Term 1, Week 10

3 April 2025

From the Deputy, Head of Preparatory Schools & ELC

It has been another interesting week of learning for our students. I am fortunate to have walked through many classrooms and been part of writing, reading and maths in some classes. The students have made significant progress over the last ten weeks, and we should all celebrate their learning.  

We are in week ten of an eleven-week term. The next week is crucial to finishing the term strongly. The staff are very aware that the students need to keep working up until the last day, but it is becoming increasingly clear that many of our students are very tired. They have gotten ‘school fit’ but they are tiring in what has been a long term without the usual Easter break time to reset and recharge.  

I wrote about this in week eight, but please be mindful of your child’s tiredness. It is really important that they are getting consistent sleep and have plenty of downtime.  It is a parental decision but if your child is showing signs of tiredness, consider whether it is necessary for them to step back from the many after school activities at this stage of the term. We really want everyone to finish the term on a positive note and being mindful of their tiredness and emotions will help this occur. 

Talking About Masculinity: Are We Missing the Point? 

I recently watched a Netflix show called Adolescence. It is fictional but has provided intense dialogue amongst our community about young people and especially young males who may be vulnerably accessing social media. After that, I found an article by David French in the New York Times. French posits that in recent years, many boys are not doing as well as girls in school and are sometimes feeling lost. Because of this, some boys are looking up to people like Joe Rogan, and other male influencers for advice. These people often tell boys to act more traditionally masculine, as they see it. They say things it is hard to object to like, “work out, dress better, be confident” and then move into darker territory such as, ‘fight back against those who you think have ruined your life.’ In some of their world views, success in terms of money, status and dominance is seen as desirable and a form of revenge against the world around them, and in particular, against women. For some, this is an example of what they describe as toxic masculinity. 

When we talk about the problems boys face, there is a vacuum of conversation, as any discussion almost immediately devolves into a debate over masculinity itself. Is it bad to stop raising boys in some ‘traditional’ ways, when it comes to civility, standards and personal integrity? What does masculinity even mean? French wonders if trying to fit boys into traditional masculine boxes is helpful or unhelpful. 

Instead of focusing on masculinity, maybe we should focus on universal values that can help everyone, especially young boys. Jeffrey Rosen, in his book The Pursuit of Happiness, says that when enlightenment thinkers coined the phrase, ‘the pursuit of happiness’, they meant being good, not just feeling good. French says it all comes down to four virtues: prudence (being wise), justice (being fair), temperance (having self-control), and courage (being brave). 

French believes that these virtues are not just for boys, they are for everyone. He says that every struggling young boy’s life would be better if they focused on these virtues. At Newington we would add the fifth virtue of kindness – the courage to be kind is central to our community. No matter how you define masculinity, a boy who is wise, fair, self-controlled, kind and brave is likely going to develop into a good human.  

In schools, and from many parents, the focus is often on ‘success ethics’ – pushing children to be successful in their careers and make money. But French thinks this focus on success is empty and makes young people feel unfulfilled. If they don’t succeed, they may feel anxious and insecure. Even if they do succeed, it doesn’t make them happy for long as it leads to superficial comparisons to everyone around them. 

Success virtues – wisdom, fairness, self-control, kindness and bravery – are different. Pursuing virtue is a lifelong journey and gives life purpose. French says we should focus on these universal values not because we reject the idea that young men have a distinct masculine experience, but rather because the argument about ideal masculinity is diverting our attention from the more important goal: providing boys with optimism and giving them a purpose that is more satisfying than just ambition and rebellion. 

D French, ‘The Atmosphere of the ‘Manosphere’ Is Toxic’, The New York Times (April 14, 2024) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/14/opinion/men-virtue-tate-peterson-rogan.html, accessed 2 April 2025.   

What Happened This Week

Staffing Update

After nine years of dedicated service to our school community, Colleen Chan, our Maths Teaching and Learning Coordinator and Head of Gifted Education, is embarking on a new adventure in Indonesia with her family. Colleen has been an invaluable part of our school, providing outstanding guidance and support to our students. Her passion for teaching and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact, and we will miss her greatly. 

Colleen leaves our Teaching and Learning program in a strong position, and we are excited to continue building on her legacy. In her place, we welcome Helen Loe, Teaching and Learning Deputy and Maths Coordinator at Wyvern House, who will be joining the Lindfield team one day per week. 

Additionally, we have expanded Susanne Williams’ role as our STEAM Integrator to include working with students in the Gifted and Talented space. Susanne is highly experienced in this area, having received formal training in gifted education. She also works with Gateways, an enrichment institution that operates across NSW, providing specialised learning opportunities for gifted students. Her expertise and passion for extending student learning make her a perfect fit for this role, complementing her current work in STEAM education. 

We thank Colleen for her incredible contributions and wish her and her family all the best in this next chapter. We also look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead with Helen and Susanne supporting our students’ learning journeys. 

IPSHA Cross Country Carnival

Lucas F (Year 4) and Liam W (Year 3) proudly represented Newington Lindfield this year at the IPSHA Cross country carnival at The Kings School. With over 100 students from 20 schools competing competition was tough, they showed great sportsmanship and did their best.

Congratulations Lucas and Liam!

Chapel Thought

As we journey through Lent toward Easter, let me offer this prayer which I shared in our Senior School Easter Chapel Service this week.  

Pastor Richard La’Brooy 

God of Easter, as we journey through Lent to the Cross and the Empty Tomb, we remember you. 

God of Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted Hosanna as you rode into Jerusalem. They proclaimed you King and they worshiped you. May we be people who strive for your Kingdom here on earth, may we challenge those powers that oppress and strive for places that empower.  

God of Palm Sunday, we remember you. 

God of Good Friday, on the cross they tortured you, they mocked you and left you to die. But you never stopped loving. In your death on the cross you transformed the cross into a symbol of your love. May we be people who show your never-ending love in all that we do. Help us transform those times of pain into times of your love.  

God of Good Friday, we remember you. 

God of Easter Sunday, on the third day you rose again, the tomb stands empty as a symbol of your never-ending power and plan. May we always remember the hope of the resurrection reminding us that your joy never ends, and your hope never fails.  

God of Easter Sunday, we remember you. 

God of Easter, you sustain us, and you support us. In this Easter season, may we know your love that never fails and your hope that never ends. 

Amen 

– Pastor Richard La’Brooy 

2025 Lindfield Calendar and Term Dates

*Subject to change

The 2025 dates have been published on New Spaces and can be found here on New Spaces Please ensure you check this Calendar regularly for any additional events and changes. 

New Sport Holiday camps 

NewSPORT has the following holiday camps taking place in Week 1 of the April School Holidays, which are also open to children who don’t attend Newington.

For a 15% early bird discount prior to 31 March, please use EBIRD15. 

Water Polo 

• Monday April 14 to Wednesday April 16 
• 8.00am– 12.00pm 
• Click here to register 

Futsal 

• Monday April 14 to Wednesday April 16 
• 9.00am– 1.00pm 
• Click here to register 

Newington LitFest and Dress Up

The excitement is building for Newington’s 12th biennial Literature Festival. The event will take place in the second week of Term 2, and the Dress Up will be held on the morning of Tuesday 2 May.

The theme is ‘Favourite Book Character’. Start thinking about your costume!

Submissions are due by the end of Term 1, Friday 11 April 2025. Entries should be printed and handed to the library staff. We look forward to reading your imaginative and creative stories! More information and details can be found on New Spaces.

To assist all families in navigating New Spaces please refer to this comprehensive article with relevant links.

Co-ed Scholarships for Year 5 2026 Now Open

Staff Profile

For this week’s staff profile we checked in with beloved Music Teacher and Director of Bands, Lachlan James.

Q. Why teaching? What is it you enjoy about teaching?  

A. Teaching is a collaborative profession. Particularly in the music department, I get to work with students in various settings, whether it’s in the rehearsal room, the classroom, or on the stage. Through these collaborative efforts, I can guide and support students as they explore their creativity, resulting in the creation of something entirely new and exciting. This process of collaboration and discovery is what makes teaching music such a fulfilling and exciting endeavour. 

Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why? 

A. I consider A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to be one of the greatest stories ever told. Whilst delivering a horrifying message about the worst of humanity, Dickens explores themes of redemption, kindness and social justice, all with intricate characters and perfect prose. Whether told through novella, theatre or Muppets, there is something to learn in this story for all of us, every one! 

Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school? 

A. Embrace curiosity and ask more questions. It is a privilege to be surrounded by so much expertise. So many of your teachers have great insight into many facets of the world, certainly more than you think. Engaging actively with your teachers can enrich your schooling experience and provide a deeper understanding of yourself and the world. 

Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)

This week we are profiling Pascal Czerwenka, Associate Principal of Lindfield Preparatory School. Having served the school for many years, Pascal is the beating heart of our North Shore campus and an important part of our College Leadership Group.

Q. What do you see as the role of the College Leadership Group?   

A. The College Leadership Group is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the school while ensuring the vision and values of the College are reflected in every aspect of school life. We lead by example, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where students and staff are empowered to achieve their best. Our role involves supporting teaching excellence, promoting student wellbeing, engaging with families and the broader community, and ensuring the operational success of the school from Early Learning to Year 12.

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?  

A. The Newington difference lies in our commitment to nurturing well-rounded students who are not only academically strong but also socially conscious and emotionally resilient. It’s a place where every student is seen, heard, and supported, and where diverse opportunities, whether in academics, sports, the arts, or service, allow each student to discover and develop their unique strengths. Our strong sense of community and focus on holistic education set us apart.

Q. What is something not many people know about you?  

A. Something not many people know about me is my fascination with ants, especially bull ants. These incredible insects have amazing vision, powerful jaws, and a fierce determination that makes them one of nature’s most impressive creatures. I love learning about their behaviour and unique survival strategies!

Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?  

A. I’d be most excited about the broad range of opportunities available, whether it’s participating in cutting-edge STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), playing sport on world-class facilities, or engaging in service learning. The chance to explore different passions while being part of a vibrant, supportive community is something truly special.

Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?  

A. Inspiring. Inclusive. Courageous