News Archives - Page 96 of 199

Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Deputy Principal Wellbeing Secondary

Jo Dunn on 12/02/2021

Welcome to the 2021 school year,听particularly to听our students and听families听joining the 今日吃瓜 community for the first time. The start of a new school year brings a sense of excitement and hope for the year ahead.

Week 1 saw the return of all students from Years 7 鈥� 12. Students were welcomed by their Leaders of Wellbeing and PCG teachers in Year Group assemblies and then hit the ground running, commencing classes from period 3. Our Year 7 students participated in a Transition Program which gave students an opportunity to settle into the routine of high school before starting classes on Tuesday.

On Wednesday 10 February, our 2021 College Captains presented their first Principal鈥檚 Assembly. During this assembly the College acknowledged and congratulated the High Achiever鈥檚 from the Class of 2020 and commissioned the Student Leaders in Year 6 and Year 12.

Wellbeing Calendar

Every Wednesday, the College runs alternative bell times to accommodate our Wellbeing Program. The activities vary each week and are aimed to meet the needs of the various cohorts and support our College鈥檚 PK 鈥� 12 Wellbeing approach. The Term 1 Wellbeing Program can be accessed below:

Download Wellbeing Program Term 1 2021

Personal Presentation听

Thank you to students and parents for the way in which the year has begun. It was pleasing to see the majority of our students arrive on the first day meeting the College Uniform and Personal Presentation requirements. Just a few reminders for families and students:

Students with hair longer than the bottom of the collar must have their hair tied back and clear of the face.
Jewellery is restricted to a watch, a discrete cross or religious symbol on a fine, light weight chain.
Girls may only wear one pair of plain studs or sleepers, worn in the lower lobe.
Girl鈥檚 skirts must be knee-length.
Students have access to the oval and courts at break times but must wear a hat.

Thank you for your support in ensuring students adhere to the College Uniform and Personal appearance policy. Click here for more information.

Senior Blazer Trim Instructions

Students in Years 10 鈥� 12 are required to have a braided blazer. To ensure your child鈥檚 blazer is ready for Term 2 please ensure:

Blazer is dry cleaned and dropped-off at the Uniform Shop by Friday 20 March
Payable at drop off $25
Please remember to have your child鈥檚 details on their blazer (name and phone number)
Please note if you need a new blazer with the braid already attached, these are available for sale at听a听cost of $200.

Please note that the Uniform Shop does not accept cash, we do accept all major credits cards however do not accept American express.

Assessment Guidelines and Procedures听

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process, providing students, parents/guardians and teachers with information on academic progress and feedback to inform听future听learning. Families and students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with Assessment Guidelines and Procedures, in particular information regarding approved and unapproved absences

Rules/Policies

From 2021听mobile phones and/or devices cannot be carried by students throughout the school day and must be switched off,听or on听silent and placed in their locker. Mobile phones that can be seen or heard may be confiscated by the teacher and a consequence issued. Students needing to contact parents throughout the school do can do so from听Student听Reception.

Upcoming Events

Guild Swimming Carnival

Next Thursday 18 February we will hold our Guild Swimming Carnival at Challenge Stadium.

Year 12 Retreat

As part of their Year 12 experience, the Year 12 students will attend a three-day Retreat in Serpentine during Week 4. Further information from Mrs听Bramanto, Leader of Wellbeing Year 12 will be communicated to parents.

Year 7 Retreat

Our Year 7 students will have their retreat day on Friday 26 February. This event is held at the College and sees an alternative timetable run for Year 7 that day. More information will be coming out shortly from Miss Johson, Leader of Wellbeing Year 7.

From the Counselling and Wellbeing Team

The Marcellin Counselling Team works with Leaders of Wellbeing and other school staff to support students who may be experiencing emotional, social or academic difficulties. If you have concerns for your child or would like to request the involvement of the Counselling Team, please contact your child鈥檚 Leader of Wellbeing. Students can self-refer to see the counsellor for their year group by contacting the relevant member of the Counselling Team directly via SEQTA message, or through their Leader of Wellbeing or Student Services.

Amber Newsome
College Psychologist
Years 9, 11 & 12 (Monday 鈥� Friday)

Siobhan Quirke
College Counsellor
Years 7 & 8 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)

Food Allergy Reminder

Please click here to refer to the Food Allergy section of the newsletter regarding important information related to food allergies.

Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Leader of Primary

Jo Dunn on 12/02/2021

听

After last week鈥檚鈥榝alse start鈥� to begin the year, it has been wonderful to welcome听all of听our students and families back to school,听especially听those听who are new to our community. I am very pleased with the start students have made in their classrooms, and already we are听seeing some fine examples of student excellence, both in work habits, and听in听how students are conducting themselves in the playground.

If I could sum up my hopes and aspirations听for our campus听in one word for 2021 it would be community. The Marist theme for 2021,听鈥楤reathe: The Spirit of Life (Rm 8:2) encourages us to pause after what has been an eventful twelve months and take stock of that which is most important in our lives. This year, I hope students come to appreciate the wonderful people in their听lives;听their听friends, their teachers, and most importantly, their families.听I hope that they can see the wonderful community that they are a part of, and the role they have to play in contributing to this.听Each day, students at the Lavalla campus will听gather听as a community. It is our chance to set the tone for the day, encourage听a reflective thought, or acknowledge the many examples of听excellence听we see in our community each day. I hope听this year that听all听students听can听come to understand what it means to be a student at 今日吃瓜. I hope听that they听are able to听see that they are an important听and听valuable member of our community, and that they have an important role to play in the success of our campus.听We look forward to supporting and celebrating听our听students听in听their journey this year.

Year 6 Student Leaders

On Wednesday at the High Achievers Assembly this week, we commissioned our new student leaders for 2021. The standard of applications to the leadership program for this year was very high, and we are delighted to听acknowledge听those students who were successfully nominated by their peers to take on this responsibility. One of the many nuances of leadership students have come to understand though, is that leadership is not about wearing a badge; it is about setting a good example for others and doing the small things well. We look forward to the journey ahead of us with our new student leaders at the helm.

Congratulations to Isabella听Crisona, Michael Ng, Brayden Lim, Anabel Raguseo, Tahlia Thayer, Xavier Dunstan, Nikita听Aylmore, Benji Thompson, Jaspar Martin-Booth, Benji Davies, Aaron Stannard, and Madelyn Bertolini. You can watch the commissioning of our 2021 student听leaders

Parking听

As many families can appreciate, our carpark is always a very busy and hectic place, especially at the beginning of the year as new families and students get used to the drop-off and pick-up procedures. Parents are reminded to take it easy in the听carpark, and听be considerate of those around us. Students should only be entering vehicles听at听the designated areas, and only ever cross as the designated crossings. Parents are also reminded that there are teachers on duty until 3.30pm each afternoon, so if you want to miss the traffic and collect your child at 3.25pm you are more than welcome.

Homework Club & Coder Dojo

Homework will commence next week听Monday听15 February. Homework Club takes place each Monday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the library. This is a great opportunity for students to get a听head start听on听their homework for the week under the supervision and assistance of some of our teachers.

Coder Dojo will also听recommence听this term, though it will start on Tuesday 23 February. Coder Dojo听occurs every Tuesday afternoon and听is an opportunity for students to be involved in computer听coding, and听take part in other IT related activities. Students need to bring their听iPad, and听will听be under the direction of staff听at all times.

Both the Homework Club and听Coder听Dojo are open to听all of听our students. If you wish to attend, you just need to let your child鈥檚 teacher know.

Term 1 Swimming听

Swimming for Term One has commenced, with our Year 4 students hitting the pool for the first time this week during Phys Ed. All students will be taking part in the Swimming Trials next Thursday 18 February in preparation for the Swimming Carnival which is on Friday 26 February.

More information around the requirements for swimming will be shared by Mrs Richards via the class听SeeSaw听pages, but generally, students will need to remember to bring bathers, rashie, towel, and goggles to take part. If you have any questions about the swimming program for this term, please see your class teacher.

Learning Hub Tour

Earlier this week, our Year 6 students took a tour of the new Saint John Henry Newman Learning Hub. The Hub is available to use for all students across Year 3-6, and families will have the opportunity to inspect the space on the same evening as the Parent Teacher Information sessions. It is an incredible learning space that really needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. Our students certainly thought so too.

鈥淚t was so big and fancy, but it also felt very calming and inspiring. The library was听amazing and there were so many books. We are looking forward to going again.鈥�-听听Fletcher听Bell听(6 Blue)

Food Allergy Reminder

The beginning of the school year is always a good time to remind families that there are a number of students at our school who have food allergies, some of which are life threatening. We please ask families to consider the听foods听their child brings to school, and to avoid nut products听in lunchboxes. It is our job as a community to support听all of听our students and to keep them safe. If you have any questions about how student allergies are managed in the听school听please do not hesitate to contact your child鈥檚 teacher.

Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Leader of Early Childhood

Jo Dunn on 12/02/2021

What an amazing start we have had to the 2021 school year.听Despite some small challenges that the COVID听restrictions have posed, we听have had a very smooth and successful start.听Our teachers have reported听that their classes are filled with excited, happy children who have been eager to jump straight back into the learning journey.听I would like to express my thanks to all families for their understanding and adherence to听COVID restrictions, and for their patience in navigating the new processes.

We听warmly听welcome听all听new students and families that have joined the Marian Campus this year, including all our new Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten students.听We hope you feel very welcome at 今日吃瓜, and look forward to the many wonderful memories that will be shared during your child鈥檚 educational journey with us.

K-Y2 Parent Information Evening

The Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 16 February from 5.00pm. Classroom Teachers will be presenting important information about the teaching and learning program, and other housekeeping information relevant to your child鈥檚 class.

Fitness Friday

We will be recommencing our very popular Fitness Friday activities starting next week. We can’t wait to see the smiling faces of the students as they enjoy a morning of fun with their family and friends. Click Here to see the full list of these activities.

We strongly encourage parents to come down in their exercise gear and join in with their children. Coffee at the College will also run in conjunction with this event, every Friday.

Primary听Social Committee / Parent Representatives听

All families will have received an email听this week,听requesting the completion of the Parent Representative Consent Form.
The Parent Representative role is a pastoral and social role, designed to support families throughout the primary school years. The听parent听representative of your child鈥檚 class will compile a contact list using information from consenting families and distribute it to each class member who is willing to share their details.

There is also a questionnaire calling for parents who may be interested in joining our Primary Social Committee (PSC). The PSC meet twice per term to coordinate social events for families and children throughout the school year. If you would like further information regarding the PSC, please email PSC Secretary Kara Edwards听karaskyee@hotmail.com听听

Please complete this form as soon as possible.

Food Allergy Reminder

Please click here to refer to the Food Allergy section of the newsletter regarding important information related to food allergies.

Parking / Drop-off / Pick-up Etiquette

A reminder to all families to adhere to the City of Cambridge road regulations in surrounding streets. Our campus is located in a residential area, and we respectfully ask that you consider our neighbours during the busy pick up and drop off periods.

We continue to encourage families to utilise the drive-through听pick up听and drop-off area for students in Year 1 and 2.听This is a 2-lane system and听to ensure it is听smooth听process,听families should utilise the听left lane if turning left onto Cambridge Street, and the听right drive-through lane听if听exiting听right听onto Cambridge听street.

Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity

Jo Dunn on 12/02/2021

Marist Theme 2020

The Marist theme for 2021 is Breathe: The Spirit of Life.

Anthony Clarke, Director of Mission and Life Formation for Marist Australia, reflects:

鈥淚n this moment of history, we could not be more aware of how connected we are. An unknown virus spread from a largely unheard-of city to affect every human being on the planet. Pope Francis has been repeatedly reminding us that everything is connected (Laudato Si). I think we can say this realisation is now evident.鈥�
Nothing connects us more intimately than the air we breathe. Life depends upon the exchange of breath between human beings and creation. The average person takes an average of 20,000 breaths each day, this subconscious activity can be easy to forget. Our breathing gives us life. We read in Scripture that God 鈥渂reathed the breath of life鈥� and created humanity, it is God鈥檚 breath, God鈥檚 Spirit that gives us life and connects us.

The Marist Theme is depicted in the image by Sharon听Williams听an Australian Aboriginal woman from the traditional land of the Eastern听Arrente听people.听Ms Williams reflects:
鈥淐reation is bigger than just our planet earth, Creation is about everything in the universe 鈥� everything听Ngkarte听(God) had put听there听and all those things have听Ngkartele听Utnenge听(God鈥檚 Spirit) in them. We are all connected because we all have听Ngkartele听Utnenge听in us. We humans hare very blest because we听are able to听share in听Ngkarte鈥檚听creating 鈥� when I paint, it is听Ngkartele听Utnenge听who guides me to create something that has never been before, and then听Ngkartele听Utnenge听is that painting. When I care for my children in our families and help them grow – that is the being part of听Ngkarte鈥檚听creating听too. It is very precious to be able to share in听Ngkarte鈥檚听creating in our Universe.鈥�

As we journey in 2021, let us not forget our relationship听to听one another, our connection through the air we breathe. Let us make the choice to听be a be听a spirit of fresh air to one another, where we bring joy, peace, forgiveness and love to the people we encounter.

As we make this journey together in 2021 as a PK-12 community, let us remember God鈥檚 Spirit, the Spirit of Life, is walking with us as we strive to be the person God has called us to be. When we are feeling overwhelmed and stress, remember to breathe and recall the words of Jesus who said, 鈥淐ome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.鈥�

Looking forward to a great year in 2021.

Shrove Tuesday

On Tuesday the 16th of February in week 3, we will be celebrating Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year’s Holy Week palms, finalising one’s Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes! As such on Tuesday the 16th of February we will be selling pancakes to raise money for the College appeals. Students will be able to purchase pancakes from 8.15am on both the Marcellin and Lavalla Campus. Marian students will be making pancakes in their classrooms and are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation.

Ash Wednesday

As a PK-12 Catholic community, we will be holding听a number of听celebrations on Wednesday 17 February for Ash Wednesday. This is a significant day in the life of the Church and as such, Liturgies will be celebrated across Marian, Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses.听This year ashes will be听distribute听by a sprinkling over the head of students. This is following the directives and mandate from the Vatican and CEWA.

Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent which is a 40-day season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ鈥檚 sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, almsgiving and prayer. The听colour听purple is used for all liturgical events during Lent to remind us of Christ鈥檚 suffering, death and resurrection. We look forward to听recognising听and commemorating this sacred occasion in Week 3.

Project Compassion: Caritas Launch

Ash Wednesday is also the day that Caritas Launch their annual fundraising and awareness appeal 鈥� Project Compassion. Project Compassion brings together millions of Australians in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

This year鈥檚 Project Compassion theme is: 鈥淎spire not to have more, but to BE MORE鈥�. Each week of Lent, Caritas profiles a person who is involved in a Caritas project and always gives 100%. These stories will be viewed across the College with students being invited to understand the challenges others are facing around the world. In a fundraising effort for this appeal there will be听several听activities across the College, we ask families to please support generously to this worthy cause.

Thursday Morning Community Mass

Our community Mass will commence once more in Week 4 of Term 1. All families, staff and students are invited to attend this community event that is at the very heart of our Catholic story. Mass begins at 8.10am every week and will be hosted by different Year groups and Guilds throughout the year. Week 4听Thursday听26 February will be hosted by Catherine Guild and Year 5 students.

Year of St Joseph听

Pope Francis on December 8, 2020 published an Apostolic Letter听Patris听corde听(With a Father鈥檚 Heart), commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a 鈥淵ear of St Joseph鈥�, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021.听Resources and information about the Year of St Joseph can be found at the Australian Catholic Bishop鈥檚 website听

200 Years of Catholic Education

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.听This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and听employing听98,000 teachers and staff.听Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

Marist鈥檚听arrived 50 years after the first Catholic school was established and began educating students in NSW before coming to WA in 1913. This year as part of Catholic Education we will look to celebrate this important milestone and reflect on the part we have played in growing people of faith for the听future.

Resources and more information can be found

Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Principal

Jo Dunn on 12/02/2021

Dear Parents and Guardians

We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming everyone back to school this week.听 I take this opportunity to thank all students and parents for preparing well in terms of COVID for our return to school.听 The students have responded extremely well under the restrictions that have been put in place across the school.

Mask wearing, particularly on the Marcellin campus, has been done really well.听 On all campuses, students鈥� commitment to hand hygiene has been excellent and respective signage and reminders are placed in many areas across the College.

Further to these restrictions has been the reframing of our High Achievers and parent information events to an online forum which, going forward, is a viable means for future meetings.

The PK-12 Mass was postponed and we are looking at another time for families to gather on the grass later this year.听 Student Leaders will receive a blessing at an upcoming Thursday morning Community Mass, at a date to be advised.听 Parents of Student Leaders will be invited to attend the Mass and hospitality afterwards.

COVID-19

It is anticipated that restrictions will be lifted this Sunday.听 However, should any further COVID-19 related information be forthcoming, 今日吃瓜 families will be advised immediately.听 (Information circulated previously can be viewed on our COVID-19 web page.)

St John Henry Newman Learning Hub – Marcellin Campus

This week, it was wonderful to see, at long last, our students in Years 3-12 enjoying this superb facility.听 These spaces are a reflection of our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery, Let your light shine (Matt 5:16) which hopes to engender a sense of collaboration, creativity and innovation.听 These spaces, put simply, de-privatise learning allowing for visibility, flexibility and accessibility.听 We are still working through some of the arrangements in terms of Homework Club and supervision.听 This will be communicated to families through the Deputy Principal Secondary, Ms Carla Pastorelli, in the coming weeks.

High Achievers and Student Leaders Commissioning

It was unfortunate that two of our larger events to commence the school year, the High Achievers Assembly and the PK-12 Family Mass, could not go ahead in the usual way due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Western Australia.

However, we were able to compromise and combine the acknowledging of our High Achievers and Years 6 and 12 Student Leaders during an online assembly on Wednesday.听 Both these events are highlights in our College calendar as they represent the very best of students and their commitment to excellence.

I thank all those who contributed to the organisation of this event and for those who attended 鈥榦nline鈥�.

In my Principal鈥檚 Address I spoke of the complexity and challenges that have pervaded the world over the last 12 months with the advent of the COVID Pandemic becoming very real for us here in WA.听 In a local context, the COVID crisis here has been compounded by fires and floods across the State. For each crisis there have been many who have risen to the challenge, responded with courage, acted with conviction and sought to animate others to do the same.

How we respond to challenges and how we overcome adversity is the mark of a society.

On 20 January this year we witnessed the inauguration of the new USA President Joseph R Biden.听 This event is a significant pivot point in the world in light of the unrest that has permeated that country 鈥�..and many would argue in other parts of the world.听 For example, two weeks earlier the Capitol Building in Washington DC, in which the inauguration was held, was stormed by protestors exemplifying in some ways the duress the USA has endured.

The highlight of this ceremony for me was the inspirational words – not from the newly elected president – but from a young woman, Amanda Gorman鈥︹€�.. the youngest inaugural poet in US History who recited her poem “The Hill We Climb”.

An excerpt from her poem:

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.听 This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves so while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

Amanda鈥檚 message draws upon one鈥檚 individual (yours) intent as a citizen, a member of a society who has the power to make a difference. 听It is incumbent upon every member of our community 鈥� for students, teachers and alumni – to know that they have the power to be the author of a new chapter, to proffer hope, to prevail over the challenges and the complexities and the opportunities that are now inherently a part of the world in which we live.

Her concluding statement draws us to our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery, Let your light shine (Matt 5:16) where she focuses on the power of light. 听She says:

鈥淭here is always light, if only we鈥檙e brave enough to see it.听

If only we鈥檙e brave enough to be it.鈥�

Please click here to view the full speech.

Lent

Next week we commence our Lenten journey.听 The College will again be supporting Caritas Project Compassion which seeks to support communities across the world in most need.听 I encourage all students to get behind this campaign whilst at the same time continue to develop their own faith.

There are many events and opportunities for our students to let their light shine and I encourage all students to take advantage of what is on offer.

I wish all students, staff and families well for the start of Term 1.

John Finneran
Principal