The High Achiever’s Assembly, held on Wednesday 15 February, saw the return of 27 students from the Class of 2022 who achieved success in their studies across Year 11 and Year 12. We celebrated some outstanding results as we acknowledged those students who achieved a Certificate of Distinction, a Certificate of Merit and/or an ATAR of 90+, which placed them in the top 10% of students in Western Australia. We celebrated our top-performing VET student, our Principal’s Award winner for the highest ATAR in the graduating class of 2023 and acknowledged exceptional achievement by Saskia Wigley in the Outdoor Education ATAR Examination. Max Hobson (Class of 2022) was invited to address the current students and staff of Newman College; he spoke with authenticity and honesty as he shared his journey on an ATAR pathway.
Guild Swimming Carnival
The Guild Swimming Carnival was a successful occasion with much credit owed to our hard-working and dedicated Health and Physical Education staff, and our enthusiastic and passionate Guild Coordinators. Many records were broken on this day by some incredible athletes. We look forward to their continued success as they approach the ACC A Division Athletics Carnival.
Year 8 and Year 9 Information Evenings
Our Year 8 and Year 9 Information evenings were held on Monday 20 February. Our incoming principal Mr Andrew Watson, who officially commences his time at the College in Term 2, was in attendance. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Year 8 and Year 9 families to come together, and meet their child’s Pastoral Care Group teachers. Both cohorts participated in sessions with their Pastoral Care Group teachers; Year 8 focused on growth mindset and Year 9 worked on articulating their own SMART goals.
Year 7 Information Evening
Our Year 7 Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 1 March and commences at 6.00pm in the Auditorium. After the presentation, students and parents/guardians will move into the John Henry Newman Learning Hub for a session with their PCG teachers. Click HERE for details.
Year 10 Information Session (Video Link)
Thank you Year 10 Parents for your patience. Please find below the link to the Year 10 Information Session. Click HERE
Please direct any queries to either; David Husband, Leader of Wellbeing Year 10
This week I have had the great pleasure of spending the week at Serpentine Camping Centre on retreat with our Year 12 students. The theme of the retreat has been Who am I? Who do I want to be? and Who are those sharing in my journey? Students have spent time together in fellowship, reflection, and prayer as they considered these questions and more. The participation and enthusiasm shown by students throughout the retreat has been excellent, and for many students, it has been an emotional and deeply reflective experience. We look forward to welcoming our Year 12 students back to school next week, where we hope they will continue to grow and develop in the fullness of who God intends them to be.
Shrove Tuesday
On Tuesday, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday across all three of our campuses with pancakes on sale. Students were able to purchase pancakes to enjoy in the morning and at recess, with all proceeds going towards Project Compassion. The tradition of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday comes from a time when families would seek to purify themselves in the lead-up to the beginning of Lent and remove from their homes any of the food they were foregoing for Lent. Traditionally this included eggs, fats, milk, and sugar – all the ingredients we use to make pancakes today.
Although Shrove Tuesday is a great day to enjoy pancakes, it has another, more significant meaning too. Shrove Tuesday comes from the word shrive meaning ‘absolve’ which means to be declared free of guilt or punishment. As the last day before the start of Lent, Shrove Tuesday is a day of self-examination where we can consider what sins we needed to repent of and what changes we can make to our lives so we can live more according to the teachings of Jesus.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday, students across the College gathered in their respective campuses to celebrate Ash Wednesday with a Liturgy that reflected the significance of this day. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent – a time when we can focus on our spiritual lives, as well as deepening our relationship with God through the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Students received ashes as a symbol of our mortality, and also our desire to repent and turn away from sin.
The Gospel message of the day (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) recalls Jesus’ call to us to go out and do good quietly in this world – not to parade our good deeds in front of others, or only commit to acts of generosity because of the way it might help us be perceived. This is a beautiful message for our students to take on; to act with a gentle strength and a humble nature in fulfilling the teachings of Jesus.
Project Compassion Launch
This year, Caritas Australia’s launch of Project Compassion for Western Australian schools was conducted online. It was led by Servite College and St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School students, with the support of Deacon Paul Reid, Community Engagement Animator WA/SA for Caritas Australia.
The event was live-streamed and was attended by 20 of our students across the Lavalla & Marcellin Campus. The program was designed to be interactive which enabled our students to interact with others across Western Australia. The launch commenced with a Liturgy and concluded with a traditional ‘pancake tea’ which gave our students an opportunity to reflect on the morning. During the workshops, our students created an action plan which they will drive as leaders of the College to support the mission and works of Caritas.
Our Vision for Mission calls us to serve humanity and raise up those experiencing poverty. At Newman College, we commit to supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion every year during Lent. This is an opportunity for our school to raise funds to support underprivileged societies around the world.
The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’. Together, we can create lasting change for people living in some of the most vulnerable and low-income regions in the world.
You can read more about Project Compassion for 2023 here.
Upcoming Events
There are a number of important events coming up over these next few weeks in the Ministry calendar:
Tuesday 28 February: Year 11 World Religions Excursion
Tuesday 28 March: Game Changers Launch
Wednesday 1 March: First Marist Connect Night
Thursday 2 March: Year 6 Confirmation Retreat
Thursday 9 March: Year 7 Retreat
Community Mass
It was wonderful to see everyone at our first Thursday morning Community Mass or 2023 this week, which was hosted by Brigid Guild and Year 6 Red.
The whole College community is warmly invited to join us in the Champagnat Chapel at 8.10am on Thursday mornings for Mass celebrated by one of our local Parish Priests and hosted by our students from Marcellin and Lavalla.
On Wednesday 1 February, our Year 7 students had their first full day on Marcellin Campus. They were aptly supported by their PCG teachers and the Year 11 Peer Support Mentors. They practised their locks and learnt how to read their timetables and started to become familiar with how to use ICT in a secondary school context. There have been a few Year 7s who have found it challenging to navigate the Marcellin Campus but their confidence in asking for assistance has enabled them to thrive. Teacher reports on this day and over the last few days have been glowing about our Year 7 cohort: well-mannered, supportive and grateful.
Mr Scott Smith (Leader of Wellbeing Year 7) had this to report: “The 2023 Year 7 cohort needs to be commended on the absolutely outstanding start to the year had by them. They have been so enthusiastic and polite and have really followed the theme of embrace for the year. The students have really started to gel as a family and look out for each other with little things like guiding each other to classes and helping each other find lost items.
The feedback I have had from staff has also been phenomenal! Staff have echoed my sentiments saying how well mannered and willing to give everything a go this cohort are. Each student should be extremely proud of themselves for how well they have started the year. I have said it multiple times to staff at the college but this is the best start to a year I have seen by a cohort.
I am extremely proud of how the year has started and am excited to see how well the rest of the year goes.”
Class of 2023 Leaver’s Jackets
There was much excitement in the John Henry Newman Learning Hub as the Class of 2023 received and unboxed their leaver’s jackets this week. Despite the warm temperatures, many of them were seen wearing their jackets for most of the day. Thank you to the Year 12 students who were part of the design process and thank you to the Uniform Shop staff for their support in sizing and ordering these jackets. A special thank you to Miss Gemma Beekink (Leader of Wellbeing Year 12) for her efforts and coordination in overseeing this process. Our Class of 2023 are able to wear their leaver’s jackets on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Homework Club 2023
Homework Club is running on the ground floor of the John Henry Newman Learning Hub Monday – Thursday (3:15 – 5:00pm). All secondary students are welcome, however they must come prepared to work hard and adhere to the behaviour expectations outlined in the Homework Club Code of Conduct. There are a range of teachers and past students who offer support at Homework Club. The Term One Roster will be published on the Newman College website by the end of Week 2. It’s been lovely to see some familiar faces from last year and I look forward to meeting new students over the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please email the Homework Club supervisor, Mrs Roeterdink directly – sonja.roeterdink@newman.wa.edu.au
Please note the change of venue. Commencing immediately missed assessments will be supervised in JHN 2.10 / 2.11.
Wellbeing Program
Every Wednesday, our Year 7-12 students participate in extended Pastoral Care time. The activities that are completed during this time support the holistic wellbeing of the students on Marcellin Campus. These activities may include: guest speakers, guild activities, cohort-based activities or conversations in line with our Keeping Safe: Protective Behaviours Curriculum. The link below outlines what our Year 7-12 students will be participating in this term. If you have any concerns, please contact the relevant Leader of Wellbeing.
We invite expressions of interest for any parents/guardians to become the year-level Parent Representatives in 2023. This role involves: encouraging parent involvement/attendance at College events, responding to questions on the Facebook page and monitoring appropriate use.
Please email sarah.ellam@newman.wa.edu.au by Friday 17 February if you are interested in being the parent representative for your child’s year level in 2023.
College Weights Room
One way in which we can support our own wellbeing is to be physically active. From Week 4, the College Weights room will be opening on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 7.30am-8.15am. All students in Year 9-12 are invited to use the facility. Students who wish to use this venue will need to complete an induction in Week 4 and get a parent/guardian permission form signed to gain access.
HPE staff will be supervising each session and Kate Thayer, the new Sports Admin Assistant will be available to write programs and offer training advice.
2023 School Based Immunisation Program – online consent
Throughout the 2023 school year the SBIP will provide the following immunisations. Consent must be given using the VaccinateWA online platform. This is a new process for 2023. Please use the link to register your child and confirm consent. Paper forms should no longer be used.
• Year 7: HPV (human papilloma virus) dTpa (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Immunisation Days: Mon 1 and Tue 2 May
• Year 10: Meningococcal ACWY vaccine Immunisation Day: Tue 6 June
For detailed instructions on how to register your child, including information relating to the relevant disease transmission and symptoms, please visit the School-based immunisation program healthywa.wa.gov.au
Year 9 Information Evening
Our Year 9 Information Evening is scheduled for Monday 20 February commencing at 6.00pm sharp and concluding at 7.30pm. Please click HERE to access full details of this event.
Year 8 Information Evening
Our Year 8 Information Evening is scheduled for Monday 20 February commencing at 6.00pm sharp and concluding at 7.30pm. Please click HERE to access full details of this event.
FAME JR Musical – Years 9-12
I am excited to announce audition dates for this year’s Year 9-12 production of the Musical, FAME JR. The Newman College Arts team are looking forward to welcoming our students to auditions on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 February 2023, further information about the audition process can be found HERE
Dance Troupe
The Newman College Dance Troupe performs at numerous competitions and festivals throughout the year. The troupes learn and perform many different genres such as contemporary, jazz, hip hop and tap. Auditions for the 2023 Dance Troupe will take place on Friday 17th February from 7:15 – 8:30am in the Marist Auditorium. If successful, students will rehearse every Thursday morning before school. Students may wear whatever they feel comfortable to dance in and registrations will be taken in the morning. Any questions may be directed to Mrs Stephanie-Kate La Brooy (steph.labrooy@newman.wa.edu.au)
Music Ensembles
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students of Newman College,
Please see the list below for the Music Ensembles offered this term from Year’s 3 – 12. The ensembles highlighted in yellow are only offered to students in our Special Instrumental Program, who are beginner instrumentalists.
If you would like any other information on the available ensemble, do not hesitate to contact me, Selena Barrett – Music Coordinator K-12.
2022 High Achievers and Principal’s Assembly, 10.20am in the Gymnasium
Thursday 16 February
Y3-6 Swimming Trials, Marcellin Pool (Click HERE for details) Y1-12 Guild Swimming Carnival, HBF Stadium (all day event) K – Y6 Parent Information Evening (Click HERE for details)
Year 12 Retreat Serpentine Camping Centre, Jarrahdale (Brigid, Camara, MacKillop and Thomas More – Mon – Wed) (Catherine, Chisholm, Marcellin and Romero – Wed to Fri)
Monday 20 February
Year 8 Information Evening, 6.00pm Auditorium (Click HERE for details) Year 9 Information Evening, 6.00pm JHN Learning Hub (Click HERE for details) Year 10 Information Evening 6.00pm ONLINE
Tuesday 21 February
Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 22 February
Ash Wednesday KG-Y2 St Cecilia’s Church 9.00am Y3-6 Champagnat Chapel 9.00am Y7-12 Gymnasium 10.20am
It is with great pleasure that we welcome back our community to begin the 2023 school year. Staff and students have made an outstanding start with a whole range of events and activities already underway. As we begin the new school year, I would like to remind our families to please read our newsletter as it covers important information and dates that impact you and your children.
Newman Parent Forum
The Newman Parent Forum (NPF) occurs once a term and is open to all parents. It is a parent community gathering which is led by the Principal and Vice Principal in collaboration with a nominated Newman Parent K12 Executive Committee. The Newman Parent K-12 Executive Committee can be found on the College website. The NPF works in partnership with the College Executive to support College events, and the Strategic Plan and to promote and advocate for the College and parents, both in school and in the local community. The NPF is held in our St John Henry Newman Hub in the Marcellin Campus at 6.00pm. Dates can be found on the College Calendar. Parents are welcome to attend the NPF. Below is a copy of the current NPF dates from the calendar.
TERM MEETING DATES
NPF Term 1 Monday 13 March 6.00pm – 7.30pm
NPF Term 2 Monday 22 May 6.00pm – 7.30pm
NPF Term 3 Monday 21 August 6.00pm – 7.30pm
NPF Term 4 Monday 6 November 6.00pm – 7.30pm
2022 Results
Congratulations to our Class of 2022 who received excellent WACE and ATAR results. We will have an opportunity to celebrate their success on Wednesday 15 February at the 2023 High Achievers Assembly. The infographic below highlights our top performances.
As a community that strives for excellence, our Vision for Learning: Shine Through Discovery continues to underpin our teaching and learning across PK-12. We are proud of all our student results in 2022.
We enjoyed welcoming all our students and staff back to school, the grounds have been alive with vibrant energy. The students have made an excellent start to the year. I would especially like to acknowledge our new staff and our new students; the littlies in PK and K the new high schoolers in Year 7 – all of our new Newman Beings across the College. Starting in a new community can be daunting, and they have risen to the challenge admirably.
This year, we will focus on our Marist characteristic of ‘PRESENCE’, in acknowledgement of staffing and leadership changes and anticipation of the new Principal, Mr Andrew Watson in Term Two. The Marist understanding of presence is underpinned by ‘a way of being’ that requires relationships to be intentionally based on care, attentiveness, and acceptance of the other. A still and mindful presence helps us to come to know God. A physical, compassionate and respectful presence allows us to come to know each other. Over time, presence promotes familiarity and is foundational to the development of trust and respect. Being present to one another in a school setting also requires a joint appreciation of the reasonable boundaries, established norms and expectations of behaviour in our community. The Marist theme this year is ‘Created and Called: a revolution of love and tenderness.’ The theme focuses on the notion that we are each created unique and are called to express our deepest and truest selves in this world, safe in the knowledge that we are loved unconditionally by God. It is in living as our truest selves that we reach the potential that lies within each of us.
Family Mass
We were fortunate to be able to gather as a community of staff, students and parents at our Family Mass on Wednesday evening. It has been three years since we have come together in this way and the Mass was a beautiful way to start the year. We commissioned our 2023 Year 6 and 12 student leaders on the night. We wish them well as they embark upon their leadership journeys. I know they will serve our school confidently, with kindness and respect. Thank you to students and families for attending and participating in the Family Mass. I have had many people approach me to share positive affirmations about this special occasion.
WACE Results
We congratulate the Class of 2022 on their achievements as a graduating class. Their successes are evident not only in their results but in their contribution to the College. We will have an opportunity to celebrate the results when our top 30 students return for our High Achievement Assembly next week. We wish all of the wonderful young women and men in the cohort continued success in their future endeavours. Click here to view the full WACE results brochure
Year 11 and 12 Information Evening
Thank you to Year 11 and 12 students and parents for attending the Information Evening on Thursday 2 February. The Information Evenings are important occasions for parents and students to attend. We take the opportunity to introduce the PCG teachers and leaders and share information about the journey ahead. These nights set the tone for a productive year.
Parent Welcome Sundowner
It was wonderful to host our Newman Parents at our Welcome Sundowner on Friday evening. The night was a great success, parents and the executive staff mingled in Founders Court while the band played. It was a perfect setting for new families to meet current families, and for our current families to reconnect ahead of the school year.
Funeral Duncan Pugh
It was with great sadness that we shared the news of Duncan Pugh’s passing on the 25 January, a much-loved Physical Education and Outdoor Education teacher of 17 years. We celebrated the life of Duncan yesterday at the College with his funeral service in our Champagnat Chapel, which flowed outside to Founders Court. Vast numbers of friends, family, current and past students and colleagues came to pay their respects to Duncan, his wife McKenzie and his boys Charlie and George. Ex-students and ex-staff commented that returning to Newman to celebrate Duncan was like coming home. His impact was evident in the crowds of people that gathered on our grounds. Duncan’s death at just 48 is a stark reminder that life can be fleeting. He was well-known as a devoted family man and a loyal and loving friend. The beautiful service yesterday should inspire us to reach out and be present to those we love, our friends and our family. We closed the secondary school from lunchtime yesterday to facilitate the funeral and I extend a thank you to all our parents for supporting this significant occasion.
CEWA Student achievement
On Monday 6 February, Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) celebrated the top 70 ATAR students in the state. Two of our graduating Class of 2022, Owen Karamfiles and Saskia Wigley, were invited to receive recognition. We congratulate both Owen and Saskia on this most significant commendation.
Lavalla Carpark
The Lavalla Carpark is now open and the feedback from parents has been very positive. The traffic flow in both the morning and afternoon is smooth and efficient. The kiss ‘n ride section will be operational shortly. We thank parents for their patience and understanding around the unavoidable delay in opening.
2022 Annual
The 2022 Annual has been printed and is available for families. It is a large publication that represents the 2022 year well. The Annual can be picked up at the school. Instructions for the collection of the publication will be sent via the classroom and PCG teachers.
Events Ahead
We look forward to the significant events occurring in the next two weeks, which include the K-6 information evening on 16 February, Year 7 to 12 Swimming Carnival on 16 February, Years 8 and 9 Information Evenings on 20 February, the Year 10 Information Evening will be online. The Year 3 to 9 auditions for our junior school musical, The Lion King are occurring, and our High Achievers Assembly is next week.
We look ahead to the coming weeks with a sense of hope and presence as we collaborate to provide an engaging Marist education for our young people.
