Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 2
Wellbeing Week – 5-9 August 2024
Marcellin Campus Attendance
Mr Andrew Watson wrote to families at the end of last term emphasising that every day matters, regardless of whether it is the last day of term, a Guild Carnival or an assessment day. All parents and guardians are required to make every effort to ensure their children attend school. A child may be at educational risk if their attendance falls below 90%. Additionally, low attendance levels can impact a child’s wellbeing and social connections.
This week, families whose child has a Semester One attendance percentage of below 90% were emailed to alert them of their Semester One attendance percentage and/or request for a meeting to be scheduled with the relevant Leader of Wellbeing.
We acknowledge that there are many reasons for non-attendance at school ranging from personal, medical, family, education, relationship and community factors. This makes school attendance and ongoing attendance rates a complex task in some households. On behalf of our Wellbeing Support Services Team, I would like to share a guide for parents and guardians. This may support them in their efforts to encourage their children to attend school if school attendance is a combination of reluctance to attend AND high levels of distress about attending school: School Can’t: A Guide for Parents and Guardians .
Our goal is to promote strong school attendance and the importance of everyday attendance, whilst working in partnership with families regarding low attendance. If you have concerns about your child’s attendance or ability to attend school, please contact the relevant Leader of Wellbeing.
Secondary Guild Athletics Carnival
Our Guild Athletics Carnival is scheduled for Thursday 1 August at State Athletics Stadium. All students are to make their own way to the stadium and arrive no later than 8.25am. Some buses will depart the College at 8.40am for students who catch Transperth buses to school or walk to school, and will also return to the College at the end of the day. If your child needs to catch the bus from school or back to school, parents/guardians must email kate.thayer@newman.wa.edu.au by Monday 29 July as permission is required.
Students are to sign in with their Guild Coordinator in their Guild bay when they arrive to receive their competitor number. Year 12s are permitted to wear costumes and should arrive in these. Year 12 students are reminded that this is a College event and their costume and clothing choice must reflect this.
The Guild Athletics Carnival is a compulsory event and all students are expected to attend. By way of encouraging Guild spirit, students are discouraged from leaving the event early. If your child needs to leave early from the Carnival, parents/guardians need to contact the relevant Guild Coordinator by Wednesday 31 July and then sign-out at the Admin Office at the stadium.
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork and Future Innovators Awards
Students in Year 10 and Year 12 are invited to apply for the ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award and/or the ADF Future Innovators Award. Participation in the awards program is open to all Australian schools. Students are asked to nominate themselves by completing the relevant nomination form and emailing it to Mrs Sarah Ellam by Monday 6 August. Students will be presented with the award at the Annual Awards Assembly or the Year 12 Graduation depending on their year level. For further information about these awards, please access the links below:
To nominate for the awards please click on the link below:
- ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award Nomination Form
- ADF Future Innovators Award Nomination Form
Canteen IOUs
Since Term Three has started, our Canteen has experienced an increase in IOU requests and in addition to this, many IOUs remain unpaid. We ask that all families check their email accounts for any unpaid canteen purchases and settle these with the canteen as a priority.
OLNA Support
The College has purchased OLNA.com.au subscriptions for students who are sitting their OLNA assessment this term. Practice questions and full-length practice tests can be found by accessing the following website: https://olna.com.au/
Students can log in using their student email. Their password is their first name with a capital letter eg. John.
In addition to engaging with online practice, students are encouraged to attend targeted workshops which will run after school in the lead-up to the next round of OLNA in the JHN Hub.
| TUESDAY | Writing | Mrs Winterbourn Weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| WEDNESDAY | Reading | Mrs Ward Weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| THURSDAY | Numeracy | Mr Schrader Weeks 2,5,7 Mrs Pagett Weeks 4 and 6 |
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact Sarah Pagett, Leader of Support and Pedagogy, sarah.pagett@newman.wa.edu.au.
Recognition of State Representation
Congratulations to the following students for selection in the Western Australian teams in their respective sports:
- Olivia Hildebrandt (Year 11) – Olivia will represent Western Australia in the 2024 School Sports Australia National Cross Country Championship in Yarra Glen Victoria from 20 – 23 August 2024.
- Jude Tanham (Year 11) – Recently competed in the National Youth and Cadet Fencing competition as a member of the West Australian team, winning a bronze medal.
- Caitlin Northmore (Year 11) – Recently represented WA in the Under 17 National Beach Volleyball Championships. Caitlin and her partner won the Championship and she was voted MVP for this Division.
- Will Malajcuk (Year 11) – Will has been selected as one of the youngest players for the Australian Under 19 Cricket Squad, having recently attended a training camp in Queensland, before an upcoming tour of India.
- James Barnard (Year 11)- James was selected in the WA AFL State 16s squad which recently competed in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys.
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.
SARAH ELLAM
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY – ACTING
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject selection for Year 11, 2025
Thank you to all families who participated in the subject selection process for Year 11, 2025. The College is currently finalising missing selections and constructing the timetable for 2025.
TAFE and Work Experience for 2025
For all queries relating to TAFE and/or Work Experience for 2025, please contact Mrs Paula Eade at paula.eade@newman.wa.edu.au
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 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/
ATAR Examinations Timetable 2024
The 2024 ATAR examinations timetable can be found at the links below:
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/
- Students and families may also find these resources from Curtin University helpful: https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/undergraduate/high-school-resources/
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/ |
UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS
| EVENT | DATE | LINK |
| University applications, results, and offers (TISC, online) | 31 July | https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/769467c3-3fe4-4908-a7bb-0ce68d0158fc@1a3438d7-97b6-4de1-a16f-48d882996b67 |
| Careers in the Australian Government (online) | 1 August | Microsoft Teams link |
| Careers in the Australian Government (online) | 8 August | Microsoft Teams link |
| Careers in the Australian Government (online) | 15 August | Microsoft Teams link |
| Open Day (SAE Creative Media Institute) | 24 August | https://sae.edu.au/event/open-day-perth/ |
| Careers in the Australian Government (online) | 22 August | Microsoft Teams link |
| WAAPA Tour (ECU) | 27 August | https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167027? |
| Health and Education Information Evening (Murdoch) | 28 August | https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/mu-open-nights-health-education |
| Science, IT, Engineering Information Evening (Murdoch) | 29 August | https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/mu-open-nights-sciences-information-technology-engineering-maths |
| Nursing and Midwifery Open Evening (ECU) | 30 August | https://www.trybooking.com/CPQJF |
| Business and Law Information Evening (Murdoch) | 4 September | https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/mu-open-night-business-law-humanities-arts-social-sciences |
| Science and Maths Information Evening (ECU) | 4 September | https://www.trybooking.com/COKLI |
| Engineering Information Evening (ECU) | 6 September | https://www.trybooking.com/COXTM |
| Medical and Health Sciences Information Evening (ECU) | 11 September | https://www.trybooking.com/COKMA |
| Teacher Education Information Evening (ECU) | 12 September | https://www.trybooking.com/COKLT |
| Computing and Cybersecurity Information Evening (ECU) | 17 September | https://www.trybooking.com/COKNO |
| Free ATAR Revision Courses | 23-27 September | https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1208138? |
| Engineering Information Evening (ECU) | 9 October | https://www.trybooking.com/COKXE |
| Year 12 Online Information Evening (Murdoch) | 15 October | https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/year-12-online-information-evening |
| WAAPA Tour (ECU) | 30 October | https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167027? |
| Future Students Information Evening (ECU) | 20 November | https://www.trybooking.com/COKYN |