Newman News Term 2 Week 8: From the Deputy Principal Mission and Catholic Identity
On Friday 14 June, our K-12 community celebrated the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat, Founder of the Marist Brothers and Marist Education. As an Australian Marist community, we give thanks for the life, witness and commitment of the Marist Brothers and those committed to Marist education who have served in our community, and across Western Australia.
Please CLICK HERE to view images of our Primary celebrations, and CLICK HERE for images of our Secondary celebrations.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Newman College’s Strategic Plan (2017 – 2019), and the 2019 Annual School Improvement Plan identify the College’s intent to engage our wider community of students, staff and families in the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP, when completed, will serve as a statement and a series of corresponding commitments that we in our own context seek to work towards. The College has engaged the assistance of Ms Christine Sindley to facilitate this process, which has commenced with the formation of a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party, which comprises students, staff and parent representatives. This group have undertaken a half-day workshop on cultural competencies and awareness, and are now meeting each week on a Tuesday.
We look forward to sharing the key milestones on this important journey as it unfolds.
Remar Red Caravel Day (Year 10)
On Wednesday 19 June, the 37 Remar Red Rowers participated in the Red Caravel Day at Newman College facilitated by the National Remar Team. The aim of the Red Caravel Day was to strengthen the Caravel, with a focus on Christian leadership, forming a strong Christian community and responding to social justice issues that exist, both on a global and local level. The day was enjoyed by all who participated. Our sincerest thanks to the National Remar Team for facilitating the day, and to Mr Nathan Wear (Red Helm) and Brother Terry Orrell for their support on the day.
Remar Blue Retreat (Year 11)
The Remar Blue Retreat will held at Newman College from Friday 21 June until Sunday 23 June, 2019. The retreat offers Rowers an opportunity to explore in detail what it means to live as a disciple of Christ. The program focuses on self-acceptance and various relationships within the students’ lives – specifically with others, themselves and with God. The students will be challenged to become a person of justice, service and faith. Our sincere thanks to those who will facilitate the retreat, including the Remar Ministry Team, Brother Terry Orrell, Miss Genna Spadaccini (Blue Helm), Year 12 Gold Rowers (Sarah Ranieri and Stephen Loreck) and Young Marists Volunteer, Dan Litjins.
Weekly Thursday Morning Community Mass (Champagnat Chapel – 8.10am – 8.35am)
All parents, guardians and families across our PK-12 College are invited to attend the weekly Thursday morning Mass. Our weekly Newman College Community Mass is an important way that we as a Catholic community seek to nourish and live-out our faith in community with one another.
Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Perth (December 8 – 10, 2019)
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
In December this year, Perth will be hosting Australian Catholic Youth Festival for all young people. Registrations are now open for Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2019. Newman College is looking forward to supporting this important event, which takes place every two years. Students from the College will be invited to participate in this event, and we look forward to the opportunity to showcase Perth to visiting Catholic young people from across Australia.
What is Australian Catholic Youth Festival?
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young people with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia.
Purpose:
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival exists to:
· Provide a high quality formative and experiential opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, in the context of the Catholic Church in Australia;
· Listen to and discuss the issues and challenges in the lives of young Catholics in Australia;
· Evangelise young people and empower them to be evangelists;
· Provide young people with local examples and connections to vocations, social action, liturgy and prayer, Catholic music and catechesis.
You can learn more about ACYF by visiting the website: https://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/event-details-2/
Women Prompting Change in the Church – Wednesday June 26, 6.00-9.00pm
Catholic women are warmly invited to a free panel discussion with: Theologian Dr Margaret Scharf OP; Anglican priest Rev Tess Milne; and Religious Studies scholar Scilla Stack discussing the role of women in the Christian Church and their thoughts on the way forward, followed by an open discussion.
Date: Wednesday 26 June from 6.00 – 9pm. Light refreshments served from 6 – 6.30pm.
Venue: Trinity College, 2 Trinity Ave Perth (parking available, Red & Yellow CAT buses travel to Hale St).
RSVP by 23 June to Kerry ph 08 93975988 or SMS to 0400 886 835 or email kerrymac4@hotmail.com
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, the 7th of July
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and begins on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday (7 July). This year’s theme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday is “Peace to this house and all who dwell within” and is drawn from Luke 10:1-12 and uses Queenie McKenzie’s artwork (above) as the theme image. The message that NATSICC would like to give you, is to reflect and make time to look for your inner peace in your busy life, and celebrate together with your families, friends and the wider community God’s message of peace and love for all. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the journey of reconciliation and celebration which we are all called to by Jesus. During NAIDOC Week we are asked to reflect upon our faith’s call to reconciliation with Australia’s first peoples and to celebrate their culture and contribution to society and our Church.