19 June 2025
From the Deputy, Head of Preparatory Schools & ELC
Developing Resilience
I write this as our Year 5 students are away on camp. Each student is engaging in their own unique way with the activities, camp environment and being away from home. Each student has shown resilience in certain instances – and at times for each student, this resilience may have faltered. Why are we resolute in some instances and not at other times?
In an interesting New Yorker article, author Maria Konnikova wrote ‘resilience presents a challenge for psychologists, whether you can be said to have it or not largely depends not on any particular psychological test but on the way your life unfolds. If you are lucky enough to never experience any sort of adversity, we won’t know how resilient you are. It’s only when you’re faced with obstacles, stress, and other environmental threats that resilience, or lack of it, emerges: Do you succumb, or do you persist?’
Conversations about developing resilience often focus on protective factors – the elements that allow a person to thrive despite negative circumstances. Protective factors are internal and external. The most important external factor was a strong bond with a supportive caregiver, parent, teacher or other mentor figure. At Newington, we work hard to try to connect with our students and make them feel valued through a sense of connection and belonging.
According to Konnikova, children who identified as being resilient:
- were autonomous and independent
- sought out new experiences
- had a positive social orientation
- though not especially gifted, they used whatever skills they had effectively
- had an internal locus of control – they believed that they, not fate, or the wider world, affected their achievements, that they were the masters of their own destinies.
Resilience wasn’t a fixed entity. Even during camp, the students have shown different levels of resilience in different contexts and at different times. The research also pointed to the idea that resilience can be learned or can develop over time. How can we teach our students (and ourselves) to be more resilient?
Perception of an event is seen as a key determinant of your resilience. For example, do you see an event as traumatic, or as an opportunity to learn and grow? Events are not traumatic until we experience them as traumatic. For our students, going on camp for the first time might be seen as awful because they might be homesick, or it could be seen as an important step in becoming independent and moving towards adulthood.
According to Konnikova, the long-term impact of traumatic events is not in the events themselves but in how people process them. Resilience is a set of skills that can be taught.
It is also possible for a person to move in the opposite direction. We can become less resilient, or less likely to be resilient. We can create or exaggerate stressors very easily in our own minds. We can worry and ruminate, blow up a minor event into an obsession, and make ourselves anxious. It’s all in how we frame things.
As parents, it is vital that we consistently reframe the catastrophising that happens from time to time as opportunities to learn and grow. Sometimes as parents, in our bid to be sympathetic and to smooth things out when things don’t turn out how our children were hoping, we inadvertently validate and reinforce a lack of resilience. If we join our children in describing difficult situations as traumatic, unfair, someone else’s fault (the world is happening to them, and they have no control) then we are not encouraging them to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Resilience is a learnable trait and with practice and good modelling our students can develop into more optimistic and resolute young people.
What Happened This Week
Year 6 2025 to Year 7 2026 Transition Morning
On Monday, 16 June, Year 6 students and their parents from Lindfield and Wyvern campuses gathered at our Senior Campus for a special Year 7 Transition Morning. This event marked an exciting step in their journey towards high school.
The morning commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Parker and senior staff members in the Centenary Hall, where they shared insights into the opportunities and experiences awaiting the students in Year 7. Following the presentation, Year 10 student volunteers led guided tours of the Senior Campus grounds, providing a firsthand look at the facilities and spaces the students will soon be using.
The event concluded with a delightful morning tea, offering a chance for families to connect, ask questions, and feel more at ease about the transition ahead.
Boys, Girls, Brains & Behaviour
During our recent student free day, all staff at both Prep Campuses joined for another day of professional development, related to our transition to Co-education and our ongoing focus on best practice pedagogy.
We worked with Dr Justin Coulson on further developing our understanding of boys, girls, brains and behaviour.
In his science-based presentation, Dr Justin Coulson unpacked brain, behaviour, and gender myths, truths, and rumours to help teachers work with kids to uncover their strengths, build their motivation, and maximise their resilience and wellbeing.
Dr Coulson also took a deep dive into the science of motivation, working with teacher to develop to explore how they can create a classroom where all students thrive.
Dr Coulson was impressed with the depth of knowledge and the active engagement of the Lindfield and Wyvern staff throughout the day. We continue to work with all staff and students as we get ready to welcome girls and their families into our school community from next year.
Math Olympiad & Inquisitive Minds
This term has been a fun-filled adventure for the Wyvern boys, with plenty of opportunities to challenge their mathematical thinking. On Monday, 5 May, and Wednesday, 11 June, our Stage 2 and 3 students participated in the Australian Problem-Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) competition, participating in either the Math Olympiad, Games Junior, or Explorer activities. The students applied themselves diligently, drawing on various problem-solving strategies to tackle complex questions. It was inspiring to see their perseverance and creativity in action. Our next APSMO challenge is scheduled for next term, on Wednesday 30 July.
Meanwhile, students across Stages 1, 2 and 3 also participated in the Inquisitive Minds workshops. These sessions provided an engaging platform for students to explore a wide range of mathematical concepts and skills. The Inquisitive Minds program encourages students to read and interpret problems carefully before attempting solutions. With modelled strategies, guided practice, and opportunities for independent application, students strengthened their mathematical understanding – all within a fun, supportive, and collaborative environment.
The workshops culminated in a fast-paced, relay-style challenge, in which students worked together to solve as many problems as possible within a set timeframe – a true test of teamwork, resilience, and mathematical reasoning.
We look forward to our annual Inquisitive Minds Talented Workshop on Wednesday, 15th October. Selected Stage 3 students will take part in an exciting day of hands-on puzzles, interactive problem-solving lessons, and collaborative mathematical challenges designed to stretch and enrich their thinking.
What’s Happening This Term
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.
Semester 2 Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities
We are working very hard to confirm the Semester 2 schedule for Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities. We plan to open the booking system in Week 9. Once again, expressions of interest for activities organised by Wyvern staff will be made via ‘Activity Selection’. Student numbers for activities run by Wyvern staff are limited and preference will be given to students that did not participate in the selected activity during Semester 1. A friendly reminder that music ensemble rehearsals take priority.
Reminder: K–2 Music Concert: Friday 20 June
We invite you to celebrate the wonderful achievements of Wyvern’s youngest musicians at the K–2 Music Concert.
Join us next Friday 20 June from 8.45am at Wyvern Hall.
This year the showcase is based on Isabel Otter & Clara Anganuzzi’s book ‘Dear Earth’ and promises to be a remarkable event.
Renew & Create Stall
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.
ICAS Assessment
Wyvern House will be participating in the 2025 ICAS competitions. Participation in these competitions is voluntary.
ICAS provides an opportunity for students in Years 3 to 6 to gain a measure of their own achievement in an external testing situation.
Vacation Care
CommunityOSH have released their Winter school holiday program. See the link below for more information or to register. Please click here to see their program and to register.
Holiday Art Program
Art programs will run on the first three days of the school holidays. For enquiries and bookings contact jacbolt@yahoo.com.au
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 prospective families.
To find out more and to apply, click below or email our Admissions team.
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
Register now by clicking clicking the button below and please share with families who may be interested.
Chapel Thought
As I write this Chapel Thought, I’m sitting out in the beautiful nature of Point Wolstoncroft. I’m blessed to be on Year 5 Camp at the moment and am enjoying spending time with the Prep School students from both campuses. But as I listen to the native birds in the gum trees and look out to the clear waters of the lake, I’m reminded of the words of Psalm 19 “The heavens are telling the glory of God and the earth proclaims God’s handiwork.” This verse reminds us that we can see God in the beauty of creation. In the wind that rushes through the trees or in the birds that sing, we experience God’s Spirit.
I’m also reminded of Matthew 6:26 where Jesus encourages us not to worry because God is with us. Jesus says “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than them?” Whenever I am in the beauty of nature I am reminded of this promise. God provides and sustains all of the natural world and God sustains us even more. As we navigate the ups and downs of life we can be reminded of this promise of God, that no matter what happens God is with us, giving us hope and giving us strength.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
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.
