The 2025 school year is off to a fantastic start, filled with engaging activities and events that have brought our community together.
A special welcome to our new families – I hope you are settling in well and embracing the opportunities to connect with others. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Wishing all parents and students a year of growth, success, and meaningful experiences!
Family Mass
Next Tuesday 18 February, our Newman College community comes together for the Family Mass, an event that holds great significance in reinforcing our identity as a Catholic school in the Marist educational tradition. The occasion is made even more special as we will celebrate the commissioning of our Year 6 and Year 12 Student Leaders.
I remind parents and students that participation in all aspects of College life, including events like the Community Mass, are an integral part of our shared commitment upon enrolling in the College. As a Catholic school, there are few occasions more significant than coming together for a Community Mass, where we not only share in the Eucharist but also celebrate our unique charism as one united community.
We sincerely thank all our families, students, and staff for joining us for this special event.
I would like to remind parents that at Newman College, we deeply value our collaboration with families and caregivers in nurturing a supportive and respectful community. Our relationships are built on courtesy, mutual trust, and open communication.
To support this, we ask all parents and caregivers to familiarise themselves with the Code of Conduct for Parents and Adults. Understanding these expectations ensures we can continue working together with respect and appreciation for one another.
Newman Norms
At Newman College, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to succeed. To achieve this, we have established the Newman Norms – a set of non-negotiable expectations for student behaviour and conduct in the classroom. These norms provide clarity and consistency, ensuring that both students and teachers understand the standards that guide our interactions and learning.
The Newman Norms are not just rules; they are the foundation of a respectful and productive classroom culture. By upholding these expectations, students take responsibility for their learning, demonstrate respect for their peers and teachers, and contribute to an environment where everyone can thrive.
By embracing the Newman Norms, we create a community where learning is the priority, respect is non-negotiable, and every student can reach their full potential.
The Newman Norms are displayed in every classroom and can also be accessed on the College Website.
Transperth Updates
412 and 719 – Route Disruptions
Due to ongoing road closures, Stop 19068 (Huntriss Rd before Williamstown Rd, Woodlands) is currently out of service. This disruption will remain in effect until further notice. Please refer to the Transperth Service Update for details on the nearest alternative stops.
Bus Arrival Times
We acknowledge concerns regarding the morning arrival times of School Special Buses. The College has reported these issues to Transperth and assures parents that all services should arrive by 8:35am.
If your child experiences ongoing issues with bus arrival times, we encourage you to notify both the College and Transperth. Contact details for Transperth can be found here.
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.
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.
Well, we have reached the end of the term and the conclusion to the 2024 academic year! We celebrated and gave thanks for 2024 in recent days with the Thursday Community Mass, liturgies and assemblies. In each celebration, we focused on the joy of the year, our expression of Marist characteristics and the various contributions of our students to College life. In recent days, we experienced the Christmas joy of the Primary Christmas Carols and Kindy – Year 5 Awards, the Marian Advent Liturgy, the celebration of the Education Support Music Rocks End of Year Christmas Concert, Ministry and Discovery Festivals for Years 7 to 9, the 2025 Year 12 Leaders Marist Leadership Camp and the Year 6 Graduation and Awards event. Our Year 11 Philippines Immersion have returned from a truly enriching experience and our Marist Cricket team are enjoying the competition of the Marist Carnival. The term’s end reflects the nature of our whole year program – wonderful opportunities for our students to Shine Through Discovery.
Awards Ceremonies
On Friday 22 November, we celebrated the Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony in the Gymnasium and Marist Auditorium. Students who have excelled in academic, service, leadership, the arts and sport were recognised. It was wonderful to host so many families who attended the function. The Kindergarten to Year 5 Awards and Primary Carol Evening was a wonderful family evening on Friday, 29 November. Again, it was so pleasing to acknowledge student achievement and be led in the singing of carols by each year group. The final awards event was our Year 6 Celebration Mass and Awards where we acknowledged the end of the Primary journey for the class.
Staff Farewells
Newman College is fortunate to have 259 dedicated staff to support our students. In any year there is movement and we offer a sincere thank you to the staff who will be moving on, whether they have been with us for a short period or many years. Each has made contributions which have helped our students flourish. Some are moving into leadership positions in other schools, which speaks highly of their abilities as leaders, and the support Newman College has provided in nurturing their leadership. Some staff are moving into retirement. Many of our other departing staff will take their great experience and formation at the College and add to the rich fabric of their new schools. Farewell to
Retiring
Steve Halley Wright – Director of Finance and Operations
Liliana Bellandi – Teacher, Secondary
Kathy Fryer – Education Assistant Special Needs, Secondary
Peta Ing – Education Assistant Special Needs, Secondary
Sharon MacBean – Teacher, Primary
Promotional Roles at other schools
Sarah Ellam – Acting Deputy Principal Secondary
Cameron Tremayne – Head of Health and Physical Education
Moving to other schools
Kate O’Keefe – Japanese Teacher, Primary
Charlotte MacLean – Teacher, Primary
Jane Ward – Teacher, Secondary
Joel Kandiah – Teacher, Secondary
Renee Passell – Teacher, Secondary
Annette Doe – Education Assistant, Primary
Elija Meegan – Education Assistant, Secondary
Non Teaching Staff
Jennifer Smith – Relief Coordinator
Kellie Pethick – Senior Laboratory Technician
Finishing after Short Term Contracts for Leave Cover
Lauren O’Brien – Teacher, Primary
Tamara Bastow – Art Teacher, Primary
Rosalba Bottega – GATE Teacher, Primary
A particular farewell to two of the College Executive:
Mr Steve Halley-Wright
Steve has been at Newman College for 17 years, undertaking the senior leadership role of Finance Director and Director of Finance and Operations. He has been an outstanding Marist leader and overseen the development of the College in providing first-class facilities for our students, staff and families. Steve is moving to retirement and will be greatly missed by the Newman College community.
Mrs Sarah Ellam
Sarah joined Newman College three years ago as a Leader of Wellbeing on the Marcellin Campus. An experienced middle leader, Sarah quickly made her way into senior leadership as the Acting Deputy Principal, Secondary. She has been an outstanding leader at the College and now moves to the ongoing role of Deputy Principal at Holy Cross College.
We wish Steve, Sarah and all our departing staff all the best for the future.
American novelist, Ursula. K. LeGuin wrote ‘It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.’ The 2024 academic year ends with today’s newsletter and it has been quite a journey for our community. In our students, we witnessed a positivity and determination to make the most of every opportunity, event and program. Our whole staff have been professional and generous, not only through important in-class learning experiences but a full range of full co-curricular activities across the year. As always, we received great energy and support from our families throughout 2024. Thank you to for the many warm expressions of gratitude to teachers and staff in your Christmas messages. At the end of this article are the key Term 1 dates for 2025.
Advent and Christmas
We are in the season of Advent and we have begun this beautiful liturgical celebration which draws us towards Christmas. The notion of ‘waiting’ figures strongly in Advent; we await the birth of the Saviour. What an interesting message of patience and focus this presents for us against a backdrop of the more commercial tone of rush and a countdown of shopping days left until Christmas. May the Advent season sustain us in our waiting and give us courage in our living.
From all at Newman College, having the opportunity to support, guide and celebrate your child’s journey is the greatest privilege any educator and mentor can possibly have. I wish every student, staff, parent, guardian and family of our community a joyous and blessed Christmas. I know many parents will have only a small window of opportunity over the break for rest and time with their families, but I hope it is precious time. See you all for the new academic year in 2025!
2025 Information
The College will be sending out a Welcome Pack and pertinent information relating to the 2025 school year, prior to the commencement of students. A list of upcoming important College events for Term 1 can also be found here.
