Another day, another all boys private school in the news. This time, Newington College, a 161-year-old boys school in Sydney’s inner west, is facing legal challenges over its decision to admit girls starting in 2026. One current student has decided to take matters into his own hands by filing a lawsuit in the New South Wales Supreme Court.
The student, known only as “Student A”, claims that the school’s governing council has violated the terms of its original charitable trust from the 19th century. According to his legal documents, the term “youth” in the trust is specifically meant for “the education and advancement of boys and young men”.
He argues that by planning to go co-ed, the council has “breached the Trust Purpose by paying, applying and/or setting aside trust funds” for this transition.
Student A’s identity is being kept under wraps due to concerns about potential bullying. A psychiatrist’s report highlighted that if his name were revealed, he could be seen as a “traitor” to the school community.
The report stated that “participation as a known individual would cast Student A as an adversary and a threat”.
The school announced it’s plans about going co-ed back in November 2023 and it really has not gone down well with everyone. Earlier this year in February a number of parents and ex-students of the school womp-womped all over the place and camped outside of the school gates in protest of the school going co-ed.
A spokeswoman for Newington College expressed disappointment over the recent legal action. “The college is disappointed by the proposed legal proceedings,” they said per The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The college will respond to the legal proceedings and welcomes the opportunity for this matter to be heard expeditiously so that it does not distract the school from the work it undertakes to benefit our students, staff and community.”
The school could be facing another legal predicament as some parents are also considering a class action lawsuit against the school. They allege “misleading and deceptive conduct,” claiming that fees collected from parents were transferred to the Newington Foundation (the fundraising arm of the college that provides scholarshipd) without proper disclosure.
They argue this means they could be unknowingly subsidising other students’ education.
Stay tuned, folks – this co-ed controversy is just getting started.
Lead image: Newington College/Instagram
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