On 12 March 1863, among the shipping notices, entertainment advertisements (‘Signor Ohio: the inimitable SWISS WARBLER, whose imitations of birds and animals are unrivalled’), and personal notices (‘Notice to the public: I, JOHN BURNS of Botany, will not be answerable for debts my Wife, JANE BURNS, may contract after this date’), the Sydney Morning Herald published an advertisement placed by ‘J Allen Manton, Principal’ of the ‘Collegiate Institution, Newington House (late Blaxland’s), Parramatta River’.

The advertisement announced that the ‘spacious and beautifully situated premises’ were now undergoing thorough repair and would be opened as a school the following July. The same advertisement would appear each week until just before the school’s opening.

Because of its location, the new school would initially be entirely a boarding school. The fees were to be 50 guineas ($105 in today’s currency) per annum, to cover ‘Board and education’, plus 4 guineas ($8.40) for washing and a guinea ($2.10) for medical attendance. Fees were payable quarterly, in advance.

The advertisement set out the articles that each student was expected to bring with him: a silver fork and spoon, two pairs of sheets, two pillow cases and six towels. Each was to be marked with the student’s name in full.

Six weeks’ notice was required for the withdrawal of a student; otherwise half a quarter’s fees would be charged.

Despite the new school’s connection with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the advertisement noted that it would be open to the sons of parents of all religious denominations.