Haileybury lost one of its finest when former Chairman Tom Poulton died surrounded by his family on 12 January.
Tom was the Chairman of Haileybury from 2009 through until the end of 2023. It was my privilege to be the Principal throughout that time.
Tom was a Haileybury student from 1961–1966 and had a passion and talent for literature and history. He became a Probationer Prefect, was Platoon Commander in the Cadets, and participated enthusiastically in sports. He studied law at the University of Melbourne from which he graduated LL B (Hons.). From there he established a distinguished career in the legal profession, finishing as Managing Partner of Allens Arthur Robinson (now Allens) law firm in 2007.
During my early years as Principal, Tom was a great mentor and source of advice and guided us through the challenges of the global financial crises. He brought his extraordinary commercial law expertise to the role and ensured that Haileybury was always in a sound financial position so it could serve its families well.
Tom was determinedly focussed on academic excellence as being at the core of great education. Haileybury is, today, one of the leading academic schools in Australia because of Tom’s constant encouragement, support, and his drive to ensure that students made the most of the opportunities afforded them through teachers applying evidence-based practice to our classrooms.
As an outstanding lawyer he had a sharp eye for risk, but it never prevented him from pushing to take up great opportunities that would ensure a Haileybury education could be delivered for more students. Tom’s support and professional expertise were instrumental in setting up Haileybury Tianjin (2013), Haileybury City (2016), Haileybury Rendall School – Darwin (2017) and Haileybury Pangea (2023).
Haileybury students — whichever campus they attend — will commence 2025 in a school that has a razor-sharp focus on delivering exceptional academic outcomes through focused, evidence-based teaching programs; an extraordinary range of co-curricular (particularly music and the arts) and sport opportunities; and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship and enterprise. A significant part of this is the legacy of Tom Poulton.
Our thoughts, of course, are with his wife Wendy Peter, and children Alice and Robert.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
