Term 2, Week 7

12 June 2025

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers,  

Assembly was buzzing with excitement this week, as teachers and students went head-to-head in the Teachers versus Students debate! Both sides presented excellent arguments as to whose job is hardest, but in the end, it was our staff who emerged victorious. Congratulations to Mr Ansourian, Miss Fowler, Ms Mitreski and Mr Parekh, and well done to our very talented student team Vishay M, Marcus K, Daniel C and Robbie L. 

Congratulations also to all the students who performed in the Senior Concerto competition on Wednesday evening. The winner of the evening was Year 12 student Aidan B, following his spectacular violin performance. 

A great time was had by all at Rockfest on Friday night. A highlight on the Newington calendar, this event showcases the amazing talent of our future rock stars in the making. Huge thanks to Mr Ed Knapman, who leads the rock program, as well as all the other music staff who ensured an extremely high level of production and a fun night for all who attended. 

Our Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics this week hosted two professional learning events. A two-day Philosophy in Schools Association of NSW Foundational Critical Thinking Training workshop: ‘Introduction to Philosophical Community of Inquiry’, was led by Dr Jensen and attended by an engaged group of attendees from schools around Sydney and as far afield as Adelaide. 

Newington also hosted the Professional Network Meeting: ‘Navigating Disagreement, Uncertainty and Evidence’. This was the second of three Social Labs held at the College, as part of a collaborative research project led by A/Prof Simon Knight of UTS. The final Social Lab session will be hosted by Dr Suzana Sukovic in Term 3. 

In sporting news, it has been a big week for Newington’s football program. Congratulations to our U15 Bill Turner Cup squad for their impressive win on Tuesday. These students will now advance to the regional final to be held in the final week of Term 2. In addition, our 1st XI defeated St Patrick’s in the CIS Cup semi-final and will now play in the final on 25 June (details about supporter buses to be shared on New Spaces). We wish all these players the very best in their upcoming matches. 

Cross Country is also in the spotlight this week, with nine students from Years 7 to 12 all preparing to compete in the CIS Cross Country Championships. Additionally, Newington will host the Invitational meet at Sir Joseph Banks Park this Saturday as we compete for the GPS shield – best of luck to all! 

And finally, well done to our chess teams who all performed admirably at their recent competitions. The Junior Chess team were up against heavyweights Sydney Technical High in Round 5 of the JCL NSW Competition, while Toby S achieved a maiden victory on Board 1 for the Intermediate B Team. Both Senior teams won their matches, with the Senior A Team now hopeful of a spot in the finals.  

Lindfield Futsal Camp July 2025 (Years 3–6)

We will be holding a two-day Futsal camp for girls and boys in Years 3 to 6 at our Lindfield campus. This event is for current families as well as those outside our community.

Our aim is to provide an active holiday environment with an appropriate balance between ‘Futsal fundamentals’ and ‘Futsal fun’. We hope to cover both individual skills and team concepts during the course of the camp. The camp will be facilitated by two fantastic Newington coaches and national level Futsal representatives – Aurelia Collins and Sienna Beram.

• WHERE: Lindfield Preparatory
• WHEN: Monday 14 July and Tuesday 15 July from 9.00am–1.00pm
• COST: 1 Day = $20, 2 Days = $40

Register now by clicking clicking the button below and please share with families who may be interested.

Chapel Thought

On Sunday, Christians around the world celebrated Pentecost. Often considered the Birthday of the Church, Pentecost reflects on the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples as told in Acts, Chapter 2. The events occur some days after Jesus has ascended into heaven and the disciples are commissioned to continue his ministry and told to spread the Good News of God’s love to the world.  

The story tells us that the disciples were together in a locked room when suddenly a rushing wind came into the room. Then miraculously, small tongues of fire appeared above each disciple’s head, giving them the ability to speak in different languages and proclaim Jesus’ message to all nations. Since then, the image of the flame and the concept of wind have been powerful ways that we depict the Holy Spirit. 

Pentecost gives us the opportunity to remember that God’s Spirit is always with us giving us hope and strength in all that we do. Because of Pentecost, we too have the Gift of the Spirit sustaining us and supporting us in all that we do. Pentecost encourages us to reflect on where we have experienced God’s Spirit in our lives and to know that God is always with us. 

As a College, we will have an opportunity to reflect on the Gift of the Spirit in our community with our Newington Pentecost Service which will be held on Tuesday 17 June at 5.30pm in the Senior School Chapel. It will be a Uniting Church Service, led by our College Chaplains, with musical leadership from the College Choir. All members of the Newington community, from all campuses, are welcome to attend. 

– Pastor Richard La’Brooy

The State of the Free World with Dr Michael Fullilove

We are thrilled to invite our local community to the next event in our Public Program series, brought to you by the Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics! Come along for a thought-provoking evening with Dr Michael Fullilove AM, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute.

Dr Michael Fullilove, a leading voice in foreign policy and host of ‘The Director’s Chair’ podcast, will share his insights on The State of the Free World.

WHEN: Wednesday 18 June from 6.30pm–8.00pm
WHERE: Newington College, Old Boys Lecture Theatre

This is a free event, but registration is essential. Register for your free tickets by following the link below.

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.

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). 

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 caught up with our beloved College Chaplain and Mathematics Teacher, Geordie Barham. Whether its through his involvement in Cadets, the AFL program, Chapel services or in the classroom, Geordie is a familiar face to many in our Stanmore community.

Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching? 

A. For me, teaching is a ‘calling’. The reward is the success and improvement acquired through those who you serve in educating. 

Q. What is something people don’t know about you? 

A. I served as a Minister for thirteen years prior to becoming a teacher. I’m a grandfather of two and passionate supporter of all teams Queensland (Lions, Reds, Broncos, Maroons…) despite being born and growing up in Sydney. 

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

A. My favourite teacher was my music teacher, Mrs Mary Lopez, because she believed in my musical ability when I did not. She saw something in me that I struggled to see. 

Q. If you could have dinner with any historical figure or celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about? 

A. There’s no doubt I’d want to dine with Jesus Christ. I would ask ‘millions’ of questions in an effort to grasp the depth of care, compassion, love and forgiveness He has for me, like He does for all mankind. I’d like to experience the sense of awe and connection that those characters in the Bible experienced being in His presence. 

Q. What was your favourite subject in school when you were a student, and did you ever struggle with a subject yourself? 

A. There’s no doubt my favourite subject at school was ‘Mathematics’, simply because it clicked with me. I remember turning up to class back in Year 6 at Beecroft Primary School, reaching within my tote-tray to find a marked Maths quiz that had ‘100%’ written at the top. I remember feeling a deep sense of disbelief, coupled with a resonating sense of satisfaction. With sky-high confidence, this became my beacon for success that sent me through secondary school as an Extension Two (four unit) Mathematician and into university to complete a Bachelor’s degree that majored in Mathematics. 

On the flipside, English was a struggle. I did have poor eyesight which made reading more challenging, finding myself in the bottom reading group; a group made up of just three students. I battled throughout high school, yet in the end, English featured as one of my important marks in my overall HSC aggregate. Later in life as a preparatory school educator, I effectively learnt the art of reading and writing, as I crafted how to best teach junior school students to comprehend texts and express themselves in writing. 

In light of this, two pieces of advice I’d like to offer: 

• Master what you find challenging, turning your weaknesses into strengths. 
• Excel with the strengths you’ve been given; never take them for granted.