Newman News Term 3 Week 10: From the Principal

Dear Newman families

Student Leaders 2024 

Earlier this week we announced the Year 12 leaders for 2024. The process was difficult due to the high calibre of students who expressed their passion and willingness to lead and serve our school community. We received numerous outstanding applications and were inspired by the dedication and commitment shown by all of the students.  

In my meetings with the incoming leaders, I have outlined that one of their most important acts of leadership is to ensure they include and develop the leadership of students without a badge. I thank all students who nominated for positions and encourage those who were unsuccessful in formal positions to continue to lead with courage and passion.  

Congratulations to the following students: 

College Captains: Bianca Trimboli and Matthew Tomassone 
Academic Captains: Olivia Rubens and Jaydon Augustus 
Art Captains: Estelle Keller and Kristen King 
Mission Captains: Ava Terribile and Larni Cantelo 
Sports Captains: Imogen Boss and Sam Harby 
Wellbeing Captains: Jordan Clay and Ava Prentice 
Brigid Guild Captains:  Eva Infirri and Alexander Cardaci 
Camara Guild Captains: Mikayla Short and Alyssa Coumbe 
Catherine Guild Captains: Mikayla Della-Polina and Olivia Taylor 
Chisholm Guild Captains: Jack Stahl and Zoe Boss 
Marcellin Guild Captains: Brianna Colley and Amity Dale 
Mackillop Guild Captains: Pippa Simpson and Savannah Doyle  
Romero Guild Captains: Marcus Malaxos and Ariana Mason 
Thomas More Guild Captains: Keira Reynolds and Darcy Bird 

Principal’s Assembly 

This week, we celebrated the Class of 2023 at the Principal’s Assembly. The Graduation Mass and Dinner will take place early next term with families. This day and its rituals are greatly treasured by students and parents. The final week for Year 12 was an exciting one that provided opportunities at Guild, Year and College levels to express our care and best wishes for a fine group of young women and men. Thank you to the staff involved in the running of these events. In the Principal’s Address to the Assembly, I addressed this message at our Year 12s: 

“You are created and called. Let family spirit, presence, a love of work, simplicity and the way of Mary find a place in your heart, and I encourage you to draw on the Marist Way that keeps you considering always your important part in making a better world and invites you into a relationship with Jesus. Let these things help guide your journey as you follow your true North, and may you go into your adult lives knowing what you stand for and be prepared to represent it strongly. Each of you have different gifts and have followed different paths while at this College. Our sincere hope is that you have always felt that those diverse paths have been equally valuable and valued; that your worth and dignity are innate and inviolable; and that your school has been an extension of the care and hope held for you by your families.” 

Primary Build Update 

The landscape, and indeed the skyscape of the College is changing. These are clear signs of progress of our new Primary School facility. Inground services have been completed, with attention turning to the major structure for the Y3-Y6 building, which is beginning to reveal itself. The students are excited to see the scale of the building. It comes with the realisation that their new learning environment is not just a mere concept, but rather a rapidly approaching reality. 

The Newman College team, architects and builders continue to make positive progress. With dry weather forecast moving forward, we expect to see further exciting changes to the site in the coming months. I will continue to highlight these changes within the College Newsletter, as we acknowledge the great enthusiasm with which the College community has embraced this transformational project. 

ACC Athletics Carnival  

Congratulations to all the athletes who represented Newman College in the ACC Athletics Carnival. The participating students came 6th overall in the competition, an outstanding achievement.  

A heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff members for their encouragement and support of the students.  

Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Jake Paynter for his outstanding achievement in Swimming.  Suzie Ehlers, the Executive Officer of ACC presented Jake with the “ACC LETTERS” award at the Principal’s Assembly this week. Jake’s dedication and determination serve as a shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Congratulations to Jake on receiving this prestigious award.  

End of Term

I find Term 3 is a special term in the calendar year. It is a unique term full of so many opportunities where students are so engaged in our “Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery”. In your participation in the events and opportunities Term 3 has offered, our students across the whole College have let their light shine in Challenge, Collaboration, Creation and Celebration as individuals and groups. It has been a joy to see them in small moments and large events, pursue their personal excellence.  

Please keep the Year 12s in your prayers as the students sit their final exams. 

I wish all students, families and staff a restful and safe break as this term comes to an end. 

ANDREW WATSON 
PRINCIPAL 

Newman News Term 3 Week 10: From the Vice Principal

Term 3 has been full of opportunities for our students to collaborate, challenge themselves and be celebrated. We had College Productions, Music Nights, Assumption Day, Athletics Carnivals, Drama Production and Wellbeing and Multi-Cultural weeks, to name a few.  

It was sad to say farewell to the Graduating Class of 2023 on Wednesday. The Guard of Honor across the oval lined with both Primary and Secondary students exemplified the long journey students undertake during their schooling years. The excited high fives of the younger students and the clapping from the older students created an atmosphere of community. As these students graduate from Newman, they enter our Alumni group and as such, will remain part of our Marist family.   

With the closing of the term, it is a fitting time to rest and reflect on all of our achievements this year. I wish each student, parent and staff member a lovely break and I look forward to welcoming the students back in summer uniform at the start of Term 4.  

2024 Student Leaders

Thank you to the Year 11 students who took part in the 2024 Leadership Program. The commitment shown by these students navigating through the application and interview process was outstanding.   

Congratulations to the below students who were successful in obtaining a leadership position in 2024, responsible for specific Guild and College portfolios. 

The College views all students in the Class of 2024 to be a leader of the College, and I encourage them to continue to be proactive in their individual leadership journeys.   

College Captains Bianca Trimboli Matthew Tomassone 
Academic Captains Olivia Rubens  Jaydon Augustus 
Art Captains Estelle Keller Kristen King  
Mission Captains Ava Terribile Larni Cantelo 
Sports Captains Imogen Boss Sam Harby  
Wellbeing Captains Jordan Clay Ava Prentice  
Brigid  Eva Infirri Alexander Cardaci 
Camara Mikayla Short Alyssa Coumbe 
Catherine Mikayla Della-Polina Olivia Taylor 
Chisholm Jack Stahl Zoe Boss 
Marcellin Brianna Colley Amity Dale  
Mackillop Pippa Simpson Savannah Doyle   
Romero Marcus Malaxos Ariana Mason 
Thomas More  Keira Reynolds Darcy Bird 

Year 12 – Semester 2 Exams (Monday 2 October to Friday 13 October – Marist Auditorium) 

Year 12 Uni Ready and ATAR students will soon be sitting their exams.  It is important that all students familiarise themselves with the Examination Rules and Procedures. 

2023 Y12 Semester 2 ATAR Exam Timetable

2023 Y12 Semester 2 AT2023 Exam Feedback Sessions

Examination Rules and Procedures

Y12 Exam Feedback Days

Fri 13, Mon 16, Tue 17, Wed 18 October – Click HERE for details

Class of 2023 Graduation – Tickets must be purchased by Sunday 1 October 

Graduation evening will be celebrated on Tuesday 24 October at Optus Stadium commencing at 5.30pm. The evening will include Mass, dinner, and presentation of awards.  

Tickets are $115 per person.  Students will not require a ticket as this has already been paid for as part of their tuition fee. Tickets are limited to immediate family only (parents/guardians and siblings only).  Please click on the invitation link to purchase tickets.   

You must include your Y12 child’s guild and complete the additional information fields in the checkout section, to record any dietary requirements (parents/guardians and siblings only), and your student’s name.

Class of 2023 Graduation Invitation

Leavers Jackets – Year 12, 2024 (Current Y11s) 

All current Year 11 students (Class of 2024) have the option to purchase a Newman College Year 12 Leavers Jacket.  Please click HERE for information regarding the order process, cost etc. 

Any queries should be directed to sarah.ellam@newman.wa.edu.au, Leader of Wellbeing Year 11. 

Year 10 Adventure Camp 

The Year 10 Adventure Camp is a significant and compulsory College event.  This year we have two camp departures.  One on Monday 9 October and the second on Monday 16 October.  The camp is run in conjunction with Outdoor Education Group (OEG) and will see our Year 10 students enter an unfamiliar and somewhat remote environment. The experience provides an opportunity for students to challenge themselves to develop leadership, self-management skills, resilience, and personal independence.  

Please click HERE for further information and outline specific details. 

Year 8 Student Trier Foster has made top 10 in the Soklich & Co jewellery design competition

Some exciting news! Year 8 student Trier Foster has made it to the Top 10 of a jewellery design competition by Soklich and Co in South Perth, with not one, but two successful entries. Congratulations Trier!!!

Please follow the link to see her wonderful designs and to vote for her. She will win a lovely prize if she is the successful designer and the College will receive $1000 toward a Visual Arts program.

Staff Movements

Mel Tsovleas and Amber Warfield are leaving us to prepare for the arrival of their first child.  We wish Mel, Amber and their partners, health and happiness as they begin their new adventure.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Newman News Term 3 Week 8: From the Principal

Dear Newman Families

A New Season

Spring has arrived and heralded many other wonderful events and milestones. I hope all fathers, grandfathers and father figures enjoyed a wonderful Father’s Day with families last Sunday. We certainly enjoyed celebrating Fathers at the Lavalla-Marcellin Thursday Mass and Marian Liturgy last week. The presence of so many fathers and grandfathers attending these celebrations spoke strongly to our Marist characteristic of Family Spirit. September 1 also marked the Church ‘Season of Creation’. Pope Francis committed the Church to the recognition of the season in 2015 following the publication of Laudato Si. Starting with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, the Pope’s hope for the season is to “offer individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.” Creation concludes on October 4, which is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Patron of Ecology and Animals.

Pope Francis writes that our heartbeats are not in harmony with the heartbeats of our mothers and grandmothers, the heartbeat of our mother earth, and with the heartbeat of God. The climate and environmental injustice against creation needs our devoted attention. The Marist Messenger, the publication of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat, summarises Pope Francis’ call for our consideration with Creation to commit ourselves to an all-embracing transformation – a transformation of our hearts, a transformation of our personal lifestyles, and a transformation in public policy.

Catholic Performing and Visual Arts Festival

The beginning of September also marks the end of the Catholic Performing and Visual Arts Festival. As I wrote earlier in the term, many Newman students have been involved in performance and creative works which have been celebrated throughout the festival. Thank you to our Arts students, the Arts team and Newman families for joyfully expressing such an important part of College life.

Senior Production

The Senior Production, Fame JR, was a wonderful performance last weekend. Alongside Lion King JR from Term 2, Fame showcased the talents of our students on stage and backstage. Once again, the support of the Creative Team comprised of staff and the work of the parent volunteers was so professional and dedicated. Congratulations to all involved!

Staff Achievements

We are blessed with a dedicated staff member who supports our Vision for Learning- Shine Through Discovery and focus on school improvement through their professional practice. We were thrilled to be advised of the outstanding achievement of Mrs Catherine Young, Leader of Learning PK-6, who was this week announced as the recipient of the inaugural National Teacher Awards 2023 in the category “Improving Student Learning and Progress”. The Teacher Awards have been established by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to recognise and commend the exceptional contributions of educators, school leaders, and support staff in K-12 school settings across Australia. Catherine has made numerous contributions and taken various initiatives in the field of education, with a particular focus on data literacy and enhancing student progress.

This week we also joined with Mr Mike Diamond in celebrating his recognition for Meritorious Service awarded through the Australian Association for Religious Education.

Congratulations, Catherine and Mike!

Parent Code of Conduct

We all operate in a school with the best interests of students at the centre of our decision-making and care. Three key documents assist us all in undertaking that support with respect and dignity. The Codes of Conduct for Parents, Staff and Students help us identify how we want to interact and engage in this most important of partnerships. We regularly revisit the Codes with students and staff, and, at times, it is important to surface the Parent Code of Conduct to support positive and productive interactions between home and the school. Thank you for engaging in the relationship in a way that supports student development and the work undertaken by the staff. HERE is our Parent Code of Conduct, provided as a refresher for parents and guardians to read.

Term 3 Holiday Break

The term is moving quickly, and the holiday break is in sight, providing a time for our students to recharge and refresh.  As always, I seek families’ support in endeavouring to make holiday arrangements in line with the gazetted breaks. This certainly allows staff to maximise the time for teaching and learning and has a positive impact on the students as they manage the cycle of learning and assessment.

Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

Newman News Term 3 Week 8: From the Vice Principal

Welcome to the end of Week 8. The College has been a flurry of activity over the last two weeks, and the race to the end of term will be no different. A massive thank you to our fantastic Primary Sports staff and students for the enjoyable Primary Athletics Carnival today. It was excellent to see so many families arrive to cheer on the students.  

Thank you to the wonderful Arts Team for the senior musical production FAME. The talent of our students was showcased superbly, and our committed staff members must be generously thanked for dedicating their time to bringing the show to fruition. The finale for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival, the Spirit of the Arts, will be held at Newman College next week on Monday. We are happy to be hosting this prestigious and enjoyable event.  

The A Division ACC Athletics Carnival will take place next week on Wednesday. Our students and staff have been training rigorously to prepare for this competition, and we wish them well for a successful day. Similarly, on Thursday, Week 9, our Primary students will compete in the IPSHA Athletics Carnival, the Team will be announced following the Primary Athletics Carnival today. 

Year 12 – Last day Wed 20 September

Our Year 12’s final day is fast approaching. Please refer to the link below, which outlines details for festivities scheduled for their final weeks. 

Year 12 Celebration Schedule

Year 12 Semester 2 Exams (Mondy 2 Oct to Friday 13 Oct – Marist Auditorium)

Year 12 Uni Ready and ATAR students will soon be sitting their exams. It is important that all students familiarise themselves with the Examination Rules and Procedures. 

2023 Y12 Semester 2 ATAR Exam Timetable

2023 Y12 Semester 2 AT2023 AR Exam Feedback Sessions

Examination Rules and ProceduExres

Class of 2023 Graduation – Tuesday 24 October 

Graduation evening will be celebrated on Tuesday 24 October at Optus Stadium commencing at 5.30pm. The evening will include Mass, dinner, and presentation of awards.  

Tickets are $115 per person.  Students will not require a ticket as this has already been paid for as part of their tuition fee. Tickets are limited to immediate family only (parents/guardians and siblings only).  Please click on the invitation link to purchase tickets.   

You must include your Y12 child’s guild and complete the additional information fields in the checkout section, to record any dietary requirements (parents/guardians and siblings only), and your student’s name.   

Class of 2023 Graduation Invitation

Leavers Jackets – Year 12, 2024 

All current Year 11 students (Class of 2024) have the option to purchase a Newman College Year 12 Leavers Jacket. Please click HERE for information regarding the order process, cost etc. 

Any queries should be directed to sarah.ellam@newman.wa.edu.au, Leader of Wellbeing Year 11. 

Year 12 Game Changers Graduation 

On Tuesday, 19 September, we will be celebrating the conclusion of students’ participation in the program. Game Changers and their parents have been invited to join us at a special celebratory dinner.  Please join me in congratulating Jasmine Martinazzo, Aimee Byrne, Kate Miller, Samuel Perkin, Meg McAullay, Sophia Brodie, Michael Pethick, Grace Rose, Tasmyn Floate, Caitlin Hawkins, Indiana Lummis, and Madeleine Irish. 

R U OK Day

The theme for R U OK Day on Thursday 14 September, is “I’m here to hear”. This day is our National Day of Action, when we are encouraged to ask, ‘are you OK?’  We ask our staff, students, and families, to take the time to let those we care about know we are here to really hear them. 

By taking the time for an R U OK? Conversation and genuinely listening with an open mind, we can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected. 

CODE OF CONDUCT

Newman College Teacher takes out the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Teacher Award ‘Improving Student Learning and Progress’

Beth MurphyAndrew WatsonDr Lucie McCrory GAICDRyan von BergheimJustin KirrySimon Martino

Catherine Young – WINNER Teacher Awards 2023 ‘Improving Student Learning and Progress’

Newman College Perth is thrilled to announce and celebrate the outstanding achievement of one of our own, Catherine Young Leader of Learning PK-6, who has been announced as the recipient of the inaugural National Teacher Awards 2023 in the category Improving Student Learning and Progress.

The Teacher Awards have been developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), to recognise and commend the exceptional contributions of educators, school leaders, and support staff in K-12 school settings across Australia. Catherine, nominated by our Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning PK-12, Beth Murphy, has made numerous contributions and taken various initiatives in the field of education, with a particular focus on data literacy and enhancing student progress. This award highlights the significant impact of her work for educators, students, and the broader educational community. The award recognises Catherine’s leadership abilities, collaborative endeavours, dedication to data-driven decision-making, reliance on evidence-based practices, and continuous commitment to professional development. It underscores her role in empowering her fellow educators and cultivating a culture of ongoing improvement and professional growth among her colleagues.

The Judging Panel, comprising nine esteemed experts in the field of education, including Professor Geoff Masters, Professor Lyn Sharratt, Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy, Associate Professor Marnee Shay, Dr Troy Meston, Ben Sacco, Alex Wharton, and Mali Jorm considered the nominations. Their expertise and rigorous evaluation process make Catherine’s achievement even more remarkable. Professor Geoff Masters, a distinguished member of the Judging Panel, remarked on the exceptional contributions made by teachers like Catherine Young to the teaching profession, student learning, and the overall wellbeing of students. The 2023 Teacher Award applicants showcased the profound passion and dedication that educators across Australia possess, and Catherine’s achievements truly stand out and this award is a recognition of Catherine’s unwavering dedication, exceptional contributions to education, and her profound impact on the lives of the students here at Newman College.

Congratulations Catherine!

The Nomination Criteria

Improving Student Learning and Progress

Every student is capable of successful learning and of making ongoing progress. This award is open to an individual or team of educators and celebrates success in improving learning and progress for students, regardless of their starting point – including those working above or below year-level expectations. Judges will be looking for elements such as:

  • Professional learning to support data literacy of staff
  • Systematic collection and use of data, from different sources, to identify: where individual students are in their learning; gaps in learning and individual student needs; appropriate teaching strategies and interventions (this may include programs to support specific cohorts of students, such as those facing disadvantage)
  • Using multiple sources of data to monitor student progress and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching
  • A feedback and reporting approach that aligns with the school context, teaching approaches, and student/parent needs
  • Teachers clearly explain students’ current knowledge, understanding and skills
  • Communicating student progress and long-term growth, rather than just achievement
  • Students understand the next steps in learning, and receive clear feedback on how to improve
  • Parents understand their child’s learning progress and needs, and how to best support them