Leisa is a proud and enthusiastic member of Newhaven College, with her two children attending the school since 2021 and 2023.

In October 2022, Leisa joined Newhaven College as Human Resources Manager and became a member of the school leadership team in 2023.

Leisa is an experienced HR professional, who brings a wealth of knowledge from roles held in Human Resources and leadership from diverse industries. She has worked alongside fantastic people with a range of skill sets and occupations in Health Services, Local Government, Hotel Management, Private Business Operations and Education. Leisa has the passion and dedication to maintain a positive workplace culture, facilitating growth and support strategic direction at Newhaven College to make a ‘difference’.

In addition to her passion for Human Resources, Leisa loves travelling, boating, walks on the beach, coffee and spending time with family and friends.

Joining Newhaven College in 2024, Cath joins us from Cowes Primary School. Cath has had a long association with Newhaven College. She is a former student, having graduated from Newhaven College in the mid-1990s, and was the inaugural Grade 3 teacher at the College in 2002. She is the mother of three current and past students and is very active in the local Phillip Island community. 

Cath’s educational philosophy is for each child to develop a love of learning and for each child to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

After completing VCE music and a Certificate III in Music performance Mark's love for drumming has turned into a love for teaching. Mark has 10 years of experience teaching in various schools in the Latrobe Valley and one-on-one lessons teaching from home.

His style of playing ranges from alternative rock to Jazz and Funk.

Mark is very passionate about teaching students to gain confidence in their playing ability and being able to express themselves through drumming. Mark has recently moved to Bass Coast and is very keen and excited to use his ability at Newhaven college.

Carmel is a highly regarded professional musician who has had a lifelong association with the Gippsland area. She has taught piano at many schools in Melbourne and Gippsland, as well as running her own private music teaching studio in Leongatha. She is experienced in teaching all ages (from three years old), and all levels and styles, up to VCE and AMEB diploma exams.

Many of Carmel’s students have pursued careers in the performing arts both in Australia and overseas, in areas such as performing, composing, teaching, accompanying, adjudicating and music theatre. Her students have won numerous scholarships and awards in various competitions and eisteddfods, including the Australian National Piano Award and the Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival.

Carmel has had an extensive career as a performer (soloist and accompanist), and musical director. She was named Musician of the Year in 1994 by the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria, and was honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2015, in recognition of her involvement with many musical groups, presenting numerous fund-raising concerts, and fostering musical talent in the Gippsland area. She has enjoyed working as an accompanist with many local groups such as Bass Coast Chorale, WTG, Leongatha Lyric Theatre, FAMDA, Warragul Theatre Company, and The Bloke’s Chorus.

Since 2018 Carmel has held the position of Head of Keyboard at Kilvington Grammar School, in Ormond. As part of her role, she taught piano and theory to students from ELC to Year 12, accompanied the Kilvington choirs, VCE soloists, AMEB exam students and all concert and soiree performers. She also led a team of amazing piano teachers, collaborated with a large music team, and has been a valued staff member.

Carmel recently joined the Newhaven College community. She is looking forward to inspiring her students to discover, enjoy, create and excel in their piano studies, as well as working as a team member in the fantastic Music Department.

Throughout both Primary School and Secondary College Daniel trained in Piano, Percussion and Guitar (both classical and contemporary). Daniel began guitar lessons at the age of 6 years, giving light to the embers that would flare into a love and passion that has burnt consistently his entire life. Daniel has studied under some of Australia’s best guitarist and tutors such as Aria winner Matt Walker and Irene Grigoryan (mother of Slava and Leonard Grigoryan). Daniel performed professionally from the age of 12 years - initially as a member of a classical guitar ensemble and later in his teens in numerous outfits from pub cover bands to acoustic duets and more recently as a solo signer song writer.

Daniel believes the ability to understand and play music is the greatest gift one could ever receive and for this reason he has tutored students in playing the guitar and understanding music his entire adult life.

In February 2023, Daniel has joined Newhaven College’s music department and looks forward to inspiring and nurturing the inner musician in all students.

Jono Wright is a Melbourne based musician who developed a love for music at an early age.  Fortunate to have gone to a performing arts focused school he then sought further training by studying music performance at Monash University. He is now involved heavily in the music industry through playing and teaching.

Jono has played and toured with artists such as Isaiah Firebrace (x Factor winner, Eurovision), Bella Paige (The Voice runner up) and AYDAN and he is keen to pass on a musical ambition to his students.

His aim is to encourage his students to be the best they can be in all areas of life and to demonstrate how music can be a key component in that.