News

Vol. 3 No.3 - Term Three 2026

In mid-September, we had the privilege of welcoming our generous supporters to the College for a special Mass and Morning Tea, held in recognition of their ongoing commitment to St John Henry Newman College. The generosity, prayers, and encouragement of our supporters have played an integral role in the growth and development of the College. On behalf of the staff and students at Newman College, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have prayed for us, contributed to the College, or supported our community in any way. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to our mission. Pictured is patron and donor Professor Ashley Goldsworthy AO, with his commemorative plaque that sits in our entrance avenue.

On Monday, the 7 of September, Newman College proudly raised the Australian National Flag for the first time. We were joined by Allan Pidgeon AM of the Australian Flag Association, who shared some fascinating facts about our flag with our students. We were blessed to have Mr Pidgeon with us for this monumental occasion. Every Monday after Mass, the school will meet in front of the flag to sing our National Anthem. Our Year 3 students are particularly excited, as it will now be their responsibility to raise the flag every Monday and take it down at the end of every Friday!

Newman College has had several more media appearances this term! In early July, Newman College welcomed a visit from the Today Show , giving us the opportunity to share our low-tech approach to learning with the wider public. As a faithfully Catholic, classical, and low-tech school, we value every opportunity to share our mission and worldview with the wider community. Click here to watch the interview!

Vol. 3 No. 2 - Term Two 2026

In April, on the Feast of St Peter Chanel, we were honoured to have our Archbishop The Most Rev Shane Mackinlay celebrate our official opening Mass. This was followed by a keynote address by The Hon Tony Abbott AC, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia. It was an opportunity for our many supporters in the community to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the opening of Newman College this year. Our students celebrated the occasion with a joy-filled performance of Lead Kindly Light, a hymn written by our blessed Patron Saint. The Archbishop gave an inspiring homily on the life of Newman and encouraged our students to follow in our patron's footsteps in their search for "ever deeper Truth." Mr Abbott noted how Newman College is part of a surging international movement of classical schools that represent the “best hope for a revival of our civilisation”. We received some favourable media attention following this event, including: An article in The Australian, which can be read here , and an article in The Catholic Leader which can be found here . The Today Show filmed a segment at the school highlighting our low-tech approach to education, which can be watched here . Dr Crowther was also interviewed on ABC Brisbane’s Breakfast Radio Show. You can listen to the segment here . A transcript of Mr Abbott’s keynote address from the event can be read here .

Vol. 3 No. 1 - Term One 2026

Last week, after close to 5 years of planning and preparation by our Board and founding staff, we had the absolute joy of welcoming our first students to Term One at Newman College! Week One culminated in our first Mass and Blessing of the school, celebrated by our Chaplain Fr Conor of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation. Students, staff, families and Board members gathered in the chapel to celebrate the school’s first Mass together, giving thanks to God for the countless blessings He has poured down upon Newman College over the long period that has led up to this opening. Fr Conor then visited each of our classes and blessed both the students and their classrooms. This special celebration highlighted how central our Catholic faith is to our school’s mission and culture, informing our identity as a classical school. The students and staff have enjoyed settling into the rhythms of daily life at Newman College, and we are blessed to have the continued support of such a strong community behind us as we embark on our opening year.

Vol. 2 No. 4 - December 2025