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The Value of Co-Curricular Activity and the Lion King Jr.

I’m not a parenting expert. In fact, I’m not sure that I even believe in the idea of ‘parenting experts.’ I’m an engaged, imperfect parent and a passionate researcher. I’m an experienced mapmaker and a stumbling traveller. Like many of you, parenting is by far my boldest and most daring adventure. Brene Brown.

You may think from this opening quote that my newsletter item focuses on parenting.
Raising children can bring parents and caregivers the greatest of joy despite learning ‘on the job’ and growing into the role through experience and understanding. In the mix that helps children flourish is a warm and loving environment, with clear guidance, a community that is embracing and our support for them to explore, develop talents and attempt new challenges.

As we are in the season of The Lion King Jr, our Year 3-9 Musical, I thought it timely to mention the important part our parenting plays in guiding children and adolescents into performance activities, sport and community involvement that both challenge young people and develop their talents. Firstly, how wonderful it was last night to experience the opening of the Lion King Jr. Congratulations to our students, staff and parents for their dedication. The evening showcased skill, talent and the sheer joy of performance. The audience was thoroughly entertained and engaged with the musical and couldn’t but feel uplifted by the work of our cast, crew, and helpers. If you are attending the final three shows you will be in for a great experience. Being involved in performance activities such as sports, music, dance, or theatre can teach children valuable lessons about commitment, resilience, and teamwork. Guiding our children to experience these opportunities can be one of the best parts of parenting, even if it means being the family taxi for a decade or so! ÌýIt’s all about balance.

In my last newsletter I wrote about the importance of down-time, family time and reducing the sense of busyness that can sometimes characterise our children’s lives when we strive to provide them with very opportunity.  Performance activities require a significant level of commitment. Children learn that a fulfilling involvement in their chosen activity requires regular practice, dedication, and perseverance. They understand the importance of setting goals, working consistently towards them, and following through on their commitments. This sense of commitment can translate into other areas of their lives, such as academics or personal goals.

Performance often involves facing challenges, setbacks, and failures. Children learn to cope with disappointment, learn from their mistakes, and bounce back from setbacks, especially when they have the right mix of parental and adult support to help them contextualise their experiences. They develop resilience by understanding that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process and that they can improve with persistence and effort. This resilience helps them navigate obstacles in other areas of life, fostering a growth mindset and a willingness to take on new challenges when they next present themselves.

Many performance activities involve collaboration and teamwork. Children learn the importance of working together towards a common goal, relying on and supporting their teammates, and appreciating the unique contributions of each individual. They develop skills in communication, cooperation, compromise, and conflict resolution. These teamwork skills are transferable to various social and professional settings throughout their lives.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Performance activities often involve adapting to different situations, adjusting to new roles or circumstances, and working with diverse groups of people. Children learn to be flexible, open-minded, and adaptable, enabling them to navigate changes and uncertainties with greater ease. These skills are essential in a rapidly changing world.

Co-curricular activities such as performance and sport relate well to our pillars of Challenge, Collaborate, Create and Celebrate. Parenting that guides and supports children into the right balance of these activities helps create our young people’s memories for tomorrow and the experiences that nurture their formation as unique people.

LifeLink Day Launch for Primary Schools

We were delighted once again to host the Archbishop’s LifeLink Launch for Primary Schools last week. The morning launch provided our schools with the focus and momentum to drive initiatives that will help the LifeLink agencies and those in our community who need our support. Both our Primary and Secondary students will now action their projects to raising money and awareness for LifeLink services. Ìý

26^th Marist Netball Carnival

We look forward to welcoming the thirteen Marist Schools to our Marist Netball Carnival which commences on Sunday, for the following three days.  The carnival will be held at the Matthews Netball Centre.

At this event, we gather as members of the Marist family, something which is at once a spiritual family and a human family.  From different schools in various parts of the country, we share a common heritage and a single purpose, it is as important as the competition itself.

Final Weeks of Term

We enter the final two weeks of term and there is a great deal of important class time to develop student learning ahead. I ask that families continue to support the College in prioritising student attendance until the final day of term and plan holidays in the term breaks. This coming Friday, we have the very important Champagnat Day and we look forward to celebrating the occasion and sharing with families our Marist spirit from the day.

Best wishes for the weeks ahead.

ANDREW WATSON

PRINCIPAL

Another busy fortnight for our ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ community across the arts, examinations, reporting, excursions and teaching and learning. We celebrated Reconciliation Week during Week 6. The theme calls all Australians to reflect on real ways in which we can be a voice for reconciliation in our everyday lives. We are now well into the term, staff and students are tracking well as we move into the latter weeks of Term 2.  

On 31 May was the Marian feast day of the Visitation. It is an important occasion in the life of Marists, who began their vocation honouring Mary as the Little Brothers of Mary. The feast of the Visitation is based on the story of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, as told in the Gospel of Luke. Mary and Elizabeth were both pregnant at the time, unbeknownst to each other. Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John the Baptist. When Elizabeth greeted Mary, she recognised the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb when her own infant leapt for joy in utero. Mary found herself visiting her cousin after being led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To find her older cousin Elizabeth pregnant, and for Elizabeth to automatically recognise the presence in Mary’s womb, confirmed for her the truth of her prompting from the Holy Spirit.  

I had the privilege to visit Ein Kerem in the southwest of Jerusalem, the Place of the Visitation, while on the Marist Pilgrimage. The artwork at the site, and dedications to Mary and the story of the Visitation, were powerful reminders of the central place of Mary in our faith as Marists; particularly Mary as an example of saying yes to Jesus by listening to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit and therefore truth in our lives. 

Updates to the ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ Newsletter Format  

ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of our communication platforms. As part of this assessment, we formed focus groups consisting of parents and staff members to evaluate different communication aspects and identify areas for improvement. One such platform identified for enhancement was the ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ newsletter.  

By leveraging the insights that we gained during the analysis, we were able to ascertain the most pertinent information for parents, as well as the content best suited for sharing through our social media channels. Consequently, the ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ newsletter will undergo modifications in its format and presentation.  

In the new format, our Principal, Mr Andrew Watson, will offer a video summary of events and achievements that have transpired in the two weeks since the previous newsletter. Moreover, we shall continue to provide crucial operational dates and information regarding your child’s events, while our Vice Principal will share essential details for families across the various areas of the College.  

We believe that this revamped newsletter will better serve the needs of our families by delivering more focused and relevant information.  

Your feedback and suggestions are valuable to us, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our communications team at communications@newman.wa.edu.au should you have any concerns or input. 

Zero to Hero – Parent Series

Next Wednesday 7 June @ 6.30pm, the College will be hosting the second of our Zero2Hero Parent Information Events in the Marist Auditorium. This is an event that the College encourages all parents or guardians to attend. The topic for the presentation is mental illness and your child, with two outstanding leading experts to discuss the challenges your children face, and how parents can respond. Brad Williams from Behaviour Tonics will speak to self-regulation and the overwhelming emotions associated with adolescence. Amy Coombe specialises in eating disorders and mental health struggles and wellbeing promotion. I will join our guest speakers in an audience Q&A after their presentations. This evening will provide parents with an understanding of the processes in place at ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ to assist students as they navigate through their childhood and adolescent years. 
   
This Zero2Hero Parent Information Event is suitable for parents of students across the College; however, we strongly encourage all families in Y7-12 cohorts to attend. 
 
Please click to purchase your tickets now. ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ parents receive 50% off the ticket price when they enter the code ‘healthy’ 

Lion King JR

The African savannah comes to life on the Marist Auditorium stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle… and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale. 

With four amazing shows spanning from 15 to 17 June, you get in quickly and secure your tickets and seats! 

Purchase your tickets    

PK-12 Art Competition

We are excited to announce that ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ will be holding an Art competition in celebration of the Marist theme for 2023 – Created and Called: A revolution of love and kindness. We invite all students to participate and showcase their artistic skills by submitting a piece of art that is related to or reflects this theme. Students are welcome to submit a short statement accompanying their artwork if this helps to explain the meaning of their piece in relation to this theme.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

The competition will be divided into three categories:  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• PK-Year 2 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• Years 3-6 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
• Years 7-12 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

There will be several prizes awarded – Art & Stationery Gift Packs for the Primary categories, and Jacksons Drawing Supplies Gift Vouchers for the Years 7-12 category. The winning artworks and honourable mentions will be entered into the Angelico Exhibition of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival, as well showcased at the PK-12 Arts Festival in Term 4.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

The artworks can be created using any medium of choice, including painting, oil pastels, drawing, or sculpture.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

The submission deadline for the competition is the end of Term 3, which is Friday 22 September. We urge all students to submit their entries by this date to be considered for the judging process. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

To submit your artwork, please have you or your child bring it to your child’s relevant office administration, where it will be safely stored until the judging process is completed. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

We encourage all students to unleash their creativity and imagination to create a unique and meaningful artwork that reflects the theme Created and Called: A revolution of love and kindness. We look forward to seeing creative and inspiring artworks and wish all participants the best of luck in the competition. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Uniform Review and Alignment Committee

Sincere thanks to those parents and staff who completed the Uniform Review and Alignment Committee expression of interest form.  Details regarding this committee will be distributed via email early next week.

The Importance of Student Attendance

Schools are required to monitor attendance and intervene to support improved attendance for students at educational risk. Likewise, all parents are required to make their best efforts to ensure their children attend school.  We ask all families to read the below document to understand how the College records daily attendance –

Timely Reminder Regarding Cases of Head Lice

The College has been made aware of a number of cases of head lice within our student community. Head lice infection is a problem due to it being so highly contagious. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Parents/carers are primarily responsible for detecting and treating head lice but the College also has a role in the management of head lice outbreaks by providing information and support for parents and students. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

To eradicate both lice and their eggs (nits), products are available from pharmacies without prescription.  Head lice are only pin-head size and very difficult to see.  We seek your cooperation in the examination and possible treatment of your child’s hair. 

Students identified with head lice should not return to school until after treatment has commenced. 

Please note that constant checking of hair is necessary because eggs may not be evident until two days after the infestation. 

A Head lice fact sheet is available at  

Traffic Warden – Tuscany Way (Marcellin Campus)

The College has been advised by the Children’s Crossing Unit, that they are unable to provide us with a Traffic Warden for the crossing on Tuscany Way for the remainder of Term 2.  We ask you share this information with your child/children.  Students and families are asked to take extra care when using this crossing.  

Uniform

The College would like to ask our families to check their child’s uniform items to ensure they have their own pieces and not those of other students.Ìý Named items not belonging to you can be returned to the applicable administration office and we will return them to the appropriate family.Ìý We currently have a lot of unnamed items in our lost property and therefore remind you to make sure all items are named clearly with your child’s name.Ìý

CODE OF CONDUCT