Stan Comino reflects on 50 years at the College It’s a standing joke that school psychologist Stan Comino was the ballboy when Newington played King’s in 1870. In his five decades at the College, things have certainly changed. A Newington student transported back ‘Fifty years ago the staff had more explicit to the day College psychologist Stan authority and autonomy over students; today Comino started in 1972 would find a staff are more personable and connected,’ very different school. he said. ‘Now it’s not just talk and chalk but a much more holistic approach. Newington Academic gowns for teachers every day? certainly gives primacy to student voice. Tick. ‘We encourage the development of self- Boys learning by rote? Was there any understanding and wellbeing in the boys other way? because information is everywhere, but A distinct lack of buildings? Well, let’s wisdom is scarce.’ just say it was before the Rae and Taylor Newington’s counselling team has buildings were constructed. (And the other expanded considerably since Mr Comino’s buildings? ‘Not of the highest standard’ is appointment, as has the school’s focus Mr Comino’s frank assessment.) on pastoral care. There are now three full- time counsellors and a mentor and House Free hot lunches for the staff? Absolutely, system in the senior school that ensures thanks to the large boarding house of the day. every boy is known well. And corporal punishment? ‘Schools need access to the expertise ‘Teachers could actually have their own, that psychologists and counsellors bring personal canes,’ Mr Comino said. ‘It was to understand the psychological and a very different time.’ personal issues confronting young people,’ Stan Comino was the first full-time counsellor Mr Comino said. appointed by a GPS school. When Mr Comino joined Newington, he was the first full-time counsellor ‘Today we are seeing higher levels of anxiety ‘The core values of our boys still remain appointed to a GPS school. With a degree and more depressive tendencies than 50 the same: they are solid, down-to-earth, in psychology, an impressive sporting CV years ago. There is a strong focus in schools caring, loyal and community-minded. They (he played representative schoolboy rugby, today on the importance of wellbeing, have a strength of character. The loyalty and representative schoolboy cricket and was positive psychology and child protection faithfulness of our Old Boys would astound offered a spot in the equivalent of the NRL rather just academic performance – and we people if they knew about it. as a student) and a stint working at the have had the joy of seeing the counselling team grow, which has been so beneficial.’ ‘I have stayed at Newington so long Water Board under his youthful belt, he because of the Newington family and the spotted a very small advertisement in The His deep involvement in College life makes generation of staff and boys who have Sydney Morning Herald. it hard to believe Mr Comino once toyed with inspired me to remain. He snared an interview. Newington’s then throwing it all in for a year… to build squash Headmaster Tony Rae saw something he courts at Windsor! ‘I have always felt I had a role to play and liked in the young counsellor and two days feel privileged to do so.’ later, offered him the job. He was persuaded to stay – and for the next few years, spent every hour of his holidays Fifty years on, and well-versed in the on the tools to get his side project done. standard joke that he was the ballboy Today, with five grandchildren, a love of when Newington played King’s in 1870, Mr surfing (when asked how good he is, he Comino remains as committed to the College demurs ‘I wouldn’t want to exaggerate as he was when he first stepped through these days!’) and fortnightly visits to his the gates, although he admits the work has beloved Blue Mountains, he shows no sign changed enormously. of slowing down. 16 | Curiosity | News Autumn 2022 |Stanmore 7–12