Newman News Term 4 Week 6: From the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians
Building Leaders at Newman College
The most powerful marketing strategy in our community is the conversation that is had at the dinner table between students and their families. These conversations generally predicated on the day these students have with particular reference to their teachers. As a parent, I have heard about so many teachers and enjoy hearing how engaged my children are in their learning. It is the hope in our community that student engagement which leads to growth is underpinned by good teaching.
At our recent Newman Parents Committee Meeting, a question was put to me about why there has been a significantly high turnover of teachers. There are a few reasons that I put to the group that I would like to share with the wider community.
- Promotional positions: Newman College is committed to developing teachers and leaders. In recent days we were awarded the Educator 2022 5-Star Innovative School Award (see Educator Award below). This program is indicative of how we develop leadership. The fruits of such a program are better learning experiences for our students. What it also does is give leaders the opportunity to move into promotional positions, either in our school or in other communities. This year we have seen 9 teachers and leaders appointed to promotional positions across the sector. This includes myself as Director of School Improvement for Marist Schools Australia, Lisa McClue as Principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel Karrinyup, Jenny Miraudo as Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning at Corpus Christi College Bateman, Katya Anderson as Head of Primary at Corpus Christi College Bateman, to name just a few.
In addition, Stuart McClorey, former Leader of Wellbeing Primary, is our new Director of Mission and Catholic Identity. Mr Simon Martino, former Director of Mission and Catholic Identity, has been appointed Deputy Principal Secondary.
- Commensurate experience: We have teachers who have been in our community for a significant time and made the decision to move to other Colleges to deepen their experience as teachers.
- Opportunity: Post COVID-19 restrictions, there has been a general teacher shortage across the country. Consequently, there are more opportunities for teachers to move when positions become available.
The benefits of recruitment are that we have appointed outstanding teachers and leaders who will commence in our College in 2023. Newman is a good school of choice for employees and I am looking forward to seeing our continued growth in 2023.
Educator Award
In recent weeks Newman College was awarded the Educator 2022 5-Star Innovative School Award presented to only 5 Western Australian Schools.
The Award was for our Middle Leadership Program, Leadership Accelerator – Drive to Excel. We partnered with The Liminal Space – Dr Shane Glasson, and Brendan Spillane Consulting to create and deliver this bespoke ‘Leadership Acceleration’ course that runs over nine days. This model uses cutting edge research to develop our leaders individually first, then as a collective, aligned with the College’s strategic intent.
Congratulations for our Middle Leaders for the way in which they immersed themselves in the course.
Finish of 2023
With 3 weeks to go until the end of Term, we look forward to the Christmas festivities. Advent commences 27 November. This is a really important time in our liturgical year as we prepare for the birth of Christ. Across our College, we look forward to our liturgies and our prayer is that we finish well.
John Finneran
PRINCIPAL