Term 4 Week 8: From the Principal

The end of a school year shifts our focus to the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord. 

Christmas is a great time in the life of children but also for the child in all of us. The fervour of expectation builds over the season, peaking in the celebration of Christmas Day. For many families the sharing of gifts and a meal are central to the ongoing ritual and tradition which is remembered as some of the best times in their lives. Growing up for me at this time was one of joy as it brought my large extended family together. We shared stories, ate a lot of food and played cricket – all day. Perhaps the highlight was going to the evening vigil Christmas Mass together. It was always packed with people, standing room only, and the energy and excitement were palpable. Today, my wife and I have continued the same tradition with our own family.

Within our Catholic tradition, Christmas signifies the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ. This week in our liturgical year we welcome the season of Advent. Advent is a season observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. This season invites all Christians to ponder the great mystery of our faith; the incarnation of our Lord taking on humanity born to the Virgin Mary, in order to ultimately save us. His message of faith, love and hope that permeated his ministry underpins the very nature of our Christianity. Christmas gives us license to reflect on these ideals and how they permeate our own lives and the relationships we form.

At Newman College our mission is to bring Christ into our lives by how we choose to live our lives and by the actions that define us. This week we celebrated our Primary Christmas Celebration evening which exemplified the family spirit that infiltrates our Marist School. The joy of Christmas radiated through the songs the students sang and in the absolute excitement of families in the crowd. We also have 14 Year 11 students and three staff in the Philippines walking in solidarity with some of the most marginalised children in the world. Yet, like us, these children are also preparing for Christmas and the expectation and hope it brings.

I hope that our families take time to be together to grow their own tradition at Christmas. I encourage you to go to your local Church as a family and celebrate the birth of Christ and ponder not only the mystery of his incarnation, but the impact he can have on our lives.

St Joseph’s International School Kuching Malaysia

Thank you to our visiting teachers from our Marist sister school in Kuching Malaysia who spent a week working in our Secondary school. They have been instrumental in our new partnership we have formed to exchange ideas in professional practice and prepare the ground work for a reciprocal student immersion into the future.

Marist Cricket Carnival

The Marist Cricket Carnival commences next Tuesday 4 December.  Many thanks to the organising committee for the preparation that has gone into this event. A special thank you to those families who will billet our visiting cricketers.  Your volunteering has enabled this carnival to go ahead and for this we are most grateful.

Staff Farewell

Thank you to the staff who will conclude their time in our community at the end of the year. They are to be commended for their tireless efforts and commitment to our young people. We wish them the very best in the next part of their journey.

Wishing all families a happy and holy Christmas.

Term 4 Week 8: From the Head of Primary

As we conclude another year, it is important that we look back and reflect on how much we have achieved. I am incredibly proud of how our students have grown in confidence and it is important to celebrate how they have come together to create such a positive community.

As we celebrate Christmas, it is important that we keep the birth of Christ as the focus and remember to renew our faith and Marist values of; Simplicity, Love of Work, Presence, Family Spirit and In the Way of Mary. Our staff have worked tirelessly to provide for your child and your family and I thank them all for this extraordinary effort. I hope you are able to enjoy the time of Christmas with your family, friends and loved ones. On behalf of my family and myself I wish you a merry Christmas and a fruitful New Year.

Marcellin Award

Congratulations to the following student who recently received a Marcellin Award in Week 7:

Jaiden Rumbold, Year 4 Green – Jaiden only joined our College community this year. In this short space of time, he has shown himself to be someone who works hard to always try his best, even if things are difficult. Jaiden’s selfless actions are notable especially his kindness and compassion towards others. What has made him stand out, particularly in recent times, is that his Christian actions are truly selfless. Even when he is acknowledged for something he has done, it’s as if he is questioning, “Well, doesn’t everyone do that?” The consideration that Jaiden shows is truly genuine, given without prompting, and we are blessed to have him in our community

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.

Farewell to the Year 6 Cohort

As our Year 6 students end their time as Primary School students, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them for the outstanding way that they have led the Lavalla Campus this year. As they say farewell to their Primary years, I am confident they are ready for the challenges that await them in High School. I wish you all the best and thank Mrs Zelich, Mrs Horn, Mrs Short and Mr Harvie for shaping these young men and women.

2019 Student Council

Congratulations to the following students who were elected into a position on the Student Council for 2019:

Ella Rose, Stefan Constantine, William Gilbert (Delany captain), Addison Blizzard, Harry Prentice (Brigid captain), Stefano Rapanaro, Matt Pyne, Leyla Do, Kai Ehlers, Maddy Carroll (Marcellin captain), Harrison Warrick (Knox captain) and Jasmin Afflick. We wish you all the best in your service to our College. Thank you also to the current Student Council for their hard work and commitment to our College this year.

Lavalla Awards Ceremony – Tuesday 4 December

We look forward to celebrating and recognising our Year 6 students and acknowledge the significant award winners from Years 3 – 5 at the Awards Ceremony next week. As there is limited seating, only parents of the Year 6 students and award winners are invited to attend. Overflow seating may be provided in the adjoining studio for grandparents.

Return of iPads and Chargers

Please ensure students are aware of the following return date;

Year 6 – Students must ensure they have their iPads at school on Thursday 6 December.  The ICT Department will collect them from their classrooms after Lunch.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure all students have signed out of iCloud on the iPads

Sustainability @ Lavalla – Eco Ninjas

The dedicated Year 5 students have banded together to support our College and our environment. They have formed a team to improve the Lavalla Campus in terms of sustainability, waste management and environmental care. These Eco Ninjas have already transformed the veggie gardens and will shape significant changes in the future. Well done!

Primary Social Committee

Thank you to the dedicated members of the Primary Social Committee, led by Mr Arnold for their service to the College this year. You have provided the students, staff and families with many opportunities to come together as a community and bring joy to our College.

Christian Service @ Lavalla

Well done to Hannah Seaborne and Matthew Stephens Y4, who demonstrated how much they care for our Lavalla Campus by picking up rubbish without being asked all of lunch on Monday. Thank you.

Swimming Lessons

Thank you to the Newman Churchlands Swimming Club for their amazing support of our In-Term Swimming Lessons program. The students have learnt so much and enjoyed being in the College pool.

Class Lists 2019

The staff are currently placing your child in their class for 2019. This forms the basis of the detailed handover that will take place between their current teacher and their 2019 teacher. All relevant information is considered when placing your child and a detailed handover ensures all of their academic, social and emotional needs are understood before they begin the year. Class lists will be sent home in the week after students conclude Term 4, to allow staff time to work through this process. Parents are encouraged to meet with their child’s teacher in the new year if necessary.

Reports

Your child’s report will be will be made available through SEQTA on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm. Please ensure you are able to access SEQTA before this date. Your child’s report outlines their achievements and effort for Semester 2. I would like to thank the staff for the time and effort that has been dedicated to this process.

Staffing 2019

The College welcomes the following staff members in 2019

  • Queva Fitzgerald – Lavalla Campus
  • McKenzie Pugh – Lavalla Campus
  • Antoinette Montil – Lavalla Campus
  • Catherine Young – Marian Campus
  • Karen Cadd – Marian Campus

Lucy Zambonetti will return from leave and Peter Hunt and Paola Rich will be on leave for the duration of 2019.

I would like to thank Jacqui Campbell-Howard, Kim Williamson, Ebonee Hutchinson-Brown, Davina Sankar and Denise Ford for their service to our College.

Lost Property

This week is the final chance to reclaim any lost property. Please see the lost property at each campus as thousands of dollars of clothing and equipment is there.

Years 3-6 Book Lists 2019

Please click here to access the 2019 Book Lists.

Upcoming Events

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:

Kindy and Pre Kindy Orientations 2019

Over the last two weeks, the College has held the Kindy and Pre-Kindy Orientations for 2019. We have welcomed many new families to the school and recognised familiar faces as younger siblings start their journey. Each program was outlined, and the parents were able to connect with the families their children will become friends with. Thank you to the Primary Social Committee for supplying the refreshments and to Melissa Corbett, Katya Anderson and Lisa McClue for their support on the day.

Christmas Celebration Evening

Thank you to Amanda Collins-Ford and Ailsa Gleeson for preparing and supporting our students at the Christmas Celebration this year. The students were in fine voice, as were the parents who enjoyed a night of carols and fun. Click here to see more photos from the night.

Primary Christmas Celebration

Last night, students, family and staff from our PK-Y6 classes came together for a night of Christmas celebration.

Each year group has been working with our Music Teacher, Mrs Collins-Ford this term to learn a Christmas Carol. It was wonderful listening to their joyful young voices singing their chosen Carol so beautifully. The evening also allowed for our Primary community to reflect on a year of blessings and enjoy some significant family time together.

Years 3-6 Assembly – Item Year 4 Green

Family and friends are invited to attend a special Years 3-6 Assembly on Friday 7 December at 9.00am in the Marist Auditorium. Year 4 Green will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas through their Nativity Play.

Vocal Showcase

The 2018 “Lift Your Voice” Vocal Showcase was held in the Marist Auditorium Studios on Thursday 15 November. Vocal students in Years 5-11 performed a range of traditional, folk, jazz and contemporary repertoire for an audience. The College Chamber Choir performed “Say Something” and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” to conclude a wonderful afternoon of songs. A big thank you to our vocal teachers Mrs Heidi Lake and Mrs Nicole Boddy, and accompanist Ms Noelle Zhao for their efforts in preparing the students. Congratulations to all performers and thank you to parents and friends for their support.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music