Senior School

Campus News

Recognising Reconciliation Week at our School

This year, our school proudly recognised Reconciliation Week through dedicated assemblies that brought students together to reflect on the importance of reconciliation in Australia.

The Years 11 and 12 assembly was a standout event, with special guest Karl Amon joining us to share his journey and insights. Our senior student leaders also hosted a thoughtful Q&A session, encouraging meaningful conversations about reconciliation and the role we all play in fostering respect and understanding within our community.

Meanwhile, Years 9 and 10 students were privileged to hear from Uncle Lionel, who delivered a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country. Uncle Lionel also shared his talent by playing the didgeridoo, offering a unique and powerful connection to Aboriginal culture and traditions.

We thank everyone who contributed to these assemblies, and we remain committed to fostering a spirit of reconciliation, learning and respect throughout our school.

Future Ready Festival 2026: inspires Senior School students

As part of National Careers week, the Careers and Pathways team presented the Future Ready Festival (FRF), hosted at the Keysborough Senior School campus.

A highlight of the festival was the Aikman Hall panel featuring distinguished experts: Associate Professors, Paul Burgess and Leah Heiss from Monash University, and Associate Professor Janine Arantes from Victoria University. Their discussion explored the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, education and design, emphasising that while AI is revolutionising industry, human skills remain irreplaceable. The engaging discussion, led by Deputy Principal Dr Stephan Muller (Education, Research & International), underscored the importance of adaptability, critical thinking and lifelong learning in an AI-driven world.

Students also participated in industry workshops led by professionals from diverse fields such as intensive care medicine, exercise physiology, climate research, architecture, consumer insights, law, digital product design and banking. Each session offered practical insights, real-world career narratives and emerging industry trends. Attendees were able to explore areas that sparked their interest and interact with presenters who generously shared their expertise and experiences.

This year, the event also featured a Careers Expo with 25 universities and other training organisations, attended by Year 9 students. Designed to support informed subject selection and post-school decision-making, the Expo offered students direct access to a diverse range of tertiary pathways. Year 9 students were able to engage in meaningful conversations with university and training providers, gain clarity on entry pathways and prerequisites, and collect up-to-date resources to support future research and planning.

The festival provided an important opportunity for students to think proactively about their future, encouraging curiosity and helping them make connections between school learning and real-world opportunities.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the presenters from OHA, Haileybury Parents, industry leaders and tertiary institutions. Their willingness to share personal journeys and professional insights enriched the experience for all.

Pre-Senior Term 2 update

As we move deeper into the term, our focus across Pre-Senior has centred on the theme of independence; supporting students as they continue developing their understanding of who they are, what they value, and the pathways they may wish to pursue in the years ahead.

Building upon the conversations begun during the Future Ready Festival, students have continued exploring possible futures through our recent Subject Expo and personalised pathway meetings. The Future Ready Festival provided students with valuable opportunities to engage with tertiary providers, TAFE, Defence Force representatives, Victoria Police and a range of post-school pathways, helping students begin imagining what life beyond Haileybury may look like for them. This was further strengthened through the Subject Expo, where students and families were able to speak directly with subject teachers and Heads of Department about subject offerings, prerequisites and pathways from Year 10 through to VCE and beyond.

In addition, every Year 9 student has had the opportunity to meet with their respective Head of Senior School to begin mapping an appropriate and personalised three-year VCE pathway, designed to maximise both student wellbeing and academic outcomes.

These experiences and conversations are an important part of helping students make informed, confident decisions about their future learning journey. At the same time, excitement is continuing to build as students prepare for their upcoming Explore and Expeditions across Victoria, Australia and around the world. These experiences are intentionally designed to challenge students, broaden their understanding of the world, and help foster a deeper sense of self, resilience and independence.

Over recent weeks, our staff have worked closely with students through both general preparation sessions and detailed itinerary-specific meetings, allowing students to connect with the staff and peers travelling alongside them, understand expectations, and thoughtfully prepare for the experiences ahead. Importantly, we know that true independence can only be developed when students feel safe, supported and well prepared, and we sincerely thank families for the partnership they continue to provide throughout this process.

Throughout Explore and Expeditions, families will continue to receive updates, blogs and photographs via Travel, and any questions regarding travel should be directed to travel@haileybury.com.au, where our team will be best placed to assist. Finally, we remind all families that Explore and Expeditions remain technology-free experiences for students, allowing them to remain fully present, engaged and immersed in these remarkable opportunities.

Outstanding achievement for Panya P in the Young Archie Competition

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Panya P (Year 9) has achieved remarkable success in the visual arts. Panya submitted a heartfelt portrait of her brother for the Haileybury Young Archie competition. In recognition of the talent and emotion captured in her work, her portrait was also submitted to the official Young Archie competition at the prestigious Art Gallery of New South Wales.

We are proud to announce that Panya’s portrait received an Honourable Mention in the national competition. This is a significant achievement, considering the high calibre of entries from across the country. This accolade highlights Panya’s artistic skills and her dedication to her craft.

Congratulations, Panya, on this outstanding recognition. Your creativity and passion are truly inspiring to our community.

Congratulations to Nevindie R: accepted as Individual Delegate to Harvard Model United Nations Conference

We are thrilled to announce that Nevindie R, a dedicated Year 9 student, has been accepted to participate as an individual delegate at the prestigious Harvard Model United Nations Conference, to be held in Sydney later this year.

This is a remarkable achievement, as the Harvard Model United Nations Conference attracts talented students from across Australia and around the world. Nevindie will have the unique opportunity to engage in diplomatic discussions, debate global issues, and develop leadership and public speaking skills alongside like-minded peers.

We are incredibly proud of Nevindie’s hard work and initiative in pursuing this opportunity, and we look forward to hearing about her experiences at the conference. Please join us in congratulating Nevindie on this outstanding accomplishment.

Term 3 commencement

Term 3 classes resume on Tuesday, 20 July.

I wish all Haileybury families a relaxing time away from the usual school routine.

Dr Nicholas Grigsby
Deputy Principal, Head of Senior Schools