Term 4 Week 6: From the Principal

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

Family Spirit

This Marist characteristic inspires the principle of ‘collaborate’ as with a pedagogy of presence and family spirit, united in Christ’s love, we can build a community with a spirit of friendliness and collaboration, enabling young people to become responsible for their own formation. (Newman College Vision for Learning).

Developing relationships is at the heart of our Marist narrative. Being present to each other imbues a sense of family and underpins the strength of our community. The strength of this College is in the multiple opportunities students have to engage with each other in and outside the classroom. Central to our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery – Let Your Light Shine (Mat 5:16), is for our students and teachers to collaborate. Education and learning are interactive, social processes. We believe that students learn best in an environment where they can interact and experience the curriculum, gaining knowledge and learning how to live. A recent Ohio University article, Why relationships — not money — are the key to improving schools, posits that sustained interactions over time, focused on children’s learning and effective teaching practice, is the best way for people to build trust and build networks that are at the heart of social capital. Put simply, if we build relationships our learning experience at school will improve.

The same can be said for our teachers. Over the last three years we have aligned our professional learning of staff PK-12 to ensure collaboration across units, faculties and schools. This was exemplified by our recent Gratitude Project. The intent of this Project across the College is aimed at building student resilience through gratitude. The collaboration of units in the Primary School and Pastoral Care Groups in the Secondary School lifted our focus of the uniqueness of each individual student, recognising and affirming their diversity and individuality. The definitive impact on our school is improved relationships representative of our Marist family spirit.

 

Remembrance Day 2018

Last weekend we recognised 100 years since the end of the World War 1. Br John Horgan, Community Leader of the Marist Brothers, prepared a presentation to staff outlining the contribution made to the war effort by the Marist Brothers. It was both a moving and reflective experience understanding the impact war had not only on the families here in Australia but specifically on the Marist Brothers in Western Europe. Please take time to read this brief history Marist Brothers World War I

Term 4 Week 6: From the Head of Primary

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

Families are the first educators of their children and it is only through partnership with the College that our children can achieve their full potential. The College seeks to engage parents in their children’s education in many ways; in the home, the community and at school. Involvement in the home may include providing a secure environment, providing intellectual stimulation and conversation, modelling constructive social and educational values, shaping the child’s self-concept as a learner by fostering literacy and problem solving and encouraging high aspirations, both personally and socially. To connect with our families, the College seeks to firstly keep parents informed of their child’s learning and wellbeing and offer opportunities for families to be present at the College and connected with the community. Just some of these opportunities include, but are not limited to;

  • K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening
  • PK-12 Family Mass
  • Parent Soiree (as part of the Arts Festival)
  • Athletics and Swimming Carnivals
  • Parent Volunteers at Marian Campus (Parent Assisted Learning Program)
  • Parent Representatives
  • Primary Social Committee
  • Art helpers and Library helpers

The benefits of positive parental involvement in their child’s education are well researched and proven to increase effective outcomes for all.

Marcellin Award

Congratulations to the following student who recently received a Marcellin Award in Week 6:

Tom Abbott, Year 1 Blue – For helping keep our school safe by removing sticks from the oval.

The Marcellin Award at Marian Campus is drawn from submitted nominations each Wednesday morning at Prayer Assembly. At Lavalla Campus, the Marcellin Award is presented at campus assemblies to one student selected by the Leadership Team from submitted nominations.

Orientations

Parents are reminded of the following orientations offered by the College to welcome our new students and families:

Primary Social Committee

Thank you to our wonderful Primary Social Committee who have purchased four brand new gazebos for parents to use for shelter from rain, hail or shine at Sports Carnivals and other events at the College. The committee have also purchased sports equipment for each class across both the Lavalla and Marian Campuses.

Save the Date: K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening, Wednesday 28 November

Families will receive all of the relevant information for the K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening early next week. The evening will commence at 5.00pm on the Marcellin Oval. Families are encouraged to bring along blankets and a picnic. Please note that deck chairs will need to be on the outside of the area so as not to impede the vision for other families. For those families who have not attended this evening previously, it is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Christ and connect with other families at the College. The evening will finish at 7.15pm.

Years 1-6 Swimming Lessons

Information has been sent to all families regarding the in-term Swimming Lessons commencing on Monday 19 November – Thursday 29 November. You would have received a confirmation email on completion of registration. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please contact the Newman Churchlands Swimming Club to make sure your child is registered nchswimming@hotmail.com

Please note that all students are to wear their College Sports Uniform during these two weeks. The Newman College bathers are only required for students in Years 3-6 as per the uniform requirements. If you have not purchased a pair for this term, your child may wear their own bathers. We do ask that you purchase a pair of Newman College bathers for Term 1 Swimming Lessons in 2019.

For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Staff.

Coder Dojo Finished for 2018

The final Coder Dojo session for this year was on Tuesday 13 November. We thank all students who attended and the dedicated teachers who volunteered their time to educate the students in the language of their future.

2019 Class Lists

The teachers are currently working through the placement of students in their classes for 2019. We take this process extremely seriously and we look to best meet the needs of every student. The classroom teachers have a wealth of knowledge about each child and are therefore best placed to make these decisions to suit each child’s academic, social and emotional development. The process is further supported by the Primary School Counsellor, Mrs Caryl Goia, our Psychologist Mrs Denise Bendotti and the Primary Leadership Team. Each child is given the opportunity to nominate who they would like to have in their class and this is used as a guide by their teachers. Please note that all relevant information is taken into consideration.

Drop off time at Lavalla, 8.20am

Parents are reminded to please ensure your child is not on the school premises before 8.20am. The College provides duty of care from this time by having staff on duty. Although present at school, teachers are in meetings or preparing for their day and are not able to provide adequate care before this time. If you must drop your child off prior to 8.20am the College offers before school care through Mercy Care. They can be contacted on 9442 3410 or wembley_ELC@mercycare.com.au

Hats

Now that the hot weather is upon us, please ensure your child has a College hat. We have a “no hat no play” policy. Please make sure your child’s hat is clearly labelled so that if misplaced at school we can make sure it is returned to them. If your child requires a hat these can be purchased at Administration on each campus for $15.00.

Lost Property

There is a significant amount of lost property at each campus that we are trying to return. Please ensure all items of clothing, including shoes, have your child’s name on it with a permanent marker. The Administration staff will then be able to get it back to you. There are also valuables that are being held at the front reception desk at Lavalla.

Important Calendar Dates for 2019

  • K-Y7, Y11 and Y12 commence on Monday 4 February
  • PK-12 Family Mass: Wednesday 13 February commencing at 5.00pm

Past Events

The children at Newman College are continuously engaging in motivating learning experiences. These enhance their education and assist in embedding the learned content. Some highlights from the past two weeks include:

Year 3 2019 Lavalla Orientation

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

On Wednesday 14 November, we welcomed the current Year 2 students and their parents to the Lavalla Campus to support their transition from Marian to Lavalla for 2019. The students were shown around by their Year 5 buddies and participated in several activities at their new campus.

Thank you so much to the Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5 teachers for all of their hard work in making the students feel safe and supported. Thank you also to Mrs Zelich and Ms Warchomij for their preparation and efforts on the day and once again thank you to the Primary Social Committee for baking cupcakes for the Year 2 students to share with their buddies.

Mitch Bristow, Head of Primary

Term 4 Week 6: From the Deputy Principal Learning and Staff Development

Jo Dunn on 15/11/2018

The Importance and Impact of Social Education

The focus of personal and social education is to develop a student’s personal and social skills. Learning skills are enhanced by the development of self-confidence, resilience, perseverance, and an empathy for others.  Our Vision for Learning, Shine through Discovery, challenges each student to collaborate with their peers and teachers as they strive for excellence in their learning. We teach skills associated with collaboration by;

  • Teaching opportunities within the curriculum that enhance the personal and social development of students
  • Delivering the Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum that explicitly teaches the concepts of safe relationships
  • Enabling students to gain confidence and positive self-esteem by celebrating their gifts and talents
  • Encouraging the skills to make appropriate decisions and to think independently
  • Teaching the skills and strategies needed to work effectively in a team and to problem solve

The development of these skills and attitudes assist in creating a positive and socially healthy College community in which we seek to collaborate positively with one another.

Return of Lease Laptops

Year 8 students need to return their laptops on Wednesday 28 November immediately after lunch.
Year 9 students need to return their laptops on Wednesday 28 November halfway through Period 5.
Year 12 students need to return their laptops by Thursday 22 November (at the latest) to the IT Department located in the Siena Learning Centre.

Transition Days

This week, the current Year 2 and Year 6 cohorts enjoyed a Transition Day to assist with their transition to their new campuses in 2019.

Important Calendar Dates for 2019

Students return to school on the following dates:

  • K-Y7, Y11 and Y12 commence on Monday 4 February
  • Y8-10 commence on Tuesday 5 February
  • PK-12 Family Mass: Wednesday 13 February commencing at 5.00pm
  • Y7-12 Swimming Carnival: Thursday 21 February, HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont. This is a compulsory event and all students are expected to attend on this day.

Code of Conduct

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 and extends to all forums including social media and email forms of communication. The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and support professional boundaries. Events held during school hours AND outside of school hours that are associated with the College are also supported by the Code. Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with any member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Term 4 Week 6: From The Deputy Principal, Mission and Catholic Identity

Jo Dunn on 15/11/2018

We educate above all through being present to young people in ways that show we care for them personally. We make time for them beyond merely professional contacts, getting to know each one individually. Personally and together as a group we seek to establish relationships with them, founded on love, which create a climate for learning and an educational setting, for passing on values, and for personal growth’.
(Article 99 – In the Footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat)

The ideals shared across the 83 countries around the world in which Marist education in the tradition of Saint Marcellin Champagnat is present, are reflected in the extract above from In the Footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat. At Newman College, we seek to be a vibrant, local expression of these ideals in our commitment to developing each young person in our care in a holistic way that seeks to invite each to reach the fullness of life socially, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and physically. We do this as an intentional community of faith and learning in which we are unified by our shared appreciation for the place of our Catholic faith and its unique Marist expression. It is within this climate of learning that we seek to establish a nurturing educational setting in which our values may become sign-posts to grow and support each member of our community.

 

Year 11 Philippines Immersion

On Thursday 22 November, our Year 11 Philippines Immersion group will be commissioned at our Thursday Morning Mass.

On Friday 23 November, 14 Year 11 students from Newman College, will be joined by two Year 11 students from St Joseph’s School, Northam, to begin their two week Immersion in the Philippines accompanied by Miss Clare Cole, Leader of Youth Ministry & Advocacy, Mrs Rebecca Bramanto, Leader of Wellbeing Year 11 and Mr Daniel Lynch, Deputy Principal Mission & Catholic Identity.

The students attending are:

Elizabeth Adams, Jack Burgess, Courtney Beveridge, Kiara Camisa-Cason, Matthew Giumelli, Clare Hogg, James Kerr, Stephen Loreck, Rayne McGowan (St Joseph’s, Northam), Benjamin Miniello, Alannah Peou, Megan Pethick, Cole Stevenson, Emily Tang, Anthea Todman and Jeklyn Wallis (St Joseph’s, Northam).

We congratulate our 2018 Year 11 Philippines immersion group on taking this next step in their journey following their six month formation and preparation process.

Newman Mothers In Prayer: An Open Opportunity for all our Mums

‘Mums in Prayer’ (MiPs) is coming to a kitchen table near you …

We have a newly formed triplet of Newman mums who meet around their kitchen table for 1 hour, once a fortnight to pray for their children, their children’s friends, teachers and our wider school community. They are looking for other like-minded Mums who would enjoy praying together in a relaxed environment over coffee (and sometimes cake!). This is a multi-denominational group of women who desire to actively invite God’s guidance, favour and protection into daily life. If you are interested in the spiritual growth of your children and their peers, or would like to investigate what this looks like, the next date is set for Wednesday 28 November, 9.00-10.00am (this is the last meeting for the year).

For further details and the address of ‘the kitchen table’ please contact:

  • Lisa Gleeson (mother of Daniel, Year 7) – lisajanegleeson@gmail.com
  • Vanessa Strohmeier (Principal’s Support Team) – vanessa.strohmeier@newman.wa.edu.au

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 celebrated by Fr Joseph Tran and Fr Mark Baumgarten. 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 Christmas Appeal

The St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal is in full swing! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. In aid of the appeal, the 2019 Social Justice Captains along with the Faith and Liturgy Captains met with Fred Simons from the Doubleview St Vincent de Paul Conference to learn about their work and the direct impact that the donations have for families in need this Christmas Season. Parents are encouraged to watch the following video with their children to learn more and discuss the work of St Vincent de Paul. The Christmas appeal at the College will continue until Friday 30 November on the Marian and Lavalla Campuses and Friday 7 December for the Marcellin Campus.

 

24:7 Floreat Youth Group

A message from the 24/7 Floreat Youth Group Leaders, Angela and Sebastian:
“What a night we had at Floreat last week! Experiencing everything from the Irish fiddle to classical cello, from tap dancing to lip syncing. The 24:7 Floreat’s very first talent show was spectacular! Thank you so much to all the wonderful people that came and made it such a good night. This week, the story of our Old School Heroes continues with games and activities that will keep you on your toes. So come along and bring your friends to win a prize! We meet each Sunday night (6.00pm – 8.00pm) in the Parish Hall at St Cecilia’s, Floreat. The Youth Group is open to all young people in Years 6-12.” Call Angela 0455 960 174 or Sebastian 0403 230 395 for more information.

Catholic Mission visit to Newman College

Catholic Mission Schools Engagement Coordinator, Judith Nyamuli, visited Newman College on Thursday 8 November to thank the students who attended the Anti-Poverty Mass and share other ideas of how young people can support the work of the Church. The students also had an opportunity to ask Judith questions about the work of Catholic Mission. We thank Judith for taking the time to come and speak to the students.

The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) is a non-profit organisation, of the Archdiocese of Perth founded in 1975 to meet the spiritual needs of Aboriginal people within the Perth metro and surrounding areas. The ACM promote the spiritual, cultural and social development of people of Aboriginal descent. There latest newsletter can be found here.

 

Catholic Mission Christmas Concert; In Word and Music

Catholic Mission invites staff, students and their families to attend the annual Christmas Concert on Thursday 6 December at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle from 7.00pm – 8.15pm. A Vulnerable Girl Flyer
Tickets are; Adult $30, Concession $20, 12 years and under are FREE. Tickets can be purchased here.

Catholic Mission are inviting concert goers to consider taking a refugee or single mum along with them. If this is something that they would like to do, as an opportunity for encounter and engagement with someone on the margins in the season of Christmas, they can contact Francis Leong who will make the necessary arrangements for this to happen through the Red Cross and Pregnancy Assistance.

 

World Day of the Poor

The World Day of the Poor will be held on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, this year on 18 November 2018. In his message for the second World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis has called for a new evangelisation that prompts Catholics “to make tangible the Church’s response to the cry of the poor”. The Australian Catholics Bishops Conference (ACBC) responded through The Australian Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life chairman Bishop Terence Brady encouraging all Catholic communities to be involved and respond to the theme of day: “This poor man cried and the Lord heard him” (Psalm 34:7). For the Pope’s Message, World Day of the Poor, please click here. For Prayers of the Faithful, World Day of the Poor click here; For Mother Teresa Prayer – Who is Jesus to Me, click here. Further info: communications@perthcatholic.org.au