Term 1, Week 9

27 March 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been a wonderful celebration of sport this week, kicking off with a great effort from all competitors at the Head of the River on Saturday. 

A huge congratulations to all our rowers, your dedication and hard work truly shone through. And a special shout-out to our 1st IV for claiming second place in the Yaralla Cup. 
 
Some other impressive results included: 
⦁ 1st VIII: 4th 
⦁ 2nd VIII: 6th 
⦁ 1st IV: 2nd 
⦁ 2nd IV: 5th 
⦁ 3rd IV: 6th 
⦁ 4th IV: 6th 
⦁ 1st Junior VIII: 5th 
⦁ 2nd Junior VIII: 4th 
⦁ 3rd Junior VIII: 4th 
 
We couldn’t have achieved these results without the ongoing support of our coaches, staff and fellow students. 

At assembly this week, our summer sport Captains reflected on their respective seasons while our 1sts teams were presented with their colours, and our premiership winning teams, the Basketball 2nds and Water Polo 2nds, received their Letters. Your dedication and commitment to your various sports is truly inspiring. 

Friday night will see the AAGPS Swimming Championships close out the summer season, with Newington represented by students from Year 7 – 12 in three divisions. The Junior team is currently placed 5th, the Intermediate team is sitting second – 4 points behind first place – and our Senior team is 17 points behind 3^rd. Our Open relay team is sitting in second position. We wish all our swimmers and coaches the very best for the evening. 

Congratulations again to all athletes who were recognised at assembly and to every student for a fantastic summer of sport. 

Our winter sport Captains were also announced at assembly, as we move into the next season of sport this weekend, I’d like to congratulate the following Year 12 students on their appointment, I’m sure you will be steadfast leaders for your respective teams. 

• Australian Rules Football – Kyna W 
• Athletics and Cross Country – Harry H 
• Fencing – Andrew W 
• Football – Zach W 
• Rifle Shooting – Franklin S 
• Rugby – Dylan S 
• Volleyball – Alex R 

We hosted our annual Engaging Questions workshop this week, a joint venture between the Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics at Newington College and the Association for Philosophy in schools NSW.

Thirty educators from NSW and across Australia joined us for an in depth look at Thought Experiments and the sort of thinking required to engage with the conceptual (and practical) challenges they raise. Sessions were delivered by our PRS & Critical Thinking Teams, including our Headmaster.

Participating teachers noted “The day was outstanding. One of the best PL’s I have ever attended.” ” I loved this PD, you did such a good job, the pacing was fantastic and nothing felt like fluff or a waste of time.”

Look out for the next thought-provoking opportunity we have on offer this year. All our upcoming events can be found on the website.

Year 7 and 8 students have been making great use of the brand-new food and tech space that was completed ahead of Term 1. A former general learning area was converted into a purpose-built teaching and learning kitchen, thanks to the support of the Newington Foundation.

Classes in this space will help students develop an increased knowledge and understanding of food – including processing and preparation – which will not only prepare them for life but also for their Year 9 experience at Eungai Creek. 

While our Year 9 students currently at Eungai Creek are preparing for their parents to arrive on Saturday for their final weekend, before heading home on Sunday. After 8 weeks away we’re sure everyone is looking forward to catching up for a yarn about all the incredible experiences they have had during the program. 

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. 

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 Hana Kitamura who is a Religious Studies Teacher at Lindfield. Hana has been teaching at Lindfield for 7 years.

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

A. I enjoy getting to know the students and seeing them grow throughout their primary school years. I feel very privileged to see my first Kindergarten cohort graduate Year 6 this year!

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

A. It was after spending a year in Tanzania that I decided to become a teacher. 

Q. What is one of your best memories of being a student?

A. Living in the boarding house in the senior school and playing Saturday sports and training with my friends.