Secondary Update – Term 2 Week 2

Welcome back to Term Two. I hope that students enjoyed a restful break and are ready for the term ahead. As we begin the new term, we’re filled with hope for the opportunities ahead. Term Two is always a busy time in our College community, particularly for our Senior School students, as they prepare for their Externally Set Tasks and Semester One Exams.

This term we continue our focus on nurturing positive learning environments and supporting students in working to achieve excellence.

Parents, your continued support is greatly appreciated. From assisting your children with homework, attending school events or encouraging a high standard of behaviour, as well as uniform and personal appearance, your involvement and support makes a big difference.

This week Leaders of Wellbeing commenced uniform checks with Year 7 and 8 students. These checks will continue with the remaining cohorts over the next week. The purpose of this is to ensure that students are wearing their Winter Uniforms to a high standard. You will be notified if there are any concerns about your child’s uniform.

Guild Cross Country

Last Thursday, Year 7 – 12 students participated in the Guild Cross Country Carnival. The day was filled with a high level of participation and Guild Spirit. This year was the first year that we had the entire school come out to watch and support our Year 12 students run their final Guild Cross Country race. Mr Watson joined the Year 12 students in their race, encouraging some friendly competition for Life Link! Mr Watson has donated $1 for each student who finished before him, and in turn, our Year 12 students who finished after him have also donated $1. A wonderful way to inspire kindness amongst the cohort!

Congratulations to Marcellin Guild, who have now taken out the Champion trophy for both Swimming and Cross Country! Congratulations also to MacKillop and Thomas More, who drew for the Guild Spirit award. A big thank you to our PE staff, Guild Coordinators and our Facilities team for making the day a great success!

Year Group FemaleMale
Year 71stMia DorringtonJackson Piccoli
 2ndSami FowlerLachie Anderson
 3rdAmelia ScottJulian Cameron
Year 81stAllegra ClarkTaj Wester
 2ndGrace TaylorSebastian Hobson
 3rdLayla BornmannStefan Moschopoulos
Year 91stAshlee KrugerDeion Fernando
 2ndRaphi FisherAngus Timcke
 3rdHolly HartCooper Warrick
Year 101stTayla MaloneyBastion Dominguez Rubina
 2ndJade ThorstensenZander Taylor
 3rdSarah ScottFletcher Bell
Year 111stOlivia HilderbrandtHenry Schwertfeger
 2ndAva StanleyAston Thorpe
 3rdHannah SeabornRyan Lockyer
Year 121stSophia NardiHarrison Warrick
 2ndElla RoseCharlie Cossom
 3rdAmy WilsonFlynn Morison

ANZAC Day Service

On Friday 2 May, Year 7 – 12 students gathered on Founder’s Court for our ANZAC Day Service. Thank you to Mr McClorey, Mrs McCagh and Mr Smith for their organisation of the service and to all students who participated in the service. It was a touching service to commemorate those who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

Mother’s Day

Thank you to families who joined our Community Mass, followed by our Mother’s Day celebrations yesterday. Wishing all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters and other women in our lives that care and love us unconditionally a Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday!

Upcoming Events:

Year 12 Externally Set Tasks (EST):

All Year 12 Students enrolled in a General Year 12 course are required to complete the externally set task developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment for the pair of units.

The ESTs are administered in schools during designated weeks in Term 2 under standard test conditions. The EST will take 50 minutes. The timetable for the Year 12 ESTs can be found here.

Year 7 – 12 Celebration Assembly

Our next Year 7 – 12 Celebration Assembly will be held on Thursday 22 May. All students are expected to wear their College Winter Uniform with their blazer to the assembly. Students wearing the College skirt will be required to wear tights to this formal occasion.

Recognition Of State Representation

Congratulations to the following students for selection in the Western Australian teams in their respective sports:

  • Adam Szwedzicki – Adam represented WA in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth in April. He competed in Men’s U13 high jump.
  • Hannah Seaborn – Hannah captained the WA State U16’s Football squad and represented the state in the AFL National Development Championship which is part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program. WA competed against South Australia at Revo Stadium and the Gold Coast Academy in Queensland.

State Representation is an honour and an important stepping stone in an athlete’s journey. We commend these students for their dedication and commitment to their sport.

If your child has achieved state or national recognition in their sport or extra-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it so we can celebrate their success.  Please let us know the details by filling out this form. https://forms.office.com/r/qaCxCYLNX6

Mrs Carla Pastorelli

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10 

Subject handbook open 

Current Year 10 students and families can now access information about Year 11 subjects for 2026, using this link: https://handbook.newman.wa.edu.au/ 

A reminder about the major subject selection event coming up in Term 2. It is expected that all students attend this event, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. 

Tuesday 24 June 

Marist Auditorium, Newman College 

5pm to 6pm: Careers and Year 11 Subjects Expo. 

6pm to 6.45pm: Year 10 Family Information Evening. 

The Year 10 students have been listening to presentations about each Learning Area and their Year 11 offerings for 2026. A link to the presentations is available below: 

Year 11 Subject Presentations 
 

Women in STEM 

The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/  

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11 

WACE (secondary graduation) requirements 

In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation. 

In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are: 

  • Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA). 
  • Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12. 
  • Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject. 
  • Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects. 

For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 

A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath. 

For students thinking of attending University 

  • And here is the “First in Family” resource, for students who might be the first in their family to attend University: http://firstinfamily.com.au/ 

Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025 

The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025 

New Animal Care Certificate for Semester 2 

There is an opportunity for interested students to apply for a 1-day-per-week Certificate II in Animal Care. This course will start in July and finish in December. 

If interested, please contact Mr Farley. 

Future Female Health Leaders Program 

The Future Health Leaders Program is designed to inspire female high school students to enter a career in health and medical research, innovation and life sciences. The program will bring together twelve Year 11 science students from across Australia for a full-day event in Canberra in August 2025 to: 

  • Showcase the diversity of career pathways in health and medical research 
  • Inspire a passion for a career in health and medical research 
  • Meet with exceptional female leaders in research, education, industry and government 
  • Get some hands-on experience in world-class science facilities 

Information and applications here: https://researchaustralia.org/events/future-health-leaders-program/ 

Women in STEM 

The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/  

Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities 

Navy 

Navy Careers Experience – HMAS Stirling – 30 June – 02 July 2025 

Applications close: 18 May 2025 

Apply here: Defence Careers – Navy Careers Experience: HMAS Stirling (June) 

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12 

WACE (secondary graduation) requirements 

In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation. 

In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are: 

  • Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA). 
  • Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12. 
  • Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject. 
  • Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects. 

University Early Offer information 

Please see below for the latest available Early Offer information. 

Early Offers will open on 3 June 2025. Prior to this date, all Year 12 students will be provided with information about how to access the TISC system and enter preferences. 

Curtin University No details as yet.  
Edith Cowan University Full information and list of eligible courses at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/early-offer-program  Open to ATAR, Certificate IV, and UniReady students. Submit your Early Offer application by placing an eligible ECU course as your first TISC preference. First offers released to students on 2 September 2025.  
Murdoch University No details as yet.  
Notre Dame University Full information and list of eligible courses at: https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/applications-and-admissions/pathways/early-offer  Opens 1 May 2025. First offers released to students on 1 September 2025. Apply via the Notre Dame online portal or via TISC. Open to ATAR Pathway students only. All offers are conditional offers.  
University of WA No details as yet.  

University information 

Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry in 2026? 

All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2025 (including Assured Pathway at UWA) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year. 

Please see below for some important dates: 

  • 4 March 2025: UCAT bookings open 
  • 16 May 2025: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2025 
  • 11 June 2025: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking 
  • 1 July 2025: UCAT testing begins 
  • 5 August 2025: Last test date 
  • September 2025: Results available 

You can check https://www.ucat.edu.au/ for more information, tips and practice tests. 

Also, students applying for Medicine at Curtin University are required to sit the CASPER Test. CASPER scores are valid only for the next available admissions year, so applicants should only complete the test in the year immediately preceding their planned year of admission. 

The CASPER Test is held nationally and is sat online from home. Applicants are responsible for making their own arrangements to register for the CASPER Test.  

You can find more information about this, and book your test, here: https://acuityinsights.app/casper/ 

UWA Medical entry handbook here (for Assured Pathway): https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/-/media/uwafs/docs/course-guides/2025/uwa-2025-hms-admissions-guide-web.pdf 

Curtin Medical entry handbook here: https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/5804HS_Medicine-Admissions-Guide-2025_web-updated.pdf 

Notre Dame Medicine program information is here: https://www.notredame.edu.au/programs/school-of-medicine/postgraduate/doctor-of-medicine-wa 

University scholarships 

Curtin University Search scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia  
Edith Cowan University (ECU) ECU | Overview : Scholarships  
Murdoch University Scholarship finder (murdoch.edu.au)  
Notre Dame University Find a Scholarship | Notre Dame  
University of Western Australia (UWA) The University of Western Australia : Scholarships (uwa.edu.au)  
Christian Leaders Scholarship https://ichthys.org.au/christian-leaders-scholarship/ 

Gap year information 

Students interested in taking a gap year in 2026 might find the following interesting: 

Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025 

The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here: Apprenticeship Intake Guide 2025 

Women in STEM 

The Innovators’ Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here: https://innovatorsteaparty.org/  

Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities 

Navy 

Navy Careers Experience – HMAS Stirling – 30 June – 02 July 2025 

Applications close: 18 May 2025 

Apply here: Defence Careers – Navy Careers Experience: HMAS Stirling (June) 

UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS 

EVENT DATE LINK 
Perth Careers Expo 15-18 May https://www.careers-expo.com.au/ 
Notre Dame Open Day 24 May https://events.nd.edu.au/open-day-freo-2025 
Year 10 Information Evening (ECU Joondalup) 27 May https://www.trybooking.com/CZAMR 
Teaching degrees information evening (ECU) 3 June https://www.trybooking.com/CZAMY 
Engineering Information Evening (ECU) 4 June https://www.trybooking.com/CYPMK 
Year 9 and 10 Parent Information Evening (Murdoch University) 4 June https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/year-9-10-parent-supporters-information-evening-tickets-1232500053839?aff=oddtdtcreator?aff=oddtdtcreator 
Year 11 and 12 Parent Information Evening (Murdoch University) 4 June https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/year-11-12-parent-supporters-information-evening-tickets-1229599558379?aff=oddtdtcreator?aff=oddtdtcreator 
Parent Information Evening for Year 12 students (ECU) 5 June https://www.trybooking.com/CZCDR 
Psychology Information Evening (ECU) 10 June https://www.trybooking.com/CZMLH 
Year 9-12 Information Evening (Curtin) 18 June https://www.curtin.edu.au/events/year-9-to-12-information-evening/ 
Newman College Careers Expo and Year 10 Parent Evening 24 June Marist Auditorium 3.30pm to 4.30pm: Yr 11/12 Careers Expo 5.00pm to 6.00pm: Yr 10 Careers & Subject Expo 6.00pm to 6.45pm: Yr 10 Family Info Session 
WAAPA Information Evening  29 July https://www.trybooking.com/CZAMD 
Year 12 application support session (Murdoch) 29 July https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2025/07/29/general/year-12-university-application-support-session 
Nursing Information Evening (Murdoch) 27 August https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2025/08/27/general/mu-open-nights–nursing 
Health and Education Information Evening (Murdoch) 2 September https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2025/09/02/general/mu-open-nights–health—education 
Science, IT, Engineering Information Evening (Murdoch) 3 September https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2025/09/03/general/mu-open-nights–sciences–information-technology–engineering—mathematics 
Business and Law Information Evening (Murdoch) 4 September https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2025/09/04/general/mu-open-night–business–law–humanities–arts—social-sciences  
Engineering Information Evening (ECU) 5 September https://www.trybooking.com/CYPND 
   

If you are thinking of attending a University Open Day, this blog might help you get the most out of it: https://infocus-careers.com.au/2025/02/07/year-12-how-to-approach-university-open-days-in-2022/