In the words of a Wild Indigenous Scholar:
For me, reconciliation means being seen and heard. It’s about knowing that I can bring my culture, my stories, and my history to this school, and be respected for it. It’s about my friends understanding what it means to be a young blackfella in a place like this — and walking beside me, not in front or behind."
— Braith, Year 12, at a recent Reconciliation Week Assembly.
Chris Wild (ON 1991) Indigenous Scholarship
The Chris Wild (ON 1991) Indigenous Scholarship was established in 2012. Chris, the son of the late Rob (ON 1964) and Jenny Wild, was a teacher and his passion was Indigenous education.
Following Chris' death in 2011, the Wild family, their friends, and a number of generous Old Newingtonians established the scholarship, named in Chris' memory. The scholarship is one of the most significant managed by the Newington Foundation. From its corpus, the investment earnings cover the tuition fees for Indigenous scholars. The College works with local Indigenous communities surrounding La Perouse, Redfern and beyond to identify suitable students who are aspiring leaders within their local community.
In 2021 Harrison Marsh matriculated with his Higher School Certificate – our first Chris Wild Indigenous scholar to achieve this benchmark. Harrison is now in his final year of study to become a primary school teacher; and continues to help mentor Indigneous children in the Gooriwal community, on the northern headland of Kamay.
Your support will help more Wild scholars matriculate from Newington with the HSC or International Baccalaureate. The Wild Scholarship currently supports six Indigenous students. We have not set a benchmark on the number of scholars at the expense of providing the best pastoral care for each Wild scholar.
Your gift now ensures that we can meet the evolving aspirations of our Wild scholars, now and in the years ahead.
Eungai Creek - help to shape the future
At Newington, we believe education is about more than academic success. It is about shaping young people of character, compassion, and purpose.
One of the most powerful expressions of this belief is our Eungai Creek service-learning immersion program. Each year, more than 100 Year 9 students travel to the Mid North Coast of NSW to escape their city lives and technology, to learn alongside the local community in various ways. They listen and contribute through hands-on service. It is a transformative experience that leaves a lasting imprint on both our students and the community they serve.
Students assist in local preschools and primary schools, help with community clean-up efforts, and spend time with Indigenous Elders on country, as well as with residents at the local aged care home. They live without mobile devices, embrace the outdoors, and return more grounded, more grateful, and more committed to making a difference.
