Build yourself and strive to be the Newington Man; because you never know when you’ll need him.

Robert Morrison ON’07, Special Guest at Academic Excellence Assembly

BYOD Forum: Tuesday 6 March

I invite all parents to our forum on ‘the journey of BYOD’ next Tuesday 6 March in the new Old Boys Lecture Theatre, Rae Centre. Parents attending will be briefed by key staff on what we have learnt over the past five weeks and the new measures adopted to make the boys’ learning more effective. There will also be time for you to share your son’s experience after his first weeks of term! Please join us! For more information or if you have deliberate questions to be addressed, please call Melinda Grant on 9568 9359.

The Academic Excellence Assembly: Last Wednesday, we paid homage to the excellent results of the Class of 2012! Our special guest, former Deputy Senior Prefect, Robert Morrison (ON ’07) gave a rousing address that emphasised the importance of boys pursuing their passion after school. Now a journalist for Channel 9, Robert said: “When you leave you don’t want to be someone who just went to Newington, you want to be someone who embodies it.” The message was well received! Finally the assembly concluded with an enormous ovation for our 2012 Hardy Medallists, Zubin Bilimoria and Jonathan Ciofani! The College gave the former students the ultimate accolade ‘the Newington rumble’! My sincere thanks to Ms Jenny Diab for her expert planning and to our Head of Learning and Teaching, Ms Julia Shea who ensures that the energy and professionalism of our teaching staff are second to none!

May I now please draw your attention to more important administrational matters:

Student Safety

Recently, boys entering the College off Newington Road/Lane have endangered their safety by not looking carefully for traffic that sometimes turns out of Middleton Road too quickly. If you drop your son(s) off outside the college grounds, please deliberately chat to them about their safety.

Late to School

May I please remind all families that boys late to school must report to the pastoral administrator in the Rae Centre, whatever the reason! No exceptions!!

Winter Sports Choices

Please note all Winter sports choice must be complete by Friday 1 March. If your son has not done so, they will automatically default to their winter sports choice in 2012.

Parents on Site

Please note that while parents are always welcome on site, they must sign in at Reception first. Parents are not permitted to visit the Campus unannounced, nor to make unscheduled visits to meet with staff! We are very keen to provide effective communication but please understand that we cannot permit staff to relinquish their duty of care to meet with parents. Please remember that any need for face to face contact can always be arranged via the email or the phone.

Academic Leave Requests

Please also note that all applications for leave from school for one day or more, must be sent to myself in writing or by email. The request for leave should contain the dates being requested and reason, with as much notice as possible, to give the necessary time to consider the request. I will then confirm, in writing, whether or not leave has been granted.

Homework Club and Evening Prep

Supervised study opportunities  have now commenced in the Library. Homework Club offers assistance to boys in English and Maths on alternate days to their sports training from 3.30pm to 4.45 pm. Similarly boys in Years 11 – 12 are invited to join designated teaching staff for private study from 6.00pm to 7.30pm from Monday to Thursday. If you have further enquiries please email Assistant to the Headmaster, Mr Paul Bourke

Embers

I encourage all families to support our 2013 Senior Drama Production Embers. The show opens this Thursday 28 February in the Old Chapel from 7.00pm. We wish the cast and crew every success, confident that all their dedication and commitment will be rewarded! The musical runs until Saturday 2 March. Please book seats with Ms Jane Wynn Jones on 9568 9324 and enjoy this occasion.

Head of the River Regatta – Saturday 9 March 

Finally, I wish our rowers every success next weekend as they plan their final preparations for the 116th AAGPS Head of the River Regatta. A reminder that this is one of four compulsory occasions and all boys are expected to attend. No exemptions will be given and there will be real consequences for boys who fail to attend!

For transport arrangements please click here

What a week ahead!

 Dr Andrew Hirst
 Head of Stanmore