今日吃瓜

Staffing Announcement

I am delighted to announce that Vice Principal, Lisa Fogliani, has been appointed Principal of Mercy College Koondoola, a Catholic Co-educational Kindergarten 鈥� Year 12 College of 1600 students. Lisa will commence at Mercy College 1 January 2021. Click here to read more about Ms Fogliani’s appointment and the wonderful contribution she has made to the life of this College.

National Science Week

National Science Week is Australia鈥檚 annual celebration of science and technology. Scheduled each year in August, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.

At 今日吃瓜 we have taken this to a stratospheric level. The events over the last two weeks have demonstrated an amazing mix of passion, creativity, critical thinking and discovery. Science Week has given our College the opportunity to demonstrate our pursuit into developing our Science, Maths and Technology program. Simply put, STEM. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines 鈥� Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 鈥� in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. At Newman, we engage this paradigm through providing students with both curricular and co-curricular experiences. We recognised its importance by establishing the leader of STEM PK-12 three years ago to ensure a cohesive direction across the College.

This has been exemplified for example through our IDEAS Lab at Marian Campus. The power of this space is that it imbues our children to imagine the impossible, to work together or as we say #collaborate, and be creative. Our Lavalla Campus Primary students really take STEM to the next level, which was again demonstrated during Science Week. Our Marcellin Campus students were exemplary in their creativity and participation in Science Week. We are very fortunate to have outstanding teachers in these subject areas. Our growth in Maths and Sciences, specifically in the Senior School, is testimony to our teachers鈥� skill and passion. Over the coming years we will continue to prioritise STEM, recognising the incredible opportunities and careers students will be able to pursue post school.

The fruits of this direction have been on display over the last two weeks as it is everyday throughout the College. A sincere thanks to all students, teachers and families who have put so much effort into Science Week.

Catholic Education WA Roadshow

As a result of Covid-19 and restriction on numbers, CEWA replaced its usual conference at the Convention Centre with a series of four 鈥楻oadshows鈥�, each held at a different Catholic College. The last of the series was held at 今日吃瓜 in the Marist Auditorium on Tuesday 18 August.

As part of its hosting commitments, 今日吃瓜 provided the Acknowledgement of Country and Reflection which were delivered by our students.

Our Chamber Choir sang the Acknowledgement of Country, Heart Song, the words of which were written by our Primary Teacher, Nicole Boddy, and the music was written by Susan Bluck, our associate pianist. Our students gave a very powerful performance with the backdrop streaming the professional recording of this piece in collaboration with the Madjitil Moorna Choir.

The event organisers were fulsome in their praise of the way in which students presented themselves. Our venue also showcased our state-of-the-art facilities, supported by 鈥榖ehind the scenes鈥� staff who ensured the event was a great success.

Strategic Directions 2021-2023

On Tuesday evening our Strategic Directions 2021-2023 was approved by Council. The document will now be presented to the Marist Schools Australia Regional Council for authorisation.

I thank parents, staff and students for their collaboration and feedback into the process for developing this Plan, and we look forward to launching to the wider community early in 2021.

Fathers Day, Sunday 6 September

Fathers Day is a time when we celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives. I take this opportunity to encourage our families to attend the events in our College Calendar over the next week or so when we will give thanks for the gift of these people in our lives. Best wishes to all families for a great day on Sunday 6 September.

Sacramental Program

The Years 3, 4 and 6 classes have now completed their school based Sacramental program. Most recently our Year 6 students welcomed the 24/7 Ministry Team to lead them in the Confirmation Retreat program. This allows all our students to be prepared to celebrate the Sacraments in their Parish at the appropriate time. Click here to access Parish contact details and for further details.

Here at 今日吃瓜 we prepare students to receive the sacraments, however families must contact their parish to know when they will be celebrating the sacraments.

Please note Confirmation will not be celebrated by any parish this year, according to the most recent statement released by the Archdiocese of Perth.

Download Temporary Suspension of Confirmation Directive by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe

Draw Near Program

Our PK-12 community has continued to work together to donate a range of items for families on bridging visas who do not have access to government support during the Covid-19 crisis. Our Mini-Marists and Gamechangers students arranged the food items into hampers to be distributed to over 30 families in our local area. Matthew鈥檚 Gospel reminds us that 鈥�whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.鈥� Thank you to all staff, students and families for living out this Gospel message in their generosity.

We are now halfway through this appeal. Please continue to donate generously. We are especially in need of bags of dry fruits and nuts. Our Mini-Marists and Gamechangers students will be joining St Dominic鈥檚 and Our Lady of Good Counsel to pack the food hampers.

Fathers Day

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”聽Luke 15:20
This scripture passage, taken from Jesus鈥� parable of the Prodigal son, illustrates God鈥檚 love for each of us and echoes the love a Father聽has for their child.

Over the next few weeks there will be an opportunity for students at Marian, Lavalla and Marcellin to give thanks for their Dads and recognise the important role they play in their lives.

• Marian Campus invites Dads to join for a sausage sizzle breakfast on Thursday 3 September from 8.00am followed by a Liturgy prepared and led by our Year 1 students in the Undercover Area
• Lavalla Campus invites Dads to join on Monday 7 September for a special Prayer Assembly. There will be free coffee available from the Coffee Cart in the Undercover Area from 8.00am followed by a short prayer service at 8.45am where students will read through some of the warm wishes they have for their Dads.
• Marcellin Campus Faith and Liturgy Captains will host Student-Led Prayer on Friday 4 September聽in the Champagnat Chapel at 8.20am, linked to the theme of positive male role models聽and giving thanks to the Dads, uncles, grandfathers, guardians who have supported them along the journey.

We are looking forward to welcoming all our Fathers to these events across the PK-12 community.

Commissioning Mass of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist聽

On Thursday 3 September, our Community Mass will include the commissioning of twelve Year 11 students who wish to serve in the ministry of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. These students have undergone a formation program, led by Campus Minister, Br Terry FMS. As always, families are all invited to attend this celebration of the Eucharist. Mass begins at 8.10am.

Our Vision for Learning challenges our young people to strive for individual and collective excellence. It has been wonderful to see staff and students come together to learn and celebrate the events of Wellbeing Week and Science Week. Our Marist family spirit has been exemplified in the way our students from Marcellin Campus have supported and guided our students on the Marian and Lavalla Campuses. I extend my thanks to the Year 12 student leaders, the staff and teachers who planned and prepared the collaborative learning activities which have allowed our students to come together. A joy to witness and be part of! Well done.

Newman Parents 2021 Planning

Thank you to all parents who joined us for our Newman Parents event with Digital Nutritionist Jocelyn Brewer, on Wednesday evening. For those who missed the presentation, a link will be emailed to all families of the recorded presentation.

Newman Parents is a once a term event aimed to provide our parent community with education, collaboration and insight into the concerns and trend impacting on our young people.

I invite all parents to email me lisa.fogliani@newman.wa.edu.au or communications@newman.wa.edu.au with ideas and topics to be explored in 2021. The Newman Parents Consultative Committee will meet in Term 4 to plan the topics for next year.

Learning Hub Update

The Learning Hub works are progressing well and is on track to open in 2021. The roof between the existing C block and W block is nearing completion. The grand and internal staircases have been completed. The builders have commenced painting and finishing the internal classrooms and will soon commence the internal fit out of the library and open learning areas once the Hub roof is watertight. The furniture schedule has been approved and we are in the final stages of the tender process. The audio, visual and technology provision has been completed and orders placed.

I extend my thanks to all staff and students for their patience as they navigate the changes on the Marcellin Campus. I am continually impressed with the creativity and resilience of our community during this time of disruption. 鈥疶hank you!

Save the Date – Year 7 2021 Parent Information Evening

We look forward to welcoming our Year 7 2021 Parents to an Information Evening on Wednesday 23 September at 6.30pm in the Champagnat Chapel. We will share important information regarding transition to Secondary School, Orientation Day and our Bring Your Own Dedicated Device (BYODD) program. More information will follow in the weeks ahead.

Covid-19 Update

With the delay of moving to Phase 5 restrictions by the State Government, the following protocols will remain in place until 24 October.

Assemblies and College Community Events
Whole school and campus assemblies are limited to ensure student numbers don鈥檛 exceed the 2m2 rule. Adult visitors and staff should maintain physical distancing where possible.The College will continue to enforce the 2m2 rule per adult for indoor spaces. All official visitors as per College guidelines are required to sign in.

Student Attendance
Student attendance at school is compulsory, except for those who are recognised as medically vulnerable or who have medically vulnerable family members. If you are concerned about your own family situation, please contact Lisa Fogliani, Vice Principal for additional clarity and advice.

Physical Distancing
The Government has stressed the importance of Western Australians to continue to keep up physical distancing where possible and to maintain good personal hygiene to better protect ourselves and the general health of the community.

In addition, students will be continually and explicitly taught the importance of handwashing, physical distancing and observing personal hygiene to a high standard (as developmentally appropriate).

If Students are Unwell鈥�
We ask that students who are presenting with a fever or flu like symptoms stay at home until their symptoms are clear. 鈥疘t is the responsibility of all families to ensure they support the wider College community.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

The College is committed to providing an environment that is safe for all children. We actively work towards and promote the principles of the Catholic Education鈥檚 Child Safe Framework. The framework upholds a child safe culture, healthy and respectful relationships, and extended guardianship in school communities, based on the latest research and recognised best practices.鈥� At times, we rely on partnership with parents to ensure all members of our community are safe, supported and cared for. Thank you to community members that have positively and openly supported this intent. If you are concerned about a child, please communicate with Campus Leaders, Leaders of Wellbeing or any member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Code of Conduct

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.

The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensuring confidentiality and accountability and supports professional boundaries.鈥� Events held during school hours AND outside of school hours that are associated with the College are also supported by the Code of Conduct.鈥� Postings on social media platforms that identify the College or College events are also bound by the Code of Conduct.

Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with any member of the Senior Leadership Team.鈥� We thank you in advance for your understanding and support of how we strive to partner positively with one another.