6 February 2025
From the Deputy, Head of Preparatory Schools & ELC
The start of a new school year is always one of great anticipation for teachers and students alike. A fresh start and the building of new relationships are a source of both first-day nerves but also excitement and anticipation. For teachers, there is a temptation to want to make a good impression with a new class and dive into learning quickly, but worldwide research recommends that a teacher who spends time establishing, explicitly teaching and maintaining social norms, routines and expectations will be more successful in the long term in creating a safe and successful learning environment.
Research by Dr Tim McDonald, the CEO of YMCA Western Australia and an expert in educational psychology, consistently shows that routines play a crucial role in fostering positive learning environments and helping students thrive. Dr McDonald’s work highlights that students who have consistent daily routines experience a range of benefits.
These include:
- better emotional regulation and security
- increased confidence through predictability
- improved management of transitions and focus
- greater engagement and active participation in lessons
- reducing anxiety as routines become predictable
- improved time management skills.
What does this look like here at Wyvern?
Teachers have spent time unpicking the research and thinking about what this might look like in the Wyvern context. Whole school expectations and rules have been refined, and teachers have taught them explicitly to students. These have been shared with our students in both assemblies and in classes, and we will continue to return to them regularly to ensure they are embedded. Research tells us that not only do routines need teaching, but they also need reinforcing and maintaining to be successful. However, we are confident that these are crucial to continuing to establish fun, engaging and safe learning environments for all.
How can you help at home?
We encourage you to create routines at home that support your child’s learning and emotional development. Dr McDonald suggests simple strategies such as setting regular times for homework, mealtimes and bedtime, as well as helping children prepare for the school day with clear, consistent morning and evening routines. It can also be helpful to build in some time for relaxation or quiet activities, particularly in the evening, to help your child wind down and prepare for a restful sleep.
Parent Code of Conduct
As the new school year begins, I would like to reiterate our commitment to each and every child at Newington to support and assist them to learn, think and thrive. The education of a child is a wonderful partnership between the school, the parents and the student. For that partnership to be successful, there needs to be a base of respect and trust. Trust that we have the child’s best interest at heart and that we know the best way to educate them – whether that’s in the ELC or Year 12 – and how to run the College. And respect in the way that we all communicate, share our feedback, thoughts and/or concerns – which extends to digital and social media platforms.
A reminder for all families to embrace New Spaces and the Weekly Newsletter. Important information is posted there and that is our central point of truth. Newsletters come out every Thursday via email and live on the website.
If you have a concern or are seeking clarification on any matters, in the first instance, please contact the school and person responsible directly. We are only too happy to assist and improve where we can. If you are unsure who to contact – the starting point is your child’s class teacher.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Newington College is filled with wonderful and kind families. I respectfully ask all parents to familiarise themselves with the parent code of conduct found here on New Spaces, so that this partnership and promise to our children is at the core of everything we say and do throughout the year.
What Happened This Week
Haircut Regulations
Hair should be neatly groomed and kept short with the sides and back tapered or faded. Skin fades are not permitted and there should be no lines or designs cut into the hair. Only minimal hair product can be used to deliver a neat and tidy appearance.
Winter Uniform Fittings – New Students Only
The winter uniform consists of winter shorts, blazer and a long sleeve shirt and is worn in Term 2 and Term 3.
Appointments for uniform fittings for new students will be available on Monday and Thursday mornings throughout Term 1, starting next week. Appointments can be made here and are limited, so it’s recommended to book soon to avoid disappointment.
Please note the uniform shop will be closed over the school holidays. All orders for winter uniforms must be completed and collected by Thursday 10 April.
Parent Class Teacher Interviews
The Parent Class Teacher Interviews commenced this week. The teachers have enjoyed building their understanding of your child and establishing shared goals for their learning and development during 2025.
During Semester 1, specialist teachers will contact parents on an as-needs basis. If you have any questions about specialist lessons, please reach out to the teacher concerned.
After School Care – CommunityOSH
We request ALL families register for CommunityOSH. This will ensure the safety of your child and adhere to government guidelines. Once you are set up in their system, your child can be supervised and cared for by their experienced team in case you are unexpectedly running late for clubs or usual pickup times.
Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival – Wednesday 12 February 2025
The annual Newington Preparatory Inter-House Swimming Carnival is scheduled at the Ryde Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 12 February. Students from Years 3-6 will be departing from the main gate of the Senior School, located at 200 Stanmore Road, by bus for the Aquatic centre at 7.30am sharp. They will return to Wyvern by 3.00pm for dismissal.
Parents are welcome to attend the event this year. We will ask parents to sit in a designated area at Ryde Aquatic Centre away from the students.
It is hoped that the students swim in at least one event at the carnival. Please encourage your child to participate if they are safe and able to swim 50m of breaststroke or 50m of freestyle. If your child is a non-swimmer, please contact the classroom teacher prior to the carnival. Non-swimmers at the carnival will help run the day by completing small tasks to assist staff.
A reminder to please fill out the permission slip for your child to attend the swimming carnival.
Newington College Welcome Cocktail Party
All Newington parents from the ELC, Wyvern, Lindfield and Stanmore are warmly invited to the Newington College Welcome Cocktail Party on Friday 21 February 2025. The event will start at 6.30pm on Memorial Drive at Newington College Stanmore.
The event will be a great opportunity to welcome new parents and reconnect with old friends in a relaxed environment on campus. We’re excited and we hope to see you there!
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Please direct all enquires to community@newington.nsw.edu.au
Enrolments Are Now Open for 2026 and 2027
We are accepting girls into Kindergarten and Year 5 from 2026 at our Lindfield and Stanmore Prep campuses, and Year 7 and Year 11 at our Senior campus in Stanmore from 2028.
If you are interested in enrolling your daughter, please call our Admissions team on 02 9568 9333
Staff Profile
This week we are profiling Lindfield’s School Office Administrator Sophie Lappin. As the first friendly face you see when you walk in, Sophie plays an important role in the Lindfield ecosystem. She is a crucial point of contact for parents, students and community members while also helping to maintain the everyday operations of the school, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why?
A. Good Will Hunting (1997), starring Robin Williams and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, has been my favorite movie since I first saw it. The film tells the story of Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT whose extraordinary mathematical genius is discovered by a professor. What follows is a beautiful journey of friendship, self-discovery and healing, especially between Will and his therapist, played by Robin Williams. The way their relationship developed struck a chord with me.
One of the movie’s most famous lines is, ‘You’ll have bad times, but they’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.’ It’s a reminder that even through hardships, there’s always something valuable to learn, a message I think we could all use more of in our lives.
Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school?
A. Enjoy each day! As a student, the school year always felt like it would never end. I remember counting the days from January to when Christmas would be here again–each day seemed to drag on forever! But now, as an adult, the years fly by and there’s never enough time in the day, week, month or even the year. Before I know it, Christmas is right around the corner again! It’s a reminder to savor the present moment because time seems to slip away faster than we expect.
Q. What is something people don’t know about you?
A. Since stepping away from my career in Hospitality Management at 25, my family and I have had the incredible opportunity to live in Korea, Singapore and Japan—three times, in fact. Each of these experiences, the cultures, the people and adventures, I will cherish forever.
Staff Profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)
We are excited to feature a new profile on each member of the College Leadership Group (CLG) in our newsletter each week. This dedicated team plays a vital role in shaping and supporting the Newington community, and we look forward to sharing more about their contributions and leadership.
This week we are profiling Mr Mark Salmon who is the Director of Senior School Operations – our scheduling extraordinaire. He is responsible for ensuring everybody on the senior campus is in the right place at the right time, formulating student and staff timetables, coordinating teacher covers, and overseeing the smooth day-to-day functioning of the Senior School.
Q. What do you see as the role of the College Leadership Group?
A. The College Leadership Group plays a crucial role in shaping the vision and culture of Newington. The CLG works collaboratively to ensure students receive a well-rounded education, encouraging both academic and personal growth. They help create an inclusive environment for both students and staff.
Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?
A. The Newington difference is its commitment to holistic education; academic achievement is balanced with personal development and co-curricular activities. The strong sense of community and diverse learning experiences across its campuses set it apart.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Inclusive, innovative and kind.
