Secondary Update – Term 3 Week 6
Year 7 2025 Parent Information Evening
We are looking forward to welcoming the parents and guardians of our Year 7 2025 cohort to Newman College on Wednesday 28 August. This evening seeks to provide families with information regarding Newman College and the transition into secondary education. It will see the College launch our new Year 7 Transition Program marked by intentional touch points to support our Class of 2030 as they begin their secondary schooling journey.
Jade Lewis – Vaping Prevention Presentation
On Wednesday 21 August, Jade Lewis visited Newman College to speak with our Year 7 and 8 students. Jade’s vaping prevention presentation allowed Jade to share the dangers of vaping and strategies to assist our students in making safe choices and saying no.
Jade’s presentation spoke about her personal experience around drugs and risk-taking behaviour and how small choices can lead to devastating effects on teenage lives and their families. Jade’s final message of ‘try to be 1% better each day’ resonated with our Year 7 and Year 8 students.
Red Frogs – Identity Presentation
Red Frogs Australia is a Christian Youth charity run by volunteers known as the ‘Red Frogs Crew’. The volunteers participate in many events that are attended by school leavers and university students such as Schoolies week. On Wednesday 21 August, our Year 9 students heard from Brianna Holman from Red Frogs who spoke with our students about identity. Brianna asked the students to think about and share their definition of identity, and how our identity is shaped by our circumstances. Brianna also spoke about finding her own purpose which grew out of an awareness of human trafficking and slavery in Melbourne, and seeing this as something she could do something about. Brianna also shared Dan Smith’s story, a former Olympian, who due to his circumstances and risk-taking behaviours, now takes the time to think through outcomes before making choices. Brianna spoke about the themes of confidence and resilience, and her presentation resonated with our Year 9 students who have requested “more presentations like this”.
Year 10 Camp
Our Year 10 students have braved the wintery conditions in the Margaret River Region in Week 6, supported by our Newman College staff and Adventure Works. Our first group of campers left early Monday morning and returned on Wednesday afternoon. Our second group of campers left a little later on Wednesday morning and return on Friday evening.
We would like to extend our appreciation to all of the Newman College staff who gave up time with their own families to support our Year 10 students as they engaged with this experience. Thank you to: Ms Clark, Mr Chiera, Ms Ellis, Mr Shannon, Ms Lane, Ms Taylor, Ms Go, Mr Goncalves, Ms Hendriks, Mr McCallum, Miss Catherall, Miss Butler, Ms Bellgard, Mr Johnson, Miss Anastasio, Miss Mincherton and Mr Williams. A special thank you to Ms Hart for attending the full week and supporting our students and staff from base camp, but also supporting a group in Camp 2. And finally, thank you to Mrs Lara Ognenis (Leader of Wellbeing Year 10) for her incredible organisation of this camp and her support of all involved in allowing our Year 10 students to engage in such a worthwhile and fulfilling experience.
Catholic Earthcare Australia Award at the Angelico Exhibition
Congratulations to Ellen (Year 11) for winning the Catholic Earthcare Australia Award at the Angelico Exhibition.
Ellen’s remarkable drawing, which explores our relationship with the environment, was recognised at the exhibition’s awards night on Tuesday 13 August. We are so proud of Ellen’s achievement, and her work truly reflects her passion and talent.
NAS Athletics Carnival
Our Year 7-10 members of the athletics team competed at the NAS Athletics Carnival on Tuesday at the WA Athletics Stadium. Competing against Sacred Heart, Servite, John XXIII, and Chisholm colleges, this was the perfect warm-up for the upcoming ACC Athletics Carnival, which is on Wednesday 11 September 2024.
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.
VET Certificates (TAFE courses) and Work Experience for 2025
Please see this link for information about applying for VET Certificates for 2025: Applying for VET Certificates for 2025.pdf
The College will open applications for 2025 Work Experience in Term 4 of 2024.
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.
Enrolling in Notre Dame UniPath for 2025
The Notre Dame UniPath program is now open for applications for 2025. Please see below a summary of the UniPath and UniReady Programs:
| UniReady | UniPath | |
| Outcome | 70 ATAR | 70 ATAR |
| Valid for | All WA Universities (but to enter UWA you need 65% in UniReady) | Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame. |
| Structure | One of your 6 school subjects in Year 12. Taught here at Newman, by a teacher, in a classroom each day. | Attend Notre Dame Fremantle campus one day per week, for 12 weeks. |
| How to apply | Select UniReady as one of your Year 12 subjects next year. (Or tell me if you’d like to enter) | See below. |
If you would like to enrol in UniPath for next year, you can now apply for entry to this program.
- Read the information here: https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/applications-and-admissions/pathways/unipath
- If it looks right for you, see the “How To Apply” section for the process.
- If you are already enrolled in UniReady but decide to switch to UniPath, please let me know.
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/
VET Certificates (TAFE courses) and Work Experience for 2025
Please see this link for information about applying for VET Certificates for 2025: Applying for VET Certificates for 2025.pdf
The College will open applications for 2025 Work Experience in Term 4 of 2024.
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:
ATAR Practical Exams Timetable
University and TAFE dates
University deadlines and information
| Date | Information |
| 31 August | Last date to enter Veterinary Science as a preference on TISC. You can’t apply for Vet after this date. |
| 30 September | Last date to enter a preference on TISC for Medicine (Curtin, UWA, Notre Dame). |
| 29 November | Last date to upload any known medical/family evidence (via the TISC website) that might affect your ATAR. |
| 2 December | Final round of early offers sent to students. |
| 15 December | ATAR results available on the TISC website. |
| 17 December | Closing date for applications / changes of preferences on the TISC website. |
| 21 December | Offers sent to students. |
| 15 January | Last date to apply for second-round offers. |
| 21 January | Second-round offers sent to students. |
For instructions on how to apply using TISC (including for UniReady / UniPath students), please refer to this document.
For guidance on how the offer process works / how to accept / what to do if you don’t get an offer / deferring – please see here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/admission-offers.tisc
TAFE deadlines and information
| Date | Information |
| 6 September | Applications open for Semester 1, 2025. |
| 1 November | Last date to apply for Semester 1, 2025. |
| 4 December onwards | Offers will be made after this date. |
Students and families can find a list of all TAFE courses at this link: https://www.fulltimecourses.tafe.wa.edu.au/
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/
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 |
| WAAPA Tour (ECU) | 27 August | https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167027? |
| Social Work Information Evening (ECU) | 27 August | https://www.trybooking.com/CTMTF |
| Health and Education Information Evening (Murdoch) | 28 August | https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/mu-open-nights-health-education |
| Data and Computer Science Open Evening (UWA) | 28 August | https://seek.uwa.edu.au/data-and-computer-science-open-night?studyLevel=Undergraduate&aoi=Data%20and%20computer%20science |
| 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 |
| Pathways to Health and Medicine (Notre Dame) | 31 August | link here |
| UWA Application Help Week | 2-6 September | https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/events/uwa-application-help-week-2024-sept |
| Undergraduate Course Expo (Curtin) | 4 September | https://events.curtin.edu.au/UGcourseexpo_Sep2024/register |
| 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 |
| Australian Society for Medical Research – Careers Evening | 12 September | https://asmr.org.au/asmr-mrw/asmr-mrw-schools-quiz/ |
| 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 |