Dear parents and guardians,

Today marks the end of week 5, the midpoint of Term 3.  Term 3 traditionally sees the end of the AAGPS winter sport season and the start of athletics.  We still hope a modified athletics season might be able to run in Term 4.  Our boys performed brilliantly during the shortened winter sport season. Our Head of Sport Mark Dickens has also provided some very reliable data relating to athletics.

Winter Sport

In Football, the 1^st XI team made the quarter finals of the CIS Cup and were outright leaders of the GPS 1^st XI competition, having won their first 3 games. Our 2^nd XI were joint leaders with Scots College when the competition ended. Well done to all the boys in these teams – and to all the other Football teams who displayed great effort.

In Cross Country, the Junior Division U14 were outright leaders of the GPS competition after 5 races!  Congratulations to Bailey Habler who was named in the AAGPS Cross Country Merit team.

Unfortunately, the rifle shooting competition that was to start at the beginning of Term 3 was cancelled, and our Rugby and Volleyball boys were only able to complete one round of their respective seasons.

Athletics

After winning the senior premiership in 2019 and the intermediate division in 2020, and with an excellent pool of athletic talent coming through in Year 7 and 8, Newington was very much looking forward to the 2021 athletics season.  The team has an outstanding group of senior athletes who have earned their stripes in previous years.  Captain Renato Pane and Vice-Captain Josh Watson are ready to lead the charge should the season be able to get underway in Term 4.

It is wonderful to see the boys grit and determination to be at their best and ready to compete at a moment’s notice.  Great work!

And now to our Man of the Week, Michael Korompay 8/ME.  Michael’s science teacher Mr Oosterhoff had this to say: “Michael is the first one to respond when given the chance, he has a sweet Zoom background that makes it look like he’s in a spaceship and even smiles at my lame jokes”.  When we’ve all felt isolated, disconnected and unmotivated, Michael has continued to stay positive. Congratulations Michael – an award well deserved.

A housekeeping note.  Please remember that if your son is going to be absent from class to attend an appointment you need to ensure our Student Attendance Officer, Elizabeth Forgan, eforgan@newington.nsw.edu.au receives and email from you outlining the absence.

We are thinking of our boys and families, and especially those in the 12 LGAs that are currently in hard lockdown.  The forecast for this weekend is beautiful sunny weather – please take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy while complying with the public health orders.