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.