Lindfield Appreciating the little moments ‘I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.’―G.K. Chesterton Zavier Wang, Aiden Chan, Akiva Delavere-Pawley and Jonah Seeto wait for the show to begin at the Lindfield Concert. Photo: Jared Leibowitz. (ON 2013) Lindfield Prep School has a strong and we appreciate the fortunate position a positive light and to understand the emphasis on gratitude and service for we are in, and we express our gratitude opportunities it has afforded us all. others. This means that the efforts made through learning and service to others. The school’s view is that the best way by others on our behalf are appreciated Lindfield Prep is an IB World school, for our boys to show gratitude in action and the opportunities given are accepted which has a focus on developing is by putting in their best effort at home and built upon. Gratitude at it most basic internationally minded students. These and at school, being the best version of level is expressed through thanks, but at are boys who are outward looking and themselves and squeezing every ounce its most meaningful, gratitude at Lindfield able to take multiple perspectives on of opportunity and experience out of is shown through effort, acceptance of global issues. Our boys engage with the their time at Newington. The way they individual differences and our positive wider community through our interact with their teachers and each contribution to and engagement with the partnerships with Cromehurst School, other, the way they help and serve communities and people around us. Kids Giving Back, the Special Olympics others, the way they focus in class and Our boys are blessed to live in a and other service organisations. carry themselves around the school and privileged society. They have ‘Gratitude gives us a in public – these are all examples of opportunities and experiences that are gratitude in action. not available to all boys their age. strong sense of who we Gratitude is being able to appreciate the Unfortunately, these opportunities can are, what we value and little moments in life, the wonder and sometimes be taken for granted. The good fortune that we all experience, to difference between privilege and its the importance of being be able to appreciate the unique close relative entitlement is gratitude. contributions of others to our own lives. Entitlement is the lack of appreciation part of a community’ Gratitude gives us a strong sense of for the advantageous position we find who we are, what we value and the ourselves in and the expectation that During the school day, we explicitly importance of being part of a community – everyone and everything around us is model gratitude through our religion and in this case the Newington community. there for our own benefit. The ‘me first’ ethics program, through our service As an educator, I am very grateful to mentality is perpetuated through social framework and our IB learning work at Newington, to be surrounded by media, advertising and the current cult framework, which has a core element on talented educators, amazing young men of the celebrity. For these reasons, it is action in the community. In our foundational unit of inquiry, all boys in and families dedicated to their sons’ vital that our boys understand the the upper grades practised gratitude on education and development. I feel importance of grace in their lives. a daily basis, identifying people towards immense gratitude to be part of this Newington is a Uniting Church school, whom they felt appreciation, journaling school and community. built on the foundation of inclusivity and about their positive experiences and Mr Ben Barrington-Higgs incredible diversity. We value difference practising reflection to see the world in Head of Lindfield GRATITUDE | NEWS SPRING 2018| 31