Category: Early Childhood

Feast of the Assumption

The Feast of the Assumption is a special day in the life our Catholic Church, as it is for the Institute of the Marist Brothers fms. This is the day chosen as their Feast Day at the time of their foundation by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers and of Marist Education.

On Thursday 15 August we celebrated Mass for Pre Kindergarten – Year 6 in the Marist Auditorium and Years 7- 12 in the Gymnasium. Both occasions were purposeful and liturgically important as this Feast Day defines our College’s foundation. On this day we come to together as a Marist family to celebrate our faith and our community with Jesus’ mother Mary as our constant.

For many Christians today we are confronted by the challenges that life presents often in the uncertainties of the future. Pope Benedict XVI emeritus says that “being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person which gives life to a new horizon and a decisive direction.” For our students we want to provide opportunities that give them a purpose, a sense of agency and a direction to navigate the future ahead. Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption is one such encounter that will enable us all to reflect on our Christian story and the hope it provides for the future ahead.

Student Engagement

So many magnificent events have occurred over the last few weeks. The STEM Festival, Science and Humanities Week, Buddy Day, Year 7 Disco, our Primary Dancers performing at the Perth Concert Hall and the Catholic Arts Festival to name but a few. Further details of all these events can be seen in throughout Newsletter.

I had the great privilege to attend Prendiville College for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival to watch our Year 8 Band ‘Outbreak’ and ‘Newman Groove’. Both bands were incredible! The students’ love of music was clearly on show as exemplified by their energy and talents. To this end our Vision for Learning Shine through Discovery – let your light shine is clearly evident in all that we do.

Marian Campus Playgroup

We aspire to create the best possible learning opportunities for children at Newman College. As part of this commitment, we have launched the Newman College Playgroup. This new initiative provides young families with access to our wonderful learning facilities, along with educational oversight by the Newman College Leader of Wellbeing Early Childhood, Lisa McClue. A unique Playgroup setting offers families support with the first steps towards structured education for their child.

Families can apply to enrol in Newman College Playgroup by clicking here.

Newman Parent Consultative Committee (NPPC)

Last week, the NPCC meeting was both fruitful and insightful. We commenced the discussion and feedback on the development of our College’s next Strategic Plan. I piloted the following three questions:

1. Identify three aspects of Newman College that engages your children in their learning.
2. Identify three areas that you would like to see improved.
3. What new initiatives or programs would you like to see?

The ensuing discussion was constructive and directive to the process and eventual development of the Plan. Next week I will repeat this process with the College Advisory Council and in the weeks ahead with our students. By mid September the timeline indicating a period of community consultation will be communicated.

Download NPCC Meeting Minutes

Student Voice

I will be holding a series of morning teas and lunches for students across the College this term to listen to their opinions on the direction of the College. As stated above, I will be trialing questions that will eventually become part of the consultation process for the development of the next Strategic Plan.

Catholic Education Staff Breakfast

Catholic Education WA recognizes staff who have given service to Catholic Education for 30 or more years. This year, Newman College celebrated with three members of staff who were presented with awards at this very special event. We congratulate:

• Mrs Terri White, Education Assistant Arts
• Mrs Lucy Zambonetti, Teacher of Year 5
• Mr John Geekie, Leader of Wellbeing Year 10

Mitchell Bristow

As announced earlier in the week, Mr Mitchell Bristow, Head of Primary, has been appointed to the position of Principal at St Gerard’s Primary School Westminster, commencing 2020. We congratulate Mitchell on this wonderful achievement and we wish him every success and fulfillment in his new role and indeed into the future.

PK–12 celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption

Today, Thursday 15 August was the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Feast day was chosen for the Marist Brothers at the time of their foundation by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers and Marist Education.

To mark this significant Feast and Day of Holy Obligation in the life of the Church as well as the international Marist Institute, our PK-12 College Community celebrated the Feast of the Assumption across the College. As one of 54 Marist schools across Australia, the Feast Day of the Assumption is an annual opportunity for all members of the Newman College community to gather, give thanks, and to celebrate our shared Marist identity.

The Marian and Lavalla Campus students combined to celebrate Mass, Buddy Day activities and the annual Lapathon to raise money for the work of Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS). All funds raised from the Lapathon will be directed towards the Kuya Centre for Street Children in Manila. The Kuya Centre is one of the College’s partner organisations of the Year 11 Philippines Immersion. In November this year, our Year 11 Immersion students will present our donation to Sister Kate O’Neill, Director of the Kuya Centre, on behalf of the Newman College community.

Students on the Marcellin Campus gathered  for Mass in the Gymnasium.

Click here to learn more about the work of Australian Marist Solidarity.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young Australians with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. This year the ACYF will be held in Perth between 8 – 10 December. Young people between the ages of 14 and 35 from around Australia will be invited to:

• Participate in high-quality formative and experiential opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, in the context of the Catholic Church in Australia;
• Listen to and discuss the issues and challenges in the lives of young Catholics in Australia;
• Engage with local examples and connections of vocations, social action, liturgy and prayer, catholic music and faith formation.

Students in Year 9 from the College will be invited to apply to attend ACYF. This event will take the place of the Remar Embarkation camp this year.

Weekly Thursday Morning Community Mass (Champagnat Chapel – 8.10am – 8.35am)

All parents, guardians and families across our PK-12 College are invited to attend the weekly Thursday morning Mass. Our weekly Newman College Community Mass is an important way that we as a Catholic community seek to nourish and live-out our faith in community with one another.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

Newman College is supporting St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal by collecting blankets during Term 3. This winter, many families, including children, will be forced to spend the night without adequate warmth or in some cases, without adequate shelter.

The Newman College Community endeavours to imitate Mary’s tenderness and concern for others, particularly the manner in which she lived out her faith with courage in the face of great pain and adversity. Donating a blanket is a simple way to follow Mary’s example and to live the Gospel Message to “Love your neighbour” (Mark 12:31). By doing so, families will be standing in solidarity with those who are on the margins this winter. This appeal is one of the many Social Justice activities and projects students and families are able to support throughout the year. We thank you for your support.

Donations

Blankets should be in good condition, recently cleaned and free from pet hair. Donations can be made at all three College Campuses:

• Marcellin: Champagnat Chapel
• Lavalla: Reception
• Marian: Reception

The final day to donate is Friday 30 August, 2019.

If you have any questions regarding the appeal, please feel free to contact Clare Cole-Carter, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy clare.cole@newman.wa.edu.au or 9024 9416

REMAR Gold Retreat

On Friday 2 August, the Year 12 Remar Gold Caravel embarked on their very last retreat before our graduation. Click here to read and see more photos from the day.

Veritas Night

Veritas is an annual gathering of Catholic young people in Western Australia aged 12-35. It exists as a state wide festival, which aims to provide young people in Western Australia with an opportunity to deepen their faith and take an active role in the Church and community.

This year the event took place at John XXII College on Friday 9 August and attracted close to 900 young people. The theme of the festival was Christ is Alive. Year 9 students from the College were accompanied to the festival where they met other young people, enjoyed live bands, heard from dynamic speakers and participated prayer. It was wonderful to see so many young people celebrating their faith together.

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Doubleview First Holy Communion – Saturday 21 September, 6.00pm

Due to number of requests from families to attend the Saturday night Sacrament of the First Holy Communion celebration, the Parish has decided to combine Saturday and Sunday masses so that all Year 4 children can celebrate together. Please contact Kaye Shervington, Pastoral Associate for further inquiries 0411 123 441 or doubleview@perthcatholic.org.au

Keep Australia Beautiful Week – 19 to 25 August

Keep Australia Beautiful Week is held late August each year to raise awareness about the simple things we can all do in our daily lives to reduce our impact on the environment and encourage action. Click here to register your clean up or event for KAB Week. For further inquiries: contact (02) 8594 4077 or admin@kab.org.au

World Refugee and Migration Week – 19 to 25 August

It is not just about migrants but also about ourselves, our fears, our hopes. How is God encouraging and inviting us? Who are we becoming? What kind of society are we preparing for those who come after us? For the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Council has prepared a resource that is available online. Click here for further information. Click here to also read Fr Frank Brennan SJ’s Homily Reflection for Migrant and Refugee Sunday 2019 (see page 20).