Author: Jo Dunn

On Thursday 7 March, the Year 12 Biology students visited the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. After a short lecture (and a fun game) on the processes involved, students had the opportunity to conduct a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Gel Electrophoresis. PCR is used in medical research to amplify small quantities of DNA while Gel Electrophoresis is used to analyse and compare this DNA to other samples. These methods are used regularly at the Institute to help in the diagnosis of diseases such as skin cancer.

Krystal Skelin, Science Co-Ordinator

Student Reflections

“The trip to Harry Perkins was a very beneficial excursion. It was very enjoyable to be able to tour and learn in a premier science lab in Perth. My favourite part was being able to carry out our own Gel Electrophoresis experiment using all of the facility’s expensive equipment. I’d like to thank Ms Skelin and the Science Department for organising this excursion for us.”

“I really enjoyed being able to work in a lab first-hand and get an idea of what it would be like to work there. This was a really valuable experience as all of us are going to be applying for university soon. The people there were really easy to talk to and provided lots of useful information and it really helped me figure out what I would like to do with my future!”

On Wednesday 6 March, the Year 10 cohort enjoyed their Damascus Day Retreat, with the keen focus being on servant leadership. The retreat was hosted by the Youth Mission Team, a group of young adults who give up a year of their life to minister to high school aged youth all around the country. It was a fantastic day filled with high energy games to get the Year 10’s moving but also thinking about the deeper meaning behind each of the activities that they were led through.

Some of the key focal points for the day were:

• For students to appreciate their own worth as a starting point of their leadership journey; for students to understand what leadership looks like and the relationship between leadership and service
• That students would encounter the core Gospel values that drive true servant leadership and
• That students would recognise that it is both possible and desirable to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, only to help them serve as He served.

Each session had a particular theme following the trait of Integrity, helping students to identify integrity as the most valuable quality in a leader, but also the capacity to be true to themselves and their own beliefs and values, regardless of the pressure that others may place on them. It was a great way to be able to spend time as a cohort, to build relationships and community, but also to engage on a more personal level by inviting Jesus to empower us as leaders and to pray for the grace to be instruments of His love.

The day ended with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy led by the students and the launch of Project Compassion for 2019. Overall a truly memorable experience.

The Year 12 ATAR Earth & Environmental Science students investigated the metamorphic rocks of the Western Gneiss Terrane last week at the picturesque Bells Rapids Park, where the Swan River crosses the Darling Escarpment. The investigation included structural and geological mapping, geological modelling and interpretation of a complex geological sequence. The experience was a highlight of Term 1 and the team displayed excellent enthusiasm and geological skill. The experience allowed each student to apply all the theory that they have learned in class to a fantastic field environment. Well done to our young geologists!

WA’s New Intimate Image Laws

The new intimate image laws passed Parliament and will come into effect on 15 April 2019. The amendments alter the criminal code to do three things:

1. Create a new offence against distributing an intimate image of a person without their consent;
2. Empower courts to make a rectification or ‘take down’ order in relation to the image; and
3. Criminalise the threat to distribute an intimate image.

Click here to access further information on these changes.

Newman Parents Information Session with Dr Justin Coulson

Respectful Relationships; Love at Home

How to get along with your kids and help them get along with you (and their siblings)

We all say we get along just fine at home… but there are those uncomfortable niggles. There’s the eye-rolling, the disrespect, the lack of motivation to help out, and the sibling warfare. If we’re honest, most adults have been known to shout a bit too, and let’s face it, we don’t always listen that well to our kids.

Conflict and friction at home cause more trouble than we need, and interfere with everyone’s wellbeing. Wouldn’t it be great if there were some simple, practical things we could do to help everyone get along better – starting right now? Parents will learn the best ‘relationship rules’ for a happier family so home life really does feel loving… most of the time!

The presentation will be followed by a Question and Answer session.

• When: Monday 25 March, 7.00pm – 8.30pm
• Where: Marist Auditorium
• RSVP: jo.dunn@newman.wa.edu.au
  

Pathways and Careers Update

Our aim is to provide students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with all the latest information that will help them to make decisions about future careers and life beyond school. Information includes:

• Subject Changes
• Work Experience
• Career Information Nights
• University / TAFE Events

Click here to read the latest news and opportunities.

Sport and PE Update

NAS Summer Competition 2019

The NAS Summer competition commences next week (Week 5). Click here to read the fixtures and important information for parents.

ACC Swim Team and Training Program

The 2019 Newman College ACC Swim Team, which will compete in the Division 1 ACC Carnival at HBF Stadium on Wednesday 27 March, has been selected. All students were informed of their selection at a team meeting on Wednesday and all parents should now have received an email. It is a great achievement for the students to get to this stage and the College community is right behind them in their endeavours to give of their best on the day.

To this end, it is very important that all swimmers attend all training sessions. Training is from 7.00am – 8.15am Tuesday and Thursday mornings followed by breakfast. Thank you to those parents who have contacted me advising that your child is currently training with another squad. We are happy to compliment any outside training they may be doing to make sure they are not overloaded. Download ACC Swimming Training Program 2019

More information regarding the ACC Carnival will be communicated to you over the next few weeks. If you have any queries please contact Matt Connell, Head of Sport Matthew.Connell@newman.wa.edu.au | 9204 9461

NAS Swim Meet, Friday 8 March

The NAS Swim Meet is being held at the Newman College Pool with students from Chisholm, John XXIII, Servite and Sacred Heart Colleges competing. This is a chance for all swimmers in Years 7-10 to attempt to improve their times and further press for individual and relay team selection.

Homework Club

It has been fantastic to see all students using their time well during Homework Club over the past few weeks. Marist Youth mentor tutors will be commencing in Week 5. The Homework Club is supervised by Ms Natelee Calegari and Ms Carolyn O’Connor on Monday and Tuesday (with a literacy focus) and Ms Pagett supervises on Wednesdays (with a numeracy focus). Although teachers are monitoring students behaviour, students must be responsible for their own learning and manage themselves effectively.

It is expected that:

• Students sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave. Students are not permitted to ‘hang out’ on the school grounds at this time so if students leave Homework Club it is expected that they leave the school grounds
• Students use their time productively and without disrupting other students or tutors
• Students will follow instructions of staff with regard to their behaviour in Homework Club
• Students who behave disruptively or disrespectfully will need to meet with their LOWB to discuss and they may be excluded from Homework Club in the future.

Tutorials for the next few weeks are:

Weekly:
Mondays: Humanities support (all years) with Mrs Whiteley, 3.30pm – 4.15pm
Tuesdays: Humanities support (Year 7) with Mr Woolley, 3.30pm – 4.15pm

Week 5 OLNA Workshops:
Tuesday: OLNA Reading Workshop (Years 10 – 12) with Ms Calegari, 3.30pm – 4.15pm
Wednesday: OLNA Numeracy (Years 10 – 12) with Ms Pagett, 3.30pm – 4.15pm

Student Medical Guidelines

If a student is away from the College on an excursion, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to collect any required lifesaving medication from Student Administration or bring it from home (eg. epipen/ventolin) and the TEACHER’S responsibility to check that the student has it with them before boarding the bus. If a student cannot produce the medication, he/she will be unable to attend the excursion.

Resetting your Seqta Password

Please follow the steps below:

• Click on ‘Forgot your Password’
• Enter your email address for BOTH your username and email address (ie. your username is now your email address)
• Click on ‘Reset my Password’
• You will be emailed a link to reset your password
• NOTE: the reset link will only last one hour.

For all other Seqta queries please contact Mandy Keeling Mandy.Keeling@newman.wa.edu.au

eSafety Commissioner

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is committed to empowering all Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online. The College’s Annual School Improvement plan identified eSafety as a focus area for the wellbeing of students. Key themes and ideas from the Keeping Safe curriculum and Wellbeing program will be presented to students and parents later this year. Newman Parents will host a Cybersafety information session to educate and empower parents to support their children in managing their online profiles and behaviour.

The Office of eSafety Commissioner website has excellent resources for families and children and I encourage parents to subscribe to the eSafety newsletter for additional information and education. Click here to visit the website.