Category: Primary

Advent

In our final weeks we celebrated 2020 through our Christmas liturgies across the College.  The significance of these liturgies is at the very heart of our Christian journey with the impending arrival of the birth of Christ.  The preparation period of Advent invites us to reflect on the year and to give thanks for our lives and our relationships with each other.

Advent also reminds us that the birth of Christ heralds a new beginning, a fresh start, a renewal for new life and new opportunities.

PK-12 Christmas Carols and Marian Campus Christmas Nativity

We have enjoyed our annual celebrations; the Marian Campus Nativity and the PK-12 Christmas Carols.  Many thanks to all involved in these respective celebrations.

The Season for Giving

Thank you to all students and families who have been generous in their support of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Our contribution of items will go a long way to bring joy to many families who are doing it tough this Christmas.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

On Saturday I attended the matinee session of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical with my family. This was an outstanding College production which showcased the extraordinary skills and talents of our students and staff – an excellent example of our students letting their light shine.

Significant challenges were presented to the cast and crew this year in their preparation for this event; they have been accepted and overcome. The extraordinary efforts and patience of each and every person involved in Matilda, over such an extended period of time, are so very highly valued and appreciated. With the unprecedented year we have had, we are indeed fortunate to have been able to stage Matilda last week.

There has been significant and very positive feedback both from industry and our local community including surrounding Catholic primary schools. All were fulsome in their praise of the students and this magnificent production, brought to life at Newman College.

I take this opportunity to thank all our families who supported their children in ensuring they attended rehearsals and assisted with costumes. Without this support, such an event could not have been staged.

Congratulations to all involved in this wonderful production.

International Day of Persons with Disability

Last Thursday 3 December was International Day of Persons with Disability. The day has been an international day of observance and celebration promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The aim of the day is to promote understanding and create awareness about persons with an impairment and our College environment is a perfect vehicle for this message. Our thanks to Madison Heady (ex-Sacred Heart student) who delivered an inspirational speech to our Year 6 students about her journey with disability, as ambassador for the ACC and Inclusion Sport. Madison also participated in a PE lesson with Year 4 Blue.

Marist Cricket Carnival

On Monday, our 1st XI Cricket Team travelled to Bunbury to play Bunbury Catholic College in a series of games. In 2020 we inaugurated the WA Champagnat Cup in which these fixtures will be part of the overall Shield which will be contested in 2021.

In a Pre-COVID-19 world, our cricket team would normally have travelled to the Eastern States to play other Marist schools. To negate that disappointment, this Carnival has been an opportunity for our cricketers to play at a similar level of competition here in our own State.

Congratulations to both schools for the spirit in which the games were played.

2021 PK-12 Family Mass – Save the Date

Our PK-12 Family Mass will be held on Thursday 11 February, commencing 5.00pm, on the College oval. This Mass is a compulsory event for students as we celebrate the commencement of our school year. We will also commission our students for Years 6 and Year 12 on this occasion.

Detailed correspondence will be circulated to families early in the new year.

We look forward to celebrating the commencement of the 2021 school year with our College Community.

PK-12 Awards

Marcellin Campus Awards

On 26 November we celebrated our Marcellin Campus prize giving assembly. We recognised the achievements of those who have excelled in their academic, sporting and cultural pursuits. Our Awards celebrate our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery, let your light shine, and what it represents – that we in our PK-12 College value learning, value education and the impact it will have on our destiny.

Click here to see photos from the Awards and Principals speech.

Lavalla Campus Celebrations

The Lavalla Campus celebrated its Year 6 students finishing their formal years of Primary School on Tuesday 8 December. It was a beautiful assembly highlighted by a moving liturgy and Year 6 dance item. Academic Achievement and Major Awards were also presented. I wish our Year 6 students every success and blessing, both to those moving on to other schools and to those who will continue their journey across the bridge to Marcellin Campus.

We also celebrated our Lavalla Campus Award Ceremony which again showcased our Years 3-5 students who have excelled in their learning this year.

Congratulations to all students.

Click here to see photos from the Awards Ceremony.

Sister Mary Assumpta OP, RIP

Sr Assumpta was a much-loved member of the Dominican Sisters for 70 years, who taught in Scarborough, Doubleview, Innaloo, Bedford and Dongara. She was loved and respected by many past pupils and staff for her leadership and fine scholarship.

We are grateful for her Congregational leadership over many years. She will be sadly missed by her Dominican Sisters.

Christmas and Holidays

At the Marcellin and Lavalla final gatherings I asked students to consider those children around the world who will not have the opportunity to gather with loved ones this Christmas as many countries are still battling to overcome the challenges that the COVID-19 Pandemic have presented.

How fortunate we are here in Australia to have the opportunity this Christmas to attend Mass, family celebrations and to even consider an interstate holiday.

My best wishes to all our families for a wonderful Christmas celebration with families and friends. We look forward to seeing all our families, current and new, at the commencement of the 2021 school year.

As our College year comes to its conclusion, the season of Advent is alive and well. The theme of Advent is preparation for the coming of Christ into the world. The four weeks leading to Christmas we reflect on Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. This coming Sunday we begin to reflect on Joy. Pope Francis has had a lot to say about joy and constantly reminds us that joy is a sure sign and the attractive and compelling fruit of an authentic Christian. This Christmas let us seek to encounter the presence of God so we become a living witness of joy to the world and to our families and friends.

Save the Date: PK-12 Family Mass

In 2021, we will celebrate our PK-12 Family Mass on Thursday 11 February on the Marcellin Ovals commencing at 5.30pm. This celebration of the Eucharist is an opportunity to commission our 2021 Student Leaders and to give thanks for the gifts each member of our community brings to Newman College. All families are reminded that this is a compulsory event for K-12 students. More information will be sent out in the new year.

Thursday Morning Community Mass

Community Mass will return in Week 1 of Term 1 (Thursday 4 February in 2021).

Sacramental Program 2021

The Sacramental program will be commencing in Parish communities in January. The Sacraments are facilitated by the Parish for children who have been Baptised Catholics and are preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Year 3, for First Communion in Year 4 and for Confirmation in Year 6.

As Newman College is not a Parish school, parents will need to approach their Parish to enrol their child to receive Confirmation, Communion and Reconciliation. Information regarding the Sacramental Program and Parish contact details can be found on the College website.

If parents have any queries concerning the above, please contact your parish or the Religious Education Coordinator Primary, Jane Short,  jane.short@newman.wa.edu.au

Marist Association/MYM Trivia Night

The annual Marist Youth Ministry and Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Trivia Night took place on Friday 27 November in the Marist Auditorium Studios. It was a fantastic opportunity for Marists to come together and celebrate 2020 and raise money for Australia Marist Solidarity.

Altar Server Commissioning

Years 5 and 6 students were commissioned to serve as Altar Ministers by Monsignor Kevin Long. They underwent a two week training program that consisted of four sessions with Mr Diamond, Mrs Short and Mr Martino. The program discussed the purpose and responsibilities of the Altar Minister. Students rehearsed the parts of the mass and became more familiar with the symbols and signs that are associated with this most important celebration. We are very pleased to have 11 students who can now attend the Sacred Liturgy and also in their own Parish Communities.

Year 12 2021 Student Leaders Forum

On Monday 30 November, the Year 12 2021 Student Leadership group gathered for a forum with Matt Angus, reflecting on purpose and vision. The students discussed their values and what skills they contribute to the leadership group. It concluded with students outlining their vision for 2021 and how they would like to lead the College.

Thank you to Mrs Rebecca Bramanto and Mrs Carla Pastorelli for their leadership of the group and Matt Angus for facilitating this experience with our students. Ten Students from the Leadership group will have an opportunity to extend this experience when they attend the Marist Youth Leadership Forum at the beginning of the school year in 2021.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Thank you to all families who have donated to our Christmas appeal. Both Vinnies Chapters have expressed sincere thanks for the donations they have received thus far. The gift of giving and receiving joy has been alive and well here at Newman over the last few weeks.

Marist Reunion 2021

Marist Ex-Students of all former and current Marist schools and colleges are warmly invited to attend the Marist Reunion at Newman College, Empire Avenue, Churchlands.

Date:  Wednesday 20 January 2021
Time: 4.30pm Mass in the College Chapel followed by a BBQ and fellowship at the College.
BYO everything. The College will provide BBQs for people to cook their food
Enquiries: Kevin Wringe 0407511104, Ambrose Depiazzi 0419912187
RSVP is not necessary

A great way to reconnect with some old friends and to celebrate our Marist story.

Sing and Strings + Year 7 Music Collective

The “Sing and Strings” vocal and string showcase and “Year 7 Music Collective” were both held on Wednesday 18 November in the Marist Auditorium. Each concert featured solo, small group and large ensemble performances, demonstrating the hard work our musicians have put into developing their skills on their instrument or voice. Congratulations to all students for their wonderful performances and thank you to parents and staff for their support.

College Production – Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality.

Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

This play will be brought to life by Newman College students across Years 5-12, in the stunning Neman College Marist Auditorium. Purchase tickets here.

Save the Date – K-12 Christmas Carols, Marcellin Oval Wednesday 9 December

• 4.30pm – 5.00pm: Family Picnic and School Concert Band
• 5.00pm – 6.30pm: Carols by Perth Fortress Brass Band & Chamber Choir

Families can set up picnic blankets and chairs in the designated area from 4.30pm onwards. Seating is unreserved, all family and friends are welcome.

In keeping with the College’s compliance with Duty of Care and Risk Mitigation parents please be aware that this function is an alcohol free event.