As the College buckles down to Term 2 and the important science of teaching, four of our Kindergarten and Year 5 Prep teachers reflect on the progress of co-ed, and what it means to be part of this momentous milestone for Newington.   

Ms Jane Vuong, Wyvern House Kindergarten Teacher 

The beginning of every academic year always brings excitement, but this year felt especially significant with girls joining our community. There was a strong sense of anticipation and positivity as we began the year together, and the energy in and around the school was uplifting and optimistic. Watching the children come together so naturally was incredibly reaffirming on that first momentous day. 

For most students, learning alongside girls is very familiar. The majority, if not all, of our children have come from mixed-gender early learning settings, so a co-educational Kindergarten has felt like a natural progression. New friendships are forming, and strong bonds are developing across the entire class as the girls become confident, engaged members of our community. 

I have been teaching for over 20 years, with 13 of those at Newington College. It feels like coming full circle, with my very first Kindergarten class at Newington completing Year 12 this year!  

Ms Lauren Heath, Year 5 Lindfield Teacher 

I felt genuinely excited stepping into the classroom at the start of this year. In addition to recently joining the College myself, it felt like a significant and positive moment for our Lindfield community, and I was looking forward to the new dynamics and perspectives the girls would bring. There was a lovely sense of anticipation knowing we were beginning something new together. 

The boys have been very welcoming. They’ve shown maturity by inviting the girls into games, group work, and classroom routines. It’s been a delight to watch natural friendships develop and to see how easily the children have integrated into one cohesive class. I am also intentional about ensuring that all voices are heard and that groupings and activities allow for a balance of perspectives.   

Families who attended our Week 1 ‘Meet the Teacher’ evening shared how happy and enthusiastic their daughters have been at the end of each school day. While some girls understandably arrived with the usual nerves of starting a new school, their kind and caring natures have helped them form a close bond with each other, and they are growing in confidence and comfort every day. 

Adrian Pollard, Year 5 Wyvern Teacher 

I have been at Newington for 18 years. That’s a long  time, but moving to a co-educational setting has felt like a new chapter and brought a freshness to my career. It has reminded me how energising positive change can be.  

As a school, we are now a more accurate reflection of society – becoming co-educational helps prepare students for what both the workplace and life beyond school will be like. Already this year, I’ve noticed a richer dimension in our class discussions, with different perspectives offered by our girls. I consider diversity to be one of Newington’s greatest strengths, and we have only added to that. 

The girls have settled in very well indeed. They have formed friendships quickly and I have been surprised by how normal it feels so early on. There was a shyness over the first few days, but this has melted away and it feels like the girls are being themselves – happy, enthusiastic and comfortable in their new environment.  

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Read more on coeducation here.

This story appears in the new issue of The NC. Read the new edition, here.