From the Principal

St Norbert Day

We were blessed with the most glorious weather on Friday, 6 June, for our St Norbert Day celebrations. Thank you to Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Fr Peter Joseph Stiglich, Fr John Anthonisamy and the Nobertines for a beautiful mass in the O’Reilly Centre. It was special to have Federal Member for Swan – Ms Zaneta Mascarenhas, State Member for Cannington and ex-student-Mr Ron Sao & Deputy Mayor Mark Bain attend along with Dr Debra Sayce-Head of Mission Enhancement & Outreach, Perth Diocese. Thank you also to our College Advisory Board members, Mr Robert  Spiegl and Mrs Natasha Waterford for their attendance and support.

Norbertine communities all over the world in Germany, Belgium, France, India and the United States of America also celebrated June 6, the day St Norbert passed to eternal life. As the only Norbertine school in Australia, we are thankful for the pioneering spirit of Fr Peter O’Reilly, Fr John Reynolds and Fr Stephen Cooney, who built our College, which opened in 1965.  

St Norbert, after his conversion, chose to follow the Rule of St. Augustine, which emphasises living in unity, simplicity, and service to others. Augustine taught that God created all people to live together in the “bond of peace,” calling believers to reject selfishness and materialism in favour of community and charity. It is also worth noting that our new pope, Pope Leo XIV, also followed the Rule of St Augustine! Inspired by this vision, Norbert turned away from his former life of wealth and privilege, dedicating himself to a lifestyle of poverty, humility, and solidarity with the poor. His embrace of Augustine’s Rule reflected his desire to live not for personal gain but for the good of others, reminding us that true conversion is shown in how we love and serve our neighbour. May we, like St Norbert, choose to value shared life and good works over possessions or status.

I thank Ms Kyd and Mrs Palermo for the preparation of the mass and Miss Abel and the St Norbert Day Committee (Mrs Rogers, Ms Leddy, Mrs Fuda, Mr D’Souza, Mrs Eloff, Mrs Kippen, Ms Kyd, Ms Paulin, Miss Thompson) for organising the events after the mass. The much anticipated Staff v Students Football game was fiercely fought, with the students winning the Golden Boot this year. Thank you to Mr Di Labio and Ms Cassidy for coordinating the St Norbert’s Got Talent concert, ably hosted by Arts Captain Ariana Mecham. Every Homeroom organised a stall and I thank all staff for the hard work in preparing food and activities.  I was proud of the way our students conducted themselves throughout the day, and members of our community commented on the reverent participation at Mass. Well done students!

The Addams Family

Congratulations to cast, musicians and crew involved in the school production of The Addams Family. For those who attended the performances, we were treated to a creepy, kooky time whilst leaving with the underlying message of the importance of family, relationships and embracing individuality. Of course, we also went home with the theme music stuck in our heads! I acknowledge and thank Ms Cassidy (Producer/Director), Mrs Crocker (Choreographer), Mr Mecham (Artistic Director and real dad of Morticia), Mr Di Labio (Musical Director), Miss Zampino (Backstage), Ms Gillham (Sound Operator), Ms Firth, Miss Gray, Mrs Palermo, Miss Anderson (Hair, Make Up, Costumes), Ms Rigg, Miss Pyne (Set Assistance), Ms Pisconeri (Foyer), Mrs Allard, Ms Kyd (Front of House & refreshments), Mr Malski (Marketing & Photography) and Ms Harvey (Arts Assistant). Thanks also to the many staff who supervised or assisted at performances. It was an amazing team effort that commenced last year. The talented cast is to be congratulated for the countless hours of hard work and commitment- THANK YOU! Stay tuned for 2026!

Queens Park Train Station

It was with much excitement that the trains returned to Queens Park Station on Monday 9 June. The extended train service to Cockburn Central will also have an impact on families in the Canning Vale area, as there are now two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road. I encourage all students to visit the Transperth website to plan their journey, as their existing journey may no longer exist or there may be a new service available. 

The School Special 707 (St Norbert College), which previously operated between Queens Park Station and Cannington Station in the afternoon, has been withdrawn.

Additional information about the Thornlie-Cockburn Line can be accessed via the Thornlie-Cockburn Line Hub on the Transperth website.

Congratulations to Mr Wayne Bull on receiving the Member of the Order of Australia (General Division), For significant service to Catholic education, and to Indigenous education support, as part of this year’s King's Birthday Honours List. Mr Bull has led with compassion, faithfulness, and dedication throughout his career as an educator, Principal and most recently as the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA. St Norbert College also thanks Mr Bull for his support of our College as a regular attendee at Community masses, Presentation Nights and College Productions. Best wishes to Mr Bull on his retirement at the end of this term. 

Farewell and thank you to Education Assistant Ms Lisa Baker. Ms Baker provided great care and support to our students for over 13 years. We wish her God’s blessings in her retirement.

Thank you and God bless.

Ms S Rainford

(Principal)

WA Student Assistance Payment

The second round of the WA Student Assistance Payment will be available for every eligible student in Western Australia from 28 April - 4 July 2025.

Secondary students will receive $250.

Information on how to apply for the payment can be found via the following link:    ​​​​​​https://www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap/The WA Student Number can be found on SEQTA (or on the top of your child's report).