After an exciting and information-filled first two days of school, our young men embarked on one of the highlights of their first term at Newington – the mighty Year 7 camp!

The camp at Stanwell Tops encourages our students and mentors to build on the initial friendships they have developed in Week 1, as well as giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves through a range of activities. The momentum this camp generates for our year group, together with the positive life lessons of friendship, cooperation, teamwork and honesty ensures that our boys start the year in the best way possible.

The camp was certainly a success with many of the boys sharing their positive experiences of the trip:

Angus Ole (7/PR) wrote, “On the 1st of February, a group of very excited Year 7s, our enthusiastic mentors and some keen Year 11 Peer Support leaders set off for Stanwell Tops, a sport and recreation camp organized by the very best! They even took our bags off the bus so we could relax and just have fun!” 

With heaps of activities arranged for the boys, there wasn’t a dull moment! Edward Moir (7/ME) was a big fan of the mountain bike riding, saying that “the track was all wet and muddy and I enjoyed doing skids in the dirt.”

There were also plenty of learning opportunities on offer with boys participating in a lesson on Aboriginal culture, which Clinton Walsh (7/KL) said was “both interesting and engaging! The weapons and tools were impressive and the boomerang throwing was terrific.”

Most importantly perhaps about the camp was that it was a great way to make new and lasting friendships with other Year 7 boys. “It benefited not just me but all of us to make new friends,” said Peter Dendrinos (7/MO). “This has wiped out all my worries and fears about making new friends and has set me up for the rest of the year and maybe most of my school life.”

Special thanks to Ms Christian and our fantastic mentors who led the boys with enthusiasm and cared for them with patience and understanding. They make a great team and the young men of Year 7 are certainly in for a memorable year ahead!

Mr David King
Head of Year 7