A Message from Mr Wyatt

Lindfield…a boy paradise

One of the great aspects of my job is showing prospective families around our school. The reason this is so enjoyable is that it provides a constant reminder of how unique and special our campus is. There are few schools that are set in such an amazing setting, with access to a variety of play and learning spaces that are deliberately geared towards boys. Visitors often marvel at how an ordinary driveway at street level can open up into what is regularly described to me as a ‘boy paradise’.

This week I had the opportunity to unlock one of the hidden treasures of our school, ‘The Bush’, to a new cohort of boys. Each year in Term 4 we allow the Year 2 boys to begin playing in the bush. It is fair to say that this milestone or rite of passage is one that is eagerly awaited by the younger boys as they look forward to playing in the ‘promised land’ where only the older boys are allowed to play.

The joy on the boys’ faces, as they took hold of their Bush Licenses (a new initiative to monitor boys playing in the bush) and headed for this ‘new’ area of our playground, once again reminded me how unique our school is in so many ways and how important play is in Primary School learning.

And from all reports, they loved it…if not for a couple of ant bites.

Prize Giving

After receiving mixed parental feedback from last year’s Prize Giving the teachers and I have revised the Prize Giving Awards in an effort to better highlight learning, effort and spirit at our school. At next week’s P&F Meeting I will provide a brief overview of the awards for this year and how they have changed from previous years.

Newington Spaces

I hope by now that many parents have accessed Newington Spaces to access my weekly updates or the other material that is populating the site. If you haven’t done so already, can I strongly encourage you to do so?

To access Newington Spaces you’ll first need to activate your personal login. Visit https://mylogin.newington.nsw.edu.au and enter the email address the College has on file for you – the system will email you a link to choose a password and activate your account. Because you’ll be logging in as an individual with distinct access rights, if the College lists the same email for multiple members of your household please contact the Lindfield office so that we can sort that out. Once activated, login at http://spaces.newington.nsw.edu.au to begin. If you require support with this process please contact the School Office.

Enrolments

We are in the fortunate position to have a few vacancies for next year. If you know anyone who might be interested in enrolling their son in Years K, 1, 2, 3 or 4 for next year, please encourage them to call the School Office on 9416 4280.

P and F News

Dear Lindfield Community

Time has moved rapidly with our final P&F Annual General Meeting for the year to be held next Tuesday evening, 23 October. Please click here for the meeting’s agenda.

This is an important meeting as we review the past year and plan for 2013.

We will be voting in a new Executive Committee and importantly, are looking for 2013 Class Parents (at least but not limited to two per class), along with members for the Sports Committee, Casserole Crisis and Social & Fundraising Committee.

As always, we will require assistance in the Prep Shop and Canteen.

These roles are not onerous but are very necessary even in a school as well resourced as ours. They provide an excellent opportunity for parents to get involved in our school community and are an important link between parents and the school.

Please consider volunteering for one of these roles … the 2013 Nomination Form is attached for you to complete and return (please click here)

Kind regards

Catherine Mellor
President, P&F Committee

Faith Matters

Children on the Meaning of Love

 A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, “What does love mean?”

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

 “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”  (Rebecca- age 8)

 “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” (Billy – age 4)

 “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” (Terri – age 4)

 “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” (Bobby – age 7)

 “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” (Nikka – age 6)

 “When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” (Karen – age 7)

 And the final one — Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.  The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.  The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry”

Mr Peter Morphew
School Chaplain

From the Archives

The commencement of summer sport provides an opportunity to look at the early days of cricket at Newington.

We know from contemporary accounts that boys have played cricket from the start of the school at Newington House, Silverwater.  The ‘green’ was close to the main buildings: it was natural that this was where cricket and other games were played.  The senior and junior students were reported to have had their own playing spaces.

Much of the cricket played would have been informal matches organised within the school.  However, Newington was soon fielding teams to play not only against other schools but also against local clubs.  School opponents included Camden College, a Congregational school in Newtown, St Mark’s at Macquarie Fields and the Calder House School in Redfern.  The clubs included Balmain Surrey, the Albert Club (reportedly the premier club of the day), Parramatta and ‘a Sydney Eleven’.  Regular GPS competition did not start until 1893.

Matches were irregular.  It was reportedly ‘…rather a journey to get to or from Newington early enough to play a two-innings match.’  Parramatta was five miles away by steamer, and Sydney fourteen miles.

An important asset for Newington was Joseph Coates, who taught at the school from 1864 to 1872, returning later as Head Master.  A noted member of the ‘2^nd Alberts’, he was reportedly a good all-rounder and left-hand bowler.  With cricket organised at Newington as a club, he and other Masters could play for the school, as could former students.  Two prominent cricketers to emerge from Newington in the 1860s were Edwin ‘Ted’ Evans and Tom Garrett, both of whom subsequently played for Australia.

Illustrated is the Newington team from around 1870, in our earliest cricket image.  The photograph was taken on the verandah of Newington House.  Several members are wearing Cadet uniform caps.  The man in the plaid shirt is probably Joseph Coates.

David Roberts
College Archivist

Certificates

Music Notes

Upcoming concerts:

This term there are a few performances for boys. Please make sure you make a note of the dates and times:

Year 2, 3 and String Ensemble Concert Tuesday 13 November at 5pm

Year 4, 5 and School Band Concert Thursday 15 November at 5pm

Christmas Concert

After last year’s successful Christmas concert, we are putting on another Christmas concert that involves the whole school. It will again be a picnic on the futsal field with audience participation. This year there will be an entry fee of a tin of food for the Salvation Army appeal.   It is going to be held on Wednesday 21 November from 6pm.

Mrs Vanessa South
Music Teacher

Sports Shorts

Junior Primary Swim Squad
Term 4 – Weeks 2 to 7 at 7.30 – 8.15am

Swimming in PE
Term 4 – starting Week 2

Trinty Swimming Invitational
Friday 2 November 1.00 – 3.00pm

Inter House Biathlon
Saturday 24 November at 7.30 – 8.30am

St Patricks Swimming Invitational
Friday 9 November 1.00 – 3.00pm

Match of the Round
Open A Basketball v Grammar Edgecliff

The heavens cleared and the court was fast and ready for the first game of a new season. The most consistent summer sporting team (Open A’s) took to the hallowed courts of Lindfield for a grudge match against the boys from Edgecliff.

Referee extraordinaire Mr Caulfield did his best to allow the game to flow and not show up his shortcomings as a Basketball referee, and the Lindfield boys responded with a stirring display of commitment and courage. Newly crowned Lindfieldian Nolan Whitcomb was electric, involved in everything and showed why he will be a great asset for the team.

The first half saw both teams wrestling for control, with great defence close to the basket not allowing for many points to be scored. It was on the fast break where both teams were being punished, with everyone committing to attack and not so keen on the fast movement back. Up by 4 at the half, Grammar seemed to just have the edge over the Newington boys.

The second half started well with dynamite livewire Louis Hargreaves scoring early and Josh Bowd and Julian Heaven starting to assert their authority over the game. When Andrew Himmelhoch was fouled while shooting in the final 15 seconds of the match, Grammar held a two point lead. When his first shot bounced off the rim, it seemed lost, and even when a dubious referee call right at the end could have seen Andrew go to the line again for two free throws, the rightful result was recorded. Grammar 26, Newington 25. A great game to referee and watch, well done boys!

Sports Star of the Week

Name: Oscar Moody

Year:  4

Nickname: Oscar Poska

Favourite Food: Lasagne

Favourite Sport: Football/Soccer

Favourite Sportsperson: Oscar (Chelsea)

Best personal sporting moment: Scoring two goals in one match

Greatest sporting moment:  Oscar’s first goal for Chelsea

In 10 years I will be……….  Either in Australia or England

Dates to Note

Friday 19 October  Chapel at 8.30am, Year 6 Fair 10.00am

Saturday 20 October  Summer Sport Round 8

Monday 22 October Year 3 and 4 Excursion to ANSTO

Tuesday 23 October  Assembly – Year 4 Item, Focus on Integrity, 2.30pm all welcome,
                                           P & F Annual General Meeting 7.00pm in School Library

Friday 26 October  Chapel at 8.30am, all welcome

Saturday 27 October Summer Sport Round 9

Monday 29 October  School Leaders Tour Parliament House at 1.00pm 

Tuesday 30 October French Day, No Assembly

Annual Year 6 Fair!

After much planning and preparation, it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that the Year 6 boys will be running the annual Year 6 Fair this Friday. Following in the footsteps of previous Year 6 classes, all money raised from this event will go, through the Jesuit Foundation, to support the educational needs of our class pen pal school in Rwanda.

Activities for the boys from K–2 will be conducted from 10:30am to 11:00am (with recess starting at 10:15am). The boys from Years 3–6 will have their opportunity to enjoy this event from 1:15pm to 2.00pm (with the BBQ lunch starting at 1.00pm).

Please note that the day will be a Mufti day so the boys are to come to school in their plain clothes. Also, note that if your son would like to go on the water slide they will need to bring their swimming costume, a rash vest and a towel.

Posters promoting each individual activity have been placed around the school for both parents and students to read. This year’s activities include: Wacky Water Slide, Splash’Em and Wet’Em (sponge throwing), Crazy Hair / Balloon Making, Minute to Win It Challenges, Cupcake Creations (cupcake decorating), Jumping Castle, White Elephant Stall (second hand books and toys), Sock’n’Roll Wrestling, Saw House (haunted house).

There’s no doubt that the day will be a huge success and a lot of fun!

The Year 6 boys would like to thank all the Lindfield boys and their parents for their support of this great event and very worthwhile cause.

 Mr Pascal Czerwenka and the Year 6 boys.

Prep Shop

Summer Uniforms are now available.  The Prep Shop is open on Monday afternoons 3.00 – 3.45pm and Wednesday mornings 8.00 – 8.45am.  Please click here for the Prep Shop order form.

Week 3 Roster

Monday 22 October
Rebecca L’Orange   3.00 – 3.45pm
Susan Gerahty

Wednesday 24 October
Judy Ryan               8.00 – 8.45am
Linda Hardyanto

Week 4 Roster

Monday 29 October
Stephanie Danks   3.00 – 3.45pm
Brie Evans

Wednesday 31 October
Linda Roberts        8.00 – 8.45am
Robyn McGowan

Tuckshop

Week 3 Roster

Tuesday 23 October
9.00am – 12.00pm  Help required
11.00am – 2.00pm  Amanda Johnston

Thursday 25  October
9.00am – 12.00pm  Maria Dickinson
11.00am – 2.00pm  Help required

Friday 26 October
9.00am – 12.00pm  Natasha Rowe
11.00am – 2.00pm  Joanne Nelson

If you are unable to do your rostered day please contact the other volunteers to swap with another parent.  If you do have to change can you please advise Kathryn at  knordstrom@optusnet.com.au

Week 4 Roster

Tuesday 30 October
9.00am – 12.00pm  Gary Smith
11.00am – 2.00pm  Help required

Thursday 1 November
9.00am – 12.00pm  Rachel Ashley
11.00am – 2.00pm  Help required

Friday 2 November
9.00am – 12.00pm  Tamsin Timpson
11.00am – 2.00pm  Be-An Chew

The Week that Was

[Show as slideshow]

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Sesquicentenary Product of the Week: Newington Monopoly and Pieces

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!

To accompany the game we have commissioned a series of Monopoly pieces to add to your game. The solid metal cast pieces include a Wyvern, Varsity Cap,  a school back pack, rugby ball and soccer ball. Set of 5 limited edition pieces: $75

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