Tony became Principal at Newhaven College in 2021.Before that, he held senior leadership positions at leading independent schools. At Melbourne Grammar School, Tony held roles including Deputy Headmaster, Head of Senior School and Director of Staff. He was Deputy Head at Xavier College.

Tony is passionate about building cohesive high-performing teams of educators. He does this by developing staff and building productive relationships.

Our Principal drives a school environment that prioritises pastoral care and student achievement. Tony leads a community that nurtures each student. We celebrate their individuality and their shared humanity. That's how we encourage them to be their best.

Tony brings a global perspective on challenges in the sector. He fosters positive relationships with students, staff and the broader school communities.

Tony has a Master of Education (Educational Management) and a Bachelor of Arts Education from The University of Melbourne.

Ralph Arceo began his educational career in Sydney in 1991. He started teaching at Independent Schools in 2000 at Trinity Grammar, Strathfield.

After relocating to Melbourne, Ralph taught Physical Education at South Yarra Primary. He spent 13 years at Camberwell Grammar as the Upper Primary Coordinator before he became Head of Junior School at Newhaven College in 2014.

Ralph believes all students can learn. They need a positive learning environment, committed and caring staff, an encouraging community and a supportive family.

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.

Karen worked at the College for over 20 years and left in 2013 to work at Independent Schools Victoria. She returned to Newhaven College as Director of Learning in 2022.

Karen's had leadership experience in pastoral and academic areas, and periods as Acting Principal. Her teaching background ranges from Mathematics and Chemistry to VCE Theatre Studies.

At Independent Schools Victoria, she devised and implemented programs across schools. She drew on her own strategic and teaching experinece.

Karen is passionate about supporting young people in learning programs that challenge and bring joy. She's thrilled to be back working with a skilled team of staff and school community she cares deeply about.

Brett has taught in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. Since moving to Australia in 2003, he has taught General Science, VCE Biology and VCE Chemistry.

Brett has taught at St. Kevin's College, Xavier College and Methodist Ladies' College in Melbourne.

He has also served in various leadership roles as a Year and subject coordinator and has College Timetabler.

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.

Alan joined Newhaven College as Director of Business in September 2024. He is an experienced Finance and Human Resources professional and brings over ten years of school experience to his role at Newhaven, previously employed as the Business Manager at The Essington School in Darwin.

Alan holds a Diploma in HR Management and is currently completing his Master of Business Administration through the University of Adelaide.

One of Newhaven's own, David was our school dux and won the Papworth Prize. He served as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He then managed The Continental Phillip Island before establishing Southern Sustainable Developments, focused on eco-friendly residential projects. He's been leading our board since 2021, having joined in 2015.

Megan is a former Occupational Therapist in the public and private sectors. She now oversees Sandy Cape, a local property development business with a tourism focus. She's also business manager for her family farming and dairy businesses. She's a proud Newhaven mum with all four of her children attending our college. Megan's been a board member since 2016.

Kylie, who moved to Phillip Island in 2006, is the CEO of Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Gippsland. She's dedicated to supporting farmers and rural businesses with financial planning services. She is treasurer of Food & Fibre Gippsland and a local business owner with her husband. A passionate supporter of our local communities, Kylie joined our board in 2022.

Graham moved to Phillip Island in 2018 having arrived in Australia in 2007. Originally from Edinburgh, Graham spent 25 years working in the global energy industry. Graham is a Partner at PwC in their Energy Transition Advisory. He has a passion for coaching and specialises in helping organisations build new capabilities and improve their governance. Graham has two young children who will soon start at the college. He joined the Board in 2022.

Rebecca has worked as an architect, tertiary tutor and coordinator, and has sat on various boards and panels. In 2012, Rebecca founded an architecture firm where she is the Principal Director. Rebecca's experience in business, education and project management is hugely valuable to us. Rebecca was a student of Newhaven College, and has young children of her own currently attending the school.

Steve Morris is a seasoned management professional with expertise in digital technology. He worked in the USA and Europe returning to Australia in the late nineties to develop B2B Commerce solutions. In the early 2000s, he moved to Phillip Island where he founded an IT services business, which he sold 14 years later. Steve now heads an ERP Software company while living on Phillip Island.

Tracey is an accomplished strategic leader with a depth of finance and governance experience across corporate, government and non-government organisations, including 10 years with a Big 4 accounting consultancy, working in Australia, USA and Canada, and more than six years as a senior executive in local and state government. Tracey is Chief Operating Officer at VETASSESS with responsibility for leading strategy, customer service, governance, finance, marketing and communications. Tracey has one child planning to attend the College in 2025.

Damien McKenna, a Principal lawyer of Duffy & Simon, acts for numerous clients in the property and commercial areas. In addition, he has provided advice over the years for numerous independent schools, focusing on compliance, contractual and policy advice and guiding them through various legal challenges. Damien is also involved in local community, providing ongoing legal advice to local sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations, and participating actively on several committees. 

Damien has one child attending the college and another set to enrol in 2025.