Whether student interests expressed themselves in more organised or purposeful ways, as in drama, music or sport, or whether they surfaced in more informal settings, such as at mealtimes and social gatherings, Newman contended that education in the sense of personal development was continually taking place. Though it is hard to pin down the precise nature of this activity and assess its formative value, this ‘unofficial’ side to university education had, for Newman, an incalculable worth.

Between the formal daily round of lectures and tutorials and informal moments of relaxation and amusement, student enthusiasms – Newman thought – should find outlets in semi-formal settings.