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Testimonials from 2021
Christopher Richardson
My heartfelt thanks for the invitation to join you for the Newington College LitFest for 2021. It was a joy to spend time with you, your colleagues, and the wonderful students of Newington. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and involvement of students from Year 7 to 12. As on my previous visit in 2019 I challenged the students with some thorny themes and complex questions. They more than rose to the occasion. The intellectual and literary culture at Newington is flourishing!
Mark Smith
The Newington Festival is a true celebration of the creative arts. Students are exposed to such an array of writers, artists and illustrators, they cannot help but be inspired, creating a discernible buzz about the College for the three days of the festival.
Every time I have walked away from Newington, I have felt uplifted. At the 2021 festival, every group I had was attentive, polite, and at times, suitably cheeky and boisterous. They were good fun. Furthermore, nearly every student I spoke with showed maturity, thought, and respect. I was taken very much when the students, without prompting from their teachers, came to shake my hand and say ‘thank you’ at the end of sessions.
Kate Forsyth
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the three days. The boys were all so interested & engaged, and they all listened intently and asked really great questions. I particularly enjoyed the small classes with the year 12 boys, as I felt I was really able to help. I loved the K-3 at Lindfield too as I really love the chance to tell a story
Tristan Bancks
You did it! You made it happen, in the face of everything that the past year has thrown up. I’m so impressed by how smooth you make everything, how enjoyable the fest is for authors and how everything, down to catering and the amazing parents who run the green room and our buddies, has been given such careful consideration. It always feels like a homecoming, returning to the Grove Room and speaking to your students.
What a pleasure it was to temporarily be a part of a school which understands the crucial role the arts play in contributing to building complete adults. Not all schools have the vision to see that, and the Newington College LitFest speaks volumes about the continuing commitment to the importance of words and image in the educational jigsaw. There wasn't a single moment in 10 presentations where a single student was anything but engaged, attentive and respectful. Whatever you're doing there, it's working.
Susanne Gervay
The LitFest was incredible. It creates the ‘Renaissance’ man where ideas, critical thinking, literature combine to inspire and enlighten students. I had so much pleasure in sharing ideas and craft with seniors, the one-to-one sessions with students who were so keen to enhance their ideas, the Creative Writing Competition. The high standard of the writing competition entries made judging so difficult. How good is that?
Scot Gardner
I’d forgotten how good the festival was. I’d forgotten how brave-hearted and welcoming the students were. I’d forgotten the breath-taking vistas, the food and the bristling sense of anticipation present in every classroom I entered. We discussed death, celebrated life, told stories … It’s the people. It’s the place. It’s the seamless organisation. It’s the vibe. I’m home again now.