Secondary Update – Term 4 Week 2

Jenni Vile on 24/10/2025

Uniform and Personal Presentation

This week on Marcellin Campus, conversations among year levels have focused on maintaining expectations despite it being Term Four. Students have been reminded about the College’s uniform and personal presentation guidelines. The focus of our discussions has included the following:

  • Formal school shirts are ironed and clean, and the only button undone is the top collar button.
  • Shorts are the correct size and not worn lower than the hips.
  • Haircuts must be of blade length number 3 or longer, and there should be no major discrepancy between long and short/shaved hair.
  • Makeup is not to be worn.
  • Only one set of earrings are worn.
  • Skirts should reach the knee when standing. 
  • Male students must always be cleanly shaven.

A few students across year levels have been asked by their Leader of Wellbeing to lengthen their skirts by letting down the hem or purchasing a new skirt.

Year 9 – OLNA

The first round of OLNA for Year 9s is scheduled as follows:

Test PeriodWritingReadingNumeracy
  Term 4 Week 3 & 4Monday 27 OctoberThursday 30 OctoberTuesday 4 November
1 question (600-word limit) ONLINE: 60 minutes45 multiple-choice questions ONLINE: 50 minutes45 multiple-choice questions ONLINE: 50 minutes

Student support materials can be found here:

SCSA Practice tests: Example test for each of the reading, writing and numeracy components are available. To access the tests: Username: 1259 and password: prac14

OLNA Support: OLNA Support is a subscription-based site that targets students’ individual learning. Questions are thoroughly explained so students know the how, not just the answer. Students will receive an email from the OLNA support team with their login details to access the site.

Further information can be found in the OLNA Information for parents/carers brochure

Year 9 Rite Journey – Abyss Camp

The Year 9 students will be taking part in The Rite Journey Abyss Camp on:

  • Boys: Wednesday 5 -Thursday 6 November
  • Girls: Thursday 6 – Friday 7 November.

The Abyss is a one-night camp held onsite at Newman College. Students will bring their overnight bag and equipment with them to school on the day they are participating; they will need to bring this straight to the Exam Centre in the morning when they arrive. The items will be locked away for the day and they will collect them at 3.15pm when the Camp schedule commences.

The camp program is designed to be a challenge for the students and will involve some physical activities. Students will be placed in situations where they are required to work together, to communicate and cooperate. Activities include:

  • Setting up and sleeping in a tent overnight on the oval,
  • Team challenges,
  • Hiking,
  • Reflection activities.

This term, students have been engaging in challenges that are life lessons and will give them a sense of accomplishment. Challenges range from changing a car tyre and patching a hole in the wall, to planning and cooking a meal for the family. These activities act as pre-cursors to the Abyss experience.

The Abyss experience marks a symbolic and significant part of The Rite Journey Program. It challenges students to step beyond their comfort zones and provides an opportunity for personal growth, self-awareness, and teamwork in an outdoor environment.

We are incredibly excited to accompany the students on this important step. Staff have been preparing a meaningful and supportive program that blends physical activity with emotional development, encouraging students to engage deeply with themselves, their peers, and their place in the world.

State Sporting Representation

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

  • Torah Wellman and Ashlee Kruger (Year 9), who represented Western Australia at the National U14 Hockey Championships in Brisbane October 5-11.

State and National 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 Anna Scanlan

ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10 

Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025 

The September 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: https://asa.cciwa.com/mp-files/intake-guide.pdf/ 

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11 

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 September 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: https://asa.cciwa.com/mp-files/intake-guide.pdf/  

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12 

Alternatives to University 

Did you know that University is not the only place you can obtain a degree? There are several alternatives here in Perth: 

  • SAE: Offers degrees in things like Animation, Audio, Game Development, Creative Industries. https://sae.edu.au/ 

University information 

University scholarships 

There is a new scholarship at UWA: 

  • Engineering Excellence Scholarship. 
  • Must have an ATAR of 90+ and accepted an offer into Engineering at UWA. 
  • This scholarship is worth $10,000 and will be automatically awarded if you fit the above criteria. 
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: 

TAFE applications open for 2026 

Please note the opening and closing dates for TAFE applications, for 2026: 

Thursday 4 September: TAFE applications for 2026 open 

Friday 31 October: TAFE applications for 2026 close 

Students and families can find information on all available TAFE courses here: https://www.fulltimecourses.tafe.wa.edu.au/  

Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025 

The September 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: https://asa.cciwa.com/mp-files/intake-guide.pdf/  

UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS 

EVENT DATE LINK 
Army Reserve Information Session 28 October https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/dlklqvv 
Future Student Information Evening (ECU) 19 November https://www.trybooking.com/DDFAM 
   

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/