Newman News Term 2 Week 4: From the Deputy Principal Secondary

Jo Dunn on 13/05/2021

Student Use of e-cigarettes

Communication regarding e-cigarettes (vapes) was sent out to Years 7–12 parents this week. The communication outlines that the possession and use of an e-cigarette at school, regardless of the content of the e-cigarette, is strictly prohibited. Students who are found to be in possession of an e-cigarette on College grounds or who are using one in College uniform will have their enrolment at the school suspended immediately.

As a parent, you hold a significant amount of influence over your child’s actions. Openly talking to your child about difficult topics such as vaping can support them in their decision making and encourage good choices. Before you begin this important conversation with your child, get to know the facts about vaping here. Below are some tips for having a healthy conversation with your child:

  • Choose the right time and place
  • Appeal to their good judgement
  • Ask open-ended questions

If you require any further support, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Leader of Wellbeing.

Highlights from the Past Two Weeks 

Year 7 Camp

On Monday 3 May, Year 7 students went to Swan Valley Adventure Centre for their Year 7 Camp.

The students were divided into 12 activity groups of mixed Guilds as a chance to get to know others in the cohort.

Over the three days, students participated in a variety of activities including:

  • Air; such as the Crate Stack/ Jacobs Ladder,
  • Water; canoeing/kayaking
  • Land; bush craft (setting fires & building huts) and Commando Course

They also participated in teacher-led activities such as Scavenger Hunt, Orienteering, Volleyball, Frisbee Golf, Catapult Build.
Some of the feedback from students:

Camp was a good opportunity to meet and get to know new people in the year. 
Tessa Hadfield 

Year 7 camp was a great experience where we could interact and collaborate with different peers and get to know new people. The crate stack was my favourite activity. 
Ruby Hankinson 

Year 7 camp was a great chance to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. It was also a great chance to make new friends and meet other year 7s and teachers. 
Oliver Woley 

I enjoyed year 7 camp thoroughly and thought it was a great way to connect with my peers and meet some new people. My favourite activity was bush craft because I learnt some very interesting things. Overall I think camp was a great experience and I had an amazing time! 
Olivia Hildebrandt

I really enjoyed year seven camp as I was able to meet and complete activities with my peers. My favourite activity was the crate stacking as I believe that it was the activity that required the most cooperation between all of the students. It was also a fun and challenging activity. 
Jess Lewis

Year 7 Camp encouraged me to make new friends and strengthen bonds with old friends. My favourite activities were canoeing, crate stack and commando course. 
Hannah Woolfrey

The camp was a good way to meet people and my favourite activity was frisbee golf. 
Liam Steber

A huge thank you to the staff that made this camp possible.

Year 7 Camp 2021 Newman College

Year 9 YMT Retreat

Last Tuesday Year 9 had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a retreat held by the Youth Ministry Team.

There where many highlights in the day that everybody participated in. These included team activities, fun games, activities regarding faith and wellbeing, as well as learning the true meaning of gratefulness. The day was overall a great way to work together and share ideas as a cohort.

We are very grateful to have these wonderful opportunities to collaborate with others we don’t usually interact with. Two highlights out of the many was a game in which we played where we moved between chairs based on what we were wearing. Another was the prayer held at the end of the day, where we lit candles and had the chance to really reflect and have a conversation with Jesus. A beautiful thing to see. Thank you YMT!

Year 10 Exam Preparation 

Last Wednesday saw the Year 10 cohort come together to receive details relating to their upcoming Examinations which will take place in Week 7. This assembly covered a range of topics including:

  • Exam Etiquette
  • Structure of Exam Week (Week 7)
  • Expectations of students during this week
  • Exam Tips and how to approach each exam
  • Study Skills and Time Management
  • Stress Management and Wellbeing Support
  • The importance of Sleep
  • How to seek support at Newman College

All students have been given access to this presentation and are able to refer to this at any point in their preparation. Further and more detailed study skills will be distributed at the end of this week to support their study and revision program.

Important Information For Next Two Weeks 

Senior School Exams

The Senior School exam period is fast approaching and the Years 10, 11 and 12 students have been busy preparing for their exams. In order to support students in their exam preparation, Homework Club will be open from 3.15pm–6.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Weeks 4–6 and specialised support tutorials have been organised by our staff.

Academic self-efficacy is the belief in your own ability to successfully achieve an academic goal, combined with effective study habits, students can build their academic self-efficacy through:

  • Targeted goal setting
  • Having a growth mindset towards challenging tasks
  • Active participation in class
  • Developing a deeper interest in concepts taught (researching beyond what is taught in class)
  • Using feedback as a tool to improve

The exam timetables can be found below:

Canteen Payments

As of Monday 31 May (Week 7), students will no longer be permitted to pay for items at the canteen using a mobile phone. The canteen will only accept cash, card or SmartRider payments. Mobile phones cannot be carried by students throughout the school day.

Photo Day

A reminder 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 10 

Subject Selection for Year 11, 2022

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

  • Term 2, Week 5
    Students and families provided with written communication about the subject selection process
  • Term 2, Week 6
    Year 10 students receive their subject selection research booklets, and the Senior School Pathways Information Booklet. Online subject selection handbook (https://handbook.newman.wa.edu.au/) will be updated and available to students and families.
  •  Term 2, Week 7
    Year 10 Examinations.
  •  Term 2, Week 9
    Year 10 Semester 1 reports available to students and families.
  • Term 2, Week 10
    Monday 21 June
    5.00pm to 5.45pm: Year 10 Careers Exo
    5.45pm:Year 10 Parent Evening
    Tuesday 22 June
    Subject selections will open (online) for students and families.
  • Term 2, Week 11
    Friday 2 July: Final date for Year 11 subject selections to be entered online.
  • 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 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