#SAC NEWMAN
What is the #SAC?
The #SAC (Week of Arts and Sciences) is a six-day celebration where the J. H. Newman International School becomes a showcase of student learning and interdisciplinary projects, organised by the Departments of Art, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Science and Technology. Each year, this week features a wide range of activities across these areas: exhibitions of student-led projects and research, informational conferences, workshops and lectures given by important figures from the world of academia or research, competitions, workshops, sports activities and much more. A space for training and research open to all in the heart of San Blas.
2026 #SAC Programme
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Science, Art and Entrepreneurship Exhibition09.00hCorridors, hall and library
Concert11.35hHall- Science, Art and Entrepreneurship Exhibition12.10hCorridors, hall and library
Board games15.15hDining room
Conference + Workshop on Adapted Sport15.15hGymnasium
Academic guidance15.15hMultimedia room
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Open house day10.00h
MONDAY, MARCH 9
- Science, Art and Entrepreneurship Exhibition09.00hCorridors, hall and library
- Concert11.35hHall
Belén Benavent CONFERENCE: "Look at me. A reality that challenges me"12.10hAuditorium
Volcano Contest15.15hPatio Azul
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
Math Challenge09.00hGymnasium- Concert11.35hHall
Manuel de León CONFERENCE: "The Mathematics behind 20th-Century Science"12.10hAuditorium
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
- Concert11.35hHall
CONFERENCE by Javier Ablitas: "The Power of Words"12.10hAuditorium
Chemistry Contest15.15hMultimedia Room
Art Workshop: "Sketchbooking"15.15h
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Piano recital: "Iberia by Isaac Albéniz"10.00hAuditorium- Concert11.35hHall
Conference by Enrique Andreo: "An Approach to Truth through Art"12.10hMultimedia Room
2026 #SAC Videos
#SAC 2026 Programme
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
09.00h | Science, Art and Entrepreneurship ExhibitionHall, Corridors and Library
11.35h | Concert
Auditorium
12.10h | Science, Art and Entrepreneurship Exhibition
Hall, Corridors and Library
15.15h | Board games
Dining Room
15.15h | Conference + Adapted Sport Workshop
Auditorium and gymnasium
Javier Soto
Javier Soto was world champion in the 1,500 metres at the World Deaf Athletics Championships and has won 27 medals at various international competitions. He is currently a lecturer and researcher at universities such as the UAM and INEF-UPM, and technical director of the Spanish Deaf Sports Federation (FEDS).
The activity is split into two parts. For one hour, two Year 8 groups will listen to and talk with Javi Soto about his personal and professional career in the assembly hall, whilst the other two groups will take part in a practical adapted sports workshop at the sports centre. At the end of the hour, they will swap activities, taking part in the one they haven’t done before.
15.15h | Academic Guidance
Multimedia Room
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
10.00h – 13.00h | Open House day
J.H. Newman School
MONDAY, MARCH 9
09.00h | Science, Art and Entrepreneurship Exhibition
Hall, Corridors and Library
11.35h | Concert
Auditorium
12.10h | Conference: “A reality that challenges me”
Auditorium
Belén Benavent
The significance of this talk stems from the close relationship between my work and the reality that challenges me. I always try to understand the things that stir me from within, from a place of closeness and, above all, through action. I firmly believe that if one wishes to address social realities, one must be present, feel, and, above all, allow oneself to be challenged. Only from that humility can the artist create with honesty. We need to step out of the studio more often and rediscover that the urge to create stems from what we live through and experience.
15.15h | Volcano Contest
Patio azul
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
09.00h | Mathematics Contest
Gymnasium
11.35h | Concert
Auditorium
12.10h | Conference: “The mathematics behind 20th-century science”
Auditorium
Manuel de León
Manuel de León is a Spanish mathematician and a research professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
The speaker will take the audience on a journey through 20th-century science, exploring the parallel developments in mathematics that have made it possible to discover, prove and analyse this scientific knowledge.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
11.35h | Concert
Auditorium
12.10h | Conference: “The power of words”
Auditorium
Javier Ablitas
This lecture will feature Javier Ablitas, a journalist specialising in business news with over fourteen years’ experience in television, print media and radio. A PhD holder in Communication and a university lecturer, he has led projects in the national media and is the author of “Business TV, the New Television”.
In his talk, he will reflect on the power of words, journalistic ethics and the responsibility of journalists and citizens in an environment where information has a decisive influence on the economy and society. A talk to help us learn to think critically and understand how language not only describes reality, but also constructs it. Presented by Francisco Valero and Carmen Collado.
15.15h | Chemistry Contest
Multimedia Room
15.15h | Taller Sketch Urban
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
10:00h | Piano Recital: “Iberia” by Isaac Albéniz
Auditorium
Luis Prades
Born in Gijón in 1999, he began studying the piano at the age of five and completed a thorough training in performance and conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Madrid and at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
He has served as musical director of Voces a Contrapunto and is principal conductor of the Bohème Orchestra and Choir, as well as having conducted the Málaga Symphony Orchestra in the premiere of Aurora Europa.
As a solo pianist and conductor, he has performed at leading venues in Spain and Vienna, combining his artistic work with educational and charitable projects.
He has also premiered his own compositions, such as Tema con variaciones and Romanza for cello and piano, whilst continuing his studies in Musicology at Alfonso X el Sabio University.
11.35h | Concert
Auditorium
12.10h | Conference: “An exploration of the truth through art”
Multimedia Room
Enrique Andreo
Enrique Andreo currently works as an architect, specialising in project design, construction and property valuations. At the same time, he is undertaking extensive research and outreach work on the sculptor Eduardo Chillida to mark the centenary of his birth. He has a long and distinguished career in the property sector, combining private practice with senior management roles in the corporate world.
#SAC 2026 Speakers
Belén Benavent
Artist
BIOGRAPHY
Belén Benavent Cortés (born 1999, Madrid, Spain) is an emerging visual artist whose work addresses social and human realities with profound sensitivity. Her education began at John Henry Newman School, where she studied the arts-focused sixth form programme, a course launched by the renowned artist Antonio López. She subsequently graduated with honours in Fine Art and Design from the Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid (2022).
At the age of 21, she began the series on La Cañada Real, which marked a milestone in her career when she exhibited at the JustMad fair. After graduating, he established a collaboration with an art gallery. He has worked in a shared studio and currently has his own creative space. Over the past two and a half years, he has created more than 45 works, exhibited in venues such as the Leonora Carrington Museum in Mexico and in various cities, including Colombia, Madrid and Barcelona.
Her travels to Calcutta, Cameroon and Morocco have profoundly influenced her work, and her series on La Cañada Real remains a key reference point in her career. Her visual style, characterised by an expressive use of colour and composition, invites reflection on identity and belonging. Based in Madrid, her work fosters a dialogue between her art and reality.
Ángel Lage
Artist
BIOGRAPHY
Cartoonist and one of the longest-standing artists of Madrid’s Urban Sketching movement. Angel is a graphic designer and artist who combines his artistic practice with teaching drawing and painting at cultural centres run by the Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid.
Manuel de León
Mathematician
BIOGRAPHY
Spanish mathematician, Research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Javier Ablitas
Journalist
BIOGRAPHY
PhD in Communication. Managing Partner at Camila Comunicación. Journalist with over fifteen years’ experience in television, radio and the business press. PhD in Communication Sciences from the URJC. Lecturer on the Master’s in Television Journalism at Nebrija University. Advanced Programme in Audiovisual Business Management from IE Business School. Bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra. He has held various senior positions in the business media, including Editor-in-Chief of Capital magazine, Deputy Director of Business TV, Deputy Director of Radio Intereconomía and Programme Director at Expansión TV.
Enrique Andreo
Architect
BIOGRAPHY
He currently works as an architect, specialising in project design, construction and property valuations. He is also undertaking extensive research into the life and work of the sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002) to
mark the centenary of his birth. He has organised and presented cultural events such as “Eduardo Chillida, that beautiful and explainable madness. A profound look at reality”, with the participation of Antonio López and Pedro
Chillida. He has recently curated the virtual multimedia exhibition and edited the book “Eduardo Chillida. In Praise of
Infinity”, in collaboration with the Chillida family, the Association of Notaries of the Basque Country and the Notariado Foundation.
Javier Soto
World Deaf Athletics Champion in the 1,500 metres
BIOGRAPHY
World champion in the 1,500 metres at the Deaf Athletics World Championship and a 27-time medalist. Born in Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa) and raised in Segovia, he is a teacher of Physical Activity and Sport Science in the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), a researcher at the Centre for Studies on Inclusive Sports (CEDI), Faculty of Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport (INEF-UPM), Madrid, Spain – INEF, technical director of the Spanish Federation of Sports for the Deaf (FEDS) and Paralympic Trainer.
Luis Prades
Pianist
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Gijón in 1999, he began studying the piano at the age of five and completed a thorough training in performance and conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Madrid and at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
He has served as musical director of Voces a Contrapunto and is principal conductor of the Bohème Orchestra and Choir, as well as having conducted the Málaga Symphony Orchestra in the premiere of Aurora Europa.
As a solo pianist and conductor, he has performed at leading venues in Spain and Vienna, combining his artistic work with educational and charitable projects.
He has also premiered his own compositions, such as Tema con variaciones and Romanza for cello and piano, whilst continuing his studies in Musicology at Alfonso X el Sabio University.