Tag: News

Thursday 15 August was the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Feast day was chosen for the Marist Brothers at the time of their foundation by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers and Marist Education.

To mark this significant Feast and Day of Holy Obligation in the life of the Church as well as the international Marist Institute, our PK-12 College Community celebrated the Feast of the Assumption across the College. As one of 54 Marist schools across Australia, the Feast Day of the Assumption is an annual opportunity for all members of the Newman College community to gather, give thanks, and to celebrate our shared Marist identity.

The Marian and Lavalla Campus students combined to celebrate Mass, Buddy Day activities and the annual Lapathon to raise money for the work of Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS). All funds raised from the Lapathon will be directed towards the Kuya Centre for Street Children in Manila. The Kuya Centre is one of the College’s partner organisations of the Year 11 Philippines Immersion. In November this year, our Year 11 Immersion students will present our donation to Sister Kate O’Neill, Director of the Kuya Centre, on behalf of the Newman College community.

Students on the Marcellin Campus gathered for Mass in the Gymnasium.

The Newman College Artist in Residence Program for 2019 promises to be another exciting and truly authentic arts experience as our students, teacher, parents and members of our Newman community collaborate with industry professionals to strengthen and deepen their understanding of Arts skills and processes and build their cultural competency, cultural literacy and sensitivity around Aboriginal people; culture oral storytelling traditions, and connection to country.

Student Workshops

The students in Year 2 (Marian Campus), Years 5 and 6 Art Extension students (Lavalla Campus) and Visual Arts students in Years 9,10,11 and 12 (Marcellin Campus) will work alongside Andy Quilty (2018 Artist in Residence), and Contemporary Noongar Artists Bradley and Rohin Kickett, to depict through a collaborative mural project the creation story The Carers of Everything written by Dr Noel Nannup. This story, which was also the focus of the Lavalla Campus 2019 PALS Project and Wakakirri competition, tells the creation story of Whadjuk country, the country on which our College rests. Students will use experimental art techniques including monoprint, in combination with acrylic painting techniques, to develop an understanding of contemporary art techniques, processes and further develop their broader understanding and sensitivity around Aboriginal culture and the connection to country.

Student workshops will take place in the Visual Art studio spaces on Friday 30 August and Monday 9 September (Marcellin Campus) and Monday 2 September (Marian Campus).

This mural will be resolved by Andy Quilty, Rohin and Bradley Kickett and presented to the College community at the opening of the Student Art Exhibition on Wednesday 16 October. More details about the Artist in Residence Program, and student, teacher and Community Workshop experiences will be shared on this evening by our Artists in Residence. A short film that will document the process will also be played.

Community Workshop

An opportunity for our staff, students and families to come together and work with Andy is also available. The Community Workshop will focus on experimental drawing and monoprint, equipping participants to build confidence as well as technical ability to take a more intuitive and exploratory approach to their work.

All materials provided. No drawing experience necessary.

The event is taking place on Monday 9 September at 6.30pm. Tickets cost $20 for Adults and $15  for Children / Concession. Click here to purchase tickets.

Any queries regarding the program can be directed to Mrs Maree Grayden, Leader of Learning Arts PK-12 maree.grayden@newman.wa.edu.au

Feast of the Assumption

The Feast of the Assumption is a special day in the life our Catholic Church, as it is for the Institute of the Marist Brothers fms. This is the day chosen as their Feast Day at the time of their foundation by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers and of Marist Education.

On Thursday 15 August we celebrated Mass for Pre Kindergarten – Year 6 in the Marist Auditorium and Years 7- 12 in the Gymnasium. Both occasions were purposeful and liturgically important as this Feast Day defines our College’s foundation. On this day we come to together as a Marist family to celebrate our faith and our community with Jesus’ mother Mary as our constant.

For many Christians today we are confronted by the challenges that life presents often in the uncertainties of the future. Pope Benedict XVI emeritus says that “being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person which gives life to a new horizon and a decisive direction.” For our students we want to provide opportunities that give them a purpose, a sense of agency and a direction to navigate the future ahead. Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption is one such encounter that will enable us all to reflect on our Christian story and the hope it provides for the future ahead.

Student Engagement

So many magnificent events have occurred over the last few weeks. The STEM Festival, Science and Humanities Week, Buddy Day, Year 7 Disco, our Primary Dancers performing at the Perth Concert Hall and the Catholic Arts Festival to name but a few. Further details of all these events can be seen in throughout Newsletter.

I had the great privilege to attend Prendiville College for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival to watch our Year 8 Band ‘Outbreak’ and ‘Newman Groove’. Both bands were incredible! The students’ love of music was clearly on show as exemplified by their energy and talents. To this end our Vision for Learning Shine through Discovery – let your light shine is clearly evident in all that we do.

Marian Campus Playgroup

We aspire to create the best possible learning opportunities for children at Newman College. As part of this commitment, we have launched the Newman College Playgroup. This new initiative provides young families with access to our wonderful learning facilities, along with educational oversight by the Newman College Leader of Wellbeing Early Childhood, Lisa McClue. A unique Playgroup setting offers families support with the first steps towards structured education for their child.

Families can apply to enrol in Newman College Playgroup by clicking here.

Newman Parent Consultative Committee (NPPC)

Last week, the NPCC meeting was both fruitful and insightful. We commenced the discussion and feedback on the development of our College’s next Strategic Plan. I piloted the following three questions:

1. Identify three aspects of Newman College that engages your children in their learning.
2. Identify three areas that you would like to see improved.
3. What new initiatives or programs would you like to see?

The ensuing discussion was constructive and directive to the process and eventual development of the Plan. Next week I will repeat this process with the College Advisory Council and in the weeks ahead with our students. By mid September the timeline indicating a period of community consultation will be communicated.

Download NPCC Meeting Minutes

Student Voice

I will be holding a series of morning teas and lunches for students across the College this term to listen to their opinions on the direction of the College. As stated above, I will be trialing questions that will eventually become part of the consultation process for the development of the next Strategic Plan.

Catholic Education Staff Breakfast

Catholic Education WA recognizes staff who have given service to Catholic Education for 30 or more years. This year, Newman College celebrated with three members of staff who were presented with awards at this very special event. We congratulate:

• Mrs Terri White, Education Assistant Arts
• Mrs Lucy Zambonetti, Teacher of Year 5
• Mr John Geekie, Leader of Wellbeing Year 10

Mitchell Bristow

As announced earlier in the week, Mr Mitchell Bristow, Head of Primary, has been appointed to the position of Principal at St Gerard’s Primary School Westminster, commencing 2020. We congratulate Mitchell on this wonderful achievement and we wish him every success and fulfillment in his new role and indeed into the future.