With nearly 100 Senior girls participating in today’s ‘Take Flight’ orientation, Director of Co-education, Mrs Rebecca Panagopoulos, reflects on the many things girls have already contributed to the College.

New energy

The start of the 2026 school year was an historic beginning for Newington, with our first girls walking through the gates at Wyvern House and Lindfield Prep in 163 years. With them, came a renewed energy.

‘It’s never been Newington’s style to stand still,’ says Mrs Panagopoulos. ‘Co‑education is a very specific example that showcases how Newington continues to exhibit our core values as a vibrant, caring and courageous school that moves with societal changes and demands, for the academic growth and success of all students.’

New choice

With many of our current students having sisters in the family, more members of our community and the inner west are sharing in the many advantages a Newington education provides.

‘It’s a wonderful to hear our Newington families, who were calling out for co-education, now have the opportunity to say, my son and daughter can both go to Newington.’

New insights

As the first full year of co-education nears its close, Wyvern House Prep and Lindfield Prep have acted as guides for the arrival of Senior girls to our vibrant community.

‘Throughout the year, Senior staff have been busy implementing the lessons of the Preps to identify routines and practices that ensure all students are included, feel safe and respected and belong,’ says Mrs Panagopoulous.

‘From empowering all students to build and maintain equal, healthy and safe relationships, to developing connections with other years and campuses, our objective is always to ensure all Newington students – male and female – experience a strong sense of connection, safety, wellbeing and belonging which allows them to achieve excellence in academic and co-curricular.’

New opportunities

As they prepare to embark on their Newington education in 14 months, female students will visit the College for a day this week for a taster-day ‘Take Flight’ experience.

Says Mrs Panagopoulous, ‘the day provides our future students opportunities to test drive our superb learning environments, rigorous teaching approaches and inspiring classrooms across science, the creative arts, humanities and design and technology.’

Importantly, for the first time, our current Year 8 and Year 9 boys and future Year 11, 2028 and Year 11, 2029 girls will learn alongside one another in a truly co-educational classroom environment, providing an exciting glimpse into the future of learning at Newington.

‘Being a student at Newington is about encouraging curiosity, leadership and resilience in learning to ensure all our students reach their full potential, ready to make a contribution to the future.’

For more information about co-education at Newington, visit Co-education at Newington College | Sydney.

Did you know?

• 52 girls started Kindergarten and Year 5 at our Wyvern House and Lindfield Prep campuses in 2026.
• Our Prep girls play in the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) sporting competition. Sports on offer for Prep students include Basketball, Cricket, Touch Football, Tennis, Water Polo, Rugby, Football, AFL, Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Fencing, Futsal and Martial Arts.
• Girls in Years 7 and 11 will join our Senior campus in 2028. Newington Senior girls will compete in the Independent Sporting Association (ISA) competition in divisions across sports including Basketball, Netball, Cross Country, Football, Touch Football, Tennis, Swimming and Athletics.
• Newington College will become fully co-educational by 2033.