Vocal Showcase

The 2018 “Lift Your Voice” Vocal Showcase was held in the Marist Auditorium Studios on Thursday 15 November. Vocal students in Years 5-11 performed a range of traditional, folk, jazz and contemporary repertoire for an audience. The College Chamber Choir performed “Say Something” and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” to conclude a wonderful afternoon of songs. A big thank you to our vocal teachers Mrs Heidi Lake and Mrs Nicole Boddy, and accompanist Ms Noelle Zhao for their efforts in preparing the students. Congratulations to all performers and thank you to parents and friends for their support.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Piano Recital

On Monday 12 November, the Primary and Secondary Piano Recitals were held over two concerts in the Marist Auditorium Studios. Students from Y2-11 performed prepared repertoire in front of an audience. It was a wonderfully entertaining afternoon of music. Thank you to our piano teachers Mrs Lori Greco, Mrs Kirsten Pearson, Mr Paul Olsen and Mrs Lynette Telfer for preparing the students for their recital. Congratulations to all performers and thank you to family and friends who came along to support the musicians.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Term 4 Week 6: From the Principal

Family Spirit

This Marist characteristic inspires the principle of ‘collaborate’ as with a pedagogy of presence and family spirit, united in Christ’s love, we can build a community with a spirit of friendliness and collaboration, enabling young people to become responsible for their own formation. (Newman College Vision for Learning).

Developing relationships is at the heart of our Marist narrative. Being present to each other imbues a sense of family and underpins the strength of our community. The strength of this College is in the multiple opportunities students have to engage with each other in and outside the classroom. Central to our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery – Let Your Light Shine (Mat 5:16), is for our students and teachers to collaborate. Education and learning are interactive, social processes. We believe that students learn best in an environment where they can interact and experience the curriculum, gaining knowledge and learning how to live. A recent Ohio University article, Why relationships — not money — are the key to improving schools, posits that sustained interactions over time, focused on children’s learning and effective teaching practice, is the best way for people to build trust and build networks that are at the heart of social capital. Put simply, if we build relationships our learning experience at school will improve.

The same can be said for our teachers. Over the last three years we have aligned our professional learning of staff PK-12 to ensure collaboration across units, faculties and schools. This was exemplified by our recent Gratitude Project. The intent of this Project across the College is aimed at building student resilience through gratitude. The collaboration of units in the Primary School and Pastoral Care Groups in the Secondary School lifted our focus of the uniqueness of each individual student, recognising and affirming their diversity and individuality. The definitive impact on our school is improved relationships representative of our Marist family spirit.

 

Remembrance Day 2018

Last weekend we recognised 100 years since the end of the World War 1. Br John Horgan, Community Leader of the Marist Brothers, prepared a presentation to staff outlining the contribution made to the war effort by the Marist Brothers. It was both a moving and reflective experience understanding the impact war had not only on the families here in Australia but specifically on the Marist Brothers in Western Europe. Please take time to read this brief history Marist Brothers World War I

Term 4 Week 6: From the Head of Primary

Families are the first educators of their children and it is only through partnership with the College that our children can achieve their full potential. The College seeks to engage parents in their children’s education in many ways; in the home, the community and at school. Involvement in the home may include providing a secure environment, providing intellectual stimulation and conversation, modelling constructive social and educational values, shaping the child’s self-concept as a learner by fostering literacy and problem solving and encouraging high aspirations, both personally and socially. To connect with our families, the College seeks to firstly keep parents informed of their child’s learning and wellbeing and offer opportunities for families to be present at the College and connected with the community. Just some of these opportunities include, but are not limited to;

  • K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening
  • PK-12 Family Mass
  • Parent Soiree (as part of the Arts Festival)
  • Athletics and Swimming Carnivals
  • Parent Volunteers at Marian Campus (Parent Assisted Learning Program)
  • Parent Representatives
  • Primary Social Committee
  • Art helpers and Library helpers

The benefits of positive parental involvement in their child’s education are well researched and proven to increase effective outcomes for all.

Marcellin Award

Congratulations to the following student who recently received a Marcellin Award in Week 6:

Tom Abbott, Year 1 Blue – For helping keep our school safe by removing sticks from the oval.

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.

Orientations

Parents are reminded of the following orientations offered by the College to welcome our new students and families:

Primary Social Committee

Thank you to our wonderful Primary Social Committee who have purchased four brand new gazebos for parents to use for shelter from rain, hail or shine at Sports Carnivals and other events at the College. The committee have also purchased sports equipment for each class across both the Lavalla and Marian Campuses.

Save the Date: K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening, Wednesday 28 November

Families will receive all of the relevant information for the K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening early next week. The evening will commence at 5.00pm on the Marcellin Oval. Families are encouraged to bring along blankets and a picnic. Please note that deck chairs will need to be on the outside of the area so as not to impede the vision for other families. For those families who have not attended this evening previously, it is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Christ and connect with other families at the College. The evening will finish at 7.15pm.

Years 1-6 Swimming Lessons

Information has been sent to all families regarding the in-term Swimming Lessons commencing on Monday 19 November – Thursday 29 November. You would have received a confirmation email on completion of registration. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please contact the Newman Churchlands Swimming Club to make sure your child is registered nchswimming@hotmail.com

Please note that all students are to wear their College Sports Uniform during these two weeks. The Newman College bathers are only required for students in Years 3-6 as per the uniform requirements. If you have not purchased a pair for this term, your child may wear their own bathers. We do ask that you purchase a pair of Newman College bathers for Term 1 Swimming Lessons in 2019.

For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Staff.

Coder Dojo Finished for 2018

The final Coder Dojo session for this year was on Tuesday 13 November. We thank all students who attended and the dedicated teachers who volunteered their time to educate the students in the language of their future.

2019 Class Lists

The teachers are currently working through the placement of students in their classes for 2019. We take this process extremely seriously and we look to best meet the needs of every student. The classroom teachers have a wealth of knowledge about each child and are therefore best placed to make these decisions to suit each child’s academic, social and emotional development. The process is further supported by the Primary School Counsellor, Mrs Caryl Goia, our Psychologist Mrs Denise Bendotti and the Primary Leadership Team. Each child is given the opportunity to nominate who they would like to have in their class and this is used as a guide by their teachers. Please note that all relevant information is taken into consideration.

Drop off time at Lavalla, 8.20am

Parents are reminded to please ensure your child is not on the school premises before 8.20am. The College provides duty of care from this time by having staff on duty. Although present at school, teachers are in meetings or preparing for their day and are not able to provide adequate care before this time. If you must drop your child off prior to 8.20am the College offers before school care through Mercy Care. They can be contacted on 9442 3410 or wembley_ELC@mercycare.com.au

Hats

Now that the hot weather is upon us, please ensure your child has a College hat. We have a “no hat no play” policy. Please make sure your child’s hat is clearly labelled so that if misplaced at school we can make sure it is returned to them. If your child requires a hat these can be purchased at Administration on each campus for $15.00.

Lost Property

There is a significant amount of lost property at each campus that we are trying to return. Please ensure all items of clothing, including shoes, have your child’s name on it with a permanent marker. The Administration staff will then be able to get it back to you. There are also valuables that are being held at the front reception desk at Lavalla.

Important Calendar Dates for 2019

  • K-Y7, Y11 and Y12 commence on Monday 4 February
  • PK-12 Family Mass: Wednesday 13 February commencing at 5.00pm

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:

Year 7 2019 Transition Day

On Thursday 15 November, the Year 6 classes were involved in a Transition Day where they participated in variety of activities to prepare them for Year 7 next year.

The morning session was run by Mr Daniel Lynch, Deputy Principal Mission & Catholic Identity and the 2019 College Captains, Courtney and Matthew. The students were encouraged to “Come To The Edge” as they continue their schooling journey. After recess, the students got to discuss their fears, excitement and expectations of High School with the College’s Social Worker, Mrs Caryl Gioia and participate in a Q&A session with a number of Year 7 students, and College Psychologists Mr Jon Laden-Wearne and Mrs Denise Bendotti. The students then enjoyed a tour of the Marcellin Campus, guided by the Year 9 students.
After lunch, the students were addressed by Mr Patrick Woolley, Leader of Wellbeing Year 7, where they enjoyed reflecting on their time in Primary School and touch on their expectations of High School.

Erica Horn, Year 6 Teacher

Student Reflection

On Thursday 15 November, the Year 6 students experienced a Transition Day to prepare us for the upcoming events in Year 7. In our first activity, we discussed our fears and worries with Caryl. We created a brainstorm of what we are nervous and excited about for next year. The second activity was a Q&A with the current Year 7 students. They told us everything we need to know about High School. The final activity of the day was a tour around the school with the current Year 9 students. They showed us all of the different places around the school. We enjoyed this Transition Day and we are all really looking forward to Year 7!

Darcy and Samarah, Year 6 Blue