MTB Pump Track Officially Opened!
Since the start of the year, Mountain Biking has been incorporated into our College sports program in Grades 5 and 6, plus it is one of our SM offerings in Years 7 and 8. Students have continued to
participate in competitions around the state and we have brought in specialist
coaches to assist with their development.
On Saturday 25 May, the College community came together to celebrate all the hard work put into the construction of mountain biking infrastructure at the College. The College was honoured to welcome alum and Olympian Drew Ginn OAM to open the pump track. As a rower, Drew was a four time Olympian and triple Olympic gold medallist, including being a member of the famous 'Oarsome Foursome'. Drew was also an elite cyclist and keen mountain biker and is thrilled to see the sport being embraced by the Newhaven community.
Drew was born in Leongatha and raised in Inverloch. As a child, Drew loved BMX, surfing, and running. His first serious competitive experiences started in BMX with the opportunity to race at international levels. At 15 years of age Drew was introduced to rowing and came to international prominence at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta where he joined Mike McKay, James Tomkins and Nick Green in the coxless four and played an integral role in the Oarsome Foursome, as the crew was famously known, winning their second successive gold medal. After missing the 2000 Olympics due to a severe back injury Drew returned to the Olympics in 2004 to win gold, and then added another gold in Beijing in 2008. The 2012 London Olympics was Drew’s swansong, and with a new crew won silver in his fourth Olympics. In 2018 Drew was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
We thank all of our Mountain Bike parents, families and
volunteers who conducted two working bees, as well as lots of volunteer time
in between, to construct the pump track, plus 500 metres of flow
track around the campus. Special thanks to Eve Hollole, Michael Wright and
all of our hard-working parents who have made this possible.
The Pump Track Opening and Fundraiser event included 75 student and parent riders competing in different challenges, a sausage sizzle and a bake sale. The proceeds raised will be put toward a 20-bike vertical rack MTB trailer to help take the program offsite to excursions and camps.
Senior Boys Basketball
On Wednesday 15 May the Senior Boys Basketball Team went to Frankston Basketball Stadium to compete in the U20 Victorian College Championships. This was a reward for winning the SEISA Championship in Term 1.
The day did not start well coming up against a very strong Flinders College team who were well drilled and big bodied. Some poor shooting did not help the Spoonbills' cause. Round 1 was a 35-19 loss. The next game was a tight affair to the end against Wellington Secondary College. The Spoonbills almost threw away a lead in the final seconds but held their nerve to register their first win for the day. Win 30-28. The Round 3 match was against Woodleigh School. The Newhaven Spoonbills led from start to finish with a very professional but not always polished performance. The result was a 29-24 win. It came down to the final match for a place in the final. The opposition in Round 4 was Beaumaris Secondary College. They were a tall and athletic team, egged on by a very passionate and vocal coach. The game was a tight affair with Beaumaris just pulling away towards the end and allowing them a place in the final instead of the Newhaven Spoonbills.
I would like to thank the team for their dedication and attitude towards all the games. It has been a pleasure coaching and working with these students. It was a great day out and a special mention to the Year 12s who have now played their final basketball matches for the College. Hopefully, we can go a step further next year!
Senior Boys Basketball Team: Leo Savona, Anthony Petropoulos, Sonny McMillan, Isaac Savona, Bailey Hennessy, Finn O’Brien, Yianni Caffieri, Lucas Allen.
Stewart Bathgate
Head of Year 7-12 Sport
Year 5 & 6 District Netball Competition
Last Friday, 27 Year 5 and 6 girls participated in the District Netball competition in Wonthaggi. The 3 teams of girls all looked sensational in the new Newhaven College netball dresses. One team competed in the A competition and 2 teams in the B section.
The A team came out strong, winning the first 4 games, showcasing some incredible netball skills as well as outstanding sportsmanship. It all came down to the final game, the decider, between St Joseph's and Newhaven College. St Joe's goalers were just too good, taking the win.
The B teams played 4 games each throughout the day, the smiles on the girls' faces showed just how much fun they were having as well as how much it meant to them to be playing netball and representing their school. The team chants before each game got louder throughout the day, with the girls clearly enjoying the experience.
A big thank you to Year 12 student Heidi Driscoll for coaching a team on the day and to Year 8 students Marasai O’Keefe, Ava Blake, Isabella Stead, Maisie van der Walt and Millie Thom for umpiring.
Charlotte Bassed and Donna Driscoll
Middle School Teachers
District Football Carnival
On Friday 31 May, our 5/6 Boys Footballers competed in the District Carnival in Wonthaggi. Lead by Aiden Smith and Will Patton, the boys did themselves and the school proud. They went unbeaten through the group stages, defeating Wonthaggi PS, Newhaven PS, Cowes B and Wonthaggi North PS; advancing to the final.
They came up against a tough opponent in the final with Bass Valley PS. The boys fought hard and linked up well as a team. Their composure under pressure and ability to work together was commendable. As their coach, I was beyond impressed with their footballing efforts, their comradery, support of one another and their display of graciousness. They should all be proud of their efforts, and I look forward to taking on our next round of opponents in a couple of weeks at the Divisional event.
Thanks also to the Year 8 students who umpired on the day, I received several pieces of positive feedback about not only the umpiring but positive contributions to the day.
To all the families that attended, you certainly made the boys smiles stretch that little bit further. Thanks for the support.
Matt Jackson
Physical Education Teacher
VSAC Swimming Championships
Earlier this term, eight Newhaven College swimmers were selected to represent SEISA Schools at the Victoria School Associations Competition (VSAC) Swimming Championships. This event represents the pinnacle of inter-school swimming competitions in the state. SEISA was proudly represented by Kaela Welsh, Max Brocklesby, Billy Fisher, Isabella Lynch, Maggie Fisher, Lara Smyth, Archie Smyth, Cormac Flynn and Jasmine Ruffin.
All of our Newhaven College athletes swam superbly across the evening and competed against some of the strongest teenage swimmers in the state. We as a school are very proud of their efforts and they should all be congratulated for not only their competitive spirit, but also their fine displays of athleticism on the night.
Brett Torstonson
Director of Operations
Equestrian News
As we head into winter and the days are drawing in, the Newhaven College Equestrian Team is busy keeping their mounts warm, fed and at work. Members are out competing as well as enjoying each other’s company while riding together at training days and competitions.
Isla Mclean and her pony Oliver competed at the Horseland Interschool Combined Training Day. Isla was so proud of Oliver as he completed a clean dressage test and then with a clear show jump round finished up in 3rd place in a large field of combinations.
Olivia Curtain competed on three mounts at Round 2 of the Petstock Interschool Show Jumping Championships. Olivia was the only Newhaven College representative at this competition of 117 combinations with 352 rounds ridden on the day. She rode with such skill that she single handedly put Newhaven College into 3rd place for the Schools Championship. This is an outstanding achievement. Olivia rode her brand new horse Ngahiwi Lady Blu in the Advanced Section of the competition to finish 4th in that championship. She rode Xcella and Yalambi’s Luciana in the Aspiring Section to finish as Reserve Champion on Xcella and 3rd in the championship on Yalambi’s Luciana.
Finally, later in May, the team enjoyed riding together under the expert guidance of FEI Coach and Newhaven College Alumni, Matt Archibald. Meeting at the Phillip Island Pony Club Grounds, team members received expert instruction in dressage and riding over obstacles to work on suppleness and flexion with their ponies. Matt used a set up of obstacles to teach riders more about striding between trot poles, bounces and jumps. This kind of training improves all styles of riding as horse and rider are challenged to maintain dressage focus and suppleness while riding through poles and grids.
Students from Middle and Senior School, who are riders and horse owners, are encouraged to participate in training days and interschool equestrian competitions by contacting Mrs Price via email or direct message.
Amanda Price
Equestrian Coordinator
Our Surf Lifesavers applauded
The Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club celebrated their volunteers this month, with many Newhaven College current and former students awarded for their efforts.
Sophia Hungerford won the award for most improved member, for her dedication to surf lifesaving. Jack Ryan, Charlotte and Jasira Derham were part of the Hellfish Patrol that was awarded patrol of the year. Also in attendance were Newhaven College students Chloe Hosking, Lilli O’Loughlin, Jasira Derham, Kadek Humphries, Finlay Cameron, Parker Trappett and River Henderson.
The College community should be proud of the skill and commitment each of our students give each week to this community work.
Titled Surf Academy - Year 10 Elective - New this year!
The Bronze Medallion Pathway teaches students to go through all of the Bronze medallion skills in practical and theory sessions at school. When they finish they can become active members of Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Check out the video of the students try out an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) at Cape Woolamai.
Ben Clark
Head of Surf Academy
