Campus News
Parent Engagement
At Haileybury, we know the importance of engaging with parents as partners in the learning journey for your children, as they begin in ELC and graduate in Year 12. So much growing occurs in the academic, social, emotional and physical domains. One of our students proudly told me last week that they are now 185cm tall and learning to drive. Blink and you will miss it.
For this reason, we ensure we plan key experiences for our parents to partner with us. Whether it is buying books at the Book Fair, packing your child’s disco bag for the Junior School Disco, attending the Middle School Family Trivia Night (where we didn’t use a phone the whole night and we all had fun), attending our Junior and Middle School in Action to see learning in the classroom, or deciding which Explore and Expeditions your child might attend in Senior School.
All these recent events provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to lean in and keep the conversations focused on the exciting next steps in your child’s learning growth. I thank all our community who continue to show up, lean in, have fun and stay engaged. Your children’s learning outcomes will always be enhanced when parents partner with the School.
Early Learning Centre
Travelling the World
Our Travelling the World journey with the Reception children has sparked excitement, curiosity and connection in the ELC as it led to meaningful conversations and discoveries about characteristics of different countries including food, transport, buildings, traditional clothing and landscapes.
The Reception children have worked together to create their own world map, discussed continents and countries, set up an airport, and had the opportunity to show and share their personal adventures around the world.
This learning experience has deepened the children’s understanding of the world, encouraged respectful conversations about similarities and differences, and fostered a strong sense of belonging, identity and wonder for the global community around them.
Dear Earth
The introduction of the book, Dear Earth by Isabel Otter, has provided the children with a deeper understanding of sustainability and the impact we have on our planet.
To support the children’s ongoing discoveries of how to recycle, the children have created a repurpose centre where they continue to embed the 7 Rs of Recycling: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Regift and Repurpose.
The children have had opportunities to bring in recycled materials from home and develop a plan with their peers as they create something new and exciting that they could use in the ELC or at home.
This project encouraged teamwork, problem-solving and imaginative thinking. It was an inspiring learning opportunity as it deepened our thinking of how we can continue to take care of our environment.
Dance the night away!
Our Junior School students brushed off their dancing shoes, cracked their glow sticks and donned their favourite party attire for the Junior School Disco. Our Prep to Year 4 students loved dancing under lights to traditional crowd favourites ‘The Macarena’ and ‘The Nutbush’ and surprised all supervising staff by gregariously performing ‘Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees.’ This event was the perfect end to our LEAP Week celebrations; getting involved in the art of dance, while having fun with friends.
Decoding the Universe
Have you ever wondered about the pattern of the seeds in the sunflower? Do you like dropping a pebble in a pond and watching the ripples move outwards? These are just some of the questions that our budding scientists explored with their families to enter projects in our 2025 Science Fair: Decoding the Universe — exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language. We had students working with peers, siblings and independently to present their ideas, including identifying animal footprints, understanding the Fibonacci sequence and its relation to spider webs, and conducting electricity through lemons. Under the guidance of Ms Louise Elletson, our school community enjoyed science activities to complement student entrants in our fair. Thank you to our parents and special guests for sharing the afternoon of curiosity and wonderment with our Junior School students.
Mole Music
Congratulations to the Year 2 Strings students, alongside our Years 3 and 4 Scrolls ensemble who performed to the parent community on their stringed instruments. Our music staff developed a score to support the retelling of Mole Music, a picture story book by David McPhail, to showcase our musicians. This was the first strings performance for our Year 2 class, who took to the occasion with vim and vigour. We were proud to have so many of our Years 3 and 4 students form our City Scrolls Ensemble and showcase their continued skill development from the compulsory Year 2 program. Well done to all who performed, including those featured in solo and small group features.
Middle School
Partnering with the School
It was a pleasure to welcome a substantial number of our Years 6 and 8 families to the City Campus for the final instalment of Middle School in Action in 2025. This morning provides parents/guardians the opportunity to experience first-hand the learning environment that our students encounter each day while witnessing them engaging with their studies.
The Year 8 Girls undertook a Humanities lesson with Ms Madelynn Strongman and Ms Kelsey Collins, while the Year 8 Boys deepened their understanding of the class text, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, led by their English teachers Ms Georgia Hall and Ms Airlie Stewart. Mr Dean Williams, Year 6 Boys, and Ms Karen Dobbyn, Year 6 Girls, challenged both students and families during their Mathematics lessons. It was wonderful to observe our students sharing their passion and joy for their learning with their parents/guardians.
We appreciate the manner in which our families partner with Haileybury and we know these strong relationships between the students, School and home leads to greater outcomes for our young people.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held annually from 27 May to 3 June, commemorating two milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively. NRW serves as a reminder of the importance of building respectful relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme of Bridging Now to Next reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next urged us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. This theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.
Students were provided an overview of National Reconciliation Week courtesy of their Homeroom and Humanities teachers and explored this year’s theme through meaningful dialogue. They also completed an activity in which students were given a photo of a significant Australian landmark they needed to research, identifying the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this place is located as well as exploring the cultural, spiritual and/or historical significance of the place to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The week provided our students the opportunity to reflect on and learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures while encouraging positive actions that support reconciliation. It is an important and impactful week at our School and across Australia.
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
Haileybury Parents & Friends City (HPF City)
As we wrap up Semester 1, we are excited to share a few highlights and updates from HPF City.
Middle School Trivia - a great success
Thank you to everyone who joined us for another fun-filled Middle School Trivia Night. It was wonderful to see so many students and families enjoying the games and laughter together.
A huge thank you to our incredible HPF City volunteers and the Haileybury City staff for creating such a great atmosphere. Special shout-out to Ms Caroline Merrick, our Quiz Master extraordinaire, and the Haileybury City Executive team for their fantastic organisation.
We are also thrilled to announce that funds raised on the night will go towards a Gaga Pit for Middle School students — a fun new addition for recess and lunchtime play.
HPF City at the Community Liaison Meeting
Earlier in May, we (Melissa and Michelle), along with Sarah Hitt and Rita Digenakis, represented HPF City at the Community Liaison Meeting at Keysborough.
Led by Vice Principal Scott Doran and the Haileybury leadership team, the meeting brought together HPF and sports groups from all campuses to share updates and ideas. We gave a light-hearted ‘Grammy-style’ speech recapping some of HPF City’s recent wins, and we were reminded how much strength our community draws from connection, care and commitment.
Second-hand Uniform Pop-Up Shop
Come say hello and stock up on uniform pieces:
• Thursday 19 June | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Friday 20 June | 8:00 am – 9:00 am
You are welcome to drop in for a browse, a cuppa, or a chat.
Donations can be placed in the blue bins (basement or King Street) or left at City Reception with the completed form clearly attached.
Save the date - Springtime Party
Mark your calendars! The HPF City Springtime Party will be held on Friday 24 October. It is one of our biggest events of the year.
We are now accepting silent and live auction donations — all proceeds go back to support the students through resources and activities.
Watch the myHaileybury app for more details or email us at hpfcity@haileybury.com.au with any questions or contributions.
Stay safe and warm over the mid-year break. We look forward to seeing you in Term 3.
Melissa Fisher and Michelle White
Co-Presidents – HPF City
