilson (ON 1960), John Newton (ON 1951) and new member Rob Wild (ON 1965).

After a tour of the new Drama Centre and Tupou College Centre the group moved to the Centenary Hall where the chatter became louder and the stories became more colourful.

Rev Geordie Barham commenced the lunch with the “Breaking of Bread” Ceremony which has been introduced to the 70 Club formalities serving as an age old ceremony. The “Breaking of Bread” signifies the shared bond between kindred relationships and as the loaf of bread is passed around the table each person takes a piece and echo the words of the school motto ‘In Fide Scientiam’ – to ‘faith add knowledge’.

Chairman of the70 Club, Gil Morgan (ON 1958) welcomed the members and guests that had travelled from far and wide to meet up for Newington Fellowship. Senior Prefect, Mitchell Long 2017 gave a speech evoking the Heritage of Newington and how he hopes one day that he will be attending a similar reunion lunch with classmates and continuing his fellowship.

Headmaster, Dr David Mulford kindly organised a musical operatic piece from Old Boy Leon Vitogiannis (ON 2016) that stirred the proud emotions of the Old Boys. Dr Mulford also presented a snap shot of the College Vision and where we are headed to in the future, all the Old Boys were suitably impressed that the College is good hands.

Birthday wishes, stories from the past and rekindling friendships for the future is what the lunch is about and when it came to singing the College Song, “Dear Newingtonia” very few members had to read the words. We look forward to seeing a return of all the members to the 20^th Anniversary 70 Club Lunch on Tuesday 8 May 2018.

2017 Newington College Golf Day

On Thursday, 3 March, the Annual Newington Golf Day was held at the Concord Golf Club to raise funds for the ONU Mental Health Fund and the ONU Tongan Bursary. This year, despite inclement weather, there were over 115 Old Boys, parents, sponsors and friends in attendance. The day has now been opened to include current parents and corporate sponsors and in 2018, we hope to increase the number of ladies in attendance.

The Golf Committee of Mr Ian Mayer (ON 1981), Mr David Gillard (ON 1992) and Mr Nigel Watson (ON 1993), supported by the Office of Community and Development, organised a day of golfing tips, putting competitions and the ever-popular Hole in One competition on the 4th with the chance to win a Toyota Ascent, courtesy of our biggest sponsor, Chatswood Toyota. Though no one managed to sink a hole in one on the 4th, a highlight of the day was Mr Adrian Service’s hole in one on the 7th.  With the prize car safely back at Chatswood, many golfers including Mr Service promised they would be back again next year to take on the challenge again.  

Creating this annual event has brought the Newington community closer together, and the heartfelt words from Newington School Counsellor Mr Stan Comino made everyone realise the importance of supporting the ONU Mental Health Fund. Mr Comino said that the Mental Health Fund is doing great work in providing support for those Old Boys and their families affected by depression.

ALUMNI TROPHY HONOUR ROLL

HF ROFE MEMORIAL CUP

Newington’s Endowment Fund

In previous ONU Newsletters, we have been proud to let you know all about the College’s Endowment Fund. The Fund was successfully launched at the P&F Newington Ball in September 2016 with some 600 parents and quite a few Old Boys donating a combined $170,000 to kick start the Newington parents’ involvement in supporting the Endowment Fund.

The Endowment Fund has the goal to raise sufficient funds to provide up to 100 Bursaries at any one time, so that Boys of Promise whose families cannot afford a Newington education have the opportunity to become Newington Men of Substance. Newington’s diversity has always been its strength and the Endowment Fund will ensure that in perpetuity, our socio-economic diversity will be maintained – for the benefit of all the boys at Newington.

We currently have a small number of Bursaries operating that some of you have or are generously supporting. The Chris Wild Indigenous Bursary and the Phillip Davis OAM Mathematics Bursary are two that warrant continued Old Boy support. The Old Boy Trustees of the Chris Wild Indigenous Bursary have set a goal to fundraise $5 million so that every year, an Indigenous boy can be provided the opportunity of a Newington education.

With Phil Davis’ passing earlier this year, the opportunity is there for every Old Boy to chip in and fulfil his vision for a Mathematics Bursary in his memory. As the Patron of the Founders Society, Phil has substantially contributed through his Will but we need the support of every Old Boy from the last 66 years, to make Phil’s vision a reality.

As an Old Boy, we hope that you have had the chance to reflect on the value of your Newington education. We hope that now you may think it would be a good thing to provide, in a small way, the opportunity for another boy, not in as secure financial circumstances, to also benefit from a Newington education.

With the end of the financial year fast approaching, a fully tax deductible donation to the Wild or Davis Bursaries or the Endowment Fund itself, will make a big difference to another boy’s life, forever.

Newington’s Bursary program and the Endowment Fund is ambitious but essential, if we are to keep Newington available for all boys, of all backgrounds. Will you help us meet this goal? To make a donation or find out more, click on this link to visit our Foundation Website.

They say that one can only see so far because we stand on the shoulders of giants that have come before. Will you join us in being the giants for the next Newington generation?

Reunions

Class of 1987 – 30 Year Reunion

On Saturday 6 May 2017, 36 Old Boys from the Class of 1987 returned to Newington to celebrate 30 years since graduation.  After watching Newington First XV play Riverview First XV, the Class of 1987 went on a College tour, led by Rod Bosman (ON 1978) Director of Community and Development.  Pre dinner drinks were served in the foyer of the Phil Davis Year 12 Common Room and an update on the College was delivered by Mr David Roberts (Deputy Headmaster/Head of Stanmore).  Dinner was served and lots of stories of their time at Newington shared. A great night was had by all.

UPCOMING REUNIONS

Class of 1972 – 45 Year Reunion – Date to be advised

27 May 2017

Class of 1992 – 25 Year Reunion

Class of 1997 – 20 Year Reunion

3 June 2017

Class of 1977 – 40 Year Reunion

28 October 2017

Class of 1967 – 50 Year Reunion Dinner

If you wish to attend a reunion, please register via: www.newington.nsw.edu.au

alternatively please contact Jennifer Chapman (Alumni Officer) alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au or on 02-9568 9544

Achieving Alumni

RUGBY UNION

Olivier Dumas (ON 2013) competed in the 2017 Penn Mutual Varsity Cup National Championship on the weekend.  Olivier who is Lock for UC – Berkeley (CalBears) defeated Arkansas State (43-13) at Santa Clara University. The win was the 32nd overall National Championship for CalBears.

CRICKET

Jordan Gauci (ON 2015) has been selected to join Cricket Australia’s 2017 National Performance Squad.  Cricketers selected for this squad have been identified as players capable of competing at international level for Australia within the next five years.

CRICKET

Elliot Richtor (ON 2005) was awarded The O’Reilly Medal as the Joint Player of the Year in the McDonald’s NSW Premier Cricket First Grade Competition.  Elliott shares the award with his Gordon teammate Mason Crane.  The O’Reilly Medal is named in honour of former New South Wales and Australian leg-spinner, and journalist, Bill O’Reilly.

FOOTBALL

Jonathan Aspropotamitis (ON 2014) Currently playing for Western Sydney Wanderers, has been named in the Australian Under 23 National team.  Due to his excellent 2016/17 Season with Western Sydney Wanderers, Jonathan was also nominated for the NAB Young Player of the Year.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Cameron Murray (ON 2015) Currently playing for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cameron has recently been selected for the Junior Kangaroos squad.  Cameron’s first match as a Junior Kangaroo was held on Friday 5 May 2017 against Junior Kiwis in Canberra. Junior Kangaroos won 46-22.

WATER POLO

Anthony Hrysanthos (ON 2013) has been named in the Australian Men’s Water Polo Team (The Aussie Sharks).  In April 2017, Anthony represented Australia in the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament which was held on the Gold Coast.

BASKETBALL

Grant Anticevich (ON 2016) has committed to play Basketball for UC – Berkeley (CalBears) in 2017.

Connor Miller (ON 2015) and Lewis Holey (ON 2012) are now playing basketball with Vermont Technical College in Randolph Vermont, Connor as a Guard and Lewis as Forward.  Both are studying Business in this well regarded college.

Lewis Holey was named as USCAA Men’s Basketball Division II Honourable Mention.  He also earned 1st team All-Conference honours at the Yankee Small College Conference Banquet during the end of season conference tournament.

Harry Crouch selected for World Junior Rowing Championships

On Saturday 29th April, Year 11 student Harry Crouch was selected to represent Australia at the World Junior Rowing Championships, to be held in Trakai, Lithuania in August 2017. Harry was selected to row in the two seat of the Under 19 Men’s Quad Scull. The crew is made up of four rowers from Sydney. The other three rowers are Year 12 students, two currently at Shore (Jackson Kench and Lachlan Stevenson) and the other at St Augustine’s (Daniel Samus).

In order to gain selection, Harry competed in a series of selection races spread over a week at Penrith. The selection trials commenced with a 2k erg test, in which Harry achieved his PB time of 6min 15 seconds. This placed him third overall on weight adjusted ranking out of 80 rowers trying out for the team. Harry then went through a series of sculling races, in which he ended up ranked 4th overall in a very high quality field. This ranking ensured Harry was able to be placed in a strong crew for the remainder of the trials and his crew ended up going well under the bench mark times set by the Australian rowing selectors. The trials were a harrowing experience, with trialling rowers being cut out each day in Survivor elimination style.

To make this feat more remarkable, in the two weeks leading into the selection regatta, Harry effectively trained on his own, as he went home to Condobolin for the holidays, many miles from the nearest rowing club or coaches. Harry had to travel considerable distances in order to row each day. He split his training across three different waterways. Long rows were done out at Lake Cargelligo, while shorter rows were done on a small dam near Condobolin or on a creek near Forbes. In addition, Harry’s house was severely damaged in floods earlier in the year and his family has had to live in a caravan.

We commend Harry on this achievement and we wish him all the best with the hard training that he will do through the winter in preparation for the World Championships. 

2017 ONU Careers Expo

A call out to Old Boys to participate in the ONU Careers Expo, Tuesday 6 June 2017.  This is an opportunity for you to share your work knowledge and industry experience with current students.  If you wish to participate, please register here: – https://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/community/alumni/careers-expo/

Rugby Season Launch – 2nd June 2017

The Rugby Season is upon us and the Annual Newington College Rugby Season Lunch will be held again. Parents, past parents and friends of Newington are invited to attend the lunch.

We would like you to join our celebrations. Come along or create a table of ten, a fantastic way to ctach up with the families of Newington

The details are below:

Rugby Season Launch

Date: 2^nd June 2017

Time: 12-4pm

Venue: Dockside, Darling Harbour.

Guest Speaker – Benn Robinson (72 Caps for Wallabies 2006-2015)

MC – Gordon Bray (The Voice of Rugby)

It’s a great fundraising event for the Newington College Rugby Association and you can book tickets online by clicking here

When completing your details, select the special requirements section and include that you would like to sit on your year group and we can do the rest.

If you have any questions or queries about the 2017 Rugby Season Launch please contact

Paul Rathborne – pljrat@gmail.com or Mobile 0418 622976

Back to Newington Day – Saturday 29 July 2017.

Back to Newington Day is our annual on-campus celebration and you’re invited!

Come in for fresh produce, gorgeous flowers, delicious fruit and veggie boxes, hot soup, hot corn, the all-day breakfast, ‘Big BBQ’, dessert crêpes, homemade cakes, sweets and lemonade, gelato and much more.
Browse in the Marketplace for stylish gifts, homewares, jewellery, recycled and new fashion and novelty items. And for the little ones, there are games and activities galore. 

Everyone is Welcome to come Back to Newington.

Latest – NEWS Magazine

Keep up to date with Newington NEWS. 

The Autumn 2017 edition is now available. Click on the link below to view the magazine.

Newington NEWS Magazine 

“Discover what’s Possible”  

Olympics in reach for Wallaby’s Daughter

Congratulations to Phil Kearns (ON 1984) and Julie Kearns – an article from The Australian 17 April 2017

Tilly Kearns has already achieved considerable sporting success even before we start talking of her goal to play water polo at an Olympic Games.

The teenager has been able to loosen rugby union’s grip on her famous Wallaby father Phil Kearns and get some chlorine on his skin as opposed to Dencorub.

Kearns, who won two World Cups in his 67 Tests for Australia, actually played water polo until the age of 16 before rugby took over.

“I knew it was a great game so I was thrilled when she decided to go in that direction,” Kearns said.

“I was driving home with her one time and tried to give her some advice about water polo and she said ‘Dad, how would you know, you don’t even play it’. So I started playing water polo again.”

He is now a proud member of the Wizards men’s social team.

“It’s a great bunch of old blokes. Our goalie is 71.”

Tilly, 16, is on her own sporting springboard by being named in a 19-player squad for the Stingers, Australia’s women’s water polo team. The squad goes into a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport next week, where 13 will emerge to play several internationals before the July world championships in Hungary.

“The Olympics is the main goal for me whether it’s the next one in Tokyo or the one after in 2024,” she said. “I’ve got enough motivation that if I don’t make this one, I’ll go for the next one.”

She plays in the national water polo league for the Sydney Uni Lions, which boasts four Olym­pians including Rio Stingers member Hannah Buckling.

“Tilly is a very talented player who is only 16. She has great determination,” Buckling said. “She’s only lacking in experience and that’s what she’s going to get in spades this year.

“We only have five from the Rio Olympic squad still continuing in the sport so there’s sweeping change moving across the team and Tilly can be one who benefits from that.”

Tilly counts herself lucky to have her parents supporting her in the background.

“He and mum (Julie) are great for advice but Dad has the experience behind him from playing rugby. He has really helped me on the mental side. He knows when I’m tired or when I’m not playing well, and knows how to bring me out of it.”

Kearns said: “I just want her to love what she’s doing and the way she’s going at the moment she’s on a wonderful trajectory to achieve that goal of being an Olympian.

“My job is make sure she keeps enjoying that journey. I’ve seen kids pushed by parents and fail, and I’ve also seen kids that have done too much, too early, and fail.

“It’s a delicate balance for ­parents.”

Tilly is in Perth for the under-18 club championships with the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers. Phil is with his second daughter Andie at the under-14 club titles on the Gold Coast.

“We’re doing Easter on either side of the continent,” he said.