Tag: News

Dear Parents and Guardians

We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming everyone back to school this week.  I take this opportunity to thank all students and parents for preparing well in terms of COVID for our return to school.  The students have responded extremely well under the restrictions that have been put in place across the school.

Mask wearing, particularly on the Marcellin campus, has been done really well.  On all campuses, students’ commitment to hand hygiene has been excellent and respective signage and reminders are placed in many areas across the College.

Further to these restrictions has been the reframing of our High Achievers and parent information events to an online forum which, going forward, is a viable means for future meetings.

The PK-12 Mass was postponed and we are looking at another time for families to gather on the grass later this year.  Student Leaders will receive a blessing at an upcoming Thursday morning Community Mass, at a date to be advised.  Parents of Student Leaders will be invited to attend the Mass and hospitality afterwards.

COVID-19

It is anticipated that restrictions will be lifted this Sunday.  However, should any further COVID-19 related information be forthcoming, Newman College families will be advised immediately.  (Information circulated previously can be viewed on our COVID-19 web page.)

St John Henry Newman Learning Hub – Marcellin Campus

This week, it was wonderful to see, at long last, our students in Years 3-12 enjoying this superb facility.  These spaces are a reflection of our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery, Let your light shine (Matt 5:16) which hopes to engender a sense of collaboration, creativity and innovation.  These spaces, put simply, de-privatise learning allowing for visibility, flexibility and accessibility.  We are still working through some of the arrangements in terms of Homework Club and supervision.  This will be communicated to families through the Deputy Principal Secondary, Ms Carla Pastorelli, in the coming weeks.

High Achievers and Student Leaders Commissioning

It was unfortunate that two of our larger events to commence the school year, the High Achievers Assembly and the PK-12 Family Mass, could not go ahead in the usual way due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Western Australia.

However, we were able to compromise and combine the acknowledging of our High Achievers and Years 6 and 12 Student Leaders during an online assembly on Wednesday.  Both these events are highlights in our College calendar as they represent the very best of students and their commitment to excellence.

I thank all those who contributed to the organisation of this event and for those who attended ‘online’.

In my Principal’s Address I spoke of the complexity and challenges that have pervaded the world over the last 12 months with the advent of the COVID Pandemic becoming very real for us here in WA.  In a local context, the COVID crisis here has been compounded by fires and floods across the State. For each crisis there have been many who have risen to the challenge, responded with courage, acted with conviction and sought to animate others to do the same.

How we respond to challenges and how we overcome adversity is the mark of a society.

On 20 January this year we witnessed the inauguration of the new USA President Joseph R Biden.  This event is a significant pivot point in the world in light of the unrest that has permeated that country …..and many would argue in other parts of the world.  For example, two weeks earlier the Capitol Building in Washington DC, in which the inauguration was held, was stormed by protestors exemplifying in some ways the duress the USA has endured.

The highlight of this ceremony for me was the inspirational words – not from the newly elected president – but from a young woman, Amanda Gorman…….. the youngest inaugural poet in US History who recited her poem “The Hill We Climb”.

An excerpt from her poem:

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.  This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves so while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

Amanda’s message draws upon one’s individual (yours) intent as a citizen, a member of a society who has the power to make a difference.  It is incumbent upon every member of our community – for students, teachers and alumni – to know that they have the power to be the author of a new chapter, to proffer hope, to prevail over the challenges and the complexities and the opportunities that are now inherently a part of the world in which we live.

Her concluding statement draws us to our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery, Let your light shine (Matt 5:16) where she focuses on the power of light.  She says:

“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. 

If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Please click here to view the full speech.

Lent

Next week we commence our Lenten journey.  The College will again be supporting Caritas Project Compassion which seeks to support communities across the world in most need.  I encourage all students to get behind this campaign whilst at the same time continue to develop their own faith.

There are many events and opportunities for our students to let their light shine and I encourage all students to take advantage of what is on offer.

I wish all students, staff and families well for the start of Term 1.

John Finneran
Principal

Welcome back to the 2021 academic year.

As you are aware, the PK-12 Family Mass was cancelled due to the current restrictions imposed by COVID-19.  It was also necessary to reformat our Class of 2020 High Achievers Principal’s Assembly on Wednesday 10 February, which was live streamed and can be viewed online.

We Commissioned our Year 6 and Year 12 student leaders at the assembly, congratulations to these fine young women and men. We look forward to supporting you as leaders of our community.

2021 High Achievers Assembly

Regrettably, we were unable to invite our 2020 High Achievers to return to the College in person to celebrate their impressive efforts. Students were acknowledged at the assembly for their achievements, and the community was blessed to hear about their inspiring plans for life beyond Newman College.

We extend our sincere congratulations to all the graduates in the Class of 2020, to the teachers that supported them in their senior secondary schooling, and to all teachers who fuelled a love of learning in them over their time at Newman.

Please Click Here to view 2020 College results.

Staff Professional Learning

Staff members have been busily preparing for the commencement of the school year. Teachers prepared both face-to-face and virtual learning for this week just in case unforeseen circumstance eventuated in remote learning. Should such a situation arise in the future, we will be well-placed to ‘flick the switch’ into the remote schooling mode.

As a staff, we looked at our Annual School Improvement Plan and have started to assemble teams to work on strategies and actions to deliver results across our four priority areas of; A Catholic school in the Marist Tradition; Transformational Learning; A Culture of Innovation and Excellence; Sustainability.

Seven learning areas relocated into our collective Staff Study area over the last couple of weeks. The transition is nearly finished, and we hope that the space provides a collegial, supportive, and collaborative learning environment for teachers to converse and work. Our new learning spaces in the St John Henry Learning Hub and the S Block are also now operational. We will all be on a learning journey to discover how best to use these fantastic new-age spaces.

Parent Information Evenings

The Year 11 and Year 12  Parent Information Evenings were reformatted to go online. Both events were broadcast to the parent community on the afternoon of Wednesday 10 February. Parents were emailed a link to the respective videos.

We hope to be able to meet with our Year 11 and 12 Parent community at other College events as the year progresses; such as the Parent Teacher Interview Evening scheduled for Week 6.

Next week we hope to welcome our K- Year 6 (Tuesday 16 February) and Year 7 (Monday 15 February) communities to attend their Parent Information Evenings.

Our Year 8 and Year 9 Parent Information Evenings will be held virtually on Monday 22 February and our Year 10 Parent Information Night will occur later in the year, in conjunction with the subject selection process.

Parent Teacher Communication Protocols

Parents are reminded that the most efficient and effective method for contacting teachers and support staff is through the staff member’s CEWA email address. In most cases, our staff will respond to the communication as appropriate, within 48 hours.

Updating Family Contact Details

If there are any changes to your contact details (ie phone number, email address or home address) please ensure you advise the College Registrar via registrar@newman.wa.edu.au

This will ensure your child’s enrolment record contains the most up to date details.

Download Advice of Family Change Form

Code of Conduct

A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensuring confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries. Events held during school hours AND those events outside of school hours that are associated with the College are also supported by the Code of Conduct. Additionally, postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are bound by the Code of Conduct.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a positive partnership that supports our students, your children.

The Code of Conduct will be spoken to at Campus and Year Group Information Evenings in the weeks ahead.

Food Allergy Reminder

Newman College would like to offer a reminder to all families that we are a ‘Nut Aware’ school. It is NOT nut free.

Families should be advised that the College cannot guarantee the absence of all nut products or traces of nuts within food across the College. Parents are strongly encouraged to speak with their child and encourage them not to share food with others. We ask parents to please refrain from including any items in their child’s lunchbox that contains nuts (eg. Nut bars, peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches). We also ask that parents do not provide food items to celebrate their child’s birthday. Parents are welcome to provide small novelty items if they like, but it is not necessary. Our classroom teachers are very good at making all birthday children feel special and celebrated.

It is pertinent that any child with an identified allergy has completed a Medical Management Plan and discussed this with their child’s teacher.

The College Canteen does provide a ‘Nut Aware’ service, but cannot guarantee that food and beverages served from the Canteen do not contain traces of Nuts, Crustaceans, Fish, Milk, Eggs, Sesame, Soybean and Wheat. If families are reliant on the Canteen for the provision of food and beverages to a child WITH an allergy, they are advised to contact the Canteen Manager, Donna McFadden donna.mcfadden@newman.wa.edu.au

The Canteen is available daily for children of the College. Click here for further details.

Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome to the start of the 2021 academic year. In particular, we welcome new families and staff to our Marist Community. I hope all have enjoyed the family time that Christmas and the extended break bring.  Across the world many families are still suffering as a consequence of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the challenges it presents.  We have been graced in our own State, moreover our country, by the way in which our leaders have been able to manage this crisis.

Pope Francis in his Fratelli Tutti Encyclical Letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship (#55) says this of hope….“I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning.” 

It is this hope that we take into our new year at Newman College as we seek to build community and the experiences of our young people.

The gift of our Marist community is our family spirit and that space we create to nurture, support and inspire our children.  The vision of St Marcellin Champagnat – that we make Jesus known and loved – is the foundation of our faith and learning community.  We are strengthened as a Marist school by our characteristics of Presence, Love of Work, Simplicity, In the Way of Mary and Family Spirit.  These characteristics drive the cultural elements that shape who we are, what we represent and what we are going to become and, ultimately, the legacy that will define who we are.

In 2021 the College is launching its new Strategic Directions 2021-2023 – Commitment to Excellence.  The inspiration for our Strategic Directions 2021-2023 is based on St John Henry Newman’s words:

 “To live is to change, to be perfect is to have changed often.”

Our community has undergone significant renewal in the last five years, exemplified by agility and innovation as a PK-12 Community.  We have pursued St John Henry Newman’s commitment to academic excellence and critical thinking that is animated through our Vision for Learning ‘Shine through discovery’ – Let your light shine.  This Vision inspires our faith and learning community to Challenge, Collaborate, Create and Celebrate who we are and what we seek to achieve.

Our Strategic Directions – a Commitment to Excellence – will set the tone for our year. We are a great school and our goal is that every child continues to strive to do their best in all endeavours.  Our cultural imperative is to create a space for our students to flourish individually and collectively.

This Plan will be launched in Term 1.

College Expectations

In 2021, we will continue to grow our Vision for Learning – Shine through discovery Let your light shine (Mat 5:16). It is my hope that all students at Newman College are able to set clear and achievable goals that will allow them to be challenged as learners and to succeed in their endeavours.  To achieve individual success, it is the responsibility of each student to take ownership of their learning and to seek support from their teachers.  Across the College, our Leaders of Wellbeing, Leaders of Learning, Co-ordinators and Teachers are committed to supporting each individual student and year group collectively.  Critical to each student’s ongoing success will be the collaboration with families in adhering to expectations.  To that end, each leader of wellbeing will be writing to families this week outlining the expectations for each student as a member of the College community.  As a whole community, our collective commitment to growing our culture of excellence in all facets of College life will ensure a successful, engaged learning experience for our students.

In 2021 I am pleased to inform you that we have reframed our grooming expectations reflecting the voice of our students. Our expectation is that these standards are adhered to across the life of the school.

2021 College Leadership and New and Returning Staff

Outlined below are the members of the 2021 College Leadership Team:

John Finneran: Principal (Executive)

Lucie McCrory: Vice Principal (Executive)

Steve Halley-Wright: Director Finance and Administration (Executive)

Thomas Wagner: Director Operations and Engagement (Executive)

Carla Pastorelli: Deputy Principal Secondary

Simon Martino: Director Mission and Catholic Identity

Lisa McClue: Leader of Early Childhood

Stuart McClorey: Leader of Primary

Bernie Roberts: PK-12 Curriculum Coordinator

Our Positions of Responsibility can be found by clicking here.

Marian Campus, PK-Year 2

In Early Childhood, Leader of Early Childhood Lisa McClue will be the initial contact person for all matters pertaining to the Marian Campus and will be supported by Katya Anderson, Leader of Learning.

Lavalla Campus, Years 3-6

The day to day leadership and contacts will be distributed to the following team:

• Stuart McClorey, Leader of Wellbeing
• Renae Zelich, Leader of Learning
• Jane Short, Religious Education Coordinator

Marcellin Campus, Years 7-12

Pastoral care teachers are the daily point of contact for students and families.  leaders of wellbeing and leaders of learning, together with Deputy Principal Secondary, Carla Pastorelli, will manage and coordinate the Marcellin Campus.

New Staff
Please click here to view staff new to Newman College.

Staff Returning to the College
Please click here to view staff who have been on leave and are returning this Term.

I thank all parents and guardians as they prepare their children for the return to school.  We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday and Tuesday next week and seeing families at the forthcoming Family Mass on Thursday 11 February.

John Finneran
Principal