Battle lines form among Newington College old boys in fight over coeducation

Members of the Old Boys’ union have forced a special meeting to seek a no-confidence vote in their own representatives, the headmaster and the school council.

Parents protesting Newington’s coeducation move outside the Stanmore school as boys arrive for their first day of the new school year. Picture: Richard Dobson

At least 20 members of the Newington Old Boys’ union have forced a special meeting in attempts to move a vote of “no confidence” in their own representatives, the headmaster and the school council, as battle lines continue to form in the fight over coeducation.

This faction is also pushing the Old Newingtonians’ Union (ONU) council to reverse the transition to coeducation by any available means.

An email sent to Newington alumni on Wednesday by ONU Honorary Secretary Matt Hyne confirmed the Special General Meeting would go ahead on March 27 after the old boys’ Council received a requisition from more than 20 members.

Mr Hyne said, as a result, they had “no option” but to convene the meeting, while reminding members the transition to coeducation was made by the College Council, not the ONU.

“It is clear that if such resolutions are passed, they would jeopardise the longstanding rapport between the ONU and Newington College for the foreseeable future, ultimately leading to no constructive gain,” the email, seen by The Australian, said. It also mentioned other “potential repercussions the proposed motion may have on both the ONU and Newington College”.

Alumni will vote on whether there should be a general declaration of “no confidence” in the ONU Council, in the Council of Newington College, and the current headmaster of Newington College, Mr Michael Parker.

There is also a resolution that “all of the elected positions on the ONU Council be immediately declared vacant” and re-elected, and that the old boys’ council use “all available measures” reverse the school council’s transition to coeducation.

The Australian understands some Newington parents are frustrated at their lack of say in the governance of the school and the decision for the College to go co-ed.

“The College has no obligation to put parents or parent representatives on the school council, while spots are reserved for old boys,” one parent said.

The old boys’ union has hired professional firm Link Market Services to manage the votes at the Special General Meeting.

Newington College headmaster Michael Parker.

In a letter to parents last month, Newington’s council chairman Tony McDonald warned parents about a “discrete group” of old boys’ who were attempting to pass a series of no-confidence motions to “undermine … the ONU executive, the council, the school leadership and the decisions regarding the future direction of the college”.

It comes as parents obtained a survey from May 2022 which stated 47 per cent of old boys’, across all age groups, believed Newington should not become co-ed, while 32 per cent believed they should become co-ed, and 10 per cent answered “maybe”.

The survey also stated that “parents who send their child to Newington College are more likely to be opposed to the school becoming co-ed” and that “becoming co-ed is polarising among ONU members, with no majority opinion. However 62 per cent feel strongly about the topic either way.”

More than 2500 critics of the co-ed move, which is slated to begin in 2026, have signed a Change.org petition to “overturn the decision to become co-ed, and bring back Newington Culture’’. The school has already changed the gendered language on its website from “boy’’ and “son” to “child’’ or “young person”.

Anti co-ed Newington College parents walking towards the school in a silent protest against the proposed switch. Picture: Richard Dobson

Earlier this year angry parents gathered at the inner west campus with placards to protest the co-ed plans and a legal challenge is also underway by a group called Save Newington College to block the move.

Separately, parents have raised questions about Mr Parker’s time as Deputy at Cranbrook from Term 2 2007 until Term 2 2014 amid controversy raised by a Four Corner’s program and longtime principal Nicholas Sampson’s sensational resignation.

A statement from a Newington College spokesperson to The Australian last week said: “(Mr Parker) was not aware of, or involved in, the staff matters that were featured on the 4 Corners program or in subsequent media coverage, as those occurred after his time at the school.

“He was made aware of the student matter raised on the program, but was not operationally involved – investigation, compliance and pastoral care for those involved was the primary responsibility of other staff members. As you are aware, this matter is now the subject of legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”