Junior School Reception
We are delighted to welcome Dearne Young to our Junior School reception and administration team. Dearne will be working full-time at the Junior School reception, and we are excited to have her join our Junior School community. Please feel free to introduce yourself or reach out to Dearne if you need assistance during the school day.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Kylee and Melissa for the wonderful job they have done in supporting our Junior School reception. Kylee will now be based solely at the main reception, and we are grateful for her continued dedication.
Dad’s and Donuts Morning
On Friday 30 August, we will be hosting our Dad’s and Donuts Morning. This special event is designed for Junior School students to celebrate the important role of fathers or special people in their lives. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to share a special morning at school, in honour of the upcoming Father’s Day.
During this celebration, students will have the chance to show their dads or special guests around their classroom and share their work. We look forward to welcoming you to this special event, which will take place from 8:30 am to 9:00 am in the Junior School.
RUOK Day
RUOK Day is a reminder to ask each other the important question, "Are you okay?" It's a way to show that we care about one another and want everyone to feel supported and comfortable speaking about how they feel. This day emphasises listening, helping those who may feel sad or worried, and reminding them that they can always talk to a trusted adult. RUOK Day highlights the importance of being a good friend, fostering meaningful connections, and spreading kindness.
To mark this special day, we will be holding a Wellbeing Lunchtime Club for our Junior School students on Thursday, 12th September. Fun games and activities will take place for students in the assembly area at 1:30 pm. We look forward to seeing our students come together for this important cause.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Pre-Prep Library Sessions
Our future Newhaven College Preps for 2025 have started their transition program. Over the past few weeks, children enrolled for Prep in 2025 have participated in library and story sessions. These sessions provide our future students with the opportunity to enjoy story time and borrow books. The goals of these informal gatherings are to help students become familiar with our school environment, meet new peers and offer a space for parents to connect. The Pre-Preps had a wonderful time with Mr. Corr on Monday and will enjoy their final library session for the term next week.
Preps 100 Days of School Celebrations
On Friday 9 August, Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Smart celebrated 100 days of school with their Prep classes! The school was filled with cheer, joy, streamers and costumes as the Preps arrived dressed up with 100 things attached to them. What an enthusiastic and lovely cohort of Preps we have… they certainly loved their day! Parading around the Junior School, there were many proud faces, not only from the Preps but also from their siblings, peers and our entire Junior School community. It was a lovely sight!
The first year of schooling is a very special time for both Preps and their families. The learning that has taken place during these 100 days is remarkable, and we couldn’t be prouder of our Preps for their dedication to learning both at school and home. It was wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate this milestone.
Book Week Celebrations
On Thursday 22 August students from Prep to Year 4 took part in the annual Book Week Parade in the MS Collect.
The theme this year was ‘Reading is Magic’ and we certainly had a magical time seeing all the wonderful costumes and diverse array of characters from a multitude of books.
Mrs Huther, our Head of Junior School, got the ball rolling with an interactive Acknowledgement of Country that included lovely hand gestures to go with the words. We then learnt about the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) who promote Australian authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers and other organisations to bring words, images and stories into the hearts and minds of children and adults via the Book of the Year Award winners.
During Library lessons, students viewed and read the shortlisted books nominated and the winners of the six categories including:
Older Readers (13-18 years) Younger Readers (7-12 years) Early Childhood (0-6 years) Picture Book, Factual Books and New Illustrator.
Students and teachers have viewed some fantastic books during the past fortnight and students have been supported to read, grow and be inspired by Australian literature as well as celebrate and explore our diverse culture and amazing natural environment.
To coincide with Book Week there will be a visiting author, Michael Wagner, speaking on Friday 6 September for students from Prep to Year 6.
Michael is a children’s author with a chequered past, having previously worked as a radio broadcaster with the ABC, a copywriter, a television scriptwriter/producer, a comedy writer and even a songwriter.
Michael has written many books such as, Dirt by Sea, Why I Love Footy and Destiny’s Right Hand Man.
We look forward to listening to Michael speak and thank our wonderful teachers and staff for making Book Week such a wonderful time.
Bridget Haines
Library Teacher
Prep Mums Social Afternoon
Being the mum of a Prep student is exciting but also has its challenges. Who better to share your experiences with than other Prep mums? A group of our Prep mums got together recently for a social gathering at a Colour Wheel Workshop with local artist Kirsty Cargill.
It was a wonderful afternoon of creativity and bonding for these mums who will be together through the Newhaven College community for the next 12 years!
Thank you to Prep mum Pharrah Underwood for organising the event.
Junior School Production
Mr. and Mrs. Prideaux have been hard at work writing scripts, composing songs, choreographing, and staging our Junior School Production, Just a Drip. The effort and creativity they have poured into this production have been immense, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated and talented teachers.
We also extend our thanks to all the parents who are assisting with costumes. Our Junior School assembly area has come alive with music, song, dance and drama. It has been lovely to witness the students' enthusiasm as they sing and fill our school with joy and energy. Well done to our budding and talented students for their commitment and dedication to learning lines and song lyrics. This production is a wonderful opportunity for every student to shine, and we look forward to celebrating their hard work and talent on stage.
Agatha Andrianopoulos in Year 4M created the winning image for the Production poster. There were 49 submissions, which all go on display around campus. Well done Aggie!
The Junior School production, Just a Drip, will be on at Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre on Thursday 19 September, 12pm and 6pm.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Pizza time
Year 1S had a pizza to celebrate winning the Values Award this week. The delicious pizza was kindly donated by Massimo from Isola.
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.
