Newhaven College welcomed past Newhaven College Principal (1998- 2011), Mr Mike Brewin back to the school, here with Vice Principal and Head of Senior School, Jason Scott and Life Governor Penny Manning.
Foundation parents Laraine Ashe, Clifford Ashe, David Jobe, Keith Jobe and Rhonda Jobe were welcomed to the College’s Foundation Day assembly.
Newhaven College Prep students were excited to receive their house badges at the Foundation Day assembly. Sambell students Chiara Fumagalli and Iona James, and Bass students Maeve Randall and Mali Dennis.
Principal Tony Corr with 1985 alumni and College Captain Cameron Ashe AIM, who presented to the College assembly with reminiscences from his school days and stories of his career in intelligence and national security.
Junior School Captains Edward Lee and Chloe Shapardon presented Cameron Ashe AIM with a gift after his address to the assembly.
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Jason Scott delivered his final speech to a whole-school assembly before retiring at the end of this term, after 30 years in education and 14 years of those years as Vice Principal at the College.
Last week Newhaven College came together at an all-school Foundation Day Assembly, marking Newhaven College’s 44th birthday and to celebrate the College’s past, present and future.
The College was honoured to welcome back former principal Mr Mike Brewin (1998-2011) and 1985 alumni and the College’s first student captain, Cameron Ashe AIM. Also in the audience were members of the College Life Governors, College Board members, early teachers at the school, the College leadership team, staff, students and families.
The celebrations commenced with an address by Cameron Ashe. Since leaving school, Cameron has led 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 reminisced about being one of the first students to attend Newhaven College in its infancy.
“In 1980 I was in Year 8 and one of 150 founding students at Newhaven College. But, Newhaven College was just a fancy sounding name for four portable classrooms, and as many teachers, in a swamp-like environment, where it was no coincidence the classrooms were named after ferries,” he quipped.
Cameron joked about being at the “first Foundation Day, the first student to eat a sausage roll at the canteen, the first student to get hit in the head by a cricket ball in the playground … and the first student to receive the Papworth Prize for Excellence.”
Cameron went on to graduate with honours at La Trobe University and win a graduate position at the Defence Signals Directorate. Cameron was also awarded the Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM), a civil decoration awarded to national intelligence community members for distinguished service.
“I’m now the Deputy Director General of the largest and most consequential intelligence Agency in Australia and last month the Governor General pinned a medal on my chest for having done things I can never tell anyone about,” he said.
During his final address to the College as Vice Principal, Jason Scott was thoughtful.
“I am finishing my teaching career at the end of this term, and I have found myself reflecting on my time at Newhaven and trying to identify the special and unique character and personality of the College.”
Jason drew on words for the College’s school song to summarise his thoughts on the ‘vibe’ of the school.
“My Newhaven College vibe, is: All through life, heart and mind hold the key.”
Student leaders were given the opportunity to present to the assembly, with College Captains Max Arceo and Alice Mabilia speaking about the fundraisers the Year 12 Leadership and House groups have been running for the Cancer Council, praising the results so far. Middle School Captains Amara Pittorino and Finn Campbell Walker presented about Middle School initiatives while Junior School Captains Edward Lee and Chloe Shapardon presented a thank you gift to guest speaker Cameron Ashe.
The Preps had their moment in the spotlight, when the Middle and Senior House Leaders awarded them with their house badges, providing the first exciting opportunity for the preps to get up onto the assembly stage.
Proceedings were punctuated by musical performances by Senior School band, Marchioness – Nissa Campbell Walker (vocals) and Archie Robson (guitar) performed supported by Eve Oakley (vocals), Finn Campbell Walker (keyboards), Isaac Savona (drums) and teacher Rob Turton (guitar). They performed ‘This is Why’ by Paramore. The leads of Little Shop of Horrors, Jemima Aitken and Dean Lyle, performed ‘Suddenly Seymour’ with backing from the entire cast of the production. Also, the Junior School Choir, the Combined Choir and the College orchestra performed enthusiastically.
Newhaven College’s annual Foundation Day assembly celebrated everything the school is proud of: a rich history, leadership, involvement, encouragement and music.
