Category: Primary

Champagnat Day

Our K-12 College community celebrated Champagnat Day today, Friday 17 June, with Mass and annual Fete Day activities. As one of 52 Marist schools across Australia, the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat is an opportunity to gather, give thanks, and to celebrate our shared Marist identity. 

In 2022 we celebrate 150 years of Marist education in Australia.  An international group of four brothers (a Scot, 2 Irishmen, led by a French man, Br Ludovic) arrived in Sydney in March 1872 to establish a school, St Patricks, in the Church Hill Parish conducted by the Marist Fathers.  In Western Australia the Marist Brothers arrived in 1913 and commenced the school of St Ildephonsus in New Norcia followed soon after by Marist Brothers Subiaco (1954).  The Marist Brothers commenced on the Churchlands campus in 1965 becoming Newman College in 1977.  In 2004, we commenced as a PK-12 community and in 2024 we will finally be one College on one site. 

The significance of this brief history is to recognise the remarkable contribution the Marist Brothers have made across Australia.  The words of our founder St Marcellin Champagnat, “may their life be an echo of what you have taught them”, was the same vision that inspired Br Ludovic all those years ago.  Today, Newman College is a thriving Catholic community of 1830 students where this vision is at the heart of our pursuit of excellence.  Our community is predicated on a charism that values family, presence and where relationships are cultivated to build a better society. 

Br Peter Carroll fms, Principal of the Marist Brothers, spoke this week at our Marist Brothers Churchlands Family Day about the Marist legacy over the last 150 years in launching the book, Sub Tuum Praesidium.  He stated that our Sesquicentenary of 150 years is an opportunity to look back with admiration and gratitude and look forward in hope and expectation. 

Br Peter said, “For 150 years, Marist schools in Australia have sought to nurture, educate and evangelise young people.  If we have failed to know and love then, then we have failed.  When we have done as St Marcellin instructed, then I’m confident we’ve succeeded in our mission.  As we face the future, let’s all commit to advancing the dignity of all our students and, in fact, all people.  Let’s start with our own though, by knowing and loving them – all of them – equally.”

Thank you to all members of our community for your commitment and contribution to our community. Particular thanks to Mr Simon Martino, Director Operations and Engagement, for his organisation of Champagnat Day.  We recognise our fundraising efforts which support our long term partner, the Kuya Centre in Manila, through Australian Marist Solidarity. 

Champagnat Global Network

On Tuesday evening I attended the international webinar for international principals for IG – what makes a school Marist.  130 principals from across the globe gathered in four languages as we discussed the growth of our Marist charism both locally and internationally.  This was an incredibly inspiriting meeting as we witnessed examples of Marist schools in Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and here in Australia.  An international gathering of school leaders and teachers will be held in Mexico city at the end of the year.

Lavalla Campus Cross Country Carnival

On Thursday our Years 3-6 students competed in their Lavalla Campus Cross Country Carnival.  We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather and the students participated with great enthusiasm and enjoyment.  Thank you to the staff who ensured that this event was so successful.

Results of the Carnival can be found in this week’s newsletter here

Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC)

Our NPCC meeting has been rescheduled, to be held on Monday 20 June.  Agenda items will be:

1. Reframing of the Newman Parents Consultative Committee
2. Christmas in July event will be held early in Term 3
3. Revitalisation of the Homework Club

I encourage as many parents and guardians as possible to attend this meeting.

COVID-19 Update

The WA government announced that from 10 June 2022, the mandatory vaccination policy would be updated in line with health advice. This means that staff in schools and residential facilities will no longer need to be vaccinated.

The triple dose vaccination requirements only remain in place for those working in healthcare and health support, workers in residential aged care, and workers in residential disability settings. As you know students are not required to be vaccinated, however if your child is on a work placement at one of these settings, they will need to continue to comply with the industry/business requirements at that workplace.

The change also means that parents and carers who regularly visit, volunteers, third party providers and contractors are not required to be vaccinated to enter a school or residential facility.

It is also important to remember that the removal of the vaccine mandate does not mean the pandemic is over. We continue to follow health advice and COVID-19 safe protocols, such as staying home when sick, wearing a mask as required, taking a daily RAT when identified as a close contact, and having good hand hygiene. I encourage you to visit the HealthyWA website for further information about COVID-19.

Thank you for your support.

Key Dates

College Calendar Link – In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.

Primary Lifelink Launch 

On Wednesday 8 June Year 3 Red participated in the annual Lifelink launch, which was held online this year. Lifelink is an organisation that assists the work of social service agencies established by the Archdiocese of Perth.   

Year 3 Red with the support of Mrs Catherine Young, have spent time researching the work of different Lifelink agencies over the past few weeks. Through sharing this within our school community they have been able to raise awareness of how Lifelink supports those in need and provides hope and joy for all in our community. They created a beautiful poster about Lifelink, which was shared at the launch and will be displayed in our administration area.   

Year 9 Retreat

On Thursday 23 June, our Year 9’s will take part in their annual Retreat Day, facilitated by the Youth Ministry Team. The Retreat follows our Vision for Mission: to form “Good Christians and Good Citizens” as we offer students an opportunity away from normal school routine to pause and reflect on their relationship with others, themselves and God.  

These experiences have shown to be positive and rewarding for our students and we look forward to an enjoyable and enlightening day with our Year 9 students. 

Community Mass 

We welcome the whole community to join us for our regular Mass on Thursday mornings in the Champagnat Chapel. Starting at 8.10am and concluding at 8.40am the Mass is celebrated by a Priest from a local Parish and is hosted by students from both Marcellin and Lavalla Campuses. Please see the upcoming schedule below.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Thursday 23 June; Fr Israel Quirit, with students from Thomas More Guild and Y5 Green 

Thursday 30 June; Monsignor Kevin Long, with students from Brigid Guild and Y4 Red 

Last weekend the senior leaders interviewed a number of applicants for our 2025 Year 7 cohort, currently in Year 4. In speaking with the families, we reflected on what life will be like for these students, who will become the Graduating Class of 2030. Whilst this feels like a long way away, it is only a small speck in the 150 years of Marist education that has been occurring in Australia.  

Today’s Champagnat Day was a wonderful celebration of our Marist Brothers, their contribution to our school and the characteristics that they stand for, such as Love of Work, Family Spirit, Presence, Simplicity and in The Way of Mary. These characteristics permeate all aspects of College life, assisting our students to develop into good Christians and good citizens.  

This year we recognised one student from each year group and two staff members in our community through an annual Marcellin Champagnat Award, presented with both a certificate and the Marist icon of a silver heart on fire. We also recognised one staff member in our community who embodies our Marist characteristics. Champagnat Awards were presented to: 

Individual citations can be found here

Term 3 Pupil Free days 

• Monday 18 July – Staff Formation Day 
• Tuesday 19 July – K-12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews 
• Friday 12 August – Staff Professional Learning 
• Monday 15 August – College Closed Faith Day 

Staff Movements 

Our new Leader of Wellbeing Sarah Ellam joined the community this week. Sarah had an opportunity to speak with our Year 10 parents and students at the Careers Expo on Monday evening. Joanne Smith also joined us this week as a secondary Humanities and English teacher. Lisa Webb from our Health and Physical Education learning area in the secondary school will be leaving us today. Lisa will explore AFL opportunities for herself and her family over east. Lisa plans to take the rest of this year and next year off. We wish her the very best in her endeavours and look forward to seeing her return in future years. Matilda Sergeant has been with us as a relief teacher this term and will be formally taking over Lisa Webb’s classes from next week.  

Removal of COVID-19 vaccination mandate 

The WA government announced that from 10 June 2022, the mandatory vaccination policy would be updated in line with health advice. This means that staff in schools and residential facilities will no longer need to be vaccinated. 

The triple dose vaccination requirements only remain in place for those working in healthcare and health support, workers in residential aged care, and workers in residential disability settings. As you know students are not required to be vaccinated, however if your child is on a work placement at one of these settings, they will need to continue to comply with the industry/business requirements at that workplace. 

The change also means that parents and carers who regularly visit, volunteers, third party providers and contractors are not required to be vaccinated to enter a school or residential facility. 

It is also important to remember that the removal of the vaccine mandate does not mean the pandemic is over. We continue to follow health advice and COVID-19 safe protocols, such as staying home when sick, wearing a mask as required, taking a daily RAT when identified as a close contact, and having good hand hygiene. I encourage you to visit the HealthyWA website for further information about COVID-19. 

Thank you for your support. 

Christmas in July – Friday 22 July 

Save the date! The College will be running a parent engagement event from 5.30pm – 7.30pm on Friday 22 July. The event will be themed ‘Christmas in July’. We look forward to seeing many of our parents join us in the Marcellin campus for Christmas in July drinks and canapes. Further information will follow.  

NPCC

The next NPCC meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 June in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus, 4.30pm to 5.00pm for afternoon tea and 5.00pm to 6.00pm for the meeting. Agenda items include the reframing of the NPCC, to the Newman Parents Committee, our parental engagement group for PK to Year 12, our upcoming Parent Event ‘Christmas in July’ and the Homework Club Revitalisation Plan.   

Expressions of interest are being called for parents to join the Newman Parents Executive Committee.  Please use the below link. 

Expression of Interest NPC and Executive  

Semester One Reporting – Update 

Year 10 reports will be released live on SEQTA on Monday 27 June @ 4.00pm and not Tuesday 21 June as previously advised.  

All other reports from Kindergarten through to Year 12 will be released live on SEQTA on Friday 1 July @ 4.00pm.  

PLEASE NOTE:  
Parents/Guardians will not be able to download nor view a copy of your child’s Semester 1 Report if you have not previously activated your SEQTA Engage account.     

Please contact Flora Hughes via email flora.hughes@newman.wa.edu.au should you require assistance with logging into SEQTA Engage.  

Photo Days 

Monday 20 June – Marcellin Campus – Sports Photo’s 
Tuesday 21 June – Marcellin Campus – Y7-9 Photo’s 
Wednesday 22 June – Marcellin Campus – Y10-12 Photo’s

All students have received an order envelope which has a child specific access key.  Photo orders must be made online using this access key.  Your online order reference number needs to be written on the envelope and students are required to hand the envelope to the photographer on photo day. 

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Marist National Assistant Principals Conference in the Hermitage in Mittagong, the spiritual heart of our Marist organisation. Guest speaker, Hugh Mackay, esteemed author of twenty-two books and social psychologist, presented to the group on the Kindness Revolution; how we can restore hope, rebuild trust, and inspire optimism. At the heart of his message was the undeniable truth that as humans, our deepest psychological needs are to be heard and taken seriously. A key takeaway for me was that anything we do to convey recognition to another person is not only a potent act of kindness but is also often received as therapeutic by the recipient, which seems obvious but often slips into the periphery. We all want to belong and connect on an authentic level, our actions can portray kindness and therefore kindness is in everyone’s power, even in those situations where fondness is not.   

Last Thursday the College acknowledged Sorry Day, where the nation marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Federal Parliament (1997) and recognises the Government issued formal apology in 2008. The report was a result of a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry that shed light on the history of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Giving voice to the traumatic and grief fueled experiences of the Stolen Generation survivors and their descendants, is part of a national journey towards understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Students learnt about the origins of Sorry Day and the experiences of those impacted. Staff and students accessorised with purple to commemorate the occasion.   

Term 2 Pupil Free Days 

• Monday 6 June – Western Australia Day (College Closed) 

Term 3 Pupil Free days 

• Monday 18 July – Staff Formation Day 
• Tuesday 19 July – K-12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews 
• Friday 12 August – Staff Professional Learning 
• Monday 15 August – College Closed Faith Day 

KEY Dates

Primary Capital Development  

Last week on Wednesday 25 May, the College launched the Primary Capital Development Program to the community.  For those families who were not able to attend the meeting in person or online, please Click Here to view the presentation. 

This exciting program will see all learning and specialty areas of the primary school rebuilt on the Lavalla campus site to accommodate state of the art teaching and learning practices, in line with the College’s vision for learning ‘Shine through Discovery – Let your light shine’ (Matthew 5:16). 

NPCC 

The next NPCC meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 June in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus, 4.30pm to 5.00pm for afternoon tea and 5.00pm to 6.00pm for the meeting. Agenda items include the reframing of the NPCC, to the Newman Parents Committee, our parental engagement group for PK to Year 12 and the Homework Club Revitalisation Plan.   

Expressions of interest are being called for parents to join the Newman Parents Executive Committee.  Please use the below link. 

Expression of Interest NPC and Executive  

Year 10 Immunisations 

 
The Department of Health will be at the College on Monday 13 June to vaccinate Year 10 students that have provided their consent form. This vaccination is for Meningococcal ACWY. 

CAHS – Community Health have confirmed no gap is required between receiving a COVID vaccine and this vaccine.  Your child does need to be symptom free and well.  Families are reminded you can take your child to your GP should you prefer. 

Students are allowed to wear their sports uniform on this day.  

Any queries regarding the immunisation program should be made to Community Health (CAHS), CAHS.CHSBIP@health.wa.gov.au 

Semester One Reporting   

 
Year 10 reports will be released live on SEQTA on Tuesday 21 June @ 4.00pm.  All other reports from Kindergarten through to Year 12 will be released live on SEQTA on Friday 1 July @ 4.00pm. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Parents/Guardians will not be able to download nor view a copy of your child’s Semester 1 Report if you have not previously activated your SEQTA Engage account.    

Please contact Flora Hughes via email flora.hughes@newman.wa.edu.au should you require assistance with logging into SEQTA Engage. 

Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat  

Monday 6 June is the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat. This significant event will be celebrated by all students K-12 on Friday 17June, where we will gather for Mass to honor the Marist Brothers, followed by students participating in a range of fund-raising fete activities throughout the day in support of Australian Marist Solidarity.  More information will be communicated to community next week. 

NEiTA Nominations 

NEiTA is the longest running, community-based awards program to recognise teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand. NEiTA acknowledges the talented, committed, and caring educators who demonstrate the excellent personal qualities, skills, and passion required of teachers and school leaders to direct the lives of our future citizens in a fast-changing and uncertain world.  

The NEiTA Foundation is encouraging parents, students, and schools to nominate 

extraordinary educators who have displayed remarkable dedication, passion, and creativity 

for a National Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Please CLICK HERE for further information on how to nominate an extraordinary educator.

Key Dates

Updated COVID restrictions have seen events and camps re-instated into the College Calendar. We remind parents to please check the College Calendar on a regular basis.

Download the Code of Conduct for Parents