This month we celebrate May, a month that holds a very special and deep significance in our Catholic tradition, especially within our Marist community of Newman College.
May is the month that we dedicate to Mary. It’s a time to reflect on her virtues, her faith, and her quiet strength. As Marists, Mary has an even more special significance…we see Mary not only as someone to honour, but as someone to imitate.
Marcellin Champagnat’s vision for educators was very simple – in order to educate children, you must love them and love them equally. How did he and his brothers show this love? Through the living out of the Marist characteristics – presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and In the way of Mary. It is this last characteristic that can sometimes be the most difficult to fully understand.
So, as we begin the month of May, it is worth giving this some thought. What does it mean to live ‘in the way of Mary’?
To live in the way of Mary is a beautiful invitation to imitate Mary, not just in our actions, but in our attitude and spirit too. It means to follow Jesus just as she did; to act with humility, compassion, and trust in God. It means to be present to others, showing up especially in times of need; to saying yes with faith, even when things are hard or uncertain; to nurture and care for others, bringing out the best in those around us; and to act at all times with humility and love, seeking to ‘do good quietly’.
Taking Mary as our model means we reflect Mary in not only what we do but how we do it, with these notions of humility, compassion, presence, and a spirit of service front and centre. It is also a great reminder to us that Mary didn’t seek attention or status; she simply said ‘yes’ to God and walked alongside others with quiet courage and deep faith.
In the same way that Lent is a special time of spiritual nourishment so that we may become our best selves and grow closer to God, so too does the month of May allow us the opportunity to focus on how we can live out Mary’s qualities of faith, compassion, and quiet strength. Perhaps, you might like to choose one of Mary’s qualities you would like a little more of in your life…gentleness, patience, humility…and put this into place through your words, your spirit, and your actions.
Allow yourself the time to let your month of May be one of great purpose…an opportunity to walk in Mary’s footsteps, and in doing so, bring honour to her life and draw closer to her son, Jesus Christ.
Marian Lecture
The College is excited to host a live stream of the Marian Lecture. This is a free event, and we invite all members of our College community to join us. Light refreshments will be provided following the lecture. Please register your interest here.
Welcome back to the start of Term 2. I hope all families enjoyed some time together over the term break holidays. We are underway and fully back into the swing of College life and learning.
Prior to the students returning, our staff enjoyed a great day with the Marist Life and Formation Team, unpacking our Marist Theme for 2025, Pilgrims of Hope. As we enjoyed this deep dive into understanding Pilgrims of Hope, we were also grappling with the death of Pope Francis, and our community recognised his passing and leadership in our PCG and Class prayers throughout the first week of school. The impact of Francis’ leadership will be long experienced in the Church and the world. There are many lessons we take from his papacy but one in particular has sat with me for many years. Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit seminarian, wrote the book Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads. Lowney wrote what we all came to understand about this leader in faith. Pope Francis was a pastoral leader, a leader deeply connected with the people and of the people. A particular image put forward by Lowney was of Francis dirty laundry, dusty shoes and monastery bells. As a supervisor of a Jesuit Seminary earlier in his priesthood, Fr Jorge Bergolio (Pope Francis) took it upon himself to do the laundry of the seminary. He was easily identifiable as a priest with his people as his shoes were always dirty with the dust of the roads and alleyways where he met and pastored to his parish and people. This earthiness, presence and focus on the human interaction with others was also coupled with Francis’ focus on looking up (monastery bells), leading his flock to a personal relationship with God. In these times where leadership seems to have lurched towards selfishness and division, we have lost a true leader who embodied the hope to look beyond and to the margins, but we will continue to be better for the example of true servant leadership he has left us. We now celebrate and pray for Pope Leo XIV.
In this moment of history and hope, we pause in prayer together as a Marist community. With hearts full of faith, we welcome the words spoken by our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV:
‘Peace be with you’
Guild Spirit
Students on Marcellin campus enjoyed a great day of Guild spirit in last week’s Cross Country event. Along with the overall competition to take the shield, we had Guilds competing for the first time in the Guild Spirit shield. What we saw on the day was the dial shift even further to the right with a renewed energy around celebrating and competing as a Guild. Well done to all the students, Guild Co-ordinators and the Physical Education team for an uplifting and joyful carnival. Congratulations to the podium finishers in each race, Marcellin Guild for taking the Shield and to MacKillop and Thomas More who drew to become the first Guilds on the new Spirit Shield. Most importantly, well done to all our students for their great involvement on the day.
Mother’s Day
As the week drew to a close, we were delighted to welcome mothers, grandmothers and mother figures to the College for either the Mother’s Day Liturgy or Mass. The celebration of Mother’s Day is one of the most beautiful moments in any year; that outpouring expression of gratitude and thanks to our ever patient, strong, wise and amazing mothers.
We also take a moment to remember and honour the mothers who are no longer with us. Their love and legacy continue to live on in the hearts of those they nurtured.
On behalf of all in our community, I wish everyone a joyous Mother’s Day this Sunday.
Welcome back to Term Two. I hope that students enjoyed a restful break and are ready for the term ahead. As we begin the new term, we’re filled with hope for the opportunities ahead. Term Two is always a busy time in our College community, particularly for our Senior School students, as they prepare for their Externally Set Tasks and Semester One Exams.
This term we continue our focus on nurturing positive learning environments and supporting students in working to achieve excellence.
Parents, your continued support is greatly appreciated. From assisting your children with homework, attending school events or encouraging a high standard of behaviour, as well as uniform and personal appearance, your involvement and support makes a big difference.
This week Leaders of Wellbeing commenced uniform checks with Year 7 and 8 students. These checks will continue with the remaining cohorts over the next week. The purpose of this is to ensure that students are wearing their Winter Uniforms to a high standard. You will be notified if there are any concerns about your child’s uniform.
Guild Cross Country
Last Thursday, Year 7 – 12 students participated in the Guild Cross Country Carnival. The day was filled with a high level of participation and Guild Spirit. This year was the first year that we had the entire school come out to watch and support our Year 12 students run their final Guild Cross Country race. Mr Watson joined the Year 12 students in their race, encouraging some friendly competition for Life Link! Mr Watson has donated $1 for each student who finished before him, and in turn, our Year 12 students who finished after him have also donated $1. A wonderful way to inspire kindness amongst the cohort!
Congratulations to Marcellin Guild, who have now taken out the Champion trophy for both Swimming and Cross Country! Congratulations also to MacKillop and Thomas More, who drew for the Guild Spirit award. A big thank you to our PE staff, Guild Coordinators and our Facilities team for making the day a great success!
Year Group
Female
Male
Year 7
1st
Mia Dorrington
Jackson Piccoli
2nd
Sami Fowler
Lachie Anderson
3rd
Amelia Scott
Julian Cameron
Year 8
1st
Allegra Clark
Taj Wester
2nd
Grace Taylor
Sebastian Hobson
3rd
Layla Bornmann
Stefan Moschopoulos
Year 9
1st
Ashlee Kruger
Deion Fernando
2nd
Raphi Fisher
Angus Timcke
3rd
Holly Hart
Cooper Warrick
Year 10
1st
Tayla Maloney
Bastion Dominguez Rubina
2nd
Jade Thorstensen
Zander Taylor
3rd
Sarah Scott
Fletcher Bell
Year 11
1st
Olivia Hilderbrandt
Henry Schwertfeger
2nd
Ava Stanley
Aston Thorpe
3rd
Hannah Seaborn
Ryan Lockyer
Year 12
1st
Sophia Nardi
Harrison Warrick
2nd
Ella Rose
Charlie Cossom
3rd
Amy Wilson
Flynn Morison
ANZAC Day Service
On Friday 2 May, Year 7 – 12 students gathered on Founder’s Court for our ANZAC Day Service. Thank you to Mr McClorey, Mrs McCagh and Mr Smith for their organisation of the service and to all students who participated in the service. It was a touching service to commemorate those who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Mother’s Day
Thank you to families who joined our Community Mass, followed by our Mother’s Day celebrations yesterday. Wishing all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters and other women in our lives that care and love us unconditionally a Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday!
Upcoming Events:
Year 12 Externally Set Tasks (EST):
All Year 12 Students enrolled in a General Year 12 course are required to complete the externally set task developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment for the pair of units.
The ESTs are administered in schools during designated weeks in Term 2 under standard test conditions. The EST will take 50 minutes. The timetable for the Year 12 ESTs can be found here.
Year 7 – 12 Celebration Assembly
Our next Year 7 – 12 Celebration Assembly will be held on Thursday 22 May. All students are expected to wear their College Winter Uniform with their blazer to the assembly. Students wearing the College skirt will be required to wear tights to this formal occasion.
Recognition Of State Representation
Congratulations to the following students for selection in the Western Australian teams in their respective sports:
Adam Szwedzicki – Adam represented WA in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth in April. He competed in Men’s U13 high jump.
Hannah Seaborn – Hannah captained the WA State U16’s Football squad and represented the state in the AFL National Development Championship which is part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program. WA competed against South Australia at Revo Stadium and the Gold Coast Academy in Queensland.
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
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.
The Year 10 students have been listening to presentations about each Learning Area and their Year 11 offerings for 2026. A link to the presentations is available below:
The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/
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 Animal Care Certificate for Semester 2
There is an opportunity for interested students to apply for a 1-day-per-week Certificate II in Animal Care. This course will start in July and finish in December.
If interested, please contact Mr Farley.
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
The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/
Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities
Navy
Navy Careers Experience – HMAS Stirling – 30 June – 02 July 2025
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 2025
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
Women in STEM
The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/
Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities
Navy
Navy Careers Experience – HMAS Stirling – 30 June – 02 July 2025
Jenny Lindsay (Macauley 1972) is the oldest daughter of Tom and Mary nee Zencich, and attended Siena, Dominican Girls’ High School in Doubleview from Years 8-12, 1968-1972. Her sister Robyn Robertson (Macauley 1976) followed her to Siena, and her brother Wayne Macauley (1979), attended Marist College, Churchlands.
Jenny discovered her call to be a teacher during primary schooling at St Dominic’s; then one of the feeder schools for Siena Girls’ High School. It wasn’t until she came to Siena in 1968 she recognised she wanted to be a high school teacher and, ideally, return to teach at her alma mater. In February 1976, after Teachers’ College, Jenny realised her dream, working alongside many of her former teachers who had inspired those dreams.
In 1977 Siena, Brigidine and Marist Colleges united to form Newman College, and Jenny has since seen Newman transform into the thriving co-educational school we are today. Over the years she has seen and done it all, and taught myriad subjects, from Speech and Drama to Religious Education. Just as she experienced when she was a young teacher starting out at Siena, some of her former students are now her colleagues. Many have also sent their own children to Newman, which has maintained the sense of connection and led to the profound experience of Jenny having taught the children of some of her former Year 9 students from the 1970s and 1980s!
Jenny’s family have been hugely significant in their support of her during the nearly 30 years she taught Drama at Siena and Newman Siena. Her father Tom, husband David, and sister Robyn all helped construct and paint backdrops for productions whenever required, while her mother Mary joined the staff, making or serving afternoon tea or supper, during interval. Later, her daughter Rachel Heilers (Lindsay 1996) and son, Adam Lindsay (2001) helped in all kinds of capacities backstage, including stage management.
Aside from teaching, Jenny has also been a key driver of social justice initiatives, from organising Christmas hampers for Vinnies, to starting a student-led Social Justice group in 2006.
In 2019, Jenny retired from full-time teaching and was recognised with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education Award’, honouring her decades of service.
Throughout her years here, Jenny has felt tremendously supported by the College community, which has seen her flourish from a student to a wife, mother, grandmother and, sadly, with the loss of her husband David in 2012, widow.
Unfortunately, COVID ruined Jenny’s 2020 plans to travel. Instead, she had both knees replaced and, since March 2021, has been working back at Newman as a relief teacher, continuing her significant contribution to our School as she has for nearly five decades.
Eden Rigo (2015) was recently selected, from a field of six worthy candidates, as the 2025 Rhodes Scholar for Western Australia. Eden is our second Rhodes Scholar, the first being Dr Bronte Adams AM (1980), and we could not be more proud ofher incredible achievement!
Eden, the younger sister of Gioia Rigo (2010), came to Newman College in Year 5 and loved her years here, and has many fond memories of teachers and other staff. In Romero Guild, she was in the ACC Athletics and Swimming Teams, and played Basketball, Touch Football and Volleyball. She set a near record for protractor throwing in Maths in Year 10, a new record for Shot Put in Year 11, was the Female Age Swimming Champion in Years 11 and 12, and Year 12 Drama Captain. Eden was also in Remar in Years 10, 11 and 12 (the faith in action group now known as Game Changer) which, she says, kick-started her love for community service.
Eden chose not go straight into university, instead taking time to travel. In doing so, she built a store of life experiences backpacking around Europe for eight months, living in Broome for six months, travelling through Indonesia and Malaysia for nearly five months, and teaching English online at a summer school. When not travelling she worked in hospitality in Perth, mostly during the summers.
She began her Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University in 2021, aged 23, and is now completing her Honours. During her studies she has won several awards, including attaining the highest academic standing across her entire degree. She has twice attained Membership to the Vice Chancellor’s list, recognising the top 1% of undergraduates, and received the Don Watts High Achievers’ Scholarship. She has also undertaken three New Colombo Plan Mobility programs, which have taken her to the Maldives and three Micronesian countries. When she graduates, her degree will have taken her to eight different Asia/Pacific countries, and twice to the United Nations – the second in November this year for COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In her spare time Eden coordinates the mentoring of a women’s politics program and, as part of her activities with the Osborne Park Rotary Club (of which she has been a member for three years), arranges social gatherings for Ukrainian refugees. She has also held various leadership roles across political and student planning associations.
She has worked in the private sector, in the Community and Culture team at Element Advisory and, for the past two years, has been the Executive Officer of the State Parliamentary Labor Party at Parliament House.
As far as her Rhodes Scholarship, which will take her to Oxford University, Eden hopes to study a Masters in Philosophy in Development Studies, as she’s aiming for a career which is impactful for at-risk and vulnerable communities. She aims to learn as much as she can at Oxford so she can foster sustainable and thriving communities in future.
We wish Eden the very best with her studies next year, and in bringing her plans to fulfillment!
