As this is our first Newsletter for Term 2, I am sending a warm welcome back to the winter term. Our students continue to show great commitment and a focus on personal best through the many events and learning opportunities they have been involved in for these three weeks. Here is just a snapshot of our students’ great work and our flourishing Newman College community:
Student Learning Conversations
Congratulations to our secondary students for the way in which they led the Student Learning Conversations (Parent-Teacher interviews). A firm part of successful learning is being able to understand where you are at, how you know this, and where you can be with strategies that you can employ for learning gains. The Student Learning Conversation is a part of the developing MyLearning approach that is coming into our pedagogy in the College. Lavalla Learning Conversations were another valuable time to share the progress of our primary students with families.
Guild Cross Country Carnivals
Both Lavalla and Marcellin campuses had beautiful weather for their cross country events. The commitment to Guild participation and the passion to achieve personal and Guild ‘bests’ has just grown so much over this year. Congratulations to Marcellin Guild for their win in Secondary. Romero Guild gave Marcellin a huge shake with their efforts to win the title from them. At Lavalla, it was Thomas More who took out the honours.
Mock Trials
For a number of years, our Senior Mock Trial teams have been a force to be reckoned with in the Mock Trial competition. This week, the 2026 team had great success against Penhros College.
Mother’s Day Celebrations and the Month of May
A Mass and a Liturgy dedicated to Mothers and mother figures, morning teas, games, photo booths and portrait painting were just some of the activities on campus late this week to celebrate Mother’s Day. May is also the Month of Mary and, in our Marist tradition, we know the important place Mary has in our Marian spirituality. Early next week, students will run the Crowning of Mary ceremony and produce a video that honours Mary our Mother.
A Reflection on Mothers
The gaze of the Mother, and the gaze of every mother. A world that looks to the future without a mother’s gaze is shortsighted. It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children. It will make money, but not for everyone. We will all dwell in the same house, but not as brothers and sisters. The human family is built upon mothers. A world in which maternal tenderness is dismissed as mere sentiment may be rich materially, but poor where the future is concerned. Pope Francis 2019
We wish all mothers, grandmothers and mother figures a wonderful celebration on Sunday.
As we progress through Term 2 are Year 10, 11 and 12 students prepare for their first set of Examinations for the year. Exam timetables are linked below:
At the start of Term 2, we welcomed students and families for our Secondary Student Learning Conversations — a valuable opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to come together in meaningful dialogue around learning and growth.
At the heart of these conversations was student voice and advocacy, with our secondary students taking an active role in reflecting on and discussing their own learning journey. We were proud to see so many students arrive prepared and ready to engage in these important discussions.
We are proud of our students for the maturity and preparation they brought to these conversations and thank our parents for their ongoing commitment to working in partnership with us as we move into Term 2.
Lest We Forget – Newman College Anzac Day Service
On Friday 24 April, the Newman College community gathered to honour the courage, mateship, and sacrifice of the ANZACs — pausing to remember all Australian and New Zealand men and women who served, suffered, and gave their lives in the great tragedy of war. Among those we remembered were the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soldiers who served alongside their fellow Australians with equal courage and dedication, and whose sacrifice is honoured as part of our shared story.
Grounded in remembrance and reflection, our Anzac Day service invited students to consider the events of 25th April 1915, when Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire at Gallipoli — the moment the Anzac tradition was born. From that day forward, the values of courage, resilience, and compassion have defined and inspired generations of Australians.
In the stillness of our commemoration, we were reminded of the immense cost of war and the profound gratitude we owe to all those who have served in defence of freedom and peace — not only the original Anzacs, but all who have fallen in battle, endured as prisoners of war, or had their lives shaped by conflict.
We commend our students for the thoughtful and respectful way in which they honoured this important occasion.
Marcellin Guild Cross Country Carnival – A Standout Performance
Last week’s Marcellin Guild Cross Country Carnival proved to be one of the most memorable in recent years, with Newman College’s secondary students delivering an exceptional collective effort.
Participation was a standout feature of the day, with every Year 7 and 8 student completing the course within the cut-off time — a testament to the dedication and preparation students brought to the event. Across the senior year groups, the overwhelming majority of students also finished within the time, with commitment and guild pride visible from the first step to the final stride.
The standard of competition was equally impressive, with a number of outstanding individual times recorded on the course
Adding to the spirit of the day was the enthusiastic participation of teaching and support staff, whose involvement contributed meaningfully to the carnival atmosphere and set a positive example for students.
In the final results, Camara Guild was recognised with the Spirit Award for their enthusiasm and encouragement throughout the day. Marcellin Guild claimed the overall Championship, placing them in strong contention to replicate last year’s clean sweep of the Guild Carnivals.
The college congratulates all students and staff who participated and looks forward to continued success at the ACC Cross Country Carnival.
Uniform
Thank you to our families for supporting our uniform standards — the difference in how proudly students wear their uniform has been wonderful to see. The addition of the belt to the trousers, in particular, has made for a very neat appearance.
Please be reminded that all students are required to adhere to the Uniform Requirements and Personal Appearance Guidelines. Students who do not meet the College’s uniform expectations will be required to address the issue before attending classes. Full academic uniform is to be worn on all days, unless families have been notified otherwise.
Can I please ask parents to remind their children of the following:
Blazers are a compulsory part of the uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Students must wear their blazer to and from the College, as well as during PCG and Periods 1 and 2. Blazers may also be required for special occasions throughout the year. Blazers must be collected from lockers at the end of lunch and carried with them during Periods 5 and 6.
State Sporting Representation
Congratulations to the following student for the state achievement in their sport:
Valentino Giorella, (Year 8) is competing in the Australian Karting Championships. He came 3rd in the first round in Coffs Harbour in March and will be competing in Queensland in May.
Hannah Seaborn (Year 12) has been chosen in the WA AFLW 18 & Under team playing in the National Championships in Perth in June and in Melbourne in July.
Kaydee van Deventer (Year 10) competed at the Australian Age Nationals Swimming Championships over the April school holidays. She won a bronze medal in the Girls 15 years 50 fly and missed the podium by 0.02 seconds in the Girls 15 years 50 free. She also won a bronze medal as part of the WA State relay team in the Girls 15 to 16 years 4 x 50m free relay.
Isla Kalebic (Year 9) represented WA at the Australian Youth Women’s Baseball Championships in Melbourne during the holidays. Her team were undefeated and won the gold medal.
Gianni Germano (Year 12) has been selected in the School Sports WA 18 & Under Football (Soccer) team to compete in Victoria in July.
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
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Year 11 prerequisites for 2027
Year 10 students and families have now received the prerequisites for Year 11 subjects at Newman College for 2027. This is to allow for goal-setting in time for the Semester 1 Year 10 report. Prerequisites for Year 11 2027 can be found here.
A summary of the different pathway options for Year 11 and 12 can be found here.
In Term 2, all Year 10 students will commence their subject selection research, in preparation for Year 11 2027.
Future Doctors Program
The Future Doctors Program is a 4-day program that provides young people with an opportunity to gain medical work experience in a safe and structured environment. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time with current junior and senior medical students. They will also have the opportunity to spend time with more senior clinicians and various medical specialists. You will learn about clinical specialist’s relevant fields of work, ask them questions, and learn some hands-on skills from them.
Perth sessions are available in July 2026 and January 2027.
The WA Government offers a suite of free resources to assist parents and guardians with starting career-related conversations. Families can access them here:
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
Selecting Year 12 subjects
Please see below a summary of the rules for selecting subjects in Year 12, 2027:
Students who select a Year 12 ATAR subject must have achieved at least 50% in that ATAR subject in Year 11.
Students who select a new Year 12 ATAR subject in Year 12 (not having studied that subject in Year 11) will be required to seek permission.
Students with a predicted ATAR of less than 70 will not be permitted to continue the ATAR Pathway in Year 12.
Students who have an ‘E’ grade in a Year 11 General subject will not be permitted to re-select that General subject in Year 12.
For students wishing to enter the UniReady or UniPath Programs in Year 12:
If coming from the ATAR Pathway in Year 11, students must have passed at least 4 Year 11 subjects.
If coming from the General Pathway in Year 11, students must have a ‘B’ grade or better in at least 4 Year 11 subjects, including English.
Future Doctors Program
The Future Doctors Program is a 4-day program that provides young people with an opportunity to gain medical work experience in a safe and structured environment. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time with current junior and senior medical students. They will also have the opportunity to spend time with more senior clinicians and various medical specialists. You will learn about clinical specialist’s relevant fields of work, ask them questions, and learn some hands-on skills from them.
Perth sessions are available in July 2026 and January 2027.
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
Key dates for TAFE and University applications for 2027
For those students applying for TAFE for 2027, applications will open in September of this year and close in November of this year. You will be advised of this at the time.
For those students applying for University for 2027, early applications (early offers) will open in June and you will have until mid-December to lodge your application. Closer to the time you will be provided with instructions and further information about applying.
Year 12s are welcome to come and collect (and keep) any of the University handbooks that are on the table near my office. These can be very helpful in making your choice.
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/
ACAP: Offers degrees in things like Psychology, Criminology, Social Work. https://www.acap.edu.au/
Applying for Medicine or Dentistry or Veterinary Science for 2027
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2027 (including Assured Pathway at UWA and Notre Dame) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
3 March 2026: UCAT bookings open
15 May 2026: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2026
12 June 2026: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
1 July 2026: UCAT testing begins
5 August 2026: Last test date
September 2026: Results available
You can check https://www.ucat.edu.au/ for further information, practice tests, and tips to succeed. It is recommended to book a UCAT as early as possible as demand for testing places is high.
UWA The official handbook for entry to Medicine at UWA can be found at this link and Dentistry at this link. Please note that Medicine and Dentistry at UWA are postgraduate courses and require completion of a relevant Bachelor degree prior to entry.
Curtin Curtin University offers the only direct entry medical program in Western Australia. In 2025, the cutoff ATAR for this course was 93.
Applying for Notre Dame UniPath for Semester 2, 2026
Notre Dame runs an entry program called UniPath. Completing UniPath will give you an ATAR of 70, which can then be used for entry to University courses at Curtin / ECU / Murdoch / Notre Dame. Students doing UniPath attend Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus one day per week for 12 weeks.
The Future Doctors Program is a 4-day program that provides young people with an opportunity to gain medical work experience in a safe and structured environment. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time with current junior and senior medical students. They will also have the opportunity to spend time with more senior clinicians and various medical specialists. You will learn about clinical specialist’s relevant fields of work, ask them questions, and learn some hands-on skills from them.
Perth sessions are available in July 2026 and January 2027.
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
Secondary Celebration Assembly- Colours and Honours
On the Marcellin Campus, we came together for the final Celebration Assembly of the term on Holy Thursday. The Assembly was a capture of the wonderful work and achievements of our students across the pillars of Learning, Mission, Sport and The Arts. Within this celebration, we were delighted to award our first round of Colours and Honours to senior students. A Colour and an Honour is a recognition of excellence in one of the pillars. Excellence is not an end in itself, nor is it reserved for only a few. The excellence shown by these students is the persistence to strive for a personal best and to have the most positive effect on those around you. I also spoke to the students about reflecting on the term through the lens of personal growth in learning. At Newman College, we want to help our students move from where they are to where they can be. This applies to all students across the whole College – growth is the key.
ACC Swimming and IPSHA Swimming Carnivals
Our Swimming teams represented the College with outstanding commitment and spirit in the secondary ACC A Division Carnival and the primary IPSHA Carnival recently. Congratulations to the ACC team for lifting the College into the top three schools. The focus and commitment of the students, coaches and staff have really paid off in the pool. Likewise, the IPSHA team competed with a determination to secure the highest position in every single race, coming second overall. The culture of Swimming continues to grow at Newman College!
Marist Schools Basketball Carnival
We were proud to be the hosts of this year’s national carnival. 19 schools (27 teams) travelled to Newman College and Perth for 5 days of basketball competition and the strengthening of the Marist Family Spirit. The students and staff in the carnival were outstanding ambassadors for our community. Former Wildcats Basketballer, Greg Hire, was the guest speaker at the carnival dinner on Wednesday evening.
Holy Week
Our final week of term coincides with Holy Week. Holy Week is the most important week in the Church and it is ushered in by Palm Sunday last weekend. In effect, Holy Week traces the final week in Christ’s life leading to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Easter Triduum is the final lead of three days to Easter Sunday, beginning with Holy Thursday – the time of the Last Supper, Good Friday – the trial and crucifixion of Jesus and Holy Saturday – that time of reflection and pensive waiting the disciples of Jesus undertook before his resurrection. Easter signifies the victory of good over evil, eternal life over death. Easter Sunday is about hope, renewal and God’s love. Families celebrate Easter in many ways. For some it is the thrill of an Easter hunt, for others it is the sharing of hot cross buns, or a meal together. Family spirit is central to all the traditions of Easter, and over the Easter break I encourage all in our community to:
Make time for family, enjoy activities together and show each other how much they are appreciated;
Re-connect with God’s creation by being a part of our natural environment, stop and appreciate the beauty if you are travelling as we live in such a privileged place and;
Being a part of services in yours or another parish.
This is the final Newsletter for the term and what a full program we have enjoyed since the year begun! So much has been achieved by our students and staff. The welcoming of our new students in all year groups across the College in January. The beautiful celebration of the Family Mass as a full community in February; the ‘Celebration’ assemblies in Lavalla showcasing the work and talents of our primary classes, the recognition of International Women’s Day and Harmony Week. The Year 12 Ball, Lavalla and Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnivals, the IPSHA Year 6 Basketball Carnival, and this week’s Easter Liturgies. What strikes me about these events and the learning program in the classrooms is the level of engagement and effort students are putting in to work to their personal best. There has been great work and initiative shown by students and our staff have been so supportive in bringing this full program to life during the term, and, as families, I extend my thanks to you all for your great support in Term 1.
I wish all of you a Happy Easter and a Holy Easter.
This term has been a busy and wonderful one, filled with learning, laughter and opportunities for our students to shine. Across the school, students have proudly showcased the Newman Norms through their positive attitudes, teamwork and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. From engaging assemblies and music performances to hands‑on classroom learning and memorable camp experiences, it has been a joy to see students growing in confidence and celebrating their strengths. As we head into the break, we are proud of all that has been achieved this term.
Year 6 Leavers Shirts
Our Year 6 students also proudly received their Year 6 Leader tops and have been wearing them with great pride, demonstrating their readiness to take on their leadership roles within the school community.
Pre-Primary – Year 2 Choir
This week, our Pre‑Primary to Year 2 Choir truly amazed both the leadership team and teachers by showcasing their beautiful voices. Students confidently performed two songs they have been practising throughout the term, demonstrating great focus, enthusiasm and joy. It was an absolute privilege to watch them shine and embrace the opportunity to try something new. The choir is already looking forward to performing for parents’ next term.
Assemblies – Year 1 Blue and Year 4 Red
Year 4 students led us in a beautiful assembly this week, proudly showcasing their learning around neurodiversity. They highlighted the important message that we all have different strengths and learn in different ways, delivering this message with confidence and maturity.
Last week, our Year 1 students dazzled us with a water‑spectacular assembly, perfectly timed on what turned out to be a very wet day! They enthusiastically shared their learning and showcased the wonderful science experiments they have been exploring throughout the term. It was a joyful celebration of curiosity, discovery and learning in action.
Year 6 Camp
Our Year 6 students recently returned from a wonderful and memorable camp experience at Forest Edge, Waroona. Throughout the camp, students were challenged by a wide variety of exciting activities, including kayaking, raft building, screen printing, crate climbing, billy karts and the flying fox. Each activity encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence and try something new.
Along the way, we shared plenty of laughs. From life jackets being confidently put on the wrong way, to kayakers initially facing the wrong direction and paddling enthusiastically against each other, there was never a dull moment. Some students found themselves stuck in the mud, while others watched their carefully constructed rafts come apart far sooner than planned. These light‑hearted moments became some of the highlights of camp and reminded us all that learning is often best supported with teamwork, persistence and a good sense of humour.
Camp also provided a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen peer relationships and see one another in a different light. Working together as a team, students encouraged one another, shared responsibilities such as serving meals, and helped with cleaning up. These shared experiences fostered independence, resilience and a strong sense of cooperation.
Online Safety / Keeping Safe
As our children continue to grow up in an increasingly digital world, it is more important than ever that we work together to ensure their online experiences are safe, respectful, and age-appropriate. While technology offers wonderful opportunities for learning and connection, it can also expose children to risks, including contact from strangers through seemingly innocent platforms like gaming modules.
We remind parents and carers to be extra vigilant when it comes to their child’s online interactions. This includes monitoring chat functions in games, setting parental controls, and having open conversations with your child about who they talk to and what they encounter online.
At Newman College, we take a proactive approach to digital safety. The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum is taught across all year levels, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to stay safe, including in online environments. We also enhance this learning through initiatives such as the upcoming Constable Care Incursion for our Year 3–6 students, which includes key messages around personal safety and online behaviour.
For practical advice on how to support your child’s online safety at home, we recommend visiting the eSafety Commissioner’s website.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
End of Term
As we come to the end of a busy but wonderful term, it has been fantastic to see our students finish strongly while consistently showcasing our Newman Norms. Their commitment, resilience and positive attitudes have been evident across classrooms, playgrounds and school events, and we are very proud of their efforts.
Thank you to our students, staff and families for your continued support throughout the term. We wish everyone a safe, restful and happy Easter break and look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for the new term.
As the term draws to a close and we approach Easter, students have engaged in meaningful opportunities to pause, reflect, and connect with their faith. In the lead-up to the final days, students participated in a guided Easter reflection, exploring the journey of Jesus through moments of pressure, failure, waiting, loyalty, and hope.
Students considered the story of Palm Sunday, reflecting on the pressures and expectations they face in their own lives, and the freedom that comes from trusting in God. The story of Peter’s denial invited them to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them, while the stillness of Holy Saturday encouraged patience and hope in times of uncertainty. Reflecting on Mary at the Cross, students explored courage, loyalty, and the importance of standing by those they care about.
Through these reflections, students were invited to consider how they can carry these lessons into their daily lives, acting with honesty, courage, and compassion, and living with hope for the future. These reflective practices not only deepened their understanding of Easter but also strengthened our shared Marist values of care, service, and faith.
This time is an important reminder for our whole community: Easter is a time of new beginnings, and even in challenging moments, God’s love invites us to live with courage, compassion, and hope. I hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and relaxing break.
Migrant Cross Visit
We are excited to announce that on Tuesday, 28 April, our College will be hosting the Migrant Jubilee Cross, a national pilgrimage cross travelling across Australia to celebrate and reflect on the journeys of migrants and refugees.
The Cross, crafted from Australian timber and set on a symbolic boat-shaped base, carries the stories of hope, courage, and faith. It includes relics of the Holy Family and Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, reminding us of the resilience, compassion, and generosity that migrants bring to our communities. The boat and the Southern Cross engraved on it represent guidance, welcome, and safe passage, echoing the journey of all who seek a new life.
As part of its visit, we will celebrate with a Community Mass at 8.00am, where our students, staff, and families can reflect on the contributions of migrants and refugees and consider how we can live out the Gospel call to welcome ‘the stranger’ in our daily lives.
This is a unique opportunity for our College community to come together in prayer, reflection, and solidarity, and we warmly invite all families to join us.
If your family has a migrant story that you would be willing to share with our community, we would love to hear from you. Please email Jenni at communications@newman.wa.edu.au
