Faith Matters

Reality and Vision

The apostle Paul embraced both reality and vision as he wrote to his disciples …

“… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” His disciples were the unfinished article – that was the reality; but the completion would come in God’s time – that was the vision.

Sometimes it’s discouraging to see where we’ve got to. We still struggle in the same areas and don’t see the progress we’d hoped for. Or our life hasn’t panned out as we’d wanted. Such thoughts are common, but take heart, God’s not finished with you yet. There is your reality and there’s God’s vision.

Helen Keller was both blind and deaf. In an interview she was asked if there could be anything worse than being blind. She replied: “Oh yes! It’s being able to see and not having any vision.” Poor eyes may limit our sight, but worse than that, poor vision will limit our deeds.

As Easter approaches we not only see Jesus’ and our reality but also God’s vision for humankind.

Milo Cricket

Year One and Year Two boys have had lots of fun participating in the Milo Cricket co-curricular program this term. Throughout the 6 week program, the boys learnt cricket skills such as batting, throwing and catching. These skills were practised and integrated into a variety of exciting games, which the boys loved! We have some future Australian cricket players in the making!

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Year 2 – Aerofoil Designs

In our second unit of inquiry, Year 2 have been learning about different types of transportation systems – road, rail, air and water. In one lesson, the boys learnt about wings and how they can be different shapes and sizes. We discussed how they all have the aerofoil design which means that the top side of the wing is more curved than underneath, and how the aerofoil shape provides lift, when the air moves over it. We crafted our own frisbees and made some discoveries along the way. We also discussed some of the various reasons why some frisbees flew better than others.

The boys had a great time testing their model aerofoil and discovering whose could fly the furthest!

Leonie Corbett-Russell – Year 2 Teacher

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Primary Cross Country Carnival – 2015

What drama! What a catastrophe it could have been! What cool heads were shown in the face of potential disaster! Mr Wilson and Mr Caulfield were greeted with a cool, overcast morning, and a storm brewing in the form of Killara High School who had been double-booked on the same field…..and running a Cross Country Carnival also!!! But, after much negotiations and a re-worked course, we were ready to start as the masses arrived.

First up was a very large contingent for the Junior Championship race, incorporating 8. 9 and 10 year-old boys. Led out by bunny Caulfield, the young chargers made him work for every step, with the very impressive Matthew Torrible leading from start to finish. 3 laps felt like 20 as the boys pushed hard for positions in the heavy conditions. After Torrible it was a close finish for the minor placings as Tom Blanken finished 2nd, with Henry Isherwood and Nicholas Venetoulis closely following.

The 9 years was a topsy-turvy race that had many lead changes, before the multi-talented Gabe Gordon surged home to take out the event, with Charlie Glennon and Harry Forsyth very close behind. The 8 years saw the CIS Swimming representative Joel Zipeure showing he is just as good out of the water as he took out the age championship, while also booking a place at the IPSHA Carnival. Sam Chittendon and Phillip Antipas also ran strongly for the minor placings.

The Senior Championship race started with an all out sprint as the two Athletics combatants Aiden Mostofi and Bili Robertson surged ahead. Unfortunately for Mostofi , long distance is not his forte as he dropped back quickly after the initial sprint. There was no slowing down for Robertson as he lapped some boys on his second lap……..as they were attempting to complete their first! His lead increased with every lap and he ended up winning comfortably and booking his place at the IPSHA Carnival, as well as winning the Senior Champions trophy. In a repeat of last years carnival, James MacGregor was 2nd with Eddie Timpson replacing James Whiteing in 3rd.

In the Opens, it was the new kid on the block Phillip Blanken flying out after Bili early on, and although Bili’s lead increased, he was consistent in maintaining 1st position and winning the age champion for the 12’s. Ever present Fletcher Jakes was 2nd with Gaelen Dorigo charging home for 3rd.

So when it was all said and done, with the sun out and beating down and the tired legs sitting patiently waiting, the winners were announced…..and for the first time in quite a few years it was a Wyvern 1,2 finish as COATES climbed to the top of the rung with Williams very, very close behind! In fact, another placing in any of the events would have seen them topple the men in yellow…next year perhaps. 3rd was Kingswood, with Lucas 4th, Howe 5th and Rydal 6th. Thank you to all the staff that made the Carnival run so smoothly and thank you to all the parents who ventured near and far to see another great spectacle of athletic prowess!

FINAL HOUSE PLACINGS 2015

AGE CHAMPIONS 2015

Mark Caulfield – Sports Master Lindfield

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Years 5 and 6 Visit to Canberra

Earlier this term, the boys in Years 5 and 6 departed for their annual excursion to our nation’s capital. The purpose of this trip was to reinforce and enhance our inquiry into governmental systems by provoking student thinking and action related to this important inquiry. Visits to Parliament House and the Electoral Education Centre were central to the excursion. Throughout the experience, the boys were able to ask relevant and pertinent questions of the staff to gain a greater understanding of our system of government, its people and purpose.

During the three days, the boys explored QUESTACON, the Australian Institute of Sport, the CSIRO, The Australian War Memorial, The Royal Australian Mint and drove by various embassies and the Lodge. As has been our tradition, we participated in the daily ‘Last Post’ ceremony at the Australian War Memorial to honour those who fought for our sakes. Our school leaders placed a wreath on behalf of our school and all the boys represented our school well throughout the experience.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citzenship education. To assist parents in meeting the cost of this excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $20 per eligible student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) programme toward the travel expenses incurred. This contribution was paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Years 5 and 6 Teachers

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The Importance Of Collaboration In Learning

Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. – Helen Keller 

Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth. – Sir Ken Robinson Ph.D.

Collaboration is something that we believe in very strongly within our Newington Lindfield learning community. Collaboration is a natural part of life and should be included in the curriculum. Research shows that collaborative inquiry is among the most promising strategies for strengthening teaching and learning and collaborative learning teams are said to attain higher level thinking and preserve information for longer times than students working individually. Group projects encourage students to learn through discussion, clarification of ideas, and evaluation of others’ ideas. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate self-discipline while working collaboratively with peers.

At Newington we have flexible groupings and are constantly grouping and regrouping according to a variety of criteria including academic ability, interest and social needs.

We consciously teach teamwork to our students, and aim to help them to become more productive members of society in the future. Of course as educators we aren’t sure what the economic needs of Australia (and beyond) will be in a decade’s time when our boys will be entering the workforce. What we do know, however, is that future employers will look for emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, communication skills and the ability to critically and creatively collaborate.

Research also shows that collaboration between teachers can be a powerful tool for professional development and a driver for school improvement- hence our recent staff PD/bowling session in Focus Learning groups.

Christina Lowe – Teaching & Learning Team Leader: PYP Coordinator

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A Message from the Acting Head of Lindfield

End of Term

I thank and congratulate all boys, teachers, members of staff and parents for the success of this past term. As always, the term has been one of multiple calendar events, encompassing a breadth of inquiry learning, sporting activities, creative endeavour and community engagement. I have felt privileged indeed to have had the opportunity to share in the energy and excitement of these innumerable term 1 activities.

Newington Traditions

One of the many great strengths of the Lindfield campus is its links with the fine tradition associated with the Newington name. From the enthusiastic singing of Newingtonia, the school song, every Tuesday assembly afternoon, to the doffing of the traditional black caps at the end of day, the history of the school remains alive and flourishing.

When Dr Mulford visited the campus a fortnight ago, sharing part of his time with a combined Year 3-4 group in the library, he was inundated with eager questions about Stanmore senior school Houses, House colours, sport choices available and old boys currently playing in professional sporting teams. The boys were delighted by the number of Newington (not so) Old Boys currently represented in sporting teams as diverse as the Parrammatta Eels, Wests Tigers, Sydney Swans, Waratahs and Brumbies.

Tradition links the past with the present. Tradition places focus on values that established the school in 1863 and remain today at the heart of the Newington ethos.

One particularly interesting link with the past can be found in the Lindfield canteen every month.

Included amongst Maria’s wonderful team of volunteer helpers are the grandparents of Kindergarten student, Max Starnes. Max’s grandparents, John and Virginia Innes travel down from the Central Coast every month to visit Max and spend Friday assisting in the Kindergarten classroom with reading (Virginia) and together serving in the canteen. John and Virginia’s ham and salad sandwiches are highly recommended.

Where does the tradition fit in you may be wondering?

John Innes, as it turns out, is a Newington Old Boy who entered Kindergarten in 1949. He entered Kindergarten as a boarder due to his family’s regular travel so went through his entire Newington education as a boarding house student.

In recognition of this lovely Lindfield connection with an early post-war Newington Old Boy, the school presented John and Virginia with two Merit Certificates last Friday week. We were delighted to capture on camera this Certificate presentation shared with the senior boys of Year 6.

Such family links as this are treasured reminders of a great Newington tradition that reaches from the past to enrich immeasureably the lives of our current generation of young Newingtonians.

And as a postscript, I conclude my final communication with a warm vote of thanks for the work of all Tuckshop, Prep Shop and classroom/artroom volunteers. Your efforts make a genuine difference.

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