Book Week

On Thursday 21 August, Junior School and Middle School students and staff celebrated the annual CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Book Week via a parade in the Middle School Collect. This year, the theme was titled ‘Book an Adventure’. The hosts of the parade were the Junior School Captains, Dallas, Peyton, Venus and Nate from Year 4. It was wonderful to share this exciting event with parents and friends watching as students stepped into the world and imagination of their favourite characters. Popular characters included those from The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss as well as several from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. 

In recent library lessons, students were exposed to a variety of Australian authors and read several shortlisted books during Book Week. Moreover, they are consistently encouraged to borrow a variety of texts and can utilize the library at lunchtimes every day. Mrs Janine Butera gave out prizes to star students who borrow books each week and are regular library enthusiasts. The three fortunate students to receive a book voucher from Turn the Page were Grayson Kondarios 3R, Elise Kim 1P and Wynn Brebner 1H. 

Both Mrs Butera and Ms Haines were thrilled by the efforts of students who dressed up and were involved in the parade. This event demonstrates the importance of reading in young people’s lives and the connections they make with certain characters. We are very lucky here at Newhaven College to have a comprehensive selection of authors and books in the library and we look forward to continuing the celebration of Book Week.

We thank parents for their support and encouragement of the parade last week.

Bridget Haines

Library Teacher

Colour Run

What an amazing day! Our Colour Run was a huge success, with funds raised going towards the much-anticipated Middle School playground. Students had a blast running through our bigger and better obstacle course, getting showered in colour, and even showing off their moves in the dance-offs. 

Congratulations to our raffle winners:

• Heath (Year 1H) – Family Pass to Amaze’N Things (donated by Amaze’N Things)
• Emerald (Year 1P) – Family Pass to Maru Koala Park & Mini Golf (2 adults + 2 children, donated by Maru Koala and Mini Golf)
• Nate (Year 4S) – $100 EB Games Voucher
• Eden (Year 7) – $50 Isola Gelato Voucher (donated by Isola)
• Liam (Year 7D) – $50 Smiggle Voucher (donated by Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage)

Best dressed prizes went to: Charli (5S), Jack (6OD), Zara (7C), Kobe (5D), Indi (8B), Juliette (8B), and Fynn (5S).

A very special thank you to all of our incredible parent volunteers who made the day possible. In particular, Jenni Lewandowski and Kay Konarios for their tireless support from set-up through to pack-up, and Jo Vohland for her fabulous MC skills. Thanks also to Denise Dillon, Tayla Smith, Jessica Janson, Lisette Rule, Erin Bright, Nadia Ryan, Michelle Jackson, Cassie Dunk, Nicole Ogden, Dee Smith, Kelly Latham, Robyn Hill, Nikole Schellekens, and Pharrah Underwood. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Angel Chambers

President | Parents and Friends Association

100 Days of School Celebration in Prep

On Wednesday 13 August, our Prep students proudly celebrated an important milestone, 100 days of school. This was a happy occasion for our Junior School community as we recognised the fantastic achievements of our youngest learners. Students dressed up in creative costumes decorated with 100 items, parading proudly in front of Junior School students, teachers, and families. From 100 cherries and balloons to hair clips and even 100 sums equalling 100, the imagination on display was great. The day was filled with exciting activities centred around the number 100, including counting, sorting, and singing. A highlight was making fairy bread sprinkled with hundreds and thousands, while buddies joined in to create special crowns to mark the occasion. Mrs Clark also organised a lively PMP session with a 100 Days theme, ensuring plenty of fun and movement. A big thank you to our Prep teachers, Mrs Lynch and Mrs Faulwetter, along with our parents and wider community, for making this such a memorable celebration.

Cath Huther

Head of Junior School

Pre-Prep Library Sessions

Our future Newhaven College Preps for 2026 have begun their transition program. Over recent weeks, children enrolled for Prep in 2026 have taken part in Library and story sessions, enjoying the chance to borrow books and share stories together. These sessions are designed to help our future students feel at ease in their new environment, meet new peers, and provide parents with the opportunity to connect. Mr Corr shared a story about new friendships which resonated with many of our families as they prepare to begin their journey from Prep to Year 12 with us. It has been a wonderful start to the transition program, and we look forward to welcoming our newest learners and families to more Library sessions in the coming weeks.

Cath Huther

Head of Junior School

Class Values Awards: Celebrating Year 1P

Our Junior School likes to recognise and celebrate the values we share. Our Key Value Awards give us a meaningful way to acknowledge and encourage the wonderful behaviours our students show in the classroom and beyond.

The awards are presented to the class that receives the most keys over a fortnight. Keys are awarded to students who show kindness, respect, honesty, empathy, persistence, excellence, and a willingness to try new things. These qualities make up what we proudly call The Newhaven Way.

This program helps build a culture of encouragement, positive choices, and shared responsibility. Classes have enjoyed a variety of rewards this year, including pyjama parties, movie mornings, and even mountain bike track adventures.

This week, we were delighted to celebrate Year 1P as the Class Values Award winners. Their efforts were rewarded with a special lunchtime experience in the main staffroom with Mr Corr and Mrs Pedersen. Together, they enjoyed pizza, conversation, and plenty of laughter, creating a memorable moment of connection and pride.

Cath Huther

Head of Junior School

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.

Year 8 Camp - Kinglake

Newhaven College Year 8 students recently spent five days at Kinglake Forest Adventure Camp, with the theme of the camp focusing on leadership. Students were immersed in a wide range of outdoor education activities designed to challenge them and encourage them to “do hard things.”

For some, the challenge was learning to work effectively with others, for others it was discovering their creativity or overcoming a fear of heights. Every student had the opportunity to both thrive and lead, as well as collaborate and support their group.

A standout feature of the camp was the unique leadership approach taken by the camp staff, who led by stepping back. Rather than providing constant direction, they created situations that fostered resilience and encouraged students to overcome obstacles through trial, error, and teamwork.

The result was a truly rewarding experience where students developed not only their leadership skills but also confidence, independence, and a stronger sense of community whilst learning how to work with people they had not previously spent much time with.

Our students truly embraced the challenge and made us proud.

A big thank you to all of the staff who attended, giving up all of their personal time for the 5 days to facilitate an outstanding experience for our young people.

Ben Clark

Head of MS Clarke House

Library News – Author Visit for Prep to Year 6 students

We are very pleased and happy to welcome Adam Wallace, popular children’s author to our school on Thursday, 11 September 2025. Adam will be speaking and work-shopping with our Prep to Year 6 students, providing them with the exciting and authentic experiences of a published author. 

Please see the below flyer for information about purchasing Adam’s books (if you would like). Ordered items will be handed out to the children on the day, to be signed by Adam if the student’s wish. Any queries please email Janine Butera, Library janine.butera@newhavencol.vic.edu.au

Janine Butera

Librarian

The Challenges and Triumphs Year 12

Balancing Academics, Sport, and the Arts

Year 12 at Newhaven College marks a defining moment in every student’s journey – a year brimming with ambition, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. For those who strive to be all-round students, the demands can often feel overwhelming. Balancing the rigours of five VCE subjects, a full season of local football or netball, and possibly a deep commitment to the arts – be it singing in the school choir or mastering a musical instrument – requires not only time management but also emotional resilience.

The Academic Challenge

Undertaking five VCE subjects is, in itself, a considerable commitment. Each subject brings its own set of work requirements, revision schedules, and the ever-present shadow cast by SACs and the examinations. The pressure to perform academically can be intense, especially as tertiary aspirations ride on the results. Students often find themselves juggling essays, problem sets, language analysis, and practical assessments, all the while striving to absorb and retain a seemingly endless stream of information.

Sporting Commitment

For many Newhaven College students, sport is not just a pastime, it’s a way of life. Committing to a full season of local football or netball means attending regular training sessions, travelling to home and away matches, and maintaining peak physical fitness. The camaraderie and sense of belonging that come from sport are invaluable, yet the physical and mental fatigue that can accompany a busy fixture list must not be underestimated. Injuries, losses, and the pressure to perform for your team add another layer of stress to an already packed schedule.

Artistic Pursuits

Participation in the choir, learning a musical instrument or being part of our outstanding Musical Theatre performances brings its own joys and demands. These creative outlets offer a respite from the academic grind, fostering self-expression and emotional wellbeing. However, rehearsals, performances, and practice routines require consistency and focus. Balancing these activities with academic and sporting commitments can be challenging, especially when school concerts or matinees coincide with crucial assessment dates or important sporting fixtures.

Managing Competing Demands

The greatest challenge for all-round students lies in balancing these competing demands without becoming overwhelmed. Here are some strategies to help maintain equilibrium:

Prioritise and Plan: Use a planner or digital calendar to map out your commitments each week. Allocate specific time blocks for study, training, rehearsals, and downtime. Identify peak periods, such as examination weeks or finals, and plan ahead to reduce last-minute stress.

Communicate: Keep open lines of communication with teachers, coaches, and family. If you foresee clashes or need extra support, don’t hesitate to ask. Your teachers, coaches and parents want to help you succeed and can offer flexible arrangements where possible.

Set Realistic Goals: Understand that you can’t do everything perfectly all the time. Set achievable goals for each area of your life, and remember that sometimes, 'good enough' truly is enough. Celebrate your progress, not just your results.

Embrace Rest and Recovery: Schedule time each week for rest and relaxation. Whether it’s reading, spending time with friends, or simply enjoying the outdoors, prioritising downtime is vital for sustaining your energy and enthusiasm.

Practice Mindfulness: When things feel overwhelming, take a moment to breathe. Techniques such as mindfulness or meditation can help you manage stress and bring clarity to your thoughts.

Resilience When Plans Go Awry

No matter how meticulously you plan, things won’t always go as expected. An injury might sideline you from sport, a performance might not go as well as hoped, or a test result may disappoint. In these moments, it’s important to show yourself compassion. Learn from setbacks rather than dwelling on them. Seek support from friends, teachers, or our Wellbeing Team – Newhaven College is a community, and you are not alone.

Remember, being a committed, all round student is about growth, not perfection. The skills you develop in Year 12 – time management, resilience, adaptability, and teamwork – will serve you well beyond graduation. Embrace the journey, cherish the friendships and memories, and trust that every challenge you face is shaping you into a well-rounded, capable and hopefully, happy individual.

Brett Torstonson

Head of Senior School

Year 9 Update

As we move into the latter part of Term 3, I am pleased to share with you some of the rich and varied experiences our Year 9 students have engaged in over recent weeks. A clear theme of community has underpinned much of what we have done this term, whether through learning in the field, creative exploration, or service to others.

Food Security and Connection to Land

Our work on food security has taken students beyond the classroom to learn from the land and from those who work closely with it. At Swan Lake, Uncle Steve Parker guided students through an exploration of Indigenous food practices and sustainable ways of gathering from Country. His deep knowledge and generosity in sharing stories provided students with invaluable insights into the long-standing connection between First Nations Australians and the land.

In Woolamai, students visited Michael Gordon’s farm, one of our long-term maintenance staff members, to explore contemporary food production and the challenges of farming in the Bass Coast region. Michael’s openness in showing both the successes and the challenges of farming life allowed students to see the complexities behind the food we eat and to appreciate the resilience required in this essential industry. We are grateful to both Uncle Steve and Michael for their time and their commitment to helping our students connect theory to reality.

STEAM Week – Building Community Through Creativity

STEAM Week was another highlight of the term, providing opportunities for our students to work together in innovative, problem-solving contexts. Through science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, students collaborated in teams to design, create, and present their work. What stood out was the way Year 9s supported each other, demonstrating empathy and leadership as they tackled challenges and shared ideas. STEAM Week continues to be an important way of building connections across disciplines and reinforcing the importance of curiosity and creativity in our learning community.

Community Service – Giving Back

The theme of community has been most visible in the service activities our students have undertaken. Within the Junior School, Year 9s have been active in literacy and numeracy support, modelling patience and care while assisting younger students. Beyond our campus, their contributions in the Cowes Care Community have also been significant. Whether through assisting residents, engaging in conversations, or providing practical support, our students are learning the value of empathy, respect, and responsibility.

These experiences remind us all that learning is not only about knowledge and skills but also about building character and contributing meaningfully to the communities of which we are a part.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the remainder of Term 3 and beyond, our focus remains on deepening these connections to community, to Country, and to each other. I continue to be impressed by the way our Year 9 students are growing in maturity, responsibility, and understanding, and I thank staff, families, and our community partners for supporting them in this important year of learning.

Sam Foura
Head of Year 9

STEAM Week at Year 9

STEAM Week (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) has landed at Year 9 with a range of amazing experiences for our students. Students were treated to a Forensics workshop where they had to solve a murder, and a presentation from technology and defense group AVISTA on technologies, careers and innovations in aeronautics and robotics. This is on top of a series of workshops for students to pursue their own interests, including rocket building, Lego Car building and programming, Clay Totem making and building Melbourne Cityscapes. The Lego cars will drive around the streets of the Melbourne Cityscape at the end of the week, and the highly contested Da Vinci Bridge challenge will put the final bridges to the ultimate weight test. Year 9 students have been enjoying this opportunity to immerse themselves in STEAM activities and gain some excellent career inspiration in the process.

Elizabeth Hall

Year 9 Teacher

African Drumming for STEAM Week at Year 9

On Wednesday 27 August, students from Year 9 had the privilege of participating in an African Drumming workshop with Kofi Nortey, a renowned dancer and performer from Ghana, who has lived in Australia for 12 years. Students had an amazing experience playing Djembe (pronounced Jem-be), a hand drum played with bare hands, bringing forth amazing rhythm and energy. Students were even treated to an impromptu (but requested) singing performance from Kofi, songs from his recent album! This was a wonderful Arts addition to our STEAM week program.

Elizabeth Hall

Year 9 Teacher

Year 11 Ball

Saturday 16 August was a special night for our Year 11 students and their families as they gathered at Silverwater Resort for the Year 11 Ball. The students enjoyed the opportunity to dress up, and they all looked stunning. 

With DJ David Manning spinning the discs, everyone got onto the dance floor. 

A big shoutout to our leadership team who came along and a special thank you to Hannah Blake for organising the event.

Year 11 Environmental Science

Our students recently visited the Westernport Water Waste Treatment Plant to explore how wastewater is treated before being safely returned to the environment. They learnt the important rule of only pee, poo and paper down the drain to prevent blockages and pollution. Students also discussed the growing challenge of “forever chemicals,” which are extremely difficult and, at this point, nearly impossible to remove from water once they enter the system, ultimately ending up in the ocean. Below is a report from one of our Year 11 Environmental Science students.

Ann-Marie McLean

Environmental Science Teacher

My name is Alyssa Rogers, I am currently a Year 11 student at Newhaven College studying Environmental Science. I’m here to address the issue of Forever Chemicals and explain that, not only do they cause harm to the environment, but also to us. ‘Forever Chemicals’ contain a strong carbon-fluorine bond, which makes them highly resistant to breaking down. In short, Forever Chemicals persist in the environment and will continue to do so, as they don’t break down. For example, the lining of microwave popcorn bags contains Forever Chemicals, Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). There is evidence that this chemical leaches into the snack while popping. This is an issue as we eat this and our waste goes through a pump station and then on to a Wastewater Treatment plant. The treatment plant removes debris (baby wipes and condoms), as well as nutrients but Forever Chemicals can’t be removed as they are persistent. This chemical ends up in our oceans. Fish accumulate the chemical and as it goes up the food chain, the chemical biomagnifies and eventually, as we eat seafood it will accumulate in our body. Ocean Side, a recycle smart website, provides information to not recycle popcorn bags; “lined with chemicals to prevent grease soaking through. Chemical-lined paper cannot be recycled.” The harsh chemicals cause potential health risks. It is very important to be aware of what you pour down the drain or down the toilet.

 Alyssa Rogers

Year 11

Term 3 Assembly Performance 

On Tuesday, the students and staff in the Music Department were honoured to present a number of performances at the Term 3 Assembly. Our Senior Concert Band was in full flight, performing a great rendition of Fanfare and Processional to open the assembly. Our combined Middle School and Senior School choirs, directed by Kerryn Lockhart, were also in full voice for their performance of Follow My Own Dream by Paul Jarman. This is one of the pieces the choir recently performed at the Victorian Schools Music Festival.

One of our VET Music bands, if and when, featuring Jemilla Prideaux, Aoife O'Connell and Eve Oakley, performed a beautiful rendition of Freefall by Rainbow Kitten Surprise, with River Henderson, Bede Prideaux, Finn Campbell-Walker and Dave Prideaux.

The Senior Concert Band closed out the assembly by paying homage to the recent passing of Beach Boy Brian Wilson, with a strong performance of Beach Boys in Concert.

Matthew Goss

Director of Music

Urban Music Camp

On Friday 22 August, 50 students from Year 5 to Year 12 bussed off to Melbourne for our Urban Music Camp, accompanied by 10 music teachers.

This was the first time we have taken the camp to Melbourne, and we were very happy with the facilities at Urban Camp in Parkville.

Aside from the endless supply of hot chocolate from the machine, the highlights included our trip into the city to watch the musical In The Heights, followed by meeting the cast after the show. We loved this year’s edition of the hotly contested Music Captains Trivia, hosted by Cecily and guest presenter Marley Brown. This was followed by the hilariously fun karaoke with Kerryn. Special mentions to Levi, Bede and Finn CW!

Our final session on Monday was a showcase where each group performed a selection of the music they had been working on throughout the camp. I was very impressed with the standard reached by each group and am looking forward to the Spring Concert on Monday 8 September.

Thanks to the students and staff for all their efforts over the four days. We all worked very hard to put together some very challenging music and had a whole lot of fun along the way.

Music Camp is held every year and is open to all students from Years 5–12 who participate in our ensembles and choirs. If you'd like to find out more about how your child can get involved, please contact Mr Goss via SEQTA.

Matthew Goss

Director of Music

Cecily on The Voice!  

The whole College community has put its support behind our very own Year 12 singing sensation Cecily de Gooyer, as she shares her incredible talents on The Voice Australia. Cecily was successful in the blind auditions on Tuesday night, achieving two chair turns and being inducted into Team Kate. 

Cecily sang 'Think of Me' from Phantom of the Opera. Her operatic high notes had the audience in awe.

We wish Cecily all the best with the rest of the competition as it unfolds over the coming weeks.

Check out Cecily's performance on The Voice Facebook page.

SEISA Indigenous Round

On 14 August, the SEISA sports teams honoured the indigenous heritage of Millowl during our SEISA sports day at Newhaven College. Principal Tony Corr spoke about the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to all SEISA sporting codes and the importance of respecting the land upon which we play.

Sports Captain Finn O'Brien read the Acknowledgement of Country before today's matches commenced.

Newhaven College MTB Academy – Double Header Success

The Newhaven College Mountain Bike Academy had a huge weekend of racing, with coach Tom Basterfield and twelve students taking on back-to-back rounds of the AusCycling Interschool Series – Round 4 at the You Yangs on Saturday and Round 5 in Ballarat on Sunday.

With clear winter sunshine across both venues, conditions were perfect for racing and our riders certainly rose to the challenge.

• Will Walker showed true determination at the You Yangs, finishing third and earning a well-deserved place on the podium. Reflecting on the weekend, Will said:
  “I enjoy doing the Vic School Series because they’re challenging and it’s fun to ride with my friends. I also really like the MTB Academy because it’s so fun, I learn new skills and I’ve made lots of new friends who love MTB as much as me.”
• Lucy Thompson, known as “Miss Consistent,” made her return to racing in style – stepping onto the podium twice with second place finishes in both rounds.
• Evelyn McCabe also made a strong comeback, riding brilliantly at Ballarat to claim third place in her category.

Our riders impressed across the board with some excellent results:

• Charlie McCabe – 6th place in Under 9 Boys (Ballarat)
• Austin Mitchell – 6th place at both the You Yangs and Ballarat in Under 11 Boys
• Zach Basterfield – 8th place (You Yangs) and 7th place (Ballarat) in Under 15 Boys

The double header was a wonderful showcase of teamwork, resilience and talent, with every rider contributing to the Academy’s strong presence on the state stage.

What’s Next

The final two rounds of the series will be held in Castlemaine on Saturday 6 September and Bendigo on Sunday 7 September.

If your child is interested in mountain biking or learning more about the Academy, please contact the College for details.

Hayley Webster

MTB - Whale Tail  

The College MTB Academy is proud to announce a new feature in the MTB skills area. It’s called a Whale Tail due to its shape. What’s special about this feature is its versatility as it can be adjusted to have beginner (ride on & off), intermediate (ride on & jump off) and advanced (jump on & off) settings so everyone can have a go at their own level.

A special thank you must go to Newhaven MTB parent Christian Lamaro and family for their generous donation of the timber to construct this latest addition to the growing facilities available to students participating in MTB.

MTB Academy

Simon Furniss - Fire Medical Responder

Year 9 teacher, Simon Furniss, has just qualified, along with many members of his Brigade, as a Fire Medical Responder. It took many months of training and dedication to get there - and now Simon and other members, as part of the Phillip Island Fire Brigade, are trained and ready to respond to Triple Zero (000) calls as part of the new Fire Medical Response program.

This means that when you call Triple Zero (000) in the Phillip Island area CFA and Ambulance Victoria paramedics will be dispatched simultaneously, which means an ambulance and a fire truck may arrive at your home.

Phillip Island Fire Brigade is proud to support this joint initiative between CFA and Ambulance Victoria to improve patient outcomes in medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrest.