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Secondary Update – Term 4 Week 9

Jenni Vile on 06/12/2024

Leaders of Wellbeing 2025 

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our secondary Leaders of Wellbeing for their commitment to and support of our secondary students in 2024. We would like to particularly extend our appreciation to Mr Will Hofman for his support of our Year 7 students this year in their transition to Newman College.  

In 2025, the following staff will be responsible for the holistic development of our secondary students, along with the Pastoral Care Group teachers: 

Year 7 – Mr Nathan Pereira – nathan.pereira@newman.wa.edu.au 
Year 8 – Mrs Anna Scanlan – anna.scanlan@newman.wa.edu.au 
Year 9 – Mr Scott Smith – scott.smith@newman.wa.edu.au 
Year 10 – Mrs Lucy Lane – lucy.lane@newman.wa.edu.au 
Year 11 – Mrs Lara Ognenis – lara.ognenis@newman.wa.edu.au 
Year 12 – Mr David Husband – david.husband@newman.wa.edu.au 

Year 12 Ball – Wednesday 29 January 2025 

The Year 12 Ball for the Class of 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday 29 January 2025 at Fraser’s Restaurant. Our Class of 2025 excitedly received their ball tickets on their last day this term. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2025 to the Ball as they begin their final year at Newman College.  

Parent Information Evening – Monday 3 February 2025 

Parents/guardians and secondary students are asked to attend the College on the evening of Monday 3 February 2025. Parents/guardians and their children are expected to attend the year-level information sessions run by the relevant Leader of Wellbeing. In addition to these sessions, students and parents/guardians are invited to attend other sessions that specialist staff will run on the evening. Some of these sessions include:

  • Ministry opportunities,
  • Wellbeing,
  • Academic support,
  • Academic extension, and
  • Sporting opportunities.

We look forward to seeing all parents/guardians and their children at the College on the evening, as it is a great way to set your child up for a successful year in 2025. Please note that students are expected to attend in school uniform. Further information will be provided to families in early 2025. 

Year 9 Colour Run  

The Year 9s participated in a wonderful celebration of their last three years of secondary school: marking the halfway point of secondary education. The oval was a sea of colour with our Year 9 students and teachers enjoying one another’s company. It was a fantastic way to end the year for our Year 9 students celebrating their hard work and commitment following by a pizza lunch. We would like to thank Mrs Lucy Lane (Leader of Wellbeing Year 9) for her organisation and facilitation of such a wonderful event for our Year 9 students.  

We would like to wish all of our secondary families and friends a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a safe holiday break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back at the start of the 2025 academic year.  

Mrs Sarah Ellam

Acting Deputy Principal Secondary

Ministry Update – Term 4 Week 9

Jenni Vile on 06/12/2024

Philippines Immersion

On Wednesday evening this week, we welcomed back our Year 11 students who have been visiting the Philippines on immersion for the past ten days. During this time, students visited three organisations, each dedicated to improving the lives of young children and members of their community through the provision of education, family support, housing, and other social services. Additionally, students also visited the Marist Asia Pacific Centre which is where young Marist brothers across the region come for their formation, as well as the local Marist school, which like Newman College, has approximately 1800 students ranging from the age of 5 to 18 years of age. 

One of the things students were most struck by on their journey, was their visit to Olongapo City and the PREDA Foundation. Celebrating their fiftieth anniversary this year, students met with their founder, Fr. Shay Cullen. As a young Irish missionary, he arrived in the Philippines ready to do all the things normally expected of a young priest – celebrating masses, spending time in the community, and speaking with school children. But as he said in his own words, he soon came to discover that no matter his work, it was clear in the city that ‘vice had conquered virtue’. Over the next 50 years, Fr. Shay worked hard, alongside the community, government agencies, and human rights organisations to improve the lives and experiences of thousands of young boys and girls. 

Fr Shay shared his story to illustrate to students the importance of putting action to our faith. Whilst we can go to mass each Sunday, and learn in class about the life of Jesus, this means little if we are not prepared to live out the Gospel values in our everyday gestures and actions. Fr Shay was very real in his assessment to our students – he did not expect that we would come and ‘change lives’ in our few days at the Foundation, nor did he expect that our students would return home to live lives as dedicated missionaries. But what he did communicate to the students, is that no matter where they may find themselves in the world, whether it be as a teacher, doctor, electrician, or salesperson…that we find some time in our life to give service to others. In some small but meaningful way, that we can live our lives not just for ourselves, but for our community – especially for those who are poor, vulnerable, or who need protection.  

Christian Service Learning

At Newman College, we encourage this faith in action through our Christian Service Learning program. This has given many students over the years the opportunity to develop a Christian spirit and to experience what it means to not just espouse a Christian life, but to live it too. We also know there are many of our families and staff who give of their own time in the community too, providing a first-hand example for our students to learn from.  

This year, we reviewed our Christian Service Learning program to include students in our primary school, so that they may also have the chance, at a level appropriate to their age, to engage in service to others. We have also examined how Christian Service looks in the secondary school – highlighting the Gospel values that underpin service at each year level, and seeking to tie this into what students are learning in Religious Education, as well as our Marist characteristics. 

I would invite families to read our proposed program in the link below, sharing any questions or feedback via the feedback link. It is our great hope that as a College, and more importantly, as a community, we can seek to build a Christian spirit of service in all of our students, helping to fulfil Marcellin Champagnat’s vision to form good Christians and good citizens.  

2025 Christian Service Learning Program  

Feedback form 

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal

Dear Parents, Students and Teachers 

Thank you for your donations towards the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal.  Even though we are not able to include fresh food in the hampers, the hampers are very keenly sought after by those we help.  Many less well-off members of our community are really finding it difficult to feed their families and provide a roof over their heads.  Your help is very much appreciated by them. 

Thank you. Happy Christmas. 

Br John Furlong 

President of the Floreat-Wembley Conference of the St Vincent de Paul 

Christmas Mass Times

Our Lady of the Rosary, Doubleview 

  • Christmas Eve Tuesday December 24  
    • 6.00pm Family Mass 
    • 8.30pm Carols – Mass 9.00pm 
  • Christmas Day Wednesday December 25  
    • 8.00am Mass 
    • 10.00am Mass
  • Christmas Eve at 6.00pm would be the main family Mass. 

St Cecilia’s, Floreat 

  • Christmas Eve Tuesday 24 December 
    • 6.00pm Mass 
  • Christmas Day Wednesday 25 December 
    • 9.30am Mass 

Holy Spirit, City Beach

  • Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December
    • 6.00pm Christmas Vigil Children’s Mass (Carols at 5.30pm)
    • 8.00pm Christmas Night Mass (Carols at 7.30pm)
  • Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December
    • 9.00am Christmas Morning Mass
    • 5.30pm Christmas Evening Mass

From the Principal – Term 4 Week 9

Jenni Vile on 06/12/2024

Dear Newman College Families, 

Well, we have reached the end of the term and the conclusion to the 2024 academic year! We celebrated and gave thanks for 2024 in recent days with the Thursday Community Mass, liturgies and assemblies. In each celebration, we focused on the joy of the year, our expression of Marist characteristics and the various contributions of our students to College life. In recent days, we experienced the Christmas joy of the Primary Christmas Carols and Kindy – Year 5 Awards, the Marian Advent Liturgy, the celebration of the Education Support Music Rocks End of Year Christmas Concert, Ministry and Discovery Festivals for Years 7 to 9, the 2025 Year 12 Leaders Marist Leadership Camp and the Year 6 Graduation and Awards event. Our Year 11 Philippines Immersion have returned from a truly enriching experience and our Marist Cricket team are enjoying the competition of the Marist Carnival. The term’s end reflects the nature of our whole year program – wonderful opportunities for our students to Shine Through Discovery.  

Awards Ceremonies 

On Friday 22 November, we celebrated the Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony in the Gymnasium and Marist Auditorium. Students who have excelled in academic, service, leadership, the arts and sport were recognised. It was wonderful to host so many families who attended the function. The Kindergarten to Year 5 Awards and Primary Carol Evening was a wonderful family evening on Friday, 29 November. Again, it was so pleasing to acknowledge student achievement and be led in the singing of carols by each year group. The final awards event was our Year 6 Celebration Mass and Awards where we acknowledged the end of the Primary journey for the class.  

Staff Farewells 

Newman College is fortunate to have 259 dedicated staff to support our students. In any year there is movement and we offer a sincere thank you to the staff who will be moving on, whether they have been with us for a short period or many years. Each has made contributions which have helped our students flourish. Some are moving into leadership positions in other schools, which speaks highly of their abilities as leaders, and the support Newman College has provided in nurturing their leadership. Some staff are moving into retirement. Many of our other departing staff will take their great experience and formation at the College and add to the rich fabric of their new schools. Farewell to  

Retiring 

  • Steve Halley Wright – Director of Finance and Operations 
  • Liliana Bellandi – Teacher, Secondary 
  • Kathy Fryer – Education Assistant Special Needs, Secondary 
  • Peta Ing – Education Assistant Special Needs, Secondary 
  • Sharon MacBean – Teacher, Primary 

Promotional Roles at other schools 

  • Sarah Ellam – Acting Deputy Principal Secondary 
  • Cameron Tremayne – Head of Health and Physical Education 

Moving to other schools 

  • Kate O’Keefe – Japanese Teacher, Primary 
  • Charlotte MacLean – Teacher, Primary 
  • Jane Ward – Teacher, Secondary 
  • Joel Kandiah – Teacher, Secondary 
  • Renee Passell – Teacher, Secondary 
  • Annette Doe – Education Assistant, Primary 
  • Elija Meegan – Education Assistant, Secondary 

Non Teaching Staff 

  • Jennifer Smith – Relief Coordinator 
  • Kellie Pethick – Senior Laboratory Technician 

Finishing after Short Term Contracts for Leave Cover 

  • Lauren O’Brien – Teacher, Primary 
  • Tamara Bastow – Art Teacher, Primary 
  • Rosalba Bottega – GATE Teacher, Primary 

A particular farewell to two of the College Executive: 

Mr Steve Halley-Wright 

Steve has been at Newman College for 17 years, undertaking the senior leadership role of Finance Director and Director of Finance and Operations. He has been an outstanding Marist leader and overseen the development of the College in providing first-class facilities for our students, staff and families. Steve is moving to retirement and will be greatly missed by the Newman College community. 

Mrs Sarah Ellam 

Sarah joined Newman College three years ago as a Leader of Wellbeing on the Marcellin Campus. An experienced middle leader, Sarah quickly made her way into senior leadership as the Acting Deputy Principal, Secondary. She has been an outstanding leader at the College and now moves to the ongoing role of Deputy Principal at Holy Cross College. 

We wish Steve, Sarah and all our departing staff all the best for the future. 

American novelist, Ursula. K. LeGuin wrote ‘It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.’  The 2024 academic year ends with today’s newsletter and it has been quite a journey for our community. In our students, we witnessed a positivity and determination to make the most of every opportunity, event and program. Our whole staff have been professional and generous, not only through important in-class learning experiences but a full range of full co-curricular activities across the year. As always, we received great energy and support from our families throughout 2024. Thank you to for the many warm expressions of gratitude to teachers and staff in your Christmas messages. At the end of this article are the key Term 1 dates for 2025. 

Advent and Christmas 

We are in the season of Advent and we have begun this beautiful liturgical celebration which draws us towards Christmas. The notion of ‘waiting’ figures strongly in Advent; we await the birth of the Saviour. What an interesting message of patience and focus this presents for us against a backdrop of the more commercial tone of rush and a countdown of shopping days left until Christmas. May the Advent season sustain us in our waiting and give us courage in our living. 

From all at Newman College, having the opportunity to support, guide and celebrate your child’s journey is the greatest privilege any educator and mentor can possibly have. I wish every student, staff, parent, guardian and family of our community a joyous and blessed Christmas. I know many parents will have only a small window of opportunity over the break for rest and time with their families, but I hope it is precious time. See you all for the new academic year in 2025! 

2025 Information

The College will be sending out a Welcome Pack and pertinent information relating to the 2025 school year, prior to the commencement of students. A list of upcoming important College events for Term 1 can also be found here.  

ANDREW WATSON 

PRINCIPAL 

From the Vice Prinicpal – Term 4 Week 9

Jenni Vile on 06/12/2024

Change to Start/Finish Times from 2025 

After extensive consultation and consideration of the future needs of the College, the following start and finish times will apply for classes from 2025: 

 Doors Open/First Bell Start Time Finish Time 
PK-6 students 8:35am 8:40am 3:00pm 
Y7-12 students 8:35am 8:40am 3:15pm 

To support this change, Transperth has adjusted their services to ensure that all school buses will arrive by 8:30am. After-school teacher supervision will continue to be provided until all students are collected from Marian and Lavalla, giving families with children at both primary campuses time to manage pickups across the two sites. 

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. We value your input and appreciate your continued support. 

2025 School Start Dates 

Please refer to the table below for your child’s start date and time, as this will differ for each year group. 

YEAR DATE TIME VENUE 
PK-6 Students Thu 30 January 8.40am 8.40am Marian – PK to Y2  
Lavalla – Y3 to 6  
Y7 Students 
Y12 Students 
Y8-11 New Students 		Thu 30 January 8.40am 
10.00am 
8.30am 		Founders Court 
Auditorium 
Main Administration 
Year 8-11 Students Fri 31 January 8.40am Marcellin 

Term One 2025 Key Dates 

The table below provides a summary of some key events in the first few weeks of Term 1, 2025 

EVENT DATE TIME 
Parent Welcome Sundowner 31 January 5.30-7.30pm 
Year 7-12 Information Evening  3 February 5.30-8.00pm 
KG-Y6 Information Evening 6 February 5.00-7.30pm 
High Achievers Assembly 13 February 9.35-10.50am 
PK-12 Family Mass & Commissioning of Student Leaders 18 February 5.30-6.45pm 
Primary Family Picnic28 February5.00pm-7.00pm
Newman Parents Forum10 March6.00pm-7.00pm

As events and activities for 2025 are confirmed, they will be added to the College Calendar. We kindly ask families to consult the calendar when planning holidays and other commitments and to support and prioritise College events whenever possible. 

Reports  

Primary reports are available to view via SEQTA Engage. 

Secondary reports will be available through SEQTA Engage after Friday 6 December. 

Students not returning in 2025 

If your child will not be returning to Newman College in 2025, please ensure you download all reports from SEQTA Engage by 31 December. After this date, student records will be archived and no longer accessible. 

Thank you 

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all families for their invaluable contributions to our vibrant Marist community. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary work of our dedicated staff, who provide such rich learning experiences for our students. Thank you for continuing to entrust us with the responsibility of caring for your children and working together to develop them into good Christians and good citizens. 

The College will be in touch early in the new year with the Welcome Booklet and Letters. Until then, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday break and a blessed and holy Christmas. 

Michael Chiera 
VICE PRINCIPAL 

Teaching & Learning

Jenni Vile on 14/11/2024

On Tuesday of Week 9, the Discovery Festival will bring experiential learning to life for our Years 7-9 students. This exciting learning experience aligns with the College’s Vision for Learning and, at the heart of the festival, are experiential activities that foster Challenge, Create, Celebrate, and Collaborate—the four pillars of the College’s Vision.

Challenge: Students are invited to step outside their comfort zones, engage in problem-solving tasks like the Amazing Race and Escape Rooms, and build resilience through activities that require critical thinking, strategy, and perseverance.

Create: Hands-on sessions such as macramé, pizza cooking, and crochet give students opportunities to use their creativity and explore artistic expression. By encouraging experimentation and imaginative thinking, the festival nurtures a growth mindset and a love for innovation.

Celebrate: Through this festival, students can celebrate their strengths and achievements by engaging in activities that showcase individual skills and allow for personal accomplishments. Each challenge provides moments for students to reflect on their growth, while also celebrating their contributions to their teams.

Collaborate: The festival emphasises teamwork and social connection through group-based activities like table tennis, mountain biking, and science workshops. Working with their peers encourages students to develop communication skills, foster inclusivity, and appreciate the value of different perspectives.

The Discovery Festival reinforces the College’s commitment to creating curious, confident, and capable lifelong learners who Shine Through Discovery. The event provides a living example of the Vision for Learning, equipping students with the skills, confidence, and connections that will support them academically and socially throughout their journey at Newman College and beyond.

We thank the dedicated Discovery Festival Team, who have spent the last five months preparing this exceptional experience. Their hard work and commitment to fostering a vibrant learning environment creates meaningful opportunity for our students to grow, connect, and Shine.