The Arts, as they constantly do, brought great joy to the College this week. On Monday evening, the Winter Music Night was held in the Marist Auditorium. A total of 160 students performed to a packed auditorium throughout the night, showcasing their Semester One work. The evening featured nine scholarship performers, as well as five Lavalla and 10 Marcellin ensembles—including vocal, orchestral, and instrumental groups—that delighted the audience with their talent and dedication. Students from Year 3 to Year 12 showed such dedication, talent and passion in the pieces presented. Our Arts Captain, Ella Nguyen was well supported by Katja Ekkert, who stepped in for Arts Captain, Campbell Smith, who was unwell, in hosting the evening, and they both did a wonderful job. The Music program continues to grow across the College through the work of our Music Co-ordinator Ms Selena Barnett, Lavalla Music Specialist, Ms Laura van Rijn, the Music tutors and the support of Mrs Kathy Laa Brooy, Leader of the Learning Arts and Mrs Aleisha Dows, Arts Administrator. Later in Term 3, we will welcome the musicians from Sacred Heart College, a Marist School in Adelaide to our Marist performance week at the College.
@stephenheathphotography
@stephenheathphotography
@stephenheathphotography
@stephenheathphotography
@stephenheathphotography
Marist Mural
Mrs Emily Rose, Secondary Art Teacher, combined the idea of a visiting Artist in Residence with a project that would help enhance our Marist identity. Emily created a wonderful brief that brought the symbolism of the Marist violets into a Western Australian context of flora and fauna. The idea of the violets comes from St Marcellin himself. They represent the three basic spiritual attitudes of ‘humility’, simplicity’ and ‘modesty’. In our Marist mural, the violets chosen are native to Western Australia (Pigea Calycina). To finish the image, Western Australian blue-banded bees (Amegilla Chlorocyanea) represent not just the important Marist colour blue, but that sense of community. Painted by local artist, Brenton See, the project has drawn great interest from the Art students and anyone passing by as Brenton undertook his work. The mural is painted on the blank wall of the stairs leading to the John Henry Newman Hub.
Secondary Celebration Assembly
The final day of term saw us host the Celebration Assembly. Our Student Leaders gave reports and updates on their work in Academics, Mission, Sports, The Arts and Languages. We also acknowledged National NAIDOC week with the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Visionand Legacy, marking 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. As NAIDOC week falls in the school holidays, we will further recognise NAIDOC week in the first week of Term 3 with various activities across the College.
The Day Arrives
On Thursday, the Marian campus closed its doors for the final time. Over the past months, we have spent time honouring the role of the Peebles Road site in the Newman College story. All Marian staff and students gathered for a final photo on the oval and the group image took the shape of the letter M. The Year 2 students led us in one final assembly in the Marian Hall and, fittingly, the theme was friendship. In the history and story of this learning setting, Marian has been a place of great friendship making and welcome. On the first day of Term 3, all Early Learning students and staff will be on the Churchlands campus in our fantastic new Marian learning setting.
Farewell Peebles Road and thank you!
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Holiday Break
I wish all families a restful break with their children. It is time for our students and staff to rest and recharge for the second semester. Academic Reports are now available on SEQTA and the opportunity to meet teachers for the Learning Conversations (Parent-Student-Teacher interviews) will take place on Tuesday 22 July.
Congratulations to all Newman College students for their great commitment to Shine through Discovery in Semester One. Thank you to the staff for their work and to our parents for their support.
Upcoming Changes to Social Media Access for Under 16s
As part of new legislation under the Online Safety Act 2021, age-restricted social media platforms will be legally required to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts by December 2025. This national move aims to create safer digital spaces and protect young people from online harms such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content and social pressure. Further information can be found at eSafety -Social Media Age Restrictions.
This legislation acknowledges the growing body of research linking early social media use with impacts on sleep, mental health, focus and self-esteem. It is not about taking something away – it is about giving young people space to grow up without unnecessary digital pressure.
We encourage parents to start open conversations with their children now. Some steps to consider:
Review the apps your child uses and their age restrictions
Gradually reduce use of age-inappropriate platforms
Explore safe, age-appropriate alternatives
Model balanced digital habits at home
Primary Carpark Etiquette
Next term, we are excited to welcome our Pre-Kindy to Year 2 students to the Churchlands campus. Our staff have been working hard to ensure a smooth and positive transition for all families.
A key part of our preparation has been reviewing traffic and carpark procedures to ensure the safety and efficiency of drop-off and pick-up times. We kindly ask for your support by following the guidelines below:
General Expectations
Please follow the directions of staff on duty.
Be patient and courteous at all times and follow all carpark signage.
Pre-Kindy and Kindy Pick-Up
If you are collecting children in Pre-Kindy or Kindy only, please:
Be parked by 2.45pm
Collect your child directly from the classroom
Exit the carpark by 3pm, if possible, to make space for other families
Kiss N Ride Procedures
Please ensure your family name is clearly displayed on your dashboard.
Kiss N Ride will open at 3pm, after the dismissal bell.
Families collecting children from Pre-Primary to Year 6 via Kiss N Ride should not enter the carpark before 3pm.
Important Reminders
There is strictly no parking in the left-hand Kiss N Ride lane.
Once this lane is full, remain in the right lane and either:
Drive ahead and park, or
Loop around and re-enter the Kiss N Ride queue once space becomes available.
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support as we work together to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all students and families.
Pupil Free Days and Student Learning Conversations (Parent-Teacher Interviews)
A reminder to our families that Monday 21 July is a pupil-free day for all PK to Year 12 students. On Tuesday 22 July, there will be no classes to enable our Student Learning Conversations to take place.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for a fantastic term and wish you all a safe and restful holiday break with family and friends.
Uniform Shop – School Holiday Trading Hours
The College Uniform shop will be open on the following days prior to the commencement of Term 3:
Tuesday 15 July – 9:00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Wednesday 16 July – 9:00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Tuesday 22 July – 8.30am to 4.30pm
As usual orders can also be placed online for collection. The link to the online store is here.
Last Friday, 5 Red treated us to an entertaining and informative assembly on adaptation and the fascinating ways animals adjust to their environments over time in order to survive.
Their presentation also reminded us of something essential to human survival and wellbeing: the need to feel loved and to belong. Just as animals adapt to thrive, we too flourish when we feel valued and supported.
It’s a shared responsibility for all of us to help ensure that everyone feels a strong sense of belonging in our Marist family, where every student knows they are seen, valued, and loved by their peers.
Year 6 Assembly
This morning, our Year 6 Blue students delivered an impactful assembly performance highlighting the effect of pollution on our environment and the importance of taking action today.
Through a creative journey into the future — all the way to 2075 — they showed us what our world could look like if we don’t act now: the Great Barrier Reef lost, our oceans choked with plastics, and record-high temperatures becoming the norm.
Their message was an inspiring call to action for us all: even the smallest positive changes we make today can have a significant impact on the future. It’s a responsibility we all share to care for our planet, and we commend Year 6 Blue for using their voices to remind us just how important this is.
Well done to all involved for this timely and thought-provoking message!
Year 2 Liturgy
Yesterday, we celebrated our final day at Marian with a beautiful Liturgy organised by our Year 2 students, centred around the theme of friendship and farewelling Marian.
A highlight of the celebration was a heartfelt reflection video featuring photos of each class, capturing the strong sense of family spirit and our love of work.
A sincere thank you to the Year 2 Unit Group and Mrs Jane Short for preparing such a special and memorable Liturgy, a meaningful way to honour our community’s rich history at Marian.
Marian Move
Yesterday, we shared our last day at the Marian campus. The mood is high with staff and teachers very excited about the move. Removalists have been on-site nearly every day this week, moving furniture and resources. Our teachers have been seen very late into the evening setting up our new learning spaces. We look forward to welcoming parents to the new build for Parent Teacher Interviews on Tuesday 22 July and students on Wednesday 23 July.
I am so proud of our community for how both staff and students have approached the challenges of this week with limited furniture and resources. I have seen every one of our Marist values come to life.
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New Finish Time for Pre-Kindy and Kindy
A reminder that Pre-Kindy and Kindy will finish at the new time of 2.45pm from Term 3. This is to accommodate for the increase of traffic to the primary campus.
Kiss n Ride for Pre- Primary
In Term 3, we will be trialling Kiss ‘n’ Ride for our Pre-Primary students.
Each classroom will have a Kiss ‘n’ Ride register where you can indicate if you’d like your child to be brought to the collection point. Please note that you must register your child each day if you wish for them to use this service.
If you would prefer your child to go to Kiss ‘n’ Ride on a regular basis (e.g., every day or on specific days each week), please email your classroom teacher directly.
Children will be supervised by an Education Assistant while they wait to be collected.
We appreciate your support as we trial this new system to help make pick-up time smoother and more efficient.
Parent Teacher Interviews Tuesday 22 July
Parent Teacher Interviews are being held of Tuesday 22 July and you have received correspondence from the College regarding how to book your appointments. These meetings offer a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and work together to support their ongoing learning and wellbeing. Strong partnerships between home and school play an important role in every child’s educational journey, and we look forward to connecting with you to share insights and future goals.
9.00am – 12.20pm
Online interviews only via Teams
1.15pm – 5.35pm
In-person interviews will be held in your child’s classroom at the Primary Campus, 216 Empire Avenue, Churchlands. There will be clear signs to direct PK-2 families.
As part of our commitment to fostering respectful and productive relationships between families and staff, the College asks all parents and carers to adhere to the Parent Code of Conduct during Parent-Teacher Interviews. This includes engaging in courteous and respectful dialogue, honouring the scheduled time allocation for each meeting, and recognising that complex or sensitive matters may require a separate, dedicated appointment to ensure they are addressed appropriately. Maintaining positive and professional communication supports our shared goal of working in partnership to enhance each student’s learning and wellbeing.
Missing Uniforms
As the winter months roll in, so do the missing jumpers, blazers, and mystery socks! We have noticed a rise in lost uniform items lately. If your child arrives home with an unexpected addition to their wardrobe, please send it into Reception. We will play uniform matchmaker and do our best to reunite it with its rightful owner.
Thanks for helping us solve the case of the wandering winterwear!
Communication regarding your child
We kindly ask that any concerns regarding your child’s learning progress, behaviour, or wellbeing be communicated directly with their classroom teacher.
While our Educational Assistants play a vital role in supporting students throughout the day, classroom teachers are best placed to discuss and respond to individual student matters. This ensures clear communication and allows us to provide the most accurate and effective support for your child.
Thank you for your understanding and for partnering with us to support your child’s growth and development.
End of Term
As we come to the end of a busy and memorable term, we thank you for your ongoing support, kindness, and involvement in school life. We hope the upcoming winter break brings rest, joy, and quality time with loved ones.
We look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 3 as we continue our journey together as #OneCampusOneCommunity.
Last week, 4 Red led a wonderful assembly all about persistence. They shared stories of famous people who didn’t give up, even when things were hard.
We heard how J.K. Rowling was turned down by 12 publishers before Harry Potter became a huge success. Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Michael Jordan was cut from his school basketball team, but kept trying and became a star. Taylor Swift didn’t let early knockbacks stop her from chasing her music dreams.
4 Red reminded us that persistence is important for everyone, not just the famous. It helps us keep going when learning is tricky or when we face challenges.
Buddy Day
Today, we celebrated both Champagnat Day and Buddy Day, a significant day made even more special by welcoming our K–2 students to the Lavalla Campus, as we continue our journey towards becoming one community.
Despite the wet weather, spirits were high as our youngest students took part in an outdoor walk around the new building. This gave them a first glimpse of their future surroundings and, most excitingly, their new playgrounds! Thanks to gumboots and rain jackets, the rain became part of the adventure, with many students eagerly putting puddles to the test.
PK-2 Build Update
We are thrilled to be counting down the final weeks to the opening of our brand-new PK–2 building. The excitement is building across our community as we move closer to this exciting milestone.
This week, the campus has been buzzing with activity as delivery trucks arrived daily, bringing in beautiful new furniture and resources to help bring the learning spaces to life. It’s been wonderful to see the vision for our early years environment coming together, piece by piece.
We cannot wait to welcome our PK–2 students and families to the Churchlands site at the beginning of Term 3. We look forward to sharing this next chapter with you and to seeing our youngest learners thrive in their inspiring new space.
To help your child feel confident and prepared for the upcoming move to the Churchlands campus, we encourage you to read through this social story together. It’s designed to gently introduce the new environment, routines, and spaces in a way that supports a smooth and positive transition.
To help ease traffic congestion and ensure there is adequate parking for all families during afternoon pick-up, we will be introducing a new home time for our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students from the beginning of Term 3.
Starting in Term 3, dismissal for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will be at 2:45pm. This small adjustment will help stagger pick-up times across the school, making the process smoother and safer for everyone.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we make this change to improve the overall experience for our families and to support the safe and efficient operation as we move to being one campus, one community.
Pupil Free Day PK-2 – Friday 4 July
To facilitate the setup of classrooms and unpacking of boxes in readiness for the start of Term 3, Friday 4 July will be a Pupil Free Day for all PK-2 students. OSH Club is running a vacation care day on this day. To book your child into OSH Club on this day, please contact OSH Club directly https://www.oshclub.com.au/find-us/newman-college/
I have been lucky enough to be involved in a couple of retreats recently – one as a participant, and another as a facilitator at our recent Year 12 retreat. Both were deeply meaningful experiences. I’ve come to realise that, whatever side of the fence you find yourself on, there is always something to be gained through retreat. Whether you are stepping away for your own renewal or walking alongside others in their experience, the retreat space offers something sacred.
I really value the opportunity to attend retreats – to take a step back from the fullness of life and focus on my own spiritual nourishment. It gives me time to reset, space to see things more clearly, and often a renewed sense of purpose or commitment to a wellbeing or spiritual practice.
We know the benefits of stepping back. Whether it’s five minutes in the morning before the day begins, a quiet moment in nature, a prayer before a meal, or a longer retreat experience – carving out intentional time to be still, to listen, to reflect, or to simply be – is vital.
Our lives are full. But we are not meant to pour from an empty cup. Creating space for retreat – however big or small – is one of the most life-giving things we can do, not only for ourselves, but for the people around us. Where are those moments for you? And if they don’t yet exist, where, perhaps, could you make space for some?
Champagnat Awards
This morning, we celebrated a very special occasion in our school, with our 2025 Champagnat Awards. These are the students and staff who embody the heart of our Marist charism, bringing our Marist characteristics of presence, simplicity, love of work, family spirit, and In the Way of Mary each and every day. These students and staff are not the type to seek the spotlight, but their impact is felt in the way they live amongst our community, making Jesus known and loved through their small daily actions. I thank each of them for the witness they give to our shared mission, and for the way they help shape our College into a place where Gospel values are truly lived.
Parent Formation
Just a reminder to all families, it is not too late to register for our parent formation evening. This casual evening, with food and drinks, is a lovely way to explore our Marist charism and get a sense for what it means to be part of our Newman College community.
