Moving away from the familiar comforts of home and family to receive an education can feel both challenging and somewhat daunting. But for students who take the leap and grasp all the exciting opportunities on offer, boarding at Newington is an extremely rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

This National Boarding Week 11–17 May, which is themed Threads of Connection, the Newington boarding community has been celebrating and reflecting on the journeys students have undertaken towards personal growth, forming lifelong friendships, and fostering a true sense of belonging. 

As part of this year’s celebrations, the boarding community organised a school assembly where Senior Boarding Prefect Patrick J addressed the school and delivered a presentation on A Day in the Life of a boarder. Additionally, Senior boarders will take all Year 8 students on a tour of Edmund Webb House in Stanmore, the home away from home for Newington’s 50 boarding students from Years 9–12, which is just a five-minute walk away from the senior school grounds. There will also be a lunch, and a Q&A session run by Mr Xavier Gargan, Head of Boarding. 

‘Boarding has been at the heart of Newington College since its foundation in 1863,’ says Mr Gargan.  

‘It’s more than a tradition; it’s a vital thread in the fabric of the College’s identity and National Boarding Week allows us to celebrate this.’ 

On our foundation day 16 July 1863, when Newington was initially located at Silverwater in western Sydney, most students were boarders who hailed from Goulburn, Yass, Waverley, Randwick and Parramatta. 

‘Boarding has helped me tremendously in terms of developing independence and resilience’

Originally established to provide quality education for students from rural and regional Australia, our boarding program quickly became a defining feature of life at Newington. Since then, generations of boarders have helped shape the College’s traditions, values, and spirit – bringing with them rich stories, diverse backgrounds, and a strong sense of community. 

Students soon began to arrive from as far afield as the McDonald River, Brisbane, Blayney, the Clarence River, Shoalhaven, Bathurst and Bega. In March 1867 our first international student enrolled at the College: Francis Curwood, son of a merchant, whose address was listed as Lifuka, Tonga Island. 

Each of these early students were expected to bring with them a silver fork and spoon, two pairs of sheets, two pillow cases and six towels. The fees were 50 guineas ($105) per annum, to cover ‘board and education’, plus four guineas ($8.40) for washing and a guinea ($2.10) for medical attendance.  

When the College relocated to Stanmore in 1880, boarders moved across to the new site as well, and student numbers grew with Newington better positioned to accept day pupils. The upper two floors of the Founders Building served as accommodation for boarders during this time. 

Opened in 1998, the Edmund Webb Boarding House has continued Newington’s proud legacy while embracing the needs of modern students from Years 9–12. Newington boarders now come from all corners of Australia and around the world, creating a unique, multicultural, diverse micro-community within the College. The contribution of these students is felt across all aspects of Newington life, including leadership and service to academics, sport, music, and cultural pursuits, says Mr Gargan. 

‘What makes Newington boarders truly unique is their deep sense of camaraderie, their appreciation for the high standard of academic teaching and staff support, and the fact that they receive all these benefits while living close to the campus. 

‘Living and learning together fosters maturity, independence, and a strong connection to Newington College. Our boarders enrich the day school community with their perspectives and lived experiences.’ 

This sentiment is echoed by Jasper S, Senior Prefect and boarder.  

‘Boarding has helped me tremendously in terms of developing independence and resilience,’ says Jasper, who hails from Hong Kong. 

‘Not always having my parents around to hold my hand has been one of the strongest teaching points for me in my time boarding here. It has forced me to manage my own commitments and learn to juggle conflicts without parental intervention.  

‘Also, the overlap of year groups and relationships has been such a significant aspect for me in my past four years; learning to be mates with students older and younger than me.’  

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For more information about boarding at Newington, visit https://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/our-campuses/boarding/.

Information about boarding scholarships can be accessed here: https://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/admissions/scholarships/boarding-scholarships/