Term 1, Week 2

6 February 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

It is great to see our students getting settled into their routines and embracing all the opportunities the new term has to offer. 

With the start of the term, co-curricular activities have begun across the college this week, with a range of clubs, groups, and additional programs either starting or calling for expressions of interest to join. Students are encouraged to head to New Spaces to find out more detail about the range of co-curricular activities they may like to try this week including debating, chess, STEM racing or the range of groups and clubs that meet during the week.  

Auditions for the Year 8 play are now underway. All Year 8 students are welcome to audition. If your child is interested, please sign up at the Drama Theatre or Music Reception. Newington Impro Ensemble also started this week. It is open to all students in Year 8 to 11 – no experience is necessary. Students can choose to attend either the Monday or Thursday session, running from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.  

Second half of the summer sporting season has started with high energy and dedication.  It’s especially pleasing to see the sense of camaraderie and the support students show for each other both during training and in their Saturday fixtures. We extend a warm welcome to our Year 7 students and their families as they begin their Newington sporting journey.  This Saturday, we will have a home fixture against The Kings School, with plenty of action on the fields, courts and in the pool for all spectators to enjoy. Our summer Support Groups of Water Polo, Tennis, Basketball and Cricket will be running the BBQ at Saturday home games.  I would like to thank those parents and guardians who generously give their time to support our community.  

We would also like to wish the best of luck to our rowers participating in the NSW State Championships at Penrith this Saturday. Next week we have the Newington Age Swimming Championships. With record numbers already entered, we look forward to a great night of swimming. 

We are pleased to announce that Australia’s leading social psychologist, Mr Hugh Mackay will be joining us for the first 2025 Critical Thinking & Ethics Public Lecture on 26 February from 6.30pm in OBLT.  In this lecture, he will explore how life today is shaped by loneliness, anxiety, entrenched poverty, and the pervasive influence of technology. His thought-provoking insights in The Way We Are will inspire reflection on the kind of society we want to create. This will be the only community lecture for Term 1. Don’t forget to reserve your free ticket here. 

Parent Code of Conduct

As the new school year begins, I would like to reiterate our commitment to each and every child at Newington to support and assist them to learn, think and thrive. The education of a child is a wonderful partnership between the school, the parents and the student. For that partnership to be successful, there needs to be a base of respect and trust. Trust that we have the child’s best interest at heart and that we know the best way to educate them – whether that’s in the ELC or Year 12 – and how to run the College. And respect in the way that we all communicate, share our feedback, thoughts and/or concerns – which extends to digital and social media platforms.  

A reminder for all parents to embrace New Spaces and the Weekly Newsletter. Important information is posted there and that is our central point of truth. Newsletters come out every Thursday via email and live on the website. 

If you have a concern or are seeking clarification on any matters, in the first instance, please contact the school and person responsible directly. We are only too happy to assist and improve where we can. If you are unsure who to contact – the starting point is your child’s Mentor or Head of House.  

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Newington College is filled with wonderful and kind families. I respectfully ask all parents to familiarise themselves with the parent code of conduct found here on New Spaces, so that this partnership and promise to our children is at the core of everything we say and do throughout the year. 

Enrolments are now open for 2026 and 2027  

We are accepting girls into Kindergarten and Year 5 from 2026 at our Lindfield and Stanmore Prep campuses, and Year 7 and Year 11 at our Senior campus in Stanmore from 2028.

If you are interested in enrolling your daughter, please call our Admissions team on 02) 9568 9333

Staff profile

This week we are profiling Lindfield’s School Office Administrator Sophie Lappin. As the first friendly face you see when you walk in, Sophie plays an important role in the Lindfield ecosystem. She is a crucial point of contact for parents, students and community members while also helping to maintain the everyday operations of the school, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why? 

A. Good Will Hunting (1997), starring Robin Williams and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, has been my favorite movie since I first saw it. The film tells the story of Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT whose extraordinary mathematical genius is discovered by a professor. What follows is a beautiful journey of friendship, self-discovery and healing, especially between Will and his therapist, played by Robin Williams. The way their relationship developed struck a chord with me. 

One of the movie’s most famous lines is, ‘You’ll have bad times, but they’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.’ It’s a reminder that even through hardships, there’s always something valuable to learn, a message I think we could all use more of in our lives. 

Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school? 

A. Enjoy each day! As a student, the school year always felt like it would never end. I remember counting the days from January to when Christmas would be here again–each day seemed to drag on forever! But now, as an adult, the years fly by and there’s never enough time in the day, week, month or even the year. Before I know it, Christmas is right around the corner again! It’s a reminder to savor the present moment because time seems to slip away faster than we expect. 

Q. What is something people don’t know about you? 

A. Since stepping away from my career in Hospitality Management at 25, my family and I have had the incredible opportunity to live in Korea, Singapore and Japan—three times, in fact. Each of these experiences, the cultures, the people and adventures, I will cherish forever. 

Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)

We are excited to feature a new profile on each member of the College Leadership Group (CLG) in our newsletter each week. This dedicated team plays a vital role in shaping and supporting the Newington community, and we look forward to sharing more about their contributions and leadership.

This week we are profiling Mr Mark Salmon who is the Director of Senior School Operations our scheduling extraordinaire. He is responsible for ensuring everybody on campus is in the right place at the right time, formulating student and staff timetables, coordinating teacher covers, and overseeing the smooth day-to-day functioning of the Senior School.

Q. What do you see as the role of the College Leadership Group?

A. The College Leadership Group plays a crucial role in shaping the vision and culture of Newington. The CLG works collaboratively to ensure students receive a well-rounded education, encouraging both academic and personal growth. They help create an inclusive environment for both students and staff.

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?

A. The Newington difference is its commitment to holistic education; academic achievement is balanced with personal development and co-curricular activities. The strong sense of community and diverse learning experiences across its campuses set it apart.

Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?

A. Inclusive, innovative and kind.