Student Activities

Cardinal Newman School provides a wide variety of activities and events to enhance each student’s school experience.

Extra-Curricular activities are designed to allow each student to explore and develop his God given talents. They also provide an invaluable opportunity for students to get to know each other outside the classroom.

Life outside the classroom is full of opportunity for every student. Students can pursue leadership roles by getting involved in Student Council; others may find friends and service opportunities in Peer Ministry or the Key Club. Many students pursue their love for the arts in "The Card Players" or the Choir, while others invest their extra time testing their knowledge in the Academic Quiz Bowl.

Regardless of individual interests, a student can always find the perfect place at Cardinal Newman.

Middle School Activities

Art Club 
(Grades 7-8)

The Art Club meets weekly in the art room, and concentrates on craft based projects for individual students. They explore clay, painting, drawing, collage, weaving, printmaking and assemblage in a friendly, low-stress environment. 

Beta Club
(Grades 7-8)

Beta Club is a service and academic club looking for students who strive academically, spiritually, and morally. Students may transfer membership from grade school clubs, or enroll as a new member when attending Cardinal Newman School. The Junior Beta Club focuses on academic success and service to the school community and beyond. The highlight of the year is the annual state convention held in Myrtle Beach every January, where our club competes in many activities both academically, and artistically. Students will meet September through January to prepare for the competition. They will continue to meet February through March to give community service and to prepare for the upcoming year. Cardinal Newman’s Recycling Program is a year round service project that the Beta Club runs.

Membership to the club is contingent based upon the following criteria: academics, good standing with discipline, high marks in effort on progress reports, and a teacher’s recommendation. 

Junior Academic Team (Quiz Bowl) 
(Grades 7-8)   

The middle school [and high school] Academic team is dedicated to representing the Cardinal Newman School community in various competitions, such as SCISA Quiz Bowl and the National History Bee and Bowl. Competitions in all fields of study are available, including math, science, history, and geography. Practices are held during Skinnies. 

Any middle school [or high school] student is eligible to join the team. The actual competitors for each event will be determined by the coach during practices. Come grab a buzzer and put your knowledge to the test!

Chess Club

(Grades 7-8)  

The Cardinal Newman Chess Club seeks to promote the sharpening of the brain through the study and competition of chess. All levels of player are welcome, from novice through master. The club meets twice a month on alternating weeks. Middle school students vie to participate in the SCISA Middle School Chess Championships in the spring.

Beta Club 
(Grades 7-8)

Beta Club is a service and academic club looking for students who strive academically, spiritually, and morally. Students may transfer membership from grade school clubs, or enroll as a new member when attending Cardinal Newman School. The Junior Beta Club focuses on academic success and service to the school community and beyond. The highlight of the year is the annual state convention held in Myrtle Beach every January, where our club competes in many activities both academically, and artistically. Students will meet September through January to prepare for the competition. They will continue to meet February through March to give community service and to prepare for the upcoming year. 

Membership to the club is contingent based upon the following criteria: academics, good standing with discipline, high marks in effort on progress reports, and a teacher’s recommendation. 

Junior Drama
(Grades 7-8)

Let’s put on a show! Each school year, the Cardinal Newman Junior Drama Club puts on a musical production. The students may either audition to be part of the cast or sign up to be a crew member. The club has produced four very successful productions (Annie Jr., Aladdin Jr., Seussical Jr., and Willy Wonka Jr.) and is looking forward to another great production next year. The Junior Card Players not only learn the technical aspects of putting on a successful show, but they also gain self-confidence, grow in creativity, exercise their imagination, work as part of a team for a common goal, and have fun. There is truly no business like show business! 

Junior Leadership Team (JLT)
(Grade 8)

The Junior Leadership Team is comprised of the 8th grade House Captains from each House. Students submit applications for the role of House Captain at the end of their 7th grade year. The students chosen to fill a leadership role in our House Program for their 8th grade year. The Captains meet with a faculty advisor and help plan promote, and implement all activities for the House Program and other school events.

Membership to the club is contingent on expectance as a House Captain.

Mock Trial 
(Grades 7-8)  

Mock Trial is a fun and interactive way for students to learn about our legal system. The hands on experience is enhanced by learning terminology and procedures for a court case and trial. Students will take a case (Fictional) provided by the SC Bar Association and work on making arguments for both the plaintiff and defense while leaning about the preparation that must take place before a case goes before a judge. As part of the competition students will take on the roles of witnesses, lawyers, bailiff, and time keeper. They will move through different rounds changing which side they argue for against other schools. Mock Trial is a great experience for students that are interested in having a career in law, want to learn a little more about our countries legal system, or have a flair for acting and story telling. 

Pokemon Club

(Grades 7-12)

Do you want to catch ‘em all? If so, join Cardinal Newman’s Pokémon Club! We talk, watch, play, and trade all things Pokémon!

 

High School Activities

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) 
(Grade 9)  

The purpose of the National Junior Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage good citizenship in the students of secondary schools. 

The Newman Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society is currently only for 9th grade students and will induct members once in the fall of the ninth grade year.  Students must have a 4.5 or higher to apply.

Academic Team (Quiz Bowl)
(Grades 9-12) 

The high school Academic team is dedicated to representing the Cardinal Newman School community in various competitions, such as SCISA Quiz Bowl and the National History Bee and Bowl. Competitions in all fields of study are available, including math, science, history, and geography. Practices are held during Skinnies. 

Any high school student is eligible to join the team. The actual competitors for each event will be determined by the coach during practices. Come grab a buzzer and put your knowledge to the test!

Art Club
(Grades 9-12)

The Art Club is dedicated to enhancing the whole school community. The high school Art Club concentrates on long-range interdisciplinary projects, room life-size athletic mosaics that grace our Chapel entrance and Gymnasium atrium, to the cross that enhances our school cafeteria - Alumni Hall. We strive to involve our students in creative problem solving with an artsy twist.

Cardinal Newman Dance Marathon (CNDM)
(Grades 9-12)

Each year, our school partners with USCDM to raise money for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. This is a student focused event, planned & directed by the Executive Team. The CNDM Team consists of Freshman & Sophomores that help at all CNDM events. The executive board consists of Juniors & Seniors chosen from an application & interview process. They work tirelessly throughout the year to plan and execute several fundraising events.

Chess Club
(Grades 9-12)

The Cardinal Newman Chess Club seeks to promote the sharpening of the brain through the study and competition of chess. All levels of player are welcome, from novice through master. The club meets twice a month on alternating weeks. High school students vie to participate in the SCISA High School Chess Championships in the fall.

Venture Crew 61
(Grades 9-12)

Venturing is brand new at Cardinal Newman. It is a coed program for young adults ages 13 (and have completed the 8th grade) through 20. Venturing’s motto, “Lead the Adventure,” reminds Venturers always to pursue life in the spirit of adventure. There are currently 158,000 Venturers and 58,000 adult volunteers in the United States.
Venturers discover a world of excitement full of heart-pounding adventure and far-off travel, while they develop a lifestyle of genuine friendship and caring for others. From experiencing the thrill of zip lining and the accomplishment of summiting challenging peaks, to the heart-pounding charge of whitewater rafting and the thrill of scuba diving, in Venturing friends have the time of their lives while learning about life, together.

French Club
(Grades 9-12)  

French club brings together students who are interested in learning more about French culture, and language outside the classroom through film, food, and games.

KAIROS Retreat Team
(Grade 12)

Kairos Retreat Team members meet two to three times weekly, before school, during Skinnies, after school, and weekends to plan, prepare, and execute the four day Kairos retreat for the junior class. This team requires time away from school during the retreat. Membership to this club requires both an application and interview.

Key Club

(Grades 9-12)

Key Club International is the high school organization sponsored by Kiwanis International. They assist Kiwanis in carrying out its’ mission to serve the children of the world. The Cardinal Newman Key Club organizes two major school wide food drives each year at Thanksgiving and Easter to help members meet the needs of the St. Vincent de Paul Center at St. Joseph Church. In addition they organize smaller community based service projects. The students learn leadership skills by running meetings, planning projects, and holding elected leadership positions at the club.

M 18's, from Matthew 18
(Grades 9-12)

Women’s Discernment and Prayer group meets during Skinnies for prayer and discussion. Students read scripture that relates to their lives, set spiritual goals, and discuss challenges/opportunities of being a young women today. The group works together on service based cause every year.

Molokai Men
(Grades 9-12)

The Molokai Men Club brings together high school young men for prayer, Bible study, discussion, and fellowship with our school Chaplin. All are welcome to join. The club will work at times with the Junior High Boy’s Discernment Club when appropriate.

National Honor Society (NHS)
(Grades 10-12)  

The National Honor Society is the leader among organizations and societies that promote appropriate recognition for students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Beginning in the sophomore year, students with a minimum G.P.A. of 4.5 after the third quarter of the school year are eligible to apply for membership in the Kelley Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). A faculty council, appointed each year by the Principal, reviews all membership
applications in reference to the required points in each of the following areas: academics, leadership, service, and character. More information on the National Honor Society is available in the high school front office.

Prom Committee
(Grade 11)

The Prom Committee has the responsibility of planning the prom in regards to theme, scenery, decorations, music and more. During the week of the prom members assist in setting up, decorating the venue, as well as other activities as needed.

Retreat Team
(Grades 10-12)

The Retreat Team is a club that meets weekly to prepare and execute retreats for both middle school and high school. A student run Board, (Grades11-12) manages sub groups designed to develop different aspects of the retreats.

Spanish Club
(Grades 9-12)

Spanish Club is open to high school students who are currently enrolled in Spanish or have completed their foreign language requirement in Spanish. It is for students who wish to celebrate the beauty of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Spanish Club is led by an executive board comprised of a President, Vice President and Secretary. The executive board plans and leads each monthly club meeting. We participate in many activities such as Hispanic Heritage Month, the Pulsera Project, Day of the Dead celebrations, the very popular Cinco de Mayo Taco Fest, and many more!
Student Council
(Grades 9-12)

Student Council is an organization open to high school students. It is for students who wish to organize, plan, and participate in all the events and activities planned throughout the school year. Student council is led by an executive board comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as an elected board of the same positions for each high school class level. The executive board plans and leads each weekly meeting. We organize and participate in many activities throughout the year such as the Back to School Bash, Homecoming, Coming Home, May Day, and many more.

Students for Life
(Grades 9-12)

Students for Life is one of the activities that is administered through the Campus Ministry Outreach Program. Deeply rooted in the school's commitment to Catholic Social Justice Teaching, this activity allows students to peacefully act upon their commitments to ALL life. One activity in which the group participates each year is the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. each January.