On March 25, the first P&F Speaker Series for 2026 was held, bringing together Newington staff for a panel discussion on wellbeing. Here, Deputy, Pastoral (K–12) Ms Jessica Wickenden and P& F President, Mrs Helen Graham share the highlights. 

Every parent wants the same simple thing when they walk their child through the school gates: to know they are safe, known and genuinely cared for. We trust schools with the most precious thing in our world, often without seeing the depth of thinking, planning and quiet work that goes into supporting their wellbeing every day. 

The P&F Speaker Series was designed to provide more transparency. It offers parents an opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping wellbeing across Newington. What emerged after the first session March 25, was not just reassurance, but a deeper understanding of the research, coordination and compassion that sit beneath the College’s approach to caring for every student. 

The panel of internal experts included Ms Mia Airth (Psychologist and School Counsellor), Mr Tom Kindred (Head of Co‑Curricular), Mr Tom Lever (Director of Studies), Ms Jennifer Nicholas (Head of Cooper House) and Mr Nigel Sackar (Director of Students). 

This was a significant opportunity for the College community. It was the first time parents were invited into a conversation with staff in this way, offering insight into the proactive, coordinated and holistic nature of pastoral care and wellbeing at Newington.  

The conversation was shaped by questions submitted by parents ahead of the evening. These questions guided discussion around how student wellbeing is defined, how learning and wellbeing are intentionally connected at Newington, and how the College balances early intervention with longer‑term skill development. Parents also learnt about how staff work together to ensure consistency across year levels, and how support structures evolve as students move through Years 7–12. 

For many in the room, this staff-led approach was deeply affirming. One long-standing parent reflected how reassuring it was to hear staff speak first-hand about their work, and their shared responsibility for student wellbeing. Hearing these perspectives, across academic, wellbeing and co-curricular leadership roles, reinforced the College’s commitment to a whole-child model of care. It was evident not only in what was said, but in who was on the panel. Of note was the opportunity to hear directly from one of our School Counsellors – a voice many parents had not previously encountered in this forum –complementing the conversation between academic, wellbeing and co-curricular leaders. 

This speaker panel was the first of its kind, and the strong engagement on the night reflected a shared appetite for open, informed conversation between families and the College. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with around 90 per cent saying they found the evening ‘excellent or very good’ and ‘extremely valuable’. 

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The P&F Speaker Series is a collaborative initiative of the Parents & Friends Association and the College. Our next P&F Speaker Series event is a parent workshop, A Night with the Folks, scheduled for Thursday 11 June. Delivered by Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman, this workshop focuses on challenging stereotypes and building emotional awareness. It offers parents a meaningful insight into what students experience in these sessions, helping them better understand the impact of gender stereotypes and the importance of connection, empathy and open conversation. The session is designed to be engaging and practical, equipping parents with tools to continue deeper, more meaningful conversations at home and strengthen connections with their children. Please note this is an interactive workshop and is limited to 100 attendees (one parent per family). 

Register here.

Co‑authored by Helen Graham, P&F President, and Jessica Wickenden, Deputy, Pastoral (K–12).