Recently in assembly, I paid tribute to the quiet achievers of our school. The lower profile, out-of-the-spotlight guys. The team players who do the right thing, not for the glory or recognition, but because they have good character. These students are often the no-fuss men of Newington. They are sometimes more quiet, more modest; they talk less and seldom talk themselves up.

Dr David Mulford’s message about a Champion team beats a team of champions last week draws on the fact that less talented people working together is better than a group of stars not doing so. These are the ‘second rows’ rather than the five/eighths; in Rugby, the central defenders or the ‘sweepers’ in Football rather than the ‘strikers’.

So who at Newington College is in this ‘Champion’ team? Who are the unsung heroes; the quiet achievers? Those that behold the character of this institution – quietly, modestly, gradually and thoroughly. Quiet achievers are often good citizens within any community. They are dependable, consistent, and trustworthy and they shape the character of that community. The truth is this would be a very long article if I were to name all of them. To name them all might seem unfair at the risk of missing out so many. These are a few of the unsung heroes. These are by no means all of them but nonetheless worth a mention.

Good citizens like: Matthias Laubi (10/MO), Sam Perivolaris (8/MO) and Deklan Rollason (9/MO). The maturity and co-curricular contribution of Darcy McDonald (9/MO). The immense support that Luke Mathen (10/MO) shows in his House and how many of us know that Adam Chew (12/MO) is Captain of the NSW Fencing Team? Well done Adam. And James Hunt (9/MA) is a NSW Table Tennis champion in his category. Edward Hooper’s (10/JN) assistance with House events such as Chapel and Johnny Ward’s (10/JN) incredible classroom application – not to mention his visits to an elderly care home to cheer the residents’ day.

Miles Bullock (10/JN) and Lucas Greenslade (10/MO) – who each found cash and handed it in! Angus Crump (9/LE) for being the ecological compass and the conscience of sustainability in Le Couteur House and Danny Kalis’s (10/LE) strong sense of empathy and compassion. Kevin Wong (12/LE) has been an excellent Prefect and keeps his House area tidy and often cleans up after the younger boys. Peter Psarris’s (12/LE) perfect punctuality. Evan Favos (10/ME) and Ian Patterson (11/LE) for their excellent effort in class. Alexander O’Dea (8/KL) – we thank you for your House Choir backing video for Kelynack.

To John Ballard (8/PR), Neil Khatri (8/PR) and Liam Taylor (9/PR) for always being a great example to others. To Liam Thomas (11/PR) for encouraging others. To Rowan Smith (12/PR) for your service and your example to the younger boys of Prescott House and to Max Soars (9/PR) – we thank you for your constant looking out for others.

To Alex Bruce (11/MA) for your help and support at Rugby and we thank you for picking up rubbish instead of walking past it. And Chris Bruce (11/FL) who comes to every training session even when injured. To Jake Fitzsimmons (11/FL) for your refereeing and ‘Touch’ judging and also Lachlan White (10/PR) for the same.

And the great promise some of our Year 7s show. Huw James (7/PR) and Karl Slade (7/PR) for your courtesy. Jonty Carr (7/KL) for your organisation of the class lunch. Sam Lydon (7/MO) for your help in class and Broderick Simpkin (7/LE) for your efforts – always 100%. Lachlan Best (7/MA) sets high standards for all to follow and thank you to Ben Clark (7/PR) for your patience and help with peers.

To Anthony Strazzeri (11/FL) for your graphics work for the building plans for Tupou College and Lachlan Fisher (10/FL) for tutoring other students after school. To Pat Kuenzle (12/MA) who helps out with a Rugby team now that he is injured. And James Arya (12/MA), Gabriel Bass-Tracy (7/LE), Hugh Burton (11/KL), Harry Garofani (7/MA), William Mai (9/KL) and Nick Peppercorn (10/PR) for perfect 100% attendance and perfect punctuality all year. The list could go on and on but this article is not designed to divide students and it is not meant to purport that everyone is a ‘winner’ – a trophy for all. It is about recognising the quieter, more modest members of our community. The ones that volunteer, help, support, stand up, contribute towards, set a good example and assist and serve quietly and without a fuss. In short, they contribute to a champion team. We are about to select some school leaders – they cannot lead the boys of this school without the good character of these quiet achievers. Without these quiet achievers this school will not have any depth to its character.

This is by no means all of the quiet achievers but they are a representation of them. I realise that so many quiet achievers have not been mentioned in Assembly or in this article. However, it is my hope that by mentioning a few of them, it may shine a light on others who go about their business in a quiet but enthusiastic manner – doing good for so many.

Whilst we often acknowledge so many high profile boys at Newington because their achievements are so significant, the character of the school is often influenced by the mass of quiet achievers who work hard behind the scenes and often out of the spotlight. The Heads of House are honouring those quiet achievers in the weeks to come.

Mr Bob Meakin
Deputy Head of Stanmore (Students)