A couple of weeks ago, Amy Yang, our Online Media Officer, posted an archival photograph from 1968 — of a swimming lesson in Newington’s (then) outdoor swimming pool — on the College’s Facebook page. It reminded me that I’d recently seen an earlier photograph of an earlier Newington pool.

The September 1900 issue of The Newingtonian contained this photograph, with the caption: ‘Newington College Swimming Bath’. Unfortunately, there was no story accompanying the photograph, so we don’t know if there was any particular reason why it was taken or published here. It shows the College’s original pool, constructed in 1894 next to the Gymnasium. The pool was reported to have been 60 feet (18.3 metres) long by 25 feet (7.6 metres) wide, with one end deep enough for diving — presumably the end shown here with the small wooden diving platform in use. While suitable for recreation and swimming lessons, it was too small for swimming competition and serious training. With no filtration, the pool required regular cleaning out of mud and algae.

The boys shown swimming here wear surprisingly modern-looking ‘togs’. The other boys wear variations of normal school dress. At this period, there was no school uniform — students were expected to wear a sober suit — but the boater with uniform band and Wyvern badge was already in use. The design of hat band and badge went through several changes at this time, with much debate in The Newingtonian about which was best.

Mr David Roberts
College Archivist