What Makes Newington College Truly Unique?
Newington College, an independent Uniting Church school located in Sydney, Australia, boasts a rich history spanning over 160 years. While deeply rooted in tradition, it is also a forward-thinking institution renowned for its holistic approach to education and its commitment to shaping well-rounded individuals.
What Makes Newington College Truly Unique and Outstanding?
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A Rich History with a Forward-Looking Vision: Founded in 1863 under the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Newington has a long and proud heritage of providing a liberal education. Despite its long history as a boys' school, it is boldly transitioning to co-education, starting with girls entering Kindergarten and Year 5 in 2026, and Year 7 and Year 11 in 2028, with the aim of becoming fully co-educational by 2033. This progressive step demonstrates a unique commitment to evolving with the times while retaining its core values.
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Diverse Academic Pathways (HSC, IB, VET, and Cambridge IGCSE): Newington stands out by offering a comprehensive range of internationally recognized academic pathways. Students can pursue the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), the globally respected International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. They also offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Cambridge IGCSE. This breadth of choice allows students to select the pathway that best suits their learning style, aspirations, and future university or career goals.
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Commitment to Critical Thinking and Ethics: A distinctive feature is its Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics, which delivers a bespoke program to teaching staff and students from Kindergarten to Year 12. This focus on developing critical, creative, and ethical thinkers equips students with essential skills for navigating a complex world and making positive contributions to society.
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Multi-Campus Experience, Including an Innovative Sustainable Campus: Newington operates across multiple campuses, each with its own character:
- Stanmore Campus (Senior School 7-12, and ELC/Wyvern K-6): The main campus with extensive facilities.
- Lindfield Preparatory K-6: A preparatory school in the northern suburbs.
- Early Learning Centre (ELC): For boys and girls aged 3-5.
- Eungai Creek (Mid North Coast) Campus: A groundbreaking facility on a 200-hectare rural property designed with sustainability and regenerative principles. This campus hosts transformative social service immersion and outdoor education programs for Year 9 students, fostering ecological stewardship and community engagement. It's a unique example of a school actively contributing to environmental solutions and indigenous land management learning.
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Holistic Education and Co-Curricular Excellence: Newington is known for its exceptionally broad co-curricular program that complements its academic offerings. This includes a vast array of opportunities in:
- Sports: Rugby, cricket, football, rowing, swimming, athletics, tennis, fencing, snow sports, and more.
- Creative and Performing Arts: Music (including a dedicated Music Centre and scholarships), drama, visual arts.
- Clubs and Activities: Chess, debating, public speaking, cadets, robotics, F1 in Schools, martial arts, coding, and various interest-based clubs. This extensive program aims to develop well-rounded individuals with diverse passions and skills.
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Uniting Church Affiliation with Inclusivity: While affiliated with the Uniting Church, Newington College welcomes students and families of all religious denominations and cultural backgrounds. This inclusive approach fosters a diverse community that values individual intellectual, spiritual, and cultural needs.
Programmes Offered
Newington College offers a comprehensive curriculum across its campuses:
- Early Learning Centre (ELC): Programs for 3 and 4-year-olds (co-educational).
- Preparatory Schools (Kindergarten - Year 6) at Wyvern House (Stanmore) and Lindfield: Follow a balanced approach of explicit direct instruction and inquiry-based learning, including the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Lindfield.
- Senior School (Year 7 - Year 12) at Stanmore:
- Years 7-10: Broad curriculum covering English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Creative Arts, PD/Health/PE, Technology, Philosophy & Religious Studies, and various electives including languages (French, Mandarin, Latin, Greek, Italian, Spanish).
- Years 11-12: Students choose between the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. They also offer Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.
- Co-Curricular Program: Extensive offerings in sports, music, drama, cadets, debating, chess, robotics, community service, and outdoor education (including programs at the Eungai Creek campus).
Official Website Link
Newington College Official Website:
Online Application Link
The
admissions process begins with registration. You can find information
on how to apply and register your child on their Admissions page:
Newington College Admissions Page:
Look for the "Registration and Enrolment" section, which typically contains a link to "Apply Here."
Contact
Main Senior School (Stanmore) Contact:
- Phone: +61 2 9568 9333
- Email (Admissions): admissions@newingtoncollege.nsw.edu.au
- Address: 200 Stanmore Road, Stanmore NSW 2048, Australia
Preparatory Schools Contact:
- Wyvern House (K-6): 115 Cambridge Street, Stanmore NSW 2048. Phone: +61 2 9568 9444
- Lindfield Preparatory (K-6): 26 Northcote Road, Lindfield NSW 2070. Phone: +61 2 9416 4280
- ELC: 129 Cambridge Street, Stanmore NSW 2048. Phone: +61 2 9568 9555
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Is Newington College only for boys?A1: Historically, Newington College has been a boys' school. However, it is transitioning to co-education, with girls entering the Early Learning Centre (already co-ed), Kindergarten and Year 5 from 2026, and Year 7 and Year 11 from 2028. It aims to be fully co-educational by 2033.
Q2: What are the main entry points for students? A2: Formal entry points are typically Kindergarten, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 9 (for boarding). Entry into the ELC is for 3 and 4-year-olds. Applications are accepted from birth due to demand.
Q3: Does Newington College offer scholarships? A3: Yes, Newington College offers a broad range of academic, music, and sporting scholarships, including some specifically for rural, regional, international boarding students, and Indigenous students. Scholarship applicants must generally be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Q4: What is the significance of the Eungai Creek campus? A4: The Eungai Creek campus is a unique, sustainably designed facility for Year 9 students to participate in 8-10 week social service immersion and outdoor education programs. It focuses on sustainable living, traditional land management practices with First Nations knowledge holders, and ecological stewardship.
Q5: What curriculum frameworks does Newington College follow?
A5: Newington College offers the
NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), the International Baccalaureate
(IB) Diploma Programme, and Vocational Education and Training
Q6: Is boarding available at Newington College? A6: Yes, Newington College offers boarding facilities for students in Years 9-12 at the Edmund Boarding House on the Stanmore campus.
Q7: What is the school's religious affiliation? A7: Newington College is an independent school affiliated with the Uniting Church. It welcomes students and families of all religious denominations and cultural backgrounds.
Q8: What are the fees for Newington College? A8: Tuition fees vary by year level and are subject to change annually. As of a recent report, annual fees can range from approximately AU$24,000 for Kindergarten to over AU$42,000 for Years 11-12. Boarding fees are additional. Detailed fee schedules are available on the Admissions section of their official website.