Newman News Term 3 Week 6: From the Leader of Early Childhood
Science Week
Last week saw the Marian students engaged in a range of highly enjoyable activities to promote the Science learning areas. I extend my thanks to our Leader of Learning, Miss Katya Anderson for her leadership and planning of these activities and the classroom teachers for their enthusiasm in promoting a love of Science with our students.
On Wednesday, students were encouraged to share information from their home about Science and STEM. A special thank you to the many parents who came into classrooms to share their knowledge in a variety of Science areas. The children were very fascinated hearing the information that was shared and this was a wonderful way to engage in our connections between the home and school environment.
There was great information to be shared and learned on Thursday with our ‘Come dressed up as something that comes from an egg’ dress-up day. The children (and staff) enthusiastically got behind this theme and shared lots of interesting facts about the animal / creature that they had dressed up as. Who would have known that crows recognise faces or that jellyfish can lay up to 45,000 eggs a night!
The week culminated in our STEM Festival with the activities drawing from the National Science Week 2020 theme “Deep Blue: innovations for the futures of our oceans”. Students worked in Buddy classes to discuss and explore the large amounts of waste that pollutes our oceans every year.
Each class listened to the story “Somebody swallowed Stanley” by Sarah Roberts which explores the devastating effects of litter on our ocean habitats. The students then worked with their buddies, assisted by Year 9 Science students, to create an Ocean Habitat out of recycled materials. The finished products were excellent and the sharing between students of different ages was an absolute joy to behold! The Year 9 students were fantastic with our students and our Marian students thoroughly enjoyed the mentoring from them too.
The afternoon session kicked off with a presentation by Indigenous Speaker, Dale Tilbrook who shared her knowledge about Bush Tucker. Our classes then worked to design an Aboriginal Yarning Circle and planted some native plants including some edible bush tucker plants. You can admire their plantings in the garden beds at the entrance to the basketball courts.
Fathers Day Sausage Sizzle and Liturgy
We warmly invite Dads and father figures to join us for a sausage sizzle breakfast on Thursday 3 September from 8.00am in celebration of Fathers Day. This will be followed by a Liturgy in the Undercover Area prepared and led by our Year 1 students.
Marian Photo Day Reminder
Families are reminded that School Photo Day for students in Kindy – Year 2 is on Friday 4 September (Term 3 Week 7). Students should now have received their school photo order envelope. The order envelopes are printed uniquely for each student. On photo day, the camera links to the bar code on the order envelope, therefore it is extremely important that every student returns their envelope on photo day – even if families are not buying photos. The instructions to parents are printed on the envelope and are self explanatory. Parents will notice that they have a wide choice of photo packs available to purchase.
- Kindy – Students have the option to wear their Newman College t-shirt
- Pre Primary – Students must wear their Newman College Tracksuit (tracksuit pants are preferred)
- Years 1-2 – Students must wear their full winter uniform. Boys can wear either their shorts or trousers and girls are welcome to wear their dress or skorts.
Newman Newsreel
A reminder to families the Newman Newsreel is a new and innovative way for the College to engage and share content with families and staff through the power of augmented reality (AR). Each family should have received a fridge magnet called the ‘Newman Newsreel’. By downloading and using the ‘Viewa’ Augmented Reality App, users may scan the magnet, bringing to life options to view weekly videos.
These videos are campus specific and contain important information about upcoming events and critical information for students and families. The videos will be updated weekly and provide only essential information to families about the upcoming week. Updated videos will be uploaded each Friday and remain active for one week.
It is important to note that users MUST download the Viewa app to be able to activate the magnet and videos.
Please click here to view a short introduction video which includes instructions on how to download the Viewa app.
Newman Parents Presentation
This week, a large number of parents watched the presentation from psychologist Jocelyn Brewer via Zoom. Jocelyn presented on the theme of ‘Digital Nutrition’ and spoke passionately about a number of topics including the evolution of development of young people’s brains, establishing digital agreements with children and ways to encourage healthy habits in the home. We will share some of the insights from her presentation over the next few weeks in the newsletter, however if you missed the presentation a link will be emailed to families of the recorded presentation in the coming weeks. You can check out her website https://jocelynbrewer.com/
Draw Near program
A very big thank you to the many families that have supported the Draw Near program in support of local refugee families. Items are still being collected until the end of Week 7. If you are able to contribute, the items can be handed into your child’s classroom teacher.
Marcellin Award
Congratulations to the following students who received a Marcellin Award in Weeks 5 and 6:
- Anton Buralli, Year 2: For the excellent effort you have been putting into every moment of school life. You have displayed the Marist characteristic “Love of Work” through the consistent effort you apply to do your personal best in all aspects of your learning
- Kayla Haarhoff, Year 2: For the excellent effort you apply to your school work. You display the Marist characteristic ‘Love of Work’ through the consistent effort that you apply in all areas of your learning.
The Marcellin Award at Marian Campus is drawn from submitted nominations each Wednesday morning at Prayer Assembly.
The Great Book Swap
The annual Marian book swap will take place on Friday 4 September before school until the bell goes.
Students are encouraged to donate a book they already own and place in one of the boxes located in the library and in the foyer.
On the day of the event, students are asked to bring a gold coin donation to purchase a book to take home. The money raised will then be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Students can of course purchase more than one book at the Book Swap.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a national charity, which aims to reduce the disadvantage experienced by children in remote communities across Australia. The foundation promotes the idea of schools holding a book swap in order to raise funds for the charity.
