Newman Catholic College Smithfield eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Yirrganydji and Djabugay peoples, as the traditional owners of this land and pay respect to their elders, past, present, and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia who educated their children in this area. We show respect for their history, their culture, and our shared future.

We will always remember that under the concrete, steel and asphalt of this College, this land is, was, and always will be traditional Aboriginal land.

JCU Nguma-bada Campus - "Place for tomorrow's Learning Knowledge and Wisdom"
Yirryay (Yirrganydgi landuage, coastal dialect of Djabugay.

Prayer for Holy Week

God as we walk through Holy week toward the cross,
May we remember the wonder of who you are.
Your love is inexhaustible, beyond our sin.
Your forgiveness is incomprehensible, beyond our brokenness.
Your grace is poured out eternally, beyond all that we know
Without you life is unimaginable.
Your ways are always higher than ours.
Beyond all our understanding.
We walk with you to the Cross,
That we may rise with you to Life Everlasting.
Amen

Saint John Henry Newman, Pray for us.

From the Principal

Dear Members of Newman Catholic College Community

Well here we are, almost at the end of Term 1, 2024. Doesn’t seem possible really, and yet when I look at our achievements to date, I can easily see why the weeks have flown past – we have been so busy! I think I can safely claim that this has been one of the most successful terms ever. With retreats, excursions, information nights, Japanese visiting groups, the Cross Country and Parent/Teacher/Student interviews and Stations of the Cross bibliodrama to name a few of the most recent events. I am certain that the remainder of the year will be just as wonderful. Our staff work extraordinarily hard to deliver a rich and varied curriculum, and the students are all thriving as a result.

If any parents missed seeing teachers at the recent Parent/Teacher/Student conferences please email your son/daughter’s class teacher or me and we will arrange for the meeting to take place.

As this is the last newsletter for the term, I must congratulate all our students for their hard work and community spirit throughout Term 1. As I walk around the College, I notice most students interacting in a positive and polite manner; this is one of our community values. Working to reduce the occurrence of bullying is high on our agenda. We had a few instances where students used their hands rather than their communication to try to resolve their issues. Please, always encourage the use of dialogue for peaceful resolution.

Staff have been conducting regular uniform checks and whilst the area that needs improvement is socks and shoes. Socks must be the fold down style and plain WHITE for girls and GREY for boys. Whilst this may seem trivial to some, it is our expectation that students wear the correct uniform each day. Also, we have some students who have grown a lot since year 7 and are still wearing the same skirts and skorts. Maybe it is time to look at the length of these items. I have taken the opportunity to attach the College expectation for shoes for your perusal and attention over the holiday break.

NCC Uniform Guidelines

College Uniform Days

Congratulations to all Year 7 and 9 students for their serious commitment to doing their best during the NAPLAN tests; and, the continuation of improvements in the area of assessment was obvious. When preparing children for any test, it is important to emphasise that tests of this nature are only a snapshot of a child’s learning. Encourage your son/daughter to tackle any test with confidence and give it their best shot, and when the results arrive, interpret them with care, so as not to shatter their confidence. Staff are, as always, very happy to meet with you in person or answer your questions by email if it’s more convenient, if you are concerned about the impact the tests or assessments may have on your child.

This brings me back to my statement at the beginning of my article….it’s going to be a great year! Enjoy your break and have a happy Easter.

This is the last week of Lent and during Lent, Project Compassion (CARITAS) is one way of reaching out to many people who have as their daily realities: distress; hardship; persecution; famine and violence. Through our contribution to Project Compassion we can bring dignity and hope to those who are suffering in our world. Project Compassion gives us the opportunity to bring new life to all those who suffer and struggle. Presently, our Learner Mentor classes are finalising their fundraising. Thank you to all students who have made the effort to help those less fortunate. CARITAS is our major fundraiser for charity each year.

Please send your family contributions through to your son/daughter’s Learner Mentor Teacher and watch out for our last fundraiser our silent Auction for Project Compassion.

“Aspire not to have more, but to be more”… Archbishop Oscar Romero

May the peace of Christ be with your family as we journey through Holy Week to Easter. We hope that all families manage some down time over the holiday break especially after all this rain. It has been a long hot wet Term 1 and our students are ready for a break.

Have a Happy and Holy Easter

Lauretta Graham
College Principal

An Easter Blessing for You

May the love of the risen Lord draw you to himself
May the power of the risen Lord strengthen you in God's service.
May the joy of the risen Lord fill your spirit
May the life of the risen Lord raise you to new life this day.

…High Mountains, Deep Valleys
Edited by Rowland Croucher and Grace Thomlinson

Monday 15 April 2024 - Student Free Day

Tuesday 16 April 2024 - Term 2 Commences

Thursday 25 April 2024 - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Friday 26 April 2024 - Student Free Day

Monday 6 May 2025 - Labour Day Public Holiday

Friday 21 June 2024 - Term 2 Finish

Enrolling at Newman

Special Projects and Partnerships

Mr Alexander Starmer
Leader of Special Programs & Partnerships

Run for Compassion

On Friday 22 March our college community came together in an incredible display of solidarity and support for Caritas' Project Compassion! From 6:30am to 7:30am, students, parents, and staff laced up their running shoes for the 'Run for Compassion' event, running laps around the oval. Some even took on the challenge of running an impressive 12 kilometers!

After an hour of dedication and determination, we came together for a delicious bacon and egg BBQ breakfast, raising funds for a fantastic cause, with a grand total raised of $449.28. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this event – your kindness and generosity are truly inspiring! Let's continue to spread compassion and make a positive impact in our world. #RunForCompassion #ProjectCompassion #CommunitySupport #ThankYou

Mr Alexander Starmer
Leader of Special Programs & Partnerships

*Mr Chris Graham*
*Leader of Liturgy, Spirituality & Faith Formation*

Newman Families Witness Annual Diocesan Chrism Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral

Last week, the priests, deacons, and laity of the Diocese congregated at St Monica’s Cathedral for the annual Chrism Mass, also known as the Mass of the Oils. This solemn occasion, saw the blessing of the Oil of the Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the consecration of the Holy Chrism. These sacred oils are pivotal in administering sacraments throughout the Diocese of Cairns for the year ahead, and following the consecration, were distributed to representatives of the Cairns parishes for use throughout the year. Students from Newman Catholic College help in receiving these holy oils for the Northern Beaches Parish.

This Mass also served as a moment for the Priests of the Diocese to renew their commitment to their vocation. It was also an opportunity for the Newman Catholic College community to express gratitude and respect for
their Parish Priest, Fr Dariusz Osinski, who diligently serves the College and Northern Beaches community.

The turnout of families, students and staff of the College demonstrated the unity of the community occupying a large section of the Cathedral, adorned in college uniforms.

Mr Chris Graham
Leader of Liturgy, Spirituality & Faith Formation

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Arts Department

*Mrs Katherine Fraser*
*Leader of the Arts*

Thank you for another great term filled with artistic fair and creativity. All of the Arts staff would like to extend our gratitude to all our students who have passionately demonstrated their talents with pride.

Week 9 Assembly Recap

Our recent Week 9 assembly was a testament to the vibrancy of our Arts program. Our dedicated students from Years 7 to 9 showcased members the Newman community with captivating performances in dance and music. From the dynamic moves of jazz and hip-hop to the emotive expressions of contemporary dance, our Dance Academy and Year 7–9 Dance groups left a lasting impression. Additionally, The Voices of Newman delivered a beautiful Polynesian unaccompanied piece, underscoring the significance of multiculturalism on Harmony Day. Special thanks to Ms. Matthews for her unwavering commitment to nurturing our dance talents, and to all members of the choir for their stellar performance.

QLD Ballet Workshop and Concert

A highlight of the term was the opportunity for our Year 7–9 students to participate in workshops with the esteemed Queensland Ballet at James Cook University Boathouse. Immersed in the company of such remarkable talents, our students gained invaluable insights and experiences. Later that evening, Ms Matthews, Ms Woods, and Mr Pols accompanied our students to a ballet performance by the Queensland Ballet at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Term 2 Calendar Highlights

Looking ahead to Term 2, mark your calendars for these exciting events:

Music Camp (Week 6 – 21–23/05/24)
An Evening with the Arts (Week 8 – 06/06/24)
Cairns Eisteddfod (Week 10 – 17–21/06/25)

Music Camp and Cairns Eisteddfod

Our upcoming three-day music camp in Week 6 will prepare our students for the Cairns Eisteddfod in June. From The Newman Symphonics to The Voices of Newman and various instrumental and vocal solos, our performers are gearing up to represent our college with excellence. Additionally, our Year 7 Concert Band will utilise this camp to fine-tune their skills for their Week 8 performance.

Save the Date - An Evening with The Arts

Save the date – May 6th – for a showcase of music, drama, dance, and visual arts presented by our talented Arts Department. Stay tuned for ticket information and further details closer to the event.

The Cairns Eisteddfod – June 2024

In a historic first, our music, drama, and dance groups will participate in the Cairns Junior Eisteddfod. We extend our best wishes to all students and staff involved in guiding and supporting our performers as they take the stage.

Final Refurbishments of The Performing Arts, Ground Floor

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the ground floor performing arts area refurbishments following the Easter break. Special thanks to the leadership at Newman and CES for their unwavering support in providing our students with an exceptional learning environment. Ms Matthews, Mrs Challis, and I eagerly anticipate the exciting opportunities this refurbished space will offer.

As we reflect on the achievements of this term and look forward to the adventures ahead, let us continue to celebrate and nurture the creativity and talent within our Newman community.

Warm regards

Katherine Fraser
Leader of Arts

English Department

*Ms Monika Borowiecki*
*Leader of English*

Exploring Creativity Across Generations: Year 7 Creative Writing Excursion

On Thursday 21 March the Year 7 students embarked on a unique journey to the Kewarra Aged Care facility. Our young writers ventured forth to interview the esteemed members of the centre as part of their intergenerational assessment report.

The purpose of this excursion extended beyond the mere exchange of words; it was an opportunity for our students to unravel narratives, to understand the intricacies of life through the lens of those who have traversed its various landscapes.

Each conversation was a voyage into the past—a journey back in time through anecdotes, memories, and reflections. For our young writers, this experience served as more than just a research endeavour. It was a lesson in empathy, a reminder of the importance of listening,
and a celebration of the beauty that lies in the diversity of human experiences.

We wish to thank all involved at Kewarra Aged Care for giving our students the opportunity to have an experience to remember.

Monika Borewiecki
Leader of English

Bridging Creativity and Innovation: Year 8 STEM Excursion

Thursday, March 21st, marked a day of hands-on exploration and engineering ingenuity as our Year 8 STEM students embarked on a journey to the JCU Ideas Lab. Students set out to put their engineering skills to the test as they unveiled the suspension bridges they designed and crafted from paddle pop sticks as part of their assessment.

The objective of this excursion was to explore the principles of structural engineering, to understand the dynamics of tension and compression, and to put their bridge designs through rigorous testing.

With precision and accuracy, the tension tester applied increasing amounts of force to the bridges, pushing them to their breaking point. But beyond the technical aspects of the excursion lay a deeper lesson of collaboration, perseverance, and the power of hands-on learning. Throughout the testing process, our students worked together, supporting, and encouraging one another as they navigated the challenges inherent in engineering.

Our Year 8 students carried with them a wealth of experiences and were grateful for the opportunity to visit JCU and extend heartfelt thanks to the staff for their hospitality and support.

Emma Zell
Leader of Pedagogy

On Friday 22 March we welcomed 76 students and their teachers from Kagawa Seiryo, Japan, to our school. Newman students with international minds buddied up with the visitors and followed an alternative timetable for the day. Through activities such as origami, cooking Australian food, sports, and cultural trivia, students built bonds with the guests, shared their school experiences, and engaged in learning about Asian culture and languages. Although not all students study Japanese at school, our young global citizens managed to find their own ways to communicate with the visitors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants and organisers, especially those who worked hard behind the scenes. This would not be possible without your contributions.

French Clown Visit

On 12 March, Year 7 and 8 French had the chance to welcome to our school a local French Clown artist named Danny. It was the occasion for the French classes to ask him a few questions in French (prepared prior) about himself and his art. Then, the students watched him performed some magic tricks and mimes, to our great enjoyment. After that, he started a small workshop to allow the students to express some emotions (like sadness, anger, joy and surprise…), then mime how it is to pass on to the next student a thin stick or a huge balloon. The workshop was part of a longer workshop called find your own clown in yourself. The next day, the students were asked to write a portrait of Danny in French and English. Bravo les Year 7 et Year 8, continuez comme cela! – Continue like this Year 7 and 8, congratulations !

Here is the Year 7 French class portrait:

Danny – the clown
Danny – le clown
He is French and a funny man. Il est français. Il (c’est) est un homme drôle. He lives in
Kuranda. Il habite à Kuranda. He has two dogs. Il a deux chiens. He is 70 years old. Il a
soixante– dix ans. He Is vegan and he eats tofu. il est végétarien – il mange du tofu. His
favourite colour is purple. Sa couleur préférée est le violet.
Thank you for reading. Merci d’avoir lu notre article. Year 7 french class.

Year 8 Recount of the show:
Danny habite à Kuranda au nord de Cairns. Il a soixante-dix ans. Il est petit, et ses yeux sont
bruns. Il porte un chapeau et un-T shirt violet. Il aime être un clown. Il a des souris blanches.
Il peut faire de la magie. Nous aimons Danny.
Danny lives in Kuranda north of Cairns. He is sixty ten years old. He is small, and his eyes
are brown. He wears a hat, and shirt and a purple T-shirt. He likes being a clown. He has
white mice. He can do magic. We love Danny.

2024 Cross Country Snapshot

NEW MyCE Parent Mobile App
(replacing the current Parent Portal)

MyCE – short for My Catholic Education – is an app developed by Cairns Catholic Education to allow parents, guardians and caregivers to easily and securely access school and student information. It provides an interactive pathway for communication between home and school.

Note: If a caregiver has access to the app, they will not have access to Parent Slips unless they are a legal guardian.

Some of the most useful features include:

school contact and directory information
notification of student absences
links to Parent Slips and Parent Teacher Online
student timetables
access to your students’ academic reports
the ability to add school calendar events to your personal calendar

Link to MyCE Guide

Wilbur Donovan
Deputy Principal - Academic Studies

Safeguarding Policies

Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns is actively committed to fostering communities of safeguarding that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children. We encourage open communication whereby families and communities are informed of relevant issues and participate in decisions about the safety of children.

To find out more information or read the policies, please click on the link below.

Catholic Education - Safeguarding Children

2024 Key Staff Contacts

Cafe News

Flexischools New Cut-Off time - 7:45am each school day.

All orders for the Cafe are to be placed by 7:45am. Parents are asked to note the new cut-off time of 7:45am. A reminder if you have more than one child you are ordering for, please place each child's order seperately. Orders are to be collected by students at 1st Recess at 10:20am.

Student IDs can be used for over the counter purchases

Students can now make over the counter cafe purchases with their student card. Parents can prepay funds into their Fleixschools parent wallet and links their child's existing Student ID card. Refer to the image below for information on how to link the card.

Reminder that students making purchases at the Cafe must use a card, cash or their preloaded student ID to make purchases. Students NOT use to thier mobile phones or smart watches for payment.

Thank you for your assistance.

Mrs Julie Davies
Cafe Supervisor

Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop Open Hours

Monday to Friday - 1st Recess 10:20am - 11:00am

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 2:30pm - 3:30pm

When ordering through Flexischools, if the order is placed before 5:00pm it is available for collection the next working day at 1st Recess (10:20am).

College Uniforms

If you require new uniforms for 2024, please use the link through Flexischools to purchase. If you have not used Flexischools before, below are instructions on how to set up your account. If your child has any outgrown uniforms you wish to donate, we would love to assist and help families in need.

Please bring your secondhand uniforms into the College Office.

Reminders regarding Uniforms

Please ensure to label all items:

Uniforms are to be worn as a complete set - no mixing between formal and sports uniforms
Tracksuit jackets are able to be worn with both formal and sports uniforms
Tracksuit pants are only be to be worn for sporting excursions or camps/retreats
The jacket and pants are not compulsory, however, no other jackets can be worn.

Shoes

Students are required to wear completely black leather lace-up shoes when wearing their formal uniform. No colour trim is allowed. Below are examples of acceptable and non-acceptable
options.

F@N News - President's Report

SAVE THE DATE – Student Disco

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Student Disco! Further details will be provided soon. We’re also seeking parent volunteers to help make this event a success. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact F@N at ncc.families@cns.catholic.edu.au

Stay tuned for more information!

Ray Cowan
President - F@N Committee

Term 2 Disco - Save the Date

Newman News Vol 3 Issue 4 - 28 March 2024