Firstly, thank you to all members for the Rowing and College community for the welcome that I have received since moving to Newington. The Rowing facilities are outstanding and I look forward to working with the coaches and boys during the coming months.

A Rowing camp was held during the second week of the holidays and was extremely successful with most boys progressing well in all age groups. The Senior boys have completed many sessions to prepare for the trial process and we wish them well as they aim to achieve their potential. The level of commitment and determination is quite evident throughout the Rowing year groups and we should be very positive about the upcoming regatta season. My sincere thanks to Mr Paul Robertson for his organisation prior to and during the Rowing camp, ensuring we achieved the successful outcomes aimed for, and to the coaches who are committed to fully preparing the boys for racing. Thanks also to Mr Simon Pennington for his significant contribution, not only this year but during his 10 years as Director of Rowing. His contribution has been huge. Finally, to the parents of our rowers, thank you for your support of your son but also of the sporting culture that is so important at the College and at the boat shed. Please read the Rowing Manual, even if you have been involved in Rowing prior to this season.

I remind all parents of the need to be courteous and respectful of our neighbours in and around Checkley Street. Already there has been an unpleasant incident where a car has been parked across a driveway and this has caused, rightly so, some frustration and anger. The whole Newington Rowing community is tarnished when this sort of behaviour occurs and so I implore you to adhere to the instructions regarding not driving in Checkley Street and not parking in a place that will create an issue. Please try to park in the Quarantine Park area and walk across to the Rowing shed to collect your son. We do have the registration number of the car involved in this unsavoury incident but I ask that the parent concerned give me a call to discuss the matter in order to ensure it does not occur again.

Mr Mike Partridge
Director of Rowing