At Newington, accommodation and catering were managed by Miss Gilligan. Annie Gilligan had been at the school since its foundation in July 1863 and was from Tasmania. She was the daughter of an army officer who had served under Wellington and had been wounded at Waterloo. Gilligan has been described as being "a great favourite with the boys, having an estimable blend of firmness and kindness". In her position as housekeeper she resided on the second floor of the former Blaxland mansion with members of the Fletcher family and the bachelor headmaster. Romance ensued and the College Council's sense of propriety was offended to the extent that Metcalfe's employment was terminated early in 1869. Shortly after leaving Silverwater, the headmaster and the housekeeper were married.