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From the Vice Principal – Term 1, Week 3

Jenni Vile on 20/02/2026

2027 Three Week Break

In 2027 the College will implement a three-week Semester break between Term 2 and Term 3. The confirmed dates for this break are as follows:

  • Term 2 Concludes – Friday, 25 June 2027
  • Semester Break – Saturday 26, June to Sunday, 18 July 2027
  • Term 3 Begins – Monday, 19 July 2027

We are providing this advance notice to assist families with forward planning for 2027. The full 2027 College Calendar, including all term dates and key events, will be published once finalised.

CrossSafe Survey

We encourage all families to complete this short survey to assist in the establishment of the CrossSafe initiative, designed to keep our student and young people safe.

Our College has a pedestrian crossing on Tuscany Way that is manned through the Traffic Warden Program. When there is an absence that cannot be covered, through this program, this puts our students at risk.  Your insight is critical to ensuring the work of the CrossSafe initiative delivers meaningful outcomes for students and school communities.

Transperth Bus Services

The College has been made aware of issues with some School Special bus services arriving late. These have been reported to Transperth when we are made aware, and we ask that families also report the issues.

Students who arrive late due to buses will not be penalised as long as they sign in at Student Reception or Primary Reception.

Newman Parents Forum – Save the Date

The Newman Parent Forum (NPF) occurs once a term and is open to all parents/guardians. It is a parent community gathering led by the Principal and Vice Principal, in collaboration with a nominated Newman Parent K-12 Executive Committee.

The NPF for Term 1 is scheduled for Monday 9 March at 6.00pm. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend in person in the JHN Learning Hub or via TEAMs. An agenda will be emailed to families closer to the evening.

International Women’s Day

On Friday 6 March we will celebrate International Women’s Day, a special time to recognise the incredible women in our community and continue to bring awareness to gender inequality.

Families were invited to a breakfast and panel discussion. The response has been overwhelming and the event is now sold out. Students will lead the discussion with our panellists:

  • Anna Snodgrass, Rio Tinto,
  • Lisa Webb, Fremantle Dockers, and
  • Jayne Taylor, Taylor HR.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the event. If you have a ticket but are unable to attend, please contact communications@newman.wa.edu.au so that the opportunity can be made available to others.

Mrs Beth Murphy

VICE PRINCIPAL

Secondary Update – Term 1 Week 3

Jenni Vile on 20/02/2026

Uniform and Personal Presentation

I would like to thank parents and guardians for their continued support of the Colleges Uniform and Personal Presentation Policy.

During uniform checks this week, we identified a number of students who were not meeting the College’s expectations. The uniform guidelines that were most commonly not being met were:

Shoes

  • Black business style school shoes (not boot-style, sports, skate, suede, platform soles or non-black stitching).

If a student has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing the correct footwear, a letter from a medical specialist must be provided. Please be aware that the Ascent Footwear range—available at many retailers that sell school shoes—offers options suitable for students who require additional support or who need to fit orthotics in their shoes. Ascent shoes look like traditional school shoes but have the built‑in innovation and support found in a sneaker.

Shorts

  • A reminder that College shorts must be the correct size for the student — oversized shorts are not permitted. Shorts are to be worn at the waist and not below. Students who are not wearing the correct sized shorts will be asked to have these altered to fit correctly.

Grooming

  • Makeup is not permitted.
  • Students must be clean‑shaven.

Jewellery

  • Earrings: one pair of plain studs (max 5mm) or sleepers (max 12mm) in the lower lobe only – “Plain” = silver or gold; clear diamantes or small white pearls accepted if within size limits. No retainers, clears or spacers are allowed.

College staff have been instructed to send notifications home when students are in breach of these expectations, and your support in consistently reinforcing them is greatly appreciated.

Social Media Age Restrictions — Supporting Our Students

Late last year, the Australian Government introduced new rules restricting social media use for anyone under the age of 16, aiming to reduce online risks and give young people more time to develop safe digital habits.

The response has been mixed — some families feel relieved, while others remain uncertain. We also recognise that for some students, these restrictions have not been straightforward or effective, and we understand this presents its own challenges for families.

At Newman College, we will continue to support all students through our Equip, Guide and Thrive program, which provides education around social media use, online safety, and digital wellbeing.

For further guidance, we recommend this practical resource from the Black Dog Institute: Social media age restrictions: What families need to know

Upcoming Events

Year 9: The Rite Journey — Calling Ceremony

We are excited to share that The Rite Journey, our Year 9 program supporting students through the transition into young adulthood, is now underway!

One of the most important events of the program is the Calling Ceremony — a compulsory milestone that marks the beginning of this journey. All students must attend with a parent or caregiver.

Ceremonies will be held at City Beach Oval (map available here), with parking available between the oval and City Beach. Each ceremony runs from 5:00pm – 5:45pm. Please attend on the date that corresponds with your child’s class:

  • Monday 23 February – Mrs Beth Murphy, Mrs Sharee Hart, Mrs Courtney Clark, Mr Ned Shannon, Mr Scott McCallum, Mr Michael Van Der Heever
  • Tuesday 24 February – Miss Jorja Clark, Miss Jade Nicotra, Mrs Anna Owen, Mr Stuart McClorey, Mr Ben Goldie

We look forward to seeing you there for this special evening.

Year 12: Ball

The Year 12 Ball is one of the most cherished events for our Year 12’s at Newman College, and we are thrilled to celebrate this special milestone with our Class of 2026.

The Ball will be held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 at the stunning Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

Attendance at school on the day of the Ball is compulsory until EGT, where students will be briefed on the Code of Conduct expected for the evening. Tickets will be distributed at 12:30pm during EGT. Students who are not at school on the day will not receive their ticket and will be unable to attend. To minimise disruption to learning, students will be permitted to wear false or coloured nails on this day. We ask that any beauty appointments are arranged around these requirements, and we appreciate your support in making this a special evening with minimal impact on school time.

To support students following the Ball, a late start has been arranged. Students are not required to arrive at school until 10:30am. We kindly ask both students and parents/caregivers to adhere to this arrangement.

This is a wonderful occasion for our Year 12 students to come together and celebrate the year ahead in style. We look forward to seeing them dressed beautifully for what is sure to be a magical and memorable evening.

Mrs Anna Scanlan

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11 

For students thinking of attending University 

  • And here is the “First in Family” resource, for students who might be the first in their family to attend University: http://firstinfamily.com.au/ 

Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12 

Alternatives to University 

Did you know that University is not the only place you can obtain a degree? There are several alternatives here in Perth: 

  • SAE: Offers degrees in things like Animation, Audio, Game Development, Creative Industries. https://sae.edu.au/ 

Applying for Medicine or Dentistry for 2027 

All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2027 (including Assured Pathway at UWA and Notre Dame) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year. 
 
Please see below for some important dates: 

  • 3 March 2026:  UCAT bookings open 
  • 15 May 2026:  Deadline to book your UCAT for 2026 
  • 12 June 2026:  Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking 
  • 1 July 2026:  UCAT testing begins 
  • 5 August 2026:  Last test date 
  • September 2026:  Results available 

You can check https://www.ucat.edu.au/ for further information, practice tests, and tips to succeed. It is recommended to book a UCAT as early as possible as demand for testing places is high. 
 

UWA 
The official handbook for entry to Medicine at UWA can be found at this link and Dentistry at this link. Please note that Medicine and Dentistry at UWA are postgraduate courses and require completion of a relevant Bachelor degree prior to entry. 

 
Curtin 
Curtin University offers the only direct entry medical program in Western Australia. In 2025, the cutoff ATAR for this course was 93. 
 
In addition to the UCAT, students considering applying for Medicine at Curtin University are also required to sit the CASPER Test. Further information about CASPER can be found here: https://acuityinsights.app/ and here: https://www.nie.edu.au/products-listing/category/56-casper-test-preparation 
 
The official handbook for entry to Medicine at Curtin can be found at this link. 
 
University of Notre Dame 
The University of Notre Dame offers a small number of places in postgraduate Medicine via an assured pathway for school leavers. Information about this option can be found here:  
https://www.notredame.edu.au/programs/school-of-medicine/postgraduate/doctor-of-medicine-wa 
 

University information 

University scholarships 

Here is new scholarship at UWA: 

  • Engineering Excellence Scholarship. 
  • Must have an ATAR of 90+ and accepted an offer into Engineering at UWA. 
  • This scholarship is worth $10,000 and will be automatically awarded if you fit the above criteria. 
Curtin University Search scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia  
Edith Cowan University (ECU) ECU | Overview : Scholarships  
Murdoch University Scholarship finder (murdoch.edu.au)  
Notre Dame University Find a Scholarship | Notre Dame  
University of Western Australia (UWA) The University of Western Australia : Scholarships (uwa.edu.au)  
Christian Leaders Scholarship https://ichthys.org.au/christian-leaders-scholarship/  

Gap year information 

Students interested in taking a gap year in 2026 might find the following interesting: 

UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS 

EVENT HOSTED BY DATE LINK 
Defence Careers Info Session Defence Force 5 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/p2dw5nb 
Defence Gap Year Info Session Defence Force 11 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/mnvf4zb 
Open Day ECU Joondalup 15 March https://www.ecu.edu.au/open-day/overview 
Course Information Evening Notre Dame 17 March https://events.nd.edu.au/Course_Information_Evening 
ADFA Information Session Defence Force 17 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/nl19bng 
Defence IT and Intelligence Session Defence Force 19 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/mzloovu 
Navy Careers Info Session Defence Force 24 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/7sfokya 
Open Day Murdoch University 28 March https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/open-day 
Open Day Curtin University 29 March https://www.curtin.edu.au/open-day/ 
Army Reserve Info Session Defence Force 31 March https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/kkqojry 
Defence Careers Defence Force 8 April https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/h1rykss 
Submarine Careers Defence Force 22 April https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/l8f2cyr 
Information Evening SAE University College 23 April https://sae.edu.au/event/info-night-perth/  
Army Reserve Info Session Defence Force 28 April https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/on4bvau 
Year 10 Parent Information Evening ECU Joondalup 2 June https://www.trybooking.com/DJEBI 
Year 11 and 12 Information Evening Murdoch University 3 June https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2026/06/03/information-evenings/year-11—12-parent—supporters-information-evening 
Engineering Open Evening ECU Joondalup 11 June https://www.trybooking.com/DJEAR 
Year 12 Information Session ECU 30 June https://www.trybooking.com/DJELT 
Year 12 Application Support Session Murdoch University 28 July https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2026/07/28/information-evenings/year-12-university-application-support-session 
Open Day ECU City Campus 9 August https://www.ecu.edu.au/open-day/overview 
Year 12 Information Evening Murdoch University 28 October https://www.murdoch.edu.au/events/all-events/2026/10/20/information-evenings/year-12-online-information-evening 
Open Day SAE University College 15 August https://sae.edu.au/event/open-day-perth/ 
    

If you are thinking of attending a University Open Day, this link might help you get the most out of it: https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/open-days  

Mission Update – Term 1 Week 3

Jenni Vile on 20/02/2026

Our Family Mass this week was a wonderful celebration of our Newman College community. It was a joyful opportunity to gather as students, families and staff, to pray together, to introduce our 2026 Marist theme, and most importantly, to share in the Eucharist. In coming together around the table of the Lord, we were reminded that our College is not simply a place of learning, but a faith community grounded in Christ and shaped by the Marist spirit.

A special word of thanks must go to our many Year 12 students who have generously committed themselves to serving as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist this year. Their willingness to prepare, to step forward, and to serve at the altar is a quiet but powerful witness of leadership in action. In the Marist tradition, leadership is always expressed through service, and these young people model that beautifully for our community.

We were very grateful to have Fr Michael Twigg OMI as our celebrant. In his homily, he offered six simple but profound words: ‘Give without remembering; receive without forgetting.’ These words capture something essential about the Christian life. To give without remembering is to offer our time, compassion and generosity without keeping score. To receive without forgetting is to live with gratitude – recognising the love, forgiveness and grace we have been given, and allowing that gratitude to shape how we treat others.

These six words resonate deeply as we begin the season of Lent and reflect on our Ash Wednesday liturgies this week. Lent invites us to look honestly at our lives and to ask how we might live more like Jesus – in humility, in generosity and in love. It is a time to let go of grudges, selfishness and indifference, and instead to grow in compassion and gratitude.

As a Marist community, may we take Fr Michael’s words to heart. May we give freely, without seeking recognition. May we receive God’s blessings – and the kindness of others – with thankful hearts. And throughout this Lenten season, may we continue to grow into people who reflect Christ more clearly in the way we live, serve and love.

Mr Stuart McClorey

DIRECTOR OF MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

From the Principal – Term 1 Week 1

Jenni Vile on 06/02/2026

Dear Newman College Families,

Welcome back to the 2026 Academic Year. We have enjoyed a great start to the year and it is so good to have our students returning to continue their Newman College journey. The start of the year is about so many ‘firsts’. The first day of compulsory schooling for our Pre-Primary children; the first day of Pre-Kindy and Kindy for our smallest little people; the beginning of Secondary school for Year 7, the Class of 2031, and the start for a group of students who have joined us for the first time in other year groups. The new beginnings along with our returning students, families and staff bring great joy to our Newman College community. We welcome new families and staff to our community and look forward to the contribution they will make to our College.

2026 Marist Theme

The beginning of a new year also allows us to refocus on our Marist way of being and learning. This year’s Marist Theme is, again, a beautiful invitation to live and learn. In 2026 the theme is Full of Grace- Transform the World with God’s Love. Pope Leo wrote last year “Now is the hour of love”. What if the world’s peace and flourishing began not with grand gestures, but a humble yes? Grace is that yes. It is God’s love, freely given, undeserved, unmeasured, and without conditions. It is offered to everyone. Once accepted, it overflows from our hearts and radiates outward, moving us to share God’s love with others. Grace is not abstract or distant; it is the living presence of God in the ordinary: a word of encouragement, listening with patience, a hand extended in peace. Abbot Jamison captures its power beautifully: “Grace is God’s way of restoring our trust in the goodness of life.”

We look forward to unpacking and understanding this most beautiful Marist theme with our community in 2026 – the small moments, the awareness of Grace and the sharing of Grace.

College Events

Thank you to families for their presence at the Lavalla Primary Information Evening and we look forward to the Parent Sundowner tonight and the upcoming Marcellin Secondary Information Night and College Family Mass. These events and further opportunities like the Lavalla and Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnivals, Lavalla Primary Picnic, the launch of the Year 9 Rite Journey 2026, the High Achievers Assembly and Lavalla assemblies are great moments to share with you in partnership and presence.

E-Scooter, E-Bikes and E-rideables

As outlined in our 2026 Welcome Pack Newman College is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students. We recognise that eRideable devices such as eScooters and eBikes have become a popular mode of transport. However, these devices are subject to legislation that prohibit children under the age of 16 from using them.

Government Regulations

 Under the Road Traffic Code 2000 (s228):

  • A person under 16 years of age must not ride a power-assisted pedal cycle with the power assistance engaged.
  • A person under 16 years of age must not ride an electric rideable device with its motor engaged.

College Regulations

Newman College students are not permitted to use or store an eRideable or eBike on school premises. Examples of eRideables include:

  • eScooters
  • eSkateboards
  • Hoverboards
  • eSkates
  • eUnicycles

If brought to school, they will be held and must be collected by a parent or caregiver.

For more information about eRideable regulations, please visit the Road Safety Commission website.
We appreciate your support in implementing these measures to ensure the safety of our students and the wider community.

I wish everyone a great year ahead.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

From the Vice Principal – Term 1 Week 1

Jenni Vile on 06/02/2026

Welcome back to all our students and families as we begin a new academic year. It has been a fantastic start, filled with energy, optimism, and a strong sense of connection across the College.

From our youngest students starting pre-kindergarten, year-level assemblies and transition days for our Year 7 students, to meeting new teachers and reconnecting with peers, the opening week has set a positive tone for the year ahead. We look forward to building on this momentum as students continue to learn, grow, and thrive throughout 2026.

2026 Parent Information Handbook

The Newman College 2026 Information Handbook outlines and summarises key information for 2026 families who have students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. This publication provides the essential information needed for daily life at Newman College. We encourage families to bookmark this and use it as a reference throughout the year.  This includes:

  • Key Dates
  • College Leadership
  • Absentees
  • Uniform
  • Communications

Communication – General Queries

Please see Contact Us Page on our website for a list of emails to direct enquiries to.

Communication – Parent Concerns

We strongly value the partnership we share between families and the College to best support our young people. We understand concerns may arise throughout the year and we are here to address these together.  The best results come from respectful and courteous written and verbal communication when raising these matters with staff. The Parent Code of Conduct outlines our shared responsibility in maintaining a safe, supportive, and respectful community for all.

As advocates for your children, it is important that concerns are raised in a timely and constructive manner, working in partnership with the College to seek positive outcomes. Open, respectful communication enables staff to respond thoughtfully and ensures that concerns are addressed in a way that supports student wellbeing, learning, and the strong relationships that underpin our community.

Sun Safety

As a SunSmart College, we ask that parents and caregivers remind students to apply sunscreen prior to the start of the school day. This supports our ongoing commitment to student health and wellbeing, particularly during outdoor learning, sport, and break times.

Extended Absences

Families are reminded that extended periods of leave, including holidays, should be taken during the gazetted school holidays. We understand that there may be occasions when parents/guardians need to make decisions regarding their child’s absence for important yet unapproved reasons. We want to highlight that such decisions may negatively impact your child’s learning and possibly result in a zero mark for assessments conducted during the absence, as per our College Assessment Policies. While we acknowledge that there may be unavoidable situations, we encourage you to consider the broader impact on your child’s learning journey.

There are special circumstances where extended absences may be approved and families should email beth.murphy@newman.wa.edu.au with as much notice as possible so that these may be considered.

Colours and Honours

In 2026 the College is excited to be introducing a colours and honours system to recognise student contribution in the Mission, Academic, Arts and Sport Pillars.

Students will be awarded points over their time in Years 7 to 12, students who earn over 50 points in a Pillar, will be awarded the Colours Badge for that Pillar, and students who earn over 100 points will be awarded the Honours Badge.

The College has collated existing student records and these will be distributed to parents and students via SEQTA this term.

Students who have achieved their Colours and Honours will be acknowledged at the end of term Celebration Assembly on Thursday, 2 April.

The College will work to implement a student recognition system for Primary students in 2027.

College Family Mass

Tuesday 17 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 Family Mass, are an integral part of our shared commitment upon enrolling in the College. This is a compulsory attendance event for students in PP-Y12, and families are asked to ensure that students are present on this evening.

Communication has been sent to all families today from the Principal, Mr Andrew Waston, which can be found here.

We sincerely thank all our families, students, and staff for their support this special event.

Mrs Beth Murphy

VICE PRINCIPAL