Our Learning Pathways
Newington is a proudly non-selective school. We offer inquiry-based learning pathways across the years from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Our Learning Environments
We offer a wide range of learning opportunities across the years at Newington.
From your son’s first day at one of our Prep Schools to his final term in Year 12, he will have the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, witness different teaching styles and engage in learning that is meaningful to him.
Newington offers a range of learning pathways across its campuses:
- Wyvern House – Building Learning Power model aimed at making ‘fitter learners’.
- Lindfield Prep – International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), an internationally-recognised curriculum aimed at developing learning attributes such as ‘inquiry’ and ‘reflection’.
- Stanmore 7-12 – Evidence and research based ‘Learning Framework’ that aims to build engaged and successful learners
- Year 11 and 12 – More than 65 different subjects and options on offer to them across the Higher School Certificate and the IB Diploma Programme and Vocational pathways.
The options and opportunities are endless as your son discovers what’s possible.
Students have a choice when it comes to designing their project. This allows them to pursue their interests and engage their curiosity.
HSC or IB?
Giving senior boys choice in what they learn is an important part of helping them achieve their own academic success.
The NSW Higher School Certificate is an internationally respected educational credential, with a broad range of pathways for students to gain entry into universities both in Australia and overseas. The HSC supports a broad range of learners, from extending students into the highest levels of academic achievement to giving them direct pathways into the workplace.
Newington is also an International Baccalaureate World School. We offer both the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Lindfield Preparatory and the Diploma Programme for students in Years 11 and 12 at the Stanmore 7-12.
Delivered in over 5500 schools globally, the Diploma Programme provides pathways to Australian and overseas universities through encouraging broad study that balances rigorous and critical thinking with active citizenship and civic engagement.
Part of a Global Community
Whether studying the NSW HSC or the IB Diploma, the aim to develop learners with independence, inquiry, and a global approach to learning is key to Newington’s tradition of diversity and student-centred learning. Currently 25 per cent of Newington’s Years 11 and 12 boys have elected to study the IB Diploma Programme as an alternative study pathway in their final years of schooling.
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 is taught at Lindfield Preparatory.
Lindfield's journey to becoming an authorised IB World School began in 2011 and they became a fully fledged provider by 2013.
The PYP encourages students to focus on inquiry and action to develop deeper level, self-reflective learning practices.
Year 11 and 12 are a really big step up workload wise. With that increased workload comes a lot more stress and a lot more pressure, so make sure you have a lot of time for yourself to do things you like, whether it’s co-curricular at school or time outside with your friends.
Vocational Pathways and Recognition
The Vocational Pathways program at the College allows the boys to explore interests and pursue careers outside the traditional classroom setting.
Vocational Education Training (VET) courses are:
- Competency-based
- Count towards the HSC
- Can lead to a nationally recognised qualification from TAFE NSW or the Board of Studies
- Courses include: Business Services, Construction, Financial Services and Hospitality
- Students in Years 11 and 12 also have the option to study selected TAFE vocational (TVET) subjects externally
"The VET construction course has provided me with knowledge and skills related to employment and further training in the industry. The best part of the course was being able to get physically involved and hands-on with the practical units."
