Newman News Term 2 Week 11: From the Deputy Principal Secondary

Jo Dunn on 02/07/2021

Highlights from the Past Two Weeks 

I would like to thank our students and staff for their patience and flexibility throughout the various phases of COVID restrictions we faced this term. Students demonstrated resilience and grit throughout these unpredictable times.
This term has been filled with many events, activities and opportunities for our students and they should be so proud of the efforts and achievements. We look forward to highlighting and celebrating the achievements, learning opportunities and growth of our students next term, when hopefully restrictions have eased.

I wish all of our students a wonderful holiday. I hope that students enjoy this time with their family and friends and have an opportunity to recharge for next term three.

Reports 

Please see information from Vice Principal here.

Wellbeing  

These holidays are a great opportunity for students to engage in some much-needed rest. While this may not sound appealing to everyone, it is important to keep in mind that this may look different for everyone, and there are lots of different ways to get downtime. Below are some types of rest and examples from Kids Helpline that you might encourage your child to engage in these holidays. .

  • Physical rest – deep breathing, gentle stretching, ‘lounging’
  • Mental rest – mindfulness, getting absorbed in something you love (flow), reading
  • Sensory rest – silence/closing your eyes, being in nature, turning off screens/tech
  • Creative rest – ‘doing nothing’, being alone with thoughts, creating to express and enjoy (e.g. art, songwriting)
  • Emotional rest – meditation, exercising, engaging in preferred activities
  • Social rest – cancelling plans, ‘me’ time, spending time with your pet

The holidays are also a great opportunity to focus on developing healthy self-care routines around the ‘wellbeing essentials’ of sleep, diet and exercise. For more information visit, Self-Care Tips for Teens | Healthy Living | Kids Helpline 

Year 7 English Picture Book Incursion

On Thursday 19 June, Year 7 English students were lucky to have Picture Book author and illustrator Michael Speechley run a workshop with them about writing and illustrating their own picture books.
Michael’s first published book The All New Must Have Orange 430 was shortlisted for the Young Children’s Book Award in 2019. He has since published a second book The Gift, with another book in the pipeline.
Michael gave the Year 7’s some very handy hints in terms of how to come up with an idea for a story, the process of getting published, and then gave the students a quick lesson in how to draw Lulu the cat, who features in one of his books.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and took away some great ideas for their own picture book task. We are very grateful to Michael for coming in to speak to the Year 7’s.

Mrs Narelle Cochran 
LEADER OF LEARNING ENGLISH 

Year 8 Humanities  

Term 2 in Year 8 Humanities was focused on the world of Economics and Business. Firstly, we learnt all about the world of demand and supply, equilibrium, the circular flow of income and the federal budget. This gave us substantial background information on how our Australian economy is run, priority areas and the basics of how important the flow of money in the economy is. We then delved into the business world.

We looked at different business structures, which were the most common in Australia and how they are run. We were then tasked to create an original business idea that we then had to pitch to the class. We decided to set up a partnership with 4 members all sharing mutual responsibility in running and operating the business.

The name of our business is Essentials. The vision of Essentials is to create handmade goods like essential oils, bath salts, candles and diffuses for people of all ages who can use our products to ease stress, boost mood, relieve pain from headaches and migraines and get a better night’s sleep.  It was important that we came up with a product that would be used and loved by most Australians so there were many important things we needed to consider. We looked closely at consumer and business rights and responsibilities to ensure our product was safe and produced ethically. We also needed to consider all things that would impact the sales of our products such as location, target market, demographics and competition.

Creating our own business gave us a greater perspective on why it is so important to learn the fundamentals of business ownership and operation, as now we have some basic tools that we can use later in life to launch our businesses, Essentials.
Year 8 students – Annie Yancazos, Holly Boshart, Hannah Lim & Ella Leach 

Year 7 Science

In Science this term the Year 7’s have been working on biology projects. In the project we have been able to pick a local nature reserve, identify the problems that we have found and come up with solutions to the problems. We contacted the local councils who have given us information about the different animals that live in each reserve to help us identify native and non-native species. We have presented our ideas to the class and have taken on board feedback to make improvements.
Evie Ellis – Year 7  

Some of the solutions we have for local parks is to increase the numbers of native animals and the amount of native vegetation and improving the facilities for people such as adding in community gardens. During Week 11 we have been making models of our nature reserves and will present them later this week to our cohort for judging.
Jack Properjohn – Year 7

Important Information For Next Two Weeks 

Uniform & Grooming 

All students are reminded of the expectations relating to their personal presentation. Please click here to access uniform requirements and guidelines.  If you need to purchase new uniform items, please ensure you give yourself adequate time. Please be reminded of the following personal presentation guidelines:

  • Students with hair longer than the bottom of the collar must have their hair tied back and clear of the face.
  • Jewellery is restricted to a watch, a discrete cross or religious symbol on a fine, light weight chain.
  • Girls may only wear one pair of plain studs or sleepers, worn in the lower lobe.
  • Girl’s skirts must be knee-length.

Uniform Shop – School Holiday Opening Hours
Tuesday 13/7/21 – 10.00-4.30 and Wednesday  14/7/21 – 12.30-4.30 – by appointment 9204 9486

Thank you in advance to all families for your partnership in ensuring College guidelines are upheld along with your support of our Leaders of Wellbeing in the application of this expectation.

Year 6 & 12 Student Leaders Gathering 

Year 6 and Year 12 student leaders met this week and discussed the opportunities and challenges that leadership can present. As part of their leadership development, the students will participate in a number of leadership formation workshops throughout the year. These workshops will aim to grow our student leaders and support them in overcoming some of the challenges they have identified. Our first workshop will take place on Friday 25 June at 7:30am in the Heritage Room on the Marcellin Campus. Students will be provided with breakfast.

Careers and Pathways Update

Contact details:

Justin Farley
Pathways  Coordinator 
pathways@newman.wa.edu.au 
Tel. 9204 9457

Alastair MacNeill
VET Coordinator
vet@newman.wa.edu.au
Tel. 9204 9415

Year 10 

Subject Selection for Year 11, 2022

Please see below the timeline for subject selection for Year 11, 2022.

  • Term 3, Week 1-2
    College staff will contact families on an as-needed basis to discuss concerns or questions.
  • Term 3, Week 3
    Information about enrolling in Onsite (work experience) and TAFE will be provided to students and families.

Year 11

UniReady Program for 2022

Year 11 students have the opportunity to apply for the UniReady Program for 2022. UniReady is an alternative (non-ATAR) pathway to University. By completing UniReady in Year 12, students will have the opportunity to enter University with an ATAR of 70.

To apply, Year 11s should check their Direct Messages and contact Mr Farley with the necessary information.

Further information about UniReady can be found at:
https://www.newman.wa.edu.au/careers-transition/curtin-university-uniready-program/ 

Year 12

University applications open (TISC)

As of 19 April, Year 12s can apply for a place at University in 2022. In Term 3, all Year 12s will be provided with detailed information on how to apply via TISC.

There is no rush to apply and students will not miss out on a place at University. It is better to take your time and think carefully about the right course for you.

Closing dates are 30 September (for Medicine/Dentistry) and 21 December (all other courses).

University Early Offers

Western Australian universities are publishing their Early Offer programs for students entering university in 2022. Please see below for details:


Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry next year?

If you are in Year 12 and thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry next year (either at Curtin, or via direct pathway to UWA) you must sit the Undergraduate Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.

The dates for UCAT testing 2021 are:

  • 1 July: Testing begins
  • 11 August: Last test date

You can find out more about the UCAT at https://www.ucat.edu.au/ or you are welcome to book an appointment to talk to me. There are many different ways into Medicine and Dentistry so come and ask if unsure.

Students and parents might also find this webinar useful.

Take a Gap Year with the Defence Force

You may be interested in taking a Gap Year next year and spending a year working in the Australian Defence Force (Army / Navy / Air Force). Details of this program can be found at: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/gap-year 

Upcoming Careers Events