From the Principal – Term 2 Week 3
As this is our first Newsletter for Term 2, I am sending a warm welcome back to the winter term. Our students continue to show great commitment and a focus on personal best through the many events and learning opportunities they have been involved in for these three weeks. Here is just a snapshot of our students’ great work and our flourishing Newman College community:
Student Learning Conversations
Congratulations to our secondary students for the way in which they led the Student Learning Conversations (Parent-Teacher interviews). A firm part of successful learning is being able to understand where you are at, how you know this, and where you can be with strategies that you can employ for learning gains. The Student Learning Conversation is a part of the developing MyLearning approach that is coming into our pedagogy in the College. Lavalla Learning Conversations were another valuable time to share the progress of our primary students with families.
Guild Cross Country Carnivals
Both Lavalla and Marcellin campuses had beautiful weather for their cross country events. The commitment to Guild participation and the passion to achieve personal and Guild ‘bests’ has just grown so much over this year. Congratulations to Marcellin Guild for their win in Secondary. Romero Guild gave Marcellin a huge shake with their efforts to win the title from them. At Lavalla, it was Thomas More who took out the honours.
Mock Trials
For a number of years, our Senior Mock Trial teams have been a force to be reckoned with in the Mock Trial competition. This week, the 2026 team had great success against Penhros College.
Mother’s Day Celebrations and the Month of May
A Mass and a Liturgy dedicated to Mothers and mother figures, morning teas, games, photo booths and portrait painting were just some of the activities on campus late this week to celebrate Mother’s Day. May is also the Month of Mary and, in our Marist tradition, we know the important place Mary has in our Marian spirituality. Early next week, students will run the Crowning of Mary ceremony and produce a video that honours Mary our Mother.
A Reflection on Mothers
The gaze of the Mother, and the gaze of every mother. A world that looks to the future without a mother’s gaze is shortsighted. It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children. It will make money, but not for everyone. We will all dwell in the same house, but not as brothers and sisters. The human family is built upon mothers. A world in which maternal tenderness is dismissed as mere sentiment may be rich materially, but poor where the future is concerned.
Pope Francis 2019
We wish all mothers, grandmothers and mother figures a wonderful celebration on Sunday.
Mr Andrew Watson
PRINCIPAL