Newman News Term 3 Week 8: From the Leader of Early Childhood
Highlights from Past Two Weeks
As an avid reader myself and member of a book club, I am constantly talking to others about the last great book that I have read and what I plan to read next. It is this love of literacy and reading, and ability to escape into another world through literature, that I am always hoping is fostered in our students too. In early childhood, we watch as children learn the early skills of reading through phonics, and then experience success as they understand the alphabetic code and begin to make meaning from what they are reading. As the well-known quote tells us “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, whereas the man who never reads lives only once”. We are fortunate to have teachers who are so passionate about bringing a love of reading to our students.
Indigenous Literacy Book Swap
This past week, our Librarian Mrs Alison Le Dan and Library Technician, Miss Catherine Hall organised the Indigenous Literacy Book Swap, to further foster our Marian students love of reading, whilst raising much needed funds for remote indigenous communities. The Great Book Swap is an initiative of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation that seeks to provide culturally appropriate books to remote communities, with the knowledge that literacy changes lives and offers future choices for employment, education, social participation and quality of life. Thank you to all our families who supported this event through either the donation of books or purchase of books for their children.
Father’s Day Liturgy
Thank you to our Year 1 students and their teachers, who prepared such a beautiful liturgy to celebrate the important role that father’s play in our children’s lives. It was wonderful to see the very strong attendance of Marian fathers at the liturgy. We hope you all managed some rest and enjoyment on Father’s Day.
R U Ok Day?
Yesterday was R U Ok day? and students were given the opportunity to purchase a yellow cupcake to raise awareness of mental health. I discussed with our Year 1 and 2 students how we often check on others physical health but are not so good at checking on mental health. When we see a friend fall over and hurt themselves, we often rush over to ask “Are you ok?” or if they’ve broken their arm, we do the same. These injuries are visible to us and are easy to spot. Mental health is not always so easy but being mental first aiders is equally important. Our children can begin from a young age asking their friends “Are you ok?” when they notice that their friend is sad, or not quite themselves. In the same way that we too, as adults, should make this commitment.
Athletics Carnival
What a fun-filled, exciting day! It was wonderful to celebrate our first PP-6 Athletics Carnival today, and it was evident that the students thoroughly enjoyed the day and had many opportunities for competition, team spirit and sportsmanship. A massive thank you needs to be extended to Mrs Lara Vlahov, who coordinated and prepared Marian students all their events. Mrs Vlahov did a fantastic job and is to commended for this very successful day, along with Mrs. Tash Richards, our Lavalla Campus Sports Teacher.
Important Information For The Next Two Weeks
Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten 2022 / 2023
If you have not yet enrolled your child in Kindy or Pre-Kindy for 2022, it is essential that you do so as soon as possible. Please contact Newman College Registrar for further information, including our flexible Kindy and Pre-Kindy offering.
Primary Disco
Our Year 11 and 12 students will be coordinating and running our Primary School Disco this year. The Disco will be held in our Marist Auditorium on Friday 17 September. Families will have received information on attendance and ticket purchase via email this past week.
