Term 3 has been an especially vibrant and memorable period, marked by a blend of athletic triumphs, academic rigour, and artistic brilliance. For students and staff alike, the past months have offered a rich tapestry of spirited competition, personal growth, and shared celebration, all of which have added to our college's distinctive character.
Academically, Term 3 has presented significant challenges, particularly for our Year 12 cohort. With numerous SACs across a wide range of subjects, time management and resilience have become essential skills, and I have been genuinely impressed by the maturity and determination our students have shown. Trial Examinations begin in just one week, marking another milestone in an intense academic journey, with the final term set to pass quickly for our graduating students. Year 11 students enrolled in Unit 3/4 VCE subjects have faced similar demands, rising admirably to meet senior-level expectations. Meanwhile, our Year 9 and 10 students have much to look forward to, with these examples before them as they continue along their own academic paths.
In the realm of sport, Newhaven College has enjoyed considerable success, with two SEISA teams claiming victory in their respective divisions. Our senior boys' football team and senior girls' soccer team both brought home wins, displaying skill, determination, and teamwork that made the whole school proud. This success carried through to today's SEISA Spring Carnival, an event that brought together students from all five SEISA schools in a spirit of excitement and camaraderie, with connections between schools strengthened and friendships flourishing as students cheered one another on and celebrated each other's achievements. The SEISA Cross Country Carnival last week was another highlight: St. Paul's Anglican College secured first place, while Newhaven College once again placed an admirable third. River Henderson's win in the U21 boys' division was a wonderful reflection of the talent and spirit of our athletes.
The Music Department has also been a source of pride and inspiration in recent weeks. Audiences were treated to outstanding performances from our senior VCE Music and VCE VET Music students at their respective soirées, each showcasing the remarkable skill and dedication they have developed over the past year. The future of music at Newhaven College was equally apparent at the Spring Carnival, where our younger musicians performed with enthusiasm and flair, signalling a bright horizon for our creative arts programs. The success of these events owes much to the dedication of our talented staff, whose efforts ensure these occasions remain memorable and meaningful for everyone involved.
The Year Nine Centre has also been a hive of activity in recent weeks, with specialist programs such as Science Week and NAIDOC Week giving our Year 9 students the opportunity to explore two very different but equally important fields: science and technology, and the impact of Indigenous Australians on the fabric of our nation.
In every sense, Term 3 has embodied the spirit of achievement, challenge, and community that defines Newhaven College, setting a high standard for the future and inspiring every member of our school community to pursue their goals with passion and perseverance.
To our Year 9 to Year 11 students and their families, I wish you a restful and revitalising break. And to our Year 12 VCE students, I hope you use the coming Trial Examinations as valuable preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.
Brett Torstonson
Head of Senior School
Japan Tour
Our students are enjoying a fantastic adventure in Japan, visiting our sister school, Ibaraki Christian School.
Principal Mr Tony Corr is accompanying the group, along with Ms Horiguchi and Mr Tillotson. The students have settled in quickly with their host families and were welcomed to the school with a traditional tea ceremony.
Mr Corr has joined the tour as a gesture of goodwill and to strengthen our relationship with our sister school, spending valuable time with students, teachers and the Principal of Ibaraki Christian School, Mr Randall Voss.
A Busy and Rewarding Term for Year 9
Another busy term has been ticked off by our Year 9 students. After finishing Term 2 with the Seaside program, students returned ready to begin our local food security unit.
Getting out and about across the Bass Coast in the middle of winter proved interesting at times, but our students adapted extremely well. During two intensive days of fieldwork in early August, they visited local farms and other venues to develop their understanding of food security within our region. Students also reconnected with Uncle Steve Parker to explore First Nations perspectives on food security and benefited from the expertise of local guests in community gardening, bees and pollination.
Our wellbeing sessions were also very well received. Students explored mental health, personal action plans, supporting one another and responding to bullying. They also revisited familiar study techniques and learnt some new strategies to help them prepare for the final academic stretch of the year.
STEAM Week was another highlight, producing many impressive creations. The introduction of drone building and music production proved particularly successful, with students enthusiastically embracing both challenges. As always, rocket building and launching was a great hit.
Students also competed in the House Science Challenge, with Clarke proving successful across the week winning the STEAM Week Science Challenge and taking out the bridge-building competition. Their paddle pop stick and PVA glue bridge supported more than 53 kilograms, an outstanding achievement!
NAPLAN
This term, we were also delighted to present certificates recognising student achievement in science competitions and NAPLAN. Mrs Milkens-Hendry joined us for the presentation, and we are incredibly proud of the academic growth demonstrated by so many of our students.
As Mrs Karen Milkins-Hendry reflected: “We are extremely proud of the extraordinarily high number of students who not only achieved highly but were also recognised for exceptionally high growth in either Reading, Numeracy or both over the past two years. This reflects continuous improvement in our Middle School programs and the encouragement of our dedicated Year 9 staff in supporting students to do their best when sitting NAPLAN.”
STEAM Week
During STEAM Week, I had the opportunity to step away from the Year 9 Centre and visit Carey Baptist Grammar’s Zero program in Far North Queensland. I returned with valuable insights and ideas for continuing to develop our Year 9 program, with some of these learnings also informing our Peak Pursuits program in Term 4. The visit was equally affirming, demonstrating that the experiences we provide through our Year 9 program compare very favourably with those offered by other highly regarded schools.
I sincerely thank our staff for their extraordinary efforts throughout what has been a very busy term. Schools always seem to find a way to squeeze ten or eleven weeks of activity into a shorter term, and this nine-week term has certainly been a push!
Our students have risen admirably to the challenges placed before them. This is already evident in the Horizons Projects they have begun during Explore. There are some wonderful ideas emerging, and many students are developing ambitious projects that promise to be both challenging and rewarding. Some students will need to continue working over the holidays to ensure they are ready to submit their completed projects early in Term 4.
NAIDOC Week
We conclude the term by celebrating NAIDOC Week. Uncle Steve Parker and Aunty Sonia Hunt have joined us to deliver workshops, while Uncle Steve has also worked with students to develop our new mural. This artwork continues our commitment to giving every student an opportunity to represent their Year 9 journey in a physical and lasting form. Each year, students will add to the murals at the Year 9 Centre, sharing their stories and leaving their mark for those who follow.
We also look forward to the NAIDOC Community Games on Friday 18 September. Uncle Leslie Briggs will join us to lead a range of traditional First Nations games in which our students will compete.
Information about students’ final Peak Pursuits selections will be distributed shortly as we work through the remaining group numbers. An online parent and guardian information evening will be held on Thursday 22 October, with further details to be provided in writing soon.
Thank you to all our parents and guardians for your ongoing support. It has been an exceptionally busy but rewarding term, and we look forward to finishing 2026 with a bang.
Sam Foura
Head of Year 9
Year 9/10 Medical Careers Excursion
Students with an interest in a career in medicine were invited to a special showcase with Paramedics and Nurses from Phillip Island. The aim of the session was for the students to gain insight into the working life and experiences of current medical professionals - and also to chat through study options and potential Tertiary courses. Students got to meet with Gabbi, a recent Graduate of Paramedicine, and Erin a paramedic with a 15 year career. Also in attendance was our own recent alumni Georgia Anderson, who is in her first year of studying Paramedicine. Finally, we were lucky enough to have the expertise of our very own school nurse, Casey Bartlett, who has many years of experience in nursing. She happily shared all her stories!
The students really enjoyed dressing up in scrubs and performing practice surgery using real surgical tools - and getting into the technical equipment that is inside an ambulance. A wonderful experience for all those students who were lucky enough to attend. Big thanks to Matt Grogan of our local Ambulance Service and to Lino Drazzi of Phillip Island Fire Brigade, who hosted the event.
Simon Furniss
Year 9 Teacher
Certificate II Building and Construction - Year 2
Our second year students participating in the Certificate II Building and Construction program are putting the final touches on their tiny house. Weather boards have been installed providing the exterior cladding and during this process the students we required to set the original heights using a laser level. Using a story rod to ensure the heights remained consistent around the building, the students cut the boards using compound mitre saws and nailed them in place using Pasloe finishing guns.
Additional skills were also called upon, such as accurate measurement, working at height (working from ladders), and keeping all of the boards lining up together and level. I’m very pleased with the outcome, and I am confident the students take away many skills which may be called upon in the future.
A week ago I attended the Bowens Building and Construction Expo at the Exhibition Building in the city. As this was my first time, I was not sure what to expect. It was a huge event with many products and equipment on display as well as seminars on various topics and new innovations. Having made contact with the Master Builders, HIA, Housing Industry Association and Dial Before You Dig, these organisations are prepared to come to the College and discuss a range of issues with the students, as well as career options and pathways into the Construction Industry. This will be sometime next year and will be available to all students, helping them with their career options.
As always, I sign off knowing that Newhaven College and the students it represents are contributing to the future trade personnel for Australia.
John Ackers
Teacher / Trainer Building and Construction, Reg Master Builder Qld 24775.
Year 9 STEAM Week
The "Flat Pack Furniture" group for STEAM Week used 3D Modelling CAD/CAM software, "Fusion 360", to design furniture that was cut out of plywood on our CNC machine and assembled at school. There were several great projects, including those shown by Ambrose de Gooyer and Kathy Tran.
Travis Thompson
Teacher
Careers
Please be sure to check out this month's Career Newsletter.
Year 12 VTAC - Upcoming dates
A reminder of upcoming dates:
- Monday 28 September: Timely course applications close
- Friday 9 October: Equity scheme and scholarship applications close and submission of supporting documentation closes
Where possible, do NOT wait until the closing dates. Applying early gives more time to check your application, review your course preferences and make sure you’ve completed any additional requirements.
Students applying for equity schemes or scholarships should also allow plenty of time to complete their application and provide any required supporting information.
Anthea Bennett
Head of Careers