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.
We were therefore delighted to receive confirmation this week that our new application for School Registration renewal has been approved for the period 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2026.
Newman Parent Consultative Committee (NPCC)
Our NPCC meeting was held on Monday 20 June where approximately 16 people attended and entered into positive and constructive dialogue about the reframing of this parent engagement forum.
The NPCC has been an instructive and important forum for parent feedback over the last 7 years. There has been a decrease in parent engagement since COVID which has hindered the effectiveness of this group. At the meeting, it was agreed that parent representation from across the College would be a good starting point to form a Newman Parent Committee (NPC). To that end, we are seeking representatives from across the College to form the Executive. For any parent interested in such a position, please click to express your interest.
Christmas in July
Our first community event for this year is Christmas in July to be held on Friday 22 July, from 6.30-9.00pm. Tickets are $30. We are hoping that this event can be the catalyst for re-framing Newman Parents and, in doing so, grow our Marist community. Please register your attendance by clicking here
Principal鈥檚 Assembly
Today, we held our last assembly for the Semester at the Marcellin Campus which celebrated student successes and showed the highlights of the first half of the year.
In my speech, I spoke about each student having the capacity, the talent and the opportunity to be transformational. Through committing to building the common good, supporting the person in need and placing Christ at the centre of our lives, we can collectively build a better community.
I spoke of a Dominican Sister, who recently passed away, who had an idea – a vision to do just this.
Sr Antoninus Campbell OP started the Education Support Centre at Holy Rosary Primary School Doubleview, Newman Siena Doubleview in Doubleview and 今日吃瓜 Churchlands.
From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Sr Antoninus was involved in the setting up of the Special Education Program, which continues to flourish at 今日吃瓜.
The recent Year 9 Retreat Day followed our Vision for Mission: to form 鈥淕ood Christians and Good Citizens鈥� offering students an opportunity away from normal school routine to pause and reflect on their relationship with others, themselves and God. The Retreat proved to be a positive and rewarding experience for our students.
Year 11 Retreat
As part of the Year 11 experience, students attended a two-day Leadership Retreat organised by the College and facilitated by the Youth Mission Team, who are specialists in this field.
Year 2 Liturgy
The Year 2 unit celebrated their Liturgy on Prayer on Thursday. We shared the message that
鈥淕od understands all our prayers, even when we can鈥檛 find the words to say them.鈥�
We painted pictures on Mary our Mother because we were inspired by how she showed love and kindness to Jesus and taught him to be loving to all people.
Year 8 Game Changer Retreat
The Year 8 Game Changer Retreat of 2022 focused on Leadership, the importance of trusting relationships and how we can make our community better. The students considered those in their life that they trust, how trust can be built and the way in which we sustain it in our relationships. Emma and Matthew had the idea of a 鈥楪ive a Smile鈥� Campaign as an improvement for our community. A smile spreads connection, positivity and good vibes.
Year 12 Game Changer Retreat
The Year 12 Game Changer Retreat of 2022 focused on looking to the past, the present and future. We began with considering the solidarity experience of last year, how the experience grew and changed us for the better. We considered the lessons and ideas we wished to take forward into the next steps of our lives, but also the legacy we can leave for the next generation. After this we reflected on authenticity and honesty, with ourselves and others. We spoke about how we give and receive love, taking the love language quiz to allow us to better understand one way this plays out. This led to the discussion of how we can be a beacon of light in the lives of others, and how this is perhaps the highest aim for us and our lives.
Staff Retreat 鈥� Praying our Experiences
Staff gathered with Br Terry to pause and take time to reflect on their experience. The formation of staff is important and as a College we strive to help give our staff time to reflect on their own experience so they can better walk with our students. Thank you to Br Terry for his preparation and facilitation of this program with our staff.
Staff Retreat – St Catherine鈥檚 House of Hospitality: June 23/24 2022 Lucinda Hope, Edwina Battersby, Br Terry Orrell, Paul Schrader, Roger O鈥橬eill
Thursday Morning Community Mass
Our weekly Community Mass starts again in Week 1 of Term 3, on Thursday July 21. Commencing at 8.10am and concluding at 8.40am, the Mass is celebrated by a Priest from a local parish and is hosted by students from Marcellin and Lavalla. We extend a very warm welcome to the whole community to join us in the Champagnat Chapel for this wonderful start to the day. Please see schedule below;
Week 1; Thursday 21 July, Romero and Year 4 Blue
Week 2; Thursday 28 July, Chisholm and Year 4 Green
Our K-12 College community celebrated Champagnat Day today, Friday 17 June, with Mass and annual Fete Day activities. 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.
In 2022 we celebrate 150 years of Marist education in Australia. An international group of four brothers (a Scot, 2 Irishmen, led by a French man, Br Ludovic) arrived in Sydney in March 1872 to establish a school, St Patricks, in the Church Hill Parish conducted by the Marist Fathers. In Western Australia the Marist Brothers arrived in 1913 and commenced the school of St Ildephonsus in New Norcia followed soon after by Marist Brothers Subiaco (1954). The Marist Brothers commenced on the Churchlands campus in 1965 becoming 今日吃瓜 in 1977. In 2004, we commenced as a PK-12 community and in 2024 we will finally be one College on one site.
The significance of this brief history is to recognise the remarkable contribution the Marist Brothers have made across Australia. The words of our founder St Marcellin Champagnat, 鈥�may their life be an echo of what you have taught them鈥�, was the same vision that inspired Br Ludovic all those years ago. Today, 今日吃瓜 is a thriving Catholic community of 1830 students where this vision is at the heart of our pursuit of excellence. Our community is predicated on a charism that values family, presence and where relationships are cultivated to build a better society.
Br Peter Carroll fms, Principal of the Marist Brothers, spoke this week at our Marist Brothers Churchlands Family Day about the Marist legacy over the last 150 years in launching the book, Sub Tuum Praesidium. He stated that our Sesquicentenary of 150 years is an opportunity to look back with admiration and gratitude and look forward in hope and expectation.
Br Peter said, 鈥�For 150 years, Marist schools in Australia have sought to nurture, educate and evangelise young people. If we have failed to know and love then, then we have failed. When we have done as St Marcellin instructed, then I鈥檓 confident we鈥檝e succeeded in our mission. As we face the future, let鈥檚 all commit to advancing the dignity of all our students and, in fact, all people. Let鈥檚 start with our own though, by knowing and loving them 鈥� all of them 鈥� equally.鈥�
Thank you to all members of our community for your commitment and contribution to our community. Particular thanks to Mr Simon Martino, Director Operations and Engagement, for his organisation of Champagnat Day. We recognise our fundraising efforts which support our long term partner, the Kuya Centre in Manila, through Australian Marist Solidarity.
Champagnat Global Network
On Tuesday evening I attended the international webinar for international principals for IG 鈥� what makes a school Marist. 130 principals from across the globe gathered in four languages as we discussed the growth of our Marist charism both locally and internationally. This was an incredibly inspiriting meeting as we witnessed examples of Marist schools in Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and here in Australia. An international gathering of school leaders and teachers will be held in Mexico city at the end of the year.
Lavalla Campus Cross Country Carnival
On Thursday our Years 3-6 students competed in their Lavalla Campus Cross Country Carnival. We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather and the students participated with great enthusiasm and enjoyment. Thank you to the staff who ensured that this event was so successful.
Results of the Carnival can be found in this week鈥檚 newsletter here
Newman Parents Consultative Committee (NPCC)
Our NPCC meeting has been rescheduled, to 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
Revitalisation of the Homework Club
I encourage as many parents and guardians as possible to attend this meeting.
COVID-19 Update
The WA government announced that from 10 June 2022, the mandatory vaccination policy would be updated in line with health advice. This means that staff in schools and residential facilities will no longer need to be vaccinated.
The triple dose vaccination requirements only remain in place for those working in healthcare and health support, workers in residential aged care, and workers in residential disability settings. As you know students are not required to be vaccinated, however if your child is on a work placement at one of these settings, they will need to continue to comply with the industry/business requirements at that workplace.
The change also means that parents and carers who regularly visit, volunteers, third party providers and contractors are not required to be vaccinated to enter a school or residential facility.
It is also important to remember that the removal of the vaccine mandate does not mean the pandemic is over. We continue to follow health advice and COVID-19 safe protocols, such as staying home when sick, wearing a mask as required, taking a daily RAT when identified as a close contact, and having good hand hygiene. I encourage you to visit the website for further information about COVID-19.
鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.
Primary Lifelink Launch
On Wednesday 8 June Year 3 Red participated in the annual Lifelink launch, which was held online this year. Lifelink is an organisation that assists the work of social service agencies established by the Archdiocese of Perth.聽 聽
Year 3 Red with the support of Mrs Catherine Young, have spent time researching the work of different Lifelink agencies over the past few weeks. Through sharing this within our school community they have been able to raise awareness of how Lifelink supports those in need and provides hope and joy for all in our community. They created a beautiful poster about Lifelink, which was shared at the launch and will be displayed in our administration area.
Year 9 Retreat
On Thursday 23 June, our Year 9鈥檚 will take part in their annual Retreat Day, facilitated by the Youth Ministry Team. The Retreat聽follows our Vision for Mission: to form 鈥淕ood Christians and Good Citizens鈥� as we offer students an opportunity away from normal school routine to pause and reflect on their relationship with others, themselves and God. 聽
These experiences have shown to be positive and rewarding for our students and we look forward to an enjoyable and enlightening day with our Year 9 students.
Community Mass
We welcome the whole community to join us for our regular Mass on Thursday mornings in the Champagnat Chapel. Starting at 8.10am and concluding at 8.40am the Mass is celebrated by a Priest from a local Parish and is hosted by students from both Marcellin and Lavalla Campuses. Please see the upcoming schedule below.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday 23 June; Fr Israel Quirit, with students from Thomas More Guild and Y5 Green
Thursday 30 June; Monsignor Kevin Long, with students from Brigid Guild and Y4 Red
鈥� In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.
Year 1 Red Assembly听听
Last Friday, students gathered in the Marian Hall to enjoy an assembly item from Year 1 Red. They took us on a journey of storytelling and characters, reciting a story they have been learning as part of their Talk4Writing, and showing us the importance of developing interesting characters as part of our writing. They have obviously been working very hard in class, and their presentation of their work was enjoyed by all. We also got to acknowledge the excellent efforts of individual students, and even some whole classes, who were presented with merit awards. Congratulations to all students who have been recognised by their teachers for being learning superstars!聽
Lavalla Cross Country 颁补谤苍颈惫补濒听
Yesterday, students from Years 3-6 enjoyed perfect running conditions for their Cross Country Carnival. It was wonderful to see so many students taking part so enthusiastically and making the most of the day. It was also great to welcome parents and other spectators to the event 鈥� these are the small things we find ourselves grateful for in this (almost) post-pandemic world.
Congratulations to our age champions and runners-up, please find the list of students below. The winning faction will be posted in the next newsletter. Well done to all students who took part, and to our Sports Captains for their leadership on the day too.
Of course, we know none of this would have been possible without the amazing Mrs Richards 鈥� thank you for everything you do for our students and for delivering another wonderful carnival!聽
Year 6 Boys
1st: Luke Rombouts
2nd: Dylan Hookway
3rd: Hamish Macgregor
Year 6 Girls
1st: Kaydee Van Deventer
2nd: Annabelle Adamini
3rd: Livia Bogdanov
Year 5 Boys
1st: Stefan Moschopoulos
2nd: Otis Keane
3rd: Xavier Fleay
Year 5 Girls
1st: Allegra Clark
2nd: Jessica Avins
3rd: Layla Bornmann
Year 4 Boys
1st: David Van der Walt
2nd: Joel Costley
3rd: Julian Cameron
Year 4 Girls
1st: Amelie Santoro
2nd: Shylah Davey
3rd: Mia Dorrington
Year 3 Boys
1st: Samuel Baily
2nd: Sebastian Fleay
3rd: Blake Martin & Jack McCagh
Year 3 Girls
1st: Lila Adamini
2nd: Amelia Heath
3rd: Annabel Gilbert
Interschool Sport
Last week, our Year 6 students took part in an afternoon of interschool sport as we invited students from John XXIII to our College. Students had the choice to take part in a number of sports including netball, soccer, football. I am very pleased to say there was a great level of spirited, but friendly competition between students, and from what I saw last week, it looked like all students were having a great time. I鈥檓 sure students are very much looking forward to next Thursday when Year 6 students will take part in the IPSHA Winter Sports Carnival.
Coder Dojo & Homework Club
Just a reminder to all families that Coder Dojo has now finished for Term 2. Homework club will finish this week (Week 9). Thank you to those students who have attended these clubs and shown beautiful manners and behaviour throughout.
Lost Property
It is amazing how much lost property has accumulated over these past few weeks, especially at the Lavalla campus. There are blazers and sports jackets galore in the library right now, desperate I鈥檓 sure to be matched up with their owners. Please take the time to label all of our child鈥檚 uniform, and even speak to your child about looking after their things. I would be petrified to go home to my Mum and Dad at school and tell them I had lost my blazer, yet for some students they do not seem phased by this at all! If you or your child has lost an item please come and check the lost property to see if it is there.
Wellbeing
Last week, I wrote an article about frenemies 鈥� the notion of those around us who can often present as friends, but can also engage in some hurtful or mean behaviours. If you missed it last week, I would encourage you to take a look. As parents and as a school, we want to support children to enjoy positive relationships that help them to flourish; to raise them up to be the best they can be. Yet, it can be frustrating watching on from the sidelines when we see our child hurt, or going through a rough time, and they return to those same frenemies. Why does this happen?
There are lots of things that children seek growing up. Love, affection, connection with others. But one of the things in school that children most seek is belonging. A connection to a group that allows them to feel that they 鈥榝it in鈥�; to feel that they are accepted, and that they belong to a particular group. Many students find this acceptance and belonging in activities, clubs, or in different subject areas. But many more students find this in their social interactions; in their peer relationships and in those around them.
The danger is, that the draw of belonging and acceptance can be so strong, that it can cause students to accept negative behaviour towards them, and compromise themselves or their values to be part of a group. For example, a student might say they don鈥檛 like something they once loved because it鈥檚 not accepted in the group (however subtly), or a student might not try hard in class, because it鈥檚 not seen by the group as the 鈥榗ool鈥� thing to do. Psychologists have studied this phenomenon known as 鈥榞roupthink鈥� 鈥� a process by which a group can make decisions where each member of the group attempts to conform their opinions to what they believe is the consensus of the group. In other words, students might act, say, and do what they think the group wants, rather than what they might want themselves. The strange thing in this, is that all students in a group might actually feel one way, but be acting in a complete other.
This can be very challenging to navigate 鈥� after all we want our children to feel accepted and have a sense of belonging, but we also want them to be their best selves. There is no easy solution to get around this, except to bring this to light and begin to talk with your child about their friends and their perceptions and even role in their friendship group. By that, I don鈥檛 mean an interrogation in the car at 3.15pm 飦�, but perhaps just around the dinner table or something similar. Some good questions you can discuss as a family at home are:
路 What do you think makes a good friend?
路 Have you ever had to compromise on your values or opinions to be part of the group (this can include being a bystander to something they know is wrong)
路 Read through the examples of frenemy behaviours. Does your child think they might have a frenemy?
路 What should you do if you see a friend or someone else in the group being mistreated or even excluded?
I will be talking with classes over the next two weeks about friendships and some of these topics. If you have any questions, or would like any further information on anything, please feel free to reach out to myself or your classroom teacher.
