Term 1, Week 8

20 March 2025

From the Head of the ELC

Dear Families, 

What a joy it has been celebrating Harmony Week. We have embraced the vibrant cultures that enrich our community, recognising each as a unique thread woven into the fabric of our collective heritage. This dynamic week is more than a celebration—it is a launching point and an open invitation for families to contribute actively to our educational program. We warmly welcome you to share your vocation insights, hobbies, special talents, or simply come in to read a book or tell stories that may be of interest to the children. 

A genuine thank you to Corinne, Eddie, Emmanuel (Sunny), Jane (Amelia Lee), Denis (Jasper), Dane (Sam) Joanna (Hannah) and Meerna (Mohammod), for enriching our Harmony Week celebration with your wonderful presence. The heartfelt way you have shared the traditions, stories and vibrant customs that shape your identity, has enriched our learning environment in countless ways. Your presentations sparked curiosity, promoted respect and laid the foundations for a deeper understanding of the world around us. 

The children experienced firsthand the joy of discovery—immersed in the diverse cultures that make up our community. They witnessed how our differences bring us together.  We are incredibly grateful for your time and dedication to our Harmony Week celebration. Your contribution has facilitated the children’s improved understanding of community, inclusion and mutual respect.  

Anaphylaxis Prevention

The ELC will be a NO EGGS/NUTS/SESAME Zone on Thursdays & Fridays.

Please be informed we have children at the ELC who have anaphylactic reactions to eggs, nuts, and sesame. We kindly request that you avoid packing in your child’s lunch any of these allergens (in any form) on Thursdays and Fridays.  

We also request that birthday cakes/cupcakes you provide for your child must not contain eggs, nuts, and sesame if brought in on Thursdays and Fridays. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

Holiday Programs

The holiday program outline for each term break will be available to families a week before the program starts. Children can attend the ELC in their normal clothes and are not required to wear uniforms during this time. 

ELC Email Address

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at elc@newington.nsw.edu.au and we will respond to you as soon as possible.  

What’s Happening This Term

ELC Quality Improvement Plan 

We welcome your feedback, ideas and thoughts on our strengths and any areas of improvement for us. The Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Hub is located in the piazza. The QIP consists of the following seven quality areas: 

1. Educational program 

2. Children’s health and Safety 

3. Physical environment 

4. Staffing arrangements 

5. Relationships with children 

6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities 

7. Governance and leadership 

The QIP is a platform to define who we are as a community, demonstrating how the ELC will continue to improve and refine what we do, and how we do things in pursuit of greater quality. We envision a QIP that will emanate ‘quality,’ which is unique and contextual to Newington ELC. 

We kindly ask that you engage with us in this space by looking at each of the Quality Areas, which are clearly displayed to guide your feedback on: 

• What are our strengths? 

• What improvements can we make? 

ELC Parent Teacher Interviews: Monday 7 April to Thursday 10 April  

Term 1 ELC Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in person at the ELC on the following days: 

Possum Class 

• Monday 7 April, 7.30–10.00am 

• Tuesday 8 April, 7.30–10.00 am 

• Wednesday 9 April, 3.00–6.00pm 
      

Goanna Class 

• Tuesday 8 April, 3.00–6.00 pm 

• Thursday 10 April, 7.30–10.00am 

Eagle Class 

• Monday 7 April, 3.00–6.00 pm 

• Wednesday 9 April, 7.30–10.00am  

Please book interviews through the College Community Admin Portal on New Spaces. A brief instruction guide can be found in our Parent ICT Guide – scroll down to Beyond the Basics and access instructions through How to book Mentor/Teacher Interviews. 

Interviews will be held for 10 minutes. We kindly request you arrive on time to ensure all interviews run smoothly. 

Please note that all bookings must be made by 4.00pm on Monday 1 April. We request that you take the time to diarise your appointment as access to the booking system will not be possible after this time.   

Should you need support with booking appointments, please contact Stephanie Christofides at the ELC on 9568 9555 or email elc@newington.nsw.edu.au   

Co-Ed Scholarships for Year 5 2026 Now Open

Become a part of history with the Pioneer Scholarship, created to celebrate Newington College’s transition to co-education and support girls and boys who are ready to lead, innovate and inspire. This is more than just a scholarship—it is an opportunity for trailblazers who are eager to make a lasting impact.  

This scholarship is available to existing and prospective students (both boys and girls) currently in Year 4 (entering Year 5 in 2026). This prestigious opportunity is designed for students with a balanced range of achievements who will benefit from the outstanding opportunities at Newington College while enriching our vibrant school community. 

Current and new students can apply here. 

Chapel Thought

Our scriptural stories tell us a lot about God’s Kingdom, not just as a place but also a way in which to feel closer to God, and time and time again they remind us that there is a place there for everyone. The Parable of the Mustard Seed, in Matthew 13:31-32, describes God’s Kingdom like a mustard seed that is planted in the ground. The tiny seed grows to become an enormous tree, broad enough for all the birds of the garden to make their homes in.

In this simple image of a tree, stretching out it’s branches wide, we see that God’s Kingdom is a place where all are welcome and all are accepted, just like the birds in the Parable. We can be comforted to know that no matter our background or experience, no matter our past or our present, God simply welcomes us and loves us no matter what.

May that be an image of hope for us this Harmony Day.

– Pastor Richard La’Brooy 

Child Safeguarding Hub 

Student safety and wellbeing continue to be at the centre of everything we do. They have a right to feel safe and be safe. Their wellbeing is our most fundamental concern and as a Child Safe Organisation, we are dedicated to this criterion. 

To enhance Child Safeguarding at Newington, in September 2022, we established a Child Safeguarding Committee to oversee the development and monitoring of systems, policies and process that implement the child safe standards.   

The Committee is comprised of key staff members integral to Child Safeguarding at Newington. The Committee manages several Child Safeguarding initiatives and engages external experts to advise on best practice on various aspects of child safeguarding, including safe recruitment, student voice, engaging parents, staff training and risk management. 

One of the initiatives Newington’s Child Safeguarding Committee has been working on is the Child Safeguarding Hub, a unique and innovative resource that puts the College at the forefront in its commitment to student safety. This hub is available here on New Spaces and contains valuable resources and tools for parents and carers. 

To find the parent hub on New Spaces head to: 

New Spaces > Parent Services > Child Safeguarding for Parents and Carers

Staff Profile

This week, we hear from John Sullivan who is a Year 5 Classroom Teacher at Wyvern House. John loves seeing students gain confidence in the classroom and thrives on the variety each day brings.  

Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching?  

A. Honestly, it is that ‘lightbulb’ moment when a student finally gets something. I love seeing their confidence grow and knowing I played a part in that. Plus, every day is different, keeps me on my toes!  

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

A. I secretly write terrible sci-fi short stories. They are hilariously bad, but it is a fun and creative outlet.  

Q. If you could have dinner with any historical figure or celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about?  

A. I’d love to have dinner with David Attenborough. I’d want to hear all his stories about the natural world, his insights on conservation and just soak up his wisdom. He has seen so much! 

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

A. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they’re silly. Embrace your mistakes; they’re the best way to learn and grow.  

Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)

This week we are profiling Tom Kindred who is the new Head of Co-curricular, let’s give him a warm welcome! Tom is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the wide range of extracurricular activities offered to students.  

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

A. To provide leadership in both the strategic and operational spaces for the overall education of students at Newington.  

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?  

A. A College community whose culture is very clearly built and espoused around diversity, courage and kindness.  

Q. What is something not many people know about you?  

A. I enjoy making sourdough and have four beautiful children, all of whom I adore equally… even my favourite.  

Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?  

A. The incredible breadth of opportunity I would have to try different activities and knowing that it would mean I could improve at something every day. No matter how big or small. Learning is fun, the difficulty is that it takes wisdom to appreciate that. Also, Eungai Creek, the pool, the rowing shed and the drama centre, these are just some places that elicit joy even for me now.   

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

A. Kindness, Courage and Diversity. I think the College and the many wonderful people who are part of the community are walking the talk when it comes to those values.