Newman News Term 3 Week 6: From the Principal
Staffing Announcement
I am delighted to announce that Vice Principal, Lisa Fogliani, has been appointed Principal of Mercy College Koondoola, a Catholic Co-educational Kindergarten – Year 12 College of 1600 students. Lisa will commence at Mercy College 1 January 2021. Click here to read more about Ms Fogliani’s appointment and the wonderful contribution she has made to the life of this College.
National Science Week
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Scheduled each year in August, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.
At Newman College we have taken this to a stratospheric level. The events over the last two weeks have demonstrated an amazing mix of passion, creativity, critical thinking and discovery. Science Week has given our College the opportunity to demonstrate our pursuit into developing our Science, Maths and Technology program. Simply put, STEM. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. At Newman, we engage this paradigm through providing students with both curricular and co-curricular experiences. We recognised its importance by establishing the leader of STEM PK-12 three years ago to ensure a cohesive direction across the College.
This has been exemplified for example through our IDEAS Lab at Marian Campus. The power of this space is that it imbues our children to imagine the impossible, to work together or as we say #collaborate, and be creative. Our Lavalla Campus Primary students really take STEM to the next level, which was again demonstrated during Science Week. Our Marcellin Campus students were exemplary in their creativity and participation in Science Week. We are very fortunate to have outstanding teachers in these subject areas. Our growth in Maths and Sciences, specifically in the Senior School, is testimony to our teachers’ skill and passion. Over the coming years we will continue to prioritise STEM, recognising the incredible opportunities and careers students will be able to pursue post school.
The fruits of this direction have been on display over the last two weeks as it is everyday throughout the College. A sincere thanks to all students, teachers and families who have put so much effort into Science Week.
Catholic Education WA Roadshow
As a result of Covid-19 and restriction on numbers, CEWA replaced its usual conference at the Convention Centre with a series of four ‘Roadshows’, each held at a different Catholic College. The last of the series was held at Newman College in the Marist Auditorium on Tuesday 18 August.
As part of its hosting commitments, Newman College provided the Acknowledgement of Country and Reflection which were delivered by our students.
Our Chamber Choir sang the Acknowledgement of Country, Heart Song, the words of which were written by our Primary Teacher, Nicole Boddy, and the music was written by Susan Bluck, our associate pianist. Our students gave a very powerful performance with the backdrop streaming the professional recording of this piece in collaboration with the Madjitil Moorna Choir.
The event organisers were fulsome in their praise of the way in which students presented themselves. Our venue also showcased our state-of-the-art facilities, supported by ‘behind the scenes’ staff who ensured the event was a great success.
Strategic Directions 2021-2023
On Tuesday evening our Strategic Directions 2021-2023 was approved by Council. The document will now be presented to the Marist Schools Australia Regional Council for authorisation.
I thank parents, staff and students for their collaboration and feedback into the process for developing this Plan, and we look forward to launching to the wider community early in 2021.
Fathers Day, Sunday 6 September
Fathers Day is a time when we celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives. I take this opportunity to encourage our families to attend the events in our College Calendar over the next week or so when we will give thanks for the gift of these people in our lives. Best wishes to all families for a great day on Sunday 6 September.