Castlefield

Campus News

Transition programs take shape

As we move towards the end of the year, our transition programs are starting across the campus.

The Middle School Heads and Deputy Heads of Year 7 are hosting our current Year 6 families on Tuesday, 12 September to discuss what the second stage of Middle School looks like for students.

Families in Years 7 and 8 have been invited to visit the Senior School on Wednesday, 13 September at 4.30 pm to tour the buildings and learn about the journey from Pre-Senior to the end of Year 12.

Details for these two events can be located on the myHaileybury app.

As part of the transition to Middle School, Year 4 students have the opportunity to meet with staff in Year 5 and see the spaces they will move to.

The ELC students will participate in their orientation program from Pre-Prep into Prep with opportunities to visit our Junior School on Thursday, 26 October, and Thursday, 2 and 9 November.

UpDay for all students is on Tuesday, 21 November. Students from Prep to Year 7 spend the day in their 2024 year level and discover new faces, spaces, subjects and, in some cases, teachers.

Senior School students discuss pathways

On Friday, 25 August, six outstanding Senior School students, Elliot (Year 12), Archie (Year 12), Charlie (Year 12), Thomas (Year 12), Joshua (Year 12) and Oscar (Year 12) spoke to our Year 6 boys about the journey from Years 7 to 12 and the opportunities across the School.

Each of these students were part of winning premiership sporting teams and have been involved in the broad co-curricular program on offer. They are also strong academic achievers. The Year 6 boys left the session buzzing with excitement about what is on offer in Year 7 and beyond!

Traffic and parking reminder

South Road is the preferred pick up and drop off location for students in Junior and Middle School, with the roundabout being an efficient way to collect your child. Staff are on duty before and after school to help children remain safe within our school gates.

For Senior School students, South Road is the only drop off and pick up area for parents who drive their child to school. We encourage our older students to walk, ride or take public transport as an alternative to being driven to school.

Early Learning Centre

Love of books

There are so many opportunities for children to discover a love of reading.

During Book Week, the children enjoyed their favourite story being read to them, dressed as their favourite book character, learned about authors and illustrators, joined the big book swap, visited the library and took part in book-related art and crafts. The children also sat under a tree where the Tawny Frogmouths live and listened to one of Vicki Edwards favourite stories, Larry Leadbeater by Jo Watson. So much fun!

Playing in the natural world

Jumping in puddles is a simple yet exhilarating activity that captures the pure joy of being a child. Puddles are not just water on the pavement, they are portals to a world of unbridled delight. With rain boots on and a sense of adventure, the joy that accompanies these leaps is infectious. This is a great reminder for us all that the simplest things can bring immense happiness.

Junior School

An event-filled term!

Term 3 has always been busy with STEM week, Book Week, Footy Colours Day, Cyber Safety Project and Year 3 camp, just to name a few. During STEM Week, students were treated to lunchtime and assembly experiments. Rupert’s Drop was the explosion of molten glass and students saw glass explode into thousands of pieces.

Adrian Lam visited the Learn Assembly and blew up a bottle with liquid nitrogen, while some brave students came on stage to feel the effect of freezing a piece of kale! Years 3 and 4 students participated in a Mini Boss incursion and Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students visited the Science Dome to explore the galaxy.

In class, there was a focus on Biology and Physics with children exploring the world of mini beasts and jet propulsion. Book Week was lots of fun with guest readers, visiting authors and illustrators, colouring competitions and of course the annual book character Dress-up Parade. There were fabulous costumes and lots of children in character for the day.

Our Year 3 students are excited about heading off on their camp to Forest Edge on Wednesday. We are sure they will have a fabulous time.

Specialist classes

Across the course of the week, Junior School students attend Computer Science, Music, Art, Drama, Library, Chinese language lessons and PE classes with specialist teachers. They love to move about the school with some facilities spread across the Boys Middle School, Girls Middle School and the Senior School.

During recent Drama lessons, Lexy Milne harnessed the power of ChatGPT to create scripts based on the answers of each small group. Students loved creating characters, rehearsing lines and then presenting their short plays.

Middle School

STEM Week

During STEM Week our talented Science teachers ran experiments, activities and a thrilling Assembly, and students were delighted to see live experiments take place. From liquid nitrogen ice cream to exploding water bottles, drones and code-breaking, our students were fortunate to have an array of activities to inspire their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Power of words

Book Week has been a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with author talks and visits from the likes of Will Kostakis, Tristan Bancks and Jack Heath. The library staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the students have great access to discover what it takes to be an author and the power of words!

Moana JR

The countdown is on! Prepare to set sail on the high seas and go on the journey that is Moana JR. Our skilled and excited students and Performing Arts team cannot wait to bring the show to life. Don’t forget to buy your tickets!

You can purchase tickets here.

Katrina Manson

Head of Castlefield (Brighton)

Monique Chapman

President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield