The Academic Excellence Assembly for 2018 was held on Wednesday 20 February in Centenary Hall.

The College recognised a group of young men who achieved exceptional academic success in 2018 and acknowledged the energy and commitment that brought each of them to this point in their lives.

‘Over the course of last year, 233 boys trod their own paths towards the end of the Year 12. Whether it was through the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) or nationally-recgonised qualifications through Vocation Education Pathways (VET) their individual journeys have been just that – individual,’ Deputy Head of Stanmore (Academic), Trent Driver, explained.

Academic Colours were awarded to 18 boys and first in course to 32 boys. We also celebrated 18 boys whose major practical works were selected by NESA as exemplars for exhibition and performance. We awarded the Dux of Edmund Webb Boarding House Rohen Wong (ON 2018), congratulated two HSC all-rounders Raymond Huang (ON 2018) and James Knight (ON 2018) and applauded the 13 boys who received an ATAR or IBDP UAC rank of 99 or above. 

Guest speaker, Theodore Iannuzzi (ON 2013), was Dux of his year with a perfect IBDP mark of 45 and is now studying Medicine. He spoke to the boys about embracing all that Newington has to offer. Theodore referenced fish, butterflies and roosters in his speech and the three main points of his message were:

• Get involved; if you spend too long feeling like a fish out of water you’ll miss out on wonderful opportunities.
• Find the things that give you butterflies in your stomach and pursue them; if you’re doing what you love you’ll go far
• Don’t be a rooster; you’re here to learn, so put in effort to make the most of your education.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients. Please click here to view the program and list of award recipients.