With the official departure of the Year 12 cohort of 2024 and their shift into VCAA examination mode, the focus in the Senior School has shifted to ensuring that all Year 9, 10 and 11 students finish the year on a positive note and transition to their next year of development in the most effective manner possible.
Senior School Examinations
End of semester examinations for Year 9-11 students are now only just around the corner, with Year 10 and 11 students beginning their examinations tomorrow and Year 9 students beginning their examinations on Monday.
The staff of the Senior School have been working diligently to ensure all our students are well-prepared for these examinations, but it is important for all students and parents to note that intrinsic motivation is far more valuable in these situations than extrinsic. By that, I mean that the most effective form of preparation comes from the internal motivations of each individual student. Whilst it is important that teachers provide essential guidance and revision material to students, and parents ensure a quiet and productive space is available to their children to adequately prepare for their examinations, the most important driver of success is the level of motivation and desire evident in the student themselves. A positive approach – one that blends a deep determination to succeed and strive for excellence in all things with a strong organisational approach to a revision regimen is vital if a student is to achieve success at any level in examinations, be it Year 9 or VCAA examinations at Year 12. In essence, teachers and parents can set the scene, but students must do the hard work on their own.
The examination period will provide a stern test of a student’s capabilities and motivation and I wish every success to all our students during this challenging time. I trust that they will not waste their time in the lead up to these examinations and ensure they put themselves in a strong position to achieve success in all subject areas.
2025 Transition
Looking beyond the examinations, we look forward to a week of Targets and Transition for our 2025 Year 10 to Year 12 cohort. The week of 25 to 29 November is important in setting expectations for students as they move into a more senior academic setting and is particularly important for our Year 9 students as they transition from the complexities of the Year 9 program into the more academically focused environment of Year 10. Each student will enjoy two lessons of each of their chosen subjects for 2025 largely with their allocated teacher, but please note that all class allocations during the TNT program are subject to change at the start of the 2025 academic year. In addition, considerable time in the TNT program is dedicated to properly preparing all students for their Y10, Y11 and Y12 English programs as they are exposed to key texts for the year across three blocked lessons. Finally, the House environment is key to all that we do here in the Senior School and considerable time is dedicated to the integration of all students, current and new, into the House system.
The Transition and Targets Program (TNT) timetable will be uploaded to SEQTA for student visibility and access on Friday 22 November.
Presentation Evening
Lastly, I would like to remind all families of the compulsory attendance at the upcoming Presentation Evening, where we celebrate the success of all our students in the academic, sporting and values spheres of life here at Newhaven College.
The Middle and Senior School Presentation Evening is scheduled for Thursday 28 November from 6.00pm in the Gymnasium. This is the school’s biggest assembly where all MS and SS families come together in the final throes of the year to celebrate all our students and send them off on their summer holidays on a high at the conclusion of lessons on Friday 29 November. I look forward to seeing all families at this major event in two weeks’ time.
Brett Torstonson
Head of Senior School
VCE Exams almost complete
Early next week our Year 12s, and some Year 11s, will complete their VCAA examinations. It has been wonderful to see the Year 12s coming and going and using the library and quiet spaces around school to study and prepare for their exams. Thanks goes to everyone in the Senior School building for respecting the needs of students to have peace and quiet as they complete their exams.
We wish all our departing Year 12 students all the best with their results and what is to come in their life journeys.
Student Leadership 2025
Congratulations to our Year 12 Leadership team for 2025. We are pleased to welcome an elite group of leaders and look forward to watching them grow as leaders over the next year.
COLLEGE CAPTAINS
Abby Papas
Gabriel de Falco
Isaac Savona
Grace Howlett
SPORT Finn O’Brien & Lara Smyth
DRAMA Cecily de Gooyer
MUSIC Cecily de Gooyer & Archie Robson
VISUAL ARTS Sienna Bell
WELLBEING Lola Afford & Bailie Patton
SOCIAL JUSTICE Indigo Aurora & Joey Thompson
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY Thomas Scott
BASS Marley Brown & Charlotte Derham
CLARKE Jasper Cashman & Nissa Campbell Walker
MCHAFFIE Jasmine Crooks & Andrew Nowell
SAMBELL Grace Morris & Matilda Russell
Theatre Studies Performance
This term, Unit 1-2 Theatre Studies have been studying Australian Gothic Theatre. This theatre style explores post-colonial Australian History through its conventions and themes, focusing on the Australian landscape.
For our final assessment of the year, the class was required to present an Australian Gothic play. The chosen play was Children of the Black Skirt, by Angela Betzein. We were required to choose a production role – including direction, acting, costume, set, makeup, lighting, props or sound, and work together as a production team to bring our interpretation of the play to life. We performed for younger drama students. Through this process, we learnt about the production phases and some in the class got the privilege of using the sound and lighting equipment in the Black Box Theatre in the PAW.
This story follows the lives of 3 indigenous bush children, who come across an abandoned orphanage in the Australian outback. They wander in and find themselves trapped in a possessed, spirit filled place, that forces them to be inhabited by the spirits of past living orphans and their head matron, Miss Greenant, or as they know her, the Black Skirt. This play shows the lives of many different characters through dialogue as well as gesture, gait, expression and the use of lighting and sound.
Nissa Campbell Walker
Year 11 Theatre Studies Student
Year 9 Act Now Project
Year 9 student Manning de Gooyer met with David Prideaux and Lachlan Gale to check out his Act Now Project. Manning has designed and built a handmade turntable. Manning tried it out with David and Lachlan's new record for Saxon & The Slowbrew. He really put a lot of work into this project, and the sound was very impressive.
Information about Saxon & The Slowbrew's album launch can be found in the Community Links section of this newsletter.
Wear a Touch of Blue
Year 9 student Ruby Perry took the initiative last week to create a fundraising event to promote Wear a Touch of Blue Day. She is passionate about raising funds to support Beyond Blue, and organisation providing support for issues relating to mental health, including depression, anxiety disorders and suicide.
Ruby created a poster encouraging everyone to wear a touch of blue last Friday, and donate a cold coin. Ruby was able to raise just over $700.
For anyone wishing to donate to Beyond Blue, this can be done on their website.
Year 9 Speed Careers Event
Our Year 9 students recently had the opportunity to engage with a range of industry professionals to hear about their insights and experiences in specific careers and industries. Students spent time connecting with mentors from at least four different sectors gaining perspectives on their study, work and career progression. We were fortunate to have presenters from a range of industries including those involved in allied health, nursing, the police force, veterinary care, law, engineering and many other sectors.
We thank the work of the Local Learning and Employment Network and our guest presenters for facilitating such a wonderful opportunity for students to gain insights and reflect on their own career pathway.
Anthea Bennett
Head of Careers
Careers
Please be sure to check out this month's Career Newsletter.
Key highlights include:
- Upcoming Events
- Scholarships and Competitions
Anthea Bennett
Head of Careers