What makes a Saint?

The Christian faith is not hung up on “Halloween” but some branches of the Faith do celebrate “All Saints Day” which originally was the significant celebration – and commercial and pagan forces have now meant that Halloween is becoming widely recognised.

On the first of November each year we celebrate All Saints’ Day, having survived All Hallows’ Eve (known as ‘Halloween’) the night before. Have you ever wondered what makes a saint? It’s an interesting question.

Classically the concept of a “saint” potentially applies to all of us. To be a saint is not to be a person who does miracles and is a “goody goody two shoes” – someone who is excessively virtuous, but rather it applies to the umbrella identification of those who say “yes” to the life and work of Jesus Christ.

The Protestant branch of the Christian faith was very keen, a long time ago, to emphasise this reality when it opposed the hypocrisy that existed in the late-Middle Ages when it came to naming very unvirtuous people as “saints”.

Yes we are indeed sinners too, certainly, and we need forgiveness, but that’s not all we are – we are not defined by our mistakes. We too can be beautiful human beings, just as the saints of old were. They’re not actually all that different from us. When we understand ourselves to be just like the saints, it changes the way we think of ourselves.

So for those of us who can buy into this more modern interpretation of the “sainthood” – let us also be challenged to live a life that is consistent with living as a child of the light and in the reflected glory of God’s incredible and unconditional love. We are blessed by God; we are children of God, capable of being wonderful people, who make a difference to the world. Within each one of us lies the glory of God, waiting to shine out like a beacon of hope to the world.

Being a saint doesn’t mean being perfect. It means faithfully doing whatever it is we feel God calling us to do at this time, in a way which is true to our faith. We rejoice in the prayers I’m sure they are saying for us, as we too play our part in being saints in God’s world. And for our encouragement we have this view from the scriptures of that great crowd of witnesses (the saints gone before us).

“As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with perseverance the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12: 1 – 2)

Rev David Williams
College Chaplain

F1 ready to make an Impact at World Championships

On Wednesday 12 November, six boys from Newington College, Evan Favos (9/ME), Sebastian Hodge (9/ME), Roger Li (9/FL), Anton Maraldo (9/ME), Ashan Karanaguran (11/KL) and Felix Shannon (11/PR), along with Mr Honeywill and Mr Pyne, will be racing off to Abu Dhabi to compete in the World Championship for F1 in Schools.

This challenge tests students by making them face the same tasks and challenges as an actual F1 Team. Teams must design, make and race a model car as well as assemble a marketing, sponsorship and media package around it.

At the beginning of this year, Newington’s lead Development Class Team, ‘Quantum’ made up of Year 9 boys Evan, Sebastian, Roger and Anton competed in and won the Australian National Titles, earning them a ticket to the World Championships. However, being in the‘Development’ class category meant that the boys could not compete on their own so were paired off with a Scottish all-girl team called ‘Rapid Input’. The two teams formed ‘Impact’, and as of March this year, have been working around the clock to prepare for the World Titles this week.

As an added bonus, two students from the former Senior Professional class team at Newington ‘Zipper Effect’ Ashan Karunagaran (11/KL) and Felix Shannon (11/PR) volunteered to help. To top it all off, the added team members alongside the guidance and assistance of Mr Honeywill, Ms Lak, families and sponsors, Impact is geared up to take up the challenge of maintaining Australia’s four year winning streak.

Last Friday, the Newington College team members of Impact were interviewed by ABC TV on their journey towards the Championships. It was aired on Sunday night, and for those of you who want to see the feature again, you can click here.

The boys would especially like to thank Mr Honeywill for his many years of support and dedication supporting not only this team, but the many teams who have competed in F1 in Schools. He has taken up hours upon hours of his personal time to ensure that the teams do their best. In addition, a special thanks to Ms Lak, who has volunteered her support through the whole campaign this year. While unable to join us overseas, her help has been immeasurable and greatly appreciated by the whole team.

The team could not have wished for a better support network, and hope that their best will be enough to win.

Ashan Karunagaran (11/KL) and Felix Shannon (11/PR)
Student Mentors to Impact

It’s a Balancing Act

Batons have been passed in lots of ways around the school in recent months. Whether it has been our outgoing Senior Prefect Kevin Stathis (ON 2014) making his last address to the College then giving up his seat at the front of the assembly to Saahil Parekh (11/MO), or the changes of the faces on boys turning up to sports trainings in new age groups each afternoon, there is a different feel to a school in Term 4.

These batons have also been passed a lot between boys in their academic lives this Term. As our Class of 2014 have sat in silence in Centenary Hall or Concordia in their final HSC and IB exams, the Year 11 boys have quietly (but purposefully) become the Class of 2015. Year 10, now completing the last of their Annual Exams, is thinking more about being in Year 11 and the challenges of their final two years at the College. Things that were a long way away, are suddenly much closer.

Many boys holding batons firmly in their hands were recently in the Old Boys Lecture Theatre, (all wondering as to the best way to carry them), to hear a range of speakers look at the experience of being in Year 12 and how to get the best out of it (and themselves). While the final 12 months of school was the focus of the evening, so much of what was discussed holds true irrespective of where someone is in their journey through high school.

It didn’t seem to matter how we looked at it, there was always a view that success at school came down to finding the right balance, something that we talk about a lot at Newington. From a purely academic point of view, a balance between the types of subjects boys select when they get the choices in their own curriculum is important. Getting that mix right in balancing work efforts between what is going to be handed in and marked, and what is something that you need to do because your teacher thought it was in your best interests.

In a practical sense, there is the matter of balance in how you approach study; about how you prioritise the demands on your time, weigh the efforts across your range of subjects and assessments, and how to balance the way you spend your time when you sit down to work on your own. Spending more time studying is rarely productive if there is no balance in the types of approaches you use to revise, learn and apply what you know in any given session.

Significantly, there is the important balance between how we would like to spend our time and how we sometimes need to spend our time, in order to get the best from ourselves. Balancing the distractions that draw us away from our studies with the quality time we need to get things done is a challenge. Turning off Facebook, gaming, and the lures of that remastered edition of Top Gun (or is that just my life!?) until we have done the work we said we would, and achieved the things we said we could, is one of the hardest balances to achieve; but, it’s one worth working towards.

It can be hard to appreciate that balance is important at a time of year full of examinations and the first rounds of HSC assessment tasks. However, especially at this time of year, learning how to balance the pressures and efforts that are part of this end of an academic year is not a bad lesson in and of itself (even if there is no question on it in the exam).

Mr Trent Driver
Deputy Head of Stanmore (Academic)

Year 7 Tackles Sustainability

For the remainder of the year, all Year 7 students will be working on a Challenge Based Learning Project on the topic of sustainability. This is the second year the project has been run and this year, it is an integrated, cross-curricular project that will extend across all academic subjects. The aim of this project is for students to work collaboratively, to identify an issue within the school or local environment, and respond by developing a suitable plan for action.

With this year’s academic focus for teachers being on developing a holistic approach towards learning, this year’s Challenge Based Learning Project has provided the perfect opportunity for teachers to deploy principles in the Newington Learning and Teaching Framework  to guide boys in self-directed, inquisitive and reflective learning processes in real-life scenarios.

Stage 1 of the month-long program kicked off on Monday 10 November with a presentation from the ABC’s Surfing Scientist Ruben Meerman in the Old Boys Lecture Theatre. Mr Meerman spoke to Year 7 about the science behind Climate Change before the boys broke off into smaller groups to complete practical exercises in Geography and Science to broaden their understanding of the term ‘sustainability’.

In Stage 2 students are working through a “Learning Matrix”. This means that boys will participate in a number of activities that draw on a range of subject areas and concentrate on the eight focus areas of sustainability. The project culminates with all students in groups identifying a challenge regarding sustainability here at the College which they will then work on with others to come up with a realistic solution. The presentation of their solutions will be given publicly to their peers, teachers, parents and guests.

As an added incentive, the best solutions will be taken up by the Newington College Sustainability Committee in 2015 where they will be put into action.

Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Learning and Teaching

Origins of Remembrance Day

This speech was presented by Head of History, Mr Peter Reid at the Sesquicentenary Courtyard for Remembrance Day 2014. 

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh  day of the eleventh month 1918 the guns on the Western Front fell silent – an Armistice or ceasefire had been agreed to and a war that saw some 10 million dead and millions more wounded and maimed had ended.

The first Armistice or Remembrance Day was held in November 1919 to commemorate the fallen of the Great War, or, as idealists hoped, the ‘War to end all Wars’. Monuments of marble sprang up in cities and country towns across the world and red ‘Flanders’ poppies became a symbol of remembrance.

It was not to be, however – a flawed peace process and the rise of militarist dictatorships saw a second even more terrible war break out 20 years later.

Historians now refer to these conflicts as the First and Second World Wars and they have been followed by other conflicts to the present day.

Remembrance Day is where we remember those who have died or suffered in all wars so that their names, as Kipling wrote, ‘Liveth For Evermore’.

Mr Peter Reid
Head of History

Fee Schedule Change

In an effort to assist with your forward planning for school fees, I wish to advise of the College’s school fee billing and payment timetable.

In 2015 the College will invoice all fees in nine monthly instalments. This will enable you to spread the financial load of school fees over much of the year. Typically, except where it falls on a weekend or public holiday, the College will invoice you on the 7th of each month from January to September. The fees are then due on the 16th of each month (January to September), or the next business day where the 16th falls on a weekend or public holiday.

In order to facilitate the payment of school fees in a convenient and timely manner, the College offers a variety of methods by which school fees can be paid. Due to changes to privacy legislation during 2014, providing credit card details to the College by way of an Authority form is no longer permissible. Instead, we will provide another method for convenient credit or charge card payments online.

More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Mr Peter Yates
Head of Corporate Services

Newingtonians on the first AIF convoy

On 1 November 1914, the first convoy of transport ships carrying troops of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and New Zealand Expeditionary Force left for Europe from Albany, Western Australia. En route, the convoy’s destination was changed to Egypt.

On board HMAT (His Majesty’s Australian Transport) Euripides, were Corporal Norman Roberts, a policeman from North Sydney who had entered Newington in 1902, and Colour-Sergeant Donald Neil MacGregor, who was teaching in Newington’s Preparatory School when the war broke out. Both were aged 27 and were serving in the 3rd Infantry Battalion. In the same unit was Bugler Charles Foster: he was not an Old Newingtonian but his bugle is now in the College Archives. He scratched the name ‘Euripides’ as the first of his many inscriptions on the bugle in the course of the war. With the 4th Battalion, also aboard the Euripides, was Corporal Harold Richmond Brown, a 19-year-old bank clerk, who had come to Newington in 1911.

Other Newingtonians were spread across the convoy. William Stewart Lucas, a 44-year-old solicitor, had attended the College from 1884 to 1887. He sailed aboard the Argyllshire as a Major in the Divisional Ammunition Column. Clive Kaeppel was the first Newingtonian reported to have volunteered direct from school. The Newingtonian reported that he had been accepted into the Light Horse, but he sailed on board the Afric as a Private in the 1st Battalion. Private Bruce Findlay, originally from Strathfield, had entered the College in 1899. He enlisted in Queensland and was with the 9th Battalion on board the Omrah. This was not his first sea voyage: in 1911 The Newingtonian reported him just returned from Colombo.

Private Richard Stanley Meek, a farmer who had come to Newington in 1894, was with the 2nd Battalion aboard the Suffolk. His brother, Hubert Kingsley Meek, at Newington from 1900 to 1905, had studied at Oxford and was on his way back to England from Russia when war broke out. He was commissioned in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in October and would serve at Gallipoli with the British forces. Also enlisting in England after study at Oxford was Carleton Kemp Allen, Dux at Newington in 1905, who was commissioned in the Middlesex Regiment on the outbreak of war.

A second convoy departed from Albany the next month. Among others, Sergeant Roy Morrell, a grazier from Bathurst, and Trooper Hayward Moffatt, a farmer from Longreach, sailed on 21 December. Both had entered Newington in 1903 and served together in A Squadron of the 6th Light Horse.

Most of these names are among the 52 Old Newingtonians on active service listed in the December 1914 issue of The Newingtonian, which is accessible on Spaces here and on the College’s website.

Mr David Roberts

College Archivist

Global Dignity Day 2014

Last Friday two Year 10 representatives, Jack Jacobs (10/FL) and George Moulos (10/ME), attended ‘Global Dignity Day’, along with 200 students from a broad range of schools at the NSW Parliament House. Global Dignity Day is an international initiative in which young leaders from all around the world meet to explore issues of self worth and mutual acceptance. The day’s aim is to instill a new, positive, inclusive and interconnected sense of value in young people that will guide them as they mature. The trip marked Newington’s first ever involvement in the cause, and for its students Jack and George, was an enlightening experience. Professor Ron McCallum, a leading Australian legal academic, was guest speaker for the event, and was “truly a joy to watch”, according to both boys. The Professor has been blind since birth, and currently acts on behalf of the UN as Chair for the ‘Committee on the rights of Persons with disabilities’.

Representative Jack Jacobs said, “The honesty and diverse backgrounds of the students from each school was heartwarming. The trust each participant placed in each other was a testament to the day’s success.” Since then, both students have been inspired to plan their own Global Dignity day at Newington. The boys are looking to get a guest speaker to come in to speak to Year 10 at the end of this term, to attempt to reproduce the same engaging experience as our representatives Jack and George received.

  Mr Jon Mountain
Head of Jonhstone / Mathematics Teacher

ONU Reunions: Class of 1963, 1964 and 1965

On Saturday 1 November, 2014 the College welcomed back the Class of 1964 including the Classes of 1963 and 1965 for their 50 Year Reunion lunch. The friendships forged at Newington College and now over 50 years strong, were a feature of the reunion as was the obvious high esteem held for the College.

Sport Report

Rowing

With the first regatta of the season (1 November) cancelled due to weather conditions out at Penrith, last weekend The Downer Trophy was competed between The King’s School and Newington College. The trophy was first raced in 1945 and for the first time since 1998, Newington won it outright.

In a new format – match racing rather than a time trial – the crews raced head to head down the Parramatta River, each crew trying to win a point to go towards the aggregate score. The 3rd IV beat the King’s crew by over 30 seconds; the 2nd IV lost the next race but the 1st IV won and set up the eights’ races well. The 2nd VIII victory secured the points and then the 1st VIII crossed the line in front in a close race, and this meant that King’s had to relinquish the trophy.

It was good to hear the ringing of the victory Bell four times. The breakfast was a great success and an enjoyable occasion, and thanks goes to all the parents who worked hard to ensure it went well.

In the Head of the Parramatta, a time trial held just prior to the Downer Trophy races, the Junior 1st VIII came 3rd by only 5 seconds in their category; the Junior 2nd VIII came 2nd as did the Junior 3rd VIII so a good set of results to start the season. The Year 9 and Year 8 Quads trained in Hen and Chicken Bay.

Next week, Newington hosts the regatta out at SIRC where all crews, except the Year 8s, will compete.

Summer Sport Captains

The 2014/15 Summer Sport Captains were recently announced.

Basketball – Connor Miller (11/KL)

Cricket – Fergus McKenna (11/JN)

Rowing – Aidan Sullivan (12/JN)

Tennis – Mark Perri (11/PR)

Water Polo – Wil Cotterill (12/LE)

Congratulations to these boys on their leadership roles.

Cricket

Two Newington Cricket players in the U15 age group Tom Whitnall (8/PR) and Nick Amos (9/JN) were selected in the GPS squad to trial for the CIS U15 Years Team. We’re pleased to report that Nick Amos has progressed to the final stage of CIS Trials to be held in February 2015. We congratulate Nick on his performance as well as acknowledge Tom Whitnall’s efforts in representing Newington and GPS cricket with merit.

The 2014/15 GPS Cricket season started well for the Newington 1st and 2nd XI teams in their one day fixture against St Ignatius’ College. Batting first, both Newington teams scored heavily with the 2nd XI scoring 224 and sealing victory in the last over. The 1st XI scored 4/260 in warm conditions and was able to manage the weather and the opposition batsmen to record a good win. Well done to both teams on the start to the season.

Special mention to the following boys who have produced some outstanding individual performances

2nd XI batsman Arthur Baris (10/ME) who scored 104 against the Shore School

1st XI batsman Jordan Gauci (11/FL) who scored 139 off 139 balls against Riverview

14A batsman Ben Leung (7/KL) who scored 134 against St Joseph’s College

14B bowler Harrison Longbottom (7/PR) who took a hat trick against Sydney Grammar

On Saturday 8 November Newington U15s Cricket hosted Scotch Oakburn College, from Launceston, Tasmania. Batting first, Scotch scored 129/9 from 30 overs v New 103/7 from 24 overs in heatwave conditions. Unfortunately, in what was promising to be a tight match, an electrical storm saw play finish early. It was great to see the fantastic spirit in the game. Well done to the Newington boys, some of whom played in an earlier game against Riverview. Special praise to Mr Harrison Cox for his outstanding efforts.

Rugby

The following Newington boys have been selected in various regional Junior U15 and U17 Gold Squad after two weeks of trials. The boys will train over summer, with games in the New Year.

Year 7

• Lucas Dorrell (7/MO)

Year 8

• Simione Afeaki (8/KL)
• Angus Bell (8/KL)
• William Serhon (8/FL)

Year 9

• Harry Dickens (9/LE)
• James Haldane (9/JN)
• Chris Icanovski (9/KL)
• Liam Janson (9/PR)
• Rory Lynch (9/ME)
• Sam Maley (9/KL)
• Patrick McCormack (9/KL)
• Jordan Paea (9/LE)

Year 10

• Isaac Lewis (10/MO)
• Tyrone Taukamo (10/ME)
• James Turner (10/MO)

 Tennis

The GPS Top Six Tennis tournament was held at The King’s School on Saturday 1 November. Unfortunately the event did not get completed because of late afternoon storms. The format for this year changed with players grouped in pools, in three divisions, competing in a round robin format. At the end of the pool matches Julian Panagopoulos (10/LE) and Daiki Tanabe (10/FL) progressed through to the semi-finals, both undefeated in Division 1. Mark Perri (11/PR) was undefeated in the Division 2 event, and Eric Liu (8/JN) remained undefeated in Division 3. Unfortunately this is where the event was called off. Very good performances by the aforementioned boys.

Water Polo

The GPS/CAS Water Polo has commenced with Newington teams starting the season well with victories over St Joseph’s College, Barker College and Cranbrook. The College’s U16 and U14 age groups have been training well and are developing strong combinations in the water.

The following Newington boys have been selected in the GPS Water Polo teams to represent GPS at the upcoming CIS trials, well done boys.

• Byron Blaik (11/LE)
• Elliott Collins (10/JN)
• Christian Poidevin (10/LE)
• Rory Williams (10/KL)
• Chaz Poot (10/MO)
• Ned Churchyard (9/ME)

Interview with Boarding House Master Mr Mark Oliphant

2015 Senior Boarding Prefect Matt Hardman (11/MA) interviewed Boarding House Master Mr Mark Oliphant leading up to his departure. Having been with Edmund Webb Boarding House for three years Mr Oliphant and his family have truly made a mark on the lives of many boys who have boarded at Newington. Here, Mr Oliphant recounts both his time at Edmund Webb and the challenges for the future.

Matt: Mr Oliphant, you are leaving Sydney and Newington College to take on the Director of Boarding role at a school in Brisbane. Can you tell us what prompted the move?

Mark: My wife, Carla and I are from Queensland and it was always our intention to eventually move back there to be closer to our families. As you know, we have two sons and it will be great for them to get to know their grandparents.

Matt: What do you foresee as being the greatest challenges of your new role?

Mark: Getting to know the boarders at my new school. There are 180 boarders at the school and it will be important to get to know them, their parents and where they are from. At Newington, I know each boarder, his parents, his local guardian, where they are from, their interests as well as their teachers. It’s crucial.

Matt: What will you miss the most about Newington and the boarders here?

Mark: Having grown up in country Queensland, Sydney was a huge change for us when we moved here. We will miss the proximity that Stanmore has to all that Sydney has to offer. For example, it is not far to the city, the beaches or the best ice cream in the world, at ‘Cow and Moon’. Carla will miss the shopping but it has been great for me to experience “big city” living. As a person it has exposed me to more people who I wouldn’t have otherwise ever known. I think we will miss the people at Newington more than anything. I will miss all of you guys (boarders) as well as the exceptional staff that work in the House and at College.

Matt: What makes the staff so exceptional here compared to other places where you have worked?

Mark: They are dedicated beyond belief! All of the boarding staff go above and beyond their minimum hours each week. Not a night goes by that I don’t see Mr Lever or Mr van Asperen working with the boys on their Maths or English. Mr Norman gets out and plays touch footy or football or basketball each night just before prep and supervises the boys in the Design and Technology laboratories whenever they need to do extra work on projects. Coach Nottage makes sure that our boarders’ appearances are up to standard each day and drives the big bus whenever we go on an outing. I cannot say enough about their skills at turning boys into men of substance.

Mr Troy Stanley who is replacing me next year has a background in boarding and excellent foundations in pastoral care at the College. Whilst my focus has always been on structure, routine and discipline during my time as House Master, he has already floated a number of great ideas with me in regards to building strong relationships between all of the boys in the House. I am looking forward to hearing of the continued success of Edmund Webb House.

Matt: Where do you see boarding at Newington in the future?

Mark: Regardless of its size in the future, Newington will continue to have a strong representation of boarders from a range of cultural backgrounds. We are so lucky that we get to know boys from the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-East Asia, as well as country New South Wales and metropolitan Sydney. I’m sure we will continue to grow the relationships that we have built in these areas for many years to come.

One particular growth area for boarding is the number of from metropolitan Sydney boys who come from the Sutherland Shire, the Western Suburbs and the Northern Beaches. Increasing commute times along with an increase in the workload and co-curricular commitments has meant that many Sydney families are now looking at boarding as an option in the Senior years.

When parents consider household expenditure on items such as food, electricity, internet and travel, boarding becomes an attractive option. In many ways, parents are then able to focus on their careers during the week and having quality family time during the holidays and on weekends.

Outside of continuing to build multiple generations of Newington boarding families we will also integrate a boarding specific pastoral care program. With the amount of research going into the psychology of young men, we are now in a great position to build on our six character traits of Newington Boarders by dealing specifically with issues that young men face as they progress through school.

Matt: Do you think little Tom (Mark’s 2 year old son) will miss us?

Mark: Yes. Tom loves going down into the House and spending time with you guys. It is important that all boys know the families of the boarding House staff. It helps to build a sense of community and I am sure that Mr Gill and Mr Stanley’s families will be heavily involved next year. I know that their children will enjoy spending time with the boarders, whether it be playing backyard cricket or going swimming.

Matt: Thank you for your time Mr Oliphant. From all of us at Edmund Webb Boarding House, we wish you the very best for the future and please come and visit us soon.

Tips for Schoolies

Schoolies is coming up so I thought I would put together some advice for parents and boys. This was popular last year.

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. Having a good time doesn’t make the headlines.

Practical Tips for Schoolies

• 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, run through a few simple meals that can be prepared quickly like spaghetti bolognese, tacos, toasted sandwiches in the frying pan, etc.
• Simply say ‘no’ to drugs every time. Remember paramedics are there to help you and are not there to report you, so be honest if you or a friend have used drugs. Obviously those caught selling or supplying drugs will be prosecuted.
• Be careful about posting images on social media. Police have said that this is their number 1 concern this year. Charges are most likely to be laid against young people who coerced or forced others to take the indecent images.
• Walk away from confrontation.
• 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 use a condom. STI’s are at an all-time high. Alcohol is proven to lower inhibitions and impair judgement.
• Be especially careful on a balcony – no balcony hopping/planking.
• Wear sunscreen. Stay safe in the surf. Don’t swim alone, at night or if drunk. Don’t play holding breath games underwater or similar as this has ended in tragedy recently.
• Avoid getting a tattoo, especially overseas where infection control and quality standards are not enforced.
• Keep your accommodation locked to avoid theft.
• Don’t be afraid to call 000 if necessary.

Schoolies venues have wonderful volunteers and professional people to help look after you. Look out for the Red Frog volunteers 1300 557 123 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 http://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 (Queensland)

• drinking in a public place (18 years and over): $113
• underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if you’re holding a drink for your friend who is over 18: $256
• being under 18 and found on licensed premises: $341
•  If you’re 18 and you supply alcohol to your underage mates you could face a fine of $9108
• Buying alcohol over the internet is also illegal if you’re under 18. A maximum court imposed fine of $2,200, or an on-the-spot penalty of $220 applies
• In Queensland, 17 year olds have their drug offences determined in the adult court system.
• If you use a friend’s ID you can be fined over $341
• If you make and use a fake ID you may be fined $683 on the spot. All fake IDs will be confiscated.

Parents let your son know that you can be contacted 24 hours a day for any reason and that you will listen and help. If they feel the reaction will be anger they probably won’t call. Be positive. Tell them to have a great time and return safely!

For more great info check out the schoolies web page http://www.schoolies.com/safety or read  this factsheet.

 Sister Margaret Bates
College Nurse