Spring Soiree
This week, our Performing Arts Centre came alive with music for our annual Spring Soirée! With three simultaneous performancesand over 100 students taking the stage, the evening was a celebration of musical talent and community spirit.
For some students, it was their very first public performance, and they rose to the occasion beautifully. The Rehearsal Hallshowcased our piano and vocal performers, The Black Box hosted our guitarists, woodwind and brass players, and the Foyer was filled with the sounds of our string students.
A special thank you to our wonderful emcees, Aoife O’Connell, our 2026 Senior School Music Captain, and Michael Christofi, our 2026 Middle School Music Captain, for guiding the evening with such confidence and charm.
It was inspiring to hear so many students perform with such skill and heart — but even more touching was the pride on the faces of both performers and their families at the end of each performance.
Our soirées continue to offer students a chance to nurture their talent in a supportive and encouraging environment. As teachers, we couldn’t be prouder of what our young musicians have accomplished this year — and they should be proud too!
Matthew Goss
Director of Music
2026 College Production announcement
It is with much excitement that the 2026 College Production has been announced. Next year we will all enjoy:
Midnight The Cinderella Musical
We thank everyone who auditioned. We truly have some amazing talent at our school.
The main cast have been selected, so please congratulate the following:
Ella – Aoife O’Connell
Prince – Finn Farley
King – Felix Fothergill
Ms Madrina – Jemilla Prideaux
Madame Bellington – Meyanna Christensen
Tiffany – Matilda Abraham-Williams
Rosie – Aisha Glass
Andre – Bede Prideaux
14 year old Ella – Charlee Pederson
8 year old Ella – Aurelia Wallis
Stella – Juliette Stephens
Mr Abernathy – Jude Fisher
Father – Holly Martelli
Mr Cloverbelli – Finn Campbell Walker
Mrs Lillicroft – Eve Oakley
Emperor – Hamish Dakers-Hock
Princess of Verona – Mia Bowtell
DANCERS
Jemilla Prideaux, Phoebe Helps, Abbie Wines, Matilda Cotton, Mikayla Clark, Evie Hollings, Mia Bowtell
FEATURED SINGERS
Elsa Osabutey, Charlotte Bryan, Harper Stephens, Bonnie Mc Bride, Elleah Rodgers, Ruby Pederson, Tierlin Hamley
ENSEMBLE
Carla Sorensen, Isa Wakefield, Belle Hart, Avia Scarlett, Scarlette Hill, Ayishika Perera, Zara Hill, Mia Tillotson, Georgia Sanders, Soul van Stokrom, Sophia Hardy, Ariana Ward, Ebony Welsh, Ella Sibson, Ned Scott, Milli Winn, Sequoia Paterson
This will be the first time Midnight The Cinderella Musical will be performed in South Gippsland!
Lauren White
Head of Theatre
Kalani receives prestigious scholarship
Congratulations to Year 10 Art Student Kalani Jenkins-McKay on being selected for the 2026 National Gallery Art Scholarship!
Kalani is just one of two students selected from the whole state of Victoria to take part in this amazing opportunity for budding artists. The review panel was deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness, creativity and passion evident in Kalani’s submission.
Over 12 months, NSAS participants meet online for learning experiences. In addition, Kalani will fly interstate to complete a week-long residency at the National Gallery of Australia in Kamberri/Canberra. Highlights of the Scholarship include, Artist-led creative workshops, behind-the-scenes experiences at the National Gallery, meeting National Gallery staff, connecting with a group of peers from across Australia and Studio visits. We wish Kalani all the best and know he will relish this opportunity to explore and hone his passions.
Rebecca Power
Art Teacher
Art Awards
The Art Exhibition by the Arts Society Phillip Island Region held at Berninneit over Cup Weekend, saw two Year 6 students win awards for their artworks. Rorey Filsell was the winner of the Young Artist Award and Charlie Matthews' piece was Highly Commended.
The Year 6 Art Class took inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night and worked with coloured oil pastels on black paper. Emphasis was on the careful blending of different hues of the one colour to make the compositions pop. Students had to retain the Cyprus tree in the foreground and the top half of the image as the night sky.
Congratulations to all the Newhaven College students who exhibited at the show.
Sian Adnam
Year 6 Art
Jude nominated for Theatre Award
The 2025 Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Awards nominations have been announced, and we are proud to announce Year 9 student Jude Fisher has been nominated as Junior Performer in an Open Production, for his role as Pugsley in the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group production of The Addams Family.
Singing Teacher, Kerryn Lockhart, has also been nominated as Lead Performer in a Female Presenting Role in The Addams Family.
We wish them both lots of luck!
Year 8 Art/Drama Community Projects
Our Year 8s embarked on a journey around 'Identity' as part of their Community Projects.
Works were completed with Lino Print and Image Transfer to bring their concepts to fruition.
The artworks are on display in The Collect in Middle School and well worth a visit.
Sian Adnam
Year 8 Art Teacher
Island Time Big Band
Come along to an incredible performance of The Island Big Time Band.
Sunday 30 November 2025 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Black Box @ Newhaven College
Tickets $23 - Book Now
The Island Time Big Band is a dynamic 18-piece big band led by our Director of Music Matthew Goss. Known for their energy and passion for big band music, the group brings classic and contemporary jazz to life on stage. The band is made up of some great local talent alongside some Newhaven College alumni, current students, staff and parents.
Spanning the golden age of swing through to modern big band masterpieces, the band features the timeless sounds of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Gordon Goodwin, among others. Audiences can expect a vibrant mix of hard-swinging instrumentals, lush ballads, and vocal classics that showcase the full power and versatility of the big band tradition.
Come along and enjoy a great afternoon of music right here in the Black Box.