Skip to Main Content

Senior School - Issue 07

Campus News

Term 3

Term 3 is always a time for hard work and consolidation of pre-existing knowledge, as students move towards the completion of the curriculum in each of their subjects. The VCE trial examinations will be in Weeks 8 and 9. All School Assessed Coursework (SACs) for Units 3 and 4 studies will be completed by Week 8. This allows teachers and students to focus on revision and examination practice throughout the September break and the early weeks of Term 4.

Pre-Senior Explore and Expeditions

Haileybury’s entire Year 9 cohort will spend the final two weeks of term engaged in a range of experiential learning activities at various locations around Australia and the world more broadly. Our students from Haileybury Girls College will complete their options which have seen groups travel to places as diverse as India, Panama and New Zealand. It provides a wonderful opportunity for them to diversify their travel experiences. Year 9 Haileybury College students will be out on expeditions which involve them completing challenging hikes and sleeping out under canvas. Our students are really building their resilience under difficult circumstances.

VCE trial examinations and revision sessions

For students studying Units 3 and 4 , Haileybury will conduct a series of trial examinations from Tuesday, 8 to Friday, 12 September in Term 3. A copy of the trial examination timetable is available to students and parents via the myHaileybury app.

Families should also be aware that Haileybury academic staff will run a series of revision workshops for Units 3 and 4 studies throughout the September school holidays. While attendance at these sessions is not compulsory, families may want to take this into account when planning holidays.

Tertiary pathways information for Years 9 and 10 students

As students move into the VCE years, both students and their families often have questions about how their academic pathways at Haileybury match up against university pre-requisites in the coming years. In the past, each Year 10 student has received a copy of a VTAC Year 10 Guide to help with this planning. VTAC has now moved all information contained within this guide to their website. This website contains information about VCE subject selection, scaling of VCE study scores and a section called prerequisite and course explorer which provides information on tertiary entry requirements for students who will enter universities or other tertiary institutions. While Haileybury will continue to provide both students and parents with information about subject selection and university entrance throughout the next three years, this guide is an effective way for Years 9 and 10 families to familiarise themselves with the jargon associated with the VCE and tertiary entrance.

Year 11 Semi-Formal 

After months of planning, and mounting excitement, the Year 11 Semi-Formal was held on Thursday, 14 August. The stunning venue of Leonda by the Yarra was transformed into the perfect place for a celebration of the entire Year 11 cohort and teachers.

Memories made were marked by not only professional photos, but also a playful photo booth with seemingly endless and hilarious prop options. Students carried themselves with immense class and respect throughout the event and ensured that it was a clean and safe space for everyone. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the cohort and their dedicated teachers, whose tireless efforts in organising and chaperoning the event were key to its success.

Jemma shines at Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Wales

We are thrilled to share the outstanding achievements of Jemma, who has just returned from representing Australia at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Wales. Jemma’s dedication and hard work truly paid off, as she delivered a stellar performance on the international stage.

Throughout the competition, Jemma achieved several personal bests, showcasing her commitment to continual improvement and excellence in her sport. Her efforts not only contributed to her personal growth but also played a significant role in the team’s overall success.

Jemma’s campaign was marked by a collection of medals, both as part of the Australian team and in individual events. These impressive results are a testament to her skill, determination and team spirit. Competing against some of the best lifesavers from across the Commonwealth, Jemma demonstrated remarkable resilience and sportsmanship.

Representing Australia at this level is an incredible honour, and Jemma’s achievements have made us all extremely proud. Congratulations to Jemma on her brilliant results and for being such an inspiring ambassador for both her sport and our community.

Andi - Endeavour Scholarship recipient

In July this year, I was selected as one of 34 students from seven different countries to take part in the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship: a fully-funded cultural exchange program aimed at immersing students in American culture and opportunities to work at NASA.

The program began in the US capital of Washington D.C., where we toured iconic landmarks including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the Pentagon and (of course) the White House. Then, we flew to Huntsville, Alabama to attend Space Camp, where we lived, trained and learnt like astronauts through a combination of theoretical lectures on flight physics and space law combined with hands-on training with flight simulators and zero gravity experiences.

I was lucky to shake hands with Charlie Duke, the youngest man to walk on the moon, who educated our group on the aerospace industry. What struck me was the sheer variety of participating cultures who all had a deep appreciation for STEM and space. Finally, we travelled to Nashville, Tennessee where we toured the city’s famous nightlife; the US is a big country, and each city we travelled to was never the same, but what they all had in common was an undercurrent of ambition and liberty. Ultimately, being awarded the Endeavour Scholarship deepened my appreciation for American exceptionalism and confirmed my goals of studying law in NYC

Impressive achievement at the Victorian Junior Chess Championship


We are delighted to share the outstanding achievement of Ryley , who recently participated in the Victorian Junior Chess Championship, organised by Chess Victoria. This prestigious event was held from 17 to 20 July at Bacchus Marsh Grammar in Aintree, Victoria.

Ryley competed in the highly competitive under 18 years category and secured an impressive third place. His dedication to the game and strong performance against some of the best young chess players in the state is truly commendable.

Congratulations to Ryley on this fantastic result. His success is a testament to his hard work and passion for chess, and we look forward to seeing even more great achievements in the future.


Dr Nicholas Grigsby
Deputy Principal, Head of Senior Schools