The Your Move Initiative encourages students, where possible, to ride or walk to school. Physical transport promotes a range of benefits for our physical and mental health as well as for the environment.
Recently, as part of this initiative, we were lucky to have WestCycles create a “How to get to Newman College” Guide.
On Tuesday morning, a group of Year 6 and Year 10 student leaders assisted Sam from WestCycles in painting footsteps around the College to give our community a visual guide of safe walking routes.
The Newman Parent Forum (NPF) occurs once a term and is open to all parents/guardians. It is a parent community gathering led by the Principal and Vice Principal, in collaboration with a nominated Newman Parent K-12 Executive Committee.
The NPF for Term 1 is scheduled for Monday 16 March at 6.00pm. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend in person in the JHN Learning Hub or via TEAMs. The agenda for the evening is available here.
Transperth Stirling Station Stand Changes Please be advised that from Sunday 8 March 2026 there will be changes to Transperth bus services departing Stirling Station, which will impact student journeys.
The following stands will be relocated slightly to the east of the station –
Stand A (Stop 29719)
Stand B (Stop 29720)
Stand 1 (Stop 11537)
Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Stand 3 (Stop 11539)
Stand 8 (Stop 11544) will be closed and the services will now depart from the following stands:
Route 413 will now depart from Stand 5 (Stop 11541)
Route 424 will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
Route 427 will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
School Special services will now depart from Stand 5 (Stop 11541)
The following services will also undergo stand changes:
Surf CAT will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
Route 402 will now depart from Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Route 403 will now depart from Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Information regarding these changes will also be available on the Transperth website shortly Transperth Service Updates.
The past two weeks have been an exciting and productive time in our Primary School, filled with events that highlight the enthusiasm, spirit, and leadership of our students.
Our Years 3–6 Guild Swimming Carnival was an outstanding success. It was wonderful to see so many students confidently participating, giving their best efforts, and showcasing their swimming abilities. The atmosphere around the pool was vibrant, with students who were not swimming cheering enthusiastically for their friends. A special acknowledgment goes to our dedicated Guild Captains, who worked tirelessly throughout the day to keep the energy high and the spirit in the bays alive. Their leadership and encouragement were truly commendable.
In addition to the carnival, several of our Year 6 student leaders took part in the Safe Route to School initiative. As part of this project, the students helped paint colourful footsteps along key pathways leading to the College. These markings will provide a friendly visual guide for students walking or riding to school and will support our ongoing commitment to promoting safe and active travel. For families wishing to encourage cycling, we would like to remind you that the Lavalla Campus has two bike racks available, one located behind the basketball courts near the oval, and the second positioned to the side of the music room.
Last week, our Year 6R class led the first assembly of the year, delivering a thoughtful and inspiring message centred on the importance of celebrating our differences and striving for personal excellence. It was a beautiful reflection on the values we aim to nurture in all our students, and we are very proud of the confidence and maturity the students demonstrated on stage.
This week is Hearing Awareness Week and our TSH (Teach Speak Hear) team have shared some fun activities to promote hearing awareness at Newman College. The team from TSH support children with hearing loss at Newman College and have a long and supportive connection with our school.
This week in the Early Years classes, Zita Ferriera (Teacher of the Deaf) showed children how different animals hear. The children were fascinated, learning lots of fun facts about hearing.
Did you know these fun facts?
Elephants can hear low frequency sounds very well and they have huge ears which can detect sounds from very far away. They also feel vibrations of sound through their feet.
Dolphins pick up vibrations from their jaws to hear sounds underwater.
Bats can use very high-pitched sounds and echolocation to move around.
Moths use their antennae to hear. The Greater Wax Moth has the best hearing in the world and can hear the highest pitch sounds better than any other creature on Earth.
Our sense of hearing is amazing!
To promote good hearing and ear hygiene at home here are some important reminders:
Look after your ears – Please never insert anything into your ears to clean them, except for your elbow (go on, try it!). Ears are very efficient at cleaning themselves. Cotton buds can cause further complications if inserted inside the ear. If your child has blocked ears, please see your GP or a health professional.
Promote hearing protection at home – Many types of hearing loss can be avoided. Please ensure children have limited time with headphones on and that the volume is not too loud. Repeated exposure when listening with the volume too loud can cause permanent hearing loss that could be avoided. Headphones which have reduced volume settings can help avoid this, as well as limiting the amount of time children wear headphones at home.
Did you know that just 7.5 minutes near a loudspeaker at a music concert can damage your hearing? Concerts often project sound through the speakers at 120 decibels which can cause permanent hearing loss. You can protect your ears by wearing ear protection or moving further away from the speakers but still enjoy the show!
Babies can detect sound in the womb from around 22 weeks.1.2-1.7 babies in every 1000 live births will be born with a hearing loss. Newborn Hearing Screening can detect hearing loss early, so children can have the best support they can have from an early age and the best start to their hearing journey.
If you have any worries or concerns about your child’s hearing, chat to your family GP or book them in for a hearing assessment. They can not only check their hearing but can also check their ear health for things like fluid in their ears and ear infections.
Need a mindful moment at home? Try this fun hearing and mindfulness moment as a family:
Lie on the grass outside or at the park as a family. Close your eyes and listen for a few minutes. Encourage your children to tune into sounds around them in the environment by just using their ears. How many different sounds could they hear? What made the sounds they could hear?
Enjoy the serenity and have a happy Hearing Awareness Week!
State Sporting Achievement
Congratulations to the following student for the state achievement in their sport:
Harry Bluff (Year 4). On Saturday 21 February, Harry competed in the Surf Life Saving WA Nippers Championships. After progressing through multiple heats, he went on to win the Under 10 Boys Flags event.
A huge congratulations to Cruz Priolo (Year 6), who won the first-round final of the Asian Series during the holidays, earning an invitation to compete in the remainder of the championship season. Cruz also achieved first place at the Southern Sprint Championships in Albany last week.
State and National 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
The School-Based Immunisations team will be attending Thursday 12 March for Year 10 students (Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination) and Monday 23 March for Year 7 Students (Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations).
Parents have received email communication and will need to complete an online consent form for their child prior to the day. The consent form is available here.
Y7-12: Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnival
On Thursday 19 February, the Newman College community descended on the Perth High Performance Centre in Mount Claremont for the annual Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnival — and what a day it was!
The day got off to an unforgettable start with the inaugural Synchronised Swimming event, led by our Year 12 Class of 2026. It was a brilliant and creative way to open the carnival, drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd and immediately setting the mood for a wonderful day ahead.
The competition that followed showcased the very best of Newman College. Our Year 7s threw themselves into their first Secondary Carnival with great enthusiasm, while older students brought intensity and skill to every race. Guild pride was evident across the entire venue all day long. The standout achievement of the day was the remarkable breaking of 10 records — a reflection of the hard work and dedication our students bring to their sport.
Congratulations to Marcellin Guild, who claimed the Champion Shield, and to Chisholm Guild, who took home the Spirit Shield.
A huge thank you to our Guild Coordinators, Guild staff, the Physical Education team, and Ms Sara Kononen for delivering such a fantastic event.
Year 9: The Rite Journey — Calling & Departure Ceremony
On the evenings of Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 February, our Year 9 students gathered with their families at City Beach Oval for a truly special occasion — the Rite Journey Calling & Departure Ceremony.
The Calling Ceremony invited students to pause and reflect on their childhood — the people who loved and cared for them, the experiences that shaped them, and the community that raised them. As the sun set over the ocean behind them, students were called to acknowledge all of this with gratitude before beginning to say goodbye to childhood and stepping forward into young adulthood.
The most powerful moment of the evening came during the Departure. After each student received their personal Declaration, parents and loved ones placed a hand on their child’s shoulder — a gesture of love and support — before giving them a gentle push forward as a blessing for the journey ahead. Students then stepped forward themselves, reading their Declaration aloud and accepting the challenge of becoming young adults.
It was a deeply moving experience for students and families alike, and a reminder of just how significant this stage of life is.
Our Year 9 students are now on their journey — supported by their weekly Rite Journey sessions, regular challenges, and the community around them.
Thank you to every parent/caregiver, student and staff member who attended and made this ceremony so meaningful.
Year 12: The Ball
On Wednesday 25 February, our Class of 2026 gathered at the stunning Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park, for the Year 12 Ball — one of the most cherished and momentous occasions in the Newman College calendar.
The students looked amazing, and the evening was filled with celebration, joy, and hope for the year ahead. Our Year 12s are to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves throughout the night, reflecting the values of our College with pride.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Lara Ognenis, Leader of Wellbeing Year 12, and all of the Year 12 PCG teachers for their tremendous work in organising such a fantastic and memorable event.
State Sporting Achievement
Congratulations to the following student for the state recognition in their sport:
Ruby Hankinson (Year 12). The Gymnastics WA Awards Night was held in February, where Ruby was honoured as the Aerobic Gymnastics National Level Athlete of the Year — This was a fitting way for her to retire from gymnastics after 13 years.
State and National 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
Mrs Anna Scanlan
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
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
North Metro TAFE have offered a TAFE course (1 day per week) commencing in Term 2. This course is Certificate II Sport (Developing Athlete). Eligible students must be currently participating in competitive sport and belong to a club or group in which they are involved in regular interaction with coaches, club staff and volunteers. Please email Mr Farley if interested.
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12
Key dates for TAFE and University applications for 2027
For those students applying for TAFE for 2027, applications will open in September of this year and close in November of this year. You will be advised of this at the time.
For those students applying for University for 2027, early applications (early offers) will open in June and you will have until mid-December to lodge your application. Closer to the time you will be provided with instructions and further information about applying.
Year 12s are welcome to come and collect (and keep) any of the University handbooks that are on the table near my office. These can be very helpful in making your choice.
Alternatives to University
Did you know that University is not the only place you can obtain a degree? There are several alternatives here in Perth:
SAE: Offers degrees in things like Animation, Audio, Game Development, Creative Industries. https://sae.edu.au/
ACAP: Offers degrees in things like Psychology, Criminology, Social Work. https://www.acap.edu.au/
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2027 (including Assured Pathway at UWA and Notre Dame) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
3 March 2026: UCAT bookings open
15 May 2026: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2026
12 June 2026: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
1 July 2026: UCAT testing begins
5 August 2026: Last test date
September 2026: Results available
You can check https://www.ucat.edu.au/ for further information, practice tests, and tips to succeed. It is recommended to book a UCAT as early as possible as demand for testing places is high.
UWA The official handbook for entry to Medicine at UWA can be found at this link and Dentistry at this link. Please note that Medicine and Dentistry at UWA are postgraduate courses and require completion of a relevant Bachelor degree prior to entry.
Curtin Curtin University offers the only direct entry medical program in Western Australia. In 2025, the cutoff ATAR for this course was 93.
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
One of the phrases often associated with Marist education comes from our founder, St. Marcellin Champagnat, who spoke about the importance of forming young people to become good Christians and good citizens. While these words were written nearly 200 years ago, they remain deeply relevant and the driving force behind our mission today.
For Marcellin, education was never just about academic achievement. Of course, learning, excellence and hard work matter greatly in a school community, but he believed that education should also shape the kind of people our young people become – people of integrity, compassion, and responsibility, who contribute positively to the families and communities around them.
During this season of Lent, the Church invites us to pause, reflect, and consider how we are living our values in everyday life – the things that help to make us good Christians and good citizens. We are invited into this special time of recentring – a time of prayer, generosity, and renewal, as we take the time to focus on what matters most. In many ways, Lent echoes the vision of Marcellin. It reminds us that faith is not just something we learn about, it’s something we live every day in the way we treat others, the choices we make, and the care we show for those in need.
This formation of our students is at the heart of what we do. At Newman, we know the formation of our students doesn’t just happen in the chapel or in the classroom, it happens in the corridors, in the quiet conversations, and in the everyday ways we interact with our young people. Just as important, it happens at home too, through the partnership between families and the school. As we journey through Lent, we might like to pause and consider how we are contributing to this great Marist mission of forming good Christians and good citizens.
“Give without remembering, receive without forgetting”. This was one of several messages in the homily of Fr Michael Twigg OMI to our whole gathered College and families at the Family Mass last Tuesday evening. As well as celebrating the opening of the year and praying for the success of all in our community in 2026, the Mass provided the opportunity to present and bless our Year 12 and Year 6 Leaders as they begin their service to Newman College in these important roles. Family means so much to us, and we were delighted to have parents present the badges to their daughters and sons. Our Marist theme for 2026 is “Full of Grace – Transform the World with God’s Love”. Fr Michael urged us to see Grace and be the Grace that God gifts us. This simple example of being people for others who give to anyone in need of love, recognition and time is a moment of Grace when we do so freely and without reward. One simple message from a family the day after the Mass captures the blessing that we are as the Newman College community:
“Last night I attended our first opening school mass with our granddaughter …What a beautiful Eucharistic Celebration bringing the whole Community together … The students were so reverent and so respectful when applauding their peers chosen to take on leadership roles. I felt a real sense of Community. Please give our thanks to the many staff that it would’ve taken to organise. We look forward to attending many more Eucharistic Celebrations and other functions as part of the Newman College Community.”
High Achiever’s Assembly
Our first Celebration Assembly on Marcellin was a time to celebrate the Academic Excellence of the Class of 2025 and our current Year 8-12 Academic Excellence from Semester 2, 2025. Another highlight of this gathering was the guard of honour Year 12 gave to the incoming Year 7 group. During the assembly, our Academic Captains announced the new Colours and Honours system of recognising excellence in Academics, Mission, Sport and The Arts. The first Colours Assembly will happen later this term, where the awards will be presented across these four pillars.
Daniel Miniello, Class of 2025, gave the occasional address to the assembly and spoke so well about working towards personal excellence. His message was one of perseverance, determination and gratitude for the support of family and teachers. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who joined us for this milestone celebration. Let’s all keep encouraging our young people to pursue personal excellence.
Ash Wednesday
The Season of Lent has begun and we recognised this with respectful Ash Wednesday liturgies at Lavalla and Marcellin. In each liturgy, we unpacked how we can embrace Lent through prayer, giving and moderating our lives. Ms Cole-Carter spoke in our Lavalla liturgy about her experience of serving a community in Kenya as a teacher in a village with few material resources but plentiful riches in community, and the aim to make better lives through education. Mr Box and Mr McClorey spoke to the Marcellin liturgy about how we can contemporise the traditional elements of Lent – alms giving, prayer and abstinence in our lives today. Please join us in supporting the raising of funds to Caritas Australia as they support education, dignity and health in impoverished communities.
Guild Swimming Carnival – Secondary
We are taking Guild Spirit to a new level this year and this was on display at the Guild Swimming Carnival at High Performance Centre this week. Pride and Excellence in Guild! Each Guild participated with great effort and commitment and the Class of 2026 led the way with passionate involvement and the fun of delivering the inaugural synchronised swimming event to open the Carnival. The quality of swimming was excellent throughout all years and 10 records tumbled in the pool. Our new Year 7 group gave it their all in their first Carnival.
Congratulations to all students, Guild Coordinators and Guild staff, Physical Education Team and Ms Sara Kononen who led the Carnival. Well done to Marcellin Guild for taking out the Champion Shield and the Chisholm Guild for winning the Spirit Shield. A fine win by both Guilds!
