A big thank you to our Newman College families for your support in getting the academic year underway. The term has begun well and it has been heartening to see the joy and engagement that our young people have brought to the new year. As parents and guardians, your presence at the Parent Sundowner, the Information Evenings and the High Achievers Assembly is such a strong show of our Marist characteristics, Family Spirit and Presence. Again, a warm welcome to all our families and a special welcome to the families who have joined us this year.
2025 is shaping to be a pivotal year in our community. It is a year of celebration with Brother Noel Hickey’s recent 100th birthday celebration, the 60th year anniversary of our Marist presence at Churchlands, 20 years as a composite school of primary and secondary and the completion of our Primary build project. The year also holds significance as a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, signified through many making a pilgrimage to Rome. Our 2025 Marist theme picks up the notion of journeys through ‘Pilgrims of Hope – Look Beyond’.
We are also energised and focused in our Strategic School Improvement Plan 2025-2027, with our focus on deepening our identity in the Marist tradition, forging ahead with new approaches to student involvement and voice in our school, and learning gains and growth for our students.
The Equip Guide Thrive program in secondary has launched in the past two weeks. Designed with student, parent and staff input, EGT further responds to student needs in learning preparation, organisation, personal formation, wellbeing and faith. In Year 7, this program has been rolled out with extra planned time for transition into secondary schooling. Year 9 students have experienced EGT with the launch of The Rite Journey. Other year groups are experiencing their new EGT programs to assist their confidence, belonging, preparation for future learning and life beyond school. We now have an age and stage approach from PK-12 with the focus on URStrong, Zones of Regulation and the EGT programs.
Yesterday, we welcomed back the Class of 2024 to the High Achievers Assembly. We celebrated their achievements alongside the academic excellence of our current students. A beautiful moment we have built into our tradition of welcome was the guard of honour given by the Year 12 students to our Year 7 group.
I look forward to sharing with you further developments from our school improvement priorities and wish everyone a great 2025.
On Wednesday 29 January, the Class of 2025 gathered at the State Reception Centre, Kings Park for the Year 12 Ball. It is a momentous occasion in the Year 12 calendar, filled with celebration and hope for the year ahead. Students had a wonderful evening and are to be congratulated on the way they represented the values of our College throughout the evening. Thank you to Mr David Husband, Leader of Wellbeing Year 12 and the Year 12 PCG teachers for their help in organising this fantastic event.
Year 7 – 12 Welcome Gathering
On Friday 7 January all students in Year 7 – 12 gathered on Founders Court for a welcome gathering and prayer, led by our College Captains, Amelia Ng and Liam Stannard. Amelia and Liam officially welcomed our Year 7 cohort, new students and staff to our Marist Family. After hearing from Mr Watson, our Year 7 – 12 students gave a heartfelt Happy Birthday message to Br Noel who turned 100 on the weekend!
The Rite Journey
Throughout 2025, Year 9 students will participate in the Rite Journey. The Rite Journey is a rite of passage program that will see students engaging in conversations about what it means to be a thriving citizen while completing challenges along the journey that will build and expand their social and emotional toolkit.
The Rite Journey began with a Calling Ceremony at Trigg Beach across two evenings in Week 1. This Ceremony is an important part of the rite of passage program as they begin their journey into adulthood. Students, with their families, gathered in their Rite Journey groups with their mentor teachers and were given a memento to symbolise the occasion. Families were then invited to sit with their children on the beach and talk to them about their experiences as a child moving into adulthood and offered advice before leaving. It was a moving experience and an amazing way to begin such an important program. Thank you to Mr Scott Smith, Leader of Wellbeing Year 9 and the Rite Journey Mentor Teachers for their organisation and support of the Rite Journey.
Year 7 Transition & Camp
Our Year 7 students began their high school journey on the 30 January. Guided by their PCG teachers and Year 11 mentors, they began a Transition Program which aims to promote connection and set students up for success as a Newman College student. Throughout the last two weeks, students have participated in a variety of activities and presentations from learning about what it means to be a student at Newman College to how to ensure they are using resources such as devices and College diaries to assist their learning. Students were excited to begin their classes upon return from Camp.
The Year 7 Transition Program finished with a three-day camp at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp. Students embraced the various activities and challenges and this gave students an opportunity to further develop friendships within the cohort. A heartfelt thanks to all Year 7 PCG teachers and camp staff, led by Mr Nathan Pereira, Leader of Wellbeing Year 7 for all their efforts in the last two weeks.
Upcoming Events:
Swimming Carnival
Our 2025 Guild Swimming Carnival will take place on Thursday 20 February at HBC Stadium. It is a compulsory school day and all students are expected to be in attendance.
Students are asked to make their own way to the Carnival, entering through the McGillivray Oval gate. Students may arrive as early as 8:00am and by 8:30am at the latest. There will be buses for any students who are not able to make their way to and from the venue. If your child requires a spot on the hired buses, please complete this form by Monday 17 February.
Students should wear their Guild shirt with their PE uniform. Students must wear only College bathers/quick dry shorts and Guild swimming caps during competitive swimming events. Swim caps will be provided by their Guild Co-ordinator on the day. Students incorrectly dressed will not be allowed to compete. Year 12s ONLY have permission to dress up. No streamers, face paint or anything that might run in the pool. Students will need to provide their own food/drinks for the day. The kiosk will not be available to students. Any Uber Eats orders will be confiscated.
We look forward to a great day in the pool filled with Guild Spirit.
2025 Equip, Guide, Thrive and Pastoral Care Group Program
This year we are excited to launch our Equip, Guide, Thrive (EGT) Program for students in Years 7 – 12. Our Vision for Mission, Wellbeing, and Learning complement each other and aim to create a holistic and cohesive educational experience for all students, helping them to become “good Christians and good citizens” (Matthew 5:16). The EGT program aims to provide an integrated and rigorous education that supports our students in becoming their best selves by giving them opportunities to build their spiritual, wellbeing and academic toolkits. An overview of the Term One Program can be found here.
The Extended Pastoral Care Program will continue this year in a slightly different format. It will allow for more flexibility in meeting the needs of our individual cohorts as well as providing more time for building connections and pastoral care support.
Carla Pastorelli
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
WACE (secondary graduation) requirements
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12
A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath.
For students thinking of attending University
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
The Bricklaying Job Ready Program is a FREE 4-week course designed for students eager to begin their journey in bricklaying. It offers the students a white card and experience in the bricklaying industry.
Course Dates: 1st Semester 2025:
Start date 10 March – South Metropolitan TAFE Rockingham Start date 17 March – North Metropolitan TAFE Balga Start date 5 May – North Metro TAFE Clarkson Start date 2 June – South Metropolitan TAFE Thornlie
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 ‘List B’ (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
Gap year information
Students interested in taking a gap year in 2026 might find the following interesting:
The Bricklaying Job Ready Program is a FREE 4-week course designed for students eager to begin their journey in bricklaying. It offers the students a white card and experience in the bricklaying industry.
Course Dates: 1st Semester 2025:
Start date 10 March – South Metropolitan TAFE Rockingham Start date 17 March – North Metropolitan TAFE Balga Start date 5 May – North Metro TAFE Clarkson Start date 2 June – South Metropolitan TAFE Thornlie
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here: https://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/video.tisc
Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry in 2026?
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2025 (including Assured Pathway at UWA) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
4 March 2025: UCAT bookings open
16 May 2025: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2024
11 June 2025: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
Also, students applying for Medicine at Curtin University are required to sit the CASPER Test. CASPER scores are valid only for the next available admissions year, so applicants should only complete the test in the year immediately preceding their planned year of admission.
The CASPER Test is held nationally and is sat online from home. Applicants are responsible for making their own arrangements to register for the CASPER Test.
It has been a wonderful start to the 2025 school year, with the smiling faces of students, staff and parents once again visible across the Primary campuses. Our students are settling nicely into their new classrooms, campuses and routines. At the start of the year, it can often be a time of adjustment for many students as they learn new teachers, peers and structures. If you have any concerns during this time, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher to discuss them.
Communication
As mentioned at the Primary Parent Information evening, this year will continue our efforts to refine and streamline communication with Primary parents.
The newsletter will be used to post as much information as possible for the upcoming fortnight, so I encourage all families to read the newsletter carefully each fortnight and refer to the information as required throughout the term. Past newsletters can always be found on the College website.
Email and the official Newman College App will be utilised to communicate with parents in between newsletters.
SeeSaw will now be kept as a place to view your children’s class work, as well as a place for the classroom teacher (and specialist teachers when required) to post directly to individual class/cohort parent groups.
Newman App
The Newman College app should now be available once more in the Apple store after some issues with the Apple App Store in the last few weeks. It would be beneficial if parents could ensure they have the Newman App, as this will be utilised more in 2025 as one of the main modes of communication.
To download the app in the App Store (Apple Devices) or Google Play (Android Devices) simply type in Newman College.
It is important to select “Primary” under subscriptions. This can be found by clicking on “More” and going to “Settings”.
Parent Information Evening
A huge thank you to all of the Primary parents who were able to come along to the Primary Parent Information Evening held last Thursday. It was a wonderful event and the Primary Leadership Team heard so much positive feedback from parents on the night. I hope the night was very informative and that those who attended the optional sessions in the second half of the evening found them meaningful. As always, we are interested in any parent feedback from the evening, so if you have any feedback to share on the classroom sessions, optional sessions or the event itself, I ask you to complete this form.
I look forward to seeing as many families as possible at the upcoming Primary Family Picnic. Please click here for details.
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
Our Medals of Marcellin are back in 2025! Each fortnight at each Primary campus, one person will be drawn out of the raffle and receive a small prize for living out our Newman Norms. Congratulations to Will (Marian Campus) who was the Week 1 winner of our raffle! Each raffle ticket received is swapped for a token and the Guild with the highest number of tokens at the end of the term wins a prize for the whole Guild!
Primary Swimming Carnival (Y3-6)
Please see below for communication from Mrs Richards regarding the upcoming 2025 Swimming Carnival. We ask that all students remain at the event until the end of the school day (3:00pm) to support their peers and their Guilds. Should you need to leave early for an appointment, please email Amanda.johnson@newman.wa.edu.au to advise so we have notice. If students do not remain until the end of the Carnival it becomes very difficult with the number of names needing to be called over the PA System whilst also trying to run the event effectively. For those parents with children at Marian, rest assured they will be supervised by staff until you arrive after the Carnival, so there is no need to leave the Carnival early.
Last year saw the successful introduction of the URSTRONG Friendship Curriculum across the Primary. It has been wonderful to hear so many families using the same language and discussing the same concepts at home. A reminder, parents continue to have access to a FREE URSTRONG parent membership. We hope that as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.
Student Illness
A reminder that if students are sick they should not attend school. We ask for parent cooperation with this to ensure sickness does not spread to other students and our teaching staff. Already this year we have seen a significant number of students and staff away from school with illness. If students attend school with symptoms of being sick, the front office will contact parents to come and collect them. If students have vomited, they should remain at home for 24 hours after the last time they vomited. Thank you for your understanding and support to ensure the wellbeing of our students and staff, and the continuity of learning programs.
Homework Club
Lavalla Homework Club resumes this term for students in Years 3-6.
Commences: Week 4 – Tuesday 25 February
When: Tuesday afternoons (Term 1 Weeks 4-9)
Where: Lower Level Years 3-6 Building
Time: 3:00-4:30pm (please note pickup is strictly at 4:30pm)
Homework Club is an opportunity for your child to spend time in the afternoon completing their homework, collaborating with peers on tasks/projects, working independently on unfinished work, as well as receiving additional support from teachers who are supervising.
Students are provided time to have their own afternoon snack at 3:05pm, plus a short play, before commencing Homework Club at around 3:30pm.
If your child will be attending Homework Club, you are asked to complete this form so we are aware of the expected numbers and can ensure appropriate supervision.
Sacramental Program 2025
Students in Years 3, 4 and 6 in 2025 will be preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. The learning component of the Sacrament will be completed at school and parents are required to contact their local parish to enrol their child if they wish them to receive the Sacrament. Further information can be found within the links below, and each Parish will have slightly different requirements with regards to their Sacramental Program.
Enrolments for all parishes are open and parents are encouraged to enrol their children as soon as possible, as many of the parishes will be finalising their enrolments next week.
If you have any questions regarding the Sacramental Program please contact Jane Short, Primary Religious Education Coordinator, jane.short@newman.wa.edu.au
Mrs Jane Short
Leader of Wellbeing & Religious Education Coordinator Primary
Numeracy and Literacy Support Programs
In primary school, we use a three-tiered approach to support Literacy and Numeracy development.
In level 1 the classroom teacher screens and tests students to determine their point of need. They then differentiate the activities in the classroom to accommodate the needs of each student. This may look like different readings, spelling lists or different numbers for a sum.
Level 2 involves withdrawing a small group for support. The classroom screens are used to identify any students experiencing difficulties. Further screens are then completed to identify what small group program would suit them.
For Literacy, we use MacqLit (Years 3-6) and MiniLit Sage (Years 1-2) to focus on phonics support. We also offer Book Club (Years 3-6) to focus on developing comprehension skills and strategies. Parents will receive a letter explaining that their child is invited to participate in these programs. Some students may be withdrawn to focus on fluency with our Fluency Reading program. This program has a more fluid approach and will change depending on student performance week to week.
In Numeracy we also offer tier 2 withdrawn small group support. In Years 1-2 the focus is on strengthening foundational skills. Parent will receive a letter if their child is invited to this program. Years 3-6 students focus on classroom content delivered at a differentiated pace. This program is more flexible and students are invited to come to sessions depending on the topic and their confidence in learning. This approach helps students recognise the need for support and accessing what is available for them.
Tier 3 students have individualised learning programs catering to their specific needs in Literacy and Numeracy. Parents will be informed of any plans for Tier 3 interventions.
All these programs of support are determined by students’ performance in screening assessments and class work. In Term 1 all support programs will begin in week 3.
Library Volunteers
We have wonderful libraries on both our Primary campuses and we encourage students to discover their love of reading by coming to browse and choose books from our large collection. Help is needed with the shelving or covering of books on both campuses and we are seeking parent and or grandparent volunteers to help.
If you would like to offer your assistance, please complete this Library Volunteer form by Monday 17 February. A roster will then be drawn up and details will be emailed to you.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Primary Library Staff
Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize
Calling all budding scientists and filmmakers! The Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize is for you!
This competition encourages students to communicate scientific concepts through short films. It aims to support budding young scientists across Australia who will become future leaders in research, discovery, and communication.
What you have to do:
Create a 2-minute film about a scientific concept, discovery, invention, or hypothesis based on the 2025 theme ‘above and below’.
Important Information:
The competition is open to primary and secondary school students studying in Australia.
Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams of up to six students.
Students must plan, organise and film their submission with minimal help from adults.
Important dates for the 2025 competition:
Entries open: February 11, 2025
Entries due: April 14, 2025, 7pm AEST
Winners announced: September 3, 2025
Primary school students who would like to create a submission as an individual or as a team, please come to the library at recess on Wednesday 19th of February to meet with Mrs Cole-Carter (Shine Teacher) to find out more.
Mrs Clare Cole-Carter
Primary SHINE & 3-6 Extension Teacher
Year 6 Camp
Our Year 6 classes head off to Forrest Edge, Waroona on Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 February for their annual camp. The experience promises to be a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop and strengthen their relationships as a cohort, and to challenge themselves in a range of ways that push them outside of their comfort zone. We wish them a fantastic experience and look forward to hearing all about it when they return!
Primary Build
Work continues at a steady pace on the Primary Build Program. Recently we have seen some more milestones reached. The Bike Rack area is completed and opened to students at the start of this week, and the Undercover Courts Area will be opened in the coming days, with re-surfacing and line marking complete.
A warm welcome back to the start of Term One. A special mention to our new families who will begin their journey within our Newman College Community in 2025.
I trust that the Christmas and holiday periods provided opportunities for relaxation, connection, presence, and family spirit. The 2025 school year is shaping up to deliver many life-giving experiences to our students and community.
It is an exciting time for Newman College as we move our Marian students to their new home in the Primary Build and celebrate and farewell the Marian Campus. We also celebrate some significant anniversaries, recognising the 20th anniversary of becoming a K-12 school with the amalgamation of Newman Junior School in 2005, and the 60th anniversary of the opening of Marist College on our Churchlands site in 1965.
Marist Theme
Each year, Marist schools focus on a theme and in 2025 the Marist Theme is Pilgrims of Hope – Look Beyond. This will be a feature of our Family Mass on 18 February.
A child’s achievements goes beyond academics; they depend on experiences that allow them to develop socially, spiritually, emotionally, morally, and physically. Newman College offers comprehensive learning pathways inside and outside the classroom to cater to our students.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2024 on achievements in their chosen pathways of academic pursuit. We extend a sincere thank you to all teachers and support staff for their dedication to students during their entire journey at the College.
A showcase of student results from the 2024 Academic Year will feature in the next edition of the college newsletter and we will welcome back High Achievers to the first Secondary Assembly of the year to be celebrated alongside the High Achievers from Years 7-11, Semester 2 2024.
Welcome Parents Sundowner
All parents are invited to attend the Welcome Sundowner on Friday 31 January in Founders Court on the Marcellin Campus, 5.30pm-7.30pm. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online here.
This is a great opportunity to experience Family Spririt, meet new people and catch-up with those you already know. The Executive will be present to meet and chat with our parent community.
Family Mass
The formal opening of the school year occurs at our Family Mass and Commissioning of Student Leaders on Tuesday 18 February at 5.30pm on the Br Terrence Gleeson Oval (Marcellin Oval). We look forward to coming together as a College community. Further details will be shared with families in the coming week. Please note, student attendance is compulsory and a parent/guardian should attend with their child.
Start of Year Information
We are looking forward to our students commencing the 2025 Academic Year. Please read the 2025 Newman College Information Handbook publication, which outlines and summarises practical information pertinent to the start of the year. Included are introductory letters detailing the first days back for each Year Group. The letters highlight key events for each Year Group, uniform, and personal appearance expectations. Please familiarise yourselves with the content before the commencement of the term.
Information Evening Years
Secondary Y7-12
Parents/caregivers and students in Years 7–12 are invited to the 2025 Information Evening being held on Monday 3 February, 5.30pm-8.00pm. This new look format allows parents/guardians to choose their sessions, empowering them to select those most relevant to their family’s needs. Attendance is essential for the Year Group Information and PCG goal-setting sessions. There will be sausage sizzle and refreshments available from 5.30pm-7.00pm, with funds donated to Caritas.
Please find detailed information about the evening here.
We look forward to your attendance.
Primary PK-6
Parents and caregivers of students in Pre-Kindy-Year 6 are invited to the 2025 Information Evening being held on Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm-7:00pm, in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus.
For more detailed information about the evening, please click here.
The staff at Newman College send their best intentions to our students for a successful start to the year. I look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with each of you. The sense of presence and family spirit characteristic of life at Newman College makes it a pleasure to come to work every day. It is my hope that our wonderful Marist community continues to grow and that students and staff pursue and achieve their goals as the year unfolds.
Last Friday Year 3 Blue presented an amazing assembly focusing on the spirit of Christmas. The students shared how it is important to spread love and kindness throughout the season of Christmas and that it was about giving to others. 3 Blue shared some great examples of how we can give to others (donating to charity Christmas appeals) in a very entertaining and engaging way! Thank you 3 Blue for your wonderful assembly!
Christmas Carols & Primary Awards Night
Thank you to all of our Primary families for attending our Primary Carols and Awards Evening. It was a wonderful celebration of Christmas Music, and a celebration of the year, with recognition of those K-5 students who received awards on the night. A special thank you to Ms Laura van Rijn for her preparation, and coordination of the event – a huge task!
Year 6 Graduation Mass & Awards Night
On Tuesday night we celebrated a huge milestone for our Year 6 graduating class of 2024. Our Year 6 students, families and College staff celebrated a beautiful Mass, followed by our annual Year 6 Awards. It was a beautiful occasion and a fantastic celebration of our Year 6 cohort. We wish our Year 6’s every success as they move into our secondary campus here at Newman College, or move onto another secondary school. We know they all have bright futures ahead of them.
Transition Days
Last Friday was a fantastic day for all of our K-5 students as they met their new 2025 teachers and classmates and participated in fun activities as a new class. All students came home with a ‘Meet the Teacher’ page to learn more about their 2025 classroom teacher.
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
As it is the end of term, our winning faction (with the most ‘medals’) has been revealed at each campus! The results were very close amongst the factions. Our winning factions were:
Marian: Brigid
Lavalla: Knox
Students in these factions received a prize of wearing free dress on Monday. Congratulations to these students.
Our Newman Norms have been a great success this year and will return next year, with our token system adapted to suit our new Guilds.
All students in Pre-Primary to Year 6 are asked to bring in headphones/earphones for the start of the 2025 school year, to be stored in the classroom, utilised with devices and for other purposes when required.
Stationery Items for 2025 Lavalla Students
There are no booklists for students in Years 3/4/5/6. Supplies will be provisioned by the classroom teachers. Students will however require the following items (teachers may have already provided your child with a specific list during the transition afternoon):
pencil case
ruler
sharpener
highlighters x2
eraser x 2
coloured pencils
coloured textas
lead pencils x 8
scissors
glue sticks x 5
whiteboard markers x 5
5 x blue pens & 5 x red pens (Year 5 & 6 only)
iPad Program 2025
The College will continue with its rollout of College-owned and managed iPads. In 2025, students in Years 2 – 5 will have a College owned and managed iPad. Students in Years 6 will continue to use their BYOD iPad.
Sacramental Program – Years 3, 4 & 6
Students in Years 3, 4 and 6 in 2025 will be preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
If your child is preparing to receive a sacrament you will need to contact your Parish and complete the enrolment process. Further information regarding the Sacramental Program can be found via the links below and the 2025 information should be available before the beginning of the 2025 school year.
A reminder, parents continue to have access to a FREE URSTRONG parent membership. We hope that as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.
Reports
Primary reports are available to view via SEQTA Engage.
Should your child not be returning to Newman College in 2024, we remind parents of the requirement to download all reports from SEQTA Engage by 31 December. After this time the student record is archived.
SWIMMING
2025 Primary Staffing
Please see below for 2025 Primary Classroom Staffing
Blue
Green
Red
PK
Colomba Iannitelli EA: Helen Cawley
Megan Bankes EA: Julie Topini
Kindy
Sarah Francia EA: Lisa Matthews EA: Helen Cawley
Lisa Carbone EA: Suzanne Pluske EA: Kate Bartlett
Kelly Simpson EA: Elliana Celisano EA: Meegan Seaborn
Pre-Primary
Sarah Isherwood EA: Naomi Fisher
Amy Donnelly EA: Lisa Matthews (M) EA: Lucinda Hope (T-F)
Rebecca Rose EA: Lisa Johns
1
Tess McKenna
Lauren Guarino
Holly Cooper
2
Alessia Chiera
Catherine Nicolau
Amy Dawson
3
Melissa Heaver
Juliet Ferris
Sharon McAuliffe
4
Sarah Dalton
Drew Elliott
Erica Horn
5
Delia Kretzmann
Josh Houwen
Lucy Zambonetti (M-T) Robyn Hatchett (W-F)
6
Imogen Crostella
Adam Read
Lara Gray
Marian
Lavalla
General
Maria Franklyn, Trish Eindorf, Julie Romano
Pauline Tutungis, Rosa Testa, Arden Lavelle
Special Needs
Kathy Biancuzzo, Alicia Salvati, Kate McMahon, Danae Florias, Siena Parrisis, Hannah Volleman
Please see below for 2025 Primary Specialist Staffing
Marian
Lavalla
Performing Arts
Kellie Thwaites
Music
Laura van Rijn
Visual Art
Sarah Spencer
Melissa Corbett
Physical Education
Lara Vlahov
Tasha Richards
Languages (Italian)
Maria Lynch
Technologies
Justin Kirry
Library
Alison Le Dan Technicians: Tania Bailey & Catherine Hall
SHINE (Y1-6)
Clare Cole-Carter
Maths Extension (Y1-2)
Edwina Battersby
Maths Extension (Y3-6)
Clare Cole-Carter
Maths Support
Edwina Battersby
Jane Short
Literacy Support
Education Assistants
Anne-Marie Terry Education Assistants
Social Worker
Caryl Gioia
Please note that Languages are only compulsory (as per SCSA requirements) for students in Year 3 and above. Next year, Marian students will participate in a new Technologies specialist subject, and Lavalla students will continue with Italian.
Primary Admin Staff
Lavalla: Amanda Johnson
Marian: Jess Wiedermann (M-W) & Jen Scott (Th-F)
Primary Leadership Team
Head of Primary: Ryan von Bergheim
Leader of Learning Primary: Catherine Young
Leader of Wellbeing Primary (PK-1): Edwina Battersby
Leader of Wellbeing Primary (Y2&3) & Religious Education Coordinator: Jane Short
Leader of Wellbeing (Y4-6): Justin Kirry
Merry Christmas
As we wrap up the 2024 school year, on behalf of the entire Primary staff, I want to thank all Primary families for their support throughout 2024. It has been a wonderful year, with plenty to reflect upon and celebrate. I wish all families a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy a relaxing and special time together as a family over the Christmas holiday period. I look forward to seeing students return to school for Term 1, 2025. 2025 is shaping up to be Newman College’s biggest year yet!
