To channel Jane Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that once a child becomes a teenager, parental involvement in school life can shoot from 10 to 0 as fast as the descending planes winging it over Stanmore. 

Which is one reason becoming an active member of a Newington College Support Group Committee, may present an un-cringe solution to this widespread parent-of-teenager disconnect. Newington College Support Groups open a world of community connection, inclusion and friendship to other parents and offer a teen approved way to maintain a courtside, riverside or theatre seat side to your teenager’s life.  

Formed under the umbrella of Stanmore Parents and Friends Association, there are currently 10 Support Groups at our senior school across the Creative Arts and Sporting codes. These include AFL, Water Polo, Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country, Volleyball, Rowing, Cricket, Rugby and the Creative Arts Association. The oldest, the Rowing Auxiliary – now known as Newington College Rowing Association – commenced in 1956. The newest, the Volleyball Support Group, in 2018.  

Tonight, members from each group will attend the Headmaster’s Welcome to Year 7 parents and new families. Here they will showcase the role of each group in supporting students and increasing parental participation and belonging within our Newington College community. Here’s a taster of what it’s like to be part of a support group from three current parents:  

I joined the NC Rowing Association during an End of Season Rowing dinner four years ago.  

The NCRA is involved in fundraising, organising social functions, arranging spectator gatherings at regattas, sourcing merchandise, along with coordinating other rowing events like Corporate Rowing, where parents and carers can undertake training with our amazing coaching staff and participate in their own regatta against other schools.

There is much that is needed for a rowing program to thrive. Boats, oars, ergs and other training equipment, all of which need to be well maintained, along with a comfortable and inviting shed environment. The rowers, coxswains and coaching staff all work hard to prepare for Head of the River, which is only weeks away now (Saturday 22 March). It is an exciting day full of anticipation and the culmination of all the pre-dawn wakeups, hours on the ergs, weights lifted, and thousands of kilometres rowed.  

Being on a support group Committee provides a way to contribute directly to College life, and get to know other families, but also to understand more about the activity your child is involved in. It’s been wonderful to have the opportunity to support our sons in something they love doing and dedicate much time and effort to.  

This is my last year with the CA Association because my youngest son finishes Year 12 this year, but I originally started in 2017 when my older son was involved with the Music program.  

Today, we are a group of parents who actively support all the Creative Arts departments at Newington. Our aim is to enhance community and enjoyment of the opportunities for students, families and friends, and fundraise for specific requests by the Departments for capital equipment or program supports, over and above what is already provided by the College. 

Refreshments at performances and pizza parties for casts and crew are examples of contributions made from our revenue. We also annually support the P&F Visual Art Prizes and framing of the perpetual works, as well as provide the great candy bar and food services at annual College RockFest.  We will also be at the approaching performances of College musical, Catch Me If You Can, in the Duckmanton Drama Theatre from March 12 to 15 providing tea and coffee during interval. 

I’m still involved even though my younger son is no longer in the Music program, and I’ve met a group of parents who are 100 per cent supportive of the Creative Arts. It’s been very rewarding. 

I joined the Newington College Rugby Association in 2023 after my wife mentioned that there was a meeting on. She suggested it would be a good idea for me to get along given my love for the game and to get to know more parents at the school (which was limited, given our son started the same year that COVID struck).  

Within an hour of being at the meeting, I was all in, working with fellow committee members to progress on the Rugby Season Launch Lunch and planning for the season’s BBQs.  A year later, I was lucky enough to be asked to become the President of the committee, made up of a great group of committed, talented and friendly parents from most age groups. 

The core purpose of the Rugby Association is to create an inclusive environment to support and grow the Newington rugby community, including the players, coaches, administrators, parents and the wider community through three strategic areas:  experiences, pathways, and community. 

Having started at the college during COVID, it was difficult for us as parents to get to know others. Being part of the Rugby Association, changed that. Whether working with committee members to plan and fulfil our role, through to manning the BBQ at the weekend, I have found it a tremendous way to build great connections and friendships with not only the Rugby community, but the wider Newington community. (The first rugby round of the season is at home against Riverview on Saturday 17 May.) 

Being part of the Rugby Association, also provides me with another way to connect with my son. While I previously got along to watch him play all games I possibly could, that would be the extent of it. Being on the committee not only enhanced my involvement from a passive spectator to an active supporter, but it’s been another positive way to build the relationship between my son and I. 

*If you are a new or established Newington family, and would like more information about our Support Groups, please contact community@newington.nsw.edu.au