Library and Information Week

I’m excited to announce that the Library will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime and holding a mapping competition to celebrate the new Library.

These fun activities are part of Library and Information Week, where libraries around Australia use the week to raise the profile of library and information professionals and to celebrate what libraries do.

National Simultaneous Storytime will see our Year 12 boys partnering with our prep (Kindergarten) boys from Wyvern and Lindfield, to read The Wrong Book by Nick Bland, which has been chosen as the national book that will be read at the same time on Wednesday 22 May in schools and libraries across Australia.

The library competition involves students creating a map or tour of the library and submitting it for their chance to win a 2GB iPod shuffle!

This competition is open to students at the Stanmore Campus. Entries close Monday May 20th. Students wanting more information can obtain an information pack from the Library Help Desk.

I’m looking forward to seeing what our boys come up with!

Ms Choi
Head of Library Services

Hon. Michael Kirby visits Newington College

The Newington College Centre for Ethics public lecture this month was standing room only for the address given by The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG. As a national icon in law reform and human rights and a noted dissenting judge during his time on the bench of the High Court of Australia, his views on the Ethics of Judging were eagerly awaited. He opened in acknowledgment of Newington’s Methodist tradition and the value of an extraordinary education.

These things shall be! A loftier race
Than e’er the world has known shall rise.
With flame of freedom in their souls
And light of knowledge in their eyes.*

Far from presenting an intimidating presence, Mr Kirby’s analysis was simply put and inclusive of his young audience from neighbouring schools.

“Tonight we meet as fellow citizens…Judges have quite frequently to make ethical decisions and they are influenced by values…but they are not at large. They have choices but these choices lie within the law,” he explained.

Mr Kirby cited two cases: Mabo v Queensland [Number 2] and the High Court’s dismissal of application for the prohibition and injunction to end the detention of four Afghan children.

In both cases there were questions of ethics and great argument. Both were cases where the words “injustice” and “human rights” were used frequently.

Mr Kirby explained in Mabo, the High Court found the initial premise of terra nullius or ‘land belonging to no one’ was in fact “an error” and that land was central to aboriginal law and culture, at the time of white settlement. In law, and in what was also an ethical decision, native title was returned.

In the case of children in detention Mr Kirby explained, “When the [Immigration] Act talks about a ‘child’ they are a ‘person’. The Act talks about children and intended that they be detained. So it could not be argued that the Act did not apply to children. Judges are asked to resolve questions that are not cut and dried – there may be aspects of choice but these are not unlimited. A decision will be given that might not be the one you believe to be morally correct, but is correct in law.”

Mr Kirby’s advice for all interested attendees was to seek ethical change in the “big pictures. One third of our species live in grinding poverty without food to eat or clean water. This is modern slavery. Climate change – this is now most sentient”.

He also advocated, “be a joiner. I joined the Council for Civil Liberties. I joined groups at university”.

And he finished as he began, with the words of John Addington Symonds Methodist hymn;

“With flame of freedom in their souls…And light of knowledge in their eyes.”

*John Addington Symonds (5 October 1840 – 19 April 1893) was an English poet and literary critic

Anzac Parade and New Colours for Newington’s 150th Birthday

Newington boys past and present, staff, prep schools and parents gathered at Johnson Oval early morning last Tuesday 29 April 2013 to honour and commemorate the men and women who fought and died at Gallipoli.

It was a momentous occasion, attended by Old Boy and Officer of the Australian Army Major Ross Wehby who spoke to the solemn crowd gathered on Johnson bank about the character of the men who fought at Gallipoli and how their courage, perseverance, loyalty and determination came to define the spirit of Anzac. Major Wehby also drew attention to Newington College’s special place in Anzac history. More than 600 Newingtonians enlisted to serve in WW1 and 109 of those who fought did not return, he said.

As the College is celebrating it’s 150th birthday it was again a special occasion to pay respect to the Cadet Corps legacy and its place in Newington history. The Anzac Parade began with the standard drill procedures consistent with use in the Army over the years and which have been passed down from Britain during the Middles Ages. The ancient ritual of the presentation of Colours began after the cadets and official party had arrived on the parade ground. The significance of carrying Colours, similar to the bearing of totems and other sacred items was established during wartime when Colours were taken to the battlefield and considered a disgrace if lost.The presentation of Newington’s Colours was inaugurated 60 years ago in 1953.

The existing Colours were presented to the Cadet unit at the College’s centenary in 1963. On this occasion, 50 years later, Mr Ron Leckie (ON ’39) on behalf of the Old Boys Union oversaw the retirement of these Colours and the presentation of new Colours.

True to tradition, The Last Post and The Reveille were played at the conclusion of the Parade. The Last Post which symbolises the end of a soldier’s day allows a moment to remember those who may not have lived to see another. The Reveille on the other hand signifies the first call of soldier’s day – a reminder of a new dawn and powerful on occasions such as Newington’s Sesquicentenary Anzac Parade. This year, a bugle from the Western Front carried by the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Division was played by Dominic Longhurst. The Newington Band under Dr Luke Gilmour played Abide With Me as representatives of each Newington Campus laid wreaths on the war memorial.

Lest we forget.

A Message from the Head of Stanmore

The campaign was a failure, and yet of all the battlefields on which Australians have died, it is the disastrous Gallipoli campaign that has come to symbolise the Australian soldier’s courage, determination, fighting prowess, humour and mateship. The essence of Gallipoli was, that in the face of adversity and potential defeat, the Australian spirit triumphed … In its sesquicentenary it would be remiss not to mention the Newington students both past and present who have contributed to the Spirit of ANZAC. And to acknowledge how the spirit of ANZAC has shaped this remarkable institution. As students if you are unaware of this history I encourage you look to what your forbears achieved; so humbly, so gracefully and with such stoic honour.

Major R.Wehby (ON ’98) Officer Commanding Joint Terminal Attack Control Troop, 16 Air Land Regiment, Australian Army and our special guest for our ANZAC Day Parade Tuesday 30 April, 2013

Sesqui Anzac Day Parade honours the past

I congratulate Captain Rod Wood, his staff, our musicians and the entire Newington College Cadet Corps on their superb parade last week to commerorate ANZAC Day. An impressive crowd turned up to support the occasion and listen to Major Ross Wehby’s (ON ’98) splendid address. The fact that Dominic Longhurst played The Last Post and Reveille, on a bugle that belonged to the 3rd Batallion of the First AIF Division, made the occasion more significant. However, the Parade’s true success was measured by the wonderful sentiments expressed by numerous old boys who shared the service ‘had the feeling of Remembrance throughout’ … ‘I was so proud of my Old School today’. I thank all involved for honouring the sacrifice of so many Old Newingtonians and Australian service men and women in such a dignified way!

118th GPS Athletics Championshis – Saturday 11 May at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre, Homebush

Please note that after all the excitement of the swimming last term, our next opportunity to support the College is this weekend. It is an expectation that all boys attend from 9.30am. Full details were emailed home in my weekly ‘Head of Stanmore’ brief. The dress is Full Blazer Uniform.

NAPLAN Testing

Next week, students from Years 7 and 9 will sit national numeracy and literacy assessments (NAPLAN). Testing will finish on Thursday May 16, 2013. Friday has been set aside as a make-up day for students who miss a section or who are absent on a particular test day. Boys’ attendance during the testing week is most important.

Raising boys at Newington is to acknowledge it is a partnership!

When receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, Mother Teresa was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” Her response: “Go home and love your family!” What simple words and yet such a powerful message that reminds us all of the immensely important responsibility we have as parents in raising our children! However, in isolation, it remains a daunting task and I remind all families that the College strongly desires a partnership with parents and guardians to ensure that we provide every boy with the opportunity to find fulfillment. Newington aims to nurture young men willing to make a positive contribution to society. Of course, central to this are our key values of self-respect, care for others, intercultural understanding and service to the community. With this in mind, the first P & F Educational Forum will be held next Monday 13 May at 7.00pm in the Old Boys Lecture Theatre. The P & F’s special guest is Professor David Bennett who will deliver a Key Note Address on “Changing Relationships – Dealing with Adolescence”. I encourage all Year 8, 9 and 10 parents to attend this important forum.

Good Luck!
We wish all our athletes every success this weekend! I am confident that their united focus and attitude will be make the difference on the day!

Dr Andrew Hirst
Head of Stanmore 

Boys and Men of Substance

I am cheating a bit this week – here is an adult version of what the boys at Stanmore Campus are hearing over the next fortnight. I hope that you find something worthwhile and encouraging in the sentiment.

Over the holidays my wife and I journeyed to the delightful little town of Beechworth, just over the border in Victoria (near Albury). We travelled there and back in two days, a mere 1,300kms (via Canberra to overnight with friends), on a mission to pick up some antique furniture purchased by our son who with his new wife had just acquired whilst in Beechworth on their honeymoon. On loading up the trailer we discovered that we did not take with us sufficient rope to tie down the load. So off I went in search of a hardware shop and acquired a lovely bright yellow synthetic rope for $17.00.

After one hour into our journey I noticed that the furniture had a little too much movement in it. At the first available rest area I pulled over to check matters. To my horror I discovered that the fancy new rope had already rubbed through and in places had already broken – the rope on had this fluffy felt in the middle of it – the strong fibres were only millimetres deep. The rope was all gloss on the outside, looked good, but lacked substance.

Now in the Chapel services this week I contrasted this cheap (found the same rope in Bunnings for $4) flashy rope with an old cadet-store discard rope that I successfully used to attach ladders two storeys up to hold my wife and son in place as they painted our roof over the summer break (I need to be on terra firma looking after the ladders). This old rope, in contrast to the yellow one, was the real McCoy. Each fibre strong in and of itself – right the core of the rope. You could indeed entrust your life, or even your wife, to the safety of such a rope!

And so my question to the lads in Chapel has been, ‘Will you be men of substance? Or will you be more concerned about what you are on the outside?’ Surely at Newington we are aiming to produce young men of substance? Such men will have qualities such as integrity, loyalty, reliability, faithfulness and generosity amongst the attributes that run strongly through them.

Jesus challenged the religious snobs of his day about religious superficiality. He cut to the quick, and likened the religious elite of his day to “whitened sepulchres (graves)” – fancy and clean on the outside by in reality full of dead men’s bones- all words and show, but no substance, no depth of character. Through Christ’s actions and his words we are each challenged by the Almighty to think about our depth of character, the “substance” of our being – and if you are anything like me we need to lean on God’s spiritual resources that will enable us to more fully live our lives with meaning and purpose embracing the needs and futures of those around us.

Rev. David N. Williams
College Chaplin

Yr 9 and 10 Service Learning

All boys in Years 9 and 10 are asked to organise voluntary, unpaid community service work. Mindful of the time demands already placed on our boys, boys are asked to perform a total of approximately eight hours, during either Semester One or Two. This service work can be performed weekly, fortnightly, or over one or two days during the holiday period.

ANY voluntary work is considered such as:

• Mowing lawns of an elderly neighbour
• Volunteering to work in the canteen or Coaching at their weekend sporting club
• Assisting with Kids Club at a Church Group or After School Care
• Voluntary work for Charity organisations such as The St Vincent de Paul Society, Meals on Wheels, etc.

For Christopher Cooper (9/LE)  he chose to work as a volunteer Surf Lifesaver , carrying out beach patrols at Bondi Beach.

“ I feel privileged to be able to help people”, said Chris (pictured above left with Dylan Hackers from Waverley College)

What a great example of service to the community.

Congratulations Chris!

Mick Madden
Head of Service Learning 

It’s a hit! Newington boys give USA Drama Tour rave reviews

During the Easter holidays, 25 Drama students from Years 9 to 12 travelled to Chicago and New York for a two week Drama intensive. Accompanied by Ms Smith, Mr Priester and Mr Scott, the boys participated in a number of workshops, saw a variety of shows ranging from an improv bar in Chicago to an opera at the Lincoln Centre in New York. Below are some thoughts and reflections of their time in the USA from the boys as they recount what they experienced in the two cultural metropolises.

USA Drama Tour Thoughts and Reflections

“The best experience of my life so far.” – Lyndon Carney (11/FL)

“It’s been a life-long dream to be able to act, and to go to Broadway and meet other actors which only inspired and concreted my dream.” – Pat Hudson (12/JN)

“An experience of a life time. Things I will probably never see/do again. From seeing local comedy acts to big budget Broadway shows. Great trip!” – Daniel Trent (12/PR)

“The biggest surprise of the tour was the iO improv. work shop in Chicago. It has been the training ground for SNL  (Saturday Night Live) writers such as Tina Fey and others, a very different look at Improv.”– Alexander Roberts Love (12/MA)

“It’s safe to say that the ‘Thessalonia Worship Center’ church service was a great experience for all the boys. We traveled up to the Bronx and were welcomed into an African American church service. We all enjoyed the gospel choir, their attitude and enthusiasm towards their beliefs.” – James Gatsos (10/ME)

“In honesty I have lost track of time (more than usual)- the experience in Chicago thus far has not only been interesting, but my view of time has been warped into a highly present one- because every face, building, voice, and show is new to every boy to some extent.” – Demos Hammond (11/KL)

“The Blue Man Group had a magnificent performance, an experience not to be missed. Being a musical with no singing made it more interesting and also more entertaining. The group brought comedy into it by getting the audience involved, using them with some of the scenes and also shooting squashed Twinkies at them. A group of school girls in the audience could not keep their mouths closed, but they weren’t able to ruin such a magnificent performance.” – George Liakopoulos (11/LE)

“We went to an excellent Broadway musical called ‘Matilda’. The musical was incredibly well done, and the children playing the school kids and Matilda herself were very good and inspiring. It gave us an insight into what can be accomplished if kids put their mind to something.” – Anthony Saker (11/FL)

“In the workshop we were encouraged to make fun of ourselves, and reveal our inner clown hidden behind the world’s smallest mask: a clown nose.Through movement and observation each of us was able to begin to mold and create a clown personality, through caricatures of our personality traits and physical attributes. After two solid hours, the boys came away with smiles on their faces and a newfound ability to laugh at themselves.” – Brendan Creswick (11/JN)

“To cap the day off, we experienced the opera…a part of the tour I’m sure all the boys were hesitant about. So we dressed up for a night out and walked into the stunning Lincoln Centre to see Rigoletto. All the boys minds were blown away by the sophistication and the awe-inspiring performance.” – Pat Hudson (12/JN)

To read more about what happened when Newington Drama took on the USA, don’t forget to read the blog 

Tamara Smith
Head of Drama 

Sport Report

AFL

A number of Newington boys’ trialled for the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) U15 AFL team. Congratulations to the following boys on their selection.

Jordan Gauci (10/FL)

Sam Lawson (9/KL)

Will Gowers (10/ME)

Zac Newton (10/LE)

We wish the boys all the best at the upcoming NSW Championships

Athletics

This weekend is the 118th AAGPS Athletics carnival at Homebush. Over the last six weeks over 120 boys’ have trialled for selection in the various events, we would like to acknowledge all those boys and their efforts, and wish the boys representing the School on Saturday the very best. Congratulations to Morgan McDonald (12/ME) (Captain) and Zac Robertson (12/ME) (Vice Captain) on their respective leadership positions.

Josh Ralph (ON’ 09) has been selected to represent Australia in the 4 by 400m relay at the 14th World Athletics Championships in Moscow in August. To get selected Josh had to finish in the top three at the recent Australian Championships held in Sydney. Josh was Captain of both Athletics and Cross Country in 2009. Congratulations Josh

Fencing

Newington entered a Sabre team consisting of Jasper Rowley (12/ME), Boston Fawkes (9/ME), Jayce Carrano (11/MA) and Brendan Creswick (11/JN) into the AJ Rae National School team qualifier event on Saturday 4 May. The team won the event and have qualified to compete in the Nationals which will be held in Brisbane in August. Well done to all boys and the coaching staff.

Swimming

In week one of the term twenty Newington boys represented GPS at the CIS swimming carnival. Congratulations to Jason Hartill (8/MO) and Callum Lowe-Griffiths (9/PR) on their individual qualification for CIS to compete at the NSW All Schools Carnival thi sweek. Callum participated in thirteen events, breaking four CIS records and recording seven individual wins and three second placings and deservedly was named Swimmer of the Meet. Jack Rudkins (7/MA), Ben Tran (9/KL), Simon Kennewell (11/ME), Anthony Hrysanthos (12/ME), Tom Foley (9/FL), Nathan Lawson (9/MO), Thomas Su (8/KL) and James Haldane (8/JN) also qualified for relay swims. We would also like to acknowledge Jack Rudkins (7/MA) who despite hurting his arm the previous day swam in six events, Jack showed great courage and determination. Capping off a fantastic swimming season Te Haumi Maxwell (12/PR) and Lachlan Reid (ON’11) also qualified for the semi-finals of their respective events at the National Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

Volleyball

Congratulations to Jake Im (12/MO) on his selection in the CIS Opens Volleyball team

Waterpolo

Congratulations to James Butcher (11/ME), Cody Ingram (11/LE), Keegan Wicken (11/ME), Will Cotterill (11/LE), Nick Bertino (10/FL), Nick Dempsey (12/ME) and Anthony Hrysanthos (12/ME) who qualified for the U18 Water Polo National Championships.

What do you know about STIs?

The past decade has seen rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) increase in Australia. I recently attended a talk organised by our School Nurses group on this subject. Timmy a nurse from the Sexual Health Clinic at Macquarie Street brought us up to date with the current trends and info. It was a fun, interactive session and I think he learned a few things from us too!

The National Survey of Australian Secondary Students is carried out every six years. In 2008, the findings showed that knowledge of HIV is relatively high but that knowledge of STIs was poor. Young women had better knowledge than young men.

A quarter of Year 10 and half of Year 12 students admitted to having had sex. 69 per cent used a condom last time they had sex. Most students reported positive feelings towards sex.

Trends – 3 out of 4 15 -29 year olds will get an STI

STIs are either bacterial or viral. Some bacterial STI’s are chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Examples of viral STIs are Herpes, HPV and HIV/AIDS. Interestingly there has been a 90 per cent drop in genital warts in young girls since the introduction of the HPV vaccine. A growing STI in young people is Chlamydia. Chlamydia rates have quadrupled in the last decade with 80 per cent of cases being in the 15 – 29 year olds, so it’s important young people are made aware of STIs.

Common Symptoms of STI’s

• No symptoms so person is unaware that they have a STI
• Discharge from penis/vagina/anus
• Pain when urinating
• Bleeding between periods
• Rashes/sores /burning sensation in the genital area
• Testes/abdo pain – described as a deep pain in girls during sex, testes can be swollen, hot accompanied by a fever.

If left untreated STIs in males and females can lead to serious and painful health consequences, ranging from infertility to cancer. It’s a good idea to have regular sexual health check-ups once you start having sex, when you change sexual partners or start a new relationship.

TESTING – A simple urine test will test for common STI’s like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. No physical examination is required for these. A swab will test for other infections while a blood sample may be required for others.

TREATMENT – Bacterial STIs are treated with antibiotics eg Chlamydia is easily treated with the antibiotic Azithromycin in 2 doses of 500mg tablets.

PREVENTION – Other than not having sex at all, condoms offer the best protection from STIs. They should be used with a water-based lubricant to help prevent breakage.

The good news is that Sexual Health Clinics are located throughout Sydney, are FREE and do not require a Medicare card, but they cannot provide contraception advice. All information is confidential. You could also see your Doctor or Family Planning Clinic.

For more info contact the NSW Sexual Health Infoline 1800 451 624

Margaret Bates
School nurse

Semi-finalists in Impro Australia School’s Competition

The Intermediate Theatresports team came first in the heat of the Impro Australia School’s Competition on Friday 26 April. The team scored 14/15 for two out of the four rounds played against competing schools such as Fort Street, Sydney Secondary College and MLC School.

The team will now proceed to the semi finals and if successful will play in the Grand Final at Enmore Theatre.

Ms Tamara Smith
Head of Drama 

Gallipoli Bugle

The bugle played by Dominic Longhurst (11/JN) in the ANZAC Parade belonged to the 3rd Battalion of the First AIF and was carried into First World War battles from Gallipoli to the Western Front. The bugle bears the names of the battles and of members of the Battalion, many of whom did not return.

One name is that of Captain Arthur Leslie (‘Les’) Hewish, a Newington student from 1908 to 1910, who was killed at Passchendaele in 1917, aged 23. Another is Lieutenant Colonel Owen Glendower Howell-Price, commander of the Battalion, who was killed in Flanders in 1916, aged 26. He was one of five brothers who served in the War (two of them, in addition to Owen, were killed). None went to Newington, but one, Frederick Phillimore Howell-Price, sent his sons here: John (ON ’39) and Owen (ON ’44).

The bugle is now owned by Mr Brian Bown (ON ’48). It will be played again at Gallipoli for the Centenary of ANZAC Day in 2015.

David Roberts
College Archivist 

First President and the First Council

A hundred and fifty years ago, in another step towards the establishment of Newington College, the Committee of Education of the Wesleyan Methodist Church appointed the Reverend John Allen Mantonas the first President of the Wesleyan Collegiate Institution.

The Committee had had a pivotal role in the movement towards the establishment of the College and it now functioned, in effect, as the governing council of the new school as it came into being. Indeed, it was not until the beginning of 1866, two and a half years after the College’s opening, that a separate Council to oversee the College was formed. Its first Chairman, the Reverend Stephen Rabone, had led the Committee of Education through the work leading up to the start of the College.

Manton’s appointment as President also represented the start of the system of ‘dual control’ of the College that continued to the end of the nineteenth century. Under this system, the President — always an ordained Minister — had overall charge of the College, including oversight of boarding, facilities, employment, domestic arrangements and the training of theological students. The ‘Head Master’ (as the title was usually shown in this period) had charge of the academic side of the school, along with sport and other student activities, subject to the overall supervision of the President.

This is why we have portraits both of Presidents (Rev John Manton, Rev Joseph Fletcher, Rev Dr William Kelynack and Rev Dr James Egan Moulton) and of Headmasters (Thomas Johnstone, George Metcalfe, Michael Howe, Joseph Coates, William Williams, Arthur Lucas and Edward Cornwall) for this period on the walls of the Prescott Hall and the Council Board Room.

It was only with the appointment of the Reverend Dr Charles Prescott as Headmaster in 1900 that the two roles were combined and the dual control system ended in practice. Technically, Prescott was also the College’s President until the Newington College Council Act 1922 (NSW) changed the basis of the College’s governance.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Thank you – Sesquicentenary Capital Campaign reaches $5m

$5m of the $10m Sesquicentenary Capital Campaign Reached – Thank You!

Wyvern Parents recently decided to make a gift towards the Chris Wild (ON ’91) Indigenous Bursary which has resulted in the total of gifts and pledges of the entire Campaign (of which Wild is part of) to $5,011,100 – we are over half way to our goal!

There are so many positives out of this gift.

It takes the total in gifts and pledges of the Chris Wild (ON ’91) Indigenous Fund to $275,986 also pushing it well over half way to the $500, 000 corpus required to set it up – forever.

So the gift that tipped us over the $1m was David and Julie Gigg (then Wyvern parents now Stanmore parents), $2m was Shaun and Jo Palmer (Stanmore parents), $3m Grant and Linda Bush (then Lindfield parents now Stanmore parents), $4m was an Old Boy and now the $5m gift milestone is also thanks to Wyvern Parents. Now that’s all aspects of the Newington Family continuing to work together to make things happen for all of our boys to benefit – today and tomorrow!

To all donors a very big thank you from our boys – these milestones only happen because you have made a gift. All gifts make a difference – here we are at $5m.

Study Skills Seminars

In the final week of first tem all boys in Years 7 and 11 attended a number of study skills seminars.

On Thursday 11 April, Year 11 had two sessions covering Time Management and Study Sensei. On Friday 12 April they attended another two sessions titled ‘Ace Your Exams and Memory Mnemonics’.

Year 7 completed a Study Skills Kick Start program on Thursday and a Time Management seminar on Friday.

The seminars were conducted by an external organisation called Elevate Education. The presenters were all young people that have recently faced (and aced!) their Year 12 examinations. They spoke the boys’ language and were able to bring their own personal experiences to the table, allowing them to engage with our boys on their level. The seminars were conducted in House groups in Year 11 and in classes in Year 7. Your son’s mentor attended the sessions with him and will follow up on the information presented in future mentor periods.

Follow up material related to the Year 11 seminars is now available on the Year 11 page on SPACES.

To complement these programs, the College also subscribes to an online study skills handbook. The ELES Online Study Skills Handbook is a comprehensive and interactive online guide that will assist both students and parents in addressing their study skills issues and concerns.

Topics currently covered by the handbook include:

At Home:

1. Home study environment
2. Organisation and filing
3. Time management skills
4. Managing workload
5. Dealing with distractions
6. Overcoming procrastination
7. Developing motivation
8. Goal setting
9. Lifestyle and balance
10. Managing stress

At school:

1. Will we ever use this?
2. Using classtime
3. Asking for help
4. Dealing with conflict
5. Groupwork skills

Specific Skills:

1. Reading skills
2. Writing skills
3. Mathematical skills
4. Language skills
5. Research skills
6. Presentation skills

Tests and Exams:

1. Summarising
2. Active studying
3. Preparing for exam blocks
4. Test-taking techniques
5. After tests and exams

To access the handbook, go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and log in as a subscriber with the user name newingtoncollege and the password 86results.  A link to this site and all access details may be found on each of the Year Group pages on SPACES

Talented Athlete Support Program

The Talented Athlete Support Program has kicked off in style with Nathan Ashley (ON ’91). His message and full question and answer session is on the TASP SPACES page. Tier 1 athletes have begun their fortnightly mentoring sessions and we have a number of seminars coming up shortly.

Friday May 10 – Tertiary Scholarships (Sydney Uni, UNSW and Aussie Athletes Agency)

Friday May 24 – Sports Nutrition with Alison Garth

Friday June 7 – Professionalism with Brian Richardson

Friday August 9 – Presentation Skills with Jane Jackson

The TASP is open to tier 1 boys via invitation as well as any boy who has represented the school in a 1st team in 2013

Rugby Season Launch

Celebrating our champions of the past and honouring our champions of the future.

Click here for more information