Stanmore A year at Newington Mr Rik Hartley spent 12 months at Newington College as an exchange teacher. Here he shares what the experience was like. How is Newington different to your home school? In many ways, Newington and Tonbridge are very similar. Boarding life at Tonbridge changes the pace and length of the school day. Boys are less closely supervised and eating together, as a Common Room and with the boys, is an important and very enjoyable part of the school day. What have you learned during your Mrs Hayley Hartley, Whillan Hartley, Rufus Hartley and Mr Rik Hartley with Theo Williams, exchange? returning Newington College Drama teacher Mr Ben Williams and Mrs Jennifer Williams. At Newington, in addition to the ideas I reflection. In Drama, boys are exploring I’m grateful that I was able to pursue an have stolen from within the Drama their feelings and the way in which they department(!), I’ve also developed exchange, and that my wife and children humility, patience, positivity and communicate with others. were bravely willing tojoin me. I’m grateful tenacity. I have recognised the crucial What do you miss most about home? to Ms Tamara Smith, Head of Drama, for role of a network of support and I have missed friendships and colleagues welcoming me, buying me a watermelon friendships. More broadly, Australia has I have worked closely with for many years. birthday cake, babysitting my children taught me to be a more aggressive I also miss . . . the weather. There is and answering hundreds of annoying driver, a quicker eater and a hat-wearer. nothing like the crisp blue mornings of questions. She has also reminded me of What does a typical day look like for you autumn, the pale sun of winterand the what excellent Drama teaching looks at Newington? tentative emergence of spring. like. Finally, I’m grateful to the boys of Despite the Newington timetable, there What will you take back to your home Newington College, who have produced is no typical teaching day. The human school after your exchange? some beautiful work, made me laugh element can transform a predictable day Friendships, countless amazing memories every day and fulfilled the College into one of self-discovery, creativity and and an enormous sense of gratitude. promise of being men of substance. The Library team says thank you The College Library has a strong Library performing various tasks. Some This long process involved many spills tradition of hosting student volunteers. may even think of us as plain clothes and millions of beads but now, if you Charlie Joyce Thomson (11/PR; Duke of officers ... but without the crime-fighting walk through the Library you may Edinburgh Gold Award candidate) abilities or even the disciplinaryabilities. witness several, nay tens of students volunteered to prepare this insider’s These tasks include shelf stacking, ‘working’ on beanbags. account of the Library service experience: labelling, covering and stamping books, However, our tasks pale in comparison On every day of the week, Duke of cleaning the tables and more. Perhaps to those of the Library team. Doing Edinburgh or Service Learning Award our most significant task in the past year service in the Library has allowed me to student volunteers can be seen in the has been the filling of the beanbags. see how much these individuals do, not only for the Library, but also for the Newington community. Their perseverance and dedication to the school is amazing. To our many hard-working Library volunteers: You are reliable, friendly, helpful, cooperative and committed young men. Each hour you serve and each task you complete is significant and greatly appreciated. You make a Some of the Library's many volunteers. Back row: Allen Ma, Philip Langshaw, Arky Wild, valuable contribution to this welcoming Charlie Joyce Thomson, Jack Lu. Front row: Krishen Thevarajah, Woojin Le, Rory Fletcher, and effective Library service. Martin Mai. Newington Stanmore Library Team 10| NEWS SPRING 2018| GRATITUDE