As we enter the final term of the year, it's hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. A tremendous amount of learning has taken place, and over the next few weeks, we will be busy with assessments to measure the exciting growth and development that has occurred in just one short year. There is so much to celebrate, and we are incredibly proud of the new learning achieved by both students and teachers. The strong commitment and dedication displayed by our students, teachers, parents and community have been fantastic, setting us up for future success.
Reading Certificates for Term 3 home reading habits were distributed to students, and we congratulate all who received a reading award for their outstanding efforts. I am very proud of the reading progress made this year, due to the consistent practice both at school and home, which is clearly reflected in the students' reading development. As we enter our final term, we encourage students to continue their excellent reading habits, and I look forward to distributing as many Term 4 reading certificates as possible!
During the first week of Term 4, Newhaven College celebrated World Teachers' Day. Thank you to our Junior School community for acknowledging this special day and making our teachers feel so appreciated. We are very fortunate to have such incredible teachers, and our parents and students certainly made them feel valued.
Our Junior School captaincy selection process has been revised for our 2025 leaders. Year 3 students are preparing speeches in class to present mid-term, after which a panel of teachers will vote for Junior School College Captains. House Captaincy selections will occur in House meetings, where students will present speeches and teachers will vote.
The importance and benefits of school camps cannot be overstated; these experiences are often the most memorable parts of a child's schooling and offer significant social benefits. At the end of last term and the beginning of this term, our Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 students all attended their year-level camps. It was a team effort between camp providers, teachers, parents and students to create wonderful memories for all involved. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and special thanks to our teachers for making these camps such a wonderful experience for everyone.
Next week, the Junior School is looking forward to an outdoor police visit, and Year 1 will have a wildlife incursion. There are many exciting events planned for the remainder of the term, and we are looking forward to finishing this extremely productive year on a positive and strong note.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
We are excited to share highlights from our Year 2 sleepover, which took place last Thursday night and was filled with excitement and learning!
The evening kicked off with a special visit from the police in their highway patrol car, allowing students to explore and learn about road safety. The excitement continued as the Phillip Island CFA joined us for a fire safety talk. Students were engaged as they listened attentively and even had the chance to use the hoses, making for a truly interactive experience.
After these educational activities, we set up camp in the assembly area. The students enjoyed watching a movie and indulging in delicious ice cream, creating a memorable night of fun and friendship.
The following day, Friday, we continued the adventure with a trip to AmazeN’ Things for a round of mini golf, adding a touch of friendly competition to the day. Once we beat the rain and got back to school, they made their own sandwiches for lunch, getting creative with their choices!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a wonderful success.
Meg Oudshoorn and Sarah Pedersen
Year 2 Teachers
We’re thrilled to share highlights from our unforgettable three-day camp at Candlebark Farm in Healesville! Our adventure began on Wednesday morning, filled with excitement (and a bit of nervousness) as we boarded the bus. After a fun ride, we stopped at Deep Creek Reserve for morning tea.
Our first adventure took us to Healesville Sanctuary, where we encountered a variety of Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, and even some magnificent birds of prey. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about their habitats and the importance of wildlife conservation while observing these animals up close.
At Candlebark Farm, the fun continued! We tackled the low ropes course, embarked on nature walks, and even got involved in kitchen duties, which we thoroughly enjoyed. One of the highlights was playing gaga ball—it was a blast, especially when we managed to get the grown-ups out!
Beyond the activities, we cherished the time spent bonding with our classmates, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories. This camp was a wonderful opportunity to work as a team and support one another throughout our adventures.
We’d like to thank you to our amazing teachers and parents who made this trip possible. A special shout-out to Mrs. Clark, Ms. Krieg, Mrs. Smart, Mrs. Huther, Sonia Vandamme, Mel Ferretto, Jock Potter, Tim Van, and Nick Russo for being our fantastic adult supervisors. Your support and encouragement made all the difference.
Year 3 Students
In Week 1 of this term, forty-nine Year 4 students headed to ‘Forest Edge’ in Neerim East with their teachers Kate Middleton, Rob Simpson and Jo Savona, teacher aide Katanya Hedrick and parent helpers Steve Regnier, Jason Moyle, Luci Mannix and Kim Hauser.
In a beautiful valley setting, surrounded by lush bushland, the students engaged enthusiastically in activities such as hut building, archery, a ropes course, a 382m flying fox, rock climbing and eating at regular intervals! Our students also showed commitment to making camp a positive experience for themselves and their peers, by having a go at all they were presented with, supporting each other and overcoming challenges with quiet confidence. Their growth from last year’s camp to this one was clearly apparent in the way they conducted themselves.
Congratulations to all our students on the independence and sense of fun they displayed on camp. Rob and I also sincerely thank our staff and parent helpers for generously giving their time to support our Year 4 students.
Kate Middleton
Year 4 Teacher
At our last Junior School assembly, Katrina Knight from Westernport Water attended to present prizes and certificates for the poster competition they organised for several local schools.
Katrina gave a brief talk on the importance of water and shared tips on how we can conserve it in our daily lives.
Congratulations to our prize winners from Newhaven College:
Years 1-2 2nd place Lucy Pirouet Newhaven College
Years 3-4 1st Place Ruby Pirouet Newhaven College
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.