今日吃瓜

Year 7 Showcase

After a big year of performances, the Year 7 music students performed for a final time at the Year 7 Showcase on Tuesday 20 November in the Marist Auditorium. Students entertained the audience of family and friends with solo, duet and small group performances. The Year 7 Rock band, SIP singers and Concert Winds were also highlights of the evening. It鈥檚 wonderful to see how the students have developed as musicians in such a short time learning. Congratulations to all students. Thank you to Milana Ranieri and Friends of the Arts for organising supper and the raffle. Thank you also to the instrumental and vocal teachers and support staff, and parents and friends for supporting the students.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Primary Strings Concert and Wind Up

The Primary Strings Concert and Wind up was held in the Marist Auditorium on Friday 23 November. Now in its fourth year, we are really seeing the development of the String Program at Lavalla Campus. Highlights from the concert included the Year 3 String Ensemble, Lavalla Strings, the Gemini String Quartet and the Marcellin String Orchestra鈥檚 ghostly/horror-themed finale. We were also entertained by students from Years 3-6 who performed solo and group items.

Special awards were given for Ms McCulloch鈥檚 Musicology Challenge. Congratulations to the champion musicologist, Darcy Bird (Year 6) and runner up Michael Hart (Year 5). Congratulations also to students in Team Cello for winning the Lavalla Strings Cup! Congratulations to all students for their performances and the a big thank you must go to the Strings teachers Ms Hannah Herriman, Ms Sacha McCulloch, Ms Andrea Sitas and Mr Hayden Reiss for organising a wonderful afternoon of music. Thank you also to parents, friends and staff for their support. We look forward to another big year in 2019!

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Term 4 Week 8: From the Dean of Wellbeing

Christmas is a time of giving. Giving love, giving friendship and time and giving to those who do not have what we have. Thank you to the students, families and staff who have so generously contributed to this year’s Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Your kindness and contribution will make a difference to many people during this festive time. As the school year comes to an end, it is important to give thanks to our teachers and support staff that have challenged, collaborated and celebrated with us throughout the year. The dedication, commitment and investment teachers have given to each student deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded in the simplicity of saying thank you.

Years 7-11 Awards Ceremony

On Thursday 22 November, students, parents, invited guests and staff gathered in the College Gymnasium to recognise and celebrate the academic, sporting and community achievements of our students in 2018. to see more photos from the day and a list of all award winners.

Marist Youth Gathering

On Sunday 25 November, Year 11 students Ben, Sam, Katerina and Lara along with Miss O’Mahony, traveled to Melbourne for four days to take part in the national 2018 Student Leaders Gathering. The Formation program they took part in encouraged each student leader to reflect on his/her leadership style in light of the Gospel and our Marist Family story, and how he/she can become a transformative leader and an enabler of growth in the lives of the those they serve at their school. The students heard from a number of speakers and participated in a range of activities, prayer and reflection sessions. A key learning for the group was the importance of relationships, connectedness and family.

Homework Club

Homework Club will finish at the end of Week 8. Thank you to all students, Marist Youth Mentors and staff that supported the Homework Club this year. In particular, I extend my thanks to Mrs Natalee Calegari and Mrs Sarah Pagett for their supervision and coordination of numeracy and literacy support initiatives.

Year 11 2019 Guild Representatives

Congratulations to the following students who were acknowledged at the Awards Ceremony last week as Guild Representatives for 2019. These students have willingly and enthusiastically served their Guild in the spirit of positive engagement and friendly competition. I wish them all the very best for the year ahead.

Brigid: Henry Smith Claudia Morse
Camara: Lachlan Richardson Meg Hobson
Catherine: Dylan O鈥橠onoghue Helena Karagiannis
Chisholm: Mitchell Harris Holy Drinkwater
MacKillop: Marcus Romano Ella Martinazzo
Marcellin: Sam Probert Jorja Condipodero
Romero: Sam Giumelli Grace Zlnay
Thomas More: Brodie Major Georgia Whitely

Years 7-12 Book Lists

Information on book lists and confirmation of electives for students in Years 9 and 10 2019 will be distributed in Week 10.

Parent Funded Device

A reminder that next year 今日吃瓜 will continue the parent funded, designated device model that commenced in 2016.听2019 will be the last year for the College funded MacBook program for students in Year 12.

All students in Years 7 鈥 11 will require a Microsoft Surface Pro. A summary can be found here听

The College will not support network access for devices other than those specified above.听

Return of MacBooks and Chargers

The information regarding the return of these devices, as featured in the last Newsletter, was unfortunately incorrect.听

Please ensure students are aware of the following return dates;

Year 12 – to return their devices by Tuesday 4 December.

Year 8 – to return their devices on Wednesday 5 December: Beginning of Period 5.

Year 9 – to return their devices on Wednesday 5 December: Midway in Period 5.

Year 10 2019 Parent Evening

On Monday 26 November, parents of current Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend a meeting that focused on Year 10 2019 pathways. to view the PowerPoint that supported this meeting.听 Should you have any queries, please contact Mrs Leahy, Acting Leader of Wellbeing Year 9听Helen.leahy@newman.wa.edu.au

Years 7 鈥 10 Reports

Years 7-10 Reports will be available on SEQTA on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm.听 We recommend that you check your login before this date.

ACCESSING YOUR CHILD鈥橲 REPORT

  1. to access the portal.
  2. Enter your email address in the USER NAME field. Your password is the one you have previously created.

If you have forgotten your password, please follow the steps below:

Resetting Your Password:

  • Click on 鈥楩orgot your Password鈥
  • Enter your email address for BOTH your username and email address (ie: your username is your email address.
  • Click on 鈥楻eset my Password鈥
  • You will be emailed a link to reset your password
  • NOTE: the reset link will only last one hour.

Canteen Week 9

The Flexischools ordering facility will not be available to order food on Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 or Friday 7 December.

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 December

The canteen will be open and will operate as normal.听 Students must go to the canteen to purchase their recess and/or lunch.听Students can make payment using cash or their SmartRider card.

Friday 7 December

Sundry items will be available at both recess and lunch as normal. Lunch on this day is restricted to a SAUSAGE SIZZLE at a cost of $3.00.听Students can make payment using cash or their SmartRider card.

SolveIt

During the final two weeks of school, Years 7, 8 and 9 students have been involved in SolveIt, a problem-based learning opportunity which encourages team work and critical thinking.

鈥淧roblem-based learning should CHALLENGE students to delve into real-world problems as they COLLABORATE to grapple with complexity and ambiguity. This process should inspire groups to CREATE solutions that are thoughtful, nuanced and uniquely their own. Emphasis should be on the process, not just the product, as each group CELEBRATES at each step of the way, leveraging their talents to engage in meaningful, authentic and personalised learning.鈥

– Jenny Miraudo, Leader of Learning English and Literature

The Team Building lessons introduced problem-based learning and an adapted version of the Stanford Design Thinking process. During the 11 lessons, teams define their problem and go through a process of discerning and prototyping their solution.

On Thursday 6 December, teams will pitch their solutions to different classes. Any parents and guardians who wish to take part in the judging panels are asked to register their details. Please to complete the online form.听Please indicate your preference by Tuesday 4 December.

Times: 10.50am 鈥 1.00pm

Overview:
10.50am – Briefing on judging criteria and confidentiality.
11.15am 鈥 Meet teachers and students at venues around the College.
11.20am 鈥 Viewing and adjudicating different student pitches.
12.50pm 鈥 Close (it is anticipated that groups will conclude earlier).

From the class presentations, finalists will be shortlisted, and the grand final will be held on Friday 7 December, the final day of school. Parents and guardians are invited to attend the final presentations in the gym. Please to register you interest.

Key details:
Date: Friday 7 December
Times: 8.45am 鈥 10.35am

Overview:
8.45am 鈥 Students line up and entry.
9.00am 鈥 Introduction.
9.10am 鈥 Viewing and adjudicating different student pitches in a shark tank style pitch off.
10.30am 鈥 Close (students will then move to other final day activities).

Term 4 Week 8: From the Deputy Principal Learning and Staff Development

On Wednesday night we gathered together for our annual Primary Christmas Celebration evening. This is a very special event in the College calendar and for our Primary community as it brings the joy of Christmas to families in song and praise. In the week ahead, students and staff will reflect on this time of year, the story of the nativity and the hope and joy the coming of Jesus brings to us today. Earlier this year while on pilgrimage I had the opportunity to visit the Church of Nativity in Jerusalem 鈥 Jesus鈥 birthplace. My memories of this remarkable birth site will make this Christmas all the more special for me. I extend my gratitude and prayer to all families in our community for their support and positive engagement over the year. I wish you a restful and joyful break and look forward to seeing you all in 2019.

Save the Dates: NPCC and Newman Parents Meetings 2019

The following meetings and presenters are taking place in 2019:

NPCC

  • Term 1 鈥 Monday 18 February
  • Term 2 鈥 Monday 13 May
  • Term 3 鈥 Monday 5 August
  • Term 4 鈥 Monday 28 October

Newman Parents

  • Term 1 鈥 Monday 25 March –听Dr Justin Coulson. Topic: Relationships
  • Term 2 鈥 Wednesday 12 June –听Susan McLean. Topic: Cyber Safety
  • Term 3 鈥 Monday 16 September –听Paul Dillon. Topic: Drugs and Alcohol

Further information on our presenters can be found below:

Dr Justin Coulson

Susan McLean

Paul Dillon

More details for these events will follow in 2019.

Reporting

Reports for students in PP-Y9 will be available on the SEQTA Engage Portal on Friday 7 December from 4.00pm.

Accessing Your Child’s Report

  1. to access the portal.
  2. Enter your email address in the USER NAME field. Your password is the one you have previously created.

If you have forgotten your password, please follow the steps below:

Resetting Your Password:

  • Click on 鈥楩orgot your Password鈥
  • Enter your email address for BOTH your username and email address (ie: your username is your email address.
  • Click on 鈥楻eset my Password鈥
  • You will be emailed a link to reset your password
  • NOTE: the reset link will only last one hour.

Term 4 Week 8: From the Principal

The end of a school year shifts our focus to the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord.听

Christmas is a great time in the life of children but also for the child in all of us. The fervour of expectation builds over the season, peaking in the celebration of Christmas Day. For many families the sharing of gifts and a meal are central to the ongoing ritual and tradition which is remembered as some of the best times in their lives. Growing up for me at this time was one of joy as it brought my large extended family together. We shared stories, ate a lot of food and played cricket – all day. Perhaps the highlight was going to the evening vigil Christmas Mass together. It was always packed with people, standing room only, and the energy and excitement were palpable. Today, my wife and I have continued the same tradition with our own family.

Within our Catholic tradition, Christmas signifies the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ. This week in our liturgical year we welcome the season of Advent. Advent听is a season observed听as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. This season invites all Christians to ponder the great mystery of our faith; the incarnation of our Lord taking on humanity born to the Virgin Mary, in order to ultimately save us. His message of faith, love and hope that permeated his ministry underpins the very nature of our Christianity. Christmas gives us license to reflect on these ideals and how they permeate our own lives and the relationships we form.

At 今日吃瓜 our mission is to bring Christ into our lives by how we choose to live our lives and by the actions that define us. This week we celebrated our Primary Christmas Celebration evening which exemplified the family spirit that听infiltrates our Marist School. The joy of Christmas radiated through the songs the students sang and in the absolute excitement of families in the crowd. We also have 14 Year 11 students and three staff in the Philippines walking in solidarity with some of the most marginalised children in the world. Yet, like us, these children are also preparing for Christmas and the expectation and hope it brings.

I hope that our families take time to be together to grow their own tradition at Christmas. I encourage you to go to your local Church as a family and celebrate the birth of Christ and ponder not only the mystery of his incarnation, but the impact he can have on our lives.

St Joseph鈥檚 International School Kuching Malaysia

Thank you to our visiting teachers from our Marist sister school in Kuching Malaysia who spent a week working in our Secondary school. They have been instrumental in our new partnership we have formed to exchange ideas in professional practice and prepare the ground work for a reciprocal student immersion into the future.

Marist Cricket Carnival

The Marist Cricket Carnival commences next Tuesday 4 December.听 Many thanks to the organising committee for the preparation that has gone into this event. A special thank you to those families who will billet our visiting cricketers.听 Your volunteering has enabled this carnival to go ahead and for this we are most grateful.

Staff Farewell

Thank you to the staff who will conclude their time in our community at the end of the year. They are to be commended for their tireless efforts and commitment to our young people. We wish them the very best in the next part of their journey.

Wishing all families a happy and holy Christmas.