Term 3 Week 4: From the Principal
Why we Challenge our College Community daily
At Newman College, we seek to animate our delivery of teaching, learning and wellbeing as one, which is innovative, creative and rigorous, underpinned by contemporary and relevant practice. Our Vision for Learning Shine through Discovery (Mathew 5:16 Let your light shine) animates our learning community to create, collaborate, create and celebrate whom we are and what we seek to achieve. The principle of challenge is integral to this vision as it commits our learning community daily to set goals, participate, solve problems, be energised, get out of one’s comfort zone, and break down barriers. We challenge and inspire our students to reach the plan God has for them, to let their gifts and talents shine and ensure their hope and aspirations are fulfilled.
Synonymous with our principle of challenge is in the name of our College. The name Newman was chosen in recognition of the great religious thinker of the 19th century, John Henry Newman. Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman was one of the leading figures of the nineteenth century England known as an outstanding writer of English prose and poetry; he was also both a Church historian and a theologian. He published numerous articles and books which have brought greater understanding of the Catholic Church to many, both in the past and in the present. Newman’s beatification was officially proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 – Blessed John Henry Newman.
Newman’s work exemplified a deep love of learning. He challenged others to critically reflect on the role of education in their lives. He firmly believed that learning leads to discovery, exploration and critical thinking. Today, his vision of pursuing excellence in learning is seen across the world in the naming of schools, such as ours, and universities. We aspire and challenge our students to do the same.
#challengeyear12
As a direct example of how we challenge our students every day has been in the development of our #challengeyear12 program. As we near the end of the 2018 graduating class’ tenure, this program has been instrumental in providing strong support and intervention in these students’ final year. This has included but not limited to the expansion of the homework club with master classes across key subject areas; mentoring program including goal setting; expectations on College attendance; Wellbeing initiatives; plus other Year 12 initiated events like last night’s Year 7 disco.
We continue to pray and support our Year 12 students in these final weeks of their formal schooling at Newman College.
Save the Dates: Newman Arts Festival – Wednesday 10 – Friday 12 October 2018
The 2018 Newman College Arts Festival is a celebration of the PK-12 Arts learning journey at Newman College. The event also showcases the artistic endeavours of the STEM learning area.
The Arts Festival will be held in the Marist Auditorium over three days. The schedule of events can be found below:
Wednesday 10 October – The official opening of the festival. We invite the Newman College and wider community to join us in celebrating student Art works created throughout the year and Art projects that have been inspired by collaborative workshops with Artist in residence Andy Quilty.
Andy Quilty our Artist in residence will open the festivities and present a large scale collaborative piece he has created with the Newman College Year 12 Visual Art students. Games and Art activities, for our budding younger artists will be hosted on the oval. These creative endeavours will link to our Marist theme of “hope” and form part of an art installation in the foyer that celebrates the artistic gifts of our youngest members of the community.
Opening night will also include a presentation of the student awards, including a people’s choice award, instrumental, choir and drama performances.
Thursday 11 October – An opportunity for our student community to walk through the exhibition and cast their vote for their favourite work.
Friday 12 October – Parent Social Night. This is an opportunity for our parent community to enjoy drinks, canapes and jazz music with friends, whilst celebrating the student works of the Arts Festival . This parent event also presents an opportunity to bid for an Art piece produced by Andy Quilty. On this evening, Andy Quilty will present to the College community a commissioned portrait of Marcellin Champagnat.
More detailed information about this exciting event will follow.
