Term 1, Week 11

10 April 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Stanmore campus is much quieter than usual this week, with most students away on camp or off campus engaging in service learning, visiting universities or completing a course. We trust all of our students are taking the opportunity to challenge themselves, strengthen their connections with their peers and learn something new from one another and possibly about themselves.

I would like to say a special thank you to all the staff who make Camp Week possible every year. From our administrators who coordinate the experience for each year group with great detail, to our teachers who give up their days and nights to support and protect students throughout their experiences. Just like our students, staff also leave their comfort zones and spend time away from their families, to help provide these experiences to students. So, for that we are eternally grateful.  

Pictured: Year 7 at Vision Valley – a big day ahead for them! 

As we head into the Easter holidays, we extend our best wishes to all the students embarking on their tours. We have the U14 rugby squad heading to Auckland to play a number of matches and to attend the Auckland Blues Leadership course. Our U15 and U16 footballers will be travelling to Japan for a blend of training, matches, and cultural experiences. 

In our senior programs, the 1st XI football squad will be defending their title in the Sydney FC Cup, while the senior rugby squad will be preparing for the GPS competition with a training camp in Mudgee. 

A special congratulations to the 28 students who achieved AAGP representation in the summer season in the following sports, basketball, cricket, tennis, rowing, swimming, and water polo. 

We are also proud of our four athletes who represented NSW at the 2025 Australian Junior Athletics Championships. Well done to Taten R, Oliver W, Will C, and Harry H on your selection.  

Finally, congratulations to Ms Fowler on her appointment as Director of Cross Country and to Mr Anders on his new role as Director of Australian Rules Football. 

While most have been away at camp, a group of our students from Years 9 to 12 have been involved in Music Service this week at the Lindfield campus and at local aged care facilities. A great day was had by all on Tuesday as our older musicians mentored our younger musicians through collaborative musical games, exercises and performances. 

Compiling their own setlists and performing solo and small ensemble pieces, our Camp Week Music Service students also brought smiles to the faces of the residents of Maybanke and Stanmore Place, who enthusiastically joined in with some familiar tunes. Our thanks to Stanmore Music teachers Elizabeth Hilberding and Kathleen Beazley for leading the students. It has been a very rewarding week of music-making and uniting people of all ages to share in the universal language of music. 

The End of Term video is now available. Join Headmaster Michael Parker as he recounts an exciting first term of 2025. 

From the first Year 9 student cohort at Eungai Creek, to the sell out of our musical Catch Me If You Can, to the publication of the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, it has been a busy and productive term. 

To learn more about what’s been happening across our community, click the video below. 

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. Applications close May 2.

Staff Profile

This week we chatted with Beth Walker, Lindfield’s Visual Arts Teacher. Beth has been spreading her creativity and sharing her passion for the arts with students at Lindfield for the past two years.

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

A. As a teacher, I have the chance to influence students’ lives positively every day. Through teaching, I can help guide, support and encourage young people as they grow and discover who they want to be. Being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding to me. Kids constantly surprise you with their ideas, creativity and questions.

The Newington community offers a strong sense of belonging and connection. As a parent and teacher at the school, I have made lifelong friends and am part of a wonderful team of teachers. There are so many different relationships that develop within a school environment and I value them all.

Q. What is something about you that other people may not know? 

A. I had a career change to teaching later in life. Previously I worked in different creative roles, both agency and client side. When my first child started school, I saw the enormous impact his teacher had on him and I thought teaching would be the most meaningful job you can have. I’d never considered teaching when I was at school. I feel lucky now to combine my creativity and teaching at Lindfield.

Q. What is one of your favourite memories of being a student? 

A. Hanging out in the art room – before school, lunch time and after school. It was always open and it was my happy place.