Campus News
Back Together Again
City campus has enjoyed being back together again and there have been some big smiles behind our masks. We have missed seeing each other every day. Our Junior and Middle School assemblies have been full of joy and celebration. We could hear the cheers from classrooms as students enjoyed being together once more.
Throughout lockdown restrictions, we have remained positive, optimistic, focused and committed to growing kind hearts and sharp minds. We have acknowledged the challenges we have faced. However, we have also focused on finding the positives and being grateful for what we have.
I thank our staff for being so wonderful in assisting us within and beyond our vertical and virtual campus and for sharing their growth mindset and keeping their high expectations.
Our student leaders in Years 4, 8 and 12 have been impressive; developing new initiatives, leading the way with podcasts, workshops and movement breaks and being motivational in all they have done. Our ELC to Year 12 students have worked hard on their academic studies and learning and I am delighted with their academic, social, emotional and physical growth.
Congratulations to our Middle School Captains, Bhuvi Diwakar (Year 8) and Max Trinder (Year 8) and all the Year 8 leaders who did a superb job in 2021. The start of Term 1A marks our Year 8 leaders moving up into the Senior School and our new Years 8 and 12 leaders will take on their responsibilities in leading the campus.
I am so grateful for the support of our City community who have worked in partnership. We are, indeed, fortunate to have returned to campus life again with a newfound commitment to enjoying simple pleasures and never taking these for granted again. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in the final weeks.
Early Learning Centre
Finding a Buddy
As we begin elements of our Transition Program, Pre-Prep children have been very excited to receive a letter of introduction from their Year 3 Buddies. The Buddy Program helps children transition by introducing Pre-Preps to a current Year 3 student in the Junior School.
Through the connections established while children are in the ELC, buddies become a familiar face as children move through to their Junior School journey. We look forward to our upcoming visit to the Inside Out Court, where the children will enjoy activities and spend time getting to know their Buddies.
Creating Responsibly
Sustainable practices have been supported as children in Reception enjoy box construction projects using recycled materials. The repurposing of materials in this construction process has many benefits for children including sustained concentration, planning and higher-order thinking as, over time, children add depth and detail to their creations.
Creativity is fostered as children carefully consider their designs and they enhance their fine motor development as they cut, paste and work with various materials. Rainbow castles, aeroplanes and cars are just some of the magnificent examples of creative work we’ve seen take shape.
Junior School
Year 3s Take the Lead
Future leaders of the Junior School engaged in a ‘Lead With Heart’ session where they workshopped their understanding of leadership and what it means to them. Year 3 students were excited to connect with their peers across our four Melbourne campuses as they explored traits and actions of their ‘Everyday Heroes’, identified their own leadership strengths and discussed the importance of respectful relationships.
The students discussed leaders they know and explored what ‘heart’ means. Some of their insights are shared here:
“It was encouraging and interesting. I had moments where I was thinking about being helpful to the rest of the Junior School. Next year, I can lead by being encouraging, respectful and helpful.”Oscar Pulitano
“It was engaging and heart-warming to know that everyone will look up to us. Everything we do is mimicked by the younger students and it’s important to be respectful, kind and caring.”Elspeth Paul
Reading Emotions
During our recent Junior School Assembly, our students workshopped the idea of reading emotions through face masks. We know that wearing masks is part of our daily practice at school and students explored how to read emotions by observing body language and eyes. After viewing a video to explain how to read emotions, the students practised these skills.
Middle School
Recently, our Years 7 and 8 students diligently completed their exams across three days. While it was an intense period, these students focused and applied themselves to their studies to give themselves every opportunity for success.
At the end of the exams, we enjoyed our Middle School Afternoon In. We couldn’t go ahead with our original plans for our traditional Girls and Boys Nights In due to COVID restrictions, so instead students enjoyed a pizza lunch and activities and games for the afternoon. There were many prizes and lots of fun was had!
Our Year 8s also had their final day in the Middle School and their Graduation on Friday, 12 November. This was a wonderful celebration of their City Middle School experience and it was also an opportunity to reflect on all the amazing experiences they have had over the past three years. We wish our graduating class of 2021 all the best as they move into Senior School.
Term 1A brings with it many opportunities for our students. Our current Year 7s will elect their leaders for 2022 as they move into Year 8 and begin their new electives. Meanwhile, our Years 5 and 6 students will enjoy plenty of activities and some exciting House Events.
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”T.S. Elliot
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
Haileybury Parents & Friends City (HPF City)
It has been a very exciting time for the School, with the children returning full time to campus and the VCE exams completed by the Senior School pupils. Well done to all the parents who have supported their students during this challenging year! We wish them all the very best for their last few weeks at Haileybury.
Annual HPF AGM
The HPF City AGM was held virtually on Tuesday, 9 November, chaired by Nina Brooks and Nadine Bissland.
Head of Campus Mrs Caroline Merrick presented nominations for the Co-Presidents who were returned to the Executive in the same positions.
We thank Caroline for her support and guidance during 2021 and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship and community in 2022.
Other Executive Members nominated were:
- Dr Vicki Huang, who remains as Secretary and Social Media Liaison. Thank you to Vicki for all her hard work during the year.
- Angela Farbridge-Currie who has served as Finance Officer and who will return in this role in 2022. We thank her for tabling the finance report at the AGM.
- Michelle White was returned in her role as ELC Representative.
- Richard Winkett who has been Junior School Representative will become Middle School Representative.
- We welcome Cathryn Prowse to the role of Junior School Representative.
- Melissa Tolani joins us as the Pre-Senior Representative of the Executive Committee.
- Alice Johnson will remain in her previous role as Executive Member.
We look forward to working with you all in 2022.
Kapil Kukreja is stepping down from his role of Middle School Representative and we thank him for his input and enthusiasm during 2021.
To each of the Social Representatives from each year group, thank you for your hard work and support of the community and we aim to have more events in 2022. To those representatives stepping down from their post—Sarah Hitt and Jane Slack-Smith—a huge shout out for your work during this year and for your previous years of support.
Anyone who would like to be involved with the HPF Social Committee, please drop us an email hpfcity@haileybury.vic.edu.au.
With this bright future ahead, we look forward to Up Day on Friday, 3 December and will provide a contactless Secondhand Uniform Stall. Thanks again to Alice Johnson for providing this service.
Have a wonderful fortnight!
Nina Brooks and Nina Bissland
Co-Presidents, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
