Newman News Term 4 Week 2 2020: From the Principal

Start of Term

We have enjoyed a smooth start to the Term.

Year 12 students returned to exams and subsequent feedback sessions, the Year 10 students spent the week in Karridale on their Adventure Camp and we also welcomed our Year 7 2021 cohort to the College for Orientation.

It was wonderful to see Book Week come to life across the College this week. Many age appropriate activities took place and the Primary Parades were extremely colourful. I trust all will enjoy the wonderful photos taken during this week (click here).

Feast of Saint John Henry Newman

Friday 9 October was the official Feast Day of Saint John Henry Newman.

Saint John Henry Newman was an academic. He sought truth and believed that each of us has a purpose, that we are each a link in a chain, created by God to do good and to do God’s work.

During last week we had the opportunity to learn more about Newman’s story. Each campus celebrated through various activities to remember the contributions and learn about Newman. As a community, we celebrated the Feast Day at our Thursday morning Mass which was led by Monsignor Kevin Long.

Tom Brajdic

On Friday 16 October, Catholic Education WA celebrated long standing members of staff at a breakfast at Crown Burswood. Tom Brajdic, our Leader of ICT, was acknowledged for his 40 years of dedicated service to education. Congratulations Tom on this outstanding achievement.

Year 12 Graduation

Last evening we celebrated the Graduating Class of 2020 at Optus Stadium, commencing with Mass in the stands and followed by awards and dinner in the Riverview Room. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the event could not take place at Newman College and we were most fortunate to have secured this magnificent venue for what was, as College Captain Anastasia Berti referred to, the Grand Final of the Class of 2020.

In my speech, I put to the Class of 2020 – ‘What is it your plan to do with your one, wild and precious life?’, the Marist Theme for 2020.  At its heart, it is a question that invites us to look at who we are, the lives we are living, and our place in the world. Our response to this question can take us on a journey in search of understanding of what brings greater freedom and wholeness in our lives. It invites us at a deeper level to consider what it means to be truly human; the brevity, beauty and mystery of life….

Please click here to access the Principal’s Graduation Speech.

The event was an outstanding success.  The students presented beautifully and it was wonderful to see so many family members in attendance to see their children / siblings / grandchildren through this rite of passage.