Earlier this week we announced the Year 12 leaders for 2025. The process was difficult due to the high calibre of students who expressed their passion and willingness to lead and serve our school community. We received numerous outstanding applications and were inspired by the dedication and commitment shown by all of the students.
In my meetings with the incoming leaders, I have outlined that one of their most important acts of leadership is to ensure they include and develop the leadership of students without a badge. I thank all students who nominated for positions and encourage those who were unsuccessful in formal positions to continue to lead with courage and passion.
Congratulations to the following students:
College Captains:
Amelia Ng and Liam Stannard
Academic Captains:
Laura Nolan and Leo Mason
Art Captains:
Ella Nguyen and Campbell Smith
Mission Captains:
Catherine Fardell and Kevin Xanthis
Sports Captains:
Amy Wilson and Will Gilbert
Wellbeing Captains:
Jasmin Afflick and Layla Do
Brigid Guild Captains:
Lia Young and Abby Vilé
Camara Guild Captains:
Grace D’Arcy and Gen Carless
Catherine Guild Captains:
Lucy Peel and James Barnard
Chisholm Guild Captains:
Daniel Miniello and Natalie Smith
Marcellin Guild Captains:
Jodie Belzunce and Flynn Morison
Mackillop Guild Captains:
Tahlia Bell and Stefano Rapanaro
Romero Guild Captains:
Holly Kallawk and Stefan Constantine
Thomas More Guild Captains:
Grace Gordon and Mia Swain
Celebrate Assembly – Year 12 Farewell Assembly
This week, we celebrated the Class of 2024. Whilst the Graduation Mass and Dinner will take place early next term with families, this day and its rituals are greatly treasured by students and parents. The final week for Year 12 was an exciting one that provided opportunities at Guild, Year and College levels to express our care and best wishes for a fine group of young women and men. The Year 12 group also had fun in the official planned activities. Thank you to the staff involved in the running of these events.
In the Principal’s Address to the Assembly on Thursday, I addressed this message to our Year 12s:
“You are created and called. Let family spirit, presence, a love of work, simplicity and the way of Mary find a place in your heart, and I encourage you to draw on the Marist Way that keeps you considering always your important part in making a better world.
Each of you have different gifts and have followed different paths while at this College. Our sincere hope is that you have always felt that those diverse paths have been equally valuable and valued; that your worth and dignity are innate and inviolable; and that your school has been an extension of the care and hope held for you by your families.”
Year 6 Leaders Initiative
Recently, a group representing the Year 6 Leadership gave a very good presentation to the College Executive highlighting their initiative for wellbeing. They have a ‘bench project’ designed to create spaces of wellbeing and friendship for Lavalla students. What a great initiative! Later in the year, we will report on the installation of the project.
ACC Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all the athletes who represented Newman College in the ACC Athletics Carnival. The participating students came 5 overall in the competition, an outstanding achievement. The Overall Boys division saw us finishing third.
A heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff members for their encouragement and support of the students.
Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Imogen Boss for her outstanding achievement in ACC. Imogen was awarded ‘Double Letters’ for athletics and swimming by Trent Sharpe from the ACC at the Celebration Assembly. Imogen’s dedication and determination serve as a shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Congratulations to Imogen on receiving this prestigious award.
The World’s Worst Breakups- Drama Performance
Last week we enjoyed an evening performance of this play brought to the stage by students from Years 7-10. Not only was it a joy to view on the night but the play received accolades on the weekend at the YouthFest awards.
Best Actor (senior division) Sam Cousins Year 10;
Best Production (senior division), and
Best Director (senior division) Mr Josh Lang.
Jasper Bock Year 9 received an adjudicator’s certificate for his backstage role. Well done, everyone!
Year 12 Music Night
One of the final events of the term is the Year 12 Music Night. Families and staff gathered in the Marist Auditorium to be entertained by the music students of Year 12. The group showed their many talents in presenting across genres of music and performing more than one instrument. A great night!
Italian Language Tour
Last weekend 15 students and three staff began their Italian Language Tour, landing in Rome. In the two weeks of the program, they will be immersing themselves in language workshops, as well as visiting the major cities of Italy. We wish them safe travels.
End of Term
I find Term 3 is a special time in the calendar year. It is a unique term full of so many opportunities where students are so engaged in our “Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery”. In their participation in the events and opportunities Term 3 has offered, our students across the whole College have let their light shine in Challenge, Collaboration, Creation and Celebration as individuals and groups. It has been a joy to see them in small moments and large events, as they pursue their personal excellence.
Please keep the Year 12s in your prayers as the students sit their final exams.
I wish all students, families and staff a restful and safe break as this term comes to an end.
Last week Pre-Primary Red entertained us with their assembly which focused on pirates! Pre-Primary Red reminded us firstly to ‘Let our Light Shine’ with a beautiful song for their prayer. They then entertained us with a story about pirates, highlighting the wonderful work they have been doing as part of our Talk 4 Writing Program, which runs across the Primary. The class then shared a fantastic pirate song and dance to finish the show!
This morning, 6 Green shared their learning with us, acting out their own class text-innovation utilising their class novel ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar as inspiration. It was a wonderful reminder of the importance of showing resilience and perseverance. Year 6 Green finished with a fantastic dance to the song ‘Keep Your Head Up’.
Thank you to Pre-Primary Red and 6 Green for sharing their wonderful assemblies.
Grandparents Day
We warmly invite all grandparents to attend our Grandparents Day celebrations on Thursday 24 October.
Marian Campus early childhood classes welcome grandparents to visit the Pre-Kindy to Year 2 classrooms after the Liturgy at 9:00am, held at St Cecilia’s Church. After the Liturgy concludes, please make your way to spend time with your grandchild in their classroom.
Please help yourself to morning tea with other grandparents, provided between 9:30am and 10:30am in the Hall. The event concludes at 10:30am.
Maps will be provided on the day to help you find classrooms around the Marian Campus.
We look forward to sharing the morning with you. Please RSVP for catering purposes using the QR code on the invite or this link – https://forms.office.com/r/ZuF4TnTVnu
Speak Up Awards
Congratulations to Vienna in Year 6 Red who made it all the way to the Speak Up finals, held last Friday evening. Vienna represented herself, and the College, proudly and she is to be congratulated for her outstanding achievement in reaching these finals. Congratulations Vienna!
Thanks to Mrs Hatchett for her coordination of this wonderful curriculum initiative.
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
Our new Newman Norms are now on our website and I encourage you to have a look at these expectations for our Primary students – Newman Norms – Newman College. Each week our staff and students will focus on one norm, to discuss and unpack what that norm means for our students in their day-to-day school life.
Recently Natalia (Marian) and Zahra & Morgan (Lavalla) were drawn out of the raffle for demonstrating our Newman Norms. Congratulations to all students who received a raffle ticket in the past fortnight.
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:
Students in Knox faction received a prize of wearing free dress on the last day of Term 3. Congratulations to Knox faction at both campuses!
The jars will now be emptied, and we start afresh at the start of Term 4!
URSTRONG
We have completed the URSTRONG program in our classrooms and are in the process of completing reviews on the effectiveness of the program from the point of view of students and staff.
A reminder parents will 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.
2025 Class Allocations
At the start of Term 4, teachers will commence working on class groupings for the 2025 school year. Many factors are considered when selecting student class placements, including gender, pastoral needs, social and emotional needs, academic needs, special learning needs, and relationships. Every effort is made to give children the best opportunity to succeed. All Newman College teachers are outstanding professionals in their field, and students will receive a high-quality education no matter which class they are placed in.
Early in Term 4, students will be asked by their Classroom Teacher to nominate five friends, of which at least one will be placed in their 2025 class.
If you believe your child has special pastoral needs that may need consideration, you are asked to contact your child’s classroom teacher or contact me via email at ryan.vonbergheim@newman.wa.edu.au early in Term 4.
Any requests must be provided to the class teacher or myself by 3:00pm Tuesday, 22 October (Week 3).Requests made after this date cannot be considered.
Parents should understand that requests cannot be guaranteed as staff must consider a wide range of factors when creating class groupings within a triple-stream school. Parents should be aware that requesting a specific teacher is not a consideration in the class allocation process.
Once class lists have been finalised, they cannot be changed. Class lists will be published to families at the conclusion of our Move-up Day, details of which will be communicated next term.
Primary Faction Update
As part of our continued alignment across our PK-12 College, we are preparing to align the Factions and Guilds across the College. Currently, we have four Factions in Primary, and 8 Guilds in Secondary, and these do not align. As such, we are currently in the process of aligning the Primary and Secondary so that from the start of 2025, Primary students are placed into one of the 8 guilds. Students will remain in this guild throughout their entire journey at Newman College. Students with siblings in Secondary will be placed into the same Guild as their siblings. More information regarding this process, including updated uniforms and Guild allocations, will be provided to Primary families at the commencement of Term 4.
Primary Disco
Fathering Project
The next Fathering Project Event will be held in Term 4, on Friday 8 November from 4:30-6:00pm at Marian Campus. This event is for children and dads of students at Marian Campus. The event will be Paper Planes and Pizza. More information will be provided early in Term 4.
It has been a term full of learning, activities, carnivals, art events and so much more! Our students are to be congratulated for their efforts this term, and deserve a restful break (as do their teachers!). Wishing all Primary families a relaxing and fun holiday break spent together. We look forward to seeing students return on Tuesday 8 October for Term 4!
Next Thursday 12 September, we will observe R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and conversations with those around us, especially those who may be struggling with life’s challenges. R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity that encourages us to check in on one another, offering support before someone reaches a point of crisis. It is about building confidence and the skills to engage in honest conversations, so we can be there for friends, family, and colleagues who may need us.
As we approach R U OK? Day, let us live out these Marist charisms by being present for one another, engaging in simple yet meaningful conversations, and fostering the spirit of family that makes Newman College a place of belonging for all members of our wonderful community.
ACC A Division (Secondary) and IPSHA (Year 3-6) Athletics Carnivals
Next week, our Newman Athletics Squads will compete in their upcoming Athletics Carnivals. The ACC Athletics Carnival for our Year 7-12 students will take place on Wednesday, 11 September, at the WA Athletics Stadium, while our Year 3-6 students will compete at All Saints College on Thursday, 12 September in the IPSHA Athletics Carnival. Under the dedicated guidance of Ms Marnie Barrett, Ms Tash Richards and our Health and Physical Education staff, our students have been training diligently for these events. We wish all our athletes the very best and look forward to celebrating their efforts and achievements.
Game Changers La Valla Leadership Camp
In Week 10, six of our Game Changers students from Year 10, along with Miss Nicotra and Mr James, will be travelling to Melbourne where they will come together with a number of other students from Marist schools around Australia for the La Valla Leadership camp. Over the three-day camp, students will have the opportunity to learn what it means to lead with a Marist heart while delving into the topics of authenticity, service, presence, empowerment, teamwork, and wellbeing. This is delivered through a series of prayers, games, presentations, and conversations. We hope the students and staff attending enjoy their experience and return to the College with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the leadership of our student community in the way of Saint Marcellin and Mary.
School Fees Reminder
Please ensure that you are on track to finalise payment of your College fees by 30 November 2024. If you need to discuss your account, please contact Accounts Receivable on 9204 9414 or fees@newman.wa.edu.au without delay.
Hopefully, you were able to see our celebration of Father’s Day through last week’s social posts or through attending the Community Mass or Marian Liturgy. It was heartening to see so many fathers, grandfathers and father figures at these celebrations and the expression of gratitude shown by the students. I hope all fathers had a great day.
Year 12 Game Changers Graduation and Marist Connect Night
We know the time for Year 12 farewell and graduation is close at hand when we are hosting the Year 12 Game Changers students, their parents and mentors at the Graduation Dinner. This group has journeyed together since Year 7, experiencing the Le Rosey, La Valla and Hermitage programs of Game Changers. As a part of Marist Youth Ministry, Game Changers explores core topics in the Catholic faith of Marist Charism. The students also express their ministry through service and connection to the community. It was a joyful family night where the students also presented their reflections on being a part of Game Changers.
The next evening saw our Year 11 Game Changers students meeting Bunbury Catholic College and St Joseph’s Northam in the Marist Connect program. Each Connect evening focuses on a topical theme and ends with a shared prayer and meal. Thank you to our Ministry Team for their work in these programs.
Primary Athletics Carnival and ACC ISP Athletics Carnival
Today there was a real athletics theme at Newman College. Our Primary Athletics Carnival went ahead with much fun and high spirits. It was great to see our students doing their best and participating in the many events on the track, in the field and in novelty events. At the same time, the Secondary Support students were having a brilliant time competing in the ACC ISP Athletics event at McGillivray Reserve, UWA Sports Park. The students shone in their participation and support of one another across so many events. Thank you to the parents and families who attended both carnivals in support and to all staff involved in making the day a memorable one for Primary and Education Support students.
Newman Quiz Night
Over 200 people attended last Friday’s Newman College Community Quiz Night. This was the third event under Parent Engagement this year, following the Summer Soire and Autumn Family Movie Night. These events were planned with the Newman Parent Forum input and Friday’s quiz night was so well supported. The event raised a further $800 towards Marist Solidarity and the funds will benefit the work of our Marist groups in supporting education and opportunity in communities needing help. Thanks to all who attended and to our great staff who organised and ran the night.
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STEM, HaSS and Languages Weeks
The past three weeks have seen the celebration of three learning areas. STEM Week was first and the staff and students explored interesting science activities with some fun – ice cream making, sherbet making, and rocket launching to name just a few. HaSS followed last week with Minecraft, Medieval combat displays and quizzes. This week was Languages’ turn and we have been treated to Japanese drumming, gelato, piano accordion and foreign language pop songs replacing the final bell. A great few weeks organised by our passionate and dedicated teachers, and the students have loved the variety.
Year 7-9 High Achievers Assembly
The second of the Marcellin Campus High Achievers Assembly was celebrated this week. The parents of the academic high achievers joined us to recognise outstanding achievements from Semester 1. In the assembly, I outlined the importance of celebrating and nurturing academic excellence in the same way that we proudly support sporting success. Congratulations to our high achievers!
Catholic Performing Arts Festival
The CPAF concluded with some wonderful performances and news. Last Thursday evening, the Newman College Dance Troupe performed brilliantly, and we were also informed of the individual success of Heloise Nathan who was awarded the Monsignor Michael Keating Award. Congratulations to these Arts students.
Term Break
As we draw closer to the end of the term, which is on Friday, 20 September, I ask for families’ support in ensuring our students are present until the end of term. The College places the term, and mid-term breaks for families to plan holidays and time together. When holidays are taken in the final days of the school term days, there is a great disruption to learning and it projects an attitude that the last days of term are not important. Removing students early just creates pressure on classes and teachers by reducing the amount of time to learn and teach, and our students suffer by not being able to demonstrate their best or learn content sufficiently.
Last week’s Father’s Day events were a wonderful celebration of the father and father figures in our community. Lavalla’s Thursday Mass and Friday’s Marian Liturgy were both wonderful ways to honour the fathers in our community. A huge thank you to the Year 2 classes for running the Liturgy at Marian Campus, and to Mrs Jane Short for her coordination and planning of these events. I hope all fathers had a wonderful weekend.
Athletics Carnival
Today’s Athletics Carnival was a sensational day of athleticism and sportsmanship. All of our Pre-Primary-Year 6 students tried their hardest and it was a joy to see so many of them do their best, reach personal bests and break records! All students are to be congratulated on they way they gave their all during the day. Big thanks to all of the primary staff who made the day a huge success, with particular thanks to Tash Richards and Lara Vlahov for their outstanding preparation, organisation, and running of the day.
Languages Week Activities
Over the past 2 weeks the Primary have celebrated Languages Week with a range of wonderful activities, including immersive hands-on experiences, drumming incursions and gelato vans. A huge thanks to Sensei O’Keefe and Signora Lynch for their organisation of these meaningful experiences for our Primary students.
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
Our new Newman Norms are now on our website and I encourage you to have a look at these expectations for our Primary students – Newman Norms – Newman College. Each week our staff and students will focus on 1 Norm, to discuss and unpack what that norm means for our students in their day-to-day school life.
Recently Cailin & Fox (Marian) and Miles & Bradley (Lavalla) were drawn out of the raffle for demonstrating our Newman Norms. Congratulations to all students who received a raffle ticket in the past fortnight. We are over halfway through our term and the competition between factions is very close!
URSTRONG – Lesson 8 Upcoming
Lesson 8 (our final lesson) will be rolled out across the Primary next week. The areas of focus for this upcoming lesson are:
Pk-2: The final session ties it all together, reviewing the key concepts, and students share their culminating project, “Put Yourself in a Friend’s Shoes,” designed to strengthen empathy.
Yr 3 & 4: The final session ties it all together, reviewing the key concepts, and students share their culminating project, “Looking into Your Sole,” designed to strengthen empathy.
Yr 5 & 6: The final session ties it all together, reviewing the key concepts, and students share their culminating project, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” designed to strengthen empathy.
A reminder parents 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.
Promoting Safe and Responsible Online Behaviour
As we continue to navigate the digital age, it’s more important than ever to ensure our children are using technology in a safe and responsible manner. Recently, we have become aware of instances where some students have been using social media and group messaging inappropriately. This is a concern for us all, as it can have lasting impacts on both their wellbeing and their interactions with others.
We understand that managing your child’s online activity can be challenging, but it is essential to monitor their use of electronic devices. Children often lack the maturity to fully understand the consequences of their actions online, making parental guidance crucial.
To support you in this role, we strongly encourage you to visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website at www.esafety.gov.au This site offers a wealth of resources designed to help parents foster healthy online habits in their children. You’ll find practical advice on setting up parental controls, managing screen time, and understanding the risks associated with social media use.
Here are a few tips to help you support your child’s online safety:
Regularly Discuss Online Behaviour: Have open conversations with your child about their online interactions and the importance of kindness and respect in digital communication.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules around screen time and the types of content your child can access. The eSafety website offers guidelines on how to set these boundaries effectively.
Supervise and Monitor: Be aware of the apps and websites your child is using. Monitoring their activity can help you identify any potential issues early on.
Educate About Privacy: Teach your child about the importance of keeping personal information private and the dangers of sharing too much online.
We are committed to working together to ensure our students are safe and responsible online. If you have any concerns or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or explore the resources provided by the eSafety Commissioner.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.
Justin Kirry
Leader of Wellbeing 3-6
Dogs on School Grounds
A reminder that due to allergies and some anxieties, dogs are not permitted on school grounds. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding to ensure the safety of all members of our school community.
