Insites
Boarding at Newington offers students the opportunity to make the most of the ‘best years of their life’. Whilst these years may come and go very quickly, the boarding program aims to instill life skills that will assist the boys in the challenges that may arise at school and to make the most of the opportunities that lay ahead beyond school.
Living away from home sits on most people’s lists as an experience which is outside their comfort zone. Most would agree that these kind of experiences are the ones where we grow the most, which is why boarding is such a popular option for our families.
The advantage of boarding at Newington is that our numbers are limited to 50 which means that close bonds are developed between all members of the community. The boarders are cared for by five families who live on-site with eight children between them.
On Sunday 29 January, Chaplain Barham celebrated the start of the new year with a Chapel Service and Dinner for the entire boarding community. Boarders, parents, siblings, staff and guardians all attended. We were all very grateful to those who travelled from overseas and interstate for the special occasion. The Chairman of the College Council, Headmaster and Head of Campus also attended with their spouses to help celebrate the start of the new year.
Senior Boarding Prefect, Tom Hogan (12/KL) spoke passionately about the opportunities that await the boys and the direction he intends to lead them in 2017. He highlighted the six key traits that the boarding program aims to develop amongst the boarders. These include:
- Trust
- Forgiveness
- Integrity
- Positivity
- Compassion
- Resilience
Coach Nottage, who has been a Boarding Master and the Director of Basketball at Newington for 14 years, often uses the expression, “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear what you say”. So, it is safe to say that the boarders will be encouraged to live out these traits in their daily routines, through the independence acquired through living away from home and the interdependence shared between each of the boarders.
Throughout the year, our boarders take part in a number of outings and service learning projects. The first of the year takes place this weekend, with our eagerly anticipated trip to Jamberoo Recreation Park. Stay tuned for more updates!
Mr Troy Stanley
Head of Boarding
1 Feb 2017