Newman News Term 1 Week 4: From the Principal
Lent
We entered into the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Liturgies across the College. Each occasion was marked by the distribution of Ashes on the forehead of all members of our community signifying our fidelity to God and to our Christian spirituality. We are encouraged to look at this period of Lent as a journey. This should be a time of inner reflection and, at the end of the Lenten journey, we should expect to find ourselves at a different place spiritually than when we started. We will be holding our Lenten Appeal through Caritas Australia, Project Compassion. Students will be encouraged to participate in awareness and fundraising activities for communities in need across the world. I thank you in advance for your support.
The past fortnight has been one of celebration. During Week 3 we welcomed back to the College our High Achievers of 2019. The Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnival followed on the Thursday and we finished the fortnight today with the Lavalla Swimming Carnival.
High Achievers Assembly
The High Achievers Assembly recognised the High Achievers of the Class of 2019 in both ATAR and General Pathways. The focus of this assembly is to engage our students in Years 10-12 to consider how they will develop and grow as learners in their final years of school. The presence of our high achievers sets the benchmark of what is possible and what is doable for our students. Patrick Diamond (winner of the JJ Clune Award for Overall Outstanding Graduate of 2019) spoke to the assembly about the challenges he faced in his final years of school. Significantly, he identified the relationships he had with his teachers and friends as being the greatest factor in his success.
In my address to the assembly I spoke to the achievements of the recipients of The Australian of the Year Awards. The simple message is that if we want to achieve great things, commitment, resilience and perseverance to our aspirations is integral to our ongoing success. Students in our community need to aspire and dream about the things that are possible. We want every member of our community to take each day as a new opportunity to learn something new, to deepen our knowledge, cultivate relationships and participate and contribute to every moment of each day. Newman College affords so many opportunities that, for many people, are a privilege. It is incumbent that we take responsibility for our own learning, for our futures.
Download 2020 Principal’s High Achievers Address
College Advisory Council
The College Advisory Council convened its first meeting of the year last evening where newest member, Joseph Burke, was welcomed. Joseph, Director of Lark Lawyers, is an ex student, Class of 2001, and brings legal expertise to the membership.
The role of the Advisory Council is to provide:
- Advice and support to the Principal in order that the Principal can lead the College effectively as a Catholic school community, with its evangelising and educational mission shaped by Marist spirituality and educational practice.
- Advice on strategic and master planning, and review and make recommendations on College policy and finance matters as required by Marist Schools Australia policy.
Current members of the College Advisory Council are:
- John Finneran
- Br Terry Orrell
- Stephen Lee (Acting Chair 2020)
- Michael Sullivan
- Nerreda Hillier
- Veronika Metcalf
- Joseph Burke