Campus News
Schools are special places. Every day, our students walk into our building filled with the opportunity to learn. Learning takes shape through a rigorous curriculum, but is equally matched by learning about oneself, others and the world around them. A student learning a new language experiences a different way of thinking. A musician in an orchestra learns that their part only makes sense in relation to everyone else’s; that listening is half of playing. And a friend learns to accept and forgive, when someone makes a mistake.
It is a great privilege to begin this new chapter as the Head of Campus at Haileybury City. This is a school that exemplifies education excellence matched in equal measure by an unyielding depth of care. Neither stands without the other; excellence here is one of the clearest expressions of care. Our teachers bring this to life every day, in the way they challenge, encourage and know each student as an individual. We are dedicated to nurturing well-rounded young people; respectful, kind and engaged across academics, sport, music, the arts and beyond.
Term 3 offers plenty of opportunities to gather as a community, with the upcoming HPF Winter Warmer and our Father’s Day events offering a chance to gather and connect. I look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks.
With real gratitude, I look forward to continuing to strengthen and build upon the legacy that Caroline Merrick has so generously left for our community.
Early Learning Centre
When I grow up…
The children have been exploring different professions and thinking about what they would like to be when they grow up. Through conversations, books, dramatic play and creative experiences, they have been learning about the important roles people play in our community. This inquiry has encouraged the children to share their interests, develop their imaginations and recognise that everyone has unique strengths and talents. As they explored a variety of careers, the children also built confidence, language skills and respect for others, while beginning to understand how they can make a positive contribution to their community in the future.
Thank you to all the families who shared their professions with our children and supported their learning and development.
A magical theatre
Inspired by their growing interest in the Makers Space, the Pre-Prep children have transformed their ideas into a magical theatre. Working collaboratively, they have designed and created props, using a range of recycled and natural materials. Through this project, the children demonstrated creativity, problem solving and imaginative thinking while developing their planning, communication and teamwork skills. The theatre has become a vibrant space where stories come to life, allowing the children to express themselves through dramatic play, negotiate roles, and build confidence as performers and audience members. Their creations reflect the power of imagination, collaboration and purposeful making.
Junior School
Semester 2 Leaders Inducted
We are delighted to announce the induction of our Year 4 Leaders for Semester 2, 2026. During the recent Junior School Leaders Induction Assembly, these students articulated their well-considered aspirations and objectives for their forthcoming leadership roles. Their commitment to supporting the Semester 1 leaders throughout the earlier part of the year has been commendable, demonstrating that leadership extends beyond formal titles and thrives, even when nobody is watching. We take great pride in our captains, who exemplify our Respectful Relationship Pillars, and have commenced the term as outstanding role models for the Junior School.
- Flag Bearer – Eadie P
- Newton House Captain – Emily Y
- Main House Captain – Matilda P
- Na House Captain – Abigail Y
- Elliot House Captain – Penelope D
- Arts Captain – James D & Elliott S
- Sports Captain – James B
- Environment Captain – Luca W
- Library Captain – Clementine M
- Social Justice Captain – Isla B
Marine and wildlife exploration
Recently, our Year 2 students embarked on an exciting excursion to the Melbourne Aquarium, which provided a unique opportunity for City campus to leverage its location by journeying a short distance down King Street to explore the fascinating world of marine life. This excursion facilitated a deeper engagement with the Science and Inquiry Curriculum for Year 2, comprising guided tours and a focused session on sharks and rays. The students were simply thrilled, with the following short highlights shared:
• “My favourite part of this excursion was seeing the leopard shark because I liked the spotted pattern all over its body. It was beautiful.” – India B
• “I liked seeing the Megalodon Shark tooth. We got to touch it and pass it around.” – Daniel F.
Our experiential learning journey did not stop there, as our Year 1 City students also ventured to Gumbuya World to participate in the Wildlife Heroes program. In a setting reminiscent of a zoo, the students observed animals in their natural habitats, engaged in feeding activities, and interacted with snakes and lizards. The day concluded with an enthralling bird (swooping) show.
Hands-on experiences such as these are instrumental in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, nurturing critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills.
Upcoming Events
During Term 3, there are quite a few highly anticipated events scheduled, as detailed in the Term 3 Key Dates for Parents. We encourage all parents to also review the informational flyers available through the myHaileybury parent app for comprehensive details upon their release.
Some of the notable events include:
- Shrek the Musical Excursion
- Nude Food Day
- Book Week 2026
- Junior School Fathers and Significant Men Morning
- Wellbeing Incursion: Backflips Against Bullying
- The Junior School Disco
Stay tuned for more information about these exciting events.
Middle School
Celebrating Ten@City at the Middle School Trivia Night
Haileybury City’s Middle School came alive with excitement, laughter and friendly competition as students and their families gathered for the annual Middle School Trivia Night.
A much-anticipated highlight of the Middle School calendar, the evening once again proved to be a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with one another while celebrating Haileybury City’s 10th birthday. Teams of students and parents worked together to tackle a wide range of trivia questions, testing their knowledge across topics including Australian geography, theatre, chocolate, Olympics and Haileybury City.
The room was filled with energy from the opening question through to the final round, with tables displaying great teamwork, enthusiasm and intelligence. While there were plenty of trivia geniuses in attendance, the true success of the event was seeing students and parents collaborating, encouraging one another and enjoying quality time together.
Adding to the fun were a range of interactive challenges throughout the night, including the ever-popular Haileybury Arcade, giving everyone an opportunity to participate beyond the trivia rounds. The room was buzzing as families embraced each activity, creating lasting memories and reinforcing the strong sense of belonging and community spirit that defines the City Campus.
Events such as the Middle School Trivia Night play an important role in strengthening the partnership between home and the School. They provide valuable opportunities for families to meet, build new friendships and engage with the broader school community in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
A sincere thank you goes to the Haileybury Parents & Friends City for their support of the trivia night and it would be remiss not to mention the efforts of previous Head of Campus and MC extraordinaire, Mrs Caroline Merrick. Her vibrancy, humour and expertise ensured the evening ran seamlessly and was enjoyed by all. We also thank our staff members who supported the event and helped make the night such a success.
Exploring the world through languages and culture
Languages and Culture Week, celebrated from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June, showcased the rich diversity of our school community and provided students with opportunities to learn about different cultures, appreciate new perspectives and further understand the power of being able to speak multiple languages.
Highlights included our Languages and Culture Week assembly, visits to Chinatown, exploring artwork at the National Gallery of Victoria, croissants, the chopsticks competition, karaoke being performed in a range of languages, a French impressionist watercolour session, an encapsulating face-changing performance, Chinese shuttlecock workshops and reconnoitring the Chinese Museum.
Throughout the week, students also enjoyed sampling a variety of international flavours at the City campus canteen, with food playing an important role in bringing cultures together. We appreciate Chartwells offering this special international menu.
Thank you to our Languages staff whose cultural competence, passion and commitment created a Languages and Culture Week that encouraged curiosity and was a wonderful reflection of Haileybury City’s international outlook. By embracing different languages, traditions and perspectives, students were reminded that our differences are a source of strength and that respect, understanding and inclusion are values that unite us all.
A night to remember at the City Concert
The Haileybury City community came together for a stirring evening of music as students displayed their talents at the annual City Concert.
Held before a captivated audience of families, friends and staff, the concert illustrated the dedication, creativity and growth of our young musicians. Students from across the Middle School took to the stage with confidence, delivering performances that reflected the importance of collaboration and commitment.
The event featured a diverse program of instrumental and vocal performances, highlighting the breadth of musical opportunities available at Haileybury City. Each item demonstrated the courage and perseverance required to perform in front of a live audience. These experiences help shape well-rounded young people who are willing to embrace challenges and celebrate the achievements of others.
The concert was possible due to our outstanding Music staff, led by Mr Mike England, the Head of Co-curricular Music at the City campus. Their immense fervour and artistry inspire our students to strive for excellence while developing a lifelong appreciation of music.
Congratulations to every musician who performed. Each student contributed to an evening that celebrated musical prowess, hard work and the vibrant performing arts culture at Haileybury City. The City Concert once again demonstrated the power of music to bring people together, creating lasting memories and lauding the remarkable achievements of our students.
Catherine McNamara
Head of City
Haileybury Parents & Friends City (HPF City)
We hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing break and had the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends. It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back for another busy and exciting term.
Our Winter Warmer Party is just around the corner on 21 August and the excitement is building. We would greatly appreciate donations of products, services, or experiences to be included in our live auction. If you or your business would like to make a donation, please email us at HPFcity@haileybury.com.au. We are incredibly grateful for your support.A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported the recent Middle School Trivia Night. It was a fantastic evening and another sell-out event, bringing our school community together for a night of fun and laughter.
If Trivia Night is anything to go by, tickets for the Winter Warmer Party won’t last long. Be sure to secure yours soon so you do not miss what promises to be another wonderful evening. Parents only for this one! We look forward to seeing you there for a drink and a chat.
Michelle White & Andrea Livingston
HPF City Co-Presidents
