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

Jo Dunn on 30/04/2021

Highlights from past two weeks 

We are so pleased to welcome students and families back to Term 2. We hope that families had a wonderful Easter break and students enjoyed their time to refresh and get ready for a busy term ahead. I am proud of the way in which students have returned to school and thank them for their cooperation this week in adhering to the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

New Staff

I would like to welcome the following new staff to Marcellin campus for Term 2:

  • Sonja Roetardink – Homework Club Coordinator
  • Torren Dilletti – Health and PE Teacher
  • Cate McKnight – Human Biology Teacher
  • Anjuli Duncant – Italian Teacher/Coordinator of Languages

Congratulations to the following staff will be taking on the new roles this term:

  • Acting Head of Sport – Tom Williams
  • Acting Assistant Head of Sport – Jorja Clark
  • Coordinator of Languages – Nalini Demma
  • Project Officer – Pedagogy and Innovation – Jennifer Miraudo

ANZAC Day Assembly

Marcellin students commemorated ANZAC Day in the Principal’s Assembly on Wednesday. We were fortunate to be joined by retired serviceman, Mr Robert Wilton. Robert spoke about his experiences as a Special Forces Army Officer and the notion of service to his country. Robert’s story inspired qualities of courage, commitment, endurance, and mateship; qualities that our students aspire to. Our ANZAC Day service was made special with the involvement of students in the local Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets, and Year 11 student, Emily Burgess who played the Last Post.

Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews for students in Years 8 – 10 took place on Thursday evening. We thank our families and students for their positive engagement in the different format. We hope our students found value in these conversations about their learning, progress, and effectively utilise any feedback offered.

Year 12 Geography Excursion 

The Year 12 Geography class was lucky enough to venture to the ALCOA Huntly Mine site in Pinjarra last Tuesday. The class was able to gain first-hand experience of being in the field and studying the land change process of mining and the extensive rehabilitation program that occurs post mining. The ALCOA mining company has mined and refined bauxite within the jarrah forest area of the Darling range since 1961 and are legally obligated to restore and rehabilitate the natural environment under various government acts. It is an excellent site for the Year 12 Geography students to visit. Students commented “ I learnt so much and this first-hand experience will really come in handy for my future assessments.”

y12 Geography Excursion

Important information for next two weeks 

Year 7 Camp 

The Year 7 takes place from Monday 3 May to 5 May facilitated by the Swan Valley Adventure Centre.  The camp aims to give the students a chance to come together as a cohort and build on the connections that they have made with their peers. The fun-filled Adventure Camp also gives students an opportunity to challenge themselves and build their independence.

Immunisation Forms

The Department of Health is offering parents of students in Year 7 and Year 10 the opportunity to have their child vaccinated as part of the School Based Immunisation Program.

  • Year 7 (1st round Monday 14 June) – Pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Year 10 (Thursday 24 June) – Meningococcal ACWY.

Consent and information forms were sent home this week.  All students are required to return their form, consent or non-consent, to their PCG teacher by Friday 7 May.

Photo Day

Please be advised of the following dates for School Photos

  • Monday 21 June: Years 7-12 Sport Photo Day
  • Tuesday 22 June: Years 10-12 Photo Day
  • Wednesday 23 June: Years 7-9 Photo Day

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, 11 and 12

Newman Careers Expo

The Newman Careers Expo will be held on Monday 21 June (Week 10) after school in the Marist Auditorium. There will be a wide variety of exhibits, including:

  • All Universities: UWA, Curtin, Notre Dame, ECU, Murdoch
  • TAFE
  • Defence Force
  • Private VET providers
  • SAE Creative Media Institute
  • Apprenticeships and traineeships
  • Disability Support

3.30pm to 4.30pm: Year 11/12 students attending

5.00pm to 5.45pm: Year 10 students attending

5.45pm: Year 10 parent information evening

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:

  • 17 May: Bookings close
  • 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.

Upcoming Careers Events