Here we are at the end of Term 1! What a fantastic term it has been, full of exciting learning opportunities across the Primary! Our students (and staff) have worked extremely hard this term and everyone is ready for a well-deserved holiday break to rest and recuperate!
Easter Liturgies
This morning, we held Easter Liturgies at both Primary campuses. Both of these were joyful and reverent occasions, reminding us as a Newman College community of the true meaning of Easter. Special thanks to our Year 2 students and teachers for organising the Marian Liturgy, which saw all of our Marian students participating.
Easter Raffles
A huge thanks to all families who purchased tickets and also donated eggs for our Primary Easter Raffle. We have raised a great deal of money for Caritas Project Compassion – a truly worthy cause. Your donations will make a huge difference in the live of many people in need around the world. Many students will be coming home today as winners of the raffle – enjoy all of that chocolate! You can find out more about Project Compassion by visiting this link.
Assembly
Last Friday 2 Red shared their wonderful Term 1 learning with us. 2 Red started their assembly by signing the beautiful song My Lighthouse reminding us that Jesus is always there for us, ready to listen to us and help guide us in the right direction. 2 Red then took us on a journey around the world – teaching us all about the Continents, sharing wonderful facts, jokes and songs along the way! Thank you 2 Red for helping us to learn about our amazing world and inspiring us to travel!
Newman Norms / Medals of Marcellin
Each fortnight at each Primary campus, one person will be drawn out of the raffle and receive a small prize for living out our Newman Norms. Congratulations to Mateo, Shubh and Noah (Week 8 Lavalla) and Heath (Week 9 Marian) who were our recent winners! Each raffle ticket received is swapped for a token and the Guild with the highest number of tokens at the end of the term wins a prize for the whole Guild!
As advised earlier this week – the winning guilds for Term 1 2025 were as below:
The tokens now reset, with a fresh start for Term 2 Medals of Marcellin!
Mother’s Day
We invite all Mothers and Mother figures to join us for our upcoming Mother’s Day celebrations. Please see the flyer below for more information about these events, which are occurring early next term. RSVP form can be found here.
The Fathering Project
In exciting news, the College is looking to expand the Fathering Project into the Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses this year! Over the past couple of years the Fathering Project has run events with Marian fathers and children, which have been hugely successful.
Matt Hamilton, who is a Year 3 and Pre-Primary parent, has coordinated these events with a small group of dad helpers over the past couple of years and we are now looking to expand this group as we open this up to all of the Primary dads.
As such, we are looking for dads who are willing to get involved in helping to organise and run future events, particularly dads of students in Years 4, 5 & 6 (but also welcome dads of any year levels).
Nikki Cresp (currently on leave this term) will step into our Primary Library teacher role in Terms 2-4 this year. Having worked across both Primary campuses, Nikki knows the students and will be a wonderful addition to the Library team.
Hannah Barnsley joins us as our Sport Teacher, taking over from Mrs Richards for this year. Hannah is an experienced teacher who has taught across PK-12 in Physical Education, Special Education and Learning Support in her career.
URSTRONG
A reminder that parents continue to have access to a FREE URSTRONG parent membership. We hope that as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.
Long Service Leave
As you will be aware from Andrew Watson’s email to parents earlier this term, I will be taking Long Service Leave across Terms 2 and 3 to travel around the world. The plans for the coming together of the Primary Campuses are well and truly in-hand and I am excited for my return to one Primary Campus at the start of Term 4.
During my leave, please contact Mrs Sarah Pagett (Acting Head of Primary Terms 2-3) or continue to contact the front office at either Campus who will direct your queries to the appropriate member of the Primary Leadership Team.
I wish all Primary families a restful and happy Easter with your families and a fruitful Terms 2 and 3.
The end of Term 1 and so much has been achieved by our students, guided in their learning and care by our staff and supported through our families. In the week just gone, our community was enthralled by the performance of the cast and crew of the College production – Bugsy Malone. Newman College has a rich history of the highest quality performances and I can say that Bugsy Malone was up there with the best school musical events that I have seen. The immersive experience of the audience as guests in the nightclub within the performance, the visual presentation of the Marist Auditorium and the clever adaptations created to make this a family-friendly production, supported by outstanding acting, dancing, music and singing. Congratulations to Mrs Kathy La Brooy, her team, our students and parent helpers. This from a family who just recently joined Newman College highlights the Family Spirit shown by all involved:
“We wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations, for a fantastic performance of Bugsy Malone. The time and effort it takes to go into making this special, not only for the students but also for the family and friends surrounding them is truly appreciated. I would also like to make special mention to all the lovely students who encouraged my daughter and made her feel a part of a team and through their own unique contributions, made this experience one to remember. The talent and team work of everyone shone through and created a memorable experience for all of us.”
Newman College First XI Win Graeme Wood Shield
Last week, we posted the exciting news of the First XI Cricket team’s win over Mazenod College at the WACA. The game showcased great teamwork, sportsmanship and individual talents of players on both sides. The Newman College Cricket program has gone from strength to strength with recent successes at the Marist Cricket Carnival and now this Shield. Congratulations to the students, Mr John Lucas and Mr Jake Goncalves.
Marist Basketball Carnival
Last week, our senior girls and boys basketball teams played in the Marist Basketball Carnival in Melbourne. Hosted by Marcellin College, both teams were a credit to Newman College and played great competitive games. Overall, we improved our positions in the final standings significantly from 2024. Congratulations to the players and thank you to our managers Mr Ben Goldie and Ms Jade Nicotra, and to our coaches Nick Vlahov and Brendan Gaunson.
A Milestone in Year 6
This week, College Captains Amelia Ng and Liam Stannard, along with the Year 6 Guild Captains, joined me in handing the Year 6 students their Celebration polo. This is another milestone in the Year 6 journey that culminates in our Mass and recognition of the end of the Primary journey in December. The students told me that the privilege of being able to wear the polos once a week, comes with the responsibility of being great leaders in the Newman Norms and demonstration of the Marist Characteristics.
Mid-Year Break – Parent Survey
In recent years, momentum has developed in looking at the spread of school holidays across the year. This would not mean much adjustment to the length of the summer break and would have a similar pattern to the 2025 first days of term we experienced this year. The important consideration is to maintain the number of teaching days and hours that we need to meet our registration as a school. The reasons to entertain a change in break are communicated in the below survey, and it is most likely that we would look at any change for 2027. The staff and students will also be consulted for their view on any proposed change. We would appreciate you and encourage you to take the time to complete the below survey as your feedback is an integral part of this consultation process
I will keep families informed as we progress through this consideration.
Marcellin Celebration Assembly – When the ground trembles, character stands still
To end the term, Secondary gathered for a Celebration Assembly. We highlighted achievements of the term and I spoke to the students about a connection between the tragedy of the Myanmar earthquake recently and their everyday lives. I opened my talk with this quote that I read recently.
When the ground trembles, character stands still.
Many of us have seen the footage of hospital staff protecting newborn babies in the hospital nursery as the building shook and rubble fell. They did not run, they did not take a moment to consider any other action than to place their bodies across the basinets to hold and protect the babies in their care. Courage, leadership, presence. Victor Frankl, prominent in psychology and a survivor of the concentration camps of World War II referred to the space between stimulus and response. Frankl wrote:Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Faced with adversity or a wrong situation, what occupies that space in our thinking before we respond? Mr Stuart McClorey writes about it in his Ministry section. How can that relate to Newman College students today and in our context? There are many ways we can stand still, be present and act in the right way while facing something that is wrong, unkind, undignified or diminishing. I put to our students that I had seen in many of them this term their character standing still and firm, acting with the care of others as their first thought. I also put the challenge to them that they start Term 2 afresh with the desire to be steadfast, courageous and selfless in going out of their way to think of another, whether at school or elsewhere, in person or online, when the situation could easily be dismissed as too hard to face.
Easter
We are in the final stages of Lent and we look forward to Holy Week next week. The Easter Triduum extends from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. Treated separately, they are liturgically one day unfolding the final time of Jesus’ early life and to his resurrection. I hope you have the chance to be involved in these moments of the Holy Week.
Winter uniforms will be worn from the beginning of next term unless we have an unseasonal hot spell. There will be communication with families and students if this is the case. Wishing all families a restful break together over Easter
As a follow-up to discussions at our Parent Forum last week, please see below for a link to a survey regarding possible chartered bus services from Glendalough & Karrinyup stations.
We have lobbied Transperth for an increase in services, but unfortunately, they are unable to assist in this regard.
We have therefore investigated various charter options & whilst these services are possible, the cost of these services are far more expensive than normal Transperth services. The price estimates provided are purely reflective of the cost of the service quoted to the College by the charter company. There is no increase or markup included in these calculations.
If we receive confirmed commitment from the required minimum number of families, we will progress discussions to the next stage.
I have noticed recently that my son, who is nine, can find it difficult to ‘get over’ conflict with his sister. He holds onto feelings of frustration and anger, and although in time they often pass, it can take some gentle coaxing and conversation for him to reach this position. But that’s all ok – he is young, and he is learning.
Forgiving someone isn’t always easy – whether you’re 9 or 49, it can be a challenge. When someone hurts us, our first instincts are rarely to offer forgiveness. Instead, we might seek to retaliate or hold a grudge, or we might even hold on to the pain – replaying the moment in our minds, feeling the anger rise whenever we think about it. We might even believe that holding onto resentment gives us a sense of justice, as if our hurt proves that we were right. But the truth is, when we refuse to forgive, we’re the ones carrying the heaviest burden. This was the message shared with Year 8 students this week when we gathered as part of their Wellbeing program.
This week’s Gospel tells the story of the prodigal son – a young man who makes mistakes, squanders his father’s wealth, and then returns home with nothing. His father, rather than punishing him, welcomes him back with open arms, offering love and forgiveness. It’s a powerful lesson about the unconditional love and forgiveness offered to us by God. But there’s another character in the story who often gets overlooked – the older brother.
He’s the one who stayed. The one who followed the rules. Yet, when he sees his father celebrating his wayward brother’s return, he’s angry. He refuses to join the feast because he’s trapped in his own sense of injustice: Why should he be forgiven so easily? What about me?
Many of us can see ourselves in both sons in this story. Like the younger son, we’ve all made mistakes or acted in ways we regret. And like the older son, we’ve felt the sting of frustration or resentment toward others. But in clinging to his anger, the older brother shuts himself off from joy. He distances himself not only from his brother but also from his father too. This is what unforgiveness does to us – it builds walls. It keeps us stuck in the past when life is moving forward.
Letting go of resentment doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It doesn’t mean ignoring injustice, and it certainly doesn’t mean that what may have happened to us is ok. It means choosing to free ourselves from the weight of anger. It means making space for healing, for peace, and for the possibility of restored relationships.
Jesus calls us to love as He loves – not because it’s always easy, but because it’s what sets us free. In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus calls us to love our neighbour – a group that he later goes on to explain includes our enemies just as much as it does our friends.
You might like to take some time over these next few weeks to think about where there is space in your life for forgiveness – either for yourself or for others. What hurt, anger, or pain might you be holding onto, that deep down, you know is weighing you down? And what small steps might you take to allow these feelings to pass? These are some of the same questions we reflected on this week with our Year 8’s.
Keep in mind, forgiveness isn’t always instant, and it’s not always easy. In fact, it rarely is, especially for young people who are still learning to explore and understand their emotions. But when we choose to let go – even in small ways – we open ourselves to a sense of peace and contentment, and the chance to move forward without the weight of resentment holding us back.
As we continue through Lent, may we find the courage to forgive, the humility to seek forgiveness, and the wisdom to embrace the healing that comes with both.
This morning, our Marist Basketball Teams departed for Marcellin College, Bulleen, Victoria, to compete in the Marist Basketball Carnival. Led by Ms Jade Nicotra and Mr Ben Goldie as well as coaches Nic Vlahov and Brendan Gaunson, our teams will take on fellow Marist schools from across the country in an exciting showcase of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
We wish them safe travels and a fantastic experience competing alongside our Marist friends.
Walk For Water
On Tuesday 1 April, our Year 4 and Year 11 students will take part in the Walk for Water, a meaningful initiative that highlights the challenges many children around the world face in accessing clean drinking water.
Students in Year 4 and Year 11 are encouraged to wear their Guild Uniform for the day. As an added incentive, the Guild that raises the most funds will earn the opportunity to wear their Guild Uniform on an additional chosen day.
All funds raised will be donated to Caritas Australia, supporting their vital work in providing water taps near homes and schools. This initiative helps reduce the burden on children who would otherwise walk over 6km daily to access clean water.
College Production Bugsy Malone
Excitement is building as we approach next Thursday’s opening night of our College Production, Bugsy Malone! This production has given students with a passion for the Arts a chance to ‘let their light shine’, showcasing their dedication and hard work in what promises to be a spectacular performance.
A huge thank you to Kathy La Brooy and the many staff members whose generosity of time, enthusiasm, and commitment have made this possible. Their dedication ensures that students have opportunities to grow, perform, and shine on stage.
With all four shows completely sold out, those lucky enough to have secured tickets are in for a fantastic night of entertainment. We can’t wait to share the magic of Bugsy Malone with you!
Your Move Update
On Thursday, 20 March, students from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 took part in our inaugural “Hands Up” survey, an initiative of the Your Move program. This survey helps the College understand how students travel to school, providing valuable data to guide future initiatives.
With over 1,500 students participating, the results will serve as a baseline to measure the impact of programs aimed at promoting active travel, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting sustainability. We look forward to conducting the survey again at the end of the year to track our progress.
Year 2 Blue were excited to compare their results to the secondary school, to see if and how movement changes through schooling.
Carpark Flow Improvement at Lavalla Carpark
We are pleased to see a noticeable improvement in the afternoon traffic flow in and out of the Lavalla car park over the past few weeks. This has been made possible through the cooperation and patience of our parents, and we sincerely thank you for your efforts.
Some of the key behaviours contributing to this positive change include:
• Arriving 5–10 minutes after the final bell so students are ready for collection • Following the no standing or parking rule in the left ‘Kiss N Drive’ lane • Moving forward promptly in the ‘Kiss N Drive’ lane as spaces become available • Clearly displaying family names on dashboards for quick identification • Encouraging children to enter the car independently (where appropriate) without parents needing to exit their vehicle • Practising courteous and safe driving at all times
Your continued support in following these guidelines helps ensure a safer and more efficient pick-up experience for everyone. Thank you!
