In Week 9, the Year 11 Guild Representatives organised a joint Walk for Water event with Year 11 and Year 4 students. Congratulations to Catherine Guild for winning the relay by efficiently and effectively moving water without any waste. This event highlighted the reality that some people face when they need to travel up to 6 kilometres daily to collect clean water. The Year 11 students thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the enthusiastic Year 4s on this meaningful challenge.
Paramedic Presentation
In Week 10, Jane Jennings from St John of God delivered an insightful presentation on key aspects of First Aid, focusing on the DRSABCD process. She encouraged students to reflect on various real-life scenarios and apply the DRSABCD steps accordingly. Ms Jennings also introduced several useful apps designed to facilitate access to health and emergency services, such as the St John First Responder App and Emergency Plus, both featuring GPS functionality, and Health Direct (1800 022 222). Families are encouraged to discuss these scenarios and apps with their children to empower them in handling health or safety concerns effectively.
St John First Responder App: This app helps users learn and provide first aid, locate nearby defibrillators.
Emergency Plus: Developed by Australia’s emergency services, this app uses GPS functionality to help users call Triple Zero (000) quickly and accurately communicate their location. It also includes SES and Police Assistance Line numbers for non-emergency situations
Health Direct (1800 022 222): A government-funded service providing 24-hour health advice from registered nurses. The app includes a symptom checker and access to trusted health information
Recognition of State Representation:
Congratulations to Year 12 student Caitlin, who, with her partner Kaia, won GOLD at the 2025 Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships in Coolangatta in March!
A special shout out to Caitlin on receiving her third medal in three years at the AYBVC, including back-to-back Gold, and being named the MVP!
Congratulations to Year 11 student Koby, who last week captained the WA Under 16 State Team at the Australian Hockey Championships, taking out the bronze medal. Koby was also named Player of the Tournament.
State Representation is an honour and an important stepping stone in an athlete’s journey. We commend these students for their dedication and commitment to their sport.
If your child has achieved state or national recognition in their sport or extra-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it so we can celebrate their success. Please let us know the details by filling out this form. https://forms.office.com/r/qaCxCYLNX6
Newman College Japan Tour: A Journey of Discovery, Culture, and Adventure
The Newman College Japan Tour is off to an exciting start, with students and staff diving straight into the colour, energy, and rich culture of Japan.
Exploring Tokyo: After a slightly delayed start organising train tickets, the group wasted no time exploring Tokyo’s vibrant streets. The first stop was the famous Shibuya Crossing—reputedly the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with hundreds of people moving in every direction (and just as many tourists taking selfies!). Students enjoyed the view from above while sipping on a traditional Japanese Starbucks coffee.
From there, they strolled through Yoyogi Park to the peaceful Meiji Shrine, where the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere. Harajuku and Takeshita Street brought a dramatic change of pace, with colourful shopfronts, quirky animal cafés (featuring everything from cats and dogs to pigs and otters!), and an assortment of unique street food. Culinary highlights included rainbow cheese-infused pancakes, chicken curry crepes, the longest swirled potato chips imaginable, and a wild assortment of sweets and toys.
The afternoon took them to Akihabara, the bustling hub of anime and manga culture, where students soaked up the atmosphere before enjoying a traditional Japanese dinner together. The day ended on a literal high—with an elevator ride 350 metres up the Sky Tree Tower, offering dazzling views of the Tokyo skyline at night.
A Magical Day at Disney Sea: The following day was nothing short of epic. Leaving the hotel at 7:15am and returning at 11pm, the group navigated Tokyo’s intricate underground transport system (even managing the peak-hour crowds at 10:30pm!) to spend the day at Disney Sea.
Each group carved their own path through the themed areas, enjoying rides that matched their interests. Favourites included the thrilling Tower of Terror and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The day concluded with a spectacular light show, featuring dancing, music, and dazzling effects choreographed to beloved Disney films. It was a long day, but one that left lasting memories.
Mt Fuji – A Lesson in Resilience and Natural Wonder: The group’s journey to Mt Fuji tested both patience and flexibility, as unexpected train cancellations meant reworking the entire travel plan. Instead of a direct express service, the group navigated multiple local trains to reach the Hakone region, showcasing impressive adaptability and teamwork.
Their efforts were rewarded with a breathtaking cable car ride over the mountain ridges. From the crest of the hill, Mt Fuji emerged—snow-capped and majestic, blending into the surrounding landscape. At the summit, the vivid hues of sulphur vents (greens and yellows) stood out against the rich reds and oranges of the rocks and the clear blue sky. After a bit of souvenir shopping, the group made their way back—tired but inspired after nearly 12 hours on the move.
2025 Year 7 Guild Representatives:
The following Year 7 students were elected Guild Representatives through a process of student voting and staff endorsement. Students elected to Student Leadership is an acknowledgement of their outstanding commitment to the College values. Congratulations!
BRIGID – Iaasha Ahearn and Joel Costley
CAMARA – Lucy Hayes and Alex Martinovich
CATHERINE – Hunter Popovsky and Oliver Slavicek
CHISHOLM – Claudia Fleming and Rita Kirk
MACKILLOP – Harper Chatfield and Luke Mathews
MARCELLIN – Olivia Gordon and Olive Mollet
ROMERO – Angus Kerns and Madison Stein-Frankel
THOMAS MORE – Eowyn Bishop and Henry Dudumas
Term 2 EGT Program:
The Term 2 Year 7 – 12 Equip, Guide, Thrive (EGT) program can be found here.
Term 1 Thanks:
This term has been filled which so much learning, growth and memorable moments. Throughout the term, I have had the privilege of seeing students step up in many ways – through the way in which they have approached their studies with curiosity, showing resilience during challenging times, or simply supporting one another throughout the term.
One of the highlights for me was the College Production of Bugsy Malone! It is so wonderful to witness the range of talent within our College community. What a pleasure it was to watch our students doing something they love with such determination and passion!
I would like to thank our students, staff and families for making this term such a rewarding one. I hope everyone has a wonderful break and finds time to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones. I look forward to welcoming the students back to school on Wednesday 30 April. Students are asked to go directly to PCG and should be in their correct Winter Uniform.
Wishing all our families and students a happy Easter.
Mrs Carla Pastorelli
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject handbook open
Current Year 10 students and families can now access information about Year 11 subjects for 2026, using this link: https://handbook.newman.wa.edu.au/
A reminder about the major subject selection event coming up in Term 2. It is expected that all students attend this event, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
Tuesday 24 June
Marist Auditorium, Newman College
5pm to 6pm: Careers and Year 11 Subjects Expo.
6pm to 6.45pm: Year 10 Family Information Evening.
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
WACE (secondary graduation) requirements
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12
A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath.
For students thinking of attending University
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025
New Electrical pre-apprenticeship course
The College of Electrical Training is offering an Electrical pre-apprenticeship course (Certificate II Electrotechnology), commencing Semester 2. To be successful in your application, students will need good grades in Maths, Science, English and also NAPLAN.
Further information is available at this link, and please contact me if you wish to apply.
Future Female Health Leaders Program
The Future Health Leaders Program is designed to inspire female high school students to enter a career in health and medical research, innovation and life sciences. The program will bring together twelve Year 11 science students from across Australia for a full-day event in Canberra in August 2025 to:
Showcase the diversity of career pathways in health and medical research
Inspire a passion for a career in health and medical research
Meet with exceptional female leaders in research, education, industry and government
Get some hands-on experience in world-class science facilities
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
University Early Offer information
Please see below for the latest available Early Offer information.
Early Offers will open on 3 June 2025. Prior to this date, all Year 12 students will be provided with information about how to access the TISC system and enter preferences.
Curtin University
No details as yet.
Edith Cowan University
Full information and list of eligible courses at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/early-offer-program Open to ATAR, Certificate IV, and UniReady students.Submit your Early Offer application by placing an eligible ECU course as your first TISC preference.First offers released to students on 2 September 2025.
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry in 2026?
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2025 (including Assured Pathway at UWA) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
4 March 2025: UCAT bookings open
16 May 2025: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2024
11 June 2025: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
Also, students applying for Medicine at Curtin University are required to sit the CASPER Test. CASPER scores are valid only for the next available admissions year, so applicants should only complete the test in the year immediately preceding their planned year of admission.
The CASPER Test is held nationally and is sat online from home. Applicants are responsible for making their own arrangements to register for the CASPER Test.
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025
Bricklaying free course
The Bricklaying Job Ready Program is a FREE 4-week course designed for students eager to begin their journey in bricklaying. It offers the students a white card and experience in the bricklaying industry.
Course Dates: 1st Semester 2025:
Start date 5 May – North Metro TAFE Clarkson
Start date 2 June – South Metropolitan TAFE Thornlie
As a follow-up to discussions at our Parent Forum last week, please see below for a link to a survey regarding possible chartered bus services from Glendalough & Karrinyup stations.
We have lobbied Transperth for an increase in services, but unfortunately, they are unable to assist in this regard.
We have therefore investigated various charter options & whilst these services are possible, the cost of these services are far more expensive than normal Transperth services. The price estimates provided are purely reflective of the cost of the service quoted to the College by the charter company. There is no increase or markup included in these calculations.
If we receive confirmed commitment from the required minimum number of families, we will progress discussions to the next stage.
I have noticed recently that my son, who is nine, can find it difficult to ‘get over’ conflict with his sister. He holds onto feelings of frustration and anger, and although in time they often pass, it can take some gentle coaxing and conversation for him to reach this position. But that’s all ok – he is young, and he is learning.
Forgiving someone isn’t always easy – whether you’re 9 or 49, it can be a challenge. When someone hurts us, our first instincts are rarely to offer forgiveness. Instead, we might seek to retaliate or hold a grudge, or we might even hold on to the pain – replaying the moment in our minds, feeling the anger rise whenever we think about it. We might even believe that holding onto resentment gives us a sense of justice, as if our hurt proves that we were right. But the truth is, when we refuse to forgive, we’re the ones carrying the heaviest burden. This was the message shared with Year 8 students this week when we gathered as part of their Wellbeing program.
This week’s Gospel tells the story of the prodigal son – a young man who makes mistakes, squanders his father’s wealth, and then returns home with nothing. His father, rather than punishing him, welcomes him back with open arms, offering love and forgiveness. It’s a powerful lesson about the unconditional love and forgiveness offered to us by God. But there’s another character in the story who often gets overlooked – the older brother.
He’s the one who stayed. The one who followed the rules. Yet, when he sees his father celebrating his wayward brother’s return, he’s angry. He refuses to join the feast because he’s trapped in his own sense of injustice: Why should he be forgiven so easily? What about me?
Many of us can see ourselves in both sons in this story. Like the younger son, we’ve all made mistakes or acted in ways we regret. And like the older son, we’ve felt the sting of frustration or resentment toward others. But in clinging to his anger, the older brother shuts himself off from joy. He distances himself not only from his brother but also from his father too. This is what unforgiveness does to us – it builds walls. It keeps us stuck in the past when life is moving forward.
Letting go of resentment doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It doesn’t mean ignoring injustice, and it certainly doesn’t mean that what may have happened to us is ok. It means choosing to free ourselves from the weight of anger. It means making space for healing, for peace, and for the possibility of restored relationships.
Jesus calls us to love as He loves – not because it’s always easy, but because it’s what sets us free. In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus calls us to love our neighbour – a group that he later goes on to explain includes our enemies just as much as it does our friends.
You might like to take some time over these next few weeks to think about where there is space in your life for forgiveness – either for yourself or for others. What hurt, anger, or pain might you be holding onto, that deep down, you know is weighing you down? And what small steps might you take to allow these feelings to pass? These are some of the same questions we reflected on this week with our Year 8’s.
Keep in mind, forgiveness isn’t always instant, and it’s not always easy. In fact, it rarely is, especially for young people who are still learning to explore and understand their emotions. But when we choose to let go – even in small ways – we open ourselves to a sense of peace and contentment, and the chance to move forward without the weight of resentment holding us back.
As we continue through Lent, may we find the courage to forgive, the humility to seek forgiveness, and the wisdom to embrace the healing that comes with both.
This morning, our Marist Basketball Teams departed for Marcellin College, Bulleen, Victoria, to compete in the Marist Basketball Carnival. Led by Ms Jade Nicotra and Mr Ben Goldie as well as coaches Nic Vlahov and Brendan Gaunson, our teams will take on fellow Marist schools from across the country in an exciting showcase of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
We wish them safe travels and a fantastic experience competing alongside our Marist friends.
Walk For Water
On Tuesday 1 April, our Year 4 and Year 11 students will take part in the Walk for Water, a meaningful initiative that highlights the challenges many children around the world face in accessing clean drinking water.
Students in Year 4 and Year 11 are encouraged to wear their Guild Uniform for the day. As an added incentive, the Guild that raises the most funds will earn the opportunity to wear their Guild Uniform on an additional chosen day.
All funds raised will be donated to Caritas Australia, supporting their vital work in providing water taps near homes and schools. This initiative helps reduce the burden on children who would otherwise walk over 6km daily to access clean water.
College Production Bugsy Malone
Excitement is building as we approach next Thursday’s opening night of our College Production, Bugsy Malone! This production has given students with a passion for the Arts a chance to ‘let their light shine’, showcasing their dedication and hard work in what promises to be a spectacular performance.
A huge thank you to Kathy La Brooy and the many staff members whose generosity of time, enthusiasm, and commitment have made this possible. Their dedication ensures that students have opportunities to grow, perform, and shine on stage.
With all four shows completely sold out, those lucky enough to have secured tickets are in for a fantastic night of entertainment. We can’t wait to share the magic of Bugsy Malone with you!
Your Move Update
On Thursday, 20 March, students from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 took part in our inaugural “Hands Up” survey, an initiative of the Your Move program. This survey helps the College understand how students travel to school, providing valuable data to guide future initiatives.
With over 1,500 students participating, the results will serve as a baseline to measure the impact of programs aimed at promoting active travel, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting sustainability. We look forward to conducting the survey again at the end of the year to track our progress.
Year 2 Blue were excited to compare their results to the secondary school, to see if and how movement changes through schooling.
Carpark Flow Improvement at Lavalla Carpark
We are pleased to see a noticeable improvement in the afternoon traffic flow in and out of the Lavalla car park over the past few weeks. This has been made possible through the cooperation and patience of our parents, and we sincerely thank you for your efforts.
Some of the key behaviours contributing to this positive change include:
• Arriving 5–10 minutes after the final bell so students are ready for collection • Following the no standing or parking rule in the left ‘Kiss N Drive’ lane • Moving forward promptly in the ‘Kiss N Drive’ lane as spaces become available • Clearly displaying family names on dashboards for quick identification • Encouraging children to enter the car independently (where appropriate) without parents needing to exit their vehicle • Practising courteous and safe driving at all times
Your continued support in following these guidelines helps ensure a safer and more efficient pick-up experience for everyone. Thank you!
The College is still monitoring the arrival times of school specials and communicating with Transperth in the instance of late arrivals. Transperth is working on measures to prevent these instances. We appreciate the undue stress that this causes students and would like to assure parents and caregivers that their child should not be receiving penalisation if they arrive late due to the school special running late.
So that we may capture the specific days and routes that are arriving late, students are asked to present to the Student Reception if their bus arrives late. They will be asked to provide their bus route number and arrival time.
Year 12 Business Management & Enterprise
Our Year 12 Business Management and Enterprise students had an exciting opportunity to attend the Curtin Business School Challenge Day, applying their learning to real-world business scenarios. Through interactive activities and competitions, they developed critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience enriched their understanding of business strategy while offering insights into university life and future career pathways.
Year 11 RAC bStreetsmart Road Safety Demonstration
On Tuesday 25 March, our Year 11 students, along with their EGT teachers, participated in a powerful and thought-provoking road safety event in collaboration with RAC, WA Police, Royal Perth Hospital, and St John of God.
The centrepiece of the program was a confronting car crash re-enactment, vividly illustrating the devastating consequences of risky driving behaviours such as alcohol consumption, distractions, and speeding. The scenario followed multiple perspectives, from the drivers and passengers to the first responders – including paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.
Students witnessed the harrowing reality of emergency response efforts, gaining insight into the critical work of surgeons and trauma teams who fight to repair the damage caused in just a few reckless moments. The re-enactment was designed to leave a lasting impression, reinforcing the message that road safety is a shared responsibility.
The event also featured deeply moving stories from individuals whose lives have been irrevocably changed by road trauma. Hearing first-hand from survivors added a personal and emotional layer to the experience. This immersive learning experience was an invaluable opportunity for our students to reflect on their own responsibilities as future drivers and passengers.
We encourage our students to take these lessons to heart, making safe choices every time they step into a vehicle.
Year 7 Immunisations
The School-Based Immunisation team will be visiting Newman College on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April to administer the dTpa vaccine booster (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough) and the HPV vaccination (human Papillomavirus) to all Year 7 students.
For this to occur, parental consent must be given. Please complete this as soon as possible to ensure that your child is able to receive their immunisation.
How to Give Consent
The preferred method of consent is via the VaccinateWA digital consent form, which can be accessed here.
If you are unable to provide consent using the digital form, please complete a Paper-based consent form. Please sign and return to the School, even if consent is declined. Please note, Paper-based consent forms will be entered onto VaccinateWA and you will receive an email confirming this.
Schedule
Monday 31 March – Brigid, Camara, Catherine and Chisholm
Tuesday 1 April – MacKillop, Marcellin, Romero and Thomas More
Uniforms
Students are permitted to wear their Guild uniform on their scheduled immunisation day.
Year 7 – 12 Guild Activities
Year 7 – 12 students will be participating in guild activities on Wednesday 2 April. Students are permitted to wear their Guild uniform to and from school on this day.
