As Newington continues to grow its reputation as a lighthouse school for critical thinking and ethics, we celebrate the outstanding success of two of our teachers.

Newington’s Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics (The Centre) which encourages students’ rigorous thirst for knowledge and understanding is celebrating not one, but two of its exceptional teachers, lauded by the Professional Teachers’ Council (PTC NSW). 

Mr Miguel Regalo and Mr Ronan Geraghty (pictured above) were recently awarded the Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award, Philosophy in Schools Association of NSW to help mark World Teachers’ Day. The Centre director, Dr Britta Jensen, says these awards are recognition of both teacher’s excellence and professionalism. 

‘Miguel and Ronan bring energy, joy, and connection to their inquiries. Both teachers joined Newington College within the past 18 months, taking up dual roles teaching Philosophy and working in professional learning capacities for The Centre. 

‘In addition to this, they both generously volunteer their time to help lead a not-for-profit group supporting teachers to engage with philosophical inquiry. Ronan serves as Treasurer of Philosophy in Schools NSW and Miguel as Communications Officer. We thank them both for their service to Philosophy and for the enthusiasm, expertise, and collegiality they bring to their respective roles at Newington. We are thrilled they have been recognised for their achievements and congratulate them both.’ 

Newington started on its critical thinking strategic path 15 years ago to equip students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with the skills to listen, reason and think independently, critically and ethically. Embedded across Newington’s Learning and Teaching Framework, students are taught how to question and investigate claims to knowledge, while exploring life’s big questions. 

This knowledge is also shared with other Australian schools and teachers through annual events held at the College, such as the Sydney Philosothon and professional learning courses, that support the teaching of critical thinking across all subjects and years. The Centre also runs a free annual community lecture program which attracts celebrated thinkers and speakers such as Professor A.C. Grayling, Professor Mark Colyvan, Hugh Mackay and Dr Simon Longstaff.  

Did you know?

• In May 2026, The Centre officially opened its new home in the old Headmaster’s residence, ‘The Parsonage’ at our Senior campus. 
• Younger Newington students enjoy their own dedicated critical thinking and philosophy space at the newly opened ‘Horaceville’ at Wyvern House Prep in Stanmore.  
• The Centre has partnered with the Association for Philosophy in Schools NSW to offer professional learning courses to hundreds of teachers across Australia. 
• Our Critical Thinking resources have been used for teaching and learning in Thailand – read more here. 
• Megan Jane Laverty from Colombia University described Newington as a world-class ‘true lighthouse school for critical thinking and ethics – not only in New South Wales, or Australia, but across the international educational community’.