今日吃瓜

We enjoyed welcoming all our students and staff back to school, the grounds have been alive with vibrant energy. The students have made an excellent start to the year.  I would especially like to acknowledge our new staff and our new students; the littlies in PK and K the new high schoolers in Year 7 – all of our new Newman Beings across the College. Starting in a new community can be daunting, and they have risen to the challenge admirably.

This year, we will focus on our Marist characteristic of 鈥楶RESENCE鈥�, in acknowledgement of staffing and leadership changes and anticipation of the new Principal, Mr Andrew Watson in Term Two. The Marist understanding of presence is underpinned by 鈥榓 way of being鈥� that requires relationships to be intentionally based on care, attentiveness, and acceptance of the other. A still and mindful presence helps us to come to know God. A physical, compassionate and respectful presence allows us to come to know each other. Over time, presence promotes familiarity and is foundational to the development of trust and respect. Being present to one another in a school setting also requires a joint appreciation of the reasonable boundaries, established norms and expectations of behaviour in our community.  The Marist theme this year is 鈥楥reated and Called: a revolution of love and tenderness.鈥� The theme focuses on the notion that we are each created unique and are called to express our deepest and truest selves in this world, safe in the knowledge that we are loved unconditionally by God. It is in living as our truest selves that we reach the potential that lies within each of us.

Family Mass

We were fortunate to be able to gather as a community of staff, students and parents at our Family Mass on Wednesday evening.  It has been three years since we have come together in this way and the Mass was a beautiful way to start the year. We commissioned our 2023 Year 6 and 12 student leaders on the night. We wish them well as they embark upon their leadership journeys. I know they will serve our school confidently, with kindness and respect. Thank you to students and families for attending and participating in the Family Mass. I have had many people approach me to share positive affirmations about this special occasion.

WACE Results

We congratulate the Class of 2022 on their achievements as a graduating class. Their successes are evident not only in their results but in their contribution to the College. We will have an opportunity to celebrate the results when our top 30 students return for our High Achievement Assembly next week. We wish all of the wonderful young women and men in the cohort continued success in their future endeavours. Click here to view the full WACE results brochure

Year 11 and 12 Information Evening

Thank you to Year 11 and 12 students and parents for attending the Information Evening on Thursday 2 February. The Information Evenings are important occasions for parents and students to attend. We take the opportunity to introduce the PCG teachers and leaders and share information about the journey ahead. These nights set the tone for a productive year.

Parent Welcome Sundowner

It was wonderful to host our Newman Parents at our Welcome Sundowner on Friday evening.  The night was a great success, parents and the executive staff mingled in Founders Court while the band played. It was a perfect setting for new families to meet current families, and for our current families to reconnect ahead of the school year.

Funeral Duncan Pugh

It was with great sadness that we shared the news of Duncan Pugh鈥檚 passing on the 25 January, a much-loved Physical Education and Outdoor Education teacher of 17 years.  We celebrated the life of Duncan yesterday at the College with his funeral service in our Champagnat Chapel, which flowed outside to Founders Court. Vast numbers of friends, family, current and past students and colleagues came to pay their respects to Duncan, his wife McKenzie and his boys Charlie and George. Ex-students and ex-staff commented that returning to Newman to celebrate Duncan was like coming home. His impact was evident in the crowds of people that gathered on our grounds. Duncan鈥檚 death at just 48 is a stark reminder that life can be fleeting. He was well-known as a devoted family man and a loyal and loving friend. The beautiful service yesterday should inspire us to reach out and be present to those we love, our friends and our family. We closed the secondary school from lunchtime yesterday to facilitate the funeral and I extend a thank you to all our parents for supporting this significant occasion. 

CEWA Student achievement

On Monday 6 February, Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) celebrated the top 70 ATAR students in the state. Two of our graduating Class of 2022, Owen Karamfiles and Saskia Wigley, were invited to receive recognition. We congratulate both Owen and Saskia on this most significant commendation.

Lavalla Carpark

The Lavalla Carpark is now open and the feedback from parents has been very positive. The traffic flow in both the morning and afternoon is smooth and efficient. The kiss 鈥榥 ride section will be operational shortly. We thank parents for their patience and understanding around the unavoidable delay in opening.

2022 Annual

The 2022 Annual has been printed and is available for families. It is a large publication that represents the 2022 year well. The Annual can be picked up at the school. Instructions for the collection of the publication will be sent via the classroom and PCG teachers.

Events Ahead

We look forward to the significant events occurring in the next two weeks, which include the K-6 information evening on 16 February, Year 7 to 12 Swimming Carnival on 16 February, Years 8 and 9 Information Evenings on 20 February, the Year 10 Information Evening will be online. The Year 3 to 9 auditions for our junior school musical, The Lion King are occurring, and our High Achievers Assembly is next week.

We look ahead to the coming weeks with a sense of hope and presence as we collaborate to provide an engaging Marist education for our young people.  

鈥淔or I know the plans I have for you,鈥� declares the Lord, 鈥減lans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.鈥� Jeremiah 29:11  

The first few weeks of school are always some of the most exciting, with students, families, and even teachers adjusting to the life of being back at school (or for many students like our Year 7鈥檚, getting used to a whole new community). This year has certainly been no different! We were very grateful to come together to celebrate our PK-12 Family Mass, and there has already been evidence of many of our Marist characteristics in the words, actions, and efforts of our students. I am looking forward to working with students, staff and families across the year as we seek to make Jesus Christ known and loved in our community in 2023. 

PK-12 Family Mass

It was wonderful to be able to gather again as a whole community for the first time in three years to celebrate our PK-12 Family Mass on Wednesday. It was a beautiful occasion, and we were so glad to be able to welcome so many students, families, and staff to our celebration. Darren McGregor, the visiting Regional Director of Marist Schools Australia, was impressed by the reverence and participation of our students, and the large number of families in attendance. It really was a shining example of the Family Spirit that exists so strongly within our community. We are very grateful to our celebrants for the evening, Fr Ruben, and Fr Kaz, as well as to our choir, readers, altar servers, extraordinary ministers, tech, catering, and grounds teams. We also had the opportunity to recognise our student leaders across Year 6 and Year 12 for 2023 as we gave them a blessing before the begin their ministry of service. Thank you to all those students, families, and staff who attended and made our evening so special.  

Marist Theme 2023 

Each year, Marist schools across Australia have a theme to guide us in both our reflections and actions for the year. The Marist Theme for 2023 is Created and Called a revolution of love and tenderness. It reminds us that we are created by God, each with a unique purpose, identity, and mission in life through his divine will and plan. 

Our theme also reminds us that God has a personal relationship with each of us. Indeed, God loves us more than we could ever know! It is through this relationship he seeks to guide and shape us, leading us towards fulfilment and a closer relationship with God. 

A revolution of love and tenderness is an invitation to us all to prioritise love and kindness in our thoughts, actions, and relationships, leading to a more compassionate and empathetic society. This movement reinforces treating others with respect, compassion, and promoting a more peaceful and harmonious community. The goal is to create a world where people put aside differences and treat each other with dignity and grace, leading to a more fulfilling and happier life for all. 

I look forward to sharing more on our Marist theme, and unpacking its meaning over the course of the year. 

Sacramental Program

Students in Years 3,4,& 6 will this year have the opportunity to take part in the sacramental programs offered by their local parishes: 

In order for students to complete the sacraments, families must enrol their child in the sacramental program in their local parish. Registrations for these programs can vary from parish to parish, and many parishes have already commenced this program. The links for our local parishes are below. I would encourage families to reach out shortly to their parish so their child does not miss out.  

(closes today!) 

As part of their preparations to receive these sacraments, students will complete learning in class around their chosen sacrament, and also partake in a retreat day. Following this, students will be issued a certificate as evidence of their completed preparation which they can present to the parish.  They can then go ahead and partake in their sacrament.  

If you are a student outside of these year levels and you are interested in making one of the sacraments, you can do so by making enquiries at your local parish.

Did you know: The Marist Heart 

If you have ever visited our Champagnat Chapel, you may have noticed in the foyer our 鈥楳arist Heart.鈥� Many people walk past it every day, but I wonder if everyone understands the significance of this symbol? 

As Marcellin鈥檚 Champagnat鈥檚 Brothers of Mary began to grow, many of his brothers would travel far through the countryside to do their work. Champagnat would print the names of these brothers on small pieces of paper and place them in the heart. This heart became a symbol of the unity and brotherhood within the Society, and a reminder of Champagnat鈥檚 deep love for his brothers.  

Today, the Marist Heart remains a cherished symbol of the Marist heritage and a testament to the love Champagnat had for his brothers. It serves as a reminder of the close bonds of friendship, solidarity, and Family Spirit that exist within Marist communities. Inside the Marist Heart that sits in our chapel are the names of all our students and staff, so that even if they are not physically present, we know to keep these people in our thoughts and prayers always. Perhaps next time you pass by the Marist Heart, you can say a prayer for all of those in our community, and in other Marist communities across the world. 

Community Mass

Each week, the College celebrates a community mass on Thursdays at 8.10am in the Champagnat Chapel. Our first community mass for this year will be celebrated in Week 4, and will be hosted by Brigid Guild and 6 Red. All students, staff, and families are welcome to attend.  

Whether you are a regular visitor to our community masses, or you are thinking about joining us for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to come together in prayer and reflection. We hope to see many of you there as we come together to give thanks to God for all we have been blessed with.  

If you have any questions about the mass please don鈥檛 hesitate to contact the College.