19 June 2025
From the Head of the ELC
Hosting Grandparents and Special Persons’ Morning Tea at the ELC was a truly special experience. It was a joy to welcome those who hold a special place in the children’s hearts into our learning space, allowing them to witness firsthand the environment where the children grow, explore and connect. The children took immense pride showing their grandparents around, excitedly inviting them to take part in their learning experiences and enjoy this special occasion.
Seeing the children interact with their loved ones highlighted the deep importance of family and intergenerational relationships in their early development. These relationships shape a child’s sense of identity, foster emotional development, and reinforce the value of shared experiences. We are excited to continue building on this foundation, ensuring that intergenerational connections remain a cherished part of our ELC community.
A heartfelt thank you to all who attended our ELC event and made the morning so memorable!
Important Information
Renew & Create Crafting Project
We have heard at our recent events that one of the greatest joys in life for grandparents – and carers who maintain a ‘grandparenting’ relationship – is nurturing a loving and unique relationship with their grandchild.
Stanmore Parents’ & Friends’ Association – in partnership with the College and the Foundation – warmly invites Newington Grandparents (New Grandies) to join the Renew and Create crafting project.
This new initiative involves coming together to create handmade, sustainable crafts for our Back to Newington Day event on Saturday 16 August. Crafting sessions will be held from 9.00–10.00am at Wyvern House Library (115 Cambridge Street, Stanmore). The next session is this Friday 20 June.
What’s Happening This Term
Make a lasting impact
As we approach 30 June, the Newington Foundation is asking for our help. Your tax-deductible gift will ensure that more students can benefit from a Newington education through the Chris Wild Indigenous Scholarship.
Every donation, large or small, makes a lasting difference. Your generosity will be carefully invested to support students for generations to come.
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 and are open to current and new families.
To find out more and to apply, click below or email our Admissions team.
Chapel Thought
As I write this Chapel Thought, I’m sitting out in the beautiful nature of Point Wolstoncroft. I’m blessed to be on Year 5 Camp at the moment and am enjoying spending time with the Prep School students from both campuses. But as I listen to the native birds in the gum trees and look out to the clear waters of the lake, I’m reminded of the words of Psalm 19 “The heavens are telling the glory of God and the earth proclaims God’s handiwork.” This verse reminds us that we can see God in the beauty of creation. In the wind that rushes through the trees or in the birds that sing, we experience God’s Spirit.
I’m also reminded of Matthew 6:26 where Jesus encourages us not to worry because God is with us. Jesus says “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than them?” Whenever I am in the beauty of nature I am reminded of this promise. God provides and sustains all of the natural world and God sustains us even more. As we navigate the ups and downs of life we can be reminded of this promise of God, that no matter what happens God is with us, giving us hope and giving us strength.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Staff Profile
This week we caught up with Classroom Teacher Celina Hage, who after living all over the world, has decided to call Lindfield Prep home. She teaches Year 2, to whom she is a role model for all children.
Q. What is something people might not know about you?
A. I have lived abroad twice in my life thus far. Once was a year study program in Kyoto, Japan as part of my degree. As Japanese is part of my heritage, it was such a meaningful and enriching time for me and helped me further my Japanese while also feeling a strong connection to my culture. The second time I lived abroad was over the past two years where I lived and worked in London, UK. It was an incredible experience jumping in headfirst into a new lifestyle, pace of life and education system.
Q. Did you have a favourite teacher growing up and why?
A. Ms Pattinson was a memorable teacher of mine during my primary school journey. She was funny, kind and always fair. She was also firm when she needed to be and in the most respectful way. I think she was a great role model and example of what an excellent educator looks like.
Q. What is one of your best memories of being a student?
A. My best memory was my Year 6 journey where I was lucky enough to be a school leader. I loved doing special jobs for the teachers and presenting in assembly each week. One of the moments I remember the most was going to the local RSL to lay a wreath with my fellow captain for ANZAC Day. I think the role gave me confidence and leadership qualities and inspired me to become an educator.
Staff Profile: College Leadership Group
Director of ICT Dan Collins is a fundamental pillar of our College Leadership Group, and it is his technical guidance that is responsible for so much of our progress as a College. From our homegrown NewAI, to the intricacies of New Spaces, to keeping our digital landscape secure and effective every single day, Dan leads an important team in an ongoing effort to keep our campus running smoothly.
Q. What does leadership mean to you?
A. To me, leadership is about setting direction with clarity, earning trust through consistency, and making space for others to grow. It’s about listening as much as deciding, and understanding that good leadership often means removing friction so others can do their best work. In a school setting, that also means leading with values—putting students first, supporting staff, and stewarding systems that serve the broader mission of learning and wellbeing.
Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?
A. Newington’s difference is in its people and its mindset. We don’t just prepare students for exams; we prepare them for the world. Whether it’s through our academic programs, our pastoral care, or our strategic embrace of technology and wellbeing.
Q. What is something not many people know about you?
A. I’ve always had a deep love for music in all its forms—jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and everything in between. Back before Spotify and Apple Music, I was playing vinyl and hosting music shows on community radio, curating eclectic sets for local listeners. It was a creative outlet that brought together interesting people and memorable sounds.
Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?
A. I’d be excited by the opportunity to explore so many different areas of interest—academics, sports, the arts, and technology—all within one environment that takes each area seriously. And I think I’d be especially energised by the new Eungai Creek campus; the idea of learning through real-world experience and connection to the land is incredibly powerful. That kind of holistic learning wasn’t available when I was at school.
Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?
A. Innovative. Grounded. Inclusive.
