As we wrap up a wonderful term, it is great to see our 2025 motto, “Make Each Day Count,” reflected in everything we do. Our students, staff, and families have embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and connect, creating a happy and supportive school community. With enrolments at capacity, it is clear that our positive culture is thriving.
This term has been filled with rich experiences, including assemblies, Mums and Muffins, Cross Country, Japanese Day, the Reconciliation Walk, swimming programs, excursions, incursions, and movie nights. All of these activities have nurtured our students’ development across social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical domains.
Junior School Learning Support
The Learning Support team in Junior School has had a busy and productive first Semester. Any person, for various reasons and at any stage of their life, may need extra support to access services on the same level as others. One of the key goals of Learning Support services is to provide equity in education. At Newhaven College, Learning Support includes in-class help, small group programs, and one-on-one sessions when needed. We also use screening assessments to identify students who may benefit from additional support. This is delivered through a tiered approach:
Tier 1: Quality teaching for all students in the classroom.
Tier 2: Small group support for those needing extra help.
Tier 3: Personalised, intensive support for students who need more ongoing assistance.
Our team runs Tier 2 literacy groups using the Sounds-Write program, while our Learning Support Teacher, Kim Northover, provides Tier 3 support and helps teachers plan effective classroom adjustments. We have loved seeing our students grow this semester. A big thank you to our wonderful Learning Support staff: Desserae, Kellie, Katanya, Nala, Marina, and to Kim, Ruth, and Kurt for their dedication and commitment to student learning.
End of Semester Reports
Our teachers have dedicated significant time and care in preparing end-of-semester reports, drawing on a range of assessments to reflect each student’s progress. These reports provide a clear summary of your child’s achievement in relation to the Australian Curriculum standards, offering valuable insight into their learning journey so far. We hope you find these reports informative and helpful in understanding your child’s growth and next steps in learning.
Drumbeat
Drumbeat continues to be a highlight, helping students build social and emotional skills through music and rhythm. Year 4’s recent assembly performance showcased teamwork and creativity, spreading happiness throughout the school. Thank you to Christina and Andre from our wellbeing team for leading this valued program, which will continue next term with a new group.
Thank you to our entire Junior School community for your ongoing support. I wish everyone a lovely mid-year break and holiday, and I look forward to another term filled with purpose and possibility.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Home Learning Habits
This week, Mr Corr and I had the pleasure of visiting every Junior School class to present Home Learning Awards, each with a special Principal’s Award golden sticker. These awards recognise the strong learning habits our students are developing both at school and at home.
Our maths home learning program, using Numbots and Times Tables Rock Stars, has been a great success, helping students build fluency in key skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Teachers are able to track progress and see how home practice supports classroom learning.
In literacy, our Home Reading Folders align with Spelling Mastery and Sounds Write. With decodable texts matched to taught sounds and spelling patterns, students develop reading accuracy and fluency through structured practice.
Strong partnerships between home and school are essential. Home learning routines not only reinforce skills but also create meaningful opportunities for families to be part of each child’s learning journey. We were especially proud to see every Prep student receive a Home Learning Award, an encouraging sign of the positive habits being built from the very beginning. Well done Prep B and Prep L!
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Pre-Prep T-Shirts
Every child who has enrolled in Prep for the following year will receive a special "I am a future Newhaven College kid!" T-shirt. Our 2026 students will receive theirs at the first Prep Library session next term.
Little Sienna is already proudly wearing her special tee, pictured here with mum Justine and big brother Samuel (Year 3) at the recent College fundraising movie night.
Be sure to acknowledge any child you see wearing this T-Shirt and make them feel welcome!
Perceptual Motor Program (PMP)
Thank you to our fantastic parent helpers for supporting the reintroduction of PMP for Prep and Year 1 this semester. The PMP sessions have continued with Year 1 students embracing the opportunity to develop their motor skills. The children’s excitement has been infectious, and their developing coordination and confidence are clear to see. Special thanks to Jackie for her leadership and innovation in making this program a success.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Year 4 Excursion to Candowie
On Thursday 5 June our Year 4 students visited the Candowie Reservoir and Wonthaggi Desalination Plant as part of their Science unit on the water cycle. The students arrived primed with knowledge about evaporation, condensation and precipitation as the key processes of the water cycle, so it was great for them to see the management of the water cycle in action. The health and security of our water supply was another key theme of the day. Our students came to appreciate the importance of water as a natural resource that must be carefully managed and protected.
We thank Katrina from Westernport Water and Shae from the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant for sharing their expert knowledge with us and our parent helpers Kirsty, Ruth, Kaye and Karl for taking the time to assist us throughout the day.
Kate Middleton and Fiona Smart
Year 4 Teachers
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.
