It’s hard to believe we are already midway through Term 1! The Junior School has enjoyed an outstanding start to the year, with students demonstrating excellent work habits, enthusiasm for learning, and genuine kindness towards one another. Classrooms are vibrant and purposeful as students embrace new challenges, collaborate with their peers, and engage fully in all aspects of school life. The positive atmosphere across the Junior School reflects the strong sense of community we are so proud of at Newhaven College.
Lunchtime Clubs
Lunchtime Clubs are back in full swing and run each day of the week. These clubs provide students with opportunities to explore new interests, build confidence and connect with peers across year levels in a relaxed and supportive environment. Activities this term include Drawing Club, Lego Club, Choir, Games Club, Yoga, Book Club, Library Activities and Paper Craft Club. These all offer something to match every student’s interest and energy level. These clubs not only provide fun and variety during lunch breaks but also support student wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. A big thank you to our passionate and generous teachers who volunteer their own break time to make these valuable experiences possible.
Continuous Reporting & Parent–Teacher Interviews
Our continuous reporting model continues to provide families with timely updates on student progress throughout the term. This approach ensures that parents are informed of achievements, areas for growth, and any interventions well before our upcoming Parent–Teacher Interviews, which will be held next Tuesday.
To date, families have received our Settling into School 2026 updates, and DIBELS progress reports will be sent home tomorrow. DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assesses foundational reading skills and provides valuable insight into literacy development from Prep through to Year 8.
In the coming weeks, we will also share a mathematics assessment snapshot. For our Prep families, continuous reporting will soon be available via SEQTA, outlining progress in phonemic awareness, letter–sound knowledge, and early number concepts.
Junior School Partnership & Information Afternoon
Thank you to all families who attended our recent Junior School Partnership Afternoon. We greatly value your engagement and support. The session provided an opportunity to outline our curriculum and the instructional approach we use to design and deliver high-quality, explicit teaching that supports strong student growth and outcomes.
We also highlighted the importance of reinforcing classroom learning at home. It has been wonderful to see such positive engagement with our Home Learning Folders this term. I look forward to presenting certificates and awards later this term to students who are demonstrating outstanding home learning habits. Our goal is for 90–100% participation across each class, which is a target I am confident we can achieve together.
NAPLAN
The NAPLAN testing window will take place from 11–27 March for relevant year levels. NAPLAN provides valuable insight into student learning and progress at a national level. While it is just one form of assessment, it remains an important tool for tracking trends in literacy and numeracy across Australia.
Importantly, NAPLAN complements, rather than replaces, ongoing teacher assessments. It provides an additional data point to support our understanding of each child’s learning journey.
Year 3 NAPLAN Schedule
- Writing – Wednesday 11 March
- Reading – Monday 16 March
- Conventions of Language – Tuesday 17 March
- Numeracy – Wednesday 18 March
- Catch-up sessions – Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March
Prep Reading Party
Our Prep students are eagerly anticipating their Reading Party on Tuesday, 24 March, from 2:20–3:20pm. Each student will receive their reading folder, and we warmly invite one family member to join us for this special occasion.
This celebration marks an exciting milestone in their early reading journey and highlights the vital partnership between school learning and home support. We look forward to sharing this meaningful moment with our Prep families.
As we continue through Term 1, we look forward to the official opening of our new playground, celebrating student achievements, and continuing to build strong partnerships with our families. Thank you for your ongoing support in making the Junior School such a positive, purposeful, and thriving learning environment.
Calendar Dates
Wednesday 4 March – JS Assembly, 2:30pm (The Collect)
Friday 6 March – Years 2, 3 & 4 Swimming Lessons, 9:10am–2:30pm (Wonthaggi)
Monday 9 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 10 March – Parent–Teacher Interviews, 12:00pm–7:30pm (Pupil-Free Day)
Wednesday 11 March – NAPLAN Commences
Wednesday 11 March – Prep’s First Wednesday at School
Thursday 12 March – Years 3–6 Regional Swimming, Sale (9:30am–1:00pm)
Friday 13 March – Clean Up Australia Day (Junior School Student Event)
Saturday 14 March – Newhaven College Open Day, 9:00am–12:00pm
(Year 4 Captains assisting as tour guides)
Monday 16 March – Autumn Soirée
Wednesday 18 March – Year 1 Grandparents Day
Wednesday 18 March – JS Assembly, 2:30pm (Wellbeing Captains)
Friday 20 March – Years 2, 3 & 4 Swimming Lessons, 9:10am–2:30pm (Wonthaggi)
Friday 20 March – Family Outdoor Movie Night
Tuesday 24 March – Prep Reading Party, 2:20pm
Wednesday 25 March – Year 3 Koala Park Conservation Reserve Excursion, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Friday 27 March – Years 2–4 Swimming Carnival, 10:00am–1:30pm (Wonthaggi)
Wednesday 1 April – JS Athletics Carnival (Prep–Year 4), 9:30am–3:00pm
Thursday 2 April – Term 1 Concludes, 2:20pm Dismissal
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Junior School Building & Playground Construction
I would like to sincerely thank our Junior School students, teachers, and staff for their patience and flexibility as we continue with the exciting construction works in our area. It has been wonderful to watch the progress of both the Junior School expansion and refurbishment, along with the development of our new play space.
Our new playground is due to open in late March, and excitement is certainly building! Designed with a Phillip Island theme, the space will feature swings, rope courses, an amphitheatre, caves, rocks, and a large sandpit complete with a boat. We look forward to sharing more details closer to the official opening, but we can assure you it will be a spectacular addition to our Junior School.
A significant amount of planning and care has gone into the design of the Junior School expansion, which includes two new classrooms, extensions to our assembly area, and a new amenities block located near the Prep rooms. Please see the images below for a preview of what these new learning spaces will look like once completed.
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Prep picnic
In February, Benji Ellery and Macie Oudshoorn, our two Junior Wellbeing Captains, organised a picnic to welcome the preps to school.
They sat outside on rugs and cushions, played games and enjoyed icy poles.
Alongside Macie and Benji, the other Year 4s that assisted were: James Andrianopoulos, Samuel Phillips, Cecilia Federici, Milla Kirkhope and Eden Bennett
Congratulations to the Year 4 team who created such a fun and welcoming event for our Preps!
Sarah Derham
Counsellor
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.
