Newman Newbies: From the Principal
Beyond the Bounds of Newman College
The world is a big place and we need our students to cast their eyes and expectations into their place in it. The great strength of our College is the plethora of opportunities our students have to engage with the world. Such opportunities were exemplified over Term 3 when we had students participating on the Arts Tour to New York and another on the Humanities Tour to Sydney and Canberra. Both Cultural Tours highlight our desire for students to seek new ways of learning, seeing and thinking about the world.
Later in the Term, our Year 11 REMAR students traveled to Mullewa north of Geraldton, to serve in the local community as part of their solidarity camp. This will be followed in December by more students travelling to the Philippines on our social justice immersion.
Such experiences empower students to gain the skills, confidence and agency to make decisions and create opportunities that impact their lives and the lives of others in a positive way. Moreover, it creates the space for our students and teachers to develop soft and firm skills including adaptability, decision-making, problem-solving, resilience and self-reflection. Critical to these experiences is the role of our teachers. We are very fortunate to have teachers who are passionate about their specialisation which enable such activities to occur. I challenge all our students to take the opportunities that are presented across PK-12. Such a challenge encapsulates our Vision for Learning, Shine through the Discovery and its intent to let their light shine.
Junior PALS Project 2019
Early this Term, students in Years 4 and 5 were part of an Arts experience; a song, movement and storytelling performance based on an abridged version of Dr Noel Nannup’s creation story, “The Carer’s of everything”. The intent of this PALS Project was clearly communicated by these excellent performers as they told a story that encouraged us to reflect on Aboriginal culture and histories as we walk towards Reconciliation. In August, the students performed the item as part of the nation-wide Wakakirri Performing Arts Festival, semi-final, held in Perth at the Perth Concert Hall.
Student Voice
In Week 4, I held a series of morning teas and lunches for students across the College to listen to their opinions on the direction of the College. I trialed questions that will eventually become part of the consultation process for the development of the next Strategic Plan.
Hon Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Education and Training – Visit to Newman College
In Week 6, the Hon Sue Ellery, Minster for Education and Training WA, visited our school to discuss our mobile phone policy. Students, teachers and parents from Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses were in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to seek feedback on what we do at Newman College and how the voice of our community will be used as part of a wider consultation to develop a policy for schools across WA.
In our local context, put simply, phones are out of sight unless they are used for explicit learning. The Minister unpacked this with our students who were excellent in their presentation and discussion. The confidence and reflection on display exemplified the intent of our school to animate our students to have a voice and to be critical thinkers. The wider issues of social media and student interaction were also discussed as was our approach to the education of students and families.
