Insites
Testimonials from 2017
Scot Gardner
Newington has been delivering premium educational experiences since Adam was a boy, but everything about my time with you makes me feel like a rock star. Half-baked, sure, but a rock star just the same. I eat like a king, sleep like a princess and work like a nobleman, swanning about with my own pet manservant from one moving engagement to the next. I had time with the full spectrum of Newington boys—from the disarmingly adult and sophisticated discussions with the senior IB students to the laugh-until-I-cried workshops with 7s and 8s. The boys were deferential, inquisitive, playful, generous and enthusiastic across the board.
I discovered, in my one-on-one session with a short story competition winner, a young man whose work is already of a publishable standard and whose insights about genre and style fed my own writing. Conversations and story telling continued beyond the school grounds and onto public transport, extending and enriching my sense of being a welcome part of the Newington family.
See what I mean? It’s hard to be critical of the experience if all I’m encouraged to do is be myself and the end result is yet another premium educational experience for us all.
Barry Heard
My experiences at Newington get better every time. The organisation of the festival, the time table, the service in the green room – perfect. Then my helper, Max. A special, kind young man. He always arrived early, carried my bag and even went to the trouble on Tuesday to rush off and get an umbrella. At every venue, he simply took over. Set up the computer, displayed my books and checked everything worked. Next, lowered the blinds, turned off the lights and had the room ready before the students arrived. 10/10 to Max. The green room a great place to socialise and enjoy the special treats or delicious lunches from the canteen. The volunteer ladies – please pass on my thanks.
Your students – as always showed nothing but respect and interest. So many handshakes after my talks, the odd hug and my email box full every night. The best example – Angus, a Year 11 student from Newington who carried my heavy bag from Stanmore train station to Newington. I proudly told this to the Headmaster when I met him Wednesday night. In that briefest of meetings – Newington have got a gem, a fine Headmaster.
James Moloney
I’ve attended a number of such festivals and Newington’s was certainly the most fun from an author’s perspective. I’d like to congratulate you and your staff for the seamless organisation. The boys were wonderful – attentive, good natured and full of interesting questions about my books and the writing process. I was delighted to find so many had read at least one of my books in preparation for the event. Many seemed eager to read more once I had introduced them to the story lines and the ideas behind some of my novels. I was also pleased to be able to speak to the range of emerging writers who attended, including a number of Old Boys, I noted. My ‘minder’ Harry was good company as well as entirely reliable. I gave him a copy of ‘Kill the Possum’ to thank him so if you see him about the halls, I hope you’ll ask whether he enjoyed it.
I would be honoured to return if you can find a place for me in the years ahead.
"I felt very welcome from the first moment I stepped on campus, when I was politely greeted by a senior student manning the car park. The students were lots of fun! Overall, it has been an amazing week. To see so many authors and illustrators in one school is a rarity - something Newington should feel very proud of. Thanks again for having me! It's certainly an event I would love to be involved in again."
Christopher Richardson
My heartfelt thanks to all of you for the invitation to the Newington Literature Festival for 2017. Without doubt, the festival was one of the highlights of my life as an author. It was inspiring to visit a school with such great love of reading and writing. The staff and students and parent volunteers were unfailing in their hospitality, and the planning was impeccable. What a wonderful team you all make! I was particularly touched on Thursday evening to receive an email directly from a student, a young man named Max in Year 8. He wrote to say, “I just wanted to thank you for coming to Newington today, me and my fellow classmates certainly felt inspired.” As you can imagine, there is nothing more inspiring for an author than to read such words.
Susanne Gervay
Newington is leading the field in creating that ‘Renaissance’ man, where sport, music, ethics, academia, art, social justice, community …. and literature are integral to the college’s ethos. I was deeply moved by the Anzac crosses. I also loved the huge grey man and the portraits around the school. Your parents who were so hospitable to the authors in the Grove Room. Your teachers are outstanding. Richard is an inspiring Head of English. How lucky are the boys.
I had the privilege of being part of the Newington Literature Festival from its beginnings. I consider it a privilege to still be part of it. It is also a privilege to be welcomed into the life of Newington during the festival. Ann and Sabine were wonderful in their hospitality, organisation, programme development and more.
"Stories do nothing less than define who we are as human beings, and I was emphatically reminded of this during my three days at the Newington Literature Festival. As much as I loved speaking, I most enjoyed listening to the boys and young men who have the world at their feet. Rowers, footballers, potential university students; those with definite dreams, others shrugging their shoulders at tomorrow, and all facing the responsibility of leading the younger generations into the future. Good luck you blokes. I reckon we're in good hands. I certainly walked away with a pep in my step after meeting you all at a wonderful festival."