118th AAGPS Athletics Carnival a record-breaking success for Newington

The 118^th AAGPS Athletics carnival was held at Homebush on Saturday 11 May. Newington competed in the three divisions with outstanding results from all boys.

From the first field events Newington’s cheering was in fine form, led by the 1st XVI, who rallied the boys to raise the roof on the finish line for our athletes. The enthusiasm even included a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for Newington’s 150th.

The highlight of the day was the winning of the Junior Championship (U13 and U14) known as the “The Ladies Challenge Plate” for the first time since 1977. The Intermediate team (U15 and U16) finished seventh with many boys in the U16s competing in the Opens Division. The senior boys finished fourth. Two Newington boys, Tepai Moeroa (12/JN) in the opens shot putt and Morgan McDonald (12/MO) in the 3000m, broke the existing GPS records for their events. The 3000m was a particularly sweet finish for Newington with a 1,2 finish when Patrick Elliott (12/ME) crossed the line after Morgan. There were six Newington records broken along with numerous personal bests achieved in the team. Congratulations to all competitors and supporters on a fantastic day for Newington.

As always the relays brought the stands to silence in anticipation of the final show down. Our U13 4x100m team ran an extraordinary race anchored by James Roach (7/MA) who ran the field down in a heart stopping final 100m to the delight of the Newington team, the whole school and their families.

Rockfest

Save the date for Rockfest 2013, on at 7pm Tuesday 4 June at Centenary Hall

Click here for the promotional poster.

We hope to see you there!

Banana leaves trounce Tupperware in epic lunch battle

The Eco Committee at Newington College meet every week to share ideas and plan campaigns to make Newington a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place. With the support of Ms Mandi Randell, the team of dynamic and driven students have already made an impact on the way in which the College interacts with its environment. On Monday 8 April, a convoy of environmental ambassadors travelled to Taronga Zoo for the Enviro Forum 2013 with the aim of sharing our successes and gathering new ideas from other schools. The chosen students were Jonno Tims (10/MO), Edward Treloar (10/FL), Ross Kovanis (10/LE) and Jack Tiftis (10/MA).

After a sunny ferry journey and a bus (keeping it sustainable with public transport) we arrived at Taronga Zoo, donned name badges and introduced ourselves to the baby snake and possum who were casually hanging out in the lecture theatre (not together). Then followed a brief introduction from the zoo staff to outline the aim of the event: to raise awareness and gather ideas for sustainable projects. The attendees were mainly from Sydney schools, although a few had travelled from further afield. There were approximately 100 students present, all of whom had been forewarned of a competition to be held at morning break and lunchtime to create the most sustainable and interesting lunch packaging, to encourage less wastage from school lunches. None, however, were as prepared as Team Newington. Ed Treloar and Jonno Tims swept aside their competitors with their architectural feat: they had constructed lunch boxes simply of banana leaf and recycled twine. Early winners at 11 o’clock, their innovation was put to the test as the sun rose higher: would the banana leaf protect their food from the elements? The conclusion we reached was that banana leaf is a fantastic vehicle for sandwiches, dishes consisting of rice and sauce however, will spring a leak!

The break was followed by a series of presentations from each school, demonstrating the variety of different approaches schools have adopted towards sustainability. All were interesting and informative, and I think we were all grateful to have such support from Newington, staff and students, in our endeavours; many schools clearly did not enjoy such financial and emotional backing. A few highlights of the presentations featured a delicious kitchen garden, a move from plastic water bottles to reusable containers and a strange system called ‘Duckponics’, which used ducks to propel a dynamic water filtration system. Whether the ducks enjoyed this is yet to be discovered. Ed Treloar led our presentation and was a credit to the school with his clarity, projection and engaging manner; well done Ed!

Lunch was spent unwrapping banana leaves while watching a seal show, put on for the Forum. The iPads provided to document the day caught a special relationship blossoming between Ed and one of the seals. Entertained, and a little heartbroken, we moved on into the zoo. With only a short time before the afternoon speakers, we completed a speedy circuit of ‘the big names’ before returning for the afternoon presentations. The sight of a baby elephant, an angry teenage gorilla and a giraffe family cemented our resolve to continue promoting environmental issues at Newington.

The afternoon speakers were focused on empowering students to make a change. They were inspiring and highly entertaining, although the production of props such as an enormous beard and a chicken were a little bemusing. The day ended with a pledge to continue our good work. We caught the ferry home and returned to Newington the following day, armed with new ideas for promoting sustainability.

Ms Sophie Robinson
English Teacher

‘Let’s read it together’ – National Simultaneous Storytime

Happy Library and Information Week everybody! This week we’re celebrating libraries and all that they do in the areas of reading, literacy, research and information skills, among many other things.

As part of the festivities, we hosted a National Simultaneous Storytime event on Wednesday 22 May, where we invited our three Kindergarten classes to come to the Stanmore campus to visit the new library and to read with our Year 12 boys. The whole idea behind the National Simultaneous Storytime is for all registered schools and libraries to read the same book at the same time, to promote reading and literacy to young people. Our Year 12 boys were wonderful role models for the younger boys, and they were buddied up together once the simultaneous story had been told, to read more books!

Incidentally, it’s also National Cyber Security Awareness Week. ALIA (Australian Library & Information Association) has teamed up with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to launch Project 13, an initiative to keep young people safe online. The Project provides cybersafety tips for teacher-librarians, students and parents. To download some handy tip sheets head over to the Project 13 website

Happy reading, researching and information gathering while staying safe online!

Ms Choi
Head of Library Services

Drivers needed for Red Shield Appeal

The Salvation Army have been overwhelmed by the large number of year 10 , 11 and 12 boys who have volunteered to participate in this year’s Red Shield Appeal door knock, on Sunday May 26.

The boys have responded magnificently to this Charity Appeal and now the call is going out to parents and teaching staff to volunteer as drivers on the day.

Drivers would need to be at Newington at 8.20am. They would then take the boys (usually in team of 4) to a specified location in the local area and stay in the vicinity whilst the boys collect door to door.

The boys collect from 9-11am and then need to be returned to school. We are also manning a barbecue (if people can’t make the early start).

This is a great opportunity for our College community to come together as a team with boys, parents and staff working to assist the Salvos – arguably Australia’s most well recognized and respected charitable organizations.

Your involvement will not only help the Salvos continue their work in helping Australia’s needy, you will make a powerful statement to our boys about the importance of giving of ourselves to others.

To assist with planning, volunteer drivers are asked to send their contact details to the Head of Service Learning, Mick Madden

The greatest gift that we can give to others is the gift of our time!

Mr Mick Madden
Head of Service Learning 

Newington Basketball Tours China

Newington Basketball toured China at the invitation of the Zhejiang Province School Basketball Association during the second week of school holidays. While the aim of the trip was for the boys to engage in a number of “friendly games” against Chinese high schools in the cities of Hangzhou and Linhui, the boys also got a rare cultural experience and gained invaluable insight into the life in schools and of boys their age in modern China.

During the trip the boys visited historical sites such as the Southern wall in Linhui of the Great Wall of China, tea farms in Hangzhou where they witnessed tea ceremonies and visited a one thousand year old Buddhist temple and prayer area and were shown remnants from the Cultural Revolution.

The boys were also given the unique opportunity to spend a day in a secondary school – Huipu High School – which had a student body of more than 7,500 students. The boys were treated like “rock stars” as they visited classrooms and interacted with their Chinese peers. Our boys were such a hit that the gym put up a full house sign early for that evening’s game and the crowd got behind our team as much as they did, the home team.

For the record, Newington had two wins and one loss while on tour. Our party of 25 travellers were both overwhelmed and humbled by the friendship and hospitality shown by our new Chinese friends.

Rex Nottage
Director of Basketball 

Local Sporting Champions

Above: Denali is presented with his certificate by the Federal MP, Craig Kelly

Two Newington boys, Denali Blunden (7/JN) and Keanu Blunden have been awarded as the Local Sporting Champions for the Federal Electorate of Hughes. Keanu was a Year 8 student at Newington last year and has only recently moved to Seoul, South Korea to further his training in short track speed skating. His goal is to represent Australia in the World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championship to be held in Turkey in early March next year.

There were hundreds of applicants for the Local Sporting Champion program and only 10 individuals from each Federal Electorate are awarded each year after a lengthy application and interview process. The boys were awarded as Local Sporting Champions in recognition of their successes and dedication in the sport of short track speed skating, a fantastic achievement for both boys.

Sport Report

Swimming

Whilst the AAGPS Swimming competition has finished a number of boys competed at the NSW All Schools Carnival. Callum Lowe-Griffiths competed in ten individual events, winning three, finishing second in four and third in three.

Callum has been selected in the NSW All Schools Team to compete in the Australian Schools Swimming Championships in Adelaide in September. He is one of only two GPS Swimmers to make the team. Callum will compete in 10 individual events, which is by far the most of any swimmer in the team.

Newington relay teams were outstanding and finished in the same places as they did at CIS Carnival.

• All Age – Jack Rudkins (7/MA), Jason Hartill (8/MO), Callum Lowe-Griffiths (9/PR), Benjamin Tran (9/KL), Simon Kennewell (11/ME), Anthony Hrysanthos (12/ME) – Finished 2nd
• Jnr Free – Callum Lowe-Griffiths, James Haldane (8/JN), Thomas Su (8/KL), Nathan Lawson (9/MO) – Finished 3rd
• Jnr Medley – Callum Lowe-Griffiths, Tom Foley (9/FL), Jason Hartill, Nathan Lawson – Finished 2nd

Newington finished fourth overall in the Boys Point Score. Well done to all boys!

Loving Your Enemy

Wow now that’s a tough call. In the last two House Chapel services we have been looking at Jesus’ parable, the Good Samaritan. After all these years of teaching and preaching the parable of Jesus, I am being confronted, in a new way, with a truth that is pretty hard to take and pretty difficult to put into practice. I have enough trouble keeping my cool in Sydney traffic let alone reaching out to needy people who are people I dislike intensely and whom I might see as enemies (like opposing teams’ coaching staff who bend the rules).

 I am discovering how controversial this message was, and is, and how difficult Jesus’ request of us actually can be. The parable could equally have been named the parable of the “Good Enemy” for this is exactly what the Samaritan was in this parable. In many ways the title is oxymoronic! A virtuous enemy! Samaritans were not a special breed of “do-gooders” that went about in groups to help people in need. Samaritans were a defined ethnic group living adjacent to Jesus’ fellow Jews. Samaritans and Jews, in 1^st Century Palestine, hated each other.

When the Samaritan in the story was painted as the hero, by Jesus, there would have been “boos” from the listening crowd and people would have walked away. The authorities, especially the religious heavies, would have grown even more suspicious of this new rabbi (teacher) and his growing band of disciples. There are other examples when Jesus goes out of his way to show concern and love to “the enemy” – he blesses a Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:5ff) and counsels a Samaritan woman (John 4:7ff).

So how are we supposed to pull this off?  More importantly, how are we expected to show love towards people who we justifiably dislike, and are repulsed by? Well first of all I want to say I personally really struggle with this, so please do not think I am speaking from successful experience. One of the important things though is to take the first step, and try reaching out in care and concern to people we live and work with who we don’t particularly like. The results of this will surprise you.

I have discovered that our strength, motivation and wherewithal can be enabled, even fuelled, by realising and embracing the degree to which we ourselves are loved. Loved and accepted unconditionally by our Creator, but for many of us, also loved unconditional by our spouses and family. Psychologists would call this our “secure base”. And here is the radical aspect to what Jesus had to point us to. We don’t have to earn “being good” points with God – God’s love is there for us regardless of who we are or what we think about ourselves. As we take the incredible truth of this on-board; as we really digest this into our being then the reality of this love will be our launching pad for reaching out to our neighbour, even our neighbour who may be our enemy. One thing is sure, and that is our “enemy” will be the one most in need of our care and concern and love.

David N. Williams 
College Chaplin

A message from the Deputy Head of Stanmore – Head of Pastoral

It’s All About Character

After a hectic but enjoyable first term, I wanted to write a short introduction about myself and the Pastoral team, but also include some observations and priorities for the futures of our boys.

One thing is clear, Newington is a busy place. Dr Andrew Hirst wrote at the end of last year that it is a “place on the move” – a busy college where boys are challenged both in and out of the classroom and where character development is central to what we do. An intensive co-curricular offering and a rich choice of Service Learning, leadership opportunities, and a strong House culture provides every boy with the opportunity to belong and connect with both their peers and the teaching staff.

During Term 1 I spoke at assemblies about ‘character’. I reinforced the difference between ‘image’ and ‘integrity’. The former relates to appearance and the latter focusing on substance which runs deeper than simply obeying school rules.

I have visited many, many co-curricular sports and activities and enjoyed the huge ‘esprit de corps’ that many boys’ schools enjoy. Of note was the hugely relational side of these activities where boys are known and known well.

Indeed this is the essence of good pastoral care. To be known for one’s character and personality, one’s strengths and shortfalls, allows deep growth. To observe a familiarity between peers and between boys and staff allows for genuine growth and realistic expectations. Some schools struggle to find a balance between the glory of the institution and the real purpose of co-curricular engagement.

Our boys must remain central to what we do. We must continue to use a language that goes beyond the sport or activity in order to promote good character. The sporting priorities of hard work, resilience, teamwork and excellence are transferrable to all walks of life and directly relate to the academic pillars of the school. Not all boys can play in ‘A’ or 1^st teams so compulsory engagement in sport and activities must be within the context of character growth where meaning and purpose are frequently explained to the boys.

Many coaches praise individuals for their efforts, their improvement, their commitment and their ability to bounce back from a defeat or a tough lesson. For boys to give to something bigger than themselves creates that wonderful context for good character growth.

Some of our future priorities include reviews of Pastoral programmes such as Leadership and the introduction of some positive psychology initiatives for 2014. I am delighted to be at Newington and I am ably supported by Ms Filomena Moretti and Ms Elizabeth Forgan in the office, and by an extensive Pastoral team including Mr Jeff Snare, Head of Middle School, the Heads of House and Years, the Counsellor, the Careers Director and the Mentors. I am excited about working with them and you for the good of the boys, especially for their good ‘character’.

Mr Robert Meakin
Deputy Head of Stanmore – Head of Pastoral

Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Adolescent Boys

I certainly see quite a few boys with knee pain in the clinic and the following is quite a common diagnosis.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a self limiting, overuse injury that occurs in the knee area of growing adolescents. It is more common in boys and is caused by inflammation of the tendon below the kneecap (patellar tendon) where it attaches to the shinbone (tibia). This tendon becomes inflamed and micro-fractures of the tibial head can result.

The condition tends to occur during the adolescent growth spurt often between the ages of 10 and 15 years for boys. At this time the bones, tendons and muscles grow quickly but not always at the same rate. With exercise, differences in size and strength between the muscle groups place unusual stress on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone.

The body repairs the fractures by laying down extra bone tissue. The result is a larger than normal bump at the tibial head.

Young adolescents who participate in certain sports, including soccer, gymnastics, basketball, and distance running, are most at risk for this disease. It usually occurs in one knee but can occur in both.

Symptoms

• Pain and swelling below the knee.
• Gradual onset.
• Relieved by rest and made worse by activity, particularly running   or jumping.
• Tightness of the muscles around the knee especially the Quadriceps.
• Pain is provoked by knee extension against resistance.

Treatment

• Most adolescents respond to conservative management consisting of rest from painful activities and use of ice packs to settle the inflammation.
• Once symptoms have decreased to a reasonable level, low-impact quadriceps exercises can commence before gradually increasing the intensity of exercise. If symptoms recur, patients should stop exercises or reduce their intensity.
•  A good stretching program, focusing on the hamstring and quadriceps muscles, before and after activity is important.
•  An over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, or prescription anti-inflammatory medicines may be used.
• Referral to a physiotherapist can be beneficial to manage rehabilitation, particularly if recovery is slow. Taping or a knee strap may be recommended to distribute the stress on the shin bone.

Complications are rare but about 60% of adults who had OSD as kids experience some pain with kneeling.

Margaret Bates
School Nurse

Concordia Hosts a Super-Size Sculptor

On Tuesday 14 May Concordia Gallery opened its doors presenting Tim Kyle, a star in the Australian sculpture world. Winner of the  2003 Wynne Prize his large seated and standing men are well known to Sculpture by the Sea attendees.

The mood of the opening night could not have been more exciting and compelling. In the tiny room where Tim’s 10 or so recent sculptures were being exhibited art connoisseurs, up-and-coming artists (including students) and even curious staff members filled the gallery, thrilled to be viewing some of the most appreciated art of the current times (and to sample the fine cheese platters!).

With the help of a few IB Diploma boys, the exhibition was curated by Ms Hannah Chapman, whom we are very lucky to have as a new staff member this year. Newington is also very lucky that Evan Hughes, Tim Kyle’s manager, encouraged Tim to exhibit at our own gallery. To sum up his artwork, Tim states, “The human condition is what concerns me most: response to the inane but trying to remain humane, when people say ‘No’, but you want to hear ‘Yes’, underdogs who fail again and again, war and pieces of peace.” Highlights of Tim’s works include Deep Sea Putt, Black and Blue, and the colloquially infamous Weeing Man.

One unusual piece exhibited was a rather large sculpture resting outside the entrance to the gallery, a large man with outstretched hands. This sculpture in fact was made, with the help of Tim, by a group of aspiring Year 9 artists. “We added layers to build up the tone… Tim likes sticking to grey tones because he used to animate and enjoyed the initial stage, pre colour,” Max Bollington (9/MA), a student in Year 9, recalls. “When we first started working on the sculpture, it seemed very difficult,” said Brad Amituanai (9/JN), “but then [Tim] gave us tips and different ways of approaching sculpting to make it ultimately look like a work of art…overall a magnificent experience.” Another Year 9 class completed an incredible panorama of drawings stencilled onto the walls of the gallery; this added a vibrant flavour to the exhibition.

Tim Kyle’s exhibition also recently acted as a stimulus for a Year 8 English creative writing class. Extra educational benefits like this make the Concordia Gallery such an exciting and valuable tool for inspiring Newington boys.

I have seriously enjoyed being exposed to some great art work, and have been even more thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and interview Tim and find out about his artistic journey and processes. The exhibition finishes on Tuesday 4th June. Be sure to make the time to see it, so you don’t miss out!

John Keene (11/JN)

Headmaster’s Sesquicentenary Prefects Afternoon Tea

As a part of the Sesquicentenary Celebrations, the Headmaster will host an Afternoon Tea on Saturday 25 May for more than 80 past Newington Senior Prefects, Deputy Senior Prefects and Senior Boarder Prefects. Spanning the decades from 1945 to the present day and travelling from far and wide, Newington’s former student leaders will join the Headmaster and the Director of Development, Archives, Alumni and Foundation in Prescott Hall for Afternoon Tea, and take a tour of the new Rae and Pyke Sesquicentenary Buildings. A commemorative photograph will be taken to mark the special occasion.

Founders Society Day in our Sesquicentenary

The Sesquicentenary Founders Society Day was held on Friday 17 May. Now in its fourth year the Founders Society, the College’s Bequest group, was established in 2010 to recognise and honour those who have remembered the College in their Will.

25 new members, including; Old Boys, past staff and partners were inducted into the Founders Society for 2013 by its patrons Mr Barry Collins OAM (ON ’52), Mr Phil Davis OAM/Past staff and Headmaster, Dr David Mulford, taking the group to 88 members strong.

The event included a formal ceremony on the lawn, outside the Founders Building, decorated with the new Sesquicentenary banners, along the historic colonnades. Seven current Founders Society members, each representing a group within the Newington community e.g. rowing, read out a personal declaration of their time at the College and thanking the new members joining them in The Founders Society. The declarations, attached to white roses, were planted in the pots in each colonnade as a memento and will remain there for the week. This will allow current students a chance to read and acknowledge this special group of people who are committed playing their part in securing Newington’s future.

Third Annual Sports Seminar

Parents and boys are encouraged to come along to the 3rd Annual Sports Seminar held 6 – 8pm Wednesday 5 June in the Old Boys Lecture Theatre.

The seminar will be attended by guest speakers: Nutritionist Susie Burrell, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority spokeswoman Alanna Metlikovec and John Fahey from the World Anti-doping Agency.

For more information, please click here

Centre for Ethics: Festival of Ideas Dinner

Looking for the dinner party conversation from Heaven where someone else cooks? Don’t miss out on the Festival of Ideas Dinner with speaker Michael Parker, the author of Ethics 101 Conversations to have with your kids.

Join us to discuss the issues you son is bringing home to you each day. The issues will be chosen by a spinning chocolate wheel!

Would YOU torture a terrorism suspect to stop a bus blowing up?

Would YOU genetically modify your children to give them a better chance?

Would YOU loot a store after an earthquake to feed your family?

Would YOU pick the Reisling or the Pinot Noir?

Payment can be made here. Please go to ‘Events and Activities’ and follow the prompts

Sesquicentenary Founders Concert

Don’t miss out on the Sesquicentenary Founders Concert to be held at 7pm

Sydney Town Hall, Wednesday 17 July 2013.

This celebration of 150 years of music making at Newington College promises to be a spectacular gala evening. Musicians from Newington College will be performing with guests from the Newington Old Boys community and Tupou College Tonga.

The Headmaster is delighted to announce that the College Council has decided that The Sesquicentenary Founders Concert is a free concert as a celebration of 150 Years of Newington College

To avoid disappointment, please book your tickets early with Ms Jane Wynn-Jones.

Please click here for the flier.

The Newington Shop

Term Trading Hours: 

Mondays to Fridays

8:00am to 4:30pm

Wyvern / Lindfield Parents

PE Polos, Track suit jackets and Track suit pants are 50% off

* Both small and larger sizes available

Blazer Re-braiding

Re-braiding of the blazer is offered twice a year. The end of Term 2 and the end of Term 3.

Requirements

• The Blazer needs to be Dry Cleaned
• Dry Cleaning tags are to remain on the Blazer
• Blazer is required to be in the shop in the morning of last day of term
• Blazer will be re-braided during the holidays and returned prior to the start of the next term.
• Cost $90
• Should you have concerns in regard to your son being out of uniform for the last couple of days of term please notify: – years 7 – 8 Head of Year and years 9 – 12 Head of House

Sesquicentenary Memorabilia: Newington Monopoly

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!

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

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