Term 2, Week 8 – Newington College

19 June 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our entrepreneurial-spirited students from Years 8, 9 and 10 have been turning ideas into action over the past few weeks, diving headfirst into the world of Enterprise Week. They hosted a range of stalls and plied their goods and services across the College, identifying the needs and wants of their customers and exploring creative solutions. We congratulate these students on their excellent collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Friday 13 June was of course the highly anticipated House Singing Competition! Each House put their best foot forward, working together as a team to perform their top-secret songs to the entire College. Congratulations go to Bavin House, who won the competition for the second year running with their rousing rendition of ‘Brotherhood of Man’ by Frank Loesser. Well done to all Houses, and a special mention to our teaching staff for their surprise performance of ‘We Built This City.’

This week the Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics hosted our local community for the latest event in our Public Program series. Led by Dr Michael Fullilove AM, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, who shared his insights on The State of the Free World, it was a thought-provoking evening for all who attended.

It has also been another busy week in the Music and Performing Arts space. On Tuesday 17 June the College Choir performed at the Newington Pentecost Service, which was a lovely evening led by Pastor Richard La’Brooy. Meanwhile at Tuesday’s assembly our full College Symphony Orchestra treated us to a preview of the magical music we can expect at this year’s Founders Concert (to be held in Centenary Hall on Thursday 7 August). Our musicians performed Bizet’s Les Toreadors from Carmen Suite No. 1.

The student-directed play Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution will be brought to life by our Year 11 Drama students this Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June at 7.00pm in the Drama Theatre. Directed by Ben M and Miles J, and stage directed by Dylan H, the performance will feature students from Newington as well as a guest cast from MLC School and PLC Sydney. We wish all these students the very best and congratulate them for the sheer dedication they have shown to this project.

Congratulations also to our Drama students who have made it all the way to the Grand Finals of the Impro Australia Schools Theatresports Challege. Our Intermediate team Tom B, Nicholas S, Sam E, Aiden P and Jasper F, and our Senior team Finn D, Henry C, Tristan H, Jonathon F and Gil G will be competing at the Enmore Theatre on Sunday 22 June. The Intermediate Final will be at 2.00pm and the Senior Final at 5.00pm, with tickets available via Ticketek for those wishing to go along to support our students.

A wonderful day was had by all at the Newington Invitational Cross Country Carnival last week – well done to all participants for their stamina and sportsmanship. And finally, our 1sts Football team will be playing in the NSW CIS Cup Final on Wednesday 22 June, good luck to all players for this upcoming match.

Make a lasting impact

As we approach 30 June, the Newington Foundation is asking for our help. Your tax-deductible gift will ensure that more students can benefit from a Newington education through the Chris Wild Indigenous Scholarship.

Every donation, large or small, makes a lasting difference. Your generosity will be carefully invested to support students for generations to come.

give today

Co-ed Scholarships for Year 5, 2027

We are excited to announce that co-ed scholarships for girls and boys entering Year 5 in 2027 are now open and close Friday 4 July 2025. These scholarships are in addition to the extensive program already available across academic, co-curricular, sporting and boarding in the Senior School and are open to current and new families.

To find out more and to apply, click below or email our Admissions team.

APPLY HERE

Renew & Create Crafting Project

We have heard at our recent events that one of the greatest joys in life for grandparents – and carers who maintain a ‘grandparenting’ relationship – is nurturing a loving and unique relationship with their grandchild.

Stanmore Parents’ & Friends’ Association – in partnership with the College and the Foundation – warmly invites Newington Grandparents (New Grandies) to join the Renew and Create crafting project.

This new initiative involves coming together to create handmade, sustainable crafts for our Back to Newington Day event on Saturday 16 August. Crafting sessions will be held from 9.00–10.00am at Wyvern House Library (115 Cambridge Street, Stanmore). The next session is this Friday 20 June.

Headsafe concussion research

Newington College is continuing to assist Headsafe with their concussion research this year. If your child sustains a concussion and you are interested in participating, please read and sign the permission below.

Headsafe staff will visit the College each week. We appreciate your interest.

Please view the flyer for more information (via New Spaces).

Senior School Co-Education Parent Information Evening

We are delighted to invite families of future senior girl enrolments to an information evening at our Stanmore Senior school campus.

Building on our move to co-education in our Prep K-6 campuses from 2026, co-education will commence at our Senior School in Years 7 and 11 from 2028.

You will receive information about the College’s co-education journey and hear from our Headmaster Mr Michael Parker, and our Director of Co-education Ms Brigid Taylor.

Lindfield Futsal Camp July 2025 (Years 3–6)

We will be holding a two-day Futsal camp for girls and boys in Years 3 to 6 at our Lindfield campus. This event is for current families as well as those outside our community.

Our aim is to provide an active holiday environment with an appropriate balance between ‘Futsal fundamentals’ and ‘Futsal fun’. We hope to cover both individual skills and team concepts during the course of the camp. The camp will be facilitated by two fantastic Newington coaches and national level Futsal representatives – Aurelia Collins and Sienna Beram.

WHERE: Lindfield Preparatory
WHEN: Monday 14 July and Tuesday 15 July from 9.00am–1.00pm
COST: 1 Day = $20, 2 Days = $40

Staff Profile

This week we caught up with Classroom Teacher Celina Hage, who after living all over the world, has decided to call Lindfield Prep home. She teaches Year 2, to whom she is a role model for all children.

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

A. I have lived abroad twice in my life thus far. Once was a year study program in Kyoto, Japan as part of my degree. As Japanese is part of my heritage, it was such a meaningful and enriching time for me and helped me further my Japanese while also feeling a strong connection to my culture. The second time I lived abroad was over the past two years where I lived and worked in London, UK. It was an incredible experience jumping in headfirst into a new lifestyle, pace of life and education system.

Q. Did you have a favourite teacher growing up and why?

A. Ms Pattinson was a memorable teacher of mine during my primary school journey. She was funny, kind and always fair. She was also firm when she needed to be and in the most respectful way. I think she was a great role model and example of what an excellent educator looks like.

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

A. My best memory was my Year 6 journey where I was lucky enough to be a school leader. I loved doing special jobs for the teachers and presenting in assembly each week. One of the moments I remember the most was going to the local RSL to lay a wreath with my fellow captain for ANZAC Day. I think the role gave me confidence and leadership qualities and inspired me to become an educator.

Staff Profile: College Leadership Group

Director of ICT Dan Collins is a fundamental pillar of our College Leadership Group, and it is his technical guidance that is responsible for so much of our progress as a College. From our homegrown NewAI, to the intricacies of New Spaces, to keeping our digital landscape secure and effective every single day, Dan leads an important team in an ongoing effort to keep our campus running smoothly.

Q. What does leadership mean to you?

A. To me, leadership is about setting direction with clarity, earning trust through consistency, and making space for others to grow. It’s about listening as much as deciding, and understanding that good leadership often means removing friction so others can do their best work. In a school setting, that also means leading with values—putting students first, supporting staff, and stewarding systems that serve the broader mission of learning and wellbeing.

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?

A. Newington’s difference is in its people and its mindset. We don’t just prepare students for exams; we prepare them for the world. Whether it’s through our academic programs, our pastoral care, or our strategic embrace of technology and wellbeing.

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

A. I’ve always had a deep love for music in all its forms—jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and everything in between. Back before Spotify and Apple Music, I was playing vinyl and hosting music shows on community radio, curating eclectic sets for local listeners. It was a creative outlet that brought together interesting people and memorable sounds.

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

A. I’d be excited by the opportunity to explore so many different areas of interest—academics, sports, the arts, and technology—all within one environment that takes each area seriously. And I think I’d be especially energised by the new Eungai Creek campus; the idea of learning through real-world experience and connection to the land is incredibly powerful. That kind of holistic learning wasn’t available when I was at school.

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

A. Innovative. Grounded. Inclusive.