Dear Parents and Guardians,

It’s a very busy time at Newington, and our boys are busy with a range of diverse activities as we race toward the end of term.

After enjoying the long weekend, we started the week by welcoming renowned adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg to the campus.  Dr Carr-Gregg spoke candidly to the Newington community about surviving adolescent boys, their mental health, their need for resilience and their frequent feelings of entitlement – behavior he dubbed “the Prince Boofhead syndrome”. Many parents took the opportunity to ask questions, and one who emailed me afterwards said it was “reassuring to know that, as parents, we are doing many things well”.

One thing we do very well at Newington is involving our boys in all the College has to offer. We were given a sneak preview of RockFest 2018 when two Year 7 Rock Club groups performed for us at assembly this week.  Applause erupted after their stellar performances of two items from “ICONS: Women who changed the face of Music”. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the boys perform at Rockfest on June 23.  Click here for more information and to secure your ticket.

A thought-provoking speech about gender equity, by our Headmaster, Dr Mulford, was a highlight of this week’s assembly. Dr Mulford chose this difficult topic to challenge the boys on where they stand on issues that matter, and to challenge whether they act on their beliefs. Actions are more important than words, he said.  “To be a successful man – a man of substance – one needs to be respectful of women. They are 50% of our human race. They are the cornerstone of life. They are very likely to be your boss, your work colleague, your partner and your best friend. Clearly it is in your vested interest to learn how to relate well with women,” he told the boys.

The middle school production A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens tonight.  The production is a very different take on the Shakespeare classic, and features the sights and smells of the Australian bush.  The production runs until Saturday so please make time to come and enjoy a very different experience.  Also opening tonight is the Concordia exhibition Displeasing the Masses: pop culture and resistance.

A review of the way we acknowledge and reward positive behaviour at Newington is now complete. Emphasis has been shifted away from good outcomes, and toward the behaviours that lead them. These changes come into effect on Monday 18 June; I invite you to Click here for more information.

Our Intermediate and Senior Theatresports teams will compete on Sunday at the Grand Final of the Impro Australia School’s Challenge at Enmore. I’m sure you will join me in wishing them the very best of luck.