Term 2, Week 5

29 May 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers, 

This week the school has hosted and experienced various activities as part of National Reconciliation Week. The week began with our First Nations students travelling to St Aloysius’ to perform a traditional dance at their assembly with other students from Bandu, a not-for-profit that Newington partners with. During our own school assembly, students and staff enjoyed dance, music and storytelling by students from Redfern Jarjum College, along with Uncle John and Yuin Elder Uncle Les McLeod. Year 12 student Braithe S shared stories from his journey as an Aboriginal student at the College and what reflection means to him. 

Year 8 students had the opportunity to further their cultural knowledge through workshops held by Wandana. These hands-on workshops were a big hit, and the boys showed inquisitiveness and respect. They got to view ancient artefacts, learn about Aboriginal symbols, paint their own journey stones, and each boy added dots to a beautiful canvas painting which we started with Wandana last year. This painting is a living document that signifies the school’s commitment to and journey towards reconciliation.  

In Performing Arts news, congratulations to our Senior Improv team who progressed through to the semifinals of the Theatresports Schools Challenge, which will be held next week at Ashfield Boys High. Our senior students did extremely well in the quarter finals with fantastic performances from all members. Special thanks go to our coaches, Simon James and Charlie Papps.

Intermediate Team:

Senior Team:

• Finn D
• Henry C
• Tristan H
• Jonathon F
• Gil G

It was fantastic to hear our Junior Ensembles perform last Thursday evening at the Junior Concerto Competition. Students across our strings, woodwind and brass programs performed a range of high-level pieces they have been working on. It is wonderful to see our Junior music program continue to grow and develop at the College and we look forward to the upcoming music performances for the Senior Concerto Competition and Rockfest next week. Our winners included:

• First: Edward L (Year 9 Piano)
• Second: Artie M (Year 7 Oboe)
• Third: James D (Year 9 Cello)

Highly Commended:

• Benjamin W (Year 7 Violin)
• Henry F (Year 8 Violin)
• Erain S (Year 9 Clarinet)
• Justin G (Year 8 Marimba)

We also extend our best wishes to our 1st and 2nd XI Football teams as they kick off their GPS season this Saturday with an away fixture against St Joseph’s College. A special congratulations to the five players selected to represent the AAGPS at the upcoming NSW CIS Championships – an outstanding achievement.  

Also on Saturday, our Cross Country athletes will be competing at St Joseph’s for selection in the GPS representative team. Best of luck to all our runners – we’re backing you! Looking ahead to next week, our 1st XVIII AFL, 1st XI Football, and 1st and 2nd XV Rugby teams will all be in action. It’s a great opportunity for the Newington community to come together and support our senior teams. Let’s get behind them. 

As this week is National Reconciliation Week, all Senior 1st and 2nd AFL, Football, Rugby, and Volleyball teams will be wearing Newington’s Indigenous jerseys. In addition, our Senior Cross Country runners, Fencers, and Rifle Shooters will wear the Indigenous tops at their respective races and training sessions. 

Professional Learning is central to the College’s commitment to developing teaching excellence. This week and next, we’re hosting the ‘Foundational Critical Thinking Workshop: Introduction to Philosophical Community of Inquiry,’ bringing together Newington staff and educators from across Australia. The workshop, part of the Centre for Critical Thinking & Ethics in partnership with Philosophy in Schools NSW, explores best practices in teaching critical thinking through collaborative inquiry. 

Headsafe concussion research 

Newington College is continuing to assist Headsafe with their concussion research this year. If your child sustains a concussion and you are interested in participating, please read and sign the permission below.  

Headsafe staff will visit the College each week. We appreciate your interest. 

Please view the flyer for more information (via New Spaces). 

Buses 

The CDC has updated its bus timetables, and we have adjusted our schedules on the website accordingly to ensure they are accurate. See times here. 

2025 Sydney Schools Convention

This year, Sydney Grammar, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, International Grammar School, Wenona, Newington College, Kincoppal Rose Bay, St Andrews and Ascham are combining for the 2025 Sydney Careers Convention on Monday 2 June. The event will have three streams; an exhibition of tertiary education providers in the School Gymnasium from 3pm; a series of talks in the Palladium Theatre, John Vallance Hall and Alastair Mackerras Theatre from 4pm and a career and course advising in the Palladium Classrooms.

Program:

• Expo: 3–5.30pm (80+ Tertiary and other providers)
• Presentations: 4.30–6.45pm (current and emerging career areas)
• Curious Conversations with Career Professionals: 5–7pm

Attendance is compulsory for Year 11 students, who will be transported by bus to the venue at the start of Period 6. Dismissal will be at 5.30pm from the venue but all are welcome to stay until the conclusion at approx. 7.15pm.

One bus will return to Newington at 6pm for all boarders and anyone wishing to return to the College. Parents are most welcome to attend as are Year 10 and Year 12 students who will need to make their own travel arrangements to the venue

Please see our list of providers exhibiting at the Expo stream in the school gymnasium.

Parent Learning Series: Boys, Girls, Brains & Behaviour with Justin Coulson

Newington College warmly invites all our parents, and families from 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. 

Senior School Co-Education Parent Information Evening

We are delighted to invite families of future senior girl enrolments to an information evening at our Stanmore Senior school campus.

Building on our move to co-education in our Prep K-6 campuses from 2026, co-education will commence at our Senior School in Years 7 and 11 from 2028.

You will receive information about the College’s co-education journey and hear from our Headmaster Mr Michael Parker, and our Director of Co-education Ms Brigid Taylor.

Staff Profile

This week we chatted to Lindfield Year 6 Teacher William Neville. William has a double degree in Education and Psychology from Macquarie University. He joined the Lindfield team from our Wyvern Campus in 2024 where he led our Year 5W class. This year he has continued with the cohort in Year 6W where the students have enjoyed his dedication, positive attitude and outstanding teaching abilities.

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

A. Competing a LEGO Robotics competition with my best mates in primary school. We managed to win our division, going on to represent Tasmania at the National Final on the Gold Coast. A surreal opportunity, with hindsight, and I didn’t realise at the time how fortunate I was. We were pipped for first by a team who recreated a Mission Impossible movie with their programmed LEGO, but the trip to Dreamworld afterwards certainly helped allay the pain of second place. 

Q. Did you have a favourite teacher growing up and why?  

A. I was lucky to have a host of wonderful educators during my time at school. My favourites were always nurturing, available to listen and happy to challenge me on my crazy ideas. One that stands out was my Year 3 teacher – we’ll call him ‘Mr Edmund.’ He made everyone in his class feel like they mattered and had some of the worst/best jokes of all time. In my own career, I’ve often borrowed from Mr Edmund’s playbook. I know the importance of connection and relationships for both cognitive and socioemotional development. Therefore, my classroom door will always be open in the morning for a check-in or chat.  I want my students to feel like I know and care about them. 

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

A. Doing small things the right way every day really adds up. People appreciate effort and attention to detail, so committing to good habits will serve you well. A great example is to work hard on your handwriting when you’re young or it’ll be too late for you… I’ve learned this the hard way. Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody had it right – “from little things, big things grow.”