Haileybury's evidence-based teaching methods have led to top literacy and numeracy results, influencing national education practices and stellar NAPLAN results are expected next term.
Haileybury students have consistently performed at the very highest level in the country in key measures on literacy and numeracy. This is no surprise given the commitment of the School to an evidence-based approach to teaching.
In 2008, after evaluating the research and a number of trials, Haileybury fully embraced the explicit teaching pedagogy in the Junior School and a strong phonics approach to learning to read. This approach has meant that a generation of Haileybury students have enjoyed the best evidence-based approach to their education.
2008 also saw the start of NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) testing across Australia. Year on year we have been able to assess the progress of Haileybury students individually at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 but also measure how well Haileybury’s teaching pedagogy has been working on a state and national basis.
The results for Haileybury students have been stellar with, for example, Haileybury primary school students collectively being the second best performed in Victoria across the period of 2017–2021. In the recently released 2023 Better Education Secondary School Rankings, Haileybury was the third best performed of all open-entry schools in Victoria.
Haileybury’s focus on evidenced-based teaching practice has also seen Haileybury Rendall School (Darwin) ranked as the number one primary school and number one secondary school on academic performance in the Northern Territory.
Over the years, Haileybury has supported many primary schools around the country in embracing the explicit teaching approach and gaining an understanding in how to teach students to read through phonemic awareness.
As Haileybury’s success, and that of other schools from all socio-educational backgrounds who embraced the pedagogy, has become known there has been a strong move in the last five years for jurisdictions around the country to follow suit. It was pleasing therefore that the Victorian Education Minister last week announced that he expected Victorian government schools to embrace phonics and explicit teaching from next year. This move is backed by clear evidence as well as 16 years of proof of concept in delivery at Haileybury!
As a part of the earlier NAPLAN delivery Haileybury families in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will receive the student reports early next term. We expect they will show another outstanding outcome for Haileybury students.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
As students reach the pointy end of their years in senior school, the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) becomes a key focus.
Students typically complete the majority of their selected VCE subjects during Years 11 and 12. However, at Haileybury there are opportunities for students to begin one or two VCE subjects in Year 10, allowing them to spread their VCE load over three years instead of two.
Each VCE subject comprises four units of study and students accumulate scores from examinations and assessments to achieve a final Study Score for each subject. At the end of Year 12, those combined Study Scores produce a student’s individual Australian Tertiary Admission Rank or ATAR.
“The ATAR doesn’t rank students as individuals — it ranks their individual academic attainment in their Units 3 and 4 VCE subjects. Universities use the ATAR to determine which students will be offered a place in different courses”MERINDA BERMINGHAM, HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING (SENIOR SCHOOL)
Briefly, the ATAR is calculated based on a student’s English subject Study Score and their next three highest subject Study Scores. The ATAR also incorporates 10 per cent of a student’s fifth and sixth subject Study Scores.
The maximum possible subject Study Score is 50. Any score of 40 or above will place a student in the top few percent of their cohort. Each year, some subjects are scaled up or down to ensure each subject is assessed fairly.
“Scaling doesn’t adjust for the supposed difficulty level of different subjects, but for the nature of the cohort in the subject each year,” says Merinda.
For example, if students doing Subject A are achieving much higher across their studies than students in subject B, then a subject Study Score of 30 in subject B is not equivalent to a subject Study Score of 30 in subject A. This is because Subject A students are a higher achieving cohort and the benchmark to achieve a Subject Score of 30 in subject A is higher and to recognise this, subject A gets scaled up.
Haileybury has a range of supports and measures to help students achieve their best possible ATAR and to have a broad range of options and pathways available after school.
Allowing students to begin one or two VCE subjects in Year 10 creates flexibility in Years 11 and 12.
“It spreads out the volume of subjects and their content,” explains Merinda.
“By Year 12, most students have one or two VCE subjects completed, so they have more time and energy to study fewer subjects and that can help students achieve the best possible results for those remaining subjects”MERINDA BERMINGHAM, HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING (SENIOR SCHOOL)
In some VCE subjects, currently General Mathematics, Accounting and Physics, Haileybury also supports students to optimise their ATAR by following the Northern Hemisphere Timetable — the study timetable followed in the Northern Hemisphere. This spreads the VCE load further as the Northern Hemisphere subjects commence mid-year, with final exams completed in the middle of the following year. This creates more time to focus on remaining Year 12 VCE exams at the end of the year.
While students aim to achieve their best possible ATAR, not all students may receive the rank they hoped or planned for. In those circumstances, there are many alternative pathways available to help students navigate towards their goal.
“The higher the ATAR, the more choice that students have in the university courses available to them”CATHERINE JOHNSTON, HEAD OF CAREERS & PATHWAYS
“For courses like Medicine, Law and Engineering, the required ATAR is typically high because there are limited spots for a larger number of high-achieving students. This drives up the ATAR needed to get an offer in those courses.”
While the ATAR is important, it’s not the only factor affecting university offers. A Selection Rank is a student’s ATAR plus adjustments. Factors such as a student’s performance in specific subjects, medical or difficult personal circumstances or financial hardship that impacts a student’s education may lead to an adjustment in their Selection Rank.
“This doesn’t change your ATAR, but it can potentially change your Selection Rank for a particular course at a particular university and improve your chances of gaining a place,” says Catherine.
“Universities publish their admission criteria and the factors that are taken into account when assessing student applications. For some courses, students may need to present a folio or attend an interview. It’s important for students to research how the Selection Rank will be determined by each institution.”
If students do not achieve the ATAR they hoped for, Catherine says there are always pathways to help them achieve their specific goals — those pathways may just be less direct.
“The pathway after school is not always linear. Our strong message to Senior School students is to fully research all possible options and scenarios”CATHERINE JOHNSTON, HEAD OF CAREERS & PATHWAYS
The Careers & Pathways team at Haileybury organises guest speakers from tertiary institutions, Old Haileyburians and industry experts, and arranges industry excursions and university site visits.
The Careers team is also available to meet individual students and their families to help them plan and navigate a pathway after school. They are a link between tertiary institutions and students, and regularly update families with the most current and accurate information and advice.
“It’s important to have an aspiration, but if that doesn’t work out, there are always other options available so you can plot a path to what you want to achieve. There are always plans B, C and D,” says Catherine.
“So, if your ATAR isn’t what you expect, you still have other avenues and opportunities to help you get where you want to go. Whatever ATAR you achieve at the end of Year 12, that is just the starting point.”
“The ATAR is important for students who want to enter university, but no matter what a student’s final ATAR, they graduate equipped to author their future on their own terms,” agrees Merinda.
“Young people are proactive enough to figure out what they would like to pursue next and how to get where they want to be.”
I am excited to share the remarkable journey of one of our talented Year 11 students, Frankie, who is currently a youth ambassador for the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC). This prestigious program selects Year 11 students from across Victoria who have a deep passion for the arts. Throughout the year, these students will attend ten MTC productions, engage with professionals from all areas of theatre production, and build strong connections with like-minded peers.
Since the program began in March, Frankie has had an enriching experience. She has gained valuable insights into the theatre industry and has developed a deeper understanding of the intricate processes involved in bringing a play to life. One of the standout productions she attended was 37, a captivating play that follows the Marngrook cousins as they dream of winning an AFL premiership. The production masterfully incorporated Indigenous dance and relevant political themes. Despite not being a footy enthusiast, Frankie was enthralled by the performance from start to finish.
Frankie reflects on her experience: “The first production we saw, 37, was absolutely jaw-dropping. Following the trials and tribulations of the Marngrook cousins as they joined a local footy team with big dreams about winning the AFL premiership, the play was a work of art, incorporating Indigenous dance and politically relevant themes. Despite not being a footy fanatic, I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire show. Afterwards, we were given the chance to talk to the amazing actors and learn about their journey to the stage and their experiences in the world of theatre. Not only have we been given the opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the acting side of theatre, but also learn about the immense amount of backstage work that brings it to life. Seeing where the sets, costumes and props are made (head pieces have their own department!), has definitely been one of the best aspects of the program so far.”
We are incredibly proud of Frankie for her dedication and enthusiasm. She has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, and her experiences as a youth ambassador are a testament to her passion for the arts. I would like to extend our gratitude to Haileybury for nominating Frankie for this incredible program and to the MTC for providing such an enriching experience. We look forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds for Frankie and are confident that she will continue to shine in all her theatrical pursuits.
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
On Thursday 6 June in Aikman Hall the Senior School Music Department held our major concert for Semester 1, the Winter Concert. This large ensemble concert showcased a diverse program of highly entertaining repertoire.
The ensembles that performed were Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Brass Ensemble, Haileybury Singers, String Sinfonia, Senior Guitar Ensemble, Viva Voce, Stage Band, Contemporary Singers and Wind Symphony. More than 260 students performed as part of the 90-minute concert.
Prior to the formal concert beginning, several jazz ensembles entertained guests from the hall’s foyer. Many of these groups used the opportunity to perform repertoire being prepared for VCE assessments.
Large scale concert events like Winter Concert are only possible when all involved collaborate with the common goal of making outstanding music while having a great time together. With over 65 specialist instrumental music tutors and more than 1,100 students receiving weekly instrumental music lessons, the sheer mass of the Haileybury Music Department facilitates depth, diversity and sophistication that simply cannot be delivered in smaller programs.
Thank you to our wonderful students, music families, staff and audience for your determination to support the Performing Arts. It was humbling to witness over 750 guests arrive before the start time of 7.00 pm. The enthusiastic applause, recognition of student achievement and goodwill in the room was a highlight of my term.
As Aristotle wrote regarding music, “It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything; it is the essence of order and lends to all that is good, just, and beautiful.” I am 100% certain everyone who attended the concert left with the belief they had experienced something special and beautiful.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Haileybury’s annual LEAP Celebration Week was a great opportunity to celebrate the Arts with middle school students diving headfirst into various art activities, showcasing their creativity and talent.
Throughout the week, students were actively engaged in different art projects throughout our campuses. Collaborative weaving was a highlight, where students worked together to create a vibrant artwork that will adorn the school walls. Inside the art studio, they explored different mediums like painting and drawing, guided by their teachers.
LEAP Celebration Week is not just about creating art; it is about fostering teamwork, self-expression, and confidence in our students. At the end of the week, Haileybury was filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride in the artistic achievements of our middle schoolers.
Ngaire Thomson
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Haileybury’s Pipes & Drums students have once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and dedication, achieving remarkable success at the recent Solo Piping Competitions.
Ballarat Grammar Competition:
Scotch College Competition:
These outstanding achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of our students and the exceptional guidance of our Piping Director, John Young who coached our students on the competition days. Congratulations to all our talented pipers!
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
What a wonderful way to commence our long weekend with a day of wearing pyjamas. On Friday, 7 June, the students took to the cause with gusto. Thank you to our community for the generous donations to St Kilda Mums. Many families will be supported by the huge range of necessary items that almost filled our foyer. A big shout out to the parents who joined our Junior School Assembly in their pyjamas too, we love the community spirit!
Our LOTE staff are fabulous! Commencing Tuesday 11 June, the celebration of languages at Castlefield was in full swing. Students were immersed in many activities, including calligraphy painting, demonstration French and Japanese classes for our Years 5 and 6 students, French soccer matches, karate, Chinese opera, cultural trivia, flamenco dancing, Kung Fu, daruma. Thursday 13 June also saw our students engaged in our Cultural Dress Day, sampling international food and enjoying a vibrant Assembly.
We have a fabulous roundabout system within our gates and encourage parents to utilise the South Road entrance for drop off and pick up. Some congestion is created when families are attempting to pick up along South Road, rather than at the roundabout within the School.
I remind families to avoid blocking both lanes on South Road when attempting to join the queue entering the School property and to please avoid double parking along South Road waiting for your child/ren to appear. There is a bike lane that is being blocked when this happens.
We thank our families for being considerate of the parking signs in our surrounding streets and respectful of our neighbours’ properties. The safety of our students is paramount and when they are unable to be picked up at the curb, as cars are parked, it can be dangerous.
The front of the School on South Road is a two-minute ‘kiss and go’ zone, hence parents should not be leaving their cars unattended.
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.
Pre-Prep children have been developing a connection to the local park with regular visits during Environmental Learning and wanted to encourage the small birds to return to this area.
Working with Bayside City Council and Citywide, the children helped to prepare the Hampton High Reserve and plant seven different types of plants native to this area. The children will continue to care for the plants along with Citywide and observe the growth and impact this will have. Please visit this local park to view the great work our busy working bees have created for our local community.
As part of the celebrations around Reconciliation Week, both Reception and Pre-Prep children joined a dance project with Indigenous Outreach Projects. The messages shared by these amazing hip hop performers are about inclusion, pride and respect. The children loved the dancing, as did the teachers and parents. It was such a fun day learning new dance moves and being entertained by the experts.
Some students choose to partake in private music lessons. These occur during class times and students are picked up and dropped back to their classrooms. Jensen has piano lessons with Mr Tom Samut and Madison with Ms Bernie Baker. Music lessons follow the Haileybury educational philosophy of ‘I do, we do, you do’, with the ability to listen to examples, join in the examples and then independently deliver the music. Students develop critical listening skills, which is so vital to musical development, and translates into the classroom.
Does play come easily for your child or do they need an organised structure? Can they navigate the highs and lows of play and show resilience? Do they play to win at all costs? Do they love imaginative play, or would they prefer to use equipment? We ask our Junior School children to be great players as part of our ‘Care, Learn, Play’ motto. Under our Respectful Relationships banner, the values of empathy, respect, kindness, trust and honesty are all exacerbated in the play space. With emotions running high, our children need to follow the rules of the game, speak kindly, refer to teachers as needed and be aware of others around, all whilst the clock is ticking and they are trying to get in as much play as possible. It is tricky stuff.
Over Mother’s Day weekend, our Years 5-6 and 7-8 Aerobics teams dazzled at the FISAF Australia Super Series event, seizing the moment to shine and earn invaluable judge feedback ahead of next month’s State Championships. The dedication poured into their weekly training paid off spectacularly as the Backstreet Girls (5-6) clinched a thrilling third place, while the Unbreakable Hearts (7-8) soared to victory, capturing gold against fierce competitors. The energy, passion and commitment of our athletes set the stage for even greater triumphs to come.
Our Dance students also shone on stage as all teams worked tirelessly in the lead up to competition, and come Display Night, demonstrated just why they all deserved a place at Nationals in August. The Dance students exhibited talents and prowess in jazz and hip hop styles and now have an exciting few weeks ahead preparing for their next big competition.
As we near the end of Term 2, we have many exciting celebrations and events for our community to look forward to and be a part of. From an activity filled Languages Week to our Cultural Dress Day, and even our Castlefield Middle School concert on Wednesday 26 June, It is an exciting end to the term. With these events, we are showcasing our students’ special skills, and acknowledge and celebrate our diversity here at Castlefield. We congratulate the Middle Students on a successful Term 2 and look forward to welcoming them back for Term 3 on Tuesday 23 July.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
We love coming together to share our knowledge and the MS Trivia Night saw lots of learning and sharing by all. What fierce competition the Chocolate Coin Toss turned out to be! The piles of chocolate were higher than the piles of phones and no-one left hungry. Thanks to all the HPF City Executive, led so ably by Melissa Fisher who made sure everyone had a good time. Another City sellout! Don’t miss out on the Cocktail Party in Term 3.
Our City entrepreneurial spirit was palpable at the recent Makers’ Market. The students had made so many things and whether it was the handcrafted sustainable items, array of delicious food products, laid-back coffee team, cookies in a jar or delicious dog treats, there was something for every customer. Most stalls were a sell out and the providores and artisans all learnt many valuable skills in the art of engaging the customer and closing the deal. We were so proud to see the Year 8 parents enjoy the first glimpse, and then to see the market coming to life on our new Level 9 space was amazing. Special thanks to our staff who teach Start Up and the Head of Entrepreneurship, Damien Meunier.
Our Level 9 space is complete and a new Year 12 common room, two new classrooms and our multi-purpose exam and function space has already hosted our Senior students and our community. We love seeing the glorious views as the autumnal colours span the vista. Our Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Arceri, cut the ribbon and declared the new spaces open with loud cheers from our students. Year 12 are loving their new common room and their four microwaves. How lucky we are at City!
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.
The Pre-Prep children’s inquiry into real-life situations has led us to investigate the correct ways to use tools within our ELC. Mr Gabe Di Martino, our Building and Grounds Supervisor, and Mr Teni Brown, our Facilities Officer were invited into our ELC to demonstrate and provide us with the knowledge of how to use tools and hardware such as hammers, screwdrivers, nails and screws.
The Pre-Preps participated in a hands-on learning experience developing their practical skills as they prepare for independent activities in our tinkering area.
On Friday 7 June, the ELC celebrated some very important people in our lives — our grandparents. The morning was filled with joy as the children showcased their classroom and shared their favourite activities.
A Grandparents Garden was created as children and grandparents planted a flower in our ELC garden. Discussions were had, as we shared knowledge of how to care for our flowers and predictions were made as to how big their flower would grow.
This is a special experience for our ELC as our children will be able to visit the garden and remember the wonderful memories they had with their grandparents.
On Tuesday 4 June, Haileybury City Junior School eagerly welcomed back the Cyber Safety Project educators to enhance students’ understanding of safe and unsafe online behaviours. The incursion built upon prior learning and previous visits from the Cyber Safety Project, teaching students to protect themselves with strong passwords, manage their screen time, and interact positively online. The content was tailored to be age and stage appropriate, ensuring an effective and enjoyable learning experience for all.
As part of National Reconciliation Week 2024, all Junior School students participated in a traditional Indigenous dance incursion program. Expertly facilitated, this immersive program seamlessly combined discussion and physical movement to deepen students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and beliefs. It included a Welcome to Country, meditation sessions, and explorations of the significance of ceremonies and ceremonial performances. Students also experienced traditional dances and a captivating didgeridoo demonstration, enriching their appreciation of Indigenous cultural practices.
Some highlights included:
"My favourite part of the incursion was how we enacted the amazing dances to learn more about First Nations culture." - Hudson
"My favourite part of the incursion was getting to go into a big spiral and matching our words with significant actions." - Liam
All Junior School Strings students had the chance to shine at this year’s City Campus Junior School Strings Recital. The recital, attended by many of our parent community, featured the enchanting story of Grannysaurus told through beautiful melodies performed by our Scrolls and Strings musicians. Well done to all who performed!
The Middle School was buzzing in LEAP (Literature, Enterprise, Arts, Politics) Week with many activities and initiatives taking place.
Tasters for Tournament of Minds, Compass, Model UN and Poetry Out Loud were offered to showcase the wide range of LEAP opportunities that occur throughout the year.
The students had a chance to exercise their literary, artistic and political knowledge before school each morning by completing daily puzzles in the ground floor library. The creative senses were on high alert each lunchtime as students visited Narnia in the Level 2 Dance Studio. Here, they got a taste of this year’s City Middle School Production, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, exploring the world of C S Lewis’s classic.
The $20 Boss Sample Shop was a hit! Our entrepreneurial students sold a range of products, from fidgets and stationery to stickers and lolly bags. All proceeds raised at the $20 Boss Sample Shop were donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. LEAP Week ended with a bang thanks to the Just Dance Flash Mob that was rocking in the Level 4 Common Space on Friday.
Pockets were jingling and taste buds tingling as the much-awaited Startup Makers Marker was held at City. As part of Haileybury’s unique Enterprise and Entrepreneurship subject, Startup, our Year 8 students unveiled their market-style creations, all with a fantastic sustainability twist. From upcycled goodies and yummy treats to eco-friendly marvels, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Fifty per cent of all profits was donated to charity.
It was brilliant having our families on campus for Years 6 and 8 Middle School in Action. Our visitors to Year 6 had their knowledge of fractions and decimals tested during engaging Mathematics lessons. In Year 8, the families were fortunate to witness a sneak peak of the Makers Market by attending Startup lessons and gave feedback that provided valuable insights for the students in the lead up to market day.
This was a wonderful opportunity for our families to witness the vibrant teaching and learning program that our Years 6 and 8 students undertake while further strengthening the relationship between home and the School.
The students in Years 7 and 8 developed their camp craft and cooking skills as well as strengthened friendships and built new ones on their recent experience as part of our Experiential Learning Program. The students took part in a range of activities including high ropes, low ropes, canoeing, orienteering, raft building, cycling, bush skills and cultural sessions. There was a great mix of teamwork, challenge and FUN!
The Year 5s travelled to Phillip Island for their first Middle School camp experience. Over the duration of their time away, they attempted the low ropes, flying fox, archery, canoeing and giant swing as well as visiting Nobbies Reserve and A Maze’N Things. A highlight was surfing, which many students were trying for the first time. Their desire to experience something new, support one another and have fun while catching waves typified the manner in which they embraced all that camp provided.
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
What a great night we had on Friday 14 June at the first HPF Middle School Family Trivia Night! Thank you to everyone who attended, making it our second sell-out event for 2024. A total of 160 students and parents/caregivers attended the night and joined together to form a competitive table of eight. The popcorn and lolly bags were a huge hit, along with the pizza and grazing boxes purchased. The chocolate toss and paper plane engineering challenges were fiercely contested, with lots of bragging rights earned by the end of the evening. We will round up the event in the next issue, with all the winners and a few photos of the fun times.
The HPF Executive Committee would like to particularly thank the Trivia Night subcommittee who pulled the night together. The subcommittee included Caterina Kuljis, Richard Winkett and Sarah Hitt. Many hours of discussion, thoughts and internet searching have been spent by the team. Thank you to everyone for your hard work to make the night such a success.
In addition, Caroline Merrick and the Haileybury Executive Team did a huge amount of work behind the scenes, making sure that the topics and questions were age appropriate for both students and parents. The involvement of these Executive members on the night made sure that all participants had a fun night. Once again, a huge thank you to all those who assisted with the Trivia Night and helped to make it such a wonderful family event. We really do appreciate you spending your Friday evening with us.
The Second-Hand Uniform pop-up shop will be open on Thursday 20 June from 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm and Friday 21 June from 8.00 am – 9.00 am. Given the renovations, we will once again be in the basement. If you have any items to sell, please complete the form on the myHaileybury app and drop off your items to City Reception or use the blue bins provided. A friendly reminder that all items need to be accompanied by a completed form, including donations. If you have many items, please put a copy of the form with each bundle to assist our volunteers when processing your items.
We hope you all had a lovely King’s birthday weekend and had the time to do something enjoyable with the family. If you are travelling over the school holidays, safe travels, and we will see you in Term 3.
Melissa Fisher
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
As their time at Haileybury Darwin draws to a close, it was great to hear Rebekah (Year 9) and Pearl (Year 9) reflect on their experiences here during the first semester.
Both girls are Year 9 students and have completed an amazing semester by each winning Academic Full Colours through their combined time shared in Melbourne and Darwin. This shows the synergies between our One Haileybury curriculum and is of course a great reflection on the girls’ resilience and independence.
The girls have written as follows:
We were both nervous but excited about this experience of moving to live in boarding in Darwin and to attend school at HRS. We knew that boarding in Darwin would be a step outside both of our comfort zones, leaving our family for so long and being on the other side of the country from all our close friends. However, as soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the boarding community and felt at home very quickly.
Since being here, we have gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of Australia. Darwin is so different from Melbourne in terms of culture, climate and lifestyle, and we have loved immersing ourselves in this new environment.
We have had the chance to explore the city of Darwin, as well as the natural beauty of Litchfield National Park. We have made so many new friends who we will miss when we head back to Melbourne.
This experience has helped us become more resilient, more adaptable and more open-minded than ever before. Living in Darwin has taught us to embrace the unknown and to step out of our comfort zones.
It feels like our time in Darwin has flown by so fast, but we will take home with us so many amazing memories, stories and skills that will last a lifetime.
We are so grateful to the school and to have been given this opportunity and would like to thank everyone involved for their support over the last semester. We have had such a fun time and hope that this becomes an opportunity for more Haileybury students in the future.
If you want to know more about Haileybury Boarding in Darwin, please contact Vice Principal Scott Doran in Melbourne via email or Principal Andrew McGregor in Darwin via email.
Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
As we journey throughout the year, it is essential to pause and reflect on the power of gratitude and giving. Gratitude helps us appreciate the simple joys and the support of those around us, fostering a sense of contentment and positivity. When we give, whether it is our time, resources, or kindness, we not only uplift others but also enrich our own lives. Our staff felt the power of gratitude through the recent staff appreciation morning tea. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for your wonderful generosity and support.
This week, our Middle School students will channel their efforts towards a great cause — supporting those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Through various activities and initiatives, they will learn the importance of giving and making a positive impact. Thank you to the staff as they work together to support this worthy cause.
Our students had a fabulous time celebrating the diversity of languages during Languages Week. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with different cultures and appreciate the beauty of multilingualism. The students participated in various activities, including taste testers, cultural showcases and interactive sessions. Thank you to the languages staff for providing such engaging activities.
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.
Our goal in the ELC in 2024 is to build stronger connections with our local community. As children grow, it is essential they get exposure to various experiences to help them develop holistically. Experiences that engage children with their community are rich in many learning opportunities and often offer hands-on learning opportunities that help children develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around them.
Most recently the ELC children have participated in a CFA incursion and a whole ELC excursion to Bunjil Place to watch the stage show How to catch a Star based on the book by author Oliver Jeffers.
Our local CFA team spoke to the children about their role in the community, as well as showing all the important equipment they use on their fire truck. Of course, the visit wasn’t complete without lights and sirens.
Our visit to Bunjil Place was an absolute highlight for all ELC children, staff and parent helpers. Children got to experience not only the stage show, but also travelling on a bus, receiving an individual ticket for scanning before entering the theatre and follow up activities within the classroom.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and parent helpers who supported these learning opportunities to be positive and enjoyable experiences for the children.
Over the term the Junior School has been talking about reconciliation — what it is, what it means and why we need reconciliation. During National Reconciliation Week, each class created a display to honour the Indigenous peoples.
Prep: students crafted a wreath of hands to symbolise the significance of this important occasion. Their hands represent our shared history and apology to Indigenous Australians, highlighting the importance of treating everyone with respect, compassion and fairness.
Year 1: students drew different designs, such as the aboriginal flag, rainbows, dots and some with words that said, ‘we’re sorry’ on the leaves for their reconciliation tree. This tree highlights the need to treat everyone equally, with respect and empathy.
Year 2: students looked at the symbolic story telling language through Indigenous artwork, as a tradition going back to rock art and sand painting and considered how they would apply this to our leaves.
The Year 3s turned back time and immersed themselves in nature. Using air dry clay to mould their piece into a circular shape, they then used a stick tool to carve out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples symbols. Acknowledging that symbols were used to communicate back then, each student created their own unique story.
‘We walk together’. In Year 4, we acknowledged and recognised the mistreatment of First Nations People by designing feet to demonstrate walking beside them and that we respectfully stand with them.
On Friday 21 June, our Middle School students will be able to participate in their very own student ice bucket challenge. Parents, if your child wishes to participate in this and raise money for an incredible cause, please purchase a ticket via Humanitix here.
Last week, our Years 5, 7 and 8 boys and girls all headed to Phillip Island, Camp Jungai in Rubicon, and Marysville, respectively. Canoeing, bike riding, hiking, low ropes and initiatives, bush skills and cooking were just some of the activities enjoyed amongst friends. All were blessed with some sunshine in their time away. Haileybury values giving students this opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone, learn and grow.
We look forward to the Edrington Concert on Thursday 20 June, at which all the students involved will showcase the beautiful music they have been working on throughout the year. Refreshments will be served from 6.15 pm.
Adam Tobin
Acting Head of Edrington (Berwick)
Hi Edrington. A huge thank you to our amazing community for your delicious contributions to the Staff Appreciation Morning Tea. The staff were blown away with your contributions, and it is definitely a highlight for them all. Our cross country sausage sizzle was once again a massive hit — we are officially BBQ royalty. Thanks again to all our volunteers, especially Brendan Borg and Roger Colla who are always the first to don an apron and get their sizzle on.
Coming up in Term 3 we have our Father’s Day stall. If you are free to come and help at the Father’s Day stall, please register your interest here.
The uniform shop is open every Wednesday from 8.15 am to 10.45 am. Pop in to see Janelle for your uniform requirements. If you have some spare time to help in the Second-hand Uniform Shop, contact Janelle.
Kerry Ilic & Tracy Day
HPFE Presidents
hpfe@haileybury.com.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
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
The Outstanding Young Alumni Awards are presented to multiple recipients each year across five different fields of expertise – Arts, Business, Sport, STEM and Community.
Nominees must have graduated from Haileybury within the past twelve years and have made significant achievements in their field of endeavour either locally, nationally, or internationally, exemplifying the best attributes of youth in today’s world.
They must also have exceptional human values which are an inspiration to others while having rendered excellent and sustained service to the OHA or its alumni community.
If you know any young alumni who fits the criteria, please submit your nomination here by 15 July 2024.
Last month, this cohort celebrated their 10 Year Reunion in style at Valhalla. What a terrific group of Old Haileyburians!
Let’s hear about what Amy Bartholomeusz, one of the fabulous members of the Class of 2014, is up to.
Tell us a little bit about your journey to where you are today?
After graduating from Haileybury, I went on to do a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art History. I then jumped straight into my Masters of Arts Management just before lockdown. Classes had moved online but I was able to still study and curate an online exhibition with RMIT Gallery as well as be part of the First Site Gallery student committee, producing exhibitions and programs virtually. As someone entering the arts industry this was quite a different way of engaging with art, but it helped me keep connected to my fellow creatives. I then secured a role in the local council, first at Hawthorn Arts Centre working in art events and operations to now working as an Arts Programmer with Kingston Arts.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself in New York, completing my PhD in Contemporary Art and visiting all the galleries New York has to offer.
Any hobbies or interests?
In 2019, I started a passion project posting on Instagram about art and writing book reviews. I have since been able to connect with so many avid readers and creatives and talk all things books and art. I have also had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Dymocks, Hachette, Allen & Unwin, and Harper Collins Australia.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Haileybury?
Every day was different and interesting at Haileybury and that is what made being a student there so unique. Haileybury also helped me find my passion for art. If it wasn’t for the amazing and inspiring teachers who supported my work, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
Information regarding all OHA events can be found here.
| Date | Event | |
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Thursday, 8 August
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OHA City Generations Breakfast
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Email invite coming
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Thursday, 15 August
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Sursum Corda Society Event
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Invitations emailed
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Thursday, 22 August
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OHA Brighton Generations Breakfast
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Email invite coming
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Friday, 23 August
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Class of 1994 - 30 Year Reunion
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Sunday, 25 August
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Mornington Peninsula Lunch
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Friday, 13 September
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Perth Chapter Dinner
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Wednesday, 18 September
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OHA London event
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Friday, 4 October
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Golf Day
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Friday, 11 October
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Class of 1989 - 35 Year Reunion
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Friday, 18 October
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Class of 2004 - 20 Year Reunion
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Wednesday, 23 October
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OHA Canberra Chapter dinner
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Thursday, 24 October
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OHA Sydney Chapter evening
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Friday, 25 October
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Class of 1974 - 50 Year Reunion
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Friday, 25 October
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Clark Club Luncheon
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Thursday, 31 October
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OHA Brisbane Chapter dinner
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Friday, 1 November
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OHA Gold Coast Chapter dinner
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Friday, 8 November
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Class of 1999 - 25 Year Reunion
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Friday, 15 November
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Class of 2019 - 5 Year Reunion
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We love hearing what our OHA alumni are up to. Please submit your amazing stories here.
If you do not already, please follow the OHA on Facebook and Instagram. We also invite you to stay connected by subscribing to our monthly newsletter here.
Please note that the OHA Office is here for all members and we encourage you to reach out if required via stayconnected@haileybury.com.au or contact me on 9904 6615
Kylie Phillips
Development Office Operations Lead
In Week 6, we celebrated LEAP week at Haileybury Pangea, encompassing explorations of Literature, Enterprise, the Arts and Politics. Led by Haileybury Pangea’s Curious Minds Coordinator Alysia Degorski and Haileybury’s Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Damien Meunier, students were invited to participate in a wide variety of hands-on activities including student versus teacher debates, a Model United Nations forum, creating digital artworks, and the very popular Sock Tank competition. It was a colourful and creative week, with fantastic contributions from both students and staff.
At Haileybury Pangea, students participated in a range of learning experiences to develop their understanding of the past, present and future of reconciliation in Australia, and the days of significance that mark the beginning and end of National Reconciliation Week. Students engaged in reflection and discussion through both formal activities, such as the National Reconciliation Week Assembly, and through group activities such as the Yarning Circle for Years 11 and 12 students.
Students and staff also participated in a Connection to Country walk, and engaged in learning about the traditional owners of the area in which they live. This was represented through an interactive map, showing the geographical reach of Pangea and the diversity of Indigenous cultures across Australia. We thank all staff and students who led and participated in activities over the week.
Joanna Baker
Head of Campus
A big thanks to everyone who took part in our Biggest Morning Teas across Senior School this week. Haileybury has been a long time supporter of the Cancer Council and we would like to thank everyone who contributed in their own way.
In 2019 the Newlands student leadership team, alongside Mr Dooley, established the Early Bird Reading program, providing Prep and Year 1 students the opportunity to share the love of reading with student volunteers from Middle School. Helping the students improve their fluency and literacy skills, the program continues to be strong in 2024, with Tuesday mornings bringing excitement in the Junior School quad as the students share their weekly readers with older students.
This year, bringing greater connections between all parts of the school, the program has also become an opportunity for Year 12 students to get involved and listen to the students read. This has been met with great enthusiasm from the students, providing a nostalgic feeling in their final year of school as they connect with students across many year levels and are reminded of the amazing memories which were formed in the foundational years of school.
Our recent Future Ready Festival encouraged our students to dream, explore options and create a plan. Our guest speaker, Jacqui Cooper, shared her message of being open to opportunities and the power of setting goals, determination and self-belief.
Students also attended workshops led by Old Haileyburians, industry experts and tertiary institutions, where they listened to personal career narratives, information about study areas and emerging trends in industry, helping to guide their decision making and open their minds up to new opportunities and possibilities.
As we approach the end of a very busy Term 2, it was the turn of Haileybury Girls' College Year 12’s to have their night of glamour and fun with their formal held at The Glasshouse in the city. It was a beautiful venue with the Yarra River glistening on one side and the lights of AAMI Park lit up on the other.
These nights cannot run smoothly without the enthusiastic participation of the students, the generous support of the Senior School leadership team, and the dedication of the Haileybury Girls College Heads of House. It was a wonderful night for everyone who attended.
Sam (Year 12)
Head of Year 12
One of the hardest elements of modern life for us all to deal with is online safety and what is considered appropriate behaviour online. For teenagers the issues involved with having an online profile and being part of a social media reality can prove to be particularly vexing and difficult.
Some of the best resources available to help teachers, students and parents understand the pressures and protocols associated with online activity are provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. There are a number of webinars for parents and carers which is a great way for parents of young people to start their journey to a better understanding of how they can help keep their children safe online. I highly recommend the resources provided on this site.
Term 3 classes resume on Tuesday, 23 July. I wish all Haileybury families a relaxing time away from the usual school routine.
Dr Nicholas Grigsby
Deputy Principal
Head of Senior Schools
A Haileybury U16 Futsal Team, comprising of Years 8, 9 & 10 players, performed fantastically during the group stages, finishing with only one loss (2 – 1) to an Academy team from Maribyrnong. The girls won all remaining matches in the group stage, making the final, however, narrowly going down to the same Academy team. There was minimal rest time between the semis and final, and with limited substitutes, the team displayed excellent effort and determination throughout.
The U19 team, made up of primarily Years 11 and 12 students, was defeated twice during the group stages, however, still made the finals. The same team who beat them, just as for the U16 team, were their opponents in the final. The match came down to the wire, requiring an exciting penalty shootout which gave the girls victory 3 – 2 on penalties, and crowned them tournament champions.
Three players from each team have been invited to play in Queensland later this year, if they wish.
On Friday 31 May and Sunday 2 June, over 120 dancers from Years 7 to Year 12 competed at the TFT Dance Star State Finals at Rowville Secondary College. Students competed against many successful and competitive schools, dance schools and clubs to secure a place at the Dance Star National Championships, to be held in Adelaide on 8 and 9 August. All students gave wonderful performances and showed great respect to other Haileybury Teams and other schools. They should be very proud of their efforts.
16 soloists and 10 teams competed at the State Finals, and all secured a berth to Nationals, a truly remarkable result and a first for Haileybury Dance. Congratulations is extended to Lucie (Year 9), Candela (Year 7), Amy (Year 8), Karina (Year 9), Emma (Year 12), Mia (Year 10) and Lexi (Year 10) for also winning their soloist sections. We wish all the students the very best in the coming months as they prepare for the National Championships.
Congratulations to the following girls for being selected in the VIC State Storm Touch Teams for the National Youth Championships in September. What an achievement!
VIC under 14’s – Allegra (Year 7), Sylvie (Year 7), Nikita (Year 7)
VIC under 16’s – Emily (Year 10), Kalina (Year 10), Krista (Year 10), Keira (Year 9).
Congratulations are also due to Christina Roberts who is a former Haileyburian and past captain of the Girls Touch Team and coach of the Victorian under 16 team.
Michael Odachowski
Acting Director of Sport
Haileybury students have consistently performed at the very highest level in the country in key measures on literacy and numeracy. This is no surprise given the commitment of the School to an evidence-based approach to teaching.
In 2008, after evaluating the research and a number of trials, Haileybury fully embraced the explicit teaching pedagogy in the Junior School and a strong phonics approach to learning to read. This approach has meant that a generation of Haileybury students have enjoyed the best evidence-based approach to their education.
2008 also saw the start of NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) testing across Australia. Year on year we have been able to assess the progress of Haileybury students individually at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 but also measure how well Haileybury’s teaching pedagogy has been working on a state and national basis.
The results for Haileybury students have been stellar with, for example, Haileybury primary school students collectively being the second best performed in Victoria across the period of 2017–2021. In the recently released 2023 Better Education Secondary School Rankings, Haileybury was the third best performed of all open-entry schools in Victoria.
Haileybury’s focus on evidenced-based teaching practice has also seen Haileybury Rendall School (Darwin) ranked as the number one primary school and number one secondary school on academic performance in the Northern Territory.
Over the years, Haileybury has supported many primary schools around the country in embracing the explicit teaching approach and gaining an understanding in how to teach students to read through phonemic awareness.
As Haileybury’s success, and that of other schools from all socio-educational backgrounds who embraced the pedagogy, has become known there has been a strong move in the last five years for jurisdictions around the country to follow suit. It was pleasing therefore that the Victorian Education Minister last week announced that he expected Victorian government schools to embrace phonics and explicit teaching from next year. This move is backed by clear evidence as well as 16 years of proof of concept in delivery at Haileybury!
As a part of the earlier NAPLAN delivery Haileybury families in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will receive the student reports early next term. We expect they will show another outstanding outcome for Haileybury students.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
As students reach the pointy end of their years in senior school, the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) becomes a key focus.
Students typically complete the majority of their selected VCE subjects during Years 11 and 12. However, at Haileybury there are opportunities for students to begin one or two VCE subjects in Year 10, allowing them to spread their VCE load over three years instead of two.
Each VCE subject comprises four units of study and students accumulate scores from examinations and assessments to achieve a final Study Score for each subject. At the end of Year 12, those combined Study Scores produce a student’s individual Australian Tertiary Admission Rank or ATAR.
“The ATAR doesn’t rank students as individuals — it ranks their individual academic attainment in their Units 3 and 4 VCE subjects. Universities use the ATAR to determine which students will be offered a place in different courses”MERINDA BERMINGHAM, HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING (SENIOR SCHOOL)
Briefly, the ATAR is calculated based on a student’s English subject Study Score and their next three highest subject Study Scores. The ATAR also incorporates 10 per cent of a student’s fifth and sixth subject Study Scores.
The maximum possible subject Study Score is 50. Any score of 40 or above will place a student in the top few percent of their cohort. Each year, some subjects are scaled up or down to ensure each subject is assessed fairly.
“Scaling doesn’t adjust for the supposed difficulty level of different subjects, but for the nature of the cohort in the subject each year,” says Merinda.
For example, if students doing Subject A are achieving much higher across their studies than students in subject B, then a subject Study Score of 30 in subject B is not equivalent to a subject Study Score of 30 in subject A. This is because Subject A students are a higher achieving cohort and the benchmark to achieve a Subject Score of 30 in subject A is higher and to recognise this, subject A gets scaled up.
Haileybury has a range of supports and measures to help students achieve their best possible ATAR and to have a broad range of options and pathways available after school.
Allowing students to begin one or two VCE subjects in Year 10 creates flexibility in Years 11 and 12.
“It spreads out the volume of subjects and their content,” explains Merinda.
“By Year 12, most students have one or two VCE subjects completed, so they have more time and energy to study fewer subjects and that can help students achieve the best possible results for those remaining subjects”MERINDA BERMINGHAM, HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING (SENIOR SCHOOL)
In some VCE subjects, currently General Mathematics, Accounting and Physics, Haileybury also supports students to optimise their ATAR by following the Northern Hemisphere Timetable — the study timetable followed in the Northern Hemisphere. This spreads the VCE load further as the Northern Hemisphere subjects commence mid-year, with final exams completed in the middle of the following year. This creates more time to focus on remaining Year 12 VCE exams at the end of the year.
While students aim to achieve their best possible ATAR, not all students may receive the rank they hoped or planned for. In those circumstances, there are many alternative pathways available to help students navigate towards their goal.
“The higher the ATAR, the more choice that students have in the university courses available to them”CATHERINE JOHNSTON, HEAD OF CAREERS & PATHWAYS
“For courses like Medicine, Law and Engineering, the required ATAR is typically high because there are limited spots for a larger number of high-achieving students. This drives up the ATAR needed to get an offer in those courses.”
While the ATAR is important, it’s not the only factor affecting university offers. A Selection Rank is a student’s ATAR plus adjustments. Factors such as a student’s performance in specific subjects, medical or difficult personal circumstances or financial hardship that impacts a student’s education may lead to an adjustment in their Selection Rank.
“This doesn’t change your ATAR, but it can potentially change your Selection Rank for a particular course at a particular university and improve your chances of gaining a place,” says Catherine.
“Universities publish their admission criteria and the factors that are taken into account when assessing student applications. For some courses, students may need to present a folio or attend an interview. It’s important for students to research how the Selection Rank will be determined by each institution.”
If students do not achieve the ATAR they hoped for, Catherine says there are always pathways to help them achieve their specific goals — those pathways may just be less direct.
“The pathway after school is not always linear. Our strong message to Senior School students is to fully research all possible options and scenarios”CATHERINE JOHNSTON, HEAD OF CAREERS & PATHWAYS
The Careers & Pathways team at Haileybury organises guest speakers from tertiary institutions, Old Haileyburians and industry experts, and arranges industry excursions and university site visits.
The Careers team is also available to meet individual students and their families to help them plan and navigate a pathway after school. They are a link between tertiary institutions and students, and regularly update families with the most current and accurate information and advice.
“It’s important to have an aspiration, but if that doesn’t work out, there are always other options available so you can plot a path to what you want to achieve. There are always plans B, C and D,” says Catherine.
“So, if your ATAR isn’t what you expect, you still have other avenues and opportunities to help you get where you want to go. Whatever ATAR you achieve at the end of Year 12, that is just the starting point.”
“The ATAR is important for students who want to enter university, but no matter what a student’s final ATAR, they graduate equipped to author their future on their own terms,” agrees Merinda.
“Young people are proactive enough to figure out what they would like to pursue next and how to get where they want to be.”
I am excited to share the remarkable journey of one of our talented Year 11 students, Frankie, who is currently a youth ambassador for the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC). This prestigious program selects Year 11 students from across Victoria who have a deep passion for the arts. Throughout the year, these students will attend ten MTC productions, engage with professionals from all areas of theatre production, and build strong connections with like-minded peers.
Since the program began in March, Frankie has had an enriching experience. She has gained valuable insights into the theatre industry and has developed a deeper understanding of the intricate processes involved in bringing a play to life. One of the standout productions she attended was 37, a captivating play that follows the Marngrook cousins as they dream of winning an AFL premiership. The production masterfully incorporated Indigenous dance and relevant political themes. Despite not being a footy enthusiast, Frankie was enthralled by the performance from start to finish.
Frankie reflects on her experience: “The first production we saw, 37, was absolutely jaw-dropping. Following the trials and tribulations of the Marngrook cousins as they joined a local footy team with big dreams about winning the AFL premiership, the play was a work of art, incorporating Indigenous dance and politically relevant themes. Despite not being a footy fanatic, I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire show. Afterwards, we were given the chance to talk to the amazing actors and learn about their journey to the stage and their experiences in the world of theatre. Not only have we been given the opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the acting side of theatre, but also learn about the immense amount of backstage work that brings it to life. Seeing where the sets, costumes and props are made (head pieces have their own department!), has definitely been one of the best aspects of the program so far.”
We are incredibly proud of Frankie for her dedication and enthusiasm. She has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, and her experiences as a youth ambassador are a testament to her passion for the arts. I would like to extend our gratitude to Haileybury for nominating Frankie for this incredible program and to the MTC for providing such an enriching experience. We look forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds for Frankie and are confident that she will continue to shine in all her theatrical pursuits.
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
On Thursday 6 June in Aikman Hall the Senior School Music Department held our major concert for Semester 1, the Winter Concert. This large ensemble concert showcased a diverse program of highly entertaining repertoire.
The ensembles that performed were Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Brass Ensemble, Haileybury Singers, String Sinfonia, Senior Guitar Ensemble, Viva Voce, Stage Band, Contemporary Singers and Wind Symphony. More than 260 students performed as part of the 90-minute concert.
Prior to the formal concert beginning, several jazz ensembles entertained guests from the hall’s foyer. Many of these groups used the opportunity to perform repertoire being prepared for VCE assessments.
Large scale concert events like Winter Concert are only possible when all involved collaborate with the common goal of making outstanding music while having a great time together. With over 65 specialist instrumental music tutors and more than 1,100 students receiving weekly instrumental music lessons, the sheer mass of the Haileybury Music Department facilitates depth, diversity and sophistication that simply cannot be delivered in smaller programs.
Thank you to our wonderful students, music families, staff and audience for your determination to support the Performing Arts. It was humbling to witness over 750 guests arrive before the start time of 7.00 pm. The enthusiastic applause, recognition of student achievement and goodwill in the room was a highlight of my term.
As Aristotle wrote regarding music, “It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything; it is the essence of order and lends to all that is good, just, and beautiful.” I am 100% certain everyone who attended the concert left with the belief they had experienced something special and beautiful.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Haileybury’s annual LEAP Celebration Week was a great opportunity to celebrate the Arts with middle school students diving headfirst into various art activities, showcasing their creativity and talent.
Throughout the week, students were actively engaged in different art projects throughout our campuses. Collaborative weaving was a highlight, where students worked together to create a vibrant artwork that will adorn the school walls. Inside the art studio, they explored different mediums like painting and drawing, guided by their teachers.
LEAP Celebration Week is not just about creating art; it is about fostering teamwork, self-expression, and confidence in our students. At the end of the week, Haileybury was filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride in the artistic achievements of our middle schoolers.
Ngaire Thomson
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Haileybury’s Pipes & Drums students have once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and dedication, achieving remarkable success at the recent Solo Piping Competitions.
Ballarat Grammar Competition:
Scotch College Competition:
These outstanding achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of our students and the exceptional guidance of our Piping Director, John Young who coached our students on the competition days. Congratulations to all our talented pipers!
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
What a wonderful way to commence our long weekend with a day of wearing pyjamas. On Friday, 7 June, the students took to the cause with gusto. Thank you to our community for the generous donations to St Kilda Mums. Many families will be supported by the huge range of necessary items that almost filled our foyer. A big shout out to the parents who joined our Junior School Assembly in their pyjamas too, we love the community spirit!
Our LOTE staff are fabulous! Commencing Tuesday 11 June, the celebration of languages at Castlefield was in full swing. Students were immersed in many activities, including calligraphy painting, demonstration French and Japanese classes for our Years 5 and 6 students, French soccer matches, karate, Chinese opera, cultural trivia, flamenco dancing, Kung Fu, daruma. Thursday 13 June also saw our students engaged in our Cultural Dress Day, sampling international food and enjoying a vibrant Assembly.
We have a fabulous roundabout system within our gates and encourage parents to utilise the South Road entrance for drop off and pick up. Some congestion is created when families are attempting to pick up along South Road, rather than at the roundabout within the School.
I remind families to avoid blocking both lanes on South Road when attempting to join the queue entering the School property and to please avoid double parking along South Road waiting for your child/ren to appear. There is a bike lane that is being blocked when this happens.
We thank our families for being considerate of the parking signs in our surrounding streets and respectful of our neighbours’ properties. The safety of our students is paramount and when they are unable to be picked up at the curb, as cars are parked, it can be dangerous.
The front of the School on South Road is a two-minute ‘kiss and go’ zone, hence parents should not be leaving their cars unattended.
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.
Pre-Prep children have been developing a connection to the local park with regular visits during Environmental Learning and wanted to encourage the small birds to return to this area.
Working with Bayside City Council and Citywide, the children helped to prepare the Hampton High Reserve and plant seven different types of plants native to this area. The children will continue to care for the plants along with Citywide and observe the growth and impact this will have. Please visit this local park to view the great work our busy working bees have created for our local community.
As part of the celebrations around Reconciliation Week, both Reception and Pre-Prep children joined a dance project with Indigenous Outreach Projects. The messages shared by these amazing hip hop performers are about inclusion, pride and respect. The children loved the dancing, as did the teachers and parents. It was such a fun day learning new dance moves and being entertained by the experts.
Some students choose to partake in private music lessons. These occur during class times and students are picked up and dropped back to their classrooms. Jensen has piano lessons with Mr Tom Samut and Madison with Ms Bernie Baker. Music lessons follow the Haileybury educational philosophy of ‘I do, we do, you do’, with the ability to listen to examples, join in the examples and then independently deliver the music. Students develop critical listening skills, which is so vital to musical development, and translates into the classroom.
Does play come easily for your child or do they need an organised structure? Can they navigate the highs and lows of play and show resilience? Do they play to win at all costs? Do they love imaginative play, or would they prefer to use equipment? We ask our Junior School children to be great players as part of our ‘Care, Learn, Play’ motto. Under our Respectful Relationships banner, the values of empathy, respect, kindness, trust and honesty are all exacerbated in the play space. With emotions running high, our children need to follow the rules of the game, speak kindly, refer to teachers as needed and be aware of others around, all whilst the clock is ticking and they are trying to get in as much play as possible. It is tricky stuff.
Over Mother’s Day weekend, our Years 5-6 and 7-8 Aerobics teams dazzled at the FISAF Australia Super Series event, seizing the moment to shine and earn invaluable judge feedback ahead of next month’s State Championships. The dedication poured into their weekly training paid off spectacularly as the Backstreet Girls (5-6) clinched a thrilling third place, while the Unbreakable Hearts (7-8) soared to victory, capturing gold against fierce competitors. The energy, passion and commitment of our athletes set the stage for even greater triumphs to come.
Our Dance students also shone on stage as all teams worked tirelessly in the lead up to competition, and come Display Night, demonstrated just why they all deserved a place at Nationals in August. The Dance students exhibited talents and prowess in jazz and hip hop styles and now have an exciting few weeks ahead preparing for their next big competition.
As we near the end of Term 2, we have many exciting celebrations and events for our community to look forward to and be a part of. From an activity filled Languages Week to our Cultural Dress Day, and even our Castlefield Middle School concert on Wednesday 26 June, It is an exciting end to the term. With these events, we are showcasing our students’ special skills, and acknowledge and celebrate our diversity here at Castlefield. We congratulate the Middle Students on a successful Term 2 and look forward to welcoming them back for Term 3 on Tuesday 23 July.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
We love coming together to share our knowledge and the MS Trivia Night saw lots of learning and sharing by all. What fierce competition the Chocolate Coin Toss turned out to be! The piles of chocolate were higher than the piles of phones and no-one left hungry. Thanks to all the HPF City Executive, led so ably by Melissa Fisher who made sure everyone had a good time. Another City sellout! Don’t miss out on the Cocktail Party in Term 3.
Our City entrepreneurial spirit was palpable at the recent Makers’ Market. The students had made so many things and whether it was the handcrafted sustainable items, array of delicious food products, laid-back coffee team, cookies in a jar or delicious dog treats, there was something for every customer. Most stalls were a sell out and the providores and artisans all learnt many valuable skills in the art of engaging the customer and closing the deal. We were so proud to see the Year 8 parents enjoy the first glimpse, and then to see the market coming to life on our new Level 9 space was amazing. Special thanks to our staff who teach Start Up and the Head of Entrepreneurship, Damien Meunier.
Our Level 9 space is complete and a new Year 12 common room, two new classrooms and our multi-purpose exam and function space has already hosted our Senior students and our community. We love seeing the glorious views as the autumnal colours span the vista. Our Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Arceri, cut the ribbon and declared the new spaces open with loud cheers from our students. Year 12 are loving their new common room and their four microwaves. How lucky we are at City!
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.
The Pre-Prep children’s inquiry into real-life situations has led us to investigate the correct ways to use tools within our ELC. Mr Gabe Di Martino, our Building and Grounds Supervisor, and Mr Teni Brown, our Facilities Officer were invited into our ELC to demonstrate and provide us with the knowledge of how to use tools and hardware such as hammers, screwdrivers, nails and screws.
The Pre-Preps participated in a hands-on learning experience developing their practical skills as they prepare for independent activities in our tinkering area.
On Friday 7 June, the ELC celebrated some very important people in our lives — our grandparents. The morning was filled with joy as the children showcased their classroom and shared their favourite activities.
A Grandparents Garden was created as children and grandparents planted a flower in our ELC garden. Discussions were had, as we shared knowledge of how to care for our flowers and predictions were made as to how big their flower would grow.
This is a special experience for our ELC as our children will be able to visit the garden and remember the wonderful memories they had with their grandparents.
On Tuesday 4 June, Haileybury City Junior School eagerly welcomed back the Cyber Safety Project educators to enhance students’ understanding of safe and unsafe online behaviours. The incursion built upon prior learning and previous visits from the Cyber Safety Project, teaching students to protect themselves with strong passwords, manage their screen time, and interact positively online. The content was tailored to be age and stage appropriate, ensuring an effective and enjoyable learning experience for all.
As part of National Reconciliation Week 2024, all Junior School students participated in a traditional Indigenous dance incursion program. Expertly facilitated, this immersive program seamlessly combined discussion and physical movement to deepen students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and beliefs. It included a Welcome to Country, meditation sessions, and explorations of the significance of ceremonies and ceremonial performances. Students also experienced traditional dances and a captivating didgeridoo demonstration, enriching their appreciation of Indigenous cultural practices.
Some highlights included:
"My favourite part of the incursion was how we enacted the amazing dances to learn more about First Nations culture." - Hudson
"My favourite part of the incursion was getting to go into a big spiral and matching our words with significant actions." - Liam
All Junior School Strings students had the chance to shine at this year’s City Campus Junior School Strings Recital. The recital, attended by many of our parent community, featured the enchanting story of Grannysaurus told through beautiful melodies performed by our Scrolls and Strings musicians. Well done to all who performed!
The Middle School was buzzing in LEAP (Literature, Enterprise, Arts, Politics) Week with many activities and initiatives taking place.
Tasters for Tournament of Minds, Compass, Model UN and Poetry Out Loud were offered to showcase the wide range of LEAP opportunities that occur throughout the year.
The students had a chance to exercise their literary, artistic and political knowledge before school each morning by completing daily puzzles in the ground floor library. The creative senses were on high alert each lunchtime as students visited Narnia in the Level 2 Dance Studio. Here, they got a taste of this year’s City Middle School Production, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, exploring the world of C S Lewis’s classic.
The $20 Boss Sample Shop was a hit! Our entrepreneurial students sold a range of products, from fidgets and stationery to stickers and lolly bags. All proceeds raised at the $20 Boss Sample Shop were donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. LEAP Week ended with a bang thanks to the Just Dance Flash Mob that was rocking in the Level 4 Common Space on Friday.
Pockets were jingling and taste buds tingling as the much-awaited Startup Makers Marker was held at City. As part of Haileybury’s unique Enterprise and Entrepreneurship subject, Startup, our Year 8 students unveiled their market-style creations, all with a fantastic sustainability twist. From upcycled goodies and yummy treats to eco-friendly marvels, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Fifty per cent of all profits was donated to charity.
It was brilliant having our families on campus for Years 6 and 8 Middle School in Action. Our visitors to Year 6 had their knowledge of fractions and decimals tested during engaging Mathematics lessons. In Year 8, the families were fortunate to witness a sneak peak of the Makers Market by attending Startup lessons and gave feedback that provided valuable insights for the students in the lead up to market day.
This was a wonderful opportunity for our families to witness the vibrant teaching and learning program that our Years 6 and 8 students undertake while further strengthening the relationship between home and the School.
The students in Years 7 and 8 developed their camp craft and cooking skills as well as strengthened friendships and built new ones on their recent experience as part of our Experiential Learning Program. The students took part in a range of activities including high ropes, low ropes, canoeing, orienteering, raft building, cycling, bush skills and cultural sessions. There was a great mix of teamwork, challenge and FUN!
The Year 5s travelled to Phillip Island for their first Middle School camp experience. Over the duration of their time away, they attempted the low ropes, flying fox, archery, canoeing and giant swing as well as visiting Nobbies Reserve and A Maze’N Things. A highlight was surfing, which many students were trying for the first time. Their desire to experience something new, support one another and have fun while catching waves typified the manner in which they embraced all that camp provided.
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
What a great night we had on Friday 14 June at the first HPF Middle School Family Trivia Night! Thank you to everyone who attended, making it our second sell-out event for 2024. A total of 160 students and parents/caregivers attended the night and joined together to form a competitive table of eight. The popcorn and lolly bags were a huge hit, along with the pizza and grazing boxes purchased. The chocolate toss and paper plane engineering challenges were fiercely contested, with lots of bragging rights earned by the end of the evening. We will round up the event in the next issue, with all the winners and a few photos of the fun times.
The HPF Executive Committee would like to particularly thank the Trivia Night subcommittee who pulled the night together. The subcommittee included Caterina Kuljis, Richard Winkett and Sarah Hitt. Many hours of discussion, thoughts and internet searching have been spent by the team. Thank you to everyone for your hard work to make the night such a success.
In addition, Caroline Merrick and the Haileybury Executive Team did a huge amount of work behind the scenes, making sure that the topics and questions were age appropriate for both students and parents. The involvement of these Executive members on the night made sure that all participants had a fun night. Once again, a huge thank you to all those who assisted with the Trivia Night and helped to make it such a wonderful family event. We really do appreciate you spending your Friday evening with us.
The Second-Hand Uniform pop-up shop will be open on Thursday 20 June from 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm and Friday 21 June from 8.00 am – 9.00 am. Given the renovations, we will once again be in the basement. If you have any items to sell, please complete the form on the myHaileybury app and drop off your items to City Reception or use the blue bins provided. A friendly reminder that all items need to be accompanied by a completed form, including donations. If you have many items, please put a copy of the form with each bundle to assist our volunteers when processing your items.
We hope you all had a lovely King’s birthday weekend and had the time to do something enjoyable with the family. If you are travelling over the school holidays, safe travels, and we will see you in Term 3.
Melissa Fisher
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
As their time at Haileybury Darwin draws to a close, it was great to hear Rebekah (Year 9) and Pearl (Year 9) reflect on their experiences here during the first semester.
Both girls are Year 9 students and have completed an amazing semester by each winning Academic Full Colours through their combined time shared in Melbourne and Darwin. This shows the synergies between our One Haileybury curriculum and is of course a great reflection on the girls’ resilience and independence.
The girls have written as follows:
We were both nervous but excited about this experience of moving to live in boarding in Darwin and to attend school at HRS. We knew that boarding in Darwin would be a step outside both of our comfort zones, leaving our family for so long and being on the other side of the country from all our close friends. However, as soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the boarding community and felt at home very quickly.
Since being here, we have gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of Australia. Darwin is so different from Melbourne in terms of culture, climate and lifestyle, and we have loved immersing ourselves in this new environment.
We have had the chance to explore the city of Darwin, as well as the natural beauty of Litchfield National Park. We have made so many new friends who we will miss when we head back to Melbourne.
This experience has helped us become more resilient, more adaptable and more open-minded than ever before. Living in Darwin has taught us to embrace the unknown and to step out of our comfort zones.
It feels like our time in Darwin has flown by so fast, but we will take home with us so many amazing memories, stories and skills that will last a lifetime.
We are so grateful to the school and to have been given this opportunity and would like to thank everyone involved for their support over the last semester. We have had such a fun time and hope that this becomes an opportunity for more Haileybury students in the future.
If you want to know more about Haileybury Boarding in Darwin, please contact Vice Principal Scott Doran in Melbourne via email or Principal Andrew McGregor in Darwin via email.
Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
As we journey throughout the year, it is essential to pause and reflect on the power of gratitude and giving. Gratitude helps us appreciate the simple joys and the support of those around us, fostering a sense of contentment and positivity. When we give, whether it is our time, resources, or kindness, we not only uplift others but also enrich our own lives. Our staff felt the power of gratitude through the recent staff appreciation morning tea. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for your wonderful generosity and support.
This week, our Middle School students will channel their efforts towards a great cause — supporting those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Through various activities and initiatives, they will learn the importance of giving and making a positive impact. Thank you to the staff as they work together to support this worthy cause.
Our students had a fabulous time celebrating the diversity of languages during Languages Week. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with different cultures and appreciate the beauty of multilingualism. The students participated in various activities, including taste testers, cultural showcases and interactive sessions. Thank you to the languages staff for providing such engaging activities.
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.
Our goal in the ELC in 2024 is to build stronger connections with our local community. As children grow, it is essential they get exposure to various experiences to help them develop holistically. Experiences that engage children with their community are rich in many learning opportunities and often offer hands-on learning opportunities that help children develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around them.
Most recently the ELC children have participated in a CFA incursion and a whole ELC excursion to Bunjil Place to watch the stage show How to catch a Star based on the book by author Oliver Jeffers.
Our local CFA team spoke to the children about their role in the community, as well as showing all the important equipment they use on their fire truck. Of course, the visit wasn’t complete without lights and sirens.
Our visit to Bunjil Place was an absolute highlight for all ELC children, staff and parent helpers. Children got to experience not only the stage show, but also travelling on a bus, receiving an individual ticket for scanning before entering the theatre and follow up activities within the classroom.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and parent helpers who supported these learning opportunities to be positive and enjoyable experiences for the children.
Over the term the Junior School has been talking about reconciliation — what it is, what it means and why we need reconciliation. During National Reconciliation Week, each class created a display to honour the Indigenous peoples.
Prep: students crafted a wreath of hands to symbolise the significance of this important occasion. Their hands represent our shared history and apology to Indigenous Australians, highlighting the importance of treating everyone with respect, compassion and fairness.
Year 1: students drew different designs, such as the aboriginal flag, rainbows, dots and some with words that said, ‘we’re sorry’ on the leaves for their reconciliation tree. This tree highlights the need to treat everyone equally, with respect and empathy.
Year 2: students looked at the symbolic story telling language through Indigenous artwork, as a tradition going back to rock art and sand painting and considered how they would apply this to our leaves.
The Year 3s turned back time and immersed themselves in nature. Using air dry clay to mould their piece into a circular shape, they then used a stick tool to carve out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples symbols. Acknowledging that symbols were used to communicate back then, each student created their own unique story.
‘We walk together’. In Year 4, we acknowledged and recognised the mistreatment of First Nations People by designing feet to demonstrate walking beside them and that we respectfully stand with them.
On Friday 21 June, our Middle School students will be able to participate in their very own student ice bucket challenge. Parents, if your child wishes to participate in this and raise money for an incredible cause, please purchase a ticket via Humanitix here.
Last week, our Years 5, 7 and 8 boys and girls all headed to Phillip Island, Camp Jungai in Rubicon, and Marysville, respectively. Canoeing, bike riding, hiking, low ropes and initiatives, bush skills and cooking were just some of the activities enjoyed amongst friends. All were blessed with some sunshine in their time away. Haileybury values giving students this opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone, learn and grow.
We look forward to the Edrington Concert on Thursday 20 June, at which all the students involved will showcase the beautiful music they have been working on throughout the year. Refreshments will be served from 6.15 pm.
Adam Tobin
Acting Head of Edrington (Berwick)
Hi Edrington. A huge thank you to our amazing community for your delicious contributions to the Staff Appreciation Morning Tea. The staff were blown away with your contributions, and it is definitely a highlight for them all. Our cross country sausage sizzle was once again a massive hit — we are officially BBQ royalty. Thanks again to all our volunteers, especially Brendan Borg and Roger Colla who are always the first to don an apron and get their sizzle on.
Coming up in Term 3 we have our Father’s Day stall. If you are free to come and help at the Father’s Day stall, please register your interest here.
The uniform shop is open every Wednesday from 8.15 am to 10.45 am. Pop in to see Janelle for your uniform requirements. If you have some spare time to help in the Second-hand Uniform Shop, contact Janelle.
Kerry Ilic & Tracy Day
HPFE Presidents
hpfe@haileybury.com.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
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
The Outstanding Young Alumni Awards are presented to multiple recipients each year across five different fields of expertise – Arts, Business, Sport, STEM and Community.
Nominees must have graduated from Haileybury within the past twelve years and have made significant achievements in their field of endeavour either locally, nationally, or internationally, exemplifying the best attributes of youth in today’s world.
They must also have exceptional human values which are an inspiration to others while having rendered excellent and sustained service to the OHA or its alumni community.
If you know any young alumni who fits the criteria, please submit your nomination here by 15 July 2024.
Last month, this cohort celebrated their 10 Year Reunion in style at Valhalla. What a terrific group of Old Haileyburians!
Let’s hear about what Amy Bartholomeusz, one of the fabulous members of the Class of 2014, is up to.
Tell us a little bit about your journey to where you are today?
After graduating from Haileybury, I went on to do a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art History. I then jumped straight into my Masters of Arts Management just before lockdown. Classes had moved online but I was able to still study and curate an online exhibition with RMIT Gallery as well as be part of the First Site Gallery student committee, producing exhibitions and programs virtually. As someone entering the arts industry this was quite a different way of engaging with art, but it helped me keep connected to my fellow creatives. I then secured a role in the local council, first at Hawthorn Arts Centre working in art events and operations to now working as an Arts Programmer with Kingston Arts.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself in New York, completing my PhD in Contemporary Art and visiting all the galleries New York has to offer.
Any hobbies or interests?
In 2019, I started a passion project posting on Instagram about art and writing book reviews. I have since been able to connect with so many avid readers and creatives and talk all things books and art. I have also had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Dymocks, Hachette, Allen & Unwin, and Harper Collins Australia.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Haileybury?
Every day was different and interesting at Haileybury and that is what made being a student there so unique. Haileybury also helped me find my passion for art. If it wasn’t for the amazing and inspiring teachers who supported my work, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
Information regarding all OHA events can be found here.
| Date | Event | |
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Thursday, 8 August
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OHA City Generations Breakfast
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Email invite coming
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Thursday, 15 August
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Sursum Corda Society Event
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Invitations emailed
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Thursday, 22 August
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OHA Brighton Generations Breakfast
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Email invite coming
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Friday, 23 August
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Class of 1994 - 30 Year Reunion
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Sunday, 25 August
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Mornington Peninsula Lunch
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Friday, 13 September
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Perth Chapter Dinner
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Wednesday, 18 September
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OHA London event
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Friday, 4 October
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Golf Day
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Friday, 11 October
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Class of 1989 - 35 Year Reunion
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Friday, 18 October
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Class of 2004 - 20 Year Reunion
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Wednesday, 23 October
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OHA Canberra Chapter dinner
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Thursday, 24 October
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OHA Sydney Chapter evening
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Friday, 25 October
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Class of 1974 - 50 Year Reunion
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Friday, 25 October
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Clark Club Luncheon
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Thursday, 31 October
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OHA Brisbane Chapter dinner
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Friday, 1 November
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OHA Gold Coast Chapter dinner
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Friday, 8 November
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Class of 1999 - 25 Year Reunion
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Friday, 15 November
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Class of 2019 - 5 Year Reunion
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We love hearing what our OHA alumni are up to. Please submit your amazing stories here.
If you do not already, please follow the OHA on Facebook and Instagram. We also invite you to stay connected by subscribing to our monthly newsletter here.
Please note that the OHA Office is here for all members and we encourage you to reach out if required via stayconnected@haileybury.com.au or contact me on 9904 6615
Kylie Phillips
Development Office Operations Lead
In Week 6, we celebrated LEAP week at Haileybury Pangea, encompassing explorations of Literature, Enterprise, the Arts and Politics. Led by Haileybury Pangea’s Curious Minds Coordinator Alysia Degorski and Haileybury’s Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Damien Meunier, students were invited to participate in a wide variety of hands-on activities including student versus teacher debates, a Model United Nations forum, creating digital artworks, and the very popular Sock Tank competition. It was a colourful and creative week, with fantastic contributions from both students and staff.
At Haileybury Pangea, students participated in a range of learning experiences to develop their understanding of the past, present and future of reconciliation in Australia, and the days of significance that mark the beginning and end of National Reconciliation Week. Students engaged in reflection and discussion through both formal activities, such as the National Reconciliation Week Assembly, and through group activities such as the Yarning Circle for Years 11 and 12 students.
Students and staff also participated in a Connection to Country walk, and engaged in learning about the traditional owners of the area in which they live. This was represented through an interactive map, showing the geographical reach of Pangea and the diversity of Indigenous cultures across Australia. We thank all staff and students who led and participated in activities over the week.
Joanna Baker
Head of Campus
A big thanks to everyone who took part in our Biggest Morning Teas across Senior School this week. Haileybury has been a long time supporter of the Cancer Council and we would like to thank everyone who contributed in their own way.
In 2019 the Newlands student leadership team, alongside Mr Dooley, established the Early Bird Reading program, providing Prep and Year 1 students the opportunity to share the love of reading with student volunteers from Middle School. Helping the students improve their fluency and literacy skills, the program continues to be strong in 2024, with Tuesday mornings bringing excitement in the Junior School quad as the students share their weekly readers with older students.
This year, bringing greater connections between all parts of the school, the program has also become an opportunity for Year 12 students to get involved and listen to the students read. This has been met with great enthusiasm from the students, providing a nostalgic feeling in their final year of school as they connect with students across many year levels and are reminded of the amazing memories which were formed in the foundational years of school.
Our recent Future Ready Festival encouraged our students to dream, explore options and create a plan. Our guest speaker, Jacqui Cooper, shared her message of being open to opportunities and the power of setting goals, determination and self-belief.
Students also attended workshops led by Old Haileyburians, industry experts and tertiary institutions, where they listened to personal career narratives, information about study areas and emerging trends in industry, helping to guide their decision making and open their minds up to new opportunities and possibilities.
As we approach the end of a very busy Term 2, it was the turn of Haileybury Girls' College Year 12’s to have their night of glamour and fun with their formal held at The Glasshouse in the city. It was a beautiful venue with the Yarra River glistening on one side and the lights of AAMI Park lit up on the other.
These nights cannot run smoothly without the enthusiastic participation of the students, the generous support of the Senior School leadership team, and the dedication of the Haileybury Girls College Heads of House. It was a wonderful night for everyone who attended.
Sam (Year 12)
Head of Year 12
One of the hardest elements of modern life for us all to deal with is online safety and what is considered appropriate behaviour online. For teenagers the issues involved with having an online profile and being part of a social media reality can prove to be particularly vexing and difficult.
Some of the best resources available to help teachers, students and parents understand the pressures and protocols associated with online activity are provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. There are a number of webinars for parents and carers which is a great way for parents of young people to start their journey to a better understanding of how they can help keep their children safe online. I highly recommend the resources provided on this site.
Term 3 classes resume on Tuesday, 23 July. I wish all Haileybury families a relaxing time away from the usual school routine.
Dr Nicholas Grigsby
Deputy Principal
Head of Senior Schools
A Haileybury U16 Futsal Team, comprising of Years 8, 9 & 10 players, performed fantastically during the group stages, finishing with only one loss (2 – 1) to an Academy team from Maribyrnong. The girls won all remaining matches in the group stage, making the final, however, narrowly going down to the same Academy team. There was minimal rest time between the semis and final, and with limited substitutes, the team displayed excellent effort and determination throughout.
The U19 team, made up of primarily Years 11 and 12 students, was defeated twice during the group stages, however, still made the finals. The same team who beat them, just as for the U16 team, were their opponents in the final. The match came down to the wire, requiring an exciting penalty shootout which gave the girls victory 3 – 2 on penalties, and crowned them tournament champions.
Three players from each team have been invited to play in Queensland later this year, if they wish.
On Friday 31 May and Sunday 2 June, over 120 dancers from Years 7 to Year 12 competed at the TFT Dance Star State Finals at Rowville Secondary College. Students competed against many successful and competitive schools, dance schools and clubs to secure a place at the Dance Star National Championships, to be held in Adelaide on 8 and 9 August. All students gave wonderful performances and showed great respect to other Haileybury Teams and other schools. They should be very proud of their efforts.
16 soloists and 10 teams competed at the State Finals, and all secured a berth to Nationals, a truly remarkable result and a first for Haileybury Dance. Congratulations is extended to Lucie (Year 9), Candela (Year 7), Amy (Year 8), Karina (Year 9), Emma (Year 12), Mia (Year 10) and Lexi (Year 10) for also winning their soloist sections. We wish all the students the very best in the coming months as they prepare for the National Championships.
Congratulations to the following girls for being selected in the VIC State Storm Touch Teams for the National Youth Championships in September. What an achievement!
VIC under 14’s – Allegra (Year 7), Sylvie (Year 7), Nikita (Year 7)
VIC under 16’s – Emily (Year 10), Kalina (Year 10), Krista (Year 10), Keira (Year 9).
Congratulations are also due to Christina Roberts who is a former Haileyburian and past captain of the Girls Touch Team and coach of the Victorian under 16 team.
Michael Odachowski
Acting Director of Sport
In the spirit of reconciliation, Haileybury acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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