Tag: News

Beyond the Bounds of Newman College

I have said to our students many times over the last four years to think of the world beyond the bounds of Newman College. The world is a big place and we need our students to cast their eyes and expectations into their place in it. The great strength of our College is the plethora of opportunities our students have to engage with the world. Such opportunities were exemplified over the term break when we had students participating on the Arts Tour to New York and another on the Humanities Tour to Sydney and Canberra. Both Cultural Tours highlight our desire for students to seek new ways of learning, seeing and thinking about the world.

Later this term, our Year 11 REMAR students will travel to Mullewa north of Geraldton, to serve in the local community. This will be followed in December by more students travelling to the Philippines on our social justice immersion. Such experiences empower students to gain the skills, confidence and agency to make decisions and create opportunities that impact their lives and the lives of others in a positive way. Moreover, it creates the space for our students and teachers to develop soft and firm skills including adaptability, decision-making, problem-solving, resilience and self-reflection. Critical to these experiences is the role of our teachers. We are very fortunate to have teachers who are passionate about their specialisation which enable such activities to occur. I challenge all our students to take the opportunities that are presented across PK-12. Such a challenge encapsulates our Vision for Learning Shine through the Discovery and its intent to let our light shine.

Marist Schools Australia (MSA) Conference, Melbourne

This week I attended, with Ms Fogliani and Mrs McCartan, the MSA “Holy Today” Conference in Melbourne. Those attending the conference came from the 53 Marist Schools and Ministries across Australia. The central them Holy Today focused on how we can be present to God by actively listening and being present to those we are in relationship with. Pope Francis (2016) contends that listening is more than simply hearing. Hearing is about receiving information while listening is about communication….paying attention, wanting to understand, to value, to respect and to ponder what the other person says. This message resonates within the life of our College as we grow. Listening for example to our students and understanding their view and their experiences is fundamental to our future directions.

Bishop Homeming (Diocese of Lismore) in his keynote challenged us to practically consider how we can present to others by taking time to cultivate our relationship with God simply by asking ourselves “What kind of person does God want us to be?” This challenge can be achieved if we take the time to listen and be present. This is the intent of our Marist spirituality and the hope we have for our College community.

The other aspect of the Conference was the opportunity to present our vision Shine Through Discovery – Let Light Shine Mat 5:16. The central focus on our presentation was on building the capacity of teachers in the alignment of our learning framework across PK-12. The aim and result of this intent have been in creating a student experience of learning that will see them engaged and motivated to grow.

Junior PALS Project 2019

Today I was part of an Arts experience, a song, movement and storytelling performance by the Year 4 and 5 students of the Lavalla Dance Troupe. This storytelling performance, choreographed and directed by Mrs Amy Raveendrakumar, was based on an abridged version of Dr Noel Nannup’s creation story, “The Carer’s of everything”.  The intent of this PALS Project was clearly communicated by these excellent performers as they told a story that encouraged us to reflect on Aboriginal culture and histories as we walk towards Reconciliation. This performance will also be part of the nation-wide Wakakirri Performing Arts Festival, semi-final, to be held in Perth on Wednesday 7 August at the Perth Concert Hall at 7.00pm – 9.00pm.
 

Newman Parents Consultative Committee Meeting – Monday 5 August, 7.00pm in the Marist Auditorium Studios

I warmly invite parents and care givers to our NPCC meeting. The them of the meeting will be focused on:

1. Early Childhood Initiatives
2. Whole School Literacy
3. Australian Catholic Youth Festival
4. Strategic Plan, 2020 and beyond

CEWA Governance

An announcement was made this week by the Bishops of Western Australia to incorporate Catholic Education in Western Australia, with the new Company being known as Catholic Education Western Australia Limited. This change will strengthen legal, risk and financial compliance frameworks.

Although a member school of Catholic Education WA, Newman College is a congregational school owned and governed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers. The incorporation of Catholic Education WA does not affect the governance of Newman College.

Wishing all families are great term ahead.

Bridges inspire, instill confidence, tell us: “Come, cross me. See what’s over here.” – Leo Donovan SJ, ‘Why God calls us to build bridges’, America Magazine, July 31, 2019.

In an age characterised by all but a desperate need for solidarity, when the religious and secular bonds of community have become badly frayed, bridges real and metaphorical have become more important than ever. Pope Francis has repeatedly urged audiences around the world to engage in bridge-building (something he thinks is almost “more than human”). Newman College seeks to celebrate the questions and realities of our Catholic faith in a pluralistic and diverse context. We invite each family, student and member of staff on a journey that celebrates what it means to be ‘good news’ to each other as we seek to grow our community as a living and vibrant expression of the Gospel. Our Ministry Plan, Immersion opportunities, Youth Ministry and Advocacy opportunities, and our celebration of the sacraments seek to build living bridges which unite, foster connectedness, and create spaces where our faith is lived.

PK-12 Celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption – Thursday 15 August

As a Catholic school educating in the Marist tradition, our PK-12 community will be celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday 15 August. Please download the PK-12 letter to all families outlining the events of this day for all students.

Download 2019 Feast of Assumption Letter to Parents

Year 11 Marist Association Philippines Immersion – (Friday 22 November – Thursday 5 December 2019)

Above: 2018 Philippines Immersion students Elizabeth Adams (2019 Social Justice Captain) & Matthew Giumelli (2019 College Captain) presenting their reflections of the 2018 Philippines Immersion at the Parent Information Evening.

The Marist Association Year 11 Philippines Immersion is a joint commitment between the Western Australian Marist schools St Joseph’s Northam and Newman College which is now into its fourth year. Following a period of application and interview, Mrs Carla Pastorelli (Leader of Wellbeing – Year 11) and Mr Tom Williams (Assistant Head of Sport) from Newman College will accompany the group with Mr Daniel Lynch in 2019.

In 2019, 20 students from Newman College applied for 16 places on the Immersion. Following both their application and a process of interview with Carla, Tom and myself, the following students will be attending the 2019 Philippines Immersion:

Jessica Ashwood, Samuel Beeton, Anastasia Berti, Kate Broderick, Grace Collins, Tegan Connelly, Charolotte Easden, Samuel Giumelli, Mitchell Harris, Meg Hobson, Damien Lockyer, Brodie Major, Jack Towie and Ruby Vance.

The students and staff from Newman College will be joined by the following members of the St Joseph’s Northam community:

Hannah Morrison (Year 11 student), Katie Harris (Year 11 student) and Mr Shane Bransby (Teacher)

The Philippines Parent and Student Information Evening was held on Thursday 25 July (Term 3 Week 1), with the program of formation and Immersion preparations taking place over Terms 3 and 4.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival & Veritas Night 2019

The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young Australians with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. This year the ACYF will be held in Perth between 8 – 10 December. Young people between the ages of 14 and 35 from around Australia will be invited to:

• participate in high-quality formative and experiential opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, in the context of the Catholic Church in Australia;
• Listen to and discuss the issues and challenges in the lives of young Catholics in Australia;
• Engage with local examples and connections of vocations, social action, liturgy and prayer, catholic music and faith formation.

Students in Year 9 from the College will be invited to apply to attend ACYF. This event will take the place of the Remar Embarkation camp this year.

In preparation for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, students considering applying for ACYF will attend the Veritas Night, held at John XXIII College in Mt Claremont on Friday 9 August 6.00pm – 9.30 pm. Veritas is an annual gathering of Catholic young people in Western Australia aged 12-35. It exists as a state-wide conference and festival, which aims to provide young people in Western Australia with an opportunity to deepen their faith and take an active role in the Church and community. The event includes festivities including live bands, dynamic speakers, youth rallies, faith expos, Liturgy and workshops.

REMAR Gold Retreat

Today the Remar Gold Caravel gathered together for their final retreat of their 3-year Remar journey. The retreat is facilitated by Dan Litjens (Class of 2016) with support from Gold Helm, Mr Michael Van der Heever, Campus Minister, Br Terry Orrell, ex-students Josh Sampson (Class of 2018) and Sarah Whitton (Class of 2018), as well as Mrs Cole-Carter. The afternoon provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous years of the program with a specific focus on applying the on motto of the Gold crossing, ‘To be a witness in our community’.

ACRATH Bollywood Night

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking of Humans (ACRATH) is hosting ‘Bollywood Night’ to help raise awareness of slavery and slavery like condition. Book your tickets NOW by clicking here.

Download Bollywood Nights Flyer ACRATH 2019

Weekly Thursday Morning Community Mass (Champagnat Chapel – 8.10am – 8.35am)

All parents, guardians and families across our PK-12 College are invited to attend the weekly Thursday morning Mass. Our weekly Newman College Community Mass is an important way that we as a Catholic community seek to nourish and live-out our faith in community with one another.