Newman News Term 1 Week 6 : From the Principal
International and National Disasters
The last two weeks have seen the world change again with the conflict in Ukraine and the natural disaster in the Eastern States. It is difficult to imagine the trauma and tragedy that has resulted from these events. The Marist theme for 2022 Known and Loved Dignity for all invites us to reflect on the beauty of human life. The privilege we have in our country is that war and destruction of life is not on our doorstep. However, it is important that we as a community recognise our place in the world and that we offer our ongoing prayers and thoughts for this community.
Our Brother and Sister school in Lismore, Trinity College, has been devastated by the floods of northeast NSW. The school is uninhabitable and there is limited prospect of students returning in the short term. Through the Marist Fundraising Appeal, the College has been able to actively contribute funds to supporting this community in their endeavours to restore teaching and learning onsite (please see Ministry section for more detail). Thank you to everyone who donated to this appeal.
Ms Julie Ryan, Marist Schools Australia Regional Director
We were most fortunate to have received a visit from Julie Ryan this week, her first visit to Perth since May 2021. The purpose of Julie’s trip was to visit the school and meet with the College Leadership Team, staff and students. In addition, Julie and I met with the Executive Director CEWA, Dr Debra Sayce and Vicar for Education and Faith Formation Archdiocese of Perth, Fr Vincent Glynn, to discuss the College’s position with Catholic Education WA and our role as a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Perth.
Julie has recently confirmed her intention to conclude in her current role at the end of June 2022 and commence richly deserved retirement from full time work. Her support of Newman College has been untiring over the past 5 years ensuring visits to the West 3-4 times per year. We look forward to farewelling Julie as a College at the end of Term 2.
COVID-19 Update
The disruption caused by COVID-19 in our Community persists as case numbers increase in the wider community and changes to social measures and contact tracing evolve. Please click here to view the College’s latest update.
I wish to commend the students for their resilience and adaptability as changes to their day-to-day life occur. The wearing of masks of our Primary students has been embraced and I thank families for supporting the College’s enacting WA Health regulations as they are rolled out.
The College now has a dedicated COVID-19 team dealing specifically with COVID-19. An email address has been set up to enable families to send any queries or report a positive case to our team through this email – covid@newman.wa.edu.au
Events
Although many restrictions have been placed on events so far this term it was wonderful to see today students in action at our Years 3-6 Faction Swimming Carnival. Our students, over and over again, have risen to the occasion and continue to display a strong spirit, passion and commitment to their school.
NPCC, Monday 14 March, 4.45pm
I encourage members of our College community to attend the online NPCC meeting on Monday evening, the focus of which will be the College’s Annual School Improvement Plan 2022 and processes in managing the outbreak and its impact at Newman College. A SMS will be sent out on Monday including the link, or you can join by clicking here.
John Finneran
Principal