Holiday Trading Hours – Newington College Shop

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Newington College shop will be open at the following times during the 2012/2013 Summer Period:

26 November – 12 December 2012: By Appointment (9.00am – 4.00pm)

7 January – 22 January 2013: By Appointment (9.00am – 4.00pm)

23-25 January 2013: 9.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary)

In Term 1 2013 Trading Hours will return to normal – Monday to Friday 8.00am – 4.30pm. The shop will also be open on Saturday 2 February from 8.00am – 12.00pm.

Sesquicentenary Products of the Week: Newington Monopoly and Pieces

As you are by now no doubt aware, accompanying our impending Sesquicentenary Festivities we have a number of delightful special items available to the Newington Community. For this edition of  B&W we are showcasing our magnificent Newington Monopoly: Limited Sesquicentenary Edition. Newington is the first entity in the Southern Hemisphere to have a customised version of the family favourite, and at just $65 the game is a fantastic addition to any proud Newington household!

To accompany the game we have commissioned a series of Monopoly pieces to add to your game. The solid metal cast pieces include a Wyvern, Varsity Cap,  a school back pack, rugby ball and soccer ball. Set of 5 limited edition pieces: $75

For more information about the game, and the special pieces including how to place an order, please click here.

Newington 12th Annual Film Festival

The 12th Annual Newington College Film Festival will be held on Wednesday 28 November 2012 at 7.00pm in Centenary Hall. Come along to watch the culmination of many hours of hard work for our budding young Tarantinos, Scorceses and DiCaprios—tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students in a night that is sure to leave many thinking they’ve been magically transported to Cannes. There is a sausage sizzle before the event starting at 6.15pm. Watch the trailer below to whet your appetites for what has become one of the most entertaining evenings on the Newington Calendar!

Mr Terence Priester
Director of NC Film Festival

The Room: Drama Production

Library News

Just a quick update this week- Library staff have continued with the collection review in preparation for the Library stocktake and move. (We’re up to our eyeballs in sticky coloured dots, and if you’ve come up to the library recently, you would have heard a lot of ‘Gesundheits’ in amongst the shelves as we stirred up all of the dust…)

We’re looking forward to bringing you a vibrant (and less dusty!) library collection!

I’ve also been checking out the responses to the Wide Reading survey that I sent out to Year 7–10 boys. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to fill it out—your recommendations and feedback are extremely useful!

In addition, I’ve been having a play around with the Library’s new SPACES site. We’re slowly populating it with content, so head over and check it out (don’t forget to become a member of the library space!)

Ms Crystal Choi
Head of Library Services 

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Pathways to the Future

Year 12: After the HSC/IB 2012

UAC Preferences 2013—Finalise by 4 January 2013

Graduating Year 12, 2012 HSC students have until Friday 4 January 2013 to finalise their university preferences for consideration in the Main Round Offers 16 January 2013.

Year 12, 2012 IB students are able to change their preferences for a limited time after they receive their IB Results on 6 January 2013.

Parents and boys are invited to contact Mr Breden and make an appointment to assist with any post secondary planning for 2013 after the release of HSC results (Board of Studies 19 December) and ATAR rank (UAC web release 9.00am 20 December). Discussions may include:

1. Review and change of UAC preferences for Main Round release on 16 January 2013
2. Developing a Plan B (Contingency Plan) to explore pathways options for further education
3. Deciding to take a Gap Year…What does that mean for tertiary study in 2013-14?
4. Exploring TAFE as an option—Apprenticeships and Traineeships
5. Balancing work and study commitments in 2013

Appointments can be scheduled at school on the following days: Monday 17 December through to Friday 21 December 2012. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Breden to discuss anything career and education related.

Tax File Number Applications

Boys aged 13 years or over and still at school are eligible to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the school. Applying for the TFN through the school requires less paperwork and is a quicker process. If you are thinking about getting casual work over the Summer School Holidays, you will more than likely require a TFN. Please see Mr Breden to collect TFN information and an application form.

If you would like to make further enquiries or to make an appointment, please contact me on 02 9568 9429 or Email: jbreden@newington.nsw.edu.au. For boys at school, please drop by the Careers Office located on Level 1, above Prescott House locker area at the back of the Le Couteur Wing (Library).

Mr Jamie Breden
Careers and VET Coordinator

Sport

Above: 1^st VIII powering down the river in the Head of Parramatta Regatta

Rowing

Head of the Parramatta Time Trial—Sat 10/11/12

All of the Senior Crews and two Year 10 Eights competed in the Head of the Parramatta Time Trial last Saturday. Newington crews performed strongly with the 2^nd VIII and 3^rd IV winning their respective events, whilst the 1^st VIII, 2^nd IV, 3^rd VIII and 2^nd Year 10 VIII finished in second place.

Special mention to members of the 3^rd IV, Carl Salamon (11/FL) and Wil Anderson (7/JN) who managed to win in their very first race for the College. This regatta has a point score trophy against The King’s School for the senior eights and fours. Newington was able to take the Downer Trophy in the senior point score for the first time in 11 years.

Above: 2^nd VIII with their winners’ medallions from the Head of Parramatta Regatta and the Downer Trophy

Junior Head of the Parramatta Time Trial – Sat 3/11/12

Congratulations to the Year 9 Quads who competed in the Junior Head of Parramatta Time Trial last Saturday. This race is organised by King’s and it is run in a time trial format where crews are sent off one at a time with 15 second intervals between the crews. Newington, King’s, Scots, St. Josephs, Sydney High and Sydney Grammar all competed.

The results show a dominant performance from the Newington squad. From seven crews entered, five of them finished first and two finished second.

This is a good reward for the positive attitude that the squad has approached the season with thus far. We congratulate all boys who competed and look forward to them continuing to improve as the season progresses.

Athletics

Congratulations again to Morgan McDonald (11/MO) who recently ran a time of 8.17.71 in the NSW Open State 3000m Championships at SOPAC. This was a new personal best for Morgan, beating his own Newington Open record by 26 seconds!

Performance Centre

It’s been an exciting start to the summer season in the Newington Performance Centre. Students of all year groups are generating some momentum with their prescribed programs, and we thought we would take this opportunity to provide some insight of where we are currently at.

Overview

In preparation for the Summer season Years 7-9 have focused on getting attendance up and doing so consistently. With consistency comes progress, and throughout this time students have learnt how to follow their specific program, understand reasoning behind its implementation, combined with the importance of sound technique. Students are challenged in a variety of exercises that may involve lifting their own body weight, or are introduced to other resistance based training devices. Participation on an individual level is encouraged, whilst the core values of the facility are applied (train safe, train smart, and train hard).

Throughout Years 10-12 students have demonstrated a sound fundamental base and understanding of particular exercises, combined with the knowledge of relevance to their particular sport. Students are progressed throughout various challenging lifting exercises, whilst stressing the importance of being capable of moving/supporting their own body weight.

Rowing: Having completed numerous injury prevention strategies targeting their core and surrounding structures, testing results have also indicated sufficient strength within the program. Emphasis now has been on speed of movement to encourage effective power to weight within the boat.

Basketball: With the high workload of the program, it’s been important to devise the most efficient program likely to produce positive effects. Students in the 1sts and 2nds have learnt many key fundamental lifts, whilst ensuring they have the stability to land (absorb their weight), and take-off on both legs as well as each leg individually. A speed/agility session has also been completed weekly to replicate the different movements the court.

Cricket: With the technicality of the sport, much of the learning has taken place on the field, or in the nets. Our cricketers are well equipped as they have completed extensive screening, combined with many injury prevention exercises/strategies. The key philosophy of the Cricket program is to ensure students can support their own weight (particularly on each leg individually), and have sufficient shoulder stability to withstand high torque.

Tennis: Use of the facility is still very new within this sport at the college, however has certainly been embraced. With extensive support from coaches within the program, this has allowed students to excel at the rate they have. Fundamental movement patterns have been established, and are now progressing onto more sport specific exercises that will only improve with better understanding.

Conclusion

All students are welcome within the facility and encouraged to participate. Recently there has been a large uptake from the younger years within the school, which is encouraging to think that at such a young age they have taken very mature steps not only in their sport but also in consideration of their health.

Mark Dickens
Sports Operations Manager 

Year 7 Winter Harvest

Year 7 have once again taken on the responsibility of planting, tending and harvesting their Vegetable Garden. Spurred on by the success of their August visit to Loaves and Fishes restaurant, they continued to work in teams every week, this time with silver beet, beetroot, spinach, coriander, lettuce, snow peas, rocket, cabbage, broccoli and beans. The restaurant, run by The Exodus Foundation, provides not just a hot and nutritious meal each day to many in need, but also healthcare and counselling, and support for children with literacy difficulties and is a great cause for the boys to continue supporting.

Many thanks to all of the year boys who have cared for and grown the Veges, the guidance of Horticulturalist Ms Meredith Kirton and our anonymous contributor. We have one more harvest for the year, due in time for Christmas.

Troy Stanley
Year 7 Program Coordinator 

Top Gear Australia at Newington

Year 11 student Matthew Watson (11/JN) won a luxurious Top Gear excursion just by entering a competition on Facebook.

At 11.00am on Friday 2 November, Top Gear Australia sent out a driver to take me to redeem the competition prize at the Top Gear Australia Office. But the bright orange Lamborghini Gallardo covered in EA Games ‘Need for Speed’ livery was no ordinary ‘Taxi’. The car had already received huge social media attention and I couldn’t believe it was here when it rolled into the gates of Newington College. Discreetly between Period B and 3, members of my mentor group as well as Mr Mountain and Mr Pyke all took photos with the car before I hopped in and was driven off. We cruised down to the Top Gear Australia office for an interview and photo shoot, before spending the remaining hour and a half driving down to Bondi Beach and around the city.

Every intersection we stopped at, there were at least 10 people around the car taking photos and yelling out “Taxi!”. I felt sorry for the driver who had to say the same thing over and over again “It’s not a real taxi, it’s for a promotion”. Despite this though, he picked the best roads to drive along and the stopover at Bondi Beach couldn’t have been better. Recalling the whole day, I think we were lucky to get out of first gear when driving through the congested city streets, but at least I was able to let my ears soak in the V10 engine ticking over at high RPMs. Pulling into school at lunchtime, we were swarmed by kids as we found a path down to Centenary Hall and finally parked the Taxi. Every corner of the car was surrounded by boys eagerly wanting to get a photo, but it was short lived as the driver had to get the car back to the Top Gear office. A few bursts of the throttle provided a great conclusion for the day, with some of the younger kids chasing the car up the driveway as it left. All this just from sharing a post on Facebook, it will be an experience I’ll never forget.

 Matthew Watson

News from Alumni, Archives and Foundation

US Old Boys retain The Nick Farr-Jones Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation Touch Rugby Trophy!

A small but committed group of Old Boys and Parents (both current and future) gathered in Central Park NY recently before the biennial event that same evening. Ian Thomas (ON ’63), Chairman of the Foundation, proudly holds the ball used by our mighty First XV this year. The Foundation is a Newington initiative which now has 28 schools affiliated and provides donors with a tax deductible mechanism for donor support back to the school of their choice. Newington receives approximately $100,000 per year from US and Canadian donors. While not as serious a competition as the AAGPS, they were just as proud to secure the trophy for the second time since its inauguration in 2010.

Class of 1962—50 Year Reunion

The Class of 1962 (incorporating 1961 and 1963) enjoyed a wonderful day on Saturday 3 November for their 50 Year Reunion. The day kicked off with morning tea and a tour of the Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room and a tour of the College and the old Wyvern House, followed by lunch. The Reunion was well-attended by Old Boys and their partners; Mr Ian Thomas (ON ’63) flew in from Vancouver just for the occasion (see more on Ian in the AISUSA Touch Football article), as did Mr Raymond Lu (ON ’62) who flew in from Hong Kong.

There were many stories and a lot of reminiscing especially with Past Master, Mr Phil Davis in attendance. A special thank you goes to Dr Peter Cox (ON ’62) for coordinating this memorable event.

From the Archives: Our First Rugby Representatives

The recent selection of Ben Volavola (ON ’10) for the Waratahs squad of 2013, and of Mark Bannon (ON ’10) and Nathan Roye (ON ’11) for the Randwick Sevens squad in this year’s Singapore Sevens tournament, are the latest chapter in the long history of former Newington students in international and representative rugby; a history that also includes another Old Boy and our current Head of Sport, James Godfrey (ON ’93) who played for the Waratahs from 1996-97.

Nathan Roye had this to say upon his return. “Singapore was outstanding! Never have I played among such a diverse collection of teams from over 27 nations, each demonstrating a level of competition beyond any I have ever come across. Coming in third place and finishing as the top Australian team was merely icing on the cake and I can’t wait to hopefully go again next year!”

Newington’s first Waratah, however, is believed to have been John Cleeve, who was a student here in 1881 and 1882. The Australian Rugby Union’s records show him playing just one Test match for New South Wales, in 1884. The Jubilee Newingtonian of 1913 reports him winning representative caps for the colony against New Zealand in 1884 and Queensland in 1885. Playing as a halfback, he was described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘…a decided acquisition [for the 1884 match against New Zealand], as he is a resolute and hard-working player.’ Closely following Cleeve into the Waratahs were Tom Carr and Percy Colquhoun, both first capped in 1886. Colquhoun played 33 Test matches over the following decade.

James Egan Moulton, Jr., the son of Newington’s founding headmaster, Rev Dr J E Moulton, has the double distinction of being the first Newingtonian to be selected for representative rugby while still at school and the first to play against England. He was selected to play for NSW during the first British rugby tour of ‘the southern colonies’ in 1888. The tour was a private venture, and the 53 matches are not regarded as official Tests, but it is regarded as the first British Lions overseas tour. Moulton was described in The Newingtonian of December 1888 as ‘the crack man’ of the College’s First Fifteen and ‘…[a] splendid drop kick; wonderfully fast and slippery runner; played half-back on the wing.’ He is credited with four representative caps between 1888 and 1892. He later served as Principal of Tupou College, in Tonga, which had been founded by his father in 1866.

We have no photographs of these early players. Our illustration shows the College’s First Fifteen in 1886, after Cleeve, Carr and Colquhoun, but before Moulton.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Exodus Christmas Appeal

Our wonderful College Receptionists; Kathryn Clarke and Cate Lukins have once again set up a Christmas Giving Tree for The Exodus Foundation who, among other things, run the Loaves and Fishes Restaurant in Ashfield, which is regularly supported by our Year 11 Volunteers and our Year 7 vegetable garden.

We are appealing to ALL Newington families to donate items, including non perishable foods and gifts appropriate for all ages, which can be placed under the beautifully decorated Christmas Tree located near Reception.

Exodus will pick these donations up for distribution a week out from Christmas (hopefully they will need a large truck!).

It would be great if we could get each and every boy to bring a contribution and bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the lives of some of our less fortunate neighbours in the Inner West community. To download the flyer, click here.

Mick Madden
Head of Service Learning

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Service Learning Report

Three of our Tongan Boarders Mesui Tufui (11/ME), Vuni Fifita (10/FL) and Melie Laimani (10/FL), recently visited The Metro Rehab Hospital in Petersham, where they performed three Tongan songs and hymns for the elderly patients. Each song chosen brought with it a message of hope and inspiration that was eloquently introduced by Mesui, who acted as compere on this occasion.

Those who have been priveliged to hear these boys sing at assembly and chapel services will know what a real cultural treat it is to hear these young men sing with such passion and amazing harmonies.

The Metro Rehab patients were equally in awe of their voices and expressed their sincere gratitude to the boys for so generously giving of their time. This was an example of Service Learning at its best, where both the givers and recipients derived equally valuable but different rewards from a shared experience!

Mick Madden
Head of Service Learning

Music Workshop with St Catherine's Waverley

Saturday 27 October saw a first for Newington College with a combined music workshop with St Catherine’s School, Waverley. The event involved over 200 high school students in both Band and String Orchestras.

We were fortunate to have St Catherine’s Head of Music performance David Gresham and Head of Music Curriculum Marnie-Ruth Dunstan as well as the Head of Strings Sylwia Waples visit the school and bring their intermediate and senior ensembles as well as their expertise to share with our ensembles. Students spent two hours in rehearsal in the afternoon and each ensemble was able to experience the benefit of a different tutor to their regular ensemble mentor during these sessions. The day culminated in successful performances by both bands and strings. Many parents came to support the students and the response to the evening was overwhelmingly positive.

We hope to make this a regular event on Newington’s and St Catherine’s calendar in the years to come.

Luke Gilmour                               Trevor Mee
        Director of Bands                      Head of Strings

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Secondhand Book Exchange

This year Newington’s Secondhand Book Exchange runs from Thursday 22 November to Wednesday 28 November. The Secondhand Book Exchange enables students to buy and sell secondhand quality compulsory texts at a reduced price. This service is organised and run by the Newington Women’s Group for the benefit of students and their families.

Forms for next year’s books will be distributed on November 16. There are quite a few changes to the Secondhand Book Exchange this year, so please read the following carefully:

To BUY Secondhand books:

• All boys wishing to purchase secondhand books should complete an appropriate BUY form. 
• Ms Angelo in the Student Office will begin collecting completed BUY forms from Monday November 19.
• Orders will be processed in order of receipt.
• We cannot guarantee that CDs will be provided with texts.
• Books will be distributed in the week commencing Monday 26 November.

To SELL Secondhand books:

• Complete an appropriate SELL form and bring it to school with your books.
• We will be collecting books on November 22, 23 and 24 (yes, on Saturday).
• Collection/Sorting will be carried out in the Function Room (a change of location).
• Year 7-12 boys may drop books from 8.00am to 4.00pm on any of these three days.
• Due to book changes and updates, we cannot guarantee the sale of your books. Any unsold books will be considered a donation to the school or sent to for Tupou College in Tonga.
• There is no sale of Year 7 texts as 2013 Year 7 boys will be using digital iPad versions of textbooks only. We are still happy to accept Year 7 texts as donations.

For further information or to download forms, go to Newington Spaces.

Schoolies Advice! Eating, saying NO and perspective

Schoolies is coming up so I thought I would put together some advice for parents and the boys.

I know as parents we all worry about what might happen and what the schoolies might get up to, but keep things in perspective. The media reports on problems, bad behaviour and crime, rather than those who are  having a good time. They don’t make headlines.

Sit down with your son before they leave and run through your concerns. Tell them you want them to have a fun time,  that you expect them to stay safe and to look after each other.

Practical tips:

• ID is essential, wear it at all times and don’t fake it
• Eat before or while drinking alcohol (junk food is OK this week). Parents can run through a few simple meals that can be prepared quickly like spaghetti bolognese, BBQ, tacos.
• Simply say ‘no’ to drugs every time
• Walk away from confrontation—or risk the consequences
• Drink plenty of water
• Keep an eye on your drink—never leave it unattended. If you think a friend has had their drink spiked get them medical attention. Don’t leave them alone with a stranger.
• Stay with your mates
• No means NO—unwanted sexual behaviour is a crime
• If having sex—always carry a condom.
• Be especially careful on a balcony—no balcony hopping/planking
• Wear sunscreen—Stay safe in the surf
• Be careful about posting images on social media.
• Avoid getting a tattoo—you will most likely regret it

Schoolies venues have wonderful volunteers and professional people to help look after you. Look out for the Red Frog volunteers who provide support, pancake breakfasts, a walk home service and of course red frogs! They are now also in Bali and Fiji. Check out their website www.redfrogs.com.au.

If travelling overseas make sure you have travel insurance, make copies of your travel documents and make sure you know the penalties for breaking the rules in the country you are visiting.

Fines (Australia):

• Drinking in a public place (18 years and over): $110
• Underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if you’re holding a drink for your friend who is over 18: $247
• Being under 18 and found on licensed premises: $330
• Being under 18 and found drinking or just holding a drink for a friend on licensed premises $247
• If you’re 18 and you supply alcohol to your underage mates you could face a fine of $8800

Finish your conversation by letting them know that you can be contacted 24 hours a day, that you love them unconditionally and that you are looking forward to the break………. oops…………that you are looking forward to their safe return!

My 17 year old son is off to the Gold Coast so I know how you feel.

Sister Margaret Bates
School Nurse

Centrality and Power of Home and Family

I have found the recent lead up to American Presidential elections quite fascinating—in fact this year I was more focused on the elections than the Melbourne Cup!  I did not even watch the race live this year. Mind you I was in class, teaching a Year 8 Philosophy and Religious Studies class at the time of the race, and this mean teacher would not allow the boys to watch the live feed. I was sure it would have invited mayhem and chaos in a class that needed to be focused on the forthcoming exam.

Back to the US elections—a fascinating race to the line with Cyclone Sandy appearing to have a major role in Obama’s win. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I felt that both candidates had positives and negatives both in terms of their characters and their policies. I was very impressed however by Mitt Romney’s concession speech following the outcome of the voting. He was congratulatory to Obama and positive about the potential partnership between the two parties for the common good of the nation. One thing stood out for me in what he said—it was his brief comment declaring that the future health of their nation depended upon what happened in the homes of America in the coming years. His words were, “we look to our parents, for in the final analysis everything depends on the success of our homes.”

There is a Psalm in the Bible that often strikes a chord with me, alluding to how important the family and home is to the future of any nation or society:

“Unless the LORD builds the House its builders labour in vain…children are a heritage from the LORD” (Psalm 127)

The “building of the house” can be seen as a metaphor for our homes and our families. And of course the “building” has to do with our role of parenting. We are also reminded that the key dimensions of parenting can never be diverted to schools or day-care centres. Our children need loving and available parents. At the end of the day it is the investment we make in time, love and relationship with our kids that will be decisive in how they learn and develop and go on to contribute to society and the world.

In my thirty years of working with young people, a crucial theme has been the pervasive power of the home, and the love and stability given to our students by parents and grand-parents (we must never minimise the influence of grandparents). On one thing, at least, Mitt Romney is right—our future as a nation will depend on what happens in our homes, far more than, dare I say  it, our schools or our TAFEs or our Universities.

The Psalmist would also encourage us also to embrace the blessing of God’s loving presence in our lives and those of our family—commit not just our own futures to God but our own families as well, and all that goes on within our homes.

David N Williams
Chaplain

Student Services

Annual Prize Giving Night

The Annual Prize Giving Night will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday 6 December. Boys are expected to attend this important event.

Requests for Leave

Parents are reminded that all requests for leave from school of one day or more must be directed to Dr Andrew Hirst, the Head of Secondary. He will then acknowledge the request in writing.

Senior School 

Year 10

The Peer Support Foundation Limited is dedicated to providing dynamic peer led programs which foster the physical, social and mental wellbeing of young people and their community. A longitudinal study conducted by the University of Western Sydney, Self-Concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre, 2003, to determine the effectiveness of the Peer Support Programme found that:

• It helps students successfully negotiate the change from primary to secondary school
• The self-confidence of those participating increased significantly
• Enjoyment of school increased
• Relationships with others were improved
• Perception of support from others improved
• There were positive benefits for cooperative teamwork
• There were positive benefits for academic self-concept
• It successfully changed attitudes to bullying behaviours
• More information about the program can be found at http://peersupport.edu.au/program.html

The program will involve one and a half days of training of all Year 10 boys on Monday 3/Tuesday 4 December following the Annual Examinations. Year 10 mentors will be the key staff in delivering this program. On completion of this training potential leaders will be asked to apply for the position of Peer Support Leader. The appointed Peer Support Leaders will lead Peer Support activity sessions with teams from Year 7 during Term 1 in 2013. The benefits to the Year 10/11 boys will be development of their leadership skills. The Year 7 boys will benefit from an improved connectedness in secondary school, resilience, sense of possibility, as well as new friends. The Peer Support program will also link into Service Learning later in 2013 as boys in Year 8 work with Year 11 leaders in undertaking research about our key charity organisations. I would like to thank Mr Hunnisett (Head of Prescott House), Mr Pyne (Head of Kelynack House) and Mr Mountain (Head of Johnstone House) for their drive and leadership with this program over a number of years.

Year 11

Year 11 House Honour Colours

At a recent School Assembly I was able to acknowledge boys for their outstanding contribution to their House and School over the last 5 years. They have received the highest level of recognition from the House Colours points system with the awarding of House Honour Colours. Every student at Newington has the opportunity to reach this level but they must make the effort. Typically the boys participate in a minimum of four co-curricular activities and demonstrate a strong commitment to Service Learning over a number of years. Full details can be found on page 4 of the Student Diary. Boys receiving this recognition were Lachlan Cox (11/MO), Sam Evans (11/JN), Jordan Fotaras (11/MA), Sam Hardy (11/MO), Anthony Hryanthos (11/ME), Patrick Hudson (11/JN), Lachlan McKirdy (11/LE), Ryan Naylor (11/MA) and James Tsaousidis (11/ME).

Paul Bourke
Head of Senior School

Middle School

Year 7 2013

With Term 4 now well upon us, we are preparing the way for our large intake of Year 7 students. All class placements have been completed and boys and parents have been notified.  Experience Year 7 Day will be held on Friday 7 December and boys currently in Year 7 will be given the opportunity to assist their new colleagues on that day. The Head of Year 7, Ms Colleen Scalone, has been in contact with all families and is working hard to put together profiles on each boy to assist their transition into high school. She is being assisted in her role by Mr Troy Stanley. In 2013, the responsibilities of Year 8 will be shared by Mr John McVicar and Mr Gary Maxwell. Mr McVicar will be responsible for Fletcher, Johnstone, Kelynack and Le Couteur Houses, while Mr Maxwell will oversee Manton, Metcalfe, Moulton and Prescott.

Year 8 2013

The structure of classes in Year 8 next year will vary considerably from what the boys have experienced in Year 7. There will be two basic class gradings, one for English and one for Maths. Obviously, these two placements could be quite different. The English class will also serve as each boy’s Science, History, Geography, PDHPE and PRS class. As boys have also chosen two electives, there will clearly be a redistribution of boys as they study their various subjects and the common class group that they have known in Year 7 will not exist as consistently as it has this year.

Mentor groups will be formed on the basis of Houses, with two groups per House. The expectation is that the Mentor of a Year 8 group stays with the boy through to the end of Year 12.

Jeff Snare
Head of Middle School

A Message from the Head of Stanmore

May he rest in peace.

It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing of one of our most Notable Newingtonians, Major-General C.M.I (Sandy) Pearson AO DSO OBE MC (ON ’36) on 7 November 2012.

Cedric Maudsley Ingram ‘Sandy’ Pearson went to school at Newington College from 1929 to 1936. His older brothers Hugh and Spencer were already at Newington, while his younger brother Brian was to follow him. Initially a Day Boy in the preparatory school, he was a Boarder from 1930. He obtained his Leaving Certificate in 1935 but returned for a further year to improve his results. He did so and achieved the top place in the entrance examinations for the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Each of the Pearson brothers was known as ‘Sandy’ at school, after Pearson’s Soap, a widely used carbolic sandsoap. Sandy kept this name acquired at Newington throughout his life.

Sandy was a keen and talented sportsman whose particular passions were rugby and rowing. He played in the 3rd XV at the age of thirteen and, in 1935, was selected for the 1st XV. He was appointed Vice-Captain of the team the following year and was selected as a GPS reserve. In 1935 also, Sandy was selected to row in the 1st IV. In his final year at school he rowed in the bow position in the 1st VIII. Sandy’s character and school spirit resulted in him being appointed a Prefect in 1936.

At Duntroon, in addition to his academic successes, Sandy captained the senior rugby team in 1939. He was approached by the Wallaby selectors in relation to the upcoming UK tour, but the military authorities did not make him available. The tour was eventually cancelled when war broke out soon after the Wallabies reached England.

Sandy went on to have a highly distinguished career in the Australian Army, reaching the rank of Major-General and serving, among other things, as the commander of the Australian Task Force in Vietnam and as Commandant of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. After retiring from the Army, he served as Executive Director of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. His services to the nation were recognised in the award of the Military Cross in 1945, the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) in 1964, the Distinguished Service Order in 1969, and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division) in 1975.

Sandy remained in contact with his former schoolmates through the Old Newingtonians’ Union and, more recently, the 70 Club. He served as a Vice-President of the Union from 1970 and was made an Honorary Life Member in 2008. Sandy served as a member of the College Council between 1982 and 1992 and returned to Newington as an honoured guest on many occasions. He was also a Founding member of the Founders Society, the College’s bequest group. In 2008 the College recognised his outstanding contributions and achievement in his profession and his service to the nation through the award of its highest honour, the Newington Medal.

While his beloved wife Marjorie passed away earlier this year, he is survived by his three children Sandra (and Alan) Oxley, Elizabeth (and Tom) Weeitch, and James (and Joan) Pearson. Sandy’s grandson Dan Weeitch (ON ’96) attended the college and his grand-daughter Amanda (and Steve) Hope have Sandy’s great-grandson Huxley registered to start in 2021 with his other grand-daughter, Claire (and Michael) Neil who have their son Zac registered to start in 2021 and his younger brother Jared in 2023.

Sandy will receive a full military funeral at Newington College led by Rev Dr Peter Swain OAM RFD with a eulogy by General David Hurley, Chief of Defence this Thursday 15 November commencing at 11.00am. The College will show our respect by forming a Guard of Honour along the drive as the military procession departs the grounds.

Hence, I request that all boys must wear their Full School Blazer Uniform this Thursday.

P & F Annual General Meeting 2012

I extend a warm invitation to all parents and friends to attend the Stanmore P&F AGM next Wednesday 21 November in the Function Room at 7.00pm. After the reports and election of office bearers takes place, the Headmaster will brief families on the new Stanmore restructure in place for 2013. Finally, Chairman of the Sesquicentenary  Committee, Mr Rod Bosman will address the audience on the exciting plans for the College in our 150^th year! The night should be most informative and I encourage you all to attend.

150^th Annual Prize Giving

Finally, please note that Annual Prize Giving has changed venue. This year, APG will be held at the majestic Sydney Town Hall on Thursday 6 December 2012. This is a compulsory event and students must be dressed in Full School Blazer Uniform. All details can be found on my weekly Head of Stanmore email.

Important Dates:

• Friday 23 November: New Enigma Launch in PH at 7.00pm
• Monday 26 November: Friday 30 November – Second Hand Book Exchange in FR
• Sunday 2 December: Christmas Carols Service in Chapel at 5.00pm
• Thursday 6 December: Classes conclude for term IV at 1.00pm – Annual Prize Giving at Town Hall at 7.00pm

Finally, we wish our Years 8–9 and Yr 11IB students every success as they approach their first examinations!

Dr Andrew Hirst
Head of Stanmore 

Year 10 Curriculum Update

The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) is a new credential for all students, beginning with Year 10 in 2012. The RoSA is a cumulative credential and is issued only when boys leave school. Hence boys will not receive any formal notification from the Board of Studies at the end of Year 10. This is different to past years where students received a School Certificate at the completion of Year 10. However boys will still receive a grade from A – E for English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, Australian History, Australian Geography and each of their elective subjects. Grades are based on the Stage 5 course performance descriptors supplied by the Board of Studies. These descriptors explicate a typical performance in each course at each grade level.

Boys have completed a formalised assessment program in each subject across the course of the year. Their performance on these assessment tasks forms the basis of the grade allocated for each subject.  All boys in Year 10 should have received an email from the Board of Studies inviting them to log-on and set up an account at Students Online. This email would have been sent to their school email accounts. Students will be able to view and download their grades in each course through Students Online from 12 December 2012.

Julia Shea
Head of Curriculum

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Congratulations

University of Wollongong—Faculty of Engineering Competition

The Technology Department submitted a number of students’ work in the University of Wollongong Faculty of Engineering Senior High Schools Technology Competitions. The competitions were open to all NSW students to submit work from the modules they have been studying for their Preliminary or HSC courses.

Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded a major prize! The boys and their families have been invited to the Presentation Evening on Friday 23 November 2012 at the University of Wollongong.

2012 NSW Year 11 Design & Technology Competition:

• Jordan Spira (11/FL) (work pictured above)
• Zubin Nanavat (11/KL) 
• Jaicob Dick (11/PR)

2012 NSW Year 11 Engineering Studies Competition:

• Patrick Lai (11/ME)

2012 NSW Year 12 Engineering Studies Competition:

• Nicholas Chapman (12/LE)
• Benjamin Swane (12/MA)
• Jordan Garofali (12/MA)
• Max Miller Bock (12/MA)
• Bryce Moon (12/ME)
• Jim Beard (12/MA)
• Will Wang (12/LE)

Richard Burgess
Head of Technology

Sydney Chess Challenge

Newington has performed strongly at the Sydney Chess Challenge with the five Newington students that entered the competition filling five of the first six places.

Andrew Smith (8/JN) finished 1^st on a count back from William Tao (8/KL), Nicholas Sharp (8/JN) and Justin Ting (9/JN) who all finished on equal points with Victor Dai (9/FL) finishing 6^th.

The team came in 1^st overall and returned to Newington with a new addition to the Founders Building trophy cabinet. Congratulation boys and many thanks to all staff that encouraged and enabled our students to participate and succeed.

Graeme Downward
Mathematics Department

Newington Jazz at Darling Harbour

Year 10 Job Preparation

On the last two days of term Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 December, Year 10 boys are being given the opportunity to take part in activities that are creative or might lead to possible part-time job opportunities. In addition we will be running a seminar on getting a job (writing letters of application, curriculum vitae and interview skills). The options available were generated by a committee of Year 10 boys chaired by SRC representatives James Webb (10/LE) and Tim Hauptmann (10/FL). They include sport coaching courses, Barista training, design and construction, and film and photography.

All boys have had a preference form sent to their school email account. These need to be returned to Mr Mountain as a matter of urgency, if they have not been sent already. Some of these activities have a cost associated with them as they are accredited courses provided by external suppliers. Boys studying IB in 2013 will be involved in an IB orientation on these days, so do not need to respond.

Jon Mountain
Head of Johnstone House

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Summer Multi-Sports and Cricket Clinics

Summer Multi-Sports Clinic

To register, go to seedsports.com.au/register.

Or scroll-down for Cricket Clinic details and registration.

Summer Cricket Clinic

To register, go to seedsports.com.au/register.

Year 11 Take On Q&A

On the evening of Wednesday 7 November, the Newington bus, full of Year 11 Legal Studies and Economics students and accompanied by Mr Pyne and Mr Light emerged from the Cross City Tunnel and descended full of intellectual vigour on the amazing grounds of Kincoppal Rose Bay (KRB).

The girls were hosting a Q&A style forum on the topic of Human Rights and Australia’s international profile. Clinton Chan (11/FL) was a guest on the panel and was joined by such luminaries as the Hon. Julie Bishop, Triple J Hack presenter Sophie McNeil, legal Professor Freeland and a number of senior students from both our host school and St. Vincents. A number of issues were raised on the night, including Australia’s lack of a Bill of Rights, the presence of Australia on the UN Security Council and the rights and wrongs of Julian Assange. It was a most interesting evening and great for all the students present to see students and guests expressing their viewpoints. A big thank you to Victoria Vidler of KRB for both organising the event and inviting Newington College to be involved on the panel.

Alex Pyne
History Teacher

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