2025 was a magnificent year for Newington with Year 12 students achieving outstanding academic and creative excellence and topping NSW in Science, Mathematics and VET subjects. In HSC Drama, Visual Arts, Technology and English Extension 2, our creatives achieved 34 individual, and three group nominations, in HSC NSEA Showcases with eight students selected for inclusion in prestigious events, OnStage, ARTEXPRESS and Young Writers. Oscar McConnell was one of them.

Oscar McConnell from the Class of 2025 was celebrated recently at NSW Parliament House for his outstanding HSC English Extension 2 major work. Oscar was among 18 of the best young writers in NSW to have their work selected in NESA’s Young Writer Showcase.

Accompanied to the ceremony by Newington Deputy Academic (K–12) and his Extension 2 English teacher, Dr Michael Marokakis, Oscar’s work, Stealing Guavas, Hitting Budapest: A Childist Reading of NoViolet Bulawayo’s We Need New Names with the Post-African Turn, was celebrated in published form in the Young Writers 2025 Anthology. Fellow student Joe Callow from 2025’s cohort was nominated for the Young Writers Showcase for his work, Savage Realities: Cyberpunk and the OntoFictional Present.

Dr Marokakis congratulated Oscar and Joe on the calibre of their final HSC work: ‘These works are of the highest standard in the most challenging HSC English course, and we are immensely proud of our students’ achievements.’

Head of English, Mr David Conway, says last year’s cohort was the largest to study English Extension 2, shadowed only by this year’s numbers.

‘For each English Extension student, 16 in total last year and 22 this year, creating an English Extension 2 major work is a considerable undertaking based on a personal choice.

‘Students are tasked to come up with their own theme for a piece of work, whether it be a non-fiction discursive piece, a short story, a critical response or essay, a film, a script or a body of poetry. Definitely passion projects, they generally take 10 months to complete from Term 4 of Year 11, so our students need to feel passionate about their subject matter.’

Alongside these major works, English Extension 2 students are also required to write a 1500-word reflection statement. ‘In this they need to talk about how they settled on the idea for their work, the influences that inspired them and the means they used to be innovative in their writings, all framed around the purpose of their major work.’

Newington’s program of individualised mentorship for Year 12 English Extension 2 students is an exceptional offering, says Mr Conway, and sees results. Prior to 2025’s results, in 2024, three students, Harry B, Stylianos V and Henry RS were nominated. Henry’s work was later selected for Young Writers Showcase and his work published, while Harry placed sixth in the State for English Extension 2.

‘You get very few opportunities in a school setting as a young person to benefit from such a professional and structured academic arrangement where you work with a singular mentor over 12 months,’ says Mr Conway.

‘For our Year 12 English Extension 2 students to learn how to engage and perform on such an adroit and organised mentoring platform, and for Newington College to nurture and prioritise those professional relationships, is an outstanding feature of the College.’

For those interested in studying English Extension 2 in Year 12, Mr Conway says an ability to innovate, and a motivation to develop personal voice as a writer are useful capabilities. 

‘The thing that sets English Extension 2 students apart is their ability to develop concepts and ideas that bring an innovative form to their major works, inspiring themselves and those who read and mark their work. 

‘The works that stand out all have something unique about them, often through their use of personal voice, innovation through the way the piece is constructed and a genuine passion and palpable interest in the subject.’ 

Mr Conway says Newington’s emphasis on critical and ethical thinking is beginning to reap rewards for students who demonstrate a proficiency and propensity for English expression. 

‘The College’s focus on critical thinking allows students to interrogate their world, find their voice and their message – key facets that mean students find both success and a sense of fulfilment from this course. 

‘For students who enjoy writing, and the written word, English Extension 2 is a real confidence builder because with so many words you need to get out, you can really develop your own voice in writing or film making.’ 

Did you know?

• Newington language students excel in the Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
• In 2025, 100 per cent of Newington students who studied HSC English Extension 2 in 2025 received a mark in the top two bands.
• In 2025, Newington students received 34 individual and three group nominations in NESA’s HSC Showcase selections, with eight selections across OnStage, ARTEXPRESS, and Young Writers.
• Three HSC Newington students in 2025 ranked First in State in an HSC subject with a further eight ranking in the Top 10 in State in an HSC subject.
• Four International Baccalaureate students scored a perfect 45/45 and a further five scored 44/45. Newington is one of only two GPS schools in NSW to offer the IB.