‘One for Many’ 2018

Student leadership is the key to high standards.

I heard a Sydney headmaster once say “no school rises above its Year 12.” What he meant by this was the standards most senior years set for the school is the standard of the school.

I commend our outgoing Year 12 for their leadership, service and above all, a good example to the younger years of our College. The systems and programs at Newington allow all senior boys to lead in some form.

Last week we welcomed our new Year 12 cohort as the leaders of the school and tasked them with the privilege and challenge of leading by example in scholarship, pastoral care and co-curricular life.

Our new Senior Prefects and their team gathered to set out their goals for the year, then those Captains and Vice-Captains planned, with great enthusiasm, the next 12 months. They were all highly respectful of the previous two leadership teams, wishing to continue the themes of Gender Equality, Positive Mental Health and Service and Support for others.

After much debate (some of it quite heated), the slogan of ‘One for Many’ was decided as the catch cry for 2018.

Recognising individuality and embracing diversity for all individuals is supported by a team approach to serve the good causes of others and their needs; especially those less fortunate than ourselves. This theme and vision supports the ethos of Newington College superbly and engages the student population in many of the well-being strategies and goals planned for 2018.

Together, with other co-curricular captains and with all of Year 12, this team will attempt to demonstrate they are ‘One for Many’ in this community and beyond.

We wish them every success.

List of Senior Prefects, House Captains and  Vice Captains.

Senior Prefect Lachlan McIntyre (11/JN)
Deputy Senior Prefect Matthew Dyster (11/FL)
Deputy Senior Prefect Alexander Humphreys (11/JN)
Senior Boarding Prefect Richmond Sear (11/MA)
Deputy Senior Boarding Prefect  Anthony Kama (11/FL)
Deputy Senior Boarding Prefect Tua Mahe (11/FL)
Deputy Senior Boarding Prefect Long Duy Pham (11/MO)
Deputy Senior Boarding Prefect Finn Sleigh (11/PR)

Fletcher House
Captain Dale Schlaphoff (11)
Vice-Captain Thomas Barker (11)
Vice-Captain Nicholas Fitzsimmons (11)

Johnstone House
Captain Justin Raja (11)
Vice-Captain William Mellor (11)
Vice-Captain Michael van Walsum (11)

Kelynack House
Captain Nicholas Maclean (11)
Vice-Captain Angus Bell (11)
Vice-Captain Gus Burton (11)

Le Couteur House
Captain Liam Nikos (11)
Vice-Captain Angus Crump (11)
Vice-Captain Alec Machin (11)

Manton House
Captain James Roach (11)
Vice-Captain Daniel Baykitch (11)
Vice-Captain Andrew Harrison (11)

Metcalfe House
Captain Nolan Whitcomb (11)
Vice-Captain Kelvin Du (11)
Vice-Captain Nazim Rahman (11)

Moulton House
Captain Darcy McDonald (11)
Vice-Captain Anton Fichtenmaier (11)
Vice-Captain Riley Vaughan (11)

Prescott House
Captain Matteo Lannan (11)
Vice-Captain Hunter Karam (11)
Vice-Captain Andrew Liu (11)

Mr Bob Meakin
Deputy Head of Stanmore (Students)

Year 9 Engineering – Our Future Problem Solvers

The Year 9 Engineering students have been challenged throughout the year to engineer a range of solutions to various problems. Mechanical Engineering was the focus area in Semester 2 and students were given the task of  engineering a swimming robot. Black and White caught up with two of the boys to hear their reflections on the project.

This year each student in Year 9 was able to choose their own electives. I was one of the fortunate students to choose Engineering, an interesting and entertaining elective where we develop solutions to various different tasks and challenges. Our latest project was to design a robot which would be able to swim a lap of a 10m swimming pool.

The introduction to robotics, cams and linkages and gear boxes in the course has been very enjoyable. Overall the entire process of researching, designing and creating the robot has been very exciting as we are able to use the school’s various pieces of software including the 3D printer, the laser cutter and the vacuum former. After we tested everyone’s robots it was interesting to see the different designs each person had created. Although not everyone’s robot succeeded, I feel that the entire class definitely enjoyed the project and their new insights into the world of engineering.

Krishen Thevarajah (9/ME)

Our final build project was to design, make and test a structure that could “swim” a distance of 10m. The robot had to make use of cams and linkages and have some method of propulsion. It also had to float. The main part of the project was to design and make cam systems that could propel a boat in water. In testing, most of the cams worked, but a lot of them weren’t aligned or the weight wasn’t distributed properly and so a lot didn’t go straight. We spent six weeks on the project and it was my favourite one so far.

Harry Boyd (9/MO)

Graffiti Removal Day

Graffiti Removal Day 2017 was a great success! More than 30 students volunteered their time cleaning, scraping, preparing and painting a large brick wall of the Lewisham Nursing Home on Sunday, 29 October. Not only did students volunteer on the day, but they also helped gather paint and endless supplies in the days leading up to the removal day.

Student Volunteers:

Bill Athanassiou (9/ME)
Campbell Ayres (9/MA)
Asher Baykitch (9/MA)
Nicholas Clarke (9/MA)
Alessio Cordaro (10/MA)
Leo Denham (9/PR)
James Evans (9/FL)
Dylan Foster (11/ME)
Harry Garofani (9/MA)
Adam Gobran (11/ME)
Jules Gobran (9/ME)
Linus Griziotis (11/FL)
Thomas Gwynne (9/KL)
Marcus Harrison (9/KL)
Sebastian Jackson (11/ME)
Nicholas Jacovides (11/LE)
Nicholas Jenneke (10/MA)
Seamus Lovell (11/JN)
Cameron Ma (9/PR)
Tom Martin (9/KL)
Martin Mai (9/LE)
Max Manak (9/PR)
Adam Martin (11/JN)
Daniel Nailand (10/LE)
Bailey Shannonhouse (10/MA)
Thomas Sherratt (9/ME)
Christopher Spiropoulos (10/ME)
Brody Tierney-Mapledoram (10/KL)
Eric Tripathi (9/JN)
Lachlan Walsh (9/MA)
Andrew Wu (10/KL)

Parent Volunteers:

Linda Foster
Brett Foster
Alex Jacovides

A New Partnership for Manton House

In Term 4, Manton House has been transitioning to a new House charity: the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown. The Asylum Seekers Centre supports people who have arrived in Australia and are unable to go back home because of the threat of persecution. While they are waiting to be granted a protection visa to stay here, people seeking asylum are given bridging visas that allow them limited rights.

The Asylum Seekers Centre offers much-needed services that would otherwise be difficult to access. This includes legal assistance, health care, hot lunches, groceries, employment assistance, English classes, recreational activities and some assistance to meet their financial and accommodation needs. The Centre is the first contact point for many people entering Australia seeking asylum, and supported 2,600 people from 79 countries in 2016, many of who escaped persecution, conflict and trauma.

This term, each Mentor Group in Manton House is collecting food and toiletries for the Asylum Seekers Centre Food Bank, with three boys delivering the food on Friday of their designated week. The boys are given a tour of the Centre and get to see the food bank in operation.

From 2018, the partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre will enable other ‘hands on’ and student-led service learning opportunities for boys in Manton House, as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of asylum as a global issue.

Mark Case 
Head of Manton House

Sports Report

Athletics

Congratulations to the following boys who were named the 2017 Age Champions for Athletics.

U13 Age Champion – Jake Goodhand (8/KL)
U14 Age Champion – Hugh Bell (8/KL)
U15 Age Champion – Tolu Koula (9/FL)
U16 Age Champion – James Karabesinis (11/KL)
U17 Age Champion – Michael van Walsum (11/JN)
3000m Champion – Matthew Dyster (11/FL)

Rowing

Well done to all our rowers over the past few weeks with training and the recent competitions. Recent highlights include the AAGPS sculling regatta, where Newington had three rowers make the GPS 1st VIII – Alex Potter (11/ME), Harry Crouch (11/JN), and Luca Roncolato (11/LE). The GPS 1st VIII is comprised of three Newington, two Shore, one St Ignatius’, one King’s and one St Joseph’s rower. Another highlight was the Newington senior squad retaining the Downer Trophy vs The King’s School 3 races to 2.

On Saturday, 4 November, 60 Year 7 and 8 rowers competed in a series of short races against Cranbrook School. This was the second year this race series has taken place and it is a good opportunity for the boys to race prior to the main AAGPS races. The races took place at St George Rowing Club on the Cooks River, which is where the Cranbrook rowers are based.

The Year 8s each had six races each, while the Year 7s had four races each. The Newington rowers had the better of Cranbrook in each of the races.

Tennis

We wish the Newington 1sts and 2^nd Tennis teams all the best for the start of their AAGPS season this weekend. The boys start their season against St Joseph’s College in Round 1.

The 2017/18 Summer Sports Captains are:

Basketball – Reed Nottage (11/LE)
Cricket – Tom Whitnall (11/PR)
Tennis – Joshua Kaplan (11/KL)
Water Polo – Aidan Schmitt (11/MA)

Congratulations to all of our Summer Sport Captains on their recent appointment.

Pax Dei – The Peace of God

Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.’ (John 14:25)

During Jesus time, the Roman Empire assumed the world’s dominance of power and were enjoying an unprecedented period of peace that was affectionately termed ‘Pax Romana’, or Roman Peace. ‘Pax Romana’ was approximately 206 years where the Romans were not at war with any other nation. More accurately, there were no nations willing to oppose the might of the Roman Empire because they had been beaten down and had lost their ability to resist attacks from Rome. In other words, the Roman citizens experienced peace on the backs of the nations they had destroyed and plundered.

To accentuate this period of Roman peace, the likes of Emperors’ Augustus and Nero provided free food and entertainment to the people, which included gladiators fighting to their death in the Colosseum, and Christians being fed to lions and other wild animals. It would appear from this model of peace that it may only be achieved at the expense of others, or that peace is relative only to those who are experiencing it.

Historians have suggested that since 3600 BC, the world has experienced a mere 286 years of peace, which means the entire world has been at peace for less than 8% of the total time that is recorded in history of mankind! During this same period of time, there have been an estimated 14,351 wars, large and small, in which some 3.64 billion people have tragically lost their lives and where approximately 8000 peace treaties have been both made and broken. It’s also worth noting that the definition of ‘World Peace’ corresponds to ‘nations’ of people not being at war’. Thus, is ‘Pax Universalis’ (Universal Peace) really attainable?

There are a host of theories and ideologies as to how to attain ‘world peace’, including: globalisation, Cobdenism, capitalism, democracy, peace through strength and, of course, the quest for peace that is expressed throughout all major world religions. In the Bible passage above, Jesus stated the peace he gives to us (Pax Dei) is ‘…not as the world gives…’, which could be expressed as peace sought from a completely different paradigm to the one we’re accustomed to.

One of the familiar stories in the Bible is the one in Mark chapter four, where Jesus was asleep in a boat when a furious squall came up, with the wind and waves threatening to destroy the vessel his disciples were in. Despite the terror of the turbulence and trouble that surrounded them, Jesus seemed to understand a peace that had more to do with trusting in the one who has power over the wind and the waves, more than the immediate problem.

The peace that Jesus gave to his terrified disciples in the boat was not the absence of trouble, but rather the confidence that God has it under control. Perhaps the secret to the peace that we value so highly is not found in the absence of trouble and difficult times, but rather in the midst of such times.

A reminder: the ‘Newington and Community Carols Service’ will be held in the Newington Chapel on Saturday, 17 December, start at 5:00pm with Christmas nibbles, before the carols commence at 5:30pm. Please come and enjoy this festive time together, along with your family and friends.

Rev Geordie Barham
College Chaplain

Newingtonians at Beersheba and Gaza in 1917

The recent commemorations at Beersheba and our observance of Remembrance Day just eleven days later provide an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Newingtonians in the Great War in places lesser known than Gallipoli and the Western Front.

At least five Newingtonians were serving in the 12th Light Horse Regiment at the time of its celebrated mounted charge, along with the 4th Light Horse, at Beersheba on 31 October 1917. Lieutenant Spencer Horden had entered Newington in 1906 and was farming in Nowra when he enlisted. Corporal Victor Nosworthy, at Newington from 1906 to 1908 and a member of the 1st XV for two years, was a stockman before the war. Trooper Colin Wells, a ropemaker from Cremorne, had entered the College in 1905, while his younger brother, Trumpeter Leyton Thorpe, a station overseer, had come to Newington in 1909. Trooper Harry Whyte, at Newington from 1905 to 1912, played in the 1st XI for four years and the 1st XV for three. Working as a clerk in Henty before the war, he was mentioned in despatches in 1918.

We don’t know for sure if any took part in the charge, but it is likely that at least some of them did. All appear to have returned to Australia safely at the end of the War.

Known officially as the South Palestine Offensive or the Third Battle of Gaza, and as ‘the November Stunt’ to the men, the offensive by British and Empire forces that started with Beersheba continued over the following week. It was in this fighting that two Newingtonians lost their lives.

Trooper Albert Edward Dawson, from Dulwich Hill, entered Newington in 1899, but otherwise we know little of his time at school. He was working on a farm when he enlisted in the 1st Light Horse Regiment late in 1915. Reported by his Corporal as “very popular with his mates”, he was wounded at Tel el Khulweife on 3 November 1917 while helping to carry a wounded comrade back from the firing line. He died in the military hospital at Beersheeba the next day, aged thirty-three.

Chaplain-Captain William James Dunbar had come to Newington as a ‘divinity student’ — until 1914, the College housed a small Methodist seminary, the students of which were part of the Newington community — completing his studies in 1910. He served in the Methodist ministry in several country locations before enlisting, aged thirty-five, in 1915. Having served as a Trooper in the Light Horse for nearly two years, he was appointed a Chaplain in May 1917 and posted to the 11th Light Horse.

At Sheria on 7 November, after a mounted charge, some members of this regiment were caught in the Turkish lines and most were killed or wounded. A wounded trooper named Foster attempted to return under fire to the Australians’ line. An eyewitness reported: “Padre Dunbar … and the stretcher bearer made a run for it. They reached the trooper and raised his shoulders. Simultaneously the three were hit.”

Dunbar, Foster and eleven comrades were buried the next day and the regiment cleaned the grave and erected a cross when they returned some months later, following the capture of Jerusalem.

David Roberts
College Archivist

High Distinction in Science Olympiads

In October we learned that Adrian Lo (9/LE) achieved a High Distinction in the Physics Olympiad. This placed him in the top 10% of candidates.

He received a personalised letter of congratulations from Nobel Physics Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University.

This was a major achievement, made all the more special when you consider that Adrian was the College’s only participant and his competition included around 1700 students from across the country, many of whom were senior physics students. This recognition capped off a fine year in science for Adrian as he had already achieved High Distinctions in the ICAS Science Competition and the Australian National Chemistry Quiz. 

Adrian will be presented his certificate at Assembly later in the Term.

Andrew Millar
Head of Science

Preparing for Schoolies

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
• Budget your money so you don’t run out of funds
• Put the address of where you are staying in your phone – it can be difficult to find at night! Keep credit on your phone
• Eat before or while drinking alcohol (junk food is okay this week). Parents, run through a few simple meals that can be prepared quickly like spaghetti bolognese, tacos or toasted sandwiches in the frying pan
• Simply say ‘no’ to drugs. You have no idea what you are taking. Remember, paramedics are there to help you and not to report you so be honest if you or a friend have used drugs. Mixing drugs and alcohol is dangerous. Obviously, those caught selling or supplying drugs will be prosecuted
• Be careful about posting images on social media. Don’t let a photo ruin a future. Police say this is their number one concern this year. Charges are most likely to be laid against young people who coerced or forced others to take indecent images. You could face child pornography charges if the photograph or footage is of someone under the age of 18
• It’s okay to walk away from confrontation
• Drink plenty of water – visit the recharge zones for free 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. Sexually transmitted infections are at an all-time high. Alcohol is proven to lower inhibitions and impair judgement
• Be especially careful on a balcony: no balcony hopping or 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 and watch your valuables on the beach
• 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. 

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. Avoid contact with dogs in these overseas islands because of the risk of rabies, and always seek medical attention early if bitten.

View the Schoolies checklist 

If you’re convicted of a criminal offence, you could have difficulty getting a job or even be prevented from obtaining a visa to travel overseas.

FINES (Queensland)

• Drinking in a public place (18 years and over): $126
• Underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if you’re holding a drink for your friend who is over 18: $378
• Being under 18 and found on licensed premises: $378
• If you’re 18 and supply alcohol to your underage mates you could face a fine of $10,080
• Buying alcohol over the internet is illegal if you’re under 18. A maximum court imposed fine of $2200, 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 $378
• If you make and use a fake ID you may be fined $252 on the spot. All fake IDs will be confiscated

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

For more great info check out the following resources:

• The Safety page from the Schoolies.com website
• Information for parents from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA)

Sister Margaret Bates
School Nurse

Students Give Back

Michael Lunn (10/JN) spent the most recent holidays volunteering in Tavuya Village, Fiji through a charity called Communities for Communities. Michael was part of a ten-person team that worked over five days to build a house for a family who lost their home during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Members of the village gathered together for a dedication ceremony of the house to the family. Michael was truly moved by his experience, as seen in his reflection:

“The trip was truly one of the greatest things I’ve ever done and honestly one of the best overseas trips I’ve ever been on,” he said. “The whole group bonded extremely well with the village, whether that was on the build site, at lunch where we ate together or during a football match we had one afternoon.

“The experience really put things into perspective for me – we think we have all these problems and we get stressed about things that seem minuscule compared to some of the struggles that these people have, yet they’re some of the most loving, welcoming and happiest people I have ever met. The sense of community I felt in the time spent in the village was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

“The charity does trips like these all the time and I would strongly recommend to anyone interested.”

Max McNamara (9/MO) recently volunteered at his local nursing home, Huntingdon Gardens. There, he spent time getting to know members of the community while lending his support with an art project.

Going into his service experience, Max wasn’t sure how he would connect with his elders. Fortunately, Max described his 98-year-old partner as “one of the most caring, thoughtful and funny [people] I have ever met”.

Over the course of two days, Max helped to identify colours and recommended patterns to aid his partners with their art work. He enjoyed listening to stories, and was surprised to discover how many St George Illawarra Dragons fans live in his neighbourhood.

“Without this experience, I would have never had the opportunity to connect with these people,” he said.