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Secondary Update – Term 1 Week 1

Jenni Vile on 06/02/2026

Uniform and Personal Presentation

I’d 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:

Hair

  • Must be clean, neat, and tidy.
  • Kept off the face; fringes no longer than eyebrow length.
  • Hair longer than the bottom of the collar must be tied back.
  • No extreme contrasts or styles (e.g., mullets, extreme fades, undercuts, mohawks).
  • Minimum blade length: #3.

Grooming

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

Jewellery

  • Only a discreet cross or religious medal on a fine chain is allowed.
  • 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 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.

Punctuality

A reminder to students that they should be on campus no later than 8.30am. Students who are late to school for appointments must be signed in by a parent or guardian, or have their parent notify the Student Reception (secondary.admin@newman.wa.edu), ahead of the appointment.

Students are given time between periods to ensure they have adequate time to make it to their next class. Students should not be arriving late to class or visiting their lockers between periods.         

Instilling punctuality in our young people reinforces the sense of responsibility and commitment that will be integral to their success in life.

Locks

A reminder that all students are required to purchase a coded lock for their child’s locker. These are available at the College Uniform shop. Padlocks and other variations are not permitted.

Leaders of Wellbeing will be doing an audit on Wednesday of Week 2 and will be in contact with parents if their child does not yet have a lock.

Year 7 Transition Week

Today marks the end of the Year 7 transition program, and the students have had a fantastic start. The transition program focused on equipping students with the practical knowledge and tools needed for secondary schooling, and students had the opportunity to form social connections through their team building day.

A big thank you to Mrs Lara Vlahov, the Year 7 Team, Guild Coordinators, and all Year 7 teaching staff for your work this week. It’s been a calm and smooth beginning.

As students move to their full timetable next week, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s PCG teacher if you have any queries or concerns.

State Sporting Representation

Congratulations to the following students for selection in the Western Australian teams in their respective sports:

  • Stella Ferguson, Year 11, represented Western Australia at the Women’s Second XI Series in Perth in November, Under 19 Female National Cricket Championships in Newcastle in December, and Under 16 Female National Cricket Championships in Launceston in January. What a busy summer!

State and National Representation is an honour and an important stepping stone in an athlete’s journey. We commend these students for their dedication and commitment to their sport. If your child has achieved state or national recognition in their sport or extra-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it so we can celebrate their success.  Please let us know the details by filling out this form. https://forms.office.com/r/qaCxCYLNX6

Mrs Anna Scanlan

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY

Pathways and Careers Information 

Contact details: 

Justin Farley 

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships 

justin.farley@newman.wa.edu.au 

Tel. 9204 9457 

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/ 

University information 

University scholarships 

Here is a 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 
School Leavers, Parents and Teachers Information Session Defence Force 12 February https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/4kwc899 
Gap Year Information Session Defence Force 17 February https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/2azful3 
Officers & Management Information Session Defence Force 19 February https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/events/events-detail/82c97fk 
Open Day ECU Joondalup 15 March https://www.ecu.edu.au/open-day/overview 
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/ 
Open Day ECU City Campus 9 August https://www.ecu.edu.au/open-day/overview 
    

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 1

Jenni Vile on 06/02/2026

The beginning of a school year is always a time of fresh starts. New classrooms, new routines, new friendships, and new opportunities to grow. Much like the start of a calendar year, it is a moment when many of us pause to reimagine what lies ahead, thinking about goals we want to set, habits we hope to form, and the ways we might “do better” this year.

Working to grow, improve, and develop positive habits is, of course, a beautiful thing. But the beginning of a school year doesn’t only have to be about what we plan to change or achieve. It is also an opportunity to notice what is already present among us…the strengths we bring, the challenges we have overcome, and the many quiet successes that often go unnoticed. It invites us to recognise the ways God is already at work in our community.

Our Marist theme for 2026, Full of Grace: Transform the World with God’s Love, speaks directly to this moment. Scripture reminds us that ‘from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace’ (John 1:16). God’s love is not something we earn through achievement or effort. It is a gift, freely given, without condition or exception. Each member of our school community is already held, valued, and loved, simply because of who they are.

To be full of grace as we begin this school year is to live with that awareness, and to allow it to shape the way we treat one another each day. When we live from a place of grace, we begin to see the goodness in others, and the world around us is transformed – not all at once, but through small, faithful acts of love. A word of encouragement to a student, patience in moments of challenge, or taking the time to be present to one another. These ordinary moments are where God’s love becomes visible and life-giving.

As we begin the school year together, our invitation is perhaps to worry less about becoming someone new, and instead to live more deeply from the grace we have already received, allowing it to shape our learning, our relationships, and the shared journey ahead.

Newman College Family Mass

Our Family Mass is a special opportunity for us to gather not just as a school, but as a faith community. While attendance is an important expectation for our students, the deeper purpose of this celebration is about connection between families, staff, students, and our shared Marist story. When families gather for Mass, we witness to our young people that faith is something lived together, strengthening our sense of belonging and reminding us that we walk this journey side by side. In the Marist tradition, community sits at the heart of who we are, and moments like this help bring that family spirit to life as we place the year ahead in God’s loving care.

Cathedral Outreach on Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday, four of our Year 11 students will join Mr Box, Mrs Owen, and Mrs Scanlan in taking part in Cathedral Outreach at St Mary’s Cathedral. In preparation, students will cook soup and make sandwiches here at the College before partnering with Shopfront at the Cathedral to serve those in need, toasting sandwiches and sharing warm soup with members of the wider community.

This initiative brings to life a core part of our College’s vision for mission: outreach, service, and partnership with Church organisations. It is a practical expression of our commitment to stand alongside others with compassion, dignity, and respect, particularly at the beginning of the Lenten season.

In the Marist tradition, service is rarely about being seen. Marcellin Champagnat believed deeply in the power of quiet, faithful acts of love…the kind that may go unnoticed, but which carry lasting impact. Through this experience, our students are invited to encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of service: in preparing food, offering hospitality, and being present to those they meet.

As we begin our journey toward Lent, this outreach reminds us that transforming the world does not require grand gestures. It begins with simple acts, offered generously and humbly, that allow God’s love to become visible in the lives of others.

We are grateful to our students and staff for continuing the Marist tradition of service and for witnessing so beautifully to the Gospel through their actions.

Mr Stuart McClorey

DIRECTOR OF MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

From the Principal – Term 4 Week 8

Jenni Vile on 05/12/2025

Dear Newman College Families,

Well, we have reached the end of the term and the conclusion of the academic year! We celebrated and gave thanks for 2025 in the final weeks with many memorable events and programs across the College. Lavalla Carols and K-5 Awards Night, final Community Mass, Year 6 Graduation Mass and Awards Night, Lavalla Pool Parties, Advent Liturgy, Music Rocks Concert for Education Support and the Year 7-9 Ministry and Discovery festivals. In each celebration, we focused on the joy of the year, our expression of Marist characteristics and the various contributions of our wonderful students to the life of the College. As I write this piece for the Newsletter, we have 15 Year 11 students and three staff in the Philippines, and our Marist Cricket team are competing at the Marist Cricket Carnival in Brisbane.  The term’s end reflects the nature of our whole year program – wonderful opportunities for our students to ‘Shine Through Discovery’. 

Awards Ceremonies

On Wednesday 26 November, we celebrated the Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony in the Gymnasium and 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 Carols Evening was a wonderful family evening on Friday, 28 November. Again, it was so pleasing to acknowledge student achievement and be led in the singing of carols by each year group. The Year 6 Student Leadership group for 2026 was also announced.

Outgoing Vice Principal – Mr Michael Chiera

On behalf of the College community, I extend my congratulations to Mr Michael Chiera on his appointment as Principal of Servite College beginning in 2026. Michael has been a calm and considerate leader in the complex role of Vice Principal and is ready to lead his own community. We thank Michael for his tremendous service to the Newman College community and wish him every success.

New Vice Principal Announcement

Today, Dr Frank Malloy, National Director of Marist Schools Australia, announced to the Newman College community MSA’s appointment of our new Vice Principal.

Congratulations to Mrs Beth Murphy, who has been appointed to the position of Vice Principal from the beginning of 2026. Read Marist Schools Australia Announcement letter here, which has also been emailed to all families this morning. Mrs Sarah Pagett will take on the role of Acting Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning PK-12 that Beth vacates.

Staff Farewells

In every school, as we reach the end of the academic year, there is staff movement, especially in a school our size with over 250 staff. Staff move for promotional positions, new experiences, the opportunity to secure an ongoing contract due to parental leave cover and retirements from the profession. This year we farewell 4 staff who are moving into retirement. Mr Sean Henderson is the shortest serving staff member but has a long history with Newman College through his family. Sean has had a long and distinguished career as a senior leader in Catholic and independent schools. As he reached the time to retire, it was his wish to end his career at Newman College and we were very grateful to have Sean teach upper school Economics and mentor younger staff. Our thanks and best wishes to Sean!

Mr Bern Willett

Mr Bern Willett retires from teaching at the end of 2025. Bern has taught at Newman College for 43 years. His family has had an unbroken association with the College since the late 1960s. Bern has held positions of middle and senior leadership over the 43 years in our community. His passion for teaching mathematics, his commitment to coaching football and cricket and being extensively involved in College life is known by generations of Newman College people. As a mark of respect and gratitude, the students formed a guard of honour at our final assembly to farewell Mr Bern Willett. Thank you, Bern! We wish you all the best in the next stage of the journey. 

Mrs Nadia Napoli

Mrs Nadia Napoli has been a staff member at Newman College for 20 years and 2026 sees Nadia enter retirement. She has taught across primary and secondary during this time, demonstrating a skill to deliver quality learning and pastoral care to all students at all ages. Thank you, Nadia! Our thanks and best wishes to you!

Mr John Spriggins

Mr Spriggins has taught at Newman College for 18 years and now moves to opportunities beyond teaching. A passionate and engaging educator, John has always brough excitement, enthusiasm and the ability to connect students with great learning opportunities in Physics and Science. We wish you all the best, John. Enjoy the years ahead!

Mrs Rosa Testa

Rosa has served the College for 15 years as an Education Assistant in Primary. Each class and each student has had the most excellent care when Rosa has been assisting the learning and pastoral care in the classroom. A dedicated and passionate career for which we are very grateful, Rosa!

Moving to other schools

  • Emily Mincherton – Teacher, Secondary
  • Paige Adams – Teacher, Secondary
  • Scott Smith – Teacher, Secondary
  • Veronica Wahba – Teacher, Secondary
  • Isabella Anastacio – Teacher, Secondary
  • Pamera Tee – Teacher, Secondary
  • Nicolletta De Gennaro – Teacher, Secondary
  • Jennifer Go – Teacher, Secondary

Non-Teaching Staff

  • Kate Thayer – HPE Administrator
  • Meegan Seaborn – Education Assistant, Primary

2026 Information

The College will send out a Welcome Pack and pertinent information relating to the 2026 school year prior to the commencement of students.  One event to flag with you is the annual Family Mass which will be celebrated on Tuesday 17 February at 5:30pm on the Br Terrence Orrell Oval (Marcellin Campus). This Mass sets the scene for the year and expresses our Marist characteristic of Family Spirit and is compulsory for all students to attend.

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.

I take this opportunity to thank all students, staff and Newman College families for the blessing that has been 2025. A wonderful year full of historic moments alongside the small joys where we have seen our young people shine in their own special way. 

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 2026!

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL

From the Vice Principal – Term 4 Week 6

Jenni Vile on 21/11/2025

Year 7-11 Awards Celebration and Primary Christmas Carols & KG – Y5 Awards

Next Wednesday, 26 November, our Secondary students will gather for a special Celebration Assembly recognising the outstanding achievements of Semester Two. The assembly will acknowledge excellence across academics, sport and leadership, including the presentation of Academic Excellence and Subject Awards, Sporting Awards and Guild Awards. We will also introduce our Student Guild Representatives for 2026 and take a moment to thank and farewell staff members who are concluding their time with us.

On Friday evening, it will be our Primary students’ turn to shine. This joyful occasion will celebrate a wide range of achievements in academic and mission areas, accompanied by musical performances from each class to help usher in the Christmas season.

We look forward to gathering as a community next week and celebrating the wonderful gifts and contributions of our students.

Year 6 Mass and Graduation

Newman College is excited to celebrate the achievements of our Year 6 students as they complete their primary years and prepare for the next stage of their education journey. The Year 6 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 2 December, from 5 – 7pm, beginning with a Mass in the Champagnat Chapel, followed by an Awards Ceremony in the Marist Auditorium. This special event will honour the accomplishments of our Year 6 students and we look forward to celebrating with them and their families.

Philippines Immersion

Next Thursday 27 November, our Year 11 Philippines Immersion will commence, with thirteen students and three staff departing Perth for Manila. They will be embarking together on a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture and bring to life our vision of being “good Christians and good citizens.”

During the trip, students will visit four key organisations, including a local PK–12 Marist College similar to our own, where they will have the chance to listen, learn and connect with Filipino students their age. They will also spend time at the Marist Asia Pacific Centre, where young brothers undergo formation to become Marist Brothers. Additionally, students will visit agencies that support vulnerable children, including those who have experienced abuse or face unstable family situations that lead them to live on the streets.

Our hope is that this experience inspires students to grow in their heart for service, returning with a deeper awareness of God’s presence, even in challenging circumstances. We wish our students and staff a safe and meaningful journey and look forward to hearing about their experiences upon their return.

Marist Cricket Tour

The College’s 1st XI cricket team depart Saturday 29 November for Brisbane. The team will compete in the 51st Marist Cricket Carnival at Marist College, Ashgrove. This is the ‘A’ division of two carnivals happening at the same time.

The team of thirteen, accompanied by Mr Bern Willet, Mr John Lucas and Mr Jake Goncalves, will play 5 games over the week and will celebrate Mass and Dinner with other students and staff of Marist Schools from across the country.  Led by Captain Sam Weston and Vice Captains Koby Ashford and Sam Malajczuk, they are looking forward to a competitive carnival. We wish them all the best of luck.

Social Media – Incoming Ban Legislation and College Policies

On 10 December the Social Media Ban for children under the age of 16, with some platforms intending on implementing the ban earlier. It is important that you speak to your children about this change, below are some practical tips and points for you and your child to discuss ahead of the change:

  • Save any Snapchat memories to their camera roll
  • Get alternate contact numbers or emails for their friends
  • Save copies of Instagram, TikTok or Facebook posts and photos
  • Cancel any online subscriptions for social media platforms
  • Be aware of scams promising to reactivate accounts

Earlier this term, consultant Paris McNeil hosted an information session on the ban and the recording is available here:

The College recently sent home a social media and smartphone survey to families, it is still available here for those who have yet to complete it. So far, over 500 families have completed the survey, and the data shows that there is overwhelming support from parents for the social media ban / delay and that a large number of families would also support a stronger stance on general smartphone use for children.

Parents, Guardians and Students are reminded of the Student Use of Mobile Devices Policy. Notably that students must not use mobile devices during school hours or during school-related activities unless authorised to do so by a staff member.  Students who need to contact home during school hours must do so by accessing the Student Reception at Marcellin or the Primary Reception at Lavalla.

2026 Uniforms

As previously communicated, we would like to remind families of the following changes as they purchase their uniforms for 2026:

Commencing 2026 onwards:

  • The College belt must be worn in Term 2 and 3 with the College trousers.
  • All primary students will need a guild shirt in line with the PK- 12 Guild system implemented in 2025.

Commencing 2027 onwards:

  • The grey skirt will be the only option to wear in 2027. The slate blue skirt can only be worn in Years 7 to 12 until the end of 2026.

From the Principal – Term 4 Week 4

Jenni Vile on 07/11/2025

Lavalla Opening and Blessing 

As we close Week 4 of this final term, I reflect on the joyous event celebrated last Tuesday, the Blessing and Official Opening of Lavalla – our completely new PK-6 learning community. What an amazing journey it has been from the first visionary moment to the celebration of welcoming our Marian students to join Lavalla at the beginning of Term 3. We carry so much gratitude to so many for their contribution to realising the dream of our whole community united on one campus site. This historic occasion made me reflect on an extract I received recently entitled Builders of a New Hermitage – Message from the XXIII General Chapter of the Marist Brothers:  

Two hundred years ago, Marcellin Champagnat and the first Brother raised stone upon stone in the valley of the Gier to build the Hermitage.  They worked with bare hands, great courage, and unwavering faith, but always with deep trust that the work was God’s. As the psalmist reminds us and as Marcellin always said “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour” (Psalm 127:1). 

The Hermitage was never only a building. It was a home of fraternity, a school of the Gospel, and a springboard for mission.  The river Gier that flowed beside it carried timber, refreshed the Brother, and symbolised the Spirit’s constant presence. 

The vision of building a new Hermitage sits well with our celebration of the opening of the completed Lavalla build. There has literally been the building with bare hands, the courage to stay the course and trust that our new creation moves us to build further a communion, a community that brings hope and opportunity to our young people. It is not the extensive and innovative primary resource that we only celebrate and cherish, it is what we do as a community within the facility that matters. As a College, we are grateful to the following leaders, supporters and significant contributors to the project: 

  • Dr Frank Malloy, National Director MSA 
  • Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of Star of the Sea Province and the Marist Brothers 
  • Mr Darren McGregor, Regional Director MSA 
  • Mr John Finneran, immediate past Principal Newman College 
  • The College Advisory Council 
  • The College Finance Committee 
  • Newman College Executive 
  • Ms Lisa Mc Clue, past Head of Primary 
  • Mr Ryan von Bergheim, past Head of Primary 
  • Mr Thomas Wagner, past Director of Engagement and Operations 
  • Mr Steve Halley Wright, past Director Finance and Administration 
  • Munns Sly Moore Architects 
  • Badge Construction 
  • Borrell Rafferty Surveying 
  • Pritchard Francis Light 

Year 11 Finish 

Today, our Year 11 students finished formal classes and then on to two weeks of examinations. As the WACE examinations close for Year 12s shortly, we also wish our Year 11 students all the best in the coming weeks. 

Grandparents Day Liturgy, Class Visits and Morning Tea 

What a way to end the week! We welcomed over 400 grandparents to our first combined PK-6 Grandparents Morning at Lavalla. Grandparents are the great treasure of families and the pride they had in their grandchildren at today’s visit warmed everyone’s hearts. In chatting with our guests at morning tea, it was so uplifting to hear that many have been past students of our school. Thank you to our team for their work in bringing about a great morning and every blessing to our wonderful grandparents at Newman College.  

Recently, I informed the community of the news that Mr Michael Chiera, Vice Principal, had been appointed to the position of Principal Servite College from 2026. This is a great achievement for Michael and we recognise his great contribution to Newman College over the past two years. The opportunity to lead and serve your own community is a special gift and responsibility for a senior leader. Marist Schools Australia has begun the process of appointing the next Vice Principal to Newman College and we will keep you up to date with this news.  

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful weekend.

Mr Andrew Watson

PRINCIPAL