The four principals: current Newhaven College principal Tony Corr, past principal Gea Lovell, founding principal Frank Moore, and Michael Brewin, who headed the school from 1998 to 2011, with the new round window in the performing arts wing, to represent the round window in the principal’s office in the old Boys Home Road campus.
Uniting Church Rev Ian Turnnidge, and former board members of the school Shirley Broad, Pam Cameron and Penny Manning (a founding teacher of the school).
Board member Rebecca Naughtin and her father Bill, a life governor.
Frank Moore, Keith and Rhonda Jobe, Hua Moore and David Jobe.
Life governors: Robert and Annette McDowell, with Lynn and John Ward.
Current principal Tony Corr, Gea Lovell (2011-20), Frank Moore (1980-89), and Michael Brewin (1998-2011).
The school’s senior vocal ensemble, conducted by Kerryn Lockhart and accompanied by Pam Christie, in the new rehearsal studio gave a performance at the unofficial opening of the performing arts wing.
In the Black Box Theatre, Year 9 student Nissa Campbell Walker performed a monologue from the play Red Tee.
Director of music Matt Goss and deputy principal Jason Scott.
A welcome reception for governors, past principals and directors was held last week at the college’s new performing arts wing. There will be an official opening in the new year.
Surf Beach artist Sharni Taylor painted this portrait of past principal Gea Lovell.
Four of Newhaven College’s five principals have attended the unofficial opening of the school’s new $8 million performing arts wing.
It was the first time founding principal Frank Moore – who headed the school from 1980 to 1989 – had visited the Phillip Island Road campus, after teaching in China for the last seven years.
Former principal David O’Reagan (1990-98), who lives in Townsville, did not attend and gave his apologies.
Current principal Tony Corr told the 40 guests – including governors and board of directors – the official opening would be in the new year, with the facility already being used by students.
He said the new building was stage one of the development, which included a music rehearsal room, 140-seat black box theatre, keyboard lab and classrooms.
“Stage two will be a 450-seat auditorium next door,” Mr Corr explained to the 40 guests.
Chair of the board and past student David Jobe said stage two would be rolled out “prudently, over time as finances allow”.
David paid tribute to the past principals, explaining Michael Brewin (1998-2011) expanded the school from prep to year six and purchased the 33ha school site on the Phillip Island Road.
He said Gea Lovell (2011-20) had “formidable” business acumen, securing $40 million in government grants for new school facilities.
“She had a supernatural ability to sniff out funding,” David said.
Founding principal Frank Moore said he was “flabbergasted” and “on the point of tears” when he first entered the Phillip Island Road campus, not having seen it since he moved to China.
The college opened its doors with 51 students in years 7 and 8 in 1980 and Frank said compared to the current campus, Boys Home Road was “primitive”.
“It was a soggy site. All the water from Newhaven rushed down to that plot of land,” recalled Frank, who with his wife Hua has been back in Australia for six months.
“Coming to this campus my mind has been blown, to the point of tears. Is this the result of what we did so many years ago?
“This is just extraordinary.”
College business manager Brad Phillip said community groups would be able to hire out the 140-seat theatre.
The performing space will be available for hire outside of school days, in the evening, weekends and school holidays.
Inquiries to: BusinessManager@newhavencol.vic.edu.au
