Stanmore Farewell after 40 years At the end of 2018, Mr Phil O’Rourke home in Founders Wing. His pastoral care will retire. for the boys and their families was a real Phil began teaching Mathematics at highlight of his time in the boarding Newington in 1979 and says he remains house. In later years, as Head of Metcalfe grateful for the welcome extended to his House (2006–2016), he derived great whole family. Grateful, too for the pleasure from being associated with so mentoring he received from other many fine young men. legendary and long-serving Mathematics Over the last 40 years, Phil has been the staff: Mr Alex Healey, Mr Jack Butler, Mr consummate professional schoolmaster Phil Davis, Mr Ian McLean, Mr Barry Rex, and gentleman. The length and breadth Mr John Brown and Mr Robert Judge. of his contribution at Newington has In his early years at the school, Phil been quite extraordinary. He is ever coached cricket, rugby and athletics. His humble and gives to others without Mathematics teacher Mr Phil O’Rourke thinking first of himself; generations of teams secured the David Jacobs trophy with his wife Elaine. Newington boys know his quiet words of in rugby and the Stuart Jennings trophy encouragement, and his gentle words of in cricket on multiple occasions. He for Years 11 and 12, and I saw his enjoyed the role of Acting Sportsmaster passion for Mathematics firsthand. Phil correction. for Mr Ian McLean in 1989. In later has the ideal temperament for a Phil says he is thankful for the years, Phil coached the 2nd XI cricket schoolmaster and was engaging, calm, opportunity to be at Newington. He now team (1997–2002). measured –and firm when needed. looks forward to spending time in Phil has made many contributions to the Phil has always enjoyed being involved retirement with his family and academic side of life at Newington in the whole life of the school. As Senior grandchildren and knows the future of College. They include being Acting Head Boarding Housemaster (1997–2005), Newington is in great hands. We are very of Mathematics in 1991, and after he found a role he was ideally suited to. grateful for his many years of service and exchange to Shrewsbury School in the With the untiring support of his wife contribution to the life of the College. UK in 1992, Head of Mathematics from Elaine, and accompanied by their children, Mr Warwick Gibson (ON 1982) 1993 to 1998. He was my own teacher Ben and Alison, the O’Rourkes made their English Teacher Cadets give thanks to the ANZACs Cadets are an important feature of life at A number of Newington’s cadets have a Newington men, not much older than Newington College. This year’s moving family connection with Australia’s myself, who have given their lives for our ANZAC Parade sawthe Unit’s 20 platoons military past. country,’ said Gus. ‘I’m particularly march at the Stanmore campus. ‘A lot of them wear the medals that their grateful for Cadets, because it’s given Over 200 cadets took part in this grandfather or grandmother earnt back in me many experiences that I simply won’t commemoration, which was the WorldWar I or World War II, or in Vietnam,’ have anywhere else, whether that be culminationof many weeks’ training for said Gus. trekking or even those rainy nights under the Unit. ‘ANZAC Day gives us a reminder to be hutchies, which, while difficult, are As part of the parade, Year 12 students grateful for those Australian and some of the fondest memories I’ll have.’ placed a cross foreachof the Newington men who fell duringconflicts in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Unit’s Senior Under Officer Gus Burton said this was a poignant part of the parade. ‘Reading each name gives a life and identity to a Newington man who has fallen, and it really makes you think – these men, or often young boys, I’ve walked the same path as them, we’ve gone through the same hallways and the same classes,’ he said. Cadets from Newington also participated in several other ANZAC commemorations, including carrying banners during the ANZAC Day March in CUO Liam McCausland, with SGT Ned Stevens and SGT Rohan Wood in the background, the city. at the ANZAC Parade. Photo: Jared Leibowitz (ON 2013) 20| NEWS SPRING 2018| GRATITUDE