To celebrate the conclusion of a full year on campus, Newhaven College held two Presentation Evenings for the Junior School and Middle/Senior School.
The Year 5-11 Presentation Evening was hosted by the 2023 College Captains Gabriel Pascoe, Brinn Hamley, Niamh Moore and Oscar Healey, in their first formal captaincy duties. The Junior School Celebration Evening hosts were 2022 Captains, Flynn Doig and Addison O’Connor, and Vice Captains Callan Reilly and Scarlett Rennie.
Junior School
The focus of the Junior School Celebration was on how the school navigated its way safely through the year, by following CovidSafe guidelines. This resulted in a full academic year onsite. It was therefore appropriate for the achievements of every student in the Junior School be recognised. All Junior School students were presented with a certificate of achievement for completing a wonderful year of learning and improvement. The students again demonstrated their talents by singing, dancing and performing music, with some very talented performances and lots of laughs! Head of Junior
School, Ralph Arceo, expressed his gratitude for such a successful year.
“Thank you to all our families for your attendance, support and encouragement. It means a lot to the students and the staff in the Junior School.”
Middle and Senior School
The school celebrated an evening of song, words and awards during the first all-present Presentation Evening since 2019. It was an evening to celebrate the successes of our students, in academics, sporting, values and music. The procession of award presentations was interspersed with some stunning musical performances. The Middle School Choir and Guitar ensemble performed Lingmarra, a beautiful song about coming together. The Senior Vocal Ensemble performed Don’t Stop Me Now, followed by Indie and the Bones performing Devil Went Down to Georgia. The school is very proud of all of the award recipients.
Newhaven College Board Chair, David Jobe, made a moving tribute to Peter Reith, the Founding Secretary of Newhaven College. Mr Reith was integral to the initial development of Newhaven College, something which he was very proud of throughout his life. Mr Jobe referred to John Howard’s memorial speech where he described Mr Reith as someone committed to making a difference.
Someone with a laid-back sense of humour, who was able to make friends even among those he disagreed with. Someone with relentless energy for effecting change. In conclusion, Mr Jobe looked to the future.
“As we embark on the next chapter of our College’s journey, we are committing ourselves to a path of constant improvement across the key areas of learning, care, community, sustainability and innovation. In doing so, we can honour Peter’s legacy and the community spirit that created Newhaven College.”
Staff Awards
Newhaven College is incredibly proud of its teaching and non-academic staff. Fifteen staff members received recognition for twenty years or more of service and dedication. Recipients include Karen Milkins-Hendry, Geoff White, Andrew Neal, Elaine Epifano, Belinda Manning, Sian Adnam, Chris Appleby, Mitsuko Horiguchi, Gemma Van Cuylenburg, Barb Blair, Shona O’Dempsey, Sonya Neal, Amanda Price, Lauren White and Karyn Scott.
Student Awards
A wide range of awards were presented to recognise outstanding achievement in academic studies, leadership, music, sport, values, public speaking and debating, drama, design, visual arts, technology and Building and Construction.
Senior School Dux Awards:
Congratulations to each of the following students who achieved the highest grades for their year level: Year 9 – Maisie McMurray, Year 10 – Alice Mabilia, and Year 11 – Tess Papas.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards:
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an internationally recognised program for young people, building their skills to equip them for life and work. These students have attained their Bronze award by completing Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and an Adventurous Journey. The bronze awards went to Grace Howlett, Sophia Hungerford, Abby Papas and Grace Morris (Year 9). One student completed their Silver Award this year and has her sights firmly set on achieving her Gold Award, Chloe Harris (Year 10).
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award:
The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award recognises a student who demonstrates leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community and who display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others and "mateship”. The ADF Long Tan Leadership award is the top values award at Year 10 and carries a certificate and cheque for $250. This year’s recipient is Charlotte O’Brien (Year 10).
ADF Future Innovators Award:
The Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award highlights the value the Navy, Army and Air Force place on STEM skills and STEM career opportunities within Defence. This award formally recognises a student who has demonstrated motivation and innovation in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) within the school, and who displays strong personal ethical values. This academic award carries a certificate and cheque for $250. The winner of the 2022 Year 10 Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award is Alice Mabilia (Year 10).
The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program:
The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program is an academic enrichment program provided by the University of Melbourne. It is designed to support high achieving Year 11 and Year 12 students. The Year 10 student is selected based on: the endorsement of their school, academic performance, leadership potential, as well as community and extracurricular involvement. The recipient of the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program for 2023/24 is Tilia Pires-Andersen (Year 10).
Luke Bolding Memorial Award:
This award is given in memory of Luke Bolding, who was a proud Bass House Captain in 2014. Contenders for this award make a written application and interview which takes three categories into consideration: Sporting achievements, commitment to and involvement in College life and desire to complete Year 12. The award is made possible by Alex Scott and Staff who generously provide the recipient with $2000 towards their school fees. The 2022 recipient of the Luke Bolding Scholarship is Henry Peppard (Year 11).
The Reverend John Leaver Award:
Ecumenical Schools Australia has established an annual award named after the Reverend John Leaver, a man whose belief in an Independent Ecumenical school in the region was a driving force behind the establishment of Newhaven College. The student is chosen for embodying the values and attributes of Reverend Leaver. This year’s recipient is Ella Grummisch (Year 11).
Donald Cameron OAM Award:
This award is a legacy of a Life Governor of Newhaven College: and that of a family whose contribution to the creation and ongoing success of this school is recognized in the award. The award is enabled by the Lion’s Club of Phillip Island. This year it goes to Harry Butcher (Year 10).
Peter Reith AM Memorial Prize:
The inaugural Peter Reith AM Memorial Prize goes to the Year 9 student who demonstrates the ideals Peter Reith upheld of strong community values, pursuit of excellence and a willingness to make a positive contribution to their world. The inaugural winner is Joey Thompson (Year 9).