“If we long for our sons to reach their full potential—why give them alcoholic drinks on the weekend, when we know it will have an adverse impact on their developing brain?”

P&F Special Presentation

My sincere thanks to the P&F Executive who sponsored our most recent guest speaker, Australia’s leading drug & alcohol commentator Mr Paul Dillon. Last Wednesday, Paul spoke to Years 10, 11 & 12 as separate year groups and shattered many popular myths that related to the drinking culture. He provided key tips focusing on how to care for friends when they are in need and clearly warned Year 12 of the perils of ‘schoolies’! As one year 12 student reflected, Paul’s presentation was ‘intense’.

The message to staff reinforced many of these themes and provided real strategies for how we can better prevent our boys from short & long term harm. Finally, to almost 200 parents, Paul reiterated the importance of parents providing the ‘tough love’ if we are to be effective in reducing future risk and long term harm. As he stated, “If we long for our sons to reach their full potential—why give them alcoholic drinks on the weekend, when we know it will have an adverse impact on their developing brain”.

Paul concluded, permitting drinking is the choice of parents but if you permit your son to drink, then you must monitor them and particularly establish clear times for when they must come home. It was a wonderful community initiative and already the College has booked Paul in 2013 to speak with our Years 10-12. Please check Paul’s fact sheets and his ‘Ten Tips for Parents’ at www.darta.net.au.

Senior Drama Performance

I commend all the cast and crew of The Popular Mechanicals who gave a comical performance of epic proportions in the Old Chapel Theatre. Well done Ms Smith, Mr Harris and Ms McKenzie.

Music ensembles win more medals

Music continues to excel at the College and under the watchful eye of Mr Luke Gilmour, last weekend our Wind Ensembles won 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal at the NSW Festival of Bands. A fabulous feat indeed, following the Symphonic Winds success in the Secondary School Premium Concert Band section of the Sydney Eisteddfod.

New Absentee Protocol:            

To make communication more immediate, convenient and effective, this week Newington College successfully launched a designated mobile phone number for SMS notification of student absence and a dedicated mobile number for news and arrangement updates. At this stage, only Years 7-12 will receive SMS absence notification. If you have any further enquiries, please call our Communications Director, Ms Pam Hatfield on 9568 9371.

I extend a warm invitation to our annual RockFest Concert this Thursday, 26 July commencing at 7.00pm in Centenary Hall.

Finally, I wish all winter sport and debating teams every success as the GPS competition commences this weekend. I look forward to seeing plenty of ‘character’ on show.

Dr Andrew Hirst
Head of Secondary

Forthcoming events:

Year 8 Subject Information Night: Tuesday, 31 July
Ethics Centre Lecture: Wednesday, 1 August
Year 7 Subject Information Night: Tuesday, 7 August
Year 9 Parent/Teacher Night: Monday, 13 August
Annual Outdoor Camps: 14-18 September