Term 1, Week 10

3 April 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers,

At assembly this week, the Headmaster spoke firmly to students about bullying and its impact on the school community. We are particularly focused on this area as we go into camps week where all students have the right to feel safe and comfortable just as much as (if not more than) they do when they are at school

He explained that people who bully lose their place at Newington. If you bully people at this school- if you systematically target someone and make their lives miserable, you will, under normal circumstances be expelled.

We also want all students to know that if they are being bullied, if you are being targeted and having your life made miserable, we want to protect you. There is nothing more important to us.

We have a culture here to protect and to make sure that each and every student feels safe. And we will do what we need to do to make sure they are. We appreciate parents’ support in speaking with their child about this too. Kindness and respect for individual’s differences also needs to come from the home.

Week 10 has been a busy one for co-curricular activities at the College. We saw our budding rock stars strut their stuff on the Centenary Hall steps as 17 bands from all year groups performed as part of the well-loved tradition of Rock The Steps. It was a great prelude to RockFest 2025, one of my favourite events on the calendar, which will take place on Friday 6 June. 

On Tuesday night, 30 of Newington’s finest improvisers competed in the annual Carlton Cup at PLC. Trailing by 4 points as they went into the final rounds, both Newington teams produced perfect scores to steal the win by a single point! Congratulations to all involved and thank you to our friends at PLC for once again hosting such a wonderful evening. 

The 2025 summer sport season closed out on Friday night at the AAGPS Swimming Championships, which saw 60 students represent the College across the three Divisions. In a night which saw many personal bests and some GPS records broken, our teams finished in the following positions: 

• Senior Division – 5th 

• Intermediate Division – 2nd 

• Junior Division – 5th 

• Open 6 x 50m relay – 3rd 

Well done to all students who represented the swim team throughout the season, and those selected to represent the AAGPS at the CIS swimming championships 

Our 1st VIII rowers headed to Tasmania for the National Rowing Championships and after strong challenges from schools across Australia, they finished 6th in the Schoolboy A Final. Their incredible effort has made us all proud, and we celebrate their outstanding achievement. 

To our 1^st XI Football team, well done on your second-round win against Barker College in the CIS Cup, we look forward to watching your journey throughout Term 2. 

Our Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics continues to bring explicit and thought-provoking teachings to the fore in our classrooms. This week in our capacity as a lighthouse school for critical thinking, they hosted a two-day Teaching for Thinking workshop, delivered by Dr. Peter Ellerton, ACARA consultant and Curriculum Director UQ Critical Thinking Project. Participants workshopped resources and engaged with practical advice for using Teaching for Thinking pedagogy in all subject areas and age levels. 

We wish all students heading out on camps a wonderful trip and thank all the staff involved. 

• Year 7 will spend 3 days in Vision Valley in Arcadia 

• Year 8 will spend 4 days camping Murramurang National Park 

• Cadet Annual Field Exercise will take place over 5 days at our Eungai Creek campus 

• Newington Challenge will spend 5 days exploring the Kosciuszko National park and high ranges 

• Some of our senior students will also engage in a range of community service, university visits, micro credential courses and work placements across the week. 

Year 8-11 Mentor and Year 12 Leaders photos: First day of Term 2

• Period 3: Year 11  
• Period 4: Year 10 
• Lunch: House leaders + Year 12 boarders 
• Period 5: Year 9 
• Period 6: Year 8 
• 3.30pm: Whole Boarding House

An absentee portrait station will be set up in Centenary Hall from 10.40am-1.30pm for those who did not get their individual photo taken on Admin Day at the start of the year. 

Students must wear full blazer uniform neatly with their middle button done up. Students must be clean shaven with an appropriate haircut. 

NOTE: Families do not need to order photos. All students will receive a photo pack via their mentor group. Families that do not wish to purchase their pack can return it to reception and will not be charged. 

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

For this week’s staff profile we checked in with beloved Music Teacher and Director of Bands, Lachlan James.

Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching?  

A. Teaching is a collaborative profession. Particularly in the music department, I get to work with students in various settings, whether it’s in the rehearsal room, the classroom, or on the stage. Through these collaborative efforts, I can guide and support students as they explore their creativity, resulting in the creation of something entirely new and exciting. This process of collaboration and discovery is what makes teaching music such a fulfilling and exciting endeavour. 

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

A. I consider A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to be one of the greatest stories ever told. Whilst delivering a horrifying message about the worst of humanity, Dickens explores themes of redemption, kindness and social justice, all with intricate characters and perfect prose. Whether told through novella, theatre or Muppets, there is something to learn in this story for all of us, every one! 

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

A. Embrace curiosity and ask more questions. It is a privilege to be surrounded by so much expertise. So many of your teachers have great insight into many facets of the world, certainly more than you think. Engaging actively with your teachers can enrich your schooling experience and provide a deeper understanding of yourself and the world. 

Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)

This week we are profiling Pascal Czerwenka, Associate Principal of Lindfield Preparatory School. Having served the school for many years, Pascal is the beating heart of our North Shore campus and an important part of our College Leadership Group.

Q. What do you see as the role of the College Leadership Group?   

A. The College Leadership Group is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the school while ensuring the vision and values of the College are reflected in every aspect of school life. We lead by example, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where students and staff are empowered to achieve their best. Our role involves supporting teaching excellence, promoting student wellbeing, engaging with families and the broader community, and ensuring the operational success of the school from Early Learning to Year 12.

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?  

A. The Newington difference lies in our commitment to nurturing well-rounded students who are not only academically strong but also socially conscious and emotionally resilient. It’s a place where every student is seen, heard, and supported, and where diverse opportunities, whether in academics, sports, the arts, or service, allow each student to discover and develop their unique strengths. Our strong sense of community and focus on holistic education set us apart.

Q. What is something not many people know about you?  

A. Something not many people know about me is my fascination with ants, especially bull ants. These incredible insects have amazing vision, powerful jaws, and a fierce determination that makes them one of nature’s most impressive creatures. I love learning about their behaviour and unique survival strategies!

Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?  

A. I’d be most excited about the broad range of opportunities available, whether it’s participating in cutting-edge STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), playing sport on world-class facilities, or engaging in service learning. The chance to explore different passions while being part of a vibrant, supportive community is something truly special.

Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?  

A. Inspiring. Inclusive. Courageous