FROM THE HEAD OF PREP SCHOOLS The difference between privilege and entitlement is gratitude Rocco Gigante (Year 6) and Christian Macdessi (Year 5) at Back to Newington Day. We are fortunate that all the boys at Newington position that we are in and we expect to be given opportunities are privileged. and positive experiences. Feeling entitled can sometimes result in boys not putting in their best effort and failing to put their best foot forward in their learning and interactions with others. They are part of families that value education and make big sacrifices so that their sons are given opportunities that are not The school’s view is that our boys should repay the effort and available to other boys. They have teachers and a school that work sacrifices of their families by putting in their best effort at home hard to ensure that they get the most out of their time in primary and at school, being the best version of themselves that they school. can be and squeezing every ounce of opportunity and experience out of their time at Newington. The school is very clear about the Strong communities value every member equally. We are privileged responsibilities for each of our boys. The way they interact with to be part of strong, vibrant communities that give us so much. their teachers and each other, the way they focus in class, the way In return, we express our gratitude for our community through they carry themselves around the school and in public. These are service to others. all examples of gratitude. As parents we want to give our children everything: we give them It is a reality that many of our Newington boys will be the leaders opportunity, possessions, experiences, attention and love. Parents of tomorrow. Through service and servant leadership, each boy at Newington make large sacrifices for their children. It is easy for comes to understand that to lead is to serve – leadership is not a child who is given everything to slip from privilege to entitlement. self-serving. It is for these reasons that I believe our future is in If we feel entitled, we no longer feel gratitude for the fortunate very good hands. 36 | Service | News Spring 2022| Prep Schools