Class of 2022 farewelled at Valedictory Day ‘We’re proud of you for winning the premierships The ONU Character and Service Prize for Athletics, which in Basketball, Cricket and Water Polo, for coming recognises a Year 12 boy who has displayed genuine character and service traits towards their chosen sport during their time at second in Rugby, Football and Athletics, for the Newington, was awarded to Aiden Love. silverbacks for raising morale on Johnson and Jesse McLean was presented with the Ron Attwell Trophy for U17 for being great contributors on the field, on the age champion. Jesse won the Shot Put U17 Division and 110m stage, in the music practise halls and in the Hurdles U17 Championship at the AAGPS Championships. debating rooms.’ Athletics colours were presented to many Newington athletes. Those were the words of Headmaster Mr Michael Parker as he Our Year 12 leadership team, who have led the school with addressed the Class of 2022 at Valedictory Day on Wednesday aplomb, announced their successors from the Class of 2023. 21 September. He acknowledged their successes and challenges, Aiden Carter revealed Hayden Forner, a boarder from Griffith, will remembering the extra hurdles they overcame in Year 11: ‘We are so be Senior Prefect. Deputy Senior Prefects Mitch Hyslop and Ryan pleased that you got a full year on campus, but we also salute you for McPhail congratulated Toby Eastway and Daniel P Martin; Toby having to do the first half of your HSC or IB largely online.’ and Daniel will complete the 2023 leadership team. Senior Prefect Aiden Carter reflected on all the important moments Senior Boarding Prefect Sione Fonua announced Koby Owen, that led up to the event. a boarder from western Sydney, as his successor. ‘Even though we are reaching the end of our 13-year journey Music from the Taiko Drum Ensemble, led by Prep Schools Band through school, momentous occasions like getting your pen Coordinator Ms Sophie Unsen and featuring Head of Stanmore Mr licence and catching the train by yourself for the first time still Andy Quinane and students Kiran Ayer, Henry Corona, Isaac Holmes, feel so recent . . . Be thankful for everything that has led you Thomas Mallinson and Xander Wallace, provided an energetic to where you are today . . . While these final moments are so soundtrack to the traditional farewell tunnel. emotional to us all, not to mention our parents, do not forget to look back and be grateful to everyone and everything that has made our time at the College so special.’ This includes, Aiden said, ‘the grounds staff, the caf staff, the cleaners, the coaches and the administrative staff’. There were several athletics awards presented at Valedictory. Bailey Habler received the Warry Cup for the senior athletics champion, Ellison-Stewart Cup for middle distance running and ADG Stewart Trophy for 3000m running. He proved his prowess by winning the 800m Open Division, 3000m Open Championship and 1500m Open Championship at the AAGPS Athletics Championships on 17 September at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre. Bavin House Captain James McGregor received the Dr Alex Maggs Trophy for senior sprint champion. Image: Senior Prefect Aiden Carter addressing the audience.