In Week 7, Newman College will be celebrating Neurodiversity & Harmony Week. Through discussions, prayers and activities, we aim to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about neurological differences and promote Harmony throughout our community.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles, such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Tourette Syndrome, Autism and ADHD. Newman College will focus on understanding, valuing, and celebrating the talents of neurodiverse minds through our activities during the week. Parents can find more information: Neurodiversity Celebration Week (neurodiversityweek.com).
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Parents can find more information: Harmony Week – Everyone belongs
On Friday 21 March, as a way of showing support for Harmony Week, students are encouraged to come to school dressed in their own traditional cultural top or full clothing for the day (e.g. Sari, Kimono, Boubou). If students do not have any cultural clothing, they can show support by wearing an item of orange clothing: orange being the official colour symbolising Harmony Week.
Students are asked to bring in a gold coin donation and hand it to their classroom teacher on Friday 21 March. This donation will go towards supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion appeal.
To create an environment that is comfortable and pleasing for all students, please see below the guidelines for what is permitted on Friday 21 March.
Students may attend school in smart, neat, casual clothes.
Short skirts and shorts are not permitted (the usual length of the school skirt is the minimum length for skirts and shorts).
Students are not permitted to wear low-cut, backless, singlet tops or tops that show their midriff. Students are not permitted to wear clothing with inappropriate slogans or logos.
Leggings should only be worn under skirts or shorts.
College Standards regarding grooming, jewellery and makeup will apply. Hair that touches the collar must be tied up at all times. No additional jewellery is permitted.
Year 1 & 2 Genesis Dance Troupe
We are excited to introduce a new Dance Troupe for Years 1 and 2, adding to our thriving Dance programme. The troupe, named Genesis, will perform at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival, Schools to Stage, and the Dance Showcase. The date for CPAF is to be confirmed but is usually Term 3 Week 6/7. Schools to Stage is Term 3 Saturday 20 September and Dance Showcase is 23 and 24 October.
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday mornings from 8:00 to 8:30am. Your child may not have to attend every Tuesday morning rehearsal, but needs to be available at this time and for all the performances to be involved in the Troupe.
An information session will be held for parents on Thursday 20 March at 2:40pm in Marian Hall to answer any questions. At this stage, we are seeking expressions of interest – please complete this form by Friday 21 March.
KISS N DRIVE – Marian Family Name Tags
As we continue preparations for the move of Marian Campus to the Main Primary Campus in the coming months, we look to prepare for the new cars that will utilise the Lavalla Kiss N Drive once our Marian families move across. To prepare ahead of time, if you will utilise (or think you might) the Lavalla Kiss N Drive option once Marian families move across, please complete this form so that we can prepare a family name tag for you which you can place on your dashboard to assist us with smooth and efficient collection procedures once the move is complete. We are hoping to do this now, ahead of time, so all families are ready when the move occurs.
All Lavalla families should now have their family name tags if ordered. If Lavalla families still require one, please email Amanda.johnson@newman.wa.edu.au
The name tag system saves considerable time when collecting students, so your support and use of these name tags is greatly appreciated.
Parking
Earlier this week I wrote to both Primary families about parking and safety, asking parents to be vigilant and take extra care when arriving at, and departing from the College. As a follow up to this, I ask all parents to ensure they are adhering to local road instructions regarding parking, including being polite and respectful to the community members who have houses neighbouring our College. We have recently had some reports of our neighbours experiencing unpleasant interactions with some members of our community, which do not align with our values. As a Catholic Marist community, I ask that all parents be aware and considerate of local parking signage, as well as our neighbours.
Community Mass
When your child’s Guild is invited to Community Mass on Thursday mornings at 8:00am, it would be wonderful if they could be there to support. To build Guild spirit, students that attend the Mass are able to wear their Guild sports top for the entire day. The Guild Masses for the remainder of the term are listed below for parents to mark in their calendars:
Week 7: Thursday 20 March – Marcellin
Week 8: Thursday 27 March – MacKillop
Week 9: Thursday 3 April – Romero
Week 10: Thursday 10 April – Camara
Easter Raffle
As we journey through this Lenten season, we continue to encourage all students to donate to Project Compassion to raise money for Caritas Australia, who provide vital aid to communities in Australia and developing nations.
In continuing our support for Caritas’ Project Compassion appeal, the Primary school will be hosting its annual Easter Raffle Fundraiser. This fundraiser relies on the generous donation of Easter eggs by our Newman College families. The donated eggs are then assembled into beautiful hampers as prizes for the raffle.
We would also greatly appreciate the donation of any baskets or appropriate containers that can be used in assembling the prizes. Donations of eggs and baskets can be handed in at the Marian or Lavalla Administration office.
Separate raffle draws will be conducted at both the Lavalla and Marian campuses on Friday 11 April. Tickets will be distributed to students this Friday and additional tickets will be available from the office on both campuses. Tickets will be 50c each or 6 for $2.50.
If any parents can assist in assembling and wrapping the prize baskets, during the last week of school, please let me know via email, jane.short@newman.wa.edu.au
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Yours sincerely
Jane Short RE COORDINATOR PRIMARY
IPSHA Primary Swimming Carnival (Y3-6)
Congratulations to the Newman College Interschool Swim Team (Years 4-6 students) who competed in the Interschool Carnival last week. It was wonderful to see our Newman College team demonstrate their commitment to their passion of swimming. All students tried their hardest and should be proud of their efforts. A big congratulations to the team who collectively produced outstanding results! Special thanks to Mrs Tash Richards for preparing our students for this fantastic event!
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
Each fortnight at each Primary campus, one person will be drawn out of the raffle and receive a small prize for living out our Newman Norms. Congratulations to River (Marian Campus) who was the winner of our raffle in Week 5! Each raffle ticket received is swapped for a token and the Guild with the highest number of tokens at the end of the term wins a prize for the whole Guild!
URSTRONG
A reminder parents continue to have access to a FREE URSTRONG parent membership. We hope that as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.
