From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 2! Although we have only returned for 3 weeks, many wonderful community building events have already occured. I would like to thank all the staff and students involved. More detailed reports of these events will be included in the newsletter.

I thank all parents for attending the Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews on Monday 28 April. The value of working together to ensure the best outcomes for all, especially our students is essential. I invite parents to maintain communication with staff and access SEQTA Engage to keep informed during the year and not wait until reports are issued. 

The Inter-House Cross Country Carnival occurred in perfect weather with strong House spirit.  Fun and encouragement were truly evident from all involved and I particularly thank Mr Sam Mancini, Mrs Mel Robinson, the Health and Physical Education staff, House Co-Ordinators and Heads of House. Congratulations to all champions on the day.

Our Mother’s Day breakfast continues to grow and I thank the Parent Committee and Miss Abel for organising such a beautiful event.

Our College came together on Wednesday 30 April for a moving ANZAC Day service led by Mr Bronson Gherardi, assisted by Year 10 students, the Liturgical choir and Mr Jack Collinson who played the Last Post.  Special acknowledgment to our cadets  Jasper Dunsford Goodwin , Dominic Shiju, Logan Polette, Jake Falconer, Timothy Ladyman, Nicholas Nguyen, Aiden Burns, Brandon Chong and Eve Falconer who performed their ceremonial duties respectfully and with great precision. Thank you to Miss Carrol Abel and Matthew and Amy Zoetelief who represented the College at the City of Canning service on ANZAC Day and laid a wreath on our behalf.

I would also like to ask families to “save the date” of Wednesday 29 October (originally published for Thursday 30 October) for our very special Presentation Night which this year will need to be held on campus due to the renovations of the Perth Concert Hall. The awards and entertainment showcase will commence at 7pm.

I was privileged to be invited to the maiden speech of the newly elected Member for Canning, Ron Sao on Wednesday 30 April at Parliament House. Ron was surrounded by his extended family and team. I was super proud of how Ron spoke from the heart, and it was clear that he has taken something away from his education at St Norbert College!

Here is the link to his speech and if you don’t have time for the whole speech, please watch the first 5 minutes at least, as it involves our community. Ron’s story is so special and I hope you will take the time to watch it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcJm7G__Cw4

During the school holidays we celebrated Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter, closely followed by ANZAC Day.  Both significant occasions mark sacrifice, remembrance, renewal and hope. Between these special days, we mourned the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Pope Francis will be remembered as a compassionate leader, dedicated to social justice, the marginalised and his care for the environment. We waited in anticipation for the white smoke to signal the election of our new pope. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too long for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals to choose Cardinal Prevost, the first North American-born pontiff, to become the 267th Pope-Pope Leo XIV. 

“Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”  

(Pope Leo’s first address, 8 May 2025)

If you’re interested in following Pope Leo on Instagram, his new account will bear the name @Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV, which will be the only official papal account on the platform owned by Meta.

We pray for justice and peace for all.

Good luck to our students in Year 10-12 who are commencing exams from next week. Please keep them in your prayers.

Parents and friends are invited to our St Norbert Day Mass to be held in the Fr Peter O’Reilly Centre commencing at 9:30am (Please be seated by 9:25am). As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, the mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Tim Costelloe.

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).

God bless,

Ms S Rainford

(Principal)