Newman News Vol 3 Issue 6 - 8 May 2024

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 to Christ Ascended into Heaven

From the Principal

Dear Families of Newman Catholic College

Welcome to Week 4’s edition of our college newsletter. With the term well underway our sights are now being turned to Year 10 and Senior Years preparation. 

Some of the planning we are engaging with includes:

• Stage 3 grant application for our last building phase
• Year 10 Subject Selection leading into Years 11 & 12
• Year 10, 11 and 12 Pastoral Care Program
• Year 10 Retreat Program
• Recruitment of staff for our senior years.
  

As well as the excitement that is growing around our future development we have much to do and celebrate during this year.

Events that are just around the corner that we hope you can attend include:

• Athletics Carnival – Friday 14 June
• Student Disco Evening and Parent Coffee Social - Friday 17 May
• End of Semester Progress Reports. Reports will be uploaded at the end of week 10 this term Friday 21^st

I do hope all mothers have a most wonderful day this Sunday.  Happy Mother’s Day to you all.  Here are some lovely reads from the autumn 2024 edition of Madonna magazine for you to enjoy if you have the opportunity to take a moment.

 Nearly 50 years ago, a young Year 10 boy came home from school upset, ran upstairs, and slammed his bedroom door. His mother followed him up there and sitting down on the bed beside him asked him what the matter was. He was really upset by now and said that he didn’t make the school basketball squad because he was too small. That was the finish. There were no B or C or D teams – he was cut from the squad altogether because he was too small.

His mother was acutely aware that, whatever she said to the boy then could mean the difference between success and failure for him. After pausing and thinking briefly, she said: ‘Son, you can never be too small. It’s not the size of the person in the game that matters, but the size of the game in the person.’

PRACTISE AND PRACTISE
The next morning his mother heard the alarm bell go off at 4.30am and her son going downstairs and out into the yard to start practising. From that time on he practised every morning and evening, no matter what the weather presented. And as he practised, he kept repeating to himself: ‘It is not the size of the player in the game that counts, but the size of the game in the player.’

Of course, when the basketball trials came round next season he played with such focus and skill he made the team that year and for every following year. He went on to become one of the great basketball athletes of our time, and his name is Michael Jordan.

This is a story about mothers being always there for their children, choosing the right word to say at the right time. There is a marvellous saying from the Talmud, a corpus of Jewish stories and legends, which claims that ‘God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers’.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Indeed, I read recently that there are only three entities that love like God unconditionally – our mothers, our grandmothers, and our pet dogs. They love us without any conditions, any strings, any corners, any ties attached. They forgive us no matter what atrocities we have committed. They accept us and love us no matter what.

At the end of May we celebrate that wonderful, yet understated Feast of the Visitation when we see two mothers-to-be – Mary and Elizabeth – singing and dancing and embracing one another. Yet what gave them cause to sing? Mary was a young peasant woman and her journey on foot over the hills to visit her cousin Elizabeth was no bed of roses. It probably took her five or six days and was not without its own dangers for a young woman in that rugged occupied territory.

These two women, as with the rest of their people, lived in a region occupied by the Roman forces. They had to endure the chaos of poverty and brutality. As women, they experienced the challenges of being a minority within a minority people.

STORY OF HOPE
What makes this Visitation scene so powerful is that Mary and Elizabeth choose to sing and dance in the chaos around them. It is a story of hope and a lesson for us that we must sing songs of hope for our own children and our students.

Hope is not a resting-place, but a starting-point. It is a cactus, not a cushion; it should make us jump up and do something. The great Anglo-Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, wrote: ‘Life is no brief candle to me, it is a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as bright as possible before handing it on to a future generation.’

Life for us on earth is brief, although the opportunities are many, and our task is to keep the torch burning brightly so that we can pass it on to those coming behind us. It will not all be easy; there will be pain and hurt.

It is worth remembering, however, that on the darkest night the stars shine most brightly. Hope is a periscope, which enables us to see over our present problems to future possibilities. While admiring our neighbour’s lawn across the fence, let us not miss the roses blooming at our feet.

Pray for Mothers

During this autumn season and during the month of our Lady mother of Jesus we pray in a spirit of hope for all mothers that they will be life-givers and continue to reveal the female face of God to us. We thank God for our mothers for giving us life, for nourishing and enlarging that life, and for doing without that we might have. We pray for those mothers who must mother below the poverty line, who are too young to mother, and those who must watch their babies starve or grow up with hate and violence in their hearts. Above all, we pray for mothers that they may continue to sing songs of hope to us in the chaos of our world.

This article first appeared in the autumn 2024 edition of Madonna magazine.

With Every Blessing

Lauretta Graham
Principal

James Cook University Open Day

James Cook Universty invites families to join them in their upcoming Open Day this July and experience life on-campus for yourself!  Check out the hands-on study facilities, meet your future lecturers and sample our North Queensland lifestyle!  Chat with JCU Advisors about top tips for moving from high school to university, explore your career change options and find the study pathways that suit you.

Pastoral Care - Year 7

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our children's lives. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat offer new avenues for connection, creativity, and expression. However, they also come with potential risks, especially for adolescents who are still navigating their way through life's challenges. As parents, it's essential to equip ourselves with knowledge and strategies to help our children navigate social media safely.

Here are some tips to minimize social media risks for your child during their adolescent years:

1. Open Communication: Establish a culture of open communication with your child regarding their online activities. Encourage them to share their experiences, concerns, and questions about social media. By fostering trust and understanding, you create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable seeking guidance when faced with challenging situations online.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear rules and boundaries regarding the use of social media. Discuss appropriate usage times, content, and privacy settings. Set limits on screen time to ensure that social media does not interfere with other aspects of your child's life, such as schoolwork, family time, and physical activities.
3. Educate About Privacy and Security: Teach your child about the importance of safeguarding their personal information and privacy online. Encourage them to use privacy settings to control who can view their posts and interact with them. Remind them never to share sensitive information, such as their address, phone number, or passwords, with strangers online.
4. Promote Critical Thinking: Help your child develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information they encounter on social media. Teach them to question sources, fact-check information, and recognize the signs of misinformation and manipulation. Encourage them to think critically about the content they consume and share online.
5. Monitor Their Online Activity: Keep an eye on your child's online activity without invading their privacy. Regularly check their social media profiles, friend lists, and messages to ensure they are engaging in safe and appropriate behaviour. Be vigilant for signs of cyberbullying, harassment, or predatory behaviour, and intervene if necessary.
6. Lead by Example: Set a positive example for your child by modelling responsible and respectful behaviour on social media. Avoid sharing inappropriate content, engaging in online arguments, or oversharing personal information. Demonstrate healthy digital habits, such as taking regular breaks from screens and prioritizing face-to-face interactions.
7. Encourage Offline Activities: Encourage your child to participate in offline activities and hobbies that promote social interaction, creativity, and personal growth. Encourage them to spend time outdoors, pursue their interests, and cultivate real-world relationships beyond the confines of social media.

By implementing these tips and staying actively involved in your child's digital life, you can help them navigate the complexities of social media safely and responsibly. Remember, your guidance and support are invaluable as they navigate the challenges of adolescence in an increasingly digital world.

Together, let's empower our children to make informed choices, build healthy relationships, and thrive both online and offline.

Useful resources:

https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/social-media-and-safety

https://parents.au.reachout.com/staying-safe-online/social-media/social-media-and-teenagers

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/social-media/

https://parentline.com.au/issues/social-media-and-safety

Kind regards

Mr Chris Di Lucchio
Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 7

Pastoral Care - Year 8

Diary Use

A diary is such a valuable tool to ensure success in learning, but I feel that it is one area that most of our students need to improve. Each day the students should record all homework and commitments in their diaries. This also includes reminders regarding the correct uniform for the next day, extra-curricular activities and work commitments. Even when they have no set homework from their teacher, they should record this in their diary. With ever increasing numbers, I see students experiencing unnecessary stress and anxiety as our assessment period rolls around. When I look in their diary, more often than not, each page is blank. I have asked all Learner Mentors to make time at the beginning of each week to allow students to check for Draft and Final Due Dates on Canvas and ask the students to record them in their diaries. This then provides a platform to allocate sufficient time to devote to their assessment in the weeks leading up to the due date, rather than a stressful “all nighter” to get work completed.

I ask all parents to check and sign your child’s diary at the end of each week. If the diary is filled in correctly, it gives you an accurate indication of what is required in the coming weeks. If you are presented with a blank page, then alarm bells should be ringing! I have also asked that Learner Mentors check that diaries have been signed on a weekly basis.

Recording homework and assessments (and then checking the diary daily) is such a simple step to ensuring success in a students learning.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

Mr Dan McMahon
Year 8 Coordinator

MyCE Parent Mobile App

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

Arts Department

Welcome to week 4, term 2! Please take note of the events listed below that were placed in the previous newsletter:

• Week 6 – 19-21/05/24 – Music Camp (Eisteddfod rehearsals for Newman Symphonics, The Voices of Newman, NCC Chamber Strings an the Year 7 Concert Band/Strings) – information regarding the in school event, has been submitted through Parent Slips (01/05/24). This is a compulsory event that all students need to take part in.
• Week 8 – An Evening with The Arts – 06/06/24 – all Arts groups (performing and visual arts) will be showcasing their work from SEM 1 – ticketing and more information will be sent out by the end of week 4.
• Week 10 – all Arts groups that are performing in the eisteddfod will be proudly representing our college in the areas of performing arts, more information by the end of the week will be broadcast to parents and caregivers.

Reopening of the G.22 and G. 24

The Music and Dance department received their long-awaited refurbishment of G.22 and G.24 Tuesday (23/04), and the new space has been enjoyed by NCC classes and extra-curricular groups. The operable wall has now been installed and it looks fantastic. Thank you again!

Music Camp - Cairns Junior Eisteddfod Preparation

Students involved in the Voices of Newman, the Newman Chamber Strings, and the Newman Symphonics and the year 7 concert band/strings are preparing up for the upcoming Arts Evening and the Cairns Junior Eisteddfod.

Rehearsals

Sunday May 19, 2024:

1:00 pm – 3:30 pm: The Voices of Newman at Newman Catholic College

Monday May 20, 2024:

8:30 am – 11:00 am: The Voices of Newman at Newman Catholic College
8:30 am – 11:00 am: The Newman Symphonics at Newman Catholic College
11:30 am – 12:40 pm: The Voices of Newman at Newman Catholic College
11:30 am – 12:40 pm: The Newman Symphonics at Newman Catholic College
1:20 pm – 3:00 pm: Year 7 Concert Band Group Sectionals

Group A: Woodwind with Mrs Challis
Group B: Brass with Mr Graham
Group C: Strings with Ms Welser
Group D: Percussion with Mrs Fraser

Tuesday May 21, 2024:

8:30 am – 10:30 am: Group Rehearsal for Year 7 Concert Band (Fraser, Challis, and Graham/Cooke) and Year 7 String Ensemble (Welser and Cooke/Graham)

11:20 am – 1:20 pm: The Newman Chamber Strings
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm: To Be Announced (TBA) 

Please ensure that your child is prepared and punctual for these rehearsals and performances. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

2024 Eisteddfod

Our talented performing arts students will be participating in the 2024 Cairns Junior Eisteddfod at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre. This exciting event will showcase the exceptional talents of the following groups:

• The Voices of Newman
• The Newman Chamber Strings
• The Newman Symphonics
• NCC Dance Academy
• The Newman Drama Group

Please take note of the schedule for each group:

Tuesday June 19, 2024 – The Voices of Newman

Attire: Formal Uniform

What to Bring: Snack and a water bottle – lunch provided
Departure from NCC: 10:30 am
Performance at CPAC: TBA
Departure from CPAC: Roughly 3pm TBA – Parents are kindly requested to pick up their children from the venue.

Wednesday June 20, 2024 – The Newman Symphonics and The Newman Chamber Strings

Attire: Formal Uniform
What to Bring: Instrument, music, and a water bottle
Performance at CPAC: TBA
Students are required to make their own arrangements for transportation to and from the venue.

Thursday June 21, 2024 – The Newman Drama Group

Attire: Drama Costume
What to Bring: TBA footwear, water bottle
Performance at CPAC: TBA
Students are required to make their own arrangements for transportation to and from the venue.

Friday June 22, 2024 – NCC Dance Academy

Attire: NCC 2024 Dance Academy Costume
What to Bring: TBA footwear, water bottle
Performance at CPAC: TBA
Students are required to make their own arrangements for transportation to and from the venue.

We want to assure you that participation in the Cairns Junior Eisteddfod will not incur any costs for students as our aim is to provide opportunities for our students. We encourage all parents and caregivers to support our performers by attending their respective performances. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at the theatre. Your presence and encouragement mean the world to our students.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our college's performing arts program.

Drama Group for the Eisteddfod

This year, our drama students from Year 7 and 8 will showcase their talent in an original script crafted by our esteemed drama specialist, Mr. Brack. Titled "Hamish and Grace," his play promises to captivate both the adjudicator and audiences with its unique storyline and compelling performances. Best of luck!

Warm regards

Katherine Fraser
Leader of Arts

Science Matters

Our Newman Catholic College Science team has a strong focus on providing students with as many unique, hands-on learning opportunities as possible to engage students and inspire curiosity. Here are just a couple of the exciting learning experiences that have occurred over the past two weeks…

The year 7 science students have been learning about classification and ecology. Rather than whip out the boring old worksheets with fictitious dichotomous keys, students have studied macroinvertebrates found in Atika Creek adjacent to the school.

We have learnt that macroinvertebrates (small animals without a backbone but large enough to be seen with the naked eye) can be used as bioindicators to determine the health of a waterway. Students viewed these critters under a stereo microscope and used classification keys to identify each organism. They then used the ‘sensitivity rating’ for each organism to gain a snapshot of the health of the creek. We learnt that Atika Creek currently has very clean water due to the presence of some sensitive organisms.

Year 8 Health Science students embarked on an exciting journey to the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) at James Cook University (JCU). This immersive excursion was a fantastic opportunity for our young scientists to delve deeper into the world of health science and gain hands-on experience. 

One of the highlights of the excursion was the creation of agar plates, a fundamental technique in microbiology. Students learned about the importance of agar plates in studying microorganisms and conducting research. They got to witness firsthand the process of preparing the agar medium, pouring it into petri dishes, and inoculating them with bacterial samples.

Engaged and enthusiastic, our students worked collaboratively in groups, applying their knowledge of sterile techniques and microbiology concepts learned in class. Through this practical activity, they not only honed their laboratory skills but also developed a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of microbiological research.

Matt Radburnd
Leader of Science

During their Year 7 Health Science classes, students engaged in a fascinating exploration of anatomy. With a sense of wonder and curiosity, they carefully inflated a lung, understanding its intricate structure and the vital role it plays in respiration. Guided by Mr Klein, they then embarked on the dissection of a heart, observing firsthand the chambers, valves, and vessels that sustain life. Through hands-on learning, these budding scientists gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human body, sparking a passion for biology that could shape their future pursuits.

Matthew Radburnd
Leader of Science

Languages Department

Greetings from the Language Department!

On Friday 3 May, our Italian students enjoyed their Italian Biscotti Excursion with Miss Schiavon. On Friday 10 May, we hosted students and teachers from Shizuoka Eiwa Jyogakun in Japan for a single-day cultural exchange. Our French students will have the chance to attend the French Films Festival at Events Cinema on the same day. These enriching experiences and opportunities cannot proceed without the support from our families. We would like to thank you for your support!

Next term, there will be two groups of Japanese students and possibly a few Chinese students visiting us, and they are seeking homestay families. If your family is interested in becoming a homestay family, please follow the links below. Please fill out both forms if you wish to host both groups. Remuneration is tax-free. Please contact Mr. Chen schen@cns.catholic.edu.au if you need more information.

• Group 1 (Japanese): July 22nd – August 3rd
  https://asap-biz.com/homestay/host-families/homestay-host-application/
  
  
• Group 2 (Japanese): August 5th – August 16th
  https://forms.gle/wgJW1VgWCMgFZRSX7

Once again, thank you for your support, and we hope to bring more immersive experiences to our language students.

Shixiang Chen
Leader of Languages

Sport News

Volleyball Academy

Congratulations to the Newman Stingers Volleyball team! They demonstrated great sportsmanship while representing NCC at the FNQ School Volleyball Championships, winning two games and drawing one! Despite narrowly missing out on the finals, their performance was truly commendable, finishing 5th out of 15 schools. Well done team!

Mr Dockray
Leader of HPE and Sport

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

NCC Cricket Club

On Thursday 2 May the NCC Cricket team had a friendly match against St Andrews.  The students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and Unity.  The students had been working on their Cricket skills leading up to the day, with support from Trish and her coaches from QLD Cricket. Well done students!

St Andrews:  6 for 62 from completed overs 14

Newman CC:  5 for 64 from 11 overs

We look forward to our next matches which occur Friday 10 May at the StreetSmart Cricket Gala Day.

TCN Cross Country

On Friday 3 May was the TCN Cross Country held at St Andrews.  Our students represented Newman Catholic College in various races. 

Congratulations to all the students who ran and represented Newman.  The following students will be moving on to represent Peninsula at Yungaburra:

1. Patrick (2^nd)
2. Isabella (3^rd)
3. Saffryn (3^rd)
4. Joah (6^th)
5. Josh (8^th)
6. Sachin (8^th)

 Newman AFL Girls

The team recently competed at the AFLQ Gala Day. An amazing achievement, placing 3rd overall.  The girls played exceptionally well and displayed excellent teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship. Savannah was selected as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the whole day.

Game 1 vs St Stephens:  67 – 0 Win
Game 2 vs St Andrews:  37 – 0 Win
Game 3 vs St Monicas: 9 – 17 Loss
Game 4 vs Cairns SHS:  50 – 0 Win
Game 5 vs Smithfield SHS:  12 – 6 Win

Newman Hearts Cheerleading

A massive thank you to all the wonderful families and students for attending the Parent Information night. We look forward to our progression to Nationals 2024. Newman Hearts Cheerleading trains on Monday afternoons 3pm till 4.30pm.  If you would like more information, please email Mrs Gough: lgough@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Newman FitBox

A great session on Monday 29^th April with 60 students participating.  A 45 minute session focussing on fitness and boxing skills on Monday mornings 7am till 7.45am.   If you would like more information, please email Mrs Gough: lgough@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Kind regards

Linda Gough
Coordinator of Sport

Captain Cook Highway - Roadworks Notice

For families who travel on the Captain Cook Highway, please see the flyer below from the Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding upcoming road closures from 15 May until Friday 22 July between 9.00pm and 4.00am.  This may affect some after school activities.

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 which links to the 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  

COMMUNITY SHOUTOUTS

Community Hero Event - Cyclone Jasper

On Saturday 27 April, Holloways Beach SES Local Controller Karen Weston and SES Volunteer Alisa Baker attended the Savannah Sounds on the Reef musical experience which took place off the coast of Cairns on the Reef Magic pontoon. Individuals who've made a significant impact in our community through 

• Cyclone and flood relief efforts
• Environmental stewardship
• Volunteering dedication
• Acts of kindness
• Community care initiatives

were invited to attend after being nominated by members of the Cairns Community. 

More than 100 local heroes of Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flooding were honoured by Savannah Sounds on the Reef involving high-end Australian artists Sheppard, Lee Kernaghan, Max Jackson and Kairos Kin.

Parent In Touch Seminar - Navigating a Sexed-Up World

St Augustine’s College is hosting a Parent In Touch Seminar ‘Navigating a Sexed-Up World’ with Melinda Tankard Reist and Daniel Principe on Monday 13 May from 5:30pm.  This is a free seminar and no RSVP is required and everyone is welcome to attend.

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 - Upcoming Events