Primary Archives - Page 2 of 148

Primary Update – Term 3 Week 6

Jenni Vile on 29/08/2025

Assembly

Today, we celebrated our first PP-2 assembly on our new campus in the auditorium. Pre-Primary Red performed their assembly about living and sharing this amazing land we live on. With understanding of our First Nations People, we care for country with our heart – our Koort in Noongar. Pre-Primary Red taught us some Noongar words, and ways of telling stories through symbols, song and dance. Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest living cultures and as true Marists, we show respect and we share the land we walk together hand in hand. A huge thank you to Pre-Primary Red, Mrs Rebecca Rose, and Mrs Lisa Johns.

Athletics Carnival

The Guild Athletics Carnival is taking place on Friday 12 September. A reminder that Pre-Primary finish the Carnival at 12.30pm. Pre-Primary students who are not being picked up at this time will return to Pre-Primary, where they will be supervised by their teachers.

The Athletics Carnival is a compulsory event for Years 1-6, with all students expected to attend the entire day. If your child is unable to attend or needs to leave throughout the day, please email me sarah.pagett@newman.wa.edu.au ahead of time.

Book Week

Last Tuesday, we celebrated Book Week in style with two fabulous parades. Thank you to all staff and students for their amazing efforts in ensuring our most loved book characters came to life. A huge thank you to Ms Nikki Cresp for her work is organising the parade and various incursions that have occurred over the past week.

I am aware that the gap between parades was not ideal for some families who were waiting in between. We have taken on this feedback and will modify the layout in 2026. These events look different now that we are on one campus, so your patience is appreciated while we fine tune.

Father’s Day

We would like to invite all the Dads, Grandfathers, father figures and special men in our children’s lives to join us in celebrating Father’s Day. Join us for a Sausage Sizzle on Friday 5 September from 7.30am on the grassed area near the Basketball Courts. Followed by a K-6 Father’s Day Liturgy at 8.45am in the Undercover Area. Please RSVP your attendance here.

We are also calling out for some Mum helpers to support us in cooking and serving the sausages. If you can help, please register here.

PP to Year 6 Disco

Get your dancing shoes ready! Our School Disco will be held on Friday 19 September.

PP to Y2: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Y3 to Y6: 5:15pm – 6:30pm

Tickets can be purchased Primary Disco 2025 Tickets, Marist Auditorium, Churchlands 6018 WA | TryBooking Australia

Hands off

As you know, the College has a hands-off policy to help ensure that everyone feels safe and respected at school. The Primary Leadership Team and staff regularly talk with students about the importance of keeping hands and bodies to ourselves. While some children see play fighting as fun, it can quickly escalate and result in someone being hurt or friendships being damaged.

We would appreciate your support in reinforcing with your child the importance of showing care for others by keeping hands off. Together, we can help all students enjoy positive, safe playtimes and strong friendships.

Mrs Sarah Pagett

ACTING HEAD OF PRIMARY

Mission Update – Term 3 Week 6

Jenni Vile on 29/08/2025

This week I have been in Mullewa with Br. Paul, Miss Ellis, and our Year 11 Game Changers students. Every year in the final week of August, students from Newman College travel to Mullewa to assist the town in the setup of their Wildflower Show, as well as their Agricultural Show, which is on this weekend. Additionally, we spend time with the students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School which is the local Catholic primary school, culminating in a disco which our students run at the end of the week.

The opportunity to travel to Mullewa is one our students have really come to cherish over the years, and it is very common at the end of our week for students to ask if they can come again in Year 12. But what is it about a week away in the country that is so endearing to our students?

The answer, in part, lies in the strength of community experience while we are there. Life in Mullewa reminds us that joy is not found in busyness or distraction, but instead in presence – being with one another listening, sharing stories, and just working by side. It is in the warmth and hospitality of all those we encounter, and the welcoming and accepting nature of everyone we meet. It is an opportunity for our students to not just hear about community, but to see it in action, as people from all over the town come together to support each other.

Mother Teresa once said, ‘prayer in action is love, and love in action is service’. The immersion in Mullewa offers students the chance to embody this ‘love in action’ in a very real and practical way. Whether it’s setting up the racetrack, sweeping out the sheds, or running the school disco, each act of service is an expression of love for others – simple, genuine, and life-giving. St. Marcellin Champagnat’s dream was to form young people as ‘Good Christians and Good Citizens,’ and this is exactly what our students have been working on this week. It is so great to be a part of something so special, and for our young people to represent themselves and Newman College in such a positive way.

From the Principal – Term 3 Week 4

Jenni Vile on 15/08/2025

The Feast of the Assumption

‘Mary, our Good Mother – Pray for us’. In our litany for prayer, we are very used to saying this as a Marist community. Today, Friday 15 August, marks the Church’s celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. In the very early years, post the Ascencion of Jesus, the Church we now know was in its infancy and better described as the Jesus movement. The next few hundred years saw the successors of St Peter and the missionary disciples discern and capture our beliefs. While a few hundred years sounds like a long time, it is relatively short considering the nature of the times in communication and evangelisation. From the 400s-600s, the Christian communities became quite clear on the position of Mary and Marian devotion in our faith. It was then in 1950 that Pope Pius XII declared that the Assumption of Mary into heaven was a solemnity to be celebrated in the liturgical calendar.

This brings us to our celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. We know that St Marcellin Champagnat entrusted the Marist project to Mary, and it was through Mary that Marists were to make Jesus Christ known and loved in the educational and pastoral work of Marists. This is why the Feast of the Assumption holds such an important place in the lives of our Marist community at Newman College. It is on Mary that we model our way of being present to one another.

It was an absolute joy to bring our Lavalla and Marcellin communities together in the celebration of Mass today on the Assumption. The joy of a community modelled on Mary continued in the fete activities, Lavalla Buddy time and family spirit which followed Mass today. Well done to the Guild Co-ordinators, Guild Student Leaders, Primary and Secondary staff and students for a great day!

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

We are in the second-half of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and Newman College students have shone in performance across music and dance. Just this week, 5 of our Dance Troupes performed at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for a Dance Showcase and excelled. Last weekend, our Dance groups performed in the School to Stage Dance Competition and were placed:

1st – Liturgical Dance
2nd – Hip Hop
2nd – Senior Contemporary
2nd – Senior Jazz
3rd – Year 7 Jazz
3rd – Senior Jazz
Plus, a spectacular performance from our Year 8/9 Jazz troupe.

Great things are happening with our whole Arts program, which includes our Music, Drama and Visual Arts alongside Dance.

Year 9 Parent Information Evening

We were pleased to host the Year 9 parents and students at the College on Tuesday evening. This is the first time that we have brought the discussion of Year 10 and senior years’ studies to Year 9 in such detail. It is so important to build the understanding with students of applying yourself to your studies and understanding the requirements ahead with subject selection and pathway selection. Partnering with our parents to share the conversation can only lead to better support of our students working towards their personal best. Thank you to Beth Murphy, Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning PK-12, for designing the evening, and to Scott Smith, Leader of Year 9 Wellbeing and Justin Farley, Leader of Pathways for their work in the presentation. A key part of being in Year 9 this year is The Rite Journey and this program is about building the understanding and skills to start leaving childhood and preparing for adolescence and early adulthood.

Wishing you a wonderful fortnight ahead.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Week 4

Jenni Vile on 15/08/2025

Pupil-Free Days – Friday 22 August and Monday 25 August

You are reminded that we have pupil-free days for all students coming up at the end of Week 5. On Friday 22 August, our staff will be participating in a wellbeing day with a focus on service. Staff will be working on a range of activities, including cooking for Shopfront, flatpack construction for No Limits and more. Monday 25 August is Catholic Day. We hope many families will be able to make the most of this extended time together.

Newman Parents Forum – Save the Date

We are excited to invite you to our Term 3 Newman Parents Forum, where we will be trying something new! This time, you can choose the sessions that interest you most, with each presentation running twice.

Come along to:

Discover what’s changing in Social Media Legislation and discuss considerations for school, parents and students
Explore our rich Marist Identity and what it means for our community
Learn practical ways to help students build resilience
Gain insight into the Equip, Guide, Thrive program

It is a great opportunity to connect, learn and be part of important conversations shaping our school community. Full details and registration information will be sent out soon.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Year 12 Legacy Project – Do It For Cancer

The 2025 Student Leadership Team have spent time this year reflecting on what kind of legacy they want to leave behind. As a team, they wanted to do something to genuinely make a difference within the Newman community and beyond. Through a number of workshops, they considered how they could increase student engagement through hope and connection. They felt this could be achieved by supporting a cause that affects many Australians and many of our own families.

The Class of 2025 are supporting the Cancer Council’s Do It For Cancer fundraiser. Year 12 students are either cutting their hair or committing to a physical challenge over the next month in the hope of raising awareness, hope, funds, and hopefully building a meaningful Class of 2025 legacy.

So far, the team has 40 participants and has already raised over $16000! The haircuts will take place in Week 8 during their Extended PCG.

If you wish to have a look at the team page or donate, you can do so at the following link: Class of 2025 Do It For Cancer Team Page

If there are any families who may be able to assist with the haircuts, please contact Mrs Carla Pastorelli, Deputy Principal Secondary via email carla.pastorelli@newman.wa.edu.au

The Class of 2025 thanks you for your support.

Wellbeing Week

Feeling well, or ‘wellbeing’ is fundamental to our overall health and enjoyment of life. We recognise the importance of education, raising awareness and providing opportunities for students to develop their own wellbeing and to contribute to and participate in our flourishing community. This year, Wellbeing Week will be celebrated in Week 6. Each day will focus on a different element of wellbeing; Together Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday & Fitness Friday.

On Friday 22 August, staff will be participating in a Wellbeing Day focusing on service. We are calling for parents or students to submit messages of appreciation or gratitude to our staff, which will be delivered on our Staff Wellbeing Day. You are invited to enter a message using this online form.

Hours of Supervision

Parents are reminded that the hours of supervision for students are outlined below. Students are not permitted on Campus outside of hours unless attending a prearranged College activity (such as Homework Club). Students are not permitted to wait for their parents inside the Auditorium or other College facilities.

College Policy Updates

The following College Policies have been recently updated:

After-Hours Access to College Grounds

We are fortunate to have beautiful College facilities that are enjoyed by our students, families and local community through College programs, club activities and special events. To keep these spaces safe, well-maintained and available for their intended purposes, we ask for your support in ensuring that our grounds are respected and used appropriately.

Please be reminded that no students or members of the public should be on College grounds outside of school hours unless:

Participating in College-organised activities
Taking part in activities run by our on-site clubs
Attending events in the Auditorium

Unfortunately, in recent weeks, there have been instances of anti-social and unsafe behaviour after hours on College property. While the majority of our community does the right thing, a small number of individuals have caused disruption and acted in ways that are not acceptable in our community.

We are asking parents and caregivers to speak with their children about the importance of respecting school grounds and the people who use them, and to reinforce that being on site outside of the times above is not permitted. If you become aware of any after-hours activity on our grounds, please contact the College or, if urgent, the police.

Together, we can help maintain a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all who use our facilities.

Mr Michael Chiera

VICE PRINCIPAL

Mission Update – Term 3 Week 4

Jenni Vile on 15/08/2025

Today, we gathered as a College community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary which is a day of great significance for the Catholic Church and for the Marist family. The Assumption reminds us of our belief that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a celebration of the hope we have in Christ, and the promise of eternal life. For Marists, this feast is particularly special, as it is our own feast day — a time to honour Mary, who is our model of faith, humility, and service.

Our celebrations began with three beautiful Masses across the College, celebrated by Fr Kaz, Fr Emmanuel, and Fr Edmond. These moments of prayer brought us together to give thanks for Mary’s life and her ongoing presence in our journey of faith. Following mass, the day continued with our annual fete, filled with delicious food, exciting activities, and a joyful atmosphere. All money raised from today’s fete goes towards supporting Australian Marist Solidarity – the international aid agency of the Marists. We then concluded the day with a special episode of Taskmaster filmed and edited by our talented Media Studies students, featuring our Leaders of Wellbeing under the creative direction of Mr Lang.

It was such a beautiful day of community and celebration, and one that could not be possible without the support of our students, families, and staff, especially our guild coordinators who led the many activities and food stalls at the fete. Their hard work and efforts really helped make today wonderful.