Term 1, Week 5

27 February 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Welcome to Week 5! 

In this week’s assembly, Mr Parker spoke about the topic of happiness, exploring how we can cultivate joy in our daily lives rather than postponing it for some future achievement. He referred to the concept of ‘conditional happiness’, the mindset where we tell ourselves ‘I will be happy when… exams are over, when we go on holiday, when we achieve a certain milestone’. He pointed out that this way of thinking keeps happiness perpetually out of reach, always tied to future events rather than being enjoyed in the present. He encouraged students to embrace happiness today by engaging in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. He highlighted that the co-curricular programs are a great example where students can find enjoyment in training, rehearsals, practice or simply look forward to something positive each day.

The key takeaway is that happiness isn’t something to delay, it’s something to cultivate in the present moment. Mr Parker also shared wisdom from the stoic philosopher Epictetus, who lived over 2000 years ago and believed that happiness cannot coexist with constantly yearning for what we don’t have. Instead, we should be finding joy in the small, everyday moments. To put this into practice, Mr Parker suggested a simple exercise: identifying three good things to look forward to each day, whether it’s a favorite class, meeting a friend or making progress in a skill or hobby.  

He also distinguished between pleasure and fulfillment, referring to the ancient Greek concept of ‘eudaimonia’ which describes a deeper, more meaningful form of happiness derived from purpose and personal growth. He reflected on his experience from the morning, having a coffee, sharing meaningful conversations with colleagues and teaching a class brought him fulfillment. In appreciating the small, meaningful moments in each day and infusing our actions with purpose, we can experience true happiness in the present. Instead of deferring happiness to some future achievement, we have the ability to create it right now. Mr Parker encouraged everyone to reflect on their own sources of fulfillment. What are three good things you can appreciate today? How can you bring a sense of purpose into your daily routine? By embracing these ideas, we can all make each of us just a little bit happier around the school today, tomorrow, next week and indeed for every day we have.  

The sold out College musical Catch Me If You Can is less than two weeks away and in this week’s assembly we were reminded of the rich culture of Performing Arts we have here at Newington. Mr Kindred, our new Director of Co-Curricular encouraged us to think beyond our school gates and consider the wider impact of the arts. Music, songs and dance are all powerful ways to tell stories, express emotions and bring people together. He used Catch Me If You Can as an example, a story that started as a book, became a movie and was later turned into a musical, demonstrating how storytelling evolves over time and remains relevant across generations. I would like to thank all our students and staff involved in the production for their tireless work and rehearsals since Term 4.  

Saturday will see the Newington Regatta in full swing on the Parramatta River. The racing promises to be fast and furious over the 1000m course. We wish all the athletes and coaches the very best for the morning, and we extend our thanks to the Newington Rowing Association, who will be at Bayview Park hosting the BBQ. We would like to acknowledge the students who competed as individual athletes, as well as those who competed in teams at the CIS/NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships this week. On Saturday, we will be hosting Sydney Boys High in Basketball, Cricket, and Tennis and Trinity in Water Polo. We look forward to welcoming these communities to Newington.  

Debating has had a fantastic start to the ISDA competition with several teams winning across the school. In Round 3 of ISDA teams will be AWAY against The Kings’ School (TKS). Newington will be NEGATIVE. We also had Round 1 of our Friday Evening Debating (FED) competition take place with some great results across the board. Round 2 of FED will be at HOME against Pymble Ladies College. Newington will be AFFIRMATIVE and the topic area is politics. We have also had our students that are new to debating join our NewDeb program where they can engage in a range of training, preparation and debates to help develop their critical thinking and debating knowledge for future interschool competition. Round 2 of NewDeb is at HOME.  

Camp week organisation and planning is well and truly underway and parents are reminded to carefully read through the available information from our Co-Curricular Department to ensure they are completing any necessary details we need for these wonderful learning experiences to take place in Week 11 of this term. Outdoor education and the additional learning activities throughout this week for our senior students are critical to the character development and holistic education we aim to provide for our students. 

Congratulations to Cadet Sergeants Charlie C, Ruben M, Evan G and Mitchell S who have been pre-selected to represent our Cadet Unit and the Second Brigade in the Australia Cadets Adventure Training Award (ATA). The ATA is designed as the most physically challenging and demanding set of activities in which cadets can participate during their years in the Australian Army Cadets. The ATA is conducted as a national event at the Buckland Training Area, Tasmania. Some of the challenges that will be faced by these cadets include watermanship, weighted pack marching, roping, survival and navigating day and night in the Tasmanian wilderness. If they successfully complete the six-day challenge, they receive the highest accolade badge in Australian Cadets, the Boomerang and Torch. We wish them all the best in this endeavour.  

Next week promises to be a special week as we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). The theme for this year is ‘March Forward’.  In line with our wellbeing scope and sequence, a mentor period will be dedicated to a group discussion around the themes related to IWD. Throughout the week, every student in the College will complete a gratitude card. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the important women in their life and write a message of gratitude, expressing their appreciation and support. This card should be given to that individual and hopefully spark a conversation with them. Our assembly on Tuesday 4 March will also focus on IWD. We will hear reflections from some of our staff and senior students, reflecting on this year’s theme. Later that afternoon students from the Gender Equity Committee will gather for a student led forum to discuss key issues related to gender equality and explore potential actions to promote gender equality within our communities. I look forward to the many events throughout the week as we celebrate the wonderful women in our lives.  

Co-ed Scholarships for Year 5, 2026 Now Open

Become a part of history with the Pioneer Scholarship, created to celebrate Newington College’s transition to co-education and support girls and boys who are ready to lead, innovate and inspire. This is more than just a scholarship—it is an opportunity for trailblazers who are eager to make a lasting impact.  

This scholarship is available to existing and prospective students (both boys and girls) currently in Year 4 (entering Year 5 in 2026). This prestigious opportunity is designed for students with a balanced range of achievements who will benefit from the outstanding opportunities at Newington College while enriching our vibrant school community. 

Current and new students can apply here. 

Staff Profile

This week, we shine the spotlight on Rebecca Gianakoulias, a Year 5 Classroom Teacher at Wyvern House. Known for her inspiring teaching methods and warm demeanor, Rebecca fosters an engaging learning environment where every student feels valued. She believes that teaching is not just a career but a calling, driven by a contagious passion for learning that sparks curiosity in her students.

Q. Which book, movie or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why? 

A. One book that really stands out to me is Wonder, which also has a movie adaptation. It’s a story that captures your heart and stays with you. The author R.J. Palacio described it as a ‘meditation on kindness.’ The book follows a boy with facial differences as he navigates joining a mainstream school and experiences the powerful effects of both kindness and unkindness. A key precept of the book is that ‘your deeds are your monuments’ which I think is such an important message for young people. I’ll admit, I can’t help but shed a few tears every time I watch the movie. 

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

A. Let’s be honest, teaching is not for the faint-hearted. A passion for teaching is the most critical quality for success. I firmly believe teaching is a calling, not just a career you choose ‘because’. You need a passion that’s contagious, one that sparks curiosity and a genuine love for student learning. That’s the key to longevity in teaching. Empathy is also vital. The ability to understand students’ feelings, challenges and perspectives helps a teacher build meaningful relationships, which are at the heart of everything in a classroom. I always tell my students that we carry a ‘virtual school bag’, one that we can’t see but that holds all the baggage we bring with us. As teachers, it’s our job to help students navigate that because after all, we’re dealing with young human beings who each enter the class with their own unique experiences. 

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

A. School truly holds some of the best moments in life. As a mum now, I often find myself asking, ‘Why is time going so fast?’ and this feeling is especially strong when I reflect on my school years. You spend five days a week with friends, engage in subjects you enjoy and form friendships that can last a lifetime. In fact, some of my best friends today are the ones I made in Kindergarten, and they’re still by my side. A quote that’s always stuck with me is, ‘I wish I knew I was in the ‘good old days’ when I was in them.’ So, my advice to students today is this: one day, these will be your ‘good old days,’ so cherish every moment.