Welcome back to the start of Term 2. I hope all families enjoyed some time together over the term break holidays. We are underway and fully back into the swing of College life and learning.
Prior to the students returning, our staff enjoyed a great day with the Marist Life and Formation Team, unpacking our Marist Theme for 2025, Pilgrims of Hope. As we enjoyed this deep dive into understanding Pilgrims of Hope, we were also grappling with the death of Pope Francis, and our community recognised his passing and leadership in our PCG and Class prayers throughout the first week of school. The impact of Francis鈥� leadership will be long experienced in the Church and the world. There are many lessons we take from his papacy but one in particular has sat with me for many years. Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit seminarian, wrote the book Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads. Lowney wrote what we all came to understand about this leader in faith. Pope Francis was a pastoral leader, a leader deeply connected with the people and of the people. A particular image put forward by Lowney was of Francis dirty laundry, dusty shoes and monastery bells. As a supervisor of a Jesuit Seminary earlier in his priesthood, Fr Jorge Bergolio (Pope Francis) took it upon himself to do the laundry of the seminary. He was easily identifiable as a priest with his people as his shoes were always dirty with the dust of the roads and alleyways where he met and pastored to his parish and people. This earthiness, presence and focus on the human interaction with others was also coupled with Francis鈥� focus on looking up (monastery bells), leading his flock to a personal relationship with God. In these times where leadership seems to have lurched towards selfishness and division, we have lost a true leader who embodied the hope to look beyond and to the margins, but we will continue to be better for the example of true servant leadership he has left us. We now celebrate and pray for Pope Leo XIV.
In this moment of history and hope, we pause in prayer together as a Marist community. With hearts full of faith, we welcome the words spoken by our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV:
鈥楶eace be with you鈥�
Guild Spirit
Students on Marcellin campus enjoyed a great day of Guild spirit in last week鈥檚 Cross Country event. Along with the overall competition to take the shield, we had Guilds competing for the first time in the Guild Spirit shield. What we saw on the day was the dial shift even further to the right with a renewed energy around celebrating and competing as a Guild. Well done to all the students, Guild Co-ordinators and the Physical Education team for an uplifting and joyful carnival. Congratulations to the podium finishers in each race, Marcellin Guild for taking the Shield and to MacKillop and Thomas More who drew to become the first Guilds on the new Spirit Shield. Most importantly, well done to all our students for their great involvement on the day.
Mother鈥檚 Day
As the week drew to a close, we were delighted to welcome mothers, grandmothers and mother figures to the College for either the Mother鈥檚 Day Liturgy or Mass. The celebration of Mother鈥檚 Day is one of the most beautiful moments in any year; that outpouring expression of gratitude and thanks to our ever patient, strong, wise and amazing mothers.
We also take a moment to remember and honour the mothers who are no longer with us. Their love and legacy continue to live on in the hearts of those they nurtured.
On behalf of all in our community, I wish everyone a joyous Mother鈥檚 Day this Sunday.
Welcome back to Term Two. I hope that students enjoyed a restful break and are ready for the term ahead. As we begin the new term, we鈥檙e filled with hope for the opportunities ahead. Term Two is always a busy time in our College community, particularly for our Senior School students, as they prepare for their Externally Set Tasks and Semester One Exams.
This term we continue our focus on nurturing positive learning environments and supporting students in working to achieve excellence.
Parents, your continued support is greatly appreciated. From assisting your children with homework, attending school events or encouraging a high standard of behaviour, as well as uniform and personal appearance, your involvement and support makes a big difference.
This week Leaders of Wellbeing commenced uniform checks with Year 7 and 8 students. These checks will continue with the remaining cohorts over the next week. The purpose of this is to ensure that students are wearing their Winter Uniforms to a high standard. You will be notified if there are any concerns about your child鈥檚 uniform.
Guild Cross Country
Last Thursday, Year 7 鈥� 12 students participated in the Guild Cross Country Carnival. The day was filled with a high level of participation and Guild Spirit. This year was the first year that we had the entire school come out to watch and support our Year 12 students run their final Guild Cross Country race. Mr Watson joined the Year 12 students in their race, encouraging some friendly competition for Life Link! Mr Watson has donated $1 for each student who finished before him, and in turn, our Year 12 students who finished after him have also donated $1. A wonderful way to inspire kindness amongst the cohort!
Congratulations to Marcellin Guild, who have now taken out the Champion trophy for both Swimming and Cross Country! Congratulations also to MacKillop and Thomas More, who drew for the Guild Spirit award. A big thank you to our PE staff, Guild Coordinators and our Facilities team for making the day a great success!
Year Group
Female
Male
Year 7
1st
Mia Dorrington
Jackson Piccoli
2nd
Sami Fowler
Lachie Anderson
3rd
Amelia Scott
Julian Cameron
Year 8
1st
Allegra Clark
Taj Wester
2nd
Grace Taylor
Sebastian Hobson
3rd
Layla Bornmann
Stefan Moschopoulos
Year 9
1st
Ashlee Kruger
Deion Fernando
2nd
Raphi Fisher
Angus Timcke
3rd
Holly Hart
Cooper Warrick
Year 10
1st
Tayla Maloney
Bastion Dominguez Rubina
2nd
Jade Thorstensen
Zander Taylor
3rd
Sarah Scott
Fletcher Bell
Year 11
1st
Olivia Hilderbrandt
Henry Schwertfeger
2nd
Ava Stanley
Aston Thorpe
3rd
Hannah Seaborn
Ryan Lockyer
Year 12
1st
Sophia Nardi
Harrison Warrick
2nd
Ella Rose
Charlie Cossom
3rd
Amy Wilson
Flynn Morison
ANZAC Day Service
On Friday 2 May, Year 7 鈥� 12 students gathered on Founder鈥檚 Court for our ANZAC Day Service. Thank you to Mr McClorey, Mrs McCagh and Mr Smith for their organisation of the service and to all students who participated in the service. It was a touching service to commemorate those who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Mother鈥檚 Day
Thank you to families who joined our Community Mass, followed by our Mother鈥檚 Day celebrations yesterday. Wishing all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters and other women in our lives that care and love us unconditionally a Happy Mother鈥檚 Day this Sunday!
Upcoming Events:
Year 12 Externally Set Tasks (EST):
All Year 12 Students enrolled in a General Year 12 course are required to complete the externally set task developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment for the pair of units.
The ESTs are administered in schools during designated weeks in Term 2 under standard test conditions. The EST will take 50 minutes. The timetable for the Year 12 ESTs can be found here.
Year 7 鈥� 12 Celebration Assembly
Our next Year 7 鈥� 12 Celebration Assembly will be held on Thursday 22 May. All students are expected to wear their College Winter Uniform with their blazer to the assembly. Students wearing the College skirt will be required to wear tights to this formal occasion.
Recognition Of State Representation
Congratulations to the following students for selection in the Western Australian teams in their respective sports:
Adam Szwedzicki – Adam represented WA in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth in April. He competed in Men鈥檚 U13 high jump.
Hannah Seaborn – Hannah captained the WA State U16鈥檚 Football squad and represented the state in the AFL National Development Championship which is part of the AFL鈥檚 Talent Pathway Program. WA competed against South Australia at Revo Stadium and the Gold Coast Academy in Queensland.
State Representation is an honour and an important stepping stone in an athlete鈥檚 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.
Mrs Carla Pastorelli
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject handbook open
Current Year 10 students and families can now access information about Year 11 subjects for 2026, using this link:
A reminder about the major subject selection event coming up in Term 2. It is expected that all students attend this event, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
Tuesday 24 June
Marist Auditorium, 今日吃瓜
5pm to 6pm: Careers and Year 11 Subjects Expo.
6pm to 6.45pm: Year 10 Family Information Evening.
The Year 10 students have been listening to presentations about each Learning Area and their Year 11 offerings for 2026. A link to the presentations is available below:
Women in STEM
The Innovators鈥� Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here:
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
WACE (secondary graduation) requirements
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 鈥楲ist B鈥� (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12
A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath.
For students thinking of attending University
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
Here is a parents guide to University:
And here is the 鈥淔irst in Family鈥� resource, for students who might be the first in their family to attend University:
Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you:
Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here:
New Animal Care Certificate for Semester 2
There is an opportunity for interested students to apply for a 1-day-per-week Certificate II in Animal Care. This course will start in July and finish in December.
If interested, please contact Mr Farley.
Future Female Health Leaders Program
The Future Health Leaders Program is designed to inspire female high school students to enter a career in health and medical research, innovation and life sciences. The program will bring together twelve Year 11 science students from across Australia for a full-day event in Canberra in August 2025 to:
Showcase the diversity of career pathways in health and medical research
Inspire a passion for a career in health and medical research
Meet with exceptional female leaders in research, education, industry and government
Get some hands-on experience in world-class science facilities
Information and applications here:
Women in STEM
The Innovators鈥� Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here:
Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities
Navy
Navy Careers Experience 鈥� HMAS Stirling 鈥� 30 June 鈥� 02 July 2025
Applications close: 18 May 2025
Apply here:
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12
WACE (secondary graduation) requirements
In Year 11 and 12, students are progressing towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), otherwise known as their secondary graduation.
In order to achieve their WACE, students need to meet certain academic targets across Year 11 and 12. These are:
Demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (either in Year 9 NAPLAN or in Year 10-12 OLNA).
Be enrolled in English / Literature in Year 11 and 12.
Be enrolled in at least 1 鈥楲ist B鈥� (Maths / Science / Sport / Technology) subject.
Achieve at least 14 C grades, with at least 6 C grades in Year 12 subjects.
University Early Offer information
Please see below for the latest available Early Offer information.
Early Offers will open on 3 June 2025. Prior to this date, all Year 12 students will be provided with information about how to access the TISC system and enter preferences.
Curtin University
No details as yet.
Edith Cowan University
Full information and list of eligible courses at: Open to ATAR, Certificate IV, and UniReady students. Submit your Early Offer application by placing an eligible ECU course as your first TISC preference. First offers released to students on 2 September 2025.
Murdoch University
No details as yet.
Notre Dame University
Full information and list of eligible courses at: Opens 1 May 2025. First offers released to students on 1 September 2025. Apply via the Notre Dame online portal or via TISC. Open to ATAR Pathway students only. All offers are conditional offers.
University of WA
No details as yet.
University information
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
Are you the first person in your family to attend University? This might assist:
Here are some useful tools to prepare students for the transition to University:
Here is a parents guide to University:
Thinking of studying Medicine or Dentistry in 2026?
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2025 (including Assured Pathway at UWA) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
4 March 2025: UCAT bookings open
16 May 2025: Deadline to book your UCAT for 2025
11 June 2025: Deadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
1 July 2025: UCAT testing begins
5 August 2025: Last test date
September 2025: Results available
You can check for more information, tips and practice tests.
Also, students applying for Medicine at Curtin University are required to sit the CASPER Test. CASPER scores are valid only for the next available admissions year, so applicants should only complete the test in the year immediately preceding their planned year of admission.
The CASPER Test is held nationally and is sat online from home. Applicants are responsible for making their own arrangements to register for the CASPER Test.
You can find more information about this, and book your test, here:
UWA Medical entry handbook here (for Assured Pathway):
Curtin Medical entry handbook here:
Notre Dame Medicine program information is here:
University scholarships
Curtin University
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Murdoch University
Notre Dame University
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Christian Leaders Scholarship
Gap year information
Students interested in taking a gap year in 2026 might find the following interesting:
Defence Force Gap Year:
Other gap year ideas:
And:
Also this Marist volunteering opportunity:
Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here:
Women in STEM
The Innovators鈥� Tea Party links successful women working and training in STEM with high school students through a range of engaging events. Our 500+ women in STEM mentors are selected from a variety of industries and backgrounds and are passionate about telling their stories and promoting their fields. Find out more and book in to attend an event here:
Defence Force Work Experience Opportunities
Navy
Navy Careers Experience 鈥� HMAS Stirling 鈥� 30 June 鈥� 02 July 2025
Applications close: 18 May 2025
Apply here:
UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS
EVENT
DATE
LINK
Perth Careers Expo
15-18 May
Notre Dame Open Day
24 May
Year 10 Information Evening (ECU Joondalup)
27 May
Teaching degrees information evening (ECU)
3 June
Engineering Information Evening (ECU)
4 June
Year 9 and 10 Parent Information Evening (Murdoch University)
4 June
Year 11 and 12 Parent Information Evening (Murdoch University)
4 June
Parent Information Evening for Year 12 students (ECU)
5 June
Psychology Information Evening (ECU)
10 June
Year 9-12 Information Evening (Curtin)
18 June
今日吃瓜 Careers Expo and Year 10 Parent Evening
24 June Marist Auditorium
3.30pm to 4.30pm: Yr 11/12 Careers Expo 5.00pm to 6.00pm: Yr 10 Careers & Subject Expo 6.00pm to 6.45pm: Yr 10 Family Info Session
WAAPA Information Evening
29 July
Year 12 application support session (Murdoch)
29 July
Nursing Information Evening (Murdoch)
27 August
Health and Education Information Evening (Murdoch)
2 September
Science, IT, Engineering Information Evening (Murdoch)
3 September
Business and Law Information Evening (Murdoch)
4 September
Engineering Information Evening (ECU)
5 September
If you are thinking of attending a University Open Day, this blog might help you get the most out of it:
Jenny Lindsay (Macauley 1972)鈥痠s the oldest daughter of Tom and Mary nee Zencich, and attended Siena, Dominican Girls鈥� High School in Doubleview from Years 8-12, 1968-1972. Her sister鈥�Robyn Robertson (Macauley 1976)鈥痜ollowed her to Siena, and her brother鈥�Wayne Macauley (1979), attended Marist College, Churchlands.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Jenny discovered her call to be a teacher during primary schooling at St Dominic’s; then one of the feeder schools for Siena Girls’ High School. It wasn鈥檛 until she came to Siena in 1968 she recognised she wanted to be a鈥�high school鈥痶eacher and, ideally, return to teach at her alma mater. In February 1976, after Teachers鈥� College, Jenny realised her dream, working alongside many of her former teachers who had inspired those dreams.
In 1977 Siena, Brigidine and Marist Colleges united to form 今日吃瓜, and Jenny has since seen Newman transform into the thriving co-educational school we are today. Over the years she has seen and done it all, and taught myriad subjects, from Speech and Drama to Religious Education.鈥疛ust as she experienced when she was a young teacher starting out at Siena, some of her former students are now her colleagues. Many have also sent their own children to Newman, which has maintained the sense of connection and led to the profound experience of Jenny having taught the children of some of her former Year 9 students from the 1970s and 1980s!
Jenny鈥檚 family have been hugely significant in their support of her during the nearly 30 years she taught Drama at Siena and Newman Siena.鈥� Her father Tom, husband David, and sister Robyn all helped construct and paint backdrops for productions whenever required, while her mother Mary joined the staff, making or serving afternoon tea or supper, during interval. 鈥疞ater, her daughter鈥�Rachel Heilers (Lindsay 1996)鈥�and son,聽Adam Lindsay (2001)鈥痟elped in all kinds of capacities backstage, including stage management.鈥�
Aside from teaching, Jenny has also been a key driver of social justice initiatives, from organising Christmas hampers for Vinnies, to starting a student-led Social Justice group in 2006.聽
In 2019, Jenny retired from full-time teaching and was recognised with the 鈥極utstanding Contribution to Marist Education Award鈥�, honouring her decades of service.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Throughout her years here, Jenny has felt tremendously supported by the College community, which has seen her flourish from a student to a wife, mother, grandmother and, sadly, with the loss of her husband David in 2012, widow.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Unfortunately, COVID ruined Jenny鈥檚 2020 plans to travel. Instead, she had both knees replaced and, since March 2021, has been working back at Newman as a relief teacher, continuing her significant contribution to our School as she has for nearly five decades. 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Eden Rigo (2015)鈥�was recently selected, from a field of six worthy candidates, as the鈥�2025 Rhodes Scholar for Western Australia.鈥疎den is our second Rhodes Scholar, the first being鈥�Dr鈥疊ronte Adams AM (1980),鈥痑nd we could not be more proud of鈥�her incredible achievement!
Eden, the younger sister of鈥�Gioia Rigo (2010), came to 今日吃瓜 in Year 5 and loved her years here, and has many fond memories of teachers and other staff. In Romero Guild, she was in the ACC Athletics and Swimming Teams, and played Basketball, Touch Football and Volleyball. She set a near record for protractor throwing in Maths in Year 10, a new record for Shot Put in Year 11, was the Female Age Swimming Champion in Years 11 and 12, and Year 12 Drama Captain. Eden was also in Remar in Years 10, 11 and 12 (the faith in action group now known as Game Changer) which, she says, kick-started her love for community service.
Eden chose not go straight into university, instead taking time to travel. In doing so, she built a store of life experiences backpacking around Europe for eight months, living in Broome for six months, travelling through Indonesia and Malaysia for nearly five months, and teaching English online at a summer school. When not travelling she worked in hospitality in Perth, mostly during the summers.
She began her Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University in 2021, aged 23, and is now completing her Honours. During her studies she has won several awards, including attaining the highest academic standing across her entire degree. She has twice attained Membership to the Vice Chancellor’s鈥痩ist, recognising the top 1% of undergraduates, and received the Don Watts High Achievers鈥� Scholarship. She has also undertaken three New Colombo Plan Mobility programs, which have taken her to the Maldives and three Micronesian countries. When she graduates, her degree will have taken her to eight different Asia/Pacific countries, and twice to the United Nations 鈥� the second in November this year for COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In her spare time Eden coordinates the mentoring of a women’s politics program and, as part of her activities with the Osborne Park Rotary Club (of which she has been a member for three years), arranges social gatherings for Ukrainian refugees. She has also held various leadership roles across political and student planning associations.
She has worked in the private sector, in the Community and Culture team at Element Advisory and, for the past two years, has been the Executive Officer of the State Parliamentary Labor Party at Parliament House.
As far as her Rhodes Scholarship, which will take her to Oxford University, Eden hopes to study a Masters in Philosophy in Development Studies, as she鈥檚 aiming for a career which is impactful for at-risk and vulnerable communities. She aims to learn as much as she can at Oxford so she can foster sustainable and thriving communities in future.
We wish Eden the very best with her studies next year, and in bringing her plans to fulfillment!
Dr Ken Spillman (1976)鈥�is the son of Pat nee鈥疭mith鈥痑苍诲鈥�John Spillman (1949), who attended St Ildephonsus College, New Norcia, in the 1940s with his brother,鈥�Kevin Spillman鈥�(1953).
Ken鈥�came to鈥�Marist Junior College in Subiaco in Year 7, the year his family moved to Wembley Downs. He graduated from Marist Senior College, Churchlands, in 1976. His sister鈥�Lyn Spillman鈥�(1974)鈥�graduated from Siena Girls’ High School, and his younger sisters鈥�Jan Spillman (1978)鈥痑苍诲鈥�Leane鈥�Spillman (1982)鈥痑ttended Newman. Encouraged to write while at school, Ken published his earliest work while still in his teens. For many years he worked as a literary critic and non-fiction writer on works such as 鈥業dentity Prized: a History of Subiaco鈥� (1985) before launching his first full-length fiction, 鈥楤lue鈥� (1999). He has since published more than 75 works of fiction aimed at both adults and children, and has been shortlisted for, or won numerous prizes. He has also written over 25 books of non-fiction.
Last year was a huge year for Ken, with the release of 13 new books (of which 11 were children鈥檚 books for Scholastic Asia), and the launch of a book published in 2022. He co-authored the other two books; one published by HarperCollins, 鈥楳ore Than I Am鈥�, and another titled 鈥楽ecret Agent, Unsung Hero鈥�,鈥�痺hich he wrote with Hon Peter Dowding SC (former Premier of WA, 1988-1990). This is a biography of Peter鈥檚 uncle, Bruce Dowding, who worked with the French Resistance and was beheaded by the Nazis. Ken says the project gave him an intense immersion in the 1930s and 1940s, and took him back to the study of Nazi Germany in the Marist College classroom, where a very young teacher, Frank Egan鈥�(1971),鈥�first excited him about writing history. Frank was a Marist College Old Boy and鈥痶aught Geography, History, Social Studies and Religion at his alma mater from 1972 to 1983.鈥疘n acknowledgement of Frank鈥檚 encouragement all those years ago, Ken sent him a copy of the book.
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This year Ken is working on his third biography, about a man who came out to WA in 1849 with the Benedictines. (The Benedictines founded New Norcia and, a few years later, a second monastery near Perth which gave Subiaco its name.) Ken also generously hosted a table at our Year 12 Careers鈥� Breakfast earlier this year, and inspired some of our students considering a future in writing!
