Tag: highlights

Lavalla Opening and Blessing 

As we close Week 4 of this final term, I reflect on the joyous event celebrated last Tuesday, the Blessing and Official Opening of Lavalla – our completely new PK-6 learning community. What an amazing journey it has been from the first visionary moment to the celebration of welcoming our Marian students to join Lavalla at the beginning of Term 3. We carry so much gratitude to so many for their contribution to realising the dream of our whole community united on one campus site. This historic occasion made me reflect on an extract I received recently entitled Builders of a New Hermitage – Message from the XXIII General Chapter of the Marist Brothers:  

Two hundred years ago, Marcellin Champagnat and the first Brother raised stone upon stone in the valley of the Gier to build the Hermitage.  They worked with bare hands, great courage, and unwavering faith, but always with deep trust that the work was God’s. As the psalmist reminds us and as Marcellin always said “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour” (Psalm 127:1). 

The Hermitage was never only a building. It was a home of fraternity, a school of the Gospel, and a springboard for mission.  The river Gier that flowed beside it carried timber, refreshed the Brother, and symbolised the Spirit’s constant presence. 

The vision of building a new Hermitage sits well with our celebration of the opening of the completed Lavalla build. There has literally been the building with bare hands, the courage to stay the course and trust that our new creation moves us to build further a communion, a community that brings hope and opportunity to our young people. It is not the extensive and innovative primary resource that we only celebrate and cherish, it is what we do as a community within the facility that matters. As a College, we are grateful to the following leaders, supporters and significant contributors to the project: 

• Dr Frank Malloy, National Director MSA 

• Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of Star of the Sea Province and the Marist Brothers 

• Mr Darren McGregor, Regional Director MSA 

• Mr John Finneran, immediate past Principal Newman College 

• The College Advisory Council 

• The College Finance Committee 

• Newman College Executive 

• Ms Lisa Mc Clue, past Head of Primary 

• Mr Ryan von Bergheim, past Head of Primary 

• Mr Thomas Wagner, past Director of Engagement and Operations 

• Mr Steve Halley Wright, past Director Finance and Administration 

• Munns Sly Moore Architects 

• Badge Construction 

• Borrell Rafferty Surveying 

• Pritchard Francis Light 

Year 11 Finish 

Today, our Year 11 students finished formal classes and then on to two weeks of examinations. As the WACE examinations close for Year 12s shortly, we also wish our Year 11 students all the best in the coming weeks. 

Grandparents Day Liturgy, Class Visits and Morning Tea 

What a way to end the week! We welcomed over 400 grandparents to our first combined PK-6 Grandparents Morning at Lavalla. Grandparents are the great treasure of families and the pride they had in their grandchildren at today’s visit warmed everyone’s hearts. In chatting with our guests at morning tea, it was so uplifting to hear that many have been past students of our school. Thank you to our team for their work in bringing about a great morning and every blessing to our wonderful grandparents at Newman College.  

Recently, I informed the community of the news that Mr Michael Chiera, Vice Principal, had been appointed to the position of Principal Servite College from 2026. This is a great achievement for Michael and we recognise his great contribution to Newman College over the past two years. The opportunity to lead and serve your own community is a special gift and responsibility for a senior leader. Marist Schools Australia has begun the process of appointing the next Vice Principal to Newman College and we will keep you up to date with this news.  

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful weekend.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

Dear Newman College Families,

Welcome back to Term 4! In what is a shorter term there is so much to look forward to in the programs and events that showcase our students across the College.

Year 10 Camp – Growth, Challenge and Formation

Last week, the Year 10 students attended their Camp at Contos in the majestic setting of the Boranup Forest. The experience aims to foster further relationships within each Guild, set challenging exercises that stretch our students at the margin and develop teamwork. The camping experience also supports the rite of passage program we introduced to Year 9 this year, The Rite Journey. Thank you to Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing, Lara Vlahov, for the outstanding planning and running of the camp, Sharee Hart for her onsite experience and support over the 5 days and the Guild PCG and extra staff who camped with the students. The Year 10 students were amazing in their maturity and cohesion, and personally, I had a fantastic time joining Catherine Guild for the camp and wished I could have had time with other Guilds – hopefully next year!

Arts Week 2025 – Connection

This week we have been treated to the talent, passion and creativity of all students in the Arts. A whole College focus saw students from Year 1 to Year 11 take part in showcases for Drama on Monday evening, Media on Tuesday, Visual Arts Exhibition opening and Music Showcase on Wednesday evening, and the Dance Showcases on Thursday and Friday. The Arts is an amazing place for so many students to find their place, their passion and their confidence. Thank you to our incredible Arts staff, whose commitment to the program inspires our young people to go further. Ms Kathy Le Brooy leads this team and is to be congratulated for bringing a vision to reality.

Year 12 Class of 2025 Graduation

On Monday evening, we will celebrate the Class of 2025 in the Graduation Mass and Dinner at Optus Stadium. We look forward to the joy and family spirit of the evening. As the next Newsletter is not due for another fortnight, let’s celebrate the Class of 2025 by honouring them by name in this edition.

The culture at Newman College has been built on generations of family spirit, connection and deep respect. I see this lived out daily in the positive and supportive relationships between school and home.  You, like I, would have noticed in recent years the messages that are at the front of department stores, shops, and places of interaction between customers and those providing service, reminding us of the importance of respectful and constructive communication. It is sad to think that in the wider community, we are at that point where organisations have to be explicit regarding the behaviour expected in written and face to face communication.  I thank our families for the way in which they engage with our College and staff, and ask that we all continue to approach this most important relationship in a way that is mindful of respect.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL