Author: Jo Dunn

Gamechangers 

Gamechangers meetings commenced this week for our Year 7, 8 and 10 groups. Students shared a light afternoon tea before getting into meeting their fellow Gamechangers. Gamechangers is a Marist Youth Ministry program which focuses on Leadership, Ministry & Service, Faith Development and Community.

Gamechanger meetings are held fortnightly on a Tuesday afternoon for Year 10 and 11 students and on a Wednesday afternoon for Year 7 and 8 students in Term One and Two.

On Friday 26 of March, Year 7 Gamechangers will participate in a half day retreat at St Joseph’s Parish Subiaco. More details will be sent to the relevant parents through Consent2Go in the coming week.

If your son or daughter is interested in joining Gamechangers they are more than welcome to get in touch with Hannah Parker, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy.

2021 Caritas Fast

This year students across the school undertook Newmans’ annual Caritas Fast.

The Caritas fast entails students to take part in a 1 day fast, but only after they seek out sponsors who donate money that goes to Caritas Australia.
Students participating started the day by bringing in their donations and getting their names ticked off by their Year 12 Guild Captains. There was no doubt there was a bit of excitement as students recognised their fellow fasting friends, each in their guild colours.

The recess bell rang and those taking part came to collect their barley sugar from their Guild Captains. Then when lunch finally came around many were excited for what was only just over half a cup of rice.

These simple and small meals are reflective of the meals many around the world eat every day. 8.9% of the world’s population go to bed on an empty stomach each and every night. By student’s participation in this fast, they went hungry for 1 day; an experience that enabled them to better understand what these people go through. And by donating this money to Caritas they contributed directly towards an organisation that helps fight hunger every day.

Altogether students raised $3281 definitely a noteworthy amount, that’s getting us, as a school, closer to our $15,000 target we are hoping to reach before the end of this term.
A massive thank you to all those that participated and looking forward to all the further initiatives that support our Caritas goal this year.

Tyler Connelly and Mackenzie Webb, your 2021 social justice captains. 

Year 7 Caritas K’s 

Every day, thousands of women and children around the world need to cover many kilometres to fetch water, obtain food, get to school or market, or simply to survive.
Caritas Ks is an opportunity to fundraise and educate people in social justice, with the aim of inspiring them to “be more” and be a voice for the poorest in our world.

This year, in support of Project Compassion, Year 7 students participated  in the Caritas Ks Event, held during PCG on Wednesday 10 March.  During Extended PCG time (10:15-11:05)  the students took part in activities including walking laps of the oval, and water transporting activities in solidarity with the many young people who walk many kilometres while carrying a bucket of water or equipment for school.

Project Compassion 

Each year during Lent Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in schools, parishes and the community to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities, to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

This year, the theme of Project Compassion is “Be More.” It challenges us to venture into a new experience of compassion, and is taken from the invitation of Saint Oscar Romero, to “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” This message invites us to step up and step out for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival.

Our PK-6 students have been involved in a number of raising awareness and fundraising activities. During our weekly Prayer Assemblies, we have shared stories of people who have tried to ‘be more’ for their families and communities and how our generosity makes a difference in their lives. See the videos here. 

Primary Easter Raffle

In our efforts to raise funds for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal this Lent, we have will be conducting our annual Primary Easter Raffle fundraiser at Lavalla and Marian Campuses on Thursday 1 April.

Tickets were distributed this week and additional tickets are available from the office on both campuses. Tickets are 50c each or 6 for $2.50.

We are grateful for the generous donations already made from our families. Further donations of eggs or baskets can be dropped at both the Marian or Lavalla offices.

Kirsten Button has kindly offered to co-ordinate the wrapping of the raffle prizes on Monday 29th March and would like volunteers to assist. Please contact her on kirst.button@bigpond.com or 0438 205 894 if you are available to assist.

We continue to encourage families to purchase “slavery free” brands of chocolate.

Pope Francis said that “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.”

Slavery free chocolate is available from ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, OXFAM, Chocolatier, Green and Black and Whittakers.

Thursday Morning Community Mass

Every Thursday our PK-12 community are invited to attend Mass in the Champagnat Chapel, commencing at 8.10am. Mass is celebrated by our local clergy who support the College.
We look forward to welcoming you to our weekly celebration.

This term has already seen many year groups come together for retreats, camps and reflection days.  These opportunities give students the time and space to develop independence, build quality relationships with peers and deepen the understanding of our Marist family.  Thank you to students and staff for the authenticity of your participation, your energy and zeal and for supporting each other.

Marcellin and Lavalla students have had very successful swimming carnivals over the course of this term. The recent Lavalla Carnival depicted wonderful displays of sportsmanship, competition, celebration and guild spirit. Thank you to the parent helpers, student leaders and staff members who made these events run with precision. Students in Years 7 to 12 participated in the Guild Cross Country today. The students’ perseverance and levels of effort were a delight to see, they represented their guilds with pride.

A big thank you to our parents, students and secondary teachers who attended Parent Teacher Interviews last night from 3.30pm until 8.00pm. I extend a special note of gratitude to the teachers, who moved from a full day of teaching into an evening of interviews.  Teachers agree that these nights can be powerful for students and their learning. When teachers form positive and fruitful alliances with parents, student outcomes improve. “Parents, carers and families are the first and most important educational influence in a child’s life. They instil attitudes and values that support young people to access and participate in education and training and contribute to local and global communities. It is critical for the education community to work in partnership with parents, carers and families to support a child’s progress through learning and school” (Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, 2019).

Newman Parents – ySafe Cyber Safety Education Session: 

Thank you to Newman College Wellbeing team who have organised for Australia’s leading provider of cyber safety education, ySafe, to present in the College Auditorium on Monday 22 March at 7.00pm.

This practical, strategy-rich session will address the most important points that families need to know regarding online safety. YSafe will cover topics such as social media and gaming, screen time recommendations and will provide step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for kids of all ages.

When: Monday 22 March 2021, 7.00pm
Where: Newman College, Marist Auditorium

To register for this free session please click here. We look forward to seeing you there.

Happy Families Online Resource

The College extends complimentary membership to Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families online resource to our entire school community.

Happy Families membership has an extensive library
of resources to offer calm assurance, vision, direction
and parenting solutions.

Launch your free membership today HERE

Upcoming Events

MONDAY 15 MARCH 
Live Webinar | Parenting On The Same Page

THURSDAY 18 MARCH 
Live Q&A | Pre-register Your Question

Code of Conduct

The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

As a Catholic community we are committed to educating the whole person. In order to do this, we need to ensure a safe, supportive and engaging environment. The basis for this environment is that all in the community model what healthy, respectful relationships look like. The Code of Conduct is the definitive guide to the behaviours we want to model to, and expect from, our children and young people. We want to create a culture that assists our children and young people on their learning journey. We can only achieve such a culture in partnership with all who participate in our community. The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As always, if students ever need support, they are encouraged to contact their Leader of Wellbeing, a College psychologist, Counsellor or classroom teacher.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries. Events held during school hours, and those College associated events outside of school hours are also supported by the Code of Conduct. Additionally, postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are bound by the Code of Conduct. We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a positive partnership that supports our students, your children.

Dear Parents and Guardians

The challenge of the modern Christian is to reflect on our place in the world and our journey with God.  Our lives are filled with so many things that we do, be they at home, at work, and within our community.  This is coupled with the expectations that others place on us as well as the expectations we place on ourselves.  Our busyness can often lead to distraction and frustration which doesn’t allow us to focus on what really matters – relationships with family and friends.  In my house, my wife Anita, and I juggle the challenge of full time work, being there for each other, our children and community while, at the same time, trying to take time to nourish ourselves in our faith and wellbeing.  This is a challenge and often occurs in the early hours of the morning or late at night and this invariably becomes tiresome if not frustrating.

One of the great things about our Lenten season is that we are invited to take the time to reflect on our Christian journey and our relationship with God.  This requires us to take the time, to search for those moments of peace so that we can be the people God intends us to be.  The Easter Season is a time of restoration and a time to renew.  In our Marist Community, Family Spirit and Presence are critical in developing relationships and culture.  I really encourage families in the busyness of the day to build that time to be present and to cultivate relationships with each other.  Lent is a great time to do this.

Child Safeguarding

Towards the end of 2020, Marist Schools Australia adopted the National Catholic Child Safeguarding Standards, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Abuse.  As a result, all Marist schools across the country have moved from a Child Protection module to the more rigorous Child Safeguarding Standards module. The following information has been published on the College website:

• Child Safeguarding Policy
• Marist Child Safe Adult Code of Conduct

Newman College has a Child Safeguarding Team, comprising the following members of staff:

• Principal
• Vice Principal
• Deputy Principal Secondary
• Leader of People and Culture
• Leaders of Wellbeing Secondary
• Leader of Early Childhood
• Leader of Primary

The Child Safeguarding Team meets once per term to ensure policies and procedures are adhered to and that relevant information is disseminated to parents, via the newsletter and during Parent Information Evenings. Students are educated on protective behaviours at school, the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum is delivered through our Wellbeing Programs and through the Health Curriculum.

All Staff, including full-time, part-time, casual, relief, teaching and non-teaching staff, are required, as a condition of their employment at the College, to comply with our Child Safeguarding Program, including the Child Safe Codes of Conduct, and their legal obligations with respect to the reporting of child safety incidents or concerns and regarding Working with Children Checks.

It is each individual’s responsibility to be aware of key indicators of child abuse, grooming and other harm, to be observant, and to raise any and all child safety incidents or concerns with one of the College’s Child Safeguarding Officers and with external agencies where required.

Year 12 Retreat

This week, Vice Principal Dr Lucie McCrory and I visited the Year 12 Retreats in Serpentine.  I thank students for immersing themselves in this very significant opportunity, which most students maintain was the highlight of their school life.  For many students this will be their last opportunity to take the time to reflect on their place in the world, their connection to God and to each other.  In many ways Retreat is a significant rite of passage for our students as they prepare to conclude their secondary education and go off into the world. To view photos from the Year 12 Retreat please click here.

Strategic Directions 2021-2023 – Commitment to Excellence / Annual School Improvement

The College’s Strategic Directions 2021-2023 has been published on our website.  Its official launch will be later this term in parallel with our Vision for Mission and Vision for Learning statements.  Our 2021 Annual School Improvement Plan captures a number of the strategic intents outlined in the Strategic Directions.  This Plan is led by our senior leaders across the school and its performance is measured by our ongoing feedback from staff, students and families.

One of the areas of significant focus for this year is the strategic intent, Transformational Learning; Discovery Learning – Developing extension earning pathways that enhance the opportunities for gifted and talented students.  This intent was determined by significant community feedback in relation to the status and development of the provision and support for gifted and talented students across PK-12.  To that end, the College has appointed a new Gifted and Talented teacher, Mrs Lara Ognenis, who is leading this area and engaging an analysis of future resourcing of this area.

Newman Parents Consultative Committee

Last week, Vice Principal Lucie McCrory and I met with the NPCC Executive (Kathy Blitz-Cokis, Caterina Celisano, Laura McFadgen and Deborah Attard Portughes) and discussed the content of the next meeting, which is scheduled for Monday 10 May.  Agenda items are as outlined below.

1. Strategic Directions 2021-2023
2. Annual School Improvement Plan 2021
   2.1 Discovery of Learning
3. Terms of Reference
4. Community Consultation – date to be advised
5. Parent Sundowner – date to be advised
6. PK-12 Mass – date to be advised

The focus of our next NPCC meeting will be Discovery Learning, Developing extension learning pathways that enhance the opportunities for gifted and talented students.  The College’s senior leaders, as well as Mrs Ognenis, will provide feedback to the Community about our progress and development of opportunities.

We warmly welcome all parents and guardians to this meeting.

John Finneran
Principal