Term 1
I would like to thank the students and academic staff of Senior School who have transitioned back into school life seamlessly and effectively over the past week. One of the biggest advantages of Haileybury’s Term 1A program is that the settling in period which accompanies any new school year is completed in November of the previous year. This allows our students and teachers to begin productive work from day one of the new school year. There have been very few changes of teachers outside those necessary to replace staff who have left the School or transferred to other campuses. I must also add a particular welcome to those students and families who have started within our Senior Schools. I hope you feel that you are part of the Haileybury community already and I look forward to meeting many of you at School functions in the coming months.
Top Class 2024
Top Class is an annual concert series coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) showcasing outstanding performances by VCE and VCE VET students from schools across the state.
Dance
Congratulations to Emma (Year 12) and Teleetha (Year 12), who have been selected to perform their VCE Dance solos at Top Class Dance 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre in March 2024.
This year, 109 top performing students were invited to audition for Top Class Dance, and only 31 students were selected to perform. Selected performers exemplify the skill and creativity that can be achieved within the VCE curriculum.
Top Class Dance takes place at Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.
Drama
Congratulations to Genevieve (OH 2023) and Manal (Year 12), who have been selected to perform their Drama solos, Eliza Emily Donnithorne and Professor Trelawney, at Top Class Drama 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre.
This year, 102 top performing students were invited to audition for Top Class Drama, and only 25 students were selected to perform. Selected performers exemplify the skill and creativity that can be achieved within the VCE curriculum.
Top Class Drama takes place at Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, on Friday 19 April 2024 at 10.00 am and 6.00 pm and Monday 22 April at 2.00 pm.
Music
Congratulations to Daragh (OH 2023), who has been selected to perform their VCE Music Contemporary Performance pieces, ‘Yesterday’ by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and ‘The Wheel’ by Chris Potter (arranged by Daragh) at Top Class Music 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre.
This year, 166 top performing students were considered by expert panels for Top Class Music, and only 51 students were selected to perform. Selected performers exemplify the skill and creativity that can be achieved within the VCE curriculum.
Top Class Music takes place at Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm and Thursday 21 March at 1.30 pm.
Founders' Day Assembly
Our Founders’ Day Assembly was a wonderful occasion and a great way to enable current Haileyburians to reflect on how the School has become the large and diverse institution that it is today. The 2023 Founders’ Day Assembly featured our School Captains and Vice Captains delivering a range of information about the different generations of Haileybury founders and the things they did to contribute to the School’s growth throughout the years.
Our recipients of the OHA Medal were Mr John Gollings (OH 1962) and Professor Rod Hicks (OH 1976). If you would like more information about Mr Gollings or Professor Hicks or the many other activities of the Old Haileyburian’s Association, please feel free to visit the OHA website.
Haileybury Rendall School Year 12 student leaders' visit to Melbourne
Here in Melbourne, Haileybury recently had the pleasure of hosting the Year 12 student leaders from our Haileybury Rendall School, Darwin , marking another enriching chapter in our ongoing inter-school collaboration. Accompanied by Head of Senior School, Kylie Mobilia, the fourteen students embarked on a memorable journey that was, for some, their first venture outside of the Northern Territory.
Commencing their Melbourne experience at the City campus, our student leaders then ventured to the Berwick or Keysborough campuses, fostering connections with their peers. The itinerary was packed with engaging academic sessions, attendance at the Founders’ Day assembly, and active participation in invigorating sports training. Notably, they engaged in a thoughtful dialogue with CEO | Principal Derek Scott in addition to our own local Haileybury leaders, where they shared their visionary ideas on enhancing connections between the two schools.
In the short yet impactful duration of their stay, meaningful connections were forged among the students, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration throughout their final academic year. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the families who graciously opened their homes to these students, contributing to the warmth and hospitality that define the Haileybury community spirit.
This visit not only enriched the academic and co-curricular experiences of our student leaders but also exemplified the unity and camaraderie that define the Haileybury family.
Nihon University High School visit
For over 25 years we have partnered with our sister school in Japan — Nihon University High School — which sees our VCE Japanese students travel to Sapporo in Japan to participate in an intensive study excursion, with a group of Nihon University High School students coming to us as part of the reciprocal program.
This week, we welcomed 83 Japanese students, 30 of whom are staying with Haileybury students and their families to experience life in an Australian school and homestay.
They have attended classes with their homestay brothers and sisters and will be attending School sport to experience the Australian APS competition across a range of different sports.
We are thrilled to welcome our Japanese students back to Haileybury and look forward to continuing this strong relationship.
Honours Assembly
Tuesday, 13 February saw many 2023 graduates return to Haileybury to take part in the annual Honours Assembly held to celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2023.
Haileybury’s VCE successes are so exceptional that we no longer have room in Aikman Hall to hold both Haileybury College and Haileybury Girls College at the same time. At each assembly, a range of students from Year 10, 11 and 12 were presented with awards for exemplary achievement in individual subjects before we moved to announce the names of those graduates who had been placed on the Scholars and Honours boards (those who received a 95+ ATAR).
The assemblies concluded with the school applauding the achievements of the Duces of Haileybury College, Stanley Chi and Sam Nielsen, both achieving an ATAR of 99.95 and our Dux of Haileybury Girls College Abigail Lang who achieved a 99.75, as reflection of their hard work and effort.
School photos
School photos will be taken on Tuesday, 20 and Wednesday, 21 February. Details have been sent to families via the myHaileybury app.
Vaping and smoking
Parents, carers, schools and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.
The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, please use this link.
You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.
As part of Haileybury’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of your children, we have installed vape sensors in our Senior School bathrooms. Should a child be identified as vaping or smoking, parents/guardians will be contacted, and disciplinary procedures followed.
Should you have any queries, please liaise with your Head of Senior School.
Dr Nicholas Grigsby
Deputy Principal
Head of Senior Schools
