Term 4, Week 5

14 November 2024

From the Deputy Headmaster

Remembrance Day Service  

106 years ago, on 11 November 1918 at 11.00 am, the guns fell silent, and the hostilities ceased on the battlefields of France and Belgium; an armistice came into effect, marking the end of World War I. This war, known as The Great War, witnessed a staggering toll, with 60,000 Australians among the 12 million lives lost worldwide. Tragically, one-third of these individuals were never laid to rest and still have no grave to this day. 

On Monday, we gathered as a community to remember the sacrifices made by those who perished or suffered during periods of war. This was a moving and memorable service where our cadets played a central role with readings of A Prayer of Remembrance by Toby D, An Act of Remembrance by RSM Cormac M, and The Ode by SUO Henry C. We also commend our catafalque party, Mitchell S (CC), Kiran A, Ruben M, Sam R, Alexander F, Charlie C, Evan G, Liam M-Z and Andrew C along with Maksim S, who played The Last Post and The Rouse, while Will G-P lowered and raised the flag. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Newington students, the Australian Defence Force and the Old Newingtonians Union. 

This year, we were honoured to welcome back Reverend Stuart Bollom, Director of Mission (Schools) from the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACT. Reverend Bollom served as Chaplain at Newington from 1994 to 2003 and played a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual life of the College during his time. It was a privilege to have him return to reconnect with our community through his role in the service, reading the poem, In Flanders Field.  

The Pyke Rooftop Garden

Over the past week, our students have been enjoying a new learning space at the Stanmore campus, the Pyke Rooftop Garden. Since its launch last week, Year 8 students have planted olive trees, pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, chillis, capsicums, rocket, peas and beans – the list does go on! 

This dedicated teaching garden will be enjoyed by students as they investigate food and agricultural practices across various subjects including Years 7 and 8 Technology, Years 9 and 10 Food Technology, and VET Hospitality in Years 11 and 12. Our scientists will also engage with the garden to examine cells, plant systems and soil pH levels.  

We are thrilled to provide our students with this garden space and accompanying experiential learning experiences, outside the classroom, workshops and kitchen. A huge thank you to Head of Technology, Mr Ben Dawbin, for initiating this project and to our Property and Grounds teams for making this possible. We look forward to providing updates on the garden, as well as a garden-to-plate dining experience for those fortunate enough to be invited to our 2025 VET Hospitality Showcase.  

2024 Annual Prize Giving – Monday 2 December  

Our Annual Prize Giving ceremony will take place at the Darling Harbour Theatre, International Convention Centre (ICC) on Monday 2 December at 7.00pm–9.00pm. This is a significant event in the College calendar, during which we celebrate the accomplishments of our students across academic, service, sporting and other co-curricular fields.   

All students in Years 7–11 are required to attend and will need to make their own way to and from the event. Year 12 (2024) students who are receiving a prize will be notified in the coming days and prize recipients from Years 7–11 will be notified throughout the week beginning Monday 25 November. Parent attendance is most welcomed.  

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students with our Newington community.  

Child Safeguarding Hub now live

Student safety and wellbeing continue to be at the centre of everything we do. They have a right to feel safe and be safe. Their wellbeing is our most fundamental concern and as a Child Safe Organisation, we are dedicated to this criterion.

To enhance Child Safeguarding at Newington, in September 2022, we established a Child Safeguarding Committee to oversee the development and monitoring of systems, policies and process that implement the child safe standards.  

Chaired by Andy Quinane, the Committee is comprised of key staff members integral to Child Safeguarding at Newington. The Committee manages several Child Safeguarding initiatives and engages external experts to advise on best practice on various aspects of child safeguarding, including safe recruitment, student voice, engaging parents, staff training and risk management.

One of the initiatives Newington’s Child Safeguarding Committee has been working on is the Child Safeguarding Hub, a unique and innovative resource that puts the College at the forefront in its commitment to student safety. We are excited to let you know that this hub is now live here on New Spaces and contains valuable resources and tools for parents and carers.

To find the parent hub on New Spaces head to:

New Spaces > Parent Services > Child Safeguarding for Parents and Carers

Meet the Educators at Newington College

We have some incredible staff working at Newington so we’ve been working on a video series to showcase some of these exceptional educators and their areas of expertise. 

This, our first, features our Headmaster Michael Parker, a born teacher and lifelong learner, who shares why he is so passionate about education and why he loves taking the English classes he still does every week.

Staff profile

In the coming weeks, we will be profiling a staff member from each of our different campuses. This week, we introduce you to one of our very own, Zoe Kang!

Q. What are some of the qualities that make a great teacher? 

A. Empathy, fairness, respect, passion for teaching and patience. A great teacher who is not only an instructor but a mentor, role model and supporter, who will leave a positive impact on students’ lives and inspire them to pursue their potential with confidence. 

Q. What was your favourite subject in school when you were a student, and did you ever struggle with a subject yourself?  

A. My favourite subject in school was Chinese language. It’s such a rich and fascinating language, with its own unique structure, characters and cultural depth. I did struggle with physics at times.

Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school?

A. Everyone learns at their own pace and has their own strengths and challenges. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s, focus on your own progress and growth.