2023 Students Awarded Top Honours at Premier's VCE Awards
2023 students Saffi Campbell Walker and Will Murphy received top honours this week for their outstanding VCE results in Music Contemporary Performance in 2023. These 2 incredible students were 2 of only 3 students to be awarded in this subject.
Saffi is now studying for a Bachelor of Music majoring in jazz and Improvisation at Victorian College of the Arts. Will is studying for a Bachelor of Music on Double Bass at University of Melbourne.
Saffi also features in the promotional video. To learn more and watch the video go to: www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards
Cambodia Project
Truthfully, I was utterly horrified to go on an overseas trip. I’d never really travelled abroad or taken time away from my family, and I had no idea what to expect. But when we arrived in Phnom Penh, met our group leaders, and began making genuine connections with the people we went on the trip with, it is safe to say going to Cambodia has been the best experience of my life thus far. Becoming acquainted with such a beautiful culture, trying new foods and learning about the country’s history were only some of the many highlights. What was most important, and the reason why we went, was the volunteer work we did for a local school. I won't lie, it was difficult and somewhat tedious at times, but seeing the enthusiasm these children had for learning and the joy they gained from us being there made it all the more worth it.
Seeing their smiles as we got off the bus each morning and watching them succeed and improve every class was a feeling I can’t express. The things this work taught me have been invaluable, and I have no doubt that the personal growth, friendships and memories I made will last a lifetime. I could not be more grateful for everyone who was by our sides this whole time, Mr Corr and Mrs Smart, as well as our group and leaders. I hope to go back to Cambodia one day, not only to reminisce but to experience it all over again.
Lola Afford
Year 11 Cambodia Project Participant
20th Ibaraki Christian Junior High School visit
After successfully resuming the exchange program with our sister school, Ibaraki Christian Junior High School in Japan, last year, we are delighted to continue this year. From 28 July to 9 August, our school hosted 12 Year 9 students and two teachers Ms Rieko Kasahara and Mr Stewart Youngblood from Japan. This enriching experience fostered cross-cultural friendships and mutual understanding.
The Japanese students received a warm welcome from our homestay families, immersing themselves in our community and experiencing Australian life firsthand. They followed the Year 5 to Year 8 timetable and participated in Year 9 to Year 12 Japanese classes. They also visited Junior School Japanese classes, enhancing our language learning environment. Additionally, they enjoyed making ANZAC biscuits and learning about their significance.
Exploring local attractions, the students gained a deeper appreciation for our region's history and beauty. Special thanks to our host families and the Townsend family allowed us to use their accommodation for the teachers' stay. The role of homestay families is a significant part of the exchange program, and we greatly appreciate their generosity and dedicated care for the students. We also appreciate those working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth program.
This Friday, 9 August, we will say our farewells. It will be difficult to see them go, as we have formed strong bonds of friendship.
Is September, nine students from Year 10 and 11 will visit the Ibaraki school. We eagerly anticipate continuing this cultural exchange and further strengthening our sister-school relations.
Host Families
The Anderson, Andrianopoulos, Baud, Bennett, Dean, Feehan, Flynn, Gale, Hilgart and Power, Hill, Kesterton and Serle, Oakley and Grant Families
Backup Families
The Jungwirth and Thompson, Dakers-Hock, Leys and Davidson, and Whitton Families
Mitsuko Horiguchi
Japanese Exchange Program Coordinator
Welcome to Australia and our College!
Over the past couple of weeks, our College has had some international guests visiting.
Oscar Yang, in Year 8, bravely flew on his own from Hong Kong to visit the Arnott family, and spend some time at Newhaven College.
Also, the grandchildren of our recently retired Receptionist, Salome Rapson, visited our Junior School from Paris recently. Oliver and Talia Moreau forged new friendships during the three day stay at the College.
It was such a pleasure to host our international guests!
Maths Competitors Awarded
During the all-school assembly, certificates were awarded to our top performers in two Mathematics Competitions.
The Kangarous sans frontieres (KSF) Competition included, basic arithmetic, fractions and ratios, algebra and pre-algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics and probability and problem-solving.
Distinction certificates were awarded to
- Scarlette Hill (Year 7)
- Tilly Stecher (Year 10)
- Tilia Pires-Andersen (Year 12)
Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition incorporates unique ‘three-stage tasks’ that encourage students to develop informal algorithms and apply them to test data of increasing size or complexity.
Distinction certificates were awarded to:
- Zara Hill (Year 6 and best in Primary School)
- Heath McLean (Year 8)
- Tilly Stecher (Year 10 and best in Secondary School)
- Joey Thompson (Year 11)
Karen Milkins-Hendry
Director of Learning
Olympic Theme Fundraising Day
On the Friday before the Olympic ceremony, College students and teachers decided to get into the Olympic spirit, by having a fundraising dress up day.
The Year 12 Leadership team ran a bake sale, raising funds for Cancer Council. Donations are always welcome via our College Fundraising page for the Cancer Council: https://shorturl.at/zCEPQ.
It was wonderful to see so many dress up and have fun!
Vale Vaune
Last month we were saddened to hear of the loss of Vaune Lewis. Vaune was a pivotal figure in the formative years of music at Newhaven and on the Bass Coast through the 80’s and 90’s. Vaune was the wife of Brian Lewis – who was a Newhaven College Vice Principal / VCE Co-ordinator and English teacher.
Vaune was an Advanced Accredited Suzuki Piano Teacher who taught many College alumni, including Christy Spottiswood, Zac Ablett and many others. She nurtured and mentored music staff at Newhaven, including the Head of Music, Amanda Van Delft. Vaune also supported Lauren White and Christy Spottiswood to become Suzuki Piano Teachers (both of whom taught piano at the College) and employed our current Guitar Teacher Rob Turton in 1993 in his very first guitar-teaching job.
Rob remembers her as "the most supportive, encouraging presence" and Karen Milkins-Hendry says of Vaune's memory, ‘the gentle nature and authentic spirit of generosity Vaune shared, inspired and encouraged both teachers and students alike.’
We send our condolences to Vaune's family and friends.
Colour Run Fun!
It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm from the youngest Prep, through to Year 12s and teachers all happy to be blasted with coloured powder.
Clouds of coloured powder wafted across the grass, seeking out students and onlookers alike. Some students had a lot of fun with costumes, with Shaun the Sheep, a robot, polar bears, astronauts, stormtroopers and unicorns parading the grounds. It proved to be an incredible mid-winter cobweb clearer, with hysterical laughter ringing across campus.
We thank our wonderful PFA organisers and other volunteers who made the day so fun!
Parents and Friends Association Report
Crazy Colour Day Fun Run
On Friday, 2 August, the school dressed in their best white outfits for the second annual Crazy Colour Day Fun Run. The sun was shining as students ran through a fun obstacle course that included hay bales and a pool noodle rainbow! The brilliant idea of Mr Arceo to host a dance off saw our students demonstrate their dancing skills while being coloured by volunteers. Bryn Chandler, from Year 8 Bass, won points for his house for his superior moves and in Mr Arceo’s words, ‘dancing like nobody was watching!’ Well done, Bryn!
A special thank you to the always helpful maintenance team, Cam and Kev, for their efforts on an especially long day, the PFA ‘A’ Team (Jenni Lewandowski, Chantelle Manallack, Casey Bartlett, Kay Kondarios, Michelle Pardoe and ‘Super-MC’ Jo Vohland for her amazing skills on the mic!) as well as all the Year 12 students and parent volunteers that helped set up, colour students and pack up on the day: Pharrah Underwood, Annalisa Scarlato,Denise Dillon,Kim Hauser,Laura McCabe,Amy Cattermole,Natalie Biviano,Johanna Randall,Kirsty Armstrong,Kelly Latham,Malcolm Pope and Jordan Chambers.
An extra special thank you to the students who helped pack up the obstacle course, without prompt: Nate Kondarios – Year 3K, Thomas Hardy – Year 3K, Grayson Kondarios – Year 2P and Logan Chambers - Year 8 Sambell.
With a week to go until fundraising and prize ordering ends on Friday, 16 August 2024, we encourage everyone to sign up and fundraise. The top four fundraisers will have the opportunity to win a Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, electric scooter and plush toy with first place choosing from the prize pool first, then second, third and fourth.
The Crazy Colour Day Fun Run will help fundraise towards the PFA Giving Fund which has been established to support and enhance the school and educational experience for students. The PFA fund has supported several important initiatives this year including a donation to the MTB Club for a trailer, the Music Department for a performance stage and Shades of Pink, a breast cancer charity.
Fathers’ Day Stall
Mark it in your diaries, our Fathers’ Day Stall will be held on Friday, 30 August 2024. Prep to Year 6 will visit with their class at their allocated times, while the remainder of the school can visit the stall during breaks 1 and 2. Presents at the stall will cost $5 and $10.
As always, we need volunteers, to assist, please sign up at: NC PFA Fathers' Day Stall (signup.zone)
School Fete
Save The Date! The school fete will be held this year, on Friday 8 November 2024 and we are still on the lookout for community members that can help coordinate (with the support of the PFA) various stalls. We are also on the lookout for external stall holders such as food vans and craft stalls.
We are holding a fete planning meeting for volunteers that would like to help organise the event at 9.30am on Thursday, 22 August 2024 in the school boardroom. If you would like to attend or would like further details, please email us at Newhaven.PFA@gmail.com
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