More than a teacher
Inspiring greatness
It is no secret that one of the most powerful indicators of success for students is the quality of the teaching staff they have access to. That is why at Haileybury we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining brilliant, diverse people.
Here at Haileybury, where every student matters every day, our teachers are not simply instructors - they are mentors, innovators, champions and guides for each and every student. With a focus on academic excellence and supporting students' personal growth, our teachers are dedicated to making a difference and helping young people on their journey through life.
Meet some of our brilliant teachers who inspire greatness, nurture curiosity and contribute to creating a place where your child’s success is our shared goal. Come and discover the difference that brilliant teachers can make in a young person’s life.
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Meet Mark Donnelly-Layfield |
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Meet Ravin Fowder |
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Meet Benaaz Master |
Introducing Mark Donnelly-Layfield
Mark is the Deputy Head of Boys' Middle School at Haileybury Castlefield. He is a dedicated educator, teaching French and Maths to Years 7 and 8. Mark also oversees the pastoral care of the Year 8 boys, offering them guidance and support during this important stage of their education.
Mark has a Master of Educational Leadership (High Distinction) and is completing a PhD which explores gender, race, ethnicity and socio-economic status in the educational experiences of students labelled with disabilities. His work in inclusive education reflects his commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Beyond the classroom, Mark’s work with the Teacher Excellence Programme brings together practice theories and research-informed strategies to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. In collaboration with the Academy of Teaching and Leading, Mark also leads initiatives such as Connected Conversations which focuses on reshaping perceptions of masculinity and promoting emotional wellbeing. His leadership philosophy centres on connection and belonging, ensuring every student feels valued and empowered.
Introducing Ravin Fowdar
Ravin Fowdar, Head of French (Middle School), leads our Middle School French department across Haileybury’s four Melbourne campuses and our online school, Haileybury Pangea.
Ravin started his teaching career at Haileybury in 2003 as a replacement teacher and then spent time working at two other independent schools before returning to Haileybury in 2006.
He has a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from the University of Mauritius and has completed numerous professional development workshops in Mauritius and Australia that support languages education. He has designed and created a French resource booklet used by Middle School students across Haileybury and Haileybury Pangea and Ravin is also fluent in Hindi.
Ravin is passionate about his role at Haileybury and during his mid-year holiday, he leads the Year 8 cultural immersion trips to France and Mauritius where students are fully immersed in French language and culture.
During his spare time, he enjoys gardening and hydroponic culture.
Introducing Benaaz Master
As Deputy Head of our Early Learning Centre at Haileybury Berwick, Benaaz Master is an experienced early childhood teacher who has seamlessly taken on various roles and responsibilities in the field of Early Childhood Education. Her supportive leadership has helped create nurturing and enriching environments where children thrive and she believes strongly in collaboration, creativity and a deep understanding of the unique needs of each child.
Benaaz maintains a deep commitment to fostering growth and development of children in early childhood through innovative educational practices and thoughtful curriculum design, with a goal of inspiring children to learn, explore and discover. Her original and inclusive mindset believes strongly in the importance of play-based learning methodologies and intentional teaching. Benaaz’s professional journey has been shaped by a profound interest in neurodiversity, particularly in working with children who have unique learning needs. Her passion for understanding global early childhood education practices is driven by a belief in the universal power of play as a tool to help create the very best learning outcomes in young children.
