From the Headmaster Opportunity is just the start of the journey At times I have made mistakes at home and at work. They are a normal part of life’s rich journey. Most serve as excellent learning experiences, help form character and prepare one for the important opportunities that may arise. The theme for this edition of News is opportunity. I went to a quotation website and there were 1318 entries for the word as it engenders optimism, hope, positivity and encouragement. I admit I did not read all 1318 entries, but four quotations immediately stood out: • “Success is where opportunity and preparation meet” –champion car racer Bobby Unser • “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” –inventor Thomas Edison • “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” – physicist Albert Einstein Lucas Hatch and Dylan Sleet with Dr David Mulford • “There are no mistakes, only opportunities” – actress and Mistakes would be better illustrated byrigour”, “exploring our creativity” and comedian Tina Fey placing a hyphen after the first “s”.“imagining a better future”. All create Hence, “mis–takes”, highlighting the noble opportunities yet require a ‘Teachers open the need for application and learning fromstrength of character to make it happen. the trials and tribulations of the In all editions of News, the vast and door, but you must engagement processes. diverse array of opportunities on offer at enter by yourself’ “Mis–takes” and overcoming difficultiesNewington are given the spotlight. A are learning exercises that produce Chinese proverb states “Teachers open All four have similar underlying themes,more depth to any resultant success.the door, but you must enter by indicating that opportunity is a This is why we have placed “resilience” yourself”. combination of an invitation and an into our Vision Statement for Newington.Our educational focus at Newington on action: an invitation to do something ofWe encourage behaviour that character, resilience and the skills of interest, enjoyment and benefit. “...encourages boys to become men of learning will aid that brave step of Yet opportunity does not guarantee substance and resilience...”. Resilienceresponding to opportunities. success. For that to happen, more is the practice of grit and determination important “action” words are required.to ride the bumps along the way and not Words such as work, preparation, be deterred. resilience, rigour, persistence and effortNewington has eight core values as must be applied. And one will make guiding principles to our Vision Dr David Mulford mistakes on the learning journey. Statement. Three are “learning with Headmaster Did you know... 1 Newington is believed to bethe oldest survivingMethodist-founded school in 2Future Prime Minister WilliamMcMahon, then the Ministerfor the Navy and Air, opened 3The ‘Wilson Spinney’, a clumpof trees opposite the DeputyHeadmaster’s house, Australia. the College’s War Memorial honoured Claude Wilson, an Fete in 1953. Old Boy of the 1880s. OPPORTUNITY| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| 3