Term 1, Week 7

13 March 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Welcome to Week 7! 

I am excited to share that last night I attended the opening night of our College musical Catch Me If You Can. What an evening it was! This spectacular production showcased the incredible talent, passion and dedication of both our students and staff. The effort that has gone into bringing this musical to life is truly outstanding. The harmonies and choreography displayed by the cast were excellent. Every student involved whether in the cast, crew or pit band should be very proud. I wish everyone involved all the best for the remaining three shows.  

This week also saw some of our students compete in the first round of the Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ public speaking competition. Students in the junior rounds spoke about basketball and its impressive ability to ‘make little things grow’ – from confidence to social communities to athletic brands.  Additional students spoke about BookTok, an exciting evolution in the reading experience which allows for global conversations on literature and encourages the interest of new readers around the world.  You can read more about public speaking at the College in our recent news article.

 In the senior competition, Year 12 student Max B condemned the trend of students announcing proudly that they had stayed up all night to finish an assignment, ‘as if eye-bags were the latest fashion statement.’  Instead, Max suggested that society work harder to recognise the important health benefits of rest and sleep, and that students ‘wake up’ to this reality too. Finally, Marcus K delivered a witty examination of the new world of falsified information and ‘neo-truth’, in a speech that ranged from flat earth theorists and ‘Paul is Dead’ Beatles conspiracists, to the bizarre abilities of modern algorithms and social media. He concluded that we need heavier penalties for platforms that publish misinformation, and that we should examine our own information sharing habits and ‘pause before [we] repost.’ 

All in all it was a fantastic competition that showcased the critical thinking skills of our Newington students.  

We were privileged to dedicate this week’s assembly to guest speaker, Ben Lucas from Gotcha4Life, who addressed the students about a cause close to our hearts. Last year, you may recall, our Year 9 (now Year 10) rowers took it upon themselves to organise a 24-hour rowathon at the boatshed, raising $6,038.99 for Gotcha4Life.   

Gotcha4Life, founded in 2017 by media personality Gus Worland, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating a mentally fit future for all Australians. The foundation focuses on developing and delivering preventative mental fitness programs, workshops, and resources across the country, with the goal of empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward building their mental wellbeing. 

During his talk, Ben highlighted the importance of emotional adaptability, social connectedness and seeking help when needed. He encouraged our students to build meaningful relationships, support one another and take an active role in fostering positive mental health within their communities. By cultivating these behaviors, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to seek help and stay mentally fit. 

Last weekend brought us three thrilling water polo finals. Our 16A team bravely lost in a penalty shootout, our 2nds lost in a nail-biting finish 11-10, and in what many call the best schoolboy water polo match they’ve witnessed, Newington tied with Shore 11-11 at the end of regular time. Shore ultimately triumphed in an intense penalty shootout, claiming the Combined GPS/CAS competition. Congratulation to all students who played on the day, they should be proud of their skillful and static performance.  

This Saturday, we celebrate the final weekend of summer sport before we transition to winter activities for the rest of Term 1. To our wonderful Year 7 students, we hope you’ve cherished your first experience representing the Black and White. You’ve shown great pride and determination. We also send our best wishes to our Year 12 students as they play their final summer fixture. I would also like to thank all the coaches and sport staff that have showed their dedication and passion right across the season to ensure that our students continue to learn and thrive in the wonderful opportunities provided across our College. I wish all crews and teams all the best as they enter their final sessions of preparation across the season. 

I also would like to thank all our support groups for their incredible contributions to our home fixtures this summer season. Your support has made a meaningful difference to our students and the community.  

We recently celebrated Assistant Head of Department of PRS Mr Sam Giles as he received an Outstanding Beginning Teachers Award from the PTCNSW. This well-deserved recognition highlights Mr Giles’ dedication, leadership, and invaluable contributions to the teaching of philosophy and critical thinking. 

Looking ahead to the end of term, the Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics is pleased to offer two professional learning opportunities. We will showcase the power of Thought Experiments in our 2025 Engaging Questions workshop on 26 March. After that we will host Peter Ellerton (UQ) to deliver a two-day course on Teaching for Thinking pedagogy. Details can be found here. 

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 caught up with Shelley Carruthers, part of our team of superstars in the Design and Technology Department at our Senior campus in Stanmore.

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

A. Excuse me for choosing an animated kids’ movie, but with my young children being the audience at home, this is my current genre. The film is Zootopia from 2016, I appreciate it for its inspirational message about perseverance, learning from mistakes, and personal growth. It highlights the importance of facing challenges with resilience and teaches valuable lessons to both children and adults. These lessons include understanding prejudice, recognising the dangers of stereotyping, and the benefits of connecting across differences to enhance everyone’s experience. It’s a beautiful reminder of the positive impact of embracing diversity and personal development. It’s a very enjoyable experience. 

Q. In a world where you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it in your teaching? 

A. Without a doubt, teleportation is the most practical superpower. Life often feels overwhelming with the constant rush to work, school, music lessons, sports, and more. Teleportation would not only save us precious time but also allow us to experience more. Imagine teaching a lesson on technological advancements or cultural cuisines and being able to teleport students directly to live examples. They could see, feel, and taste everything firsthand, creating truly authentic and enriching experiences. 

Q. If you could have dinner with any historical figure or celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about? 

A. Meeting Sir David Attenborough would be an absolute dream for me. Ever since I first heard his amazing voice in a documentary when I was little, I’ve been hooked on his passion for the natural world. His life’s all about exploring, innovating, and teaching, and that’s had a impact on me and my love of nature. I picture us having a simple meal together, listening to his incredible stories, and feeling like I’m right there with him on those adventures. His way of connecting with people and getting them to love the planet is something special and meeting him would be an unforgettable experience.