Term 4 Week 8: From The Ministry Team

Philippines Immersion Update

On Friday 23 November, 16 Year 11 students and 3 accompanying staff members embarked on the 2018 Year 11 Philippines Immersion. This includes two students from our sister school, St Joseph’s College in Northam.

Off to a flying start, the pilgrims have already met with Fr Shay from the Columban Fathers, who shared insights from his 50 years of ministry on research, realities and political complexities that enable the erosion of child rights across the Philippines. Next stop was the PREDA Home for Girls, which helps to grow advocates for the rights of young women who have been victims of human trafficking and exploitation.
The group then had the privilege of living in harmony and collaboration with the Aeita Indigenous Village of Alibang, where they develop organic, free trade and sustainable practices for preserving indigenous culture.  The group then visited the PREDA Boys Home, which helps to grow awareness for children who have been held in jails and detention centres.

What an amazing start to an already overwhelming and eye opening experience, we cannot wait to see what the rest of the Immersion holds.

24:7 Floreat Youth Group 

Thanks to everyone that came to last week’s youth group! We had so much fun running the Floreat gauntlet of games as well as taking part in fun interactive activities around the story of Jonah. Come down next week for more of the usual Floreat fun as we get closer and closer to the big end of term event!

Start getting your jingle bells in order and your Santa sleighs ready because the Christmas party is just around the corner. More details to come…

The group meets each Sunday night (6.00pm – 8.00pm) in the Parish Centre for all young people in Years 6-12.  Call Angela 0455 960 174 or Sebastian 0403 230 395 for more information.

2019 Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation

Parents are reminded that they need to enroll their child at their local Parish to receive any of the Sacraments in 2019. Your child will be prepared for the Sacrament at school but will receive the Sacrament at their local Parish. Schools have not been permitted to celebrate their own ceremonies for the Sacraments for some years now.

Some Parishes have already opened enrolments for 2019 and will close in early February, so please contact your local Parish to ensure your child is enrolled asap. Click here to access contact details for all the local Parishes within our area.

Pre Primary Christmas Paraliturgy

Today the Pre Primary classes hosted a special Christmas Paraliturgy where they retold the story about the birth of Jesus through prayer, song and liturgical movement. A wonderful way to come together and celebrate the Gospel for the final time in 2018. Thank you to Mrs Shaw and baby Declan (aka Jesus) for being part of today’s special event.

Year 7 Showcase

After a big year of performances, the Year 7 music students performed for a final time at the Year 7 Showcase on Tuesday 20 November in the Marist Auditorium. Students entertained the audience of family and friends with solo, duet and small group performances. The Year 7 Rock band, SIP singers and Concert Winds were also highlights of the evening. It’s wonderful to see how the students have developed as musicians in such a short time learning. Congratulations to all students. Thank you to Milana Ranieri and Friends of the Arts for organising supper and the raffle. Thank you also to the instrumental and vocal teachers and support staff, and parents and friends for supporting the students.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Primary Strings Concert and Wind Up

The Primary Strings Concert and Wind up was held in the Marist Auditorium on Friday 23 November. Now in its fourth year, we are really seeing the development of the String Program at Lavalla Campus. Highlights from the concert included the Year 3 String Ensemble, Lavalla Strings, the Gemini String Quartet and the Marcellin String Orchestra’s ghostly/horror-themed finale. We were also entertained by students from Years 3-6 who performed solo and group items.

Special awards were given for Ms McCulloch’s Musicology Challenge. Congratulations to the champion musicologist, Darcy Bird (Year 6) and runner up Michael Hart (Year 5). Congratulations also to students in Team Cello for winning the Lavalla Strings Cup! Congratulations to all students for their performances and the a big thank you must go to the Strings teachers Ms Hannah Herriman, Ms Sacha McCulloch, Ms Andrea Sitas and Mr Hayden Reiss for organising a wonderful afternoon of music. Thank you also to parents, friends and staff for their support. We look forward to another big year in 2019!

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Term 4 Week 8: From the Dean of Wellbeing

Christmas is a time of giving. Giving love, giving friendship and time and giving to those who do not have what we have. Thank you to the students, families and staff who have so generously contributed to this year’s Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Your kindness and contribution will make a difference to many people during this festive time. As the school year comes to an end, it is important to give thanks to our teachers and support staff that have challenged, collaborated and celebrated with us throughout the year. The dedication, commitment and investment teachers have given to each student deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded in the simplicity of saying thank you.

Years 7-11 Awards Ceremony

On Thursday 22 November, students, parents, invited guests and staff gathered in the College Gymnasium to recognise and celebrate the academic, sporting and community achievements of our students in 2018. Click here to see more photos from the day and a list of all award winners.

Marist Youth Gathering

On Sunday 25 November, Year 11 students Ben, Sam, Katerina and Lara along with Miss O’Mahony, traveled to Melbourne for four days to take part in the national 2018 Student Leaders Gathering. The Formation program they took part in encouraged each student leader to reflect on his/her leadership style in light of the Gospel and our Marist Family story, and how he/she can become a transformative leader and an enabler of growth in the lives of the those they serve at their school. The students heard from a number of speakers and participated in a range of activities, prayer and reflection sessions. A key learning for the group was the importance of relationships, connectedness and family.

Homework Club

Homework Club will finish at the end of Week 8. Thank you to all students, Marist Youth Mentors and staff that supported the Homework Club this year. In particular, I extend my thanks to Mrs Natalee Calegari and Mrs Sarah Pagett for their supervision and coordination of numeracy and literacy support initiatives.

Year 11 2019 Guild Representatives

Congratulations to the following students who were acknowledged at the Awards Ceremony last week as Guild Representatives for 2019. These students have willingly and enthusiastically served their Guild in the spirit of positive engagement and friendly competition. I wish them all the very best for the year ahead.

Brigid: Henry Smith Claudia Morse
Camara: Lachlan Richardson Meg Hobson
Catherine: Dylan O’Donoghue Helena Karagiannis
Chisholm: Mitchell Harris Holy Drinkwater
MacKillop: Marcus Romano Ella Martinazzo
Marcellin: Sam Probert Jorja Condipodero
Romero: Sam Giumelli Grace Zlnay
Thomas More: Brodie Major Georgia Whitely

Years 7-12 Book Lists

Information on book lists and confirmation of electives for students in Years 9 and 10 2019 will be distributed in Week 10.

Parent Funded Device

A reminder that next year Newman College will continue the parent funded, designated device model that commenced in 2016. 2019 will be the last year for the College funded MacBook program for students in Year 12.

All students in Years 7 – 11 will require a Microsoft Surface Pro. A summary can be found here BYODD 2019 7-11 Summary

The College will not support network access for devices other than those specified above. 

Return of MacBooks and Chargers

The information regarding the return of these devices, as featured in the last Newsletter, was unfortunately incorrect. 

Please ensure students are aware of the following return dates;

Year 12 – to return their devices by Tuesday 4 December.

Year 8 – to return their devices on Wednesday 5 December: Beginning of Period 5.

Year 9 – to return their devices on Wednesday 5 December: Midway in Period 5.
 

Year 10 2019 Parent Evening

On Monday 26 November, parents of current Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend a meeting that focused on Year 10 2019 pathways. Click here to view the PowerPoint that supported this meeting.  Should you have any queries, please contact Mrs Leahy, Acting Leader of Wellbeing Year 9 Helen.leahy@newman.wa.edu.au

Years 7 – 10 Reports

Years 7-10 Reports will be available on SEQTA on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm.  We recommend that you check your login before this date.

ACCESSING YOUR CHILD’S REPORT

  1. Click here to access the portal.
  2. Enter your email address in the USER NAME field. Your password is the one you have previously created.

If you have forgotten your password, please follow the steps below:

Resetting Your Password:

  • Click on ‘Forgot your Password’
  • Enter your email address for BOTH your username and email address (ie: your username is your email address.
  • Click on ‘Reset my Password’
  • You will be emailed a link to reset your password
  • NOTE: the reset link will only last one hour.

Canteen Week 9

The Flexischools ordering facility will not be available to order food on Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 or Friday 7 December.

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 December

The canteen will be open and will operate as normal.  Students must go to the canteen to purchase their recess and/or lunch. Students can make payment using cash or their SmartRider card.

Friday 7 December

Sundry items will be available at both recess and lunch as normal. Lunch on this day is restricted to a SAUSAGE SIZZLE at a cost of $3.00. Students can make payment using cash or their SmartRider card.

SolveIt

During the final two weeks of school, Years 7, 8 and 9 students have been involved in SolveIt, a problem-based learning opportunity which encourages team work and critical thinking.

“Problem-based learning should CHALLENGE students to delve into real-world problems as they COLLABORATE to grapple with complexity and ambiguity. This process should inspire groups to CREATE solutions that are thoughtful, nuanced and uniquely their own. Emphasis should be on the process, not just the product, as each group CELEBRATES at each step of the way, leveraging their talents to engage in meaningful, authentic and personalised learning.”

– Jenny Miraudo, Leader of Learning English and Literature

The Team Building lessons introduced problem-based learning and an adapted version of the Stanford Design Thinking process. During the 11 lessons, teams define their problem and go through a process of discerning and prototyping their solution.

On Thursday 6 December, teams will pitch their solutions to different classes. Any parents and guardians who wish to take part in the judging panels are asked to register their details. Please click here to complete the online form. Please indicate your preference by Tuesday 4 December.

Times: 10.50am – 1.00pm

Overview:
10.50am – Briefing on judging criteria and confidentiality.
11.15am – Meet teachers and students at venues around the College.
11.20am – Viewing and adjudicating different student pitches.
12.50pm – Close (it is anticipated that groups will conclude earlier).

From the class presentations, finalists will be shortlisted, and the grand final will be held on Friday 7 December, the final day of school. Parents and guardians are invited to attend the final presentations in the gym. Please click here to register you interest.

Key details:
Date: Friday 7 December
Times: 8.45am – 10.35am

Overview:
8.45am – Students line up and entry.
9.00am – Introduction.
9.10am – Viewing and adjudicating different student pitches in a shark tank style pitch off.
10.30am – Close (students will then move to other final day activities).