Foundation Day Assembly

On Tuesday this week, the whole school came together, along with Leadership, members of our College Board and Life Governors, students, staff and families, for the most important day on our College calendar. Newhaven College Foundation Day gives us the chance to celebrate our school, our past and what makes our school special.

It was wonderful to welcome so many dignitaries to our school, many of whom took a tour around the school grounds after assembly to see how far we have come. 

The celebrations included an address by Mr Cameron Ashe, 1985 alumni and College Captain. Since leaving school, Cameron has lead an interesting life working in national intelligence. Cameron is currently the Deputy Director General of the Australian Signals Directorate - Australia’s intelligence agency responsible for signals and cyber intelligence. Cameron was also awarded The Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM), a civil decoration awarded to national intelligence community members for distinguished service. Year 12 student Shannon Harvie was so taken by Cameron's speech, he sought him out after the assembly to ask about joining national intelligence.

Mr Jason Scott, Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, who will be retiring at the end of term, presented to those in attendance about Newhaven College's unique 'vibe'. Jason refers to his address in the Senior School section of this newsletter. 

Student leaders were given the opportunity to present to assembly, with College Captains Max Arceo and Alice Mabilia, Middle School Captains Amara Pittorino and Finn Campbell Walker presented to those present. Junior School Captains Edward Lee and Chloe Shapardon presented a thank you gift to guest speaker Cameron Ashe. Middle and Senior House Leaders awarded the Preps with their house badges, the first exciting opportunity for the preps to get up onto the assembly stage. 

Proceedings were punctuated by musical performances by our Junior School and Combined Choirs, our school orchestra and the cast of Little Shop of Horrors and Marchioness - Archie Robson and Nissa Campbell Walker supported by Eve Oakley, Isaac Savona, Finn Campbell Walker and Music Teacher Rob Turton.

Our annual Foundation Day assembly celebrated everything our school should be proud of, leadership, involvement, encouragement and music!

Newhaven College Mother's Day Lunch

The Newhaven College inaugural Mother’s Day lunch at Phillip Island Winery was a highlight of the week for many, with over 90 guests in attendance. Principal Tony Corr welcomed all in attendance, followed by stunning entertainment from singers Year 11 student Cecily de Gooyer and Year 10 student Aifoe O’Connell, supported by piano teacher Pam Christie. The atmosphere was one of happy congeniality, celebration and love for the special women in our lives.

The College thanks Phillip Island Winery, the PFA and everyone involved in making this such a special Mother’s Day celebration.


Little Shop of Horrors

Our incredible School Production drew to a close on Sunday 5 May, at Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre. The cast, crew, musicians and supporters are now getting their lives back to normal. It has been a phenomenal amount of work for everyone involved and we applaud their success!

Year 12 students Jemima Aitken and Dean Lyle played the lead roles of Audrey and Seymour who navigate their way to find love with the unlikely assistance of a man-eating plant, Audrey II. Dean is no stranger to Newhaven College productions, having played Shrek and King Triton in previous shows. This was Jemima’s first time in a lead role for a Newhaven College production. Other superb performances came from Year 10 student Felix Fothergill as Mr Mushnik, the owner of the flower shop. Audrey II was portrayed with magnificent puppetry and voiced by Year 12 powerhouse singer Angeline Anthony. Audrey’s very unpleasant, and ultimately doomed, boyfriend was flamboyantly played by Year 12 student Liam Fuery.

The street urchins sing and dance their way through the entire show, keeping the storyline going with unbridled enthusiasm. The urchins were performed by Indigo Aurora, Meyanna Christensen, Cecily de Gooyer, Isabel Goss, Eve Oakley and Aoife O’Connell. Other pivotal roles were played by Matilda Abraham-Williams, Mackenzie Cameron, Archie Robson, Shae Foster and Giacinta Lyle. With the support of a highly energetic ensemble cast, the show was rich in talent from the youngest student up.

Talented students were also found in the music pit with Year 8 student Finn Campbell Walker (keyboards), Year 9 student Flynn Dengerink (guitar) and Year 11 student Gabriel Di Falco (bass) playing crucial roles in the orchestra, creating the mood for the whole show. College VET students constructed the sets, which further set the dour mood of the skid row background to the story.

Director Karen Milkins-Hendry and Musical Director Matthew Goss worked together with volunteers, professionals and creators to bring together an incredible show.

Seeking Two More Host Families 

Thank you to those families who have already offered to host a student in your home. We truly appreciate your support and kindness towards the exchange program.

The Baud family with Futo 2023

We are still in need of two more host families. The homestay period will be for two weeks, from Sunday, 28 July to Friday, 9 August, 2024. If you are available to help, please contact Mitsuko Horiguchi via SEQTA direct message or mitsuko.horiguchi@newhavencol.vic.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Mitsuko Horiguchi

Japanese Exchange Program Coordinator

Parents and Friends Association Report

Mothers' Day Stall

The Mothers' Day stall was held on Thursday, 9 May 2024 and it was great to see the excitement of the students when they purchased gifts for their loved ones. We hope each gift recipient loved their gift as much as the students!

I'd like to personally thank each of the volunteers that helped with our Mothers' Day stall: Jenni Lewandowski, Kay Kondarios, Chantelle Manallack, Lisette Rule, Denise Dillan and Matt Brown.

Each child that purchased a gift received a raffle ticket for one of two amazing hampers that each included a $50 voucher generously donated by Saltwater. Our lucky winners, drawn by our principal Tony Corr, were:

1st prize: Olivia Clark (Year 4M)

2nd prize: Lucy Thompson (Year 7A)

Mothers' Day Lunch

Like many other mums and grandmothers, the members of the PFA attended the Mothers' Day lunch at Phillip Island Winery on Friday 10 May. It was a wonderful afternoon, and hopefully one that can be an annual tradition. We organised a raffle and extend our sincere gratitude to the following businesses for their generous contributions:  Self Activated, Clay and Co, The Ivy Plant Studio, Bass Coast Boat & Caravan Storage and Cor Pilates.

Parents and Friends Association Facebook Group

The PFA have started a new Facebook group: Newhaven College Parents and Friends Association | Facebook

This group is for sharing general school updates, PFA led event information, sports and extra-curricular activities of interest to students and for giving shout-outs to people and businesses in the community that have supported our events. Feel free to join our group to be kept up to date!

School Fete

The school fete is one of the main PFA-led events in the school calendar. This year, it will be held on 8 November 2024. Save the date!

We are on the lookout for community members that can help coordinate (with the support of the PFA) a craft and plant stall. If you would like to help, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Second hand uniforms

Do you have school uniforms that your children have outgrown? This year, we will have a second hand uniform stall at our school fete and we invite donations to the stall. Any donations may be left at reception or alternately, please email the PFA for collection.

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to register your details to volunteer at future events, do not hesitate to reach out to us at newhaven.pfa@gmail.com

Angel Chambers

President | Parents and Friends Association

Library News

This term has seen many students enjoying the Library and its resources. With arrival of many news books and various themed displays, students have been reading and borrowing regularly, which is great to see!

A number of students, however have overdue books which need to be returned so that others may enjoy them. Thank you to everyone for your support with this.

If you are unsure of your loans, or have any library queries please do not hesitate to contact me via SEQTA or speak with our Library staff, we’re happy to help!

“Readers are lucky – they will never be bored or lonely.” – Natalie Babbitt

Janine Butera

Librarian

New College website

Newhaven College's new website has been well received and we thank everyone who has sent us feedback, which has been 99.99% positive! 

We thank our web developer JWAM, John Wood Advertising & Marketing, for their patience and support throughout the process. Also, Sara Tiefenbrun who assisted with our copywriting. 

Please be sure to have a look at the website and provide feedback about the website and new newsletter format to lucy.couper@newhavencol.vic.edu.au

Steph Thornborrow and Lucy Couper

Marketing & Communications