Secondary Update Term 2 Week 4
College Captains – Preparedness
At the Celebration Assembly on Wednesday 8th May, the theme was preparedness. Our College Captains spoke to the Years 7-12 students about the upcoming term and the importance of a committed and proactive approach to their studies. They shared the following tips with the student body:
- Create a realistic study plan that includes scheduled regular breaks.
- Study the more challenging subjects earlier in the afternoon and leave the easier work until later in your schedule.
- Keep your study sessions short.
- Create a study zone at home that is free of distractions and has just the right amount of noise for you.
- Have you found out what your learning style is? Do you love colourful mind maps? Do you concentrate best when you are writing? Do you find it hard to sit still when you study? Speak to your PCG teacher or your classroom teacher who can support you with some tips.
- Take care of your health – eat healthy, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep and keep up the exercise.
- Continue to engage in your activities even though it is assessment time. Go to your Soccer training. Show up to your Music lessons.
Year 10 STEM Challenge Day 2024
On Thursday 2nd May, 32 Year 10 students attended the Perth Science and Engineering Challenge. A weeklong event presented by the University of Newcastle and attended by 40 metropolitan high schools. The teams with the highest scores over all 5 days will be invited to the state finals. Students were involved in engineering challenges such as building a bridge, creating an earthquake-resistant tower, building wind turbines, aeroplanes, connecting power grids and more.
The Year 10 students challenged themselves and performed exceptionally well breaking several records. In addition to the overall first place, we achieved first place in these engineering challenges, Helter Skelter, Wind Turbine, Confounding Communications and Electracity. Congratulations to all the participants of the Year 10 STEM Challenge Day! Each student competed with an attitude of curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. Their efforts were acknowledged at our recent Celebration Assembly. Hopefully, our scores will be enough to take us through to the state finals!
Thank you to Mr Spriggins and Mrs Ognenis for attending with the students.
Champagnat Cup – Monday 29 May 2024
We welcomed Bunbury Catholic College and St Joseph’s Northam to Newman College for the Champagnat Cup. The day was filled with spirited competition, involving round-robin matches in Boys AFL and basketball, and Girls basketball and netball. Congratulations to all the students who participated, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship. A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated staff and officials for their invaluable contribution in making this event a success. We have proudly retained the Champagnat Cup in 2024!
Wellbeing Program – Year 11 and Year 12 Guest Speaker
On Wednesday 15 May, a guest presenter from White Ribbon Australia will be coming to the College to speak to the Year 11 and Year 12 students about Domestic and Family Violence. This session aligns with the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum which all Australian schools are mandated to follow. Please click the link to access the letter that has been sent to Year 11 and Year 12 families. If you have any questions about this session, please contact the Leader of Wellbeing Year 11, Mr David Husband david.husband@newman.wa.edu.au.
White Ribbon Session Parent Note
Homework Club – Upcoming Opportunities
Quantum Club With Dylan O’Donohue
Commencing Week 5, Dylan O’Donohue, one of our regular homework Club Tutors, will be running the Quantum Club. Starting with the fascinating topic “Photons – What do you know?” all year 7 – 12 interested students are welcome to attend.
The Club will run from 3.30pm – 4.15pm every Wednesday until Week 9. Just sign up as usual for Homework Club when you arrive in the Hub. This club is auspiced by UWA, where Dylan is currently studying quantum theories.
Organisation with Josh Downes
Starting NEXT Thursday from 3.30 to 4.00, Josh Downes will be running a special session for Year 9 students in Library 1.
Josh is one of our valued Tutors who is currently studying Economics and Finance at UWA and has a wealth of experience in self-motivation and study success.
All year 9 students who would like to POWER UP their STUDY SKILLS are welcome. Please BRING some current work you want to complete, together with your DIARY or digital diary. Just Sign Up as usual for Homework Club, when you arrive, in the Hub.
These sessions will be running until Week 9.
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject selection for Year 11, 2025
Please see below for some resources associated with subject selection for Year 11, 2025:
- Prerequisites for Year 11 subjects
- Online subject information handbook for Year 11 subjects
- Subject Selection Research Booklet
- Pathways Information Booklet for Year 11 and 12 students
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
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
- TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
- 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/
Pathways and Careers Information: 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: https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/parents-and-guardians-guide
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: https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/careers/gap-year?page=2&perPage=21&query=
- Other gap year ideas: https://infocus-careers.com.au/2024/04/02/leaving-year-12-try-these-gap-year-ideas/
- And: https://infocus-careers.com.au/2022/07/13/leaving-year-12-these-gap-year-ideas-may-interest-you/
Apprenticeship and Trades information
The April 2024 edition of the Apprentice Intake Guide has now been published. This guide is a large listing of many different apprenticeship opportunities available.
Students and families can access the Guide here: https://asa.cciwa.com/mp-files/intake-guide.pdf/
University Information
Early Offers
Students and families are advised that applications for University in 2025 are open as of 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 subjects 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 Offer calculated from your most recent school results including exams.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.Offers will be made on 2 September, 23 September, 14 October, 18 November and 2 December. Allow around 2 weeks for us assess your application.List of courses available for Early Offers is at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/early-offer-program |
| 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: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
- Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you: https://infocus-careers.com.au/2024/02/01/year-12-how-to-approach-university-open-days-in-2022/
- 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. 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. Available Casper Test dates are:
- 26 May 2024
- 23 June 2024
- 8 August 2024
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/courses/doctor-of-medicine#admission-requirements
Curtin Medical entry handbook here: https://s30991.pcdn.co/study/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Medicine-domestic-admissions-guide-2024.pdf
Entry to Medicine handbook (Australia-wide) is here: https://ncwa.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/8191-PathwaysandVET/ETjw34qlL3JItUN0ZODOMmkBAYwaFrwfJdQIzJuBgCDnLw?e=LrJcAu
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/ |