Newman News Term 3 Week 2: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity
One Wild and Precious Life
Our Marist theme this year “One Wild and Precious Life – Creating a new humanity” has taken on greater significance as we try to understand the world in a state of crisis.
Staff at Newman College were able to reflect on this theme to commence Term 3 and reflected on how despite the challenges, we have many things to be grateful for and only need look to the gifts of our students and families.
There is a range of opportunities this Term for families and students, and together with staff, where our College community can begin to create a new humanity of gratitude and service to one another.
St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal
Blanket Appeal
We begin Term 3 by offering our support to St Vincent De Paul through their Winter Appeal. This year we are calling for donations of blankets, warm clothes and sleeping bags for those sleeping rough. Items can be placed into the boxes at the Champagnat Chapel or brought to your classroom teachers at the Lavalla and Marian Campuses until the end of Week 3.
Winter Sleepout
On Friday 7 August, we are hosting a PK-12 online community winter sleep out to raise awareness about homelessness. The online winter sleep out marks the conclusion of our donation drive. Families will be invited to participate in the following way:
- Engage with the videos / info / reflection questions posted to our social media pages and talk about your thoughts over your family dinner.
- Have dinner of sandwiches or soup in a thermos in the car and participate in some of the reflection questions posted to our social media pages.
- Spend the night in your car in your driveway / your backyard (outdoors) with or without a tent, the night on your couch or the floor.
We encourage you to team up with another family and share your experiences and reflection during the course of the night.
We would also love to see and hear how you are spending this night of solidarity so make sure to tag any social media posts with #Newmancollegeonlinesleepout
Mini Marists
This Term sees the beginning of our Mini Marists Social Justice Group.
This group of Year 6 students has begun by looking at what does it mean to be Marist and focused on one of the Marist Characteristics, Love of Work.
This has led to the group’s first initiative by ensuring all rubbish is placed in bins. Students spent 5 minutes at the end of recess and lunch on Wednesday and Thursday and managed to collect over 10 bags of rubbish.
The Mini-Marists shared this at their most recent prayer assembly and challenged students to make an effort to put their rubbish in the bin.
Their next project turns to the St Vincent de Paul winter sleep out. Stay tuned to see how they continue to grow and serve the community.
Year 11 Student Leaders Commissioning Mass
On Thursday 30 July, Year 11 aspiring Student Leaders attending our community Mass were commissioned as they consider their leadership journey in 2021. Mr Finneran led a prayer of commissioning as Fr Garner blessed the Year 11 Leaders as they begin their discernment.
This was a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge those who have said ‘Yes’ to help grow and shape our College community into a place where Jesus Christ is known and loved and all students can let their light shine.
Year 7 Game Changers Launch
This week saw the Launch of our Youth Ministry program Game Changers with our Year 7 students.
The program has been launched within our RE classes, with our first meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday Week 4, 3.30pm – 4.30pm. Students engage in a range of getting to know you activities and thought provoking videos and discussions on how they can change the game in their Year 7 community.
Parents are invited to click here and watch the Gamechangers introduction video. Students have been given an application form and parents are encouraged to complete the form and bring to their first meeting in Week 4.
Parents wanting to know more information about the program can read the Parent Handbook or contact Cassandra Hall, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy cassandra.hall@newman.wa.edu.au
Student Led Prayer
Student Led Prayer is back for Term 3. Every Friday our Faith and Liturgy Captains, Tiggy Connelly and Georgia Whitely lead our community in a series of reflections. Week 2 focused on the theme of Leadership and how Jesus is the perfect example of leadership that we are called to follow.
