News & Events
From the Principal – Term 4 Week 4
Lavalla Opening and Blessing As we close Week 4 of this final term, I reflect on the joyous event celebrated last Tuesday, the Blessing and Official Opening of Lavalla – our completely new PK-6 learning community. What an amazing journey it has been from the first visionary moment to the celebration of welcoming our Marian students to join Lavalla at the…
From the Vice Principal – Term 4 Week 4
Minor change to Secondary Times of the Day from 2026 In 2026, Equip Guide Thrive will be combined with Extended PCG and will take place on a Wednesday. This change will not impact student start and finish times. The updated times of day are below: Transperth Service Change – 412Transperth has advised that from November…
Primary Update – Term 4 Week 4
Grandparents Day This morning, we welcomed approximately 400 grandparents to celebrate Grandparents Day. The morning consisted of a beautiful Liturgy, time spent in classrooms, followed by a morning tea for grandparents. A huge thank you to Fr Kaz for celebrating our Liturgy, Mrs Short and Mrs Battersby for their organisation of the event, the maintenance…
Teaching & Learning Update – Term 4 Week 4
Year 7 – 11 Annual Awards Assembly The Annual Awards Assembly will take place on Wednesday 26 November, at 9.00am in the gymnasium. If your child is receiving an award, you will receive an email with an invitation to the assembly. Whilst we will endeavour to provide as much notice as possible to families of…
Secondary Update – Term 4 Week 4
Year 12 Graduation Photos If your child attended the Year 12 graduation evening, please access images here to view and order. (https://events.fotoworks.com.au/school-galleries-1/newman-college?ct=3) The School Access Code is: 1z0V9nfH Year 7-11 Celebration Assembly On Wednesday 29 October, our secondary students gathered for our final Celebration Assembly for the year. We had an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate…
Mission Update – Term 4 Week 4
Last week, I had the opportunity to join eight of our 2026 student leaders at the Student Leaders Gathering, which is a special retreat experience facilitated by Marist Youth Ministry. Our Year 11 students joined with other students from St Joseph’s Northam and Bunbury Catholic College, where they had the chance to come together and…
From the Principal – Term 4 Week 2
Dear Newman College Families, Welcome back to Term 4! In what is a shorter term there is so much to look forward to in the programs and events that showcase our students across the College. Year 10 Camp – Growth, Challenge and Formation Last week, the Year 10 students attended their Camp at Contos in…
From the Vice Principal – Term 4 Week 2
Social Media Ban – Online Parent Information Session On 10 December 2025, new legislation will take effect banning children under the age on 16 from accessing social media platforms. The College seeks to support parents and students as they navigate this change and has engaged Paris MacNeill, a consultant who specialises in student mental health…
Primary Update – Term 4 Week 2
Year 3 Assembly At today’s Y3-6 assembly, Year 3 Blue brought to life the magic and fun of reading. Our students took us on a magical journey and delved into some of our classic book favourites; Harry Potter, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the Magical Faraway Tree, just to name a few. We…
Secondary Update – Term 4 Week 2
Uniform and Personal Presentation This week on Marcellin Campus, conversations among year levels have focused on maintaining expectations despite it being Term Four. Students have been reminded about the College’s uniform and personal presentation guidelines. The focus of our discussions has included the following: Formal school shirts are ironed and clean, and the only button…
Mission Update – Term 4 Week 2
This week we have been celebrating Arts Week in the College. It is one of my favourite weeks, with so many shows and celebrations occurring, and it brings back many memories of my own time in school when I used to take part in the choir and the concert band. The Music Collective and Dance…
Primary Update – Term 3 Week 10
Primary Assembly At this week’s assembly, Year 5G shared a thoughtful and engaging item highlighting the importance of teamwork – reminding us that anything is possible when we work together, and that collaboration is a key part of our Newman Norms. The assembly also included the presentation of merit awards, certificates to participants in the…
Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 10
John Henry Newman Mass – Compulsory College Event On Friday 17 October (Term 4, Week 1), the College will celebrate the Feast of St John Henry Newman. Students will attend Mass during PCG and Period 1, and attendance at this event is compulsory. If your child has an appointment scheduled, you are asked to move…
From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Week 10
Uniform Change – Winter 2026 To support a neat and consistent appearance during our Winter uniform period (Terms 2 and 3), the College will introduce a College black belt to be worn with the College trousers from Term 2, 2026. Families will need to purchase the belt from the Uniform shop for a cost of…
From the Principal – Term 3 Week 10
Today, we end Term 3 and what a term it has been! Newman Sacred Heart College Music Exchange This week, we welcomed 25 students and three staff from our fellow Marist school, Sacred Heart College, Adelaide. The occasion was the inaugural Music Exchange between the two Colleges and the 50 Newman College musicians joined with…
From the Principal – Term 3 Week 8
Gryffindor… we love Guild “You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry, Set Gryffindors apart. The line from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone focuses on the sorting hat determining which of the Houses the new students will be assigned. This week’s inaugural Year 1-12 Guild activity…
From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Wek 8
ACC A Division (Secondary) and IPSHA (Year 3-6) Athletics Carnivals Next week, our Newman College Athletics squads head to their interschool carnivals. Years 7–12 compete at the ACC Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 17 September at the WA Athletics Stadium. Years 3–6 take part in the IPSHA Athletics Carnival on Thursday 18 September at All Saints…
Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 8
R U Ok? Day On Thursday, 11 September, the College came together to celebrate R U OK? Day—a national event dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and encouraging meaningful conversations. This year’s theme, “Ask R U OK? Any Day—Because Life Happens Every Day,” reminded us that checking in with others should not be limited to one day. It is…
Primary Update – Term 3 Week 8
Father’s Day Sausage Sizzle and Liturgy Thank you to all the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who attended our Father’s Day celebration last Friday. This was the first time that we have hosted a PK-6 Father’s Day event and it was so lovely to see so much family spirit. The weather held off until we…
Mission Update – Term 3 Week 8
When I speak to students or families about our Marist characteristic ‘In the Way of Mary’, I often reflect on service; Mary’s response of saying ‘yes’ to God’s call. If we look around, we can see that same ‘yes’ in many quiet ways across our community: Mrs La Brooy and Mrs Simpson giving up their…
From the Principal – Term 3 Week 6
Twenty-Six Simple Words Do you know what made my whole week this week? Two simple anonymous messages. I was sitting at my keyboard, wondering what I should write in this Newsletter editorial. Yes, let’s cover the great learning and commitment inside and outside the class by students and staff, with the ever-present support of families!…
Primary Update – Term 3 Week 6
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…
Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 6
Wellbeing Week: The College has celebrated Wellbeing Week this week, with each day focusing of a different aspect of wellbeing. Our focus for Tuesday was Together Tuesday, highlighting the importance of relationships for our own wellbeing. Students participated in a team building activities during EGT. On Wellness Wednesday, we explored the power of mindfulness, and…
From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Week 6
Newman Parents Forum The Term 3 Newman Parents Forum will take place on Monday 1 September. This term, parents and guardians are invited to attend two sessions on some key topics relevant to our College Community. Please register your attendance here. New Social Media Legislation and support for Parents and Students: This session will guide…
Mission Update – Term 3 Week 6
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…
From the Principal – Term 3 Week 4
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…
From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Week 4
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…
Mission Update – Term 3 Week 4
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…
Primary Update – Term 3 Week 4
5B Assembly Last Friday delighted us with an assembly dedicated to dogs and all we can learn from them. We were reminded that dogs embody many of our Marist characteristics. My apologies to those whose child came home with a long list of reasons as to why they should get a dog. Ironically, last Friday…
Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 4
Guild Athletics Carnival: Our Guild Athletics Carnival took place on Thursday 7 August. The weather was perfect and the students displayed great enthusiasm, healthy competition, and strong participation throughout the day. Our Year 12 students set the tone for the day as they opened the carnival with a costume parade, the traditional Year 12 200m…
From the Principal – Term 3 Week 2
Dear Newman College Families, Welcome back to Term 3! A great occasion as our PK to Year 2 students, staff and parents moved over to the Lavalla campus on the first day of this term. Thank you to all staff for the work they achieved over the break to have everything ready and running for…
From the Vice Principal – Term 3 Week 2
Catholic Performing Arts Festival Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of joining Ms La Brooy, Leader of Learning – The Arts, and a group of students at the Opening Mass for the 2025 Performing Arts Festival, held at St Mary’s Cathedral. This Mass marks the beginning of a vibrant celebration of the arts within Catholic…
Primary Update – Term 3 Week2
We’ve had a fantastic start to our first two weeks as a united Pre-Kindy to Year 6 Primary Campus. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all staff for their tireless efforts over the school holidays in preparing the classrooms to warmly welcome our youngest students. It has been a joy to see…
Mission Update – Term 3 Week 2
I was very fortunate last night to attend the Middle School production of Emil & The Detectives. I really enjoy these shows, and it is so heartwarming to see how well the students come together to produce something so amazing. One of the things I really enjoyed in the lead up to the show was…
Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 2
Uniform & Personal Presentation Standards: As we begin the new school term, I’d like to remind students and families of the importance of adhering to the College’s Uniform and Personal Presentation Standards. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable decline in standards as we approached the end of Term 2, and it is my hope that we…
Monty Omodei (1960)
Monty Omodei (1960) is the son of contract miner Remo ‘Ray’ Omodei and Helen nee Stewart, and was born in Wiluna, on the western edge of the Gibson Desert, in 1943. By 1947 the Wiluna mine had shut down, and most of the town’s residents departed to find work elsewhere. Monty’s father Ray went on ahead…