While being a smaller school is not often seen as a positive, Newington College has embraced its size and used it to create a boarding system tailored to suit its numbers.
The Edmund Webb Boarding House is home for 50 boys from Years 9 to 12 during the school term.
Newington College's head of boarding, Nathanael Coull said the size of the school offers a unique opportunity.
"Because we are a smaller school, we can be more nimble in adjusting our approach to boarding school than a larger school would be able to," Mr Coull said.
"We are able to adjust to suit individual needs which is unheard of in a bigger school.
"Students from Sydney are going to have different needs to regional students who in turn have different needs to international students.
"It is great that we are able to put plans in place to suit the needs of each individual.
"Our Proactive Pastoral Care system is designed to assist boys coming into boarding from a regional background.
"We are there to support prospective students and their families from the first interest, to admission, to graduation."
Mr Coull said The Edmund Webb Boarding House has a very familial feel.
"One of the biggest advantages of our size is that we are a very close-knit community," he said.
"All the staff in the boarding house are academic staff who live in the house with their families and the boys.
"We also have an adolescent health nurse who works with boarders and families.
"This system has only been going one year, but we have seen a 66 per cent reduction in the time students are taking off school which is a very positive result.
"There has been an amazing reduction in student's mental stress and any sports injuries sustained are being fully treated within 72 hours with access to our own specialists.
"All the boarding staff are undergoing their mental health first-aid.
"The boys are all very community-minded and spirited, setting the tone for inside the house."
- Visit: www.newington.nsw.edu.au
