Newman News Term 3 Week 6: From the Deputy Principal Secondary

Jo Dunn on 27/08/2021

Highlights from the Past Two Weeks 

Geography ATAR Highlights 

Year 11

It was another glorious day for the Year 11 Geography students to venture into the field. The students have been investigating the reasons for and consequences of the changing spatial distribution of production and consumption of a food based good and an element of culture. We began our adventure with a stop off to view the incoming and outgoing air traffic movements at Perth Airport. We were lucky enough to explore Upper Reach Winery and be guided through the production process from vine to table by the owner. Our final stop was a tour of Optus Stadium to investigate the impact of such a stadium has on the diffusion of elements of culture. The students applied their knowledge to a real-life experience, collecting and analysing data and experiencing the world of Geography.

Year 12

On a sunny but chilly winters day, the Year 12 ATAR Geography students ventured out of the classroom on our final field excursion. The intrepid geographers, began their day in the CBD before crossing the river and heading south to Cockburn Central, an example of a strategy to combat Perth’s urban sprawl. We then headed back to the CBD to further investigate examples of urban processes and urban renewal strategies in Elizabeth Quay, East Perth and the Perth City Link, Yagan Square and the Perth Cultural precinct. The students got a glimpse into real world planning from a top line up of Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage professionals during a visit to the City this week. WAPC Chairman David Caddy along with senior Department directors Michael Daymond, Lorissa Kelly, Janine Egan and Phillip Elliot met with the students to share their own career journeys and provide insight into elements of local planning relevant to the students’ ATAR studies. With a focus on urban sprawl and transport issues, topics included an overview of the WAPC; the Perth City Deals project to activate the CBD through city-based university campuses; the importance of good design and managing density in urban planning; and METRONET. A final and fabulous end to two years of studying Geography.

Year 8 #no2drugs Presentation 

Guest Speaker, Jacob Hill shared his ‘Say No to Drugs’ message with the Year 8 Students on Wednesday 18 August. Jacob took us inside his world of despair, helplessness,and teenage drug addiction. After a near death experience and successful rehabilitation Jacob shared his story and empowers kids to say #no2drugs. The depth and magnitude of his story was eye-opening, moving, and caught me and many of my friends off guard. I enjoyed listening to Jacob’s story as he presented the issue as it was and explained it to us as young adults, not children.

A copy of his book, “KIDS AT WAR: The battle of addiction’, is available to borrow from Mr Naylor.

Dyllan Roberts
Year 8 MacKillop 

STEM

Over the past two weeks, we have been celebrating our STEM Festival at Newman College, an event which combines the celebrations of Science, Technology and Math Weeks into one big, fun-filled fortnight! A number of activities have taken place each day, all met with great enthusiasm from staff and students alike.

Week 5 began on Tuesday with a Virtual Reality (VR) Experience, where students had the opportunity to explore worlds beyond our own by using VR headsets. On Wednesday, students were treated to a wildlife show, brought to us once again by the wonderful WestOz Wildlife. Students had the opportunity to pat a koala, dingo and lizards, and got to hold real snakes! On Thursday, in the gymnasium, a large number of students competed to see who could create the best paper plane, judged on both distance flown (won by Austin Sickinghe (Yr 10)) and hang time (won by Matthew Lao (Yr 7) and Leo Felton (Yr 10)). Finally, on Friday, a new event aligned with National Science Week’s theme of ‘Food: Different by Design’ was held, with students able to make their own instant sherbet and instant ice-cream.

Things were bigger and better in Week 6, with even more activities on offer! On Monday, students submitted their STEM-themed cakes as part of a baking competition, with Yr 7 students Lulu Brickland, Alyssa Petracca, Micaela Buddle and Ava Tolley winning the judge’s award. Monday also kick-started our e-Sports competition, with students competing in teams to see who comes out on top in the popular game, Rocket League (finals yet to be held). On Tuesday, students were challenged to create the longest snake possible out of either a Mintie wrapper or lolly snake. Jasmine Ford (Yr 8) and Anica Alo (Yr 8) took out first place in these two categories respectively, with Luca Vulinovich (Yr 7), Isaiah Lopez (Yr 8), Matthew Lao (Yr 7) and Ben Giumelli (Yr 10) all placing in runner-up positions. On Wednesday, Mr Shuckstes and Mr Gerreyn put on a great show on the oval, sending up rockets and blowing up dry ice bombs. On Thursday, it was our staff that got treated to their very own Science-themed morning tea, catered by the wonderful Marilyn Fleming, an ex-Newman staff member, while students competed in our Newman’s own version of Countdown, presented with a series of numbers, and having to work out the math behind them. Finally, our STEM Festival ended on Friday with a symbol treasure hunt at recess, and a ‘pi’ challenge at lunch, where students were fittingly rewarded with, you guessed it, a pie.

Thank you to all students who have participated so enthusiastically in these events. Finally, and most importantly, thank you to all staff in the Science, Mathematics and Technology Departments for their hard work in organising all of these events. STEM Festival wouldn’t be such a success without your effort and passion for all things STEM!

Book Week  2021- Marcellin Campus

On the Marcellin Campus this week, students completed a Book Week Kahoot in their English classes and some short creative writing exercises to test their imagination and creativity.

There were photos of some staff’s favourite books where students needed to guess who the bookshelves belonged to. Accompanying this were photos of students reading in their English classes rolled out on the screens of the St John Henry Newman Learning Hub.

Budding writers in Years 7-10 participated in the ‘Write a Book in a Day’ incursion with Miss Ognenis and Mr Hofman. We look forward to reading the finished publications!

Staff are always keen for a dress up and to reminisce about their childhood, so on Thursday staff across the campus dressed up as some iconic book characters. From Wonder Woman, to Where’s Wally, to Puss in Boots, to Miss Trunchbull- there were a range of classic characters from ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’ that students interacted with throughout the day.

The Marcellin staff came together for Morning Tea provided by the English Department on Friday, and took home some new books for the weekend as part of ‘Take a book, leave a book’ swapping activity.

We hope all staff and students enjoyed Book Week 2021!

Mrs Narelle Cochran
Leader of Learning English

Important Information For Next Two Weeks 

Please keep up to date with the many College events here.

R U OK Day? 

Thursday 9 September 2021 is the national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life’s ups and downs. To acknowledge R U OK Day students will be permitted to wear their sports uniform with yellow accessories.

The 2021 R U OK Day message is Are they really OK? Ask them today.

Young people cannot be expected to fix someone’s problems, nor know the best way to help and support. However, they can listen to what their friend is saying, let them know they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend. By promoting an environment of positive peer support and accessing support channels via an adult, young people can learn that asking, “Are you OK?” is a key life skill.

Useful contacts when a young person is not OK:

  • School counsellor, GP or psychologist
  • Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
  • Lifeline on 13 11 14
  • Dial 000 if someone’s life is in imminent danger

Student Attendance 

Going to school every day is an important part of your child’s education. Students who regularly attend school will help students develop important skills and knowledge to help them learn in an enriched environment, and cultivate social and emotional skills such as resilience, communication, and collaboration.

It is a legal requirement for all children of compulsory school age attend school every day. In order to access the full curriculum, and give students the best chance of success, students need to attend school on a regular basis; 90% – 100% of the time. As parents you can encourage and promote regular attendance by:

  • Make sure your child attends school every day unless they are ill.
  • Have a regular morning routine that helps your child prepare for school.
  • Work collaboratively with your child’s PCG Teacher or Leader of Wellbeing to solve any problems your child might be having at school.
  • Plan vacations during non-school days.
  • Schedule your child’s medical appointments outside of school time where possible.

Year 12 Graduation  

Preparations for the Class of 2021 Graduation are underway. Further details will be forwarded to families early in Week 7.

When: Wednesday 20 October 2021, 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Venue: Optus Stadium

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 

Subject Selection for Year 11, 2022

The College is currently constructing the timetable for Year 11, 2022, based on student subject selections. Later in Term 3, Year 10 students will be advised of their subjects for Year 11.

VET Certificate courses

Students can now apply for VET (TAFE) Certificate studies for the 2022 school year. VET Certificate studies allow students to attend training one day per week as they work towards their Certificate II, III, or IV qualification. A list of available qualifications, together with instructions for applying, can be found at: https://www.newman.wa.edu.au/careers-transition/certificate-qualifications-vet/

Please note that VET Certificates are only available to non-ATAR Pathway students.
Applications for VET Certificates close on 31 August 2021.

Construction Industry Scholarships

A Construction Training Fund Scholarship provides students with the best chance of securing a building and construction apprenticeship. Year 10 students can apply for a CTF Scholarship valued at $10,000 for Year 11 and 12.

The scholarships are awarded to about 200 WA students each year, with a passion for building and construction and produces some of WA’s most employable school leavers.

The CTF Scholarship pays for tuition, the costs of enrolling at a registered training organisation, safety equipment and clothing. There is no cost to the school or the parent.

You can apply at: https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mICM-hcyt0WkLGTOVKOuAfuT1iTBn9pBi23mvI1oRgJUOTQ0NlBCSldBM0pXOUNaVzFKVlZRSEtZMi4u

Year 11

VET Certificate courses

Students can now apply for VET (TAFE) Certificate studies for the 2022 school year. VET Certificate studies allow students to attend training one day per week as they work towards their Certificate II, III, or IV qualification. A list of available qualifications, together with instructions for applying, can be found at: https://www.newman.wa.edu.au/careers-transition/certificate-qualifications-vet/

Please note that VET Certificates are only available to non-ATAR Pathway students.
Applications for VET Certificates close on 31 August 2021.

UniReady Program for 2022

Year 11 students have the opportunity to apply for the UniReady Program for 2022. UniReady is an alternative (non-ATAR) pathway to University. By completing UniReady in Year 12, students will have the opportunity to enter University with an ATAR of 70.

To apply, Year 11s should check their Direct Messages and contact Mr Farley with the necessary information.

Further information about UniReady can be found at:
https://www.newman.wa.edu.au/careers-transition/curtin-university-uniready-program/ 

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:

Take a Gap Year with the Defence Force

You may be interested in taking a Gap Year next year and spending a year working in the Australian Defence Force (Army / Navy / Air Force). Details of this program can be found at: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/gap-year 

ATAR Examination Timetables

The timetable for the 2021 ATAR examinations has been published, and can be accessed at: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/examination-timetables

Year 12 students and families are reminded that all students enrolled in ATAR courses must attend, and make a genuine attempt at, the ATAR examinations. Failure to do so will result in that subject not counting towards your ATAR and/or WACE (graduation).

Information for school leavers and parents

Families and students may find these recent publications useful:

Upcoming Careers Events