Term 4 Week 8: From the Deputy Principal Learning and Staff Development

On Wednesday night we gathered together for our annual Primary Christmas Celebration evening. This is a very special event in the College calendar and for our Primary community as it brings the joy of Christmas to families in song and praise. In the week ahead, students and staff will reflect on this time of year, the story of the nativity and the hope and joy the coming of Jesus brings to us today. Earlier this year while on pilgrimage I had the opportunity to visit the Church of Nativity in Jerusalem – Jesus’ birthplace. My memories of this remarkable birth site will make this Christmas all the more special for me. I extend my gratitude and prayer to all families in our community for their support and positive engagement over the year. I wish you a restful and joyful break and look forward to seeing you all in 2019.

Save the Dates: NPCC and Newman Parents Meetings 2019

The following meetings and presenters are taking place in 2019:

NPCC

  • Term 1 – Monday 18 February
  • Term 2 – Monday 13 May
  • Term 3 – Monday 5 August
  • Term 4 – Monday 28 October

Newman Parents

  • Term 1 – Monday 25 March – Dr Justin Coulson. Topic: Relationships
  • Term 2 – Wednesday 12 June – Susan McLean. Topic: Cyber Safety
  • Term 3 – Monday 16 September – Paul Dillon. Topic: Drugs and Alcohol

Further information on our presenters can be found below:

Dr Justin Coulson www.justincoulson.com

Susan McLean www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au

Paul Dillon http://darta.net.au/

More details for these events will follow in 2019.

Reporting

Reports for students in PP-Y9 will be available on the SEQTA Engage Portal on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm.

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.

Term 4 Week 8: From the Principal

The end of a school year shifts our focus to the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord. 

Christmas is a great time in the life of children but also for the child in all of us. The fervour of expectation builds over the season, peaking in the celebration of Christmas Day. For many families the sharing of gifts and a meal are central to the ongoing ritual and tradition which is remembered as some of the best times in their lives. Growing up for me at this time was one of joy as it brought my large extended family together. We shared stories, ate a lot of food and played cricket – all day. Perhaps the highlight was going to the evening vigil Christmas Mass together. It was always packed with people, standing room only, and the energy and excitement were palpable. Today, my wife and I have continued the same tradition with our own family.

Within our Catholic tradition, Christmas signifies the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ. This week in our liturgical year we welcome the season of Advent. Advent is a season observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. This season invites all Christians to ponder the great mystery of our faith; the incarnation of our Lord taking on humanity born to the Virgin Mary, in order to ultimately save us. His message of faith, love and hope that permeated his ministry underpins the very nature of our Christianity. Christmas gives us license to reflect on these ideals and how they permeate our own lives and the relationships we form.

At Newman College our mission is to bring Christ into our lives by how we choose to live our lives and by the actions that define us. This week we celebrated our Primary Christmas Celebration evening which exemplified the family spirit that infiltrates our Marist School. The joy of Christmas radiated through the songs the students sang and in the absolute excitement of families in the crowd. We also have 14 Year 11 students and three staff in the Philippines walking in solidarity with some of the most marginalised children in the world. Yet, like us, these children are also preparing for Christmas and the expectation and hope it brings.

I hope that our families take time to be together to grow their own tradition at Christmas. I encourage you to go to your local Church as a family and celebrate the birth of Christ and ponder not only the mystery of his incarnation, but the impact he can have on our lives.

St Joseph’s International School Kuching Malaysia

Thank you to our visiting teachers from our Marist sister school in Kuching Malaysia who spent a week working in our Secondary school. They have been instrumental in our new partnership we have formed to exchange ideas in professional practice and prepare the ground work for a reciprocal student immersion into the future.

Marist Cricket Carnival

The Marist Cricket Carnival commences next Tuesday 4 December.  Many thanks to the organising committee for the preparation that has gone into this event. A special thank you to those families who will billet our visiting cricketers.  Your volunteering has enabled this carnival to go ahead and for this we are most grateful.

Staff Farewell

Thank you to the staff who will conclude their time in our community at the end of the year. They are to be commended for their tireless efforts and commitment to our young people. We wish them the very best in the next part of their journey.

Wishing all families a happy and holy Christmas.

Term 4 Week 8: From the Head of Primary

As we conclude another year, it is important that we look back and reflect on how much we have achieved. I am incredibly proud of how our students have grown in confidence and it is important to celebrate how they have come together to create such a positive community.

As we celebrate Christmas, it is important that we keep the birth of Christ as the focus and remember to renew our faith and Marist values of; Simplicity, Love of Work, Presence, Family Spirit and In the Way of Mary. Our staff have worked tirelessly to provide for your child and your family and I thank them all for this extraordinary effort. I hope you are able to enjoy the time of Christmas with your family, friends and loved ones. On behalf of my family and myself I wish you a merry Christmas and a fruitful New Year.

Marcellin Award

Congratulations to the following student who recently received a Marcellin Award in Week 7:

Jaiden Rumbold, Year 4 Green – Jaiden only joined our College community this year. In this short space of time, he has shown himself to be someone who works hard to always try his best, even if things are difficult. Jaiden’s selfless actions are notable especially his kindness and compassion towards others. What has made him stand out, particularly in recent times, is that his Christian actions are truly selfless. Even when he is acknowledged for something he has done, it’s as if he is questioning, “Well, doesn’t everyone do that?” The consideration that Jaiden shows is truly genuine, given without prompting, and we are blessed to have him in our community

The Marcellin Award at Marian Campus is drawn from submitted nominations each Wednesday morning at Prayer Assembly. At Lavalla Campus, the Marcellin Award is presented at campus assemblies to one student selected by the Leadership Team from submitted nominations.

Farewell to the Year 6 Cohort

As our Year 6 students end their time as Primary School students, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them for the outstanding way that they have led the Lavalla Campus this year. As they say farewell to their Primary years, I am confident they are ready for the challenges that await them in High School. I wish you all the best and thank Mrs Zelich, Mrs Horn, Mrs Short and Mr Harvie for shaping these young men and women.

2019 Student Council

Congratulations to the following students who were elected into a position on the Student Council for 2019:

Ella Rose, Stefan Constantine, William Gilbert (Delany captain), Addison Blizzard, Harry Prentice (Brigid captain), Stefano Rapanaro, Matt Pyne, Leyla Do, Kai Ehlers, Maddy Carroll (Marcellin captain), Harrison Warrick (Knox captain) and Jasmin Afflick. We wish you all the best in your service to our College. Thank you also to the current Student Council for their hard work and commitment to our College this year.

Lavalla Awards Ceremony – Tuesday 4 December

We look forward to celebrating and recognising our Year 6 students and acknowledge the significant award winners from Years 3 – 5 at the Awards Ceremony next week. As there is limited seating, only parents of the Year 6 students and award winners are invited to attend. Overflow seating may be provided in the adjoining studio for grandparents.

Return of iPads and Chargers

Please ensure students are aware of the following return date;

Year 6 – Students must ensure they have their iPads at school on Thursday 6 December.  The ICT Department will collect them from their classrooms after Lunch.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure all students have signed out of iCloud on the iPads

Sustainability @ Lavalla – Eco Ninjas

The dedicated Year 5 students have banded together to support our College and our environment. They have formed a team to improve the Lavalla Campus in terms of sustainability, waste management and environmental care. These Eco Ninjas have already transformed the veggie gardens and will shape significant changes in the future. Well done!

Primary Social Committee

Thank you to the dedicated members of the Primary Social Committee, led by Mr Arnold for their service to the College this year. You have provided the students, staff and families with many opportunities to come together as a community and bring joy to our College.

Christian Service @ Lavalla

Well done to Hannah Seaborne and Matthew Stephens Y4, who demonstrated how much they care for our Lavalla Campus by picking up rubbish without being asked all of lunch on Monday. Thank you.

Swimming Lessons

Thank you to the Newman Churchlands Swimming Club for their amazing support of our In-Term Swimming Lessons program. The students have learnt so much and enjoyed being in the College pool.

Class Lists 2019

The staff are currently placing your child in their class for 2019. This forms the basis of the detailed handover that will take place between their current teacher and their 2019 teacher. All relevant information is considered when placing your child and a detailed handover ensures all of their academic, social and emotional needs are understood before they begin the year. Class lists will be sent home in the week after students conclude Term 4, to allow staff time to work through this process. Parents are encouraged to meet with their child’s teacher in the new year if necessary.

Reports

Your child’s report will be will be made available through SEQTA on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm. Please ensure you are able to access SEQTA before this date. Your child’s report outlines their achievements and effort for Semester 2. I would like to thank the staff for the time and effort that has been dedicated to this process.

Staffing 2019

The College welcomes the following staff members in 2019

  • Queva Fitzgerald – Lavalla Campus
  • McKenzie Pugh – Lavalla Campus
  • Antoinette Montil – Lavalla Campus
  • Catherine Young – Marian Campus
  • Karen Cadd – Marian Campus

Lucy Zambonetti will return from leave and Peter Hunt and Paola Rich will be on leave for the duration of 2019.

I would like to thank Jacqui Campbell-Howard, Kim Williamson, Ebonee Hutchinson-Brown, Davina Sankar and Denise Ford for their service to our College.

Lost Property

This week is the final chance to reclaim any lost property. Please see the lost property at each campus as thousands of dollars of clothing and equipment is there.

Years 3-6 Book Lists 2019

Please click here to access the 2019 Book Lists.

Upcoming Events

Past Events

The children at Newman College are continuously engaging in motivating learning experiences. These enhance their education and assist in embedding the learned content. Some highlights from the past two weeks include:

Kindy and Pre Kindy Orientations 2019

Over the last two weeks, the College has held the Kindy and Pre-Kindy Orientations for 2019. We have welcomed many new families to the school and recognised familiar faces as younger siblings start their journey. Each program was outlined, and the parents were able to connect with the families their children will become friends with. Thank you to the Primary Social Committee for supplying the refreshments and to Melissa Corbett, Katya Anderson and Lisa McClue for their support on the day.

Christmas Celebration Evening

Thank you to Amanda Collins-Ford and Ailsa Gleeson for preparing and supporting our students at the Christmas Celebration this year. The students were in fine voice, as were the parents who enjoyed a night of carols and fun. Click here to see more photos from the night.

Primary Christmas Celebration

Last night, students, family and staff from our PK-Y6 classes came together for a night of Christmas celebration.

Each year group has been working with our Music Teacher, Mrs Collins-Ford this term to learn a Christmas Carol. It was wonderful listening to their joyful young voices singing their chosen Carol so beautifully. The evening also allowed for our Primary community to reflect on a year of blessings and enjoy some significant family time together.

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.

Throughout the afternoon, we heard a number of musical items from the Newman Choir, Newman Jazz and the Symphonic Winds.

The 2019 Year 11 Guild Representatives were also announced. Congratulations to these students, we look forward to witnessing your leadership.

Awards

The Awards presented were based on the four following categories:

Academic Excellence:
Presented to the student with the Highest Academic achievement in the year level or subject

Sport Awards:
Presented to outstanding representatives in College Sport.

Guild Awards:
Presented to students who have made an outstanding contribution to their Guild.

Community Awards:
Presented to students who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the College and the wider community.

Congratulations to all students who received an award. A full list of award recipients can be found here Years 7-11 Award Recipients

Major Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Major Award.

Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award

The Australian Defence Force proudly acknowledges students who have shown outstanding qualities in Leadership, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Resourcefulness, Communication, Cooperation and Community Involvement. On behalf of the Australian Defence Force we are proud to present this year’s award to Dylan O’Donoghue, Year 10.

James Stephen McNulty Mathematics Prize

James McNulty was the inaugural Dux of Newman College in its founding year in 1977. He had a particular love of and gift for Mathematics. While pursuing his Medical studies at the University of Western Australia, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away in 1984. His family have awarded this prize in his memory.

This prize is awarded to the Highest Achieving Mathematics Student in Year 11. Congratulations Alexandra Cavanagh and Isabelle Pang

Dux & Proxime Accessit Award

These awards are determined by considering academic performance throughout the year in the five common curriculum subjects of Religious Education, English, Humanities, Maths and Science. These top academic students are a very talented group who, with the support of their teachers, have worked hard to achieve at the highest standard.

Dux Year 7 Benjamin Borgas and Zack Chambers

Proxime Accessit Year 8 Emily Burgess
Dux Year 8 Jacob Iannantuoni

Dux Year 9 Isabelle Hu and Jemima Paterson

Proxime Accessit Year 10 Madeline Dawson
Dux Year 10 Kate Broderick

Proxime Accessit Year 11 Isabelle Pang
Dux Year 11 Alexandra Cavanagh