1 May 2025
From the Head of the ELC
Dear Parents and Carers,
There is not a single day at the ELC when we will not hear about ‘my mummy’ in the stories or recounts that the children share with us. So, it was no surprise to see how the children prepared with enthusiasm for our Mother’s Day Breakfast, working on their gifts and decorations, resonating with the genuine adoration they have for each of their ‘mummies’ – the centre of their world!
What a pleasure it was to invite and celebrate all the ‘my mummies’ who remain so dear to the children. We are thrilled to reflect on the incredible success of our ELC Mother’s Day Breakfast. We had an amazing turnout!
The children were overjoyed to spend the special mornings with their mothers, and of course our mothers embraced the opportunity to be appreciated.
Thank you to all our ELC mothers for bringing your warmth, joy, and gracing us with your presence. It was a meaningful time of connection and celebration of the vital role mothers play in the lives of the children.
Important Information
ELC Individual and Class Photos: Tuesday 20 May & Friday 23 May
- Tuesday 20 May: 5-day attendees and 3-day attendees (Mon-Wed)
- Friday 23 May: 2-day attendees (Thurs-Fri) and any children absent on Tuesday 20 May
Please have your child arrive at the ELC by 8.30am on this day to ensure that they do not miss their photo session.
All class photos will be taken on Tuesday 20 May except for the Possum class 2-day program children, who will have their individual and class photo taken on Friday 23 May. Any children absent on Tuesday 20 May will have their individual photo taken on Friday 23 May.
All families will be receiving the C-Pack (Regular Pack) which will be charged at $45.00 per pack. This pack consists of individual photos and a class group photo. The photo packs will be ready and sent home with your child in a few months. If you choose to keep your child’s photos, they will be charged to your Xplor account. If you do not wish to purchase them, please return the photos within one week to Stephanie at reception. If you would like to order an extra pack or additional photos, this can be arranged once you have received your original photo pack.
Vision Assessment – Goanna and Eagle Classes
The Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) program is an initiative of NSW Health and offers 4-year-old children, eligible for school in 2026 (who have not been previously screened), a free vision assessment.
We have arranged for the StEPS program to visit the ELC on the following dates at 9:00am:
- Tuesday 20 May – Goanna Class
- Friday 23 May – Eagle Class
Consent forms are available at reception. Please ensure the original forms are completed, signed, and returned to ELC reception by Friday 30 May.
What’s Happening This Term
Cyber Fraud Warning
Please note that Newington College will never notify you via email – or any other form of communication – of a change to the College’s bank account details. The College’s preferred method of paying tuition fees is BPAY, Direct Debit and or by logging into New Spaces.
If you are ever in doubt about an email, text or call you have received, please telephone Newington College Accounts department to verbally verify the information received.
Chapel Thought
At Newington we want to encourage every student to explore notions of Faith. The concept of genuine exploration to discover meaning is key to this approach to Faith. Whether they are our youngest students in the ELC or our oldest students in Year 12, each student is encouraged to engage deeply with Faith and discover their own sense of meaning personally as well as the impact of teachings of Faith on our broader community. We know that our students and their families come from diverse backgrounds, and this makes Newington so special, and so this exploration of Faith is always done with respect and openness.
Exploring Faith means being curious about understandings of Faith, asking questions and delving deeper to find new meanings. It also means being open-minded to hearing new perspectives or different approaches to belief. We also want students to explore Faith with rigour, thinking deeply and developing a robust understanding of these teachings of Faith.
Through our Chaplaincy programs, which are embedded in the theology and ethos of the Uniting Church, we hope each student develops a deeper understanding and discovers their individual meaning and purpose for their life.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Parent Learning Series: Boys, Girls, Brains & Behaviour with Justin Coulson
Newington College warmly invites all parents and families outside our community, to an evening with Dr Justin Coulson on Thursday 5 June in the Old Boys Lecture Theatre, starting at 5.30pm with refreshments.
Stereotypes about boys and girls have been around for centuries. We all grew up learning that girls play with dolls and boys play with trucks, girls wear pink and boys wear blue, girls are good at reading and boys are good at maths, boys are active and use their bodies, but girls prefer to be sedentary and talk lots.
Despite the supposed gender revolution, boys and girls really do seem to be different. They relate to others differently, develop differently, play differently, receive diagnoses differently, experience mental health challenges differently, and more.
In this science-based presentation, Dr Justin Coulson unpacks brain, behaviour, and gender myths, truths, and rumours to help parents work with their children to uncover their strengths, build motivation, and maximise their resilience and wellbeing.
The Trolleys – Year 8 Play
Next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (14–16 May) our latest play The Trolleys will be showcased at the Newington Drama Theatre!
A futuristic play that explores themes of survival, friendship, and hope, it follows a group of children, the Trolleys, navigating a world plunged into darkness. As they search for light, they confront fears, strengthen bonds, and ultimately discover the power within themselves.
Staff Profile
For this week’s staff profile we caught up with one of our beloved Wyvern Kindergarten teachers, Jane Vuong. Jane has been in education for over 20 years and brings that wealth of experienced into her classroom every day, where she is in charge of moulding the minds of our youngest Wyvern students.
Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching?
A. I have had the pleasure of teaching for over 20 years across a variety of educational settings and age groups. Throughout this time, I’ve come to view my role as not just a teacher, but as someone who helps shape students’ beliefs about themselves and their potential. It’s truly a privilege to support them in discovering their impact on the world around them.
Q. What is something about you that other people may not know?
A. Though I have always felt passionate about education, I must admit that teaching wasn’t a career I initially planned on. I actually fell into this profession unexpectedly, and it’s been a rewarding journey ever since.
In addition to my teaching experience, I’ve had the opportunity to live in both England and Canada, and I am also trained as an art therapist and counsellor. In my previous school, I facilitated emotional intelligence and wellbeing sessions for primary-aged students, which was both fulfilling and impactful.
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. If I could choose any superpower, I think I would love the ability to teleport. The thought of being able to instantly visit any place in the world, gather authentic artifacts, or even bring back unique foods for my students to explore is truly exciting!
Staff Profile: College Leadership Group
This week we are profiling Michael Marokakis, who is not only a member of the College Leadership Group, but also a cherished English teacher and the Director of Teaching & Learning at our Senior campus. A lover of books, Michael also helps to coordinate our student magazine, In Black and White, where this week they are covering LitFest. Check out their articles here.
Q. What is something not many people know about you?
A. Despite my surname having Greek origins, my cultural background is a mix of Jordanian and Italian. I love to cook and over the past years I have been documenting and learning as many of the traditional, cultural dishes of my family as I can. I would also say I love travelling around the world, and am regularly visiting new countries or revisiting ones I have been to.
Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?
A. I’d be most excited about the teachers I would have here. Getting to learn from teachers who are so passionate about and knowledgeable in their fields, and who genuinely care for their students would make me excited to come to school every day. I would also be excited to go on some of the tours available, which would really bring to life what is happening in the classroom.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Enriching, Empowering, Inclusive
