Worawa Sports Reconciliation Carnival
On Tuesday 28 May, the Years 7-8 Girls Cross Country team, guided by senior leaders Angelia (Year 11), Amelia (Year 12) and Raena (Year 10), participated in the Worawa Aboriginal College’s Sports Reconciliation Carnival, highlighting the theme ‘Now More Than Ever’, emphasising the importance of taking action on Indigenous issues.
Students took part in a smoking ceremony conducted by Aunty Lois, walking through the sacred areas of the Dreaming trail before the official Welcome to Country.
Our Cross-Country team competed in the Junior and Senior 3km events, which wound through the school’s spiritual surroundings.
Congratulations to Ruby (Year 7) on winning the Junior race. Students loved the shared experience with other schools and the Worawa girls who were so proud to represent their school and culture in reconciliation week.
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 22 May, Newlands Library organised a special story time for all Junior School students to enjoy.
The National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event where an Australian picture book is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes and bookshops around the country. This year’s book was Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker, the story of a beautiful bowerbird on the search for the colour blue. This event entertains and educates but also fosters a sense of community and connection among young readers.
It is wonderful to see the students at Newlands engaging with literature in such a lively and inclusive way, nurturing a love for reading that will benefit them for years to come.
Academic Scholarships
Applications are now open for Academic Scholarships at Haileybury, available to current students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. Students currently in Years 3 (excluding current Haileybury students), 5, and 8 in 2024 are eligible to apply for entry into Years 5, 7, and 10 in 2026. Find out more here.
Early Learning Centre
Languages Week
Languages Week saw several exciting opportunities in the ELC, drawing from and celebrating our multicultural community. Children enjoyed engaging with stories in diverse languages including French, Japanese, Armenian and Dutch, just to name a few. Our very own Chinese Opera performance was just another highlight in a week of celebrating the many languages that make up our Newlands ELC community.
The ELC spectacular: ‘Let’s all help the bees 1, 2, 3’
Throughout the year, children in both Reception and Pre-Prep have been investigating bees and the important role they play in our environment.
This investigation has seen Pre-Prep journey across to the Newlands hives, with our very own Mrs Short sharing her knowledge and showing children honeycomb from the hives. While back at the ELC, the Reception children engaged in this experience through videos and enjoyed their continued discussions and bee observations in the garden.
This focused environmental learning has culminated in a spectacular musical performance ‘Let’s all help the bees 1, 2, 3’ as children shared their increasing knowledge through song. Children and families enjoyed this mini production, with children sharing a genuine appreciation for nature and a sense of responsibility to protect and care for bees, knowing the important role they play in our ecosystem.
Junior School
100 Days of Prep
On Friday, 2 August, our Prep students will mark a significant milestone — their 100th day of school. The Prep classrooms will be transformed with vibrant streamers, confetti and balloons. To make the day even more memorable, the Preps will dress up as if they are 100 years old, wearing grey wigs, fake beards, and some will even totter around with walking sticks! They will spend quality time with their buddies and get creative by completing ‘100 days of Prep’ themed activities. It will be a sensational celebration of 100 days of school for our Preps, and we will congratulate them on meeting and surpassing this milestone.
Henny Penny program!
Year 1 classrooms are embarking on the Henny Penny Hatching program in Term 3 — a delightful and educational journey that brings baby chickens to the suburbs.
The program is designed to provide a captivating experience in a safe environment. Students will be able to watch eggs hatch in a specially designed incubator and observe the hatched chicks at play in a large, clear-sided brooding pen. This hands-on experience ties perfectly with our Science curriculum, as students will learn about life cycles and witness the miracle of life firsthand.
This unique experience promises to be a memorable highlight of the term, enriching our students’ understanding of nature and science.
Middle School
Victorian Champion!
Year 5 student Arya has become the Victorian Champion for Freeskating and Freedance. Arya has also been invited to Nationals to be part of the Victorian Team. Well done!
Puffs the musical
For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs, who just happened to be there too. It is a tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.
Since Week 1 of the 2024 school year, over 50 Newlands Middle School students have been rehearsing this fast-paced romp of Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. This play promises to give you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children.
The play will be performed at the Reverse Stage of Aikman Hall on Wednesday 31 July and Thursday 1 August. Tickets will be available shortly.
Hugo Engele
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough (HPFK)
Term 2 HPFK meeting
Our Term 2 HPFK meeting will take place on Thursday 20 June from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm in the Newlands library. Please come and join us for nibbles and a drink during our termly meeting. All welcome.
School holiday time
Make sure you add us on Facebook to keep up to date with all our school holiday opening hours. Our second-hand uniform shop is 100% volunteer run, so if this is something you might be interested in, please reach out. We would love to have you as part of the HPFK community.
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
