Newman News Term 3 Week 10 : From the Principal
Migrant and Refugee Sunday – 26 September
Migrant and Refugee Sunday is celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday in September. This brings the practice of the Church in Australia into line with the practice of the Church around the world.
The 2021 Theme is ‘Towards An Ever Wider We’. It calls all of us to consider our place in the world and the responsibility we have to support marginalised and dislocated people. As part of our College Ministry focus, we support refugees and asylum seekers through our Alms giving. In addition, our advocacy of support, is exemplified by Pope Francis’ words, of ‘widening the tent to embrace everyone’ who is in need. You can read Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021 here.
Celebrating St John Henry Newman Feast Day
Families would have received a letter this week regarding the celebration of the Feast of St John Henry Newman which is celebrated on Saturday 9 October. To mark the significance of this occasion, our K-12 Community will come together for a combined Mass in the Marcelin Sports Complex on Friday 15 October. Further details are included in the letter to families and in the update from Ministry, Outreach and Advocacy here.
Year 12 2021
On Thursday we celebrated the final day of formal education for our Year 12 students with a Principal’s Assembly and other dedicated activities. In my speech I reflected on the recent WA Community Cabinet with the Premier, Mark McGowan, his ministers and students from across the seat of Churchlands and Nedlands which included 9 of our students in Years 10 and 11. He said to them, “What you have on offer at your school, you need to take advantage of”. In his words, he said “Just use it”.
The Premier put to the students in the room, that we are in a privileged position here in WA; not only are we hosting the Grand Final in Perth but by the fact that we can meet, we can celebrate, we can go out, we can be at school and study as if life is normal. We know that our Eastern States counterparts, and certainly the Year 12 students in Victoria and NSW, have spent the last 3 months at home trying to navigate the end of their educational journey in lockdown. Please click here to view the full speech.
A highlight of the assembly was our Year 6 student leaders and siblings of our graduating class in attendance. In addition, the Lavalla Primary school students along with the Secondary students formed a guard of honour as the Year 12 students moved from the Gymnasium to the Auditorium.
We now look forward to the formal Year 12 Graduation ceremony in Week 2 of Term 4.
Student Leadership 2022
At Thursday’s assembly we also announced the Leadership Group for 2022. Congratulations to Isabella O’Rourke and Joshua Downes who have been appointed College Captains and all those students who have been selected for leadership. I look forward to working with you all and am confident that you will let your light shine.
End of Term
Following an event packed term, I wish all staff, students and families a restful and enjoyable Spring break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 4.
Mr John Finneran
PRINCIPAL