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Primary Update – Term 4 Week 2

Jenni Vile on 24/10/2025

Year 3 Assembly

At today’s Y3-6 assembly, Year 3 Blue brought to life the magic and fun of reading. Our students took us on a magical journey and delved into some of our classic book favourites; Harry Potter, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the Magical Faraway Tree, just to name a few.

We were also lucky to enjoy some special musical performances by our Junior Bands. Well done to all of these little performers!

It was another opportunity for our Upper Primary classes to come together and celebrate our students’ academic and musical achievements over the past fortnight. Congratulations to all students who were recognised and received a Merit Award / Achievement Certificate. Continue to let your talents shine.

Footsteps through Lavalla

On Tuesday, 4 November, families are invited to walk through our new PK-6 buildings from 3.15pm -4pm. We look forward to welcoming you all to view our fantastic spaces.

Homework Club 4 November    

Due to our Footsteps through Lavalla event on Tuesday, 4 November, Homework Club will be cancelled on this day. OSH Club will be operating as per usual. Should you require childcare that afternoon, please reach out to OSH Club here.

Fathering Project- The Amazing Race

Teacher Contact

We ask that all parents please ensure that they use email to communicate with teachers. If you have access to the personal mobile phone number of a teacher, please ensure you refrain from using this for school related correspondence.

Medals of Marcellin Winners

Congratulations to our Medals of Marcellin winners for this week, Saanvi Gondariya Year 3, Indi Ellies Year 1, and Hugo McBain, Year 5.

Carpark Courtesy and Safety

Since returning for Term Four, a few parents have reached out to share concerns about some tense moments in the carpark and an increasing number of cars parking on the grass, even when spaces are still available in the overflow carpark.

We kindly ask all families to demonstrate our Family Spirit when accessing the carpark, showing patience, care, and respect for others.

A gentle reminder that Kiss and Ride should be accessed from 3.10pm onwards, allowing our younger students — whose classrooms are located closer to the carpark — time to move safely through the area before the afternoon rush.

Thank you for helping us keep our carpark a calm and safe space for everyone.

2026 Booklists

We’re pleased to share that from the 2026 school year, our Primary campus will be moving to a booklist system through Box of Books, an Australian company that specialises in simplifying school resource purchasing for families and schools alike.

What is Box of Books?

Box of Books is a trusted provider used by schools across Australia. The Secondary school has been using Box of Books for the past two years with great success. They offer:

  • Pre-filled, year-level specific booklists aligned with our curriculum
  • High-quality stationery and textbooks
  • Convenient online ordering with home delivery
  • Competitive pricing and clear instructions for each year group

What This Means for You

Instead of receiving a stationery list and sourcing items yourself, families will:

  1. Receive a link to a custom online booklist for their child’s year group.
  2. Place an order directly through the Box of Books online portal.
  3. Have items delivered to your home before the start of Term 1.

This change not only saves time and reduces the hassle of shopping, but also ensures all students have consistent, high-quality materials that support their learning.

What’s Next?

More details, including access instructions and key dates for ordering, will be sent via email to all families in the next week. Our school office will also be available to support any families who may need help with the process.

We’re excited about this improvement and confident it will make the back-to-school experience smoother for everyone.

Respectful Communication – Working Together for Our Students

At Newman College, we value the strong partnerships we share with our families. When we work together with kindness, understanding, and respect, we create the best possible environment for our students to learn, grow, and thrive.

From time to time, concerns or questions naturally arise. If this happens, we encourage you to reach out directly to your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance, as they know your child best and are often able to resolve matters quickly and positively. For more complex issues, please contact the Leader of Wellbeing or Leader of Learning to arrange a time for a chat.

We also ask that communication with staff be respectful and considerate. Long or emotionally charged emails, particularly those sent late at night, can have a real impact on staff wellbeing. Our teachers and leaders are deeply committed to supporting your children, and approaching conversations calmly and constructively helps us do this in the best way possible.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us in a spirit of respect and care as we work together to help your children shine.

Grandparents Day

  • Friday 7 November 2025
  • 9.00am in the Undercover Area, followed by classroom visits and morning tea.
  • Concludes at 11.00am

For more information, please click here.

Please RSVP by Monday 27 October. Just click here.

Please note that there will be additional parking available on the oval, accessible from Dolomite Court.

Mrs Sarah Pagett

ACTING HEAD OF PRIMARY

Mission Update – Term 4 Week 2

Jenni Vile on 24/10/2025

This week we have been celebrating Arts Week in the College. It is one of my favourite weeks, with so many shows and celebrations occurring, and it brings back many memories of my own time in school when I used to take part in the choir and the concert band.

The Music Collective and Dance Showcase, to which I always bring my daughter, especially reminds me of just how much unseen dedication sits behind these great moments of joy and beauty. I am sure many students have been rehearsing since the beginning of the year, with countless hours of practice, for a performance that may only last a few minutes. Our younger students in the audience might find themselves wondering, ‘Why go to all that effort?’ Why indeed. I think these moments capture something that is very Marist – our love of work. In the Marist tradition, love of work means giving our best effort in what we do, not for recognition or reward, but because our hard work is an act of love, service, and faithfulness. It is the perfect way to give glory to God by using our gifts to be our best.

For some reason, as I was watching the Music Collective in particular, I was struck by the thought of prayer. Just like rehearsing a piece of music, prayer often takes patience and persistence. It can feel repetitive and even unproductive at times…almost as if nothing is happening or we are standing still in our development. But every time we show up in prayer, just as every time a student practices their part, something within us is strengthened. Our relationship with God grows quietly, like skill grows through practice.

I think the Arts and prayer have a lot in common. They both have the capacity to shape the heart, they both take many forms, and they both have a way of revealing beauty that already exists, but that we sometimes miss. They also take discipline and love, and are both most beautiful when they become less about the performance, and more about the person we are becoming through them.

So, as we celebrate the creative gifts of our students this week, perhaps we can also be inspired to approach our own prayer lives with the same steady dedication, trusting that even the smallest moments of effort can create something beautiful in time.

Mr Stuart McClorey

DIRECTOR OF MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Primary Update – Term 3 Week 10

Jenni Vile on 26/09/2025

Primary Assembly

At this week’s assembly, Year 5G shared a thoughtful and engaging item highlighting the importance of teamwork – reminding us that anything is possible when we work together, and that collaboration is a key part of our Newman Norms. The assembly also included the presentation of merit awards, certificates to participants in the Australian Mathematics Competition, and the announcement of Thomas More as the winning Guild in the recent Athletics Carnival. Congratulations were also extended to Emily, who reached the Grand Final of the Speak Up competition. The assembly concluded with an energetic performance by our Primary Dance Troupe, who recently achieved third place in the School to Stage competition.

Athletics Carnival

On Friday 12 September, we celebrated our PP-6 Guild Athletics Carnival. As we did not finish all the events on the day, there was a delay in announcing the winner of the Carnival and the champion boys and girls. Congratulations to MacKillop for winning the Guild Spirit Award and to Thomas More as the winning guild.

Champions

YEAR 3
Champion BoyDustin MarshallChampion Girl Zita Zuchkan
2ndHarry Bluff2ndIsla Cahalarn
3rdThomas Atkinson3rdOlivia Erichsen
4thJack Macri4thFrances Baily
YEAR 4
Champion BoyMiles SanfordChampion GirlZoe Harris
2ndDonovan Johnson2ndOdette Taylor
3rdOwen Atkinson3rdMila Haagman
4thHarry Kolka4thChanelle Liew
YEAR 5
Champion BoyHarvey AndersonChampion GirlAudrey Barnard
2ndHugo McBain2ndClara Schlitter
3rdJulian Posselt3rdIsla Dorrington
4thLucas Ramsden4thSicily Moschopoulous
YEAR 6
Champion BoyJack McCaghChampion GirlAmelia Heath
2ndSam Baily2ndLila Adamini
3rdBlake Martin3rdAnnabel Gilbert
4thAiden Long4thSammy Glyde

St John Henry Newman Day and Loud Socks

On Friday 17 October (Week 1), we will be celebrating St John Henry Newman Day and Loud Socks Day in support of Telethon Speech and Hearing. We will be celebrating a Primary Mass, followed by some special activities and asking all students to wear their loudest socks to increase awareness of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  

2026 Class Allocations

At the start of Term 4, teachers will commence working on class groupings for the 2026 School year. Many factors are considered when selecting student class placements, including gender, pastoral needs, social and emotional needs, academic needs, special learning needs, and relationships. Every effort is made to give children the best opportunity to succeed. All Newman College teachers are outstanding professionals in their field, and students will receive a high-quality education no matter which class they are placed in.

Early in Term 4, students will be asked by their Classroom Teacher to nominate five friends, of which at least one will be placed in their 2026 class.

If you believe your child has special pastoral needs that may need consideration, you are asked to contact your child’s classroom teacher or contact Ryan via email at ryan.vonbergheim@newman.wa.edu.au  early in Term 4.

Any requests must be provided to the class teacher or myself by 3:00pm Tuesday 21 October (Week 3). Requests made after this date cannot be considered.

Parents should understand that requests cannot be guaranteed as staff must consider a wide range of factors when creating class groupings within a triple-stream school. Parents should be aware that requesting a specific teacher is not a consideration in the class allocation process.

Once class lists have been finalised, they cannot be changed. Class lists will be published to families at the conclusion of our Move-up Day, details of which will be communicated next term.

Mindful Mornings

As we head into the holiday break, I encourage all families to take time for rest, renewal, and to keep safe while enjoying time together. This term has been particularly special as we have continued the journey of bringing our campuses together, strengthening the sense of one community united in spirit and purpose.

As I wrap up my time as Acting Head of Primary, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for the incredible support, warmth, and trust you have shown. It has been a privilege to serve during this time of growth and transition. At the beginning of next term, we look forward to welcoming back Mr Ryan Von Bergheim from leave, and I know you will join me in supporting him as he resumes his role as Head of Primary.

Mrs Sarah Pagett

ACTING HEAD OF PRIMARY

From the Principal – Term 3 Week 10

Jenni Vile on 26/09/2025

Today, we end Term 3 and what a term it has been!

Newman Sacred Heart College Music Exchange

This week, we welcomed 25 students and three staff from our fellow Marist school, Sacred Heart College, Adelaide. The occasion was the inaugural Music Exchange between the two Colleges and the 50 Newman College musicians joined with Sacred Heart in a week of practice, two concerts and the forging of great friendships. Congratulations to our Arts team with the overall leadership of the week being undertaken by Ms Selena Barrett, supported by Mrs Kathy La Brooy and Mrs Aleisha Dows. The concerts were outstanding in their professionalism and quality and both the residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor Aged Care and our families in the Marist Auditorium thoroughly enjoyed the events. Thank you to Ms Meaghan K, and the two teachers from Sacred Heart who joined us and our own Newman College Music Tutors.

Dance – School to Stage Primary 

This prestigious showcase of Primary dance was held in our Marist Auditorium last weekend and our Lavalla Year 5-6 group, Ascend, placed third overall. Year 1-2 group, Genesis, was placed first in their section. We now have Dance groups across the whole College and the quality just keeps on getting better. Well done to our Dance students and the work of Mrs Sam Wynne with support from Leader of the Arts, Mrs Kathy LaBrooy. 

Student Leaders 2026

Recently, we were delighted to introduce to you the College Captains for 2026, Grace Bradshaw and Thomas Butson. Earlier this week, we announced the Portfolio and Guild Captains for 2026 and they featured in the handover of leadership at the Year 12 Final Assembly. Congratulations to these fine young leaders. We are very excited to start the work with the Leadership Team and the whole of Year 11 in Term 4. A special mention to the dedicated students in the leadership process who did not receive a ‘badged’ position. They remain passionate and committed to exercising their leadership for the benefit of the whole College and are eager to do their part in 2026.  

Congratulations to the following students:  

College Captains: Grace Bradshaw and Thomas Burton
Academic Captains: Ruby Hankinson and Will Murphy 
Art Captains: Alyssa Petracca and Matthew Stephens 
Community Captains:Ella Hills and Riyan Naveed
Mission Captains: Isabel Jimenez-Fuentes and Poppy Vogl 
Sports Captains: James Bornmann and Hannah Seaborn 
Wellbeing Captains: Evelyn Brennan and Olvia McMahon 
Brigid Guild Captains:  Oliver Groughan and Alessia Infirri
Camara Guild Captains: Bobby Bogos and Lucinda Short
Catherine Guild Captains: Micaela Buddle and Alice Humbert
Chisholm Guild Captains: Ava Tolley and Jack Wigley
Marcellin Guild Captains: Olivia Hildebrandt and Scarlett Sharp
Mackillop Guild Captains: Levi Afkos and Mia Harris
Romero Guild Captains: Lulu Brickland and Andrew Giumelli
Thomas More Guild Captains: Sebastian Ferreira Ballinger and Lola Corbett

Year 12 Music Night

Last week, our Certificate III Year 12 music students entertained us with their final concert. This was another wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Graduating Class of 2025, as the music students showcased their skills and passion through a diverse program of performances. Well done!

Write a Book in a Day Competition

This week, a group of our Year 7 students took on the Write a Book in a Day challenge – an exciting competition where students have just 8 hours to plan, write, and illustrate a book from scratch. Congratulations to these students and staff for taking on the colossal challenge of writing.

IPSHA Athletics Carnival

Our Year 3-6 Athletics team competed in the IPSHA carnival late last week, finishing second overall. A great performance by our students and so well supported by Mrs Hannah Barnsley and Mr James Bristow.

ACC Division A Athletics Carnival

Our team gave it their absolute best last week in the top tier Carnival at the State Athletics Centre. Pretty tough conditions and a number of illnesses were met with determination from our athletes. Well done to all students and staff involved.

Lavalla Disco

Last Friday afternoon and early evening, the Marist Auditorium was rocking to the annual Lavalla Disco. Such a popular event, and our students had an amazing time with the fun support of their teachers and staff.

Year 12 Final Week

This was a beautiful week for our Year 12 students to experience their last days together as a graduating class on Newman ground. Career dress-up day, Guild lunches, Slip and Slide, a BBQ breakfast cooked by incoming Student Leaders and staff and the Final Assembly rounded out a fitting way to farewell the group. They have been a wonderful class to work with over the years, and we wish them all the best in upcoming examinations and preparation for work. Thank you to the many staff involved in the week, especially Mr David Husband, Leader of Wellbeing Year 12 Wellbeing, and Mrs Anna Scanlan, Deputy Principal Secondary.

It’s Coming – Arts and Dance Showcases 

Read more in the Vice Principal’s section of the Newsletter about the great events in the Arts weeks coming up in Term 4. We can’t wait for the explosion of Arts ahead! 

Wishing all families a safe and relaxing break across the next two weeks. Thank you to our families for their support and partnership over this term.  

Take care 

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

From the Principal – Term 3 Week 8

Jenni Vile on 12/09/2025

Gryffindor… we love Guild

“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart. 

The line from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone focuses on the sorting hat determining which of the Houses the new students will be assigned. This week’s inaugural Year 1-12 Guild activity was not quite as dramatic, but in seeing students from Primary and Secondary coming together in Guild and Family spirit, there was a lot of excitement and deep connection that demonstrated pride and belonging. To see older students getting to know their Guild friends in Primary and our young ones being thrilled to be amongst the ‘big kids’ was a moment of magic. The activity was about building bonds, connections and unity under the name of the Guild. Well done to Student Leader Co-ordinator, Mr Mike Van Der Heever, the Guild Co-ordinators, Leaders of Wellbeing and Mrs Sarah Pagett and Mrs Anna Scanlan on an excellent moment in Guild. The last congratulations go to our students who really understood the historical moment they crafted.

Lavalla Father’s Day Breakfast

So many sausages! What a great morning we had a week ago when we invited Fathers, Grandfathers and Father- Figures to our Lavalla Father’s Day Breakfast! We all enjoyed the strong sense of community and fun that then followed in the liturgy and classroom visits. Thank you to the College Executive, Primary Leadership Team and a number of mums who fed the huge crowd.

Game Changers Graduation

Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. This came to mind as we celebrated the Year 12 Game Changers Graduation evening this week. It is a heart-warming event every year where we celebrate the great work of students involved in our Game Changers program over the course of their time at Marcellin. Such wonderful students and families, strongly supported by great staff mentors in the program, and it is just a sample of the Class of 2025, who have committed deeply to all the College has offered over the years. That very day, many of our Year 12 students had taken part in the Great Shave and Haircut. This is their legacy piece, where over $56,000 was raised for Cancer support and cure. An amazing day to be a part of! Each of the days of these final weeks of term will be a significant ‘last’ for the graduating class. Please keep them in your prayers.

PP-Y6 Athletics Carnival

Beautiful weather and great involvement marked today’s Primary Guild Athletics Carnival. We have been amazed by the way in which Lavalla students and families have taken to being a part of the Guild system after the move away from the previous Primary factions. As with the Father’s Day Breakfast, where many mums jumped in to help, today’s event was made even more special by the work of parent volunteers on the sausage sizzle. Thank you to … for the donation of the sausages. The sales will go to the Archbishop’s Lifelink. Congratulations to the Primary and Grounds teams for their dedicated planning and running of the carnival.

ACC ISP Athletics Carnival

Carnival season continued this week and we were delighted to see the participation and commitment of our students in the Inclusive Sport Carnival. An excellent day always, the carnival is a keenly awaited event on the Education Support calendar every year.

R U OK Day

We are proud to work alongside the RU OK program every year to maintain a strong spotlight on mental health. Resources, conversation starters and awareness were a part of Newman College’s recognition this week, with the leaders of Wellbeing and the Wellbeing Captains leading us in recognising RU OK.

Our best wishes to the ACC Athletics team, who compete next week in the A Division Carnival.

I hope you have a wonderful fortnight ahead.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL