22 May 2025
From the Head of the ELC
We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to explore and connect with the learning happening in each classroom through Storypark. Your involvement and interest in your child’s educational experiences reinforces the value of inquiry-based learning to shape their curiosity and understanding of the world. This means so much to us and, most importantly, to your child.
Thank you for taking the time to write your response to the learning stories shared about your child’s class inquiries. You would have been reading about how the inquiries evolve and how the dispositions of learning surface and develop through the children’s authentic engagement with the inquires. We see every day how inquiry-based learning nurtures children’s ability to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and develop strong investigative skills. As the children engage in open-ended exploration, they learn to make connections, analyse possibilities, and express their ideas in thoughtful ways. This approach builds independence, resilience, and a genuine love of learning – qualities that will carry them well beyond the early years.
We are excited about the inquiries that will continue to emerge from the children’s ideas, theories, and wonderings in each class throughout the year. We encourage you to keep tuning in, following and celebrating with us the thoughtful engagement your child brings to their learning. Your interest and participation strengthen the link between home and ELC, fostering a shared commitment to your child’s growth and development.
Thank you for being a valued part of this journey – we look forward to sharing more learning adventures that our children encounter!
Important Information
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:
- Wednesday 4 June – Goanna Class
- Thursday 5 June – 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.
Save the date: Grandparents and Special Persons Morning Tea
We are delighted to host our ELC Grandparents or Special Persons Morning Tea at the ELC. Please select a date that your child attends and their grandparents or special people can attend:
Wednesday 18 June: 10.00am-11.00am OR Thursday 19 June: 10.00am-11.00am
Please RSVP by Monday 2 June 2025.
What’s Happening This Term
Chapel Thought
At Newington, a key emphasis of our Chaplaincy programs is inspiring students, and our wider community, to make a positive difference in the world. If we are people who explore Faith deeply and know the all-inclusive love of God, then what follows is taking action to make the world a better place. Faith is not meant to be solely a personal experience; it is meant to be done in community. Similarly, it can’t simply be passive, there must be action that follows a commitment to faith.
Following Christ means being committed to making the world a better place. Inspired by his lead and his teachings, we have to ask ourselves what we can do to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. How might we follow his commitment to care for each other in our daily living.
Our Chaplaincy programs are deeply connected with the exploration of care for each other and the world. From the simple consideration of ‘who is my neighbour’ (Luke 10:25-37) at the youngest level through to hands on service learning experiences our Faith programs always encourage students to reflect on how they might put these teachings into action. As we continue to explore Faith in our own lives, may we be inspired to reflect on what we might do to make a positive difference in the world.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Parent Learning Series: Boys, Girls, Brains & Behaviour with Justin Coulson
Newington College warmly invites all our 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.
Staff Profile
This week we chatted to ELC Teacher Heidi Chae. A beloved member of our ELC faculty, Heidi is the favourite of many, thanks to her warm demeanour and creativity.
Q. Did you have a favourite teacher growing up, and why?
A. Yes! I had two favourite teachers growing up. The first was Mr. McDonald, who taught me in Years 5–6. I put my hand up for everything in primary school, whether it was band, sport, or drama, but sport was my favourite by far. He incorporated a lot of movement-based activities into the classroom to make boring tasks, fun – like having the whole class stand up and throw a ball around while reciting the times tables.
My second favourite teacher was my modern history teacher in high school. I feel horrible for forgetting her name, but she was the best. I had never felt so moved in a class as I did when learning about World War II. She was incredibly passionate about what she taught and always thought-provoking. She constantly reiterated the importance of learning our history and understanding its lessons because if we don’t, history will repeat itself. Her words have stuck with me ever since, and I’ve loved watching movies and reading books from that era!
Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why?
A. When age-appropriate, the HBO TV series Band of Brothers. It’s just so good! You’ll have to watch it yourself to see why.
Staff Profile: College Leadership Group
This week we are profiling Andrew Thompson, who, as Associate Principal of Wyvern, is a crucial part of our College Leadership Group. Known for his passion for the South African Rugby team and great sense of humour, Andrew displays true leadership every day on the Wyvern campus.
Q. What do you think is the ‘Newington difference?’
A. The ‘Newington difference’ includes a holistic education that balances academics, personal development, and cocurricular activities. Newington fosters a strong, inclusive community and emphasizes leadership and character building. The school blends tradition with innovation to prepare students for the future.
Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?
A. If I were a Newington student today, I’d be most excited about the diverse opportunities in academic, sports, arts, cocurricular and leadership activities. In addition to this, developing long lasting friendships and having a sense of belonging for life.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Inclusive, engaging, inspiring.
