Secondary Update Term 2 Week 2
Guild Cross Country Carnival
Our Secondary students participated in the Guild Cross Country Carnival on Friday 19 April. A significant number of students gave this race a go with a record number of students finishing the run before the 25-minute mark compared to previous years. Each year group had the opportunity to congratulate the top three students in the two categories. We will announce the winning Guild for the Cross Country at our Celebration Assembly in Week 4. Thank you to Mrs Barrett, the Health and PE team and the Guild Coordinators for the efforts, energy and organisation prior to and on the day.
ANZAC Service
The students and staff on Marcellin Campus came together in Founders Court for our ANZAC Service on Wednesday 24 April. Our service was led by our two College Captains, Matthew Tomassone and Bianca Trimboli, along with a small group of Year 9 students who shared stories of the ANZACs and read the prayers of the faithful. Our Secondary students were reverent and solemn during the service, reflecting on the sacrifices made by many young men and women. Thank you to Mrs Belinda McCagh (Leader of Learning Humanities) for her organisation of a beautiful service, and thank you to Mr Adam James for his technical support with the music and sound.
The Tempest
This week our Drama students performed four shows: a matinee and three evening shows. The entire cast and crew were incredible in their efforts and truly enthralled the audience. The cast embraced their roles and gave everything to each performance. The set was impeccable and well-suited to the performance and provided the cast with space to move and engage the audience. Thank you to Mr Josh Lang for his commitment and energy in orchestrating an incredible production, and thank you to Karla Nessfield-Thomas and Adam James for their event and technical support.
TikTok Use
The College has become aware of a few TikTok pages in which our students are using the social media platform to make disparaging comments about other students in our College Community. Additionally, the Newman College logo and College name have also been used on some of these pages as the profile picture and title respectively. We have addressed the Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts about their involvement in and possible awareness of these pages and discussed that their actions will be managed in line with our College Behaviour Support Policy when the College is mentioned.
TikTok is a social media app which allows for the creation and consumption of short-form videos by its users. TikTok requires that users be 13 years or older to use its basic functions. Parents and guardians can enable time limits and the content filter on their child’s phone and protect settings with a passcode. Parents and guardians can also download TikTok, create their own account and use the Family Pairing feature to manage their child’s TikTok settings on their own phone. If you have any concerns, please contact the relevant Leader of Wellbeing.
Year 11 2025 Subject Offerings
On Friday 3 May, our current Year 10 students will not be attending timetabled classes prior to recess. Instead, our Year 10 students will have the privilege of hearing from each of the Leaders of Learning across Marcellin Campus as they begin to understand the many subject offerings for them in Year 11 2025. These conversations mark the start of the subject selection process which will continue on Tuesday 18 June with the Year 10 Parent Information Evening. Thank you to Justin Farley and the Leaders of Learning for their organisation of this event.
2025 Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship Year 12 Recipient
The Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship is the first of its kind in WA and aims to provide exceptional young individuals with opportunities to continue their positive contributions to our world. The scholarship seeks to acknowledge and support students who have demonstrated proactive and impactful leadership, advocacy and active engagement in endeavours that have led to positive outcomes aligned with one of the University’s three strategic themes: Sustainability, First Nations; and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
The recipient can receive the Scholarship while studying any course at Murdoch University and can be awarded to a student on any pathway that will meet a selection rank of 70.
Valued at $12,000, the scholarship is awarded as a cash payment in semester instalments throughout their degree, which can extend up to four years. In addition, recipients will have access to further leadership and development mentoring throughout their academic journey, further enhancing their personal growth.
All secondary schools have the opportunity to nominate a Year 12 student who meets the eligibility criteria and will be commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2025. Nominations will be accepted between May and September each year. Information on the nomination process and application requirements are available via this link.
Secondary School Photos
Please be aware that the Secondary School Photos will occur on the following dates:
- Thursday 13 June – Years 7-9 Photos and Special Group Photos
- Monday 24 June – Years 10-12 Photos and Special Group Photos
- Tuesday 25 June – Sport Photos
Pathways and Careers Information:
Year 10
Prerequisites for Year 11, 2025
Students and families are advised that prerequisites for Year 11 subjects (for 2025) are now available via the College website.
Commencing in Term 2, Year 10 students will begin the process of guided reflection leading to their subject selections at the end of Term 2.
Careers Expo and Year 10 Parent Evening
Students and families are reminded that the Newman College Careers Expo and Year 10 Parent Evening will occur later in Term 2. At this event, students and families will be able to speak to teachers about each subject, and also seek information from Universities, TAFEs and training providers about possible courses and careers.
It is expected that all Year 10 students will attend this event. Details are below:
- Tuesday 18 June, 2024
- Marist Auditorium
- Careers Expo commences at 5.00pm
- Parent Information evening commences at 6.00pm
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
- TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here.
- Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you: https://infocus-careers.com.au/2024/02/20/year-11-how-to-approach-university-open-days/
Year 12
Parent and family resources
Each year, the Australian Government publishes a resource for parents/guardians to assist in career conversations. The 2024 version can be found here.
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.
Gap year information
Students interested in taking a gap year in 2025 might find the following interesting:
• Defence Force Gap Year: Click here
• Other gap year ideas: Click here
• And here
University Information
Early Offers
Students and families are advised that applications for University in 2025 will open on 1 May 2024. Early Offers for University in 2025 will not be made to students until 2 September 2024. The currently available information about Early Offers is in the table below.
| University | Early Offer Information |
| Curtin University | – Early Offers are available for ATAR and non-ATAR students. – Must achieve WACE and meet any prerequisites. – Submit your application via TISC, putting your Early Offer course as your first preference. – If your predicted ATAR is five points above the ATAR score required for your selected course, you will receive an early offer that secures your place in Semester 1, 2025. Your offer won’t be dependent on your final Year 12 ATAR score. You will still need to complete WACE and meet the English and subject requirements for your course. – If your predicted ATAR is less than five points above the ATAR score required for your course, you will still receive an early offer for a place at Curtin. You will need to achieve a final ATAR that meets course entry requirements and meet WACE, English and subject requirements for the course. – If you are not studying the ATAR Pathway, your early offer will be conditional upon you meeting the admission criteria for your chosen course, achieving WACE and meeting Curtin’s English requirements. |
| Edith Cowan University (ECU) | – Early Offers are available for ATAR and non-ATAR students. – Must achieve WACE and meet any prerequisites. – Submit your application via TISC, putting your Early Offer course as your first preference. – If your predicted ATAR is five points above the ATAR score required for your selected course, you will receive an early offer that secures your place in Semester 1, 2025. Your offer won’t be dependent on your final Year 12 ATAR score. You will still need to complete WACE and meet the English and subject requirements for your course. – If your predicted ATAR is less than five points above the ATAR score required for your course, you will still receive an early offer for a place at Curtin. You will need to achieve a final ATAR that meets course entry requirements, and meet WACE, English and subject requirements for the course. – If you are not studying the ATAR Pathway, your early offer will be conditional upon you meeting the admission criteria for your chosen course, achieving WACE and meeting Curtin’s English requirements. |
| Murdoch University | – Must achieve WACE and meet any prerequisites. – Early Offers for Certificate IV and UniReady/UniPath students will be conditional on passing. – Submit your application via TISC, putting your Early Offer course as your first preference. |
| Notre Dame University | – Must be completing the ATAR Pathway in Year 12. – Submit your application via TISC, putting your Early Offer course as your first preference. – Offers will be made on 2 September, 20 September, 4 October, 11 December. Allow a few weeks for us assess your application. – In the application you will be asked to provide details about your non-academic achievements and commitments, which may include work, caring responsibilities at home, volunteering, sports and school leadership, among others. – Further information and eligible courses at https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/applications-and-admissions/pathways/early-offer |
| University of Western Australia | – Must be completing the ATAR Pathway in Year 12. – Submit your application via TISC, putting your Early Offer course as your first preference. – All students must satisfy UWA’s English requirements and any subject prerequisite requirements. – Students can apply for an Early Offer for all degrees with UWA excluding Assured Pathways to Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy and Podiatric Medicine or the Bachelor of Biomedicine (specialised). – Further information at: https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/early-offers/FAQs |
- Information about University entry
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here. - Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you, click here.
- Are you the first person in your family to attend University? This might assist: http://www.firstinfamily.com.au/
- Here are some useful tools to prepare students for the transition to University: https://unireadytoolkit.com.au/
Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry in 2025?
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:
- 5 March 2024: UCAT bookings open
- 17 May 2024: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2024
- 10 June 2024: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
- 1 July 2024: UCAT testing begins
- 9 August 2024: Last test date
- September 2024: 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. You can find more information about this, and book your test, here.
UWA Medical entry handbook here (for Assured Pathway):
Curtin Medical entry handbook here.
Entry to Medicine handbook (Australia-wide) is here.
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/ |
Upcoming Careers Events