Individual Portraits and Mentor Group Photos

For the first time in some years all the boys in Years 7-12 will have an individual portrait photograph as well as their Mentor Group photograph taken. These are scheduled for Wednesday May 1 (Years 10-12) and Thursday May 2 (Years 7-9). Mentor Group photos are used to record your son’s Year and House each year in The Newingtonian.

We ask you to ensure your son is available at the time allocated for his photos on the day by avoiding out of school appointments. The timetable will be made available on SPACES during the school holidays. The boys will need to wear full blazer uniform.

A booklet of the individual, Mentor and collection of portraits from your son’s year group will be available for every family. The photographers will also provide up to date photo ID cards for every boy. We hope this will be a part of each year’s calebdar so that the College held photographs reflect a current image of every boy.

Stock up on DVDs and new magazines for the holidays

Interested in photography, soccer, science or motorbikes? The latest editions of Digital Camera Magazine, Four Four Two, Australasian Science and 2 Wheels have landed in the library, so come in and pull up a bean bag and get reading! Don’t forget that we have weekly magazines such as The Economist and New Scientist coming in regularly, so check those out as well.

Year 7 has been back in the library recently, this time working on their Geography Heritage Sites research assignments, where they have been asked to argue for a heritage site of their choosing to be kept on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Library staff have been working with boys to find information in books and using the library’s amazing collection of online resources. We’ve also been discussing finding trustworthy and reliable information on the internet.

We’ve also run a referencing ‘how to’ session, where we’ve taken Year 11 and Year 12 IB Dip and HSC Extension English boys through the subtleties of the art of referencing. More sessions will follow for those who couldn’t make the first session.

Don’t forget that with the holidays coming up. Get in over the last few days of term to get your holiday reading organised. We also have DVDs available that you may borrow.

Ms Crystal Choi
Head of Library Services 

Newington Public Speaking Competition

The Newington Public Speaking Competition was held on Friday the 5th of April in Prescott Hall. There were many families in attendance and all speakers spoke with flair on the topic of ‘in another life’. Sebastian Iannuzzi (9/MO) and Alexander Barrat (9/JN) are working on a review of the night’s proceedings, which will be released shortly. We thank all for their attendance and commend Mr Conrad Del Villar for his excellent management of the event.

Ms Kate Shepherd
English / History Teacher 

The Myth of Progress

So here we are on the verge of another election in this country that will supposedly bring progress to this nation. As I write these words here in Australia, many people in the UK are mourning the death of Margaret Thatcher, the first woman Prime Minister of Great Britain who was known for the great “progress” she brought to her country – of course some will dispute her contribution.

Progress is an interesting concept. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution would see that a species, over time, will progress in a way that sees it becoming ever more successful in terms of surviving within in its own particular ecological niche. One wonders to what extent this is true of the human species – are we really continuing to progress in terms of being successful within our own world? I would argue that there is considerable mythology to the idea of progress.

Many people, particularly politicians and secular commentators in the media still live by this myth and encourage us to believe it. Politicians the world over are still trying to conjure up enthusiasm for their versions of the myth of progress. The idea behind the myth of progress sprang out of the Renaissance and the so called “Enlightenment” and the scientific revolution. Philosophers such as Hegel and Nietzsche argued fervently that humankind was progressing to become a “super” species and rationalistic liberal modernism would lead the way to the truth and a new Utopia the real salvation of humanity. Of course what followed were the tragic distortions, arising from human greed and arrogance, that morphed into Stalinism, the Third Reich, and the Holocaust, amongst many other terrible events of the last century.

A writer whom I am increasingly coming to appreciate, Dr Tom Wright, has pointed out that the “myth of progress” falls over precisely because it does not deal with the human beings’ propensity towards evil – “this is why all the evolutionary optimism of the last two hundred years remains helpless before world war, drug crime, Auschwitz, apartheid, child abuse and pornography” (p97 “Surprised by Hope”). And of course we could add many other things to this list of facts that undermine the idea that we are progressing as a species. There is no doubt that technology is progressing rapidly – but technology for what end? Are there fewer slaves and starving people in Africa and West Asia because we have sophisticated computer systems? Have we really got a grip on stopping climate change? We haven’t even decided whether it’s happening or not.

Are our lives so much happier because of our technological and scientific advances? Youth suicide and domestic violence statistics, amongst many things, in the most progressive countries, seem to suggest the very opposite.

As we go to these holidays it would be wonderful to think that looking ahead to a fresh election “all will be well, we are moving forward”, and I am an optimist, most of the time. However, Tom Wright and our own biblical writers and philosophers, would urge us to think a bit deeper than the superficial materialistic and political realities of our day. They would have us reflect on what we really believe about life and death and what we believe happens after life. They would say that God intends to renew the whole of creation and that we should be looking to be participate in the renewal in the wider world – bringing healing, and hope to this present life which each of us has been given.

This is really the post-Easter message and that is that Jesus is risen and those of us who are his followers have a new job to do. And that is to bring God’s renewal to birth in actual, physical, earthly realities for all people – justice and mercy and healing and hope for all people of the earth – then we might just see the beginnings of true progress for our species.

Rev. David N. Williams
School Chaplin 

Sport Report

AFL

Newington old boy Dane Rampe (ON ’08) made his starting debut for the Sydney Swans against Greater Western Sydney Giants in round 1 of the 2013 AFL season. Dane was a talented sportsman at Newington and was part of the Swans Academy whilst at school. Dane was picked up by the Swans in the 2012 draft. We wish Dane all the very best for the season.

Athletics

The 2013 athletics season is starting to gain momentum with the second of the carnivals held on 6 April with Newington athletes acquitting themselves well in the track and field. There is a carnival on the last Saturday of the holidays, April 27th out at Homebush. There is also a camp to be held on the Monday and Tuesday in the second week of the holidays (9am – 11am), out at ES Marks field, details will be posted on the SPACES, athletics page.

Swimming

Capping off a fantastic swimming season twenty Newington swimmers were chosen to represent GPS at the CIS carnival. We wish all the boys the very best at the carnival.

Triathlon

Congratulations to Callum Lowe-Griffiths (9/PR) on finishing third in the Junior Division at the All Schools National Triathlon Championships. Callum has had an outstanding summer season competing in the pool, triathlon and ocean swimming events, competing and performing at an elite level in all these events. Congratulations Callum!

Winter Sport Fixtures

Training for all boys will resume in Week 1 of Term 2 with a full round of sporting fixtures on Saturday 4 May.

Is it time to get the Flu vaccine?

The flu has been in the news recently as health officials are predicting a particularly bad season. The flu vaccine this year provides protection against three strains of flu including the swine flu. Remember when you have the vaccine not only are you helping protect yourself and your family but you are also helping the community by reducing the amount of flu circulating.

There are three types of influenza virus – A, B and C

Human influenza type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20 per cent of the population sniffling, aching, coughing and running high fevers.

Influenza type C infections cause a mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics.

Influenza type A viruses can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, dogs, marine mammals, and other animals. Influenza type A viruses can be divided into sub types and strains giving rise to names like H1N1, (swine flu) H5N1 (bird flu) H7N9 (a recent bird flu).

H7N9 (Bird Flu 2013) – China this week confirmed three more cases of bird flu, as authorities try to curb an outbreak by banning live poultry sales and disinfecting schools. The new cases of the H7N9 strain brought the number recorded in China’s developed eastern region to 21. Six people have died, including four in Shanghai.

Health officials believe people are contracting the H7N9 virus through direct contact with infected fowl and say there is no evidence the virus is spreading from person to person. Let’s hope it stays that way.

H5N1 (Bird flu) emerged in the 1990s. It kills more than 60 per cent of its human victims but doesn’t easily pass from person to person. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), The H5N1 virus has infected 565 people since it first appeared in 2003, killing 331. There is no highly effective treatment for H5N1 flu.

H1N1 (Swine flu) common in 2009, is expected to make a comeback this year and is highly contagious. It can be spread with a sneeze or handshake, but thankfully kills only a small fraction of the people it infects. H1N1 cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster.

I also wanted to mention that NSW Ministry of Health is launching an Immunisation Awareness Campaign this week

A key component of the campaign is the website which will allow parents to access comprehensive information on immunisation. Look up immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au

Download a free iPhone and Android App called Save the Date to Vaccinate which should be very useful.

Looking at the website I learned that boys aged 14 or 15 in 2013 that are in Year 10 can have the HPV vaccine free at their GP.

Hope you have a lovely holiday break. After a busy term the boys need some time to relax and catch up on sleep, essential for good health.

Sister Margaret Bates
School Nurse 

Sione Fonua roadtrips to Canberra to end poverty

The Oaktree Foundation have a vision of a world free from poverty. Their programs, projects and actions are driven by this shared belief — that poverty is unjust and can be ended in our lifetime.

Sione Fonua (12/JN) has embraced this vision for the world and has recently participated in the Roadtrip to End Poverty, hitting the road with over 1,000 other young people to ensure our government does its fair share to end extreme poverty. Here is his report and reflection on the experience:

The road trip was launched on Saturday March 9 and ended on Friday the 15th. I was lucky to have been put forward for this by the Head of Service Learning, to broaden my perspective on what “Service Learning” means. I travelled around various suburbs in Sydney and eventually the South Coast as far down as Eden, staying in various types of accommodation and even scout halls. Whilst on the Roatrip, I was slowly but surely receiving information on extreme poverty, relative poverty and the effects of climate change. I gained insights into the views of our Government by approaching MPs in various towns and asking for their support for our petition. I was then able to go to Canberra with other youth ambassadors, numbering over 1,000 from all over Australia, to lobby the Government to solidify their commitment to increase Australia’s Foreign Aid commitment . I was able to meet and discuss the issue with Senators Bob Carr, Christine Milne and finally Lee Rhiannon (who had made a mention of our interview in the Senate). Overall it was a great experience and one I will refer to in future endeavours.

Mr Mick Madden
Head of Service Learning 

Transport Update

Newington Bus

As stated in SPACES last month, from Term 2, the only method for ordering Newington Bus passes is online.

Go to the Newington College website, click on Newington 7-12, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Online Payments, then choose Events and Activities and click on which service and pass you need.

Place your order before the end of this term to ensure that you receive your pass in time for the commencement of Term 2. Please note that there will be no “grace period” as there was in Term 1 and students without passes may be refused passage by the drivers.

Government Transport

If your son has a government pass for bus or rail which hasn’t yet been collected, please ask him to do so before the end of this term. All unclaimed passes will be returned to the transport providers at the commencement of Term 2.

If you have any queries regarding transport please contact Cate Lukins on 9568 9333.

Our Year 8 Young Entrepreneurs

Last week, Year 8 Commerce students formed small groups and set up their own small businesses. They had to manage the production process that included sourcing inputs, producing goods and maintaining quality control which they learnt in Commerce class. They then had one lunch time to sell their products to the student body. Between them the three classes raised over $2,500, all of which will go to the four house charities.

Mr Karl Watson
Head of Economics 

Mantons move from The Rocks to Newington House

In early April 1863 — it must have been around the 7th of the month — Rev John Allen Manton and his family packed up their belongings in their house at 113 Prince Street, The Rocks and moved to Newington House at Silverwater.

The house they had been renting in Prince Street no longer exists. The street and its 280 houses were demolished in the late 1920s to make way for the southern approaches to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

When the Mantons moved to Newington House, the repairs to the mansion and other buildings that had been started in January were not yet finished. The work would continue through April and May 1863, which must have made settling in quite difficult.

It is likely that the Manton family and their belongings travelled to Newington House by ferry up the Parramatta River. At this time there was only a rough track running for one and a half miles from Parramatta Road at Auburn, skirting the Duck River marshes and through the 1,200 acre Newington Estate to Newington House. The mansion was close to the river and had its own wharf. The ferry would remain the most convenient way to reach the new school for the next seventeen years.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Dominic Longhurst crowned Junior and Open National Brass Champion

Whilst many of us were digging into our favourite chocolate over the Easter weekend, Dominic Longhurst (11/JN) was competing at the National Band Championships in Perth. His results could not be bettered with wins in both the Junior and Open Cornet divisions and  he also took out the Junior and Open Champion of Champions competition.

Dominic was entered in the Junior and Open Cornet events. Winning these granted him entry into the Champion of Champions Brass events. In the Junior events there were 59 contestants with a final of ten in the Junior Champion of Champions. Likewise, in the Open events 104 people contested the open divisions with a final of 12 in the Open Champion of Champions. The adjudicator commented on Dominic’s technical prowess and exceptional musicianship –

“…such a bold confident style matched with excellent playing…musicality, flair, intensity, passion – it’s all here…what skill…this has been a privilege to listen to”

The history of the National Band Championships stretches back over 100 years to 1900 with the first National brass band competition held that year in Ballarat. Dominic is the first person in the event’s history to take out both the Junior and Open National Brass Champion divisions in the same year and he is also the youngest Open division winner since the late 1970s. In addition, Dominic’s quartet from St Mary’s Brass Band club won the Quartet division of the championships.

The Newington community is very proud of Dominic’s achievements and recognise the dedication and commitment to becoming a musician of the highest standard.

Dr Luke Gilmour
Director of Bands

Chris Papadopoulos (ON ’96) Lotus F1 Engineer visits Newington College

Mr Honeywill’s Year 10.2 Electronics demonstrating their expertise in design and construction. L-R: Justin Tran, Zipper Effect designer for F1 in Schools, Felix Shannon, Mr Paul Honeywill, Chris Papadopoulos holding Justin Tran’s car. Photo courtesy of Ashan Karunagaran Year 10.

On his recent visit to Newington, Chris Papadopoulos (ON ’96) took an enthralled audience of Newington students on a journey behind the roaring engines, glamour and adrenalin of Formula 1 World Championship motor racing. As a Trackside Electronics Engineer for the Lotus F1 , he could explain how every part of an F1 racing car is designed, developed and manufactured in-house with a factory of 500 specialists developing each facet of the finely-tuned machines.

Chris described potential areas of interest in the motor racing industry from CAD (computer-aided design) and wind tunnels to electronic circuitry, hydraulic and cooling systems for Newington’s future designers and engineers.

After graduationg from Newington, Chris studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology, Sydney. He currently resides in the UK where, after five years with Renault F1, he he joined the Lotus F1 Team, overseeing all the computer logistics supporting F1 cars whilst racing.

Pathways to the Future

Key Dates for the Diary in 2013

Newington Careers Expo & ONU/P & F Careers Evening– Thursday 13 June 2013, 6.30pm-9.00pm

1. Exhibitors from TAFE, Universities and Colleges in NSW/ACT and some from interstate showcasing post Year 12 study options
2. GAP year organisations and other Training Provider organisations
3. Old Boys and Parents providing insights and advice for boys in Years 10-12 about their working profession and educational requirements.

Senior Classics Dinner

On Thursday 4 April, Newington Latin students and Mr Chambers gathered at St Ignatius College with other Latin and Ancient Greek students for the annual Classics Dinner. Wearing ancient fancy dress, the celebrants enjoyed a sumptuous meal, heard guest speakers outlining the relevance of Classical subjects in today’s world and participated in the Classical quiz. Markos Sikiotis (9/ME) and Matthew Han (11/FL) won two of the prizes for best costume. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening, the odd puella or two catching the attention of our boys the most!

Mr Mark Chambers
Magister linguae Latinae