This edition of Prep Talk is an opportunity to reflect on the term and celebrate all the boys’ work and effort in their learning.  I would like to focus this article on Grandparents day and on the incredible levels of service that are given by the parents to Newington, Lindfield. 

Grandparents Day 

This day was an opportunity to thank and also celebrate the important role our grandparents and other special friends play in the lives of our boys. The day was an  unmitigated success. The grandparents experienced the best of Lindfield performing arts in an assembly and then spent the morning, happily learning together with their grandsons in the classrooms. It was a fun and somewhat revelatory experience; many grandparents were amazed at how education is evolving. The focus on problem solving, critical thinking and the connecting of learning between subjects were some of the comments at the post learning and well earned morning tea, in which over a hundred grandparents and special friends gathered and chatted happily about the experience.

It was a great morning, the boys got to spend time with some of the most special people in their lives and grandparents had the chance to go back as students in the classroom for the first time in a long while. Thanks must go to the fabulous P and F who provided the morning tea and once again supported the school so strongly.

Service in Action 

The Mini-Olympics initiative was held on Tuesday 16 June. It was a day full of fun, inspiration and service. It showcased what is possible in terms of helping others in the community. The work of the team of people who train and develop sport for the athletes of the Special Olympics is a fantastic example of service in action. The athletes and coordinators who came were an inspiration and extremely positive role models for service that benefits the community. 

It also highlighting another amazing model of service in our school this is, of course, the Lindfield parents, who give so generously and freely of their time. Parents who work in the school are important, not only in terms of the work that you achieve but as the role models for service that you are giving to the boys every time you work in the Tuckshop, help with reading in the classrooms, cook the BBQ at Koola Park and be involved in the school. 

I wrote a note to parents involved in the Mini-Olympics but feel it is worth sharing with all of you the reasons why your service is important.

At Lindfield, we are working on developing the service component of the Newington Vision. There are many reasons why service is important. Service to others is what creates happy, resilient people, who have a sense of direction and purpose in their lives (Seligman, 2002).

The other reason is that the Newington boys of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. If they understand the importance of service then they are going to be far stronger, empathetic leaders, who will make decisions for the betterment of everyone in society. 

Andy Hargreaves, the author of The Fourth Way, talks about the factors that are needed for effective schools. One of the most important factors is an active and positive home/school partnership. This partnership is characterized by open communication and active participation in the school by the parent community. Parent engagement through activities and school initiatives is a key measure of the health of the home/school partnership.

In supporting the school as Lindfield parents do, you are role models for all the boys. This support is service and there is no better way to promote the idea of service in our boys than by doing the kind of things parents did at the Mini-Olympics day and the myriad other ways you help the school. We really appreciate you all and your efforts for the school. 

The Mini-Olympics day was a showcase of the power of service to improve our own lives and the lives of others.  It made me question, how am I contributing and what else can I do? Mel, the inspirational athlete who spoke at the morning assembly is a person who is doing amazing service and having a great time in the process. I feel that we have many people like Mel in our own school parent community and for that we are very grateful.

Ben Barrington-Higgs