Welcome to the 2025 School Year! It has been a fantastic start, and it was particularly special to see our Prep students arriving for their very first day! They have settled in beautifully, and we extend a warm welcome to our new students and families. We look forward to getting to know you and sharing many wonderful experiences together.
To start the year on a positive note, our dedicated teachers have been working hard to set clear and supportive classroom expectations. These help create an environment where every child can thrive. A positive and respectful atmosphere is key to both academic success and personal growth, and we are committed to fostering that each day.
Junior School Assembly
Our Year 4 Leadership group led this week’s assembly, confidently introducing themselves and sharing their leadership roles. They set a fantastic example for future assemblies! Next assembly, the entire Year 4 cohort will take the lead. They have started the year strong and have been excellent role models for our younger students. In the upcoming assembly, each Year 4 student will make a pledge, committing to something they will do to support and inspire the younger members of our Junior School.
Curriculum Information Evening
Parents are invited to our Curriculum Information Evening tonight, Thursday, 13 February, from 6:00pm – 7:00pm in The Collect (Middle School). This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, learn about classroom programs, and gain insights into how you can support your child’s learning at home. Year level teachers will also host presentations in their classrooms. This is a parent-only event, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
Attendance Matters
Regular attendance is crucial for learning and development. Missing just 10% of school time equates to four weeks of lost learning per year! Attending school daily helps students build confidence, strengthen friendships, and stay on track with their education. We will continue to monitor attendance and will discuss any concerns with families during parent-teacher interviews and semester reporting to ensure every student is supported.
Parent-Teacher Communication
We value our partnership with you in supporting your child’s academic and social growth. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office with any questions. Open communication is key to a successful school experience.
Class Representatives
To help foster connections among families, we are seeking parent class representatives to organise at least one gathering per term. If you're interested, please email Dearne at Dearne.Young@newhavencol.vic.edu.au by Friday, 14 February.
Reading Folders
Starting next week, Junior School students will receive a decodable reading folder with passages that align with the reading and spelling skills they are learning. This initiative supports both students and parents in reinforcing literacy skills at home. Please encourage your child to engage with their reading folder and share their progress with you. Parents are also asked to fill in the reading log every night after their child completes their reading at home. More details will be provided at the Curriculum Information Session.
Rural Roads to Reading – Research Project
We are pleased to let you know that our Junior School will be involved in a longitudinal research project over the next three years called Rural Roads to Reading.
This project, which will run from 2025 – 2027, is being conducted by researchers from the School of Education at La Trobe University. The focus of the project is on understanding how schools across regional and rural Victoria are approaching the teaching of reading in the early years of primary school (Foundation-Grade 2).
The La Trobe researchers will track our 2025 Foundation student cohort through to the end of Year 2. The research team will work with our teachers to use a range of assessments that the children will complete in their classroom. Our school’s involvement in this project will provide our teachers with additional valuable data to support our children’s progress as they learn to read.
The project has been approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee.
As parents and/or guardians of students in Foundation 2025, please look out for more information about this project. You will be provided with information so that you can consider whether you wish to provide consent for your child/children to be involved in this project.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
Cath Huther
Head of Junior School
Preps settle into school life
Our Preps have settled in well to their first couple of weeks at school. Prep teachers Miss Charlotte Bassed and Mrs Kerryn Lynch have made all students feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment.
The Preps have been exploring the playgrounds and the library, where they borrowed their first books to enjoy at home.
A few Preppy facts and figures:
43 new Prep students
29 Preps have older siblings
4 Preps are students of alumni
5 Preps are students of current staff
Junior School Captains 2025
Junior School Captains Dallas Latham, Nate Kondarios, Peyton Rhee and Venus Herath Mudiyanselage
Sambell House Captains Mila Potter and Coco Russo
McHaffie House Captains Bridget Doig and Levi Naarden
Bass House Captains Billy Kimber and Ruby Pirouet
Clarke House Captains Georgia Evans and Austin Lynch
Performing Arts Captains Lucy Pedersen and Audrey Mantel
Wellbeing Captains Indy Van Damme and Savannah James
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the students in the following photo who were presented with their Merit Awards and recognised at Junior School Assembly.
