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I had the great privilege of attending our Year 12 graduation event at Optus Stadium on Wednesday evening, and it was so beautiful to see families, staff, and students gather together to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Class of 2021. Graduation is one of those special moments that can become a real marker in life, meaning we can sometimes drift through the busyness of life and it is only during the significant moments we pause to reflect on all things, and sometimes even wonder how we got here so quickly.

Our first words, first steps, first day of school, last day of primary school, are all wonderful moments to take stock and reflect on the journey our children (and us as parents) have been on. We are very much looking forward to celebrating the primary graduation of our own students in just a few short weeks, and I’m sure the celebration and emotion in the air during that occasion will match what we saw on Wednesday.

Key Dates – Next fortnight

Click here to view the key dates for the next fortnight.

St. John Henry Newman Feast Day 

Last week we had the most wonderful opportunity to gather as a whole school community in the Marcellin gymnasium to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John Henry Newman. It was such a beautiful sight to see the oldest and youngest students of our College in the one building, and the rendition of Sub Tuum at the conclusion of mass was one of the best I have heard in my time at Newman College. Following mass, students were able to partner up with their buddies to take part in some wonderful activities centred around designing and creating a square foot garden prototype as part of our STEM Festival.

It was a great day of learning, inspired by St. John Henry’s rich life as a scholar and master of learning, as well as a beautiful day of community. Thank you to all teachers and families for their support on the day, as well as our Leader of Learning, Miss Katya Anderson, for her contributions in organising the day.

Year3 Blue Assembly

This morning we celebrated a wonderful assembly with 3 Blue presenting an amazing ABBA inspired item on the story of the Prodigal Son. It was a very creative way to demonstrate to students the importance of forgiving others, and how God is always there to show love and forgiveness to us.

We also acknowledged our participants and award winners in last term’s ‘Have Sum Fun’ online maths competition, as well as a host of students who have already impressed their teachers this term with merit awards.

With only one term left to, we hope all of our students can continue to work hard and finish strongly in their learning right up until the last day!

Marcellin Award 

This week we awarded the Marcellin Award to Billie Wyeth in Year 3. Billie showed great leadership skills and courage when she spoke to our whole school at assembly this morning about her experiences with Dyslexia, and how this has impacted her learning. She shared a video with the school which helped to give students an understanding of dyslexia, and her honest, touching reflections resonated with students across the school. October is the month where we can raise awareness of dyslexia and other related learning disorders.

We congratulate Billie for sharing her personal message with us today, and inspiring her classmates to think of others. You are a very deserving recipient of the Marcellin Award Billie!

New Staff Welcome 

This term we welcome Miss Imogen Crostella to our primary staff. Miss Crostella worked on our campus in Term 2 alongside Mrs Fitz, in the 4 Blue classroom, completing her final pre-service teaching placement. Miss Crostella is going to be here this term in place of Mrs Anita Jurat and will work with students in the Learning Support role. Mrs Jurat has unfortunately had to take some time off from school this term as she spends some time recovering from a personal health issue.

We hope that you will join us in keeping Mrs Jurat in our thoughts and prayers, but also welcome Miss Crostella should you see here in and around the school.

Year 5 Student Leadership Workshops 

We were so proud today to welcome almost 75 Year 5 students along with their teachers to the first of our leadership workshops for our forthcoming Year 6 leaders. Students have been invited to nominate for a sports captain or student councillor position, and have been invited to attend two workshops, as well as a retreat day as a way to develop their understanding around what it means to lead others. This morning students explored a number of topics including the importance of understanding our values, and how just the littlest moments in life can make the biggest difference. I am very excited about the commitment and desire of our students to affect great change in our community.

Our next leadership workshop takes place at 8.00am next Friday in the library.

Year 5 Family Life Incursion 

This week, students from Year 5 gathered separately as boys and girls to attend an incursion from the Catholic Marriage & Fertility Services who presented the workshop, ‘I am Nature’s Greatest Miracle’. This presentation gives students a gentle introduction to puberty which is an important part of being human. Students were encouraged to embrace their uniqueness and to appreciate the great gifts God has given us by keeping their bodies and minds healthy. All students were also encouraged to speak to their parents about the presentation, and to listen to their advice.

Next week, the year 6 students will take part in their own workshop titled, ‘Becoming a Man; Becoming a Woman’.

 

Ipad & Internet Safety 

Over the past couple of weeks there have been some instances of students accessing age-inappropriate materials at home on their devices, and this information being picked up by our own CyberSafe software at school. I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents of the importance of monitoring your child’s online activity at home, and making adjustments where possible to limit your child’s access to inappropriate or dangerous materials. For information on how to check your child’s internet history you can follow this useful link here. You can also make some very simple and easy adjustments to your child’s iPad to limit their access to different types of innappropriate materials including web content, apps and games by clicking this link . If you have any questions about our IT safety systems or other ways you can protect your children, please feel free to reach out to myself, or the IT Support team here at the school.

 

I trust Term 4 has commenced well for all families.  Over the last two weeks there have been so many opportunities for our young people across the life of the school.  Our Year 7 cohort for 2022 commenced the term with their Orientation Day with over 210 students in attendance.  Year 10 made their way in blustery conditions to Margaret River for their week-long adventure camp, while our Year 12 cohort finished their mock exams.  In our primary school, we had our buddy day which was a great example of our Marist family.

The most pleasing event was our St John Henry Newman Mass which brought our whole school together. Over the next couple of weeks, we keep in our prayers our senior students as they complete their journey at Newman College.

Consolidation of our PK-12 College 

It is with great excitement that I would like to announce the successful completion of an agreement between the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth and the Provincial of the Marist Brothers. This agreement will allow for the consolidation of the Early Childhood facilities of the Marian campus onto the Newman College, Churchlands site. This development process will commence in 2022, with an expected completion ahead of the 2024 school year.  Please click here to read more.

Year 12 Graduation

On Wednesday evening we celebrated the Class of 2021 at a ceremony at Optus Stadium, with 720 people in attendance.  It was a magnificent occasion, commencing with Mass and followed by the formal Graduation presentation.

The cohort’s motto, #togetherasonein21, has held true throughout the year.  Our Year 12 students, as individuals and as a collective, have conducted themselves in a commendable manner and have exemplified our College’s Vision for Learning ‘Shine through Discovery’ – let your light shine (Matthew 5:16).

In my speech I spoke of the last six years of Secondary school for these students and the changes in the world that have occurred, particularly with the advent of Covid-19.  We trust that we have equipped our students with the skills and attitude to navigate the ever-changing world into which they are about to embark.  To view my speech in full, please click here.

St John Henry Newman Feast Day 

Last Friday we celebrated the Feast of St John Henry Newman with a whole school Mass in the Marcellin Campus Gym.  This was possible as the Year 12 cohort had exams and the Year 10 cohort was away on camp.
It was a wonderful celebration in honour of our College namesake, St John Henry Newman, and of our PK-12 College gathering together as one school.

Arts Festival – Parent Soiree 

All parents, current and prospective, are invited to attend the Parent Soiree on Friday 29 October, to be held in the Marist Auditorium.  Please click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC) Meeting – Monday 1 November 

The College’s Annual School Improvement Plan for 2021, as shown below, has been completed and rated by the staff.  I will present the results at the upcoming NPCC Meeting.

During December the staff will work on the 2022 Annual School Improvement Plan.

 

Mr John Finneran
PRINCIPAL

 

Migrant and Refugee Sunday – 26 September 

Migrant and Refugee Sunday is celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday in September. This brings the practice of the Church in Australia into line with the practice of the Church around the world.
The 2021 Theme is ‘Towards An Ever Wider We’.  It calls all of us to consider our place in the world and the responsibility we have to support marginalised and dislocated people.  As part of our College Ministry focus, we support refugees and asylum seekers through our Alms giving.  In addition, our advocacy of support, is exemplified by Pope Francis’ words, of ‘widening the tent to embrace everyone’ who is in need.  You can read Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021 here.

Celebrating St John Henry Newman Feast Day  

Families would have received a letter this week regarding the celebration of the Feast of St John Henry Newman which is celebrated on Saturday 9 October. To mark the significance of this occasion, our K-12 Community will come together for a combined Mass in the Marcelin Sports Complex on Friday 15 October.  Further details are included in the letter to families and in the update from Ministry, Outreach and Advocacy here.

Year 12 2021 

On Thursday we celebrated the final day of formal education for our Year 12 students with a Principal’s Assembly and other dedicated activities.  In my speech I reflected on the recent WA Community Cabinet with the Premier, Mark McGowan, his ministers and students from across the seat of Churchlands and Nedlands which included 9 of our students in Years 10 and 11. He said to them, “What you have on offer at your school, you need to take advantage of”.  In his words, he said “Just use it”.

The Premier put to the students in the room, that we are in a privileged position here in WA; not only are we hosting the Grand Final in Perth but by the fact that we can meet, we can celebrate, we can go out, we can be at school and study as if life is normal.  We know that our Eastern States counterparts, and certainly the Year 12 students in Victoria and NSW, have spent the last 3 months at home trying to navigate the end of their educational journey in lockdown. Please click here to view the full speech.

A highlight of the assembly was our Year 6 student leaders and siblings of our graduating class in attendance.  In addition, the Lavalla Primary school students along with the Secondary students formed a guard of honour as the Year 12 students moved from the Gymnasium to the Auditorium.

We now look forward to the formal Year 12 Graduation ceremony in Week 2 of Term 4.

Student Leadership 2022 

At Thursday’s assembly we also announced the Leadership Group for 2022.  Congratulations to Isabella O’Rourke and Joshua Downes who have been appointed College Captains and all those students who have been selected for leadership. I look forward to working with you all and am confident that you will let your light shine.

 

End of Term 

Following an event packed term, I wish all staff, students and families a restful and enjoyable Spring break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 4.

 

Mr John Finneran
PRINCIPAL