Offering choice and allowing students to find their individual talents is one way Newington students flourish and find their fit.

Never underestimate the power of a well-placed suggestion and a broad co-curricular program. Year 12 student and Captain of Chess, Oscar B, joined the Newington Chess Club in his first days of Year 7 after some words of wisdom from his mum.

‘Mum really encouraged me to find and join the chess club because I only knew a few people when I started at the Senior campus, but I’d been playing chess for Lindfield Prep,’ says Oscar.

‘So, every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime, Christian T, my friend from Lindfield, and I started going to play chess in W12.’

Today, one of Newington’s Senior A players, Oscar (pictured above) says as well as building connection and friendships, chess also assists him in his academic work.

‘Chess is very stimulating. I love the strategy, and pattern recognition, and the fact it’s great brain training because you have to learn to see two or three moves ahead. This teaches you the consequences of actions before you take them and how to improve outcomes.

‘Now I am in my final year, I can see how that critical thinking helps me with maths, chemistry, and particularly ancient history when it comes to in-depth source analysis.’

The Newington Chess Club currently has more than 100 active members. Longtime coordinator and science teacher, Mr Andrew Davies, says it is an inclusive, welcoming co-curricular, always bustling with energy, good-natured chess chat, and competition.

Traditionally many high achieving students at Newington play chess; in 2025 two IB students who achieved a perfect score in the International Baccalaureate of 45/45 were longtime members. Other HSC students who came First in State and Top 10 in State also played throughout their school life at Newington. Many others were named in 2025’s HSC Distinguished Achievers List achieving a Band 6 in one or more subjects. Four other chess playing students achieved a near perfect score of 44/45 in the International Baccalaureate.

The long running Friday night interschool competition sees Newington play five teams against chess champs from other Sydney schools including Fort Street High, Sydney Boys Grammar and Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools. Win or lose, it continues to be a happy, meaningfyl and helpful, part of Oscar B’s Newington life.

‘Chess has definitely been a happy and fulfilling part of my school life,’ he says.

‘I have made many friends through chess, and I keep up with many of my friends who played who were in Year 12 last year too. So, it’s been really helpful towards my schoolwork and my friendships.’

The Newington Chess Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime from 12.50pm to 1.30pm in W12 – new student members are always welcome.

Did you know?

• Newington’s teaching and learning, co-curricular and wellbeing is underpinned by a rigorous framework that encourages students to develop creative agility and critical thinking in every endeavour.
• In 2025, three Newington HSC students came first in their subject to achieve First in State in the HSC. Another seven achieved State rankings, and nine were named All-round HSC Achievers.
• In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which Newington is one of only two GPS schools in NSW to offer, four students achieved a perfect score of 45/45 and another five achieved 44/45.
• Newington’s Senior High Potential Program operates across Years 7 to 10, across and between students’ core and elective academic disciplines Our two Prep schools also have a plethora of enrichment pathways and opportunities, coordinated by our learning enhancement teams and specialised high potential teachers who are involved in lesson planning for every student.
• Newington offers more than 50 co-curricular sports, clubs and activities so every one student can discover their passion.

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