This week the College welcomed back some of its Class of 2025 to acknowledge and celebrate the best ATAR results across the IB and HSC ever achieved. With four students scoring a perfect 45/45 in the International Baccalaureate, three HSC students achieving First in State in Physics, Mathematics Standard 2 and VET Construction Examination, and another four ranked in the Top Ten in State, in VET Hospitality, VET Entertainment Industry, Ancient History and Mathematics Standard 2, here’s some insight into how Newington’s strategic vision is producing the thinkers of tomorrow.

Just as there’s no such thing as overnight success outside the College gates, the same is true inside Newington where academic achievement takes time, says Head of Science, Ms Smriti Mediratta.

‘Senior results are an important indicator, but what they really represent is years of careful teaching, strong relationships, and a focus on deep understanding,’ says Ms Mediratta, teacher of Class of 2025 student, Sebastian Wong who topped the State in HSC Physics.

‘From foundational skills in the middle years to sophisticated analytical thinking in the senior years, students are well prepared to meet challenges with confidence. When students reach Year 12, they are not just exam-ready – they are confident scientific thinkers.’

Ms Mediratta says Sebastian’s result in Physics is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of his intellectual curiosity, discipline, and commitment to deep understanding.

‘Throughout his senior studies, Sebastian consistently demonstrated the capacity to engage with complex concepts, think analytically under pressure, and approach challenges with humility and persistence. His success speaks not only to his academic ability, but to the habits of thinking and learning he has developed over time.’

Likewise, 2025 students Daniel Beretta’s First in State in Mathematics Standard 2, and Maxwell Laidlaw’s First in State in Construction Examination are outstanding achievements and exemplify the qualities Newington seeks to foster in all students. Daniel says he first realised he had a knack for Maths in his early senior years.

‘Maths has always just clicked for me, and I was in Year 8 when I first realised, I was actually quite good at it and really enjoyed it,’ he says.

‘I’m not a fan of the essay subjects and doing well in Maths always felt more obtainable … maybe because if I get something wrong, I’ve always understood it can be corrected, that it’s not subjective. My end goal was always to perform well enough to be State ranked, so I am very pleased with the result that’s for sure. ‘

An increasing number of students at Newington are choosing the top levels of Mathematics like IB AA HL and HSC Extension 2 – subjects which play a central role in preparation to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly complex and polarised world,’ says Ms Mediratta.

‘Subjects like Physics develop evidence-based reasoning, quantitative literacy, and respect for truth grounded in observation and testing. These skills enable students to evaluate information critically, engage respectfully with differing perspectives, and act with ethical responsibility – essential qualities for leadership and service in a global context.’

Newington students also once again excelled in the IB with four students from the Class of 2025 achieving a perfect score of 45/45, and a further four obtaining 44/45.

Dr Amy Van Arkkels, Deputy, Academic (K–12) says Newington’s twin offering to Year 11 and 12 students of the International IB and HSC alongside a strong Vocational Education and Training (VET) is important in the College’s objective of empowering students with choice and opportunities.

An increasing number of Newington students are following Science and Maths pathways to professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, engineering (including chemical and biomedical), environmental science, data science, and research pathways. Many others are choosing to study Business, Commerce and Management (Construction).

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Read more about our Results here and academic pathways at Newington here.