Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you managed to enjoy some quality family time over the winter break. Once again we have a busy and exciting term ahead of us. The boys have started this week in a very positive manner and I especially thank parents who have ensured that their sons are well presented and wearing their uniform correctly. We continue to expect high standards in this area and whilst we do not wish to impose an overly punitive approach, we will be rigorous in our follow up with students who fall short of our expected standards.

In Week 3 we have set aside Tuesday 2nd August and Thursday 4th August for our second round of parent teacher meetings. We do appreciate that the time for discussion is very important to all parents so I request that time limits are adhered to. Please feel free to arrange an additional meeting directly with teachers should you feel any issue requires more time. Instructions on how to book an appointment will be sent out via email tomorrow Friday 22nd July.

On 18th July our Years 3-6 students welcomed the Tongan Royal Family to Newington who were at the College to officially open some new facilities at the senior school campus. It was a great honour to have His Majesty King Tupou VI be part of this special day. His Majesty’s father, His late Majesty King Tupou IV was a Newington Old Boy (ON 1936). Also in attendance was Her Majesty the Queen of Tonga and Her Royal Highness The Princess who is the Tongan High Commissioner in Australia. The facilities officially opened included:

• Tupou College Centre – named after our ‘twin brother’ school in Tonga in recognition of our long historial link with Tupou College and Tonga. It will be our specialist teaching centre primarily for Year 7 and consists of classrooms, specialist areas and a tiered lectured space.
• Drama Centre consisting of a new specialist theatre with seating for 200, and up-grade of the Old Chapel for team teaching and specialist new facilities for the performing arts.
• Davidson Health Centre – named after Dr Roger Davidson (ON 1940). Dr Davidsion has served Newington College in so many ways – Medical Doctor, President ONU, College Council, 70 Club and continues to volunteer helping in our Archives Department every week. He was a joint Newington Medallist in 2008. The project has included a completely new and expanded Health Centre.
• Pearson Cadet Centre – named after the late Major CMI (Sandy) Pearson AO DSO OBE MC (ON 1936). Sandy served Newington College on the ONU Executive, College Council and 70 Club. He was a joint Newington Medallist in 2008. There has been significant upgrade and expansion of the Cadet facilities.
• Newington Challenge Headquarters – this provides a permanent base, office and storage facilities for this Outdoor Education program.

In the near future I anticipate that I will be able to bring you some further news about the timing of the facilities upgrade at Wyvern. These will include:

• A 60 place ELC for 3-4 year olds
• A new Year 6 Learning Centre
• Upgrade of the music facilities
• A purpose built ‘STEM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) classroom 

This week you should receive via email the Biannual Parent Satisfaction Survey about all aspects of Newington College’s provision. I would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes to complete the survey. The greater the response from parents the more accurate the data will be. We take all parental feedback very seriously as the results assist us with our future strategic planning.

I invite you to view the excellent ‘Wyvernbald’ Portrait Exhibition located in Wyvern Hall. The superb portraits have been expertly created by the Year 6 students. Please feel free to pop up to the hall if you get the chance.

Finally, can I request that you mark Back to Newington Day on Saturday 30th July in your diaries. This is a very special day for the entire College community to come together. Details of the day are included in this newsletter.

Ian Holden
Head of Wyvern

Photos below of the Royal Tongan Family visit to Newington College