While many of us are familiar with St Patrick鈥檚 Day and the celebration of St Patrick on March 17, the Feast of St Joseph can sometimes go unnoticed. Celebrated on March 19, this day honours Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, within the Holy Family of Nazareth, whose model inspires us. Pope Leo XIV in an address on March 12 this year spoke of how we can learn hospitality from St Joseph and the Holy Family. He wrote that in St Joseph 鈥榳e recognise that welcoming is not only presence but also guardianship. Guardianship means being attentive to others, respecting their choices and caring for them鈥�.
We experience many forms of encounter and welcome in a school community and one of the many highlights of the past fortnight has been the Year 12 Careers Breakfast. As with our recent International Women鈥檚 Day Breakfast, the 秀秀直播 Alumni, parents, staff and past staff joined our students to share their experiences of careers and industry opportunity. As this was being celebrated, we also enjoyed expressing our version of Harmony Day and Neurodiversity Week in the College. Again, these expressions speak to a commitment of encounter, welcome and belonging at 秀秀直播.
Ride to School with the Principal Day
I can think of no better way to end a week than to have ridden to school today with so many of our students and parents. Joined by a few of our staff, we all met at a nearby park and made for a great convoy of bikes and little scooters along the local footpaths. 秀秀直播 students from Kindy, early years, upper primary and Year 7 all looked after one another and shared a beautiful moment of Marist Presence and Family Spirit. Just the sound of the bike bells as we took off was enough to announce the ride to school as a great success. The sound of excited chatter, trainer wheels rolling along and the whirring of tyres punctuated the bright morning conditions. Thank you parents who either rode with us, or dropped off their children to join in. We all enjoyed some breakfast treats at the end and our parents went off with a coffee voucher to relax at their time of choice.
Marist Basketball Carnival
It鈥檚 arrived and begins on Sunday afternoon at the College! I鈥檓 sure we all send our best to all Marist teams and visitors for a hugely successful Carnival throughout next week.
NAPLAN (National Literacy and Numeracy Assessment) is undertaken each year by students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. NAPLAN will take place in Week 6 and 7 of Term 1. Please see the schedule below:
Further information for Year 3-7 is available and for Year 9,
The term 鈥榤ilestone鈥� seems to have its origin in Ancient Roman society. In building their extensive road system, the Romans placed stones along the way to mark a distance in travel and to give a sense of how far to the next destination. It appears that in the 17th Century, the term milestone came into use to mark a significant moment in life. Two important milestones in the 秀秀直播 journey were celebrated in the past fortnight. The Year 9 The Rite Journey Calling and Departure Ceremony and the Year 12 Ball.
The Rite Journey Calling and Departure
This simple but beautiful event was shared with Year 9 students and their parents and caregivers at City Beach recently. The event is timed for the end of the day, as the sun sets across our beautiful coast and it marks the symbolic departure from childhood to the road of adulthood for our Year 9 students in the Rites of Passage program. In recognising that our students have begun to depart from childhood, we pay respect to, and show gratitude for, the forming moments that childhood have provided; and we do this as family and 秀秀直播 family. As we moved through the Calling and Departure, watching our parents stand behind their children with a hand on their shoulder was a moving experience. It was a symbol and sign of total love and a commitment to gently pushing their daughter or son towards the next stage of life. The number of families who then took the time to sit and chat with their child showed the gift of presence that a parent is to their young one.
Year 12 Ball
The Class of 2026 and staff gathered at Fraser鈥檚 in Kings Park last week for the Ball. Congratulations to all involved! The students certainly enjoyed this time of celebration and connection. They talked and danced the night through, taking the opportunity to capture the moment in Guild and friendship photos. I think they take from the night a cherished moment in their final year of schooling. In this proud milestone moment, I am sure the families of the Year 12 students would have also reminisced about the speed at which it seems life has brought each of them from that little, dependent child to the point of young independent adulthood.
The Season of Swimming
Swim carnivals continued to dominate our sports program in recent weeks, with the Lavalla Swimming Carnival and the NAS Year 7-10 Swim Meet. In the second year of Guild competition, students from Year 3 to 6 gave their all for their Guild. Congratulations to all who competed, the staff for their organisation, the families for their support and our volunteer mums and dads on the barbecue. The NAS meet is the warm-up event for the Division A ACC Carnival in the final week of the term, and we had great competition against Sacred Heart, John XXIII, Chisholm and Servite Colleges.
International Women鈥檚 Day Breakfast
We were delighted to host 180 parent guests and their children at the inaugural 秀秀直播 International Women’s Day Breakfast this morning. Over the past three years, we have made it our aim to grow our celebration and recognition of International Women鈥檚 Day. The breakfast was a new addition in 2026, as well as an organising committee of Year 12 students who worked with key staff to plan and run this event. This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥�Balance the Scales,鈥� and we were treated to guest speakers from three 秀秀直播 families, whose journeys through life, career and sport provided great food for thought in addressing action to support the theme.
Our Year 12 students sold purple ribbons, and proceeds will be directed to Dress for Success, an organisation that supports women advancing in the workplace. If you would like to donate, please follow this link 聽
Thank you to our three guest speakers, 秀秀直播 parents
Anna Snodgrass (Class of 97), HSE Business Partner Rio Tinto,
Lisa Webb (past staff member) Fremantle Football Club AFLW Senior Coach, and
Jayne Taylor, Director and Owner, Taylor HR Consulting.
Congratulations to the IWD Committee on their fabulous work:
Students:
Grace Bradshaw
Evie Brennan
Lulu Brickland
Harrison Burrows
Oliver Groughan
Ruby Hankinson
Mia Harris
Ella Hills
Alice Humbert
Alessia Infirri
Isabel Jimenez-Fuentes
Olivia McMahon
Scarlett Sharp
Poppy Vogl
Staff:
Beth Murphy
Anna Scanlan
Jenni Vile
Donna McFadden
Tara Gray
Lara Ognenis
Megan Guglielmana
Kassandra Conway
A Conversation about Communication
In our opening presentations at parent evenings this year, our leaders and I have touched on the importance of respectful communication in our community. It is an opportune time to revisit the messaging and the 鈥榳hy鈥� behind the message of respectful communication in partnership between home and school.
From time to time, there may be challenges that emerge in a child鈥檚 schooling life that require parent advocacy. We all want the best for each young person in our care. Some of those challenging moments will come with a great deal of emotion and concern, and the College staff are here to address them in partnership with parents.
What I do ask of each parent is what I expect of myself and our staff, that we communicate concern with respect. We all have a right to be heard. As Leaders of Wellbeing, the College Executive and I mentioned in parent sessions earlier in the term, a short, respectful request to be contacted about an issue or concern will always get our time and attention. There will be occasions where parents are aggrieved and play the important advocacy role. What cannot be accepted is communication that does not meet a standard of how grievances or concerns should be made.
I extend my thanks to the great majority of families who approach communicating in email with respect and courtesy as the basis of raising an issue. What concerns me is what we all, unfortunately, experience in modern life 鈥� the communication that does not fit with societal norms and expectations. For us, this commitment to one another is expressed in our .
The why. I hold two important duties of care at once. I have a responsibility not only for the education and safety of children but also, under workplace health and safety legislation, to maintain a safe workplace for staff.
I provide these that can be used to start these very important conversations we necessarily have for the benefit of children and students. Again, I stress that our community, in vast numbers, support respectful and constructive communication, and this piece of information sharing is a topic we are all exposed to in the various community settings in which we live and work.
The Your Move Initiative encourages students, where possible, to ride or walk to school. Physical transport promotes a range of benefits for our physical and mental health as well as for the environment.
Recently, as part of this initiative, we were lucky to have WestCycles create a “鈥� Guide.
On Tuesday morning, a group of Year 6 and Year 10 student leaders assisted Sam from WestCycles in painting footsteps around the College to give our community a visual guide of safe walking routes.
Keep up to date with our YourMove Journey
秀秀直播 Parents Forum
The 秀秀直播 Parent Forum (NPF) occurs once a term and is open to all parents/guardians. It is a parent community gathering led by the Principal and Vice Principal, in collaboration with a nominated 秀秀直播 Parent K-12 Executive Committee.
The NPF for Term 1 is scheduled for Monday 16 March at 6.00pm. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend in person in the JHN Learning Hub or via The agenda for the evening is available
Transperth Stirling Station Stand Changes Please be advised that from Sunday 8 March 2026 there will be changes to Transperth bus services departing Stirling Station, which will impact student journeys.
The following stands will be relocated slightly to the east of the station 鈥�
Stand A (Stop 29719)
Stand B (Stop 29720)
Stand 1 (Stop 11537)
Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Stand 3 (Stop 11539)
Stand 8 (Stop 11544) will be closed and the services will now depart from the following stands:
Route 413 will now depart from Stand 5 (Stop 11541)
Route 424 will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
Route 427 will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
School Special services will now depart from Stand 5 (Stop 11541)
The following services will also undergo stand changes:
Surf CAT will now depart from Stand A (Stop 29719)
Route 402 will now depart from Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Route 403 will now depart from Stand 2 (Stop 11538)
Information regarding these changes will also be available on the Transperth website shortly .
The School-Based Immunisations team will be attending Thursday 12 March for Year 10 students (Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination) and Monday 23 March for Year 7 Students (Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccinations).
Parents have received email communication and will need to complete an online consent form for their child prior to the day. The consent form is available
Y7-12: Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnival
On Thursday 19 February, the 秀秀直播 community descended on the Perth High Performance Centre in Mount Claremont for the annual Marcellin Guild Swimming Carnival 鈥� and what a day it was!
The day got off to an unforgettable start with the inaugural Synchronised Swimming event, led by our Year 12 Class of 2026. It was a brilliant and creative way to open the carnival, drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd and immediately setting the mood for a wonderful day ahead.
The competition that followed showcased the very best of 秀秀直播. Our Year 7s threw themselves into their first Secondary Carnival with great enthusiasm, while older students brought intensity and skill to every race. Guild pride was evident across the entire venue all day long. The standout achievement of the day was the remarkable breaking of 10 records 鈥� a reflection of the hard work and dedication our students bring to their sport.
Congratulations to Marcellin Guild, who claimed the Champion Shield, and to Chisholm Guild, who took home the Spirit Shield.
A huge thank you to our Guild Coordinators, Guild staff, the Physical Education team, and Ms Sara Kononen for delivering such a fantastic event.
Year 9: The Rite Journey 鈥� Calling & Departure Ceremony
On the evenings of Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 February, our Year 9 students gathered with their families at City Beach Oval for a truly special occasion 鈥� the Rite Journey Calling & Departure Ceremony.
The Calling Ceremony invited students to pause and reflect on their childhood 鈥� the people who loved and cared for them, the experiences that shaped them, and the community that raised them. As the sun set over the ocean behind them, students were called to acknowledge all of this with gratitude before beginning to say goodbye to childhood and stepping forward into young adulthood.
The most powerful moment of the evening came during the Departure. After each student received their personal Declaration, parents and loved ones placed a hand on their child’s shoulder 鈥� a gesture of love and support 鈥� before giving them a gentle push forward as a blessing for the journey ahead. Students then stepped forward themselves, reading their Declaration aloud and accepting the challenge of becoming young adults.
It was a deeply moving experience for students and families alike, and a reminder of just how significant this stage of life is.
Our Year 9 students are now on their journey 鈥� supported by their weekly Rite Journey sessions, regular challenges, and the community around them.
Thank you to every parent/caregiver, student and staff member who attended and made this ceremony so meaningful.
Year 12: The Ball
On Wednesday 25 February, our Class of 2026 gathered at the stunning Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park, for the Year 12 Ball 鈥� one of the most cherished and momentous occasions in the 秀秀直播 calendar.
The students looked amazing, and the evening was filled with celebration, joy, and hope for the year ahead. Our Year 12s are to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves throughout the night, reflecting the values of our College with pride.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Lara Ognenis, Leader of Wellbeing Year 12, and all of the Year 12 PCG teachers for their tremendous work in organising such a fantastic and memorable event.
State Sporting Achievement
Congratulations to the following student for the state recognition in their sport:
Ruby Hankinson (Year 12). The Gymnastics WA Awards Night was held in February, where Ruby was honoured as the Aerobic Gymnastics National Level Athlete of the Year 鈥� This was a fitting way for her to retire from gymnastics after 13 years.
State and National Representation is an honour and an important stepping stone in an athlete鈥檚 journey. We commend these students for their dedication and commitment to their sport. If your child has achieved state or national recognition in their sport or extra-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it so we can celebrate their success. Please let us know the details by filling out this form.
Mrs Anna Scanlan
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
For students thinking of attending University
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
Here is a parents guide to University:
And here is the 鈥淔irst in Family鈥� resource, for students who might be the first in their family to attend University:
Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you: or this one:
New TAFE course for Term 2
North Metro TAFE have offered a TAFE course (1 day per week) commencing in Term 2. This course is Certificate II Sport (Developing Athlete). Eligible students must be currently participating in competitive sport and belong to a club or group in which they are involved in regular interaction with coaches, club staff and volunteers. Please email Mr Farley if interested.
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12
Key dates for TAFE and University applications for 2027
For those students applying for TAFE for 2027, applications will open in September of this year and close in November of this year. You will be advised of this at the time.
For those students applying for University for 2027, early applications (early offers) will open in June and you will have until mid-December to lodge your application. Closer to the time you will be provided with instructions and further information about applying.
Year 12s are welcome to come and collect (and keep) any of the University handbooks that are on the table near my office. These can be very helpful in making your choice.
Alternatives to University
Did you know that University is not the only place you can obtain a degree? There are several alternatives here in Perth:
SAE: Offers degrees in things like Animation, Audio, Game Development, Creative Industries.
ACAP: Offers degrees in things like Psychology, Criminology, Social Work.
EIT: Offers degrees in Engineering, IT, and Renewable Energy.
Applying for Medicine or Dentistry for 2027
All students who wish to enrol in Medicine or Dentistry in 2027 (including Assured Pathway at UWA and Notre Dame) will need to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) this year.
Please see below for some important dates:
3 March 2026:鈥�疷CAT bookings open
15鈥疢ay 2026:鈥�疍eadline to book your UCAT for 2026
12鈥疛une 2026:鈥�疍eadline if you need to cancel your UCAT booking
1 July 2026:鈥�疷CAT testing begins
5 August 2026:鈥�疞ast test date
September 2026:鈥�疪esults available
You can check鈥�痜or further information, practice tests, and tips to succeed. It is recommended to book a UCAT as early as possible as demand for testing places is high.
UWA The official handbook for entry to Medicine at UWA can be found鈥�痑nd Dentistry鈥�. Please note that Medicine and Dentistry at UWA are postgraduate courses and require completion of a relevant Bachelor degree prior to entry.
Curtin Curtin University offers the only direct entry medical program in Western Australia. In 2025, the cutoff ATAR for this course was 93.
In addition to the UCAT, students considering applying for Medicine at Curtin University are also required to sit the鈥疌ASPER Test. Further information about CASPER can be found here:鈥�痑nd here:鈥�
The official handbook for entry to Medicine at Curtin can be found鈥�
University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame offers a small number of places in postgraduate Medicine via an assured pathway for school leavers. Information about this option can be found here:鈥�
University information
TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
Are you the first person in your family to attend University? This might assist:
Here are some useful tools to prepare students for the transition to University:
Here is a parents guide to University:
This resource is a place where you can ask current University students questions about their University courses:
University scholarships
Curtin University
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Murdoch University
Notre Dame University
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Christian Leaders Scholarship
Gap year information
Students interested in taking a gap year in 2027 might find the following interesting:
Defence Force Gap Year:
And:
Also this Marist volunteering opportunity:
UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS
EVENT
HOSTED BY
DATE
LINK
Defence Gap Year Info Session
Defence Force
11 March
Open Day
ECU Joondalup
15 March
Course Information Evening
Notre Dame
17 March
ADFA Information Session
Defence Force
17 March
Defence IT and Intelligence Session
Defence Force
19 March
Navy Careers Info Session
Defence Force
24 March
Open Day
Murdoch University
28 March
Open Day
Curtin University
29 March
Army Reserve Info Session
Defence Force
31 March
Defence Careers
Defence Force
8 April
Submarine Careers
Defence Force
22 April
Information Evening
SAE University College
23 April
Army Reserve Info Session
Defence Force
28 April
Year 10 Parent Information Evening
ECU Joondalup
2 June
Year 11 and 12 Information Evening
Murdoch University
3 June
Engineering Open Evening
ECU Joondalup
11 June
Year 12 Information Session
ECU
30 June
Year 12 Application Support Session
Murdoch University
28 July
Open Day
ECU City Campus
9 August
Year 12 Information Evening
Murdoch University
20 October
Open Day
SAE University College
15 August
If you are thinking of attending a University Open Day, this link might help you get the most out of it:
