Newbold has endeavoured for the past 120 years to provide a holistic approach for its students by addressing their physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual needs. Despite the initial COVID-driven lockdown in March 2020 and the ongoing obstacles imposed by the pandemic, we have continued to seek to support our students – whether they are physically on campus or members of our online community. Ideally, however, the Newbold experience is best enjoyed on our physical campus, allowing for easy access to lectures, to sports activities, and to a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth and for social and emotional well-being. Students appreciate the holistic ways in which classes are taught – not using the traditional ‘stand and deliver’ methods, but as far as possible employing interactive and personal approaches. Staff make themselves available outside the classroom too, offering and providing the additional support which students seek as part of their holistic, rounded educational experience. Alumni testify to the benefits of being members of our small, close-knit community in which students and staff can build relationships and safely share their ideas and perspectives as they exhibit and prepare for ministry in the widest sense of the word.

Our recent reorientation has resulted in a smaller institution focused within the Centre for Ministry and Mission on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, all validated by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Historically, Newbold has provided high-quality Christian education for students within the disciplines of Theology, Business, Humanities, English Language and the Social Sciences. The recent shrinkage of offerings will enable the College to grow once again in targeted areas as it addresses the demands of new global realities. These are likely to include chaplaincy and health, for example, as well as shorter professional development courses for members of the Church and the local community. I firmly believe that Newbold will grow more intentionally and in a way that will enable it to become financially independent of the large subsidies which it has received over so many decades.

We can be proud of the principles which continue to guide our College, namely:

▸  The distinctive and holistic Seventh-day Adventist understanding of the Bible’s teachings about salvation in Jesus

▸  A commitment to strengthening Seventh-day Adventist identity, vision, and mission

▸  A desire to reflect the diversity of the Church within the Trans-European Division

▸  A determination to articulate the good news of Jesus Christ and His soon return in ways that are biblically faithful, attractive, relevant and culturally authentic for those living in twenty-first-century Europe.

Thank you for joining me in supporting the important work of Newbold College of Higher Education.