Newman News Term 4 Week 4 : From the Principal

Jo Dunn on 05/11/2021

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton to Newman College 

Today we had the pleasure of hosting the Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton at the Marian Campus.  His pastoral visit coincided with his visit to St Cecilia’s Wembley Parish.  Our relationship with the Parish, and our Parish Priest, Fr Kaz, is an integral part of growing the faith life of our school.  At our Early Education campus, introducing students to parish life is exemplified by our prayer liturgies and our Early Childhood Education Religious Education curriculum.


This week, for example, we celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day with a beautiful liturgy in the Parish.  Year 2 presented to their peers the litany of saints focussing on St Marcellin Champagnat, St John Henry Newman, and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.  The invitation to prayer in the liturgy created a sense of what it means to be a part of our Marist community which celebrates family spirit, simplicity and presence through the relationships we develop.

In recent weeks the Australian Catholic Church held its first Plenary Council Meeting.  The aim of this significant event in the Australian Church is to invite Catholics into a participatory spirituality that reflects our place in the world.  At the heart of this intent remains the relationships that are formed through community that is in communion with each other.

In 2021 our Strategic Priority Area, A Catholic School in the Marist Tradition, focussed on the strategic intents, Faith Formation and Community Outreach, Advocacy and Service.  The outcome of these intents is to invite our young people to participate in their faith by how they build community through their presence and service.  The introduction of our Gamechangers Christian Leadership Program and our service program in Years 7 and 8 and the growth of our mini Marist program in the Primary school highlights our commitment to service and living faith in a practical and tangible way.

Significantly, the highlight every week in our school is our PK-12 Family Mass where students, families and staff gather to celebrate and give thanks for our community.  I warmly invite all families to consider coming to our Mass which commences at 8.10am every Thursday in the Champagnat Chapel.

 

Arts Festival 

For anyone who attended the opening of the Student Art Exhibition, I am sure you would agree that this was an excellent display of incredible talent and skills of our students.  I take this opportunity to thank the teachers for their dedication to this learning area ensuring that our students ‘let their light shine’ through nurturing and developing such talents.

Congratulations to staff and students on a magnificent showcase.

Parent Soiree 

Thank you to all those who attended the Soiree on Friday 29 October.  It was a lovely way to finish the year and for the College leadership to show its appreciation for the collaboration and support received throughout the year.

Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC) 

Thank you to those parents who attended our last NPCC meeting on Monday evening.  We had the opportunity to review our Annual School Improvement Plan and provide feedback about our strategic intents for 2022.

In 2022 we will be providing the NPCC meeting as an online option to hopefully increase attendance.

Click here to view the NPCC minutes.

Consolidation of PK-6 at the Churchlands Campus 

As families are now aware through correspondence circulated two weeks ago, plans are progressing to ensure a mid 2022 commencement of the build.  We continue to test our plans with staff, students and families who have volunteered to be part of the design process.  It is hoped that we will have a digital flythrough towards the end of November that we can share with the community.

Staff Celebrating 30 Years Service to Catholic Education 

Each year, CEWA, acknowledges and celebrates those staff members who have given extended and dedicated service to Catholic Education.  This year the event was celebrated with a breakfast at the Crown.  We had 4 members of staff who were acknowledged:  Liliana Bellandi, Josie Parker, Bernie Roberts and Sharon Wills.

School fees 

Our school fee schedule and letter will be communicated to families in the next fortnight.

COVID-19 Staff Vaccinations 

Families would be aware by now that all school staff in Western Australia are to be fully vaccinated before the commencement of the 2022 school year as mandated by the Western Australian Government.  Newman College will be following advice by Catholic Education WA in implementing this directive.

 

 

Mr John Finneran
PRINCIPAL