From John McCoy, Head of Aungier House
It was Martin Luther King, Jr who once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. Throughout Term 3, students in Aungier House faced up to a number of challenges across of range of activities. Students in Aungier were able to show plenty of character and growth, and really stood tall right through to the end.
The commencement of the term saw the return of the students and staff involved in the various Immersions which Waverley College offers students. Aungier students James Waterhouse, Joseph Agius and Charles Jaeger attended the Red Earth Immersion, while Matthew Gallagher and Thomas Jaeger attended the Timor-Leste Immersion. It was fantastic to hear such incredible experiences and lifelong memories which these students were able to share during the Aungier House Assembly.
The academic success stories from Semester One were recognised at the College Academic Assembly. Pleasingly, a number of Aungier students were called to the stage to receive accolades for their commitment to study. This included:
Year 7
Jules Cibej, James Clarke, Jack Crotty, Jesse Gordon, Luca Holmes, Charlie Smith, Zac Trosti
Year 8
Leo Astridge, Felix Gardan, Antonio Rodriguez, Zac Wilde, Achilles Zanapalis
Year 9
Saia Afeaki, Conor Carr
Year 10
Alexander Gross, Lachlan Miller, Joseph Petroni
Year 11
Peter Tsoukalas, Luca Winch, Benjamin Rogers, Hugo Ilencik, Cameron Dawson, Dylan Davis
Year 12
Andre Vumbaca, Isaac Bartholomaeus, Jasper Wilde
Term 3 marked the conclusion of the Winter Sport season. A number of Aungier students were rewarded for effort on the sporting field. Tom McKenna (Year 6) won the award for Best & Fairest in the 11A Rugby team, following a superb season. Peter Stamatelatos (Year 9) received the Best & Fairest award for the 9A Football team. Jesse Douglas and Joseph Petroni both achieved awards for Most Consistent and Most Improved Lawn Bowlers. It is exciting to think that the next Rob Parrella may just come from Aungier House!
The Aungier House representatives at Waterford did Aungier proud at both the Blitz Day and the Walkathon which were both held in Term 3. The Aungier/Lacey team successfully took out Blitz Day with amazing efforts in both Rugby and Football. Special thanks to our Aungier Mentors at Waterford in Mr Anthony Stanton and Mr Mark Claridge who provide strong guidance to our youngest members.
Furthermore, some of the other co-curricular achievements from students in Aungier included: Stephen Davies who was awarded the Most Outstanding Rugby Referee, Jasper Wilde who achieved the award for the Most Outstanding Debater and Guy Hammerschmidt who received the award for the Most Outstanding Musician in the Junior Jazz Band.
The Arts & Design Exhibition held during Week 5 was a wonderful opportunity for Aungier’s own “Picassos” to showcase their artistic work to the school community. Luca Fucci (Year 8), Emile Stephenson (Year 10) and Til Kathriner (Year 11) produced creations which were bold, vibrant and thought provoking. Congratulations to all students involved in this exhibition.
Throughout Term 3, Aungier was involved in several House Competitions which engaged students through lunchtime periods. Competitions included Writing, Public Speaking, 6-a-side Football, Spelling Bees and the very popular Dodgeball competition. Thanks to all those boys in “Red” who gave their all for our House at each of these events.
In Week 7, our Year 9 students set off to camp at the Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre based at the Colo River (North-West Sydney). While this was a challenging activity for many students, it provided a great opportunity for students to step into a different learning space while connecting with staff and peers. This year, students from Aungier House were grouped together to assist in further building a brotherhood.
YEAR 9 AUNGIER STUDENTS SET OFF ONTO THE BUSH AT YEAR 9 CAMP
Week 7 also marked the Year 10 Dinner Dance. This was a chance for students to let their hair down and dine with friends and partners in their first formal dining experience. Despite the heavy rain on the night, students enjoyed themselves as they cruised around Sydney Harbour. Aungier students Matthew Chapman, Ryan von der Heyden and Zac Wotherspoon really did their House proud with some tremendous moves on the dancefloor!
YEAR 10 STUDENTS ENJOYING THE DINNER DANCE
As well as having their first formal dining experience, a group of students in Year 10 enjoyed their first taste of life in the workforce. Students in Year 10 Work Education had the opportunity of taking on work experience for a period of one week. Alex Gross, Aungier student, walked away from this week with a greater understanding of life at work as well as with a new network of potential employers.
YEAR 10 AUNGIER STUDENT, ALEX GROSS, WORKING HARD AT THE INNOVATIVE BUSINESS, “VERSENT”
The Aungier House community gathered in late Term 3 to enjoy our House Breakfast. This was a great opportunity for Parents and Students to come together with Aungier Wellbeing Mentors and enjoy a Bacon and Egg Roll. This also proved to be a chance for the Aungier Community to wish our Year 11 students the best of luck ahead of the Preliminary HSC Examinations and farewell our Year 12 students. Each Year 12 leaver was presented with a small gift and a card from their “little brothers” in Years 5 and 6.
Our Year 11 students completed an important period of assessment at the conclusion of Term 3, as they sat the Preliminary HSC examinations. These exams are crucial as they provide students with an idea of what they should expect moving forward into the HSC courses in Year 12.
The CAS Track & Field Championships were held in Week 9 and, while Waverley College finished at the tail of the field, there were plenty of success stories for the Blue and Gold throughout the night. Aungier’s own Alejandro Zanapalis (Year 8) was crowned as the 13s Age Group Champion Athlete and James Elfes (Year 10) was awarded as the 15s Age Group Runner Up.
The conclusion of Term 3 marks the Graduation Mass and Ceremony for students in Year 12. Aungier House provided a special send off the Year 12 students at an entertaining final House Assembly. Each Year 12 student was able to share memorable moments and pass on words of wisdom to the younger members of Aungier. We wish the following Aungier Graduates the very best of luck in the HSC examinations and beyond:
Domenic Abruzzese, Daniel Allen, Alastair Alston, Isaac Bartholomaeus, Leonardo Bosi, Justin Capra, Matthew Danzey, Jake Davidson, Stephen Davies, Kieran Donohue, Jesse Douglas, Harrison Keir, Jarrod MacAskill, Jasper Marsh-Cashman, Mathew Michell, Axel Montesinos, Otis Pavlovic, Jahvia Peters, Hunter Smith, Farrell Sutanto, Dean Theodorakakis, Andre Vumbaca, Jasper Wilde
A FLASHBACK MOMENT FOR YEAR 12 AUNGIER STUDENT, ALASTAIR ALSTON, IN HIS EARLY WAVERLEY COLLEGE RUGBY CAREER!
It is incredible to think that we are now approaching the home straight for 2018. Term 4 will once again see a range of events for students in Aungier House. Our Year 12 students will face the HSC Examinations. Term 3 will mark the beginning of the Summer Sport season. Students in Years 5-10 will complete their Yearly Examinations. Year 11 will head to their Senior Retreat and Year 10 will travel to Somerset to complete a challenging but very rewarding outdoor learning experience.
I would like to congratulate all students in Aungier for the continued positive efforts in Term 3. I would like to thank the Aungier Wellbeing Mentors for their fine work in supporting our students.
Have a safe and restful break.
