Newhaven College Foundation Day

Newhaven College came together at an all-school Foundation Day Assembly, marking Newhaven College’s 43rd birthday.

From the youngest Prep to the most senior of our Life Governors, the whole school came together to remember Newhaven's humble beginnings.

The College was honoured to welcome back founding Principal Mr Frank Moore and members of his family, as well as Mr Michael Brewin who was the third Principal.

Also in the audience were members of the College Life Governors, College Board past and present, original teachers of the school and the College leadership team. 

School Captains Brinn Hamley and Gabriel Pascoe led the assembly that included special guest speaker Mr Frank Moore.

Mr Moore reminisced about all the people who were responsible for not only getting Newhaven College off the ground but worked hard to keep it going through the early years.

Mr Moore told the story of his first introduction to the school when he visited Boys Home Road in 1979. Mistakenly thinking St John's Boys Home was the school where he would become principal, he was shocked to discover that the school was, in fact, the empty paddock next door.

Mr Moore explained that the school started from nothing – no buildings, no money, no students. There was no affluent philanthropist, benefactor, wealthy institution or church providing support.

Mr Moore explained Newhaven College has always been "entirely a community initiative. It is the child of South West Gippsland. It belongs here. It belongs to you and me. It was a blank slate for us to imprint ourselves on.”

He went on to marvel at the metamorphosis from the humble Boys Home Road campus to the current expansive location where the school now resides.

Principal Tony Corr spoke of Mr Moore’s incredible contribution to the College

“Frank is responsible for so much of what we have here at the College.

“He selected our school colours – dark blue for the ocean, light blue for the sky and the red rust of the Newhaven rocks at Western Port Bay.

“Frank chose our motto ‘In Quietness and Confidence Shall Be Your Strength’. Frank selected the Royal Spoonbill as our emblem. It was Frank, along with his friend Scott Phillips, that wrote our College anthem, Heart and Mind.”

While those assembled reminisced, images comparing ‘then and now’ were displayed.

Current students were amazed to see and hear about the humble beginnings of their school. From fifty students when it opened to now, a thriving Prep to Year 12 campus of over 900 students, it’s an extraordinary achievement.

From the humble beginnings of the empty paddock, Newhaven College truly grew from grassroots and hard work.

The events of the day were complemented by the song ‘If Only’ performed by some of the stars of The Little Mermaid Max Jobe, Cecily de Gooyer, Lucas White and Dean Lyle. Plus, a rocking song, ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ from The Dropkicks (Dean Lyle, Esta Christensen, Edi Walmsley, Callan Spencer and Liam Fuery).

The Preps were presented with their House Badges, setting them up for their school life ahead. 

School Captains Niamh Moore and Oscar Healey also spoke about the Year 12 Cabinet’s chosen charity for 2023, Red Cross Lifeblood, in honour of Newhaven teacher, the late Karen Pearce.

The Year 12 Leadership Team is committed to helping other Australians who require the support of Red Cross and are leading the entire student body to raise money. 

The ceremony concluded with the audience and the Combined School Choir singing the College Song, Heart and Mind.