Newington Student Sues All-Boys School For Going Co-Ed

Inner West’s Newington College, a 161-year-old boys’ school, is bracing for two potential legal battles in 2025, as backlash grows over its decision, earlier this year, to admit girls from 2026.

One student, identified as “Student A,” has filed a case in the NSW Supreme Court, alleging that the school’s governing council has breached its agreement under a 19th-century charitable trust deed.

The current student claims that the school’s shift to a co-ed model violates the trust’s original intent, stating “youth” which supposedly focuses solely on “the education of boys and young men”.

According to court documents filed last Thursday, the council allegedly misused trust funds to plan and implement the co-education transition.

The filing also seeks an interim order to prevent the council from using college property to fund its legal defence.

Student’s identity to remain anonymous to avoid potential bullying & being deemed as a ‘traitor’

Student A’s anonymity is protected by a court order, supported by a psychiatrist’s report that cite potential for Student A’s bullying and ostracism.

The report cited a college house mentor’s alleged comment about the police needing “pepper spray” for protesting parents as an example of the hostile environment.

“Participation as a known individual would cast Student A as an adversary and a threat, and potentially, a kind of ‘traitor’ to the school’s governing body and staff, and by extension to the school itself.”

A spokesperson for the private school confidently defended their move to co-ed, emphasizing it was made in the school’s best interest.

“The college is disappointed by the proposed legal proceedings. the decision benefits our students, staff, and community. We welcome the opportunity to resolving this matter expeditiously,” she said according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Parents file potential lawsuit accusing Newington Council of ‘deceptive conduct’

Adding to the controversy, lawyers representing a group of parents announced plans for a potential class action in the Federal Court.

An open letter published Sunday accused the council of “misleading and deceptive conduct,” alleging undisclosed fee transfers to the Newington Foundation—an arm of the school that funds scholarships.

The letter also claimed that staff had assured parents the school would remain single-sex, only to reverse course in November 2023.

Parents expressed frustration in a statement published on the Save Newington website, arguing that the court’s oversight was now necessary to ensure transparency.

Following their intended announcement to go co-ed, the proposal was met with mixed reactions with parents protesting in staunch opposition to the college’s “woke agenda.”

One of Sydney’s oldest boys’ schools is going co-ed, leaving some parents furious about what they call the “woke agenda” behind the move. #9News

READ: https://t.co/lEk2MipvdR pic.twitter.com/aS5V96tkbj

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) January 31, 2024

While others don’t seem to care for all the parent’s fuss and backward takes over admitting girls to the $40k-a-year school.

Took a minute to check out the petition some of the Newington College alumni weepers™️ made and ah yeah officer this guy right here pic.twitter.com/P4C13ch03a

— Gabbi Bolt (@GabbiBolt) February 1, 2024

2/x.

To these Newington College parents and friends women (who are the dominant gender group on the entire planet) are now “woke” … pic.twitter.com/FDUSDiDejb

— MFW (@MFWitches) February 1, 2024