Psalm 34:8 ‘…Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.…’

This new year has moved at such a rapid pace that it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. The Year 7 students have settled in so well and the new staff already seem like they are part of the furniture. This new beginning also provides an opportunity for all the students to take part in new, unexplored activities, sports and clubs that they have not yet experienced.

To this end, Reverend Morphew and I, along with the able assistance of the boys connected to the CRU club, have hosted several BBQ’s over the past two weeks designed to invite students to put forward questions about God that they’d like answered during Chapel and to promote the CRU club that is held in the Old Gym every Monday lunchtime.

The response has been positive, namely amongst the Year 7 boys whom, for the most part, have readily immersed themselves in all that the College has to offer. Year 7 will have their own separate CRU club each Friday throughout Term One, that will be held in the Grove Room during lunchtime. The boys who choose to be a part of this group will then transition into the currently established CRU group from Term Two onwards. We invite all students to come along; taste and see, not only the BBQ, but the reality that the Lord is good.

It has also been a real blessing to welcome three new boarders from Tonga; Tu’uta, Sione and Harold. Each bring unique talents, skills and personalities and share the trademark warmth and big smiles that are synonymous with all Tongan boarders here at Newington. On the very first day they arrived, they were invited to sing in front of a congregation of students and parents as part of the Boarder’s chapel. Without hesitation, their gifts were shared with all those present, enlightening the Chapel with their amazing harmonies.

Finally, the Chapel message presented to the staff to kick off our year focused on doing the little things well, noting that ‘the little things’ are the key to the bigger things to come. Small, calculated changes in attitude, attention to each individual student and changes in approaches to teaching and learning all amount to more effective outcomes. The message was based on the scripture found in Luke 13:18-21;

‘…like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough…’  

God has given us all unique gifts to make a big difference, but this will more than likely happen with the small changes and decisions that will exponentially expand. When we focus on the small things and do them well, the big things follow.

Reverend Geordie Barham
College Chaplain