NCC Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 1 - Wednesday 12 February 2025

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.

Story of the Three Children

Once upon a time, three children went to visit the king. The king, kind-hearted as he was, told them they could each ask for a gift. The first child eagerly requested chocolates, while the second child asked for toys. But the third child remained silent, not asking for anything at all.

Curious, the king and his attendants encouraged her to make a wish. After a moment of thought, the third child smiled and said, "I would like the king himself as my gift."

The king was surprised but intrigued, and asked her, "Why would you choose such an unusual gift?"

With a clever glint in her eyes, the child replied, "If I have the king, I will have all that belongs to him."

Impressed by her wisdom, the king realized the depth of her cleverness. The child had understood that the true value lay not in possessions, but in the source of all those treasures.

That is JESUS CHRIST, the greatest gift to mankind, the way, the truth and the light.

Learn about him and earn him. That is the ultimate aim of education.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

Yes, He is the King of Kings.

Victor M George
Enrolment officer

From the Principal

Dear Families of Newman Catholic College

Happy New Year and welcome to the 2025 Academic Year.

Wishing all members of Newman Catholic College Community a blessed and joyful start to 2025. As you return from a well-deserved break, may the new year bring you renewed energy, inspiration, and abundant blessings. Thank you for your dedication to guiding students in faith, learning, and growth during 2024. May this year be filled with moments of joy, wisdom, and grace in your families and community.

For some of us, it feels as though we have been back for some time considering the professional development weeks, but nothing beats having our students return. The last couple of weeks have felt like we now have a real school once again.

Our new and continuing staff are eager to establish relationships, set expectations and reinforcing standards within their classrooms and around the playground. Please take the time to get to know all your son/daughter’s teachers.

In our Staff Introduction newsletter, you will find information introducing our twenty-seven new staff members. We are so excited to welcome them along with the 150 new families to the Newman family.

At our Professional Development Day with our new Executive Director Mr Diarmuid O’Riordan and +Bishop Joseph Caddy we were reminded of the importance of our role in Catholic Education: ‘Catholic schools do not demand adherence to the faith; however, they can prepare for it.’ He said ‘our schools and workplaces can do this by being:

• places of prayer and reflection
• open to the challenge of commitment and purpose in life
• honest and fearless with the issues of the world

“Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.” (Acts2:43)

Awe is the emotion that arises when we encounter vast mysteries that transcend our understanding of the world. … Awe opens our minds to the truth that we as individuals are part of something much larger than self. … The most universal source of awe, our research finds, is the moral beauty of others, when we are moved and touched by other’s kindness, courage, and ability to overcome adversity. … Awe can reduce stress, loneliness, and physical distress, and bring one a sense of expanded time, perspective, and connection.’ (“The Power of Awe,” Dacher Keltner (Mindful. April 2023, pp. 58-65)

Blessings to you and your families for this year. I wish you well in these first days and weeks for this year.

With Every Blessing

Lauretta Graham
Principal

Assistant Principal - Administration & Projects

The Learning Dashboard

In Term 1, our school will be transitioning to a new student academic reporting solution. Named The Learning Dashboard (TLD), the new system will bring some small changes from look and feel of the current Parent Portal. It will also include the addition of a Student Portal, which will provide our students with access to their own academic reports at the same time they are made available to Parents and Carers. This is an important step in ensuring our students are at the centre of their own academic journeys.

Some of the benefits of the new solution include:

1. Students will have increased visibility over their academic outcomes, supporting increased engagement and planning.
2. TLD will follow your student across CEDC schools (primary and secondary), enabling you to maintain visibility of academic reports throughout their school years.
3. TLD is designed as a web interface rather than a PDF document. This enables an improved viewing experience on all platforms and devices (smart phone, iPad, laptop).
4. The solution also supports the ability to create a PDF copy of the report for your records.

We’ll be providing you with more information later in the term regarding when and how you’ll be accessing the new solution.

Mr John Mangano
Assistant Principal - Administration & Projects

Attendance Matters

Pastoral Care - Year 7

Dear Families of the 2025 Year 7 Cohort

Welcome to Week 3 of Term 1!

As we progress into the school year, it has been fantastic to see our Year 7 students settling into their new routines, making friends, and embracing the challenges of high school life. By now, most students have adjusted to their timetables, new subjects, and expectations. If your child is still feeling a little overwhelmed, please reassure them that this is completely normal. Our teachers, Pastoral Care Team, and Year 7 Learner Mentors are here to support them every step of the way.

Students will be beginning to receive more regular homework and assessments. Encouraging good organisational habits now will help set them up for success. Using the school planner to track due dates is highly recommended. Please see below for a few of our key dates.

• Year 7 Meet and Greet Social Evening – Wednesday 19 February.
  Join us for an informal evening where parents, students, and staff can get to know each other.
• Year 7 Retreat – Week 6 - Monday 3 March to Friday 7 March.
  A great opportunity for students to bond, reflect, and grow in a supportive environment.
• NAPLAN – Week 7/8 - 12 March to 24 March.

Additionally, making new friends and navigating social dynamics can be both exciting and challenging. We encourage open conversations at home about friendships, kindness, and resilience. If your child has any concerns, they can always reach out to either myself or their Learner Mentors.

As always - we appreciate your ongoing support and involvement. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the College. Thank you for being part of our school community—we look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Mr Matt Kirby
Year 7 Coordinator

Pastoral Care - Year 8

Welcome to 2025 Year 8 Families

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring that the Year 8 students have returned in good spirit and a positive attitude for their learning. The Newman expectations are Right Place, Right Time, Right Equipment and Right Attitude and I have already received overwhelming feedback from some of our newer staff that most of Year 8 have met these expectations.

We welcome many new families into our Year 8 community in 2025 as well as a large number of staff. The message to the Year 8 students has been Patience and I would like to echo this to families also. There are many challenges this year, ranging from Stage 3 construction, changes to stop-drop-go, new staff and limited classroom availability. As a whole community we need to be patient with these factors and know that we are trying to make the students education the best it can possibly be.

We also welcome back our awesome Year 8 LMG team as well as some new additions. A reminder that LMG Teachers are your first point of contact for any concerns or queries. Please see below the contact information of all the Year 8 LMG team.

LMG Teacher Contact Details:

• 8LMG1 Richard Bassano rbassano@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG2 Kameli Williams kwilliams12@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG3 Andrew Clark aclark8@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG4 Fiona Pols fpols1@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG5 Dianne Austrai-Ombiga daustraiom@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG6 Dan McMahon dmcmahon1@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG7 Linda Gough lgough@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG8 Sarah Hill-Murray shillmurra@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG9 Stephen Godfrey sgodfrey@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG10 Shixiang Chen schen@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG11 Kim Auld kauld1@cns.catholic.edu.au
• 8LMG12 Dianne Jakubiszyn djakubiszy@cns.catholic.edu.au

Leader of Pastoral Care: Chris Di Lucchio cdilucchio@cns.catholic.edu.au

Key Dates Term 1:

• Opening Mass - Thursday 13 February.
• Ash Wednesday Liturgy - Wednesday 5 March.
• Run For Compassion Friday 28 March (Community Event).
• NCC Cross Country - Wednesday 2 April.
• Easter Liturgy/End of Term - Thursday 3 April.

I look forward to continuing to build on the success of 2024 and supporting the students of the Year 8 cohort this year. Please feel free to contact your child’s LMG teacher of myself if you have any questions.

Mr Chris Di Lucchio
Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 8

Pastoral Care - Year 9

Dear Families of the 2025 Year 9 Cohort

Welcome Back!

We hope everyone had a restful break and is feeling refreshed for another exciting term ahead. It’s been fantastic to see students settling back into their routines and starting the term with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

A special thank you to all families for ensuring students are wearing the correct uniform. Wearing our uniform with pride reflects our school values and contributes to a strong sense of community. A reminder that Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays are for Formal Uniform, Wednesdays are for Sport Uniform and Fridays are House Uniform days—please ensure students are dressed appropriately. Please refer to pages 60 – 66 of the student diary for specific uniform guidelines.

This semester, our focus theme is Relationships—building positive connections with peers, teachers, and the wider College community. Through various activities and discussions, we will explore the importance of respect, communication, and kindness in fostering meaningful relationships.

A reminder that NAPLAN will be coming up in Week 7. Students will need to have (plug in) headphones and fully charged laptops to ensure a smooth testing experience. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

We look forward to a great term ahead filled with learning, growth, and collaboration!

Mrs Maryanne Challis
Acting Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 9

Pastoral Care - Year 10

Dear Families of the 2025 Year 10 Cohort

It has been a busy start to the year as the cohort has settled into new timetables and classes. There is certainly a buzz in the air with many students already preparing for Year 11 ATAR subjects and others beginning their certificate course in Construction or Aircraft Line Maintenance. The excitement will continue throughout the year with our retreat, ‘Informal’, and work experience all on the horizon.

Thank you to those students who have been upholding our uniform standards. This is key to having the right attitude for learning. Jewellery and hair has been improving over the last couple of weeks. This means that students who are not meeting the guidelines will stand out. I will continue working with families to rectify these issues. We do need to ensure that our ‘formal’ shoes are meeting the uniform policy. Please ensure that you student is meeting these requirements next time you go shoe shopping.

All students have now hopefully sorted out any required subject changes so that they can focus on doing their best in class. Please note that changes should only occur if it improves the student’s desired pathway into senior schooling. Changes for reasons such as teacher preference or friendship groups are unable to occur in most situations.

I have high expectations of our Year 10s to start stepping up in maturity, responsibility, and readiness for learning. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please contact their Learner Mentor so that we can work to ensure quality learning and wellbeing for all.

Thank you for your support in getting off to a great start for 2025.

Kind regards
Mr Tim Chapman
Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 10

Special Projects and Partnerships

Project Compassion

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's main annual fundraising campaign, mobilising Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice, and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities around the world.

Newman Catholic College has a proud tradition of supporting Project Compassion, and this year is no different. At Newman College, each year level house group is tasked with organising at least one fundraising activity to support this vital cause. Some fun and engaging fundraising ideas include:

🍪 Bake Sales
🌭 Sausage Sizzles
🍧 Zooper Dooper Sales
🎟️ Raffles
🥚 Easter Egg Hunts
🍬 Lollie Jar Guess

Every dollar raised helps support vulnerable communities and create real change. This year’s theme, Unite Against Poverty, encourages us all to take action and make a lasting difference for families in need around the world.

We encourage all students, parents, and staff to get involved in fundraising activities and contribute to this important initiative.

Let’s Unite Against Poverty and continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of others!

The Resilience Project

Newman Catholic College is continuing our partnership with The Resilience Project, a leading pastoral program designed to support students in developing positive mental health habits and emotional intelligence.

This initiative will be implemented in Years 7 and 8 through our Learner Mentor Groups (LMGs), where Learner Mentor Teachers will deliver engaging lessons focused on the program’s key pillars: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, (GEM).

• Gratitude: Encouraging students to focus on what they have, rather than what they lack, to foster a positive mindset.
• Empathy: Developing the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, promoting kindness and strong relationships.
• Mindfulness: Teaching students to be present in the moment, reducing stress and improving concentration.

Through weekly LMG sessions, students will engage in activities, discussions, and reflections that support their social and emotional growth. The Resilience Project is backed by extensive research highlighting the importance of these skills in building mental resilience, enhancing overall wellbeing, and improving academic outcomes.

We encourage parents to support this initiative at home by reinforcing the principles of GEM in everyday conversations.

For more information about The Resilience Project, visit www.theresilienceproject.com.au or reach out to your child’s Learner Mentor Teacher.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on our students and school community!

Mr Alexander Starmer
Leader of Special Programs & Partnerships

Leader of Liturgy, Spirituality & Faith Formation and Religious Education

Opening Mass for 2025 Academic Year

Newman Catholic College invites students, staff, families, and the wider school community to join in the Opening Mass for 2025, a special celebration to mark the beginning of the new academic year. The Mass will take place on Thursday 13 February 2025 at 11:00am and will be presided over by Fr. Dariusz Osinski, Fr. John Mathew, Fr Peter Miller, Fr Sabu Kalapurackal and Deacon Tony Moore.

The Opening Mass is an important tradition, bringing the College together in prayer and reflection, setting the tone for a year of learning, growth, and faith. The Mass serves as the commissioning ceremony for our 2025 College Captains and will also include the blessing of Year 7 and new students, welcoming them into the Newman Catholic College community. 

The College warmly invites all members of the Newman Catholic College family and Northern Beaches Parish to attend with a morning tea to follow for guests in the Gallery next to the Library.

Mr Chris Graham
Leader of Liturgy, Spirituality & Faith Formation and Religious Education

Launch of 2025 Sacramental Program for the Northern Beaches Parish

The Northern Beaches Parish warmly invites families and carers of children who are at least in Year 3 to attend our Information Evening on Wednesday 19 February at 6:00pm to launch the 2025 Sacramental Program.

WHAT:  Information Evening – Sacramental Program

WHEN:  Wednesday 19 February 2025 at 6:00pm

WHERE:  Holy Cross Church – Reed Road, Trinity Park

WHAT TO BRING:  ORIGINAL of the candidate’s baptismal certificate (for sighting purposes only)

RSVP:  Friday 14 February via https://forms.office.com/r/58A0EEukw0

To access more information and complete the online enrolment form, please click this link:  https://forms.office.com/r/DNVWEK0nym

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:

• College 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 College calendar events to your personal calendar.

Link to MyCE Guide

Wilbur Donovan
Deputy Principal - Academic Studies

Stop Drop and Go Zone

Stop Drop Go Zone

Kinetic runs the public bus services in Cairns and they travel through the JCU bus interchange regularly throughout the day. 

Drivers have reported safety issues as parents are dropping off/picking up children from Newman Catholic College. 

The area around the end roundabout is marked with no standing signs however cars are often stopping in this area which impacts on the safe passage of buses. 

Parents are also reminded not to queue around the roundabout when accessing the Stop Drop Go Zone. 

We are kindly asking the families to use the designated Stop Drop Go Zone to ensure the public buses and other road uses are not inconvenienced. 

College Counsellor

Welcome to the New School Year!

The Counselling Team at Newman Catholic College would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new and returning students and their families.

We are excited to share with you that Alison Thomson and Sharn Ward have joined Newman College to work alongside Ms Gemma to provide a counselling service to students. Ms Alison works on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Ms Sharn works on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Ms Gemma will work from Monday to Friday until Week 5 Term 1. We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Ms Gemma’s baby will soon be here. Ms Gemma will be going on maternity leave at the end of Week 5, as she prepares to welcome her baby boy. We wish Ms Gemma and her family all the best as they prepare for this new chapter. We will miss you Ms Gemma!

The counselling team looks forward to connecting with you in person and through various platforms such as the College Newsletter. Our Newsletter will provide a wonderful opportunity for us to share with you, current and relevant information to help you support your child’s well-being and mental health. We will deliver other well-being and mental health initiatives throughout the year, to promote mental health and well-being and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. We look forward to supporting your child’s well-being, growth, and development during their educational journey and we look forward to working with you.

Starting a new year can be an exciting and challenging time for many students.  During challenging times, everyone experiences anxiety on some level, and it can vary between being useful (avoid dangerous situations, motivate us to solve a problem or to do well at something like a sporting event) or it can be more severe (excessive fear or worry). At the beginning of the year some students may feel anxious about new routines, making friends, or adjusting to a new environment. Here are a few tips to help ease any anxiety your child may be experiencing:

• Open Communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns. Listening to them without judgement can help them feel understood and supported. Conversations are sometimes easier to have in places like the car where it can feel less confrontational than face-to-face discussions, making it easier for teenagers to talk freely. Distractions are also minimised and the finite duration of a car ride can make conversations feel more manageable.
• Encourage Healthy Habits: Promote regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep.
• Limit Screen Time: Encourage breaks from screens and social media and encourage device use in public spaces at home (i.e. not in bedrooms) where your child can be supervised and their time on devices can be monitored.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Help your child set achievable goals and avoid putting too much pressure on them to succeed.
• Model Calm Behaviour: Demonstrate how to handle stress in a healthy way. Remember, teenagers can sometimes learn more from what you do, than what you say.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Teach your child simple relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises, there are lots of reputable mindfulness Apps that can help teach relaxation skills, these Headspace, Calm and Smiling Minds etc.
• Seek Professional Help: If anxiety persists, and you notice the anxiety is becoming more severe (e.g., longer lasting, and is interfering with your child’s schooling and other activities or relationships), consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Below is a list of Mental Health and Support services.

We look forward to an exciting year ahead!

Warm regards
NCC Counselling Team 

Arts Department

The Arts at Newman Catholic College: A Note of Welcome to the 2025 Academic Year

Welcome back to another year of The Arts at Newman Catholic College. As we embark on this journey, we have much to anticipate, not only in our vibrant Vocal and Instrumental Music Program but also in our newly completed Visual Arts building, Media Arts developments, and the upcoming state-of-the-art Performing Arts space.

Compulsory Music for Year 7 Students

We are delighted to announce the commencement of compulsory music for our Year 7 students. Throughout this semester, your child will have the opportunity to delve into the world of music, learning an instrument and participating in various musical activities. Timetables have been distributed, and the first lessons will have taken place at the end of the second week of Term 1.

Our dedicated music tutors, who bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles, are as follows:

• Mrs Katherine Fraser (Head of Arts) - Voice and Singing
• Mrs Maryanne Challis - Woodwind
• Mr Christopher Graham – Brass
• Mr Ross Pols – Brass, Woodwind and Percussion
• Ms Erin Welser - Strings
• Ms Leesa Cooke - Woodwind and Percussion

Year 7 Music Program

The Year 7 Music Program is an integral part of the College's culture. Students will engage in classroom/theory lessons, receive instrumental lessons from specialist teachers, and participate in group/ensemble rehearsals. The program will culminate in a concert at the conclusion of the either semester, depending on your child's timetable for music in 2025.

Benefits of Studying Music:

Studying voice and instruments offer an emotionally rewarding and educational experience. Music education enriches children's learning across various domains, providing a platform for the expression of emotions and eliciting neurological benefits for the brain.

What to Expect

Your child will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talent at school events and The Performing Arts Showcase in Term 2 (5 June 2025), with performances happening every term or semester.

Ensemble Opportunities

• Choir (The Voices of Newman)
• Newman Symphonics
• Newman Chamber Strings

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals for instrumental groups will commenced in Week 2 of Term 1, 2025. Please refer to the following schedule for rehearsal times (attached flyer – FOR THE ARTS):

• Choir: Monday - 2nd lunch with some allocation in school time – the ability to match pitch is essential.
• Newman Symphonics: Friday - 2nd lunch with some allocation in school time – the ability to play a concert band instrument is essential.
• Newman Chamber Strings: Tuesday - 2nd lunch – the ability to play a stringed instrument is essential.

Communication and Rehearsals

In the event of a rehearsal cancellation, information will be communicated via the Parents Slips Broadcast or email. Additional lunchtime rehearsals may be scheduled as we approach performances, and attendance is mandatory.

Visual and Media Arts

We are delighted to welcome Ms Ela Bozek to our Visual Arts and Media Arts team at NCC! Her expertise and passion for creativity will further enrich our vibrant arts community—please join us in making her feel at home.

Of course, we continue to have the wonderful Mrs Kendra Woods, who is eager to bring another exciting year of artistic creations, artist-in-residence visits, and inspiring projects to life. Adding to the dynamic mix, Mr Ross Pols will be co-teaching in Media Arts, enhancing our creative curriculum with fresh ideas and energy.

For students looking to explore their artistic talents beyond the classroom, Art Club is back! Join Ms Bozek in G.50 during second lunch on Thursdays for a space to create, experiment, and collaborate.

We look forward to another year of imagination, innovation, and artistic excellence! 🎨✨

Dance Academy

Benefits of Studying Dance

Studying dance offers a multitude of advantages, including enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and increased confidence. The Dance Academy aims to provide a holistic approach to your child's growth through the art of dance.

What to Expect:

• Performance Every Term: Your child will have the opportunity to showcase their talent in a performance at the end of each term.
• Dance fitness and technique across a range of styles including: hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, commercial and jazz.
• Workshops with industry artists.
• Dance excursions.
• Choreographic tasks.

Audition Information:

For Term 1, there is no audition required. However, after the completion of the Performing Arts space, an audition will be held for limited spots. Only 25 places will be available, so keep an eye out for audition details.

Dance Academy Details:

• Dance Academy is on every Wednesday afternoon, 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm - G.22.
• Commencement: Week 2 (Wednesday) 5 February 2025.
• Students are required to purchase a Dance Academy shirt for rehearsals.
• Parents are responsible for picking up their child promptly at 4:45 pm, as there is no supervision beyond this time.

Communication and Rehearsals:

If a Dance Academy lesson needs to be cancelled (e.g., Term 1, Week 6 due to Year 7 and 8 camps), this information will be communicated via the Parents Slips Broadcast or email for those involved. To make up for this lost time and, as we approach performances, additional lunchtime rehearsals will be scheduled, and attendance is mandatory.

Attendance Procedures:

• If a student is going to be absent from Dance Academy, the procedure is to notify Ms Matthews via email or the front office before the class starts.
• Please ensure students can attend the whole lesson until 4:45pm; if for an extenuating reason a student needs to leave early, this also needs to be communicated via email. Without prior notification from a parent or guardian, students will not be permitted to leave. Please schedule any appointments outside of Dance Academy time.

Teacher Information: The Dance Academy will be led by Alisha Matthews, who can be contacted at amatthews1@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Drama 🎭

We’re thrilled to announce the relaunch of our Drama Club, where students can develop their passion for theatre, refine their performance skills, and collaborate with like-minded peers. Drama Club will run every Thursday during second lunch in Room 1.07, and we welcome all students who are eager to get involved.

All Drama assessments and units are now in full swing, and we are already seeing fantastic engagement from our students. This year, our Drama groups will also take on a bigger role in the Eisteddfod, giving them even more opportunities to showcase their talents to the wider community.

Adding to our excitement, we warmly welcome Mr Matt Kirby, our most enthusiastic and passionate Drama teacher. With a wealth of experience and a love for theatre, Mr Kirby is sure to inspire our students to reach new heights in performance and storytelling.

We are looking forward to creatively enriching year at Newman Catholic College. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Warm regards

Katherine Fraser
Leader of Arts

Geelong Summer Music Camp

This year for the summer holidays I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of my favourite yearly musical event. For the 3rd year in a row, I was involved in the Geelong Summer Music Camp. This camp consists of 5 full days. One of my favourite highlights is that from Tuesday-Friday everybody who is not in the Symphony orchestra, gets the chance to rehearse our finale song. The Symphony orchestra accompany us. I was a part of the Otway Strings Orchestra this year and my goal for the next summer camp in 2026 is to accelerate my skills and join the Swan Bay Symphony Orchestra. I used to live In Victoria so that is how I was able to discover this magical event. I highly recommend anyone who plays a music instrument and would like to have an unforgettable experience to consider this camp during a summer holiday.

Nadia Ouzaid - Year 8 Music Student

Geelong Summer Music Camp

Science Matters

Science Update 2025

On behalf of our dedicated Science team, I am excited to welcome our new students and their families to what promises to be an inspiring year of scientific discovery at Newman Catholic College. We aim to make Science lessons an exciting journey where students learn through hands-on activities and various incursions and excursions.

Year 7 Science will focus on building essential scientific inquiry skills. To kick things off, students have begun by learning about lab safety, ethical considerations, and the use of specialised equipment. They will put their new knowledge to the test in Week 3, when they take part in the exciting "Elephant’s Toothpaste" experiment.

Over the coming weeks, students will be guided in using all of their senses to make careful observations and draw meaningful inferences. As they progress, they will work through every step of the scientific method, from identifying variables to analyzing data and effectively communicating their findings. We have designed a range of hands-on activities to spark curiosity and lay a strong foundation for their future scientific knowledge and skills.

Year 8 Science has certainly gotten off to a “rocky start”! We are grateful to Professor Michael Bird from the Geology Department at James Cook University, who has generously provided us with rock kits and a range of resources to enhance our lessons. Students are currently exploring the properties of the three main types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Their first hands-on experiment will see them investigating how cooling time affects the size of crystals formed from a solution, kicking off a series of lab activities for the year.

As we develop a "crystal clear" understanding of the rock cycle, students will move on to study tectonic theory and learn how various landforms are shaped by geological processes.

Transitioning to Year 9 can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for our students, and we are kicking off the term by exploring the nervous and endocrine systems. We’ll dive into how the body maintains a stable internal environment through both electrical and chemical messages. As always, we believe in "Science by Doing," so we’ve planned many hands-on lessons, including dissecting a sheep’s brain to study the central nervous system up close.

Year 10 is a pivotal year as it marks the transition from Junior School to the Senior QCAA system in Years 11 and 12. This system introduces a significant shift in both curriculum and assessment, compared to the ACARA Year 9 curriculum students are accustomed to in Junior School. To help ease this transition and better prepare our students for senior schooling, we are implementing several strategies throughout the year.

The assessment formats for senior general subjects are more complex than those students have experienced in the Junior years. To ensure our students are well-prepared, we will introduce simplified versions of these tasks in Year 10, while also heavily scaffolding the learning process. Assessment tasks will include a data test, a student experiment, a student research investigation, and a written exam—each modelled after the QCAA science assessment tasks but in a more accessible format.

Our Year 10 classes are streamed more intensively than junior science classes, with students covering each topic at different times throughout the year. Senior Biology and Chemistry teachers will develop and deliver the Biology and Chemistry units, while Senior Physics and Earth Science teachers will lead their respective units. Mid-year, students will swap teachers to ensure they receive instruction from specialists in each scientific strand. This approach allows students to experience in-depth learning from teachers who are both highly experienced and passionate about delivering their science content at a senior level. All students will cover every unit over the course of the year, with some starting with Physics and others with Biology.

On Tuesday 11 February, we had a film crew from Chisel Media productions working with some of our Marine Science students on a new project for Tourism Tropical North. The project tiled 'A lifetime of Greatness' focuses on the huge impact that the Great Barrier Reef has on so many people on both a local and global scale. Students were given a behind the scenes experience on a production set and many students increased their confidence and public speaking skills by participating in interviews with the film crew. We look forward to seeing the final product in the near future.

On behalf of the entire Science team, I wish all students and families a wonderful and exciting year ahead.

Matt Radburnd
Leader of Science

Tourism Tropical North Filming

English Department

Debating Club - 2025

In preparation for the annual Catholic Diocese Schools' Debating Competition, I am excited to recommence the Debating Club at Newman Catholic College. If you have ever thought about debating, please read the attachment regarding its benefits.

Your commitment to debating means the following:

• Attending one meeting each week (Day TBA).
• Meeting with your team to create debates based on topics sent out.
• Attending the debating day excursion in Week 10 this term.
• Once the competition begins in Term 2, attending debate heats at 5 pm or 6 pm every Tuesday for one hour (Venue TBA).

If you are interested in taking part, you need to send an email with your preferred available days/times to meet at school to me: mborowieck@cns.catholic.edu.au. 

Year 7 students: You will be able to join the Debating Club Group Project in Week 2, where you will learn more about Debating.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Monika Borowiecki
Leader of English

HASS Department

Welcome to another year at Newman Catholic College. There have been many new and exciting changes to our HASS team, including welcoming onboard many new and very experienced teachers, all joining our passionate team of HASS teachers.

One notable change is our change to our timetable History lessons. Our students are now only doing 2 x 50 minute lessons per week, instead of 3 x 50 minute lessons like last year. However, this comes with the added benefit of History now being studied across the entire year, rather than in a single semester.

Additionally, we are now working on units across Year 8-10, rather than terms, in order to maximise our students’ engagement in the curriculum, rather than rushing them through. Please refer to your child’s Course Outline on their Canvas page to see how this works.

We also have our Year 10 electives running this year, and I know many students are excited in exploring Ancient History, Legal Studies and Economics & Business across the year.

Below is what our students are studying this term across Years 7-10.

If you have any questions about this information, please feel free to contact me at ncc.hass@cns.catholic.edu.au or shillmurra@cns.catholic.edu.au

Miss Sarah Hill-Murray
Acting Leader of HASS

Languages Department

Greetings from the Languages Department!

This year, we are excited to welcome Mrs Magila, our new Japanese teacher, to the team. She will be teaching Year 7 to 10 Japanese, while Mr Akers shifts his focus to technology subjects. We are confident that under Mrs Magila’s guidance, our students' achievements in Japanese will continue to thrive.

We also extend a warm welcome to Mrs Jordan. In addition to her roles in English and Psychology,  Mrs Jordan will be co-teaching French with Mrs Damay.

Our Language Club runs every Friday at lunchtime in the library, starting from Week 1. Each week features a different theme, which will be announced through the school’s announcements page.

Our Department's current language goals include:

• Cultivating a passion for language learning through authentic experiences and real-life application.
• Providing tailored learning pathways to support students of all proficiency levels.
• Connecting students to the global community and fostering international friendships.
• Building strong ties with local industries, particularly within the Cairns tourism sector.
• Developing global citizens with a broad understanding of international trends and issues.

Aligned with our Newman Values – Truth, Courage, Wisdom, Unity, and Compassion – the Languages Department is dedicated to nurturing students who not only excel academically but also embrace faith and love in their learning journey.

We look forward to an exciting year ahead!

Shixiang Chen
Leader of Languages

HPE & Sport News

The HPE, Sport and Outdoor Education department is back and ready to roll in 2025! Welcome to all our new students. families, staff and wider community. We are very lucky to welcome new teaching staff into our HPE team this year. Our new HPE Teachers Ms Kylie Williams and Mr Graham Sunners bring a lot of energy and experience to our department and we are very lucky to have them on board. Both are passionate advocates for health, wellbeing and fitness and we look forward to promoting these values to our Newman students.  

Term 1 Curriculum

In Year 7 HPE students start invasion sports and teamwork this term and due to the wet weather we are also in the hall participating in a number of activities including net sports like pickle ball, volleyball and table tennis.

In Year 8 HPE a range of group fitness methods will be taught including circuit training, high intensity interval training (HIIT), boxercise, speed and plyometric training and Zumba with the Z team!

In Year 9 HPE students are participating in team sports and will be examining the topic Ethics in Sport in their theory lessons.

Term 1 Electives

Year 9 Sport Excellence involves theory and practical lessons to help students achieve their potential as athletes as well as develop an appreciation for health, fitness, and wellbeing.

The other HPE elective in Year 7,8 and 9 is Outdoor Education where students learn an appreciation of the outdoors and learn skills including navigation, camping, hiking and mountain biking. Our Year 8 Outdoor Education class will be completing a lightweight camping and hiking unit and expedition this term, while our Year 9 class will be completing team building activities and rock climbing at The Northern Outlook.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Extracurricular Program – The Duke of Edinburgh Award https://dukeofed.com.au/about/ and the Duke of Edinburgh Bridge Award https://www.qld.gov.au/youth/get-involved/youth-programs/bridge-award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (Year 9) and Bridge Award (Year 7 & 8) will be running again this year and I hope to see many of our enrolled students working to complete their Award level and also welcome any students who wish to start the program. This is a self-development program that empowers students to find purpose and passion in their lives.

To find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh program, email Mr Dockray zdockray@cns.catholic.edu.au

Mr Dockray
Leader of HPE and Sport

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

Sport Academies

At Newman College there are opportunities for students to participate in sports that are offered by staff with a passion for a specific sport. These include:

• Basketball on Thursdays 3:00pm - 4:00pm with Mr Donovan.
• Newman Pacers Running Fitness – Wednesdays 7:00am with Mr Starmer.
• Volleyball on Mondays 3:00pm – 4:00pm in the Hall with Mr Dockray.

All students are welcome to attend these Sport Academies.

Newman Hearts Cheerleading Team

The Newman Hearts Cheerleading team has started training this week.  Trainings are Monday and Friday afternoons 3:15pm – 4:30pm at the College Hall.  Auditions and interviews will be held over the next few weeks to sort the teams. If you are interested in being part of the Newman Hearts Cheerleading team, please come and see Mrs Gough or email Mrs Gough:  lgough@cns.catholic.edu.au

Newman Cricket Academy

Newman Cricket Academy will commence soon.  Training sessions will be during lunch times at the College.  Students who are interested in Cricket, come and see Mrs Gough to sign up to the Cricket Academy. 

Mrs Linda Gough
Sports Coordinator

TCN Sport

Trinity Coast North (TCN) is the district our college is a part of.   Students have the opportunity to represent TCN if selected at the TCN trials.

The process for TCN sports for students:

• Students must sign up via the link to the TCN sports that are offered.
• Students/Parents will receive an email from Mrs Gough in relation to the trial.
• Mrs Gough will email the TCN District Secretary and TCN Coach (of the team) the students from NCC who are wanting to trial.
• Mrs Gough will provide the students with the COMPULSORY Peninsula Sport paperwork.
• Students must collect this Peninsula Sport paperwork from Mrs Gough.
• Parents must complete the Peninsula Sport paperwork 1 week prior to the trial.
• Dr Graham must sign the Peninsula Sport paperwork.
• Students must COLLECT the Peninsula Sport paperwork from office (signed by Dr Graham) and take to the trial.
• STUDENTS MUST TAKE FORM TO THE TRIAL OR THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO TRIAL FOR THE SPORT.
• TCN Sport trials are conducted AFTER SCHOOL.
• Students to organise own transport to and from trial.
• These are NOT come and try days –Students must have previous experience in that sport. 

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 link 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 are NOT to use their 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
2nd Recess: 12:40pm to 1:20pm

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 2025, 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

Welcome to Term 1 at Newman College!

The Families@Newman (F@N) Committee held our first meeting of the year, where we discussed exciting activities for the months ahead. Our first event will be supporting Mr Gabriel De Guzman, Assistant Principal Junior Secondary (Years 7-10), and the staff at the Meet & Greet on Wednesday 19 February 2025. We’ll be serving food and drinks and have organized a fun scavenger hunt and icebreaker games to help new parents connect with one another and explore the College. Our team is excited to build a stronger, more connected College community.

About the F@N Committee
The F@N Committee represents all parents and carers, supporting the College and collaborating on educational goals. We work alongside the Principal and staff to enhance student experience. Your support as a volunteer helps make the Committee successful, strengthening the College for everyone. If you are interested in joining our vibrant team you can contact us on the NCC email below.

Looking Ahead
We’ll be hosting family events TBA every 5th week of the term to boost morale and foster connections.

During the College working bee held over the weekend, we assembled five new picnic tables purchased by F@N, providing additional seating for students during lunch breaks. Our team also assisted with various other tasks to support the College's efforts.

In the coming years, we aim to build on the rapport we’ve already established and continue creating a welcoming, family-focused environment. If you have event ideas or questions, please reach out to us at ncc.families@cns.catholic.edu.au.

We appreciate your support and look forward to engaging with you throughout the year.

Sincerely
Ray Cowan
President - F@N Committee