NEWINGTON TOPS BOTH HSC AND IB - Newington College

Co-curricular
Spending time to save time
A good balance between Academic and
Co-curricular activities helps to provide a
rounded education, but our 2012 leavers
could not impress on us more the value
of Co-curricular involvement at a time of
stress, even though they felt they should
be spending the time studying. Cocurricular
activities can, they said, allow
you to manage your time better, give you
the chance to form lifelong friendships
and importantly provide the relief needed
from school work to make your studies
far more productive.
It is interesting to note that subject
performance in the Performing Arts,
Music and Drama, was particularly
pleasing in 2012–a year in which The
Scarlet Pimpernel was staged and the
Theatre Sports team took out second at
the state competition. The majority of
students included in both Co-curricular
activities were Year 12 boys.
Ciaran Frame at the 2012 Founders Concert
Spyridon Augoustinos who achieved an
ATAR of 98.25 said, “In my final year, I was
in the 1sts Debating, was involved in three
Music ensembles and also played Tennis
and Rugby. These activities helped me to
maintain my sanity and ensured that I had
an outlet outside of my studies.” Julian
Costas who achieved an ATAR of 79.70
seconded that point and also drew on the
mates he made, “I did Cadets (CUO), Judo
and Rifle Shooting. My advice is to do
Cadets as I had the most fun leading my
platoon and have a relationship with them
that will never end”. Samuel Aravanis,
with an ATAR of 97.65, said, “Sport in
my final year was definitely an enjoyable
outlet and good stress relief, as it took
my mind off schoolwork, allowed me to
socialise with friends and was a lot of fun.
A good balance of work and relaxation
is vital in being able to survive the HSC.”
Finally, Ciaran Frame who achieved an
ATAR of 98.80 through the IB said, “Cocurricular
involvement for me was just as
valuable as the curricular side of things.
So many people decide to drop everything
for hitting the books an extra hour or two
longer, my advice is – don’t!”
Newington staff work hard to provide
boys with a wide range of Co-curricular
opportunities which are inclusive and offer
something for all interests and abilities.
It is reassuring to hear from our Year
12 leavers how important Co-curricular
involvement has been in their senior years.
Off to a great start! Newington’s 2012 graduates together at the College one more time to celebrate the HSC and IB Diploma results before heading
off to tertiary options, travel or work.
Thank you so much to the boys who came to the
HSC and IB barbeques and took the
time to give us their honest and candid
thoughts on their senior years at
Newington. Many people say they want to
know this information because these last
two years seem a great mystery, particularly to younger
students. We hope boys will take our Year 12 leavers’
advice and be very interested to read their experiences.
| Results 2012
14
Julian Costas returns his ceremonial cadet sword to his Commanding Officer CAPT (AAC) Rodney Wood at the final cadet parade for 2012.
Clearly many boys have done exceptionally well in 2012.
The aim of this magazine is not to just celebrate high
achievers but to acknowlegde and congratulate all
those boys who achieved a personal best of which
they can be justifiably proud.
| Results 2012
Results | 16