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 Easter

An Easter Blessing

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

From the Principal

Dear Families of Newman Catholic College

Well, here we are at the end of Term 1, 2025. 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 Year 7 Retreat, liturgies, excursions, Information nights, the Cross Country and various sporting events, Group Projects, JCU Mathematics and Engineering Day, the Arts Assembly Extravaganza, the pouring of the first slabs in Stage 3 Building Project and Student-Led Conferences 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 thriving as a result. If any parents missed seeing teachers at the recent Student-Led Conferences, please email your son/daughter’s 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. I ask that during the holiday break books, stationery and school uniforms are checked in readiness for Term 2.

The Diocesan Chrism Mass is held annually at St Monica’s Cathedral. This year it will be held on Wednesday 9 April at 6:00pm. As part of the parish of the Northern Beaches you are invited to attend this liturgical celebration presided by Bishop +Joe Caddy.

During this mass Bishop Joe will bless the Holy Oils that will be used during the coming year for sacraments such as, Baptism, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick. On this very special occasion, all priests from across the Diocese are in attendance. This is a very special and important occasion. As members of our College and wider parish community we attend to show our support for Fr Dariusz.

For this special occasion students are expected to wear your full school formal uniform. If attending, I ask that we meet outside the front door of St Monica’s Cathedral at 5:45pm and as a Newman Community we can sit together if you wish. There will be a light super provided afterwards.

This is our final newsletter for the term, and it is an important opportunity to farewell staff who are leaving our College. Mr Chris Di Lucchio is moving to St Theresa’s Bentley Park to take on an Assistant Principal position and Mr Graham Sunners has accepted a Year Coordinator position at MacKillop Catholic College Edmonton. Mrs Carol Allery has decided to move back to her hometown of Mossman after a very short time in Cairns. Ms Erin Welser is moving to Broken Hill and Ms Alisha Matthews to Ipswich to join family. We welcome the return of Mr Greg Millward and Mr Peter Coulter. New staff will be introduced in our first newsletter next term. Please make them feel welcome.

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.

With Every Blessing

Lauretta Graham
Principal

How do I know is someone is being bullied?

Enrolling Online at Newman

Assistant Principal - Junior Secondary

Uniform Expectations for Term 2.

As we approach the upcoming school holidays, we acknowledge, congratulate and thank the overwhelming majority of students and families who support our high standards of uniform at Newman Catholic College. In order to ensure a smooth start to Term 2, we ask for your proactive support in ensuring that all students return to school in full compliance with our uniform and grooming expectations. Please take note of the following requirements to avoid any disruptions at the start of Term 2:

Uniform Reminders

Hair must be neatly groomed, of natural colour, and conform to College guidelines. Extreme styles, including mullets, are not permitted. Please ensure haircuts are scheduled before the end of the holidays if needed, also noting that appointments should be made prior to the Easter weekend.
Students who have started to grow facial hair must be clean shaven as beards and moustaches are not permitted at school. Please take this opportunity to practise this at home during the break, as students with facial hair will be required to shave either at school or at home.
Nails must be natural and of appropriate length. Coloured, acrylic, or extended nails are not permitted and must be removed before returning to school.
Jewellery and piercings must comply with the College Uniform Policy. Additional piercings should be done at the beginning of the extended end-of-year school holidays rather that during the year to allow for healing, as students must remove any non-compliant piercings during school hours.
All students must wear the correct uniform each day. If an item is misplaced or damaged, please arrange a replacement before the first day of term.
Responses for Uniform Breaches

To maintain high standards, the following actions will be taken for students who do not meet uniform expectations without a valid reason:

Students with non-compliant hair or multiple/new piercings will not be allowed to return to classes until the issue is rectified.
Non-uniform jewellery will be confiscated and held by our Year Level Pastoral Leaders until the end of the week. Repeated instances will result in jewellery being held until parents/guardians are able to collect items.
Students wearing incorrect uniform without a valid reason as determined by their Learner Mentor or Year Level Pastoral Leader and/or parent/guardian communication via email or diary will receive a detention. Repeated uniform non-compliance will result in parents/guardians being asked to pick students up and return them to school when correctly attired.

We have communicated the above expectations to our students in Learner Mentor Groups this week. We appreciate your cooperation in reinforcing these expectations at home to ensure a smooth start to Term 2. If you have any questions or require support, please contact us via telephone or email.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in maintaining high standards at Newman Catholic College.

We wish you and your children a safe Easter Holiday break and look forward to welcoming our students back in Term 2.

Kind regards
Mr Gabriel De Guzman
Assistant Principal - Junior Secondary (7-10)

Pastoral Care - Year 8

Dear Year 8 Families

As my time at Newman Catholic College ends, I want to take a moment to thank you for your support and to reflect on the journey we’ve shared over the past year. Having had the privilege of supporting this group throughout Year 7 and into the start of Year 8, I have watched them grow into more confident, capable, and compassionate young people.

It has been incredibly rewarding to see their development—not just in their learning but in the way they support one another, embrace challenges, and contribute to the life of our college. From the first days of high school to where they stand now, they have shown resilience, curiosity, and a growing sense of responsibility. They have taken on new challenges, forged new friendships, and continued to grow into the young adults they are becoming.

To our families, thank you for the trust you placed in me. Your support and partnership have played a crucial role in their journey at NCC.

As they move through high school, I have no doubt they will continue to thrive. Wishing you all the best as they continue their journey at Newman Catholic College.

Mr Chris Di Lucchio
Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 8

Pastoral Care - Year 10

Dear Families of Year 10 Students

It has been a fast paced term! For some students, they have settled in well to the demands of Year 10. For others it has been a baptism of fire as they have adapted to higher workload expectations. Either way, this is a good learning curve as we continue heading toward the senior schooling system.

Some key messages ahead of next term:

Uniform Expectations

Students are asked to consider the guidelines around uniform expectations – the areas we need to improve are jewellery, hair, and shoes.

Year 10 Retreat

Year 10 Retreat will be held from Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May. Monday to Wednesday will be Maroon and Gold houses. Wednesday to Friday is Blue and Green houses. More communication will be sent out in the coming weeks.

I wish everyone a safe and restful holidays.

God Bless

Mr Tim Chapman
Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 10

Special Projects and Partnerships

Mr Alexander Starmer
Leader of Special Programs
& Partnerships

Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge at Newman Catholic College

On Monday 24 March, Newman Catholic College played host to the Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge, a nationwide STEM outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with James Cook University (JCU). The event brought together over 250 students from 8 different schools from across the region.

Throughout the day, teams battled it out in a variety of tasks designed to test their creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. Students built sturdy bridges, wired model cities, designed and constructed eco houses and built a wind turbine. Each challenge required students to think like engineers, applying their knowledge of physics, mathematics, and design principles to develop innovative solutions under time constraints.

Newman Catholic College’s efforts earned them a commendable 5th place finish in the competition. While victory was not ours this time, the experience provided invaluable lessons in collaboration, perseverance, and practical application of STEM concepts.

Congratulations to all the students who participated, and a huge thank you to the University of Newcastle, JCU, and all the organisers and volunteers who made the event possible..

Mr Alexander Starmer
Leader of Special Programs & Partnerships

Dear Families

The NCC Counselling team is excited to share with you an article about the importance of friendships and how you can support your child to have healthy friendships and relationships.

Friendships are important for many reasons, some of which include helping to develop social skills, emotional intelligence and sense of belonging and connection. Friendships provide support, teach cooperation and conflict resolution and contribute to overall happiness and well-being. They also provide opportunities to learn about empathy, communication and understanding different perspectives.

When friendships are not going so well, children and teenagers can experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, rejection or not feeling safe and secure. While no-one wants to see their child struggling with their friendships, this can be an opportunity for them to learn resilience, coping skills and how to manage conflict; skills that will be required for their entire life. They may also gain insights into what they value in friendships, leading them to choose healthy relationships in the future.

The reasons why children struggle with friendships will vary from child to child and can include; having difficulties with expressing their thoughts and feelings, lacking the social skills needed to initiate or maintain friendships. Having a desire to ‘fit in’ can create conflict or lead to unhealthy relationships, changing interests may lead to friendships drifting apart, negative experiences like bullying can impact a child’s ability to form or maintain friendships and low self-esteem can be a barrier when trying to connect with others. Family dynamics and stressful home environments can cause a child to want to isolate, cultural and social differences can create barriers due to differences in background and values and children with personality traits such as an introverts can lead to a child preferring solitude and time alone. It is helpful to consider the context and underlying reasons for why a child may be struggling with a friendship; knowing the context and reason can help to provide the right support and guidance.

Here are some tips for parents:

Discuss conflict as a normal part of a relationship and friendship. Try not to be over involved in the conflict or speak harshly about the other child. Remember we are wanting to teach our children to always be kind and respectful, the way we want to be treated.
Try not to step in and fix your child’s problems or expect your child’s teacher to fix their problems. In some situations, this may be necessary, but its more beneficial to empower your child to develop their social and emotional competence. This is more powerful in the long term.
Encourage face-to-face interactions over online interactions. The internet and social media provide virtual, not real friendships that are not meaningful and often don’t allow authentic engagement with others. Ironically, the internet can serve to keep people apart.
When trying to make a new friend, encourage your child to find at least one common interest that they have with someone they would like to be friends with e.g., fishing, dancing, sporting activity, favourite music/movies, pets etc and practise a conversation starter at home such as “hey have you watched any good shows/movies lately?” or “What music do you listen to?”.

When friendship conflict occurs, talk to your child about how to:

Stay calm: Take a deep breath or take a brief walk and return to the situation calmly.
Reflect on the issue: Take time to think and reflect before responding, this ensures the right response and feelings are communicated accurately.
Communicate openly: Express feelings honestly and respectfully using “I” statements e.g., I felt hurt when…
Listen actively: Listen to others perspective without interrupting.
Apologise if it’s required: A sincere apology can go a long way in mending conflict.
Find a solution together: This might involve compromise that satisfies both parties or agree to disagree.
Give it time: Allow time to process the conversation and feelings.
Rebuild the friendship: A friendship will often grow stronger when conflict is resolved.
Practise: Practice these skills at home by role playing a difficult friendship situation that your child is struggling with. This will develop their confidence to be able to manage friendship conflict when you are not around.

If your child’s distress about a friendship becomes excessive and increasingly concerning, seek further help from your child’s school or a psychologist/reputable therapist in your community. Your feedback is always welcome, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Student Self-Referrals to the School Counselling Service

Students are encouraged to refer themselves to the College Counsellor if or when they need. To support this, we have developed a “FAQs about School Counselling” resource which is on the Student Portal and posted around the College grounds for students to see. We wanted to share this with you as it may also be helpful if you’re talking with your young person about counselling.

Warm regards
Ms Sharn Ward
College Counsellor (on behalf of the NCC Counselling Team)

Science Matters

Year 7 Marine Science: Exploring Life Beneath the Surface

This term, our Year 7 Marine Science students dived into the fascinating world of marine ecosystems. We began by investigating biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that shape marine environments, helping students understand the delicate balance required to sustain life underwater.

Hands-on experiments with buoyancy allowed students to explore the principles that enable marine organisms and objects to float, sink, or remain suspended in water. This led into an exciting unit on anatomy and physiology, where students dissected squid and fish to compare the structures of vertebrates and invertebrates and gain a deeper appreciation of their adaptations to aquatic life.

To cap off the term, we turned our attention to freshwater ecosystems, linking this knowledge to the practicalities of aquascaping and home aquarium maintenance. Students learned about the nitrogen cycle, focusing on managing ammonia and nitrogenous waste to create healthy aquatic environments.

This term has been a wonderful blend of scientific inquiry, hands-on learning, and real-world application, leaving students with a greater understanding and appreciation of life beneath the surface.

Year 10 Health Science

This term, our Year 10 Health Science students delved into a fascinating journey through human anatomy and physiology, building on their foundational knowledge from last year. We began with anatomical terms and directions, ensuring students could accurately identify and describe body structures and their locations—a crucial skill for any aspiring scientist or healthcare professional.

Next, we explored the circulatory system, studying the heart, blood vessels, and the essential role of blood in transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. This unit provided a deeper understanding of how the body maintains life-sustaining functions.

We then shifted focus to the digestive system, examining its complex structures and processes involved in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Students were amazed at the intricate design and efficiency of this vital system.

The highlight of the term was the whole-body dissection of Rattus rattus. This engaging activity brought together all the topics we studied, offering a hands-on experience to observe the integration of organ systems in a real specimen. It was a unique opportunity for students to apply their anatomical knowledge, appreciate the complexity of living organisms, and refine their laboratory skills.

The students’ curiosity and enthusiasm were evident throughout the term, making it a truly rewarding experience for all involved! Have a wonderful and safe holidays and we’ll delve into the wonderful world of medical science again when we return next term!

Mr Matt Radburnd
Leader of Science

Newman Book Club

Languages Department

Greetings from the Languages Department!

We would like to thank all our language students for their hard work this term and take this opportunity to showcase some of our high achievers' work.

This term, Year 8 Japanese students have designed calendars in Japanese, while Year 9 and 10 Japanese students have been working on describing the appearance and characteristics of a chosen character. Their presentations take the form of a PowerPoint slideshow, which they have designed in Japanese. Additionally, students have recorded themselves reading their extended descriptions in Japanese. Please see the attached screenshots for details.

The Language Club has been growing in popularity during lunchtime, attracting more students each week. Each session features a themed activity, such as calligraphy, international films, or origami. We encourage interested students to join us and create lasting memories together.

Mr Shixiang Chen
Leader of Languages

It is the end of Term 1 and we finished strong again in HPE. Well done to Mrs Gough and the team who helped organise and run the Cross Country. It was great to see everyone participating and the sun was shining! Congratulations to our Cross Country winners who will go onto the TCN District Trials on Friday 2 May.

Cross Country Results

A fantastic Cross Country and Fun Run. Students competed in the 3km event or the Fun Run. It was great to see students participating in the Cross Country. Congratulations to all the wonderful NCC students who participated in the day

Girls 12 Years (2013):

1^st: Mia
2^nd: Olive
3^rd: Keeley

Boys 12 Years (2013):

1^st: Ethan
2^nd: RJ
3^rd: Ken

Girls 13 Years (2012):

1^st: Mya
2^nd: Gracie
3^rd: Taylor

Boys 13 Years (2012):

1^st: Will
2^nd: Bailey
3^rd: Nayte

Girls 14 Years (2011):

1^st: Lola
2^nd: Nadia
3^rd: Kalani

Boys 14 Years (2011):

1^st: Sachin
2^nd: Jacob
3^rd: Kajus

Girls 15 Years (2010):

1^st: Saffryn
2^nd: Talytha
3^rd: Mia

Boys 15 Years (2010):

1^st: Joshua
2^nd: Joah
3^rd: Tom

Girls 16 Years (2009):

1^st: Shayla
2^nd: Isabella
3^rd: Caitlin

Boys 16 Years (2009):

1^st: Patrick
2^nd: Kylle
3^rd: Oliver

Overall House Champion: Maroon House

7-10 HPE: Health and Physical Education Classes

Year 7 HPE have had a very wet run this term and most classes were washed out meaning students embraced Hall activities including Pickleball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball and Just Dance! Assessment will be based on inclusion, participation and fair play across the range of activities.

Year 8 HPE this term participated in Zumba and Group Fitness (HIIT, Boot Camp, Circuit Training) and students completed their group training videos for assessment, well done! Thanks to Deb and the team from Zumba Z Crew who ran our Zumba sessions!

In 9 HPE students studied an Ethics in Sport unit and completed a news article for assessment. Practical activities included Soccer, Touch and Volleyball (when it wasn’t too wet).

Year 10 Physical Education elective studied Sport Psychology integrated with Basketball and Netball. This subject is a sample for Senior Physical Education in Year 11/12.

Outdoor Education

The Year 8 Outdoor Education class had a great time exploring Davies Creek in Week 8. The students hiked with their backpacks to campsite 3 and set up camp. We then rock hopped up and down the creek before having an early dinner. Students then enjoyed the sun set before heading off on a night hike. Unfortunately, the rain poured down and spoilt our plans for a fire. Students who did not close their tent doors had a wet surprise upon return and battled the conditions through the night. Instead of the usual Turtle Rock hike student hiked to campsite 7 & 8 to explore the area, due to possible rain and wet trails. It all went well, and students packed up, cleaned up and hiked back to the return pick up for the bus trip home.

Year 7 Outdoor Education Excursion to Earl Hill

On Tuesday 11 March, the Year 7 Outdoor Education class embarked on an exciting hiking excursion to Earl Hill.

The hike challenged students with a steady uphill climb, rewarding them with stunning panoramic views of the Coral Sea upon reaching the summit. Discussions about local flora, fauna, and sustainable hiking practices were incorporated throughout the journey.

This excursion was not only a test of physical resilience but also an opportunity for students to develop confidence and camaraderie with their peers.

A big thank you to the teachers and staff who facilitated the excursion and to the students for their positive attitude and perseverance.

Adventure Based Learning - Northern Outlook

Well done to Mr Starmer and Mr McMahon who recently completed their Adventure Based Learning Training with The Northern Outlook and we look forward to running camps and activities at the Redlynch Facility in our Outdoor Ed classes.

Newman Football Academy

Newman Catholic College is excited to continue its Football Academy program in partnership with Total Football Academy. This high-quality training program is led by professional coaches Dutchy and Cody, providing students with an engaging and structured soccer development experience.

Participation in the Newman Soccer Academy is an excellent opportunity for students to improve their skills, build teamwork, and enjoy the beautiful game. If you aspire to represent the College in the Bill Turner Cup, during Term 2 attending the Academy trials is essential.

Students are asked to register their interest by scanning the QR code

Mr Dockray
Leader of HPE and Sport

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

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 College 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.

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.

Newman News Vol 4 Issue 4 -Friday 4 April 2025