Campus News
Back to Brighton
Back to Brighton is a special opportunity for our Year 12 students to return to Castlefield and farewell the campus where their Haileybury journey began. During the morning, we gather for an assembly, open the time capsules they created as younger students, and celebrate the memories, friendships and experiences that have shaped their educational journey. Each graduate is also presented with a gift created by our Junior School students, creating a meaningful connection between those completing their time at Haileybury and those following in their footsteps.
Art show
Art, creativity and portfolio subjects are an important part of learning at Castlefield, giving students opportunities to express ideas, develop confidence and think in imaginative and original ways. We are therefore excited to showcase artwork from every student in ELC to Year 8 at our annual art show, Castlefield in Colour. Our opening event will be held at 4.00 pm on Thursday, 22 October, with student performances and a sausage sizzle alongside the gallery. We warmly invite families to come along and be immersed in the creativity of our students.
Melbourne Cup Holiday
I remind families that Monday, 2 November, is a student-free day. Therefore, students will not be required at school on this day. Of course, Tuesday, 3 November, is the Melbourne Cup holiday.
Up Day
Please note that the 2026 Orientation Day (Up Day) is scheduled for Tuesday, 23 November for our current Prep to Year 6 students. The attire for the day is casual sports clothes with runners. Our students spend the day in their 2027 year level, meeting teachers, visiting homerooms and being introduced to their new classmates in preparation for next year.
Celebration of Excellence (Speech Night)
Our Celebration of Excellence is an important evening in the Castlefield calendar. It is a chance to come together as a community, celebrate the year and recognise the hard work, sustained effort and excellence of our students across many areas of school life. This year’s event will be held on Monday, 30 November, and all students in Years 5–8 are expected to attend. Students have already commenced learning the song they will perform as part of the mass singing item on the night.
Early Learning Centre
Kicking off the end of term
To celebrate the end of Term 3, the ELC came together for a fun-filled Footy and Sports Day. It was a wonderful community event, bringing together our ELC children and families, along with students from the Junior and Middle Schools. The day was filled with plenty of energy, laughter and friendly competition as everyone enjoyed a range of sporting activities and games. It was a fantastic way to celebrate our community, connect across the school and finish the term on a high.
Spotlight on Early Learning
The ELC was honoured to welcome national and international delegates attending the Early Childhood Australia Conference for a special tour of our centre. As part of the conference program, delegates visited a select number of early learning settings to explore environments that spark curiosity, invite exploration and support children’s belonging, agency and learning. It was a rare opportunity to showcase our unique setting, play-based approach, connection to place, and commitment to sustainability and care for country. The visit was a wonderful recognition of the high regard in which our ELC is held and a proud opportunity to share what makes our ELC such a special place to learn and grow.
Junior School
Junior School Walkathon
In the last week of Term 3, the ELC and Junior School came together for our walkathon to support Second Chance Animal Rescue. Students and staff walked laps of the oval, and then after school, families were invited to join in with their own dogs. It was a fabulous community event with lots of money raised so Second Chance Animal Rescue can look forward to building a new outdoor space for their animals. Special thanks to parents for running the BBQ, to Hamptons Bakery for their delicious baked goods, and to Dirty Dog Pet Supplies for coming along and supporting the event and charity.
Reminders
- Prep and Year 3 students are swimming this term during one of their PE lessons. As the weather warms up, children look forward to their weekly lesson run by Aquastar swim school. Please remember to include a swimming cap and slip-on shoes for your child.
- A reminder also that Term 4 is a ‘No hat, no play’ term. All children must wear a black school sunhat during recess, lunch, PE lessons and outdoor events.
- Assemblies this term will be held on Friday, 9 October; Friday, 23 October; and Friday, 20 November. Year 4 Graduation is on Tuesday, 1 December and our Years 3 and 4 Awards Presentation Assembly is on Friday, 4 December.
Middle School
A spud-tacular showcase of maths, spirit and creativity
The Year 5 Spud Olympics once again proved to be a spud-tacular highlight of the Maths program. Students from GMS and BMS proudly represented countries from around the world as they paraded their creatively designed potatoes around the oval to an eager crowd of spectators, including Years 4 and 6.
The Opening Ceremony was just the beginning, with students putting their spuds through a series of exciting events including rolling, diving and other challenges linked to their mathematical learning. Combining creativity, problem-solving and plenty of school spirit, the competition was, quite frankly, a massive success.
From start to finish, the ceremony was filled with laughter, learning and some truly a-peeling potato performances, reminding everyone why the Spud Olympics remains one of Year 5’s most beloved traditions.
Student-led assembly
Our recent student-led assembly was a wonderful celebration of the energy, talent and spirit that make our school community so special. The morning was filled with laughter and enthusiasm as students took part in a variety of fun games and friendly competitions, creating a fantastic sense of connection and belonging. A highlight of the assembly was an outstanding musical performance that captivated the audience and showcased the confidence, creativity and dedication of our students.
Our Heads of Middle School also shared their excitement for the term ahead, encouraging students to embrace the many opportunities that Term 4 brings. Their message focused on striving to be the best version of yourself each day, finding joy in learning and growth, and appreciating the opportunities that come with being part of our school community. Students were also reminded of the importance of wearing hats during outdoor play throughout Term 4 (no hat, no play) and of presenting themselves with pride in full winter uniform for the upcoming Celebration of Excellence on Monday, 30 November.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Parking
Parking around the property can, at times, be difficult. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our Haileybury community. Parents leaving via the South Road exit, please take care when turning onto South Road, particularly as the pedestrian crossing is so close to the exit.
Remember that all exits from the School to Villeroy and Rouen Streets close at 6.00 pm nightly. If you are attending an evening function, we encourage you to park on South Road and enter through the front gate.
There is no drop-off/pick-up zone in Rouen Street, with parking restrictions in place along one side at busy school start and end times.
There are clearly signed two-minute parking spaces outside our Villeroy Street gate. These should be used as a ‘kiss-and-go’ zone rather than for disembarking from your car. Cars should not be left unattended.
Families are encouraged to use the roundabout via the South Road entrance as the preferred drop-off and pick-up location.
Please be considerate of the residents in the streets surrounding our School.
Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield (HPFC)
Castlefield 2026 Spooktacular
Join us for the HPFC Spooktacular! Friday, 30 October, 3.25 pm – 5.30 pm.
We are inviting our whole Castlefield community to join us for an afternoon and evening packed with Halloween fun, food, entertainment and plenty for the adults too! There will be activities catering for ALL year levels, so bring the whole family and celebrate the end of another fantastic year at Castlefield.
Get ready for:
- Halloween Discos for ELC–Year 6, with allocated sessions so students can party with their friends
- A massive Halloween Scavenger Hunt — complete the hunt and collect your stash of lollies!
- Inflatables & activities to keep kids of all ages entertained
- Food trucks serving up dinner and treats
- And, of course, something for the adults too!
We look forward to celebrating with you.
Book your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/hpfc-castlefield-spooktacular-2026
Casey Harris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield
