chaplain
Rev Richard Newton
BA(UNE), DipEd(UWS), BTh(SMBC)
Current Happenings
Crusader Union Camps - CRU
CRUSADERS IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY CAMPS IN AUSTRALIA, RUNNING OVER 40 WEEK-LONG CRU CAMPS EACH YEAR IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. CRU CAMPS ARE RUN FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AGED 8 TO 18 YEARS.
Over 50,000 public and private school children have greatly benefited from CRU Camps since 1930, through the challenging activities they have tackled, the new friendships they have formed and the fun times they have had - all within a safe and caring environment.
A team of Christian leaders run each camp and look after the campers 24/7. Their main aim is to ensure your child's physical, emotional and spiritual needs are cared for on camp. Furthermore, a camp 'mum' and 'dad' attend all primary camps to especially care for young campers.
CRU Camps provide an awesome range of activities for kids to experience and be challenged by. Check out the Current Season's Camps on offer at: http://www.crusaders.edu.au/holiday
40 Hour Famine
The 40 Hour Famine is one of Australia's biggest youth fundraising events. It's a chance to do something real: go without food or something else that really matters to you for 40 hours and raise money for kids living in poverty overseas.As a school we are trying to organise a group of boys who are keen to participate in this event. We will all try and complete the famine together on the weekend of the 12-14 September. Boys may raise money for the famine by looking for sponsorship outside or within the school. As a school group our goal is to raise as much money as possible.
If any boys are interested in participating or would like some more information on the event come and see Daniel Assef or Mr. Newton.
Blokes Breaky and Bible
Meets every Monday morning at 7:30am to enjoy fellowship over breakfast followed by a Bible study and discussion. It is open to anyone from Years 6-12 who is interested in finding out more about the Bible or has some questions they want answered. The Bible study is lead by Rev Newton and breakfast is provided.
Middle School GAS (God and Stuff)
This is a Christian group open to all Middle Schoolers who wish to attend. It is held every Thursday lunch time at 1:20pm in the McConville Centre and is run by Rev Newton, Daniel Assef and a few Year 12 volunteers. It generally involves games and fellowship at the start to kick things off followed by biblical discussions in small groups.
Junior School GAS (God and Stuff)
This is a Christian group open to all Junior School students from K-5. It is held every Friday lunchtime at 1:30pm in Rev Newton’s classroom and is run by Anna Owen and a group of senior school student volunteers. It usually involves a few games, a song and a Bible talk and discussion run by Anna Owen or one of the senior boys. In order for students to attend they must have returned a permission form signed by their parent or guardian.
Bible Club
Held every Thursday during morning tea from 11:00am Bible Club is an opportunity for any students, Year 5 and above, to meet together and read and discuss the Bible. It is hosted in Rev Newton’s room and the office next door. Any boys are welcome to come along if they are interested.
Teachers’ Bible Study
This is conducted by Richard and Sonya Newton and is held at their house every Wednesday evening at 8:00pm. It is open to any teachers and their spouses if they are interested in finding out more about the Bible.
Teachers’ Prayer
Held every Wednesday morning at 8:00am in Richard Newton’s room. It is an opportunity for staff to meet and pray together and usually enjoy a coffee as well.
Boarders Chapel
A boarders’ service is held weekly on Sunday mornings at 9:30am in the school chapel. A variety of church services are conducted including Holy Communion, Morning Prayer, an occasional BBQ dinner service and once every term or so we head into town to the local Anglican cathedral.
Senior and Middle School Chapel
Once a fortnight each year group will attend a Senior School chapel service during the normal school cycle. These chapels are less formal than the Sunday chapels but still involve the usual, a talk, singing and prayers whilst allowing discussion and questions from the students. This term we are currently looking at what it is to be a real man and look at figures such as James Bond , Jason Bourne, William Wallace and others.
Junior School Chapel
Each Junior School class meets once a week for a combined year group chapel service T-1 and 2-5. The chapel services are lively, engaging and interactive including a few songs, a video clip, perhaps a skit, and some form of a talk.
Upcoming - God on Tap
Hear a no bull explanation of the Christian message and have your questions answered. Get God on Tap. It will be run at the start of Term 3 and will run for four weeks and will meet at 6:00pm at the White Bull for dinner and a talk. Any staff, parents and friends are welcome to attend.
Past Events
KYCK (Katoomba Youth Convention)
SIS (Service in Sydney)
The Armidale School Chapel
In 1902, after considerable debate as to whether they could afford it, the Board of Directors of The Armidale School Ltd resolved to build a chapel.The Sydney architect, Cyril Blacket was asked to design the building and the foundation stone was laid by the Rt Rev Henry E Cooper, Bishop of Grafton and Armidale on 5 September 1902.
To fund the project 600 pounds was provided from School funds and an equal amount was subscribed from friends of the School. Mr A A Dangar, who agreed to pay anything above a total cost of 1250 pounds, was finally required to pay 49 pounds two shillings and eight pence.
The chapel was dedicated by Bishop Cooper on 6 February 1903 and in August 1905 the three central stained glass windows, designed by the London firm of Lavers and Westlake, were placed in the sanctuary in memory of Archdeacon Ross, the man who was said to be ‘the father of The Armidale School’.
Two more windows, also designed by Lavers and Westlake, were added soon after; one in memory of F R White and the other in memory of Sidney Cox who died at the School in August 1905,aged 17.
To commemorate the School’s centenary in 1994 the Headmaster, Ken Langford Smith, commissioned stained glass artist Dr Marc Grunseit to design two windows for the northern wall of the chapel. The windows were made by Jeffrey Hamilton and are based on the School Lesson 1 Corinthians 13 with the theme of love.
Points of interest to note in the chapel are; the five pointed brick arch over the altar, the cedar lined apsidal bay spanning the sanctuary painted blue with white stars and the exposed roof frame and trusses.
In the western wall of the chapel there is a Rose window divided into five parts.
The pipe organ in the chapel was installed in 1965 at a cost of 2000 pounds and dedicated by Bishop R.C Kerle that year.
The chapel was originally roofed in forest oak shingles but these were replaced by slate in 1981.
