鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.
Year 8 Retreat
On Thursday 26th of May the Year 8 cohort came together to enjoy their Retreat Day.
The challenge was put to them to be the best year group involved in this and the team from 24/7 Youth Ministry could not stop saying how impressed they were with our young people and how well they engaged and gave everything a go with 110%.
I spoke to the students before the day started and explained this is part of our faith story and our mission to create good Christians and good citizens. We are all walking the path, just at different speeds and distances.
I had the pleasure of spending the day with the Year 8鈥檚 and could not be prouder to be their Leader of Wellbeing. The activities were fun and it was great to hear the laughter and see the students鈥� smiles all day. When asked to reflect and carry out activities in silence, they did so.
Speaking to the students, the feedback I had from them was that it was a really enjoyable Retreat. They enjoyed the way the 24/7 Youth Ministry team delivered the day and it was presented by people not too much older than them which was good too.
Again, I need to praise our Year 8鈥檚 on how well they did and how well they are going this term. I look forward to the rest of the year and seeing them grow even more.
Scott Smith, Leader of Wellbeing Year 8
Br Bill Sullivan鈥檚 Visit to 今日吃瓜
As part of our commitment to formation for staff in 2022, Br Bill Sullivan, Director of the Hermitage in Mittagong, visited all 3 Campuses of the College this week. His visit provided a very valuable opportunity for staff to engage in some spiritual nourishment and care for the soul. The visit was aligned to our Strategic Directions 鈥楢 Catholic School in the Marist Tradition鈥� and offered staff an alternative formation experience.
Champagnat Day 2022
Staff and students are busy planning for June 17 when we will celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers and of Marist Education.
Our K-12 College Community will gather to celebrate Champagnat Day with a Mass and various fete activities, proceeds of which will go to Australian Marist Solidarity. As one of 52 Marist schools across Australia, the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat is an opportunity to gather, give thanks, and to celebrate our shared Marist identity.
More details about this important even in our calendar will be sent to parents in Week 7.
Community Mass
Our weekly Community Mass continues each Thursday in the Champagnat Chapel and staff, students, families and wider community members are warmly invited to attend. The Mass commences at 8.10am, concludes by 8.40am and is celebrated by a Priest from a local parish. Each week the Mass is hosted by both primary and secondary school students. Please see the upcoming schedule below;
Thursday 9 June; Fr Emmanuel-tv Dimobi, Marcellin and Year 5 Red
Thursday 16 June; Fr Ruben Cardona, Catherine and Year 5 Blue
Thursday 23 June; Fr Israel Quirit, Thomas More and Year 5 Green
Introducing Issy (centre) our new Regional Marist Youth Minister. Issy has undergone training with Edwin (right) and Aleisha (left) at Newman this week. We look forward to seeing her more around the College working with our students.
Reconciliation Week 2022, 27 May-3 June – #BeBraveMake Change
The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, 鈥楤e Brave. Make Change.鈥� Is a challenge to all Australians 鈥� individuals, families, communities, organisations and government 鈥� to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians ().
This week our College celebrated Reconciliation Week across the campus in myriad ways which are reflected in campus reports throughout this Newsletter. Our commitment to Reconciliation is reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan RAP 2020-2021 (click here). This Plan is a journey for our College as we walk in solidarity with our First Nations people. (Note: Our Plan is currently being updated.). Our prayer this week has been:
Prayer for Reconciliation
Almighty and loving God You who created ALL people in your image.
Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stores of our past.
We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.
We are sorry and ask for God鈥檚 forgiveness. Amen.
National Simultaneous Storytime – Why reading is important
National Simultaneous Storytime is a highlight in our academic year at the Marian Campus. The joy of reading is celebrated as is the power of imagination and creativity.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Now in its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6. (.)
This year I was Bushman Jack reading the powerful story by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh, Family Tree. This story reflects on the journey of our lives from the seedling becoming the tree. It recognizes that in our seasons of life the greatest love that we can have is that of family.
The children were effusive and joy-filled as an audience and it is our hoped that they are inspired to pursue reading. Within our College, our PK-12 Literacy Plan is underpinned by reading. Reading helps you learn, increases your vocabulary, improves memory, increases your concentration and attention span, reduces stress and most importantly, improves your writing skills. As parents, I implore you to take time to read with and to your children. The greatest gift they can give themselves is the art of reading.
Students
Last Monday, I invited 11 Year 10 girls to lunch, along with Mr Simon Martino and Mrs Carla Pastorelli. Such a forum provides students the opportunity to express their opinions and ideas.
Last Thursday we participated in a Year 5 Soccer Tournament during lunchtime. Each player donated up to $5 to participate with all funds raised going to Marist Solidarity. Students thoroughly enjoyed kicking goals – not only for their team, but for people in need. Congratulations to the Year 5 students who raised over $300 from this and other Marist Solidarity events. (should be photos and film)
鈥�2 colourful little creatures鈥� is featuring in the Administration building at the Marcellin Campus this week. Our artist is Emerson (Emmi) Dolz 鈥� 1G. Thank you, Emmi for sharing your artwork with our community!
Marist Schools Australia 鈥� Regional Council Meeting at 今日吃瓜
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, we had the MSA Regional Council conduct their Term 2 meeting at 今日吃瓜. The Council membership comprises leaders of education and industry from across Western Australian, Victoria and South Australia. Within the context of MSA Ltd, this Regional Council assists strategic direction of Marist schools operating in these jurisdictions. The meeting in WA this week paid particular focus on our new capital development project and our recent School Registration as a Religious Institute school in WA.
Capital Development, Community Consultation
Thank you to parents, friends and members of the community who attended our Community Consultation on 25 May for the development of a PK-Year 6 Primary School at the Churchlands campus. I was joined by Tom Wagner, Lisa McClue, Simon Martino, project architects from MunnsSlyMoore and the project鈥檚 Education Consultant. The presentation was well received by those in attendance and was filmed for wider distribution (please click to view). The following areas were discussed:
Project Overview and Consultation process
Forward works program
Design (including parking and access)
Community Impacts
Schedule
Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC)
Our NPCC meeting will now be held on Monday 20 June. Agenda items will be:
Reframing of the Newman Parents Consultative Committee
Christmas in July event will be held early in Term 3
Homework Club Revitalisation Plan
We look forward to welcoming many parents and guardians to this meeting.
COVID-19, Reporting
We ask that families continue to report positive cases and household family close contacts to the College via the reporting form on the College Website. Please note this is still a requirement by the WA State Government to ensure the College can effectively manage absentees. For further information please see the College Website.
Updated COVID restrictions have seen events and camps re-instated into the College Calendar. We remind parents to please check the鈥�痮n a regular basis.
Marist Focus
This week at assembly our Year 12 Captains and leaders spoke to students about the impact of communication on our relationships, and the necessity of our Marist characteristic of presence, when listening and interacting with all community members. The Year 12 captains specifically referred to being present through listening to understand, rather than listening to respond. As we move further into the term, it is timely for us all to be present to each other and to recognise that we are all at different points. Responding to people from where they are, and accepting and understanding this point, is at the heart of our Marist culture.
Newman Parents Consultative Committee
The NPCC met last Monday 16 May. Unfortunately, we had trouble with our online meeting link. It was decided to reschedule this meeting to another date in the term. Families will be advised of the date shortly.
Agenda items were to include the reframing of the NPCC, the call for formal expressions of interest for the parent representative group across PK to Year 12, and the Homework Club Revitalisation.
RAT Distribution
Family distribution of RAT tests provided by the Western Australian Government commenced Monday 16 May. The eldest child in the family were allocated tests for each sibling.
Families who have not yet received/collected the RATs can collect them from the applicable campus administration office where the eldest child attends. Parents are required to collect them for Primary students, however students in Years 7 鈥� 12 can collect them on your behalf at the end of lunchtime or afterschool.
DISA
The College will run the Diagnostic Inventory for School Alignment (DISA) online tool again this year to measure our success against key criteria. The DISA consists of three surveys (teacher, parent, student) that together report the changing successes and challenges of our community.
The diagnosis is based on the Research-based Framework for Enhancing School Outcomes. This framework provides insight into how well our key organisational elements are aligned. The College ran the DISA in 2016 and again in 2019. We will be seeking input from teachers, parents and students early next term. For more information, please visit the .
Technology Committee
Our Technology Committee at the College is comprised of key personnel across primary and secondary. The major functions of the committee are to research technology initiatives and solutions and allocate sufficient resources to strategically achieve the intents within each Priority Area of our Strategic Plan, moving the College towards the forefront of innovative practices.
We are currently reviewing our Primary school device strategy for student use. We hope to transition to a new strategy for 2023 and more will be brought to the community shortly. If you have any questions or feedback to that end, please email me on lucie.mccrory@newman.wa.edu.au
Alignment Review
Over the next two years, we will be coming together as one PK- 12 community on one site. Prior to this occurring, the College will be conducting a robust audit of policies, practices, resourcing, uniform, and operating norms. This audit will enhance alignment and ensure a smooth transition in the consolidation. More information will be provided, and parent consultation will be called for at an appropriate time.
New Staff
We said farewell to Regan Dyer last week, Leader of Wellbeing Year 10. Simon Martino will look after the cohort until Sarah Ellam begins later this term. Sarah has significant leadership experience over ten years and is looking forward to joining the community. Scott Smith stepped into Leader of Wellbeing for Year 8 as Kelly Fitzpatrick left to be a first-time mother. Scott has significant pastoral leadership experience and is looking forward to getting to know the Year 8s. Fiona Hassle started as Leader of Learning Science as Hannah Parker departed to take up her role as first-time mother.
Maria Famiano will join us later this term as an experienced Italian teacher and will replace Anj Duncan in Semester Two, as she enjoys her long service leave. Joanne Smith will be starting later this term and comes from Iona to teach English and Humanities. Joel Kaldiah is coming to us from Scotch and will start Term 3 teaching Economics, Humanities and has an Innovation leadership role. These new teachers are replacing Leila Chandler and Miranda Whitley who will leave our community to take up opportunities in other Catholic schools.
Examinations
Examinations begin next week, starting with Year 12 and then Year 11 the following week. Communications have been sent home via email from the Leaders of Wellbeing.
Year 11 examinations commence in week 5 鈥� Monday 23 May.
Year 12 examinations commence in Week 6 鈥� Monday 30 May.
Study Techniques
For students to be best prepared for their exams, it is a timely reminder they are utilising the best study techniques and routines. Regular reviewing and revising are extremely important parts of the process of knowledge consolidation. See the below post from for study tips.
Questions students should consider:
Have you got a study routine in place that includes breaks and down time?
Have you asked someone to keep you accountable to your study routine?
Are you studying effectively?
Is your learning space conducive to study?
What does the research say about studying? Read the below except from the article written in Edutopia 鈥�5 Research Backed Studying Techniques鈥�
5 HIGH-INTENSITY STUDY HABITS
Researchers have found that the following techniques increase sustainable learning and retention when incorporated in students鈥� daily study habits. These techniques are difficult and require effort, and they slow down learning. Initially the learning gains seem to be smaller than with some ineffective practices. However, these techniques lead to long-term mastery.
The book鈥�Make It Stick鈥痠dentifies several research-proven studying techniques.
Pre-test: When students practice answering questions, even incorrectly, before learning the content, their future learning is enhanced. Research has shown that pre-testing improves post-test results more than spending the same amount of time studying.
Spaced practice: Spacing out study sessions鈥攆ocusing on a topic for a short period on different days鈥攈as been shown to improve retention and recall more than massed practice. The book How We Learn explains that spaced practice can feel difficult due to an initial forgetting of knowledge鈥攔eacquiring that knowledge takes effort.
Creating flash cards that can be used for spaced practice and self-quizzing is effective. Students should create different piles when reviewing the flash cards. The cards they鈥檙e able to answer immediately should be placed in a pile to review three days later; those answered with some difficulty should be reviewed two days later; and those that they answered incorrectly should be reviewed the next day.
Self-quizzing: Testing has a negative connotation in this era of standardized testing, but it is a form of active retrieval practice. Encourage students to make test questions for themselves as they learn a new concept, thinking about the types of questions you might ask on a quiz or test. They should incorporate these quizzes into their study sessions, answering every question, even those they believe they know well.
Interleaving practice: Students may rely on blocked practice, studying a set of problems鈥攕uch as multiplication problems鈥攁s a group until they feel mastery. A more effective method of studying is to work on a set of problems that are related but not all of the same kind鈥攆or example, a set of math word problems that call for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The consecutive problems cannot be solved with the same strategy. This is more effective than doing one multiplication problem after another.
Paraphrasing and reflecting: Many of us have read a few paragraphs in a textbook only to realize that we didn鈥檛 retain a single concept or key point presented in those paragraphs. To show your students how to combat this, have them utilize intentional learning strategies. These include relating what is being learned to prior knowledge, thinking about how they would explain the content to a 5-year-old, and reflecting on and asking questions about the content.
Code of Conduct
Please click here to download the 今日吃瓜 Code of Conduct for Parents
鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.
Year 4 Holy Communion Retreat
On Thursday our Year 4 classes joined together for a retreat, led by 24:7 School Ministry to further their understanding of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, as they prepare to receive the sacrament in their parish later this year.听
I really enjoyed the fun activities, especially the craft activity where on the back of pictures of grapes, we wrote a prayer to Jesus, things we are thankful for and learnt about the symbols of baptism. We joined these together to make a vine.听
Fin谩n Smith 4 Green
听I really enjoyed the fun and entertaining games. My favourite game was playing musical bobs. I loved learning about the different Sacraments including Baptism, Reconciliation and the Eucharist. 听
Isla Wallace 4 Red
We wrote a message of thanks to Jesus, we learnt about the Eucharist and how you can always reconnect with God by receiving the Sacraments, praying and going to Mass. My favourite activity was making the grape vine, reminding us of all the gifts we get from God.听
Flynn Murphy 4 Blue
LifeLink Launch in Secondary Schools
Representatives from all year groups at 今日吃瓜 attended the online Launch of Lifelink on Thursday 19th May. This is the organisation we fundraise for in our Term 3 Walkathon. Students were able to hear firsthand the message of Archbishop Timothy Costello. In his address, we were called to know Jesus, precisely who he was and what he did. The Archbishop ascribed Jesus鈥� main message as one of being of service to others, this was the sole purpose that his life exhibited, even to his death, a service of sacrifice.
We were challenged in this and, secondly called to be life-giving, to live a life with dignity and generosity, through following and understanding the example of Jesus. The group then considered methods through which we can raise awareness of the causes that LifeLink supports and gathered ideas for fundraising for these causes.
We look forward to seeing the fruits of the understanding and collaborating this of this launch event.
Thursday Morning Community Mass
We warmly welcome the whole 今日吃瓜 community to our weekly Mass on Thursday mornings. Mass commences at 8.10am and concludes at 8.40am in the Champagnat Chapel on the Marcellin Campus and is hosted by a Priest from a local parish. Please see the upcoming schedule below; we look forward to seeing you there soon.
Thursday 26 May; Fr Christian Irdi, Romero and Y6 Red
Thursday 2 June; Fr Hyginus Ebede, MacKillop and Y6 Green
Thursday 9 June; Fr Emmanuel-tv Dimobi, Marcellin and Y5 Red
Primary Capital Development Community Consultation
Marist Auditorium | Wednesday 25 May | 5.00-6.00pm
As families would be aware, 今日吃瓜 is embarking on a once in a generation development that will see our Pre-Kindy to Year 12 community united for the first time in our history on a single campus. I warmly invite all who are interested to attend a Community Consultation which will focus on:
On Monday evening it was planned to conduct an NPCC meeting to focus on two significant items:
Reframing of the Newman Parents Consultative Committee
Homework Club Revitalisation Plan
Due to the lack of number in attendance, it was decided to reschedule this meeting to another date in the term. Families will be advised of the date in the near future.
Champagnat Day
This year we celebrate 150 years of Marist education in Australia. Later this term, our community will participate in Champagnat Day which celebrates Marist life moreover this Project started by St Marcellin Champagnat started over 200 years ago. At the heart of this is to make Jesus Christ known and loved and we do this in this community by being an effective school that walks with our young people, it challenges them to be the best person God intends them to be. As part of this celebration the College will be raising money to support Marist Solidarity, specifically supporting dislocated and disadvantaged children in the Philippines and development of a new school in Timor Leste. This campaign recognises that the aspirations of every child, no matter what their background, should have every opportunity to build their success.
School Registration
As a result of Marist Schools Australia Limited becoming incorporated earlier this year, 今日吃瓜 was required to undertake a further School Registration Audit, conducted by the Department of Education WA. This process was similar to the Audit conducted under Catholic Education WA in 2021 where the College received a very positive result.
The Registration process, which commenced in January concluded today with interviews with the regulator. We now look forward to receiving the final report.
Separate to the School Registration process, the College has commissioned a WHS audit of our school sites, a report of which will be forthcoming.
