Feb 2011
Unity Lutheran College
This year I'm teaching Grade 5 in Murray Bridge, South Australia.

Feb-Dec 2010
St Joseph's Memorial School
Teaching Grade 6/7 in a Catholic parish school in Kensington/Norwood, South Australia. Leave a comment on our Literacy blog: http://sjmsleaders.edublogs.org/

January 2010
Back in Aldgate
After two years in Baku, Azerbaijan at the International School of Azerbaijan and a semester in the Northern Territory, Australia in an Indigenous College in Imanpa I'm now back in Aldgate. 

February 2007
Teaching in Istanbul
Check out my blog at http://leighnewton.edublogs.org I am at The Koc School teaching Maths and Science but really teaching English.

January 2007
Goodbye Ceduna
After 3 years at Crossways we've rented the house and departed. Much of the holidays were taken up with panelling and insulating the house. Tanya will return in March to paint the outside of the house.

June 2006
Grade 4
This year I have Gr 4 again. Check out our class blog at www.leighnewton.wordpress.com
I have a great group of kids this year who mostly enjoy school and do lots of learning. I'm not songwriting but am practising with local wizz guitarist Allan (Flip) Wright to do some cabaret work sometime soon. There's a gig in July coming up - the first.
Country Fire Service takes up some time. Somehow I got elected Training Officer which is yet another thing that fills my weeknights along with teachin g Spanish to two women and two girls from Penong way. I have a couple of afternoon piano students as well.
We managed to buy another piano and haven't quite got around to selling the old one. (12/2006 - the old piano has now gone)
In the July 2004 entry I mentioned that Rod Koppenhoefer asked me to go the USA for some concerts. He didn't survive until that Christmas sadly. We did however go this last Christmas to the USA, Mexico, Amsterdam and Hong Kong and managed to catch up with many friends from Tanya's study days a few years back.

May 2005
Heading into winter in Ceduna
It's been dry over here and warm. Not looking good for the farmers. I'm feeling like a teacher again but it's challenging work. The students are all great but many of them have lots of needs. We have access to a shack at Venus Bay (1.5hours south) thanks to Sue and Garry Vogt from Greenoch. We've only been there once but we'll get there lots more.
Tanya is enjoying her PhD in homiletics - she's someone who gladly reads theology all day - and will probably get through it quicker than most. Currently she's getting quotes on putting in more windows at the back of our house to get more light, winter warmth and to update the look of this old asbestos (we think) home.

July 2004
Term 3 begins
I've survived two terms and the adventure continues. Rod Koppenhoefer from Illinois, US has asked me to do a week of concerts after 4th term and before Christmas. It will be a squeeze but what a great way to catch up with beloved friends.

Jan 2004
Start teaching at Ceduna, SA at Crossways Lutheran School
After learning Spanish in Guatemala (well, at least a little) and having an adventure in the US, Ireland and England I figured the adventure needed to continue. I made myself for teaching in SA or NT in various Ed systems and I've ended up in a school with 63% Aboriginal children which makes use of my recently finished degree majoring in Aboriginal Studies.

July - December 2003
Finishes another degree - B.Ed (in-service)

May 2003
Return from Dubuque USA

Feb 2002
Song Manuscripts free on internet
I'm listing my songs on www.leighnewton.com/download.html in manuscript form for churches to freely use in worship. I simply ask that all copyright information is printed with each song in however it appears in your worship.

July 2001
Two Years in the USA.
Tanya has scored a major scholarship from the Lutheran World Federation and started at Wartburg Lutheran Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, USA in July 2001.  I have come along to see what I can do in the way of music and entertainment with children and families. Not having done much travelling before we're having fun living in this very different culture.  We're thankful for email which keeps us in good contact with our great children.

Backing Tracks for Christmas in the Shed
Due to popular request for some backing tracks Christmas in the Shed is now available without the vocals and is suitable for use particularly in those cases where musicians are unavailable.

The New Classic Ventriloquist Puppet
I've been telling everyone that a Trevor Wilson (from Roseworthy, South Australia) ventriloquist puppet was on the way but unfortunately it's not going to happen.  He had too many things happening in his life so I'll be getting a Selberg puppet, or similar now I'm in the States. Trevor's puppets are second to none so I'm hoping that one day I can still get one.

New Puppets
The Magic Drawing Board from Axtell Puppets. I draw a picture and it starts looking around and talking.
The Talking Bible that has some strange stories to tell.
A New 'Gloogle' My white wrap around monkey, the favourite for some years, had slowly been wearing away and has been replaced with a brand spanking one.

Stock Journal (SA)
An article about Leigh's release of Christmas in the Shed

Christmas in the Shed appears in a sermon by Anne Mallaby at The Patch Church of Christ on the outskirts of Melbourne, Vic.