Stanmore Be bold, take risks, explore Mr David Roberts. Photo: Daryl Charles The poem Invictus by William Ernest where we could have Newington-like in the Drama program. Ben Coultas- Henley was written in 1875, but gained opportunities not readily available at the Roberts (12/JN) and Aston Brown renewed prominence several years ago international schoolswe attended. It was (12/MO) also came into the musical this in the film of the same name that told then up to my brother and I to become year and had an enriching experience. the story of South Africa’s win in the the “master” of our “fate”, to explore the Their only regret might be that they did 1995 Rugby World Cup. The poem was a many possibilities that now presented. not get involved a little earlier. favourite of Nelson Mandela, who often I tried new things and found a breadth of ‘I am the master of referenced it during his incarceration on life beyond the classroom. Having Robben Island. always enjoyed sport from a young age, my fate, I am the A line in the poem, “I am the master of it was Drama that became the new captain of my soul’ my fate, I am the captain of my soul” is world to explore. Thanks to friends who one that should be a constant point of encouraged me to be bold, I found – Invictus, William Ernest Henley reflection for all our boys as they myself becoming the “captain of my embrace what Newington offers. soul” as I discovered a place for sport Many of our boys do only the and the performing arts that provided compulsory parts of the school When I ask parents at interview what balance with my academic pursuits. program, while other boys quickly find they perceive to be a “Newington Even when those friends were no longer their niche in either sport or the education”, their response inevitably involved in Drama, such was the power performing arts and dare not be mentions the opportunities we know our of the connection I was still there in Year adventurous in their choices. Our boys are privileged to access. This 12, no longer on stage but finding other challenge as parents, mentors and resonates powerfully with me, as my roles backstage as part of the teachers is to help them explore the first 12 years of life were spent productions. many and diverse opportunities that are travelling around the world as an expat I see many Newington boys who are available to them, enabling them to due to my father’s job. seizing opportunities. James Roach echo the words of Henley in proclaiming, My older sister was a boarding student, (12/MA) is an example of a student who “I am the master of my fate”. but my family settled in Melbourne so is an outstanding athlete who had more Mr David Roberts my brother and I could go to a school in him than he knew and has flourished Head of Stanmore OPPORTUNITY| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| 9