今日吃瓜

Newman News Term 1 Week 10: From the Deputy Principal Primary

Jenni Vile on 07/04/2022

鈥淭he moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it鈥� JM Barrie 鈥� Peter Pan 

At the end of what has been a very busy, and often tumultuous term, I am pleased to be able to sit back and reflect on the many great achievements and moments of celebration that our students have experienced over the past ten weeks. Despite the challenges that this term has presented, such as our inability to gather for liturgies and assemblies, having to take events online, and beginning mask wearing throughout the school day, our students have continued to believe in their ability to overcome each challenge and show us how they can fly. It is no coincidence that one of our College鈥檚 pedagogical pillars is Challenge; the skills that our students have learnt in facing this term鈥檚 challenges, such as resilience and a growth mindset will stay with them as they continue their educational journey.  

My sincere thanks are extended to our amazing teaching team, who have once again shown that teaching is not just a career but a vocation. The challenges of COVID this term have resulted in teachers often being required to work longer and even harder in ensuring that their students learning remained unaffected. This has involved teachers preparing lessons and resources in support of other classes, supporting relief staff when someone was unwell or isolating, picking up extra recess or lunch duties, keeping in touch and preparing learning packs for isolating students (whilst still being present to their face-to-face class) and engaging in remote learning (sometimes even when they have been a bit unwell themselves!) What a team! I hope that our teachers, along with our students and families have a very well-deserved and restful Easter break. We look forward to everyone returning in Term 2, with a sense of rejuvenation and the energy to combat whatever Term 2 may present us with.  

Key Dates 

鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly. 

Project Compassion  

Many thanks to our families for their support of Project Compassion throughout Lent. Your generous support can help change the lives of some of the world鈥檚 most vulnerable people. To learn more about Project Compassion you can go   

Easter Raffle 

Our annual Easter Raffle was once again a huge success in contributing to our Project Compassion fundraising efforts. The winners of the raffle were drawn at the end assembly on Friday morning with the Easter Bunny delivering prizes to students across Pre-Kindy to Year 6.  

Thank you to Mrs Jane Short, for her coordination of the raffle and the parent helpers who assisted in wrapping and assembling the prizes.  

Lavalla Campus Assembly 

Thank you to Mrs Robyn Hatchett and the Year 6 Green students for their wonderful assembly performance. Your energy and enthusiasm is to be commended, particularly on the last day of term. We are so grateful for all your efforts in putting the assembly together,  

 A big congratulations to all our Merit Award winners on their fantastic achievements. 

Year 1 Zoo Excursion 

Year 1 students had an adventure at the Perth Zoo on Monday, as they consolidated their Science Unit on Life and Living. Thank you to the parents that were able to assist as Excursion Helpers on the day.  

Year 2 Bunnings Incursion 

In Science this term, Year 2 have been learning about the Earth鈥檚 important resources. As a final project for their Science unit, Bunnings provided an incursion on creating a mini school garden. Students discussed how water, soil and the sun as well as many other resources, support our plants and creatures. Each student planted their own vegetable, which they ae excited to watch grow, ready for harvesting. We hope that these garden beds continue to promote learning with all Marian students and promote our College鈥檚 focus on sustainability.  

Mercycare School Holiday Program 

Mercycare鈥檚 School Holiday program has a range of exciting incursions and excursions available throughout this upcoming Easter holiday period. The service is open to currently enrolled students of 今日吃瓜 and operates from 7am to 6pm each day. Families interested in enrolling their child into the program should contact Luisa on 0409 065 996 or Newman_OSHC@mercycare.com.au. Details of the upcoming holiday program can be found below.  

School Photos Days

A reminder to all families that our photo days are taking place on the following days:

  • Years 3-6 (Lavalla Campus) – Friday 29 April 2022
  • Kindy, Year 1 & Year 2 (Marian Campus) – Friday 13 May 2022
  • Pre-Primary TBC

Students should now have received their school photo order envelope. The order envelopes are printed uniquely for each student. On photo day, the camera links to the bar code on the order envelope, therefore it is extremely important that every student returns their envelope on photo day 鈥� even if families are not buying photos. The instructions to parents are printed on the envelope and are self explanatory. Parents will notice that they have a wide choice of photo packs available to purchase.

Uniform Expectations

Kindy 鈥� Students have the option to wear their 今日吃瓜 t-shirt

Pre Primary 鈥� Students must wear their 今日吃瓜 Tracksuit (tracksuit pants are preferred)

Years 1-6 鈥� Students must wear their full winter uniform. Boys can wear either their shorts or trousers and girls are welcome to wear their dress or skorts (Years 4-6 to wear their blazer)

We hope that all students can be present at school this day, as school photos often become a treasured memory that are looked upon with great fondness and affection in the years to come.

Newman News Term 1 Week 10: From the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity

Jo Dunn on 07/04/2022

The end of Term 1 coincides with the end of Lent. This period of 40 days before Easter is a time for us to recalibrate our focus on what is truly important through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Our students have demonstrated a spirit of generosity throughout the term in the way they have supported our fundraising initiatives for Lismore and Project Compassion. As we prepare for Holy Week and enter the Easter period, we encourage our families to contemplate this journey and how we can be Easter people and bring new life into our communities through our relationship with God, ourselves and most importantly each other. On Wednesday 6 April, our students from Marcellin participated in the Easter Liturgy, click to watch. Students from Marian and Lavalla reflected on the Easter story through their liturgy, beautifully put together by our Year 1 class. Click to watch.  

It has been another big term for the Ministry office and I am grateful to the support of all our staff, students and families. I look forward to another term of advocacy, service and prayer in Term 2. 

Key Dates 

鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly. 

Year 11 Game Changer Retreat 鈥� March 29 

Each Game Changers group takes part in an annual Retreat Day. These days are facilitated by Marist Youth Ministry and offer an opportunity for Game Changers to connect and build community with each other. The program features 3 main sessions, with an opportunity for large and small group discussion. The aim is to energise students in their ongoing journey as well as allow space and time to gather and plan for their leadership and service opportunities within and beyond the school context. 

‘One does not live on bread alone’ Matthew 4, was the opening idea for our Year 11 Game Changers Retreat. We focused on our Five F’s: family, fun, faith, friends and fitness, reflecting on how we live these out in our lives at the moment, and perhaps how we can improve on them.鈥� We discussed the fragility of life through the metaphor of the ‘Jenga tower’ and considered who helps us pick up the pieces when things become unsteady. 
 
鈥�淚 came that they may have life and have it abundantly.鈥� John 10:10, once we had established our requirements for a supported and fulfilled life, we explored how we can contribute to society and how we can use our unique gifts and talents to create abundance for ourselves and those in our communities. A restorative and inspiring day, the students felt invigorated to return to school life, to bring a relaxed and innovative approach to recognising potential and creating a better future for themselves and others.  
Mrs Aleisha Bryson, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy 
 
Our next Game Changers Retreat will be held on April 29 for Year 9 Students. 

Project Compassion  

今日吃瓜 would like to express sincere thanks to all those who helped with our last push towards achieving our goal for Project Compassion. The funds raised doubled in just a week as students participated in a range of activities across the College, digging deep into their pockets.  

The sales from the famous Primary School Easter raffle, free dress day, teacher raffle and hula hoop throw competition all contributed towards accelerating our awareness and contribution of funds for those communities around the world in need of our small donations.  

As Mr Martino could be heard time and time again quoting 鈥�$2 or $5, will barely be noticed by most of us, it may mean we go without a want, like a waffle or ice-cream from the canteen. But for these people it could mean the difference of eating, access to water or safe practices within their community.鈥� We saw this in action with Pastoral Care Groups such as Romero 7 and Camara 10 taking on the challenge as a group and astounding all with the results of their commitment and generosity.  

Students across Marian and Lavalla have continued raising awareness and funds for Project Compassion鈥檚 Caritas appeal. Our Year 4 students have organised a 鈥榃alk for Water鈥� event where students have carried buckets of water around the oval to experience what many young people around the world have to do each day. Our Year 6 students have been assisting in the organisation of our Easter Raffle and have also organised a number of competitions including, guess the lollies in the jar with all proceeds supporting Caritas. 

A heartfelt thankyou to everyone who helped in the organising and running of the events, as well as those who participated and donated their time and money. Looking forward to sharing out totals next term. 

Student Reflections

Walk for Water

Today we organised a 鈥榃alk for Water鈥� event for the Year 4 students. We have been learning how many people around the world have to walk each day to get fresh water. To help our class understand how that feels like we set up a relay around the oval where each team had to carry a bucket of water.

Sienna, Poppy, Vivienne and Stella (4 Red)

Easter Raffle

Today there was great excitement as we drew the prizes from our annual Easter Raffle. Many thanks to the generous donations already from our families. Thank you also to the students and parents who assisted with the wrapping of the prizes. All funds raised have been donated to Caritas Australia鈥檚 Project Compassion appeal this Lent.

Year 6 Fundraising

In Year 6 we have spent time listening to Project Compassion stories and how Caritas helps those in need around the world. We decided to organise a lolly guessing competition with all the money raised donated to Caritas鈥檚 Project Compassion appeal. We hope the money raised helps lives in need and provides opportunities for those people who are not as lucky as we are.

Ella, Lola, Olivia, Chloe, Emmersyn (Year 6)

Year 7 Retreat Day  

As part of their Year 7 experience, students attended a Retreat Day organised by the College and facilitated by 24/7 Youth Ministry who are specifically trained for this role.鈥�疶he Retreat Day follows our Vision for Mission 鈥淕ood Christians and Good Citizens鈥� as we offer students an opportunity away from their normal school routine to pause and reflect on their relationship with creation, others, themselves, and God. Students have found these experiences to be both positive and rewarding. 

The next Retreat Day on the Marcellin Campus is scheduled for our Year 8 Students on May 26. 

Thursday Morning Mass  

Thursday Morning Mass will continue in Term 2 for students across the College. Mass begins at 8.10 am in the Champagnat Chapel and is celebrated by our local priests. 

  • Week 1, Thursday 28 April; Year 12 Students 
  • Week 2, Thursday 5 May; Year 3 Students 

Newman News Term 1 Week 10 : From the Vice Principal

Jenni Vile on 07/04/2022

The end of term has come, and the celebration of Easter is nearly upon us. I am confident that most of our community members are welcoming the much-needed rest, relaxation of routine and time with family and friends. Despite the constraints around gathering as a community, students in PK-12 were able to celebrate the Easter story at reformatted liturgies, which included online presentations and small class gatherings. Throughout the Lenten period, we asked students and families to support fundraisers for Project Compassion and Caritas. Thank you for your generosity.  

Next term will see the winter uniform return for our students. Can I please take this opportunity to remind you to check clothing sizes for fit and ensure hair styles are in line with the expectations of our community prior to the start of term. We are hoping to recommence the term with a clear focus on learning and we do not wish for unnecessary distractions to take us away from our core business.  

As we celebrate Easter, in keeping with our 2022 Marist Theme 鈥楰nown and Loved – Dignity for all鈥�, may we remember God鈥檚 perfect love for all humans, in their richness and diversity, and may that love fill us with hope and a growing realisation of our unity, as one human-kind.  Happy Easter. 

Key Dates 

鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.  Incursions, Excursions, Retreats, Carnivals, Year 12 Ball, to name a few, have all had to be cancelled/postponed or delivered in a different format.  We sincerely thank you for your understanding and support. We encourage you to continue to look at the online College calendar as entries are updated daily.

Staffing 

The following staff are leaving our College community to pursue other endeavours for which we wish them every success.  We thank them for the support they have given to both students and staff during their time here. 

Cristina Guzzomi

Melissa Gordon 

Remmi Missell 

Kelly Fitzpatrick, Leader of Wellbeing Year 8, will be commencing maternity leave at the end of Week Two, Term Two, and Hannah Parker, Leader of Learning Science will be taking maternity leave from the end of Week 4. We wish both Kelly and Hannah well with their first journeys into motherhood.  

We look forward to welcoming Scott Smith into our College community and Marist family, in the role of Leader of Wellbeing Year 8. We are also welcoming Giorgia Bakeberg to our community as a Science and Mathematics teacher from the start of Term 2 and Olivia Biasin in the capacity of Art Technician PK-12.     

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews 鈥� Years 8-10 

Parent, Teacher, and Student interviews for students in Years 8-10 are being held online on Thursday 28 April from 4.00pm-8.00pm via TEAMS. Details have already been emailed to relevant families.   

Uniform Shop 

All stock of bathers and rash vests have been delivered to the uniform shop. A reminder to families that from the start of next year (delayed by a year) these items are compulsory for students in Years 3 to 10. Students will be engaged in swimming for the following periods of time.  

Aquatics summary听

  • All Years 3 鈥� 6 students swim in Term 1 during HPE and at the carnival and engage in swimming lessons during Term 4. 
  • All Year 7-10 students swim for the duration of Term 1 approximately 22-27 lessons. 
  • Year 9 students swim for an additional 4 weeks in Term 3 as they complete a lifesaving module (approximately 12 lessons). 
  • Year 10 students complete a 4-week water polo module that will start in week 9 of Term 3 (approximately 12 lessons). 

Term 2 Information 

All students will return on Tuesday 26 April. Monday 25 April is ANZAC Day, which is a public holiday.  

  • Uniform Expectations 

All students are reminded of the expectations relating to their personal presentation.鈥疨lease Click Here 鈥痶o access uniform requirements and guidelines.鈥� If you need to purchase new uniform items,鈥痯lease ensure you give yourself adequate time. 

COVID 19 

There will be no COVID-19 reporting completed over the holiday period by our staff. However, if your child is required to isolate from the second week, please complete the online form to alert us to the absentee, and the positive case or household contact. All forms and information regarding COVID can be found on the Website. 

Code of Conduct

Please click here to download the 今日吃瓜 Code of Conduct for Parents.

Newman News Term 1 Week 10 : From the Principal

Jenni Vile on 07/04/2022

Term 1 has presented many challenges for families and the College with the COVID-19 Omicron variant permeating Western Australia.听 As the State鈥檚 borders have opened we have seen numbers of infections steadily increase, impacting the wider community and our school.听 Thank you to families for responding to the many changes that have taken place throughout the term.听 We are hoping for a more settled College environment in Term 2 as some restrictions for schools are lifted.

Last week I spent time in Victoria visiting three Marist schools. Each school is different but all connected by our Marist family and shared mission. Speaking with students and teachers was an eye opener for me as they told of their experiences living in lockdown for the most part of the last two years.  Year 9 students, for example, have not yet completed a full term of high school. This term will be the first. Year 9 students have never been to a College Mass, Assembly, a secondary school camp, excursion, incursion or any other whole school event. Only in the last few weeks has co-curricular recommenced for these schools. It has been a challenging road but they are on the journey together. Their resilience is marked by their aspirations; aspirations that we all have – to live life and live it to the full.

As we journey together towards the end of term, perhaps it is timely that we reflect on our local context.  How we engaged in our learning this term, how we sought support, how agile and flexible have we been?  The COVID-19 Pandemic is now a major disruption in our State and now our school.  The uncertainty and the complexity of the road ahead can and is causing anxiety for teachers, students and families.  Where we draw support and how we build resilience will be critical as we move towards Term 2. 

150 Years of Marist Education in Australia

This year, we celebrate 150 years of Marist education in Australia.  56 schools will gather today at a Mass held in Sydney to celebrate our Marist Project 鈥� one where our Founder, St Marcellin Champagnat, championed the education and aspirations of dislocated youth.  This hope and this mission is ever present today.

End of Term

So, as we reflect on the term, thank you for your presence and contribution to the life of our community.  We have achieved much this term across curricular and co-curricular pursuits.  Congratulations to all students for your resilience and commitment to your learning. 

Easter Message

Marcellin Easter Liturgy

In many ways it is a blessing that Easter is upon us.  Our Christianity is predicated on this story; the death and resurrection of Christ and the new life and the hope that emerges from the despair and dislocation that forever permeates our world.  If anything, we need to draw on this hope that lies within us and those around us.  This Marist community is founded on our family spirit and that presence that values relationships. 

I encourage all families to attend the Easter services over Holy Week.  Take a moment and give thanks with the hope that Easter brings.

Newman News Term 1 Week 8: From the Deputy Principal Primary

Jo Dunn on 25/03/2022

Key Dates – 2022

Click here to view the College Calendar. 

Lavalla Merit Assembly 

Last week we presented students with Merit awards at an online Lavalla assembly. It was lovely to see the varying reasons for which students received awards and celebrate their fantastic start to the school year.

We also presented our age winners for our Lavalla Swimming Carnival. A massive congratulations to these students on their excellent performance and achievement.

Harmony Week 

Thank you to students who dressed today in either the national dress of their heritage or wore orange to represent Harmony Day. We are so fortunate to have so many cultures represented across our community and enjoy celebrating the diversity of all our families.

Harmony Week is a perfect opportunity to pause and celebrate the amazing contribution that this diversity brings to our lives. Further, your gold coin donations will make a positive contribution to our Project Compassion fundraising initative.

Easter Raffle Fundraiser 鈥� Project Compassion 

Thank you to those families who have already sold or purchased raffle tickets for our Easter Raffle and returned these to school. If you would like more tickets, these are available from either the Marian or Lavalla Administration staff. 鈥�Tickets are 50c each or 6 for $2.50 

We are still seeking the donation of eggs and baskets, which are used in the prizes for the raffle. These donations can be handed in at the Marian or Lavalla Administration office.

Raffle draws will be conducted at both the鈥疞avalla and Marian campuses on Friday 8 April 2022.

If there are any parents who are able to assist in assembling and wrapping the prize baskets, please contact Jane Short, Religious Education Coordinator via email at jane.short@newman.wa.edu.au  

Solar Car Challenge

The College鈥檚 Year 3 鈥� 10 SHINE Teacher, Mrs Lara Ognenis this week held a Solar Car challenge with our Year 6 and 8 students. Students participated in groups of 4 to build a solar car and test the success of their creations, teaching them valuable problem solving, collaboration and STEM based skills.

Mini-Marists program 

We had a fantastic response to our launch of the Mini-Marists program, with 66 Year 6 students attending during their lunch break to find out about how they can be involved in social justice initatives across the College.

Thank you to Mrs Jane Short for her organisation of the program, and Lavalla teachers for supporting the staff.

NAPLAN Testing

This week our Year 3 and 5 students undertook the NAPLAN Nationally Coordinated POactice Test, which allows schools to be confident in their connectivity for the actual NAPLAN assessment.

Students should be congratulated on the mature approach and organisation that they displayed throughout this practice test.
NAPLAN assessments will commence Tuesday 10 May and conclude Friday 20 May.  If families have any questions they should direct them to their child鈥檚 classroom teacher in the first instance, or our Leader of Learning Katya Anderson at katya.anderson@newman.wa.edu.au. A full schedule has been distrubuted to families recently.

School Photo Days

Families should take note that our school photos are being held on the following days:

  • Years 3-6 (Lavalla Campus) – Friday 29 April 2022
  • Kindy 鈥� Year 2 (Marian Campus) – Friday 13 May 2022

More information will be made available to families around uniform requirements and the photo ordering process as we get closer to the date. It is important that all students attend on the day, as school photos become treasured memories over the years, and we would love for all students to be represented in their class.