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 2019

Mark Elwaw (Senior Prefect), Ben Leung and Jack Walker (Deputy Senior Prefects) are the student leaders for 2019. Their motto is "In white and black, we've got your back."

In white and black, we’ve got your back

On Wednesday, 14 November 2019 the Newington College’s Senior Leaders revealed the motto for 2019 during Assembly. “In white and black, we’ve got your back”. Its aim is to promote support for one another, and a significant part of that will focus on mental health. Senior Prefect Mark Elwaw addressed staff and students to provide context around their decision. His speech is below.

Good morning Headmaster, Mr Roberts, Mr Quinane, Mr Driver, staff and boys.

Nostalgic of the times when Newington’s mottos were “be you, be true, be new” and “strive thrive one ﬁve”, the 2019 school leaders collectively decided to bring back the rhyme. The motto for 2019 is: “In white and black, we’ve got your back”. Yes, we’ve brought back the rhyme. But this doesn’t take away from the serious issues that we will address this year. Our vision for 2019 is focused around promoting support for one another – and a signiﬁcant part of that surrounds our mental health. This theme has been of focus in previous years and is something the college has addressed very well, but its growing prevalence amongst young men is calling for our attention.

It is estimated that at any point in time, 1 in 4 young men are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Boys take a look at the people sitting around you. Would you be able to pick the ones who are suffering? The ones putting on a brave face? Would you know if it was one of your mates? In this room, there may be up to 250 boys battling with mental health problems as I speak, of which only half may have sought help. My message to all these boys is: “we’ve got your back”.

In 2019, we want to continue to promote awareness and education of this important issue. We want to further encourage boys not to suffer in silence but to be able to speak out and feel supported when doing so. And it is not just about having these conversations. It is also about having the tools to help ourselves and help others in challenging and stressful times. At some point in our lives, we may all be affected in some way by mental health issues; through our own hardships or those of our loved ones. Knowing what to do can change or even save a life.

We also want to recognise that depression is not the only mental health problem. Without a doubt, many of us will face tough times throughout our schooling years. Early on, it may be getting used to high school or ﬁnding new friends, and as we get older it may be about exam stress, social media, relationships or our image. Regardless of the issue, we need to do our best to ﬁght this statistic at Newington. We have a long way to go, but we are aiming in the right direction.

Our motto also emphasises the importance of supporting one another in every one of our pursuits at school. We’d like to continue to enhance the strong sense of unity and camaraderie between all boys who wear black and white: whether it be a tough match on Saturday; a sleepless night at Sleep Rough; an endless trek on camp; or delivering a speech, performance, or that perfect note in front of a crowd. In whatever we choose to do at the college, we must recognise and support one another.

We must also challenge each other to become better men in all areas of our lives. When it comes to our relationships with women or acting selﬂessly in the community, don’t stop at your own behaviour; but encourage others to do what’s right and to give back. Even the smallest acts of support can make a huge difference to our community.

On this theme, many of you will be busy with exams or nervously awaiting your results, and for the Year 12’s, preparing for our ﬁrst ofﬁcial assessments. Look after yourselves and look out for each other. Speak up if you need help.

In 2019, I ask every Newington man to stand proudly behind his brothers. In white and black, we’ve got your back.