5 June 2025
From the Acting Head of the ELC
It has been rewarding to celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) at the ELC. Any opportunity to instil the themes of harmony, empathy, care, love and compassion in our young children is an investment in a peaceful Australia and a harmonious world.
Embedding our ELC Acknowledgement of Country during our morning gathering is one of many seeds of reconciliation planted in the growing hearts of our children. Sharing the Gadigal Wangal greeting, stories, histories, achievements and songs are steps towards contributing to achieving the NRW theme for the year Bridging the Now to Next.
Ms Malia Puna
Acting Head of Early Learning Centre / Early Learning Teacher
What’s Happening This Term
Co-ed Scholarships for Year 5, 2027
We are excited to announce that co-ed scholarships for girls and boys entering Year 5 in 2027 are now open and close Friday 4 July 2025. These scholarships are in addition to the extensive program already available across academic, co-curricular, sporting and boarding in the Senior School.
To find out more and to apply, click below or email our Admissions team.
Chapel Thought
As we as a nation come to the end of Reconciliation Week with Mabo Day having taken place on Tuesday 3 June, it’s important that we continue to reflect on what reconciliation means for us as individuals and as a community.
The Uniting Church in Australia has a long-standing commitment to reconciliation with First Nations People. Our Covenanting Statement signed in 1994 continues to guide our Church as we walk together with First Nation’s people in this land. The Statement was a historic moment between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, marking a moment on the journey towards reconciliation.
As I’ve moved throughout the Church and ministered in various contexts I’ve been blessed to learn from the wisdom and experience of Indigenous Christians. As people of faith, we are called to show God’s love and care to all people we meet and to strive to make a positive difference in the world around us. May we continued to be inspired and guided by this principle in all that we do.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Staff Profile
This week we chatted to Wyvern Sportsmaster Joel Wilson. After joining Wyvern House in 2011, Mr Wilson has become an integral part of the Newington Community – instilling a love of sport, health and education with both students and teachers.
Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching?
A. I remember my school years and wonderful teachers fondly. I learnt something different from all of them, whether it was Mr Clifford’s love of poetry and sketching, Mrs Leighton’s kind and nurturing nature or Miss Christensen’s love of sport and history. My father was a schoolteacher and principal, so I had a great deal of respect for the profession and then understood the rewarding nature of a career in education.
Q. What is something people don’t know about you?
A. I have a love of gardening, which was passed on by my mother who has a ‘green thumb’ and owned a nursery and garden design business. Most of the year I have an abundant vegetable garden, but this time of year caterpillars and slugs are my arch nemesis!
Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school?
A. Do your absolute best but remember that school is only the beginning. After school, opportunities will come your way and if you can give them a go, persevere, and follow your nose, you will be more than OK.
Staff Profile: College Leadership Group
This week we are profiling Rebecca Panagopoulos, our Director of Studies at Stanmore. Mrs Panagopoulos joined Newington in 2011 and is a key member of the College Leadership Group with her energy and passion for education and our students.
Q. What does leadership mean to you?
A. To me, leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility—it’s about contributing meaningfully to our school culture, especially in academics and community spirit. I believe true leadership is grounded in service, listening, and leading by example, rather than authority or recognition. It’s about being present, dependable, and focused on the wellbeing of others. Above all, leadership means using your influence with integrity to uplift and inspire those around you.
Q. What is something not many people know about you?
A. I once had a serious running phase and completed 19 half marathons, which taught me discipline, routine, and how to push through challenges. Running gave me space to reflect and reset, even in the simplest moments. Though I’ve since traded long runs for gym training, the lessons remain – I continue to prioritise my health and wellbeing to show up as my best self. Whether in fitness or leadership, I’ve learned that consistency and mindset make all the difference.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Vibrant, Progressive, Community.
