THE senior rugby team at Sydney’s elite Newington College did not take the bus to one of its country matches — and was flown instead — raising comparisons on school funding.

The private school shelled out about $6000 for its Opens Squad to fly to northern NSW for its annual Greater Public Schools clash with The Armidale School. While 12 junior Newington teams sat on buses for the nine-hour journey to Armidale, the Year 12 players bounced off the plane after an hour or so.

media_camera Newington College received $5.9 million from the federal government and $1.9 million from the state government in 2012.

NSW Teachers Federation president Maurie Mulheron said: “This is extraordinary ­evidence of the huge gaps in resources between rich schools and the rest in NSW.

“We see public schools in remote areas struggling to keep school sports going while an independent school which receives millions in government funding can fly its rugby team across the state.”

Thirty boys from Newington and deputy head Andrew Hirst happily posed for photographs beside their Regional Express flight to Armidale three weeks ago.

The Newington squad recently made headlines over its 101-0 thrashing at the hands of Scots College.

But while Newington might not win on the pitch, it is a winner in terms of government funding. My School figures show that in 2012 Newington College received $5.9 million from the federal government and $1.9 million from the state government.

media_camera Newington College players in a recent rugby match against Scots.

The College also packed $36 million into the school safe from fees and $5 million from “other sources” such as investments.

“It is a far cry from what we are used to,” said former Dubbo high school rugby coach Duncan McDonald. “I have had teams sit on a bus 11 hours each way to get to a game.”

Newington felt the investment in flights was worth it ­because the Year 12 boys were in the middle of trial exams for the HSC and International Baccalaureate.

He said some costs were paid for by the Newington Parents & Friends Supporters.

“The parents were happy to contribute their funds and the school matched their generosity,” Dr Hirst said.