Campus Report
As we reach the middle of Term 4 it is the perfect time to reflect on the wonderful sporting and House activities that have occurred at Haileybury Rendall School this year. Sport is incredibly popular in Darwin, despite the year-round heat and humidity, and is largely community-based rather than school-based. There simply are not enough schools of sufficient size to regularly form an inter-school competition of the likes of the APS and AGS in Melbourne.
Interestingly, Australian Rules football is played from October to March during the wet season so that cricket can be played across the very dry winter months. This is the opposite of sporting life in Melbourne, and some athletes from down south join Territory teams in their off-season to keep playing their favourite sports.
Basketball, soccer, netball, rugby, swimming, tennis, athletics and hockey are all very popular across the Top End, and the outstanding Marrara Sports Complex is the home for many of these sports. TIO stadium in Marrara is becoming quite famous for hosting Gold Coast Suns AFL Games and the Richmond versus Essendon AFLW Dreamtime match. International cricket was also recently played at that venue.
In 2025 at HRS there have been more opportunities than ever to pull on the magenta top and represent our School in basketball, winter netball and Australian Rules football. Many of our teams have reached the finals and some, like Middle School Girls football, have celebrated the ultimate success. Of course, the best part of playing sport for HRS is the opportunity to enjoy playing as part of a team with your friends while developing sportsmanship and skills at the same time.
This year our students have been involved in more sporting Gala Days across the top end than ever before. There have been almost 20 different sports available for our students across all three schools. This provides the opportunity to represent the School with pride and distinction.
House sports and competitions from Transition (Prep) right through to Year 12 have continued to grow in quantity and quality. Our Junior School students enjoy House competition every other Friday afternoon while our Secondary students regularly have the opportunity to get involved in lunchtime competitions. This year we moved Secondary House Cross Country to the East Point reserve and it was a beautiful morning to clock up some kilometres. House singing is now the favourite event for most in each part of the School.
Once again, the overall HRS House championship is very close this year and we look forward to finding out who has won the ultimate prize at the Celebration of Excellence.
Sports and House are such an important part of the fabric of our School where connection and belonging are so important to ensuring that every student matters every day.
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Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
