This week, I had the joy of taking some families on a tour of our College. One of the highlights of these moments is being able to introduce families to what it means to be part of a Marist school community – to speak about our Marist charism, the characteristics that underpin our way of being, and of course, the story of our founder, Saint Marcellin Champagnat.
In establishing his vision for the education and formation of young people, Marcellin said:
“To educate children, you must first love them and love them all equally.”
It sounds so simple, and something we might hope to take for granted, but I find myself reflecting on this call often. To not just love children… but to love all children.
Loving all children equally means seeing the dignity, worth, and value in every child, not just those who are well-behaved or high-achieving. It also includes those who may challenge us. It means recognising the quiet child, the restless child, the upset child, and the child who carries wounds from a story we may not yet know or fully understand.
In our Marist community, ‘all children’ includes every young person in our care. But as we approach National Reconciliation Week, it’s an opportunity to widen our lens – to include children and families from communities we may not yet fully know or understand. This includes our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters. Loving them equally means listening to their stories, honouring their experiences, and walking alongside them toward healing.
This is the heart of reconciliation.
At its core, reconciliation is about healing relationships. Not only between individuals, but also with the truth of our shared history, and with those whose voices have often gone unheard. It asks us to take the first step: to listen with humility, to reflect with honesty, and to approach one another with the Marian qualities of simplicity, gentleness, and presence.
In the Gospels, we see Jesus reach out to those who were hurting or excluded. He met people where they were and reminded them of their worth. As Marists, we hope to follow his example by how we live, how we treat others, and how we respond with compassion.
This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week, ‘Bridging Now to Next,’ encourages us to honour the past, including the pain and injustice experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while working together to build a more just and united future. It reminds us that reconciliation isn’t a one-off event, but an ongoing journey.
It’s natural to wonder, in the face of something so significant, whether our small actions make a difference.
But it is easy if we begin with something simple.
We can begin by listening to the call of St. Marcellin and simply loving all children, even those we don’t yet fully understand. We can honour the dignity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by continuing to walk with them, to learn from them, and to commit ourselves to truth and healing.
Next week especially, we are invited to be bridge-builders: people who listen, who learn, and who choose to lead with love.
On Monday 12 May, all Year 7 students competed in the Winter NAS Carnival and ACC Lightning Carnival. Students participated in Netball, AFL, Soccer, Badminton and Volleyball. Our students represented Newman beautifully and displayed great sportsmanship throughout the day! So far this year, we have had 45 teams, or 523 students play at the NAS carnivals! We look forward to the Year 8 and Year 11/12 Winter carnivals coming up in Week 8 and 9 of this term.
Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge
Some of our talented Year 10 Science students represented Newman College at the Science and Engineering Challenge at Murdoch University on Friday 16 May. Students competed against eight other schools, where they took part in a range of hands-on STEM activities, from building model bridges to designing sustainable house solutions. Students worked in teams to tackle real-world problems and gained valuable insights from industry professionals about future careers in science and engineering. We are so proud of the Newman College team who placed 1st overall! Congratulations to all students involved!
Term 2 Celebration Assembly
On Thursday 22 May, we took the time to celebrate what has been an enriching and busy start to the year across all pillars. At the Term 2 Celebration Assembly we reflected on the 2024 Italian Tour and the Senior Production of Bugsy Malone and we acknowledged our Marist Tour Teams, Graeme Wood Shield Winners, and ACC A Division Swimmers. Students were also updated on the current standings for the Champagnat Shield, Romero has the current lead, however, with many opportunities for students to still earn points for the Guild, it should be an exciting race.
Thank you to our College Captains, Pillar Captains and musicians for another great Celebration Assembly.
Senior School Exams
For our Year 10, 11 and 12 students, the weeks ahead are an opportunity. Exams are not just a test of your knowledge but a chance to demonstrate your growth, perseverance, potential and your commitment to achieving personal excellence. Lean into your preparation, stay organised, remember the supports offered by our wonderful classroom teachers, and the opportunities presented at Homework Club. Remember, the habits you build now shape your success in the future. Shine through your discipline and determination.
It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that Mrs Lucy Lane will be leaving Newman College at the end of Term Two. Mrs Lane has been a valued member of the Newman College community since 2020, teaching within the Humanities Learning Area, with particular contributions to Modern History ATAR and Politics and Law ATAR. In recent years, Lucy has also served as Leader of Wellbeing, a role in which she has demonstrated exceptional care, commitment, and passion for supporting the students in her care. Mrs Lane will be greatly missed, and we sincerely thank her for all she has given to the life of the College.
I am pleased to inform you that Mrs Lara Vlahov will be taking on the role of Leader of Wellbeing Year 10 for Semester Two. Congratulations to Mrs Vlahov – the Secondary Wellbeing and PCG teams look forward to working with you.
Mrs Carla Pastorelli
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject handbook open
Current Year 10 students and families can now access information about Year 11 subjects for 2026, using this link: https://handbook.newman.wa.edu.au/
A reminder about the major subject selection event coming up in Term 2. It is expected that all students attend this event, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
Tuesday 24 June
Marist Auditorium, Newman College
5pm to 6pm: Careers and Year 11 Subjects Expo.
6pm to 6.45pm: Year 10 Family Information Evening.
The Year 10 students have been listening to presentations about each Learning Area and their Year 11 offerings for 2026. A link to the presentations is available below:
To assist in their subject selection, Year 10 students are currently undertaking a guided research process during EGT time. This process will answer most questions and provide a structure for subject selection. Please see below for a link to the Research Booklet:
For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12
A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath.
For students thinking of attending University
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025
New TAFE Certificates for Semester 2
There are some new TAFE certificates (one day per week) opening in Semester 2 of 2025. If interested, please contact Mr Farley:
Certificate II in Animal Care
Certificate III Aviation (Drone Pilot)
Certificate II Cabinet Making (pre-apprenticeship)
Certificate III Health Services
Certificate III Fitness
Certificate II Cosmetics
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12
University Early Offer Information
Please see below for the latest available Early Offer information.
Early Offers will open on 3 June 2025. After this date, all Year 12 students will be provided with information about how to access the TISC system and enter preferences.
Curtin University
No details as yet.
Edith Cowan University
Full information and list of eligible courses at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/early-offer-program Open to ATAR, Certificate IV, and UniReady students. Submit your Early Offer application by placing an eligible ECU course as your first TISC preference. First offers released to students on 2 September 2025.
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey focused on strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community, for the benefit of all Australians. It reminds us of the generations who have worked tirelessly for meaningful change and calls us to continue striving for a just and equitable society – one where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have the same life opportunities as non-Indigenous children, with improved outcomes in education, health, and economic wellbeing.
Throughout the week, Newman College students from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 will engage in a variety of activities designed to deepen their understanding of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. These experiences will also encourage students to reflect on how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. We look forward to sharing highlights with you in our next newsletter.
Newman College Community Quiz Night
The Newman College Community Quiz Night will be held on Friday 20 June.
Parents of the College are invited to come together for a fun night of friendly competition and community spirit, in support of two worth causes; Youth Focus, an organisation that works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians between the ages of 12 and 25, and Marist Solidarity, an aid agency that provides education to young people in communities in our province. As a Marist school, these are important causes that are close to our hearts.
With the recent removal of the Badge Site Offices from the Lavalla Carpark, we ask for your continued support in maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow during pick-up times.
To help avoid congestion at the entrance and exit points, we kindly request the following:
Please continue to clearly display your family names on the car dashboard if you are using the Kiss ‘N’ Drive service.
If your child is not ready for collection in the Kiss ‘N’ Drive zone, please continue through the loop and either rejoin the circuit or park in the Eastern section of the carpark.
Parents wishing to park should remain in the right lane and use the main carpark bays.
Please keep the left lane clear and moving to ensure traffic flows smoothly and to prevent cars from backing up onto Empire Avenue.
Your cooperation in following these guidelines will help create a safer, more efficient environment for all members of our community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Week 4, and we are almost at the halfway point of Term 2, and our students have been so busy with their learning.
Primary
Primary assemblies have been great features of the past weeks, where Year 6 Red informed us of the wonders of parts of the world, Year 1 Blue led us in the celebration of Mothers and Year 2 Green explored the fascinating world of science. Assemblies are such great opportunities for our students to experience performance and work together, even if it means working outside their comfort zone. We had another first for the Guild system in Primary with the Lavalla Guild Cross Country Carnival last week under blue skies and run with great Guild spirit. Congratulations to all the students for running.
Simultaneous Reading
Yesterday, our Marian students joined with children across the Country for National Simultaneous Storytime, sharing in the joy of reading The Truck Cat.
Secondary Sport
The past fortnight has seen our Year 7 students competing in the Winter NAS Carnival, netballers participating in the SSWA Netball Carnival, the First XVIII and Year 8/9 Eagles Cup teams playing SEDA College and John Forrest Senior High School, respectively. We also had the presentation of uniforms for the Marist Netball Team, who will play in the Marist Netball Carnival next week in Adelaide. Winter provides so many options for our students to pursue sporting interests and great competitions.
Genesis Dance Troupe for Marian and Year 7-9 Production
Our youngest students have taken to the Genesis Dance Troupe program with great enthusiasm and participation. Aimed at Year 1 and Year 2 students, Genesis then provides a pathway into the Lavalla Dance program and beyond. What a great opportunity and joyful program it is!
Following closely after the Bugsy Malone Musical, the students of the Arts have been rehearsing for their performance of Emil and the Detectives, which will be performed in July. The Arts is such a wonderful area for our students to discover, imagine, create, and many of the Visual Arts pieces are starting to take shape in classroom Art across the College.
Mock Trials and Science and Engineering Challenge
We have a great tradition in the Mock Trials competition, which takes place at this time every year. Students in our Politics and Law course extend their learning to real-life experience in the Law Courts, through this senior secondary experience. So far this year, the team has competed against Mandurah Catholic College and Servite College and won both rounds. The round of law trials will end in July, followed by three rounds of finals.
The Science and Engineering Challenge at Murdoch University saw our student groups take part in hands-on STEM challenge activities. Along with the competition, our students gained great insights into engineering by working alongside industry professionals, and the team placed first overall in the challenge. Great work!
Marcellin Campus – Celebration Assembly
Our Vision for Learning captures Challenge, Collaborate, Create and Celebrate, and the Celebration Assemblies each term showcase the excellence in the educational and co-curricular pursuits of our students. This week we held the first of the assemblies for the term, and we were treated to some performances from our music students, updates to the Guild Champagnat Shield progress scores and reports from the Ministry, Academic, Wellbeing, Sport and Arts Captains.
Marian Lecture
A highlight in a Marist community is the annual Marian Lecture, which takes place in May, the month of Mary. Last week, we hosted a group of 30 people who are a part of the Marist Association, as we all listened to the live streamed lecture from Professor Stan Grant, the guest speaker. Prof. Grant captured the magic and mystery we all experience in our encounter with Jesus and through the example of Mary. Prof. Grant shared his insights on the connection between First Nations spirituality and the Christian faith. We all left with much to unpack and consider for our next gathering of the Marist Association.
Senior Examinations
In the coming weeks, our Year 12, 11 and 10 students will undertake their Semester One examinations. The introduction of the Equip Guide Thrive program (EGT) this year has sharpened the focus on preparation for study and personal success in learning. We wish our senior students the very best for this set of assessments.
As a Marist College, May holds special significance for our community. It is a time to reflect deeply on one of our core Marist characteristics, “In the Way of Mary”, and to consider how we embody this in our daily lives. In this edition of the newsletter, our Director of Mission and Catholic Identity, Mr Stuart McClorey, shares further insights into this meaningful theme.
In connection with this focus, we are delighted to host a live stream of the Marian Lecture, a free event open to all members of our College community. We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion. Light refreshments will be served following the lecture.
Earlier this week, it was lovely to have Sonja Stemler, the Active Transport Project Manager from the City of Stirling visit the College. Sonja joined me on a tour, as we discussed the different initiatives that the College has in place and potential improvements to promote active transport in our community.
Sonja provided some invaluable insights into how the College can get the most out of the YourMove program. You can keep up to date with our journey here.
Winter Uniform and Presentation
It has been great to see students back on Campus this term in their Winter Academic Uniform. The Leaders of Wellbeing have been completing uniform checks over the week and have been pleased with the way most students are presenting. I would like to thank families and students for their continued support in maintaining Newman College’s high presentation standards.
