½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6Ìý

This week marks the beginning of Holy Week – a most significant time in the Church calendar. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday, marking the final days of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, culminating in his death and resurrection.Ìý

For Christians worldwide, Holy Week is a time of deep spiritual reflection and introspection. It serves as a reminder of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and love for humanity and the ultimate victory of good over evil. Throughout Holy Week, Christians engage in various rituals and practices such as prayer, fasting, and attending mass or liturgies, to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with God. 

For students this week, Holy Week provides the opportunity to learn more about the story of Jesus, as well as those things we value as Catholics. It is a time to understand the importance of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love, which students come to understand through the work they have been doing in Religious Education and also through the Easter Liturgy celebrations this week. 

Ultimately, Holy Week serves as a reminder for us to live a life of compassion, kindness, and love towards others, just as Jesus Christ did. By reflecting on the significance of Holy Week, we can deepen our faith and understanding of what it means to be Catholic and strive to live a life that is guided by its teachings. 

Caritas Fundraisers

The last few weeks have seen a flurry of activity across the school as our Guild Coordinators and Student Leaders have been working hard to raise money for Caritas. We have seen a number of awesome events including crazy sock day, bake sales, staff vs student netball, staff dance battle, guess the lollies in the jar, and many more. The sale of tickets for the Primary Easter raffle have been very strong too, and we are looking forward to sharing our total fundraising amount with everyone next term. I would like to especially recognise the efforts of our PCG teachers, Guild Coordinators, and student leaders who have been instrumental in bringing our fundraising efforts to life this term, as well as Mrs Daphne Peters who has been guiding students in her role as Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy.

Easter Liturgies

This week we celebrated three Easter Liturgy celebrations across our campus. Students at the Marian campus came together at St.Cecilia’s Church to celebrate a re-telling of the Easter Story, while students in Lavalla did the same, gathering together in the Auditorium. In our Marcellin campus, students commemorated Holy Week with a re-telling of the Stations of the Cross which depict Jesus’ final hour on Earth, leading to his resurrection. I am very grateful for the support of the many staff and students who spent time preparing these events for our community, and for bringing to life such a significant and holy time in our calendar.  

Year 7 Game Changers Launch 

This week, each of our Year 7 students took part in the launch of the Game Changers program during their Religious Education lessons. This was facilitated by Issy, who is a part of the Marist Youth Ministry team. The Game Changers program is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. It seeks to form Christian leaders by making Jesus Christ known and loved among students. Highlighted by a strong sense of family spirit and community, regular meetings, faith formation experiences and service opportunities, students are invited to become game changers through their participation in the youth group. The response from our Year 7 group was excellent, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming our new participants to the program next term. Parents can read more about the Game Changers program .ÌýÌý

Y11 & Y12 Game Changers Retreat 

While our Year 7 students were being introduced to Game Changers this week, our Year 11 and Year 12 Game Changers students were out attending their retreats. These experiences are critical in the formation and personal growth of students. Under the guidance of Marist Youth Ministry Regional Assistant, Issy, students took on the challenge of stepping ‘into the unknown’ and delving deeper into what their true passions are and how they can use these for the greater good! We hope this awesome group of Year 12’s learnt just as much from us as we did from them! 

The Year 11 group started their day off with Mass, and despite the bad weather, the students had a great time reflecting on their faith and looking into how they can empower not only themselves but also the people around them. Students also discussed how life is like a ‘JengaTower’, because when we come tumbling down in times of obscurity, we need help from the people around us to be built back up again, and as Marists, we can play a key role in helping those in need build themselves up too.Ìý

Year 9 Retreat

Last week, our Year 9 students and their PCG teachers gathered in the Auditorium to take part in a retreat run by Perth Youth Mission Team. The theme of the retreat was relationships, with students focusing on appreciating the dignity and value of themselves and others, the power of influence, and our personal relationship with Jesus. It was great to see students participating so well, particularly in the small group sessions. We hope it helped students to understand the tremendous power they each possess to make a difference to others in our community.Ìý

Living Marist Service Learning Program 

This term we have also launched our Living Marist Christian Service Learning Program. This program aims to encourage and support students to commit to acts of Christian service both here in school and in the wider community. We make this commitment so we can help enact the vision Marcellin Champagnat had for all young people – to become good Christians and good citizens. Students are expected to achieve a minimum of ten hours of service learning across the year, though we encourage students to make a difference in their community and aim for even more. Details of the program have been shared in classes with PCG teachers. We look forward to hearing of the many great things students are doing in our school to support our school and community, like some of our students from last year. Well done to these students on their outstanding commitment and contributions to their community last year:Ìý

Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Clancy Boss: 89 hours	Tiffany Farrell: 84 hours	Catelyn Gill: 365 hours
Zoe Ehlers: 89 hours	Oliver Worley: 75 hours	Ruby Shelton: 87 hours
Benji Thompson: 70 hours	Maya McIntyre-Llewellyn: 45 hours	Samuel Jeffcote: 85 hours
Madeline Faulkner: 46 hours	Georgia Worley: 34 hours	Valentina Arias Caceras: 83 hours
Molly Hopkins: 37 hours	Josie Felton: 34 hours	Campbell Smith: 78 hours

New Staff Welcome

This week, we welcomed a new staff member to our Ministry team – Issy Ochtman. Issy joins us in the role of Youth Chaplain, which is a role that centres around supporting students in pastoral care, or well-being capacity. Issy already has a relationship with the College through her work for Marist Youth Ministry. Issy thoroughly enjoys working with the students at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï in her Youth Ministry role as she assists in the guidance and encouragement of students in the Game Changers program. She loves staying busy running events that empower young people in their faith, leadership and personal life, and especially enjoys being involved with anything creative. Issy also completed high school at a fellow Marist school in W..A; St Joseph’s School Northam. Although she is a country girl at heart, Issy is loving her time in the city with the opportunity to work with and support the students at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï.Ìý

Upcoming eventsÌýÌý

There are a number of important events coming up over the first few weeks of Term 2 in the Ministry calendar: 

• Wednesday 26 April – ANZAC Service 
• Thursday 27 April – Community Mass 
• Friday 28 April – Year 9 Game Changers Retreat 
• Tuesday 2 May – Game Changers Gathering 
• Thursday 4 May – Community Mass 
• Friday 5 May – Year 10 Game Changers Retreat 

Community Mass 

It has been wonderful to see everyone at our Thursday morning Community Masses over the past two weeks. This a reminder that the whole College community is warmly invited to join us in the Champagnat Chapel at 8.10am on Thursday mornings for Mass celebrated by one of our local Parish Priests and hosted by our students from Marcellin and Lavalla.Ìý

Please see the upcoming schedule below to begin Term 2: 

• Thursday 27 April: Catherine & 3 Green 
• Thursday 4 May: Brigid & 5 Green 

We look forward to seeing you there. 

We have had another fortnight full of events, Newman Parents Forum, Twilight Tours, NAPLAN testing, ACC A Division Swimming Carnival, Y10-12 Parent Teacher Interviews, Y6 IPSHA Basketball Carnival to name a few. The continued collaboration and partnership between our parents and staff enables us to provide a safe and positive learning environment for our students. 

Special thanks must be given to our staff and students who participated in our sporting events. Thank you for your continued hard work preparing for these events, and for our students who showed great participation and engagement on the day. It is with great joy that we celebrate a third place finish in the ACC swimming and our Marist Cricket carnival team continued to thrive winning their third shield this week.  

The end of term is fast approaching and I would like to remind students of our expectations relating to their personal presentation.  Winter uniform must be worn in Term 2 – students in Years 4 – 12 will need to wear their blazers. Information regarding uniform expectation can be found online or in the College diary. 

Assessment Policy 

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process, providing students, parents/guardians and teachers with information on academic progress and feedback to inform future learning. Assessment procedures need to be fair, reliable, valid and transparent. Assessments should arise naturally out of the teaching and intended learning of the curriculum and syllabus. They should be carefully constructed to enable judgements to be made about students’ progress in ways that contribute to ongoing learning. Information collected to establish where students are in their learning can be used for summative purposes and for formative purposes. 

Please familiarise yourself with the College Policies 
 

Y7-9 Assessment Guidelines and Procedures 
 

Y10-12 Assessment Guidelines and Procedures 
(Please be aware that students in Years 10 to 12 in the event of illness, are required to submit a medical certificate to the College absentee email address). 

Extended Absences 

Parents are reminded that all extended absences must be referred to the Vice Principal by email. 

Simon Martino (VP Acting) – until Thursday 6 April 

Lucie McCrory – from Monday 24 April 

City of Stirling Parking Notification 

The City of Stirling have advised the College that Mantua Crescent will soon be regulated with timed prohibitions on parking.  

½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï has ample parking for staff, parents, and students.  

The College expects all students who drive to, and park at school, to use the allocated parking.   

Thank you for your continued support of our College community. 

FAME JR Production

PRODUCER / LEADER OF LEARNING ARTS PK-12 – Yvonne Wiese

DIRECTOR – Joshua Lang

An exciting lineup of students attended the FAME JR auditions this week. The students are to be commended for the enthusiasm and gusto they each brought to the audition process, working hard to learn choreography and music, to perform for our directing staff and their peers. It was gratifying to witness the students’ love of performing in an atmosphere of fun, courage, commitment, and support.  

It is with pleasure that we announce and congratulate the Cast and Ensemble on a sensational beginning to our senior ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï production. 

Click HERE for the cast list. 

Key dates: 

Cast meeting: Monday 3 April 12.55pm – carpeted steps, Marist Auditorium Foyer 

Rehearsals commence: Tuesday 2 May, followed by a compulsory parent meeting from 5.45pm – 6.30pm 

Rehearsal schedule: Every Tuesday and Wednesday 3.30pm – 5.00pm &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• A full rehearsal schedule will be available at the parent meeting with details regarding technical and dress rehearsals. 

Rehearsal intensive: Wednesday 30 August 8.50am – 3.15pm at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Performances dates: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• Performance One, Thursday 31 August &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• Performance Two, Friday 1 September &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• Performance Three and Four, Saturday 2 September &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

2023 Adolescent School Based Immunisation Program – Y7 and Y10 

There have been significant changes to how you provide consent for your child/children to receive immunisations via this program.  Consent must be given via a new online program  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Further details can be found  

Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 May Y7 – HPV (human papilloma virus), dTpa (Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Tuesday 6 June Y10 – Meningococcal ACWY vaccine &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note: only students that have registered their consent via the online platform by Monday 24 April will receive immunisations on the above dates.   &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

If you have any queries, please contact  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Fiona Halden &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
CAHS – Community Health &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Clinical Nurse – School Based Immunisation Program &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

16 Rheola Street, West Perth, 6005 |   &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

M: 0405 657 994  t 08 9321 1312  |  w cahs..  w fiona.halden@health.wa.gov.au Ìý

Code of Conduct

Dear Parents and Guardians  

One of the strengths of the Newman Community is our Marist ability to be present to each other, particularly during times of struggle.  The incident that occurred last week on the Year 11 Outdoor Education camp to Brides Cave, with the tragic passing of the External Abseiling Instructor, highlights the need for our community to continue to support one another.  There is a great strength in our togetherness. This sense of family spirit is foundational to our school and has its roots in our Marist heart and spirituality.  

Thank you sincerely, for your ongoing support of the College, the students, and our generous staff.  

With Holy week approaching in week ten and Easter almost upon us, now is a good time to stop and remember what this time means to us.  Easter is a season that represents, hope, new life, and new beginnings. A perfect time to close the term, reorient towards our chosen path, as we move towards the holidays.   

Year 12 Ball   

The Year 12 Ball was held Friday 10 March.  It was an outstanding evening filled with dancing, laughter, camaraderie, and collegiality. The young women were stunning, and the young men looked very dapper. The leadership of this cohort in 2023 has been exemplary and the success of the Year 12 Ball was testimony to this point. A special thank you is extended to the Leader of Wellbeing, Miss Gemma Beekink, the PCG teachers and all staff who supported the event in some capacity.

Newman Parents Forum

The Newman Parents Forum met on Monday 13 March to discuss a number of items including College communication, uniform alignment and our Annual School Improvement Plan.  The meeting was well received with a decent spread of parents attending the event. The Newman Parents Forum is a great opportunity to stay informed, provide feedback to the College Executive and collaborate on upcoming projects.   

Secondary Twilight Tour

The College held its second Twilight Tour on our Secondary campus last week. Newman is attracting great interest from families in surrounding areas. There were over 300 people in attendance. The new Principal, Mr Andrew Watson opened the night. It was a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful school and to provide insight into College life and our Marist way. The families present left the campus with a positive and excited vibe.   

Harmony Week  

Harmony week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.  It is a day that fosters inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging.  This week the students shared aspects of their culture by engaging in discussions, prayers, and activities across the College.  The students were encouraged to come to school in the traditional cultural dress of their ancestry to support Harmony Week. It was a joy to see so many students embrace their culture and the spirit of Harmony Week.   

NAPLAN Online Testing 

The National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy testing commenced this week for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.  Students are assessed in writing, reading, conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.  All testing was completed on an online platform.   Thank you to Mr Bernie Roberts, Director of Curriculum Administration and his team for the preparation and for overseeing of this week-long process. 

ACC Swimming Carnival  

Congratulations to all the students who competed in the A Division ACC Swimming Carnival. The students had a magnificent attitude of encouragement, coupled with a competitive spirit. We placed third overall, a great result. Well done and thank you to each student who participated. A huge thank you to Mrs Marnie Barrett Leader of Sport and the whole Health and Physical Education Team for training, co-ordinating and facilitating these wonderful opportunities for our students. 

Graeme Wood First XI Cricket Shield 

It is with great delight that we congratulate our Marist Cricket Team who won the Graeme Wood First XI Shield this week. Their teamwork and encouragement of each other was strong, they were worthy winners of this significant shield. A special thanks to Mr John Lucas, Br Paul Murphy and Mr Bern Willet who supported the team.

Events Ahead

We look forward to the significant events occurring in the next two weeks; Zero 2 Hero Parent Series and the Year 11 and Year 12 Drama Excursion, Marist Basketball Carnival over east, Game Changers Gatherings, College Tours, the Marian Campus Fathering Project, our Easter Liturgies and Final Assemblies.  

It has been a rewarding but challenging term for our whole Newman Community. We have had to face unprecedented events, and as we move towards the closure of Term One, let us remember to continue to be kind, present and supportive to all those we encounter. Go gently. 

Dr Lucie McCrory &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

PRINCIPAL (Acting) 

I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25) 

I find it hard to believe that we are already about to enter Week 9! I often find myself wondering just where the time has gone. I’m sure many teachers, students, and families can probably relate to this feeling too! It is very easy to get wrapped in the busyness of the things that are happening around us, but when we do this, we often miss some of the simple, yet beautiful things that are happening right in front of us. At the beginning of the year, our Acting Principal, Dr Lucie McCrory, spoke about the importance of presence – of being there for one another, taking the time to see those who are among the least in our community, and to encounter others with love. 

These last few weeks I have been looking for this in our community – the ‘God moments’ that help make our Marist Community so special. Moments like Madeline Huo in Year 4 who donated $200 from her own savings to Caritas, Lucy Hayes in Year 5 who ran her own stall to raise $100 for Caritas, Mr Matthew Box and his class in the Marcellin campus who have been leading the way with donations among PCG classes, and Miss Jade Nicotra, who has galvanised Catherine Guild to get involved in a number of fundraisers this term. In addition to this we have had no shortage of student leaders wanting to get involved in raising money for Caritas, and bringing events to their fellow students that are fun and engaging as they seek to make a difference.  

I hope as we come towards the end of this term, everyone can find some time to reflect on what these last few weeks have been like for them, and that perhaps if they haven’t had the chance to see the God moments around them, that they take the time to reflect on this as we move into our final weeks of Lent. There are so many wonderful things happening around us, if we only take the time to see them.

Caritas Fast Tuesday 21 March

Project Compassion brings thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. On Tuesday, in support of Project Compassion, over 80 students on the Marcellin Campus took part in the Caritas Fast. Facilitated by our student leaders, participants had only a barley sugar for morning tea and a small bowl of rice for lunch as an act of solidarity and to raise awareness to the plight of those in other parts of the world. We are very grateful for the support of those students who took part, and who were able to raise almost $1000 to contribute to the Caritas cause. Well done to all students who took part, especially to our Guild Leaders and our Social Justice Captains Maddie and Sophia. We also owe a big thanks to Mrs Daphne Peters for her leadership and support of students in this initiative. 

Primary Students’ Reconciliation this term

This term, students from Years 4-6 have been taking part in Reconciliation, facilitated by Fr Kaz from St. Cecilia’s parish and Fr Hyginus from Our Lady of Grace parish. The Sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation, is an opportunity for students to speak about the mistakes and sins they have made so that they may receive forgiveness from God, and in turn, grow their relationship with God. This is an important spiritual practice, and it was lovely to see students engage in this process so well. Our Year 3 students will make their Sacrament of Reconciliation in their parishes a little later in the year, and we will certainly keep them in our thoughts and prayers during that special time.  

Year 8 Retreat

Last Thursday we welcomed our Year 8 students to the auditorium to celebrate their retreat under the guidance of 24:7 Youth Ministry. Students had a chance to build their relationships with each other across games and small group sharing around their thoughts and experiences in their lives so far. The focus of the retreat was around relationships – particularly between students, families, the College, and the Church. Well done to all students who took part so enthusiastically and enjoyed the day, and to Year 8 LOWB Mrs Smith for her support of students throughout the day. 

Student Led Prayer Reflections 

For the past few weeks, we have been very grateful to our Year 12 Faith and Liturgy Captains, Grace and Isaac, who have been leading weekly prayer reflections in the Marian room, which is an intimate prayer space within the Champagnat Chapel. The prayer reflections have been occurring Fridays at 8.15am with a focus on Lenten Prayer reflection and will continue next week also. This will return again for a period of time during Term 2, and again in Term 3 too. All students are welcome to attend these short prayer services; they are a great way to centre yourself for the day, and to take the time to reflect on a piece of scripture as we seek to better understand the life of Jesus.

Easter Liturgies 

Easter is an important time in the Church’s liturgical calendar and this year our Easter liturgies in the Primary school will focus on the events of Holy Week, giving students an opportunity to reflect on the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.  All families are invited to join us for the Easter Liturgies at Marian and Lavalla on Thursday 6 April.  

The Marian Easter Liturgy will commence at 9am in St Cecilia’s Church 

The Lavalla Easter Lavalla will gather in the auditorium at 11am. 

The liturgy at Marian will be led by our Year 2 students while all other students are invited to participate by coming dressed as villagers, wearing accessories over their sports uniform. This may include a tea towel/cloth over their head and/or a gown with a sash. They are also encouraged to bring a small palm branch to wave during the entrance procession. 

There will also be an Easter Liturgy taking place at 2.30pm in the gymansium for Marcellin students, with a focus on The Sations of the Cross. 

Easter Raffle

A reminder to our Lavalla and Marian families to get your raffle tickets for our annual Easter Egg raffle! All proceeds go to our funraising efforts for Caritas. We have had a a good number of donations of eggs and chocolate from our families, but there is lots of time still to drop off a donation or two to the Marian and Lavalla offices. Prizes will be drawn on the afternoon of the last day of term – good luck and remember…you have to be in it to win it! 

Community Mass

A reminder that the whole College community is warmly invited to join us in the Champagnat Chapel at 8.10am on Thursday mornings for Mass celebrated by one of our local Parish Priests and hosted by our students from Marcellin and Lavalla. 

Our final Community Mass for Term 1 will take place on Thursday 30 March and will be hosted by Romero and Year 5 Blue. 

Please see the upcoming schedule for Term 2 below; 

• Thursday  27 April,  Catherine and Year 3 Green 
• Thursday 4 May, Brigid and Year 5 Green 

We look forward to seeing you there.