Newman News Term 1 Week 6: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity
Gamechangers
Gamechangers meetings commenced this week for our Year 7, 8 and 10 groups. Students shared a light afternoon tea before getting into meeting their fellow Gamechangers. Gamechangers is a Marist Youth Ministry program which focuses on Leadership, Ministry & Service, Faith Development and Community.
Gamechanger meetings are held fortnightly on a Tuesday afternoon for Year 10 and 11 students and on a Wednesday afternoon for Year 7 and 8 students in Term One and Two.
On Friday 26 of March, Year 7 Gamechangers will participate in a half day retreat at St Joseph’s Parish Subiaco. More details will be sent to the relevant parents through Consent2Go in the coming week.
If your son or daughter is interested in joining Gamechangers they are more than welcome to get in touch with Hannah Parker, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy.
2021 Caritas Fast
This year students across the school undertook Newmans’ annual Caritas Fast.
The Caritas fast entails students to take part in a 1 day fast, but only after they seek out sponsors who donate money that goes to Caritas Australia.
Students participating started the day by bringing in their donations and getting their names ticked off by their Year 12 Guild Captains. There was no doubt there was a bit of excitement as students recognised their fellow fasting friends, each in their guild colours.
The recess bell rang and those taking part came to collect their barley sugar from their Guild Captains. Then when lunch finally came around many were excited for what was only just over half a cup of rice.
These simple and small meals are reflective of the meals many around the world eat every day. 8.9% of the world’s population go to bed on an empty stomach each and every night. By student’s participation in this fast, they went hungry for 1 day; an experience that enabled them to better understand what these people go through. And by donating this money to Caritas they contributed directly towards an organisation that helps fight hunger every day.
Altogether students raised $3281 definitely a noteworthy amount, that’s getting us, as a school, closer to our $15,000 target we are hoping to reach before the end of this term.
A massive thank you to all those that participated and looking forward to all the further initiatives that support our Caritas goal this year.
Tyler Connelly and Mackenzie Webb, your 2021 social justice captains.
Year 7 Caritas K’s
Every day, thousands of women and children around the world need to cover many kilometres to fetch water, obtain food, get to school or market, or simply to survive.
Caritas Ks is an opportunity to fundraise and educate people in social justice, with the aim of inspiring them to “be more” and be a voice for the poorest in our world.
This year, in support of Project Compassion, Year 7 students participated in the Caritas Ks Event, held during PCG on Wednesday 10 March. During Extended PCG time (10:15-11:05) the students took part in activities including walking laps of the oval, and water transporting activities in solidarity with the many young people who walk many kilometres while carrying a bucket of water or equipment for school.
Project Compassion
Each year during Lent Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in schools, parishes and the community to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities, to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
This year, the theme of Project Compassion is “Be More.” It challenges us to venture into a new experience of compassion, and is taken from the invitation of Saint Oscar Romero, to “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” This message invites us to step up and step out for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival.
Our PK-6 students have been involved in a number of raising awareness and fundraising activities. During our weekly Prayer Assemblies, we have shared stories of people who have tried to ‘be more’ for their families and communities and how our generosity makes a difference in their lives. See the videos here.
Primary Easter Raffle
In our efforts to raise funds for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal this Lent, we have will be conducting our annual Primary Easter Raffle fundraiser at Lavalla and Marian Campuses on Thursday 1 April.
Tickets were distributed this week and additional tickets are available from the office on both campuses. Tickets are 50c each or 6 for $2.50.
We are grateful for the generous donations already made from our families. Further donations of eggs or baskets can be dropped at both the Marian or Lavalla offices.
Kirsten Button has kindly offered to co-ordinate the wrapping of the raffle prizes on Monday 29th March and would like volunteers to assist. Please contact her on kirst.button@bigpond.com or 0438 205 894 if you are available to assist.
We continue to encourage families to purchase “slavery free” brands of chocolate.
Pope Francis said that “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.”
Slavery free chocolate is available from ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, OXFAM, Chocolatier, Green and Black and Whittakers.
Thursday Morning Community Mass
Every Thursday our PK-12 community are invited to attend Mass in the Champagnat Chapel, commencing at 8.10am. Mass is celebrated by our local clergy who support the College.
We look forward to welcoming you to our weekly celebration.