Newington College
Founders Wing at Newington College
Location
Inner West andLower North Shore ofSydney,New South Wales Australia
Coordinates	33°53′55″S151°09′44″E / 33.898632°S 151.162139°E /-33.898632; 151.162139
Information
Type	Independentsingle-sexearly learning,primary andsecondaryday andboarding
Motto	Latin:In Fide Scientiam (To Faith Add Knowledge)
Religious affiliation	Uniting Church
Denomination	Uniting Church[1]
Established	1863; 162 years ago (1863)[2]
Sister school	MLC School[3]
Educational authority	New South Wales Education Standards Authority
Chairman	Tony McDonald[4]
Headmaster	Michael Parker[5]
Staff	183[6]
Years	K–12
Gender	Co-educational:Early learning Male:K–12
Enrolment	2,029[6] (2022)
Campuses	Stanmore: 129 Cambridge Street (Early learning) 115 Cambridge Street:(K–6) 200 Stanmore Road:(7–12) Lindfield:(K–6) Abbotsford:(Boat shed)
Campus type	Suburban
Colours	Black and white
Slogan	Discover what's possible
Athletics	Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales
Publication	The Newingtonian
Affiliations	Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia Independent Primary School Heads of Australia Junior School Heads Association of Australia Australian Boarding Schools' Association
Alumni	Old Newingtonians
Website	www.newington.nsw.edu.au

Newington College is a multi-campusindependentUniting Churchsingle-sex andco-educationalearly learning,primary andsecondaryday andboarding school, primarily located inStanmore, aninner-western suburb ofSydney,New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1863 atNewington House,Silverwater, the College celebrated itssesquicentenary in 2013. The college is open to children of all faiths anddenominations. Newington has been governed by anAct of Parliament since 1922.^[7]

Newington has twopreparatory schools,Wyvern House in Cambridge Street, Stanmore, and a school atLindfield on Sydney'sUpper North Shore.^[8] Newington currently caters for approximately 2,000 students from their ELC toYear 12.^[6]Edmund Webb House, a boarding facility, is in Cambridge Street, Stanmore.^[8] The Robert Glasson Memorial Boat Shed is on theParramatta River atAbbotsford and contains a boarding facility for thirty boys.^[9]

As of 2025^[update], Newington has 16houses, expanded from eight houses. The College is a member of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),^[10] theJunior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),^[11] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association,^[8] and is a founding member of theAthletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales (AAGPS).^[12]

The College prepares students for theInternational BaccalaureateDiploma Programme, the VET, Cambridge IGSCE and theNSW Higher School Certificate.

In 2026, Newington will becomeco-educational with the admittance of girls into Year 5 and Kindergaren in 2026, Year 7 and 11 in 2028, with the intention of becoming fully co-ed by 2033.^[13]

The ReverendJohn Manton proposed that a collegiate institute, 'decidedlyWesleyan in character', be founded in Sydney and that the school 'be open to the sons of parents of all religious denominations'. On 16 July 1863, the Wesleyan Collegiate Institute opened with 16 boys and a small number of theological students. As no suitable buildings were available in Sydney at the time,Newington House, the centrepiece ofJohn Blaxland's 1,200-acre (490 ha) estate atSilverwater, was leased.

Newington College, as the school soon became known, prospered during its time on theParramatta River and in 1869 was the first Australian school to playrugby football (against theUniversity of Sydney),^[14] and soon after was the first school in Australia to hold an athletics carnival. In 1869, the Newington College Cadet Corps was formally incorporated by theGovernor of New South Wales,Somerset Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore.^[15] It is one of the oldest continuous corps in theAustralian Army Cadets.

Expanding student numbers meant that more extensive premises closer to the city were required. A bequest byJohn Jones of land at Stanmore saw the College move to the newly fashionable inner-city suburbs. A grand stone edifice was designed byThomas Rowe and was described by Morton Herman, an architectural historian, as 'an almost perfect example of scholasticGothic Revival architecture'.^[16] The Thomas Rowe-designed Founder's Building, including its interior and surrounding grounds, are listed on theheritage register of the formerMarrickville Council.^[17]Thomas Wran completed substantial architectural sculpture commissions on the capitals of the stone colonnade of the building.^[18] Earth-moving work began on the site in 1876 and by May 1878 the building had reached first floor height. A public ceremony was held and six commemorative stones were laid. Among the six given the honour of laying the stones wereSir George Wigram AllenKCMG,^[19] the philanthropist who wasSpeaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He had lentA£12,000 for the new buildings at Stanmore and later endowed the Wigram Allen Scholarship for boys proceeding to matriculation. The formal opening of the new school building was by Sir George on 18 January 1881. By resolution of the College Council, the name Newington College was perpetuated on the new site. Seventy school and theological students migrated from Silverwater to Stanmore.^[20]

Other local government heritage listings across the Newington campuses include the former Stanmore Methodist Church, also designed by Rowe in 1874 and now part of the Duckmanton Drama Centre^[21] and theVictorian Italianate-styleparsonage that is now the Deputy Headmaster's residence;^[22] and atAbbotsford, the late 20th Century Robert Glasson Boatshed that replaced the 1920s original.^[23] A gymnasium was built in 1890, and a swimming pool was opened in 1894 however both have been replaced by a multi-court gymnasium and indoor swimming pool.

Newington ceased its connection to theological training in 1914, when theWesleyan Theological Institution moved to the newly foundedLeigh College atStrathfield South.^[24] In 1921, a stonewar memorial, designed by Old NewingtonianWilliam Hardy Wilson, was opened in memory of those old boys who had paid the supreme sacrifice inWorld War I.^[25] A separate preparatory school was opened in 1921, after a bequest bySir Samuel McCaughey. It became known as Wyvern House in 1938, when a new building was opened by Old NewingtonianSir Percival Halse Rogers.^[26]

The Stanmore Road boundary of the school is distinguished by a rusticated stone and wrought iron fence and two sets of entrance gates that were designed by Old Newingtonianmilitary engineer andarchitectColonelAlfred WardenVD.^[27][28] In 1936 the Millner gates were opened after a benefaction byColonel Thomas MillnerMCVD in memory of his father. In 1938 the second set of gates were opened and named in honour of Frank Edwin Dixon who left £200 to the school in 1929.^[29][30]

In 1925, a rowing facility was built at Abbotsford,^[31] and in 1957 another preparatory school was founded on the North Shore – first atKillara, and subsequently relocated toLindfield. SinceWorld War II, the College buildings and facilities expanded significantly under the ONU Honorary Architects Panel and the convenorship ofHedley Norman Carr.

During the Headmastership ofTony Rae, the Senior Block (1972) and Resources Centre Library (1975) and Chapel were opened. A newPhysical Education Centre was opened by Old NewingtonianNick Farr-JonesAM, and a new boatshed at Abbotsford were two of the most important property additions. In 1998, while Michael Smee was Headmaster, Wyvern House moved to a separate campus in Cambridge Street, Stanmore. The former Wyvern House building was then renovated and renamed the Le Couteur Wing in memory of former HeadmasterPhilip Le Couteur.^[32] In 2007 Newington acquired the Concordia Club (the former German cultural club) on Stanmore Road forA$3.51 million.^[33] As of 2014^[update], Le Couteur was re-renovated and visual arts classes began to occupy the first floor with languages and learning enhancement classes held on level two.^[34]

During 2006, the press reported on an industrial relations dispute at Newington in which then Headmaster David Scott planned to force staff to re-apply for their jobs in a restructure that would also reduce their holidays. Scott said that 'The action was taken after a comprehensive review of the school and had nothing to do with the federal government'sWorkChoices reforms'.^[35]The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Scott believed that the Independent Education Union was being mischievous 'at best', or using an 'outright and deliberate lie' in suggesting the restructure was linked to workplace legislation.^[36] Following a meeting between the Union and Newington College, Scott agreed to not declare senior staff positions vacant and the school continued to negotiate collective arrangements covering salary and working conditions for staff.^[37]

David Mulford was appointed Headmaster in 2009 and served in that role until retiring in 2018. In 2012, the Nesbit Wing named in honour ofRobert H. Nesbitt, was built prior to the College centenary in 1963 and was refurbished and extended to encompass the Technology Centre.^[38] Between 2009 and 2012 Newington spentA$78 million on capital works; in 2012A$33.7 million was outlaid on infrastructure alone.^[39] In 2013 the College celebrated itssesquicentenary^[40] with the opening of two new buildings honouring two former Headmasters – TheLawrence Pyke Science Centre and TheTony Rae Resources Centre Library. This development was awarded the Master Builders Association of New South Wales's Excellence in Construction Award and was funded by donations and parent fees.^[41] The facilities at the Stanmore campus cover over 1,200 square metres (13,000 sq ft) and contain a library, a 250-seat lecture theatre, the new boarders' dining room, a cafeteria, and science labs.^[42] In November 2013, the PE Centre was renamed the Taylor Sports Centre in honour of Old Newingtoniancricket andrugby union internationalJohnny Taylor. The naming was performed by Old Newingtonian Olympic rower and coachMichael MorganOAM.^[43]

On 18 July 2016, in commemoration of the sesquicentenary of Newington College's brother schoolTupou College, the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of TongaKing Tupou VI and his wifeQueen Consort Nanasipau'u visited the College to open the Tupou College Centre. The centre houses specialist teaching spaces and a health centre.^[44]

The Duckmanton Drama Centre was named in honour ofSir Talbot Duckmanton and opened on 31 July 2017. Sir Talbot served on the Newington College Council from 1964 until 1978 and was Chairman of the Council Executive Committee for five years.^[45]

On the 20 November 2023, it was officially announced that the College would be transitioning toco-education, with the College Council outlining a plan to begin introducing girls into Year 5 and Kindergardeten in 2026, Year 7 and 11 in 2028, with the intention of becoming fully co-ed by 2033.^[46][47]

In December 2024, a student at Newington College filed a lawsuit in theSupreme Court of NSW to challenge the College’s decision to become coeducational. Theplaintiff, known as "Student A" on an anonymisation order, stood against the Council of Newington College and 25 other defendants. The case rested on the definition of "youth" in the College's 1873 Trust Deed, with the plaintiff arguing that the term referred exclusively to boys and young men. In May 2025, the court ruled that "youth" applied to both male and female students as agender-neutral term, allowing the transition to coeducation to go ahead. The Save Newington College group expressed their disappointment with the ruling.^[48][49][50]

The Newington College Council Act allows for the appointment of up to 24 members of the council: nineclerical appointments; ninelay appointments; and six members nominated by the Old Newingtonians Union (ONU).

Chairman		Term begin	Term end	Education	Other positions held
Robert Nesbitt		1951	1964	Sydney Boys High School	Australian Trade Commissioner to New Zealand
Rev.Cecil GribbleOBE		1964	1965	Queen's College, Melbourne	President General Methodist Church of Australasia
Doug Stewart		1965	1967	Newington 1910–19	Managing director McCarron Stewart
SirTalbot DuckmantonOBE		1968	1973	Newington 1934–38	General Manager Australian Broadcasting Commission
Austin Donlan		1973	1994
Donald Dwyer		1994	2000	Newington 1939–49	Engineer GHD Group
Richard Hansford		2000	2002	North Sydney Boys High School Sydney Law School	Lawyer McCoy, Grove & Atkinson
Peter Meares		2002	2007	Newington 1949–59 BA LLB University of Sydney	Stockbroker BZW Meares[51]
Hon.Angus Talbot		2007	2013	Newington 1949–53 Sydney Law School	JudgeLand and Environment Court of New South Wales[52]
Tony McDonald		2014	Current	Newington 1971–76 BComm LLBUniversity of New South Wales	Professional non-executive company director, previously a lawyer and founder of a listed financial services company[53]

From its founding in 1863 until 1900, Newington had a system of dual control with apresident (who was an ordainedminister) and aheadmaster. As an ordained minister,Charles Prescott assumed both roles on his appointment in 1900 and, on his retirement in 1931, the role of President was abolished.

President		Term begin	Term end	Education	Other positions held	Notes
Rev.John Manton		1863	1864		Founding Principal, Horton College,Tasmania
Rev.Joseph Horner Fletcher		1865	1887	Kingswood School	Founding Principal,Wesley College, Auckland
Rev.DrWilliam Kelynack		1887	1891	Penzance	President,Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church
Rev.James Egan Moulton		1891	1900	Kingswood School	Founding Headmaster,Tupou College,Tonga	[a]
Rev.DrCharles John Prescott		1900	1931	Kingswood School Worcester College, Oxford	Founding Headmaster,Wesleyan Ladies' College, Sydney	[b]

Headmaster		Term begin	Term end	Education	Other positions held
Rev. James Egan Moulton		1863	1864	Kingswood School	Founding Headmaster Tupou College
Thomas Johnston		1864	1866
George Metcalfe		1867	1869	University of Melbourne University of Sydney	Proprietor and Headmaster High School, Goulburn Founding Headmaster Druitt Town Public School
Michael Howe		1869	1877	Trinity College, Dublin University of Melbourne	Founding Headmaster Galt Grammar School Headmaster Jarvis Collegiate Institute,Toronto
Joseph Coates		1877	1883	Huddersfield College	Founding Headmaster Sydney Boys' High School
William Williams		1884	1892	Newark Grammar School Trinity College, Cambridge	Professor of Classics & English Literature University of Tasmania
Arthur Lucas		1893	1898	Kingswood School Balliol College, Oxford	Headmaster Sydney Grammar School Professor of Mathematics University of Tasmania
Edward William Cornwall		1899	1900	Keble College, Oxford	Acting Headmaster Ipswich Grammar School Languages Lecturer University of Melbourne
Rev. Dr.Charles Prescott		1900	1931	Kingswood School Worcester College, Oxford	Founding Headmaster MLC School Sydney
Philip Le Couteur		1931	1948	Queen's College, Melbourne University College, Oxford University of Bonn, Germany	Headmaster Methodist Ladies' College, Melbourne Headmaster Hale School, Perth
Mervyn AustinAM		1950	1951	Melbourne Grammar School University of Melbourne Christ Church, Oxford	Professor of Classics University of Western Australia
Lawrence Pyke		1952	1960	Wesley College, Melbourne University of Melbourne University of Oxford	Dean of Graduate Studies University of Melbourne
Ernest Duncan		1962	1963	University of Otago Columbia University	Professor of Mathematics Rutgers University
Rev.Douglas Trathen		1963	1970	Canterbury Boys' High School University of Sydney	Headmaster Wolaroi College, Orange
Tony RaeAM		1972	1993	The Scots College, Sydney University of Sydney	Headmaster Albury Grammar School
Michael SmeeOAM		1993	2003	The King's School, Sydney University of Sydney	Headmaster Pulteney Grammar School, Adelaide
David Scott		2003	2009	University of Western Australia Murdoch University Edith Cowan University	Headmaster,Kingswood College,Melbourne Headmaster Anglican Church Grammar School,Brisbane
David Mulford		2009	2018		Principal Radford College,Canberra Headmaster Blue Mountains Grammar School
Michael Parker		2019	incumbent	James Ruse Agricultural High School University of Sydney	Headmaster Oxley College, Bowral Deputy Headmaster Cranbrook School, Sydney

The long service of masters at Newington College is recognised in a number of ways. In 1955 amarblecommemorative plaque was set in the north-western wall of the Prescott Hall to commemorate the work of three very long serving staff members and their Head, with the inscription:

These masters are further recognised by the naming of the BuchananOval, Ben JarvieStaff Common Room and Cortis JonesLecture Theatre. Another long-serving master of the first half of the 20th century wasColonel Albert Douglas Arthur (1889–1949). In 1951 the college library was housed in a new room and renamed the A.D. ArthurMemorialLibrary in his honour. The library moved into the Nesbitt Wing upon its completion and when it moved again into Prescott Hall an adjoining study room was named the A.D. Arthur Annex. Arthur's name has not been connected with the college library since the 1970s but hisportrait in oils still hangs in the Ben Jarvie Common Room. In 2014, past masters Phil Davis OAM and Robert Buntine were honoured with rooms in the AJ Rae Resource and Library Centre being named after them. Davis is the college's third-longest serving master (1951–2000), after Cortis Jones and Jarvie, and Buntine was the Deputy Headmaster during the headship of Tony Rae.^[54]

Staff members notable in the wider community include the following:

Since 1898, the Senior Prefect has been thecaptain of the school. The first student to hold that position was Sandy Phillips. In 2012, the Senior Prefect was Michael Cameron,^[55] whose father, Bruce Cameron, was Senior Prefect in 1974 and grandfather, Doug Cameron, was Senior Prefect in 1946. Since 1961 there has been a Deputy Senior Prefect and from 1991 it has been the custom to appoint two Deputies. A Senior Boarder Prefect has been appointed since 1932 whenPhilip Le Couteur, as Headmaster, instituted aHouse System. The Houses, eight in total,^[56] are led by a House Captain and a House Vice-Captain, or two. Until 1988, a select number of students were appointed as Prefect. Since that time, it has been the practice in Term 4 to offer all Year 11 boys the position of House Prefect and at the end of Year 12 to confirm as School Prefect all those judged to have discharged their duties in an exemplary manner. In 1950 and 1951, under the Headship ofMervyn Austin, Probationer Prefects were appointed and from 1953 until 1967 they were known as Sub-Prefects. That title was again used from 1983 until the current system of leaders was started in 1988. In one year only, 1971 during the Acting Headship of Owen Dudley, Monitors were appointed.^[57]

The title ofDux of the college is awarded to the best academic student each year in the senior form. Since 1865 that has been the Upper Sixth, Sixth Form and now Year 12. The first Dux announced wasAndrew Houison^[58] during the early years atNewington House. From 1881, the Dux received theSchofield Scholarship (after Schofield's donation of £1,000 to the College^[59]) and since 1924 theHalse Rogers Prize (which was endowed by William and Elizabeth Halse Rogers^[60]). In more recent years these have been awarded jointly as the Schofield and Halse Rogers Prizes. Winners names were from 1881 inscribed on boards in the Prescott Hall but since 1976 the board has been in the Centenary Hall. Duces of Newington have included:Cecil Purser shared with James Ramsay (1881);George Abbott (1882);Harry Wolstenholme (1885);Herbert Curlewis (1886);William Parker (1887);Frederick Pratt (1888);John Halliday (1889), when he was known as Charles Halliday;David Edwards (1890);Edwin Hall (1891);Ernest Warren (1892);Harold Curlewis (1893);Walter Woolnough (1894);George Harker (1895);Leslie Allen (1899);Percival Halse Rogers (1900);Lindsay Dey (1904);Carleton Allen shared with Rupert Hollaway (1905);James McKern (1906);Ronald Aston shared with Henry Darke (1916);William Morrow (1921);Walter Bryan Ward shared with Philip Harrison (1924);Keith Jones (1927);Talbot Duckmanton (1937);John Veevers (1947);John Turtle (1953);Bob Baxt (1955);John Pyke (1957);Warwick Cathro (1964); andPatrick Cook shared with David Emery and Philip Neal (1967).David Murray (1909) andRoxy Muir (1913) died during World War I. Harold Hunt was Dux in 1884 and his son,Harold Hunt, was Dux in 1920. The Thomas family have three generations of Duces of Newington: Noel Thomas (1930);^[61] Rod Thomas (1960); and Peter Thomas (1988).

The Old Boys' Prize is the most senior of the citizenship prizes awarded at Newington and is presented for scholarship, sportsmanship and moral qualities. Loyalty and leadership are equally weighed in this award.^[57] It was first awarded in 1904 and shared by Thomas Gale andOliver Woodward. It has been awarded annually since then and recipients have included:Carleton Allen (1905);Bryan Ward (1924) shared with Jonathon Joyce;John Lawes (1925) shared with Richard Hay;Denis Cowper (1926) shared with Den Joyce; Bym Porter (1927) shared with Arthur Parton;George Wright (1935);Marshall Hatch (1950);In 1967 to Kevin Amos and Peter Thornton; Graham Colditz (1972); andStephen Rae (1979). For four years in a row the prize was awarded to students who were to serve and die in World War I: David Murray (1910);^[62] Morven Nolan (1911);^[63] Clifford Holliday (1912);^[64] and Roxy Muir (1913).^[65] The Old Boys Prize was not awarded the following year (1914).

Newington College is situated over fivecampuses, located in Stanmore, Lindfield and a service learning campus at Eungai Creek on the mid-north coast of NSW:^[1]

The secondary campus is located in Stanmore, in Sydney's inner-west. The student body consists of approximately 50 boarders and 1,700-day students from Years 7 to 12. Newington boarders come from country and city, interstate and overseas. Day students are drawn from all over the Sydney greatermetropolitan area.

Newington has educated primary school (Kindergarten to Year 6) aged boys since 1863. In 1938 Wyvern House opened in a separate school building on the Stanmore campus and accepted its first students in 1939. Wyvern moved to new premises in Cambridge Street, Stanmore, a few minutes' walk from the secondary school, in 1998. It has approximately 480 students – all day students. There are two classes in each of Years K to 2, three classes in Years 3 to 4 and four classes in Years 5 to 6. The Head of Wyvern House is Ian Holden.^[66]

The Newington College Preparatory School was established initially atKillara (1957) and later atLindfield (1967), in response to requests from Old Newingtonians that a preparatory school be established on the North Shore of Sydney. The Head of Newington College, Lindfield, is Ben Barrington-Higgs.^[67] It is a single-stream school, with approximately 160 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and is set in a bushland location where the students are constantly in touch with nature. The school features a basketball/tennis/netball court, climbing gym areas, swimming pool and connects to the bush trails ofSwain Gardens. Each classroom includes effective information communication technology tools. Classrooms have dedicated computer and wet areas, and bag storage areas. There are special facilities for music, art and French. A tuckshop operates three days a week. The campus underwent a major redevelopment of classrooms and the addition of a new hall, library and visual arts room in 2011.^[68] Students in Years 3–6 compete in the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Competition held on Saturday mornings. Every student competes in a summer (basketball or cricket) or winter sport (rugby or soccer). Newington's preparatory schools combine for annual carnivals in swimming, athletics and cross country.^[69]

Newington opened a service-learning campus at Eungai Creek on the mid-north coast of NSW in 2025. It was officially opened on November 22, 2025.

The campus is home to a term stay program for Year 9 students to disconnet from devices and connect with the land and the local community.

Thehouse system at Newington was founded in the 1930s and in 2021 eight new houses were added. Originally houses were named after presidents and headmasters but the names now honour Old Newingtonians and important women in the history of the school.

House name	Colour	Named in honour of	Link with the College	Notes	References
Manton		Rev.John Manton		Founded Newington College atNewington House,Silverwater, in 1863, and served as its first Principal or President until his death in September the following year	[70]
Fletcher		Rev.Joseph Horner Fletcher		Served as Newington's President from 1865 to 1887. He led the planning, fundraising and building of the new College at Stanmore and the move there in 1880	[71]
Kelynack		Rev. Dr.William Kelynack		One of the leadingMethodist churchmen of his era and served as Newington's President from 1887 until his death in 1891	[72]
Moulton		Rev. Dr.James Egan Moulton		Helped found Newington College, acting as its initial Head Master in 1863. During his long service inTonga, he foundedTupou College. He served as Newington's President from 1893 to 1900	[73]
Prescott		Rev. Dr.Charles John Prescott		Newington's first modern Headmaster, combining the previous roles of President and Head Master. Serving from 1900 to 1931, he led the College through the trauma of theFirst World War	[74]
Johnstone		Thomas Johnston (now considered the correct spelling)		Appointed as Newington's first Head Master and arrived from England in November 1863. A fine classical scholar, he served until the end of 1866
Metcalfe		George Metcalfe		Newington's Head Master from 1867 to 1869. The first university graduate to teach at the College, he also introduced an early form ofAustralian Rules Football: he had been Vice-President of theGeelong Football Club in 1861, which had been founded two years earlier. After leaving Newington he founded a college in Goulburn and married Annie Gilligan, after whom one of Newington's newer houses is named
Le Couteur		Philip Le Couteur		Newington's Headmaster from 1931 to 1948. He led the College through the challenges of the Depression, establishedWyvern House and oversaw remarkable growth in student numbers	[75]
Gilligan		Annie Gilligan
Whitaker		Edith Whitaker
Cooper		Sister Margaret Cooper
Morrison		Jan Morrison		The present headmaster [2022] is her son-in-law.	[76]
Tupou		Tupou College
Bavin		SirThomas Bavin		An Old Newingtonian, Bavin held the highest political office of any Old Newingtonian serving asPremier of New South Wales from 1927 to 1930. He introduced a progressive tax system as part of a parliamentary career from 1917 to 1935. Also a successful barrister, he subsequently served as a judge of theSupreme Court of New South Wales. Born in New Zealand, Bavin came to Newington as a student in 1889 aged 15.	[77]
Mackay		SirIven Mackay			[78]
Clunies Ross		SirIan Clunies Ross			[79]

The house system at Wyvern House was founded in 1938 and honours early Headmasters.

The grounds and buildings of Newington College contain numerous war memorials:

Work began in October 1952 on the War Memorial Classroom Block and the Old Boy benefactor W. R. Glasson unveiled the foundation stone.^[80] In June 1953 the building was opened byColonel Thomas MillnerMC, VD. The War Memorial Science Building was opened in July 1955 bySirIven MackayKBE, CMG, DSO, VD when he unveiled a stone memorial wall with the following inscription:^[81]

Gunner Jack Johnson, an Old Newingtonian, died of wounds on aBelgian battlefield in 1917^[82] and in his memory, his parents, Frank and Sarah Johnson, provided £1,100 for the college to level part of the existingplaying fields. This provided arugby union ground of full size, and was named the Johnson Oval. At the corners brick retaining walls, to a design byArthur Anderson, protected the steep banks.^[83]

Eight other memorials at Newington are recorded on theNew South Wales Government's Register of War Memorials in New South Wales.^[84]

Thesandstone Memorial to the Dead was designed by the Old Newingtonian architectWilliam Hardy Wilson and is now sited between the Centenary Hall and the chapel. It was originally placed in a grove of trees to the north of the Founders Wing but was moved to its present location in the early 1960s to make way for the construction of the Centenary Hall which was opened in 1963. The memorial comprises a semi-circular wall and seat, with pillars surmounted by white stone urns at either end and a column with a sundial stands at the centre. The inscription on the wall reads:

1914 – To Our Beloved Dead – 1918

and the inscription on the sundial reads:

Time dims not their sacrifice.

The memorial was dedicated on 11 May 1922 by theGovernor General of Australia and the Old Newingtonian poetLeslie Holdsworth Allen wrote a poem,To our beloved dead, in memory of the occasion.^[85]

CommemoratingPrisoners of War during World War I, this tree comes from a seedling propagated from a pine cone brought home fromGallipoli by an Australian soldier. The tree stands in a triangular area of grass formed by the merging of the Cowlishaw Drive and the War Memorial Drive. A bronze commemorative plaque on a stone plinth has the following inscription:^[86]

The Gallipoli Lone Pine – During the 1914–1918 Great War, Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 to attack Turkish forces. Eight months later they withdrew. One significant battle occurred on the ridge where a lone pine stood. ANZAC forces finally occupied the Turkish position, but with the tragic loss of 2,227 men. Turkish losses were around 5,000. During the withdrawal from ANZAC Cove, an Australian soldier picked up a pine cone and brought it home, where the seeds were propagated. Since 1933, when the pines became of good size and yielded more seedlings, Legacy arranged for pine trees to be distributed to schools and interested groups to help keep the memory of the Gallipoli Lone Pine alive.

Twenty fourbrassplaques were hung in Prescott Hall as memorials to individual Old Newingtonians who died during World War I. Further plaques were added after World War II but they were all removed when the hall was renovated in 1979. They were then placed on the first floorbalcony of the War Memorial Classroom Block. They were later placed in thearchives collection. In 1995 they were restored and repositioned in the chapel's glass ambulatory overlooking the 1914–1918 Memorial to the Dead.^[87] Included amongst these plaques is one in memory ofWilliam Tasker (15 October 1891 – 9 August 1918) who was a World War I soldier who had been a national representativerugby union player making six Test appearances for theWallabies.^[88]

In 1936 the War Memorial Drive was planted with 75poplars, each with a cross at the foot and a plaque honouring individual Old Newingtonians who died during World War II. The trees were replaced by a new avenue of trees in 1966 and the plaques were replaced by a tablet on a plinth with the inscription:

Lest We Forget – This plaque was dedicated on 24 September 1966, to mark the planting of trees alongside the War Memorial Drive by the Old Newingtonians' Union to restore those originally planted by the Union on 29 February 1936. By this act Old Newingtonians remember those Old Boys who gave their lives in the service of God, King and Country, and whose names are recorded on the War Memorial of the School.

Fifty of the original plaques remain in the archives collection. In 1979 the War Memorial Drive was realigned and replanted and the 1966 plinth was moved to the Millner Gates end of the drive.^[89]

A bronze tablet recording the names of 44 Old Newingtonians who served in theBoer War hangs in Prescott Hall in the Founders Wing. It is set in aGothic frame ofcolumns with aplinth andcornice. The inscription reads:

Floreat Newingtonia – Erected by Old Boys of Newington College in honour of Newingtonians who fought for the Empire in South Africa 1899–1902.

The Memorial was designed by Old Newingtonian architectsHenry Budden andWilliam Hardy Wilson and was dedicated on 15 December 1903.^[90]

Over six hundred Old Newingtonians enlisted during World War I and the loss of life was appalling. By war's end, 109 Old Boys had died forGod, King and Country. Prior to 1920 the walls of thevestibule at the entrance to the Founders Wing had been hung with sporting teams photographs. In 1921 this space was transformed by the installation of whitemarble tablets, encased inQueensland maple, upon which were inscribed the names of Old Boys who had served. Those who had made the supreme sacrifice are listed on the central panels below the words:

These Nobly Strining, Nobly Fell.

With a black and white marble floor and stained glass door panels this space takes on the feel of a small chapel.^[91]

A wall of brass and enamel panels in the Centenary Hallfoyer records the names of the 814 Old Newingtonians who served in Australia's armed forces in World War II. The inscription reads:

Honour Roll of Old Newingtonians World War II 1939–1945.

This honour roll was dedicated onAnzac Day 2009 by Old NewingtonianMajor GeneralSandy PearsonAO, DSO, OBE, MC and replaces a roll in the same position that was unveiled bySirWilliam MorrowDSO, ED in 1966.^[92]

This wooden honour board records the names of 45 Old Newingtonians who served in Australia's armed forces in conflicts post-World War II and is on the southern wall of the Centenary Hall foyer. It is inscribed:

In every generation good men must defend what they believe to be right and Newington remembers with pride her sons who served their sovereign and country in the cause of liberty in international conflicts from 1948 to 1973.

It commemorates service in theKorean War,Malayan Emergency,Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation andVietnam War.^[93]

The following are presented in honour of Old Newingtoninans who made the supreme sacrifice:^[94]

• Dunster Allen Trophy – awarded for Open Rifle Shooting. Donated by his family in memory ofGeoffrey Dunster Allen who died in 1918 when hisSopwith Camel crashed nearMinchinhampton whilst on training duties during World War I.^[95] Allen was at Newington 1911–1914.^[96]
• Holliday Scholarship – awarded to the Dux of Year Nine. Donated by his parents in memory ofClifford Dawson "Bob" Holliday who was killed in action in France in 1916 during World War I.^[97] This prize was originally awarded for scriptural knowledge in the Sixth Form.^[83] Holiday was at Newington 1905–1914.^[98]
• David Jacobs Trophy – awarded to the most successful non-competition Rugby Union team above the Under 13s. Donated by his brothers in memory ofDavid Jacobs who was killed during a flying battle over theTimor Sea in 1942 during World War II.^[99] Jacobs was at Newington 1933–1935.^[100]
• Harry Kershaw Prize – awarded to the Best All-Round Sportsman. Donated by his parents in memory ofHenry "Harry" Burton Kershaw who was killed during a flying battle overNew Guinea in 1943 during World War II.^[101] Kershaw was at Newington 1922–1930.^[102]
• Jack Thorncraft Trophy – awarded for Loyalty and Service to the college. Donated by M A Dawes in memory ofJack William Herbert Thorncraft who died in 1942 during World War II.^[103] Thorncraft was at Newington 1935–1937.^[104]
• Warry Cup – awarded to the Senior Athletics Champion. Donated by his parents in memory ofVictor Thomas Symes Warry who was killed in action in France in 1915 during World War II.^[105] Warry was at Newington 1912–1914.^[106]
• Stretton Waterhouse Memorial Prize – awarded to the Dux of Year Ten. Donated byGustavus Athol Waterhouse in memory of his son,Stretton Gustavus John Waterhouse who was killed in action inNew Guinea in 1943 during WW II.^[107] Waterhouse was at Newington 1929–1931.^[106]

The school teaches the corecurriculum outlined by the NSWBoard of Studies^{[needs update]} (BOS) between Kindergarten and Year 8. In addition to this curriculum, the students study one majorlanguage other than English. From Years 9 to 12, students adhere to the Board of Studies curriculum standards that all NSW schools follow.

Newington became anInternational Baccalaureate (IB) World School in May 2007,^[108] and from 2008 has offered the IB Diploma to Year 11 students,^[2] as an alternative to theNSW Higher School Certificate (HSC). The College also offers the VET and Cambridge IGCSE.

Newington students may participate in the following co-curricular activities:^[109]

• Cadets – The Newington College Cadet Corps (now Unit) was founded in 1869 and pre-dates theAustralian Army. Activities includeabseiling,archery,bushcraft,canoeing,drill,first aid, lifesaving, mapping,orienteering and radio operation. There is also a serviceband and serviceorchestra.^[110]
• Newington Challenge – The scheme teaches the skills needed to survive in the bush including first aid, orienteering and camp craft. In Year 10, there are activities including: archery,self-defence andindoor climbing.^[111] There is an annual camp, and students can choose one of three levels of difficulty: explorer, high explorer or Duke of Edinburgh advanced. In recent years, students have visitedKosciuszko National Park. There is also a second annual camp exclusive to leaders in year 11 and 12.^[112]
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award – This scheme is offered either as a stand-alone activity, as part of cadets or Newington Challenge.
• Music – Founders Concert is Newington's major music performance annually and joint choral concerts are held withMLC School. The Symphonic Winds group compete in public festivals and challenges and the Chapel Choir provide music year long at house services and evensong. All group participate in the GPS Music Festival.
• Drama – Newington produces amusical theatre every two years, as well as both a senior and middle school production every year. Newington also is involved inTheatresports, hosting the Inner West Cup annually, as well as competing in Impro Australia's Theatresports Schools Competition.
• Sport – Newington is one of the nine members of theAthletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales (GPS)^[12] and participates in all GPS sporting competitions as well as several non-GPS or traditional sports. In 2023, Newington faced William Clarke in the NSW CIS Cup Final and got battered three to nil conceding goals to Sômùîr Sīrã, Barry Sparkes and Aussie Hugh Cavengah. Newington students may participate in a variety of sports including:Athletics,Australian Football,Basketball,Cricket,Cross Country,Fencing,Full Bore Rifle Shooting,Judo,Rowing,Rugby Union,Small Bore Rifle Shooting,Soccer,Swimming,Tennis,Volleyball andWater Polo.

• Australian Schools Championships

Runners Up: 2010

Newington has a history of producing rowers, coxswains, and coaches who have gone on to represent NSW and Australia in rowing. The rowing program has produced many Olympic and World Championships rowers including:James Chapman (1992–1997),2012 Summer Olympics rowing silver medalist;^[113]Tom Chessell,1952 Summer Olympics rowing Bronze Medallist;^[114]Sam Hardy2019 World Rowing Championships Bronze medalist;^[115]Rob Jahrling2000 Summer Olympics rowing Silver Medallist;^[116]Fred Kirkham1956 Summer Olympics rowing Bronze Medallist;^[117]Matthew Long2000 Summer Olympics rowing Bronze Medallist;^[118]Michael Morgan1968 Summer Olympics rowing Silver Medallist;^[119]Geoff Stewart2000 &2004 Summer Olympics dual rowing Bronze Medallist;^[120]James Stewart2000 &2004 Summer Olympics dual rowing Bronze Medallist;^[121]Stephen Stewart2004 Summer Olympics rowing Bronze Medallist^[122] andRichard WearneWorld Rowing Championships Silver & Bronze Medallist.^[123] Newington has produced several Australian representatives at senior, Under 23 and Junior levels. At 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics, there were four old boys in each of those Olympic Rowing teams.

Theschool annual of Newington College is calledThe Newingtonian^[124] and dates to the early 1880s. Three hand-written news sheets with the titleThe Newingtonian we're circulated in 1883 but the first printed issue of the magazine was published in June 1884.^[125] The aim of its foundingeditors was ‘...to place on record the simple annals of boyhood'. A quotation from theLatin poetHorace — Memor Puertiæ, translated as 'remembering boyhood' — served asThe Newingtonian'smotto until 1951. This briefly reappeared on the 1971 issues. The magazine was initially published as a quarterly, with an index for every twelve issues. From 1919 until 1940The Newingtonian appeared three times a year and then was published twice a year until 1972 when it first appeared as an annual. The size changed to its present format in 1971. From its early days the magazine was setting the agenda for change in the college and upon the arrival ofJames Egan Moulton as president an 1894 issue called for a school song.^[126] The first photograph appeared in 1896 of theRugby Union1st XV and the magazine has been in full colour since the 1980s. As with other traditional school magazines,The Newingtonian has carried reports of major events, of academic and sporting achievement, of co-curricular activities and of many other aspects of the school's day-to-day life. Even before the founding of the Old Newingtonians' Union in 1895, the magazine has profiled the achievements ofalumni. During theSouth African andWorld Wars records of Old Newingtoniansarmed service were published. Between 1995 and 2000 a separate publication of the same format known asThe Old Newingtonian was published by the college.^[127]

Glasson Pavilion and Old Chapel Drama Centre

Dixon Gates, Stanmore Road fence, Sevington tennis courts and Deputy Headmaster's residence.

Founders, the tower and Prescott Hall

Wikimedia Commons has media related toNewington College.

Alumni of Newington College are known as Old Newingtonians^[128] and may elect to join the college'salumni association, the Old Newingtonians' Union.^[129] The Union was founded in 1895, withJames Egan Moulton, the Newington College President, as its inaugural President andSir Thomas Bavin as secretary.^[130] As stated in its constitution, the aims of the ONU are to:^[131]

"... strengthen the bonds between Old Newingtonians and between Old Newingtonians and the College; foster and develop active participation in, and support of, the affairs of the College and of the Union; support and promote the Newington Foundation and the Old Newingtonians' Union Centennial Trust; organise and carry out social functions in pursuance of the objects of the Union; promote the interests and welfare of the College in all its aspects; commemorate those Old Newingtonians who have given their lives in the service of their country; and provide club facilities for members of the Union either solely or in conjunction with other clubs, unions or associations of ex-students of other schools".

The school's bi-annual publicationNewington News is sent to all old boys whose current addresses are known to the Union. The Union previously published directories of Old Newingtonians at five yearly intervals^[132] however that publication has been superseded by an on-line directory.

Affiliated organisations of the Union are: Wyvern Cricket Club, playing in the Sydney Suburban Competition; Lodge Wyvern, aMasonic Lodge; and The 70 Club, a luncheon club for senior Old boys. The Old Newingtonians' Union is a member of the GPS Old Boys Unions' Council.

Presidents of the Union are now normally elected for three one-year terms and are supported by a council. The immediate past president is Alex BaykitchAM (Class of 1982).^[133][134] The council comprises a treasurer, a secretary and his assistant, councillors, metropolitan vice-presidents, regional vice-presidents, and past presidents. Council member must be old boys of the college. During the college's centenarySir Keith Jones was president of the Union (1963 & 1964) and in the centenary year of the UnionHis Honour Judge Fred Kirkham was president (1995 & 1996). The immediate past Chairman of Newington College Council,The Hon. Justice Angus Talbot, has also served as president (1997 & 1998). Other notable presidents of the Union includeThe Hon. Samuel Moore MLA (1896, 1898, 1904 & 1916),Arthur Lucas (1897);Cecil Purser (1899);George Abbott (1901);The Hon. William Robson MLC (1902 & 1905); William Horner Fletcher (1903),Percy Colquhoun MLA (1918 & 1919),Henry BuddenCBE (1920),Lt Col Alfred WardenVD (1923 & 1924);Carl Glasgow MLA (1929 & 1930); Col Tom MillnerMC, VD (1937, 1938, 1945 & 1946); Garth BarracloughOBE (1948 & 1949),The Hon. Richard Thompson MLC (1952 & 1954), Alex RigbyAM, ED (1959 & 1960), and Roger DavidsonOAM (1972 & 1973).

For notable Old Newingtonians see:

• Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition
• List of boarding schools in Australia
• List of non-government schools in New South Wales
• Leigh College
• Wesleyan Theological Institution
• Wyvern House

• Newington College website

• Newington College
• Educational institutions established in 1863
• 1863 establishments in Australia
• Former Methodist schools in Australia
• Boarding schools in New South Wales
• Private primary schools in Sydney
• Boys' schools in New South Wales
• Junior School Heads Association of Australia Member Schools
• International Baccalaureate schools in Australia
• Gothic Revival architecture in Sydney
• Thomas Rowe buildings
• Stanmore, New South Wales
• Lindfield, New South Wales
• Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales
• Private secondary schools in Sydney
• Uniting Church schools in Australia

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