今日吃瓜

Last weekend the senior leaders interviewed a number of applicants for our 2025 Year 7 cohort, currently in Year 4. In speaking with the families, we reflected on what life will be like for these students, who will become the Graduating Class of 2030. Whilst this feels like a long way away, it is only a small speck in the 150 years of Marist education that has been occurring in Australia.  

Today鈥檚 Champagnat Day was a wonderful celebration of our Marist Brothers, their contribution to our school and the characteristics that they stand for, such as Love of Work, Family Spirit, Presence, Simplicity and in The Way of Mary. These characteristics permeate all aspects of College life, assisting our students to develop into good Christians and good citizens.  

This year we recognised one student from each year group and two staff members in our community through an annual Marcellin Champagnat Award, presented with both a certificate and the Marist icon of a silver heart on fire. We also recognised one staff member in our community who embodies our Marist characteristics. Champagnat Awards were presented to: 

Individual citations can be found

Term 3 Pupil Free days 

• Monday 18 July鈥�鈥� Staff Formation Day聽
• Tuesday 19 July鈥�鈥� K-12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews聽
• Friday 12 August鈥�鈥� Staff Professional Learning聽
• Monday 15 August鈥�鈥� College Closed Faith Day聽

Staff Movements 

Our new Leader of Wellbeing Sarah Ellam joined the community this week. Sarah had an opportunity to speak with our Year 10 parents and students at the Careers Expo on Monday evening. Joanne Smith also joined us this week as a secondary Humanities and English teacher. Lisa Webb from our Health and Physical Education learning area in the secondary school will be leaving us today. Lisa will explore AFL opportunities for herself and her family over east. Lisa plans to take the rest of this year and next year off. We wish her the very best in her endeavours and look forward to seeing her return in future years. Matilda Sergeant has been with us as a relief teacher this term and will be formally taking over Lisa Webb鈥檚 classes from next week.  

Removal of COVID-19 vaccination mandate 

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鈥�are not required鈥痶o 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. 

Thank you for your support. 

Christmas in July 鈥� Friday 22 July 

Save the date! The College will be running a parent engagement event from 5.30pm 鈥� 7.30pm on Friday 22 July. The event will be themed 鈥楥hristmas in July鈥�. We look forward to seeing many of our parents join us in the Marcellin campus for Christmas in July drinks and canapes. Further information will follow.  

NPCC

The next NPCC meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 June in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus, 4.30pm to 5.00pm for afternoon tea and 5.00pm to 6.00pm for the meeting. Agenda items include the reframing of the NPCC, to the Newman Parents Committee, our parental engagement group for PK to Year 12, our upcoming Parent Event 鈥楥hristmas in July鈥� and the Homework Club Revitalisation Plan.   

Expressions of interest are being called for parents to join the Newman Parents Executive Committee.  Please use the below link. 

鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Semester One鈥疪eporting鈥�– Update 

Year 10 reports will be released live on SEQTA on Monday 27 June @ 4.00pm and not Tuesday 21 June as previously advised.  

All other reports鈥痜rom鈥疜indergarten鈥痶hrough to Year 12鈥痺ill be鈥痳eleased鈥痩ive on SEQTA on Friday 1 July @ 4.00pm.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

PLEASE NOTE:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Parents/Guardians will not be able to download nor view a copy of your child鈥檚 Semester 1 Report if you have not previously activated your SEQTA Engage account.鈥�鈥�鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Please contact Flora Hughes via email flora.hughes@newman.wa.edu.au鈥痵hould you require assistance with logging into SEQTA Engage.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Photo Days 

Monday 20 June 鈥� Marcellin Campus 鈥� Sports Photo鈥檚 
Tuesday 21 June 鈥� Marcellin Campus 鈥� Y7-9 Photo鈥檚 
Wednesday 22 June 鈥� Marcellin Campus 鈥� Y10-12 Photo鈥檚

All students have received an order envelope which has a child specific access key.  Photo orders must be made online using this access key.  Your online order reference number needs to be written on the envelope and students are required to hand the envelope to the photographer on photo day. 

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Marist National Assistant Principals Conference in the Hermitage in Mittagong, the spiritual heart of our Marist organisation. Guest speaker, Hugh Mackay, esteemed author of twenty-two books and social psychologist, presented to the group on the Kindness Revolution; how we can restore hope, rebuild trust, and inspire optimism. At the heart of his message was the undeniable truth that as humans, our deepest psychological needs are to be heard and taken seriously. A key takeaway for me was that anything we do to convey recognition to another person is not only a potent act of kindness but is also often received as therapeutic by the recipient, which seems obvious but often slips into the periphery. We all want to belong and connect on an authentic level, our actions can portray kindness and therefore kindness is in everyone鈥檚 power, even in those situations where fondness is not.   

Last Thursday the College acknowledged Sorry Day, where the nation marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Federal Parliament (1997) and recognises the Government issued formal apology in 2008. The report was a result of a Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry that shed light on the history of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Giving voice to the traumatic and grief fueled experiences of the Stolen Generation survivors and their descendants, is part of a national journey towards understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Students learnt about the origins of Sorry Day and the experiences of those impacted. Staff and students accessorised with purple to commemorate the occasion.   

Term 2 Pupil Free Days 

• Monday 6 June 鈥� Western Australia Day (College Closed) 

Term 3 Pupil Free days 

• Monday 18 July鈥�鈥� Staff Formation Day 
• Tuesday 19 July鈥�鈥� K-12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews 
• Friday 12 August鈥�鈥� Staff Professional Learning 
• Monday 15 August鈥�鈥� College Closed Faith Day 

KEY Dates

Primary Capital Development  

Last week on Wednesday 25 May, the College launched the Primary Capital Development Program to the community.  For those families who were not able to attend the meeting in person or online, please to view the presentation. 

This exciting program will see all learning and specialty areas of the primary school rebuilt on the Lavalla campus site to accommodate state of the art teaching and learning practices, in line with the College鈥檚 vision for learning 鈥楽hine through Discovery 鈥� Let your light shine鈥欌��(Matthew 5:16). 

NPCC 

The next NPCC meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 June in the JHN Learning Hub on the Marcellin Campus, 4.30pm to 5.00pm for afternoon tea and 5.00pm to 6.00pm for the meeting. Agenda items include the reframing of the NPCC, to the Newman Parents Committee, our parental engagement group for PK to Year 12 and the Homework Club Revitalisation Plan.   

Expressions of interest are being called for parents to join the Newman Parents Executive Committee.  Please use the below link. 

鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Year 10 Immunisations 

 
The Department of Health will be at the College on Monday 13 June to vaccinate Year 10 students that have provided their consent form. This vaccination is for Meningococcal ACWY. 

CAHS – Community Health have confirmed no鈥痝ap is required between receiving a COVID vaccine and this vaccine.鈥� Your child does need to be symptom free and well.  Families are reminded you can take your child to your GP should you prefer. 

Students are allowed to wear their sports uniform on this day.  

Any queries regarding the immunisation program should be made to Community Health (CAHS), CAHS.CHSBIP@health.wa.gov.au 

Semester One鈥疪eporting鈥�  

 
Year 10 reports will be released live on SEQTA on Tuesday 21 June @ 4.00pm.  All other reports鈥痜rom鈥疜indergarten鈥痶hrough to Year 12鈥痺ill be鈥痳eleased鈥痩ive on SEQTA on Friday 1 July @ 4.00pm. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Parents/Guardians will not be able to download nor view a copy of your child鈥檚 Semester 1 Report if you have not previously activated your SEQTA Engage account.    

Please contact Flora Hughes via email flora.hughes@newman.wa.edu.au should you require assistance with logging into SEQTA Engage. 

Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat  

Monday 6 June is the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat. This significant event will be celebrated by all students K-12 on Friday 17June, where we will gather for Mass to honor the Marist Brothers, followed by students participating in a range of fund-raising fete activities throughout the day in support of Australian Marist Solidarity.  More information will be communicated to community next week. 

NEiTA Nominations 

NEiTA is the longest running, community-based awards program to recognise teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand. NEiTA acknowledges the talented, committed, and caring educators who demonstrate the excellent personal qualities, skills, and passion required of teachers and school leaders to direct the lives of our future citizens in a fast-changing and uncertain world.  

The NEiTA Foundation is encouraging parents, students, and schools to nominate 

extraordinary educators who have displayed remarkable dedication, passion, and creativity 

for a National Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Please for further information on how to nominate an extraordinary educator.

Key Dates

Updated COVID restrictions have seen events and camps re-instated into the College Calendar. We remind parents to please check the鈥�鈥痮n a regular basis.

Download the Code of Conduct for Parents

Key Dates

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.

Dear Parents and Guardians

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:

1. Reframing of the Newman Parents Consultative Committee
2. Christmas in July event will be held early in Term 3
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.