Boys and staff adopted Royal protocol on the first day back of Term 3 as the College played host to His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga. Accompanied by Her Majesty, the Queen Nanasipau’u and Tongan High Commissioner in Canberra Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka, our royal visitors were special guests at the official opening of the new Tupou College Centre, Drama Centre, Davidson Health Centre, Pearson Cadet Centre and Newington Challenge Headquarters.

“it is wonderful to have the King of Tonga at Newington” said Headmaster Dr David Mulford.

“Your father remains one of our famous Old Boys. We are so blessed with a long and exceptionally close bond with the Kingdom of Tonga and its people. We learn so much about humanity from our Tongan brothers and sisters. We are in awe of your love of family, love of community, your kindness and generosity and your love of your God.”

Also in attendance was Reverend Feleti Atiola, Principal of Tupou College our brother school in Tonga, Reverend Dr ‘Ahio, President of the free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and Reverend Park Moderator of the Uniting Church of Australia.

During his address, Dr Mulford said while the investment of this new facility is bricks and mortar, the benefits are beyond the physical. This new facility provides Newington boys of the present and future a place to nurture aspirations and life-long friendships.

The Drama Centre consists of a new theatre with raked seating for 200, industry standard sound, lighting and technical equipment, extensive back stage accommodation and a refurbished former Chapel for Drama teaching. The second building, ‘The Tupou College Centre’, consists of eight classrooms with interconnection to allow for configuration as large studios as well as various specialist teaching areas and a tiered lecture space. It was named as such in recognition of the long and close historical links between Newington and the Kingdom of Tonga.

Dr Mulford pubicly thanked the Architect Mr Ray Hudson, Projects Managers from Cadence and Builders from Watpac on the delivery of this first-rate facility. 

After the Assembly, Dr Mulford accompanied His Majesty, King Tupou VI, the Queen and Princess on a tour of the new building.