As Term 3 draws to a close, the Junior School has been filled with energy from start to finish. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the whole school Spring Concert, a remarkable celebration of hard work, dedication and talent. With performances from our Year 4 Strings, Junior School Choir, taiko drums, orchestra and guitar ensemble, the evening was especially memorable. The standard of musical ability was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see our students shine on stage. Opportunities like these not only showcase their talents but also highlight the strength of our music program. We are fortunate to offer experiences of this calibre to our students, and it is a privilege to celebrate their achievements together as a community.
Dads and Donuts
Our Junior School recently hosted the Dads and Donuts Morning, a celebration of the important role that dads and special people play in our students lives. The children loved having the opportunity to welcome someone special into the school and share the morning together. It was a wonderful chance to strengthen the partnerships between home and school, while also creating memorable moments for families. Events like these highlight the strength of the Newhaven College community, bringing people together and celebrating the connections we share with our students.
R U OK Day
To mark R U OK Day, we held a special Wellbeing Lunchtime Club for our Junior School students. The assembly area was filled with fun games and activities that brought students together in support of this important cause. A highlight for many was the chance to write warm, heartfelt messages on the windows of our Junior School assembly space. These messages reflected positivity, kindness, hope, encouragement and gratitude, the qualities we continually aim to nurture through our positive behaviour expectations - The Newhaven Way. Thank you to Sarah Derham from our Wellbeing team for organising this initiative. Our students came together with kindness and care, showing how small actions can make a big difference in supporting one another.
Growing Together: A Third Year 3 Class in 2026
Due to our Junior School enrolments being at capacity, and with a growing waiting list, we are excited to announce that next year we will be introducing a third Year 3 class. Enrolments continue to be very strong, which reflects our reputation and the many wonderful opportunities offered here at Newhaven College. In 2026, there will be two classes across each year level in the Junior School, apart from Year 3, which will have three classes. This growth highlights the confidence families place in our school and the supportive, engaging learning environment we are proud to provide.
Year 3 Camp Adventure at Candlebark Farm
From Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 September, our Year 3 students set off on their very first school camp to Candlebark Farm in Healesville — an unforgettable adventure filled with fun, learning, and lots of laughter!
Our first stop on the way was the Healesville Sanctuary, where we were treated to an incredible “Birds in Flight” show and got up close with some amazing native Australian animals. One of the highlights (and surprises!) was a cheeky Tasmanian Devil who managed to snatch a student’s camera after it accidentally fell over the railing — much to everyone’s shock and amusement!
Day two at the farm was packed with action as students rotated through a range of exciting activities including the low ropes course, flying fox, Gaga ball, rock climbing wall, and various team games. It was inspiring to see our Year 3s stepping out of their comfort zones, showing courage, teamwork, and determination as they gave everything a go!
Mealtimes were a treat, with delicious home-cooked meals like lasagna, roast beef, and apple crumble. Students also took part in kitchen duties and worked hard to keep their cabins tidy and ready for daily inspections.
On our final day, after packing up and saying goodbye to Candlebark Farm, we stopped at Bellevue Apple Orchard. There, we enjoyed freshly picked apples, tasted apple juice, and learned all about how apples are grown — a sweet end to an incredible trip.
A big thank you to all the parents and staff who came and supported the year 3 camp.
What a wonderful first camp experience for Year 3 — one we’ll remember for years to come!
Miranda Reich
Year 3 Teacher
Junior School Art Show
On Wednesday night, our Assembly area was filled with the incredible artwork created by our Junior School students throughout the year. The Art Show, attended by families and friends, was a wonderful celebration of the creativity and opportunities our students enjoy as part of the Junior School art program. Proud families walked through the exhibition with their children, who shared insights about their pieces and what they had learned. Adding to the atmosphere, some of our students provided a beautiful music backdrop with piano and violin performances. It was inspiring to see the ways students were able to creatively express themselves through art. While each piece explored similar themes, every work was unique, individual, and expressive. The students’ creations were inspired by artists such as Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, and Melanie Hava, as well as by nature and personal experiences. Highlights included “About Me” portraits, printmaking, papier-mâché and clay sculptures, oil pastel wave resist, colour-play landscapes, cubist portraits, and playful pieces like “Ice Cream Face.” A huge thank you to Mrs Chadwick, our Junior School Art teacher, for creating such a vibrant and imaginative Art Show filled with colour, creativity, and inspiration.
Home Learning Habits Awards
Mr Corr and I have loved celebrating the wonderful learning happening both at school and at home through our Home Learning Habits Awards and Certificates. These awards recognise students’ dedication to their reading and number fluency home learning programs. We are so impressed with our students’ nightly home learning routines, and it has been wonderful to see the support, encouragement, and collaboration from families. The strong partnership between home and school is making a real difference in each child’s learning journey. Next term, we look forward to continuing to recognise students who consistently demonstrate positive home learning habits. It was a huge achievement to see 100% of the Prep cohort receive a certificate this term, and it lays a strong foundation for future learning.
Our goal for Term 4 is to see 100% of students in every class earn a certificate. With the continued support of families, we know this will be a positive and rewarding experience for all students.
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.
This term has been incredibly productive, marked by growth, learning, and memorable experiences. As we look ahead to next term, we have an exciting lineup of events and activities to further enrich our students' learning experiences. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable break, and I look forward to Term 4.
Warm regards,
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Author Visit - Adam Wallace
On Thursday 11 September students from Prep – Year 6 were fortunate to have author and cartoonist Adam Wallace from Melbourne visit Junior School. Adam shared his energetic enthusiasm for writing children’s books and discussed different strategies that are useful when creating fictional stories. Both sessions were very interactive, and students were taught how to draw several cartoon characters. Adam’s books can be borrowed from the library, and he is well known for his ‘How to Catch’ series of Picture Story Books as well as his Fartboy series. The feedback from students was very positive and we were lucky to have such a successful author spend time with us.
Bridget Haines
Library Teacher
Author Visit - Yvonne Bornstein
On Monday 15 September, Yvonne Bornstein, Author, Illustrator and Speaker, attended the library and read her picture story book titled 'Evee's Farm' to Junior School students. Her beautifully illustrated book combined characters inspired by life on her farm as well as spectacular water colour images. Students listened intently to Yvonne reading and asked several questions about how books are published and the writing process.
Bridget Haines
Library Teacher
