Student Leadership Initiatives

Our Leadership Program starts a lifelong conversation about citizenship, social responsibility and community-mindedness.

Leadership in the Senior Years

In Year 11, boys build on their earlier leadership roles and formally prepare to take over from the current senior student leaders. Those boys selected to attend the Year 7 camp as senior leaders never forget the opportunity to proudly introduce the young students to the Newington community.

After completing five years in High School at the College, we believe that all our boys are leaders in their own right. For this reason, at the end of Year 11 in the model of ‘participative service leadership’ all students are automatically made into House Prefects. Under this System, all Year 12 students are required to contribute to the daily operation of the school through House Prefect duties and to offer themselves as an example for all younger boys to follow.

From the Year 12 student body one boy is chosen to lead the school as Senior Prefect, acting as a dynamic exemplar for the whole school to look to and emulate. Two Deputy Senior Prefects are also appointed as well as one Captain and two Vice Captains for each of the School’s eight houses. Together, these young men form the exceptional team that guides and unites the school’s student body.

Senior Prefect Leaders 2022

Aiden Carter (Senior Prefect), Mitch Hyslop and Ryan McPhail (Deputy Senior Prefects) are the student leaders for 2022. Their motto is "Dare to challenge, dare to change."

Dare to challenge, dare to change.

On Tuesday, 26 October 2021 the Newington College’s Senior Leaders revealed the motto for 2022 during Assembly. “Dare to challenge, dare to change”. It aims to promote the theme of unity across the College. Senior Prefect Aiden Carteraddressed staff and students to provide context around the theme and motto.

During 2021’s lockdown there were difficult conversations about the environment, gender issues and social inequality, Adien told the boys, and in the online meeting to workshop their motto our Year 12 leadership team explored the importance of being thoughtful and engaged in what’s happening in the world. They believe no one is ever too old or too young to make a difference. Aiden spoke about climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, our Year 7 students raising funds for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and, of course, Mullets for Mental Health. Aiden described the Newington community as one that has always been concerned about helping others, contributing, and striving to create positive change.

Dare to challenge means having the courage to ask questions, be inquisitive and stand up for what you believe is right. Dare to change is about being willing to do things differently, even if it means accepting a truth that is not comfortable; it means supporting individuals and the collective in leading positive development.

Please click here to listen to Aiden’s speech in full.