Tonga’s enduring relationship with Newington College, forged more than a century ago through the Wesleyan Church’s expansion into the Pacific, gained fresh attention today after High Commissioner Batley made an unannounced visit to the Tongan boys attending the Sydney school under a Tupou College exchange programme.
The students, affectionately teased for “surviving without their lu sipi and ota ika,” form part of a vibrant and growing Tongan and Pacific Islander community on campus.
Staff noted that the boys have quickly made their cultural presence felt, taking the lead in weekly prayer gatherings and singing sessions, where they share their faith, traditions and unmistakable harmonies.
The High Commissioner also toured the Tupou College Centre alongside House Captain Dylan and Head of House Cameron Quince.
The centre, a tribute to the deep educational partnership between Newington and Tonga, houses remarkable Tongan tapa artworks and memorabilia—including items belonging to former student Steve Finau, who attended the college between 1956 and 1966.
Headmaster Michael Parker and his team were thanked for nurturing these historic links and for their ongoing commitment to supporting educational opportunities for young Tongans.
Despite its strong historical link to the Wesleyan Church in Tonga, Tongan students from other denominations and government high schools were also educated at Newington College from the early years.
Among them was the late Professor Futa Helu, who attended Newington from 1953 to 1956 before continuing his studies at the University of Sydney.
