Week 3, Term 1 is here already, and with it a flurry of new faces, new classes, and new school experiences, all of which can take some time to acclimatise.

Which is why, says Year 12 student and Captain of Chess, Kye P., anyone feeling at a loose end during lunch should come along and master their moves.

‘Last year I was invited to one of the meetings for our 2025 Year 7’s and I told them that if they are ever feeling lost at our senior Stanmore campus, they should find their way to these two rooms,’ says Kye.

‘That’s because everyone here knows that starting in a new school, especially senior school can feel a bit daunting in these first few weeks. But everyone is always welcome to come along and play chess. So please don’t feel shy about joining us.’

Under the encouraging eye of Mr Andrew Davies, Director of Chess, Science teacher and chess enthusiast, the atmosphere in the lunchtime Chess epicentre is always competitive yet collegial as students spend time practising their best chess moves and defenses. Kye says he has spent many of his lunchtimes here during his Newington school life.

‘When I was in Year 8, my Grandpa came over to our house one day and offered me a game of chess. I’d never played before and he is a smart guy, and I got destroyed on that first day,’ says Kye.

‘From that day on however I became dedicated to beating him. And that was the impetus for me learning to play. It was during the COVID 19 lockdown of 2020 so there was plenty of time for us to play together when he could visit and for me to growth in my ability.’

Numbers at lunch time Chess Club sessions vary, says Mr Davies, often dependent on weather conditions but generally there is a dedicated core group of students there playing at lunchtimes come rain, hail or shine.

‘We get the whole spectrum of people coming to play Chess here,’ says Mr Davies.

‘Some people want to be inside from the weather when it is very hot or cold, and others come along with their friends to support them and watch them play matches against other students. And often those students who don’t come to play, start playing themselves.’

‘And often those students who don’t come to play, start playing themselves.’

During the winter terms, Newington competes in the Junior Chess League NSW Competition.

‘Every Friday Newington travels to, or hosts, competing rival schools, with the 20 best players in teams of four pitted against each other,’ says Mr Davies.

‘Sydney Grammar and Sydney Boys High are usually the teams to beat, but Scots College made a surprisingly strong showing last year. In 2024, Newington Senior A made the semifinals, and is back working with fervour this year to go one better and make the final.’

Today, Kye plays in A Team, but he spent many happy lunchtimes as a younger player just enjoying the camaraderie of his fellow Chess pundits while honing his tactical skills. In the summer terms, he plays Table Tennis for the College and Volleyball in the winter.

‘I think to become good at Chess, you have to take your time to think and become strategic, so you begin to think your moves through before you make them,’ he says.

‘I really like the analytical part of Chess, and that it’s just so removed from luck. You just have to be the better player to win but every time you get beaten, you learn something new about the game. Developing as a player is also about learning to think on your feet and change your strategy mid-game if necessary.

Newington College offers an extensive range of clubs and Outdoor Education activities that run during, before and after school to help every student find their passion.

As well as Chess, students can get involved Debating, Oratory, Young Inquirers, Media Production, Sustainability, Gender Equity, the Student Newspaper, Duke of Edinburgh, FI in Schools, CineArts and 1st XVI to name a few.

If you are part of our Newington Community, follow the link to New Spaces to find out more about clubs and Outdoor Education programs on offer. If you are interested in playing against Kye or joining the Newington Chess Club, Mr Davies and Newington Chess Club players look forward to seeing you in W12 & 13 at lunchtime soon.