Parent and Teacher Interviews
I would like to thank all of those families of Year 11 students who were able to participate in the Parent and Teacher Evening on Wednesday. As with many things currently, for the first time, all interviews were conducted over the phone and the feedback from parents and staff has been positive. The evening was a wonderful opportunity for parents to collaborate with their son/daughter’s teachers to discuss strengths and areas for improvement before the Preliminary Higher School Certificate (HSC) Examinations in Week 10. Those parents or guardians who were unable to participate on Wednesday are welcome to call the College and make arrangements to talk with your son or daughter’s teachers over the coming weeks.

Workplace Health & Safety
I have no doubt that you have heard through the various news formats that there has been some tightening of COVID–19 protocols across the state, many of which affect schools. One measure which significantly impacts the College is regarding attendance. ie: as of Monday 24 August 2020 staff and students exhibiting even mild COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and required to produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school.

If we could be mindful of this request it would be appreciated, and hopefully help to prevent or reduce anxiety within our community.

The link provided below expands on this advice to families provided by Catholic Schools NSW. Please contact the College if you require any further clarification. 

Advice to Families - COVID-19

Thank you and have a great weekend.

Mark Nunan
Principal

The light at the end of the tunnel
It’s one of those saying that has been around forever and is often given as a way of encouragement when things seem impossible. I am very tempted to ask our Year 12 students if they can see the light at the end of the tunnel yet? Some of them will say yes, but for many, 2020 has thrown so many obstacles in the way that they can’t even see the tunnel, let alone the light at the end. 

What has impressed me about our Year 12 students is their ability to climb over these obstacles or work a way around them to achieve their goals, they are showing their grit. Right now, they are sitting their Trial HSC exams, and despite their incredibly disrupted preparation, they have turned up, tried their hardest all with a smile on their face and the wonderful good humour that epitomizes this group of young men and women. 

With the exams over, and only a few weeks left, it will be up to each individual student to strive towards the end of the tunnel and finish their time at Newman College off, having shown their grit and determination. Several years ago, I was experiencing a particularly difficult time and where I could not see the light or the tunnel and a caring friend wrote this down for me to focus on:

“The hardest thing about waiting for great things from God is holding on the for the last half hour.”  

I still have this piece of paper and often remember holding on in the hope of God giving me great things - which he did. Year 12, great things are in your future and we will all help and support you to hold on for the last little bit. 

Stay focused, determined and strong.

Gameshows and Combat Archery
The lights were dimmed and the ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ theme song rang loudly throughout the corridor. The students entered the classroom with puzzled faces. What was this? They wearily took their seats sharing nervous glances with their classmates. Just then, the music stopped and the words ‘SLR WARRIOR’ took over the screen in front of them. 

Study doesn’t have to be boring, as this class found out that lesson. Nor does it have to be a serious and nerve-wracking, pressure-cooker type of study. No, it can be fun! 

Our Year 12 SLR classes have spent the last couple of weeks preparing for their trials in a relaxed, yet informative environment. The Gameshow played out and the students madly pressed their buzzer apps as they eagerly awaited the final pointscore, whilst revising the topics they’d covered over the past year. The winners, of course, took home some chocolate. Actually, I don’t think it made it out the door.

These students will currently be revising Aquatics, Resistance Training and Sports Coaching. They’ll be remembering the beach safety lessons, Crossfit fundamentals course and probably revisiting their early coaching days and what they did and did not like in their under 6 soccer coach. I wish them all the best over the next week. 

Meanwhile, our Year 11 SLR students donned masks and carried foam tipped arrows into the field of play while we had our first ever try at Combat Archery. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to engage our SLR students and this sport focuses strongly on teamwork, risk taking and communication. 

This term, we have also delved into the world of navigation and orienteering which has involved some tents, compasses and analysing of ‘The Dawn Wall’ - if you haven’t seen it, give it a Google search. 

Unfortunately, our annual Jolly Nose Orienteering event will not take place this year due to COVID-19, however, our students will still get the opportunity to do some rogaining here at Newman College in a one hour race against the clock in Week 8. 

We are doing our best to cope with the changes that the Coronavirus has placed on our sporting environment this year. Thank you to our SLR and sport students for continually adapting to these changes and embracing every ‘new/different’ opportunity with positivity and enthusiasm - it’s been fun! 

Carla Taggart
SLR Teacher

• Caitlyn Austin - Community Pharmacy - Epic Pharmacy
• Italia Crisafi - Hairdressing - Dudes n' Dolls
• Jakob Baker - Carpentry - Rob Tate Family Homes
• Kye Hofman - Tiling - McKittrick Tiling
• Mackenzie Peters - Hospitality - Seasalt Cafe
• Sam Prince - Automotive (Heavy Vehicle) - Inland 4WD
• Tom Wilmot - Carpentry - Munday Constructions