Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Principal
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.