Open Morning Success
Our Annual Open Morning, on Saturday 14 March, saw our school grounds swarming with families, keen to learn more about what our school has to offer. Numbers exceeded last year, with over 500 people registering on the day. When you came trhough the gates, you were greeted by a hive of activity at the gym and oval where Phillip Island and Mount Evelyn were playing AFL and Netball practice matches.
Up at main reception, families registered their attendance with the Admissions team, Bec Anderson and Taryn Groom, along with Principal PA Katrina Lawrence and Receptionist Kylee Roby. The line snaked out the door, as everyone took the opportunity to register, receive a map and a free cookie before joining one of the many student-guided tours of the College grounds.
Our student leaders did the school proud, guiding prospective families around Junior, Middle, Senior Schools and Year 9 Centre. Students played music in The Collect and the PAW, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Staff ran interactive activities throughout the morning, one of the most popular being Luke Nicholson's "science you can eat" ice cream making sessions.
Our PFA supplied popcorn, snow cones and free sausages, helping to create a carnival atmosphere across the whole campus.
Thanks go to everyone involved on the day.
Alumni Reunion
On Saturday 14 March, during the Open Morning, we welcomed past students from 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016. It was a small affair, but it was wonderful to see some of our alumni reconnect and meet new people.
Mr Corr and Mr Jobe were present to meet and greet our alumni participants, welcomed with a delicious morning tea and coffee. To finish off the experience, Mrs Milkins-Hendry took the group on a guided tour through the school. For many, it was the first time they had been on the Phillip Island Road campus.
Thank you to everyone who came along on the day, and we hope to see 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017 alumni come along next year!
Japanese student hosting opportunity
From Sunday 26 July to Friday 7 August, 14 Year 9 female students from our sister school, Ibaraki Christian Junior High School in Japan will visit Newhaven College for the 22nd time. During their two week visit they will experience life in an Australian classroom and visit some of the local attractions organised by Newhaven College. This is an exciting opportunity for our guests as well as the families who kindly offer to host them.
Please consider hosting an Ibaraki student. Host families receive a financial allowance to help cover the cost of billeting a student for their two-week stay. To participate, families need a Working With Children Check and must complete the Child Safety online module.
If you are interested in becoming a homestay family, or if you have any questions, please contact Mitsuko Horiguchi via SEQTA direct message or email mitsuko.horiguchi@newhavencol.vic.edu.au by Thursday 30 April. We would love to hear from you.
Mitsuko Horiguchi
Japanese Exchange Program Coordinator
Exchange Program Spotlight
Our exchange program continues to create strong and lasting connections between students and their host families. A wonderful example comes from one of our graduates, Milly Dengerink, who took part in the 2023 program. During her one‑week homestay, she formed a warm bond with her host family, and both families have stayed closely connected ever since.
Last year, while travelling around Japan, the Dengerink family visited her host family, an experience that deepened their bond and highlighted the genuine relationships that grow from this program. More recently, Milly’s host family travelled to Australia, where they visited both the Dengerink family and Newhaven College. Their visit was a heartwarming reminder of the cultural bridges and friendships formed through the exchange.
This ongoing connection continues to enrich our community, with her younger brother, Flynn, in Year 11, also appreciating the strong ties his sister helped build.
Mitsuko Horiguchi
Japanese Exchange Program Coordinator
Ride2School Day
We had 177 students, parents and friends converge on the meeting points in Cape Woolamai and Cowes to ride to school together for Ride2School Day on Friday 20 March. The rides are substantial in length, so quite an achievement for some of our youngest riders.
Mr Corr led the way from Cape Woolamai, buoying the riders with encouraging words. A huge thank you to our dedicated MTB Academy parents, friends and students without whom this wouldn't have happened.
Harmony Day
We celebrated Harmony Day across our sub-schools with a range of activities focused on inclusion and belonging. Junior school students created a paper chain, each sharing how they can personally bring harmony to contribute to a positive school community. This included being kind, respectful, curious about others and being willing to share and help those around them.
Students and staff wore orange and enjoyed a lunchtime picnic. The middle school added a fun touch by painting their nails orange and having a poster competition. Winners will be announced at assembly.
Harmony Day was a simple reminder that, regardless of our differences, everyone belongs.
The wellbeing team
College Charity Fundraiser
Easter Raffle
Today our College Captains drew the Easter Raffle winners. Congratulations to the 4 winners of the Easter Egg baskets: Cattaleya Carmody (Prep), Maya Andersen (Year 10), Mrs McMillan and Lennan Stecher (Year 10).
Guess How Many Lollies in the Jar Competition
Congratulations to William Wales who won the closest guess of the number of lollies. William's guess was 1500 and there was 1490 in the jar! Enjoy all those lollies, William!
Beanies
Exciting news! From the start of next term, students and staff will be able to purchase a ‘Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer’ beanie for $20, which may be worn with the winter school uniform! All profits will be donated back to the charity. More information regarding how and where beanies can be purchased will be shared early next term.
Bake Sale
Upon returning to school after the holidays, students will be welcomed back with a Bake Sale on Friday 24 April during the first week of term. There will be more information about this early next term. Get excited!
Donations to Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer are welcome at any time via our own fundraising page.
Harry Arceo, Kadek Humphris, Isabel Mahon, Tilly Stecher
College Captains
‘Dress Up as One of Your Teachers’ Day
Today students, and some teachers, dressed up as their favourite (or maybe not so favourite??) teachers to raise funds for the College charity. Some of the outfits made for a lot of laughs!
Highlights include Mr Corr and Mrs Huther (twins Huntely and Winsley), all the Middle School teachers dressed as Mr Arceo, Mr T in his lab coat, lots of Mrs Pedersens and who knew Homer Simpson was a teacher for a day in one episode? And to create a balance, our Junior School teachers came dressed as students!
Thank you to all the parents and carers who helped the students with their costumes. All done in good spirit!
Harry Arceo, Kadek Humphris, Isabel Mahon, Tilly Stecher
College Captains
Firewood Raffle
This is a fabulous opportunity to win a trailer load of firewood (trailer not included)! A couple of blue gums near our Year 9 Environmental Centre have sadly reached the end of their days, but our go-getting Year 9s are turning them into something useful - firewood!
Purchase a ticket for a chance to win a load for your home heater. Buy your tickets here. The winner will be drawn in Term 2.
All revenue raised will go to the College Charity, Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer. Donations are welcome at any time via our own fundraising page.
Sam Foura
Head of Year 9
PFA Update - March Highlights & What’s Ahead
March was a busy and exciting month for the PFA, and we’d like to thank our wonderful school community for your continued support.
Open Day
We were lucky to have a beautiful day for the school’s Open Day on Saturday, 14 March 2026. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help with the BBQ, popcorn and snow cones: Kay Kondarios, Jenni Lewandowski, Chantelle Manallack, Paul Manallack, Pharrah Underwood, Mark Underwood, Tamara Mulholland, Sophie Fyfield, Corinne Schwartz, Mads Evans, Melony Grand-Court, Lauren Ackers, Tayla Smith and Lisette Rule.
Your support made the day welcoming and successful for visiting families.
PFA Movie Night
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our fun PFA Movie Night featuring Lilo & Stitch on Friday, 20 March 2026. We hope you had a fantastic evening!
We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers who helped make the night run smoothly, we couldn’t do it without you: Kay Kondarios, Jenni Lewandowski, Chantelle Manallack, Jo Volhand, Paul Manallack, Adriana Boyce, Tamara Mulholland, Tara Leggo, Corinne Schwartz, Sophie Fyfield, Jasmine Wales, Dee Smith, Kim Regnier and Mallory Illing. We thank Mr Arceo for allowing us to use The Collect at such short notice and Luke Nicholson for his assistance with the screen set up. A special thanks to the maintenance team and Mrs Pederson for your help with the event and Lachie Gale from the Spoonbill Café for your support with providing the hot chocolates!
A big thank you to our sponsors, Hilltop Farm for their donation of sausages and onions and Parker’s Party Hire for the screen and speakers.
PFA AGM
At our AGM on Monday 30 March 2026, the following committee members were elected:
- President: Angel Chambers
- Vice President: Jenni Lewandowski
- Treasurer: Kay Kondarios
- Vice Treasurer: Chantelle Manallack
- Secretary: Pharrah Underwood
- Vice Secretary: Jo Vohland
We have an amazing team and are excited about the events planned for this year. New members are always welcome, so please get in touch with one of our committee members or email us if you’d like to get involved or volunteer at an event.
Mother’s Day Stall – Thursday 7 May 2026
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and we’re preparing for our much-loved Mother’s Day Stall to be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
If you own a business and would be willing to donate items, we would greatly appreciate your support. If you enjoy crafting or creating, we would also love to hear from you.
We are looking for batches of approximately 20 identical items that can be sold for $5 or $10.
More information on the event and a call for volunteers will be available soon.
Help Us Make the 2026 Fete Happen!
Planning for this year’s Fete is officially underway, and we need your help to bring the event to life.
Our first fete planning meeting will be held in the school boardroom on Friday 24 April at 2:30pm.
We are looking for volunteers to coordinate key areas:
- Fundraising / Silent Auction / Raffle
- Market Stalls
- Second Hand Uniform Stall
- Food Trucks
- Year Level Stalls
- Entertainment
- Amusement Rides
What’s involved?
We are looking for 1- 2 coordinators per area. One coordinator from each area will attend one in-person meeting per month during Terms 2 and 3, moving to fortnightly meetings as the event approaches. You will have support, templates and guidance from the PFA.
Without volunteers for these key roles, the Fete cannot go ahead, so if you have some time, we would be grateful if you could get involved.
If you’d prefer to volunteer closer to the event, send through your email and we’ll add you to the volunteer WhatsApp Group.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to newhaven.pfa@gmail.com.
Angel Chambers
President | Parents and Friends Association
