Newman News Term 2 Week 10: From the Acting Principal
Raquel Carver
As advised to our College community earlier in the week, a Newman College staff member, Raquel Carver, passed away peacefully last Sunday.
Raquel was a gifted educator and at ease with people from all walks of life. She is remembered fondly by all who came into her presence. During her life, Raquel fulfilled many roles, including that of teacher, mentor, pastoral care teacher, Liturgy Coordinator and companion to many students, parents and staff members at Newman College. We give thanks for her witness, faith and hope.
We pray for Raquel’s husband Michael, her parents Henry and Patricia, and brother Edward, members of her extended family, friends, ex-students and members of the Newman family who seek consolation at this time of such sadness, through memories, stories and community. May they be consoled in their sadness by the God who brings comfort and peace.
All loving God, we pray for Raquel who responded to your call to give herself to others by following Jesus as a witness in the way of Mary and Marcellin Champagnat as a Marist educator. May those whose lives have been touched by her be able to respond as generously as she did in all circumstances of life.
We pray that you welcome Raquel home and take her into your loving care forever.
2018 Annual Report
The 2018 Annual Report is now available via the College website for families to view. The Annual Report is a requirement for school registration and satisfies our compliance to both Marist Schools Australia and Catholic Education Western Australia. The report evidences the significant progress the College has sustained towards school improvement and community engagement. Thank you to the College Council and College staff for their commitment to realising the bold goals of our Strategic Plan.
Reconciliation Action Plan
During Term 2, the College has been working towards the creation of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP is not only a strategic intent of the College through its Annual School Improvement Plan, but a firm commitment to place reconciliation at the very forefront of thinking within our College Community.
The RAP Working Group consists of 19 individuals from the College community. Individuals have been drawn from our parent, student, alumni, and staff community across the PK-Y12 College. This representative group is tasked with developing a plan that will carry forward the College’s aspiration to lead our community in reconciliation ‘actions’.
The support of facilitator Christine Sindley of Waangara Marra Consulting has been welcomed and fostered by the RAP working group. It is our hope to launch the 2020 Newman College Reconciliation Action Plan during Term 4 this year.
College Tours
I acknowledge the significant undertaking teachers make to travel and support College Tours, Camps and experiences during their personal time. This week, tours departed for Canberra and Sydney on the Humanities Tour and New York for the inaugural Arts Tours. Opportunities such as these seek to challenge and immerse students in their learning and to foster quality collaboration and cooperation between staff and students alike. We look forward to hearing of these experiences upon return.
Capital Development Plan Update
Preparations and planning are continuing ‘behind the scenes’ in preparation for the commencement of the Years 3-12 Learning Hub build later this term. I am very grateful to the staff and students who have relocated to temporary arrangements for the start of Term 3. The disruption to students has been kept to a minimum for the start of Semester 2. Moving from ‘C’ block will be gradual and carefully considered over the course of Term 3.
Preparatory work for the bridge connecting the Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses will commence next term. I thank the Grounds and Maintenance team and the staff involved with supporting and planning this undertaking. For further information, please visit the College website click here.
Grandparents Day, Marian Campus
Grandparents Day at the Marian Campus was a great celebration of our Marist family spirit and very well attended. Thank you to all the grandparents who attended in support and interests of your grandchildren. Click here to see more photos from the morning.
Closing
At the end of a rich and busy semester, I encourage each of us to express our gratitude to teachers, support staff and peers who have walked with our young people, supported them and worked closely with them to achieve their goals. My prayer for our community is that all staff, families and students return next term, renewed and refreshed after the holiday break.