Newman News Term 2 Week 6: From the Vice Principal
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Marist National Assistant Principals Conference in the Hermitage in Mittagong, the spiritual heart of our Marist organisation. Guest speaker, Hugh Mackay, esteemed author of twenty-two books and social psychologist, presented to the group on the Kindness Revolution; how we can restore hope, rebuild trust, and inspire optimism. At the heart of his message was the undeniable truth that as humans, our deepest psychological needs are to be heard and taken seriously. A key takeaway for me was that anything we do to convey recognition to another person is not only a potent act of kindness but is also often received as therapeutic by the recipient, which seems obvious but often slips into the periphery. We all want to belong and connect on an authentic level, our actions can portray kindness and therefore kindness is in everyone’s power, even in those situations where fondness is not.
Last Thursday the College acknowledged Sorry Day, where the nation marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Federal Parliament (1997) and recognises the Government issued formal apology in 2008. The report was a result of a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry that shed light on the history of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Giving voice to the traumatic and grief fueled experiences of the Stolen Generation survivors and their descendants, is part of a national journey towards understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Students learnt about the origins of Sorry Day and the experiences of those impacted. Staff and students accessorised with purple to commemorate the occasion.
Term 2 Pupil Free Days
- Monday 6 June – Western Australia Day (College Closed)
Term 3 Pupil Free days
- Monday 18 July – Staff Formation Day
- Tuesday 19 July – K-12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews
- Friday 12 August – Staff Professional Learning
- Monday 15 August – College Closed Faith Day
Primary Capital Development
Last week on Wednesday 25 May, the College launched the Primary Capital Development Program to the community. For those families who were not able to attend the meeting in person or online, please Click Here to view the presentation.
This exciting program will see all learning and specialty areas of the primary school rebuilt on the Lavalla campus site to accommodate state of the art teaching and learning practices, in line with the College’s vision for learning ‘Shine through Discovery – Let your light shine’ (Matthew 5:16).
NPCC
The next NPCC meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 June in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus, 4.30pm to 5.00pm for afternoon tea and 5.00pm to 6.00pm for the meeting. Agenda items include the reframing of the NPCC, to the Newman Parents Committee, our parental engagement group for PK to Year 12 and the Homework Club Revitalisation Plan.
Expressions of interest are being called for parents to join the Newman Parents Executive Committee. Please use the below link.
Expression of Interest NPC and Executive
Year 10 Immunisations
The Department of Health will be at the College on Monday 13 June to vaccinate Year 10 students that have provided their consent form. This vaccination is for Meningococcal ACWY.
CAHS – Community Health have confirmed no gap is required between receiving a COVID vaccine and this vaccine. Your child does need to be symptom free and well. Families are reminded you can take your child to your GP should you prefer.
Students are allowed to wear their sports uniform on this day.
Any queries regarding the immunisation program should be made to Community Health (CAHS), CAHS.CHSBIP@health.wa.gov.au
Semester One Reporting
Year 10 reports will be released live on SEQTA on Tuesday 21 June @ 4.00pm. All other reports from Kindergarten through to Year 12 will be released live on SEQTA on Friday 1 July @ 4.00pm.
PLEASE NOTE:
Parents/Guardians will not be able to download nor view a copy of your child’s Semester 1 Report if you have not previously activated your SEQTA Engage account.
Please contact Flora Hughes via email flora.hughes@newman.wa.edu.au should you require assistance with logging into SEQTA Engage.
Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat
Monday 6 June is the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat. This significant event will be celebrated by all students K-12 on Friday 17June, where we will gather for Mass to honor the Marist Brothers, followed by students participating in a range of fund-raising fete activities throughout the day in support of Australian Marist Solidarity. More information will be communicated to community next week.
NEiTA Nominations
NEiTA is the longest running, community-based awards program to recognise teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand. NEiTA acknowledges the talented, committed, and caring educators who demonstrate the excellent personal qualities, skills, and passion required of teachers and school leaders to direct the lives of our future citizens in a fast-changing and uncertain world.
The NEiTA Foundation is encouraging parents, students, and schools to nominate
extraordinary educators who have displayed remarkable dedication, passion, and creativity
for a National Excellence in Teaching Award.
Please CLICK HERE for further information on how to nominate an extraordinary educator.
Key Dates
Updated COVID restrictions have seen events and camps re-instated into the College Calendar. We remind parents to please check the College Calendar on a regular basis.