Newsletter, Socials and Website
Welcome to the first newsletter for 2025! We will be sharing all the news about events and student achievements throughout the year. There will be three newsletters per term, and the link will be sent to all parents, guardians and students via SEQTA. So keep an eye out!
Our socials are busy too, with our Facebook and Instagram pages increasing in followers every week. Be sure to follow us!
Our website is home to any information about Newhaven College you might be looking for, so remember to check it out.
We look forward to keeping you informed throughout 2025!
Steph Thornborrow & Lucy Couper
Marketing and Communications
Director of Learning Report
‘Deeply know each student. Honour and enrich their unique learning path.’
It’s been wonderful to have the energy and drive of the school body flood through the buildings after intensive and productive staff learning days in January. Meeting parents at various school functions and working with students in my own class, in Home Group, through the school musical and randomly through yard duties and classroom visits.
The start of the year offers such opportunity for change, enhancing great habits, new subjects, new connections and, of course, the important learning partnership between school and home.
In 2024 we launched ‘The Newhaven Way’ which anchors our conversations and gives us some common sense approaches to keep communication flowing and achievement levels rising.
All students in Years 5-10 self-assess their learning choices across all subject areas using the following continuum. This information goes on the report and can create powerful conversations at home and school.
Our staff value the partnerships with families as our mission aligns with yours – to support the young people in our care with skill, empathy and understanding.
Karen Milkins-Hendry
Director of Learning
Student Leaders Inducted
At our first all-school assembly for 2025, we welcomed and congratulated our 2025 Student Leadership for our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. Our Year 12 cohort promise to provide dedicated and caring mentorship for the whole school. College Captains Gabriel di Falco and Abby Papas ran proceedings, with Grace Howlett and Isaac Savona also addressing those assembled.
During the assembly, we also welcomed back some of our 2024 high achievers. Sienna Michie and Finn Leary spoke passionately about their time at Newhaven. Sienna was 2024 Dux of School with impressive results. She reflected that once she changed her mindset to one of success, she started to see the results. Finn was awarded proxime accessit (second to dux) and thanked the school and her family for their support during VCE.
School Photos - Next Week!
Newhaven College's official School Photographs will take place next week - Wednesday 19 February, with a reserve day on Friday 21 February for absent and Prep students.
Payment envelopes have been sent home with all students. Be sure to complete and return to class or home group teachers.
All students are expected to wear full summer uniform and have their shoes polished. Long hair is to be tied up and off the face, minimal make-up and jewellery.
And practice that winning smile!
SEQTA Contact
SEQTA access for students and parents has now been completed, and all new parents should have received an email with their login information.
If not received, please check your spam folder. For assistance email our IT department:- helpdesk@newhavencol.vic.edu.au
SEQTA Parent Engage gives parents access to important information about their child’s progress which can be downloaded on any device. You will be able to view your child’s report, homework, timetable, assessments, results, comments and messages from teachers, notices, documents and attendance history.
Click Here to access SEQTA Engage Enter your username and password, if you require assistance, please contact our IT Team.
Students can click here to access SEQTA Learn. This site contains course materials, timetables, upcoming events and tasks, as well as the assessments and reports that parents can see. Our IT department can assist students with the setup.
Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application Form
A communication has now been sent out via SEQTA which will be relevant for all families who hold a current eligible concession card, containing the 2025 CSEF Application form.
For information about eligibility - please visit the website
Camps Sports and Excursions Fund APPLICATION Form 2025
The Department of Education (department) administers the CSEF to help eligible families with the costs of camps, sporting activities, excursions and incursions.
Upon successful applications - Payments are made directly to an eligible student’s school
Application Forms must be returned via email by Wednesday 4 June to:- admissions@newhavencol.vic.edu.au. Alternatively, forms are available and can be returned to Main Reception.
Bec Anderson
Admissions Officer
Japan Tour 2025 – Expression of Interest
Are you a Year 10 or 11 student ready for an unforgettable adventure? We are thrilled to propose the Japan Tour 2025, tentatively scheduled from Saturday, 13 September, to Saturday, 27 September (Term 3, Week 9 to Break Week 1).
This two-week immersive experience will take you on a journey to explore Japan’s rich culture, history, and traditions. Highlights include:
Visit our sister school, including a homestay experience with a sister school family: Connect with Japanese students, experience their school life and build lifelong memories through cultural exchange.
Cultural immersion: Discover local traditions, visit iconic landmarks and deepen your understanding of Japan’s unique culture.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: Use this exchange program toward obtaining the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for the Residential Project and/or Adventurous Journey components.
The approximate cost of the tour is $3,900.
Japan Tour 2025 Information Evening - Thursday 20 February
To learn more, join us at the Information Evening on Thursday, 20 February, at 7:00 pm in SS1.
Interested? Don’t miss this amazing opportunity! Send your name to Mrs Horiguchi to express your interest.
Mitsuko Horiguchi
Program Co-ordinator
College Charity Fundraiser - Tropicana!
Our Year 12 Leadership team has chosen Bali Children Foundation as the 2025 College Charity. Starting in 2002, the Bali Children Foundation (BCF) helps thousands of children to complete school, find employment and improve the lives of not only themselves but those of their families and wider communities. The foundation is currently working to expand its reach to Sumba, an island in the far east of Indonesia.
This year, we have set a fundraising target of $15,000, which if met, will allow us to provide the BCF with enough funds to complete a full renovation and refurbishment of a Balinese school. With the strength of our school community, we believe that this goal is very achievable.
We can already see the results, with our fundraising kicking off with a Tropicana theme, including a cake sale in Junior School and a Sausage Sizzle at lunchtime! We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm with which all students participated. Thanks to your donations (nearly $2000!), we have had an incredible start to the year.
We can’t wait to share our next fundraiser with you, which will be on Thursday 13 March, with more details to be announced closer to the date. Links to donate to the BCF will also be shared soon.
College Captains
Isaac Savona, Abby Papas, Grace Howlett, Gabe Di Falco
Homework Club and Maths Support
Homework Club and Maths Support are available for students in Years 7 – 12 every Wednesday from 3.30 – 4.50pm.
There is a Late Bus Timetable that leaves promptly at 5pm which travels from the College to Inverloch with stops at Cape Woolamai, San Remo, Anderson, Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
Homework Club is supervised by English and Science teachers, whilst Maths Support has Maths teachers in attendance. Maths Support is held in Senior School SS1 and SS2, with Homework Club being held in the Senior School Student Support area and SS3 and SS4.
Wednesday Afternoon Guidelines
Students must bring enough work for the entire session.
No phones allowed.
Students completing Maths homework must sit in SS1/2.
Group work is encouraged however there must be a clear goal and the groups must be respectful of the other students’ studying.
Normal classroom behaviours apply.
A roll will be taken to monitor attendance and teachers will also note the type of work being undertaken by students who are attending.
Homework Club is not a place to view videos or films; that can be done at home. Edrolo videos are the exception.
Calculators should be charged.
We are building a culture of study and support for our students and will be ensuring Homework Club is used as a dedicated space for academic focus.
Mrs S Paterson and Mrs M Kelly
Homework Club and Maths Support Coordinators
New car parks and play area
Our wonderful maintenance team worked hard over the summer to prepare the school grounds for students' return. Gardens were been mulched, some new car parks were created at the gym and Senior School car park, plus an exit route through the top of the Senior School park. The team also created a wonderful space outside Senior School with a cross ball court and seating area. Plus some lovely indigenous trees have been planted near Senior School.
Parents and Friends Association Report
The Newhaven College Parents and Friends Association (PFA) kicked off the year in style at the Parents’ Welcome Evening!
Jo Vohland and I had a great time serving drinks and running the bottle coin toss—congratulations to all our lucky winners! A special shout-out to parent Wes Stecher, who not only scored a bottle but generously donated it back to the PFA and made a separate donation of all the change he didn’t have to use to win his bottle!
The night was a fantastic opportunity to connect with new and familiar faces, and we owe a huge thank you to Katrina Lawrence for organising such a great event and to Middle School Teacher Aaron Chaston for stepping in last minute to keep everyone entertained.
If you’re looking for a way to get involved with the PFA, we’d love to have
you! Whether you’d like to join our meetings or lend a hand at events, please
email Newhaven.pfa@gmail.com—we’d
love to hear from you!
Angel Chambers
President | Parents and Friends Association
Parents Welcome Drinks
Last Friday night we welcomed over 100 new and existing parents and guardians to the College's annual drinks at the Performing Arts Wing.
There was a wonderful atmosphere, with many joining in on the PFA coin toss to win a bottle of something delicious!
We thank Angel and Jo from the PFA who helped out at the bar with a number of College Staff. The PAW is the perfect venue for an event like this.
If you're interested in joining the Parents and Friends Association, contact Angel on newhaven.pfa@gmail.com
