Senior School

Year 9 Term 2 Update

Term 2 has been a busy and exciting time for our Year 9 students as they continue to build towards some significant learning experiences.

Earlier this term, students travelled to Melbourne to visit the Shrine of Remembrance and begin exploring the city environment in preparation for City Cite. This was an excellent opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real places, stories and experiences. Students were also able to see where City Cite will take place, helping them build confidence and familiarity before the programme begins.

During lunch in the city, our students even had the chance to be surveyed by another school that was completing its own City Cite journey. This gave our students a brief preview of the type of inquiry work they will soon be undertaking themselves. Some students were also fortunate enough to meet City Cite Director, Tanya, who gave them a sneak peek inside the City Cite building before we returned home.

With City Cite now only a couple of weeks away, students are beginning to focus on their group inquiry tasks. They are choosing topics, developing questions and starting to find literature and background information to support their project work while in the city. This stage is important as it helps students arrive prepared, curious and ready to make the most of their time in Melbourne.

Students are also approaching their first attempt at semester exams. This is an important learning opportunity, not just in relation to subject content, but also in developing effective study habits. These exams provide students with a chance to trial preparation strategies, gain feedback and reflect on what works best for them as learners.

It is recommended that students spend around 15 minutes each night studying for their core subjects: English, Maths and Science. Study is separate from regular homework. This time could be used to compile notes, make flashcards, review lessons on SEQTA, watch short topic videos, complete practice questions, or write a response and send it to their teacher for feedback.

As always, we encourage students to approach these upcoming experiences with curiosity, organisation and a willingness to give things a go.

Sam Foura

Head of Year 9

Thank you to Phillip Island Baptist Church

A huge thank you to Phillip Island Baptist Church, and in particular Corrine and Simon, for their incredible support of our Year 9 Community programme this term.

When we unexpectedly needed to pivot following the cancellation of another provider, Corrine and Simon stepped in without hesitation and provided six weeks of meaningful support for our students. They generously opened up the church for seniors from Cowes to enjoy activities and conversation with our Year 9 students, creating a warm and valuable opportunity for connection across generations.

We are incredibly grateful for the partnership, flexibility and generosity shown to our students and staff. Opportunities like these help strengthen our community and encourage empathy, responsibility and connection with others.

Thank you again to Corrine, Simon and the wider Phillip Island Baptist Church community for your support of Year 9 at Newhaven College.

Sam Foura and Siobhan Jagusch

Year 9 Outdoor Pursuits Camp

Our Year 9s set up camp at Coopers Creek Campground, on the banks of the Thomson River. Students did a great job of planning their meals and cooking on a trangia, we had everything from two-minute noodles to pasta and rice dishes. Following dinner, students kept warm around an open camp-fire and eagerly awaited their banana, marshmallow and choc chip dessert boats to cook.

On Friday morning, students (and a staff member) set off in small groups with an orienteering map, instructions and a compass to navigate themselves to the Walhalla goldfields railway. Students did a great job working as a team, enjoying their hike above the clouds prior to the sun coming out.

For some students, this was their first time camping so it served as a great way to prepare for the peak pursuit camps later in the year.

Siobhan Jagusch

Year 9 Teacher

Year 9 Business - Market Stall

Year 9 Business students recently undertook their market stall venture. This involved students sourcing products or creating games and activities for Middle School students. They then had to market their business and manage all aspects of inventory and finance. Students are to be congratulated on their excellent organisation and initiative in this activity.

Anthea Bennett

Head of Careers

Year 11 Psychology Prep Activities

As part of the Year 11 Psychology course, students study cognitive development across the lifespan. Of particular interest is the type of thinking young children show, and how this changes over time. Over a period of weeks the Year 11 students planned a series of small activities which could be carried out with young children aged 5-7 years . This planning included creating props to be used and bringing equipment from home. The students then visited the two Prep classes and carried out the activities. From the Prep students' responses, the Year 11 students then used the data to decide which type of Piagetian thinking the students were showing.

This activity has been running for many years, and is a remarkable opportunity for the Year 11s to experience theory in practice. It is also a real life demonstration for the students as to how to ethically conduct research, especially when working with children. The interactions between the different age groups are so heartwarming to watch and are often something past students bring up when remembering their time studying Psychology at the College.

Thank you to Mrs Lynch and Mrs Carlson for helping facilitate this, and well done to my Year 11 classes.

Sonya Neal

Psychology Teacher

Unit 1 VCE Environmental Science Excursion

During the recent excursion to the San Remo Rocky Platform, Year 11 Environmental Science students conducted fieldwork to investigate biodiversity patterns across the intertidal zone. Students completed a systematic belt transect, recording the percentage cover of algae at different tidal heights to identify changes in species distribution. Soil and substrate samples were also collected and analysed to compare how abiotic factors may influence algal growth and abundance. This hands-on investigation allowed students to apply scientific sampling techniques and develop a deeper understanding of how environmental conditions shape coastal ecosystems.

Ann-Marie McLean

Teacher

Year 12 Society Function

Last week, our Year 12 students gathered for their first social event of the year - the Society Function. This occasion provided a chance to embrace formality, foster camaraderie, and reflect on the journey ahead.

Year 12 students arrived dressed in their finest neat casual attire, with everyone looking polished and professional. They spent time mingling in the PAW Foyer, enjoying canapés, sweet treats and mocktails served by younger students, before moving into the Black Box Theatre. There, they were entertained and inspired by stories and reflections shared by past Class of 2021 students Mitchell Moschetti, Shontelle O’Connor and Harry O’Brien.

Our alumni were wonderful in telling the Year 12 students about their experiences since leaving school. Their stories were informative and inspirational, and we thank them for sharing their experiences with our Year 12 students.

Year 12 Theatre Studies Performance

We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 Theatre Studies class for their outstanding production of The Cagebirds. This performance marks the culmination of a full term of dedicated, thoughtful, and heartfelt work - and it truly showed on stage.

As a work of absurdist theatre, The Cagebirds presented our students with significant creative, intellectual, and collaborative challenges. They embraced each one with enthusiasm, maturity, and imagination, bringing genuine artistry and depth to the performance.

Throughout the production process, every student undertook two production roles - including directing, acting, lighting, sound, set design, costume, and hair and makeup - and was assessed across the planning, development, and presentation stages of the work. Their commitment, teamwork, and professionalism were evident in every aspect of the production.

Lauren White

Head of Theatre