Spring Concert
Newhaven College students from Year 2 to Year 12 took centre stage last week, delivering a spectacular evening of music to a capacity audience at Wonthaggi Union Theatre as part of the College’s annual Spring Concert.
The concert showcased the breadth of Newhaven’s Music Program, with performances including Taiko drumming, choirs, strings, guitar ensembles, Big Band and Concert Bands.
The evening was hosted by 2026 Music Captains Aoife O’Connell, Holly Martelli and Michael Christofi, whose leadership and enthusiasm have been a constant throughout the year.
Highlights included the Junior School Choir’s Little Red Riding Hood-themed songs and choreography, the Senior Vocal Ensemble’s rendition of Skye Boat Song, and impressive performances from the Junior and Senior Guitar Ensembles.
The second half featured the College’s Concert Bands and Big Band, showcasing the growth of the band program from Years 5 and 6 through to the Senior Concert Band’s polished performance of Medley from Back to the Future.
The evening concluded with a spirited performance of Holy Grail by the Music Camp Choir, bringing together students and staff.
I am immensely proud of the students and staff involved, and I thank the College community, music staff and instrumental tutors for their ongoing support and dedication.
The Spring Concert celebrates not only our students’ musical achievements, but the teamwork, confidence and passion developed through rehearsals, performances, individual tuition and opportunities such as the annual Music Camp.
Thank you to all the prize contributors: A Maze'N Things, CrossFit Phillip Island, Phillip Island RSL, Wildlife Coast Cruises, Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre, Engaging Engraving, San Remo Hotel-Motel, Offshore Design and Bunnings. Congratulations to all the winners of these amazing prizes.
Matthew Goss
Director of Music
VCE Soiree
The VCE Music Soirée was a wonderful celebration of performance, creativity and personal musical voice. Jemilla Prideaux, Finn McLean, Eve Oakley and Aoife O'Connell showcased the dedication and musicianship they have developed throughout their VCE Music studies.
Each student presented a diverse program, combining established repertoire with original compositions and creative reimagining. Finn's set explored a continuous narrative through original works, jazz and contemporary repertoire, while Eve moved between jazz, folk, contemporary and musical theatre. Aoife presented a dynamic programme spanning soul, jazz and musical theatre, while Jemilla performed a varied set of contemporary, pop, soul and musical theatre repertoire.
A special thank you goes to all of our performers, staff and music tutors who have supported these musicians, not only throughout this year but across their time at Newhaven College. In particular, we acknowledge Dave Prideaux, Rob Turton, Kerryn Lockhart, Elly Poletti and Pam Christie for their ongoing encouragement, guidance and contribution to the students' musical development.
Congratulations to Jemilla, Finn, Eve and Aoife. We wish all of our VCE Music students every success in their future musical endeavours and thank them for the wonderful contribution they have made to the musical life of Newhaven College.
Matthew Goss
Director of Music
Music+ Term 4 - New members welcome!
Make music. Make friends. Be part of something!
Term 4 is here, and Music+ at Newhaven College is welcoming new members to our exciting range of ensembles and choirs.
Whether your child is an experienced musician or keen to try something new, Music+ provides opportunities for students to perform, collaborate and develop their musical skills in a supportive and fun environment.
Our ensembles and choirs cater for a range of ages, abilities and musical interests, with opportunities including Concert Bands, Choirs, Strings, Contemporary Ensembles and more.
Students don't need to be the best musician in the room – they simply need a willingness to participate, learn and make music with others. Participation fosters excellence, and Music+ is all about helping students discover the enjoyment and confidence that comes from performing as part of a team.
For further information about Music+ ensembles and how to join, please contact the Music Department.
Matthew Goss
Director of Music
VET Music 2nd Year Performance Night
On Wednesday 9 September, our six graduating VET Music ensembles each presented a 25 minute gig as part of final preparations towards their end of year performance examination.
The growth and commitment of these musicians have demonstrated across the two years of the Cert III in Music Performance has been exemplary and we wish them all the best for their next steps beyond this course. And a massive congratulations and thank you to all those non-assessed musicians who have supported their friends through weekly practice and rehearsals and to our music staff who continually go above and beyond.
Save the Date! Newhaven College Annual Bands Night
Monday 12 October, 6pm to 9pm @ The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
Once again, Morgan and Shiree from The Westernport Hotel are opening their doors to just under twenty Newhaven College bands from Grade 5 to Year 12, who will each take to the stage at one of the highlight events on the Newhaven Calendar. If you’ve never been, this could be a good year to come and find out just why everyone loves it.
The kitchen will be open, table bookings are direct via the venue and the standard of music at Newhaven has never been stronger. Fun, informal and a great chance to meet other families and enjoy quality live music done properly.
Rob Turton
VET Music Teacher
SEISA Dance
SEISA Dance Day was such a fun and exciting experience for everyone involved. We started the day with two amazing workshops, a lyrical workshop and a musical theatre workshop, where we learnt new choreography, tried different styles and had lots of fun dancing together!
We then got the chance to show off all our hard work with our performances. The juniors performed a contemporary piece, featuring Carla Sorensen, Grace Luff, Matilda Baillie-Cotton, Maggie Mackenzie, Molly Mackenzie, while our seniors performed both a lyrical piece and a jazz piece, featuring Abbie Wines, Amalia Di Falco, Amelia Bugeja , Evie Hollings, Jude Fisher, Millicent Winn and Phoebe Helps.
It was such a positive day filled with dancing, laughter and new experiences. We loved getting to learn from others and showcase our self-choreographed routines.
Abbie Wines
Year 10
House Art Competition
This year’s House Art competition was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and compete across year levels. Thank you to everyone who entered - it was wonderful to see such a diverse range of creative approaches.
McHaffie had the most entries, followed by Sambell, Clarke and Bass. Every entry earned a point for their house, with additional points awarded to category winners.
Our judges, Mr Appleby, Ms Hall and Mrs Power, were impressed by the high quality of entries and reached a unanimous decision.
Best Shot - Composition, Clarity & Execution
Violet Dunham (Year 5, Sambell) - 10 points
Most Creative
Ben Winterson and Sequoia Patterson (Year 11, Clarke) - 10 points
Best Group of Images
3rd: Sage van der Walt (Year 6, Bass) - 10 points
2nd: Claire Peterson and Ruby Taylor (Year 11, Sambell) - 15 points
1st: Lucy Gojrzewski (Year 6, Sambell) - 20 points
Congratulations to all our winners!
All works are exhibited in the Performing Arts Wing, so make sure you take a look and vote for the People’s Choice Award. The winning student will earn 10 additional points for their house. Voting closes 18 September, with the winner and winning house announced early next term.
Elsa Osabutey
Visual Arts Captain
Junior and Middle School Art
In Junior School Art, our theme has been ‘My Home- my house, my place, and sense of belonging’. Year 2 students created artworks inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, whose works in her later years were influenced by her deep sense of belonging to her home in New Mexico; they created an artwork placing a nautilus shell on a background.
We have looked at Claude Monet’s ‘Water Lilies & Japanese Bridge’ (1889). The artist created this by diverting a stream at his home in Giverny. He built and cultivated the garden himself specifically to serve as a living subject for his art. He painted scenes from this over 250 times. This led to our projects, ‘Waterlilies- Our homes and gardens are special spaces’.
Year 4 used this theme for our project, ‘My Home- my house, my place, and sense of belonging: creating my home in cardboard’. Students drew their homes and floor plans, and re-created their homes from pizza boxes that were not fit for purpose, generously donated by the Fumagalli family.
Year 5 and 6 students have been working on representing three-dimensional forms, leading to their project, ‘Oil Pastel/Watercolour Observational Drawings- Still Life Fruit Bowl ’.
Year 7 students have worked on their ‘Felt Toys’ project and moved on to studying and producing their own Colour Wheel. Some students have produced a room drawn in one-point perspective, which they will render in warm and cool colours, preparing them for the next task: a Colour Scheme painting.
Corina Suidgeest
Art Teacher
Breakthrough Festival
Two of our Newhaven College bands - Zenith Paradox and Noncense - will be performing at the BREAKTHROUGH Youth Music Festival this Sunday 20 September, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at YES Youth Hub, 76 Watt Street, Wonthaggi. Hosted by GRCS Music School and YES Youth Hub, and co-ordinated by past student, Esta Christensen and Callum Lee-Gow, one of our College drum tutors, the festival is a free community event celebrating the incredible young musical talent of Bass Coast and South Gippsland! It’s an all age live music event, featuring 11 talented young acts from across Bass Coast and South Gippsland. The event is 100% not-for-profit, with performers being paid for their time, dedication and talents. There will also be a sausage sizzle, coffee and refreshments available throughout the afternoon, along with a live broadcast from South Coast FM. Entry is free and all ages are welcome.
Bring along your family and friends and help celebrate the next generation of Bass Coast and South Gippsland musicians! For more information, visit: Breakthrough To RSVP to the Facebook event, visit: Facebook
Rob Turton
Music Teacher
