Fostering a sense of purpose In Dr Mulford’s article for this Spring News, he refers to being blessed with generous and talented staff – both teaching and non-teaching – at Newington College. How true. As a parent spanning four boys and 19 years at Newington College, I have been and remain grateful for all the expertise and effort our staff put in for the benefit of our sons. The current debate about the education sector often glosses over a central truth: the teaching profession is characterised by people who have a deep desire to make a difference in the life of a child. In the language of Newington’s vision, to craft men of substance and resilience who make a positive contribution to society. In a recent Sydney Morning Herald opinion piece, one teacher shared a view that reflects my own observation over 19 years of partnering with the Mr Mark Scott leading star violinists Andrew Wang and Geordie Maclean, performing with staff at Newington: that teachers the Newington Symphony Orchestra, playing Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 Mvt 4 fundamentally care, striving every day to ‘Allegro Con Brio’ by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Photo: Richard Wearne. ensure each child develops into the best they can possibly be. from a number of quarters. And yet day disharmony, our boys will miss out. If in, day out they keep on striving to led by a resolute and empathetic ‘Day in, day out they encourage and enable students to conductor who has laid down his discover what’s possible in themselves instrument of choice to take up the keep on striving to and in the world they will inherit. baton and lead the orchestra, and encourage and enable And that is why I am eternally grateful toaudience, into accord and harmony, then our staff – grateful that they take on theour boys will benefit immensely. students to discover noble if not excruciatingly difficult task ofOver 10 years, I have watched this what’s possible’ unlocking something special in our boys. exemplary leader at Newington Which brings me to our retiring engender passion, purpose, inclusion, Headmaster, Dr David Mulford. Schools harmony and accord across a willing and It is for this reason that teaching elicitsare uniquely dependent on passion and yet diverse community. Throughout an a harsh irony. In wanting to be all thingscohesive purpose. Schools are a entire decade, the boys of Newington to all students, teachers must stumble collection of talented and yet disparate College have benefitted enormously as a and fall, in some way, at some time. individuals, all striving to bring out theresult. For that, I am truly grateful. No parent who has lived through and best in our boys. They are akin to a very survived the ‘grunt’ years, and all the large band of musicians, equipped with parenting mis-steps that entails, could a vast array of instruments for think any different! academic, pastoral, co-curricular, Because of the inherent complexity of spiritual and other educational pursuits, trying to engender a sense of purpose in backed up by a supportive and Mr Tony McDonald every child, at every stage and of every participatory audience in the form of the Chairman hue, teachers can be an easy target parent body. If they are all playing in Newington College Council Did you know... 1 The Buchanan Oval was named 2 Eighteen major building works 3 President JH Fletcher’s 1886 in 1928 to honour Charles have been completed across Instructions to Assistant Buchanan, Newington teacher, the College’s four campuses Masters banned teachers from coach and Sportsmaster from during Dr David Mulford’s inflicting corporal punishment, 1889 to 1932. tenure as Headmaster. especially ‘boxing boys’ ears’. 2| NEWS SPRING 2018| GRATITUDE