½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï

As the end of the school year draws to a close it is an appropriate time to sincerely thank all members of our Marist family. To our staff, parents, and students, we are grateful for your efforts, collaboration and perseverance. Together we made 2021 another productive and fruitful year, enabled by the Marist characteristics of the love of work, presence and simplicity, essential ingredients for growth.

Growth occurs in many forms, be it in the human mind, a muscle, the body, learning an instrument, attuning to a new friendship or relationship, or learning new skills and content. Regardless of where the growth happens, the same formula applies: stress+ rest = growth.  Those mathematicians and scientists out there are very familiar with balancing equations. What you do to one side of an equation will be reflected on the other. If there is too much stress and not enough rest, growth will be inhibited. Likewise, if there is too much rest and not enough stress, growth will be inhibited. Rest comes in many forms and is quite individual. Play, laughter and fun are excellent rest providers, as are prayer, sleep, self-reflection, silence, and meditation.

Our hope is that the holiday period provides all students and staff with a great opportunity for down time and rest. In many ways, learning stress is heightened as we conclude the year, but that’s okay – we can now look forward to a longer period of well-deserved rest and relaxation, to balance the equation.

We wish you all a happy, holy, and restful holiday break and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2022, well-rested and ready for another wonderful year of growth.

Term Dates – 2022

Click here to view the term dates for 2022

Reporting

½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï is committed to an academic reporting process which if fulsome, timely and accurate. Families may have noted that Semester Two reports contain both a Course Grade and a State Grade. In the past, students have received a state grade only, which is reflection of how your child has progressed against the achievement standards of the Western Australian Curriculum and the state cohort. As of Semester Two 2021, ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï will also communicate a course grade. This grade reflects your child’s achievement in the learning program and assessments of the course delivered.

In many instances, your child will receive the same letter for both their course and state grade. However, there may the times where your child receives two different letter grades for the same subject. For example, a student in Year Ten Extension Mathematics may receive a State ‘A’ grade, but they receive a ‘C’ Course grade. This affirms that the student is demonstrating excellent achievement when compared to the state cohort. However, the student has received a ‘C’ Course grade as a reflection of their achievement within the extended curriculum they have accessed.
Please note that Religious Education, Year Nine Design Thinking and Year Ten Just Start It do not receive state grades.

Australian Curriculum judging standards are used to discern the end of year grade of student reports across the College. It is important to acknowledge the variety of inputs that are taken into consideration when reporting on each learning area. These inputs include, but are not limited to, formative and summative assessment, observations and running records. Learning attributes provide families and students with an insight into how students apply themselves to their learning and the classroom environment.

Families in Years K – 10 will have access to their reports from 4.00pm on Thursday 9 December.

Please ensure you can log into SEQTA to retrieve the reports. Any families leaving ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï, including our class of 2021 students, are reminded to download all reports from SEQTA as files will be archived at the end of December and will no longer be accessible.

Thank you to all teachers for their preparation, professionalism, and attention to accurate and meaningful reporting as a critical element of our learning cycle.

Allwell Testing 

Allwell Reports for Years 2, 4, 8 and 10 will be available on SEQTA from 4.00pm on Thursday 9 December. Our current Year 6 and new Year 7 2022 Allwell results will be uploaded on SEQTA in 2022.

Christmas Carols 

Unfortunately, due to the forecast of very hot weather, we had to cancel our carols event that had been scheduled for Wednesday 8 December.  This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and family members.

Students did get the opportunity to sing their carols and a virtual concert was created.  This can be viewed on our YouTube channel by clicking 

We hope you enjoy the presentation.  Merry Christmas!!!!

Marcellin Awards Ceremonies

On Thursday 25 November, students in Years 7 – 11 came together to celebrate their many achievements.

Click here for a full list of Award Winners.

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To provide students with consistent, predictable routines at the commencement of each day we will be moving Pastoral Care Group (PCG) to the beginning of the day. PCG class is critically important for relationship building, delivery of important messages and wellbeing programs, and for reiterating whole of school expectations in relation to our ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Norms.   This change has occurred after feedback from both students and staff on the effectiveness of the PCG classes in relation to the intent of the program. Period times for 2022 are listed below.

Booklists are available here.

Learning Support Audit

Associate Professor Dianne Chambers, a well-respected author, presenter, and lecturer from the University of Notre Dame, conducted an audit this year of our Learning and Education Support structures, processes and policies. We now have her report, and we look forward to planning the enaction of the recommendations as a priority in the near future. The executive summary can be found below. If you are interested in hearing more about the report findings, please contact me directly via lucie.McCrory@newman.wa.edu.au .

Executive Summary 

The review of learning and education support at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï was undertaken as part of a regular review of processes and provisions offered at the school to support students with additional needs and disabilities. The remit for the researcher was to gather data by way of interviews with key stakeholders (leadership, teachers), examination of documents (policy, job descriptions and planning formats) and through focus group interviews (parents and students). These data were collected over the period of one month and provided an overview of the learning and education support services offered at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï and the perception of these services by key stakeholders.

The results from analysing the data are presented in aggregated form to ensure any one individual was not identified, although most who provided information were not concerned about their voices being heard (and welcomed this approach). The results indicated that there were many staff at the college who were exemplary in regards to their support of students with additional needs and disabilities, and that these staff should be highly valued by the college and their knowledge shared with all staff.

There were a number of areas identified that could be strengthened including: teacher expectations; planning; behavioural approach; role clarification; funding; communication; and training. Each of these areas are discussed in relation to measures that can be taken to improve processes at the college. There are four main recommendations that the researcher suggests are most critical for the college to consider. These are:

1. Clarification of roles in the diversity team and employment of additional learning support personnel.
2. Examination of behavioural expectations and consequences, including development of strategies to address anxiety across the college.
3. Provide additional training for teachers in providing reasonable adjustments in the classroom.
4. Communicate any changes/directions in the college clearly to parents.

It is hoped that these recommendations will assist the college in strengthening its use of evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities across all campuses and to ensure consistency in approaches taken.

Staff Farewells 

The following members of the College community will be leaving us to explore new pathways.  The College would like to thank them for their dedication, service and support they afforded to both students and staff.  Our wish for you is that your Marist spirituality continues to give you strength and that you take away fond memories of your time here at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï.

Paul Cranley, Torren Diletti, Debra Needham, Joe Ricciardone, Steven Tsocas, Edward York, Catherine Bagg, Suzanne Hunter, Teresa Fisher, Sofia Ward, Maree Grayden, Dixie Johnstone, Shannon Young.

Code of Conduct 

The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

As a Catholic community we are committed to educating the whole person. In order to do this, we need to ensure a safe, supportive and engaging environment. The basis for this environment is that all in the community model what healthy, respectful relationships look like. The Code of Conduct is the definitive guide to the behaviours we want to model to, and expect from, our children and young people. We want to create a culture that assists our children and young people on their learning journey. We can only achieve such a culture in partnership with all who participate in our community. The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As always, if students ever need support, they are encouraged to contact their Leader of Wellbeing, a College psychologist, Counsellor or classroom teacher.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries. Events held during school hours, and those College associated events outside of school hours are also supported by the Code of Conduct. Additionally, postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are bound by the Code of Conduct. We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a positive partnership that supports our students, your children.

This is the second last newsletter for the 2021 year. Our final newsletter will be published during Week 9 of Term 4.  The next few weeks will be busy for staff, students, and families alike as we embrace the activities that the end of year inevitably brings. We are finalising our student leaders in the Primary school, welcoming our new community members into the Newman family with our Kindergarten Orientation and Year 7 Transition Workshops this week. We would love for you to save the date for our PK-12 Christmas Carols evening on December the 8, hosted by our Primary students.

As you would be aware from the Principal’s announcement in the last edition of the newsletter, our Marian campus relocation and our new Primary school build will be occurring over the next two years. From 2022, we have appointed a Deputy Principal Primary, Mrs Lisa McClue. Lisa will exercise leadership of the PK to Year 6 Primary school. Ms Katya Anderson, Leader of Learning, will oversee the Teaching and Learning of the Primary school. Mr Stuart McClorey, Leader of Wellbeing, will oversee Wellbeing in the Primary school.

It is an exciting time for ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï and this final amalgamation of our Marist school on to one campus is nearly fifty years in the making. The transitionary stage over the next two years presents as a perfect opportunity for the College to conduct alignment audits to ensure our learning, wellbeing, uniform, booklists, Guilds, technology, leadership structures, policies and internal processes and practices are consistent and appropriately sequenced from PK to Year 12. We look forward to engaging our parent and student community in discussions next year, to glean your insight into our historical practices and to honour and leverage our heritage as we move forward into this new space.

Key Dates – next fortnight

Click here to view the key dates for the next fortnight.

End of Year Reporting 

The College uses the Australian Curriculum judging standards across the College to discern the end of year grades of student reports.  Consideration is given to a variety of inputs such as, observations, running records, summative and formative assessments, to report on each learning area.  I thank our teaching staff for their diligence, accuracy, and professionalism used to prepare meaningful reporting as a critical element of our Learning Cycle.

Leaders of Wellbeing – Marcellin Campus 2022

We are pleased to confirm the following Leaders of Wellbeing for 2022:

• Year 7  Mrs Rebecca Bramanto
• Year 8 Miss Kelly Johnson
• Year 9 Mr Jordan Naylor
• Year 10 Miss Regan Dyer
• Year 11 Miss Gemma Beekink
• Year 12 Mr Mat Puljiz

2022 Staffing

The College congratulates existing members of staff on their new appointments for 2022.  We also look forward to welcoming new staff members to our College Community.

Please to view these appointments.

2022 Term Dates  

Term 1 

• Staff commence: Tuesday 25 January
• Students commence: K-6, 7 & 12, and New Students – Monday 31 January
• Students commence: Years 8 – 11 students- Tuesday 01 February
• Pupil Free Day – Labour Day (Public Holiday) – Monday 7 March
• Term concludes for staff and students: Friday 8 April

Term 2

• Pupil Free Day – Anzac Day: Monday 25 April
• Students commence: PK-12 students – Tuesday 26 April
• Pupil Free Day – WA Day (Public Holiday) – Monday 6 June
• Term concludes for staff and students: Friday 1 July

Term 3 

• Pupil Free Day – Staff Faith Formation Day: Monday 18 July
• Pupil Free Day – K-12 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews: Tuesday 19 July
• Students commence: PK-12 students – Wednesday 20 July
• Pupil Free Day – Staff Professional Learning: Friday 12 August
• Pupil Free Day – CEWA Faith Day: Monday 15 August
• Term concludes for Y12 students: Thursday 22 September
• Term concludes for staff and students PK-11: Friday 23 September

Term 4 

• Pupil Free Day – Staff Professional Learning: Monday 10 October
• Students commence: PK-12 students – Tuesday 11 October
• Term concludes for Y11 students: Thursday 24 November
• Term concludes for Y10 students: Friday 02 December
• Term concludes for PK-9 students: Thursday 8 December
• Staff Professional Learning: Friday 9 December
• Staff Professional Learning: Monday 12 December

Pastoral Care Group 

To provide students with consistent, predictable routines at the commencement of each day we will be moving Pastoral Care Group (PCG) to the beginning of the day. PCG class is critically important for relationship building, delivery of important messages and wellbeing programs, and for reiterating whole of school expectations in relation to our ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Norms.   This change has occurred after feedback from both students and staff on the effectiveness of the PCG classes in relation to the intent of the program. Period times for 2022 are listed below.

College Main Switchboard

Please be advised, in order to answer incoming calls more effectively, we have changed the options order to select specific areas within the College.

1. Enrolment Queries
2. Student Absentees Secondary
3. Sick bay
4. Accounts
5. Marian Campus (PK-2)
6. Lavalla Campus (3-6)
7. All other enquiries

Instrumental Program 

If you would like your child to learn an instrument through the College in 2022, please click on the applicable link below to complete an application form.  Forms must be submitted by 03 December 2021.

Queries should be direct to
Elaine Knight elaine.knight@newman.wa.edu.au or 9204 9485
Margaret Goldsmith Margaret.goldsmith@newman.wa.edu.au or 9204 9488

Bathers and Rash Vests – Non-negotiable changes

The College is introducing new College bathers and rash vests next year 2022, which will be available for purchase in January.  In keeping with College uniform expectations, students are required to adhere to the following changes relating to College bathers and rash shirts.

• Years 1-2 – No change.  Students continue to wear their own personal bathers and rash vests.
• Years 3-6 (2021) – College bathers and rash vests are compulsory.
• Years 3-9 (2022) – College bathers and rash vests will be compulsory.

Students may wear the older version of the College bathers and rash vests during 2022, as a transition year.  Otherwise new bathers and rash shirt must be purchased.

• Years 3-10 (2023) – New style College bathers and rash vests will be compulsory. No old bathers or rash vests can be worn.

The rationale behind this decision sits with sun safety and consistent, moderate, and protective bather choice for both boys and girls. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Each year almost 2000 Australians die from this almost entirely preventable disease. Our students find it difficult to apply fresh sunscreen on all parts of the body prior to the swimming lessons in HPE during Terms 1 and 4. The rash vest will provide additional protection during the swimming lessons.

Learning Support Audit

Associate Professor Dianne Chambers, a well-respected author, presenter, and lecturer from the University of Notre Dame, conducted an audit this year of our Learning and Education Support structures, processes and policies. We now have her report, and we look forward to planning the enaction of the recommendations as a priority in the near future. The executive summary can be found below. If you are interested in hearing more about the report findings, please contact me directly via lucie.McCrory@newman.wa.edu.au .

Executive Summary 

The review of learning and education support at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï was undertaken as part of a regular review of processes and provisions offered at the school to support students with additional needs and disabilities. The remit for the researcher was to gather data by way of interviews with key stakeholders (leadership, teachers), examination of documents (policy, job descriptions and planning formats) and through focus group interviews (parents and students). These data were collected over the period of one month and provided an overview of the learning and education support services offered at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï and the perception of these services by key stakeholders.

The results from analysing the data are presented in aggregated form to ensure any one individual was not identified, although most who provided information were not concerned about their voices being heard (and welcomed this approach). The results indicated that there were many staff at the college who were exemplary in regards to their support of students with additional needs and disabilities, and that these staff should be highly valued by the college and their knowledge shared with all staff.

There were a number of areas identified that could be strengthened including: teacher expectations; planning; behavioural approach; role clarification; funding; communication; and training. Each of these areas are discussed in relation to measures that can be taken to improve processes at the college. There are four main recommendations that the researcher suggests are most critical for the college to consider. These are:

1. Clarification of roles in the diversity team and employment of additional learning support personnel.
2. Examination of behavioural expectations and consequences, including development of strategies to address anxiety across the college.
3. Provide additional training for teachers in providing reasonable adjustments in the classroom.
4. Communicate any changes/directions in the college clearly to parents.

It is hoped that these recommendations will assist the college in strengthening its use of evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities across all campuses and to ensure consistency in approaches taken.

Code of Conduct 

The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

As a Catholic community we are committed to educating the whole person. In order to do this, we need to ensure a safe, supportive and engaging environment. The basis for this environment is that all in the community model what healthy, respectful relationships look like. The Code of Conduct is the definitive guide to the behaviours we want to model to, and expect from, our children and young people. We want to create a culture that assists our children and young people on their learning journey. We can only achieve such a culture in partnership with all who participate in our community. The Keeping Safe Child Protection curriculum is a program that spans from 3 years up to Year 12.  Our College delivers this curriculum during classroom teaching, and through the Wellbeing Programs and Health curriculum.

A reminder to all families that the Code of Conduct can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As always, if students ever need support, they are encouraged to contact their Leader of Wellbeing, a College psychologist, Counsellor or classroom teacher.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries. Events held during school hours, and those College associated events outside of school hours are also supported by the Code of Conduct. Additionally, postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are bound by the Code of Conduct. We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a positive partnership that supports our students, your children.