This year Haileybury celebrates 130 years of quality education, brilliant teaching and a spirit of entrepreneurship.
For the past two years, one of the most enjoyable and interesting activities for me has been as one of the judges listening to the final pitches of Year 8 students in the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course.
The quality of the ideas and presentations from Haileybury’s budding entrepreneurs across all campuses has been exceptional and I look forward to seeing this year’s pitches. This program, and the ideas it sparks, builds on a wonderful 130-year history of entrepreneurship that is part of the Haileybury DNA.
When Charles Rendall founded Haileybury at the Coffee Palace in New Street, Brighton in 1892 he did it very much as an entrepreneur—with his own money, energy and drive and without the backing of any major institutions. The fact that this kept the School going through the economic depression of the 1890s and through ten years of the Federation drought was a testament to his great skills.
Similarly, the relocation from New Street to South Road in Brighton in the 1930s was another strong move for a growing school.
The wonderful Headmaster, Sholto Black was an intelligent and generous man of Maori heritage. He revitalised the School after World War 2 and left it in good shape for the adventurous addition of the Keysborough campus in the 1960s under David Bradshaw. In 1989, Michael Aikman oversaw the development of the Berwick campus. Dr Robert Pargetter introduced what was the unique model of parallel education at the turn of the century and since then we have opened the wonderful City campus, as well as schools in Darwin and China.
All of these enterprising moves over more than a century see Haileybury in great shape to deliver exceptional education for students today and to evolve to meet the needs of students into the future.
Such a strong spirit of entrepreneurship in the history and DNA of a school is rare—it is something we want Haileybury students to embrace and take with them into their post school future.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
Over the past four weeks our students and staff have been enjoying the winter holidays with their families. International staff have not been able to travel back to their home countries, however, we provided regular opportunities to go to Tianjin and Wuqing. For our Chinese staff, this was an opportunity to travel to their hometown provinces to celebrate Chinese New Year.
More than 200 of our Primary and Middle School students took part in our online Junior School English activities program. Our international English staff ran fun and interactive online activities for students at various levels. They enjoyed Show and Tell, singing, story book reading, drama performances and journal writing.
With the winter Olympics in Beijing, there were also plenty of opportunities for students to work on presentations about the history of the Olympic Games and they also made snowboards and produced short videos on the Chinese athletes.
With the current pandemic situation, students started online learning for the first week. Staff returned a few days earlier and participated in professional learning to prepare them for Semester 2.
I had the opportunity to speak with the key leaders across the school involved in our international program and we talked about the key tasks in Semester 2 and how collaboration will play an important part in achieving these. We discussed the importance of ensuring that every decision we make is in the best interests of Haileybury Tianjin, to always do our best and to share trust between school leaders.
I also spoke with the Junior School English staff and all Senior School staff over the two Start Up days and we talked about the need to maintain effective learning for all students.
We also discussed our key planks: academic excellence, student welfare, professional learning and development and an international outlook. I then highlighted the key priorities set out at the start of the academic year and shared what we have achieved and what we need to do to keep moving forward.
Yanni Galanis
International Principal, Haileybury International School, Tianjin
Last year, to signal life returning to campus, our students sang Here comes the Sun and the sun certainly shone brightly for our first HPF City event for 2022. Parents and friends gathered on our glorious Inside Out Court and we enjoyed morning tea together. Everyone commented on the warm welcome back to campus and the great City community.
Coming together for these events reminds us of what we have missed and we are so glad to pick up exactly where we left off—with smiles, laughter and connection. We also passed on the thanks of the parent community to staff for the wonderful start to the year.
We were enormously proud of the excited campers who headed off for the first camp of 2022. Our Year 5 girls, along with Mrs Christine Stephenson and Ms Sonia Habib, were focused on the experience and learning that awaited at Phillip Island and, once again, we enjoyed glorious sunshine.
As students embrace these new experiences, it is wonderful to witness them learn that they are capable and independent. Supported by their peers, teachers and families, they learn to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the challenges of our wonderful outdoor education program.
In the ELC, our curriculum responds to the needs and interests of children and our observations and conversations with children inform our planning of the curriculum. Our specialist classes are purposefully linked to extend and enhance each child’s learning through play-based learning and explicit teaching opportunities.
Reception children’s passion for dinosaurs has driven our Creative Arts program. Children were encouraged to identify shapes within the bodies of their favourite dinosaurs, also incorporating mathematical concepts into their learning.
Features of dinosaurs were discussed and questions were asked like ‘Why does the brachiosaurus have a long neck?’ and ‘Why does a stegosaurus have triangle-shaped plates on its back?’ Recycled materials have been used as children practice fine motor skills to cut, paste and paint their very own dinosaur.
Pre-Prep children have been reading texts related to feelings. Children were given opportunities to draw pictorial or written representations of their feelings in different situations. One child shared how they felt ‘angry’ when they got a splinter, while another described feeling ‘happy’ when the sun shone at the weekend. This encouraged children to identify and describe feelings to their peers and Educators and to categorise these into the different Zones of Regulation.
These are examples of an emergent curriculum that supports rich opportunities for each child’s learning and development. Curriculum Contexts are published and available to families in the ELC and via our ELC app every four weeks or so.
We welcome the input of all families into the Curriculum Context. If you would like to contribute any thoughts or ideas, please contact Ms Wilma Cheng or Ms Gigi Chau to discuss.
Our Year 3 students immersed themselves in our Lights, Camera, Action perspective during a recent Inquiry session. Beginning with a provocation image, the students completed a See, Think, Wonder thinking routine which allowed them to pose lots of questions.
Their observations and questions triggered a robust discussion about refugees and students were able to open their lens to others and show empathy—one of our Respectful Relationships pillars.
Lastly, students suggested solutions-focused and impactful actions that they could take. The thinking and discussion during this lesson was a superb example of how our students are working towards our 2022 goal of being Outward Looking and Future Focused.
In Week 3, Prep parents attended a Literacy session to explore how they can support their child’s reading at home. After the presentation, our enthusiastic Prep students joined their parents for some fun reading games. Stepping stones, fishing and flash cards proved to be a fantastic way for Prep students to build their reading skills while having fun with their parents.
Mr Tim Naughton and Ms Tracey Cronin were so proud of the growth in our Prep students after just one week of school and our Prep parents were simply amazed! We look forward to our Numeracy Session for Prep Parents on Tuesday, 8 March.
There has been a real buzz around City campus in our first few weeks! It has been wonderful to have our music ensembles up and running, along with our after-school clubs.
The first Camp of the year departed and our Year 5 Girls had a fabulous time! The weather put on a show, allowing all students to relish the opportunity to enjoy surfing, bike riding and other outdoor activities. It was a wonderful time of friendship, adventures and learning a variety of different outdoor skills. Students also enjoyed their visit to Queen Victoria Market and are already looking forward to their next school camp experience!
It was wonderful to meet so many of our Middle School families at Inside Out for our Meet and Greet morning. Having not had the opportunity to be together in such a long time, it was a welcome opportunity to get to know our new families and to reconnect with those who are familiar to Haileybury.
At this stage, the Year 7 and Year 8 camps are due to go ahead as planned.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional”John C. Maxwell
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
We hope everyone has had a good start to the year as our children and young people embrace the return of face-to-face learning.
During our recent HPFC Social Rep meeting we spoke about the resilience our students have learned over the past two years. An example of this is their acceptance of the twice weekly rapid antigen tests. We have a wonderful video to share with you to help your children manage this confidently.
We were thrilled to meet so many new families from ELC to Year 12 on the Inside Out Courts on Tuesday, 8 February. Thank you to our Social Reps who managed the tables and welcomed year group families. It was fantastic to share a cuppa and some delicious scones with parents—some of whom we had only met through WhatsApp, Zoom or not at all!
This event was a reminder of the importance of our community and the connections we make through our School. Thank you to the Haileybury City Executive team and staff for making the event possible.
We look forward to our next event which is the Haileybury Rooftop Party on Friday, 4 March, at 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm. It will be held atop our beautiful campus with Flagstaff Gardens providing a magnificent backdrop at sunset. Bring your appetites as the summer BBQ fare and drinks will not disappoint! Booking will be through the TryBooking link, which will be forwarded to you via the myHaileybury App in the next week.
It was also wonderful to see life returning to campus as we met our littlest Junior School Haileyburians while they engaged with their parents in a literacy session. Again, this further confirmed the importance of our links between school and home.
Good luck to our Saturday Sport participants this week. Hopefully, we can continue our good fortunes in a number of disciplines and increase family connections as our students perform to their best.
Have a wonderful fortnight!
Nina Brooks & Nadine Bissland
Co-Presidents, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
The induction of student leaders at Newlands is a celebration of the importance of good role models in influencing School culture and upholding traditions. Respect, empathy, kindness, honesty and trust are emphasised in the Junior and Middle Schools and we look forward to a year of successful leadership from our students.
Newlands School Captains, Raena Umezu (Year 8) and Brody Lamb (Year 8), have set the tone to optimise every opportunity in 2022. The Newlands Middle School leaders for 2022 can be accessed here.
Water Resource Engineer and Old Haileyburian, Katherine Szabo, came to talk to our Year 7C girls about being a woman in science as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She discussed the breadth of her work from managing international hydropower plants in the Philippines to supporting the cultural water practices of Indigenous Australians.
This was particularly inspiring for our girls and me as both Katherine and science teacher and pharmacist, Ms Jenna Huskic, attended Haileybury Berwick when I was Head of Girls Middle School. It was a wonderful opportunity to remind the girls that these ladies once sat in a science laboratory just like theirs. It was a proud moment for Haileybury and for me!
Haileybury ELC educators continuously expand their knowledge and skills to put in place the best educational practice. As part of this, Ms Isabelle Nash and Mr Sakan Pyseth are attending the inaugural Bundjil’s Nest Project Conference in Balnarring. The conference focus is on ‘Embedding First People Perspective in Education Settings’.
A number of renowned speakers will share their culture, knowledge, stories and experiences with the delegates. We look forward to them sharing their knowledge with ELC educators, families and children on their return.
The ELC children in Reception N and the children in Pre-Prep T and Pre-Prep P are looking forward to welcoming their grandparents and special visitors to an afternoon of activities, stories and songs in their classroom and playground on Tuesday, 8 March, from 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm. Reception S, Reception W and Pre-Prep K classes will welcome their visitors on Thursday, 10 March, from 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm.
The ELC children are exploring the movement of water through a new Water Wall garden. The children have been experimenting with water movement and the effects of gravity as they use different funnel, tubing and jug configurations to modify the flow of water. During their exploration the children are developing their engineering, mathematics and science skills and are using vocabulary such as drip, pour and flood.
We are grateful to Mr Glenn Williams, Newlands Building and Grounds Supervisor, for his ingenuity in erecting the Water Wall.
Respectful Relationships and Consent were introduced to Junior School classrooms during the first two weeks of term. Students from Prep–Year 4 learned about Haileybury’s Respectful Relationships Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, Trust, Respect and Empathy.
This was followed by a year level focus study and finished with a lesson on consent.
At the end of Week 2, the Junior School held a Wellbeing Assembly where Mrs Diane Furusho, Deputy Principal (Student Wellbeing, Respectful Relationships and Consent) gave a short presentation and saw the wonderful work students across the Junior School had completed during their Wellbeing lessons.
Our Year 4 Semester One Leaders were inducted to their leadership roles at our recent Junior School Leadership Assembly. I congratulate them all on their appointments and wish them well with their leadership of our Junior School throughout the semester.
Junior School teachers enjoyed meeting parents at our ‘getting to know you’ Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday, 9 February, and Monday, 14 February. These interviews are an excellent opportunity for teachers and parents to share important information about each child early in the school year.
The Junior School students are excitedly looking forward to their first House events of the year. Years 3 and 4 will play T-ball on Friday, 25 February, and Preps and Years 1 and 2 will play kickball on Friday, 4 March.
Students will come together in their Houses to enjoy some friendly competition on Newlands Field. We wonder who will be the victors on the day …
Year 8 students were privileged to have best-selling author, Ms Heather Morris, speak to them about her novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The novel is studied across all Middle School English classes and is the story of one man’s survival in Auschwitz-Birkenau during WWII.
Ms Morris was generous with her time, providing insights into the writing process and into her relationship with the novel’s protagonist, Lale Solokov. Students, who read the novel over the holidays, were full of questions and enjoyed hearing about the author’s experiences. Many thanks to Ms Mary Johnson, Head of Library Services at Newlands, for organising the visit.
During Week 2, students in Years 7 and 8 were invited to audition for the Newlands Play, James and the Giant Peach. In Week 4, the successful cast will present a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s whimsical, insectile, fruity adventure.
It has been more than a decade since Newlands has produced a play and we were overwhelmed with the interest shown by students, so casting the 16 roles was difficult. We congratulate all students on their participation because choosing to be part of any production is a big commitment and James and the Giant Peach is no exception. In addition to their academic studies, the cast have committed to two after-school rehearsals each week.
Towards the end of Term 1, more auditions will be held for the Newlands Musical which will be held in Term 3. More information will come in the following weeks.
As part of the Haileybury Thrive program, Year 6 girls enjoyed making friendship bracelets to represent the importance of relationships. The Girls Middle School outdoor area provided a perfect sun-drenched setting for conversations and friendly chats.
We were delighted that our Year 5 girls could attend camp this year. They had a fantastic three days at Phillip Island and enjoyed surfing, zip lines, a night-time walk to spot koalas and much more. Thank you to the staff who looked after them so well. It is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to get to know each other as they begin their Middle School journey and we will provide two extra days of fun activities throughout the year to compensate for the slightly shorter camp.
Haileybury is committed to nurturing students so they can build healthy relationships, reach their full potential and contribute to their community. The recent Man Cave sessions aim to assist our young men to explore their personal identity and unique strengths. From this, we see them leading in the community, challenging gender stereotypes and feeling safe to express their feelings more often.
Congratulations to students who competed in the Little Athletics State Combined Events Championships.
Matty Milias (Year 7) and Suvan Sujeendran (Year 7) competed in the Boys U13 Combined Five Event Competition. Matty had a tremendous competition and won the State title from five events: 100m, Discus, Long Jump, 80m Hurdles and 800m. He won by more than 200 points with a score of 1,765 and achieved PBs in the Long Jump, 80m Hurdles and 800m events.
Suvan came a solid 19th out of 49 competitors and performed consistently in all events.
Jazmin Firth (Year 8) competed in the Girls U14 Combined Five Event Competition and won silver with PBs in the 200m, Long Jump and 800m.
We wish Matty, Suvan and Jazmin all the best in their upcoming Regional and State Championships.
Jane Gibbs
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
The Year level Coffee Mornings have been a huge success with our parents from ELC to Year 5. It is wonderful to see parents connecting with each other and their community at the lovely cafe Match & Co.
There are five more Coffee Mornings:
Year 6: Monday, 28 February
Year 7: Tuesday, 22 February
Year 8: Wednesday, 23 February
Pre-Senior: Tuesday, 1 March
Senior School: Wednesday, 2 March
Year Level Coffee Mornings are from 9.00 am – 10.30 am at Match & Co, 109/79 Centre Dandenong Road, Dingley Village.
The ELC Family Dinner is on Friday, 25 February, at the Waltzing Matilda Hotel, 856 Heatherton Road, Springvale, 3171. The reservation is from 6.30 pm onwards. Please order and pay for your meals at the counter.
This is a great opportunity for families to meet as you and your children continue your journey at Haileybury Newlands.
Would you please RSVP to Katrina on 0430 109 093 by Wednesday, 23 February, at 12.00 noon with the number of attendees so we can ensure the correct number of seats are reserved.
The Year 5 Bowling Night is the place for students and families to reconnect and for new students and families to meet with this lovely year level.
The event is on Friday, 4 March, from 6.30 pm with bowling starting around 7 pm. Tickets cost $36 per child, which includes one game of bowling, 30 minutes of arcade games, 100 arcade tickets, pizza, soft drink and cordial.
Please only book for your Year 5 child as numbers are limited. Adults and siblings can attend free of charge and purchase food and beverages from the venue. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Our Uniform Shop is open every Friday during term from 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. Our next Saturday opening is on Saturday, 5 March, from 9 am – 12.00 noon.
The Haileybury HPFK Facebook page is our primary communication channel—it is a must for all parents. We publish all events, reminders and HPFK Uniform Shop openings there first. If you would like to connect with our Facebook community, please join our Facebook page by clicking on this link.
If you have any queries, or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
City Play, The Book of Everything, started rehearsals with Director, Ms Jane Marshall, and the cast diving in with gusto. This wondrously imaginative play mixes aspects of surreal and real-life drama to weave a tale of self-acceptance.
In 2021, our VCE Dance cohort all achieved perfect scores for their performance examinations, which constitutes 50 per cent of the final study score. As part of these examinations, students must present two solo pieces—one being a skills-based solo and the other a composition solo which explores a narrative or theme.
We are so proud of our students as they were all invited to audition both of their solo pieces for the 2022 Top Class Dance Concert. This reflects their hard work, excellent dance ability and outstanding choreographic skills.
Congratulations to Freya Stills-Blott (Year 12) who had both solos accepted—an exceptional achievement. Freya’s hip hop solos will be featured in Concert 1 of Top Class Dance on Wednesday, 16 March. Well done, Freya.
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
The Music Department is very proud to announce that Harry Marshall (Year 12) Music Performance: Group and Olivia Van Der Heyden (OH 21) Music Investigation: Group will perform on Tuesday, 22 March, as part of the VCAA 2022 Top Class Music concert series. The event will be held in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre.
In 2021, the focus of Olivia’s performance research within Music Investigation was the style of legendary jazz saxophonist, David Sandborn. Olivia spent more than 12 months focusing on the jazz language of Sanborn and her mastery of his phrasing, tone and stylistic drive was nothing short of outstanding.
The VCAA recognised Olivia as one of the most elite musicians enrolled in the study. She achieved the maximum score of 220 for the performance examination and the maximum score of 50 for the overall study.
Unlike Music Investigation, which sees students focus on a particular aspect of performance, Harry had to present a broad range of styles and performance techniques within his recital program. He performed styles ranging through swing, modern jazz or be-bop, rock, R & B and funk. Harry also achieved the maximum score for his external performance assessment.
For Top Class, Olivia and Harry will join forces to perform Run For Cover. They will be accompanied by Marcus Beyer (Year 11) and Mr Sean McLeod who is Drum Tutor and Coordinator of Jazz and Contemporary Music.
The journey to Top Class contention is a very long one and students typically practice and rehearse for hours every day of the year, no matter what constraints life and schedules bring. These students are hungry for improvement and excellence and there is no doubt in my mind that this dedication develops character and maturity.
Being selected for Top Class places students within the top 0.5 per cent of the state.
While tickets for the concert series typically sell-out within days, hopefully the event will be live-streamed for a wider audience.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Haileybury Senior School’s recently acquired laser machine has inspired our Design and Technology students to explore this amazingly accurate technology and produce a range of innovative and creative products. Students have already made intricate joinery for furniture, personalised key tags, marquetry inlay and engraved decorative box lids.
Unit 1 Visual Communication Design students have worked through the design process to create a personalised name tag for a keyring. After researching and refining a design in their folios, they produced a digital version in Adobe Illustrator, which was then sent to the laser cutter. The designs were precisely pierced, etched and cut out of wood by the computer-controlled machine’s thin, focused laser beam.
In Units 1 to 4, students will work on projects that could be created using the laser cutter. In VCD and Environmental Design, for example, students can print parts of a building to create a 3D mock-up of their structure. They could also produce signage for communication design.
The laser is capable of photographic detail engraving and cutting timber up to 20mm thick and 1.5mm thick steel. We look forward to seeing students use the laser to develop their design and production skills.
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Do you want to hear some wonderful music and see the Haileybury Pipes & Drums in action? Come along and drum up some support for our amazing pipers and drummers at Haileybury’s very own Highland Gathering on Sunday, 6 March. The contest will be held at Haileybury Keysborough on Rendall Oval from 9 am – 5 pm.
Our glorious Pipes & Drums will also put their hard work to the test at the upcoming state competitions. This is in preparation for the Australian Championships in Sydney where student and adult bands nationwide pipe and drum for the top prize.
Haileybury Pipes & Drums has been a traditional and integral part of school life since the band’s formation in 1957. The highly successful, award-winning pipe band not only competes at Highland Gatherings in Victoria but also interstate and internationally.
This year, we are expanding our program to offer students from Years 4 and up the chance to sign up with the first term’s tuition free of charge. For more information, visit the Pipes & Drums page on the myHaileybury app—go to Performing Arts - Pipes & Drums, or email lincoln.hilton@haileybury.vic.edu.au.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
The Old Haileyburians’ Association was saddened to learn of the passing of Rev Graeme Kerr on Wednesday, 9 February. As Haileybury’s Senior Chaplain, Graeme played a central role in the spiritual and ceremonial life of the School.
His leadership at Assemblies, Chapel Services and in the teaching of Religious Studies from 1976 to 2000 was outstanding and emphasised his dedication and long-term commitment to Haileybury. He presided over many weddings of former students in the Bradshaw Chapel.
Graeme was devoted to caring for the individual needs of students and staff. Known affectionately to all as ‘the Vicar’, he provided an empathetic ear and a guiding hand to those who needed comfort and support in difficult times and he shared their joy in times of celebration.
His pastoral care extended to life outside the classroom, and he was an enthusiastic and accomplished coach—especially in football and athletics. His support for the School Drama and Music programs and the OHA were further examples of his dedication to the Haileybury community. Graeme’s involvement in the Chalkdusters singers was always regarded as one of the highlights of the biannual Tattoos.
Graeme is survived by his wife, June, his daughter, Kymberley, and sons Marcus (OH 90) and Nicolas (OH 95) and their families.
Hayley Denny
Development & Alumni Manager
Olamide Araba (Year 11) competed at the Victorian Relay Championships. Her team finished third in the 4x100m and clinched the Women’s U18 Bronze Medal—a wonderful result for Ola and her team.
Amy Bunnage (OHA 21) won her first professional athletic event recently. She impressively won the Dancing with The Black Dog Beachside Gift Women’s 2 Mile Championship. Amy took home the winner’s cheque and signed some caps to keep her fans happy. She launches her State and National campaign soon as she looks towards a World Junior Championship spot.
Congratulations to our Haileybury sporting community for its commitment. In these uncertain times, Haileybury is still recording well over 90 per cent participation in our sports and activities. Well done!
Sean Allcock
Director of Haileybury Sport
For the past two years, one of the most enjoyable and interesting activities for me has been as one of the judges listening to the final pitches of Year 8 students in the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course.
The quality of the ideas and presentations from Haileybury’s budding entrepreneurs across all campuses has been exceptional and I look forward to seeing this year’s pitches. This program, and the ideas it sparks, builds on a wonderful 130-year history of entrepreneurship that is part of the Haileybury DNA.
When Charles Rendall founded Haileybury at the Coffee Palace in New Street, Brighton in 1892 he did it very much as an entrepreneur—with his own money, energy and drive and without the backing of any major institutions. The fact that this kept the School going through the economic depression of the 1890s and through ten years of the Federation drought was a testament to his great skills.
Similarly, the relocation from New Street to South Road in Brighton in the 1930s was another strong move for a growing school.
The wonderful Headmaster, Sholto Black was an intelligent and generous man of Maori heritage. He revitalised the School after World War 2 and left it in good shape for the adventurous addition of the Keysborough campus in the 1960s under David Bradshaw. In 1989, Michael Aikman oversaw the development of the Berwick campus. Dr Robert Pargetter introduced what was the unique model of parallel education at the turn of the century and since then we have opened the wonderful City campus, as well as schools in Darwin and China.
All of these enterprising moves over more than a century see Haileybury in great shape to deliver exceptional education for students today and to evolve to meet the needs of students into the future.
Such a strong spirit of entrepreneurship in the history and DNA of a school is rare—it is something we want Haileybury students to embrace and take with them into their post school future.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
Over the past four weeks our students and staff have been enjoying the winter holidays with their families. International staff have not been able to travel back to their home countries, however, we provided regular opportunities to go to Tianjin and Wuqing. For our Chinese staff, this was an opportunity to travel to their hometown provinces to celebrate Chinese New Year.
More than 200 of our Primary and Middle School students took part in our online Junior School English activities program. Our international English staff ran fun and interactive online activities for students at various levels. They enjoyed Show and Tell, singing, story book reading, drama performances and journal writing.
With the winter Olympics in Beijing, there were also plenty of opportunities for students to work on presentations about the history of the Olympic Games and they also made snowboards and produced short videos on the Chinese athletes.
With the current pandemic situation, students started online learning for the first week. Staff returned a few days earlier and participated in professional learning to prepare them for Semester 2.
I had the opportunity to speak with the key leaders across the school involved in our international program and we talked about the key tasks in Semester 2 and how collaboration will play an important part in achieving these. We discussed the importance of ensuring that every decision we make is in the best interests of Haileybury Tianjin, to always do our best and to share trust between school leaders.
I also spoke with the Junior School English staff and all Senior School staff over the two Start Up days and we talked about the need to maintain effective learning for all students.
We also discussed our key planks: academic excellence, student welfare, professional learning and development and an international outlook. I then highlighted the key priorities set out at the start of the academic year and shared what we have achieved and what we need to do to keep moving forward.
Yanni Galanis
International Principal, Haileybury International School, Tianjin
Last year, to signal life returning to campus, our students sang Here comes the Sun and the sun certainly shone brightly for our first HPF City event for 2022. Parents and friends gathered on our glorious Inside Out Court and we enjoyed morning tea together. Everyone commented on the warm welcome back to campus and the great City community.
Coming together for these events reminds us of what we have missed and we are so glad to pick up exactly where we left off—with smiles, laughter and connection. We also passed on the thanks of the parent community to staff for the wonderful start to the year.
We were enormously proud of the excited campers who headed off for the first camp of 2022. Our Year 5 girls, along with Mrs Christine Stephenson and Ms Sonia Habib, were focused on the experience and learning that awaited at Phillip Island and, once again, we enjoyed glorious sunshine.
As students embrace these new experiences, it is wonderful to witness them learn that they are capable and independent. Supported by their peers, teachers and families, they learn to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the challenges of our wonderful outdoor education program.
In the ELC, our curriculum responds to the needs and interests of children and our observations and conversations with children inform our planning of the curriculum. Our specialist classes are purposefully linked to extend and enhance each child’s learning through play-based learning and explicit teaching opportunities.
Reception children’s passion for dinosaurs has driven our Creative Arts program. Children were encouraged to identify shapes within the bodies of their favourite dinosaurs, also incorporating mathematical concepts into their learning.
Features of dinosaurs were discussed and questions were asked like ‘Why does the brachiosaurus have a long neck?’ and ‘Why does a stegosaurus have triangle-shaped plates on its back?’ Recycled materials have been used as children practice fine motor skills to cut, paste and paint their very own dinosaur.
Pre-Prep children have been reading texts related to feelings. Children were given opportunities to draw pictorial or written representations of their feelings in different situations. One child shared how they felt ‘angry’ when they got a splinter, while another described feeling ‘happy’ when the sun shone at the weekend. This encouraged children to identify and describe feelings to their peers and Educators and to categorise these into the different Zones of Regulation.
These are examples of an emergent curriculum that supports rich opportunities for each child’s learning and development. Curriculum Contexts are published and available to families in the ELC and via our ELC app every four weeks or so.
We welcome the input of all families into the Curriculum Context. If you would like to contribute any thoughts or ideas, please contact Ms Wilma Cheng or Ms Gigi Chau to discuss.
Our Year 3 students immersed themselves in our Lights, Camera, Action perspective during a recent Inquiry session. Beginning with a provocation image, the students completed a See, Think, Wonder thinking routine which allowed them to pose lots of questions.
Their observations and questions triggered a robust discussion about refugees and students were able to open their lens to others and show empathy—one of our Respectful Relationships pillars.
Lastly, students suggested solutions-focused and impactful actions that they could take. The thinking and discussion during this lesson was a superb example of how our students are working towards our 2022 goal of being Outward Looking and Future Focused.
In Week 3, Prep parents attended a Literacy session to explore how they can support their child’s reading at home. After the presentation, our enthusiastic Prep students joined their parents for some fun reading games. Stepping stones, fishing and flash cards proved to be a fantastic way for Prep students to build their reading skills while having fun with their parents.
Mr Tim Naughton and Ms Tracey Cronin were so proud of the growth in our Prep students after just one week of school and our Prep parents were simply amazed! We look forward to our Numeracy Session for Prep Parents on Tuesday, 8 March.
There has been a real buzz around City campus in our first few weeks! It has been wonderful to have our music ensembles up and running, along with our after-school clubs.
The first Camp of the year departed and our Year 5 Girls had a fabulous time! The weather put on a show, allowing all students to relish the opportunity to enjoy surfing, bike riding and other outdoor activities. It was a wonderful time of friendship, adventures and learning a variety of different outdoor skills. Students also enjoyed their visit to Queen Victoria Market and are already looking forward to their next school camp experience!
It was wonderful to meet so many of our Middle School families at Inside Out for our Meet and Greet morning. Having not had the opportunity to be together in such a long time, it was a welcome opportunity to get to know our new families and to reconnect with those who are familiar to Haileybury.
At this stage, the Year 7 and Year 8 camps are due to go ahead as planned.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional”John C. Maxwell
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
We hope everyone has had a good start to the year as our children and young people embrace the return of face-to-face learning.
During our recent HPFC Social Rep meeting we spoke about the resilience our students have learned over the past two years. An example of this is their acceptance of the twice weekly rapid antigen tests. We have a wonderful video to share with you to help your children manage this confidently.
We were thrilled to meet so many new families from ELC to Year 12 on the Inside Out Courts on Tuesday, 8 February. Thank you to our Social Reps who managed the tables and welcomed year group families. It was fantastic to share a cuppa and some delicious scones with parents—some of whom we had only met through WhatsApp, Zoom or not at all!
This event was a reminder of the importance of our community and the connections we make through our School. Thank you to the Haileybury City Executive team and staff for making the event possible.
We look forward to our next event which is the Haileybury Rooftop Party on Friday, 4 March, at 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm. It will be held atop our beautiful campus with Flagstaff Gardens providing a magnificent backdrop at sunset. Bring your appetites as the summer BBQ fare and drinks will not disappoint! Booking will be through the TryBooking link, which will be forwarded to you via the myHaileybury App in the next week.
It was also wonderful to see life returning to campus as we met our littlest Junior School Haileyburians while they engaged with their parents in a literacy session. Again, this further confirmed the importance of our links between school and home.
Good luck to our Saturday Sport participants this week. Hopefully, we can continue our good fortunes in a number of disciplines and increase family connections as our students perform to their best.
Have a wonderful fortnight!
Nina Brooks & Nadine Bissland
Co-Presidents, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
The induction of student leaders at Newlands is a celebration of the importance of good role models in influencing School culture and upholding traditions. Respect, empathy, kindness, honesty and trust are emphasised in the Junior and Middle Schools and we look forward to a year of successful leadership from our students.
Newlands School Captains, Raena Umezu (Year 8) and Brody Lamb (Year 8), have set the tone to optimise every opportunity in 2022. The Newlands Middle School leaders for 2022 can be accessed here.
Water Resource Engineer and Old Haileyburian, Katherine Szabo, came to talk to our Year 7C girls about being a woman in science as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She discussed the breadth of her work from managing international hydropower plants in the Philippines to supporting the cultural water practices of Indigenous Australians.
This was particularly inspiring for our girls and me as both Katherine and science teacher and pharmacist, Ms Jenna Huskic, attended Haileybury Berwick when I was Head of Girls Middle School. It was a wonderful opportunity to remind the girls that these ladies once sat in a science laboratory just like theirs. It was a proud moment for Haileybury and for me!
Haileybury ELC educators continuously expand their knowledge and skills to put in place the best educational practice. As part of this, Ms Isabelle Nash and Mr Sakan Pyseth are attending the inaugural Bundjil’s Nest Project Conference in Balnarring. The conference focus is on ‘Embedding First People Perspective in Education Settings’.
A number of renowned speakers will share their culture, knowledge, stories and experiences with the delegates. We look forward to them sharing their knowledge with ELC educators, families and children on their return.
The ELC children in Reception N and the children in Pre-Prep T and Pre-Prep P are looking forward to welcoming their grandparents and special visitors to an afternoon of activities, stories and songs in their classroom and playground on Tuesday, 8 March, from 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm. Reception S, Reception W and Pre-Prep K classes will welcome their visitors on Thursday, 10 March, from 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm.
The ELC children are exploring the movement of water through a new Water Wall garden. The children have been experimenting with water movement and the effects of gravity as they use different funnel, tubing and jug configurations to modify the flow of water. During their exploration the children are developing their engineering, mathematics and science skills and are using vocabulary such as drip, pour and flood.
We are grateful to Mr Glenn Williams, Newlands Building and Grounds Supervisor, for his ingenuity in erecting the Water Wall.
Respectful Relationships and Consent were introduced to Junior School classrooms during the first two weeks of term. Students from Prep–Year 4 learned about Haileybury’s Respectful Relationships Pillars of Kindness, Honesty, Trust, Respect and Empathy.
This was followed by a year level focus study and finished with a lesson on consent.
At the end of Week 2, the Junior School held a Wellbeing Assembly where Mrs Diane Furusho, Deputy Principal (Student Wellbeing, Respectful Relationships and Consent) gave a short presentation and saw the wonderful work students across the Junior School had completed during their Wellbeing lessons.
Our Year 4 Semester One Leaders were inducted to their leadership roles at our recent Junior School Leadership Assembly. I congratulate them all on their appointments and wish them well with their leadership of our Junior School throughout the semester.
Junior School teachers enjoyed meeting parents at our ‘getting to know you’ Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday, 9 February, and Monday, 14 February. These interviews are an excellent opportunity for teachers and parents to share important information about each child early in the school year.
The Junior School students are excitedly looking forward to their first House events of the year. Years 3 and 4 will play T-ball on Friday, 25 February, and Preps and Years 1 and 2 will play kickball on Friday, 4 March.
Students will come together in their Houses to enjoy some friendly competition on Newlands Field. We wonder who will be the victors on the day …
Year 8 students were privileged to have best-selling author, Ms Heather Morris, speak to them about her novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The novel is studied across all Middle School English classes and is the story of one man’s survival in Auschwitz-Birkenau during WWII.
Ms Morris was generous with her time, providing insights into the writing process and into her relationship with the novel’s protagonist, Lale Solokov. Students, who read the novel over the holidays, were full of questions and enjoyed hearing about the author’s experiences. Many thanks to Ms Mary Johnson, Head of Library Services at Newlands, for organising the visit.
During Week 2, students in Years 7 and 8 were invited to audition for the Newlands Play, James and the Giant Peach. In Week 4, the successful cast will present a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s whimsical, insectile, fruity adventure.
It has been more than a decade since Newlands has produced a play and we were overwhelmed with the interest shown by students, so casting the 16 roles was difficult. We congratulate all students on their participation because choosing to be part of any production is a big commitment and James and the Giant Peach is no exception. In addition to their academic studies, the cast have committed to two after-school rehearsals each week.
Towards the end of Term 1, more auditions will be held for the Newlands Musical which will be held in Term 3. More information will come in the following weeks.
As part of the Haileybury Thrive program, Year 6 girls enjoyed making friendship bracelets to represent the importance of relationships. The Girls Middle School outdoor area provided a perfect sun-drenched setting for conversations and friendly chats.
We were delighted that our Year 5 girls could attend camp this year. They had a fantastic three days at Phillip Island and enjoyed surfing, zip lines, a night-time walk to spot koalas and much more. Thank you to the staff who looked after them so well. It is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to get to know each other as they begin their Middle School journey and we will provide two extra days of fun activities throughout the year to compensate for the slightly shorter camp.
Haileybury is committed to nurturing students so they can build healthy relationships, reach their full potential and contribute to their community. The recent Man Cave sessions aim to assist our young men to explore their personal identity and unique strengths. From this, we see them leading in the community, challenging gender stereotypes and feeling safe to express their feelings more often.
Congratulations to students who competed in the Little Athletics State Combined Events Championships.
Matty Milias (Year 7) and Suvan Sujeendran (Year 7) competed in the Boys U13 Combined Five Event Competition. Matty had a tremendous competition and won the State title from five events: 100m, Discus, Long Jump, 80m Hurdles and 800m. He won by more than 200 points with a score of 1,765 and achieved PBs in the Long Jump, 80m Hurdles and 800m events.
Suvan came a solid 19th out of 49 competitors and performed consistently in all events.
Jazmin Firth (Year 8) competed in the Girls U14 Combined Five Event Competition and won silver with PBs in the 200m, Long Jump and 800m.
We wish Matty, Suvan and Jazmin all the best in their upcoming Regional and State Championships.
Jane Gibbs
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
The Year level Coffee Mornings have been a huge success with our parents from ELC to Year 5. It is wonderful to see parents connecting with each other and their community at the lovely cafe Match & Co.
There are five more Coffee Mornings:
Year 6: Monday, 28 February
Year 7: Tuesday, 22 February
Year 8: Wednesday, 23 February
Pre-Senior: Tuesday, 1 March
Senior School: Wednesday, 2 March
Year Level Coffee Mornings are from 9.00 am – 10.30 am at Match & Co, 109/79 Centre Dandenong Road, Dingley Village.
The ELC Family Dinner is on Friday, 25 February, at the Waltzing Matilda Hotel, 856 Heatherton Road, Springvale, 3171. The reservation is from 6.30 pm onwards. Please order and pay for your meals at the counter.
This is a great opportunity for families to meet as you and your children continue your journey at Haileybury Newlands.
Would you please RSVP to Katrina on 0430 109 093 by Wednesday, 23 February, at 12.00 noon with the number of attendees so we can ensure the correct number of seats are reserved.
The Year 5 Bowling Night is the place for students and families to reconnect and for new students and families to meet with this lovely year level.
The event is on Friday, 4 March, from 6.30 pm with bowling starting around 7 pm. Tickets cost $36 per child, which includes one game of bowling, 30 minutes of arcade games, 100 arcade tickets, pizza, soft drink and cordial.
Please only book for your Year 5 child as numbers are limited. Adults and siblings can attend free of charge and purchase food and beverages from the venue. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Our Uniform Shop is open every Friday during term from 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. Our next Saturday opening is on Saturday, 5 March, from 9 am – 12.00 noon.
The Haileybury HPFK Facebook page is our primary communication channel—it is a must for all parents. We publish all events, reminders and HPFK Uniform Shop openings there first. If you would like to connect with our Facebook community, please join our Facebook page by clicking on this link.
If you have any queries, or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
City Play, The Book of Everything, started rehearsals with Director, Ms Jane Marshall, and the cast diving in with gusto. This wondrously imaginative play mixes aspects of surreal and real-life drama to weave a tale of self-acceptance.
In 2021, our VCE Dance cohort all achieved perfect scores for their performance examinations, which constitutes 50 per cent of the final study score. As part of these examinations, students must present two solo pieces—one being a skills-based solo and the other a composition solo which explores a narrative or theme.
We are so proud of our students as they were all invited to audition both of their solo pieces for the 2022 Top Class Dance Concert. This reflects their hard work, excellent dance ability and outstanding choreographic skills.
Congratulations to Freya Stills-Blott (Year 12) who had both solos accepted—an exceptional achievement. Freya’s hip hop solos will be featured in Concert 1 of Top Class Dance on Wednesday, 16 March. Well done, Freya.
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
The Music Department is very proud to announce that Harry Marshall (Year 12) Music Performance: Group and Olivia Van Der Heyden (OH 21) Music Investigation: Group will perform on Tuesday, 22 March, as part of the VCAA 2022 Top Class Music concert series. The event will be held in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre.
In 2021, the focus of Olivia’s performance research within Music Investigation was the style of legendary jazz saxophonist, David Sandborn. Olivia spent more than 12 months focusing on the jazz language of Sanborn and her mastery of his phrasing, tone and stylistic drive was nothing short of outstanding.
The VCAA recognised Olivia as one of the most elite musicians enrolled in the study. She achieved the maximum score of 220 for the performance examination and the maximum score of 50 for the overall study.
Unlike Music Investigation, which sees students focus on a particular aspect of performance, Harry had to present a broad range of styles and performance techniques within his recital program. He performed styles ranging through swing, modern jazz or be-bop, rock, R & B and funk. Harry also achieved the maximum score for his external performance assessment.
For Top Class, Olivia and Harry will join forces to perform Run For Cover. They will be accompanied by Marcus Beyer (Year 11) and Mr Sean McLeod who is Drum Tutor and Coordinator of Jazz and Contemporary Music.
The journey to Top Class contention is a very long one and students typically practice and rehearse for hours every day of the year, no matter what constraints life and schedules bring. These students are hungry for improvement and excellence and there is no doubt in my mind that this dedication develops character and maturity.
Being selected for Top Class places students within the top 0.5 per cent of the state.
While tickets for the concert series typically sell-out within days, hopefully the event will be live-streamed for a wider audience.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Haileybury Senior School’s recently acquired laser machine has inspired our Design and Technology students to explore this amazingly accurate technology and produce a range of innovative and creative products. Students have already made intricate joinery for furniture, personalised key tags, marquetry inlay and engraved decorative box lids.
Unit 1 Visual Communication Design students have worked through the design process to create a personalised name tag for a keyring. After researching and refining a design in their folios, they produced a digital version in Adobe Illustrator, which was then sent to the laser cutter. The designs were precisely pierced, etched and cut out of wood by the computer-controlled machine’s thin, focused laser beam.
In Units 1 to 4, students will work on projects that could be created using the laser cutter. In VCD and Environmental Design, for example, students can print parts of a building to create a 3D mock-up of their structure. They could also produce signage for communication design.
The laser is capable of photographic detail engraving and cutting timber up to 20mm thick and 1.5mm thick steel. We look forward to seeing students use the laser to develop their design and production skills.
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Do you want to hear some wonderful music and see the Haileybury Pipes & Drums in action? Come along and drum up some support for our amazing pipers and drummers at Haileybury’s very own Highland Gathering on Sunday, 6 March. The contest will be held at Haileybury Keysborough on Rendall Oval from 9 am – 5 pm.
Our glorious Pipes & Drums will also put their hard work to the test at the upcoming state competitions. This is in preparation for the Australian Championships in Sydney where student and adult bands nationwide pipe and drum for the top prize.
Haileybury Pipes & Drums has been a traditional and integral part of school life since the band’s formation in 1957. The highly successful, award-winning pipe band not only competes at Highland Gatherings in Victoria but also interstate and internationally.
This year, we are expanding our program to offer students from Years 4 and up the chance to sign up with the first term’s tuition free of charge. For more information, visit the Pipes & Drums page on the myHaileybury app—go to Performing Arts - Pipes & Drums, or email lincoln.hilton@haileybury.vic.edu.au.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
The Old Haileyburians’ Association was saddened to learn of the passing of Rev Graeme Kerr on Wednesday, 9 February. As Haileybury’s Senior Chaplain, Graeme played a central role in the spiritual and ceremonial life of the School.
His leadership at Assemblies, Chapel Services and in the teaching of Religious Studies from 1976 to 2000 was outstanding and emphasised his dedication and long-term commitment to Haileybury. He presided over many weddings of former students in the Bradshaw Chapel.
Graeme was devoted to caring for the individual needs of students and staff. Known affectionately to all as ‘the Vicar’, he provided an empathetic ear and a guiding hand to those who needed comfort and support in difficult times and he shared their joy in times of celebration.
His pastoral care extended to life outside the classroom, and he was an enthusiastic and accomplished coach—especially in football and athletics. His support for the School Drama and Music programs and the OHA were further examples of his dedication to the Haileybury community. Graeme’s involvement in the Chalkdusters singers was always regarded as one of the highlights of the biannual Tattoos.
Graeme is survived by his wife, June, his daughter, Kymberley, and sons Marcus (OH 90) and Nicolas (OH 95) and their families.
Hayley Denny
Development & Alumni Manager
Olamide Araba (Year 11) competed at the Victorian Relay Championships. Her team finished third in the 4x100m and clinched the Women’s U18 Bronze Medal—a wonderful result for Ola and her team.
Amy Bunnage (OHA 21) won her first professional athletic event recently. She impressively won the Dancing with The Black Dog Beachside Gift Women’s 2 Mile Championship. Amy took home the winner’s cheque and signed some caps to keep her fans happy. She launches her State and National campaign soon as she looks towards a World Junior Championship spot.
Congratulations to our Haileybury sporting community for its commitment. In these uncertain times, Haileybury is still recording well over 90 per cent participation in our sports and activities. Well done!
Sean Allcock
Director of Haileybury Sport
In the spirit of reconciliation, Haileybury acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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