Back to Newington Day 2016 was a huge success thanks to the support of the College’s dedicated P&F. The day was a perfect example of the P&F’s vision, “a stronger community through a connected community.” It was wonderful to see all of the College’s support groups, our Lindfield and Wyvern younger brothers and the Tongan/Fijian community working together as one. Maybe it was the smoke signals being sent from the Tongan BBQ to say that everyone was Welcome Back To Newington, but the campus was filled with many old and new faces.

Thanks to the addition of a shuttle bus service from Stanmore to Tempe to transport people between sporting venues, as well as extra parking at Stanmore Public School, Back to Newington Day was easy to get to by car or foot.

By the end of the day, we sold over 1000 sausages, 400 steaks, 600 kebabs, had frothed over 90 litres of milk and diced 25 punnets of strawberries.

The market stalls on both Memorial Drive and inside the Marketplace in Centenary Hall were alive with the hustle and bustle of happy shoppers who all left with bags of purchases and armfuls of fresh flowers that were a colour explosion at the entrance to the Marketplace. Whether you wanted to purchase a homemade cake or slice, some Newington merchandise or a warming pie and peas from Harry’s Café de Wheels, there was something for everyone!

At midday, over 75 MOONs (Mothers of Old Newingtonians) were treated to a high tea style lunch in Prescott Hall and celebrated their founder, Mrs Joy Christian, as she passed the baton on to Tracey Markos and the next generation of MOONs.

To end this spectacular day, the Football 1^st XI had a win 3-0 over Sydney Boys High to continue their undefeated run and the Rugby 1^st XV won by one try 34-29 in the dying minutes over ladder leaders Scots College to show they are still a force in the GPS competition.

Thank you to all the Parents and Friends that volunteered and to all the students that supported the community by handing out programs and helping out with the BBQ. It truly made everyone feel Welcome at Back to Newington Day.

See you in 2017.